cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A concept for a soft gamma-ray concentrator using thin-film multilayer structures

We are investigating the use of thin-film, multilayer structures to form optics capable of concentrating soft gamma rays with energies greater than 100 keV, beyond the reach of current grazing-incidence hard X-ray mirrors. Alternating layers of low- and high-density materials (e.g., polymers and metals) will channel soft gamma-ray photons via total external reflection. A suitable arrangement of bent structures will then concentrate the incident radiation to a point. Gamma-ray optics made in this way offer the potential for soft gamma-ray telescopes with focal lengths of less than 10 m, removing the need for formation flying spacecraft and opening the field up to balloon-borne instruments. Following initial investigations conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory, we have constructed and tested a prototype structure using spin coating combined with magnetron sputtering. We are now investigating whether it is possible to grow such flexible multi-layer structures with the required thicknesses and smoothness more quickly by using magnetron sputter and pulsed laser deposition techniques. We present the latest results of our fabrication and gamma-ray channeling tests, and describe our modeling of the sensitivity of potential concentrator-based telescope designs. If successful, this technology offers the potential for transformational increases in sensitivity while dramatically improving the system-level performance of future high-energy astronomy missions through reduced mass and complexity.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor in the Setting of Dorsal Agenesis of the Pancreas

Dorsal agenesis of the pancreas (DAP) is an uncommon embryological abnormality where there is absence of the distal pancreas. DAP is mostly asymptomatic, but common presenting symptoms include diabetes mellitus, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, enlarged pancreatic head, and, in a few cases, polysplenia. MRCP and ERCP are the gold standard imaging techniques to demonstrate the absence of the dorsal pancreatic duct. The literature on the association of pancreatic neoplasia and DAP is limited. We present the case of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with dorsal agenesis of the pancreas, with a review of the related literature.
Can Oxygenation in Single-Lung Thoracic Surgery Be Affected by Inhibition of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction?

A 60-year-old male is undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the resection of a lung mass. We induce general anesthesia , and endotracheal intubation is performed with a double-lumen tube. The appropriate lung is isolated, and correct tube placement is confirmed with fiberoptic guidance. Single-lung ventilation is established with an FiO2 of 1.0, which the patient tolerates without desaturation or hemodynamic disturbance. As the surgeons get to work, the cardiothoracic fellow who is feeling gregarious today turns to us and initiates a discussion on the topic of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV).
The Role of Principles in Casuistry

Building upon prior analyses of casuistry’s normativity and use of analogy, this reading examines casuistry’s orientation to moral principles and explains how casuistry, when it incorporates moral rules at all, does so indirectly, subtly, and alongside other normative criteria.
Classification of wearable computing: A survey of electronic assistive technology and future design

In the past decade there have been significant advancements in computer technology that have reduced the hardware form factor as well as increased energy efficient computing. Using network protocols for near field communication such as Body Area Networks (BANs), smaller and lighter computing units with attached sensors have transformed into wearable devices. These devices have served a plethora of purposes including providing assistance to people with disabilities, gathering data, serving as sensors and enhancing human capabilities among other things. Depending on the usage and infrastructure, the devices can be classified into respective domains. In this paper we survey wearable computing devices and classify the same based on the form of assistance that is delivered to the person wearing the device. We also introduce a framework for futuristic devices that can operate in harsh environments.
A Factorization Approach to Optimal Causal Estimation and Control of Stochastic Systems in Hilbert Space

Abstract A factorization theory approach to problems of optimal causal estimation and optimal causal control of Linear stochastic systems defined in a Hilbert space setting is presented. Special cases include the control and estimation of distributed parameter systems; e.g., dynamical systems governed by partial differential equations, differential-delay equations, systems with control and/or measurement delays, and combinations thereof. For the problem of stochastic control, a separation principle is derived when the system input/output map is generated by an abstract evolution operator. Further when the state/control map and the measurement/state map are memory less, an abstract version of the classical LQG solution is obtained. The factorization formalism allows for an essentially algebraic approach to these results
A finite-element coarse-grid projection method for incompressible flow simulations

Coarse grid projection (CGP) methodology is a novel multigrid method for systems involving decoupled nonlinear evolution equations and linear elliptic Poisson equations. The nonlinear equations are solved on a fine grid and the linear equations are solved on a corresponding coarsened grid. Mapping operators execute data transfer between the grids. The CGP framework is constructed upon spatial and temporal discretization schemes. This framework has been established for finite volume/difference discretizations as well as explicit time integration methods. In this article we present for the first time a version of CGP for finite element discretizations, which uses a semi-implicit time integration scheme. The mapping functions correspond to the finite-element shape functions. With the novel data structure introduced, the mapping computational cost becomes insignificant. We apply CGP to pressure-correction schemes used for the incompressible Navier-Stokes flow computations. This version is validated on standard test cases with realistic boundary conditions using unstructured triangular meshes. We also pioneer investigations of the effects of CGP on the accuracy of the pressure field. It is found that although CGP reduces the pressure field accuracy, it preserves the accuracy of the pressure gradient and thus the velocity field, while achieving speedup factors ranging from approximately 2 to 30. The minimum speedup occurs for velocity Dirichlet boundary conditions, while the maximum speedup occurs for open boundary conditions.
Bringing facilitation into view

The articles in this volume reflect the continued popularity of video in professional development and raise important questions about how to situate video productively in varied contexts. Together, they highlight the complexity of expanding video-based professional development beyond designers and the challenges that designers and facilitators experience as they prepare others to lead teacher learning in these settings. In this commentary, we examine how these papers advance research on facilitation of professional development, with a particular focus on the issues for using video productively with teachers. We conclude by raising several issues for future research.
Effects of 7-week shoulder exercise intervention on joint mobility, strength and function in diabetics and non-diabetics

Objective of the study was to compare the effects of a 7-week shoulder exercise program on shoulder range of motion(ROM), strength, and function between diabetics/pre-diabetics and non-diabetics. Shoulder ROM (internal rotation(IR) and external rotation(ER)), strength (elevation, retraction, IR, and ER), and function were assessed pre/post intervention. Shoulder function was assessed using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand(DASH) and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI). Improvements in variables were compared between groups using mix-model ANOVAs. Two pre-diabetics participants developed shoulder pain and were excluded from analysis. These participants were significantly older compared to the rest of the participants (69.0 vs. 55.7 years). After excluding these participants, there were no significant group differences (7diabetics/pre-diabetics vs. 8 non-diabetics) in intervention effects. In both groups, intervention resulted in improved ER ROM(p=.002), IR(p=.004) and ER strength(p=.010), DASH(p=.010) and SPADI(p=.025) scores. Shoulder exercises improved shoulder mobility, strength, and function in diabetics and non-diabetics alike. Introduction of shoulder exercises appears to be beneficial in improving shoulder function, regardless of diabetes status. However, caution may be needed when working with older diabetic patients, as they may be more prone to developing shoulder pain.
Statistical Inferences with Specification Tests

The author discusses the methodologies that are currently applied to empirical asset pricing models on asset returns, including up-to-date coverage on theoretical setting and model specification tests. For instance, factor analysis and (asymptotic) principal component analysis are provided for searching for these pricing cores or kernels of asset returns. Unfortunately, these earlier studies incur the difficulty of observability of these factors and of (economic) interpretation of the principal components. In essence, the application of multi-factor asset pricing models with observed/presumed factors becomes an alternative in the search for the systematic components of asset returns.
A CASE-BASED DESIGN BROWSER TO FACILITATE REUSE OF SOFTWARE ARTIFACTS

Large corporations and government agencies often incur unnecessary costs and errors in conceptual software design due to the lack of an ‘institutional memory’ and the specialization of systems. A design browser is introduced as the foundation of an institutional memory to support software reuse. The Design Browser is a combination of an artificial intelligence paradigm known as case-based reasoning and a conceptual framework that presents developers a unified structure through which to understand, compare, and contrast related design experience. The case-based system contains design information about various existing software designs. The conceptual framework provides software developers with a common vocabulary and a frame of reference in which to view the existing software. The Design Browser and empirical results of its evaluation are presented.
Approach Towards Infectious Pulmonary Complications in Lung Transplant Recipients

The number of lung transplants performed in the United States has steadily increased since 1981 when modern heart-lung transplantation came of age (1). Nine hundred twenty eight lung transplants were performed in the US in 1997, almost a 500% increase since 1990 (2). Despite improved surgical techniques and the development of “focused” immunosuppression, infection and the development of “chronic rejection” have continued to limit 1 and 5 year survival rates at 76% and 44%, respectively (2,3). The combination of high dose immunosuppression and allograft exposure to the external environment makes infection the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population (4-7). In fact, recipients of lung allografts suffer a pneumonia rate 1.5 to 2 times the incidence of other solid organ transplant recipients (8,9). Sixty-three to 80% of these infections involve the transplanted lung (6,7, 10), pleura and/or mediastinum (8) with bacteria accounting for over 50% of infections and related deaths (5). Bacterial pneumonia is the most common cause of infection during the first four months post-transplant while cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is problematic for at-risk patients between 1 and 12 months after transplantation and following augmented immunosuppression (5, 11-13). The saprophytic fungicandida sp.andaspergillus sp.frequently colonize the airways of lung transplant recipients however, the development of invasive disease is indolent and frequently fatal; therefore increased vigilance is required throughout the post-transplant period.
Semen-Matrix Calculi in a Juvenile Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

Abstract A 10-month-old, intact male chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) was diagnosed with urolithiasis, unilateral hydroureter, and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral obstruction confirmed by radiography and ultrasonography. Nephrectomy and cystotomy were performed, and the urolith was suspected to be a semen-matrix calculus (mineralized copulatory plug) based on the discovery of sperm within the renal pelvis of the nephrectomized kidney on histopathology; this was later confirmed through a postmortem examination. Three months after initial presentation the chinchilla was diagnosed with recurrent urolithiasis, hydroureter, and hydronephrosis of the remaining kidney and ureter, and euthanized due to poor prognosis. Necropsy confirmed the presence of semen-matrix calculi in the ureter and urinary bladder. Veterinary clinicians should consider semen-matrix calculi as a differential diagnosis for radiopaque calculi within the bladder or urethra of male chinchillas. Pathogenesis may be formation of a coagulum secondary to retrograde ejaculation.
On Adaptively Secure Protocols

Adaptive security captures the capability of an adversary to adaptively affect a system during the course of its computation based on partial information gathered. In this work, we explore the theoretical complexity of achieving adaptive security in two settings:
Generating T-Maps with the kinematic transformation to model manufacturing variations of parts with position tolerancing of cylinders

Abstract The kinematic transformation is used to form part-level T-Maps for patterns of holes from a generic T-Map primitive constructed in a generic coordinate frame at one end of the axis at one hole. The generic T-Map primitive is formed with higher dimensional half-spaces, all arranged tangent to the circular constraint at the one end of the tolerance-zone for the axis. After transforming each of these to a local frame, suitable for the entire pattern, they are intersected to form the part-level T-Map for the entire pattern of holes. The T-Maps are applied to several patterns of cylinders.
Breaking the curse of dimensionality to identify causal variants in Breeding 4

In the past, plant breeding has undergone three major transformations and is currently transitioning to a new technological phase, Breeding 4. This phase is characterized by the development of methods for biological design of plant varieties, including transformation and gene editing techniques directed toward causal loci. The application of such technologies will require to reliably estimate the effect of loci in plant genomes by avoiding the situation where the number of loci assayed (p) surpasses the number of plant genotypes (n). Here, we discuss approaches to avoid this curse of dimensionality (n ≪ p), which will involve analyzing intermediate phenotypes such as molecular traits and component traits related to plant morphology or physiology. Because these approaches will rely on novel data types such as DNA sequences and high-throughput phenotyping images, Breeding 4 will call for analyses that are complementary to traditional quantitative genetic studies, being based on machine learning techniques which make efficient use of sequence and image data. In this article, we will present some of these techniques and their application for prioritizing causal loci and developing improved varieties in Breeding 4.
The Physiology of Pregnant Patients in Need of Acute Surgical Care

Urgent non-obstetric surgery may be required in the pregnant patient. Fortunately surgical intervention is safe in this population, however the provider should be knowledgeable of the physiologic changes of pregnancy. Blood volume and cardiac output are increased, while tidal volume and total lung capacity are decreased. The risk of complications such as aspiration and venous thrombosis are increased. Most significantly, the rate of fetal demise markedly increases with diagnosis of perforation of gastrointestinal organs or with complications such as cholangitis and pancreatitis. The decision to operate should be based on the overall well-being of both mother and fetus. The peri- and intraoperative planning should involve the obstetrician, the anesthesia provider, the pediatrician, and the surgeon.
The Author's Contributions to Echocardiography Literature (Part II-1991-2020).

The author has undertaken multiple echocardiographic studies during his academic career; most of these were published in peer-reviewed journals. These studies include an evaluation of the role of echocardiography in the estimation of left-to-right shunt in isolated ventricular septal defects, an examination of the utility of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of anomalous connection of the right superior vena cava to the left atrium, a description of pitfalls in M-mode echocardiographic assessment of the aortic root in left ventricular hypoplasia syndromes, reviews of echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function, study of the role of contrast echocardiography in the evaluation of hypoxemia following open heart surgery, a quantification of left ventricular muscle mass by m-mode echocardiography in children, an examination of race and sex related differences in echocardiographic measurements in children, study of cardiac size and function in patients with sickle cell disease, an examination of afterload reduction in the management of primary myocardial disease, study of the utility of echo-Doppler studies in the evaluation of the results of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, study of the usefulness of Doppler in the prediction of pressure gradients in valvar pulmonary stenosis, a review of Doppler echocardiography in noninvasive diagnoses of heart disease, echo-Doppler studies of the evaluation of the results of balloon angioplasty of aortic coarctation, study of the value of Doppler in the prediction of pressure gradients across coarctation of the aorta, and a characterization of foramen ovale and transatrial Doppler velocity patterns in the normal fetus.
Social Media Growth at Annual Medical Society Meetings: A Comparative Analysis of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology to Other Medical Specialties.

Abstract Objective To understand social media growth in both diagnostic and interventional radiology compared to other related specialties by quantifying and comparing hashtag utilization at annual medical conferences. Methods Official annual conference hashtags for Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), American College of Radiology (ACR), Radiological Society of North America, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and American Society of Clinical Oncology were analyzed from 2015 to 2019, along with the IR hashtag #IRad. Twitter analytics were obtained with the use of Symplur Signals, a healthcare social media analytics platform. Linear regression analysis was performed on the number of tweets and users for each hashtag. Results For annual ACR meetings, the number of tweets/user (6.96 in 2019), retweets/user (4.39 in 2019), and impressions/user (40,051 in 2019) were among the highest of all the specialties studied. This trend was observed despite a smaller number of users among ACR than most other conferences. SIR tweets increased significantly at a rate of 1032.8 tweets/year (P = 0.008) while users also significantly grew at a rate of 212.5 users/years (P = 0.007). #IRad tweets are also growing at a rate of 13,234.8 tweets/year (P = 0.026) while #IRad users are growing at a rate of 1309.5 users/year (P = 0.003). Radiological Society of North America users were significantly decreasing at −1207.1 users/year (P = 0.018). Conclusion ACR consistently had one of the highest counts of tweets/user, retweets/user, and impressions/user compared to the other studied specialties, suggesting that ACR's Twitter users are more active than users outside of the field of radiology. SIR was the only studied specialty conference that had statistically significant increases in the number of tweets and users.
Proteomic characterization of a trauma-based rat model of heterotopic ossification identifies interactive signaling networks as potential therapeutic targets

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of ectopic bone in soft tissues observed in patients following blast injuries, orthopedic or head trauma, burns, or in the context of inborn mutations of genes involved in osteogenesis. There is no universally accepted therapy for HO. This study has used global unbiased mass spectrometry proteomic approaches, validated by western immunoblots, to interrogate skeletal muscle tissues obtained from a highly reproducible rat model of trauma induced HO. During early the phase of HO development, statistically significant modulation of proteins within the following pathways was identified: coagulation, cyclic AMP, extracellular matrix, immunity/inflammation, NADH metabolism, TGFβ. These metabolic proteins and pathways have the potential to serve as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets for this devastating orthopedic condition that has considerable impact on the patient's quality of life. Furthermore, the findings confirm and extend previous in vitro stromal/stem cell and clinical studies from the field. SIGNIFICANCE: This study confirms and extends the field's understanding of the protein pathways that are modulated in a rat model of trauma induced heterotopic ossification. The identification of specific proteins such as the AP1 transcription factor as well as protein families such as the complement/coagulation pathway and serine protease inhibitors as biomarkers have potential clinical translational value. These outcomes have relevance to the physiological and pathological mineralization processes contributing to the recovery of orthopedic trauma patients.
Inflammation drives fibrotic scars in the CNS.

Fibrotic scarring after inflammation is well-characterized in peripheral tissues, but its role in the CNS is less clear. A new study shows that local proliferation of CNS fibroblasts drives fibrotic scar formation in response to circulating inflammatory cell infiltration in a model of multiple sclerosis, which may limit repair.
The Effect of Opaque Audit Methods and Auditor Ownership on Reliance on Independent Expectations

Increasing access to data and advanced statistical methods can help auditors generate independent expectations of estimates, but expectations are not useful unless auditors rely on them. However, advanced methods are likely more opaque (i.e. more difficult to understand), which in turn affects understanding of the output of the method, such as independent expectations. I predict that auditors rely less on independent expectations generated with more opaque audit methods. I further predict that developing psychological ownership of independent expectations increases reliance on expectations generated using more opaque methods, while ownership is not critical for reliance on expectations generated using less opaque methods. In an experiment with senior auditors, I find results supporting my predictions, specifically for auditors with relevant task experience. This study provides insights into auditors’ use of independent expectations and advanced methods that are becoming more pervasive in practice.
Mucosal Integrity Testing Can Detect Differences in the Rectums of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Compared to Controls: A Pilot Study

While the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is incompletely understood, disruption of epithelial integrity is suspected to play a prominent role in disease initiation and progression. Currently, there is no convenient way to measure this in vivo. Our aim is to determine whether a mucosal integrity (MI) testing device that has been used to measure MI in the esophagus can also be used to measure barrier function in the colon during colonoscopy. Mucosal integrity testing was measured in patients with IBD (n = 17) and controls (n = 7) during colonoscopy. During the procedure, an MI catheter was passed down the working channel of the colonoscope and placed along the mucosal wall to measure MI in the rectum, left, transverse, and right colon. In patients with IBD, MI measurements and biopsies were taken in areas which appeared inflamed when present. We then determined if there was a significant difference in MI between patients with IBD and controls. MI was significantly higher in the rectum of patients with IBD (CD and UC combined) versus control colons [767 (618–991) vs. 531 (418–604) ohms, P < 0.01]. There were no significant differences in MI among patients with IBD versus controls in the right, transverse, or left colon. Within the IBD group, there were no significant differences in MI between inflamed versus non-inflamed rectums. There was no correlation between quality of life scores or endoscopic severity with MI, though this study was likely underpowered to detect these differences. Rectal MI is significantly higher in patients with IBD versus controls. Future studies are needed to determine how this information can be used clinically.
Reconstructing the Atlantic Overturning Circulation Using Linear Machine Learning Techniques

This paper examines the potential of reconstructing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) using surface data and linear machine learning algorithms. The algorithms are trained on p...
Studies on Degradation Mechanisms of Tape Lubricants in a High Vacuum Environment

Degradation and tribological performance of several tape lubricants were studied during sliding in a high vacuum environment. Gaseous products generated from the head–tape interface and friction force were detected and monitored as function of sliding distance by using a quadrupole mass spectrometer and strain gauges. Chemical analyses of the commercial tape lubricants were done to better understand the degradation processes and degradation products in the sliding tests. Experimental results showed that the commercial metal evaporated (ME) tape lubricants include fatty acid and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) compounds. The degradation products from the commercial tape include small fluorine containing fragments from the PFPE lubricant and small hydrocarbon fragment from fatty acid. In addition, three other species, H2, C2H5 and CO2 were detected in the case of ME tapes and they were generated from the degradation of the diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on the tape surface. The commercial metal-particle (MP) tape used fatty acid and fatty acid ester lubricants. Only hydrocarbon fragments were detected in the MP tapes' sliding tests, no H2, C2H5 and CO2 were found. The coefficient of friction of these two tapes increased with sliding and depletion of lubricant on the tape surface. The trend of the coefficient of friction was different for ME and MP tapes because of the differences in the lubricant and lubricant distribution on these two tape surfaces. Z-Dol and stearic acid were used to lubricate ME tapes, their test results were analyzed and compared with the commercial tapes' test results.
Too Old to Teach? The Effect of Age on College and University Professors

With the elimination of mandatory retirement, the average age of college and university faculty members has increased. While this has raised some concerns, relatively little research has tried to measure the impact of this aging on productivity inside the classroom. Using data from the RateMyProfessors.com website for a large sample of instructors in a broad cross-section of colleges and universities, we find that age does affect teaching effectiveness, at least as perceived by students. Age has a negative impact on student ratings of faculty members that is robust across genders, groups of academic disciplines and types of institutions. However, the effect does not begin until faculty members reach their mid-forties and does not seem to increase even when they reach the former retirement ages of 65 or 70. Moreover, the quantitative impact of age on student ratings is small and can be offset by other factors, especially the physical appearance of professors and how easy students consider them to be. When we restrict our sample to those professors deemed hot by student raters, the effect of age disappears completely. We conclude that ending mandatory retirement has had little impact on student perceptions of faculty quality.
A problem from empirical economics: II. Determining uncertainties arising from incomplete data using information theory☆

Abstract Information theory is used to extract numerical values for quantities that are not directly available in existing data sources, but occur as linear combinations of other quantities for which data exist. The method uses known data to construct a distribution for the unknown quantities, which minimizes the Shannon information; hence, mean values and mean deviations for the unknowns can also be calculated. The results of an approach based on information theory are compared with the results obtained by another method.
Delayed Release of Neurotransmitter from Cerebellar Granule Cells

At fast chemical synapses the rapid release of neurotransmitter that occurs within a few milliseconds of an action potential is followed by a more sustained elevation of release probability, known as delayed release. Here we characterize the role of calcium in delayed release and test the hypothesis that facilitation and delayed release share a common mechanism. Synapses between cerebellar granule cells and their postsynaptic targets, stellate cells and Purkinje cells, were studied in rat brain slices. Presynaptic calcium transients were measured with calcium-sensitive fluorophores, and delayed release was detected with whole-cell recordings. Calcium influx, presynaptic calcium dynamics, and the number of stimulus pulses were altered to assess their effect on delayed release and facilitation. Following single stimuli, delayed release can be separated into two components: one lasting for tens of milliseconds that is steeply calcium-dependent, the other lasting for hundreds of milliseconds that is driven by low levels of calcium with a nearly linear calcium dependence. The amplitude, calcium dependence, and magnitude of delayed release do not correspond to those of facilitation, indicating that these processes are not simple reflections of a shared mechanism. The steep calcium dependence of delayed release, combined with the large calcium transients observed in these presynaptic terminals, suggests that for physiological conditions delayed release provides a way for cells to influence their postsynaptic targets long after their own action potential activity has subsided.
The Bolivian river dolphin in the Tijamuchi and Ibare rivers (Upper Madeira Basin) during the rainy season in "La Niña" event

This study determined the density of Bolivian bufeo (river dolphin) in two rivers with similar habitat characteristics during "La Nina" event of 2008. The density varied between 1 ind./km 2 in Tijamuchi river and 0.2 ind./km 2 in Ibare river. Previous studies showed higher densities in both rivers. We suggest that this reduction could be related to greater levels of human activity and the abnormal floods during "La Nina" affecting water quality due to the incorporation of garbage, latrines contents and sewage into the river. RESUMEN: El delfin de rio boliviano en los rios Ibare y Tijamuchi (Cuenca Alta del Madera) durante la estacion de lluvias en el evento de "La Nina". Este estudio deter- mino la abundancia del delfin de rio boliviano o bufeo en dos rios durante aguas altas en "La Nina 2008". Se encontraron densidades de 1 individuo/km 2 en el rio Tijamuchi y 0.2 individuos/km 2 en el rio Ibare. Ambos rios presentan caracteristicas de habitat similares; comparaciones con estudios previos indican una disminucion en la densidad de bufeos. Sospechamos que esta reduccion puede ser debida a la elevada actividad humana. Los bufeos son vulnerables a numerosas amenazas; las inundaciones anormales durante el ano de la "Nina" provocaron que basura, letrinas y aguas servidas se desbordaran al rio afectando la calidad del agua.
Rhodopsin: A Prototypical G Protein-Coupled Receptor

A variety of spectroscopic and biochemical studies of recombinant site-directed mutants of rhodopsin and related visual pigments have been reported over the past 9 years. These studies have elucidated key structural elements common to visual pigments. In addition, systematic analysis of the chromophore-binding pocket in rhodopsin and cone pigments has led to an improved understanding of the mechanism of the opsin shift, and of particular molecular determinants underlying color vision in humans. Identification of the conformational changes that occur on rhodopsin photoactivation has been of particular recent concern. Assignments of light-dependent molecular alterations to specific regions of the chromophore have also been attempted by studying native opsins regenerated with synthetic retinal analogs. Site-directed mutagenesis of rhodopsin has also provided useful information about the retinal-binding pocket and the molecular mechanism of rhodopsin photoactivation. Individual molecular groups have been identified to undergo structural alterations or environmental changes during photoactivation. Analysis of particular mutant pigments in which specific groups are locked into their respective “off” or “on” states has provided a framework to identify determinants of the active conformation, as well as the minimal number of intramolecular transitions required to switch between inactive and active conformations. A. simple model for the active state of rhodopsin can be compared to structural models of its ground state to localize chromophore-protein interactions that may be important in the photoactivation mechanism. This review focuses on the recent functional characterization of site-directed mutants of bovine rhodopsin and some cone pigments. In addition, an attempt is made to reconcile previous key findings and existing structural models with information gained from the analysis of site-directed mutant pigments. © 1998 Academic Press
A 3-D System for Planning and Simulating Minimally-Invasive Distraction Osteogenesis of the Facial Skeleton

Three-dimensional planning tools will enable the use of minimally-invasive distraction osteogenesis for the correction of craniomaxillofacial deformities by simulating treatment, precisely quantifying movement vectors, and aiding pre and post-treatment evaluation. Current techniques extrapolate 3D surgical movements and outcomes based on standard 2D radiographs. Surgical planning and outcome evaluation would be greatly improved by an accurate, reproducible and reliable 3D treatment planning system. Building upon a software foundation that includes the 3D Slicer of the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and the Visualization Toolkit (VTK) of Schroeder, Martin & Lorensen, we add algorithms that support interactive cutting of large triangulated surface models, collision detection, landmark-based registration, and cephalometric analysis. The oriented bounding-box tree (OBB tree) structure is used throughout to enhance the interactivity of selection, collision detection, and cutting. The cutting tool is notable for its generality and preservation of topological closure in the resultant models. In a retrospective case study, the collision of the proximal fragment of the distracted mandible with the skull base is detected and the resulting 3D bone movements are quantified. The distracted bone volume is computed. In prospective cases, this system will be used to compute the placement and configuration of appropriate buried distractor(s).
Non-Equilibrium Mott Transition in a Lattice of Bose-Einstein Condensates

We study the non-equilibrium dynamics of a zero temperature Mott insulatorsuperfluid quantum phase transition in a lattice of weakly coupled Bose-Einstein condensates. We show that crossing the critical point from the insulating to the superfluid phase at a finite rate results in a finite dispersion of current. Viceversa, crossing the critical point from the superfluid phase to the insulating one, results in a finite dispersion in the number of atoms per lattice site. We develop a microscopic dynamical model of the transition, and make quantitative predictions for realistic experiments.
Loudness Discomfort Level and Acoustic Reflex Threshold for Speech Stimuli

Loudness discomfort level (LDL) and acoustic reflex threshold (ART) measurements were obtained from subjects with normal hearing using several speech stimuli, as well as broad-band and speech-spectrum noise. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the LDL for a variety of representative speech samples, and to determine the relationship between the LDL and ART for selected speech and noise stimuli. For all stimuli, LDL measurements were relatively constant, but ART measurements decreased significantly for wide-band noise stimuli as compared with the speech stimuli. Mean differences between the two measures were consistent, but individual subject data were characterized by wide variability precluding accurate prediction of the LDL from ART measurements.
Parsing susceptibility and severity dimensions of health risk perceptions.

Risk perceptions, an important determinant of positive behavioral change, are often conceptualized as an additive or multiplicative index of two concepts: susceptibility to and severity of a health risk. Susceptibility is the possibility of experiencing a health risk, whereas severity is its seriousness or harmfulness. This article challenged the current theorization of risk perceptions. To demonstrate the differential perceptions of susceptibility and severity, two self-report studies (N = 70, each) and one reaction time study (N = 476) provided data on 50 health conditions that varied on several risk characteristics (e.g., prevalence, personal experience). Results showed that susceptibility and severity were two distinct, inversely related concepts. Perceived susceptibility and severity varied by risk characteristics, mainly prevalence (i.e., how common a health risk was perceived to be). Self-report data showed that a progressive increase in perceptions of a health risk prevalence rates was associated ...
Improving processes for good in East Africa

Purpose – This paper describes World Vision ' s motivation, context, experience, and learning in improving processes in East Africa. It demonstrates that Lean and Six Sigma TQM approaches apply to an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) operating in East Africa, and that they can deliver significant process improvements. Design/methodology/approach – The findings come from initiating process improvement in World Vision in East Africa, observing and reflecting on this experience, and measuring improvements achieved through process improvement projects conducted by World Vision East African staff. Findings – The INGO and East African contexts provide unique challenges to and demonstrate a strong need for process excellence. However, a standard process improvement approach can be used. A key segment of World Vision staff in East Africa has caught the vision of process excellence, understood and applied TQM concepts and tools, and significantly improved key processes, for example, reduced by 40-...
Interfacial slip in entrained soap films containing associating hydrosoluble polymer.

Frankel's law predicts that the thickness of a Newtonian soap film entrained at small capillary number scales as Ca 2 / 3 provided the bounding surfaces are rigid. Previous studies have shown that soap films containing low concentrations of high molecular weight (M w ) polymer can exhibit strong deviations from this scaling at low Ca, especially for associating surfactant-polymer solutions. We report results of extensive measurements by laser interferometry of the entrained film thickness versus Ca for the associating pair SDS/PEO over a large range in polymer molecular weight. Comparison of our experimental results to predictions of hydrodynamic models based on viscoelastic behavior shows poor agreement. Modification of the Frankel derivation by an interfacial slip condition yields much improved agreement. These experiments also show that the slip length increases as M ξ w where ξ = 0.58 ′ 0.07. This correlation is suggestive of the Tolstoi-Larsen prediction that the slip length increases in proportion to the characteristic size of the fluid constituent despite its original derivation for liquid-solid interfaces.
A Lutheran Reflection on The One Mediator, The Saints, and Mary1 in Relation to the Question: How Do Lutherans Understand Prayer for Other People?2

Abstract: In this article, the author offers a critical, appreciative appraisal of The One Mediator, The Saints, and Mary (1992), which was the publication that emerged from the eighth round of the U.S. Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue. Writing from a Lutheran perspective and using the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ, October 31, 1999) as a critical hermeneutical lens, the author points to Luther's theological conviction concerning how Mary—the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ—and departed saints are to be regarded. Luther's emphasis on Christ the only Mediator was highlighted. Reflection on this text was done in light of the theme of the dialogue's eleventh round, “The Hope of Eternal Life.” Prayer is always in and through Jesus Christ.
A prospective trial comparing FDG-PET/CT and CT to assess tumor response to cetuximab in patients with incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Computed tomography (CT), the standard method to assess tumor response to cetuximab in incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), performs poorly as judged by the disparity between high disease control rate (46%) and short time to progression (TTP) (70 days). F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT is an alternative method to assess tumor response. The primary objective of this prospective trial was to evaluate the metabolic response of target lesions, assessed as the change in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on FDG-PET/CT before and after 8 weeks (cycle 1) of cetuximab. Secondary objectives were to compare tumor response by CT (RECIST 1.0) and FDG-PET/CT (EORTC criteria) following cycle 1, and determine TTP with continued cetuximab administration in patients with disease control by CT after cycle 1 but stratified for disease control or progression by FDG-PET/CT. Among 27 patients, the mean percent change of SUVmax of target lesions after cycle 1 was −21% (range: +72% to −81%); by FDG-PET/CT, partial response (PR)/stable disease (SD) occurred in 15 patients (56%) and progression in 12 (44%), whereas by CT, PR/SD occurred in 20 (74%) and progression in 7 (26%). FDG-PET/CT and CT assessments were discordant in 14 patients (P = 0.0029) and had low agreement (κ = 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12, 0.48). With disease control by CT after cycle 1, median TTP was 166 days (CI: 86, 217) if the FDG-PET/CT showed disease control and 105 days (CI: 66, 159) if the FDG-PET/CT showed progression (P < 0.0001). Median TTP of the seven patients whose post cycle 1 CT showed progression compared to the 12 whose FDG-PET/CT showed progression were similar (53 [CI: 49, 56] vs. 61 [CI: 50, 105] days, respectively). FDG-PET/CT may be better than CT in assessing benefit of cetuximab in incurable SCCHN.
THE EFFECTS OF GROWTH HORMONE ON GLYCOGEN IN TISSUES OF THE RAT1

EXTRACTS of cattle pituitaries and more recently purified growth hormone have been shown to maintain normal glycogen levels in the gastrocnemius muscles of fasting hypophysectomized rats, an action which has been termed the glycostatic effect (Russell, 1938a; Russell and Wilhelmi, 1950). In normal rats fed glucose, such hormone preparations given acutely also increase the deposition of glycogen in the muscle (Russell, 1938b; Milman and Russell, 1950). The minimum effective dose of growth hormone given to hypophysectomized rats during the 24 hour fast was found to be about 100–200 μg. per 100 gm. A similar order of dosage has now been found to effect an increase in carbohydrate storage in the fed normal animal. Observations on the effects of growth hormone in vivo have been extended to include data on changes in heart, diaphragm, and liver glycogen in normal rats, both fasting and fed glucose, and in fasting hypophysectomized rats.
Ip -norm optimum filters for image recognition. Part I. Algorithms

Ordinarily, filters are derived from the optimization of certain expressions with respect to the mean squared metric. We construct a family of linear and nonlinear processors (filters) for image recognition that is lp-norm optimum in terms of tolerance to input noise and discrimination capabilities. The lp norm is the generalization of the usual mean squared (l2) norm, which we obtain by replacing the exponent 2 with any positive constant p (usually p≥1). These processors are developed by minimizing the lp norm of the filter output that is due to the input scene and the output that is due to input noise. We use the lp norm to measure the size of the filter output that is due to noise so that we can obtain greater freedom in adjusting the noise robustness and discrimination capabilities. We give a unified theoretical basis for developing these filters. This family of filters includes some of the existing linear and nonlinear filters, giving us a subfamilies of processors, which we denote by Hqσ and Hq. The values of q control the discrimination capabilities and the robustness of the processors. The parameter σ is the standard deviation of the noise process.
Legislative committees as loyalty-generating institutions*

The current debate over models of self-selection in Congress — whether Congressmen by-and-large find themselves on committees which most closely correspond to their constituents' interests — has implications for theories of Congressional organization. Building on recent findings which question a categorical self-selection process, in this paper we present a theory of committee function based on loyalty to party leaders. As a rationale for leadership privilege, and to provide context for our argument, we first present a theoretical framework based on a modified model of cooperation. We then focus on certain specifics of our leadership theory; that rank-and-file members vote leadership interests in exchange for leader support in gaining choice committee assignments and aid in passing legislation. This leads to predictions about voting patterns across committees. Static tests of these relations are performed, as well as those incorporating changes in voting patterns with seniority.