cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ice test for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis

Abstract Objective To determine whether ice application to a ptotic eyelid can differentiate myasthenic from nonmyasthenic ptosis. Design Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, comparative trial. Participants Twenty patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and ptosis were evaluated in the neuro-ophthalmology service. Control Subjects Twenty patients with nonmyasthenic ptosis evaluated in the same locale. Methods Palpebral fissures were measured before and immediately after a 2-minute application of ice to the ptotic eyelid. Main outcome measures The difference in palpebral fissures in millimeters before and after ice application. Two or more millimeters of improvement after ice application was considered a positive ice test result. Results A positive ice test result was noted in 16 of the 20 (80%) patients with MG and in none of the 20 patients without MG ( P Conclusions The ice test is a simple, short, specific, and relatively sensitive test for the diagnosis of myasthenic ptosis. The sensitivity of the ice test in patients with complete ptosis decreases considerably.
Algorithm 579: CPSC: Complex Power Series Coefficients [D4]

An algorithm CPSC is presented here. It evaluates numerically the leading coefficients in a power series expansion of an analytic function (or, equivalently, a number of leading derivatives of an analytic function). A detailed description of the theoretical background of the code is given in [1], together with some warnings about cases in which full accuracy may not be reached.
Initial distinctness and subsequent fading of minimally distinct borders

The tendency of contours to fade from view during 5 min periods of fixation was studied for 40 minimally distinct borders formed by pairs of different monochromatic lights. Each of these borders had previously been rated for distinctness. A high positive correlation was found between distinctness ratings and the number of seconds per fixation period that the border was seen.
Erratum to: Understanding the SAM influence on the South Pacific ENSO teleconnection

In the aforementioned contribution, an error was noted in the calculation of the expected values for the columns labeled ‘1970s’ and ‘1990s’ in Table 1, which also changes the Chi-squared probability of independence. For the 1970s, the changes in expected counts result in no significant relationship between the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), which is consistent with the nearly even distribution of the many La Nina events in that decade between SAM positive, SAM neutral, and SAM negative events (Table 1). As a result, our original conclusion of a significant relationship between ENSO and SAM in the 1970s is incorrect. In the 1990s, the Chi-squared probability changed to p \ 0.07, still suggesting a moderately strong relationship between ENSO and SAM in this decade. This relationship is brought about by in phase events occurring more often than expected by chance and out of phase events occurring less often than expected by chance, as identified in original manuscript. A corrected version of Table 1 appears below.
Vague Singulars, Semantic Indecision, and the Metaphysics of Persons*

Composite materialism, as I will understand it, is the view that human persons are composite material objects. This paper develops and investigates an argument, The Vague Singulars Argument, for the falsity of composite materialism. We shall see that cogent or not, the Vague Singulars Argument has philosophically significant ramifications.
ON THE PREPONDERANCE OF PROLATE DEFORMATIONS IN NUCLEI

Abstract An attempt is made to understand the preponderance of prolate nuclear deformations in terms of a simple Nilsson-type model for the deformed nucleus.
“Islam is Our Politics”: a Gramscian Analysis of the Muslim Brotherhood (1928-1953)

The author examines the ideological history of the Muslim Brotherhood from its genesis in 1928 until 1953, the date Egypt declared itself a republic after 70 years of British domination. He treats this history as a case study and employs Gramscian theory to interpret his findings. He then applies analytic generalization to the resulting observations to determine how his research might amplify Gramsci's ideas. Finally, he argues that the Brotherhood produced an Islamic ideology that expands Gramscian thought pursuant to national governance, cultural criticism, formal education, and military defense.
Learning Orientation and Performance at University Endowments

University endowments with broad portfolio diversification have been correlated with superior risk-adjusted performance, but committee characteristics affecting those diversification decisions have not been tested previously. The investment committee’s learning orientation (consisting of open-mindedness, learning commitment, information sharing, and shared vision) is found to affect portfolio diversification indirectly via Portfolio Theory considerations. Investment committees whose members have expertise in diverse asset classes have a direct effect on portfolio diversification.
Nonuniform expression of habituation in the activity of distinct classes of neurons in the Aplysia abdominal ganglion

Global observations of neuronal response in the Aplysia abdominal ganglion were made during habituation of the gill withdrawal reflex using voltage-sensitive dye recording. This technique makes it possible to measure the spike activity of 30-50% of the 1000 neurons present in the ganglion. Our experiments address the issue of how habituation is expressed in the activity of the population of neurons responding to siphon stimulation. Several classes of neurons exhibited characteristically distinct responses to the stimuli and to habituation training. One class of neurons (group I) responded to the onset and offset of the sensory stimulus although they are probably not primary sensory neurons. They habituate only partially when the behavioral reflex has already habituated completely. Two other classes (groups II and III) both have sustained responses to the touch, but habituate differently. Members of group III habituate completely while those in group II habituate only partially. Another class of neurons are inhibited by the stimulus (group IV). They become less inhibited after habituation. The response of both group I and group IV are new classes of response that have not been previously reported.
High-field magnetic resonance imaging of the response of human prostate cancer to Pc 4-based photodynamic therapy in an animal model.

Introduction: High-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging technique that provides a powerful, non-invasive tool for in vivo studies of cancer therapy in animal models. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new treatment modality for prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer mortality in American males. The goal of this study was to evaluate the response of human prostate tumor cells growing as xenografts in athymic nude mice to Pc 4-sensitized PDT. Materials and Methods: PC-3, a cell line derived from a human prostate malignant tumor, was injected intradermally on the back flanks of athymic nude mice. Two tumors were initiated on each mouse. One was treated and the other served as the control. A second-generation photosensitizing drug Pc 4 (0.6 mg/kg body weight) was delivered to each animal by tail vein injection 48 hours before laser illumination (672 nm, 100 mW/cm 2 , 150 J/cm 2 ). A dedicated high-field (9.4 T) small-animal MR scanner was used for image acquisitions. A multi-slice multi-echo (MSME) technique, permitting noninvasive in vivo assessment of potential therapeutic effects, was used to measure the T2 values and tumor volumes. Animals were scanned immediately before and after PDT and 24 hours after PDT. T2 values were computed and analyzed for the tumor regions. Results: For the treated tumors, the T2 values significantly increased (P < 0.002) 24 hours after PDT (68.2 � 8.5 milliseconds), compared to the pre-PDT values (55.8 � 6.6 milliseconds). For the control tumors, there was no significant difference (P ¼ 0.53) between the prePDT (52.5 � 6.1 milliseconds) and 24-hour post-PDT (54.3 � 6.4 milliseconds) values. Histologic analysis showed that PDT-treated tumors demonstrated necrosis and inflammation that was not seen in the control. Discussion: Changes in tumor T2 values measured by multi-slice multi-echo MR imaging provide an assay that could be useful for clinical monitoring of photodynamic therapy of prostate tumors. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:723–730, 2007. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On estimating 3-D incompressible motion

In this paper we present a new method for estimating the 3-D motion of an incompressible or nearly incompressible body from a set of noisy and possibly sparse measurements. This problem occurs in applications such as the estimation of heart motion and fluid flow. Our method is based on a stochastic motion model where the incompressibility condition is modeled as a correlation between certain components of the displacement or velocity field gradient. This model, which we call the correlation model, allows for local fluctuations in volume, and provides a framework for incorporating a priori knowledge of the directions of expansion and contraction. We derive an optimal estimate equation based on the correlation model, which under certain conditions reduces to that obtained by other authors using a regularisation approach. Computer simulations are presented that demonstrate the correlation model method.
Control of inverter-connected sources in autonomous microgrids

The use of distributed generation is growing steadily, motivating a need for flexible interconnection strategies. The resulting microgrid concept allows sub-networks of sources and loads to maintain reliable operation when disconnected from the main grid. The paper presents a control strategy for inverter-based sources that supports transitioning between grid connection and autonomous operation. The controller regulates the inverter terminal voltage and the active power delivered to the AC system, and takes into account the phase-locked loop (PLL) dynamics. An example, in which two SOFC plants provide power to a microgrid, explores controller behaviour. The investigation considers disconnection from the main grid, autonomous operation, and re-synchronization with the main grid.
Focal irregularity of the rectal mucosa

Mucosal irregularity seen on air-contrast barium enema may be the only radiographic manifestation of a variety of pathologic conditions of the rectum. Seven patients are described to illustrate the fact that when the rectal mucosal irregularity is focal and well demarcated, neoplastic conditions should head the list of diagnostic possibilities. Adenocarcinoma, verrucose carcinoma, adenomatous hyperplasia, villous adenoma, and metastatic carcinoma can all be manifested in this way. The appearance of these lesions on air-contrast barium enema is contrasted with the diffuse mucosal irregularity characteristic of inflammatory and other rectal conditions.
Advances in the methods for discovering novel painful bladder syndrome therapies.

Introduction: Advances in the treatment of interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) depend on a good understanding of its pathogenesis. Presently, oral medicine and intravesical drug instillations may be the most popular therapies in daily practice. To improve the efficacy of intravesical drug delivery, the system requires modulation through coupling them to novel carriers. Numerous investigators have attempted alternative reconstructive procedures for bladder replacement/repair using scaffolds. These scaffolds include acellular extracellular matrix grafts or tissue-derived cell-seeded extracellular matrix grafts as well as the transplantation of mesenchymal progenitor cells into the damaged bladder. Areas covered: This review focuses on the current available IC/BPS treatments and the different strategies employing nanotechnology or tissue engineering in the discovery of novel IC/BPS therapies. Expert opinion: Current studies in the discovery of novel IC/BPS therapies are still imperfect, w...
Productivity Profiles of PhD‐Granting Geography Departments in the Unites States: 1980–1994

In our study, 48 U.S. departments that grant geography PhDs are compared along four measures of academic productivity. Using 1980–1994 as the base period, research productivity of faculty was assessed by counting book titles, as well as authorships in 77 journals. Teaching productivity was determined by placement of PhDs in graduate programs of geography in North America, and by a weighted index of teaching outcomes. Data were summed for departments, but are reported primarily as productivity per person (per FTE count). The results point to a wide variety of departmental profiles, from those departments that appear to emphasize teaching outcomes to those that are more productive in book publishing and journal authorship, with several exhibiting a balance between teaching and research.
Turbocharger On-engine Experimental Vibration Testing

Many automotive turbochargers operate in the self-excited unstable region. In the past these instabilities have been accepted as unavoidable, but recent developments in analysis and instrumentation may make it possible to reduce or eliminate them. A test stand being developed at Virginia Tech has been used to measure the vibrations of a 3.9 liter diesel engine stock turbocharger with floating bushing journal bearings. Vibration spectrum content clearly identifies the shaft instabilities and provides the basis for additional evaluation of future bearing design modifications. This paper provides additional experimental vibration data reduction that will be useful for future research direction to fully understand the turbocharger dynamic instability.
Structural coverage analysis method

This paper describes a method to obtain structural coverage using a combination of structural coverage attained through Requirement-Based Testing (RBT) and Analysis. This method sets a specific coverage level that must be obtained through RBT alone for each element. The remaining code, not structurally covered, is then analyzed using a number of criteria. This combination of testing and analysis provides the structural coverage, which is part of the requirement-based formal verification test results.
Finding the Purpose in Education: Assessing the Goals and Ideals of Education from the Perspective of Canadian Elementary Students

The focus of this action research project was to discern elementary students’ views regarding the goal or purpose of their education. Participants included 24 students in a grade four/five split classroom from a middle class neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Students were asked to voluntarily complete a researcher made survey regarding their perception on education. The survey required the students to reflect on four major areas; school for the purpose of citizenship, school for the purpose of building a better personal future, attitudes toward curriculum, and student attitudes about their own academic performance. The results of this study indicated that students strongly believed that school plays a large role in preparing them for the future and in building citizenship. However, the students expressed a generally negative attitude toward personal academic performance academics and curriculum. Implications for educators are discussed in light of student responses.
Recognition, Redistribution, and Liberty

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between redistribution, recognition, and liberty. In particular, it critiques the existing approaches in the critical literature that either reduces redistribution to a simple subset of recognition, or insists that recognition is both necessary and sufficient for redistribution to occur. It argues, instead, that the introduction of the relatively weak assumption of (minimal) individual liberty is required for recognition, and that while recognition is necessary, it is insufficient for redistribution. It also considers the sustainability of voluntary redistribution in a liberal society, and voluntary recognition in an authoritarian society. Finally, the approach is applied to the problems of discrimination, genocide, and ethnic conflict.
A study of scintillation beta microprobes

Several types of scintillation microprobes have recently been developed to directly measure positron activity from radiotracers in live animals. These probes consist of either a small lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) crystal or plastic scintillator coupled to an optical fiber that is read out with a photomultiplier tube operated in a single photon counting mode. In this paper, a comparison is made between the two types of probes in terms of their sensitivity to both positrons and gammas. It was found that LSO offers very high sensitivity to positrons due to its high density and light output, and allows the construction of very small probes for certain applications. The LSO probe can also provide effective discrimination between positrons and gammas, and provide better localization of positron decays, using pulse height discrimination. Results are also given on the use of the microprobe on live laboratory animals.
The costs of calibration

Characterization of the operating parameters of newly developed instruments is met by the several meanings of calibration. In the commonly used form, calibration is used to verify reference values and check the graduations by performing an operational check through the measuring range. This alone can cost an appreciable portion of the sale price of the instrument or circuit board. However, a broad meaning of calibration is to fix the graduations, which requires establishment of the performance characteristics of the device. Equipment to perform the basic calibration may cost over $100, 000 while testers to establish performance run in excess of $1, 000, 000. Costs of such equipment and the time to do the tests are a necessary part of the pricing of each circuit board or instrument made.
A highly linear CMOS current-controlled oscillator using a novel frequency detector

A CMOS current-controlled oscillator capable of operating over a range of frequencies (100 MHz to 1.0 GHz) is presented. It achieves a highly linear frequency-variation with control current by using a novel switched-capacitor frequency- detector and a simple single-ended ring oscillator in a feedback loop. The simple low-power circuit does not use operational amplifiers or resistors. This circuit, realized in TSMC 0.18-mum CMOS process shows 0.1% linearity over a tuning range of 100 MHz to 1.0 GHz. The simulated results show power dissipation of 1.7 mW at 1.0 GHz and 326 muW at 100 MHz from a 1.8 V supply.
Common Ground and Perspective-taking in Real-time Language Processing

Successful communication would seem to require that speakers and listeners distinguish between their own knowledge, commitments and intentions, and those of their interlocutors. A particularly important distinction is between shared knowledge (common ground) and private knowledge (privileged ground). Keeping track of what is shared and what is privileged might seem too computationally expensive and too memory intensive to inform real-time language processing--a position supported by striking experimental evidence that speakers and listeners act egocentrically, showing strong and seemingly inappropriate intrusions from their own privileged ground. I’ll review recent results from my laboratory using unscripted conversation demonstrating that (1) speaker’s utterances provide evidence about whether they believe information is shared or privileged; and (2) addressees are extremely sensitive to this evidence. I’ll suggest an integrative framework that explains discrepancies in the literature and might be informative for researchers in the computational dialogue community.
Bioavailability and antioxidant activity of tea flavanols after consumption of green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement

Background Green and black tea polyphenols have been extensively studied as cancer chemopreventive agents. Many in vitro experiments have supported their strong antioxidant activity. Additional in vivo studies are needed to examine the pharmacokinetic relation of absorption and antioxidant activity of tea polyphenols administered in the form of green or black tea or tea extract supplements. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic disposition of tea polyphenols and their effect on the antioxidant capacity in plasma 8 h after a bolus consumption of either green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement. Design Thirty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to 3 different sequences of green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement in a 3 x 3 crossover design with a 1-wk washout period in between treatments. Results Flavanol absorption was enhanced when tea polyphenols were administered as a green tea supplement in capsule form and led to a small but significant increase in plasma antioxidant activity compared with when tea polyphenols were consumed as black tea or green tea. All 3 interventions provided similar amounts of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Conclusions Our observations suggest that green tea extract supplements retain the beneficial effects of green and black tea and may be used in future chemoprevention studies to provide a large dose of tea polyphenols without the side effects of caffeine associated with green and black tea beverages.
IRT Item Parameter Recovery With Marginal Maximum Likelihood Estimation Using Loglinear Smoothing Models

Loglinear smoothing (LLS) estimates the latent trait distribution while making fewer assumptions about its form and maintaining parsimony, thus leading to more precise item response theory (IRT) item parameter estimates than standard marginal maximum likelihood (MML). This article provides the expectation-maximization algorithm for MML estimation with LLS embedded and compares LLS to other latent trait distribution specifications, a fixed normal distribution, and the empirical histogram solution, in terms of IRT item parameter recovery. Simulation study results using a 3-parameter logistic model reveal that LLS models matching four or five moments are optimal in most cases. Examples with empirical data compare LLS to these approaches as well as Ramsay-curve IRT.
Changes in concentrations of serum albumin in dairy cows at calving and their possible significance in relation to milk yield and fertility during lactation

The Compton Metabolic Profile Test was designed to monitor the health of dairy herds, but the possibility is now being investigated of using blood profiles as an aid in the identification of prediction of cows with superior production potential. The problem of determining whether blood profiles can be used in this way, however, is likely to be complex. Even if relationships can be found between individual blood profiles of cows and their current performance, it need not follow that such relationships could be predicted from samples collected earlier in life. Further, although it has been shown that cows maintain individual blood profiles over fairly long periods of time (Kitchenham and Rowlands, 1976) the important characteristic may not be the mean concentration of a blood constituent maintained by a cow, but the ability of a cow to maintain normal concentrations during periods of stress.
Characterizing the Autonomous Motions of Linear Catalytic Nanomotors Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

This work explores the efficacy of different characterization methods of identification of self-propelled motions of nanomotors out of overwhelming thermal noises. Here a linear catalytic nanomotor swimming in a two-dimensional fluid is investigated using the molecular dynamics simulation method. A model fuel-catalyst reactive force field is designed to produce exothermic decomposition reactions of diatomic fuel molecules into monatomic product molecules, which can be accelerated by the presence of model catalysts. Steady states with constant chemical composition and temperature are achieved by Monte Carlo product-to-reactant conversion operations and a Nose-Hoover thermostat, respectively. The self-propelled autonomous motion of the nanomotor is characterized by the accumulated displacement along the propulsion direction and the mean square displacement analysis. Compared to a control system without catalysts, it is found that, the chemical propulsion affects the linear motion considerably, but has littl...
The search for diagnostic criteria in Alzheimer's disease: an update.

BACKGROUND Although the pathologic findings in Alzheimer’s disease are well documented, definitive diagnostic criteria are lacking. OBJECTIVE To review the histopathologic findings in Alzheimer’s disease. SUMMARY In Alzheimer’s disease, the brain may be normal in size or atrophic. There is selective neuronal loss associated with neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques with amyloid deposits. Amyloid protein may also be deposited within arterioles. There may be granulovacuolar degeneration and Hirano bodies in the hippocampus. Two diagnostic schemes have been proposed based on the presence of senile plaques, but neither is entirely satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS The pathologic diagnosis is usually made in conjunction with the clinical history. Probably, neither definitive diagnostic criteria nor effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease will be possible until we understand more about its etiology. Clinicians should attempt to rule out other, potentially curable causes of dementia in elderly patients such as trauma, depression, metabolic abnormalities, infection, vascular disease, and other central nervous system diseases.
CHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS OF HEAT AND RADIATION DAMAGE TO ROCK SALT.

Chemical changes induced in Palo Duro and Paradox Basin natural rock salts and in synthetic NaCl by heat and gamma radiation were investigated. Heating of unirradiated natural rock salts to 300°C resulted in HCI (most prevalent), SO 2 , CO 2 , and H 2 S evolution, and increased the base content of the remaining salt by not more than 10 microequivalents per gram; whereas, heating of synthetic NaCI gave no product. Gamma irradiation produced sodium colloids and neutral chlorine in amounts similar to the results of Levy and coworkers. When the irradiated salts were heated, three reactions were apparent: (1) radiation-induced defects recombined; (2) neutral chlorine was evolved; and (3) HCl, SO 2 , CO 2 , and H 2 S were evolved, similar to results for unirradiated salts. Because reaction (1) appeared to dominate over reaction (2), it is expected that the influence of radiation damage to salt on the near-field chemical environment will be minor.
Basis of type A and F toxicities of Clostridium botulinum strain 84.

Summary Clostridium botulinumStrain 84 culture fluid concentrate, whose toxicity requires for neutralization a mixture of type A and F antitoxins, was absorbed separately with the two types of antitoxin. Toxic titer of the type that corresponded to the antitoxin used for absorption was reduced to a low level without a significant decrease in the toxicity titer of the heterologous type. Absorption of anti-84 serum with type A or F toxoid reduced only the homologous type of antitoxic activity. Culture strain 84 produces a mixture of type A and F toxin molecules and not a single toxic molecular species which reacts with A and F antitoxins.Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and by Grant 5-RO1-FD-00090 of the U.S. Public Health Service.
"Desktop knowledge": a new focus for medical education and decision support.

Physicians today are faced with "data overload" and, paradoxically, "information underload"--the inability to locate pertinent, needed knowledge in a sea of data with which they are inundated. Increasingly, the professional functions of the physician are becoming focused on the desktop workstation, in terms of its ability to provide "windows" into local databases and knowledge resources, and to serve as an access port to other networked resources. A challenge we now face is to develop means for structuring the vast potentially available knowledge resources in such a manner that access to pertinent knowledge can be facilitated, and to develop acceptable interfaces to the knowledge resources so that a user can effectively navigate through them. The complexity of this task is due to the nature of the knowledge resources--knowledge can be in a variety of forms, ranging from textual and pictorial material, to structured representations, to more dynamic embodiments in the form of procedures. In the Decision Systems Group we have focused on the development of a prototype desktop knowledge management environment known as Explorer-2, with the objective of providing a consistent interface for access to a wide variety of knowledge. Our accomplishments to date encompass the incorporation into the Explorer-2 environment of adaptations of textbook chapters and books, image data bases, simulations, and expert systems. Navigational aids are provided by a semantic net browser using both MeSH and augmented taxonomies and by a graphical overview map.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Introducing the Conflicting Meanings of “Justice” Using a Candy-Distribution Exercise

Environmental justice (EJ), as both a body of scholarship and social movement, is concerned with the intersections of social justice and environmental issues. The goal of the learning activity described in this chapter is to challenge such views and introduce EJ by asking students to critically examine what a “fair” or “just” situation is through an activity in which students distribute resources (candy and hypothetical parks) and hazards (hypothetical industrial sites) among their classmates and then discuss both the outcomes and their decision-making processes. Ultimately, the exercise will demonstrate that “justice” is not a straightforward concept and that decisions that seem just for one person or group might be unjust for another. After completing this activity, students should be able to (1) compare and contrast different ideas of justice, (2) apply ideas of justice to environmental controversies, and (3) develop their own personal definition of justice in the context of environmental issues.
Developing Valid Measures of Emergency Management Capabilities within US Department of Veterans Affairs Hospitals.

UNLABELLED Introduction Hospitals play a critical role in providing health care in the aftermath of disasters and emergencies. Nonetheless, while multiple tools exist to assess hospital disaster preparedness, existing instruments have not been tested adequately for validity. Hypothesis/Problem This study reports on the development of a preparedness assessment tool for hospitals that are part of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA; Washington, DC USA). METHODS The authors evaluated hospital preparedness in six "Mission Areas" (MAs: Program Management; Incident Management; Safety and Security; Resiliency and Continuity; Medical Surge; and Support to External Requirements), each composed of various observable hospital preparedness capabilities, among 140 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs). This paper reports on two successive assessments (Phase I and Phase II) to assess the MAs' construct validity, or the degree to which component capabilities relate to one another to represent the associated domain successfully. This report describes a two-stage confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of candidate items for a comprehensive survey implemented to assess emergency preparedness in a hospital setting. RESULTS The individual CFAs by MA received acceptable fit statistics with some exceptions. Some individual items did not have adequate factor loadings within their hypothesized factor (or MA) and were dropped from the analyses in order to obtain acceptable fit statistics. The Phase II modified tool was better able to assess the pre-determined MAs. For each MA, except for Resiliency and Continuity (MA 4), the CFA confirmed one latent variable. In Phase I, two sub-scales (seven and nine items in each respective sub-scale) and in Phase II, three sub-scales (eight, four, and eight items in each respective sub-scale) were confirmed for MA 4. The MA 4 capabilities comprise multiple sub-domains, and future assessment protocols should consider re-classifying MA 4 into three distinct MAs. CONCLUSION The assessments provide a comprehensive and consistent, but flexible, approach for ascertaining health system preparedness. This approach can provide an organization with a clear understanding of areas for improvement and could be adapted into a standard for hospital readiness. Dobalian A , Stein JA , Radcliff TA , Riopelle D , Brewster P , Hagigi F , Der-Martirosian C . Developing valid measures of emergency management capabilities within US Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(5):475-484.
Three-way inter-satellite radiometric calibration between GMI, TMI and WindSat

Satellite precipitation measurements began a new era with the commissioning of the new Global Precipitation Measurements Microwave Imager (GMI) in March 2014. For the previous 17 years, the Tropical Rainfall Measurements Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI), operating in a non-sun-synchronous orbit, served as the radiometric transfer standard for the constellation radiometers. Previously, the Central Florida Remote Sensing Lab has conducted independent inter-comparisons over oceans between TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and the Naval Research Lab's WindSat polarimetric radiometer, and found that the radiometric calibration of TMI relative to WindSat exhibited exceptional long-term radiometric stability over > 5 years. This paper presents results of the three-way inter-calibration of GMI, TMI and WindSat brightness temperatures during the GPM/TRMM/WindSat overlap period March 2014 – March 2015.
GppFst: genomic posterior predictive simulations of FST and dXY for identifying outlier loci from population genomic data.

Summary We introduce GppFst, an open source R package that generates posterior predictive distributions of FST and dx under a neutral coalescent model to identify putative targets of selection from genomic data. Availability and implementation GppFst is available at ( https://github.com/radamsRHA/GppFst ). Contact todd.castoe@uta.edu. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Supplemental Flax and Impact on n3 and n6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Eggs

Abstract Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega-3 ( n −3) family have demonstrated a wide range of health benefits. The consumption of n −3 fatty acids by humans is below the recommended intake. There are two sources of n −3 fats: α-linolenic acid (ALA) from plant oils and long-chain PUFA (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) from marine food sources and algae. There is increasing interest in developing animal foods enriched with n −3 fatty acids. In this context, chicken egg is a highly targeted and well-researched food item due to its fat content (30–32%). Among the different plant-based sources, flaxseed, owing to its high fat (>38%) and ALA (>50%) contents along with other nutritional properties (e.g., metabolizable energy and protein), is the most common feed ingredient explored for egg n −3 fatty acid enrichment. Eggs from hens fed diets containing 10% flaxseed provide over 600 mg of n −3 PUFA with ALA contributing >80% of the total n −3 PUFA.
Poverty among Foster Children: Estimates Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure.

AbstractWe use data from the Current Population Survey and the new Supplemental Poverty Measure to provide estimates for poverty among foster children from 1992 to 2013. These are the first large-scale, national estimates for foster children because they are not included in official poverty statistics. Holding child and family demographics constant, foster children have a lower risk of poverty than other children. Analyzing income in detail suggests that foster care payments likely play an important role in reducing the risk of poverty in this group. In contrast, we find that children living with their grandparents have a higher risk of poverty than other children, even after taking demographics into account. Our estimates suggest that this excess risk is likely linked to their lower likelihood of receiving foster care or other income supports.
Design of an adaptive estimator for the speed and load torque of the PMSM using an extended dynamic model

The paper presents a method to estimate the rotor position, speed and load torque of the PMSM drive. Estimation is based on an extended dynamic model of the PMSM and is done using sequential observers. A first observer estimates the EMFs of the motor; these are used to compute the rotor position angle. The EMFs along with the angle are used as inputs to a second observer which estimates the speed and the load torque. The speed is obtained from an adaptive law. The paper presents the estimation mathematics and the gain design of the observers. It is shown that, under ideal conditions, the estimates of the speed and torque are accurate. Under parameter uncertainty or parameter variations, the adaptive speed estimate is still very accurate; the estimate of the load torque loses accuracy.
Rebuilding the community: the Federation of Jewish Communities and American Jewish humanitarian aid in Yugoslavia, 1944–1952*

AbstractThis article recounts the implications of American Jewish aid for rebuilding the Jewish communities of Yugoslavia in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust. By focusing on the founding and the activities of the Autonomous Relief Committee (ARC), which channelled aid provided by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the article argues that it was the power that ARC assumed, of deciding on funding priorities and being in close proximity to the new Yugoslav communist regime, that allowed it to shape the outlook of post-Holocaust Jewishness in Yugoslavia. The article is based primarily on previously unexamined sources from the Federation of Jewish Communities of Yugoslavia and JDC, and sheds new light on the dynamic period of negotiation of the new normative Jewish identity in the aftermath of the Holocaust.
Emergence of metastable dynamics in functional brain organization via spontaneous fMRI signal and whole-brain computational modeling

Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the resting-state brain organization. This study investigated how metastability, defined as the standard deviation of synchrony described by the Kuramoto order parameter, arises from the structural connectome and relates to empirical measures of metastability in resting-state brain networks. We tested whether spontaneous fMRI brain activity in the functional organization of the human brain operates in a metastable state. We compared between empirical metastability defined in four major resting-state brain networks - auditory network, default mode network, left and right executive control networks - and simulated metastability derived from the Kuramoto model constrained by the empirical anatomical connectivity. Our results show that maximal metastability within resting-state brain networks arises from the model with different coupling strengths. Empirical metastability corresponds to a dynamical region where the simulated metastability is maximized. The emergence of metastable dynamics observed in empirical resting-state functional networks around the region of maximal metastability suggests that such a dynamical regime in the brain may drive the resting state of the brain. Our study may provide a mechanistic explanation of the origin of functional organization of the brain, and may help our understanding of the mechanistic causes of disease.
Neutrophil Phenotype Correlates With Postoperative Inflammatory Outcomes in Infants Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

OBJECTIVES Infants with congenital heart disease frequently require cardiopulmonary bypass, which causes systemic inflammation. The goal of this study was to determine if neutrophil phenotype and activation status predicts the development of inflammatory complications following cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary care PICU with postoperative cardiac care. PATIENTS Thirty-seven patients 5 days to 10 months old with congenital heart disease requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Laboratory and clinical data collected included length of mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and fluid overload. Neutrophils were isolated from whole blood at three time points surrounding cardiopulmonary bypass. Functional analyses included measurement of cell surface protein expression and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity. Of all patients studied, 40.5% displayed priming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity in response to N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe stimulation 24 hours post cardiopulmonary bypass as compared to pre bypass. Neonates who received steroids prior to bypass demonstrated enhanced priming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity at 48 hours. Patients who displayed priming post cardiopulmonary bypass were 8.8 times more likely to develop severe acute kidney injury as compared to nonprimers. Up-regulation of neutrophil surface CD11b levels pre- to postbypass occurred in 51.4% of patients, but this measure of neutrophil priming was not associated with acute kidney injury. Subsequent analyses of the basal neutrophil phenotype revealed that those with higher basal CD11b expression were significantly less likely to develop acute kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS Neutrophil priming occurs in a subset of infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Acute kidney injury was more frequent in those patients who displayed priming of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity after cardiopulmonary bypass. This pilot study suggests that neutrophil phenotypic signature could be used to predict inflammatory organ dysfunction.
GABA Uptake Inhibition Reduces In Vivo Extraction Fraction in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Long Evans Rats Measured by Quantitative Microdialysis Under Transient Conditions

Inhibitory signaling in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is involved in the mechanism of action for many drugs of abuse. Although drugs of abuse have been shown to alter extracellular γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration in the VTA, knowledge on how uptake mechanisms are regulated in vivo is limited. Quantitative (no-net-flux) microdialysis is commonly used to examine the extracellular concentration and clearance of monoamine neurotransmitters, however it is unclear whether this method is sensitive to changes in clearance for amino acid neurotransmitters such as GABA. The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in GABA uptake are reflected by in vivo extraction fraction within the VTA. Using quantitative (no-net-flux) microdialysis adapted for transient conditions, we examined the effects of local perfusion with the GABA uptake inhibitor, nipecotic acid, in the VTA of Long Evans rats. Basal extracellular GABA concentration and in vivo extraction fraction were 44.4 ± 1.9 nM (x-intercepts from 4 baseline regressions using a total of 24 rats) and 0.19 ± 0.01 (slopes from 4 baseline regressions using a total of 24 rats), respectively. Nipecotic acid (50 μM) significantly increased extracellular GABA concentration to 170 ± 4 nM and reduced in vivo extraction fraction to 0.112 ± 0.003. Extraction fraction returned to baseline following removal of nipecotic acid from the perfusate. Conventional microdialysis substantially underestimated the increase of extracellular GABA concentration due to nipecotic acid perfusion compared with that obtained from the quantitative analysis. Together, these results show that inhibiting GABA uptake mechanisms within the VTA alters in vivo extraction fraction measured using microdialysis and that in vivo extraction fraction may be an indirect measure of GABA clearance.
Combinatorial parameters on bargraphs of permutations

‎In this paper‎, ‎we consider statistics on permutations of length $n$ represented geometrically as bargraphs having the same number of horizontal steps‎. ‎More precisely‎, ‎we find the joint distribution of the descent and up step statistics on the bargraph representations‎, ‎thereby obtaining a new refined count of permutations of a given length‎. ‎To do so‎, ‎we consider the distribution of the parameters on permutations of a more general multiset of which $mathcal{S}_n$ is a subset‎. ‎In addition to finding an explicit formula for the joint distribution on this multiset‎, ‎we provide counts for the total number of descents and up steps of all its members‎, ‎supplying both algebraic and combinatorial proofs‎. ‎Finally‎, ‎we derive explicit expressions for the sign balance of these statistics‎, ‎from which the comparable results on permutations follow as special cases‎.
Evidence of effectiveness of preventive dental care in reducing dental treatment use and related expenditures.

Author(s): Pourat, Nadereh; Choi, Moonkyung Kate; Chen, Xiao | Abstract: OBJECTIVES:Preventive dental health services are intended to reduce the likelihood of development of tooth decay and the need for more intensive treatment overtime. The evidence on the effectiveness of preventive dental care in reducing treatment services and expenditures is lagging for adults, particularly those with lower incomes and chronic conditions. We assessed the impact of preventive dental services on dental treatment service use and expenditures overall and by category of service. METHODS:We calculated the annual numbers of preventive (periodic diagnostic and prophylactic procedures) and treatment (restorative, surgery, prosthodontic, endodontic, and periodontic) services per beneficiary using Medicaid enrollment and claims data for beneficiaries with three categories of conditions (diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disease) from 10 largest California counties. We used Cragg hurdle exponential regression models controlling for past service use, demographics, length of enrollment, and county. RESULTS:We found that using preventive services in 2005-2007 was associated with higher likelihood and number of treatment dental services used, but associated with lower treatment expenditures in 2008. The reduction in expenditures was noted only in restorative, prosthodontics, and periodontic services. CONCLUSIONS:The findings provide much needed evidence of the contribution of preventive dental care in maintaining oral health of low-income adults with chronic conditions and potential for savings to the Medicaid program. Providing lower cost preventive dental care to the individuals with chronic conditions would achieve better oral health and lower treatment expenditures.