cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Study on the Impact of Teaching Assistant Led CS1 Study Sessions using Peer Instruction: An Undergraduate Honors Capstone Project

The aim of this research is to discover if a structured study session program for CS1 students led by Teaching Assistants using Peer Instruction can promote an environment in which students feel an increased sense of belonging and improve course material retention. This study investigates the efficacy of weekly study sessions by measuring student attitudes and content retention over the course of a single semester of the introductory CS1 course at a medium sized liberal arts university with approximately 8 sections of 30 students each.
Approximate Message Passing algorithms for rotationally invariant matrices.

Approximate Message Passing (AMP) algorithms have seen widespread use across a variety of applications. However, the precise forms for their Onsager corrections and state evolutions depend on properties of the underlying random matrix ensemble, limiting the extent to which AMP algorithms derived for white noise may be applicable to data matrices that arise in practice. In this work, we study more general AMP algorithms for random matrices $W$ that satisfy orthogonal rotational invariance in law, where $W$ may have a spectral distribution that is different from the semicircle and Marcenko-Pastur laws characteristic of white noise. The Onsager corrections and state evolutions in these algorithms are defined by the free cumulants or rectangular free cumulants of the spectral distribution of $W$. Their forms were derived previously by Opper, Cakmak, and Winther using non-rigorous dynamic functional theory techniques, and we provide rigorous proofs. Our motivating application is a Bayes-AMP algorithm for Principal Components Analysis, when there is prior structure for the principal components (PCs) and possibly non-white noise. For sufficiently large signal strengths and any non-Gaussian prior distributions for the PCs, we show that this algorithm provably achieves higher estimation accuracy than the sample PCs.
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator: A Novel Treatment Approach for OSA - Overview of Treatment, Including Diagnostic and Patient Criteria and Procedural Terminology Codes.

Unilateral stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve may result in clinically valuable patency of the upper airway in well-selected patients for treatment of OSA. The Food and Drug Administration has established stringent criteria for the placement of this medical device. The treatment is a consideration among patients who have been nonadherent or intolerant of positive airway pressure therapy, with moderate to severe OSA, and a BMI of ≤ 32 kg/m2. Some of the insurance providers have lowered BMI guidelines to allow implantation in patients with a BMI of
Posttraumatic Stress in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Prevalence and Relationships to Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Background Patients with chronic illness are at increased risk for traumatic stress because of medical trauma. Initial studies of posttraumatic stress (PTS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have found that approximately one-third of patients may experience significant PTS symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, disrupted sleep, and low mood. We aim to better characterize PTS in IBD and its relationship with patient outcomes in a large cohort of patients with IBD. Methods Adult patients registered with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation/University of North Carolina IBD Partners database were invited to complete a supplementary survey between February and July 2020. The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5th edition was administered as a supplemental survey. Additional data from IBD Partners included disease severity, surgery and hospital history, demographics, and health care utilization. Results A total of 797 patients participated (452 with Crohn disease, 345 with ulcerative colitis). No impacts on response patterns because of the COVID-19 pandemic were found. Although 5.6% of the sample reported an existing PTS diagnosis because of IBD experiences, 9.6% of participants met the full IBD-related PTS diagnostic criteria per the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5th edition. Female patients, younger patients, those with less educational attainment, non-White patients, and Hispanic patients reported higher levels of PTS symptoms. Patients with higher PTS symptoms were more likely to have been hospitalized, have had surgery, have more severe symptoms, and not be in remission. Increased PTS was also associated with increased anxiety, depression, pain interference, fatigue, and health care utilization. Conclusions The present findings support prior research that approximately one-quarter to one-third of patients with IBD report significant symptoms of PTS directly from their disease experiences, and certain demographic groups are at higher risk. In addition, PTS is associated with several IBD outcomes. Patients with higher PTS symptoms are less likely to be in remission and may utilize more outpatient gastrointestinal services. Intervention trials to mitigate PTS symptoms in patients with IBD are warranted.
Single-cell imaging of genome organization and dynamics

Probing the architecture, mechanism, and dynamics of genome folding is fundamental to our understanding of genome function in homeostasis and disease. Most chromosome conformation capture studies dissect the genome architecture with population- and time-averaged snapshots and thus have limited capabilities to reveal 3D nuclear organization and dynamics at the single-cell level. Here, we discuss emerging imaging techniques ranging from light microscopy to electron microscopy that enable investigation of genome folding and dynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution. Results from these studies complement genomic data, unveiling principles underlying the spatial arrangement of the genome and its potential functional links to diverse biological activities in the nucleus.
Dichotomous thinking about social groups: Learning about one group can activate opposite beliefs about another group.

Abstract Across three studies (N = 607), we examined people’s use of a dichotomizing heuristic—the inference that characteristics belonging to one group do not apply to another group—when making judgments about novel social groups. Participants learned information about one group (e.g., “Zuttles like apples”), and then made inferences about another group (e.g., “Do Twiggums like apples or hate apples?”). Study 1 acted as a proof of concept: Eight-year-olds and adults (but not 5-year-olds) assumed that the two groups would have opposite characteristics. Learning about the group as a generic whole versus as specific individuals boosted the use of the heuristic. Study 2 and Study 3 (sample sizes, methods, and analyses pre-registered), examined whether the presence or absence of several factors affected the activation and scope of the dichotomizing heuristic in adults. Whereas learning about or treating the groups as separate was necessary for activating dichotomous thinking, intergroup conflict and featuring only two (versus many) groups was not required. Moreover, the heuristic occurred when participants made both binary and scaled decisions. Once triggered, adults applied this cognitive shortcut widely—not only to benign (e.g., liking apples) and novel characteristics (e.g., liking modies), but also to evaluative traits signaling the morals or virtues of a social group (e.g., meanness or intelligence). Adults did not, however, extend the heuristic to the edges of improbability: They failed to dichotomize when doing so would attribute highly unusual preferences (e.g., disliking having fun). Taken together, these studies indicate the presence of a dichotomizing heuristic with broad implications for how people make social group inferences.
Prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Beef Cattle from Transport to Slaughter

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of typical production practices during the transport of cattle on the resulting incidence of Salmonella and Campylobacter in the feces, on the hides, and on the carcasses of these cattle and in the environment (trucks, holding pens, and knock boxes). Various factors were evaluated, including the type of animal (feedlot cattle vs. adult pasture cattle), the breed of cattle, the body condition of the animal, the age of the animal, the time of feed and water withdrawal, the contamination level of the transport vehicle at the feedlot or farm, the transport time, the time cattle were held in the holding pen at the plant, and the contamination level of the holding pen. Four groups of each type of animal were sampled on different days. Samples were collected from cattle prior to transport and after transport (rectal and hide swabs) as well as from the carcasses of these cattle. Pre- and posttransit samples were also taken from the transport vehicle and from the holding pen and knock box at the slaughter facility. For feedlot cattle, fecal shedding stayed fairly constant for both organisms before and after transport (3 to 5% for Salmonella and 64 to 68% for Campylobacter). However, the shedding rate for adult cattle increased from 1 to 21% for Salmonella but stayed constant for Campylobacter (6 to 7%). Contamination of hides with Salmonella increased for both animal types from a level of 18 to 20% to a level 50 to 56%. For Campylobacter, the contamination level decreased from 25 to 13% for feedlot cattle but remained unchanged for adult animals (1 to 2%). Nineteen percent of feedlot cattle carcasses and 54% of adult cattle carcasses tested positive for Salmonella, while only2% of feedlot cattle carcasses and none of the adult cattle carcasses tested positive for Campylobacter. Thus, for feedlot cattle, the factors considered in this study did not affect the shedding of either organism but did affect the contamination of hides with both. For adult animals, the factors increased both shedding of and hide contamination with Salmonella only, not Campylobacter.
Note: A finite goal set in the plane which is not a winner

J. Beck has shown that if two players alternately select previously unchosen points from the plane, Player 1 can always build a congruent copy of any given finite goal set G, in spite of Player 2's efforts to stop him. We give a finite goal set G (it has 5 points) which Player 1 cannot construct before Player 2 in this achievement game played in the plane.
A Feature-Based Approach to Discrimination and Prediction of Protein Folding

Proteins are the fundamental molecules of life, they form both the structural and the functional building blocks of cells in all living organisms. Proteins are also the most complex molecules. Their three-dimensional structures are extremely diverse, and so are their biological functions. Elucidation of the relationship between protein sequence, structure, and function is one of the most significant open problems in science and technology. Despite the growing body of observed data and partial theories, there are still no satisfactory methods which would enable us to analyze, characterize, and predict a protein's structure and/or function with regard to its known primary sequence. There are two fundamentally different approaches to the problem, and a continuum of their combinations. The first approach is based on theory and models from physics and chemistry, the other is based on computational and statistical analysis of observed data. This paper belongs to the second direction. From the data analysis perspective, we can observe, first, that there has not been much achieved in terms of producing reasonable feature spaces except for those directly related to amino acid sequence similarity data, and, second, the specifics of emerging problems yet have not been addressed in full. One of the specific issues is related to difference between prediction and description. Typically, prediction is based on a description of the phenomenon in question in the framework of a prediction model. However,
Agency Theory and the Changing Role of the Real Estate Broker: Conflicts and Possible Solutions

The evolving multifunction role of the real estate broker and the demands being placed upon brokers by both buyers and sellers is increasingly placing brokers in conflict with the laws governing th...
Field emitter arrays (FEAs): a myriad of concepts, structures, and materials

In the 1980s and 1990s innovative approaches to field emitter arrays (FEAs) were made by researchers all over the world with respect to FEA materials, structure, and application. This talk will address the growing usefulness and diversity of FEAs.
MAVEN and the Mars Initial Reference Ionosphere model

The Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) satellite measured the distribution of thermal ions (2–150 amu) at ionospheric heights (~130–400 km) under midday conditions during the “Deep-Dip” orbit campaign from 17 to 22 April 2015. Assuming charge neutrality, we use the sum of NGIMS ions as a proxy for electron density (Ne) and compare results with a new version of the Mars Initial Reference Ionosphere (MIRI) developed for this study. At altitudes where the transition between photochemical and dynamical processes occurs (130–200 km), the NGIMS results agree with the shape of the MIRI-predicted Ne(h) profiles, but the model predictions are a factor of 2 higher. Above 200 km, the NGIMS gradients of total ions versus height diverge even more from MIRI's Ne(h) predictions for reasons that may involve crustal-B field effects, ionopause-like boundaries, and horizontal plasma transport away from the noon sector—factors not yet included in MIRI.
Playing the game while writing the rules: the impact of electronic technology on collection development planning

Sponsored by the ALCTS Collection Development and Electronic Media Committee, this program was held before a standing-room-only audience of approximately 250 in the Washington Hilton, where, to add...
W.I. Thomas and the Forgotten Four Wishes: A Case Study in the Sociology of Ideas

Between 1915 and the late 1930s W.I. Thomas developed a theory of human motivation steering a middle course between determinism (biological or social) and unfettered free will. The theory of the four wishes posited that all human beings, across time and place, are driven by a set of connected wishes mediated by the social and physical environment. These are the wish for new experience, the wish for security, the wish for recognition, and the wish for response. Between 1917 when Thomas first published the wishes and the early 1930s when the wishes fell out of use, they were the dominant micro theory of motivation invoked by sociologists in the United States (particularly those associated with the Chicago School). This paper explores the rise and fall of Thomas’s wishes in the context of the sociology of ideas, with particular emphasis on fluctuations in Thomas’s professional status.
DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL DIETS FOR THE LOBSTER, HOMARUS AMERICANUS

A series of artificial diets was evaluated in terms of growth, survival, and normalized biomass during three-month growth studies utilizing juvenile lobsters. The effects of both texture and the addition of specific nutrients were examined. An increase in normalized biomass resulted from the addition of water soluble vitamins and minerals as well as with the addition of shrimp meal. The effect of shrimp meal in the diet could not be duplicated by the addition of chitin or glucosamine. A number of jell-textured diets produced better growth rates than similar hard pelletized diets but animals on the soft diets suffered a high percentage of mortalities by the end of the experiment. These results are discussed in comparison with those of other investigators using lobsters as test animals.
Alcohol in emerging adulthood: 7-year study of problem and dependent drinkers.

Abstract Objective This study examined the level, changes and predictors of alcohol consumption and binge drinking over a 7-year period among young adults (18–25 years) who met the criteria for problem drinking. Method Interviews with 270 18 to 25 years old problem and dependent drinkers from representative public and private substance use treatment programs and the general population were conducted after 1, 3, 5, and 7 years. Measures included demographic characteristics, severity measures, and both formal and informal influences on drinking. Results Overall alcohol consumption declined over time but leveled off around 24 years of age. Being male, not attending AA over time, as well as more baseline dependence symptoms and greater ASI alcohol and legal severity were associated with greater consumption and binge drinking. In addition, greater levels of binge drinking were associated with less education, earlier age of first use, and a larger social network of heavy drinkers. In conclusion, more attention should be paid to heavy drinking among young adults and to the factors that influence their drinking patterns.
Patient Safety Through RFID: Vulnerabilities in Recently Proposed Grouping Protocols

As RFID-tagged systems become ubiquitous, acceptance of this technology by the general public necessitates addressing related security/privacy issues. The past eight years have seen an increasing number of publications in this direction, specifically using cryptographic approaches. Recently, the Journal of Medical Systems published two papers addressing security/privacy issues through cryptographic protocols. We consider the proposed protocols and identify some existing vulnerabilities.
Abdominal Wall Nerve Injury During Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Outcomes

Abstract Study Objective To determine the incidence and clinical significance of iliohypogastric-ilioinguinal neuropathy from lower abdominal lateral port placement and fascial closure during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting University-based referral center specializing in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and chronic abdominopelvic pain. Patients Women who underwent a laparoscopic procedure because of benign gynecologic indications during a 3-year study period from 2008 to 2011. A total of 317 women met study criteria. Interventions Operative laparoscopy using a lateral port in the lower abdomen. Closure of port-site fascial defects was achieved using either a Carter-Thomason or EndoClose suture device. Measurements and Main Results Nerve injury was identified by symptoms, and was confirmed with a nerve block after a positive test for allodynia in the distribution of the iliohypogastric-ilioinguinal nerve. Of 173 cases that did not involve fascial closure of a port-site defect, none were associated with nerve injury. Of 144 cases that involved fascial closure, 7 (4.9%) included nerve injury that resulted in pain requiring treatment (p = .004). In 1 patient, symptoms improved with medical management alone. Six patients required surgical management, and 5 of them had resolution of pain after removal of the fascial suture. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of nerve injury between the Carter-Thomason and EndoClose groups (4.7% vs 5.4%; p=.87). Conclusions There is an estimated 5% risk of clinically significant postoperative neuropathic pain due to injury of the iliohypogastric-ilioinguinal nerve with fascial closure of laparoscopic incisions in the lower abdomen. Pain seems to be due to suture entrapment of sensory fibers because it is usually resolved by removal of the suture. Prompt recognition and treatment may prevent subsequent development of chronic abdominopelvic pain.
High resolution mapping of methane emissions from marine and terrestrial sources using a Cluster-Tuned Matched Filter technique and imaging spectrometry

In this study, a Cluster-Tuned Matched Filter (CTMF) technique was applied to data acquired by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) over marine and terrestrial locations known to emit methane (CH4). At the Coal Oil Point marine seep field, prominent CH4 anomalies were consistent with advection from known areas of active seepage. For a region with natural CH4 and oil seepage located west of downtown Los Angeles, significant CH4 anomalies were identified for known sources at the La Brea Tar Pits and in close proximity to probable sources, including an office complex documented as venting CH4 continuously and hydrocarbon storage tanks on the Inglewood Oil Field. However, interpretation of anomalies was complicated by noise and false positives for surfaces with strong absorptions at the same wavelengths as CH4 absorption features. Segmentation of results identified 16 distinct locations of contiguous pixels with high CTMF scores and segments were classified into probable CH4 anomalies and confusers based on the spectral properties of the underlying surface over the full spectral range measured by AVIRIS. This technique is particularly well suited for application over large areas to detect CH4 emissions from concentrated point sources and should permit detection of additional trace gasses with distinct absorption features, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Thus, imaging spectrometry by an AVIRIS-like sensor has the potential to improve high resolution greenhouse gas mapping, better constraining local sources.
Psychophysical and psychophysiological evaluation of the direction, intensity, and meaning of race-related stimuli.

The reliance of social scientists on verbal response measures to evaluate social psychological attitude raises questions related to the validity of the measurement of intensity and meaning produced by these judgmental measures. This study presents a cross-modal (psychophysical and psychophysiological) approach to the evaluation of the direction, intensity, and meaning of attitude. In the present study psychophysical (category, magnitude scaling) and classically conditioned skin conductance responses are generated to measure the race-related attributes of a series of denotatively black and non-black political stimuli. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that all three measures can predict the racial direction of these stimulus items, but that categorical judgments fail to measure the relative intensity of the denotatively nonracial stimuli. The psychophysical and classically conditioned skin conductance response measures both produce a reasonable gradient of racial response intensity. However, there are clear differences in order and amplitude of response between the voluntary judgmental psychophysical and the more involuntary skin conductance responses to items which have multiple associative meanings. The implications of these results are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.
Frequency of sublethal injury in a deepwater ophiuroid, Ophiacantha bidentata, an important component of western Atlantic Lophelia reef communities

The occurrence and relative abundance of tissue (arm) regeneration in the ophiuroid, Ophiacantha bidentata (Retzius), was examined in individuals collected primarily among colonies of the deep-water coral Lophelia pertusa off the southeastern United States. Seven deep-water coral sites (384–756 m), located between Cape Lookout, NC, and Cape Canaveral, FL, were sampled in June 2004 using a manned submersible. The presence of regenerative tissue was evaluated by visual inspection of each individual ophiuroid, and the proportion of regenerating arms per individual was examined relative to size of individual, geographic location, and depth of collection. Ophiacantha bidentata, the dominant brittle star collected, commonly displayed signs of sublethal injury with over 60% of individuals displaying some evidence of regeneration. These levels of regeneration rival those reported for shallow-water ophiuroids. Larger individuals (>6.5 mm disc size) had a higher incidence of regeneration than smaller individuals. Size of individual and percent of regeneration were negatively correlated with depth. Although O. bidentata was significantly less abundant in southern versus northern sites, ophiuroid abundance did not appear to be influenced by amount or density of coral substratum. Presence of dense aggregations of O. bidentata indicates that they are an important component of the invertebrate assemblage associated with deep-water coral habitat especially in the northern part of the study area. Assuming that observed frequencies of injury and subsequent regeneration represent predation events then dense ophiuroid aggregations in deep-water coral habitats represent an important renewable trophic resource within these communities.
Synthesis of NiAl/Al2O3 composites via in-situ reduction of precursor oxides

Preliminary results show that the deliberate additions of precursor oxides to NiAl to generate Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} via in-situ reduction by aluminum is feasible. The reaction with SiO{sub 2} results in an aggregate morphology whereas reaction with TiO{sub 2} results in a more continuous morphology of the product phases in the reaction zone. This difference in microstructural characteristics may be related to the volume change associated with the respective reactions. The silicon and titanium released during the reaction dissolve into the NiAl matrix and an understanding of the phase equilibria in the respective ternary systems is essential to determine the effects of these elements on the stability of the matrix. Further work is in progress to (1) identify the probable reaction sequences involved in the displacement reactions of NiAl with SiO{sub 2} or TiO{sub 2} and determine the relative influences of factors affecting the reaction product morphologies, (2) to understand the influence of volume change on the characteristics of the displacement reaction by extending the reaction to other potential precursor oxides (e.g. nickel oxide, iron oxide, etc.) that involve different volume changes in their transformation to Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and (3) to extend the reaction scheme to other potential aluminidesmore » such as those containing titanium and iron.« less
Improving cross-validated bandwidth selection using subsampling-extrapolation techniques

Cross-validation methodologies have been widely used as a means of selecting tuning parameters in nonparametric statistical problems. In this paper we focus on a new method for improving the reliability of cross-validation. We implement this method in the context of the kernel density estimator, where one needs to select the bandwidth parameter so as to minimize L 2 risk. This method is a two-stage subsampling-extrapolation bandwidth selection procedure, which is realized by first evaluating the risk at a fictional sample size m ( m ? sample?size? n ) and then extrapolating the optimal bandwidth from m to n . This two-stage method can dramatically reduce the variability of the conventional unbiased cross-validation bandwidth selector. This simple first-order extrapolation estimator is equivalent to the rescaled "bagging-CV" bandwidth selector in Hall and Robinson (2009) if one sets the bootstrap size equal to the fictional sample size. However, our simplified expression for the risk estimator enables us to compute the aggregated risk without any bootstrapping. Furthermore, we developed a second-order extrapolation technique as an extension designed to improve the approximation of the true optimal bandwidth. To select the optimal choice of the fictional size m given a sample of size n , we propose a nested cross-validation methodology. Based on simulation study, the proposed new methods show promising performance across a wide selection of distributions. In addition, we also investigated the asymptotic properties of the proposed bandwidth selectors. A two-stage subsampling-extrapolation bandwidth selection procedure is proposed.An automatic nested cross-validation method is developed to select the subsample size.The extrapolated bandwidth selectors achieve a smaller mean square error.The second-order extrapolated bandwidth selector has a relative convergence rate n - 1 / 4 .
Immunologic characteristics of hereditarily asplenic (Dh/+) New Zealand Black x White F1 mice

Abstract The natural history of spontaneous immunopathology and autoimmune phenomena was studied in hereditarily asplenic New Zealand Black x White F 1 (NZB/W) hybrid mice. NZB/W mice, independent of sex, and including both Dh/+ and +/+ animals, had major age dependent reductions in immune function, including reduction in responsiveness to mitogens and sheep red blood cells and an inability to be tolerized by bovine gamma globulin. In contrast, there were major differences between male and female Dh/+ and +/+ mice with respect to survival and expression of renal disease. Dh/+ female mice had a lower median survival than +/+ mice; in contrast, male Dh/+ mice live longer than +/+ controls. These alterations in survival were reflected in renal and choroid plexus histology and proteinuria. The differences between female NZB/W Dh/+ and +/+ mice appeared to be accounted for by reductions in serum IgM, but enhanced IgG anti-DNA antibodies. The differences between female NZB/W Dh/+ and +/+ mice appeared secondary to the negligible titers of anti-nucleic acid antibodies in male Dh/+ animals. Hereditary absence of the spleen is significantly different from either neonatal or adult splenectomy, and its study, in parallel with other New Zealand immunologic mutants, suggests the existence of multiple independent developmental defects in the pathogenesis and clinical expression of autoimmune disease.
Intense electrochemical sers signal following hydrogen evolution

Abstract Stepping the potential of the electrode to the region of rapid hydrogen evolution prior to performing an oxidation—reduction cycle (ORC) can result in the development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering that is more intense by almost an order of magnitude than an electrode subjected to ORC alone. It is found for the case of chloride adsorbed on silver that the spectral characteristics of the metal-surface—chloride stretching mode at ≈240 cm −1 are essentially the same as that produced without prior hydrogen evolution. The additional enhancement appears to be due to morphological changes caused by the presence of hydrogen bubbles during the reduction of the silver-chloride phase film.
Overview of the biochemistry and safety of a new native intravenous gamma globulin, IGIV, pH 4.25

Immune serum globulin has been available for approximately 40 years. Although this substance represented a major advance in the treatment of patients with agammaglobulinemia and hypogammaglobulinemia, it has a number of major limitations that restrict its clinical utility. These include the need for intramuscular administration, pain at the site of injection, loss of immunoglobulin G (IgG) extravascularly, limitations on the degree to which serum IgG can be increased, incomplete and delayed onset of absorption, and limitations on the volume of material administered. Intravenous forms of gamma globulin do not have these limitations and, therefore, have been preferred for therapeutic use. While studying the physical chemistry of IgG in solution, it was observed that lowering the pH to the range of 4.0 to 4.5 markedly enhanced its monomer content and stability, obviating the need for any chemical modification, enzymatic treatment, or lyophilization. A new IgG preparation suitable for intravenous administration, IGIV, pH 4.25, has been developed and subjected to extensive clinical testing. It is licensed in the United States (Gamimune N) for replacement therapy of IgG in immunodeficiency syndromes and for the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The biochemistry and safety of IGIV, pH 4.25, are reviewed.
Changes evoked by auditory stimulation in the EEG in sleep.

Abstract A method is described for evaluating the major portions of the EEG response to auditory clicks during sleep. The method involves measurement of the area under the EEG trace (equivalent to measuring the amount of dendritic activity, or “charge”), and of the temporal center of this area. A detectable response to stimulation (increase in area) can be identified, which has constant relation to the stimulus and to the state of the subject. This response begins, after a delay time of 160–296 msec with an increase in charge in the negative direction (upward from the EEG baseline), followed in the second 1 2 sec by a swing to the positive (downward) direction. During the third 1 2 sec , the area decreases, toward the unstimulated value, and makes one more slight negative excursion. Increasing intensity of stimulation produces an increase in absolute area of the response, and an earlier temporal center. The response is also influenced by the duration of the interval between stimuli. Although the interval-response function is too complex and variable still to generate accurate predictions, one common pattern of relationship is offered. Since a response may also be affected by variations in the general physiological state of the subject, area measurements were grouped to represent five operationally defined sleep states — from repose to “deep” sleep. Despite variations in absolute area, the response area remains a constant multiple (1.5) of the non-stimulated area. By this method, the sleep state does not appear to be a critical factor in detecting auditory responses. However, the constancy of the relation between stimulated and non-stimulated areas, for many specific absolute values, raises important theoretical questions. The paper proposes a method of detecting EEG responses to clicks, and demonstrates the efficacy of this method, at stimulation levels within 10 db of the subject's conscious threshold — providing a precise evaluation of response in subjects whose conscious thresholds cannot be measured. Precise descriptions of the response are given, and the possible implications of these findings for cortical physiology are discussed.
Effective-field-theory model for the fractional quantum Hall effect

Starting directly from the microscopic Hamiltonian, a field-theory model is derived for the fractional quantum Hall effect. By considering an approximate coarse-grained version of the same model, a Landau-Ginzburg theory similar to that of Girvin (1986) is constructed. The partition function of the model exhibits cusps as a function of density. It is shown that the collective density fluctuations are massive.
SU-FF-T-187: Comprehensive Empirical Formulation for Treatment Planning of Small Clinical Electron Fields

Purpose: To develop a comprehensive empirical formulation to predict the dosimetric properties of small electron fields at nominal and extended SSDs. Method and Materials: A set of circular electron cutouts with physical diameters from 2 to 9 cm was constructed in the usual clinical manner. A full dosimetric analysis of the fields defined by each cutout was done for nominal electron energies between 6 and 20 MeV using a 3D water phantom and a pin‐point ion chamber.Properties studied included depth dose, in‐air inverse‐square fall‐off, and beam profiles. After appropriate benchmarking, these properties were further studied with Monte Carlo simulations using the BeamNRCMP code. From the physical data and simulations the following parameters were determined for each cutout/energy combination: R50, R90, widths of 90% and 95% isodose surfaces, effective SSD, and dose output factor. The parameters were then correlated with collimator size, giving a suite of equations accurately defining the dosimetric properties of these fields. Results: Rules of thumb regarding properties of electron fields are typically used in deciding the shape and nominal energy of electron fields. The cadre of formulas developed in this work more accurately predicts the dosimetric behavior of small electron fields where significant deviation from expected dosimetry can occur. We found a large difference in the 95% and 90% isodose widths as a function of field size and nominal beam energy. Moreover, the effective SSD was found to be a strong function of field size.Conclusion: The formulation developed in this work accurately describes the clinical dosimetric properties of small electron fields. It can be used to select the size and shape of an electron cutout needed to provide the desired coverage at a given depth. Furthermore, the output of these small fields can also be calculated, obviating the need for a measurement.
Dynamical principles in neuroscience

This work was supported by NSF Grant No. NSF/EIA-0130708, and Grant No. PHY 0414174; NIH Grant No. 1 R01 NS50945 and Grant No. NS40110; MEC BFI2003-07276, and Fundacion BBVA.
A very high level language for large-grained data flow

EASY-FLOW, a data flow language above the level of a traditional high level language, is presented for the purpose of adapting programs written in a conventional programming language to a parallel environment. A program written in EASY-FLOW consists of a set of subprogram calls as units, structured by iteration, branching, and distribution constructs. The sequencing of execution within these structures is dictated by the data dependencies between units.
Low energy dynamics of the one dimensional multichannel Kondo-Heisenberg Lattice

We determine exactly the fixed point Hamiltonian of the one-dimensional multichannel Kondo-Heisenberg lattice model for any number of channels $Ng~2.$ It is found to belong to a new class of non-Fermi-liquid fixed points, different from the usual Luttinger or Luther-Emery liquids. The fixed point describes an anomalous singlet with nontrivial internal dynamics manifesting itself in unconventional order. We compute the correlation functions of the various conventional and composite order parameters of the system, and find that for $Nl~4$ the composite order parameters induce the dominant instabilities.
The Nuclear Factor κ-B Signaling Pathway Participates in Dysregulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Vitroand in Human Atherosclerosis

In the lesions of atherosclerosis, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) display many functions characteristic of cytokine activation that likely contribute importantly to ongoing inflammation during human atherogenesis. The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NFkappaB) often mediates the effects of cytokines on target cells, but the identity of Rel family members important in human SMC activation remains uncertain. In vitro, human SMC express multiple Rel family members. Of these, dimers of p65 and p50, but not a putative SMC-Rel, comprise basal and inducible NFkappaB binding activities. SMC express two inhibitor proteins IkappaBbeta and IkappaBalpha. Interleukin-1beta stimulation caused transient loss of IkappaBalpha and a sustained decrease of IkappaBbeta that correlated with increased and persistent levels of p65/p50 protein and binding activity in the nucleus. SMC cultured under serum-free conditions displayed little NFkappaB activity, but addition of serum or platelet-derived growth factor did activate NFkappaB. In situ analyses showed no evidence for basal NFkappaB activity in SMC in vivo as nonatherosclerotic arteries did not contain nuclear p65 or p50 protein. However, the nuclei of intimal SMC within human atheroma did contain both Rel proteins. We conclude that (i) dimers of p65 and p50, but not SMC-Rel, comprise NFkappaB complexes in human SMC; (ii) stimulatory components in serum activate NFkappaB and likely account for previously reported "constitutive" NFkappaB activity in cultured SMC; and (iii) exposure to inflammatory cytokines may produce prolonged NFkappaB activation in SMC because of sustained decreases in the inhibitory subunit IkappaB-beta.
Electrochemical synthesis of a new SbTe polyanion : X-ray structure of [(C4H9)4N]3Sb(Te2)Te2

Abstract Application of a constant current of 1 mA between a NiSb2Te6, cathode and a nickel plate anode, or an SbSn2Te6 cathode and a nickel plate anode, in a 0.16 M solution of tetrabutylammonium iodide in ethylenediamine, generated a deep red-brown solution around the cathode as polyanions were formed. After a few days, black crystals of the antimony telluride, [(C4H9)4N]3Sb(Te2)Te2 (1), formed. The structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 20°C, showing that the trinegative anion SbTe43− has a three-coordinate antimony in a trigonal pyramidal SbTe, configuration. The fourth tellurium is attached to one of the three telluriums in the SbTe3 pyramid.
Features of plasma sprayed beryllium armor for the ITER first wall

Two water-cooled mockups with CuCrZr heat sinks and plasma sprayed beryllium (PS Be) armor, 5 and 10 mm thick respectively, were fabricated at Los Alamos National Laboratory and thermally cycled at Sandia at 1 and 2 MW/m 2 . The castellated surface of the CuCrZr mechanically locked the armor. The resulting PS Be morphology controlled cracking during thermal cycling. Post test examinations showed transverse cracks perpendicular to the surface of the armor that would relieve thermal stresses but not degrade heat transfer. The mockups and two others previously produced for the European Fusion Development Agreement had somewhat porous armor, with a thermal conductivity estimated to be about 1/4 that of fully dense beryllium, due to the low (600-650 °C) substrate temperature during deposition specifically requested by EFDA to avoid subsequent heat treating of CuCrZr. Some melting of the armor was expected and observed in the tests.
Is the diagnosis of physical abuse changed when Child Protective Services consults a Child Abuse Pediatrics subspecialty group as a second opinion

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the changes regarding the diagnosis of physical abuse provided to Child Protective Services (CPS) when CPS asks a Child Abuse Pediatrics (CAP) specialty group for a second opinion and works in concert with that CAP group. METHODS: Subjects were reported to CPS for suspected physical abuse and were first evaluated by a physician without specialized training in Child Abuse Pediatrics (non-CAP physician). Subjects were then referred to the area's only Child Abuse Pediatrics (CAP physician) group, located in a large metropolitan pediatrics center in the United States, for further evaluation. The diagnoses regarding abuse provided by CAP physicians working in concert with CPS were compared to those provided to CPS by other physicians. RESULTS: Two hundred consecutive patients were included in the study. In 85 (42.5%) cases, non-CAP physicians did not provide a diagnosis regarding abuse, despite initiating the abuse report to CPS or being asked by CPS to evaluate the child for physical abuse. Of the remaining 115 cases, the diagnosis regarding abuse differed between non-CAP physicians and CAP physicians working in concert with CPS in 49 cases (42.6%; kappa=.14; 95% CI, -.02, .29). In 40 of the 49 cases (81.6%), CAP assessments indicated less concern for abuse when compared to non-CAP assessments. Differences in diagnosis were three times more likely in children from a nonurban location (OR 3.24; 95% CI, 1.01, 11.36). CONCLUSIONS: In many cases of possible child physical abuse, non-CAP providers do not provide CPS with a diagnosis regarding abuse despite initiating the abuse investigation or being consulted by CPS for an abuse evaluation. CPS consultation with a CAP specialty group as a second opinion, along with continued information exchange and team collaboration, frequently results in a different diagnosis regarding abuse. Non-CAP providers may not have time, resources, or expertise to provide CPS with appropriate abuse evaluations in all cases. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Though non-CAP providers may appropriately evaluate many cases of physical abuse, the diagnosis regarding abuse provided to CPS may be changed in some cases when CAP physicians are consulted and actively collaborate with CPS investigators. Availability of Child Abuse Pediatrics subspecialty services to investigators is warranted. Language: en
Differential Regulation of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Galanin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels by Alpha1Adrenergic Agents in the Ovariectomized Rat

α(1) -Adrenergic control of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and galanin mRNA levels was examined in ovariectomized rats. Each rat was ovariectomized and a permanent bilateral cannula was implanted 1 mm dorsal to the preoptic area. Eleven to 14 days later, each rat received one of three treatments: prazosin (α(1) antagonist, n = 8), methoxamine (α(1) agonist, n = 5) or control (no drug, n = 7). Each drug was suspended in a polyacrylamide gel matrix and delivered to the preoptic area via the bilateral cannula. After 24 h of continuous exposure to the adrenergic agents (or control), rats were anesthetized, decapitated and brains were stored in liquid nitrogen until sectioned (7 μm) on a cryostat. In situ hybridization was performed using a [(32) P]-end-labelled 59mer complementary to LHRH mRNA. Reduced silver grains, proportional to LHRH mRNA content, were quantified for number of LHRH cells per section, number of grains per labelled cell and total number of grains in labelled cells. Compared to the controls, prazosin caused a 32% decrease (P<0.05) in the number of cells expressing the LHRH gene. The LHRH cells from untreated animals had a median of 53 grains/cell with a smooth distribution above and below the median. Treatment with prazosin reduced the median number of grains/cell to 36 (P<0.05). When the number of grains in labelled cells were totalled, prazosin decreased (P<0.01) the number of grains by 47%. Surprisingly, methoxamine caused no quantitative changes in any of the parameters examined. This might be explained if LHRH transcription in control animals was proceeding at near-maximal rates supported, in part, by an endogenous α(1) ligand. Alternatively, continuous exposure to this agonist may have resulted in desensitization to its stimulatory effects. When anatomically matched brain tissue sections from these animals were examined for galanin mRNA, no differences among experimental groups were detected. In conclusion, administration of an α(1) -adrenergic antagonist into the preoptic area suppressed levels of LHRH mRNA but not galanin mRNA. Therefore, the data suggest that an endogenous α(1) ligand, such as norepinephrine (or epinephrine), is required to maintain a high level of LHRH gene expression in the ovariectomized rat.
Darwin's psychological theorizing: triangulating on habit.

Abstract Using the interpretative device of triangulation, it can be shown that Darwin's psychological theorizing was not derivative from his evolutionary theorizing, and that his efforts to articulate a naturalistic model of the living world encompassed interacting theories of evolution and habit.
Ligamentous structures of the metacarpophalangeal joint: A quantitative anatomic study

The ligamentous structure of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the index finger in human cadavers was studied by gross examination and quantitative measurement. Anatomically, the collateral ligament is separable into two layers, with the precise origin arising from the metacarpal head and inserting on the proximal phalanx. Quantitatively, the change in length of the collateral ligament was studied with biplanar radiographic techniques. The distance between the origin and insertion of the collateral ligament changed in different portions of the ligament when the joint was moved from a position of hyperextension to that of flexion. When the MCP joint was flexed from 0 degree to 80 degrees, the dorsal portions of both the radial and ulnar collateral ligaments were lengthened (3-4 mm). The middle portions of both ligaments were slightly elongated (0.4-1.0 mm), and the volar portions of the ligaments were shortened (1-2 mm). When the MCP joint extended into hyperextension, the dorsal portions of the ligaments shortened 2-3 mm, the middle thirds of the ligaments shortened slightly, and the volar thirds of the ligaments lengthened. The results of this study suggest that the dorsal and volar portions of the collateral ligament provide MCP joint constraint at the flexed and extended positions, respectively.