cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 333: Design and Implementation of a Pediatric Outpatient Cardiology Clinic Renovation Utilizing Quality Improvement Methodology

Background: With increasing pressure to manage medical resources prudently, quality improvement methodology can be utilized to increase efficiency and decrease cost in current outpatient cardiology clinic operations. However, there are few examples of quality improvement methodology applied to the design, implementation and management of a renovation project aimed at meeting a five year projected volume increase of 155% and multidisciplinary clinic expansion. We hypothesized that by using quality improvement methodology, the increasing volume demands could be met by improving clinic flow and thus maintain patient access while reducing medical resource expansion. Methods: Outpatient cardiology clinics and testing functions were assessed for clinic visit volumes and duration, testing volumes and durations, patient no show rates, the number of provider clinic hours, room utilization, scheduling template design and accuracy, and the scheduling process. Baseline assessments were made prior to process improvement efforts. A series of interventions were made as follows: modification of the patient follow up scheduling process, reduction in the number of scheduling templates, modification of templates to include pre visit nursing and electrocardiographic acquisition time, change from half day to all day clinic templates, pre visit registration, limiting of exam room assignment to a maximum of 3 per provider and spread of the clinic across 5 days per week. Results: Baseline data revealed a 43% no show rate, room utilization was 34%, patient access defined by lag days between first contact and appointment was 22 days. These metrics indicated that the number of exam rooms needed to meet our projected volume increase would result in an increase from 10 to 30 rooms. Two years into our interventions and our no show rate is 6%, room utilization is 68%, patient access has improved with lag days at 10. These improvements have occurred in the presence of an 18% annual volume increase, an increase of 5% in patient provider hours and an exam room increase from 10 to 23. Conclusions: Process improvement methodology applied to room utilization, patient scheduling, provider staffing patterns and clinic visit templates can be successfully utilized to design and implement an outpatient cardiology clinic renovation. If properly applied, process improvement can be a method to maximize the use of current and future medical resources while insuring patient access to services.
A New Approach for Improving Cross-Document Knowledge Discovery Using Wikipedia

In this paper, we present a new model that incorporates the extensive knowledge derived from Wikipedia for cross-document knowledge discovery. The model proposed here is based on our previously introduced Concept Chain Queries (CCQ) which is a special case of text mining focusing on detecting semantic relationships between two concepts across multiple documents. We attempt to overcome the limitations of CCQ by building a semantic kernel for concept closeness computing to complement existing knowledge in text corpus. The experimental evaluation demonstrates that the kernel-based approach outperforms in ranking important chains retrieved in the search results.
Optogalvanic spectroscopy of the hyperfine structure of the 5 p 6 5 d 2 D 3 /2 ,5 /2 and 5 p 6 4 f 2 F 5 /2 ,7 /2 o levels of La iii

We measure the hyperfine structure of the $5{p}^{6}5d\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{2}{D}_{3/2}$, $5{p}^{6}5d\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{2}{D}_{5/2}$, $5{p}^{6}4f\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{2}{F}_{5/2}^{o}$, and $5{p}^{6}4f\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{2}{F}_{7/2}^{o}$ levels in doubly ionized lanthanum (La iii; ${\mathrm{La}}^{2+}$) in a hollow-cathode lamp using optogalvanic spectroscopy. Analysis of the observed spectra allows us to determine the hyperfine $A$ coefficients for these levels to be ${A}_{D3/2}=412(4)$ MHz, ${A}_{D5/2}=20(5)$ MHz, ${A}_{F5/2}=319(2)$ MHz, and ${A}_{F7/2}=155(4)$ MHz, and provide estimates for the hyperfine $B$ coefficients as ${B}_{D3/2}=105(29)$ MHz, ${B}_{D5/2}=157(40)$ MHz, ${B}_{F5/2}=\ensuremath{-}2(53)$ MHz, and ${B}_{F7/2}=171(51)$ MHz.
The Post-Reinforcement Pause: A Misnomer

The experimental analysis of behavior has placed emphasis on the development of precise, unambiguous terminology. The term “post-reinforcement pause” describing pausing in ratio schedules may have implications beyond its simple descriptive meaning. Pausing in ratio schedules may be largely a function of upcoming ratio size. Since terms such as “post-reinforcement pause” can be misleading, their use is discouraged. If it is desirable to suggest a functional relation between pause and subsequent ratio, the terms “pause before ratio run” or “pre-ratio pause” can be used. If a purely descriptive term is preferred, the term “between-ratio pause” is suggested.
Cargo cycles for local delivery in New York City: Performance and impacts

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the operating performance of human-powered cargo cycles compared to motorized delivery vehicles for local delivery in Manhattan, New York City (NYC) in the United States of America (USA). While many recent studies have more broadly examined cost and impact tradeoffs in the use of cargo cycles for last-mile parcel delivery, the primary focus of this study was to understand how human-powered cargo cycle moving and parking behaviors differ from those of motorized vehicles in NYC. The study employed spatial and statistical analysis methods to directly estimate traffic performance measures using GPS data collected from two local operators. Traffic operating characteristics - including corridor travel speeds, trip delays, delivery times, and travel distances were examined to compare goods movements and parking behaviors for each vehicle type. Street and parking space, CO 2 , and particulate matter emissions savings were also estimated for alternate urban delivery vehicle replacement scenarios for one of the participating operators. Overall, results from this study suggest that cargo cycles can provide environmental benefits and offer a competitive last-mile delivery option for some local operators in very congested cities like NYC.
A Critical Co-Constructed Autoethnography of a Gendered Cross-Cultural Mentoring Between Two Early Career Latin@ Scholars Working in the Deep South

Multicultural mentoring has been suggested to support Latin@ faculty success in their careers, yet current literature on effective mentorships of Latin@ faculty is limited. This critical co-constructed autoethnography draws on critical race theory (CRT) and latin@ critical race theory (LatCrit) frameworks to highlight the lived experiences and key elements of an effective gendered cross-cultural mentoring relationship in a Latin@ pretenure faculty dyad working in a predominantly White institution of higher education located in the Deep South of the United States. Drawing upon a methodological rhythm of sorts, a Black scholar acts as a muse providing testimonios and interpretations of a relationship existing among Latin@ scholars in predominantly White intellectual spaces. Findings from this critical co-constructed autoethnography note that a safe colored space supports effective mentoring, familismo, personalismo, enabling effective cross-cultural mentorship.
Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support Systems (SAKSS): Translating Evidence into Action

As many sub-Saharan African countries have committed to the continent-wide goals of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) of the Africa Union and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), policymakers are challenged with designing and implementing national agricultutal strategies and policies that will allow them to achieve these goals. This chapter introduces the concept of a Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (SAKSS) as a framework by which evidence can be used to inform and strengthen the effectiveness of agricultural strategies in Africa, and in particular, CAADP. The framework describes a range of ‘strategic analysis’ options and the kind of tools and approaches needed to ensure effective ‘knowledge support systems’ for promoting evidenced-based dialogue and decisionmaking, including practical approaches on how to go about setting up such systems at country level.
Nano-liposomal irinotecan and 5-FU/LV (N+F) for the treatment of advanced PDAC: Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Single Cancer Center Evaluation.

471Background: Therapy options for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are finite. NAPOLI-1, a phase III randomized trial, demonstrated the efficacy of N+F following progression on gemcitabin...
Negated Antonyms: Creating and Filling the Gap

This chapter proposes a theory of the semantics and pragmatics of certain antonym pairs and their negations, as in the following examples: (1) a. happy, not happy, unhappy, not unhappy b. likely, not likely, unlikely, not unlikely c. intelligent, not intelligent, unintelligent, not unintelligent d. successful, not successful, unsuccessful, not unsuccessful e. polite, not polite, impolite, not impolite f. common, not common, uncommon, not uncommon g. frequent, not frequent, infrequent, not infrequent h. many, not many, few, not few
Longitudinal Analysis of Long-Term Air Pollution Levels and Blood Pressure: A Cautionary Tale from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: Air pollution exposures are hypothesized to impact blood pressure, yet few longitudinal studies exist, their findings are inconsistent, and different adjustments have been made for pote...
Evaluation of the Elekta Agility MLC performance using high-resolution log files

Purpose With the advent of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment techniques, the requirement for more elaborate approaches in reviewing linac components' integrity has become even more stringent. A possible solution to this challenge is to employ the usage of log files generated during treatment. The log files generated by the new generation of Elekta linacs record events at a higher frequency (25 Hz) than their predecessors, which allows for retrospective analysis and identification of subtle changes and provides another means of quality assurance. The ability to track machine components based on log files for each treatment can allow for constant monitoring of fraction consistency in addition to machine reliability. Using Elekta Agility log files, a set of tests were developed to evaluate the reliability and robustness of the multileaf collimators (MLCs). Methods To evaluate Elekta log file utilization for linac MLC QA effectiveness, five MLC test patterns were constructed to review the effects of leaf velocity and acceleration on positional accuracy, including gravitational effects for the Elekta MLC system. Each test was run five times in a particular setting to obtain reproducibility data and statistical averages. This study was performed on two identical Versa HD machines, each delivering a full set of test plans with all possible variations. Plans were delivered using Elekta's iCOMcat software and recorded log files were extracted. Log files were reformatted for readability and automatically analyzed in Matlab® . Results The Elekta Agility MLC system was shown to be capable of obtaining speeds within the range of 5-35 mm/s. MLC step and shoot tests have demonstrated the MLC system's capability of having positional repeatability, averaging 0.03- and 0.08-mm offsets with and without gravitational effects, respectively. The IMRT-specific tests have shown that gravitational effects are negligible with all positional tests averaging 0.5-mm offsets. The largest speed root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the MLC system was found at the maximum speed of 35 mm/s with an average error of 0.8 mm. For slower speeds, the value was found to be much lower. Conclusion Utilizing log files has demonstrated the feasibility for higher precision of MLC motions to be reviewed, based on the performance tests that were instituted. Log files provide insight on the effects of friction, acceleration, and gravity, with MU's delivered that previously could not be reviewed in such detail. Based on our results, log file-based QA has enhanced our ability to review performance, functionality, and perform QA on Elekta's MLC system.
Economics of Multicomponent Interventions to Increase Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Community Guide Systematic Review

Context The Community Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended multicomponent interventions to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening based on strong evidence of effectiveness. This systematic review examines the economic evidence to guide decisions on the implementation of these interventions. Evidence acquisition A systematic literature search for economic evidence was performed from January 2004 to January 2018. All monetary values were reported in 2016 US dollars, and the analysis was completed in 2018. Evidence synthesis Fifty-three studies were included in the body of evidence from a literature search yield of 8,568 total articles. For multicomponent interventions to increase breast cancer screening, the median intervention cost per participant was $26.69 (interquartile interval [IQI]=$3.25, $113.72), and the median incremental cost per additional woman screened was $147.64 (IQI=$32.92, $924.98). For cervical cancer screening, the median costs per participant and per additional woman screened were $159.80 (IQI=$117.62, $214.73) and $159.49 (IQI=$64.74, $331.46), respectively. Two studies reported incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained of $748 and $33,433. For colorectal cancer screening, the median costs per participant and per additional person screened were $36.63 (IQI=$7.70, $139.23) and $582.44 (IQI=$91.10, $1,452.12), respectively. Two studies indicated a decline in incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained of $1,651 and $3,817. Conclusions Multicomponent interventions to increase cervical and colorectal cancer screening were cost effective based on a very conservative threshold. Additionally, multicomponent interventions for colorectal cancer screening demonstrated net cost savings. Cost effectiveness for multicomponent interventions to increase breast cancer screening could not be determined owing to the lack of studies reporting incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained. Future studies estimating this outcome could assist implementers with decision making.
Single Amino Acid Change Underlies Distinct Roles of H2A.Z Subtypes in Human Syndrome

The developmental disorder Floating-Harbor syndrome (FHS) is caused by heterozygous truncating mutations in SRCAP, a gene encoding a chromatin remodeler mediating incorporation of histone variant H2A.Z. Here, we demonstrate that FHS-associated mutations result in loss of SRCAP nuclear localization, alter neural crest gene programs in human in vitro models and Xenopus embryos, and cause craniofacial defects. These defects are mediated by one of two H2A.Z subtypes, H2A.Z.2, whose knockdown mimics and whose overexpression rescues the FHS phenotype. Selective rescue by H2A.Z.2 is conferred by one of the three amino acid differences between the H2A.Z subtypes, S38/T38. We further show that H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2 genomic occupancy patterns are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively distinct, and H2A.Z.2 incorporation at AT-rich enhancers and expression of their associated genes are both sensitized to SRCAP truncations. Altogether, our results illuminate the mechanism underlying a human syndrome and uncover selective functions of H2A.Z subtypes during development.
Dental Treatment and Expenditures Under General Anesthesia Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children in North Carolina.

PURPOSE Many studies reporting dental utilization under general anesthesia (GA) are dated. The purpose of this study was to provide contemporaneous data about children receiving dental GA by: (1) determining trends in utilization and associated expenditures; and (2) examining the effects of provider distribution. METHODS This time series cross-sectional study of Medicaid-eligible children ages zero to eight years old in North Carolina used aggregate Medicaid claims from State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2011 to 2015 to collect demographic and dental treatment information. Descriptive statistics were stratified by age and year to examine trends over time. Panel analysis techniques were used to explore regional effects of provider distribution on dental GA utilization. RESULTS For SFY 2011 to 2015, the overall dental utilization rate was 517.1 per 1,000 (total enrolled equals 632,941 children/year), and the dental GA utilization rate was 15.8 per 1,000. Total dental expenditures averaged $113 million per year, and dental GA averaged $16.7 million per year. The dental GA proportion of expenditures increased over time (P<.001). Provider distribution did not affect dental GA utilization rate (P=.178) but did increase the number of children receiving dental GA (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Utilization and expenditures associated with dental treatment under general anesthesia continue to increase. While this reflects increased access to care, interventions should be examined to provide preventive care earlier in a child's life.
How capsular management strategies impact outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

Abstract Purpose To objectively evaluate the effect different management strategies have on the following post-surgical outcomes. Methods The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed for articles published between January 1st, 2000 to September 18, 2019 that reported on studies comparing techniques for handling the capsule during hip arthroscopy. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, our final analysis included 10 studies. In total, these articles included 1556 hips. The following capsular management strategies were implemented: complete repair (n = 444; 28.53%), partial repair (n = 32; 2.06%), plication (n = 223; 14.33%) and release/no-repair (n = 857; 55.08%). A meta-analysis was performed on outcomes presented in three or more studies using sufficient pooled statistical analysis data. Results Our meta-analysis demonstrated an improvement in the HOS-SS with capsular repair without being statistically significant (95%CI [-6.71, 8.21], p = 0.06). However, a significant improvement in the mHHS was detected with capsular repair (95%CI [-1.37, 9.39], p = 0.03). Of the Four studies evaluating HOS-ADL, two reported improved outcomes with capsular repair (p 0.05) pain (p > 0.05), flexion (p > 0.05), and patient satisfaction (p > 0.05). Conclusion Capsular repair has the potential to improve patient reported outcomes after hip arthroscopy. While there was no consensus in literature, studies consistently reported similar or superior outcomes in the capsular repair cohorts compared to capsular release. Further randomized controlled studies need to be conducted for better evaluation of outcomes.
Joining Forces against Delirium — From Organ-System Care to Whole-Human Care

Joining Forces against Delirium After a successful revascularization, a 72-year-old man becomes delirious. Though he’s seen by multiple medical teams, there is not a single consultation to address ...
The Role of Affect in Psychosocial Treatments for Substance Use Disorders.

This paper provides a narrative review of studies published over the past 5 years that have examined the role of affect, including both affective symptoms and affective disorders, in psychosocial treatments for substance use disorder. A growing body of literature suggests that affective symptoms and affective disorders may moderate substance use disorder treatment efficacy, mediate the effects of treatment on substance use outcomes, and may be directly changed by substance use disorder treatment. Substance use disorders and affective disorders commonly co-occur, and both affect and affective disorders are associated with substance use disorder treatment outcomes. Future research should continue to examine affect as a moderator, mediator, and outcome of substance use disorder treatments. In particular, new studies that are designed to test precision medicine hypotheses would greatly expand our understanding of the role of affective symptoms and disorders in substance use disorder treatment.
Associations of sleep duration and social jetlag with cardiometabolic risk factors in the study of Latino youth.

Abstract Objective We investigated associations of sleep duration and social jetlag with cardiometabolic outcomes. Participants Boys and girls aged 8–16 years from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth. Measurements Participants (n = 1,208) completed a clinical examination where anthropometric characteristics, health behaviors, and health history were measured. Sleep duration was calculated as the weighted average of self-reported weekday and weekend bedtimes and wake times and categorized into age-specific cutoffs for short vs. normal sleep. “Social jetlag” was defined as the absolute difference in the midpoint of the sleep period between weekdays and weekends, measured continuously and dichotomized (≥2 hours), with higher values indicating more displacement of sleep timing across the week. Regression models tested the associations between sleep measures (separately) and cardiometabolic outcomes (e.g., healthy eating index [0–100], physical activity-minutes per week, obesity, diabetes, hypertension) after adjustment for covariates. Results The average sleep duration was 9.5 hours (95% confidence interval: 9.3, 9.6) and the mean social jetlag was 2.5 (2.4, 2.7) hours. Participants with social jetlag reported more physical activity (β = 34.8 [13.14], P Conclusions Social jetlag was associated with healthier behaviors and a lower odds of being overweight. Given these mixed findings, future research should further evaluate how to best characterize sleep timing differences in youth to identify health consequences.
Chapter 13 – Herpesviruses

Herpesviruses are a family of large, enveloped dsDNA icosahedral viruses. Nine human herpesviruses exist that cause a range of clinical conditions including mononucleosis, oral and genital herpes, chicken pox/shingles, and cancer. Herpesviruses establish latency within cells of the body after lytic infection and are therefore a concern for immunocompromised individuals. Several herpesviruses are a major cause of congenital infection. Herpesviruses attach to and enter cells using envelope glycoproteins. Following fusion of the viral envelope, the nucleocapsid is released into the cytoplasm and tegument proteins facilitate its transport along microtubules to the nuclear envelope. Uncoating occurs at the nuclear envelope, and transcription of viral genes by host RNA polymerases occurs in early, immediate early, and late stages. The genome is replicated and packaged into capsids in the nucleus, which exit the nucleus by traversing the double nuclear membrane. Assembly completes at one of the cellular membrane organelles and the virion undergoes exocytosis.
Power processing methodology

Discussion of the interim results of a program to investigate the feasibility of formulating a methodology for the modeling and analysis of aerospace electrical power processing systems. The object of the total program is to develop a flexible engineering tool which will allow the power processor designer to effectively and rapidly assess and analyze the tradeoffs available by providing, in one comprehensive program, a mathematical model, an analysis of expected performance, simulation, and a comparative evaluation with alternative designs. This requires an understanding of electrical power source characteristics and the effects of load control, protection, and total system interaction.
An Automated Workflow to Improve Efficiency in Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning by Prioritizing Organs at Risk.

Abstract Purpose Manual delineation (MD) of organs at risk (OAR) is time and labor intensive. Auto-delineation (AD) can reduce the need for MD, but because current algorithms are imperfect, manual review and modification is still typically used. Recognizing that many OARs are sufficiently far from important dose levels that they do not pose a realistic risk, we hypothesize that some OARs can be excluded from MD and manual review with no clinical effect. The purpose of this study was to develop a method that automatically identifies these OARs and enables more efficient workflows that incorporate AD without degrading clinical quality. Methods and Materials Preliminary dose map estimates were generated for n = 10 patients with head and neck cancers using only prescription and target-volume information. Conservative estimates of clinical OAR objectives were computed using AD structures with spatial expansion buffers to account for potential delineation uncertainties. OARs with estimated dose metrics below clinical tolerances were deemed low priority and excluded from MD and/or manual review. Final plans were then optimized using high-priority MD OARs and low-priority AD OARs and compared with reference plans generated using all MD OARs. Multiple different spatial buffers were used to accommodate different potential delineation uncertainties. Results Sixty-seven out of 201 total OARs were identified as low-priority using the proposed methodology, which permitted a 33% reduction in structures requiring manual delineation/review. Plans optimized using low-priority AD OARs without review or modification met all planning objectives that were met when all MD OARs were used, indicating clinical equivalence. Conclusions Prioritizing OARs using estimated dose distributions allowed a substantial reduction in required MD and review without affecting clinically relevant dosimetry.
Microsurgical Treatment of a Complex Cognard V Tentorial Dural Fistula with Superior Cerebellar Artery Supply

This case video demonstrates a microsurgical technique for the clipping and obliteration of a Cognard V tentorial dural fistula ( Video 1 ). The patient was a 49-year-old male who presented with progressive upper and lower extremity weakness over 12 months, with associated cervical spinal cord edema. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with transverse myelitis; however, abnormal flow voids on magnetic resonance imaging led to a cerebral angiogram being performed. The preoperative angiogram demonstrated the Cognard V right tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula with drainage into the dorsal and ventral medullary veins. The fistula resulted in spinal cord symptoms due to spinal cord venous engorgement, with a lack of cranial symptoms. In these cases, microsurgery is the preferred method of treatment due to excellent surgical window to the medial tentorial margin and difficulty in catheterizing the small tortuous superior cerebellar artery meningeal feeder. This is a novel case showing a hybrid operating room technology to safely approach a complex fistula and obtain curative confirmation by transradial intraoperative angiography. In addition, this case is unique in providing a surgical visualization of the meningeal superior cerebellar artery feeder contributing to this fistula, namely the artery of Wollschlaeger & Wollschlaeger. Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in upper and lower extremity strength, indicative of a successful recovery. The patient was discharged to rehabilitation, with continued motor improvement.
Evaluating ambiguous random variables from Choquet to maxmin expected utility

Abstract We introduce a new theory of belief revision under ambiguity. It is recursive (random variables are evaluated by backward induction) and consequentialist (the conditional expectation of any random variable depends only on the values the random variable attains on the conditioning event). Agents experience no change in preferences but are sensitive to the timing of resolution of uncertainty. We provide three main theorems: the first characterizes our rule and relates it to standard Bayesian updating; the others show that the dynamic behavior of an agent who adopts our rule is maxmin expected utility with an arbitrary set of priors.
El concepto que me consta: constant performance

Abordo en este ensayo la cuestion de la intermedialidad, en concreto –y valiendome como ejemplo de uno de los medios mas efimeros y deleznables, el teatro– como su misma condicion de performance ef...
EFFECTIVENESS OF PRE-SEASON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TESTS IN IDENTIFYING IN-SEASON LOWER EXTREMITY INJURIES IN ADOLESCENT GYMNASTS:

Background:Artistic competitive gymnastics results in a wide, unique spectrum of injuries. Due to the high number of injuries and the current lack of research related to pre-competitive testing in ...
FESCUE TOXICOSIS IN HORSES

Approximately 688,000 horses in the U.S. graze tall fescue (Hoveland, 1993), and for many years, veterinarians and horse owners have reported reproductive problems in mares that consume tall fescue (Garrett et al., 1980; Villahoz et al., 1984; Poppenga et al., 1984). Bacon et al. (1977) reported the first conclusive evidence of the presence of an endophytic fungus in tall fescue that was later identified as Neotyphodium coenophialum. The endophyte of tall fescue was found to be related to lower weight gains, increased body temperature, rough hair coats, gangrenous necrosis of tissue in feet, tail and ears, and reduced conception rates in cattle, as reviewed by Thompson and Stuedemann (1993). The endophyte of tall fescue is the causative agent for reproductive abnormalities in gravid mares as well (Figure 1)(Monroe et al., 1988). Increased gestation lengths, agalactia, foal and mare mortality, tough and thickened placentas, weak and dysmature foals, and reduced serum prolactin and progesterone levels occurred in mares consuming endophyteinfected (E+) pasture, whereas horses on endophyte-free (E-) pasture appeared normal.
WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES Laws Relating to Trusts

The Act reorganizes Georgia trust law and codifies many common law principles that were previously recognized in Georgia law, but had not been incorporated into statutory law. The Act recognizes the validity of spendthrift trusts, and makes the allocation of principal and income in trusts more consistent with national trust law.
On Guessing Whether a Sequence has a Certain Property

A concept of “guessability” is defined for sets of sequences of naturals. Eventually, these sets are thoroughly characterized. To do this, a nonstandard logic is developed, a logic containing symbols for the ellipsis as well as for functions without fixed arity.
Diet in malnutrition and celiac disease

Summary Four types of diets were used in a study of weight gain in undernourishedchildren, viz., the customary diet used in this hospital, designated the “normal” diet, a diet richer in fat called the “fat” diet, and a diet low in both fat and complex carbohydrates, containing its calories as protein and dextrose, the “dextrose” diet. In the fourth diet ripe bananas were substituted for an equivalent amount of dextrose. Weight gains were more rapid with the dextrose and banana dietsthan with either of the other two. Consistent weight gains were obtained with the dextrose and banana diets at lower caloric intake than with the other diets. The fat diet necessitated largest caloric intake in order to maintain consistent weight gain. The rapid early gains in weight observed with banana and dextrosediets, presumably due in large part to water retention, were not subsequently lost, but were apparently replaced by tissue gains without an intervening period of slow or no gain. The psychologic effect of such gains is apparent. The studies of retention of calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen confirmthe results of the studies of the weight gain and show that diets made up of protein and simple carbohydrates provide intake levels of these substances such that good body tissue can be built rapidly. These studies provide proof that the spectacular weight gains observed are due primarily to sound tissue growth, and that the resulting normal weight is an indication of normal body composition and not due to inordinate amounts of fat or water.
(AlGa)As/(InGa)As strained-quantum-well FETs on silicon dioxide by selective device lift-off as an alternative to heteroepitaxy

The authors have successfully applied a selective lift-off technique, originally developed for minimally strained (AlGa)As/GaAs films, to transfer 1- mu m-gate-length depletion-mode (AlGa)As/(InGa)As strained-quantum-well field-effect transistors (FETs) from GaAs substrates to glass slides. Peak transconductance of the transistors was unchanged by the transfer. As an alternative to heteroepitaxial growth, this technique provides improved flexibility for the realization of complex hybrid electronic or optoelectronic systems. >
Neutron Beam Therapy

The neutron was discovered by James Chadwick in 1932; by 1938 Robert Stone, in collaboration with Ernest Lawrence, was using a cyclotron produced fast neutron beam to treat human tumors. These original clinical trials were unsuccessful because of the poor understanding of the radiobiology of neutrons. Later, radiobiological studies established tumor hypoxia and radiosensitivity variations at different phases of the cell cycle as rationales for fast neutron therapy. Clinical studies during the early 1970s demonstrated that neutron therapy was a potentially beneficial modality in the treatment of malignant disease and definitive controlled clinical trials followed. Increased interest in neutron therapy lead to the definition of minimum specifications for therapeutic fast neutron beam treatment facilities. These specifications included beam dose rate, penetration, collimation, and reliability. The parameters used to characterize fast neutron beams for therapeutic use include neutron yield (dose rate), the neutron energy spectrum, beam intensity profiles, and microdosimetric data. The most prolific neutron producing nuclear reactions occur when high-energy proton or deuteron beams are incident on a solid beryllium target, or when the deuterium–deuterium or deuterium–tritium fusion reactions are employed. The relative merits of these different methods of neutron production are discussed in detail. There have been a total of 34 centers that have treated patients with fast neutron therapy of which 6 are currently operational. The state-of-the-art facilities all use cyclotrons to accelerate protons or deuterons to energies >48 MeV; they use multileaf or multirod collimators to shape the beams to the tumor contour. The latest facility uses a compact deuteron superconducting cyclotron, which offers several advantages over conventional room temperature devices. Keywords: neutron; radiobiology; neutron beam; radiation therapy; cyclotrons
Experimental demonstration of active thermal control of a battery module consisting of multiple Li-ion cells

Abstract This work reports the experimental demonstration of active thermal control of an Li-ion battery module. Corresponding simulations based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were also performed to analyze the experimental data. Active control strategies were designed to exploit reciprocating cooling flows to achieve optimal cooling effectiveness, in terms of controlled maximum temperature rise, temperature uniformity among cells, and reduced parasitic power consumption. This work first describes the development of an experimental facility to demonstrate the active control. Second, a CFD model was developed and validated using experimental data. Based on the experimental facility and the CFD model, a number of different cooling schemes and control strategies were investigated. Both the experimental and CFD results suggest that a combined use of hysteresis control and reciprocating cooling flow can achieve the optimal cooling performance among all the strategies investigated. Such a combined strategy dramatically reduced the parasitic power by 84% and cooling air consumed by the cooling system, improved the temperature uniformity among cells, and only with a tradeoff of a slightly increased maximum cell temperature rise.
Glimpsing Matter at the Brink

Most astronomers are comfortable with the notion of a black hole at the center of our Galaxy, but defining and measuring its size is an extremely difficult matter, mostly because it is so small from our distant vantage point. In his Perspective, Morris discusses results reported in the same issue by Bower et al . on new measurements of the size of the radio-emitting region immediately surrounding the Galactic black hole. By observing at the shortest possible wavelengths with very long baseline interferometry, the authors have been able to resolve the intrinsic size of the black hole region in spite of the interstellar interference that has plagued previous attempts.
Do Implanted Pacemaker Leads and ICD Leads Cause Metal-Related Artifact in Cardiac PET/CT?

Artifacts related to metallic implants are an established limitation of CT-based attenuation correction (CT-AC) in PET/CT. However, the impact of metallic components of pacemaker leads and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads on the accuracy of cardiac PET has not been evaluated. The goal of this study was to investigate the magnitude of artifacts related to pacing and defibrillation leads in both phantom and patient studies. Methods: Images were acquired on a PET/CT scanner using CT-AC and were compared with those obtained on a dedicated PET scanner using transmission source-based attenuation correction. Phantoms consisting of pacemaker leads and ICD leads submerged in uniform background activity solution were imaged, and regions were analyzed to measure radionuclide concentrations at known lead locations relative to background. In addition, 15 cardiac 18F-FDG patients (having either pacing leads, defibrillation leads, or both) were imaged on both PET/CT and PET scanners. Images were visually and quantitatively assessed to determine whether artifact related to the implanted leads was present and, if so, its severity relative to surrounding myocardium. Results: In phantom studies, artifacts caused by pacing lead electrodes were barely noticeable, but artifacts arising from highly radioopaque ICD shock coil electrodes were clearly apparent. In the patient studies, no artifacts from pacing leads were identified. However, significant artifact was observed in 50% of the patient studies with ICD leads. In the affected areas, local myocardial uptake in PET/CT images using CT-AC was, on average, 30% higher than that in the corresponding PET images. Conclusion: Although pacemaker leads do not appear to cause artifact in cardiac PET/CT images, ICD leads frequently do result in artifacts of sufficient magnitude to impact clinical image interpretation. Accordingly, software-based corrections in CT-AC algorithms appear necessary for accurate cardiac imaging with PET/CT.
Involvement of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in age-related memory decline.

This article examines the functional significance of Ca2+-dependent synaptic plasticity in relation to compromised memory function during aging. Research characterizing an age-related decline in memory for tasks that require proper hippocampal function is summarized. It is concluded that aged animals possess the mechanisms necessary for memory formation, and memory deficits, including rapid forgetting, result from more subtle changes in memory processes for memory storage or maintenance. A review of experimental studies concerning changes in hippocampal neural plasticity over the course of aging indicates that, during aging, there is a shift in mechanisms that regulate the thresholds for synaptic modification, including Ca2+ channel function and subsequent Ca2+-dependent processes. The results, combined with theoretical considerations concerning synaptic modification thresholds, provide the basis for a model of age-related changes in hippocampal synaptic function. The model is employed as a foundation for interpretation of studies examining therapeutic intervention in age-related memory decline. The possible role of altered synaptic plasticity thresholds in learning and memory deficits suggests that treatments that modify synaptic plasticity may prove fruitful for the development of early therapeutic interventions in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
SELECTION RULES IN THE ODD-EVEN SHIFT OF CERTAIN NUCLEAR ROTATIONAL BANDS

A displacement of energy levels was observed in the K = 0 band of odd- odd deformed nuclei. It is shown that this shift is due to scattering in which the final state is obtained from the initial state by a rotation of 180 deg . This circumstance provides selection rules on the parts of the n-p residual interaction responsible for the shift. The Wigner component of the force cannot contribute to the shift. In certain cases, the contribution of all certral forces will be strongly damped allowing observation of the tensor-force scattering contribution. Numerical results are preserted. (auth)
Breast Self-Examination Among Chinese Immigrant Women

The incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly among the fast-growing demographic group of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). In this study, the authors assessed the awareness of breast self-exam (BSE) and factors predicting practice of BSE among Chinese immigrant women living in San Francisco. Three hundred and ninety-seven women participated in a telephone survey; 80.9% reported having heard of BSE but only 53.9% reported practice of BSE during the past year. Logistic regression modeling found that increased length of stay in the United States, higher income, socializing with more Chinese than non-Chinese, and a birthplace other than U.S. and Chinese communities predicted BSE practice. The findings indicate that although familiarity with BSE is high among this group of Chinese immigrant women, self-reported actual practice is far from optimal. This study points to the need for culturally appropriate interventions that will encourage and motivate immigrant Chinese women to practice BSE on a monthly basis.
Techniques for Assisting Life-Stage Vocational Development.

Since vocational development processes are not synonymous with psycho-pathology, the techniques for assisting vocational development must be conceptualized as distinct from psychotherapy. Two levels of assistance are suggested: facilitation (promoting normal development) and remediation (actively removing serious blocks to development). Utilizing the author's earlier formulation of five vocational development life stages, four transitions exist: (a) social amniotic to self-differentiation; (b) self-differentiation to competence; (c) competence to independence; and (d) independence to commitment. Procedures required for making these transitions involve, respectively: (a) determining the program; (b) information in-put; (c) information processing; and (d) information utilization. Techniques for assisting these procedures involve, respectively: (a) facilitation—life style analysis, remediation—environmental manipulation and psychotherapy; (b) facilitation—guidance, remediation—skill training; (c) for content—client-centered approach, for process—training in decision-making; and (d) for intrapsychic difficulties—existential approaches, for situational difficulties—job matching. For c and d, facilitation and remediation differ in degree, not in kind.
Selling democracy: Consumer culture and citizenship in the wake of September 11

Contemporary public discourse often defines citizenship with language of consumer capitalism. In the wake of September 11, 2001 corporations moved swiftly to assert the relation between consumption and citizenship. Drawing on a close reading of advertisements addressing the attack published in the New York Times, I argue that within the first month after September 11, corporate advertisers created identification between corporations and America such that the health of corporations was part of the health of the nation. Advertisers utilized this identification to argue that enacting consumption was a central mode of practicing patriotic citizenship. The advertisements, then, served to create consumer citizens through the civic duty of shopping.
CONCURRENT SCHEDULES OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT: DIFFERENTIAL‐IMPACT AND DIFFERENTIAL‐OUTCOMES HYPOTHESES

Considerable evidence from outside of operant psychology suggests that aversive events exert greater influence over behavior than equal-sized positive-reinforcement events. Operant theory is largely moot on this point, and most operant research is uninformative because of a scaling problem that prevents aversive events and those based on positive reinforcement from being directly compared. In the present investigation, humans' mouse-click responses were maintained on similarly structured, concurrent schedules of positive (money gain) and negative (avoidance of money loss) reinforcement. Because gains and losses were of equal magnitude, according to the analytical conventions of the generalized matching law, bias (log b ≠ 0) would indicate differential impact by one type of consequence; however, no systematic bias was observed. Further research is needed to reconcile this outcome with apparently robust findings in other literatures of superior behavior control by aversive events. In an incidental finding, the linear function relating log behavior ratio and log reinforcement ratio was steeper for concurrent negative and positive reinforcement than for control conditions involving concurrent positive reinforcement. This may represent the first empirical confirmation of a free-operant differential-outcomes effect predicted by contingency-discriminability theories of choice.
Multi-year fluctuations of temperature and precipitation: The gray area of climate change

The issue of whether the secular climate (twentieth century) is stationary or changing to some new semi-permanent state is clouded by the presence of so-called ‘climate fluctuations’. The twentieth century climate record of the United States reveals a substantial number of decadal fluctuations which occur in all seasons for both temperature and precipitation. Recent examples of such behavior include changes in winter and summer temperature variability and increases in transition season precipitation. Statistical evidence suggests that a substantial portion of these fluctuations, even those which are remarkably unusual, are merely manifestations of a stochastic process which possesses weak year-to-year persistence as viewed from an a posteriori perspective. The implications of this result are particularly important with respect to the formulation of physical causes of the fluctuations. The results emphasize the desirability of well-founded clearly-stated a priori theories of climate change as well as the limited usefulness of widely used climate normals.
A Pascal compiler testing facility

The simplicity and intelligent design of the Pascal language has allowed us to develop an in-house compiler testing facility to validate the quality of Pascal compilers for use on production systems. Our facility includes several packages of compiler test programs, and also provides tools and techniques for automating the execution of these tests. By combining the different testing strategies of these compiler validation packages, the testing facility provides graduated levels of confidence in a Pascal compiler. The facility has been primarily used to validate successive releases of an extended Pascal compiler.