cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The values of engineers and managing engineers

Personal value orientations of engineers employed in high technology industries are investigated. The importance placed on specific values by engineers and managing engineers are compared using the Rokeach Value Survey. Although there were significant differences between these two groups on both values involving desirable end states of existence (terminal values) and those referring to preferable end states of existence (terminal values) and those referring to preferable modes of conduct (instrumental values), in general the value orientations were similar. Value orientations were found, however, to be related to levels of employee success. Engineers whose performance was above average reported significantly different value orientations from below-average success engineers. Despite overall similarity, personal values also demonstrated significant discriminative and predictive validity in distinguishing managing engineers from nonmanagement engineers. The results of the study are encouraging, and suggest that information about personal values might play some role in organizational decisions regarding job placement, promotion, formation of special groups, and in the design of employee motivation and incentive programs.
Nonoxynol-9: differential antibacterial activity and enhancement of bacterial adherence to vaginal epithelial cells.

The antibacterial activity and adherence-enhancing effects of nonoxynol-9 were evaluated against vaginal and uropathogenic bacteria. Nonoxynol-9 was markedly less active against the 43 uropathogenic bacterial and yeast strains tested (MIC90 > 32%) than against the 26 Gardnerella vaginalis strains (MIC90 < or = 0.015%) and the 53 Lactobacillus strains (MIC90 8%) tested. Hydrogen peroxide-producing strains of Lactobacillus were more susceptible to nonoxynol-9 (MIC90 4%) than nonproducers (MIC90 16%). 2 Escherichia coli strains that expressed type 1 fimbriae and 3 vaginal strains of lactobacilli adhered in significantly higher numbers to vaginal epithelial cells preincubated with 5% nonoxynol-9 than do control cells preincubated with PBS. Spermicides may provide a selective advantage in colonizing the vagina with nonoxynol-9-resistant uropathogens such as E. coli perhaps via a reduction in vaginal lactobacilli (especially hydrogen peroxide-producing strains) and through enhancement of adherence of E. coli to epithelial cells. (authors)
Protective role of dietary butylated hydroxyanisole against chemical-induced acute liver damage in mice

Prior consumption of a diet containing the food antioxidant, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), by female mice prevented the development of or minimized the acute liver damage caused by monocrotaline, acetaminophen, or bromobenzene. In contrast, neither the incidence nor the severity of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity was affected by dietary BHA. Hepatotoxicity was judged by plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, hepatic cytochrome P-450 content, and liver histology. The protective effect of BHA against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity was not demonstrated in male mice. The observed protection by dietary BHA against acetaminophen- and bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity was associated with the increase of liver glutathione. It is concluded that the protective action of BHA is dependent upon the nature of the toxic agent.
A simple method for the mating of Sclerotinia trifoliorum

Abstract Rehnstrom, A. L., and Free, S. J. 1993. A simple method for the mating of Sclerotinia trifoliorum. Experimental Mycology 17, 236-239. A simple method which allows for the controlled mating of L and S mating type strains of Sclerotinia trifoliorum is described. Using the method, we have been able to mate L and S strains and have demonstrated the segregation of the genetic markers involved in mycelial incompatibility into the progeny.
Back propagation with expected source values

Abstract The back propagation learning rule converges significantly faster if expected values of source units are used for updating weights. The expected value of a unit can be approximated as the sum of the output of the unit and its error term. Results from numerous simulations demonstrate the comparative advantage of the new rule.
Optical rotation and viscosity of native and denatured proteins. XIII. Further studies on enzyme proteins.

Abstract The optical rotatory dispersion of aldolase, bacterial amylase, deoxyribonuclease, elastase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, lysozyme, and ribonuclease was studied by the method of spectropolarimetry. The dispersion constants (λ c ) of deoxyribonuclease and elastase were found in the same low range as the constant of ribonuclease. The high dispersion constants of aldolase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, and bacterial amylase decreased strongly upon denaturation with acid, alkali, or guanidine thiocyanate. The rotatory properties of lysozyme were but little affected by alkali, although the protein could be readily denatured by guanidine thiocyanate. Complex dispersion was observed by means of ultraviolet light with lysozyme but not with ribonuclease.
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae: clinical features and long-term results.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to characterize the clinical, radiological, treatment, and outcome data associated with patients diagnosed with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVFs) at a single tertiary care institution over a 20-year period. METHODS: A 20-year retrospective study was undertaken at our university hospital. Patients with mixed intracranial and spinal dural fistulas were excluded. A literature review of articles reporting endovascular or combined treatment of SDAVFs was performed. RESULTS: Between 1984 and 2005, our institution diagnosed and treated 63 patients (mean age, 62; 13 women, 50 men) with SDAVFs. The presenting symptoms were consistent with progressive myelopathy, and included lower extremity weakness (33 patients, 52%), parasthesias (19 patients, 30%), back pain (15 patients, 24%), and urinary symptoms (four patients, 6%). Thirty-nine patients underwent an initial endovascular embolization with 27 requiring only this first procedure for complete obliteration. On the other hand, 24 patients underwent an initial surgical procedure with 20 of them treated successfully with a single operation. Endovascular patients presented at mean age 62.3 years (standard deviation [SD], 10.6), were hospitalized for an average of 3.1 days (SD, 2.6), and were followed-up for 39 months (SD, 33). Surgical patients presented at mean age of 65.8 years (SD, 10.3), were hospitalized for 9.8 days (SD, 2.7), and were followed-up for 35 months (SD, 44). A significant improvement in Aminoff-Logue scores was found in both the endovascular and surgery groups (gait, P < 0.001; micturition, P = 0.005). The endovascular group had reduced hospitalization (P = 0.0001). No differences were found in the magnitude of clinical response to treatment. CONCLUSION: SDAVFs most commonly present with progressive myelopathy, yet often remain undiagnosed for months or years. Endovascular therapies and surgical therapies are associated with significantly improved symptoms once the definitive diagnosis of SDAVF is made.
Dynamic quantitative phase images of pond life, insect wings, and in vitro cell cultures

This paper presents images and data of live biological samples taken with a novel Linnik interference microscope. The specially designed optical system enables instantaneous and 3D video measurements of dynamic motions within and among live cells without the need for contrast agents. This "label-free", vibration insensitive imaging system enables measurement of biological objects in reflection using harmless light levels with current magnifications of 10X (NA 0.3) and 20X (NA 0.5) and wavelengths of 660 nm and 785 nm over fields of view from several hundred microns up to a millimeter. At the core of the instrument is a phase-measurement camera (PMC) enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple interference patterns utilizing a pixelated phase mask taking advantage of the polarization properties of light. Utilizing this technology enables the creation of phase image movies in real time at video rates so that dynamic motions and volumetric changes can be tracked. Objects are placed on a reflective surface in liquid under a coverslip. Phase values are converted to optical thickness data enabling volumetric, motion and morphological studies. Data from a number of different mud puddle organisms such as paramecium, flagellates and rotifers will be presented, as will measurements of flying ant wings and cultures of human breast cancer cells. These data highlight examples of monitoring different biological processes and motions. The live presentation features 4D phase movies of these examples.
Assembly of Voltage-gated Potassium Channels CONSERVED HYDROPHILIC MOTIFS DETERMINE SUBFAMILY-SPECIFIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE α-SUBUNITS

Voltage-gated potassium (K+) channels are assembled by four identical or homologous α-subunits to form a tetrameric complex with a central conduction pore for potassium ions. Most of the cloned genes for the α-subunits are classified into four subfamilies: Kv1 (Shaker), Kv2 (Shab), Kv3 (Shaw), and Kv4 (Shal). Subfamily-specific assembly of heteromeric K+ channel complexes has been observed in vitro and in vivo, which contributes to the diversity of K+ currents. However, the molecular codes that mediate the subfamily-specific association remain unknown. To understand the molecular basis of the subfamily-specific assembly, we tested the protein-protein interactions of different regions of α-subunits. We report here that the cytoplasmic NH2-terminal domains of Kv1, Kv2, Kv3, and Kv4 subfamilies each associate to form homomultimers. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and eight K+ channel genes, two genes (one isolated from rat and one from Drosophila) from each subfamily, we demonstrated that the associations to form heteromultimers by the NH2-terminal domains are strictly subfamily-specific. These subfamily-specific associations suggest a molecular basis for the selective formation of heteromultimeric channels in vivo.
THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF TURKISH VILLAGE OPINION LEADERS IN A PROGRAM OF FAMILY PLANNING

In this paper the author reports the results of a carefully planned and extensive public opinion survey designed to ascertain probable reactions of Turkish couples to a government program of family planning. Also, the survey undertook to weigh the possible usefulness of the mass media and the political and spiritual leaders in the villages in winning support for the program, particularly among the villagers. The value of a public opinion survey in implementing public policy in this situation is clearly underscored. J. Mayone Stycos is Professor of Sociology and Director of the International Population Program at Cornell University. This is a revision of a paper read at the 1964 meetings of the Population Association of America. S A RESULT of heavy losses of population earlier in the century and the fear of the military might of her neighbors, /4 ~Turkey, a nation of 28 million people, has followed a pronatalist policy for several decades. In the past few years, however, there has been increasing concern over growth rates, which approximate 3 per cent per year, and as a result a national program of family planning is now under consideration. Before such plans can be accomplished, a law especially prohibiting birth control propaganda must be rescinded. Turkish leaders, on the recommendation of a commission from the Population Council, decided to undertake a national fertility survey that would both reveal public opinion about birth control and suggest directions for the program. It was expected that rural attitudes would be more conservative than urban, and male more conservative than female. Yet Turkey is a country where villages represent almost two-thirds of the population, and where male authority in family matters is unquestioned. Consequently, it was felt that the study should be designed in such a way that the residence and sex hypotheses could be tested adequately, while providing leads for reaching the rural male should such hypotheses be confirmed. Accordingly, the survey design had the following features: 1. Both husband and wife would be interviewed in sampled house^ holds containing a couple with the wife between the ages of twenty and
Variation for glutenin and waxy alleles in the US hard winter wheat germplasm

We conducted a survey of high- and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS and LMW-GS, respectively) and waxy (Wx) allele composition in 111 winter wheat cultivars and advanced lines developed in the US Hard Winter Wheat Region since 1991. At the HMW-GS Glu-A1 locus, 76.1% of entries had allele b (encoding subunit 2*), 21.2% carried allele a (subunit 1), and 2.7% had allele c (null). Glu-B1 alleles were c (subunits 7+9; 47.7% of entries), b (subunits 7+8; 33.3%), e (subunits 20x+20y; 7.7%), i (subunits 17+18; 6.3%), and w (subunits 6*+8*; 5%). At Glu-D1, 80.6% of the entries carried allele d (subunits 5+10), 11.3% had allele a (subunits 2+12), 7.2% carried allele b (subunits 3+12), and 0.9% had allele e (subunits 2+10). Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 allele frequency differed significantly (P<0.01) from a previous study of the US Hard Winter Wheat germplasm developed from 1970 to 1990. At LMW-GS loci, five Glu-A3 alleles, nine Glu-B3 alleles, and five Glu-D3 alleles were identified. Ten entries with the null Wx-B1b allele and seven with the null Wx-A1b allele were detected. This survey allows comparisons of HMW-GS and waxy allele compositions with the US Hard Winter Wheat germplasm from previous eras and provides baseline data on LMW-GS composition.
Objective classification of Navarro River salmon habitat : a watershed-based critical habitat case study

1. Prevailing freshwater conservation approaches in the USA stem from policy-based ecosystem management directives, science-based gap analyses, and legal interpretations of critical habitats. In California, there has been no systematic prioritization of freshwater habitats critical to the persistence of anadromous salmonid populations. 2. Anadromous salmonids provide an optimal focal species for conservation prioritization of freshwater habitats in California owing to their flagship, umbrella and keystone status. 3. The Navarro River is a key watershed for both Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act recovery efforts in the state of California. This watershed serves as a case study in the use of iterative discriminant analysis to objectively classify freshwater habitats critical to the persistence of two species of threatened anadromous salmonids, steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch). 4. Riverscape parameters were used initially to define suitable habitat for focal species; subsequent refinement accounted for human disturbance within the watershed. Results from this study identify 22.1 km of riverine habitat critical to the persistence of coho salmon in the Navarro River watershed, which need active conservation or restoration; it also identified an additional 269.4 km of riverine habitat in need of protection for its aquatic habitat values. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thin-film synthesis and microstructure characterization of the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix with functionalized carbon nanotubes

We report on the synthesis and surface characterization of thin-film nanocomposites using functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a diamine-terminated oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) [poly(ethylene glycol) bis (3-aminopropyl)-terminated 1500]. The functionalized CNT samples are soluble in highly polar solvents. Their common solubility allows for the intimate mixing of the functionalized nanotubes with the matrix polymer–poly(vinyl alcohol) by dip coating and wet casting to form nanocomposite thin films. We demonstrate the alignment of the CNT bundles in the thin films that are formed without the external field forces. We present our results and discuss alignment reorientations from the characterizations of the nanocomposite thin films by using a Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.
The role of the microenvironment in tumor growth and invasion

Mathematical modeling and computational analysis are essential for understanding the dynamics of the complex gene networks that control normal development and homeostasis, and can help to understand how circumvention of that control leads to abnormal outcomes such as cancer. Our objectives here are to discuss the different mechanisms by which the local biochemical and mechanical microenvironment, which is comprised of various signaling molecules, cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM), affects the progression of potentially-cancerous cells, and to present new results on two aspects of these effects. We first deal with the major processes involved in the progression from a normal cell to a cancerous cell at a level accessible to a general scientific readership, and we then outline a number of mathematical and computational issues that arise in cancer modeling. In Section 2 we present results from a model that deals with the effects of the mechanical properties of the environment on tumor growth, and in Section 3 we report results from a model of the signaling pathways and the tumor microenvironment (TME), and how their interactions affect the development of breast cancer. The results emphasize anew the complexities of the interactions within the TME and their effect on tumor growth, and show that tumor progression is not solely determined by the presence of a clone of mutated immortal cells, but rather that it can be 'community-controlled'.
AORTIC DISSECTION IN THE ELDERLY: COMPARING SEPTUAGENARIANS AND OCTOGENARIANS

Studies have shown acute aortic dissection (AAD) pts ≥70 years of age have higher in-hospital mortality and less Type A (TA) surgical management (mgmt). These differences may also hold true within the elderly cohort. We studied 1139 elderly pts from the International Registry of Acute Aortic
Identification of a Second Conserved Element Within the Coding Sequence of a Mouse H3 Histone Gene That Interacts With Nuclear Factors and Is Necessary for Normal Expression

Replication-dependent histone genes of all four nucleosomal classes are coordinately up-regulated at the beginning of S phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle. The universality and importance of this process in eukaryotic cells suggest that common regulatory mechanisms are involved in controlling the high level of expression of these histone genes. We have previously identified the alpha element within mouse H2a.2 and H3.2 coding region activating sequences (CRAS), which is involved in regulation of these two replication-dependent genes. Here we report the identification of a second element within the mouse histone CRAS, the omega element. This element interacts with nuclear proteins and we present in vivo evidence that this sequence is required for normal expression. Omega nucleotides involved in interaction with nuclear proteins have been precisely mapped by menas of DNase I footprinting and methylation interference assays. A naturally occurring mutation in the omega sequence is found in a replication-independent H3.3 gene. Mutation of the H3.2 omega element to that of the H3.3 sequence (3 nt changes) caused a 4-fold drop in in vivo expression of the H3.2 gene in stably transfected CHO cells, equally the effect of mutation of all 7 nt of the element. By UV cross-linking we have determined the approximate molecular weight of the omega binding protein to be 45 kDa. Finally, we identify putative omega sequences in the coding region of mouse H2B and H4 histone genes.
Simulation of waveguide birefringence by beam propagation method

It is demonstrated that, by modifying the waveguide geometry, the beam-propagation method (BPM) can be extended to determine the mode indexes of both polarizations. Such an approach has been implemented into BPM routines. It can be used to determine the birefringence in waveguide structures. The same approach is also applicable in other waveguide simulation programs based on the scalar field approximation. The operational principle and numerical results for planar waveguides are presented, and the extension of this technique to channel waveguides is discussed. >
Strategies to enhance participant recruitment and retention in research involving a community-based population

Challenges associated with recruiting and retaining community-based populations in research studies have been recognized yet remain of major concern for researchers. There is a need for exchange of recruitment and retention techniques that inform recruitment and retention strategies. Here, the authors discuss a variety of methods that were successful in exceeding target recruitment and retention goals in a randomized clinical trial of hearing protector use among farm operators. Recruitment and retention strategies were 1) based on a philosophy of mutually beneficial engagement in the research process, 2) culturally appropriate, 3) tailored to the unique needs of partnering agencies, and 4) developed and refined in a cyclical and iterative process. Sponsoring organizations are interested in cost-effective recruitment and retention strategies, particularly relating to culturally and ethnically diverse groups. These approaches may result in enhanced subject recruitment and retention, concomitant containment of study costs, and timely accomplishment of study aims.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: Mother Fabricates Infant's Hearing Impairment.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of child abuse in which a mother causes or simulates her child’s symptoms and presents the child for diagnosis and treatment. All previously reported cases ha...
Hereditary adrenocortical unresponsiveness to adrenocorticotropic hormone

Hereditary adrenocortical unresponsiveness to ACTH, a rare form of chronic adrenal insufficiency, was documented in three families. The probands did not respond to prolonged intramuscular ACTH, but they conserved sodium while on a salt-restricted diet. The results of cortisol, aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, and corticosterone secretory rates in two patients suggest that patients with this disorder have an isolated defect in ACTH-dependent steroidogenesis. The different adrenal pathology observed in two families at autopsy and the existence of autosomal and possibly of X-linked recessive forms suggest that ACTH unresponsiveness is a genetically heterogeneous syndrome.
Phylogeny of dinoflagellates based on mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear small subunit rDNA sequence comparisons

Despite their evolutionary and ecological importance, dinoflagellate phylogeny remains poorly resolved. Here we explored the utility of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cob) in inferring a dinoflagellate tree and focused on resolving the relationship between fucoxanthin-and peridinin-containing taxa. Trees were inferred using cob and small subunit rDNA alone or in combination as concatenated data and including members of the six major dinoflagellate orders. Many regions of the cob DNA or protein and rDNA trees were congruent with support for the monophyly of Symbiodinium spp. Freudenthal and of the Prorocentrales and the early divergence of Crypthecodinium cohnii Seligo in Grasse. However, these markers provided differing support for the monophyly of Pfiesteria spp. Steidinger et Burkholder (only supported strongly by rDNA) and of the fucoxanthin dinoflagellates with Akashiwo sp. (Hirasaka) Hansen et Moestrup (Gymnodiniales, only supported strongly by the cob data). The approximately unbiased (AU) test was used to assess these results using 13-and 11-taxon (excluding apicomplexans) backbone maximum likelihood trees inferred from the combined cob + rDNA data. The AU test suggested that our data were insufficient to resolve the phylogenetic position of Symbiodinium spp. and that the ancestral position of C. cohnii might have resulted from long-branch attraction to the apicomplexan outgroup. We found significant support, however, for the association of fucoxanthin dinoflagellates with Akashiwo sp. The monophyly and relatively derived position of the Gymnodiniales in our cob DNA and protein trees and in the cob +rDNA tree is consistent with the tertiary endosymbiotic origin of the plastid in fucoxanthin dinoflagellates.
A Simple Viewer for Prothrombin Determination and Other Coagulation Tests

1. A clot viewer has been described, which is an adaptation of a colony counter and requires little or no money to construct.
Magnetic resonance imaging after total hip arthroplasty: evaluation of periprosthetic soft tissue.

Background: The evaluation of periprosthetic osteolysis in patients who have had a total hip arthroplasty is challenging, and traditional imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography, are limited by metallic artifact. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the use of modified magnetic resonance imaging techniques involving commercially available software to visualize periprosthetic soft tissues, to define the bone-implant interface, and to detect the location and extent of osteolysis. Methods: Twenty-eight hips in twenty-seven patients were examined to assess the extent of osteolysis (nineteen hips), enigmatic pain (five), heterotopic ossification (two), suspected tumor (one), or femoral nerve palsy (one). The results were correlated with conventional radiographic findings as well as with intraoperative findings (when available). Results: Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the bone-implant interface and the surrounding soft-tissue envelope in all hips. Radiographs consistently underestimated the extent and location of acetabular osteolysis when compared with magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging also disclosed radiographically occult extraosseous soft-tissue deposits that were similar in signal intensity to areas of osteolysis, demonstrated the relationship of these deposits to adjacent neurovascular structures, and allowed further visualization of hypertrophic synovial deposits that accompanied the bone resorption in twenty-five of the twenty-eight hips. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging is effective for the assessment of the periprosthetic soft tissues in patients who have had a total hip arthroplasty. While not indicated for every patient who has pain at the site of an arthroplasty, these techniques can be effective for the evaluation of the surrounding soft-tissue envelope as well as intracapsular synovial deposits and are more effective than radiographs for the detection and evaluation of osteolysis, thus aiding in clinical management. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic study, Level III-1 (study of nonconsecutive patients [no consistently applied reference “gold” standard]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Effects of Changes in Smoking Prevalence on Obesity Prevalence in the United States

Objectives. Reduction of cigarette smoking is an important public health goal. However, lower smoking prevalence may be associated with increased obesity prevalence. I sought to estimate the effect of decreases in smoking prevalence on obesity prevalence in the United States population.Methods. I combined current weight data by smoking status from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with smoking prevalence data from past NHANES surveys to estimate weight status had smoking prevalence not changed.Results. Even relatively large changes in the prevalence of smoking were estimated to have little effect on obesity prevalence. For example, if smoking prevalence in 1999–2002 were at the higher 1971–1975 smoking level, the estimated 1999–2002 obesity prevalence would be 22.5% rather than the actual value of 23.9%, a difference of only 1.4 percentage points. Estimates for other weight categories were similarly small.Conclusions. Decreases in the prevalence of cigarette smoking p...
A Failed Refutation and an Insufficiently Developed Insight in Hart’s Law, Liberty, and Morality

H. L. A. Hart, in his classic book Law, Liberty, and Morality, is unsuccessful in arguing that James Fitzjames Stephen’s observations about the role of vice in criminal sentencing have no relevance to a more general defense of legal moralism. He does, however, have a very important insight about the special significance of sexual liberty.
Interaction Between a Pair of Drops Ascending in a Linearly Stratified Fluid

In this paper, we provide fully resolved three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of ascending motion of a pair of drops in a linearly stratified fluid using a finite-volume/front-tracking method. We study the density stratification effects on the rise velocity of drops and their stable position for different initial alignments. Due to the formation of a jet in the lee of a single drop rising in a stratified fluid, a decrease in rise velocity (or an increase in drag) is observed compared to the homogeneous case. The hydrodynamic interaction between two drops in a linearly stratified fluid depends on the properties of both fluids and initial orientation of the two drops. For the case of drops rising side by side, the lateral separation of drops is suppressed due to stratification effects. In contrast to homogeneous case, two nearly spherical drops collide with each other at low Froude numbers and oscillate around their neutrally buoyant density level. Two spherical drops rising in tandem in a linearly stratified fluid at finite Reynolds number regime undergo drafting, kissing, and tumbling unlike their counterpart in a homogenous fluid.
Using electroactive polymers to simulate the sense of light touch and vibration in a virtual reality environment

Virtual reality simulators seek to immerse users in realistic interactive environments. However, at present, while several provide kinesthetic feedback, most lack tactile feedback. Current means of tactile feedback do not generate enough force to the digits, deliver a non-intuitive sense of feedback and are too large or heavy to be used in hand-worn configurations. The tactile feedback system developed herein uses electroactive polymers to create light touch and vibratory sensation to the fingertips, and DC motors to constrict the distal digit. In essence, when current is passed through the electroactive polymer in the shape of a cantilever (7 mm long by 19 mm wide), it bends on its long axis, providing a forces of 25 mN. Vibratory feedback is created by varying input voltage with a sinusoidal waveform. To generate fingertip constriction, two DC motors cinch a wire attached to a rubber thimble. These hardware components are controlled by a computer running X3D software, an ISO standard for representing 3D graphics, which affords a virtual environment for the tracking of one's hand. Upon contact with a virtual object, the actuators generate prescribed forces or vibrations. With this setup, a series of human-subjects experiments will be conducted whereby the task is to contact and differentiate virtual spheres of differing stiffness. Experiment 1 will test the electroactive polymers to determine the threshold for recognizing light touch, Experiment 2 will test vibrational discrimination, and Experiment 3 will test the ability of the user to differentiate constriction forces.
Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise improves outcomes in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. A prospective clinical trial with two-year follow-up.

Background: In a previous investigation, eighty-two patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis for a duration of more than ten months completed a randomized, prospective clinical trial. The patients received instructions for either a plantar fascia-stretching protocol or an Achilles tendon-stretching protocol and were evaluated after eight weeks. Substantial differences were noted in favor of the group managed with the plantar fascia-stretching program. The goal of this two-year follow-up study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the plantar fascia-stretching protocol in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods: Phase one of the clinical trial concluded at eight weeks. At the eight-week follow-up evaluation, all patients were instructed in the plantar fascia-stretching protocol. At the two-year follow-up evaluation, a questionnaire consisting of the pain subscale of the Foot Function Index and an outcome survey related to pain, function, and satisfaction with treatment was mailed to the eighty-two subjects who had completed the initial clinical trial. Data were analyzed with use of a mixed-model analysis of covariance for each outcome of interest. Results: Complete data sets were obtained from sixty-six patients. The two-year follow-up results showed marked improvement for all patients after implementation of the plantar fascia-stretching exercises, with an especially high rate of improvement for those in the original group treated with the Achilles tendon-stretching program. In contrast to the eight-week results, the two-year results showed no significant differences between the groups with regard to the worst pain or pain with first steps in the morning. Descriptive analysis of the data showed that 92% (sixty-one) of the sixty-six patients reported total satisfaction or satisfaction with minor reservations. Fifty-one patients (77%) reported no limitation in recreational activities, and sixty-two (94%) reported a decrease in pain. Only sixteen of the sixty-six patients reported the need to seek treatment by a clinician. Conclusions: This study supports the use of the tissue-specific plantar fascia-stretching protocol as the key component of treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. Long-term benefits of the stretch include a marked decrease in pain and functional limitations and a high rate of satisfaction. This approach can provide the health-care practitioner with an effective, inexpensive, and straightforward treatment protocol. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Minimum mean square error equalization using priors for two-dimensional intersymbol interference

Joint iterative equalization and decoding schemes are proposed for two-dimensional inter-symbol interference channels. Equalization is performed using the minimum mean squared error criterion. Three linear equalizers are proposed. The exact equalizer, a spatially and temporally varying equalizer, has performance similar to schemes based on message-passing and has lower complexity. To save further on computational cost, time-invariant implementations of the exact equalizer are also proposed. Extrinsic information transfer charts are used to analyze the equalizers. A density evolution algorithm using a Gaussian approximation is proposed and used to study the trade-off between computational cost and performance for different decoding schedules.
Annotating news video with locations

The location of video scenes is an important semantic descriptor especially for broadcast news video. In this paper, we propose a learning-based approach to annotate shots of news video with locations extracted from video transcript, based on features from multiple video modalities including syntactic structure of transcript sentences, speaker identity, temporal video structure, and so on. Machine learning algorithms are adopted to combine multi-modal features to solve two sub-problems: (1) whether the location of a video shot is mentioned in the transcript, and if so, (2) among many locations in the transcript, which are correct one(s) for this shot. Experiments on TRECVID dataset demonstrate that our approach achieves approximately 85% accuracy in correctly labeling the location of any shot in news video.
Spiky sea clutter at high range resolutions and very low grazing angles

X-band (9.5-10.0 GHz) backscatter at near grazing incidence (0.2 deg) from the sea off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, was measured with a radar characterized by a high spatial resolution in range (0.3 m) and a high temporal resolution (2000 Hz pulse repetition frequency (PRF)). Extensive amounts (over 20 min per measurement) of vertically and horizontally polarized sea clutter data were taken with upwind (UP) and crosswind (CR) transmit geometries during the collection campaign. Specific but representative examples of the clutter were statistically and phenomenologically analyzed over time scales varying from long (200 s), to intermediate (5 s), to short (50 ms), and over range swaths varying from full (160 m), to partial (30 m), to a single range cell (0.3 m). All analyses and results presented here are noncoherent, involving only the clutter amplitudes. Each type of clutter exhibited the characteristic spiky behavior which has come to be expected from microwave sea backscatter observed at low grazing angles and high range resolutions, while showing, between themselves, marked transmit geometry and polarization dependent contrasts, with the horizontally polarized clutter, measured with an UP transmit geometry, being especially notable for its frequently occurring, significant high frequency spectral content. Within the same clutter type, differences were observed in the probability distributions of radar cross sections (RCS) of spatially and temporally extended spiking events.
H ·(H2O)n Clusters: Microsolvation of the Hydrogen Atom via Molecular ab Initio Gradient Embedded Genetic Algorithm (GEGA)

A new version of the ab initio gradient embedded genetic algorithm (GEGA) program for finding the global minima on the potential energy surface (PES) of mixed clusters formed by molecules and atoms is reported. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated on the neutral H·(H(2)O)(n) (n = 1-4) clusters, that is, a radical H atom solvated in 1-4 water molecules. These clusters are of a fundamental interest. The solvated hydrogen atom forms during photochemical events in water, or during scavenging of solvated electrons by acids, and transiently exists in biological systems and possibly in inclusion complexes in the deep ocean and in the ice shield of earth. The processes associated with its existence are intriguingly complex, however, and have been the subject of decades-long debates. Using GEGA, we explicate the apparently extreme structural diversity in the H·(H(2)O)(n) (n = 1-4) clusters. All considered clusters have four basic structural types: type I, where the H radical is weakly coordinated to the oxygen atom of one of the water molecules; type II, where H is weakly coordinated to a H atom of one of the water molecules; type III, consisting of H(2), the OH radical, and n - 1 H(2)O molecules; and type IV, consisting of H(3)O and n - 1 H(2)O. There are myriads of isomers of all four types. The lowest energy species of types I and II are the isoenergetic global minima. H·(H(2)O)(n) clusters appear to be a challenging case for GEGA because they have many shallow minima close in energy some of which are significantly less stable than the global minimum. Additionally, the global minima themselves have high structural degeneracy, they are only weakly bound, and they are prone to dissociation. GEGA performed exceptionally well in finding both the global and the low-energy local minima that were subsequently confirmed at higher levels of theory.
Hypermethylation at loci sensitive to the prenatal environment is associated with increased incidence of myocardial infarction

Conclusions The risk of MI in women is associated with DNA methylation marks at specific loci previously shown to be sensitive to prenatal conditions. This observation may reflect a developmental component of MI.
Pathologic Quiz Case Soft Tissue Calcifications of the Shoulder in a 31-Year-Old Woman

The patient was a 31-year-old woman with an 8-year history of left-sided neck, back, and arm pain associated with weakness and numbness of the left hand following an injury sustained while moving a heavy object. She had been involved in an automobile accident about 1 year prior to presentation. She denied any other constitutional symptoms such as weight loss, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Physical examination and past medical history were otherwise unremarkable.
Efficient routing of lightpaths

A routing solution is presented to find optimal routes for lightpaths and for the new concept of semi-lightpaths. A lightpath is a fully optical transmission path, while a semi-lightpath is a transmission path constructed by chaining together several lightpaths, using wavelength conversion at their junctions. A fast and practical algorithm, with proven optimal speed, is presented to optimally route lightpaths and semi-lightpaths taking into account both the cost of using the wavelengths on links and the cost of wavelength conversion.
An equivalent stress level model for efficient fatigue crack growth prediction

A general probabilistic fatigue crack growth prediction methodology under random variable loading is developed using a novel equivalent stress level model and the inverse first-orderreliability method (IFORM). The proposed equivalent stress level model is based on the equivalent transformation of a random variable loading to constant amplitude loading, which avoid cycle-by-cycle calculation. An inverse first-order reliability method (IFORM) is used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth at any arbitrary reliability level. Inverse FORM method reduces the number of function evaluations and the computational cost is significantly reduced. The proposed method is very suitable for real-time damage prognosis and on-line decision making. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the proposed method. Various experimental data under variable amplitude loading are collected and model predictions are compared with experimental data for model validation.
Active Leadership in Schools Teachers as Leaders

Teachers as leaders or teacher leadership is not a new idea. Teachers have served as team leaders, department chairs, curriculum and staff developers for many years. However, beyond the title given, teacher leadership roles have been very limited in scope. Most teacher leadership positions have existed at the whim of administration or within a hierarchical structure of decision making where the teacher had no real leadership power or role. This article discusses the importance of teachers moving out of managerial roles into real leadership roles. As this transformation comes about, real educational change will take place and with it will come empowered teacher leaders.
Behaviour in a population of Columbian ground squirrels, Spermophilus columbianus columbianus..

Abstract Field observations and films of laboratory encounters were used to describe and quantify behaviour in a population of Columbian ground squirrels. Activity correlated with ambient temperature. Feeding, the most frequent behaviour, decreased during mid-day whereas other behavioural patterns increased. Squirrels nearly always seemed alert, even during other behavioural patterns. Three of seven vocalizations indicated alarm. Possible adult scent-marking nerver exceeded 1 per cent of above-ground activity and decreased seasonally. Juvenile play was frequent; yearling play became more aggressive and was replaced by aggression by mid-season. Adult aggression rarely involved contact; aggression was most frequent during breeding and lactation among males and females, respectively. The behaviour of this population was similar to that observed in other populations of the same and other sciurids. Most differences cannot be explained without ecological investigation of the other populations.
Clinical Uncertainties, Health Service Challenges, and Ethical Complexities of HIV “Test-and-Treat”: A Systematic Review

Despite the HIV “test-and-treat” strategy’s promise, questions about its clinical rationale, operational feasibility, and ethical appropriateness have led to vigorous debate in the global HIV community. We performed a systematic review of the literature published between January 2009 and May 2012 using PubMed, SCOPUS, Global Health, Web of Science, BIOSIS, Cochrane CENTRAL, EBSCO Africa-Wide Information, and EBSCO CINAHL Plus databases to summarize clinical uncertainties, health service challenges, and ethical complexities that may affect the test-and-treat strategy’s success. A thoughtful approach to research and implementation to address clinical and health service questions and meaningful community engagement regarding ethical complexities may bring us closer to safe, feasible, and effective test-and-treat implementation.
Cutaneous Blood Flow, Doppler Measurement of

The necessity for measuring the skin blood flows occurs in many areas of physiology, pharmacology, and clinical medicine. Although the measurement of blood flow in the large blood vessels in the human body has been performed for centuries, the use of techniques to explore microcirculation have just evolved over the past 30 years. Available tests for assessing the skin microcirculation include tissue pH measurement, radioactive isotope clearance, capillary microscopy, plethysmography, transcutaneous oxygen tension, ultrasonic Doppler flowmetry, and laser Doppler flowmetry. Keywords: doppler flowmetry; doppler principle; doppler frequency; laser probe; atherosclerosis
Short-term plasticity of descending synaptic input to phrenic motoneurons in rats

Respiratory afferent stimulation can elicit increases in respiratory motor output that outlast the period of stimulation by seconds to minutes [short-term potentiation (STP)]. This study examined t...
Grain prices and vital statistics in a Portuguese rural parish, 1671-1720.

The rural parish of Turcifal in Portuguese Estremadura in 1671 reflected its standard of living in an unexpected fashion. If the prices of grain grown by the people of this parish are used as an economic guide with high prices reflecting poor agricultural years and low ones representing successful harvests, and such data are then compared with the local statistics, interesting demographic facts result. The mean annual number of marriages and births did not differ significantly between good and bad harvest years. There were, however, a statistically significantly larger number of girls born in poor harvest years; whereas in good years boys were born in excess of the expected sex-ratio. It is suggested that poor nutrition during pregnancy, or possibly some other factor influencing both simultaneously, increased the incidence of unsuccessful gestations, which are more likely to be of males, resulting in a proportionately higher number of female live births. Linear correlations between the price of wheat or barley and the mortality of females showed high significance when the grain is barley and a low significance when it is wheat, suggesting that there may have been a differential use of the food supply. No significance appears when the price of grain is compared with male mortality implying that the men had preferential access to scarce food. The sex-ratio at death, including all ages and all causes, shows an excess of females.
Lower-tropospheric precursors to nocturnal MCS development over the central United States

Abstract Composite analyses are examined to identify signals in the late afternoon surface and lower-tropospheric environments that indicate the expected location and degree of nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) development over the central United States. The authors concentrate on two features: 1) the forcing for the low-level jet (LLJ), and 2) the frontogenetic character of lower-tropospheric fronts, or other types of airmass boundaries, with which MCSs are associated. Results show that very large, long-lived, nocturnal MCSs are likely to mature downwind of a late afternoon surface geostrophic wind maximum if that region is frontogenetic at 850 mb. The significance of the afternoon surface geostrophic wind maximum is that it identifies the region where the core of the elevated nocturnal LLJ will develop atop the surface-based nocturnal inversion. Where the forecast LLJ will encounter the frontogenetic boundary defines an area of potentially enhanced nocturnal low-level ascent through convergenc...