cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does the Addition of M-Mode to B-Mode Ultrasound Increase the Accuracy of Identification of Lung Sliding in Traumatic Pneumothoraces?

OBJECTIVES It is unknown whether the addition of M-mode to B-mode ultrasound (US) has any effect on the overall accuracy of interpretation of lung sliding in the evaluation of a pneumothorax by emergency physicians. This study aimed to determine what effect, if any, this addition has on US interpretation by emergency physicians of varying training levels. METHODS One hundred forty emergency physicians were randomized via online software to receive a quiz with B-mode clips alone or B-mode with corresponding M-mode images and asked to identify the presence or absence of lung sliding. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the diagnosis of lung sliding with and without M-mode US were compared. Overall, the sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies of B-mode + M-mode US versus B-mode US alone were 93.1% and 93.2% (P = .8), 96.0% and 89.8% (P < .0001), and 91.5% and 94.5% (P = .0091), respectively. A subgroup analysis showed that in those providers with fewer than 250 total US scans done previously, M-mode US increased accuracy from 88.2% (95% confidence interval, 86.2%-90.2%) to 94.4% (92.8%-96.0%; P = .001) and increased the specificity from 87.0% (84.5%-89.5%) to 97.2% (95.4%-99.0%; P < .0001) compared with B-mode US alone. There was no statistically significant difference observed in the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of B-mode + M-mode US compared with B-mode US alone in those with more than 250 scans. CONCLUSIONS The addition of M-mode images to B-mode clips aids in the accurate diagnosis of lung sliding by emergency physicians. The subgroup analysis showed that the benefit of M-mode US disappears after emergency physicians have performed more than 250 US examinations.
The dragon cohort of Hong Kong: traditional beliefs, demographics, and education

In Hong Kong, parental preference for babies born in the Chinese Zodiac dragon year causes spikes in fertility. The larger number of “dragon babies” born in 1988 resulted in a schooling cohort which was 5% larger on average every school-year. Using an innovative identification strategy that avoids selection bias, I find that dragon cohort students increase their time spent studying math by an average of 0.26 hours per week (a 9% increase relative to the mean). These effort responses are strongest for girls and for students whose parents do not have post-secondary education. Being in the dragon cohort also results in higher math scores. These empirical findings are consistent with competitive behavior changes of dragon cohort members responding to the presence of additional students. I cannot, however, rule out other possible mechanisms, such as cooperation, peer quality, and educational investments, acting in conjunction to improve academic outcomes. This paper is the first to document the test score and effort impacts of such zodiac cohorts; its findings highlight the importance of cultural forces in determining population changes, and their potential to influence education and other societal outcomes.
Space, Time and Asymmetry in Chinese

Kayne (The antisymmetry of syntax. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1994, Studies in Chinese Linguistics 34(1):3–37, 2013) proposes that natural language is asymmetrical in syntactic structure, and that the universal default constituent order is Specifier-Head-Complement. Kayne states that the posited asymmetry is due to the inherently asymmetric nature of syntactic derivation within the Faculty of Language (FL), induced by the asymmetric, directional property of language production and parsing (Kayne, Studies in Chinese Linguistics 34(1):3–37, 2013: 19). In this paper I argue that the asymmetric direction of language production and parsing undoubtedly have influenced the evolution of the FL, but that this need not entail asymmetry either in syntactic derivation or in default constituent order, and that the claim of Specifier-Head-Complement as default constituent order is fundamentally unmotivated. I suggest instead that FL asymmetry is manifest in the well-known asymmetric order of information flow (old precedes new), and that a dissociation between syntactic derivation and information flow is possible because the ordering of old and new information is iconic, while syntactic derivation is symbolic. This, I argue, frees syntactic derivation from the strictures of old-new information flow order. To support this claim, I first describe the phenomenon of spatial asymmetry in Mandarin (e.g., Xu, Asymmetry in the expression of space in Chinese – the Chinese language meets typology. In Xu D. (ed) Space in languages of China: cross-linguistic, synchronic and diachronic perspectives. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 175–198, 2008) to demonstrate how the asymmetry of space follows from the iconic, asymmetric order of spatial states as experienced by humans. I then demonstrate, following Tai (Temporal sequence and Chinese word order. In Haiman J (ed) Iconicity in syntax. John Benjamins, Amsterdam, pp 49–72, 1983, Iconicity: motivations in Chinese grammar. In Eid M, Iverson, G (eds) Principles and prediction: the analysis of natural language. John Benjamins, Amsterdam, pp 153–173, 1993), that the expression of temporal order in Mandarin is also asymmetrical, resulting from the iconic, asymmetric, human perception of temporal order. I then argue that the well-known tendency for old information to be ordered before new information is manifestly iconic as well, because old events are always perceived as occurring before new events.
The importance and implementation of management functions and activities in agricultural teacher education programs

The importance and implementation of management functions and activities in agricultural teacher education programs، للحصول على النص الكامل يرجى زيارة مكتبة الحسين بن طلال في جامعة اليرموك او زيارة موقعها الالكتروني
Radical trifluoromethylation of Sc3N@C80.

The addition of CF3 radicals to both the Ih and D5h cage-isomers of Sc3N@C80 by high-temperature reaction of the metallic nitride fullerenes with gaseous CF3I has resulted in the isolation of Sc3N@(C80-Ih)(CF3)2 and Sc3N@(C80-D5h)(CF3)2, which have idealized C2 and Cs symmetry, respectively. Both new compounds were characterized by 19F NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and quantum-chemical calculations at the DFT level of theory, and the Ih cage derivative was also characterized by cyclic voltammetry. The results indicate that both compounds have a p-C6(CF3)2 hexagon with endohedral Sc atoms bonded to the sp2 cage C atoms para to the sp3 cage C(CF3) atoms.
Kristeva's Severed Head in Iraq: Antoon’s The Corpse Washer

This paper offers a Kristevan reading of Antoon's The Corpse Washer . Although this text focuses specifically on Arab/Muslim culture, which cannot be translated into a racial category, this reading is meant to show the pertinence of Kristevan psychoanalytic theory in a non-Western context. One might go about linking such psychoanalytic work on non-Western writing to “race” in two ways. Insofar as The Corpse Washer demonstrates the validity of Kristevan psychoanalytic theory for non-Western art/artists, it implies the universality of that theory, despite ethnicity, race, religion, etc. Or if we presuppose the universality of Kristevan psychoanalytic theory, we may think of such work as testing the assumption that psychoanalysis can traverse all such culturally constructed boundaries.
How Can Teachers Locate and Translate Research Specific to Instructional Practice

Research literature provides a wealth of information on a variety of topics in education. You can often find best practices for teaching topics, common misconceptions, learning progressions, assessments, lessons, and case studies. Each of these may provide information that are useful for classroom teachers. One of the challenges is finding the articles for free, and another challenge is translating the literature to the classroom.
P-038 Predictors of ventriculostomy infection in a large cohort

Background External ventricular drain (EVD) placement is a common neurosurgical procedure. While this procedure is simple and effective, infection is a major limiting factor. Factors predictive of infection reported in the literature are not conclusive. Objective The aim of this retrospective single-center large sample was to assess the rate and factors predictive of infection. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent EVD placement between January 2012 and January 2018. Results A total of 714 patients were included in the study. The infection rate was 3.6% (26/714). In 45% of the cases, the indication for ventriculostomy placement was for acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Of the factors that were an independently significant predictor of ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) was the placement of a second EVD; the likelihood was eight times higher than if only a single EVD was placed (OR: 7.95, 95% CI: 1.01–62.9, p 1060, p Conclusion Our study shows that the rate of VAI was 3.6%. Only three variables were significant independent predictors of VAI; these were the replacement of the EVD, routine CSF aspiration, and intrathecal drug delivery. Disclosures A. Sweid: None. S. Tjoumakaris: None. C. Wamsley: None. E. Mann: None. C. Neely: None. J. Head: None. M. Gooch: None. N. Herial: None. T. Alexander: None. S. Missios: None. N. Chalouhi: None. R. Rosenwasser: None. P. Jabbour: None.
Antiferromagnetism of β-Ce under hydrostatic pressure

Abstract The magnetic properties of β-Ce at low temperature have been studied through ac susceptibility measurements under hydrostatic He-gas pressure up to 4.5 kbar. The Neel temperature, TN = 12.7 K at 58 bar, initially increases with pressure at the rate dTN/dP = +0.32 ± 0.05 K/kbar. After releasing pressure from 4.5 to 0.06 kbar at 40 K, the magnetic susceptibility anomaly associated with the antiferromagnetic transition is markedly reduced. Surprisingly, TN also shifts from 12.7 to 14 K. Both effects likely arise from an irreversible β → α transition under pressure.
Comparison of lower extremity joint mechanics between healthy active young and middle age people in walking and running gait

Progression of age can influence gait characteristics. Previous research has investigated lower extremity joint mechanics between young and elderly people in locomotion, however little is known about whether differences exist between young and middle age people. Ten young healthy subjects (22.8 ± 5.3 years) and ten middle age healthy subjects (50.7 ± 6.0 years) engaged in treadmill walking (from 0.8 to 2.0 m/s) and running (from 1.8 to 3.8 m/s). The middle age group had higher ankle plantar flexor moment angular impulse (p = 0.002), total support moment impulse (p = 0.016), and hip stance positive work (p = 0.029) across walking speeds. Additionally, the middle age group had higher knee flexion angle at ground contact in walking (p = 0.005) and running (p = 0.037). These findings indicate that moderate age affects changes in ankle and hip kinetic characteristics in walking, and knee kinematic patterns in both walking and running.
Tracked Patient Encounters During Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences and Skill Self-assessment Using Entrustable Professional Activities.

Objective. To determine if the number of patient encounters during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) relates to student self-assessment of patient care skills using entrustable profess...
Differential neuro-immune patterns in two clinically relevant murine models of multiple sclerosis.

The mechanisms driving multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults, remain unknown despite extensive research. Especially puzzling are the underlying molecular processes behind the two major disease patterns of MS: relapsing-remitting and progressive. The relapsing-remitting course is exemplified by acute inflammatory attacks, whereas progressive MS is characterized by neurodegeneration on a background of mild-moderate inflammation. The molecular and cellular features differentiating the two patterns are still unclear, and the role of inflammation during progressive disease is a subject of active debate. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the intrathecal inflammation in two clinically distinct mouse models of MS: the PLP139-151-induced relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (R-EAE) and the chronic progressive, Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD). Microarray technology was first used to examine global gene expression changes in the spinal cord. Inflammation in the spinal cord was further assessed by immunohistochemical image analysis and flow cytometry. Levels of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes and chemokines were quantitated using Luminex Multiplex technology, whereas a capture ELISA was used to measure serum and CSF albumin levels. Finally, an intrathecal Ig synthesis index was established with the ratio of CSF and serum test results corrected as a ratio of their albumin concentrations. Microarray analysis identified an enrichment of B cell- and Ig-related genes upregulated in TMEV-IDD mice. We also demonstrated an increased level of intrathecal Ig synthesis as well as a marked infiltration of late differentiated B cells, including antibody secreting cells (ASC), in the spinal cord of TMEV-IDD, but not R-EAE mice. An intact blood-brain barrier in TMEV-IDD mice along with higher CSF levels of CXCL13, CXCL12, and CCL19 provides evidence for an intrathecal synthesis of chemokines mediating B cell localization to the central nervous system (CNS). Overall, these findings, showing increased concentrations of intrathecally produced Igs, substantial infiltration of ASC, and the presence of B cell supporting chemokines in the CNS of TMEV-IDD mice, but not R-EAE mice, suggest a potentially important role for Igs and ASC in the chronic progressive phase of demyelinating diseases.
Coherent Deflection of Atoms by Adiabatic Passage in Multilevel Systems

The study of mechanical light effects on atoms has been the subject of considerable theoretical and experimental interest during the past few years.1 In particular, progress in building an atomic interferometer (AI) has stimulated recent interest in coherent deflection of atoms by laser light.2–6
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Equations: Advanced Modeling For Biopharmaceutical Process Development

Abstract Advanced modeling based on first principles approaches is an effective methodology for designing biopharmaceutical process and product systems that are reliable, efficient, agile, and differentiated. However, the industrial modeling practice has stagnated despite significant advances in other fields, and the digital accelerators (computing power, storage capacity, and bandwidth) have created a shifting landscape for the foundations of process systems engineering. This article argues for a stronger emphasis on modeling lifecycle frameworks as well as a clear focus on systematic value creation through greater immediate application and sustained utilization of models and advanced modeling methodologies. Convergence between first principles modeling, experimental methods, and machine learning techniques is postulated as the main direction for innovation. Modeling patterns are presented as a novel mechanism to create and reuse effective modeling abstractions. A community-centric approach to collaboration between industry, vendors, and academia is required to deliver these significant innovation needs.
Accessing the Pokélayer: Augmented Reality and Fantastical Play in "Pokémon Go".

The mobile gaming phenomenon Pokemon Go is one of the first successful mainstream games to feature augmented reality (AR) components, giving players the feeling of hunting Pokemon in real-life settings. Pokemon Go offers players access to “Pokelayer,” a game layer laid on top of the real world, combining GPS and an AR mode. This ability to turn daily activities into gameplay affords players the opportunity to live out their fantasy of being a Pokemon Trainer. The authors present findings from a phenomenological study with 30 participants showing the variant ways in which the Pokelayer and augmented reality’s capability for fantasy play emerged.
A 2018 workshop: vaccine and drug ontology studies (VDOS 2018)

This Editorial first introduces the background of the vaccine and drug relations and how biomedical terminologies and ontologies have been used to support their studies. The history of the seven workshops, initially named VDOSME, and then named VDOS, is also summarized and introduced. Then the 7th International Workshop on Vaccine and Drug Ontology Studies (VDOS 2018), held on August 10th, 2018, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, is introduced in detail. These VDOS workshops have greatly supported the development, applications, and discussion of vaccine- and drug-related terminology and drug studies.
Correlations between age, body size, sex, and conformation and ultrasound-measured femoral vessel diameter in the dog, with implications for transvascular procedural planning.

Transvascular interventional radiology procedures have advanced in veterinary medicine, but basic knowledge about expected vascular size and vascular imaging requires further exploration. A prospective analytical study of 230 client-owned dogs was carried out to investigate correlations between ultrasound-measured femoral artery (FA) and femoral vein (FV) diameter and various morphometric and demographic dog variables, compare ultrasound-measured femoral vessel diameter to diameter predicted by body weight, compare right- and left-sided femoral vessel diameter, and assess measurement repeatability. Internal diameter of the FA and FV was measured with ultrasound bilaterally. Allometrically scaled body weight had the strongest correlation with FA and FV diameter (correlation coefficients: 0.92 and 0.80, respectively), although thigh circumference (FA: 0.89; FV:0.78) and withers height (FA: 0.84; FV: 0.76) were also strongly correlated. Within the entire population, males had a smaller FA (P = .005), but not FV (P = .278), than females and age was negatively associated with FA (P = .031) and FV (P < .001) diameter. Compared to ultrasound-derived measurements, body weight-predicted diameter overestimated by at least one French gauge in 32.6% and 35.2% of dogs for the FA and FV, respectively. Comparison of left and right FA and FV diameter revealed minimal mean differences, though limits of agreement could encompass multiple French gauge sizes: (Mean difference [limits of agreement]: FA = 0.00 mm [0.85-0.84 mm]; FV = 0.04 mm [1.92-1.99 mm]). Intra- and interoperator repeatability coefficients of variation were <9%. Femoral vessel diameter in dogs is influenced by multiple factors, with potential for clinically relevant differences between right- and left-sided vessels. Ultrasound measurement of femoral vessels could improve transvascular preprocedural planning.
The mechanisms underlying long-term shaft resistance enhancement of energy pile in clays

Although there are several studies indicating that heating increases the long-term shaft resistance of energy piles, the mechanisms by which heating causes this increase have not been adequately ev...
Expected economic growth and investment in corporate tax planning

This study investigates whether expected economic growth is associated with investment in corporate tax planning. We predict that higher expected economic growth increases the net present value of tax planning opportunities and that thus firms’ investment in tax planning will be higher in periods when expectations about economic growth are optimistic. Consistent with expectations, we find that changes in fees for auditor-provided tax services are positively associated with GDP growth forecasts after controlling for known determinants of tax avoidance. Using path analysis, we find that expected macroeconomic growth influences firms’ investment in tax planning directly, rather than indirectly through other investments. Cross-sectional analyses show this association is more pronounced for firms that are financially constrained and those that are more likely to experience a change in tax status. Our study highlights that growth expectations at the macroeconomic level are an important determinant of time-series variation in firm’s investment in corporate tax planning.
Building Financial Derivatives Applications with C

Preface Introduction Introduction to C++ Derivatives Valuation Tools of the Trade Valuing Forward Contracts and Interest Rate Swaps Valuing Stock Options Building Interest Rate Trees Mortgage-Backed Securities and Monte Carlo Simulation Value-At-Risk and Summary Bibliography Index
Nietzsche's Naturalism: Philosophy and the Life Sciences in the Nineteenth Century

Introduction Part I. Varieties of Philosophical Naturalism: 1. Introduction 2. The neo-Kantian stance 3. Nietzsche's 'anti-Darwinism'? 4. Psychology, experiment, and scientific practice 5. Three kinds of naturalism Part II. Evolution and the Limits of Teleology: 6. Introduction 7. Problems with purpose 8. The politics of progress 9. Naturalizing Kant 10. Genealogy and path dependence Part III. Genealogy, Nature, and Normativity: 11. Introduction 12. 'Darwinism's' metaphysical mistake 13. Living things and the will to power 14. Toward a natural history of normativity 15. 'Naturalism in morality' Bibliography Index.
Negative Control Outcomes and the Analysis of Standardized Mortality Ratios.

In occupational cohort mortality studies, epidemiologists often compare the observed number of deaths in the cohort to the expected number obtained by multiplying person-time accrued in the study cohort by the mortality rate in an external reference population. Interpretation of the result may be difficult due to non-comparability of the occupational cohort and reference population. We describe an approach to estimate an adjusted standardized mortality ratio (aSMR) to control for bias due to unmeasured differences between the occupational cohort and the reference population. The approach draws on methods developed for the use of negative control outcomes. Conditions necessary for unbiased estimation are described, as well as looser conditions necessary for bias reduction. The approach is illustrated using data on bladder cancer mortality among male Oak Ridge National Laboratory workers. The SMR for bladder cancer was elevated among hourly-paid males (SMR=1.90; 1.27, 2.72) but not among monthly-paid males (SMR=0.96; 0.67, 1.33). After indirect adjustment using the proposed approach, the mortality ratios were similar in magnitude among hourly- and monthly-paid men (aSMR=2.22; 1.52, 3.24; and, aSMR=1.99; 1.43, 2.76, respectively). The proposed adjusted SMR offers a complement to typical standardized mortality ratio analyses.
Methods of identifying membrane proteins in spirochetes.

Bacterial membrane proteins serve vital functions such as nutrient acquisition, sensation of the environment, and in gene regulation, secretion, and attachment. Proteins on the cell surface are instrumental in host-pathogen interactions and many serve as immunogens that confer protection as targets for neutralizing antibodies. Integral membrane and lipidated proteins possess hydrophobic domains or lipid anchors that interact with the lipid bilayer of cellular membranes, allowing the investigator to use hydrophobicity as a means for enrichment. The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi is a Gram negative-like microorganism that produces many integral and lipidated proteins, several of which have proven important during infection and transmission of the bacterium from the tick vector to the mammalian host. Protocols described in this unit for enriching membrane proteins have been extensively used by investigators in the study of B. burgdorferi, but can be easily adapted to identify and characterize membrane-associated and surface-exposed proteins associated with other bacteria. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 16:12C.2.1-12C.2.13. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: membrane protein; fractionation; Triton X-114; surface-exposed; protease treatment
A Journey with a Refugee Family: Raising Culturally Relevant Teaching Awareness

In a context that is increasingly becoming more diverse, we consider it essential to promote activities to develop linguistic and cultural awareness among preservice teachers. This chapter is based on the narratives of college students who when enrolled in an English as a Second Language class participated in a project where they accompanied newly resettled refugee families on their first visit to their children's school. Using narrative inquiry, the authors analyze the students’ experience and describe the impact it had on them. The students’ reflections provide evidence of their developing cultural awareness. The authors conclude that teacher educators can engage preservice students in authentic experience aimed at developing cultural awareness.
Innate immune pathways triggered by listeria monocytogenes and their role in the induction of cell-mediated immunity

Acquired cell-mediated immunity to Listeria monocytogenes is induced by infection with live, replicating bacteria that grow in the host cell cytosol, whereas killed bacteria, or those trapped in a phagosome, fail to induce protective immunity. In this chapter, we focus on how L. monocytogenes is sensed by the innate immune system, with the presumption that innate immunity affects the development of acquired immunity. Infection by L. monocytogenes induces three innate immune pathways: an MyD88-dependent pathway emanating from a phagosome leading to expression of inflammatory cytokines; a STING/IRF3-dependent pathway emanating from the cytosol leading to the expression of IFN-β and coregulated genes; and very low levels of a Caspase-1-dependent, AIM2-dependent inflammasome pathway resulting in proteolytic activation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and pyroptotic cell death. Using a combination of genetics and biochemistry, we identified the listerial ligand that activates the STING/IRF3 pathway as secreted cyclic diadenosine monophosphate, a newly discovered conserved bacterial signaling molecule. We also identified L. monocytogenes mutants that caused robust inflammasome activation due to bacteriolysis in the cytosol, release of DNA, and activation of the AIM2 inflammasome. A strain was constructed that ectopically expressed and secreted a fusion protein containing Legionella pneumophila flagellin that robustly activated the Nlrc4-dependent inflammasome and was highly attenuated in mice, also in an Nlrc4-dependent manner. Surprisingly, this strain was a poor inducer of adaptive immunity, suggesting that inflammasome activation is not necessary to induce cell-mediated immunity and may even be detrimental under some conditions. To the best of our knowledge, no single innate immune pathway is necessary to mount a robust acquired immune response to L. monocytogenes infection.
Concepts, attributes and arbitrary relations: some linguistic and ontological criteria for structuring knowledge bases

Abstract There is a subtle risk of ambiguity in the choice between concepts and roles forced by current KL-ONE-like languages, since many roles may be concepts as well. In this paper we explore the ontological foundations of the role/concept relationship, and analyze its implications on the practice of knowledge engineering. We criticize the current interpretation of KL-ONE roles as arbitrary relations, which vanishes their original meaning and makes them identical to slots. We suggest to call attributes those concepts which actually act as conceptual components, and propose a formal semantics which binds these concepts to their corresponding relations.
BASE PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS ON SHARP AND BLUNT 9 DEGREE CONES AT MACH NUMBERS FROM 3.50 TO 9.20

Abstract : Base pressure measurements were made on sharp and hemispherically blunted 9 degree cones at Mach numbers from 3.50 to 9.20. The data obtained are compared to experimental data and to data from semiempirical analyses from other sources. An empirical correlation for the base pressure data is presented. The relative contributions of base and form drag to total drag are compared.
Path-based faliure and evolution management

We present a new approach to managing failures and evolution in large, complex distributed systems using runtime paths. We use the paths that requests follow as they move through the system as our core abstraction, and our "macro" approach focuses on component interactions rather than the details of the components themselves. Paths record component performance and interactions, are user- and request-centric, and occur in sufficient volume to enable statistical analysis, all in a way that is easily reusable across applications. Automated statistical analysis of multiple paths allows for the detection and diagnosis of complex failures and the assessment of evolution issues. In particular, our approach enables significantly stronger capabilities in failure detection, failure diagnosis, impact analysis, and understanding system evolution. We explore these capabilities with three real implementations, two of which service millions of requests per day. Our contributions include the approach; the maintainable, extensible, and reusable architecture; the various statistical analysis engines; and the discussion of our experience with a high-volume production service over several years.
A Refutation of Racial Differentials in the Juvenile Recidivism Rate Hypothesis

It has repeatedly been argued that race is an important predictor of juvenile recidivism, invariably with black offenders having significantly higher odds of recidivating than white offenders (DeComo, 1998; Strom, 2000; Benda, 2001; Langan & Levin, 2002; Harms, 2003; Pope and Snyder, 2003; Puzzanchera, 2003; Stahl, 2003). This study refutes that assertion. Using data from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections in the state of Louisiana, a total of 2,810 juvenile offenders released in the 1999/2000 fiscal year were examined and a socio-demographic profile of those who were returned into the correctional system one year post release was established. The results failed to show a statistically significant difference in the likelihood of recidivating between black offenders and white offenders, leading to a conclusion that race is not an important predictor of juvenile recidivism.
Keynote Speech: Computer Vision: Object Recognition and Scene Interpretation

This invited lecture is about Computer Vision. The lecture tries to answer questions like; what is computer vision, what are its applications, how objects recognition is done, and how computers can interpret a scene or action. Basic image processing techniques such as image enhancement, edge detection, segmentation, features extraction, objects recognition and tracking are described. The lecture also explains the techniques needed to develop real-time machine vision system, face recognition system, fingerprints identification system and action recognition system. Screenshots from actually developed software are shown in Power point slides.
A statistician plays darts

Summary. Darts is enjoyed both as a pub game and as a professional competitive activity. Yet most players aim for the highest scoring region of the board, regardless of their level of skill. By modelling a dart throw as a two-dimensional Gaussian random variable, we show that this is not always the optimal strategy. We develop a method, using the EM algorithm, for a player to obtain a personalized heat map, where the bright regions correspond to the aiming locations with high (expected) pay-offs. This method does not depend in any way on our Gaussian assumption, and we discuss alternative models as well.
Science of the Inner Planets From Small Ground-Based Telescopes

For Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon, 4-m and smaller telescopes make profound contributions to our knowledge. In fact, most non-spacecraft discovery has been made with telescopes from lO-cm to 3-m aperture. There is much more that can be done with the same telescopes and improved spectroscopic and imaging instrumentation as it becomes available. Discovery with these telescopes continues as this chapter is being written. More available time with suitable instrumentation on 3-4-m telescopes would open up a new opportunity of discovery for the inner planet atmospheres and surfaces. Some examples of the science discoveries of the past, and current issues waiting to be explored, are given.
Human Behavior and the Social Environment

This article views assessment as generic to all professional social work practice and suggests that locating the teaching of the theoretical basis of assessment in the Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) sequence helps to assure the consistency of a common knowledge base for all students. The multiplicity of ideas necessary to teach the understanding of human functioning in a complex environment presents a challenge to the educator to develop a method of ordering and selecting theories which can more effectively inform professional practice and preserve professional values. The construct of the Developmental Wheel (see Figure 1 which encourages the use of a broad range of data) is presented as one method of organizing the curriculum of the HBSE sequence. It allows for more dynamic integration of social psychological phenomena and helps to ground discrete methods of intervention in a common theoretical framework.
Microsurgical revascularization of proximal vertebral artery: a single-center, single-operator analysis.

OBJECTIVE: High rates of restenosis after stenting to treat vertebral artery (VA) origin disease have revitalized interest in microsurgical revascularization for this condition. This study analyzes the outcomes of microsurgical revascularization used to treat proximal VA occlusive disease. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2007, 29 patients (19 men, 10 women; age range, 35-93 years) underwent microsurgical revascularization for proximal VA disease. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively for presenting symptoms, presence of comorbidities, target lesion characteristics, contralateral VA findings, procedure-related morbidity, and clinical and radiographic outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen, 7, and 6 patients underwent VA-to-carotid artery transposition, endarterectomy, or both, respectively. Two patients underwent subclavian endarterectomy plus vertebral endarterectomy, and 1 patient underwent carotid endarterectomy associated with VA transposition. There were no cases of periprocedural stroke or death. Permanent procedure-related neurological complications included 1 case of Horner's syndrome and 1 case of hoarseness. Two of the 27 patients available for follow-up had new neurological symptoms attributable to the vertebrobasilar system. Follow-up imaging was available for 14 patients, only 1 of whom developed restenosis, most likely related to disease progression at the site of anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical revascularization is a good alternative treatment for proximal VA occlusive disease. Randomized studies are needed to compare the efficacy of surgical revascularization and stenting, especially drug-eluting stents, for this indication.
Isolation of fatty acids covalently bound to the gastric mucus glycoprotein of normal and cystic fibrosis patients

Covalently bound fatty acids were found in strictly purified and delipidated gastric mucus glycoprotein of normal and cystic fibrosis individuals. The susceptibility of this linkage to methanolic KOH and hydroxylamine treatment indicated the ester bond between fatty acids and glycoprotein. On the average, 2.9 nmol fatty acid/mg glycoprotein were found in normal samples, and 12.2 nmol/mg glycoprotein in samples derived from cystic fibrosis. In normal gastric mucus glycoprotein the covalently linked fatty acids consisted of hexadecanoate (47.0%), octadecanoate (22.0%), tetracosanoate (5.9%), octadecenoate (14.5%) and tetracosenoate (6.0%). In cystic fibrosis mucus glycoprotein the covalently bound fatty acids were comprised mainly of hexadecanoate (36.5%), octadecanoate (48.7%) and octadecenoate (8.6%). These data indicate that cystic fibrosis gastric mucus glycoprotein is highly acylated and perhaps this is the major defect of glycoproteins in this disease.
Optimal selection of forecasts

Many studies have shown that, in general, a combination of forecasts often outperforms the forecasts of a single model or expert. In this paper we postulate that obtaining forecasts is costly, and provide models for optimally selecting them. Based on normality assumptions, we derive a dynamic programming procedure for maximizing precision net of cost. We examine the solution for cases where the forecasters are independent, correlated and biased. We provide illustrative examples for each case.
Patient-specific microheterogeneity patterns of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains as revealed by high resolution, two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Preliminary observations have indicated that both heavy and light chains of monoclonal immunoglobulin exhibit diagnostically useful microheterogeneity patterns when examined with high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and silver staining ( Clin Chem 1990; 36 : 993). The present study is a survey of the distribution and types of monoclonal light chain isoforms as observed with 2DE in a group of 68 sera and urine specimens from a cohort of 41 patients with monoclonal gammopathy. The light chain patterns were patient-specific and varied in both the type (κ, λ, charge or mass or both) and the number of isoforms present (one to six). A large proportion (31 of 41 cases, 75.6%) exhibited significant microheterogeneity, i.e., distribution of light-chains among two or more isoforms. Charge-based microheterogeneity alone occurred in 17 cases and both charge and mass isoforms were observed in 14 cases. The distribution of charge isoforms of the light chains corresponded qualitatively to the densitometric profiles of agarose gel and immunofixation electrophoresis studies. There was no correlation between heavy chain type and light chain pattern. A carbamylation assay was used to demonstrate that the chemical charge differences between the isoforms were unitary. Ascertainment of this light-chain microheterogeneity has not only proved useful in resolving some diagnostic immunoglobulin typing dilemmas but also is germane to understanding the molecular basis of neoplastic B-cell paraprotein metabolism.
Proteolytic cleavage of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and its receptor by neutrophil elastase induces growth inhibition and decreased cell surface expression of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor.

Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a serine protease stored in the primary granules of neutrophils that proteolytically cleaves multiple cytokines and cell surface proteins on release from activated neutrophils. Recent reports of mutations in the gene encoding this enzyme in some patients with neutropenic syndromes prompted us to investigate whether granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and its receptor (G-CSFR) are also substrates for NE. To further address this, we examined the effect of NE on G-CSF and the G-CSFR both in solution and on intact cells. Incubation of recombinant G-CSF or a G-CSFR form corresponding to its extracellular domain with purified NE resulted in rapid proteolytic cleavage of both proteins. Addition of NE to tissue culture medium or pretreatment of G-CSF with NE before its addition to media suppressed the growth of G-CSF–responsive cells. NE also cleaved the G-CSFR on the surface of intact cells resulting in a time-dependent reduction in cell surface expression of the G-CSFR. Notably, decreased G-CSFR surface expression resulting from treatment of cells with NE was also associated with a reduction in cell viability and proliferation in response to G-CSF. These results are the first to demonstrate that G-CSF and G-CSFR are proteolytically cleaved by NE and that NE-induced degradation of these proteins correlates with a reduction in the biologic activity of the cytokine and a decrease in the signaling function of the receptor because of decreased G-CSFR surface expression. These findings provide additional insights into mechanisms by which G-CSF/G-CSFR interactions may be modulated. Am. J. Hematol. 74:149–155, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of hydrogen peroxide on oxidation of copper in CMP slurries containing glycine and Cu ions

Abstract This study compares the oxidative dissolution, passivation, and polishing behavior of copper chemical–mechanical polishing in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, glycine, and copper sulfate. High purity discs were used to study the dissolution and oxidation kinetics under static and dynamic conditions at pH 4 with varying H2O2 concentrations. Changes in surface chemistry of the statically etched copper disc were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the presence of H2O2, the copper removal rate reached a maximum at 1% H2O2 concentration, and decreased with further increase in H2O2 concentration. Electrochemical studies indicate a strong passivation process at higher H2O2 concentrations due to the rapid formation of oxide on the surface. With the further addition of glycine and copper sulfate to the slurry, the copper removal rates increased significantly and the maximum removal rate shifted to a H2O2 concentration of 3%. Electrochemical investigation indicates an enhanced dissolution of copper, which might be due to the strong catalytic activity of Cu(II)–glycine complexes in decomposing H2O2 to yield hydroxyl radicals. XPS results suggest that the passivation at higher H2O2 concentrations in the presence of glycine and copper sulfate is provided by the OH radicals adsorbed on Cu surface.
The Social Psychology of Cramming

Several questionnaire, interview, and observational studies on a university campus revealed that students believe cramming is most useful in courses which required considerable memorization and is least useful when individual thought or creativity are called for. About two-thirds of the students questioned were dissatisfied with their study habits and there was more dissatisfaction among students doing poorly. Examination time is stressful and disturbances of sleep, eating, and general body condition are widespread. Such disturbances are proportionately greater among poor students. Cramming must be considered as an adaptation to a particular sort of evaluational system and cannot be understood without reference to the student role.
The timely diagnosis of breast cancer: Principles of risk management for primary care providers and surgeons

Alleged delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most common reasons for medical malpractice claims in the United States, accounting for the largest indemnity payments of any single medical condition. Although the diagnosis of breast cancer can be challenging and sometimes difficult, principles of management exist to assist health providers in pursuing a resolution of any breast complaint. Studies have shown that when litigation is pursued for alleged failure to diagnose breast cancer, multiple specialists are named in the suit. In most cases, patients filing claims of alleged failure to diagnose breast cancer are premenopausal, while the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer are postmenopausal
Actin-related proteins (Arps): conformational switches for chromatin-remodeling machines?

The actin superfamily of ATPases includes cytoskeletal actins, the stress 70 proteins (e.g. hsc70), sugar kinases, glycerol kinase, and several prokaryotic cell cycle proteins. Although these proteins share limited sequence identity, they all appear to maintain a similar tertiary structure, the “actin fold”, which may serve to couple ATP hydrolysis to protein conformational changes. Recently, an actin-related protein (Arp) subfamily has been identified based on sequence homology to conventional actin. Although some Arps are clearly involved in cytoskeletal functions, both actin and/or Arps have been found as stoichiometric subunits of several nuclear chromatin-remodeling enzymes. Here we present two related models in which actin and/or Arps function as conformational switches that control either the activity or the assembly of chromatin-remodeling machines. BioEssays 22:666–672, 2000. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Accuracy of diagnostic heat and moisture budgets using SESAME-79 field data as revealed by observing system simulation experiments

Observing system simulation experiments are used to investigate the accuracy of diagnostic heat and moisture budgets which employ the AVE-SESAME 1979 data. The time-including, four-dimensional data set of a mesoscale model is used to simulate rawinsonde observations from AVE-SESAME 1979. The 5 C/day (heat budget) and 2 g/kg per day (moisture budget) magnitudes of error obtained indicate difficulties in the diagnosis of the heating rate in weak convective systems. The influences exerted by observational frequency, objective analysis, observational density, vertical interpolation, and observational errors on the budget are also studied, and it is found that the temporal and spatial resolution of the SESAME regional network is marginal for diagnosing convective effects on a horizontal time scale of 550 x 550 km.
Neutral Current π0 Interactions at MiniBooNE

MiniBooNE, the Mini Booster Neutrino Experiment at Fermilab, will search for the appearance of electron neutrinos in a beam of muon neutrinos, and in the process will accumulate more neutrino interactions in the 0 − 2 GeV energy range than all past experiments. This work presents preliminary results from the neutral current π 0 analysis at MiniBooNE, with comparisons of the NUANCE, NEUGEN, and NEUT neutrino cross section Monte Carlos. Also presented are comparisons of three Monte Carlo simulations with MiniBooNE data taken during the running period from September, 2002, to September, 2003.
Nanocrystal superlattices that exhibit improved order on heating: an example of inverse melting?

Grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) measurements reveal that superlattices of 1.7 nm diameter, gold (Au) nanocrystals capped with octadecanethiol become significantly more ordered when heated to moderate temperatures (50–60 °C). This enhancement in order is reversible and the superlattice returns to its initially disordered structure when cooled back to room temperature. Disorder–order transition temperatures were estimated from the GISAXS data using the Hansen–Verlet criterion. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements of the superlattices exhibited exotherms (associated with disordering during cooling) and endotherms (associated with ordering during heating) near the transition temperatures. The superlattice transition temperatures also correspond approximately to the melting and solidification points of octadecanethiol. Therefore, it appears that a change in capping ligand packing that occurs upon ligand melting underlies the structural transition of the superlattices. We liken the heat-induced ordering of the superlattices to an inverse melting transition.
Cholecysto-urachal fistula

The urachus is an embryonic remnant that connects the primitive bladder to the allantois. Multiple urachal anomalies have been described, including the urachal sinus, urachal cyst, patent urachus, and urachal diverticulum. We describe an unusual case in which a patient with urinary tract infection and dysuria was ultimately found to have urinary gallstones from a urachal connection with the gallbladder.
INVARIANT KNOTS OF FREE INVOLUTIONS OF S4

We show that knots invariant under a free involution of S4 are unique up to equivariant concordance. We also give an easy construction of the unique non-smooth homotopy RP4.