cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The absence of eosinophilia in rats infected with radiated Trichinella spiralis.

By appropriate roentgen radiation, the reproductive capacity of T. spiralis larvae could be destroyed without eliminating their infectivity. The larvae were irradiated with 12,000, 16,000, or 20,000 r at a rate of 785 r per min. In contrast to rats infected with 6000 nonirradiated larvae, a similar number of larvae irradiated at the 2 lower doses failed to elicit eosinophilia, which was evident in the nonirradiated group on the 5th or 6th day after infection. Rats infected with larvae irradiated with 20,000 r developed eosinophilia on the l4th day. Moreover, larvae were recovered from muscle of the latter group of rats (but not from muscle of rats given larvae irradiated at the lower doses), indicating failure of radiation to cause reproductive sterilization at the 20,000-r level. This paradoxical finding may have resulted from an error in the irradiation technique.
Transient or occult HIV infections may occur more frequently than progressive infections: changing the paradigm about HIV persistence.

Evidence of transient HIV infections was found in 8 subjects at high-risk for HIV infection among 47 longitudinally studied over 2–5 (average ∼3.5) years, whereas only two subjects developed progressive infection. All of these subjects developed serum antibodies (Ab) to conformational epitopes of HIV gp41 (termed “early HIV Ab”), but the 8 transiently infected subjects lost this Ab within 4–18 months, and did not seroconvert to positivity in denatured antigen EIA or Western Blot (WB). However, the two progressively infected subjects eventually seroconverted in the EIA and WB tests within one to two months after the appearance of “early HIV Ab”. HIV env and nef sequences were directly PCR amplified from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of two of the eight transiently infected subjects during the time of “early HIV Ab”-postivity, and these showed significant sequence divergence from the HIV strains in the laboratory, indicating that they were not laboratory contaminants. Genome identity typing (“paternity-typing”) of PBMC samples obtained at the time of “early HIV Ab”-positivity, and later when Ab was absent from each of the 8 subjects, showed that blood samples were not mixed-up. This provides further evidence that transient or occult infection with HIV does occur, and perhaps at a greater frequency than do progressive infections.
Accuracy of self-reported heights and weights in a predominately low-income, diverse population living in the USA

Objectives This study explored the accuracy of self-reported heights and weights and factors associated with self-reported bias in a diverse American sample. Methods Demographic, self-reported, and measured height and weight data from different studies with the same PI were compiled into one SPSS file and analyzed with paired t-tests to detect differences between self-reported and actual values. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by pairwise t-tests detected differences among age, ethnicity, sex, income, and education. Stepwise regression analyses were done using anthropometric differences as the dependent variable and age category, sex, and ethnicity as independent variables to explore which variable was most predictive of anthropometric differences. Results Individuals over-reported height and under-reported weight leading to an under-calculated BMI from self-reported height and weight by 0.6-1 kg/m2 . These under-calculations of BMI led to misclassifications of obesity by 3, 6, 8, and 4% for African American, Euro-American, Native American women, and total women, and by 5, 6, 8, and 8% by African American, Euro-American, Native American men, and total men. Older individuals and males over-reported height more than younger individuals and females. African American females over-reported height to a lesser extent than other ethnicities. Asian males over-reported height to a lesser extent than other ethnicities. Conclusions Self-reported heights and weights lead to invalid results. Most individuals over-report height and under-report weight, resulting in an inaccurate underweight and obesity prevalence. Being misclassified into the incorrect BMI category could result in inappropriate healthcare treatment. Age, ethnicity, and sex appear to influence the misreporting of height and weight.
Mining Social Media to Measure Neighborhood Quality in the City of Atlanta

This article presents a model to classify perceptions of various Atlanta neighborhoods based on social media. Tweets were extracted using Twitter's API and categorized to determine 1) whether they are neighborhood related; 2) whether a positive or negative sentiment could be assigned, and 3) whether they belong to one of eight categories of neighborhood quality assessments. These eight categories are public safety, transportation, density, walkability, maintenance, aesthetics, open space, and quality of dining and entertainment venues. Tweets that were related to neighborhood quality and geo-tagged accounted for 4% of all filtered Tweets. Overall 49% of neighborhood perception related Tweets were extracted to create an indicator of perceived neighborhood quality. The study then compared the perception of neighborhoods from social media analysis with quantitative indicators of neighborhood quality.
Optimization of Recurrence Quantification Analysis for Detecting the Presence of Multiple Sclerosis

The visual patterns in recurrence plots of time-series data can be quantified using recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), a phase-space-based method. The ability to quantitate recurrence plots affords the possibility of using them to solve central biomedical problems, for example detecting the presence of neurological diseases. Our goal was to assess this application by statistically comparing the values of plot-based quantifiers of electroencephalograms (EEGs) from patients having multiple sclerosis (MS) with values from the EEGs of control subjects. First, employing a model system consisting of the addition of known deterministic signals to the EEG of normal subjects, we empirically identified the embedding conditions that facilitated detection of the effect of the addition of the signals. Second, we used the conditions thus identified to compare EEGs from 10 patients with MS and 10 age- and gender-matched control subjects, using seven standard recurrence-plot quantifiers. We identify embedding dimension of 5 points and time delay of 5 points as conditions that maximize the ability of RQA to detect the presence of deterministic activity in EEGs time series sampled at 500 Hz. The values of the RQA quantifiers computed from the EEGs of the MS patients were significantly greater than the corresponding values from the controls, indicating that the presence of the disease was associated with detectable changes in the EEG (family-wise error < 0.05%). Recurrence plots detected the occurrence of alterations in EEGs associated with the presence of MS, indicating a decreased complexity (increased order) of brain electrical activity associated with brain disease.
Moving the Discussion Forward—Empirically

Lawrence and colleagues (2019) provide much-needed data in a topic area that is arguably overcrowded with ethical speculation but seldom populated by empirical data. The authors redirect us to the ...
Mixed Electron–Proton Conductors Enable Spatial Separation of Bond Activation and Charge Transfer in Electrocatalysis

Electrochemical energy conversion requires electrodes that can simultaneously facilitate substrate bond activation and electron–proton charge transfer. Traditional electrodes co-localize both functions to a single solid|liquid interface even though each process is typically favored in a disparate reaction environment. Herein, we establish a strategy for spatially separating bond activation and charge transfer by exploiting mixed electron–proton conduction (MEPC) in an oxide membrane. Specifically, we interpose a MEPC WOx membrane between a Pt catalyst and aqueous electrolyte and show that this composite electrode is active for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). Consistent with H2 activation occurring at the gas|solid interface, the composite electrode displays HOR current densities over 8-fold larger than the diffusion-limited rate of HOR catalysis at a singular Pt|solution interface. The segregation of bond activation and charge separation steps also confers excellent tolerance to poisons and impurit...
Proximal Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors: A Test of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide.

Objective The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide hypothesizes proximal causes of suicidal ideation and behaviors; however, past studies have generally tested distal relations. The present study tested the proximal nature of the theory's hypotheses. Methods A repeated-measures design collected daily survey data on the theory constructs over 90 days from 206 (150 women) college students with previous histories of suicidal ideation. Participants completed 7,342 (39.6%) of the 18,540 surveys sent. Results Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness both positively associated with passive suicidal ideation at the daily level. A statistical trend revealed that perceived burdensomeness was associated with daily active suicidal ideation only at high levels of thwarted belongingness and hopelessness. Active suicidal ideation, but not capability for suicide, was positively associated with suicidal behavior at the daily level. Conclusions These results support the theory's predictions regarding passive and active suicidal ideation, with limited support regarding suicidal behaviors. The proximal associations of the IPTS constructs with daily suicidal ideation suggest areas for potential intervention with suicidal clients.
Empty Voting and Social Welfare

Recent work (Hu and Black (2005, 2007, 2008); Dekel and Wolinsky (2012)) has detailed the twin issues of empty voting and hidden/morphable ownership. The former arises when an actor has control rights over a corporation but no economic interest in that corporation, such as when an investor borrows shares. The latter arises when a shareholder has an economic or voting interest in a corporation but avoids regulatory disclosure requirements through derivatives transactions. Both off er significant challenges to financial regulatory systems. The lack of a framework for analyzing the problem has hindered attempts to respond to these challenges. Most economic models of financial markets do not incorporate control rights. And, once control rights are introduced, the standard competitive equilibrium concept is unsatisfactory: We show that once control rights are introduced, competitive equilibria may fail to exist and may be inefficient if they do exist. Allowing the transfer of control rights, such as through transactions in corporate stock, only exacerbates the problem. We show that if control rights may be traded independently of economic ownership rights - as modern derivatives markets increasingly allow - competitive equilibria essentially never exist. We propose an alternative equilibrium concept, the Core Outcome. A Core Outcome consists of an allocation of economic ownership, an allocation of control rights, and a set of voting behaviors such that no group of actors can improve the utility of its members by deviating. We show that Core Outcomes have several desirable properties as an equilibrium concept: They always exist, are always efficient, and can be reached through voluntary trading. Our model has strong implications for the regulation of securities markets in general and of derivatives markets in particular. We conclude that there are strong efficiency justifications in favor of an effective mandatory disclosure regime. We also find that, in certain circumstances, empty voting can act as a backstop to public regulation, allowing private actors to block socially inefficient actions that public regulation would permit.
The Ethics of Noncompete Clauses

Noncompete clauses (NCCs), or agreements by employees to not work for a competitor or start a competing business, have recently faced increased public scrutiny and criticism. This article provides a qualified defense of NCCs. I focus on the argument that NCCs should be banned because they unfairly restrict the options of employees. I argue that this argument fails because it neglects the economist Thomas Schelling’s insight that limiting exit options can be beneficial for a person. This employee-based defense of NCCs does not absolve all their uses, but it does give us a rough test for evaluating the permissibility of NCCs. With this test in hand, I turn to some of the more controversial uses of NCCs. For those who weigh heavily the interests of employees, the question is not whether NCCs, but when.
A 75-Year-Old Man with Chronic Knee Pain

Knee pain is common with advancing age. It is one of the leading causes of disability in elderly population. Its prevalence varies from 40% to 60% in people with age 70 and above. Obesity, high co-morbidity burden, back pain, higher levels of physical activity, and low knee extensor strength are associated with incident knee pain. Chronic pain is most often due to osteoarthritis, but other causes should be ruled out with imaging. There is no cure for osteoarthritis; aim of treatment is functional improvement. The treatment involves physical therapy, analgesics, and injection therapy. Injection of steroids or viscosupplementation materials may not last long. Surgery is considered definite treatment, but quite often many patients develop chronic postsurgical knee pain. Nerve ablation is offered to patients who are not surgical candidates or develop postsurgical pain. Neuromodulation is a useful option in patients who have neuropathic chronic knee pain for any reason.
Soils of the Lake Huron Coastal Zone

Lake Huron is the second largest Great Lake by area and third largest by volume. It is conjoined with Lake Michigan and has the same elevation of 176 m. The Lake Huron shore is composed of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks in the north along Georgian Bay; the Niagara Escarpment links the Bruce Peninsula with Manitoulin, Cockburn, and Drummond Islands; sandstone and shale are present elsewhere. The floristic tension zone extends across Lake Huron from Saginaw, MI to Grand Bend, ON, separating the temperate mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest from the temperate broadleaved forest. Soils along the Lake Huron shore occur on geomorphic surfaces from the Algonquin, Warren, and Nipissing lake stages.
LNX1 Modulates Notch1 Signaling to Promote Expansion of the Glioma Stem Cell Population During Temozolomide Therapy in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults, with a 100% recurrence rate and a 21-month median survival. Our lab and others have shown that GBM contains a subpopulation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) that expand with chemotherapy, and that may contribute to therapeutic resistance and recurrence in GBM. To investigate the mechanism behind this expansion, we applied gene set expression analysis (GSEA) to patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells in response to temozolomide (TMZ), the most commonly used chemotherapy against GBM. Results showed significant enrichment of cancer stem cell and cell cycle pathways (FDR<0.25). The ligand of numb protein 1 (LNX1), a known regulator of Notch signaling by targeting negative regulator Numb, is strongly upregulated after TMZ therapy (p<0.0001) and is negatively correlated with survival of GBM patients. LNX1 is also upregulated after TMZ therapy in multiple PDX lines with concomitant downregulations in Numb and upregulations in intracellular Notch1 (NICD). Overexpression of LNX1 results in Notch1 signaling activation and increased CSC populations. In contrast, knocking down LNX1 reverses these changes, causing a significant downregulation of NICD, eliminating induction of functional stemness after TMZ therapy, and resulting in more prolonged median survival in a mouse model. Our data indicate that removing LNX1 activity results in a less aggressive and more chemo-sensitive tumor. Based on this, we propose that during anti-GBM chemotherapy, LNX1-regulated Notch1 signaling promotes stemness and contributes to therapeutic resistance.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing Reduces the Incidence of Bloodstream Infections in Adults Undergoing Inpatient Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract Bloodstream infections (BSIs) occur in 20% to 45% of inpatient autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients. Daily bathing with the antiseptic chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been shown to reduce the incidence of BSIs in critically ill patients, although very few studies include HCT patients or have evaluated the impact of compliance on effectiveness. We conducted a prospective cohort study with historical controls to assess the impact of CHG bathing on the rate of BSIs and gut microbiota composition among adults undergoing inpatient HCT at the Duke University Medical Center. We present 1 year of data without CHG bathing (2016) and 2 years of data when CHG was used on the HCT unit (2017 and 2018). Because not all patients adhered to CHG, patients were grouped into four categories by rate of daily CHG usage: high (>75%), medium (50% to 75%), low (1% to 49%), and none (0%). Among 192 patients, univariate trend analysis demonstrated that increased CHG usage was associated with decreased incidence of clinically significant BSI, defined as any BSI requiring treatment by the medical team (high, 8% BSI; medium, 15.2%; low, 15.6%; no CHG, 30.3%; P = .003), laboratory-confirmed BSI (LCBI; P = .03), central line-associated BSI (P = .04), and mucosal barrier injury LCBI (MBI-LCBI; P = .002). Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant effect of CHG bathing on clinically significant BSI (P = .023) and MBI-LCBI (P = .007), without consistently impacting gut microbial diversity. Benefits of CHG bathing were most pronounced with >75% daily usage, and there were no adverse effects attributable to CHG. Adherence to daily CHG bathing significantly decreases the rate of bloodstream infection following HCT.
Evidence for Large-Scale Structure at z ~ 2.4 from Lyα Imaging

The history of large-scale structure depends on cosmological parameters and on how merging unfolds among both galaxies and groups. There has been recent evidence for clustering among Lyα emitters, Lyman-break galaxies, and Lyman absorbers. We present deep, wide-field medium-band imaging in redshifted Lyα of fields surrounding regions selected to have HST detections of faint Lyα emitters, over a range of surface densities, to characterize the large-scale environment. The radio galaxy 53W002 was previously found, using HST, to be part of a rich grouping at z = 2.39, including ≈5 spectroscopically confirmed, compact, lower luminosity star-forming objects. Our new data show this to be part of a larger structure traced by bright active nuclei, all contained within a projected span of 68 (3.2 Mpc). Of the 14 candidate emitters, six have been spectroscopically confirmed as active nuclei in the range z = 2.390 ± 0.008. Various statistical tests give a significance of 95%–99% for the reality of this structure on the sky. Our data thus strengthen the evidence for clustering at these redshifts. The grouping around 53W002 is more extended than a relaxed King model, at the 90% confidence level. This may be evidence either for a configuration that has yet to decouple fully from the Hubble expansion or for multiple subgroupings that will themselves at some point form a more compact, relaxed structure. The redshift range for measured members is comparable to the Hubble flow across the structure, which may imply that the structure is seen near turnaround and suggests that its mass cannot be derived from the velocity dispersion. We surveyed two additional 14' fields at z = 2.4, each centered on an HST WFPC2 field that has been searched for faint Lyα emitters, as well as on three contiguous fields near 53W002 for objects at z ~ 2.55. Only a single emitter consistent with showing Lyα at z ≈ 2.4 appears in these fields, to a somewhat brighter flux limit, while a total of six candidate emitters appear in the three fields at z ~ 2.6. Comparison with the (deeper but narrower) WFPC2 surveys suggests that the surface-density contrast from field to field is larger for brighter objects. From this survey alone, groupings such as the 53W002 "cluster" must have an area-covering fraction less than 0.04 in this redshift range. Three of the active galactic nuclei in the structure at z = 2.4 show extended emission-line structure, with equivalent widths suggesting in situ photoionization as far as 50 kpc from the nuclei. Such objects may populate deep surveys as diffuse Lyα-emission clouds when their cores are sufficiently obscured.
Yoga-Based Breathing Techniques for Health Care Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic: Interests, Feasibility, and Acceptance.

Objectives: The authors explored the feasibility of virtual yoga-based breathwork and meditation among health care workers (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Consented employees of a large cancer center accessed a video of breathwork called "Simha Kriya" to be practiced for 4 weeks. Results: Of 217 participants who expressed interest within 2 weeks, 90 were recruited to the study in 1 month and 100 in 2 months. Of 69 participants who provided data between weeks 1 and 4, 77% perceived the intervention as useful. Conclusions: Yoga-based breathing practices were feasible and acceptable among HCW in the setting of a pandemic. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04482647.
US inflation and commodity prices: Analytical and empirical issues

Abstract This paper reviews both theoretical and empirical issues regarding inflation and evaluates the contribution of Kyrtsou and Labys. Analytically it is very difficult to propose a general theory of inflation because as economies evolve over time both new causes of inflation emerge and the consequences of inflation become more complex. Kyrtsou and Labys perform several tests between the Primary Commodity Price component of the PPI and the CPI and construct a noisy chaotic multivariate model that describes the relationship between these two measures of inflation.
Building Community Coalitions for eCommerce: Client-based Learning and Web Development during a Pandemic Lockdown

In this experience report, I describe the process that allowed a coalition of interests to come together during the opening months of the global COVID-19 pandemic to provide economic relief for local businesses across the region that had been shuttered by lockdown orders; in particular, this report focuses on the kinds of advocacy necessary at various levels of the coalition: advocacy for developers and designers, for business owners, and for students. After narrating the genesis of the project and outlining its scope, I discuss problems related to client-based learning projects in web design, explain how the project structure sought to address and overcome these problems, and then present the results: i.e., what actually happened when we tried it and how it all ended up. Finally, the report discusses how this project has changed over time and concludes by reflecting on the nature of community coalitions.
Facing up to Complexity: Implications for Our Social Experiments

Biological systems are highly complex, and for this reason there is a considerable degree of uncertainty as to the consequences of making significant interventions into their workings. Since a number of new technologies are already impinging on living systems, including our bodies, many of us have become participants in large-scale “social experiments”. I will discuss biological complexity and its relevance to the technologies that brought us BSE/vCJD and the controversy over GM foods. Then I will consider some of the complexities of our social dynamics, and argue for making a shift from using the precautionary principle to employing the approach of evaluating the introduction of new technologies by conceiving of them as social experiments.
What, if anything, does it mean that social preferences "explain" or "cause" cooperation? *

Ken Binmore has argued that social preferences interpreted as revealed preferences, i.e. as behavioral dispositions rather than as mental events, are empty constructs. This paper shows that social preference models of behavior are not empty but constitute genuine causal explanations of behavior: They indicate how the environment causes behavior. To make that point, I construct a semi-formal framework to reduce utility functions to what I call "behavior functions." Once I have translated social utility functions into social behavior functions, the emptiness criticism is easily rebutted.
Adaptable mission analysis and decision system

Discrete Event Simulation (DES) is a proven methodology that enables the effective combination of modeling and mathematics. DES has been used for many applications ranging from aeronautics to health care to transportation. In this paper, we apply a novel DES architecture that is dynamically adaptable to support decision making for multiple and diverse mission areas (i.e., missile defense, cyber offense, remote object recognition and location). This paper also advances traditional probabilistic solutions for these mission areas by extending analytics into the time domain through integration of Bayesian statistics into DES. Using DES in this way provides a straight forward way to determine the overall probabilities for a complex set of time-based events. DES also allows for random sampling of the input probability distributions and, through iterative computation, provides Monte Carlo analysis with which to derive confidence intervals for the overall probability for the simulated conditions. Confidence interval accuracy is of great importance to the simulation end-user with respect to course of action decisions.
Acanthamoeba keratitis: synergy between amebic and bacterial cocontaminants in contact lens care systems as a prelude to infection.

We encountered a patient with Acanthamoeba keratitis whose contact lens care solution contained numerous trophozoites and cysts admixed with Xanthomonas maltophilia organisms, many of which were adherent to the trophozoite surface and internalized within endocytic vacuoles. Because of this finding, we investigated the role of bacterial cocontaminants in contact lens care systems as substrates for the growth of Acanthamoeba spp. Individual cocultivation of Acanthamoeba castellanii and A. polyphaga with X. maltophilia, Flavobacterium breve, and Pseudomonas paucimobilis showed better enhancement (1.5x) of ameba growth after 96 h than that obtained in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Escherichia coli, the standard cocultivation species used for isolation of amebae from clinical specimens. Our data suggest that contamination of contact lens care systems with Acanthamoeba spp. and a bacterial species capable of supporting amebic growth may be the first step in the pathogenesis of ameba-induced keratitis by the provision of large inocula of amebae. Images
Fertility Regulation in F-Like Resistance Transfer Factors

Mutants of the R factor R100 have been isolated that mediate high-frequency transfer of the R factor during conjugation. Complementation tests revealed two classes of mutants, operator-constitutive and repressor-negative. Some of the latter class were suppressible by amber and ochre suppressors. The results support a simple model of regulation for the control of R-factor-mediated piliation.
Mental and Physical Health Needs of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients in Substance Abuse Treatment.

Abstract Objective Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) orientation predicts greater substance use, treatment utilization, and poorer mental and physical health, but health needs of LGB individuals in substance abuse treatment remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in mental and physical health needs of LGB individuals in substance abuse treatment. Methods Substance abuse treatment admissions data from the County of San Francisco were used in this investigation of differences in mental and physical health problems and service utilization between LGB ( n =1,441) and heterosexual individuals ( n =11,770). Results LGB individuals were more likely to have mental health diagnoses ( adj ORs ranging from 1.86 to 4.00) and current mental health prescription medications ( adj ORs from 1.79 to 4.99) than heterosexual counterparts. Gay and bisexual men and bisexual women but not lesbian women, were more likely to be receiving mental health treatment. Gay men and bisexual women were more likely than heterosexual counterparts to report physical health problems. Gay and bisexual men and bisexual women but not lesbian women were more likely to be receiving health care. There were no differences between LGB individuals and heterosexual counterparts in the number of emergency room visits or hospital overnight stays. Discussion This study found that LGB individuals entering substance abuse treatment have greater mental and physical health needs than heterosexual counterparts. Implications for healthcare integration, research, and practice are discussed.
Nutrition and the Geriatric Patient

Nutritional problems are common in both healthy, community-dwelling elderly and hospitalized and institutionalized geriatric patients.
Piecewise modeling and optimal commutation of switched reluctance motors

A piecewise modeling approach to characterize the nonlinearities of switched reluctance machines is presented. In particular, the phase torque function, which is a highly nonlinear function of phase current and rotor position, is shown to be modeled by simple, yet accurate, piecewise analytic expressions. Consequently, implementation of instantaneous torque control by on-line computation, rather than by look-up tables is a feasible option using the piecewise model. Another feature of the piecewise modeling approach is that it simplifies the formulation and solution of various optimization problems. Two optimal commutation methods are presented for instantaneous torque control: the first minimizes copper losses, whereas the second minimizes the rates-of-change of phase currents.
Low frequency noise in MOSFETs: analysis and synthesis using wavelet-based decomposition

The 1/f noise observed in MOSFET is widely believed to originate from a uniform distribution of traps in the gate oxide. The resulting power spectral density, the 1/f spectrum, can be seen as a superposition of Lorentzian spectra. In this paper, we decompose the measured noise power spectral density into components which are essentially Lorentzian in nature. This decomposition is achieved by using iteratively the wavelet transform on the signal and the subsequent details. The power spectral densities of those details constitute the components of the overall power spectral density of the analyzed signal. Our preliminary results indicate that the hypothesis of "superposition of Lorentzian spectra" model for 1/f noise in MOSFET is a plausible one. >
A 1-MHZ bandwidth 3.6-GHz 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS fractional-N synthesizer utilizing a hybrid PFD/DAC structure for reduced broadband phase noise

A frequency synthesizer architecture capable of simultaneously achieving high closed-loop bandwidth and low output phase noise is presented. The proposed topology uses a mismatch compensated, hybrid phase/frequency detector and digital-to-analog converter (PFD/DAC) circuit to perform active cancellation of fractional-N quantization noise. When compared to a classical second-order /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ synthesizer, the prototype PFD/DAC synthesizer demonstrates >29 dB quantization noise suppression, without calibration, resulting in a fractional-N synthesizer with 1-MHz closed-loop bandwidth and -155 dBc/Hz phase noise at 20-MHz offset for a 3.6-GHz output. An on-chip band select divider allows the synthesizer to be configured as a dual-band (900 MHz/1.8 GHz) direct modulated transmitter capable of transmitting 271-kb/s GMSK data with less than 3 degrees of rms phase error.
Protein aggregation kinetics, mechanism, and curve-fitting: A review of the literature

Protein aggregation is an important phenomenon that alternatively is part of the normal functioning of nature or, central to this review, has negative consequences via its hypothesized central role in neurodegenerative diseases. A key to controlling protein aggregation is understanding the mechanism(s) of protein aggregation. Kinetic studies, data curve-fitting, and analysis are, in turn, keys to rigorous mechanistic studies. The main goal of this review is to analyze and report on the primary literature contributions to protein aggregation kinetics, mechanism, and curve-fitting. Following a brief introduction, the multiple different physical methods that have been employed to follow protein aggregation are presented and briefly discussed. Next, key information on the starting proteins and especially the products, and any detectable intermediates, involved in protein aggregation are presented. This is followed by tabulation (in the Supporting information) and discussion (in the main text), of the many approaches in the literature striving to determine the kinetics and mechanism of protein aggregation. It is found that these approaches can be broadly divided into three categories: (i) kinetic and thermodynamic, (ii) empirical, and (iii) other approaches. The first two approaches are the main focus of the present contribution, their goal being curve-fitting the available kinetic data and obtaining quantitative rate constants characterizing the nucleation, growth, and any other parts of the overall aggregation process. The large literature of protein aggregation is distilled down to five classes of postulated mechanisms: i) the subsequent monomer addition mechanism, ii) the reversible association mechanism, iii) prion aggregation mechanisms, iv) an "Ockham's razor"/minimalistic model first presented in 1997 and known as the Finke-Watzky 2-step model, and v) quantitative structure activity relationship models. These five classes of mechanisms are reviewed in detail in historical order; where possible corresponding kinetic equations, and fits to aggregation data via the proposed mechanisms, are analyzed and discussed. The five classes of mechanisms are then analyzed and discussed in terms of their similarities and differences to one another. Also included is a brief discussion of selected empirical approaches used to investigate protein aggregation. Three problem areas in the protein aggregation kinetic and mechanistic studies area are identified, and a Summary and Conclusions section is provided en route to moving the field forward towards the still unachieved goal of unequivocal elucidation of the mechanism(s) of protein aggregation.
COBRA System Engineering Processes to Achieve SLI Strategic Goals

The COBRA Prototype Main Engine Development Project was an endeavor conducted as a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Aerojet to conduct risk reduction in LOX/LH2 main engine technology for the NASA Space Launch Initiative (SLI). During the seventeen months of the project (April 2001 to September 2002), approximately seventy reviews were conducted, beginning with the Engine Systems Requirements Review (SRR) and ending with the Engine Systems Interim Design Review (IDR). This paper discusses some of the system engineering practices used to support the reviews and the overall engine development effort.
Effects of Cr on the interdiffusion between Ce and Fe-Cr alloys

Abstract Fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) has been a long-standing issue for the metallic fuel with a steel cladding in a sodium-cooled fast reactor, particularly for a high burnup fuel. Although the FCCI has been largely improved by alloying the fuels with Zr or Pd elements, applying a physical diffusion barrier between fuel and cladding, and employing advanced ferritic/martensitic (F/M) claddings, there is a scientific knowledge gap in understanding the behavior of chromium and its effects on the interdiffusion between lanthanides and advanced F/M steels that contain 9–12 wt.% Cr. In this paper, we systematically studied the interdiffusion between cerium and Fe–Cr model alloys with Cr contents of 6, 9 and 12 wt.%. Following the thermal annealing at 560 °C for up to 100 h, detailed microstructural characterizations were performed to determine the interdiffusion microstructures, compositional distributions, diffusion kinetics, and phase structures in the interdiffusion zone. This study unambiguously disclosed that, as the Ce diffuses into Fe–Cr model alloys, Cr segregates and precipitates into Cr-rich σ phase consisted of Fe and Cr instead of forming a ternary phase together with Fe and Ce. The precipitation of those nano-sized σ phase particles at the Ce diffusion front would effectively slow down the interdiffusion.
Effects of a new commitment law on involuntary admissions and service utilization patterns

Recently Nebraska changed its commitment law to include many procedural safeguards and require behaviorally manifested dangerousness as a criterion of commitment. An interrupted time-series design was used to determine what effects the new law had on admission characteristics and service utilization patterns of all those committed to Nebraska's three state hospitals. An immediate drop in involuntary admissions was found, but this decline was temporary. Several changes in the demographic characteristics of those committed were also found. Finally, the law apparently caused an increase in the number of those having to be readmitted. These results raise questions about the implementation of the law, the perception of dangerousness, and the need for more effective liaison between state hospitals and community-based treatment facilities.
Learning algorithm for reconfigurable antenna state selection

In this paper, we propose an online learning algorithm for selecting the state of a reconfigurable antenna. We formulate the antenna state selection as a multiarmed bandit problem and present a selection technique, implemented for a 2 × 2 MIMO OFDM system employing highly directional metamaterial Reconfigurable Leaky Wave Antennas. We quantify the performance of our selection technique using a software defined radio testbed and present results for a wireless network in a typical indoor environment.
Measurement of long‐term dimensional stability with electrical resistance strain gauges

Sheet materials with low thermal expansion are employed in the construction of certain precision components and must display excellent dimensional stability. Measurement of small dimensional changes in sheet materials over long periods of time (of the order of two parts per million per year) poses severe experimental problems when conventional measuring techniques such as interferometry are used. To avoid these difficulties, experiments were conducted to explore the usefulness of bonded electrical resistance strain gauges for measuring the dimensional stability of sheet specimens. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the strain gauge method is capable of detecting gradual length changes as small as about 1 or 2 parts per million over time periods approaching one year.
Practical syntheses of dyes for difference gel electrophoresis.

Abstract The three dyes (two indocyanine and one benzoxazolium) useful in difference gel electrophoresis—methyl Cy5 1 , propyl Cy3 2 , and the benzoxazolium dye Cy2 3 —and their NHS esters have been prepared by efficient routes in good overall yield from inexpensive precursors.
Outcomes research on children, adolescents, and their families: directions for future inquiry.

Children have been poorly represented in clinical studies and health services research. However, this situation is changing rapidly, and the number of research studies focusing on child outcomes is steadily increasing. The special characteristics of childhood related to health care-developmental change, dependency on adults, different disease epidemiology from adults, and unique demographic characteristics-pose methodologic challenges to researchers. These characteristics also argue for an expanded concept of outcomes research that is centered on a child-specific model of the production of health, its determinants, and its relationship to healthcare services. This article proposes priorities for future inquiry, including developing new measures specific to children; examining the influence of medical, public health, and other community interventions on children's long-term health trajectories; increasing attention to risk behaviors and resiliency factors that influence children's future health status; reconsidering the value of routine child healthcare and pediatric specialty care; examining the financing and organization of children's health care; exploring the importance of family influences on child and adolescent health; and addressing optimal treatment strategies for managing common childhood health problems. Language: en
Improving the Glasgow Coma Scale score: motor score alone is a better predictor.

Background The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) has served as an assessment tool in head trauma and as a measure of physiologic derangement in outcome models (e.g., TRISS and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation), but it has not been rigorously examined as a predictor of outcome.Methods Using a la
PALEOECOLOGY OF THE MIDDLE CAMBRIAN EDRIOASTEROID ECHINODERM TOTIGLOBUS: IMPLICATIONS FOR UNUSUAL CAMBRIAN MORPHOLOGIES

The spheroidal edrioasteroid echinoderm Totiglobus, preserved in the middle Cambrian Chisholm Shale of eastern Nevada, was one of many interesting morphologies to develop during the period of rapid evolutionary diversification in the early and middle Cambrian. To understand more about how the unusual morphology of Totiglobus evolved, a detailed examination of fossil specimens and the strata in which they are preserved was performed. A total of 263 specimens were examined and placed into taphonomic categories based on their preserved orientation relative to the seafloor. Seventy-two wellpreserved specimens were used for statistical analysis. Of these, 49% were preserved with the aboral surface down. The preference for preservation in this category, with the aboral surface (which contains a suctorial attachment disc) oriented directly on top of the sediment, was statistically significant (p , 0.025). These data support the hypothesis that Totiglobus lived attached to the seafloor through suction. Rock samples were also collected from seven localities in the Chisholm Shale and the bioturbation levels were determined using the ichnofabric index (ii) method. A total of 48 samples, comprising 4.09 m of strata, were collected and x-radiographed. Ichnofabric index (ii) data recorded from these rocks revealed extremely low bioturbation levels (,ii 5 1) with no mixed layer development (1.01 average ii). These results likewise support the sediment attachment hypothesis for Totiglobus. This study indicates that some unusual Cambrian morphologies, including that of Totiglobus, evolved partly in response to the presence of nonactualistic seafloor conditions and are therefore not simply early evolutionary experiments.
Techniques for the graph representation of spectral imagery

Many techniques from graph theory and network theory have been applied to traditional images, and some techniques are now being applied to spectral imagery. Contrary to the typical approaches of utilizing the first order statistics, mixture models, and linear subspaces, the methods described in this paper utilize the spectral data structure to generate a graph representation of the image. By ignoring any reliance on the shape of the data, graph based methods can succeed where typical methods break down, such as in high resolution scenes with very high clutter. Before graph theory techniques can be utilized on an image, it must be represented as a graph. Because images contain only measured nodes (pixels) and no edges, edges are drawn between pixels based on some similarity measure. With a specific focus on creating graphs for clustering, several graph creation techniques are compared with two novel methods described: the locally weighted k-nearest neighbor approach and the density weighted k-nearest neighbor approach. By applying two different clustering techniques to the resulting graphs, the various graph creation techniques are compared using real world data.
On diffusion-limited site-specific association processes for spherical and nonspherical molecules

Abstract A detailed analysis is presented of the translational and rotational transport processes underlying site-specific binding of a diffusing solute with a fixed target molecule. The need for contact to occur between localized active centers is modelled using a position- and orientation-dependent catalytic rate coefficient peaked about a maximum value at the preferred lock-and-key contact configuration. Numerical calculations are effected in part via application of perturbation methods to the general transport theory. They show the effects upon the observed association rate of molecular size, degree of chemical specificity, nonspherical reactant shape, nonspecific and site-specific intermolecular forces, and hydrodynamic interaction. Realistic representation of enzymes is addressed briefly with reference to a trypsin-catalyzed reaction.
To Open a Door and Look Inside: Dead Man Walking as a Prima Facie Case

This essay examines the 1996 film Dead Man Walking as a prima facie case, exploring how writer, director, and co-producer Tim Robbins structured the movie so that it would serve as a catalyst to stimulate discussion concerning capital punishment. To explore this idea this essay adopts White's critical perspective of “imaginary participation” to suggest that the interactions of the film's persuasive communities enacted a strategy Rasmussen and Downey termed dialectical disorientation, by creating and exacerbating irresolvable tension between competing and irreconcilable perspectives concerning the death penalty.
High association of posterior malleolus fractures with spiral distal tibial fractures.

Associations between fracture patterns are important and can ensure proper diagnosis and guide treatment. Occult posterior malleolus fractures associated with distal spiral tibia fractures often are underrecognized and the morbidity of a missed posterior malleolus injury can be substantial. We determined the association between the two injuries and evaluated the ability of a new protocol to improve management of these associated fractures. Of 62 consecutive patients with fractures of the distal third of the tibia, we retrospectively evaluated the first 39 patients and prospectively used a diagnostic protocol including computed tomography of the ankle in the subsequent 23 patients. The minimum followup was 3 months (mean, 25 months; range, 3–68 months). Twenty-four patients (39%) had fractures of the posterior malleolus. Before initiation of the protocol, intraarticular fractures were recognized in 33% (with one delayed diagnosis and one missed diagnosis), and after institution of the protocol, the detection rate was 48% with no known missed injuries and complete followup; however, with the limited power the detection rates were similar without and with the protocol. A spiral distal tibial shaft fracture with a proximal fibula fracture should alert the surgeon to investigate an occult ankle injury, particularly of the posterior malleolus. A protocol including computed tomography of the ankle may detect more injuries in a larger study.
Nitroglycerin (Ointment): Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women:

This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label Drug Pacts, a quarterly publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label Drug Pacts is a practitioner-oriented resource for information about specific drug uses that are unapproved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This new guide to the literature enables the health care professional or clinician to quickly identify published studies on off-label uses and determine if a specific use is rational in a patient care scenario. References direct the reader to the full literature for more comprehensive information before patient care decisions are made. Direct questions or comments regarding Off-Label Drug Uses to jgeneral@kumc.edu.