cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Medicare Outpatient Efficiency Measure OP8 and Lumbar MRI Utilization.

Abstract Introduction Quality-based reporting and payment are predicated on using valid metrics. We sought to determine the relationship between widely used lumbar imaging quality metric OP8 and underlying quality as measured through actual utilization of lumbar MRI. Methods We performed a multi-institutional cross-sectional study using hospital-level billing data from a major commercial insurance company, including 23 Washington State hospitals from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, with more than 25 eligible visits. For each hospital, we determined the OP8 score using the CMS published specifications. We calculated actual utilization rate from the proportion of patients visiting primary care (internal medicine or family medicine, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) for uncomplicated low back pain who underwent lumbar MRI. For both measures, patients under age 18 or with complicated conditions (eg, infection, cancer, inflammatory arthropathy) were excluded. OP8 scores and utilization were compared using linear regression and correlation coefficients. Results Hospital scores ranged from 28.0% to 55.3% on OP8 and from 0.7% to 4.2% on MRI utilization (with lower scores indicating better performance). There was no association between score on OP8 and actual utilization of lumbar MRI across hospitals in Washington State (attributable risk 0.00016, 95% confidence interval: −0.00026, 0.00059, P = .43). Discussion Widely used imaging efficiency measure OP8 does not correlate with actual utilization of lumbar MRI. Better OP8 scores reflect use of antecedent conservative therapy regardless of whether MRI is overutilized. OP8 scores may be worse for institutions with aggressive control of inappropriate imaging.
General Analytic Correction for Probe-Position Errors in Spherical Near-Field Measurements

A recently developed analytic technique that can correct for probe-position errors in planar near-field measurements to arbitrary accuracy, Muth and Lewis (1988, 1990), is shown to be also applicable to spherical near-field data after appropriate modifications. The method has been used successfully to remove probe-position errors in the planar near field, leading to more accurate far-field patterns, even if the maximum error in the probe's position is as large as 0.2 lambda . Only the error-contaminated near-field measurements and an accurate probe-position error function are needed to be able to implement the correction technique. >
Visualizing Conformational Transitions of the Lipid II Flippase MurJ

The biosynthesis of many polysaccharides, including bacterial peptidoglycan and eukaryotic N-linked glycans, requires transport of lipid-linked oligosaccharide (LLO) precursors across the membrane by specialized flippases. MurJ is the flippase for the lipid-linked peptidoglycan precursor Lipid II, a key player in bacterial cell wall synthesis, and a target of recently discovered antibacterials. However, the flipping mechanism of LLOs including Lipid II remains poorly understood due to a dearth of structural information. Here we report crystal structures of MurJ captured in inward-closed, inward-open, inward-occluded and outward-facing conformations. Together with cysteine accessibility, mass spectrometry, and complementation studies, we elucidate the conformational transitions in MurJ that mediate lipid flipping, identified the key ion for function, and provide a framework for the development of inhibitors.
The Influence of Tactual Seat-motion Cues on Training and Performance in a Roll-axis Compensatory Tracking Task Setting

Abstract : A considerable body of knowledge exists regarding the influence of whole-body motion on the control behavior and task performance of a vehicle operator required to compensate for the effects of unexpected external disturbances. The research described was conducted to determine whether similar effects would be observed if the motion information were tactually displayed through the seat pan, rather than in a whole-body motion environment. The experiment was designed such that the transfer of training from a tactual dynamic seat display to a whole-body motion environment could also be evaluated. The experimental task required subjects to regulate for a random-appearing, roll-axis disturbance in a simulated vehicle having aircraft-like dynamics. A centrally located compensatory display, subtending about nine degrees, provided visual roll error information. Control inputs were made via a right side-arm isometric controller. The two-phase experiment included a training phase and a criterion phase. During training, subjects tracked under conditions of either visual information only, visual plus tactual seat cues, or visual in the one-to-one motion environment. Following training, all subjects were transitioned into the criterion whole-body motion environment. The data clearly demonstrate that a dynamic seat pan can effectively impart motion information, but the device (as used in this experiment) did not effectively train subjects to properly interpret and use the motion information available in the whole-body motion environment.
Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy Associated with Influenza A

A severe and unusual complication found in children with influenza is an acute necrotizing encephalopathy. A 20-month-old female with no significant past medical history was admitted to our facility, presenting with a 4-day history of worsening fever, upper respiratory symptoms, new-onset altered mental status and episodes of extensor posturing. The initial concern was a dystonic reaction secondary to promethazine following a recent diagnosis of influenza A virus. A head computed tomography scan indicated concern for widespread edema, and the video EEG revealed focal slowing in the frontocentral regions with no epileptiform activity during episodes of extensor posturing. The first magnetic resonance imaging results were consistent with acute hemorrhagic encephalitis or severe anoxic brain injury for which there is a broad differential. A second MRI five days later found new areas of restricted diffusion that were consistent with acute necrotizing encephalitis.
Another step forward in blood-based diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease.

Measurement of phosphorylated tau protein in blood plasma allows Alzheimer’s disease to be distinguished from other neurological diseases and may assist in disease detection during the prodromal stage.
Viewport prediction for 360° videos: a clustering approach

An important component for viewport-adaptive streaming of 360° videos is viewport prediction. Increasing viewport prediction horizon enables the client to prefetch more chunks into the playback buffer. Having longer buffer results in less rebuffering under fluctuating network conditions. We analyzed the recorded viewport traces of viewers who watched various 360° videos. We propose a clustering-based viewport prediction method that incorporates viewport pattern information from previous video streaming sessions. For several videos, specifically those with well-defined region of interest, the proposed approach increases the viewport prediction horizon and/or prediction accuracy.
Using Behavioral Experimentation to Understand the Social Structure of the Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) in Florida

Wasmannia auropunctata (LFA) is a small, yellow ant that is native to the Central and South America that has become a globally invasive species by acting as an agricultural pest in addition to being ecologically destructive in non-native regions. One trait thought to contribute to successful invasion of ants is unicoloniality, which is characterized by lack of aggression among workers and queens from different colonies. This results in colonies becoming effectively borderless, expanding as a single, massive colony across large geographic distance. These ants are known to be unicolonial in some parts of their range, but no studies to date have assessed unicoloniality in Florida populations. To determine whether LFA populations across Florida were members of a unicolonial lineage, we carried out integration trials using 27 colonies from 6 sites in 3 Florida counties. Approximately 20 workers from different colonies were placed together in an arena; after 24 hours they were evaluated to determine whether or not they integrated. Out of a total of 42 trials, 17 (40%) resulted in full integration and 25 (60%) did not. Colonies that were collected within 9 km of each other integrated, and ants from colonies beyond that distance did not integrate. These results suggest that the little fire is not unicolonial in Florida on a large scale, but perhaps on a smaller scale. Future studies should attempt to use colonies from more counties and incorporate genetic data to determine relatedness among these ants.
Seeking Radical Solidarity in Heritage Studies: Exploring the Intersection of Black Feminist Archaeologies and Geographies in Oak Bluffs, MA

This article discusses the development of a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project in the historic resort town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. It builds on critical theoretical agendas in community-based archaeologies by asking how Black feminist theory-informed CBPR could help archaeologists create meaningful, equitable, and theoretically grounded relationships with local communities. Through rigorous archaeological investigations, CBPR methodologies can empower communities to use the past to effect social change on their terms. By collaborating with communities to strengthen and expand existing heritage programs, archaeologists can share their skills, knowledges, and critical points of view while actively minimizing power imbalances and increasing accountability.
On Peleg's theorem for stability of convex effectivity functions: An alternative proof and an application to authority structures☆

Abstract The first purpose of this paper is to provide a direct combinatorial proof of Peleg's theorem that convex effectivity functions are stable. The proof does not rely on the non-side-payment game theory, and establishes a slightly more general theorem than the original Peleg theorem. The Peleg theorem has been applied to answer the (coalitional) stability question on the extensive game forms. The second purpose is to present a theorem on the stable extensive game forms in the context of Industrial Democracy. To be specific, it is shown which hierarchical structures in a firm give rise to a non-empty core.
Supporting legacy binary code in a software transaction compiler with dynamic binary translation and optimization

Transactional memory (TM) has been shown to be a promising programming model for multi-core systems. We developed a Software-based Transactional Memory (STM) compiler that generates efficient transactional code for transactions to run on a STM runtime without the need of transactional hardware support. Since real-world applications often invoke third party libraries available only in binary form, it is imperative for our STM compiler to support legacy binary functions and provide an efficient solution to convert those invoked inside transactions to the corresponding transactional code. Our STM compiler employs a Lightweight Dynamic Binary Translation and Optimization Module (LDBTOM) to automatically convert legacy binary functions to transactional code. In this paper, we describe our LDBTOM system, which 1) seamlessly integrates the translated code with the STM compiler generated code to run on the STM runtime, and 2) optimizes the translated code taking advantage of dynamic optimization opportunities and STM runtime information. Although the binary code is inherently harder to optimize than high-level source code, our experiment shows that it can be translated and optimized into efficient transactional code by LDBTOM.
Dielectric Properties of Suspensions Containing BaTiO3 Particles

The size effect of dielectric materials, grain size in sintered ceramics and particle size in powders, plays an important role in influencing their dielectric properties. The grain size effect differs from the particle size effect mainly because of the boundary conditions within a ceramic. The grains in a ceramic are three dimensionally bound by surrounding grains while a particle in a ceramic is free and not subjected to such microstructural effects. The dielectric constant of barium titanate powder compacts as well as slurries were measured using powders of various particle sizes. The calculation of dielectric constant of particles using finite element models were investigated with a critical discussion on the reliability between measured and calculated data.
Learning in Alzheimer's disease is facilitated by social interaction

Seminal work in Gary Van Hoesen’s laboratory at Iowa in the early 1980s established that the hallmark neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD; neurofibrillary tangles) had its first foothold in specific parts of the hippocampal formation and entorhinal cortex, effectively isolating the hippocampus from much of its input and output and causing the distinctive impairment of new learning that is the leading early characteristic of the disease (Hyman et al., 1984). The boundaries and conditions of the anterograde memory defect in patients with AD have been a topic of intense research interest ever since (e.g., Graham and Hodges, 1977; Nestor et al., 2006). For example, it has been shown that patients with AD may acquire some new semantic information through methods such as errorless learning, but learning under these conditions is typically slow and inefficient. Drawing on a learning paradigm (a collaborative referencing task) that was previously shown to induce robust and enduring learning in patients with hippocampal amnesia, we investigated whether this task would be effective in promoting new learning in patients with AD. We studied five women with earlystage AD and 10 demographically matched healthy comparison participants, each interacting with a familiar communication partner. AD pairs displayed significant and enduring learning across trials, with increased accuracy and decreased time to complete trials, in a manner indistinguishable from healthy comparison pairs, resulting in efficient and economical communication. The observed learning here most likely draws on neural resources outside the medial temporal lobes. These interactive communication sessions provide a potent learning environment with significant implications for memory intervention. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:4356–4369, 2013.
Ultrafast and ultrasensitive dielectric liquids/mixtures: Basic measurements and applications

Basic properties of cryogenic and room temperature dielectric liquids/mixtures with high electron yields (under irradiation by ionizing particles) and high excess electron drift velocities are discussed. A number of ultrafast and ultrasensitive liquid media--appropriate for possible use in liquid-filled radiation detectors and other applications--are identified.
Antimicrobial, Antimalarial, and Antileishmanial Activities of Mono- and Bis-quaternary Pyridinium Compounds

Pyridinium-based oxime compounds have been utilized worldwide as antidotes following exposure to anticholinesterase agents. In the event of combined chemical and biological incident, it is of vital importance to know the ability of antidotes to provide additional protection against biological threats. This paper reports results of in vitro antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities of a series of quaternary pyridinium oximes against a number of lower pathogenicity BSL-1 and 2 agents. In general, our compound panel had little to no antimicrobial action except for thiophene- and benzothiophene-substituted monoquaternary pyridinium compounds 21 and 24 that showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus with IC(50) values ranging from 12.2 to 17.7 μg/mL. Compounds 21 and 24 also exhibited antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani with IC(50) values of 19 and 18 μg/mL, respectively. Another monoquaternary pyridinium compound with a bromobutyl side chain 17 showed antimalarial activity against both a chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC(50) values of 3.7 and 4.0 μg/mL, respectively. None of the bisquaternary pyridinium compounds showed antimicrobial or antiprotozoal activity. None of the compounds showed cytotoxic effects toward mammalian kidney fibroblasts. Results of this study indicate that the pyridinium compounds, some of which are already in use as antidotes, do not have significant antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities and cannot be relied upon for additional protection in the event of combined chemical-biological incident.
An architectural technique for cache-level garbage collection

Cache performance is critical in high-speed computing systems. However, heap-intensive programs such as LISP codes typically have low cache performance because of inherently poor data locality. To improve the cache performance, the system should reuse heap cells while they are in cache, thus reducing the number of cache misses due to heap references. Furthermore, the system can adopt multi-threaded architecture to hide the cache miss overhead by switching to different control threads when a cache miss occurs. In this paper, a novel architectural scheme called cache-level garbage collection based on multi-threading is developed to improve the cache performance for heap-intensive programs. Consequently both the cache hit ratio is improved and the cache miss overhead is masked, thereby minimizing the total cache miss penalty. We present the garbage collection algorithm and its architectural support features, together with initial performance evaluation.
Interference in finite-sized highly dense millimeter wave networks

The potential of millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies for device-to-device communication among wearable electronics is enormous for applications requiring Gbps through-put. In a dense usage scenario such as inside a train car or airplane cabin, many devices may be present within close proximity where interference is significant. Previous work that models interference in wireless networks has leveraged stochastic geometry and often assumes an infinite number of interferers. In the indoor wearables setting, a finite network may be a more realistic assumption. This paper analyzes mmWave networks with a finite number of interferers that are located in fixed positions. The paper considers the effect of blockages, which are primarily caused by the human bodies present in the operating environment. Expressions for coverage and rate are developed, which capture the effects of key antenna characteristics such as directivity and gain.
Treatment of Experimental Brain Abscess with Penicillin and Chloramphenicol

Recent reports have indicated that antibiotic therapy alone may be successful in resolving brain abscesses. We utilized an animal model of brain abscess to evaluate the efficacy of penicillin with and without chloramphenicol in preventing the development of brain abscess. When penicillin therapy was initiated at the time of bacterial contamination and continued for four days, the bacteria were eliminated. When therapy was delayed for 24 hr, the number of bacteria in brain tissue samples was significantly reduced, but all samples still contained bacteria. When therapy was delayed for 48 hr, there was no therapeutic benefit. Addition of chloramphenicol to each of these regimens did not significantly alter the results. Extending the duration of therapy to eight days provided no improvement over the results obtained after four days.
Inheritance of host adaptation in the southern chinch bug (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae).

The southern chinch bug ( Blissus insularis Barber) adapted to the resistant turf cultivar, ‘Floratam’ St. Augustinegrass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze), within 12 yr after cultivar release. The inheritance of host adaptation was studied in a crossing experiment involving reciprocal F2 chinch bug crosses confined on ‘Floratam.’ Interpopulation crosses (e.g., nonadapted × adapted) were intermediate in mean oviposition rate and longevity compared with parent populations. This proved that host adaptation was inherited and that different populations of southern chinch bug could readily interbreed. Intercrosses among regional sources of adapted chinch bugs were well adapted to the resistant cultivar, thus host adaptation was controlled by the same genes, or similar gene action in different sources. Host adaptation of chinch bugs was increased experimentally through selection on the resistant cultivar, as demonstrated by increased longevity on ‘Floratam’ in the F3 generation from ‘Floratam’-exposed, surviving F2's, compared with naive, nonexposed progeny.
Generation and Reactions of Pentacyclo[4.3.0.02,4.03,8.05,7]non-4-ene

The highly pyramidalized alkene, pentacyclo[4.3.0.02,4.03,8.05,7]non-4-ene (9), has been generated via treatment of 4,5-diiodopentacyclo[4.3.0.02,4.03,8.05,7]nonane (12) with n-butyllithium and tert-butyllithium. The title alkene has also been trapped as its Diels−Alder adduct with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran, and spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene. Products resulting from alkyllithium addition to the pyramidalized double bond of 9 have been isolated and fully characterized spectroscopically. The geometry, olefin strain energy, heat of hydrogenation, and relative HOMO/LUMO energies of 9 have been obtained by ab initio calculations at the MP2 and B3LYP levels using the 6-31G* basis set.
Herpes simplex: Evolving concepts☆

A large body of molecular biologic research has begun to clarify some basic aspects of viral latency and reactivation. The clinical definition of herpes simplex virus infection is expanding, with the recognition that the disease is largely asymptomatic and that most transmission occurs during periods of asymptomatic viral shedding. With this awareness, serologic diagnosis has become increasingly important. New treatment modalities are now available, and other promising treatments are in development.
Categorical results, categorical perception, and hindsight

Hindsight bias characterizes much of human action and is equally descriptive of scientific discovery. When Filippo Brunelleschi told the Overseers of the Works of the Florence Cathedral that he had a design for the Cupola of the Cathedral, they were reluctant to give him the commission until they saw the actual plans. (The Cathedral had been without a dome for years because of the difficulty of designing one to bridge without armature the great expanse between the walls.) Brunelleschi dissented, allowing that once seeing the plans, the Overseers would interpret his solution as obvious and thus not worthy of the commission. To illustrate his point, Brunelleschi challenged the Overseers to stand an egg on end. After hearing that one doesn't stand eggs on end, Brunelleshi gradually flattened the end of the egg on the table until it rested solidly on its end. Notwithstanding the predictable reply, "Anyone could have done it that way," Brunelleschi received the commission, and the Cathedral embraces his dome even today, five-and-a-half centuries later. Hary and Massaro (1982) argued for maintaining a distinction between the phenomenon of categorical perception and the occurrence of categorical results in the identification/discrimination task. Although Pastore, Szczesiul, Wielgus, Nowikas, and Logan (1984) claim that this conclusion "has been reached by many researchers who have published over the last decade" (p. (00), we ask why the study of categorical speech and nonspeech perception has been wedded to the identification/discrimination task? If categorical results in this task do not necessarily implicate categorical perception, how can they be diagnostic of the phenomenon or clarify the nature of the phenomenon? We now address each of the three criticisms given by Pastore et al.
The effects of intensity and interval rhythms on the perception of auditory and visual temporal patterns.

Repeating temporal patterns were presented in the auditory and visual modalities so that: (a) all elements were of equal intensity and were equally spaced in time (uniform presentation); (b) the intensity of one element was increased (accent presentation); or (c) the interval between two elements was increased (pause presentation). Intensity and interval patterning serve to segment the element sequence into repeating patterns. For uniform presentation, pattern organization was by pattern structure, with auditory identification being faster. For pause presentation, organization was by the pauses; both auditory and visual identification were twice as fast as for uniform presentation. For auditory accent presentation, organization was by pattern structure and identification was slower than for uniform presentation. In contrast, the organization of visual accent presentation was by accents and identification was faster than for uniform presentation. These results suggest that complex stimuli, in which element...
Abstract C253: Effective inhibition of Hedgehog signaling pathway with small molecule Smoothened inhibitor GDC‐0449 in a bone producing prostate cancer xenograft

Background: The tumor microenvironment is involved in prostate cancer progression. Several stromal‐epithelial‐interacting pathways associated with prostate cancer (PCa) progression in the bone, are also considered candidates of resistance to current therapeutic strategies applied. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been associated with PCa aggressiveness. Therefore Hh pathway could be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target, also contributing to therapy against prostate carcinoma metastasis in bone. Experimental work on specific chemical inhibitors of Hh signaling suggests that they may represent an entirely new class of therapeutic agents. In this study we tested the efficacy of Hh pathway inhibition with Smoothened inhibitor GDC‐0449 in 118b prostate cancer xenograft model. Experimental Design: We employed the xenograft MDA PCa 118b, derived from the bone metastasis of a patient with castrate‐resistant prostatic adenocarcinoma. This is characterized by unique bone producing feature when injected subcutaneously in SCID mice. Bone is the most common site for metastasis of prostate carcinoma, therefore a model with the new bone formation distinctive characteristic is really informative. Following MDA PCa 118b sc injection, animals were treated with Smoothened inhibitor GDC‐0449 (oral administration, for 21 days). Hh pathway components expression was measured both in the tumor cells and stromal compartment using species specific primers for real‐time PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results: Paracrine Hedgehog signaling was confirmed in the tumor xenograft microenvironment. Baseline Shh expression was present in human tumor cells and significantly higher compared to stromal compartment, while nuclear Gli1 (a hallmark of pathway activation) and Ptch1 expression in the stromal compartment were present and significantly higher compared to human tumor cells. Smoothened inhibition resulted in attenuation of stromal expression of Gli1 and Ptch1, in the treated group compared to the control thus confirming the pharmacodynamic effect of the agent. A trend for slower tumor growth at the treated group was observed, while a decline in proliferation rate was noted when Hh pathway was suppressed in the stromal compartment. Conclusion: Hh signaling pathway demonstrates paracrine activation in the 118b prostate cancer bone producing xenograft model. GDC‐0449 is effective in blocking Hh signaling in PCa. Future directions: A combination of Hedgehog signaling inhibition and cytotoxic therapies, such as androgen ablation would likely increase efficacy. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C253.
Racial and gender effects on the relaxation response: Implications for the development of hypertension

This study was designed to explore the effect of race and gender on the forehead muscle tension and finger temperature response to biofeedback-assisted relaxation training in individuals with normal blood pressure. Forty-five subjects—18 Black and 27 White, 25 males and 20 females—participated in eight sessions of autogenic relaxation training and thermal biofeedback. Multivariate analysis of variance of the variables measured at baseline (systolic BP, diastolic BP, sodium excretion, anxiety) was significant for gender. Univariate analysis showed males different from females in DBP, Na+ excretion, and trait anxiety. Pretest values of muscle tension were similar by gender, but pretest temperatures were lower in males than females. Repeated measures ANOVA for muscle tension showed a significant effect of period. For temperature, a significant effect of period, gender, and gender × period was observed. Males increased temperature more than females. There was no effect of history of hypertension on the relaxation response. Multiple regression performed on change in muscle tension and change in temperature showed that pretest muscle tension predicted change in muscle tension. Four variables contributed to the variance in change in temperature: pretest temperature, sodium excretion, and state and trait anxiety.
A Multicrystal Gamma-Ray Spectrometer with Time-of-Flight Rejection of Neutron-Induced Background

To improve the rejection of neutron-induced background in a multicrystal gamma-ray spectrometer, nanosecond circuitry was designed that exploits the difference in flight times of neutrons and gamma rays produced in a target bombarded with a pulsed beam of monoenergetic protons. This circuitry allows the spectrometer to be gated on for a time (nominally 7 nsec) equal to the pulse width of the proton beam. Only those gamma rays produced during the proton pulse are accepted for energy analysis. These gamma rays arrive at the detector in a time short compared with the flight time of any other secondary radiation produced during that same beam pulse. The system. is used as a pair spectrometer for energies from 1.5 to 11 Mev, and as a total absorption spectrometer for energies below 2.5 Mev. The energies of the gamma rays produced by 160 Mev protons from the Harvard University synchrocyclotron in targets of Be, C, H2O, Al, Co, and Bi were measured. Spectral data were obtained and the results include determination of essentially all the gamma rays reviously described plus several more at higher energies. The neutron rejection ratio of the spectrometer varied with targets and ranged from 59% for C to 77% for H2O.
History is never sure

Abstract History is Never Sure’ is the introduction to Michel de Certeau's book (1970) The Possession of Loudun. As such it is a statement of that work's methodology. More generally though, it is an outline of de Certeau's view on historiography as it applies to a particular case history. The Possession of Loudun is a history of a ‘possession’ or ‘deviltry’ among the Ursuline nuns in Loudun (in the department of Vienne) during the years 1632–1640. It presents source material in 14 chapters, usually beginning and ending with de Certeau's own reflections on the primary texts from a variety of perspectives: sociological, linguistic, psychoanalytic, semiotic, etcetera. Each half of the book—that is, the commentary on the one hand, and the source material on the other—expresses not the ‘truth’ of the other, but what is lacking in it. The book is thus an extended illustration of de Certeau's thesis that history is a distance, or a series of relative distances, to be established in relation to texts through time.
The wood Callixylon from the Late Devonian of Ohio, U.S.A.

Abstract A new species, Callixylon clevelandensis, based on a pyritized petrifaction, is described in this paper. This is the second record of this genus in the state of Ohio. This specimen, of secondary wood only, is characterized by growth layers, low, uniseriate vascular rays, rarely biseriate for one or two cells in the middle, discontinuous bordered pit groups horizontally aligned in the radial walls of tracheids, which also show occasionally pits on their tangential walls. The wood lacks ray tracheids. Comparisons are drawn with valid species with remarks on growth layers and environment.
Simulations of Laser Ablation of Poly(methyl methacrylate): Fluence versus Number of Photons

Using molecular dynamics simulations with an embedded chemical reaction scheme, two pathways of chemical decomposition of poly(methyl methacrylate) leading to ablation are independently investigated using two photon energies. The model employed in this study uses a coarse-grained substrate with predetermined reaction channels and a fixed penetration depth. The simulations allow for single-photon absorption per site with the possibility of photochemical bond cleavage. Within these parameters, the absorption of 7.9 and 5 eV photons (equivalent to 157 and 248 nm radiation, respectively) is simulated over a range of fluences to demonstrate the fundamental photochemical effects of the number of photons versus the total energy absorbed. Above the ablation threshold, similar mechanisms of ejection occur using either photon energy, but, at equal fluences, more material is ejected with a larger number of lower energy photons. When more photons are absorbed cleaving a greater number of bonds, more transformation oc...
Binding of new PLP analogs to the catalytic domain of GABA transaminase

The binding site of Pyridoxal-5-P in 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase was studied by using analogs of the cofactor. A phosphorothioate analog (PLP(S] recognizes the catalytic site; it forms a stable complex with the apoenzyme (KD = 1nM) and serves as cofactor during catalysis. Replacement of a non-bridged oxygen by sulfur in the phosphate side chain renders a compound which preserves the negative charges needed for correct alignment of the cofactor at the catalytic site. This phosphorothioate analog of PLP can be used to investigate the catalytic site of vitamin B6 dependent enzymes by means of 31P NMR spectroscopy. A bulky P-pyridoxamine derivative, ie, N-4-azido-2-nitrophenyl pyridoxyl-5-P (NANP) competes with natural cofactor for its binding site. Upon illumination, the arylazide of P-pyridoxamine acts as an efficient photolabeling reagent of the protein. A characteristic feature of this photolabeling reagent, ie, its ability to recognize the cofactor binding site, can be exploited to ascertain the chemical nature of amino acid residues at the catalytic site.
Electronic structure and properties of magnesium oxide

We have carried out an ab initio study of the electronic structure and properties of magnesium oxide. The self-consistent charge density in the crystal is obtained by solving the Adams-Gilbert local-orbitals equations. The Fock operator is then constructed with nonlocal exchange and the energy bands are computed. These bands are then corrected for correlation effects. Long-range contributions are calculated by means of the electronic-polaron model. Short-range contributions are found to be large as predicted recently by the authors for fluorides, oxides, and nitrides in general. The final energy bands are in agreement with optical and x-ray data for the gaps and other transition energies. We predict an indirect minimum gap in MgO. The structure in the uv optical spectra is reproduced by our joint density of states and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ calculation. We compare our results with previous theoretical studies in the empirical-pseudopotential scheme and the Hartree-Fock-Slater approximation. MgO is the first II-VI compound and the first oxide to be treated in the Hartree-Fock scheme.
Temporal, spectral, and spatial effects of cross-phase modulation with intense single-cycle terahertz pulses

We demonstrate that the intense electric field of a subpicosecond single-cycle terahertz pulse can control and manipulate the temporal, spectral, and spatial characteristics of a copropagating ultrashort laser pulse through cross-phase modulation.
General time-dependent mass balance equation

Mass balance equations at the electrode surface, for the case of time-dependent geometry of the depletion layer, that are valid for any stoichiometry and any value of diffusion coefficients, are formulated and evaluated. Analysis of the errors identifies a simple, general mass balance equation. Errors due to application of the general mass balance equation for mixed diffusion within the entire depletion layer are determined also. The focus is on mixed planar and spherical diffusion.
Rapidly locating and characterizing pollutant releases in buildings

Releases of airborne contaminants in or near a building can lead to significant human exposures unless prompt response measures are taken. However, possible responses can include conflicting strategies, such as shutting the ventilation system off versus running it in a purge mode or having occupants evacuate versus sheltering in place. The proper choice depends in part on knowing the source locations, the amounts released, and the likely future dispersion routes of the pollutants. We present an approach that estimates this information in real time. It applies Bayesian statistics to interpret measurements of airborne pollutant concentrations from multiple sensors placed in the building and computes best estimates and uncertainties of the release conditions. The algorithm is fast, capable of continuously updating the estimates as measurements stream in from sensors. We demonstrate the approach using a hypothetical pollutant release in a five-room building. Unknowns to the interpretation algorithm include location, duration, and strength of the source, and some building and weather conditions. Two sensor sampling plans and three levels of data quality are examined. Data interpretation in all examples is rapid; however, locating and characterizing the source with high probability depends on the amount and quality of data and the sampling plan.
CUBISM: Belief, anomaly and social constructs

We introduce the CUBISM system for the analysis and deep understanding of multi-participant dialogues. CUBISM brings together two typically separate forms of discourse analysis: semantic analysis and sociolinguistic analysis. In the paper proper, we describe and illustrate major components of the CUBISM system, and discuss the challenge posed by the system’s ultimate purpose, which is to automatically detect anomalous changes in participants’ expressed or implied beliefs about the world and each other, including shifts toward or away from cultural and community norms.
From complex environments to complex behaviors

Adaptation of ecological systems to their environments is commonly viewed through some explicit fitness function defined a priori by the experimenter or measured a posteriori by estimations based on population size or reproductive rates. These methods do not capture the role of environmental complexity in shaping the selective pressures that control the adaptive process. Ecological simulations enabled by computational tools such as the latent energy environment (LEE) model allow us to characterize more closely the effects of environmental complexity on the evolution of adaptive behaviors. LEE is described in this article. Motivation for the development of the LEE model arises from the need to vary complexity in controlled and predictable ways, without assuming the relationship of these changes to the adaptive behaviors they engender. This goal is achieved through a careful characterization of environments in which different forms of "energy" are well defined. A genetic algorithm using endogenous fitness, ...
Reducing Variation In Hospital Admissions From The Emergency Department For Low-Mortality Conditions May Produce Savings

The emergency department (ED) is now the primary source for hospitalizations in the United States, and admission rates for all causes differ widely between EDs. In this study we used a national sam...
G13α-mediated PYK2 Activation PYK2 IS A MEDIATOR OF G13α-INDUCED SERUM RESPONSE ELEMENT-DEPENDENT TRANSCRIPTION

G12α/G13α transduces signals from G-protein-coupled receptors to stimulate growth-promoting pathways and the early response gene c-fos. Within the c-fos promoter lies a key regulatory site, the serum response element (SRE). Here we show a critical role for the tyrosine kinase PYK2 in muscarinic receptor type 1 and G12α/G13α signaling to an SRE reporter gene. A kinase-inactivate form of PYK2 (PYK2 KD) inhibits muscarinic receptor type 1 signaling to the SRE and PYK2 itself triggers SRE reporter gene activation through a RhoA-dependent pathway. Placing PYK2 downstream of G-protein activation but upstream of RhoA, the expression of PYK2 KD blocks the activation of an SRE reporter gene by GTPase-deficient forms of G12α or G13α but not by RhoA. The GTPase-deficient form of G13α triggers PYK2 kinase activity and PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation, and co-expression of the RGS domain of p115 RhoGEF inhibits both responses. Finally, we show that in vivo G13α, although not G12α, readily associates with PYK2. Thus, G-protein-coupled receptors via G13α activation can use PYK2 to link to SRE-dependent gene expression.
Automated Pheromone Traps Show Male Pink Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Mating Response Is Dependent on Weather Conditions

The mating response of male pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), based on time of capture, was monitored in cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) with an automated pheromone trap. Weather parameters were recorded automatically at the same trapping site. Data were accumulated and transmitted via an infrared telemetry link to a base-station computer located on farm property. The collected data were accessed and downloaded via a telephone modem. As the growing season progressed, the time of peak trap catch gradually shifted from early in the evening to late in the evening. The time interval of male fight activity was defined widely both early and late in the season and was defined more narrowly in midseason. The major factors affecting the number of males caught and the time of peak catch were temperature, wind speed, and time of sunset. As previously reported, wind speeds >2.5 m/s and temperatures below 20°C suppressed flight activity. The number of male moths captured was suppressed after insecticide applications and rain. A model predicting peak flight times was validated, and modifications were suggested. The results suggest that the use of automated traps that incorporate weather information would be invaluable in predicting optimal times of insecticide application for control of pink bollworm adults and, more importantly, would prevent applications at times that would be ineffective.
Giant cell reparative granuloma of the petrous temporal bone: A case report and literature review

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is an unusual, benign bone lesion that most commonly affects the maxilla and mandible; skull involvement is rare. The etiology is uncertain but may be related to trauma. GCRG is difficult to distinguish from giant cell tumor of the bone and has a lower recurrence rate. Thirteen reports of temporal bone GCRG in 11 patients have been reported. One report of a petrous GCRG in a 3-year-old girl has been identified. A 38-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of fullness in his left ear, ipsilateral hearing loss, and intermittent cacosmia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large left-sided anterior temporal extradural mass. The patient underwent a left frontotemporal craniotomy and resection of a left temporal fossa tumor that involved the petrous and squamous parts of the temporal bone. The patient's post-operative course was uneventful, except for increased hearing loss secondary to opening of the epitympanum. Follow-up at one month revealed no other problems. Histopathology of the specimen was consistent with a giant cell reparative granuloma.
Validating cluster assignments.

Surnmory.-In the absence of a statiscically based assessment of clusrer assignments of observarions in rerms of their similarity along selected variables the vahdiry of a set of clusters could be developed if clusters urithstand both empirical scrutiny and "make sense" to expert informants. Cluster analysis is a technique that classifies observations into groups based on similarity along selected variables. This classification process attempts to minimize within-group statistical variance while rnaxin~izing between-group variance. There are a variety of specific clustering algorithms available to researchers, each of which will provide Merent cluster assignments from a given data set. Given this variabhty, authenticating the membership of clusters has long been a challenging and complex issue (Aldenderfer & Blashfield, 1984; Hair, Anderson, Tatham, & Black, 1948). Recently, Kos and Psenicka (2000) presented the "hypergeometric test" as a method for potentially solving this dilemma. In essence, these authors suggested that examining the consistency of cluster assignments offered by two clustering algorithms across a series of trials provides the basis for testing the null hypothesis that cluster assignments are random. Although the hypergeometric test offers a valuable new tool to help assess the validity of cluster assignments, it does not appear to constitute a "test". Specifically, based on the description offered by Kos and Psenicka (ZOOO), the technique does not offer a statistically based assessment such as a significance test or a confidence interval that would allow researchers to examine rigorously whether observations have been randomly assigned to clusters. Thus, while the hypergeometric procedure can offer tentative insights about a null hypothesis, it cannot lead to rejection of a null. In the continued absence of a statistically based assessment of cluster assignments, using cluster analysis depends heavily on subjective judgments. For example, the researcher musr mterpret results to identify the "optimal" number of clusters to be formed. However, the lack of a definite significance test should not prevent researchers from using cluster analysis. Similar lunitations can be found for other prominent multivariate techniques. For example, structural equation modelmg-a powerful means for assessing caus
The oxidation of tantalum at 50–300°C

Abstract The thicknesses of oxide films formed in oxygen were estimated from measurements of the electrical capacitances of the films after oxidation. The oxidation of tantalum at temperatures below 350°C is adequately described by the Cabrera-Mott theory for the growth of thin oxide films on metals.
Fracture and fatigue behavior of a Zr-Ti-Nb ductile phase reinforced bulk metallic glass matrix composite

Abstract The fracture and fatigue behavior of a Zr-based metallic glass composite are presented. The fracture resistance and fatigue endurance limit was significantly higher than that of the matrix material. Results are rationalized in terms of the effects of the second phase on shear band formation and distribution.
Successful Aging in Late Midlife: The Role of Personality Among College-Educated Women

Aging is characterized both by developmental maturity, as well as beliefs and ideas about growing older. This study examines relationships between successful aging, as defined by Rowe and Kahn (Science 237(4811):143–149, 1987), and two aspects of personality that are particularly salient in late midlife—generativity and concerns about aging—in three samples of college-educated women in their early sixties. Relationships between generativity and successful aging and concerns about aging and successful aging are assessed cross-sectionally and over time using multiple linear modeling. Concerns about aging and generativity are associated within time with successful aging; in addition, increased concerns about aging are associated with decreased successful aging, while increased generativity is associated with increased successful aging over time. Our findings highlight the value of examining changes in adult personality developmental preoccupations as a potential contributor to successful aging.