cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TEN-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS WITH EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATED WITH INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTIONS.

Purpose:To identify the visual acuity outcomes of patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections over a 10-year period.Methods:This was a retrospective, cohort study of eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration t
The changing trend in songbirds’ abundance, variety and physical condition in Connecticut’s forestry habitat

Songbirds are facing rapid population declines in Connecticut due to habitat loss. Man-made habitats such as powerline corridors are one of the few remaining ideal habitats for songbirds in the state. This study aims to determine if the abundance and variety of song-birds in four selected forests (i.e. Naugatuck State Forest, Sharon Audubon Society, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, and Great Mountain Forest Species Variety) in Connecticut show patterns of decline from 2005 to 2014. This study also compares the physical condition of songbirds captured along a powerline corridor in the Naugatuck State Forest with those captured in the rest three non-fragmented forests in Northwestern Connecticut using Mann-Whitney U tests. Weight and wingspan are used as indicators of bird physical condition. The results demonstrate that the three non-fragmented forests experienced a steady decline in the variety of songbirds between 2005 and 2014. In addition, songbirds’ abundance decreased steadily during the same period, except that of the ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) and wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Miles Wildlife Sanctuary. The results from the Mann-Whitney U test have shown that after sex- and age-controlled features, the physical conditions of the three selective songbirds – veery (Catharus fuscescens), ovenbird, and wood thrush – tend to be better in the Naugatuck State Forest than in the three non-fragmented forests – Sharon Audubon Society, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, and Great Mountain Forest Species Variety. Given are recommendations on how to protect the shrubland habitat along powerline corridors and how to create the shrubland habitat in non-fragmented forests.
ADLib: an Arduino communication framework for ambient displays

Ambient displays have been a major area of research within the ubiquitous computing field since the early days of Mark Weiser's vision. Although many forms of ambient displays have been built, they all require a significant amount of development time. In this paper we introduce ADLib, a communication framework built to provide easy communication with an Arduino-based ambient display. The ADLib framework consists of a protocol to encode information between a host computer and an Arduino, an Arduino library for accepting and parsing incoming data, and a desktop application that eases the sending of data to the Arduino. The ADLib framework virtually eliminates the need to think about how to send information to the ambient display, allowing the developer to focus on its representational elements.
‘De aymant en dyamant’: Lexical transmutations in the works of Philippe de Mézières

In Old French the same term, pierre daymant, can designate both diamonds and lodestones; by the late fourteenth century, the names diverge, becoming dyamant and aymant. Even after this lexical development, residual resemblances remain. Philippe de Mezieres exploits the minerals’ erstwhile identification in his metaphor of a compass, which he includes in three works: the Livre de la vertu du sacrement de mariage and the Songe du vieil pelerin (late 1380s) and the Epistre au roi Richart (1395). Continually rearranging the diamond and lodestone as found objects, Mezieres draws attention to the differing material properties and ‘affordances’ of minerals and of poetic language. The contrast between what one can do with minerals and what one can do with words opens a multidimensional space in which humans can alter their reality. Advancing fiction as the site where observation and authority are reconciled, Mezieres’s compasses highlight how much words (are) matter.
Exact and Approximation Algorithms for Sparse PCA

Sparse PCA (SPCA) is a fundamental model in machine learning and data analytics, which has witnessed a variety of application areas such as finance, manufacturing, biology, healthcare. To select a prespecified-size principal submatrix from a covariance matrix to maximize its largest eigenvalue for the better interpretability purpose, SPCA advances the conventional PCA with both feature selection and dimensionality reduction. This paper proposes two exact mixed-integer SDPs (MISDPs) by exploiting the spectral decomposition of the covariance matrix and the properties of the largest eigenvalues. We then analyze the theoretical optimality gaps of their continuous relaxation values and prove that they are stronger than that of the state-of-art one. We further show that the continuous relaxations of two MISDPs can be recast as saddle point problems without involving semi-definite cones, and thus can be effectively solved by first-order methods such as the subgradient method. Since off-the-shelf solvers, in general, have difficulty in solving MISDPs, we approximate SPCA with arbitrary accuracy by a mixed-integer linear program (MILP) of a similar size as MISDPs. To be more scalable, we also analyze greedy and local search algorithms, prove their first-known approximation ratios, and show that the approximation ratios are tight. Our numerical study demonstrates that the continuous relaxation values of the proposed MISDPs are quite close to optimality, the proposed MILP model can solve small and medium-size instances to optimality, and the approximation algorithms work very well for all the instances. Finally, we extend the analyses to Rank-one Sparse SVD (R1-SSVD) with non-symmetric matrices and Sparse Fair PCA (SFPCA) when there are multiple covariance matrices, each corresponding to a protected group.
Comparison of tracheoscopy and portable chest X-Ray in the evaluation of infant tracheostomy tube position.

Abstract Objective To compare tracheoscopy and chest radiograph measurements of tracheostomy tube position in infants. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting Otolaryngology Department at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Subjects and methods All cases of pediatric patients who underwent tracheotomy at less than 1 year of age from 2014 to 2019 were reviewed. Patients were included if they had both intraoperative measurement of tracheostomy tube position relative to the carina by tracheoscopy and postoperative chest radiograph. Documented intraoperative findings were compared to measurements made on chest radiograph by an attending radiologist blinded to the intraoperative measurements. Results The study included 66 patients; 30 patients (14:16, M:F) had available data. The mean distance from the distal tracheostomy tube to the carina measured by tracheoscopy was 8.88 mm (range, 3.5–20 mm) and measured radiographically was 11.71 mm (range, 2.4–23.3 mm). The mean difference between the measurements was 2.82 mm (p-value = 0.016). Ninety percent (n = 27) of patients had measurements that differed by greater than 2 mm; 53% (n = 16) had measurements that differed by 5 mm and 1% (n = 3) had measurements differing by greater than 10 mm. Conclusion In the infant population, significant discrepancy was found between direct tracheoscopy and chest radiograph measurements of the tracheostomy tube position. Measurements obtained by chest radiographs tend to overestimate the relative distance of the distal tracheostomy tube to the carina as compared to that of tracheoscopy. Clinical decisions regarding changes to tracheostomy tube sizes should mostly rely on tracheoscopy performed with the patient supine.
Cultivating virtuous course designers: using technical communication to reimagine accessibility in higher education

Technical communicators are often charged with creating access to meaning through technology. However, these practices can have marginalizing effects. This article argues for reimagining accessibility through virtue ethics. Rather than identifying accessibility as an addition to document design or a set of guidelines, virtue ethics situates accessibility as a habitual practice, part of one's character. This article describes the application of virtue ethics in a university partnership, which sought to create a culture of accessibility through three goals: to consider accessibility as an on-going process, to consider accessibility as a "vital" part of all document design, and to recognize accessibility as a shared responsibility among stakeholders. Focusing on the virtues of courage and justice, we interpret data from a survey of instructors and then provide suggestions on how others can join the accessibility conversation.
The roles of consumer entitlement, persuasion knowledge, and perceived product knowledge on perceptions of sales pressure

Consumer perceptions of sales pressure (POSP) often lead to negative outcomes for salespeople and the firm. The Information Age has provided unprecedented resources for consumers in their quest for...
Translocator protein (TSPO) as a molecular imaging biomarker of pancreatic cancer

7 Objectives Although great advances have been made in imaging techniques, surgery, and treatment for pancreatic cancer, outcomes have failed to improve over the past 25 years. A key to improving outcomes in pancreatic cancer is the development of imaging capabilities that allow for early detection of lesions at a time when the disease is at a curable stage. The only positron emission tomography (PET) tracer routinely used in this setting, 18F-FDG, has low sensitivity and specificity to pancreatic cancer. We have identified TSPO as a potential imaging biomarker of early pancreatic neoplasias. Elevated TSPO expression is well documented in many forms of cancer (e.g. colon, breast, glioma), where TSPO levels correlate with tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Methods Tissue microarrays (TMAs) of human pancreatic cancer obtained from patients at Vanderbilt were stained for TSPO and scored for expression levels. The novel TSPO ligand 18F-VUIIS-1018 was used to detect pancreatic lesions in the PANC1 orthotopic model and the genetically engineered mouse model Ptf1acre/+;LSL-KrasG12D;Tgfbr2fl/fl. TSPO expression was evaluated in both models with immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results TSPO was significantly elevated in all stages of pancreatic cancer and precursor lesions compared to normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis in the TMAs. We observed robust tracer uptake in both PANC1 orthotopic tumors and tumors arising in Ptf1acre/+;LSL-KrasG12D;Tgfbr2fl/fl mice. 18F-VUIIS-1018 uptake was three-fold higher in the tumor tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissue. IHC validated the increased TSPO expression in both mouse tumor models compared to normal pancreatic tissue. Conclusions These studies lay the foundation for determining the feasibility of TSPO ligand PET to detect early pancreatic lesions. Further work will determine the suitability of advancing TSPO-PET to patients with pancreatic cancer. Additionally, further studies will include determining the suitability of TSPO-PET to monitor progression and predict treatment response in this setting.
CHAPTER 36 – Biochemistry of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, or hemostatic response is the spontaneous arrest of blood loss from ruptured vessels. In human and other vertebrate animals, hemostatic response involves three distinct groups of components. Initially, in what is generally described as primary hemostasis, blood vessels contract because of the injury and platelets adhere to the subendothelium. The collagen fibers of smooth muscle cells and the glycosaminoglycans that form the extracellular matrix beneath the normal endothelium of the blood vessel become the site of the primary hemostatic response. Second, the platelets form a hemostatic plug that prevents extravasation without occluding the blood vessel. These reactions of the coagulation system are frequently designated as constituting secondary hemostasis. The coagulation system consists of three subsystems. The procoagulant subsystem provides the rapid, localized response to the injury. The anticoagulant subsystem acts to ensure localized, spatially constrained response. The fibrinolytic subsystem is responsible for the temporary nature of the hemostatic plug. Primary hemostasis is achieved rapidly as the result of vasoconstriction of the ruptured blood vessels and the adhesion of blood platelets to the exposed subendothelial surfaces. Recognition of subendothelial and basal membrane surface components by the platelets occurs through specific receptors on the external surface of the platelet membrane. Collagen, present in the subendothelial space, binds to the platelet receptor GpIa/IIa. The plasma proteins, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, and vitronectin also provide bridging molecules between the exposed endothelial surface and the platelet.
Term decidua response to estradiol and progesterone

Abstract Immunoreactive prolactin (PRL) is produced from decidualized endometrium from the late luteal phase until the time of delivery. The induction of decidualization and the initiation of PRL production in the proliferative endometrium is dependent on progesterone (P) in vitro. This induction process is slowed by estradiol (E 2 ). To determine whether this hormone dependency extends to term, decidua from labor and nonlabor term pregnancies was cultured in explant for response to P (100 ng/ml) and E 2 (10 ng/ml) as evidenced by PRL production. On the first (n = 7) and eighth to ninth (n = 9) days of explant culture in nonlabor patients, P exposure resulted in significantly (p 2 at either time interval. In labor-exposed decidua, no significant response was noted to either P or E 2 over 24 hours of culture. In all groups, tissue variability in PRL production was extensive. In nonlabor decidua, a significant interaction between basal PRL production and response to progesterone was noted (p 2 is demonstrated. In labor-exposed decidua, this P response is eliminated. Whether this is a result of, or occurs prior to, labor is undetermined.
Role of a low‐viscosity zone in stabilizing plate tectonics: Implications for comparative terrestrial planetology

[1] Earth's near-surface layer, its lithosphere, is broken into quasi-rigid plates that form the upper thermal boundary layer for mantle convection. Since the discovery of plate tectonics, it has been widely conjectured but only recently demonstrated that this peculiar style of convection may be facilitated by an upper mantle low viscosity zone (LVZ) over which the plates glide easily. The LVZ, or “asthenosphere,” concept dates from 19th century investigations of isostatic support of mountain belts and is supported by modern evidence for a seismic low velocity zone and by studies of postglacial rebound and dynamic compensation of the Earth's gravity field. Here we show in both two-dimensional (2-D) Cartesian and 3-D spherical Earth models that combining a pronounced LVZ and a plastic yield stress to allow localized weakening of the cold thermal boundary layer results in a distinctly plate tectonic style of convection, with ∼30% toroidal surface motion for the 3-D case. Recycling of water into the upper mantle at subduction zones is a plausible cause of Earth's LVZ, whereas Venus is dry and lacks both an LVZ and plate tectonics.
Hierarchical reasoning about inequalities

This paper describes a program called BOUNDER that proves inequalities between functions over finite sets of constraints. Previous inequality algorithms perform well on some subset of the elementary functions, but poorly elsewhere. To overcome this problem, BOUNDER maintains a hierarchy of increasingly complex algorithms. When one fails to resolve an inequality, it tries the next. This strategy resolves more inequalities than any single algorithm. It also performs well on hard problems without wasting time on easy ones. The current hierarchy consists of four algorithms: bounds propagation, substitution, derivative inspection, and iterative approximation. Propagation is an extension of interval arithmetic that takes linear time, but ignores constraints between variables and multiple occurrences of variables. The remaining algorithms consider these factors, but require exponential time. Substitution is a new, provably correct, algorithm for utilizing constraints between variables. The final two algorithms analyze constraints between variables. Inspection examines the signs of partial derivatives. Iteration is based on several earlier algorithms from interval arithmetic.
How ciliates manipulate their own DNA – A splendid example of natural computing

DNA computing is a novel and vivid research area which is genuinely interdisciplinary – computer scientists and molecular scientists collaborate to investigate the use of DNA molecules for the purpose of computing. DNA computing in vivo is the investigation of computations taking place naturally in a living cell, with the goal of understanding computational properties of DNA molecules in their native environment. Gene assembly in ciliates (single cell organisms) is perhaps the most involved process of DNA manipulation yet known in living organisms. The computational nature of this process has attracted much attention in recent years. The results obtained so far demonstrate that this process of gene assembly is a splendid example of computing taking place in nature, i.e., Natural Computing. Indeed, DNA computing in vivo may be far more widespread in nature than we currently recognize. This paper is a tutorial on (computational nature of the) gene assembly in ciliates, which is intended for a broad audience of researchers interested in Natural Computing. In particular, no knowledge of molecular biology is assumed on the part of the motivated reader.
Evaluation of Real-Time Fiber Communications for Prallel Collective Operations

Real-Time Fiber Communications (RTFC) is a gigabit speed network that has been designed for damage tolerant local area networks. In addition to its damage tolerant characteristics, it has several features that make it attractive as a possible interconnection technology for parallel applications in a cluster of workstations. These characteristics include support for broadcast and multicast messaging, memory cache in the network interface card, and support for very fine grain writes to the network cache. Broadcast data is captured in network cache of all workstations in the network providing a distributed shared memory capability. In this paper, RTFC is introduced. The performance of standard MPI collective communications using TCP protocols over RTFC are evaluated and compared experimentally with that of Fast Ethernet. It is found that the MPI message passing libraries over traditional TCP protocols over RTFC perform well with respect to Fast Ethernet. Also, a new approach that uses direct network cache movement of buffers for collective operations is evaluated. It is found that execution time for parallel collective communications may be improved via effective use of network cache.
Appliction of pyroelectric detectors in differential thermal analysis

Abstract The differential thermal detector described is based on a low-frequency, alternating-current heated pyroelectric crystal. The heat reduction from the sample electrode is measured during vaporization of a thin liquid film of sample. Equations are developed to represent the relationship between the measured signal and the properties of the material. The recorded thermogram is explained qualitatively. The detection limit of the device is estimated as about 1 microcalorie.
Mesoscale Wind Variability near Point Conception, California during Spring 1983

Abstract Wind variability in a mesoscale region near Point Conception, California is studied. The data base is derived from an array of near-surface meteorological recording stations yielding hourly winds during 51 days from 11 April to 31 May 1983, a transitionary period between seasons. Temporal variability of each record is examined using variance ellipses, rotary spectra, and complex demodulation. The results reveal large differences between the stations in the offshore or exposed areas compared to the sheltered or coastal areas within the Santa Barbara Channel. Considerable variability with 2–5-day periods occurred in the former region, while diurnal variability dominated the latter area. Also, diurnal fluctuations (sea breezes) were highly dependent upon the synoptic scale state. Spatial and temporal variability of all records were examined simultaneously by use of complex empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) analysis. Almost 85% of the total variance can be explained by the primary CEOF and this ch...
Equilibrium Shocks in Plane Deformations of Incompressible Elastic Materials.

This paper is concerned with piecewise smooth plane deformations in an isotropic, incompressible elastic material. An explicit necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of piecewise homogeneous equilibrium states is established, and the set of all such states is precisely characterized. A particularly simple expression is derived for the “driving traction” on a surface of discontinuity in the deformation gradient.
Scientific opinion in policymaking: the case of climate change adaptation

The urgent need for policy decisions often outpaces scientific discovery. At such times, policymakers must rely on scientific opinion. This is the case with many aspects of current climate policy, especially those involving untested but potentially necessary adaptations to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Unfortunately, scientific opinion is not currently defined, measured, or used in a standardized way, which often allows for the accidental or intentional dissemination of misinformation and the marginalization of science where science could be most beneficial. In this article, we argue that scientific opinion can be usefully measured by systematic surveys of scientists that employ standards similar to those that govern public opinion surveys, including systematic decisions about target populations, sampling frames, and sampling techniques. We demonstrate this approach with the methodology for a study of scientific opinion on a potential adaptation to climate change, the managed relocation of species. We show that survey results may be used to corroborate other types of information, refine or contradict other information, and offer novel insights into emerging issues, such as adaptations to climate change, that are currently not addressed with any other type of available information.
Plastic molds for patient immobilization

Abstract Radiation therapists long have contended with the problems of patient immobilization and daily reproduction of treatment position. We have instituted a system of plastic molds which initially was developed in England. In addition to the known advantages of this technique in adult head and neck patients, we have refined it for the wide use in the treatment of pediatric patients. The necessary equipment and the steps required for the formation of a mold are described. Three cases are presented briefly to demonstrate the wide applicability of this technique.
Shape Control by Collinear Actuators

We consider a two-dimensional elastic medium bounded by a free surface. The medium deforms under the influence of actuators, which are modelled as supplying a unidirectional stress. The goal of the control mechanism provided by the actuators is to deform the body into a given shape. In a linearized situation, this means achieving a given normal displacement on the boundary. We prove that, for generic domains with smooth boundary, every normal displacement of the boundary can be achieved. We also consider “stress-free” states, for which the sum of the elastic stresses in the medium and the stress provided by the actuators vanishes. The study of these states leads to a hyperbolic boundary value problem.
Sulfur: Incorporation into the Transfer Fraction of Soluble Ribonucleic Acid

When S 35 -labeled soluble RNA from Escherichia coli K 38 is subjected to gel filtration, four fractions of RNA are obtained by elution. Only one RNA fraction, the transfer RNA, contains sulfur, presumably as thionucleotides. Treatment with ribonuclease suggests that the incorporated sulfur is an integral part of the polynucleotide chain; digestion with alkali yields a mixture of products containing sulfur, the major one being eluted in a position similar to uridine diphosphate upon Dowex-l chromatography. Analysis by countercurrent distribution of S 35 -labeledtransfer RNA from E. coli B reveals that the incorporated sulfur is found in many RNA9s that accept amino acids, but the possibility remains that not all acceptor RNA9s contain sulfur.
Major element chemical and isotopic compositions of refractory inclusions in C3 chondrites: the separate roles of condensation and evaporation☆

Literature data for major element oxide compositions of most coarse-grained Types A and B inclusions in CV3 chondrites may be in error due to non-representative sampling of spinel relative to other phases because of small sample sizes. When reported compositions are corrected to the solar CaO/Al2O3 ratio by addition or subtraction of spinel, distinct trends result on oxide–oxide plots. These trends lie close to trajectories of bulk compositions of equilibrium condensates calculated for solar or dust-enriched gases under various conditions, except on a plot of MgO vs. SiO2 contents, where there is considerable scatter of the data points to the MgO-poor side of the condensation trajectory. The irreversible process of evaporative mass loss from a liquid droplet into an unsaturated H2 gas is modeled as a series of small equilibrium steps. This model is used to show that evolutionary paths of CMAS liquid compositions are identical for evaporation at all PH2 from 1 × 10−15 to 1 bar, with the ratio of the fraction of the SiO2 evaporated to that for MgO increasing both with increasing temperature from 1700 to 2000 K and with increasing SiO2 content of the starting composition. Such calculations show that compositions of most Type B inclusions can be explained by non-equilibrium evaporation of 10 to 30% of the MgO and 0 to 15% of the SiO2 into an H2 gas at 1700 K from liquid droplets whose compositions originated on any one of many possible equilibrium condensation trajectories. Some Type As may have suffered similar evaporative losses of MgO and SiO2 but at higher temperature. This degree of evaporation is consistent with the amount of Mg and Si isotopic mass fractionation observed in Types A and B inclusions. Evaporation probably happened after most Mg and Si were removed from the nebular gas into lower-temperature condensates.
Preventing Repeat Teen Pregnancy: Postpartum Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate, Oral Contraceptive Pills, or the Patch?

Abstract Study Objective To prospectively evaluate the repeat teen pregnancy rates, within one year of delivery, among adolescents who choose the contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra) versus oral contraceptive pills (OCP) versus Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Depo Provera, DMPA) for postpartum contraception. Design Observational, prospective cohort study. Comparison groups are postpartum teens, who self-select the contraceptive patch (n = 55) versus DMPA (n = 142) versus OCPs (n = 55) immediately postpartum. Setting Medical University of South Carolina, a tertiary medical center. Participants Postpartum teens, 11–19 years old; 72% were African American, and 96% qualified for Medicaid insurance. Interventions A structured telephone interview was performed every 3 months. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was a repeat pregnancy within 12 months of the index delivery. Secondary outcome variables were contraceptive continuation rates, reasons for discontinuation, side effects and condom usage. Results At 1-year follow-up, repeat pregnancy rates were 14.2%, 29.7%, and 31.8% among DMPA, OCP, and patch users respectively ( P = 0.02). DMPA users were significantly more likely to be using any form of hormonal contraception 1 year postpartum than patch or OCP users. Condom use was similarly low among all cohorts. Conclusion Adolescents who choose DMPA for postpartum contraception are significantly less likely to become pregnant within 1 year of delivery, as compared to teens who choose OCPs or the patch.
Hereditary antithrombin iii deficiency and thromboembolic disease

Two teenage brothers with recurrent thromboembolic disease were found to have antithrombin III deficiency. A family study spanning four generations revealed a total of 10 members with antithrombin III deficiency. Five of the 10 affected family members have had thrombotic problems. Antithrombin III deficiency was documented by coagulation assays measuring heparin cofactor, anti-Factor Xa, and progressive antithrombin activity; the level of antithrombin III antigenic material measured by immunoelectrophoresis was low in subjects with abnormal coagulation assays. The clinical features which may lead one to suspect the hereditary hypercoagulable condition of antithrombin III deficiency are reviewed.
Vitamin D3 analogues that contain modified A- and seco-B-rings as hedgehog pathway inhibitors

Abstract The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a developmental signaling pathway that has been implicated as a target for anti-cancer drug development in a variety of human malignancies. Several natural and synthetic vitamin D-based seco-steroids have been identified as potent inhibitors of Hh signaling with chemotherapeutic potential. These include the previously characterized analogue 4, which contains the northern CD-ring/side chain region of vitamin D3 (VD3) linked to an aromatic A-ring mimic through an ester bond. To further explore structure–activity relationships for this class of VD3-based Hh pathway inhibitors, we have designed, synthesized and evaluated several series of compounds that modify the length, composition, and stereochemical orientation of the ester linker. These studies have identified compounds 54 and 55, which contain an amine linker and an aromatic A-ring incorporating a para-phenol, as new lead compounds with enhanced potency against the Hh pathway (IC50 values = 0.40 and 0.32 μM, respectively).
In situ x-ray reflectivity studies of dynamics and morphology during heteroepitaxial complex oxide thin film growth.

We present a method, based on refraction effects in continuous, stratified media, for quantitative analysis of specular x-ray reflectivity from interfaces with atomic-scale roughness. Roughness at interfaces has previously been incorporated into this framework via Fourier transform of a continuous height distribution, but this approach breaks down when roughness approaches the atomic scale and manifests discrete character. By modeling the overall roughness at interfaces as a convolution of discrete and continuous height distributions, we have extended the applicability of this reflectivity model to atomic-scale roughness. The parameterization of thickness and roughness enables quantitative analysis of time-resolved in situ reflectivity studies of thin film growth, modeling step-flow, layer-by-layer and three-dimensional growth within a single framework. We present the application of this model to the analysis of anti-Bragg growth oscillations measured in situ during heteroepitaxial growth of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 on SrTiO3 at different temperatures and pressures, and discuss the evolution of surface morphology.
Characterization of Minor Site Probes for Human Serum Albumin by High-Performance Affinity Chromatography

This study used high-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) and immobilized human serum albumin (HSA) columns to examine the specificity and cross-reactivity of various compounds that have been proposed as markers for the minor binding sites of HSA. These agents included acetyldigitoxin and digitoxin as probes for the digitoxin site, phenol red as a probe for the bilirubin site, and cis- or trans-clomiphene as markers for the tamoxifen site. None of these probes showed any significant binding at HSA's indole−benzodiazepine site. However, phenol red did bind at the warfarin−azapropazone site of HSA, and cis/trans-clomiphene gave positive allosteric effects caused by the binding of warfarin to HSA. Digitoxin and acetyldigitoxin were found to bind to a common, unique region on HSA; cis- and trans-clomiphene also appeared to interact at a unique site, although trans-clomiphene displayed additional direct competition with phenol red. From these results it was possible to develop a model that described the ...
Evidence for quantum tunneling of vortices in superconductors

Flux creep in disordered superconductors may be governed by quantum tunneling of Abrikosov vortices rather than by thermal activation processes. The expectation is that in the quantum tunneling regime the creep rate would be temperature independent. This assumes that the parameters describing the pinning potential and other aspects of the superconducting films are temperature independent. In the case of extremely thin superconducting films the coherence length retains its temperature dependence well into the quantum tunneling regime, leading to an unusual temperature dependence of the electrical resistance in this regime. This has been observed in ultrathin superconducting films of Pb, Al, and Bi. In low magnetic fields, at low temperatures, sheet resistances vary with temperature as R≈R0 exp(T/T0), where T0 and R0 are constants.
Reply to Andrich and Henning

This paper discusses Andrich's (1989) criticisms of three points made by Divgi (1986). Some important details omitted in Divgi's earlier paper concerning the inconsistency of the unconditional estimator of Rasch difficulties are provided. In the cases of specific objectivity and person-fit statistics, Andrich criticizes positions Divgi never took or meant to imply. The paper also answers some criticisms by Henning (1989).
Popliteal Cyst Excision Using Open Posterior Approach After Arthroscopic Partial Medial Meniscectomy

Popliteal cysts are known to be associated with intra-articular pathology, which must be addressed to prevent cyst recurrence. Indications for popliteal cyst excision include cases in which the popliteal cyst does not respond to conservative treatment or arthroscopic intervention or cases in which an underlying cause cannot be found. Several techniques have been described to excise these cysts. Traditionally, open techniques have been associated with cyst recurrence. More recently, arthroscopic cystectomy has been described. However, the risk of recurrence persists because arthroscopy may not afford complete surgical excision. This technical note presents an open posterior technique for popliteal cyst excision that allows for better visualization and complete removal of the cyst while minimizing the risk of neurovascular complications and soft-tissue damage. It is a safe, effective, and straightforward method to achieve symptomatic relief for refractory popliteal cysts.
Production of collimated monoenergetic beams of neutrons from 2 MeV to 14 MeV by the associated particle method

Abstract The associated particle method was used with the D(d,n)3He reaction at incident deuteron energies up to 14 MeV to produce collimated beams of neutrons whose energy could be varied from 2 to 14 MeV. The neutrons are in general polarized. At a neutron energy of 8.5 MeV, the neutron beam had an angular width of 5°, the coincidence timing resolutions was 3.5 ns, and the neutron beam intensity was 1100 s−1msr−1 with a 0.5 μA deuteron beam.
Postnatal development of auditory nerve and cochlear nucleus neuronal responses in kittens.

Neurons located within the auditory periphery of kittens (i.e., primary auditory nerve fibers and neurons of the cochlear nucleus (CN) exhibit similar response properties throughout the early stages of postnatal development. Neural thresholds to acoustic stimuli are uniformly high, spontaneous and acoustically-evoked discharge rates are low, input/output slopes are shallow, and temporal discharge patterns are markedly immature. Phase-locking abilities are poor in developing mammals and all neurons exhibit broad bandpass tuning curves, with center frequencies clustering near 1.5 kHz. Throughout the first week, response thresholds, maximum discharge rates, rate-intensity slopes, dynamic ranges and other response indices remain essentially unchanged. Thereafter, between the 7th and 20th postnatal days, peripheral auditory development proceeds rapidly, such that thresholds, tuning properties, temporal discharge patterns, and input/output functions achieve maturity. The role of synaptogenesis in the development of adult response properties has been studied through microionophoresis of neuroactive molecules onto the surface of neurons in the caudal divisions of the cochlear nuclei of developing kittens. Results of preliminary experiments suggest that inhibitory postsynaptic receptor function precedes intrinsic excitatory neurotransmission. Furthermore, during the first two weeks of postnatal development in kittens, GABA microionophoresis onto immature caudal CN neurons, exhibiting sustained responses to acoustic stimuli, converts response patterns to the onset type in the majority of neurons encountered.
Development and validation of new disease-specific measures of somatization and comorbidity in IBS

Objective To create and validate empirically derived questionnaires that measure non-gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders that co-exist with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The de Haas-van Alphen Effect in Enriched Tin Isotopes

The de Haas-van Alphen effect has been investigated in tin isotopes in the liquid helium temperature range, and no conclusive evidence has been found indicating a dependence of the effect upon atomic mass. However, some new features of the effect have been investigated which are interpreted as being caused by at least two independent groups of electrons. One group of electrons, having effective masses ${m}_{3}=1.1{m}_{0}$ (where ${m}_{0}$ is the free electron mass) parallel to the tetragonal axis and ${m}_{1}=0.16{m}_{0}$ perpendicular to the tetragonal axis, and having a chemical potential of ${E}_{0}=0.25$ electron volt, gives rise to short period oscillations in the magnetic susceptibility as the magnetic field is varied. A second group of electrons having a chemical potential ${E}_{0}=0.20$ electron volts and for which the effective masses are not so clearly defined gives rise to longer period oscillations such that the observed de Haas-van Alphen oscillations exhibit beats between the long and short period terms.
Children's Work in Four Cultures: Determinants and Consequences

The issue of the sociopsychological consequences of children's work is of practical importance (Greenberger 1983; Stephens 1979), and anthropologists have devoted a good deal of attention to the problem (Benedict 1938; Bolton, Bolton, Gross, Koel, Michelson, Munroe, and Munroe 1976; Ember 1973; Erikson 1950; Weisner and Gallimore 1977; Whiting and Whiting 1971, 1975). Only recently, however, have comparable cross-cultural efforts been made to try to identify the life conditions that elicit work from children (Nag, White, and Peet 1978; Minge-Kalman 1978; Weisner and Gallimore 1977). In this paper, by means of systematic observations of threeto nine-year-old children and their parents in four communities of varied cultural traditions, we take up both the recent question of the determinants of children's work and the more frequently posed question of the sociopsychological effects of that work. The theoretical approach, grounded in broadly cultural materialist terms, is based on the assumptions that (a) children will be expected to work where they are of economic value, and (b) the experience of working will have implications for their developing character. In looking for factors that might influence the level of the children's contribution to the
Goiter, Iodine and Military Strength. II

Since goiter reduces military strength, its cause and distribution should be of interest at this time. The first communication1 of the series supports the iodine-deficiency theory of its origin but many physicians still consider the cause of goiter to be unknown. Few analyses of iodine in drinking water have been made, therefore the relation of iodine to geological formations is considered. A reduction in goiter incidence in areas over petroleum and salt deposits has been noted.2 The salt is usually formed by the evaporation of impounded sea water, but smaller deposits may arise from these by solution, transportation and re-evaporation. Petroleum is often underlaid by brine and the frequency of its association with brine or salt might indicate its marine origin. An area of salt and petroleum is not uniform throughout, there being many gaps in the layers of both salt and petroleum, which would require close spacing of expensive drilling for complete mapping.
Wavelet transformation and cluster ensemble for gene expression analysis

This paper introduces a wavelet transformation and a cluster ensemble framework using graph theory for clustering gene expression data sets. The experiment results indicate that wavelet transformation and cluster ensemble approaches together yield better clustering results than the single best clustering algorithm on both synthetic and yeast gene expression data sets.
Low Frequency of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism After Multiligamentous Knee Reconstruction With Thromboprophylaxis

Background Reconstruction of the multiligament-injured knee often involves extended surgical and tourniquet use times and often is performed in patients who have sustained concomitant fractures as well as vascular injuries, all of which would appear to predispose the patient to the potentially serious complications of deep vein thrombosis and perhaps pulmonary embolism, yet little is known about the frequency of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events after multiligamentous knee reconstruction.
Birth history, physical characteristics, and medical conditions in long-term survivors with full trisomy 13†

The purpose of the study is to provide data about long-term survivors with full trisomy 13 (t13). Mothers of 30 long-term survivors with full t13 completed an online survey. Survey data were downloaded into an SPSS database. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data. Tracking Rare Incidence Syndrome (TRIS) Survey data on survival, birth information including maternal and paternal age at conception, physical characteristics, and medical conditions were compared. Data indicate longer mean survival rates (48.4 months for those living at the time of data collection, 40.8 months for those who died prior) than described in the literature. Means for gestations age, birth weight, and length are 38.11 weeks, 2,789.34 g and 48.45 cm, respectively. Long-term survivors presented with syndrome-related physical characteristics (e.g., low-set ears, cleft lip and palate) and medical conditions (e.g., ventricular septal defect (VSD), feeding difficulties). We conclude that data indicate longer survival and a range in birth information (gestational age, birth weight, and length) along with presence of common presenting physical characteristics and medical conditions of long-term survivors with full t13.
Effect of Porosity and Thermal Conductivity of a Porous Transport Layer on Saturation and Thermal Transport in a Low-Temperature Fuel Cell

Water transport in the Porous Transport Layer (PTL) plays an important role in the efficient operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Excessive water content as well as dry operating conditions are unfavorable for efficient and reliable operation of the fuel cell. The effect of thermal conductivity and porosity on water management are investigated by simulating two-phase flow in the PTL of the fuel cell using a network model. In the model, the PTL consists of a pore-phase and a solid-phase. Different models of the PTLs are generated using independent Weibull distributions for the pore-phase and the solid-phase. The specific arrangement of the pores and solid elements is varied to obtain different PTL realizations for the same Weibull parameters. The properties of PTL are varied by changing the porosity and thermal conductivity. The parameters affecting operating conditions include the temperature, relative humidity in the flow channel and voltage and current density. A parametric study of different solid-phase distributions of the PTL and its effect on thermal, vapor and liquid transport in the PTL under different operating conditions are discussed.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Animated deformations with radial basis functions

We present a novel approach to creating deformations of polygonal models using Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) to produce localized real-time deformations. Radial Basis Functions assume surface smoothness as a minimal constraint and animations produce smooth displacements of affected vertices in a model. Animations are produced by controlling an arbitrary sparse set of control points defined on or near the surface of the model. The ability to directly manipulate a facial surface with a small number of point motions facilitates an intuitive method for creating facial expressions for virtual environment applications such as an immersive teleconferencing system or entertainment. Smooth deformations of the human face or other models are possible and illustrated with examples of a variety of expressions and mouth shapes.
Superconductivity and electron-phonon coupling in lithium at high pressures

Using a first-principles pseudopotential approach we study the origin of superconductivity in lithium under pressure. A recently developed Wannier interpolation based technique that allows for ultradense sampling of electron-phonon parameters throughout the Brillouin zone was employed. The electron-phonon coupling strength as a function of pressure was calculated, precisely resolving many of the fine features of its distribution. The contributions to coupling arising from the Fermi surface topology, phonon dispersions, and electron-phonon matrix elements were separately analyzed. It is found that of the constituent components, the electron-phonon matrix elements are the most sensitive to pressure changes, and a particular phonon is responsible for high values of coupling. Additionally, the distribution of matrix elements over the Fermi surface is seen to be non-uniform and possesses a two-peak structure. Analysis of the Eliashberg spectral function ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}F(\ensuremath{\omega})$ shows a considerable increase in spectral weight in the low-frequency region with the application of pressure. We estimate the superconducting transition temperature and find that the obtained values are in good accord with experiment.
Use of a programmable protocol timer and data logger in the monitoring of animal behavior

The quantitative assessment of animal behavior by continuous or intermittent observation often requires much time and intense concentration. We have developed an accurate and convenient system which allows one observer to monitor up to four animals and record two types of behavior simultaneously. The system uses an inexpensive portable microcomputer including keyboard, video monitor, and cassette recorder. A program written in BASIC generates timed visible and audible cues, and tabulated data entered through the keyboard. The total number of occurrences of a particular behavior (e.g., "wet dog" shakes) and the frequency of a second behavior (e.g., grooming) may be measured. Frequency data, bases on intermittent observations, is processed for histogram display. The results may be copied from the video display or recorded on tape for further statistical analysis. The system has provided a convenient way to time experiments and collect data on drug-induced behavior in over 800 rats.