cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bento Box User Experience Study at Franklin University

This article discusses the benefits of the bento-box method of searching library resources, including a comparison of the method with a tabbed search interface. It then describes a usability study conducted by the Franklin University Library in which 27 students searched for an article, an ebook, and a journal on two websites: one using a bento box and one using the EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS). Screen recordings of the searches were reviewed to see what actions users took while looking for information on each site, as well as how long the searches took. Students also filled out questionnaires to indicate what they thought of each type of search. Overall students found more items on the bento-box site, and indicated a slight preference for the bento-box search over EDS. The bento-box site also provided quicker results than the EDS site. As a result, the Franklin University library decided to implement bento-box searching on its website.
A Copula Enhanced Convolution for Uncertainty Aggregation

A promising approach to managing the uncertainty of renewables is probabilistic forecasting. However, a key challenge associated with the integration of probabilistic forecast into real-world applications is to estimate the distribution of the aggregation of several correlated variables given their individual distributions. This study presents a copula enhanced convolution technique that accounts for cross-variable correlations. The method approximates the distributions of the convolved variables with piecewise polynomial functions and the correlations are represented with copula functions, which are then discretized and factorized for better computation performance. The method is demonstrated by applying it to the convolution of two correlated variables as well as multiple correlated variables. Our results indicate the copula enhancement effectively improve the results by reducing deviations from the actual distributions in the case of net load forecasting in California.
On Explaining the Surprising Success of Reservoir Computing Forecaster of Chaos? The Universal Machine Learning Dynamical System with Contrasts to VAR and DMD

Machine learning has become a widely popular and successful paradigm, including in data-driven science and engineering. A major application problem is data-driven forecasting of future states from a complex dynamical. Artificial neural networks (ANN) have evolved as a clear leader amongst many machine learning approaches, and recurrent neural networks (RNN) are considered to be especially well suited for forecasting dynamical systems. In this setting, the echo state networks (ESN) or reservoir computer (RC) have emerged for their simplicity and computational complexity advantages. Instead of a fully trained network, an RC trains only read-out weights by a simple, efficient least squares method. What is perhaps quite surprising is that nonetheless an RC succeeds to make high quality forecasts, competitively with more intensively trained methods, even if not the leader. There remains an unanswered question as to why and how an RC works at all, despite randomly selected weights. We explicitly connect the RC with linear activation and linear read-out to well developed time-series literature on vector autoregressive averages (VAR) that includes theorems on representability through the WOLD theorem, which already perform reasonably for short term forecasts. In the case of a linear activation and now popular quadratic read-out RC, we explicitly connect to a nonlinear VAR (NVAR), which performs quite well. Further, we associate this paradigm to the now widely popular dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), and thus these three are in a sense different faces of the same thing. We illustrate our observations in terms of popular benchmark examples including Mackey-Glass differential delay equations and the Lorenz63 system.
Self-reconfigurable micro-implants for cross-tissue wireless and batteryless connectivity

We present the design, implementation, and evaluation of μmedIC, a fully-integrated wireless and batteryless micro-implanted sensor. The sensor powers up by harvesting energy from RF signals and communicates at near-zero power via backscatter. In contrast to prior designs which cannot operate across various in-body environments, our sensor can self-reconfigure to adapt to different tissues and channel conditions. This adaptation is made possible by two key innovations: a reprogrammable antenna that can tune its energy harvesting resonance to surrounding tissues, and a backscatter rate adaptation protocol that closes the feedback loop by tracking circuit-level sensor hints. We built our design on millimeter-sized integrated chips and flexible antenna substrates, and tested it in environments that span both in-vitro (fluids) and ex-vivo (tissues) conditions. Our evaluation demonstrates μmedIC's ability to tune its energy harvesting resonance by more than 200 MHz (i.e., adapt to different tissues) and to scale its bitrate by an order of magnitude up to 6Mbps, allowing it to support higher data rate applications (such as streaming low-res images) without sacrificing availability. This rate adaptation also allows μmedIC to scale its energy consumption by an order of magnitude down to 350 nanoWatts. These capabilities pave way for a new generation of networked micro-implants that can adapt to complex and time-varying in-body environments.
Microstructure and Mechanical Property Evaluation of Aluminum F357 Powder for Cold Spray Applications

Cold spray (CS) is a solid-state additive manufacturing process that can create high-density, high-performance deposits for many applications. Aluminum alloys have been the target of recent CS research due to their excellent mechanical behavior when cold-sprayed. The introduction of new Al alloys to CS is of interest as unique properties may be achieved, especially when powder is heat-treated prior to deposition. In this study, three batches of Al F357 powder—a control as-atomized, heat-treated at 230 °C for 75 min and heat-treated at 385 °C for 6 h—were studied. Scanning electron microscopy revealed microstructural modifications after heat treatment in the powder and sprayed deposits. X-ray diffraction highlighted the presence of eutectic Si, Mg2Si and SiO2 in all specimens. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy showed the spheroidization of Si during the 385 °C heat treatment, with an increase in the fraction of Mg2Si during both treatments. Nanohardness and microhardness testing showed a decrease in hardness with thermal processing in both the powder and sprayed deposits. Tensile testing demonstrated ductile behavior from both heat-treated powders, but significantly higher strengths from the 230 °C treatment. These results suggest Al F357 may be used in CS when appropriate powder heat treatments are applied.
The COVID-19 Pandemic, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act, and the Dawn of a New Age of U.S. Olympic Reform

In the fall of 2020, Congress enacted the first substantive changes in the governance of the Olympic Sports system in over four decades. The new law, The Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act, was passed in the wake of sexual abuse scandals that rocked certain sport governing bodies. In amending the 1978 Amateur Sports Act, the new law grants Congress the power to decertify the United States Olympic bodies, mandates greater athlete representation in governance, and increases funding to protect athletes through greater support of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Aside from the decertification power, the most significant provision of the new law is the establishment of a Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics to review the governance of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”) and make proposals for change. The Commission’s creation comes at a crucial time in U.S. Olympic governance. Due to the governance scandals, uncertain funding and the general national sports upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this article advocates for more significant changesto the Olympic structure that the commission should consider, such as direct or indirect government funding for the USOPC and the sport governing bodies in return for adherence to more stringent transparency and ethical rules. Ideas that the Commission could consider include mandatory disclosure of information such as sponsorship agreements as well as compensation and bonus limitations for those in key leadership positions, the appointment of an inspector-general, and greater athlete involvement in the U.S. Olympic movement. The article also proposes more statutory changes such as a limited antitrust exemption and the end of special trademark protections for the USOPC.
A Novel Machine Learning Predictive Tool Assessing Outpatient or Inpatient Designation for Medicare Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services removed total hip arthroplasty (THA) from the inpatient-only list. This has created significant confusion regarding which patients qualify for an inpatient designation. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a novel predictive tool for preoperatively objectively determining “outpatient” vs “inpatient” status for THA in the Medicare population. Methods A cohort of Medicare patients undergoing primary THA between January 2017 and September 2019 was retrospectively reviewed. A machine learning model was trained using 80% of the THA patients, and the remaining 20% was used for testing the model performance in terms of accuracy and the average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Feature importance was obtained for each feature used in the model. Results One thousand ninety-one patients had outpatient stays, and 318 qualified for inpatient designation. Significant associations were demonstrated between inpatient designations and the following: higher BMI, increased patient age, better preoperative functional scores, higher American Society of Anesthesiologist Physical Status Classification, higher Modified Frailty Index, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, female gender, and numerous comorbidities. The XGBoost model for predicting an inpatient or outpatient stay was 78.7% accurate with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to be 81.5%. Conclusions Using readily available key baseline characteristics, functional scores and comorbidities, this machine-learning model accurately predicts an “outpatient” or “inpatient” stay after THA in the Medicare population. BMI, age, functional scores, and American Society of Anesthesiologist Physical Status Classification had the highest influence on this predictive model.
The Audio-Visual Norm

Part II of this book suggests that the way we view our best-known senses can lead us astray for several reasons. Our senses are not always as reliable or powerful as we would like to think. They also present only partial pictures of the world. With regard to the five senses we think we know, the three chapters in this portion of the book will present some surprising information. The first treats the audio/visual bias humans have—most regularly developed individuals of our species rely heavily on these to map, navigate, simulate, and interact with their environments, often to the exclusion of other obvious sources of information. Yet our sight and hearing are fairly weak compared to many animals, and these primary senses are apt to “play tricks” or be processed in misleading fashion.
Measurement of acetabular wall indices: comparison between CT and plain radiography.

The purpose of this study was to compare measurements of anterior wall index (AWI) and posterior wall index (PWI) on computed tomography (CT) to those on radiographs (XR). A consecutive cohort of 33 patients (45 hips total) being evaluated for hip pain with both XR and CT was examined. Preoperative measurements of AWI and PWI were performed utilizing supine anteroposterior pelvic XR and coronal and swiss axial CT scans by two independent raters. Mean differences between XR and CT measurements were compared, and agreement between measurements was assessed using the concordance correlation coefficient (rc ) and Bland-Altman analysis. A total of 39 hips in 28 patients were analyzed. The mean patient age was 31.1 ± 9.0 years, and 50% were female. Mean AWI and PWI on XR was 0.50 ± 0.14 and 0.91 ± 0.12, respectively. Measured values of AWI were consistently larger (0.08 ± 0.10, P < 0.01) on XR compared with both coronal and swiss axial CT, with moderate agreement between XR and CT measurements (rc = 0.68-0.70). Measured values of PWI were consistently smaller (0.15 ± 0.12, P < 0.05) on XR compared with both coronal and swiss axial CT, with poor agreement between XR and CT measurements (rc = 0.37-0.45). Measured values of acetabular wall indices on XR were consistently larger for AWI and smaller for PWI relative to CT. Agreement between XR and CT measures of the indices were moderate to poor. This highlights the need for standardization of XR- and CT-based measurements to improve assessment of acetabular coverage and subsequent clinical decision-making.
Change can be SCARI.

A new spatial biology technique enables isolation and analysis of specific cells from live tissue.
Single-cell nuclear architecture across cell types in the mouse brain.

Diverse cell types in tissues have distinct gene expression programs, chromatin states, and nuclear architectures. To correlate such multimodal information across thousands of single cells in mouse...
Does Dividend Taxation Affect Voluntary Disclosure? International Evidence

This study examines how dividend taxation affects corporate voluntary disclosure. Using a sample of firms in 32 OECD countries from 2001 to 2017, our difference-in-differences regressions find that higher dividend tax rates reduce both the issuance and the frequency of management forecasts. The decreases are more pronounced when governance is weaker or agency problems are potentially more severe. Also, the effect of dividend tax rates on management forecasts is asymmetric. That is, tax cuts increase management forecasts, but tax hikes do not decrease management forecasts. In addition, the change in management forecasting behavior following dividend tax changes significantly affects firms’ cost of equity and stock market liquidity. Overall, our findings are consistent with the prediction of the agency theory framework that dividend taxation negatively affects corporate voluntary disclosure behavior.
Procesiones en Teotihuacan. Agua y tierra

Los grandes monumentos y la disposicion en cuadricula de Teotihuacan fueron un entorno propicio para las procesiones que rendian culto al mundo natural. La arquitectura y los murales de la ciudad son testimonios de practicas procesionales y de una larga tradicion de culto al agua
Magnetostriktion und ihre Bedeutung für die magnetischen Theorien

Unter Magnetostriktion verstehen wir die gegenseitigen Beziehungen zwischen magnetischen und mechanischen Beanspruchungen ferromagnetischer Korper. Im allgemeinen verursacht ein magnetisches Feld eine Dimensionsanderung solcher Korper, wahrend umgekehrt mechanische Deformationen Anderungen in den magnetischen Eigenschaften hervorrufen. Unter diese Erscheinungen rechnen wir: 1. Den Joule-Effekt (Langenanderung durch das magnetische Feld). 2. Den Wiedemann-Effekt (Verdrillung durch die Uberlagerung eines longitudinalen und eines zirkularen magnetischen Feldes). 3. Langsstrome, die durch eine einem longitudinalen Felde uberlagerte Verdrillung hervorgerufen sind. 4. Eine Langsmagnetisierung durch eine einem zirkularen Felde iberlagerte Verdrillung. 5. Die Volumenanderung durch das magnetische Feld. 6. Den Villari-Effekt (Anderung der magnetischen Eigenschaften durch mechanische Beanspruchung). 7. Schallerzeugung durch das magnetische Feld. 8. Widerstandsanderung durch das magnetische Feld. 9. Wirkung des magnetischen Feldes auf thermoelektrische Erscheinungen.
Weighted Regional Representation as a Basis for Security Council Reform

In recent years, we have witnessed – in the deliberations of the UN General Assembly, in diplomatic negotiations outside the UN and in various academic forums – a plethora of ineffectual attempts to devise a broadly acceptable accord for making the Security Council more representative of the world’s nations and peoples.2 Almost all such proposals call for an expanded membership with permanent and rotating seats allocated, as at present, to specific member nations. While there is widespread acknowledgment of the excessive power wielded by nations of the ‘global North’, there is considerable disagreement on the regional allocation of seats and on which nations deserve new permanent or, in some formulations, ‘semi-permanent’ seats.3 Nor is there much accord on which seat holders shall be endowed with the veto and how the veto power might be responsibly employed.
Production, growth and business cycles: I. The basic neoclassical model

This paper presents the neoclassical model of capital accumulation augmented by choice of labor supply as the basic framework of modern real business cycle analysis. Preferences and production possibilities are restricted so that the economy displays steady state growth. Then we explore the implications of the basic model for perfect foresight capital accumulation and for economic fluctuations initiated by impulses to technology. We argue that the neoclassical approach holds considerable promise for enhancing our understanding of fluctuations. Nevertheless, the basic model does have some important shortcomings. In particular, substantial persistence in technology shocks is required if the model economy is to exhibit periods of economic activity that persistently deviate from a deterministic trend.
Measuring clinical information technology in the ICU setting: application in a quality improvement collaborative.

Objective: Few instruments are available to measure the performance of intensive care unit (ICU) clinical information systems. Our objectives were: 1) to develop a survey-based metric that assesses the automation and usability of an ICU's clinical information system; 2) to determine whether higher scores on this instrument correlate with improved outcomes in a multi-institution quality improvement collaborative. Design: This is a cross-sectional study of the medical directors of 19 Michigan ICUs participating in a state-wide quality improvement collaborative designed to reduce the rate of catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI). Respondents completed a survey assessing their ICU's information systems. Measurements: The mean of 54 summed items on this instrument yields the clinical information technology (CIT) index, a global measure of the ICU's information system performance on a 100 point scale. The dependent variable in this study was the rate of CRBSI after the implementation of several evidence-based recommendations. A multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the CIT score and the post-intervention CRBSI rates after adjustment for the pre-intervention rate. Results: In this cross-sectional analysis, we found that a 10 point increase in the CIT score is associated with 4.6 fewer catheter related infections per 1,000 central line days for ICUs who participate in the quality improvement intervention for 1 year (95% CI: 1.0 to 8.0). Conclusions: This study presents a new instrument to examine ICU information system effectiveness. The results suggest that the presence of more sophisticated information systems was associated with greater reductions in the bloodstream infection rate.
India health: impact of medical tourism facilities on state health

The following study is an investigation of the impact on the health of local populations spurred by the medical tourism industry. More specifically the study explores a possible increase in life expectancy in areas surrounding medical tourism facilities in India. There are ten Indian states examined in this study; five states are host to a leading location of Apollo Hospitals, and five are not. Despite the small sample size, the chosen states present a good representation of Indian states based on size, wealth, and health indicators. The findings show that the presence of Apollo Hospital Medical Tourism facilities may lead to increased life expectancy of Indian state populations.
Fiber optic modules for high speed computer networks

Optical networks for high-performance processors will benefit from an optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) technology with high speed, high circuit density, and low power consumption. These chips should be packaged in small, card-mountable modules, compatible with arrays of fiber-optic lines. Fiber-optic technology options for this application are discussed. Results are presented for transmitter and receiver modules containing OEICs with 6-10 K transistors per chip, 1-Gb/s performance, and 400-800 mW per chip heat generation. The modules are fabricated using GaAs MESFET technology and GaAlAs quantum-well-laser arrays and packaged using multilayered polyimide/metal/Si carriers. >
Waveform Window #31: Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis and “Extreme Delta Brush”

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is becoming an increasingly recognized etiology that was previously described as unexplained encephalopathy and encephalitis (VanHaerents et ...
Linear system identification with derivative shift operator representations

A new operator which combines the two commonly used operators, the shift(q) and the delta(/spl delta/) operators is used in system identification. It is shown that by using this operator the condition number of the information matrix in the identification is significantly lower than that using the q or /spl delta/-operator. It is also shown that more accurate and faster converging parameter identification can be achieved by using the new operator especially for high order systems with wide bandwidth and when sampling rates are high. The numerical superiority of the new operator over the q- and /spl delta/-operator is demonstrated by simulation results.
Effect of Load Redistribution in Transient Plastic Flow

Creep transients are commonly described either by a change in the isotropic strength of a material due to an increase in dislocation density or by a change in directional hardening, often described by a backstress. Here we look at transients as developed by load redistribution among regions of material with differing local strength in finite element simulations. No strain hardening or backstress exists in our material description. Two types of material models are used. The first contains grains of binary strength; the other uses grains with a continuous distribution of strengths. Both 2D and 3D analyses were performed. It was found that the load redistribution process is an important source of the transients in both creep and tensile testing. An equivalent stress quantity to track the strength of a sample during deformation is proposed. Using this quantity, a single load-shedding curve can be obtained that describes both the tensile and creep tests. This unifies the material constitutive behavior for the very different boundary conditions seen in creep and fixed-rate testing. Lastly, it is shown that from this general model we can also develop realistic anelasticity and Bauschinger transients.
MR evaluation of adrenal masses at 1.5 T.

We retrospectively studied the value of MR imaging at 1.5 T to distinguish between nonadenomatous (n = 17) and adenomatous (n = 15) adrenal masses on the basis of (1) signal-intensity ratios on T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images, (2) T2 relaxation times, and (3) T2 relaxation-time ratios. Univariate and then multivariate logistic regression were applied to these quantitative parameters to determine which of these best discriminated nonadenomas from adenomas, and whether or not more than one of these parameters improved the prediction. The adrenal mass/liver signal-intensity ratio on T2-weighted spin-echo images could not be used to differentiate nonadenomas from adenomas. Adrenal mass/fat signal-intensity ratios on T2-weighted spin-echo images, adrenal/liver T2 relaxation-time ratios, and adrenal mass T2 relaxation times were best for distinguishing nonadenomas from adenomas. By using a T2 value of greater than 61 msec, the true-positive ratio/false-positive ratio of differentiating nonadenomas from ade...
Trizygotic quintuplet pregnancy following simultaneous embryo splitting in an oocyte donatin cycle

Purpose To report a trizygotic quintuplet pregnancy following simultaneous embryo splitting in an oocyte donation cycle after transfer of 3 embryos. Methods A 40-year-old Caucasian female G3P1 with two previous spontaneous abortions and diminished ovarian reserve presented for IVF. The patient underwent an oocyte donation cycle secondary to diminished ovarian reserve. Three embryos were transferred per patient request. Results The three embryo transfer resulted in a trizygotic quintuplet pregnancy. Selective embryo reduction was performed at 11 weeks leaving a dizygotic twin gestation. The patient underwent SVD, or spontaneous vaginal delivery at 36 weeks gestation with respective weights and apgars of 2673 g (apgars 7(1), 9(5)) and 2722 g (apgars 7(1), 9(5)). The twins are presently doing well without complications. Conclusions Although rare, the possibility of simultaneous embryo splitting must be factored into determining number of embryos for fresh transfer.
EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCES: AN APPLICATION OF THE LEADER‐MEMBER EXCHANGE MODEL

Using the Leader‐Member Exchange (LMX) model as a guide, this study examined the relationship between the quality of information exchange between an employee and his or her immediate supervisor and the intention to file grievances. One hundred twenty‐five unionized automotive employees completed a measure of quality of information exchange and responded to eight vignettes representing hypothetical work situations. Employees rated each vignette in terms of their intention to file a grievance if faced with that situation. It was hypothesized that employees who perceived a high quality information exchange relationship with their supervisors would be less likely to file grievances than employees who perceived a low quality information exchange relationship. When the intent to file measure was aggregated across all vignettes, the hypothesis was supported When the vignettes were categorized into three different types of grievance situations through a principal components analysis, quality of information exchange was related only to grievance filing over issues pertaining to time at work. Implications of these findings for both employee grievance research and grievance prevention are discussed.
Exploring the learning curve in medical education: using self-assessment as a measure of learning.

BACKGROUND Learning is a complex process that follows predictable patterns. The authors explored whether students' self-assessment of competencies could be used as a measure of learning within medical school. METHOD Medical students (all grade levels) rated their achievement of competencies at the beginning and end of an academic year. Repeated-measures ANOVA and [eta]2 were used to determine differences. RESULTS Five hundred thirty-three students participated (response rate = 79.3%). Self-assessment ratings between four grade levels were significant (P < .001, [eta]2 = 0.33), with the steepest difference between MS2 and MS3; professionalism ratings remained relatively stable. The largest percent increase within an academic year occurred between MS1 and MS2, with little increase within MS3 and MS4. CONCLUSIONS Medical students' self-assessment ratings of competencies indicated differences between grade levels and during an academic year, following a sigmoidal curve. These results have implications for medical education and indicate the need to develop longitudinal measures to track changes in learning.
The promise and payoff of 2D and 3D machine vision: Where are we today?

In the past 25 plus years, machine vision has grown from a high priced solution looking for a problem to solve, to a multibillion dollar industry playing a crucial role in todayis high demand production environment. Early machine vision systems consisted of dedicated, special architecture processors, some with hundreds of individual processors, and price tags approaching a hundred thousand dollars or more. There were large array boxes that required high end workstations to communicate with, dedicated units with control like interfaces the size of small refrigerators, and special low level languages understood only by the most dedicated programmer. Today, a full featured vision processor will fit into a standard PC box, often as a plug in card, and the fast, dedicated purpose systems will fit in the palm of your hand, connecting to any PC over an internet connection. The 3D vision system has likewise made great strides, though it remains just a step or two behind its 2D cousin. Early 3D systems were notoriously slow, taking the good part of an hour on temper mental equipment, producing complicated clouds of data with not good way to use the information. Today, high quality 3D data can be obtained from rugged, even portable units with simple to use interfaces, producing inspection information based upon part tolerances and CAD models in a matter of seconds. None of these systems are the mystical iRobots that can seei envisioned in those early days. But what machine vision is today, and what it is becoming, is a technological tool on its way to becoming as common place as the computer, not only in production environments, but potentially in our every day lives. This paper will look at what 2D and 3D vision can do today, where and how it is being used, and where it may be going in the future.
Growth and optical characteristics of pure and doped lithium niobate crystals

The growth of lithium niobate doped with iron and doubly doped with Iron and Manganese ions with optimum growth parameters by using automatic diameter control Czochralski system designed is briefly described. The results of investigation of optical and some physical properties of these crystals are presented and compared with pure LN crystals.
The transatlantic divide in (undergraduate) international relations

A ‘transatlantic divide’ separates the work of international relations (IR) scholars in the USA from that of their counterparts in the UK.1 To provide a caricature of the divide, the median IR scho...
III. THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF COLLOIDAL SILVER AND HIGHLY FILTERED ROENTGEN RADIATION UPON THE HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM IN DOGS

1. The individual destructive effects of colloidal silver and heavily filtered radiation are still evident when the two are used together. 2. The combined effects are cumulative in that small doses are more destructive than when either is used alone. 3. The leucocytosis resulting from the injection of the colloidal silver affords no protection against the terminal leucopenia following the radiation.
Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy after the First Decade: Surgical Evolution or New Paradigm

Early studies indicate that robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has promising short-term outcomes; however, RARP is beyond its infancy, and the long-term report cards are now beginning. The important paradigm shift introduced by RARP is the reevaluation of the entire open radical prostatectomy experience in surgical technique by minimizing blood loss and complications, maximizing cancer free outcomes, and a renewed assault in preserving quality of life outcomes by many novel mechanisms. RARP provides a new technical "canvas" for surgical masters to create upon, and in ten years, has reinvigorated a 100-year-old "gold standard" surgery.
Edge detection using two-dimensional local structure information

Abstract Local intensity discontinuities, commonly referred to as edges, are important attributes of an image. Many imaging scenarios produce image regions exhibiting complex two-dimensional (2D) local structure, such as when several edges meet to form corners and vertices. Traditional derivative-based edge operators, which typically assume that an edge can be modeled as a one-dimensional (1D) piecewise smooth step function, give misleading results in such situations. Leclerc and Zucker introduced the concept of local structure as an aid for locating intensity discontinuities. They proposed a detailed procedure for detecting discontinuities in a 1D function. They had only given a preliminary version of their scheme, however, for 2D images. Three related edge-detection methods are proposed that draw upon 2D local structural information. The first method greatly expands upon Leclerc and Zucker's 2D method. The other two methods employ a mechanism similar to that used by the maximum-homogeneity filter (a filter used for image enhancement). All three methods permit the detection of multiple edges at a point and have the flexibility to detect edges at differing spatial and angular acuity. Results show that the methods typically perform better than other operators.
Irf3 polymorphism alters induction of interferon beta in response to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Genetic makeup of the host plays a significant role in the course and outcome of infection. Inbred strains of mice display a wide range of sensitivities to Listeria monocytogenes infection and thus serve as a good model for analysis of the effect of genetic polymorphism. The outcome of L. monocytogenes infection in mice is influenced by the ability of this bacterium to induce expression of interferon beta mRNA, encoded in mouse by the Ifnb1 (interferon beta 1, fibroblast) gene. Mouse strains that lack components of the IFNβ signaling pathway are substantially more resistant to infection. We found that macrophages from the ByJ substrain of the common C57BL/6 inbred strain of mice are impaired in their ability to induce Ifnb1 expression in response to bacterial and viral infections. We mapped the locus that controls differential expression of Ifnb1 to a region on Chromosome 7 that includes interferon regulatory factor 3 (Irf3), which encodes a transcription factor responsible for early induction of Ifnb1 expression. In C57BL/6ByJ mice, Irf3 mRNA was inefficiently spliced, with a significant proportion of the transcripts retaining intron 5. Analysis of the Irf3 locus identified a single base-pair polymorphism and revealed that intron 5 of Irf3 is spliced by the atypical U12-type spliceosome. We found that the polymorphism disrupts a U12-type branchpoint and has a profound effect on the efficiency of splicing of Irf3. We demonstrate that a naturally occurring change in the splicing control element has a dramatic effect on the resistance to L. monocytogenes infection. Thus, the C57BL/6ByJ mouse strain serves as an example of how a mammalian host can counter bacterial virulence strategies by introducing subtle alteration of noncoding sequences.
Room Temperature Hydroamination of Alkynes Catalyzed by Gold Clusters in Interfacially Cross-Linked Reverse Micelles

The microenvironment around a catalyst could have profound influence on catalysis. Gold clusters encapsulated within interfacially cross-linked reverse micelles catalyzed hydroamination of alkynes at room temperature instead of at 100 °C commonly required for gold nanoparticles. Different metal oxides introduced into the micelle core by sol–gel chemistry interacted with the gold clusters and modulated their catalysis, with silicon oxide being the most effective cocatalyst.
On Stability of a Nonlinear, Periodically Time Varying, Rotating Blade

This paper discusses the stability of a periodically time-varying, spinning blade with cubic geometric nonlinearity. The modal reduction method is adopted to simplify the nonlinear partial differential equations to the ordinary differential equations, and the geometric stiffening is approximated by the axial inertia membrane force. The method of multiple time scale is employed to study the steady state motions, the corresponding stability and bifurcation for such a periodically time-varying rotating blade. The backbone curves for steady-state motions are achieved, and the parameter map for stability and bifurcation is developed. Illustration of the steady-state motions is presented for an understanding of rotational motions of the rotating blade.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Spoken word recognition by Latino children learning Spanish as their first language.

Research on the development of efficiency in spoken language understanding has focused largely on middle-class children learning English. Here we extend this research to Spanish-learning children (n=49; M=2; 0; range=1;3–3 ;1) living in the USA in Latino families from primarily low socioeconomic backgrounds. Children looked at pictures of familiar objects while listening to speech naming one of the objects. Analyses of eye movements revealed developmental increases in the efficiency of speech processing. Older children and children with larger vocabularies were more efficient at processing spoken language as it unfolds in real time, as previously documented with English learners. Children whose mothers had less education tended to be slower and less accurate than children of comparable age and vocabulary size whose mothers had more schooling, consistent with previous findings of slower rates of language learning in children from disadvantaged backgrounds. These results add to the cross-linguistic literature on the development of spoken word recognition and to the study of the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) factors on early language development.
Cleavage Factor II of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeContains Homologues to Subunits of the Mammalian Cleavage/ Polyadenylation Specificity Factor and Exhibits Sequence-specific, ATP-dependent Interaction with Precursor RNA

Abstract Cleavage of pre-mRNA during 3′-end formation in yeast requires two protein factors, cleavage factor I (CF I) and cleavage factor (CF II). A 5300-fold purification of CF II indicates that four polypeptides of 150, 105, 100, and 90 kDa copurify with CF II activity. The 150-kDa protein is recognized by antibodies against Cft1, the yeast homologue of the 160-kDa subunit of the mammalian cleavage/polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF). The 100-kDa subunit is identical to Brr5/Ysh1, a yeast protein with striking similarity to the 73-kDa subunit of CPSF. The 105-kDa protein, designated Cft2 (cleavage factor two) exhibits significant homology to the CPSF 100-kDa subunit. Cft2 is cross-linked to pre-mRNA substrate containing the poly(A) site and wild type upstream and downstream flanking sequences, but not to precleaved RNA lacking downstream sequences or to substrate in which the (UA)6 processing signal has been deleted. The specific binding of Cft2 to the RNA substrate is ATP-dependent, in agreement with the requirement of ATP for cleavage. The sequence-specific binding of Cft2 and the similarities of CF II subunits to those of CPSF supports the hypothesis that CF II functions in the cleavage of yeast mRNA 3′-ends in a manner analagous to that of CPSF in the mammalian system. These results provide additional evidence that certain features of the molecular mechanism of mRNA 3′-end formation are conserved between yeast and mammals, but also highlight unexpected differences.
Loss of Fine Particle Ammonium from Denuded Nylon Filters

Abstract Ammonium is an important constituent of fine particulate mass in the atmosphere, but can be difficult to quantify due to possible sampling artifacts. Losses of semivolatile species such as NH 4 NO 3 can be particularly problematic. In order to evaluate ammonium losses from aerosol particles collected on filters, a series of field experiments was conducted using denuded nylon and Teflon filters at Bondville, IL (February 2003), San Gorgonio, CA (April 2003 and July 2004), Grand Canyon NP, AZ (May, 2003), Brigantine, NJ (November 2003), and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NP), TN (July–August 2004). Samples were collected over 24 h periods. Losses from denuded nylon filters ranged from 10% (monthly average) in Bondville, IL to 28% in San Gorgonio, CA in summer. Losses on individual sample days ranged from 1% to 65%. Losses tended to increase with increasing diurnal temperature and relative humidity changes and with the fraction of ambient total N(−III) (particulate NH 4 + +gaseous NH 3 ) present as gaseous NH 3 . The amount of ammonium lost at most sites could be explained by the amount of NH 4 NO 3 present in the sampled aerosol. Ammonium losses at Great Smoky Mountains NP, however, significantly exceeded the amount of NH 4 NO 3 collected. Ammoniated organic salts are suggested as additional important contributors to observed ammonium loss at this location.
Vacuum-deposited CdSe films grown under excess Se flux

Abstract Prior studies of the dark resistivity of vacuum-deposited CdSe films grown under excess Se flux have been limited to the use of single-crystal substrates. The present investigation extends these studies to include amorphous substrates (borosilicate glass), and additionally characterizes these films in terms of their steady state and dynamic photoconductivity parameters. The CdSe films grown under excess Se flux are compared directly with CdSe films obtained by single-source sublimation of high purity CdSe. These two general classes of films can be clearly differentiated by a single ratio of dark-to-light resistivity, and this parameter is found empirically to be independent of growth rate and substrate temperature over the ranges investigated. In addition, the dynamic photoresponse measurements establish that the CdSe films grown under excess Se flux have a clearly superior speed of response compared with the films deposited using a single source.
Duration of US residence and suicidality among racial/ethnic minority immigrants

Purpose The immigration experience embodies a range of factors including different cultural norms and expectations, which may be particularly important for groups who become racial/ethnic minorities when they migrate to the US. However, little is known about the correlates of mental health indicators among these groups. The primary and secondary aims were to determine the association between duration of US residence and suicidality, and 12-month mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, respectively, among racial/ethnic minority immigrants.
Use of color microfiche cards in teaching preclinical prosthodontics

Color microfiche afford a low-cost method for providing students with a complete series of color illustrations depicting procedures to be performed in their preclinical laboratory exercises.
Pathways process evaluation results: a school-based prevention trial to promote healthful diet and physical activity in American Indian third, fourth, and fifth grade students

Abstract Background Pathways was a large-scale, multisite, 3-year, study testing a school-based intervention designed to lower percent body fat in American Indian children. Methods At the 21 intervention schools process evaluation data were collected for training of school personnel; implementation of the classroom and physical activity curricula; implementation of the project's food service guidelines in the school cafeterias; adult participation in the family events; and, students' perceived exposure to the Pathways interventions. Results Students received about 93% of the classroom curriculum lessons. The minimum requirement of physical education being taught three times per week for at least 30 minutes duration was achieved by the fifth grade. The implementation of the food service behavioral guidelines increased from 51% in the third grade to 87% in the fifth grade. The family events had lower than anticipated adult participation. The participation rates were 45% during the third grade, and 41 and 63% during the fourth and fifth grades, respectively. There was a significant difference between intervention and control students' perceived exposure to Pathways type interventions. Conclusion The Pathways interventions were successfully implemented with good reach, high extent, and fidelity.
Influence of casting and curing conditions on gas sorption and transport in polyimide films

Carbon dioxide and methane gas permeabilities, solubilities and diffusivities for poly [N, N′-(phenoxyphenyl)-pyromellitimide] films synthesized in our laboratory are contrasted with values measured for a chemically identical commercial polyimide film, Kapton H. The synthesized samples exhibited greater permeabilities, solubilities, and diffusivitles than those of the commercial sample. At the same time, the higher carbon dioxide permeability is associated with only a moderate reduction in permselectivity for the CO2/CH4 system. The increased sorption and transport coefficients for the synthesized sample are attributed to a lower degree of aggregation and orientation of this film as compared to the Kapton H sample.
Impact of deciduous tree species on litterfall quality, decomposition rates and nutrient circulation in pine stands

Abstract This study is focused on the decomposition rates and chemical composition in pure pine ( Pinus taeda L.) and mixed pine-deciduous litter. Litter bags contained either 100% loblolly pine needles or 80% loblolly pine needles and 20% leaves of one of five deciduous species: yellow poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.), elm ( Ulmus americana L.), sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua L.), water oak ( Quercus nigra L.) or red oak ( Q. falcata L.) were incubated in a loblolly pine stand in Auburn, AL. Decomposition rates and changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration and content were measured during one year of incubation. Mixed litter had higher initial ash and N concentrations, increased decomposition rates, and narrow C:N ratio compared to a pure pine litter. Small amounts of yellow poplar, sweetgum and water oak litter significantly increased initial P concentration in mixed litter. Decomposition rates were highest in elm–pine mix, followed by mixes with red oak and yellow poplar. Pine–elm mix had the highest N and P accumulation-release rates, allowing us to conclude that elm would cause the greatest N and P cycling increase in pine stands. Deciduous species, particularly elm, red oak and yellow poplar, may be considered as an ameliorative species to increase nutrient circulation in pine stands.
Giant cell tumors of synovium (pigmented villonodular synovitis) involving the vertebral column

Giant cell tumors of synovium (pigmented villonodular synovitis) involving the vertebral column recently have been seen in two women: the third and fourth cases to be reported in the English-language literature. Unlike the previously reported cases, both these tumors grew outside the dura and produced symptoms of spinal cord compression. The first case involved lumbar vertebrae 5 and 6; the second, lumbar vertebrae 2 and 3. Even though initial resection of both tumors was incomplete, the patients improved postoperatively. One tumor was known to be unresectable at the time of surgery. In the other patient, a recurrence of symptoms required second and third resections 4 and 8 months after the first, respectively. Although synovial giant cell tumors rarely metastasize, the rate of local recurrence is high, especially if excision is incomplete. For this reason, close follow-up of patients with lesions in the spinal column is indicated. Increased physician awareness that synovial giant cell tumors can occur in the spine will help to ensure that these tumors are not misdiagnosed in this location.