cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pachyderms and Parks: Ecological Politics and East Africa’s National Parks

This chapter takes up the contested role of ecological sciences and study units during the long process of decolonization in East Africa. Comparing the Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology (Uganda), the Tsavo Project (Kenya), and the Serengeti Research Institute (SRI) (Tanzania), it demonstrates how international scientists’ efforts to draw generalizable conclusions from their study of national parks, and to introduce what they regarded as apolitical scientific rigor to park management, collided with international public opinion, older forms of administration, and the priorities of new governments. Ecological units and their science were sites for the contestation of power and influence, but also varied in their relation to administrators and national governments, particularly as they grappled with the problems of managing herbivore populations in national parks.
Evaluating the Fairness of Predictive Student Models Through Slicing Analysis

Predictive modeling has been a core area of learning analytics research over the past decade, with such models currently deployed in a variety of educational contexts from MOOCs to K-12. However, analyses of the differential effectiveness of these models across demographic, identity, or other groups has been scarce. In this paper, we present a method for evaluating unfairness in predictive student models. We define this in terms of differential accuracy between subgroups, and measure it using a new metric we term the Absolute Between-ROC Area (ABROCA). We demonstrate the proposed method through a gender-based "slicing analysis" using five different models replicated from other works and a dataset of 44 unique MOOCs and over four million learners. Our results demonstrate (1) significant differences in model fairness according to (a) statistical algorithm and (b) feature set used; (2) that the gender imbalance ratio, curricular area, and specific course used for a model all display significant association with the value of the ABROCA statistic; and (3) that there is not evidence of a strict tradeoff between performance and fairness. This work provides a framework for quantifying and understanding how predictive models might inadvertently privilege, or disparately impact, different student subgroups. Furthermore, our results suggest that learning analytics researchers and practitioners can use slicing analysis to improve model fairness without necessarily sacrificing performance.1
Determination of Optimal Weight-Based Enoxaparin Dosing and Associated Clinical Factors for Achieving Therapeutic Anti-Xa Assays for Deep Venous Thrombosis Prophylaxis.

Background Previous studies have evaluated dose-to-weight ratios to define best practices for obtaining therapeutic anti-Xa assays for enoxaparin venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. These studies have not examined relationships among dosing, patient characteristics, and therapeutic assays. This study examines factors associated with therapeutic assays and enoxaparin prophylaxis. Study Design This is a retrospective review of patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center between March 2016 and June 2018. Prophylaxis was managed according to the trauma service's enoxaparin VTE prophylaxis protocol, which targets anti-Xa concentrations of 0.2 to 0.5 IU/mL. Assays were divided into sub-therapeutic, therapeutic, and super-therapeutic groups to determine factors associated with therapeutic concentrations. Results Overall, 623 patients (634 total anti-Xa assays) were identified during the study period. Patients with sub-therapeutic (n = 35) and therapeutic (n = 536) assays did not differ. Significant differences were identified between patients with therapeutic and super-therapeutic assays (n = 63). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine that the optimal cutoff for the dose-to-weight ratio was 0.4 mg/kg/dose (area under the curve 0.78; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.84; p 90 mL/min were independently associated with therapeutic assays. The combined effect of these 3 variables showed that therapeutic assays were 13.76 times more likely to occur (OR 13.76; 95% CI 3.43 to 56.96; p Conclusions These data demonstrate that a dose of 0.4 mg/kg predicts a therapeutic anti-Xa level. When regimens of 0.31 to 0.4 mg/kg/dose are administered in males with a creatinine clearance >90 mL/min therapeutic results are 13.76 times more likely, suggesting that monitoring with anti-Xa assays might be unnecessary in this subgroup. Additional prospective study of these findings is warranted.
Postnatal development and maturation of layer 1 in the lateral prefrontal cortex and its disruption in autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental connectivity disorder characterized by cortical network disorganization and imbalance in excitation/inhibition. However, little is known about the development of autism pathology and the disruption of laminar-specific excitatory and inhibitory cortical circuits. To begin to address these issues, we examined layer 1 of the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), an area with prolonged development and maturation that is affected in autism. We focused on layer 1 because it contains a distinctive, diverse population of interneurons and glia, receives input from feedback and neuromodulatory pathways, and plays a critical role in the development, maturation, and function of the cortex. We used unbiased quantitative methods at high resolution to study the morphology, neurochemistry, distribution, and density of neurons and myelinated axons in post-mortem brain tissue from children and adults with and without autism. We cross-validated our findings through comparisons with neighboring anterior cingulate cortices and optimally-fixed non-human primate tissue. In neurotypical controls we found an increase in the density of myelinated axons from childhood to adulthood. Neuron density overall declined with age, paralleled by decreased density of inhibitory interneurons labeled by calretinin (CR), calbindin (CB), and parvalbumin (PV). Importantly, we found PV neurons in layer 1 of typically developing children, previously detected only perinatally. In autism there was disorganization of cortical networks within layer 1: children with autism had increased variability in the trajectories and thickness of myelinated axons in layer 1, while adults with autism had a reduction in the relative proportion of thin axons. Neurotypical postnatal changes in layer 1 of LPFC likely underlie refinement of cortical activity during maturation of cortical networks involved in cognition. Our findings suggest that disruption of the maturation of feedback pathways, rather than interneurons in layer 1, has a key role in the development of imbalance between excitation and inhibition in autism.
Using Autoencoders for Predicting Latent Microbiome Community Shifts Responding to Dietary Changes

Human gut microbiome responds rapidly to diet and has important consequences to host health such as obesity and other metabolic disease. Computational tools of modeling microbiome dynamics responding to diet are import in facilitating the development of effective prebiotic and probiotics for disease prevention and treatment. In this work, we present a deep neural network to predict gut microbiome responding to diet change. Our model uses an autoencoder to capture intrinsic structure in data and an artificial neural network to model the nonlinear dynamics of microbiome. Our evaluation using three time-course datasets of murine gut microbiome shows promising results.
Separation of overlapping sources in bioacoustic mixtures

Source separation is an important step to study signals that are not easy or possible to record individually. Common methods such as deep clustering, however, cannot be applied to signals of an unknown number of sources and/or signals that overlap in time and/or frequency-a common problem in bioacoustic recordings. This work presents an approach, using a supervised learning framework, to parse individual sources from a spectrogram of a mixture that contains a variable number of overlapping sources. This method isolates individual sources in the time-frequency domain using only one function but in two separate steps, one for the detection of the number of sources and corresponding bounding boxes, and a second step for the segmentation in which masks of individual sounds are extracted. This approach handles the full separation of overlapping sources in both time and frequency using deep neural networks in an applicable manner to other tasks such as bird audio detection. This paper presents method and reports on its performance to parse individual bat signals from recordings containing hundreds of overlapping bat echolocation signals. This method can be extended to other bioacoustic recordings with a variable number of sources and signals that overlap in time and/or frequency.
Statistical Bounds on CMB Bell Violation

Inspired the low $\ell$ cosmic variance we present a study on the statistical variance expected in observing Bell's inequality violation by primordial quantum states violation. We consider the statistical variance inherent to three sets of pseudo-spin operators used to construct Bell's inequality. We find that for a highly squeezed state, such as the relevant CMB states, the statistical variation will vanish and does not contribute to theoretical uncertainties.
Thermographic Non-Invasive Inspection Modelling of Fertilizer Pipelines Using Neural Networks

Industry pipeline fault, like blockage can create major problems for engineers and financial loss for the company. The blockage detection is necessary for smooth functioning of an industry and safety of the environment. This work presents a model for non-invasive inspection of pipes. It proposes the use of a neural network to identify the obstruction stage in fertilizer industry, using external thermal images obtained from the pipelines. A dataset capable of mapping the external thermal behavior in profile of the internal deposit is developed. The Multilayer Perceptron neural network was able to learn the thermal pixel mapping in a deposit profile, obtaining satisfactory results.
Disparities in HIV Education and Testing Between Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Adolescents and Young Adults in the U.S.

Abstract Purpose To examine receipt of formal sexual health education on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and receipt of HIV testing in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) residing in nonmetropolitan versus metropolitan areas. Methods A secondary data analysis of the 2015–2017 National Survey of Family Growth of AYAs ages 15–24 years (N = 3,114). Logistic regression models predicted associations between nonmetropolitan versus metropolitan status and outcomes of interest (formal sexual health education on HIV/AIDS and HIV testing). Results Most AYAs (85.3%) reported receiving formal sexual health education on HIV/AIDS, while less than half (46.9%) indicated receiving HIV testing. Residing in a nonmetropolitan area was associated with a lower odds of reporting formal sexual health education on HIV/AIDS (OR = .47, CI = [.29, .77]) but not with HIV testing (OR = 1.33, CI = [.89, 2.01]). Conclusions AYAs living in nonmetropolitan areas are less likely to receive formal sexual health education on HIV/AIDS.
Hybrid APC Colon EMR, A Novel Approach to Reduce Local Recurrence

Abstract Background and Aims Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has become the standard for removing large colon polyps but has a 10%-30% recurrence rate using standard techniques. Data shows improved recurrence rates with focal therapy of the edge of the resection base using cautery. We examine a novel technique, hybrid APC assisted EMR, which treats both the edge and the base with cautery to assess its effect on local recurrence. Methods We reviewed all EMRs of polyps >2 cm by a single endoscopist with 6-month follow-up from May 2018 to November 2019 using both standard EMR as well as hybrid APC assisted EMR to assess local recurrence as well adverse events. Results Forty-eight patients with 59 polyps removed by EMR had full 6 month follow up with a mean age of 66.1 years of age, 45% were female. Thirty polyps were removed by hybrid APC assisted EMR and 29 removed with standard EMR. Overall, 0 (0%) polyps in the h-APC arm had local recurrence while 6 (20.7%) in the standard group had histological proven local recurrence (P = 0.01). Postresection bleeding occurred in 6 patients, 2 in the hAPC arm and 4 in the standard arm (P = 0.41). Conclusion In this retrospective pilot study, hybrid APC assisted EMR was superior to conventional EMR for local recurrence after removal of large colon polyps and trended towards a less post-EMR bleeds.
Synergistic Effects of Fiber and Phytochemicals in Wheat Bran on Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Epidemiological studies have suggested that dietary factors play an important role in the development of CR...
How to Manage a Repressed Economy

Chile from 1974 to the present is one of the few recent examples of a sustained economic liberalisation; fiscal, exchange-rate and monetary policies were manipulated more or less correctly (with the possible exception of wage indexing) to secure free trade, an unrestricted domestic capital market, rapid real growth and a stable currency.
Emotional eating phenotype is associated with central dopamine D2 receptor binding independent of body mass index

PET studies have provided mixed evidence regarding central D2/D3 dopamine receptor binding and its relationship with obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI). Other aspects of obesity may be more tightly coupled to the dopaminergic system. We characterized obesity-associated behaviors and determined if these related to central D2 receptor (D2R) specific binding independent of BMI. Twenty-two obese and 17 normal-weight participants completed eating- and reward-related questionnaires and underwent PET scans using the D2R-selective and nondisplaceable radioligand (N-[(11)C]methyl)benperidol. Questionnaires were grouped by domain (eating related to emotion, eating related to reward, non-eating behavior motivated by reward or sensitivity to punishment). Normalized, summed scores for each domain were compared between obese and normal-weight groups and correlated with striatal and midbrain D2R binding. Compared to normal-weight individuals, the obese group self-reported higher rates of eating related to both emotion and reward (p<0.001), greater sensitivity to punishment (p=0.06), and lower non-food reward behavior (p<0.01). Across normal-weight and obese participants, self-reported emotional eating and non-food reward behavior positively correlated with striatal (p<0.05) and midbrain (p<0.05) D2R binding, respectively. In conclusion, an emotional eating phenotype may reflect altered central D2R function better than other commonly used obesity-related measures such as BMI.
Moore’s Federal Practice® - The Complete CAFA: Analysis and Developments Under the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005

The controversial Class Action Fairness Act (“CAFA”) was enacted in 2005. It was designed to allow defendants to escape from state courts by expanding original federal jurisdiction and removal jurisdiction. This monograph tells the story of the origins of CAFA as well as how it has affected the federal courts. Focusing on virtually every court of appeals decision and many district court cases, the monograph details the extensive case law that CAFA’s arcane and poorly drafted provisions have engendered. In the wake of its passage, everyone knew that these provisions would provide fodder - how should the new $5 Million amount in controversy requirement be analyzed? What cases fit within the “local controversy” and “home state” exceptions? But few could predict other issues, including to whether an action was “commenced” at such time that CAFA jurisdiction would be possible? By the Fall of 2011, when the monograph was published, much had been clarified. Yet, the question remains whether CAFA is working as Congress intended, and whether, as a matter of federalism principles, CAFA embodies the right approach to the difficult question of which diversity based cases ought to be channeled to federal court or be allowed to remain in state court. This monograph takes a stab at exploring these issues as well.
Crop Insurance Fraud and Misrepresentations: Contemporary Issues and Potential Remedies

Fraud in the federal crop insurance program has been currently estimated to cost taxpayers in the millions of dollars. Despite efforts by both private crop insurers and the federal government to combat fraud associated with claims in the program, crop insurance fraud, and misrepresentations associated with crop insurance policies, remain a significant issue of national concern.This article offers a comprehensive examination of contemporary legal issues concerning the issue of crop insurance fraud and misrepresentations. Section I provides an overview of the contemporary problem of fraud in crop insurance and discusses the responses of both private insurers and the federal government to curb and combat waste, fraud and abuse in the program. Section II explores the variety of legal remedies to combat crop insurance fraud and misrepresentations among reported cases. In criminal law, the possibility of substantial criminal sentences (of up to 30 years in prison) and criminal prosecutions of crop insurance fraud serve as a deterrence to the commission of acts of fraud. Substantial monetary civil penalties also exist to deter fraud. In addition, misrepresentations in applications for crop insurance, particularly the misrepresentations of actual interests in crops, have led to cases where insureds cannot recover for damages due to covered causes of losses.The current magnitude of fraud and abuse in the federal crop insurance program reflects the need for more aggressive action to further eliminate abuses to help ensure the federal crop insurance program remains a vital source of support for America’s farmers. In the light of the significant issue of fraud and/or misrepresentations associated with policies in the federal crop insurance program, Section III proposes several additional measures which can be implemented by legislation and by judicial interpretation to further combat fraud.
Computational Algebraic Geometry

The interplay between algebra and geometry is a beautiful (and fun!) area of mathematical investigation. Advances in computing and algorithms make it possible to tackle many classical problems in a down-to-earth and concrete fashion. This opens wonderful new vistas and allows us to pose, study and solve problems that were previously out of reach. Suitable for graduate students, the objective of this 2003 book is to bring advanced algebra to life with lots of examples. The first chapters provide an introduction to commutative algebra and connections to geometry. The rest of the book focuses on three active areas of contemporary algebra: Homological Algebra (the snake lemma, long exact sequence inhomology, functors and derived functors (Tor and Ext), and double complexes); Algebraic Combinatorics and Algebraic Topology (simplicial complexes and simplicial homology, Stanley-Reisner rings, upper bound theorem and polytopes); and Algebraic Geometry (points and curves in projective space, Riemann-Roch, Cech cohomology, regularity).
Epistemological Belief Congruency in Mathematics between Vocational Technology Students and Their Instructors

Three questions were addressed in this study. Is there evidence of epistemological beliefs congruency between students and their instructor? Do students’ epistemological beliefs, students’ epistemological congruence, or both predict mathematical anxiety? Do students’ epistemological beliefs, students’ epistemological congruence, or both predict mathematical performance? Over 200 vocational technology students and their instructors completed measures of beliefs about mathematical problems solving. The students also completed a measure of mathematical anxiety. Regressions indicated students’ epistemological beliefs about time and understanding predicted mathematical anxiety, whereas both student mathematical epistemological beliefs about time and their congruency scores predicted mathematical performance. The implications of these is that mathematical instructors may need to explicitly teach their mathematical epistemology and provide students with classroom experiences to deepen their appreciation of these epistemological underpinnings.
Subproblem Analysis of Discrimination Learning

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a subproblem analysis of discrimination learning. The subproblem analysis provides a relatively direct measure of the nature of stimulus control in learning problems that have been a major testing ground for theories of learning-theories that differ essentially in conceptions of stimulus control. The subproblem experiments indicate that dimensional control in infrahuman learning is more limited and conditional than generally supposed. While these subjects do not abstract dimensions in the manner indicated by current attentional formulations, neither do they learn in the fully nonselective manner. The research suggests that irrelevant cues exert control in proportion to their discriminability, but that with increasing task complexity subjects may reject or filter out cues less discriminable than the relevant cues. In regard to children's learning, the subproblem analysis delineates significant and interrelated age differences in selective stimulus control and problem-solving strategies. Isolation of the relative contributions of these factors poses a major experimental challenge.
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) control in a Kentucky bluegrass turfgrass with borax.

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to evaluate ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) control and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) tolerance to Twenty Mule Team Borax, Super Trimec, and Sharpshooter applications. Ground ivy control improved with time in 1991 whereas the inverse was true in 1992. Liquid borax at 610 g/100m2 and Super Trimec at 560 ml/100m2 controlled ground ivy consistently (≥85%) during 1991 and 1992. Ground ivy control with dry borax was not as good as liquid borax when each application was applied at 305 g/100m2. Unacceptable ground ivy control occurred with Sharpshooter. All treatments caused turfgrass injury in 1991. At 4 weeks after treatment (WAT), injury increased to 30 and 40% for the 305 and 610 g/100 m2 (10 and 20 oz/1000 ft2) liquid borax treatments, respectively. No turfgrass injury however was observed the following spring. In 1992, only Sharpshooter caused injury 2 WAT. Weather differences after the applications contributed to the variability in ground ivy control an...
Posterior Ankle and Hind Foot Arthroscopy: Indications and Results

Objectives: While anterior ankle arthroscopy is a widely accepted technique, posterior ankle/hind foot arthroscopy is still a relatively new procedure. The arthroscopic visualisation was often initially limited and vulnerabilty of the posteromedial neurovascular structures to injury scared orthopaedic surgeons. The goal of this review is to highlight the indications, and to present the long term follow up results of posterior ankle/hind foot arthroscopy.
“Bicycles May Use Full Lane” Signage Communicates U.S. Roadway Rules and Increases Perception of Safety

Many global challenges, including obesity, health care costs, and climate change, could be addressed in part by increasing the use of bicycles for transportation. Concern about the safety of bicycling on roadways is frequently cited as a deterrent to increasing bicycle use in the USA. The use of effective signage along roadways might help alleviate these concerns by increasing knowledge about the rights and duties of bicyclists and motorists, ideally reducing crashes. We administered a web-based survey, using Twitter for recruitment, to examine how well three US traffic control devices communicated the message that bicyclists are permitted in the center of the travel lane and do not have to “get out of the way” to allow motorists to pass without changing lanes: “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” and “Share the Road” signage, and Shared Lane Markings on the pavement. Each was compared to an unsigned roadway. We also asked respondents whether it was safe for a bicyclist to occupy the center of the travel lane. “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage was the most consistently comprehended device for communicating the message that bicyclists may occupy the travel lane and also increased perceptions of safety. “Share the Road” signage did not increase comprehension or perceptions of safety. Shared Lane Markings fell somewhere between. “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage showed notable increases in comprehension among novice bicyclists and private motor vehicle commuters, critical target audiences for efforts to promote bicycling in the USA. Although limited in scope, our survey results are indicative and suggest that Departments of Transportation consider replacing “Share the Road” with “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage, possibly combined with Shared Lane Markings, if the intent is to increase awareness of roadway rights and responsibilities. Further evaluation through virtual reality simulations and on-road experiments is merited.
Prevalence of difficult airway predictors in cases of failed prehospital endotracheal intubation.

Abstract Background Difficult airway predictors (DAPs) are associated with failed endotracheal intubation (ETI) in the emergency department (ED). However, little is known about the relationship between DAPs and failed prehospital ETI. Objective Our aim was to determine the prevalence of common DAPs among failed prehospital intubations. Methods We reviewed a quality-improvement database, including all cases of ETI in a single ED, over 3 years. Failed prehospital (FP) ETI was defined as a case brought to the ED after attempted prehospital ETI, but bag-valve-mask ventilation, need for a rescue airway (supraglottic device, cricothyrotomy, etc.), or esophageal intubation was discovered at the ED. Physicians performing ETI evaluated each case for the presence of DAPs, including blood/emesis, facial/neck trauma, airway edema, spinal immobilization, short neck, and tongue enlargement. Results There were a total of 1377 ED ETIs and 161 had an FP-ETI (11.8%). Prevalence of DAPs in cases with FP-ETI was obesity 13.0%, large tongue 18.0%, short neck 13%, small mandible 4.3%, cervical immobility 49.7%, blood in airway 57.8%, vomitus in airway 23.0%, airway edema 12.4%, and facial or neck trauma 32.9%. The number of cases with FP-ETI and 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more DAPs per case was 22 (13.6%), 43 (26.7%), 23 (24.3%), 42 (26.1%), and 31 (19.3%), respectively. Conclusions DAPs are common in cases of FP-ETI. Some of these factors may be associated with FP-ETI. Additional study is needed to determine if DAPs can be used to identify patients that are difficult to intubate in the field.
Smoking Cessation Intervention for Female Prisoners: Addressing an Urgent Public Health Need

Objectives. We tested the efficacy of a combined pharmacologic and behavioral smoking cessation intervention among women in a state prison in the southern United States.Methods. The study design was a randomized controlled trial with a 6-month waitlist control group. The intervention was a 10-week group intervention combined with nicotine replacement therapy. Two hundred and fifty participants received the intervention, and 289 were in the control group. Assessments occurred at baseline; end of treatment; 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment; and at weekly sessions for participants in the intervention group.Results. The intervention was efficacious compared with the waitlist control group. Point prevalence quit rates for the intervention group were 18% at end of treatment, 17% at 3-month follow-up, 14% at 6-month follow-up, and 12% at 12-month follow-up, quit rates that are consistent with outcomes from community smoking-cessation interventions.Conclusions. Female prisoners are interested in smoking cessat...
Modeling and evaluating of surface roughness prediction in micro-grinding on soda-lime glass considering tool characterization

The current research of micro-grinding mainly focuses on the optimal processing technology for different materials. However, the material removal mechanism in micro-grinding is the base of achieving high quality processing surface. Therefore, a novel method for predicting surface roughness in micro-grinding of hard brittle materials considering micro-grinding tool grains protrusion topography is proposed in this paper. The differences of material removal mechanism between convention grinding process and micro-grinding process are analyzed. Topography characterization has been done on micro-grinding tools which are fabricated by electroplating. Models of grain density generation and grain interval are built, and new predicting model of micro-grinding surface roughness is developed. In order to verify the precision and application effect of the surface roughness prediction model proposed, a micro-grinding orthogonally experiment on soda-lime glass is designed and conducted. A series of micro-machining surfaces which are 78 nm to 0.98 μm roughness of brittle material is achieved. It is found that experimental roughness results and the predicting roughness data have an evident coincidence, and the component variable of describing the size effects in predicting model is calculated to be 1.5×107 by reverse method based on the experimental results. The proposed model builds a set of distribution to consider grains distribution densities in different protrusion heights. Finally, the characterization of micro-grinding tools which are used in the experiment has been done based on the distribution set. It is concluded that there is a significant coincidence between surface prediction data from the proposed model and measurements from experiment results. Therefore, the effectiveness of the model is demonstrated. This paper proposes a novel method for predicting surface roughness in micro-grinding of hard brittle materials considering micro-grinding tool grains protrusion topography, which would provide significant research theory and experimental reference of material removal mechanism in micro-grinding of soda-lime glass.
NanoCarbon for next-generation green electronics: Status and prospects

NanoCarbons constitute the low-dimensional allotropes of carbon including 1-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2-dimensional (2D) graphene. These nanomaterials have extraordinary physical properties that can be exploited to bring forward their exciting prospects for a variety of applications. This tutorial will highlight and discuss the unique prospects of NanoCarbon materials (especially graphene and CNTs) for designing next generation low-power, low-loss and ultra-energy-efficient active and passive devices targeted for designing next-generation “green electronics”. The discovery of graphene has also opened up a new era for a wide range of 2D crystals and their unprecedented electronic applications. This tutorial will also provide a brief overview of such materials and related opportunities, especially in the electronics domain.
PRIMITIVE CARTOGRAPHY IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

One of the earliest forms of primitive cartography was the stick chart used by the natives of the Marshall Islands. There are two schools of thought among scholars concerning primitive man's ability to develop such an expertise in navigation and map making. Modern studies tend to support the thesis that the Marshallese had the knowledge to make deliberate voyages using the art of navigation and stick charts to make precision landfalls. Three types of stick charts were developed – mattang, meddo and rebbelib. One type was used for training purposes and the other two types were charts of different scales to cover varying areas of the Marshall Islands. Three replicas of stick charts in the Library of Congress cartographic collections are briefly described and illustrated. L'une des premieres formes de la cartographie primitive fut la carte marine faite de bâtons et de coquillages, employee par les indigenes des iles Marshall. Il existe deux ecoles de pensee parmi les erudits en ce qui concerne l'aptitude de ...
Profiling the membrane proteome of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 with new affinity labeling probes

The membrane proteome plays a critical role in electron transport processes in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a bacterial organism that has great potential for bioremediation. Biotinylation of intact cells with subsequent affinity-enrichment has become a useful tool for characterization of the membrane proteome. As opposed to these commonly used, water-soluble commercial reagents, we here introduce a family of hydrophobic, cell-permeable affinity probes for extensive labeling and detection of membrane proteins. When applied to S. oneidensis cells, all three new chemical probes allowed identification of a substantial proportion of membrane proteins from total cell lysate without the use of specific membrane isolation method. From a total of 410 unique proteins identified, approximately 42% are cell envelope proteins that include outer membrane, periplasmic, and inner membrane proteins. This report demonstrates the first application of this intact cell biotinylation method to S. oneidensis and presents the res...
TU-EE-A2-06: Theoretical Investigation of the Pencil Beam Solution From the Fermi-Eyges Partial Differential Equation

Purpose: To demonstrate the rigorous mathematical derivation of the Fermi‐Eyges partial differential equation for the pencil beam solution and to compare with the original Eyges solution.Method and Materials: In the radiation therapy community, there is a debate about the solution of the Fermi‐Eyges equation presented by the original Eyges paper as to whether the equations are correct or not. But nobody has presented the detailed solution of this equation and compared with the original Eyges solution yet. In this manuscript, we present the rigorous mathematical derivation of the Fermi‐Eyges equation for the distribution function. Several standard mathematical techniques such as two dimensional Fourier transform, change of variables by introducing the transformation function, different boundary conditions and use of the Jacobean to separate the coupled variables have been implemented to calculate the closed‐form solution of the distribution function for the electron transport of the pencil beam algorithm. Also the derivation and the solution of the Fermi‐Eyges equation have been compared with the original Eyges solution at the different check points. Results: Examination of the detailed derivation of the Fermi‐Eyges partial differential equation indicates that there is an error in the equation (14) of the original Eyges solution.Conclusion: We have demonstrated the rigorous derivation for the pencil beam solution of the Fermi‐Eyges equation. In radiation oncology physics, it's always important to fully understand the theoretical basis and the limitations of the solution of the Fermi‐Eyges equation because this is the only deterministic solution for the pencil beam algorithm to calculate electron dose distribution. And, it's also important in order to develop the theory further and to apply it successfully in the clinical practice.
Tissue heterogeneity effects in treatment plan optimization

Abstract Purpose: There is general agreement that tissue density correction factors improve the accuracy of dose calculations. However, there is disagreement over the proper heterogeneity correction algorithm and a lack of clinical experience in using them. Therefore, there has not been widespread implementation of density correction factors into clinical practice. Furthermore, the introduction of optimized conformal therapy leads to new and radically different treatment techniques outside the clinical experience of the physician. It is essential that the effects of tissue density corrections are understood so that these types of treatments can be safely delivered. Methods and Materials: In this paper, we investigate the effect of tissue density corrections on optimized conformal type treatment planning in the thorax region. Specifically, we study the effects on treatment plans optimized without tissue density corrections, when those corrections are applied to the resulting dose distributions. These effects are compared for two different conformal techniques. Results: This study indicates that failure to include tissue density correction factors results in an increased dose of approximately 5–15%. This is consistent with published studies using conventional treatment techniques. Additionally, the high-dose region of the dose distribution expands laterally into the uninvolved lung and other normal structures. The use of dose-volume histograms to compare these distributions demonstrates that treatment plans optimized without tissue density corrections lead to an increased dose to uninvolved normal structures. This increase in dose often violates the constraints used to determine the optimal solution. Conclusions: The neglect of tissue density correction factors can result in a 5–15% increase in the delivered dose. In addition, suboptimal dose distributions are produced. To benefit from the advantages of optimized conformal therapy in the thorax, tissue density correction factors should be used.
Determinants of hospital cost and length of stay for patients undergoing electrophysiologic testing

Abstract To assess the effects of various clinical factors in determining the cost and length of stay in patients undergoing electrophysiologic testing for cardiac arrhythmias, the hospital cost and length of stay data were reviewed in 222 consecutive inpatients who underwent electrophysiologic testing from January 1 to December 31, 1984. Admissions were classified as: primarily for treatment of arrhythmias (171 patients); primarily for treatment of arrhythmias but with serious concurrent illnesses that prolonged hospitalization (43 patients); or primarily for nonarrhythmic problems with electrophysiologic study an incidental part of hospitalization (8 patients). Based on allowable length of stay for the applicable DRGs, actual hospitalizations exceeded Medicare allowable length of stay by 50 to 500%. Retrospective review of hospital charts indicated that 3 clinical factors serve as effective markers in determining length of stay: need for amiodarone, induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), and presence of serious other medical problems that require stabilization before electrophysiologic testing. Our data indicate that 3 classes of patients can be identified: I. DRG A (45%)—those who did not have sustained VT or VF induced, did not require amiodarone and had no serious concurrent illnesses. The mean length of stay was 7.1 days. II. DRG B patients (21%)—those who had sustained VT or VF induced, but did not require amiodarone and had no serious concurrent illnesses. The mean length of stay was 13.7 days. III. DRG C patients (34%)—those who either had a serious concurrent illness or required amiodarone. The mean length of stay was 19.7 days. This classification schema might allow a more appropriate system for determining reimbursement.
Elimination of drift in a single-mode optical fiber interferometer using a piezoelectrically stretched coiled fiber

The feasibility of maintaining a single-mode optical fiber interferometer in quadrature is demonstrated using a servo driven piezoelectrically stretched coiled fiber. The controller has a range of ~10(-5)-1000 rad with a stress voltage coefficient of ~27pi rad/V.
Familial B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Analysis of Cytogenetic Abnormalities, Immunophenotypic Profiles, and Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Gene Usage

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a heterogeneous disease that may exhibit familial clustering. We examined the cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, and VH gene usage characteristics of a family with B-CLL affecting 7 members in 3 generations. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization studies identified an acquired deletion of chromosome 13q14 in the leukemic cells of 6 affected members, accompanied by deletion 14q32 or trisomy 12 in 2 cases. VH gene analysis demonstrated clonal rearrangements of the VH3 gene family in 5 cases and of VH2 genes in 1 case. All 6 cases were mutated in VH2 or VH3. Two cases had a second VH1 family gene rearrangement that was unmutated. Flow cytometry performed on 5 cases showed the typical B-CLL immunophenotype; all were CD38–, but 3 expressed ZAP-70. Our findings support previous observations that familial and sporadic B-CLL cases are biologically similar and suggest that familial clusters will be useful for studying pathogenetic events in B-CLL.
O-linked glycosylation sites profiling in Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate proteins.

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes tuberculosis, one of the leading causes of fatal infectious diseases worldwide. Cell–cell recognition between the pathogen Mtb and its host is mediated in part by glycosylated proteins. So far, glycoproteins in Mtb are understudied and for only very few glycoproteins glycosylation sites have been described, e.g., alanine and proline rich secreted protein apa, superoxide dismutase SODC, lipoprotein lpqH and MPB83/MPT83. In this study, glycosylated proteins in Mtb culture filtrate were investigated using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry approaches and bioinformatic analyses. To validate the presence of glycoproteins, several strategies were pursued including collision induced dissociation, high energy collision dissociation and electron transfer dissociation techniques, and bioinformatics analyses involving a neutral loss search for glycosylated moieties. After extensive data curation, we report glycosylation sites for thirteen Mtb glycoproteins using a combination of mass spectrometry techniques on a dataset collected from culture filtrate proteins. This is the first glycoproteomics study identifying glycosylation sites on mycobacterial culture filtrate proteins (CFP) on a global scale. Biological significance In this study, glycosylation sites in Mtb were characterized by collision-induced dissociation, electron-transfer dissociation and high energy collision dissociation techniques. The identification of glycosylation sites is important for our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of Mtb. Glycoproteins are often responsible for protein–protein interactions between host and pathogen and thus represent interesting targets for vaccine development. In addition, our strategy is not limited to Mtb, but could be extended to other organisms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Trends in Microbial Proteomics.
Gating of G protein-sensitive inwardly rectifying K+ channels through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

Several inwardly rectifying K+ channels show an ATP-dependent rundown of their activity. Hydrolysis of ATP is required for maintenance of channel activity. G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels also depend on ATP hydrolysis for gating by sodium ions or the βγ subunits of G proteins (Sui et al. 1998). Strong evidence suggests that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), synthesized via the hydrolysis of ATP, is absolutely required for channel gating (Sui et al. 1998; Huang et al. 1998). Interestingly, Huang and colleagues (Huang et al. 1998) showed that Gβγ subunits (the βγ subunits of GTP-binding proteins) caused a stabilization of channel-PIP2 interactions, suggesting that Gβγ subunits may gate the channel through PIP2. Ho & Murrell-Lagnado (1999b) recently identified an aspartate residue responsible for gating these K+ channels. Ho & Murrell-Lagnado (1999a) in this issue of The Journal of Physiology present evidence that sodium ions also stabilize channel-PIP2 interactions. They suggest that Na+ effectively neutralizes a negatively charged residue, somehow promoting interactions of the channel with PIP2. These results on the mechanism of Na+ action are in close agreement with recently published work from our group. Zhang et al. (1999) showed that two C-terminal cytoplasmic arginine residues, which interact with PIP2, are localized next to the identified aspartate residue that is responsible for the Na+ effects on gating. Thus, the implication from the results of these three studies (Huang et al. 1998; Zhang et al. 1999; Ho & Murrell-Lagnado, 1999a) is that stabilization of channel-PIP2 interactions may be a common mechanism for gating GIRK channels by molecules as different as Na+ or the Gβγ subunits (see Fig. 1). Figure 1 A model of the stabilization of interactions between a K+ channel and PIP2 induced by Na+ or the βγ subunits of G proteins. These results raise many interesting questions on how modulation of channel-PIP2 interactions may lead to channel gating. Are the channel-PIP2 sites that are stabilized by Gβγ subunits shared with those that are affected by Na+? Na+ seems to act by screening the electrostatic effects that the aspartate residue exerts on the nearby PIP2-interacting arginines. How does Gβγ binding lead to stabilization of channel- PIP2 interactions? Is the Na+ sensitivity of the channel used physiologically and if so how does it relate to signalling through G proteins? Structural data for these channels and in particular for their cytoplasmic portions, which are critical for interactions with PIP2, will greatly aid our molecular understanding of the conformations needed for channel gating. Finally, although the dependence of GIRK channel activity on PIP2 is clear, it is not known yet whether the levels of PIP2 needed for channel gating are constant or under regulatory control. Answers to these and many other such questions are likely to shed light on the mechanism by which PIP2 itself serves as an important regulator of the activity of membrane proteins.
Mapping of complex regulatory elements by pufferfish/zebrafish transgenesis.

Vertebrate hematopoiesis is a richly complex developmental system in which many transcription factors have essential and nonredundant roles (1). Some factors act as prominent controllers of differentiation in specific cell lineages, others are needed for stem cell generation, and others are needed for both. In this system, precise levels of one transcription factor relative to another in the same cell can control the direction of cell lineage choices, proliferation vs. apoptosis, lineage-specific malignant transformation, and the timing and sites of stem cell generation (2–9).
Pancreaticoduodenectomy and the Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome

Celiac compression is usually a benign condition, but when surgery necessitates division of collaterals from the superior mesenteric artery, it may cause life-threatening gut ischemia. We report a case of cholangiocarcinoma necessitating pancreaticoduodenectomy in a patient with celiac artery compression by the median arcuate ligament. Preoperative duplex scanning confirmed the celiac stenosis and revealed retrograde flow through collaterals from the superior mesenteric artery. Intraoperative continuous wave Doppler examination revealed that gastric blood flow disappeared with compression of the superior mesenteric artery. This maneuver no longer affected gastric flow after transection of the compressing structures at the celiac origin. Preoperative identification of celiac artery stenosis is crucial to prevent small bowel ischemia and possible anastomotic breakdown or liver failure. Duplex scanning can provide important insight about collateral circulation, and intraoperative Doppler testing can assess the adequacy of revascularization.