cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges, Dilemmas and Factors Involved in PGD Decision-Making: Providers’ and Patients’ Views, Experiences and Decisions

Providers and patients are considering and pursuing PGD for ever-more conditions, but questions arise concerning how they make, view and experience these decisions, and what challenges they may face. Thirty-seven in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted (with 27 IVF providers and 10 patients). Patients and providers struggled with challenges and dilemmas about whether to pursue PGD in specific cases, and how to decide. Respondents varied in how they viewed, experienced and made these choices, and for which conditions to pursue PGD (from lethal, childhood-onset conditions to milder, treatable, or adult-onset disorders). Several factors were involved, including differences in gene penetrance, predictability, and phenotypic expression, and disease severity, age of onset, treatability, stigma and degree of disability. Providers and patients face questions regarding possibilities of screening for more than one condition in one set of embryos, and limitations of PGD (e.g., inaccurate results). Characteristics of providers (e.g., amount of PGD experience, understandings of genetics, and use of genetic counselors), and of patients (e.g., related to broader moral and social attitudes) can also affect these decisions. These data, the first to examine several key questions concerning PGD, suggest that providers and patients confront several dilemmas. These findings have critical implications for future practice, guidelines, education and research.
Effects of proximity and noise level of phased array coil elements on overall signal-to-noise in parallel MR spectroscopy

Parallel imaging using phased array coils facilitates accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). Parallel data reconstruction requires the combination of data from individual coil elements, but limited combination algorithms currently exist for higher-order phased arrays and MRS data. Here, we present a systematic framework for identifying coil proximity-related signal inhomogeneities and noise levels in phased array coils that may affect sensitivity of parallel MRS. Single-voxel MRS was acquired in nine voxel positions in a brain spectroscopy phantom on a 3T whole-body MR scanner using commercially available 64-, 32-, and 20-channel phased array coils. Spectra produced by individual coil elements were combined using both a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold and based on the position of individual coil elements. SNR and metabolite Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) from the final combined spectra were used as metrics to compare combination strategies and the effects of the phased array geometry and individual coil proximity. Comparisons were performed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's range test (p<0.05). The 32-channel phased array coil produced the highest overall SNR compared to the 64-channel (p=0.0009) or 20-channel coils (p=0.003). Low SNR spectra from individual coil elements in the 64-channel coil can reduce the overall SNR when simply combining spectra from all elements. SNR varied significantly as a function of voxel position (F=58.3, p<0.0001) and SNR threshold for all phased arrays (p<0.05 for 64-, 32-, and 20-channel coils). Metabolite CRLBs were dependent on the combination strategy. We demonstrate the importance of the sampling voxel position and coil proximity on overall SNR in parallel MRS data acquisition, with significant SNR improvements after selectively filtering individual spectra based on pre-determined SNR thresholds which must be optimized for each phased array coil element and volume of interest.
Blockchain Based Intelligent Distributed Electrical Energy Systems: Needs, Concepts, Approaches and Vision

智能分布式电力能源系统（Intelligent distributed，electrical energy systems，IDEES）具有组件种类繁多，数量庞大，管理困难，利润低微等特点，导致传统中心化的运营管理不再适合此类系统，而区块链技术可能是推行大规模分布式智能电力能源系统重要的技术路径.由于电力能源系统是一种具有社会和技术双重属性的系统，从而注定了其在用区块链实现运行时，必然需要多种区块链来描述和建模其不同的属性，在文中称之为“区块链群”.具体来说，从底层到高层，这个区块链群由分布式数据存储与服务区块链、智能资产管理区块链、电力系统分析区块链、智能合约运营区块链和智能电力交易支付区块链组成.基于区块链技术、分布式文件服务技术、分布式电力系统分析与管理技术，这些不同层次和功能的区块链自我组织、互相协助，最后形成一个分布式自主的电力能源运行系统.在此复杂系统中，频繁而深度的计算与交互衍生出系统智能，笔者期望这种智能将促成稳定、可靠、有效的电力能源生产、传输与消费.
Formation sketching: an approach to stylize groups in crowd simulation

Most of existing crowd simulation algorithms focus on the moving trajectories of individual agents, while collective group formations are often roughly learned from video examples or manually specified via various hard constraints (e.g., pre-defined keyframes of exact agent distributions). In this paper, we present an intuitive yet efficient approach to generate arbitrary and precise group formations by sketching formation boundaries. Our approach can automatically compute the desired position of each agent in the target formation and generate the agent correspondences between keyframes. When high-level group formations need to be formed on-the-fly in a dynamic environment such as "switching to the circle formation at about one hundred meters ahead", our algorithm will coordinate and compute appropriate actions for each agent by seamlessly fusing local formation dynamics and global group locomotion. Through a number of experiments, we demonstrate that our approach is efficient and adaptive to variations of group scales (i.e., number of agents), group positions, and environment obstacles.
Comments on the depolymerization of polycarbonates derived from epoxides and carbon dioxide: A mini review

Abstract There are in general few examples where polymers can be effectively recycled to their monomers. If this situation exists, the recycling of these monomers to polymeric materials which possess identical properties and applications of their virgin monomer derived counterparts is possible. In this brief review we have examined the degradation of polycarbonates derived from carbon dioxide and epoxides to provide either their thermodynamically more stable product, the corresponding cyclic five-membered carbonate, or in special instances their return to starting monomers. A mechanistic understanding of these pathways allows for the synthesis of polymers that will favor the latter pathway.
Classics are cool

Children's picture book author Julia Donaldson is the subject of this first article in a series exploring today's most popular writers and re-visiting their best-selling titles with new ideas to engage children.
Abstract 4841: Prostate cancer cell death triggered by a small molecule interacting with the hTERT G-quadruplex

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a catalytic subunit of telomerase, is widely overexpressed in human cancers including prostate cancer. Along with its regulation of the telomere, hTERT was also shown to regulate various signal transduction mechanisms involving DNA damage response, cell cycle checkpoint, and apoptosis. The majority of human solid tumors display telomerase activity, which was found to be well correlated with hTERT expression, and hTERT inhibition led to reduced telomerase activity and telomere length. However, approaches that directly inhibit the action of telomerase have not produced a therapeutically useful response because of long lag times for subsequent cell division to produce telomere shortening. Alternatively, recent studies demonstrated that this delay problem can be solved through downregulation of hTERT transcription. It was shown that telomeric DNA is capable of folding into four-stranded guanine quadruplex (G4) structures, which then lock the hTERT promoter activity that leads to robust telomere shortening. Our new approach has focused on the discovery of small molecules that could stabilize G-quadruplexes by interacting with the telomeric G-rich overhang stem loop, producing a lead candidate compound that enhances the kinetic folding rate of the G4 silencer element. Our in vitro studies demonstrate that this singular mechanism of action permitted reduced telomerase production and telomere shortening. Significantly, hTERT downregulation with the identified molecule caused prostate cancer cell death, which was characterized by activation of the caspase cascade and increased Annexin V- positive cells. In contrast, this compound did not harm normal prostate epithelial cells. Similarly, mouse prostate cancer cells that do not contain a G-quadruplex were not killed, demonstrating that the unique mechanism of action is mediated through the hTERT promoter G-quadruplex element. Our in vivo study demonstrated that administration of this significantly delayed tumor growth on xenografted mice. The rapid onset of cell death by G4 stands in contrast to the delayed action of classic telomerase inhibition. Therefore, our current study provides important data to support developing inhibitors of hTERT as a cancer drug target. Citation Format: Jin H. Song, Libia A. Luevano, Hyunjin Kang, Vijay Gokhale, Laurence H. Hurley, Andrew S. Kraft. Prostate cancer cell death triggered by a small molecule interacting with the hTERT G-quadruplex [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4841.
The Non-Thermal Exhaust System I. Rotating Magnetospheres that Drive the Turbo Exhaust

While accretion disks transport away most of the angular momentum in the accreting gas, they still leave material entering the black hole orbiting at nearly-Keplerian speeds. Black hole mergers also can spin up the final product (Section 8.2), leaving a more rapidly spinning black hole as well. Therefore, it is possible that, at some point, the central object will have accreted so much angular momentum that it begins to approach its maximum rotation rate. For black holes, this means that \( j\rightarrow 1.0 \).
A History of Modern Drama, Volume II: 1960–2000 by David Krasner (review)

This review looks positively on David Krasner’s expansive and in-depth A History of Modern Drama: Volume II: 1960–2000. Krasner’s book is important for the ways in which he eschews the debate on wh...
Child abuse victimization among transgender and gender nonconforming people: A systematic review.

PURPOSE Conduct a systematic review of abuse of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people in childhood. DESIGN AND METHODS Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo databases were searched. Articles included in final analysis were those with respondents who reported childhood abuse and were either transgender adults or described gender nonconforming traits in childhood. Of 186 articles originally identified, 14 are included in the final review. FINDINGS Research on TGNC individuals and child abuse varied in how populations were identified and methodology used. Those who are transgender and those who display gender nonconforming traits in childhood are at risk for child abuse and sequelae. CONCLUSION Research should use the two-step methodology of identifying transgender people. Recalled Childhood Gender Identity Scale should be used. Providers should screen for child abuse.
Materie, neu gestaltet

Angesehene historische Gestalten wie Benjamin Franklin, Karl Marx und Hannah Arendt haben vorgeschlagen, den Homo sapiens (den „weisen Hominiden“) lieber als Homo Faber („bauenden“ oder „Werkzeuge herstellenden Hominiden“) zu bezeichnen. Unser Hang, Dinge zu konstruieren – von den Pyramiden uber Einkaufszentren bis zum batteriebetriebenen Tesla –, gehort zu unseren wichtigsten Eigenschaften. Man kann sogar behaupten, er sei das Wesentliche, das uns zu Menschen macht.
Looking for the library: Using an undergraduate business syllabi analysis to inform an instruction program

This study analyzed 260 syllabi representing a year of the undergraduate curriculum from a business school. The syllabi were examined based on the mentions of the library from across three categori...
Youth Involvement in Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Participatory Action Research (PAR) has been increasingly viewed as an effective strategy to enhance youth, community-based organizations that serve youth, and broader communities. However, young people have not been frequently involved in research and evaluation efforts as co-researchers or partners. This paper explored major challenges and barriers to the active engagement of youth identified in previous PAR projects. This critical literature review revealed relational, scientific, and ethical challenges. The relational challenges included a lack of trust and unequal power relationships between youth participants and adult researchers. The scientific issues were significantly associated with the major components of the PAR, such as transformative purposes, iterative processes, and flexible methods. Finally, significant ethical issues are identified in terms of potential risks to youth, confidentiality, and informed consent. This paper concludes with specific recommendations for effective strategies to deal with the challenges and barriers identified and possible directions for future research.
Magnification in Low Vision Aids Made Simple

Explains the four basic types of magnification available to people with low vision and describes some optical aids.
BURDEN OF RELAPSES AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ETIOLOGY IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT PERICARDITIS

Recurrent pericarditis (RP) can be a clinically challenging entity to treat and prognosticate. The likelihood of developing relapses in RP based on etiology is not well understood, and the burden of multiple relapses is also not reported. We sought to evaluate these multiple relapses and the
Burden of Epileptiform Activity Predicts Discharge Neurologic Outcomes in Severe Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Clinical seizures following acute ischemic stroke (AIS) appear to contribute to worse neurologic outcomes. However, the effect of electrographic epileptiform abnormalities (EAs) more broadly is less clear. Here, we evaluate the impact of EAs, including electrographic seizures and periodic and rhythmic patterns, on outcomes in patients with AIS. This is a retrospective study of all patients with AIS aged ≥ 18 years who underwent at least 18 h of continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring at a single center between 2012 and 2017. EAs were classified according to American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) nomenclature and included seizures and periodic and rhythmic patterns. EA burden for each 24-h epoch was defined using the following cutoffs: EA presence, maximum daily burden 10%, maximum daily burden 50%, and maximum daily burden using categories from ACNS nomenclature (“rare” 90%). Maximum EA frequency for each epoch was dichotomized into ≥ 1.5 Hz versus 10% (OR 12.34 [2.34–210], p = 0.001) and > 50% (OR 8.26 [1.34–122], p = 0.035) were associated with worse outcomes. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for clinical covariates (age, gender, NIHSS, APACHE II, stroke location, stroke treatment, hemorrhagic transformation, Charlson comorbidity index, history of epilepsy), EA presence (OR 5.78 [1.36–24.56], p = 0.017), maximum daily burden > 10% (OR 23.69 [2.43–230.7], p = 0.006), and maximum daily burden > 50% (OR 9.34 [1.01–86.72], p = 0.049) were associated with worse outcomes. After adjusting for covariates, we also found a dose-dependent association between increasing EA burden and increasing probability of poor outcomes (OR 1.89 [1.18–3.03] p = 0.009). We did not find an independent association between EA frequency and outcomes (OR: 4.43 [.98–20.03] p = 0.053). However, the combined effect of increasing EA burden and frequency ≥ 1.5 Hz (EA burden * frequency) was significantly associated with worse outcomes (OR 1.64 [1.03–2.63] p = 0.039). Electrographic seizures and periodic and rhythmic patterns in patients with AIS are associated with worse outcomes in a dose-dependent manner. Future studies are needed to assess whether treatment of this EEG activity can improve outcomes.
Functions, Transformations, Operators

This chapter presents the core of operator theory essential to our purposes. Thus much standard material has had to be omitted and more specialized topics included, as for example the theory of Hilbert-Schmidt and Nuclear and Volterra operators, whereas the spectral representation theory of self adjoint operators has been limited to compact operators. Examples illustrating the theory are included as often as possible.
Multimodal chiropractic care for migraine: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundSpinal manipulation may reduce migraine frequency, but effects of multimodal chiropractic care on migraine frequency have not been evaluated.MethodsWe conducted a pilot randomized control...
Geometry types for graphics programming

In domains that deal with physical space and geometry, programmers need to track the coordinate systems that underpin a computation. We identify a class of geometry bugs that arise from confusing which coordinate system a vector belongs to. These bugs are not ruled out by current languages for vector-oriented computing, are difficult to check for at run time, and can generate subtly incorrect output that can be hard to test for. We introduce a type system and language that prevents geometry bugs by reflecting the coordinate system for each geometric object. A value's geometry type encodes its reference frame, the kind of geometric object (such as a point or a direction), and the coordinate representation (such as Cartesian or spherical coordinates). We show how these types can rule out geometrically incorrect operations, and we show how to use them to automatically generate correct-by-construction code to transform vectors between coordinate systems. We implement a language for graphics programming, Gator, that checks geometry types and compiles to OpenGL's shading language, GLSL. Using case studies, we demonstrate that Gator can raise the level of abstraction for shader programming and prevent common errors without inducing significant annotation overhead or performance cost.
Third-Generation W(CNAr)6 Photoreductants (CNAr = Fused-Ring and Alkynyl-Bridged Arylisocyanides).

Homoleptic tungsten(0) arylisocyanides possess photophysical and photochemical properties that rival those of archetypal ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) polypyridine complexes. Previous studies esta...
Shari‘a, Inshallah: Finding God in Somali Legal Politics

Western analysts have long denigrated Islamic states as antagonistic, even antithetical, to the rule of law. Mark Fathi Massoud tells a different story: for nearly 150 years, the Somali people have embraced shari'a, commonly translated as Islamic law, in the struggle for national identity and human rights. Lawyers, community leaders, and activists throughout the Horn of Africa have invoked God to oppose colonialism, resist dictators, expel warlords, and to fight for gender equality - all critical steps on the path to the rule of law. Shari'a, Inshallah traces the most dramatic moments of legal change, political collapse, and reconstruction in Somalia and Somaliland. Massoud upends the conventional account of secular legal progress and demonstrates instead how faith in a higher power guides people toward the rule of law.
Fine mapping spatiotemporal mechanisms of genetic variants underlying cardiac traits and disease

The causal variants and genes underlying thousands of cardiac GWAS signals have yet to be identified. To address this issue, we leveraged spatiotemporal information on 966 RNA-seq cardiac samples and performed an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis detecting ~26,000 eQTL signals associated with more than 11,000 eGenes and 7,000 eIsoforms. Approximately 2,500 eQTLs were associated with specific cardiac stages, organs, tissues and/or cell types. Colocalization and fine mapping of eQTL and GWAS signals of five cardiac traits in the UK BioBank identified variants with high posterior probabilities for being causal in 210 GWAS loci. Over 50 of these loci represent novel functionally annotated cardiac GWAS signals. Our study provides a comprehensive resource mapping regulatory variants that function in spatiotemporal context-specific manners to regulate cardiac gene expression, which can be used to functionally annotate genomic loci associated with cardiac traits and disease.
Investigation of Adult Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage Rates and the Impact of NSAID Use.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Tonsillectomy is one of the most common ambulatory surgeries performed in the United States, yet the incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) in adults remains unclear. In addition, any association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and PTH in adults is currently unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence and management of adult PTH at a single academic center and to assess for any association between NSAID use and PTH in adults. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult tonsillectomies performed at our institution between January 1, 2012, and December 30, 2019. Demographics, past medical history, medications, NSAID use, surgical indication, bleeding events, and interventions were documented. The rate of PTH was calculated, logistic regression was performed to assess for any predictive factors, and odds ratios were calculated for NSAID use and PTH. RESULTS A total of 1,057 adult tonsillectomies were performed within the aforementioned time period. A total of 126 patients experienced 163 bleeding events for a postoperative hemorrhage rate of 11.9%. Most were controlled with bedside interventions, while 29 (23%) bled more than once. The hemorrhage rate for those who were not prescribed NSAIDs postoperatively (n = 625) was 11.7%, compared to 12.6% for those who did receive NSAIDs postoperatively (n = 432), which was not significantly different (adjusted odds ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.69-1.49; P = .95). CONCLUSIONS This retrospective cohort study of 1,057 adult patients found the incidence of PTH to be 11.9%. This study found no association between the use of NSAIDs and the rate of PTH, although a higher-powered study is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2021.
Private landowners and the facilitation of an invasive species

On the Ground • We explored private landowner perceptions about the invasive Kentucky bluegrass in the US northern Great Plains. • Landowner responses to a mail survey indicated little to no preventative action. • We also employed a scenario approach to assess landowner perceptions based on changes to ecosystem services. • Scenario results indicated that the early stage of invasion was considered slightly acceptable. At the late stage, when negative impacts are most severe for landowner livelihoods, bluegrass was rated as slightly unacceptable. • Cascading impacts will become more evident and incentivizing early action to prevent further invasion is key to maintaining these working landscapes.
Observation of Multipactor Effects in Space-Based RF Environments

An experimental setup was designed and implemented for the study of the multipactor effect in a rectangular waveguide under high vacuum. The experiment and test piece were constructed using WR 284 waveguide sections operating at S- Band frequencies. Multipactor effects are to be detected via an Electron Multiplier Tube (EMT). The test setup includes sections of standard WR 284 waveguide which will be in line with a custom test piece. Design of the test setup incorporates a standard piece of waveguide with a custom steel collar which can be used to insert different tapers, and even periodic structures into the hollowed out broadside wall. A solid state RF transmitter with 2.8 kW peak power and a center frequency of 2.85 GHz is used to inject an RF signal into the test section.
FEVER IN A RETURNING TRAVELER: A CASE AND LITERATURE REVIEW OF MELIOIDOSIS

Abstract Burkholderia pseudomallei is an aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming gram-negative bacillus found in tropical endemic environments that causes the disease melioidosis. Melioidosis displays a diversity of clinical presentations ranging from septic shock to chronic latent infection, often with characteristic abscesses in multiple organs. Melioidosis is an opportunistic infection, with risk factors, including diabetes, alcohol use, chronic lung disease, and chronic renal disease, and these risk factors increase the severity of disease [1] . In this case report, we illustrate a case of a 32 year old man with several risk factors and recent travel to an endemic region presenting with melioidosis. Our case demonstrates the challenges in obtaining a diagnosis in a non-endemic location, highlights a complex presentation of this disease, and describes the multifaceted clinical management required to care for this patient. As global travel increases, there is an increased need for clinician awareness of this disease in non-endemic regions.
The weight and thickness of the two ventricular walls in the newborn dog heart.

The weight and thickness of the two ventricular walls of the heart were measured in 80 newborn puppies. These puppies were born in the dog colonny, the descendants of a typical heterogeneous collection of dogs, for student use in the laboratory. The hearts of these dogs average 2.07 gm in weight. The left ventricular wall is slightly heavier and also slightly more variable in weight than the right wall. The two free ventricular walls comprise 56% of the weight of the entire heart. The ratio of the weight of the left to the right ventricular wall, at birth, averages 1.0078. The left wall is also slightly thicker than the right wall. The thickness of the right wall is more variable than the left. The ratio of the thickness of the left to the right ventricular wall is 1.036. These data are compared with other available measurements on adult dog hearts and on human hearts.
Feasibility test of prospective tracking of respiration signals for breathing compensated or gated radiotherapy

Motion compensation radiotherapy systems are currently available. Signals representing moving targets can be obtained from either real-time X-ray images of implanted markers near the target or external respiration sensors. However, a time lag exists between the motion signal acquisition and action execution (moving the robotic arm). This time lag has been estimated as 0.3 s, and a typical respiratory velocity of 2/spl sim/4 mm/sec results in a systematic position lag between 1 and 2 mm. In this study, the feasibility of prospective tracking of respiration signal based on autoregressive (AR) model was tested to compensate this time lag. Free breathing motion signals were acquired by an electromagnetic 3D position measurement system. The software for signal acquisition and AR model computation was developed as a visual C++ application. The signals were obtained at a frequency of 3 Hz. Original respiratory signal of T seconds (variable) was used to compute the AR model parameters. The model order was also variable. The model was updated every T seconds. The same model was used for T seconds while the input data was updated with the actual signals. The predicted positions were computed and the errors to the actual positions were computed. The position errors allowing for time lag were computed through shifting the motion signal by one time unit (/spl sim/0.33 seconds). Different methods to compute the AR model coefficients were tested, among which the Burg's method has shown slightly better error reduction capability. In a typical test case, the mean absolute error was reduced from 0.8 mm to 0.25 mm for a respiratory signal of 1 min.
Protein folding as seen from water's perspective.

Surprisingly, studies of the hydration of the molten globule state of three small proteins by H217O magnetic relaxation find no significant differences from the native state.
The Parent-Child Privilege in Context

The article argues that children cannot fully exercise their constitutional rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments without being able to confide freely in their parents and advocates for the creation of a parent-child privilege.
Behavior treatment programs, readability, and treatment outcomes

Reading grade level and readability are rarely considered as important variables in the implementation and outcome of behavior treatment plans. In the first of two studies, we analyzed the reading level and readability of 20 behavior treatment plans developed by certified behavior analysts. We found that the behavior plans were written at college reading level-well above the reading level of the average frontline staff member. On a test of readability, none of the behavior plans met criterion on all 12 critical readability variables. To test if there was a correlation suggestive of a relationship among reading grade level, readability, and treatment outcomes, we divided the behavior treatment plans into two groups; 10 that had relatively high readability levels and 10 that had relatively low readability levels. A comparison of the two groups indicated that the average reading level of the behavior plans in both groups was about the same, and the higher readability had somewhat better treatment outcomes. In the second study, we used a multiple baseline design across four individuals to directly assess the effects of manipulating reading grade level and readability of behavior treatment plans on treatment outcomes. Results showed that these manipulations greatly enhanced treatment outcomes of all four individuals. Our data suggest that reading grade level and readability of behavior treatment plans are important variables that directly affect treatment outcomes.
Spontaneous Assembly of Magnetic LEGO Bricks

This paper describes simple methods of demonstrating macroscale spontaneous assembly. These demonstrations can illustrate topics in college or high school chemistry courses, such as the thermodynamics of crystallization and the chelate effect. The assembling units are built from a combination of magnetic and conventional LEGO building blocks. Unlike many other spontaneous-assembly experiments, these assemblies do not require surface flotation to form.
A model of consumers' perceptions of the invasion of information privacy

We examined factors that influence an individual's attitude and decisions about the information handling practices of corporations. Results from a survey of 425 consumers suggested that the hypothesized model was an accurate reflection of factors that affect privacy preferences of consumers. The results provide important implications for research and practice. Our study should contribute by initiating an integrative stream of research on the impact of IT and other factors on information privacy perception. For practitioners, our findings suggested that consumers hold corporations, not the IS, responsible for any inappropriate use of personal information. Organizations, therefore, must be proactive in formulating and enforcing information privacy policy in order to address consumers' concerns.
Advances in Steam Path Technology

For many years, GE has been conducting research to understand better the loss mechanisms that degrade the aerodynamic performance of steam turbine stages, and to develop new computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer programs to predict these losses accurately. This paper describes a number of new steam path design features that have been introduced in the GE steam turbine product line to improve turbine performance and reliability. These features include diaphragms with contoured sidewalls, advanced vortex blading with compound tangential lean, new continuously coupled last-stage buckets with improved aerodynamic efficiency and reliability, improved downward and axial flow exhaust hoods, and better steam leakage control devices. The benefits of these new features for both new units and retrofits of existing units are discussed. In addition, the paper discusses the new generation of three-dimensional viscous CFD analysis codes being used to develop new design concepts, including codes developed by GE as well as those obtained externally. Also described are the extensive laboratory test programs being conducted to validate the CFD codes and verify the predicted efficiency gains for new design features. Last, the paper describes new and unique state-of-the-art steam path design automation and optimization tools that dramatically reduce the design cycle time for new advanced aerodynamic designs.
MULTI-SCALE VARIATION IN FINE-ROOT BIOMASS IN A TROPICAL RAIN FOREST: A SEVEN-YEAR STUDY

Understanding the dependency of ecosystem processes on spatial and temporal scales is crucial in current efforts to model ecosystem responses to global change. Here we present a case of nonlinear interactions between temporal and spatial scales in a high spatial- and temporal-resolution study of fine-root biomass responses to edaphic and climatic variation in a lowland tropical rain forest (La Selva, Costa Rica). The spatiotemporal variation in fine roots in this forest was considerably greater than that for aboveground live biomass and litterfall. Standing stocks of both live and dead fine roots varied strongly during a seven-year period (up to 10-fold) and across two edaphic gradients with different soil nutrient and water variation (up to four-fold). Fine-root biomass decreased with soil fertility and volumetric soil water content, but responses across a landscape gradient (decreasing with total soil P and K and increasing with N:P ratio between two Oxisols with different weathering) differed from those across a topographic gradient in older Oxisols (increasing with total Fe and Al and decreasing with Ca, Mg, and C:N ratio down the slopes). The spatial contrasts across the landscape gradient (but not in the topographic gradient) changed substantially through time, and they, in fact, disappeared entirely by the middle of the study interval. Short- term monitoring of belowground standing biomass could thus lead to important biases when quantifying root responses. The positive time 3 gradient interaction in fine-root biomass across soil types (but not downslope) also indicates nonlinear changes in spatial patterns across temporal scales, so studies on temporal responses also need to be spatially explicit at narrow scales. This interaction also appears to be more complex than previously recognized: semester-averaged fine-root biomass was negatively correlated with soil water content in the preceding semester, but the relationship was restricted to residual Oxisols. To increase the accuracy of global carbon cycle models in the future, a critical complement to observations of ecosystem processes at regional and global scales will be quantifying these processes through multiple years and across the substantial edaphic gradients that typically exist within landscapes.
Negotiation for automated generation of temporal multimedia presentations

Creating high-quality multimedia presentations requires much skill, time, and effort. This is particularly true when temporal media, such as speech and animation, are involved. We describe the design and implementation of a knowledge-based system that generates customized temporal multimedia presentations. We provide an overview of the system’s architecture, and explain how speech, written text, and graphics are generated and coordinated. Our emphasis is on how temporal media are coordinated by the system through a multi-stage negotiation process. In negotiation, media-specific generation components interact with a novel coordination component that solves temporal constraints provided by the generators. We illustrate our work with a set of examples generated by the system in a testbed application intended to update hospital caregivers on the status of patients who have undergone a cardiac bypass operation.
NEUROCHEMISTRY OF THE MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSES: BRAIN LIPIDS AND LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES IN PATIENTS WITH FOUR TYPES OF MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS AND IN NORMAL CONTROLS

— Lipids and certain lysosomal enzymes were measured in the cerebral gray and white matter and in the liver of unaffected controls and six patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). Three of the patients had MPS Type I (Hurler), one Type II (Hunter), one Type IIIA (Sanfilippo A) and one Type V (Scheie). The glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of those tissues have been fully characterized previously (Constantopouloset al., 1976). Results of the present study: the normally minor brain monosialogangliosides GM2 and GM3 were markedly increased in the gray and to a lesser extent in the white matter of all the patients, except the patient with MPS Type V. On an average GM2 comprised 8.2 and 6.3, and GM3 11.8 and 6.0% of the total ganglioside neuraminic acid of the gray and white matter respectively in all patients with MPS I, II, and IIIA (normal subjects had less than 1). Ceramide dihexoside was also increased in the gray matter of the patients with MPS I, MPS II and MPS IIIA. The sphingolipid abnormalities were found only in tissues containing excessive amounts of partially degraded dermatan and heparan sulfates or heparan sulfate alone. Of the six acid hydrolases assayed, the activity of /f-glucosaminidase was increased in both brain and liver, while that of α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase was diminished, particularly in the liver. These results suggest that the partially degraded heparan sulfate (and perhaps the dermatan sulfate) which accumulate in the tissues of the patients with MPS may inhibit catabolic enzymes of various sphingolipids. In turn, accumulation of sphingolipids could be responsible at least for some of the brain damage and the mental retardation in MPS I, II and IIIA.
Nurses' job satisfaction and organizational climate in a dynamic work environment.

The infrastructure and organization of hospitals are changing rapidly as a result of major transitions in health care. Downsizing in hospitals has caused employees to have to take on new tasks and, often, multiple tasks with a decrease in available resources and an increase in job complexity. Naturally, such organizational changes have a profound effect on the nature and duration of patient hospitalization and on the job responsibilities and roles of inpatient staff. In many hospitals, there is a perception of chaos, sometimes resulting in frustration among the nursing personnel. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between nurses'job satisfaction and organizational climate.
Improved moment preserving block truncation coding for image compression

A novel image compression scheme based on moment preserving block truncation coding (MPBTC) is introduced. To reduce the bit rate of the traditional MPBTC scheme, the block search order coding technique is employed to exploit the similarity among neighbouring image blocks. In addition, smooth blocks and complex blocks are processed using different methods. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme provides good image quality at a low bit rate.
The CTD code.

How does the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II interact specifically with multiple targets? A recent paper describing the structure of this domain with a mRNA capping enzyme guanylyltransferase suggests that the CTD is a contortionist that, upon post-translational modification, adopts different configurations specifically recognized by its partners.
The Effect of Research Design on Free Written Recall as a Measure of Reading Comprehension in a Second Language

0 An investigation was conducted of the effect of research design in studies using a free written recall task to measure second language (L2) reading comprehension. Although studies (Carrell 1982, 1984a, 1984b, Bernhardt 1983, Connor 1984, Lee and Ballman 1985) using a free recall task differ in many ways, variables selected for examination were 1) the language (native versus target) in which recalls are written, 2) the use of prereading instructions orienting subjects to the recall task, and 3) the level of L2 proficiency of subjects. The 320 subjects participating in the study were volunteers enrolled in four different levels of Spanish classes at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Each of the 80 subjects at each level received a packet containing an agreement form, a reading passage (with or without instructions), and a third page on which they were directed to write their recalls either in English (native language) or Spanish (target language). The results of a three-factor ANOVA revealed significant main effects for level and language of recall, as well as a significant interaction between orienting instructions and level. No significant main effect was found for orienting instructions, and none of the other interactions (Orienting Instructions x Language, Language x Level, Orienting Instruction x Language x Level) was significant. In view of the significant interaction of Orienting Instructions x Level, the significant main effect found for level must be cautiously interpreted. However, while a number of studies of L2 reading ability (Bernhardt 1983, Carrell 1984a, Connor 1984) have used subjects at only one level of proficiency, the results of this study suggest that findings cannot be generalized to learners at other levels of proficiency. The significant main effect found for language of recall has definite research implications, however. The main effect found for language of recall (with learners recalling more when writing in their native language than in the target language) suggests that research on L2 reading comprehension
Generation of a full active configuration space basis in terms of symmetry- and spin-adapted antisymmetrized orbital products

A practical algorithm is described for generating a set of symmetry- and spin-adapted antisymmetrized products of molecular orbitals (SAAPs) which form an orthogonal basis for a full active configuration space. The spin-adaptation is completely general. The space-symmetry adaptation is accomplished for the groups C∞v and D∞v.
Strategy Development for Anticipating and Handling a Disruptive Technology

The profession of radiology has greatly benefited from the introduction of new imaging technologies throughout its history. Therefore, it would seem reasonable for radiologists to believe that the emergence of a new imaging technology can generally be foreseen with sufficient advance notice to allow the appropriate levels of time, effort, and money to be devoted toward incorporating it into radiology practice. However, in his seminal work, Christiansen characterized a new form of technologic innovation, known as "disruptive technology," whose emergence often heralds the replacement of market leaders in an industry by competitors who are quicker in adopting and deploying the new technology. This article briefly describes the phenomenon of disruptive technology and addresses the challenges that organizations face in dealing with disruptive technology. The article raises 4 questions about the future of radiology: (1) Are health care and radiology vulnerable to disruptive technology? (2) What kinds of change may be in store for the radiology profession? (3) Can the radiology profession prepare itself to recognize and respond to a disruptive innovation among a group of new imaging technologies? and (4) How should a radiology organization decide whether to invest significant resources in a potentially disruptive technology? This article addresses these questions by reviewing key insights from leading "gurus" in the fields of competitive strategy and technology management and applying them to radiology. This illustrates how and why (despite past successes) the radiology profession may still have a blind spot in recognizing and handling disruptive technologies.
Deviant subjects in foucault and A Clockwork Orange: congruent critiques of criminological constructions of subjectivity

–The expansion of social scientific models for controlling crime and deviancy provided the context for both Stanley Kubrick's film A Clockwork Orange and much of Foucault's writing. This essay examines how Foucault's writings and Kubrick's film lay out congruent critiques of social scientific and criminological attempts to define and constitute deviancy and subjectivity. Foucault's texts and Kubrick's film ask us to remember the violence of our everyday existence and to recognize our modern nightmares as portents of what lies along the path that we have followed.
Anatomy of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactive neurons and axons in the rat medial geniculate body.

This is a study of the form, density, and distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) immunoreactive neurons and puncta (axon terminals) in the adult rat medial geniculate complex. GAD-positive elements were stained by either the peroxidase-antiperoxidase or avidin-biotin procedures. Thalamic architectonic subdivisions were defined independently in Golgi, Nissl, plastic-embedded semi-thin, and fiber-stained preparations, and from investigations of medial geniculate connectivity. GAD-positive neurons represent only ∼1% of medial geniculate neurons. They occur in the three major medial geniculate subdivisions (ventral, dorsal, and medial). There is variability between subdivisions in the form and number of such neurons, and among the puncta. In the ventral division, immunopositive somata may have sparsely branched dendrites as long as 300–400 μm and capped with varicose expansions or bouton-like sprays of appendages. These closely appose the somata or primary dendrites of other cells; the axons of these GAD-positive neurons are also immunostained. In the dorsal division there are fewer GAD-positive neurons and their structure is different. Their dendrites are rarely immunoreactive for more than 100–150 μm; nor can their immunostained axons be traced very far. In the medial division the number of GAD-positive neurons, considering the relatively small size of this division, was high. These neurons rarely have immunostained dendrites, and more than one type of neuron is immunoreactive. The average somatic diameter of GAD-positive neurons is about 60% of that of non-immunostained cells in semi-thin material; however, the range of somatic area and the dendritic variability of these neurons suggest that cells representing more than one population are immunopositive and include all but the largest neurons. The puncta also show regional differences. Small (0.5–2 Cm in diameter), medium (2–3 μm), or large (> 3 μm) puncta occur. In the ventral division, the predominantly medium-sized puncta are about four times as numerous on a unit/area basis than in the dorsal division, where they are far smaller and more delicate; medial division puncta are as numerous as those in the ventral division, but are much larger and coarser, and may form perisomatic arrangements. Controls were devoid of specific immunostaining. These data suggest that (1) there are significant local differences in the form and density of GABAergic neurons and puncta; (2) there is regional diversity in the form and size of such neurons; and (3) these local patterns might reflect differences in intrinsic organization, such as presynaptic dendrites in the ventral division and their probable absence in the medial division.
DETERMINATION OF THE MUTUAL RADIATION RESISTANCES OF A RECTANGULAR PLATE AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE RADIATED SOUND POWER

Abstract The mutual-radiation resistances resulting from cross-modal coupling have been mostly excluded from sound power calculations on the belief or premise that either for some reasons they have an insignificant impact on the power radiation or consideration of them can be an enormous computational burden. In this paper, the characteristics of the mutual-radiation resistances are investigated of a simply supported rectangular plate. It is shown that, once the self-radiation resistances (or the so-called modal-radiation efficiencies) have been calculated, the mutual-radiation resistances can be readily obtained at virtually no cost. Of equal importance, because no approximation is made, the present formulation is fully accurate in the entire frequency range. An asymptotic expression is also derived for large modal wavenumbers. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the spectral characteristics of the mutual-radiation resistances and the corresponding impact on the radiated sound power.