cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electron-electron double resonance of irradiated monofluoroacel amide single crystals: The role of fluorine p-orbital anisotropy

Abstract Electron-electron double resonance (ELDOR) investigations of the · CFHCONH2 radical in irradiated fluoroacetamide crystals have revealed a large intensity variation of the allowed-allowed and allowed-forbidden ELDOR lines which is dependent on the magnitude of the fluorine hyperfine anisotropy. At fluorine splittings of 300 MHz or larger, no ELDOR lines are observed at AH; however, forbidden lines are observed at (AH/2) ± νH. When the fluorine splittings are decreased below 250 MHz, ELDOR lines at AH are observed with R equal to 2–5%. Intramolecular motion such as the torsional oscillations present about the CC bond in ·CF2CONH2 appeared to be dominant over the fluorine p-orbital anisotropy as the primary mode of relaxation. The p-orbital anisotropy was also shown to be dominated by quadrupole relaxation from ELDOR measurements of ·CCIFCONH2. Only a small temperature dependence was found for ELDOR spectra of ·CFHCONH2.
Unopposed positive selection and autoreactivity in mice expressing class II MHC only on thymic cortex

The normal development of T cells in the thymus requires both positive and negative selection. During positive selection, thymocytes mature only if their T-cell receptors react with some specificity to host major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and host peptides. During negative selection, thymocytes die if their T-cell receptors react with too high an affinity to the presenting cell, self MHC, and peptides to which they are exposed. These two processes are important for the development of the T-cell repertoire and the acquisition of self-tolerance, but their precise location and temporal relationship are not known. We have used the keratin 14 (K14) promoter to re-express a class II MHC antigen (I-Ab) in class II-negative mice. The transgenic I-A molecule is expressed only on thymic cortical epithelium; thymic medullary epithelium and bone-marrow-derived cells are I-A negative. CD4+ cells are positively selected in K14 mice, but clonal deletion does not ocur in K14 mice or in relB-negative mice, which lack a thymic medulla. The K14 CD4 cells are autoreactive, as they proliferate extensively to and specifically lyse I-Ab-positive target cells. These autoreactive cells make up 5% of the peripheral CD4 T cells, providing and estimate of the minimal frequency of positively selected cells that must subsequently undergo negative selection for self-tolerance to be preserved. Thus positive and negative selection occur in anatomically distinct sites.
Link Failure Recovery Over Large Arbitrary Networks: The Case of Coding

Network coding-based link failure recovery techniques provide near-hitless recovery and offer high capacity efficiency. Diversity coding is the first technique to incorporate coding in this field and is easy to implement over small networks. However, the capacity efficiency of this implementation is restricted by its systematic coding and high design complexity despite having lower complexity than the other coding-based recovery techniques. In this paper, we propose a simple column generation-based design algorithm and a novel advanced diversity coding technique to achieve near-hitless recovery over large networks. The traffic matrix, which consists of unicast connection demands, is decomposed into traffic vectors for each destination node. Further, the connection demands in each traffic vector are partitioned into coding groups. The design framework consists of two parts: a main problem and a subproblem. The main problem is solved with Linear Programming (LP) and Integer Linear Programming (ILP), whereas the subproblem can be solved with different methods. Simulation results suggest that the novel design algorithm simplifies the capacity placement problem, which enables implementing diversity coding-based recovery including the novel coding structure on large networks with arbitrary topology. It achieves near-hitless recovery with an almost optimal capacity efficiency for any single destination-based recovery.
Improved Cerebral Oxygen Saturation and Blood Flow Pulsatility With Pulsatile Perfusion During Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Brain monitoring techniques near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound were used in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart defect (CHD) repair to analyze the effect of pulsatile or nonpulsatile flow on brain protection. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and cerebrovascular pulsatility index (PI) were measured by NIRS and TCD, respectively, in 111 pediatric patients undergoing bypass for CHD repair randomized to pulsatile (n = 77) or nonpulsatile (n = 34) perfusion. No significant differences in demographic and intraoperative data, including surgical risk stratification, existed between groups. Patients undergoing pulsatile perfusion had numerically lower decreases in rSO2 from baseline for all time points analyzed compared with the nonpulsatile group, with significant ∼12% lower decreases at 40 and 60 min after crossclamp. Patients undergoing pulsatile perfusion had numerically lower decreases in PI from baseline for the majority of time points compared with the nonpulsatile group, with significant ∼30% lower decreases between 5 and 40 min after crossclamp. Pulsatile flow has advantages over nonpulsatile flow as measured by NIRS and TCD, especially at advanced time points, which may improve postoperative neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Impact of routine intensive care unit surveillance cultures and resultant barrier precautions on hospital-wide methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Author(s): Huang, Susan S; Yokoe, Deborah S; Hinrichsen, Virginia L; Spurchise, Laura S; Datta, Rupak; Miroshnik, Irina; Platt, Richard | Abstract: BackgroundSerial interventions are often used to reduce the risk of health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. To our knowledge, the relative impact of these interventions has not previously been ascertained.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 4 major infection control interventions using an interrupted time series design to evaluate their impact on MRSA bacteremia in an 800-bed hospital with 8 intensive care units (ICUs). Interventions were introduced 1 at a time during a 9-year period and involved the promotion of compliance with maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter placement, the institution of alcohol-based hand rubs for hand disinfection, the introduction of a hand hygiene campaign, and the institution of routine nares surveillance cultures for MRSA in all ICUs for patients on ICU admission and weekly thereafter while in the ICU. Positive cultures resulted in the initiation of contact isolation precautions. Using segmented regression analyses, we evaluated changes in monthly incidence and prevalence of MRSA bacteremia from their predicted values. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia was monitored as a control.ResultsRoutine surveillance cultures and subsequent contact isolation precautions resulted in substantial reductions in MRSA bacteremia in both ICUs and non-ICUs. In 16 months, the incidence density of MRSA bacteremia decreased by 75% in ICUs (P=.007) and by 40% in non-ICUs (P=.008), leading to a 67% hospital-wide reduction in the incidence density of MRSA bacteremia (P=.002). Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus bacteremia rates remained stable during this time. The other interventions were not associated with a statistically significant change in MRSA bacteremia.ConclusionsRoutine surveillance for MRSA in ICUs allowed earlier initiation of contact isolation precautions and was associated with large and statistically significant reductions in the incidence of MRSA bacteremia in the ICUs and hospital wide. In contrast, no similar decrease was attributable to the other infection control interventions.
Construct validity of the Rorschach Oral Dependency Scale: 1967–1995.

A review of research examining the construct validity of J. M. Masling, L. Rabie, and S. H. Blondheim's (1967) Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD) scale as a measure of interpersonal dependency revealed that this scale has demonstrated good interrater reliability, and that evidence regarding the convergent and discriminant validity of the ROD scale is generally strong. Mixed results have been obtained in studies assessing the internal reliability of ROD scale scores. There have been very few studies examining the predictive validity and retest reliability of the ROD scale, and few studies assessing the relationship of ROD scores to scores on other objective and projective measures of dependency. Implications of these findings for laboratory and clinical research involving the ROD scale are discussed, and suggestions for future studies in this area are offered.
Analogic Reasoning, Ethnoarchaeology, and the Impact of Canines on the Archaeological Record

Archaeologists have become aware that the ways they have used ethnographic analogy provide only limited ability to make inferences about the past. This apparent tyranny of the ethnographic record has caused a crisis for many archaeologists, as well as ethnoarchaeologists. Susan Kent remained a strong defender of analogic reason and encouraged ethnoarchaeologists to use analogy to create a better inferential structure for interpreting archaeological residues. We explore the philosophical basis of analogy in scientific reasoning and demonstrate how recent studies of canine activity on site structure can be used for inferring the presence of canines at prehistoric sites and the roles they played in prehistoric societies.
Increased transformation efficiency of Simian virus 40 in rat embryo cells infected with Rauscher leukaemia virus.

SIMIAN virus 40 (SV40) is oncogenic for hamsters1 and Mastomys2. In vitro studies have shown that SV40 is capable of transforming cells derived from hamster3, mouse4, rabbit4, pig4, cow5, monkey6, human7, guinea-pig8 and rat9. We have established and studied continuous lines of uninfected and Rauscher leukaemia virus (RLV) infected rat embryo (RE) cells10. Rat embryo cells exposed to RLV have produced infectious virus and complement-fixing (CF) antigen characteristic of the murine leukaemia-sarcoma virus complex for more than 18 months. This communication describes increased transformation efficiency of SV40 in RLV infected RE cells (RLV-RE) compared with uninfected RE cells.
The effect of fibrin on cultured vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract The normal cobblestone monolayer architecture of cultured vascular endothelium becomes rapidly disorganized after contact of the cell layer with a fibrin clot. The cells of a confluent endothelial monolayer separate into individual migratory cells in 4–6 hr after contact with fibrin. The effect is reversible in that removal of the fibrin clot results in resumption of the normal morphology within about 2 hr. No other cell type tested exhibits the same change in organization when exposed to fibrin. A similar morphological change in endothelium does occur after the cell layer is overlaid with a collagen fibril gel but a gel of methylcellulose has no effect. It is proposed that the change in behavior of endothelial cells in response to contact with fibrin may represent a cellular component of fibrinolysis. The implications of this finding for the pathophysiology of disease states involving intravascular fibrin deposition are discussed.
A new mild oxidation of amines to aldehydes and ketones. Part II

Abstract The silylamines 1 , after conversion into their lithium or zinc salts, were readily oxidized by dry air under very mild conditions (−60° C to −20° C; 5–45 min.) into the corresponding aldehydes or ketones 2 in good yields. Our reaction conditions tolerate the presence of other oxidation sensitive functional groups like a phosphine, a thioether or a tertiary amine.
Terminal galactose residues and the antigenicity of Plasmodium falciparum glycoproteins.

Abstract The presence of terminal α- d -galactosyl residues in the carbohydrate chains of glycoprotein antigens from the asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum is demonstrated by (1) the α- d -galactosidase sensitivity of particular parasite antigens, (2) the use of specific glycosidases to cleave sugars from parasite glycoproteins radiolabeled with [3H]glucosamine, and (3) the ability of Bandeirea simplicifolia lectin, which has a specificity for terminal α-galactosyl residues, to bind to the parasite. The carbohydrate side chains, and in particular the terminal α-galactosyl residues, are shown to have an important role in determining the binding of antibodies to parasite glycoproteins.
The Activation of Beta-Catenin by Wnt Signaling Mediates the Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

Most colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) exhibit constitutively active Wnt signaling. We have reported that (a) the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi)(2) sodium butyrate (NaB) modulates the canonical Wnt transcriptional activity of CRC cells in vitro and (b) a linear relationship exists between the increase in Wnt transcriptional activity and the levels of apoptosis in ten CRC cell lines treated with NaB. Herein we report that structurally different HDACis modulate Wnt signaling in CRC cells and a mechanism involved in this action is an increase in beta-catenin that is dephosphorylated at Ser-37 and Thr-41 residues. The increase of active (Ser-37 and Thr-41 dephosphorylated) beta-catenin in CRC cells treated with HDACis is initiated at the ligand level and the inhibition of this increase suppresses Wnt signaling and lowers the levels of apoptosis. CRC cells that develop resistance to the apoptotic effects of HDACis exhibit lower levels of active beta-catenin compared to apoptosis-sensitive parental cells and this resistance is reversed by increasing the levels of active beta-catenin. Results from comparative studies between HDACi-resistant and HDACi-sensitive cells suggest that non-histone targets of HDACis mediate the effects on Wnt signaling and apoptosis.
Computer-aided compensator design

A systematic procedure is presented for designing a compensator for a control system to achieve a specific phase margin and acceptable transient response and disturbance rejection characteristics. The design procedure is demonstrated by applying it to control a DC motor drive plant. >
Future directions in standing-wave photoemission

Abstract Over the past decade, standing-wave photoemission (SW-XPS) has evolved into a powerful and versatile non-destructive technique for probing element-specific electronic, magnetic, and structural properties of buried layers and interfaces with sub-nanometer depth resolution. In this article, I will discuss several promising future directions in this emergent field stemming from experimental and theoretical studies wherein SW-XPS is combined with other X-ray techniques, such as magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES), angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES), and photoemission microscopy (PEEM), adding extra dimensions to the measurement and thus widening the scope of scientific and technological questions accessible via the use of standing waves. I will further discuss examples of recently developed methods for X-ray standing-wave data analysis, which yield layer-resolved matrix-element-weighted densities of states at interfaces as well as Angstrom-level changes in periodicity of synthetic superlattices. Finally, I will explore the possibility of localizing the standing waves near the surface and within a buried layer by the use of aperiodic superlattices, total reflection, and X-ray waveguide effects.
Host Ranges of Listeria-Specific Bacteriophages from the Turkey Processing Plant Environment in the United States

Even though at least 400 Listeria phages have been isolated from various sources, limited information is available on phages from the food processing plant environment. Phages in the processing plant environment may play critical roles in determining the Listeria population that becomes established in the plant. In this study, we pursued the isolation of Listeria-specific phages from environmental samples from four turkey processing plants in the United States. These environmental samples were also utilized to isolate Listeria spp. Twelve phages were isolated and classified into three groups in terms of their host range. Of these, nine (group 1) showed a wide host range, including multiple serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes, as well as other Listeria spp. (L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. seeligeri, and L. ivanovii). The remaining phages mostly infected L. monocytogenes serotype 4b as well as L. innocua, L. ivanovii, and/or L. welshimeri. All but one of the strains of the serotype 4b complex (4b, 4d, 4e) from the processing plant environment could be readily infected by the wide-host-range phages isolated from the environment of the processing plants. However, many strains of other serotypes (1/2a [or 3a] and 1/2b [or 3b]), which represented the majority of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from the environmental samples, were resistant to infection by these phages. Experiments with two phage-resistant strains showed reduced phage adsorption onto the host cells. These findings suggest that phage resistance may be an important component of the ecology of L. monocytogenes in the turkey processing plants.
PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR SOUTHERN STATE CATTLE INVENTORIES

As noted in a recent article by Harris, many agricultural economics departments in recent years have expanded their commitments to providing market outlook information. Continuing volatile commodity prices will provide an ongoing demand for such information. This paper presents results of a study designed to provide short term predictions of the number of cattle and calves on farms, January 1, in each of twelve southern states.1 Such estimates can help outlook personnel in several ways, including providing indications as to how producers are reacting to recent market conditions in each of these states and the region. The models do not require demand estimates for beef, nor are results likely to prove as self-defeating as price predictions might if publicized. Form of the models was suggested by work on an earlier national cattle marketing model.
Linearly Correlated Intermittent Failures

In reliability calculation, the general assumption is to regard the behavior of redundant systems as (statistically) s-independent. This considerably simplifies the mathematics involved, but limits the usefulness of the results as s-dependence can appreciably impact the system reliability. This paper introduces two measures, using linear correlation, to describe the s-dependence of intermittent failures. One measure relates to the linear correlation for the entire period during which faults are active in different modules; the other measure relates to the closeness in time of the instants faults become active in different modules. Characteristics and their relationship with reliability and fault processes of these measures are considered. Irreversible processes corresponding to permanent failures are examined.
Optimum gas atmosphere for in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine optimal gas atmosphere conditions for in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of bovine oocytes. In Experiment 1, groups of 10 to 12 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured (24 h) and fertilized (18 h) under 1) 5% CO2, 5% O2; 2) 5% CO2, 10% O2 or 3) 5% CO2, 20% 02. The COCs were cultured in 50 μl drops of maturation medium (TCM-199 + 10% bovine calf serum + oLH, oFSH and estrogen) or fertilization medium (TALP + swim-up separated spermatozoa +1 μg/ml heparin sulfate) under a layer of 10 ml paraffin oil at 39 °C with saturated humidity. Half of the oocytes in each drop were assigned randomly for maturation scoring and the remainder were inseminated. Reduced atmospheric O2 drastically decreased proportions of oocytes reaching MII (71.4, 26.9 and 9.3% with 20, 10 and 5% O2, respectively; P 0.05). Although the percentages of total fertilization among treatments were not different (75.4, 80.9 and 76.1%, respectively), the proportion of normal fertilization was significantly reduced in 10% C02 (55.1%) when compared with that of either 2.5% CO2 (62.7%) or 5% CO2 (68.7%; P
Medical Renaissance: A resurgence of recognition for quality in women's health care.

Thank you for the honor of being here with you as you open this 27th annual meeting of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. It is a pleasure for me to be asked to participate because of the very high quality of your program, but particularly because of your president, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing and admiring for a quarter of a century. I remember when Dr. Ronald L. Levine began many years ago to perform operative laparoscopy in Louisville, Kentucky. Always on the cutting edge, but mindful of his obligation to keep patients' interest foremost, Ron has been to me a teacher, mentor, colleague, and role model as a private practitioner. He has contributed to our profession, our specialty, and our community in so many ways. Those of us whom you taught and helped along the way are proud of you and are fortunate to have known you and crossed your path in our careers. I appreciate the opportunity and honor of sharing this presidential podium with you today. In addition, ACOG as an organization, is pleased to be represented here. It is critically important that in this day and age we who are devoted to the health care of women work closely together in furthering knowledge and advancing and improving that care. When Ron asked me to speak today, he asked me to talk about something that would be appropriate for all members of the association and physicians visiting from other countries, and suggested I be as up-beat as possible. These days it seems at times a little difficult to be optimistic in dealing with the realities of medical practice. This is especially true in terms of reimbursement, regulations, managed care, and related subjects, all of which seem to dominate our discussions. The fact is that no matter how much we advance in medicine, these advances will slow and even stop if rewards for innovation, efficiency, and high quality are not forthcoming. As all of us know from our days in undergraduate psychology, negative reinforcement alone goes only so far in achieving a desired behavior, and that lesson is being learned by players in the health care financing arena right now. There have been many changes in medicine over the centuries, both in terms of the art and the science of the discipline, as well as in the way services are financed and delivered. Many of these changes were beneficial and, for the most part, persisted. Fortunately, most of the ones that were not were short lived, having gone the way of fads that ultimately are shown
PLN-encoded Phospholamban Mutation in a Large Cohort of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Cases: Summary of the Literature and Implications for Genetic Testing

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major cause of sudden death in young athletes and one of the most common inherited cardiovascular diseases, affecting 1 in 500 individuals. Often viewed as a disease of the cardiac sarcomere, mutations in genes encoding myofilament proteins are associated with disease pathogenesis. Despite a clinically available genetic test, a significant portion of HCM patients remain genetically unexplained. We sought to determine the spectrum and prevalence of mutations in PLN -encoded phospholamban in a large cohort of HCM cases as a potential cause of mutation-negative HCM. Methods Comprehensive genetic interrogation of the promoter and coding region of PLN was conducted using polymerase chain reaction, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, and direct DNA sequencing. Results One L39X nonsense mutation was identified in 1 of 1,064 HCM proband cases with a family history of HCM, previously found to be negative for the current HCM genetic test panel. This mutation cosegregated with incidence of HCM in a multigenerational family. Compared with similar studies, we identified an overall yield of PLN-HCM mutations of 0.65%, similar to 3 genes that are part of current HCM genetic test panels. We did not observe any PLN coding sequence genetic variation in 600 reference alleles. Conclusions Overall, mutations in PLN are rare in frequency, yet the small size of the genetic locus may make it amenable to inclusion on HCM gene test panels, especially because the frequency of background genetic variation among otherwise healthy subjects appears negligible. The exact role of mutations in PLN and other calcium-handling proteins in the development of HCM warrants further investigation.
Physical and genetic characterization of the genome of Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum, strain MS-1.

Pulsed-field gel analysis of Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum, strain MS-1, indicates that the genome is a single, circular structure of about 4.3 mb. A few genes, identified by sequence similarity, have been localized and arranged in a map with dnaA, indicating the presumed origin of replication. There are at least two rRNA operons. In addition, rRNA genes are found on a 40 kb, possibly extrachromosomal, structure. The genes thought to be involved in magnetite synthesis, bfr and magA, are located in the same 17% of the genome. A one base pair-overlap seen in the bfr genes of MS-1 is found also in the closely related magnetic strain AMB-1, but not in the non-magnetic relative A.itersonii.
Stroke in young adults: on the rise?

Stroke has traditionally been considered a disease of the elderly, its incidence doubling with each decade after age 50. Given the aging of the population of the developed world, prevalent stroke is projected to increase by 24.9% over the next 20 years.1 In this light, decreasing overall stroke incidence rates in the 21st century are welcome news. The Framingham Heart Study reported a decline in age-adjusted stroke incidence per 1,000 person-years from 1950 to 2004 …
Voronoi tracking: location estimation using sparse and noisy sensor data

Tracking the activity of people in indoor environments has gained considerable attention in the robotics community over the last years. Most of the existing approaches are based on sensors, which allow to accurately determining the locations of people but do not provide means to distinguish between different persons. In this paper we propose a novel approach to tracking moving objects and their identity using noisy, sparse information collected by id-sensors such as infrared and ultrasound badge systems. The key idea of our approach is to use particle filters to estimate the locations of people on the Voronoi graph of the environment. By restricting particles to a graph, we make use of the inherent structure of indoor environments. The approach has two key advantages. First, it is by far more efficient and robust than unconstrained particle filters. Second, the Voronoi graph provides a natural discretization of human motion, which allows us to apply unsupervised learning techniques to derive typical motion patterns of the people in the environment. Experiments using a robot to collect ground-truth data indicate the superior performance of Voronoi tracking. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EM-based learning of behavior patterns increases the tracking performance and provides valuable information for high-level behavior recognition.
The entropy of a randomly stopped sequence

A Wald-like equation is proved for the entropy of a randomly stopped sequence of independent identically distributed discrete random variables X/sub 1/, X/sub 2/. . ., with a nonanticipating stopping time N. The authors first define a general stopping time and the associated stopped sequence, and then present the two main theorems for the entropy of a stopped sequence. The formal proofs of the lemmas necessary for the proof of the theorems are given. The randomness in the stopped sequence X/sup N/ is the expected number of calls for X times the entropy per call plus the residual randomness in the stopping time conditioned on the unstopped sequence X/sup infinity /. >
Parenteral nutrition in septic patients: effect of increasing nitrogen intake

Metabolic effects of increasing nitrogen intake during total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were studied in nine septic patients. The patients were given 5% dextrose (D5W) for 1 d. For the next 6 d they received total parenteral nutrition (TPN), at 1.35 times resting energy expenditure (REE), containing either 191 or 366 mg N/(kg.d) Non-protein calories were divided equally between glucose and lipid emulsion. Three patients were studied on both diets (n = 6 for each diet). On the high- but not the low-N diet were significant increases in protein oxidation, blood urea N, O2 consumption, and CO2 production. TPN normalized most plasma amino acid levels but intramuscular amino acids remained unchanged. Transient positive N balance occurred during days 1-3 on the high- but not the low-N intake; on days 5-6 N balance did not differ significantly from zero on either diet and the improvement (165 mg N/[kg.d]) was the same for both diets.
Scaling solutions to markov decision problems

The Markov Decision Problem (MDP) is a widely applied mathematical model useful for describing a wide array of real world decision problems ranging from navigation to scheduling to robotics. Existing methods for solving MDPs scale poorly when applied to large domains where there are many components and factors to consider. In this dissertation, I study the use of non-tabular representations and human input as scaling techniques. I will show that the joint approach has desirable optimality and convergence guarantees, and demonstrates several orders of magnitude speedup over conventional tabular methods. Empirical studies of speedup were performed using several domains including a clone of the classic video game, Super Mario Bros. In the course of this work, I will address several issues including: how approximate representations can be used without losing convergence and optimality properties, how human input can be solicited to maximize speedup and user engagement, and how that input should be used so as to insulate against possible errors.
Short-Range Forecasting

This technical note presents material on procedures and techniques for forecasting over the next year. Specifically, methods for measuring forecast accuracy and the techniques for time-series forecasting using exponential smoothing with trend and seasonality are presented. Ways of monitoring forecasts and adaptive control procedures are also discussed.
Turbularization of the Stokes Layer Over a Transpiring Surface

In this work, the onset of turbulence inside a rectangular chamber is investigated, with and without side-wall injection, in the presence of an oscillatory pressure gradient. Three techniques are used to define the transition from laminar to turbulent regimes: statistical analysis, spectral analysis, and flow visualization. Calibrated hot film anemometry and a computer data acquisition system are used to record and analyze acoustic flow data. Four classifications of flow regimes are achieved: (a) laminar, (b) distorted laminar, (3) weakly turbulent, and (4) conditionally turbulent. A fully turbulent flow could not develop at any of the driving frequencies tested. A relaminarization always occurs within a cycle. Transition between flow regimes is assessed from the standard deviation of velocity data correlated as a function of acoustic Reynolds number. Transition in oscillatory flow with side-wall injection is found to be reproducible at the same critical value of the acoustic Reynolds number, ReA = 195.
Which reviews carry the most weight? The influence of message and source factors in online Word-of-Mouth messages

Online reviews are one example of electronic word of mouth messaging (eWOM), which research has shown plays an important role in purchasing decisions for consumers. Yet most eWOM research has ignored the potential effect of specific message and source features within the messages themselves. This study used a narrative lens to explore how the presence of a similar and explicitly identified character influences perceived trustworthiness of the reviews, as well as overall attitudes and purchase intention toward products. A mixed design experiment was conducted to test effects of character presence, as well as types of appeal, positive and negative valence, and product involvement in online review messages. Character presence was found to increase perceived trustworthiness and brand attitudes, but only for low-involvement products. Rational appeals and negative valenced reviews were also seen as more trustworthy, yet these main effects were complicated by a three-way interaction that suggests the effects of message features in eWOM reviews are complex and require more research to explore their nuances.
Touchy Subjects: Sex in the Workplace on Broadcast, Cable, and Internet Television

A content analysis of workplace sexual interactions, informed by past research on sexual harassment in televised workplaces, was conducted of 100 U.S. broadcast, cable, and Internet television programs that featured work or a workplace as a prominent setting. Although sexual interactions were relatively common, they were generally depicted in ways that did not clearly communicate harassment. Sexual talk and behavior in the workplace were generally met with either reciprocation or no response. Workplace sexual behavior was more frequent in situation comedies than in other genres of entertainment television content and more common in programs produced for distribution over the Internet than in programs produced for distribution through cable channels or broadcast networks. Results are discussed in terms of likely consequences of viewing, particularly noting that theories of media influence suggest that viewing such programming is likely to contribute to greater tolerance of sexual talk and behavior in the actual workplace.
The Vulnerable Newborn Brain: Imaging Patterns of Acquired Perinatal Injury.

Background: Over the past two decades, imaging techniques have allowed for better visualization of the newborn brain. This has enabled us to detect patterns, unde
MO-B-BRC-03: CT-Based Prostate HDR

Brachytherapy has proven to be an effective treatment option for prostate cancer. Initially, prostate brachytherapy was delivered through permanently implanted low dose rate (LDR) radioactive sources; however, high dose rate (HDR) temporary brachytherapy for prostate cancer is gaining popularity. Needle insertion during prostate brachytherapy is most commonly performed under ultrasound (U/S) guidance; however, treatment planning may be performed utilizing several imaging modalities either in an intra- or post-operative setting. During intra-operative prostate HDR, the needles are imaged during implantation, and planning may be performed in real time. At present, the most common imaging modality utilized for intra-operative prostate HDR is U/S. Alternatively, in the post-operative setting, following needle implantation, patients may be simulated with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each imaging modality and workflow provides its share of benefits and limitations. Prostate HDR has been adopted in a number of cancer centers across the nation. In this educational session, we will explore the role of U/S, CT, and MRI in HDR prostate brachytherapy. Example workflows and operational details will be shared, and we will discuss how to establish a prostate HDR program in a clinical setting. Learning Objectives: 1.Review prostate HDR techniques based on the imaging modality 2.Discuss the challenges and pitfalls introduced by the three imagebased options for prostate HDR brachytherapy 3.Review the QA process and learn about the development of clinical workflows for these imaging options at different institutions
Learning to pay attention 1

This paper looks at the problem a novice qualitative researcher faces when entering a classroom – what should the observer pay attention to? With observational notes from the author's research to illustrate the case, the paper argues that a researcher need not choose from among the many methods discussed in the literature for dealing with this problem. The alternative offered is that the environemt itself is the best guide for the researcher. An observer who is subjective without being self‐focused will find that the environment, people, and events begin to register in significant and often unexpected ways. The observer is changed by the act of observing – a phenomenon illustrated by the author's characterization of researcher as videocamera, playgoer, evaluator, subjective inquirer, insider, and reflective interpreter. Through the course of these changing perspectives, the environment is also changed, becoming more interesting and compelling, and guiding the researcher's attention more clearly. The paper...
5.49 – Descending Control Mechanisms

Descending pain modulation involves multiple brain sites and pathways ranging from the cerebral cortex to caudal medulla. The most well characterized pathway involves a circuitry linking the midbrain periaqueductal gray, rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and the spinal cord. A plethora of transmitters are involved in descending pain control, including opioid peptides and monoamines. By correlating neuronal activity to the occurrence of nocifensive reflexes in rats, pain modulatory neurons in the RVM have been identified. The firing profiles of different pain modulatory neurons suggest that spinal nociceptive processing is subject to bidirectional control from supraspinal sites. The descending circuitry exhibits dynamic plasticity in response to persistent pain conditions. Descending pathways can be activated to achieve pain relief through electrical stimulation, pharmacological intervention, and psychological manipulations.
A Brief Leisure Interests Checklist for Teenagers: Initial Results

A first study of the Leisure Interests Checklist for Teenagers (LIC-T) is reported based on a large sample of male (N = 1,204) and female (N = 862) high school students. The LIC-T contains 74 items...
Emerging New Treatment Modalities: Irreversible Electroporation

Initially diagnosed stage III locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC) remains an aggressive tumor with an overall poor prognosis (current median survival chemotherapy and radiation therapy of 9–12 months). Improvement in survival can be achieved in the small percentage that can undergo an R0 resection or where all macroscopic tumors can be cleared by local ablation. Long-duration (>4–6 months) chemoradiotherapy is not tolerated by all patients and still fails to prolong survival alone. Neoadjuvant treatment also has limited results on pain control or tumor downstaging since most current modalities do not shrink or downsize the tumor. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of local ablative therapy for the treatment of nonresectable tumors in various organs. Ablation techniques are based on direct application of chemical, thermal, or electrical energy to a tumor, which leads to cellular necrosis without removal of the tumor. With ablation, local control and relief from symptoms can be obtained in the majority of the patients when appropriate patient selection and technique are utilized. LAPC has been treated by various ablation techniques in the last few years with promising results. We present the current status of irreversible electroporation (IRE) therapy in the treatment of LAPC.
On the mechanism of diffusion in sodium beta alumina

A microscopic interstitialcy-type diffusion mechanism for sodium beta-alumina involving three crystallographically different types of cation sites but only two equilibrium configurations of interstitialcy pairs is proposed. The resulting cation-site occupation probabilities are shown to agree with the experimental neutron-diffraction data of Roth et al. For various sizes of the associated regions around the charge-compensating oxygen interstitials (in which Na+ ions are not freely mobile), the ratio of the radiotracer diffusivity with respect to the charge diffusivity (the so-called Haven ratio, HR)is determined. In agreement with the measurements of Kim et al., HR is found to increase with increasing temperature as a result of the decrease in the average size of the associated regions. It is concluded that, while at lower temperatures all excess Na+ ions are found in the associated regions around the oxygen interstitials, with increasing temperature more and more of them are freely mobile in the unassociated regions of the conduction plane. The formation enthalpy associated with the thermally activated creation of mobile “interstitials” is determined to be about 0.05 eV. The slope of the slightly curved Arrhenius plot associated with the proposed mechanism therefore consists of the sum of the energy of formation of freely mobile interstitials and the energies of migration of two types of interstitialcy pairs. The Raman and IR-conductivity results are found to be compatible with this emerging picture for the microscopic diffusion process in sodium β-alumina. Spectroscopic diffusion techniques (NMR, internal friction, dielectric loss) show more than one apparent activation energy EA while, in the same temperature region, the d.c. ionic conductivity yields a unique value of EA; reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.
Harm reduction in the USA: the research perspective and an archive to David Purchase

The history of harm reduction in the USA has led to the development of some of the most important methods for treating persons for drug use disorders, such as methadone and buprenorphine for opiate use disorder. However, there has been fierce political resistance to implementation and scale-up of harm reduction in the USA. This resistance is rooted in historical demonization of particular psychoactive drugs that were associated with stigmatized racial/ethnic groups.With the discovery of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981, harm reduction became important not only for treating substance use disorders, but for reducing transmission of blood-borne infection. However, within the context of the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1980s, it was very difficult to implement any programs that appeared to "condone" drug use.It was not until the late 1980s that syringe exchange programs began at the state and local level in the USA. With funding primarily from state and local governments and the support of the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN), there are now approximately 200 programs for syringe exchange in the USA. Research has shown that these programs have been extremely effective in reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among persons who inject drugs (PWID). The programs in the USA also offer many additional services for drug users, including condom distribution, referrals to substance abuse treatment, HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) counseling and testing, overdose education and naloxone distribution to reverse for overdose.Currently, the USA is experiencing an opioid/heroin epidemic, with significant increases in overdose deaths among drug users. Much of this epidemic is occurring in suburban and rural of the country without harm reduction services. The current challenges for harm reduction and harm reduction research involve expansion of services to suburban and rural areas and implementation science on how to effectively and efficiently address HCV transmission and overdose. Most importantly, continued research efforts are needed to reduce the stigma of psychoactive drug use. While political opposition continues, harm reduction activists and researchers have developed a highly effective partnership based on a common core values.
THE COLLAPSE OF ISLAM:Weber and Gramsci

The struggle for historical site Aleppo now demonstrates that Islam no longer can control the most brutal forces among people, especially soldiers, rebels, govenments and external interveners (Russia). Ordinary Moslems die left and right including women and children, in many Islamic countries. Moreover, the ISIS or ISIL has taen this brutality to Western countries with the new indiscriminate terrorism. As there is no end in sight for the many civil wars in Islamic civilisation, we enquire in to the failure of Islam to incorporate Weber's rule of law as well as the false social hegomeny of ISIS.
Approach to Esophageal Strictures and Diverticula

Recent data reveal that the incidence of esophageal strictures is decreasing. However, they remain a common problem. Endoscopy is the main tool in evaluating these patients, as it provides a platform for both diagnosis and treatment. Most strictures respond to a combination of endoscopic dilation and medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved to patients not responding to conservative treatment.
Book Review: Torture and Democracy, by Darius Rejali

This is a book review of "Torture and Democracy" by Darius Rejali (Princeton University Press, 2007). The review was written for Democracy & Society, a publication of Georgetown University's Center for Democracy and Civil Society, and was published in the Spring of 2008.
Quantifying the effects of subsurface heterogeneity on hillslope runoff using a stochastic approach

The role of heterogeneity and uncertainty in hydraulic conductivity on hillslope runoff production was evaluated using the fully integrated hydrologic model ParFlow. Simulations were generated using idealized high-resolution hillslopes configured both with a deep water table and a water table equal to the outlet to isolate surface and subsurface flow, respectively. Heterogeneous, correlated random fields were used to create spatial variability in the hydraulic conductivity. Ensembles, generated by multiple realizations of hydraulic conductivity, were used to evaluate how this uncertainty propagates to runoff. Ensemble averages were used to determine the effective runoff for a given hillslope as a function of rainfall rate and degree of subsurface heterogeneity. Cases where the water table is initialized at the outlet show runoff behavior with little sensitivity to variance in hydraulic conductivity. A technique is presented that explicitly interrogates individual realizations at every simulation timestep to partition overland and subsurface flow contributions. This hydrograph separation technique shows that the degree of heterogeneity can play a role in determining proportions of surface and subsurface flow, even when effective hillslope outflow is seen. This method is also used to evaluate current hydrograph separation techniques and demonstrates that recursive filters can accurately proportion overland and base-flow for certain cases.