cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Stratification to Decrease Unnecessary Diagnostic Imaging for Acute Appendicitis

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in the use of imaging modalities to diagnose appendicitis despite evidence that can help identify children at especially high or low risk of appendicitis who may not benefit. We hypothesized that the passive diffusion of a standardized care pathway (including diagnostic imaging recommendations) would improve the diagnostic workup of appendicitis by safely decreasing the use of unnecessary imaging when compared with historical controls and that an electronic, real-time decision support tool would decrease unnecessary imaging. METHODS: We used an interrupted time series trial to compare proportions of patients who underwent diagnostic imaging (computed tomography [CT] and ultrasound) between 3 time periods: baseline historical controls, after passive diffusion of a diagnostic workup clinical pathway, and after introduction of an electronic medical record–embedded clinical decision support tool that provides point-of-care imaging recommendations (active intervention). RESULTS: The moderate- and high-risk groups showed lower proportions of CT in the passive and active intervention time periods compared with the historical control group. Proportions of patients undergoing ultrasound in all 3 risk groups showed an increase from the historical baseline. Time series analysis confirmed that time trends within any individual time period were not significant; thus, incidental secular trends over time did not appear to explain the decreased use of CT. CONCLUSIONS: Passive and active decision support tools minimized unnecessary CT imaging; long-term effects remain an important area of study.
Changing Patterns of Uncontested Seats in Southern State Legislative Elections, 1984–2012*

Objective Despite the rise of two-party politics in the American South, most state legislative elections in the region continue to feature only one major-party candidate. I offer a new account of changes in partisan contestation of state legislative races in the region that centers on the growing importance of constituency partisanship over time. Method Using an original data set of district-level presidential vote share between 1984 and 2012, I examine the changing effect of district partisanship on uncontestedness. I then estimate multivariate models predicting uncontested seats in 1988, 2000, and 2012. Results Between 1984 and 2012, the effect of incumbency on uncontestedness declines while the effect of partisanship rises. Conclusion The processes accounting for uncontested seats in southern legislative races have changed. Although uncontestedness in earlier periods was primarily driven by the incumbency advantage, in the contemporary period it is largely a result of the racially driven partisan sort of the southern electorate.
Immunoengineering: Valet parking for CAR genes

T-cell-binding nanoparticles bypass the complexities of in vitro gene transfer to deliver genes to T cells within the host.
Characterization of He-Induced Bubble Formation in Tungsten due to Exposure from an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Source

A compact electron cyclotron resonance plasma source has been utilized at Sandia National Laboratory to expose heated W samples (1270 K) to 50–75 eV He ions at fluxes on the order of 1019 m−2 s−1 a...
STUDENT MATHEMATIC DAYA AFTER LEARNING CONTEXTUAL BASED COOPERATIVE

This research is an experimental research that investigates the mathematical power (mathematical power) of junior high school students in the subject matter of comparison. Mathematical power in question is the ability of reasoning and communication, connection capabilities, and problem-solving skills. In addition to mathematical power, also investigated the activities of students and teachers as well as student responses to learning. The experimental unit in this research is the students of Class VII of SMPN 1 Bulukumba in even semester of the 2008/2009 school year. Selection of experimental unit used is cluster random sampling. All the selected students (Grade VII2) as many as 30 people were used as experimental units in this study. Data analysis used is descriptive analysis. The results showed that: (1) the average score of reasoning and communication ability, connection ability, and problem-solving ability of Grade VII students of SMP Negeri 1 Bulukumba after being taught through cooperative contextual learning were in high category (2) All aspects observed are within the ideal timeframe (3) teacher activity in the learning process is generally implemented entirely (4) in general the students give positive responses to cooperative based learning contextual, as the implication of the results of this study, it is suggested that in learning mathematics, Teachers should use cooperative learning contextually
Protein Structure Facilitates High-resolution Immunological Mapping

Select agents (SA) pose unique challenges for licensing vaccines and therapies. In the case of toxin-mediated diseases, HHS assigns guidelines for SA use, oversees vaccine and therapy development, and approves animal models and approaches to identify mechanisms for toxin neutralization. In this commentary, we discuss next-generation vaccines and therapies against ricin toxin and botulinum toxin, which are regulated SA toxins that utilize structure-based approaches for countermeasures to guide rapid response to future biothreats.
Systemic therapy with tumor suppressor FUS1-nanoparticles for stage IV lung cancer

LB-348 The tumor suppressor gene FUS1 is frequently inactivated early in the development of lung cancer. FUS1 mediates apoptosis in cancer cells but not normal cells through its interaction with Apaf1. We developed a DOTAP:cholesterol nanoparticle encapsulating a FUS1 expression plasmid that showed selective uptake by cancer cells compared to normal cells. In this clinical trial a DOTAP:cholesterol FUS1 nanoparticle was injected intravenously in stage IV lung cancer patients who had progressive disease after cisplatin combination chemotherapy based on preclinical data showing successful treatment of metastatic lung cancer in mouse xenograft models. Nanoparticle-DNA complexes were manufactured in GMP facilities to meet specifications of OD400, size, appearance, and transfection efficiency. Patients received doses ranging from 0.01-0.03mg/kg at 3 week intervals for a maximum of 6 doses. Dexamethasone and diphenhydramine premedications were added and eliminated the only clinically significant toxicity of fever. To date 13 patients have been entered on the study at three different doses (0.1, 0.02, 0.03mg/kg). All patients could be evaluated for the primary endpoint of toxicity, and with pretreatment, there was no significant drug related toxicity. Four patients received only one dose because of rapidly progressing disease at a site requiring local treatment. Eight patients received two or more doses and can be evaluated for response with 3 patients achieving stable disease (3 - 7 months) and 5 patients progressing. Median survival time for all patients is 14.6 months which compares favorably to the published 7 months median survival for second line chemotherapy and 4 months for best supportive care for non-small cell lung cancer. Actuarial survival at 12 months was 55%. A maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has not been reached. Pre and 24 hour posttreatment tumor biopsies were obtained from 3 patients. A quantitative real time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) analysis using a plasmid FUS1 sequence-specific probe was performed on samples blinded to time of biopsy. A high level of plasmid FUS1 expression was detected in all 3 posttreatment samples but not in three pretreatment samples and negative controls by RT-PCR. DOTAP:cholesterol FUS1 nanoparticles can be safely administered intravenously in patients with stage IV lung cancer. Gene expression is detected in tumors, and there is an indication of anti-tumor activity.
Replies to critics

I respond to the critical comments by Randolph Clarke, Alfred Mele, and Derk Pereboom on my book Causation and Free Will. I discuss some features of the view that our freedom is exclusively based on actual causes, including the role played in it by absences of reasons, absence causation, modal facts, and finally some additional thoughts on how a compatibilist can respond to the manipulation argument for incompatibilism.
Control motivation, depression, and counterfactual thought.

The notion that there exists a fundamental need to exert control over or to influence one’s environment has enjoyed a long history in psychology (e.g., DeCharms, 1968; Heider, 1958) and has stimulated considerable theoretical work. Such a need has been characterized by theorists at multiple levels of analysis. Control motivation, for example, has been characterized broadly in terms of proactive (White, 1959) or reactive (e.g., Abramson, Seligman, & Teasdale, 1978; Brehm, 1966; Brehm & Brehm, 1981) strivings for control over general or specific (Brehm & Brehm, 1981) and central or peripheral outcomes (Thompson, 1993). Additionally, various types of control strategies used to gain or maintain a sense of personal control have been proposed (e.g., Averill, 1973; Heckhausen & Schulz, 1995; Rothbaum, Weisz, & Snyder, 1982; Thompson, 1981). Modes of control, for instance, have been categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary strategies involve direct action undertaken to produce desirable and avoid undesirable outcomes in the external world, whereas secondary strategies employ primarily cognitive processes undertaken to produce a change within the person. Recently, Heckhausen and Schulz (1995) have further delineated these primary and secondary forms of control according to whether they are based on veridical or illusory causal understandings of the world and whether they are functional or dysfunctional. While most control theorists view primary control as preferable to secondary control, the latter is viewed as critical in the process of adaptation to control failures and in the promotion of future primary control attempts.
Probabilistic Obfuscation Through Covert Channels

This paper presents a program obfuscation framework that uses covert channels through the program's execution environment to obfuscate information flow through the program. Unlike prior works on obfuscation, the use of covert channels removes visible information flows from the computation of the program and reroutes them through the program's runtime system and/or the operating system. This renders these information flows, and the corresponding control and data dependencies, invisible to program analysis tools such as symbolic execution engines. Additionally, we present the idea of probabilistic obfuscation which uses imperfect covert channels to leak information with some probabilistic guarantees. Experimental evaluation of our approach against state of the art detection and analysis techniques show the engines are not well-equipped to handle these obfuscations, particularly those of the probabilistic variety.
State mandated insurance benefits and off-label use of cancer drugs.

6536Background: Access to cancer drugs used off-label is considered vital to the treatment of many cancer patients. Yet policymakers are concerned that use of drugs in this way may drive up health ...
CardioMEMS in a Busy Cardiology Practice: Less than Optimal Implementation of a Valuable Tool to Reduce Heart Failure Readmissions

Introduction. Congestive heart failure is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that results in a significant financial burden on healthcare expenditure. Though various strategies have been employed to reduce hospital readmissions, one valuable tool that remains greatly underutilized is the CardioMEMS (Abbott), a remote pulmonary artery pressure-monitoring system, which has been shown to help reduce heart failure rehospitalizations in the CHAMPION (CardioMEMS Heart Sensor Allows Monitoring of Pressure to Improve Outcomes in NYHA Class III Heart Failure Patients) trial. Methods. ICD-9/ICD-10 codes for chronic heart failure were used to identify patients who presented with congestive heart failure. Of this group, those eligible for CardioMEMS device placement, as based on the CHAMPION trial definition, were selected. Subsequently, a retrospective review of the electronic medical records was completed. All patients were on ACC/AHA guideline-directed medical therapy and had at least one hospital admission for NYHA class III symptoms. Results. 473 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which, 85 patients were found to be eligible for implantation of CardioMEMS device based on the CHAMPION trial definition. Only 18/85 patients received the device, roughly 21%, and the overall CardioMEMS implantation rate was only 4% (18/473) of the total cohort. Conclusion. Despite the benefits to patients and reducing healthcare expenditure, there has been a poor adaptation of this groundbreaking technology. Our study revealed that 79% of eligible heart failure patients did not receive the device. Therefore, efforts need to be undertaken to improve physician and patient education of the device to complement the current standard of care for congestive heart failure.
The Effect of NAV Flotation on the Management of Prime Money Fund Portfolios

The October, 2016 money-fund reform obliged institutional prime funds to start floating their Net Asset Values (NAVs), whereas retail prime funds could continue with stable NAVs. We use this contrast to assess the effect of NAV flotation on fund management. We find that institutional funds reduced their interest-rate, liquidity and credit risk around the reform, contributing to lower yields and NAVs, and less volatile NAVs, but by all measures, their relative risk taking was approximately back to where it was well before the reform by the end of 2017. Prime funds adjusted to their shrinkage largely through transaction sizes, but also somewhat through the number of securities per issuer they invested in, and to a small extent through the number of issuers they invested in. Transaction-size shrinkage harms transaction quality, though the quality of a fund’s transactions relates more strongly to the size of its fund complex than to the size of the transactions themselves.
Heart Failure among People with HIV: Evolving Risks, Mechanisms, and Preventive Considerations.

People with HIV (PHIV) with access to modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) face a two-fold increased risk of heart failure as compared with non-HIV-infected individuals. The purpose of this review is to consider evolving risks, mechanisms, and preventive considerations pertaining to heart failure among PHIV. While unchecked HIV/AIDS has been documented to precipitate heart failure characterized by overtly reduced cardiac contractile function, ART-treated HIV may be associated with either heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In HFpEF, a “stiff” left ventricle cannot adequately relax in diastole—a condition known as diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction, in turn, may result from processes including myocardial fibrosis (triggered by hypertension and/or immune activation/inflammation) and/or myocardial steatosis (triggered by metabolic dysregulation). Notably, hypertension, systemic immune activation, and metabolic dysregulation are all common conditions among even those PHIV who are well-treated with ART. Of clinical consequence, HFpEF is uniquely intransigent to conventional medical therapies and portends high morbidity and mortality. However, diastolic dysfunction is reversible—as are contributing processes of myocardial fibrosis and myocardial steatosis. Our challenges in preserving myocardial health among PHIV are two-fold. First, we must continue working to realize UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals. This achievement will reduce AIDS-related mortality, including cardiovascular deaths from AIDS-associated heart failure. Second, we must work to elucidate the detailed mechanisms continuing to predispose ART-treated PHIV to heart failure and particularly HFpEF. Such efforts will enable the development and implementation of targeted preventive strategies.
An Investigation of THz Backscattered Side-Channels Measurement at a Distance

This paper presents the measurement setup and the investigation on the backscatter side-channel signal detected and received, at 300GHz, from an activated FPGA board. First, the ellipsoidal reflector, used as an incident source, with a spot size of 0.7mm is designed and fabricated. Next, a region on the FPGA chip is divided geometrically into various cells with cell dimensions corresponding to reflector spot size. Finally, it was shown that the backscatter side-channel signal can be detected by a diagonal horn antenna placed at a distance from the FPGA board. The received signal behavior is investigated in terms of absolute signal strength, measured noise power level and signal to noise ratio. This provides deeper insight into the detected backscatter side-channel emanating from the FPGA board.
Interventions Improving Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) for Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Date Presented 04/05/19 This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of interventions at improving activities of daily living (ADLs) in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Overall, moderated evidence supported family-based interventions and strong evidence supported individual, therapist-led interventions targeting ADLs. However, specific intervention approaches and ADL outcomes were heterogeneous, making cross-study comparisons difficult. Primary Author and Speaker: Matthew Walczak Additional Authors and Speakers: Michele Severson, Jessica Muesbeck, Shannon Kant, Karla Ausdreau
An overdose surge will compound the COVID-19 pandemic if urgent action is not taken.

In the USA and around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived as the population was fighting a devastating opioid overdose epidemic. Urgent and decisive action is needed to protect particularly vulnerable populations, such as those with opioid use disorder, to prevent a compounding effect on public health.
EXPRESSION OF ENZYME PHENOTYPES IN HYBRID EMBRYOS

ABSTRACT . Analysis of the offspring of natural heterozygotes and of hybrid frogs produced in the laboratory have established the genetic basis of fifteen electrophoretic enzyme variants in the Rana pipiens complex. A loose linkage (recombination frequency = 0.375) was found between the loci for 6-phosphogluconate (6PGD) and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenases (G6PD). The times of expression of twelve of these loci in F- 1 hybrid embryos have been determined. Early embryos through the neurula stages have only maternal enzyme patterns, reflecting maternal control of enzyme synthesis during oogenesis. The earliest gene-controlled hybrid enzyme pattern to be expressed is 6PGD at the neural tube stage. Other enzyme loci are expressed subsequently, the supernatant isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH-s) at tail bud, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) at muscular response, and so forth.
Framing the Origins of COVID-19

Conspiracy theories have flourished about the origins of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes an acute respiratory syndrome (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) in humans. This article reports the results from a study that evaluates the impact of exposure to framed messages about the origins of COVID-19. We tested four hypotheses: two focusing on its origins as either zoonotic or human-engineered and two concerning the impacts of origin beliefs on the desire to penalize China or support increased funding for biomedical research. The results accentuate the importance of finding ways to combat the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories related to this global pandemic.
Greed and the Seven Deadly Sins: Treacherous for the Soul and Legal Ethics

As religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas, the Seven Deadly Sins occupy a common understanding of the worst behaviors that plague human relationships. Pride. Greed. Lust. Envy. Gluttony. Wrath. Sloth. Not exactly the traits that you seek in mutually beneficial relationships! Striving for universal appeal, this novel Article presents the Seven Deadly Sins as a useful construct to explain why lawyers commit major ethical violations. The underlying premise is that one or more of the Seven Deadly Sins lies behind every major ethical violation. Focusing on greed specifically, this Article demonstrates how greed first enters one’s thoughts to acquire wealth. As a lawyer feeds on greedy thoughts, the lawyer becomes bigger while others—most significantly, the client—become smaller. From the greedy lawyer’s vantage, “I” grows far larger than “you.” As the insatiable desire to acquire more wealth burns hotter, even at the expense and to the harm of others, the lawyer is consumed by greedy thoughts until greedy conduct ignites. As greed fuels the lawyer to relentlessly pursue more wealth, the lawyer’s ability to recognize greed’s impact on others is diminished. Predictably, greedy conduct inevitably harms others. This Article contends that lawyers can utilize the Seven Deadly Sins as a compelling construct to comprehend what drives greedy and harmful conduct. This construct will equip lawyers to travel a virtuous path that leads away from ethical misconduct and its catastrophic consequences to clients.
Physical Java Memory Models: A Notional Machine

I have created a notional machine that uses physical objects to help students understand references and objects in Java programs. These physical models may help students understand the abstract representation of Java programs - much like blocks or other physical items help young children reason about abstract things like quantity, addition, and subtraction. This article and accompanying videos may be of interest to Java teachers and to researchers interested in evaluating or comparing the effectiveness of notional machines.
Novel Treatment Approaches in Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Introduction Treatment with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) changed the treatment landscape in relapsed/refractory (R/R) MCL. There are currently three FDA-approved irreversible BTKi for the treatment of R/R MCL, including ibrutinib, the first approved BTKi, and the more selective BTKi, acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib. These agents have single-agent overall response rates (ORR) of 67%–84%, with a median progression-free survival of 13–22 months,1–3 with improvement in durability of response when used as second-line therapy.4 Despite the high single-agent responses, nearly all patients will relapse, and overall survival (OS) after progression on BTKi therapy is poor.5 This has led to evaluating BTKi-containing combination therapies to improve the depth and durability of remissions and the need for other targeted approaches. Cellular therapy, in the form of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T), has also proven to be effective, with the recent approval of the first autologous CD19-directed product in R/R MCL. Other promising constructs are being investigated, but the optimal sequencing with BTKi treatment is unclear. Here, we will review novel therapies under investigation for the treatment of R/R MCL.
Evolution as Revelation of a Triune God

In 1917 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote an essay that proposes union as a way to observe how the process of evolution takes place. He spent the remainder of his life broadening and sharpening the vision, which was based on union in nature. We propose that this vision and the historical development of thermodynamics and classical statistical mechanics offer insight into union and even into the divine life that many Christians believe to be triadic. We briefly situate union in the triune divine life in early Christian tradition as it was believed and practiced. We then interpret three stages of development in the sciences of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics that support the theme of union in nature. Next we describe the development of Teilhard's thought during his scientific career and his tests of the theme of union, principally in his private journals, now being edited. We offer examples of Teilhard's application of union to his own spiritual life and compare his understanding of union with those of Paul the Apostle and John of the Cross. Finally, although the Christian God's triadic life was not a particular concern of Teilhard, we propose union in nature as a vestige of the divine life.
What's Messing with Texas Death Sentences?

This article empirically examines the causes of the substantial decline in the number of death sentences imposed in Texas from the peak period of 42 per year in the period 1992-1996 to 14 per year for the period 2005-2009. The author identifies five factors that have produced this decline, and quantifies their effects as either large or modest.
The Holy Rollers Are Invading Our Territory : Southern Baptist Missionaries and the Early Years of Pentecostalism in Brazil

Beginning with the often overlooked fact that the establishment of one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the world, Brazil's Assembleia de Deus (Assembly of God), was not the result of missionary activity by the U.S.-based Assemblies of God, this paper makes creative use of Southern Baptist missionary sources to examine the first twenty-five years of Pentecostalism in Brazil. Considering not only what the first Pentecostal missionaries did but also what they did not do, it suggests the following reasons for the extraordinary growth of the emergent movement: early Pentecostals had neither the funds nor the theological need to focus on education; their personal class affiliations did not incline them to privilege efforts to evangelise the upper classes; there was no strong female Pentecostal missionary presence; and the Pentecostals were able to “poach” from the Baptists' “flock.” The paper concludes that greater attention needs to be paid to the specific historical circumstances of Pentecostal growth in Brazil, especially during the decade of the 1930s.
"Operation Sport": Puerto Rico's Recreational and Political Consolidation in an Age of Modernization and Decolonization, 1950s

Contextualized in a Western push for post-war decolonization and modernization, the development of recreation programs in 1950s Puerto Rico helped consolidate the state’s sport institution and, in turn, legitimize a new political status. The 1950s was a pivotal decade in Puerto Rican history due to the creation of the Commonwealth in 1952 and the innovative economic project known as Operation Bootstrap. The term “Operation Sport” portrays the development of sport and recreation in this decade as collaboration between the government and the working classes to develop recreational/cultural activities to assuage the impact of dramatic industrialization. However, regardless of the perception of progress, critics targeted the program for its centralization and expropriations, comparing it to “Communist” governments. For the newly established Commonwealth, at stake in the popular acceptance of these recreational programs was evaluation of a new political status arising from promises of social justice.
A Review of “Library 2020: Today's Leading Visionaries Describe Tomorrow's Library.”

This book is a compilation of opinions of what the library will be like in 2020. Twenty-three people whom the editor, Joseph Janes, admires or with whom he is friends were asked to contribute their...
Children's Problem Solving in Relation to Perceptual Habit:

The left-to-right and top-to-bottom perceptual scanning habits established in reading were hypothesized to transfer to a problem-solving task, lessening effectiveness of problem solving where the habitual response did not coincide with the demands of the problem. Responses of 120 first-grade children to seven problems were studied; the child was asked to press bulbs in a 5 × 5 array to determine which of two or more alternative patterns was “correct.” The majority of initial bulb presses were in positions predicted from reading habits (upper left corner, middle of the top row, or middle of the left column of the array). Those subjects initially pressing one of the predicted bulbs scored significantly more poorly than subjects initially pressing other bulbs on those problems where the upper left bulbs did not contain information relevant to the solution of the problem.
From workers' rights to worker appropriation a response to Joseph A. McCartin

There has been little examination of the possible negative effects on labor's interests when those interests are asserted as rights. It is as if proclaiming “workers' rights are human rights” can only cause good things to happen. Joseph McCartin's essay contributes to a more balanced and sophisticated discussion of the effects of rights talk for labor. He uses George McGovern's critique of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to illustrate the more general point that prolabor rights arguments invite antilabor rights arguments even from friends of labor, and that in the current conjuncture appeals to rights are more likely to empower neoliberals and libertarians than workers. Indeed, the very name of the proposed act, emphasizing freedom and choice, is part of the problem, as the union idea involves definite limits on individual freedom in the interest of the betterment of the group. The titling of EFCA indicates unwillingness on the part of Labor and its allies to face this.
Noise transmission into a light aircraft

An analytical study on noise transmission into a cabin of a twin engine G/A aircraft is presented. The solution of the governing acoustic-structural equations of motion is developed utilizing modal expansions and a Galerkin type procedure. The exterior noise pressure inputs are taken from available experimental data. A direct comparison between theory and experiments on cabin noise levels is given. Interior noise reduction by stiffening, mass addition, and damping treatments is investigated. It is shown that a combination of added mass and damping could significantly reduce interior noise levels for this aircraft.
CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN WESTERN GRASSES

presented for the first time: Melica spectabilis, Blepharidachne kingii, Eragrostis obtusiflora, Hilaria rigida, Redfieldia flexuosa, and Sporobolus interruptus. The record for Redfieldia is also the first for that genus. In addition, numbers which differ from those in the literature are recorded for ten species, in three cases two different numbers for the same taxon. Cytological evidence is also presented indicating that Hilaria jamesii and H. rigida have hybridized and that the F1 has backcrossed to both parents.
Heterogeneous adatom diffusion on fcc(100) surfaces: Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, and Ag

Abstract We present activation barriers and prefactors for the migration of heterogeneous adatoms on fcc(100) surfaces. Two mechanisms are considered in this paper: (1) hopping of the adatom from one four-fold hollow site to an adjacent four-fold hollow site via a two-fold bridge site; and (2) exchange of the adatom with an atom in the first surface layer. Twenty heterogeneous combinations of Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, and Ag were treated using transition state theory, and select comparisons were made to the results of finite temperature molecular dynamics simulations. The interaction potentials were generated using the molecular dynamics/Monte Carlo corrected effective medium (MD/MC-CEM) theory throughout. We find that the final state energies differ due to the variation of metallic bonding with coordination for the different types of metal atoms. This variation with coordination is reflected in the surface energies of the two metals, and thus this macroscopic quantity can be used to correlate the amount of energy gained or released when the adatom displaces a surface atom. Due to the non-directional character of metallic bonding in the fcc metals, this difference in energetic stability of final configurations is also found to generally determine whether bridge hopping diffusion or atomic displacement is the dominant kinetic process in these heterogeneous systems.
High-performance liquid chromatography of metal ions on a bonded stationary phase

High performance liquid chromatography was used to separate Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ ions. A column packed with a β-diketone bonded phase on silica gel and a mobile phase composed of trifluoroacetylacetone in acetone was used for the separation. After post-column reaction with a color-forming reagent, the metals were detected by absorption in the visible region.
A Reconsideration of Restrictions on Bank Entry

I. Introduction, 246. — II. The "need" criterion for entry, 247. — III. Effects on competition, 252. — IV. Unsound credit policies, 256. — V. The problem of bank failures, 260.
Agriculture and wildlife: ecological implications of subsurface irrigation drainage

Subsurface agricultural irrigation drainage is a wastewater with the potential to severely impact wetlands and wildlife populations. Widespread poisoning of migratory birds by drainwater contaminants has occurred in the western United States and waterfowl populations are threatened in the Pacific and Central flyways. Irrigated agriculture could produce subsurface drainage and wildlife problems in other countries because several of the factors contributing to toxic drainwater in the western U.S.A. (e.g. marine sedimentary basins with soils containing elevated concentrations of trace elements such as selenium and molybdenum; alkaline conditions that favor the formation of water-soluble forms of trace elements; soil salinization problems that require the use of irrigation to flush away excess salts), also occur in other arid regions of the world. Proposed agricultural irrigation projects should undergo a technical review to assess water demand and supply relationships, and to determine the potential for drainage problems. Environmental assessments should be made at existing irrigation projects to determine if subsurface drainage is present or could occur in the future. Anticipating and evaluating potential problems will allow changes to be made in irrigation practices for the benefit of agriculture and wildlife. The agricultural demands on water have reduced freshwater inflows and affected the quantity and quality of wetlands throughout the world for decades. Subsurface irrigation drainage is yet another threat to the precarious existence of many wildlife populations.
Influence of the Position of Ring Unsaturation in Steroids and Triterpenes on the Type and Formation of Mesophases II: Influence of the Δ7-Double Bond

Abstract Several sterols and triterpenes possessing a Δ7-double bond were investigated for mesomorphic behavior. The acetates and palmitates of cholesta-5, 7-dien-3β-ol and cholest-7-en-3β-ol, exhibited distinct smectic mesophases only. The acetates of 4,4,14α-trimethylcholest-7-en-3β-ol and 4,4-dimethylcholest-7-en-3β-ol showed no mesomorphism while the palmitate of the latter gave a smectic mesophase. The Δ7-double bond seems in general to favor the formation of smectic rather than cholesteric mesophases.
Noise in cellular signaling pathways: causes and effects

Noise caused by stochastic fluctuations in genetic circuits (transcription and translation) is now appreciated as a central aspect of cell function and phenotypic behavior. Noise has also been detected in signaling networks, but the origin of this noise and how it shapes cellular outcomes remain poorly understood. Here, we argue that noise in signaling networks results from the intrinsic promiscuity of protein–protein interactions (PPIs), and that this noise has shaped cellular signal transduction. Features promoted by the presence of this molecular signaling noise include multimerization and clustering of signaling components, pleiotropic effects of gross changes in protein concentration, and a probabilistic rather than a linear view of signal propagation.
Size effects in thermal conduction by phonons

Heat transport in nanoscale systems is both hard to measure microscopically, and hard to interpret. Ballistic and diffusive heat flow coexist, adding confusion. This paper looks at a very simple case: a nanoscale crystal repeated periodically. This is a popular model for simulation of bulk heat transport using classical molecular dynamics (MD), and is related to transient thermal grating experiments. Nanoscale effects are seen in perhaps their simplest form. The model is solved by an extension of standard quasiparticle gas theory of bulk solids. Both structure and heat flow are constrained by periodic boundary conditions. Diffusive transport is fully included, while ballistic transport by phonons of a long mean free path is diminished in a specific way. Heat current $J(x)$ and temperature gradient $\ensuremath{\nabla}T({x}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ have a nonlocal relationship, via $\ensuremath{\kappa}(x\ensuremath{-}{x}^{\ensuremath{'}})$, over a distance $|x\ensuremath{-}{x}^{\ensuremath{'}}|$ determined by phonon mean free paths. In MD modeling of bulk conductivity, finite computer resources limit system size. Long mean free paths, comparable to the scale of heating and cooling, cause undesired finite-size effects that have to be removed by extrapolation. The present model allows this extrapolation to be quantified. Calculations based on the Peierls-Boltzmann equation, using a generalized Debye model, show that extrapolation involves fractional powers of $1/L$. It is also argued that heating and cooling should be distributed sinusoidally $[\stackrel{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}{e}\ensuremath{\propto}cos(2\ensuremath{\pi}x/L)]$ to improve convergence of numerics.
Configuration of an overnight package air network

The advent and growth of the overnight package industry has been one of the most dramatic changes in North American transportation over the last 10 years. This paper examines the impact of overnight restrictions and time zones on the configuration of an air freight network. The location of a hub terminal impacts the arrival pattern of airplanes at the terminal. For locations to the east of center, arrivals are spread over a longer time span than for locations to the west of center. This allows shipments to be delivered within a short time window without as large investments in sorting equipment. The impact of overnight restrictions on multiple terminal networks is also examined.
The sensitivity of a global ocean model to wind forcing: A test using sea level and wind observations from satellites and operational wind analysis

Investigated in this study is the response of a global ocean general circulation model to forcing provided by two wind products: operational analysis from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP); observations made by the ERS-1 radar scatterometer.
Potentiation of the biologic effect of administered cortisol by estrogen treatment.

Estrogen therapy had no effect on glucose excretion during control periods in diabetic subjects, but was found to markedly potentiate the glucosuric effect of administered cortisol and to produce a considerable increase in the corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG or transcortin). When the cortisol analogues, prednisone and prednisolone, were given, however, potentiation of biologic effect was not consistently observed. Potentiation of cortisol but not prednisone by estrogen therapy may be related to differences in metabolism in these 2 compounds, although a more direct influence of the estrogen or CBG on the action of corticoids as they influence carbohydrate metabolism has not been ruled out.
A Macroergonomic Case Study Assessing Electronic Medical Record Implementation in a Small Clinic

In this paper we describe preliminary results of a case study assessing macroergonomic aspects of the implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR) in a small family practice clinic.
Modeling spatial dynamics of sea-level rise in a coastal area

This article illustrates the development and functioning of a dynamic spatial model that simulates the effects of gradual sea-level rise on coastal areas. Emphasis is given to identifying the dynamics of coastal systems and translating them into a spatially explicit dynamic simulation model. The model is designed to be flexible enough to serve as a base model for interdisciplinary research on sea-level rise and coastal dynamics. An application is provided for a coastal area on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The Influenza Virus Protein PB1-F2 Inhibits the Induction of Type I Interferon at the Level of the MAVS Adaptor Protein

PB1-F2 is a 90 amino acid protein that is expressed from the +1 open reading frame in the PB1 gene of some influenza A viruses and has been shown to contribute to viral pathogenicity. Notably, a serine at position 66 (66S) in PB1-F2 is known to increase virulence compared to an isogenic virus with an asparagine (66N) at this position. Recently, we found that an influenza virus expressing PB1-F2 N66S suppresses interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes in mice. To characterize this phenomenon, we employed several in vitro assays. Overexpression of the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) PB1-F2 protein in 293T cells decreased RIG-I mediated activation of an IFN-β reporter and secretion of IFN as determined by bioassay. Of note, the PB1-F2 N66S protein showed enhanced IFN antagonism activity compared to PB1-F2 wildtype. Similar observations were found in the context of viral infection with a PR8 PB1-F2 N66S virus. To understand the relationship between NS1, a previously described influenza virus protein involved in suppression of IFN synthesis, and PB1-F2, we investigated the induction of IFN when NS1 and PB1-F2 were co-expressed in an in vitro transfection system. In this assay we found that PB1-F2 N66S further reduced IFN induction in the presence of NS1. By inducing the IFN-β reporter at different levels in the signaling cascade, we found that PB1-F2 inhibited IFN production at the level of the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS). Furthermore, immunofluorescence studies revealed that PB1-F2 co-localizes with MAVS. In summary, we have characterized the anti-interferon function of PB1-F2 and we suggest that this activity contributes to the enhanced pathogenicity seen with PB1-F2 N66S- expressing influenza viruses.
WE‐G‐110‐05: Evaluation of Maximum Likelihood Ground Truth and Performance of Readers Stratified by Aggressiveness from the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) Study

Purpose: The LungImageDatabase Consortium (LIDC) is an ongoing multi‐institutional study funded by the NIH to collect and evaluate volumetric image data of tumors of the lung. A primary objective of this study is to ascertain a definitive nodule‐detection ground‐truth for future training and testing of competing computer‐assisted detection algorithms. However, a great disparity exists among the (four) readers' interpretations preventing an objective determination of ground truth. The goal of the current work is to apply statistical methodologies to determine the maximum‐likelihood nodule‐detection ground truth for the LIDC data. Methods: Our method is motivated by the Simultaneous Truth and Performance Level Estimation approach by Warfield et al. and is a specific implementation of iterative, expectation‐maximization and maximum likelihood (EM‐ML) steps tailored for the nodule detection task. A key, necessary preliminary step is the ranking of readers, on a per patient basis, by the number of nodules detected; that is, their relative aggressiveness in detection. Results: Application of the EM‐ML iterative scheme resulted in a reasonable estimate of reader performance and ground‐truth that was obtained consistently for a variety of initial states. The converged ground truth conveniently matched identically the three out of four consensus from the LIDC readers, independent of stratification by aggressiveness. Conclusions: The application of statistical methods to the problem of nodule detection from multiple readers in the absence of a known ground‐truth has been implemented on the LIDC outcomes to produce a reasonable and objective determination of ground‐truth. This ground‐truth permits the assessment of the performance of the LIDC readers based on relative aggressiveness and enables the LIDC detection data to be used for future CAD evaluation.
Individual Correlates of the Belief in a Just World

The relationships between perceived social inequality, evaluated social inequality, the work ethic, political preference, several social-identity variables, and the belief in a just world were exam...
A cytochemical method for fixation and staining of lipids in frozen-dried mouse pancreas for study with light and electron microscopes.

A method is described for the cytochemical identification of lipids in acinar cells of the pancreas based chiefly on reactions of their carboxyl ester linkages and their double bonds. The method involves the reaction in vacuo of certain amine and hydrazine vapors with lipids in the solid state. The method is useful for studies with the light and electron microscopes.
Sex Steroids in Follicular Fluid and Blood Plasma During the Estrous Cycle of Pigs

Concentrations of estrogen (E), progestin (P), and androgen (A) were determined in follicular fluid (FF), and concentrations of E and P were measured in peripheral plasma and perifollicular plasma during the estrous cycle in the pig. Also, concentrations of E, P, and A were determined in the utero-ovarian vein (U-OV) plasma every 2 h during estrus period in pigs. It was observed that as follicles increased in size, the concentration of E, P, and A in the FF rises from 13, 32, and 1 ng/ml at day 8 of the cycle to 180, 754, and 21 ng/ml at day 20 of the cycle, respectively. Approximately 12 h before ovulation there is a significant (P < 0.01) drop of E, P, and A in the FF to 27, 120, and 0.77 ng/ml, respectively. Concentrations of Eand P in FF and peripheral plasma do not correlate during the second half of the estrous cycle. At day 20 of the cycle, E and P concentrations in the plasma were 20 pg/ml and 0.4 ng/ml, respectively. Concentration of P in the U-OV plasma started increasing 18 to 24 h after the on...
Metal ion as both a cofactor and a probe of metal-binding sites in a uranyl-specific DNAzyme: a uranyl photocleavage study

DNAzymes are known to bind metal ions specifically to carry out catalytic functions. Despite many studies since DNAzymes were discovered nearly two decades ago, the metal-binding sites in DNAzymes are not fully understood. Herein, we adopt uranyl photocleavage to probe specific uranyl-binding sites in the 39E DNAzyme with catalytically relevant concentrations of uranyl. The results indicate that uranyl binds between T23 and C25 in the bulge loop, G11 and T12 in the stem loop of the enzyme strand, as well as between T2.4 and G3 close to the cleavage site in the substrate strand. Control experiments using two 39E DNAzyme mutants revealed a different cleavage pattern of the mutated region. Another DNAzyme, the 8-17 DNAzyme, which has a similar secondary structure but shows no activity in the presence of uranyl, indicated a different uranyl-dependent photocleavage as well. In addition, a close correlation between the concentration-dependent photocleavage and enzymatic activities is also demonstrated. Together, these experiments suggest that uranyl photocleavage has been successfully used to probe catalytically relevant uranyl-binding sites in the 39E DNAzyme. As uranyl is the cofactor of the 39E DNAzyme as well as the probe, specific uranyl binding has now been identified without disruption of the structure.
Resolution of 8′-alkoxy- and hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthalen-8-ols

Abstract Enantiopure 8′-ethoxy-, 8′-hydroxy-, and 8′-methoxy-1,1′-binaphthalen-8-ol were readily resolved by separating the corresponding chiral camphanic esters [derived from the esterification of the alcohols with (−)-(1S)-camphanic chloride] based upon their differing solubility in diethyl ether and their differing chromatographic behavior.
Psoas abscess complicated by vesical fistula in a child managed by non-surgical therapy

We report an unusual case of a 2-year-old child with a psoas abscess fistulizing to the bladder, managed by non-surgical therapy including urethral catheter drainage, percutaneous abscess drainage and intravenous antibiotics.