cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract WP216: Predicting Sleep Apnea After Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Sleep apnea (SA) is highly prevalent after stroke and is associated with poor stroke outcomes. Currently, after stroke, a physiological test must be used to differentiate patients wit...
Characterizing Teacher Connections in Online Social Media: A Case Study on Pinterest

Increasingly many teachers are turning to online social media to supplement educational resources and meet students' needs in the classrooms. The diffusion of information from online social media to the classroom is significantly faster than traditional curriculum-based approaches. However, this is contingent upon how well teachers across an online social media network are connected. To understand this, we perform a thorough and large-scale investigation of teacher connections in online social media, which is lacking in the literature. To make this feasible, we construct a large dataset of teachers on Pinterest, an image-based popular online social media. Our dataset includes 540 teachers across 5 states and 48 districts, thousands of connections they have established (either with their peers or some other Pinterest users), and all the resources they have shared in their accounts. Then, taking into account some crucial teacher-related attributes (e.g., their districts, grade levels, etc), we characterize direct and indirect teacher connections. Moreover, we compare the physical (face to face) and virtual (Pinterest) network of our surveyed teachers using several graph-related metrics. The finding in this study can serve as a basis to investigate teachers on social media in a deeper manner.
A Framework for Situation-Aware Access Control in Federated Data-as-a-Service Systems Based on Query Rewriting

Organizations often need to share mission-dependent data in a secure and flexible way. Examples include contact tracing for a contagious disease such as COVID19, maritime search and rescue operations, or creating a collaborative bid for a contract. In such examples, the ability to access data may need to change dynamically, depending on the situation of a mission (e.g., whether a person tested positive for a disease, a ship is in distress, or a bid offer with given properties needs to be created). We present a novel framework to enable situation-aware access control in a federated Data-as-a-Service architecture by using semantic web technologies. Our framework allows distributed query rewriting and semantic reasoning that automatically adds situation based constraints to ensure that users can only see results that they are allowed to access. We have validated our framework by applying it to two dynamic use cases: maritime search and rescue operations and contact tracing for surveillance of a contagious disease. This paper details our implemented solution and experimental results of the two use cases. Our framework can be adopted by organizations that need to share sensitive data securely during dynamic, limited duration scenarios.
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of the Nurse-Family Partnership’s home visiting program in South Carolina on maternal and child health outcomes

Policy-makers are increasingly seeking rigorous evidence on the impact of programs that go beyond typical health care settings to improve outcomes for low-income families during the critical period around the transition to parenthood and through early childhood. This study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of the Nurse-Family Partnership’s expansion in South Carolina. The scientific trial was made possible by a “Pay for Success” program embedded within a 1915(b) Waiver from Medicaid secured by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This protocol describes study procedures and defines primary and secondary health-related outcomes that can be observed during the intervention period (including pregnancy through the child’s first 2 years of life). Primary study outcomes include (1) a composite indicator for adverse birth outcomes including being born small for gestational age, low birth weight (less than 2500 g), preterm birth (less than 37 weeks’ gestation), or perinatal mortality (fetal death at or after 20 weeks of gestation or mortality in the first 7 days of life), (2) a composite outcome indicating health care utilization or mortality associated with major injury or concern for abuse or neglect occurring during the child’s first 24 months of life, and (3) an indicator for an inter-birth interval of < 21 months. Secondary outcomes are defined similarly in three domains: (1) improving pregnancy and birth outcomes, (2) improving child health and development, and (3) altering the maternal life course through changes in family planning. Evidence from this trial on the impact of home visiting services delivered at scale as part of a Medicaid benefit can provide policy-makers and stakeholders with crucial information about the effectiveness of home visiting programs in improving health and well-being for low-income mothers and children and about novel financing mechanisms for cross-silo interventions. The trial was registered prospectively on the American Economic Association Trial Registry (the primary registry for academic economists doing policy trials) on 16 February 2016 ( AEARCTR-0001039 ). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03360539 . Registered on 28 November 2017.
Dynamic Modelling and Control of Multi-Terminal DC Systems Considering AC Network Dynamics

HVDC transmission is an optimal and economical solution for distant large-scale islanded or offshore AC networks. Conventionally, HVDC technology has been considered either point-to-point or back-to-back configuration, but there has been a great interest on radial or meshed connected MTDC systems, recently. Improvements in power electronic devices contribute MTDC development. In this paper, ±640 kV four terminal VSC based DC grid is modelled with different control algorithms. First and second terminals are modelled as MMC type while third and fourth terminals are modelled as 2-level converters. All of the converters are modelled using Average Value Model (AVM) whereas DC cables are modelled using Frequency Dependent travelling wave in the phase domain without diagonalization. Converters, controllers and DC cables are modelled in Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Also, dynamic studies are examined under AC and DC fault conditions as well as in case of a converter loss using RTDS.
Bond-selective imaging by optically sensing the mid-infrared photothermal effect

Mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopic imaging using inherent vibrational contrast has been broadly used as a powerful analytical tool for sample identification and characterization. However, the low spatial resolution and large water absorption associated with the long IR wavelengths hinder its applications to study subcellular features in living systems. Recently developed mid-infrared photothermal (MIP) microscopy overcomes these limitations by probing the IR absorption-induced photothermal effect using a visible light. MIP microscopy yields submicrometer spatial resolution with high spectral fidelity and reduced water background. In this review, we categorize different photothermal contrast mechanisms and discuss instrumentations for scanning and widefield MIP microscope configurations. We highlight a broad range of applications from life science to materials. We further provide future perspective and potential venues in MIP microscopy field.
ETDs in ProQuest and the institutional repository: A descriptive study of the current workflows available for dual online submission

Abstract The following study used primary and secondary data sources to identify and describe the current workflows available for the dual online submission 1 of graduate electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) into the institutional repository (IR) and the ProQuest system. The main objective of the study is to provide a comprehensive examination of these workflows and to describe their characteristics and capabilities to manage the different aspects and stages of the ETD submittal cycle, from online deposit to publication and distribution. Workflow aspects discussed in this study include: ETD review process, metadata management, publishing options and access restrictions, consent agreements, embargo control, payments and fees, preservation, options to opt-out from ProQuest submission, and turnaround time for the ETDs to display in the systems, among others. Interoperability aspects between ProQuest and the IR systems, in addition to issues encountered with the workflows, are also discussed. Institutions looking for practical decision-making information on ETD workflows and processes could derive much benefit from this study.
Phase Array Ultrasonic Transducer Based on a Flip Chip Bonding with Indium Solder Bump

This paper presents the design, simulation and fabrication process of a phase array ultrasonic transducer based on 1mm-thick lead zirconate titanate (PZT) substrate with 128 independently accessible electrodes through flip chip bonding with indium solder bump. The reflow processes of indium have been explored under air, nitrogen, hydrogen, liquid metal flux, and formic acid (H 2 CO 2 ). Among these, formic acid is found to be the best ambient for forming indium bump, as it removes indium oxide and clean out residuals most effectively. Also, different sizes of under bump metallization (UBM) and indium pattern have been tested, and the measured heights of indium bumps after a reflow show that the lateral dimension ratio of 1:2.5 between the UBM and indium patterns offers the best wettability over the UBM with the smallest residual.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia-Like Features: A Diagnostic Mimic and Pitfall.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a mature B-cell neoplasm characterized by t(11;14)(q13;q32) and cyclin D1 overexpression in >95% of cases. Classic MCL cases are composed of a monotonous population of small to medium-sized lymphocytes with irregular nuclear contours that are positive for cyclin D1 and SOX11, and negative for CD23 and CD200. By contrast, occasional MCL cases express CD23 and CD200 but lack of SOX11, and morphologically and immunophenotypically resemble chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), termed as CLL-like MCL in this study. These neoplasms pose a diagnostic challenge and easy to be diagnosed as CLL in daily practice. We studied 14 cases of CLL-like MCL to define their clinicopathologic features and compared them with 33 traditional CLL cases. There were 8 men and 6 women with a median age of 62 years (range, 44-80). Compared with CLL, patients with CLL-like MCL have lower levels of peripheral blood and bone marrow involvement, and more frequently had mutated IGHV. Immunophenotypically, CLL-like MCL often showed moderate to bright expression of B-cell antigens and surface immunoglobulin light chain, dim and partial expression of CD23 and CD200, infrequent CD43 positivity, and lack of LEF1. The overall survival of patients with CLL-like MCL was similar to that of CLL patients. In conclusion, CD23+, CD200+, and SOX11-negative MCL closely resemble CLL, both clinically and pathologically, including a similar indolent clinical course. They may pose a diagnostic challenge. However, patients with CLL-like MCL also have distinctive immunophenotypic features that are useful to distinguish these neoplasms from CLL.
Angular distributions of the /sup 6/Li(n,t)/sup 4/He and /sup 10/B(n,. cap alpha. )/sup 7/Li reactions at 2 and 24 keV

The angular distributions of charged particles from the /sup 6/Li(n,t)/sup 4/He and /sup 10/B(n,..cap alpha..)/sup 7/Li were measured with monoenergetic neutron beams from a reactor. Silicon surface barrier detectors were used. The /sup 6/Li(n,t)/sup 4/He data were compared with previous results having poorer angular resolution and with an R-matrix calculation. The /sup 10/B(n,..cap alpha..)/sup 7/Li data show a marked anisotropy at 2 and 24 keV for the ground state group and a lesser anisotropy for ..cap alpha..'s leading to the first excited state of /sup 7/Li. Branching ratios are measured at thermal, 2- and 24-keV neutron energies. The results are compared with the R-matrix calculation.
The Chemistry of Internal Combustion Engine Deposits — II. Extraction, Mass Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The minimum fuel octane required to avoid knocking in an internal combustion engine is not constant, but rather increases as the engine runs. This phenomenon, termed octane requirement increase (ORI), has long been recognized as being attributable to combustion chamber deposits.1 In spite of many excellent studies which describe the mechanisms by which combustion chamber deposits cause ORI1–5 and the impact of fuel and lube properties on the magnitude of ORI1,5–11 little is known about the nature of the deposit.1,10,11,13 With an understanding of the deposit structure, the chemistry involved in its formation should be more evident. Manipulation of this chemistry could reduce or modify these deposits and thereby achieve the goal of minimizing the octane required for satisfactory engine performance. The initial phase of our work, the characterization of deposit structure, is reported here.
Malignant change in trophoblastic tumors

Abstract In a study of 206 hydatidiform moles, histologic grading as described by Hertig and Sheldon confirmed the view of these authors that there is an over-all correlation of histologic appearance to clinical outcome. In 6 cases, among 20 in which multiple specimens of tissue were available over an extended period, a significant change in histologic grade was noted, and designated progressive anaplasia. The appearance of this change shows a close correlation with the development of the invasive process in some patients with chorioadenoma destruens. In view of the propensity for malignant change in trophoblastic tumors, hysterectomy should be considered in primary treatment of hydatidiform moles in patients over the age of 35, and recommended after the age of 40. A plea is made for the wider use of a repeat curettage as a means of detecting incipient or actual malignant change following hydatidiform mole. The demonstration of morphologic as well as clinical evidence of rapid malignant change in trophoblastic tumors confirms the oft-stated view that in these diseases the unexpected and atypical are commonplace.
Long-Term benefits of direct instruction with reification for learning the control of variables strategy

We compare three learning conditions on 57 middle school students' short- and long-term retention at applying the control of variables strategy Collapsing over time, direct instruction with reification yielded more robust learning than either direct instruction without reification or discovery learning conditions as measured by skill at constructing unconfounded experiments.
A peer forwarding based location lookup service in mobile wireless networks

As location-based routing becomes useful in some particular scenarios, locations of mobile hosts become as important as their identifiers in ad hoc routing in mobile wireless networks. Location lookup services are henceforth needed to aid location-based routing. In this paper, we present a source routing based location lookup service that can be used as the location discovery component in a location-based routing protocol. The design goal of this service is two-fold: having high success rates on location discovery while keeping low demands on network resources. The goal of having high success rates is achieved through encouraging mobile hosts to cooperate in serving location queries. The goal of keeping overhead low is achieved through making each location query be served by a small number of hosts. Each mobile host is associated with a number of friend hosts and distributes replicas of its up-to-date location to them in order to enhance chances of answering queries about its location. Discovering or updating the location of a target host is served through the cooperation among a set of friends of the target host. The friendship among mobile hosts forms into an index structure used in our location lookup service. In order to ensure a small number of hosts participating in serving a location query, we construct the index structure into a complete binary search tree and distribute it across mobile hosts. The DSR routing protocol has been modified and used in forwarding location lookup service related packets. The path of forwarding packets reflects underlying temporary connectivities among mobile hosts. Evaluated by simulating mobile wireless networks, the performance of our location lookup service exhibits high success rates and low demands on network resources
The natural history of transfusion-associated infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Factors influencing the rate of progression to disease.

Abstract Patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a result of blood transfusions are unique in that their dates of infection are well defined and their medical conditions befo...
Exploring infrastructure assemblage in volunteer virtual organizations

This ongoing research project investigates ad-hoc infrastructure development in volunteer virtual organizations (VVOs). A comparative analysis of the tool appropriation of VVO activity among alternate reality game (ARG) players in three cities yielded insight for future research into underlying principles of infrastructure assemblage, types of ad-hoc resource provisioning, and potential means of design support.
Anthropometric estimation of neonatal body composition

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Estimation of neonatal body composition can be useful in the understanding of fetal growth. However, body composition methods such as total body water and total body electric conductivity are expensive and not readily available. Our primary purpose was to develop an anthropometric model to estimate neonatal body composition and prospectively validate the model against total body electric conductivity and secondarily tocompare our anthropometric model and a previously published anthropometric formula with total body electric conductivity. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 194 neonates had estimates of body composition according to total body electric conductivity (group 1). Parental morphometrics, gestational age, race, sex, parity, and neonatal measurements including birth weight, length, head circumference, and skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, flank, and thigh) were correlated with body fat by use of stepwise regression analysis. The model was validated in a second group of 65 neonates (group 2). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in any of the parental or neonatal measurements between groups 1 and 2. In group 1, 78% of the variance in body fat with the use of total body electric conductivity was explained by birth weight, length, and flank skifold ( R 2 = 0.78, p = 0.0001). When prospectively validated by the subjects in group 2, the model had significant and stronger correlation ( R 2 = 0.84, p = 0.0001) with body fat estimated by total body electric conductivity as compared with the other anthropometric model ( R 2 = 0.54, p = 0.0001). There was no significant ( p = 0.11) difference between our anthropometric estimate of body fat and total body electric conductivity. CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometric model developed can be used to reasonably predict neonatal body fat mass at birth.
Contribution of the Circle of Willis to the Subclavian Steal Syndrome

The arteriograms and other findings in 42 patients with the subclavian steal syndrome were statistically evaluated to determine which factors predisposed to vertebrobasilar ischemia. Evidence of disconnection of the circle of Willis between the territories of the carotid and vertebral arteries was found in a significantly higher proportion of the patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency. This finding was interpreted to mean that in these patients one of the major routes normally available for compensating for the basilar ischemia produced by the steal was not present. It is suggested that this or similar mechanisms may be necessary before the subclavian steal produces symptoms in individual patients.
An approach to prevention of recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis in the pediatric population

In 1982 we introduced a program designed to prevent recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis (RDKA), based on the assumption that diabetes education in conjunction with appropriate use of and adherence to insulin therapy should eliminate all RDKA. A hierarchical set of medical, educational, and psychosocial interventions was used. The rate of RDKA was lower after initiation of the program even though patients seen during this period came from lower socioeconomic and more one-parent families (each independently associated with RDKA) than patients seen prior to intervention. In 44 patients with a history of RDKA, insulin omission was documented in 31, inadequate education in 13. Overall, the rate of RDKA decreased from a prereferral mean of 25.2 episodes to a postreferral mean of 2.6 episodes per 100 patient-months (P 1 from 14.1% to 10.7% (P
Stability and change in stress, resources, and psychological distress following natural disaster: Findings from hurricane Andrew

Abstract The stress, resource, and symptom levels of 241 residents of southern Dade County, Florida were assessed 6 and 30 months after Hurricane Andrew. Percentages meeting study criteria for depression and PTSD did not change over time. Whereas mean levels of intrusion and arousal decreased, depressive symptoms remained stable, and avoidance/numbing symptoms actually increased. Intrusion and arousal were associated more strongly with pre-disaster factors (gender, ethnicity) and within-disaster factors (injury, property loss) than with post-disaster factors (stress, resources), but the reverse was true for depression and avoidance. Changes over time in symptoms were largely explained by changes over time in stress and resources. The findings indicate that ongoing services are needed to supplement the crisis-oriented assistance typically offered to disaster victims.
Long-term perspective on the dynamics of brown tide blooms in Long Island coastal bays

Abstract Brown tide, a bloom of the picoplankter Aureococcus anophagefferens, first appeared in eastern Long Island (Suffolk County) waters in the late spring of 1985, at about the same time it emerged, although to a lesser degree, in Narraganset Bay, RI. Since then, it has recurred sporadically in Suffolk County, and blooms have been reported in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and only one other area of the world, Saldanha Bay, South Africa. Bloom initiation and maintenance within Suffolk County appear to be related to A. anophagefferens’ ability to use dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) during periods of limited dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) availability. Factors controlling DIN availability include groundwater influx related to meteorological conditions, introduction of septic leachate from on-site wastewater treatment systems, and biological removal. The complexity of bloom dynamics is illustrated by a cascade of events in Great South Bay involving shellfish clearing rates, a macroalgal bloom, and microbial decomposition.
Intensity oscillations in the inverse photoemission cross section of an unoccupied surface state on Cu(001)

It is shown that inverse photoemission cross sections of unoccupied surface states are subject to the same intensity oscillations as are observed in ordinary photoemission studies of occupied surface states. In particular, we compare observations of the unoccupied surface-state intensity as a function of k/sub perpendicular/ with a calculation of the bulk band structure obtained using a combined interpolation scheme. We are able to show that the surface state peaks in intensity at that value of k/sub perpendicular/ for which it lies closest to the bulk band from which it is derived.
Dye tracing of a subsurface chlorophyll maximum of a red-tide dinoflagellate to surface frontal regions

Rhodamine dye (3701) was injected into a 22-m subsurface chlorophyll maximum of the red-tide forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae var. minimum in the northern Chesapeake Bay (USA) and traced for a sixday period as it spread over a 600 km2 area. The precise physical mechanisms, which resulted in the transfer of dye and organisms to the surface, are documented. The major component of the dye and organisms was transported from the central bay into major tributary estuaries via net nontidal flow of bottom waters and surfaced upstream in frontal regions. Once in surface waters, the dye and organisms flowed downriver toward the bay. Due to the three-layer flow of the rivers at this time, the dinoflagellate and the rhodamine re-entered the bay proper at middepth below the fresher Susquehanna plume, thus forming a near-surface chlorophyll maximum (4–6 m) flowing in an opposite direction to the deep subsurface chlorophyll maximum (18–26 m). Current meter arrays verified the opposite flows of these two lenses. The near-surface, southward-flowing lens was followed downstream to an area where the influence of the Susquehanna begins to subside as indicated by isopycnals inclined to the surface. Here the near-surface lens is mixed upward to the surface forming massive red tides (25 000 cells ml−1) delineated by a frontal region. In addition to the predominant along channel flow, major cross stream Ekman transport and upwelling of dye and organisms was detected in response to wind forcing resulting in localized surface patch formation along the western shore shoaling regions of the bay proper. Thus, annual variations in the locations of surface red tides can be correlated to streamflow and windinduced variations in the locations of frontal regions.
Rlbp1 promoter drives robust Müller glial GFP expression in transgenic mice.

Purpose Muller glia are essential for maintaining retinal homeostasis and exhibit neuroprotective and deleterious responses during retinal degeneration. Having the ability to visualize and genetically manipulate Muller glia in vivo will facilitate a better understanding of how these cells contribute to these processes. The goal of this study was to determine whether regulatory elements of the retinaldehyde binding protein 1 (Rlbp1; formerly Cralbp) gene can drive robust Muller glial gene expression in vivo. Methods Transgenic mice were generated by pronuclear injection of a construct carrying a 3-kilobase (kb) region of the Rlbp1 gene and 5'-flanking sequences linked to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA. GFP expression was analyzed by immunohistology in regions of the central nervous system in which RLBP1 protein is expressed, in retinas from wild-type and retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mice, and during retinal development. Results Three transgenic lines were generated, and the one with the strongest and most consistent GFP expression was characterized further. Muller glia displayed robust GFP expression at all postnatal developmental stages and in the rd1 retina. Onset of expression occurred by birth in retinal progenitor cells. Conclusions Regulatory elements in a restricted region of the Rlbp1 gene are sufficient to drive GFP expression in vivo. This transgenic line provides robust GFP expression that can be used to visualize retinal progenitor cells during postnatal development and Muller glia during their differentiation and in the healthy or degenerating adult retina.
The software factory: a historical interpretation

Many people associate software factories with Japan. However, one survey shows that Japanese and US software facilities are more similar than not.
Effect of dietary glucose on in vivo fatty acid metabolism and in vitro synthetase activity in the insect parasite, Exeristes roborator (Fabricius)

Abstract Dietary glucose had pronounced effects on lipogenesis in the parasite, Exeristes roborator , reared on ‘fatty acid-free’ artificial diets. Larvae reared on such media, but carbohydrate-free, contained little triglyceride, and radioactivity from [2- 14 C] acetate was incorporated largely into phospholipid. On media containing from 2 to 6% (w/v) glucose increasing amounts of radioactivity were incorporated into the triglyceride fraction and at the 6% glucose level more was incorporated into triglyceride than phospholipid. Radioactivity was found in both the glycerol and fatty acid moieties of the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions, but the proportion in the fatty acids of the triglyceride fraction increased with increasing dietary glucose, while that in the phospholipid fraction remained little changed. Increased dietary glucose resulted in marked alteration in the degree of saturation in the fatty acids of both the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions. On carbohydrate-free media the fatty acid composition of the triglycerides was composed primarily of the saturates, palmitic and stearic acids, while that of the phospholipid fraction contained higher levels of the corresponding unsaturates, palmitoleic and oleic acids. The degree of unsaturation increased sharply with increasing glucose levels in the diet and at the 6% level both the phospholipid and triglyceride fractions were at least 50% unsaturated. Isolated fatty acid synthetase activity was greater in larvae reared on diets with glucose than without. Glucose had no short-term effector action on synthetase activity in vitro .
Down-Regulation of ZnT8 Expression in INS-1 Rat Pancreatic Beta Cells Reduces Insulin Content and Glucose-Inducible Insulin Secretion

The SLC30A8 gene codes for a pancreatic beta-cell-expressed zinc transporter, ZnT8. A polymorphism in the SLC30A8 gene is associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, although the molecular mechanism through which this phenotype is manifest is incompletely understood. Such polymorphisms may exert their effect via impacting expression level of the gene product. We used an shRNA-mediated approach to reproducibly downregulate ZnT8 mRNA expression by >90% in the INS-1 pancreatic beta cell line. The ZnT8-downregulated cells exhibited diminished uptake of exogenous zinc, as determined using the zinc-sensitive reporter dye, zinquin. ZnT8-downregulated cells showed reduced insulin content and decreased insulin secretion (expressed as percent of total insulin content) in response to hyperglycemic stimulus, as determined by insulin immunoassay. ZnT8-depleted cells also showed fewer dense-core vesicles via electron microscopy. These data indicate that reduced ZnT8 expression in cultured pancreatic beta cells gives rise to a reduced insulin response to hyperglycemia. In addition, although we provide no direct evidence, these data suggest that an SLC30A8 expression-level polymorphism could affect insulin secretion and the glycemic response in vivo.
Associative memories and processors: An overview and selected bibliography

A survey of associative processing, techniques is presented, together with a guide to the published literature in this field. Some familiarity with the basic concepts of associative-processing is assumed. The references have been divided into four groups dealing with architectural concepts, hardware implementation, software considerations, and application areas. The discussion of architectural concepts consists of a classification of associative devices into four major categories (fully parallel, bit-serial, word-serial, and block-oriented) and an enumeration of techniques for dealing with multiple responses and hardware faults. With respect to hardware implementation, considerations are given to the basic operations implemented, hardware elements used (e.g., cryoelectrics, magnetic elements, and semiconductors), and physical characteristics such as speed, size, and cost. The discussion of software aspects of associative devices deals with synthesis of algorithms, programming problems, and software simulation. The application areas discussed include solution of some mathematical systems, radar signal processing, information storage and retrieval, and performance of certain control functions in computer systems.
Development of a scale for fantasy state in digital games

Abstract Digital games appear to motivate players intrinsically. Of various game features, fantasy in particularly plays a crucial role in enhancing motivation and is a key factor in immersion in gameplay. As with its inherent value, fantasy also plays a vital role in distinguishing digital games itself from other media. Despite its significance, fantasy has received little attention, and this concept is still ambiguous to define with any certainty. This study thus aims to create a framework to explore a dimension of fantasy and to develop a scale to measure a state of fantasy in digital games. As a result, four factors were extracted, which were ‘identification’, ‘imagination’, ‘analogy’, and ‘satisfaction’, to account for fantasy state in digital gameplay. Based on these factors, a fantasy scale in digital games (FSDGs) included 16 items was developed.
Inhibition of p300 impairs Foxp3 + T regulatory cell function and promotes antitumor immunity

Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)(+) T regulatory (T(reg)) cells maintain immune homeostasis and limit autoimmunity but can also curtail host immune responses to various types of tumors. Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells are therefore considered promising targets to enhance antitumor immunity, and approaches for their therapeutic modulation are being developed. However, although studies showing that experimentally depleting Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells can enhance antitumor responses provide proof of principle, these studies lack clear translational potential and have various shortcomings. Histone/protein acetyltransferases (HATs) promote chromatin accessibility, gene transcription and the function of multiple transcription factors and nonhistone proteins. We now report that conditional deletion or pharmacologic inhibition of one HAT, p300 (also known as Ep300 or KAT3B), in Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells increased T cell receptor-induced apoptosis in T(reg) cells, impaired T(reg) cell suppressive function and peripheral T(reg) cell induction, and limited tumor growth in immunocompetent but not in immunodeficient mice. Our data thereby demonstrate that p300 is important for Foxp3(+) T(reg) cell function and homeostasis in vivo and in vitro, and identify mechanisms by which appropriate small-molecule inhibitors can diminish T(reg) cell function without overtly impairing T effector cell responses or inducing autoimmunity. Collectively, these data suggest a new approach for cancer immunotherapy.
History injury in the presence of alcohol intoxication

Abstract The difficulty of distinguishing between serious head injury and intoxication is presented in the case of an injured patient whose signs and symptoms were attributed to alcohol withdrawal. This report emphasizes the need for a high level of suspicion for all trauma patients, for all health care providers to be familiar with common forms of life-threatening trauma, and how to distinguish between altered levels of consciousness resulting from alcohol intoxication versus intracranial disorders. This case may also demonstrate that a person's wealth and social influence and an Institution's orientation to a medical specialty can affect care givers' decisions.
Impaired glial glutamate transport in a mouse tuberous sclerosis epilepsy model.

Excessive astrocytosis in cortical tubers in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) suggests that astrocytes may be important for epileptogenesis in TSC. We previously demonstrated that astrocyte-specific Tsc1 gene inactivation in mice (Tsc1 cKO mice) results in progressive epilepsy. Here, we report that glutamate transporter expression and function is impaired in Tsc1 cKO astrocytes. Tsc1 cKO mice exhibit decreased GLT-1 and GLAST protein expression. Electrophysiological assays demonstrate a functional decrease in glutamate transport currents of Tsc1 cKO astrocytes in hippocampal slices and astrocyte cultures. These findings suggest that Tsc1 inactivation in astrocytes causes dysfunctional glutamate homeostasis, leading to seizure development in TSC. Ann Neurol 2003
Acute Meningitis With a Negative Gram's Stain: Clinical and Management Outcomes in 171 Episodes

Abstract purpose: To characterize the diagnostic spectrum and physician management decisions of patients presenting to an emergency department with an acute, community-acquired illness, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell count >5/mm 3 , and a negative Gram's stain for bacteria. patients and methods: In this retrospective cohort study over a 2-year period, symptoms, examination findings, paraclinical data, physician management, and clinical outcomes were assessed for each patient. results: One hundred sixty-eight patients (171 patient episodes) were evaluated. Almost half of the cohort presented in nonsummer months (48%); 20% had concurrent comorbid disease, and 15% had identified immunocompromising conditions. The reported examination findings were diverse, with fever (49%) and neck stiffness (39%) being the most frequent findings. The majority were hospitalized (70%), with a median stay of 4 days. Approximately one half underwent computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (49%), and received empiric treatment with antibiotics (52%). A diagnostic cause was established in 23%, with the majority being inherently treatable diseases (including syphilis, bacteremia, Lyme disease). Variables significantly associated with a subsequent proven diagnostic cause included: age >60 years; presence of comorbid disease (especially immunodeficiency); and presentation in winter months. conclusions: A large proportion of patients presenting with acute meningitis and a negative CSF Gram's stain undergo hospitalization, noninvasive cranial imaging, and receive empiric antibiotic therapy. Better clinical guidelines are needed to identify the diagnostic and management decisions that benefit patient outcome.
Adapting the geometry of a sensor subarray

The authors present an algorithm for adapting the size and geometry of a subarray (of a much larger array) to optimize the detection and resolution performance of the subarray. This allows the efficient and accurate use of high resolution direction of arrival (DOA) estimation algorithms. The two source case is analyzed in detail and a critical distance definition is developed that plays a major role in analyzing the resolution performance of an array. A simple procedure is presented for designing a planar array yielding high resolution performance. >
Mississippi Communities for Healthy Living: Implementing a nutrition intervention effectiveness study in a rural health disparate region

Abstract Background Intervention research in rural, health disparate communities presents unique challenges for study design, implementation, and evaluation. Challenges include 1) culturally appropriate intervention components, 2) participant recruitment and retention, 3) treatment cross-contamination, 4) intervention delivery and data collection, and 5) potential measurement reactivity. Purpose The purposes of this paper are to 1) detail the methods of the MCHL study and 2) report baseline demographic characteristics of study participants. The secondary aim is to determine if study participants were engaging in behavior changes after enrollment and prior to intervention initiation. Methods MCHL was developed using the RE-AIM planning and evaluation framework (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance). Intervention components were based on Roger's diffusion of innovation attributes that promote adoption of a new innovation as well as on the psychosocial constructs of social support, self-efficacy and decisional balance. Rolling enrollment data collection was used to acquire sufficient sample size and a second data collection just prior to intervention implementation assessed measurement reactivity effects. Participant outcomes included diet quality, blood pressure, weight status, and quality of life. Cluster stratified assignment to one of two treatment arms was utilized to minimize cross contamination. Generalized linear models were used to compare enrollment measures between the two treatment arms while mixed model linear regression was used to test for changes in diet quality outcomes from enrollment to pre-intervention baseline. Results There were no significant differences in participant demographic, anthropometric or clinical measures between the two treatment arms at enrollment. With the exception of total vegetables, none of the diet quality indicators were significantly different between enrollment and baseline timepoints. Conclusions Conducting nutrition intervention research in a rural health disparate region requires flexibility in adapting the recruitment, retention, and data collection procedures while maintaining a high level of scientific rigor. Negligible research participation effects, such as measurement reactivity, were noted in this population. However, further research is needed to identify methods to successfully recruit and retain Caucasian females to participate in community-based nutrition interventions in this region.
Gene silencing of serine proteases affects melanization of Sephadex beads in Anopheles gambiae

Serine proteases play an important role in activation of prophenoloxidase (proPO), a critical enzyme in the production of melanin. We tested the effect of knockdown of gene expression for five clip domain serine proteases on melanization of abiotic targets in Anopheles gambiae. Knockdown of CLIPB4 resulted in a striking lack of melanization of Sephadex beads while knockdown of CLIPB8 caused a strong shift towards incompletely melanized beads. Knockdown of CLIPB1, B9 and B10 had lesser effects. CLIPB4 and CLIPB8 are strong candidates for activating enzymes in the proPO enzymatic cascade.
T1 and T2 of ferritin at different field strengths : effect on MRI

Nuclear magnetic relaxation times T1 and T2 were measured in ferritin solutions at field strengths from 0.04 to 1.5 T. T1 was relatively constant, but 1/T2 increased linearly with field strength, in agreement with earlier MRI observations in the monkey brain. This finding supports the theory that ferritin is responsible for T2 shortening in brain nuclei containing iron. The linear dependence of 1/T2 on magnetic field is unique and not explained by present theories of the magnetic properties of ferritin.
Hardware configuration framework for the IBM eServer z900

This paper describes the concept, architecture, and implementation of the hardware configuration module within the support element of the IBM eServer z900. For the z900 project, this base system firmware component has been redesigned to obtain a software structure with a clear, simple, and scalable architecture that is suitable for future extensions to the z900. To achieve the desired flexibility, an object-oriented framework has been developed which supports the autosensing and configuration of hardware components as well as their status representation and management. The new configuration concept is based on a rule approach in which, for each sensed physical part in the system, a configuration rule specifies the object hierarchy to be instantiated upon it, including attributes and interconnections to other system parts. Furthermore, the concept and architecture of the framework are built upon a hardware object model (HOM) that has been designed to allow for further integration of key business logic of the z900 service subsystem and hardware support code.
Web Portals in Primary Care: An Evaluation of Patient Readiness and Willingness to Pay for Online Services

BACKGROUND: Online Web communication between physician and patient has been proposed by leading primary care organizations as a way to enhance physician-patient communication, but lack of payment for this service has acted as a significant barrier to implementation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates current patient readiness and willingness to pay for online services in a fairly typical urban family medicine practice. METHODS: All patients that visited the author for medical care during a one-month period in the spring of 2006 were anonymously surveyed with a one-page survey instrument that inquired about demographics, willingness to pay a small annual fee for online services, the greatest fee they were willing to pay, and their most desired service. RESULTS: A total of 346 patients out of 2380 active patients in the study practice (14.5%) were surveyed. The valid survey response rate was 95.1% (329/346.) Three quarters, or 75.4%, of patients had Internet access. The group with the highest access were 18- to 29-year-olds (97%), and the group with the least access were those 70 years and up (56%) (P < .001). Categorized by employment, students and employed patients had the best access at 92% and 87%, respectively, and retirees and disabled patients had the worst access at 66% and 42%, respectively (P < .001). Of all patients with Internet access, 74.6% (n = 185) were willing to pay a small annual fee for one or more of the following online services: viewing of parts of their medical record, messaging with their physician, medication refills, appointment requests, and billing inquiries. Willingness to pay did not vary significantly by age (P = .06). Of all respondents, regardless of Internet access, 47.1% (n = 155) were willing to pay US $10 or more per year, with the median amount being US $20. Of those with Internet access (n = 248), 60.1% (n = 149) were willing to pay US $10 or more per year, and 31% were willing to pay US $50 or more per year. The three most important services to patients with Internet access (n = 248), in order of importance, were emailing with their physician (34%), Internet viewing of their medical record (22%), and medication refills (11%) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patients of all ages are currently ready and willing to pay a small annual fee for online services with their primary care physician’s office. If 47.1% of a practice of 2500 patients each paid US $10 per year for online services, the annual revenue generated would be US $11775. Not only does this study support the economic feasibility of patient Web portals, but it suggests that online services could form a new line of revenue for primary care physicians. [J Med Internet Res 2006;8(4):e26]
A combined method of laser capture microdissection and X-Gal histology to analyze gene expression in c-Fos-specific neurons

Abstract c-Fos is a member of the activator protein 1 family that regulates transcription of target genes. c-Fos is transiently induced in specific regions of the brain after a variety of external stimuli including learning and memory formation. Analysis of gene expression in c-Fos-expressing cells of the brain may help identify target genes that play important roles in synaptic strength or neuronal morphology. In the present study, we developed a combined method of laser capture microdissection and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoly-β- d -galactopyranosidase (X-Gal) histology to analyze gene expression in stimulus-induced c-Fos-positive cells. Using transgenic mice carrying a c-fos-lacZ fusion gene, c-Fos-positive cells were easily identified by measuring of β-galactosidase (β-Gal) activity. To establish the fidelity of the reporter transgene, the time course of endogenous c-Fos and the c-fos-lacZ transgene expression in the amygdala induced by LiCl administration was investigated by immunohistochemistry and X-Gal staining. LiCl increased the numbers of c-Fos- and β-Gal-positive cells in the central and basolateral amygdala of the transgenic mice. To ensure that RNA was preserved in X-Gal stained tissue sections, different fixations were examined, with the conclusion that ethanol fixation was best for both RNA preservation and X-Gal staining quality. Finally, in combining X-Gal staining, single-cell LCM and RT-PCR, we confirmed mRNA expression of endogenous c-fos and β-actin genes in LiCl-induced β-Gal-positive cells in the CeA, cortex and hippocampus. Combining LCM and transgenic reporter genes provides a powerful tool with which to investigate tissue- or cell-specific gene expression.