cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Assessment and Preparation

All patients presenting for surgical procedures under anesthesia benefit greatly from a thorough preanesthetic/preoperative assessment and targeted preparation, which serve to optimize any coexisting medical conditions and minimize the potential for complications. An increasing number of procedures are being performed on an outpatient basis, and the preoperative assessment and preparation often occurs in the surgeon’s office or even in the preoperative area on the day of surgery. In addition to identifying outstanding medical issues that may delay or lead to cancellation of their procedure on the scheduled date, the preoperative assessment is an excellent opportunity to prepare patients and families and to educate them about what to expect during and after administration of an anesthetic. For pediatric patients in particular, where the psychological needs of the patient differ depending on their age and the surgery and recovery involves and affects the entire family, the preoperative assessment has a crucial role in ensuring a smooth perioperative experience.
Scalable Collapsed Inference for High-Dimensional Topic Models

The bigger the corpus, the more topics it can potentially support. To truly make full use of massive text corpora, a topic model inference algorithm must therefore scale efficiently in 1) documents and 2) topics, while 3) achieving accurate inference. Previous methods have achieved two out of three of these criteria simultaneously, but never all three at once. In this paper, we develop an online inference algorithm for topic models which leverages stochasticity to scale well in the number of documents, sparsity to scale well in the number of topics, and which operates in the collapsed representation of the topic model for improved accuracy and run-time performance. We use a Monte Carlo inner loop in the online setting to approximate the collapsed variational Bayes updates in a sparse and efficient way, which we accomplish via the MetropolisHastings Walker method. We showcase our algorithm on LDA and the recently proposed mixed membership skip-gram topic model. Our method requires only amortized O(kd) computation per word token instead of O(K) operations, where the number of topics occurring for a particular document kd≪ the total number of topics in the corpus K, to converge to a high-quality solution.
SP-ASDNet: CNN-LSTM Based ASD Classification Model using Observer ScanPaths

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the common diseases that affects the language and even the behavior of the subjects. Since the large variations in the symptoms and severities of ASD, the diagnosis becomes a challenging problem. It has been witnessed that deep neural networks have been widely used and achieve good performance in various applications of visual data analysis. In this paper, we propose SP-ASDNet which utilizes both convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks to classify whether an observer is typical developed (TD) or has ASD, based on the scanpath of the corresponding observer's gaze at the given image. The proposed SP-ASDNet is submitted to 2019 Saliency4ASD grand challenge and achieves 74.22% accuracy for validation.
Instantaneous non-diffracting light-sheet generation by controlling spatial coherence.

Abstract We demonstrate single-shot non-diffracting light-sheet generation by controlling the spatial coherence of light. A one-dimensional coherent beam, created by either increasing the spatial coherence of an LED or decreasing the spatial coherence of a laser, makes it unnecessary to scan non-diffracting beams to generate light-sheets. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate the equivalence between our method and a scanned light-sheet, and investigate the characteristics of the light-sheet in detail. Our method is easily implementable and universally applicable for high-resolution multicolor light-sheet fluorescence imaging.
Bedside shift report: Nurses opinions based on their experiences.

Background Nurse bedside shift report (BSR) improves satisfaction, quality and safety. Yet, postimplementation adoption rates remain low in hospitals where BSR has been introduced. Further research is needed to understand what content is most appropriate to discuss during BSR and what facilitators are from the clinical nurses' perspective. Aims Identify and describe acute care clinical nurses' and nursing supervisors' experiences and opinions regarding: process of BSR, appropriate content for BSR and barriers and facilitators related to implementation of BSR. Design A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted at an acute care 500 bed, not-for-profit academic medical centre located in the southern United States. Methods Clinical nurses (N = 22) and nursing supervisors (N = 12) from every inpatient division were recruited and interviewed. The data were analysed for relationships, similarities and differences. Themes were then identified by two independent researchers. Results Five themes were identified: (a) time constraints and clinical nurse's workflow must be taken into consideration; (b) a modified approach is necessary; (c) process and specific critical content should be individualized so that it is meaningful for all parties involved; (d) specific critical content that should be discussed outside the patient's room; and (e) specific critical content that should be discussed inside the patient's room. Conclusions One way to minimize interruptions is to conduct BSR using a modified approach, where a portion of the hand-off occurs inside and outside the patient's room. In addition, this study identified the nurses' preferred location where specific critical topics should be discussed. Relevance to clinical practice Results from this study should be used to inform the practice BSR so the desired outcomes of patient and family satisfaction, nursing quality and patient safety can be realized. This study should influence future research aimed at identifying strategies for successful implementation and sustained use of BSR. The COREQ checklist was used to write manuscript.
Identification and Characterization of Novel Antibody Epitopes on the N2 Neuraminidase

The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is becoming a focus for novel vaccine designs. However, the epitopes of human anti-NA antibodies have been poorly defined. Using a panel of 10 anti-N2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bind the H3N2 virus A/Switzerland/9715293/2013, we generated five escape mutant viruses. These viruses contained mutations K199E/T, E258K, A272D, and S331N. We found that mutations at K199 and E258 had the largest impact on MAb binding, NA inhibition and neutralization activity. In addition, a natural isolate from the 2017-2018 season was found to contain the E258K mutation and was resistant to numerous antibodies tested. The mutation S331N, was identified in virus passaged in the presence of antibody; however, it had little impact on MAb activity and greatly decreased viral fitness. This information aids in identifying novel human MAb epitopes on the N2 and helps with the detection of antigenically drifted NAs.IMPORTANCE The influenza virus neuraminidase is an emerging target for universal influenza virus vaccines. However, in contrast to influenza virus hemagglutinin, we know little about antibody epitopes and antigenic sites on the neuraminidase. Characterizing and defining these sites is aiding vaccine development and helping to understand antigenic drift of NA.
Advancing Human-Centric LED Lighting Using Na2MgPO4F:Eu2+

The proliferation of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has resulted in continued exposure to blue light, which has been linked to cataract formation, circadian disruption, and mood disorders. Blue light can be readily minimized in pursuit of "human-centric" lighting using a violet LED chip (λem ≈ 405 nm) downconverted by red, green, and blue-emitting phosphors. However, few phosphors efficiently convert violet light to blue light. This work reports a new phosphor that meets this demand. Na2MgPO4F:Eu2+ can be excited by a violet LED yielding an efficient, bright blue emission. The material also shows zero thermal quenching and has outstanding chromatic stability. The chemical robustness of the phosphor was also confirmed through prolonged exposure to water and high temperatures. A prototype device using a 405 nm LED, Na2MgPO4F:Eu2+, and a green and red-emitting phosphor produces a warm white light with a higher color rendering index than a commercially purchased LED light bulb while significantly reducing the blue component. These results demonstrate the capability of Na2MgPO4F:Eu2+ as a next-generation phosphor capable of advancing human-centric lighting.
The Radically Embodied Conscious Cybernetic Bayesian Brain: From Free Energy to Free Will and Back Again.

Drawing from both enactivist and cognitivist perspectives on mind, I propose that explaining teleological phenomena may require reappraising both “Cartesian theaters” and mental homunculi in terms of embodied self-models (ESMs), understood as body maps with agentic properties, functioning as predictive-memory systems and cybernetic controllers. Quasi-homuncular ESMs are suggested to constitute a major organizing principle for neural architectures due to their initial and ongoing significance for solutions to inference problems in cognitive (and affective) development. Embodied experiences provide foundational lessons in learning curriculums in which agents explore increasingly challenging problem spaces, so answering an unresolved question in Bayesian cognitive science: what are biologically plausible mechanisms for equipping learners with sufficiently powerful inductive biases to adequately constrain inference spaces? Drawing on models from neurophysiology, psychology, and developmental robotics, I describe how embodiment provides fundamental sources of empirical priors (as reliably learnable posterior expectations). If ESMs play this kind of foundational role in cognitive development, then bidirectional linkages will be found between all sensory modalities and frontal-parietal control hierarchies, so infusing all senses with somatic-motoric properties, thereby structuring all perception by relevant affordances, so solving frame problems for embodied agents. Drawing upon the Free Energy Principle and Active Inference framework, I describe a particular mechanism for intentional action selection via consciously imagined (and explicitly represented) goal realization, where contrasts between desired and present states influence ongoing policy selection via predictive coding mechanisms and backward-chained imaginings (as self-realizing predictions). This embodied developmental legacy suggests a mechanism by which imaginings can be intentionally shaped by (internalized) partially-expressed motor acts, so providing means of agentic control for attention, working memory, imagination, and behavior. I further describe the nature(s) of mental causation and self-control, and also provide an account of readiness potentials in Libet paradigms wherein conscious intentions shape causal streams leading to enaction. Finally, I provide neurophenomenological handlings of prototypical qualia including pleasure, pain, and desire in terms of self-annihilating free energy gradients via quasi-synesthetic interoceptive active inference. In brief, this manuscript is intended to illustrate how radically embodied minds may create foundations for intelligence (as capacity for learning and inference), consciousness (as somatically-grounded self-world modeling), and will (as deployment of predictive models for enacting valued goals).
Obesity in cystic fibrosis

Abstract The prevalence of obesity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is increasing and around one-third of adults with CF are now overweight or obese. The causes of excess weight gain in CF are likely multifactorial, including: adherence to the high-fat legacy diet, reduced exercise tolerance, therapeutic advances, and general population trends. Increased weight has generally been considered favorable in CF, correlating with improved pulmonary function and survival. While the optimal BMI for overall health in CF is unknown, most studies demonstrate minimal improvement in pulmonary function when BMI exceeds 30 kg/m2. Dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease are important co-morbidities of obesity in the general population, but are uncommon in CF. In people with CF, obesity is associated with hypertension and higher cholesterol levels. With longer life expectancy and rising obesity rates, there may be an increase in cardiovascular disease among people with CF in coming years. Overweight CF patients are more likely to be insulin resistant, taking on features of type 2 diabetes. Treating obesity in people with CF requires carefully weighing the metabolic risks of overnutrition with the impact of low or falling BMI on lung function. This article describes current knowledge on the epidemiology, causes, consequence, and treatment of obesity in people with CF.
Rotational and Vibrational Excitation of Molecules by Low-Energy Electrons

My goal in this paper is to review and summarize recent advances (since about 1982) in theoretical and computational techniques, and to illustrate the application of some of these developments in practical calculations. Important features of recent work are increased interest in polar molecules and complex polyatomics, the development of more realistic and complete representations of the interaction at short as well as long range, and important progress in theory and calculations for the treatment of nuclear dynamics in general, and vibrational excitation in particular.
Direct gas chromatographic resolution of enantiomers on optically active mesophases : II. Effects of stationary phase structure on selectivity

Abstract The direct gas chromatographic resolution of enantiomers on optically active mesophases has been achieved using mesomorphic chiral carbonyl-bis-(amino acid esters). The resolving power of the smectic phases was generally superior to that of the corresponding isotropic liquids and plots of the log of the capacity ratio as a function of inverse absolute temperature for suitable solutes show breaks or slope changes at temperatures closely corresponding to phase transition temperatures determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Resolution on phases was achieved using short glass columns packed with Chromosorb G AW DMCS which had been coated with an optically active carbonyl-bis-(amino acid ester) phase. The largest relative retentions (α) and corresponding Δ(Δ G °) values thus far observed for gas chromatographic enantiomer separations are reported. Structural variations in the stationary phases were observed to have marked effects on selectivity and on the temperature ranges over which the smectic phases existed.
New developments in holographic storage materials

The potential for dramatic increases in storage density and data transfer rates makes holographic storage very attractive for the next generation optical storage technique. However, over two decades of research has yet to produce a truly viable optical material that meets all of the key metrics for commercial holographic media. We present a recently developed dye-doped thermoplastic that has the potential to revolutionize holographic storage. It is compatible with existing media disc molding techniques while also allowing for data to be written in a volumetric approach using holographic methods. More specifically, this paper will outline a predictive modeling approach used during the materials development phase to optimize key material parameters. The modeling technique is based on the Kramers-Kronig relationship enables the optically-induced refractive index changes to be calculated from absorption spectra measurements.
Terpenes—V : Reinvestigation of a synthesis of thujane

Abstract The reaction of 2,4-dibromomenthone with zinc and alcohols has been reinvestigated using the newer techniques, such as, gas chromatography, NMR and mass spectroscopy. The product of this reaction is not the cyclopropanone derivative “keto-thujane” as reported in the old literature; instead a mixture of menthone, isomenthone, 2-alkoxy- and 4-alkoxy-menthones (major constituent) and p -menthene-3-ones is formed. The Clemmensen reduction of this mixture led only to menthanes and menthenes instead of the cyclopropane derivative, thujane, reported previously. Analogous products were obtained from the reaction of 1,3-dibromocarvomenthone with zinc and methanol.
Inductive learning, knowledge asymmetries and convention

In the classic passage quoted above, Hume observes that people are able to coordinate many of their activities without explicitly agreeing to coordinate, and he resolves this apparent paradox by explaining coordination in terms of individual expectations. If a social coordination problem is "solved" in this way, that is, each agent acts so as to coordinate and expects others to do the same, the agents involved are said to follow a convention.
Friend support of dating relationships: Comparing relationship type, friend and partner perspectives

This study assessed the role of friends in dating relationships, comparing on–off and noncyclical relationships. Participants (N = 460) reported on the friend most familiar with their current or recent dating relationship. We examined friend support of and influence on the dating relationship and the influence of the dating relationship on the friendship. Participants' friends (N = 98) completed a similar survey to compare participants' and friends' perceptions. On–off partners reported less support for the dating relationship than did noncyclical partners. On–off partners also reported greater openness, whereas friends reported greater frequency, of communicating about the dating relationship. Friends also felt the relationship changed the friendship more; friends of on–off partners in particular reported more positive change to their friendship.
Chemoprevention of prostate cancer in TRAMP mice by Dibenzoylmethane (DBM)

3053 Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Age, ethnicity and family history of disease are among risk factors for prostate cancer. Although localized prostate cancer is curable by radiation therapy or androgen ablation, the probability of metastatic progression with increase mortality rate is extremely high. Given the fact that the onset of prostate cancer is relatively late, prevention may be the best approach to fight the disease. Dibenzoylmethane (DBM), a minor beta-diketone constituent of licorice, has been shown to exhibit anti-neoplastic effects in prostate cancer cell lines by induction of cell cycle arrest and regulation of androgen receptor (AR) expression. In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive efficacy of DBM in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice. At 8 weeks of age, mice were fed control or 1% DBM-supplemented diets until 24 weeks of age. Our results show that DBM-fed mice had a lower incidence of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Expressions of phospho-retinoblastoma (p-Rb), c-myc, cyclin-D1 and cyclin-A were significantly reduced in prostate tissue from DBM treated group as compared to tumors from control animals. Our findings suggest that oral DBM blocks the growth and progression of prostate cancer in TRAMP mice via modulation of tumor cell cycle regulation and therefore merits its consideration for future clinical intervention of human prostate cancer (Supported in part by NIH R01-CA118947).
A novel theoretical analysis for the determination of the noise parameters applicable to millimeter‐wave frequencies (invited)

Summary This paper describes in detail a novel, fully analytical technique for the determination of high frequency noise parameters. The technique can be applied at any frequency of interest because the requirement of an external tuner is dropped. The absence of an input tuner removes the practical constraint of operational bandwidth of the system and opens the door to the direct evaluation of noise parameters of active devices in frequency ranges currently inaccessible. The mathematical formulation at the basis of the present technique is applied to the Pospieszalski noise model and is described in detail. The new technique provides an analytical tool to determine the equivalent noise temperatures Tgs and Tds against measured data over a broad frequency range. Limitations and opportunities of the new technique are discussed including new insights into the Pospieszalski noise model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reinventing the Rose of Fire: Anarchism and the Movements against Corporate Globalization in Barcelona

Este articulo investiga las intersecciones entre la praxis del anarquismo clasico y el activismo de las organizaciones anti-globalizacion en Barcelona. Esto se inserta dentro de un debate favorable entre dos claves literarias, poniendo mis argumentos en contraste, todavia ultimamente relacionados en diversas direcciones. Primero, en dialogo con la obra de Jose Alvarez-Junco sobre los “dos anarquismos” en Espana, me sugirio que los movimientos anti-globalizacion en Cataluna no solo reflejan los principios tradicionales del anarquismo, que son claramente comunitarias. En segundo lugar, contribuyo a las recientes discusiones en torno a los vinculos entre anarquismo y movimiento anti-globalizacion. Palabras clave: anarquismo, movimiento anti-globalizacion, Barcelona __________________________ ABSTRACT: This article explores the intersections between classic anarchist praxis and contemporary anti-corporate globalization activism in Barcelona. It engages in a sympathetic debate with two key literatures, pushing my argument in contrasting, yet ultimately related directions. First, in conversation with Jose Alvarez-Junco’s work on the “two anarchisms” in Spain, I suggest that anti-corporate globalization movements in Catalonia not only reflect traditional anarchist principles, these are distinctly communitarian. Second, I also contribute to recent discussions regarding the links between anarchism and anti-corporate globalization among politically engaged scholars. Keywords: anarchism, anti-globalization movement, Barcelona
A Cross-National Investigation of Student Attitudes toward Personal Selling: Implications for Marketing Education:

Recruiting future salespeople from the ranks of university undergraduates has become a major goal of many businesses. Until recently, however, students have not viewed a career in personal selling favorably. This article reports a multicultural study that examines the thoughts of students in New Zealand, Singapore, India, and the United States regarding personal selling. The results indicate variation among the countries but more similarities than differences in the thoughts associated with personal selling. The article concludes with implications for marketing educators.
Left temporal lobe brain damage pattern on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.

This study supports an association of left temporal brain damage with the unusual WAIS subtest pattern of more impaired Information and Vocabulary than Similarities scores. Temporal lesions may impair well-learned verbal memory more than reasoning skills. Thirty-six patients with localized left hemisphere brain damage in the frontal, parietal or occipital, and temporal lobe were compared using an index in which Information and Vocabulary were contrasted to Similiarities. Index scores were adjusted for age. Seventy-five percent of the temporal patients had negative index scores, and 75% of the frontal patients had positive index scores. Temporal patients tended to score more negatively on the index than did frontal patients, p less than .05.
Symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause and their relation to endocrine levels over time: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study.

Objective: To determine whether hot flashes, depressed mood, sleep, cognitive and sexual symptoms correlate with urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrone (E1G), and testosterone (T) and with each other during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause (PM). Methods: Forty-one women who transitioned from middle or late transition stage to PM rated symptoms and provided monthly urine specimens as part of a longitudinal study of the menopausal transition. Results: Correlations between endocrine levels and symptom severity ratings over time revealed that hot flash severity was significantly and positively related to FSH and negatively to E1 G. Vaginal dryness was positively correlated with FSH and negatively correlated with T. Decreased sexual desire was correlated negatively with E1G levels. Forgetfulness was positively correlated with FSH; difficulty concentrating was negatively correlated with T. Severity of sleep symptoms and depressed mood were not correlated with E1G, FSH, or T. Correl...
Genetic correction of hematopoiesis in Fanconi anemia: the case for a non-HSC-autonomous defect.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), by virtue of their replicative and developmental potency, as well as relative accessibility, are an intuitive high-value target for therapeutic modification by integrating retroviral vectors. Even a cursory literature review combining the search terms “hematopoietic stem cell,” “retrovirus,” and “efficiency” will yield hundreds of published articles describing experimental protocols suitable for stable gene delivery. Many of those describe advances that have been driven by gains in understanding of viral-vector biology and the resultant clever engineering of particle and payload (see review1). Yet, as highlighted by the work of Jacome and colleagues recently published in Molecular Therapy, this has not translated into the projected therapeutic efficacy for some applications—here, Fanconi anemia (FA).2 By allowing instructive observations in FA patients to guide their experimental strategy, the authors thoroughly revisited a key player: the target cell and its “natural habitat.”
Nitrogen-related point defect in 4H and 6H SiC

Abstract A nitrogen-related pair defect is studied as a function of doping density in 4H and 6H SiC. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements verify that one nucleus in the pair is nitrogen, but the second part of the pair remains uncertain. The pair concentration varies monotonically with nitrogen concentration in samples with doping density 1018–1016 cm−3 and the boron concentration is an order of magnitude less than that of nitrogen. The pair center is not observed in the dark or under ultraviolet illumination when the nitrogen and boron concentrations are similar. We conclude that the pair is generated in all nitrogen-doped samples, but like the isolated nitrogen impurity, may be compensated by boron.
A systematic approach for extracting lumped circuit parameters of microstrip discontinuities from their S‐parameter characteristics

This paper describes a systematic approach for extracting the lumped circuit parameters of microstrip discontinuities from their S-parameter characteristics—which are assumed to be known—by using a three- step procedure. We begin by computing the lumped equivalent circuit parameters, e.g., L, C, R and/or G, with a direct extraction procedure, which relates the S-parameters to the Z- (or Y-) parameters of the discontinuity. Next, we use these values as initial guesses for an optimization code based on the genetic algorithm, to obtain circuit parameters that are invariant over a specified frequency range. Finally, we develop an artificial neural network model for predicting the values of these circuit elements rapidly as we change the physical and electrical parameters of the discontinuity, for instance the width or height of the etch, and the complex dielectric constant of the substrate. The application of the direct extraction technique is first illustrated by considering a number of representative two-port microstrip discontinuities, viz., the chamfered bend and gap discontinuities. It is then extended to three-port structures, for instance, a T-junction. The validation is given for the case examples investigated by comparing the S-parameter calculated from the equivalent circuit with those obtained from a full-wave EM solver. We also use the chamfered bend as a case example to illustrate the application of this three-step procedure. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Computational Approach to the Real Option Management of Network Contracts for Natural Gas Pipeline Transport Capacity

Commodity merchants use real option models to manage their operations. A central element of such a model is its underlying operating policy. We focus on network contracts for the transport capacity of natural gas pipelines, specific energy conversion assets. Practitioners commonly manage these contracts as portfolios of spread options. Although computationally fast, we show that this approach in general is heuristic because of the suboptimality of its operating policy. We propose a different computationally efficient real option approach based on an optimal operating policy, integrating linear optimization and Monte Carlo simulation. We use our approach to benchmark the spread option approach in a numerical study based on market data and realistic instances. We find that our approach can substantially improve on the contract valuations computed by the spread option approach, especially for contracts with flexibility in their allowed capacity usage. We also show that the optimal operating policy of contracts with this flexibility is of the greedy type, whereas the one of contracts without it in general is not. However, we observe that greedy optimization yields a near-optimal operating policy for the latter type of contracts with a substantially reduced computational effort. A version of our model was recently implemented by a major international energy trading company. Our model can also be employed to efficiently estimate the contract value sensitivities (the “Greeks”), which merchants use for financial hedging purposes. Potentially, our work has wider significance for the merchant management of other commodity conversion assets with payoffs determined by solving capacity constrained optimization models.
Depression With Atypical Features: Diagnostic Validity, Prevalence, and Treatment

Depression with atypical features is a treatable and relatively common disorder among depressed outpatients. A growing body of evidence suggests this is a biologically distinct subtype of depression. This assertion is supported by genetic epidemiologic studies and by a preferential response of the subtype to monoamine oxidase inhibitors compared with tricyclic antidepressants. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) includes atypical features as a parenthetical modifier for depressive illness. According to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria ("atypical features" specifier), the disorder is primarily characterized by 2 or more of the following symptoms as predominant features in patients with major depression or dysthymic disorder: overeating, oversleeping, "leaden paralysis," and interpersonal rejection sensitivity. Patients also show mood reactivity in response to actual or potential positive events. Despite aspects of the disorder resembling a maladaptive, persistent mode of behavior, patients diagnosed with depression with atypical features demonstrate a good response to antidepressant treatment.
Murine recovery from busulfan-induced hematopoietic toxicity as assessed by three assays for colony-forming cells

These studies were designed to explore further the interrelationships between various stem cell and other hematopoietic compartments of the mouse. Busulfan (BU) has been shown by others to have a profound effect on the transplantable pluripotent stem cells capable of forming colonies on spleens (CFU) of lethally irradiated recipients – more so than on cells of differentiated compartments. Another presumed assay of pluripotent stem cells consists of counting colonies on spleens of nontransplanted sublethally irradiated mice as a quantitation of endogenous colony-forming units (E-CFU). We examined and compared BU-induced damage and recovery as measured by E-CFU, CFU, CFU-C, total cellularity of marrow, peroxidase-positive cells per marrow, spleen weight, radioactive iron uptake into spleen and marrow, and hematocrit. E-CFU were severely damaged by BU, but recovery was significantly more rapid than that measured for CFU. These results were compatible with other data suggesting that cycling stem cells are more likely to survive radiation and less likely to survive removal and transplantation. Thus, the actual number of pluripotent stem cells lies between the CFU and E-CFU values. Damage to more mature granulocytic and erythrocytic compartments lagged behind damage to E-CFU and CFU. Abortive rises in these more mature compartments were observed, which suggested limited but distinct self-replication activity of “stem cells” more differentiated than the CFU, E-CFU systems. Time of final recovery of the damaged hematopoietic system was compatible with a concept of recovery of pluripotent stem cell system(s) preceding recovery of more mature compartments.
Interaction on health care teams

In order to increase the body of empirical data on health care teams, a three year study of faculty and student teams who participated in the Team-TRAC Program at the University of Nevada, Reno1, w...
The Boolean Prime Ideal Theorem Plus Countable Choice Do Not Imply Dependent Choice

Two Fraenkel-Mostowski models are constructed in which the Boolean Prime Ideal Theorem is true. In both models, AC for countable sets is true, but AC for sets of cardinality 2 and the 2m = m principle are both false. The Principle of Dependent Choices is true in the first model, but false in the second. Mathematics Subject Classification: 03E25, 03E35, 04A25.
Strategic configuration of flexible assembly systems: a single period approximation

Research on strategic planning in manufacturing has tended to focus on two themes: (1) integrating manufacturing strategy with business strategy; and (2) aggregate capacity planning and allocation. This paper introduces a new planning problem that provides a bridge from strategy to capacity by focusing on the configuration of key manufacturing resources. The problem is introduced in the context of consumer electronics. As a first step toward developing planning tools, a single period approximation is formulated. The single period model provides some analytical insights and leads to two solution approaches. Specific algorithms are developed and computationally tested. Directions for future research are described.
Full waveform earthquake location : Application to seismic streaks on the Calaveras Fault, California

[1] We use a novel technique based upon source array analysis to locate three moderate earthquakes that occur at the edge of previously identified streaks of seismicity on the Calaveras Fault, California. Our method determines centroid locations for earthquakes, in addition to the hypocenters previously determined using first-break picks. Application of the method to smaller earthquakes indicates that the errors associated with the locations are on the order of 100 m, much less than the rupture dimensions of the M > 4.5 events that we have analyzed. We treat high-precision locations of microearthquakes near the earthquakes that we want to locate as source arrays and compute the slowness of waves leaving these source arrays. We then use the slowness parameters to locate the earthquakes of interest. We find that the medium-magnitude events nucleate on the streaks and rupture into a zone devoid of seismicity. On this basis, we argue that streaks represent the boundary between creeping and locked sections of a fault. Our location technique has the potential for wide application, including circumstances where it may be necessary or desirable to locate earthquakes without using direct arrivals.
Intolerance of ambiguity in students entering medical school

Intolerance of ambiguity is the perception of ambiguous situations as a threat. Medical students with differing levels of intolerance of ambiguity may select medical specialties based upon the amount of ambiguity existing in the practice of each specialty. A cross-sectional survey at one state university administered Budner's Intolerance of Ambiguity Scale to all entering first-year medical students for four consecutive years (N = 609) to investigate patterns of intolerance of ambiguity in relationship with demographic variables and initial medical specialty preference. The medical students in this study were more intolerant of ambiguity than those first studied by Budner in 1962. Students entering in 1985 were slightly more intolerant of ambiguity than students in 1988. Students age 23 and older were less intolerant of ambiguity than students 18-22 years old. Men and students with natural/physical science undergraduate majors were more intolerant of ambiguity than their counterparts. However, medical specialty preference was not related to intolerance of ambiguity. Intolerance of ambiguity may be a personality trait or a learned characteristic, and needs further investigation.
Selective sparing of a class of striatal neurons in Huntington's disease

A distinct subpopulation of striatal aspiny neurons, containing the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase, is preserved in the caudate nucleus in Huntington's disease. Biochemical assays confirmed a significant increase in the activity of this enzyme in both the caudate nucleus and putamen in postmortem brain tissue from patients with this disease. The resistance of these neurons suggests that the gene defect in Huntington's disease may be modifiable by the local biochemical environment. This finding may provide insight into the nature of the genetically programmed cell death that is a characteristic of the disease.
Impact of p16 expression on surgical management of malignant melanoma and pancreatic carcinoma

Abstract Background: Recent advances in molecular oncology have provided explanations at the DNA level for the malignant transformation and metastatic potential of various cancers. Malignant melanoma and pancreatic cancer may be classified together in both these cancers exhibit mutations in, or loss of, the cell-cycle inhibitory gene, p16 . This paper reviews the current literature on p16 expression in melanoma and pancreatic cancer, explores factors that place patients with these cancers in categories of high risk for metastases or recurrence, and addresses whether aberrant gene expressions should influence awareness of and current recommendations for the management of these aggressive cancers. Methods: A computerized literature search was performed utilizing OVID Technology’s Medline database from 1993 to 1998. Results: Both familial as well as sporadic cases of malignant melanoma and pancreatic carcinoma are reported in the literature. Although a low percentage of cases of either malignancy have p16 mutations, a higher risk of their development has been reported to occur in certain families with p16 germline mutations. Conclusions: The increased risk determined in these families may serve to heighten awareness of the influence of positive family history of these cancers in the evaluation of patients.
A Unified Metric for Routing and Rate Adaptation in Multi-Rate Wireless Mesh Networks

In this paper, we propose a new metric that is applicable both to routing and rate adaptation in multi-rate wireless mesh networks. Unlike many previous efforts, our metric is comprehensive; it considers several factors that affect end-to-end performance such as the effect of the relative positions of the links on a path when choosing the rates of operation and the importance of avoiding congested areas. We call our metric ETM (for Expected Transmission cost in Multi-rate wireless networks). We analytically derive the ETM metric. We show that the ETM metric can be used (a) to determine the best end-to-end path with a greedy routing approach and (b) it can be used to dynamically select the best transmission rate for each link on the path via a dynamic programming approach. Based on ETM, we design and implement the ETM-framework on an indoor wireless mesh network and compare its performance with that of the popular ETT and the recently proposed ETOP metrics. Our experiments show that the ETM-framework yields throughput improvements of up to 253\% and 368\% as compared with the ETT and ETOP frameworks.
Development of an On-Line Tritium Monitor with Gamma Ray Rejection and Energy Discrimination

With the prospect of large fusion facilities coming on-line in the not-too-distant future, it is becoming increasingly important that an on-line tritium-monitoring system be developed which is capable of detecting small amounts of released tritium. Since tritium oxide is some 400 times as hazardous as elemental tritium, it is necessary to distinguish between the two in order to properly evaluate the hazard. Presently available on-line instrumentation has marginal sensitivity, is unable to distinguish between the two forms of tritium, and has poor discrimination against background gamma radiation and air activation products. The objective of our program is to develop a monitoring system with the capability of distinguishing between the two forms of tritium, detecting tritium with a sensitivity of a fraction of an MPC/sub a/ (1 MPC/sub a/ = 5. x 10/sup -6/ Ci/M/sup 3/) for the oxide, and discriminating against gamma activity and airborne activity other than tritium.
Determination of colloidal and dissolved silver in water samples using colorimetric solid-phase extraction

The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led to resurgence in the use of silver as a biocidal agent in applications ranging from washing machine additives to the drinking water treatment system on the International Space Station (ISS). However, growing concerns about the possible toxicity of colloidal silver to bacteria, aquatic organisms and humans have led to recently issued regulations by the US EPA and FDA regarding the usage of silver. As part of an ongoing project, we have developed a rapid, simple method for determining total silver, both ionic (silver(I)) and colloidal, in 0.1-1mg/L aqueous samples, which spans the ISS potable water target of 0.3-0.5mg/L (total silver) and meets the US EPA limit of 0.1mg/L in drinking water. The method is based on colorimetric solid-phase extraction (C-SPE) and involves the extraction of silver(I) from water samples by passage through a solid-phase membrane impregnated with the colorimetric reagent DMABR (5-[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]rhodanine). Silver(I) exhaustively reacts with impregnated DMABR to form a colored compound, which is quantified using a handheld diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer. Total silver is determined by first passing the sample through a cartridge containing Oxone, which exhaustively oxidizes colloidal silver to dissolved silver(I). The method, which takes less than 2 min to complete and requires only approximately 1 mL of sample, has been validated through a series of tests, including a comparison with the ICP-MS analysis of a water sample from ISS that contained both silver(I) and colloidal silver. Potential earth-bound applications are also briefly discussed.
Wildlife disease can put conservation at risk

conservation at risk SIR — In their Letter ‘Global trends in emerging infectious diseases’ (Nature 451, 990–993; 2008), Kate Jones and colleagues reveal that emerging human infectious diseases are becoming globally more prevalent, particularly those originating from wildlife. Even when cases of all other transmission types started to decrease during 1990–2000 compared with previous decades, cases of wildlife-associated human diseases continued their upward trend. The authors highlight the implications for conservation, advocating more monitoring and preservation of areas rich in biodiversity to counter it. They do not mention the social and psychological effect this proliferation of wildlife-associated zoonoses could have. Such diseases are widely perceived as a threat to humans (see, for example, W. D. Newmark et al. Biol. Conserv. 63, 177–183; 1993). Negative interactions with wildlife tend to stifle support for conservation policies and initiatives. The increasing prevalence of such diseases could stand in the way of the very conservation initiatives that Jones and colleagues are recommending to protect human health. Widespread disease in wildlife populations could encourage humans to view wild animals as pests, instead of as resources to be protected and enjoyed. Risk-perception research on wildlife-associated zoonoses would confirm the extent to which this shift has occurred. Such research would also identify gaps between the public’s attitudes and epidemiological assessments, and would help to gauge the extent of public support for different proactive management plans. This would enable wildlife managers to decide which plans would be the most politically and socially viable, as well as the best ways to inform the public about them. Darrick T. Evensen Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
Infiltration and runoff predictions for a grassland watershed

Abstract Field-determined infiltration characteristics used as input to an infiltration equation combined with adjusted parameters in a variable contributing area (VCA) algorithm of a hydrologic model were used to provide agreement between the annual simulated runoff and measurements from the grassland watershed site. Any discrepancy in Hortonian runoff from the infiltration calculations was compensated for by VCA runoff in the hydrologic simulation. Evaluation of the VCA parameterization suggested that contributions of VCA runoff to total streamflow were unreasonably high and that the infiltration parameters overpredicted annual infiltration. It is recommended that field measurements of infiltration characteristics for hydrologic studies be obtained during the season with predominant Hortonian runoff.
Cerebrospinal metastases in malignant childhood astrocytomas

Over a period of five years, antemortem diagnosis of leptomeningeal spread was made in six of thirteen children with high grade astrocytomas. These included four of seven children with hemispheral tumors and two of six children with malignant brainstem gliomas. Leptomeningeal spread was diagnosed by the clinical picture and CSF profile. Meningeal spread occurred an average of 5 months (range 0–16) after initial diagnosis of tumor was made. Several patients responded well to local radiation and/ or chemotherapy. Mean survival after evidence of meningeal spread was 7 months (range 2–16) with one patient still alive. Meningeal spread of malignant childhood astrocytomas appears to be common and should be sought for in these patients as local radiation is beneficial. Serious consideration should be given to a controlled trial of prophylactic craniospinal radiation in thee tumors. The role of chemotherapy also requires further study.