cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patch testing: pitfalls and performance.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Contact dermatitis is a common disease process that includes allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. The gold standard for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction, is patch testing. Patch testing is not a difficult procedure, however, there are several critical components that determine the success of the test: having an appropriate level of suspicion for the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, an adequate threshold for patch testing, the necessary experience to properly interpret the results and to determine their relevance, and the ability to thoroughly educate the patient about the condition. RECENT FINDINGS Research shows that patch testing practices differ among individuals and specialties. The level of patch testing education, interest in, and experience with, the procedure can affect the results of the test. Some of these practice differences and how they affect the outcome of patch testing are highlighted. SUMMARY Physicians' knowledge and experience with patch testing, their level of interest and access to allergens will determine the performance of this test, the reliability of the results and the benefits gained from this procedure.
Amplitude-Integrated EEG and Range-EEG Modulation Associated with Pneumatic Orocutaneous Stimulation in Preterm Infants

Controlled somatosensory stimulation strategies have demonstrated merit in developing oral feeding skills in premature infants who lack a functional suck, however, the effects of orosensory entrainment stimulation on electrocortical dynamics is unknown. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of servo-controlled pneumatic orocutaneous stimulation presented during gavage feedings on the modulation of amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and range electroencephalogram (rEEG) activity. Two-channel EEG recordings were collected during 180 sessions that included orocutaneous stimulation and non-stimulation epochs among 22 preterm infants (mean gestational age=28.56 weeks) who were randomized to treatment and control ‘sham’ conditions. The study was initiated at around 32 weeks post-menstrual age. The raw EEG was transformed into aEEG margins, and rEEG amplitude bands measured at 1-min intervals and subjected to a mixed models statistical analysis. Multiple significant effects were observed in the processed EEG during and immediately following 3-min periods of orocutaneous stimulation, including modulation of the upper and lower margins of the aEEG, and a reorganization of rEEG with an apparent shift from amplitude bands D and E to band C throughout the 23-min recording period that followed the first stimulus block when compared with the sham condition. Cortical asymmetry also was apparent in both EEG measures. Orocutaneous stimulation represents a salient trigeminal input, which has both short- and long-term effects in modulating electrocortical activity, and thus is hypothesized to represent a form of neural adaptation or plasticity that may benefit the preterm infant during this critical period of brain maturation.
Experimental optical multiplexing of two 20-Gbit/s QPSK data channels from different wavelengths onto a single 40-Gbit/s star 16-QAM using fiber nonlinearities

We experimentally demonstrate optical multiplexing of two 20-Gbit/s QPSK channels at different wavelengths onto a single 40-Gbit/s star 16-QAM channel with tunable ring ratio using cascaded fiber-based nonlinear stages. The impact of QPSK channel spacing is also investigated. BER measurements confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Does developmental exposure to perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA) induce immunopathologies commonly observed in neurodevelopmental disorders

Immune comorbidities often are reported in subsets of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. A common immunopathology is an increase in serum autoantibodies against myelin basic protein (MBP) relative to control patients. Increases in autoantibodies suggest possible deficits in self-tolerance that may contribute to the formation of brain-specific autoantibodies and subsequent effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Oppositely, the formation of neuronal autoantibodies may be a reaction to neuronal injury or damage. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an environmental pollutant that induces multisystem toxicity in rodent models, including immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. We hypothesized that developmental exposure to PFOA may induce immunotoxicity similar to that observed in subsets of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated subsets of T cells from spleens, serum markers of autoreactivity, and levels of MBP and T cell infiltration in the cerebella of adult offspring exposed to 0.02, 0.2, or 2mg/kg of PFOA given to dams from gestation through lactation. Litter weights of offspring from dams exposed to 2mg/kg of PFOA were reduced by 32.6%, on average, from postnatal day one (PND1) through weaning (PND21). The percentage of splenic CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells in male and female offspring from dams exposed to 2mg/kg of PFOA was reduced by 22% relative to the control percentage. Ex vivo co-cultures of splenic CD4+CD25+ T cells and CD4+CD25- T cells from dosed male offspring produced less IL-10 relative to control cells. Anti-ssDNA, a serum marker of autoreactivity, was decreased by 26%, on average, in female offspring from dams exposed to 0.02 and 2mg/kg PFOA. No other endpoints were statistically different by dose. These data suggest that developmental PFOA exposure may impact T cell responses and may be a possible route to downstream effects on other systems.
A doctor’s experience of resuscitation decision making for older patients: coping with change

There has been a dramatic change in the way that resuscitation decisions are made for older hospital inpatients in the UK. In less than 20 years many geriatric medicine wards have moved from an “opt-in” policy (where the default position is not to provide resuscitation) to a position where resuscitation is widely available to older patients and clinicians are much more reluctant to make “do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” decisions on medical grounds alone. The drivers for this change are rooted in societal changes rather than scientific or legal advances. Older patients are increasingly educated and have higher expectations of health care, while doctors are more commonly criticised and have progressively less “power” in the doctor–patient relationship. Doctors in the UK are struggling with the growing volume and complexity of guidelines about resuscitation, which can prove very tricky to enact within current resources and priorities. Many are feeling stressed and under equipped to cope with the ethical and legal dilemmas of resuscitation decision making. The solution lies in better undergraduate and postgraduate training which enhances skills (such as consultation skills and ethical reasoning) and not just knowledge of laws, principles and guidelines.
Millennium on the Northern Marches: The Mad Messiah of Durango and Popular Rebellion in Mexico, 1800–1815

In September of 1810, with a sudden flash of violent rebellion (preceded by months and years of salon conspiracies), the white native-born provincial elite of New Spain began the protracted and painful process of winning political independence from Spain. Although by about 1816 much of the country had been pacified by royal arms, pockets of rebellion continued to smolder and flare throughout the following years. The birth of modern Mexico itself finally occurred in 1821, owing as much to fortuitous political circumstances in Spain as to the military and political manipulations of Agustin Iturbide, the Creole adventurer who consummated the country's independence and briefly became its emperor. Programmatic pronouncements by the Creole and mestizo leadership of the independence movement abound in the form of pamphlets, constitutions, decrees, short-lived newspapers, captured correspondence, etcetera, and provide us with a reasonably clear view into the complex ideologi- cal process of political separatism from Spain. At least in the early years of the independence struggle, however, the insurrectionary armies were manned not primarily by Mexican-born whites or racially mixed groups, but by Indian peasants from rural villages all over the central parts of the country.
SCIENCE AS PARADIGMATIC COMPLEXITY

Imre Lakatos classes philosophers of science as Sceptics, Demarcationists, or Elitists. Each of these three classes presents a logical reason why science could not exist other than according to their description. Sceptics believe that demarcation prevents new ideas from entering science by insisting on criteria that were formed from past ideas. Demarcationists show that without a clear demarcation science could not be separated from pseudo-science and one could not prove that one scientific theory was better than another. Elitists insist that since science includes knowledge known only by those who practice it, only they can determine what is and what is not science It is my contention that science is a complex system. It exists simultaneously on several levels which we are able to interact with one at a time. Therefore, seen from this point of view, these three seemingly incompatible theories about science are really descriptions of different levels of scientific activity. Working scientists solving scie...
Use of oil in baked products—Part II: Sweet goods and cakes

The discussion on the current trend in the United States to switch from the conventionally accepted lard or partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening to oil as the shortening medium in baked goods is continued. Problems encountered when oil is used to replace the plastic shortenings in sweet doughs and cakes are described. Test work has shown that surfactants are useful tools in counteracting the resultant negative aspects associated with the use of oil. A review of various surfactant systems with oil and their effects on finished sweet dough and cake quality are discussed.
Roca Spur Bridge: The Implementation of an Innovative Deicing Technology

The heated deck of Roca Spur Bridge is the first implementation in the world using conductive concrete for deicing. Conductive concrete is a concrete mix containing a certain amount of electrically conductive components in a regular concrete matrix, designed to enable conduction of electricity. Due to its electrical resistance, conductive concrete can generate enough heat to prevent ice formation on a paved surface when connected to a power source.
Foraging ecology and behaviour of the ponerine ant Ectatomma opaciventre Roger in a Brazilian savannah

This study provides a detailed account of the foraging behaviour of the ponerine ant Ectatomma opaciventre in a ‘cerrado’ savannah in south-east Brazil. Our observations suggest that this species has an exclusively diurnal foraging pattern. Feeding habits included both predation and scavenging, with termite workers and leaf-cutting ants as the most important food items. Contrary to all other Ectatomma species studied to date, no liquid food such as hemipteran honeydew or plant nectar was collected. Foragers showed clear individual foraging area fidelity.Workers of E. opaciventre employed a typical individual foraging strategy, i.e. there was no co-operation between foragers in the search for or retrieval of food, neither by tandem running nor by trail laying. Nest density was considerably lower than in other Ectatomma (0.015 nests per m2). The observed mean distance to the nearest neighbouring nest was 5.85 m, with a significant tendency toward over-dispersion. Nests were more frequently found in specific...
Aggressive and submissive behavior in young swine given exogenous acth

Abstract Ten replicates of two pigs each were used to determine the effects of 10 IU/kg i.m. adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) or physiological saline on aggressive and submissive behaviors. Behavior was recorded for 90 minutes after pigs of each treatment were grouped. Both duration and latency to attack were similar for ACTH- and salinetreated pigs. Submissive behavior was greater for ACTH-treated pigs (P
Analysis Method for Drilled Shaft-Stabilized Slopes Using Arching Concept

The use of drilled shafts to stabilize an unstable slope has gained popularity in highway applications, mainly because it is a structural fix that does not require additional right-of-way. An analysis method for determining the factor of safety of a drilled shaft or slope system and for determining the earth thrust on the drilled shafts for structural design is introduced. The concept of the analysis is cast in the limiting equilibrium approach via the method of slices, while incorporating the drilled shaft-induced arching effects as the soil mass moved downslope and around the drilled shafts. The mathematical equations based on the limiting equilibrium calculation, together with the load transfer factor for accounting for the drilled shaft-induced arching effects, are presented. The three-dimensional finite element model parametric study using ABAQUS program was used to derive the semiempirical equations for quantifying the arching effect. A UASLOPE computer program was written to incorporate these algor...
TU‐C‐T‐617‐01: A Computer Model for Automatic Planning and Optimization for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Using Auto‐Positioning System

Purpose: This research addresses the automatic‐planning of Gamma Knife radiosurgery using auto‐positioning system (APS). We previously reported a morphology‐guided automatic planning model via optimization of dose conformity and minimization of total number of shots with different collimator sizes. In this work, our goal is to develop an optimizationmodel that is adaptive to APS by using shots with same collimator.Method and Materials: Our three‐step optimization strategy is: (1) configure the initial shot set using a combined process of skeletonization and bin‐covering, (2) optimize the relative weight (exposure time) of each shot to improve target coverage while minimizing normal tissue toxicity, and (3) fine‐tune the shot configuration by adjusting shot locations, and adding or deleting shots to further improve the balance between target coverage and normal tissue toxicity. In the weight optimization phase in step 2, an easy‐to‐solve linear fractional program explicitly models the dual objectives and takes into account of dose‐renormalization (i.e., maximum is always renormalized to 100%). The fine‐tuning step explicitly takes into account of shot overlapping, dose renormalization and target shape thus making the tracking of hot spots and estimating the effects of shot movement, addition and/or deletion possible. Results: We have implemented this optimizationmodel on the Windows‐based platform and have tested it with seven previously treated clinical cases. The target volume ranges from 2.6 to 8.6 cc, while the number of shots used ranges from 13 to 39. Our computermodel generates plans in 1‐2 minutes, with compatible quality of physician's plans normally created in 1–4 hours. The target coverage is greater than 95% and PITV ranges from 1.29 to 2.26. Conclusions: Our computermodel can be used for real‐time planning, or for generating an initial plan followed by interactive optimization/fine‐tuning, or for creating multiple plans with different trade‐off objectives.
Transition phase of connectivity for wireless networks with growing process

The connectivity of wireless network is critical for effective and efficient communications. Yet, it is challenged by mobility, transmission range and density. In terms of increasing node density, there is a transition phase of connectivity when a network starts transforming from partition to connected state. In this paper, we study the upper-and lower-bounds of critical density for the transition phase using percolation theory. We further derive critical time points for the bounds according to three growth functions of node density. The simulation demonstrates the evolution of network connectivity and validates the connectivity transition times.
Passive Focus Detection of Monochromatic Spatially Incoherent Sources

We present a new passive focus detection method for monochromatic and spatially incoherent sources. Using a volume holographic interferometer, we detect the object’s axial position without using active illumination, additional cameras, or prior information.
Binding of a diverse set of ligands to avidin and streptavidin: an accurate quantitative prediction of their relative affinities by a combination of molecular mechanics and continuum solvent models.

We report calculations of free energies of binding, ΔGbind, between a diverse set of nine ligands and avidin as well as between a peptide and streptavidin using the recently developed MM/PBSA approach. This method makes use of a molecular dynamics simulation of the ligand−protein complex to generate a thermally averaged ensemble of conformations of the molecules that are involved in the complex formation. Based on this set of structures, a free energy of binding is calculated using molecular mechanical and continuum solvent energies as well as including estimates of the nonpolar solvation free energy and solute entropy. We compare in our simulations different classes of ligands, involving biotin derivatives, the dye 2-(4‘-hydroxyazobenzene)benzoic acid (HABA), and a cyclic hexapeptide, which cover a large range of binding free energies from −5 to −20 kcal/mol. Our calculations are able to reproduce experimental ΔGbind values with a very good correlation coefficient of r2 = 0.92. This agreement is consider...
Metabolic markers or conditions preceding Parkinson's disease: a case-control study.

Several metabolic markers or conditions have been explored as possible risk or protective factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD).1 Of relevance, mid-life elevations of body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and glucose have been suggested as risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.2 However, the existing data for PD remain controversial because of methodological differences across studies, sample size limitations, and potential dietary and genetic confounders. A recent review of risk factors for PD concluded that the role of metabolic conditions remains uncertain.1 To further explore these associations, we investigated BMI, cholesterol levels, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus preceding the onset of PD in a case-control study using a records-linkage system.3, 4
Improved method for the stereospecific 1H-NMR assignments in collagen-like triple-helices

An improved model-based method for the stereospecific assignment of prochiral centers in collagen-like triple-helical molecules is introduced. Using the concepts of reporter atoms and of ensemble NOEs, the proposed methodology extracts the stereochemical information contained in the chiral elements of triple-helices and transfers it to prochiral centers with nondegenerate proton resonances. The improved approach has been successfully validated using -(Gly-Pro-Hyp)n- triple-helices for which the stereospecific assignment was previously obtained with established techniques. We have applied our stereochemical characterization to novel peptoid containing triple-helices for which existing methods of stereospecific assignment can not be used for all the prochiral centers. In our approach, several different NOE measurements are employed to make a given stereospecific assignment. The multiple NOE comparisons allow internal cross checks, which reduce the chance of erroneous assignments caused by experimental artifacts including spin diffusion and bias from anisotropic rotational motions. In addition, the multiple NOE comparisons are useful in overcoming problems associated with resonance overlap often encountered in the 1H-NMR spectra of collagen-like molecules. Our stereochemical analysis is anticipated to improve the precision and accuracy of the characterization of collagen-like triple-helices through a better correlation of structures with their 1H-NMR spectra. Chirality 10:28–34, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
AN INHIBITOR OF THE LIPOLYTIC REACTION FROM POST-HEPARIN PLASMA OF NORMAL DOGS.

Abstract A factor which was capable of inhibiting the hpolytic activity in vitro of the heparin-induced clearing factor lipase has been isolated from normal post-heparin plasma. Inhibition was found to be proportional to the concentration of the inhibitor and to the time during which the inhibitor was present in the reaction medium. Increased concentrations of substrate or enzyme did not alter the magnitude of inhibition. The action of the inhibitor appears to be of the non-competitive type.
Teaching computer music in a computer setting

Abstract Using a computer to produce sound in the classroom is not new and has been used for ear training and drill-and-practice for some time. Computer music can also provide computer students with an alternative means to explore traditional computer concepts: modular design, functional decomposition, and iterative development. Combining these uses for computer music would produce a course where both computer students and music students could gain an insight to the use of system development techniques. Such a course is described in this paper along with notes on how this course was implemented.
The dynamics of a packed gas absorber by the pulse response technique

The dynamic response of a packed gas absorber to inlet gas composition changes was investigated by the pulse response technique for the case where absorption was accompanied by pseudo first-order irreversible chemical raction. The solute-carrier-solvent system was carbon dioxide-air-0.07 normal aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The column used was 6.5 in. I.D. Plexiglass packed to a height of 6.15 ft. with either ¼-in. Raschig rings or ¾-in. Berl Saddles. Gas flow rates ranged from 1.5 to 10 lb.-moles/hr./sq.ft. and liquid flow rates ranged from 0 to 200 lb.-moles/hr./sq.ft. A pulse of carbon dioxide was injected into the inlet air stream and monitored as it entered the packed section. The outlet gas and liquid phase concentrations were continuously monitored as the resulting pulses left the packed section. The pulse response data were reduced to frequency response by digital computer calculations. Reliable data could be obtained over the frequncy range 0 to 5 radians/second. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions from the slug flow, axial diffusion, and mixing cell models. Both the mixing cell model and the axial diffusion model satisfactorily predicted the experimental frequency responses over the entire frequency range covered. The slug flow model was found unsatisfactory for predicting gas-phase amplitude ratios at high frequencies, where axial mixing affected the amplitude ratios. Gas-phase particle Peclet numbers and overall mass transfer coefficients based on the gas-phase driving force determined in the present absorption system were in reasonable agreement with the values reported in the literature.
The effect of pressure on energy transfer in Cr3+:Tm3+:YAG

Abstract The effect of pressure on energy transfer in Cr3+:Tm3+:YAG has been considered. We find that pressure increases the separation in energy of the 4T2 and 2E levels of Cr3+ and that this increase leads to both an increase in Cr3+ → Tm3+ energy transfer efficiency and a decrease in Cr3+ → Tm3+ energy transfer rate. We attribute the increase in transfer efficiency to a reduction in the spin-orbit coupling of the 4T2 and 2E levels with increasing pressure and the decrease in transfer rate to the elimination of the thermal population of the 4T2 level. We include a discussion of the relationship of effects of pressure and temperature on the energy transfer properties of Cr3+.
Damage Parameter Assessment for Energy Based Fatigue Life Prediction Methods

An energy-based method used to predict fatigue life and critical life of various materials has been previously developed, correlating strain energy dissipated during monotonic fracture to total cyclic strain energy dissipation in fatigue fracture. This method is based on the assumption that the monotonic strain energy and total hysteretic strain energy to fracture is equivalent. The fracture processes of monotonic and cyclic failure modes can be of stark contrast, with ductile and brittle fracture dominating each respectively. This study proposes that a more appropriate damage parameter for predicting fatigue life may be to use low cycle fatigue (LCF) strain energy rather than monotonic energy. Thus, the new damage parameter would capture similar fracture processes and cyclic behavior. Round tensile specimens machined from commercially supplied Al 6061-T6511 were tested to acquire LCF failure data in fully reversed loading at various alternating stresses. Results are compared to both monotonic and cyclic strain energy dissipation to determine if LCF strain energy dissipation is a more suitable damage parameter for fatigue life prediction.© 2012 ASME
The Wenckebach phenomenon

The Wenckebach phenomenon, or type I AV block, refers to a progressive lengthening of impulse conduction time, followed by a nonconducted impulse, or dropped beat. It can occur in a variety of pathologic settings, especially inferior myocardial infarction. Although a temporary pacemaker may be required, full spontaneous recovery is the rule.
CDP seismic sections of the western Beaufort continental margin

Abstract Eittreim, S. and Grantz, A., 1979. CDP seismic sections of the western Beaufort continental margin. In: C.E. Keen (Editor), Crustal Properties across Passive Margins. Tectonophysics, 59: 251–262. The continental rise, slope, and shelf in the Beaufort Sea off northern Alaska were surveyed with 5600 km of common-depth-point (CDP) seismic data by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1977. The lower continental rise consists of a wedge of at least 4.5 km of low-velocity, generally flat-lying, parallel-bedded sediments. Slump-related diapiric folds, probably cored by shale, occur on the upper rise and lower slope. The observed minimum depth to oceanic basement in the Canada Basin requires an age for this basin of at least 120 m.y., assuming it to be floored by oceanic crust with a subsidence history similar to that of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Measuring the Effects of Black Identity on Legislative Voting Behavior: An Exploratory Study

In this paper, we explore the relationship between legislative voting behavior and perceptions of black identity among black legislators in Louisiana. We find the following: first, on some of the black identity measures black members shared similar identities; however, on other measures there are greater variations; second, black identity and ideology did not influence voting decisions for all legislation and on black interest bills; and finally, self-perception of race and ideology did affect cohesiveness (i.e., in other words, black members were the most cohesive group within the Louisiana Legislature). In the end, it could be very plausible that under certain conditions, black identity may take a back seat to other identities (i.e., party, ideology, and district needs), and this may be precisely the reason we did not see black identity difference influence voting behavior.
Pegylated feline granulocyte colony-stimulating factor increases neutrophil levels in cats

Neutropenia can often be corrected by treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and off-label use of commercial human G-CSF (HuG-CSF) is a commonly used treatment for neutropenic animals. However, long-term HuG-CSF treatment can be associated with adverse effects, including neutropenia. Here, feline (Fe) G-CSF was produced in Pichia pastoris, pegylated (Peg) FeG-CSF and tested in cats. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of PegFeG-CSF compared to FeG-CSF or HuG-CSF in FIV-infected (n=14), FIV-uninfected healthy cats (n=19), and in HuG-CSF-induced neutropenic cats (n=4). Daily FeG-CSF doses induced higher neutrophil production than HuG-CSF after the second week of treatment (P ⩽ 0.002). Weekly doses of PegFeG-CSF induced higher neutrophil counts and showed greater sustained activity than weekly doses of FeG-CSF. PegFeG-CSF provided the most therapeutic and sustainable neutrophil production (P<0.001) in both FIV-uninfected and FIV-infected cats, without the development of neutralizing antibodies. Conversely, all HuG-CSF-treated cats developed neutralizing antibodies, suggesting cross-reactive antibodies to endogenous G-CSF in a majority of the cases with severe neutropenia. Strikingly, when PegFeG-CSF was used to rescue cats with HuG-CSF-induced neutropenia, clinically normal neutrophil numbers returned. Thus, PegFeG-CSF appears to be a superior treatment for neutropenia in feline patients.
Monophasic curve analysis and the ventricular gradient in the electrogram of strips of turtle ventricle.

Experiments were performed to test the validity of representing the bipolar electrogram as the algebraic sum of two monophasic curves and the validity of Wilson's concept of the significance of the area, AQRS plus AT. An electronic integrator was employed to measure the areas of bipolar leads recorded from a strip of turtle ventricle which could be stimulated at either end. The close correspondence of the experimental findings with the predictions derived from the representation of the bipolar curve as the algebraic sum of two theoretical monophasic curves supports the validity of the concept tested.
Alternative fuel research in fischer-tropsch synthesis

NASA Glenn Research Center has recently constructed an Alternative Fuels Laboratory which is solely being used to perform Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) reactor studies, novel catalyst development and thermal stability experiments. Facility systems have demonstrated reliability and consistency for continuous and safe operations in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Novel Nutrient Solutions for Zinc Nutrition Research: Buffering Free Zinc2+ with Synthetic Chelators and P with Hydroxyapatite

Chelator-buffered nutrient solutions, in which computed free Zn2+ activities are buffered at ≤10−100 M by including an excess of a synthetic chelator such as EDTA, have recently shown promise as a means of precisely regulating Zn nutritional status. A further refinement that would eliminate the confounding effect of high (and often phytotoxic) shoot P concentrations in solution-grown, Zn-deficient plants is also desirable. Several crop species were grown in 120-L of HEDTA-buffered solutions that contained just 10±l µM P. Critical free Zn2+ activities ranged from ≈10 to 60 pM, and relative yields as low as 32% of control were achieved. Concentrations of P in the older leaves were very high (up to 46 mg g−1) at low (Zn2+), suggesting that P toxicity can occur even without the high P concentrations (about 1 mM) typically used in Hoagland-type solutions. A second study was undertaken to better simulate soil conditions, wherein diffusion of P from the solid phase to the root is rate-limiting. Commercial hydroxyapatite (HAP) was enclosed in a pouch constructed of dialysis tubing, such that dissolution and diffusion occurred in response to plant depletion of P. Maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can be supplied with P at adequate levels using this approach, and acutely Zn-deficient plants did not hyperaccumulate P. However, two dicots tested were too P-inefficient to grow normally with HAP as the sole P source.
Gender, ethnicity and spiritual coping among bereaved HIV-positive individuals

We examined the influence of gender and ethnicity on coping strategies of 252 bereaved, HIV-positive individuals (65.1% male; 71% ethnic minorities [African-American and Hispanic]). Factor analyses of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and Coping with Illness Scale yielded five coping subscales: Active, Avoidant, Social Support, Self-destructive, and Spiritual. Multivariate analyses of covariance revealed significant gender and ethnic group effects on spiritual coping, after controlling for social support, education, and sexual orientation. Of all subscales, only spiritual coping was not influenced by perceived social support. Women and ethnic minorities reported greater use of spiritual coping while White men reported the least use of spiritual coping. White women reported significantly greater use of avoidant coping than White men. Further, the relationship between spiritual coping and grief varied across gender and ethnicity. These results highlight the influence of gender and ethnicity in the use of spi...
Airborne measurements of cirrus‐activated C2Cl4 depletion in the upper troposphere with evidence against Cl reactions

[1] Airborne whole air samples collected over the western Pacific in spring, 2001 showed depletion of tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4) in every upper tropospheric (UT) air parcel that had interacted with large areas of cirrus less than three days upwind. The amount of C2Cl4 depletion showed a negative correlation with time since the interaction, consistent with the C2Cl4-depleted air parcels mixing with the ambient air as they moved downwind of the cirrus. Ethane and C2Cl4 both react relatively quickly with atomic chlorine (Cl) but ethane was not significantly depleted in these same air parcels, indicating that the C2Cl4 depletion cannot be attributed to Cl chemistry alone. Based on the minimum ethane depletion that can be detected by our measurements, a daytime upper limit of roughly 3 10 4 atom Cl cm 3 is indirectly estimated for heterogeneous chlorine activation by cirrus clouds in the UT in tropical- and mid-latitudes during spring. INDEX TERMS: 0317 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Chemical kinetic and photochemical properties; 0320 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Cloud physics and chemistry; 0365 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere— composition and chemistry; 0368 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere—constituent transport and chemistry;
A general kinetic model for quantitative perfusion imaging with arterial spin labeling

Recently, several implementations of arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques have been developed for producing MRI images sensitive to local tissue perfusion. For quantitation of perfusion, both pulsed and continuous labeling methods potentially suffer from a number of systematic errors. In this study, a general kinetic model for the ASL signal is described that can be used to assess these errors. With appropriate assumptions, the general model reduces to models that have been used previously to analyze ASL data, but the general model also provides a way to analyze the errors that result if these assumptions are not accurate. The model was used for an initial assessment of systematic errors due to the effects of variable transit delays from the tagging band to the imaging voxel, the effects of capillary/tissue exchange of water on the relaxation of the tag, and the effects of incomplete water extraction. In preliminary experiments with a human subject, the model provided a good description of pulsed ASL data during a simple sensorimotor activation task.
A Priority-Type Resource Allocation Approach in Cluster Computing

In cluster computing, a service provider must allocate necessary computing resources for large-scale scientific computations to process a customer's service request according to a service level agreement (SLA) that is a set of quality of services (QoS) and a fee agreed between a customer and a service provider. Thus, Resource allocation is a challenging but very necessary problem in cluster computing. In an effort to maximize a service provider's profit, it is commonplace and important to prioritize customer services in favor of those who are willing to pay higher fees. In this paper, we consider a set of computing resources owned by a service provider who serves differentiated customer services subject to an SLA for scientific applications that often require parallel computation. The QoS defined in the paper includes percentile response time and cluster utilization. We present an approach for optimal resource allocation in cluster computing systems in that we minimize the total cost of computing resources owned by a service provider while satisfying multiple priority customer service requirements. Our simulation experiments show that the proposed approach is applicable to the resource allocation in a cluster computing system with multiple customer services.
A multi-dimensional data organization for natural language processing

For knowledge systems that rely on teachings from an outside source to gain their knowledge, proper data organizations are instrumental in managing and applying what has been learned. This paper describes the development of a Multi-Dimensional Data Organization (MDDO). Our MDDO stores a collection of knowledge of the same category classified by multiple orthogonal dimensions. Each dimension has a number of indices reflecting the potential attribute values of that dimension. A knowledge object is identified by a unique combination of indices from multiple dimensions whose values signify the different properties of the object itself. Our solution allows the collection of knowledge to be learned dynamically in any order and in an incremental manner. This MDDO has been used to store part of the English grammar, and we describe in this paper how it assists a learning program in both the parsing and the production of an English sentence. We also define the functionalities of the data organization, describe its organization, describe how each function is implemented, and analyze their worst-case performances.
Ultrasound: Is There a Future in Diagnostic Imaging?

i t u [ t t i arely used as a primary imaging echnique by radiologists, ultraonography has become a forgotten echnique in diagnostic imaging. ather, it is a niche player princially used as a problem solver. To hange this development, many actors in radiology must change. his article reviews the issues causng ultrasound to have a decreased tature in diagnostic imaging. All physicians seem to be pracicing ultrasound. Obstetricians, mergency room physicians, deratologists, anesthesiologists, priary care physicians, orthopedists, nd endocrinologists (to name a ew) embrace the technique. Radilogists, on the other hand, seem to se ultrasound only when absoutely necessary. The genesis of this imited utilization by radiology is robably most influenced by the hortage of radiologists. Radioloists are overworked in view of their nsufficient numbers. A practice fous on efficiency and finances faors magnetic resonance imaging MRI) and computed tomography CT) rather than ultrasound [1-3]. Ultrasound is “time intensive.” t is not “protocol driven.” Ultraound requires an individual physiian to become engaged with a tudy, to assess the clinical quesion, and to be sure the examinaion is completed appropriately. xcellent ultrasound is not a “specator sport.” A radiologist must see patient and actually scan. This inividuality of each examination is n contradistinction to the protool-driven capabilities of MRI and T, which require much less phyician involvement and are finann
Experiences with text mining large collections of unstructured systems development artifacts at jpl

Often repositories of systems engineering artifacts at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are so large and poorly structured that they have outgrown our capability to effectively manually process their contents to extract useful information. Sophisticated text mining methods and tools seem a quick, low-effort approach to automating our limited manual efforts. Our experiences of exploring such methods mainly in three areas including historical risk analysis, defect identification based on requirements analysis, and over-time analysis of system anomalies at JPL, have shown that obtaining useful results requires substantial unanticipated efforts - from preprocessing the data to transforming the output for practical applications. We have not observed any quick 'wins' or realized benefit from short-term effort avoidance through automation in this area. Surprisingly we have realized a number of unexpected long-term benefits from the process of applying text mining to our repositories. This paper elaborates some of these benefits and our important lessons learned from the process of preparing and applying text mining to large unstructured system artifacts at JPL aiming to benefit future TM applications in similar problem domains and also in hope for being extended to broader areas of applications.
Sequential decision models for expert system optimization

Sequential decision models are an important element of expert system optimization when the cost or time to collect inputs is significant and inputs are not known until the system operates. Many expert systems in business, engineering, and medicine have benefited from sequential decision technology. In this survey, we unify the disparate literature on sequential decision models to improve comprehensibility and accessibility. We separate formulation of sequential decision models from solution techniques. For model formulation, we classify sequential decision models by objective (cost minimization versus value maximization) knowledge source (rules, data, belief network, etc.), and optimized form (decision tree, path, input order). A wide variety of sequential decision models are discussed in this taxonomy. For solution techniques, we demonstrate how search methods and heuristics are influenced by economic objective, knowledge source, and optimized form. We discuss open research problems to stimulate additional research and development.
Malignant schwannoma in pregnancy.

we report a case of maglignant schwannoma on the distal forearm in a pregnant woman with neurofibromatosis. The problems of managing concomitant pregnancy and this particular maternal malignancy are discussed, leading toward a favorable maternal-fetal outcome.
Resilience Building Among Adolescents From National Guard Families Applying a Developmental Contextual Model

A better understanding of resilience building in military-connected children is needed to serve the needs of military families and sustain the security of the United States. This study explored the...
Totally green: evaluating and designing servers for lifecycle environmental impact

The environmental impact of servers and datacenters is an important future challenge. System architects have traditionally focused on operational energy as a proxy for designing green servers, but this ignores important environmental implications from server production (materials, manufacturing, etc.). In contrast, this paper argues for a lifecycle focus on the environmental impact of future server designs, to include both operation and production. We present a new methodology to quantify the total environmental impact of system design decisions. Our approach uses the thermodynamic metric of exergy consumption, adapted and validated for use by system architects. Using this methodology, we evaluate the lifecycle impact of several example system designs with environment-friendly optimizations. Our results show that environmental impact from production can be important (around 20% on current servers and growing) and system design choices can reduce this component (by 30--40%). Our results also highlight several, sometimes unexpected, cross-interactions between the environmental impact of production and operation that further motivate a total lifecycle emphasis for future green server designs.
Evaluating Anisotropic Surface Energies Using the Capillarity Vector Reconstruction Method

By measuring the geometry and crystallography of the three interfaces that meet at grain boundary thermal grooves, it is possible to determine the anisotropy of the surface free energy. Previously, the surface energy of MgO at 1400°C in air was approximated by a truncated double Fourier series with coefficients that were determined by fitting the observations to Herring's condition for local equilibrium at a triple junction. The purpose of this paper is to describe an alternative analysis of the same data set that is not limited by an assumed functional form of the surface energy. In this case, the space of surface characters is discretized and each orientation is associated with a capillarity vector (according to the Cahn–Hoffmann definition). The set of capillarity vectors that most closely satisfies the condition for local equilibrium at each triple junction is then determined by an iterative method. The relative surface free energies derived from this analysis are more anisotropic than those derived from the series fit and more consistent with the observed faceting of MgO in air at 1400°C. The relative surface energies of the low index planes are γ110/γ100 = 1.07±0.04 and γ111/γ100 = 1.17±0.04.
Current mode charge pump: topology, modeling and control

Current-mode control, the standard method to control inductive switching power supplies can also be used in switched capacitor converters. Here, regulation is achieved by operating one transistor in the charge pump output stage as a controlled current source. Compared with voltage mode operation where the transistor on-resistances is regulated, current mode keeps the small signal output resistance of the converter stage high even with high load currents. This always keeps the output pole, which is the dominant pole in current mode charge pumps at low frequencies even at heavy loads and makes the system easy to stabilize. Provided that the output pole is kept three to five times smaller than any parasitic internal poles, than a first order system is possible. When the controlled current source is placed in the discharge path then the converter always runs with a fully charged flying capacitor, which improves transient response. The universal second order current mode charge pump small signal model presented in this paper consists of a gm-stage error amplifier and a gm-output stage as regulated section. The model also includes the output resistance of the gm-stages, parasitic capacitances, the internal R-C compensation and the external components like the feedback divider, output resistor and load capacitor. The flying capacitor is modeled with a voltage source. By giving this voltage source different values the model can be used with any charge pump topology (doubler, tripler, inverter....). Experimental results show that by comparing the transient response the small signal model well matches with the measured performance. Since model can be used for AC and transient analysis an early prediction of stability and dynamic behavior of the converter is possible. Like inductive current mode converters the maximum output current is limited in the regulated section, which makes the converter short circuit protected.
“Chocolate City” Politics: Race and Empowerment in the First Post-Katrina New Orleans Mayoral Election

The first New Orleans mayor's election after Hurricane Katrina took place in May of 2006. The setting for the election is perhaps unique in American history: the total evacuation of the city after the hurricane with less than half of its citizens returning by the time of the election, possibly as much as 60-80 percent of the city destroyed, and the African-American community in danger of losing its hold on the city's formal power structure. As a black empowerment zone, the city has had a series of black mayors since the 1970s. In early 2006 the demographics of the city remained uncertain. Although the hurricane loomed as the single largest issue in the election, race was the subtext. Analysis of precinct voting data points to the significance of race and empowerment in the final results.