cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evidence Behind Robot-Assisted Abdominopelvic Surgery : A Systematic Review.

Background Use of robot-assisted surgery has increased dramatically since its advent in the 1980s, and nearly all surgical subspecialties have adopted it. However, whether it has advantages compared with laparoscopy or open surgery is unknown. Purpose To assess the quality of evidence and outcomes of robot-assisted surgery compared with laparoscopy and open surgery in adults. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to April 2021. Study selection Randomized controlled trials that compared robot-assisted abdominopelvic surgery with laparoscopy, open surgery, or both. Data extraction Two reviewers independently extracted study data and risk of bias. Data synthesis A total of 50 studies with 4898 patients were included. Of the 39 studies that reported incidence of Clavien-Dindo complications, 4 (10%) showed fewer complications with robot-assisted surgery. The majority of studies showed no difference in intraoperative complications, conversion rates, and long-term outcomes. Overall, robot-assisted surgery had longer operative duration than laparoscopy, but no obvious difference was seen versus open surgery. Limitations Heterogeneity was present among and within the included surgical subspecialties, which precluded meta-analysis. Several trials may not have been powered to assess relevant differences in outcomes. Conclusion There is currently no clear advantage with existing robotic platforms, which are costly and increase operative duration. With refinement, competition, and cost reduction, future versions have the potential to improve clinical outcomes without the existing disadvantages. Primary funding source None. (PROSPERO: CRD42020182027).
Darwin and human evolution

To mark the 150th anniversary of The Descent of Man, paleoanthropologist Jeremy DeSilva has gathered a team of experts, mostly scientists, to pen reflections and update Darwin9s analysis: one essay each on The Descent of Man9s introduction and its seven chapters about human evolution, one summarizing the 11 chapters Darwin devoted to sexual selection, one on sexual selection in humans, and a conclusion. The essays in A Most Interesting Problem collectively present an image of Darwin as both "remarkably prophetic" with regard to some predictions and "flat out wrong" with others.
Advanced concepts in Ga2O3 power and RF devices

Abstract The extremely high critical electric field of Ga2O3 makes it an attractive material for power electronics and RF devices that demands high power output. However, reaching the critical electric field in Ga2O3 devices is not a trivial task, especially when native p-type doping is not available. In this chapter, we quantitatively outlined the design challenges through the calculation of practical maximum electric fields in Schottky junction and MOS structures, the two viable alternative voltage-blocking structures in Ga2O3. For effective electric-field management, we proposed two advanced device concepts: the use of high barrier height Schottky junctions and the incorporation of RESURF via trench structures. Both concepts have been verified experimentally and would greatly benefit the release of Ga2O3’s true potential.
Relativistic Mechanics Theory for Electrons that Exhibits Spin, Zitterbewegung, Superposition and Produces Dirac's Wave Equation

A neo-classical relativistic mechanics model is presented where the spin of an electron is a natural part of its space-time path. The fourth-order equation of motion corresponds to the same Lagrangian function in proper time as in special relativity except for an additional spin energy term. The total motion can be decomposed into a sum of a local circular motion giving the spin and a global motion of the spin center, each being governed by a second-order differential equation. The local spin motion corresponds to Schrodinger's zitterbewegung and is a perpetual motion; it produces magnetic and electric dipoles through the Lorentz force on the electron's point charge. The global motion is sub-luminal and described by Newton's second law in proper time, the time for a clock fixed at the spin center, where the inertia to acceleration resides. The total motion occurs at the speed of light c, consistent with the eigenvalues of Dirac's velocity operators having magnitude c. A spin tensor is introduced that is the angular momentum of the electron's total motion about its spin center. The fundamental equations of motion expressed using this tensor are identical to those of the Barut-Zanghi theory; they can be expressed in an equivalent form using the same operators as in Dirac's theory for the electron but applied to a state function of proper time satisfying a Dirac-Schrodinger spinor equation. This state function produces a neo-classical wave function that satisfies Dirac's relativistic wave equation for the free electron when the Lorentz transformation is used to express proper time in terms of an observer's space-time coordinates. In summary, the theory provides a hidden-variable model for spin that leads to Dirac's relativistic wave equation and explains the electron's moment coupling to an electro-magnetic field, albeit with a magnetic moment that is one half of that in Dirac's theory.
Machine-Learning media bias

We present an automated method for measuring media bias. Inferring which newspaper published a given article, based only on the frequencies with which it uses different phrases, leads to a conditional probability distribution whose analysis lets us automatically map newspapers and phrases into a bias space. By analyzing roughly a million articles from roughly a hundred newspapers for bias in dozens of news topics, our method maps newspapers into a two-dimensional bias landscape that agrees well with previous bias classifications based on human judgement. One dimension can be interpreted as traditional left-right bias, the other as establishment bias. This means that although news bias is inherently political, its measurement need not be.
Polyphenolic compounds of Purple Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) show anti-inflammatory effects in colon myofribroblast CCD-18Co cells

Acylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potatoes are used as natural food colors. Digestion impacts their stability and composition due to enzymatic hydrolysis and thus requires additional study fo...
Solving large stochastic planning problems using multiple dynamic abstractions

One of the goals of AI is to produce a computer system that can plan and act intelligently in the real world. It is difficult to do so, in part because real-world domains are very large. Existing research generally deals with the large domain size using a static representation and exploiting a single type of domain structure. This leads either to an inability to complete planning on larger domains or to poor solution quality because pertinent information is discarded. This thesis creates a framework that encapsulates existing and new abstraction and approximation methods into modules and combines arbitrary modules into a hierarchy that allows for dynamic representation changes. The combination of different abstraction methods allows many qualitatively different types of structure in the domain to be exploited simultaneously. The ability to change the representation dynamically allows the framework to take advantage of how different domain subparts are relevant in different ways at different times. Since the current plan tracks the current representation, choosing to simplify (or omit) distant or improbable areas of the domain sacrifices little in the way of solution quality while making the planning problem considerably easier. The module hierarchy approach leads to greater abstraction that is tailored to the domain and therefore need not give up hope of creating reasonable solutions. While there are no optimality guarantees, experimental results show that suitable module choices gain computational tractability at little cost to behavioral optimality and allow the module hierarchy to solve larger and more interesting domains than previously possible. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
First detection of extragalactic 13CO(6-5) line emission

We report the first detection of a mid-J isotopic CO line from an external galaxy. We detected the 13CO (6-5) line from the starburst nucleus of NGC 253. The line is suprisingly bright with an integrated intensity 7% of the 12CO (6-5) line, indicating optical depth in the 12CO line. Our LVG modeling shows that a single warm (T ~ 120 K), dense (n ~ 104 cm-3) component emits most of the 12CO and 13CO line emission from J = 2-1 through J = 7-6. The CO(1-0) line comes from an additional lower excitation envelope. About 60% of the total molecular gas mass within 70 pc of the nucleus is in the warm, dense component. We show that stellar far-UV photons or X-ray photons from a nuclear source are unlikely to be the primary sources of the gas heating. The most likely sources of heat are cosmic rays from the nuclear starburst or microturbulence within molecular clouds.
Back-Door Deployments? The Impact of the Private Security Industry on the Democratic Peace and the Democratic Advantage

How does security privatization affect democracies’ propensities to go to war, and to be victorious in war? This paper seeks to answer this question, assessing both historical and contemporary cases of private security company employment by democratic states to trace the processes through which these firms impact conflict decisions. I examine the case of the Hessians in the American Revolution – as a historical, grouped, profit-motivated predecessor to private security companies – in addition to the cases of Croatia in the 1990s and Iraq in more recent years. In doing so, the paper aims to contribute to the literatures on the democratic peace and the democratic advantage, and highlights the potential for future trends in the private security industry to have a strong impact on both the practice and theory of democratic peace and war.
Convection in 3 He -Superfluid- 4 He : A Novel System for Studying Convective Instabilities and Turbulence

Mixtures of 3He in superfluid 4He provide an interesting and potentially important system for testing theories of convection and for studying turbulent convective flow. We will briefly review the properties of these mixtures and why they might be interesting for studying large Rayleigh number turbulent convection. We will then briefly discuss some of the recent findings for this system.
Episodes of Natural Selection Shaped the Interactions of IgA-Fc with FcαRI and Bacterial Decoy Proteins

FcalphaRI, a receptor for IgA-Fc, recruits myeloid cells to attack IgA-coated pathogens. By competing with FcalphaRI for IgA, bacterial decoys, like SSL7 of Staphylococcus aureus, subvert this defense. We examined how pathogen selection has driven the diversification and coevolution of IgA and FcalphaRI. In higher primates, the IgA binding site of FcalphaRI diversified under positive selection, a strong episode occurring in hominoid ancestors about the time of the IgA gene duplication. The differential binding of SSL7 to IgA-Fc of different species correlates with substitution at seven positions in IgA-Fc, two of which were positively selected in higher primates. Two others, which reduce SSL7 binding, emerged during episodes of positive selection in the rabbit and rodent lineages. The FcalphaRI-IgA interaction evolves episodically under two types of positive selection: pressure from pathogen decoys selects for IgA escape variants which, in turn, selects for FcalphaRI variants to keep up with the novel IgA. When FcalphaRI cannot keep up, its function is lost and the gene becomes susceptible to elimination, as occurred in the mouse genome, either by chance or selection on one of the many linked, variable immune system genes. A cluster of positively selected residues presents a putative binding site for unknown IgA-binding factors.
Ezogabine treatment of childhood absence epilepsy

Generalised-onset absence seizures can be resistant to treatment with currently available antiepileptic drugs. Ezogabine (retigabine), a potassium channel opener, is approved for the treatment of focal-onset seizures. This is a case report of an adult with childhood absence epilepsy whose daily absence seizures ceased with adjunctive ezogabine. A 59-year-old woman, with a history of typical absence seizures since the age of 6 years, had multiple seizures daily despite trials of over 11 antiepileptic drugs. While taking lamotrigine and zonisamide, ezogabine at 50 mg daily was added. The dose was slowly increased and once a total dose of only 200 mg/day was reached, she became seizure-free for three months. After subsequently discontinuing zonisamide, absence seizures returned. Further increasing the ezogabine to 400 mg/day, in addition to lamotrigine, did not restore seizure freedom, but adding back zonisamide at half dose again reduced their frequency. Ezogabine at low dose, added to lamotrigine and zonisamide, led to sustained absence seizure freedom. The return of seizures after zonisamide discontinuation suggests that the seizure freedom may have been the result of the different mechanisms of action of the antiepileptic drugs.
Observation of Stellar X-Ray Sources

The limitations of X-ray astronomy due to absorption and production of secondary photons in the atmosphere are discussed. All measurements have to be conducted from rockets, satellites, or balloons. The experiments which have been carried out so far are mentioned. In the second section the detectors employed (gas counters, scintillation crystals and photoelectric devices) are described as well as ancillary instrumentation. The analysis of data obtained from rocket flights is extensively discussed. In the last section the results of the observations performed until now are presented and compared in detail. The present knowledge on extra-terrestrial non-solar X-ray sources is critically reviewed.
Surveillance and treatment of periampullary and duodenal adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a cumulative lifetime risk of over 90% for developing duodenal adenomas, which are the precursor lesions for duodenal adenocarcinoma. Consequently, these patients have a 5% to 10% lifetime risk of periampullary or duodenal adenocarcinoma, making this the leading cause of cancer death in FAP patients who have had prophylactic colectomies. The increased relative risk of duodenal carcinoma in FAP patients and the poor outcomes associated with the treatment of advanced duodenal cancer have led to the development of prevention strategies for this cancer in the setting of FAP. It is generally accepted that surveillance for duodenal adenomas and adenocarcinomas should be included in the management of patients with FAP, although there are few data from clinical trials that demonstrate the effectiveness of surveillance strategies or chemoprevention for the prevention of death from duodenal cancer. Prospective case series have shown that endoscopic surveillance with endoscopic or surgical treatment of high-risk lesions in the duodenal or periampullary region can be performed with successful removal of the at-risk lesion(s). Surveillance should begin at about 21 years of age and should be performed using both an end-viewing and a side-viewing upper endoscope. An interval of 3 to 5 years between examinations appears to be adequate if no polyposis is evident. Once polyposis develops, an interval of 1 to 3 years between screenings for mild polyposis is appropriate. Patients with denser polyposis or larger adenomas are recommended to undergo examination every 6 to 12 months because of their increased risk of developing duodenal adenocarcinoma. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy with sulindac, a nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, or celecoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, may be of benefit after the development of duodenal polyposis by inducing the regression or stabilization of the polyposis, although there is limited evidence from randomized, controlled trials to support its routine use. Almost all cases of adenocarcinoma occur in patients with advanced polyposis (Spigelman stage IV disease), and approximately 33% of this group will go on to develop adenocarcinoma if left untreated. The most definitive procedure for reducing the risk of adenocarcinoma is surgical resection of the ampulla and/or duodenum. Pancreaticoduodenectomy or pancreas-sparing duodenectomy are appropriate surgical therapies that are believed to substantially reduce the risk of developing periampullary adenocarcinoma. However, these procedures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, including the risk of inducing desmoid tumor formation in FAP patients.
The final maturation of at least some single-positive CD4(hi) thymocytes does not require T cell receptor-major histocompatibility complex contact.

The majority (∼70%) of postselection CD4+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes are CD8loCD4hi. These cells express very low levels of CD8, undetectable by flow cytofluorimetric (FCM) analysis, but sufficiently high to allow purification by panning. Unlike the fully mature CD8−CD4hi thymocytes, which account for the remaining ∼30% of the SP CD4+ thymocytes, CD8loCD4hi cells are functionally immature and short-lived unless they receive an unidentified maturation signal from the thymus. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that this signal is provided by a T cell receptor (TCR)–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II interaction. Using intrathymic transfer, we show that the immature CD8loCD4hi cells could complete their intrathymic maturation and populate the peripheral lymphoid organs in the absence of MHC class II (and class I) molecules. Furthermore, in mice devoid of class II (and class I) molecules, the progeny of CD8loCD4hi cells was long-lived and functionally reactive to allogeneic class II molecules, although their numbers in the spleen and the mesenteric lymph node were ∼40–50% lower than those in class II+ mice 5 mo after transfer. Control experiments demonstrated that the surviving cells did not originate from the contaminating mature thymocytes. These results demonstrate that the final maturation, proliferation, and peripheral survival (up to 5 mo) of at least some postselection CD4+ SP cells do not require the TCR–MHC class II interaction. They also indicate that the TCR–MHC class II interaction(s) required for the intrathymic development of long-lived CD4+ SP cells occurs before the CD4hi SP stage of development.
Long-term post-wildfire dynamics of coarse woody debris after salvage logging and implications for soil heating in dry forests of the eastern Cascades, Washington

Abstract Long-term effects of salvage logging on coarse woody debris were evaluated on four stand-replacing wildfires ages 1, 11, 17, and 35 years on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the eastern Cascades of Washington. Total biomass averaged roughly 60 Mg ha−1 across all sites, although the proportion of logs to snags increased over the chronosequence. Units that had been salvage logged had lower log biomass than unsalvaged units, except for the most recently burned site, where salvaged stands had higher log biomass. Mesic aspects had higher log biomass than dry aspects. Post-fire regeneration increased in density over time. In a complementary experiment, soils heating and surrogate-root mortality caused by burning of logs were measured to assess the potential site damage if fire was reintroduced in these forests. Experimentally burned logs produced lethal surface temperatures (60 °C) extending up to 10 cm laterally beyond the logs. Logs burned in late season produced higher surface temperatures than those burned in early season. Thermocouples buried at depth showed mean maximum temperatures exponentially declined with soil depth. Large logs, decayed logs, and those burned in late season caused higher soil temperatures than small logs, sound logs, and those burned in early season. Small diameter (∼1.25 cm), live Douglas-fir branch dowels, buried in soil and used as surrogates for small roots, indicated that cambial tissue was damaged to 10 cm depth and to 10 cm distance adjacent to burned logs. When lethal soil temperature zones were projected out to 10 cm from each log, lethal cover ranged up to 24.7% on unsalvaged portions of the oldest fire, almost twice the lethal cover on salvaged portions. Where prescribed fire is introduced to post-wildfire stands aged 20–30 years, effects of root heating from smoldering coarse woody debris will be minimized by burning in spring, at least on mesic sites. There may be some long-term advantages for managers if excessive coarse woody debris loads are reduced early in the post-wildfire period.
Engineered Nanomaterials and Human and Environmental Health: Research Strategies to Address Potential Risks

Engineered nanomaterials have structured components less than 100 nanometers or 0.1 μm in greatest diameter. Products with nanomaterials as their basis are diverse, including diagnostic and therapeutic agents, stain-resistant clothing, solar cells, sun blocks, and cosmetics, and an expanding array of applications is anticipated. The increasing production and use of engineered nanomaterials may lead to greater exposures of workers, consumers, and the environment, and raises concerns about potential harms to human and ecosystem health. This paper addresses the general topic of research on engineered nanomaterials, health, and the environment. It covers the history of research planning on engineered nanomaterials, giving emphasis to the recent reports from a committee of the US National Research Council. The two reports from this committee offered a framework-based research strategy intended to address critical uncertainties. This paper ends with general lessons learned from experience with engineered nanomaterials that may apply to other emerging environmental threats.
Preconceptual intelligibility in perception

This paper argues that John McDowell’s conceptualism distorts a genuine phenomenological account of perception. Instead of the seemingly forced choice between conceptualism and non-conceptualism as to what accounts for perceptual and discursive meaning, I provide an argument that there is a preconceptual intelligibility already in the perceptual field. With the help of insights from certain nonconceptualists I sketch out an argument that there is a teleological directedness in the way in which latent order and structure can be discriminated at the level of perceptual content. This content can then be brought to discursive, conceptual clarity by understanding in such a way that it is guided by the order already discovered in perception. With the help of Husserlian phenomenology of perception, I argue that the fundamental roots of epistemic normativity lie in the discriminating intelligence or mindedness operative below the level of the explicitly conceptual. By preconceptual is meant the directedness of explication of the structures present in the sensory manifold toward fully explicit conceptual judgments.
Biogenesis of Phycobiliproteins I. cpcS-I AND cpcU MUTANTS OF THE CYANOBACTERIUM SYNECHOCOCCUS sp. PCC 7002 DEFINE A HETERODIMERIC PHYOCOCYANOBILIN LYASE SPECIFIC FOR β-PHYCOCYANIN AND ALLOPHYCOCYANIN SUBUNITS

Phycobilin lyases covalently attach phycobilin chromophores to apo-phycobiliproteins (PBPs). Genome analyses of the unicellular, marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 identified three genes, denoted cpcS-I, cpcU, and cpcV, that were possible candidates to encode phycocyanobilin (PCB) lyases. Single and double mutant strains for cpcS-I and cpcU exhibited slower growth rates, reduced PBP levels, and impaired assembly of phycobilisomes, but a cpcV mutant had no discernable phenotype. A cpcS-I cpcU cpcT triple mutant was nearly devoid of PBP. SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry demonstrated that the cpcS-I and cpcU mutants produced an altered form of the phycocyanin (PC) β subunit, which had a mass ∼588 Da smaller than the wild-type protein. Some free PCB (mass = 588 Da) was tentatively detected in the phycobilisome fraction purified from the mutants. The modified PC from the cpcS-I, cpcU, and cpcS-I cpcU mutant strains was purified, and biochemical analyses showed that Cys-153 of CpcB carried a PCB chromophore but Cys-82 did not. These results show that both CpcS-I and CpcU are required for covalent attachment of PCB to Cys-82 of the PC β subunit in this cyanobacterium. Suggesting that CpcS-I and CpcU are also required for attachment of PCB to allophycocyanin subunits in vivo, allophycocyanin levels were significantly reduced in all but the CpcV-less strain. These conclusions have been validated by in vitro experiments described in the accompanying report (Saunee, N. A., Williams, S. R., Bryant, D. A., and Schluchter, W. M. (2008) J. Biol. Chem. 283, 7513-7522). We conclude that the maturation of PBP in vivo depends on three PCB lyases: CpcE-CpcF, CpcS-I-CpcU, and CpcT.
The general morphology and growth responses of two species of nicotiana and their interspecific hybrid after chronic gamma irradiation

Abstract Specific responses to chronic irradiation with daily doses up to 375 r/day are described for plants of Nicotiana bigelovii (2n = 24), N. glauca (2n = 48) and N. bigelovii × N. glauca (2n = 36). Induced irregularities in the growth of stems, leaves and buds are described and correlated with the histological appearances. The three stocks differ in degree of radiosensitivity and each has a characteristic set of responses. Sensitivity seems to be related to chromosome number since stem and leaf responses were apparent in N. bigelovii at 300 r/day after one month of exposure, in the hybrid at 150 r/day and in N. glauca at 75 r/day. The growth habit of all three stocks changed after 300–375 r/day for one month, but the hybrid was most affected. Histological sections of shoot apices and of axillary buds showed that loss of polarity and organization so evident in the hybrid results from the formation of enations, intumescences or tumours and aberrant short shoots from multiple, adventitious growth centres. Induced chromosomal abnormalities and induced physiological changes are discussed as possible causal agents of the radiation responses.
Tricyclic antidepressants reduce frequency of tension-type and migraine headaches compared with placebo, and intensity of headaches compared with SSRIs, but cause greater adverse effects

Commentary on: JL Jackson, W Shimeall, L Sessums, et al.. Tricyclic antidepressants and headaches: systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ2010;341:c5222.
Oxidation of In2S3 and In2Se3 colloids as studied by pulse radiolysis

Abstract Radiolytic oxidation of colloidal semiconductor particles of In 2 S 3 ( D p ∼ 15 A) and In 2 Se 3 ( D p ∼ 25 A) was studied in reactions with OH ḣ , Br h 2 , I h 2 and (SCN) h 2 radicals using a pulse-radiolysis technique. The one-electron oxidation of colloids led to bleaching of semiconductor absorption as a result of their decomposition. The rate constants for the reaction of X h 2 anion radicals with colloidal particles were less than those predicted for the diffusion-controlled reactions and depended on the standard redox potential of the oxidants.
Modified lagrange multiplier tests for problems with one-sided alternatives

Abstract A modified Lagrange multiplier test statistic is proposed which takes explicit account of the one-sided nature of the alternative in problems where the null hypothesis specifies that the true value of the parameter vector lies on the boundary of the parameter space. Computation of this statistic requires only the constrained maximum likelihood estimator. Conditions for the consistency of tests based on this statistic are examined and it is shown that the distribution of the statistic is not affected of nuisance parameters are allowed to lie on the boundary of the parameter space.
Comparison of noninvasive pulsed doppler and fick measurements of stroke volume in cardiac patients

We compared simultaneous measurements of stroke volume by direct Fick (SVF) and noninvasive pulsed Doppler (SVD) techniques in 15 resting, supine cardiac patients. Doppler measurements of ascending aorta blood velocity were obtained from the suprasternal notch with a single crystal transducer. The systolic velocity integral of the spatial-average velocity waveform was multiplied by cross-sectional area from the systolic aortic diameter, obtained independently by M-mode echocardiography, to determine absolute values for SVD. The resulting linear regression equation was SVD = -1.14 + 0.95SVF, r = +0.91, p less than 0.0001. The mean SVD and SVF values were 68 and 73 cm3, respectively. These results in consecutive patients serve to validate empirically the pulsed Doppler method at rest. It is a convenient, safe, and painless procedure which appears appropriate for clinical diagnostic screening where serial measurements would be useful. However, this noninvasive technique does require technical experience and an understanding of anatomy and flow waveforms by the operator to obtain valid measurements.
Circuit simulation for Nano-Electro-Mechanical switches VLSI circuits

To accurately simulate the behavior of Nano-Electro- Mechanical Switch (NEM) circuits, a NEM circuit simulation model that faithfully reproduces the NEMS device characteristics in a circuit simulation environment is needed. In this paper, we present an accurate NEMS circuit simulation model. The model is based on the 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) physical device that captures the device multiphysics phenomena. The NEMS circuit simulation model reproduces the same characteristics of the 3D FEA model using circuit simulation techniques. In this way, the 3D FEA physical device model is used to derive and calibrate the NEMS circuit simulation model. To evaluate the accuracy of the model, the model is implemented in a circuit simulator. The NEM circuit simulator enables the evaluation of NEMS circuit with the same accuracy of the 3D FEA physical device model at much lower cost in terms of CPU time and memory requirement. In this paper, we present an accurate NEMS circuit model derivation and a NEMS circuit simulator. The simulator is able to simulate larger NEMS circuits with the same accuracy as the FEA at an acceptable CPU time and memory requirement.
A novel fast imaging modality for free radicals in vivo: continuous wave (CW) EPR imaging with direct detection and rapid field scan in the presence of rotating gradients

The work described in this presentation relates to a novel approach to Electron Paramagnetic Resonance imaging in vivo. The method employs a continuous wave approach to spectral detection without the conventional low frequency modulation and phase sensitive detection. A combination of direct detection and rapid field scan in the simultaneous presence of rotating gradients enables imaging with high temporal resolution. Since CW detection is not limited to free radical spin probes with narrow spectral lines, unlike the time-domain case, this novel approach uniquely accomplishes ultra fast functional imaging and is applicable to common redox-sensitive spin probes without line-width restriction.
An In Vitro Model for the Study of Antibacterial Dosage Regimen Design

A model was developed that is capable of simulating antibacterial agent concentration versus time profiles commonly observed following intravenous and intramuscular bolus injections, intravenous infusions, and oral doses, administered as single or multiple doses. The model consisted of two physical compartments separated by a membrane of a commercial hemodialyzer. The 1.08 m2 membrane surface area allowed rapid transmembrane passage of drugs and other small molecules, while membrane pore size prevented bacterial passage. These characteristics allowed bacteria in one of the two compartments of the model to be exposed to time-variant drug concentrations without affecting the number or concentration of bacteria. The model was used to study the effects of a multiple intravenous bolus dosage regimen of ampicillin on Escherichia coli ATCC 12407.
The Latin American School on Education and the Cognitive and Neural Sciences: Goals and challenges

Abstract Although the institution of summer schools is well established within the scientific community, the LA School is unique in its goals and future challenges.
Interspersion of repetitive with repetitive sequences in an amphibian, Rana berlandieri

When conventional genome arrangement analyses performed on R. berlandieri DNA at a normal (60 degrees C) and a high (75 degrees C) reassociation temperature were compared, an additional interspersion pattern was detected which indicates that different classes of repetitive sequences are closely interspersed with each other. Our results further suggest that the genomic abundance of purified (or cloned) repetitive sequences can be accurately determined by solution hybridization with genomic DNA only when the reassociation is performed at a relatively high temperature (Tm - 10 degrees C).
Motivational Climate and Fundamental Motor Skill Performance in a Naturalistic Physical Education Setting.

Background: The literature on motivation suggests that student learning and performance is influenced by the motivational climate, and that positive benefits can be derived from exposure to a mastery motivational climate. Nonetheless, to date, only a few studies have attempted to investigate a mastery motivational climate in a naturalistic setting with young children. Purpose: To examine the influence of a mastery motivational climate intervention on children's motor skill performance in a naturalistic setting, with the hypothesis that children exposed to the mastery motivational climate physical education intervention would achieve greater improvement in motor skill development than students who experienced a low autonomy climate physical education intervention. Participants and setting: 64 kindergarten children at two separate schools in the rural south of the USA. Research design: A pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used due to the lack of random assignment of participants to groups. Intac...
Incomplete information and Bayesian Knowledge-Bases

Knowledge acquisition is an essential process in improving the problem-solving capabilities of existing knowledge-based systems through the absorption of new information and facilitating change in current knowledge. However, without a verification mechanism, these changes could result in violations of semantic soundness of the knowledge causing inconsistencies and ultimately, contradictions. Therefore, maintaining semantic consistency is of primary concern, especially when dealing with incompleteness and uncertainty. In this paper, we consider the semantic completability of a knowledge system as a means of ensuring long-term semantic soundness. In particular, we focus on how to preserve semantic completability as the knowledge evolves over time. Among numerous methods of knowledge representation under uncertainty, we examine Bayesian Knowledge-Bases, which are a rule-based probabilistic model that allows for incompleteness and cycles between variables. A formal definition of full/partial completability of BKB is first introduced. A principle to check the overall completability of a BKB is then formulated with a formal proof of correctness. Furthermore, we show how to use this principle as a guide for maintaining semantic soundness and completability during incremental knowledge acquisition. In particular, we consider two primary modifications to the knowledge base: 1) adding/fusing knowledge, and 2) changing/tuning conditional probabilities.
Mineral Fumes and Mining Spirits: Popular Beliefs in the Sarepta of Johann Mathesius (1504-1565)

AbstractThe Reformation preacher in Germany, Johann Mathesius, was a mediator between learned and popular cultures in mining. His collection of sermons described a mental world rich in folk beliefs that were integrated into a broader mining culture. Reformation historians have charted the difficulties and limitations of bringing Lutheran teaching to mining towns, but they have stopped short of analyzing the mentality of miners themselves. In addition to their obvious place in Reformation history, Mathesius's sermons are equally relevant to the history of science. They support the recent argument that early-modern craftsmen possessed theory. Three issues that confronted Mathesius with long-standing folk beliefs and practices were prospecting, mine surveying, and the generation of metals. Mathesius handled these issues by integrating Christian theology and learned theory with select popular beliefs and practices.Though I am but half a miner, from early on I have had a particular affinity for my old countrym...
Determination of some toxic trace metals in Nigerian river and harbor water samples by neutron activation analysis

The determination of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, and Se in two Nigerian rivers and two Nigerian harbor waters is described. The water samples were preconcentrated by both evaporation at room temperature and freeze evaporation under reduced pressure. Postirradiation chemical separation of sodium, using hydrated antimony pentoxide (HAP) in 6M HCl, and of bromine, by oxidation with KMnO4 and subsequent removal by extraction with CHCl3, was employed. The measured concentrations of these elements in some water samples, which are relatively high, can be attributed to local pollution.
Semiclassical theory of a quantum pump

In a quantum charge pump, the periodic variation of two parameters that affect the phase of the electronic wave function causes the flow of a direct current. The operating mechanism of a quantum pump is based on quantum interference, the phases of interfering amplitudes being modulated by the external parameters. In a ballistic quantum dot, there is a minimum time before which quantum interference cannot occur: the Ehrenfest time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{E}}$. Here we calculate the current pumped through a ballistic quantum dot if ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{E}}$ is comparable to the mean dwell time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{D}}$. Remarkably, we find that the pumped current has a component that is not suppressed if ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{E}}⪢{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{D}}$.
The Direct and Indirect Effects of Socio-Economic Variables on State Imprisonment Rates:

Almost two decades of research on the exact relationship between socio-economic variables and the rate of incarceration has produced highly divergent results. Some of these inconsistencies may be due to the various models specified (some use total crime rather than violent, and some control for system level variables while others do not). Virtually all of the previous research has focused on the direct effect only. Utilizing 1990 cross-sectional state level data this study examines the direct and indirect effects of socio-economic variables on imprisonment rates while controlling for arrests or crimes rates and system level variables (e.g., prison admissions and releases). Models using arrest rate data rather than crime rates were included to capture the effect of the recent "war on drugs" on imprisonment which is not included in the Index Crime rate data. These data reveal that percent nonwhite has a significant and direct effect on imprisonment levels across the U.S., but less of a direct effect in nons...
Survival among patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma, 1973-2004

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that occurs in immunocompetent and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. Despite treatment advances, previous reports have produced conflicting information about survival trends over time. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, 2,557 patients diagnosed with PCNSL between 1973 and 2004 were identified and classified by HIV status. Potential predictors of survival were evaluated using log-rank tests. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. The cohort included 1,732 (67.7%) HIV-negative patients and 825 (32.3%) HIV-positive patients. Median overall survival was 12 months (95% CI 10, 13) among HIV-negative patients. In this group, median survival increased over time, from 7.5 months (95% CI 6, 14) for patients diagnosed in the 1970s, to 14 months (95% CI 11, 20) for patients diagnosed in the 2000s. Independent predictors of mortality included older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03 [95% CI 1.02, 1.03]), earlier year of diagnosis (HR 0.98 [95% CI 0.98, 0.99]), male sex (HR 1.20 [95% CI 1.08, 1.34), married status (HR 0.70 [95% CI 0.63, 0.78]), and receipt of radiation therapy (HR 0.69 [95% CI 0.61, 0.77]). HIV positivity was a powerful adverse prognostic factor in the overall cohort (HR 4.55 [95% CI 4.01, 5.16]). Despite treatment advances, survival among PCNSL patients in the United States remains poor. However, in the subset of PCNSL patients who are HIV-negative, survival has improved over time.
Documentation in Poland

Documentation services in the field of technology in Poland, organized in 1950, were reorganized in 1960. The network of services, structurally decentralized, consists of: (1) the Central Institute for Scientific, Technical and Economic Information which coordinates all services and reproduces, stores and distributes documentation materials, (2) the Departmental Information Centers which coordinate documentation services for groups of related industries, (3) Branch Information Centers which prepare abstracts and other documentation materials, and (4) Factory Information Centers which serve as reference units for particular factories or groups of factories. Polish documentation services selectively cover foreign and Polish technical literature. They supply abstract cards, periodical publications containing abstracts for particular industries, special bibliographies, analytical surveys of current developments, and translations of foreign materials. Intensive training of abstractors and information officers is conducted by the Central Institute and the Branch Information Centers.
Toward an Understanding of the Drug−DNA Recognition Mechanism. Hydrogen-Bond Strength in Netropsin−DNA Complexes

An ab initio quantum mechanical study of the binding of basic minor-groove drugs to DNA has been undertaken considering three interacting model systems, two concerning hydrogen bonds between amide moieties and one involving an interaction with a charged group. These are thymine···formamide, thymine···N-methylacetamide, and thymine···thyleneiminium. The effect of the solvent on the interaction energy has been explored by using a self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) method based on the high-level Miertus−Scrocco−Tomasi algorithm. Furthermore, we have made a comparison of the intermolecular geometries of drug−DNA interactions by extracting information from the Nucleic Acid Data Base. The results indicate that interactions involving a charged group are about 5 times stronger than hydrogen bonds between noncharged groups in a gas-phase environment. However, both types of interactions are greatly modulated by the solvent. Thus, whereas a hydrogen bond between noncharged groups is clearly a hydrophobic interact...
Is reduced benthic flux related to the Diporeia decline? Analysis of spring blooms and whiting events in Lake Ontario

Abstract Benthic monitoring by USGS off the southern shore of Lake Ontario from October 1993 to October 1995 provides a detailed view of the early stages of the decline of the native amphipod Diporeia . A loss of the 1994 and 1995 year classes of Diporeia preceded the disappearance of the native amphipod at sites near Oswego and Rochester at depths from 55 to 130 m. In succeeding years, Diporeia populations continued to decline in Lake Ontario and were nearly extirpated by 2008. Explanations for Diporeia 's decline in the Great Lakes include several hypotheses often linked to the introduction and expansion of exotic zebra and quagga mussels ( Dreissena sp.). We compare the timeline of the Diporeia decline in Lake Ontario with trends in two sources of organic matter to the sediments — spring diatom blooms and late summer whiting events. The 1994–95 decline of Diporeia coincided with localized dreissenid effects on phytoplankton in the nearshore and a year (April 1994 to May 1995) of decreased flux of organic carbon recorded by sediment traps moored offshore of Oswego. Later declines of profundal (> 90 m) Diporeia populations in 2003 were poorly associated with trends in spring algal blooms and late summer whiting events.
The "significance" crisis in psychology and education

Abstract The present article explores various reasons why psychology and education have not proceeded further with adopting reformed statistical practices advocated for several decades. Initially, a brief statistical history is presented. Then both psychological and sociological barriers to reform are considered. Perhaps economics can learn from some of the mistakes made within psychology and education, and invent its own new pitfalls, rather than becoming mired in the same crevasses discovered by other disciplines.
A diffusion-controlled procedure to close pores in ceramic membranes

Abstract A diffusion-controlled caulking treatment using aqueous colloidal silica to plug large pores in ceramic membranes is described. Unlike the conventional slip-casting process, this more controllable process can, in principle, be tailored by proper silica particle size selection to allow minimal deposition in the small desirable pores while enabling the elimination of large, less selective pores. The 2000 A Anodisc® membrane has been chosen as a model for the development of the procedure. Via the diffusion-controlled process, a majority of the 2000 A pores were closed using 100 to 200 A silica with negligible deposition on external membrane surfaces. The technique, therefore, is promising for selective closure of large undesirable pores without surface fouling or closure of desirable 100 A or smaller pores. The efficiency of the procedure has been characterized by a number of independent methods. The gas and water permeability of the caulked membranes decreased one and two orders of magnitude, respectively. Pore size analyses by a variation of the bubble point test and by rejection measurements of polyethylene glycol (MW 1500 to 12000) have found the average pore size of the dried silica-treated membranes to be approximately equal to the precursor silica sol particle size used in the treatment. While this suggests less than close packing in the large pores, the low permeability of the silica-treated membrane demonstrates that the treatment is highly effective. Indeed, given the selective caulking capability of this approach, it appears to be an attractive means of healing defects in microporous ceramic membranes.
Direct counts of bacteria in the sediments of a North Carolina salt marsh

The number of bacteria in sediments of a North Carolina salt marsh was determined by direct counts with epifluorescent illumination and acridine orange stain. Cell number decreased from 8.36–10.90×109 cells/cm3 of sediment at the surface to 2.19–2.58×109 cells/cm3 of sediment at a depth of 20 cm. No significant difference was found among four stations located on a transect which crossed the marsh and spanned subtidal to intertidal sediments.
Phonon anomalies in mixed valent CeSn3

Abstract Inelastic neutron scattering techniques have been used to measure the phonon dispersion curves of CeSn 3 and LaSn 3 . Close to the zone boundary in the [111] symmetry direction pronounced differences were observed between the measured phonon frequencies of these two compounds.
The Compassionate Memsahibs: Welfare Activities of British Women in India, 1900-1947

Preface Introduction Fishing Fleets Modern Memsahibs Official Welfare Reform Personal Perspectives Places and Politics The Medical Memsahibs Medicine on the Side Into the Village Varied Opportunities The War and After Conclusion Essay on Sources Appendixes: Biographical Information on Women Present in This Study Glossary of Indian Terms Bibliography Index