cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thought probes during prospective memory encoding: Evidence for perfunctory processes.

For nearly 50 years, psychologists have studied prospective memory, or the ability to execute delayed intentions. Yet, there remains a gap in understanding as to whether initial encoding of the intention must be elaborative and strategic, or whether some components of successful encoding can occur in a perfunctory, transient manner. In eight studies (N = 680), we instructed participants to remember to press the Q key if they saw words representing fruits (cue) during an ongoing lexical decision task. They then typed what they were thinking and responded whether they encoded fruits as a general category, as specific exemplars, or hardly thought about it at all. Consistent with the perfunctory view, participants often reported mind wandering (42.9%) and hardly thinking about the prospective memory task (22.5%). Even though participants were given a general category cue, many participants generated specific category exemplars (34.5%). Bayesian analyses of encoding durations indicated that specific exemplars came to mind in a perfunctory manner rather than via strategic, elaborative mechanisms. Few participants correctly guessed the research hypotheses and changing from fruit category cues to initial-letter cues eliminated reports of specific exemplar generation, thereby arguing against demand characteristics in the thought probe procedure. In a final experiment, encoding duration was unrelated to prospective memory performance; however, specific-exemplar encoders outperformed general-category encoders with no ongoing task monitoring costs. Our findings reveal substantial variability in intention encoding, and demonstrate that some components of prospective memory encoding can be done “in passing.”
Biochemical Markers of Coronary Recanalization After Fibrinolytic Therapy

Rapid assessment of coronary patency in patients receiving intravenous fibrinolytic agents for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction is needed to identify those in whom adequate or sustained patency has not been achieved who could benefit from secondary mechanical interventions (e.g., coronary angioplasty and surgical revascularization). Because delayed initiation of secondary interventions will impede salvage of ischemic myocardium, markers chosen to assess the success of fibrinolytic therapy should have qualities including: 1) sensitivity to coronary recanalization within minutes of its occurrence facilitating prospective diagnosis; 2) rapidity for virtual online acquisition of results; and 3) specificity for persistent and complete recanalization, because those patients exhibiting transitory or incomplete recanalization may benefit from additional interventions as much as those with persistent arterial occlusion. Among these qualities, high specificity for arteries potentially in need of additional intervention is the most important, even if a modest number of patients with patent vessels are falsely identified as having an occluded artery.
Profile Maximum Likelihood is Optimal for Estimating KL Divergence

Estimating distribution properties and information measures is an important problem in many fields. The class of symmetric properties have received particular attention. We extend the framework of symmetric property estimation to properties of collection of distributions, and show that a simple plug-in maximum likelihood based method is competitive for estimating any symmetric property. Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence is a symmetric property of a pair of distributions, for which we show that the profile maximum likelihood based approach is sample optimal.
Role of oncostatin M (OSM) in prostate cancer

3491 Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleotropic cytokine belonging to the IL-6 family. OSM signals through the OSM receptor (OSMR), a heterodimer of OSMRβ and gp-130, and to a lesser extent, the LIFR, a heterodimer of LIFRβ and gp-130. In prostate cancer, the presence of OSMR is correlated with tumor progression and increasing Gleason score. Our in vitro studies involving human prostate cancer demonstrate that OSM may promote tumor progression by enhancing prostate cancer cell proliferation, expression of pro-angiogenic factors, cell detachment, and invasiveness. In DU-145 cells, OSM stimulates a 200% increase in proliferation and cell detachment and a 400% increase in invasiveness, as measured by the Matrigel invasion chamber assay. In addition, OSM induces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Collectively, this data suggests that OSM may play a role in the progression of prostate cancer. The inhibition of OSM or blockade of OSM signaling, as a means of slowing tumor progression, is intriguing. Our findings may provide the rationale for experimental anti-OSM therapeutics that inhibit tumor metastasis and slow tumor progression.
Rules of the Game for Emerging Market Firms

The prominence of multinational firms from emerging markets (EMFs) has challenged our assumptions about the nature of global competition and corresponding strategy. We use an inductive-approach ana...
Successive carbene insertion into 9-phenyl-9-borafluorene.

The reactions of 9-phenyl-9-borafluorene with trimethylsilyldiazomethane in a 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 stoichiometry furnished the corresponding BC5 and BC6 heterocycles via the formal insertion of one and two carbene units.
Sydenham's Chorea.

Abstract Background Sydenham's chorea is the most common acquired movement disorder of adolescence. This clinical manifestation of acute rheumatic fever has a clear and documented relationship with Group A streptococcal infections. The symptoms are involuntary choreiform movements that can affect the face and all extremities. The pathophysiology remains unclear. Case Report A 12-year-old female was brought to the emergency department with a 2-week history of involuntary muscle spasms of her right arm and leg. Her parents reported intermittent slurred speech and difficulty grasping utensils. Physical examination revealed an awake, alert, age-appropriate female with normal cranial nerves. Patient was found to have choreoathetoid movements on the right extremities with dystonia of right leg with ambulation. Neurology consultation, computed tomography of the head, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not show any acute pathology. Echocardiogram did show mild tricuspid regurgitation, suggestive of rheumatic fever. Anti-streptolysin O titer was markedly elevated, along with DNAse-B antibodies. The patient had marked improvement of movement disorder at just over 1 week later. Why Should An Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Sydenham's chorea is a rare but important movement disorder often related to Group A streptococcus and rheumatic fever. The incidence of rheumatic fever has been decreasing in North America but continues to be much more prevalent in developing countries as well as immigrant populations. This diagnosis is rare and can occasionally be misdiagnosed as a “fidgety” child or as a psychiatric manifestation. Sydenham's chorea is important to diagnose because acute treatment and prophylactic antibiotics can help improve symptoms and minimize cardiac damage.
Inducible cardiac-specific overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) confers resistance to ischemia/reperfusion injury

The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cardiovascular biology remains controversial. Although COX-2 has been reported to mediate the protective actions of late preconditioning, other studies show that it is also an important mediator of inflammation, toxic shock, and apoptosis, resulting in significant dysfunction and injury in several tissues. To determine whether increased myocardial COX-2, in itself, is protective, cardiac-specific, inducible (Tet-off) COX-2 transgenic (iCOX-2 TG) mice were generated by crossbreeding α-MyHC-tTA transgenic mice (tetracycline transactivator [tTA]) with CMV/TRE-COX-2 transgenic mice. Three months after COX-2 induction, mice were subjected to a 30-min coronary occlusion and 24 h of reperfusion. Three different lines (L5, L7, and L8) of iCOX-2 TG mice were studied; in all three lines, infarct size was markedly reduced compared with WT mice: L5 TG/TG 23.4 ± 5.8 vs. WT/WT 48.5 ± 6.1% of risk region; L7 TG/TG 23.2 ± 6.2 vs. WT/WT 53.3 ± 3.6%; and L8 TG/TG 23.5 ± 2.8 vs. WT/WT 52.7 ± 4.6% (P < 0.05 for each). COX-2 inhibition with NS-398 completely abolished the cardioprotection provided by COX-2 overexpression. This study for the first time utilizes an inducible cardiac-specific COX-2 overexpression system to examine the role of this enzyme in ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo. We demonstrate that induced cardiac-specific overexpression of COX-2 exerts a potent cardioprotective effect against myocardial infarction in mice, and that chronic COX-2 overexpression is not associated with any apparent deleterious effects. We also show that PGE2 levels are upregulated in COX-2 overexpressing cardiac tissue, confirming increased enzyme activity. Finally, we have developed a valuable genetic tool to further our understanding of the role of COX-2 in ischemia/reperfusion injury and other settings. The concept that COX-2 is chronically protective has important therapeutic implications for studies of long-term gene therapy aimed at increasing myocardial COX-2 content as well as other COX-2- based strategies.
Genomic knowledge in the context of diagnostic exome sequencing: changes over time, persistent subgroup differences, and associations with psychological sequencing outcomes.

People undergoing diagnostic genome-scale sequencing are expected to have better psychological outcomes when they can incorporate and act on accurate, relevant knowledge that supports informed decision making. This longitudinal study used data from the North Carolina Clinical Genomic Evaluation by NextGen Exome Sequencing Study (NCGENES) of diagnostic exome sequencing to evaluate associations between factual genomic knowledge (measured with the University of North Carolina Genomic Knowledge Scale at three assessments from baseline to after return of results) and sequencing outcomes that reflected participants’ perceived understanding of the study and sequencing, regret for joining the study, and responses to learning sequencing results. It also investigated differences in genomic knowledge associated with subgroups differing in race/ethnicity, income, education, health literacy, English proficiency, and prior genetic testing. Multivariate models revealed higher genomic knowledge at baseline for non-Hispanic Whites and those with higher income, education, and health literacy (p values < 0.001). These subgroup differences persisted across study assessments despite a general increase in knowledge among all groups. Greater baseline genomic knowledge was associated with lower test-related distress (p = 0.047) and greater perceived understanding of diagnostic genomic sequencing (p values 0.04 to <0.001). Findings extend understanding of the role of genomic knowledge in psychological outcomes of diagnostic exome sequencing, providing guidance for additional research and interventions.
Development of a New Version of the REMUS 6000 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The Oceanographic Systems Laboratory of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has developed a line of 6000m meter rated vehicles to perform underwater searches and ocean floor mapping. A recent upgrade of the original vehicle has been implemented to help transition to a fully redesigned version of the Remus 6000. While maintaining the REMUS 6000 name, the newly designed vehicle is larger at 51.3 cm diameter, 434cm long, and a weight of 1090Kg. Missions duration has been extended up to 36-hours, effectively doubling vehicle endurance over existing REMUS 6000s by adding a third battery housing and optimizing the electronics and power management.
Protease Amplification of the Inflammatory Response Induced by Commensal Bacteria: Implications for Racial Disparity in Term and Preterm Birth

Decidual macrophages secrete proteases that activate protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1). We hypothesized that activation of the inflammatory response by bacteria is amplified by proteases, initiating labor. In addition, we hypothesized that commensal bacteria trigger an inflammatory response by activating NF-κB and TET methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), a DNA de-methylase, via a protease amplified PAR-1, RhoA kinase (ROCK) pathway. To evaluate these hypotheses, we compared responses of mononuclear cells with Lactobacillus crispatus, prevalent in the vaginal microbiome of women of European ancestry, with L. iners and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which are more prevalent in vaginal samples collected from African-American women. Decidual tissue was collected at term not-in-labor (TNL), term labor (TL), spontaneous preterm labor (sPTL), and infected preterm labor (iPTL) and immunostained for PAR-1, TET2, and CD14. Mononuclear cells and THP-1 macrophage cells were treated with bacteria and elastase, a known activator of PAR-1. The inflammatory response was monitored by confocal microscopy of TET2 and the p65 subunit of NF-κB, as well as IL-8 production. Decidual staining for PAR-1, TET2, and CD14 increased TNL < TL < sPTL < iPTL. All treatments stimulated translocation of TET2 and p65 from the cytosol to the nucleus and increased IL-8, but L. iners and F. nucleatum caused more robust responses than L. crispatus. Inhibition of PAR-1 or ROCK prevented TET2 and p65 nuclear translocalization and increases in IL-8. Our findings demonstrate that proteases amplify the inflammatory response to commensal bacteria. The more robust response to bacteria prevalent in African-American women may contribute to racial disparities in preterm birth.
E-074 Correlation of baseline NLR and CTP imaging in selected patients with large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke

Purpose Many pieces of evidence in the literature suggest that Neutrophils-Lymphocytes ratio (NLR) can be used as an inexpensive biomarker to assess the degree of inflammation for multiple diseases including cancer, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, and sepsis. Cerebral infarction leads to an inflammatory response, ischemic tissue release proinflammatory chemokines which activates leukocytes and enhance their trans-endothelial migration to the site of inflammation. Metanalysis has suggested that baseline NLR is a promising predictor of ischemic stroke clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between baseline NLR in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and their imaging selection for endovascular treatment (ET). Materials and Methods We reviewed our prospective stroke intervention database from Nov 2015 to June 2019 for patients that underwent ET for LVO with an admission NLR. Patients were excluded from the study if they received corticosteroids or had any history of infectious/systemic disease prior to the development of stroke symptoms. We studied patient demographics, vascular risk factors, NIHSS on admission, data from imaging (NCCT ASPECT, CTP rCBF 6s and mismatch ratio), and 90 days outcome measured by mRS. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 17, univariate analysis was conducted between age, NLR, NIHSS, data from imaging and mRS using a correlation coefficient. Results Seventy-eight met our inclusion criteria (mean age, 67 ± 19; 39% women, mean NIHSS, 17 ± 6), 95% (n=74) were due to anterior circulation LVO while only 5%(n=4) were due to posterior circulation LVO occlusion. There was a significant positive correlation between NLR and rCBF 6s representing the volume of ischemic tissue (p=0.09). Predictably, NLR was not correlating with 90-days mRS (p=0.703) as all patients in our cohort underwent ET, nevertheless, there was a significant correlation between age and 90-days mRS (p=0.001). Conclusions NLR is an inexpensive and readily available biomarker that correlates with CTP predicted core infarction volume in LVO ischemic stroke. However, in CTP selected patients with relatively small core infarct volumes, NLR may not predict 90-day mRS as endovascular treatment salvages ischemic tissue, minimizes final infarct volume, and suggests follow-up NLR may be more valuable predictor of clinical outcome. Disclosures M. Aly: None. R. Abdalla: None. M. Hurley: None. A. Shaibani: None. S. Ansari: None.
Modelo de maturidade aplicado à células de soldagem robotizada: uma proposta baseada no modelo CMMI

A alta competitividade da industria atualmente faz com que a busca por modernizacao e melhoria nos processos passe a ser fundamental. A automacao dos processos de soldagem oferece inumeros beneficios para empresas, passando por maior produtividade e consistencia de solda ate custos mais baixos para producao, mao de obra e materiais, seguranca e qualidade. A Industria 4.0 propoe deixar a industria ainda mais automatizada, de forma que as maquinas dotadas de sensores conseguirao se comunicar entre si e assim tornar o processo ainda mais eficiente e permite um acompanhamento em tempo real do que ocorre no processo de soldagem, proporcionando tambem que a maquina ou robo seja o inspetor de qualidade do processo. Diante disso, percebe-se que surgem barreiras para que os projetos de soldagem automatizada nao atinjam o resultado esperado devido a fares internos e externos. Um modelo de maturidade e uma forma para avaliar o quao habil uma empresa e para gerenciar e implementar seus projetos, isso significa que ele possibilita a identificacao do nivel da maturidade e, assim, ajuda a empresa a definir o melhor caminho para que o sucesso pleno do projeto seja alcancado. Entre todos os modelos que ajudam na avaliacao da maturidade, o CMM pode ser considerado como o seu primogenito. Existem varias formas de se validar um modelo de maturidade, entre elas a proposta neste artigo, por meio da avaliacao de especialistas da area de soldagem robotizada e utilizadores dos sistemas. A validacao deste modelo obteve exito pois conforme proposto todas as medias das notas obtidas ficaram acima de 3. Como principal resultado, este trabalho apresenta um modelo de maturidade focado a celulas de soldagem robotizada, o que representa uma lacuna na literatura existente. http://dx.doi.org/10.18226/23185279.v8iss2p218
Federated Learning: Opportunities and Challenges.

Federated Learning (FL) is a concept first introduced by Google in 2016, in which multiple devices collaboratively learn a machine learning model without sharing their private data under the supervision of a central server. This offers ample opportunities in critical domains such as healthcare, finance etc, where it is risky to share private user information to other organisations or devices. While FL appears to be a promising Machine Learning (ML) technique to keep the local data private, it is also vulnerable to attacks like other ML models. Given the growing interest in the FL domain, this report discusses the opportunities and challenges in federated learning.
Evaluation of stress and anxiety caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in pediatric radiology.

Work-related stress and burnout were documented to be high among pediatric radiologists prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. New challenges arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially introducing new stressors and anxieties. To evaluate potential sources of stress and anxiety for pediatric radiology faculty during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a survey of attending physician members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology in North America from April 27, 2020, to May 22, 2020. The response rate was 21% (251/1,206). Survey questions included demographic information and questions regarding working remotely, personal protective equipment, redeployment, personal wellness, wellness resources and financial concerns. A psychometrician reviewed the questions to ensure minimal risk of misinterpretation. Median age of respondents was 48 years (range 33–70 years) with median number of years in practice of 14 (range 1–45 years). Fifty-three percent of respondents were women and 46% were men. Because of an increase in remote work, 69% of respondents endorsed feeling more isolated from a lack of regular interaction with colleagues. Fifty-three percent of respondents indicated that it is challenging to work remotely while overseeing home schooling for children. In comparison to men, women reported overall higher work-related stress and anxiety (P=0.02), higher feelings of guilt from radiology staff (i.e. technologists and nurses) being more exposed to COVID-19 (P=0.02) and higher levels of stress providing for dependents (P=0.04). Most respondents thought that departmental leadership was effective and respondents were not concerned about meeting financial obligations or job loss. The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic caused additional stress and anxiety for pediatric radiology faculty and disproportionally affected women. Given the continuously evolving state of the COVID-19 pandemic, these results could aid in planning and implementation of future strategies to combat burnout in radiology. Specific attention should be directed to different stressors experienced by female versus male radiologists, especially in regard to dependent care.
Evaluation of podocyte Rac-1 induced kidney disease by modulation of TRPC5

Abstract Background Transient receptor potential channel 5 (TRPC5) is a non-selective cationic ion channel expressed in brain, kidney and other organs where its activation underlies podocyte injury in chronic kidney diseases. Specifically, it has been suggested that a podocyte TRPC5 plasma membrane relocation and channel activation following injury results from activation of Rac-1, propagating podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria. However, previous TRPC5 transgenic mouse studies had questioned a pathogenic role for TRPC5 in podocytes. This investigation was designed to specifically evaluate podocyte Rac-1 activation in the context of functional TRPC5 or a TRPC5 pore mutant to assess effects on proteinuria. Materials and Methods We employed single cell patch-clamp studies of cultured podocytes and studied proteinuria in transgenic mouse models to characterize the effects of TRPC5 following podocyte Rac-1 activation. Results Inhibition of TRPC5 by small molecules reportedly ameliorated proteinuria in murine models of proteinuric kidney diseases. In order to directly examine TRPC5 function following Rac-1-induced podocyte injury, we analyzed TRPC5 inhibition in podocyte specific Rac-1 (active) transgenic mice. In addition, we generated a double-transgenic mouse constitutively overexpressing either TRPC5 (TRPC5WT) or a TRPC5 dominant-negative pore mutant (TRPC5DN) in concert with podocyte specific and inducible activation of active Rac-1 (Rac-1Dtg). In electrophysiological experiments, active TRPC5 was detected in primary podocytes overexpressing TRPC5 but not in podocytes with endogenous TRPC5 expression, nor with Rac-1 overexpressing podocytes. TRPC5 inhibition did not change proteinuria in mice with active podocyte Rac-1, nor did an increase or loss of TRPC5 activity affected podocyte injury in Rac-1Dtg animals. Administration of TRPC5 inhibitors, ML204 and AC1903, did not alleviate podocyte Rac-1 induced proteinuria. Conclusion TRPC5 inhibition did not modify podocyte Rac-1 induced proteinuria in mice. Significance Statement TRPC5 is a calcium conducting ion channel involved in a plethora of biological functions in the brain, kidney and other organs. In proteinuric kidney diseases, others proposed a model that links activation of small GTPase Rac-1 in podocytes to activation of TRPC5 channels propagating cellular injury and eventually leading to progressive kidney disease. To test this hypothesis, we have developed a novel transgenic mouse model that employs podocyte Rac-1 activation in the presence or absence of a functional TRPC5 channel. Our data shows that transgenic mice with activated Rac-1 in podocytes did not enhance endogenous TRPC5 expression or its activity. Furthermore, TRPC5 blockade or activation did not modify Rac-1 induced proteinuria in mice.
AutoCAD for mechanical engineers and designers

AutoCAD's mechanical capabilities two dimensional mechanical drawings dimensioning blocks and Xrefs working in three dimensions surfacing customizing AutoCAD resource acquisition and management project management design to production work groups.
Oral narrative and analysis of one African American female's struggle for success in higher education

This research study utilized the qualitative method of narrative inquiry to create and analyze the oral narrative of one African American female's struggle for success in higher education. This method allowed investigation of life experiences meaningful to the participant-narrator's success in higher education to be accomplished in collaboration \\ ith the participant-narrator: a student voice was heard and preser\'ed. The oral narrative was then analyzed by the researcher in order to identify and examine elements (family and individual characteristics, life events, interactions, personal meanings) relevant to factors that have been identified by existing research findings as related to student development, especially African-American persistence in higher education. Traditional research in higher education is highly quantitative and Eurocentric. The contribution of this extremely focused research is found in an analysis of the personal insights and meanings that will assist practitioners and researchers whose counseling styles, teaching methods, policies, practices and theories are designed to deal with large, diverse groups, but which dramatically affect individual lives
The relation between marginal product and price in US energy markets: Implications for climate change policy☆

Abstract This paper reports an empirical test of the axioms that describe the relationship between the marginal product and price of factor inputs in US energy markets. To do so, I estimate a reduced form of a production function that represents the amounts of various energy types that are required to produce a given level of output. The partial derivative of this production function is used to calculate the change in output that is generated by a marginal change in the use of coal, oil, natural gas or electricity. A partial adjustment model is used to estimate the relation between the marginal product and price of coal, oil, natural gas and electricity. The results indicate that rational agents manipulate their use of coal, oil, natural gas and electricity so that the marginal product of these energies adjust to changes in the relative prices of these energies. Because the marginal products of oil and natural gas are greater than coal, less than one heat unit of oil or natural gas is needed to substitute for one unit of coal and this increases the quantity of carbon emissions that can be abated by interfuel substitution. The time required to achieve these reductions may be longer than thought previously because of the slow rate at which the relative marginal product adjusts to relative price.
A two-tier technique for supporting quantifiers in a lazily proof-explicating theorem prover

Lazy proof explication is a theorem-proving architecture that allows a combination of Nelson-Oppen-style decision procedures to leverage a SAT solver's ability to perform propositional reasoning efficiently. The SAT solver finds ways to satisfy a given formula propositionally, while the various decision procedures perform theory reasoning to block propositionally satisfied instances that are not consistent with the theories. Supporting quantifiers in this architecture poses a challenge as quantifier instantiations can dynamically introduce boolean structure in the formula, requiring a tighter interleaving between propositional and theory reasoning. This paper proposes handling quantifiers by using two SAT solvers, thereby separating the propositional reasoning of the input formula from that of the instantiated formulas. This technique can then reduce the propositional search space, as the paper demonstrates. The technique can use off-the-shelf SAT solvers and requires only that the theories are checkpointable.
The sensitivity of forest water use to the timing of precipitation and snowmelt recharge in the California Sierra: Implications for a warming climate

[1] Forest responses to warming, in the absence of changes in vegetation structure, reflect the balance between the increased atmospheric demand for water and changes in water availability. This study uses a coupled hydroecologic model applied to a snow-dominated mountain watershed to demonstrate how complex topography and interannual variation in climate drivers combine to alter the balance between moisture availability and energy demand. We focus specifically on how often and under what conditions changes in the timing of soil water recharge as precipitation or snowmelt are a significant control on forest actual evapotranspiration (AET) in the Central California Sierra. We show that while interannual variation in precipitation is the dominant control on interannual variation in AET, how much of that recharge accumulates as a seasonal snowpack can act as a second-order control. This sensitivity of AET to snow accumulation and melt occurs across a substantial elevation range (1800–2700 m) and at both aggregate watershed and 90 m patch scales. Model results suggest that the variation in AET due to recharge timing is greatest for patches and years with moderate levels of precipitation or patches that receive substantial lateral moisture inputs. For a 3°C warming scenario, the annual AET increases in some years due to warmer temperatures but decreases by as much as 40% in other years due to an earlier timing of snowmelt. These results help to clarify the conditions under which water availability for forests decreases and highlight scenarios that may lead to increased drought stress under a warming climate in snow-dominated mountain regions.
MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE IN MICE: MINIMAL INFECTIOUS DOSE, RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAINING QUALITY AND INFECTIVITY, AND EFFECT OF CORTISONE.

Shepard, Charles C. (Communicable Disease Center, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Ga.), and Dorothy H. McRae. Mycobacterium leprae in mice: minimal infectious dose, relationship between staining quality and infectivity, and effect of cortisone. J. Bacteriol. 89:365–372. 1965.—The minimal infectious dose of Mycobacterium leprae in mouse foot pads was found to be on the order of 10 solidly staining bacilli. In a titration experiment, the actual number found was 3.4 to 34 solid bacilli, and the order of magnitude was confirmed by experience with inocula containing varying numbers of solidly staining leprosy bacilli from mouse passage and from clinical sources. The acid-fast staining quality of leprosy bacilli was related in a useful way to the subsequent rate at which bacillary growth appeared. When the proportion of solidly staining bacilli was high, the calculated generation time was shortest, and the lower the proportion, the longer the generation times. The results were in accord with the hypothesis that all viable bacilli are solid, and that when they die, most of them become nonsolid. Varying proportions of the dead bacilli, perhaps up to 10%, remain solid, at least temporarily. The growth curve of M. leprae in mice was followed in several experiments with total counts of acid-fast bacteria and determination of the ratio of solid bacilli. What had been called a maximal stationary phase was seen to consist of sequential phases of conversion of solid to nonsolid bacilli (death), reappearance of solid bacilli (growth), and conversion of solid to nonsolid bacilli (death). When cortisone was administered, leprosy bacilli grew somewhat more slowly during the logarithmic phase, but attained a higher level, especially of solidly staining bacilli.
Reducing redundant learning

ABSTRACT A principle of learning is proposed to help design and improve incremental learning algorithms. The principle of nonredundant learning is defined and related to the basic measures of number of instances required, processing time per instance, and prediction accuracy. An algorithm, CORA, was designed to exploit this principle, and its empirical behavior was compared to another algorithm that does not exploit the principle in the same way. A limitation of CORA is presented that suggests a second example of the learning principle. The paper argues for the significance of CORA as an incremental learner and for the more general significance of the learning principle.
Director of anesthesiology for liver transplantation: existing practices and recommendations by the United Network for Organ Sharing.

A new Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing bylaw recommends that all centers appoint a director of liver transplant anesthesia with a uniform set of criteria. We obtained survey data from the Liver Transplant Anesthesia Consortium so that we could compare existing criteria for a director in the United States with the current recommendations. The data set included responses from adult academic liver transplant programs before the new bylaw. The respondent rates were within statistical limits to exclude sampling bias. All centers had a director of liver transplant anesthesia. The criteria varied between institutions, and the data suggest that the availability of resources influenced the choice of criteria. The information suggests that the criteria used in the new bylaw reflect existing practices. The bylaw plays an important role in supporting emerging leadership roles in liver transplant anesthesia and brings greater uniformity to the directorship position. Liver Transpl 19:425–430, 2013. © 2013 AASLD.
Developmental Toxicity Assays Using the Drosophila Model

The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) has long been a premier model for developmental biologists and geneticists. In toxicology studies, Drosophila has only recently gained broader recognition as a tool to elaborate molecular genetic mechanisms of toxic substances. In this article, two practical applications of Drosophila for developmental toxicity assays are described. The first assay takes advantage of newly developed methods to render the fly embryo accessible to small molecules, toxicants, and drugs. The second assay engages straightforward exposures to developing larvae and easy-to-score outcomes of adult development. With the extensive collections of flies that are publicly available and the ease of creating transgenic flies, these two assays have a unique power for identifying and characterizing molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways specific to the mode of action of a number of toxicants and drugs.
Updated analysis of NN elastic scattering data to 1.6 GeV

An energy-dependent and set of single-energy partial-wave analyses of NN elastic scattering data have been completed. The fit to 1.6 GeV has been supplemented with a low-energy analysis to 400 MeV. Using the low-energy fit, we study the sensitivity of our analysis to the choice of \ensuremath{\pi}NN coupling constant. We also comment on the possibility of fitting np data alone. These results are compared with those found in the recent Nijmegen analyses.
A case study for integrating public safety data using semantic technologies

Information about public safety has become critical for government organizations, non-government organizations and citizens in general. It enables informed decisions to be made by individuals, as well as guides the creation of public policies. As with many domains, information on public safety is usually spread across different organizations, described in different formats and published at different levels of granularity and richness. In this paper, we present work done on a web-based portal that aggregates and displays public safety information for the city of Troy, New York. This portal shows how the use of semantic technologies facilitates the integration of multiple data sources with disparate characteristics. The portal demonstrates two types of functionality: First, it shows different examples of integration of public safety information through a variety of examples and visualizations. Second, it acts as a source of semantified data that third-party developers can use in their own applications.
A general simulation model for information systems: A report on a modelling concept

It is possible to simulate a variety of classes of systems with a single model structure by describing the systems in terms of their information flows. The design and application of such a model is presented and discussed.
Frequency and significance of concurrent hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody in acute and chronic hepatitis B

Abstract Of 228 consecutive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients who had simultaneous hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) determinations, HBsAg and anti-HBs were found concurrently in 73 (32%). Concurrence was found with greater frequency in patients with chronic active hepatitis than in those with acute hepatitis (3657 vs. 1338, p ad was found with antibody to subdeterminant y and in four instances, HBsAg subtype ay was found with antibody to subdeterminant d . Only 1 patient had homotypic HBsAg and anti-HBs. Of 38 patients who had successive determinations, concurrence was constant in 29. In 9 others, anti-HBs was detected intermittently and the heterotypia of the recurrent antibody remained constant. Antibody to hepatitis δ-virus was not detected. We conclude that concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs are found frequently in acute and chronic hepatitis B. The markers are commonly heterotypic in chronic disease. The presence of heterotypic markers is not associated with specific risk factors or δ-infection. Concurrence is associated with evidence of viral replication and features of active inflammation.
Detailed rupture imaging of the 25 April 2015 Nepal earthquake using teleseismic P waves

We analyze the rupture process of the 25 April 2015 Nepal earthquake with globally recorded teleseismic P waves. The rupture propagated east-southeast from the hypocenter for about 160 km with a duration of ∼55 s. Backprojection of both high-frequency (HF, 0.2 to 3 Hz) and low-frequency (LF, 0.05 to 0.2 Hz) P waves suggest a multistage rupture process. From the low-frequency images, we resolve an initial slow downdip (northward) rupture near the nucleation area for the first 20 s (Stage 1), followed by two faster updip ruptures (20 to 40 s for Stage 2 and 40 to 55 s for Stage 3), which released most of the radiated energy northeast of Kathmandu. The centroid rupture power from LF backprojection agrees well with the Global Centroid Moment Tensor solution. The spatial resolution of the backprojection images is validated by applying similar analysis to nearby aftershocks. The overall rupture pattern agrees well with the aftershock distribution. A multiple-asperity model could explain the observed multistage rupture and aftershock distribution.
Trade and capital-account liberalization in a keynesian economy

This paper analyzes the process of trade and capital-account liberalization in a Keynesian framework with unemployed resources. Previous studies on this subject have ignored the potential interactions between the liberalization process and the pre-existing distortions in the economy. This paper derives the optimal liberalization policy (given the Keynesian context) and solves for explicit formulas for the import tariffs and the capital-account tax in a two-period general equilibrium model. It is argued that a trade reform is likely to have recessionary effects in the short run if the capital account has already been liberalized.
Equilibrium and Dynamic Interfacial Tension Measurements at Microscopic Interfaces Using a Micropipet Technique. 1. A New Method for Determination of Interfacial Tension

A new micropipet technique has been developed to measure the equilibrium and dynamic interfacial tensions of microscopic liquid−gas and liquid−liquid interfaces. In this technique, a liquid−gas or liquid−liquid interface with a radius of curvature ranging from 1 to 100 μm can be created inside a tapered micropipet. On the basis of the Laplace equation (a work balance between tension and applied pressure for the curved interface), the equilibrium interfacial tension between the two phases (clean or surfactant adsorbed) can be determined by measuring the radius of curvature of the interface for a series of pressure changes. With an additional surfactant-delivering micropipet, we show how this technique also offers an effective way to study adsorption/desorption dynamics upon exposure and washout for various surfactants and provides the whole history of surfactant exchange for microscopic interfaces. Here, we verify that the results of this technique are consistent with the interfacial tension values previou...
On the reflexion of wave characteristics from rough surfaces

The energy of internal waves tends to be propagated along certain characteristic paths inclined at fixed angles to the vertical direction; the angle of inclination depending only on the wave frequency and the density stratification (not on the wavelength). The reflexion of such waves by smooth plane surfaces has been discussed recently by Sandstrom (1966).In the present paper the role of surface roughness is examined. Surprisingly, it appears that quite small-scale irregularities can completely alter the reflecting properties of a surface; the tangential scale of the roughness elements may be much smaller than the wavelength of the incident or reflected waves. All scales of roughness are relevant, down to those comparable in magnitude to the thickness of the oscillatory boundary layer. For tidal waves in the ocean this thickness is of the order of 1 m.The behaviour of the coefficient of transmission as a function of the angle of incidence appears at first sight to be extremely complicated. Some simple examples of periodic surface roughnesses are discussed and elucidated: a sawtooth, a square-topped wave and a simple sine-wave. The transmission coefficient T for a sine-wave, for example, is shown in figure 9. An approximate expression for T is also derived in the case of a slowly modulated sine-wave (figure 10). These results are for a non-viscous fluid. The effects of viscosity are also considered qualitatively.
Cost-effectiveness of saline-assisted hysterosonography and office hysteroscopy in the evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding: A decision analysis

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors performed this study to evaluate whether hysterosonography (HSG) is a more cost-effective initial diagnostic examination than office hysteroscopy in the evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). Materials and Methods A computer model simulated the diagnosis and treatment of PMB in otherwise healthy women. The hypothetical patient who had one episode of PMB precipitating a clinic visit would undergo either HSG or office hysteroscopy as the initial examination. Algorithms were designed such that a finite number of false-negative and false-positive findings would be expected, and clinical decision making would rely on the reported results. Performance characteristics for diagnostic tests and other clinical probabilities were taken from the literature. Costs were based on actual 1997 Medicare reimbursements. The primary clinical outcome considered was the correct diagnosis of any anatomic abnormality that was amenable to definitive treatment. The primary cost outcome considered was the cost per abnormality detected. Sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the effect of varying performance characteristics for diagnostic techniques. Results HSG and office hysteroscopy correctly depicted 68.1 and 67.6 anatomic abnormalities per 100 patients, respectively. The average cost per abnormality detected was $7,978 with HSG and $8,400 with office hysteroscopy. Conclusion HSG depicted more abnormalities at a lower cost per abnormality, which suggests that it should be the preferred initial diagnostic examination in the setting of PMB.
In Praise of Idleness

I usually work with my office door open. It affords opportunities to discuss matters with colleagues on an informal basis and simply makes my day more interactive. Sometimes I worry that colleagues will see me in the office and think I am not working. I suppose this depends on the definition of work. It begs the question whether idleness is really a vice or if it can be used in a positive fashion. To examine this issue more deeply, I have consulted a small but powerful book by Bertrand Russell, In Praise of Idleness. Although the book was first published in 1935, it is worth reading even today. Russell was a mathematicianlogician-philosopher who exhibited a profound faith in the power of reason to solve nearly all problems. His hostility to orthodox religion is well-chronicled, as well as his pacifist views and embracement of socialism. His technical work, much of it done at Oxford, has come to be known as analytical philosophy. His powers of reasoning were truly phenomenal. Russell’s consideration of idleness is highly provocative. He believed that great harm is done by the belief that work is ‘‘virtuous.’’ Rather it was his belief that scientific organization of production can keep people comfortable with a smaller, less active workforce. The road to happiness lies in organization with diminution of work. Longer hours do not automatically bring greater productivity, just as greater wealth does not bring greater happiness. Rather, all of the data indicate that it is relative and not absolute wealth that contributes to happiness. Russell believed that a ‘‘contemplative habit of mind’’ is what makes the pursuit of knowledge possible. When people are lighthearted, playful, and able to choose their pursuits, contemplation can become very constructive. What is important is reflective understanding. It is not necessarily the consequences of knowledge, but rather its understanding that is important. Russell opines that when men and
Graphs induced by Gray codes

We disprove a conjecture of Bultena and Ruskey (Electron. J. Combin. 3 (1996) R11), that all trees which are cyclic graphs of cyclic Gray codes have diameter 2 or 4, by producing codes whose cyclic graphs are trees of arbitrarily large diameter. We answer affirmatively two other questions from (Electron. J. Combin. 3 (1996) R11), showing that strongly Pn × Pn-compatible codes exist and that it is possible for a cyclic code to induce a cyclic digraph with no bidirectional edge. A major tool in these proofs is our introduction of supercomposite Gray codes; these generalize the standard reflected Gray code by allowing shifts. We find supercomposite Gray codes which induce large diameter trees, but also show that many trees are not induced by supercomposite Gray codes. We also find the first infinite family of connected graphs known not to be induced by any Gray code--trees of diameter 3 with no vertices of degree 2.
Factors affecting serum creatine phosphokinase levels in the general population: the role of race, activity and age.

Abstract The serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels of newly admitted and hospitalized Negro and Caucasian psychiatric patients are presented. Significantly higher levels of serum CPK activity were found in Negro males and females, as compared to Caucasian males and females, in admission samples, in random samples from the late period of hospitalization, and in the mean serum CPK levels throughout hospitalization. There were no significant differences between serum CPK levels at admission and in samples chosen at random from the last two weeks of hospitalization. The serum CPK levels of males tended to peak between the ages of 10–19 and 40–49.