cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DeepInterior: new pathway to address the interior tomographic reconstruction problem in CT via direct backprojecting divergent beam projection data

The interior tomographic reconstruction problem concerns reconstruction of a local region of interest (ROI) from projection data that are conformally collimated to only illuminate the target ROI. In the past decade or so, it has been proven that a stable solution exists to address the interior tomographic reconstruction problem provided that a) the Tuy data sufficiency condition is satisfied and b) image values of some pixels inside the ROI are known(not all pixels to void triviality), although there seems to be no analytical reconstruction method available to reconstruct the image. In this work, we present a new pathway to address the interior tomographic reconstruction problem, referred to as DeepInterior. The new scheme consists of two steps: 1) Direct backprojection of the acquired fully truncated divergent beam projection data to form a backprojection image B0 without the conventional differentiation operations and 2) the true image is then reconstructed from the blurred image B0 using a trained deep neural network architecture. We demonstrated that the trained DeepInterior is shift-invariant and can accurately reconstruct ROIs at arbitrary locations.
Defining the underlying defect in insulin action in type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance is one of the earliest defects in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Over the past 50 years, elucidation of the insulin signalling network has provided important mechanistic insights into the abnormalities of glucose, lipid and protein metabolism that underlie insulin resistance. In classical target tissues (liver, muscle and adipose tissue), insulin binding to its receptor initiates a broad signalling cascade mediated by changes in phosphorylation, gene expression and vesicular trafficking that result in increased nutrient utilisation and storage, and suppression of catabolic processes. Insulin receptors are also expressed in non-classical targets, such as the brain and endothelial cells, where it helps regulate appetite, energy expenditure, reproductive hormones, mood/behaviour and vascular function. Recent progress in cell biology and unbiased molecular profiling by mass spectrometry and DNA/RNA-sequencing has provided a unique opportunity to dissect the determinants of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome; best studied are extrinsic factors, such as circulating lipids, amino acids and other metabolites and exosomal microRNAs. More challenging has been defining the cell-intrinsic factors programmed by genetics and epigenetics that underlie insulin resistance. In this regard, studies using human induced pluripotent stem cells and tissues point to cell-autonomous alterations in signalling super-networks, involving changes in phosphorylation and gene expression both inside and outside the canonical insulin signalling pathway. Understanding how these multi-layered molecular networks modulate insulin action and metabolism in different tissues will open new avenues for therapy and prevention of type 2 diabetes and its associated pathologies.
0110 Emotional/behavioral difficulties and racial and ethnic discrimination among youth and families: results from a pilot study

Statement of purpose Racial discrimination presents a lifelong chronic stressor and has been found to impact mental health outcomes for individuals and their families. In a sample of families receiving before- and after-school services, we surveyed children and parents on their experiences with racial discrimination and correlated results to children’s emotional and behavioral difficulties. Methods/Approach Using a community-engagement approach, children and parent dyads were recruited from Twin Cities Boys and Girls Clubs. Parents and children completed questionnaires on their experiences with racial discrimination along with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for children. Linear regression adjusted for gender and race to compare racial discrimination scales to both parent- and self-reported emotional and behavioral difficulties for children. Results 32 racially diverse child-parent dyads were enrolled into the study and returned the cross-sectional survey. Overall, 91% of parents and 80% of children reported some form of racial discrimination in their lifetime, such as receiving unfair treatment at work or school, experiencing threats or harm, or being insulted, devalued, or excluded because of their race or ethnicity. An increase in children’s emotional/behavioral difficulties was observed with each additional experience of racial discrimination reported by children (β=1.5, 95% CI 0.4–2.5) as well as with each unit increase in the lifetime racial discrimination scale for parents (β=5.0, 95% CI 0.8 – 9.2). Conclusions Racial discrimination, including the effects of lifetime racism experienced by their parents, can impact the emotional and behavioral health of children. Early intervention is critical to reducing the adverse effects of transgenerational racism and ethnic discrimination. Significance This pilot study underscores the importance of preventing childhood trauma among racially and ethnically-diverse communities. Community-based injury research may benefit from considering both the experiences of children and parents in relation to children’s injury or mental health outcomes.
An Unusual Occurrence of Erythrocytosis in a Child with Nephrotic Syndrome and Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Anemia is common in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) for various reasons. Furthermore, anemia can occur in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) predominantly owing to inappropriately low erythropoietin (EPO) production relative to the degree of anemia. However, erythrocytosis is uncommon in patients with NS and advanced CKD who are not treated with exogenous erythropoietin stimulating agents, and when present, will necessitate exploration of the other etiologies. Case summary: Here, we describe an 8-year-old girl with erythrocytosis in association with NS and advanced CKD. The patient was found to have erythrocytosis during the evaluation for hypertensive urgency. She also had nephrotic range proteinuria without edema. Serum hemoglobin and hematocrit were 17 gm/dL and 51%, respectively, despite hydration. Renal function test showed an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. There was mild iron deficiency anemia with serum iron saturation of 18%. Serum EPO level was normal. Urine EPO was not measured. Renal biopsy showed evidence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Genetic testing for NS showed mutations in podocyte genes: NUP93, INF2, KANK1, and ACTN4. Gene sequence analysis of genes associated with erythrocytosis showed no variants in any of these genes. She required chronic dialysis ten months later and, subsequently, a renal transplantation 14 months after the initial presentation. Conclusion: Since the serum EPO level was normal, an increased sensitivity to EPO is the most probable mechanism of erythrocytosis. The unusual association of erythrocytosis in patients with NS and advanced CKD needs to be studied further in larger studies.
Electrically Poled Vapor Deposited Organic Glasses for Integrated Electro-optics

Vapor-deposited, monolithic small molecule assemblies deliver a strong, permanent electro- optic response after being electrically poled above the glass transition temperature. They are ideally suited for hybrid electro-optic modulators in integrated silicon photonics.
Nanoscale Interfacial Engineering for Flexible Barrier Films.

Alternating layers of organic and oxide thin films used as diffusion barriers in emerging flexible device technologies are vulnerable to degradation under the influence of mechanical stresses, temperature cycling, photodegradation, and chemically active environmental species. Delamination of the internal organic to oxide interfaces often limits the operational lifetime of the barrier system. We demonstrate a method for increasing the adhesion of organic and oxide thin films by generating nanostructures at the interface. We show that the adhesion of an acrylate to silicon oxide model system can be increased by up to an order of magnitude (from ∼2 J/m2 to 24 J/m2). By altering the diameter and depth of the patterns in the model systems, the adhesion energy can be changed, and the delamination pathway can be controlled. In addition, we show that a patterned interface maintains a higher adhesion than its planar counterpart for all durations of UV–A and UV–B exposure.
Chapter 13 Analysis for Design

Abstract In this chapter we discuss analysis for the design of simulation experiments. By that we mean, not the traditional (important) methods to design statistical experiments, but rather techniques that can be used, before a simulation is conducted, to estimate the computational effort required to obtain desired statistical precision for contemplated simulation estimators. In doing so, we represent computational effort by simulation time, and that in turn by either the number of replications or the run length within a single simulation run. We assume that the quantities of interest will be estimated by sample means. In great generality, the required length of a single simulation run can be determined by computing the asymptotic variance and the asymptotic bias of the sample means. Existing theory supports this step for a sample mean of a function of a Markov process. We would prefer to do the calculations directly for the intended simulation model, but that usually is prevented by model complexity. Thus, as a first step, we usually approximate the original model by a related Markovian model that is easier to analyze. For example, relatively simple diffusion-process approximations to estimate required simulation run lengths for queueing models can often be obtained by heavy-traffic stochastic-process limits.
Construction of neuroanatomical shape complex atlas from 3D brain MRI

This paper proposes a novel technique for constructing a neuroanatomical shape complex atlas using an information geometry framework. A shape complex is a collection of shapes in a local neighborhood. We represent the boundary of the entire shape complex using the zero level set of a distance function S(x). The spatial relations between the different anatomical structures constituting the shape complex are captured via the distance transform. We then leverage the well known relationship between the stationary state wave function ψ(x) of the Schrodinger equation -h2∇2ψ + ψ = 0 and the eikonal equation ||∇S|| = 1 satisfied by any distance function S(x). This leads to a one-to-one map between ψ(x) and S(x) and allows for recovery of S(x) from ψ(x) through an explicit mathematical relationship. Since the wave function can be regarded as a square-root density function, we are able to exploit this connection and convert shape complex distance transforms into probability density functions. Furthermore, square-root density functions can be seen as points on a unit hypersphere whose Riemannian structure is fully known. A shape complex atlas is constructed by first computing the Karcher mean ψ(x) of the wave functions, followed by an inverse mapping of the estimated mean back to the space of distance transforms in order to realize the atlas. We demonstrate the shape complex atlas computation via a set of experiments on a population of brain MRI scans. We also present modes of variation from the computed atlas for the control population to demonstrate the shape complex variability.
Biosynthesis of α-Ketoglutarate by the Reductive Carboxylation of Succinate in Bacteroides ruminicola

Experiments with growing cells and with cell-free extracts of Bacteroides ruminicola indicate that this anaerobic bacterium can synthesize α-ketoglutarate by a reductive carboxylation of succinate. When the organism was grown in medium containing succinate-1,4-14C, most of the radioactivity in cells was in the protein fraction and most of the 14C in protein was in the glutamic acid family of amino acids (glutamate, proline, and arginine). When unlabeled succinate was added to culture medium containing glucose-U-14C, incorporation of radioactivity into the glutamic acid family of amino acids was greatly reduced. This supports the concept that succinate is an intermediate in synthesis of α-ketoglutarate. Cell-free extracts of the organism incubated with succinate-1,4-14C incorporated 14C into amino acids and most of this was found in glutamate. The cofactors which stimulate glutamate synthesis from succinate by extracts from these cells appear to be similar to the factors that have been demonstrated with extracts from photosynthetic bacteria. The position of label in glutamate synthesized from succinate-1,4-14C, the probable absence of isocitric dehydrogenase, and studies with labeled citrate and with inhibitors of citric acid cycle enzymes support the concept of a reductive carboxylation of succinate as the only, or at least a major, mechanism for synthesis of α-ketoglutarate in this organism. This appears to be the first evidence for a net synthesis of α-ketoglutarate by this reaction in a nonphotosynthetic heterotrophic organism.
A Naturally Occurring Mutant Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor as a Target for Peptide Vaccine Immunotherapy of Tumors

The type III EGF receptor (EGFRvIII) is the result of an in-frame deletion from nucleotides 275 to 1075 in the EGF receptor cDNA sequence creating a novel epitope at the fusion junction. This spontaneously occurring alteration is found in a high percentage of primary human brain, breast, lung and ovarian tumors. We have explored whether a peptide derived from the fusion junction could serve as the basis for an antitumor vaccine. Preimmunization of mice with this peptide substantially inhibited tumor formation by cells expressing EGFRvIII. Tumor cell inoculation followed by immunization could also enhance the regression of existing tumors. Antibody production was elicited in animals that was highly specific for the novel epitope and also a CTL response that was mediated by CD8+ T lymphocytes. The alteration present in EGFRvIII could serve as the basis for an antitumor vaccine with potentially wide application in humans.
BlueLocator: enabling enterprise location-based services

BlueLocator, a framework enabling enterprise location-based services as well as an enterprise user locating and tracking system, is introduced in this paper. Privacy control in LBS is discussed and a report-to-chain based access control list assignment policy is shown as an example of how a privacy related rule can be used for applications.
Notas sobre el género Cybianthus (Myrsinaceae) en Colombia y Panamá

Two new species of Cybianthus subgenus Conomorpha, C. cuatrecasassi Pipoly and C. idroboiPipoly, from the departments of Huila and Meta, are described, illustrated, and their phylogentic relationships are discussed. A complete description of Cybianthus montanus (Lundell) Agostini is provided, along with an illustration. In addition, Conomorpha rufa Lundell and Conomorpha genttyi are relegated to synonymy under Cybianthus montanus.
Associations of body composition measures and C2, a marker for small artery elasticity: The MESA.

Author(s): Forbang, Nketi I; Allison, Matthew A; Ix, Joachim H; Criqui, Michael H; Vaidya, Dhanajay; Yeboah, Joseph; Duprez, Daniel A; Jacobs, David R | Abstract: ObjectiveLower C2, a continuous blood pressure waveform characteristic asserted to represent small artery elasticity, predicts future cardiovascular disease events. It is hypothesized that the paradoxical positive association between body mass index (BMI) and C2 may reflect muscle instead of excess fat.MethodsIn a multi-ethnic, community-living cohort of 1,960 participants, computed tomography scans of the abdomen were used to measure visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and total abdominal muscle tissue (TAMT), and applanation tonometry of the radial arteries was used to assess C2. The period cross-sectional associations between BMI, TAMT, and VAT with C2 were ascertained.ResultsThe mean age was 62 ± 9 years and 51% were male. After adjustments for age, gender, ethnicity, pack years smoking cigarettes, diabetes, hypertension, and total and HDL cholesterol, higher BMI (standardized beta = 0.09, P-value l 0.01) and more TAMT (standardized beta = 0.12, P-value l 0.01) were significantly associated with higher C2. In contrast, more VAT (standardized beta = -0.09, P-value l 0.01) was associated with lower C2.ConclusionsIn multivariable analysis, VAT, in contrast to TAMT and BMI, was associated with less compliant small arteries. Visceral fat may be a better marker for detrimental excess body fat than BMI.
Buprenorphine Decreases the CCL2-Mediated Chemotactic Response of Monocytes

Despite successful combined antiretroviral therapy, ∼ 60% of HIV-infected people exhibit HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). CCL2 is elevated in the CNS of infected people with HAND and mediates monocyte influx into the CNS, which is critical in neuroAIDS. Many HIV-infected opiate abusers have increased neuroinflammation that may augment HAND. Buprenorphine is used to treat opiate addiction. However, there are few studies that examine its impact on HIV neuropathogenesis. We show that buprenorphine reduces the chemotactic phenotype of monocytes. Buprenorphine decreases the formation of membrane projections in response to CCL2. It also decreases CCL2-induced chemotaxis and mediates a delay in reinsertion of the CCL2 receptor, CCR2, into the cell membrane after CCL2-mediated receptor internalization, suggesting a mechanism of action of buprenorphine. Signaling pathways in CCL2-induced migration include increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and of the junctional protein JAM-A. We show that buprenorphine decreases these phosphorylations in CCL2-treated monocytes. Using DAMGO, CTAP, and Nor-BNI, we demonstrate that the effect of buprenorphine on CCL2 signaling is opioid receptor mediated. To identify additional potential mechanisms by which buprenorphine inhibits CCL2-induced monocyte migration, we performed proteomic analyses to characterize additional proteins in monocytes whose phosphorylation after CCL2 treatment was inhibited by buprenorphine. Leukosialin and S100A9 were identified and had not been shown previously to be involved in monocyte migration. We propose that buprenorphine limits CCL2-mediated monocyte transmigration into the CNS, thereby reducing neuroinflammation characteristic of HAND. Our findings underscore the use of buprenorphine as a therapeutic for neuroinflammation as well as for addiction.
Transcription Factor Competition Allows Embryonic Stem Cells to Distinguish Authentic Signals from Noise

Stem cells occupy variable environments where they must distinguish stochastic fluctuations from developmental cues. Here, we use optogenetics to investigate how the pluripotency network in embryonic stem (ES) cells achieves a robust response to differentiation cues but not to gene expression fluctuations. We engineered ES cells in which we could quantitatively ontrol the endogenous mechanism of neural differentiation through a light-inducible Brn2 transgene and monitor differentiation status through a genome-integrated Nanog-GFP reporter. By exposing cells to pulses of Brn2, we find that the pluripotency network rejects Brn2 inputs that are below specific magnitude or duration thresholds, but allows rapid differentiation when both thresholds are satisfied. The filtering properties of the network arise through its positive feedback architecture and the intrinsic half-life of Nanog, which determines the duration threshold in the network. Together our results suggest that the dynamic properties of positive-feedback networks might determine how inputs are classified as signal or noise by stem cells.
Light rail transit: Cost and output

Abstract Growing concerns about environment, oil depletion, and traffic congestion call for a fresh look at mass transit—specifically non-polluting, low noise, nonoil-consuming, high-speed electric transit. This article attempts to relate cost to output, both for light rail and the alternative transit mode, i.e., the express bus. For that purpose a simple algebraic framework is developed, tailored to data obtained from a study of alternative transit modes in the Pittsburgh South Hills corridor. The data were prepared by De Leuw Cather and Company for the Port Authority of Allegheny County and were published by the U.S. Department of Transportation in a recent study of the state of light-rail art. The article finds the volume of output at which, considering cost alone, a mass-transit authority would be indifferent between light rail and express buses. At the end, noncost factors are considered.
Electromagnetic scatterometry applied to in-situ metrology

In this paper we introduce the concept of single combined field integral equation to the rapidly developing field of in-line metrology employing scatterometry. The new method is very fast and accurate with extreme versatility, enabling very rapid profile analysis of periodic and isolated features. Several examples in 2D and 3D, such as T-top profiles, contact holes and entire SRAM cells, are presented.
Transient gas flow through porous media

Abstract The problem of transient, one-dimensional flow of an ideal gas through a deformable porous layer is considered. Due to the assumption of small displacement gradients, the mathematical model leads to a formulation in terms of a nonlinear partial differential equation familiar in gas flow theory. For the limiting case of zero surface pressure analytic short time and long time solutions are presented. These are matched at an intermediate value of time giving an accurate approximate solution. The general case of non-zero surface pressure is treated numerically using Galerkin's method. The analytical character of the early time solution is discussed for this general case.
High-efficiency fast-neutron detectors

Abstract Two high-efficiency detectors for fast neutrons are described. The first detects bursts of neutrons as well as single neutrons. The second is a neutron spectrometer with burst-mode capabilities. Both instruments require a signal from neutron energy loss in a moderating scintillator followed by a signal from neutron capture in 6Li. All potentially interesting events are recorded by a waveform digitizer for detailed analysis and background subtraction. Time dispersion of the capture signals makes possible an estimate of the number of incident neutrons in the burst. The spectrometer has been calibrated at four neutron energies from 1.2 to 14.1 MeV.
Comparison of the catabolic effects of fibronectin fragments in human knee and ankle cartilages

Abstract Objective : To compare the response of knee and ankle cartilages to fibronectin fragments (Fn-f) in terms of kinetics of matrix proteoglycan (PG) degradation and synthesis, since previous data had shown that knee was more sensitive to Fn-f in terms of steady-state PG content. Design : Human knee and ankle cartilage explants were treated with the 29kDa Fn-f, and its effects on PG-degradation kinetics, on the half-lives of 35 S-sulfate-labeled PG, on PG synthesis suppression and on matrix metalloproteinase -3 (MMP-3) were compared. Cultures were also treated with the interleukin (IL) receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) in order to determine whether IL-1 is involved in the Fn-f effect. Results : The Fn-f enhanced PG-degradation rates in both human knee and ankle cartilages. Knee cartilage showed a greater effect of Fn-f on half-lives of newly synthesized 35 S-labeled PG than ankle. The extent of release of MMP-3 was similar for human ankle and knee cartilages. However, PG synthesis in knee cartilage was sensitive to 10- to 100-fold lower concentrations of Fn-f than was ankle cartilage. IRAP partially reversed Fn-f activity in ankle cartilages. Conclusions : The role of Fn-f in proteolysis leading to cartilage damage appears to be minor in human cartilages than had previously been shown for bovine. This decreased proteolysis is true for both knee and ankle. The major difference between human ankle and knee cartilage appears to be greater sensitivity to PG synthesis suppression in knee cartilage. A further indication that IL-1 is involved in the pathway was provided by the partial reversal with IRAP.
Localization of the retinal protonated Schiff base counterion in rhodopsin.

Semiempirical molecular orbital calculations are combined with 13C NMR chemical shifts to localize the counterion in the retinal binding site of vertebrate rhodopsin. Charge densities along the polyene chain are calculated for an 11-cis-retinylidene protonated Schiff base (11-cis-RPSB) chromophore with 1) a chloride counterion at various distances from the Schiff base nitrogen, 2) one or two chloride counterions at different positions along the retinal chain from C10 to C15 and at the Schiff base nitrogen, and 3) a carboxylate counterion out of the retinal plane near C12. Increasing the distance of the negative counterion from the Schiff base results in an enhancement of alternating negative and positive partial charge on the even- and odd-numbered carbons, respectively, when compared to the 11-cis-RPSB chloride model compound. In contrast, the observed 13C NMR data of rhodopsin exhibit downfield chemical shifts from C8 to C13 relative to the 11-cis-RPSB.Cl corresponding to a net increase of partial positive or decrease of partial negative charge at these positions (Smith, S. O., I. Palings, M. E. Miley, J. Courtin, H. de Groot, J. Lugtenburg, R. A. Mathies, and R. G. Griffin. 1990. Biochemistry. 29:8158–8164). The anomalous changes in charge density reflected in the rhodopsin NMR chemical shifts can be qualitatively modeled by placing a single negative charge above C12. The calculated fit improves when a carboxylate counterion is used to model the retinal binding site. Inclusion of water in the model does not alter the fit to the NMR data, although it is consistent with observations based on other methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fluid mechanics of the formation of polymer blends. Part I: Formation of lamellar structures

This paper deals with the early stages of blend morphology development as occurs in a screw extruder. Using combinations of similar polymers (polystyrene and styrene-butadiene copolymer) and dissimilar polymers (PS and EVA) as model systems, it has been concluded that during melting the scale of segregation between the blend components is reduced by orders of magnitude within fraction of a second residence time. During the early stages of morphology development, the melting pellets produce fine lamellar structures (thickness of the order of μm) that extend over much of the melting zone before being broken up by capillary forces
Metrology-based control and profitability in the semiconductor industry

This paper summarizes three studies of the semiconductor industry conducted at SEMATECH and MIT's Sloan School of Management. In conjunction they lead to the conclusion that rapid problem solving is an essential component of profitability in the semiconductor industry, and that metrology-based control is instrumental to rapid problem solving. The studies also identify the need for defect attribution. Once a source of a defect has been identified, the appropriate resources--human and technological--need to be brought into the physically optimal location for corrective action. The Internet is likely to enable effective defect attribution by inducing collaboration between different companies.
Palmito sustainability and economics in Brazil's Atlantic coastal forest

Abstract A number of palm species produce edible palm hearts, or 'palmito' as it is called in Brazil. Palmito jussara ( Euterpe edulis ) is a favorite for both international export and Brazilian consumption. Except on private lands, extraction of wild jussara palmito (or just 'palmito') from Brazil's Atlantic Coastal Forest is illegal. Yet palmito extraction in this forest continues on a large scale because of profitability for palmito processors and merchants, ineffective government intervention, and relatively attractive earnings for low-income palmito harvesters ('palmiteiros'). Because most palmito cutting and transport is clandestine, virtually no information is available on the financial returns from palmito extraction. However, the question is central for discussions of sustainability in unmanaged vs. managed agro-ecological systems. While reliable data are impossible to obtain, we interviewed several individuals in Brazil in order to formulate scenarios of palmito production, prices, and costs. We simulate the uncertainties in assumptions and data to generate a range of estimates on the net value of palmito management alternatives. Financial net present value (NPV) of palmito extraction is highly sensitive to the time value of money (discount rate). 'Managed' extraction is more attractive than unmanaged extraction at low discount rates. As the discount rate increases, the attractiveness of sustainable palmito management decreases. All scenarios suggest that palmito cutting is very lucrative, explaining current institutional problems in controlling its commerce.
Infection related never events in pediatric patients undergoing spinal fusion procedures in United States: prevalence and predictors.

Objective To examine the prevalence and predictors of infection related never events (NE) associated with spinal fusion procedures (SFP) in children (age < = 18 years) in the United States. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2004 to 2008. All pediatric hospitalizations that underwent SFP were selected for analysis. The main outcomes measures include occurrence of certain NE’s. The association between the occurrence of a NE and factors (patient & hospital related) were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Of 56,465 hospitalizations, 61.7% occurred among females. The average age was 13.7 y and two-thirds were whites. The major insurance payer was private insurance (67.4%). About 82% of all hospitalizations occurred on an elective basis. Teaching hospitals accounted for a majority of hospitalizations (87.9%). Two-thirds were posterior fusion techniques, 52.3% had underlying musculoskeletal deformities, and the most frequently present co-morbid conditions (CMC) included paralysis (10.9%), chronic pulmonary disease (9.7%), and fluid/electrolyte disorders (7.6%). Overall rate of occurrence of a NE was 4.8%. Post-operative pneumonia was the most frequently occurring NE (2.9%). Female gender (OR = 0.78) and elective admissions (OR = 0.66) were associated with lower risk of NE occurrence. Medicaid coverage (OR = 1.46), primary diagnosis of other acquired deformities (OR = 1.82), spinal cord injury (OR = 6.94), other nervous system disorders (OR = 2.84) were associated with higher risk of NE occurrence. Among CMC, those with chronic blood loss anemia (OR = 2.57), coagulopathy (OR = 1.97), depression (OR = 2), drug abuse (OR = 3.71), fluid/electrolyte disorders (OR = 2.62), neurological disorders (OR = 1.72), paralysis (OR = 1.75), renal failure (OR = 5.45), and weight loss (OR = 4.61) were risk factors for higher odds of a NE occurrence. Hospital teaching status, region, hospital size, and patient race did not influence the occurrence of NE. Conclusion The never events examined in the current study occurred in 4.8% of children hospitalized with SFP. Certain predictors of NE are identified in this study.
Hydrogen bonding Part 51. Thermodynamic, IR, and solubility studies of the iodide hydrates of N-methylhexamethylenetetramine cation, N-methylquinuclidinium ion, N-methyltriethylenediamine cation, hexamethonium ion, and N,N′-dimethyltriethylene-diammonium ion; evidence for a possible (H2O·I−)2 planar cluster

Abstract We have carried out dissociation vapor pressure measurements on N-methylhexamethylenetetramine cation iodide monohydrate, N-methylquinuclidinium iodide monohydrate and hemihydrate, N-methyltriethylenediamine cation iodide monohydrate and hemihydrate, N,N′-dimethyltriethylenediammonium iodide monohydrate and hexamethonium iodide dihydrate and monohydrate. Six of these hydrates have similar values for ΔH°dis with an average of 10.2 kcal mol−1 per mol of H2O lost, or a minimum value of about 5.1 kcal mol−1 per HOH ⋯ I− hydrogen bond.broken. N-methylquinuclidinium and N-methyltriethylenediamine cation iodide hemihydrates have essentially identical ΔH°dis values of 15.8 kcal mol−1, or 7.9 kcal mol−1 per HOH ⋯ I− hydrogen bond. These two hemihydrates also have similar and much higher values of ΔS°dis than the other hydrates, and their IR spectra suggest that they may contain Type I planar (H2O·I−)2 cluster ions. The IR spectra of all of the other iodide hydrates studied show Type II extended linear HOH ⋯ I− hydrogen bonding. The solubilities of quaternary ammonium iodides in H2O vary over an extremely large range, even for cations of similar size and charge. Possible reasons for these solubility effects are discussed.
Identification of the human Mnk2 gene (MKNK2) through protein interaction with estrogen receptor beta.

Abstract We have identified and characterized the human Mnk2 gene (HGMW-approved gene symbol MKNK2) through a yeast two-hybrid screen in which the Mnk2 protein interacted with the ligand-binding domain of estrogen receptor β (ERβ). Human Mnk2 is homologous to murine Mnk2 (∼94% identical) and human Mnk1 (71% identical), both of which encode MAP kinase interacting kinases that are phosphorylated and activated by ERK1 and 2. This report presents a thorough genomic sequence analysis revealing that the human Mnk2 gene has two C-terminal splice variants, designated here as Mnk2a and Mnk2b. These two isoforms are identical over the first 385 amino acids of the coding sequence and differ only in the final exon which encodes an additional 80 residues for Mnk2a and 29 residues for Mnk2b. A more detailed biological analysis in yeast showed that the Mnk2 interaction was selective for ERβ as opposed to ERα and that the interaction was specific to Mnk2b as opposed to Mnk2a or Mnk1. This pattern was reproduced in a mammalian two-hybrid system using a completely different set of fusion partners; and in both yeast and mammalian systems, the addition of estradiol decreased the interaction. While it remains unknown whether ERβ is a substrate of Mnk2, the interaction of these two proteins is reminiscent of ERα and ribosomal S6 kinase (p90-RSK), another MAP kinase-regulated kinase homologous to Mnk2 that is known to phosphorylate ERα.
Fluid dynamics of inducers - A review

The objective of this paper is to review the experimental and analytical investigations on the fluid dynamic aspects of noncavitating inducers. Various analyses available for the prediction of the flow field, starting from the simple radial equilibrium analysis to the numerical solution of exact three-dimensional inviscid and viscid flow equations, are reviewed. The experimental data on the overall inducer performance, rotor blade passage measurements, and boundary layer on rotor blades are critically examined. Some of the available data have been reinterpreted to provide suitable guidance to the designer. The review and the concluding remarks include a global view of the state-of-the-art and applicability of the research to design, and some viewpoints on the analysis and design of inducers.
A comparison of the properties of two forms of tyrosinase from Neurospora crassa

The differences between a thermostable (Ts) and thermolabile (Tl) form of tyrosmase from Neurospora crassa have been studied by means of a spectrophotometric technique using ascorbate or ferrocyanide. No significant differences in substrate specificity have been found in a survey of over 30 substances which included mono-, di-, tri-, and conjugated phenols. Catechol was found to be a substrate, in contrast to previous findings. Michaelis-Menten constants for the two forms of enzyme acting on l-tyrosine and l- and d-hydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) also were found to be similar, as were the pH optima on l-Dopa and phenyl-4-catechol, and the response to several inhibitors. On the other hand, the activity of the thermolabile enzyme was lost more rapidly than that of the thermostable one after incubation for 5–15 min. in high concentrations of urea and formamide. These data are interpreted as support for the conclusion that the two forms of the enzyme differ mainly in their secondary and tertiary structure and not in their active centers.
Microstructures of pulse-melted FeTiC alloys

Surface alloys (approx. 0.1 ..mu..m thick) were formed on Fe substrates by ion implantation. When both Ti and C were present in sufficient concentrations (ranging from approx. 3 at. % Ti with approx. 25 at. % C to approx. 20 at. % Ti with approx. 10 at. % C) the resulting surface alloy was amorphous. These amorphous alloys were heated with a short electron beam or laser pulse of sufficient energy to melt through the layer and into the Fe substrate. Heat flow calculations indicated that the molten layer rapidly resolidified (< 250 nsec) with quite high (10/sup 9/ to 10/sup 10/ K/s) cooling rates; however, the resolidified alloys were not amorphous, but were instead microcrystalline with TiC precipitates.
Making integrated electronics technology work

The keynote speaker at the recent International Solid State Circuits Conference implements the basic theme of the conference by presenting an overview of the success achieved in the field of integrated electronics ?and the problems remaining to be solved. He concentrates on three areas?digital, microwave, and consumer applications?because these best illustrate the successful implementation of the technology in the first case, and its possibilities, and problems, in the others.
DISCRIMINATION AND CLASSIFICATION: OVERVIEW

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses discrimination and classification. The problem of discrimination and classification is mainly concerned with differentiating between g(g > 2) mutually exclusive populations and with classifying subjects or objects on the basis of multivariate observation. The emphasis of the problem is on deriving a rule that can be used to optimally classify a new subject. It is an important problem in statistics and applied mathematics, as its applications are found in many diverse areas. In practice, the distributions are rarely known, and if the form of the distributions are known or assumed, the parameters are seldom known. Thus, the problem for practical applications is to develop a sample-based rule for discrimination and classification. The earliest and most well-known method is based on the linear discriminant function due to Fisher.
The Dawn of a New Age? Democracies and Military Victory

Democracies are perceived often by the public as relatively docile and not suited best for wars. This paper challenges this perception by analyzing the relationship between regime type and war outcomes. It builds upon David Lake’s 1992 model in “Powerful Pacifists: Democratic States and War” by updating it to the present period. It examines the empirical evidence and scholarly debate in order to test and elaborate on the argument that democratic states in the modern era are more prone to fighting and winning wars. This paper, furthermore, adds a number of new variables to the Lake model to analyze the possibility that more factors are needed in the equation to better understand regime type and war outcomes. This research finds that regime type and alliances are significant variables in winning wars and that democracies win the large majority (84%) of wars that they are involved in. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research. This article is available in Journal of Strategic Security: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol7/iss1/2
A universal relation database system implemented via the network model

We describe a network schema design algorithm that uses a well-designed relational schema as input. The resulting network database handles incomplete information, since we use only the modified foreign-key constraint and not the universal instance assumption. We believe that the representative instance is a correct representation of information stored in the database. We show how to map the representative instance to the network database. We give two algorithms for translating a relational query to a network application program. The first algorithm is confined to relational queries that express selections and projections over the universal relation scheme. The second algorithm includes all relational queries over select, project and (natural) join. Optimization techniques are discussed for both types of translation.
Computer-Assisted, Semi-Programmed, and Teaching Assistant-Led Instruction in General Chemistry

The purpose of this study was to investigate computer-assisted instruction and semi-programmed instruction as replacements for traditional recitation/discussion in general chemistry. Student performance on problem solving and student attitudes were investigated. The study also examined the effect of formal reasoning ability as a covariate. The data indicated that for simple exercises, all methods of teaching recitation/discussion sections were equally effective, but for more difficult exercises, the semi-programmed instruction was most effective. Students had more positive attitudes when using the semi-programmed instruction than when attending traditional recitation/discussion sections.
Structural and Morphological Characterization of PbS Nanocrystallites Synthesized in the Bicontinuous Cubic Phase of a Lipid

We report the synthesis and characterization of monodispersed lead sulfide (PbS) particles with diameters in the range 4−14 nm, using bicontinuous cubic phase as a matrix. It was found, through polarized optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering studies, that the viscous isotropic bicontinuous cubic phase continued to exist in the ternary sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT)/water/sodium sulfide (Na2S) system as long as the concentration of aqueous Na2S solution was below 0.5 M. The exposure of this ternary mixture to aqueous 0.40 M lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) solution led to the formation of PbS nanocrystallites within the mesophase. A series of PbS particulate samples were synthesized, using different concentrations of aqueous Na2S solutions ranging between 0.025 and 0.30 M, extracted from the lipid matrix and capped by thiol molecules. The structure and diameter of the particles were determined from X-ray diffraction studies. The particle size was found to increase linearly with increase in Na2S c...
Ocean waste disposal management as a problem in decision-making

Abstract Comprehensive strategies for managing the disposal of wastes at sea, when viewed as problems in decision-making, present a number of implementation difficulties for the organizations which would utilize them. Studies of organizational behavior suggest that decision-making organizations are unlikely to use comprehensive analysis effectively in weighing competing policies. They are likewise unlikely to orchestrate policy selection on the basis of explicit tradeoffs among competing goals, particularly when societal value differences are pronounced. Policy analysis must therefore be carefully crafted if it is to contribute much to the resolution of socially divisive waste management issues. Studies of decisional aspects of the New York Bight sludge management problem suggest that analysis should aim at supporting the bargaining process and at helping decision-makers understand more fully the dimensions of the problems they face, rather than at identifying ‘best’ solutions.
How satisfied are parents of students in dual language education programs?: ‘Me parece maravillosa la gran oportunidad que le están dando a estos niños’

A survey of 724 families of students at eight dual language schools in the southwest United States that focused on parents’ satisfaction with their child's academic skills and with program characteristics is reported. Results are explored for parental language, parental education level, program model type, grade level of the child, and years the child has been in the program. Parents surveyed were highly and uniformly satisfied with their child's skills and with the program. Parents’ involvement with specific skills at home related to their satisfaction with those skills. A few areas of concern with the children's skills and with the program were mentioned: language and literacy development, math skills, home-school communication, and academic challenge. While it is possible that less satisfied parents did not participate in the study, the strength and uniformity of parent satisfaction here is remarkable, particularly when demonstrated across diverse families.
Helecom Communications: Considering Fraud Risk on an Engagement before and after Analyzing a Key Business Process

Helecom Communications is a fictitious public company in the cable industry, founded by its current Chairman and CEO, Jefferson Means. For this case, students assume the role of an entry‐level accountant in an international accounting firm that has just acquired this client. Students are provided with background information on the company and its environment in Part I of the case and provided with information related to a critical business process, subscriber management, in Part II of the case. This case involves audit planning, considering fraud risk of an organization in a competitive, regulated, and volatile industry. For this case, the established criterion is AICPA Statement of Auditing Standards No. 99, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit (SAS No. 99). While many of the facts in the case are adapted from fraud risks and actions that occurred at actual organizations, the company is fictitious to enable the case to place students in the role of the auditor evaluating the organization...
1681 BONE DISEASE INDUCED BY ANTICONVULSANTS AND TREATMENT WITH 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN-D

In order to evaluate the bone disease induced by the anticonvulsants, dilantin and phenobarbitol, we reviewed the medical records of all institutionalized oligophrenic children. Out of the 339 who required anticonvulsants, 56 were found to have serum alkaline phosphatase elevated above two standard deviations of normal. Radiological evidence of bone disease in those with elevated alkaline phosphatase was common (58 percent) and manifested primarily as osteoporosis. Anticonvulsants impair calcium homeostasis directly, but also via stimulation of hepatic microsomal enzymes to hydroxylase vitamin D and metabolites. To achieve rapid healing of the bone disease, we elected to use 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D at 0.25-1.00 meg per day, with the following results: Our data suggest that the dystrophic process is reversed in 27.1 (SEM 3.6)% of cases as judged by decreases in serum alkaline phosphatase and less so as determined by radiological examinations. The complication of hypercalcemia was one episode per 48 patient-months of treatment.
The Genetics of Schizophrenia: A Review

The evidence suggesting that genetic factors are involved in the etiology of schizophrenia is reviewed. Despite methodological and other difficulties, independent lines of research--family, twin, and adoption studies--point in a common direction: Persons genetically at risk for schizophrenia are more likely to become affected than those who are not. Current attempts to understand the mode of inheritance of the gene or genes involved have become increasingly sophisticated and, consequently, less accessible (and possibly useful) to clinicians and nongeneticist researchers. Guidelines are provided for the provision of genetic counseling to affected persons and their relatives. Such counseling is frequently enmeshed with multiple psychosocial (rather than strictly medical) issues and should be provided by professionals with appropriate training and experience in psychotherapy.