cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Merkle-Tree Based Approach for Ensuring Integrity of Electronic Medical Records

Protecting the integrity of medical records is critical to patients, medical professionals, governments, insurance companies, and hospital systems. Integrity of medical records is protecting medical data against accidental or fraudulent changes. Owing to the onset of electronic medical records in physician offices and health-care facilities, increasingly mandated or incentivized by federal Acts in the USA, ensuring integrity of records in an electronic environment has become far more important than in the days of paper-based records. In this research, we propose an innovative Merkle tree-based approach to protecting the integrity of medical records and describe its implementation. The software architecture closely mimics Blockchain technology and is designed to be deployed in a private network setting. The salient features of our approach include simplification of the Blockchain technology by avoiding the use of mining, and as a replacement of traditional audit-trails by its cryptographically secure counterpart. This paper discusses in detail the design and implementation of the application and a prototype testing on a subset of MIMIC-III database, which comprises de-identified medical records of 40,000 critical-care patients. Experimental results show that Merkle-tree based approach to storing medical records is very robust, protects against various kinds of changes (intentional or accidental) and has little overhead when compared with other approaches to ensuring integrity.
E Pluribus Unum: The Fungal Kingdom as a Rosetta Stone for Biology and Medicine

THE Genetics Society of America’s (GSA’s) Edward Novitski Prize recognizes a single experimental accomplishment or a body of work in which an exceptional level of creativity, and intellectual ingenuity, has been used to design and execute scientific experiments to solve a difficult problem in genetics. The 2019 recipient is Joseph Heitman, who is recognized for his work on fungal pathogens of humans and for ingenious experiments using yeast to identify the molecular targets of widely used immunosuppressive drugs. The latter work, part of Heitman’s postdoctoral research, proved to be a seminal contribution to the discovery of the conserved Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway. In his own research group, a recurring theme has been the linking of fundamental insights in fungal biology to medically important problems. His studies have included defining fungal mating-type loci, including their evolution and links to virulence, and illustrating convergent transitions from outcrossing to inbreeding in fungal pathogens of plants and animals. He has led efforts to establish new genetic and genomic methods for studying pathogenesis in Cryptococcus species. Heitman’s group also discovered unisexual reproduction, a novel mode of fungal reproduction with implications for pathogen evolution and the origins of sexual reproduction.
Norwood With Obstructed Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection and Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair: Operating Room Delivery.

Abstract A baby boy with prenatally diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome variant with obstructed veins was born in the operating room (OR) and underwent emergent Norwood operation and repair o...
Sequential Drift Detection in Deep Learning Classifiers

We utilize neural network embeddings to detect data drift by formulating the drift detection within an appropriate sequential decision framework. This enables control of the false alarm rate although the statistical tests are repeatedly applied. Since change detection algorithms naturally face a tradeoff between avoiding false alarms and quick correct detection, we introduce a loss function which evaluates an algorithm's ability to balance these two concerns, and we use it in a series of experiments.
Decreasing Unplanned Exutabtions in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Background: Unplanned extubations (UE) can result in immediate airway management complications, hemodynamic instability, increased length of stay (LOS), and, increased ventilator days (VD). UEs in children contribute to significant morbidity and mortality, with an arbitrary benchmark target of less than 1 UE per 100 ventilator days.1 Risk factors, such as age, gender, increased salivary secretions, intubation duration, nursing attentiveness, endotracheal tube fixation method, and sedation have all been referenced in the literature. After reviewing our practices in 2019 with a UE rate of 0.56/100 VD, we created a multidisciplinary subgroup with a goal UE rate of 0/100 VD. We focused our efforts on standardizing a process for evaluating UE in our PICU using the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) workgroup as a source of information. Methods: In an IRB approved retrospective analysis, data was analyzed from 1/1/2019 to 4/30/2020 for number of UEs per 100 VD. After review in 12/2019 changes to our UE bundle included three major changes that were implemented 1/1/2020. First an immediate swarm event post UE with the providing team (RN, RT and MD) using a standard Event Review Form. A visual bundle card was created and education to multidisciplinary teams regarding ETT management in the PICU was completed. Lastly, an ETT management education and elements included; standardized ETT securement process, 2 RT ETT securement process, “Two on the Tube” during patient mobility, and increased awareness for RNs on ETT securement verification. Results: UE rate from 2019 was compared to available data from 2020. The UE rate for the first 17 weeks in 2019 was 0.83/100 VD and in the same time in 2020, UE rate was 0.38/100 VD. For 2019 (1/1-12/31), PICU UE rate was 0.56/100 VD (7/1,257). The current PICU UE rate (17 weeks) is 0.36/100 VD (2/527). See Figure 1 for detailed week-to-week data. Conclusions: By implementing UE swarms, adding visual bundle elements, and providing multidisciplinary education in our PICU the UE rate decreased 54.21% (Q1 2019 vs. Q1 2020). Our goal is still 0/100 VD and we will continue with continuous improvement initiatives and bundle modifications to achieve this standard in our PICU. Further studies must be done to evaluate the effectiveness of these types of interventions in other patient populations. 1. Klugman D, et al. Assessment of an Unplanned Extubation Bundle to Reduce Unplanned Extubations in Critically Ill Neonates, Infants, and Children. JAMA Pediatr 2020 Apr 13:e2DD268
MONTMORILLONITE-POLYALCOHOL COMPLEXES1

Some montmorillonites may be differentiated by complexing them with polyalcohols having a CH2 group that is not connected to an oxygen atom. Montmorillonites with a low layer charge and high valence interlayer cations have larger basal spacings for their complexes than do those with a high layer charge and low valence interlayer cations. The basal spacings of these complexes are relatively larger if the clay has a large initial water content. The spacings for some complexes which are initially equilibrated at very low humidities are small, indicative of little penetration by polyalcohol molecules. Polyalcohol molecules may have difficulty replacing water molecules that are associated with the interlayer cations. The spacings of complexes with ethylene glycol and glycerol do not depend upon the initial interlayer water content. Water molecules may be an essential component of montmorillonite-polyalcohol complexes. The polyalcohol molecules probably are associated with the clay surface through weak C—H … O interactions although virtually no shortening of this bond distance occurs. The C—H … O interaction is enhanced by the presence of higher valence interlayer cations. OH groups increase the thermal stability of complexes probably by interacting with the exchangeable cations. Longer chain molecules are held more tightly between the silicate sheets. One layer of polyalcohol molecules between silicate sheets is more stable than two layers. One layer of organic molecules is more stable with higher valence interlayer cations. Small molecules such as those of ethylene glycol may pack down somewhat into the “hexagonal holes” in the silicate surface.
Memories of and reflections on play

My fondest memories of play created a better more empowering me. Growing up in a low SES neighborhood with two hard working parents, life sometimes felt lonely and harsh. But, When I played, I was ...
Settled Expectations in a World of Unsettled Law: Choice of Law after the Class Action Fairness Act

This Essay examines the pressure placed upon choice of law doctrine by the newly enacted Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). The core argument is that current choice of law doctrine, which assumes fidelity to the forum state choice of law rules as its basic premise, corresponds poorly to the national scope of economic activity in cases brought into federal court under CAFA. The Essay argues that there needs to be some conformity between the national scale of contemporary economic activity and the state-by-state presumption of inherited conflict of laws doctrine in order to provide some sensible legal oversight of national market conduct. Because of the multiplicity of potential forums for litigation of national market activity, the inherited doctrines of Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Electric Manufacturing Co. and Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins do little to provide settled expectations about the substantive laws governing broad-scale economic conduct.The Essay offers an approach that should guide choice of law rules in the context of national market cases based on the need to facilitate common legal oversight of undifferentiated national market activity. The claim here is that conduct that arises from mass-produced goods entering the stream of commerce with no preset purchaser or destination should be treated as just that: goods in the national market. In the absence of national choice of law rules, this Essay suggests that courts should, as a default rule, apply the laws of the home state of the defendant to all standardized claims, regardless of the situs of the final injury. The upshot of this approach is to suggest a path for future development of national market cases that have been brought into the federal courts as a result of CAFA.
Studies on the pathways of glucose respiration in cattle skin.

In a previous communication (1) evidence was presented showing that glucose and the products of glycolysis can partially replace the endogenous respiratory substrate in cattle skin.
Electron cloud effects at positron/electron (e+/e-) machines and electron cloud diagnostics.

Background electrons are ubiquitous in high-intensity particle accelerators. Under certain operating conditions, amplification of the electron cloud can occur. The beam-cloud interaction can seriously degrade the accelerator performance with effects that range from vacuum degradation to collective beam instabilities. Although electron cloud effects (ECEs) were first observed 20 years ago in a proton ring, in recent years, they have been widely observed and intensely studied in e{sup +}/e{sup -} rings. This paper will focus on describing electron cloud diagnostics, which have led to an enhanced understanding of ECEs, especially details of beam-induced multipacting and saturation of the cloud. Such experimental results can be used to provide realistic limits on key input parameters for modeling efforts.
Processor Verification with Precise Exeptions and Speculative Execution

We describe a framework for verifying a pipelined microprocessor whose implementation contains precise exceptions, external interrupts, and speculative execution. We present our correctness criterion which compares the state transitions of pipelined and non-pipelined machines in presence of external interrupts. To perform the verification, we created a table-based model of pipeline execution. This model records committed and in-flight instructions as performed by the microarchitecture. Given that certain requirements are met by this table-based model, we have mechanically verified our correctness criterion using the ACL2 theorem prover.
Snyder v. Phelps, the Supreme Court's Speech-Tort Jurisprudence, and Normative Considerations

In Snyder v. Phelps, members of the Westboro Baptist Church exploited a young marine’s untimely death to further their “religious” message that “God Hates Fags” and retaliates against America for tolerating homosexuality by killing American soldiers. A jury awarded the marine’s father, Mr. Snyder, $10.9 million for invasion of privacy and emotional distress after the church members disseminated extremely hateful and personalized attacks against him and his family, which the district court reduced to $5 million. The Fourth Circuit reversed on First Amendment grounds and assessed costs against Mr. Snyder. The Supreme Court is reviewing the case to determine whether civil liability based on invasive, emotionally injurious speech violates the First Amendment. This essay discusses the Court’s existing speech-tort jurisprudence and the normative aspects of the case that the Court should consider in applying existing precedent, such as the epidemic of bullying and hate-motivated crimes and torts in contemporary American society. The essay concludes that both precedent and normative considerations warrant reversing the Fourth Circuit and recognizing a civil remedy for Mr. Snyder.
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyltransferase Deficiency Decreases Autoimmune Disease in Diabetes-Prone Nonobese Diabetic Mice and Lupus-Prone MRL-Faslpr Mice

The wide diversity of the T and B Ag receptor repertoires becomes even more extensive postneonatally due to the activity of TdT, which adds nontemplated N nucleotides to Ig and TCR coding ends during V(D)J recombination. In addition, complementarity-determining region 3 sequences formed in the absence of TdT are more uniform due to the use of short sequence homologies between the V, D, and J genes. Thus, the action of TdT produces an adult repertoire that is both different from, and much larger than, the repertoire of the neonate. We have generated TdT-deficient nonobese diabetic (NOD) and MRL- Fas lpr mice, and observed a decrease in the incidence of autoimmune disease, including absence of diabetes and decreased pancreatic infiltration in NOD TdT −/− mice, and reduced glomerulonephritis and increased life span in MRL- Fas lpr TdT −/− mice. Using tetramer staining, TdT −/− and TdT +/+ NOD mice showed similar frequencies of the diabetogenic BDC 2.5 CD4 + T cells. We found no increase in CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells in NOD TdT −/− mice. Thus, TdT deficiency ameliorates the severity of disease in both lupus and diabetes, two very disparate autoimmune diseases that affect different organs, with damage conducted by different effector cell types. The neonatal repertoire appears to be deficient in autoreactive T and/or B cells with high enough affinities to induce end-stage disease. We suggest that the paucity of autoreactive specificities created in the N region-lacking repertoire, and the resultant protection afforded to the newborn, may be the reason that TdT expression is delayed in ontogeny.
Progress on the development of standards for sound intensity measurements

The international and ANSI standards organizations have been involved in developing both instrument and calibration standards, and procedural standards to determine sound power. The sound power document based on discrete point measurements. Developed by the ISO, has already become an approved standard. the ANSI sound power draft is expected to receive final approval in a short time. Both the ANSI and IEC working groups are striving hard to develop instrument standards. The progress has been rather slow due to difficulties associated in standardizing many types of instruments and the lack of appropriate calibrating procedures. The author discusses the progress made by the ANSI and international standards working groups, highlighting the differences between the two approaches
A simple heuristic method for determining economic order interval for linear demand

Abstract In this paper a simple heuristic method is suggested for determining the economic ordering policy for an item having linear trend in demand. The performance of the method is compared with other known methods.
Heterogeneous development of calbindin‐D28K expression in the striatal matrix

In the present study, we attempted to trace the development of the striatal matrix by analyzing the ontogenetic expression of calbindin-D28K (calbindin), a calcium binding protein selectivity expressed in medium-sized neurons of the matrix compartment of the mature rat's caudoputamen. The localization of calbindin was documented in a series of developing rat brains, as was the compartmental location of these cells relative to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunostained dopamine islands, sites of future striosomes. Medium-sized striatal neurons appeared in the striatum at embryonic day (E) 20, and from their first appearance, the calbindin-positive neurons had highly heterogeneous distributions. They first formed a latticework of patches and bands in a ventral region of the caudoputamen. By postnatal day (P) 7, this early calbindin-positive lattice had evolved into a mosaic in which circumscript pockets of low calbindin-like immunoreactivity appeared in more extensive calbindin-rich surrounds. With further development, the mosaic gradually encroached on all but the dorsolateral caudoputamen, a district that is calbindin-poor at adulthood. A special lateral branch of the striatal calbindin system was also identified, distinct from the rest of the calbindin-positive mosaic in several developmental characteristics. In the parts of the caudoputamen where the developing calbindin system and dopamine island system were both present, the dopamine islands invariably lay in calbindin-poor zones. Most dopamine islands, however, only filled parts of the corresponding calbindin-poor zones. Moreover, there were some calbindin-poor zones for which TH-positive dopamine islands could not be detected. Thus during development, calbindin was expressed in the extrastriosomal matrix of the striatum, but the matrix could be divided into calbindin-rich and calbindin-poor zones. In the calbindin-rich regions, there were patches of especially intense calbindin expression and zones of weaker expression. These results suggest that there is neurochemical heterogeneity in the striatal matrix during the prolonged developmental period in which the early calbindin-positive lattice expands to form the calbindin-positive matrix of the mature striatum. Surprisingly, calbindin expression in the matrix, although eventually distributed in strictly complementary fashion to striosomes, does not originate as a system complementary to dopamine islands. The prolonged disparity between the borders of dopamine islands and calbindin-poor zones, and the different spatiotemporal schedules of development of the islands and the calbindin gaps suggest instead that the final match between the borders of striosomes and surrounding matrix results from dynamic processes occurring early in postnatal development. Candidate mechanisms for the gradual adjustment of these borders are proposed.
GABA and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the brain

Abstract Inhibitory synaptic transmission is now appreciated to play a role that is on a par with excitatory transmission in the functioning of the nervous system. The widespread employment of inhibition in the brain is accompanied by the widespread use of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Inhibitory GABA synapses participate in virtually every neuronal circuit and function of the nervous system across the animal kingdom. And yet, all GABA synapses are not the same. It is the little differences that make all the difference: a diversity of action of GABA is produced by the existence of heterogeneous molecules for both the biosynthesis of GABA and for the functional response to GABA. The widespread use of inhibitory GABA synapses with a diversity of action opens the door for the potential development of specific drugs that selectively intervene in specific GABA functions.
Non-formal educator use of evaluation results.

Abstract Increasing demands for accountability in educational programming have resulted in increasing calls for program evaluation in educational organizations. Many organizations include conducting program evaluations as part of the job responsibilities of program staff. Cooperative Extension is a complex organization offering non-formal educational programs through land grant universities. Many Extension services require non-formal educational program evaluations be conducted by field-based Extension educators. Evaluation research has focused primarily on the efforts of professional, external evaluators. The work of program staff with many responsibilities including program evaluation has received little attention. This study examined how field based Extension educators (i.e. program staff) in four Extension services use the results of evaluations of programs that they have conducted themselves. Four types of evaluation use are measured and explored; instrumental use, conceptual use, persuasive use and process use. Results indicate that there are few programmatic changes as a result of evaluation findings among the non-formal educators surveyed in this study. Extension educators tend to use evaluation results to persuade others about the value of their programs and learn from the evaluation process. Evaluation use is driven by accountability measures with very little program improvement use as measured in this study. Practical implications include delineating accountability and program improvement tasks within complex organizations in order to align evaluation efforts and to improve the results of both. There is some evidence that evaluation capacity building efforts may be increasing instrumental use by educators evaluating their own programs.
Implications for the Role of Information Systems in a Business Process Reengineering Environment

Organizations are increasingly adopting business process reengineering BPR initiatives to achieve multiple performance improvements through fundamental reengineering of work. Because of their expertise, techniques, and style of thinking, IS experts are well positioned to play a significant role in supporting and leading, when appropriate, many of the activities throughout reengineering projects. This role may include, but is not limited to, managing complex large-scale BPR projects, identifying and maintaining a technological vision in support of BPR efforts, developing process-oriented information systems, and managing the ongoing changes in business processes. Implications for such a role include repositioning IS to have business, customer, and information orientations, reinventing its activities, and resharpening its skills to properly function in such a new environment.
Solid-State Complexation of Poly(Ethylene Glycol) with α−Cyclodextrin

Low-molecular-weight liquid poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spontaneously forms an inclusion compound (IC) when combined with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) powder at room temperature. This process can be followed with wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The WAXD data shows that the α-CD crystals undergo a solid-state crystal−crystal transformation from the cage to the channel crystal structure upon IC formation over a period of about 8 h. The time dependence of the 2θ = 20° α-CD channel structure X-ray peak can be described by a simple first-order kinetic model. The effects of changing the temperature, PEG:α-CD molar ratio, PEG molecular weight, and vacuum-drying the CD have been studied. The barrier opposing the PEG inclusion-induced solid-state transformation of α-CD from the cage to the channel crystal structure appears to be dominated by changes in the packing/interactions of α-CDs, rather than the loss in the conformational entropy experienced by the PEG chains during the inclusion process.
The form of a conditioned stimulus can influence the degree to which it acquires incentive motivational properties

There is considerable individual variation in the extent to which food- and drug-associated cues (conditioned stimuli, CSs) acquire incentive salience, as indicated by whether they elicit approach towards them, and/or act as conditioned reinforcers. Here we asked whether this variation is influenced by properties of the CS itself. In rats, we assessed both the attractiveness and conditioned reinforcing properties of two CSs: a manipulable lever CS versus an auditory (tone) CS. There was considerable individual variation in the extent to which a lever CS acquired incentive motivational properties, as indicated by whether it became attractive (evoked a sign-tracking or goal-tracking conditioned response) or acted as a conditioned reinforcer. However, with a tone CS all rats learned a goal-tracking response, and the tone CS was an equally effective conditioned reinforcer in sign-trackers and goal-trackers. Even when presented in compound (a lever-tone CS), the two elements of the compound differentially acquired motivational properties. In contrast, amphetamine and stress potentiated the conditioned reinforcing properties of both visual and auditory CSs similarly in rats that primarily sign-tracked or goal-tracked. We conclude that variation in the to the ability of CSs to acquire incentive salience, and thus their ability to act as incentive stimuli capable of motivating behavior, is determined in part by properties of the CS itself.
Programmable Combinational Logic Trigger System for High Energy Particle Physics Experiments

A fast logic system designed to select predetermined combinations of three hits in three detectors is described. Central to this system is a random access memory IC that was especially designed for this application.
Electron temperature differences and double layers

Electron temperature differences across plasma double layers are studied experimentally. It is shown that the temperature differences across a double layer can be varied and are not a result of thermalization of the bump-on-tail distribution. The implications of these results for electron thermal energy transport in laser-pellet and tandem-mirror experiments are also discussed.
Diagnostic value of brush cytology in the diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma: A study in 65 patients with bile duct strictures

Malignant strictures of the extrahepatic bile ducts are difficult to distinguish from benign strictures, particularly in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Because attempts at diagnosing small cancers with fine-needle aspiration biopsy are not possible in the absence of an associated mass lesion and because the sensitivity of exfoliative biliary cytology is controversial, brush cytology has been used as a potential means of establishing a specific diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma. Herein we report our experience with this technique when performed on 65 patients over a 5-yr period. Each had at least one brushing. Thirty-seven were found to have bile duct carcinoma and 28 were found to have benign strictures. Of these 37, the first brushing was positive for malignancy in 15 (40%), whereas four (11%) had cells suspected but not diagnostic of malignancy. Thirteen patients with bile duct carcinoma whose initial brushings were negative for malignancy had second brushings. Of these, five (38%) had malignant cells, whereas three (24%) yielded suspicious cells. Three of the eight whose first two brushings were negative for malignancy were found to have malignant cells on the third brushing. In contrast, of the 28 patients with benign strictures, malignant cells were never found. However, in two patients, suspicious cells were reported with the first but not the second brushing. A single negative or suspicious cytological finding decreased the probability of bile duct carcinoma to 43%. Two and three sequential negative tests reduced the probability to 32% and 0%, respectively. When suspicious cytological findings were excluded from the negative results, the probability of having bile duct carcinoma was further reduced to 41%, 20% and 0%, respectively. Using these results, we conclude that (a) a single cytological brushing of a bile duct stricture has a low yield, (b) the sensitivity of the test increases with repeated attempts, (c) the probability of having bile duct carcinoma after three sequential negative cytological brushings is very low (<6%) and (d) these data provide evidence for the usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and bile duct cytological findings in establishing a diagnosis of bile duct cancer. (HEPATOLOGY 1990;12:747–752).
Antibiotic influence on arginine desimidase activity by Streptococcus lactis.

Abstract The antibiotic influence on the rate of arginine desimidase activity by Streptococcus lactis 10DS was studied by a colorimetric technique which utilized Bacto-Decarboxylase Base Broth (Difco), modified by the addition of 0.5% l-arginine HCl and containing bromcresol purple indicator. The bromcresol purple indicator permitted visual observation of the rate of acid production and arginine hydrolysis, the latter producing an alkaline reaction. Within a 12.5-hr incubation period at 30C, the following antibiotic concentrations/milliliter were found to suppress arginine desimidase activity: 0.005 μg oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline, 0.005 unit penicillin, 0.5 unit nisin, 0.075 μg oleandomycin, 0.005 unit bacitracin, 0.01 μg streptomycin, 7.5 units polymyxin, and 0.1μg neomycin. Arginine desimidase activity in S. lactis cells was much more sensitive to antibiotics than the enzymes required for acid production. A simple antibiotic assay procedure is proposed which utilizes S. lactis 10DS organism and arginine-enriched broth.
Immunogenicity of oncofetal antigens: A review

Considerable clinical and experimental evidence has documented similarities between embryonic and neoplastic cells. Malignant cells frequently synthesize proteins which are normally produced only in the fetal period. The observation that many cancers make tumor antigens which elicit T or B responses capable of tumor rejection (tumor-associated transplantation antigens) has raised the possibility that oncofetal antigens (OFA) might also act in this manner and thus be employed in a therapeutic as well as a diagnostic manner. This review analyzes the available evidence as to whether well-characterized OFA, such as α-fetoprotein or carcinoembryonic antigen, and other operationally defined OFA which are not physicochemically characterized can elicit T- or B-cell immune responses. An example of an operationally defined OFA is the cross-reactivity seen following tumor or fetal cell immunization. It is concluded that the well-characterized OFA do not elicit tumor-associated transplantation rejection responses. The evidence that operationally defined OFA can protect animals against subsequent tumor growth is less clear. We conclude that fetal antigens are very poor immunogens in vivo and that they do not reliably lead to a biologically significant resistant state. Furthermore, the weak protective responses that are seen in some systems may not be immunologically mediated, but may be a consequence of other physiological processes.
General perturbation theory for the extended: Hückel method

The general perturbation theory for the LCAO-MO method is developed to include the change of the overlap integrals. The general formulae obtained are applied to an analysis of the extended Huckel theory developed by Hoffmann and some interesting characteristics of this method are discussed.
Semantic Versus Acoustic Coding: Retention and Conditions of Organization.

Incidental learning techniques were employed in two experiments to investigate differences in semantic and acoustic coding with regard to retention and organization. The incidental task required subjects to judge pairs of words as being either related or unrelated on a specified dimension, acoustic or semantic. Intentional learning subjects received the same words but were instructed to remember. Instructions to learn enhanced recall and clustering of acoustically related words but had no affect on the usefulness of semantic relationships. Regardless of learning instructions, semantic relationships were more effective than acoustic ones. Results of Experiment II revealed no effects of acoustic similarity when it was unconfounded with orthographic similarity.
Is self-heating responsible for the current collapse in GaN HEMTs?

AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are a very promising technology for switching and radio frequency power applications due to the high saturation velocity and large breakdown field of the GaN material. However, the electrical reliability of this material system in both the on and the off-state operation regimes is still a fundamental problem to be solved before the widespread use of this technology can be made. In the present work, an electro-thermal particle based device simulator has been developed for a GaN HEMT structure. It consists of a Monte Carlo---Poisson solver which is self consistently coupled with an energy balance solver for both the acoustic and optical phonons. We observe that for a given drain bias, the lattice temperature increases to its steady state value after several iterations (Gummel cycles), whereas the electron temperature starts reducing. This implies that the velocity of the carriers is degrading with the temperature increase which, in turn, degrades the on-current. It is also observed that the lattice temperature and electron temperature are highest near the gate to drain transition region as the carrier velocity is highest in this region. The incorporation of self-heating effects in the model leads to higher electric fields at the gate-drain extension which, in turn, can contribute towards larger charge trapping at the surface and a possibility of formation of pits and cracks, thus leading to reliability concerns.
Beyond the ‘Natasha’ story – a review and critique of current research on sex trafficking

A review of literature on sex trafficking since 2000 reveals that numerous articles have been published in scholarly journals but few are based on systematic primary data collection. Much of our current knowledge, including statistical estimates and characteristics of the trafficking business, derives from a handful reports issued by government and non-government agencies. With few empirical studies available, imagination seems to have filled the gaps of our knowledge. The problem was further complicated by a manifest (sometimes subtle) moral crusading agenda aimed at a deep-rooted and hotly debated social practice. Also noticeable in the literature is an increasing number of authors who have begun to challenge the empirical premises claimed by these published reports. These sceptical authors find that many articles of questionable quality have been published in peer-reviewed journals, and claim that the current discourse on human trafficking is driven by mythology rather than empirical research. Rather t...
Hemispheric differences in memory search.

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that memory demands contribute to visual field (VF) differences in tachistoscopic recognition. The present experiment examined VF differences in a memory-search paradigm using verbal stimuli (digits). The results demonstrated a significant advantage to right VF-left hemisphere presentation that was associated with the memory comparison stage of the task, but not with the perceptual encoding and response stages. These data are more consistent with a relative efficiency model of hemispheric specialization than with a functional localization model.
Variable Bulk Modulus Constitutive Model for Sand

A quasi-linear elastic constitutive model is proposed to describe the behavior of sand well below failure. It is based on isotropic compression tests and captures the increase in stiffness due to confinement—a unique property that makes sand stiffer under certain applied loads. The model traces the increase in stiffness by describing the instantaneous bulk modulus in terms of the effective mean stress and two constitutive parameters: the initial bulk modulus and the ultimate volumetric strain. The validity of the model is examined by checking how closely the proposed mathematical formulation represents high quality isotropic compression tests reported in the literature.
Tests on the ductility of asymmetric part-through center cracks in plates

Welds, shoulders or other asymmetries may eliminate one of the shear bands of symmetrically cracked parts, giving less ductility than the corresponding symmetric specimens and increasing the stiffness requirements for stability. Experiments on part-through center cracks in plates of 1018 cold finished steel show that the growth displacement in the asymmetric case is about half that of the symmetric one. Unconstrained plane strain singly grooved asymmetric tests of the same material show less ductility by a factor of two to three. Expressions for theJ integral and the tearing modulus in both the asymmetric and symmetric cases are found and used to describe the growth resistance. To further understand the deformation, a macromechanical model represented by sliding off and fracture, based on an idealization of the underlying physical mechanisms, is applied to the test data.
Humanitarian coercion: Assessing the strategic role of non-state actors in the Kosovo war

Abstract This article analyses the strategic role of NGOs, the global media, and international criminal courts in the Kosovo war. I argue that the global media, NGOs, the internal displacement of peoples, and international criminal courts are not simply instrumental to the exercise of state power, but are independent factors that actively shape the coercer's strategic policy. Three claims serve as the basis of my argument: first, humanitarian suffering, as evidenced by flows of internally displaced peoples, NGOs and media reporting, bolsters the credibility of the coercer's threats and demands; second, the risk that state leaders may be tried for war crimes unless they comply with the coercer's demands expands the scope of the coercive success; and, third, the demand for peace-building measures enhances the prospects for compliance.
UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 variants affect thyroxine glucuronidation in human livers

Background/Aims Thyroxine (T4) is prescribed in patients with hypothyroidism, and is known to undergo glucuronidation. Previous studies propose 1A1 and 1A9 as the main isoforms for T4G formation, but a complete 1A screening has not been performed. This study aimed to investigate the relevance of genetic polymorphisms in 1A1 and 1A9 and screen all the functional 1A isoforms for T4G formation. Methods Thirty human liver microsomes were genotyped for the 1A1 (TA)n and the 1A9 -118T9>10 promoter polymorphisms. cDNA transfected 1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9 and 1A10 were screened for T4 glucuronidation activity and normalized by relative protein expression. T4G formation was measured by HPLC. Results There was a significant correlation between both 1A1 (TA)6>7 and 1A9 -118T9>10 genotypes and T4 glucuronidation (P<0.01). The highest T4G formation was observed with 1A3 followed by 1A8, 1A1, 1A10, 1A9, and 1A7 and was undetectable with 1A4 and 1A6. Conclusions 1A1 (TA)n and the 1A9 -118(T)9>10 promoter polymorphisms affect T4 glucuronidation rates. Moreover, our data propose 1A3 as another 1A isoform potentially involved in T4G formation. Future studies should further characterize the enzyme efficiencies of these UGTs and determine the clinical relevance of these findings. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P73–P73; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.171
Optimal Design of a Tubular Permanent Magnet Linear Alternator

Abstract An optimal design method and procedure are discussed for a tubular single-phase single-slot permanent magnet linear alternator. An illustrative design example is presented.
Physical map of the short foldback sequences of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA

Abstract Short foldback sequences were found and mapped on cloned fragments of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA. Few foldbacks were within the long and short unique regions of HSV-1 DNA. However, the joint region contained numerous foldback sequences.
The association between cigarette rod length, slim design, and blood cadmium levels among U.S. smokers: NHANES 1999-2010.

Abstract Background Previous research has shown that long or slim cigarette design can mitigate perception of harmfulness. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxicant in cigarettes and is associated with adverse outcomes. We assessed the relationship between cigarette rod length/circumference and blood Cd levels among U.S. smokers using data from the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods The analyses were performed on 4486 current cigarette smokers aged ≥ 20 years old. Cigarette rod length included regular (68–72 mm), king (79–88 mm), long (94–101 mm), and ultra-long (110–121 mm) cigarettes currently smoked. Overall and gender stratified multivariate linear regression analyses were performed, adjusting for other influential covariates. Results Gender stratified analysis indicated that female smokers of long and ultra-long cigarette had 20% and 27% higher mean Cd levels compared to smokers of regular sized cigarettes respectively, despite the fact that all the ultra-long cigarettes were slim cigarettes. Furthermore, among females, slim cigarette users did not reduce blood cadmium levels compared to non-slim users. Conclusions Female smokers of long or ultra-long cigarettes had higher mean blood Cd levels compared to smokers of regular cigarettes independent of slim design. Further research into this association is warranted.
Origin and Development of Adventitious Shoot Meristems Initiated on Plant Chimeras

Abstract Most studies concerning the initiation and development of the shoot apical meristem have been performed on meristems that developed during embryogenesis. We characterized the in situ formation of adventitious shoots originating from cells located near leaf axils in a series of six interspecific periclinal tobacco chimeras. Shoots were generated by decapitating the plants and removing all of the axillary buds. Eighty-four of the 413 shoots regenerated were chimeral. Many of the shoots were complex mericlinal chimeras, with several of their axillary buds possessing meristerns arranged as periclinal chimeras. The adventitious shoots originated from derivatives of only the second and third cell layers in the meristem of the source plant since derivatives of the outermost meristem layer were removed with the removal of the axillary buds. With time, nearly all adventitious shoot apices that were initially chimeral became nonchimeral or stabilized as periclinal chimeras. A statistical analysis indicated that the arrangement of genetically distinct tissues in the cell layers of adventitious meristems was influenced by competition between cell types. Our method for generating these shoots can be used to create small genetically distinct sectors analogous to radiation-induced sectors as well as a complete series of periclinal chimeras, both of which have potential for use in determining tissue-to-tissue interactions. An analysis of sector length and position on chimeral shoots indicates that the first one to three leaves of adventitious shoots do not arise as derivatives of the shoot apical initials of a meristem proper.
Sensitivity analysis in discrete dynamic programming

The problem of characterizing the minimum perturbations to parameters in future stages of a discrete dynamic program necessary to change the optimal first policy is considered. Lower bounds on these perturbations are derived and used to establish ranges for the reward functions over which the optimal first policy is robust. A numerical example is presented to illustrate factors affecting the tightness of these bounds.
A quantitative safety assessment model for transgenic protein products produced in agricultural crops

Transgenic plants are now being used to develop pharmaceutical and industrial products in addition to their use in crop improvement. Using confinement requirements, these transgenic plants are grown and processed under conditions that prevent intermixing with commodity crops. Regulatory agencies in the United States have provided guidance of zero tolerance of these new industrial crops with commodity crops. While this is a worthy goal, it is theoretically unattainable. In spite of the best containment practices, there is a potential risk using any system of production due to unforeseen incidences including natural disasters or exposure to workers. The precautionary principle has been used for numerous regulated articles in addressing the potential risks of new products and technology based on a risk assessment in similar situations. We present here a risk assessment model that could be used as a start to develop an accepted model for the industry. The model is based on current risk models used for other regulated articles, but adapted for these types of products. This could be used to determine action levels in the event of an unintended exposure or to ensure that detection or confinement methods are adequate to avoid risks. As an example, aprotinin, a therapeutic protein now being produced in maize, was evaluated for potential risk to humans using this model.
Sessional dataflow: short paper

The purpose of sessional dataflow is to provide a compositional semantics for dataflow computations that can be scheduled at compile-time. The interesting issues arise in enforcing static flow requirements in the composition of actors, ensuring that input and output rates of actors on related channels match, and that cycles in the composition of actors do not introduce deadlock. Ultimately the purpose of sessional dataflow is to support dynamic operations on subnets, ensuring that assumptions underlying static scheduling are not violated by operations such as subnet update and reconfiguration. This account focuses on a simplified case of sessional dataflow, to draw out the key points of the approach.
Perspectives on positioning, interaction, and learning in small-group discussion: possibilities for extending the analytic lens

In this forum piece, we respond to Karin Due’s study of social dynamics in groups of students in physics class and gender issues that play out in this context. We discuss two threads that appear in Due’s paper: one pertains to patterns of talk within groups and how these patterns open up possibilities for learning, the other pertains to ways in which gender is constructed within groups and made visible via discourse. Our comments are intended to provide alternative ways of thinking about such issues. We hope to provide insight into how to deepen analyses of group dynamics and gender because research in both areas is important in terms of understanding how social contexts support and/or constrain learning, gender identity, and the like.
Nonhealing leg ulcers: A manifestation of basal cell carcinoma

Seven patients with basal cell carcinomas presenting as nonhealing ulcers are reported. The importance of considering malignancy and taking biopsy specimens of leg ulcers that fail to respond to treatment is emphasized.
Finite element techniques applied to cracks interacting with selected singularities

The finite-element method for computing the extensional stress-intensity factor for cracks approaching selected singularities of varied geometry is described. Stress-intensity factors are generated using both displacement and J-integral techniques, and numerical results are compared to those obtained experimentally in a photoelastic investigation. The selected singularities considered are a colinear crack, a circular penetration, and a notched circular penetration. Results indicate that singularities greatly influence the crack-tip stress-intensity factor as the crack approaches the singularity. In addition, the degree of influence can be regulated by varying the overall geometry of the singularity. Local changes in singularity geometry have little effect on the stress-intensity factor for the cases investigated.