cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Depletion-Removal Electrofishing of Brook Trout in Small Rocky Mountain Streams

Abstract We evaluated the effectiveness of three-pass depletion electrofishing for removing introduced brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis from small mountain streams that contained native populations of Colorado River cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus. Estimates based on depletion indicated removal efficiencies of 73–100% for age-0 brook trout and 59–100% for older brook trout. Estimates based on the number of fish caught 1 year later indicated removal efficiencies of 42–83% for age-0 brook trout and 92–96% for older fish. The lower removal efficiencies for age-0 brook trout reflected the difficulty in spotting small fish in streams with overhanging vegetation, undercut banks, and large woody debris. Because small brook trout were not captured as effectively as larger trout, a single electrofishing pass the year after depletion-removal electrofishing helped further reduce brook trout numbers. Although brook trout were not eradicated from any of the study streams, a year after treatment brook ...
A collaborative and reflective academic advanced pharmacy practice experience.

Objectives. To implement a co-precepted advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) focused on traditional pharmacy faculty and administrative responsibilities and reflection opportunities. Design. A multi-faceted, reflection-infused academic APPE was designed that exposed students to activities related to teaching, curriculum revision, scholarly writing, committee service, faculty role-modeling, mentorship and development, and school-level administrative decision-making. Assessment. Two students completed the APPE in the first 2 semesters it was offered (1 in spring 2010 and 1 in fall 2010). Formative and summative evaluations confirmed that the students achieved the APPE goals and viewed the experience as valuable, informative, and enjoyable as expressed both in reflective journal submissions and survey comments. Conclusion. Co-precepting by pharmacy faculty members primarily engaged in traditional faculty- and administration-related responsibilities can provide students with a robust learning experience that surpasses that which could be achieved by a single mentor.
Mapping strategies for the PERCS architecture

The PERCS system was designed by IBM in response to a DARPA challenge that called for a high-productivity high-performance computing system. The IBM PERCS architecture is a two level direct network having low diameter and high bisection bandwidth. Mapping and routing strategies play an important role in the performance of applications on such a topology. In this paper, we study mapping strategies for PERCS architecture, that examine how to map tasks of a given job on to the physical processing nodes. We develop and present fundamental principles for designing good mapping strategies that minimize congestion. This is achieved via a theoretical study of some common communication patterns under both direct and indirect routing mechanisms supported by the architecture.
Abstract P6-07-41: Sub classification of early stage hormone positive (HP) Her-2 negative breast cancer (BC) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) into intrinsic subtypes (IS) and their correlation with Oncotype Recurrence Score (RS)

Background: Early stage HPBC is a heterogenous disease and various models of prognostication are available. Molecular profiling by IS i.e. Luminal A (LA) and Luminal B (LB) is one such attempt but is complex and expensive. Literature suggests a Ki-67 index of ≥14% as a cutoff between LA and LB tumors. LB subtype is associated with worse breast cancer outcomes. Oncotype RS is one of the most robust tools to assess prognosis and predict benefit from chemotherapy in HP Her-2 negative early BC. We sought to investigate the correlation between IHC classification of IS and RS. In addition, we also evaluated incidence of basal immunophenotype in this population. Methods: Early Stage Her-2 negative HPBC cases that had RS testing from 2007–2011 were found through our database. IHC for Ki-67, CK 5/6 and EGFR was performed if adequate tissue blocks were present. IHC classification of IS was as follows: Ki-67 ≥ 14%: LB; Ki-67 Results: We found 115 patients. Median age: 62 years. Stage 1: 79/115 (69%) Stage 2: 36/115 (31%). Using Ki-67 cutoff of 14%, LA: 42/115 (36.5%); LB: 72/115 (62.6%); Using Ki-67 cutoff of 19%, LA: 66/115 (57.4%); LB: 48/115 (41.7%); Basal: 1/115(0.9%). Characteristics of LA and LB and their comparison with Oncotype Dx are shown in the Table 1. Compared to LA, LB patients were younger (p = 0.004) and had higher oncotype scores (p = 0.007). However, range of RS in both subtypes was large. Among LB patients, 43% fell in low risk category and only 15% fell into high risk category. Among LA, results seemed to correlate more with expectations; 69% were in low risk category while 5% were in high risk category. When a cutoff of Ki-67 Conclusion: Majority (85%) of LB patients were in Low or Intermediate category of RS. This did not change when a higher KI-67 cutoff was used. Thus, relying solely on Ki-67 to classify LA/LB and using it as a surrogate marker for obtaining benefit from chemotherapy would be inappropriate. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-07-41.
Discussion of Violence in Psychiatric Evaluations

Psychiatric practitioners and family violence specialists expect that violence will be substantially discussed during the course of psychiatric evaluations in order to assess potential dangerousness. Research on medical discourse implies that violence is likely to be minimized by medical staff, but the actual psychiatric discussion of violence has not been empirically investigated. This study examines the major transactions regarding violence during the course of transcribed psychiatric evaluations for 92 recently violent patients from a population of 382 psychiatric patients. The severity of the reported violence, the introduction of the violence, the clinician follow-up, the case presentation, the psychiatrist follow-up, and treatment options are each categorically coded for their mentions of patient violence. The transactions are also cross-tabulated to identify significant contributors to subsequent mention of violence. The findings substantiate a progressive decrease in the discussion of violence and...
Effect of excess water on the desilylation of oligoribonucleotides using tetrabutylammonium fluoride

The most commonly available 2' hydroxyl protecting group used in the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides is the tert-butyldimethylsilyl moiety. This protecting group is generally cleaved with 1 M tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The efficiency of this reaction was tested on ribonucleotidyldeoxythymidine dinucleotides (AT, CT, GT, and UT). We have found that the efficiency of desilylation of uridine and cytidine is greatly dependent on the water content of the TBAF reagent. Conversely, the water content of the TBAF reagent [up to 17% (w/w)] had no detectable effect on the rate of desilylation of adenosine and guanosine. It was concluded that for effective desilylation of pyrimidine nucleosides the water content of the TBAF reagent must be 5% or less, which is readily achieved using molecular sieves. TBAF dried in such a manner was shown to be effective in deprotecting an oligoribonucleotide containing both purine and pyrimidine residues.
The contribution of prefrontal executive processes to creating a sense of self

According to several current theories, executive processes help achieve various mental actions such as remembering, planning and decision-making, by executing cognitive operations on representations held in consciousness. I plan to argue that these executive processes are partly responsible for our sense of self, because of the way they produce the impression of an active, controlling presence in consciousness. If we examine what philosophers have said about the "ego" (Descartes), "the Self" (Locke and Hume), the "self of all selves" (William James), we will find that it fits what is now known about executive processes. Hume, for instance, famously argued that he could not detect the self in consciousness, and this would correspond to the claim (made by Crick and Koch, for instance) that we are not conscious of the executive processes themselves, but rather of their results.
Impact of the consideration of future sales consequences and customer‐oriented selling on long‐term buyer‐seller relationships

The value of long‐term relationships has become a widely studied variable in marketing. This article investigates two important characteristics of salespeople (consideration of future sales consequences and customer‐oriented selling) and their effects on the usage of long‐term relationships. In turn, associations between a long‐term relationship orientation, and a preference for long‐term compensation are explored. The findings suggest managerial and research implications for structuring of reward systems and potential tools for recruiting, selection and assignment of salespeople based on these characteristics.
Quantal parameters of transmission at the frog neuromuscular junction.

Estimates of quantal release parameters at frog neuromuscular junctions showed that alterations in [Ca2+]0 affected m (number of quanta), p (probability of quantal release) and n (stores of quanta available for release). The effect of [Ca2+]0 depended upon the initial value for p. When p was low, raising [Ca2+]0 increased m and p, but not n. However, when p was large, raising [Ca2+]0 had no further effect on p but increased m and n. During prolonged repetitive nerve stimulation to cause a decrease in m, n was decreased and p was increased. This finding was attributed to a failure of transmitter mobilization to maintain the stores of transmitter available for release.
Identification of a novel LDLR mutation (c.261_262invGA, p.Trp87X): Importance of specifying DNA and protein mutations

ClinSeq is a large-scale medical sequencing (LSMS) project at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the goal of which is to pilot the feasibility of using high throughput genome sequencing for clinical research and eventually to improve the delivery of healthcare. In phase one, 1000 participants are being clinically evaluated for cardiovascular phenotypes and DNA is being collected for sequencing of 400 candidate genes to identify genetic variants that may predispose to the early development of atherosclerosis. We report on an individual with familial hypercholesterolemia (OMIM #143890) who has a novel mutation, c.261_262invGA that predicts a premature stop (p.Trp87X) in the LDLR gene. Although the p.Trp87X predicted protein mutation has been reported, c.261_262invGA is distinct from mutations reported in prior families and emphasizes the importance of describing mutations at the DNA level. It is important to describe mutations according to the underlying DNA change as multiple nucleotide changes may underlie a single predicted protein change.
Regulation of the activity of hippocampal stratum oriens interneurons by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

GABAergic interneurons have been shown to be a major target of cholinergic inputs to the hippocampus. Because these interneurons project to pyramidal neurons as well as other interneurons, activation of the cholinergic system is likely to produce a complex modulation of local inhibitory activity. To better understand the role of post-synaptic alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampus, we have characterized the effects of nicotinic agents on local interneurons of the rat CA1 stratum oriens in terms of activation, desensitization, and region of axonal termination. Fast application of acetylcholine onto stratum oriens interneurons during whole-cell recordings from hippocampal slices activated the majority of cells tested, and these responses were mediated almost entirely by alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Anatomical reconstructions showed no clear relationship between the acetylcholine responsivity of interneurons and the regions to which their axons project. Currents mediated by alpha7 receptors declined markedly during repetitive activation in the theta rhythm range (4-12 Hz) when activated by either pressure application or synaptic release of acetylcholine. However, the decay of alpha7 receptor-mediated currents was unaffected by treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine (10 nM-10 microM), suggesting that hydrolysis of acetylcholine is not a rate-limiting step in the termination of these responses. From these findings we suggest that nicotinic receptor activity in this region has an extensive and complex impact on local inhibitory circuits that is mediated by activation of several classes of intrinsic GABAergic cells. In addition, desensitization of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is likely to contribute to the decay of individual responses to pressure application of agonist, and may also act in a cumulative fashion to impair the ability of these receptors to support repetitive activity during trains of activation. If applicable to alpha7 receptor responses in vivo, we suggest it may be difficult to enhance these responses for therapeutic purposes with cholinesterase inhibitors.
Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Traumatic events are common, but the psychological distress that may follow usually subsides naturally. For some individuals, distress develops into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD lends itself to the application of prevention strategies for at-risk individuals. The identification of a causal event may make prevention efforts for PTSD more feasible and effective than for other psychological disorders. For PTSD, these efforts target those traumatized persons who are beginning to exhibit symptoms of PTSD. These interventions could also target individuals meeting criteria for acute stress disorder with the goal of preventing chronic PTSD.
Distribution of the two types of polysaccharide formed by Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteroids in nodules on field-grown soybean plants (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

Abstract In a comparison of pure strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum with greenhouse-grown nodules, it was found that polysaccharide synthesis in soybean nodules (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is common in serogroups 31, 46 and 123. Among strains in these three serogroups plus serogroup 76, two-thirds of the 54 strains tested were polysaccharide formers, and these four serogroups are among the most commonly found in surveys of field-grown plants. In a survey of 66 samples of soybean nodules from field-grown plants, B. japonicum polysaccharide was found in all samples, although there were as much as 20-fold differences in polysaccharide concentration among samples. Some of this variation among field sites is probably explained by the fact that, on any given soybean plant, some of the nodules may contain B. japonicum polysaccharide while others may not. Different types of nodule polysaccharide are formed by the two DNA homology groups of B. japonicum, and the distribution of polysaccharide types in field-grown nodules from different regions of the U.S. corresponded roughly to the distribution of the two DNA homology groups of B. japonicum in different regions of the U.S.
The structural requirements for inhibition of proteasome function by the lactacystin-derived ?-lactone and synthetic analogs

Abstract The synthesis of analogs of the lactacystin-derived β-lactone ( 2 ) in which the substituents at C(5), C(7) and C(9) were systematically varied has led to a well defined structure-activity correlation for the highly selective inhibition of the mammalian 20 S proteasome.
Parent perceptions of the effects of the Saturday enrichment program on gifted students’ talent development

Based on survey responses from 187 parents of students who attended the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at the Center for Talent Development (CTD) of Northwestern University, this study showed that overall, parents perceived favorable effects of the program on their children's talent development, especially academic talent development. As a result of participation in the CTD program, parents perceived that their children gained scholastic skills or knowledge, were more motivated to learn and interested in the subject areas they studied, and gained academic competence. After the program parents had higher academic expectations for their children. Parents felt positively about instructional aspects of the program such as focusing on a single subject in depth and breadth, experiencing interdisciplinary perspectives across subject areas, and having experiential learning opportunities. They also perceived that the SEP classes provided their children with both challenge and enjoyment. Despite the perceived be...
Partners in Professionalism: Creating a Quality Field Experience for Preservice Teachers

Abstract The study investigates a professional development school (PDS) collaboration focused on identifying and studying the elements of a quality field experience for preservice elementary teachers. Data were collected to investigate collaboratively identified issues: Definitions of a quality field experience, relationships between and among the participants, structures which supported development of teaching expertise, and the role of inquiry in promoting a sense of community. Five graduate preservice teachers spent one year at the PDS with “enhanced supervision” and participation in collaborative inquiry and discourse. Qualitative data analysis of interviews, student and professor journals, observations in the classroom, and artifacts (e.g., action research reports) provide evidence for the efficacy of “enhanced supervision” and the benefits of preservice teachers' design of second field experiences within the same school. A highly collaborative context in the school, promoted discourse among particip...
Nature's transitory covalent bond.

The chemistry of sulphur enables a disulphide bond to be transitory—guiding the proper folding of a protein, but not appearing in the native structure.
The roles ofDrosophila ocelli and compound eyes in phototaxis

Drosophila have three types of photoreceptors in their compound eyes: R1–6, R7, and R8. In addition they have simple eyes, ocelli, with another type of photoreceptor. The role of each type of receptor and the possible interaction of their inputs were examined in an innate visual preference task, fast walking phototaxis. Flies were found to be attracted to light, i.e., positively phototactic. We compared the strength of the photopositive response and the spectral preference of normal fly strains and mutant fly strains lacking functional ocelli, R1–6, or R7, singly or in combination. Electroretinographic measures were used to confirm the specificity of deficits in visual mutant strains and the normal functioning of intact receptors. The strength of the photopositive response was strong, as indicated by the high correlation between increases in the intensity of the variable stimulus and increasing numbers of flies attracted toward it. Nearly all strains with or without intact receptor types showed high correlations whether the constant intensity stimulus offered as the alternative choice was bright 467 nm light (Figs. 1 and 2) or dim 572 nm light (Figs. 3 and 4). These constant stimuli were selected so that data in relevant intensity ranges of receptor function would be obtained. An important exception to the high correlations in the intensityresponse functions occurred with flies lacking function in all receptor types except R8; their positive phototaxis was extremely weak in dim light (Fig. 3). Analyses of the phototactic spectral sensitivities (Figs. 5 and 6), as well as comparisons with known electrophysiological spectral sensitivities, were used to determine the inputs from compound eye receptors and to demonstrate central interaction of these inputs with ocellar input. Several experiments with converging evidence suggest that R7 (when present) and R8 dominate fast phototaxis in the conditions of our experiment. R1–6 is the predominant compound eye receptor type in ERG measures; however, its behavioral input is clearly demonstrated only as enhancing R8 dominance of phototaxis in experiments using a dim constant stimulus and as enhancing R7 dominance of phototaxis in experiments using a bright constant stimulus. Similarly, the presence of ocellar receptors also facilitates R8 input in dim light and R7 input in bright light. The data substantiating these respective conclusions are: (1) a lack of dim light phototaxis in a mutant strain with only R8 functional (Fig. 3); and (2) a lack of an ultraviolet (UV) maximum from R7 in bright light phototaxis in a mutant strain with only R7 and R8 functional (Fig. 5c). Generally, absence of the ocelli and R1–6 had remarkably little effect on fast phototactic behavior except for the interaction with R7 and R8 inputs. This interaction is consistent with a theory that ocelli serve to modulate compound eye sensitivity.
Relative availability of tannin- and terpene-containing foods affects food intake and preference by lambs.

The availability of different forages varies across landscapes, but little is known about how proportional consumption of different foods affects food intake and the use of landscapes. The relative amounts of nutrients and plant secondary metabolites (PSM) consumed by herbivores may influence forage intake and animal fitness in landscapes dominated by plants with PSM. Our objective was to determine if the relative availability of nutritious foods that contain PSM affected food preference and intake by lambs. Lambs in three treatments (eight lambs/treatment) were offered two PSM-containing foods at different relative availabilities: treatment 1—ad libitum terpene- and 100-g tannin-containing food, treatment 2—ad libitum tannin- and 100-g terpene-containing food, and treatment 3—ad libitum access to both tannin- and terpene-containing foods. We measured intake of individual foods and total intake of PSM-containing foods during conditioning and a preference test, where animals were offered both PSM-containing foods ad libitum. When lambs were fed 100 g of the tannin-containing food, they ingested more terpene and total PSM (P 0.10). During preference tests, all groups preferred tannins over terpenes, but lambs in the treatment fed 100 g of tannin had a higher preference for terpenes than did lambs in the other two treatments (P < 0.10). These results support the notion that the relative amounts of PSM consumed affects intake and preference for PSM-containing foods by herbivores.
How do financial analysts make decisions? A process model of the investment screening decision

Abstract This article examines the decision making processes of professional financial analysts who are screening prospective investments. The analysts were provided with a package of financial materials that reflected the magnitude and the types of information that they normally review. They were asked to verbalize “whatever came to mind” during their evaluation. The resulting transcripts, called protocols, formed the basis for the analysis. The protocol analysis produced a descriptive model of the financial screening process, including the identification of the decision making processes, the decision rules, and the types of knowledge that are required to perform the task. Particular attention is given to factors that differentiate among individual analysts.
Treatment of end-stage heart disease with outpatient ventricular assist devices.

Abstract Background . Initiating outpatient therapy with ventricular assist devices (VAD) was important in the progress of mechanical circulatory support. This article reviews our experience with VAD therapy from the start of our outpatient program until the present. Methods . Medical records of patients who received a Thoratec para-corporeal VAD, HeartMate vented electrical VAD, or HeartMate pneumatic VAD between 12/1/97 and 9/1/01 were reviewed. Variables included age, type of devices, total duration of VAD support, discharge status, duration of outpatient support, outcome (transplanted, died on support, ongoing), in-hospital length of stay after transplantation, and complications during VAD support. Results . There were 53 device implants in 46 patients. The cumulative patient-days of VAD support was 7,468 (mean duration of support, 138 ± 195 days; median, 95 days; range, 2 to 948 days). Twenty of the 46 patients were discharged with a VAD. The cumulative outpatient days was 3,600 (mean outpatient duration, 157 ± 164 days; median, 83 days; maximum, 560 days). Of the 20 outpatients, 11 received cardiac transplantation, 5 died, and 4 are ongoing as of 9/1/01. Major complications that occurred in the outpatient setting included 5 deaths after hospital readmission (1 sepsis, 1 conduit tear, 3 neurologic events); 4 device infections (3 sepsis, 1 pouch infection); and 3 device malfunctions that required reoperation for pump replacement (1 HeartMate pneumatic and 2 HeartMate vented electrical). No deaths occurred in an outpatient setting. Conclusions . Ventricular assist devices effectively support outpatients for months to years. The anticipated time for postoperative recovery and VAD training before discharge is approximately 14 to 21 days, although shorter times may be possible in the future. Establishing a successful outpatient VAD program is a crucial step toward VAD as definitive therapy for end-stage heart disease.
Enhancing access and building a campus culture of civic engagement and service-learning: A dual consortial approach

This chapter describes how the New Hampshire College & University Council and Campus Compact for New Hampshire have developed a unique multiconsortial alliance to build campus cultures of civic engagement and service-learning.
A magnetohydrodynamic model of whistler duct structure in the magnetosphere

In this study, the physical structure for the propagation of whistler waves within a duct in the earth's magnetosphere is investigated by means of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory. Expressions for the current density and induced magnetic field are determined analytically and evaluated in terms of two models for the duct plasma density distribution. It is found that once the duct is formed, forces associated with the current structure will maintain it. MHD instabilities are examined briefly and found to be unlikely to threaten duct maintenance in regions where whistlers are typically observed. Examination of some effects of field-aligned currents suggest that this may be a viable mechanism for duct formation.
Buddy bearings: a person-to-person navigation system

This paper proposes a mobile application to facilitate the meeting of people in unmarked spaces. We report on the concept, aspects of the work-in-progress implementation and future steps.
Characterization of Multiple mRNAs That Encode Mammalian Translation Initiation Factor 5 (eIF-5)

Abstract Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5 (eIF-5) interacts with the 40 S initiation complex (40S·mRNA·MettRNAf·eIF-2·GTP) to promote the hydrolysis of bound GTP with the concomitant joining of the 60 S ribosomal subunit to the 40 S initiation complex to form a functional 80 S initiation complex. In this paper, the multiple mRNAs that encode mammalian eIF-5 have been characterized. In rat tissues, three major eIF-5 mRNAs of 3.5, 2.8, and 2.2 kilobases in length are detected. All major eIF-5 mRNAs are initiated from a single transcription initiation site, contain identical 5′-untranslated and coding regions, but differ from one another only in the length of their 3′-untranslated regions. The different lengths of the 3′-untranslated region of eIF-5 mRNAs are generated by the use of alternative polyadenylation signals. Additionally, we demonstrate tissue-specific variations in eIF-5 mRNA expression as well as preference for polyadenylation sites. These results should lead to increased understanding of the regulation of eIF-5 gene expression.
Assisted living technologies for older adults

This tutorial will discuss the current state of the art assisted living technologies for older adults. One of the current challenging health care problems is the increasing aging population. The population of the US, as well as the other industrialized countries is aging rapidly. By 2030, 20% of the US population will be over the age of 65. The average life expectancy is projected to increase to age 81 by 2030. This aging population is going to bring new challenges to our society, such as an increase in age-related diseases, rising health care costs, shortage of health care professionals, and lack of quality care for everyone. In this tutorial, we will explore intelligent technologies and methods that can help health care professionals to provide better quality care for the older adults, monitor their health conditions in place, as well as technologies that allow the older adults to live more independently.
The emergence of cross channel scripting

Lightweight, embedded Web servers are soon about to outnumber regular Internet Web servers. They reside in devices entrusted with personal and corporate data, and are typically used for configuration and management. We reveal a series of attacks on consumer and small office electronics, ranging from networked storage to digital photo frames. The attacks target Web server logic and are based on a new type of vulnerability that we call cross channel scripting (XCS). XCS is a sophisticated form of cross site scripting (XSS) in which the attack injection and execution are carried out via different protocols.
A Method for Real-Time In Vitro Observation of Cavitation on Prosthetic Heart Valves

A method for real-time in vitro observation of cavitation on a prosthetic heart valve has been developed. Cavitation of four blood analog fluids (distilled water, aqueous glycerin, aqueous polyacrylamide, and aqueous xanthan gum) has been documented for a Medtronic/Hall prosthetic heart valve. This method employed a Penn State Electrical Ventricular Assist Device in a mock circulatory loop that was operated in a partial filling mode associated with reduced atrial filling pressure. The observations were made on a valve that was located in the mitral position, with the cavitation occurring on the inlet side after valve closure on every cycle. Stroboscopic videography was used to document the cavity life cycle. Bubble cavitation was observed on the valve occluder face. Vortex cavitation was observed at two locations in the vicinity of the valve occluder and housing. For each fluid, cavity growth and collapse occurred in less than one millisecond, which provides strong evidence that the cavitation is vaporous rather than gaseous. The cavity duration time was found to decrease with increasing atrial pressure at constant aortic pressure and beat rate. The area of cavitation was found to decrease with increasing delay time at a constant aortic pressure, atrial pressure, and beat rate. Cavitation was found to occur in each of the fluids, with the most cavitation seen in the Newtonian fluids (distilled water and aqueous glycerin).
Synthesis and characterization of a new isocyanato carborane anion [7-OCN-7-CB10H12]−; study on its reactivity toward amino containing compounds

Abstract The new isocyanato carborane anion, [7-OCN-7-CB10H12]− was prepared by the reaction of 7-H3N-7-CB10H12 with triphosgene in the presence of triethylamine. The structure of this compound was established by 1H, 11B and 13C NMR as well as IR spectroscopy. The reactivigty of this compound with a series of organic amines was investigated. The resulting ureas were obtained in good to excellent yields. This approach is suitable for development of compounds for use in tumor selective Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).
Real-time scheduling of an "Open warehouse" sorter-palletizer system

We introduce a stochastic control problem associated with automated material handling systems, describe its applications, and outline a method for its solution.
Faunal correlation of Wadi Moghara, Egypt: implications for the age of Prohylobates tandyi.

Abstract Wadi Moghara, Egypt, is an early Miocene fossil locality with a mammalian fauna that includes Prohylobates tandyi , one of the earliest known representatives of the Cercopithecoidea. Faunal correlations were conducted between Moghara, Gebel Zelten (Libya) and a series of East African fossil sites with established radiometric dates in order to estimate the age of the Moghara mammals, including P. tandyi . Results confirm hypotheses proposed in some previous studies that: (1) Moghara is about 18–17 Ma, approximately the same age as the Hiwegi fauna from Rusinga Island (Kenya); (2) Moghara is slightly older than Gebel Zelten (Libya) (17–15 Ma); and (3) the cercopithecoid tooth presently identified as Victoriapithecus sp. from Napak V (ca. 19 Ma) is currently the oldest known record of a fossil Old World monkey, followed by P. tandyi from Moghara (Egypt) (18–17 Ma) and Prohylobates sp. from Buluk (Kenya) (> 17·2 Ma), P. simonsi from Gebel Zelten (Libya) (ca. 17–15 Ma), and V. macinnesi from Maboko (Kenya) (ca. 16–14·7 Ma).
Intermediate statistics of interacting electrons: A bond approach

Conventional bond order-disorder theory is shown to provide a very simple approach to the statistical properties of interacting electrons. The theory correctly reduces to Fermi-Dirac and to the Statistical Spin Liquid limits for noninteracting and strongly interacting particles, respectively. The effects of applying an external magnetic field have also been investigated. Various special cases are examined in detail.
The design and implementation of a new digital dimming controller for the backlight resonant inverter

This paper presents a new digital dimming controller (DDC) for the backlight resonant inverter to improve the ignition behavior of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) and, hence, to increase the CCFL's lifespan. The DDC using a soft-starting technique (DDC-SST) is designed and developed to reduce the high ignition voltage and to eliminate the ignition current spikes. A full-bridge resonant inverter is adopted in the backlight system. The design considerations along with a complete analysis for said controller are detailed. Encouraging experimental results in close agreement with the theoretical analysis are also exhibited. The overall system power efficiency is approximately 85%. The ignition voltage is reduced by around 30% without any lamp current spike occurring during the dimming control operation. The apparent advantages of the proposed dimmer are listed in the conclusion.
The dual bkr inequality and rudich's conjecture

Let be a set of terms over an arbitrary (but finite) number of Boolean variables. Let U( ) be the set of truth assignments that satisfy exactly one term in . Motivated by questions in computational complexity, Rudich conjectured that there exist ∊, δ > 0 such that, if is any set of terms for which U( ) contains at least a (1−∊)-fraction of all truth assignments, then there exists a term t ∈ such that at least a δ-fraction of assignments satisfy some term of sharing a variable with t [8]. We prove a stronger version: for any independent assignment of the variables (not necessarily the uniform one), if the measure of U( ) is at least 1 − ∊, there exists a t ∈ such that the measure of the set of assignments satisfying either t or some term incompatible with t (i.e., having no satisfying assignments in common with t) is at least $\Gd = 1-\Ge-\frac{4\Ge}{1-\Ge}$ . (A key part of the proof is a correlation-like inequality on events in a finite product probability space that is in some sense dual to Reimer's inequality [11], a.k.a. the BKR inequality [5], or the van den Berg–Kesten conjecture [3].)
Ordovician Algal Stromatolites in Upper Mississippi Valley: ABSTRACT

Algal stromatolites locally comprise as much as half of the Willow River Dolomite (Prairie du Chien Group) in the upper Mississippi Valley. They exhibit two basic forms: mounds which may range up to 4 feet in diameter and mats which may be extensive. Laminations in both range from one to several millimeters in thickness and exhibit a variety of textures and compositions in thin section. The structure of the mounds is distinctive in that the laminations are irregular and non-parallel. Thin sections show them to consist of fine silt-size dolomite debris and recrystallized micrite, and significant quantities of coarse debris including biogenic sand-size material and large pieces of shell material. Small spherical pellets are rare. Most samples contain some End_Page 609------------------------------ quartz, as well as small intraclasts or oolites, trapped between laminations and in small cut-and-fill structures. In the mats, laminae are essentially smooth and parallel. Mats are composed almost entirely of fine silt-size dolomite and commonly bear desiccation features which suggest a calm shallow environment. This is in contrast to the presence of intraclasts and algal clasts in the mounds which indicate a relatively high-energy environment. Together, both forms of stromatolites suggest a shallow, intertidal, locally hypersaline environment very much like that of the areas where algal stromatolites occur today. End_of_Article - Last_Page 610------------
Late Palaeozoic basins of the southern U.S. continental interior

The timing and geometry of late Palaeozoic inhomogenous deformation in the southern U.S. continental interior from the Appalachian foreland of Kentucky-Tennessee through Oklahoma and Texas to the Ancestral Rockies of Colorado-Wyoming-Utah can be definitively linked with a discrete sequence of collisional events in the Appalachian-Ouachita-Marathon orogenic belt to the south (Permian coordinates). A progressive staged collisional sequence beginning in late Mississippian times in the southern Appalachians and culminating in early Permian times in the Marathons led to a progressive deformation of the adjacent craton in a wide swath dominated by right-lateral shear (e.g. Rough Creek Fault zone) by which a Mexican promontory of North America was displaced towards a Pacific ‘free face’. While the deformation in the Appalachian-Marathon belt was dominated by vertical plane strain leading to crustal thickening, the associated continental interior deformation can be averaged as a horizontal plane strain at or near sea level with localized deep extensions (Delaware) and flexural (Arkoma) basins and compressions uplifts (Amarillo-Wichita) giving local source areas.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC AND MECHANICAL EFFECTS OF SUXAMETHONIUM AND TUBOCURARINE ON TWITCH, TETANIC AND POST-TETANIC RESPONSES

In an effort to reconcile conflicting reports in the literature concerning suxamethonium and tubocurarine, we studied the effects of these agents on the adductor pollicis mechanical twitch, adductor pollicis brevis compound action potential and abductor digiti quinti compound action potential. It was observed that the magnitude of block of the adductor pollicis differed from that of the abductor digiti quinti. In addition the magnitude of adductor pollicis block recorded mechanically differed from that recorded electrically. It was further observed that the presence or absence and magnitude of fade and post-tetanic potentiation depended upon the muscle studied, the rate of stimulation, the anaesthetic technique employed, the degree of block and whether electrical or mechanical responses were recorded. Nevertheless, by recording electrical and mechanical effects, it was possible to distinguish clearly the depolarizing block produced by suxamethonium from the desensitizing block produced by this agent as well as from the non-depolarizing block produced by tubocurarine.
Transbaffle Mapping and Ablation for Atrial Tachycardias After Mustard, Senning, or Fontan Operations

Background In Fontan and atrial switch patients, transcatheter ablation is limited by difficult access to the pulmonary venous atrium. In recent years, transbaffle access (TBA) has been described, but limited data document its safety and utility. Methods and Results All ablative electrophysiological study cases of this population performed between January 2006 and December 2010 at Boston Children's Hospital were reviewed. Pre-case and follow-up clinical characteristics were documented. Adverse events were classified by severity and attributability to the intervention. We included 118 cases performed in 90 patients. TBA was attempted in 74 cases and was successful in 96%: in 20 via baffle leak or fenestration and in 51 (94%) of 54 using standard or radiofrequency transseptal techniques. There were 10 procedures with adverse events ranked as moderate or more severe. The event rate was similar in both groups (TBA 8% versus non-TBA 9%, P =1), and no events were directly attributable to TBA. There was a trend to higher proportion of cases having a >5-point drop in saturations from baseline in the TBA group versus the non-TBA group in Fontan cases (15% vs 0%, P =0.14). When cases with follow-up >90 and >365 days were analyzed, the median initial arrhythmia score of 5 significantly changed −3 points in both time periods ( P ≤0.001). Conclusions TBA is feasible in this population; its use was not associated with a higher incidence of adverse events; and changes in clinical scores support its efficacy. Desaturation observed in some patients is of uncertain significance but warrants postablation monitoring and prospective study.
An E-cient Proximal Gradient Method for General Structured Sparse Learning

We study the problem of learning high dimensional regression models regularized by a structured-sparsity-inducing penalty that encodes prior structural information on either input or output sides. We consider two widely adopted types of such penalties as our motivating examples: 1) overlapping-group-lasso penalty, based on ‘1=‘2 mixed-norm, and 2) graph-guided fusion penalty. For both types of penalties, due to their non-separability, developing an e‐cient optimization method has remained a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a general optimization framework, called proximal gradient method, which can solve the structured sparse learning problems with a smooth convex loss and a wide spectrum of non-smooth and non-separable structured-sparsity-inducing penalties, including the overlapping-group-lasso and graph-guided fusion penalties. Our method exploits the structure of such penalties, decouples the non-separable penalty function via the dual norm, introduces its smooth approximation, and solves this approximation function. It achieves a convergence rate signiflcantly faster than the standard flrst-order method, subgradient method, and is much more scalable than the most widely used method, namely interior-point method for second-order cone programming and quadratic programming formulations. The e‐ciency and scalability of our method are demonstrated on both simulated and real genetic datasets.
Path attenuation statistics influenced by orientation of rain cells

The influence of path azimuth on fade and space diversity statistics associated with propagation along earth-satellite paths at a frequency of 18 GHz is examined. The approach utilizes the methods employed by Goldhirsh and Robison [1], and Goldhirsh [2], in which a radar rain reflectivity data base obtained during the summer of 1973 is injected into a modeling program and the attenuation along parallel earth-satellite paths are obtained for a conglomeration of azimuths. In this work the statistics are separated into two groupings: one pertaining to earth-satellite paths oriented in the northwest-southeast and the other in the northeast-southwest quadrants using a fixed elevation angle of 45/deg . The latter case shows fading to be greater with a degraded space diversity suggesting rain cells to be elongated along this direction. Great circle distance intervals along which the path attenuations are greater than a fixed threshold level (i.e., 2 dB) are defined here as "attenuation cell sizes." These cell dimensions are analyzed for both sets of quadrants and are found to have average values which are larger by 2 km in the northeast-southwest quadrants; a result consistent with the fade and space diversity results. Examination of the wind direction for the 14 rain days of data analyzed shows good correlation of the average or median wind directions with the directions of maximum fading and degraded space diversity.
Varieties of Global Capital and the Paradox of Local Upgrading in China

Over the past two decades, China has launched a nationwide endeavor to push domestic firms up the value chain. This article explores why, in some localities, Chinese firms had significant success in upgrading, while in other localities, firms were paradoxically trapped in a race-to-the-bottom competition. Drawing on national economic census data, a firm-level survey, and in-depth interviews, the article conducts a controlled comparison of China’s largest electronics manufacturing bases in the Yangtze and the Pearl River Deltas. It argues that the local government’s choice of global business allies shaped the upgrading behavior of domestic firms. When local governments allied with large multinational corporations (MNCs) at the top of the value chain, they reinforced the hierarchical structure of production, shrank the upgrading space for domestic firms, and squeezed them to the bottom of the value chain. In contrast, alliances with small foreign invested firms at the bottom helped break the hierarchical se...
Aspergillus susceptibility testing in patients with cancer and invasive aspergillosis: Difficulties in establishing correlation between in vitro susceptibility data and the outcome of initial amphotericin B therapy

Study Objectives. As the failure of amphotericin B therapy in patients with invasive aspergillosis often exceeds 50%, we sought to determine the relationship between in vitro amphotericin B resistance and clinical failure of amphotericin B against invasive aspergillosis. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. University cancer center. Patients. One hundred sixteen patients with cancer and invasive aspergillosis. Measurements and Main Results. The correlation between in vitro amphotericin B susceptibility, defined by both the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards and Etest methods, and other prognostic factors with failure of initial amphotericin B therapy was retrospectively evaluated. Data for correlation could be clearly assessed in only 18 (16%) of the 116 patients. Admission to the intensive care unit was the only prognostic factor associated with failure of initial amphotericin B treatment in these 18 patients (p=0.01). Conclusions. Several important obstacles underlie the correlation of in vitro susceptibility testing with in vivo efficacy of individual antifungal agents in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Such correlations could be determined in only a small subset of patients.
Variability of Momentary Pain Predicts Recall of Weekly Pain: A Consequence of the Peak (or Salience) Memory Heuristic:

Patients' recall of their recent pain is commonly assessed by both researchers and clinicians. However, concerns have been raised about differences between recalled pain and the average of real-time recordings of pain taken over the same period, in part because of the possibility that memory processes affect how retrospective pain is reported. It was hypothesized that memory processes affect the accuracy of recall, such that those with higher versus lower variability of real-time pain will recall pain at higher levels, relative to their average momentary pain. Sixty-eight chronic pain patients with rheumatologic conditions reported their pain several times a day for 2 weeks and also recalled their weekly pain at the end of each of those 2 weeks. The hypothesis was confirmed and it was concluded that variability of real-time pain affects the recall of pain.