cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond neutrality: Extended difference of votes rules

Abstract In a voting situation where there are two alternatives, simple majority rule outputs the alternative with the most votes or outputs a tie if both alternatives receive the same number of votes. For any nonnegative integer k , the difference of votes rule M k outputs the alternative that beats the competing alternative by more than k votes. If the two alternatives are not necessarily treated equally, then we get the class of M k , l rules where the integers k and l are the thresholds for when one alternative beats the other. Llamazares (2006) characterized the class of M k rules with the conditions of anonymity, neutrality, monotonicity, weak Pareto and cancellation. We extend Llamazares’ Theorem by proving that the M k , l rules are the only voting rules satisfying anonymity, monotonicity, and cancellation. In addition, we describe the class of voting rules that satisfy only monotonicity and cancellation.
In This Issue: Sometimes More is Less

Sometimes more is less. In this issue, a study by Peterson shows that new family physicians who provide more through a broader scope of practice—inpatient, obstetrical, or home visit care—have less burnout than those with a narrower scope of practice.[1][1] Perhaps a part of the solution to the
Stable Distributions as Limits

In Chapter 15, it was seen that if X 1,X 2,..., is an iid sequence of ℝ-valued random variables with finite mean and variance, then as a consequence of the Classical Central Limit Theorem, quantities like $$ P[x{X_1} + ... + {X_n}y] $$ (17.1) can be estimated using the normal distribution function. It turns out that for many iid sequences without finite variances, or even without finite means, such a quantity can still be estimated using stable distribution functions. For instance, useful information can be obtained about the distribution of the n th return to 0 of a simple symmetric random walk on ℤ (see Problem 20).
Counteracting Ingrained Practices of Community Development in the US South The Case of Klondike/Smokey City in Memphis TN, USA

In the US, the field of community development has recently become a contested terrain where non-governmental entities intertwine their initiatives with the ones proposed and implemented by public authorities. This paper explores the assumptions and some of the problematic and unresolved issues tied to the rhetoric of community development exploring the case of the historic African American neighborhood of Klondike Smokey City (KSC). In particular, the paper shares some of the lessons learned during an action-oriented research process carried out by a newly born partnership between the KSC Community Development Corporation (CDC) and the City and Regional Planning (CRP) Department at the University of Memphis. The paper reflects on how approaches to planning research inspired by action-research might be conducive in revealing some of the most challenging issues faced by self-organization practices and how these might be addressed through collaborative planning processes.
Prediction of thigh skeletal muscle mass using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry compared to magnetic resonance imaging after spinal cord injury

Objectives: A rapid decline in lean mass (LM), fat-free mass (FFM) and increased intramuscular fat (IMF) predispose persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) to chronic medical conditions including dys...
A lipase-independent pathway of lipid release and immune modulation by adipocytes

To meet systemic metabolic needs, adipocytes release fatty acids and glycerol through the action of neutral lipases. Here, we describe a secondary pathway of lipid release from adipocytes that is independent of canonical lipolysis. We found that adipocytes release exosome-sized, lipid-filled vesicles (AdExos) that become a source of lipid for local macrophages. Adipose tissue from lean mice released ~1% of its lipid content per day via exosomes ex vivo, a rate that more than doubles in obese animals. AdExos and associated factors were sufficient to induce in vitro differentiation of bone marrow precursors into adipose tissue macrophage-like cells. Thus, AdExos are both an alternative pathway of local lipid release and a mechanism by which parenchymal cells can modulate tissue macrophage differentiation and function.
The Black Studies Program at the University of Tennessee: Perspectives from an Ex-Program Director

Este texto trabalha os dilemas de uma administradora afrodescendente, chefe de um programa de estudos negros numa das principais universidades da regiao sul dos Estados Unidos. O texto apresenta os beneficios, as aliancas e os desafios da experiencia, ao lado de uma descricao do programa, principalmente das barreiras de seu desenvolvimento e de sua expansao. O texto descreve a estrutura de poder administrativa na Universidade de Tennessee Knoxville; serve como um testemunho da minha trajetoria como Diretora do Programa de Estudos Africanos e Africano-Americanos de 2011 a 2016; e oferece uma discussao geral dos desafios da mulher negra na academia, na trajetoria da sua carreira. Palavras-chave: universidade, administracao, estudos africanos.
Accident Reduction and Emergency Planning

Many diseases and most accidents are similar in that almost all accidents, like many diseases, are preventable by reducing exposure or eliminating the conditions which create them. Therefore, the principles of epidemiology may be applied to accident analysis (174) to identify areas of deficiency in organizations desiring to reduce the incidence of accidents or exposure to accidents among its staff.
Using a human-centered design approach for collaborative decision-making in pediatric asthma care.

Abstract Objectives Human-centered design (HCD) is a qualitative methodology that empathizes with end-users and assists in formulating preferable and practical interventions. We explored the utility of HCD in improving pediatric asthma healthcare outcomes among patient and caregiver populations within an urban academic center. Study design HCD employs a multiphase process that aims to identify the needs of end users and reframe solutions around each stakeholder's preference patterns. Methods Ethnographic-style observations were initiated among pediatric asthma healthcare providers, community environmental activists, local government public health officials, households with a young child ( Results The first prototype elucidated caregivers' preferred outpatient asthma support systems using a newly created visual decision-making aid. The second constructed prototype was a child-oriented asthma activity sheet that allowed children to better communicate their understanding and impact of asthma care. The final prototype attempted to improve interactions between providers, caregivers, and children/adolescents using visual prompts to enhance empathetic and clinically-relevant dialogue. Conclusion Engaging a diverse population of relevant stakeholders in disease processes that use design thinking yield relevant solutions with enhanced community buy-in. The prototypes are continuing to undergo iterative field testing in local community and academic asthma care sites.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 inhibition potentiates 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal induced decrease in angiogenesis of coronary endothelial cells

Coronary endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction including defective angiogenesis is reported in cardiac diseases. 4-Hydroxynonenal (4HNE) is a lipid peroxidation product, which is increased in cardiac diseases and implicated in cellular toxicity. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 2 is a mitochondrial enzyme that metabolizes 4HNE and reduces 4HNE-mediated cytotoxicity. Thus, we hypothesize that ALDH2 inhibition potentiates 4HNE-mediated decrease in coronary EC angiogenesis in vitro. To test our hypothesis, first, we treated the cultured mouse coronary EC (MCEC) lines with 4HNE (25, 50, and 75 μM) for 2 and 4 hours. Next, we pharmacologically inhibited ALDH2 by disulfiram (DSF) (2.5 μM) before challenging the cells with 4HNE. In this study, we found that 4HNE attenuated tube formation which indicates decreased angiogenesis. Next, we found that 4HNE has significantly downregulated the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 (P < .05 for mRNA and P = .005 for protein), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT 1) (P < 0.0005 for mRNA), and Ets-related gene (ERG) (P < 0.0001 for mRNA and P < 0.005 for protein) in MCECs compared with control. ALDH 2 inhibition by DSF potentiated 4HNE-induced decrease in angiogenesis (P < 0.05 vs 4HNE at 2 h and P < 0.0005 vs 4HNE at 4 h) by decreasing the expressions of VEGFR2 (P < 0.005 for both mRNA and protein), SIRT 1 (P < 0.05), and ERG (P < 0.005) relative to 4HNE alone. Thus, we conclude that ALDH2 acts as a proangiogenic signaling molecule by alleviating the antiangiogenic effects of 4HNE in MCECs.
Cost efficiency – one size fits all? A university-level analysis of economies of scale and scope in Vietnamese higher education

Like other nations, Vietnam annually subsidies higher education via state budget to maintain academic operations of public institutions. However, the question of how to fairly and appropriately dis...
Five Waves of an Online HIV Self-Test Giveaway in New York City, 2015 to 2018.

Background HIV self-tests increase HIV status awareness by providing convenience and privacy, although cost and access may limit use. Since 2015, the New York City (NYC) Health Department has conducted 5 waves of an online Home Test Giveaway. Methods We recruited adult cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals who had sex with men, who were living in NYC, not previously HIV diagnosed, and using paid digital advertisements (4-8 weeks per wave). Eligible respondents were e-mailed a code to redeem on the manufacturer's website for a free HIV self-test and an online follow-up survey ~2 months later. For key process and outcome measures, we present means across 5 waves. Results Across the 5 waves of Home Test Giveaway, there were 28,921 responses to the eligibility questionnaire: 17,383 were eligible, 12,182 redeemed a code for a free HIV self-test, and 7935 responded to the follow-up survey (46% of eligible responses). Among eligible responses, approximately half were Latino/a (mean, 32%) or non-Latino/a, black (mean, 17%). Mean report of never testing before was 16%. Among 5903 follow-up survey responses who reported test use, 32 reported reactive results with no known previous diagnosis (0.54%), of whom 78% reported receiving confirmatory testing. Report of likelihood of recommending the Home Test Giveaway to friends was high (mean, 96%). Conclusions We recruited diverse NYC MSM and TGNC and distributed a large number of HIV self-tests to them. Among respondents who reported newly reactive tests, the majority reported confirmatory testing. This seems to be one acceptable way to reach MSM and TGNC for HIV testing, including those who have never tested before.
The Current Status of Insufficient Sleep Duration and Its Influencing Factors Among Children and Adolescents: A Household Based Cross-Sectional Study in Zhejiang Province, China.

Abstract Purpose Insufficient sleep duration is common among children and adolescents worldwide, and the decline of sleep duration during the recent years is troubling. This study aimed to learn the status of insufficient sleep duration and to explore its influencing factors among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China. Design and methods A stratified sampling technique was employed in the present cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics, sports time as well as sedentary behavior were investigated. Results A greater proportion of children than adolescents reported insufficient sleep duration (36.4% versus 19.2%, p = 0.001). For children, insufficient sleep duration was associated with age (OR = 1.290, 95%CI: 1.069–1.557), watching movies or TV shows with smartphones after school (OR = 3.098, 95%CI: 1.293–7.420), surf the internet after school (OR = 0.113, 95%CI: 0.013–0.969), walk to school (OR = 0.289, 95%CI: 0.105–0.793). For adolescents, insufficient sleep duration was associated with watch TV after school (OR = 0.379, 95%CI: 0.148–0.970), watching movies or TV shows with smartphones after school (OR = 4.744, 95%CI: 1.799–12.507), do homework after school (OR = 0.265, 95%CI: 0.086–0.813). Conclusions An unhealthy sedentary screen lifestyle profile may have influence on insufficient sleep duration. Urgent actions are needed to improve sleep duration among children and adolescents.
Adsorption behavior of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) onto activated spent coffee grounds biochar in synthetic wastewater effluent

Abstract Improved understanding of human health risks, environmental persistence, and widespread dispersion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has driven ongoing development of stringent regulations for these compounds in water. Char materials produced from agricultural food waste have recently been explored as alternatives to granular activated carbon for PFAS removal in water. Herein, spent coffee grounds (SCG) were pyrolyzed, activated with alkaline hydroxide, and evaluated for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) adsorption. At environmentally-relevant PFOS concentrations, pyrolyzed SCG showed minimal PFOS removal while activated SCG removed 9.9%–99.6% of PFOS depending on activation conditions. SCGKOH (produced from a 1:1 mass ratio of pyrolyzed SCG and potassium hydroxide) had a maximum adsorption capacity of 43.4 mg/g compared to Filtrasorb® F300 activated carbon (55.7 mg/g) and a wood-based fly ash char (79.5 mg/g). All adsorbents display non-linear pseudo first-order adsorption behavior with rate constants of 0.414 h−1, 0.062 h−1, 0.090 h−1 for fly-ash biochar, SCGKOH and F300, respectively. Additionally, PFOS removal by all adsorbents decreased in the presence of simulated effluent organic matter. SCGKOH presents an exciting alternative to existing commercial char adsorbents. The widely available feedstock and low-input production process could make this material a viable water treatment option for resource-constrained communities.
Which Approach Matters for Quality Teaching

Quality teaching becomes everybody's concern when sustained growth and diversification of higher education system is critically viewed. Teachers as well as administrators are responsible to provide quality teaching so that quality graduates can be assured for the economic development of the country in the highly competitive and complex global world. Higher education in any country has its own social dimension and function and it cannot be purpose-free and context-free. At the same time, it cannot escape public assessments and international comparisons and in this context benchmarking assumes relevance and importance. Institutions should therefore evolve their evaluation mechanisms to identify and promote good quality teaching practices. These practices can emerge either from administrators or from teachers or sometimes from both. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) is a covetous role of maintaining a respectable, equidistance between teachers and administrators even though it is often perceived to be a management’s manipulative tool. It does not matter if it is closer to either one of them as far as its role is expressly proactive in ensuring quality teaching. It should work with two levels: teachers’ and administrators’ but its uncompromising goal is to ensure quality teaching so that quality graduates can become a national asset to the extent that they contribute their mite to the economic development of the country and the world.
Editorial: The State of the Question in Religion and Economics

With this issue of the Journal of Markets & Morality, we introduce a new semiregular feature section, the Status Quaestionis. Conceived as a complement to our Scholia, which are original translations of early modern texts and treatises on ethics, economics, and theology, the Status Quaestionis features are intended to help us grasp in a more thorough and comprehensive way the state of the scholarly landscape with regard to the modern intersection between religion and economics.
Palliative surgery and the surgeon's role in the palliative care team: a review.

This review focuses on the role of palliative surgery in the care of the palliative care patient, and the appropriate role of the surgeon. The surgeon has much to bring to the palliative care team. The surgeon's role goes beyond the technical requirements of the palliative procedure, which itself must be strictly defined, and has recognized utility for improving quality of life in selected patients. These benefits may be substantial, but come at significant risk; requiring careful balancing of risks and benefits that is most completely understood by the surgeon. The surgeon's judgement can help determine which procedure best meets a patient's goals. The complex dialogue involved in the decision to undergo a palliative operation requires excellent communication between the palliative care team, the patient, and their family. Integrating the surgeon into the palliative care team could help with earlier initiation of those palliative discussions, and assist deliberation of palliative surgery. Surgeons also understand the importance of communication around palliative surgical interventions and have adapted several teaching models to the specifics of this crucial communication. A palliative team combining both surgeons and palliative care physicians may promote goalconcordant decision-making and remove barriers to communication and team engagement. The future of palliative surgery research will involve measures of success that go beyond physiology or mortality, to include more evaluations of communication and patient goals.
Implementation of public policies as a strategy to increase adherence to immunisation against COVID-19.

Commentary on: Daly M, Robinson E. Willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the US: Longitudinal evidence from a nationally representative sample of adults from April- October 2020. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2020 Nov 30:2020.11.27.20239970. doi: 10.1101/2020.11.27.20239970. In February 2020, the WHO named COVID-19 the newly emerging viral infection caused by a new coronavirus nominated SARS-CoV-2. This infection resulted in a pandemic.1 Currently, vaccines that prevent severe infection by SARS-CoV-2, developed in unprecedented time frames, are identified as the most promising approach to contain the pandemic and are being widely adopted. On the other hand, there is a concern about receiving the immunising agent and questions regarding its safety, since there are no in-depth studies on its effectiveness and efficiency, as well as on its long-term adverse effects.2 …
The utility and potential of mathematical models in predicting fibrinolytic outcomes

Abstract The enzymatic degradation of blood clots, fibrinolysis, is an important part of a healthy hemostatic system. If intrinsic fibrinolysis is ineffective, thrombolysis—the clinically-induced enzymatic degradation of blood clots—may be necessary to treat life-threatening conditions. In this review, we discuss recent models of fibrinolysis and thrombolysis, and open questions that could be resolved through modeling and modeling-experimental collaboration. In particular, we focus on 2- and 3-dimensional models that can be used to study effects of fibrin network structure and realistic blood vessel geometries on the phenomena underlying lytic outcomes. Significant open questions such as the role of clot contraction, network and inherent fiber tension, and fibrinolytic inhibitors in lysis could benefit from mathematical models aimed at understanding the underlying biological mechanisms.
BGPQ: A Heap-Based Priority Queue Design for GPUs

Programming today’s many-core processor is challenging. Due to the enormous amount of parallelism, synchronization is expensive. We need efficient data structures for providing automatic and scalable synchronization methods. In this paper, we focus on the priority queue data structure. We develop a heap-based priority queue implementation called BGPQ. BGPQ uses batched key nodes as the internal data representation, exploits both task parallelism and data parallelism, and is linearizable. We show that BGPQ achieves up to 88X speedup compared with four state-of-the-art CPU parallel priority queue implementations and up to 11.2X speedup over an existing GPU implementation. We also apply BGPQ to search problems, including 0-1 Knapsack and A* search. We achieve 45X-100X and 12X-46X speedup respectively over best known concurrent CPU priority queues.
Correction: Thermochemical wastewater valorization via enhanced microbial toxicity tolerance

Correction for ‘Thermochemical wastewater valorization via enhanced microbial toxicity tolerance’ by Lahiru N. Jayakody et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 1625–1638, DOI: 10.1039/C8EE00460A.
Rule learning for disease-specific biomarker discovery from clinical proteomic mass spectra

A major goal of clinical proteomics is the identification of protein biomarkers from mass spectral analyses of fairly easily obtainable samples such as blood serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid from patient populations. It is hoped that such protein biomarkers can be utilized for early detection of disease and examined further for potential therapeutic use. In this paper, we present the process for successful discovery of biomarkers that are indicators of a chronic neurodegenerative disease of motor neurons, called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; from application of rule learning to the analysis of proteomic mass spectra from cerebrospinal fluid samples. We have implemented a wrapper-based rule learning framework within which the massive number of features that accumulate from mass spectral analyses of clinical samples can be evaluated by repeated invocation of a rule learner. Our framework facilitates evidence gathering as indicated in this case study, and can speed up disease-specific biomarker discovery from clinical proteomic mass spectra.
Control Considerations of Newly Public Firms: The Implementation of Antitakeover Provisions and Dual Class Shares Before the IPO

This paper examines the security design of a large sample of U.S. firms issuing initial public offerings (IPOs) and provides evidence on control considerations for these firms. I find that 47% of firms implementing IPOs include antitakeover provisions or bylaws in their corporate charters, while more than 5% go public with multiple classes of stock outstanding. In support of the theoretical findings of Grossman and Hart (1988), I find evidence consistent with private benefits for incumbents of IPO firms implementing multiple class structures. Evidence is also presented that IPO firms implementing antitakeover provisions are of higher quality than those not implementing provisions and that IPO firms implementing antitakeover provisions are less likely to be subsequently acquired.
Timber Production Efficiency Analysis

The term efficiency is widely used in economics to describe an optimal allocation of resources and is promoted as one logical economic goal for individuals, firms, and societies. In the simplest sense, efficiency means making the most out of what you have—minimizing waste of scarce resources. In this chapter we describe how one might go about thinking of both technical and economic, or productive, efficiency in a theoretical framework, as well as provide an overview of empirical techniques used to estimate productive efficiency levels of individual firms. The technical efficiency of southern U.S. logging firms is examined as a case study.
Is Fibrinolysis Shutdown the Missing Link Leading to Post-Injury Hypercoagulability?

INTRODUCTION: Despite implementation of routine prophylaxis for venous thromboemobolisms (VTEs) the incidence after trauma remains 7%, and is much higher if asymptomatic VTEs are included. The fibrinolytic system, through tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-generated plasmin, promotes clot degradation, thus preventing clotting beyond the site of injury. Fibrinolysis-shutdown has been recently implicated in sepsis-induced organ failure. However, fibrinolysis shutdown has not been investigated in the injured patient. We hypothesized that trauma-ICU patients have fibrinolysis-shutdown, as measured by TEG, when compared to healthy-individuals.
Microwave transconductance amplifiers and circuits using triquint 0.5 /spl mu/ MESFET devices

We have designed microwave transconductance amplifiers using data available for 0.5 /spl mu/ MESFET devices. The amplifier is broadband from DC to 10 GHz, and transconductance coefficient g/sub m/ values up to 6.2 mA/V are practically realizable. The amplifier is tested for integrator circuit, lowpass notch and bandpass filters applications. >
Estimates and Determinants of Firm Efficiency in Eastern Europe

Romanian enterprise is widely considered to be inefficient relative to that found in other postcommunist nations in Central and Eastern Europe. This paper places the relative (in)efficiency of Romanian firms in context by estimating stochastic frontier production functions using Romanian microdata. We find that, on average, Romanian firms are 10 percent less efficient than firms in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Evidence suggests that the measurable industrial drivers of technical efficiency tend to be consistent across countries, suggesting that the relative inefficiency of Romanian enterprise is due to institutional factors.
Cardiomyopathies and Myocarditis

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of the heart muscle characterized by abnormal chamber size, wall thickness, or functional contractile abnormalities such as systolic or diastolic dysfunction. They include a variety of myocardial disorders that manifest with various structural and functional phenotypes and are frequently genetic. Primary cardiomyopathies consist of disorders that are confined to the heart muscle and are genetic, mixed, and acquired, while secondary cardiomyopathies are caused by myocardial damage from a systemic disease process. The World Health Organization/International Society and Federation of Cardiology task force on the definition and classification of cardiomyopathies has defined five subtypes of cardiomyopathy: dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and unclassified cardiomyopathies. In 2008, the European Society of Cardiology’s working group on myocardial and pericardial diseases presented an update to the WHO/ISFC classification in which cardiomyopathy was defined as “A myocardial disorder in which the heart muscle is structurally and functionally abnormal in the absence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular disease and congenital heart disease sufficient to explain the observed myocardial abnormality.” Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cause, compromising 90 % of cases. Each type of cardiomyopathy has unique etiologies and properties. Treatment is usually directed toward the underlying cause.
Testing Typological Hypotheses about Clinical Social Work Practice Theory

Abstract A tentative classification of clinical social work practice concepts was derived by identifying specific beliefs and practice behaviors that discriminate among six theoretical orientations. The problem was investigated with exploratory canonical discriminant function analysis using previously validated attitude and self-report measures. A sample of 199 practicing social workers was drawn from 33 mental health, family service and medical centers in a mid-western metropolitan area. Findings reveal that two dimensions discriminate among the beliefs and self-reported behaviors of people with six theoretical orientations. The “active-interactional versus reflective-individual” dimension describes the difference between practitioners who assume a high or low interpersonal influence approach. The “experiential versus nonexperiential” dimension describes the difference between people who believe behavior changes by an experiential-emotional process or by a cognitive-rational process. Almost 77 percent of...
Cartilage and the brain: Encephalitis in Relapsing Polychondritis (P4.047)

OBJECTIVE: To report a case and review the literature about CNS involvement in relapsing polychondritis. BACKGROUND: CNS involvement is a rare presentation in relapsing polychondritis (RP), which itself is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of cartilage throughout the body. The diagnosis is challenging, often missed and determined postmortem with autopsy showing CNS involvement with vasculitis of the small vessels or inflammation apart from vessels more consistent with limbic encephalitis/meningoencephalitis. Treatment includes steroids and in refractory cases, immunosuppression with azathioprine or monoclonal antibodies. DESIGN/METHODS: A former healthy 65 year old man developed transient scleritis of both eyes, followed by chondritis of both ears and 3 months later presented with acute memory loss, malaise and fatigue. He recognized his family members but was unable to engage in a conversation or provide personal history. Previous eye and ear involvement suggested the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis. Literature review pointed out the challenges of the clinical diagnosis based on history and exam in adjunction with imaging in vivo, apart from biopsy or autopsy, as well as treatment options. RESULTS: MRI showed non-enhancing T2 hyperintensities in bilateral hippocampi and basal ganglia. CSF analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis. Extensive infectious and paraneoplastic work up was negative. He was treated (with a delay of diagnosis of 3 months) with high dose steroids with significant improvement in memory and cognition. He was continued on oral cyclophosphamide with stabilization of disease but developed side effects. While he is now treated with azathioprine, we are considering monoclonal antibodies in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This case report describes a rare complication of a rare disease. In addition to the history, which was the diagnostic key, imaging findings involving not only the hippocampus but also basal ganglia was a clue to the diagnosis. His treatment, guided by case reports, remains a challenge. Disclosure: Dr. Hamel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Goodman has received personal compensation for activities with Acorda Therapeutics, Actelion, Biogen Idec, Genzyme, GW Pharmaceuticals, Mylan, Novartis, Teva, and Vaccinex as a consultant.
Two New Mycobacterium Strains and Their Role in Toluene Degradation in a Contaminated Stream

Two toluene-degrading strains, T103 and T104, were isolated from rock surface biomass in a freshwater stream contaminated with toluene. The strains exhibit different capacities for degradation of toluene and other aromatic compounds and have characteristics of the genus Mycobacterium. Both are aerobic, rod-shaped, gram-positive, nonmotile, and acid-alcohol fast and produce yellow pigments. They have mainly straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids with 10 to 20 carbon atoms and large amounts of tuberculostearic acid that are typical of mycobacteria. Fatty acid analyses indicate that T103 and T104 are different mycobacterial strains that are related at the subspecies level. Their identical 16S rDNA sequences are most similar to Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium komossense, and they constitute a new species of fast-growing mycobacteria. Ecological studies reveal that toluene contamination has enriched for toluene-degrading bacteria in the epilithic microbial community. Strains T103 and T104 play only a small role in toluene degradation in the stream, although they are present in the habitat and can degrade toluene. Other microorganisms are consequently implicated in the biodegradation.
Nonrandom mating in an open-pollinated maize population.

Randomness of fertilization was studied in an open-pollinated population of maize (Zea mays L.) through allozyme assays of seedlings from open-pollinated seeds produced on both tasseled and detasseled plants. Mixed-mating-model estimates of the amount of outcrossing (t) were not significantly different from t = 1.00 for four enzyme loci ( Adh1, Idh2, Got1 and Acp1), indicating that fertilizations were at random in the population. However, for loci Prx1 and Est4 , estimates of t were significantly smaller than unity-0.80 and 0.70 for tasseled plants and 0.81 and 0.80 for detasseled plants. The excesses of homogametic fertilizations detected on the detasseled plants could not have been due to selffertilization, s = 1 - t, because the detasseled plants shed no pollen. Analyses of allelic frequencies in the pollen that produced seed on the detasseled plants established that different maternal plants sampled genetically different populations of pollen from the outcross pollen pool. It was suggested that the causes of the differential sampling were temporal variation in the pollen pool, and/or gametophytic selection, correlated with marker-locus genotype. Two-, three- and four-locus interactions among the marker loci were often statistically significant, indicating that the factors responsible for the nonrandom gametic unions observed in the maize population studied were complexly interactive.
The Regulation of Lymphocyte Functions by the Macrophage

Macrophages may exert a regulatory influence at various stages in the life of the lymphocyte - they may influence the non-antigen-driven differentiation of lymphocytes - as exemplified by the effects on thymic differentiation; they may establish the mode and form of antigen to be presented or recognized by the lymphocyte; may regulate the lymphocyte's antigen-driven functions. Each of these critical regulatory steps needs explaining in molecular terms and integrated and placed in the context of the other regulatory functions of lymphocytes. The control of secretion of MP is an eloquent example of the molecular complexities and the intricate congrol mechanisms - internal and external - operating at each step of each regulatory process. A final comment concern the question of macrophage heterogeneity. Is the same cell performing all the functions of degradation, presentation, and secretion - or cytotoxicity? Or do we have subpopulation, each with a different role? This issue is not settled. The unitarians argue that the phagocytes pass through different stages of differentiation and that each function may become more or less prominent at each stage. Certainly, the manner in which each macrophage function is assayed can condition the outcome: for antigen presentation, one adds 1 % of macrophages to cultures of spleen cells; for cytotoxic assays, the figure is 50 to 100 macrophages per tumor cell! It is our feeling that until such time as membrane molecules are identified and used as probes for differentiation or for identification of subsets we will not resolve this issue. Along these lines, macrophages have been found to have Ia antigens (Hammerling et al. 1975, Schwartz et al. 1976) and can be divided into two sets on the basis of the presence or absence of Ia. Dorf and I have found - by cytotoxicity - that only about 35 to 50% of peritoneal macrophages bear Ia molecules (Dorf & Uanue 1977). Exceptionally, some exudates will bear up to 75% positive cells. Neither Ia-positive nor Ia-negative macrophages change significantly after prolonged periods of culture. Whether these results indicate two defined subsets of macrophages is now being investigated.
Effect of seed coat on peach seed germination

Abstract Various treatments to remove the seed coat surgically revealed its role in preventing germination of non-stratified peach seed. The peach embryo from a non-chilled seed is not dormant, as it germinates readily when the seed coat is completely removed. The peach seed coat provides a physical impediment — commonly referred to as mechanical resistance to germination. Incision through the seed coat around the seed at the cotyledonary gap allowed germination even though the seed coat remained in contact with the embryo. No role for inhibitors extracted from the seed coat could be elucidated.
The Mediating Roles of Anxiety, Depression, and Hopelessness on Adolescent Suicidal Behaviors

The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness as mediators between known risk factors and suicidal behaviors among 1,287 potential high school dropouts. As a step toward theory development, a model was tested that posited the relationships among these variables and their effects on suicidal behaviors. Structural equation models, estimated separately by gender, revealed support for the model, and substantial similarities between males and females. The results showed direct effects of depression and hopelessness on suicidal behaviors for males, and direct effects of hopelessness, but not depression, for females. For both males and females, anxiety was directly linked to depression and hopelessness; drug involvement had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal behavior. As hypothesized, lack of family support showed indirect influences on suicidal behaviors through anxiety for both males and females. The results have important implications for future model development regarding adolescent suicidal behaviors.
TIME TO RECURRENT STONE FORMATION IN PATIENTS WITH BLADDER OR CONTINENT RESERVOIR RECONSTRUCTION: FRAGMENTATION VERSUS INTACT EXTRACTION

ABSTRACT Purpose: Stone formation following bladder or continent reservoir reconstruction in children is a major source of long-term morbidity. We determine whether the method of stone removal (fragmentation or intact extraction) affected the time to stone recurrence in children after bladder reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Medical records from 1993 to 2003 were examined to identify patients with urinary reconstruction subsequently treated for bladder calculi at our institution. Retrospective review of the medical records was performed to determine the type of urinary reconstruction, time to stone recurrence, method of stone removal and length of followup. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed with each stone episode considered as an individual event. Time to recurrence was measured in months from stone removal to identification of recurrent stones. Results: A total of 60 patients with bladder or continent reservoir reconstructions had undergone 103 stone removal procedures (range 1 to 8 procedures per patient). Patients were rendered stone-free after each procedure. Stones recurred following 42.4% of intact and 43.9% of fragmented extractions at a mean of 27.0 (SD 31.3) and 27.6 (SD 21.8) months, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves for intact and fragmented extractions were not statistically different. Conclusions: Time to stone recurrence in patients with bladder or continent reservoir reconstruction is not altered by the method of stone removal (fragmented versus intact extraction). Since recurrence remains a frequent problem in children after bladder augmentation and/or reconstruction, use of the least invasive modality should be the initial management recommendation.
Microdetermination of sulfate in the presence of phosphate without separation

A method for the microestimation of sulfate in the presence of up to a 40-fold excess of phosphate is described. A lead ISE and a double-junction reference electrode are used to monitor the potentiometric titration with 0.01M barium perchlorate in 70%p-dioxane. For P/S ratios up to about 13 a pH of 2.00 is used, while for higher P/S ratios (up to 40) a pH of 1.75 is recommended. A computercontrolled titration system is used for the titration and data processing.
Biochemical studies of mammalian oogenesis: synthesis of 5S and 4S RNA during growth of the mouse oocyte

The relative proportion of synthesis of 5S RNA to 5S plus 4S RNA is constant during growth of the mouse oocyte. In conjunction with results of a previous study [Brower et al, 1981], the synthesis of 28S, 18S, 5S, and 4S RNA is coordinate during mouse oocyte growth.
Kinetic analysis of the histamine N-methyltransferase reaction as used in the histamine radioenzymatic assay: optimization of assay specificity.

Abstract The specificity of the histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) based radioenzymatic assay for histamine has been questioned since N-α-methylhistamine is also a substrate for this enzyme. Purification of HNMT for use in the radioenzymatic assay improves sensitivity and specificity of this procedure. In this investigation, further improvements in specificity, with respect to other HNMT substrates, were attained by optimization of reaction conditions based on the evaluation of HNMT kinetic parameters. These studies demonstrate that appropriate control of reaction temperature and concentration of both the enzyme and the radiolabeled methyl donor improve the specificity of this assay for histamine.
Current status and future prospects of non-volatile memory modeling

We briefly discuss the evolution of Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technology in term of macro-trends and their implications for modeling activities in an industrial R&D environment. Some examples of difficult modeling issues for different NVM techologies are mentioned, and finally both present needs and future challanges are critically reviewed.
Thermal Evolution and Radiative Output of Solar Flares Observed by the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE)

This paper describes the methods used to obtain the thermal evolution and radiative output during solar flares as observed by the Extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). How EVE measurements, due to the temporal cadence, spectral resolution and spectral range, can be used to determine how the thermal plasma radiates at various temperatures throughout the impulsive and gradual phase of flares is presented and discussed in detail. EVE can very accurately determine the radiative output of flares due to pre- and in-flight calibrations. Events are presented that show that the total radiated output of flares depends more on the flare duration than the typical GOES X-ray peak magnitude classification. With SDO observing every flare throughout its entire duration and over a large temperature range, new insights into flare heating and cooling as well as the radiative energy release in EUV wavelengths support existing research into understanding the evolution of solar flares.
Anomalous soft photons in hadron production

Anomalous soft photons in excess of what is expected from electromagnetic bremsstrahlung have been observed in association with the production of hadrons, mostly mesons, in high-energy ${K}^{+}p$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$, $\mathit{pp}$, and ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collisions. We propose a model for the simultaneous production of anomalous soft photons and mesons in quantum field theory, in which the meson production arises from the oscillation of color charge densities of the quarks of the underlying vacuum in the flux tube. Because a quark carries both a color charge and an electric charge, the oscillation of the color charge densities will be accompanied by the oscillation of electric charge densities, which will in turn lead to the simultaneous production of soft photons during the meson production process. How the production of these soft photons may explain the anomalous soft photon data is discussed. Further experimental measurements to test the model are proposed.
The Frequency Preference of Neurons and Synapses in a Recurrent Oscillatory Network

A variety of neurons and synapses shows a maximal response at a preferred frequency, generally considered to be important in shaping network activity. We are interested in whether all neurons and synapses in a recurrent oscillatory network can have preferred frequencies and, if so, whether these frequencies are the same or correlated, and whether they influence the network activity. We address this question using identified neurons in the pyloric network of the crab Cancer borealis. Previous work has shown that the pyloric pacemaker neurons exhibit membrane potential resonance whose resonance frequency is correlated with the network frequency. The follower lateral pyloric (LP) neuron makes reciprocally inhibitory synapses with the pacemakers. We find that LP shows resonance at a higher frequency than the pacemakers and the network frequency falls between the two. We also find that the reciprocal synapses between the pacemakers and LP have preferred frequencies but at significantly lower values. The preferred frequency of the LP to pacemaker synapse is correlated with the presynaptic preferred frequency, which is most pronounced when the peak voltage of the LP waveform is within the dynamic range of the synaptic activation curve and a shift in the activation curve by the modulatory neuropeptide proctolin shifts the frequency preference. Proctolin also changes the power of the LP neuron resonance without significantly changing the resonance frequency. These results indicate that different neuron types and synapses in a network may have distinct preferred frequencies, which are subject to neuromodulation and may interact to shape network oscillations.
Analysis of Robust H 2 Performance Using Multiplier Theory

In this paper, the problem of determining the worst-case H2 performance of a control system subject to linear time-invariant uncertainties is considered. A set of upper bounds on the performance is derived, based on the theory of stability multipliers and the solution of an original optimal control problem. The numerical issues raised by the resulting computational problems are discussed; in particular, newly developed interior-point convex optimization methods, combined with linear matrix inequalities, apply very well to the fast and accurate solution of these problems. The new results compare favorably with prior ones. The method can be extended to other types of perturbations.
The relative heats of formation of solid gold-palladium alloys

Abstract The relative heats of formation for a series of solid-solution alloys in the gold-palladium system have been measured in a liquid-metal solution calorimeter. The thermodynamic quantity is found to be exothermic over the entire composition range with a maximum value at approximately 40 at. % palladium, a behavior previously found in the silver-palladium and copper-palladium systems. The heats of formation for all three systems are compared with other properties and it is concluded that a contribution results from filling the d band of palladium with electrons of the noble metals.
Theory of electronic band structure in intense laser fields

The nonlinear interaction of laser radiation with crystalline solids results in a modified band structure which is a natural extension of the usual Bloch picture. A theoretical discussion is presented in which the existence of field-induced gaps is predicted. Applications to model systems such as the Kronig-Penney model are presented. Examination of realistic systems such as the narrow band gap semiconductors suggest that the effect is large and should be readily observable with currently available laser sources.
Computation of disjoint cube representations using a maximal binate variable heuristic

A method for computing the disjoint-sum-of-products (DSOP) form of Boolean functions is described. The algorithm exploits the property of the most binate variable in a set of cubes to compute a DSOP form. The technique uses a minimized sum-of-products (SOP) cube list as input. Experimental results comparing the size of the DSOP cube list produced by this algorithm and those produced by other methods demonstrate the efficiency of this technique and show that superior results occur in many cases for a set of benchmark functions.
From Vision to Reality: Strategies of Successful Innovators in Government, by Russell M. Linden.

(1992). From Vision to Reality: Strategies of Successful Innovators in Government, by Russell M. Linden. Journal of Urban Affairs: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 93-94.