cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scanning Optical Interferometers Stability Criteria And Movement Designs

Scanning interferometers detect motion through optical fringe modulation. The fringe visibility depends on optical alignment and the modulation purity depends on mechanical stability. Efficient designs employ a mix of active and passive means to achieve high performance and to maintain it over long time and in adverse conditions.
Precipitation evolution in Al–Zr and Al–Zr–Ti alloys during aging at 450–600 °C

Abstract The transformation of Al3Zr (L12) and Al3(Zr1−xTix) (L12) precipitates to their respective equilibrium D023 structures is investigated in conventionally solidified Al–0.1Zr and Al–0.1Zr–0.1Ti (at.%) alloys aged isothermally at 500 °C or aged isochronally in the range 300–600 °C. Titanium additions delay neither coarsening of the metastable L12 precipitates nor their transformation to the D023 structure. Both alloys overage at the same rate at or above 500 °C, during which spheroidal L12 precipitates transform to disk-shaped D023 precipitates at ca. 200 nm in diameter and 50 nm in thickness, exhibiting a cube-on-cube orientation relationship with the α-Al matrix. The transformation occurs heterogeneously on dislocations because of a large lattice parameter mismatch of the D023 phase with α-Al. The transformation is very sluggish and even at 575 °C coherent L12 precipitates can remain untransformed. Mechanisms of microstructural coarsening and strengthening are discussed with respect to the micrometer-scale dendritic distribution of precipitates.
Methodological guidelines for clinical headache research

Abstract Traditional conceptualizations of headache have been called into question by recent research studies which have suggested that physiological characteristics of headache types are more similar than once thought. Besides this increase in research regarding the physiology of head pain, there has been a parallel increase in treatment investigations. This parallel focus has, in part, recognized that adequate knowledge of the physiological processes mediating pain may lead to the best choice of treatments. However, many methodological problems have characterized past physiological assessment research on head pain, leading to continued problems in interpreting headache mechanisms. Generally, these methodological problems may be considered from classes involving subject, procedural and data assessment/quantification variables. In this paper, an overview of specific methodological problems with the polygraph assessment of headache physiology is presented. These previous methodological problems are then utilized in the development of methodological guidelines for conducting clinical headache research.
Two types of chaos in non-linear mechanics

The two types of chaos, weak and strong, associated with the Liapunov and Hadamard instabilities respectively, are analyzed. The geometrical representation of weak chaos is considered, and criteria of this chaos are formulated using the geometrical interpretation of dynamics. Weak chaos in inertial motion of two-bar linkage is discussed. The analysis of strong chaos is restricted to a review of results published elsewhere.
Enhanced spin-dependent shot noise in magnetic tunnel barriers

We report the observation of enhanced spin-dependent shot noise in magnetic tunnel barriers, suggesting transport through localized states within the barrier. This is supported by the existence of negative magnetoresistance and structure in the differential conductance curves. A simple model of tunneling through two interacting localized states with spin-dependent tunneling rates is used to explain our observations.
Progress in the development of gyroscopes for use in tactical weapon systems

Past and current research efforts initiated in the Government and industry for the development of gyroscopes for tactical weapon system applications are discussed in this paper. Spinning mass gyroscopes were used in the early long-range missiles for precision guidance. During the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in advancing the performance capability of solid-state optical gyroscope for use in tactical weapon systems. A number of Army missile systems currently use ring laser gyroscopes as part of their navigation systems. A few years, ago, the Government awarded several contrasts to industry to develop small, reliable, low-cost fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG) that can operate in military environments. Recently, the Government awarded several contracts for the development of rugged, micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscopes to support emerging Army missions, which are moving toward low-cost, small diameter precision guided weapons for use against light targets. The RLG, FOG, and the MEMS-based gyroscopes are traded-off in this paper with respect to cost, size and performance for applications in current and future Army missile systems. The status of ongoing MEMS projects at the US Army Aviation and Missile Command will also be discussed.
Advancing clinical decision support using lessons from outside of healthcare: an interdisciplinary systematic review

Greater use of computerized decision support (DS) systems could address continuing safety and quality problems in healthcare, but the healthcare field has struggled to implement DS technology. This study surveys DS experience across multiple non-healthcare disciplines for new insights that are generalizable to healthcare provider decisions. In particular, it sought design principles and lessons learned from the other disciplines that could inform efforts to accelerate the adoption of clinical decision support (CDS). Our systematic review drew broadly from non-healthcare databases in the basic sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, business, and defense: PsychINFO, BusinessSource Premier, Social Sciences Abstracts, Web of Science, and Defense Technical Information Center. Because our interest was in DS that could apply to clinical decisions, we selected articles that (1) provided a review, overview, discussion of lessons learned, or an evaluation of design or implementation aspects of DS within a non-healthcare discipline and (2) involved an element of human judgment at the individual level, as opposed to decisions that can be fully automated or that are made at the organizational level. Clinical decisions share some similarities with decisions made by military commanders, business managers, and other leaders: they involve assessing new situations and choosing courses of action with major consequences, under time pressure, and with incomplete information. We identified seven high-level DS system design features from the non-healthcare literature that could be applied to CDS: providing broad, system-level perspectives; customizing interfaces to specific users and roles; making the DS reasoning transparent; presenting data effectively; generating multiple scenarios covering disparate outcomes (e.g., effective; effective with side effects; ineffective); allowing for contingent adaptations; and facilitating collaboration. The article provides examples of each feature. The DS literature also emphasizes the importance of organizational culture and training in implementation success. The literature contrasts “rational-analytic” vs. “naturalistic-intuitive” decision-making styles, but the best approach is often a balanced approach that combines both styles. It is also important for DS systems to enable exploration of multiple assumptions, and incorporation of new information in response to changing circumstances. Complex, high-level decision-making has common features across disciplines as seemingly disparate as defense, business, and healthcare. National efforts to advance the health information technology agenda through broader CDS adoption could benefit by applying the DS principles identified in this review.
Adenosine-sensitive afterdepolarizations and triggered activity in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

This study examines the cellular basis and specificity of the effects of adenosine on early afterdepolarizations (EADs), delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs), and triggered activity (TA) induced by various drugs with different mechanisms of action. Membrane potential and currents were measured in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Adenosine (10-100 microM) significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the amplitude of DADs and suppressed TA induced by isoproterenol (10-50 nM) and forskolin (1 microM) but not those induced by dibutyryl cAMP (1 microM), ouabain (1-5 microM), and 7.2 mM [Ca2+]o. Adenosine also abolished EADs and TA induced by isoproterenol. In contrast, adenosine failed to abolish EADs and TA induced by quinidine (3 microM) or those that occurred spontaneously (i.e., in the absence of drugs). Transient inward current (ITi) was induced on repolarization after 2-second-long single depolarizing voltage steps or after 12-second-long trains of 300-msec depolarizing pulses. Concomitant with the attenuation of DADs, adenosine suppressed ITi caused by isoproterenol and forskolin but not those induced by ouabain, dibutyryl cAMP, and elevated [Ca2+]o. The amplitude of ITi was dependent on the magnitude of the activating voltage step, but the suppression of ITi by adenosine was not. The selective A1-adenosine receptor antagonist N-0861 (9-methyladenine derivative) antagonized the effects of adenosine on afterdepolarizations, ITi, and TA. In myocytes from guinea pigs treated with pertussis toxin, adenosine failed to attenuate DADs and ITi or abolish TA induced by isoproterenol or forskolin. In parallel experiments, isoproterenol (10 nM) raised cellular cAMP from 5.7 +/- 0.2 to 8.1 +/- 0.1 pmol and the selective A1 receptor agonist cyclopentyladenosine (5 microM) reduced it to 6.5 +/- 0.2 pmol (p less than 0.05). Thus, adenosine specifically attenuates afterdepolarizations and abolishes TA by suppressing ITiS that are associated with stimulation of adenylate cyclase via a pertussis toxin-sensitive A1 receptor-mediated action. In conclusion, the response of TA to adenosine may identify a mechanism of afterdepolarization related to stimulation of adenylate cyclase.
Quantifying the symbiont contribution to essential amino acids in aphids : the importance of tryptophan for Uroleucon ambrosiae

A complete amino acid budget was constructed using the aphid Uroleucon ambrosiae (Strecker), feeding on a suboptimal host, Tithoniafruticos a. The availability of amino acids was estimated from phloem analyses and phloem intake rates at each stage of development. Requirements for amino acids were estimated from gravimetric studies and from analyses of body amino acids. Because the budget was found to be well balanced, estimates of specific needs and shortfalls of essential amino acids were calculated, thus quantifying the role of symbiotic bacteria in fulfilling needs for these amino acids. The most dramatic
Remarks on time map for quasilinear equations

Abstract We present two different generalizations of R. Schaaf's (1990) [18] time map formula to quasilinear equations, including the case of p-Laplacian. We give conditions for monotonicity and for convexity of the time map, which imply uniqueness or multiplicity results for the corresponding Dirichlet boundary value problem. Our time map formulas can be also used for effective computations of the global solution curves.
Diagnostic criteria and technology as sources for changing incidences of pulmonary diseases.

Abstract purpose: To investigate the impact of changes in diagnostic criteria and technology on the rates of occurrence of pulmonary diseases during each of four different calendar years: 1921, 1941, 1961, and 1982. patients and methods: The medical records were obtained for all patients discharged from Yale-New Haven Hospital during 1921, 1941, 1961, and 1982 with a diagnosis of either pulmonary tuberculosis or primary lung cancer. Each patient's entire clinical course was then thoroughly reviewed, including all available data obtained in the six-month intervals before and after the patient's hospitalization. Critical diagnostic information obtained during life at any time during this one-year period was acceptable as evidence for the diagnosis. results: According to modern diagnostic criteria, the existing evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis or primary lung cancer often did not justify those diagnoses in patients hospitalized during each of the four survey years. The proportions of justified diagnoses showed a consistent increase over time: 16%, 42%, 53%, and 86%, respectively, for tuberculosis, and 0%, 54%, 93%, and 93%, respectively, for lung cancer. conclusion: The results suggest that some of the statistical changes in occurrence rates for these two pulmonary diseases may be due to temporal improvements in diagnostic precision, not just to environmental changes or therapeutic advances.
Role for lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with thick (≥4 mm) primary melanoma

Background: Historically, patients with thick (≥4 mm) primary melanoma have not been considered candidates for elective lymph node dissection, because their risk for occult distant disease is significant. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy offers an alternative approach to assess disease in the regional nodal basin, but no studies have specifically addressed the role for this technique in patients with thick melanoma. Although adjuvant therapy benefits patients who develop nodal metastases, data that supports its routine use in all patients with thick melanoma is both limited and controversial. This study was performed to determine whether pathological status of the SLN is an important risk factor in this heterogeneous group and, thus, provides a rationale for SLN biopsy. Methods: The records of 131 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma whose primary tumors were at least 4 mm thick and who underwent lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy were reviewed. Several known prognostic factors, i.e., tumor thickness, ulceration, Clark level, location, sex, as well as SLN pathological status were analyzed with respect to disease-free and overall survival. Results: Lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy was successful in 126 (96%) of 131 patients who underwent the procedure. In 49 patients (39%), the SLN biopsy was positive by conventional histology, although it was negative in 77 patients (61%). The median follow-up was 3 years. Although presence of ulceration and SLN status were independent prognostic factors with respect to disease-free and overall survival, SLN status was the most powerful predictor of overall survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy is a highly accurate method of staging lymph node basins at risk for regional metastases in patients with thick melanoma and identifies those patients who may benefit from earlier lymphadenectomy as well as patients with a more favorable prognosis. Pathological status of the SLN in these patients with clinically negative nodes is the most important prognostic factor for survival and is essential to establish stratification criteria for future adjuvant trials in this high-risk group.
Rapid Calibration of Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Measurements of Mammalian Cell Cultivations

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a flexible method that can be employed to noninvasively monitor the concentrations of multiple nutrients and wastes in mammalian cell bioreactors. Development of suitable calibrations can be a labor- and time-intensive process that must be repeated when process conditions are altered significantly. To address this difficulty, we have produced a new approach for generating NIR spectroscopic calibrations that requires significantly less time compared with standard calibration schemes. This method reduces development time from the present level of several weeks to several hours. A small number of experimentally collected spectra serve as inputs to a computational procedure that yields a large number of simulated spectra, each containing both analyte-specific and analyte-independent information. Such simulated spectra may be employed as a calibration set for quantifying analytes in experimentally collected spectra. Spectroscopic measurements of the concentrations of five components (ammonia, glucose, glutamate, glutamine, and lactate) can be accomplished with levels of error similar to those obtained with full experimental calibrations. A key to this process is the utilization of random numbers, which randomizes the influence of natural variations, present in each experimentally collected spectrum, on the resultant composite spectrum. This approach may increase the feasibility of employing NIR spectroscopy to monitor bioreactors and other biological processes subjected to varying operating conditions.
Pollen Evidence for Late Quaternary Climate Changes on Kerguelen Islands

INCREASING evidence indicates that late glacial and postglacial changes in climate and vegetation were essentially synchronous in the northern and southern hemispheres1,2. Pollen analysis of Quaternary deposits on subantarctic ocean islands should provide critical data, but has been inconclusive. The floras of most of the islands are depauperate and yield few identifiable sporomorphs. Species represented in the pollen rain are often of narrow geographical distribution and broad ecological tolerance, thus interpretation of changes in pollen and spore ratios and cross-correlations between islands are difficult3. These problems can be minimized by sampling in a location with a comparatively large flora, with many species widely distributed in the subantarctic, and with a variety of vegetation types. Kerguelen Islands fulfil these requirements.
Cooked and Organoleptic Characteristics of Scaleless Broiler Chickens

Abstract Eight-week old broilers which were phenotypically scaleless (sc/sc) and feathered (Sc+/sc), and which had been raised at both 22.2 C and 34.4 C were compared for cooked and organoleptic measurements. The seven cooked chicken measurements were breast and thigh moisture and fat content, carcass cooking loss, and breast muscle and thigh skin shear test. There were no sex differences in any measurements, and temperature only affected fat content of breast muscle causing an increase in the hot room. Significant phenotype differences were evident in all traits except moisture content. Scaleless birds had less fat in both breast (56.8%) and thigh muscle (19.2%), reduced cooking losses (17.5%), and were more tender in both breast muscle (52.4%) and thigh skin (60.9%). A paired comparison preference test was used for organoleptic measurements using a taste panel of 35 tasters. A significant portion of the tasters were able to perceive a difference in both breast (100%) and thigh (85.7%) muscle. No significant differences were noted for moistness, texture or flavorfulness of thigh muscle however, but a significant 74.3% felt that breast muscle from scaleless broilers was more moist and 71.4% felt it had a smoother texture. No difference in flavorfulness was noted.
Pushing the pain medicine horizon.

After more than 20 years of bringing together professionals dedicated to excellence in Pain Medicine, American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) continues to be a major force in advancing the practice of Pain Medicine, by providing unequaled opportunities to improve skills and advance knowledge. Above all, AAPM strives to bring increasing value and resources to its members. In just the first half of 2005, AAPM has seen much success, with membership now exceeding 1,600 and the annual meeting now hosting more than 1,000 attendees. Our Medline indexed journal, Pain Medicine , is now celebrating its sixth year. It recently increased to publishing six issues per year and became the official journal of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australia New Zealand College of Anesthetists. Over the past 20 years, AAPM has led the way for the American Medical Association (AMA) to recognize Pain Medicine as a specialty, with representation in its House of Delegates. AAPM conceived of and facilitated certification, which led to the incorporation of the American Board of Pain Medicine. As highlighted in previous columns, AAPM is also taking the lead in public policy related to pain. As a founding member of the Pain Care Coalition (PCC), which brings together the resources of AAPM with the American Pain Society, the American Headache Society, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, AAPM …
Metal Specificity Is Correlated with Two Crucial Active Site Residues in Escherichia coli Alkaline Phosphatase

Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase exhibits maximal activity when Zn(2+) fills the M1 and M2 metal sites and Mg(2+) fills the M3 metal site. When other metals replace the zinc and magnesium, the catalytic efficiency is reduced by more than 5000-fold. Alkaline phosphatases from organisms such as Thermotoga maritima and Bacillus subtilis require cobalt for maximal activity and function poorly with zinc and magnesium. Previous studies have shown that the D153H alkaline phosphatase exhibited very little activity in the presence of cobalt, while the K328W and especially the D153H/K328W mutant enzymes can use cobalt for catalysis. To understand the structural basis for the altered metal specificity and the ability of the D153H/K328W enzyme to utilize cobalt for catalysis, we determined the structures of the inactive wild-type E. coli enzyme with cobalt (WT_Co) and the structure of the active D153H/K328W enzyme with cobalt (HW_Co). The structural data reveal differences in the metal coordination and in the strength of the interaction with the product phosphate (P(i)). Since release of P(i) is the slow step in the mechanism at alkaline pH, the enhanced binding of P(i) in the WT_Co structure explains the observed decrease in activity, while the weakened binding of P(i) in the HW_Co structure explains the observed increase in activity. These alterations in P(i) affinity are directly related to alterations in the coordination of the metals in the active site of the enzyme.
Analysis of Signal Distortion On Coupled Microstrip Lines With an Overlay and a Notch- Summary

In this paper, a full wave approach is used to analyze the propagation parameters of two coupled symmetric microstrip transmission line on dielectric multilayer substrate with dielectric overlay and a notch between the strips. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the validity of previously reported quasi-static techniques to higher frequencies for applications in the millimeter wave frequency range. The objective is to reduce the distortion of a transmission line that consists of two parallel microstrip lines on two dielectric substrates with a notch and a dielectric overlay. The distortion in such a transmission line is produced due to the difference in the phase velocities of the even and odd dominant modes. Techniques based on controlling the dielectric constant, height and width of the notch and the overlay are used to reduce distortion. The semi-analytical method of lines (MoL) technique is applied here to solve for the normalized phase velocities of the dominant even and odd modes for this pla...
Is the ACSW examination valid

The written examination required for membership in the National Association of Social Workers' Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) purports to be a valid indicator of generalist social work knowledge. We tested this contention by administering a practice ACSW examination, published in the official NASW study guide for the test, to 62 M.S.W. students in their first year of study. This practice test is stated to be equivalent in terms of content and difficulty to the actual examination. We blanked out thequestion content for each of 40 practice test items and requested the students to choose the correct answer from the among the four provided. Probability suggests that the average score should be no better than chance, or about 25% correct (one out of four). In actuality our sample of first year students scored, on average, 40.5% correct, which is statistically significantly higher than chance. These results call into question the content validity of the ACSW examination.
Marine Macrophyte Wrack Inputs and Dissolved Nutrients in Beach Sands

We investigated the role of sandy beaches in nearshore nutrient cycling by quantifying macrophyte wrack inputs and examining relationships between wrack accumulation and pore water nutrients during the summer dry season. Macrophyte inputs, primarily giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, exceeded 2.3 kg m−1 day−1. Mean wrack biomass varied 100-fold among beaches (range = 0.41 to 46.43 kg m−1). Mean concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), primarily NO x − -N, and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in intertidal pore water varied significantly among beaches (ranges = 1 to 6,553 μM and 7 to 2,006 μM, respectively). Intertidal DIN and DON concentrations were significantly correlated with wrack biomass. Surf zone concentrations of DIN were also strongly correlated with wrack biomass and with intertidal DIN, suggesting export of nutrients from re-mineralized wrack. Our results suggest beach ecosystems can process and re-mineralize substantial organic inputs and accumulate dissolved nutrients, which are subsequently available to nearshore waters and primary producers.
Effects of naloxone on plasma corticosterone in the opiate-naive rat.

Abstract Naloxone HCl (NX) has long been considered to be a pure narcotic antagonist, having an effect only subsequent to pretreatment with a narcotic. Characteristically, low doses of NX have been used to antagonize the effects of analgesic doses of narcotics and to precipitate withdrawal in chronically treated animals. In this study, the effects of high doses of NX (2.0–20.0 mg/kg) on changes in plasma corticosterone were examined in the opiate-naive animal. Using male rats with chronic intravenous catheters and one-way vision boxes, injections were made and serial blood samples were obtained in the conscious, unrestrained animal. The acute administration of NX to the opiate-naive animal produced a dose-related increase in plasma corticosterone with respect to both amplitude and duration. NX (10.0 mg/kg i.v.) produced a significant elevation in hormone level at 15 and 30 minutes. With NX (20.0 mg/kg i.v.) the duration of the response was extended to 60 minutes. To examine whether short-term tolerance to this effect could be produced, animals were given a single pretreatment with either NX (10.0 mg/kg) or saline i.v. Two hours later NX produced a similar elevation in hormone level in both groups. The effect of chronic injection of NX was also studied. Animals pretreated with either NX (10.0 mg/kg) or saline s.c. once daily for 7 days did not show a significant difference following the subsequent administration of NX. In both cases, a significant elevation of plasma corticosterone resulted. The results suggest that NX may have a direct effect on opiate receptors resulting in an elevation of plasma hormone levels or NX may be disrupting an endogenous opiate-receptor interaction producing a stress response.
What Can We Learn from Education Production Studies

The results of a Becker–Peltzman–Stigler model of local school district decision-making yields biased or inconsistent efficiency measures when some school outputs are not measured. Empirical investigation of data for 95 Tennessee counties in the 1999–2000 academic year finds that Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) efficiency measures, and efficiency rankings based on those measures, are highly sensitive to changes in the number of output measures used. An artifact of the DEA process causes increasing correlation of efficiency scores with the inverse of per pupil expenditures as outputs increase. Hence, high-stakes policy initiatives should not be based on such scores.
Word Class: A Way To Modify Spelling Instruction for Gifted Learners.

Word Class is a method of modifying a spelling curriculum to meet the academic needs of gifted learners. This strategy combines a self‐selected approach to spelling instruction with thinking skills. Word Class enables gifted learners to make choices about their learning and engage in creative, high level thinking. It also teaches thinking skills and provides gifted learners with more authentic thinking and writing experiences.
Hyperosmolality triggers oxidative damage in kidney cells

The intracellular milieu, including solute composition and concentration of important electrolytes, is carefully tuned to support metabolism and other vital cell functions. In addition, cell volume is tightly regulated. A change in extracellular osmolality disturbs the delicate balance that maintains intracellular solute composition and cell volume. To counteract deleterious consequences of such disturbance, cells have evolved a universal mechanism to respond to osmotic stress by cell volume regulation (1) and adaptive adjustment of compatible organic osmolyte levels (2). However, these adaptive responses are not instantaneous, and osmotic stress causes significant damage to proteins (3) and DNA (4). Such damage can persist until hyperosmotic stress diminishes (5). In this issue of PNAS, Zhang et al. (6) demonstrate that at least part of the hyperosmotic damage to proteins and DNA is caused by secondary oxidative stress. Zhang et al. report the thought-provoking observation that hyperosmolality increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein carbonylation levels in renal inner medullary (IM) cells in vitro and in vivo . This observation significantly extends our understanding of the molecular nature of the hyperosmotic threat to cells. The work by Zhang et al. also identifies ROS and protein carbonylation as potential signaling intermediates for osmosensory signal transduction. ### Consequences of Hyperosmolality Renal IM cells of mammals are routinely exposed to osmotic fluctuations as a result of the renal concentrating mechanism. Changes in renal urinary concentration and excretion reflect the degree of systemic hydration and salt load. They are based on adjustments of NaCl and urea concentrations in the renal IM. Thus, hyperosmolality in the renal IM is mainly a result of increased concentrations of NaCl and urea. These two major osmolytes have very different effects on cells. First, NaCl does not readily permeate the cell membrane, and hyperosmolality in the form of elevated extracellular NaCl leads …
Radionuclide Angiography in the Quantitation of Mitral Regurgitation

First pass radionuclide angiography (RA) was used to assess its ability to detect and quantitate the presence of left-sided regurgitation due to isolated mitral regurgitation (MR). In this study the nuclear regurgitant fraction (NRF) obtained from first pass RA was correlated with the results of contrast ventriculography (CV) in 50 patients, 18 with and 32 without MR. The correlation between CV and RA in the confirmation and quantification of isolated MR revealed a sensitivity of 100 percent and a specificity of 97 percent in patients with LVEF ≥ 35 percent.
Deep Venous Thrombosis in Lap Band Surgery: A Single Center Study

Bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for morbid obesity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of pre- and post-operative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in Lap-Band surgical patients. This study group comprised 56 consecutive patients who underwent Lap-Band surgery. Mean age and body mass index were 38 years (range: 18–64 years) and 50.9 kg/m2 (range: 53–74 kg/m2), respectively. All the patients were screened with duplex ultrasonography pre- and post-operatively. There were no iliac, femoral, or popliteal vein thromboses detected at any given point of time. No patient had any clinical signs or symptoms of DVT post-operatively. There were no observable differences attributable to DVT prophylaxis. This data suggest that in the setting of chemical and mechanical prophylaxis, the incidence of DVT in patients undergoing Lap-Band surgery at an established bariatric centre is minimal.
Modeling crystal growth in a diffusion field using fully faceted interfaces

Abstract We present a new computational model of crystal growth, in which the interface between liquid and solid is explicitly tracked, but the measurement of curvature is simplified through the assumption that the crystal is a polygon having a limited number of possible normal directions. This method has several advantages. Computations involving the motion of the interface are relatively fast as compared to "phase field" algorithms but, unlike many "curve tracking" methods, it is easy to detect and make topological changes. The computational algorithm is described, including a method for "shattering" interface edges. The effects of variations of both physical (surface energy, mobility) and non-physical (mesh size) computational parameters have been investigated and produce results consistent with theory.
Super-resolution of images based on local correlations

An adaptive two-step paradigm for the super-resolution of optical images is developed in this paper. The procedure locally projects image samples onto a family of kernels that are learned from image data. First, an unsupervised feature extraction is performed on local neighborhood information from a training image. These features are then used to cluster the neighborhoods into disjoint sets for which an optimal mapping relating homologous neighborhoods across scales can be learned in a supervised manner. A super-resolved image is obtained through the convolution of a low-resolution test image with the established family of kernels. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
A Three-Year Auditory Perception Program for Low-Ses Minority Children

This study evaluates the effectiveness of three instructional methods in promoting speech sound discrimination and reading achievement over a 3-year period. Subjects were black and Mexican-American lower-SES children identified as having auditory discrimination disabilities. Norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measures were administered at the ends of grades one, two, and three to identify changes in auditory perception and reading achievement. One instructional group received a visual-linguistic reading method plus auditory perception activities (VLA); a second group received a visual-linguistic reading method (VL); and a third group received a phonic reading method (P). The hypothesis that VLA would score higher than (>) VL = P in auditory perception was not confirmed consistently. The hypothesis that VLA > VL > P in reading also was not confirmed consistently. No consistent differences were noted for black or Mexican-Americans or for males or females on measures of auditory perception or reading a...
Goal commitment and the goal-setting process: Problems, prospects, and proposals for future research.

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of goal commitment in goal-setting research. Despite Locke's (1968) specification that commitment to goals is a necessary condition for the effectiveness of goal setting, a majority of studies in this area have ignored goal commitment. In addition, results of studies that have examined the effects of goal commitment were typically inconsistent with conceptualization of commitment as a moderator. Building on past research, we have developed a model of the goal commitment process and then used it to reinterpret past goal-setting research. We show that the widely varying sizes of the effect of goal difficulty, conditional effects of goal difficulty, and inconsistent results with variables such as participation can largely be traced to main and interactive effects of the variables specified by the model.
Implementing register files for high-performance microprocessors in a die-stacked (3D) technology

3D integration is a new technology that greatly increases transistor density while providing faster on-chip communication. 3D integration stacks multiple die connected with a very high-density and low-latency interface which provides increased device density and the ability to place and route in the third dimension. While past studies have explored 3D integrated on-chip caches, this research explores the implementation of register files, which have very different capacity and bandwidth requirements. Partitioning the register file across multiple die reduces the lengths of many critical wires, which provides both latency and energy benefits. In particular, a 3D implementation of 256-entry physical register file in a two-die stack achieves a 24.1% latency improvement with a simultaneous energy reduction of 58.5%, while a four-die version achieves a 36.0% latency improvement with a 58.2% energy reduction. Our results demonstrate that 3D integration is a promising approach for improving both the performance and power of wire-dominated circuits.
(3‐Iodo‐1‐methyl‐propenyl)‐trimethyl‐silane (Stork–Jung Vinylsilane)

[52685-51-5] C7H15SiI (MW 254.18) InChI = 1S/C7H15ISi/c1-7(5-6-8)9(2,3)4/h5H,6H2,1-4H3 InChIKey = NWNYZMZBMPWCQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent used as a ‘methyl vinyl ketone equivalent’ for the α-alkylation of ketones, cyclic and acyclic) Physical Data: yellow liquid. Solubility: soluble in most organic solvents (alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate). Purification: purified over column chromatography over SiO2 using a mixture of hexanes and ethyl acetate or by fractional distillation under vacuum (0.1 mmHg). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the compound can be stored under inert gas, in the dark, at +4 °C for weeks. Incompatible with acids. It is highly recommended to synthesize (3-iodo-1-methyl-propenyl)-trimethyl-silane and use it immediately. (3-Iodo-1-methyl-propenyl)-trimethyl-silane is suspected to be carcinogenic and should be used in a well-ventilated fume hood, using adequate personal protective equipment.
Common Ground and Cultural Prominence How Conversation Reinforces Culture

Why do well-known ideas, practices, and people maintain their cultural prominence in the presence of equally good or better alternatives? This article suggests that a social-psychological process whereby people seek to establish common ground with their conversation partners causes familiar elements of culture to increase in prominence, independently of performance or quality. Two studies tested this hypothesis in the context of professional baseball, showing that common ground predicted the cultural prominence of baseball players better than their performance, even though clear performance metrics are available in this domain. Regardless of performance, familiar players, who represented common ground, were discussed more often than lesser-known players, both in a dyadic experiment (Study 1) and in natural discussions on the Internet (Study 2). Moreover, these conversations mediated the positive link between familiarity and a more institutionalized measure of prominence: All-Star votes (Study 2). Implicat...
Chaenotheca furfuracea and Psilolechia lucida Occur in Iowa

Abstract. Collections at two sites in central Iowa revealed the unexpected presence of Chaenotheca furfuracea (L.) Tibell and Psilolechia lucida (Ach.) M. Choisy. Searches of available records for lichens collected in Iowa indicate that these species have not previously been reported for Iowa. This report increases the number of lichens known to occur in Iowa to 265 species.
POTENTIALS AND LIMITATIONS OF ACOUSTIC METROLOGY FOR DIMENSIONAL CONFORMANCE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract Dimensional inspection is one of most critical procedures during the manufacturing process for controlling the quality of products. As the geometric dimensions of a product change, the mechanical properties of the product, such as moment of inertia, stiffness and mass distribution, are affected. Consequently, the resonant frequencies of the structure are altered because the mechanical properties change. Therefore, the shift in the resonant frequencies provides a potential valuable method of inspecting the dimensional conformance of a product. An in-depth study of the use of the acoustic spectrum for dimensional conformance applications was employed. Both experimental testing and analytical were performed to evaluate the relationship between dimensional deviations and the consequent resonant frequency shifts of several simple but typical geometrical parts. It was found that the technology works well in certain conditions, and with limitations in other conditions. The potentials as well as the limitations of this technology are presented in this paper through a comparative study of the predicted and measured shifts of natural frequencies due to dimensional deviations of cylinders and flat plates.
Mediator and p300/CBP-steroid receptor coactivator complexes have distinct roles, but function synergistically, during estrogen receptor α-dependent transcription with chromatin templates

Ligand-dependent transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors involves the recruitment of various coactivators to the promoters of hormone-regulated genes assembled into chromatin. Nuclear receptor coactivators include histone acetyltransferase complexes, such as p300/CBP-steroid receptor coactivator (SRC), as well as the multisubunit mediator complexes (“Mediator”), which may help recruit RNA polymerase II to the promoter. We have used a biochemical approach, including an in vitro chromatin assembly and transcription system, to examine the functional role for Mediator in the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor α (ERα) with chromatin templates, as well as functional interplay between Mediator and p300/CBP during ERα-dependent transcription. Using three different approaches to functionally inactivate Mediator (immunoneutralization, immunodepletion, and inhibitory polypeptides), we find that Mediator is required for maximal transcriptional activation by ligand-activated ERα. In addition, we demonstrate synergism between Mediator and p300/CBP-SRC during ERα-dependent transcription with chromatin templates, but not with naked DNA. This synergism is important for promoting the formation of a stable transcription preinitiation complex leading to the initiation of transcription. Interestingly, we find that Mediator has an additional distinct role during ERα-dependent transcription not shared by p300/CBP-SRC: namely, to promote preinitiation complex formation for subsequent rounds of transcription reinitiation. These results suggest that one functional consequence of Mediator-ERα interactions is the stimulation of multiple cycles of transcription reinitiation. Collectively, our results indicate an important role for Mediator, as well as its functional interplay with p300/CBP-SRC, in the enhancement of ERα-dependent transcription with chromatin templates.
Body site variation of heat pain sensitivity.

Thirty-two healthy human subjects provided thresholds for the perception of slight and moderate heat pain. Four body sites were tested bilaterally: thenar eminence of the hand, plantar surface of the foot, dorsolateral forearm, and lateral calf. Thresholds for the glabrous skin of the hand and foot were significantly greater than thresholds for the hairy skin of the arm and leg, the average difference being 1.3°c. Laterality was not a statistically significant factor. Thresholds increased progressively over 2–4 weeks of repeated testing, resulting in values averaging 0.6°c higher in the later sessions. The difference between moderate and slight pain thresholds averaged 1.1°c, and was consistent across body sites and with repeated testing.The threshold values were normally distributed across subjects. Considerable intersubject variability was observed for both slight and moderate pain thresholds, more so on glabrous than on hairy skin sites. In comparison, the distribution of right-left difference values w...
Tuberculosis control : the relevance of classic principles in an era of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and multidrug resistance

The estimated 64,000 excess cases of tuberculosis which occurred in the United States between 1985 and 1993 (1) are part of a global pandemic (2). Years before industrialized countries started to experience a resurgence in tuberculosis, the disease had persisted in neglected groups within their own borders and in developing nations (3). With outbreaks of multidrugresistant tuberculosis in the United States, the threat of "casual transmission of a highly fatal disease" (4, p. 648) led to a renaissance of interest in, and expansion of funding for, tuberculosis epidemiology, studies on the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, and control programs in the United States. Global tuberculosis control programs, however, remain woefully underfunded (5) and are often poorly structured.
Successful feeding enrichment for captive chimpanzees

An analysis of a feeding enrichment program for captive chimpanzees was completed to determine the effects of that program on the incidence of agonistic and abnormal behaviors by using 41 adult chimpanzees in six social groups. Four feeding enrichment procedures were implemented simultaneously in the experimental phase of this ABA design study. The procedures were planned to elicit time-consuming, noncompetitive feeding, theorizing a consequent reduction in agonism and detrimental abnormal behaviors typically occurring in captive chimpanzees. The 270 hours of data were collected over a 6-month period. A multivariate analysis of variance result supported the hypothesis, as the barrage of feeding enrichment techniques significantly reduced agonism and abnormal behaviors. This study's significance lies in its application of the scientific method to improving the husbandry of captive primates.
FamAnn: an automated variant annotation pipeline to facilitate target discovery for family-based sequencing studies.

Summary: FamAnn is an automated variant annotation pipeline designed for facilitating target discovery for family-based sequencing studies. It can apply a different inheritance pattern or a de novo mutations discovery model to each family and select single nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions segregating in each family or shared by multiple families. It also provides a variety of variant annotations and retains and annotates all transcripts hit by a single variant. Excel-compatible outputs including all annotated variants segregating in each family or shared by multiple families will be provided for users to prioritize variants based on their customized thresholds. A list of genes that harbor the segregating variants will be provided as well for possible pathway/network analyses. FamAnn uses the de facto community standard Variant Call Format as the input format and can be applied to whole exome, genome or targeted resequencing data. Availability: https://sites.google.com/site/famannotation/home
New Perspectives in Comparative Ecology of Neotropical Rain Forests: Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future

In an effort to understand variations in ecological patterns among lowland tropical rain forests, Alwyn Gentry and colleagues synthesized data sets from four of the premier Neotropical field stations-La Selva (Costa Rica), Barro Colorado Island (Panama), Cocha Cashu (Peru), and the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragmentation Project (Brazil). To promote the kind of geographically comparative tropical ecology advocated in the 1990 Gentry book, the Organization for Tropical Studies and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute organized a course in 2001 that visited each of these field stations. Papers from some of the studies resulting from this course are highlighted in this special section. These studies are notable for the consistent methods applied across forests, and they underscore the acute need and bright future for comparative tropical ecology. Key site characteristics for each of the field stations are summarized here.
Merchants and Diplomats: Philadelphia’s Early Trade with Cuba

professor of history at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas hen Valentin de Foronda, Spain's new consul-general for the United States, disembarked in Boston in 1802, he did not linger in New England. Instead, he made his way first to New York and then to Philadelphia, from where he decided to oversee the expanding network of Spanish officials stationed up and down the North American coast. In so doing, Foronda not only followed By Linda K. Salvucci