cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine and Outpatient Subspecialty Visits Among Pediatric Medicaid Beneficiaries

Abstract Objective Live interactive telemedicine is increasingly covered by state Medicaid programs, but whether telemedicine is improving equity in utilization of subspecialty care is not known. We examined patterns of telemedicine use for outpatient pediatric subspecialty care within the state Medicaid programs. Methods We identified children ≤17 years old in 2014 Medicaid Analysis eXtract data for 12 states. We identified telemedicine-using and telemedicine-nonusing medical and surgical subspecialists. Among children cared for by telemedicine-using subspecialists, we assessed child and subspecialist characteristics associated with any telemedicine visit using logistic regression with subspecialist-level random effects. Among children cared for by telemedicine-using and nonusing subspecialists, we compared visit rates across child characteristics by assessing negative binomial regression interaction terms. Results Of 12,237,770 pediatric Medicaid beneficiaries, 2,051,690 (16.8%) had ≥1 subspecialist visit. Of 42,695 subspecialists identified, 146 (0.3%) had ≥1 telemedicine claim. Among children receiving care from telemedicine-using subspecialists, likelihood of any telemedicine use was increased for rural children (odds ratio [OR] 10.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3–17.1 compared to large metropolitan referent group) and those >90 miles from the subspecialist (OR 13.4, 95% CI 10.2–17.7 compared to 0–30 mile referent group). Compared to children receiving care from telemedicine-nonusing subspecialists, matched children receiving care from telemedicine-using subspecialists had larger differences in visit rates by distance to care, county rurality, ZIP code median income, and child race/ethnicity (P Conclusions Children in rural communities and at distance to subspecialists had increased likelihood of telemedicine use. Use overall was low, and results indicated that early telemedicine policies and implementation did not close disparities in subspecialty visit rates by child geographic and sociodemographic characteristics.
Optimum Design of the Hybrid (Diffractive/ Refractive) Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Implanted within Human Eye

AbstractThe human eye natural crystalline lens becomes opaque due to cataract. To improve the eye vision, the crystalline lens was surgically removed and replaced by an Intraocular lens (IOLs). The optimum design of hybrid multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) implanted within human eye model is proposed. The MIOLs are made of AR40N Allergan material which has a good biocompatibility. Two types of hybrid MIOLs (Diffractive/Refractive (D/R) and Refractive/ Diffractive (R/D)) with four foci were designed and evaluated. A comparison between the image quality for healthy eye (Liou & Brennan model) and for eye with the implanted hybrid MIOLs were done depending on ZEMAX-EE optical software. The image characteristics, point spread function (PSF), modulation transfer function (MTF), blur spot size and longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA), were used as an image criterion in this study. The eye pupil diameter was "3 mm", the visual field of view was 5 degrees and the light spectral region (455- 655 nm). Results indicate that both hybrid MIOLs models achieved good visual acuity (sharp vision) for a distances within range (25 to cm). The MIOLs made a remarkable correction in chromatic aberration than the healthy eye. The MTF for (R/D)-MIOL model improve the vision quality more than ((D/R)-MIOL) and healthy eye models.
Launching Loss in the Reflection Wideband Gyrotron Travelling Wave Amplifier (Gyro — Twt)

Experiments(1) show that the usual 9 db launching loss is absent in the recently proposed wide-band gyro-twt(2). In the experiment, an input signal is injected from the downstream of the electron beam inside a mildly tapered waveguide. Upon reflection at cutoff, the signal co-propagates with the beam and is amplified. By analyzing the reflection process in detail, we found that the gentle taper of the waveguide produces minimal mode conversion and hence insignificant loss, in agreement with experiments(1). Beam prebunching is also found to be relatively unimportant.
¿Qué es la Biodiversidad?: Patrones, teorías y amenazas

El concepto de biodiversidad aparece en el curriculum de ciencia cruzando todo el primer ano medio en el area de biologia. Entendida como el resultado de la evolucion, tambien es un tema recurrente cuando queremos comprender las comunidades biologicas y el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas. En esta revision nos centramos en la definicion taxonomica y ecologica de la biodiversidad, tratando de entregar informacion relevante para comprender como se ha ido construyendo el conocimiento cientifico sobre ella y cuales son sus principales amenazas en Chile. En una primera parte revisamos la relacion entre biodiversidad y clasificacion, para luego pasar al analisis de los patrones geograficos de la riqueza de especies y las explicaciones que han generado los ecologos para explicarlos. Luego de eso revisamos algunos datos sobre la biodiversidad de Chile y cuales serian sus principales amenazas. Al finalizar, ofrecemos informacion que, a la luz de la ensenanza de la ecologia, puede ser util para abordar este concepto en la educacion secundaria y terciaria.
Notes on several Asian species of Styrax series Cyrta (Styracaceae)

Geographic range extensions are documented for the Asian species Styrax japonicus and S. odoratissimus of S. series Cyrta. Implications of the range extension in S. japonicus for the taxonomic distinctness and phylogenetic relationships of S. formosanus are discussed.
Healthcare Disparities Correlated with In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

Introduction: Increasing age, male gender, African American race, and medical comorbidities have been reported as risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. We aimed to identify health-care disparities associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: We performed an observational study of all hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV2 infection from within the largest multicenter healthcare system in Southeast Michigan, from February to December, 2020. Results: From 11,304 hospitalized patients, 1295 died, representing an in-hospital mortality rate of 11.5%. The mean age of hospitalized patients was 63.77 years-old, with 49.96% being males. Older age (AOR = 1.05, p < 0.0001), male gender (AOR = 1.43, p < 0.0001), divorced status (AOR = 1.25, p = 0.0256), disabled status (AOR = 1.42, p = 0.0091), and homemakers (AOR = 1.96, p = 0.0216) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Older age, male gender, divorced and disabled status and homemakers were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality if they developed COVID-19. Further research should aim to identify the underlying factors driving these disparities in COVID-19 in-hospital mortality.
The nature of hate

What is hate and why is there so much of it? How does it originate, and what can we do about it? This book opens with a discussion of how hate makes its presence felt in the real world, discussing various definitions and theories of hate. Next it describes a duplex - two-part - theory of hate. According to the first part of the theory, hate has three components: negation of intimacy, passion, and commitment. According to the second part of the theory, this structure of hate originates from stories people create about the target - that, say, a group comprises enemies of God, or monsters, or vermin, or power-crazy tyrants, or any of a number of other stories. The authors discuss hate in the context of interpersonal relationships, survey the role of propaganda in inciting hate and analyze the role of hate in instigating terrorism, massacres, and genocides.
The Role of Interleukin-1 and Other Macrophage-Derived Cytokines in Macrophage-T-Cell Interactions

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is produced by a wide variety of cells, including monocytes, lymphocytes, endothelial cells, microglial cells, keratinocytes, and chondrocytes [1–8]. IL-1 appears to play a variety of roles in maintaining normal physiologic responses ranging from inducing slow wave sleep to increasing brain blood flow [9, 10]. However, IL-1 also plays a major role in host defense by inducing fever and contributing to the inflammatory response [11, 12]. As a potent immunologic mediator, IL-1 has been implicated as a major contributor to acute states such as shock, burns, and acute arithritides as well as chronic disease states such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney diseases, and a variety of other conditions [13–21].
The Collateral Damage of Ambient Sexism: Observing Sexism Impacts Bystander Self-Esteem and Career Aspirations

Prior research demonstrates detrimental effects of sexism on female targets’ well-being and career outcomes. Extending research on those targeted by sexism, the current study explored the collateral damage of ambient sexism on bystanders observing sexism directed at others. An experiment with 218 U.S. undergraduates at a large West-coast public university assessed how ambient sexism directed at a female job applicant impacted male and female bystanders’ self-esteem and career aspirations. Results generally supported theoretical predictions regarding the moderating impact of bystander gender on the relationship between ambient sexism and bystander well-being. As hypothesized, ambient hostile sexism more negatively impacted female bystanders than male bystanders with regard to performance-based state self-esteem. Performance-based self-esteem in turn predicted career aspirations such that lower performance-based state self-esteem predicted lower career aspirations: gender moderated this mediated relationship such that the indirect effect was more negative for female bystanders than male bystanders. Gender also moderated the relationship between ambient benevolent sexism and appearance-based state self-esteem. Women observing benevolent sexism tended to report enhanced appearance-based esteem relative to women in the hostile sexism and control conditions, whereas men observing benevolent sexism reported significantly lower appearance esteem than men in the hostile sexism and control conditions. In sum, the current study suggests that women and men bystanders are impacted differently by ambient benevolent and hostile sexism.
Comparison of different methods for longitudinal data with missing observations.

COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS FOR LONGITUDINAL DATA WITH MISSING OBSERVATIONS Lin Sun July 27, 2010 Longitudinal studies occupy an important role in scientific researches and clinical trials. When taking the analysis of longitudinal data, investigators are often confronted with missing data which will produce potential biases, even in well-controlled condition. In the literature, missing data could be classified as missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR) and missing not at random (MNAR). Generalized estimating equations (GEE), Linear mixed effects model (LME) and Pattern-mixture effect model (PME) are the commonly used analysis methods for longitudinal data. In the current work, we carried out simulations on evaluating the performances of the different methods on analyzing longitudinal data. Based on our simulations, we conclude that when missing is MCAR, all the methods give valid estimation; when missing is MAR, GEE and PME give biased estimating results, while LME provides valid estimation. The choice of the patterns in PME may cause biased results; and when missing is MNAR, none of these models works very well, however, the selection of the patterns in PME may deserve further investigation.
Nature of the interaction of dextran sulfate with low density lipoproteins of plasma.

Abstract The nature of the interaction between dextran sulfate and low density human plasma lipoproteins of the Sf 0 to 10 class (LDL) was investigated by modifying LDL with succinic anhydride or acetic anhydride. In the absence of divalent metal ions, the formation of insoluble and soluble dextran sulfate-LDL complexes was prevented by the acylation of approximately 16% and 25%, respectively, of the LDL free amino groups. The decrease in the positive charges of the protein moiety was primarily responsible for the interference with the complex formation. An increase in the negative charges introduced by succinylation did not interfere as extensively as the reduction in positive charges. The presence of magnesium sulfate facilitated the conversion of succinylated and acetylated lipoproteins to insoluble complex. The amount of Mg++ required for the conversion progressively increased with increases in the extent of acylation. Although the succinylated LDL required more Mg++ than the acetylated LDL, the difference was relatively small until approximately 75% of the lipoprotein amino groups was modified. A steep increase in the magnesium requirement observed upon further increase in the extent of succinylation reflected an extensive increase in negative charges due to succinylation of LDL free hydroxyl groups. The evaluation of the requirement for Mg++ by acetylated and succinylated LDL revealed the involvement of both LDL positive and negative charges in the formation of insoluble complex in the presence of divalent metal ions. Although the treatment of LDL with phospholipase C hydrolyzed as much as 56% of the phospholipids, the LDL was almost completely converted to insoluble complex in both the presence and absence of Mg++. Since minor modification by succinylation or acetylation drastically reduced the reactivity of LDL with dextran sulfate, the protein-charged groups rather than the phospholipid-charged groups seem to play the major role in the dextran sulfate-LDL interaction.
Ensemble learning with trees and rules: Supervised, semi-supervised, unsupervised

In this article, we propose several new approaches for post processing a large ensemble of conjunctive rules for supervised, semi-supervised and unsupervised learning problems. We show with various examples that for high dimensional regression problems the models constructed by post processing the rules with partial least squares regression have significantly better prediction performance than the ones produced by the random forest or the rulefit algorithms which use equal weights or weights estimated from lasso regression. When rule ensembles are used for semi-supervised and unsupervised learning, the internal and external measures of cluster validity point to high quality groupings.
Magnetic and Electric Waves in Space

Waves play a fundamental role in many processes occurring in the solar wind and in the magnetosphere. These waves have been observed by a variety of experiments on many different spacecraft and analyzed with an increasing number of different techniques. In this review, we examine a number of the recent observations of waves in space, discussing the role of waves in the various regions and their characteristics, and illustrating some of their techniques used in their analysis.
Healthcare worker competencies for disaster training

Although training and education have long been accepted as integral to disaster preparedness, many currently taught practices are neither evidence-based nor standardized. The need for effective evidence-based disaster training of healthcare staff at all levels, including the development of standards and guidelines for training in the multi-disciplinary health response to major events, has been designated by the disaster response community as a high priority. We describe the application of systematic evidence-based consensus building methods to derive educational competencies and objectives in criteria-based preparedness and response relevant to all hospital healthcare workers. The conceptual development of cross-cutting competencies incorporated current evidence through a systematic consensus building process with the following steps: (1) review of peer-reviewed literature on relevant content areas and educational theory; (2) structured review of existing competencies, national level courses and published training objectives; (3) synthesis of new cross-cutting competencies; (4) expert panel review; (5) refinement of new competencies and; (6) development of testable terminal objectives for each competency using similar processes covering requisite knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Seven cross-cutting competencies were developed: (1) Recognize a potential critical event and implement initial actions; (2) Apply the principles of critical event management; (3) Demonstrate critical event safety principles; (4) Understand the institutional emergency operations plan; (5) Demonstrate effective critical event communications; (6) Understand the incident command system and your role in it; (7) Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill your role during a critical event. For each of the cross-cutting competencies, comprehensive terminal objectives are described. Cross-cutting competencies and objectives developed through a systematic evidence-based consensus building approach may serve as a foundation for future hospital healthcare worker training and education in disaster preparedness and response.
Characterization of Persistent Modoc Viral Infections in Syrian Hamsters

Adult Syrian hamsters were readily infected by intranasal inoculation with Modoc virus. Viremias were detected 2 to 6 days after infection and peak viremia titers (106.2 plaque-forming units/ml of blood) occurred 4 days postinoculation. All infected animals developed neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies by 7 days, and complement-fixing antibodies by 14 days postinoculation. High titers of antibodies persisted for at least 4 months. Modoc virus was recovered from throat swabs at 7 days postinoculation, but not at 14 days or later. Urine samples were positive for virus throughout a 12-week observation period. Isolation of virus from lungs and kidneys of one and three animals, respectively, at 151 to 221 days after inoculation confirmed chronic infection. Viral isolations were made only when organs were cultivated in vitro and were unsuccessful by tests on 10% homogenates of the organs. Horizontal viral transmission of virus by infected hamsters that were viruric was demonstrated in only 1 of 27 normal hamsters that were cocaged for 4 weeks under crowded conditions. General failure to obtain horizontal viral transmission may relate to rapid inactivation of virus in excreted urine. Vertical viral transmission was not demonstrated from five chronically infected female hamsters to their 34 offspring. However, if primary infection occurred during pregnancy, the progeny were either stillborn or died shortly after birth, and thus appeared to represent transplacental viral transmission.
Computer rendering of planar fluorescence flowfield images

Imaging rechniques based on light scattering by particles or molecular species are becoming increasingly popular for visualizing flowfield structure and development. The planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique can be used to non-intrusively and instantancously measure concentration, temperature, velocity, or pressure in an entire plane in a flow. Acquiring a sequence of images provides two spatial dimensions and a time dimension for observing flowfield development. If the laser sheet is swept through the flow while rapidly acquiring images, a three dimensional data set can be built up from multiple 2-D images. The large data sets produced by these techniques arc most readily reduced and interpreted using a variety of image processing and graphic projection techniques. Examples of 2-D images, sequences of images, and Ihrcc-dimensional data sets acquired by the PLIF technique arc presented. Processing and rendering techniques for these data scts are discussed. .--
Retinoic acid-induced increase in delta-opioid receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor mRNA levels in neuroblastoma × glioma (NG108-15) cells

Abstract We determined the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on the levels of delta opioid receptor (DOR) mRNA and N-Methyl- d -Aspartate receptor (NMDAR1) mRNA in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells (NG108-15) by use of quantitative solution hybridization assays. The assays utilized riboprobes complementary to major portions of the coding region of the DOR and NMDAR1 cDNAs. At 10 μM RA a 3-fold increase in DOR mRNA at 48 h, and later (144 h) alterations were observed in NMDAR1 mRNA levels. Northern blot analysis revealed six transcripts for DOR mRNA ranging in size from 8.7 to 2.0 Kb, and three transcripts for NMDAR1 mRNA ranging in size from 4.1 to 3.5 Kb. Neither the size nor the fractional band intensity was affected by RA treatment. The delayed induction of DOR mRNA suggests an indirect mechanism by which RA acts on transcription of this gene. A surprising induction of DOR mRNA by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) suggests that either a repressor molecule or degrading enzymes/proteases may regulate basal levels of this mRNA. Treatment with RA resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent morphological differentiation characterized by increased size of the cell body and the appearance of numerous short and long processes.
Flood Disasters and Agricultural Wages in Bangladesh

This article examines the effects of abnormal floods on agricultural wages in Bangladesh. Drawing upon the district-wise monthly real wage data for the period 1979–2000, it shows that wages decline sharply in the regions that are severely inundated for a long period of time. Wages may remain depressed in these regions even in the post-flood months. However, wages increase in the flood months in the regions that remain submerged for short durations. The article examines the district-wise crop yield data to explain these results in terms of the impact of flood on agricultural productivity, and therefore the demand for labour.
Students' Political Stereotypes

The collapse of the administrative system is proceeding amid an acute struggle among different political forces. Representatives of each of these forces claim that they most fully express the hopes of the people. However, no one has yet undertaken a serious study of the actual political consciousness of the broad masses of the population or of specific social groups. There are reasons for this.
F-Bonded (1-Fluorohexane)pentacarbonyltungsten(0)

Fluoroalkanes, potentially ambidentate, can interact with W through coordination of F or agostically through a three-center, two-electron C(H)−M bond. The site of bonding of 1-fluorohexane to [W(CO)5] in (1-C6H13F)W(CO)5 generated by pulsed laser flash photolysis of W(CO)6/1-fluorohexane solutions in the absence and presence of 1-hexene as a trapping nucleophile has been evaluated. The data indicate that W−F bonding is favored and suggest that linkage isomerization takes place through an intramolecular pathway.
Identification of spirocyclic piperidine-azetidine inverse agonists of the ghrelin receptor

Abstract The discovery of spirocyclic piperidine-azetidine inverse agonists of the ghrelin receptor is described. The characterization and redressing of the issues associated with these compounds is detailed. An efficient three-step synthesis and a binding assay were relied upon as the primary means of rapidly improving potency and ADMET properties for this class of inverse agonist compounds. Compound 10n bearing distributed polarity in the form of an imidazo-thiazole acetamide and a phenyl triazole is a unit lower in log P and has significantly improved binding affinity compared to the hit molecule 10a, providing support for further optimization of this series of compounds.
Speciation of arsenic and chromium in coal and combustion ash by XAFS spectroscopy

Abstract While there are a variety of methods to determine the concentration of trace elements in coal and ash, there have been few attempts to determine the speciation of these elements. In this paper, it is demonstrated that X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy is capable of providing speciation information at realistic concentration levels of 10–100 ppm, provided a solid-state multielement germanium detector is used. The initial studies have concentrated on arsenic and chromium. For arsenic, two principal forms of occurrence are observed in coal: As contained in pyrite and As(V) in arsenate (AsO4−3). In one coal (Pittsburgh #8, DECS-12), the As is present as arsenopyrite. The As in pyrite is readily oxidized under ambient conditions to the arsenate form. In combustion ashes, all arsenic is in the form of arsenate, with at least two forms of arsenate present; As in aluminosilicate slag and calcium orthoarsenate are possibilities. Chromium in coal and in ash is observed to be present predominantly (> 95%) in the Cr+3 state. Chromium oxyhydroxide is the standard compound whose XAFS spectrum most closely resembles that of the chromium in coal, while the chromium in ash may be incorporated into the aluminosilicate slag phase.
The Maturation of Connective Tissue Proteins

A brief review of the status of current knowledge on the maturation of connective tissue proteins is presented and includes new information relating to collagen and elastin crosslinks. Some consideration is given to pertinent methodology, such as the NaBH4 reduction technique where tritium or deuterium is either in the reagent or the solvent or in both. The most recently developed methodology involving [14C] cyanide incorporation into various maturation compounds is also briefly considered. In addition, a general overview of the field and of some of the remaining problems is given.
Cockayne syndrome – a primary defect in DNA repair, transcription, both or neither?

Cockayne syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by a complex clinical phenotype. Most Cockayne syndrome cells are hypersensitive to killing by ultraviolet radiation. This observation has prompted a wealth of studies on the DNA repair capacity of Cockayne syndrome cells in vitro. Many studies support the notion that such cells are defective in a DNA repair mode(s) that is transcription-dependent. However, it remains to be established that this is a primary molecular defect in Cockayne syndrome cells and that it explains the complex clinical phenotype associated with the disease. An alternative hypothesis is that Cockayne syndrome cells have a defect in transcription affecting the expression of certain genes, which is compatible with embryogenesis but not with normal post-natal development. Defective transcription may impair the normal processing of DNA damage during transcription-dependent repair.
Subcutaneous splicing of intravenous and intragastric catheters.

A method is described for repairing silicone catheters that have been severed due to excess force by the animal or tension within the restraint system. The technique is particularly useful when the break in the catheter occurs under the skin. The entire repair process takes less than 20 minutes and can be performed under light anesthesia. This technique would be of benefit primarily in intravenous drug self-administration studies, but procedures employing chronic catheterization (e.g., intragastric, intraperitoneal) could also use this method.
The role of “irrelevant” derogation in vicarious aggression catharsis: A field experiment

Abstract In order to test hypotheses about the occurence of aggression catharsis, a field experiment was conducted in which passengers in taxi cabs served as subjects. En route to each subject's destination, the taxi driver left the cab with the meter operating for an amount of time which resulted in a small or large overcharge (the first independent variable). When the driver returned, subjects read one of four letters which either praised or derogated the driver (the second independent variable) on a relevant or irrelevant dimension (the third independent variable). Subjects' responses confirmed the principal hypothesis on several different atitudinal and behavioral dependent measures: angered subjects tended to complain less often, more often paid the overcharge, and more often left a tip, when they read the irrelevant derogation letter. The results contribute to the delineation of a set of conditions under which vicarious catharsis can be clearly observed.
Development of the lactic dehydrogenase enzyme system in the testes and epididymis of young dairy bulls.

Abstract Development of the lactic dehydrogenase diphosphopyridine nucleotide diaphorase system (LDH) in the testis and epididymis of sexually immature dairy bulls has been investigated. The study included tissues from seven animals varying in age from one to 367 days. The degree of staining, indicating LDH activity, for the cells of the seminiferous tubules and interstitual tissue is described. Staining of spermatozoa, when found, was confined to the midpiece. The cytological distribution of the LDH system in the epididymis at various ages is also presented. In the cells of the body portion of the epididymal canal high levels of activity were observed in the apex of the epithelial cells, with low levels of activity prevailing in the general cytoplasm. In the head and tail portions of the canal the system showed low levels of activity homogeneously distributed throughout the cytoplasm. It appears from these observations that the physiological properties of various portions of the epididymal canal are highly specialized.
Interaction For Academics In The Industrial World: The U.S. And Japan

Interaction of the industrial and academic world is of course a very old problem. The relative roles of each organization and the education of the next generation of scientists has long been debated. However, in the last ten years, there has been a substantial change in the interaction and the expectations of each group. The principal reason for these changes have to do with pure economics. As the cost of "big science" has increased. The need for more resources at universities to train students has increased and the need for highly trained students, who work as teams rather than as individual scientists, has become more important. No longer is corporate research done exclusively by the single scientist or engineer working in their laboratory for long periods of time to come up with the "Eureka" solution. At universities, the tenure system tends to require an individual to develop his or her own research topic. The cost of developing new topics has increased enormously. In this paper, the interaction of industry and the academic world are reviewed from the viewpoint of the academic individual. While I have had industrial experience, it was not as great as others who have written on the subject. The main topics are, 1) what drives the need for so much money in the university community, 2) assuming there is a need, what are the sources of those funds, 3) what role should American and foreign companies play in educating and sponsoring research at universities, 4) what should be the expectations of the university community and the industrial world, 5) what are possible formats for such an interaction, and finally, 6) what are the dangers to the universities and to the United States economy in the long run by such interactions.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Microstructural Development during Sintering of Lithium Fluoride

Measurements are reported of the influences of temperature, green density, and pore network breakup on the densification, grain growth, and pore volume distribution in LiF compacts. As long as most of the pore volume remained open to the compact perimeter, the ratio of the rate of densification to the rate of grain growth was higher than that sometimes reported for copper or typical oxides. Plots of the logarithm of densification rates versus sintered density for LiF are approximately linear during intermediate-stage sintering, like those for some oxides. But the plots for LiF are unlike those of the oxides in that, for LiF, densification rates measured at different temperatures converge near the density at which half the pore volume is isolated from Hg intrusion. Calculations suggest that further densification of the LiF compacts is blocked because air trapped in isolated pores becomes sufficiently compressed to balance the sintering stress.
DEVELOPMENT OF SAMPLING TECHNIQUES AND LIFE TABLES FOR THE FIR ENGRAVER SCOLYTUS VENTRALIS (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Methods are presented for sampling and constructing life tables for Scolytus ventralis LeConte with the objective of comparing the histories of populations inhabiting individual trees. A bark area of 72 sq. in. was an effective sample unit. Within-tree variation was minimized by taking two sample units from two vertical strata at each sampling date. Trees were serially sampled several times during development of the insect.Population tables were constructed for each sampling date and life tables were developed from the complete series of population tables. The precision of the life table estimates varied between 10% and 40% of the mean and generally decreased as population density diminished during development. A sampling design is presented for increasing the precision of life tables, and methods are given for determining the number of trees required for estimating the mean density when studying populations occupying large areas.
Increased prevalence of environmental allergy in patients with Crohn's disease

Abstract Rationale Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have been clinically observed to have seasonal variations in disease activity. Factors contributing to seasonal disease flare have not been characterized. We hypothesized that CD patients may have increased rates of atopy and seasonal allergen sensitivity, which may underlie seasonal exacerbation. Methods Thirty-seven patients with documented CD were prospectively recruited from an adult gastroenterology clinic. After informed consent was obtained, a questionnaire was administered and skin prick testing to 16 environmental allergens, including controls, was performed. A wheal 3 mm greater than control was considered positive. CD age at diagnosis, disease distribution and behavior was recorded. Results Twenty-three of 37 or 62% of patients tested positive to at least one environmental allergen. Twenty-one or 57% of patients had rhinitis and 2 patients had asthma. Sensitivity to seasonal allergens was identified in 46% of patients (ragweed 27%, grass 24%, trees 35% and mold 19%). The majority of patients with sensitivity to seasonal allergens had small bowel involvement (82%). 100% of CD patients with seasonal allergy were diagnosed before age 40. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of environmental allergy in patients with CD. Small bowel involvement and diagnosis prior to age 40 were characteristic clinical features. The high rate of pollen and mold allergy may play a role in seasonal exacerbations of CD.
APOE and the regulation of microglial nitric oxide production: a link between genetic risk and oxidative stress

The mechanism linking the APOE4 gene with increased susceptibility for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and poorer outcomes following closed head injury and stroke is unknown. One potential link is activation of the innate immune system in the CNS. Our previously published data demonstrated that apolipoprotein E regulates production of nitric oxide, a critical cytoactive factor released by immune active macrophages. To determine if immune regulation is different in the presence of apolipoprotein E4 compared to apolipoprotein E3, we have measured NO production by peritoneal and CNS macrophages (microglia) cultured from transgenic mice that only express the human apoE4 or apoE3 protein isoform. Significantly more NO was produced in APOE4 mice compared to APOE3 transgenic mice that only express human apoE3 protein. Similarly, monocyte derived macrophages from humans carrying APOE4 gene alleles also produce significantly greater NO than those individuals with APOE3. The mechanism for this isoform-specific difference in NO production is not known and multiple sites in the NO production pathway may be affected. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein are not significantly different between the APOE3 and APOE4 mice, suggesting that induction of iNOS is not a primary cause of the increased NO production in APOE4 animals. One alternative regulatory mechanism that demonstrates isoform specificity is arginine transport, which is greater in microglia from APOE4 transgenic mice compared to microglia from APOE3 mice. Increased transport is consistent with an increased production of NO and may reflect a direct or indirect effect of the APOE genotype on microglial arginine uptake and microglial activation in general. Overall, greater NO production in APOE4 carriers where characteristically high levels of oxidative/nitrosative stress are found in diseases such as AD provides a mechanism that potentially explains the genetic association between APOE4 and human diseases.
Inhibition of induction of natural killer activity in mice by general anesthesia (Avertin): role of interferon.

Abstract We have previously reported that general anesthesia (Avertin) inhibits the induction of natural killer (NK) cell activity following administration of Poly I:C in vivo. Since Poly I:C has been shown to increase NK activity through the induction of interferon (IFN), the current study examines the role of IFN in this inhibition. The data suggest that (i) anesthesia does not effect the ability of Poly I:C to induce endogenous IFN synthesis (serum IFN levels are unaltered by anesthesia) and (ii) anesthesia is capable of inhibiting stimulation of NK activity induced directly by treatment with IFN either in vivo or in vitro. The duration of the former effect was at least 10 days, with complete recovery by Day 14 after anesthesia. Interestingly, NK activity stimulated by IFN prior to anesthesia was not significantly altered. In view of the increasingly evident role of NK cells in anti-tumor and anti-infectious host defenses, their inertness to stimulation in the postanesthesia period may be a significant contributing factor to the clinically observed postoperative morbidity. Thus, preanesthesia stimulation of NK activity with IFN may be of therapeutic value.
Synthesis of high surface area zirconia aerogels using high temperature supercritical drying

Abstract Zirconia aerogels were prepared by a sol-gel method followed by high temperature supercritical drying. Aerogels prepared in this way had surface areas up to 565 m2/ g after drying and above 100 m2/g after calcination at 500 °C for 2 hours. The calcined samples had symmetrical pore size distributions with average pore radii 70–170 A and pore volumes 0.5–0.8 m3/g. Influence of preparation parameters such as precursor and solvent type, precursor and acid concentration, hydrolysis ratio, aging time, supercritical drying and subsequent calcination temperatures on the properties of the aerogels was studied systematically. Sol-gel preparation stabilized the tetragonal crystalline phase.
Thermo-optic characteristics in transparent glass fabric reinforced composite using inorganic–organic hybrid materials

The thermo-optic characteristics of the transparent glass fabric composite and matrix resin have been investigated. The inorganic–organic hybrid materials modified with sulfur are synthesized as transparent matrix resin with the same refractive index and Abbe number as glass. The optical characteristics of the transparent composite relate to temperature due to the fact that the thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) for glass fiber (1.00 × 10−5K−1) is different to that of inorganic–organic hybrid materials (−1.99 × 10−4K−1). As the temperature increases, the transparent composite gradually becomes opaque and hazy due to the increased difference in the refractive index between the glass fiber and the matrix. The change in optical characteristics is reversible, meaning that the transparent composites can be used in for various applications in optical devices.
Fixed-State Tests for Delay Faults in Scan Designs

One of the methods to reduce the power dissipation during scan shifting is based on holding the state inputs to the combinational logic of a circuit constant for the duration of a scan operation. We note that this method also allows a new type of two-pattern scan-based tests to be applied. We refer to these tests as fixed-state tests. These tests have several properties that make them effective as complements to skewed-load and broadside tests, and also allows them to be computed efficiently. We discuss these properties in the context of transition faults. We describe procedures for selecting the constant vector for the state inputs during a scan operation, and for generating fixed-state tests. We present experimental results to demonstrate the transition fault coverage improvements possible with these tests.
Seismic reflection imaging of hydrostratigraphic facies in Boise: A tale of three scales

Summary We have acquired, processed and interpreted seismic reflection data from the Boise Valley at three scales to help build a hydrostratigraphic model for regional groundwater studies and to better understand the hydrostratigraphic significance of seismic boundaries. We use existing industry seismic reflection data to identify the structural and stratigraphic framework of the western Snake River Plain, a normal-fault bounded basin that contains more than 2 km of Neogene and younger sediments. To directly tie structure and stratigraphy to water well lithology and geophysical logs, we have acquired seismic reflection data throughout Boise to image near-surface sediments, where prograding delta and fluvial sediments control groundwater flow. To correlate seismic boundaries to hydrologic properties in Boise, we have also acquired seismic reflection data from a highly characterized wellfield. We find the seismic boundaries directly correspond to bulk changes in porosity at this site. Seismic reflection data from these three scales better define basin morphology and help map discrete hydrostratigraphic units necessary to understand hydraulic connectivity, groundwater flow directions, and aquifer capacity in the Boise Valley.
‘Art from Math, Math as Art’, Flaten Art Museum, St. Olaf College, 28 September–23 October 2009

‘Art from Math, Math as Art’ was a 5-week interdisciplinary program designed to provide study and research opportunities for faculty and students at St. Olaf College. Flaten Art Museum at St. Olaf ...
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Values Associated With File Sharing

This article examines potential and active customersâ€™ intrinsic and extrinsic values associated with selected legal, ethical, and economic impacts of file sharing, especially in relation to potential impacts on customer relationship management (CRM). The pros and cons of file sharing are highlighted in a conceptual model and empirically tested through graphical and statistical analysis through hypothesis testing via factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) techniques. Recommendations on the potential growth of the file sharing industry through the lens of price, competition, increased selection, and regulation are included. These file-sharing topics, issues, and concerns will have a variety of impacts on potential and active customers, businesses, and strategic leveraging of CRM.
Field theories for cross sections and their classical solutions

It is shown that inclusive and semi-inclusive cross sections can be calculated from an auxiliary field theory by expanding around classical solutions of certain nonvanishing quantum numbers. The physical significance of the conserved quantum numbers and of the classical solutions is discussed.
Surgical Treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta in a Ten Week Old Infant: Report of a Case

Although most patients with coarctation of the aorta survive to early adult life, it has been adequately demonstrated that some patients die in infancy and early childhood as a result of their coarctation. In selected cases, then, operation is advisable at a very early age. Cardiac failure in a 10 week old infant necessitated operation at this age in the case reported.
WE-G-108-03: Development of a Computer Software Program to Perform Comprehensive Plan Quality Evaluation

Purpose: The goals are to develop a computer system that performs an automatic and comprehensive plan quality check (QC) according to institutional guidelines, QUANTEC, and RTOG standards, and to standardize and streamline the evaluation, approval, and review of radiotherapy treatment plans. Methods: A computer software program (and backend database) was developed to automatically 1) read the plan data directly from the TPS, 2) process data, 3) match ROI names, 4) compute DVHs, 5) compute plan quality metrics from the DVHs, 6) evaluate the metrics against the QC rules, and 7) create a report. A rule defines a plan metric that should be satisfied, e.g. V95%>95% for PTV. Rules are organized in groups, and multiple groups are defined for each disease site corresponding to different prescriptions or treatment modalities. On‐the‐fly management of groups and rules is implemented to allow creating, editing, copying, and deleting. The tool can create new isodose structures and composite ROIs on‐the‐fly to support comprehensive yet flexible rules. The tool supports a number of plan quality metrics based on DVH or volumetric data and checks complex metrics including hot spots and conformity ratio. OARs that are not covered by the rules are automatically checked against standard OAR tolerances defined in QUANTEC or RTOG protocols. The report is presented to users with multiple tabulated forms containing color coded results and references. Results: This plan QC tool has been successfully tested. The computed DVH and plan quality metrics were verified to be within 0.5% of the TPS computation. It takes less than 1 minute to load data from a TPS, check all the rules, and generate a report, demonstrating the efficiency of this tool. Conclusion: This software program efficiently checks plan quality and is useful for assisting dosimetrists/physicists in treatment planning and physicians in plan evaluation, approval, and chart review.
Measuring Adoptive Identity: Validation of the Adoptive Identity Work Scale

Guided by Erikson's as well as Grotevant and colleagues’ identity theorizing, three studies were conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the Adoptive Identity Work Scale (AIWS), a self-...
Effect of molecular concentrations in tissue-simulating phantoms on images obtained using diffuse reflectance polarimetry

We have investigated the possibility of using diffuse reflectance polarimetry to detect changes caused by different molecular compounds and concentrations in tissue-simulating phantoms. The effects of glucose, β-alanine and l-lysine at different concentrations in turbid media have been investigated separately. This approach is based on the effect of optical properties on the polarization state of light. The results show that this method has potential for determining changes in molecular concentrations in highly scattering biological media from polarization images.