cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noun-phrase anaphora and focus : The informational load hypothesis

The processing of noun-phrase (NP) anaphors in discourse is argued to reflect constraints on the activation and processing of semantic information in working memory. The proposed theory views NP anaphor processing as an optimization process that is based on the principle that processing cost, defined in terms of activating semantic information, should serve some discourse function--identifying the antecedent, adding new information, or both. In a series of 5 self-paced reading experiments, anaphors' functionality was manipulated by changing the discourse focus, and their cost was manipulated by changing the semantic relation between the anaphors and their antecedents. The results show that reading times of NP anaphors reflect their functional justification: Anaphors were read faster when their cost had a better functional justification. These results are incompatible with any theory that treats NP anaphors as one homogeneous class regardless of discourse function and processing cost.
Imaging retinal mosaics in the living eye

Adaptive optics imaging of cone photoreceptors has provided unique insight into the structure and function of the human visual system and has become an important tool for both basic scientists and clinicians. Recent advances in adaptive optics retinal imaging instrumentation and methodology have allowed us to expand beyond cone imaging. Multi-wavelength and fluorescence imaging methods with adaptive optics have allowed multiple retinal cell types to be imaged simultaneously. These new methods have recently revealed rod photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, and the smallest retinal blood vessels. Fluorescence imaging coupled with adaptive optics has been used to examine ganglion cells in living primates. Two-photon imaging combined with adaptive optics can evaluate photoreceptor function non-invasively in the living primate retina.
Rheumatologists' quality of care for lupus: comparison study between a university and county hospital.

Objective Quality of care received from physicians may impact health outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We compared physician quality of care (P-QOC), health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and disease activity and damage between SLE patients receiving outpatient care at a university and a county rheumatology clinic. Methods Forty-two university and 41 county clinic SLE patients provided data on 5 P-QOC parameters and HRQOL health outcomes (Short Form 36 [SF-36] health survey and EuroQol 5-domain instrument [EQ-5D]). Disease activity and damage were measured. Chi-square analysis and Student's t-tests were used for comparisons. Results Overall satisfaction with medical care was similar; however, university patients had higher P-QOC scores than county patients in “perception of doctor's understanding of impact of SLE on patient's life” (P = 0.02) and “providing education/educational information to understand their disease” (P = 0.05). HRQOL, disease activity, and damage were similar in the 2 groups. Overall satisfaction with medical care was directly related SF-36 general health (r = 0.34, P = 0.03) and EQ-5D visual analog scale on state of health (r = 0.39, P = 0.01), and inversely related EQ-5D pain (r = −0.37, P = 0.02). Conclusion Patient perceptions of P-QOC differed across the 2 centers despite similar demographics, clinical and HRQOL outcomes, and significant overlap in the physicians serving each clinic. Patients' overall satisfaction with medical care is associated with better HRQOL.
Cloning of the human cytomegalovirus genome as endonuclease XbaI fragments

Restriction enzyme XbaI DNA fragments that represent 99% of the sequences from the long and short unique as well as the repeat sequences of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome have been cloned into bacterial plasmid pACYC184. The viral DNA sequences associated with the recombinant plasmids were analyzed by restriction mapping and by hybridization to fragments of authentic viral DNA. The relationship of the cloned viral DNA fragments to the XbaI physical map of the viral genome is demonstrated. Even though large recombinant plasmids ranging from approx. 39 to 1.8 kb were isolated, most if not all of the viral DNA fragments were stable during propagation in Escherichia coli HB101.
Approximate binary-black-hole metric

An approximate solution to Einstein's equations representing two widely separated non-rotating black holes in a circular orbit is constructed by matching a post-Newtonian metric to two perturbed Schwarzschild metrics. The spacetime metric is presented in a single coordinate system valid up to the apparent horizons of the black holes. This metric could be useful in numerical simulations of binary black holes. Initial data extracted from this metric have the advantages of being linked to the early inspiral phase of the binary system, and of not containing spurious gravitational waves.
Two classes of variants of the generalized KdV equations with compact and noncompact solutions

In this paper we study compact and noncompact solutions for two classes of new variants of the generalized KdV equations. The study is conducted on the focusing and the defocusing structures of genuinely nonlinear dispersive equations. The results emphasize the different physical structures of the compact and the noncompact solutions.
Three-dimensional micro-PTV using deconvolution microscopy

A three-dimensional micro-particle tracking velocimetry (micro-PTV) scheme is presented using a single camera with deconvolution microscopy. This method devises tracking of the line-of-sight (z) flow vectors by correlating the diffraction pattern ring size variations with the defocusing distances of small particle locations. The working principle is based on optical serial sectioning microscopy, or equivalently deconvolution microscopy, that records images of an infinitesimally small particle, and generates a point-spread function of the three-dimensional diffraction patterns. A new image-processing algorithm has also been developed to digitally identify the center locations and measure the radii of the diffraction rings, which allows simultaneous tracking of all three-vector components. The developed PTV technique uses a 40×, 0.75 NA dry objective lens with 500-nm fluorescent seeding particles of SG=1.05, and successfully measures the fully three-dimensional fields flowing over a spherical obstacle snuggly fitted inside a 100 μm × 100 μm micro-channel. The volumetric measurement resolution of the present system is equivalent to a 5.16 μm × 5.16 μm × 5.16 μm cube, and the overall measurement uncertainty for single-point velocity vector detection is estimated to ±7.58%.
How fast does real-time delivery affirmation need to be?

Putting the right dose in the right place is always the goal of radiation therapy. It is fascinating that modern radiation treatment delivery has become so complex, with dynamic beam collimation, pencil-sized beamlets, and high instantaneous dose rates. With increased speed and complexity, the concern increases if we have indeed delivered the dose correctly at any given moment during a patient treatment. In fact, the high dose rate and fast treatment delivery of newer treatment machines have already raised the question whether development of a newer treatment verification scheme is necessary to prevent catastrophic failures. In this issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics,Jarvisetal(1)reporttheuseofCherenkovimagingto sensethedosedeliveryinrealtimeforabreastcancerpatient. How is Cherenkov imaging related to radiation therapy? It is intriguing just to learn how Cherenkov radiation is produced at the patient’s skin surface during radiation treatments. Similar to the sonic boom generated by a supersonic aircraft, the blue light of Cherenkov radiation is produced when charged particles move faster than the speed of lightinadielectricmedium.Inthiscase,thechargedparticles are the electrons set into motion by interaction with therapeutic x-rays, and the medium is most likely the water content inside a patient’s body. The challenge of making practicaluseofCherenkovlightisthatthislightistypically3 to 6 orders of magnitudeweaker than ambient room lighting. Althoughitisunnoticeablebyanyonewhoworksinradiation therapy, Cherenkov light is there and is emitted during delivery of every radiation therapy beam.
A survey of some physical limitations on computer elements

Some limitations imposed on the basic attributes of computer elements that arise from physical law rather than from consideration of technology or cost are surveyed in the light of recent literature. In particular, discussions are given of the reliability of storage of information, of the physical size, and of the speed of response of elements of the memory of a large, high-speed, digital computer. The various factors affecting the reliability considered include: logical and physical redundancy, crosstalk and the resulting difficulties of single-particle memory elements; storage lifetime in a nonequilibrium (steady-state) device is also discussed. The limits on size of semiconductor devices include: the minimum size of the voltage pulse needed for nonlinear operation, the limitations set by the need for cooling, by fluctuations in impurity content, and by the resolving power of fabrication processes. The effects of the inertia of matter on the speed of operation are discussed generally, noting the different magnitudes of response of transitions involving electronic rearrangements as compared to spin rotations or nuclear motions. Finally, comments are made on the possibility in principle of ultradense packing because of the extreme smallness of the atomic scale, and on the biological examples of such ultradense packing that exist in the genetic code and the mammalian brain.
Nonlinear Theory of Space-Charge Wave in Moving, Interacting Electron Beams with Application to Solar Radio Noise

A consideration of the complete equations of interaction (without the linear approximation) of two moving electron beams of given densities (with sufficient numbers of ions to make the charges macroscopically neutral) shows that propagation of steady-state space-charge waves is possible in such a medium. The period of the space-charge wave is a function of its amplitude and phase velocity. For small amplitudes the oscillation is simple harmonic, and the characteristic dispersion equation of the first order theory is obtained. For a given phase velocity of the wave, the oscillation becomes increasingly anharmonic with increase of amplitude. Beyond a particular value of the amplitude (which is a function of the phase velocity of the wave), the wave form of the oscillation becomes discontinuous.The above theory is applied to estimate the relative intensity of the second harmonic component in solar radio outbursts recently discovered by Australian workers.A theoretical analysis based on the antenna theory of electromagnetic radiation from oscillating plasma gives a radio flux of the order of magnitude of that observed.
Rapid thermal processing chamber for in-situ x-ray diffraction

Rapid thermal processing (RTP) is widely used for processing a variety of materials, including electronics and photovoltaics. Presently, optimization of RTP is done primarily based on ex-situ studies. As a consequence, the precise reaction pathways and phase progression during the RTP remain unclear. More awareness of the reaction pathways would better enable process optimization and foster increased adoption of RTP, which offers numerous advantages for synthesis of a broad range of materials systems. To achieve this, we have designed and developed a RTP instrument that enables real-time collection of X-ray diffraction data with intervals as short as 100 ms, while heating with ramp rates up to 100 °Cs−1, and with a maximum operating temperature of 1200 °C. The system is portable and can be installed on a synchrotron beamline. The unique capabilities of this instrument are demonstrated with in-situ characterization of a Bi2O3-SiO2 glass frit obtained during heating with ramp rates 5 °C s−1 and 100 °C s−1, revealing numerous phase changes.
An assessment of knowledge growth stages in organizations

This paper examines the stages of knowledge growth in 50 companies through a qualitative research study that asked employees to identify where their organization ranks along Bohn's eight-stage scale ranging from complete ignorance to complete knowledge. Participants were also asked to identify their competitors ranking and the ideal stage of knowledge to which their company should strive. The results found that companies today rank on the Bohn scale between stage three (the measure stage) where knowledge is typically written and stage four (control of the mean) where knowledge is written and embodied in hardware. Respondents also stated that their companies were perceived as usually slightly ahead of their competitors, but not nearly at the ideal level that they believe their organizations should achieve. Recommendations are made for further qualitative and empirical research regarding the stages of knowledge growth at organizations, and how organizations can support movement toward complete knowledge.
The use of colorectal stents for palliation of large-bowel obstruction due to recurrent gynecologic cancer

Abstract Objective Acute large-bowel obstruction (LBO) is considered a surgical emergency. In gynecologic oncology patients with LBO due to recurrent tumor, surgery has been the standard treatment. However, operative intervention has significant associated morbidity and mortality. Recent reports have addressed the use of colorectal stents for the treatment of colonic malignancies. We are reporting our experience with colorectal stents in gynecologic oncology patients. Methods We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent colorectal stent placement for palliation of LBO due to recurrent gynecologic malignancy from August 2001 to January 2003. Results Six patients were identified; five patients had recurrent ovarian cancer and one had recurrent endometrial cancer. The mean age of the six patients at the time of stent placement was 51.5 years (range, 22–83 years).The length of LBO ranged from 2 to 10 cm. Two patients had a lumen of 1 to 2 mm before stent placement, while the other four had a complete obstruction and needed balloon dilatation before the deployment of the stent. Four (67%) of six patients had immediate relief, with passage of stool and flatus noted at the time of the colorectal stent placement. Stent placement failed to relieve the LBO in two patients (33%); these patients went on to receive colostomies. Of the four patients who had successful stent placement, the mean survival after stent placement was 120 days. One patient had a contained sigmoid bowel perforation noted 12 days after stent placement, which resolved with conservative measures. Conclusion Colonic stents appear to be a useful option in the management of patients with LBO due to recurrent gynecologic malignancy.
Instance-based learning in dynamic decision making

Abstract This paper presents a learning theory pertinent to dynamic decision making (DDM) called instance-based learning theory (IBLT). IBLT proposes five learning mechanisms in the context of a decision-making process: instance-based knowledge, recognition-based retrieval, adaptive strategies, necessity-based choice, and feedback updates. IBLT suggests in DDM people learn with the accumulation and refinement of instances, containing the decision-making situation, action, and utility of decisions. As decision makers interact with a dynamic task, they recognize a situation according to its similarity to past instances, adapt their judgment strategies from heuristic-based to instance-based, and refine the accumulated knowledge according to feedback on the result of their actions. The IBLT’s learning mechanisms have been implemented in an ACT-R cognitive model. Through a series of experiments, this paper shows how the IBLT’s learning mechanisms closely approximate the relative trend magnitude and performance of human data. Although the cognitive model is bounded within the context of a dynamic task, the IBLT is a general theory of decision making applicable to other dynamic environments.
Effects of hydraulic dredging on the benthic ecology and sediment chemistry on a cultivated bed of the Northern quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria

article i nfo Article history: We examined the effects of hydraulic dredging on the benthicecology and sediment biogeochemistry of a leased shellfish bed in Long Island Sound near Milford, Connecticut, where Northern quahog or hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus 1758), aquaculture is conducted. Six 1 ha plots were sampled at 1-2 week intervals from June through October of 2010. One-time hydraulic dredging to harvest hard clams was conducted on 3 dredged treatment plots in mid-June, while 3 control plots remained not dredged. Repeated measures analysis indicated no significant differences between dredged and not dredged plots for any of the ecological indices or sediment chemistrymeasurements. Numbers of newlysettledhardclams weresignificantlyhigher ondredgedplots. Clus- ter analysis indicated a strong seasonal influence on benthic community structure distinguishing between early andlate season assemblages.HydraulicshellfishharvestingasconductedonleasedbedsinLongIslandSounddid not appear to significantly impact benthic assemblages or sediment biogeochemistry, while sediment grain size and sampling date had a greater influence on benthic community structure. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Learning large-margin halfspaces with more malicious noise

We describe a simple algorithm that runs in time poly(n, 1/γ, 1/e) and learns an unknown n-dimensional γ-margin halfspace to accuracy 1 – e in the presence of malicious noise, when the noise rate is allowed to be as high as Θ(eγ√log(1/γ)). Previous efficient algorithms could only learn to accuracy e in the presence of malicious noise of rate at most Θ(eγ). Our algorithm does not work by optimizing a convex loss function. We show that no algorithm for learning γ-margin halfspaces that minimizes a convex proxy for misclassification error can tolerate malicious noise at a rate greater than Θ(eγ); this may partially explain why previous algorithms could not achieve the higher noise tolerance of our new algorithm.
Topographic Distortion of a Cold Front over the Snake River Plain and Central Idaho Mountains

Abstract The topographic distortion of a cold front over the Snake River Plain (SRP) and central Idaho Mountains on 3 December 1998 is described using high-density surface observations from MesoWest, a collection of meteorological networks over the western United States. Although relatively unperturbed upstream of central Idaho, the cold front became distorted as it was deflected and accelerated up the low-elevation SRP, where a pronounced frontal bulge developed. The speed of the cold front over the SRP was comparable to the magnitude of the postfrontal winds that, due to terrain channeling, were oriented normal to the front. Meanwhile, the front advanced more slowly over the central Idaho mountains and southwest Montana, becoming increasingly diffuse over the former. Eventually, cold air surrounded the central Idaho Mountains and the two portions of the cold front merged over eastern Idaho. The cold front intensified as it moved from the eastern to central SRP, with rapid changes in temperature and pres...
Coronary Revascularization Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass Versus the Conventional Approach in High-Risk Patients

Background The premise of coronary revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) proposes that patient morbidity and, potentially, mortality can be reduced without compromising the excellent results of conventional revascularization techniques (on-pump CABG). High-risk patients may benefit the most from off-pump CABG. The aim of this study was to compare early and mid-term clinical outcomes after off-pump CABG with on-pump CABG in a subset of high-risk patients. Methods Between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000, 513 high-risk patients with a Parsonnet's risk scores of 20 or higher underwent CABG; 38.6% (n = 198) underwent on-pump CABG, and 61.4% (n = 315) had off-pump CABG. Logistic regression was used to calculate the probability of being selected for on-pump CABG given a set of preoperative risk factors. Propensity scores or the probability of being selected for on-pump CABG were computed. Relative risks, heterogeneity among strata, and interactions between surgery type and the propensity score were assessed by a multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression for the outcomes mortality and major adverse cardiac events (death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, reoperative CABG, percutaneous coronary intervention). Results Operative mortality was lower after off-pump versus on-pump CABG between the two groups after controlling for preoperative risk factors using the propensity score (odds ratio=2.10; 95% confidence intervals=1.02 to 4.36, p = 0.04). In the Cox-regression analysis, off-pump CABG was associated with an improved survival rate compared with on-pump CABG ( p = 0.03). Off-pump CABG was associated with a comparable event-free survival ( p = 0.14) compared with on-pump CABG. Conclusions Off-pump CABG can be performed with a reasonably low morbidity and lower early and late mortality in high-risk patients. Off-pump CABG may be a better operative strategy in this subset of patients.
Opinion on Recent Developments and the Future of Special Education

Three encouraging trends in special education are greater focus on instruction, emphasis on positive approaches to problem behavior, and greater reliance on scientific evidence. Next steps involving instruction should include research on modifications of instruction needed to accommodate learners with disabilities and on the place in which these modifications can best be made. In using positive approaches to teaching and behavior management, next steps should focus on making them typical in special education first, then on encouraging their use in general education. Regarding scientific evidence, next steps should be unambiguous preference for science and training special education teachers to rely only on scientific evidence.
Individual variations in glottal characteristics of female speakers

We address the measurement of glottal characteristics of female speakers and how these characteristics contribute to voice quality or individuality. We have developed acoustic measurements of the voicing source that are made directly on the speech waveform or spectrum. These measures are based on theoretical models of speech production. Based on these measurements it is possible to make some inferences about the glottal configuration during phonation and the nature of the glottal pulse. Previous work has relied mainly on physiological methods such as inverse filtering of vocal tract airflow or observations of vocal fold vibration via endoscopy or fiberscopy. Our measures are non-invasive and can be easily extracted automatically. By comparing these acoustic measures to physiological and perceptual data, we show that they are valid.
Zero-Change Netlist Transformations: A New Technique for Placement Benchmarking

In this paper, the authors introduce the concept of zero-change netlist transformations (ZCNTs) to: 1) quantify the suboptimality of existing placers on artificially constructed instances and 2) "partially" quantify the suboptimality of placers on synthesized netlists from arbitrary netlists by giving lower bounds to the suboptimality gap. Given a netlist and its placement from a placer, a class of netlist transformations that synthesizes a different netlist from the given netlist is formally defined, but yet the new netlist has the same half-perimeter wire length (HPWL) on the given placement. Furthermore, and more importantly, the optimal HPWL value of the new netlist is no less than that of the original netlist. By applying the transformations and reexecuting the placer, any deviation in HPWL as a lower bound to the gap from the optimal HPWL value of the new synthesized netlist can be interpreted. The transformations allow us to: 1) increase the cardinality of hyperedges; 2) reduce the number of hyperedges; and 3) increase the number of two-pin edges, while maintaining the placement HPWL constant. It is developed here methods that apply ZCNTs to synthesize netlists having typical netlist statistics. Furthermore, an approach to estimate the suboptimality of other metrics, such as rectilinear minimum-spanning tree (RMST) and minimum-Steiner tree, is extended. Using these transformations, the suboptimality of some of the existing academic placers (FengShui, Capo, mPL, Dragon) is studied on synthesized netlists from the IBM benchmarks with instances ranging from 10k to 210k placeable instances. The results show that current placers exhibit suboptimal behavior to ZCNTs with varying degree according to the placer. Systematic suboptimality deviations in HPWL and RMST are displayed on the synthesized netlists from IBM (version 1) benchmarks. The specific nature of the transformations points out troublesome netlist structures and possible directions for improvement in the existing placers
Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in thyroid C-cells and medullary thyroid carcinomas.

Aims: Hyperplastic C-cells of the thyroid and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) were studied immunocytochemically for calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), chromogranin A, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2. Methods and results: Non-neoplastic C-cells were positive for all these substances whereas MTC tumour cells were relatively weaker stained, and thyroid follicular cells were negative for all the substances studied. We have recently reported that pancreatic islet cells and islet cell tumours were positive for MMPs and TIMPs, and, in addition, anterior pituitary cells and pituitary adenomas and parathyroid gland and its adenomas were also positively stained. The MMP- and TIMP-positive endocrine cells correspond to Pearse's APUD cells, derived from neural crest and endodermal cells. Conclusions: MMPs and TIMPs may well be added as newly recognized markers for neuroendocrine cells. The possible function of MMP-TIMP homeostasis in C-cells and MTCs is discussed.
Possible influence of physical activity on musculoskeletal symptoms of menopausal and postmenopausal women

A theoretical framework from which nurses might operate to explain the cause of bone, joint, and muscle pains suffered by menopausal women and to identify behaviors that will prevent and/or reduce the musculoskeletal pathologies and symptomatology associated with decreased estrogen production is presented. Also, recommendations for future research are offered.
A NOTE ON THE EFFECTS OF EFFICIENCY CRITERIA AND PORTFOLIO SIZE ON CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFICIENT PORTFOLIOS

: Comparisons of the results of using alternative efficiency criteria for portfolio selection, while plentiful overseas, are seemingly scarce in Australia. Here, mean-variance efficient sets are compared with and found to be not too different from sets efficient according to second and third degree stochastic dominance. In examining the effect of increasing the number of securities allowed in each portfolio, it is found that the size of efficient sets of portfolios diminishes, as does the mean return and, most significantly, the variance of return for efficient portfolios.
Shadow prices for modified least loaded routing (MLLR)

Presents modified least loaded routing (MLLR), a routing policy where no preference is given to the direct single link path but rather the first choice path is chosen statistically based on the results of an optimization problem. The authors calculate shadow prices for MLLR using the blocking probability obtained from a fixed point performance evaluation algorithm. Numerical results comparing performance of LLR and MLLR in, terms of blocking probability are introduced. As an application, the authors formulate and solve a nonlinear constrained optimization problem to calculate the load sharing coefficients that result in a maximum network rate of return for fixed levels of OD pair blocking probabilities.
Chimeric Dengue 2 PDK-53/West Nile NY99 Viruses Retain the Phenotypic Attenuation Markers of the Candidate PDK-53 Vaccine Virus and Protect Mice against Lethal Challenge with West Nile Virus

Chimeric dengue serotype 2/West Nile (D2/WN) viruses expressing prM-E of WN NY99 virus in the genetic background of wild-type D2 16681 virus and two candidate D2 PDK-53 vaccine variants (PDK53-E and PDK53-V) were engineered. The viability of the D2/WN viruses required incorporation of the WN virus-specific signal sequence for prM. Introduction of two mutations at M-58 and E-191 in the chimeric cDNA clones further improved the viability of the chimeras constructed in all three D2 carriers. Two D2/WN chimeras (D2/WN-E2 and -V2) engineered in the backbone of the PDK53-E and -V viruses retained all of the PDK-53 vaccine characteristic phenotypic markers of attenuation and were immunogenic in mice and protected mice from a high-dose 10 7 PFU challenge with wild-type WN NY99 virus. This report further supports application of the genetic background of the D2 PDK-53 virus as a carrier for development of live-attenuated, chimeric flavivirus vaccines in general and the development of a chimeric D2/WN vaccine virus against WN disease in particular.
Model-based analysis of printed tables

We develop a strategy for extracting the underlying relational information from the images of printed tables. Visual clues that exist in the image are used for extracting first the physical, and then the logical structure of the table. Since these visual clues generally have a logical meaning, there must be some association made between the graphical attributes extracted and their function of reflecting the logic expressed by the table; this knowledge is coordinated in a model. This approach, therefore, can be adapted to all tables which have graphical attributes discernible to the image analysis being used.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis serine/threonine kinases PknA and PknB: substrate identification and regulation of cell shape

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome contains 11 serine/threonine kinase genes including two, pknA and pknB, that are part of an operon encoding genes involved in cell shape control and cell wall synthesis. Here we demonstrate that pknA and pknB are predominantly expressed during exponential growth, and that overexpression of these kinases slows growth and alters cell morphology. We determined the preferred substrate motifs of PknA and PknB, and identified three in vivo substrates of these kinases: PknB; Wag31, an ortholog of the cell division protein DivIVA; and Rv1422, a conserved protein of unknown function. Expression of different alleles of wag31 in vivo alters cell shape, in a manner dependent on the phosphoacceptor residue in the protein produced. Partial depletion of pknA or pknB results in narrow, elongated cells. These data indicate that signal transduction mediated by these kinases is a novel mechanism for the regulation of cell shape in mycobacteria, one that may be conserved among gram-positive bacteria.
Diagonally implicit multistage integration methods for pseudospectral solutions of the wave equation

Abstract Diagonally implicit multistage integration methods are employed for the numerical integration in time of first order hyperbolic systems arising from Chebyshev pseudospectral discretizations of the spatial derivatives in the wave equation. These methods have stage order q equal to the order p. The stage values can be utilized to recover approximations to the solution u of sufficiently high accuracy. The phenomenon of order reduction, which is present in the integration of differential systems by numerical methods of low stage order, such as explicit Runge–Kutta methods, is avoided.
Developing accessible cyberinfrastructure-enabled knowledge communities in the national disability community: theory, practice, and policy.

Since publication of the Atkins Commission report in 2003, the national scientific community has placed significant emphasis on developing cyberinfrastructure-enabled knowledge communities, which are designed to facilitate enhanced efficiency and collaboration in geographically distributed networks of researchers. This article suggests that the new cyberinfrastructure movement may not fully benefit those participants with disabilities, unless closer attention is paid to legal mandates and universal design principles. Many technology-enhanced learning communities provide geographically distributed collaboration opportunities that expand the inclusion of diverse peoples and help close the digital divide. However, to date, most collaboratory efforts have not emphasized the need for access among people with disabilities nor meeting minimum standards for technological accessibility. To address these concerns, this article reports on two pilot collaboratory studies that explore the role advanced information, co...
Evolution, Neuroscience, and Prosocial Behavior in Disasters

The talk discusses three concepts before ending on a question. 1) It begins with "disaster politics": the difference between imagined individualist and violent responses (falsely seen as "necessitating" the securitization of relief efforts) and the reality of cooperative or "prosocial" behavior that sociologists have documented to be the overwhelmingly prevalent response to disasters. 2) The talk then moves to the biology (mirror neurons, empathy, sympathy) and evolution (altruism, kin selection, reciprocal aid, and so on) of prosocial behaviors and emotions. 3) The third topic is the claim that prevalent pre-State war was a selection pressure for group selection of prosocial behaviors and emotion, resulting in face-to-face in-group altruism. 4) The talk concludes by posing the question of functionalism: how do complex hierarchal societies and institutions use "horizontal" face-to-face in-group altruism to maintain bottom-up cohesion throughout a "vertically" structured society or institution?
Open mic: Professionalizing the rap career

■ How do the meanings of a Hip Hop venue change over the aspiring rapper’s career? This article draws on four years of ongoing ethnographic fieldwork with inner-city men who rap at Project Blowed, a Hip Hop ‘open mic’ in South Central Los Angeles. While rappers initially view Project Blowed as a place to hone their performance skills and earn the respect of their peers, they hope to move beyond it and make money in the music industry. ‘OGs’, senior rappers, who continue to participate in this scene mentor younger rappers, but may also become examples of the dead-end careers that up-and-coming rappers hope to avoid. This article explores how participants’ perceptions of this venue are linked to their changing perceptions of others in the scene.
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Reutilization: Battery Life of Explanted Devices at a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction Prior studies have suggested that pacemaker reuse may be a reasonable alternative to provide device therapy in the low- and middle-income countries. We studied explant indications and remaining battery life of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) at a tertiary medical center. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective review of all CIEDs extracted at the University of Michigan between 2007 and 2011. Devices were considered reusable if battery longevity was ≥48 months or >75% battery life was remaining; there was no evidence of electrical malfunction, and they were not under advisory or recall. Eight hundred and one CIEDs were explanted: Medtronic (MDT [Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA]; 454), Boston Scientific (BS [Boston Scientific Corp., Natick, MA, USA])/Guidant (GDT; 255 [Guidant Corp., St. Paul, MN, USA]), St. Jude Medical (SJM; 73 [St. Paul, MN, USA]), and Biotronik (BTK; 15 [Biotronik GmBH, Berlin, Germany]). After eliminating devices explanted for elective replacement indicator (ERI, 541), 51.9% of pacemakers (41/79), 54.2% of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) (64/118), and 47.6% of cardiac resynchronization therapy and defibrillation (CRT-D) devices (30/63) had sufficient battery life and no evidence of electrical malfunction to be considered for reuse. A logistic regression analysis found that the indications for device removal independently predicted reusability: upgrade to an ICD (odds ratio [OR] 162.8, P < 0.001) or CRT-D (OR 63.8, P < 0.001), infection (OR 110.7, P < 0.001), heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device placement (OR 56.6, P < 0.001), and device removal at patient's request (OR 115.4, P < 0.001). Conclusion The majority of explanted CIEDs for reasons other than ERI have an adequate battery life and, if proven safe, may conceivably be reutilized for basic pacing in underserved nations where access to this life-saving therapy is limited.
Transient scattering from two-dimensional dielectric cylinders of arbitrary shape

The problem of transient scattering by arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional dielectric cylinders is solved using the marching-on-in-time technique. The dielectric problem is approached via the surface equivalence principle. Two coupled integral equations are derived by enforcing the continuity of the electric and magnetic fields which are solved by using the method of moments. Numerical results are presented for two cross sections, viz. a circle and a square, and compared with inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) techniques. In each case, good agreement is obtained with the IDFT solution. >
Emergency Department Thoracotomy

Emergency Department Thoracotomy (EDT) can be used as an adjunct during the resuscitation of a penetrating trauma patient who has sustained a cardiac arrest. Proper preparation of equipment and personnel will lead to a more efficient application of this potentially life-saving procedure. Though indications are limited in blunt trauma patients, EDT should be widely applied for patients with cardiac arrest after penetrating trauma, particularly with penetrating injuries to the anterior chest. While simultaneously securing the airway, establishing intravenous access, and placing a right tube thoracostomy, you enter the left chest via an anterolateral thoracotomy. EDT provides the opportunity to release cardiac tamponade and repair cardiac injuries, cross-clamp the descending thoracic aorta to improve cerebral and coronary perfusion during resuscitation, control hemorrhage within the chest, and perform internal cardiac massage and defibrillation.
A revision of Apidaurus (Hemiptera: Alydidae: Alydinae)

Abstract Apidaurus, a neotropical alydine genus, is revised. Apidaurus conspersus Stal is redescribed and Apidaurus triguttatus Berg synonymized with it (new synonymy); Apidaurus longitylus Schaefer and Schaffner new species is described, and the two species are keyed. The fifth instar of A. conpsersus is briefly described. The genital capsule of Apidaurus is also described, and its homologies with structures of other alydine genital capsules are discussed. Apidaurus conspersus occurs from southern Texas into southern Brazil, and A. longitylus from French Guiana into Brazil; the two species overlap in Paraguay. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus, and of the two species, are discussed.
Incorporation of indium on cubic GaN epitaxially induced on a nanofaceted Si(001) substrate by phase transition

The incorporation of In on the non-polar, piezoelectric-free (001) facet of cubic (c-) GaN epitaxially grown over a Si(001) substrate by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy is reported. Relying on a hexagonal (h-) to c-phase transformation during epitaxy on an 800 nm-wide, Si(111)-faceted v-groove patterned into the substrate, the GaN epilayer at cross sectional view retains a triangular c-phase inside a chevron-shaped h-phase that results in a top surface bounded by a (001) facet parallel to Si(001) at the center and ( 11¯01) facets at both edges. A stack of five, ∼3 nm-thick, InxGa1−xN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) was deposited on the double-phased top surface. The c-phase region up to the QWs keeps extremely small misfit (∼0.002) to the fully relaxed h-GaN underneath it and is in tensile stress implying undefected by the h-c phase interface. The In incorporation on a strained non-polar (001) of c-GaN is comparable with that on totally relaxed semi-polar ( 11¯01) of h-GaN without noticeable adatom migration ac...
Representing a Trustee

This book, "Understanding and Using Trusts," covers all the essential issues in Massachusetts trust law and practice. Two critical areas of trust-related law practice are explored in detail: lawyers acting as trustees and lawyers representing trustees. A number of difficult regulatory and ethical issues are raised by these types of practice, and this book explores these issues in depth.The Author, Frederick D. Royal, wrote chapter 22 in "Understanding and Using Trusts," entitled "Representing a Trustee."
Documentation of Improved Outcomes for Intracranial Aneurysm Management Over a 15-Year Interval

Background and Purpose— Despite rapid advancements in intracranial aneurysm management, there is no evidence as of yet that this has translated into improvement in overall prognosis. Methods— We compared 2 periods of aneurysm management, 1998 to 2003 (n=1023 aneurysms) and 2007 to 2013 (n=1499 aneurysms), at a single, high-volume neurovascular center. Our outcome of interest was low or moderate disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4 or 5) at 6 months or more post treatment. Results— There were significant improvements in outcome for surgical, endovascular, and overall treatment of unruptured (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.33; P =0.0091; adjusted OR, 4.40; P =0.0271; and adjusted OR, 2.58; P =0.0008, respectively) and ruptured (adjusted OR, 3.18; P =0.0004; adjusted OR, 3.54; P =0.0001; and adjusted OR, 3.11; P Conclusions— We report significantly improved outcomes over time for overall aneurysm management and for multiple patient subgroups, associated with increased usage of endovascular therapy.
High-performance Liquid Chromatography in the Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemias: Report of Three Cases

High-performance liquid chromatography is a technic that has recently been applied to the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias. Its advantages over other methods include increased sensitivity, resolution and simplicity, as well as speed. In this report, the authors present an HPLC procedure that uses a weak cation exchange column and a gradient elution system for the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias. The authors illustrate the utility of this procedure by reporting three cases in which the technic enabled them to make the correct diagnosis, which by traditional methods would have been missed or equivocal.
Interprofessional Education and Practice

Oral health around the world is remarkably poor. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60–90% of schoolchildren and nearly 100% of adults worldwide have dental caries; severe periodontal disease is found in 15–20% of adults aged 35–44 years; approximately 30% of people aged 65–74
Design of an aid to visual inspection workstation

Visual Inspection is the most common means for inspecting manufactured parts for random defects such as pits, scratches, breaks, corrosion or general wear. The reason for the need for visual inspection is the very random nature of what might be a defect. Some defects may be very rare, being seen once or twice a year, but May still be critical to part performance. Because of this random and rare nature, even the most sophisticated image analysis programs have not been able to recognize all possible defects. Key to any future automation of inspection is obtaining good sample images of what might be a defect. However, most visual check take no images and consequently generate no digital data or historical record beyond a simple count. Any additional tool to captures such images must be able to do so without taking addition time. This paper outlines the design of a potential visual inspection station that would be compatible with current visual inspection methods, but afford the means for reliable digital imaging and in many cases augmented capabilities to assist the inspection. Considerations in this study included: resolution, depth of field, feature highlighting, and ease of digital capture, annotations and inspection augmentation for repeatable registration as well as operator assistance and training.
The Forensic Stage: Scenarios of arbitration and reconciliation in New Comedy

THE ARBITRATIONS OF EPITREPONTES AND RUDENS A comparison of procedure The most celebrated scenes of arbitration in New Comedy appear in Act ii of Menander's Epitrepontes and in Act iv 3 and 4 of Plautus5 Rudens , which is based on an unidentifiable play by Diphilos. What is immediately striking about these scenes is their elaborate parody of dispute settlement: in both, the disputants are slaves, and here they display well-honed forensic skills which would rarely be theirs to exhibit in a court of law – with remarkable eloquence on the part of one disputant in Epitrepontes and with savvy urbanity on the part of another in Rudens . In Epitrepontes , Suros, a charcoal burner and slave of Kharisios, quarrels with the shepherd Daos over the ownership of trinkets which the latter had found together with a new-born infant; Daos had handed the infant over to Suros, but had kept the trinkets for himself. The dispute is decided by Smikrines who unwittingly arbitrates the fate of his own grandson. In Rudens iv 4, Trachalio, slave of Plesidippus, and Gripus, fisherman and slave of Daemones, dispute the ownership of a trunk which the latter has fished out of the sea. Trachalio suspects that the trunk belongs to the pimp Labrax and that it contains the birth tokens of his master's sweetheart Palaestra. Daemones is called upon to arbitrate the dispute and so ends up, unwittingly, the arbiter of his long-lost daughter's identity.
Composing limit cycles for motion planning of 3D bipedal walkers

This paper presents a framework for navigation of 3D dynamically walking bipeds. The framework is based on extracting gait primitives in the form of limit-cycle locomotion behaviors, which are then composed by a higher-level planning algorithm with the purpose of navigating the biped to a goal location while avoiding obstacles. By formulating motion planning as a discrete-time switched system with multiple equilibria—each corresponding to a gait primitive—we provide analytical conditions that constrain the frequency of the switching signal so that the biped is guaranteed to stably execute a suggested plan. Effectively, these conditions distill the stability limitations of the system dynamics in a form that can be readily incorporated to the planning algorithm. We demonstrate the feasibility of the method in the context of a 3D bipedal model, walking dynamically under the influence of a Hybrid Zero Dynamics (HZD) controller. It is shown that the dimensional reduction afforded by HZD greatly facilitates the application of the method by allowing certificates of stability for gait primitives using sums-of-squares programming.
Target tumor hypoxia with 2-nitroimidazole-ICG dye conjugates

In this paper, we have synthesized a second generation tumor hypoxia targeted 2-nitroimidazole-ICG conjugate using piperazine linker (2-nitro-ICG-p) and validated its performance in in vivo tumor targeting. The results have shown that tumor hypoxia can be targeted with twice higher signal strength beyond three hours post-injection while the un-targeted ICG has completely washed out. The improvement of the second generation 2-nitro-ICG-p dyes is 1.2-1.3 times over the first generation 2-nitro-ICG dyes using ethanol linker beyond 3 hours post-injection which is the optimal time-window for evaluating tumor hypoxia.