cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vertical-membrane optical-fiber pressure sensor

Abstract A vertical-membrane optical-fiber pressure sensor has been developed on (110) silicon using an anisotropic etching process. The sensor consists of a vertical deflectable membrane that is one wall of the measuring cavity and a channel for the optical fiber. Membranes as thin as 4 μm have been fabricated. The cavity is anodically sealed with a Pyrex glass cap. A single-mode fiber is inserted in the channel. The alignment between the fiber and the maximum deflectable region of the membrane is realized by a proper microfabricating process. Interference patterns obtained are clear and stable ‘Newton's rings’. A plot showing the overall intensity of the interference pattern as a function of the pressure applied to the sensor is presented. The minimum detectable signal from the optical detector for the 4 μm thick measuring membrane is 1 μV, which corresponds to a minimum detectable pressure of about 5 Pa.
Distribution of Mitochondrial DNA Lineages among Native American Tribes of Northeastern North America

The mtDNA haplogroups of 185 individuals from Native American tribes in Northeast North America were determined. A subset of these individuals was analyzed by sequencing hypervariable segments I and II of the control region. The haplogroup frequency distributions of populations in the Northeast exhibit regional continuity that predates European contact. A large amount of gene flow has occurred between Siouan-and Algonquian-speaking groups, probably due to an Algonquian intrusion into the Northeast. The data also support both the Macro-Siouan hypothesis and a relatively recent intrusion of Northern Iroquoians into the Northeast. These conclusions are consistent with archaeological and linguistic evidence.
Bulk and surface 4f states of Gd

Self-consistent spin-polarized electronic-structure calculations for a seven-layer slab are carried out to find the positions of the highly localized 4f surface and bulk bands of Gd. The 4f states are treated as valence states along with s, p, and d orbitals. Both the occupied and unoccupied 4f bands shift down in energy with respect to the bulk bands. The calculated shifts with different approximations are compared with the photoemission and inverse photoemission data. The results based on local-density +U approximation are in very good agreement with the experimental shift of 0.4 eV for both the occupied and unoccupied states.
Regulation of paracellular transport in the distal nephron.

Purpose of review Claudins play a major role in the regulation of paracellular electrolyte reabsorption in the kidney. This review describes recent findings of the physiological function of claudins underlying paracellular transport mechanisms for Cl− reabsorption in the collecting duct.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy following rituximab treatment in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare brain disease caused by reactivation of the JC virus. Herein, a case of PML in association with rituximab treatment in a patient with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjogren's syndrome is described. The patient received 4 courses of rituximab (2 1,000-mg infusions administered 2 weeks apart) over a period of ∼40 months, during a phase III trial and safety extension study. PML was diagnosed ∼18 months after the last rituximab course, and the patient died 1 month later. Determination of the cause of PML was confounded by the fact that the patient had developed oropharyngeal cancer, which was treated with chemoradiotherapy, 9 months prior to the development of PML. Although there was no direct evidence that linked rituximab to the development of PML, this case highlights the need to consider a diagnosis of PML in patients with RA who have been treated with rituximab and who subsequently develop new neurologic symptoms.
Think big for reuse

IntroductionMany organizations are successful with software reuse at fine to medium granularities -- ranging from objects, subroutines, and components through software product lines. However, relatively little has been published on very large-grained reuse. One example of this type of large-grained reuse might be that of an entire Internet banking system (applications and infrastructure) reused in business units all over the world. In contrast, "large scale" software reuse in current research generally refers to systems that reuse a large number of smaller components, or that perhaps reuse subsystems. In this article, we explore a case of an organization with an internal development group that has been very successful with large-grained software reuse.BigFinancial, and the BigFinancial Technology Center (BTC) in particular, have created a number of software systems that have been reused in multiple businesses and in multiple countries. BigFinancial and BTC thus provided a rich source of data for case studies to look at the characteristics of those projects and why they have been successful, as well as to look at projects that have been less successful and to understand what has caused those results and what might be done differently to prevent issues in the future. The research is focused on technology, process, and organizational elements of the development process, rather than on specific product features and functions.Supporting reuse at a large-grained level may help to alleviate some of the issues that occur in more traditional reuse programs, which tend to be finer-grained. In particular, because BigFinancial was trying to gain commonality in business processes and operating models, reuse of large-grained components was more closely aligned with its business goals. This same effect may well not have happened with finer-grained reuse, due to the continued ability of business units to more readily pick and choose components for reuse.BTC is a technology development unit of BigFinancial, with operations in both the eastern and western US. Approximately 500 people are employed by BTC, reporting ultimately through a single line manager responsible to the Global Retail Business unit head of BigFinancial. BTC is organized to deliver both products and infrastructure components to BigFinancial, and its product line has through the years included consumer Internet banking services, teller systems, ATM software, and network management tools. BigFinancial has its U.S. operations headquartered in the eastern U.S., and employs more than 8,000 technologists worldwide.In cooperation with BTC, we selected three cases for further study from a pool of about 25. These cases were the Java Banking Toolkit (JBT) and its related application systems, the Worldwide Single Signon (WSSO) subsystem, and the BigFinancial Message Switch (BMS).
Selective changes in protein kinase C isoenzymes in rat liver nuclei during liver regeneration

Abstract Using isoenzyme-specific antisera, protein kinase C (PKC) α and PKC δ were detected in total liver homogenate and in isolated nuclei. PKC β I , β II , e, e′, and ζ were not detected. During liver regeneration, nuclear PKCα levels decreased while PKCδ levels increased. These studies demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of a calcium-independent PKC isoenzyme in liver nuclei and suggest that PKCα and PKCδ may have different roles in liver regeneration and cell proliferation.
Skype relay calls: Measurements and experiments

Skype, a popular peer-to-peer VoIP application, works around NAT and firewall issues by routing calls through the machine of another Skype user with unrestricted connectivity to the Internet. We describe an experimental study of Skype video and voice relay calls conducted over a three-month period, where approximately 18 thousand successful calls were made and over nine thousand Skype relay nodes were found. We have determined that the relay call success rate depends on the network conditions, the presence of a host cache, and caching of the callee's reachable address. From our experiments, we have found that Skype relay selection mechanism can be further improved, especially when both caller and callee are behind a NAT.
The synthetic utility of amine borane reagents in the reduction of aldehydes and ketones

Abstract Primary and secondary amine boranes have been shown to be mild, efficient, and stereoselective reducing agents for aldehydes and ketones in protic or non-protic solvents with reactivity patterns different than diborane or sodium borohydride.
Guiding Principles for a Research Schools Network: Successes and Challenges

Building on J. Dewey's (1907) original work with the laboratory school, the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Texas–Arlington is expanding the original concept to include partners throughout a school system and the community in order to support and advance learning in multiple learning environments. The goal is to establish a network of schools, administrators, teachers, graduate students, and policymakers; not necessarily everyone, but a critical mass of vested partners working collaboratively in what we call a Research Schools Network (RSN). The Network uses the new field of Mind, Brain and Education (MBE) to develop a theoretical and practical foundation for addressing educational challenges in the community. This article explores how the college has partnered with Arlington Independent School District (AISD), neighboring universities, the business community, and our state representative to develop and define new paradigms that not only promote MBE as an academic field, but also inform and are informed by the community it seeks to serve.
Electron impact dissociation of CH4(CD4): Laser induced fluorescence of product CH+(CD+)

Abstract Using a three-dimensional rf quadrupole ion trap to spacially isolate and mass select ions, the laser induced fluorescence spectra of the CH+ and CD+ A1 Π-X1 Σ+ system have been recorded. The fragment ions were produced by the electron impact ionization of CH4 and CD4. Many new rovibronic components of this system were observed permitting a refinement of existing molecular constants. The observation of transitions involving CD +1Σ+ υ = 2 provides the first experimental determination of the X 1 Σ+ state vibrational frequency. The distribution of energy among the product CH+(CD+) vibrational and rotational modes has been determined. Since the ions are studied under collision free conditions the observed distribution can be used to study the dissociation pathways leading to the production of CH+(CD+).
2.8 Å Crystal Structures of Recombinant Fibrinogen Fragment D with and without Two Peptide Ligands: GHRP Binding to the “b” Site Disrupts Its Nearby Calcium-binding Site†

We report two crystal structures, each at a resolution of 2.8 A, of recombinant human fibrinogen fragment D (rfD) in the absence and presence of peptide ligands. The bound ligands, Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro-amide and Gly-His-Arg-Pro-amide, mimic the interactions of the thrombin exposed polymerization sites, "A" and "B", respectively. This report is the first to describe the structure of fragment D in the presence of both peptide ligands. The structures reveal that recombinant fibrinogen is nearly identical to the plasma protein but with minor changes, like the addition of a proximal fucose to the carbohydrate linked to residue betaGln364, and slightly different relative positions of the beta- and gamma-modules. Of major interest in our structures is that a previously identified calcium site in plasma fibrinogen is absent when Gly-His-Arg-Pro-amide is bound. The peptide-dependent loss of this calcium site may have significant biological implications that are further discussed. These structures provide a foundation for the detailed structural analysis of variant recombinant fibrinogens that were used to identify critical functional residues within fragment D.
Sodium rhodizonate staining of the keratogenous zone of the hair follicle and lingual papilla.

Exposure of frozen sections of guinea pig skin to a saturated aqueous solution of sodium rhodizonate buffered to pH 6.2 selectively induces a band of black granules in the keratogenous zone of hair follicles. The major staining is in the cortex, but to a lesser extent granules develop in the medulla and inner root sheath in the same zonal pattern. A similar granular staining is seen in the lingual papillae and naisl. Other structures in the skin and other organs do not show this. At pH 9.0 the sodium rhodizonate selectively stains the hair follicles a reddish brown. Although the affinity of the keratogenous zone of the hair follicle for sodium rhodizonate remains unexplained, one might postulate the stain is dependent upon the presence of an unusually high sulfhydryl content. In favor of this is the fact that the highest level of protein-bound sulfhydryl activity is in the exact site of the rhodizonate staining, and the fact that rhodizonic acid can oxidize sulfhydryl compounds to dark end products.
Power/energy: Automated power distribution: Increasingly diverse and complex power operation and distribution systems will mean a larger role for microprocessor and communications technologies

Discusses the growing role of microprocessor and communications technologies in the control of electric power operational and distribution systems especially with the expected future growth of dispersed energy storage and generation systems.
Use of sodium bicarbonate as a means of ameliorating doxorubicin-induced dermal necrosis in rats.

To test whether NaHCO3 infiltration provides protection against doxorubicin-induced dermal necrosis, we infiltrated rat dermis with doxorubicin immediately followed by NaHCO3 (experimental) or saline (control) and measured the subsequent evolution of necrosis, erythema, and induration. Experimental groups were substantially protected, having a reduction of the maximum area of the lesion and more rapid healing.
Distribution of interleukin-1 receptor in chicken and quail brain.

Interleukin 1 isoforms (IL-1) are major regulators of vertebrate immune responses. In the mammalian CNS, this function is reflected in physiological and anatomical evidence implicating IL-1 in a suite of behaviors associated with sickness. Although birds show sickness behavior, a parallel role of IL-1 in birds has not been investigated. As proinflammatory effects of IL-1 are mediated via the IL-1 type I receptor (IL-1RI), we investigated the distribution of IL-1RI protein and mRNA after lipopolysaccharide challenge in brains of two avian species, the chicken and Japanese quail. In some respects, the neuroanatomic distribution of IL-1R mRNA and protein in chicken and Japanese quail resembled that reported in mammals and was consistent with its putative role in the physiology and behavior of sickness. For example, we found IL-1RI mRNA or IL-1RI immunoreactivity in lemnothalamic visual projection areas of the pallium, surrounding blood vessels in pallial areas, in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, in the nucleus taenia, in cerebeller Purkinje cells and the motor components of the trigeminal and vagus nuclei. However, in contrast to mammals, we did not find evidence of IL1-RI receptors in medial or lateral pallial structures, paraventricular nucleus, areas homologous to the arcuate nucleus, the choroid plexus, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis or the reticular activating system. The distribution of IL-1RI suggests that a role for IL-1 in sickness behavior is conserved in birds, but that roles in other putative mammalian functions (e.g. hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axes regulation, transport through barrier-related tissues, arousal) may differ.
CNAD: a potent and specific inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase

CNAD (5-beta-D-ribofuranosylnicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an isosteric and isomeric analogue of NAD, in which the nicotinamide ring is linked to the sugar via a C-glycosyl (C5-C1') bond. CNAD acts as a general dehydrogenase inhibitor but shows unusual specificity and affinity for liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1). The pattern of inhibition is congruent to 4 nM, with NAD as the variable substrate. These values are 3-5 orders of magnitude smaller than those obtained for CNAD in other dehydrogenases and are comparable to values observed for the tightest binding ADH inhibitors known. The specificity and affinity of CNAD for ADH are likely due to coordination of the zinc cation at the ADH catalytic site by the CNAD pyridine nitrogen. This is supported by kinetic and computational studies of ADH-CNAD complexes. These results are compared with those for a related analogue, CPAD. In this analogue, displacement of the pyridine nitrogen to the opposite side of the ring removes the specificity for ADH.
Geochemistry of Hydrocarbon Source Rocks, Palo Duro Basin, Texas: ABSTRACT

The sparsely drilled Palo Duro basin of the Texas Panhandle remains an exploration frontier. An understanding of source rock geochemistry can aid in evaluation of its hydrocarbon potential. To determine whether sediments in the basin contained sufficient organic matter to generate hydrocarbons, samples collected from 20 geographically widespread wells were analyzed for total organic carbon content (TOC). Highest values of TOC, up to 6.9%, occur in Upper Permian San Andres dolomite in the southern part of the basin. Pennsylvanian and Wolfcampian basinal shales contain up to 2.4% of TOC and are fair to very good source rocks. Source beds in the Palo Duro basin had to reach sufficiently high temperatures to generate hydrocarbons from disseminated organic matter. Kerogen color and vitrinite reflectance, which indicate maximum paleotemperatures, were studied in all samples containing greater than 0.5% TOC. End_Page 758------------------------------ Pennsylvanian and Wolfcampian kerogen is yellow-orange to orange, suggesting that temperatures were high enough to begin to generate hydrocarbons from lipid-rich amorphous organic material. Palo Duro basin samples have a broad range of vitrinite reflectance values, but populations with the lowest reflectance probably indicate the true temperatures that were reached in the basin. The average reflectance in representative Pennsylvanian vitrinite is 0.52%; in Wolfcampian samples the average reflectance is 0.48%. These values are consistent with the kerogen color and suggest that basinal source rocks may have begun to generate hydrocarbons. End_of_Article - Last_Page 759------------
A multicenter, randomized clinical trial of IV iron supplementation for anemia of traumatic critical illness*.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of IV iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill trauma patients. DESIGN Multicenter, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Four trauma ICUs. PATIENTS Anemic (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL) trauma patients enrolled within 72 hours of ICU admission and with an expected ICU length of stay of more than or equal to 5 days. INTERVENTIONS Randomization to iron sucrose 100 mg IV or placebo thrice weekly for up to 2 weeks. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 150 patients were enrolled. Baseline iron markers were consistent with functional iron deficiency: 134 patients (89.3%) were hypoferremic, 51 (34.0%) were hyperferritinemic, and 64 (42.7%) demonstrated iron-deficient erythropoiesis as evidenced by an elevated erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin concentration. The median baseline transferrin saturation was 8% (range, 2-58%). In the subgroup of patients who received all six doses of study drug (n = 57), the serum ferritin concentration increased significantly for the iron as compared with placebo group on both day 7 (808.0 ng/mL vs 457.0 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.01) and day 14 (1,046.0 ng/mL vs 551.5 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups in transferrin saturation, erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin concentration, hemoglobin concentration, or packed RBC transfusion requirement. There was no significant difference between groups in the risk of infection, length of stay, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS Iron supplementation increased the serum ferritin concentration significantly, but it had no discernible effect on transferrin saturation, iron-deficient erythropoiesis, hemoglobin concentration, or packed RBC transfusion requirement. Based on these data, routine IV iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill trauma patients cannot be recommended (NCT 01180894).
Continuous-infusion granisetron compared to ondansetron for the prevention of nausea and vomiting after high-dose chemotherapy.

Purpose: The serotonin receptor antagonists effectively prevent emesis with little toxicity when employed with standard doses of emetogenic chemotherapy. The optimal approach to the prevention of the emesis associated with the high doses of chemotherapy used for autologous stem cell transplantation is not known. A randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the relative efficacy and toxicity of granisetron compared to ondansetron in the setting of autologous stem cell transplantation. Methods: A group of 48 patients with breast cancer were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either (1) granisetron as a 0.5-mg i.v. bolus 30 min. before chemotherapy followed by a continuous infusion of 0.04 mg/h (1 mg/day) for 7 days or (2) ondansetron as an 8-mg i.v. bolus 30 min before chemotherapy followed by a continuous infusion of 1 mg/h (24 mg/day) for 7 days. All patients also received 10 mg dexamethasone/day i.v. for 7 days. Chemotherapy consisted of 1500 mg cyclophosphamide per m2/day, 125 mg thiotepa m−2 day−1, and 200 mg carboplatin per m2/day all as a continuous infusion for 4 consecutive days. The two study arms were then compared for the incidence and severity of nausea, incidence of emesis, number of salvage anti-emetics required, cost, and toxicity. Results: A total of 46 patients were evaluable. The treatment arms were well-balanced for known risk factors for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Compliance with self-reporting of nausea and vomiting was poor but indicated no difference between the two treatment arms. The average number of anti-emetics required was 15.8 in both treatment arms and the average time to the first dose of a salvage anti-emetic was 2.8 days in the granisetron arm and 2.9 days in the ondansetron arm. The incidence of headache was 36 % in the granisetron arm and 39 % in the ondansetron arm. None of these differences was statistically significant. The use of granisetron resulted in a cost saving of 6.5 %. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between granisetron and ondansetron in either efficacy or toxicity. At our institution, the use of granisetron resulted in a moderate cost saving.
Structural explanations and norms: comments on Haslanger

Sally Haslanger undertakes groundbreaking work in developing an account of structural explanations and the social structures that figure in them. A chief virtue of the account is that it can show the importance of structural explanations while also respecting the role of individual autonomy in explaining many decisions, by demonstrating the way in which social structures may set up a ‘choice architecture’ in which these choices are made. This paper gives an overview of this achievement, and goes on to consider why there may be need to broaden the role of social structural explanations beyond those that involve explicit choice within a choice architecture. It develops the idea, familiar from work by Heidegger and Ingarden, that social artifacts, roles, and nodes in social structures may be constitutively defined by norms. It closes by suggesting that attention to the role of norms in social structures may enable us to broaden the account to include structural explanations of other kinds.
Influence of excess yttrium and platinum on the growth behavior of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−σ and Y 2 BaCuO 5

The high temperature (1100°C) coarsening of Y2BaCuO5 (211) and subsequent YBa2Cu3O7−δ (123) growth kinetics using melt quenched and 123 precursor powders were examined via quenching. Fine scale excess yttrium addition by sol gel coating was employed up to 20 mol percent. X-ray diffraction identified 211 fraction between 123 (∼30 wt.%) and melt quenched (∼10 wt.%) in the precursor powders. The addition of yttrium was seen to shift the 211 weight fraction to higher levels for the MQ powders. Refinement of the 211 particle size was seen in the presence of Pt but not with yttrium addition. The coarsening behavior of 211 in either powder did not appear to significantly change with excess yttrium addition at 1100°C. Differential thermal analysis showed that the 123 phase solidification temperature increased in the presence of Pt and reduced with yttrium addition up to 10 mol %. Dilatometric measurements showed the influence of yttrium addition on the densification behavior of 123 due to the presence of low temperature liquid phase formation. Directly inserting samples at soak teperatures were seen to significantly alter the 211 weight fraction for 123 powder in contrast to slower thermal heating to temperature. However, this effect was not seen in the case of the melt quenched precursor powder.
Deuterium magic angle spinning NMR used to study the dynamics of peptides adsorbed onto polystyrene and functionalized polystyrene surfaces.

LKα14 is a 14 amino acid peptide with a periodic sequence of leucine and lysine residues consistent with an amphipathic α-helix. This “hydrophobic periodicity” has been found to result in an α-heli...
The Scope for Poverty Alleviation among Elderly Home-owners in the United States through Reverse Mortgages

This paper investigates the scope for alleviating poverty among elderly home-owners in the US by means of reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage is a loan secured against the home equity owned by the borrower. This loan does not require monthly repayment and the elderly borrower is allowed to use the home as a principal residence for as long as she wishes. We compute monthly payments that can be obtained by elderly home-owners under a reverse mortgage by simulating the tenure plan of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgage product which is sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. This study utilises data from the National File of the American Housing Survey of 1991. We estimate that 621 820 elderly home-owners in poverty could be raised above the poverty line if they obtained a reverse mortgage under the HECM tenure plan. These households constitute 29 per cent of all poor elderly home-owners. There appears to be considerable scope for alleviating poverty among e...
Organizational factors in memory.

Abstract The research reviewed illustrates how the structural organization of material influences the way in which it is learned and recalled by the person. Specific factors investigated concerned relational rules and perceptual-conceptual groupings as these appeared in various laboratory learning tasks. The influence of relational rules was illustrated in paired-associate learning in which a list rule, stipulating a particular relation between the nominal stimulus and response terms, enhanced performance and reduced interference from other learning. The apparent role of the S-R pairing rule, inferred from studies of rhyming rules, is to enable restriction of the range of response alternatives which the person needs to consider at crucial points in his recall. The role of perceptual groupings was examined in immediate recall of digit series; conceptual groupings were examined in free recall of word lists. By one or another means, the learning materials are segmented by the subject into integrated groups which become his functional recall units. Recall suffers if the subject is made to adopt new groupings of the same material. The results on digit series were interpreted by the “reallocation” hypothesis, which ties together the perceptual coding of a string and the “memory location” at which its trace is stored, with implications about recognition memory and trial-by-trial increments in recall of the same string. In free recall, the stable groupings of list words which develop are often supplemented by the subject developing a higher-order retrieval scheme to guide his reproduction of the many items on the list. The nature and influence of several retrieval schemes is reviewed, including interchunk associations, pegword mnemonics, semantic category cuing, and hierarchically embedded category systems. These basic schemes provide implicit cues to guide the person's search through memory. Hierarchical schemes, based on recursive associative decoding, are particularly effective retrieval plans. The results are discussed in terms of the advantages of common strategies preferred by human learners, viz., the tendency to subdivide and group material, and to do this recursively, producing a hierarchical organization of the information to be learned.
Results on NLC grammars with one-letter terminal alphabets

Abstract Node-label controlled graph grammars (NLC grammars) are a mechanism to generate sets of graphs (called graph languages). This paper examines the generating power of NLC grammars with a restricted connection relation and some closure properties of the class of NLC languages. Also, a modified language generating mechanism for NLC grammars is introduced, and the resulting class of graph languages is compared to the class of NLC languages. All results are based on grammars with one-letter terminal alphabets.
Dynamics of microbubble oscillators with delay coupling

Two vibrating bubbles submerged in a fluid influence each others’ dynamics via sound waves in the fluid. Due to finite sound speed, there is a delay between one bubble’s oscillation and the other’s. This scenario is treated in the context of coupled nonlinear oscillators with a delay coupling term. It has previously been shown that with sufficient time delay, a supercritical Hopf bifurcation may occur for motions in which the two bubbles are in phase. In this work, we further examine the bifurcation structure of the coupled microbubble equations, including analyzing the sequence of Hopf bifurcations that occur as the time delay increases, as well as the stability of this motion for initial conditions which lie off the in-phase manifold. We show that in fact the synchronized, oscillating state resulting from a supercritical Hopf is attracting for such general initial conditions.
Distribution, Morphology, and Size Frequency of Cinder Cones on Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawaii

More than 300 cinder cones on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea volcano reach concentrations of 8/km 2 along three principal rift zones where porous low-density tephra may constitute as much as 50 percent by volume of late alkalic eruptives. Both height/width ratios and crater dimensions reflect the equilibrium angle of repose of constituent tephra. Low depth/width ratios of cinder cone craters, resulting largely from posteruption colluvial fills, are similar to those of terrestrial impact craters, making this parameter of questionable value for inferring the origin of some classes of extraterrestrial craters. Most cones have westerly asymmetries which are consistent with orientations of associated tephra lobes, and imply past dominance of trade-wind circulation during the final eruptive phases of the volcano.
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy associated with hearing loss and Coats syndrome

Two unrelated cases of infantile facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) with Coats syndrome of the retina and sensorineural hearing loss are described. Children with otherwise unexplained visual or hearing deficit should be examined for somatic muscle weakness, which may present only as facial weakness. Early recognition of Coats syndrome in children with FSHD may lead to preservation of vision with appropriate therapy.
Estimates for transition probabilities on a compact manifold

Abstract The purpose of this note is to describe a procedure for transferring familiar estimates for transition probabilities on R N to transition probabilities on compact manifolds.
Elevated brain dopamine levels associated with ovary development in queenless worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract Brain levels of octopamine (OA), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) were compared between worker honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) kept with or without queens in various experiments. Levels of DA were significantly higher in queenless bees than in their sisters that had been kept with queens either (1) in small field colonies for 30 days or (2) in incubator cages through 18 days. This difference was not observed in a separate incubator experiment after 6 and 12 days. A correlation between ovariole width and brain DA levels was found in groups of caged queenless workers after 18 days. In pairs of caged workers kept in an incubator through 10 days, the worker having the largest ovariole width was significantly more likely to have higher brain DA levels. The increased DA levels in queenless bees probably reflect changes in behavioral states that occur after onset of oogenesis.
Predictors for Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: Over 500 Cases Experience

Background: Although radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an effective rhythm control strategy, there is a substantial recurrence rate. We explored predictors of late recurrence (LR) of AF after RFCA with consistent strategy.Methods and Results: This study included 575 patients (77.1% male, 55.7±10.9 years old) with AF (65.7% paroxysmal AF) who underwent RFCA. We evaluated the clinical, electrophysiological, and multiple serologic parameters. Results: 1. During 12.4±5.9 months of follow-up, patients who experienced LR (21.8%) were older (55.0±10.9 vs. 57.7±10.1 years old, p=0.019) and more likely to have persistent AF (50.4% vs. 29.4%, p 5400 sec (OR 2.169, CI 1.170–4.022, p=0.014), and early recurrence (OR 3.870, CI 2.371–6.319, p<0.001) were the independent risk factors for LR of AF.Conclusion: In this single consistent strategy with over 500 AF ablation cases, the patients with LR had larger atrium, longer ablation time, and higher chance of early recurrence than those remained in sinus rhythm.
Periodicities of the radon level in Butte, Montana

Hourly measurements of radon level at four houses in Butte, Montana were analyzed. Previous studies suggestes that there are diurnal cycles, spectral analysis confirms this assertion. Moreover, there are also long term trends and weekly cycles at certain locations. The periodical cycles highly suggest that indoor radon level can be dependent on the ventilation condition of the house and the activities of the residents. The relationship of indoor and outdoor radon level was investigated by cross-spectral analysis. In view of the possible different patterns caused by different seasons, data from the winter and summer are analyzed separately. The results shows that winter and summer data do display different patterns.
Crystal-storing histiocytosis: An unusual relapsing inflammatory CNS disorder

The differential diagnosis of acute leukoencephalopathy often focuses on central nervous system idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IIDDs) such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, a spectrum of conditions mimic IIDDs, therefore it is critical to consider whether symptoms, signs, imaging and/or response to therapies are compatible with the diagnosis. We describe a 32-year-old previously healthy woman presenting with a 2 year history of steroid-responsive relapsing episodes lasting 2–10 days characterized by transient visual blurring, right-hemiparesis, and spells of aphasia. MRI demonstrated multifocal, relapsing, predominantly white matter enhancing brain lesions, a longitudinally extensive cord lesion, and abnormal visual evoked potentials. Notably, some lesions persistently enhanced whereas others demonstrated progressive T2W hypointensity. Brain biopsy revealed an atypical plasma cell infiltrate and crystal-storing histiocytosis, which by mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of macrophages containing intracellular kappa-light chain restricted crystals. Bone marrow was negative. The patient did well for several years on pulse dexamethasone, however subsequent scans demonstrated increasing enhancement. Repeat biopsy demonstrated a clonal plasma cell proliferation. She was treated with melphalan, and has remained stable. Although this patient initially met McDonald criteria, atypical imaging prompted further workup, and advanced proteomic technology helped secured an accurate diagnosis. Crystal-storing histiocytosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory CNS disorders.
A multidisciplinary care approach to Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a complicated degenerative disorder. Its etiology is unclear, although it has been associated with both cell and humoral mediated autoimmune mechanisms. The disease causes ascending paralysis and loss of cranial nerve function. Manifestations may be acute or chronic, and temporary or permanent, depending on the degree of neuronal destruction. Because of GBS's pervasive nature, health care is a challenge. Patient care focuses on risks related to ineffective airway clearance and impaired mobility. Psychosocial care and patient education are also integral components of care.
Generalizing test-enhanced learning from the laboratory to the classroom

Test-enhanced learning refers to the fact that taking an initial test on studied material enhances its later retention relative to simply studying the material and then taking a final test. Most research on the testing effect has been done with materials such as word lists, and the general finding has been that the benefits of testing are greater when the initial test is a recall (production) test rather than a recognition test. We briefly summarize three experiments that extend these results to educationally relevant materials, namely brief articles, lectures, and materials in a college course. All three experiments demonstrated a robust testing effect and also revealed that an initial short-answer test produced greater gains on a final test than did an initial multiple-choice test. Furthermore, one experiment revealed a positive effect of immediate feedback given with the initial test. The educational implications are that production tests (short answer or essay) and feedback soon after learning increase learning and retention. In addition, frequent testing probably has the indirect positive effects of keeping students motivated and leading them to space out periods of study.
Nonradiative relaxation of rare-earth ions in silicate laser glass

Rates for nonradiative decay by multiphonon emission are measured for rare-earth ions in silicate laser glass and used to estimate quantum efficiencies.
Penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus: a long-term review of results and complications.

Abstract Purpose To study the long-term complications of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) to evaluate current recommendations to patients with keratoconus. Setting John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Methods Retrospective study of all PKP procedures for keratoconus performed by 4 surgeons during a 312 year period. Follow-up was 1 day and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-PKP. Data from 93 eyes were reviewed for allograft reaction, astigmatism, visual acuity, reasons for decreased visual acuity, and other complications. Results Allograft reaction was seen in 31% of cases but no graft failure due to allograft reaction. Mean astigmatism was 2.76 diopters (D) ± 1.99 (SD) at 24 months, with only 15% > 5.00 D. Last best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 or better in 77% of cases (87% had 20/25 or better at some time during follow-up). Complications that did not cause decreased visual acuity were noted. Punctate keratitis was noted in 20% of patients 180 days or more after surgery. Conclusion Penetrating keratoplasty is a good treatment option for patients with keratoconus but should be reserved for those who do not tolerate contact lenses or do not get needed visual acuity with contact lenses because of complications. This procedure has become a second-line treatment for keratoconus patients and has generally good results.
Maintaining Independence Through Home Modifications

Many different types of activities can be modified or eliminated in order to maintain older adults independently in their homes, but one activity essential to independence, the use of the telephone by older adults, has not been researched.The purpose of this study is to investigate whether older adults have made changes to their homes in order to make the telephone more accessible and if so, what changes have they made. Reasons for not making modifications are also examined.The sample included 34 older adults, age 65 and older living alone in the community as homeowners and renters. A questionnaire was administered in the homes of participants for whom information was recorded about telephone location.The subjects reported making few modifications to their telephone. Most subjects have three to four telephones. The most common technology related to the telephone used by subjects was an answering machine. The study has implications for physical and occupational therapists working with older homeowners who ...
Monitoring the Long-Term Degradation Behavior of Biomimetic Bioadhesive Using Wireless Magnetoelastic Sensor

The degradation behavior of a tissue adhesive is critical to its ability to repair a wound while minimizing prolonged inflammatory response. Traditional degradation tests can be expensive to perform, as they require large numbers of samples. The potential for using magnetoelastic resonant sensors to track bioadhesive degradation behavior was investigated. Specifically, biomimetic poly (ethylene glycol)- (PEG-) based adhesive was coated onto magnetoelastic (ME) sensor strips. Adhesive-coated samples were submerged in solutions buffered at multiple pH levels (5.7, 7.4 and 10.0) at body temperature (37 °C) and the degradation behavior of the adhesive was tracked wirelessly by monitoring the changes in the resonant amplitude of the sensors for over 80 days. Adhesive incubated at pH 7.4 degraded over 75 days, which matched previously published data for bulk degradation behavior of the adhesive while utilizing significantly less material (∼103 times lower). Adhesive incubated at pH 10.0 degraded within 25 days while samples incubated at pH 5.7 did not completely degrade even after 80 days of incubation. As expected, the rate of degradation increased with increasing pH as the rate of ester bond hydrolysis is higher under basic conditions. As a result of requiring a significantly lower amount of samples compared to traditional methods, the ME sensing technology is highly attractive for fully characterizing the degradation behavior of tissue adhesives in a wide range of physiological conditions.
Opportunity and technique in crisis psychiatry

Abstract An extensive literature on crisis now exists. Searching this literature, I was unable to find an explicit therapeutic approach to a person or family in crisis based on a detailed theoretical conceptualization. This paper proposes a theory of crisis and its therapy; therapeutic goals and an approach are defined; specific techniques are described.
Management of acute and chronic osteomyelitis

The incidence of acute and subacute osteomyelitis is declining. Vaccination has almost eradicated Haemophilus bone infection in infants. However, chronic traumatic osteomyelitis is becoming more frequent following an increase in motorcycle accidents and infected internal fixation of fractures. There are now effective means of treating this using the Ilizarov external circular frame.
Results of establishing medical guidelines for selecting oral contraceptive types in family planning agencies

Family planning agencies are attempting to increase their efficiency and cost-effectiveness in delivering services, as federal funding is diminishing. We have examined the effects of establishing guidelines in a family planning agency, outlining the types of OCs to be routinely prescribed. We found that substantial savings in purchase costs were achieved, in addition to simplified inventory and distribution. These savings were accomplished with no perceptible change in patients' satisfaction. The equivalence of modern OCs in safety and effectiveness allows the creation of guidelines which are medically sound.
Accuracy of two heterogeneity dose calculation algorithms for IMRT in treatment plans designed using an anthropomorphic thorax phantom.

With the advent of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the inclusion of heterogeneity corrections is further complicated by the conformal delivery of many small beams forming steep dose gradients. Radiation treatment planning has evolved to take into account even small changes in tissue density so that the dose to tumor can be further optimized. However, different treatment planning systems incorporate different heterogeneity correction algorithms, and it is unclear whether any of these algorithms are superior to others in terms of accurately predicting delivered radiation doses relative to measurement in a clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of heterogeneity dose calculations from two widely used IMRT treatment planning systems (Pinnacle and Corvus) against measurement. These two systems handle heterogeneity dose corrections by means of a collapsed-cone convolution superposition algorithm and a finite-size pencil-beam algorithm with one-dimensional depth scaling correction, respectively. Treatment plans were generated by each system using an anthropomorphic thorax phantom, routine clinical lung tumor constraints, and a common prescribed dose. Dose measurements made by thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) and radiochromic film positioned within the phantom's lung and offset tumor insert were then compared with the calculated values. The collapsed cone convolution superposition dose calculation algorithmmore » provided clinically acceptable results ({+-}5% of the normalization dose or 3 mm distance to agreement) in the designed treatment plan and delivery. The pencil-beam algorithm with an effective pathlength correction showed reasonable agreement within the gross tumor volume, overestimated dose within a majority of the planning target volume, and underestimated the extent of the penumbral broadening, yielding only about 60% accuracy when judged by the above criterion. Even judged by a more generous criterion ({+-}7%/7 mm), the results were clinically unfavorable (at only about 80% accuracy). To ascertain the dose in heterogeneous regions such as the tumor-lung interface and the peripheral lung dose near the tumor, the superposition convolution algorithm that accounts for lateral scatter and electron transport should be used. The use of the pencil-beam algorithm with only an effective pathlength correction may result in the dose to the target being overestimated. As a result, a full understanding of any treatment planning system's heterogeneity algorithm is required prior to clinical implementation.« less