cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision tree modeling in R software to aid clinical decision making

There is increasing excitement in the healthcare field about using behavioral data and healthcare analytics for disease risk prediction, clinical decision support, and overall improvement of personalized medicine. However, this excitement has not effectively translated to improved clinical outcomes due to knowledge gaps, a lack of behavioral risk models, and resistance to evidence-based practice. Reportedly, only 10–20% of clinical decisions are known to be evidence-based and this problem is further highlighted by the fact that the US spends more money on healthcare per person than any other nation, while still wrestling with poor health outcomes. Critics say there are inadequate technological resources and analytical education for clinicians to make behavioral data useful in the medical world. Healthcare technology innovators often neglect important aspects of the reality of integrating clinical data into electronic healthcare solutions. In this study, we developed a decision tree model using R statistical software to predict diabetes since it is among the top causes of death in the US, can be poorly managed, and provides an opportunity for improvement using analytics. This study examined behavioral data and healthcare analytics for use in clinical applications, demonstrating that health information professionals can develop behavioral risk factor prediction models to bridge the gap. Results indicated that decision trees are effective in classifying diabetes in an individual at up to 89.36% accuracy.
Hospitalizations for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Vaccine Preventable Infections following Pediatric Heart Transplantation.

Objective To determine the risk factors for acquiring a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and vaccine-preventable infections (R/VPI) in pediatric heart transplant recipients and the associated morbidity and hospital resource use. Study design Patients Results Of 3815 transplant recipients, 681 (17.9%) had an R/VPI hospitalization during 23 746 available person-years of follow-up. There were 984 R/VPIs diagnosed during 951 hospitalizations, and 440 (44.7%) occurred the first year after transplantation. The most common causes were RSV (n = 380; 38.6%), influenza (n = 265; 26.9%), and pneumococcus (n = 105; 10.7%). In adjusted analyses, there was an increased risk of R/VPI hospitalization in patients requiring mechanical circulatory support before transplantation, patients receiving induction with ≥2 immunosuppressive agents, and patients Conclusions Hospitalization for R/VPIs occurred frequently after heart transplantation and were associated with significant costs. Potential strategies to minimize R/VPI include expanding vaccine use through accelerated immunization schedules, further studies of use of palivizumab beyond 2 years of age, and immunogenicity monitoring after vaccination with re-immunization based on guidelines.
Clusters by Menopausal Symptoms: Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors.

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to determine the clusters of Asian American breast cancer survivors by the severity scores of menopausal symptoms and to explore the characteristics associated with the identified clusters. The data from an ongoing study among 94 survivors were used. The instruments included the Perceived Isolation Scale, the Personal Resource Questionnaire, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form. The data analysis was conducted using hierarchical cluster analyses and multinomial logistic analyses. Three clusters were identified: "the cluster with high severity scores of total, psychological, physical, and psychosomatic symptoms (Cluster 1)," "the cluster with moderate severity scores of total, psychological, physical, and psychosomatic symptoms (Cluster 2)," and "the cluster with low severity scores of total, psychological, physical, and psychosomatic symptoms (Cluster 3)." The clusters had significant differences in the level of acculturation, perceived social isolation, and perceived social support (p < 0.05).
The Commerce Clause, American Democracy, and the Affordable Care Act

The purpose of the Commerce Clause was to promote international and domestic trade, and it was included in the text of the Constitution as a means of addressing a specific problem that the government under the Articles of Confederation was powerless to resolve. The original meaning of the congressional power to regulate commerce “among the several states” should be sought in the narrower dimension of the specific problem that it was intended to address: restrictions on trade imposed by the states to favor residents over those of other states. As I demonstrate here, there is ample historical evidence for this purpose. It is a limited and specific purpose and should guide the interpretation of the Commerce Clause in reviewing the constitutionality of federal legislation. It is one of many ends sought by those who drafted and ratified the Constitution, and it may have contradicted some of the ends promoted by other provisions or principles. The Commerce Clause was certainly never intended to act as the lynchpin for the expansion of federal power, as Balkin misappropriates it. Furthermore, as I demonstrate here, the Commerce Clause does not support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, which serves as the most recent and controversial case study in the abuse to which the Commerce Clause has been put by Congress and the courts.
Management, Managerialism, and NGOs

The new governance prefers willing and capable actors and aims to detach politics from administration. CSOs engaged in governance are expected to act in a depoliticized manner. However, civil society’s depoliticization and professionalization are heightened by another social process that has been coupled with new governance: managerialism. Management refers to the domination of the idea that social issues can be more efficiently organized and governed by professionally educated managers. The proliferation of managerialism in civil society changes under the new governance arrangements challenge civil society’s assumed potential of democratizing the new patterns of rule. Managerialism also reconfigures the trichotomy among the state, market relations, and civil society.
How Does the Spirit of Capitalism Affect Stock Market Prices

Bakshi and Chen (1996b) suggest that the spirit of capitalism affects stock prices by increasing society`s aversion to risk. In this article, I show that the way in which the spirit of capitalism impinges upon asset prices depends on the interaction of impatience, willingness to substitute over time, and ordinal preferences between consumption and status, in addition to risk aversion. I develop a general model that charts the channels through which the spirit of capitalism affects asset prices. An increase in the capitalist spirit may increase or decrease risk aversion, and may actually decrease the prices of risky assets.
Chemical synthesis of polysaccharides.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemical synthesis of polysaccharides. The present concepts of the chemical constitution of such important biopolymers ascellulose, amylose, and chitin can be confirmed by their adequate chemical synthesis. The synthetic polysaccharides of defined structure can be used to study the action pattern of enzymes, the induction and reaction of antibodies, and the effect of structure on biological activity in the interaction of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipides with polyhydroxylic macromolecules. Synthetic polysaccharides of known structure and molecular size provide ideal systems for the correlation of chemical and physical properties with chemical constitution and macromolecular conformation. Synthetic polysaccharides and their derivatives furnish a large variety of potentially useful materials whose properties can be widely varied; these substances may find new applications in biology, medicine, and industry. Chemical synthesis of such a structure requires that there be rigorous control of the position and configuration of the glycosidic bond being formed, the ring size of the incorporated sugar residues, the extent of branching, and the molecular size and distribution of the polymers.
Age of acquisition and imageability: a cross‐task comparison

Previous research has reported an imageability effect on visual word recognition. Words that are high in imageability are recognised more rapidly than are those lower in imageability. However, later researchers argued that imageability was confounded with age of acquisition. In the current research, these two factors were manipulated in a factorial design to assess their effect in a lexical decision task and a progressive demasking task. Across both tasks, there was a clear and robust effect of age of acquisition. In contrast, the imageability effect was only evident in the progressive demasking task. Both effects are explained within the connectionist framework in terms of network plasticity and semantic feedback activation.
Inhibition of Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy by Retroviral Vector-mediated Transfer of Suicide Gene: Can Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy be a Target of Gene Therapy?

Purpose: To determine the potential of somatic gene transfer as a treatment for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), experimental PVR was induced in rabbits by intraocular injection of fibroblasts bearing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HStk) gene. These transduced cells should be susceptible to cytotoxicity by exposure to ganciclovir (GCV). Materials and Methods: Rabbit fibroblasts were transduced with retroviral vectors bearing an HStk gene. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was induced by injection of 5 × 104 normal or HStk gene-transduced fibroblasts (HStk fibroblasts) into rabbit eyes. Ganciclovir (100 µg per eye) or saline was injected into the vitreous on days 0 and 4. Experimental animals were divided into three groups: group A received HStk fibroblasts with GCV; group B, normal fibroblasts with GCV; group C, HStk fibroblasts with saline. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy also was induced in several other groups of eyes, some receiving GCV and different proportions of HStk fibroblasts to normal fibroblasts, others receiving only normal fibroblasts and GCV. The eyes were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy on days 4, 7, 14, and 28, and PVR was classified into six stages (0–5). Results: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was induced and progressed over time in each group. On day 28, PVR was most severe in animals in group B (average stage, 4.6) and group C (average stage, 4.4). Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was inhibited in group A (average stage, 1.0). The groups that received mixed injection of HStk fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts had intermediate PVR. Results of histologic study showed no apparent toxic or pathologic reaction in the retinochoroidal tissue of group A animals. Conclusions: Severity of experimental PVR clearly was reduced by transfer of the HStk gene and administration of GCV. This inhibitory effect also was produced by a combination of 10% HStk fibroblasts and 90% normal fibroblasts, indicating a significant bystander effect. These data suggest the potential of somatic gene therapy for the treatment of PVR.
Molecular pathology of emerging coronavirus infections

Respiratory viruses can cause a wide spectrum of pulmonary diseases, ranging from mild, upper respiratory tract infections to severe and life-threatening lower respiratory tract infections, including the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Viral clearance and subsequent recovery from infection require activation of an effective host immune response; however, many immune effector cells may also cause injury to host tissues. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus cause severe infection of the lower respiratory tract, with 10% and 35% overall mortality rates, respectively; however, >50% mortality rates are seen in the aged and immunosuppressed populations. While these viruses are susceptible to interferon treatment in vitro, they both encode numerous genes that allow for successful evasion of the host immune system until after high virus titres have been achieved. In this review, we discuss the importance of the innate immune response and the development of lung pathology following human coronavirus infection.
The Singularity of Areopagitica: A Quantitative Analysis of John Milton's Prose Works

AbstractLiterary critics and historians often interpret authors and authors' works as more or less significant, but are reluctant to quantify those works. The interdisciplinary field of creativity studies, however, poses methods of quantifying the eminence of an author's works. This study uses four measures from that field (anthology entries, scholarly citations, entries in books of quotations, and auction sale records) and one measure from the fields of computational linguistics and data mining (ngrams using millions of books digitized by Google) to assess the eminence of John Milton's thirty-one prose works and their relation to his greater achievement in epic poetry. These measures indicate the singular eminence of Areopagitica, Milton's 1644 tract on the liberty of unlicensed printing.
On the formation of symmetrical phenoxazinone derivative related to the actinomycin D chromophore

Etude de l'obtention du bis-diethylamide de l'acide hydroxy-7 dimethyl-4,6 oxo-3 phenoxazinedicarboxylique-1,9 (compose fluorescent inconnu A) a partir du bis-diethylamide de l'acide dimethyl-4,6 oxo-3 amino-2 phenoxazinedicarboxylique-1,9 (B) par diazotation et reaction avec l'acide nitreux (obtention egalement des derives nitro-2 et H-2 de B). Etude RMN 1 H et 13 C de A
Minireview: The Link Between Fat and Bone: Does Mass Beget Mass?

Osteoporosis is less common in individuals with high fat mass. This putative osteoprotection is likely an adaptive mechanism that allows obese individuals to better carry their increased body mass. Recent studies have focused on hormones that link fat to bone. Adipokines, such as leptin, modulate bone cells through both direct and indirect actions, whereas molecules activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ drive mesenchymal stem cell differentiation towards adipocytes away from the osteoblastic lineage. There is emerging evidence that bone-derived osteocalcin regulates insulin release and insulin sensitivity and, hence, might indirectly affect fat mass. Despite these molecular connections between fat and bone, animal and human studies call into question a primary role for body fat in determining bone mass. Mice devoid of fat do not have a skeletal phenotype, and in humans, the observed correlations between bone and body mass are not just due to adipose tissue. An improved understanding of the integrative physiology at the fat-bone interface should allow us develop therapies for both osteoporosis and obesity.
Anterior Glenoid Perforation with Suture Anchor Causing Subscapularis Irritation and Pain

Background: Suture anchors for labral repair have been associated with complications including suprascapular notch encroachment and osteolysis.
On the three-dimensional vortical structure of early diastolic flow in a patient-specific left ventricle

Abstract We study the formation of the mitral vortex ring during early diastolic filling in a patient-specific left ventricle using direct numerical simulation. The geometry of the left ventricle is reconstructed from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The heart wall motion is modeled by a cell-based activation methodology, which yields physiologic kinematics with heart rate equal to 52 beats per minute. We show that the structure of the mitral vortex ring consists of the main vortex ring and trailing vortex tubes, which originate at the heart wall. The trailing vortex tubes play an important role in exciting twisting circumferential instability modes of the mitral vortex ring. At the end of diastole, the vortex ring impinges on the wall and the intraventricular flow transitions to a weak turbulent state. Our results can be used to help interpret and analyze three-dimensional in-vivo flow measurements obtained with MRI.
Diode-Pumped Cr:forsterite Laser Mode Locked by a Semiconductor Saturable Absorber.

We report the passive mode locking of a diode-pumped Cr:forsterite laser using a semiconductor saturable absorber. The laser generates 10-pJ pulses as short as 1.5 ps in duration with ∼650 mW of absorbed pump power. We measured the transient reflectance of the saturable absorber mirror under different incident energy fluences by using a standard pump–probe method. The performance of this laser is also compared with a high-power fiber-laser-pumped femtosecond forsterite laser mode locked with the same absorber.
TDOA Source Localization in the Presence of Synchronization Clock Bias and Sensor Position Errors

TDOA positioning requires the sensors to be synchronized when sampling the signals to locate an emitting source. It also demands the sensor positions to be accurate. Achieving synchronization may not be feasible when the sensors are widely separated or are many, and precise sensor positions are often not available in practice. This paper investigates TDOA localization using a set of imperfect sensors, where timing synchronization offsets and random position errors exist among different sensor groups. The degradation in localization accuracy caused by synchronization offsets and position errors is examined through the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) analysis under Gaussian noise. A novel method in obtaining sequentially algebraic solutions of the source location, the sensor positions, and the synchronization offsets is developed. Sequential estimation simplifies the localization task and offers complexity reduction. The performance of the proposed estimates is shown to reach the CRLB accuracy analytically using small noise analysis, although they are estimated sequentially and not jointly. Simulations support and corroborate the theoretical developments.
Responses to the H-2Kba mutant involve recognition of syngeneic Ia molecules.

Conventional antigens appear to be recognized by T lymphocytes only when associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Using antigen-specific proliferation as a model for helper T lymphocytes, it has been demonstrated that Ly1+ T cells recognize antigen presented in association with syngeneic la molecules1,2. In contrast to responses to conventional antigens, however, a large number of studies have suggested that the stimulation of alloreactive Ly1+ T cells, and helper T cells specific for allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, involve the direct recognition of Ia alloantigens3–5. For the generation of optimal allogeneic CTL activity it has been proposed that Ly1+ T cells recognize allo-Ia antigens directly and provide help to pre-CTLs that respond to allo-H–2K and/or D determinants. Thus, the B6.C.H–2bm1 mutant (bm1, formerly referred to as Hz1), which is believed to consist of a substitution of two amino acids in the H–2Kb antigen6, has presented a paradox, for it can stimulate strong mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), graft versus host and CTL responses7,8 by T cells of H–2b haplotype mice in the apparent absence of any alloantigenic differences in the I region. We now present evidence that the stimulation of proliferative and helper T cells by the mutant B6.C.H–2bm1 results from the H–2Kba antigen being recognized in the context of syngeneic Ia determinants. Thus responses to both conventional antigens and allogeneic MHC gene products may proceed via the recognition of antigen in the context of self Ia molecules.
PROVIDING WORKPLACE LITERACY: INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION WITH BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

This study attempts to provide both businesses and institutions of higher education with a descriptive analysis of the programs of five companies that have used community colleges in their basic skills programs. Modified case studies were used to obtain data collected through individual interviews with representatives from selected community colleges and companies. The five companies represented include Texas Instruments Defense Systems Corporation and SGS‐Thomson Microelectronics (electronics companies), Abbott Laboratories (a pharmaceutical company), J & E Die Casting (a small die‐casting firm), and Company X, a semiconductor company that requested anonymity. The community colleges included were Richland College, Brookhaven College, and North Lake College, all members of the Dallas County Community College District, Dallas County, Texas. Numerous factors contributed to the success or demise of the programs studied. Elements that served as powerful assets when adequately supported were detrimental when n...
ABATEMENT POLICY AND CHILDHOOD Pb EXPOSURE. • 654

Blood lead concentrations in children have decreased dramatically in the last 20 years pari passu with the decrease in the amount of lead used in gasoline nationwide. The NHANES study of 1988-91 reported that the incidence of lead concentrations ≥ 25 μg/dL had fallen to 0.5% nationally. Blood Pb values in Northeast continued to be greater than in the rest of the country(33% greater than in the Midwest and over 200% those in the south and west of the US). However, the level in Massachusetts was similar to the national average. To explain the lower blood Pb in MA than in neighboring states, we compared average measures of childhood lead exposure in census tracts from Worcester County, MA, and Providence County, RI. These counties are geographically close, similar in metropolitan size, demographics, climate, and air lead concentrations. Pre-1950's houses comprise 45% of Worcester and 50% of Providence county housing stock. However, MA has aggressively enforced legal requirements for abatement of housing lead paint hazards since 1973. RI has had no legal abatement requirements before 1992. Both states have laws which require universal screening of young children. In a small areas analysis, we calculated mean blood lead in each of 154 census tracts (CTs) from Worcester County, MA (9787 children, 0-4 years, screened in 1993), and 136 Providence County, RI CTs (17982 children, 0-4 years, screened in 1994). We hypothesized that mean blood lead would be higher among RI CTs even after controlling for differences in US 1990 census-derived demographics and housing characteristics because of the cumulative effects of MA housing policy. Blood lead was ≥ 25 μg/dL in 0.5% of MA children and 5.2% of RI children. Mean blood lead was 5.6 μg/dL (std dev = 1.3) in the average MA CT, whereas it was 8.3 μg/dL (std dev = 2.4) in the average RI CT, an unadjusted difference 2.7 μg/dL. After adjusting for 12 sociodemographic and housing variables with multiple regression analysis, mean blood Pb in children in the average RI CT remained 33% higher than in the average MA CT (1.8 μg/dL, p<.0001). The MA-RI difference is completely explained by a significantly higher slope coefficient for the predicted relationship between pre-1950's housing in RI (β=0.050 in old RI houses) vs MA (β=0.014 in old MA houses), suggesting that this adjusted RI-MA difference is due to factors associated with old housing, of which the leading candidate factor is the cumulative effects of 23 years of enforced abatement of lead hazards in MA homes. Confirmation of this finding would have major policy implications. However, direct measurement of housing variables which model abatement will be necessary to confirm this premise.
An anatomy memorial tribute: fostering a humanistic practice of medicine.

Medical students' first "patients" are the individuals who donate their bodies for laboratory dissection, and these first lessons of medicine serve as a model for the doctor-patient relationship. A...
Comparative metabolism of six ethoxychlor analogs and DDT in DDT-resistant and susceptible strains of the house fly Musca domestica L

Abstract The metabolic fate of six 3 H-ring-substituted ethoxychlor analogs with altered aliphatic moieties and [ 14 C] p,p′ -DDT was investigated in susceptible and DDT-resistant strains of the house fly Musca domestica Linnaeus. The chloroalkane analogs, dichloroethane, chloropropane, and dichloropropane were primarily metabolized to the corresponding dehydrochlorinated products. This pathway was relatively more prominent in the resistant strain than in the susceptible strain. Biotransformation and detoxication of the isobutane, nitropropane, and neopentane derivatives was through microsomal oxidation (O-deethylation) of aryl ethoxy degradophores, and oxidation of the aliphatic moieties to produce the corresponding benzophenones, with no substantial differences between the resistant and susceptible strain. There was a strong correlation between the Taft ( σ ∗ ) values for the altered aliphatic moieties of chloroalkane analogs and their rate of dehydrochlorination in both the strains. These results suggest the importance of altered aliphatic moieties in developing resistance-proof DDT derivatives.
Nonheterosexual Binational Families: Resilient Victims of Sexual Prejudice and Discriminatory Immigration Policies

An unprecedented number of American citizens are facing the challenge of being in a non-heterosexual binational relationship. Although immigration laws are based on the principle of family unification, under current federal law lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans cannot sponsor their same-sex foreign national partners for residency in the United States. Consequently, an estimated 36,000 couples face the threat of family separation because the narrow definition of “family” used by U.S. immigration services excludes same-sex binational couples and their children. Despite the fact that family research indicates that long periods of separation have harmful effects on the family, immigration law continues to deny binational families the basic right of family unity afforded many of their heterosexual counterparts. Bi-national couples must learn how to function in a social system while dealing with heterosexism, overt discrimination, violence, and the psychological symptoms that result from helplessness. This a...
Demonstration of lack of dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus input to extrastriate areas MT and Visual 2 in the macaque monkey

Abstract Injections of wheat germ conjugated and normal horseradish peroxidase in the identifiable extrastriate cortical areas MT and Visual 2 of the macaque monkey, indicate that these areas do not receive an input from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus as do other regions of extrastriate visual cortex.
Integral as a certain type of a positive definite function

Abstract Let B be a commutative B*-algebra with identity and let A be a proper H*-algebra [1]; consider the trace class T(A) = {xy|x,y ∈ A} of A [4]. A T(A)-valued function p, defined on B, is said to be positive definite if Σi,ja*ip(x*ixj)aj is positive for all finite subsets {x1,…,xn} and {a1,…,an} of B and A respectively. Let be the set of all maximal ideals of B and let x → x(M) be the Gelfand mapping of B into the set of continuous complex-valued functions on . It is shown that for each T(A)-valued positive definite function p on B there exists a positive T(A)-valued measure μ defined on the Borel subsets of , such that for all x ∈ B. This is a generalization of the Bochner Theorem for the case of an algebra. If B is the set C(S) of all continuous complex valued functions on a compact Hausdorff space S, then the above result offers a characterization of the integral I(f) = ∫f(s)d μ(s) with respect to a positive T(A)-valued Borel measure μ on S.
Nanopackaging research at Georgia Tech

The vision of GT-PRC's 3D systems is to go beyond 3D ICs to miniaturize the entire electronic or bioelectronic system components to nanoscale, such as passive components, system interconnections, thermal structures, and power supplies. Recent advances in the synthesis of nanomaterials with outstanding properties combined with novel processing technologies can lead to highly miniaturized, highly functional, and lowcost components and systems (Table 2). The nano to microscale wiring on system packages, off-chip nanointerconnections, and functional nanocomponents for RF, digital, and biofunctions will eventually migrate systems to nanoscale. Nanopackaging, therefore, should transform the handheld devices of today to become megafunctional convergent systems with computing, communications, and sensor capabilities.
Oncologic Outcome of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy in the High-Risk Setting

Abstract Background and Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of open radical prostatectomy in the high-risk setting. Management of high-risk disease with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) is controversial. We examined biochemical recurrence in a selected cohort of high-risk patients who were undergoing RALP. Patients and Methods: Men with high-risk prostate cancer who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing, nonsalvage RALP by a single surgeon without adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy of any kind were identified. High risk was defined by preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/dL, Gleason score ≥8 on final pathologic evaluation, or stage ≥pT3. Postoperative PSA value ≥0.2 ng/dL defined biochemical recurrence. Results: A total of 73 men were identified. There was no significant difference in surgical margin positivity (38% overall) or prostate size between recurrence and nonrecurrence cohorts. Biochemical failure was significantly associated with high...
PROBABILISTIC MODELING OF WORKFORCE-BASED DISRUPTIONS AND INPUT–OUTPUT ANALYSIS OF INTERDEPENDENT RIPPLE EFFECTS

This paper extends the formulation of the input–output model to account for events that cause time varying and probabilistic workforce disruptions. One example of such an event is a pandemic, because the rates with which it affects the working population vary from period to period and are coupled with uncertainties. To address such complexities, the paper develops two extensions: (i) a method of translating unavailable workforce into a measure of sector productivity disruption, and (ii) a simulation framework to account for the possible variations in economic output losses. These extensions are implemented via a MATLAB program to simulate a pandemic scenario in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Optimized lysis buffer reagents for solubilization and preservation of proteins from cells and tissues

Reagents that facilitate solubilization of cells and tissues while preserving the biological activity of their constituents play a major role in various applications including drug delivery. Such reagents are necessary for the accurate determination of cellular and tissue concentrations of proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids, and to measure therapeutic efficacy of drug delivery technologies. Surfactant-based reagents are commonly used for this purpose; however, their utility is marred either by limited ability to solubilize or tendency to denature the proteins during solubilization. Here, we report on the screening and identification of combinations of nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants that possess excellent ability to solubilize mechanically strong and elastic tissues such as skin, while preserving its protein constituents. The leading combination, comprising an equi-mass mixture of 3-(N,N-dimethyl myristyl ammonio) propanesulfonate (TPS, CAS number:14933-09-6) and polyoxyethylene(10) cetyl ether (Brij® C10, CAS number: 9004-95-9) with a total surfactant concentration 0.5 % w/v, solubilized keratinocytes and preserved the activity of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) enzyme in its extracts at room temperature for 7 days. The ability of this mixture to preserve GAPDH activity far exceeded that of a commonly used reagent, Triton-X100. The same mixture also helped solubilize mouse skin to extract proteins and maintain detectable activity of GAPDH in the extract for 1 day. Several other mixtures of nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants were studied. These mixtures provide new reagents for solubilization of cells and tissues for research as well as technological applications.
Naturally Synthetic: Using Biology to Improve Technology

Nature has a diverse toolkit that can be utilized to address a broad array of problems. Among these tools are DNA, lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins, each of which has been used for direct applications from sensors to electronics. Among these macromolecules, proteins represent nature's most diverse polymer with a range of functionality determined by 20 different natural building blocks. The functionality of proteins is determined by their amino-acid content and structure. For instance proteins that bind to metal ions for biomineralization typically express higher levels of amino acid residues containing carboxylate side groups or histidines and cysteines. The amino acid makeup of a protein or polypeptide determines its properties (whether it can bind to metal ions, protein surfaces or nearly any other functional material because proteins can be designed to bind to a large number of materials).The focus of my group is to identify functional polypeptides and use these to improve the properties of technologically relevant materials. Our lab uses a technique called phage display in order to identify solid binding polypeptides that are specific for binding to and the mineralization of electroactive materials and use these materials to prepare new lithium ion batteries. Once peptides are identified, they will be synthesized and combined with other peptide chains that have already been isolated that bind to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to make multifunctional polypeptides. My research is multidisciplinary and involves the integration of biology, biochemistry, synthesis and nanomaterials science in order to address significant technological problems.
16 MB DRAM trench depth characterization using dome scatterometry

Abstract Increased level of integration on dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices has been achieved by augmenting the number of vertical memory cells used for energy storage. Current methods of implementation include reducing the cell's thickness, while increasing its depth in order to maintain the same capacitance of stored electrical charges. We discuss a new metrology technique, the dome scatterometer, which utilizes both two-dimensional diffraction analysis and multivariate statistical methods to determine cell depth. The technique is rapid, non-destructive and accurate.
Phase II Trial of Docetaxel and Cisplatin Combination Chemotherapy in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

PURPOSE: To assess the antitumor activity and toxicity of docetaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with recurrent or incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with recurrent or incurable SCCHN were eligible if they were chemotherapy naive or if they had received one prior regimen as neoadjuvant or concurrent treatment with radiation. Patients who had received chemotherapy for recurrence or prior taxanes were ineligible. Patients received docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1; cycles were repeated every 21 days. RESULTS: Toxic effects and length of survival were assessable in 36 patients and tumor response was assessable in 32, for whom the overall response rate was 40% (13 of 32) (6% complete response and 34% partial response). Median time to response was 5 weeks, and median duration was 4.9 months. In the intent to treat population (n = 36), median time to disease progression was 4 months. Median survival (n = 36) was 9.6 months, ...
Hierarchial concentrator location problem

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of locating concentrators in a computer communications network where a concentrator could be connected to another concentrator in a hierarchy. A mathematical programming model is developed. The objective is to minimize the costs of setting up and operating the communications network subject to capacity constraints. A Lagrangian relaxation approach is used to develop a heuristic solution procedure which is both efficient and effective. Extensive computational experiments were conducted to test the performance of the solution procedure. Problems with up to 200 terminal and 10 potential concentrator locations were studied. The gap between the feasible solution value and the best lower bound was used to judge the quality of the procedure. The mean gaps were in the range of 3–12% across a wide range of problem structures.
Management of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms: a 4-year, single center experience.

Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms are uncommon visceral artery aneurysms usually difficult to resect, and, if untreated, have a propensity to rupture with catastrophic results. We reviewed the clinical and treatment records of four patients encountered in our institution within the last 4 years. Three patients presented as bleeding emergencies from single aneurysms and were successfully treated by transcatheter embolization using coaxial technique and a variety of embolic agents. One nonemergent, asymptomatic patient had surgical resection of two inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms due to unfavorable anatomy for embolization. Embolization therapy appears to be the treatment of choice in the emergency setting. Patients with unsuitable anatomy for embolization may still re quire surgical intervention.
hCG FREE b-SUBUNIT AN EARLY MARKER OF OUTCOME OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION CLINICAL PREGNANCIES

In the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) program at Yale, 32% of pregnancies abort by 16 weeks. With the objective of predicting outcome, serum hCG titer s were determined in serial samples from 48 women with clinical pregnancy (conception where feta l sac demonstrated by ultrasound). Although the mean hCG levels were lower at 8–14, 15–21, 22–28 and 29–35 days post-ET in the 18 women who eventually aborted, 0.18 (range 0.01–0.49), 1.5 (0.05–4.7), 6.4 (0.68–27), and 15 nmol/L (0.35–59), respectively, than in the 30 women whose pregnancy went to term, 0.48 (0.01–5.5), 2.2 (0.33–20), 10 (0.46–25), and 116 nmol/L (0.76–335) respectively, the ranges overlapped significantly, limiting the use of serum hCG in prediction. In earlier studies, the free B-subunit of hCG was demonstrated in the serum of women with natural fertilization pregnancy, 2–6 weeks post ovulation. We used the RIA wit h 1E5 free B-subunit monoclonal antibody to measure this component in the IVF serial blood samples. Of the ...
Distribution of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive cell bodies in the male and female rat: I. Hypothalamus.

The hypothalamic distribution of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive (CCKI) cell bodies in colchicine-treated male and female rats was studied. Immunoreactive neurons were visualized along the anterior two-thirds of the third ventricle but were especially numerous in the preoptic periventricular nucleus. Dense aggregations of CCKI cells were found in the anterior magnocellular, posterior magnocellular, medial parvicellular, and posterior parvicellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus. Both the supraoptic nucleus and the central, cell-dense part of the dorsomedial nucleus contained large numbers of CCKI cells. CCKI cells in the preoptic periventricular nucleus were more numerous in the female, as was a population of labeled cells in the dorsal medial preoptic area. However, CCKI cell bodies in this part of the medial preoptic area were larger in males than in females. Males had more CCKI cells in the central part, of the medial preoptic nucleus and in the posterior magnocellular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus. Both males and females had similar numbers of immunoreactive cells in the anterior magnocellular and the parvicellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus as well as in the anterior hypothalamus, dorsal areas, dorsomedial nucleus, and supramammillary region. These data provide morphological evidence for a sexually differentiated hypothalamic CCKI system.
Characterization of a low molecular weight suppressor of lymphocyte proliferation from guinea pig L2C leukemia cells.

Abstract Conditioned medium (CM) from 24-hr culture of guinea pig L2C B lymphoblastic leukemia cells contained an inhibitor(s) of mitogen- and antigen-stimulated proliferation of syngeneic (strain 2 guinea pigs), allogeneic (Hartley guinea pigs), and xenogeneic (Balb/c mouse, NZW rabbit) lymphocytes. The proliferation of several lymphoid and nonlymphoid cell lines also was inhibited in the presence of CM. The inhibitor(s) in CM was not toxic to any of the cultures studied. CM inhibited the mitogen-stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes when added to cultures up to 52 hr after addition of mitogen. Normal responsiveness to mitogens could be restored by washing the CM-treated lymphocytes with medium during the first 6 hr of culture. The addition of exogenous IL-2 to lymphocyte cultures did not overcome the CM-mediated suppression of mitogen- or antigen-stimulated proliferation. CM also inhibited the IL-2-dependent proliferation of murine CTLL-2 cells. Preincubation of guinea pig lymphocytes in CM did not inhibit the capacity of these cells to release IL-2 after exposure to mitogen. The antiproliferative activity of CM was stable to heating at low pH (100 °C, 10 min, pH 4.0), was resistant to treatment with papain, pronase, DNase, and RNase and did not bind to Con A-Sepharose. Incubation of the L2C cells in indomethacin did not inhibit the release of the inhibitor(s). The inhibitor(s) in CM had an apparent molecular weight of 500–3500 Da as determined by dialysis and ultrafiltration analysis. The inhibitory activity was recovered in the organic phase after extraction with chloroform:methanol and eluted distinct from the thymidine standard after gel filtration on Sephadex-G 25. These data suggest that the inhibitor(s) in CM is a nonspecific, low molecular weight, lipid-like component (not prostaglandin) that exerts its antiproliferative effects subsequent to cell activation. The inhibitor(s) did not appear to suppress other biologic functions associated with activation, such as IL-2 secretion. The inhibitor in CM may be important in promoting tumor survival in vivo by suppressing potential anti-tumor cellular immune responsiveness.
Dependence of Eigenvalues on the Problem

The eigenvalues of linear, regular, two point boundary value problems depend contin- uously on the problem. In the important self-adjoint case studied by Naimark and Weidmann this dependence is dierentiable and the derivatives of the eigenvalues with respect to a given parame-
Modeling of electromechanical charge sensing in ionic polymer transducers

A model for charge sensing due to imposed deformation in ionic polymer materials is presented. The basic concept of this model is that mechanical deformation induces charge at the surface of the polymer and produces a measureable discharge of current as the material is deformed. This discharge of current occurs when a short-circuit electrical boundary condition is applied across the material electrodes. An expression for charge density, electric field and electric potential under short-circuit conditions is developed from the electrostatic field equations. The solution for charge density is coupled with the mechanical deformation through a proportionality constant. Expressions for induced charge and current flow are then derived from the equations for electric displacement at the surface of the material. Experimental results support the basic form of the model and also demonstrate that the geometric scaling predicted in the model agrees with measured data. Analysis of the length scale predicted by the model produces qualitative agreement with previously published results but also points to the need for a greater understanding of the interfacial mechanics in the ionic polymer transducers.
DOES SELF‐CONTROL AFFECT SURVEY RESPONSE? APPLYING EXPLORATORY, CONFIRMATORY, AND ITEM RESPONSE THEORY ANALYSIS TO GRASMICK ET AL.'S SELF‐CONTROL SCALE

Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) A General Theory of Crime has sparked a great deal of theoretical debate and empirical investigation. Tests of the theory have focused on measuring the core element, the latent trait of self-control. The majority of this research has used the 24-item scale developed by Grasmick et al. (1993), and a great deal of attention has been directed at the validity of this scale. Empirical debate revolves around the unidimensionality of the scale as established using conventional factor analytic techniques [exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)]. In this paper, we provide the first application of an item response theory (IRT) Rasch model to the validation of the Grasmick et al. scale. IRT models focus on the interaction between the human subject and survey items, and the extent to which cumulative scales fail to provide fundamental measurement. Our results suggest that although conventional factor analyses yield results similar to those previously reported, IRT analysis reveals that one's level of self-control influences self-report responses, a finding consistent with Hirschi and Gottfredson.
Rapidly growing cardiac papillary fibroelastoma in a teenager with sickle cell disease.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is an uncommon nonmalignant tumor. It is usually found in adults, arising from endocardium within the left side of the heart. We present a case of an asymptomatic pediatric patient with sickle cell disease, in whom a relatively rapidly growing papillary fibroelastoma emanating from the aortic valve was detected on routine echocardiogram (Philips iE33, Philips Ultrasound, Bothell, WA, USA). The tumor was surgically removed without compromising the aortic valve. A mechanism is suggested for the development of this tumor in a patient with sickle cell disease. A 15-year old female with sickle cell disease (homozygous SS) and splenectomy was seen in cardiology clinic. As part of our protocol for following patients with SS-disease, we obtained an echocardiogram to assess left ventricular size and function. The study demonstrated a (9.1 mm 9 8.4 mm) mobile, echo dense mass, attached by a thin stalk to the aortic surface of the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve, close to the commissure between the right and left coronary cusps (Fig. 1). There was no aortic outflow obstruction or aortic valve insufficiency. An echocardiogram performed 17 months earlier showed no mass within the heart (Fig. 2). The patient had no recent fever, infection, headache, or neurologic deficit. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) (Philips iE33), performed just prior to surgery, confirmed our preoperative findings (Fig. 3). There were no additional intracardiac masses seen. The operation was conducted under conditions of normothermia with the hemoglobin S level maintained <10%, to lower the risk of sickling. Through a mid-line sternotomy, cardiopulmo-
Objective texture measurements of commercial wheat flour tortillas

ABSTRACT Texture is a property of major importance in the evaluation of baked products. To determine a sample of commercial ranges for stretchability, rollability, firmness, and Kramer shear cell measurements for wheat flour tortillas using the TA-XT2 texture analyzer, three separate sets of five tortilla brands purchased from stores in Manhattan, KS, were evaluated. Two brands had two formulations, regular and fat-free. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in stretchability, firmness, and Kramer shear cell occurred between regular and fat-free tortillas of one tortilla brand. Significant differences (P < 0.05) also were found among the sets of some tortilla brands. Kramer shear cell and stretchability measurements are recommended because Kramer shear cell measures the force combined with compression, shearing, and extrusion. Stretchability measurements were repeatable and are an important textural property of wheat flour tortillas. Ranges for textural properties for commercial wheat flour tortillas were de...