cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quinidine-associated skin discoloration in KCNT1-associated pediatric epilepsy

A 9-month-old boy with migrating partial seizures of infancy due to a de novo KCNT1 mutation c.2278A>T (p.Ile760Phe) developed bluish discoloration of the hands, feet, and lips (figure) during a 9-month trial of quinidine (40 mg/kg/d; level 3.4 μg/mL).1 There was no exposure to other medications that cause pigmentary changes. Given minimal improvement in seizures and development, quinidine was stopped. Discoloration persisted at 3 months but markedly improved by the 6-month follow-up. Though common with other potassium channel blockers (ezogabine and quinine), such discoloration has only rarely been reported with quinidine, all in adults.2 Epileptologists should be aware of this potential complication of quinidine therapy.
Transforming Trees to Improve Syntactic Convergence

We describe a transformation-based learning method for learning a sequence of monolingual tree transformations that improve the agreement between constituent trees and word alignments in bilingual corpora. Using the manually annotated English Chinese Translation Treebank, we show how our method automatically discovers transformations that accommodate differences in English and Chinese syntax. Furthermore, when transformations are learned on automatically generated trees and alignments from the same domain as the training data for a syntactic MT system, the transformed trees achieve a 0.9 BLEU improvement over baseline trees.
"God put weed here for us to smoke": A mixed-methods study of religion and spirituality among adolescents with cannabis use disorders.

Background: A growing literature on adults with substance use disorders (SUDs) suggests that religious and spiritual processes can support recovery, such that higher levels of religiosity and/or sp...
A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW HIGH RISK THRESHOLD ASSOCIATED WITH VISIT-TO-VISIT OFFICE BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY AND ITS EFFECT ON ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY

Elevated visit-to-visit office blood pressure variability (VVOBPV) is a proposed mortality risk predictor. A post hoc analysis of the ALLHAT Trial proposed VVOBPV risk thresholds to be 14.4 mmHg; however, whether these apply to actual practice is unknown. We analyzed >10 years
Subacromial Bursitis and Impingement

Subacromial bursitis is caused by compression and inflammation of the subacromial bursa, which is situated above the rotator cuff muscles just below the acromion (Fig. 10.1). Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition in which the rotator cuff tendons are trapped and compressed in the subacromial space. Patients often present with shoulder pain and tenderness over the subacromial/subdeltoid region. In shoulder impingement, they commonly report shoulder pain with overhead activities. On exam, it is important to test for impingement signs including Neer’s, Hawkins, painful arc, and supraspinatus test. In the acute phase, conservative treatment includes relative rest with avoidance of activities that exacerbate the symptoms, NSAIDS, and physical therapy. If conservative treatment fails, injections such as corticosteroid- or platelet-rich plasma can be considered. A referral to orthopedic surgery may be necessary if imaging reveals a rotator cuff tear or if the patient continues to report pain and limited movement despite conservative management.
Comparing performance between log-binomial and robust Poisson regression models for estimating risk ratios under model misspecification

Log-binomial and robust (modified) Poisson regression models are popular approaches to estimate risk ratios for binary response variables. Previous studies have shown that comparatively they produce similar point estimates and standard errors. However, their performance under model misspecification is poorly understood. In this simulation study, the statistical performance of the two models was compared when the log link function was misspecified or the response depended on predictors through a non-linear relationship (i.e. truncated response). Point estimates from log-binomial models were biased when the link function was misspecified or when the probability distribution of the response variable was truncated at the right tail. The percentage of truncated observations was positively associated with the presence of bias, and the bias was larger if the observations came from a population with a lower response rate given that the other parameters being examined were fixed. In contrast, point estimates from the robust Poisson models were unbiased. Under model misspecification, the robust Poisson model was generally preferable because it provided unbiased estimates of risk ratios.
DOUBLE-STRANDED DNA ICOSAHEDRAL VIRUSES

This chapter discusses the structure and dimensions of papovaviruses group and adenoviruses group. The structure of the papovaviruses is of special interest as the capsid belongs to the series possessing triangulation number T = 7. Not all the viruses in the group will necessarily possess the same skew direction and the surface lattice or triangulation number may appear as dextro or levo, depending on the virus type. Adenoviruses has icosahedral structure, it was first observed by Home et al . who demonstrated that the capsid measuring about 75.0 nm was composed of 252 roughly spherical surface units. The electron micrograph of human adenovirus type shows the intact particle and should be compared to the model. It can be seen that there are spikelike structures extending from the 12 points of fivefold symmetry at the capsid surface. These 12 capsomeres were different from those located at the faces and edges.
Goodness without Qualification

Soulevant le probleme de la definition du bien sans qualification comme volonte bonne dans les «Fondements de la metaphysique des moeurs» de Kant, l'A. montre que la solution apportee par C. Korsgaard dans son article intitule «Two distinctions of goodness» (in «The philosophical review», XCII, 2, 1983), fonde sur la distinction entre bien et valeur, moyen-fin, bien inconditionnel et bien conditionnel, n'est pas suffisante au regard de la notion de personne desirante. L'A. propose une interpretation de Kant en termes de bien intrinseque et de defaite qui rend plausible l'analyse kantienne de l'intelligence et du courage
On the Interpretation of Ensemble Classifiers in Terms of Bayes Classifiers

Many of the best classifiers are ensemble methods such as bagging, random forests, boosting, and Bayes model averaging. We give conditions under which each of these four classifiers can be regarded as a Bayes classifier. We also give conditions under which stacking achieves the minimal Bayes risk. We compare the four classifiers with a logistic regression classifier to assess the cost of interpretability. First we characterize the increase in risk from using an ensemble method in a logistic classifier versus using it directly. Second, we characterize the change in risk from applying logistic regression to an ensemble method versus using the logistic classifier itself. Third, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the logistic classifier to be worse than combining the logistic classifier and the Bayes classifier. Hence these results extend to ensemble classifiers that are asymptotically Bayes.
It's Not Purely Academic: Using Practitioners to Increase the Rigor and Practical Learning in Scholarly Writing

Law schools that are building new courses and adding to their existing curriculum in an effort to offer more practical legal training may be overlooking the practical skills that can be developed through an existing graduation requirement - upper level writing. At The George Washington University Law School a practitioner-taught Scholarly Writing course focuses on the practical application of academic writing and prepares 2L students for the demanding expectations of the 2L summer associateship/internship. This Article describes the ABA standard for upper level writing, explains how the adjunct-taught program at GW Law provides skills training and professional development, and addresses the challenges of managing adjunct faculty.
Induction of antiinflammatory purinergic signaling in activated human iNKT cells

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are activated at sites of local tissue injury, or globally during vaso-occlusive episodes of sickle cell disease (SCD). Tissue damage stimulates production of CD1d-restricted lipid antigens that activate iNKT cells to produce Th1- and Th2-type cytokines. Here, we show that circulating iNKT cells in SCD patients express elevated levels of the ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphosphohydrolase, CD39, as well the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR). We also investigated the effects of stimulating cultured human iNKT cells on the expression of genes involved in the regulation of purinergic signaling. iNKT cell stimulation caused induction of ADORA2A, P2RX7, CD38, CD39, ENPP1, CD73, PANX1, and ENT1. Transcription of ADA, which degrades adenosine, was reduced. Induction of CD39 mRNA was associated with increased ecto-ATPase activity on iNKT cells that was blocked by POM1. Exposure of iNKT cells to A2AR agonists during stimulation reduced production of IFN-γ and enhanced production of IL-13 and CD39. Based on these findings, we define "purinergic Th2-type cytokine bias" as an antiinflammatory purinergic response to iNKT cell stimulation resulting from changes in the transcription of several genes involved in purine release, extracellular metabolism, and signaling.
Management of Intracranial Hemorrhage

Patients presenting with the cardinal signs and symptoms of intracranial hemorrhage require rapid assessment and treatment. In addition to the primary and secondary surveys, timely neuroradiologic imaging and swift admission to the stroke and neuroscience ICU is imperative. Computed tomography (CT) scan is considered to be the gold standard and helps to determine the intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) score, a measure of severity. Once ICH is confirmed, appropriate treatment should be initiated as soon as possible based on the etiology and severity of the intracranial hemorrhage.
Minimally Invasive Cordotomy for Refractory Cancer Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Up to 30% of patients with cancer continue to suffer from pain despite aggressive supportive care. The present study aimed to determine whether cordotomy can improve cancer pain refractory to interdisciplinary palliative care. Materials and methods In this randomized controlled trial, we recruited patients with refractory unilateral somatic pain, defined as a pain intensity (PI) ≥4, after more than three palliative care evaluations. Patients were randomized to percutaneous computed tomography-guided cordotomy or continued interdisciplinary palliative care. The primary outcome was 33% improvement in PI at 1 week after cordotomy or study enrollment as measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Results Sixteen patients were enrolled (nine female, median age 58 years). Six of seven patients (85.7%) randomized to cordotomy experienced >33% reduction in PI (median preprocedure PI = 7, range 6-10; 1 week after cordotomy median PI = 1, range 0-6; p = .022). Zero of nine patients randomized to palliative care achieved a 33% reduction in PI. Seven patients (77.8%) randomized to palliative care elected to undergo cordotomy after 1 week. All of these patients experienced >33% reduction in PI (median preprocedure PI = 8, range 4-10; 1 week after cordotomy median PI = 0, range 0-1; p = .022). No patients were withdrawn from the study because of adverse effects of the intervention. Conclusion These data support the use of cordotomy for pain refractory to optimal palliative care. The findings of this study justify a large-scale randomized controlled trial of percutaneous cordotomy. Implications for practice This prospective clinical trial was designed to determine the improvement in pain intensity in patients randomized to either undergo cordotomy or comprehensive palliative care for medically refractory cancer pain. This study shows that cordotomy is effective in reducing pain for medically refractory cancer pain, and these results can be used to design a large-scale comparative randomized controlled trial that could provide the evidence needed to include cordotomy as a treatment modality in the guidelines for cancer pain management.
Mainstreaming climate adaptation in Indian rural developmental agenda: A micro-macro convergence

Abstract Vulnerability of agriculture to climate shocks and its consequences on farm livelihoods and food security is well recognized. Mainstreaming climate adaptation into policy landscape is a must for achieving the pathway to sustainable development. The approach envisages grass-root and climate perspectives to bring about developmental interventions for rural poor and small farm holders. Even though macro-level planning is necessary and useful, the coping mechanisms across different socio-economic and agro-climatic settings should be recommended at micro-level especially in developing nations. Responses of resource poor farmers to weather abnormalities are often rendered ineffective on account of several barriers to adaptation. Keeping this in view, we attempted to review the potential strategies adopted by the farmers, with a greater focus on constraints to adaptation in order to feed into the policy options of the Government. The authors articulate that the micro-level inferences from natural resource management, agriculture research and development, infrastructure and human capital across the space should be integral part of the climate adaptation planning. Moreover, the paper demonstrates how the developmental interventions spread across different verticals of the government can mutually address both the rural development and climate adaptation considerations. It is also construed that strengthening the role and capacity of local institutions in assembling grass-root information and in implementation of programmes is crucial for effectively addressing vulnerability to both the climatic and non-climatic factors. In nutshell, the paper aims at assisting development practitioners and policymakers in devising an effective approach towards mainstreaming climate adaptation in the existing rural developmental architecture.
Impact of Psychiatric Hospitalization on Trust, Disclosure and Working Alliance with the Outpatient Psychiatric Provider: A Pilot Survey Study

Introduction The relationship between inpatient psychiatric experience and subsequent outpatient psychiatric care remains highly understudied. We conducted a voluntary, anonymous, self-report, pilot survey study to explore the impact of current or recent psychiatric hospitalization on patients’ ability to trust their outpatient psychiatric providers, particularly with respect to the disclosure of symptoms such as suicidal thoughts. Methods A survey was conducted in a psychiatry practice-based research network (PBRN) of six outpatient community psychiatry clinic sites within four regional agencies and at an adult inpatient psychiatry unit of a tertiary-care academic hospital in the Cleveland area. We asked patients to record characteristics of their hospitalization, perceived changes in attitudes, and complete a working alliance inventory. Sixty-two surveys were collected. Results Most respondents had high working alliance scores with their outpatient providers and a low prevalence of coercive experiences during hospitalization. A minority (15%) experienced a reduction in trust with their outpatient provider. Nonetheless, a substantial percentage of respondents expressed a lower likelihood of disclosing various concerning psychiatric symptoms and behaviors to their outpatient provider. Thirty-six percent reported they are less likely to disclose thoughts of harming self. Percentages for subjects reporting a reduced likelihood of disclosing thoughts of harming others, hearing voices, not taking medications as prescribed, and substance use ranged from 21-29%. At the same time, there were also trust-enhancing effects: a substantial number of patients reported an increase in their ability to trust psychiatric providers and an increase in the likelihood of disclosure of psychiatric symptoms. Exploratory analyses revealed significant associations of gender, race, outpatient provider involvement in hospitalization, and involvement of police during admission with trust, disclosure, and working alliance. Conclusion Even with a high therapeutic alliance and low perceived coercion during inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, the experience can lead to a disruption of trust and transparency with the outpatient psychiatrist in a considerable proportion of patients.
Limited Angle Tomography Reconstruction: Synthetic Reconstruction via Unsupervised Sinogram Adaptation.

Computed Tomography (CT) is commonly used in clinical procedures and limited angle tomography reconstruction has important applications in diagnostic CT, breast tomography, dental tomography, etc. However, CT images reconstructed from limited angle acquisitions suffer from severe artifacts due to incomplete sinogram data. Although existing iterative reconstruction methods improve image quality relative to filtered back projection, these methods require extensive computation and still often provide unsatisfactory images. Supervised deep learning methods have been proposed to further improve the image quality of limited angle reconstructions. However, a key limitation in supervised deep learning for this application is the lack of large-scale real sinogram-reconstruction pairs for training. Given the large number of CT images available in the wild, we can create a large number of simulated sinogram-reconstruction pairs. Thus the requirement for real paired sinogram-reconstruction data can be alleviated if simulated sinograms (e.g. monochromatic) are able to train a reconstruction network for real sinograms (e.g. polychromatic source, scattering, beam hardening). In this paper, we propose an end-to-end limited angle tomography reconstruction adversarial network (Tomo-GAN) via unsupervised sinogram adaptation without having real sinogram-reconstruction pairs. Tomo-GAN is trained by using (1) unpaired sinograms from the simulation and real domains, and (2) large-scale reconstruction images from only the simulation domain. Tomo-GAN is built based upon a cycle consistent network with similarity constrained for sinogram adaptation and a multi-scale conditional reconstruction network. Experimental results on a public dataset with a limited angle setting demonstrated a consistent improvement over previous methods while significantly reducing the reconstruction computation time.
Comparison of microbial source tracking efficacy for detection of cattle fecal contamination by quantitative PCR

Identification of fecal contamination sources in surface water has become heavily dependent on quantitative PCR (qPCR) because this technique allows for the rapid enumeration of fecal indicator bacteria as well as the detection and quantification of fecal source-associated genetic markers in the environment. Identification of contamination sources in impaired waters is a prerequisite for developing best management practices to reduce future pollution. Proper management decisions rely on the quality and interpretation of qPCR data. In this study, we developed a method to determine analytical and process lower limits of detection (LLOD) and quantification (LLOQ) using two cattle-associated genetic markers targeting Bacteroidales. Analytical LLOD (ALLOD) for both CowM2 and CowM3 genetic markers in the qPCR assay were five gene copies per reaction. Using composite fecal DNA, the analytical LLOQ (ALLOQ) determined for CowM2 and CowM3 were 78 and 195 gene copies/reaction, respectively. When plasmid DNA was used, the ALLOQ for CowM2 and CowM3 were 46 and 20 gene copies/reaction, respectively. The process LLOD (PLLOD) for CowM2 and CowM3 were 0.4 and 0.02 mg feces/filter (wet weight), respectively. Using the standard deviation value of 0.25 as a cut-off point for LLOQ in regression analysis, the process LLOQ (PLLOQ) for CowM2 and CowM3 were 3.2 and 0.3 mg feces/filter, respectively. These results indicate that CowM3 exhibited superior performance characteristics compared with CowM2 for fecal samples collected from our geographical region. Moreover, the method for calculating LLOD and LLOQ developed here can be applied to other microbial source tracking studies.
General Well-Being in Adult Black Males With Chronic Illness.

As individuals age, they witness a decline in physical health and functional capacities. The presence of one or more chronic illnesses challenges their quality of life and general well-being, thus,...
Germanium Nanowire Battery Electrodes with Engineered Surface-Binder Interactions Exhibit Improved Cycle Life and High Energy Density without Fluorinated Additives

Nanostructured Group-IV materials hold great promise as high-capacity alloying electrodes for electrochemical energy storage. However, in order to stabilize their cycling performance, it has been n...
A novel RNA variant of human concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hCNT1) that is a potential cancer biomarker

The human concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hCNT1) a product of the SLC28A1 gene is one of the three concentrative nucleoside transporters, with a substrate specificity for physiological pyrimidine nucleosides. It has recently been implicated in tumor suppression. We have unraveled a splice variant RNA transcript that is overexpressed in some tumor tissues and some cancer cells. This study established that observation. We examined several clones of hCNT1 generated from RT-PCR of total RNA from human kidney tissue purchased from Ambion. The resulting cDNA clones were then sequenced, and a variant that retained intron 4, and skipped some exons fully or partly, specifically exons 5 and 13 were completely missed and only part of exon 6 was spliced. Tissue expression analysis by PCR indicated a similar distribution of expression of RNA of the splice variant hCNT1-IR as that of the dominant variant hCNT1, particularly in the small intestine, kidney and liver. Further, analysis of various tumor samples with PCR primers designed from this novel hCNT1 splice variant (hCNT1-IR) revealed interestingly that it is overexpressed in some cancer tissues relative to normal tissues, particularly kidney, liver and pancreatic cancers. We have identified a novel intron retaining and exon skipping splice variant of the hCNT1 nucleoside transporter, and designated it hCNT1-IR, which has a similar tissue expression distribution as the normal hCNT1 variant, but unlike the normal transcript, hCNT1-IR is overexpressed in some cancers and may serve as a potential cancer biomarker.
Hydroentangled polymer nonwovens: Prediction of jet streaks and surface roughness

Abstract Here, the dynamic model of polymer fibers in hydroentanglement is used to predict the appearance of the so-called jet streaks and surface roughness. The mechanism of formation of jet streaks is explained. It is shown that the staggered two-row water jets which are widely used in industry help to optimize surface roughness and reduce the jet streaks. It is also shown that the jet width ratio plays an important role in minimizing the surface roughness at different jet pressures. Furthermore, a novel numerical method of re-construction of the 3-D surface topography from discrete data is developed to visualize the jet streaks. Also, in the experiments of this work, the optical images of jet streaks on hydroentangled polymer nonwovens are analyzed. The streaks period is measured by using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the surface topography is visualized by using optical profilometer. The predicted optimal jet width ratio is compared to the experimental results and a good agreement is found.
Using pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) for pregnancy detection at day 24 of gestation in beef cattle.

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine if circulating concentrations of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) on day 24 of gestation can be utilized to diagnose pregnancy and embryo viability in beef cattle. Postpartum beef cows (n = 677) and heifers (n = 127) were exposed to a 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR estrus synchronization protocol followed by fixed-time AI (FTAI) on day 0. Blood samples were collected at day 24 after TAI to assess circulating concentrations of PAG utilizing an in-house ELISA. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 and 100 days after FTAI via transrectal ultrasonography. Mean circulating PAG concentration at day 24 differed (P
LIPID LOWERING TREATMENT PATTERNS AND RISK OF SUBSEQUENT CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOMES AMONG PATIENTS WITH A RECENT CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION

We describe patient characteristics, lipid lowering therapy (LLT) use, and risks of subsequent cardiovascular events (CVE) in the 12-months following a coronary revascularization (CR). We identified patients undergoing CR between 01/2014-05/2019 (index period) in the linked IQVIA PharMetrics+/
Predicting Pedestrian Intention to Cross the Road

The goal of this research is the development of a driver assistant feature, which can warn the driver in case a pedestrian is in a potential risk due to sudden intention to cross the road. The process of crossing pedestrian is defined as the changing of pedestrian orientation on the curb toward the road. We built a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model combined with depth sensing camera to estimate the pedestrian orientation and distance from the vehicle. The model detects the higher human body keypoints in 2D space while the depth info make it possible to translate the points into a 3D space. These info are tracked per pedestrian and any change in the pedestrian moving pattern toward the road is translated to a warning for the driver. The CNN model is end-end trained using different datasets presenting pedestrian in different configurations and scenes.
Impacts of Blockchain Technology in Marketing

The use of blockchain for different functions across various industries has become a popular topic in recent years. While commonly referenced for enabling cryptocurrency exchanges like Bitcoin, the secure, distributed ledger of blockchain may be applied for many other purposes. This contribution examines current and potential uses of blockchain for marketing activities. Benefits and challenges in implementation are also discussed.
Critical review of incidence and etiology of ankle sprain and stress fracture in basketball

Basketball is the most engaging game to take place in any community. It involves high-intensity physical activities that require changing direction continuously, along with high-load actions. To make this sport safer, it is essential to understand the causes of injuries during games. Furthermore, understanding the intrinsic, extrinsic, biomechanical, psychological, and physiological risk factors, it is also crucial to be aware of the incidence and prevalence of associated injuries. Such knowledge will facilitate the development of new prevention techniques and methods that will help prevent extensive sports injuries and make sports safer.
Vesicle-released glutamate is necessary to maintain muscle spindle afferent excitability but not dynamic sensitivity in adult mice

Key points Muscle spindle afferents are slowly adapting low threshold mechanoreceptors that report muscle length and movement information critical for motor control and proprioception. The rapidly adapting cation channel PIEZO2 has been identified as necessary for muscle spindle afferent stretch sensitivity, but the properties of this channel suggest additional molecular elements are necessary for mediating the complex slowly adapting response of muscle spindle afferents. We report that glutamate increases muscle spindle afferent static sensitivity in an ex vivo mouse muscle nerve preparation, while blocking glutamate packaging into vesicles by the sole vesicular glutamate transporter, VGLUT1, either pharmacologically or by transgenic knock out of one allele of VGLUT1 decreases muscle spindle afferent static but not dynamic sensitivity. Our results confirm that vesicle-released glutamate is an important contributor to maintained muscle spindle afferent excitability and may suggest a therapeutic target for normalizing muscle spindle afferent function. Abstract Muscle spindle afferents are slowly adapting low threshold mechanoreceptors which have both dynamic and static sensitivity to muscle stretch. The exact mechanism by which these neurons translate muscle movement into action potentials is not well understood, although the PIEZO2 mechanically sensitive cation channel is essential for stretch sensitivity. PIEZO2 is rapidly adapting, suggesting the requirement for additional molecular elements to maintain firing during stretch. Spindle afferent sensory endings contain glutamate-filled synaptic-like vesicles which are released in a stretch and calcium dependent manner. Previous work has shown that glutamate can increase and a phospholipase-D coupled metabotropic glutamate antagonist can abolish firing during static stretch. Here we test the hypothesis that vesicle-released glutamate is necessary for maintaining muscle spindle afferent excitability during static but not dynamic stretch. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse muscle-nerve ex vivo preparation to measure identified muscle spindle afferent responses to stretch and vibration. In C57BL/6 adult mice, bath applied glutamate significantly increased the firing rate during the plateau phase of stretch, but not during the dynamic phase of stretch. Blocking the packaging of glutamate into vesicles by the sole vesicular glutamate transporter, VGLUT1, either with xanthurenic acid or by using a transgenic mouse with only one copy of the VGLUT1 gene (VGLUT1+/- ) decreased muscle spindle afferent firing during sustained stretch, but not during vibration. Our results suggest a model of mechanotransduction where calcium entering the PIEZO2 channel can cause the release of glutamate from synaptic-like vesicles which then helps to maintain afferent depolarization and firing. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Corrugated Compliant Capacitor towards Smart Bandage Application

The focus of this study is to characterize a soft elastomeric capacitor (SEC) capable of monitoring large levels of deformation towards smart bandage applications. The SEC is a highly compliant, low cost, and scalable strain gauge, designed to transduce strain into a measurable change in capacitance. Early work on the SEC was conducted on untextured versions, where the dielectric was sandwiched between two flat electrodes. It has been shown that the use of currugated surfaces significantly improves the sensor's sensitivity, linearity, and resolution, and that the sensor could be used to effectively monitor elongation in intact (i.e., unwounded) canine skin. In this paper, work on the SEC technology is extended to evaluate the use of corrugated SEC as a smart bandage capable of monitoring strain and reducing stresses on soft tissue. A series of experimental tests is conducted on two corrugated patterns, namely a reentrant hexagonal honeycomb pattern (auxetic pattern) and a symmetric diagonal grid pattern, to further characterize the signal of the corrugated sensor under various levels of localized strain resembling an opening wound. After, prior numerical investigations on canine skin are extended to study opportunities in leveraging corrugation to improve stress distribution around a wound. Results show that corrugation significantly improves both the signal and stress distribution onto soft tissue, with the auxetic pattern exhibiting best performance, therefore demonstrating the promise of the corrugated SEC as a smart bandage.
Interactions between landscape and local factors inform spatial action planning in post-fire forest environments

Landscape and local factors govern tree regeneration across heterogeneous post-fire forest environments. But their relative influence is unclear—limiting the degree that managers can consider landscape context when delegating resources to help stand-replacing patches restock successfully. We investigated how landscape and local factors shape tree regeneration across heterogeneous post-fire forest environments. Our research questions were: What is the relative influence of landscape and local factors on tree species presence (RQ1) and stocking density (RQ2) at stand-replacing patches? Do thresholds occur when landscape factors are influential (RQ3)? We sampled landscape and local variables at 71 plots near Jackson, Wyoming, United States. We used Random Forests to investigate how local and landscape variables affect post-fire tree recovery. Relative influence was determined using mean decrease in accuracy. Partial dependence plots were used to visualize whether thresholds occurred for variables with mean decrease in accuracy > 15%. Landscape factors like seed source area were associated with subalpine fir presence and stocking density. But different thresholds occurred. Specifically, subalpine fir presence required 10% seed source area, while stocking density required 40%. Northeast aspects surrounded by > 10% seed source area were most likely to support subalpine fir presence. Conversely, local factors like soil nutrients were associated with lodgepole pine presence, highlighting effects of different regeneration strategies. Landscape factors bolster spatial resilience and help stand-replacing patches restock naturally. But landscape factors do not support tree regeneration equally across heterogeneous post-fire forest environments. Consequently, considering stand-replacing patches in their landscape context will be critical for future spatial action planning.
Stability of Atchafalaya Levees

Designing and constructing stable levees in the Atchafalaya Basin is a problem because the foundation consists of 50 to 100 ft of soft organic clay and medium silty clay. Many reaches of levee which are to have a net height of 20 ft to 25 ft have settled as much as 10 ft to 15 ft. To evaluate settlement and stability problems and the adequacy of levee design procedures, three levee test sections were constructed. The paper describes the design, construction, and instrumentation of these test sections; the pore pressures, settlements, and lateral movements observed; and the data analysis.
CLINICAL CONFERENCE Tumor of the Heart

Dr. Cassels: In April, 1954, a 19-month-old white female was admitted to the hospital. Her family history was irrelevant. She had a normal birth and had not been ill until about a week before admission. At that time, while sitting at the table eating, she suddenly made a noise, threw up her hands and became unconscious, and would have fallen if she had not been caught. She regained consciousness, and promptly again lost consciousness. On the way to a neighborhood hospital she regained and lost consciousness twice. During the first 24 hours of illness she had eight episodes of unconsciousness. In each of these she was limp and flaccid. At no time was there any rigidity or movement nor did she vomit or lose sphincter control. At that hospital it was noted that the eyes were swollen somewhat and the abdomen was protuberant. Urinalysis revealed 2+ albumin. No other abnormalities were found. On admission to Bobs Roberts Hospital there was only a trace of albumin in the urine without other abnormalities. The eyes were swollen, the abdomen greatly distended, and the liver was very large. There was no evidence of cardiac disease and the blood pressure was normal in all extremities. During the first month or two of hospitalization she was quite distressed. She had difficulty in breathing, urinated poorly, and developed marked generalized edema. She had astonishing dyspnea without orthopnea and, curiously, she sought peculiar positions of comfort in the oxygen tent. One of the peculiar positions of comfort was lying on the left side, turned at about a 45-degree angle toward a face-down position. She resumed this position repeatedly when moved for examination or nursing care and resisted the usual sitting position assumed for comfort by a patient with respiratory distress.
Accurate inverse consistent non-rigid image registration and its application on automatic re-contouring

This paper provides a novel algorithm for invertible nonrigidimage registration. The proposed model minimizes two energy functionalscoupled by a natural inverse consistent constraint. Both of theenergy functionals for forward and backward deformation fields consista smoothness measure of the deformation field, and a similarity measurebetween the deformed image and the one to be matched. In this proposedmodel the similarity measure is based on maximum likelihood estimationof the residue image. To enhance algorithm efficiency, the Additive OperatorSplitting (AOS) scheme is used in solving the minimization problem.The inverse consistent deformation field can be applied to automatic recontouringto get an accurate delineation of Regions Of Interest(ROIs).The experimental results on synthetic images and 3D prostate data indicatethe effectiveness of the proposed method in inverse consistency andautomatic re-contouring.
Consistency and generalization in incrementally trained connectionist networks

Aspects of consistency and generalization in connectionist networks which learn through incremental training by examples or rules are discussed. Differences between training set learning and incremental rule or example learning are presented. Generalization, the ability to produce reasonable mappings when presented with novel input patterns, is discussed in light of the above learning methods. The contrast between Hamming distance generalization and generalizing by high-order combinations of critical variables is discussed. Examples of detailed rules for an incremental learning model are presented for both consistency and generalization constraints. >
Comparative analysis of genetic variability among Borrelia burgdorferi isolates from Europe and the United States by restriction enzyme analysis, gene restriction fragment length polymorphism, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Abstract The genomes of 62 North American and European Borrelia burgdorferi isolates were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), gene probe restriction fragment length polymorphism, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Hybridization of restriction fragments with the immunologically relevant 83-kDa antigen gene revealed polymorphisms and divided the isolates into three major groups. Group I included all but two of the American isolates and some of the European isolates. One of two Californian isolates (DN 127) and one Ixodes dammini isolate from New York (strain 25015), previously described as atypical, were distinct from the isolates in the three groups. Plasmid profile analysis and REA, the method with the highest level of discrimination, revealed extensive heterogeneity among isolates of the same major group. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of the 83-kDa antigen gene probe for dividing the isolates into major genogroups, whereas REA and plasmid profile analysis allow for a distinction of individual strains within these groups.
The Drosophila melanogaster Translational Repressor Pumilio Regulates Neuronal Excitability

Maintenance of proper neuronal excitability is vital to nervous system function and normal behavior. A subset of Drosophila mutants that exhibit altered behavior also exhibit defective motor neuron excitability, which can be monitored with electrophysiological methods. One such mutant is the P-element insertion mutant bemused (bem). The bem mutant exhibits female sterility, sluggishness, and increased motor neuron excitability. The bem P element is located in the large intron of the previously characterized translational repressor gene pumilio (pum). Here, by several criteria, we show that bem is a new allele of pum. First, ovary-specific expression of pum partially rescues bem female sterility. Second, pum null mutations fail to complement bem female sterility, behavioral defects, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Third, heads from bem mutant flies exhibit greatly reduced levels of Pum protein and the absence of two pum transcripts. Fourth, two previously identified pum mutants exhibit neuronal hyperexcitability. Fifth, overexpression of pum in the nervous system reduces neuronal excitability, which is the opposite phenotype to pum loss of function. Collectively, these findings describe a new role of pum in the regulation of neuronal excitability and may afford the opportunity to study the role of translational regulation in the maintenance of proper neuronal excitability.
The Cultured Chimpanzee: Reflections on Cultural Primatology

The Cultured Chimpanzee: Reflections on Cultural Primatology. William C. McGrew. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. 248 pp.
Optimization of importance sampling parameters for the efficient simulation of communication networks and ATM switches using mean field annealing

Importance sampling (IS) is recognised as a potentially powerful method for reducing simulation runtimes when estimating the probabilities of rare events in communication systems using Monte Carlo simulation. A dynamic application of IS combined with regenerative techniques has been shown to provide excellent simulation performance.To obtain large improvement factors in simulation runtime using IS, the modification, or bias of the underlying probability measures must be carefully chosen. We present in this paper a methodology which optimizes IS parameter settings using the mean field annealing (MFA) optimization algorithm in conjunction with statistical estimates of the IS estimator variance.We demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology by estimating blocking probabilities for the Geo/Geo/1/K, IBP/Geo/1/K queues and a 16 × 16 synchronous Clos ATM switch. Improvement factors of three to fifteen orders of magnitude are obtained for these examples.
Introduction of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus in Florida and Implications for the Spread of This and Other Geminiviruses of Tomato

Polston, J. E., McGovern, R. J., and Brown, L. G. 1999. Introduction of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Florida and implications for the spread of this and other geminiviruses of tomato. Plant Dis. 83:984-988. In July 1997, symptoms characteristic of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV-Is) were observed on one tomato plant in a field in Collier C ounty, Florida, and on several tomato plants in a retail garden center in Sarasota, Florida. Amplification with three sets of primers, analysis of amplified fragments using restriction enzyme digestion, and hybridization with a clone of TYLCV-Is indicated that TYLCV-Is was present in symptomatic plants. The sequence of a 1,300-bp amplified fragment was 99% identical to TYLCV-Is from the Dominican Republic and 98% identical to an isolate from Israel. It appears that TYLCV-Is entered the United States in Dade County, Florida, in late 1996 or early 1997. Subsequently, infected tomato transplants produced for retail sale at two Dade County fac ilities were rapidly distributed via retail garden centers throughout the state. Infected plants purchased by homeowners and pl aced in and around homes appeared to be the source of TYLCV-Is for nearby commercial nurseries and production fields. It appears that transplants have played a role in the movement of this and probably other geminiviruses. A number of regulatory procedures, as well as field management practices, were implemented in the 1997-98 production season to minimize the movement of TYLCV-Is within and out of the state.
Generalized zone separation functionals for convex perfect forms and incomplete data sets

The minimum zone separation functional describes global shape characteristics of form tolerance for a metrological artefact and is computed from measurement data described by a simple planar polygon. The nominal (perfect form) geometry is realized by a convex polygon. An analytic expression to compute the minimum zone measure is derived in the case of a regular polygonal perfect form, and a geometric procedure is adopted in the solution for a convex perfect form. A minimum area difference measure is introduced, and the geometry of typical separation functionals is examined. Separation measures are also calculated for nominal convex polygonal components described by a discontinuous (incomplete) data set such as commonly occurs with keyways, flats, and partial arcs. Computational considerations, including algorithm performance, are also addressed.
Eliciting knowledge for analytical representation

One large class of intelligent systems attempts to represent expert knowledge in terms of an analytical language. If experts can express themselves in terms of that language, then its analytical power allows sophisticated manipulation of their knowledge, perhaps leading to inferences that they could not have made reliably without the help of such a cognitive aid. In addition, these languages allow pooling the knowledge of diverse experts, each providing inputs to different components of the model in a way that is subject to independent review and revision. Examples of such languages include those of decision analysis, forecasting, cost-benefit analysis, and probabilistic risk analysis. Although they are applied to very different substantive problems (e.g. defining terms, estimating quantitative parameters), the analytical representation languages used by such systems require a common set of interdependent judgmental skills. As a result, one can draw on a common set of research results regarding the cognitive processes involved in using these systems. This perspective is illustrated in the context of a particular analytical representation language, that used in risk analysis. >
Keeping down with the joneses: Stagflation and buyer behavior

F ew consumers have remained unscathed by the two rounds of stagflation experienced in the United States in 1974-75 and 1979-80. These two periods have been characterized by double digit inflation rates, abnormally high unemployment levels, and a decline in real GNP. Inflation reached a high of 12.2 percent in 1974, and then declined appreciably in the next few years before reaching a new high of 13.3 percent in 1979. Unemployment reached a peak of 8.5 percent in 1975, declined somewhat in the succeeding years, then climbed up to 7.1 percent in 1980. Real GNP (in 1972 dollars) declined 0.6 percent in 1974 and another 1.1 percent in 1975, registered healthy growth levels in 1976-78 before slowing down in 1979, and registered a decline of 0.2 percent in 1980. This stagflation, a combination of stagnation in the growth of real output coupled with inflation, has driven many consumers at all income levels to make substantial changes in their lifestyles, values, and consumption patterns. There is no dearth of empirical studies on the subject of inflation and inflationary expectations and their impacts on personal savings and spending. Studies reveal that inflation creates uncertainty about real income expectations and depresses the mood of consumers. Consumers react by increasing their rate of savings and postponing discretionary expenditures. While such studies provide significant insights into the macroeconomic behavior of consumers, they have little to say about the shifts in the consumption of specific product groups. In periods of inflation, and more so stagflation, consumers tend to change the composition of their expenditures in addition to their total expenditures on goods and services. For instance, consumers may trade down when purchasing automobiles and houses. Given the increasing cost of automobile use, consumers may change their criteria for patronizing stores. Further, consumers may alter their product choice criteria and substitute products that are perceived to have greater value for products perceived to be lower in value. The definition of value itself may undergo a change from novelty,