cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagrammatics and the Proactive Visualization of Legal Information

The visualization movement in Proactive Law seeks to transform legal communications to improve access to law for disadvantaged, illiterate, and less-than-fully literate persons, and to improve the understanding of legal relationships and agreements for all persons through illustration, simplification, engagement, and inclusiveness in the text and visual components of the communication. Guided by principles of visual legal rhetoric and visual literacy and with the goal of transparency, Proactive Law and Legal Design seeks to build knowledge and understanding in all audiences of legal communications. The goal with regard to contractual relationships and agreements is to better carry out the present will and intentions of the parties and to anticipate their future needs through legal instruments that secure a clearer understanding of terms of the relationship. This article focuses on one mode of visual legal communication: diagrammatics and the visualization of legal data. By legal data, I mean facts, processes, procedures, timelines and time periods, statistics, mathematical calculations, accounting, formulas, the quantitative and qualitative analysis of research, interviews, polls, surveys, and other scientific information. The lens will be applied to evaluate and critique five aspects of proactive visual legal instruments: • Immediate Visual Context, • Immediate Verbal Context, • Visual Cultural Context, • Mise en Scene and Arrangement, and • Visual Rhetoric, Ethics and Professionalism My primary motivation for the visual legal rhetoric scholarship I have researched and published is to inform and educate lawyers, judges, law students, and law professors about the need to become more visually literate in this contemporary visual, digital world of law practice, and then further to explain and demonstrate that visual literacy requires not only the ability to read and comprehend visual works, but also the skill to design works and critically analyze the meaning and implications of works offered by others. That is why in my works I use the same steps of analysis I have developed to examine not only the visual elements of works (visual context and mise en scene design) but also the verbal context of multimodal works (text plus visuals), and the visual cultural context (the ability of works to be understood across language and cultural barriers).
Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Applications in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

This review highlights the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in low- and middle-income countries and shows the diversity of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of patients. There is a paucity of data on point-of-care ultrasound in anesthesiology in low- and middle-income countries. However, research has shown that point-of-care ultrasound can effectively help manage infectious diseases, as well as abdominal and pulmonary pathologies. Point-of-care ultrasound is a low-cost imaging modality that can be used for the diagnosis and management of diseases that affect low- and middle-income countries. There is limited data on the use of ultrasound in anesthesiology, which provides clinicians and researchers opportunity to study its use during the perioperative period.
Introducing Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Training into a Biomedical Sciences Graduate Curriculum

Analysis of the biomedical workforce and graduate education have produced recommendations for modifications of pre-doctoral training to broadly prepare trainees for wider ranging scientific careers. Increased exposure to career opportunities and development of training in professional skills is widely recommended, but details of implementation are not widely available. The NIH-supported Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program, provided support to institutions to develop career development activities for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees, and the best practices established by these studies are now emerging. In alignment with these recommendations, we have incorporated professional skills training into the biomedical science graduate curriculum at West Virginia University. An important component of the training is developing conflict resolution and negotiation skills. We report our experience in developing this component of the training program, provide an overview of the approach to delivery and practice of skills, and provide an analysis of the reception and effectiveness of the training.
Improving adherence to hepatitis B vaccine administration recommendations in two newborn nurseries.

Administration of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine is an important step in reducing perinatally acquired hepatitis B infection, yet the USA is below the Healthy People 2020 goal for rate of administration. In response to updated Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices recommendations to administer the dose within 24 hours of birth, we used quality improvement methodology to implement changes that would increase the vaccination rates of healthy newborns in our nurseries. The goal was to improve the proportion of infants who receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth to >90% within a 2-year period, with a secondary goal of increasing vaccination rates prior to discharge from the nursery to >95%. Multiple Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles were performed. Initial cycles focused on increasing nurse and provider awareness of the updated timing recommendations. Later cycles targeted nursing workflow to facilitate timely administration of the vaccine. We implemented changes at our university medical centre and community hospital newborn nurseries. At the university medical centre nursery, both primary and secondary goals were met; the rate of hepatitis B vaccine administration within 24 hours increased from 81.7% to 96.2%, with vaccine administration prior to discharge increasing from 93.4% to 97.9%. In the community hospital nursery, the baseline rate of hepatitis B vaccine administration within 24 hours was 78.1%, and this increased to 85.8% with the interventions, falling short of the target of >90%. Vaccine administration prior to discharge increased from 87.2% to 92.0%, also not meeting the secondary target of 95%. Interventions that facilitated workflow had additional benefit beyond education alone to improve timing and rates of hepatitis B vaccine administration in both a university medical centre and community hospital nursery.
Proximal junctional kyphosis in pediatric spinal deformity surgery: a systematic review and critical analysis.

PURPOSE Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a commonly encountered clinical and radiographic phenomenon after pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity surgery that may lead to post-operative deformity, pain, and dissatisfaction. Understanding the risk factors of PJK can be useful for pre-operative informed consent as well as to identify any potential preventative strategies. METHODS We performed a systematic review and critical analysis following the PRISMA statement in July 2019 by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, including all prior published studies. We included articles with data on PJK in patients with operative pediatric and adolescent scoliosis and those that detailed risk factors and/or preventative strategies for PJK. Levels of evidence were determined based on consensus. Findings were summarized and grades of recommendation were assigned by consensus. This study was registered in the PROSPERO database; 202,457. RESULTS Six hundred and thirty five studies were identified. Thirty-seven studies met criteria for inclusion into the analysis. No studies including neuromuscular scoliosis met inclusion criteria. No findings had Grade A evidence. There were 4 findings found to contribute to PJK with Grade B evidence in EOS: higher number of distractions, disruption of posterior elements, greater sagittal plane correction. There was no difference in incidence noted between etiology of the curvature. Five findings with Grade B evidence were found to contribute to PJK in AIS populations: higher pre-operative thoracic kyphosis, higher pre-operative lumbar lordosis, longer fusion constructs, greater sagittal plane correction, and posterior versus anterior fusion constructs. CONCLUSION Greater sagittal plane correction has Grade B evidence as a risk factor for PJK in both EOS and AIS populations. In EOS patients, an increased number of distractions and posterior element disruption are Grade B risk factors. In AIS patients, longer fusion constructs, higher pre-operative thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and posterior (as opposed to anterior) constructs also contributed to PJK with Grade B evidence. These findings can guide informed consent and surgical management, and provide the foundation for future studies.
Evaluating the Manufacturing Results for Interim Years

Lack of data makes independent checks of the results in chapter 2 difficult. For the post-World War II period some data are available from the Industry Wage Surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unfortunately the industry coverage is somewhat limited, and constructing time series from the surveys is not easy. In 1970 Charles O’Connor of the BLS called attention to the increasing proportions of workers on late shifts as revealed in the Industry Wage Surveys.1 Using all the data available through 1980, I was able to compare for twenty-six individual industries the proportion of all production workers employed on late shifts in an early postwar year with the corresponding proportion in the 1970s. Excluding continuous industries, the early period (approximately 1946) yielded an unweighted average of 19.9 percent, whereas the later period (approximately 1974) yielded an average of 27.5 percent. The average annual rate of change compounded over the twenty-eight years was 1.16 percent. This annual rate may be compared to an annual change of 0.97 percent on the basis of the metropolitan area data described in chapter 2 (table 15). These particular figures are unweighted and refer to proportions of production workers on late shifts (see table 19).
Leucine in cultured cells: Its metabolism and use as a marker for protein turnover

Abstract The metabolism of leucine by normal and virally transformed mouse fibroblasts in culture has been investigated. Cultures pulsed with [U-14C]leucine were studied for the distribution of radioactivity in the free amino acid pool, cellular protein, lipid and CO2. Less than 1% of the label taken up was found in lipid and no radioactivity was recovered as CO2 when cultures were pulsed in growth medium. That these cells retain the capacity to oxidize leucine was shown by experiments in which cultures pulsed in a balanced salt solution (Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate) showed linear evolution of CO2. Leucine proved to be a desirable marker for protein turnover studies due to its minimal metabolism when labeling was performed in growth medium. The appearance of radioactive leucine in the medium of cells previously labeled with [14C]leucine was shown to be directly correlated with loss of radioactivity in cellular protein. A class of rapidly degrading proteins and a second group of proteins with a slower rate of turnover could be distinguished when cells were labeled with [14C] and [3H]leucine for varying lengths of time. Density inhibited cultures degraded both these classes of proteins about twice as rapidly as did growing cells.
XLIV.—Remarks on the Indo-Chinese turtle Annamemys merkleni

(1953). XLIV.—Remarks on the Indo-Chinese turtle Annamemys merkleni. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 6, No. 66, pp. 468-472.
Citation Analysis Shows Promise as an Effective Tool for Monograph Collection Development

A Review of: Enger, K. B. (2009). Using citation analysis to develop core book collections in academic libraries. Library & Information Science Research, 31(2), 107-112. Objective – To test whether acquiring books written by authors of highly cited journal articles is an effective method for building a collection in the social sciences. Design – Comparison Study. Setting – Academic library at a public university in the US. Subjects – A total of 1,359 book titles, selected by traditional means (n=1,267) or based on citation analysis (n=92). Methods – The researchers identified highly-ranked authors, defined as the most frequently cited authors publishing in journals with an impact factor greater than one, with no more than six journals in any category, using 1999 ISI data. They included authors in the categories Business, Anthropology, Criminology & Penology, Education & Education Research, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, and General Social Sciences. The Books in Print bibliographic tool was searched to identify monographs published by these authors, and any titles not already owned were purchased. All books in the study were available to patrons by Fall 2005. The researchers collected circulation data in Spring 2007, and used it to compare titles acquired by this method with titles selected by traditional means. Main Results – Overall, books selected by traditional methods circulated more than those selected by citation analysis, with differences significant at the .001 level. However, at the subject category level, there was no significant difference at the .05 level. Most books selected by the test method circulated one to two times. Conclusion – Citation analysis can be an effective method for building a relevant book collection, and may be especially effective for identifying works relevant to a discipline beyond local context.
Understanding how pre-B cells come of age.

B cell maturation is affected by factors found in the microenvironment of the bone marrow. A new tachykinin neuropeptide family member, HK-1, and TSLP both seem to aid the pre-B cell stage.
Structural Aberrations in T-Even Bacteriophage IV. Parameters of Induction and Formation of Lollipops

Abstract Previous results from our laboratory have shown that when a T-even bacteriophage-infected bacterial cell was exposed to l-canavanine followed by an l-arginine chase, a monster phage particle, termed a lollipop, was formed. We now describe certain parameters concerning (i) the induction and (ii) the formation of T4 lollipops. The induction step involves a T4 late function, and can require only a 3-min exposure to l-canavanine. Short pulses of l-canavanine result in the formation of shorter lollipops indicating the presence of a possible “precursor substance” which is influenced by l-canavanine. DNA synthesis is inhibited by l-canavanine but is stimulated 20 to 40 min after the addition of l-arginine. Chloramphenicol prevents both responses indicating a possible protein involvement. The appearance of lollipops and phage was noted only after 25 min after the addition of l-arginine.
Perturbation of Brain Oscillations after Ischemic Stroke: A Potential Biomarker for Post-Stroke Function and Therapy

Brain waves resonate from the generators of electrical current and propagate across brain regions with oscillation frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 500 Hz. The commonly observed oscillatory waves recorded by an electroencephalogram (EEG) in normal adult humans can be grouped into five main categories according to the frequency and amplitude, namely δ (1–4 Hz, 20–200 μV), θ (4–8 Hz, 10 μV), α (8–12 Hz, 20–200 μV), β (12–30 Hz, 5–10 μV), and γ (30–80 Hz, low amplitude). Emerging evidence from experimental and human studies suggests that groups of function and behavior seem to be specifically associated with the presence of each oscillation band, although the complex relationship between oscillation frequency and function, as well as the interaction between brain oscillations, are far from clear. Changes of brain oscillation patterns have long been implicated in the diseases of the central nervous system including ischemic stroke, in which the reduction of cerebral blood flow as well as the progression of tissue damage have direct spatiotemporal effects on the power of several oscillatory bands and their interactions. This review summarizes the current knowledge in behavior and function associated with each brain oscillation, and also in the specific changes in brain electrical activities that correspond to the molecular events and functional alterations observed after experimental and human stroke. We provide the basis of the generations of brain oscillations and potential cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying stroke-induced perturbation. We will also discuss the implications of using brain oscillation patterns as biomarkers for the prediction of stroke outcome and therapeutic efficacy.
Chinese Local Gazetteers: Evolution, Institutionalization and Digitization

The past three decades have witnessed great changes and developments in the publishing industry in China. One important change is that more and more new local gazetteers (or local histories) and yearbooks are compiled and published in book format. Local gazetteers and yearbooks are also increasingly available in electronic format through commercial databases or as is less known, in public domain. The purpose of this article is to address the following questions: What are new local gazetteers and yearbooks? Why so many titles are published now? Are there any free online full texts available? What are the free online full texts? In addition, I will briefly examine the institutionalization of compiling and publishing local gazetteers and yearbooks in China. Furthermore, I present the result of a survey on freely available online full texts of such materials that I conducted from 2007 through 2008. Given that commercial full-text databases of local gazetteers are unaffordable for most libraries in North America, it is hoped that students, researchers and librarians of Chinese studies shall find the free online full-text materials useful.
Conditioned Enhancement of the Early Component of the Rat Eyeblink Reflex

Conditioned enhancement of the rat eyeblink reflex was studied using as a response measure the electromyogram (EMG) in the orbicularis oculi (oo) muscle, which is responsible for the active force generating eyelid closure. During a reflex eyeblink, the EMG evidences both a short-latency (R1) and a long-latency (R2) component, mediated by different circuits. The R2 response exhibits several experience- or use-dependent modifications. We were interested in the modifiability of the neurophysiologically simpler R1 response. Experiments were designed to determine whether the R1 response can be enhanced by a conditioned stimulus (CS) that has been explicitly paired with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US). The R1 response was elicited by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve. Following long-delay conditioning, the CS produced a significant R1 enhancement and latency decrease that were dependent upon explicit CS-US pairings. The CS by itself produced no significant EMG response, consistent with a modulatory rather than additive effect. This is the first demonstration that the R1 response can be associatively modulated. Based on other evidence, we hypothesize that the CS-produced enhancement results from a relatively direct projection from the amygdala to the R1 circuit. As an index of aversive conditioning, R1 enhancement may prove to be a useful expression system because it offers high temporal resolution and the underlying circuitry is relatively simple-the shortest path from the fifth nerve to the muscle consisting of only two central synapses.
Light-cone view on the applicability of perturbative QCD for exclusive processes.

It is pointed out in the example of the pion form factor that the usual factorized hard scattering amplitude ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{H}}$ in perturbative QCD is derived from the light-cone time-ordered perturbative expansion. In the light-cone perturbative expansion, the natural variable to make a separation of perturbative contributions from contributions intrinsic to the bound-state wave function itself is the light-cone energy, rather than the gluon virtuality of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{H}}$. We find that the ``legal'' PQCD contribution defined by the light-cone energy cut saturates to the full PQCD prediction without any cut in the smaller ${\mathit{Q}}^{2}$ region as compared to that defined by the gluon four-momentum square cut. This is due to the contribution from highly off-energy-shell gluons in the end-point regions of the phase space.
Exophiala jeanselmei infection in a postrenal transplant patient

We report a case of Exophiala jeanselmei infection in a postrenal transplant patient. He had verrucous lesions on the thigh and abdomen in which clinical and histologic changes resembled those characteristic of chromoblastomycosis. However, the morphologic features of the fungus seen in the tissue sections made it necessary to diagnose this case as phaeohyphomycosis. The patient was treated successfully by complete excision of the lesion on the abdomen and with oral ketoconazole.
Impact of Outlet Valve Orientation on Fluid Dynamics of the 12 cc Penn State Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device

Congenital cardiovascular defects are the leading cause of death among live births [1]. These defects involve the interior walls of the heart, valves, arteries, and veins and change the normal flow of blood through the heart and into the systemic system. Fortunately, several options exist for the more than 35,000 children born with congenital heart disease. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) currently hold the most promise for bridge-to-transplant treatment; however, a major problem for these devices is thrombus formation and deposition.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Ex-offender barriers to employment: racial disparities in labor markets with asymmetric information

This paper focuses on barriers to ex-offender employment and the potential impact of ‘ban the box’ policies that restrict employers' access to criminal history records. We argue policies aimed at creating closed records systems may inadvertently cause statistical discrimination because employers become prone to discriminate against applicants with observable demographic characteristics, such as race, similar to those of ex-offenders. Such policies may lead to adverse selection because applicants willing to accept low wages are often more likely to be those with lower productivity. Because higher productivity workers seek labor markets where they can distinguish themselves, employers have no choice but to hire lower productivity workers. We use the premises of Akerlof's theory of asymmetric information (Akerlof 1970) to suggest a theoretical framework for future studies on the effectiveness of open versus closed records policies. Finally, we focus on alternatives to closed records policies designed to elim...
When fine-needle aspiration biopsy cannot exclude papillary thyroid cancer: a therapeutic dilemma.

Hypothesis Clinical or cytologic factors predictive of malignancy can be identified and incorporated into a treatment algorithm for patients with a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimen interpreted as “suspicious for” papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Design Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. Setting University-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Patients Seven hundred thirty-eight patients with nodular thyroid disease evaluated between 1990 and 2004. Interventions Patients with an FNAB specimen suspicious for PTC were identified. The frequency of carcinoma was determined. Clinical features were reviewed. The FNAB specimens suspicious for PTC were examined in a blinded fashion to determine if specific cytologic features were important in distinguishing benign vs malignant disease. Main Outcome Measures The presence of specific clinical and cytologic features was correlated with the incidence of carcinoma. A secondary outcome measure was to determine the value of frozen section examination in establishing the extent of thyroidectomy. Results Forty-five patients (7%) had an FNAB specimen suspicious for PTC; 18 (40%) of these patients had carcinoma. Prominent nuclear inclusions and/or grooves, papillary formations, and the absence of colloid were features associated with PTC ( P Conclusions An FNAB specimen suspicious for PTC is associated with a 40% incidence of carcinoma. Extensive nuclear inclusions and/or grooves, papillary formations, and the absence of colloid are predictive of carcinoma. Rare intranuclear inclusions and/or grooves alone in an otherwise benign-appearing specimen are uniformly associated with benign disease. Frozen section examination is of value in determining the extent of thyroidectomy.
Personal Freedom, Responsibility, And Mandates

In late January 1994 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Princeton University sponsored a conference entitled “Universal Coverage: How Best to Achieve It?” At that conference several prominent economists and policymakers presented papers on the pros and cons of employer and individual mandates. in response, a number of others offered comments on various aspects of the mandate question. Here Health Affairs presents the views of two respondents.
The mechanism of the generation of the third and fourth heart sounds.

A simple unitarian concept of the mechanism of third and fourth sounds is presented. This study demonstrates that the third sound occurs during early rapid diastolic ventricular filling at a time when atrial pressure exceeds ventricular pressure. It is recorded within the ventricle and on the ventricular wall. It coincides with ventricular muscle vibrations. The fourth sound is demonstrated to consist of two components, both occurring when atrial pressure exceeds ventricular. The first component coincides with the peak of atrial contraction, is recorded within the atria, and is inaudible. The second component, which is audible (25 to 70 cycles per second) and follows the first by 0.01 to 0.02 second, is recordable within the ventricle coinciding with the impact of blood from atrial systole against the ventricular wall. These observations demonstrate that the audible third and fourth heart sounds have a common origin in the ventricles and have the same temporal and hemodynamic relationships regardless of e...
Managing quality in California food processing firms.

The study evaluates the factors critical to effective quality management in California food processors. The survey results indicate that food processors perform relatively well in terms of the support given by senior management and the role of the quality department. However, the firms perform relatively poorly in the areas of training and employee awareness. Firms in which the responsibility for quality management is shared throughout the plant tend to perform better with respect to 8 of the 10 critical quality factors.
Nanotechnology for a safe and sustainable water supply: enabling integrated water treatment and reuse.

Ensuring reliable access to clean and affordable water is one of the greatest global challenges of this century. As the world’s population increases, water pollution becomes more complex and difficult to remove, and global climate change threatens to exacerbate water scarcity in many areas, the magnitude of this challenge is rapidly increasing. Wastewater reuse is becoming a common necessity, even as a source of potable water, but our separate wastewater collection and water supply systems are not designed to accommodate this pressing need. Furthermore, the aging centralized water and wastewater infrastructure in the developed world faces growing demands to produce higher quality water using less energy and with lower treatment costs. In addition, it is impractical to establish such massive systems in developing regions that currently lack water and wastewater infrastructure. These challenges underscore the need for technological innovation to transform the way we treat, distribute, use, and reuse water t...
Vitamin D: Biochemistry and clinical applications

Major advances in the field of vitamin D metabolism have been achieved in the past decade that have considerably enhanced our understanding of a variety of metabolic bone diseases which include the rachitic and osteomalacic syndromes and parathyroid gland disorders. Delineation of the biochemical structure, metabolic pathways, mechanisms regulating synthesis, and physiologic functions has established that the compound should more appropriately be considered a hormone. Obligatory sequential, two-step hydroxylation of the prohormone, vitamin D, is necessary before physiologic action occurs. Initial hydroxylation occurs mainly in the liver while the second hydroxylation occurs exclusively in the kidney. The physiologically active form of the hormone, 1,25-(OH)2-D, coordinates with parathyroid hormone (and probably calcitonin) in promoting homeostasis of both extra-cellular calcium and phosphorus and the skeletal system. This article reviews the basic metabolism of vitamin D, the modes of physiologic action, the endocrine features of vitamin D and its relationship to parathyroid hormone, and discusses the important medical applications of this information.
Characterization of the Myosin-Based Source for Second-Harmonic Generation from Muscle Sarcomeres

Several biologically important protein structures give rise to strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) in their native context. In addition to high-contrast optical sections of cells and tissues, SHG imaging can provide detailed structural information based on the physical constraints of the optical effect. In this study we characterize, by biochemical and optical analysis, the critical structures underlying SHG from the complex muscle sarcomere. SHG emission arises from domains of the sarcomere containing thick filaments, even within nascent sarcomeres of differentiating myocytes. SHG from isolated myofibrils is abolished by extraction of myosin, but is unaffected by removal or addition of actin filaments. Furthermore, the polarization dependence of sarcomeric SHG is not affected by either the proportion of myosin head domains or the orientation of myosin heads. By fitting SHG polarization anisotropy readings to theoretical response curves, we find an orientation for the elemental harmonophore that corresponds well to the pitch of the myosin rod α-helix along the thick filament axis. Taken together, these data indicate that myosin rod domains are the key structures giving SHG from striated muscle. This study should guide the interpretation of SHG contrast in images of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue for a variety of biomedical applications.
Prestack Stolt Residual Migration For Migration Velocity Analysis

This paper presents a method of Stolt residual migration applicable to prestack data. The method’s main merit is that instead of requiring an assumption about the magnitude of the new velocity model to which we want to residually migrate, it only calls for an assumption about the ratio of the reference velocity to the new one. Since the method is, in essence, a Stolt-stretch technique, it inherits Stolt’s speed and convenience. I evaluate the quality of migration, and implicitly the quality of residual migration, using angle-domain common-image gathers. Two examples show that the method can be successfully used in residual migration even when the reference velocity is not constant. An important application of the method is in the area of wave-equation migration velocity analysis.
Renewable surface fluorescence sandwich immunoassay biosensor for rapid sensitive botulinum toxin detection in an automated fluidic format

A renewable surface biosensor for rapid detection of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A is described based on fluidic automation of a fluorescence sandwich immunoassay, using a recombinant protein fragment of the toxin heavy chain (∼50 kDa) as a structurally valid simulant. Monoclonal antibodies AR4 and RAZ1 bind to separate non-overlapping epitopes of the full botulinum holotoxin (∼150 kDa). Both of the targeted epitopes are located on the recombinant fragment. The AR4 antibody was covalently bound to Sepharose beads and used as the capture antibody. A rotating rod flow cell was used to capture these beads delivered as a suspension by a sequential injection flow system, creating a 3.6 µL column. After perfusing the bead column with sample and washing away the matrix, the column was perfused with Alexa 647 dye-labeled RAZ1 antibody as the reporter. Optical fibers coupled to the rotating rod flow cell at a 90° angle to one another delivered excitation light from a HeNe laser (633 nm) using one fiber and collected fluorescent emission light for detection with the other. After each measurement, the used Sepharose beads are released and replaced with fresh beads. In a rapid screening approach to sample analysis, the toxin simulant was detected to concentrations of 10 pM in less than 20 minutes using this system.
Whole body hyperthermia: a secure procedure for patients with various malignancies?

Objective: To establish the safety of systemic Cancer Multistep Therapy (sCMT) including whole body hyperthermia, by means of hemodynamic, laboratory and clinical investigations. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University clinic. Patients: 12 patients with various cancers (with sCMT), a second group of 20 patients with colorectal carcinoma treated with chemotherapy (without sCMT). Interventions: 25 treatments with sCMT for 60 min at 41.8 °C (including chemotherapy) were given in addition to induced hyperoxemia and hyperglycemia under general anesthesia. Measurements and results: Invasive monitoring of systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics as well as pulmonary gas exchange was used at 37 °C, 40 °C, 41.8 °C and 39 °C. In addition, laboratory parameters were measured before and within 4 days of therapy. At 41.8 °C, invasive monitoring showed characteristic signs of hyperdynamic circulation. In addition, right-to-left shunt, oxygen consumption, oxygen delivery and lactate levels were significantly different from pretreatment values. At the end of therapy, lactate levels and the extravascular lung water index increased, whereas all other parameters showed a clear tendency to return to initial values. Within the first day after sCMT, we measured a slight but significant reversible increase in serum creatinine compared to pretreatment values, but found no significant alterations of other chemical parameters. Between the sCMT group and controls, there was only a temporary significant difference in aspartate aminotransferase levels 2 days after therapy. Conclusions: sCMT, including whole body hyperthermia, accompanied by suitable anesthesiological management and monitoring, does not lead to any serious or sustained organ dysfunction and can therefore be regarded as a safe therapy.
Dual functional and structural properties of the interhyoideus muscle of the bullfrog tadpole (Rana catesbeiana)

Evidence is presented for the existence of two different types of striated muscle fiber in discrete contiguous bundles in the interhyoideus muscle of the bullfrog tadpole. These tow types of muscle fiber share certain properties with conventional slow and fast contracting muscle of other vertebrates. The continuous, rhythmic activity of the pink fibers drives the buccal force pump, whereas sporadic twitches of the white fibers expel detritus from the irrigation system. Light microscopy shows that the pink fibers have a greater proportion of sarcoplasm to myofibrils than the white fibers and there is also a greater vascularization of the pink fiber than of the white fibers. Electron microscopy shows differences in the mitochondrial size and density and in the M-bands, H-zones, Z-lines and motor endings of the two parts of the muscle. The white fibers have shorter sarcomeres and A-bands than the pink fibers. Differences in the concentrations of lactic dehydrogenase isozymes suggests a concomitant dichotomy in the energy dynamics of the two parts of the muscle.
Coronary heart disease alters intercellular communication by modifying microparticle-mediated microRNA transport

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is characterized by abnormal intercellular communication and circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are likely involved in this process. Here, we show that CHD was associated with changes in the transport of circulating miRNA, particularly decreased miRNA enrichment in microparticles (MPs). Additionally, MPs from CHD patients were less efficient at transferring miRNA to cultured HUVECs, which correlated with their diminished capacity to bind developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1). In summary, CHD was associated with distinct changes in circulating miRNA transport and these changes may contribute to the abnormal intercellular communication that underlies CHD initiation and progression.
Accuracy of sequential sub-field synchronization of multiple digital camcorders through numerical optimization.

The use of digital camcorders in biomechanical analyses can introduce errors due to inter-camera time offsets. The faster the motion being recorded the greater the error. A sequential synchronization method was developed in this study to achieve sub-field camera synchronization for multiple camcorders through numerical optimization. A recreational golfer performed ten drives while being recorded with four digital camcorders (60-Hz sampling rate). Video signals were sampled at 10,000 Hz to determine the actual inter-camera time offsets. The optimized inter-camera time offsets were computed based on three markers placed on the shaft, each separated by 200 mm. The inter-camera time offset error was computed as the difference between the optimized and actual inter-camera time offsets. The inter-camera time offset error reduced on average from 0.518 to 0.019 fields (1 field = 16.7 ms) or less due to sequential optimization. The optimized global reconstruction errors were less than 19% of the unadjusted values....
Multisensory training of standing balance in older adults: I. Postural stability and one-leg stance balance.

BACKGROUND The effects of standing balance training on the ability to maintain stability in both static two-leg and one-leg stance were tested in healthy older adults. METHODS Subjects (age range 65-90 years) were randomly assigned to a training (n = 12) or control group (n = 12). Training subjects received a 10-hour balance training program which selectively manipulated sensory inputs from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. RESULTS Training subjects showed significantly improved stability (root-mean-square values of anteroposterior platform torque) after training in five of the eight training conditions (when somatosensory inputs were changed or when two or more sensory systems were simultaneously manipulated) (p < .006). When tested 4 weeks after completion of training, subjects (a) fell less frequently when the ankle/foot somatosensory inputs were minimized and (b) stood longer on one leg than the control group (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Balance training designed to improve intersensory interaction could effectively improve balance performance in healthy older adults.
Converting a 64 b PowerPC processor from CMOS bulk to SOI technology

A 550 MHz 64 b PowerPC processor was developed for fabrication in Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) technology from a processor previously designed and fabricated in bulk CMOS. Both the design and the associated CAD methodology (point tools, flow, and models) were modified to handle demands specific to SOI technology. The challenge was to improve the cycle time by adapting the circuit design, timing, and chip integration methodologies to accommodate effects unique to SOI.
Implications of Correlated Bias Uncertainties in Single and Comparative Tests

The effects of correlated bias uncertainties are considered for both single and comparative tests, and the implications of these effects on experimental results and their uncertainties are investigated. In single tests, correlated bias uncertainties can cause a significant increase or a significant decrease in uncertainty in the result as compared to the uncertainty when there are no correlation effects. In comparative tests, the experimental result is the difference of two test results or the ratio of two test results. If the same test apparatus and instrumentation are used to obtain the two test results, the systematic uncertainty in the difference or the ratio can be significantly less than the systematic uncertainty in the individual test results. However, the effects of systematic uncertainties do not cancel out in comparative tests in which the result is the difference in the results of two tests, contrary to assertions made in some engineering standards.
Concise Total Synthesis of (+)-Brefeldin A: A Combined β-Lactone/Cross-Metathesis-Based Strategy

A highly convergent total synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A that relies on a diastereoselective, β-lactone-based cyclopentane synthesis combined with complex cross-metathesis reactions is described. The utility of β-lactones for natural product synthesis and the versatility of cross-metathesis in this context were demonstrated, including the tolerance of an epimerizable aldehyde and a β-lactone.
Polygonization of 31% alpha-brass

Abstract 31% alpha-brass crystals grown by melting high purity copper and zinc together were used in this investigation. Single crystals bent within, as well as slightly beyond, the single slip region were polygonized to form dislocation walls perpendicular to the major set of slip planes after a final anneal of 1–2 hr at 700°C or 750°C. Bent polycrystalline specimens having very high dislocation densities in all sets of active slip planes were polygonized to form subgrain boundaries after a similar anneal. Even though the stacking fault energy of alpha-brass is likely to be lower than that of the copper, the former polygonized at a relatively lower temperature. It is believed that the high self-diffusivity of alpha-brass is one of the important factors which facilitated the climbing of its dislocations. The present results substantiated Barnes (1) prediction that the dissociated dislocations can climb.
Cultural models and the dream US Cinderellas and identity

Dreamers practice models, I argue here, that in daytime serve as efficacious ways of acting in a cultural world but that also incorporate socioeconomic hierarchies that may be disadvantageous for the dreamer. Melding personal experience with models represented as images, dreamers conceptualize these disadvantages and pursue remedies for them. I explore these ideas through the dream of a US undergraduate (Marlene) about hair. Hair is the target of an anthropological debate about putatively universal symbols and cultural messages, which this paper will address. In Marlene’s dream, hair symbolizes what I call a US Cinderella model for being a woman — a model that embeds a gender hierarchy within Marlene’s identity. Marlene’s dream, however, reconfigures her identity and this model along with it.
Students Promoted Despite Test Failure

Abstract No Child Left Behind (NCLB) dictates students in Grades 3, 5, and 8 pass state tests to be promoted. Accordingly, most state education codes require students to pass reading and math exams for promotion. The majority of those who fail, however, appear to be promoted anyway. This article addresses core questions concerning the paradigm under which NCLB operates, what it means to promote or retain a student, and the consequences of these actions.
Multimodality paradigms for a healthy multimodality society.

ABSTRACT The American Radium Society encourages the study of cancer in all its aspects, encourages liaison among the various medical specialists and allied scientists, and thereby champions multi-modality oncologic care. Past and present membership rolls of the Society read like a “Who's Who” of cancer care and include distinguished physicians and allied scientists whose primary focus spans the spectrum of oncologic subspecialties; however, the current distribution of areas of expertise may not necessarily be optimal. Moreover, the practice of medicine constantly is changing, and we, as a society, should be prepared to evolve with it. For example, treatment of cancers arising in the head and neck region has changed dramatically during the past decade. The successful integration of concurrent chemotherapy with radiation therapy has created new paradigms for optimal care. These paradigms potentially decrease the risk of distant metastases, improve the local-regional control of disease, increase the likelihood of organ preservation, and reduce the risk posed by microscopic-sized unresected disease. Yet, much remains unknown, some of the available data appear contradictory, and much is left to do. Similar analysis persuasively argues that other groups that have specific expertise must also play a vital role in modern oncologic care, including radiation biologists, medical physicists, and molecular biologists. Yet, the current environment creates formidable obstacles to participation in the American Radium Society's mission. We must improve our understanding of these barriers and implement original solutions to ensure that our society remains in the forefront of progress in the fight against cancer. In particular, programs to increase the educational reach of the ARS need to be devised, implemented, and nurtured. The ARS has a long, proud history, but we should not seek to live in its past. We must seek continuously and welcome enthusiastically changes in the Society that will align the ARS with paradigms of cutting-edge oncologic care.
Optical and hydrodynamic studies of the structure of bacteriophage f2. II. Fluorescence of the capsid.

Abstract Fluroescence properties of the icosahedral RNA virus bacteriophage f2 and its empty capsid are reported. Emission is dominated by tryptophan with a maximum wavelength of 320 nm for f2 and its empty capsid. In addition to this short wavelength maximum, perturbation and denaturation studies indicate the inaccessibility of the tryptophan residues. However, a high degree of thermal quenching and a red shift in fluorescence emission on heating suggest a noncooperative structural transition, not a denaturation, which allows buried tryptophans to become exposed to solvent. Therefore the tryptophan residues may be located between subunits. Fluorescence from tyrosine is detected near 315 nm for both f2 and its empty capsid, and may indicate an unusual tyrosine environment. Sensitization of tryptophan fluorescence by tyrosine absorption and low values of polarization indicate tyrosine → tryptophan and tryptophan → tryptophan energy transfer. The presence of RNA in f2 decreases the efficiency of these transfer processes, but does not significantly affect the other reported fluorescence properties.
Highly scalable digital front end architectures for digital printing

HP's digital printing presses consume a tremendous amount of data. The architectures of the Digital Front Ends (DFEs) that feed these large, very fast presses have evolved from basic, single-RIP (Raster Image Processor) systems to multirack, distributed systems that can take a PDF file and deliver data in excess of 3 Gigapixels per second to keep the presses printing at 2000+ pages per minute. This paper highlights some of the more interesting parallelism features of our DFE architectures. The high-performance architecture developed over the last 5+ years can scale up to HP's largest digital press, out to multiple mid-range presses, and down into a very low-cost single box deployment for low-end devices as appropriate. Principles of parallelism pervade every aspect of the architecture, from the lowest-level elements of jobs to parallel imaging pipelines that feed multiple presses. From cores to threads to arrays to network teams to distributed machines, we use a systematic approach to move bottlenecks. The ultimate goals of these efforts are: to take the best advantage of the prevailing hardware options at our disposal; to reduce power consumption and cooling requirements; and to ultimately reduce the cost of the solution to our customers.