cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SUN-593 Puzzling TFTs: A Case of a TSHoma and Underlying Hashimoto's Disease

Introduction: TSH-secreting adenomas (also known as TSHomas or thyrotropinomas) are rare pituitary tumors (0.5-3% of pituitary adenomas) and a rare cause of hyperthyroidism (<1%). Characteristic lab values include a non-suppressed TSH with elevated T4 and T3. Clinical Case: A 61 year old man with chronic exhaustion was found to have an elevated TSH in 2013. Family history was notable for hypothyroidism in his sister and mother. His PCP started the patient on levothyroxine (LT4) and escalated dose up to 175 mcg daily. However, the TSH remained persistently elevated despite good adherence. His levothyroxine was increased to 215 mcg and he developed palpitations. TSH decreased from 11.89 (0.35-5.5 uIU/L) to 4.7 with this dose change, but free T4 increased from 1.61 to 2.54 (0.8-1.9 ng/ml). A pituitary MRI in 7/2015 showed a hypoenhancing 8x8 mm pituitary microadenoma. He was then seen for a second opinion, taken off levothyroxine and monitored. Physical exam was notable for slight tachycardia with HR 105, no thyromegaly or nodules, and otherwise the patient was euthyroid appearing. Labs were otherwise notable for an anti-TPO antibody 261 (0-115 IU/ml), TSI <89 (<140%), alpha subunit 1.6 (0.1-0.5 ng/ml), SHBG 76.4 (17-66 nmol/L), TSH 14.37, and free T4 2.3. Repeat MRI in 4/2018 demonstrated an interval increase of pituitary adenoma (1.3x1.2x1.1 cm). Methimazole was started (partially as a diagnostic test) and TSH increased from 44 to 134. The patient underwent uncomplicated transphenoidal surgery (TSS). Immunohistochemistry of the tumor demonstrated positive TSH staining. At 6 weeks after surgery, TSH was 2.05 with free T4 0.6, consistent with operative cure. Clinical Lessons: There is a wide differential diagnosis for non-suppressed TSH with elevated T4 and T3, including assay interference, familial syndromes including resistance to thyroid hormone beta (RTHβ), abnormal binding proteins, and TSHoma. Diagnostic testing includes repeating TFTs, obtaining a pituitary MRI, and using labs including SHBG and alpha subunit to differentiate between RTHβ and TSHoma. The first line treatment for TSHoma is TSS. In this patient with underlying Hashimoto’s disease and a TSHoma, TSH was somewhat suppressible with high-dose LT4 and the free T4 and total T3 were not always frankly high (appearing similar to subclinical hypothyroidism), delaying the time to diagnosis. References: 1. Amlashi FG, Tritos NA. Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas: epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. Endocrine. 2016; 52(3): 427-40. 2. Tjornstrand A, Nystrom HF. Diagnosis of Endocrine Disease: Diagnostic approach to TSH-producing pituitary adenoma. Eur J Endocrinol. 2017; 177(4): R183-R197.
Abnormal anisotropic diffusion properties in pediatric myelomeningocele patients treated with fetal surgery: an initial DTI study.

To investigate white matter microstructural abnormality based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in pediatric patients with fetal repair for myelomeningocele (MMC). This was a retrospective analysis of DTI data from 8 pediatric patients with prenatal MMC repair (age range 1.64–33.70 months; sex 3F/5M) and 8 age-matched controls (age 2.24–31.20 months; sex 5F/2M). All participants were scanned on 1.5T GE Signa MR scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) with the same sequence specifications. Two DTI measures, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), were calculated from the genu of corpus callosum (gCC) and the posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC). DTI values and fronto-occipital horn ratio (FOHR) were tested for group difference based on two-tailed paired t test. The ventricle size based on FOHR in patients with prenatal MMC repair was significantly larger than that in the age-matched control group (p < 0.001). Statistically significant group difference in DTI (lower FA and higher MD in patient group) was found in gCC (p = 0.007 and 0.003, respectively). A trend level increase in MD was also found (p = 0.065) in PLIC in patients when compared with the age-matched controls. Our data showed white matter abnormality based on DTI in pediatric patient with fetal repair for MMC. The sensitivity of DTI in detecting white matter abnormality, as shown in the present study, may help to serve as an imaging biomarker for assessing hydrocephalus and improve and optimize decision making for the treatment of hydrocephalus in this patient population.
ESRA19-0542 3d computed tomography reconstruction to optimize central neuraxial block trajectory in patients with degenerative spine disease

Background and aims Degenerative changes of the spinal vertebrae may make placement of central neuraxial blockade (CNB) challenging, for example, in patients with severe thoraco-lumbar scoliosis. By performing a simulated CNB using 3D virtual-reconstruction techniques, we aim to optimize needle trajectory and improve block success in scoliotic patients. Methods We imported CT angiogram DICOM images into the Anatomage® imaging system of a patient with thoraco-lumbar scoliosis. The Anatomage® is a 3D virtualization technology that allows visualization of anatomy, virtual dissection, and pre-procedure treatment planning. Using this system, we simulated various needle trajectories in a patient with thoraco-lumbar scoliosis. Results Figure 1A shows an initial planned midline epidural trajectory (MT) at the T10/T11 interspace. This resulted in a midline needle pass (MN) that failed to reach the epidural space as shown in figure 1B. A second midline needle epidural trajectory (MT) is shown in figure 2A, a level lower, at the T11/T12 interspace. Again, the midline needle pass (MN) fails to approach the epidural space (figure 2B). Finally, a right paramedian epidural trajectory (PT) at the T11/12 level shown in figure 3A demonstrates a correct paramedian needle pass (PN) toward the epidural space (figure 3B). Conclusions 3D reconstruction of CT spine imaging may prove a useful modality to plan CNB blocks in patients with degenerative spine disease. Further study is needed to correlate the usefulness of pre-procedure planning using simulated needle trajectories with in-vivo placement of CNBs. While limited due to its availability, in the future, we see this technology as useful in the management of challenging patients.
Decentralized Real-Time Pricing to Achieve Integrated Transactive and Physical Grids

With exponentially decreasing prices of PV the adoption of volatile and non-dispatchable sources into the grid has increased. Reliance on high speed communication and complex computations to handle these fast phenomena introduces points of failure and dramatically decreases the controllability and resiliency of the system. Real-time pricing mechanisms ensure that demand and source flexibility can be leveraged to hedge this volatility by balancing demand with available generation. Most pricing mechanisms are quasi real-time and rely on knowledge of system topology, feeder configuration and power flow patterns. This paper proposes a decentralized real-time pricing scheme that is dependent on system frequency. The global visibility of frequency as a pricing signal ensures that the dynamic price can be seen at every agent in the system. This gives every connected agent the ability to balance local needs while stabilizing the global system. By integrating the transactive and physical aspects of the grid, the system can be operated in a more optimal fashion. The approach demonstrates the ability to scale to islanded microgrids as well as larger market structures. By eliminating the need for low-latency communications and detailed network models, the system is also seen to be more resilient and flexible. The proposed approach shows the ability to dynamically balance generation and loads in real-time, while also achieving required market functions showing a truly integrated transactive and physical grid.
Lensing by Kerr Black Holes

Interpreting horizon-scale observations of astrophysical black holes demands a general understanding of null geodesics in the Kerr spacetime. These may be divided into two classes: ``direct'' rays that primarily determine the observational appearance of a given source, and highly bent rays that produce a nested sequence of exponentially demagnified images of the main emission: the so-called ``photon ring.'' We develop heuristics that characterize the direct rays and study the highly bent geodesics analytically. We define three critical parameters $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, $\ensuremath{\delta}$, and $\ensuremath{\tau}$ that respectively control the demagnification, rotation, and time delay of successive images of the source, thereby providing an analytic theory of the photon ring. These observable parameters encode universal effects of general relativity, independent of the details of the emitting matter.
Multiple Jobholders with Families: A Path from Jobs Held to Psychological Stress through Work-Family Conflict and Performance Quality

We examined the experience of multiple jobholders with families in reference to work-family conflict and psychological stress. Survey data were collected from American employees who held one or more jobs (N = 410) to test a model that indicated a path from jobs held to stress through work-family conflict and performance quality as stressors, with the latter stressor conditional on the importance that employees place on performance quality. Our results confirmed that more jobs held were associated with more work-to-family conflict, which in turn was associated with low-rated performance quality, which in turn was associated with more psychological stress. Also confirmed was that the performance quality-stress relationship was conditional on high importance placed on performance quality. Suggestions for future research and stress-reduction intervention are discussed.
EVALUATING ASYMPTOMATIC 2:1 CONDUCTION IN A 47-YEAR-OLD

A 2:1 atrial to ventricular conduction block can be either Mobitz type I or II second degree AV block. Differentiation between those two conditions is important as type II second degree AV block poses a greater risk of unstable rhythm A 47-year-old male with history of multiple sclerosis presented
O “Recitatif” de Machado de Assis: Para uma leitura negra de “Missa do galo” e “Teoria do medalhão”

Scholarship on racial issues in the work of Machado de Assis has improved considerably during the past two decades. Recently, scholars have begun to address more explicitly his opinions on slavery and race. Considering the fairly new approaches that undertake race as an unavoidable subject for a more complete understanding of Machado’s works, this article furthers the discussion by examining racial issues in “Missa do galo” and “Teoria do medalhao.” Using Toni Morrison’s short story “Recitatif” as a starting point, I examine Machados’s short stories to unveil the ignored presence and therefore undervalued importance of race in the tales. Resumo Nas ultimas duas decadas, a quantidade de estudos dedicados a investigar questoes raciais em Machado de Assis aumentou consideravelmente. Recentemente, os estudiosos comecaram a abordar mais explicitamente suas opinioes sobre escravidao e raca. Considerando as, relativamente novas, abordagens que adotam a raca como elemento imprescindivel para uma melhor compreensao das obras de Machado, este artigo amplia o escopo da discussao por meio de um exame de questoes raciais em “Missa do galo” e “Teoria do medalhao”. Usando o conto “Recitatif” de Toni Morrison como ponto de partida, eu examino os contos de Machados a fim de revelar a, ate o momento desprezada, importância da questao racial nesses dois contos.
Association of Blood Type With Postsurgical Mucosal Bleeding in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy With or Without Adenoidectomy.

Importance Blood type (BT) O has been identified as a risk factor for bleeding complications, while non-O BTs may increase risk for thromboembolic events. Limited data are available in children undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Objective To determine whether BT O is associated with hemorrhage after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of patients younger than 22 years who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy at a single institution between January 1, 2008, and August 7, 2017. Statistical analysis was performed from November 2017 to January 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence of hemorrhage following surgery was defined as any bleeding requiring cauterization up to 1 month after the procedure. Data on sex, age, von Willebrand disease (VWD) status, BT, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts closest to date of surgery were collected from an electronic medical record system, and the association of these factors with hemorrhage following surgery was investigated. Results A total of 14 951 pediatric patients (median [range] age, 5.6 [0.8-21.9] years; 6956 [46.5%] female) underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Prevalence of hemorrhage following the procedure was 3.9% (578 patients) for the full cohort and 2.8% (362 of 13 065) for patients with no BT identified or preprocedure VWD panel results at baseline. Children who had a BT identified and/or a VWD panel before surgery had higher bleeding rates (BT only, 14.9% [172 of 1156]; preprocedure VWD panel only, 4.6% [28 of 607]; and BT and preprocedure VWD panel, 13.0% [16 of 123]), all of which were significantly different from the baseline bleeding rate (P .99), mean von Willebrand factor values were statistically different (mean [SD] von Willebrand factor antigen level in O group, 86.9 [42.4] IU/dL in the O group vs 118.0 [53.8] IU/dL in the non-O group;P = .002; and mean [SD] von Willebrand factor ristocetin-cofactor in the O group, 72.2 [44.3] IU/dL vs 112.6 [68.0] IU/dL in the non-O group;P = .001). In addition, children older than 12 years had increased bleeding rates in the full cohort (8.3% vs 3.2%), in the testing-naive cohort (6.5% vs 2.3%), and in those with a preprocedure VWD panel only (13.5% vs 3.1%) compared with children aged 12 years or younger. Conclusions and Relevance Type O blood was not a risk factor associated with hemorrhage after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy despite lower baseline von Willebrand factor antigen and von Willebrand factor ristocetin-cofactor values in children with BT O vs those with non-O BT in our study cohort. No association was found between VWD status and bleeding, and there was no difference in VWD panel values in those who experienced hemorrhage vs those who did not within BT groups. Further studies elucidating the utility of von Willebrand factor values for children undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy are needed.
Universal Location of the Yang-Lee Edge Singularity in O(N) Theories.

We determine a previously unknown universal quantity, the location of the Yang-Lee edge singularity for the $\mathrm{O}(N)$ theories in a wide range of $N$ and various dimensions. At large $N$, we reproduce the $N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ analytical result on the location of the singularity and, additionally, we obtain the mean-field result for the location in $d=4$ dimensions. In order to capture the nonperturbative physics for arbitrary $N$, $d$ and complex-valued external fields, we use the functional renormalization group approach.
Students’ Responses to Emergency Remote Online Teaching Reveal Critical Factors for All Teaching

Our goal was to understand how students’ chemistry learning environments changed and how students responded to the wholesale transition to online learning. We deployed surveys to students enrolled in nine undergraduate chemistry courses at all levels. Survey 1 was deployed 2 weeks post-transition (N = 208); Survey 2, a week before semester’s end (N = 124, 1/3 new responders). Survey 1 asked students to describe pre/post-transition class and laboratory; to report extra-class resource use; and to write about their engagement, emotions, and motivation for learning online. Survey 2 asked students to estimate pre/post-transition verbal exchanges on a typical day; to respond to Likert-style questions constructed from Survey 1 comments; and to describe challenges of learning chemistry online including what they missed about laboratory. Results show classes changed little from a traditional lecture while laboratories changed dramatically from decision-rich first-person experiences to suboptimal passive observation. Students were sorted into profiles, according to described challenges and their adaptive behaviors. Written comments and verbal exchange data show students lost rich peer communication networks which was deleterious to understanding and motivation to engage and persist. Unexpectedly, this study pointed out more clearly the importance of cognitive processing limitations, social dynamics, peer interaction, real-time discourse, and hands-on manipulation in any educational setting (in-person or online).
Dynamic Sensor Processing for Securing Unmanned Vehicles

Unmanned Vehicles (UVs), including aerial, sea, and ground vehicles, include remotely operated vehicles and autonomous vehicles. The use of these vehicles is increasing rapidly, from military operations to the consumer space. UVs assess their environment (or relay it to the remote operator) with a variety of sensors and actuators that allow them to perform specific tasks such as navigating a route, hovering, or avoiding collisions. So far, UVs tend to trust the information provided by their sensors to make navigation decisions without data validation or verification. Therefore, attackers can exploit these limitations by feeding erroneous sensor data to disrupt or take control of the system. In this paper, we leverage the Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems (DDDAS) paradigm to design and implement an architecture for securing unmanned vehicles. We argue that DDDAS principles are a perfect fit to secure feedback-control systems with protections that classical security mechanisms cannot provide. In particular, by using exact models of the vehicle dynamics, we can compare and correlate their expected behavior (given by the models) with the values from data acquisition. If there is a persistent anomaly, we can replace sensor values with models, or fuse other sensors to replace the missing ones, enabling the vehicle to maintain safety in the immediate future.
Data on the activation and utilization of an electronic health record patient portal in an adult inpatient population at an academic medical center

Electronic health record patient portals allow patients to access their own health data online and interact with the healthcare team. Many studies have focused on use of patient portals in the outpatient setting. Relatively less is known about use of patient portals for hospitalized patients. The data in this article include analysis of patient portal activation and utilization for adults hospitalized in 2018 at an academic medical center in a Midwestern state in the United States. Activation was assessed by percentage of patients who had activated their patient portal by the time of data review. Utilization of the patient portal was determined by whether patients or their legal proxies accessed one or more reports from diagnostic testing ordered during inpatient encounter(s) in 2018. The data include 826,843 diagnostic tests on 40,640 unique patients. Patient characteristics include sex, age, whether outpatient diagnostic tests were also performed in 2018, preferred language (English or non-English), health insurance status (private, public, or uninsured), self-declared race (White or non-White), and whether there was a legal proxy for the patient. Association of these covariates with patient portal activation and utilization were analyzed.
P49 Registered Dietitian Nutritionists’ Perceptions of Helping Mothers Gain Sustainable Access to Healthy Foods

Background Food insecurity in households with children headed by single mothers is higher than the national average. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) can play a vital role in helping mothers gain sustainable access to healthy foods. Objective To examine RDN perceptions of helping mothers gain sustainable access to healthy foods and assess their awareness of nutrition assistance programs. Study Design, Setting, Participants Quantitative, cross-sectional online survey analytically framed by the Community Readiness Model. A convenience sample of 533 RDNs licensed in North Carolina was recruited using the North Carolina Board of Nutrition's public database. Measurable Outcome/Analysis RDNs answered demographic questions prior to the survey. The survey asked participants to rate their perception of the importance of helping food insecure mothers and if they felt helping was within their scope of practice. Participants were also asked about their awareness of nutrition assistance programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's correlation; P Results Participants were mostly White women (90%). Ninety-eight percent of all RDNs perceived helping mothers with food access as important. RDNs who perceived helping as important felt helping is never out of their scope of practice; U = 660, P Conclusion Most RDNs perceive helping mothers gain sustainable access to healthy foods as important and within their scope of practice. Even though there are currently 8 federal nutrition assistance programs and several state and local programs, RDNs were only able to identify a few. To be ready to help mothers experiencing food insecurity, RDNs should gain more awareness of nutrition assistance programs through continuing education efforts Funding None.
Variability and genetic control of aluminium tolerance in sorghum genotypes

Plants grown on acid soils often have limited growth and productivity. One of the major problems in acid soils is aluminium (Al) toxicity on plants12. Aluminium toxicity is particularly serious in acid subsoils where it is difficult to lime and amend the condition. Hence, root growth in acid soils is usually greatly inhibited with subsequent decreases in nutrient and water uptake by the plants.
Limb Ischemia: Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Management from Head to Toe

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects an estimated 27 million people in Europe and North America. Limb ischemia, defined as ischemic rest pain, ischemic ulcerations, or ischemic gangrene, represents the most severe manifestation of PAD and is associated with significant cardiovascular and limb morbidity and mortality. Critical limb ischemia (CLI), defined as limb ischemia symptoms for greater than 2 weeks, is characterized by a cascade of hemodynamically significant macrovascular atherosclerotic obstruction and microvascular changes culminating in decreased muscle perfusion, disrupted muscle energy metabolism, and inflammation. In contrast, acute limb ischemia (ALI) is defined as limb ischemia symptoms characterized by sudden onset of less than 2 weeks duration resulting in hemodynamically compromised limb perfusion. Diagnosis of both ALI and CLI is dependent on history, physical examination, and a combination of anatomic and hemodynamic assessment of the limb. Given that the risk factors for ALI and CLI overlap with risk factors for atherosclerotic coronary and neurovascular disease, the management of limb ischemia is focused on both endovascular or surgical limb salvage and cardiovascular risk factor control. Despite advancements in endovascular and surgical revascularization techniques, limb morbidity remains high; clinical trials of angiogenic and cell-based therapies are ongoing. Cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with limb ischemia also remains suboptimal and future studies will focus on novel antiplatelet agents.
Possible dietary strategies to reduce cognitive deficits in old age.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some data on age-related decrements in certain neurotransmitter systems. The focus is on the systems that are affected by specific food constituents. The chapter discusses the food constituents that are known to affect these same neurotransmitter systems. It is suggested that dietary supplementation with appropriate food constituents—in particular, neurotransmitter precursors—should be considered as one potential intervention strategy for ameliorating or at least slowing some of the so called “inevitable” consequences of the central nervous system aging. Some evidence in support of such dietary interventions is discussed in the chapter. If neurotransmitter precursors or other nutrients with known neurochemical effects turn out to be effective in treating various behavioral consequences of aging, these compounds will probably have certain significant advantages over classic drugs. They have always been consumed by humans. They are well tolerated and very rapidly metabolized to known non-toxic compounds by using enzyme systems that have fulfilled this function throughout man's history.
Modulation of Endothelial Coagulant Properties and Barrier Function by Factors in the Vascular Microenvironment

As the cells forming the luminal vascular surface, endothelium regulates both barrier and hemostatic functions, comprising pro- and anti-coagulant reactions.1–3 Endothelial cells carry out these functions by controlling the expression of cell surface molecules, such as receptors which regulate the hemostatic balance, those which affect permeability across the endothelial monolayers, and those which mediate leukocyte adhesion. The schematic representation in Fig. 1 emphasizes that endothelial regulation of these processes occurs in response to environmental stimuli, and that these stimuli include both blood-borne mediators, as well as factors in the vessel wall. In response to these perturbants, barrier function of the endothelial monolayer is affected and coagulant function can be shifted to favor clot formation. Barrier function of the monolayer and cell surface coagulant properties are closely linked since activation of coagulation leads to formation of proteases and fibrin, which can, in turn, increase endothelial permeability. Conversely, diminished barrier function and ingress of plasma proteins into the subendothelium promotes clotting.
An Open Cluster System Software Stack

By “cluster system software,” we mean the software that turns a collection of individual machines into a powerful resource for a wide variety of applications. In this talk we will examine one loosely integrated collection of open-source cluster system software that includes an infrastructure for building component-based systems management tools, a collection of components based on this infrastructure that has been used for the last year to manage a medium-sized cluster, a scalable process-management component in this collection that provides for both batch and interactive use, and an MPI-2 implementation together with debugging and performance analysis tools that help in developing advanced applications.
Integral representations for positive solutions of the heat equation on some unbounded domains

On etend le theoreme de representation integrale de Widder pour des solutions positives de l'equation de la chaleur sur R + ×(0,T) aux solutions positives sur R n−1 ×R + ×(0,T) pour n arbitraire
Conflating Apples and Oranges: Understanding Modern Forms of Racism

Social scientists generally agree that the post-Civil Rights form of racism is different from that which existed in the Jim Crow-era in the United States. However, beyond this agreement, what exactly modern racism is and “looks like” is debatable. With this in mind, a surprising and somewhat disturbing trend frequently occurs among social scientists that can have real consequences within academia and the general public: conflation. In naming a newly developed concept as “racism”, social scientists often conflate three interrelated concepts: racial prejudice, racial discrimination, and racism. This paper clarifies these three interrelated concepts and the problems with conflating them. Additionally, this paper describes many of the alternative conceptions of racism in the post-Civil Rights era, identifying where conflation exists in each concept. In closing, the paper describes the implications of conflation for social science research and the American public.
Fuzzy inference for service migration strategy

Service migration is an important approach for service availability and system survivability in a security incident. When a system is under attack and some platforms have been compromised, the services executed on those platforms must be migrated to other platforms in order for them to be continuously provided to users. Service migration strategy is the guideline and high-level decision regarding what (e. g., service programs, the service state and the data space) are moved from one platform to another and how. In this paper, we present a fuzzy inference system to determine the most appropriate strategy for service migration in a security incident scenario. Our approach uses expert knowledge as linguistic reasoning rules and takes as input the current system state such as the damage degree of the service programs, the complexity of those service programs, and the available network capability to securely transfer service programs and data to a new platform. Simulations show that the fuzzy inference system is effective in determining the most appropriate strategy for service migration given the current system state and environment information.
Spine Trauma: Low Lumbar Spine (L3–5)

Although its incidence is less common than in the thoracolumbar junction, low lumbar trauma shares similar concepts in terms of diagnosis and treatment. There are, however, unique characteristics relating to the lumbar spine’s lordotic alignment, increased canal to neural element ratio, and relation to the sacrum that lead to different injury mechanisms, fracture patterns, degree of neurologic compromise, and fixation options, as compared to its counterpart. Likewise, there are more biomechanical and outcome studies involving the thoracolumbar junction than low lumbar segment; thus, more research is needed for this region.
Tools to Administer Domain and Type Enforcement

Domain and Type Enforcement (DTE) is a mechanism that can be effective in providing extremely fine-grained mandatory access control in complex networked systems. Unfortunately, this level of control comes at a price: the configuration of a DTE policy is usually in the form of a dense ASCII file which does not lend itself to an understanding or administration of the policy itself. We describe a set of graphical tools which aid in that understanding and administration.
Parameter estimation in a failure detection system of a fighter aircraft

This paper presents a failure detection and isolation (FDI) technique suitable for implementation in a self-repairing flight control system (SRFCS). The FDI employs simplex optimization procedure for on-line estimation of the system parameters affected by battle damage, thus providing the basis for the implementation of a variable-structure controller to augment surface commands due to surface impairments. In addition, the suggested FDI provides failure information to a positive pilot alert (PPA) system. The approach was verified by computer simulations which showed that characteristics of an impaired system can be dramatically improved by FDI and SRFCS. >
Pseudacris regilla tadpole density differentially affects periphyton and macrophytes in a California vernal pool community

Abstract Biotic interactions between herbivores and primary producers are believed to play a major role in determining community composition of many ecological communities. How differences in herbivore abundance alter the relative importance of these interactions is not well understood, especially in seasonal wetland systems. This study investigated the effects of varying Pseudacris regilla (pacific chorus frog) larval densities on California vernal pool aquatic communities. It was hypothesized that with increasing tadpole density, macrophyte percent cover, biomass, diversity, and richness would decrease; while algae and zooplankton abundance, biomass and richness increase. The experimental mesocosm design consisted of five tadpole density treatments, and was arranged in a 5 × 5 randomized block design. Each density treatment was replicated five times. Macrophytes, algae and invertebrates were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic unit, and the biomasses of each community were quantified. Treatment effects were determined using both multivariate and univariate analysis of variance techniques. To detect differences in community composition, multivariate ordination analyses (ANOSIM, SIMPER, NMDS) were conducted. Increasing densities of P. regilla tadpoles had significant effects on the vernal pool macrophyte community. Plant diversity, species richness, biomass, and percent cover were all negatively affected by increasing tadpole densities. Macrophyte community structure was also found to be significantly different in the presence of tadpoles due to the fact that Downingia bicornuta, Ranunculus aquatilis, and Gratiola ebracteata were predominately isolated to mesocosms were P. regilla was absent. In addition, periphyton biomass was shown to be facilitated by increasing tadpole densities in the lower treatment ranges. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and phytoplankton communities, on the other hand, were not significantly affected by increasing tadpole densities. This study demonstrates the influence of P. regilla larvae on the primary producers within California vernal pool systems. Understanding the effects of these abundant consumers, and the mechanisms that drive the importance of their direct and indirect effects are essential for the conservation of vernal pools and the threatened species associated with them.
Applying energy-efficient motors in the petrochemical industry

Several US and Canadian utilities have implemented demand side management (DSM) programs for retrofitting energy efficient (EE) motors. This article examines some of the practical problems associated with this. When determining the energy savings achievable by retrofitting standard efficient (SE) motors with EE motors, the nominal efficiency difference between the SE and EE motors is often used. However, EE motors often operate at a higher speed or a lower slip in order to achieve the higher efficiency. This has an impact on centrifugal loads where the power consumed goes up as the cube of the speed, but the increased flow goes up only linearly with speed. Since the majority of loads in the petrochemical industry are centrifugal in nature (fans, pumps, and compressors), the impact of this speed differential on the actual efficiency difference is highlighted. Another consideration when retrofitting EE motors is the effect of operating voltage on efficiency. From end use metering it has been observed that most motors are supplied at above their rated voltage. The difference in rated voltage and realistic operating voltages also affects motor efficiency; however, SE and EE motors are affected differently. The impact of this operational difference on energy efficiency is also examined. Manufacturers' data is also presented to show relationships between efficiency, power factor, horsepower, and percentage load. As a consequence of this, the important question of downsizing of motors to operate closer to the smaller motor's maximum efficiency is considered.
Nuclear receptor ligands in inflammatory lung diseases

Inflammation is an underlying feature of several prevalent lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The inflammatory response is a cascade of events in which the expression of proinflammatory genes is essential. Some of these transcriptional events are regulated by the nuclear receptor (NR) family of ligand-activated transcription factors. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is already a validated NR target for suppression of the inflammatory response in asthma, whereas the anti-inflammatory properties of other NRs are only now being explored. This article reviews the role and mechanisms of multiple NRs in modulating the inflammatory response and their potential for the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.
Seismic and gravity investigations on the Malaspina Glacier, Alaska

Seismic reflections obtained from bedrock beneath the Malaspina Glacier along a ten-mile profile line indicate ice thicknesses ranging from 1130 to 2050 ft. The base of the ice is 700 ft below sea level near the center of the profile and shallows both northward toward the mountains and southward toward the ice margin. Good reflections were obtained with dynamite charges of about one ounce in 26-ft water-filled shot holes but only in relatively crevasse-free areas. Deeper reflections substantiate the inferred sedimentary nature of the subglacial rocks and show geologic structures consistent with the regional pattern. Gravity measurements along the central three miles of the seismic profile line indicate a gentle northwest-southeast trending subglacial topographic grain. Seismic refraction shots beyond the present margin of the glacier suggest a thickness of unconsolidated proglacial deposits in excess of 500 ft.
Symbiotic Relationship of Pharmacogenetics and Drugs of Abuse

Pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic variation affects pharmacology, the use of drugs to treat disease. When drug responses are predicted in advance, it is easier to tailor medications to different diseases and individuals. Pharmacogenetics provides the tools required to identify genetic predictors of probable drug response, drug efficacy, and drug-induced adverse events—identifications that would ideally precede treatment decisions. Drug abuse and addiction genetic data have advanced the field of pharmacogenetics in general. Although major findings have emerged, pharmacotherapy remains hindered by issues such as adverse events, time lag to drug efficacy, and heterogeneity of the disorders being treated. The sequencing of the human genome and high-throughput technologies are enabling pharmacogenetics to have greater influence on treatment approaches. This review highlights key studies and identifies important genes in drug abuse pharmacogenetics that provide a basis for better diagnosis and treatment of drug abuse disorders.
KINEMATICS OF DUCKLINGS SWIMMING IN FORMATION : CONSEQUENCES OF POSITION

The kinematics of the paddling stroke of ducklings swimming in formation were analyzed to detect differences in relation to swimming effort and position in the formation. Paddling motions of the feet were filmed as ducklings swam in a constant 0.3 m/s water current behind a decoy which could be in the water or suspended above the water. Ducklings were tested in clutches of one, two, and four ducklings at ages of 3, 7, and 14 days of age. Ducklings swam in organized formations with the lead duckling 0.25 body length posterior of the decoy and with an average inter-duckling distance of 0.1 body length. Stroke frequency was constant within any age and decreased with age. Age, decoy position, and clutch size affected the length of the arc traversed by the foot through the power stroke for the most posterior duckling in the formation. Trailing ducklings had an arc length 16.9% less than leading ducklings, and ducklings swimming in formation had an arc length as much as 29.8% less than a solitary duckling. These results suggest that mechanical energy is conserved when formation swimming is employed. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Testing quantum chromodynamics with moment sum rules

We investigate the consistency of e/sup +/e/sup -/ annihilation data with QCD. The gluon-condensate matrix element is determined independent of the value of the strong coupling constant or possible mass-renormalization ambiguities. Our method employs finite-contour sum rules which explicitly consider continuum data. For c-quark production the condensate parameter is phi/sub c/ = (2.5 +- 0.4) x 10/sup -3/, while for b-quark production we find phi/sub b/ = (0.4 +- 1.0) x 10/sup -3/, consistent with zero. The concept of duality of moments is proved and its applicability discussed.
Spectral element analysis of radio-frequency glow discharges

Abstract Spectral element spatial discretizations are applied to the solution of a one-dimensional continuum model for radio-frequency glow discharges. Time-periodic solutions are computed for the resulting set of differential-algebraic equations using a Newton shooting algorithm that gives quadratic convergence to the solution for a good initial guess. The accuracy of the calculations is shown to exhibit the expected exponential convergence with increasing polynomial order of the Legendre polynomials in each spectral element. Comparison with previously reported calculations using upwind finite difference discretization of the same continuum model shows the smoothing of peaks in the solution structure by the upwind approximation, which may cause up to 20% error in the average energy per electron. Differences between applying a sinusoidal current and a sinusoidal voltage to sustain the plasma are discussed.
NASCAR pit-stop model improves delivery room and admission efficiency and outcomes for infants <27 weeks’ gestation

a b s t r a c t Aim: To evaluate a new process based on teamwork in a manner similar to the race car pit stop on organization and efficiency during the "Golden Hours" for extremely preterm infants. Methods: A team designed an improved process focused on checklists, preparation, assigning roles, and best practices, for the care of infants <27 weeks' gestation in the delivery room (DR) through admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Clinical outcomes 2 years before and after implementation were analyzed. A survey was administered to NICU staff prior to and 14 months after implementation. The survey assessed organization and efficiency in the DR and during the admission process of the target population. Results: There were 62 inborn infants prior to and 90 infants after implementation with overall survival of 90.3% and 86.6%, respectively (p = 0.61). Infants were more stable on admission with a mean arterial blood pressure equal to or greater than their gestational age in the post intervention group compared to the pre-cohort (76% vs 57%, p = 0.02) and discharged home at a lower mean postmenstrual age (39.0 ± 2.2 vs 40.1 ± 3.5 weeks, p = 0.04) The survey demonstrated improvement in assessment of roles being clearly defined in the DR and in the organization and the efficiency both in the DR and during the NICU admission (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A systematic approach to the care of the <27 weeks' gestation neonate increased staff per- ception of improved organization and efficiency in the DR through admission processes and improved
Quantitative immunoligical studies on single amino acid substitution in human hemoglobin: Demonstration of specific antibodies to

Abstract Rabbit antibodies have been elicited to many mutant human hemoglobins. These antimutant sera distinguish A1 hemoglobin from the mutant hemoglobins more regularly and by larger quantitative differences than these immunological distinction are made by rabbit A1 sera. Of 14 variant hemoglobins injected into rabbits, 12 regularly elicited mutant specific antibodies. These data are discussed in terms of a hypothesis relating binding energy differences between A1 and mutant hbs reacting with specific antibody and the amino acid sequence differences known to exist between human and rabbit hemoglobins.
Automorphisms which centralize a Sylow p-subgroup

I do not know whether part (i) of the theorem is true for p = 2, but it should be noted that Glauberman 161 showed when p = 2 that C = C, C, with C, a normal subgroup of odd order in C and C, an abelian 2-group. The difference between these results is whether or not C, need be a normal subgroup of C. It must be mentioned, moreover, that the proof of Theorem A depends upon the recently completed classification of all finite simple groups whereas Glauberman’s result does not depend upon this classification. Part (ii) of Theorem A is false for p = 2. For example, suppose G is the alternating group of degree n, where n > 6 and n E 2 or 3 (mod 4) and let (J be conjugation by a fixed transposition. Then o is an automorphism of order 2 of G, cr is not an inner automorphism of G, but u centralizes a Sylow 2subgroup of G. (If n = 6 and c is conjugation by (12), for example, then c centralizes ((12)(3456), (12)(35)) which is a Sylow 2-subgroup of A,.) Another example like this is furnished by letting G = PSL,(q*) with q odd and letting o be the field automorphism of order 2 of G. To prove Theorem A, we first consider the special case where G is a simple group and prove the following.
An approach to control lattice architecture in partially oxidized metallophthalocyanines. Chemical, charge transport properties and crystal structure of [MPcF(BF)x]n, where M = Cr and Ga

Abstract Fluorine-bridged metallophthalocyanine [MPcF]n polymers (M = Cr, Ga) were prepared and partially oxidized using NOBF4. Oxidation of Pc ring was verified by UV-vis spectra. Static magnetic susceptibility of the doped compounds reveals a temperature dependent Curie component and a temperature independent Pauli-like contribution. The magnitude of the latter is linearly proportional to the oxidation levels. An X-ray powder diffraction study of [MPcF(BF4)x]n (M=Cr, Ga) revealed that the doping process is inhomogeneous and the MPc unit stacks perpendicular to the Pc plane. The unit cell parameters of [CrPcF(BF4)0.80]n and [GaPcF(BF4)0.87]n are a =18.90 A , c =3.688 A with space group p4/n, z =2 and a =18.94 A , c =3.730 A with space group P4/n, z=2, respectively. The Pc separations along and perpendicular to the polymer chain vary by only several percent after BF4− doping. The eclipsed stacking of the Pc molecule persists in the oxidized state. Thus, the doped polymers reveal extremely high electrical conductivity of 4.2 × 10−2 Scm−1 ([GaPcF(BF40.87]n) and 5.6 × 10−4 Scm−1 ([CrPcF(BF4)0.80]n) in spite of the longer inter-ring distances. The polymerization of MPc by fluorine diminishes the crystal structure change upon doping while showing excellent charge transport properties.
Differential lateralization for positive versus negative emotion.

Abstract Lateral eye movements were recorded in response to 60 reflective questions designed to manipulate (1) verbal/spatial requirements and (2) affective tone. Positive emotion questions evoked movements suggestive of relative left hemisphere involvement, while negative emotion questions evoked movements suggestive of relative right hemisphere involvement. Verbal/spatial effects emerged only in a subgroup of subjects showing bidirectional eye movement responses under these conditions. Lateralization effects for approach vs avoidance responding (and their accompanying emotional states) may be more fundamental than the higher cognitive verbal/ spatial dichotomy.
Prenatal exposure to nicotine impairs nervous system development at a dose which does not affect viability or growth.

Abstract Prenatal exposure to high doses of nicotine (> 6 mg/kg/day) via maternal infusions has been shown to impair nervous system development and to decrease viability and growth. In the current study, we have examined the effects of infusing pregnant rats with 2 mg/kg of nicotine per day from gestational days 4 through 20. At this lower dose, there was neither interference with maternal weight gain nor any increase in resorption rate. Intrauterine and postnatal growth was maintained at normal or supranormal rates in the exposed offspring. Nevertheless, sufficient nicotine penetrated the fetal brain to cause persistent alterations in [ 3 H]nicotine binding sites, abnormalities of cellular development [assessed by measurements of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)], and impairment of development of peripheral noradrenergic projections (assessed by kidney norepinephrine levels); in each case, the neural alterations were virtually equivalent to those obtained previously at the higher, growth-suppressant dosage. These findings indicate that growth impairment alone is insufficient to predict the adverse effects of nicotine on development.