cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and Morphology of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanoscrolls

To date the scrolled morphology of γ-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has been witnessed via high temperature melt crystallization of crystalline thin films and through imaging of chemical etched PVDF bulk films. Here we show the first growth and characterization of free-standing γ-phase PVDF scrolls via solution crystallization. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy have been used to characterize and to further understand the fundamental preferred crystalline habit of the γ-phase of PVDF.
High efficiency and power density GaN-based LED driver

LED lighting is becoming more attractive and popular due to its high efficiency, long lifetime, instant brightness and ability to dim. But LEDs are powered by DC, which requires a rectifier to allow it to run off the AC utility grid. These converters must have small form factors and operate in high ambient temperatures due to the close proximity of the LED light. Gallium Nitride (GaN) based switched mode power supplies have the ability to increase switching frequencies to allow for form factors small enough to enable new applications with stricter space requirements. But to achieve this size reduction, the switching frequency must operate in the megahertz range, which requires soft switching techniques to achieve acceptable performance. A small and simple analog hysteresis-controlled valley-switched floating buck converter is proposed to solve these problems. This solution has a minimal component count while maintaining similar performance to existing solutions. A 20W prototype is built to verify the performance of the converter, which is measured to have a size reduction of 1.87× of the power stage when compared to an existing commercial product while achieving an efficiency of 91.2%, an input current THD of 15.9% and PF of 0.976.
Arthroplasty with Cement Resulted in Better Functioning Than Arthroplasty without Cement in Older Patients with Displaced Femoral Neck Fracture

Inngul C, Blomfeldt R, Ponzer S, Enocson A. Cemented versus uncemented arthroplasty in patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck: a randomised controlled trial. Bone Joint J. 2015 Nov;97-B(11):1475-80. ### Question: In patients >65 years of age with a displaced femoral neck fracture, should a cemented or uncemented femoral stem be used? ### Design: Randomized (allocation concealed), unblinded, controlled trial with 4 and 12 months of follow-up. ### Setting: A large Swedish trauma center. ### Patients: 141 patients >65 years of age (mean age, 81 years; 70% women) who presented within 48 hours after acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck due to low-energy trauma and had total hip arthroplasty (65 to 79 years of age) or hemiarthroplasty (HA) (≥80 years of age). The exclusion criteria were severe cognitive dysfunction, alcohol or drug abuse, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, residence in an institution, or inability to walk independently. ### Intervention: Cemented Exeter stem with gentamicin bone cement (n = 67) or uncemented hydroxyapatite Bimetric stem (n …
Make Me! Understanding and Engaging Student Resistance in School

Student resistance in classrooms is the stuff that keeps researchers and teachers, both novice and experienced, awake at night replaying scenarios in their heads ad nauseam. Some lie awake, wide-ey...
The effect of oriented mica flake on voltage endurance and corona resistance of electrical insulation

This paper summarizes data obtained on the voltage endurance and corona resistance of various electrical insulations in sheet and film form. The method of testing and its limitations are discussed. The improvement in voltage endurance and corona resistance obtained by incorporating oriented mica flake in various organic insulation systems is shown.
[311-POS]: Chronic early life stress programs the renin-angiotensin system components on white adipose tissue explants

Objectives We previously reported that adult male rats exposed to maternal separation (MatSep), a model of early life stress, display enhanced responses to angiotensin II compared to controls (C, non-MatSep) later in life. Furthermore, 16-week high fat diet feeding induced greater fasting plasma glucose and insulin in MatSep rats. To tested the hypothesis that MatSep alters the expression of the renin-angiotensin system components in white adipose tissue. Methods White adipose tissue pads (perirenal: PR, epididymal: EP and subcutaneous: SQ, ∼200 mg) were dissected from adult MatSep and C rats fed a normal fat diet (n = 4). Tissue was incubated (37 °C, 1 h, 5% CO2 and air) with vehicle or AngII 10−5 M in DMEM media (2 ml, 2% BSA fatty acid free). Tissue was removed from the media and flash frozen. RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed to determine GAPDH, angiotensinogen (AGT), ACE1, ACE2, Neprilysin (NEP) and AT1, AT2 and MAS receptors (R). Results mRNA expression of AGT and AT1R was greater in PR and SQ tissue from MatSep rats (6 fold and 3 fold, respectively, p Conclusions Increased AGT mRNA expression and AT1/AT2R ratio may contribute to the metabolic disturbances observed in MatSep HFD-fed rats. Ongoing studies are focused on the analysis of the adipokines released in the media by the fat explants. Disclosures V. Tabor: None. T. Mahanes: None. A. Loria: None.
Rapid measurement of the three-dimensional distribution of leaf orientation and the leaf angle probability density function using terrestrial LiDAR scanning

At the plant or stand level, leaf orientation is often highly anisotropic and heterogeneous, yet most analyses neglect such complexity. In many cases, this is due to the difficulty in measuring the spatial variation of the leaf angle distribution function. There is a critical need for a technique that can rapidly measure the leaf angle distribution function at any point in space and time. A new method was developed and tested that uses terrestrial LiDAR scanning data to rapidly measure the three-dimensional distribution of leaf orientation for an arbitrary volume of leaves. The method triangulates laser-leaf intersection points recorded by the LiDAR scan, which allows for easy calculation of normal vectors. As a byproduct, the triangulation also yields continuous surfaces that reconstruct individual leaves. In order to produce a probability density function for leaf orientation from triangle normal vectors, it is critical that the proper weighting be applied to each triangle. Otherwise, results will heavily bias toward normal vectors pointed toward the the LiDAR scanner. The method was validated using artificially generated LiDAR data where the exact leaf angle distributions were known, and in the field for an isolated tree and a grapevine canopy by comparing LiDAR-generated distribution functions to manual measurements. The artificial test cases demonstrated the consistency of the method, and quantitatively showed that errors in the predicted leaf angle distribution functions decreased as scan resolution was increased or as the density of leaves was increased. The isolated tree field validation showed qualitatively similar trends between manual and LiDAR measurements of distribution functions. Manual measurements of leaf orientation in the vineyard were shown to have large errors due to high leaf curvature, which illustrated the benefits of the more detailed LiDAR measurement method.
The Malaysian State and Irregular Migration

This chapter outlines the various ways in which the Malaysian state has dealt with irregular migrant flows since the 1970s. It then explains the domestic and external interests that have influenced the states’ approach to different migrant groups. This chapter puts forward the argument that understanding Malaysian state behaviour towards irregular migrants is related to a complex range of intersecting factors. These include religious affinity, ethnicity, labour market needs, federal-state relations, bilateral relations with its neighbours and neo-liberal economic globalisation.
A Determination of The Nuclear Size of Comet Hale–Bopp (C/1995 O1)

The signal of the nucleus was digitally extracted from six images of the innermost coma of this comet, obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2 in the planetary mode between October 23, 1995 and October 17, 1996. Two different anisotropic, power-type laws were used to filter out the contribution from the dust coma: one peaking at the center of the elliptical surface brightness distribution (law A), the other peaking at its focus (law B). The nuclear R magnitudes in the Cousins system, reduced to a zero phase angle and to 1 AU from Earth and the Sun with a phase coefficient of 0.035 mag/deg and an inverse square distance power law, are found to average 9.46 ± 0.07 and 9.48 ± 0.18 when law A and law B are applied, respectively. These results become 9.49 ± 0.07 and 9.51 ± 0.17, when the nucleus signal on the October 1995 image is assumed to consist of a sum of the contributions from two unresolved nuclear components. In either scenario, no systematic variations are apparent in the nuclear brightness with time, which suggests the absence of any significant contamination of the extracted nuclear signal by the coma. Assuming a geometric albedo of 4 percent, the corresponding effective nuclear diameter amounts to 71 ± 4 km (formal error). This result substantially exceeds the size estimates published by Weaver et al., which are based only on the October 1995 observation and which were obtained with the help of a different reduction method. Runs in which a power-type law fitting the contribution from the coma was assumed to hold all the way to a small fraction of a pixel from the nucleus led to distinctly inferior solutions and yielded spurious values ll70 km for the nuclear diameter.
EFFECTS OF REGIONALIZED TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON QUANTITY EXPORTED DURING A HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA EVENT

From December 2014 to June 2015, U.S. poultry was affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza that led to destruction of 48 million birds and losses in international trade. During the event, 45 countries placed trade restrictions on U.S. poultry exports, varying from regionalized to national poultry restrictions. Using a gravity model of trade, the effects on quantity traded is estimated for poultry exports at the aggregated and disaggregated commodity level to understand product flows during an event. Results indicate U.S. poultry exports benefit from countries willing to apply limited trade restrictions, and the trade impact varies across disaggregated commodities.
Shared authority in the mathematics classroom: successes and challenges throughout one teacher’s trajectory implementing ambitious practices

A critical role of mathematics teacher education is to equip teachers with understandings and ambitious practices that support effective mathematics teaching for students from diverse backgrounds, specifically connecting to children’s mathematical thinking (CMT) and children’s linguistic, cultural, and family funds of knowledge (CFoK). Drawing on data from a larger research project, TEACH Math, this longitudinal case study uses the lens of authority to examine one teacher’s, Sena’s, understandings and practices related to CMT and CFoK over a 4-year period, i.e., through mathematics methods, student teaching, and early career teaching. Findings identify changes made in understandings and practices related to CMT and CFoK, with a focus on the development of recognition and realization rules. Emphasis is placed on how authority was shared in the classroom and how this may have impacted one teacher’s development of two very different learning-to-teach trajectories for connecting to CMT and CFoK. Implications for teacher educators focused on supporting novice teachers in developing ambitious mathematics teaching practices are discussed.
Quantum Monte Carlo Studies of Nuclear Ground States

In the many-body theory, nuclei are regarded as bound states of nucleons interacting via two- and three-body interactions. The recent, realistic models of these interactions, and the quantum (variational and Green’s function) Monte Carlo methods used to calculate ground states of light (A ≤ 8) nuclei from a nuclear Hamiltonian containing them are discussed. The nature of correlations among the nucleons in nuclei is studied from the calculated ground states. The correlations seem to be dominated by the pion exchange tensor and the repulsive core parts of the interaction between two nucleons. They generate neutron-proton pair distributions with interesting, femtometer sized toroidal and dumbbell shapes that also describe the short-range structure of the deuteron.
Performance limits for single-photons, correlated-photons, and entangled photons for quantum key distribution over fiber optics network topologies

We present and compare the characteristic performance of single-photons, correlatedphotons, and entangled-photons for quantum key distribution over various fiber optic network topologies. The networks include the RING, BUS, and STAR. Quantum biterror rate is determined for each network as function of number of users, and transmission distance. The trade-off between number of users and transmission distance is presented. The robustness of the QKD against eavesdropping is evaluated for each architecture.
Rapid onset debilitating illness with multiple vertebral lesions: A confounding diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are uncommon and aggressive. Various subtypes are described, and presentations vary accordingly. It tends to grow rapidly and eventually become widespread, involving extranodal sites. Most cases are diagnosed in late stages and hence carry a poor prognosis. We report a 68-year-old male with complaints of progressive low back pain that later became associated with rapid weight loss and fever, eventually leading to cauda equina syndrome. X-rays were nonspecific, but magnetic resonance imaging showed scattered multicentric osseous lesions involving all regions of spine, associated with epidural lesions corresponding to some of the affected levels. Considering the neurological status, posterior decompression surgery was done, and specimens of lesions were collected. Based on histopathology and detailed immunophenotyping, a diagnosis of PTCL, not otherwise specified was made, and appropriate chemotherapy was initiated. However, terminal stage disease was irremediable, and the patient eventually succumbed to the disease. Extensive multicentric spinal involvement of lymphoma on the first presentation is rare. It puts forth a considerable challenge for the diagnosis. Hence, early signs and symptoms should not be ignored. Histopathology and immunophenotyping are vital for the diagnosis. Making a definitive diagnosis at the earliest can prompt expeditious intervention to increase the survival rate.
EXP2 is a nutrient-permeable channel in the vacuolar membrane of Plasmodium and is essential for protein export via PTEX

Intraerythrocytic malaria parasites reside within a parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) generated during host cell invasion1. Erythrocyte remodelling and parasite metabolism require the export of effector proteins and transport of small molecules across this barrier between the parasite surface and host cell cytosol2,3. Protein export across the PVM is accomplished by the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX) consisting of three core proteins, the AAA+ ATPase HSP101 and two additional proteins known as PTEX150 and EXP24. Inactivation of HSP101 and PTEX150 arrests protein export across the PVM5,6, but the contribution of EXP2 to parasite biology is not well understood7. A nutrient permeable channel in the PVM has also been characterized electrophysiologically, but its molecular identity is unknown8,9. Here, using regulated gene expression, mutagenesis and cell-attached patch-clamp measurements, we show that EXP2, the putative membrane-spanning channel of PTEX4,10–14, serves dual roles as a protein-conducting channel in the context of PTEX and as a channel able to facilitate nutrient passage across the PVM independent of HSP101. Our data suggest a dual functionality for a channel operating in its endogenous context. A combination of regulated gene expression, mutagenesis and electrophysiology experiments shows that EXP2, in addition to its role as part of the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX), functions as a nutrient-permeable channel in the vacuolar membrane of the parasite.
The Experiential Benefit of an Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship: An Analysis of ACGME Case Log Data From 2006 to 2017

Objective The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has published orthopedic case log data since the 2006/2007 academic year. Here, we use this data to analyze the variability in orthopedic trauma case experience reported by orthopedic trainees and to better understand the impact of an orthopedic trauma fellowship on orthopedic surgical training. Design, Setting, and Participants Data were gathered from ACGME case log reports for orthopedic residents (reporting the cumulative case experience of graduating residents) and orthopedic trauma fellows (reporting the case experience of their fellowship year only) for all available years. Results The average orthopedic trauma fellow reported significantly more trauma cases in multiple body regions (“Pelvis/Hip”, “Femur/Knee”, and “Foot/Toes”) and “Open Complex” reductions (as defined by the ACGME) in their 1 year of fellowship than the average resident reported in their 5 years of residency. Conclusion On average, orthopedic trauma fellowships substantially increase the trauma case volumes of orthopedic trainees, especially with respect to lower extremity trauma.
The effects of coarse corn and refined functional carbohydrates on the live performance and cecal Salmonella prevalence in coccidiosis-vaccinated broilers

ABSTRACT The interaction between corn particle size and feed additives as it pertains to broiler live performance has been overlooked. This study evaluated the effects of corn particle size and refined-functional carbohydrates (RFC; 100 g/MT) on live performance and Salmonella prevalence in coccidiosis-vaccinated broilers. The following treatments were applied: fine corn (FC), coarse corn (CC), FC+RFC, CC+RFC, and CC+SAL (salinomycin). A natural, non-experimental necrotic enteritis (NE) outbreak began at 12 D of age, and mortality was impacted by dietary treatments. The use of RFC was observed to increase NE-associated mortality compared to broilers fed CC+SAL (P ≤ 0.10). At 19 D, greater than 50% of all broilers were found to be Salmonella-positive; however, at 48 D the use of RFC was shown to decrease cecal Salmonella prevalence. Although differences in early mortality were observed, coccidiosis-vaccinated broilers fed CC or CC+RFC exhibited similar BW and FCR as broilers fed CC+SAL at 48 D (P ≤ 0.05). These data suggested that CC use after 10 D may provide value in a production system free of antibiotic growth promoters and coccidiostats by ameliorating live performance losses associated with coccidiosis vaccination. Further research is warranted to determine how RFC and CC specifically affect Eimeria cycling and the immune response following coccidiosis vaccination and an NE challenge.
Changes in Rates and Content of Primary Care Visits Within an Evolving Health Care System

It is no secret to patients and clinicians that the past decade has brought many changes to the organization, operations, and financing of health care in the United States. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) expanded the number of insured and otherwise reduced costs as a
High prevalence of periodic limb movements of sleep in children with Down syndrome

Study Objectives:Increased periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS), > 5 events/h, are present in 1.2% to 7.7% of healthy children and associated with hypertension, attention deficit, and hyperactiv...
Exploring A Forecasting Structure for the Capacity Usage in Backup Storage Systems

Protecting data from loss is important in many domains, particularly business. Businesses generally employ third-party protection services to routinely back up data to storage. As the scale of the backup system and the volume of backup data continue to grow significantly, backup jobs fail increasingly frequently. In this study, we present an analysis of data protection system reports written over two years and collected from 3,500 backup systems. We found that inadequate capacity is among the two most frequent causes of the failure of backups. Little research has targeted the development of a forecasting tool to predict the backup storage capacity to mitigate this failure, and accurate prediction becomes more challenging as the number of clients served by the storage increases. Our research highlights the characteristics of enterprise backup storage data and uses the information examined here to develop a forecasting structure. We tested our forecasting structure on empirically obtained data. In comparison with a prevalent backup system forecasting tool, our structure provides better and more robust predictions of the capacity of backup storage systems as well as the size of data generated by a given number of clients and the associated deduplication ratios.
“I Don't Want Someone to Watch Me While I'm Working”: Gendered Views of Facial Recognition Technology in Workplace Surveillance

Abstract Employers are increasingly using information and communication technologies to monitor employees. Such workplace surveillance is extensive in the United States, but its experience and pote...
Tools to map target genes of bacterial two-component system response regulators

Studies on bacterial physiology are incomplete without knowledge of the signalling and regulatory systems that a bacterium uses to sense and respond to its environment. Two-component systems (TCSs) are among the most prevalent bacterial signalling systems, and they control essential and secondary physiological processes; however, even in model organisms, we lack a complete understanding of the signals sensed, the phosphotransfer partners and the functions regulated by these systems. In this review, we discuss several tools to map the genes targeted by transcriptionally acting TCSs. Many of these tools have been used for studying individual TCSs across diverse species, but systematic approaches to delineate entire signalling networks have been very few. Since genome sequences and high-throughput technologies are now readily available, the methods presented here can be applied to characterize the entire DNA-binding TCS signalling network in any bacterial species and are especially useful for non-model environmental bacteria.
Proteolytic cleavage of Slit by the Tolkin protease converts an axon repulsion cue to an axon growth cue in vivo.

ABSTRACT Slit is a secreted protein that has a canonical function of repelling growing axons from the CNS midline. The full-length Slit (Slit-FL) is cleaved into Slit-N and Slit-C fragments, which have potentially distinct functions via different receptors. Here, we report that the BMP-1/Tolloid family metalloprotease Tolkin (Tok) is responsible for Slit proteolysis in vivo and in vitro. In Drosophilatok mutants lacking Slit cleavage, midline repulsion of axons occurs normally, confirming that Slit-FL is sufficient to repel axons. However, longitudinal axon guidance is highly disrupted in tok mutants and can be rescued by midline expression of Slit-N, suggesting that Slit is the primary substrate for Tok in the embryonic CNS. Transgenic restoration of Slit-N or Slit-C does not repel axons in Slit-null flies. Slit-FL and Slit-N are both biologically active cues with distinct axon guidance functions in vivo. Slit signaling is used in diverse biological processes; therefore, differentiating between Slit-FL and Slit fragments will be essential for evaluating Slit function in broader contexts.
Estimating lumber properties with acoustic-based technologies—Part 2: Ultimate tension stress estimation from time- and frequency-domain parameters

This research article summarizes results from Part 1 of a study designed to examine the use of advanced signal processing techniques with acoustic-based lumber assessment technologies to evaluate the MOE and ultimate tension stress (UTS) of structural lumber. In Part 1 of this research, a mathematical model of acoustic wave behavior in an idealized specimen is derived using fundamental mechanics. In Part 2, wave behavior is examined experimentally in a series of 38 × 38 × 2438-mm wood specimens. The specimens vary considerably in visual character. Several of the specimens are, from a visual assessment, clear of naturally occurring defects such as knots. Conversely, strength-reducing defects such as knots are visible in several specimens. The presence of naturally occurring defects can affect acoustic waves in a variety of ways. A few examples include altering wave speed, changing the wave travel path, and/or converting the wave from longitudinal waves to shear waves or back through mode conversion. These alterations can cause wave behavior to deviate from the behavior observed in clear wood specimens. Deviations are observable in both time and frequency domains. From the differences, parameters are identified which improve estimation of UTS.
The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846: A Reconstruction of the Storm’s Track, Intensity, and Impacts

This article reconstructed the track, intensity, and societal impacts of the Great Havana Hurricane of October 1846, using all available historical data, which include ship logs, newspapers, diarie...
Pectoralis major injuries in the military: a surveillance approach to reduce an underestimated problem.

Introduction Multiple studies report increasing cases of surgically treated pectoralis major (PM) muscle and tendon ruptures in military populations. Studies associate this with a growing popularity of weight-training and bench press exercises. Mild-to-moderate non-surgical PM traumas and overuse injuries have not been included in these studies despite evidence that these types of outpatient injuries account for the majority of the military’s injury medical burden. Methods To assess rates of all PM injuries (ruptures, tears, strains, overuse), regardless of form of treatment, a PM injury surveillance definition was derived from International Classification of Disease (ICD) diagnostic codes used in routine US Army injury surveillance. A detailed clinical examination of 2016 Active Duty Army medical records was used to identify ICD codes commonly associated with PM injuries. Cost data were calculated and the definition applied to medical data from 2016 through 2018to assess trends. Results The estimated incidence of PM cases among soldiers was over 95% greater than if only considering severe surgical cases. Over 96% of army annual PM injury costs (direct medical and indirect from lost labour) were for outpatient services. PM injury incidence rates were not statistically different from 2016 to 2018. Conclusions The PM injury surveillance definition provides a consistent means to monitor trends over time and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention efforts. PM injuries have a larger military impact than previously recognised and prioritised prevention strategies are needed to reduce them. Future interventions could focus on the bench press given its observed association with PM injuries.
Alternative Demographic Models for Two Populations of the Seal Salamander, Desmognathus monticola

Variation among desmognathan salamanders in the timing of the female reproductive cycle is poorly understood. Although nesting tends to be seasonal, in the warmer months, females may not reproduce on a strictly annual cycle, but on a biennial or irregular schedule. In the present report, I examine the ramifications of annual and biennial female reproductive schedules on demography in two populations of Desmognathus monticola in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern North Carolina. Provisional demographic models for each are developed based on published data on age structure, growth and developmental rates, and fecundity in the populations in question. The models indicate that biennial reproduction would require higher first-year survival than annual reproduction, at levels that appear tenable given our understanding of the ecology of nesting females and larvae of this species.
Research on the Evaluation and Optimization Method of the Impact of Chorus Education on University Culture Based on Coevolution Model in the Background of Artificial Intelligence

The development of artificial intelligence technology is a field where all walks of life need to carry out in-depth research in the future, and the introduction of artificial intelligence technology in the field of university evaluation has become an inevitable trend. Through the collection and collation of the literature at home and abroad, the influence of chorus education on college culture in China has long remained in qualitative and experiential judgment and the significance and value of chorus education to colleges and universities are relatively single. Therefore, it is of great innovative value and practical significance to establish a scientific, systematic, and comprehensive evaluation mechanism for the impact of chorus education on university culture and to scientifically analyze key issues, establish evaluation criteria, and inject new research perspectives into the promotion of chorus education in colleges and universities in China, combining with the mature coevolution theoretical model of management science. It is of great innovative value and significance to combine the DEMATEL research method with the current practice of promoting chorus education in China’s colleges and universities and to systematically and comprehensively construct the evaluation system and research paradigm in line with chorus education by using the qualitative and quantitative methods.
Nanopore sequencing methods detect cell-free DNA associated with MRD and CNS infiltration in pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) patients that have minimal residual disease (MRD) after therapy or infiltration of ALL into the central nervous system (CNS) are considered high risk. These patients are often given intensified and/or additional rounds of chemotherapy in the hopes of eliminating their disease. Current methods to diagnose MRD and CNS infiltration rely on detecting ALL cells in patient samples using pathology, flow cytometry, or isolation of ALL genomic DNA for next-generation sequencing. However, blasts may be present in the patient but not detectable in a bone marrow biopsy or cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid sample, leading to incorrect or delayed patient diagnosis. We have developed a nanopore sequencing assay to detect B-ALL-associated cell-free DNA in patient blood and CSF samples. Quantitation of B-cell specific VDJ recombination events in cell-free DNA samples defined B-ALL clonal heterogeneity. Monitoring cfDNA in blood and CSF samples allowed us to track the response of individual B-ALL clones throughout the course of treatment for each patient. Detection of cell-free DNA predicted the clinical diagnosis of MRD and CNS disease. We also identified patients diagnosed as CNS negative who had low levels of cell-free DNA in their CSF sample. These data suggest that cell-free DNA assays may be useful in detecting the presence of ALL in the patient even when blasts are not in the biofluid sample. In total, nanopore analysis of cell-free DNA is a simple, rapid, and inexpensive assay that can serve as a useful complement to traditional clinical diagnostic approaches in the treatment of ALL.
Physicians as Body Mechanics

Much has been written about the physician-patient relationship. The traditional relationship, many people claim, has broken down under the conditions of modern medical practice, and it is not yet clear what will replace it. Many writers on medical ethics consider the relation to be a special one, not paralleled elsewhere in society. This paper aims to downgrade that special claim without denigrating the profession of medicine. The occupation of auto mechanic has arisen in society almost simultaneously with the progress of medicine and the breakdown of the traditional physician-patient relationship. This paper compares the automobile mechanic-owner relationship to the physician- patient relationship. Despite one’s initial aversion to this analogy, it soon seems a very strong and informative one.
A Rare Case of Metastatic Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour: Diagnosis and Management

A 26-year-old male without any significant past medical history presented to the hospital with shortness of breath, cough, pleuritic chest pain, and weight loss for the past 3 months. On chest CT, he was found to have extensive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and multiple pulmonary nodules. On physical examination, a right groin mass was noted which had been slowly growing for the past 2 years. Ultrasound of the groin showed complex solid mass with internal vascular channels. CT guided biopsy of the mass showed desmoplastic small round cell tumour. His hospital course was complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure requiring emergent intubation and ICU admission where he completed one cycle of vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin with subsequent improvement, followed by extubation. His condition continued to improve after second cycle of chemotherapy and he was ultimately discharged in a stable condition to continue outpatient chemotherapy after a 2-month inpatient stay.
Halomethyl-metal compounds: LVII. The insertion of phenyl(bromodichloromethyl)mercury-derived dichlorocarbene into CH bonds. Further studies of the β-metal activated Cz.sbnd;H insertion reaction

Abstract Phenyl(bromodichloromethyl)mercury-derived dichlorocarbene inserts into the β C H bonds of Me 3 MCH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 and Me 3 MCD(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 (M = Si and Sn) to give Me 3 MCH(CH 3 )CH(CH 3 )CCl 2 H and Me 3 MCD(CH 3 )CH(CH 3 )CCl 2 H, respectively. That no rearrangement of deuterium to the β position occured was suggested by the 13 C and 1 H NMR spectra of the products. This result is taken to speak against the intervention of sila- and stannacyclopropenium ion intermediates in the insertion process and in favor of stabilization of the transition state of the insertion reaction by metal carbon bond hyperconjugation (σ-π stabilization, a vertical stabilization process).
Optical diagnostics on Scyllac

The Scyllac toroidal theta pinch optical diagnostic complement consists of three types of measurements: plasma self-luminosity, laser interferometry, and laser light scattering. Each is described separately below. (auth)
Design of the PEP-II low energy ring vacuum system

A vacuum system based on the antechamber approach is being designed for the PEP-II, B-factory, Low Energy Ring are sections to be installed at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Pressures in the six are regions are to be less than 10 nanotorr at a nominal positron beam energy of 3.1 GeV and current of 3 amperes. The high energy and large beam current result in high gas loading due to photon induced gas desorption. The antechamber design allows 90% of the photons and over 99% of the synchrotron radiation power to be dumped on special photon stops away from the main beam chamber and close to vacuum pumps. The high photon flux at the stops gives the added benefit of quickly scrubbing these surfaces, further reducing the outgassing.
Rare earth thermoelectrics

We review the thermoelectric properties of metallic compounds which contain rare-earth atoms. They are the group of metals with the largest value ever reported of the Seebeck coefficient. An increase by 50% of the Seebeck coefficient would make these compounds useful for thermoelectric devices. The largest Seebeck coefficient is found for compounds of cerium (e.g. CePd/sub 3/) and ytterbium (e.g. YbAl/sub 3/). Theoretical predictions are in agreement with the maximum observed Seebeck coefficient. We discuss the theoretical model which has been used to calculate the Seebeck coefficient. We are solving this model for other configurations (4f)/sup n/ of rare-earth ground states.
F-Actin Patterns Quantitated with Fl-Phalloidin in Skin Fibroblasts of Individuals Genetically Predisposed to Colon Cancer

Fl-phalloidin is a chemical probe for F-actin distribution in fixed cultured cells. Skin fibroblast cells from an individual can be distributed into four classes according to number and size of structures containing F-actin visualized with fluorescence microscopy after Fl-phalloidin staining. The distribution shifts significantly when skin fibroblasts of persons with the inherited colonic neoplasm ACR are compared with cells from unaffected individuals. Skin fibroblasts from cancer patients of non-ACR colon cancer-prone families, and from cancer patients in families with multiple primary tumors, show normal F-actin distribution. These data confirm earlier studies which used antibody to actin (Kopelovich et al. 1980). Skin fibroblasts from one child of an ACR patient have an abnormal F-actin distribution, even though this child is currently free of symptoms of the disease. Fl-phalloidin permits a prospective study of such individuals to determine whether F-actin distribution detected by a chemical probe can be used prognostically.
Seismic migration algorithms using the FFT approach on the NCUBE multiprocessor

Seismic migration in the frequency domain using the phase-shift method is a computationally efficient solution of the wave equation. The authors introduce a parallel phase-shift algorithm. This parallel version is implemented on the NCUBE multiprocessing system to solve the wave equation in the frequency domain. Performance issues, some task partitioning strategies, and computation/communication tradeoffs are discussed. >
Effects of diet, physical activity and performance, and body weight on incident gout in ostensibly healthy, vigorously active men.

Background: Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are not currently recognized as factors related to preventing gout, nor are risk factors for gout in physically active men well understood. Objective: The objective was to identify risk factors for gout in ostensibly healthy, vigorously active men. Design: Incident self-reported gout was compared with baseline diet, body mass index (BMI; in kg/m 2 ), physical activity (in km/d run), and cardiorespiratory fitness (in m/s during 10-km footrace) prospectively in 28 990 male runners. Results: Men (n 228; 0.79%) self-reported incident gout during 7.74 y of follow-up. The risk of gout increased with higher alcohol intake [per 10 g/d; relative risk (RR): 1.19; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.26; P 0.0001], meat consumption (per servings/d; RR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.92; P 0.002), and BMI (RR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.23; P 0.0001) and declined with greater fruit intake (per pieces/d; RR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.84; P 0.0001), running distance (per km/d; RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97; P 0.001), and fitness (per m/s; RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.75; P 0.0001). The RR per 10 g alcohol/d consumed as wine (1.27; P 0.002), beer (1.19; P 0.0001), and mixed drinks (1.13; P 0.18) was not significantly different from each other. Men who consumed 15 g alcohol/d had 93% greater risk than abstainers, and men who averaged 2 pieces fruit/d had 50% less risk than those who ate 0.5 fruit/d. Risk of gout was 16-fold greater for BMI 27.5 than 20. Compared with the least active or fit men, those who ran 8 km/d or 4.0 m/s had 50% and 65% lower risk of gout, respectively. Lower BMI contributed to the risk reductions associated with distance run and fitness. Conclusion: These findings, based on male runners, suggest that the risk of gout is lower in men who are more physically active, maintain ideal body weight, and consume diets enriched in fruit and limited in meat and alcohol. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:1480 –7.
Remote sensing and African development programmes

Abstract The ailing African economy for the past fifteen years was analyzed and stressed in some great detail. Limited application of science and the low level of technology were given among the root causes of Africa's economic backwardness. Lack information and data on African member States' natural endowments continue to impede the rate of development of those resources and have tended to bedevil the attainment of the principles of self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-sustainment. Remote Sensing as a tool to close the information and data hiatus required for rational planning and development, and control of the environment received a great attention. References were made to sub-regional and regional technical co-operation ventures aimed at paving the way for provision of adequate, timely and reliable data for planning. In particular, the ECA -sponsored Regional Training Centres were seen as vehicles for realizing those goals.
The epileptogenic spectrum of opiate agonists

The present authors gave μ, δ, k, ϵ and σ opiate receptor agonists intracerebroventricularly to rats both singly and in combination while monitoring the electroencephalogram from cortical and depth electrodes. Dose-response curves were plotted with naloxone against the changes produced by each agonist, and the effect of a number of anticonvulsant drugs on agonist-induced seizures was ascertained. Each opiate agonist produced a different seizure pattern with a different naloxone doseresponse curve and anticonvulsant profile. The order of convulsive potency was ϵ >δ >μ >σ >κ. Petitmal-like seizure activity was unique to the δ agonist, leucine-enkephalin, while only the μ agonist, morphine produced generalized convulsive seizures. These experiments raise the possibility that opiate systems in the brain may be involved in the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of seizure disorders.
Equality and efficiency: The illusory tradeoff

. Scholars and policy makers have traditionally assumed that nations face a tradeoff between income equality and economic efficiency. Greater equality is believed to reduce investment and dampen work incentives. A heterodox view suggests that a more egalitarian distribution of income may have beneficial efficiency effects by augmenting consumer demand and/or encouraging workers to cooperate in upgrading competitiveness. This paper offers an empirical assessment of the relationship between equality and efficiency, based on cross-sectional data from 17 advanced industrialized economies over the period 1974–90. The comparative evidence indicates no adverse impact of greater equality on investment or work effort, nor on growth of productivity or output, trade balances, inflation, or unemployment. On the contrary, higher levels of equality are associated with stronger productivity growth and trade performance, and possibly with higher investment and lower inflation.
Purification and Characterization of A Sindbis Virus-Induced Peptide Which Stimulates Its Own Production and Blocks Virus RNA Synthesis

The antiviral activity described by Riedel and Brown (J. Virol. 29, 51-60) has been purified to homogeneity. A study of the effects of this pure peptide on mosquito cell growth and virus replication has been undertaken. We have found that treatment of noninfected Aedes albopictus cells with this antiviral peptide results in a temporary arrest of cell division accompanied by acquisition of virus resistance and the constitutive production of the antiviral protein.
Changes in Satisfaction and Institutional Attitudes of Catholic Priests, 1970–1993†

L'A. s'attache a mettre en evidence les changements dans le bien-etre et les attitudes institutionnelles des pretres catholiques entre 1970 et 1993. Pour ce faire, il s'interesse surtout au cas des pretres diocesains americains. Il repere ainsi que globalement les pretres sont plus heureux en 1993 qu'ils ne l'etaient en 1970. Cependant les jeunes pretres de 1993 sont globalement plus conservateurs que leurs aines
Miscibility and morphology of blends of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(vinyl butyral)

Abstract The miscibility and morphology of blends of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PHB is a semi-crystalline polymer while PVB can be regarded as a random copolymer containing vinyl butyral (VB) and vinyl alcohol (VA) units whose composition ratio can be systematically changed over a wide range. DSC measurements show two Tgs in the amorphous phase for all PVB and PHB blends, indicating phase immiscibility. However, partial miscibility was observed in 50/50 w/w blends containing PVBs with 25–36 wt% VA content, demonstrated by the inward shift of the Tgs of the two phases relative to those of the neat components. This shift exhibits a maximum value around 31 wt% of VA in PVB. The segmental interaction parameters χVA,HB, χVB,HB and χVA,VB were determined and the copolymer composition dependence of the overall interaction parameter between PVB and PHB, χ12, was then calculated. This parameter shows a minimum around 31 wt% VA content, consistent with the experimental data. The presence of a minimum can be interpreted in terms of a copolymer effect in which the unfavorable interaction between PVB and PHB is minimized at a certain copolymer compositions due to the repulsive intramacromolecular interaction between VA and VB units within the PVB chains. The composition manifesting minimum immiscibility was also consistent with the melting temperature (Tm) depression and a minimum in the fractional crystallinity of the PHB phase in the blends around this VA content. A co-continuous morphology was observed in the blends containing 25–33 wt% VA content PVBs, which might well result from more favorable interactions between the two component polymers at this copolymer composition.
Arizona Twin Project: A Focus on Early Resilience

The Arizona Twin Project is an ongoing longitudinal study designed to elucidate the genetic and environmental influences underlying the development of early competence and resilience to common mental and physical health problems during infancy and childhood. Participants are a sample of 600 twins (25% Hispanic) recruited from birth records in the state of Arizona, United States. Primary caregivers were interviewed on twins' development and early social environments when twins were 12 and 30 months of age. Measures include indices of prenatal and obstetrical risk coded from hospital medical records, as well as primary caregiver-report questionnaires assessing multiple indicators of environmental risk and resilience (e.g., parental warmth and control, family and social support), twins' developmental maturity, temperament, health, behavior problems, and competencies. Preliminary findings highlight the importance of the early environment for infant and toddler health and well-being, both directly and as a moderator of genetic influences. Future directions include a third longitudinal assessment in middle childhood examining daily bidirectional relations between sleep, health behaviors, stress, and mood.
The enigmatic inflammatory pseudotumours: the current state of our understanding, or misunderstanding.

The inflammatory pseudotumour is a bona fide tumour in the sense of a mass lesion, which is known to present in virtually every anatomic region and organ from the central nervous system to the gastrointestinal tract. A fundamental question about pathogenesis is whether the inflammatory pseudotumour is a pseudo-or true neoplasm. There is evidence to support the argument that some of these fibroinflammatory masses are infection-associated and are often characterized by a proliferation of spindled histiocytes and/or dendritic cells, in contrast to a myofibroblastic proliferation in the other inflammatory pseudotumour, also known as the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of a Request for Physician-Assisted Suicide

With the legalization of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in several states, it remains controversial whether present guidelines take into account the complexity of identifying treatable sources of...