cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photonic band gaps of porous solids

Colloidal inverse photonic crystals composed of ordered lattices of air spheres in a high dielectric background are found to have three-dimensional photonic gaps for face-centered cubic, hexgaonal close-packed, and double hexagonal close-packed stacking sequences. Conditions for the occurrence of the complete gap are a sufficient dielectric contrast and a geometry near close packed. Although the lower pseudogaps of these stacking sequences differ, the lowest stop band in the stacking direction is insensitive to the stacking sequence; hence their experimental reflection should be similar. Transmission calculations with structural disorder show the lower pseudogap is relatively unaffected but the higher gap is very difficult to observe with moderate disorder.
MEMS for sensing high current overload

This paper presents a design and fabrication of advanced MEMS in high power applications. The advanced MEMS devices are used as a circuit breaker to detect high current in a distributed power network. We designed and fabricated an M×N array of low-power MEMS switches to handle high power; they are mass actuated by an external magnetic field.
Political Elites in Coloninal Southeast Asia: an Historical Analysis*

Present-day political systems in the nation states of Southeast Asia can be classified in accordance with various criteria; they can, for example, be politically grouped on a spectrum ranging from parliamentary democracy to totalitarian dictatorship. The focus of the present inquiry is the sociology of political elites rather than the forms of polity which these elites have created or helped to create. It deals exclusively with the ruling “national” elites, leaving out of consideration secondary groups, such as territorially- or ethnicallybased local and regional elites, religious leaders, and other traditional elites. Two kinds of “national” elite can be discerned in contemporary Southeast Asia, which we shall call “intelligentsia elites” and “modernizing traditional elites”. Disregarding for the time being the constitutional frameworks and the degree of popular participation of each individual state, it may be said that both elites are in many respects oligarchies.
Interactions between mesoderm and ectoderm in segment formation in the embryo of a glossiphoniid leech

Abstract The relative contributions of ectodermal and mesodermal tissues to the organization of leech body segments were studied by means of single cell ablation in the early embryo of the leech Helobdella triserialis . Hemilateral ablation of mesodermal precursor cells resulted in the loss of ectodermal segmental organization in mesoderm-deficient regions of the embryo. Similarly, hemilateral ablation of ectodermal precursor cells resulted in the loss of mesodermal segmental organization in ectoderm-deficient regions of the embryo. However, after such ectodermal ablations, mesoderm often switched sides, from the ectoderm-deficient region on one side to the nondeficient region on the other side, so that the nondeficient side contained a double complement of mesoderm. Here right and left layers of mesoderm lay side-by-side under the same layer of ectoderm and segmented normally, but often the sets of right and left segments were not in register. The results suggest that the joint presence of both ectoderm and mesoderm is necessary for the full segmentation of either tissue. The boundaries of mesodermal segments are, however, determined autonomously and are not directed by positional cues provided by ectodermal tissue.
Optical flow cryostat with rotatable sample stage

Matrix isolation of atoms and molecules for energy studies is very popular. In such work, an atom, molecule, adduct, or cluster is isolated in a solid “gas” matrix, which tends to act as a rigid vacuum. For example, a single atom may be frozen in argon, so that its properties as an isolated atom may be measured, usually by spectroscopic means. The many variations on this approach include studying clusters of atoms or molecules at low temperature and in magnetic fields. For this type of work, and other work as well, we designed and constructed a liquid helium flow cryostat that has the following advantages: it is small and light, so that it may be mounted on almost any spectrometer; it has a short (8 minute) cool down and warm up time; the sample stage may be rotated while cold, allowing it to be exposed to a number of gas nozzles for sample growth and optical access windows for measurements; and the cryostat is very simple and inexpensive to construct.
Finding curves in SAR CCD images

This paper introduces a pattern recognition and computer vision approach to mitigating false alarms in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) coherence change detection (CCD) images. In this paper, we perform an automatic detection of roads in SAR CCD images. The approach is based on a curve tracing algorithm originally proposed by Steger with modifications to better suit the goal of curve detection in SAR CCD images [1]. In our technique, the traditional Steger's method is used to detect curve points, and cubic splines are used to approximate the original curve. To detect roads more accurately, preprocessing and outlier removal techniques are performed along with the curve detection.
Simulating and animating social dynamics: embedding small pedestrian groups in crowds

We present a crowd model informed by common ground theory to accommodate high-level socially aware behavioral realism of characters in crowd simulations. In our approach, group members maintain group cohesiveness by communicating and adapting their behaviors to each other. The resulting character behaviors in animations form a consequential chain interpreted as a coherent story by observers. We demonstrate that our model produces more believable animations from the viewpoint of human observers through a series of user studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negotiating Multiple Tensions with Others in Learning to Teach Elementary Science: The Case of Bernia.

The purpose of this study was to examine what kinds of tensions, conflicts, and difficulties a prospective elementary teacher paid special attention to in the process of interacting with others to learn to teach elementary science during the internship year, and to describe how the novice teacher responded to and finally negotiated those tensions in response to social and institutional expectations of her university instructor, mentor teacher, field instructor, and peers to establish her own image of a “good science teacher self.” The findings showed that the tensions with others had to do with the beginning teacher’s different values and beliefs about the usefulness of the teacher education program and support from others. Specifically, this study uncovered the particular ways in which the teacher candidate developed her own social aspect of identity through negotiating the tensions generated from her social relationships with the various people involved, and in attempting to meet their expectations. She ended up choosing a way of using her own personal values and beliefs to resolve the tensions by frequently either neglecting or resisting others’ expectations. The findings highlight that the holding of different values and beliefs seemed to create difficulties in nurturing effective communication among the people around the beginning teacher. This especially draws our attention to the need to help teacher candidates realize what can be valuable to pursue in elementary science teaching, and to improve and change their ways of science teaching in an effort to modify their frame of reference toward more effective science teaching.
Effect of the proton mass on the spectrum of the hydrogen atom in a strong magnetic field

Abstract Contrary to a recent claim, we point out that, in the problem of a hydrogen atom in a strong magnetic field, the centre-of-mass motion and the relative motion of the particles can be separated, and that the effect of the finite proton mass on the spectrum is negligible.
Thinking with the Mind, Syncing with the Body: Ballet as Symbolic and Nonsymbolic Interaction

Symbolic interactionist theory describes self-consciousness as arising through symbolic interaction. I use one empirical case, ballet training, to suggest that symbolic interaction can, by producing self-consciousness, cultivate unself-consciousness. Using in-depth interviews with twenty-three individuals reporting on training experiences in six countries and twenty-three American states, I show that dancers can learn, through self-conscious symbolic interaction, how it feels to embody what an audience sees, as they strive to train their bodies to portray an institutionalized aesthetic. The embodiment of technique facilitates a markedly unself-conscious “flow” experience while performing. In contrast, having an acute awareness of embodying an incompatible physiology inhibits flow and often motivates dancers to self-select out of ballet. These interactionist sources of “nonsymbolic” interaction both evoke and suppress “mind” through social interaction.
A three dimensional sender anonymity metric

Measuring the degree of anonymity provided by various anonymous systems on the web, is a challenging task. We first illustrate using examples that existing measures in literature are not sufficient to fully characterise the anonymity provided by a system. We then propose a new isolation measure, based upon outliers in a distribution, and show that this measure is critical towards quantifying the overall anonymity level. We provide justification for three distinct aspects of anonymity, important from the perspectives of a user, a system designer, and an attacker, leading to a three-dimensional approach towards measuring sender anonymity. We outline various properties of the proposed three-dimensional metric and illustrate how the metric, along with adjustable weights, can be used to compare different anonymous systems. Finally, we apply the proposed metric to existing anonymous systems and discuss insights which should prove useful in the design of future anonymous systems.
Daily Rhythm of Plasma Melatonin in Normal and Precocious Puberty

A previous study of normal humans has shown a decrease in plasma melatonin at the onset of puberty, suggesting that melatonin may act to restrain pubertal onset. We have measured plasma melatonin throughout a 24-h period in normal and constitutionally short males at different pubertal stages and in patients with idiopathic true precocious puberty and familial male isosexual precocity. The 24-h profile of plasma melatonin was similar for the prepubertal, pubertal, and adult males studied, with all subjects having low levels (20–50 pg/ml) during the day and high levels (80–100 pg/ml) at night between 0100–0500 h. The 24-h profiles of the patients with isosexual precocity were similar to the profiles observed throughout normal puberty. These data do not support a role for melatonin in the initiation of normal or precocious puberty in man.
Placental growth patterns affect birth weight for given placental weight

BACKGROUND: An important contributor to fetal growth is growth of the placenta, the fetus' sole source of nutrients and oxygen. Here we use placental growth measures (larger and smaller disk diameters, reflecting the laterally expanding chorionic plate, and disk thickness) to test the hypothesis that placental growth patterns, while associated with placental weight and birth weight, measure placental functional efficiency, and will have independent effects on the feto-placental weight ratio (FPR). METHODS: Placental measures were available from 23,313 participants in the Collaborative Perinatal Project delivered between 34 and 43 completed weeks. Continuous variables were analyzed by regression for associations with placental weight, birth weight, and FPR, to further explore effects of placental growth patterns on the FPR (lateral chorionic plate growth and chorionic disk thickness were grouped as low, normal, and high values). The relationships of the nine resultant combinations of placental growth categories to the FPR using birth weight adjusted for gestational age, infant gender, parity, and African American race were analyzed (ANOVA). RESULTS: As chorionic disk area and thickness increased, birth weight and placental weight increased, and the FPR decreased (each p < .0001) after adjustment for gestational age, parity, race, and infant gender. Small, thin placental disks had an adjusted FPR of 8.46; the largest, thickest placentas had an adjusted FPR of 6.33. The nine categories of FPRs were significantly different, consistent with chorionic plate area and disk thickness combining to determine the FPR. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of placental growth, relating to different functional dimensions of the placenta, deliver a different birth weight for a given placental weight. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An omnibus test of normality for moderate and large size samples

SUMMARY We present a test of normality based on a statistic D which is up to a constant the ratio of Downton's linear unbiased estimator of the population standard deviation to the sample standard deviation. For the usual levels of significance Monte Carlo simulations indicate that Cornish-Fisher expansions adequately approximate the null distribution of D if the sample size is 50 or more. The test is an omnibus test, being appropriate to detect deviations from normality due either to skewness or kurtosis. Simulation results of powers for various alternatives when the sample size is 50 indicate that the test compares favourably with the Shapiro-Wilk W test, Vbl, b2 and the ratio of range to standard deviation. Shapiro & Wilk (1965) presented a test of normality based on a statistic W consisting essentially of the ratio of the square of the best, or approximately best, linear unbiased estimator of the population standard deviation to the sample variance. They supplied weights for the ordered sample observations needed in computing the numerator of W and also percentile points of the null distribution of W for samples of size 3 to 50. Subsequent investigation (Shapiro, Wilk & Chen, 1968) revealed that this test has surprisingly good power properties. It is an omnibus test, that is, it is appropriate for detecting deviations from normality due either to skewness or kurtosis, which appears to be superior to 'distance' tests, e.g. the chi-squared and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. It also usually dominates such standard tests as 1bl, third standardized sample moment; b2, fourth standardized sample moment; and u, ratio of the sample range to the sample standard deviation. Shapiro and Wilk did not extend their test beyond samples of size 50. A number of reasons indicate that it is best not to make such an extension. First, there is the problem of the appropriate weights for the ordered observations for the numerator of W. Each sample size requires a new set. The proliferation of tables is obvious and undesirable. However, even if the appropriate weights were computed from the expected values of the ordered observations from the standardized normal distribution (Harter, 1961), there would still be the uninviting problem of finding the appropriate null distribution of W. Because W's moments beyond the first are unknown, Cornish-Fisher expansions or similar techniques are not applicable. Further, the extension of the normal approximation for W based on Johnson's bounded curves (Shapiro & Wilk, 1968) when the sample is greater than 50 would require an extrapolation and the procedure for implementing it is not available. Simulation runs seem to be the only available way to obtain the null distribution. We present a new test of normality applicable for samples of size 50 or larger which possesses the desirable omnibus property. It requires no tables of weights and for samples of
Realistic link modeling and simulation using WiLinkSim

Researchers can evaluate new applications, protocols and algorithms on wireless networks either by running them on a real network or on top of a network simulator such as ns or OpNet. Neither approach is ideal. Real evaluation on deployed networks can be costly in time and resources, and lacks reproducibility. On the other hand, simulators provide repeatable results, but often struggle to capture realistic wireless conditions such as Rayleigh fading and multipath fading. This paper presents WiLinkSim, a wireless link level modeling and simulation platform that provides the repeatability of traditional simulators, but also uses trace-driven models to provide the realism of a real network deployment. WiLinkSim includes a number of prebuilt models varying in complexity, including two data-preconditioning error models that produce highly representative traces of wireless links. The designed of WiLinkSim is presented, and detailed case studies show how researchers can use it to guide the design of new wireless protocols and applications.
Behavioral test generation using mixed integer nonlinear programming

This paper describes a novel technique to generate test vectors for single stuck-at faults using the behavioral description of the circuit function and the mapping from the behavior into the hardware that implements it. The test vector generation problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, and the test vectors are obtained by solving a series of MINLPs. The technique has been implemented and results from this approach show an order of magnitude speed up in test generation compared to existing gate-level sequential test generation tools.
Changes with Age in Tissue Levels of Sodium and Potassium in the Fowl

Abstract MINERAL metabolism and the physiological role of electrolytes are being actively investigated in many types of studies and in many species. Basic information on the ionic constituents of the tissues of the fowl is limited. Overman (1950) determined the average plasma and red blood cell sodium and potassium values in nine normal chickens. An investigation was undertaken to establish the sodium and potassium content of various body tissues in the fowl. This study was to extend from hatching to maturity so as to ascertain the changes in electrolyte content that occur with age. MATERIALS AND METHODS White Leghorn chicks of mixed sexes were raised in electrical brooders. Subsequently they were kept in a large pen until used. They were offered the appropriate standard rations and water ad libitum. For the first seven days after hatching, the tissues from four birds were analyzed daily. The interval between samples was gradually lengthened…
Observations of synaptic structures: origins of the neuron doctrine and its current status

The neuron doctrine represents nerve cells as polarized structures that contact each other at specialized (synaptic) junctions and form the developmental, functional, structural and trophic units of nervous systems. The doctrine provided a powerful analytical tool in the past, but is now seldom used in educating neuroscientists. Early observations of, and speculations about, sites of neuronal communication, which were made in the early 1860s, almost 30 years before the neuron doctrine was developed, are presented in relation to later accounts, particularly those made in support of, or opposition to, the neuron doctrine. These markedly differing accounts are considered in relation to limitations imposed by preparative and microscopical methods, and are discussed briefly as representing a post-Darwinian, reductionist view, on the one hand, opposed to a holistic view of mankind as a special part of creation, on the other. The widely misunderstood relationship of the neuron doctrine to the cell theory is discussed, as is the degree to which the neuron doctrine is still strictly applicable to an analysis of nervous systems. Current research represents a ‘post-neuronist’ era. The neuron doctrine provided a strong analytical approach in the past, but can no longer be seen as central to contemporary advances in neuroscience.
Speech@home: an exploratory study

To understand how people might use a speech dialog system in the public areas of their homes, we conducted an exploratory field study in six households. For two weeks each household used a system that logged motion and usage data, recorded speech diary entries and used Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) to prompt participants for additional examples of speech commands. The results demonstrated our participants' interest in speech interaction at home, in particular for web browsing, calendaring and email tasks, although there are still many technical challenges that need to be overcome. More generally, our study suggests the value of using speech to enable a wide range of interactions.
Competitive equilibration techniques for determining transition metal speciation in natural waters: Evaluation using model data

Abstract Competitive ligand equilibration with metal titrations is one of the most important approaches currently available for determining the chemical speciation of trace metals in seawater. However, ambiguities in data interpretation still complicate the application of these methods. Here, we have used model data to explore and graphically demonstrate the effects of analytical limitations and protocols on the results obtained using competitive equilibration techniques. We have confirmed that such methods are best suited for identifying low concentrations of ligands forming strong metal complexes. Nevertheless, with care, the information obtained for weaker metal complexes and speciation in complicated ligand mixtures can give reasonable estimates of the in situ free metal ion concentration. In general, speciation results from competitive equilibration analyses cannot necessarily be extrapolated to high total metal concentrations at which complexes with unidentified weak ligands could become important.
Effects of Air and Yarn Characteristics in Air-Jet Filling Insertion: Part I: Air Velocity and Air Pressure Measurements

The main objective of this study is to investigate the air flow and effect of several parameters on weft insertion, and thus to provide a valuable guide for both air-jet weavers and researchers by ...
Combined modality therapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer.

With 40,000 to 50,000 patients diagnosed annually, stage III lung cancer represents approximately one third of all non–small-cell lung cancer cases. It is a heterogeneous disease stage encompassing stage IIIa, for which surgery in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy represents a treatment strategy for select patients, and stage IIIb, for which chemoradiation represents the prevailing standard of care. Overcoming unacceptably high rates of intrathoracic tumor failures remains a central obstacle. Current clinical trial efforts focus on targeted therapies, new chemotherapy regimens, dose-escalated radiation therapy, and improvements in radiation therapy treatment delivery.
Time-Varying Matching Networks for Signal-Centric Systems

A time-varying matching network is proposed for signal-centric systems. This matching network achieves significantly higher bandwidth than conventional designs with the same circuit topology and complexity. This is achieved by exploiting information about the incident pulse. Time-varying elements control the initial conditions of the reactive components so that excellent matching is obtained over a very wide frequency range. In particular, experimental and theoretical results show that a single-stage LC ladder with one single-pole double-through switch achieves a nearly perfect match with negligible dispersion for a monocycle with a 10:1 10-dB bandwidth. Unlike conventional matching networks, time-varying designs are not limited by Bode-Fano gain-bandwidth restrictions, but only by the nonidealities of their circuit components. Moreover, it is experimentally shown that tunable time-varying designs reduce the reflected energy by 40%-45% and improve the transmitted energy efficiency of the same monocycles by 20%-25% compared to conventional tunable designs of the same complexity.
DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNTS AND OXIDATION STATES OF HEMOGLOBINS M BOSTON AND M SASKATOON IN SINGLE ERYTHROCYTES BY INFRARED MICROSPECTROSCOPY

The reduced abnormal subunits of two M-type hemoglobins, Boston (His alpha 58–>Tyr) and Saskatoon (His beta 63–>Tyr), have been determined in the presence of normal human hemoglobin A by measurement of C-O stretch bands in infrared spectra of carbon monoxide complexes. Use of an infrared microscope coupled to a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer of high sensitivity permitted measurements to be made on as small a hemoglobin mixture as is contained in a single erythrocyte. The abnormal subunits of both Hbs M exhibit bands near 1970 cm-1 compared with bands near 1951 cm-1 for the normal subunits. The increase in 1970 cm-1 band intensity upon erythrocyte reduction with dithionite provided a measure of the extent of abnormal subunit oxidation; in cell suspensions about 60% of the abnormal subunits of Hb M Boston and 80% for Hb M Saskatoon remained reduced. The amount of Hb present as abnormal Hb averaged about 25% for Hb M Boston cells and about 50% for Hb M Saskatoon cells. However, the ratio of Hb M to Hb A in individual cells varied markedly, with the ratio expected to decrease as the cell ages. These results demonstrate the unique utility of infrared microspectroscopy for the study of differences in abnormal Hb status among individual erythrocytes.
A Salmonella-based, propionate-inducible, expression system for Salmonella enterica

The expression and regulatory properties of a propionate-regulated overexpression system (Salmonella enterica prpBCDE promoter (P(prpB)) and positive regulator (prpR)) were evaluated in wild-type S. enterica serovar Typhimurium TR6583 and prpB(-) or prpD(-) versions of this strain and compared with the arabinose-regulated T7 expression system. The wild-type strain showed low expression in the absence of propionate and high expression in the presence of propionate under all growth conditions. In 96-well plates and culture tubes, the wild-type strain exhibited a long delay before full induction; the time delay was significantly shorter in shake flasks. The prpD(-) strain exhibited low expression in the presence of glucose, highly regulatable expression over a wide range of propionate concentrations, and, in contrast to the wild-type strain, fast induction to full expression under all growth conditions. In contrast, the prpB(-) strain showed very high background expression in both culture tubes and shake flasks.
Great Black Expectations: From New Negro to New Hero

Hearing the Hurt: Rhetoric, Aesthetics, and Politics of the New Negro Movement, by Eric King Watts. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2012. x + 246 pp. $39.95 (cloth).The Insistent Call: Rhe...
Fostering Inter-Cultural Relationships: The PCN Japanese Expatriate-American Local Experience

I use the context of parent country national (PCN) expatriation to study inter-cultural relationships. Within US subsidiaries of Japanese firms, I study the cultural and individuated strategies PCN expatriates can use to foster the benevolent assessments of their American local colleagues as well as the receptivity of these American colleagues to the various strategies. In the main analysis I use random coefficient modeling to analyze data collected from 46 Japanese PCN expatriates and 112 of their matched American local colleagues. I find that PCN expatriate adaptation, helping and out-of-work interaction are positively associated with local assessments of expatriate benevolence. I also find that a local's need-to-belong strengthens the positive association between adaptation and benevolence while a local's neuroticism weakens the positive association between helping and benevolence. Areas of future research and practical implications are also discussed.
Influence of Chloride Ion in Sandy Soil on Corrosion Behavior of Ground Grid 20 Steel

The sandy soil containing different concentration of Clin Ningxia area was used as the corrosive medium to investigate the corrosion behavior of grounding grid 20 steel( 20G steel) via soil-bearing test and electrochemical test. The appearance and composition of the corroded products were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction,and the relationship between the corrosion behavior of the steel and Cl-content in the sandy soil was explored. It was found that the content of Cl-in the sandy soil had significant effect on the corrosion of the steel. Namely,the corrosion rate of the steel initially rose but declined later with increasing Cl-concentration in the sandy soil, and the maximum corrosion rate was recorded at a Cl-concentration of 1. 5%( mass fraction). This was because Cl-acted to catalyze the corrosion of the steel and accelerate its dissolution. Particularly,at a Cl-concentration of 1. 5%,the corroded products on the surface of the steel mainly consisted of Fe 2 O 3 and FeOOH, and the corroded products were aligned nearly as arrays on the steel surface to well cover it and effectively prevented it from corrosion.
265 TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY CAN RULE OUT LEFT ATRIAL THROMBUS IN NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION BEFORE CARDIOVERSION.

Background Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is used prior to cardioversion of atrial fibrillation to assess for the presence of left atrial thrombus (LAT). Study Hypothesis Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) variables can identify a subgroup of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who are at low risk for LAT. Methods Of 183 consecutive patients who underwent TEE prior to cardioversion and who had a TTE within 3 months of the index TEE, 20 were excluded because of mitral valve disease. A low risk cohort for LAT or dense smoke was defined by normal left ventricular systolic function (LVEF $ 50%), normal left ventricular wall thickness (septum in diastole ≤ 1.2 cm), and absence of right ventricular (RV) pacing lead. Results On TEE, 11 (6.7%) patients had LAT. The combination of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and RV pacing lead gave a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 34%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% for LAT. Hence, the probability of finding LAT on TEE given the absence of LVSD, LVH, and RV lead was 0%. Further, if the more stringent criteria of LAT or dense smoke was used, the same combination had a sensitivity of 98% and a NPV of 98%. Conclusion A combination of variables obtained from TTE (absence of LVH, LVEF $ 50%, absence of RV pacing lead) can identify a subgroup of patients with NVAF, in whom LAT or dense smoke is unlikely to be present on TEE.
Gastric reduction surgery: a dietitian's experience and perspective.

Gastric reduction operations are being performed for the treatment of the morbidly obese. Loop gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, horizontal gastroplasty, and vertical banded gastroplasty are the four major types of gastric reduction operations that have been performed since 1966 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Vertical banded gastroplasty, the procedure currently being performed, creates a small upper pouch volume (10 to 30 ml) and a small stoma diameter (10 to 12 mm). This necessitates making drastic changes in patients' eating patterns, such as taking 30 minutes to eat a small meal and not drinking liquids with the meals. The changes help eliminate such complications as disruption of the staple line, stretching of the pouch, and obstruction of the stoma. A 30-ml medicine cup and a clock are important behavior modification tools to encourage patients to eat small amounts of food and sip beverages slowly. The dietitian can play a paramount role as educator for gastric reduction operation patients and should therefore become closely involved in their perioperative and longterm care.
A Semiparametric Two-Sample Hypothesis Testing Problem for Random Graphs

ABSTRACTTwo-sample hypothesis testing for random graphs arises naturally in neuroscience, social networks, and machine learning. In this article, we consider a semiparametric problem of two-sample hypothesis testing for a class of latent position random graphs. We formulate a notion of consistency in this context and propose a valid test for the hypothesis that two finite-dimensional random dot product graphs on a common vertex set have the same generating latent positions or have generating latent positions that are scaled or diagonal transformations of one another. Our test statistic is a function of a spectral decomposition of the adjacency matrix for each graph and our test procedure is consistent across a broad range of alternatives. We apply our test procedure to real biological data: in a test-retest dataset of neural connectome graphs, we are able to distinguish between scans from different subjects; and in the C. elegans connectome, we are able to distinguish between chemical and electrical netwo...
Combined effects of nitric oxide and hyperoxia on surfactant function and pulmonary inflammation.

NO and its derivative ONOO- are potent free radicals that can cause cell damage, especially in the presence of O 2 . To determine the potential pulmonary toxicities of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) in vitro, Survanta (2.5 mg/ml) was exposed to ONOO - (0.3-8 mM) in the presence of two different buffering systems (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid and phosphate buffer) and minimum surface tension (MST) was determined with an oscillating bubble surfactometer. Significant increases in MST were seen only with exposure to 8 mM ONOO-, indicating that in vitro, high concentrations of ONOO- can inhibit natural surfactant function. The in vivo effects of NO and hyperoxia were then studied in four groups of newborn piglets ventilated for 48 h with 21% O 2 , 100% O 2 , 21% O2 and 100 ppm NO, or with 90% O 2 and 100 ppm NO. Five animals served as an untreated control group. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) obtained at 48 h was subjected to centrifugation and the surfactant pellet was reconstituted to 5 mg phospholipid/ml. Significant increases in MST were seen in surfactant from piglets ventilated with NO and 90% O 2 , compared with either untreated controls or piglets ventilated with 21% O 2 for 48 h (P < 0.05, analysis of variance). Significant increases in neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) of BAL were also found in the NO and O 2 group (P < 0.05), with significant positive interaction between NO and O 2 found (P < 0.01). These data indicate that inhaled NO, in vivo, in the presence of hyperoxia, causes significant surfactant dysfunction and early evidence of pulmonary inflammation. This suggests that NO therapy may exacerbate pulmonary O 2 toxicity.
Mechanisms mediating gastric hyperemic and acid responses to central TRH analog at a cytoprotective dose

Gastric hyperemic and acid responses to the stable thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog RX-77368 injected intracisternally at a cytoprotective dose were investigated, as well as the underlyin...
A Microvascular Model in Skeletal Muscle Fascia

This study considers the microcirculation in skelet al muscle fascia. Simulations are performed using a comprehensive approach to the problem with realistic reconstruction of the microvasculature, blood rheology and vessel wall properties, and Stokes flow in the microvessels. The simulation results provide detailed network displays of basic hemodynamic parameters. For example, an approximately normal distribution was found for the hematocrit. High hematocrit values are observed in areas with low blood perfusion, e.g., in the peripheral regions of the network. A range of velocity values was found in the capillary vessels of the network, in contrast to experimental observations which suggest a relative narrow distribution of capillary velocities. This finding points to the need of an improved treatment of mechanisms for the control of vessel diameter. A local mechanism based on the shear stress is proposed for future studies of the microcirculation.
Community–University Collaboration to Examine and Disseminate Local Research on Underage Drinking

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the university and community collaboration efforts to collect new data on community alcohol norms. This chapter describes the challenges that exist for university collaborations in low income and ethnic minority communities. This chapter describes the use of participatory dialogue to build relationships and trust between university researchers and community members. The critical discussion about the flaws of regional, state and national data was an important process that raised awareness of community members about the need for local data collection. This process led to the community-led and community-created surveys. Participatory dialogue was utilized again to collaboratively analyze and interpret local survey findings for community alcohol norms and perception of alcohol accessibility for adolescents.
Evaluating Response Mechanisms in a Life-Space Mobility Instrument with a 'Stem and Leaf' Format.

BACKGROUND Life-space mobility scales in the very old (aged 80+) have begun to be used as a way of gauging their enacted mobility. OBJECTIVES To investigate if there is evidence that response patterns are being affected by the "stem and leaf" format of a life-space mobility instrument. METHODS Descriptive statistics, readability ease scoring, ten ordinary least square regression on a total of 698 females and 376 males from Wave-7 collected during 2010-2011 for the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly. RESULTS Response patterns seem to indicate that the stem and leaf format of the life-space mobility instrument is not creating item non-response, illogical responses, or 'no' responses. CONCLUSIONS Because self-reports are so frequently used, more research is needed to ascertain how instrument formats affect response mechanisms.
Statistical Optimization of Evaporative Light Scattering Detection for Molten Sucrose Octaacetate and Comparison With Ultraviolet Diode Array Detection Validation Parameters Using Tandem HPLC Ultraviolet Diode Array Detection/Evaporative Light Scattering Detection–Specific Stability-Indicating Method

A sucrose octaacetate (SOA) gradient HPLC evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) and low-wavelength UV-diode array detection (UV-DAD)-specific stability-indicating method development and validation comparison is reported. A central composite response surface design and multicriteria optimization was used to maximize molten SOA area-under-the-curve response and signal-to-noise ratio. The ELSD data were also analyzed using multivariate principal component analysis, analysis of variance, and standard least squares effects modeling. The method suitability and validation parameters of both methods were compared. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report that validates an ELSD method using a molten analyte. SOA exhibited a low molar absorptivity of 439 absorption units/cm/M in water at 210 nm requiring low-wavelength UV-DAD detection. The low-wavelength UV-DAD method provided substantially better intraday and interday precision, intraday and interday goodness-of-fit, detection limit, and quantitation limit than ELSD. ELSD exhibited a 60-fold greater area-under-the-curve response, better resolution, and 58% more theoretical plates. On balance, the UV-DAD method was chosen for SOA chemical kinetic studies. This study illustrates that ELSD may not always be the best alternative to gradient HPLC low-wavelength UV detection.
45-nm node NiSi FUSI on nitrided oxide bulk CMOS fabricated by a novel integration process

Bulk CMOS transistors with NiSi fully silicided gate electrodes (FUSI) on plasma nitrided oxide gate dielectric are fabricated by a novel integration method using CoSi2 as Ni barrier layer on active regions. Performance improvements of 15% (NMOS) and 31% (PMOS) are demonstrated over poly gate electrode transistors at 35 nm gate length. FUSI impact on gate leakage, inversion oxide thickness, VT variation, and gate oxide reliability are compared to poly gate devices. Dopant modulation of NiSi FUSI gate electrode work-function are studied
The Crenation of Lipid Bilayers and of the Membrane of the Human Red Blood Cell

Phospholipid bilayers in an aqueous medium consist of two sheets of long phospholipid molecules, the polar heads in each sheet, usually negatively charged, being in contact with the aqueous medium, and the ends of the fatty-acid chains in one monolayer lying close to the corresponding ends in the other layer (e.g.[1]). The two layers may be identical, yielding a symmetrical bilayer, or different, yielding an asymmetric bilayer. Biological membranes are usually asymmetric, and contain much non-phospholipid material such as cholesterol (which is closely associated with the phospholipid molecules) and proteins which may be disposed in various ways with respect to the two phospholipid layers. In membranes with a high metabolic activity, these proteins are abundant, and probably contribute largely to the structural properties of the membrane. The red blood cell has a very low metabolic level (MARTIN and FUHRMAN [2] show an extremely low oxygen consumption, but the red cell also performs anaerobic glycolysis), and there is only one protein molecule for every 90 molecules of phospholipid or cholesterol (though the masses of protein and lipid are roughly equal) [3(p.27), 4]. The total number of phospholipid and cholesterol molecules in one membrane is about 5 × 108 (e.g.[5]). The protein spectrin, which is not found in other cells, forms some kind of network on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane [6,7].
Generation of high-pulse energy, wavelength-tunable, femtosecond pulse at 1600–2520 nm and its second-harmonic for multiphoton imaging

We demonstrate 1600–2520 nm wavelength-tunable, high energy soliton generation using a large-mode-area fiber pumped by a compact fiber source. Using second harmonic generation, we show their applications for in vivo multi-photon mouse brain imaging.
Interexaminer reliability study of a standardized myofascial diagnostic technique of the superior thoracic inlet.

Regional fascial motion palpation is often incorporated by osteopathic practitioners to enable them to identify superior thoracic inlet (STI) myofascial somatic dysfunction motion patterns; however without standardized instruction, diagnostic outcomes may vary between examiners. This study proposes a protocol for diagnosing the STI motion pattern that standardizes examiner hand placement, palpatory discrimination, posture, and relative body positioning. The study design incorporated useful infrastructure recommended by the Federation Internationale de Medecine Manuelle (FIMM) including protocol agreement steps prior to conducting the formal interexaminer reliability study with the goals of attaining >80% interexaminer agreement and kappa values >0.6 for each cardinal plane. The agreement phase comprised of testing 52 participants acquired agreements of 92.3% (rotation), 88.9% (translation), and 94.2% (sagittal). Kappa value testing involving an additional 82 participants obtained values of 0.65 (rotation), 0.59 (translation), and 0.70 (sagittal). Such kappa values endorse fair-to-excellent positive interexaminer correlations, demonstrating utility of this standardized palpatory protocol for STI myofascial dysfunctional diagnosis.
Leaner and Meaner: Special Collections, Librarians, and Humanists at the End of the Century

The April 13. 1992. Time magazine1 described an emerging environment in higher education in which new sources of income have been exhausted and where existing means of finance and appropriation must compete with other priorities. increasingly subject to public scrutiny. At the same time campuses are renewing emphasis on undergraduate education. questioning the almost universal attention paid to faculty research. increasing their reliance on technology (through such mechanisms as interactive television and computerized library catalogues). and increasingly recognizing the needs and achievements of diverse populations. Today’s popular culture attributes metaphorical leanness to that which is disciplined, powerful, competitive, desirable. Mean . . .
Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents

The Mission of the Cochrane Nursing Care Field (CNCF) is to improve health outcomes through increasing the use of the Cochrane Library and supporting Cochrane's role by providing an evidence base for nurses and related health care professionals involved in delivering, leading, or researching nursing care. The CNCF produces “Cochrane Corner” columns (summaries of recent nursing-care-relevant Cochrane Reviews) that are regularly published in collaborating nursing-care-related journals. Information on the processes this Field has developed can be accessed at: http://cncf.cochrane.org/evidence-transfer-program-review-summaries.
Biological factors affecting shear wave speed measurements in the Rhesus macaque non-pregnant cervix

We are studying shear wave speed (SWS) as a biomarker to detect abnormal cervical softening that could lead to spontaneous preterm birth. Elucidating factors affecting the stiffness of the in vivo non-pregnant (NP) cervix is the first step to understand the pregnant cervix. Animal models with anatomy and physiology akin to humans, such as the Rhesus macaque, can help achieve this task. Here we investigate biological and experimental factors affecting SWS estimates in the in vivo Rhesus macaque NP cervix.
Articular Contact Area and Pressure in Posteromedial Rotatory Instability of the Elbow.

BACKGROUND Joint incongruity in posteromedial rotatory instability (PMRI) has been theorized to determine early articular degenerative changes. Our hypothesis was that the articular contact area and contact pressure differ significantly between an intact elbow and an elbow affected by PMRI. METHODS Seven cadaveric elbows were tested under gravity varus stress using a custom-made machine designed to simulate muscle loads and allow passive elbow flexion (0° to 90°). The mean contact area and contact pressure data were collected and processed using the Tekscan sensor and software. After testing the intact specimen (intact elbow), a PMRI injury was simulated (PMRI elbow) and the specimen was tested again. RESULTS The PMRI elbows were characterized by initial joint subluxation and significantly elevated articular contact pressure. Both worsened, corresponding with a reduction in contact area, as the elbow was flexed from 0° until the joint subluxation and incongruity spontaneously reduced (at a mean [and standard error] of 60° ± 5° of flexion), at which point the mean contact pressure decreased from 870 ± 50 kPa (pre-reduction) to 440 ± 40 kPa (post-reduction) (p < 0.001) and the mean contact area increased from 80 ± 8 mm to 150 ± 58 mm (p < 0.001). This reduction of the subluxation was also followed by a shift of the contact area from the coronoid fracture edge toward the lower portion of the coronoid. At the flexion angle at which the PMRI elbows reduced, both the contact area and the contact pressure of the intact elbows differed significantly from those of the PMRI elbows, both before and after the elbow reduction (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The reduction in contact area and increased contact pressures due to joint subluxation and incongruity could explain the progressive arthritis seen in some elbows affected by PMRI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This biomechanical study suggests that the early degenerative changes associated with PMRI reported in the literature could be subsequent to joint incongruity and an increase in contact pressure between the coronoid fracture surface and the trochlea.