cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mastery Learning of Bedside Procedural Skills

Healthcare providers demonstrate wide variability in their skill at performing medical procedures safely. Objective measures of clinical skills are rarely used in making high-stakes personnel decisions. Hospitals and other privileging, licensing, and credentialing bodies use aggregate number systems to determine if individual healthcare providers are safe and ready to perform clinical procedures. However, many studies show that neither clinical experience (number of procedures performed) nor provider self-confidence correlate with actual procedural skill. Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) can be used to ensure that individual healthcare providers are competent to perform invasive procedures. In this chapter, we discuss how SBML has been used to boost bedside procedural skills. Specifically, we describe how SBML curricula were developed using the Thomas and Kern framework for bedside procedural skills including thoracentesis, paracentesis, central venous catheter (CVC) insertion, and CVC maintenance. We also review how translational science outcomes are used to provide validity evidence about the effectiveness of these curricula.
Cannabis in Oncology and Symptom Management

Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes for over 5000 years. Shen Nung in the “Great Herbal” (2737 BC) described the drug as a liberator of sin and delight giver. Majority of controlled clinical trials supporting the medical use of cannabis/marijuana have been conducted with purified cannabinoids or single extract of Cannabis sativa (equimolecular proportion of Delta9-THC and CBD). At this time in the United States, the FDA has approved three cannabinoid medications for medicinal purposes (however, not for pain) including dronabinol, cannabidiol, and nabilone. The European Medicines Agency and Health Canada have similarly approved those approved by the FDA in addition to nabiximols. Cannabis is currently available for medicinal use in 33 States in America and for non-medicinal use in 10 states, although both remain illegal under federal law. In Canada, cannabis was legalized for non-medicinal use as of 2018. Crude cannabis is by far the most frequent source of cannabinoids for patients worldwide, few studies examine the therapeutic value of cannabis oils (for ingestion or topical use), or vaporized herbal cannabis. Cannabis affects the brain through interaction with the endogenous cannabinoid system inclusive of cannabinoid receptors and endogenous ligands. Acute intoxication with cannabis results in marked changes in mentation and impairs cognition. The acute effects on behavior, mood and cognition are biphasic and dose-dependent. Controversy remains regarding persistent effects of cannabis following cessation in domains of behavior, cognition, brain, and brain function.
Genetic Characterization of Pediatric Sarcomas by Targeted RNA Sequencing.

Somatic variants, primarily fusion genes and single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) or insertions/deletions (indels), are prevalent among sarcomas. In many cases, accurate diagnosis of these tumors incorporates genetic findings that may also carry prognostic or therapeutic significance. Using the anchored multiplex PCR–based FusionPlex system, a custom RNA sequencing panel was developed that simultaneously detects fusion genes, SNVs, and indels in 112 genes found to be recurrently mutated in solid tumors. Using this assay, a retrospective analysis was conducted to identify somatic variants that may have assisted with classifying a cohort of 90 previously uncharacterized primarily pediatric sarcoma specimens. In total, somatic variants were identified in 45.5% (41/90) of the samples tested, including 22 cases with fusion genes and 19 cases with SNVs or indels. In addition, two of these findings represent novel alterations: a WHSC1L1/NCOA2 fusion and a novel in-frame deletion in the NRAS gene (NM_002524: c.174_176delAGC p.Ala59del). These sequencing results, taken in context with the available clinical data, indicate a potential change in the initial diagnosis, prognosis, or management in 27 of the 90 cases. This study presents a custom RNA sequencing assay that detects fusion genes and SNVs in tandem and has the ability to identify novel fusion partners. These features highlight the advantages associated with utilizing anchored multiplex PCR technology for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of somatic variants.
Introductory Note to Animal Science Products Inc. v. Hebei Welcome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (United States Supreme Court)

This brief case note provides an overview and critical assessment of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Animal Science Products, Inc. v. Hebei Welcome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 138 S.Ct. 1865 (2018), which held that when determining the meaning of foreign law, “[a] federal court should accord respectful consideration to a foreign government’s submission, but is not bound to accord conclusive effect to the foreign government’s statements.”
One-year outcomes following physical therapist-led intervention for chronic hip-related groin pain: Ancillary analysis of a pilot multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Evidence related to physical therapist-led intervention for patients with chronic hip-related groin pain (HRGP) is limited. The purpose was to assess sustainability of treatment effects for people with HRGP undergoing two physical therapist-led interventions. We completed an ancillary analysis of a pilot multicenter, randomized clinical trial (RCT). Forty-six patients with chronic HRGP, 15-40 years, were enrolled. Patients were randomized to participate in 10 sessions over 12 weeks of either movement pattern training (MoveTrain) or traditional strength/flexibility (Standard). Participants completed self-report questionnaires before treatment and 6 and 12 months after treatment completion. Outcome measures included Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for average and worst pain. Continuous data were analyzed with mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) within each group. NPRS was analyzed using multinomial generalized estimating equations (GEE) with a cumulative logit. Reported p-values are from statistical contrasts within the RM-ANOVAs and GEEs testing a priori hypotheses regarding change from pretest to month 6, and pretest to month 12. 43/46 (93.5%) participants completed treatment, 40 (87.0%) completed 6 and 38 (82.6%) completed 12 month questionnaires. At 6 and 12 months, both groups demonstrated clinically significant improvements, compared to pretest, in all subscales of HOOS (P<.01), PSFS (P<.001) and NPRS (P<.0001). Statement of Clinical Significance: Among patients with chronic HRGP, both MoveTrain and Standard resulted in improved outcomes that were sustained 12 months after treatment. Further investigation in a larger sample is needed to confirm our findings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Multivariate pattern analysis links drug use severity to distributed cortical hypoactivity during emotional inhibitory control in opioid use disorder.

Abstract Opioid use disorder (OUD) is characterized by emotional and cognitive impairements that are associated with poor treatment outcomes. The present study investigated the neural mechanism underlying emotion evaluation and inhibitory control using an affective go/no-go (AGN) task and its association with drug use severity and craving in patients with OUD. Twenty-six recently detoxified patients with OUD underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing the AGN task that required response to frequently presented appetitive stimuli (“go”) and inhibition of response to infrequently presented aversive stimuli (“no-go”). The fMRI session was immediately followed by an injection of extended-release opioid antagonist naltrexone (XR-NTX). Participants’ opioid craving was assessed immediately before fMRI and 10 ± 2 days after XR-NTX injection. Multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) showed that drug use severity was associated with distributed brain hypoactivity in response to aversive no-go stimuli, with particularly large negative contributions from the cognitive control and dorsal attention brain networks. While drug use severity and its associated MVPA brain response pattern were both correlated with opioid craving at baseline, only the brain response pattern predicted craving during XR-NTX treatment. Our findings point to widespread functional hypoactivity in the brain networks underlying emotional inhibitory control in OUD. Such a distributed pattern is consistent with the multifaceted nature of OUD, which affects multiple brain networks. It also highlights the utility of the multivariate approach in uncovering large-scale cortical substrates associated with clinical severity in complex psychiatric disorders and in predicting treatment response.
The Control of Spiking by Synaptic Input in Striatal and Pallidal Neurons

Different patterns of simulated synaptic input were applied to striatal and pallidal neuronsin vitrousing dynamic current clamping. It was found that striatal neurons required a much larger baseline of excitatory inputs than pallidal neurons to allow spiking. Spike rates in pallidal neurons in response to applied synaptic conductances were much higher even when inhibitory input conductances dominated. Repeated applications of inputs with defined short-term correlations demonstrated that the timing of individual spikes can be controlled within 2 ms by specific input patterns both in striatum and GP. The presence of synchronization in the input led to much increased spike rates even when the mean rate of input was not changed. These results indicate specific modes of synaptic integration in striatal and GP neurons which depend on particular intrinsic voltage-gated conductances. An important role of these mechanisms in network function of the basal ganglia seems likely.
Computer-Determined Unit Hydrograph from Floods

A COMPUTER PROGRAM USING MATRIX ALGEBRA TO DETERMINE THE BEST-FIT UNIT HYDROGRAPH FROM ONE OR SEVERAL COMPLEX FLOODS USING STATISTICAL CURVE FITTING TECHNIQUES IS DESCRIBED. THE PROGRAM EVALUATES THE POSSIBLE ERRORS IN ESTIMATED PRECIPITATION EXCESS WHICH PROVIDE A MEANS TO IMPROVE THE ESTIMATE OF PRECIPITATION EXCESS. FOUR YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN USING THE PROGRAM IS DRAWN ON TO EVALUATE ITS PRACTICAL USE. /ASCE/
Recent advances in the growth, doping and characterization of III–V nitride thin films

Boron nitride thin films have been grown on the (100) surfaces of Si and diamond via ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) using electron beam evaporation of B in tandem with N and Ar ion bombardment within the ranges of substrate temperature and ion flux of 200–700°C and 0.20–0.30 mA/cm2, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed a growth sequence of amorphous (a-BN), hexagonal (h-BN) and cubic (c-BN) layers under most conditions. This sequence is attributed primarily to increasing biaxial compressive stress with film thickness due to ion bombardment and some interstitial Ar incorporation. A minimum substrate temperature of 200–300° C is required for nucleation and growth of single phase c-BN by this technique. The initial stage of AlN film growth on α(6H)-SiC(0001) substrates by plasma-assisted, gas source molecular beam epitaxy has been investigated in terms of growth mode and interface defects. Essentially atomically flat AlN surfaces, indicative of two-dimensional growth, were obtained using on-axis substrates. Island-like features were observed on the vicinal surfaces. The coalescence of latter features gave rise to double positioning boundaries as a result of the misalignment of the Si/C bilayer steps with the Al/N bilayers in the growing films. The quality of the thicker AlN films was strongly influenced by the concentration of these boundaries. Monocrystalline GaN and AlxGa1−x N(0001) (0≤x≤1) films, void of oriented domain structures and associated low-angle grain boundaries and with smooth surface morphologies, have been grown via OMVPE on high-temperature monocrystalline AlN(0001) buffer layers, previously deposited on vicinal α(6H)−SiC(0001) wafers, using TEG, TEA and ammonia in a cold-wall, vertical, pancake-style reactor. Abrupt heterojunctions were demonstrated. The PL spectrum of the pure GaN showed strong near band-edge emissions with a FWHM value of 4 meV. Cathodoluminescence spectra of AlxGa1−x N films for x<0.5 also showed intense near band-edge emission. The dislocation density within the first 0.5 μm was ≈1×109 cm−2; it decreased substantially with increasing film thickness. Double-crystal XRC measurements indicated a FWHM value of 66 arc sec for the pure GaN(0004) reflection; the value of this parameter increased with increasing values of x. Controlled n-type Si-doping of pure GaN has been achieved for net carrier concentrations ranging from approximately 1×1017 cm−3 to 1×1020 cm−3. As-deposited Si-doped Al0.75Ga0.25N exhibited negative electron affinity. Mg-doped, p-type GaN was achieved with n A−n D≈3×1017 cm−3, ρ≈7 Ω·cm and μ≈3 cm2/V·s.
Algorithmic challenges in mammalian whole‐genome assembly

Sequencing of the human, mouse, and rat genomes was accomplished more quickly than had seemed feasible a mere eight years ago. The accelerating pace of sequencing has been made possible by the development of large-scale laboratory operations, assembly algorithms, and less so by changes in the underlying sequencing technologies. This short review summarizes the computational challenges of whole-genome assembly and the algorithms and software systems that enabled the recent advances in sequencing of mammalian genomes. Keywords: DNA sequencing; whole-genome shotgun assembly; physical mapping; contig; scaffold; overlap-layout-consensus
Patent Pools, RAND Commitments, and the Problematics of Price Discrimination

This is a book chapter forthcoming in Working Within the Boundaries of Intellectual Property Law (Harry First, Rochelle Dreyfuss, and Diane Zimmerman, eds., Oxford University Press), which will collect papers from the NYU Engelberg Center's 2007 conference at La Pietra, Florence. The paper highlights the complexities and potential abuses that arise when patent pools are used to implement standards created by standard setting organizations (SSOs). It summarizes the antitrust fixes that have been proposed by the patentees and generally approved by the antitrust agencies. The paper then explores the meaning of the chief antitrust fix - the patentees' commitment to license their patents on reasonable and nondiscriminatory (RAND) terms. The paper concludes by arguing that at least three conditions must be satisified for RAND commitments to be effective fixes: (1) understanding the RAND commitment as a contract enforceable by third parties; (2) placing the burden of justifying the proferred licensing terms on the patent pool; and (3) allowing for meaningful judicial review of licensing decisions by private arbitrators.
Complete severance of the pancreas and its treatment with repair of the main pancreatic duct of Wirsung. Report of a case.

Abstract 1. 1. A case of severance of the pancreas and its successful treatment by repair of the main pancreatic duct of Wirsung, as well as suture of the laceration of the pancreatic capsule have been described. We know of no other case in the literature in which this method has been used. 2. 2. A commentary on the operation and serum amylase levels has been given. 3. 3. Follow-up studies on this patient to date have been satisfactory.
Book Review Essays

Cloth and Cultural Survival in Indonesia: Batak Cloth and Clothing: A Dynamic Indonesian Tradition. Sandra A. Niessen. Cloth and Cultural Survival in Indonesia: Fragile Traditions: Indonesian Art in Jeopardy. Paul Michael Taylor, ed.
The relationship of women's status and empowerment with skilled birth attendant use in Senegal and Tanzania.

Maternal mortality remains unacceptably high in sub-Saharan Africa with 179,000 deaths occurring each year, accounting for 2-thirds of maternal deaths worldwide. Progress in reducing maternal deaths and increasing Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) use at childbirth has stagnated in Africa. Although several studies demonstrate the important influences of women’s status and empowerment on SBA use, this evidence is limited, particularly in Africa. Furthermore, few studies empirically test the operationalization of women’s empowerment and incorporate multidimensional measures to represent the potentially disparate influence of women’s status and empowerment on SBA use across settings. This study examined the relationship of women’s status and empowerment with SBA use in two African countries – Senegal and Tanzania – using the 2010 Demographic and Health Surveys (weighted births n = 10,688 in SN; 6748 in TZ). Factor analysis was first conducted to identify the structure and multiple dimensions of empowerment. Then, a multivariate regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between these empowerment dimensions and SBA use. Overall, women’s status and empowerment were positively related to SBA use. Some sociodemographic characteristics showed similar effects across countries (e.g., age, wealth, residence, marital relationship, parity); however, women’s status and empowerment influence SBA use differently by setting. Namely, women’s education directly and positively influenced SBA use in Tanzania, but not in Senegal. Further, each of the dimensions of empowerment influenced SBA use in disparate ways. In Tanzania women’s higher household decision-making power and employment were related to SBA use, while in Senegal more progressive perceptions of gender norms and older age at first marriage were related to SBA use. This study provides evidence of the disparate influences of women’s status and empowerment on SBA use across settings. Results indicate that efforts to increase SBA use and to reduce maternal mortality through the improvement of women’s status and empowerment should focus both on improving girls’ education and delaying marriage, as well as transforming gender norms and decision-making power. However, given the multi-dimensional and contextual nature of women’s status and empowerment, it is critical to identify key drivers to increase SBA use in a given setting for contextually tailored policy and programming.
Theory of Collision Broadening in the Sudden Approximation

A method is developed for calculating the cross section for line broadening in the limiting case in which important collisions may be considered to occur very rapidly with respect to the periods corresponding to the transitions in question. This method is essentially an extension of the familiar "sudden" approximation; reference is made throughout to the particular example of optical double resonance only for definiteness and because there are available experimental results for comparison with the theory. Assuming the impact model and considering the case when the energy levels in question are well resolved with respect to their width, an exact expression is found for resonant self-broadening in the usual weak rf field limit of interest in double resonance. For the case of very small oscillator strengths for the optical transition (intercombination lines), the resonant broadening becomes sufficiently small so that second-order, intermediate-state processes dominate, and approximations must be made to effect sums over intermediate states. Here the broadening is of the same sort as foreign gas broadening, and in many cases of interest, the approximations can be made in a sufficiently realistic manner to obtain useful expressions for the broadening. It is shown that the resonant cross section and this "second-order" cross section are not additive, but that the one which is larger dominates the total cross sections very strongly. Finally, we evaluate explicitly the self-broadening and foreign gas broadening (by the noble gases) of double resonance lines in the group II metals and the self-broadening in the optical spectrum of helium. In all cases our theoretical predictions are in good agreement with measurements which have been made.
Technical perspective: finding a good neighbor, near and fast

You haven't read it yet, but you can already tell this article is going to be one long jumble of words, numbers, and punctuation marks. Indeed, but look at it differently, as a text classifier would, and you will see a single point in high dimension, with word frequencies acting as coordinates. Or take the background on your flat panel display: a million colorful pixels teaming up to make quite a striking picture. Yes, but also one single point in 106-dimensional space--that is, if you think of each pixel's RGB intensity as a separate coordinate. In fact, you don't need to look hard to find complex, heterogeneous data encoded as clouds of points in high dimension. They routinely surface in applications as diverse as medical imaging, bioinformatics, astrophysics, and finance.
Dimensionality reduction of collective motion by principal manifolds

Abstract While the existence of low-dimensional embedding manifolds has been shown in patterns of collective motion, the current battery of nonlinear dimensionality reduction methods is not amenable to the analysis of such manifolds. This is mainly due to the necessary spectral decomposition step, which limits control over the mapping from the original high-dimensional space to the embedding space. Here, we propose an alternative approach that demands a two-dimensional embedding which topologically summarizes the high-dimensional data. In this sense, our approach is closely related to the construction of one-dimensional principal curves that minimize orthogonal error to data points subject to smoothness constraints. Specifically, we construct a two-dimensional principal manifold directly in the high-dimensional space using cubic smoothing splines, and define the embedding coordinates in terms of geodesic distances. Thus, the mapping from the high-dimensional data to the manifold is defined in terms of local coordinates. Through representative examples, we show that compared to existing nonlinear dimensionality reduction methods, the principal manifold retains the original structure even in noisy and sparse datasets. The principal manifold finding algorithm is applied to configurations obtained from a dynamical system of multiple agents simulating a complex maneuver called predator mobbing, and the resulting two-dimensional embedding is compared with that of a well-established nonlinear dimensionality reduction method.
Treatment Engagement with Caregivers of At-risk Children: Gaps in Research and Conceptualization

The high rates of dropping out and other engagement problems are significant concerns in the delivery of mental health and adjunct services to the families of at-risk children. Consequently, researchers have examined the correlates of attrition and have developed interventions to increase engagement and retention. However, the lack of a clear definition of engagement and gaps in theory about the relationship of engagement to other treatment processes hinder knowledge development. In this paper the behavioral and attitudinal aspects of engagement are disentangled. Current knowledge about treatment barriers and interventions to increase appointment keeping is summarized. A preliminary conceptualization of the engagement process is presented and research needs and practice implications are discussed.
Finite-sample bootstrap inference in GARCH models with heavy-tailed innovations

A general method is proposed for the construction of valid simultaneous confidence sets in the context of stationary GARCH models. The proposed method proceeds by numerically inverting the conventional likelihood ratio test. In order to hedge against the risk of a spurious rejection, candidate points that are rejected by the conventional test undergo a finite-sample parametric bootstrap test. A projection technique is then exploited to produce conservative confidence sets for general functions of the parameters. A simulation study illustrates the performance of the parametric bootstrap approach in the context of a GARCH model with heavy-tailed and skewed innovations. That model is then used in an empirical application to construct simultaneous confidence intervals for multi-step ahead volatility forecasts for the returns on a major stock market index.
The viscosity correction for sedimentation constants.

Abstract The calculation of s20′ by multiplying the slope of the least-square line relating ln x to time by the mean viscosity correction has been shown to introduce no error into the value of s20′ and a negligible error into the standard error of s20′ under normal conditions of ultracentrifugation.
The 1 August 1981 MOPE Storm: Observations and Modeling Results

Abstract Observations made by the T-28 armored research aircraft, radar, and other data sources were used to study an eastern Moutana hailstorm that developed on 1 August 1981 during the Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment season. The storm featured a wide, persistent, vertically oriented updraft with speeds exceeding 35 m s−1. Hailstones of over 5 cm diameter were collected at the ground, while the T-28 encountered hail up to about 2.5 cm diameter. Them was no evidence of feeder cells or a weak echo region. The IAS two-dimensional, time-dependent “bulk water” model was run on this case, using a sounding from this day. Some areas of agreement between the simulation and observations include the maximum updraft speed, cloud top height, presence of a rounded cloud dome, and maximum radar reflectivity. The simulation failed to properly model the width and orientation of the updraft, as well as its long lifetime. The IAS hail category model was also run on this case. This model features 20 categori...
Exchange-Correlation Energy Density from Virial Theorem

The virial of the exchange potential in density functional theory yields the exchange energy, but the virial of the correlation potential does not yield the correlation energy. Via the adiabatic connection formula, we define a hypercorrelated potential whose virial is exactly the correlation energy. This exchange−correlation energy density is uniquely determined by the exchange−correlation energy functiional. We calculate the virial energy density both exactly and within several popular functionals, LDA, PBE, and BLYP, on several atoms. The well-known differences between the potentials generated by these functionals is reflected in this energy density. We speculate on how accurately the correlation energy can be estimated from knowledge of the exact density, and on the construction of an energy density hybrid.
Surface-imprinted polymers in microfluidic devices

Molecularly imprinted polymers are generated by curing a cross-linked polymer in the presence of a template. During the curing process, noncovalent bonds form between the polymer and the template. The interaction sites for the noncovalent bonds become “frozen” in the cross-linking polymer and maintain their shape even after the template is removed. The resulting cavities reproduce the size and shape of the template and can selectively reincorporate the template when a mixture containing it flows over the imprinted surface. In the last few decades the field of molecular imprinting has evolved from being able to selectively capture only small molecules to dealing with all kinds of samples. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been generated for analytes as diverse as metal ions, drug molecules, environmental pollutants, proteins and viruses to entire cells. We review here the relatively new field of surface imprinting, which creates imprints of large, biologically relevant templates. The traditional bulk imprinting, where a template is simply added to a prepolymer before curing, cannot be applied if the analyte is too large to diffuse from the cured polymer. Special methods must be used to generate binding sites only on a surface. Those techniques have solved crucial problems in separation science as well as chemical and biochemical sensing. The implementation of imprinted polymers into microfluidic chips has greatly improved the applicability of microfluidics. We present the latest advances and different approaches of surface imprinting and their applications for microfluidic devices.
LeafJ: an ImageJ plugin for semi-automated leaf shape measurement.

High throughput phenotyping (phenomics) is a powerful tool for linking genes to their functions (see review1 and recent examples2-4). Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organ, and their size and shape vary developmentally and environmentally within a plant. For these reasons studies on leaf morphology require measurement of multiple parameters from numerous leaves, which is best done by semi-automated phenomics tools5,6. Canopy shade is an important environmental cue that affects plant architecture and life history; the suite of responses is collectively called the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS)7. Among SAS responses, shade induced leaf petiole elongation and changes in blade area are particularly useful as indices8. To date, leaf shape programs (e.g. SHAPE9, LAMINA10, LeafAnalyzer11, LEAFPROCESSOR12) can measure leaf outlines and categorize leaf shapes, but can not output petiole length. Lack of large-scale measurement systems of leaf petioles has inhibited phenomics approaches to SAS research. In this paper, we describe a newly developed ImageJ plugin, called LeafJ, which can rapidly measure petiole length and leaf blade parameters of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. For the occasional leaf that required manual correction of the petiole/leaf blade boundary we used a touch-screen tablet. Further, leaf cell shape and leaf cell numbers are important determinants of leaf size13. Separate from LeafJ we also present a protocol for using a touch-screen tablet for measuring cell shape, area, and size. Our leaf trait measurement system is not limited to shade-avoidance research and will accelerate leaf phenotyping of many mutants and screening plants by leaf phenotyping.
Identification of blue staining vaccine-derived material in inflammatory lesions using cultured canine macrophages.

Background Vaccine reactions are described in cytology textbooks as having eosinophilic to magenta colored globules within and admixed with inflammatory cells. Recently, we have seen increased numbers of inflammatory lesions containing blue to blue-gray globular material, with historical information suggesting an association with rabies vaccination. Objectives The purpose of the study was to confirm the blue-gray and the eosinophilic material observed microscopically in some inflammatory lesions as being vaccine-derived. Methods Three different vaccines were cytocentrifuged and Wright stained. Vaccine aliquots were also added to the culture media of canine-derived macrophages for 24 hours and the cells subsequently harvested, cytocentrifuged, and Wright stained. The globular material present in both preparations was compared to that observed in vaccine-induced inflammatory lesions. Morin staining was used to identify metal within vaccine material in both in vitro- and in vivo-derived cytology samples. Results Vaccine-derived material has a characteristic color and appearance. Appearance of the material was consistent in cytologic samples, in cells incubated with the vaccine, and in cytocentrifuged preparations of the vaccine vial contents. The blue-gray globules stained positively for Morin stain, while the eosinophilic material did not stain. Conclusions Vaccine-induced inflammatory lesions may contain blue to blue-gray or magenta stained globular material. Blue-gray material was associated with administration of rabies vaccine Imrab 3 TF and the observed material may be metal-containing adjuvant. Magenta material was associated with other vaccines and negative for Morin stain, suggesting a metal-free adjuvant.
Chemoselective Nanoporous Membranes via Chemically Directed Assembly of Nanoparticles and Dendrimers

Chemoselective nanoporous membranes: tunably porous membranes with embedded functionalities are generated using a template-free, chemically directed nanoparticle-dendrimer (NP-Den) network assembly. This approach provides a direction in the design of post-functionalizable nanoporous membranes for distinguishing both organic molecules and proteins with excellent chemo- and bioselectivity.
A Study of Human and Receding Horizon Controller Performance of a Remote Navigation Task with Obstacles and Feedback Delays

In this paper we present results from a study on the performance of humans and automatic controllers in a general remote navigation task. The remote navigation task is defined as driving a vehicle with nonholonomic kinematic constraints around obstacles toward a goal. We conducted experiments with humans and automatic controllers; in these experiments, the number and type of obstacles as well as the feedback delay was varied. Humans showed significantly more robust performance compared to that of a receding horizon controller. Using the human data, we then train a new human-like receding horizon controller which provides goal convergence when there is no uncertainty. We show that paths produced by the trained human-like controller are similar to human paths and that the trained controller improves robustness compared to the original receding horizon controller.
Mixed vortex-antivortex solutions of Ginzburg-Landau equations

Suppose that {V~}, e > 0, is a family of minimizers of (1.2). Then there is a positive number eo(g, Ft) such that, for any 0 < ~ < e0, V, has precisely Idl isolated zeros inside f~, all of degree sign d, where d = deg(g, 0~) is the degree of the map g:0Ft ~ N 1. (See [BBH, BCP] when Ft is star-shaped; the general case relies on an estimate of [Stl). Moreover, for any sequence of end0, there is a subsequence of {V~~ which converges to a map V,(x) of the form
Evolution of a retinal specific lactate dehydrogenase isozyme in teleosts.

Un troisieme locus genetique indique la presence d'un unique isozyme de deshydrogenase lactique ne fonctionnant que dans les tissus neuraux des Teleosteens, surtout dans la retine neurale. La fonction de gene ne se manifeste pas dans les ordres de poissons primitifs. Ces resultats suggerent une difference de metabolisme retinien entre les Teleosteens et les classes de poissons plus primitifs.
Erroneous choice and foregone gains in hoarding gray jays (Perisoreus canadensis)

Under the conventional assumption that natural selection favors choice behavior that maximizes some fitness-related currency, a forager making repeated binary choices should consistently choose the more valuable option. Under the alternative assumption that natural selection favors choice behavior that minimizes costly errors, erroneous choice is not only expected but is expected to be common when the cost of errors is low. This cost depends on the potential rate of return: the higher this rate, the smaller the cost of choosing the less valuable option. When this rate is very high, a forager may err frequently and yet forego no appreciable fitness gain. Errors should thus be more common when interruptions to foraging are shorter. Our experimental results supported this prediction: gray jays chose the less valuable option more frequently when subjected to shorter interruptions (experimentally imposed delays to access to food rewards). This tendency is consistent with the idea that an adaptive decision-making process may routinely produce errors, not because errors are in some way adaptive but because their fitness cost is minimal, particularly when delays are short. From a proximate perspective, this tendency to commit errors more frequently following shorter delays may be due to constraints on the jays’ information-processing capacity. In general, choice behavior should be viewed as the joint byproduct of adaptive decision making and cognitive constraints.
Cultural themes in rites of passage: Voices of young African American males

In recent years, our society has begun to take a closer look at the plight of urban adolescent African American males. This population has come under close scrutiny because of the seemingly pervasive negativity they face on a daily basis. Hill (1992) candidly punctuated the negative forces that are taking their toll on young African American males in cities across the country. Black males, particularly adolescents in urban areas, have been a vulnerable group in relation to such destructive activities as substance abuse and gang involvement (Wright & Anderson, 1998; Hill, 1992). Families in crisis add more gloom to this picture as many of these adolescent males are in various out-of-home placements. Frustration and confusion abound for these youth as they grapple with low self-esteem and a bruised sense of ethnic identity. The increase in substance abuse and violent behavior among today 's adolescents could be l inked to society 's underutilization of Rites of Passage (Blumenkrantz & Gavazzi, 1993; Campbell & Moyers 1988). Informal indicators of adulthood such as drinking, promiscuous sexual behavior, and gang involvement serve as socially proscribed transit ional markers (Quinn, Newfield, & Protinsky, 1985; Hill, 1992). Contemporary Rites of Passage (RITES) that are culturally specific in design denounce such self-defeating behaviors and promote pro-social and pro-familial lifestyles. Such programming
Stu2p: A Microtubule-Binding Protein that Is an Essential Component of the Yeast Spindle Pole Body

Previously we isolated tub2-423, a cold-sensitive allele of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene encoding beta-tubulin that confers a defect in mitotic spindle function. In an attempt to identify additional proteins that are important for spindle function, we screened for suppressors of the cold sensitivity of tub2-423 and obtained two alleles of a novel gene, STU2. STU2 is an essential gene and encodes a protein whose sequence is similar to proteins identified in a variety of organisms. Stu2p localizes primarily to the spindle pole body (SPB) and to a lesser extent along spindle microtubules. Localization to the SPB is not dependent on the presence of microtubules, indicating that Stu2p is an integral component of the SPB. Stu2p also binds microtubules in vitro. We have localized the microtubule-binding domain of Stu2p to a highly basic 100-amino acid region. This region contains two imperfect repeats; both repeats appear to contribute to microtubule binding to similar extents. These results suggest that Stu2p may play a role in the attachment, organization, and/or dynamics of microtubule ends at the SPB.
The effect of a coronary artery risk evaluation program on serum lipid values and cardiovascular risk levels

Abstract In this study, serum lipid and cardiovascular risk levels of 195 military men and women were measured immediately before and 6 months after participation in a coronary artery risk evaluation (C.A.R.E.) program. Mean total cholesterol levels decreased from 257 mg/dl to 223 mg/dl ( t ( 194 ) = −16.76, p = 0.00), low-density lipoprotein levels decreased from 170 mg/dl to 141 mg/dl ( t ( 194 ) = −15.22, p = 0.00), and high-density lipoprotein levels increased from 45 mg/dl to 48 mg/dl ( t ( 194 ) = 3.27, p = 0.01). Cardiovascular risk categories (based on serum lipid levels) were lowered from high to moderate risk in 54 subjects, high to low risk in 19 subjects, and moderate to low risk in 31 subjects ( χ 2 = 98.28, p = 0.00). This study demonstrates that health education programs such as the C.A.R.E. Program can have a significant impact on serum lipid levels and cardiovascular risk levels and can potentially improve the health of high-risk populations.
Dispersion Characteristics for Wide Slotlines on Low-Permittivity Substrates (Short Paper)

This paper provides additional dispersion data on slotlines not available in the literature to date. In particular, data are presented on wide slots etched on an electrically thin substrate of low-dielectric constant. The range of parameters covered in this paper are 0.006<= d/lambda/sub 0/ <=0.06, 0.005 <= W/lambda/sub 0/ <=2.0, and epsilon /sub r/ =2.22, 3.0, 3.8, 9.8. The problem is formulated using the spectral-domain technique, and the spectral Galerkin's method is employed to compute the slot wavelength. Numerical results are compared to the experimental data over 2-6 GHz for slotlines on a 1.57-mm substrate (epsilon/sub r/ = 2.55). Agreement to within 2.0 percent is obtained.
Per Mile Costs of Operating Automobiles and Trucks

A methodology and simple model for use in benefit-cost analysis of highway projects are described for calculating the variable per mile costs of operating cars and trucks. Although the marginal vehicle operating costs generated by changes to trip mileage or operating conditions are typically a small part of total project costs, they can be significant in deciding among alternative designs, construction scenarios, or project timing. Operating costs for personal vehicles (autos, pickups, SUVs, vans) are developed primarily from consumer guides, with an overall fleet average cost based on vehicle sales. Operating costs for large commercial trucks are based on a review of a number of sources of trucking costs. Factors for adjusting the costs based on stop-start conditions, pavement roughness, and inflation are derived from various sources. Results are that in a "baseline" case of highway driving on smooth pavement, with a fuel price of $1.50 per gallon and other costs in 2003 dollars, personal vehicles averag...
Analysis of organomercury compounds in sediments by capillary GC with atomic fluorescence detection

Analysis of methyl- and ethylmercury (MM and EM) halides in biological and environmental samples is generally performed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Tedious sample work-up protocols and poor chromatographic response (using packed columns) have, however, shown the need for the development of new methods in this field. This paper reports a sensitive method, free from these deficiencies, for the determination of methyl- and ethylmercury. The organomercury compounds (MM and EM) are first released from the sample matrix, by the combined action of acidic potassium bromide and cupric ions, and then extracted into dichloromethane. The initial extracts are subjected to thiosulfate clean-up and the organomercury species are isolated as their chloride derivatives by addition of cupric chloride, and subsequent extraction into a small volume of organic solvent. Capillary GC coupled with atomic fluorescence detection provided excellent separation efficiencies for methyl- and ethylmercury and proved to be a very selective and sensitive technique. The absolute detection limit for both MM and EM was found to be 0.2 pg.
Lachnanthospirone, a dimeric 9-phenylphenalenone from the seeds of ell.

Abstract The structure of lachnanthospirone [ 4 ] a novel dimeric pigment from Lachnanthes tinctoria has been established from the X-ray crystal structure of a derivative [ 3 ] in which the spirolactone present in the natural product has been opened.
A unified description of NMR imaging, data-collection strategies, and reconstruction

In nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging by the zeugmatographic methods, there is a common and unified theoretical description. All forms of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional imaging involve NMR data which trace various geometric representations, in reciprocal transform space, of the subject’s spatially blurred ‘‘effective’’ spin density. The effective density is proportional to the physical density modulated spatially by the several factors of receiver coil (B/I) ratio, rf pulse excitation terms, T 1‐relaxation terms, and T 2‐relaxation terms. These factors depend upon the rf pulse sequence and field‐gradient modulation sequence, and they may be calculated according to some model or directly measured. From this viewpoint, all different imaging modes appear as variations in data‐collection and image‐reconstruction strategies. The results are used here to describe slice‐oriented polar and Cartesian strategies, three‐dimensional Cartesian and two forms of spherical strategies, and multiecho strategies of the ‘‘planar‐echo’’ type.
A Terrain-Following Crystal Grid Finite Volume Ocean Circulation Model

A three dimensional hydrostatic finite volume ocean model has been developed to solve the integral dynamical equations. Since the basic (integral) equations are solved for finite volumes rather than grid points, the flux conservation is easily enforced, even on arbitrary meshes. Both upwind and high-order combined compact schemes can be incorporated into the model to increase computational stability and accuracy. This model uses a highly distorted grid system near the boundary. The lateral boundaries of each finite volume are perpendicular to x and y axes and the two vertical boundaries are not purely horizontal. Four types of finite volumes are designed to follow the terrain with four (Type-A), three (Type-B), two (Type-C), and one (Type-D) vertices in the lower surface. Such a terrain-following grid discretization has superior features to z- and σ-coordinate systems. The accuracy of this model was tested.
Growth of large crystals of (Pb,Ge)Te and (Pb,Sn)Te

Large single crystals of Pb1-xGexTe (0 < × < 0.105) up to 10 g and Pb1-ySnyTe (0 < y < 0.26) up to 125 g were grown in sealed tubes by self-transport onto oriented single crystal seeds. The crystals were free of voids and inclusions, had dislocation densities as low as 103 cm-2, and were uniform in composition. Pertinent details of the growth technique, including thermal conditions, stoichiometry of the source, and seed orientation, are described. Results of evaluation of the crystals by metallography, Laue X-ray topography, and electron microprobe analysis are presented.
Characterization of a 46 kda insect chitinase from transgenic tobacco

Abstract A 46 kDa Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) chitinase was isolated from leaves of transgenic tobacco plants containing a recombinant insect chitinase cDNA, characterized, and tested for insecticidal activity. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Q-Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography and mono-S cation-exchange chromatography. Although the gene for the chitinase encoded the 85 kDa full-length chitinase as previously reported by Kramer et al. [Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 23, 691–701 (1993)], the enzyme is produced in tobacco as a 46 kDa protein that is approximately four-fold less active than the 85 kDa chitinase. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 46 kDa chitinase is identical to that of the 85 kDa chitinase. The former enzyme is not glycosylated, whereas the latter contains approximately 25% carbohydrate. The pH and temperature optima of the 46 kDa chitinaseare similar to those of the 85 kDa chitinase. The former enzyme is more basic than the latter. The 46 kDa chitinase likely consists of the N-terminal catalytic domain of the 85 kDa chitinase and lacks the C-terminal domain that contains several potential sites for glycosylation. The 46 kDa chitinase is expressed in a number of plant organs, including leaves, flowers, stems and roots. Enzyme levels are higher in leaves and flowers than in stems and roots, and leaves from the middle portion of the plant have more chitinase than leaves from the top and bottom portions. Little or no enzyme is secreted outside of the plant cells because it remains in the intracellular space, even though its transit sequence is processed. When fed at a 2% dietary level, the 46 kDa chitinase caused 100% larval mortality of the merchant grain beetle, Oryzaephilis mercator. The results of this study support the hypothesis that insect chitinase is a biopesticidal protein for insect pests feeding on insect chitinase gene-containing transgenic plants.