cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Savannah River Site Annual Meteorology Report for 2004

Summaries of meteorological observations collected at the Savannah River Site in 2004 show a year that was overall cooler and drier than average. Although the annual rainfall of 42.9 inches was the eleventh driest of all the years over a period of record that began in 1952, rainfall was quite variable through the year. September total rainfall of 10.26 inches was the highest in this 53 year record; conversely, the monthly rainfall in March, 0.81 inches, was the lowest on record. Rainfall of 0.01 inch or more occurred on 104 days during the year. The annual average temperature for 2004, 63.4 degrees F, was the eleventh coldest of any year in an available record that dates to 1964. Cooler than average conditions were observed in 9 of the 12 months of the year. The coldest temperature during the year was 20.3 degrees F on the morning of December 15; the warmest observed temperature was 98.2 degrees F on the afternoon of July 14. The most notable weather event of 2004 was an active Atlantic hurricane season that resulted in six named storms striking the Southeast U.S. during August and September. Although each of these storms posed a significant threat to the SRS, their eventual paths resulted in only minimal impacts. The remnants of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne produced 24-hr rainfall totals of 3.99 inches (Sept. 8) and 3.48 inches (Sept. 27), respectively. Surface winds associated with Jeanne resulted in sustained speeds approaching 15 mph with gusts to 35 mph on September 27. An ice storm on January 26 produced an estimated accumulation of one-fourth to one-half inch of ice, resulting in scattered power outages and considerable damage to trees across the Site. A strong cold front moving through the area on March 7 produced a 15-minute average surface wind of 24 mph with a gust to near 50 mph.
Active Involvement: The Evaluation of Reasoning

Besides possessing propositional structure, reasoning can be evaluated as being good or bad. The favorable evaluation of reasoning seems to arouse less interest among both practical reasoners and logical theorists. It is not clear why this is so: perhaps it is because the truth shines more brilliantly than error and hence needs less display to prevail and flourish than error does in order to be avoided. I am inclined to think that a fundamental reason is the fact that contrasts are more instructive and significant, for unfavorable evaluation is much more likely to involve considerations about good and bad reasoning if for no other reason than that one’s own unfavorable evaluation, in order to be adequate and well-grounded, must be itself an instance of good reasoning. In short, in unfavorable evaluation one is (presumably) being exposed to both good and bad reasoning, the bad reasoning being unfavorably evaluated, and the good reasoning justifying the unfavorable evaluation; hence, one gets a better intuitive feeling and theoretical understanding of good and of bad reasoning, and of the difference between the two. Thus, the criticism of reasoning, as we may call the unfavorable evaluation of reasoning, is a topic very much worth studying.
Fungal Osteomyelitis in Diabetic Foot Infections: A Case Series and Comparative Analysis:

Fungal osteomyelitis (OM) is relatively rare. There is scarce literature discussing fungal OM in diabetic foot infections (DFIs). This case series explores the clinical characteristics of patients treated at a large tertiary academic center for DFI and found to have a causative agent of fungal origin in their bone on surgical intervention. Between July 2017 and March 2018, a prospective longitudinal analysis was performed of patients with diabetes admitted to our institution who underwent operative management of OM. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data were collected for all patients. Data between bacterial and fungal OM cohorts was analyzed for differences and similarities in patient characteristics and outcomes. All patients were followed 20 weeks postoperatively. Five patients with fungal OM were identified from the 35 cases where OM was confirmed through podiatric surgical intervention. In each fungal case, a Candida species was isolated from operative bone culture which included subspecies Candida albicans, C parapsilosis, and C glabrata. A P value ⩾.05 was found in clinical characteristics between our cohorts. Wound healing was achieved in 40% of patients with fungal OM, and oral fluconazole successfully treated Candida OM in the cases that achieved healing. Diabetes can increase the risk of Candida OM. In DFIs, fungus can impede wound healing if not recognized and treated. Because Candida OM is typically indolent in nature, bone biopsy and mycological culture is recommended for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
[P060] The effect of technical parameters in practice on abdominal and computed tomography (CT) dose

Purpose Radiation doses for computed tomography (CT) examinations are highly variable. Understanding how technical parameters impact variation in practice can guide future optimization strategies. Methods As part of a PCORI and NIH funded study, we created a CT radiation dose registry on 1.85 million CT adult (>=15 years) exams prospectively collected between January 2015 and June 2017 from 151 institutions across seven countries. We estimated the relative contributions of technical parameters to mean dose length product (DLP) and proportions of high-dose examinations for abdomen CT, after adjusting for patient, institutional characteristics, and scanner model, using hierarchical and logistic regression, respectively. Results Mean DLP and proportion of high-dose examinations varied modestly (10–50%) by institutional characteristics and scanner model after adjusting for patient characteristics (age, sex and size). In multivariable models, dose variation was primarily attributable to institutional uses of technical parameters. When accounting for the technical parameters, the differences between institutions were attenuated or eliminated. In our data, mAs counted for the largest difference in dose across country, and was twice as important as the other factors. For each standard deviation change in the log-transformed mAs, the average DLP increased by 60%. Variation in the use of multiphase scanning was the next most important factor explaining variation in DLP. With each standard deviation change in the log-transformed phase count, the average DLP increased by 51%. A typical change in mAs and phase count had twice the effect on dose as typical changes in other parameters. For every increase in log transformed standard deviation change in technical parameters, there was a 23% increase in DLP for scan length, a 21% decrease for pitch, an 18% increase for kvp, and a 4% decrease for slice thickness. In order of magnitude, the technical parameters most influential on abdominal dose were: mAs, phase count, scan length, pitch, kvp, and slice thickness. Conclusions Differences between abdomen doses across institutions were largely attenuated when controlling for dose parameters, to a degree not seen when controlling for patient, institutional characteristics, and scanner model.
SMAC Mimetics Induce Autophagy-Dependent Apoptosis of HIV-1-Infected Resting Memory CD4+ T Cells.

Long-lived resting memory CD4+ T cells (TCM) are a major reservoir of latent HIV infection. We hypothesized that latent HIV-TCM cells are maintained by aberrant expression of cell survival factors, including XIAP, BIRC2/cIAP1, and beclin-1. DIABLO/SMAC mimetics are therapeutic agents that compromise cell survival by hijacking host apoptotic machinery. We found that DIABLO/SMAC mimetics (birinapant, GDC-0152, and embelin) selectively kill HIV-TCM without increasing virus production or targeting uninfected TCM. Treatment of HIV-TCM with DIABLO/SMAC mimetics promoted XIAP and BIRC2 degradation, which triggered autophagy and the formation of a cell death complex consisting of pro-apoptotic (FADD, RIPK1, RIPK3, and caspase 8) and autophagy (ATG5, ATG7, and SQSTM1) proteins. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of autophagy induction, but not autophagy-mediated degradation, abrogated this interaction and subsequent cell death. Our findings identify a mechanism whereby DIABLO/SMAC mimetics exploit autophagy and apoptotic machinery to selectively induce killing of HIV-TCM without viral reactivation while sparing uninfected cells.
Just Transitions in a Public School Food System: The Case of Buffalo, New York

This article examines the public school food system in Buffalo, New York, for a just transition (Movement Generation, n. d.). School food programs built on just transition characteristics democratize engagement, decentralize decision-making, diversify the economy, decrease consump­tion, and redistribute resources and power. The Buffalo public school district’s food system is an important subsection of the city’s food system that reaches the most vulnerable populations. School food systems contain teachable spaces within schools to introduce students to healthy eating, fresh food, and the (in)equitable economies of the larger community food system. We argue that school food is an ideal entry point for introducing a just transition to the local food system, enhancing food equity built from healthier social, economic, ecological, and political systems. Related to this JAFSCD issue’s call on Local Government in Food Systems Work, we aim to bring attention to the role and responsibility of public education systems in managing and enhancing community food systems through public policy. This qualitative case study examines five public school food programs in Buffalo, New York, for characteristics of a just transition using content analysis of policy and program documents. How does one public school food system engage in and build toward a just transition? Key findings include that all five pro­grams analyzed reflected at least one characteristic of a just transition; programs lacked an emphasis on ecological justice; and younger generations must be included in the just transition implementation process. Ultimately, we argue that the school food system is ideally poised to initiate the implementa­tion of a just transition.
Management of Intoxications in Pediatrics

Poisonings in pediatrics remains a consistent cause for presentation to emergency departments. According to the 2016 34th annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’, children <3 years of age accounted for 34.7% of all exposures and children ≤5 years of age accounted for 50% of all exposures. The top three most common poisonings were analgesics, household cleaning substances, and cosmetics/personal care products. Overall, compared to the 2015 data, there was an overall decline in number of reported fatalities in children <20 years old. In children <6 years of age, there were 24 reported deaths. Most common causes were fumes/gases/vapors. Among children between 6 and 12 years old, there were seven reported deaths with the most common cause listed as analgesic exposure. In adolescents aged 13–19 years old, there were 42 reported fatalities with the most common cause listed as analgesics [1] (see Table 21.2).
Application of radial basis neural network to transform viscoelastic to elastic properties for materials with multiple thermal transitions

Dynamic mechanical analysis is a method to characterize the frequency domain viscoelastic properties including storage and loss moduli. Methods have been developed to transform these properties to time domain and extract elastic modulus over strain rates, which is useful in mechanical design. However, application of these methods becomes increasingly complex for materials containing multiple thermal transitions. Neural networks can provide advantages in solving such problems. As the form of radial basis neural network satisfies the form obtained from time–temperature superposition principle, it is used in the present work with back-propagation to establish the master relation of loss modulus. The influence of regulation factor and neuron number is investigated to find the best parameter set. Then, storage modulus is divided into frequency-dependent and frequency-independent part. Both parts are individually calculated from loss modulus using Kramers–Kronig relation. The linear integral relation of viscoelasticity can transform the storage modulus into time-domain relaxation modulus, which can predict the stress response with specific strain history and temperature. The transformation is tested on ethylene–vinyl acetate. The time-domain elastic properties are extracted and compared with those from tensile tests at room temperature. The transformation achieves an average root mean square error of 3.3% and a maximum error 4.9% between strain rates 10−6 to 10−2 s−1. This process can predict the properties at a wide range of temperatures and frequencies from a single specimen and can be implemented using parallel computing, which is promising for complex material systems.
Linguistic Theory and Syntactic Development

The process commonly referred to as “language acquisition” involves the development of a great number of cognitive systems and social skills. For example, the child must learn the form and meaning of the individual lexical items which comprise the lexicon of his language. He must develop a processing system which will enable him to produce and comprehend the sentences of the language in real time; this processing system will depend, in part at least, on a growing memory and attentional span. He will also acquire a set of pragmatic and social skills which allow him to use his language appropriately in various contexts. Finally, he must uncover the system of rules — morphological, phonological, syntactic, and semantic — which comprise the grammar of the language he is to acquire.
Nationally standardized policy and locally interpreted implementation: how Vietnamese school leaders enact education reform

This study examines how Vietnamese high school leaders interpreted and implemented policy changes of the Vietnamese National High School Examination—a nationally standardized exam that determines w...
What's Going on in College?

This article focuses on teaching and not on the myriad other duties and responsibilities that fall to faculty such as research, service, coaching, or administration, to name a few. More specificall...
Chapter 55 – Antisense Oligonucleotides

Publisher Summary Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) offer significant advantages over traditional methods in terms of specificity and versatility. ASOs validate the function of genes in vitro and in vivo. In addition, antisense oligonucleotides are developed as drugs with many products currently being tested in clinical trials. ASOs are short stretches of synthetic, chemically modified nucleic acids that use Watson–Crick base pairing to specifically hybridize to mRNA sequences. For optimal activity, oligonucleotides must first be taken up by the cell or the targeted organ, and the targeted mRNA sequence must then be accessible to the oligonucleotide. Small interfering RNA has been used successfully to inhibit gene expression in mammalian cells. Comparison of siRNAs to RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides showed that they exhibit similar degrees of inhibition of gene expression. It is ideal to have more than one active ASO against a given target when phenotypic end points are measured to insure specific effects. Some proteins with a long half-life time might require repeated transfections with the oligonucleotide before a decrease is observed.
Chapter 12 – DNA Databases

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the DNA databases being used in the United States and throughout the world to stop violent criminals. An important role that DNA databases can serve is to make associations among groups of unsolved cases. The chapter defines database, databank, and population database. A number of countries around the world have started national DNA databases. The first national DNA database, and so far the most effective and aggressive in its application, was created in the United Kingdom in April 1995. The U.S. Congress authorized the FBI Laboratory to establish and oversee a U. S. national DNA database with the DNA Identification Act of 1994. The National DNA Index System (NDIS) manages nationwide information in a single repository maintained by the FBI Laboratory. Participating states submit their DNA profiles in order to have searches performed on a national level. The role of NDIS is to search casework and offender indices, manage candidate matches, and return results of matches to the local and/or state level. Public crime laboratories in the United States are connected via the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Wide Area Network (CJIS WAN). CJIS WAN provides Internet-like connectivity but without the security risk. Issues surrounding the use and potential expansion of DNA databases are also discussed in the chapter.
Cardiovascular disease and asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors: Current clinical practice.

Background It is poorly understood how cardiovascular screening in asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is applied to and impacts clinical care. Objectives To describe the current role of cardiovascular screening in the clinical care of asymptomatic CCS. Methods At 50 pediatric academic medical centers, a childhood cancer survivorship clinic director, pediatric cardiologist, and adult cardiologist with a focus on CCS were identified and invited to participate in a survey. Surveys were managed electronically. Categorical data were analyzed using nonparametric methods. Results Of the 95 (63%) respondents, 39% were survivorship practitioners, and 61% were cardiologists. Eighty-eight percent of survivorship practitioners reported that greater than half of CCS received cardiovascular screening. CCS followed by adult cardiology were more likely to be seen by a cardio-oncologist. Those followed by pediatric cardiology were more likely to be seen by a heart failure/transplant specialist. Common reasons for referral to cardiology were abnormal cardiovascular imaging or concerns a CCS was at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Ninety-two percent of cardiologists initiated angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy for mild systolic dysfunction. Adult cardiologists initiated beta-blocker therapy for less severe systolic dysfunction compared to pediatric cardiologists (P Conclusions While there is much common ground in the clinical approach to CCS, heterogeneity is evident. This highlights the need for cohesive, multi-institutional, standardized approaches to cardiovascular management in CCS.
The nanoscale anatomy of exocytic dense-core vesicles in neuroendocrine cells

Abstract Rab-GTPases and their interacting partners are key regulators of secretory vesicle trafficking, docking, and fusion to the plasma membrane in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Where and how these proteins are positioned and organized with respect to the vesicle and plasma membrane are unknown. Here, we use correlative super-resolution light and platinum replica electron microscopy to map Rab-GTPases (Rab27a and Rab3a) and their effectors (Granuphilin-a, Rabphilin3a, and Rim2) at the nanoscale in 2D. Next, we develop a targetable genetically-encoded electron microscopy labeling method that uses histidine based affinity-tags and metal-binding gold-nanoparticles to determine the axial location of exocytic proteins using electron tomography. Our data show that Rab-GTPases and their effectors are distributed across the entire surface of individual docked vesicles. This circumferential distribution likely aids in the efficient transport, capture, docking, and rapid fusion of vesicles in excitable cells. The nanoscale molecular model of dense core vesicles generated from our methods reveals how key proteins assemble at the plasma membrane to regulate membrane trafficking and exocytosis.
Normocalcemic and Normohormonal Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Laboratory Values and End-Organ Effects:

ObjectiveVariants of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), described as normocalcemic (NC) and normohormonal (NH), can confuse the diagnosis of classic pHPT.Data SourcesA MEDLINE search was performed...
Use of carotid artery cannulation during redo sternotomy in congenital cardiac surgery: a single-centre experience.

Objectives Management of resternotomy is often a difficult challenge in patients with congenital diseases who have undergone multiple sternotomies. Our goal was to report our single-centre experience with carotid cannulation using a graft interposed during redo sternotomy in complex cardiac reintervention procedures. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had undergone complex redo sternotomies between January 2019 and May 2020 utilizing a cervical cannulation technique with a Gore-Tex graft interposed on the carotid artery. We classified our population study on the basis of the primary diagnosis and the type of surgery. The primary outcomes of our analysis were the evaluation of the safety of the procedure in terms of survival and freedom from neurological events. Results We analysed 22 patients who had undergone previous complex operations. The median age and weight at the time of reintervention were 130.35 (range 0.46-435) months and 31.5 (range 2.2-85) kg, respectively. Composite graft carotid cannulation provided adequate arterial flow in all patients with a median arterial flow of 3.5 l/min/m2 (range 0.6-6). One major cardiac injury occurred during sternotomy when emergency cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was initiated. Moreover, during their hospital stays, all patients had an uneventful recovery without neurological or vascular complications and no cervical wound infections. Conclusions Carotid cannulation using interposition of a side graft on the common carotid artery for arterial inflow is a reliable and safe method for initiation of CPB in complex redo surgeries in patients with congenital disease. Complications directly associated with this type of cannulation are uncommon and allow surgical re-entry with overall low risks.
Acceptability of Contraceptive Services in the Emergency Department: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Introduction Unintended pregnancy disproportionately affects marginalized populations and has significant negative health and financial impacts on women, their families, and society. The emergency department (ED) is a promising alternative setting to increase access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services including contraception, especially among marginalized populations. The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent to which adult women of childbearing age who present to the ED would be receptive to receiving contraception and/or information about contraception in the ED. As a secondary objective, we sought to identify the barriers faced in attempting to obtain SRH care in the past. Methods We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional, assisted, in-person survey of women aged 18-50 in the ED setting at two large, urban, academic EDs between June 2018-September 2019. The survey was approved by the institutional review board. Survey items included demographics, interest in contraception initiation and/or receiving information about contraception in the ED, desire to conceive, prior SRH care utilization, and barriers to SRH. Results A total of 505 patients participated in the survey. Participants were predominantly single and Black, with a mean age of 31 years, and reporting not wanting to become pregnant in the next year. Of those participants, 55.2% (n = 279) stated they would be interested in receiving information about birth control AND receiving birth control in the ED if it were available. Of those who reported the ability to get pregnant, and not desiring pregnancy in the next year (n = 279, 55.2%), 32.6% were not currently using anything to prevent pregnancy (n = 91). Only 10.5% of participants stated they had experienced barriers to SRH care in the past (n = 53). Participants who experienced barriers to SRH reported higher interest in receiving information and birth control in the ED (74%, n = 39) compared to those who had not experienced barriers (53%, n = 240); (P = 0.004, 95% confidence interval, 1.30-4.66). Conclusion The majority of women of childbearing age indicated the desire to access contraception services in the ED setting. This finding suggests favorable patient acceptability for an implementation study of contraception services in emergency care.
Development of Traumatic Neuromas in a Patient Following Endovenous Laser Ablation and Microphlebectomy Procedures: A Rare Complication From the Removal of Varicose Veins.

Chronic venous insufficiency is one of the most common benign diseases in America. For treatment, minimally invasive techniques have become the first-line option. The literature shows that these procedures are well tolerated and work effectively without leaving the patient with unaesthetic operative scars. We discuss the case of a patient who developed two right lower extremity neuromas as a rare complication following endovenous laser ablation and microphlebectomy procedures for the treatment of varicose veins. Ultrasound is the preferred imaging modality for the visualization and diagnosis of a neuroma and should be performed in post-phlebectomy patients with severe and persistent sensory pattern disruption as neuroma formation can lead to significant complications for the patient.
Mechanism-Based and Computational-Driven Covalent Drug Design

Covalent drugs offer higher efficacy and longer duration of action than their noncovalent counterparts. Significant advances in computational methods for modeling covalent drugs are poised to shift the paradigm of small molecule therapeutics within the next decade. This viewpoint discusses the advantages of a two-state model for ranking reversible and irreversible covalent ligands and of more complex models for dissecting reaction mechanisms. The relation between these models highlights the complexity and diversity of covalent drug binding and provides opportunities for mechanism-based rational design.
Gandhi's Spinning Wheel and the Making of India

Gandhi’s use of the spinning wheel was one of the most significant unifying elements of the nationalist movement in India. Spinning was seen as an economic and political activity that could bring together the diverse population of South Asia, and allow the formerly elite nationalist movement to connect to the broader Indian population. This book looks at the politics of spinning both as a visual symbol and as a symbolic practice. It traces the genealogy of spinning from its early colonial manifestations in Company painting to its appropriation by the anti-colonial movement. This complex of visual imagery and performative ritual had the potential to overcome labour, gender, and religious divisions and thereby produce an accessible and effective symbol for the Gandhian anti-colonial movement. By thoroughly examining all aspects of this symbol’s deployment, this book unpacks the politics of the spinning wheel and provides a model for the analysis of political symbols elsewhere. It also probes the successes of India’s particular anti-colonial movement, making an invaluable contribution to studies in social and cultural history, as well as South Asian Studies.
Transcutaneous Pco2 in adults.

Summary Using a transcutaneous Pco2 (PtcCO2) electrode, arterial Pco2 (Paco2) was compared with PtcCO2in eight adults (seven patients, one normal subject) over a wide range of values of PaCO2(2.4 to 7.87 kPa). At an electrode temperature of 43°C, PtcCO2=1.25 Paco2kPa (95% confidence limits: 0.60 kPa). Change in PtcCO2accurately reflected change in Paco2.
Quickest Wideband Spectrum Sensing Over Correlated Channels

Quickest spectrum sensing seeks to optimize a balance between two opposing performance measures, one being the delay in identifying spectrum opportunities, and the other being the quality of the decision. The existing spectrum sensing approaches formed based on quickest detection theory rely on the assumption that the occupancy states of different spectrum bands over a wideband spectrum are statistically independent. This is an assumption that cannot be met in practice, especially in broadband communication schemes in which radio channels are dynamically grouped in bundles and allocated to different users based on the users' traffic needs. As a result of such channel grouping and allocation, the occupancy states of the channels, especially the adjacent ones, are correlated. This paper, in contrast to the existing literature on quickest spectrum sensing, considers a wideband spectrum in which the occupancy states of different channels follow a pre-specified dependency kernel. The objective is to design the quickest spectrum sensing approach for identifying spectrum holes, which aims to minimize the average delay in identifying spectrum opportunities while assuring, in parallel, certain guarantees on the quality of the decision. The closed-form characterization of the optimal sensing scheme is delineated and it is shown that this optimal scheme has low computational complexity.
Director Alpha: An Objective Measure of Director Contribution

The appointment of contributing directors is associated with immediate positive market reaction, and the presence of contributing directors in the board enhances long-run firm value. We identify the contribution of directors by alpha, or the abnormal risk-adjusted stock returns that are generated in other firms on whose boards they sit. We find that investors react positively when high alpha directors are appointed to high alpha boards. CEOs and individuals with MBA or CPA designations are more likely to be contributing directors. We find that high alpha directors contribute significantly to firm value. For the typical firm, our parameter estimates imply that replacing a negative alpha director with a positive one is associated with a 1.8% improvement in firm value.
The satellites of Jupiter; Proceedings of the Fifty-seventh Colloquium, Kailua, Hawaii, May 13-16, 1980

Among the topics covered by the colloquium on the satellites of Jupiter are: the internal energy and thermophysics of the surface of Io, plume volcanism on Io, the photometric variability of Io, the near-surface flow of volcanic gases on Io, and the sodium emission cloud of Io and its north-south asymmetry. Also considered are: the physical processes and origins of Jupiter's ring and its possible effect on the Jovian inner plasmasphere, the composition of such moons of Jupiter as Amalthea, Ganymede, Europa and Callisto and their lithospheric and ice evolutions. Particular attention is given such topographic features as the domes and grooved terrain on Ganymede, water frost and ice, and the photometric properties of these outer satellites of Jupiter.
Community services: a toolkit for rapid deployment of network services

Advances in packaging and interface technologies have made it possible for software components to be shared across the network through encapsulation and offered as network services. They allow end-users to focus on their applications and obtain remote services when needed simply by invoking them across the network. Many groups have built significant infrastructures for providing domain-specific high performance services. However, transforming high performance applications into network services is labor intensive and time consuming because there is little existing infrastructure to utilize. In this paper, we propose a software toolkit and runtime infrastructure for rapid deployment of network services.
Generalized augmented transition network grammars for generation from semantic networks

The augmented transition network (ATN) is a formalism for writing parsing grammars that has been much used in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Linguistics. A few researchers have also used ATNs for writing grammars for generating sentences. Previously, however, either generation ATNs did not have the same semantics as parsing ATNs, or they required an auxiliary mechanism to determine the syntactic structure of the sentence to be generated. This paper reports a generalization of the ATN formalism that allows ATN grammars to be written to parse labelled directed graphs. Specifically, an ATN grammar can be written to parse a semantic network and generate a surface string as its analysis. An example is given of a combined parsing-generating grammar that parses surface sentences, builds and queries a semantic network knowledge representation, and generates surface sentences in response.
Narrowband interference detection in multiband UWB systems

Ultrawideband UWB has drawn the interest among the research and standard communities due to its low power consumption, which enables it to coexist with many concurrent narrowband services in the huge bandwidth range (3.1-10.6 GHz). However, these narrowband signals can affect considerably the bit error performance, the range, and capacity of UWB receivers due to the high relative power of these signals with respect to the UWB signal. The narrowband interference (NBI) challenge is still an open issue since the proposed solutions neither meet the low complexity requirements of UWB receivers nor are effective against strong narrowband signals. In order to handle this challenge, multiband UWB has emerged as a new alternative in the dynamic avoidance of the narrowband interference. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an effective and low complexity technique to detect the presence of the NBI in the different subbands used in multiband UWB. This work proposed a blind and realizable method to detect NBI for enabling the interference avoidance in multiband UWB impulse radio (IR) systems
A multiple-scale measure of static tactile texture

A method is proposed for the extraction of features that are useful in the classification of tactile texture. It is shown that accumulation of simple statistics on step edges and local extrema, calculated at multiple scales of resolution, can provide linearly separable features. The scale can be varied continuously, thus facilitating adjustment of the scale parameters to optimise the effectiveness of the method for a given tactile array sensor.
Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips

The advent of the Internet, with sophisticated algorithmic search engines, has made accessing information as easy as lifting a finger. No longer do we have to make costly efforts to find the things we want. We can "Google" the old classmate, find articles online, or look up the actor who was on the tip of our tongue. The results of four studies suggest that when faced with difficult questions, people are primed to think about computers and that when people expect to have future access to information, they have lower rates of recall of the information itself and enhanced recall instead for where to access it. The Internet has become a primary form of external or transactive memory, where information is stored collectively outside ourselves.
Toward the Efficient Production of Methane/Propane Double Hydrate

Propane hydrate has been studied to investigate its use as a possible storage medium for methane gas. For practical purposes, hydrate formation needs to be efficient at near ambient conditions. Ice particles exposed to varying mixtures of propane and methane gas are found to form the double hydrate efficiently and may be quite effective for storing methane. For instance, exposure of the ice particles to a 2/1 methane/propane gas mixture for 18 h converts 66% of the ice to hydrate with 77% occupancy of the 512 cages and a final dissociation temperature of 287 K. The samples were then decomposed to determine the pressure versus temperature at a rate of 1 K/h. It was found that deviations from equilibrium were minor. The compositions of the hydrates were determined via gas chromatography. For the 180 μm particles employed in this study, 77% of the water was converted to double hydrate over 72 h. Additional experiments were performed in which the ice particles were sequentially exposed to propane and then met...
Passive Glial Cells, Fact or Artifact?

Astrocytes that are recorded in acute tissue slices of rat hippocampus using whole-cell patch-clamp, commonly exhibit voltage-activated Na+ and K+ currents. Some reports have described astrocytes that appear to lack voltage-activated currents and proposed that these cells constitute a subpopulation of electrophysiologically passive astrocytes. We show here that these cells can spontaneously change during a recording unmasking expression of previously suppressed voltage-activated currents, suggesting that such cells do not represent a subpopulation of passive astrocytes. Superfusion of a low Ca2+/EGTA solution was able to reversibly suppress voltage-activated K+ currents in cultured astrocytes. Currents were restored upon addition of normal bath Ca2+. These effects of Ca2+ on both outward and inward K+ currents were dose- and time-dependent, with increasing concentrations of Ca2+ (from 0 to 800 μm) leading to a gradual unmasking of voltage-dependent outward and inward K+ currents. The transition from an apparently passive cell to one exhibiting prominent voltage-activated currents was not associated with any changes in membrane capacitance or access resistance. By contrast, in cells in which low access resistance or poor seal accounted for the absence of voltage-activated currents, improvement of cell access was always accompanied by changes in series resistance and membrane capacitance. We propose that spillage of pipette solution containing low Ca2+/EGTA during cell approach in slice recordings and/or poor cell access, lead to a transient masking of voltage-activated currents even in astrocytes that express prominent voltage-activated currents. These cells, however, do not constitute a subpopulation of electrophysiologically passive astrocytes.
Developmental Antecedents of Young Adult Civic Engagement

Civic engagement was studied in relation to overall development in adolescence, emerging adulthood, and young adulthood to examine how earlier activity involvement and success in prior and concurrent age-salient domains of competence may contribute to 2 forms of civic engagement in adulthood (citizenship and volunteering). Data on 163 youth were drawn from a longitudinal study of competence in a normative, urban school sample. Results indicate that competence and activity involvement in adolescence predict citizenship and volunteering in adulthood, 10 to 15 years later. As hypothesized, however, the level of competence in developmentally salient domains in adolescence and emerging adulthood fully mediate the predictive significance of concurrent activity involvement for civic engagement outcomes in adulthood. Findings also suggest that citizenship and volunteering are distinct types of civic engagement that should be studied separately.
Sulfinpyrazone and aspirin increase epicardial coronary collateral flow in dogs

Clinical studies suggest that sulfinpyrazone and aspirin may be useful in the treatment of coronary artery disease. It was previously shown that pretreatment with a completely platelet-inhibitory dose of aspirin is associated with increased epicardlal collateral flow 4 hours after coronary occlusion in dogs. In this study evaluation was made of platelet inhibitory doses of sulfinpyrazone (30 mg/kg) and aspirin (3 mg/kg) and an aspirin dose (30 mg/kg) 10-fold greater than the minimal dose necessary for complete platelet inhibition. Collateral flow (ml/min per g) was measured 5 minutes after temporary (pretreatment) occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After release of the occlusion and recovery, a drug dose or saline solution was given, permanent (post-treatment) occlusion instituted, and flow measurement repeated 5 minutes and 4 hours later. Administration of sulfinpyrazone (11 dogs) caused an increase in flow to the ischemic epicardium from 5 minutes after the pretreatment occlusion to 5 minutes after the post-treatment occlusion (mean ± standard error of the mean): Δ = 0.09 ± 0.02, p < 0.01. However, a significant increase was not found in the control group (11 dogs) or in either aspirin-treated group (8 dogs each). All the drug doses caused a significant increase in epicardial collateral flow from 5 minutes after the post-treatment occlusion to 4 hours after the same occlusion: sulfinpyrazone, Δ = 0.08 ± 0.03, p < 0.025; aspirin, 3 mg/kg, Δ = 0.16 ± 0.06, p < 0.05; and aspirin, 30 mg/kg, Δ = 0.14 ± 0.05, p < 0.05. No significant increase was observed during the same interval in control dogs. Endocardial collateral flow 4 hours after post-treatment occlusion was slightly increased in relation to pretreatment values in the sulfinpyrazone group but not in any of the remaining groups. Enhanced collateral flow after coronary occlusion may contribute to some of the beneficial effects ascribed to sulfinpyrazone and aspirin in coronary artery disease.
Utility: Sensitivity and specificity in developing diagnostic tests of combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This paper summarizes strengths and weaknesses of clinical utility of tests that diagnose Vietnam combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Weaknesses reviewed are: excessive reliance upon one kind of measure of Index Diagnosis; failure to control for varying prevalence rates across samples; failure to compare accuracy across response modalities. Strengths that emerge from the review are that self-report measures have proven to be highly sensitive, and psychophysiological measures have been demonstrated as highly specific. Whereas one single "gold standard" measure of PTSD has yet to be devised, clinical researchers can continue to have confidence in the use of multiple measures.
Expression of CTLA‐4 and FOXP3 in cis protects from lethal lymphoproliferative disease

Both CTLA-4-deficient and FoxP3-deficient mice exhibit a short life span due to massive lymphoproliferation (LP) and a systemic autoimmune-like syndrome. Although it has been postulated that both diseases result from regulatory T cell (T(reg)) defects, there have been no direct complementation studies to elucidate their relationship in homeostatic lymphocyte proliferation during the neonatal period. In this study, reconstitution of sublethally irradiated RAG KO mice with either CTLA-4-deficient or FoxP3-deficient bone marrow (BM) resulted in LP disease similar to that observed in CTLA-4 KO or Scurfy mice, respectively. Although co-injection of BM from wild-type mice inhibited the activation of CTLA-4-deficient or FoxP3-deficient T cells and ameliorated LP disease through extrinsic regulatory mechanisms by T(reg) cells, mice that had received the BM mixture of Scurfy and CTLA-4 KO BM eventually died of incomplete protection. These results suggest common attributes of both diseases, but expression of both CTLA-4 and FoxP3 on the same cell subset is essential to fully prevent LP disease.
Capgras syndrome in adolescence.

Abstract Capgras syndrome, the delusion of substitution, has rarely been reported in adolescents. The etiology is unknown, and intense controversy surrounds the debate over the relative importance of biological versus psychological factors. Presented here are two cases of Capgras syndrome in adolescents and a review of the relevant biological, neuropsychological, and psychodynamic literature. The authors suggest that the psychological processes underlying the Capgras delusion are mediated by neuroanatomical connections between various brain areas and hypothesize that the fundamental lesion in Capgras syndrome may be the patient's inability or failure to acknowledge the authenticity of a person they clearly recognize.
Otitis Media: Update on Etiology and Management

Thirty children with clinical evidence of otitis media underwent tympanocentesis. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the predominant organism recovered (63%). Three cases of Hemophilus influenzae , alone or in combination with S pneumoniae , were identified. Other organisms found were Staphylococcus albus, Neiserria species, Group A B-hemolytic Streptococcus , and anaerobes. In four patients (13%) no organism was recovered. All isolates were ampicillin susceptible. No relationship was found between WBC, temperature, or age and the organism recovered. Tympanocentesis did not provide any information resulting in an alteration of therapy. Tympanocentesis may be indicated for relief of pain or for periodic surveillance of organism sensitivities, but is not justified in the emergency department for uncomplicated acute otitis media.
Seeing the Big Picture from Microblogs: Harnessing Social Signals for Visual Event Summarization

We propose an approach to automatically select a set of representative images to generate a concise visual summary of a real-world event from the Tumblr microblogging platform. Central to our approach is a unified graph model with heterogeneous nodes and edges to capture the interrelationship among various entities (e.g., users, posts, images, and tags) in online social media. With the graph representation, we then cast the summarization problem as a graph-based ranking problem by identifying the most representative images regarding to an event. The intuition behind our work is that not only can we crowdsource social media users as sensors to capture and share data, but we can also use them as filters to identify the most useful information through analyzing their interaction in the microblogging network. In addition, we propose a greedy algorithm to encourage diversity among top ranked results for the generation of temporal highlights of targeted events. Our approach is flexible to support different query tasks and is adaptable to additional graph entities and relationships.
Incidence of overall complications and symptomatic tracheal stenosis is equivalent following open and percutaneous tracheostomy in the trauma patient

Abstract Background While percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) is becoming the procedure of choice for elective tracheostomy, there is little late complication data. This study compared incidence of, and factors contributing to, tracheal stenosis following PT or open tracheostomy (OT). Methods A 10-year review was conducted of trauma patients undergoing tracheostomy. Data on demographics, injury severity, tracheostomy type, complications, and outcomes were compared between patients receiving PT or OT and for those with or without tracheal stenosis. Results Of 616 patients, 265 underwent OT and 351 underwent PT. Median injury severity score was higher for PT (26 vs 24, P = .010). Overall complication rate was not different (PT = 2.3% vs OT = 2.6%, P = .773). There were 9 tracheal stenosis, 4 (1.1%) from the PT group and 5 (1.9%) from the OT group ( P = .509). Mortality was higher in OT patients (15.5% vs 9.7%, P = .030). Patients developing tracheal stenosis were younger (29.8 vs 45.2 years, P = .021) and had a longer intensive care unit length of stay (28.3 vs 18.9 days, P = .036). Conclusion Risk of tracheal stenosis should not impact the decision to perform an OT or PT.
The Adaptationist-Byproduct Debate on the Evolution of Religion: Five Misunderstandings of the Adaptationist Program

The primary debate among scholars who study the evolution of religion concerns whether religion is an adaptation or a byproduct. The dominant position in the field is that religious beliefs and behaviors are byproducts of cognitive processes and behaviors that evolved for other purposes. A smaller group of scholars maintain that religion is an adaptation for extending human cooperation and coordination. Here I survey five critiques of the adapationist position and offer responses to these critiques. Much of the debate can be resolved by clearly defining important but ambiguous terms in the debate, such as religion, adaptation, adaptive, and trait, as well as clarifying several misunderstandings of evolutionary processes. I argue that adaptationist analyses must focus on the functional effects of the religious system, the coalescence of independent parts that constitute the fabric of religion.