cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ammonium Bisphosphonate Polymeric Magnetic Nanocomplexes for Platinum Anticancer Drug Delivery and Imaging with Potential Hyperthermia and Temperature-Dependent Drug Release

Novel magnetite-ammonium bisphosphonate graft ionic copolymer nanocomplexes (MGICs) have been developed for potential drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, and hyperthermia applications. The complexes displayed relatively uniform sizes with narrow size distributions upon self-assembly in aqueous media, and their sizes were stable under simulated physiological conditions for at least 7 days. The anticancer drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin, were loaded into the complexes, and sustained release of both drugs was observed. The transverse NMR relaxivities ( s) of the complexes were 244 s−1 (mM Fe)−1 which is fast compared to either the commercial T2-weighted MRI agent Feridex IV® or our previously reported magnetite-block ionomer complexes. Phantom MRI images of the complexes demonstrated excellent negative contrast effects of such complexes. Thus, the bisphosphonate-bearing MGICs could be promising candidates for dual drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, the bisphosphonate MGICs generate heat under an alternating magnetic field of 30 kA·m−1 at 206 kHz. The temperature of the MGIC dispersion in deionized water increased from 37 to 41°C after exposure to the magnetic field for 10 minutes, corresponding to a specific absorption rate of 77.0 W·g−1. This suggests their potential as hyperthermia treatment agents as well as the possibility of temperature-dependent drug release, making MGICs more versatile in potential drug delivery applications.
Characteristics and Fate of Pediatric Heart Disease Abstracts Presented at National Meetings.

Background This study evaluated the characteristics and publication outcomes of pediatric heart disease abstracts presented in national meetings. Methods Three years of abstracts (2012 to 2014) were evaluated from 5 national meetings: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American Association of Thoracic Surgeons (AATS), American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Heart Association (AHA). Each abstract was assessed for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, time to publication, impact factor of the journal, and number of citations associated with the publication. Results A total of 1145 abstracts qualified for inclusion. The majority of the abstracts originated from North America (80.8%) and were single-institution (85.7%), clinical (92.5%), and retrospective (77.9%) studies. A total of 767 (66.9%) abstracts were published in peer-reviewed journals as full-length articles. More than 90% of the abstracts presented at the surgical meetings were published as manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. In contrast, 68.8% of ACC abstracts, 53.7% AAP abstracts, and 61.4% of AHA abstracts were published as manuscripts in a peer-reviewed journal. The median time to publication was shortest for STS abstracts (10 months) and longest for AHA abstracts (29 months). The median impact factor for published manuscripts varied between 3.0 and 3.5 for AATS abstracts, STS abstracts, ACC abstracts, and AHA abstracts. Manuscripts from AATS abstracts had the highest number of citations. Conclusions Our data indicate that the national cardiology and cardiac surgery meetings have become a forum for presenting high-quality research, with >90% of the abstracts presented in these meetings culminating in publication.
International Importations of Measles Virus into the United States During the Postelimination Era, 2001–2016

BACKGROUND Although measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, measles cases and outbreaks continue to occur, resulting from importations of the disease from countries where it remains endemic. METHODS We describe the epidemiology of international importations of measles virus into the United States during the postelimination era. RESULTS From 2001 to 2016, 553 imported measles cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A median of 28 importations occurred each year (range: 18-80). The median age of imported case-patients was 18 years (range: 3 months-75 years); 87% were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. US residents (as opposed to foreign visitors) accounted for 62% of imported measles cases. Overall, 62% of all imported case-patients reported travel to countries in the Western Pacific and European Regions of the World Health Organization during their exposure periods. The number of measles importations from specific countries was related to the incidence of measles in and the volume of travel to and from the source country. CONCLUSIONS Our findings emphasize the importance of measles vaccination of US residents aged ≥6 months before international travel according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations and supporting global measles elimination efforts.
Synapse-to-Nucleus Communication through NFAT Is Mediated by L-type Ca2+ Channel Ca2+ Spike Propagation to the Soma.

Long-term information storage in the brain requires continual modification of the neuronal transcriptome. Synaptic inputs located hundreds of micrometers from the nucleus can regulate gene transcription, requiring high-fidelity, long-range signaling from synapses in dendrites to the nucleus in the cell soma. Here, we describe a synapse-to-nucleus signaling mechanism for the activity-dependent transcription factor NFAT. NMDA receptors activated on distal dendrites were found to initiate L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) spikes that quickly propagated the length of the dendrite to the soma. Surprisingly, LTCC propagation did not require voltage-gated Na+ channels or back-propagating action potentials. NFAT nuclear recruitment and transcriptional activation only occurred when LTCC spikes invaded the somatic compartment, and the degree of NFAT activation correlated with the number of somatic LTCC Ca2+ spikes. Together, these data support a model for synapse to nucleus communication where NFAT integrates somatic LTCC Ca2+ spikes to alter transcription during periods of heightened neuronal activity.
Introduction to Mutation Testing

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related mortality in the United States, with 142,670 deaths anticipated in 2019 [1]. Lung cancer incidence continues to decline with 228,150 estimated new cases in 2019. The decline of case in males is twice the number compared to females, which may be related to tobacco consumption and smoking cessation patterns [2]. Mortality rates from lung cancer remain substantial despite significant advances in the field of cancer treatment in recent years. Historically, chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of treatment for NSCLC, with treatment decisions based empirically on tumor histology. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies two classifications of lung cancer, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [3–5]. SCLC accounts for approximately 10–15% of all lung cancers and is often directly related to tobacco smoking [1]. NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancer cases with associated histologies that include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell, and large cell carcinoma [4]. Adenocarcinoma makes up over 50% of NSCLC [6]. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated their lung cancer classifications based upon molecular profiles and genetic alterations. It is recommended that pathologists categorize lung cancer into adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma secondary to targetable driver genetic alterations. Adenocarcinoma markers include TTF-1 and Napsin 1. Squamous cell carcinoma markers include p40, CK5/6, and p63. Adenocarcinoma is classified by the extent of invasiveness. There are also variants of invasive carcinoma including invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA), which replaced mucinous bronchi alveolar carcinoma (BAC). Squamous cell carcinomas are classified into keratinizing, non-keratinizing, and basaloid [3–5].
Predicting the need for tracheostomy in trauma patients without severe head injury.

Abstract Background Early tracheostomy is recommended in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, predicting the timing of tracheostomy in trauma patients without severe TBI can be challenging. Methods A one year retrospective analysis of all trauma patients who were admitted to intensive Care Unit for > 7 days was performed, using the ACS-TQIP database. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were performed to assess the appropriate weight of each factor in determining the eventual need for early tracheostomy. Results A total of 21,663 trauma patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Overall, tracheostomy was performed in 18.3% of patients. On multivariate regression analysis age >70, flail chest, major operative intervention, ventilator days >5 days and underlying COPD were independently associated with need of tracheostomy. Based on these data, we developed a scoring system to predict risk for requiring tracheostomy. Conclusion Age >70, presence of flail chest, need for major operative intervention, ventilator days >5 and underlying COPD are independent predictors of need for tracheostomy in trauma patients without severe TBI.
The Utility of Serum d-Dimer for the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Revision Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background There is scarce and contradicting evidence supporting the use of serum d -dimer for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection in revision total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test the accuracy of serum d -dimer against the 2013 International Consensus Meeting (ICM) criteria. Methods A retrospective review was performed on a consecutive series of 172 revision THA/TKA surgeries performed by 3 fellowship-trained surgeons at a single institution (August 2017 to May 2019) and that had d -dimer performed during their preoperative workup. Of this cohort, 111 (42 THAs/69 TKAs) cases had complete 2013 ICM criteria tests and were included in the final analysis. Septic and aseptic revisions were categorized per 2013 ICM criteria (“gold standard”) and compared against serum d -dimer using an established threshold (850 ng/mL). Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and positive/negative predictive values were determined. Independent t-tests, Fisher’s exact tests, chi-squared tests, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed. Results There was no statistically significant difference in baseline demographics between septic and aseptic cases per 2013 ICM criteria. When compared to ICM criteria, d -dimer demonstrated high sensitivity (95.9%) and negative predictive value (90.9%) but low specificity (32.3%), positive predictive value (52.8%), and overall, poor accuracy (61%) to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection. Positive likelihood ratio was 1.42 while negative likelihood ratio was 0.13. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.742. Conclusion Serum d -dimer has poor accuracy to discriminate between septic and aseptic cases using a described threshold in the setting of revision THA and TKA.
CHAPTER V – Nuclein Deaminases

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of adenase and guanase. Guanase are enzymes present in pancrease, which converts guanine into xanthine. While guanase is commonly present in various animal organs such as liver, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys, adenase is rarely found in animal organs. It occurs in cow muscle and in cow's milk. Adenase is not found in man and guanase does not occur in pig liver and spleen, but is found in other parts of the pig's body. Guanase is present in lupine seedlings. The general principal of determining the activity of nuclein deaminases is to determine the ammonia that results from the action of the enzyme. Sometimes analysis is also made for the purine or pyrimidine residue which results. Guanase activity is determined by allowing guanase to act upon a colloidal suspension of guanine in gelatin at 40°C for thirty minutes at pH 8.7.
Microanatomical traits track climate gradients for a dominant C4 grass species across the Great Plains, USA.

Abstract Background and Aims Andropogon gerardii is a highly productive C4 grass species with a large geographic range throughout the North American Great Plains, a biome characterized by a variable temperate climate. Plant traits are often invoked to explain growth rates and competitive abilities within broad climate gradients. For example, plant competition models typically predict that species with large geographic ranges benefit from variation in traits underlying high growth potential. Here, we examined the relationship between climate variability and leaf-level traits in A. gerardii, emphasizing how leaf-level microanatomical traits serve as a mechanism that may underlie variation in commonly measured traits, such as specific leaf area (SLA). Methods Andropogon gerardii leaves were collected in August 2017 from Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (MN), Konza Prairie Biological Station (KS), Platte River Prairie (NE) and Rocky Mountain Research Station (SD). Leaves from ten individuals from each site were trimmed, stained and prepared for fluorescent confocal microscopy to analyse internal leaf anatomy. Leaf microanatomical data were compared with historical and growing season climate data extracted from PRISM spatial climate models. Key Results Microanatomical traits displayed large variation within and across sites. According to AICc (Akaike’s information criterion adjusted for small sample sizes) selection scores, the interaction of mean precipitation and temperature for the 2017 growing season was the best predictor of variability for the anatomical and morphological traits measured here. Mesophyll area and bundle sheath thickness were directly correlated with mean temperature (annual and growing season). Tissues related to water-use strategies, such as bulliform cell and xylem area, were significantly correlated with one another. Conclusions The results indicate that (1) microanatomical trait variation exists within this broadly distributed grass species, (2) microanatomical trait variability appears likely to impact leaf-level carbon and water use strategies, and (3) microanatomical trait values vary across climate gradients, and may underlie variation in traits measured at larger ecological scales.
Abstract 6247: Drug delivery with real time customizable micro-scaled continuous liquid interface printed 3D devices

Background: Surgery is a key treatment for cancer. However, local recurrence after surgery is common and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Current strategies to prevent recurrence include intraoperative radiation or systemic chemotherapy. We hypothesize that local chemotherapy delivery can prevent recurrence while reducing toxicity. To accomplish this, we propose to engineer 3D printed devices that can deliver chemotherapy in a localized and prolonged fashion. Methods: Paclitaxel and a cisplatin prodrug were dissolved into a liquid resin mixture of PEG550-DMA and HEMA. Custom 3D patches were printed on a Carbon 3D continuous liquid interface printer with microneedles protruding from one side of a flat surface substrate. A non-drug loaded flat backing was also printed from the same resin, and adhered to back side of the microneedle patch. Tumor growth recurrence inhibition post surgical resection was assessed in NU/NU mice in both 344SQ/Luc and A431 tumor models. Tumors were inoculated subcutaneously (106 344SQ/Luc, 5 × 105 A431) and allowed to grow until they reached 5-7mm in length. Tumors were then surgically resected and mice were either given an IV drug treatment, or had a 3D printed patch implanted in the surgical pocket. Tumor recurrence was evaluated with both luciferase bioluminescence imaging and physical measurement of tumor size. Toxicity parameters were analyzed with enzyme and CBC tests. Results: All drug loaded patches showed significant tumor growth inhibition compared to their corresponding IV drug treatment groups. While single drug loaded patches were significant in their inhibition of tumor growth compared to IV delivery of the same drug, dual drug loaded patches showed the most significant tumor inhibition compared to either single IV drug treatment or a dual IV drug treatment. There were no significant differences in measured toxicity parameters between groups. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that local drug delivery through a customizable 3D continuous liquid interface printed drug loaded patch can improve tumor growth recurrence inhibition post surgical resection. Citation Format: C. Tilden Hagan, Cameron J. Bloomquist, Joseph M. DeSimone, Andrew Z. Wang. Drug delivery with real time customizable micro-scaled continuous liquid interface printed 3D devices [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6247.
Assessing state level variation in signature authority and cause of death accuracy, 2005-2017.

Abstract This study utilized a convergent mixed-methods design to examine whether variation in death certificate certifier type predicts the accuracy of cause of death reporting in the US. We analyzed the content of state statutes, amendments, and policies concerning cause of death signature authority in 2005–2017 to create the Cause of Death Signature Authority (CoDSA) database. After merging the CoDSA data with 2005–2017 National Vital Statistics System Multiple Cause of Death Mortality files for adults with cerebral palsy (CP) (N = 29,996), we employed logistic regression models to determine the likelihood that different certifier groups made one particular type of death certification error – inaccurately reporting CP as the underlying cause of death (UCOD). The content analysis provided evidence of significant liberalization of cause of death signature authority, with 23 states expanding signature authority to include physician extenders. Logistic regression analysis revealed differences in UCOD accuracy based on certifier type. Compared to medical examiners, the likelihood of CP being reported as the UCOD, was: 41% higher (CI 1.12, 1.78) for coroners; 25% higher (1.05, 1.49) for mixed-system death investigators; 24% higher (1.08, 1.42) for physicians; and 16% higher (1.00, 1.34) for physician extenders. Inaccuracies limit public health efforts aimed at improving the health and longevity for disadvantaged populations, such as people with CP. Poor performance among cause of death certifiers may indicate systemic problems with death certification that should be addressed with more robust training for all professional groups with signature authority.
Machine Learning based Trust Model for Secure Internet of Vehicle Data Exchange

Internet of vehicles (IoV) is an eminent road-side communication assistive technology that is designed to meet the service requirements of the users. As autonomous vehicles are the base for IoV environment, selecting authenticated neighbours is a prime task for improving the security of the communication environment. In this article, classification based trust model (CTM) for IoV is designed for improving the detection and verification of data and vehicles in the dynamic scenario. The classification and verification follows naive Bayes machine learning model for distinguishing the vehicles as trusted and untrusted. Depending on the communication attributes of the vehicles, classification distribution is modelled for direct trust in both independent and joint manner. The proposed model is assessed using simulation experiments and it is seen that this model achieves fair trusted and untrusted vehicle detection and less verification delay.
Using Footsteps to Estimate Changes in the Desired Gait Speed of an Exoskeleton User

This letter outlines an estimation framework to detect changes in the intended gait speed of an assistive exoskeleton user during walking. A twice-per-step estimation strategy, termed a Buttressed Kalman Filter, is presented to leverage changes in foot placement to infer changes in desired speed. The first stage of the estimator applies a Bayesian update to the center of mass state at midstance before it is passed to a Kalman filter in the second stage. The Bayesian update relies on the comparison between a predicted step length computed as a function of the intended velocity and the measured step length, the difference of which provides insight into user intent. This framework was tested with sensor data acquired from walking trials in an Ekso GT exoskeleton for users with and without incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries (iSCIs) from the middle to lower spine. The trials consisted of users changing their gait speed upon command. The presented framework was able to anticipate these desired changes before users physically changed their speed. It was also found that using measurements of the root mean square (RMS) current of the hip motors increased the effectiveness of the estimator in predicting intent changes for individuals with iSCIs.
Manifold Coordinates with Physical Meaning

Manifold embedding algorithms map high-dimensional data down to coordinates in a much lower-dimensional space. One of the aims of dimension reduction is to find intrinsic coordinates that describe the data manifold. The coordinates returned by the embedding algorithm are abstract, and finding their physical or domain-related meaning is not formalized and often left to domain experts. This paper studies the problem of recovering the meaning of the new low-dimensional representation in an automatic, principled fashion. We propose a method to explain embedding coordinates of a manifold as non-linear compositions of functions from a user-defined dictionary. We show that this problem can be set up as a sparse linear Group Lasso recovery problem, find sufficient recovery conditions, and demonstrate its effectiveness on data.
MEMS Preconcentrator and Gas Chromatograph Chips for the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor

The first Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Preconcentrator (PC) and Gas Chromatograph (GC) have been developed for NASA's Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor (S.A.M.), with the second technology development unit (TDU2) under development for the International Space Station (ISS). The S.A.M. TDU2 is a miniaturized Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) instrument, which will be sent to the ISS in 2021. The S.A.M. PC has a gain of more than 3000, enabling sub-ppm sensitivity of the instrument. The S.A.M. GC microcolumn is capable of separating more than 20 targeted compounds in the air of the ISS cabin. The MEMS PC/GC chips are packaged, successfully sealed, and to be integrated with the JPL developed Quadrupole-Ion Trap MS, which enables high vacuum operation during trace gas analysis. The MEMS PC/GC and its integration with the MS contribute to S.A.M. operating under 50% of the Vehicle Cabin Atmosphere Monitor (VCAM) [1] power consumption with a compact footprint, 33% of VCAM's mass and volume.
Fault-Tolerant Medical Image Interpretation

Novel medical imaging techniques have been introduced over the last decade. They provide for the non-invasive study of internal structures and their dynamic behavior because of the large bandwidth characteristics of the new sensors. The processing and automatic interpretation of such images, however, lags far behind. We suggest herein a synergetic approach where novel techniques derived from artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision (CV) and neural networks (NN) could be integrated towards robust and automatic image interpretation. Such image interpretation would be relevant for the analysis of internal organs and/or tissue and to the understanding of time-varying (dynamic) imagery. Within the medical area it is important that such analysis be fault-tolerant (low sensitivity) to noisy data, occlusion/overlap, geometric distortions, and still be efficient.
Estrogen Receptor-Alpha Activation of AMPK in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Vascular Tone

The cardioprotective effects of estrogen have long been known to result, in part, from its influence on vascular tone. The classical ERs, ERalpha (ERα) and ERbeta (ERβ), can localize within the cel...
Sleep pattern and insomnia among medical students

Earlier literature on the sleep patterns of students has suggested that these individuals often have erratic sleep patterns and around 8–9 % suffer from insomnia. Some of the literature on nonmedical university students reported that sleep patterns are subject to gender bias. However, only few reports examining sleep patterns among medical students are available. Moreover, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep (DBAS) among medical students have never been examined. What are the sleep patterns of medical students? Are these affected by gender? What is the prevalence of clinical insomnia? How prevalent are DBAS among medical students and does gender effect these? Do DBAS influence the sleep patterns? For this study, first-, second- and third-year medical students were approached and requested to participate. Among 300 students, 200 agreed to participate and were included. A self-designed questionnaire for collecting demographic data and information on sleep patterns—both on weekdays and at weekends—was distributed. Participating students were also encouraged to provide information regarding substance use, insomnia and family history of sleep disturbances. Dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep (DBAS) were examined using the DBAS-16 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square was used to compare proportions and the independent sample t-test was used to compare means between two groups. Average age of the subjects was 19.8 ± 1.3 years. On weekdays, 70 % of subjects went to bed between 11 pm to 1.30 am. Usual waketime on weekdays was between 6 am and 7 am (69 %). At weekends, bedtime and waketime were delayed. In addition, an increase in total sleep time by 1.2 hours was observed at weekends (P < 0.001). Clinical insomnia could be diagnosed in 5 % of subjects. Gender did not affect sleep patterns or DBAS score. Of the included students, 86.6 % had dysfunctional beliefs. A discrepancy was observed between the DBAS-16 scores and sleep practices. We found that medical students had delayed-type sleep patterns and 5 % suffered from clinically significant insomnia. Students’ sleep patterns remained unaffected by gender and DBAS, despite the fact that DBAS are common among these individuals.
Assessing other People’s Utilities

Utilitarian theory assumes that different people’s utilities are cardinal quantities measurable on an interval scale and admit of meaningful interpersonal comparisons.1 It has to make these assumptions because it makes maximization of expected2 social utility the basic criterion of morality, defining social utility as the arithmetic mean (or possibly as the sum) of individual utilities3 Yet, this definition (in either form) will make sense only if individual utilities are cardinally measurable and are interpersonally comparable. In fact, most nonutilitarian moral theories likewise assume cardinality and interpersonal comparability, at least implicitly, because in many cases they would require us to help those people who derived the greatest benefit, i. e., the largest utility increment, from our help. (Note that many economists would employ the term “social welfare function” to describe what I am calling “social utility” or “social utility function”.)
OptFuse: Low-rank factor estimation by optimal data-driven linear fusion of multiple signal-plus-noise matrices

We consider the setting where we are given multiple signal-plus-noise matrices. The signal matrices are modeled as low-rank with the same factors (or eigenvectors) but arbitrary (modulo a fixed ordering) eigen-SNRs. One motivating example is the determination of community structure from multiple, independent adjacency matrices. The objective is to combine them linearly so that the eigenvectors of the resulting matrix are as close as possible to the unknown, latent factors. We utilize recent results from random matrix theory to recast this as a constrained data-driven optimization problem and develop an efficient algorithm (OptFuse) for solving it. We demonstrate the improved performance of the algorithm relative to an equal weighting scheme.
Analysis of 1014 consecutive operative cases to determine the utility of intraoperative neurophysiological data.

Introduction: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) during neurosurgical procedures has become the standard of care at tertiary care medical centers. While prospective data regarding the clinical utility of IOM are conspicuously lacking, retrospective analyses continue to provide useful information regarding surgeon responses to reported waveform changes. Methods: Data regarding clinical presentation, operative course, IOM, and postoperative neurological examination were compiled from a database of 1014 cranial and spinal surgical cases at a tertiary care medical center from 2005 to 2011. IOM modalities utilized included somatosensory evoked potentials, transcranial motor evoked potentials, pedicle screw stimulation, and electromyography. Surgeon responses to changes in IOM waveforms were recorded. Results: Changes in IOM waveforms indicating potential injury were present in 87 of 1014 cases (8.6%). In 23 of the 87 cases (26.4%), the surgeon responded by repositioning the patient (n = 12), repositioning retractors (n = 1) or implanted instrumentation (n = 9), or by stopping surgery (n = 1). Loss of IOM waveforms predicted postoperative neurological deficit in 10 cases (11.5% of cases with IOM changes). Conclusions: In the largest IOM series to date, we report that the surgeon responded by appropriate interventions in over 25% of cases during which there were IOM indicators of potential harm to neural structures. Prospective studies remain to be undertaken to adequately evaluate the utility of IOM in changing surgeon behavior. Our data is in agreement with previous observations in indicating a trend that supports the continued use of IOM.
THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD AND APPROXIMATION THEORY

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the finite element method and approximation theory. By a suitable choice of the trial functions , the Galerkin equations for the coefficients turn out to be difference equations. It is to this combination of two fundamental techniques—to the fact that it is a variational method and at the same time takes the form of a difference equation—that the finite element method owes much of its success. The variational aspect is crucial to the formulation of the approximating scheme, allowing flexibility in the geometry and a physically intuitive derivation of accurate discrete analogues; in these respects, it is superior to more conventional difference equations. In the solution of these discrete analogs, it is the finite difference aspect that dominates. This chapter describes a systematic approach to the choice of such trial functions .
First observation of the ( 4 He, 8 B) reaction

The (4He,8B) reaction on27Al and66Zn targets has been studied atE α=109MeV, the first observation of this reaction. Five groups appear in the first 4 MeV of excitation in the23Ne spectrum, with laboratory differential cross sections ranging from 35 to 384 nb/sr atθ lab=80. Individual levels in62Co were not resolved in the exposure on the66Zn target. However,8B events were observed which are tentatively attributed to the66Zn(α,8B)62Co reaction, since contributions from plausible target contaminants can be eliminated on the basis ofQ value. The observed yield at 80 indicates a laboratory cross section of 540 nb/sr summed over the first 4.6 MeV of excitation in62Co.
Thermal and pain sensations evoked by microstimulation in the area of human ventrocaudal nucleus.

1. We have studied the sensations evoked by threshold microstimulation (TMS) in the area of the human principal sensory nucleus of the thalamus [ventralis caudalis (Vc)] in patients (n = 11) undergoing stereotactic surgery for the treatment of movement disorders and pain. Preoperatively, patients were trained to describe somatic sensory stimuli using a standard list of descriptors. This same list was used to describe sensations evoked intraoperatively by thalamic microstimulation. Stimulation sites (n = 216) were defined by location within the area where the majority of cells had a reproducible response to innocuous cutaneous stimulation (core region) or in the cellular area posterior and inferior to the core region (posteroinferior region). 2. TMS-evoked sensations were categorized as paresthetic if the descriptors "tingle," "vibration," or "electric current" were chosen by the patient to describe the sensation and as thermal/pain if the descriptors "cool," "warm," "warm and cool," or "pain" were chosen. Thermal/pain sensations were evoked by stimulation in 82% (9/11) of patients and at 19% of sites studied. These results suggest that thalamic microstimulation can evoke thermal/pain sensations reproducibly across patients. 3. Thermal/pain sensations were evoked more frequently by stimulation at sites in the posteroinferior region (30%) than by stimulation at sites in the core region (5%). Nonpainful thermal sensations composed the majority of thermal/pain sensations evoked by stimulation in both the core (80%) and posteroinferior regions (86%). Sites where stimulation evoked pain and nonpainful cool sensations were found anterior to the area where nonpainful warm sensations were evoked. Thermal/pain sensations were evoked at sites located medially near the border between the core and posteroinferior regions. 4. Radiologic techniques were used to determine the presumed nuclear location of stimulation sites. Thermal/pain sensations were evoked less frequently by stimulation in the part of Vc included in the core region than by stimulation in any of the following: the part of Vc included in the posteroinferior region, ventralis caudalis portae nucleus, ventralis caudalis parvocellularis nucleus, or the white matter underlying the ventral nuclear group. 5. The location of the sensation evoked by stimulation [projected field (PF)] varied widely in size. PFs were categorized as large if they involved more than one part of the body (e.g., face and arm) or if they crossed at least one joint proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint or to the metatarsophalangeal joint. PFs were more frequently large at sites where thermal/pain sensations were evoked by TMS (33%) than at those where paresthesia were evoked (6%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Personality Assessment Inventory in the Evaluation of Multiple Channel Exposure Therapy

The National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) determined that the comorbidity rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with panic disorder is 7.3% for males and 12.6% for females. A 21-year-old female's presenting symptoms corresponded to this dual diagnosis, with the addition of comorbid major depressive disorder. The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) was used as part of an initial comprehensive assessment battery. Treatment was provided over a period of 6 months, and multiple channel exposure therapy (MCET) was chosen as the primary treatment, as it has been shown to be a promising treatment for the comorbid presentation of PTSD with panic disorder. Upon completion of the MCET, the PAI was readministered as a posttreatment evaluation. The posttreatment PAI results indicated clinical improvement across all indices that initially suggested clinical problems. Results of this case study suggest that the PAI is sensitive to treatment gains from the MCET for the comorbid conditions of PTSD, panic disorder, a...
Unity through diversity: Ethnic politics and democratic deepening in Colombia

In 1991, Colombians crafted a new constitution that was intended to decentralize the highly centralized state and make the exclusive democratic regime more participatory. This reform took place in the context of peaking mobilization for ethnic rights at the national and international level. While in other developing countries the political mobilization of ethnic nationalism most often has impeded the transition to democracy, in Colombia the active participation of delegates representing the Indian movement in the National Constituent Assembly helped to institutionalize special political rights and protections for indigenous and black communities and to transform an exclusionary democracy into a more participatory political regime. This study will identify factors that enabled the mobilization of ethnic identity in Colombia in the late 1980s to support the forces for democratization.
Geochemistry of geopressured geothermal waters from the Frio Clay in the Gulf Coast region of Texas

Detailed chemical analyses of 54 formation-water samples from the Frio Clay from 11 oil and gas fields in the Houston-Galveston and Corpus Christi areas, Texas, indicate that the salinity of water in the geopressured zone ranges from about 20,000 to 70,000 mg/1 dissolved solids. Samples from many gas wells yield low salinities that are not representative of the true salinity of formation water because of dilution by condensed water vapor produced with natural gas. Quartz and Na-K-Ca geothermometers are used in conjunction with the measured subsurface temperatures to identify the diluted samples and to estimate their true salinities. Better understanding of the geochemistry of geopressured geothermal waters is needed to minimize the problems associated with their use as a source of energy.
Can preventive therapy alter the initial presentation of coronary heart disease

In this issue, Go and colleagues suggest that the use of statin and β-blocker therapy might favorably alter the initial clinical presentation of coronary heart disease. We need to perform randomize...
Low Complexity Video Encoding and High Complexity Decoding for UAV Reconnaissance and Surveillance

Conventional video compression schemes such as H.264/AVC use a high complexity encoder with block motion estimation (ME) and a low complexity, low latency decoder. However, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reconnaissance and surveillance applications require low complexity encoders but can accommodate high complexity decoders. Moreover, the video sequences in these applications often primarily have global motion due to the known movement of the UAV and camera mounts. Motivated by this scenario, we propose and investigate a low complexity encoder with global motion based frame prediction and no block ME. For fly-over videos, our encoder achieves more than a 40% bit rate savings over a H.264 encoder with ME block size restricted to 8 × 8 and at lower complexity. We also develop a high complexity decoder based on Kalman filtering along motion trajectories and show average PSNR improvements of up to 0.5 dB with respect to a classic low complexity decoder.
Guided seismic waves in layered poroviscoelastic media for continuity logging applications: model studies1

The gas industry is continuing to concentrate its research and development efforts on new and advanced technology to improve reservoir descriptions through the producing life and development history of heterogeneous gas reservoirs. A very important aspect of this need is the ability to reduce the uncertainty of estimating probable reserves and to lower the operating costs to recover incremental reserves in producing and depleted gasfields. Established methods for reducing uncertainty in heterogeneous reservoir compartments, such as VSP and cross-well techniques may enhance resolution, but they are currently not economically justifiable in on-shore gasfields. Continuity logging using guided waves is an alternative approach to analysing inter-well seismic data to confirm the continuity of heterogeneous gas reservoir compartments; in particular, the continuity of sand and shale stratigraphy in gas reservoirs. The solution of a coupled system of differential equations based on Biot and homogenization theories is adapted to calculate guided seismic waves trapped in low-velocity layers. The general solution is for a 3D source in a horizontally layered poroviscoelastic medium having isotropic and laterally homogeneous material properties. A unified representation of the medium that includes fluid-solid interactions and viscoelastic losses is incorporated into the solution. The guided-wave part of the vector wave field and fluid-pressure of the complete wave motion in layered dissipative media is verified and used to simulate dispersion and attenuation of guided seismic waves for continuity logging applications. The results of this work suggest that the multimode wave solution is appropriate to simulate guided seismic wave signatures to indicate continuity of layered earth structures in poroviscoelastic reservoirs. In particular, the normal mode information can be used for planning continuity logging surveys and for interpreting the corresponding seismic data. Further, fluid-pressure waveforms show that maximum amplitude normal modes can be detected at layer interfaces in fluid-filled porous media, and the corresponding Airy phase wave groups may carry information on the formation permeability.
Forms of Attention and Attentional Disorders

Difficulties in attention or concentration are observed in many clinical syndromes. Cognitive studies of normal attention and neuropsychological studies of brain dysfunction indicate that attention reflects a variety of mechanisms. These processes include the startle response, the orienting response, selective attention, vigilance, and divided attention. Understanding the specific mechanisms involved in attention deficits or lapses may be helpful in planning and evaluating remediation programs and in altering patients' environments to compensate for specific attention deficits. In this article, forms of attention and disorders of attention are discussed, with emphasis on their importance to every day activities.
Recombinant methods in protein and whole-cell biosensing

In this paper, we investigate the use of fluorescently- labeled binding proteins and genetically engineered bacterial cells for sensing of phosphate, glucose, and L- arabinose. To optimize the performance of the labeled binding proteins for biosensing purposes, a few key considerations were taken into account. A site-selective labeling protocol of the fluorescent reporter to the protein was used to ensure that the probe reported from a specific domain of the protein. The labeling sites chosen were hypothesized to undergo a physicochemical change when the biorecognition element binds the analyte. Cysteine mutations were introduced into the binding proteins by site-directed mutagenesis using the polymerase chain reaction. The residues selected were all in close proximity to the binding cleft, a region that is affected the most by the conformational change that accompanies ligand binding. The cysteine residues were then labeled with environment- sensitive fluorophores and changes in the fluorescence properties of the conjugates were monitored and related to the amount of ligand present. The application of microorganisms in sensing systems represent new advances in the development of novel analytical techniques for the detection of a target analyte. In these systems, a genetically engineered organism generates an analytically useful signal when it encounters a specific target substance due to selective recognition and binding properties towards that particular compound. This concept has been demonstrated using an optical bacteria-based sensing system capable of detecting the monosaccharide L-arabinose that employed the green fluorescent protein as a reporter protein.
Objectives and Constraints of Government Policy: The Countercyclicity of Transfers to Agriculture

Estimates of government transfers to typical U.S. corn, wheat, and cotton farms are regressed on estimates of market-derived farm income to show that U.S. farmers receive greater government transfers when they face relatively unfavorable market conditions. This transfer countercyclicity is shown to be unrelated to potential deadweight losses constraining government transfers. It is argued that prevailing political economy models have difficulty explaining transfer countercyclicity because they focus on political agents' constraints to the neglect of political agents' objectives.
Review of management informations systems research: a management support emphasis

Abstract This article organizes, describes, and evaluates MIS research from 1981 through 1985 in order to provide an understanding of what constitutes MIS research and to indicate potentially rich areas for future research. The review emphasizes information systems research in support of management decision making as opposed, for example, to research into the management of information resources or the development of strategic information systems. Preliminary work includes developing a definition of MIS, adopting an organizing framework, and choosing journals for review. Once this foundation is laid, MIS research content and methodology up to 1980 are summarized based upon the findings of the First International Conference on Information Systems. Finally, MIS research from 1981 to 1985 is described and evaluated in terms of content and methodology. It was found that more progress has been made in identifying appropriate research questions than in answering those questions. Significant progress in generating answers may be made in the future due to a healthy shift in the choice of methodologies (shift from more speculative-conceptual to more theory-based/theory-generating empirical). However, progress toward developing a global notion (theory) of MIS seems relatively slow. This lack of progress seems to be a symptom of: • Lack of progress in defining the product of MIS (information). • Too much research focus upon what relationships exist instead of focusing upon why relationships exist. • Underlying problems in the natural sciences paradigm currently associated with MIS research.
Surface glycoproteins : evidence that they may function as the race specific phytoalexin elicitors of Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea

Abstract Glycoproteins were extracted from isolated cell walls of Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea (formerly P. megasperma var. sojae ) with 0·1 n NaOH at 0·C and elicited glyceollin in soybean hypocotyls with the same specificity as the fungus races from which they were obtained. Fractionation of the crude extracts on DEAE Bio-Gel and Bio-Gel A-5m columns showed that specific elicitor activity was associated with the presence of high molecular weight glycoproteins detected by SDS gel electrophoresis. The glycoproteins appeared to contain only glucose and mannose as neutral sugars. The elicitor activity of the glycoproteins was not diminished by boiling at 100°C or pronase treatment, but was destroyed by periodate, thus indicating that the carbohydrate portions are important for activity. The glycoproteins were the only concanavalin A reactive species detected in the crude cell wall extracts, and fluorescein labelled concanavalin A was hapten-specifically bound to living hyphae of the fungus and to native but not NaOH-extracted isolated cell walls. Therefore it was concluded that the glycoproteins are present at the surface of the fungus cell wall. Tunicamycin, which inhibits the glycosylation of eucaryote surface glycoproteins, was a potent inhibitor of mycelial growth of the fungus. The data supported the hypothesis that race specificity in the soybean— P. megasperma f.sp. glycinea system may be determined by specific plant recognition of fungus surface glycoproteins.