cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic variations in endometrial cancer by histology, stage and BMI.

5593Background: We aimed to determine the most common mutations in endometrial cancers (EC) of patients enrolled in UNCSeq and to discern if there was any correlation between the detected mutations...
Special Education Placement Trends: Least Restrictive Environment Across Five Years in California

The least restrictive environment (LRE) is the legal right for students with disabilities to be included and educated with their non-disabled peers. However, at a fundamental level, LRE can be misinterpreted and measured inconsistently, creating a contentious environment for some schools and families of students with special needs. In the current study, using descriptive content analysis, special education due process hearings in the State of California over a five-year period available through the Office of Administrative Hearings were examined in order to identify characteristics of the students involved in LRE litigation and trends of LRE cases across the years. Results revealed that students involved in LRE-related hearings were mostly male, English-speaking, and classified as having a special education eligibility category of autism. An increase in general education placement was shown, and a decrease in home-hospital instruction. Future directions and implications for the implementation of LRE for school psychologists and special education teams are discussed.
TEACH Cards: Teaching Evidence-Based Medicine and Clinical Topics in the Hospital.

Introduction Inpatient training and evidence-based medicine (EBM) curricula are fundamental components of medical education. Teaching EBM And Clinical topics in the Hospital (TEACH) Cards is an inpatient curricular tool developed to help guide efficient, discussion-based teaching sessions. TEACH Cards aims to increase frequency of inpatient teaching, improve exposure to the breadth of inpatient topics, advance EBM skills, and improve efficiency in answering clinical questions. Methods TEACH Cards is a set of 25 topic-based cards, each addressing an adult inpatient medicine topic by asking background questions and encouraging learners to write and answer foreground questions. Residents and faculty from a family medicine residency rotating on an adult inpatient medicine service during the 6-month study period were invited to complete a prerotation survey, use the TEACH Cards, and then complete a postrotation survey. Results Out of 54 potential participants, 35% completed both the pre- and postrotation surveys. Respondents used TEACH Cards on average three times per week, reporting significantly stronger agreement that they were both learning (P=0.034) and teaching (P=0.006) core inpatient topics. Respondents reported greater confidence in using EBM resources ( P=0.006) and significantly shorter time to find an evidence-based answer to a clinical question (pretest median=6-10 minutes vs posttest median=2-5 minutes, P=0.002). Conclusion Use of TEACH Cards increased self-reported exposure to the breadth of core inpatient topics, confidence with EBM skills, and efficiency in finding answers to clinical questions.
High-density Steeltrodes: A Novel Platform for High Resolution Recording in Primates *

Despite recent advances in developing neural probe technologies for rodents using different material platforms, development of neural interfaces for non-human primates (NHP) with high density recording channels and reliable performance remains challenging. The larger brain size in NHPs requires longer probes, making them susceptible to buckling and mechanical failure. While silicon is widely used to implement neural probes for rodents, it is not suitable for NHP probes due to its brittleness and fragility. Here, we demonstrate steeltrode, a high-density neural probe designed for NHPs implemented in stainless steel material with higher durability and larger modulus of resilience compared to silicon probes. Unlike silicon, microfabrication and micromachining of stainless steel has remained mostly unexplored. We discuss two approaches for implementing steeltrodes that consist of a thin high-density Parylene C probe on a stainless steel substrate. In the first approach, the high density Parylene C probe is microfabricated separately and is then affixed to a planar or curved stainless steel shuttle and in the second approach, the high-density probe is monolithically fabricated on stainless steel shuttle by micromachining the stainless steel substrate, a high throughput method for realizing planar probes. In this paper, we will discuss the design, fabrication, characterization and testing of these novel steeltrodes for electrophysiology recording in primates.
Development of an effective chiral auxiliary for hydroxyalkyl radicals.

The development of an effective chiral auxiliary for hydroxyalkyl radicals is delineated. Both the 2-tetrahydropyranyl (THP) and tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl (GLU) auxiliaries resulted in diastereoselective radical additions to methyl acrylate at −78 °C (ds = 6/1 and 11/1, respectively). The developing stereochemistry at the radical center was completely under auxiliary control. Correlation experiments showed that the d-GLU auxiliary led to attack on the radical Si-face. The selectivity of these radical additions dropped-off considerably when the more reactive 2-nitropropene trap was employed. Computational studies suggested that the observed facial selectivity was due primarily to entropic factors in the transition state but that a smaller temperature-dependent enthalpic contribution was also involved. It was hypothesized that incorporation of a quaternary center at C-6 (THP numbering) would restore the facial selectivity with more reactive radical traps by restricting the orientations availab...
Joint Power and Channel Resource Optimization in Soft Multi-View Video Delivery

Existing wireless multi-view video (MVV) transmission schemes use digital compression to achieve a better coding efficiency. However, the digital schemes suffer from the cliff effect, which refers to the phenomenon that the video quality is a step function of wireless channel quality. In this paper, we first consider a soft MVV transmission scheme where the correlations between the inter-view data and texture-depth data are exploited by a 5-dimensional discrete cosine transform (5D-DCT). The linearly transformed 5D-DCT signals are modulated in an analog manner so that the video quality gracefully improves when the channel quality becomes better. The cumbersome bit and rate controls in digital solutions are replaced by simple power controls. Second, as with the increase of the number of cameras and data depths, the data size of MVV increases linearly. To reduce the heavy data traffic in soft MVV transmission, we proposed efficient resource (bandwidth and power) allocation algorithms. Simulations results demonstrate that the proposed distortion-resource (DR) optimization algorithm can ensure a best viewing quality under a resource constraint and the proposed resource-distortion (RD) optimization algorithm can minimize the resource usage for a target video quality requirement. Third, the impact of power control across texture and depth frame and the impact of view positions on synthesized virtual view quality are investigated. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm on both the reference viewpoint as well as the virtual viewpoint is verified via simulations.
Family Experiences Prior to the Initiation of Care for First-Episode Psychosis: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

This study systematically reviewed existing qualitative evidence of family members’ experiences prior to the initiation of mental health services for a loved one experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP). A meta-synthesis review of published peer-reviewed qualitative studies conducted between 2010 and 2019 were included. Keyword searches were performed in four electronic databases and the reference lists of primary manuscripts. Two independent reviewers used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist to assess methodological quality of each study. A total of 365 articles were initially identified and 9 were articles identified in a secondary review and literature search. A total of 21 met inclusion criteria. Of those included in this review 169, mothers were the primary family to recall experiences. The meta-synthesis identified four major themes related to family member experiences prior to the initiation of mental health services for FEP: the misinterpretation of signs, the emotional impact of FEP on family members, the effect of stigma on family members, and engaging with resources prior to mental health services for FEP. Additional research is needed to develop healthy communication strategies that effectively deliver educational information about psychosis. This meta-synthesis also identified the need to understand help-seeking behaviors among families of those with FEP in effort to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis and improve pathways to care often initiated by a family member.
Non-anticoagulant Heparin as a Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Prevents Lyme Disease Infection.

Lyme disease (LD) is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl). After transmission to humans by ticks, Bbsl spreads to multiple organs, leading to arthritis, carditis, and neu...
Visualizing Microbial Community Dynamics via a Controllable Soil Environment

ABSTRACT Understanding the basic biology that underpins soil microbiome interactions is required to predict the metaphenomic response to environmental shifts. A significant knowledge gap remains in how such changes affect microbial community dynamics and their metabolic landscape at microbially relevant spatial scales. Using a custom-built SoilBox system, here we demonstrated changes in microbial community growth and composition in different soil environments (14%, 24%, and 34% soil moisture), contingent upon access to reservoirs of nutrient sources. The SoilBox emulates the probing depth of a common soil core and enables determination of both the spatial organization of the microbial communities and their metabolites, as shown by confocal microscopy in combination with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Using chitin as a nutrient source, we used the SoilBox system to observe increased adhesion of microbial biomass on chitin islands resulting in degradation of chitin into N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and chitobiose. With matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI, we also observed several phospholipid families that are functional biomarkers for microbial growth on the chitin islands. Fungal hyphal networks bridging different chitin islands over distances of 27 mm were observed only in the 14% soil moisture regime, indicating that such bridges may act as nutrient highways under drought conditions. In total, these results illustrate a system that can provide unprecedented spatial information about interactions within soil microbial communities as a function of changing environments. We anticipate that this platform will be invaluable in spatially probing specific intra- and interkingdom functional relationships of microbiomes within soil. IMPORTANCE Microbial communities are key components of the soil ecosystem. Recent advances in metagenomics and other omics capabilities have expanded our ability to characterize the composition and function of the soil microbiome. However, characterizing the spatial metabolic and morphological diversity of microbial communities remains a challenge due to the dynamic and complex nature of soil microenvironments. The SoilBox system, demonstrated in this work, simulates an ∼12-cm soil depth, similar to a typical soil core, and provides a platform that facilitates imaging the molecular and topographical landscape of soil microbial communities as a function of environmental gradients. Moreover, the nondestructive harvesting of soil microbial communities for the imaging experiments can enable simultaneous multiomics analysis throughout the depth of the SoilBox. Our results show that by correlating molecular and optical imaging data obtained using the SoilBox platform, deeper insights into the nature of specific soil microbial interactions can be achieved.
Effects of size and geometry on the thermomechanical properties of additively manufactured NiTi shape memory alloy

Effect of size and shape of the additively manufactured Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) alloys on their thermomechanical properties is experimentally studied. Although additive manufacturing is shown as a solution to the difficulties of machining of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs), our understanding of the effect of various processing (e.g., laser power, scanning pattern, etc.) and part characteristics (e.g., part geometry) on the resulting properties is not complete. During the SLM fabrication process, various factors influence the properties of the final product. In this study, we investigated the effect of size and shape of the SLM samples on the thermomechanical behavior of the parts. Tensile specimens with different thicknesses and shapes were fabricated for this investigation. The accuracy of fabrication is discussed for all of the specimens. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were conducted to compare the transformation temperatures of specimens with different size and shape. Moreover, tensile tests including loading, unloading, and heating were done for all of the specimens and the mechanical responses were compared with each other. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for strain measurements as a more accurate strain measurement tool. The transformation temperatures of the fabricated parts were similar for parts with different shapes and sizes. From the mechanical tests, higher strength was observed for the thinner parts in both rectangular and oval specimens. Also, from the mechanical behavior of different shapes, it was observed that the rectangular showed higher critical stress than their equivalent oval specimens.
Posterior Calvarial Augmentation for Chiari Malformation Type 1 Refractory to Foramen Magnum Decompression.

Background Chiari 1 malformation is a structural abnormality of the hindbrain and posterior fossa characterized by herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. Although asymptomatic in some cases, hindbrain herniation can be associated with disruption of cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics at the craniovertebral junction and syrinx formation, leading to symptoms. Foramen magnum decompression with or without duraplasty has been the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the management of this condition. The management of syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation is more challenging and controversial. Although the associated syrinx can significantly improve after craniovertebral decompression and restoration of cerebrospinal fluid flow, in some cases, it will persist despite decompressive surgery and could even continue to enlarge. Case Description We have described the case of a 4-year-old boy with non–craniosynostotic Chiari malformation and extensive cervical syrinx who, despite foramen magnum decompression and further revision, continued to deteriorate clinically and radiologically. Posterior calvarial augmentation was performed as a salvage procedure, with resolution of the tonsillar herniation and syrinx. Conclusions Posterior calvarial augmentation is a viable option for patients with Chiari malformation refractory to foramen magnum decompression.
Chapter 27 – A simple gasket derived from prime numbers

Publisher Summary Generally, well-known gaskets, such as the Sierpinski gasket, are fractal because increasingly larger voids are created as these structures evolve. As a counter-example, a gasket is constructed using prime numbers, which does not appear to have larger voids as it evolves. The prime number gasket is defined by the triangular array gij with (i) gij = fij, if fij = 0, and (ii) gij ≠ 1, if otherwise. The resulting structure appears superposed on a right-angled triangle when the gasket is terminated at some i = I. It is known that the number of primes less than a large integer n can be estimated as n/In(n). Prime numbers appear as ordered pairs; e.g., the twins (3,5) or (59,61), which are consecutive primes separated by a difference of 2, as quadruples (7, 11) or (13, 17), which are consecutive primes separated by a difference of 4, and so on. Hence, it may not be possible to analyze the presented gasket using number theory. The chapter gives a statistical analysis of this gasket with various illustarations.
Concerns in the Blurred Divisions Between Medical and Consumer Neurotechnology

Neurotechnology has traditionally been central to the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. While these devices have initially been utilized in clinical and research settings, recent advancements in neurotechnology have yielded devices that are more portable, user friendly, and less expensive. These improvements allow laypeople to monitor their brain waves and interface their brains with external devices. Such improvements have led to the rise of wearable neurotechnology that is marketed to the consumer. While many of the consumer devices are marketed for innocuous applications, such as use in video games, there is potential for them to be repurposed for medical uses. How do we manage neurotechnologies that skirt the line between medical and consumer applications and what can be done to ensure consumer safety? Here, we characterize neurotechnology based on medical and consumer applications and summarize currently marketed uses of consumer-grade wearable headsets. We lay out concerns that may arise due to the similar claims associated with both medical and consumer devices, the possibility of consumer devices being repurposed for medical uses, and the potential for medical uses of neurotechnology to influence commercial markets related to employment and self-enhancement.
Sleeve Gastrectomy as a Novel Procedure for Gastroparesis.

BackgroundLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has recently been considered for the surgical management of refractory gastroparesis. Our study aims to determine the efficacy of LSG as a new treatm...
How Do Federal Regulations Affect Consumer Prices? An Analysis of the Regressive Effects of Regulation

While several scholarly papers have documented potential costs associated with the burden of federal regulations, none have provided a comprehensive empirical analysis of the effect of regulations on consumer prices. This study examines the relationship between regulatory expansion and higher prices and asks whether those price increases have a disproportionately negative effect on low-income households. By combining microdata from the Consumer Expenditure Survey with industry-specific regulation information from RegData and price changes in the Consumer Price Index, we find evidence of regressive regulatory effects. Our results suggest that the poorest households spend a larger proportion of their income on goods that are heavily regulated and subject to both high and volatile prices.
Gendering Women’s Violence in the Quattrocento: The Case of Gregorio Correr’s Procne (c. 1429)

This article widens the discourse surrounding depictions of violent women in Quattrocento Italian literature by analysing the gendering of women’s violence in Gregorio Correr’s Neo-Latin tragedy Pr...
The structure of an Hsp90-immunophilin complex reveals cochaperone recognition of the client maturation state

Summary The Hsp90 chaperone promotes folding and activation of hundreds of client proteins in the cell through an ATP-dependent conformational cycle guided by distinct cochaperone regulators. The FKBP51 immunophilin binds Hsp90 with its tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain and catalyzes peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity during folding of kinases, nuclear receptors, and tau. Here we determined the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the human Hsp90:FKBP51:p23 complex to 3.3 A, which, together with mutagenesis and crosslinking analyses, reveals the basis for cochaperone binding to Hsp90 during client maturation. A helix extension in the TPR functions as a key recognition element, interacting across the Hsp90 C-terminal dimer interface presented in the closed, ATP conformation. The PPIase domain is positioned along the middle domain, adjacent to Hsp90 client binding sites, whereas a single p23 makes stabilizing interactions with the N-terminal dimer. With this architecture, FKBP51 is positioned to act on specific client residues presented during Hsp90-catalyzed remodeling.
Messy on the inside: internet memes as mapping tools of everyday life

This paper presents the first systematic analysis of memes created by Palestinians in Israel. An analysis of 150 memes reveals how memes are used to reflect on and intervene in Palestinian youths’ ...
Androgen receptor agonists as breast cancer therapeutics.

Models of estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer are used to explore the rationale for androgen receptor agonists as treatments for breast cancer.
REverSe TRanscrIptase Chain Termination (RESTRICT) for Selective Measurement of Nucleotide Analogs Used in HIV Care and Prevention

Sufficient drug concentrations are required for efficacy of antiretroviral drugs used in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and prevention. Measurement of nucleotide analogs, included in most HIV medication regimens, enables monitoring of short- and long-term adherence and the risk of treatment failure. The REverSe TRanscrIptase Chain Termination (RESTRICT) assay rapidly infers the concentration of intracellular nucleotide analogs based on the inhibition of DNA synthesis by HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme. Here, we introduce a probabilistic predictive model for RESTRICT and demonstrate selective measurement of multiple nucleotide analogs using DNA templates designed according to the chemical structure of each drug. We measure clinically relevant concentrations of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP), emtricitabine triphosphate (FTC-TP), and azidothymidine triphosphate (AZT-TP) with agreement between experiment and theory. RESTRICT represents a new class of activity-based assays for therapeutic drug monitoring and precision dosing in HIV care and could be extended to other diseases treated with nucleotide analogs.
Counterterrorism and Employment: An Israeli Perspective

Israeli public and private sector employers have dealt with security issues longer than employers in most other countries. This Article surveys the Israeli experience, relying on both published and first-hand accounts of Israeli practices, and examines which features can be translated to U.S. employers. In particular, Israeli high-tech firms have largely relied on an informal contact network as a key part of their screening processes for the purpose of hiring employees. This network is in large part based on relationships developed in the course of service in the Israel Defence Forces. In contrast, the security establishment has developed a sophisticated screening process reflective of Israel's security reality. A comprehensive and sophisticated threat assessment is a most important element of this process. In addition, Israeli businesses expend significant resources in plant and facility protection which includes both the actual protection and training of guards. The Israeli model, while obviously expensive, provides several useful, if costly, models for U.S. employers in a more security conscious age.
Composites, Intrinsically Smart Structures

Smart structures are important because of their use in hazard mitigation, structural vibration control, structural health monitoring, transportation engineering, and thermal control. Research on smart structures has emphasized incorporating of various devices in a structure to provide sensing, energy dissipation, actuation, control, or other functions. Research on smart composites has emphasized incorporating of a smart material in a matrix to enhance smartness or durability. Research on smart materials has emphasized the study of materials (e.g., piezoelectric materials) used for making the devices. However, relatively little attention has been given to the development of structural materials (e.g., concrete and composites) that can inherently provide some of the smart functions, so that the need for embedded or attached devices is reduced or eliminated, thereby lowering cost, enhancing durability, increasing the smart volume, and minimizing mechanical property degradation (which is usually caused by embedded devices). Smart structures are structures that can sense certain stimuli and respond to the stimuli appropriately, somewhat like a human being. Sensing is the most fundamental aspect of a smart structure. A structural composite, which is itself a sensor, is multifunctional. This article focuses on structural composites for smart structures. It addresses cement-matrix and Polymer-matrix composites. The smart functions addressed include strain sensing (for structural vibration control and traffic monitoring), damage sensing (both mechanical and thermal damage related to structural health monitoring), temperature sensing (for thermal control, hazard mitigation, and structural performance control), thermoelectricity (for thermal control and saving energy), and vibration reduction (for structural vibration control). These functional abilities of the structural composites have been shown in the laboratory. Applications in the field are forthcoming. Keywords: Cement-matrix composites; Smart structures; Damage sensing; Temperature sensing; Thermal control; Vibration reduction; Polymer-matrix composites
The Human FGF-5 Oncogene Encodes a Novel Protein Related to Fibroblast Growth Factors

We previously described the isolation of a human oncogene which had acquired transforming potential by a DNA rearrangement accompanying transfection of NIH 3T3 cells with human tumor DNA (X. Zhan, A. Culpepper, M. Reddy, J. Loveless, and M. Goldfarb, Oncogene 1:369-376, 1987). We now term this oncogene the FGF-5 gene, since it specifies the fifth documented protein related to fibroblast growth factors (FGFs. Two regions of the FGF-5 sequence, containing 122 of its 267 amino acid residues, were 40 to 50% homologous to the sequences of acidic and basic FGFs as well as to the sequences of the FGF-related oncoproteins int-2 and hst/KS3. The FGF-5 gene bears the three exon structures typical for members of this family. FGF-5 was found to be expressed in the neonatal brain and in 3 of the 13 human tumor cell lines examined. Several experiments strongly suggested that FGF-5 is a growth factor with properties common to those of acidic and basic FGFs. The rearrangement which activated the FGF-5 gene during DNA transfection had juxtaposed a retrovirus transcriptional enhancer just upstream from the native promoter of the gene.
Economic Geography and the Spatial Evolution of Wages in the United States

Questions pertaining to the location of economic activity, to the relative sizes of cities in different countries, and to changing roles for different geographical areas in the process of economic growth have attracted considerable interest recently. Work by several theorists who developed the so-called new economic geography, including recent contributions by several researchers, but in particular by Masahisa Fujita, Paul Krugman and Anthony Venables have added important new spatial insight to the established system of cities literature, represented most notably by research by Henderson (1974, 1988). The system of cities approach features powerful models of the intrametropolitan spatial structure, but lacks an explicit model of intermetropolitan spatial structure. Certain aspects of the intermetropolitan spatial structure have played a key role in the new economic geography literature, as, for example, in Krugman (199 lb). Krugman (1998) provides an excellent overview of this literature. Tabuchi (1998) proposes a step towards a synthesis of the older system of cities literature with the newer economic geography based theories by incorporating intrametropolitan commuting costs in addition to intermetropolitan transport costs.
DEPEND: a simulation environment for system dependability modeling and evaluation

DEPEND is an evolving simulation-based environment for the evaluation of designs from functional and dependability viewpoints. DEPEND supports the VHDL hardware descriptive language as well as the C++ programming language. In addition, DEPEND provides a graphical modeling facility to allow interactive model construction. Designs under evaluation can be functional or structural descriptions of the designs. The Task and Environment Manager provides an easy-access window-based manual page and a tool-kit to allow users to create, modify, and simulate models without leaving the DEPEND environment. At the core of DEPEND are simulation engines supported by a fault injector, a set of fault dictionaries, and component libraries. The component libraries contain model building blocks with detailed functional descriptions and characteristics; the fault dictionaries embody possible fault effects of given fault types, devices, and circuits; and the fault injector provides mechanisms to inject faults.
Meanings of terrorism

Terrorism is a notoriously plastic word, depending on user, audience, and political context. This paper focuses on shifts in its meanings since the early 1970s. As federal statutes made terrorism a criminal offense, common usage changed from a broad meaning to one that specified terrorism as a political crime. The argument is that the state shapes meaning and public discourse through law. Peircean semiotics and the semiotic philosophy of Russian linguist Volosinov provide a framework to explore relationships among politics, law, and civil life. Applied to the events of September 11, 2001 such an analysis further allows better understanding of certain interpreters of the September 11 attacks, notably Jean Baudrillard, Jacques Derrida, and Jurgen Habermas.
Comparison of Antihypertensive and β1-Adrenoceptor Antagonist Effect of Nebivolol and Atenolol in Essential Hypertension

dl-nebivolol is a new, chemically unique, selective β1-adrenoceptor antagonist, without sympathomimetic activity. In the present study, the antihypertensive and negative chronotropic effects of 5 and 10 mg once-daily nebivolol were compared to those of 50 and 100 mg once-daily atenolol in 25 white, male subjects with essential hypertension, using a double-blind, crossover design, and a parallel placebo-treated group of subjects (N=7). 24 hours after dosing, sitting and standing diastolic and systolic blood pressures and heart rates (at rest and during submaximal exercise) were reduced to the same extent by nebivolol and atenolol. On a weight-for-weight basis, nebivolol is ten times more potent than atenolol. Nebivolol and atenolol also reduced 1-hour ambulatory plasma renin activity. Once-daily nebivolol is an effective antihypertensive β-adrenoceptor antagonist.
Science policy events at the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting

Are you interested in the intersection of science and policy, looking to make an impact on Capitol Hill, or concerned about the increasing number of attacks against scientists and their academic freedom? AGU Public Affairs offers many events at the 2012 Fall Meeting to assist member involvement in political processes and inform scientists of their rights and options should their research come under legal fire. Learn how you can share your science with policy makers to help inform policy at two luncheon events at the Fall Meeting. If you have ever considered working as a science expert for a member of Congress or reporting science in a mass media outlet, then you should attend the first luncheon, How to be a Congressional Science Fellow or Mass Media Fellow. The event will feature current AGU Congressional Science Fellows detailing their experiences working in Congress as well as past AGU Mass Media Fellows sharing their stories of reporting for a news organization. The luncheon will be held on Tuesday, 4 December, from 12:30 to 1:30 P.M. at the Marriott Hotel, in room Golden Gate B. In addition, current and former fellows will be available for one-on-one interactions at the AGU Marketplace from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday, 4 December, through Thursday, 6 December.
Screening for dementia in an Irish community sample using MMSE: a comparison of norm‐adjusted versus fixed cut‐points

Background The MMSE is a widely-used instrument in screening for dementia in the community. The traditional cut-point of <24/30 may be unsuitable for use in some settings, due to biases in age and education. Objectives This study aimed to investigate whether cut-points derived from age- and education-specific norms would improve the performance of the MMSE as a screening tool for dementia and cognitive impairment in an Irish community setting, potentially reducing the number of onward referrals. A secondary aim was to obtain score norms in an Irish sample. Methods One thousand one hundred and fifteen people aged over 65 (mean age 74.8±6.8 years; 68% female) were assessed in their own homes, using MMSE (world) and the AGECAT computerised diagnostic system for mental illness in the elderly. The performance of the MMSE in identifying case- and sub-case-level dementia was investigated using cut-points of <24 and <23, as well as adjusted cut-points based on published norms and norms derived from the Irish sample. Results Published norms did not prove useful in improving screening accuracy. Cut-points based on 10th percentile Irish norms and the <23 cut-point performed comparably well, both yielding 93% specificity, with overall accuracy of 90% and 91% respectively (as sensitivity was higher for the <23 cut-point). Conclusions Locally-derived norms yielded better screening accuracy than did published norms or the traditional <24 cut-point. The importance of selecting an appropriate percentile cut-off when using norms is discussed. The best results were obtained with a simple <23 cut-point, and this may be optimal when screening for dementia in an Irish community setting. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A common basis for the Darlington and Szentirmai network syntheses

There is a close parallel between the bases for the classic Darlington (passive) network synthesis procedure and the recent Szentirmai active-network synthesis procedure. The two essentially differ only in exchanging oddness for evenness in network parameters and terminations, and reactive power for real power in the basic equation. The somewhat more general basis thus offered for the Szentirmai procedure should stimulate research in active-network synthesis.
E pluribus unum? A new take on addiction by Redish et al

Neuroscientists and psychologists have proposed a variety of well-supported theories to explain addiction. Many of these theories suggest that addiction results from a single process or dysfunction across all of its forms. The authors of the current review, in contrast, have used a well-defined theoretical account of decision-making to outline the variety of dysfunctions that could account for addictive behavior.
Effect of molecular oxygen on adsorptive capacity and extraction efficiency of granulated activated carbon for three ortho-substituted phenols

Abstract Adsorptive capacity of activated carbon for several organic compounds was found to be strongly influenced by the presence of molecular oxygen. This influence is manifested by the polymerization of adsorbate on the surface of activated carbon. As a result, GAC exhibits much higher adsorptive capacities for these compounds under oxic rather than under anoxic conditions. Therefore, a new experimental procedure for conducting adsorption isotherm tests is investigated in this work. The results of kinetic experiments show that this polymerization of adsorbate proceeds at a very slow rate which extends the time required for equilibrium conditions to be established. Extraction efficiency obtained for GAC used in anoxic isotherm experiments were significantly higher than those obtained for GAC used in isotherm experiments conducted in the presence of molecular oxygen.
3D image fusion and guidance for computer-assisted bronchoscopy

The standard procedure for diagnosing lung cancer involves two stages. First, the physician evaluates a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) computed-tomography (CT) chest image to produce a procedure plan. Next, the physician performs bronchoscopy on the patient, which involves navigating the the bronchoscope through the airways to planned biopsy sites. Unfortunately, the physician has no link between the 3D CT image data and the live video stream provided during bronchoscopy. In addition, these data sources differ greatly in what they physically give, and no true 3D planning tools exist for planning and guiding procedures. This makes it difficult for the physician to translate a CT-based procedure plan to the video domain of the bronchoscope. Thus, the physician must essentially perform biopsy blindly, and the skill levels between different physicians differ greatly. We describe a system that enables direct 3D CT-based procedure planning and provides direct 3D guidance during bronchoscopy. 3D CT-based information on biopsy sites is provided interactively as the physician moves the bronchoscope. Moreover, graphical information through a live fusion of the 3D CT data and bronchoscopic video is provided during the procedure. This information is coupled with a series of computer-graphics tools to give the physician a greatly augmented reality of the patient's interior anatomy during a procedure. Through a series of controlled tests and studies with human lung-cancer patients, we have found that the system not only reduces the variation in skill level between different physicians, but also increases biopsy success rate.
T*: a calculation aid for radiometry

The concept of T* is introduced as a special kind of average foreground temperature. It is shown that weighting for this average depends on the projected solid angle of different items as seen from the measurement target. It is shown that T* considerations are important for most radiometric measurement tasks. The relationships among radiometry, cavity radiation theory, and T* are shown.
Analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain δ transcription termination in the production of δS or δM mRNA

Abstract mRNA encoding secreted immunoglobulin is synthesized either by termination of transcription 3' to the secreted terminus sequences and 5' to the membrane terminus sequences or by cleavage of a pre-mRNA transcript containing both secreted and membrane sequences at the appropriate polyadenylation site 5' to the membrane sequences. In vitro “run-on” transcription analysis was used to examine the 0transcription termination patterns in resting membrane IgD expressing B lymphocytes, in KWD2, an IgD-secreting hybridoma, and in TEPC 1017, an IgD-secreting plasmacytoma. In resting B cells, transcription terminated in a region 4 to 7 kilobases 3' to the δM exons. Transcription in the secreting cells continued through the δM exons, but terminated at more upstream sites. Additionally, an increased loading of polymerases in the region of the δS exon and its 5' flanking sequence was detected in the secreting cells and was particularly pronounced in TEPC 1017. It is hypothesized that this peak correlates with high δS mRNA production.
The quantitative determination of trimethylamine in egg

Summary A freeze-drying technique followed by gas chromatography of the distillate is described for the analysis of trimethylamine. The method is routinely applicable at concentrations of 0.05 μg g-1 egg using samples of 1.0 g and could be used with other foods of sufficient moisture content.
Survival of premenopausal women with breast carcinoma: Effects of menstrual timing of surgery

BACKGROUND It is controversial whether the timing of tumor excision relative to the menstrual cycle influences the survival of patients with breast carcinoma. METHODS Premenopausal patients (n = 614) who had surgery for invasive, nonmetastatic breast carcinoma during the period 1978-1988 participated in an epidemiologic survey, reporting their menstrual cycle length and the date of their last menses. We ascertained deaths from any cause before 1993. RESULTS Using Cox modeling, we found a nonlinear variation in the relative risk (RR) of death according to the timing of surgery during the menstrual cycle. The curve was best described by a cosine transformation of a 28-day cycle. For patients who had breast carcinoma surgery on the estimated day of ovulation, the risk of death was 0.59 (95% confidence limits [CL] = 0.39-0.89, P = 0.013) compared with patients who had surgery at the approximate time of menses. We observed this for patients treated in 1978-1981 (RR = 0.43, 95% CL = 0.23-0.83, P = 0.011) and 1982-1983 (0.25, 95% CL = 0.10-0.63, P = 0.003), but not in 1984-1988 (1.48, 95% CL = 0.64-3.4). The difference observed for 1984-1988 was explained by a significant improvement in the mortality rate (P = 0.0004) for women whose surgery took place during menses or near to the date predicted for the next menses. No such improvement for women who underwent breast carcinoma surgery around the time of ovulation was observed during the period 1984-1988. These changes were not explained by the performance of lumpectomy or the increasing interval between biopsy and tumor excision. CONCLUSIONS The shape of the survival curve contradicted the idea that it could be explained by levels of circulating estradiol or progestrone. Because observations that surgery was affected by menstrual timing seem not to have persisted beyond the mid-1980s, this study should not be used to support recommendations that surgeons perform breast carcinoma surgery on any particular day of the menstrual cycle. Cancer 1998;83:76-88. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Measurement and calculation of PZT thin film longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients.

The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of 2000 {angstrom} thick chemical solution deposited Pb(Zr{sub x}Ti{sub 1{minus}x})O{sub 3} (PZT) thin films were investigated. Several Zr/Ti ratios were studied: 30/70, 50/50 and 65/35, which correspond to tetragonal, near-morphotropic, and rhombohedral symmetries. In all samples, a {l_brace}111{r_brace}-texture is predominant. Longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients and their dc field dependence were measured using the contact AFM method. The expected trend of a maximum piezoelectric coefficient at or near to the MPB was not observed. The composition dependence was small, with the maximum d{sub 33} occurring in the tetragonal material. To explain the results, crystallographic texture and film thickness effects are suggested. Using a modified phenomenological approach, derived electrostrictive coefficients, and experimental data, d{sub 33} values were calculated. Qualitative agreement was observed between the measured and calculated coefficients. Justifications of modifications to the calculations are discussed.
Bounds on component spectra of multispectral images

A technique has been developed to estimate bounds on the spectra of major constituents of multispectral images. The bounds are two distinct sets of spectra, one in which the spectra are maximally independent from one another and another set in which the spectra a re minimally independent. Both sets and their corresponding estimated abundance maps satisfy feasibility constraints for both spectral elements and fractional abundances. The actual spectra will have an independence measure between the minimal and maximum sets. An approach to mapping the feasibility region for all intermediate independence measures is described. In general, for a given level of independence here is an infinity of rotation axes about which small rotations of the spectra leads to another feasible set. In our approach, the selected rotation axes is the one which takes the maximally independent basis into the minimally independent basis. The effects of noise and low levels of additional components are expected to have a larger effect on altering the spectra than the modifications due to small arbitrary rotations of feasible spectra. The technique is illustrated by application to a computer generated multispectral data array.
Ocular development and aging. 1. Corneal endothelial changes in cats and in free-ranging and caged rhesus monkeys.

The endothelium of the cornea is said to retain its cellular proliferative capacity in rabbits but not in cats or primates. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the decline in cell density with increasing age is shared by all species that presumably lose their corneal endothelial-cell proliferative capacity and to determine whether in primates age-dependent changes in the endothelium are influenced by such environmental factors as light intensity and temperature. We found that in cats a very rapid decline in endothelial cell density during the first 10 months post partum was followed by a slower decline between 10 and 12 months, corresponding to a rapid increase followed by a slower rate of increase in corneal surface area. Between 1- and 14 years of age, a further decline in endothelial-cell density did not occur, and no endothelial pleomorphism or corneal guttata was observed among the 44 cats studied in this age group. In rhesus monkeys, an approximate 20% decline in cell density between 1 and 6 years of age, representing a period of ocular growth, was followed by a continuing decline in endothelial cell density at a slower rate of 0·7 to 0·8% per year throughout the rest of the lifespan, despite the fact that there was no evidence for further increase in globe size during this period of adulthood and aging. This rate of decline is similar to that described in the human corneal endothelium and was found to be the same in free-ranging animals continually exposed to high levels of solar radiation and in animals cagedounder artificial room light of much lower intensity and a year-round temperature of 21 ± 1°C. However, the animals maintained indoors showed a much higher frequency of endothelial pleomorphism than the free-ranging animals. These differences in age-dependent changes between feline and primate corneal endothelium and between primates living under grossly different environmental conditions are discussed.
Dissociating fatty liver and diabetes

Fatty liver disease is epidemiologically associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), leading to a speculation of a reciprocal cause–effect relationship and a vicious cycle of pathology. Here, we summarize recent literature reporting dissociation of hepatosteatosis from insulin resistance in genetic mouse models and clinical studies. We highlight rhythmic flows of metabolic intermediates between hepatic lipid synthesis and glucose production in normal circadian physiology. Blocking triglyceride (TG) secretion, subcellular lipid sequestration, lipolysis deficiency, enhanced lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis defects, or inhibition of fatty acid oxidation all result in hepatosteatosis without causing hyperglycemia or insulin resistance, suggesting that the cause–effect relationship between hepatosteatosis and diabetes does not exist in all situations.
The case for an ecological approach to cognitive training

Strong claims have been made about the efficacy of cognitive training. In particular, the idea that working memory (WM) training enhances intelligence initially generated enthusiasm but, on further inspection, is now met with skepticism. In our view, this is an unfortunate setback due to inappropriate task design and does not refute the core idea of cognitive enhancement. Growing evidence suggests that successful training programs integrate complexity, novelty, and diversity to maximize ecological validity.