cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking Protocols for Evaluating Grasp Strength, Grasp Cycle Time, Finger Strength, and Finger Repeatability of Robot End-Effectors

This letter describes a set of metrics and supporting benchmarking protocols for determining the performance characteristics of robot end-effectors. In the short-term, these tools are proving useful as a common ground for assessing and comparing end-effectors. The long-term goal is a standard framework for providing technical specifications for robotic end-effectors to help pair technologies to application spaces. This letter presents a subset of the metrics – grasp strength, grasp cycle time, finger strength, and finger repeatability – with accompanying measurement techniques and supporting test artifacts. The application of these metrics and protocols is demonstrated using example implementations to characterize a variety of robot end-effectors, with example data sets and test designs provided for downloading.
Implementation of Procedure-Specific Opioid Guidelines: A Readily Employable Strategy to Improve Consistency and Decrease Excessive Prescribing Following Orthopaedic Surgery.

Background Evidence-based, procedure-specific guidelines for prescribing opioids are urgently needed to optimize pain relief while minimizing excessive opioid prescribing and potential opioid diversion in our communities. A multidisciplinary panel at our institution recently developed procedure-specific guidelines for discharge opioid prescriptions for common orthopaedic surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative opioid prescription quantities, variability, and 30-day refill rates before and after implementation of the guidelines. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic institution from December 2016 to March 2018. Guidelines were implemented on August 1, 2017, with a recommended maximum opioid prescription quantity for 14 common orthopaedic procedures. Patients who underwent these 14 procedures during the period of December 2016 to May 2017 made up the pre-guideline cohort (n = 2,223), and patients who underwent these procedures from October 2017 to March 2018 made up the post-guideline cohort (n = 2,300). Opioid prescription quantities were reported as oral morphine equivalents (OME), with medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs). Four levels were established for recommended prescription maximums, ranging from 100 to 400 OME. Results In the pre-guideline cohort, the median amount of prescribed opioids across all procedures was 600 OME (IQR, 390 to 863 OME), which decreased by 38% in the post-guideline period, to a median of 375 OME (IQR, 239 to 400 OME) in the post-guideline cohort (p < 0.001). The 30-day refill rate did not change significantly, from a rate of 24% in the pre-guideline cohort to 25% in the post-guideline cohort (p = 0.43). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that guideline implementation was the factor most strongly associated with prescriptions exceeding guideline maximums (odds ratio [OR] = 9.9; p < 0.001). Age groups of <80 years (OR = 2.0 to 2.4; p < 0.001) and males (OR = 1.2; p = 0.025) were also shown to have higher odds of exceeding guideline maximums. Conclusions Procedure-specific guidelines are capable of substantially decreasing opioid prescription amounts and variability. Furthermore, the absence of change in refill rates suggests that pain control remains similar to pre-guideline prescribing practices. Evidence-based guidelines are a readily employable solution that can drive rapid change in practice and enhance the ability of orthopaedic surgeons to provide responsible pain management.
Abstract TP252: Extended Window TPA is Safe at Community Emergency Departments via Telestroke

Introduction: Recent studies support tPA for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting beyond 4.5 hours from last known well (LKW), if established infarct is not evident on advanced imaging. ...
Simulation strategies to increase nursing student clinical competence in safe medication administration practices: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract Background Nursing student medication errors often result from deficits in knowledge and application of fundamental safe administration practices. Factors such as high faculty-student ratios and legal restrictions have decreased clinical learning opportunities for nursing students to practice safe medication administration in the clinical setting. Evidence suggests that use of a structured medication safety enhancement (MSE) simulation program can significantly improve student knowledge and competency in safe medication administration. Purpose To examine the effects of an educational strategy using a MSE simulation program with integrated technology on the medication administration knowledge, competency, and confidence levels of undergraduate nursing students. Methods This quasi-experimental replication study designed and implemented medication simulations enhanced by integrated information technologies in an undergraduate-nursing curriculum. Third-year BSN students (n = 83) were randomized into intervention or control groups. Control groups participated in standard training while the intervention group received additional clinical simulation experience and debriefing sessions focused on medication safety practices. Participant knowledge was measured using pre/post Medication Safety Knowledge Assessment (MSKA) and competency was evaluated using the Medication Safety Critical Element Checklist (MSCEC). Results The MSKA and MSCEC were analyzed using two-sided independent t-tests. Post-test knowledge scores increased in both groups but results were not statistically significant (α = 0. 05). Students who received the medication safetfy enhancement intervention performed significantly better in a subsequent simulation than students who did not have prior simulation experience (p Conclusion Findings suggest that educators should consider high fidelity simulation as an evidence-based teaching strategy to engage students in understanding and implementing medication safety practices in the clinical setting.
A spatial analysis of incomes and institutional quality: evidence from US metropolitan areas

We use the Stansel (2013) metropolitan area economic freedom index and 25 conditioning variables to analyze the spatial relationships between institutional quality and economic outcomes across 381 U.S. metropolitan areas. Specifically, we allow for spatial dependence in both the dependent and independent variables and estimate how economic freedom impacts both per capita income growth and per capita income levels. We find that economic freedom and per capita income growth and income levels are directly and positively related. Furthermore, we find that the total (direct plus indirect) effects on all metropolitan areas are positive and larger in magnitude than the direct effects alone, indicating that freedom-enhancing reforms in one metropolitan area lead to positive-sum games with neighboring metropolitan areas.
Examining sleep deficiency and disturbance and their risk for incident dementia and all-cause mortality in older adults across 5 years in the United States.

Background: Sleep disturbance and deficiency are common among older adults and have been linked with dementia and all-cause mortality. Using nationally representative data, we examine the relationship between sleep disturbance and deficiency and their risk for incident dementia and all-cause mortality among older adults. Methods: The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is a nationally-representative longitudinal study of Medicare beneficiaries in the US age 65 and older. Surveys that assessed sleep disturbance and duration were administered at baseline. We examined the relationship between sleep disturbance and deficiency and incident dementia and all-cause mortality over the following 5 years using Cox proportional hazards modeling, controlling for confounders. Results: Among the sample (n = 2,812), very short sleep duration (≤5 hours: HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.33) and sleep latency (>30 minutes: HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03 - 2.03) were associated with incident dementia in adjusted Cox models. Difficulty maintaining alertness (“Some Days”: HR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.13 - 1.94 and “Most/Every Day”: HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.17 - 2.32), napping (“Some days”: HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.85; “Most/Every Day”: HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.29 - 2.32), sleep quality (“Poor/Very Poor”: HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.17 - 2.61), and very short sleep duration (≤5 hours: HR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.44 - 3.92) were associated with all-cause mortality in adjusted Cox models. Conclusions: Addressing sleep disturbance and deficiency may have a positive impact on risk for incident dementia and all-cause mortality among older adults.
The survival-incorporated median versus the median in the survivors or in the always-survivors: What are we measuring? And why?

Many clinical studies evaluate the benefit of treatment based on both survival and other ordinal/continuous clinical outcomes, such as neurocognitive scores or quality-of-life scores. In these studies, there are situations when the clinical outcomes are truncated by death, where subjects die before their clinical outcome is measured. Treating outcomes as "missing" or "censored" due to death can be misleading for treatment effect evaluation. We show that if we use the median in the survivors or in the always-survivors to summarize clinical outcomes, we may conclude a trade-off exists between the probability of survival and good clinical outcomes, even in settings where both the probability of survival and the probability of any good clinical outcome are better for one treatment. Therefore, we advocate not always treating death as a mechanism through which clinical outcomes are missing, but rather as part of the outcome measure. To account for the survival status, we describe the survival-incorporated median as an alternative summary measure for outcomes in the presence of death. The survival-incorporated median is the threshold such that 50\% of the population is alive with an outcome above that threshold. We use conceptual examples to show that the survival-incorporated median provides a simple and useful summary measure to inform clinical practice.
AIDS Denialism: Conspiratorial Ideation and the Internet

Presentation of AIDS denialist literature in the media has an important influence on policy-making and public health education. However, the mechanisms by which AIDS denialists use media to carry out their movement and the interdependence between denialists and mass media remain inadequately examined. In this paper, the ways in which the media may sustain the HIV/AIDS denialism in South Africa were analyzed, followed by suggestions for mitigating the negative effects of AIDS denialism. In brief, it appears that modern mass media, especially the Internet, has become a fertile ground for propagating denialist literature by facilitating and empowering three defining features of AIDS denialism: (1) conspiracy ideation, (2) manipulation of fake expertise and (3) selective attack of “bad science.” Regardless of whether AIDS denialism is an organized movement or simply an outlier of the scientific community, a greater understanding of the ways in which AIDS denialists utilize the Internet to sustain their presence may elucidate more effective strategies for reducing the negative impact of science denialism on public health, particularly its influences on public attitude towards the crucial implementation of future HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services.
Babesia blood testing: the first-year experience.

BACKGROUND Babesia is an intraerythrocytic parasite responsible for hundreds of cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in the past 50 years. In May of 2020, blood testing for Babesia was implemented at the American Red Cross (ARC) for all donations in endemic areas of the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States. METHODS Between May 2020 and May 2021, 1,816,669 donations from 13 states and DC were tested for Babesia by the ARC. Testing was performed in pools of 16 whole blood lysates using a licensed nucleic acid test (NAT) targeting Babesia 18S rRNA. Reactive donations were tested for B. microti antibody by immunoglobulin G immunofluorescence. Suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB) were investigated if reported. RESULTS The first 13 months of Babesia screening identified 365 NAT-reactive donations. Antibodies for B. microti were detected in 79% (287) of reactive donations; negative serology samples were prevalent between May and July. Follow-up donations were collected from 142 donors, and 86% (122), collected up to 74 days after index, remained NAT reactive. Reactive donations were mainly collected in MA (77), CT (68), NY (49), NJ (47), and PA (44), but were identified in all states except Delaware. Most reactive blood donors were male (65%) aged between 40 and 80 years. Since the beginning of Babesia testing, no case of TTB was identified. CONCLUSIONS The absence of TTB cases since implementation of Babesia screening for blood donations collected in endemic areas suggests testing is an effective strategy to eliminate TTB.
A Low-Cost Clustered Archive Approach for Storing Remote Sensing Data

As part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Data and Information System (EOSDIS), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Data Processing System (MODAPS) is now processing data from two instruments on the EOS flag ship spacecraft Terra and Aqua. Between the two, MODAPS is generating over 1 Terrabyte of data per day and has surpassed 3 Petabytes of total data. The bulk of the data is stored near-line in StorageTek Powerhorn tape jukeboxes. Accessing data that has been moved to tape involves submitting an order, scheduling the tape, and waiting for the data to become available. I am developing a low cost clustered archive that could enable storing a very large amount of data such as the MODIS data described above in an organized fashion on a cluster of commodity hardware using low cost SATA hard drives such that the files are directly available online. The system takes full advantage of Open Source software, using the GNULinux operating system, PostgreSQL relational database and the Apache HTTP Server. This poster session will depict my approach, the interface to the archive, a brief discussion of the internals of the system and some performance numbers from my prototyping. I will also describe various costs and benefits of this approach versus the traditional large tape jukebox approach currently in use in the EOSDIS.
Venous Congestive Myelopathy due to Chronic Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis Treated with Endovascular Stenting: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Objective: Impaired inferior vena cava (IVC) outflow can lead to collateralization of blood to the valveless epidural venous plexus, causing epidural venous engorgement and venous congestion. Herein we describe a case of chronic IVC thrombosis presenting as venous congestive myelopathy treated with angioplasty and endovascular stenting. The pathophysiological mechanisms of cord injury are hypothesized, and IVC stenting application is evaluated. Methods: Case report and review of the literature. Results: IVC outflow obstruction has only rarely been associated with neurologic dysfunction, with reports of lumbosacral nerve root compression in cases of IVC agenesis, compression, or occlusion. Although endovascular angioplasty with stenting is emerging as a leading treatment option for chronic IVC thrombosis, its use to treat neurologic complications is limited to one case report for intractable sciatica. Our case is the first description of IVC thrombosis presenting with venous congestive myelopathy, and treated successfully with IVC stenting. Conclusion: Venous congestive myelopathy should be seen as a broader clinical condition, including not only typical dural arteriovenous fistulas, but also disorders of venous outflow. Therefore, identifying a rare, but potentially treatable etiology is important to avoid permanent neurologic deficits. IVC stenting is proposed as a novel and effective treatment approach.
Using Persistent Excitation with Fixed Energy to Stabilize Adaptive Controllers and Obtain Hard Bounds for the Parameter Estimation Error

We show that persistent excitation with fixed and finite energy can be used as a tool to stabilize adaptive control algorithms and obtain hard bounds for the parameter estimation errors. Two important instability problems in certainty equivalence adaptive control are solved by applying excitation. The first instability is parameter drift due to an unstable manifold which appears when the excitation level is not high enough. This problem has previously been studied using averaging and local analysis. Our results are global. The second instability is numerical, and due to a division with zero in the adaptive law. In the paper we show that the system parameters are estimated when the level of excitation is sufficiently high relative to the magnitudes of the external disturbances and the unmodelled dynamics. It follows that the singularity problem only can occur during the transient. The consequence of this is that we can implement a direct adaptive controller without requiring knowledge of the sign of the high frequency gain. The approach can be generalized to more complex adaptive laws and this, together with the fact that we obtain hard bounds for the parameter estimation error opens up for the possibility of designing robust controllers that are adaptive.
Ekalaka, Montana small watershed data set: Precipitation, runoff, air temperature, and soil water, 1968–1980

[1] A 12-year (1968–1980) hydrologic database has been developed for three sets of watersheds on the frail land resource area located near Ekalaka in southeast Montana. These records contain daily maximum and minimum air temperature, precipitation, runoff, soil water measured monthly and more often during the growing season, and breakpoint precipitation and runoff for summer runoff events. These data can be accessed from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Watershed Research Center, Boise, Idaho database through the anonymous ftp site ftp.nwrc.ars.usda.gov.
RECOMMENDED I/M SHORT TEST PROCEDURES FOR THE 1990'S: SIX ALTERNATIVES

The report discusses the test procedures recommended for current technology vehicles. The test procedures presented in this report represent the best technical information the Environmental Protection Agency Motor Vehicle Emission Laboratory has on how to test current motor vehicles and do not represent a new requirement at this time. EPA recognizes that for Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs to adopt these new procedures, changes in regulations, rewriting test protocols, software and, in some cases, hardware upgrades, and other changes would be needed and would require time to implement. This report is being released at this time so that programs may take advantage of any opportunities that arise to update the test procedures as they make other program changes, including s necessary to comply with requirements of the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. EPA has not yet considered whether states and localities should be required to eventually adopt and implement a test from among those described here.
NARROW-BAND INFRARED PHOTOMETRY OF $alpha$ ORI.

Narrow band IR photometry of star alpha Orion, testing hypothetical correlation of emission peak with starlight-reflecting silicate dust
Definitive surgery and multiagent systemic therapy for patients with localized Ewing sarcoma family of tumors: local outcome and prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND The local management of Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) often centers on the surgical resectability of the primary lesion and physician biases regarding differences in the morbidity between primary surgical and radiotherapeutic management. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 33 patients with localized ESFT who underwent surgery and received systemic chemotherapy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN). Two multiagent systemic chemotherapy regimens were used: 14 patients received vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and actinomycin D (VACA), and 19 received VACA in combination with ifosphamide and etoposide. The primary tumor was surgically resected via a wide, local excision (n = 32) or a marginal excision (n = 1)performed either at diagnosis or after 3–5 months of systemic chemotherapy. Clinical outcome and prognostic factors for disease control were reported in the current study. RESULTS The median follow-up for patients was 9.9 years. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 84.5% and 75.8%, respectively. At 5 years, the cumulative incidence of local disease recurrence was 12.5%, and the event-free survival (EFS) rate was 71.7%. The same values were found at 10 years. The site of tumor origin was a significant predictor of EFS. The survival rate of patients whose tumors arose in bone was 78.6%, and the survival rate of patients whose tumors originated in soft tissue was 25.0% (P = 0.028). No other factors investigated were predictive of outcome. CONCLUSIONS Local disease control and overall outcome for patients with ESFT managed by multiagent systemic therapy and surgery was excellent. Local disease control rates remained near 90% at 10-year follow-up. Patients with extraosseous primary sites of disease may fare less well with this approach to therapy. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Statistically/computationally efficient frequency estimation

A frequency estimator for a single complex sinusoid in complex white Gaussian noise is proposed. The estimator is more computationally efficient that the optimal maximum-likelihood estimator yet attains as good performance at moderately high signal-to-noise ratios. Also, the estimator is shown to be related to the linear prediction estimator. This relationship is exploited to reveal why the linear prediction estimator does not attain the Cramer-Rao bound even at high signal-to-noise ratios. >
Hierarchy based statistical fault simulation of mixed-signal ICs

In this work we present a behavioral fault simulation technique for mixed-signal ICs, wherein a robust function approximation method namely regression splines are applied to automatically extract behavioral block parameters. The use of these robust high-level functions enables true behavioral fault simulation while preserving the statistical dependence on the process tolerance. We demonstrate significant speed-up over traditional Monte Carlo methods for two typical mixed-signal circuits, a sigma-delta modulator and a PLL.
DNA synthesis on discontinuous templates by DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli

DNA polymerases normally catalyze DNA synthesis in a template-directed manner. Generally, the continuity of the phosphodiester backbone of the template strand was thought to be an absolute requirement for DNA synthesis. Here, I demonstrate that a 3'-exonuclease-deficient derivative of the Klenow (large) fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (PolIk) can carry out DNA synthesis on discontinuous templates in vitro. Addition of multiple nucleotides (nt) to the 3' end of a blunt-end duplex, templated by unlinked single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos), was monitored electrophoretically. The reaction was demonstrable with either homopolymers or mixed-sequence oligos, but showed a requirement for complementarity between the first nt added to the duplex and the 3' nt of the unlinked oligo. These results demonstrate that continuity of the phosphodiester backbone of the template strand is not absolutely required for in vitro DNA synthesis by a 3'-exonuclease-deficient form of PolIk.
Demonstration of three-dimensional optical imaging using a confocal microscope based on a liquid-crystal electronic lens

Three-dimensional (3-D) imaging is demonstrated using an electronically controlled liquid crystal (LC) optical lens to accomplish a no-moving-parts depth-section scanning in a modified commercial 3-D confocal microscope. Specifically, 3-D views of a standard CDC blood vessel (enclosed in a glass slide) have been obtained using the modified confocal microscope operating at the red 633-nm laser wavelength. The image sizes over a 25-µm axial scan depth were 50×50 µm and 80×80 µm, using 60× and 20× micro-objectives, respectively. The transverse motion step was 0.1 µm for the 60× data and 0.2 µm for the 20× data. As a first-step comparison, image processing of the standard and LC electronic-lens microscope images indicates correlation values between 0.81 and 0.91. The proposed microscopy system within aberration limits has the potential to eliminate the mechanical forces due to sample or objective motion that can distort the original sample structure and lead to imaging errors.
Southwestern Internal Medicine Conference: Breast Diseases and the Internist

Benign breast disease affects almost all women, although only one out of 11 will eventually develop breast cancer. Fibrocystic disease or benign breast mastopathies have been associated with an increased propensity to progress to malignancy. However, the increased relative risk for women with benign breast disease developing breast cancer appears to be associated with proliferative benign disease in association with atypia. Their cumulative risk may be as high as 30%. These women represent 3-5% of women with benign disease. They clearly warrant more careful screening and follow-up. The etiology of benign breast mastopathies is unknown, but its incidence and relationship to hormonal events suggests that many of the histologic entities represent an endocrine response. Many hormonal manipulations have been shown to decrease mastodynia and reduce the incidence of breast aspirations and biopsies. However, these and other therapeutic interventions have not been shown to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women who are at high risk.
Protein post-translational modification analyses using on-chip immunoprobed isoelectric focusing.

Post-translational modifications play a critical role in regulating protein function. Increasingly, determination of protein identity, estimation of abundance, and characterization of post-translational modifications are required for analysis of protein-mediated cell signaling networks. As such, we report an integrated and rapid multispectral immunoprobed isoelectric focusing technique for identifying specific proteins bearing post-translational modifications. Immunoprobed isoelectric focusing is composed of isoelectric focusing in a large pore-size polyacrylamide gel to determine protein pI followed by immobilization of pI-resolved proteins. Proteins are immobilized via covalent attachment to a channel-filling benzophenone-functionalized polyacrylamide gel via brief UV exposure (photoblot), followed by multispectral antibody-based detection. The assay correlates observed post-translational modifications to pI shifts relative to the unmodified protein of interest. During the electrokinetically driven anti...
The effect of finite boundaries on the motion of particles in non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract A general formula is derived for the effect of container boundaries on the motion of a particle immersed in a non-Newtonian fluid. The result is similar to the corresponding formula of Brenner[1] for Newtonian fluids except that it is valid only for the correction of the velocity and not of the force. For a sphere falling axially in a cylinder, a formula is given which is the non-Newtonian equivalent of the Faxen wall correction formula. The experimental results of Turian[14] are analyzed with this formula and the value of the zero-shear viscosity of his polymer solution is found by an extrapolation based on the theory of third order Rivlin-Ericksen fluids.
New Wine in Old Bottles: The Transdiagnostic Model in the Case of Geoffrey

This reaction to the “Case of Geoffrey” by Dr. Jan Mohlman et al. (2008) highlights its use of a state-of-the-art, clinical combination of the transdiagnostic model and empirically supported, cognitive-behavioral therapies in the treatment of an older adult with multiple problems. I comment on Dr. Mohlman et al.’s creative use of cognitive rehabilitation, as a necessary adjunct to both anxiety and depression in the elderly, and, more generally, on Dr. Mohlman’s et al.’s unerring use of tactics, strategies, and interventions with Geoffrey. More specifically, I comment on: (1) the context of aging, both as it applies and serves as background to treatment in later life; (2) evidence-based practice of psychological and psychiatric treatments, as necessary for psychotherapy for older adults; (3) common factors of treatment in Dr. Mohlman et al.’s case that address aging-related issues in therapy which require case-specific alterations that they creatively considered, applied and monitored; and (4) a discussion of what was missing or lacking in Dr. Mohlman et al.’s approach. Their case of Geoffrey should serve as a model for graduate teaching in psychotherapy for older adults.
Performance feedback in the audit environment: A review and synthesis of research on the behavioral effects

This paper synthesizes the extant feedback literature, focusing on how feedback affects an auditor's learning, performance, and motivation. Performance feedback is an important component in the auditing environment for ensuring quality control and for developing and coaching staff auditors. However, the literature on feedback in the audit environment is fragmented and limited making it difficult to assess its behavioral effects on auditors. This paper has three main objectives. The first is to review some of the influential research in psychology and management to identify key variables and issues that appear to be critical in the study of behavioral consequences of feedback in organizational settings. The second is to review performance feedback research specifically in auditing to identify the areas previously examined and synthesize the findings. The third is to suggest a variety of future research opportunities that may assist in developing an understanding and knowledge of the behavioral effects of feedback on auditors. The literature analysis has significant implications for audit research and practice. In particular, the analysis provides important insights into understanding who, how, and when performance feedback should be given to improve its effectiveness in the audit environment.
Iatrogenic iodine as a cause of hypothyroidism in infants with end-stage renal failure.

Between 1996 and 2005, two of seven infants in our unit on overnight continuous-cycle peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) acquired hypothyroidism following normal thyroid function on neonatal screening. Case 1 had posterior urethral valves, commenced CCPD at day 29, and developed hypothyroidism requiring treatment at 3 months: TSH 258 mu/l (ref.: 0.3–3.8), total thyroxine 74 nmol/l (ref.: 77–159). Plasma iodine concentration was 7.44 µmol/l (ref.: 0.23–0.68). Iodine concentrations in peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid were found to be higher at the end of the first cycle (11.4 µmol/l) than at the end of the twelfth cycle (1.55 µmol/l). Case 2 had posterior urethral valves, commenced CCPD on day 4 and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism following a prolonged jaundice screen. Thyroxine replacement was stopped 2 months after a renal transplant. A third child commenced CCPD on day 2 and had high plasma iodine concentrations at 8 weeks (5.79 µmol/l). He had borderline thyroid function, not requiring replacement. Our hypothesis is that these infants developed hypothyroidism as a consequence of iodine exposure via the Wolff–Chaikoff effect. Iodine levels were higher in the PD fluid than in plasma. This suggests that povidine-iodine 10% in the PD cap may be the source of the high plasma iodine levels.
Understanding the Catalytic Mechanism of GTPase-Activating Proteins: Demonstration of the Importance of Switch Domain Stabilization in the Stimulation of GTP Hydrolysis†

Cdc42, a member of the Rho family of GTP-binding proteins, has been implicated in a variety of biological activities, including the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, changes in cell morphology and motility, intracellular trafficking, cell cycle progression, and cellular transformation. The cycling of Cdc42 between its on (GTP-bound) and off (GDP-bound) states is essential for its stimulation of cell growth and transformation, with an important aspect of this cycle being the regulation of the GTP hydrolytic activity of Cdc42 by its GTPase-activating protein (Cdc42GAP). On the basis of the structural determinations of the Cdc42-Cdc42GAP complex, as well as the Ras-RasGAP complex, it has been proposed that an arginine residue provided by the GAP (called the "arginine finger") stabilizes charges developing on the guanine nucleotide during the transition state for GTP hydrolysis and is an important contributor to GAP-stimulated catalysis. However, the 85 kDa regulatory subunit (p85) of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) is homologous with the Cdc42GAP and contains the essential arginine residue, but is ineffective as a GAP. This argues that the introduction of the arginine finger is insufficient for GAP activity and that the GAP must fulfill an additional function, one possibility being the engagement and stabilization of the conformationally sensitive switch regions of Cdc42. In the study presented here, we have tested this idea by examining three residues within the Cdc42GAP, which are missing in the GAP homology domain of the 85 kDa regulatory subunit (p85) of the PI 3-kinase and are involved in specific interactions with switch domain residues of Cdc42. We show that the mutation of all three residues, as well as individual mutations of each of these residues, yields GAPs that are defective in stimulating GTP hydrolysis. We further demonstrate that the switch I residue tyrosine 32 plays an important role in GAP interactions and in the regulation of both intrinsic and GAP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. Taken together, these findings indicate that stabilizing the switch domains of GTP-binding proteins is an important part of GAP-stimulated catalysis, and that the inability of p85 to participate in these interactions may at least in part explain its ineffectiveness as a GAP.
In-situ characterization of SiO 2 deposition and growth for gate-oxides

The use of Si02 gate oxides with thicknesses of <100A will put stringent requirements on the control of contamination during device manufacturing. It has been realized only recently that control of molecular contamination is as important for critical device films as control of particulates. We present in this paper an investigation of challenges of thin gate oxides, possible alternative oxide deposition schemes, and control of foreign molecular species. using an ultra-clean, integrated processing system with in-situ analysis capabilities. In particular, the interfacial region of thermal gate oxides is investigated, as well as the chemical vapor deposition of oxides from SiH4 and 02 , and the incorporation of fluorine into gate oxides.
The mediational significance of negative/depressive affect in the relationship of childhood maltreatment and eating disorder features in adolescent psychiatric inpatients

OBJECTIVE: Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for eating disorder and negative/depressive affect appears to mediate this relation. However, the specific elements of eating- and body-related psychopathology that are influenced by various forms of childhood maltreatment remain unclear, and investigations among adolescents and men/boys have been limited. This study investigated the mediating role of negative affect/depression across multiple types of childhood maltreatment and eating disorder features in hospitalized adolescent boys and girls. METHOD: Participants were 148 adolescent psychiatric inpatients who completed an assessment battery including measures of specific forms of childhood maltreatment (sexual, emotional, and physical abuse), negative/depressive affect, and eating disorder features (dietary restriction, binge eating, and body dissatisfaction). RESULTS: Findings suggest that for girls, negative/depressive affect significantly mediates the relationships between childhood maltreatment and eating disorder psychopathology, although effects varied somewhat across types of maltreatment and eating disorder features. Generalization of mediation effects to boys was limited.
Sex hormone-binding globulin and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has emerged as one of the multiple genetic and environmental factors that potentially contribute to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to epidemiologic studies demonstrating a consistent relationship between decreased levels of serum SHBG and incident T2DM, recent genetic studies also reveal that transmission of specific polymorphisms in the SHBG gene influence the risk of T2DM. At the molecular level, the multiple interactions between SHBG and its receptors in various target tissues suggest physiologic roles for SHBG that are more complex than the simple transport of sex hormones in serum. Taken together, these data provide support for an expanded role of SHBG in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and T2DM.
Interface phonon modes of dual-gate MOSFET system

Abstract Herein, analytical expressions are derived for the interface phonon modes of the dual-gate MOSFET system. These analytical results are essential for studies of phonon scattering in MOSFET structures which will affect the performance of the device. We consider selected cubic systems within the framework of macroscopic dielectric continuum model. A principal finding of this paper is that the normally-dominant and unwanted carrier scattering caused by interface phonon interactions can be strongly suppressed through the appropriate placement of the two gates.
Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence: Urodynamic Findings and Treatment Outcomes

AbstractPurpose: We examined urodynamic findings and treatment outcomes in a large population of men with post-prostatectomy incontinence.Materials and Methods: A total of 215 men was referred for evaluation and treatment of significant post-prostatectomy incontinence. Urodynamic evaluation consisted of provocative multichannel medium fill cystometry with vigorous attempts to demonstrate incontinence. Treatment was directed by the results of the urodynamic study. A pad scoring system was used to gauge the severity of incontinence before and after treatment.Results: Based on the results of urodynamic studies 40 percent of the men had genuine stress incontinence alone and approximately 60 percent had a major component of bladder dysfunction contributing to incontinence. Treatment results of 135 men demonstrated a significant decrease in pad score (p less than 0.001) for those treated with anticholinergics, those undergoing artificial sphincter insertion and those treated pharmacologically before sphincter p...
Comparison of correlated receiver operating characteristic curves derived from repeated diagnostic test data.

Abstract Rational and Objectives It is common to administer the same diagnostic test more than once to the same set of patients. The purpose of this study was to develop two statistical methods for estimating and comparing correlated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for data derived from repeated diagnostic tests. Material and Methods Parametric and semiparametric transformation models were developed. These estimation methods were illustrated with data from 72 pigmented lesions suspected of being malignant melanoma. A diagnostic scoring system based on asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, and diameter was used repeatedly, with or without a dermoscope. Statistical hypothesis tests were conducted to evaluate whether a dermoscope improved the clarity of the lesion features in the scoring system. The resulting ROC curves were constructed, along with characteristics and summary measures. Results The areas under the ROC curves were 0.885 (parametric method) and 0.893 (semiparametric method) without the dermoscope, and 0.916 (parametric) and 0.912 (semiparametric) with the dermoscope. The statistical hypothesis tests did not yield statistically significant differences between the underlying ROC curves for either estimation method. Conclusion The two transformation models yielded similar results for estimation and comparison of the ROC curves. Although a dermoscope did not add extra information, the scoring system was accurate for diagnosing malignant melanoma.
Judge Posner's RFP: antitrust law and managed care

PROLOGUE: In a rapidly changing health care marketplace, decisions are commonly made with less than complete information. The recent Marshfield case, a landmark antitrust decision between Blue Cros...
A diagnostic comparison of measured and model-predicted speciated VOC concentrations

Abstract This study compares speciated model-predicted concentrations (i.e., mixing ratios) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with measurements from the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) network at sites within the northeastern US during June–August of 2006. Measurements of total non-methane organic compounds (NMOC), ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and reactive nitrogen species (NOy) are used for supporting analysis. The measured VOC species were grouped into the surrogate classes used by the Carbon Bond IV (CB4) chemical mechanism. It was found that the model typically over-predicted all the CB4 VOC species, except isoprene, which might be linked to overestimated emissions. Even with over-predictions in the CB4 VOC species, model performance for daily maximum O3 was typically within ±15%. Analysis at an urban site in NY, where both NMOC and NOx data were available, suggested that the reasonable ozone performance may be possibly due to compensating overestimated NOx concentrations, thus modulating the NMOC/NOx ratio to be in similar ranges as that of observations.
CD73 expression and fyn‐dependent signaling on murine lymphocytes

CD73 is a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored protein with both ecto-enzyme activity (ecto-5'-nucleotidase) and signal transducing capabilities for human T lymphocytes. We now report an analysis of the distribution and function of CD73 in murine lymphoid tissues made possible by the development of the first monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for murine CD73. Subsets of T and B lymphocytes are CD73+ and the level of expression increases with lymphocyte maturation in both species. Among B cells, CD73 is largely restricted to cells which have undergone isotype switching. The signal transmitting function of CD73 is also conserved, as splenic T cells treated with anti-CD73 mAb plus phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate proliferate and secrete IL-2. Fyn-/- mice are unresponsive to CD73 ligation, however, demonstrating the requirement for this tyrosine kinase in CD73-mediated signal transduction. CD73 is down-regulated after mAb plus cross-linking, suggesting that expression may be controlled by interaction with a ligand. Only small numbers of thymocytes are CD73+, so CD73 receptor functions are unlikely to be important for developing T cells. However, immunohistochemical analysis reveals that reticular and vascular cells throughout the thymus and other lymphoid tissues are markedly CD73+. Therefore, CD73 might mediate lymphocyte-stromal cell interactions or condition the local microenvironment to facilitate lymphocyte development and/or function.
Developing ecosystem objectives for the Great Lakes: policy, progress and public participation

Under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978 between the United States and Canada, as amended in 1987, an ecosystem objective with associated indicators for Lake Superior was adopted, and a commitment was made to develop ecosystem objectives and indicators for each of the other Great Lakes. Building upon a history of activities within the International Joint Commission related to the development of ecosystem indicators for Lake Superior and for mesotrophic waters, a binational Ecosystem Objectives Work Group (EOWG) has been established by the U.S. and Canada and charged with developing ecosystem objectives for the Great Lakes, beginning with Lake Ontario. These objectives are primarily biological in nature, in contrast to chemical objectives. The approach of the EOWG is to identify in sequence: (1) broad ecosystem goals, (2) a suite of objectives whose attainment would ensure achievement of the goals, and (3) one or more measurable indicators of progress toward meeting each objective. Societal values are reflected in the goals and objectives following consultation with competing users of ecosystem resources. Identification of appropriate indicators requires the assistance of technical experts. The experience of the EOWG in developing ecosystem objectives for Lake Ontario illustrates the application of this process.
Examination of the anatomic relationship of the proximal germinal nail matrix to the extensor tendon insertion.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to delineate the relationship of the terminal extensor tendon insertion to the proximal limit of the germinal nail matrix. Sixteen fresh-frozen human cadaver fingers without any evidence of trauma (average age, 55 years; 3 males and 1 female) were used for this study. Under ×25 magnification the proximal limit of the germinal nail matrix and the terminal bony insertion of the extensor tendon were identified. The distance from the terminal tendon insertion to the germinal nail matrix was ascertained using precision calipers. The average distance from the terminal extensor tendon insertion to the proximal edge of the germinal nail matrix was found to be 1.2 mm. We conclude that the proximal limit of the germinal matrix is extremely close to the terminal extensor tendon bony insertion. When the extensor tendon insertion is visualized during operative exposures of the dorsum of the distal phalanx, care should be taken to avoid damaging the germinal matrix. Conversely, when the nail bed is being completely excised, visualization of the insertion of the extensor tendon will indicate that further proximal dissection is not required. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:1114-1117. Copyright © 2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Fatigue test on polycrystalline diamond compacts

Abstract We have carried out compressional fatigue tests on notched polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDC). Fatigue cracks were seen to grow in both the sintered tungsten carbide and the polycrystalline diamond parts of the compact. The cracks in the cemented carbide were very fine and sharp, with an unstressed opening of about 1 μm. That the cracks propagated under the far-field compression was mainly a result of the induced residual tensile stresses that arose upon unloading from the compressive load. These cracks grew at a decreasing rate away from the starting notch, no doubt because compressive load was transferred directly across the crack faces by crack closure during the (compressive) loading part of the cycle. The fact that the fatigue crack was propagating into a region of greatly reduced stress may also have contributed to the deceleration in crack propagation. The cracks in the polycrystalline diamond, however, were relatively wide. At the start of crack growth, we believe that failure of the diamond occurred under mainly uniaxial loading, as happens in the case of borehole breakouts. This is characterized by the formation of spalled flakes whose long axes are nearly parallel with the direction of the applied load. As the crack deepened, the size of the fracture zone decreased to an approximately constant width of about 30 μm. Failure at the root of the crack was then more probably in multiaxial compression, in which the diamond grains were crushed and disintegrated over a certain volume, resulting in the detachment of fragments of diamond, and the maintenance of a wide crack.