cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethical Reasoning Debriefing in Disaster Simulations.

Abstract Background With disasters occurring often, nurses must understand and ethically implement disaster management and patient care coordination. Yet these topics are often not discussed in nursing education curricula. Simulations are a potential solution to this ethical educational deficit, allowing students to act as professional nurses in a realistic scenario with minimal threat of harm to themselves or others. Aim This study investigates the effect of a high fidelity, multiple-casualty disaster simulation followed by a structured faculty-led debriefing session on perceived ethical reasoning confidence on senior Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students. Additionally, the effect of the intervention on students' perceived importance of ethical reasoning and perceptions of such skills was explored. Methods Students were provided with preparatory materials on the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) System and The Madison Collaborative's Ethical Reasoning in Action Eight Key Questions (8KQ) frameworks one week before the simulation exercise. In total, 90 students worked in pairs during the 15-minute disaster simulation. Participants' ethical reasoning attitudes were measured before and after the exercise, employing the Survey of Ethical Reasoning (SER) to indicate the importance of each of the 8KQ in students' ethical reasoning process using a five-point Likert scale. The SER was administered electronically using Qualtrics and statistical analysis was completed using SPSS. The 8KQ was also used in the debriefing led by faculty. Results Comparative assessment of pre and post-results demonstrate significant growth in students' ethical reasoning confidence scores (t(89) = −6.609, p Conclusions Simulations are shown to be effective educational approaches in developing ethical reasoning confidence and promoting the development of students' ethical preparedness.
Birth weight and anthropometric measurements of twins.

Background: Genetic and environmental influences on anthropometric measures can be investigated by comparing dizygotic (DZ) versus monozygotic (MZ) twins. Investigating cohorts living in different ...
Risk-based importance factors for bridge networks under highway traffic loads

This paper proposes a risk analysis framework for the quantification of the importance to a highway network of bridges subjected to overweight traffic loads. First, the level of risk to the network...
Accelerated free-breathing 3D T1ρ cardiovascular magnetic resonance using multicoil compressed sensing.

Endogenous contrast T1ρ cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can detect scar or infiltrative fibrosis in patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Existing 2D T1ρ techniques have limited spatial coverage or require multiple breath-holds. The purpose of this project was to develop an accelerated, free-breathing 3D T1ρ mapping sequence with whole left ventricle coverage using a multicoil, compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction technique for rapid reconstruction of undersampled k-space data. We developed a cardiac- and respiratory-gated, free-breathing 3D T1ρ sequence and acquired data using a variable-density k-space sampling pattern (A = 3). The effect of the transient magnetization trajectory, incomplete recovery of magnetization between T1ρ-preparations (heart rate dependence), and k-space sampling pattern on T1ρ relaxation time error and edge blurring was analyzed using Bloch simulations for normal and chronically infarcted myocardium. Sequence accuracy and repeatability was evaluated using MnCl2 phantoms with different T1ρ relaxation times and compared to 2D measurements. We further assessed accuracy and repeatability in healthy subjects and compared these results to 2D breath-held measurements. The error in T1ρ due to incomplete recovery of magnetization between T1ρ-preparations was T1ρhealthy = 6.1% and T1ρinfarct = 10.8% at 60 bpm and T1ρhealthy = 13.2% and T1ρinfarct = 19.6% at 90 bpm. At a heart rate of 60 bpm, error from the combined effects of readout-dependent magnetization transients, k-space undersampling and reordering was T1ρhealthy = 12.6% and T1ρinfarct = 5.8%. CS reconstructions had improved edge sharpness (blur metric = 0.15) compared to inverse Fourier transform reconstructions (blur metric = 0.48). There was strong agreement between the mean T1ρ estimated from the 2D and accelerated 3D data (R2 = 0.99; P < 0.05) acquired on the MnCl2 phantoms. The mean R1ρ estimated from the accelerated 3D sequence was highly correlated with MnCl2 concentration (R2 = 0.99; P < 0.05). 3D T1ρ acquisitions were successful in all human subjects. There was no significant bias between undersampled 3D T1ρ and breath-held 2D T1ρ (mean bias = 0.87) and the measurements had good repeatability (COV2D = 6.4% and COV3D = 7.1%). This is the first report of an accelerated, free-breathing 3D T1ρ mapping of the left ventricle. This technique may improve non-contrast myocardial tissue characterization in patients with heart disease in a scan time appropriate for patients.
Framework for Modeling Interdependent Effects in Natural Disasters: Application to Wind Engineering

AbstractModeling the various aspects of a disaster scenario and the interactions that occur between them is necessary to create a meaningful and high-fidelity simulation of the event. Using a publi...
Sickle red blood cells are more susceptible to in vitro haemolysis when exposed to normal saline versus Plasma-Lyte A.

BACKGROUND Normal saline has been the fluid of choice for resuscitation, rehydration and fluid replacement during plasma or red cell exchange/cytapheresis. There are increased concerns about its clinical effects and data showing it causes more haemolysis in vitro than buffered solutions such as Plasma-Lyte A. METHODS We investigated whether normal saline or Plasma-Lyte A was associated with greater haemolysis during hours of in vitro incubation with both normal red cells and samples from patients with sickle cell anaemia. RESULTS Sickle red cells haemolysed more than normal red cells did in both crystalloid solutions. The results of 24-hour exposure to saline were particularly striking (median of 163 mg/dl (IQ range 105-247) for sickle red cells vs. 53 (48-92) for normal red cells (P < 0·0001). In patient samples containing variable quantities of haemoglobin S red cells, increased haemoglobin S was associated with increased haemolysis. This effect was greater for normal saline than Plasma-Lyte A (P = 0·12). CONCLUSIONS These in vitro models demonstrate that short-term ex vivo exposure of sickle red cells to normal saline leads to greater haemolysis than short-term exposure of normal red cells, and this effect is exacerbated by normal saline. Whether use of normal saline causes increased haemolysis in vivo is unknown. Given recent evidence that normal saline increases renal failure and mortality in critically ill patients, further studies are urgently needed.
Medical Students and Substance Use Disorders

Medical students use more alcohol and other substances than their peers and are at risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) which may impact their education and patient-care activities and lead to significant medical or psychiatric morbidity. Medical students use and misuse alcohol and cannabis the most but also misuse other substances, including opioids. Untreated SUDs typically progress to medical student impairment, but early identification and intervention may lead to recovery before impairment occurs. The window of opportunity between illness onset and impairment may be >6 years in this population, but potent barriers limit identification and early referral. One of the most important barriers is the stigma in the medical community toward individuals with SUDs. Well-informed and non-judgmental faculty and peers are important resources in ensuring this uniquely vulnerable population accesses effective care for a potentially lethal disorder. Multimodal treatment, especially when enhanced by case management through physician health programs (PHPs), is remarkably effective in achieving sustained remission and return to educational pursuits and medical practice.
Electromagnetic Pulse Propagation across a Planar Interface Separating Two Lossy, Dispersive Dielectrics

Our understanding of the dynamics of pulse propagation in a homogeneous, isotropic, locally linear, temporally dispersive lossy medium is a fundamental problem in electromagnetic wave theory1–6. As a plane wave pulse propagates through a dispersive, lossy medium, each spectral component propagates with its own characteristic phase velocity v p (ω) = ω/β(ω) and is attenuated at a rate that is characterized by its own attenuation coefficient \(\alpha \left( \omega \right) = \Im \left\{ {\tilde k(\omega )} \right\}\), where \(\tilde k(\omega ) = \beta \left( \omega \right) + i\alpha \left( \omega \right)\) is the complex wavenumber of a time-harmonic plane wave of angular frequency ω. The relative phases and amplitudes of the spectral components of the initial pulse then change by differing amounts as the propagation distance increases, thereby giving rise to the observed distortion of the propagated pulse. The seminal analysis of dispersive pulse propagation in a linear dielectric filling the half-space z ≥ 0 was provided by Sommerfeld1 and Brillouin2,4 in 1914 using the asymptotic method of steepest descents. The recent analysis of Oughstun and Sherman7–9 using modern asymptotic expansion techniques has resulted in significant quantitative improvements in the entire description of the propagated field as well as a correct description of the signal velocity in causally dispersive media. This analysis has also led to a clear physical interpretation of the dynamical pulse evolution in a given dispersive medium in terms of the frequency dispersion of the attenuation coefficient and the energy transport velocity for a time-harmonic field9–11.
Non-islet cell tumor-induced hypoglycemia in the setting of metastatic intracranial hemangiopericytoma: case report and review of the literature

Intracranial hemangiopericytoma, particularly in the setting of extracranial metastatic disease, can cause severe hypoglycemia; but there is limited description of this phenomenon in the neurosurgi...
Curie Depth Analysis of the Salton Sea Region, Southern California

Aeromagnetic data were analyzed to determine the bottom of magnetic bodies that might be related to the Curie point depth (CPD) by 2D spectral and 3D inversion methods within the Salton Trough and the surrounding region in southern California. The bottom of the magnetic bodies for 55 × 55 km windows varied in depth between 11 and 23 km in depth using 2D spectral methods. Since the 55 × 55 km square window may include both shallow and deep source, a 3D inversion method was used to provide better resolution of the bottom of the magnetic bodies. The 3D models indicate the depth to the bottom of the magnetic bodies varied between 5 and 23 km. Even though both methods produced similar results, the 3D inversion method produced higher resolution of the CPD depths. The shallowest depths (5–8 km) occur along and west of the Brawley Seismic Zone and the southwestern portion of the Imperial Valley. The source of these shallow CPD values may be related to geothermal systems including hydrothermal circulation and/or partially molten material. Additionally, shallow CPD depths (7–12 km) were found in a northwest-trending zone in the center of the Salton Trough. These depths coincide with previous seismic analyses that indicated a lower crustal low velocity region which is believed to be caused by partially molten material. Lower velocity zones in several regions may be related to fracturing and/or hydrothermal fluids. If the majority of these shallow depths are related to temperature, they are likely associated with the CPD, and the partially molten material extends over a wider zone than previously known. Greater depths within the Salton Trough coincide with the base of basaltic material and/or regions of intense metamorphism intruded by mafic material in the middle/lower crust.
Racial Disparities Exist in Outcomes After Major Fragility Fractures

BACKGROUND Fractures associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) are associated with pain, disability, and increased mortality. A recent, nationwide evaluation of racial difference in outcomes after fracture has not been performed. OBJECTIVE To determine if 1-year death, debility, and destitution rates differ by race. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING US Medicare data from 2010 to 2016. PARTICIPANTS Non-Hispanic black and white women with PMO who have sustained a fragility fracture of interest: hip, pelvis, femur, radius, ulna, humerus, and clinical vertebral. MEASUREMENTS Outcomes included 1-year: (1) mortality, identified by date of death in Medicare vital status information, (2) debility, identified as new placement in long-term nursing facilities, and (3) destitution, identified as becoming newly eligible for Medicaid. RESULTS Among black and white women with PMO (n = 4,523,112), we identified 399,000 (8.8%) women who sustained a major fragility fracture. Black women had a higher prevalence of femur (9.0% vs 3.9%; P < .001) and hip (30.7% vs 28.0%; P < .001) fractures and lower prevalence of radius/ulna (14.7% vs 17.0%; P < .001) and clinical vertebral fractures (28.8% vs 33.5%; P < .001) compared with white women. We observed racial differences in the incidence of 1-year outcomes after fracture. After adjusting for age, black women had significantly higher risk of mortality 1 year after femur, hip, humerus, and radius/ulna fractures; significantly higher risk of debility 1 year after femur and hip fractures; and significantly higher risk of destitution for all fractures types. CONCLUSIONS In a sample of Medicare data from 2010 to 2016, black women with PMO had significantly higher rates of mortality, debility, and destitution after fracture than white women. These findings are a first step toward understanding and reducing disparities in PMO management, fracture prevention, and clinical outcomes after fracture. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1803-1810, 2020.
Interleaved Practice with Multiple Representations: Analyses with Knowledge Tracing Based Techniques.

The goal of this paper is to use Knowledge Tracing to augment the results obtained from an experiment that investigated the effects of practice schedules using an intelligent tutoring system for fractions. Specifically, this experiment compared different practice schedules of multiple representations of fractions: representations were presented to students either in an interleaved or in a blocked fashion. The results obtained from posttests demonstrate an advantage of interleaving representations. Using methods derived from Knowledge Tracing, we investigate whether we can replicate the contextual interference effect, an effect commonly found when investigating practice schedules of different task types. Different Knowledge Tracing models were adapted and compared. A model that included practice schedules as a predictor of students’ learning was most successful. A comparison of learning rate estimates between conditions shows that even during the acquisition phase, students working with interleaved representations demonstrate higher learning rates. This finding stands in contrast to the commonly found contextual interference effect when interleaving task types. We reflect on the practical and theoretical implications of these findings.
Towards resilient and smart cities: A real-time urban analytical and geo-visual system for social media streaming data

Abstract Cities worldwide are vulnerable to unpredictable extreme events such as disasters and public health crises. Urban big data and data-driven technologies have played an increasingly important role in building smart and resilient cities that can respond rapidly to these perturbations. However, many existing approaches had limited capabilities for processing big data, which has led to time-consuming and costly decision-making. Thus, we develop a real-time data-driven analytical and geo-visual system to enable smart and rapid responses to urban extreme events. The system is built on ArcGIS’s GeoEvent Server and Apache Spark and processes streaming data from social media with high speed, massive volume, and multiple modalities. The system employs online topic modeling and domain-adaptive sentiment analysis to track small-scale, undefined events, visualizes their spatial and semantic dynamics, and provides early alerts for crises and emergencies via an interactive online GIS platform. The proposed system has been applied during a large-scale hurricane and demonstrated effectiveness and agility in tracking and reporting emerging small-scale crises. The developed system can be applied in various urban scenarios to enable timely situation awareness and rapid response. This research contributes to the smart city safety and building rapidity of resilient cities.
The Role of P2P Platforms in Enhancing Financial Inclusion in US – An Analysis of Peer-to-Peer Lending Across the Rural-Urban Divide

In this paper, we examine the role of P2P platforms in enhancing financial inclusion from the borrowers’ point of view across the rural-urban dimension. We show that when number of bank branches decrease in a rural community, the P2P loan requests increase if there is at least one bank branch in the community allowing people to participate in the P2P market. We also find that the number of P2P loan requests from urban areas are higher when such areas have fewer pawnshops per capita. Our results suggest that P2P enhances financial inclusion of those lacking traditional institutions in rural communities and offers an alternative to those with fewer fringe banks in urban communities.
Reward learning in unmedicated women with bulimia nervosa: A pilot investigation.

Abstract Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent engagement in eating disorder behaviors despite negative consequences, potentially reflecting aberrant stimulus-response or reward-learning processes. Indeed, frontostriatal circuitry involved in reward learning is altered in persons with BN and preliminary research suggests reward learning is impaired in persons with BN. Additional research on reward learning in BN and its association with eating disorder symptom expression is warranted to further the field's understanding of potential pathophysiological mechanisms of BN. To this end, the probabilistic reward learning task (PRLT) was administered to unmedicated women with BN (n = 15) and demographically matched psychiatrically healthy women (n = 18). Contrary to our hypotheses, results demonstrated that women with BN showed greater reward learning during the PRLT relative to healthy comparison women when covarying for symptoms of depression, social anxiety, and mania. Exploratory analyses showed that binge-eating frequency was inversely associated with reward learning in women with BN; however, results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Together, results suggest that women with BN do not have deficits in implicit reward learning. Given the preliminary nature of this investigation, larger-scale studies are needed to further examine reward learning in current BN and could compare reward learning using general (e.g., monetary) and disorder-specific (e.g., food) reinforcers. Further work is needed to confirm the inverse association between reward learning and binge eating.
Space-time wave packets: a new platform for structured light

Space-time wave packets -- a new class of pulsed optical beams in which the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are inextricably intertwined -- provide a new platform for the study of structured light. Space-time wave packets can be designed to be propagation-invariant (diffraction-free and dispersion-free) and travel at arbitrary group velocities in free space and transparent dielectrics. I will discuss recent results obtained with space-time wave packets including the observation of anomalous refraction, tunable axial acceleration or deceleration, and novel Talbot effects observed in space-time rather than in space or time separately.
Incidence of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia in Patients Undergoing Implantation of Durable and Non-Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

Purpose Unfractionated heparin exposure in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) implantation increases the risk for developing heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia (HIT). The false positive rate of HIT in this population using current standard testing is unknown. Postoperative and device related thrombocytopenia complicate the HIT diagnosis. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing MCSD pre-implantation assessment or implantation of MCSD (October 2014 - August 2020) was performed. The primary objective was to assess the incidence of HIT with positive PF4 IgG ELISA (PF4) and serotonin release (SRA) assays. False positive HIT was defined as PF4 ≥0.4 optical density (OD) and negative SRA. Argatroban usage was also assessed. Results 366 patients with 512 tests were analyzed. PF4 tests were performed in 128 patients (158 tests) undergoing pre-implantation assessment, 136 patients (185 tests) with non-durable devices (primarily Impella®), and 102 (169 tests) patients with durable devices (72 ventricular assist devices, 30 total artificial hearts). 25% (92/366) of patients had positive PF4 ≥0.4 OD and had subsequent SRA performed (92 patients, 122 tests). True positive HIT was documented in 13% (12/92) of PF4 positive patients consisting of 1 pre-implantation, 9 non-durable MCSD, and 2 durable MCSD patients. The mean PF4 for true positive HIT was 2.2±0.7 OD. False positive HIT was documented in 15% (19/128) of pre-implantation patients (mean PF4 0.9±0.6 OD), 14% (19/136) of non-durable MCSD patients (mean PF4 0.8±0.5 OD), and 41% (42/102) of durable MCSD patients (mean PF4 1.1±0.6 OD). Argatroban was administered in 40% (37/92) of patients with a positive PF4 and 67% (25/37) of patients with a negative SRA. Conclusion Without clinical suspicion of HIT, preoperative PF4 testing is not recommended. Patients with non-durable MCSD devices are at the highest risk of developing HIT (7%). Although a PF4 ≥0.4 OD is considered a positive screening test for HIT, a higher threshold should be considered for MCSD patients. To our knowledge, this is the first in depth assessment of the incidence of HIT in patients undergoing pre-implantation evaluation for both non-durable and durable MCS devices.
Exotic Disease Threats

The term "exotic disease" or "foreign animal diseases" (or FADs) is used to group more than fifty animal diseases that are not currently in the US. Thirteen of them have been eradicated from our country after intensive, expensive and long duration campaigns. Many of these diseases are important zoonotic diseases. This presentation will review thirteen exotic diseases that affect cattle, grouped into three categories:1. Highly contagious diseases.2. Non-highly contagious diseases.3. Vector-borne and parasitic diseases The following information will be summarized for each disease: definition, etiology, global epidemiology, clinical signs and lesions.
Thermomagnetic Transport in Polycrystalline Samples

Polycrystalline/single-phase nanocomposite samples are used widely for thermoelectrics and many other applications. The presence of many interfaces improves the thermoelectric properties by suppressing phonon transport more than electron transport. When polycrystalline samples are made out of anisotropic crystals, it is not clear how the transport properties are related to those of single crystal. In this paper, we describe a simple process of averaging over different crystallographic directions to calculate the properties of isotropic polycrystalline samples made out of anisotropic crystals. We apply the developed averaging model to (Bi0.2Sb0.8)2Te3 samples for which experimental data are available. We further point out the importance of thermomagnetic measurements in providing additional information on electron relaxation times, compared with what regular thermoelectric measurements reveal.
The Regulation of Alpha-Fetoprotein Test Kits by the Food and Drug Administration

In this paper, I will describe the path that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken to arrive at a decision in one of the most complex and challenging regulatory episodes in recent memory: the approval for marketing of a diagnostic product—the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test kit—for the prenatal detection of neural tube defects (NTDs).
Consumer choice and information: New experimental evidence☆

Many laws and regulations aimed at safeguarding consumers deal with the amount and kind of product information that consumers receive. Implicit in these regulations is the belief that consumers can make use of the appropriate information, provided only that it is made available. Recently a number of authors have argued that consumer decisionmaking is subject to consistent biases, suggesting poor purchase decisions may result even with access to the relevant information. Indeed some critics have argued that consumers may be subject to information overload so that they may make worse decisions with extra information than without it. The experimental results presented in this paper address some of these issues. The results suggest that untrained people can use simplifying strategies in quite complicated decision problems. Also, while information overload clearly can occur, the subjects in our experiments appeared able to ignore unnecessary or unwanted information.
LIFETIMES OF 3p, 4p, AND 5p STATES IN ATOMIC HYDROGEN.

Beam-foil excitation was used to populate the $3p$, $4p$, and $5p$ states in atomic hydrogen in order to measure their mean lives. The results were 5.41 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.18, 11.25 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.78, and 21.9 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3.0 nsec, respectively. All three decay curves displayed a long-lived component. It was found that compensation must be made for Rutherford scattering in order to avoid introducing significant errors. An experimental technique for eliminating these errors is presented.
A Faster All-Pairs Shortest Path Algorithm for Real-Weighted Sparse Graphs

We present a faster all-pairs shortest paths algorithm for arbitrary real-weighted directed graphs. The algorithm works in the fundamental comparison-addition model and runs in O(mn+n2 log log n) time, where m and n are the number of edges & vertices, respectively. This is strictly faster than Johnson's algorithm (for arbitrary edge-weights) and Dijkstra's algorithm (for positive edge-weights) when m = o(n log n) and matches the running time of Hagerup's APSP algorithm, which assumes integer edge-weights and a more powerful model of computation.
Effects of pistachio consumption on body composition and blood lipids in healthy young women (640.6)

Research regarding the beneficial regular pistachio intake on body composition and blood lipids is limited in healthy subjects. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of pistachio consumption i...
A Digital Storytelling Project in a Multicultural Education Class for Pre-Service Teachers

Technology integration is an approach which has been stressed in higher education in the USA for several decades. Many colleges and universities now offer online courses and encourage faculty to in...
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Response to Autologous Human Squamous Cell Cancer of the Lung: Epitope Reconstitution with Peptides Extracted from HLA-Aw68

Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for autologous human squamous cell cancer of the lung were generated by stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with autologous tumor cells in vitro . The CTL line was >97% CD3+, CD8+, CD16- and produced tumor necrosis factor-α, γ-interferon, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor after stimulation with autologous tumor. The CTLs lysed autologous tumor but failed to recognize autologous or histocompatability leukocyte antigen-matched lymphoid cells, K562, or allogeneic tumor cells of several histological types. Antibody-blocking studies suggested that the CTLs recognized one or more antigens presented by the class I major histocompatibility complex molecule Aw68. To characterize these antigens further, histocompatability leukocyte antigen Aw68 molecules were extracted from the squamous cell cancer of the lung tumor line by immunoaffinity chromatography, and the associated peptides were eluted in acid and separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Reconstitution of the CTL epitope was evaluated by adding these peptides to autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cells. Two peaks of reconstituting activity were observed, suggesting that these CTLs recognize at least two Aw68-associated peptides. This study confirms the existence of a CTL response against autologous human squamous cell cancer of the lung and suggests that this CTL response is directed against peptide epitopes presented by the class I major histocompatibility complex molecules. It is anticipated that this approach will permit identification of peptide epitopes for lung cancer-specific CTLs.
Lie-Detection, Neuroscience, and the Law of Evidence

This paper, prepared for the “State of the Art” Law and Neuroscience Conference at the Rutgers (Camden) University School of Law, has two goals. One is to describe comprehensively the current court cases, scientific research, academic literature, and controversies about the potential use of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) for detecting deception in court and other forensic contexts. The other is to suggest that the question of the admissibility of fMRI deception evidence in court cannot be thought of as an exclusively scientific question. The appropriate use or non-use of science in the legal system involves inevitably normative questions about the appropriate levels of accuracy, reliability and validity, questions that must be answered in light of the goals of the legal system and the particular purposes to which the science would be put. The answers require getting the science right, and thus require the involvement of science and scientists, but the ultimate question of when and how the scientific conclusions so produced will be used is a question of legal policy as to which neither scientists (nor, for that matter, lawyers) should be given exclusive authority. Thus, although explicitly focused on law and neuroscience, the paper implicitly addresses a pervading issue in science policy generally – is the use to which science shall or should be put an exclusively, or even partially, scientific question?
Prolonged continuous intravenous infusion interleukin-2 and lymphokine-activated killer-cell therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSETwo consecutive protocols of continuous intravenous (CIV) infusion interleukin-2 (IL-2) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were carried out in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to determine the response rate and toxicity.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn both protocols, patients received induction IL-2 at 6 x 10(6) U/m2/d on days 1 to 5, and underwent leukapheresis on days 7 to 9 at the peak of rebound lymphocytosis. LAK cells were generated by a 5-day incubation with IL-2 at 1,000 U/mL, and were infused on days 12 to 14. For the first 20 patients (protocol A), maintenance IL-2 was administered at 6 x 10(6) U/m2/d on days 12 to 16. On the assumption that less IL-2 might be required to maintain rather than to induce LAK activity, and that a longer duration of maintenance IL-2 might enhance LAK survival and function in vivo, the protocol for the subsequent 22 patients (protocol B) was altered so that the maintenance phase consisted of a lower dose of IL-2 (2 x 10(6) U/m2/d) administer...
Enhanced regulatory T cell activity is an element of the host response to injury

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in suppressing the development of autoimmune disease, in controlling potentially harmful inflammatory responses, and in maintaining immune homeostasis. Because severe injury triggers both excessive inflammation and suppressed adaptive immunity, we wished to test whether injury could influence Treg activity. Using a mouse burn injury model, we demonstrate that injury significantly enhances Treg function. This increase in Treg activity is apparent at 7 days after injury and is restricted to lymph node CD4+CD25+ T cells draining the injury site. Moreover, we show that this injury-induced increase in Treg activity is cell-contact dependent and is mediated in part by increased cell surface TGF-beta1 expression. To test the in vivo significance of these findings, mice were depleted of CD4+CD25+ T cells before sham or burn injury and then were immunized to follow the development of T cell-dependent Ag-specific immune reactivity. We observed that injured mice, which normally demonstrate suppressed Th1-type immunity, showed normal Th1 responses when depleted of CD4+CD25+ T cells. Taken together, these observations suggest that injury can induce or amplify CD4+CD25+ Treg function and that CD4+CD25+ T cells contribute to the development of postinjury immune suppression.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Reference Ranges in Term and Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objective To determine reference ranges of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) laboratory findings in term and preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Study design Data were collected prospectively as part of a multisite study of infants aged 500 cells/μL or a known cause of CSF pleocytosis were excluded from the analysis. Results A total of 318 infants met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 148 infants (47%) were preterm, and 229 (72%) received antibiotics before undergoing lumbar puncture. The upper reference limit of the CSF white blood cell (WBC) count was 12 cells/μL in preterm infants and 14 cells/μL in term infants. CSF protein levels were significantly higher in preterm infants (upper reference limit, 209 mg/dL vs 159 mg/dL in term infants; P P = .008; term, P Conclusions CSF WBC counts are not significantly different in preterm and term infants. CSF protein levels are higher and decline more slowly with postnatal age in preterm infants compared with term infants. This study provides CSF reference ranges for hospitalized preterm and term infants, particularly in the first month of life.
Polyurethane anionomers. I. Structure properties of polyurethane anionomers

The influence of mono and divalent nontransition and transition metals on the glass transition and mechanical properties of polyurethane anionomers have been investigated. NCO-terminated prepolymer prepared from 4,4′-methylene-bis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and poly(caprolactone) glycol (PCL) was chain extended with dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), and the anionomers obtained by neutralization of the prepolymer. The glass transition temperatures of polyurethane anionomers have been studied as a function of the counterion. From simple electrostatic considerations, it is shown that a linear relationship exists between the glass transition temperature and ionic potential (ϕ) for these particular materials. The relation is; Tg = Aϕ + B. The mechanical properties are greatly affected by the type of the counterion, and in some cases, such as monovalent and nontransition metals, the mechanical properties of the anionomers improved by increasing the ionic potential. On the other hand, transition metals containing anionomers exhibited good mechanical properties but no relationship was observed between the mechanical properties and the ionic potential. The extent of water absorption of PU anionomers follows the same relative trends as the tensile strengths of the transition metals with filled and partially filled d-orbitals.
Collective Oscillations in a Simple Metal. I. Spin Waves

Using the Landau theory of Fermi liquids, we analyze the paramagnetic behavior of the alkali metals at low temperatures. An integral formulation of the kinetic equations is derived, and this is solved for arbitrary wavelengths (within the limits of Landau's theory), for arbitrary direction of propagation and retaining an arbitrarily large number of the Landau interaction coefficients. We derive a practical algorithm for obtaining the transverse and longitudinal susceptibilities; this enables us to discuss, with the generality just outlined, all of the collective magnetization modes, as well as the features of individual-particle excitations in a simple metal with spherical Fermi surface. The effects of scattering from dilute, random impurities are also included. We catalog systematically the dispersion properties as well as the oscillator strengths of all of these waves. Comparison of the results with the experiments of Schultz and Dunifer is described, and the feasibility of observing the various spin-wave modes is discussed.
A new instrument for measuring polyps.

POLYPS Of the rectum and colon are now the subject of renewed research interest. The i r premal ignant nature and rate of growth are presently being studied. Knowledge of the size of polyps is informat ion basic to their evahtation. With the unaided eye one can only estimate the size of a polyp; biopsy distorts the size and configuration. Fixation in fomaaldehyde or alcohol solution for laboratory examination shrinks specimens to an undesirable degree. An ins t rument now being used, at least in one research center where the size of polyps is being studied, is the fixed focus camera; but this, a l though highly accurate, is expensive and its use is time consuming. Furthermore, most cameras do not provide immediate pictures for evaluation. I t has also been found that the apparent size of a polyp as revealed in the picture varies slightly with the breathing cycle and the angle of the scope. 1 Clinical and pathologic experiences have led to the widespread belief that very small
Another look at vehicle miles traveled: determinants of vehicle use in two-vehicle households

This study analyzed the determinants of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) with data from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey. First, total VMT models were estimated across all households. Next, the survey sample was segmented by the number of vehicles owned, and separate models were estimated for each sample segment. Finally, with a focus on two-vehicle households, a seemingly unrelated regression model was formulated to analyze total household VMT and the VMT share of each vehicle. Household increases in income and number of vehicles, workers, adults, and children all led to higher VMT. Population density and gasoline cost negatively affected VMT. Other findings of the total VMT models were related to telecommuting and vehicle characteristics. Results indicate that having the option to telecommute and owning SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, or hybrid vehicles increase VMT. If the driver of a vehicle was a female, older, unemployed, or did not hold a bachelor's degree, that vehicle's share of the total househo...
Genetic parameters for yield and reproductive traits of Holstein and Jersey cattle in Florida.

Abstract Records of yield and reproduction from 4293 Holstein and 2143 Jersey first lactation cows from eight Holstein and six Jersey herds were utilized to evaluate genetic parameters for Florida, a subtropical environment. Statistical analyses were by derivative-free REML with the animal model. Genetic variances were based on variation in estimated breeding values of individual cows. Heritabilities were .27 to .43 for yields (6 estimates), .38 to .51 for constituent percentages (4 estimates), and .025 to .056 for reproduction (6 estimates), which were similar to estimates for temperate areas from similar procedures. Also, correlations of breeding values between yields were high and between yields and reproduction were low and generally antagonistic. Correlated responses in calving interval from selection for yield, with selection intensities of 1.0 to 1.5, would be expected to lead to increases of 1.0 to 5.2 d per generation (12 estimates). Thus, estimates of genetic parameters and correlated responses in this subtropical environment did not differ appreciably from those that occur in temperate dairy areas.
Logisim: a graphical system for logic circuit design and simulation

Logisim enables students in introductory courses to design and simulate logic circuits. The program's design emphasizes simplicity of use, with a secondary goal of enabling design of sophisticated circuits. This motivates a two-tiered system, where users can move to the second tier by selecting a menu option.Users draw circuits of logic gates using the toolbox model popular in drawing programs. The circuit automatically propagates circuit values through the circuit; by selecting the appropriate tool, users can toggle switches to see how the circuit behaves in other situations. In the advanced tier, the user can treat circuits as black boxes within larger circuits, enabling the simulation of hierarchical designs. The author has successfully drawn and tested a simple 8 bit CPU using the program.The program has proven useful in a variety of introductory courses, from a nonmajors survey course to a sophomore-level systems course. Students find Logisim simple to follow, and find the laboratories designed around it useful in reinforcing the circuit concepts from class.In this article, we identify and compare a variety of systems similar to Logisim, we explore Logisim's features in detail, and we examine its use in class assignments.
Maternal right hypogastric artery blood flow during normal pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum.

OBJECTIVE To document and quantify the temporal hemodynamic changes occurring in the pelvic circulation in normal human pregnancy, and to compare these changes with those found 6 weeks postpartum. METHODS Thirty-three patients had color pulsed Doppler evaluation of the right hypogastric artery six times during pregnancy and once 6 weeks postpartum. Pulsed Doppler waveforms were digitized to assess the time velocity integral (area under the Doppler curve = TVI) and the peak flow velocity (maximum velocity = PFV). The diameter of the vessel was determined during systole using high-resolution two-dimensional ultrasound from a longitudinal plane. A quantitative estimate of the blood flow through this vessel was calculated by multiplying the TVI by the calculated cross-sectional area of the vessel. RESULTS The cross-sectional area and the indexed volume of blood flow per minute of the hypogastric artery were significantly greater during pregnancy compared with the postpartum value. The estimated vascular resistance index was significantly decreased during pregnancy. Time velocity integral was significantly lower at the initial study compared with the postpartum value. CONCLUSION The hypogastric artery undergoes significant hemodynamic changes during pregnancy when compared to the postpartum period. Furthermore, the pelvic circulation displays these changes early in gestation.
A synopsis of the carbomycetaceae and terfeziaceae (tuberales)

The Carbomycetaceae Trappe fam.nov. is established for the genus Carbomyces , formerly included in the Terfeziaceae. The Terfeziaceae now includes Amylascus Trappe gen.nov., Delastria Tul. & Tul., Hydnobolites Tul. & Tul., Mukagomyces Imai, Picoa Vitt., Terfezia (Tul. & Tul.) Tul. & Tul., and Tirmania Chatin. A parallel polyphyletic origin is postulated for these genera, but the family Terfeziaceae is retained until more data permit re-evaluation of the entire Tuberales. Two former genera are reduced to subgeneric rank: Picoa subgen. Leucangium (Quel.) Trappe and Terfezia subgen. Mattirolomyces (Fisch.) Trappe. These new combinations are proposed: Tirmania nivea (Desf. ex Fr.) Trappe, Amylascus herbertianus (Cribb) Trappe, Terfezia arenaria (Moris) Trappe, and T. terfezioides (Matt.) Trappe.
Density and sound speed measurements on model basalt (An–Di–Hd) liquids at one bar: New constraints on the partial molar volume and compressibility of the FeO component

Abstract Density and sound speed measurements were obtained over a wide range of temperature for three model basalt liquids in the An–Di–Hd (CaAl2Si2O8–CaMgSi2O6–CaFeSi2O6) system. High-temperature (1585–1838 K) double-bob density measurements were combined with low-temperature (943–930 K) measurements at the limiting fictive temperature for each sample to provide liquid volume data over a temperature interval of ∼900 K. In addition, relaxed sound speeds were obtained with a frequency sweep acoustic interferometer from 1665–1876 K. An ideal mixing model for molar volume, thermal expansivity, and isothermal compressibility recovers the new data from this study and leads to the following fitted values ( ± 2 σ ) at 1723 K for V ¯ FeO ( 12.86 ± 0.32 cm 3 / mol ), ∂ V ¯ FeO / ∂ T ( ( 3.69 ± 1.16 ) × 10 − 3 cm 3 / mol-K ) and β ¯ T , FeO ( ( 4.72 ± 0.46 ) × 10 − 2 GPa − 1 ) . These volumetric properties for the FeO component are estimated to reflect Fe2+ in an average coordination of 5.7 (±0.2), based on the relationship between V ¯ FeO and Fe2+ coordination derived by a comparison to mineral molar volumes ( Guo et al., 2013 ). Application of these volumetric data to a calculation of the pressure dependence of the Fe–Mg exchange reaction between orthopyroxene and basaltic liquid results in a small decrease in Fe–MgKD with pressure. In contrast, partial melting experiments of peridotite show a small increase in Fe–MgKD(opx-liq) with pressure (e.g., Walter, 1998 ). This difference in the pressure dependence is proposed to reflect the role of alkalis in reducing the average coordination number of Fe2+ toward five compared to the alkali-free model basalt compositions in this study, thus changing the volume and compressibility of the FeO liquid component. The results from this study may be most appropriately applied to lunar basalts, which are impoverished in alkalis.
Vapor-phase 2,3,7,8-TCDD sorption to plant foliage — A species comparison

Abstract Plant uptake rate constants (k 1 ) were determined for vapor-phase 2,3,7,8-TCDD using grass, azalea, spruce, kale and pepper foliage, and the fruit from apple, tomato and pepper. Plants were exposed to vapor-phase 3 H-2,3,7,8-TCDD for 96 h, and the TCDD sorption rate constant for each plant species was determined from measured air and plant concentrations. Sorption rate constants for the different plant tissues, expressed on a fresh weight basis (k 1FWt with units of g Air g FWt −1 h −1 ), varied by two orders of magnitude. The rate constants were normalized for the exposed plant surface area (SA) by dividing k 1FWt by the SA/FWt ratio for each plant species. Normalizing the rate constants for exposed surface area resulted in significantly less variation between species (k 1SA = 1.2 g Air cm 2 −1 h −1 ± 0.2 SE). The cuticular wax content of the different plant species did not effect the short-term sorption kinetics of 2,3,7,8-TCDD.