cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Worker-centered investigation of issues with procedural systems: Findings from interviews with a representative sample of workers in high-risk process industries

Abstract Issues related to procedural systems have been found to contribute to incidents in many high-risk industries such as petrochemical, oil and gas, etc. While previous research has focused on understanding issues with procedural systems from the perspective of the workers (who are the end-users of procedures), most of this research suffers from samples that only include companies with programs focused on improving safety by improving procedures. These companies may have inherent differences in their safety practices and thus the experiences of these workers may not completely represent all workers’ experiences in this domain. The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the thoughts and perceptions from a representative and broad sample of workers concerning procedure use and purpose. To improve the generalizability of previous findings, interviews were conducted with workers from a broad range of high-risk process industries to investigate issues related to procedure adherence that may be present in companies not currently implementing. Findings from a qualitative data analysis provide support for the generalizability of issues previously discovered, such as: more experience workers being more likely to deviate; procedure quality being inconsistent; and the procedure revision process being problematic. However additional prominent issues were found as well. Most importantly, this study found that adherence to procedures is often motivated by potential liability issues instead of genuine concerns for safety in organizations and many deviations from procedures were due to pressure from immediate supervisors. These findings suggest a relationship between the effectiveness/quality of procedural systems and the safety climate of the organization or work unit.
Disentangling vulnerability, state and trait features of neurocognitive impairments in depression.

Depression is a debilitating disorder that often starts manifesting in early childhood and peaks in onset during adolescence. Neurocognitive impairments have emerged as clinically important characteristics of depression, but it remains controversial which domains specifically index pre-existing vulnerability, state-related or trait-related markers. Here, we disentangled these effects by analysing the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development dataset (n = 4626). Using information of participants' current and past mental disorders, as well as family mental health history, we identified low-risk healthy (n = 2100), high-risk healthy (n = 2023), remitted depressed (n = 401) and currently depressed children (n = 102). Factor analysis of 11 cognitive variables was performed to elucidate latent structure and canonical correlation analyses conducted to probe regional brain volumes reliably associated with the cognitive factors. Bayesian model comparison of various a priori hypotheses differing in how low-risk healthy, high-risk healthy, remitted depressed and currently depressed children performed in various cognitive domains was performed. Factor analysis revealed three domains: language and reasoning, cognitive flexibility and memory recall. Deficits in language and reasoning ability, as well as in volumes of associated regions such as the middle temporal and superior frontal gyrus, represented state- and trait-related markers of depression but not pre-existing vulnerability. In contrast, there was no compelling evidence of impairments in other domains. These findings-although cross-sectional and specific to 9-10-year-old children-might have important clinical implications, suggesting that cognitive dysfunction may not be useful targets of preventive interventions. Depressed patients, even after remission, might also benefit from less commonly used treatments such as cognitive remediation therapy.
Association Between Trimester and Outcomes after Cholecystectomy During Pregnancy.

Background Conventional philosophy promotes the second trimester as the ideal time during pregnancy for cholecystectomy. However, literature supporting this belief is sparse. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of trimester and clinical outcomes after cholecystectomy during pregnancy. Study Design The National Inpatient Sample was queried for pregnant women who underwent cholecystectomy between October 2015 and December 2017. Patients were categorized by trimester. Multivariable logistic and continuous outcome regression models were used to evaluate the association of trimester and outcomes, including maternal and fetal complications, length of stay, and hospital charges. The primary outcome was any complication—a composite of specific clinical complications, each of which were designated as secondary outcomes. Results A total of 819 pregnant women satisfied our inclusion criteria. Of these, 217 (26.5%) were in the first trimester, 381 (47.5%) were in the second trimester, and 221 (27.0%) were in the third trimester. Median age was 27 years (interquartile range: 23–31 years). Compared with the second trimester, cholecystectomy during the first trimester was not associated with higher rates of complications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47–1.63, p = 0.68). However, cholecystectomy during the third trimester was associated with a higher rate of preterm delivery (AOR 7.20, 95% CI 3.09–16.77, p Conclusions Our results suggest that cholecystectomy can be performed in the first trimester without significantly increased risk of maternal and fetal complications, compared to the second trimester. In contrast, cholecystectomy during pregnancy should not be delayed until the third trimester.
“When did I Stop being a Child?” The Subjective Feeling of Adulthood of Mexican and Central American Unaccompanied 1.25 Generation Immigrants:

Employing narrative inquiry, this paper examines how 30 Mexican and Central American young adults (ages 21 to 34) who immigrated without a parent as teenagers—the unaccompanied 1.25 generation— exp...
Bone Marrow Preparations for Chromosome Studies

Metaphase chromosome preparations from primary cultures are usually of better quality than those from bone marrow. However, in a number of cases bone marrow is the only practical material for cytological preparations; therefore, mastering this technique is essential in studies of mammalian karyotypes. These reasons include: 1 Not every investigator has a tissue culture laboratory at his disposal. 2 Direct bone marrow preparations reduce the cost. 3 In field trips, bone marrows can be processed with relative ease without large pieces of equipment and supply items, such as fresh growth media. 4 Bone marrow preparations should be made as an insurance in case primary cultures fail or become contaminated. 5 In case of mosaicism, bone marrow offers an excellent second material.
Improving Engine Efficiency Through Core Developments

The NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project and Fundamental Aeronautics Projects are supporting compressor and turbine research with the goal of reducing aircraft engine fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions. The primary goals of this work are to increase aircraft propulsion system fuel efficiency for a given mission by increasing the overall pressure ratio (OPR) of the engine while maintaining or improving aerodynamic efficiency of these components. An additional area of work involves reducing the amount of cooling air required to cool the turbine blades while increasing the turbine inlet temperature. This is complicated by the fact that the cooling air is becoming hotter due to the increases in OPR. Various methods are being investigated to achieve these goals, ranging from improved compressor three-dimensional blade designs to improved turbine cooling hole shapes and methods. Finally, a complementary effort in improving the accuracy, range, and speed of computational fluid mechanics (CFD) methods is proceeding to better capture the physical mechanisms underlying all these problems, for the purpose of improving understanding and future designs.
Towards efficient support of context - awareness in mobile systems

Future mobile communication systems beyond 3rd generation (3G) are expected to signal the transition from inflexible, vertical infrastructures to reconfigurable, horizontally integrated networks that incorporates a vast, ubiquitous space of devices and radio technologies and will be able to deliver to end-users a previously unimaginable range of valuable services. A fundamental characteristic for systems and services that operate in such a pervasive, heterogeneous environment is context-awareness that enables dynamic adaptation according to rapidly changing situational parameters. Challenging technical issues, however, need to be solved on the route to realization of this feature, including the optimal representation, placement, replication and management of the corresponding context information. This paper discusses some of these problems and introduces data management schemes that facilitate the seamless incorporation of re-usable situation-awareness functionality into a middleware platform for beyond 3G service delivery and management.
Identifying Maps on the World Wide Web

This paper presents an automatic approach to mining collections of maps from the Web. Our method harvests images from the Web and then classifies them as maps or non-maps by comparing them to previously classified map and non-map images using methods from Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR). Our approach outperforms the accuracy of the previous approach by 20% in F 1 -measure. Further, our method is more scalable and less costly than previous approaches that rely on more traditional machine learning techniques.
Anuran acoustic signal production in noisy environments

Choruses of acoustically signaling frogs and toads are among the most impressive acoustic spectacles known from the natural world. They are loud, raucous social environments that form for one purpose and one purpose only: sex. The loud sexual advertisement signals that males produce are often necessary and sufficient to elicit responses from reproductive females, and they also function in communicating with other males during interactions over calling sites and territories. Frogs listening in a chorus must detect, recognize, localize, and discriminate among competing signals amid high levels of biotic, and often abiotic, background noise. In essence, frogs must solve a biological analog of the human cocktail party problem. In this chapter, we describe the frog’s cocktail party problem in functional terms relevant to frog reproduction and communication. We then describe results from experimental studies, mostly of behavior, that elucidate how the frog auditory system goes about solving problems related to auditory masking and auditory scene analysis.
The effect of the addition of allopurinol on blood pressure control in African Americans treated with a thiazide-like diuretic

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that xanthine oxidase inhibition among African Americans receiving the thiazide-type diuretic chlorthalidone may improve blood pressure control with fewer hyperuricemia-related side effects. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of African Americans with Stage 1 hypertension without clinically significant renal disease. One hundred fifty African American men or women between the ages of 18 and 65 years who met the exclusion/inclusion criteria with untreated or treated hypertension were started on chlorthalidone (25 mg/d) and potassium chloride. After a 5-week run-in on chlorthalidone, baseline testing was performed and they were randomized to allopurinol (300 mg/dL) or placebo with doses adjusted based on uric acid levels and followed for 8 weeks. One hundred ten subjects completed the study. Baseline systolic blood pressures after the 5-week chlorthalidone run-in were 119.9 ± 13.6 in the allopurinol group and 117 ± 11.2 in the placebo group indicating excellent blood pressure control with the single agent. After at least 4 week postrandomization, the difference in mean change in systolic blood pressure in allopurinol less placebo from visits 5 to 3 was 4.3 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, −0.2 to 8.7; P = .059). The difference in mean change in uric acid levels over the same period was 2.1 mg/dL (95% confidence interval, 1.7–2.6; P
Bonding and Bridging Social and Cultural Capitals: Perceived Factors Associated With Family Eating Practices Among Hmong, Latino, and White Mothers and Fathers.

Abstract Objective To examine perceived social and cultural capitals associated with family eating practices among Hmong, Latino, and white mothers and fathers. Methods Six focus groups composed of 52 Hmong, Latino, and white mothers and fathers of young children were conducted to examine parental perceptions of social and cultural capitals associated with eating practices. Results Whereas Hmong participants unanimously emphasized the healthfulness of their traditional food, Latino groups had divergent views on their traditional foods' healthfulness. Hmong parents highly valued their traditional foods whereas white and Latino mothers were more accepting of new foods from other cultures. Participants noted divergent views on gender roles in family eating practices and food culture preservation efforts. Conclusions and Implications Identifying and promoting bonding and bridging of cultural assets for healthy dietary practices among different cultural groups may be important for developing successful nutrition education programs across ethnicities in the community.
The Church of Deaf Sociality: Deaf Churchgoing Practices and “Sign Bread and Butter” in Bangalore, India

This article ethnographically analyzes the practices of deaf young adults in Bangalore, India. As sign language is not used by families, schools, or other institutions, the church is a crucial educational space. Churchgoing provides deaf young adults with opportunities to orient themselves toward other deaf young adults, to develop new ideas of self and other, and to value sign language.
Acutely Administered Leptin Increases [Ca 2+ ]i and BK Ca Currents But Does Not Alter Chemosensory Behavior in Rat Carotid Body Type I Cells

Obesity related pathologies are the health care crisis of our generation. The fat cell derived adipokine leptin has been shown to be a central stimulant of respiration. Very high levels of leptin, however, are associated with the depressed ventilatory phenotype observed in obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Leptin receptors have been identified on carotid body type I cells but how their activation might influence the physiology of these cells is not known.
WE-A-204B-02: Monitoring Tumor and Normal Tissue Response in Radiotherapy: Application of Quantitative Ultrasonic Imaging

Radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy, is a powerful tool in cancertreatment. An estimated half of all newly diagnosed cancer patients receive radiotherapy for tumorcontrol. With recent advances in technology, great focus has been placed on optimizing radiation treatment techniques to reduce normal‐tissue effects. We have investigated noninvasive quantitative ultrasound to assess tumor as well as normal‐tissue response in cancerradiotherapy.Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, cost‐effective and widely‐accessible making it well‐suited for clinical implementation. Our ultrasound technique combines conventional B‐mode ultrasound with ultrasonictissue characterization (UTC), which can measure changes in tissue microstructures, to objectively assess radiation‐induced changes to the targeted cancerous regions and the surrounding normal tissues. In a breast‐cancer radiotherapy study, we demonstrated its capability in measuring radiation‐induced acute and late toxicity in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. In this presentation, we report its applications in breast, prostate, as well as head and neck cancerradiotherapy. Such information is important for evaluating the therapeutic ratio. Physicians will gain a better understanding of individual patient's radiation response and therefore, be able to design personalized treatment regimens. We acknowledge the support of NIH CA 114313, Columbia University Women at Risk, and Susan G Komen for the Cure.
Relationships between Film Chemistry, Structure, and Mechanical Properties in Titanium Oxide

Titanium oxides were grown anodically to selected final potentials on grade II polycrystalline titanium under different anodization rates. XPS and RBS results show that the oxide consists of primarily TiO2 with a non-stoichiometric oxide/metal interface, with the slower growth rate associated with a thicker layer at the interface. Characterization using TEM reveals that the structure of the oxide evolves from a primarily amorphous phase to islands of crystallites in an amorphous matrix, to an entirely crystalline phase by increasing the polarization potential. Slower growth rates tend to remain crystalline at higher potentials. The mechanical strength of oxide films extracted from load-depth data by nanoindentation varies dramatically for oxide films grown by different rates at 9.4 V, and to a lesser extent at lower potentials. The variation of film strength is associated with both compositional and structural characteristics.
Examining harp seal behavioural patterns via their underwater vocalizations

Abstract Recordings of harp seal ( Pagophilus groenlandicus ) underwater vocalizations, obtained at 3-h intervals over 7 days during the breeding season, were examined with regard to the relative occurrence of high frequency calls. An increase of high frequency calls at mid-March is possibly associated with the onset of courtship and mating. A daily pattern indicated that the seals are vocally active all night and least active at daybreak and in the early afternoon. The inactive afternoon period coincided with the time that the greatest number of seals were resting on the ice. Remote and/or automated monitoring of vocalizations may provide a means of examining various underwater activities of marine mammals.
Donor–acceptor–donor polymers utilizing pyrimidine-based acceptors

Abstract Pyrimidine acceptor groups were coupled with thienyl, 3,4-ethylenedioxythienyl (EDOT), and 3,4-(2,2-dibutylpropylenedioxy)thienyl (ProDOT-Bu2) donor groups in an attempt to synthesize stable n-doping polymers. Monomers were synthesized using a triorganoindium coupling reaction and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemical characterization techniques. The monomers undergo oxidative polymerization, with the alkylenedioxy-functionalized rings reducing oxidation and reduction potentials of monomer and polymer relative to the non-functionalized thiophene analogues, yielding electroactive polymers. The unsymmetrical nature of the monomers leads to unusual redox processes apparent during electrochemical polymerization. The polymer containing ProDOT-Bu2 groups was soluble in chloroform, while the other two polymers were insoluble. Band gaps were 1.6 eV for the ProDOT-based polymer and 1.8 eV for the EDOT-based polymer, which are comparable to other bisalkylenedioxyarylene-based polymers.
Biocomputing — tools, aims, perspectives

Biomolecular systems for information processing have recently received great attention in the general framework of unconventional computing. While DNA biocomputing systems have been studied by many researchers and have already reached a high level of complexity, enzyme-based cascades mimicking Boolean logic operations are a relatively new subfield that is rapidly progressing. The present paper reviews recent progress in the enzyme-based information processing systems and suggests applications in biosensing, rather than computation. Specific examples of enzyme-based logic systems are discussed to introduce readers to this rapidly developing research area.
Content reference: Reasoning about rules

Abstract In a companion paper [1] we described the concept of saturation , the situation in a program in which so many knowledge sources (KSs) are potentially useful at each invocation cycle that it is unrealistic to consider unguided, exhaustive invocation. We argued that saturation appears almost inevitable in large AI programs. We suggested that the process of invocation can be viewed as occurring in three steps: retrieval (selecting some subset of KSs from the knowledge base), refinement (pruning or reordering that subset), and execution (executing one or more of the KSs). We then argued that one useful approach to dealing with saturation is by embedding intelligence in the refinement phase, and described meta-rules , a means of encoding knowledge used to effect refinement. In this paper we consider a more detailed, ‘engineering’ issue, but one with a number of interesting implications: While there are many ways to implement refinement, we suggest that one particular technique—which we call content reference —offers a number of advantages, including giving the system some ability to reason about the content of its knowledge.
Entropy production of emerging turbulent scales in a temporal supercritical n-heptane/nitrogen three-dimensional mixing layer

A study of emerging turbulent scales entropy production was conducted for a supercritical shear layer as a precursor to the eventual modeling of subgrid scales (SGS: from a turbulent state) leading to large eddy simulations (LES). The entropy equation was first developed for a real, non-ideal fluid using a validated all-pressure fluid model, and the entropy flux and production terms were identified. Employing a direct numerical simulation (DNS) created database of a temporal three-dimensional supercritical shear layer using the fluid model, the different contributions to the irreversible entropy production term were evaluated. Both domain averaged and root mean square (RMS) terms were computed at three different stages of the DNS, representing the timewise ascending, culmination, and descending branches of the spatially averaged positive spanwise vorticity. The unifltered and filtered databases were compared to evaluate the relative importance of irreversible entropy production from viscous, Fourier heat diffusion, and molar fluxes terms. The results show that the average entropy production is dominated by the viscous terms at all stages of the evolution: however, the contribution to the RMS of the molar flux term for both the ascending and descending branches is non-negligible. This latter result was traced to the molar gradients tending to be smeared by emerging turbulent scales. Based on this finding a physical picture of the layer evolution was presented involving competition between large scales entraining heavy fluid from the lower stream and forming strong density and mass fraction gradients at spatially varying locations with time, and small-scale turbulent structures evolving but being damped by contact with the newly formed strong density gradient regions which act similar to material surfaces. Analysis of the results showed that the primary contribution to the molar flux dissipation for both the average and the RMS is the mixture non-ideality.
LRE re-examined: misinterpretations and unintended consequences

The least restrictive environment (LRE) requirement has been one of the major pillars of special education law in the USA since its enactment in 1975 and has proven to be one of the most contentious principles. Absent a decision by the US Supreme Court or further clarification in the wording of the law itself, it is likely that the debate will continue. This discussion is particularly important because misapplication of the LRE principle can result in a violation of civil rights and deprive children of a free appropriate public education. A review of the historical background of LRE, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and relevant court cases supports the contention that the general education setting is the LRE for every child but not necessarily the appropriate placement for all children.
Computer-Supported Studying: Stories of Successful Transition to Postsecondary Education

This paper describes the use of "computer-supported studying" as an approach to helping students with disabilities develop and apply skills needed for successful transition from secondary to postsecondary education. The paper provides vignettes of three students with learning disabilities who participated in one of three federally funded projects designed to research the impact of computer-supported studying on student retention and academic achievement. Each vignette describes the way in which technology was used to minimize the negative impact of the student's disabilities and build upon the student's learning strengths. Results revealed that students who successfully adopted a computer-supported approach to studying also successfully adapted to the instructional demands of postsecondary education. Results are interpreted in terms of the literature on cognitive strategy instruction as well as the literature on social constructivism.
R(+)-8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, inhibits amphetamine-induced dopamine release in rat striatum and nucleus accumbens

Systemic administration of R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin), a selective serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine, 5-HT)1A receptor agonist (25, 50, and 100 mu g/kg s.c.), administered 30 min prior to d-amphetamine, significantly inhibited the d-amphetamine sulfate (1.0 mg/kg s.c.)-induced increase in extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats, as determined by in vivo microdialysis. The ability of R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (50 mu g/kg s.c.) to inhibit d-amphetamine sulfate (1.0 mg/kg s.c.)-induced increase in extracellular dopamine levels was abolished by WAY 100,635 (n-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-n-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride), a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (100 mu g/kg s.c.), administered 5 min prior to R(+)-8-OH-DPAT in both regions. These results indicate that the 5-HT1A receptor may exert an inhibitory effect on amphetamine-induced dopamine release.
Microwave Detection in a Thermionic Diode

A theoretical analysis of the detection of microwave energy in a thermionic diode is presented assuming a parabolic space-charge potential distribution and that the resultant field acting on the electron is the sum of the static and radio-frequency fields. It is shown that at microwave frequencies the space-charge-limited diode behaves as a velocity-modulated detector. This solution is a valid approximation for signal frequencies in excess of the electron plasma frequency at the potential minimum and for signal amplitudes less than 2Vm/d s[1+(?2/?2)]1/2. Here s is the diode spacing, d the potential minimum spacing, the angular frequency, Vm the potential at the minimum and ?2=2eVm/md2.
The ‘heart’ of Eurasia? Kazakhstan's centrally located capital city

In a world still dominated by a geopolitical system of territorial states, one tool in the state- and nation-building repertoire is the strategy of moving a capital from one city to another, and to an ostensibly more ‘central’ location of a geometrically conceived territory. From Ankara to Brasilia, the technique has been used in a variety of places around the world, and Kazakhstan's new capital since 1997, Astana, is one more recent iteration. Taking a Foucauldian approach to analysing political technologies of government, the author examines the strategy of the centrally located city and considers how it has been instrumental to simultaneously producing a ‘state effect’ and a ‘territory effect’ in newly independent Kazakhstan. Part of a larger mixed-methods study, this article draws on a diverse range of methods, including data from interviews, participant observation, textual analysis, focus groups and a country-wide survey.
Exact and Mean Beam Length Calculations For Radiative Heat Transfer in Gases

Abstract This note examines the validity of the mean beam length technique, which is an approximate engineering method for calculating radiative heat transfer in furnace gases. Exact and mean beam length results are compared for laminar flow of carbon monoxide between parallel black surfaces. The results show that the mean beam length calculations overestimate the heat transfer by 47 per cent. This approximation gives better results than other approximate techniques used such as the gray gas and optically thin approximations. Further work is needed to determine the validity of the mean beam length technique in more complicated geometries, and when gas mixtures are present.
Genomic organization of human neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2 genes: identification and distribution of splice variants and soluble isoforms.

Abstract Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and neuropilin-2 (NRP2) are both receptors for semaphorins, which regulate neuronal guidance, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor. The two human NRP1 and NRP2 genes were cloned, and the exon–intron boundaries were determined. The NRP1 and NRP2 genes span over 120 and 112 kb, respectively, and are composed of 17 exons. Five of the exons are identical in size in the two genes, suggesting that they arose by gene duplication. Both NRP genes are characterized by multiple alternatively spliced variants. Two NRP2 isoforms, NRP2a and NRP2b, were cloned. A striking feature of these two isoforms is that they have identical extracellular domains but have divergent transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. In these domains, NRP2a is closer in sequence identity to NRP1 than to NRP2b. As determined by Northern blot analysis, both NRP2a and NRP2b are expressed in a variety of tissues, mostly in a nonoverlapping manner. Within NRP2a and NRP2b, there are several alternatively spliced species: NRP2a(17), NRP2a(22), NRP2b(0), and NRP2b(5). In addition to full-length NRPs, there are truncated NRPs as well, which contain only the extracellular a/CUB and b/coagulation factor domains. These genes encode proteins that are soluble (sNRP) and released by cells. In addition to s12NRP1, which was previously cloned, s11NRP1 and s9NRP2 have now been cloned. These sNRP molecules are characterized by having intron-derived sequences at their C-termini. Altogether, eight NRP isoforms are described in this report. It was concluded that there are multiple NRP1 and NRP2 isoforms including intact and soluble forms. Characterization of these isoforms should help to elucidate the function of NRPs in neuronal guidance and angiogenesis.
Closest point query among the union of convex polytopes using rasterization hardware

We present a novel approach using rasterization hardware to perform the following query: Given a collection of convex polytopes in 3D, find the closest point from some given point inside the polytopes to the surface of the union of the polytopes. The algorithm takes advantage of multipass rendering, clipping, and depth tests. We also demonstrate its application to penetration depth computation.
Kinetics of bone marrow blasts during induction and achievement of complete remission in acute myeloid leukemia.

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), bone marrow is typically examined 14 days after beginning initial induction therapy. If significant residual blasts remain, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for AML recommend re-treatment.[1][1] Here we examine whether bone marrow findings
Paleomagnetic evidence for repeated glacial lake missoula floods from sediments of the Sanpoil River Valley, Northeastern Washington

Abstract Recent explanations of widespread rhythmically layered sediments in eastern Washington as the result of repeated great floods from glacial Lake Missoula implicitly suggest a paleomagnetic test for validity. If each conjectural flood layer is separated by years or decades, as hypothesized, a sequence of several such flood beds should record measurable secular variation in geomagnetic field direction. In the Sanpoil River valley where the rhythmite sequences are thought to have been deposited in glacial Lake Columbia, the paleomagnetic test consists of measuring remanent magnetization (RM) directions for thick, upwardly fining beds inferred to be sediments deposited by the influx of flood waters from glacial Lake Missoula into glacial Lake Columbia. Laboratory measurements of samples from three widely spaced sections along the Sanpoil River yield RM vectors with erratic inclinations, apparently affected by varying contributions of inclination error and (or) compaction shallowing, but with declinations that generally differ statistically from one flood to the next and that show the same west-to-east trend at all three locations. The rates of declination change inferred from these data are consistent with modern rates, thus providing the first geophysical evidence supporting the timing in the tens-of-floods theory.
Gallstones: role of surgery

A hunter treed by his prey, Francis Glisson (1597-1677) probably had little idea that his excruciating abdominal pain was caused by a distended and obstructed gallbladder, in principle the same kind of agony caused when the liver capsule that commemorates his name is distended with parenchymal or neoplastic disease. At the time the only comment Glisson was known to have uttered was that the pain was so severe that ‘There is no relief except by death’. Centuries later Sir Walter Scott in vain rubbed searing hot salt on his chest for the same problem. Modern patients sometimes hang by their fingers from a door-top. All these unfortunates are likely to have been suffering from the same kind of physiological abnormality: namely, a stone impacted in the internal orifice of the cystic duct, confounding the effort of the smooth muscle of the gallbladder to expel it-like bladder spasms in a patient with blood or a bladder stone obstructing the urethra. Although many surgical residents and some of their superiors speak of a patient’s suffering from acute cholecystitis, when he or she really has only biliary colic, the difference is great (Diehl et al, 1990). Injection of a narcotic relieves biliary colic and aborts the attack. Biliary colic itself is never an emergency. Acute cholecystitis often requires drainage or removal of the gallbladder and can be lethal, even if it is less painful than biliary colic.
Structure and disorder in YbInCu4.

We present neutron diffraction results for YbIn${\mathrm{Cu}}_{4}$, and Rietveld refinements of the structure. The ground state has the same structure (C15B) as the high temperature state, so that the first-order phase transition at ${T}_{s}=40$ K is indeed isomorphic, i.e., the lattice constant changes without a change of crystal symmetry. The site disorder and the diffraction linewidths decrease systematically on going from polycrystal samples with two transitions (at 40 and 70 K) to polycrystals with a single (40 K) transition to flux-grown single crystals with a sharp transition at 40 K. We argue that in site-disordered samples, the effect of doping Yb onto the In site is to increase ${T}_{s}$ and cause the transition to become continuous.
The Role of Theory in Comparative Politics: A Symposium

The Center of International Studies at Princeton University organized a symposium during 1993—94 on the role of theory in comparative politics. Presented here is an edited and condensed version of the proceedings. In light of recent challenges posed by both rational choice and post-modern cultural approaches, the symposium helped elucidate the merits of competing theoretical approaches. A group of distinguished scholars presented a variety of views on the subject. In spite of recent intellectual developments, a diverse group of symposium participants adhered to a loosely defined “core,” or to what one participant characterized as the “eclectic center” of comparative politics.
Vascular endothelial growth factor attachment to hydroxyapatite via self-assembled monolayers promotes angiogenic activity of endothelial cells

Abstract Currently, tissue engineered constructs for critical sized bone defects are non-vascularized. There are many strategies used in order to promote vascularization, including delivery of growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA) was coated with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The SAMs were in turn used to covalently bind VEGF to the surface of HA. The different SAM chain length ratios (phosphonoundecanoic acid (11-PUDA):16-phosphonohexadecanoic acid (16-PHDA) utilized in this study were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0. Surfaces were characterized by contact angle (CA) and atomic force microscopy, and an in vitro VEGF release study was performed. It was observed that CA and root-mean-squared roughness were not significantly affected by the addition of SAMs, but that CA was significantly lowered with the addition of VEGF. VEGF release profiles of bound VEGF groups all demonstrated less initial burst release than adsorbed control, indicating that VEGF was retained on the HA surface when bound by SAMs. An in vitro study using human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) demonstrated that bound VEGF increased metabolic activity and caused sustained production of angiopoietin-2, an angiogenic marker, over 28 days. In conclusion, SAMs provide a feasible option for growth factor delivery from HA surfaces, enhancing angiogenic activity of HAECs in vitro.
Epithelial adhesion molecules can inhibit HIV-1-specific CD8⁺ T-cell functions.

Under persistent antigenic stimulation, virus-specific CD8 T cells become increasingly dysfunctional and up-regulate several inhibitory molecules such as killer lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1). Here, we demonstrate that HIV-1 antigen-specific T cells from subjects with chronicprogressive HIV-1 infection have significantly elevated KLRG1 expression (P < .001); show abnormal distribution of E-cadherin, the natural ligand of KLRG1, in the intestinal mucosa; and have elevated levels of systemic soluble E-cadherin (sE-cadherin) that significantly correlate with HIV-1 viral load (R 0.7, P .004). We furthermore demonstrate that in the presence of sE-cadherin, KLRG1hi HIV-1‐specific CD8 T cells are impaired in their ability to respond by cytokine secretion on antigenic stimulation (P .002) and to inhibit viral replication (P .03) in vitro. Thus, these data suggest a critical mechanism by which the disruption of the intestinal epithelium associated with HIV-1 leads to increased systemic levels of sE-cadherin, which inhibits the effector functions of KLRG1hiexpressing HIV-1‐specific CD8 T cells systemically. (Blood. 2011;117(19): 5112-5122)
A high temperature apparatus for measurement of the Seebeck coefficient

A high temperature Seebeck coefficient measurement apparatus with various features to minimize typical sources of error is designed and built. Common sources of temperature and voltage measurement error are described and principles to overcome these are proposed. With these guiding principles, a high temperature Seebeck measurement apparatus with a uniaxial 4-point contact geometry is designed to operate from room temperature to over 1200 K. This instrument design is simple to operate, and suitable for bulk samples with a broad range of physical types and shapes.
Decision procedures for elementary sublanguages of set theory. V. Multilevel syllogistic extended by the general union operator

Etude des procedures de decision pour differents sous-langages restreints quantifies et non quantifies de la theorie des ensembles
ON THE CONVEXITY OF VALUE FUNCTIONS FOR A CERTAIN CLASS OF STOCHASTIC DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING PROBLEM

It is a common practice in stochastic dynamic programming problems to assume a priori that the value function is either concave or convex and later verify this assumption after the value function has been identified. It is often a difficult task to establish the concavity or convexity of the value function directly. In this paper, we prove that the value function of a certain type of infinite horizon stochastic dynamic programming problem is convex. This type of value function arises frequently in economic modeling.
Mycophenolate mofetil in dermatology

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is the prodrug of mycophenolic acid (MPA), a medication used to treat psoriasis in the 1970s until side effects and the concern of carcinogenesis led to its discontinuation. The prodrug, MMF, emerged decades later in the transplant field. Dermatologists have since used MMF off-label to treat various inflammatory skin conditions, with most research concentrating on its use in psoriasis, autoimmune blistering disorders, dermatitides, and connective tissue disorders. The appeal of MMF is predicated upon its lymphocyte specificity and consequent decreased toxicity profile. These attributes may make it a preferable treatment option. Its use in the field of dermatology is currently limited by a lack of randomized controlled trials, potential unknown side effects, and cost of treatment. In reviewing both current literature and our own clinic records, MMF appears to be a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of cutaneous inflammatory diseases. Learning objective After completing this learning activity, participants should be able to summarize the history and pharmacology of mycophenolate mofetil as an immunosuppressant; recognize its potential role in the treatment of dermatologic conditions, including general dosing guidelines, use in pregnancy and pediatrics, and potential adverse effects; and identify future considerations and developing areas of research regarding the use of mycophenolate mofetil in dermatology.
Surgical treatment of type 0 radial longitudinal deficiency

Purpose The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to describe the surgical anatomy associated with type 0 radial longitudinal deficiency (radially deviated hand in the presence of a normal-length radius) and (2) to report the results of a surgical procedure designed to improve the alignment of the hand and forearm. Methods Since 1986 there have been 6 cases of type 0 radial longitudinal deficiency in 5 children seen at the St. Louis Shriner's Hospital. These children were treated with a surgical procedure to release the radial soft tissues and correct the alignment with tendon transfers. Age at surgery ranged from 12 to 40 months, with an average age of 21 months. The average follow-up period was 21 months. The tight radial wrist extensors were detached at their distal insertion and the tight radial wrist capsule was released dorsally and volarly, thus relieving the radial tether. The extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon also was detached just proximal to its insertion and sutured to the dorsal wrist capsule to augment wrist extension. The radial wrist extensor tendon was reattached to the ECU tendon at its insertion, converting it into an ulnar deviator. Results In each case the radial wrist extensor was noted to be hypoplastic and the radial wrist capsule was noted to be tight, tethering the hand in radial deviation. In 4 cases there was only a single radial wrist extensor tendon. Average radial deviation at rest improved from 58° to 12°. Improvement in radial deviation at rest averaged 47°, ranging from 25° to 75°. Improvement in active wrist extension averaged 53° and improvement in passive wrist extension averaged 28°. Conclusions For children with type 0 radial longitudinal deficiency a soft-tissue procedure that releases the radial tether and augments ulnar deviation and wrist extension by tendon transfer satisfactorily improves wrist alignment with minimal morbidity.
High-bandwidth electro-optic technology for intersatellite optical communications

The research and development of electronic and electro-optic components for geosynchronous and low earth orbiting satellite optical high bandwidth communications at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center is reviewed. Intersatellite optical communications retains a strong reliance on microwave circuit technology in several areas - the microwave to optical interface, the laser transmitter modulation driver and the optical receiver. A microwave to optical interface is described requiring high bandwidth electronic downconverters and demodulators. Electrical bandwidth and current drive requirements for the laser modulation driver for three laser alternatives are discussed. Bandwidth and noise requirements are presented for optical receiver architectures.
A General Formalization Of Stereo Vision

Developed herein is a formal theory for stereo vision which unifies existing stereo methods and predicts a large variety of stereo methods not yet explored. The notion of "stereo" is redefined using terms which are both general and precise giving stereo vision a broader and more rigorous foundation. The variations in imaging geometry between successive images used in parallax stereo and conventional photometric stereo techniques are extended to stereo techniques which involve variations of arbitrary sets of physical imaging parameters. Physical measurement of visual object features is defined in terms of solution loci in feature space arising from constraint equations that model the physical laws that relate the object feature to specific image features. Ambiguity in physical measurement results from a solution locus which is a subset of feature space larger than a single measurement point. Stereo methods attempt to optimally reduce ambiguity of physical measurement by intersecting solution loci obtained from successive images. A number of examples of generalized stereo techniques are presented. This new conception of stereo vision offers a new perspective on many areas of computer vision including areas that have not been previously associated with stereo vision (e.g. color imagery). As the central focus of generalized stereo vision methods is on measurement ambiguity mathematical developments are presented that characterize the "size" of measurement ambiguity as well as the conditions under which disambiguation of a solution locus takes place. The dimension of measurement ambiguity at a solution point is defined using the structure of a differentiable manifold and an upper bound is established using the Implicit Function theorem. Inspired by the Erlanger program of F. Klein generalized stereo methods are equivalently described by the algebraic interaction of the symmetry group of automorphisms (i.e. bijections) of feature space into itself leaving a measurement solution locus invariant, with the set of automorphisms of feature space induced by arbitrary variations of a set of physical parameters. A purely group theoretic characterization of the conditions under which measurement disambiguation takes place is given.
Relation between Texas Barrier Islands and Late Pleistocene Depositional History: ABSTRACT

The 400-mi-long Texas shoreline is characterized by barrier islands separated from the mainland by lagoons, End_Page 638------------------------------ bays, and estuaries up to 8 mi wide. Regional studies indicate that barrier morphology and texture and composition of beach sediment, although largely unrelated to modern rivers, are related to the distribution of sand-rich late Pleistocene facies on the inner continental shelf. For example, Matagorda Peninsula, near the Brazos River, is narrow, receding, and has a high oyster-shell content. Narrow, regressive barriers occur where Pleistocene strand plains are absent, where Pleistocene deltas are mud-rich, and in Pleistocene interdeltaic areas. These regressive barriers have a high shell content (dominantly estuarine species), and varying amounts of caliche, siderite, beach rock, and sandstone fragment gravel. Beaches retreat 7-40 ft/yr in erosional areas. Dunes are rare on narrow barriers, and shell ramps extend several hundred feet bayward ending abruptly as steep avalanche faces. Terrigenous sand is the dominant sediment type of wide barriers such as Matagorda Island; no modern stream contributes sand to this barrier. Broad barriers develop where sand-rich Pleistocene deltas and strand plains are present and the sand budget is large. Morphologic features of these barriers are fore-island dunes, beach ridges, and broad barrier flats. Beach ridges, indicating rapid accretion, are characteristic of the older barrier segments. Today, fore-island dunes, suggesting cessation of accretion, are relatively well developed on these barriers. End_of_Article - Last_Page 639------------