cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep learning enables reduced gadolinium dose for contrast-enhanced brain MRI

BACKGROUND There are concerns over gadolinium deposition from gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) administration. PURPOSE To reduce gadolinium dose in contrast-enhanced brain MRI using a deep learning method. STUDY TYPE Retrospective, crossover. POPULATION Sixty patients receiving clinically indicated contrast-enhanced brain MRI. SEQUENCE 3D T1 -weighted inversion-recovery prepped fast-spoiled-gradient-echo (IR-FSPGR) imaging was acquired at both 1.5T and 3T. In 60 brain MRI exams, the IR-FSPGR sequence was obtained under three conditions: precontrast, postcontrast images with 10% low-dose (0.01mmol/kg) and 100% full-dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadobenate dimeglumine. We trained a deep learning model using the first 10 cases (with mixed indications) to approximate full-dose images from the precontrast and low-dose images. Synthesized full-dose images were created using the trained model in two test sets: 20 patients with mixed indications and 30 patients with glioma. ASSESSMENT For both test sets, low-dose, true full-dose, and the synthesized full-dose postcontrast image sets were compared quantitatively using peak-signal-to-noise-ratios (PSNR) and structural-similarity-index (SSIM). For the test set comprised of 20 patients with mixed indications, two neuroradiologists scored blindly and independently for the three postcontrast image sets, evaluating image quality, motion-artifact suppression, and contrast enhancement compared with precontrast images. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Results were assessed using paired t-tests and noninferiority tests. RESULTS The proposed deep learning method yielded significant (n = 50, P 5 dB PSNR gains and >11.0% SSIM). Ratings on image quality (n = 20, P = 0.003) and contrast enhancement (n = 20, P < 0.001) were significantly increased. Compared to true full-dose images, the synthesized full-dose images have a slight but not significant reduction in image quality (n = 20, P = 0.083) and contrast enhancement (n = 20, P = 0.068). Slightly better (n = 20, P = 0.039) motion-artifact suppression was noted in the synthesized images. The noninferiority test rejects the inferiority of the synthesized to true full-dose images for image quality (95% CI: -14-9%), artifacts suppression (95% CI: -5-20%), and contrast enhancement (95% CI: -13-6%). DATA CONCLUSION With the proposed deep learning method, gadolinium dose can be reduced 10-fold while preserving contrast information and avoiding significant image quality degradation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:330-340.
Legislators Off Their Leash: Cognitive Shirking and Impending Retirement in the U.S. House*

Objective This article investigates whether public officials exhibit “cognitive shirking” prior to announcing retirement by changing the way they communicate during their final term. Method I analyze monthly speeches made by members of the U.S. House between the 105th and 109th terms, and collect data on psychological indicators found to indicate changes in cognition. A mixed effect logistic regression examines whether these indicators increase the probability of retirement before the end of the term. Results The probability of retirement is amplified by increases in the level of cognitive inconsistency they display in public speeches. Conclusion Public officials, when deciding whether to retire from politics, display patterns of shifting priorities before and after making their retirement announcement. This suggests that representatives’ justifications for policy choices go through significant reorganization as the electoral connection is severed.
Fentanyl Associated Infection Rates in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Admitted to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (P6.323)

Objective: NA Background: Fentanyl is a mu-opioid receptor agonist which is used as an analgesic and sedative agent in the intensive care units (ICU) due to its rapid onset and shorter duration of action. It is also known to have immunosuppressive effects in animal models, but there is paucity of data in humans. We performed a retrospective study to see if fentanyl has any influence on infection and outcomes in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. Design/Methods: All patients with ICH entered into a prospective database between 2013 and 2017 were studied. A chart review was performed to categorize patients who received fentanyl during the first three days of admission. Outcomes consisted of any hospital acquired infection, ICU length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality. Patients were compared with propensity scoring and analyzed with linear models adjusted for significant confounders Results: There were 166 patients with a mean age of 69.1 (±13.5) years and 57.8% males included in the study. The total infection rate was 24.7%. The median ICU LOS was 5 days (IQR 2.8–11) and the mortality was 23%. On univariate analysis, fentanyl usage was associated with higher infection rate (56% vs. 15.1%; p Conclusions: Fentanyl use is associated with hospital acquired infections which subsequently leads to higher rates of inhospital mortality in patients with ICH. Further studies are needed to investigate this association in a prospective, randomized fashion. Disclosure: Dr. Desai has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kinariwala has nothing to disclose. Dr. Saber has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ibrahim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Probst-Simmons has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mohamed has nothing to disclose.
Valence Bond Methods: Interaction of molecular fragments

In previous chapters we have repeatedly emphasized that the principal difficulty in calculating the dissociation energy of a bond is the correct treatment of the change in electron correlation as the bond distance changes. This observation also applies to reactions where bonds are both formed and broken. In many important cases, however, the particular atom–atom distances that change significantly during a reaction are relatively few in number, and a method for accurately treating the correlation in only those “bonds” would have a clear advantage in efficiency. The MCVB method provides a method for targeting certain bonds to treat the correlation in them as well as possible. We call this procedure targeted correlation , and in this chapter we give examples using it. The SCVB method could also be used in this context. In our previous work we have used SCF solutions of the atoms as the ingredients of the n -electron VB basis functions. With targeted correlation we go one step up and use SCF solutions of molecular fragments as the ingredients. As the name implies, this must be tailored to the specific example and must be done with a careful eye to the basic chemistry and physics of the situation at hand. Methylene, ethylene, and cyclopropane In this section we consider some molecules that can be viewed as consisting of methylene radicals in some combination. Earlier publications[39, 66] have covered some of the aspects of the subjects covered here.
Structure-based document model with discrete wavelet transforms and its application to document classification

Term signal is an existing text representation that depicts a term as a vector of frequencies of occurrences in a number of user-defined partitions of a document. Although term signal augments the traditional vector space model with patterns of term occurrences, its document division is not coherent with the actual logical structure of a document. In this paper, we propose a novel document model, termed Structure-Based Document Model with Discrete Wavelet Transforms (SDMDWT), that exploits the structural information of documents and mathematical transforms for document representation. The proposed SDMDWT model enhances the existing term signal concept by additionally taking into consideration document's structural information during document division. We evaluated the proposed model on two different domains of standard data sets, WebKB 4-Universities and TREC Genomics 2005, using Support Vector Machines binary classification. The experimental results show that using our SDMDWT model for document representation demonstrates promising improvements of classification performances over existing document models.
Abstract IA22: Financial well-being and health: Definitions and measurement issues

The cost of cancer care is rising faster than other diseases, and the financial hardship that cancer imposes on families may exacerbate racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in outcomes throughout survivorship. Discussions about the financial burden of cancer care have increased in recent years in the academic literature and popular press, and several terms have been used to describe this burden. Yet, the discussion oftentimes conflates the lack of material resources to cover medical expenses, the potential psychosocial distress accompanying the lack/reduction in financial resources, and the behavioral coping responses to address the lack /reduction in financial resources. Many health care professionals report feeling unprepared to address family financial well-being in the context of health care delivery, and research suggests that most individuals report low levels of financial self-efficacy even outside the context of managing a chronic disease. We currently lack reliable and valid measures to adequately assess the material, psychosocial, and behavioral aspects of household financial well-being prior to, during, and following cancer care. The dearth in assessment tools of financial well-being in the cancer context impedes efforts to identify modifiable intervention targets of the financial burden of cancer care to ensure that families do not succumb to financial ruin as they manage a chronic disease and navigate the health care system. Citation Format: Reginald Tucker-Seeley. Financial well-being and health: Definitions and measurement issues [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr IA22.
Waveform Dependent Electrosurgical Effects on Soft Hydrated Tissues.

Electrosurgical procedures are ubiquitously used in surgery. The commonly used power modes, including the coagulation and blend modes, utilize non-sinusoidal or modulated current waveforms. For the same power setting, the coagulation, blend and pure cutting modes have different heating and thermal damage outcomes due to the frequency dependence of electrical conductivity of soft hydrated tissues. In this paper, we propose a multi-physics model of soft tissues to account for the effects of multi-frequency electrosurgical power modes within the framework of a continuum thermomechanical model based on mixture theory. Electrical and frequency spectrum results from different power modes at low and high power settings are presented. Model predictions are compared with in vivo electrosurgical heating experiments on porcine liver tissue. The accuracy of the model in predicting experimentally observed temperature profiles is found to be overall greater when frequency-dependence is included. An Arrhenius type model indicates that more tissue damage is correlated with larger duty cycles in multi-frequency modes.
Deuterium and helium ion irradiation of nanograined tungsten and tungsten–titanium alloys

Abstract Tungsten (W), a primary candidate for the plasma-facing components of nuclear fusion reactors (e.g. the divertor region in ITER) is susceptible to cracks, blisters, bubbles, and other morphological changes when irradiated with energetic particles. This work investigated two new materials, nanograined W and a nanograined W–Ti alloy, for potential use as plasma-facing materials. Their retention properties and morphological changes after exposure to deuterium (D) and helium (He) plasma at 50 eV and surface temperatures of 500 and 1000 K were analyzed. Nanograined W was found to have smaller blisters and be less prone to fuzz formation than commonly-utilized micro-grain polycrystalline W. Additionally, the nanograined W–Ti alloy exhibited a lower concentration of blisters on its surface than pure W, including nanograined W.
4.9 A 60GHz CMOS Power Amplifier with Cascaded Asymmetric Distributed-Active-Transformer Achieving Watt-Level Peak Output Power with 20.8% PAE and Supporting 2Gsym/s 64-QAM Modulation

Since its invention in early 2000s, Distributed Active Transformer (DAT) has been a popular power-combiner technique for high-power high-efficiency Power Amplifiers (PAs) in voltage-limited Silicon processes at GHz frequencies [1, 2]. However, successful DAT implementations at high mm-wave frequencies still remain elusive. Substantial inter-winding capacitance causes asymmetry in impedance transformation among the DAT sections, resulting in mismatched and non-optimum loads for high-frequency mm-wave DAT PAs, including those using transformer-based DAT combiners [3]. Moreover, the DAT physical size at mm-wave frequencies is comparable to a mm-wave signal wavelength, which leads to significant physical phase delays between DAT sections. As a result, the combined vectoral signal at the DAT output is substantially mismatched, causing appreciable degradation in the DAT output power and efficiency [4].
Boundary Choices in Innovation: How Does Availability of Hiring Affect Technology Sourcing Strategy?

In this paper, I study the relationship between hiring and external technology sourcing. Hiring can either substitute for external technology sourcing by bringing new technologies/capabilities to a...
The State of the Field: Results from the 2014 and 2017 Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Practice Surveys

Background Childhood disability is on the rise and there is a national shortage of pediatric physiatrists in the United States. The 2009 Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Practice Survey identified concerns regarding inadequate geographic dispersion of providers, salary inequities, and limited academic competitiveness and external funding for research. Objective To describe the current state of the field of pediatric rehabilitation medicine. Design Survey of pediatric physiatrists in the United States in 2014 and 2017. Setting National. Participants Pediatric physiatrists INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. Main outcome measurements Characteristics; clinical activities, responsibilities, and comfort; academic activities; and salaries and productivity. Results In both 2014 and 2017, the majority of pediatric physiatrists who responded were women (~63%) and worked at an academic teaching hospital (~68%). Pediatric physiatrists most commonly held the title of assistant professor and were overrepresented in the Midwest. Overall, 55.8% of providers felt that access was adequate in their area whereas only 3.7% felt access was adequate across the country. In 2017, 52.5% of pediatric physiatrists participated in research or other scholarly activities with 44.2% reporting having published original research at some point in their careers. The inflation adjusted mean salary in 2014 ($227 360) was not statistically different than in 2017 ($232 634, P = .422). In both years, full professors reported the highest academic full-time salaries. Individuals having at least one leadership title also reported significantly higher average full-time salaries than individuals with no titles. Conclusions Although gains have been made in terms of academic competitiveness and engagement in research in pediatric physiatry, there are areas of ongoing concern including large geographic practice variations with associated access to care problems, challenges with recruiting physicians to the field, and salary malalignment within the field of PM&R.
Management Principles Associated With Cytokine Release Syndrome.

Abstract Objective To discuss current recommendations and resources for nurses to ensure they advocate for patients with cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Data Sources A literature search using key terms: cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, CAR T, adverse events. Conclusion Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy is a growing and rapidly changing field of research. Prompt recognition and management of the side effects of CAR T-cell therapy is pivotal to the safe outcomes of patients. As patients are treated with these novel therapies, additional recommendations and standards for treating CRS and neurotoxicity will occur. Implication for Nursing Practice Nursing plays a pivotal role in the CAR T patients’ treatment course because they are the first line of defense in the care of these patients. Providers and patients both rely on nursing knowledge and training to recognize symptoms of CRS and neurotoxicity. With the early recognition of the signs and symptoms of CRS and neurotoxicity, nursing will help improve the outcomes of the patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy.
Neurodegenerative disorders of the human frontal lobes.

Abstract The frontal lobes play an integral role in human socioemotional and cognitive function. Sense of self, moral decisions, empathy, and behavioral monitoring of goal-states all depend on key nodes within frontal cortex. While several neurodegenerative diseases can affect frontal function, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has particularly serious and specific effects, which thus provide insights into the role of frontal circuits in homeostasis and adaptive behavior. FTD represents a collection of disorders with specific clinical-pathologic correlates, imaging, and genetics. Patients with FTD and initial prefrontal degeneration often present with neuropsychiatric symptoms such as loss of social decorum, new obsessions, or lack of empathy. In those patients with early anterior temporal degeneration, language (particularly in patients with left-predominant disease) and socioemotional changes (particularly in patients with right-predominant disease) precede eventual frontal dysregulation. Herein, we review a brief history of FTD, initial clinical descriptions, and the evolution of nomenclature. Next, we consider clinical features, neuropathology, imaging, and genetics in FTD-spectrum disorders in relation to the integrity of frontal circuits. In particular, we focus our discussion on behavioral variant FTD given its profound impact on cortical and subcortical frontal structures. This review highlights the clinical heterogeneity of behavioral phenotypes as well as the clinical-anatomic convergence of varying proteinopathies at the neuronal, regional, and network level. Recent neuroimaging and modeling approaches in FTD reveal varying network dysfunction centered on frontal-insular cortices, which underscores the role of the human frontal lobes in complex behaviors. We conclude the chapter reviewing the cognitive and behavioral neuroscience findings furnished from studies in FTD related to executive and socioemotional function, reward-processing, decision-making, and sense of self.
Snapshots of War

This chapter highlights Bowen’s wartime experiences. Being as old as the century, she lived through World War I and the Irish War of Independence as an adolescent and young woman, and World War II and the Cold War, when mature. She became more of a public intellectual and documentary writer during World War II and captured the undercurrent of personal and national violence in The Heat of the Day though the story of the war was largely untold; her wartime collection, The Demon Lover; and The House in Paris.
Techno-economic analysis of an integrated biorefinery strategy based on one-pot biomass fractionation and furfural production

Abstract This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of an integrated biorefinery for the co-production of furfural, lignin, and ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass (i.e., switchgrass as a model feedstock). The proposed biorefinery is based on a novel one-pot biomass fractionation and furfural production, which is integrated into ethanol production. The one-pot reaction system uses a biphasic solvent comprising aqueous choline chloride (ChCl) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Aqueous ChCl is the reaction medium for simultaneous pretreatment and hemicellulose conversion, while MIBK is the organic phase for in situ furfural extraction. Aspen Plus simulation indicates that 49% of total carbon in the feedstock is converted to the target products (i.e., 17.9% to furfural, 16.0% to lignin, and 15.1% to ethanol). The base case has a minimum furfural selling price (MFSP) of 625 $/t, which is about 37% lower than furfural market price. Sensitivity analysis shows that the technical parameters (e.g., reaction temperature, solid loading) have a larger effect on MFSP than the economic parameters (e.g., material cost, installation cost). The techno-economic analysis results suggest that the proposed system is cost-competitive and has low economic risk.
Chapter 6 – Trout Streams

Publisher Summary This chapter examines several habitat factors and takes a look at what must be present to produce a good trout stream. It also compares some classic trout streams and briefly discusses some problems and solutions facing trout streams. Trout streams are generally cool- to cold-water streams, and most trout species prefer cold water. Preferred temperatures range from 10° to 16 °C. Cover is vital to trout survival; thus, good trout streams contain an adequate amount and diversity of cover to provide shelter from predators and strong currents. The cover can be quite diverse and includes riparian vegetation, boulders in the streambed, overhanging banks, logs, root wads with undercut areas, and even shade from overhanging objects. As far as the food is concerned, the trouts are frequently drift feeders, taking dislodged insects floating downstream in the water column or on the surface of the water. They also actively pick insects from the stream bottom. Successful, reproducing trout populations require streams or rivers which provide suitable spawning areas for the fishes to construct their nests (redds) and lay their eggs. Typical successful trout habitat in streams is composed of a combination of large rocks, rubble, and smaller amounts of sand and gravel. Lack of oxygen is likely to be a problem for a trout stream only when untreated human or animal wastes promote excessive decay, or when silt and other fine materials limit water flow within the stream bottom, smothering redds.
Proposed Part 23 Means of Compliance based on Flight Testing of Level 2 and Level 3 Aircraft

General aviation suffers from an alarmingly high rate of fatal loss-of-control accidents. For a number of years, the aviation community has been working on developing new airworthiness certification standards and means of compliance to move the safety needle. This paper proposes a new Part 23 means of compliance based on flight testing of single-engine Level 2 and Level 3 aircraft, crafted to address the low-altitude and startled-pilot loss-of-control problem. This means of compliance encourages good low-speed handling qualities, promotes flight characteristics over warning devices, redefines roll limits to appropriate values, eliminates the ambiguous term “uncontrollable nose down pitching motion”, allows cost-effective flight testing with appropriate minimum standard flight test methodology, specifically emphasizes the qualitative assessment of the certification authority test pilot for compliance determination, and achieves a higher standard than previous Part 23 amendments. The means of compliance combines minimum thresholds for coordinated stall characteristics with point-based scoring for uncoordinated “feet-on-the-floor” stalls, longitudinal trim force changes during configuration changes, and warning devices. The paper reports on the flight tests executed in the development of this means of compliance and discusses the motivation and thought processes.
Temperature Dependence of Protein Solution Viscosity and Protein-Protein Interactions: Insights into the Origins of High-Viscosity Protein Solutions.

Protein solution viscosity (η) as a function of temperature was measured at a series of protein concentrations under a range of formulation conditions for two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and a glo...
The Bear's Lair: Index Credit Default Swaps and the Subprime Mortgage Crisis

During the recent financial crisis, ABX.HE index credit default swaps (CDS) on baskets of mortgage-backed securities were a benchmark widely used by financial institutions to mark their subprime mortgage portfolios to market. However, we find that prices for the AAA ABX.HE index CDS during the crisis were inconsistent with any reasonable assumption for mortgage default rates, and that these price changes are only weakly correlated with observed changes in the credit performance of the underlying loans in the index, casting serious doubt on the suitability of these CDS as valuation benchmarks. We also find that the AAA ABX.HE index CDS price changes are related to short-sale activity for publicly traded investment banks with significant mortgage market exposure. This suggests that capital constraints, limiting the supply of mortgage-bond insurance, may be playing a role here similar to that identified by Froot (2001) in the market for catastrophe insurance. The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com., Oxford University Press.
Molecular mechanisms of estrogen action in female genital tract development.

The development of the female reproductive tract can be divided into three parts consisting of Mullerian duct organogenesis, pre-sexual maturation organ development, and post-sexual maturation hormonal regulation. In primates, Mullerian duct organogenesis proceeds in an estrogen independent fashion based on transcriptional pathways that are suppressed in males by the presence of AMH and SRY. However, clinical experience indicates that exposure to xenoestrogens such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) during critical periods including late organogenesis and pre-sexual maturational development can have substantial effects on uterine morphology, and confer increased risk of disease states later in life. Recent evidence has demonstrated that these effects are in part due to epigenetic regulation of gene expression, both in the form of aberrant CpG methylation, and accompanying histone modifications. While xenoestrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) both can induce non-canonical binding confirmations in estrogen receptors, the primate specific fetal estrogens Estriol and Estetrol may act in a similar fashion to alter gene expression through tissue specific epigenetic modulation.
Archives and special collections as sites of contestation: edited by Mary Kandiuk, Sacramento, CA, Library Juice Press, 2020, 520 pp., $35.00, ISBN 978-1-63400-062-8

In Archives and Special Collections as Sites of Contestation, authors of 17 case studies reexamine traditional archival practice and explore a range of ways in which these hegemonic structures can ...
Marked Bodies, Marking Time: Reclaiming the Warrior in Audre Lorde's The Cancer Journals

(2002). Marked Bodies, Marking Time: Reclaiming the Warrior in Audre Lorde's The Cancer Journals. a/b: Auto/Biography Studies: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 245-261.
The drag of small protuberances immersed in a turbulent boundary layer.

where p0 is the distance of the wave from the focus when measured along the first shock-shock. In the early stages of reflection, this can be roughly approximated by a circular front. The three-dimensional problem has analytical difficulties because (L/^)]A0-o cannot be easily expressed as a function of 0. However, a profile can be computed, point by point, numerically. Putting Xi, \%, . . . Xn equal to L/R for each of n reflections at a change of surface slope A0,
Lattice investigation of the Das-Mathur-Okubo sum rule

An evaluation of charged pion polarizability using correlation functions measured on a ${16}^{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}24$ lattice in the context of the Das-Mathur-Okubo sum rule is carried out. The calculation is limited to the so-called intrinsic part of the polarizability. This contribution, equivalent to a Euclidean time integral over vector and axial vector momentum-differentiated propagators, is evaluated in both a continuous and discrete sense. In the continuous case, the time behavior of the correlation functions is fit to the continuum quark model; the discrete case is handled by a straightforward application of Simpson's rule for integration after subtracting the pion contributions. A comparison of the implied vector meson and pion decay constants with phenomenological values is carried out. Results for the intrinsic polarizability are extrapolated across four quark mass values to the chiral limit. An extensive discussion of the lattice systematics in this calculation is given.
Effect of Pregnancy Upon Facial Anthropometrics and Respirator Fit Testing

Workers required to wear respirators must undergo additional respirator fit testing if a significant change in body weight occurs. Approximately 10% of working women of reproductive age will be pregnant and experience a significant change in weight, yet the effect of pregnancy-associated weight gain on respirator fit is unknown. Cephalo-facial anthropometric measurements and quantitative fit testing of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFR) of 15 pregnant women and 15 matched, non-pregnant women were undertaken for comparisons between the groups. There were no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women with respect to cephalo-facial anthropometric measurements or N95 FFR quantitative fit tests. Healthy pregnant workers, who adhere to the recommended weight gain limits of pregnancy, are unlikely to experience an increase in cephalo-facial dimensions that would mandate additional N95 FFR fit testing above that which is normally required on an annual basis.
Summertime Physical Education Workshop

(1966). Summertime Physical Education Workshop. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 25-26.
Calcium Signaling at Single Mossy Fiber Presynaptic Terminals in the Rat Hippocampus

We investigated internal Ca2+ release at mossy fiber synapses on CA3 pyramidal neurons (mossy fiber terminals, MFTs) in the hippocampus. Presynaptic Ca2+ influx was induced by giving a brief train ...
Identification and Classification of Restoration Interdependencies in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

AbstractThis paper introduces the new concept of restoration interdependencies that exist among infrastructures during their restoration efforts after an extreme event. Restoration interdependencies occur whenever a restoration task in one infrastructure is impacted by a restoration task, or lack thereof, in another infrastructure. This work identifies examples of observed restoration interdependencies during the restoration efforts after Hurricane Sandy as reported by major newspapers in the affected areas. A classification scheme for the observed restoration interdependencies is provided that includes five distinct classes: traditional precedence, effectiveness precedence, options precedence, time-sensitive options, and competition for resources. This work provides an overview of these different classes by providing the frequency they were observed, the infrastructures involved with the restoration interdependency, and a discussion of their potential impact on interdependent infrastructure restoration. ...
Inferences in multivariate–univariate calibration problems

Summary. A normally distributed vector response variable is considered, related to a scalar explanatory variable through a linear regression model. The calibration data, i.e. data obtained on the response variable corresponding to known values of the explanatory variable, are to be used for making inferences concerning unknown values of the explanatory variable. The purpose of the paper is a detailed investigation of interval estimation and hypothesis testing problems that arise in this context. Such problems are addressed in the scenario of both single use and multiple use of the calibration data. In the single-use situation, the calibration data are used to make inferences concerning a single unknown value of the explanatory variable. In the multiple-use scenario, the calibration data are used to make inferences concerning a sequence of unknown values of the explanatory variable. A one-sided hypothesis testing problem is addressed and test procedures are developed in the context of both single use and multiple use of the calibration data. Since the test statistic has a distribution that depends on some unknown parameters, a parametric bootstrap procedure is advocated to carry out the test. The parametric bootstrap procedure can be adopted for interval estimation as well. The performance of the parametric bootstrap procedure is numerically investigated and is found to be quite satisfactory. Some examples are used to motivate the problems and to illustrate the applicability of our results. The overall conclusion is that the parametric bootstrap is a simple and satisfactory approach for making inferences in the calibration problem.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF H-SILSESQUIOXANES

The results of first principles calculations on H-silsesquioxanes (i.e., (HSiO3/2)n with n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16) are reported here. Double numeric basis sets and local and nonlocal density approximations to density functional theory are employed for calculations. It is shown that use of the nonlocal density approximation is required for the reliable prediction of the most stable isomer for silsesquioxanes. Furthermore, a progression of the preferred building unit with the increase in size of the T cage is revealed. The smaller T cages prefer four- and five-member rings while the larger cages are found to prefer four- and six-member rings. Analysis of the energy of the hydrolysis reaction, binding energy, and fragmentation paths finds the relative stability of the silsesquioxane cages containing four-, five-, and six-member rings in agreement with experimental observations. For the (HSiO3/2)16 cage, the calculated results predict the stability of the D2d-645046 configuration over the D4d-605842 co...
Analyzing after-action reports from Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina: Repeated, modified, and newly created recommendations

Thirteen years after Hurricane Andrew struck Homestead, FL, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and southeastern Louisiana. Along with all its destruction, the term "catastrophic" was redefined. This article extends the literature on these hurricanes by providing a macrolevel analysis of The Governor's Disaster Planning and Response Review Committee Final Report from Hurricane Andrew and three federal after-action reports from Hurricane Katrina, as well as a cursory review of relevant literature. Results provide evidence that previous lessons have not been learned or institutionalized with many recommendations being repeated or modified. This article concludes with a discussion of these lessons, as well as new issues arising during Hurricane Katrina.
Mechanical vibration in ambulance transport.

Objective To study the effects of mechanical vibration on neonates during ambulance transport. Design Study used an infant mannequin in an isolette and measured the vibration levels experienced during controlled ambulance transports. Participants Transport nurses and paramedics used a hospital‐based mobile intensive care unit (MICU). Main Outcome Measure Measured vibration levels at specific locations within the ambulance and isolette. Investigated nonstandard mattresses and additional modifications to the isolette that would dampen the vibration transferred to the neonate. Results The analysis of variance showed significant differences (p Conclusions Relatively inexpensive modifications can be made to the isolette tray and mattress to decrease the vibration levels experienced in transport.
Phase separation study near the tricritical point in – mixtures

We are studying the separation in 3He-4He mixtures using inter-digital capacitor sensors located on the top of our cell.
Bidirectional transcription of maize streak virus DNA and identification of the coat protein gene

Three RNA transcripts encoded by maize streak virus DNA were detected in polyadenylated RNA from virus-infected maize leaves. Two of the transcripts, a major 0.9 kb and a minor 1.05 kb RNA, were mapped on the virion (+) sense DNA and the other minor transcript of 1.2 kb was mapped on the complementary (-) sense DNA, demonstrating that transcription of MSV DNA was bidirectional. The two virion sense transcripts were 3' coterminal at nucleotide 1114 but had 5' termini at nucleotides 2682 and 163 respectively. Virus-specific polyadenylated RNA translated in vitro to produce a 28,000 MW polypeptide, specifically immunoprecipitable by antiserum raised against whole virus. The mRNA for this protein was mapped by hybrid-arrested translation to the long open reading frame in virion sense DNA whose potential amino acid composition, calculated from nucleotide sequence data, closely agreed with that determined experimentally for the coat protein.
Testosterone regulates α-synuclein mRNA in the avian song system

Alpha-synuclein is a small, highly conserved protein in vertebrates that has been linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. The avian song control system is one of the model systems in which the protein was independently discovered. Alpha-synuclein is dynamically regulated in the song system during song learning, a process in which sex steroids play a central role. We compared alpha-synuclein mRNA expression in the brains of 12 adult male chipping sparrows (Spizella passerina) treated with either testosterone or blank s.c. implants. We saw pronounced upregulation of alpha-synuclein mRNA in, as well as an increase in the volume of, the song control nucleus area X in response to exogenous testosterone. To our knowledge this is the first report of steroid regulation of synuclein gene expression in any model system.
A comparison of three non-linear filters

This paper examines three distinct methods for the recursive estimation of the state variables of a continuous time non-linear plant on the basis of measuring the time discrete outputs of the plant in the presence of noise. The three suboptimal estimation algorithms are the Extended Kalman filter, a second-order non-linear filter, and a single stage iteration filter. The three filters are derived from the same theoretical basis in order to facilitate their comparison. Simulation results are used to compare the performance of the filters in the cases of linear plant dynamics and a non-linear output, non-linear plant dynamics and a linear output, and non-linear plant dynamics and non-linear output. We are able to conclude that the single stage iteration filter has superior mean squared error performance under all conditions, followed by the second-order filter. The second-order filter appears to be more of an unbiased estimator than the other filters. The results also show that both the single stage iteration filter and second order filter have more capability in treating non-linearities in the plant dynamics than in treating output non-linearities.
A critical time for practice change in the pain treatment continuum: we need to reconsider the role of pumps in the patient care algorithm.

Coffey and his colleagues have provided the readers of Pain Medicine with an interesting and practice changing article regarding the use of intrathecal infusion systems for the treatment of chronic pain [1]. The use of intrathecal therapies are a critical part of the current pain treatment continuum. These devices have been used by many of us in aiding patients suffering from pain so severe that they are dysfunctional and have a very poor quality of life. The safety and efficacy of these implants have been well documented in the peer-reviewed literature [2–4]. In patients at the end of life, we often place our efforts and energies toward the alleviation of pain and the reduction of side effects [5]. Coffey and colleagues' evaluation of intrathecal infusion mortality data makes one ask where our energy should be focused in those with chronic diseases that are not at the end of their journey. I believe it is also time to reconsider where we should place pumps on our treatment algorithm. Algorithms have been very important in intrathecal decision making in the past and have led to a clinical standard for drug selection [6–8]. In a recent publication in Pain Medicine , we collaborated to publish an algorithmic guide on how we should measure and establish criteria for the treatment of pain. We recommended that therapies be safe, appropriate, exhibit fiscal neutrality, and show efficacy (SAFE principals) [9,10]. …
Demonstration of chromogranin A in human neuroendocrine cell lines by immunohistology and immunoassay

We have used immunohistology and radioimmunoassay procedures to study Chromogranin A (CgA) in human neuroendocrine tumor cell lines, especially small cell lung cancers (SCLC). By immunohistology, CgA could be detected in 11 of 18 classical SCLC cell lines, in a medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cell line, and in only one of 13 variant- or non-SCLC cell lines. By radioimmunoassay, CgA could be detected in the cells and culture media of all of the classical SCLC cell lines tested. Many of the classical SCLC cell lines also produced calcitonin (CT). These studies demonstrate that CgA production is a common feature of SCLC cell lines, especially those with neuroendocrine characteristics.
A CMOS-integrated 'ISFET-operational amplifier' chemical sensor employing differential sensing

The ISFET (ion-sensitive field-effect transistor) pH sensor is first matched with a MOSFET at the differential input stage of a CMOS operational amplifier (called the ISFET-operational amplifier) to cancel out the temperature sensitivity. Then, the output of an ISFET-operational amplifier with a Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5//SiO/sub 2/ gate (58-59 mV/pH) ISFET is differentially amplified against the output of another on-chip ISFET-operational amplifier with a SiO/sub x/N/sub y//Si/sub 3/N/sub 4//SiO/sub 2/ gate ISFET (18-20-mV/pH). An on-chip noble metal counterelectrode serves as the electrical contact to define the electric potential of the electrolyte. No external reference electrode is required. The difference measurement technique achieves (1) common-mode rejection of the solution potential, and (2) relaxation of the requirement that the on-chip reference electrode be ideal. The CMOS-compatible ISFET process is modified from a standard self-aligned polysilicon gate CMOS process with minimal process redesign. The standard CMOS sequence is unaltered until the contact windows are opened. The complete sensor has 40-43-mV/pH pH sensitivity and demonstrates common-mode rejection to ambient light and noise from the electrolyte. >
Relational discrimination learning in horses

Abstract This series of studies investigated horses' ability to learn the concept of sameness under several different conditions. Before experimentation began, three horses were shaped to touch individually presented stimuli with their muzzles, and then to make two responses to two matching cards from an array of three. A modified version of the identity matching-to-sample (IMTS) procedure was used to present stimuli in a variety of configural arrangements on a barn wall (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2), and on a flat panel mounted to a barn door (Experiment 3). The task in each experiment was to select the two stimulus cards that were the same (either circles or Xs) and to avoid the nonmatching stimulus card (either a star or a square). In Experiment 1, the mean accuracy rate for selecting the matching alternatives was 74%. The horses' accuracy levels reached a mean level of 83% during Experiment 2, in which they received additional trials and an intermittent secondary reinforcement schedule. In Experiment 3, when the stimuli were moved further apart from each other within arrangements and were presented on a novel background, the mean accuracy rate was 73%. These data demonstrate that horses can learn complex discrimination problems involving the concept of sameness, and that they are able to generalize this learning to a novel stimulus presentation situation. These results also suggest that a relational discrimination test may be useful for assessing horses' learning ability and the level of training appropriate for individual horses.
Exercise Effects on Two Men With Fibromyalgia Syndrome: An Update

In 2007, an article was published in this journal about the effects of exercise on two older men with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This new article is an update on how exercise has affected them during a 4-year period since 2007. Results suggest that both these men still function at approximately the same levels (physically and psychosocially) as reported in 2007. This is viewed as a positive finding, because even with all of their FMS symptoms, these two men managed to maintain their functional capacity. It is hard for most older people without FMS to remain motivated enough to accomplish this. Because it is difficult to find specifically published data on men (vs. women) with FMS, this long-term information on these two men is important for professionals who are involved in exercise programming for men with FMS and for those interested in studying exercise effects on men with FMS.
Particle-size and velocity measurements in flowing conditions using dynamic light scattering

The noninvasive optical technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS) is routinely used to characterize dilute and transparent submicrometer particle dispersions in laboratory environments. A variety of industrial and biological applications would, however, greatly benefit from on-line monitoring of dispersions under flowing conditions. We present a model experiment to study flowing dispersions of polystyrene latex particles of varying sizes under varying flow conditions by using a newly developed fiber-optic DLS probe. A modified correlation function proposed in an earlier study is applied to the analysis of extracting the size and velocity of laminar flowing particulate dispersions. The complementary technique of laser Doppler velocimetry is also used to measure the speed of moving particles to confirm the DLS findings.
The nature of root surfaces after curette, cavitron and alpha-sonic instrumentation.

Root planing instrumentation was accomplished on extracted teeth using the hand curette, the Cavitron Ultrasonic, and the Alpha-Sonic instruments. Histologic methods were used to determine the composition of the surfaces following instrumentation. The surface roughness after instrumentation was evaluated with a profilometer and a scanning electron microscope. Hand curettes produced the surfaces with the lowest roughness values and the least apparent irregularities in the SEM photographs. In this study none of the instrumentation methods consistently removed all of the cementum.
Field Dependence/Independence in Second Language Acquisition1 and Implications for Educators and Instructional Designers

The question of whether the relationship between field dependence/independence (FD/I) and second language acquisition is significant is discussed in this three-part paper. Introductory material defining FD/I within the context of second language acquisition (SLA) is covered in the first section. The second section is a brief review of relevant research that has been conducted in FD/I and SLA. The final section is a discussion of the implications of the research conducted for educators and instructional designers. Topics in the final section include the use of knowledge of learners' FD/I for guidance, the impact of matching of instructors' and learners' FD/I on student performance, practical application of field independent and field dependent methods in formal learning situations, and problems associated with tests of FD/I and language proficiency.