cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends and Characterization of Academic Emergency Department Patient Visits: A Five-year Review.

Objectives To meet the unique comparative data needs of academic emergency departments (EDs), we describe the recent 5-year national and regional trends for adult emergency patients' characteristics and operational parameters at academic emergency medical centers. Methods Data collected from the recent 5-year period academic year (AY) 2012 through AY 2016 of the Academy of Administrators in Academic Emergency Medicine (AAAEM) and the Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine (AACEM) Academic Emergency Medicine Benchmarking Survey were analyzed for trends in 1) ED volumes and modes of arrival, 2) triage acuity level, 3) trends in ED professional fee billing, and 4) disposition patterns of ED patients including admission rates and walkouts. The AY spanned the 12-month period of July 1 through June 30. Only primary academic or academic affiliate hospitals data were included. Community and freestanding affiliated EDs were excluded. Institutional-specific data were stratified into four cohorts based on the following annual ED visit volumes: under 40,000, 40,000 to 60,000, 60,000 to 80,000, and over 80,000. Triage acuity levels were based on the Emergency Severity Index (ESI). Professional fee billing was analyzed specifically for CPT codes 99284, 99285, and 99291 (critical care). Left without being seen (LWBS), defined as leaving before a screening examine by a licensed medical provider, and screened and left (SAL), i.e., patients who were screened by a provider, but left before definitive evaluation and management, were similarly evaluated. Total walkouts were defined as the sum of LWBS and SAL. Results Forty-four primary academic and academic affiliate sites completed the survey for all 5 years. The mean annual patient census increased 13.4% over the study period, with the majority (80%) of sites experiencing volume growth. Acuity/illness severity, measured as ESI 1 and 2, and CPT codes 99284, 99295, and 99291 increased an aggregate 18.2 and 8.4%, respectively. Large-volume hospitals (>60,000-80,000, >80,000) admissions increased by 15 and 21.6%, respectively, primarily due to surge in 2016. Overall emergency medical services (EMS) arrivals increased 7.3% although admissions from EMS remained relatively stable. LWBS rates decreased 19.5%, but total walkouts did not appear to change. Conclusion With a focus on larger academic institutions, differences were noted in the overall increases in volume and acuity. In this survey, participating institutions experienced increased volumes of patients with seemingly higher illness severity. While inroads have been made in LWBS rates, there has not been an overall decrease in total walkouts. The data reported here differed in many aspects compared to other benchmark surveys.
Arrhenius Activation Energy Effect on Free Convection About a Permeable Horizontal Cylinder in Porous Media

This study numerically analyzed the Arrhenius activation energy effect on free convection about a permeable horizontal cylinder in porous media. The surface of the horizontal cylinder is maintained at uniform wall temperature and uniform wall concentration. Non-similar transformed governing equations are solved by Keller box method. Comparisons with previous works showed good agreement. Numerical data of the Nusselt number and the Sherwood number are presented for dimensionless reaction rate, temperature difference parameter, fitted rate constant, dimensionless activation energy, blowing/suction parameter, dimensionless coordinate, buoyancy ratio, and Lewis number. Generally, the Nusselt (Sherwood) number reduces (increases) with decreasing dimensionless activation energy or increasing dimensionless reaction rate, temperature difference parameter, and fitted rate constant.
Preparedness of Instrumental Music Majors Teaching Elementary General Music.

The purpose of this multiple-case study was to examine the career development, choices, and goals of elementary general music teachers who identified as instrumental majors during their undergradua...
Impact of a Rapid Blood Culture Diagnostic Test in a Children's Hospital Depends on Gram-Positive versus Gram-Negative Organism and Day versus Night Shift.

ABSTRACT Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for bloodstream infections (BSIs) decrease the time to organism identification and resistance detection. RDTs are associated with early deescalation of therapy for Gram-positive BSIs. However, it is less clear how RDTs influence antibiotic management for Gram-negative BSIs and whether RDT results are acted on during off-hours. We performed a single-center, retrospective review of children with BSI and Verigene (VG) testing at a children’s hospital. Of the 301 positive cultures included in the study (196 Gram-positive, 44 Gram-negative, 32 polymicrobial, and 29 non-VG targets), the VG result had potential to impact antibiotic selection in 171 cases; among these, antibiotic changes occurred in 119 (70%) cases. For Gram-negative cultures, the Verigene result correlated with unnecessary antibiotic escalation and exposure to broader-spectrum antibiotics than needed. In contrast, for Gram-positive cultures, the VG results correlated with appropriate antibiotic selection. VG results permitted early deescalation for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (19/24 [79%]) and avoidance of antibiotics for skin contaminants (30/85 [35%]). Antibiotic changes occurred more quickly during the day than at night (4.6 versus 11.7 h, respectively; P
The Impact of Preoperative Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Postoperative Outcomes in Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disease: 3-Month and 12-Month Results of a Pilot Study.

Background We previously reported inpatient and 30-day postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of a controlled, noncrossover pilot study using preoperative mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training for lumbar spine surgery. Our goal here was to assess 3-month and 12-month postoperative PROs of preoperative MBSR in lumbar spine surgery for degenerative disease. Methods Intervention group participants were prospectively enrolled in a preoperative online MBSR course. A comparison standard care only group was one-to-one matched retrospectively by age, sex, surgery type, and prescription opioid use. Three-month and 12-month postoperative PROs for pain, disability, quality of life, and opioid use were compared within and between groups. Regression models were used to assess whether MBSR use predicted outcomes. Results Twenty-four participants were included in each group. At 3 months, follow-up was 87.5% and 95.8% in the comparison and intervention groups, respectively. In the intervention group, mean Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) was significantly higher, whereas mean Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) and Oswestry Disability Index were significantly lower. The change from baseline in mean PROMIS-PF and PROMIS-PI was significantly greater than in the comparison group. At 12 months, follow-up was 58.3% and 83.3% in the comparison and intervention groups, respectively. In the intervention group, mean PROMIS-PI was significantly lower and change in mean PROMIS-PI from baseline was significantly greater. MBSR use was a significant predictor of change in PROMIS-PF at 3 months and in PROMIS-PI at 12 months. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions Three-month and 12-month results suggest that preoperative MBSR may have pain control benefits in lumbar spine surgery.
Looking Under the Hood of Stochastic Machine Learning Algorithms for Parts of Speech Tagging

Abstract : A variety of Natural Language Processing and Information Extraction tasks, such as question answering and named entity recognition, can benefit from precise knowledge about a words? syntactic category or Part of Speech (POS) "Church, 1988; Rabiner, 1989; Stolz, Tannenbaum, & Carstensen, 1965". POS taggers are widely used to assign a single best POS to every word in text data, with stochastic approaches achieving accuracy rates of up to 96% to 97% (Jurafsky & Martin, 2000). When building a POS tagger, human beings needs to make a set of choices about design decisions, some of which significantly impact the accuracy and other performance aspects of the resulting engine. However, documentations of POS taggers often leave these choices and decisions implicit. In this paper we provide an overview on some of these decisions and empirically determine their impact on POS tagging accuracy. The gained insights can be a valuable contribution for people who want to design, implement, modify, fine-tune, integrate, or responsibly use a POS tagger. We considered the results presented herein in building and integrating a POS tagger into AutoMap, a tool that facilitates relation extraction from texts, as a stand-alone feature as well as an auxiliary feature for other tasks.
Seronegative ocular toxoplasma panuveitis in an immunocompetent patient.

Abstract Purpose Toxoplasma gondii is the most common cause of infectious posterior uveitis worldwide in immunocompetent patients. Despite its prevalence, diagnosis can still be challenging and vision-threatening in cases with atypical presentations. This case exemplifies the importance of clinical exam and additional workup when required despite negative initial serology results. Observations A 73-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with a 2-year history of recurrent panuveitis and retinal necrosis not responsive to systemic antiviral therapy. Toxoplasma serum antibodies (IgG and IgM) were not detected on systemic workup one year prior. The slit-lamp exam revealed mutton fat keratic precipitates, panuveitis, and necrotic retinal lesions adjacent to a retinal scar. Repeated Toxoplasma serum antibodies (IgG and IgM) were again negative. However, aqueous fluid testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was highly positive for Toxoplasma gondii. The patient improved after starting systemic anti-toxoplasma therapy. Conclusion/Importance To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of an immunocompetent patient with ocular toxoplasmosis and undetectable serum IgG and IgM. Aqueous fluid PCR testing is useful in suspected ocular toxoplasmosis in patients with vision-threatening lesions despite negative serology.
Fragment screening targeting Ebola virus nucleoprotein C-terminal domain identifies lead candidates

The Ebola Virus is a causative agent of viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks and a potential global health risk. The outbreak in West Africa (2013-2016) led to 11,000+ deaths and 30,000+ Ebola infected individuals. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 3000+ confirmed cases and 2000+ deaths attributed to Ebola virus infections provides a reminder that innovative countermeasures are still needed. Ebola virus encodes 7 open reading frames (ORFs). Of these, the nucleocapsid protein (eNP) encoded by the first ORF plays many significant roles, including a role in viral RNA synthesis. Here we describe efforts to target the C-terminal domain of eNP (eNP-CTD) that contains highly conserved residues 641-739 as a pan-Ebola antiviral target. Interactions of eNP-CTD with Ebola Viral Protein 30 (eVP30) and Viral Protein 40 (eVP40) have been shown to be crucial for viral RNA synthesis, virion formation, and virion transport. We used nuclear magnetic response (NMR)-based methods to screened the eNP-CTD against a fragment library. Perturbations of 1D 1H NMR spectra identified of 48 of the 439 compounds screened as potential eNP CTD interactors. Subsequent analysis of these compounds to measure chemical shift perturbations in 2D 1H,15N NMR spectra of 15N-labeled protein identified six with low millimolar affinities. All six perturbed an area consisting mainly of residues at or near the extreme C-terminus that we named "Site 1" while three other sites were perturbed by other compounds. Our findings here demonstrate the potential utility of eNP as a target, several fragment hits, and provide an experimental pipeline to validate viral-viral interactions as potential panfiloviral inhibitor targets.
Demonstration of 25,000 ignitions on a proto-flight compact heaterless lanthanum hexaboride hollow cathode

Abstract Heaterless hollow cathodes are increasingly attractive for low-power electric propulsion systems due to their compact size and lack of a heater and associated power supply which are well-known failure mechanisms. A low-current, ultra-compact, heaterless, lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) hollow cathode has been developed for the Magnetically Shielded Miniature (MaSMi) Hall thruster, which is part of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Ascendant Sub-kW Transcelestial Electric Propulsion System (ASTRAEUS) aimed at enabling interplanetary missions with high-Δv SmallSats. In the framework of that program, there is an increasing focus on the reliability and life cababilities of every system component. MaSMi's low-current center-mounted heaterless hollow cathode, specifically designed to reduce thermal losses and maximize life, is required to demonstrate a minimum of 5700 h of continuous operation at its peak discharge current of 4 A with a minimum of 1200 ignitions. One of the most critical aspects of the cathode operation is understanding the life implications of repeated heaterless ignitions and any impacts on cathode performance. To understand this issue, an ignition cycling test was performed at JPL. The test successfully demonstrated more than 25,000 heaterless ignitions of the cathode. Measurements of cathode parameters such as discharge and keeper voltage showed that the cathode steady-state operation was not degraded by the repeated ignitions. Photos after cycle testing of the cathode orifice plate, keeper orifice plate, and a cross section of the entire cathode assembly, show surface roughening and some graphite deposition on cathode electrodes from microarcing during the ignitions, but no significant damage inhibiting continued cathode operation.
Highway Cost Analysis for Platooning of Connected and Autonomous Trucks

AbstractIf connected and autonomous vehicles use highways under current lane management policy, only partial benefit can be reaped from the platooning of advanced vehicles. Agencies may have to upd...
Effect of race on suspect injuries during encounters with police.

Objectives To estimate the effects of race and ethnicity on suspect injuries during use of force encounters with police in Tucson, Arizona. Methods Data on all use of force cases recorded by the Tucson Police Department from January 2018 to March 2020 were analysed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of race and ethnicity on the likelihood of suspect injuries controlling for a variety of other factors. Results Overall, 28.5% of people who had force used against them by Tucson police were injured. Multivariate analyses reveal that among those who had force used against them, African-American suspects were significantly less likely than white suspects to be injured. The risk of injury for other racial and ethnic groups is about the same as the risk for white suspects. Resisting arrest and seeking to escape from police custody do not increase the risk of injury among suspects, but assaulting officers or other individuals does increase the risk of injury. Certain types of force, such as canines, firearms and TASERs, are associated with significantly elevated risks of injury among suspects. Conclusions Numerous interest groups have raised concerns about the police use of force against minorities. Using publicly available data, this analysis examined the effects of race and ethnicity on risk of injury during the use of force encounters with police in Tucson. The findings reveal that minorities are not injured at elevated rates relative to whites. To the contrary, African-American suspects are less likely to be injured than white suspects are.
Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of High-Efficiency High-Power Radio-Frequency Inductors

Radio-Frequency (RF) power inductors are critical to many applications such as communications, RF heating, and plasma generation for semiconductor processing. Their high loss and large size can often be major contributors to the overall system size and loss. Inductors for high frequency and high power (e.g., tens of MHz and hundreds of watts and above) have traditionally been implemented as air-core solenoids to avoid high-frequency core loss. These designs have more turns than magnetic-core inductors and thus high copper loss. We propose a magnetic-core inductor design approach that leverages NiZn ferrites with low loss at RF, distributed gaps and field balancing to achieve improved performance at tens of MHz and at hundreds of watts and above. We demonstrate this approach with a 13.56 MHz, 500 nH, 80 A pk magnetic-core inductor design for a plasma generation matching network that achieves a quality factor of >1800 in simulation and >1100 experimentally. Additionally, we describe the difficulties in experimentally measuring inductor quality factors with very high current and very low loss at high frequency.
Ziliopathien

Zilien erfullen viele unterschiedliche Funktionen, sie dienen als Mechano-, Chemo- und Osmosensoren und spielen bei zahlreichen Signalwegen, fur eine adaquate Organentwicklung, fur die Aufrechterhaltung der Gewebehomoostase und bei grundsatzlichen Entwicklungsprozessen eine wichtige Rolle. Die meisten Zelltypen im Korper weisen primare Zilien auf, motile Zilien kommen v. a. im Respirationstrakt, ependymal in den Hirnventrikeln sowie auf Eileiterepithelien vor. Mit einem Funktionsverlust der Zilien einhergehende Krankheiten werden als Ziliopathien bezeichnet. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden einige Erkrankungen, wie die primare ziliare Dyskinesie (PCD) oder polyzystische Nierenerkrankungen (PKD) und hier insbesondere die ADPKD (autosomal-dominante PKD), vorgestellt. Zudem werden die bisher identifizierten Gene, die bei der Pathogenese von Ziliopathien eine Rolle spielen, vorgestellt. Dabei verursachen viele der Genmutationen mehr als nur eine Erkrankung, und viele der aufgefuhrten Merkmale kommen bei verschiedenen Krankheiten vor.
Effects of land dispossession and forced migration on Indigenous peoples in North America.

What are the full extent and long-term effects of land dispossession and forced migration for Indigenous peoples in North America? We leveraged a new dataset of Indigenous land dispossession and fo...
An Analytical Framework to Incorporate ICT as an Independent Variable

This chapter presents an analytical framework to guide the assessment of information and communications technologies’ (ICTs) impact on individual-level development (or wellbeing). Based on the content analysis methodology, we argue that the amount of polysemy and lack of common basic guidelines in ICT’s research fields constitute one of the main barriers to both the incorporation of ICT into a broader research problems spectrum (outside the ICT researchers’ communities) and, consequently, to widen ICT’s impact research. After a synthesis of the historical development of the digital divide concept (a framework for the analysis for digital inequalities), we discuss and select some plausible analytical models to assess ICT’s impact on wellbeing. Based on Selwyn’s approach, we advocate the idea that every researcher testing an ICT-related hypothesis should analyse at least three stages of hierarchical digital achievements (access, usage and appropriation) plus one last divide stage: ICT’s outcomes (measured by the effect of previous stages on the dependent wellbeing variable). Finally, we propose some guidelines for the applications of this framework and present an actual case of use, showing how this framework guided the research design of this author’s SIRCA II’s project, which tested the effect of digital skills on education-to-work transition.
Quantifying Effects of Mid-Frequency Sonar Transmissions on Fish and Whale Behavior

Abstract : There are two high-level goals: to understand and quantify effects of mid-frequency (MF) sonar on fish and whale behavior through direct observation, and to investigate the potential usefulness of MF sonar in acoustic measurements of fish, including stock assessments.
A Genetic Algorithm Discovers Particle-Based Computation in Cellular Automata

How does evolution produce sophisticated emergent computation in systems composed of simple components limited to local interactions? To model such a process, we used a genetic algorithm (GA) to evolve cellular automata to perform a computational task requiring globally-coordinated information processing. On most runs a class of relatively unsophisticated strategies was evolved, but on a subset of runs a number of quite sophisticated strategies was discovered. We analyze the emergent logic underlying these strategies in terms of information processing performed by “particles” in space-time, and we describe in detail the generational progression of the GA evolution of these strategies. Our analysis is a preliminary step in understanding the general mechanisms by which sophisticated emergent computational capabilities can be automatically produced in decentralized multiprocessor systems.
High resolution metal lift-off characterization

This project explores the challenges associated with the scaling of the standard metal lift off process to the 0.13 um technology node using DUV lithography. The analysis Will be done on a sequence of nested lines and spaces using a phase shift mask. PROLITH, a powerful Lithography simulation tool, will be employed to streamline the lithography optimization segment of the process. Experimental manipulation of the focus, dose and other optical parameters during exposure will then be evaluated through top-down and cross-section SEM images. Process modifications for improved linewidth and undercut control are recommended.
A Paleontology Network Inquiry Consortium: Impact on Teacher Practice

The Paleontology Science Network Inquiry Consortium consists of a University School of Education and Geology Department and 20 regional schools districts. The pilot group of twenty secondary science teachers represented eighteen schools from these districts. The program was designed to meet the following program objectives. (a) Increased knowledge of science discipline, (b) Knowledge of inquiry-based pedagogy, (c) Skill development in teaching in a standards-based classroom, (d) Support for implementing science inquiries in classrooms. The program goal was to help experienced science teachers do inquiry-based science in their classroom. The pilot group were experienced, successful teachers, traditional in nature, have not done inquiry prior to the program but expressed interest in learning how to do successful inquiry. Four domains composed this research agenda. (a) The teacher beliefs about inquiry and their belief about their ability to implement in classroom, (b) The teachers knowledge base for impleme...
Best-Range Study for a Boost-Coast-Sustain Missile

Midcourse guidance is examined for an air-to-air missile featuring boost-coast-sustain propulsion. A vertical-plane, point-mass model is studied with load factor as a control variable and coasting time as a parameter. Time-range-energy optimal trajectories are computed, open-loop, via the usual necessary conditions and a multiple-shooting algorithm. A requirement on terminal velocity magnitude is examined for its effect on firing range. One of the major results for the missile studied is that, it is not optimal to add a coasting phase between the boost and the sustain phases.
The “Waiting Period” of Sensory and Motor Axons in Early Chick Hindlimb: Its Role in Axon Pathfinding and Neuronal Maturation

During embryonic development motor axons in the chick hindlimb grow out slightly before sensory axons and wait in the plexus region at the base of the limb for approximately 24 hr before invading the limb itself (Tosney and Landmesser, 1985a). We have investigated the role of this waiting period by asking, Is the arrest of growth cones in the plexus region a general property of both sensory and motor axons? Why do axons wait? Does eliminating the waiting period affect the further development of motor and sensory neurons? Here we show that sensory axons, like motor axons, pause in the plexus region and that neither sensory nor motor axons require cues from the other population to wait in or exit from the plexus region. By transplanting older or younger donor limbs to host embryos, we show that host axons innervate donor limbs on a schedule consistent with the age of the grafted limbs. Thus, axons wait in the plexus region for maturational changes to occur in the limb rather than in the neurons themselves. Both sensory and motor axons innervate their appropriate peripheral targets when the waiting period is eliminated by grafting older donor limbs. Therefore, axons do not require a prolonged period in the plexus region to sort out and project appropriately. Eliminating the waiting period does, however, accelerate the onset of naturally occurring cell death, but it does not enhance the development of central projections or the biochemical maturation of sensory neurons.
Thermomechanics of DNA: theory of thermal stability under load.

Theoretical Division and Center for NonLinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos NM 87545 USA(Dated: February 3, 2011)A theory for thermomechanical behavior of homogeneous DNA at thermal equilibrium predictscritical temperatures for denaturation under torque and stretch, phase diagrams for stable B{DNA,supercoiling, optimally stable torque, and the overstretching transition as force-induced DNA melt-ing. Agreement with available single molecule manipulation experiments is excellent.
Area-time optimal digital BiCMOS carry look-ahead adder

Previous research in VLSI adders has identified the existence of tradeoffs between asymptotic area and asymptotic time. This paper presents a systematic method of implementing a BiCMOS carry look-ahead adder design which is optimized with respect to area and time. Since the adder circuits usually lie on the critical path delay of carry generator due to large fan-out and output capacitances, speed determines the clock cycle time. In view of the driving capability of bipolar transistors, the BiCMOS buffer/driver and BiCMOS cells are chosen and modified to drive large fan-out or heavy capacitive loads. Combining the bipolar and CMOS circuits on a single chip, the performance of the carry generator circuit is improved due to the acceleration of the critical path. A comparison between BiCMOS and CMOS parallel adders is made. It is shown that the parallel adders designed using the BiCMOS cells achieved improvement in the performance, by shortening the critical path delay by 32.486% in the case of 16-bit, 58.365% in the case of 32-bit and 79.944% in the case of 66-bit where the delay is calculated as the average propagation delay measured from HSPICE simulations.
The Virgin Mary in the Breadth and Scope of Interreligious Dialogue

Dans le cadre du dialogue interreligieux, Marie offre l'exemple d'une disciple ideal du Christ, celle qui porte la parole de Dieu et l'agent de la grâce de l'Esprit-Saint. Ainsi, Marie est emblematique de la signification de l'etre-chretien. L'introduire dans le dialogue interreligieux peut conduire a l'exploration de questions fondamentales sur la nature de la religion et l'experience religieuse. Son portrait dans le Nouveau Testament ouvre des comparaisons avec les musulmans et les Juifs. Enfin, Marie peut constituer un interet particulier pour les femmes chretiennes
Macrophage lineage switching of murine early pre-B lymphoid cells expressing transduced fms genes.

Abstract fms genes encoding either wild-type or constitutively activated colony-stimulating factor 1 receptors (CSF-1R) were introduced by retroviral infection into long-term mouse lymphoid cultures. Four early pre-B-cell lines transformed by the feline v-fms oncogene underwent spontaneous and irreversible differentiation to macrophages when transferred from RPMI 1640 to Iscove modified Dulbecco medium. Expression of wild-type human CSF-1R in early pre-B cells conferred no proliferative advantage unless human CSF-1 was added to the culture medium. A clonal, factor-dependent early pre-B-cell line (D1F9), selected for continuous growth on NIH 3T3 cell feeder layers producing human CSF-1, could be maintained in RPMI 1640 medium containing interleukin-7 (IL-7) but also differentiated to macrophages when grown in Iscove modified Dulbecco medium containing human CSF-1. The macrophages retained parental immunoglobulin gene rearrangements and proviral insertions, lost B-cell antigens, expressed butyrate esterase and MAC-1, were actively phagocytic, and no longer survived in IL-7. Unlike factor-independent v-fms transformants, the irreversible commitment of D1F9 cells to differentiate in the macrophage lineage could be suppressed by IL-7, depended on human (but not mouse) CSF-1, and was inhibited by an antibody to human CSF-1R. Signals mediated by transduced CSF-1R can therefore play a deterministic role in cell differentiation.
Darwin, Freud, and the Myth of the Hero in Science

Arguments about whether heroes in sctence are "great men" or products of their culture rest on a false dichotomy created, in part, by the participants themselves. History may be modeled as a contingency matrix—a massively conditioned and crucially dependent multitude of linkages across space and time. The hero is molded into, and helps to mold the shape of, those connections. A hero in history is a great individual who altered history's contingencies irreversibly. Darwin and Freud provide historical case studies to understand the origin of the hero in science.
Quantitative analyses of nitrogen cycling genes in soils

Summary Soil nitrogen cycling is accomplished by a diverse microbial community using several nitrogen functional genes (NFGs). The relationship between the composition of these communities and nitrogen cycling processes is poorly understood. We developed techniques to quantify several important NFGs nitrogen transformations including fixation (nifH), ammonia oxidation (amoA), nitrogen reduction (nirS and nirK), and nitrous oxide reduction (nosZ) using quantitative real-time PCR with SybrGreen. Standard curves with known gene copies of each target molecule were developed using genomic DNA extracted from pure cultures. Primers from previously published studies were successfully used to amplify and quantify each NFGs in DNA extracted from two forest soils. Some soil samples inhibited PCR amplification of positive control DNA, and required further purification, which alleviated the problem. Two forest soils from Harvard Forest, MA and Duke Forest, NC differed greatly in their relative abundance of NFGs. The abundance of the amoA gene, associated with ammonia oxidation, was greater at Harvard Forest. The nifH gene, associated with N fixation, was more abundant at Duke Forest. These differences may reflect contrasting N cycling processes, however other published data do not indicate strong differences in gross N cycling rates. This technique can be widely adapted to quantify functional genes from a variety of complex environmental samples, and its utility could be further extended by amplifying mRNA using a reverse transcriptase-PCR procedure.
Classification of RFID adoption: An expected benefits approach

While expected benefits have been seen as one of the main drivers of RFID adoption, there is little understanding of what benefits should be considered when exploring RFID adoption. Further, the relationships between expected benefits and the type of adoption has not been systematically delineated. We identified cost savings, supply chain visibility, and new process creation as the three key benefits of RFID adoption and then identified the ''scale'' and ''scope'' of RFID implementation as the key dimensions of RFID adoption. Based on these, we proposed a four-category classification for the type of RFID adoption. Finally we showed how the three expected benefits are associated with the scale and scope of adoption. In particular, the findings highlighted the significant potential of RFID when it is integrated with other technologies such as global positioning or product life cycle management systems. Under various situations, a firm may perceive different benefits and value some benefits more than the others; this combination leads the firm to choose a certain type of RFID application. The model was validated using secondary case data from seven organizations that had adopted RFID.
DYNAMIC PURITY DETERMINATIONS. II. SOME ADDITIONAL SYSTEMS

Menadione and phenacetin systems were each prepared with a series of concentrations of materials of varying similarity to the host. The data indicate that the measured impurity is dependent upon not only the concentration but also the nature of the impurity. The determination of the actual beginning of melting by nuclear magnetic resonance results in more precise purity measurements.
An effect size primer: A guide for clinicians and researchers.

Increasing emphasis has been placed on the use of effect size reporting in the analysis of social science data. Nonetheless, the use of effect size reporting remains inconsistent, and interpretation of effect size estimates continues to be confused. Researchers are presented with numerous effect sizes estimate options, not all of which are appropriate for every research question. Clinicians also may have little guidance in the interpretation of effect sizes relevant for clinical practice. The current article provides a primer of effect size estimates for the social sciences. Common effect sizes estimates, their use, and interpretations are presented as a guide for researchers.
Calcite-Aragonite Equilibrium at 100°C

The equilibrium pressure of the calcite-aragonite transition has been determined near 100°C and is 4.35 kilobars. These data are in agreement with earlier work but conflict with the most recent determination by Simmons and Bell.
Variable spherical aberration generators

Most variable spherical aberration generators have differential moving components or floating elements, much like a regular zoom lens but with insignificantly small overall magnification change over the "zoom" range. The main purpose of the differential movements is to generate a variable amount of spherical aberration (SA). Such aberration generators can be used as standalone systems for aberration control or as subsystems for aberration compensation. The theory can also be applied to macro focusing mechanism as well as soft-focus mechanism. This paper presents a survey of different variable SA generation mechanisms. Examples of some applications of the theory are presented.
Toxicity in Doberman Pinchers with ventricular arrhythmias treated with amiodarone (1996-2005).

Background: Asymptomatic Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) often die suddenly owing to ventricular tachycardia that degenerates into ventricular fibrillation. A safe and effective antiarrhythmic drug treatment is needed. This will require a large, well-controlled, prospective study. Hypothesis: Amiodarone toxicity is common in Dobermans with occult DCM and ventricular tachyarrhythmias refractory to antiarrhythmia therapy. Infrequent monitoring of hepatic function is inadequate. Frequent monitoring may be useful to determine dogs in which the dosage should be decreased or the drug withdrawn. Methods: Medical records from the University of Georgia and Cornell University were searched for Doberman Pinschers diagnosed with preclinical DCM that received amiodarone for severe ventricular arrhythmias refractory to other antiarrhythmic agents. Echocardiographic data, Holter recording data, hepatic enzyme serum activity, and serum amiodarone concentrations were recorded. The presence of clinical signs of toxicity was recorded. Serum amiodarone concentrations were obtained in some dogs. Results: Reversible toxicity was identified in 10 of 22 (45%) dogs. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Adverse effects from amiodarone were common and were, in part, dosage related. Patients should be monitored for signs of toxicity and liver enzyme activity should be measured at least monthly.
Screening the East. Heimat, Memory and Nostalgia in German Film since 1989

Screening the East. Heimat, Memory and Nostalgia in German Film since 1989 NICK HODGIN New York/Oxford, Berghahn Books, 2011 x+222 pp., illus., bibliography, filmography, index, £53.00 (cloth) Scre...
Rapid determination of enzyme kinetics from fluorescence: overcoming the inner filter effect.

Fluorescence change is convenient for monitoring enzyme kinetics. Unfortunately, it looses linearity as the absorbance of the fluorescent substrate increases with concentration. When the sum of absorbance at excitation and emission wavelengths exceeds 0.08, this inner filtering effect (IFE) alters apparent initial velocities, Km, and kcat. The IFE distortion of apparent initial velocities can be corrected without doing fluorophore dilution assays. Using the substrate’s extinction coefficients at excitation and emission wavelengths, the inner filter effect can be modeled during curve fitting for more accurate Michaelis-Menten parameters. A faster and simpler approach is to derive kcat and Km from progress curves. Strategies to obtain reliable and reproducible estimates of kcat and Km from only two or three progress curves are illustrated using matrix metalloproteinase-12 and alkaline phosphatase. Accurate estimates of concentration of enzyme active sites and specificity constant kcat/Km (from one progress curve with [S] ≪ Km) confer accuracy, freedom of choices of [S], and robustness to kcat and Km globally fitted to a few progress curves. The economies of the progress curve approach make accurate kcat and Km more accessible from fluorescence measurements.
Inherited protein C deficiency and coumarin-responsive chronic relapsing purpura fulminans in a newborn infant

A coumarin-responsive chronic relapsing purpura fulminans syndrome is described in a protein-C-deficient newborn infant. Episodes of acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and cutaneous gangrene, which first appeared at age 11 h, were effectively controlled for 28 months with transfusions of fresh-frozen plasma. Cryoprecipitate and cryoprecipitate-poor plasma induced remissions as long as those induced by fresh-frozen plasma (less than or equal to 72 h). Coumarins sustained a cryoprecipitate-induced remission for 19 days: they were then electively discontinued and 17 h later the patient had an acute exacerbation of DIC with haemorrhaging. Family studies showed protein C levels of 31-40% in the subject's symptom-free mother and full and half brothers. DIC, the coumarin effect, and the inherited protein C abnormality appear to have contributed to the extremely low plasma levels (less than or equal to 6%) of protein C in the patient. This experience suggests that protein C deficiency may greatly compromise the ability of newborn infants to control consumptive disorders.
Remote sensing of marine pollution: A challenge for the 1990s

Abstract A summary of advances in satellite and aircraft remote sensing of marine pollution is presented. Remote sensing offers large benefits because of the high costs of monitoring using only traditional methods. Nevertheless, much work is needed to refine the technology to address even basic marine pollution problems. This paper briefly outlines studies of water quality assessment, including photyplankton standing stock, turbidity, suspended sediment load, dissolved organic material, temperature, salinity, wind stress, wave direction and wavelength, current speed and direction, and light attenuation coefficients. An increasing number of techniques useful to monitor marine pollution will be available in the 1990s. As part of this effort, it is important that a solid scientific base for remote sensing methods be established, and that multidisciplinary, international training programs be developed. It is capable human resources that we currently lack the most.
Limiting forms of optimal observers

Halevi and Palmor (1986) presented closed-form expressions for optimal observers for singular measurement systems. Two assumptions were made there: (i) the measurement is totally singular; and (ii) the number of outputs is less than or equal to the number of stochastic inputs. These two assumptions are relaxed in this paper, and the optimal observer for the most general singular measurement case is given.
Modeling Of Drill Bit Transverse Vibrations

Drill bit natural frequencies and mode shapes are investigated using holographic interferometry techniques. For these experiments a fixture is developed to simulate some of the most important process parameters. The drill bit is fixed using an actual drill holder, and a hole drilled by the given drill bit. Then it is loaded to a nominal thrust force typical of machining. The structure is then excited using a piezoelectric exciter at various natural frequencies. The mode shapes of the drill bit are recorded on a photographic plate. The results of the experiments are then utilized toward the development of an analytical model. The model is a twisted Euler-Bernoulli beam subjected to thrust force and trasverse cutting forces. It also includes the rotation of the drill bit. The analytical model is solved using finite element techniques. The results from the holographic experiments are then compared to the numerical results obtained from the finite element analysis, and good agreement is observed. The validated finite element model is potentially useful for design and process optimization in drilling, as well as for process control.
Antigen Recognition by Variable Lymphocyte Receptors

Variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) rather than antibodies play the primary role in recognition of antigens in the adaptive immune system of jawless vertebrates. Combinatorial assembly of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) gene segments achieves the required repertoire for antigen recognition. We have determined a crystal structure for a VLR-antigen complex, VLR RBC36 in complex with the H-antigen trisaccharide from human blood type O erythrocytes, at 1.67 angstrom resolution. RBC36 binds the H-trisaccharide on the concave surface of the LRR modules of the solenoid structure where three key hydrophilic residues, multiple van der Waals interactions, and the highly variable insert of the carboxyl-terminal LRR module determine antigen recognition and specificity. The concave surface assembled from the most highly variable regions of the LRRs, along with diversity in the sequence and length of the highly variable insert, can account for the recognition of diverse antigens by VLRs.
Segregational mechanisms of sex chromosomes in Spongilla-flies (Neuroptera: Sisyridae)

Evolutionary loss of the Y chromosome has occurred in Climacia areolaris (Hagen) of the neuropteran family Sisyridae. The diploid set comprises 6 pairs of autosomes, plus 2 X chromosomes in the female and 1 X in the male. The Y is retained in Sisyra vicaria (Walker) of the same family: its chromosome number is 14 in both sexes including 2 X chromosomes in the female and 1 X plus Y in the male. Two alternative pathways for the segregation of the sex chromosomes — distance segregation and sex bivalent formation — co-exist in the latter species in a ratio of approximately 1 to 6; the possible phylogenetic significance of this feature is discussed.
Biological properties of human interferon fractions obtained by Blue Sepharose chromatography

Human interferons of lymphoid and nonlymphoid origins were segregated into several fractions by virtue of their elution properties from Blue Sepharose. According to desorption of the main portion of antiviral activity, three major classes could be discerned: 1. Leukocyte interferons eluting predominantly in 0.5m NaCl buffer, 2. Lymphoblastoid interferons eluting mostly in 1m NaCl buffer, and 3. Cell culture-derived fibroblast and bladder carcinoma interferons requiring ethylene glycol in addition to 1m NaCl for elution. Desorption behavior from Blue Sepharose did not necessarily correlate with the presence of specific antigenic markers and no consistent segregation of Le and F antigens in individual fractions was observed. All fractions exhibited comparable activity in heterologous sheep and homologous human cells. Therefore, no distinctive biological features could be associated with multiple interferon species isolated by Blue Sepharose chromatography.
Clinical value of olfactory function tests after endoscopic sinus surgery: a short-term result.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is now the surgical procedure of choice for treating chronic sinusitis in patients of all ages. We performed the olfactory function test before and after ...
Dynamic Simulation of the FT8-2™ Gas Turbine

With the approach of the 1990 Clean Air Act compliance limits, the race is on to produce a functional, low-emission gas turbine. While most prototype Dry Low NOx (DLN) gas turbines are based on existing designs, the leap in technology required to meet NOx abatement levels is significant. To meet these goals, significant testing is required before low-emission turbines are ready for commercial production.This paper describes the test procedure that was used to verify control system and modulating valve technology for Turbo Power & Marine’s FT8-2™ Dry Low NOx prototype turbine. In particular, dynamic turbine simulation before the actual engine test will be discussed. The method and benefits of this test procedure will be presented.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
Overlapped Fourier coding for optical aberration removal.

We present an imaging procedure that simultaneously optimizes a camera’s resolution and retrieves a sample’s phase over a sequence of snapshots. The technique, termed overlapped Fourier coding (OFC), first digitally pans a small aperture across a camera’s pupil plane with a spatial light modulator. At each aperture location, a unique image is acquired. The OFC algorithm then fuses these low-resolution images into a full-resolution estimate of the complex optical field incident upon the detector. Simultaneously, the algorithm utilizes redundancies within the acquired dataset to computationally estimate and remove unknown optical aberrations and system misalignments via simulated annealing. The result is an imaging system that can computationally overcome its optical imperfections to offer enhanced resolution, at the expense of taking multiple snapshots over time.
Late Cenozoic paleoenvironment in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, based on a polar glaciolacustrine deposit in western Victoria Valley

Situated in the Transantarctic Mountains, western Victoria Valley is in a key position to test the late Cenozoic stability of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, as well as that of the surrounding landscape surface. Victoria drift, which covers most of western Victoria Valley, represents a peculiar yet common type of deposit in the region. The sedimentology of Victoria drift is dominated by loose, sorted material, which preserves lacustrine algae, quite unlike tills in the Dry Valleys. Ridges characterize its morphology. Extraordinarily old ridges and mounds as well as fresh features and unweathered and perched boulders occur without apparent order. Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates of algae from within Victoria drift range from 11;th054 ± 95 to >45;th000 14 C yr B.P. and are not arrayed in chronological order across the drift sheet. Resting on a Miocene erosion surface, Victoria drift is the only widespread deposit in western Victoria Valley younger than ca. 14 Ma. One hypothesis is that the drift consists of moraines. The strength of this hypothesis is that it explains the arcuate form of many ridges. However, it does not explain the sedimentology, weathering characteristics, or radiocarbon dates. A second hypothesis is that Victoria drift is a unique polar glaciolacustrine sediment facies deposited by a “lake-ice conveyer.” The morphologic features, sedimentology, weathering characteristics, and radiocarbon dates of the drift are all consistent with deposition in a perennially ice-covered lake. This second hypothesis implies polar glacial conditions during deposition of the drift sheet in order to maintain a permanently ice-covered proglacial lake.