cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Venous thromboembolic and bleeding complications among pregnant women with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

Background Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a vascular malformation overgrowth syndrome characterized by capillary malformation, venous malformation, and limb overgrowth, with or without lymphatic malformation. Patients are at an increased risk of hemorrhage and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Consequently, women with this condition often are counseled to avoid pregnancy, but minimal data are available on the relationship between pregnancy, VTE, and bleeding risk. Objective To review the risk of VTE and bleeding in pregnant and nulligravid women with KTS. Methods A retrospective medical record review was performed of women with KTS, aged ≥18 years, evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota, from August 1945 to April 2018. Results We identified 75 women with ≥1 pregnancy and 64 nulligravid women. VTE prevalence was 14 of 70 (20%) for women with a history of pregnancy and 16 of 64 (25%) for nulligravid women (P = .93). Among the 70 women with a history of pregnancy, 7 of 18 VTE events (39%) occurred in association with pregnancy, with VTE affecting 7 of 151 pregnancies (4.6%). Significant bleeding prevalence was 6 of 70 (8.6%) for women with a history of pregnancy and 6 of 64 (9.4%) for nulligravid women (P = .54). Limitations This was a retrospective review. Conclusion The prevalence of VTE and bleeding was similar in patients with KTS, irrespective of pregnancy status.
Ni-Catalyzed Arylboration of Unactivated Alkenes: Scope and Mechanistic Studies.

A method for the Ni-catalyzed arylboration of unactivated monosubstituted, 1,1-disubstituted, and trisubstituted alkenes is disclosed. The reaction is notable in that it converts highly substituted alkenes, aryl bromides, and diboron reagents to products that contain a quaternary carbon and a synthetically versatile carbon–boron bond with control of stereoselectivity and regioselectivity. In addition, the method is demonstrated to be useful for the synthesis of saturated nitrogen heterocycles, which are important motifs in pharmaceutical compounds. Finally, due to the unusual reactivity demonstrated, the mechanistic details of the reaction were studied with both computational and experimental techniques.
Opening Space, Poeticizing Community:

In his book The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard (1964) writes, “We should therefore have to say how we inhabit our vital space, in accord with all the dialectics of life, how we take root, day a...
Residency Faculty Teaching Evaluation: What Do Faculty, Residents, and Program Directors Want?

Background and objectives The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Common Residency Program Requirements stipulate that each faculty member's performance be evaluated annually. Feedback is essential to this process, yet the culture of medicine poses challenges to developing effective feedback systems. The current study explores existing and ideal characteristics of faculty teaching evaluation systems from the perspectives of key stakeholders: faculty, residents, and residency program directors (PDs). Methods We utilized two qualitative approaches: (1) confidential semistructured telephone interviews with PDs from a convenience sample of eight family medicine residency programs, (2) qualitative responses from an anonymous online survey of faculty and residents in the same eight programs. We used inductive thematic analysis to analyze the interviews and survey responses. Data collection occurred in the fall of 2017. Results All eight (100%) of the PDs completed interviews. Survey response rates for faculty and residents were 79% (99/126) and 70% (152/216), respectively. Both PD and faculty responses identified a desire for actionable, real-time, frequent feedback used to foster continued professional development. Themes unique to faculty included easy accessibility and feedback from peers. Residents expressed an interest in in-person feedback and a process minimizing potential retribution. Residents indicated that feedback should be based on shared understanding of what skill(s) the faculty member is trying to address. Conclusions PDs, faculty, and residents share a desire to provide faculty with meaningful, specific, and real-time feedback. Programs should strive to provide a culture in which feedback is an integral part of the learning process for both residents and faculty.
Transportation public health link: Changing perspectives…Changing a culture through cross-disciplinary collaboration

Abstract The Transportation Public Health Link (TPH Link) is based on a conceptual framework of the transportation planning process that considers the synergy between the social, political, environmental, and economic elements that influence the health of communities. As a multi-dimensional integrative problem solving approach, this process has the flexibility to account for individual determinants of health acting at different levels. In this manner, an upstream perspective is used to understand the diverse impacts on quality of life. The TPH Link supports the inclusion of a cross-disciplinary team of professionals in the design, planning and development of proposed and rehabilitated transportation infrastructure projects. Quantitative and qualitative research, performance metrics, and strategic management methodologies from multiple disciplines areused to effectively evaluate the impact of a proposed facility. This systematic approach including continuous process improvement, project evaluation, data analyses, and outreach and education drive the process. As funding streams continue to shrink and the demand for accountability and improvements in operational efficiencies increase, it is imperative for transportation to partner with nontraditional disciplines to devise strategic goals, transparency, and innovative ideas that meet the health and transportation needs of a growing population.
Beyond the “Conceptual Nervous System”: Can computational cognitive neuroscience transform learning theory?

In the last century, learning theory has been dominated by an approach assuming that associations between hypothetical representational nodes can support the acquisition of knowledge about the environment. The similarities between this approach and connectionism did not go unnoticed to learning theorists, with many of them explicitly adopting a neural network approach in the modeling of learning phenomena. Skinner famously criticized such use of hypothetical neural structures for the explanation of behavior (the "Conceptual Nervous System"), and one aspect of his criticism has proven to be correct: theory underdetermination is a pervasive problem in cognitive modeling in general, and in associationist and connectionist models in particular. That is, models implementing two very different cognitive processes often make the exact same behavioral predictions, meaning that important theoretical questions posed by contrasting the two models remain unanswered. We show through several examples that theory underdetermination is common in the learning theory literature, affecting the solvability of some of the most important theoretical problems that have been posed in the last decades. Computational cognitive neuroscience (CCN) offers a solution to this problem, by including neurobiological constraints in computational models of behavior and cognition. Rather than simply being inspired by neural computation, CCN models are built to reflect as much as possible about the actual neural structures thought to underlie a particular behavior. They go beyond the "Conceptual Nervous System" and offer a true integration of behavioral and neural levels of analysis.
Why do employees instigate incivility? The role of contempt and coworker appraisals

This study examined emotions (contempt, anger, and disgust) that can motivate the instigation of workplace incivility and coworker appraisals that can lead to such emotions. Drawing from a social-f...
Disruption to Disaster: The Case Study of For-Profit Legal Education in Riaz Tejani’s Law Mart

This book review examines Law Mart and its detailed explanation of the reaction of for-profit legal education to the “law school crisis” of 2012-16. The author Tejani worked at Arizona Summit Law School, one of three schools owned and operated by Infilaw Corporation on a for-profit basis, and he documents the way management disregarded faculty governance and rammed through curricular reform to forestall collapse of the school during and after the law school crisis. While his lessons may be based on his experiences in for-profit legal education, they apply more broadly to all of legal academia particularly in the current era of innovation and reform. By examining the Arizona Summit situation, Tejani makes clear that the ABA failed in their mission of oversight in the earlier era of for-profit innovation in education, and it is just as clear today that their regulatory approach must change or they risk making the same mistakes with the same disastrous consequences in our new era of innovation.
UNIT 19.7 Identification of Protein Interactions by Far Western Analysis

This unit describes far western blotting, a method of identifying protein-protein interactions. In a far western blot, one protein of interest is immobilized on a solid support membrane, then probed with a non-antibody protein. As described, far western blots can be used to identify specific interacting proteins in a complex mixture of proteins. They are particularly useful for examining interactions between proteins that are difficult to analyze by other methods due to solubility problems or because they are difficult to express in cells. This method is performed totally in vitro, and the proteins of interest can be prepared in a variety of ways. A protocol is also provided for determining the effects of specific peptide residues or post-translational modifications on protein-protein interactions. Many different detection techniques, either radioactive or nonradioactive, can be used. For example, the protein probe may be detected indirectly with an antibody, rather than being labeled radioactively.
Liver Transplantation for Acute and Chronic Liver Failure

Liver transplantation is a life-saving surgical procedure for patients with acute and chronic liver diseases. In the United States, acute liver failure, chronic liver disease (alcoholic liver disease, PSC, PBC, viral hepatitis), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver-based metabolic defects are the primary reasons for liver transplantation (O’Leary et al., Gastroenterology 134(6):1764–1776, 2008). In the United States in 2017, 8082 liver transplants were done, accounting for 23% of all solid organ transplantations (United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Transplants by organ type—2017. Data: Transplant trends). The number of liver transplantations has increased by 24% since 2007, however due to a limited supply and increasing survival of patients on the transplantation waiting list, the number of organs available do not meet the needs of the population (https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/view-data-reports/national-data/). Complex rules and regulations have been developed to best determine which candidates would benefit the most from receiving liver transplantation. This is a complicated matter that involves evaluation of the medical necessity, but also considers psychological and sociological factors, as patients are evaluated by liver transplant specialists.
Machine learning for screening prioritization in systematic reviews: comparative performance of Abstrackr and EPPI-Reviewer.

Improving the speed of systematic review (SR) development is key to supporting evidence-based medicine. Machine learning tools which semi-automate citation screening might improve efficiency. Few studies have assessed use of screening prioritization functionality or compared two tools head to head. In this project, we compared performance of two machine-learning tools for potential use in citation screening. Using 9 evidence reports previously completed by the ECRI Institute Evidence-based Practice Center team, we compared performance of Abstrackr and EPPI-Reviewer, two off-the-shelf citations screening tools, for identifying relevant citations. Screening prioritization functionality was tested for 3 large reports and 6 small reports on a range of clinical topics. Large report topics were imaging for pancreatic cancer, indoor allergen reduction, and inguinal hernia repair. We trained Abstrackr and EPPI-Reviewer and screened all citations in 10% increments. In Task 1, we inputted whether an abstract was ordered for full-text screening; in Task 2, we inputted whether an abstract was included in the final report. For both tasks, screening continued until all studies ordered and included for the actual reports were identified. We assessed potential reductions in hypothetical screening burden (proportion of citations screened to identify all included studies) offered by each tool for all 9 reports. For the 3 large reports, both EPPI-Reviewer and Abstrackr performed well with potential reductions in screening burden of 4 to 49% (Abstrackr) and 9 to 60% (EPPI-Reviewer). Both tools had markedly poorer performance for 1 large report (inguinal hernia), possibly due to its heterogeneous key questions. Based on McNemar’s test for paired proportions in the 3 large reports, EPPI-Reviewer outperformed Abstrackr for identifying articles ordered for full-text review, but Abstrackr performed better in 2 of 3 reports for identifying articles included in the final report. For small reports, both tools provided benefits but EPPI-Reviewer generally outperformed Abstrackr in both tasks, although these results were often not statistically significant. Abstrackr and EPPI-Reviewer performed well, but prioritization accuracy varied greatly across reports. Our work suggests screening prioritization functionality is a promising modality offering efficiency gains without giving up human involvement in the screening process.
Recent progress in polymer dielectrics containing boron nitride nanosheets for high energy density capacitors

Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) are two-dimensional nanomaterials with graphitic-like layered nanostructures, high surface areas, and large aspect ratios. Owing to their excellent thermal conductivity, electrical and mechanical strengths, BNNSs are emerging as multifunctional fillers in polymer dielectrics. In this article, the authors review the recent progress in the BN-containing polymer nanocomposites designed for high-performance film capacitors. While general synthetic approaches to BNNSs and polymer/BNNS nanocomposites are summarized, particular attention is placed on structure-property correlation and rational structural design of the composites with optimized dielectric properties and capacitive performances. In stark contrast to the polymer composites employing high dielectric constant fillers to enhance the electric displacement, a new design concept based on the utilization of BNNSs with a wide bandgap to impede electrical conduction and consequently improve breakdown strength and charge-discharge efficiency of the polymer composites, is highlighted. The significance of developing dielectric capacitors with desirable thermal conductivity and thermal stability to ensure their robust and efficient operation is emphasized. The merits and challenges regarding the existing polymer dielectrics containing BNNSs for energy storage are identified. An outlook for future research opportunities and engineering applications is also presented in this review.
"All our wisdom is stored in the trees"-degrading BCR-ABL with Berberis vulgaris

Treating BCR-ABL–positive chronic myeloid leukemia remains impeded by the development of clinical resistance to imatinib. It has been demonstrated that berberine, a plant alkaloid, has activity against imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL mutants by inducing autophagic degradation of BCR-ABL, thereby preventing the acquisition of drug-resistant mutations. See related article by Yin et al., p. 4040
Effect of temperature on the photoreactions of ethanol over Ag/TiO2 in steady state catalytic conditions

Abstract The photo-thermal reaction of ethanol to hydrogen and acetaldehyde over Ag/TiO2 is studied in flow conditions. Hydrogen production is mostly photo driven below 170 °C, and thermally driven above 250 °C. An increase in the overall reaction rates is observed when both photons and heat (photo-thermal effect) are present in the 125−225 °C temperature window for acetaldehyde and hydrogen production (via ethanol dehydrogenation; C2H5OH → CH3CHO + H2). The activation energies for photo-thermal and thermal reactions, measured in steady state conditions, are 31 and 40 kJmol−1, respectively. The maximum enhancement in reaction rates is 1.5× for acetaldehyde and 10× for hydrogen production. The enhancement for these two product should be the same. Reasons for these discrepancies are discussed. Other minor reaction products including ethylene and acetone appeared above 225 °C. Possible reasons for the enhanced rate of ethanol reaction under photo-thermal conditions, linked to plasmon resonance of Ag particles of Ag/TiO2, are discussed. Light to Chemical Energy Conversion (LCEC) was found equal to 0.12 % and 0.25 % at 170 °C and 225 °C, respectively.
Evolution and demise of passive margins through grain mixing and damage.

How subduction—the sinking of cold lithospheric plates into the mantle—is initiated is one of the key mysteries in understanding why Earth has plate tectonics. One of the favored locations for subduction triggering is at passive margins, where sea floor abuts continental margins. Such passive margin collapse is problematic because the strength of the old, cold ocean lithosphere should prohibit it from bending under its own weight and sinking into the mantle. Some means of mechanical weakening of the passive margin are therefore necessary. Spontaneous and accumulated grain damage can allow for considerable lithospheric weakening and facilitate passive margin collapse. Grain damage is enhanced where mixing between mineral phases in lithospheric rocks occurs. Such mixing is driven both by compositional gradients associated with petrological heterogeneity and by the state of stress in the lithosphere. With lateral compressive stress imposed by ridge push in an opening ocean basin, bands of mixing and weakening can develop, become vertically oriented, and occupy a large portion of lithosphere after about 100 million y. These bands lead to anisotropic viscosity in the lithosphere that is strong to lateral forcing but weak to bending and sinking, thereby greatly facilitating passive margin collapse.
Reduced Pain and Opioid Use in the Early Postoperative Period in Patients Undergoing a Frontotemporal Craniotomy under Regional vs General Anesthesia

Introduction This study compares the postsurgical course of frontotemporal craniotomies conducted "awake" under regional anesthesia (RA) versus "asleep" under general anesthesia (GA) to investigate postoperative recovery, pain, opioid use, and anesthesia-related side effects. Methods We retrospectively reviewed craniotomies for supratentorial, intra-axial tumors with frontotemporal exposure. Chronic opioid use and emergent cases were excluded. Primary outcomes included pain scores on a 0–10 numerical rating scale, opioid use as oral morphine milligram equivalence, first time to opioid use, nausea, and sedation on the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS). Secondary outcomes included postoperative seizures, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) status, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results A total of 91 patients met inclusion criteria: 56 underwent a craniotomy under RA versus 35 under GA. Demographics and operative characteristics were similar between cohorts. A significant reduction in both postoperative pain and opioid use was observed among RA versus GA (first postoperative pain score 2 vs. 5, P Conclusions Frontotemporal craniotomy under RA during awake craniotomies provides better pain control, a reduction in opioid use, and less somnolence in the early postoperative period.
Should Space Be Part of a Development Strategy? Reflections Based Upon the Brazilian Experience

Brazil and Africa share deep historical, social, and cultural roots. They have also faced similar challenges in their development path. As it strived to become one of the world's largest economies ...
Under duress: Community and individual as solace and escape in the Middle East:

Examination of the fluidity of communal and individual identity in the Middle East and North Africa suggests that such identities are not stable, singular or mutually exclusive but shaped by circum...
Locating the rotator cable during subacromial arthroscopy: bursal- and articular-sided anatomy.

Background The rotator cable (RCa) is an important articular-sided structure of the cuff capsular complex that helps prevent suture pull out during rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) and plays a role in force transmission. Yet, the RCa cannot be located during bursal-sided RCRs. The purpose of this study is to develop a method to locate the RCa in the subacromial space and compare its bursal- and articular-sided dimensions. Methods In 20 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens, the RCa was found from the articular side, outlined with stitches, and then evaluated from the bursal side using an easily identifiable reference point, the intersection of a line bisecting the supraspinatus (SS) tendon and posterior SS myotendinous junction (MTJ). Four bursal-sided lengths were measured on the SS-bisecting line as well as the RCa’s outside anteroposterior base. For the articular-sided measurements, the rotator cuff capsular complex was detached from bone and optically scanned creating 3D solid models. Using the 3D models, 4 articular-sided lengths were made, including the RCa’s inside and outside anteroposterior base. Results The RCa’s medial arch was located 9.9 ± 5.6 mm from the reference point in 10 intact specimens and 4.1 ± 2.4 mm in 10 torn specimens (P = .007). The RCa’s width was 10.9 ± 2.1 mm, and the distance from the lateral edge of the RCa to the lateral SS insertion was 13.9 ± 4.8 mm. The bursal- and articular-sided outside anteroposterior base measured 48.1 ± 6.4 mm and 49.6 ± 6.5 mm, respectively (P = .268). The average inside anteroposterior base measurement was 37.3 ± 5.9 mm. Discussion The medial arch of the RCa can be reliably located during subacromial arthroscopy using the reference point, analogous to the posterior SS MTJ. The RCa is located 10 mm in intact and 4 mm in torn tendons (P = .007) from the posterior SS MTJ. If the above 6-mm shift in location of the RCa is not taken into consideration during rotator cuff suture placement, it could negatively affect time zero repair strength. The inside anteroposterior base of the RCa measures on average 37 mm; therefore, rotator cuff tears measuring >37 mm are at risk of rupturing part or all of the RCa’s 2 humeral attachments, which if not recognized and addressed could impact postoperative function.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Research Advisor

Rather than taking a journey alone, many travelers will decide to have a companion accompany them on their trip. This is often the case when one is embarking on a long trip or traveling to a destination to which they had not traveled before.
The ethical implications of paradoxical lucidity in persons with dementia

This case report describes the ethical implications of paradoxical lucidity in persons with severe stage dementia. Paradoxical lucidity describes an episode of unexpected communication or connectedness in a person who is believed to be noncommunicative due to a progressive and pathological process that causes dementia. A caregiver who witnesses an event of paradoxical lucidity may experience it as ethically and emotionally transformative. We provide an ethical framework for addressing this event in clinical practice. The framework addresses clinician interactions with the patient, caregiver, and family to improve understanding of paradoxical lucidity and to enhance patient care, caregiver well-being, and decision-making. Participants for this case study consented to having the case published. Participant names are changed to protect confidentiality.
A Multiple Views Robotic Stereo Method for 3-D Shape Perception

A 3-D machine perception technique is presented using stereo intensity images and an anthropomorphic robot. Multiple stereo views allow the perception of the third dimension by the solution of a correspondence problem defined in two stereo pairs. The zero crossing technique is used to detect edges on the images and to classify them in order to reduce the number of possible solutions. By the eye-in-hand configuration, several stereo pairs of a scene can be taken moving the robot arm. For a limited number of objects, stationary on the robot table, this technique allows the derivation of a set of three-dimensional sample points that correspond to the physical object edges. The technique mainly consist in a geometrical match, in the 3-D space, of some hypothesized solutions formulated on a couple of stereo pairs, taken from two points of view. Considering objects with straight edges and with no highly textured surfaces, some geometrical properties are statistically verified for the most solution points, so the correspondence problem can be robustly solved.
A Framework for Organizing Justifications for Strategic Use in Adaptive Interaction Contexts

Literature on explanation has shown that explanations have a positive impact on users’ acceptance of and trust in the advice provided, and that justification-type explanations give rise to more positive user perceptions of a system. This paper suggests a framework for organizing justifications, which is based on Toulmin’s model of argument and Habermas’ discourse theory. It justifies and illustrates with examples how Toulmin’s schema and Habermas’ discourse types can be integrated to represent and categorize justificatory knowledge. In addition, this paper briefly describes how the framework is implemented within the context of an adaptive recommender system to provide the basis for a strategic use of the justifications during product recommendations. This paper contributes to the literature on explanation in the context of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) by suggesting a theory-based approach to the organization of justification-type explanations.
Dilantin®, Agranulocytosis, and Phagocytic Marrow Histocytes

Excerpt Agranulocytosis associated with Dilantin®*(diphenylhydantoin) therapy has been reported in five cases (1-5) and only two had bone-marrow aspiration during the acute stage (3-4). We report t...
A Measurement of the Angular Power Spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background from l = 100 to 400

We report on a measurement of the angular spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) between l ≈ 100 and l ≈ 400 made at 144 GHz from Cerro Toco in the Chilean altiplano. When the new data are combined with previous data at 30 and 40 GHz taken with the same instrument observing the same section of sky, we find (1) a rise in the angular spectrum to a maximum with δTl ≈ 85 μK at l ≈ 200 and a fall at l > 300, thereby localizing the peak near l ≈ 200, and (2) that the anisotropy at l ≈ 200 has the spectrum of the CMB.
Chronic Hypoxia Impairs Gamete Maturation in Atlantic Croaker Induced by Progestins through Nongenomic Mechanisms Resulting in Reduced Reproductive Success

Recent studies have shown that chronic hypoxia exposure impairs reproduction in fish by interfering with endocrine function, although the mechanisms of endocrine disruption remain unclear. The effects of chronic exposure (4 or 10 weeks) to hypoxia (dissolved oxygen, DO: 1.7 mg L−1) on gamete maturation and its endocrine control, as well as the consequences for reproductive success, were investigated in Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). Circulating levels of the progestin hormone that induces gamete maturation, 17,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20β-S), were significantly decreased in croaker of both sexes chronically exposed to hypoxia and were associated with impairment of oocyte meiotic maturation and sperm motility. Interestingly, expression of the novel membrane receptor mediating these nongenomic 20β-S actions, membrane progestin receptor alpha (mPRα), was significantly decreased on oocyte and sperm plasma membranes of hypoxia-exposed fish. Hypoxia-induced impairment of gamete maturation...
Underlying versus multiple causes of death: Effects on interpreting cancer mortality differentials by age, sex, and race

The conventional approach to measuring the medical cause of death in mortality analysis bases death on a single, underlying cause. An alternative approach, which makes use of all of the medical conditions cited by a physician on the death certificate and treats them in a multiple- cause framework, is compared with the conventional approach in studying differential mortality among those 45 years of age and older in Florida. The two approaches are seen to provide different patterns of information that have analytical as well as policy ramifications.
“Moderate” drinking during pregnancy: cause for concern?

The effects of "moderate" drinking have been exaggerated. The greatest danger to the unborn child from moderate drinking is the danger of abortion that misguided alarmism about such drinking has engendered.
Communication-efficient parallel algorithms for distributed random-access machines

This paper introduces a model for parallel computation, called thedistributed randomaccess machine (DRAM), in which the communication requirements of parallel algorithms can be evaluated. A DRAM is an abstraction of a parallel computer in which memory accesses are implemented by routing messages through a communication network. A DRAM explicitly models the congestion of messages across cuts of the network. We introduce the notion of aconservative algorithm as one whose communication requirements at each step can be bounded by the congestion of pointers of the input data structure across cuts of a DRAM. We give a simple lemma that shows how to "shortcut" pointers in a data structure so that remote processors can communicate without causing undue congestion. We giveO(lgn)-step, linear-processor, linear-space, conservative algorithms for a variety of problems onn-node trees, such as computing treewalk numberings, finding the separator of a tree, and evaluating all subexpressions in an expression tree. We giveO(lg2n)-step, linear-processor, linear-space, conservative algorithms for problems on graphs of sizen, including finding a minimum-cost spanning forest, computing biconnected components, and constructing an Eulerian cycle. Most of these algorithms use as a subroutine a generalization of the prefix computation to trees. We show that any suchtreefix computation can be performed inO(lgn) steps using a conservative variant of Miller and Reif's tree-contraction technique.
Higher-Order Relativistic Contributions to the Zeeman Effect in Helium

A calculation of higher-order relativistic contributions to the Zeeman effect in the $2^{3}P$, $2^{3}S$, $3^{3}P$, $4^{3}P$, and $5^{3}P$ states of helium is given. The contributions to the $g$ factors ${g}_{S}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, ${g}_{L}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, and ${g}_{X}$, have been calculated to order ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}$ and $\frac{m}{M}$ where $m$ is the electron mass and $M$ is the helium mass. Relativistic contributions are obtained from the matrix elements of a reduced Breit Hamiltonian with a series of numerical wave functions using a Hylleraas basis. The comparison of the theoretical values with the experimental determinations of the $g$ factors is given for the $2^{3}P$ and $2^{3}S$ states. The value of ${g}_{S}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ calculated for $2^{3}P$ helium is within two standard deviations of the experimental error of the measurement of Lewis et al. A recent precise measurement of the $g$ factor in $2^{3}S_{1}$ helium by Brossel et al. is three standard deviations of the experimental error from the value calculated here and from the result of Perl and Hughes. These higher-order contributions are necessary for the determination of the $2^{3}P$ fine-structure intervals from the Zeeman effect, and hence to test the theory of fine structure for helium and to determine precisely the fine-structure constant $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ from the helium fine structure. The relativistic contributions to ${g}_{S}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ have been calculated for the helium isoelectronic series from Li II through Ne IX for the $2^{3}P_{1}$, $3^{3}P_{1}$, $4^{3}P_{1}$, and $5^{3}P_{1}$ states.
Ethanol influence on calcium uptake and insulin release by rat islets.

Effect of acute ethanol treatment on simultaneous 45Ca++ uptake and insulin response to glucose was measured in isolated rat pancreatic islets. Ethanol, given ip 1 gm/Kg 1 h prior to sacrifice of the animal, decreased significantly 45Ca++ uptake and insulin response to 8.3 and 16.7 mM glucose. Addition of ethanol to the incubation media inhibited 45Ca++ uptake and insulin release in a dose-related matter. Inophore A23187, which is known to enhance 45Ca++ efflux, decreased 45Ca++ uptake without affecting insulin release. Inhibitory effects of ethanol and ionophore A23187 were not additive when islets were exposed to both test substances simultaneously. Forskolin, an activator of the adenylate cyclase system potentiated the glucose mediated insulin response in rat islets. However, ethanol decreased the insulin response of islets exposed to glucose and forskolin. The data show that ethanol inhibits 45Ca++ uptake response to glucose and that ethanol influence on insulin release may involve a site beyond the formation of cyclic AMP in the process of excitation-secretion coupling.
Early receptor potentials of rods and cones in rodents.

The second phase (negative peak) of the early receptor potential of cones has been studied in the all-cone eyes of the Mexican and antelope ground squirrels (Citellus mexicanus and Citellus leucurus) and compared with responses from the rod-dominant eyes of the rat and flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). The responses obtained from the all-cone eyes tended to be smaller in amplitude, to have higher thresholds, and to be considerably more resistant to light adaptation than the responses from the rod-dominant eyes. The wave forms and time courses of the two types of responses were similar, although the cone potential tended to be less sensitive to temperature variations and its time constants tended to be shorter than those of the rod potential. The spectral sensitivity of the second phase of the early receptor potential of the Mexican ground squirrel closely follows the absorption spectrum of a Dartnall nomogram pigment having its absorption maximum at 540 mμ. Moreover, as in the case of the rat, the amplitude of the response appears to be linearly related to the amount of pigment bleached in a flash. Thus, in both all-rod and all-cone systems the early receptor potential appears to arise in the photoexcitation of the respective visual pigment and appears to be closely linked to the initial photochemical events. The similarity of the wave form, time course, and stimulus-response curves in the two systems suggests that the early receptor potential is produced by similar mechanisms in all-rod and all-cone systems.
Predictors of disability in a longitudinal sample of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Information from the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is used to identify which variables measured in 1981 successfully predict the severity of disease in 1989 and the eight year change in severity of disease in a sample of 330 residents of Santa Clara County, California, USA. This study is exploratory and no previous hypotheses are made. Using univariate correlations and stepwise linear regressions, initial values of a number of variables are found to be useful predictors including, in order: the HAQ disability index, pain scale, global health status, tender joints, few work hours, age, female sex, never married, widowhood, and occupation as operative (e.g. dry wall installers, assemblers). Data suggest that deterioration over eight years is least rapid for those with severe disease in 1981. A mathematical identity suggests that analyses of the changes in severity versus analyses of 1989 severity are identical, provided that the 1981 disability index is entered as a covariate. The initial level of the disability index of the HAQ is by far the strongest predictive variable and provides a clinically important gauge for the likelihood of future impairment.
The aging effect of the thermoelectric power of thin copper films

Abstract The thermoelectricpower, referenced to bulk copper, of thin films of copper about 150 A thick was measured by preparing a thin film bridge between two copper wires which served as leads. This arrangement produces two junctions between the thin film copper and the bulk copper. The two junctions were maintained at a temperature difference which was measured using a calibrated copper-constantan thermocouple. It was found that the thin film-to-bulk thermoelectric power varies with time and can be fitted to an equation of the form S = S F (1− e -λt ) where λ depends on temperature. The constant λ in the equation has values very close to those found from thin film resistance aging measurements, suggesting that the same mechanism is responsible for both aging phenomena. The heated junctions is negative, in agreement with a simple electron diffusion model of thermoelectric power.
Mineral fiber exposure and the development of ovarian cancer

Abstract A hospital-based case-control study of the association between fiber exposure and the development of epithelial ovarian cancer was performed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Genital and respiratory fiber exposures were ascertained from incident cases ( N = 77) and age-race matched controls ( N = 46) using a structured questionnaire. Cases were ascertained between 1981 and 1985. An increased risk was observed for exposure to talc on sanitary napkins (OR = 4.79, 95% CI, = 1.29–17.79), genital fiber exposure from different sources for a long (cumulative exposure ⩾37.4 years) length of time (OR = 2.35, 95% CI=0.95–5.80), and occupational fiber exposure in relatives (OR = 2.81, 95% CI=0.90–8.75). A negative association was observed for antecedent tubal ligation (OR = 0.15, 95% CI=0.027–0.88). Findings from this study should be confirmed in larger investigations.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) Desizing Mechanism via Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Exposure

Atmospheric plasma desizing of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films was investigated using PVA films supplied by MonoSol LLC®. The MonoSol (MS) films were exposed to atmospheric plasma for 0.5 to 50 min in thirty-second increments with additional specimens exposed for 8.0 and 10.0 min durations. Plasma treatment included exposure to helium plasma (He), oxygenated-helium plasma (He/O 2 ), ed films were characterized by weight loss, surface ablation, molecular weight, and solubility. Weight loss data suggested a mechanism of continual ablation, which increases with increased exposure time until saturation. Redeposition of ablated species may take place because the treatment is in a closed-geometry and thus the saturation trend slightly changes. Thickness changes/surface ablation is in good correlation with the weight loss trends, which suggests that the ablation mechanism is responsible for surface removal. Gel permeation chromatography showed a progressive reduction in the weight-average molecular weight of the PVA chains with increasing treatment durations. This reduction is attributed to chain-scission caused by plasma exposure. Solubility tests showed an increase in solubility of plasma-exposed films in methanol, with a decrease in swelling. These results correlate well with the chain-scission observed through GPC and weight loss trends.
An Investigation Of A Brief Life Satisfaction Scale With Elementary School Children

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Brief Multidmensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS: Seligson et al., 2003) with elementary school children. The participants included 518 elementary school students in grades three through five in a Southeastern US state. The students completed the following measures: the BMSLSS, the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS: Huebner, 1991a), the Children’s Social Desirability Questionnaire (CSDQ: Crandall et al., 1965), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Children’s Version (PANAS-C: Laurent et al., 1999). The results revealed acceptable internal consistency reliability, construct validity and concurrent validity for the BMSLSS. Overall, the use of the BMSLSS for research purposes was supported on a preliminary basis for this age group for research purposes. The study also investigated the usefulness of weighted importance ratings in the prediction of global life satisfaction judgments. Children’s ratings of the importance of the specific domains, whether viewed separately or combined with ratings of levels of life satisfaction, did not enhance the prediction of global life satisfaction. The usefulness of such a brief measure for the assessment of positive indicators of well-being in large-scale national and international studies is highlighted. Recommendations for future research are delineated.
The free radical hypothesis of aging: An appraisal of the current status

The objective of this review article is to assess the current status of the predictions of the free radical hypothesis of aging, highlighting some of the controversies surrounding the previous assumptions. Topics for discussion include: metabolic rate and aging, oxidative stress and molecular damage during aging, antioxidants and aging, antioxidant defenses and life spans of different species, and pro-oxidant generation and aging. On the basis of currently available evidence, it is concluded that the free radical hypothesis has neither been proven nor disproven. Some of the earlier assumptions such as that antioxidant intake increases life span, or antioxidant defenses decline with age, or antioxidant defenses are positively correlated with life spans of different species, or that longer life spans are associated with lower autoxidizability, are not clearly supportable. Similarly, the assumption that oxygen free radicals govern the rate of aging via the infliction of molecular damage lacks compelling support. Enough information to lift the free radical hypothesis above the level of speculation has not yet been amassed. Clearly, further studies, some of which specifically focus on disproving this hypothesis, are needed to confirm its veracity. (Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 5: 3–17, 1993)
Optical investigation of CDW distortion in TaS3

Abstract We have used bolometric infrared spectroscopy to look for metastable changes in the Peierls energy gap of TaS 3 caused by: 1) polarization of the CDW at current contacts, and b) temperature cycling. In neither case were such changes observed.
Determining expected duration of development under conditions of alternating temperatures

Abstract In experiments on development of poikilotherms in alternating temperatures, developmental duration frequently has been compared with some expected duration. The expected durations have generally been calculated erroneously from an average of rates determined at constant temperatures. A method is described to predict correctly the expected duration, based on the average of expected developmental durations. The procedure may also be used to predict correct duration for apparent retarding or accelerating of development under the Kaufmann effect, where rate-temperature relationships are curvilinear. The method is particularly useful where developmental durations are relatively short.
Effect of geomorphologic resolution on modeling of runoff hydrograph and sedimentograph over small watersheds

Abstract In hydrologic models, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) interfaces are commonly used for extracting the channel network, and delineating the watershed. By overlaying soil and land use maps onto the extracted channel network, input files required by the model are prepared. However, the nature of the extracted channel network strongly depends on some pre-selected threshold values within the GIS framework, which in turn, determine the geomorphologic resolution. There are no accepted guidelines for selecting these threshold parameters making the extraction of channel networks a subjective process. In this study, we investigate the effect of geomorphologic resolution on runoff hydrographs and sedimentographs over two small USDA experimental watersheds. The KINEROS model with ArcView interface has been used for this purpose. An empirical relationship between optimal resolution, watershed characteristics and nature of the storm has been developed. Results reveal that geometric simplification of the watershed for rainfall-runoff-erosion studies may be acceptable under right combinations of rainfall events and watershed properties. Our results also indicate that the optimal geomorphologic resolution may not be the same for hydrographs and sedimentographs.
Compositional Gradients and Electron Flux in Ion-Blocked Multivalent Redox Polymers and Polymer Bilayers: A Theoretical Consideration

Redox polymers that are both reducible and oxidizable can be driven to disproportionate when sufficiently large potential biases are applied across the polymer. Moreover, if the polymer is ionic in its original form, this disproportionation can be driven to occur without changes in the net ionic content of the polymer (the so-called ion-blocked case). In the first part of this paper we provide a theoretical description of the steady-state redox gradients that are established in ion-blocked multivalent redox polymers under voltage bias. In the second part of the paper a similar treatment is developed for ion-blocked redox polymer bilayers. The bilayer systems considered are ones in which the oxidation reaction is assumed to be sequestered entirely in one of the polymer layers and the reduction entirely in the other. The two types of polymer systems are compared. Also, comparisons are made between the predicted behavior under ion-blocked and non-ion-blocked conditions. Finally the potential advantages of bi...
Electromagnetic modeling of active silicon nanocrystal waveguides

In this paper we propose an electromagnetic analysis of active silicon nano-crystal (Si-nc) waveguide devices. To account for the nonlinearity in the active medium we introduce a four level rate equation model whose parameters are based on experimentally reported material properties. The electromagnetic polarization serves to couple the quantum mechanical and electromagnetic behavior within the ADE-FDTD scheme. The developed modeling tool is used to simulate waveguide amplifiers, enhanced spontaneous emission microcavities, and the temporal lasing dynamics of active Si-nc based devices.