cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical Permeability Values of Asphalt Concrete for Field Cores and Laboratory-Compacted Samples

AbstractThe permeability of asphalt concrete (AC) pavement is affected significantly by the compaction procedure, test procedure, and pore connectivity. However, past studies put no effort to inclu...
Promoting Resilience in the Inner City

Our empirical understanding of the development of children residing in our country’s inner cities is growing. What is emerging is a grim picture of the level and extent of risk faced by these children and their families. At the same time, there is evidence of strong family functioning that helps mitigate these risks. In addition, it appears that family functioning can be aided by neighborhood networks and growing opportunities and resources to manage normal child development. As we have noted, there are many opportunities for building resilience by building family strengths in these high-risk communities. However, few have explored the potential of these avenues and even fewer have conducted empirical tests of their impact.
The Fresh Start Mindset: Transforming Consumers’ Lives

This article introduces the fresh start mindset, defined as a belief that people can make a new start, get a new beginning, and chart a new course in life, regardless of their past or present circumstances. With historical roots in American culture and neoliberalism, and with contemporary links to liquid modernity and global consumer culture, this mindset structures reasoning, experience, and everyday language, and guides behavior across self- and other-transformative consumption domains. We develop a six-item scale (FSM) to measure the fresh start mindset and situate it within a broader nomological network, including growth mindset, personal capacity for change, optimism, future temporal focus, internal locus of control, self-efficacy, perseverance, resilience, and consumer variety seeking. Individuals with a stronger (vs. weaker) fresh start mindset invest in transformative change through changing their circumstances, including their own consumption choices (e.g., buying a new pair of sunglasses and getting a new self); they also are more supportive of transformative programs that assist those who are challenged to get a fresh start (i.e., disadvantaged youth, at-risk teens, veterans, and tax-burdened adults). Our work significantly contributes to transformative consumer research with attention to self-activities and programs for vulnerable populations that enable new beginnings.
An RF-DC Converter IC With On-Chip Adaptive Impedance Matching and 307- $\mu$ W Peak Output Power for Health Monitoring Applications

This paper presents an RF-DC converter integrated circuit (IC) with ~307- $\mu \text{W}$ output power capable of powering individual health monitoring systems. The IC is designed with an on-chip adaptive impedance matching network to accommodate a wide input RF power variation and extend the operating frequency range. The system is composed of an antenna, an adaptive impedance matching network, a three-stage full-wave RF-DC rectifier, and a low-power digital control loop. A 5-bit successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is employed to monitor the dc output voltage and tune a 4-bit binary-weighted capacitor array in the matching network through the control loop. The complete system is designed and fabricated in standard 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS technology. The post-simulated power consumption of the 5-bit ADC and digital control loop is 208 and 87 nW, respectively. Measurement results show that the impedance tuning mechanism can extend the optimal frequency range where the efficiency is higher than 80% of its peak value from 150 MHz (800–950 MHz) for the case without tuning to 220 MHz (780 MHz–1 GHz) when the impedance is adjusted using the control loop. The system achieves a measured end-to-end peak efficiency of 29.3% and is able to deliver an output power higher than 300 $\mu \text{W}$ with an output voltage and current of 1.75 V and 175.4 $\mu \text{A}$ , respectively. The active chip area is 0.17 mm2 including the control loop and ADC.
ANALYSIS OF TEACHER SERVICE QUALITY ON MINIMAL COMPLETENESS CRITERIA ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS LEARNING OF STUDENTS AT SMAN 6 JENEPONTO

The study is desciptive quantitative research which aims at analizing teacher service quality and discovering the proritized aspects in improving teacher service quality on KKM (Minimal Completeness Criteria) achievement in Mathematics learning of students at SMAN 6 Jeneponto. The subjects were students in class X with the total of 59 students taken by employing purposive random sampling technique with agreement through the following steps: 1) determining classes as research subject, 2) each of the class was taken with agreement between the research and students who were present when data collection was conducted, students’ presence in class was considered as random presence. The instruments used questionnaire which contained list of questions given to students to rovide description on teacher sevice aligned with their duties and responsibilities in educating, teaching, and training they had experience and expected, and observatin sheet f teachers’ activities aligned with teacher service and the research as observer. Data obtained were analyzed by using descriptive analysis and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) with importanced the averageof teacher service. The result of the study reveal that 1) the level of students’ satisfication on teacher service in Mathematics learning according to the dimentions of teaching funcion service, teaching function, and training functionis already appropriate with students’ hopes which is in god category. Thus, teacher service quality on KKM achievement in Mathematics learning in class X at SMAN 6 Jenepont is in gd category, 2) there is n dimension to have prioritized in improving teacher service quality in Mathematics learning in class X at SMAN 6 Jenepont n KKM. In general, it can be stated that it has aligned with students’ hopes. However, it is reviewed n each of dimension of teacher service, there are still several attributes that need to be prioritized by teachers. The attribute is in teaching function service dimension, namely attitude in facing students in learning process, learning motivation proviision f students, and teachers’ attention on academic problems experienced by students
Effect of Fluoroethylene Carbonate Electrolytes on the Nanostructure of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase and Performance of Lithium Metal Anodes

The mechanism for the performance enhancement of lithium metal electrodes by fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is revealed. Electrolytes containing FEC, 1.2 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC):ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) (3:7, vol) with 10% FEC (mass %) and 1.2 M LiPF6 in FEC, improve the electrochemical performance of both Li∥Li and Cu∥LiFePO4 cells compared to the baseline electrolyte, 1.2 M LiPF6 in EC:EMC (3:7, vol). Ex situ surface analysis of lithium metal electrodes after the initial plating demonstrates that the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) generated from FEC containing electrolytes is similar to the SEI generated from the baseline electrolyte, yet the corresponding Coulombic efficiencies are markedly different. Electron microscopy investigations reveal the presence of a unique SEI containing nanostructured LiF particles for the lithium electrode plated from the 1.2 M LiPF6 in FEC electrolyte. The presence of the nanostructured LiF particles correlate with the improved cycling performance, sugg...
Effect of 12-HETE on the Expression of Autocrine Motility Factor-Receptor and Motility in Melanoma Cells

A 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of archidonic acid, 12-(S)-hydroxyglicosatetraenoic acid (12-(S)- HETE), which is synthesized by cancer cells was tested for its ability to affect the motility of K-1735 murine melanoma cells in culture. Pretreatment of the cells with 12-(S)-HETE at a concentration of 0.1μM stimulated (two-fold) cell migration. An analysis of cell surface for the expression the autocrine motility factor receptor (AMF-R) by immunofluorescence revealed an increase in the amount of AMF-R in the treated cells. These results support the hypothesis that 12(S)-HETE regulate the cell surface expression of various membrane antigens and affects the phenotype of cancer cells.
When do Opportunity Costs Count? Vague Opportunity Costs, Project Completion Stage and Management Accounting Experience

Although prior research has established the importance of opportunity costs and identified factors influencing their inclusion in decisional analyses, researchers have overlooked several factors likely to be present in an actual managerial setting. In an experiment, I investigate how two situational factors, vagueness of opportunity cost presentation and stage of project completion, affect individuals' tendency to attend to opportunity costs. I also investigate how attending to opportunity costs affects project continuance judgments and decisions. The two situational factors are examined across two groups of participants with varying levels of management accounting experience. I find that vagueness of opportunity cost presentation and a nearly complete project decrease inexperienced participants' attention to opportunity costs. Experience moderates the effect of these factors as experienced participants attend to opportunity costs despite presence of the two situational factors. The tendency to continue a project is influenced by the number of opportunity costs attended to and experience.
Surface Modification for Piston Ring and Liner

The objectives of this paper are to numerically and experimentally investigate the potential for surface patterning and features to reduce friction at the piston ring cylinder liner interface. A test rig is used to experimentally measure the frictional loss throughout the stroke. A fully deterministic model is applied to provide explicit detail of the mixed lubrication phenomena near the dead points. The effectiveness of laser textured piston rings is examined both experimentally and numerically. Frictional performance of the surface-modified piston rings is shown to have improvement over OEM rings.
Resource-Efficient Execution of Conditional Parallel Real-Time Tasks

Under the federated paradigm of multiprocessor scheduling, a set of processors is reserved for the exclusive use of each task. We consider the federated scheduling of parallel real-time tasks containing conditional (if-then-else) constructs, in which different executions of the task may result in workloads of substantially different magnitude and different character (e.g., degree of parallelism and critical path length). If the task is hard-real-time, then processors must be reserved for it under worst-case assumptions. However, it may be the case that most invocations of the task will have computational demand far below the worst-case characterization, and could have been scheduled correctly upon far fewer processors than had been assigned to it based upon the worst-case characterization of its run-time behavior. Provided we could safely determine during run-time if the worst-case characterization is likely to be realized during some execution and all the processors are therefore going to be needed, for the rest of the time the unneeded processors could be idled in low-energy “sleep” mode, or used for executing non-real time work in the background. In this paper we propose an algorithm for scheduling parallel conditional tasks that permits us to do so.
Automated Tracking of 2D and 3D Ice Radar Imagery Using Viterbi and TRW-S

We present improvements to existing implementations of the Viterbi and TRW-S algorithms applied to ice-bottom layer tracking on 2D and 3D radar imagery, respectively. Along with an explanation of our modifications and the reasoning behind them, we present a comparison between our results, the results obtained with the original implementations, and those obtained with other proposed methods of performing ice-bottom layer tracking.
Sex modulates hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to high-fat diet and physical activity

The impact of sexual dimorphism and mitophagy on hepatic mitochondrial adaptations during the treatment of steatosis with physical activity are largely unknown. Here, we tested if deficiencies in l...
Assessment of the Need for a Hematology-Specific Fellowship Curriculum for Advanced Practice Providers Using a Needs-Based Survey

PURPOSE:Subspecialty training programs rarely are available for advanced practice providers (APPs). New curricula are needed to prepare APPs with the skills and knowledge required to deliver high-q...
Spatially Defined Drug Targeting by in Situ Host-Guest Chemistry in a Living Animal.

Ensuring effective drug concentration specifically at sites of need, while limiting systemic side effects, remains a challenge in the discovery and use of new drug molecules. Carriers targeted through biological affinity (e.g., antibodies) afford a common means of drug localization, yet often deliver considerably less than 1% of an administered drug to a desired site in the body. We report on an alternative targeting paradigm using pendant guest motifs to direct molecules to sites distinguished by a hydrogel bearing a high density of a complementary cucurbituril supramolecular host. Host–guest affinity (Keq) of 1012 M–1 serves to spatially localize ∼4% of a model small molecule within hours of its administration in mice. These high-affinity interactions furthermore ensure long-lasting retention of the model compound at the site of interest, and the site can be serially targeted upon repeated dosing. This supramolecular homing axis extends the localization of small molecule payloads beyond injectable hydro...
2582. The Association Between Dietary Fiber and Diet and Gut Colonization with Clostridium difficile

Background There is little research on the relationship between diet and Clostridium difficile infection. Animal studies have shown potential benefits of dietary fiber in modulating C. difficile infection.
Examining Consumers’ Recognition of Native and Banner Advertising on News Website Home Pages

Native advertising has grown tremendously as consumers have shifted attention from traditional to digital media. Using an eye-tracking method and a general population sample, an online survey exami...
Strong Gelfand pairs of symmetric groups

A strong Gelfand pair is a pair (G,H),H ≤ G, of finite groups such that the Schur ring determined by the H-classes gH,g ∈ G, is a commutative ring. We find all strong Gelfand pairs (Sn,H). We also ...
Is aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation beneficial in acute pancreatitis? A meta-analysis of randomized control trials and cohort studies

Is aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation beneficial in acute pancreatitis? A meta-analysis of randomized control trials and cohort studies
Stress and cancer-related lifestyle factors among African American heterosexual couples.

Intimate partners can have a profound influence on individuals’ health behaviors. In this exploratory research, we investigated the concordance of cancer-related lifestyle factors including smoking, body mass index, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, red meat intake, and alcohol use within African American heterosexual couples. We also examined whether females’ stress is associated with their own (actor effect) and males’ cancer-related lifestyle factors (partner effect), and vice versa. We analyzed a total of 216 heterosexual couples (i.e., N = 432 individuals) recruited from black churches. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated and multilevel modeling in which individuals are nested within couples was conducted. Results showed that there was high concordance of body mass index (ICC = 1.68, p < .001), fruit and vegetable intake (ICC = 1.62, p < .001), red meat intake (ICC = 1.50, p = .001), and alcohol use (ICC = 1.74, p < .001) between spouses. A multilevel analysis showed that there were actor and partner effects of stress on females’ BMI; females’ stress was positively associated with their own BMI (actor effect; β = .42, p = .006) and males’ stress was positively associated with females’ BMI (partner effect; β = .39, p = .026). Also, females’ stress was positively associated with their own red meat intake (actor effect; β = .20, p = .019). In conclusion, high concordance of cancer-related lifestyle factors (BMI, fruit and vegetable intake, red meat intake and alcohol use) exists between African American spouses. Given the identified actor and partner effects of stress on females’ BMI, a couple-based lifestyle or weight management intervention that targets both male and female spouses’ stress and coping will be promising, particularly to enhance African American women’s health behaviors. Future studies need to investigate mechanisms underlying concordance and discordance of cancer-related lifestyle factors in African American couples. Also, factors that explain African American male spouses’ health behaviors need to be uncovered.
Reinforcement Learning Dynamics in the Infinite Memory Limit

Reinforcement learning algorithms have been shown to converge to the classic replicator dynamics of evolutionary game theory, which describe the evolutionary process in the limit of an infinite population. However, it is not clear how to interpret these dynamics from the perspective of a learning agent. In this paper we propose a data-inefficient batch-learning algorithm for temporal difference Q learning and show that it converges to a recently proposed deterministic limit of temporal difference reinforcement learning. In a second step, we state a data-efficient learning algorithm, that uses a form of experience replay, and show that it retains core features of the batch learning algorithm. Thus, we propose an agent-interpretation for the learning dynamics: What is the infinite population limit of evolutionary dynamics is the infinite memory limit of learning dynamics.
Multinomial Convolutions for Joint Modeling of Sequence Motifs and Enhancer Activities

Abstract Massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) have enabled the study of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms at an unprecedented scale and with high quantitative resolution. However, this realm lacks models that can discover sequence-specific signals de novo from the data and integrate them in a mechanistic way. We present MuSeAM (Multinomial CNNs for Sequence Activity Modeling), a convolutional neural network that overcomes this gap. MuSeAM utilizes multinomial convolutions that directly model sequence-specific motifs of protein-DNA binding. We demonstrate that MuSeAM fits MPRA data with high accuracy and generalizes over other tasks such as predicting chromatin accessibility and prioritizing potentially functional variants.
External bone size identifies different strength-decline trajectories for the male human femora.

Understanding skeletal aging and predicting fracture risk is increasingly important with a growing elderly population. We hypothesized that when categorized by external bone size, the male femoral diaphysis would show different strength-age trajectories which can be explained by changes in morphology, composition and collagen cross-linking. Cadaveric male femora were sorted into narrow (n = 15, 26-89 years) and wide (n = 15, 29-82 years) groups based upon total cross-sectional area of the mid-shaft normalized to bone length (Tt.Ar/Le) and tested for whole bone strength, tissue-level strength, and tissue-level post-yield strain. Morphology, cortical TMD (Ct.TMD), porosity, direct measurements of enzymatic collagen cross-links, and pentosidine were obtained. The wide group alone showed significant negative correlations with age for tissue-level strength (R2 = 0.50, p = 0.002), tissue-level post-yield strain (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.001) and borderline significance for whole bone strength (R2 = 0.14, p = 0.108). Ct.TMD correlated with whole bone and tissue-level strength for both groups, but pentosidine normalized to enzymatic cross-links correlated negatively with all mechanical properties for the wide group only. The multivariate analysis showed that just three traits for each mechanical property explained the majority of the variance for whole bone strength (Ct.Area, Ct.TMD, Log(PEN/Mature; R2 = 0.75), tissue-level strength (Age, Ct.TMD, Log(DHLNL/HLNL); R2 = 0.56), and post-yield strain (Age, Log(Pyrrole), Ct.Area; R2 = 0.51). Overall, this highlights how inter-individual differences in bone structure, composition, and strength change with aging and that a one-size fits all understanding of skeletal aging is insufficient.
Scoring Lifestyle Medicine Goals With FIFA 2022—An Opportunity to Strike Big!

Qatar is one of the few countries in the world with a dedicated national sports day. Qatar believes that sport is one of the best tools to promote a healthy lifestyle to help curb the growing burde...
Budget-Constrained Reinforcement of SCADA for Cascade Mitigation

We study the impact of coupling between the communication and the power networks as it affects a SCADA-based preventive control system. Today power grids use power lines to carry control information between components in the grid and a control center using power line carrier communication (PLCC). Thus a failure in the power grid will cause a failure in the control network and may reduce the capability of preventive control that in turn increases the risk of cascading failures. We pose the problem of allocating a limited number of non-PLCC communication links (e.g., microwave links) that are immune to failures in the power grid to maximize our controllability over the grid under power system failures, so as to maximize the total demand served at the end of cascade. By formulating the problem as a nonlinear integer programming problem, we establish its hardness and identify a generic heuristic that can find an approximate solution within controllable time. We further develop a domain-specific heuristic that utilizes both graph-theoretic and power system information to achieve similar performance as the generic heuristic at a much lower computational complexity. Our evaluations based on a 2, 383-bus Polish system demonstrate that only a few non-PLCC links, when placed correctly, can substantially improve the robustness of the grid as measured by the total demand served at the end of cascade.
Crust and Lithospheric Structure - Seismological Constraints on the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary

The seismological lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB), as defined by a gradient from high absolute velocities in the lithosphere to lower velocities in the asthenosphere, appears to be present on a global basis. Beneath oceans, lithosphere–asthenosphere models based on diverse seismic phases point to processes that include age-dependent cooling and factors that can create vertically localized negative velocity gradients (distributed over less than ~ 20 km in depth) in the 50–80 km depth range, such as layering in volatile content or melt fraction. Beneath continental regions that have experienced significant tectonic activity in the Phanerozoic, strong LAB velocity gradients are widespread and typically localized in depth (< 30 km), consistent with greater volatile or melt content in the asthenosphere relative to the lithosphere. LAB velocity gradients beneath most cratons are weaker and/or more intermittent than those beneath oceans and younger continental regions.
The price of assimilation

Introduction I: NEW CHRISTIANS The Mendelssohns and the Synagogue Reinventing Mendelssohn Mendelssohn's Evolving Relationship with Judaism II: THE ST. MATTHEW PASSION REVIVAL Judicious Cuts The St. Matthew Passion Chorales and the Berlin Hymn Tradition The St. Matthew Passion and the Theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher Other Performances of the St. Matthew Passion III: MOSES Christology, Anti-Semitism, and Moses Mendelssohn, Marx, and the Nineteenth-Century Anti-Semitic Tradition IV: PAULUS A Textual History of Paulus Paulus and the Influences of Carl Loewe, Louis Spohr, and Abraham Mendelssohn Paulus and Philo-Heathenism The Evolution of the Anti-Semitic Image in Paulus Lessons from Paulus: A Reevaluation of Die erste Walpurgisnacht V: ELIAS A Textual History of Elias Christology in Elias The Jewish Image in Elias VI: CHRISTUS The Genesis of Christus The Jewish Image in Christus The Universality of "Das Volk" CONCLUSION: MATTERS OF PERSPECTIVE
Social Media Snooping and Its Ethical Bounds

Social media has entered the mainstream as a go-to source for personal information about others, and many litigators have taken notice. Yet, despite the increased use of social media in informal civil discovery, little guidance exists as to the ethical duties — and limitations — that govern social media snooping. Even further, the peculiar challenges created by social media amplify ambiguities in the existing framework of ethics rules and highlight the need for additional guidance for the bench and bar.This article offers an in-depth analysis of the soundness and shortcomings of the existing legal ethics framework, including the 2013 revisions to the American Bar Association’s model rules, when dealing with novel issues surrounding informal social media discovery. It analyzes three predominant ethics issues that arise: (1) the duty to investigate facts on social media, (2) the no-contact rule and prohibitions against deception, and (3) the duty to preserve social media evidence. While the first two issues can be adequately addressed under the existing framework, the rules fall short in dealing with the third issue, preservation duties. Further, even though the existing ethics rules can suffice for the most part, non-binding, supplemental guidelines, or “best practices,” should be created to help practitioners and judges navigate the ethical issues created by new technology like social media.
Solution of Reynolds Equation

The effective lubrication in automobiles requires that the two surfaces should be nearly but not quite parallel. The pressure necessary to separate the two surfaces is developed due to the wedge action. The applied (normal) load is resisted by the fluid pressure, thereby reducing friction and wear. This type of lubrication is called hydrodynamic lubrication and is governed by the Reynolds equation. There are many assumptions made in the derivation of Reynolds equation. Those are as follows: (1) the fluid is incompressible; (2) the fluid is Newtonian; (3) the curvature of the bearing components introduces only second-order negligible effects in journal bearings; (4) the viscosity remains constant throughout the pressure film; (5) the inertia terms governing the motion of fluid are negligible; (6) the pressure gradient through the thickness of the film is zero and (7) the motion of the fluid in a direction to the surface can be neglected compared to the motion parallel to it. This chapter describes the solution procedure of Reynolds equation via finite element method and illustrates the importance of Reynolds equation by considering the numerical examples of step bearing and journal bearing.
Development and evaluation of a MicroCT system for small animal imaging

An X-ray MicroCT system with high spatial resolution for imaging of small animals has been developed and characterized. In the future, this system will be combined with a high resolution SPECT system under development and will also serve as a source of data for the evaluation and development of 3D volume CT reconstruction algorithms. This system is comprised of an X-ray source, phosphor-CCD detector and motor-driven positioning stages. The major components of this system, the geometric calibration, the time response of the X-ray power supply and the measured contrast resolution are discussed. Finally, we present images of a mouse.
A case study in interdisciplinary education in geriatric health care: intellectual, educational and organizational problems.

This article reports on the intewllectual, educational and organizational problems encountered in providing interdisciplinary education to professionals in geriatric health care based on the development of a Summer Institute within the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Geriatric Education Center. The quality of individual presentations, the pattern of sessions within a program, the size of the faculty, the number of topics in the curriculum are discussed and recommendations regarding interdisciplinary education programs are given.
Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Versus Soft-Tissue Allograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

Purpose To describe the outcomes of bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) and soft-tissue allografts in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with respect to graft failure risk, physical examination findings, instrumented laxity, and patient-reported outcomes. Methods A search of the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) Complete, Cochrane Collaboration, and SPORTDiscus databases was performed. English-language studies with outcome data on primary ACL reconstruction with nonirradiated BPTB and soft-tissue allografts were identified. Outcome data included failure risk, physical examination findings, instrumented laxity measurements, and patient-reported outcome scores. Results Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 11 reported on BPTB allografts exclusively, 5 reported on soft-tissue allografts exclusively, and 1 compared both types. The comparative study showed no difference in failure risk, Lachman grade, pivot-shift grade, instrumented laxity, or overall International Knee Documentation Committee score between the 2 allograft types. Data from all studies yielded a failure risk of 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5% to 18.1%) in the soft-tissue group and 15.2% (95% CI, 11.3% to 19.6%) in the BPTB group. The risk of a Lachman grade greater than 5 mm was 6.4% (95% CI, 1.7% to 13.7%) in the soft-tissue group and 8.6% (95% CI, 6.3% to 11.2%) in the BPTB group. The risk of a grade 2 or 3 pivot shift was 1.4% (95% CI, 0.3% to 3.3%) in the soft-tissue group and 4.1% (95% CI, 1.9% to 7.2%) in the BPTB group. Conclusions One comparative study showed no difference in results after ACL reconstruction with nonirradiated BPTB and soft-tissue allografts. Inclusion of case series in the analysis showed qualitatively similar outcomes with the 2 graft types. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.
Stopped in its tracks: negative regulation of the dynein motor by the yeast protein She1

How do cells direct the microtubule motor protein dynein to move cellular components to the right place at the right time? Recent studies in budding yeast shed light on a new mechanism for directing dynein, involving the protein She1. She1 restricts where and when dynein moves the nucleus and mitotic spindle. Experiments with purified proteins show that She1 binds to microtubules and inhibits dynein by stalling the motor on its track. Here I describe what we have learned so far about She1, based on a combination of genetic, cell biology, and biophysical approaches. These findings set the stage for further interrogation of the She1 mechanism, and raise the question of whether similar mechanisms exist in other species.
Eight channel-16 bit, bidirectional analog to digital monitoring and control system

The DIII-D tokamak facility is currently upgrading its electron cyclotron resonance heating system. The new system is based on 110-GHz gyrotrons developed by Varian. As part of this upgrade, the superconducting magnet power supplies were required to be remotely controlled and monitored accurately. The 110-GHz gyrotron superconducting magnet has eight coils, which are energized by current regulating power supplies. An analog-to-digital (A/D) system was designed to allow remote coil current monitoring and power supply programming. The A/D system is an eight channel multiplexed, 16-b, bidirectional, fiber optically linked, A/D telemetry system. Design concerns and tradeoffs are discussed, as are the results of in-system use. >
The possible contribution of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in depression.

Although tobacco use and smoking were introduced long ago, it was only recently that the nicotine contained in the tobacco leaves was recognized as an addictive substance acting on the central nervous system (CNS). However, even prior to this recognition, several studies have reported an association between smoking and psychiatric disorders. One of the many observations was that cessation is accompanied by a marked increase in the probability of major depression. In parallel with the discovery of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and their extensive expression in the CNS, this association sheds new light on the influence of cholinergic transmission in depression. In this article, we examine the various modes of action of nicotine in the CNS and discuss the mechanisms by which this alkaloid can prevent or precipitate mood disorders, and the possibility of discovering new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of depression.
An evaluation of PMTCT and follow-up infant HIV testing in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

AN EVALUATION OF PMTCT AND FOLLOW-UP INFANT HIV TESTING IN KWAZULUNATAL, SOUTH AFRICA. Juliana Chen. Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (Sponsored by Brian Forsyth, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine). Background: The primary cause of pediatric HIV infection is mother-to-child transmission, which can be reduced significantly by interventions that include highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs serve as critical entry points for the provision of HIV testing and treatment, though often remain poorly implemented and underutilized. Such programs are especially critical in resource-limited settings that have a heavy burden of HIV infection. Methods: Data were collected via retrospective medical record review of pregnant women who accessed antenatal services at a public sector PMTCT program from December 2006 to June 2007. A supplementary review of pregnant women with no prior history of HIV testing was conducted to evaluate HIV testing at delivery. Finally, an analysis of infant PCR testing was conducted to assess rates of follow-up testing among HIV-exposed infants. Results: High rates of testing reveal that half of women presenting for antenatal care were HIV positive. Rates of repeat testing during pregnancy and testing at delivery were low. There were high rates of ARV prophylaxis among mothers and infants, though less than two-thirds of eligible mothers initiated HAART. At most, only half of HIV-exposed infants returned for HIV testing by twelve weeks of age. Of those tested, over 16% were found to be HIV positive. Discussion: Despite significant enrollment in PMTCT and high acceptance of HIV testing in pregnancy, gaps in service delivery and/or failures in documentation result in multiple missed opportunities. An inability to link mother-infant pairs, poor follow-up of HIV-exposed infants, and a lack of coordination of services further limit overall PMTCT program effectiveness. More effective regimens will have limited success without fundamental improvements in service delivery. Improved training and protocols for care, as well as the development of uniform data collection tools, are critical to overall PMTCT program effectiveness.
Sinus nodal function in the intact dog heart evaluated by premature atrial stimulation and atrial pacing.

Abstract Sinus nodal function was analyzed in 25 dogs by premature stimulation of the right atrium. The return (A T -A R ) and post-return (A R -A) cycles were plotted as a function of the premature cycle, and four zones were identified. Zone I (compensatory zone) was observed during the last 4.8 percent (mean value) of the sinus cycle (A-A). Zone II was observed during 43.6 to 95.2 percent (mean value) of the sinus cycle. During the latter part of zone II, A T -A R was nearly constant and A R -A remained nearly equal to A-A during the last 29 percent (mean value) of the cycle. Earlier in zone II three distinct patterns of return cycle responses were observed whereas post-return cycles either remained nearly equal to A-A or showed progressive lengthening. Zone III (interpolation) was observed in 10 animals during 39.5 to 46.2 percent (mean value) of the sinus cycle. A R -A was nearly equal to A-A in zone III. Interpolation was incomplete late and complete early in the zone. Zone IV (echo zone) was seen in another 10 animals during 40.9 to 45.3 percent (mean value) of the sinus cycle and in this zone A R -A was greater than A-A. No significant difference in these zones was seen among the animals anesthetized with pentobarbital or alpha-chloralose, or given 6-OH-dopamine. The A R -A was important in the analysis of these zones and appears to be essential to the interpretation of data derived from premature atrial stimulation. Responses to premature atrial stimulation through a catheter electrode positioned against the sinus nodal region compared favorably with responses to direct epicardial stimulation. After periods of continuous right atrial pacing a variety of patterns of sinus nodal depression were observed at different rates and durations of stimulation. The frequent occurrence of a short sinus escape cycle followed by the maximal pause observed during rapid pacing rates suggests sinus nodal entrance block. This may be an important factor to consider in determining an optimal pacing rate for assessing sinus nodal function.
Differentiating Anxiety and Depression in Relation to the Social Functioning of Young Adolescents With ADHD.

The present study examined anxiety and depressive symptoms in relation to the social functioning of young adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and builds upon prior work by incorporating youths' self-reports of internalizing symptoms and examining distinct anxiety and depression dimensions to increase specificity. Participants were 310 young adolescents (ages 10–14; 71% male, 78% Caucasian) diagnosed with ADHD. Youth provided ratings of anxiety/depression, and parents provided ratings of their own depression. Parents and youth both reported on youths' social skills and perceived social acceptance. Path analyses indicated that above and beyond child demographics, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder symptom severity, and parents' own depression, self-reported social anxiety and anhedonia were both associated with lower youth-reported social skills and both parent- and youth-reported social acceptance. Negative self-evaluation was associated with poorer parent-reported social s...
Resource bounds for parallel computation of threshold and symmetric functions

We prove that a PRIORITY PRAM with one shared memory cell and number of processors linear in n requires Ω(g(n)) time in order to decide if a binary vector of length n has at least g(n) 1's, for the case g(n) = o(n14). This is the decision problem for the threshold languageLg Our lower bound is tight. For PRIORITY with m shared memory cells we prove an Ω(g(n)/m) lower bound. We also show that with an exponential number of processors Lg can be decided by the same model in O(√g(n)) time. Our results complement the results of Vishkin and Wigderson, who showed that Ω(√(g(n)) is a lower bound for Lg. Their lower bound does not depend on the number of processors. We obtain a stronger bound when the number of processors is linear in the number of inputs. Our technique for threshold languages enables us to show that for a large range of number of processors, PRIORITY and ARBITRARY with one shared memory cell require the same time complexity for computing large classes of symmetric functions. For models without ROM (i.e., each processor has access to only one input) an analogous result was proved by Li and Yesha. Next we consider probabilistic PRIORITY (i.e., with randomization). We show that a probabilistic PRIORITY with m ⩽ nϵ, (0 ⩽ ϵ < 1) shared memory cells and any finite number of processors requires expected time more than ((1 − ϵ)/4) log n to compute PARITY of n bits. (The limitation on the amount of shared memory is important, since with enough processors and shared memory PRIORITY can compute PARITY in constant time even deterministically.) For probabilistic PRIORITY without ROM we prove an Ω(n/m) lower bound which is tight when m = O(n/log n).
The weighted Russell measure of technical efficiency

Theoretical consideration of technical efficiency has existed since Koopmans [10] defined it for production possibilities for which it is not possible to increase any output without simultaneously increasing any input, ceteris paribus. The nonparametric approach to efficiency measurement known as Data Envelopment Analysis is based on the index of Farrell [9], which measures radial reduction in all inputs consistent with observed output. Even after Farrell efficiency is achieved, however, there may exist additional slack in individual inputs, suggesting that the Farrell index does not necessarily measure Koopmans inefficiency. To solve this problem, the non-radial Russell measure was introduced. This paper shows that problems may arise with the Russell measure due to restrictive assumptions on the implicit weighting of inputs and outputs. This paper develops a new measure, the Weighted Russell measure, that relaxes this assumption. Using simulated data, the new measure is shown to be preferred to existing methods. In addition, the new method is applied to analyze the performance of New York State school districts.
Effect of robot kinematics on motion planning in unknown environment

In [1,2], a class of non-heuristic path planning algorithms was introduced for a point automaton moving in a planar environment with unknown obstacles. The approach (called Continuous Path Planning, or CPP) was extended then in [6,14] to a planar robot arm. The general idea is to reduce the problem to analysis of simple closed curves on the surface of an appropriate two-dimensional manifold. No constraints on the shape of obstacles or of robot links are imposed. Some details of the resulting procedures turn out to depend on specifics of the arm kinematics. In this paper, various kinematic configurations of planar two-link arms with revolute and sliding joints are analyzed. It is shown that, with appropriate modifications, the CPP approach applies to all of these arms.
High psychiatric symptom severity is a moderator of substance abuse treatment outcomes among women in single vs. mixed gender group treatment.

Objective: This exploratory study examined psychiatric symptom severity as a moderator of outcomes among women receiving either the Women's Recovery Group (WRG), a new manualized group treatment for substance use disorders combining single-gender group composition and women-focused content, or Group Drug Counseling (GDC), an empirically supported mixed-gender group treatment. Methods: We used a mixed model analysis of variance. Results: We found a significant 3-way interaction effect of treatment condition, time, and baseline Brief Symptom Inventory scores as well as Beck Depression Inventory scores. Conclusion: Single-gender group treatment may confer added benefit for women with substance abuse and high psychiatric symptom severity than mixed-gender treatment.
Origin of the extra chromosome 21 in down's syndrome: Relationship of meiotic stages to parental age

SummaryThe present study describes the incidence of meiotic nondisjunction in 460 families with Down's syndrome offspring. The data are further broken down into meiosis I and meiosis II and correlated with specific parental age groups. In 22 per cent of the cases, the extra chromosome 21 was paternal in origin while the remaining 78.0 per cent of cases were due to maternal non-disjunction. A significantly higher incidence of the disjunctional event occurred in meiosis I (78.7 per cent), while second division failure was found in only 21.3 per cent of cases. There was no correlation between parental age and frequency of non-disjunctional events. Our studies revealed a higher incidence of non-disjunction among younger fathers (< 35 years). The probability risk factor for Down's syndrome should be revised, since the current risk figures are based solely on maternal age. Nondisjunction in fathers is presently not well documented. The present data will be useful for genetic counsellors, medical geneticists and...
Twin Passives, inversion and multistratalism in Marathi

Under certain conditions, Marathi personal and impersonal Passive are homophonous. The modal (‘capability’) reading for a Passive, available under appropriate pragmatic conditions, proves to be consistently associated with the impersonal Passive structure. Neutralization of the personal vs. impersonal distinction is traceable to a single, typologically unusual, case marking rule which, depending on an animacy criterion, can mark a nominal bearing the 2 relation ‘dative’ regardless of whether it also advances to 1 via Passive. True ‘dative subjects’ occur in Marathi personal Passives. This in turn bears on the analysis of Inversion clauses, where the datives, by contrast, are not subjects at the final level, contrary to popular counteranalyses.
Effect of Cortisol on Gene Expression of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Fetal Sheep

Components of the renin-angiotensin system have been found in a variety of tissues during fetal and postnatal life and appear to be developmentally regulated. We postulated that hormonal changes associated with parturition participate in the regulation of renin, angiotensinogen (Ao) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1) gene expression. Cortisol, which increases rapidly in fetal blood before delivery, has been shown to influence the maturation of various systems in the developing fetus. To test the hypothesis that an increase in cortisol regulates fetal renin. Ao, and AT1 mRNA gene expression, we used Northern blot analysis to study the effects of an intraperitoneal infusion of cortisol (3 mg/h, 1 mL/h) for 48 h on the expression of these genes in twin ovine fetuses (n = 10 pairs) at 130-d gestation (term 145 d); one twin in each pair served as a saline-treated control (0.9% NaCl, 1 mL/h). Plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in cortisol-treated fetuses (113 +/- 23 nmol/dL) than in twin controls (4.6 +/- 0.8 nmol/dL). Cortisol infusion significantly decreased AT1 receptor mRNA levels in kidney and liver by 24 +/- 7% and 27 +/- 8%, respectively, when compared with controls (p < 0.05), whereas in contrast, increased mRNA levels (p < 0.05) in heart right atrium (91 +/- 23%) and ventricle (59 +/- 20%). Renin mRNA levels decreased in renal cortex by 77 +/- 13% (p < 0.05) in cortisol-treated animals compared with controls. Hepatic Ao mRNA levels decreased by 15 +/- 5% in response to cortisol (p < 0.05), whereas no significant effect was seen on renal Ao gene expression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)