cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online Partial Conditional Plan Synthesis for POMDPs with Safe-Reachability Objectives

The framework of Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) offers a standard approach to model uncertainty in many robot tasks. Traditionally, POMDPs are formulated with optimality objectives. However, for robotic domains that require a correctness guarantee of accomplishing tasks, boolean objectives are natural formulations. We study POMDPs with a common boolean objective: safe-reachability, which requires that, with a probability above a threshold, the robot eventually reaches a goal state while keeping the probability of visiting unsafe states below a different threshold. The solutions to POMDPs are policies or conditional plans that specify the action to take contingent on every possible event. A full policy or conditional plan that covers all possible events is generally expensive to compute. To improve efficiency, we introduce the notion of partial conditional plans that only cover a sampled subset of all possible events. Our approach constructs a partial conditional plan parameterized by a replanning probability. We prove that the probability of the constructed partial conditional plan failing is bounded by the replanning probability. Our approach allows users to specify an appropriate bound on the replanning probability to balance efficiency and correctness. We validate our approach in several robotic domains. The results show that our approach outperforms a previous approach for POMDPs with safe-reachability objectives in these domains.
Scalable and flexible gene-environment interaction analysis in millions of samples

Gene-environment interaction (GEI) studies are a general framework that can be used to identify genetic variants that modify environmental, physiological, lifestyle, or treatment effects, as well as those contributing to age, sex, racial or ethnic disparities on complex traits. Moreover, genetic association studies accounting for GEIs can enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture of complex diseases by allowing for heterogeneous genetic effects. However, commonly used statistical software programs for GEI studies are either not applicable to testing certain types of GEI hypotheses, or have not been optimized for use in large samples. Here, we develop a new software program, GEM (Gene-Environment interaction analysis in Millions of samples), which supports the inclusion of multiple GEI terms and adjustment for GEI covariates, conducts both model-based and robust inference procedures, and enables multi-threading to reduce computational time. GEM can be applied to GEI tests as well as joint tests of genetic main effects and GEI effects, for both quantitative and binary phenotypes. Through simulations, we demonstrate that GEM enables GEI analysis that scales to millions of samples while addressing limitations of existing software programs. We additionally conduct a gene-gender interaction analysis on waist-hip ratio in 352,768 unrelated individuals from the UK Biobank, identifying 39 novel loci in the joint test that have not previously been reported in combined or sex-specific analyses. Our results demonstrate that GEM can facilitate the next generation of large-scale GEI studies and enable advances in our understanding of genomic contributions to complex traits.
Adjuvant Thermal Accelerant Gel Use Increases Microwave Ablation Zone Temperature in Porcine Liver as Measured by MR Thermometry.

Abstract Purpose To determine the effects of a thermal accelerant gel on temperature parameters during microwave liver ablation. Materials and Methods Sixteen consecutive liver ablations were performed in 5 domestic swine under general anesthesia with (n = 8) and without (n = 8) administration of thermal accelerant gel. Ablation zone temperature was assessed by real-time MR thermometry, measured as maximum temperature (Tmax) and the volume of tissue ≥ 60°C (V60). Tissue heating rate, ablation zone shape, and thermal energy deposition using the temperature degree-minutes at 43°C (TDM43) index were also measured. Differences between groups were analyzed using generalized mixed modeling with significance set at P = .05. Results Mean peak ablation zone temperature was significantly greater with thermal accelerant use (mean Tmax, thermal accelerant: 120.0°C, 95% confidence interval [CI] 113.0°C–126.9°C; mean Tmax, control: 80.3°C, 95% CI 72.7°C–88.0°C; P Conclusions Thermal accelerant use is associated with higher microwave ablation zone temperatures, greater thermal energy deposition, and faster and more spherical tissue heating compared with control ablations.
Submission for the Record Regarding DMCA Reform

This is an additional statement for the record updating my initial testimony (https://ssrn.com/abstract=3694085) and responses to questions for the record (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3707237) in the Senate IP Subcommittee's ongoing consideration of reforms to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Comparison of Pre-Amputation Evaluation in Patients with and without Chronic Kidney Disease.

Introduction Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are more likely to undergo lower extremity amputation than patients with preserved kidney function. We sought to determine whether patients with CKD were less likely to receive pre-amputation care in the 1-year prior to lower extremity amputation compared to patients without CKD. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with PAD-related lower extremity amputation between January 2014 and December 2017 using a large commercial insurance database. The primary exposure was CKD identified using billing codes and laboratory values. The primary outcomes were receipt of pre-amputation care, defined as diagnostic evaluation (ankle-brachial index, duplex ultrasound, and computed tomographic angiography), specialty care (vascular surgery, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, and podiatry), and lower extremity revascularization in the 1-year prior to amputation. We conducted separate logistic regression models to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) among patients with and without CKD. We assessed for effect modification by age, sex, Black race, and diabetes status. Results We identified 8,554 patients with PAD-related amputation. In fully adjusted models, patients with CKD were more likely to receive diagnostic evaluation (aOR 1.30; 95% CI 1.17-1.44) and specialty care (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.27-1.64) in the 1-year prior to amputation. There was no difference in odds of revascularization by CKD status (aOR 1.03, 0.90-1.19). Age, sex, Black race, and diabetes status did not modify these associations. Discussion/conclusion Patients with CKD had higher odds of receiving diagnostic testing and specialty care and similar odds of lower extremity revascularization in the 1-year prior to amputation than patients without CKD. Disparities in access to pre-amputation care do not appear to explain the higher amputation rates seen among patients with CKD.
Preface to Behavioral Assessment

(1980). Preface to Behavioral Assessment. School Psychology Review: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 3-4.
The Relationships of Demographic Characteristics with Diabetes Biomarkers and Physical Activity Adherence in African American Adults.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the relationships of demographic characteristics with diabetes biomarkers and physical activity adherence in African American adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Retained in HIV Care But Not on Antiretroviral Treatment: A Qualitative Patient-Provider Dyadic Study.

Background Patients retained in HIV care but not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) represent an important part of the HIV care cascade in the United States. Even in an era of more tolerable and efficacious ART, decision making in regards to ART offer and uptake remains complex and calls for exploration of both patient and provider perspectives. We sought to understand reasons for lack of ART usage in patients meeting the Health Resources Services Administration definition of retention as well as what motivated HIV primary care appointment attendance in the absence of ART. Methods and Findings We conducted a qualitative study consisting of 70 in-depth interviews with ART-naive and ART-experienced patients off ART and their primary care providers in two urban safety-net HIV clinics in San Francisco and New York. Twenty patients and their providers were interviewed separately at baseline, and 15 dyads were interviewed again after at least 3 mo and another clinic visit in order to understand any ART use in the interim. We applied dyadic analysis to our data. Nearly all patients were willing to consider ART, and 40% of the sample went on ART, citing education on newer antiretroviral drugs, acceptance of HIV diagnosis, social support, and increased confidence in their ability to adhere as facilitators. However, the strength of the provider recommendation of ART played an important role. Many patients had internalized messages from providers that their health was too good to warrant ART. In addition, providers, while demonstrating patient-centered care through sensitivity to patients experiencing psychosocial instability, frequently muted the offer of ART, at times unintentionally. In the absence of ART, lab monitoring, provider relationships, access to social services, opiate pain medications, and acute symptoms motivated care. The main limitations of this study were that treatment as prevention was not explored in depth and that participants were recruited from academic HIV clinics in the US, making the findings most generalizable to this setting. Conclusions Provider communication with regard to ART is a key focus for further exploration and intervention in order to increase ART uptake for those retained in HIV care.
Super‐obesity and risk for early and late pre‐eclampsia

Please cite this paper as: Mbah A, Kornosky J, Kristensen S, August E, Alio A, Marty P, Belogolovkin V, Bruder K, Salihu H. Super-obesity and risk for early and late pre-eclampsia. BJOG 2010;117:997–1004. Objective To examine the association between obesity subtypes and risk of early and late pre-eclampsia. Design Population-based retrospective study. Setting State of Missouri maternally linked birth cohort files. Population All singleton live births in the state of Missouri from 1989 to 2005. Methods The body mass index (BMI) was used to classify women as normal weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), class I obesity (BMI = 30–34.9 kg/m2), class II obesity (BMI = 35–39.9 kg/m2), class III obesity (BMI = 40–49.9 kg/m2) or super-obesity (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between obesity and the risk of pre-eclampsia were obtained from logistic regression models with adjustment for intracluster correlation. Results The rate of pre-eclampsia increased with increasing BMI, with super-obese women having the highest incidence (13.4%). Compared with normal weight women, obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) had a higher risk for pre-eclampsia (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 2.87–3.01). This risk remained approximately the same for late-onset pre-eclampsia (pre-eclampsia occurring at 34 weeks or more of gestation) and was slightly reduced for early-onset pre-eclampsia (pre-eclampsia occurring at 34 weeks or less of gestation). Within each BMI category, the risk of pre-eclampsia increased with the rate of weight gain. Compared with normal weight mothers with moderate weight gain, super-obese women with a high rate of weight gain had the greatest risk for pre-eclampsia (OR = 7.52, 95% CI = 2.70–21.0). Conclusion BMI and rate of weight gain are synergistic risk factors that amplify the burden of pre-eclampsia among super-obese women.
Intact αIIbβ3 Integrin Is Extended after Activation as Measured by Solution X-ray Scattering and Electron Microscopy

Integrins are bidirectional signaling molecules on the cell surface that have fundamental roles in regulating cell behavior and contribute to cell migration and adhesion. Understanding of the mechanism of integrin signaling and activation has been advanced with truncated ectodomain preparations; however, the nature of conformational change in the full-length intact integrin molecule remains an active area of research. Here we used small angle x-ray scattering and electron microscopy to study detergent-solubilized, intact platelet integrin αIIbβ3. In the resting state, the intact αIIbβ3 adopted a compact, bent conformation. Upon activation with Mn2+, the average integrin extension increased. Further activation by addition of ligand led to stabilization of the extended state and opening of the headpiece. The observed extension and conformational rearrangement upon activation are consistent with the extension and headpiece opening model of integrin activation.
Above-Ground Biomass Estimation of Successional and Mature Forests Using TM Images in the Amazon Basin

Above-ground biomass estimation of successional and mature forests in moist tropical regions is attracting increasing attention. Because of complex stand structure and abundant vegetation species, rarely has remote-sensing research been successfully conducted in biomass estimation for moist tropical areas. In this paper, two study areas in the Brazilian Amazon basin—Altamira and Bragantina— with different biophysical characteristics were selected. Atmospherically corrected Thematic Mapper (TM) images and field vegetation inventory data were used in the analysis, and different vegetation indices and texture measures were explored. Multiple regression models were developed through integration of image data (including TM bands, different vegetation indices, and texture measures) and vegetation inventory data. These models were used for biomass estimation in both selected study areas. This study concludes that neither TM spectral bands nor vegetation indices alone are sufficient to establish an effective model for biomass estimation, but multiple regression models that consist of spectral and textural signatures improve biomass estimation performance. The models developed are especially suitable for above-ground biomass estimation of dense vegetation areas.
Neonatal pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation after prophylactic amnioinfusion in labor : a randomized clinical trial

Objective. Amnioinfusion has been reported to improve the perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated by decreased amniotic fluid volume, but detailed information on its possible adverse effects on neonatal pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation is not available. Study design. We evaluated 42 infants with birth weights of 2600 to 4320 g and gestational ages of 36 to 44 weeks, who were born to mothers enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial of amnioinfusion for oligohydramnios in labor. Maternal entry criteria were gestational age 36 weeks or older, estimated fetal weight more than 2500 g, oligohydramnios defined as an amniotic fluid index of 5 cm or less, and a normal fetal heart rate pattern. Evaluation of pulmonary mechanics and oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) was done with the infants breathing room air between birth and day 3 of life. Transpulmonary pressure, flow, and tidal volume were recorded simultaneously, and pulmonary resistance and lung compliance were calculated. SaO 2 was measured for 30 minutes with the Nellcor N-200 oximeter and IBM computer oximetry software. Results. Evaluation of the data revealed no significant difference between the two groups for tidal volume, lung compliance, pulmonary resistance, or work of breathing. There were no differences between the two groups in the number of desaturation episodes or in percent of desaturations to less than 90%, 85%, or 80% SaO 2 . Conclusion. Prior studies have shown amnioinfusion to improve perinatal outcome. Our findings demonstrate that amnioinfusion for oligohydramnios in labor does not adversely affect neonatal pulmonary mechanics or oxygenation
Experiences Using Logic Programming in Bioinformatics

Reverse engineering complex biological systems requires the integration of multiple different databases using detailed background knowledge. Logic programming can provide a means of both performing integrative queries and rule-based inference to account for implicit knowledge. The Biological Logic Programming toolkit (Blipkit) was developed as a means of doing this kind of data integration. Implemented in SWI-Prolog, Blipkit has models of different aspects of life sciences data, including genes and gene sequences, RNA structures, evolutionary relationships, phenotypes and biological interactions. These can be combined to answer complex questions spanning multiple datasources. Blipkit also has means of integrating with and combining life sciences databases and ontologies.
Bartlett, Sir Frederic Charles

Frederic Bartlett was born in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, England, in 1886. Despite his pronounced intellect, his formal education was impeded by a long early bout of pleurisy. In 1914, at the age of 28, he completed a degree in Moral Sciences at St. John's College, Cambridge, intent on a career in anthropology. Keywords: cognition; memory
Casimir torque between birefringent plates with metamaterials

We investigate the Casimir torque between two coaxial plates separated by a small gap, each with positive or negative refractive index. Starting from the existing formula of two plates both with positive refractive index, we use suitable approximations and limits to extend it to the negative refractive index case. The torque found between two plates both with negative refractive index shows similar behavior in rotational motion to the case where both plates have positive refractive index, i.e., their principal axes in both x and y directions rotate to align them in their stable equilibrium-angle position of 0 or π, due to the “attractive torque“. The torque between two plates, one with positive and the other negative refractive index has a subtle behavior which depends on r value, the multiplication of the anisotropy for the plates. If r lies in the interval (−∞, −2), this system is identical to that where both plates carry positive or negative refractive index. However, if r lies in the interval , generally three new equilibrium points arise additional to the usual four of , and the former three are all unstable while the latter four are all stable. If r lies in the interval , a different rotational behavior occurs due to the “repulsive torque”, i.e., the principal axes of each plate increase their misalignment to avoid the unstable equilibrium positions 0 or π. These effects probably cannot be measured experimentally at present due to their requirement of a wide range of frequencies for negative refractive index and a very small gap between the two plates, but may be in future.
Implementation and evaluation of a nursing home fall management program.

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a falls management program (FMP) for nursing homes (NHs). Design A quality improvement project with data collection throughout FMP implementation. Setting NHs in Georgia owned and operated by a single nonprofit organization. Participants All residents of participating NHs. Intervention A convenience sample of 19 NHs implemented the FMP. The FMP is a multifaceted quality improvement and culture change intervention. Key components included organizational leadership buy-in and support, a designated facility-based falls coordinator and interdisciplinary team, intensive education and training, and ongoing consultation and oversight by advanced practice nurses with expertise in falls management. Measurements Process-of-care documentation using a detailed 24-item audit tool and fall and physical restraint use rates derived from quality improvement software currently used in all Georgia NHs (MyInnerView). Results Care process documentation related to the assessment and management of fall risk improved significantly during implementation of the FMP. Restraint use decreased substantially during the project period, from 7.9% to 4.4% in the intervention NHs (a relative reduction of 44%), and decreased in the nonintervention NHs from 7.0% to 4.9% (a relative reduction of 30%). Fall rates remained stable in the intervention NHs (17.3 falls/100 residents per month at start and 16.4 falls/100 residents per month at end), whereas fall rates increased 26% in the NHs not implementing the FMP (from 15.0 falls/100 residents/per month to 18.9 falls/100 residents per month). Conclusion Implementation was associated with significantly improved care process documentation and a stable fall rate during a period of substantial reduction in the use of physical restraints. In contrast, fall rates increased in NHs owned by the same organization that did not implement the FMP. The FMP may be a helpful tool for NHs to manage fall risk while attempting to reduce physical restraint use in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services quality initiatives.
Censored Data Regression in High-Dimension and Low-Sample Size Settings For Genomic Applications

New high-throughput technologies are generating various types of high-dimensional genomic and proteomic data and meta-data (e.g., networks and pathways) in order to obtain a systems-level understanding of various complex diseases such as human cancers and cardiovascular diseases. As the amount and complexity of the data increase and as the questions being addressed become more sophisticated, we face the great challenge of how to model such data in order to draw valid statistical and biological conclusions. One important problem in genomic research is to relate these high-throughput genomic data to various clinical outcomes, including possibly censored survival outcomes such as age at disease onset or time to cancer recurrence. We review some recently developed methods for censored data regression in the high-dimension and low-sample size setting, with emphasis on applications to genomic data. These methods include dimension reduction-based methods, regularized estimation methods such as Lasso and threshold gradient descent method, gradient descent boosting methods and nonparametric pathways-based regression models. These methods are demonstrated and compared by analysis of a data set of microarray gene expression profiles of 240 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma together with follow-up survival information. Areas of further research are also presented. 1 Censored Data Regression in High-Dimension and Low-sample Size Settings For Genomic Applications Hongzhe Li Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, USA Email: hli@cceb.upenn.edu
α1-Proteinase inhibitor (human) in the treatment of hereditary emphysema secondary to α1-antitrypsin deficiency: number and costs of years of life gained.

Background: α1-Antitrypsin deficiency (α-ATD) is a disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, with co-dominant alleles known as the protease inhibitor system (Pi). The main function of α1-antitrypsin (α-AT) is to protect the lungs against a powerful elastase released from neutrophil leucocytes. α-ATD typically presents with a serum α-AT level of 80mg/dL), with few, if any, adverse effects. Objective: The present study was designed to discern the number of years of life gained, and the expense per year of life gained, associated with use of α-AT augmentation therapy (α1-proteinase inhibitor [human]), relative to ‘no therapeutic intervention’ in persons with α-ATD. Methods: Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) was used to: (i) estimate the number of years of life gained; and (ii) estimate the health service expenditures per year of life gained for persons receiving, or not receiving, α-AT augmentation therapy. MCS afforded a decision-analytical framework parameterized with both stochastic (random) and deterministic (fixed) components, and yielded a fiscal risk-profile for each simulated cohort of interest (eight total: by sex, smoking status [non-smoker; or past use (smoker)]; and use of α-AT augmentation therapy). The stochastic components employed in the present inquiry were: (i) age-specific body weight, and height; (ii) age-specific mortality; and (iii) the probability distribution for receipt of a lung transplant, as a function of FEV1. The deterministic components employed in the present inquiry were: (i) age in years for the simulated cohort; (ii) outlays for α-AT augmentation therapy; (iii) health service expenditures associated with receipt of a lung transplant; (iv) annual decline in FEV1; (v) percent predicted FEV1 (vi) initiation of α-AT augmentation therapy as a function of percent predicted FEV1; (vii) need for a lung transplant as a function of percent predicted FEV1; (viii) annual rate of lung infection; and (ix) mortality as a function of percent predicted FEV1. Results are reported from a payer perspective ($US, year of costing 2010). Results: Receipt of α-AT augmentation therapy was associated with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in years of life gained, with female smokers gaining an estimated mean 7.14 years (cost per year: $US248 361 [95% CI 104 531, 392 190]); female non-smokers gained an estimated mean 9.19 years (cost per year: $US160 502 [95% CI 37 056, 283 947)]); male smokers gained an estimated mean 5.93 years (cost per year: $US142 250 [95% CI 48 467, 236 032]); and male non-smokers gained an estimated mean 10.60 years (cost per year: $US59 234 [95% CI 20 719, 97 548]). Conclusion: Use of α-AT augmentation therapy was associated with an increase in years of life gained by sex and history of tobacco use, and at a cost per year of life gained comparable to that of other evidenced-based interventions.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: HYALINE MEMBRANE SYNDROME.

THE usual introductory note above should sufficiently explain why this short paper is added to the many and longer ones on a subject now actively influenced not only by investigation but also by speculation and innovation. Few pathological states can confront the conscientious pediatrician with more doubt as to the plan he should follow or with more difficulty in knowing whether his plan is actually effective. Exact diagnosis and evidence of ultimate failure of treatment are available if the infant dies and an autopsy can be performed. But equally exact diagnosis and equally clear evidence that treatment has influenced the outcome are unfortunately not available if the infant recovers. Not only does recovery occur in about half of all cases in which the clinical diagnosis of hyaline membrane syndrome (H.M.S.) is reasonable, but recovery in milder cases may begin within a few hours of onset and is always essentially established within a few days. Clinical (and even chemical) response to therapy is hard to identify with certainty under such rapidly changing conditions. To some extent these same difficulties apply also to the evaluation of measures for prevention. Clinical Diagnosis Clinical diagnosis of H.M.S.(for which the reader may substitute other designations, including the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) so long as he recognizes the same syndrome under his designation) should begin with history and physical examination. In the author9s hospital, at least one chest roentgenogram is usually included, as well as some or all of the chemical measurements described below. Because laboratory and clinical resources for diagnosis and treatment of so common a condition will necessarily vary, simpler procedures will be presented, although their derivation from more elaborate ones will occasionally be described.
Cortical bone fluid flow and species transport induced by an array of blood vessels

A mathematical model is developed which describes cortical bone fluid flow and species transport in the vicinity of several in-bone vessel canals. Model simulations are qualitatively consistent with experimental observations and indicate that solute contact with the surrounding bone is approximately 85 percent complete when vessel canal radii are larger than /spl sim/1 percent of the cortex's thickness. In contrast, essentially no solute reaches the surrounding bone when radii are less than /spl sim/0.1 percent of the cortex's thickness. Implications of this prediction are discussed.
Behavioral Ethics and Teaching Ethical Decision Making

Business education often renders students less likely to act ethically. An infusion of liberal learning in the form of behavioral ethics could improve this situation by prompting students to develop higher levels of professionalism that encompass ethics, social responsibility, self-critical reflection, and personal accountability. More specifically, teaching behavioral ethics, which draws upon psychology, sociology, and related fields, can improve students’ ethical decision making in a manner that can lead to a more ethical climate in organizations and in society more generally. This article introduces key concepts of behavioral ethics, argues that teaching behavioral ethics can have a positive impact, discusses materials that can be used to teach those concepts, and addresses action-research approaches to assessing the effectiveness of the instruction. There is significant evidence, though preliminary and incomplete, that teaching behavioral ethics is a promising new approach for improving the ethicality of students’ decisions and actions.
Dermal eosinophilic infiltrate in junctional epidermolysis bullosa

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by a split in the lamina lucida usually because of mutations in LAMA3, LAMB3 and LAMC2 resulting in absence or reduction of laminin-332. Rare subtypes of JEB have mutations in COL17A1, ITGB4, ITGA6 and ITGA3 leading to reduction or dysfunction of collagen XVII, integrin α6β4 and integrin α3. The classic finding under light microscopy is a paucicellular, subepidermal split. We describe the unusual presence of an eosinophilic infiltrate in the bullae and subjacent dermis in a neonate with JEB, generalized intermediate (formerly known as non-Herlitz-type JEB), discuss the histologic differential diagnosis for a subepidermal blister in a neonate, review the literature regarding cases of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) presenting with inflammatory infiltrates, and discuss mechanisms to explain these findings. This case highlights that eosinophils can rarely be seen in EB and should not mislead the dermatopathologist into diagnosing an autoimmune blistering disorder.
Vancomycin intoxication in a preterm neonate

A Caucasian male was delivered vaginally (gestational age: 26 weeks; weight 825 g) and showed signs of respiratory insufficiency, necessitating artificial ventilation for 39 days. On the 10th day after birth he developed a maculopapular rash which became scaly and later pustular. There were no signs of pulmonary infection or other organ involvement. After 1 week, cultures of the pustutar cutaneous lesions yielded A.fumigatus. Histology with visualization of hyphae was not performed. Bacterial and viral cultures of blood, urine, skin, sputum and the conjuctival swab were sterile. Serologically, concomitant virus infections were not demonstrated. At that moment ophthalmological examination was not performed. The primary skin lesions were treated locally. Broad spectrum antibiotics (flucloxacillin and amoxicillin) were added when pustular lesions developed. After 3 days with broad spectrum antibiotics his clinical condition deteriorated and antifungal treatment (amphotericin B and flucytosine) were started. There was a gradual clinical improvement and the skin lesions healed, indirectly supporting the clinical diagnosis of Aspergillus disease. After 4 weeks, intravenous amphotericin B therapy was stopped, without signs of recurrence. Three weeks later during routine ophthalmological examination for retinopathy of prematurity, haziness of the media was seen. Ultrasonography of the eyes showed irregularities of the retina. Vitrectomy was performed and showed a distorted retina with microabscesses. The pus obtained from the vitreous cavity and retinal microabscesses showed no bacterial or fungal growth. Again histological sections were not performed. Thus possible fungal elements could not be looked for. Despite these negative findings a presumptive diagnosis of Aspergillus endophthalmitis was made based on the history of the skin lesions with positive cultures of Aspergillus, which healed with systemic antifungal treatment, and the known poor intraocular penetration of amphotericin B [3]. The subsequent clinical course was complicated by a patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intracranial haemorrhage. This case shows that in the preterm neonate with a severe or an expanding skin lesion the presence of A.fumigatus should be considered. To prove the diagnosis histology is obligatory. Ophthalmological examinations should be performed in preterm infants with suspected fungal infection in order to detect possible fungal endophthalmitis.
Maintaining the health of software monitors

Software health management (SWHM) techniques complement the rigorous verification and validation processes that are applied to safety-critical systems prior to their deployment. These techniques are used to monitor deployed software in its execution environment, serving as the last line of defense against the effects of a critical fault. SWHM monitors use information from the specification and implementation of the monitored software to detect violations, predict possible failures, and help the system recover from faults. Changes to the monitored software, such as adding new functionality or fixing defects, therefore, have the potential to impact the correctness of both the monitored software and the SWHM monitor. In this work, we describe how the results of a software change impact analysis technique, Directed Incremental Symbolic Execution (DiSE ), can be applied to monitored software to identify the potential impact of the changes on the SWHM monitor software. The results of DiSE can then be used by other analysis techniques, e.g., testing, debugging, to help preserve and improve the integrity of the SWHM monitor as the monitored software evolves.
Determinants of intra-firm trade: A search for a theoretical framework

This article establishes a theoretical framework to explain the underlying conditions for intra-firm trade phenomenon. Despite an increasing importance of intra-firm trade as a new mode of international exchange, its nature and implications have not yet been investigated seriously and appropriately. Traditional explanation of international trade offers little help in understanding this new phenomenon of international exchange. Using the transaction cost paradigm and its international application as well as the eclectic model of international production, this study identifies major determinants of the intra-firm trade. Also presented are some testable hypotheses within the theoretical framework thus developed.
Development of integrating radiation imagers with diamond MIS devices

Diamond has long been recognized as a promising material to fabricate robust, solar-blind radiation detectors. In this work, we present initial results from our program to fabricate a 2D imager using synthetic diamond. We observed the desired low dark current and spectral response properties in MSM detectors made on type-IIa diamond and integrating photoresponse was observed in MIS capacitors fabricated on type IIb diamond. Subsequent modeling of the MIS photoresponse supports the conclusion that electrons are stored at the diamond-insulator interface which makes it feasible to consider a diamond CCD. We discuss relevant processing steps and a plan to make a thin, back-illuminated CCD for VUV and UV imaging applications.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
N-cyclo-[Leu5]enkephalin: a rational approach for the synthesis of conformationally restricted cyclic pentapeptides.

Abstract The enkephalins are neuropeptides belonging to the class of endogenous opioids. The conformationally restricted analog, N-cyclo-[Leu5]enkephalin, was recently synthesized. Since the synthesis of cyclic pentapeptides which lack proline and contain amino acids with bulky side chains is problematic, the synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization of N-cyclo-[Leu5]enkephalin is described in detail. This conformationally restricted cyclic pentapeptide was prepared from HGlyPheLeu [O-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)Tyr]GlyNHNH2, which was synthesized by the solid-phase method of peptide synthesis. Cyclization was accomplished through an azide intermediate at high dilution, using high-pressure liquid chromatography to monitor the reaction. The desired cyclic monomer was isolated and purified by semipreparative HPLC. The structure of the purified cyclic product was confirmed by multiple chemical techniques including amino acid analysis, lack of an amino terminus (as assessed by reaction with ninhydrin and Edman reagent), and mass spectroscopy.
Measuring peacekeeping and peacebuilding

Measuring peacekeeping and peacebuilding Evaluating peace operations, by Paul F. Diehl and Daniel Druckman, Boulder, CO and London, Lynne Rienner, 2010, ix + 233 pp., US$29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 97...
Effects of maternal nutrition on post-weaning growth in two North American rodents

The Trivers-Willard hypothesis of sex-biased maternal investment in response to fluctuations in resource availability has provided a theoretical foundation for research on maternal investment for more than two decades. Their hypothesis holds that mothers in poor condition as a result of poor resource availability should bias parental investment towards offspring with the highest probability of reproducing. In the polygynous mating system of mammals where males compete for breeding access to females, the hypothesis predicts investment favoring females. Although data from many systems have supported this hypothesis, other systems do not follow the predicted patterns and have resulted in various alternative hypotheses. The present research was designed to test whether differences in body condition of young reared by nutritionally stressed dams relative to young reared by unstressed dams were maintained into adulthood, one of the fundamental assumptions underlying the Trivers-Willard hypothesis. Post-weaning growth in eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana) and northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster) was examined relative to maternal nutritional plane. Individuals from undernourished dams were lighter than their unrestricted counterparts at weaning but no difference was evident by the time they had reached adult size. Failure to maintain body condition differences into adulthood violates one of the assumptions essential for application of the Trivers-Willard hypothesis of maternal investment patterns. Although the Trivers-Willard model proposed that natural selection favors differential investment in the sexes over the entire course of parental investment, evidence from this and other studies suggests that the Trivers-Willard hypothesis might not be appropriate to address maternal investment questions in postnatally malnourished dams, but instead should be restricted to systems concerned with prenatal maternal condition or resource availability.
Prolongation of rat islet allograft survival by direct ultraviolet irradiation of the graft

Ultraviolet irradiation of rat dendritic cells completely abrogated their allostimulatory capacity in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Rat islets of Langerhans similarly irradiated remained hormonally functional when transplanted into syngeneic diabetic rats. Allogeneic transplantation across a major histocompatibility barrier of islets initially treated in vitro with ultraviolet irradiation resulted in prolonged allograft survival without the use of any immunosuppressive agents.
Breast mass segmentation on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance scans using the level set method

The goal of this study was to develop an automated method to segment breast masses on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) scans that were performed to monitor breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A radiologist experienced in interpreting breast MR scans defined the mass using a cuboid volume of interest (VOI). Our method then used the K-means clustering algorithm followed by morphological operations for initial mass segmentation on the VOI. The initial segmentation was then refined by a three-dimensional level set (LS) method. The velocity field of the LS method was formulated in terms of the mean curvature which guaranteed the smoothness of the surface and the Sobel edge information which attracted the zero LS to the desired mass margin. We also designed a method to reduce segmentation leak by adapting a region growing technique. Our method was evaluated on twenty DCE-MR scans of ten patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Each patient had pre- and post-chemotherapy DCE-MR scans on a 1.5 Tesla magnet. Computer segmentation was applied to coronal T1-weighted images. The in-plane pixel size ranged from 0.546 to 0.703 mm and the slice thickness ranged from 2.5 to 4.0 mm. The flip angle was 15 degrees, repetition time ranged from 5.98 to 6.7 ms, and echo time ranged from 1.2 to 1.3 ms. The computer segmentation results were compared to the radiologist's manual segmentation in terms of the overlap measure defined as the ratio of the intersection of the computer and the radiologist's segmentations to the radiologist's segmentation. Pre- and post-chemotherapy masses had overlap measures of 0.81±0.11 (mean±s.d.) and 0.70±0.21, respectively.
Separation of hydroxylated polyenoic fatty acid enantiomers on Pirkle-type chiral phase high-performance liquid chromatographic columns

Enantiomers of monohydroxy polyenoic fatty acids containing a conjugated diene system can be separated on an (R)-(−)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-phenylglycine (DNBPG) column. For all hydroxy fatty acids tested the S-isomer is earlier eluted than the R-isomer. Columns with ionically linked chiral phases show a better enantiomer resolution than those with covalently linked phases. Derivatization of the hydroxy polyenoic fatty acids to their corresponding benzoyl or naphthoyl derivatives strongly improved the enantiomer resolution, but reversed the elution order. Various Pirkle-type chiral stationary phases and several derivatization procedures were tested to optimize the enantiomer resolution. The best resolutions were achieved for the separation of the naphthoyl esters on a DNBPG column. There are considerable differences in the enantiomer resolution between columns obtained from different manufacturers. Some racemic diastereomers of dihydroxy polyenoic fatty acids which cannot be separated by reversed- and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were separated on (R)-DNBPG columns.
Glacial–interglacial organic carbon record from the Makassar Strait, Indonesia: implications for regional changes in continental vegetation

Abstract Recent studies convincingly show that climate in the Western Pacific Warm Pool and other equatorial/tropical regions was significantly colder (by ∼3–4°C) during glacial periods, prompting a reexamination of the late Pleistocene paleoenvironments of these regions. This study examines changes in continental vegetation during the last two deglaciations (Terminations I and II) using a sediment core (MD9821-62) recovered from the Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Evidence based on the lignin phenol ratios suggests that vegetation on Borneo and other surrounding islands did not significantly change from tropical rainforest during the last two glacial periods relative to subsequent interglacial periods. This supports the hypothesis that the winter monsoon increased in strength during glacial periods, allowing Indonesia to maintain high rainfall despite the cooler conditions.
Comparative metabolism of female sex steroids in normal and chronically inflamed gingiva of the dog.

Normal and chronically inflamed gingival tissue of three beagle dogs were removed by means of gingivectomy for histological and biochemical studies on the in vitro metabolism of female sex steroids, progesterone and estrone. In normal gingiva no conversion of progesterone took place, while in the inflamed tissue 51974- and 51974-pregnanediones were detected as the only conversion products. Esterone was converted to estradiol-171974 in both normal and inflamed gingiva. The amount of estradiol-171974 found in inflamed tissue was twice as much as that in the normal tissue. The increased conversion of female sex steroids in inflamed gingiva and the nature of their conversion products might be significant factors in the aggravation of gingival inflammation.
Interface-reaction controlled diffusion in binary solids with applications to lithiation of silicon in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Solid state diffusion in a binary system, such as lithiation into crystalline silicon, often involves two symbiotic processes, namely, interfacial chemical reaction and bulk diffusion. Building upon our earlier work ( Cui et al., 2012b , J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 60 (7), 1280–1295), we develop a mathematical framework in this study to investigate the interaction between bulk diffusion and interfacial chemical reaction in binary systems. The new model accounts for finite deformation kinematics and stress–diffusion interaction. It is applicable to arbitrary shape of the phase interface. As an example, the model is used to study the lithiation of a spherical silicon particle. It is found that a dimensionless parameter β = k f e V m B R 0 / D 0 plays a significant role in determining the kinetics of the lithiation process. This parameter, analogous to the Biot number in heat transfer, represents the ratio of the rate of interfacial chemical reaction and the rate of bulk diffusion. Smaller β means slower interfacial reaction, which would result in higher and more uniform concentration of lithium in the lithiated region. Furthermore, for a given β , the lithiation process is always controlled by the interfacial chemical reaction initially, until sufficient silicon has been lithiated so that the diffusion distance for lithium reaches a threshold value, beyond which bulk diffusion becomes the slower process and controls the overall lithiation kinetics.
Advancements in competitive anxiety research: Use of the sport competition anxiety test and the competitive state anxiety inventory-2

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to briefly review the competitive anxiety research that has utilized the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) as measures of competitive trait anxity (A-trait) and multidimensional competitive state anxiety (A-state), respectively. An expanded model of competitive anxiety is presented which serves as the basis for the review of the literature. Specifically, the SCAT research reviewed includes the relationship of competitive A-trait to other intrapersonal factors, perception of threat, the prediction of state responses as well as motor performance and the prediction of performance outcomes or consequences. The CSAI-2 research reviewed includes the relationship of competitive A-state to other intrapersonal factors, interrelationships between CSAI-2 components, the anxiety-performance relationship, and evidence supporting the independence of the CSAI-2 components. Future directions for research using SCAT and the C...
Mononuclear phagocyte biophysiology influences brain transendothelial and tissue migration: implication for HIV-1-associated dementia☆

Mononuclear phagocyte (MP) brain migration influence neuronal damage during HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD). We demonstrate that potassium channels, expressed in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), are vital for MP movement through Boyden chemotactic chambers, an artificial blood-brain barrier and organotypic hippocampal brain slices. MDM migration is inhibited by voltage-and calcium-activated potassium channel blockers that include charybodotoxin, margatoxin, agatoxin and apamin. This is observed both in uninfected and HIV-1-infected MP. The results suggest that potassium channels affect MDM brain migration through altering cell volume and shape. Such mechanisms likely affect MP-induced neuronal destruction during HAD.