cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Temperature, Humidity, and Slaughter Condemnation Data to Predict Increases in Transport Losses in Three Classes of Swine and Resulting Foregone Revenue

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts weekly surveillance of slaughter condemnation rates to provide early warning for emerging diseases and to monitor health trends in swine. Swine deaths in-transit are an animal welfare concern and represent lost revenue for the swine industry. This retrospective observational study used ambient temperature and humidity data from weather stations near United States slaughter plants collected from 2010 to 2015 to predict the incidence and risk of death among swine in-transit and just prior to slaughter. The risk of death for market swine at a heat index (HI), which combines the effects of temperature and humidity, indicating moderately hot weather conditions between 85 and 92°F was 1.37 times greater than that of the baseline temperature range of 54-79°F. The risk of death for cull sows at an HI between 85 and 92°F was 1.93 times greater than that of average temperatures ranging from 54 to 79°F. Roaster swine (weigh < 220 lbs and often used for whole carcass roasting), however, had 0.80 times the risk when the HI was 85-92°F compared to a baseline temperature of 54-79°F. The risk of death for roaster swine at a minimum temperature between 40 and 50°F was 1.21 times greater than that of average temperatures ranging from 54 to 79°F. The risk of death for market swine at a minimum temperature range of 40-50°F was 0.97 times that of average temperatures ranging from 54 to 79°F. And for cull sows, the risk of death at a minimum temperature range of 40-50°F was 0.81 times the risk at the average temperature ranging from 54 to 79°F. Across the study period, cumulative foregone revenue, or revenue not realized due to swine condemnations, for all swine was $18.6 million and $4.3 million for cold temperatures and high HI ranges above the baseline, respectively. Marginal foregone revenue per hog in hotter months is higher due to seasonal peaks in swine prices. As a result of this study, the USDA-APHIS swine condemnation surveillance can incorporate weekly estimated HI values and ambient temperature data for slaughter establishments to provide additional information for analysts investigating signals (noteworthy increases above baseline) for "dead" condemnations. This study suggests that current mitigation measures are often not sufficient to prevent swine deaths due to ambient temperature extremes.
Direct-to-Consumer Promotion of Prescription Drugs on Mobile Devices: Content Analysis.

Background: US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations state that any prescription drug promotion that presents drug benefits to consumers must also disclose certain information about the drug’s risks in a similar manner. Nearly three-quarters of all US mobile phone subscribers use a smartphone, and over half report receiving mobile advertisements on their device. Objective: The objective of this project was to investigate how prescription drugs are being promoted to consumers using mobile technologies. We were particularly interested in the presentation of drug benefits and risks, with regard to presence, placement, and prominence. Methods: We analyzed a sample of 51 mobile promotional communications and their associated linked landing pages. We assessed the content and format of the mobile communications and landing pages with regard to presentation of drug benefits and risks. Results: Of the 51 mobile communications we coded, 41% (21/51) were product claim communications (includes the drug name, benefits, and risks), 22% (11/51) were reminder communications (includes drug name only), and 37% (19/51) were help-seeking communications (includes information about the medical condition but not the drug name). Some of the product claim communications (5/21, 24%) required scrolling to see all the benefit information; in contrast, 95% (20/21) required scrolling to see all the risk information. Of the 19 product claim communications that presented both benefits and risks, 95% (18/19) presented benefits before risks and 47% (9/19) used a bigger font for benefits than for risks. Most mobile communications (35/51, 69%) linked to branded drug websites with both benefits and risks, 25% (13/51) linked to a landing page with benefits but no visible risks, and 6% (3/51) linked to a landing page with risks but no visible benefits. Few landing pages (4/51, 8%) required scrolling to see all the benefit information; in contrast, 51% (26/51) required scrolling to see all the risk information. Of the 35 landing pages with both benefit and risk information, 71% (25/35) presented benefits before risks and 51% (18/35) used a bigger font for benefits than for risks. Conclusions: These results indicate that, while risks and benefits are both represented in mobile communications and their associated landing pages, they are not equally prominent and accessible. This has implications for compliance with FDA fair balance regulations.
Dioxygen as a Terminal Oxidant and the Formation of Dioxygen

From the previous discussion of the chemistry of dioxygen, it is clear that dioxygen must be activated before it can be utilized by organisms as a terminal oxidant. In this chapter, we shall discuss how dioxygen can be activated, with special reference to the methods used in biology. However, we first wish to point out that the requirement for activation and certain other properties make dioxygen an ideal terminal oxidant for life processes.
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in patients with endometriosis.

Aims Florid mesothelial hyperplasia is known to result from endometriosis. Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma and multiloculated peritoneal inclusion cysts have also been described in women with endometriosis. To our knowledge, peritoneal diffuse malignant mesothelioma (MM) arising in the setting of endometriosis has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to report the clinicopathological characteristics of women with MM and endometriosis. Methods The surgical pathology files of a tertiary academic medical centre and the consultation files of one of the study authors were reviewed for cases of MM in females with and without endometriosis. Results Six women with MM and endometriosis ranging in age from 29 to 55 years (median=45 years) were identified. All had peritoneal MM and endometriosis involving the peritoneum and/or adnexa. Five had epithelioid MM and one had biphasic MM. Two had paraoccupational exposure to asbestos. The median age of women with MM and endometriosis (44.5 years) was significantly less than the median age of cases without endometriosis (58.0 years) (p value=0.01). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of MM in women with endometriosis. Interestingly, MM in the setting of endometriosis has only been observed in the peritoneum and not in other serosal cavities. The findings in the present study suggest that chronic serosal inflammation secondary to endometriosis may be an inducing factor in rare cases of MM of the peritoneum.
Is Anyone There? Tele-Psychiatry and the Human Touch

The practice of tele-psychiatry is growing. Case reports laud its increasing technological feasibility, and evidence indicates the reliability of tele-psychiatric diagnoses. However, the literature contains scant research substantiating the comparative efficacy of tele-psychiatry vis-a-vis face-to-face intervention and the consequent loss of ‘the human touch’. An untested modality should not be entrusted with the International Space Station and its expanding human complement. In light of the current state of knowledge, plans for long duration space flight would minimize human risk factors by allowing for in vivo psychiatric intervention. While this might be accomplished by the psychiatric training of mission personnel, it is recommended that the ideal mission specialist/flight surgeon would be a scientist/physician with resident specialty postgraduate training in a combined program of psychiatry and internal mediane where all aspects of telemedicine had been emphasized. Such a psychiatric internist would thus be on hand to administer all other forms of tele-medical support to the crew.
Femtocell Scheduling as a Restless Multiarmed Bandit Problem Using Partial Channel State Observation

In this paper, we address the problem of channel allocation for femtocells that share the use of regular macrocell spectrum. The femto basestation (FBS) scheduling problem is formulated in the form of restless multiarmed bandit (RMAB) framework. Our goal is to choose the arms/channels that maximize the total expected discounted reward over infinite horizon while minimizing the induced interference due to channel sharing with macrocell. Without direct observation of true channel state, we use the available macrocell user feedback known as channel quality indicator (CQI). In general, the RMAB problem is P-SPACE hard. We propose a heuristic low complexity indexing policy referred as approximated Whittle index to rank available channels for FBS. Although finding a closed form channel ranking solution typically involve dynamic programming, we show that based on the partial channel information within CQI, there exists a closed form for the channel index. Moreover, we demonstrate the performance advantage of the proposed indexing policy over a myopic policy.
TORSADES DE POINTES SECONDARY TO SOTALOL: PREDICTABLE BUT NOT ALWAYS PREVENTABLE

Sotalol is an effective antiarrhythmic drug for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation. However, its QTc-prolonging effect increases the risk for torsades de pointes (TdP) and sudden cardiac death. Thus, it is typically loaded in the inpatient setting with close cardiac monitoring
Exploring Sex Differences in Vigilance Performance with Knowledge of Results

Vigilance, also referred to as sustained attention, is the ability to maintain attention for extended periods of time while monitoring for, oftentimes, critical signals. In attempt to aid performan...
Urban woodpecker nest site characteristics before and after a hurricane disturbance

Abstract The holes that woodpeckers excavate and use for nesting are important for many other cavity-nesting birds. The availability of appropriate substrate for cavity excavation in an urban environment is an important factor governing the abundance of woodpecker nest cavities. To understand the impacts of hurricane disturbance on characteristics of trees used by cavity-nesting birds, we surveyed woodpecker cavities in urban southeast Florida before and after Hurricane Irma in 2017. We used these data to understand which cavities were most likely to persist after the hurricane, and compare cavity tree characteristics before and after the storm. Woodpecker cavities in dead slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) trees (snags) fared poorly compared to cavities in palm (Arecaceae) snags, hardwoods (live and dead), and wood utility poles. In the year after Hurricane Irma, the proportion of new cavities in palm snags increased relative to other substrates, while the proportion of cavities excavated in pines, hardwoods, and utility poles decreased. Trees excavated in the year after Hurricane Irma were 23 % shorter than trees with cavities found before the hurricane, suggesting that available trees were smaller. The decay class of trees and the number of woodpecker holes did not significantly affect the persistence rates of woodpecker cavity trees. We speculate that because palms generally have softer wood, their physical structure could make them more attractive to woodpeckers in the first year after a storm. The results of this study are relevant to the management of dead trees in urban areas in hurricane-prone regions, which are experiencing high urban growth. Cutting urban palm snags immediately following a storm removes a critical resource for woodpeckers during the first year of recovery.
Management of multiple gestations

Multiple gestations are commonly encountered in both high-risk and low-risk pregnancies and, since the advent of assisted reproductive technologies in the 1980s, the numbers of multiple gestations have grown rapidly. Thus, an understanding of both the maternal and fetal risks associated with multiple gestations should be central to all obstetric practice. The ability to foresee issues and the know how to respond to the complications that develop are central to the correct management of these pregnant women. For some, appropriate management may include referral to a specialist maternal and fetal medicine physician or, in some cases, to a specialist fetal center. The present review provides a comprehensive and simplified overview of multiple gestations, including incidence, diagnosis, genetic considerations, complications (both general and specific to multiple gestation subtypes), and delivery management. It is essential that providers recognize the high-risk and specific complications that may affect a multiple gestation in order to provide the highest possible level of care for these pregnant women.
ChinaAS Gradualistic Economic Approach and Financial Markets

China’s gradualistic approach allowed the government to learn how the economy reacts to small policy changes, and to adjust its reforms before implementing them in full. With fully developed financial markets, however, private actors’ may front-run future policy changes making it impossible for the implement policies gradually. With financial markets the government faces a time-inconsistency problem. The government would like to commit to a gradualistic approach, but after it observes the economy’s quick reaction, it has no incentive to implement its policies in small steps.
Pivoting to online laboratories due to COVID-19 using the “Science of Agriculture” digital tools: A case study

ABSTRACT On March 12, 2020 Dickinson State University moved all classes to distance delivery (DD) in response to COVID-19 Faculty had only a brief opportunity to plan, as the turn-around to DD was very rapid Meaningful laboratory exercises were needed for SOIL 210 ? Introduction to Soil Science The senior author learned about the Science of Agriculture (SoA) website on a discussion board created by the Soil Science Society of America, which provided links to distance education resources Most of the resources from SoA addressed topics still to be covered in SOIL 210, and four of the semester's final six labs were developed using SoA: Understanding Data and Chemistry, Soil Chemistry, Dryland Soils, and Microbiology and Nitrogen Materials available on the SoA website include video clips, interactive exercises, and virtual labs While the virtual labs, with the exception of Sorption!, are not soil science focused, they cover basic skills that soil scientists use Each of the four labs utilized four to eight of the activities (video clips, interactives, and/or virtual labs) available on SoA, depending on the length of time each activity was expected to take and the number of activities available for the given topic Students were asked to answer specific questions related to their lab experience with the digital activities SoA provided useful tools to develop meaningful experiences for the SOIL 210 students in lieu of their traditional laboratory exercises This article is protected by copyright All rights reserved
Investigating Catalan numbers with Pascal’s triangle

This article describes several different ways to extract Catalan numbers from Pascal's triangle and verifies the formula using combinatorial ideas.
Novel genome assemblies and Evolutionary Dynamics of North American Anopheles mosquitoes

Anopheles mosquitoes are the principal vectors for malaria and lymphatic filariasis, and evidence for arboviral transmission under laboratory and natural contexts has been demonstrated. Vector management approaches require an understanding of the ecological, epidemiological, and biological context of the species in question, and increased interest in gene drive systems for vector control applications has resulted in an increased need for genome assemblies from understudied mosquito species. While the genomes for many Anopheles species have been sequenced, North American Anopheles taxa have been neglected. In this study we present novel genome assemblies for the North American species An. crucians, An. freeborni, An. albimanus, and An. quadrimaculatus, and examine the evolutionary relationship between these species. We identified 790 shared single copy orthologs between the newly sequenced genomes and created a phylogeny using 673 of the orthologs, identifying 525 orthologs with evidence for positive selection on at least one branch of the phylogeny. Gene ontology terms such as calcium ion signaling, histone binding, and protein acetylation were identified as being biased in the set of selected genes. These novel genome sequences will be useful in developing our understanding of the diverse biological traits that drive vectorial capacity in anophelines.
A Low Power, 3.5-20GHz Tunable LNA with Out-Of-Band Blocker Filtering Based on Compact, Tunable Transmission Line (CTTL) Resonators in 65nm CMOS

We present a tunable LNA for software defined radio based on a compact, tunable transmission line (CTTL) element. The CTTL acts as a passive, widely tunable LC resonance in a cascoded, common source LNA to implement an instantaneously narrowband, multi-octave tunable LNA. The resulting circuit, fabricated in 65nm CMOS, is tunable from 3.5-20GHz, and consumes 12 mW with gain >12dB, ≥ -9.6dBV in-band OP1dB, and OOB B1dB up to 31dB higher than the in-band B1dB due to the CTTL-tuned LC filtering. The CTTL-tuned LNA represents a more blocker-tolerant approach to achieving high frequency, software-defined LNAs without significant compromises in other LNA performance metrics.
The Politics of Social Welfare in America

The Politics of Social Welfare in America examines how politicians, theorists and citizens discuss need, welfare and disability with respect to theoretical and political projects. Glenn David Mackin argues that participants in these discussions often miss the way their perceptions of those in need shape their discourse. Professor Mackin also explores disability rights groups and welfare rights activism in the 1960s and 1970s to examine the ways that those designated as needy or incompetent often challenge these designations, thus making the issue of welfare an ongoing conflict over who counts as competent and generating new ways of understanding democracy and equality.
Boundary Stabilization of the Korteweg-De Vries Equation

Consider herein is the initial-boundary value problem of the KdV equation posed on the bounded interval (0, 1): $$ (*) \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{{u}_{t}} + u{{u}_{x}} + {{u}_{{xxx, }}}u(x,0) = \emptyset (x)} \\ {u(0,t) = 0, u(1,t) = 0, {{u}_{x}}(1,t) = \alpha {{u}_{x}}(0,t)} \\ \end{array} } \right. $$ where |α| < 1. It is shown that (i) the system (*) is globally well-posed in the space $$ H_{\alpha }^{3} = \{ \emptyset \in {{H}^{3}}(0,1), \emptyset (0,t) = 0, \emptyset (1,t) = \alpha {{\emptyset }_{x}}(0,t)\} $$ and (ii) if α ≠ 0, then the system (*) is locally well-posed in the space H 0 1 (0, 1), but its small amplitude solutions exist globally and decay exponentially to zero as t → ∞.
Block triangular preconditioners for M-matrices and Markov chains

We consider preconditioned Krylov subspace methods for solving large sparse linear systems under the assumption that the coefficient matrix is a (possibly singular) M-matrix. The matrices are partitioned into 2 × 2 block form using graph partitioning. Approximations to the Schur complement are used to produce various preconditioners of block triangular and block diagonal type. A few properties of the preconditioners are established, and extensive numerical experiments are used to illustrate the performance of the various preconditioners on singular linear systems arising from Markov modeling.
A View from the Aisle Revisited: Delight and Outrage in the Classroom

This research explores marketing students’ emotional reactions to classroom encounters. We identify what types of critical incidents lead to specific emotional outcomes. The study included a sample of 1,208 marketing undergraduates. Findings confirm the viability of the taxonomies identified by Swanson and Davis (2000). We expand their framework to include the emotions of outrage and delight. Results confirm the conceptual distinctions among satisfaction, delight, dissatisfaction, and outrage, while suggesting that the absence of those factors that contribute to students’ dissatisfaction and outrage will not necessarily lead to their satisfaction and delight. Suggestions for responding are identified and associated with specific incident types.
Taurine catabolism: II. Biochemical and genetic evidence for sulfoacetaldehyde sulfo-lyase involvement

Abstract Cell-free extracts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa TAU-5 catalyze the cleavage of chemically or enzymatically synthesized sulfoacetaldehyde to form acetate and sulfite. The activity is enhanced by the presence of thiamine pyrophosphate. The sulfo-lyase responsible for this reaction has been partially purified 9-fold in order to separate it form taurine: pyruvate aminotransferase and to demonstrate its role in taurine catabolism. The sulfo-lyase is induced in organisms grown on taurine but not on other compounds tested. The induction occurs co-ordinately with the induction of the aminotransferase. Mutagenesis of the organism yielded a strain which lacks the sulfo-lyase and is incapable of growing on taurine. A revertant of this strain regained all the prototrophic characteristics.
Projecting Regional Sustainability Trends Using Geospatial Analytics

By definition, sustainability is a decision-centric concept that seeks to identify a set of conditions the environmental system can support in perpetuity without experiencing functional degradation. Although comparatively simple to understand in the abstract, sustainability carries an implicit temporal dimension that frustrates measurement and assessment. Managing the balance between the ideals of economic development and environmental quality over what remains a poorly articulated time horizon, however, complicates the decision-making process and the realization of sustainability programs. Therefore, policy instruments with established sustainability goals require a means to track human progress and modify planning directives as regional development unfolds. In this article, the role of geospatial analytics is examined as one approach to guide the measurement, assessment, and projection of land use intensity metrics derived from moderate resolution satellite imagery. Geospatial analytics directs attentio...
An optimal design of a cylindrical polarimetric phased array radar for weather sensing

[1] An optimal design of a cylindrical polarimetric phased array radar (CPPAR) for weather sensing is presented. A recently introduced invasive weed optimization (IWO) technique is employed to obtain the desired radiation pattern of the CPPAR. Instead of optimizing each element excitation in a large array (with expensive calculation costs), the modified Bernstein polynomial distribution, defined by seven parameters, is used to optimize the current distribution for the CPPAR. The simulation results show that the desired sidelobe levels (SLLs) and beam width are achieved in a computationally effective manner. Furthermore, the imaged feed arrangement is used to suppress the cross-polarization level. Both co-polar and cross-polar radiation patterns for broadside and off-broadside directions are presented to show the performance of the optimized CPPAR.
Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

Characteristics of woodpecker nest trees have been widely studied in some regions of North America. However, there is little research from the Upper Midwest. Forest managers need information on woodpecker nest tree characteristics so they can recommend leaving during harvest trees that meet the needs of cavity-dwelling wildlife. Information specific to the Upper Midwest is especially important given that declines in several species of cavity nesting birds have been predicted by an environmental analysis of timber harvest in Minnesota. Our purpose was to identify attributes of nest trees used by primary cavity-nesting birds. We compared nest trees to unused trees and examined differences in nest trees among woodpecker species. We found 166 active woodpecker nests in upper midwestern oak forests in 1997 and 1998. For each nest tree, we recorded height, diameter, status, and aspects of tree decay. We also measured four potential nest trees (non-nest trees, within size requirements of cavity-nesting birds, with at least 2 indicators of heartwood decay) closest to each active nest tree. Additionally, we recorded these measurements for 137 randomly selected potential nest trees. Using paired t-tests and chi-square analysis, we found each woodpecker species had a unique set of characteristics that separated nest trees from potential nest trees. Using an extension of the McNemar test for related samples, we found woodpeckers as a group used trees that were larger, both in diameter and height, more often elm ( Ulmus americana , U. rubra ) or aspen ( Populus tremuloides , P. grandidentata ), more likely to have old cavities present, and with more decay indicators than adjacent potential nest trees. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus varius ) differed from the other woodpecker species by nesting in living Trembling Aspens ( Populus tremuloides ) with intact tops, complete bark cover, and heartwood fungus. Diameters of nest trees differed significantly among woodpecker species, but unlike findings from other studies, the height of nest hole and nest tree did not. Woodpecker nest entrances faced south or southeast significantly more often than by chance alone, even when excluding leaning trees. This study suggests that generic forest management for all woodpecker species may not be adequate because individual species have specific nest tree requirements. Management recommendations for cavity-nesting birds need to be tailored to meet the needs of a diversity of species.
Chronic Fluoride Exposure Does Not Cause Detrimental, Extraskeletal Effects in Nutritionally Deficient Rats

On the basis of observations that endemic fluorosis occurs more often in malnourished populations, a series of studies tested the hypothesis that deficient dietary intake of calcium, protein or energy affects fluoride metabolism so that the margin of safe fluoride exposure may be reduced. The objective of the investigation was to determine whether changes in fluoride metabolism in nutritionally deficient rats resulted in manifestation of any extraskeletal toxic fluoride effects not observed in healthy animals. This investigation included two studies, one that monitored the effect of calcium deficiency on the effects of chronic fluoride exposure, and a second study that observed fluoride effects in rats that were deficient either in protein or in energy and total nutrient intake. Control and experimental rats received drinking water containing 0, 0.26 (5), 0.79 (15) or 2.63 (50) mmol fluoride/L (mg/L) for 16 or 48 wk. Control rats were fed optimal diets and experimental rats were fed diets deficient in calcium (Study 1) or protein (Study 2). An additional group of experimental rats (Study 2) was provided with a restricted amount of diet; thus these rats were deficient in energy and total nutrient intake. The intake, excretion and retention of fluoride were monitored; after the rats were killed, tissue fluoride levels and biochemical markers of tissue function were analyzed. Bone marrow cells were harvested from some of the rats, after 48 wk of treatment, for determining the frequency of sister chromatid exchange, a marker of genetic damage. Although there were significant differences among fluoride treatment groups in fluoride excretion and retention that resulted in significantly greater fluoride levels in tissues of the experimental rats, we were unable to detect any harmful, extraskeletal biochemical, physiologic or genetic effects of fluoride in the nutritionally deficient rats.
Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling: A Comprehensive Introduction

1. Review of Some Key Latent Variable Principles 2. Longitudinal Measurement Invariance 3. Structural Models for Comparing Dependent Means and Proportions 4. Fundamental Concepts of Stability and Change 5. Cross-Lagged Panel Models 6. Latent State-Trait Models 7. Linear Latent Growth Curve Models 8. Nonlinear Latent Growth Curve Models 9. Latent Difference Score Models 10. Latent Transition and Growth Mixture Models 11. Time Series Analysis 12. Survival Analysis Models 13. Missing Data and Attrition Appendix A: Notation Appendix B: A Primer on the Calculus of Change
Suppression-induced forgetting on a free-association test

The repeated suppression of thoughts in response to cues for their expression leads to forgetting on a subsequent test of cued recall (Anderson & Green, 2001). We extended this effect by using homograph cues and presenting them for free association following suppression practice. Cue-target pairs were first learned under integrating imagery instructions; then in the think/no-think phase students practised suppressing thoughts connected to some homograph cues, with or without the assistance of thought substitutes that changed their meaning. Below-baseline forgetting on the subsequent free-association test was found in the production of suppressed targets. Following aided suppression this effect was also obtained in the production of other responses denoting the target-related meaning of the homograph cues. Discussion emphasises the ecological value of the test; rarely do people deliberately attempt recall of unwanted thoughts.
A Novel Synthesis of Mono- and (1-Ctcloakenyl) Acetic Acid Derivatives via Ionization/Elimination of β-Lactones

Abstract Spiro β-lactones undergo an ionization/elimination reaction to afford cycloalkenyl acetic acid derivatives in high yield and isomeric purity.
Pulsed photothermal deflection and diffraction effects: numerical modeling based on Fresnel diffraction theory

We present a comprehensive theoretical model suitable for treating the effect of pulsed collinear photothermal deflection spectros- copy (PDS). The work is an extension of the theoretical model previously developed for the mirage effect, which can take into account both pho- tothermal deflection and photothermal diffraction effects based on the Fresnel diffraction theory. With the diffraction model, both the collinear PDS and the photothermal lensing spectroscopy techniques can be treated in a unified manner. The model provides a detailed analysis of the laser-induced optical diffraction effect and can be used to optimize experimental parameters. The modeled results are presented in detail, with an emphasis on the advantages of using a near-field detection scheme for achieving the best sensitivity to local temperature change and better experimental stability against environmental noise. © 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(99)02612-4)
CD24-Siglec G/10 discriminates danger- from pathogen-associated molecular patterns

It is now well accepted that the innate immune system recognizes both damage (or danger)- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (DAMP and PAMP, respectively) through pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) and/or Nod-like receptors (NLR). Less clear are whether and how the response to PAMP and DAMP are regulated differentially. The answers may reveal whether the primary goal of the immune system is to defend against infections or to alert the host of tissue injuries. We demonstrated recently that the host response to DAMP is controlled by a DAMP-CD24-Siglec axis. Here we propose a key role for the CD24-Siglec pathway in discriminating between DAMPs and PAMPs.
Proposal for an all-optical subpicosecond streak camera

Abstract An all-optical streak camera based on the molecular-orientation Kerr effect is proposed. Time resolutions better than 25 fs are predicted.
Comparative analysis of peptide p5 and serum amyloid P component for imaging AA amyloid in mice using dual-isotope SPECT.

I-labeled human serum amyloid P component (SAP) is used clinically only in the UK for imaging visceral amyloidosis to assist with diagnosis, disease staging, and monitoring response to therapy. We compare a new amyloid-reactive probe, peptide p5, with SAP for imaging amyloidosis. Dual-energy SPECT/CT images were acquired of 125I-labeled SAP and 99mTc-labeled p5 in mice with systemic AA amyloidosis (n = 3). Twelve organs and tissues were harvested for radiotracer biodistribution assessment and for micro-autoradiographic analysis. I-SAP and 99mTc-p5 localized equivalently in amyloid deposits in liver (∼10% injected dose (ID)/g) whereas 125I-SAP was twofold higher in the spleen (∼20% ID/g; 99mTc-p5, ∼10% ID/g). In contrast, 99mTc-p5 was bound to pancreatic and intestinal amyloid approximately fivefold more efficiently as evidenced in biodistribution data. Radiolabeled p5 is an effective amyloid-imaging radiotracer as compared to SAP in the murine model of amyloidosis and may be rapidly translated for imaging patients with visceral amyloidosis in the USA.
Psychiatric residents' appraisal of psychiatric teaching in medical schools.

Abstract The response of psychiatric trainees to the psychiatric training received in medical school was studied by means of a questionnaire. This was distributed to 218 psychiatric residents and fellows from nine training programs in the Los Angeles area. Of the final sample of 101, 16 per cent considered psychiatry the poorest taught subject, although only 4 per cent considered it the least learned subject. Thirty-seven per cent thought that the teaching of psychiatry had been either poor or indifferent. Approximately one-third had decided before medical school in favor of specializing in psychiatry, one third during and one-third after medical school. The decision to become a psychiatrist was ascribed to personal factors and to contact with psychiatric patients more than to the effects of the teaching received. Only 35 per cent felt that they had been well prepared by their training in medical school for future specialization in psychiatry. Forty-four per cent said that they had never received instruction on the conduct of psychotherapy and 31 per cent had never treated a patient with psychotherapy, yet a majority (82%) are confident that psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment. According to both psychiatric trainees and nonpsychiatric trainees previously studied, the psychiatric curriculum in medical school is directed mainly at the future nonpsychiatrist and not at the future specialist. The features of their training most prized by those who reported a positive experience and most missed by those whose experience had been disappointing were contact with dedicated teachers and generous opportunity for clinical experience.
The mechanisms of exercise provocation of supraventricular tachycardia

Treadmill exercise tests, electrophysiologic studies, and isoproterenol infusions were performed in 14 patients with exercise provocable supraventricular tachycardia to delineate the mechanisms of exercise provocation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Treadmill exercise tests reproducibly provoked supraventricular tachycardia in all patients. Supraventricular tachycardia similar to that provoked by exercise occurred spontaneously during isoproterenol infusions in 9 of 11 patients tested. The specific supraventricular tachycardia diagnoses of all patients were atrial reentrant tachycardia (two patients), automatic atrial tachycardia (three), atrial flutter-fibrillation (one), atypical junctional tachycardia (two), and orthodromic atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia (six) as defined by electrophysiologic studies. Various mechanisms of exercise or isoproterenol induction of supraventricular tachycardia were identified. A critical heart rate and/or appropriate sympathetic state was found to provoke all instances of reentrant or automatic atrial tachycardia and atypical junctional tachycardia. A properly timed atrial premature beat provoked five of six cases of AV reentrant tachycardia and the only case of atrial flutter-fibrillation. The remaining case of AV reentrant tachycardia was induced by a ventricular premature beat. In conclusion, the mechanisms of exercise provocation of reentrant or automatic supraventricular tachycardia are multiple and include a critical sinus rate, increased sympathetic tone, and properly timed atrial or ventricular premature beats.
Photoinduced dissociation of water adsorbed on a Ag cluster

Theoretical electronic structure calculations are reported for the photoinduced dissociation of water adsorbed on a 31-atom silver cluster, Ag31 to produce H2 and adsorbed O. Both ground and excited electronic state processes are considered. The excited electronic state of interest is formed by photoemission of an electron from the Ag cluster and transient attachment of the electron to the adsorbed water molecule. A very large energy barrier for H2 formation (3.51 eV) is found for the ground state process while the barrier in the excited state is much smaller (0.47 eV). In the excited state, partial occupancy of an OH antibonding orbital facilitates OH stretch and the electron hole in the metal cluster stabilizes OH and O adsorbates. The excited state pathway for dissociation of water begins with the formation of an excited electronic state at 3.49 eV. Stretch of the OH bond up to 3.44 a.u. (1.82 A) occurs with little change in energy. In this region of OH stretch the molecule must return to the ground state potential energy surface to dissociate fully and to form H2. Geometry optimizations are carried out using a simplex algorithm which allows the total energy to be calculated using configuration interaction theory.
Thyroid carcinoma in childhood: Management and follow up of 11 cases

Eleven patients under 16 years of age, 5 males and 6 females were diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma in our hospital between 1974 and 1992. Median age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range: 5.2-15.7 years). The presenting sign was a single thyroid nodule in 5, multiple thyroid nodules in 1, cervical adenopathy in 3, and thyroid nodules in conjunction with cervical adenopathy in 2 patients. Histological diagnosis was papillary carcinoma in 5 cases, follicular carcinoma in 2, mixed papillary-follicular carcinoma in 3, and anaplastic carcinoma in one. Only 4 patients had no extrathyroidal metastases at diagnosis. All but one subjects underwent total thyroidectomy, either one-stage or two-staged. If metastases were present, ablative radio-iodine therapy followed. Two patients died within a few months, one from complications of lung metastases, another from diffuse spread of anaplastic carcinoma. Two patients were lost to follow up; 7 patients have been followed for 9.0-18.0 years. Of these, one patient with initial lung metastases has had six recurrences which were successfully treated each time with radio-iodine although thyroglobulin levels remained elevated; another patient who had an initial subtotal thyroidectomy incurred a relapse 12 years later during pregnancy but is doing well now after more intensive surgery. We propose that children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma should undergo total thyroidectomy and selective lymph node extirpation by a skilled surgeon followed by whole body radio-iodine scan and ablative radio-iodine treatment if necessary. Plasma thyroglobulin can then be used as a tumour marker and suppressive levothyroxine does should be given.
CONCEPTUAL AND EMPIRICAL ISSUES IN ESTIMATING TRANSFER CHARGES

Despite growing interest in interregional analysis, little effort to date has been devoted to estimation and selection of transfer charges for use in interregional studies when alternative modes of transport are involved. The usual procedure is to select the one mode of transport for each route that corresponds to the lowest quoted transfer charge. Under certain conditions this method is shown to have produced biased results. In such cases, a combined-cost procedure is proposed in which alternative transfer charges (corresponding to alternative modes of transport) are combined to form a weighted average transfer charge for each route, with the weights based on the average use made of each mode for actual shipments. The suggested procedure, which is outlined in detail, recognizes the existence of other service and cost factors in transportation in addition to quoted rates. QUESTIONS CONCEPTUELLES ET EMPIRIQUES CONCERNANT LE CALCUL DES FRAIS DE TRANSBORDEMENT–En depit de ľinteret croissant dans ľanalyse interregionale, peu ďefforts ont ete consacres jusqu'ici au calcul et au choix des frais de transbordement a employer dans les etudes interregional lorsque des modes de transport differents sont concernes. La procedure habituelle est de choisir le mode de transport pour chaque route qui correspond au frais de transbordement fixes les plus bas. Sous certaines condition, cette methode se trouve a produire des resultats inexacts. Dans de tels cas, une procedure de couts ďensemble est proposee dans laquelle les frais differents de transbordement (correspondant aux modes differents de transport) sont reunis pour former une moyenne ponderee des frais de transbordement pour chaque route, les coefficients de ponderation etant bases sur ľusage moyen que ľon fait de chaque mode pour les expeditions reelles. La procedure suggeree, qui est elaboree en detail, reconnait ľexistence ďautres facteurs de service et cout dans le transport en plus des taux fixes.
Contextual influences: building brand community in large and small colleges

This research extends recent efforts that have introduced and empirically tested a conceptual model of brand community in the context of higher education. This emerging literature has indicated that brand community provides a framework that can inform and guide marketing investments in ways that lead to affinity and stronger loyalty to the brand and institution. This paper presents the results of a national survey that examines the potential impact that institutional size may have on the relationships of an alumni brand community. This paper also explores the implications of the size of the educational institution on relevant and desired marketing outcomes that include the willingness to recommend the university to friends and family and a desire to purchase licensed apparel.
Chemical Derivatives of a Small Molecule Deubiquitinase Inhibitor Have Antiviral Activity against Several RNA Viruses

Most antiviral treatment options target the invading pathogen and unavoidably encounter loss of efficacy as the pathogen mutates to overcome replication restrictions. A good strategy for circumventing drug resistance, or for pathogens without treatment options, is to target host cell proteins that are utilized by viruses during infection. The small molecule WP1130 is a selective deubiquitinase inhibitor shown previously to successfully reduce replication of noroviruses and some other RNA viruses. In this study, we screened a library of 31 small molecule derivatives of WP1130 to identify compounds that retained the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of the parent compound in vitro but exhibited improved drug-like properties, particularly increased aqueous solubility. Seventeen compounds significantly reduced murine norovirus infection in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, with four causing decreases in viral titers that were similar or slightly better than WP1130 (1.9 to 2.6 log scale). Antiviral activity was observed following pre-treatment and up to 1 hour postinfection in RAW 264.7 cells as well as in primary bone marrow-derived macrophages. Treatment of the human norovirus replicon system cell line with the same four compounds also decreased levels of Norwalk virus RNA. No significant cytotoxicity was observed at the working concentration of 5 µM for all compounds tested. In addition, the WP1130 derivatives maintained their broad-spectrum antiviral activity against other RNA viruses, Sindbis virus, LaCrosse virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, and Tulane virus. Thus, altering structural characteristics of WP1130 can maintain effective broad-spectrum antiviral activity while increasing aqueous solubility.
Activating GNAS mutations in parosteal osteosarcoma

Parosteal osteosarcoma is a surface-based osteosarcoma that often exhibits deceptively bland cytologic features, hindering diagnosis in small biopsies or when correlative radiologic imaging is not readily available. A number of benign and malignant fibro-osseous lesions, including fibrous dysplasia (FD) and low-grade central osteosarcoma, fall within the morphologic differential diagnosis of parosteal osteosarcoma. Somatic mutations in GNAS, encoding the α-subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein complex (Gsα), occur in FD and McCune-Albright syndrome but have not been reported in parosteal osteosarcoma. We evaluated GNAS mutational status in parosteal osteosarcoma and several of its histologic mimics to determine its utility in differentiating these entities. Eleven of 14 (79%) FD cases had GNAS mutations within codon 201 (5 R201C and 6 R201H mutations). GNAS mutations were not detected in any cases of adamantinoma or osteofibrous dysplasia. Direct sequencing of 9 parosteal osteosarcomas, including 3 of low grade and 6 with dedifferentiation, revealed activating GNAS mutations in 5 cases (55%), distributed as 4 R201C-mutated tumors and 1 tumor with an R201H mutation. GNAS codon 227 mutations were not detected in any of the cases. There was no association between GNAS mutational status and patient demographics, histologic dedifferentiation, or clinical outcome. To our knowledge, we report the first series of parosteal osteosarcomas harboring activating GNAS mutations. Our data suggest that GNAS mutational status may have limited utility as an ancillary technique in differentiating benign and malignant fibro-osseous lesions of the bone.
A fundamental study on the impact of surface integrity by hard turning on rolling contact fatigue

Hard turning has the potential to produce favorable surface integrity that would improve component life in rolling contact. However, the effects of the process-induced residual stress profile and the white layer on rolling contact fatigue (RCF) are poorly understood. This study aims to answer the long-standing question of how residual stress and the white layer affect RCF. Based on the developed real-time RCF testing system, a series of RCF tests were conducted for hard turned AISI 52100 steel components. The test results have shown that the acoustic emission amplitude is most consistent and sensitive to fatigue damage than other AE parameters. A white layer induced by hard turning is very detrimental to RCF. A component free of a white layer can have a life six times that of a white layer component. As the white layer increases in thickness, the fatigue life decreases. Surface residual stresses and near-surface residual stress profiles are significant factors for RCF, while the depth of maximum compressive residual stress in subsurface is not critical. Surface integrity affects RCF through the mechanism of near surface damage rather than subsurface damage.
Quantitative and densitometric considerations in bas‐relief electron micrographs

Two methods for bas-relief electron micrographs are described, one to produce transparencies for projection and one to produce prints for publication. The basis of these methods is a controlled misregistration of a positive image and a negative image, both on film, to increase contrast and produce a “bas-relief” effect. This gives the final image a three-dimensional appearance. No apparent loss of resolution results and no artificial amendment is required. To produce transparencies, a contact film positive is produced from the negative and the two are sandwiched in a slide mount with the appropriate amount of lateral displacement to give the effect. To produce prints, the film positive and the film negative are used to sequentially expose the same sheet of photographic paper prior to development to realize the effect. The bas-relief induced by the misregistration of the film plates causes apparent shadows and highlights that produce the apparent height that is seen in the enhanced images.