cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How do we ensure that trainees learn to perform biliary sphincterotomy safely, appropriately, and effectively?

Sphincterotomy is a high-risk procedure with considerable complications. Trainees should learn and understand the basics of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy to ensure good clinical outcomes. Teaching of sphincterotomy usually involves supervised hands-on clinical practice with patients. Proper positioning of the endoscope allows for correct orientation with the papilla, and performing the cut along the “ideal” biliary axis optimizes results and reduces complications. Learning and practicing sphincterotomy can be supplemented by simulator models. The Neo-Papilla model uses a modified chicken heart attached to the porcine ex vivo model and allows for cutting of actual tissue. The mechanical simulator allows trainees to practice cutting an artificial papilla marked with the “perfect” axis to understand the proper sphincterotomy technique. Understanding the indications and contraindications helps with appropriate application of sphincterotomy. Objective criteria should be available for assessing performance. Improved technique and avoiding a deviated cut may improve overall results and prevent complications.
"Very long" aortic grafts.

During the past 2 decades, we have been using the so-called "very long" (ascending to infrarenal aorta or ascending aorta to common femoral artery) bypass grafts in selected patients. Our experience with this method includes patients with dissecting as well as arteriosclerotic aneurysms of the descending aorta, thoracoabdominal aneurysms, patients in need of aortic surgery with previous abdominal aortic surgery, radiation treatment, aortic thrombosis, and complex aortic coarctation in the adult. The technique proved to be relatively easy to perform, was well tolerated by most patients and replaced more complicated and higher risk "conventional" operations. The advantages and shortcomings of the method as well as long range clinical observations are presented.
Juvenile Spotted Seatrout ( Cynoscion nebulosus ) Habitat Use in an Eastern Gulf of Mexico Estuary: The Effects of Seagrass Bed Architecture, Seagrass Species Composition, and Varying Degrees of Freshwater Influence

Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) are estuarine residents that have been extensively studied primarily due to their economic importance. Although spotted seatrout have a documented affinity for seagrass beds, there is little information on how seagrass bed architecture, seagrass species composition, and freshwater inflow affect this relationship. The objective of this study was to document patterns in spatiotemporal distribution and abundance of juvenile spotted seatrout (≤100 mm SL) in estuarine seagrass beds. We analyzed long-term, fisheries-independent monitoring data (1996–2009) from Tampa Bay, Florida, and also conducted a short-term, synoptic study specifically targeting seagrass beds with varying vegetative characteristics and degrees of freshwater influence. Juvenile spotted seatrout were most abundant in seagrass beds influenced by freshwater and dominated by shoal grass, Halodule wrightii. Annual abundance varied over the sampling period, with some peaks in juvenile abundance corresponding with high levels of freshwater inflow. Although analysis of long-term data indicated that juvenile spotted seatrout abundance was positively related to estimated percentage cover of seagrass, the canopy cover of seagrass beds measured quantitatively during the synoptic study was less in areas influenced by freshwater. The value of seagrass as spotted seatrout habitat transcends the simple presence or absence of vegetation and can differ based on factors such as location within the bay, seagrass species composition, and amount of freshwater influence, and management decisions regarding this species and the restoration of particular seagrass beds need to be made with full consideration of these complex relationships.
Evidence for Shell-Model States in Sc 41

BS>Additions to the body of information available on Sc/sup 41/ were made by studying the elastic scattering of protons from Ca/sup 40/. The measurements were carried out at energies of 1.2 to 5.5 Mev, corresponding to excitation energies in Sc/sup 41/ between 2.8 and 7 Mev. The protons were detected at 90, 125, and 150 deg with respect to the beam direction by a CsI crystal spectrometer which satisfactorily resolved the elastic groups from Ca and C. The shapes of the resonances were analyzed by application of dispersion theory. (W.D.M.) l8552 The energy spectrum of the photoneutrons from oxygen was studied by irradiation of a water target with a 31-Mev collimated bremsstrahlung beam. Photoneutrons emitted at about 90 deg were recorded by means of the proton recoil tracks in Ilford plates 400 mu thick. The neutron spectrum is deduced from the proton recoil spectrum taking into account the (n,p) collisions in hydrogen of the emulsion. (W.D.M.)
Statistical issues in prevention and therapeutic trials of Alzheimer disease

Relatively little attention has been given to the proper design and statistical analysis of prevention and therapeutic trials of Alzheimer disease (AD). A number of important methodological issues arise in studies of AD that do not typically arise in studies of other chronic diseases. These issues include: the definition of the primary study endpoint that is simple to measure and easy to interpret; proper design of trials that take into account that the patient population is very old; and the proper statistical analysis that addresses the high drop out rate and the multiple ways of measuring disease severity. Addressing these issues will speed the progress of the evaluation of promising compounds to prevent and treat AD.
Impact of Thermal Sub-Continuum Effects on Electrical Performance of Silicon-on-Insulator Transistors

In this manuscript, the impact of scaling on self-heating of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors is investigated. Effect of temperature dependent phonon-boundary scattering in silicon thin films, which results in reduction in thermal conduction in the channel region, is incorporated into a electro-thermal simulation tool. Results of DC electro-thermal simulations are used to study drain current degradation due to self-heating and to obtain the thermal resistance of SOI devices as a function of gate length and silicon layer thickness. The device thermal resistance is increased by nearly a factor of 3 due to the scaling of gate length from 180nm to 10nm. Self-heating in SOI devices with gate length of 10nm can be responsible for up to 30% reduction in the saturation current and neglecting phonon-boundary scattering in the channel region may underestimate the degradation of drain current due to self-heating by nearly a factor of two.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Acoustic-based wireless signal transmission for precision metrology: Accuracy and reliability

Abstract Metallic shielding of electromagnetic waves presents a roadblock for machine tool and process monitoring. Acoustic waves, alternatively, provide a viable mechanism, due to their inherent transmissibility in metals. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of factors affecting the performance of acoustic-based signal transmission including carrier frequency, bandwidth, signal-to-noise ratio, data bit-rate, etc. Signal attenuation and data loss due to wave diffraction and reflection is first numerically studied using finite element models of representative machine structures. Experimental evaluation of these models with operating production machinery quantifies the accuracy and reliability of in situ acoustic signal transmission methods for precision metrology in manufacturing.
Ionized gas in starbursts: Case study of M82 and a note on NGC 1275

Abstract Starbursts can be considered as galaxies where the normal self-regulation between the densities of young stars and the state of the ISM has broken down. This contribution briefly examines how intense modes of star formation influence the ISM, primarily as measured through properties of the warm ionized gas.
Chemical characteristics of oil refinery plumes in Los Angeles

Abstract Airborne in situ measurements of gases (NO, NO2, SO2, O3) and aerosol size distributions have been made in the vicinity of oil refineries in southern Los Angeles. Filter and impactor samples have been collected for post-flight chemical particle analyses using the BaCl2 and Nitron reaction spot techniques, and X-ray energy spectrometry. It was found that the refinery operations increase the number concentration of aerosols in the size range between 0.05 μm and 23.5 μm particle radius. Sulfate and nitrate particles have been identified as oxidation productions of SO2 and NOx, respectively. Sulfate particles have been found with a mode of less than 0.1 μm diameter, whereas inorganic nitrates dominate the mode between 1 and 10 μm. The strong affinity for water of the nitrates strongly affects visibility, cloud formation and the cloud drop size spectrum.
Addressing Occupational Stress in Dancers

(2012). Addressing Occupational Stress in Dancers. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 83, No. 6, pp. 3-50.
Assessing the value of a pharmacy student first aid volunteer experience at a large-venue sporting event

Abstract Objective To describe and assess pharmacy studentsʼ perceived value of volunteering at first aid stations during University of Florida home football games. Design Volunteer pharmacy students were assigned to first aid stations during home football games to assist the first aid personnel with patient care and incident documentation. Assessment A total of 36 students participated in the volunteer opportunity, of which 75% and 72% completed the pre- and post-survey instrument, respectively. In all categories, the studentsʼ confidence improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention survey. Their confidence improved the most in communicating with first aid personnel ( p p p = 0.0004) Conclusion Students volunteering in first aid stations at University of Florida home football games showed a significant improvement in their confidence in participating in patient care activities and recognizing patients experiencing a medical emergency.
Lower and Upper Bounds on the Radius of Composite Quarks and Leptons

Abstract In certain models of composite quarks and leptons the precolor scale Λ p is bounded in the range λ ·(20−30)TeV⪅ Λ p ⪅250TeV, where λ is naively of order 1. The lower bound is generally model independent. The upper bound is a cosmological constraint. We give general conditions for its validity and show that it applies in potentially realistic models.
Electron-impact studies of atomic oxygen: I. Differential and integral cross sections; experiment and theory

We report both experimental and theoretical differential and integral excitation cross sections of atomic oxygen corresponding to the 2s22p4 3P→3s 3S (130.4 nm), 2s22p4 3P→3d 3D (102.7 nm), 2s22p4 3P→3s' 3D (98.9 nm) and 2s22p4 3P→3s'' 3P (87.8 nm) transitions at 30, 50, and 100 eV electron-impact energies. Experimental measurements have been made in the angular range from 0° to 25° with a conventional electrostatic electron energy-loss spectrometer. The atomic O differential cross sections (DCSs) were put on an absolute scale by normalization to the O2 DCS values of Johnson and Kanik (2001). Extrapolation of the measured results to larger angles was performed using theoretical calculations as a guide, and integral cross sections were derived. Theoretical calculations based on the R-matrix method, along with other available experimental data, have been compared with the current experimental results.
Maternal Thp lethality in the mouse is a nuclear, not cytoplasmic, defect

The Thp mutation, an allele of the mouse T/t complex, differs from other known mutations in that its effects are determined by the sex of the parent from which it is inherited; when inherited from the female parent, it is invariably lethal at the embryonic stage, but, most embryos which inherit the mutation from the male parent survive. Thus most heterozygous embryos carrying the maternally derived mutation die in the second half of pregnancy, while the exceptional embryos surviving to parturition give oedematous, cyanotic individuals that die within 24 h. The lethal maternal effect of Thp may be transmitted either through the cytoplasm of the ovum (oogenic defect) or through the female pronucleus (embryogenic defect). Here we have sought to decide between these possibilities by performing reciprocal nuclear transplantations between one-cell embryos from Thp/+ and +/+ females. Our observation that this maternally inherited lethal effect of Thp persists when Thp/+ pronuclei are transplanted into +/+ cytoplasm suggests that the defect responsible for the pattern of inheritance lies in the pronuclei and not the cytoplasm.
Electronic protocol for suicide risk management in research participants

Abstract Objective To describe an electronic, telephone-delivered, suicide risk management protocol (SRMP) that is designed to guide research staff and safely triage study participants who are at risk for self-harm. Methods We tested the SRMP in the context of the NIH-funded randomized clinical trial “Bypassing the Blues” in which 302 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) were screened for depression and assessed by telephone 2-weeks following hospital discharge and at 2-, 4-, and 8-month follow-up. We programmed the SRMP to assign different risk levels based on patients' answers from none to imminent with action items for research staff keyed to each of them. We describe frequency of suicidal thinking, SRMP use, and completion of specific steps in the SRMP management process over the 8-month follow-up period. Results Suicidal ideation was expressed by 74 (25%) of the 302 study participants in 139 (13%) of the 1069 blinded telephone assessments performed by research staff. The SRMP was launched in 103 (10%) of assessments, and the suicidal risk level was classified as moderate or high in 10 (1%) of these assessments, thereby necessitating an immediate evaluation by a study psychiatrist. However, no hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or deaths ascribed to suicidal ideation were discovered during the study period. Conclusion The SRMP was successful in systematically and safely guiding research staff lacking specialty mental health training through the standardized risk assessment and triaging research participants at risk for self-harm. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00091962 ( http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00091962?term=rollman+cabg&rank=1 )
Age-specific Parkinson disease risk in GBA mutation carriers: information for genetic counseling.

Age-specific Parkinson disease risk in GBA mutation carriers: information for genetic counseling
Nickel-oxide-based supercapacitors with high aspect ratio concentric cylindrical electrodes

This study reports the fabrication and characterization of a metal-oxide-based supercapacitor with a high surface area 3D microelectrode. This microelectrode is comprised of high aspect ratio SU-8 pillars that are fabricated using backside exposure and coated with alternating Ni and Cu layers via a sequential electrodeposition process. High surface area Ni electrodes are obtained by selective removal of the Cu sacrificial interlayers. Through subsequent electrochemical deposition and heat treatment techniques, these electrodes are conformally coated with nickel oxide. Performance tests are carried out via cyclic voltammetry. Devices were cycled in excess of 400 times with insignificant capacitance degradation. The estimated areal capacitance is found to be 270 mF/cm2 which is among the highest areal capacitance values reported for MEMS supercapacitors.
Reference lineshape adjusted difference NMR spectroscopy. II. experimental verification

Abstract The accuracy and reliability of difference NMR spectroscopy can be substantially improved by a simple correction based on changes in the lineshape of an internal reference line. This reference lineshape adjusted (RLSA) method is experimentally demonstrated to behave according to theoretical predictions under variations in drift of the main magnetic field, in rf power, in homogeneity of the main field, in spinning side bands, in detector phase, and in sweep rate. The RLSA method is experimentally demonstrated to automatically compensate for changes in all these instrumental parameters provided H, is sufficiently small that saturation is avoided. In addition, the internal reference must be constant in composition, concentration, and resonance position, and must be totally resolved from the rest of the spectrum. Under these conditions, the RLSA method is shown to give difference spectra that are visibly superior to simple difference spectra.
A golgi study of the medial geniculate body in the tree shrew (Tupaia glis)

The subdivisions of the medial geniculate body in Tupaia recognized in previous connectional and cytoarchitectural studies are identified in Golgi-impregnated material. They may be distinguished by the organization of the neuropil, especially the dendrites, and, in many cases, by differences in the neurons. The ventral nucleus contains tufted cells with disc-shaped dendritic fields which are aligned to form laminae. The caudomarginal and deep dorsal nuclei have less tufted, less precisely arranged cells with longer, thin appendages. Neurons in the suprageniculate and dorsal nuclei are similar except that they apparently are arranged more randomly and tend to have more spherically shaped dendritic fields. The medial division is characterized rostrally by the presence of stellate cells and caudally by large cells which appear to be the neurons, observed in previous studies to have widespread connections. The results of this Golgi study suggest that the subdivisions of the medial geniculate body might be grouped differently than in previous reports. When combined with data from previous studies of connections, the results show that the medial geniculate body of even distantly related species may follow a common plan. The ventral nucleus is the medial geniculate component of the central pathway which extends from the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus to the primary auditory cortex. Most of the other medial geniculate subdivisions participate in either pericentral pathways originating in the cortex and other nuclei which surround the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus or in the pathways of the lateral midbrain tegmentum. Pericentral and lateral tegmental pathways terminate in nonprimary auditory cortex. The widespread pathway involves only the caudal nucleus of the medial division. It receives afferents from most, if not all, of the midbrain regions that give rise to the other pathways and distributes to all parts of the auditory cortex where it terminates in layers other than layer III-IV.
In-plane moire strain analysis of bent plates

Abstract A simple experimental method to strain analyze bent plates is described which has advantages in many cases with respect to the conventional determination of slopes using the out-of-plane moire method. The new method consists in determining in-plane displacements using in-plane moire techniques. Strain and stress distributions can be readily obtained from the moire patterns for plates subjected to small as well as large deflections. Two examples of plate bending, one with small deflection and the other with large deflection, are included as illustrations. These are respectively: a simply supported square plate under uniform pressure, and a square cantilever plate subjected to corner load.
SOLAR INFLUENCE ON MEAN ANNUAL PRECIPITATION

Computer maps of the association between annual precipitation and the solar cycle illustrate strong regional response, supporting the notion of rhythmic changes in circulation concomitant with the elevenyear sun cycle. The strength and sign of correlation coefficients between annual precipitation and sunspot frequency indicate that the solar-terrestrial relationship may be a function of geographical location and solar amplitude.
Mental rotation and the frame of reference in blind and sighted individuals.

Mental rotation in the congenitally blind was investigated with a haptic letter-judgment task. Blind subjects and blindfolded, sighted subjects were presented a letter in some orientation between 0° to 300° from upright and timed while they judged whether it was a normal or mirror-image letter. Both groups showed an increasing response time with the stimulus’s departure from upright; this result was interpreted as reflecting the process of mental rotation. The results for the blind subjects suggest that mental rotation can operate on a spatial representation that does not have any specifically visual components. Further research showed that for the sighted subjects in the haptic task, the orientation of a letter is coded with respect to the position of the hand. Sighted subjects may code the orientation of the letter and then translate this code into a visual representation, or they may use a spatial representation that is not specifically visual.
Investigation of pretreatment sentence production impairments in individuals with aphasia: towards understanding the linguistic variables that impact generalisation in Verb Network Strengthening Treatment

Background: Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) is an aphasia treatment that aims to promote generalisation to sentence production in untrained contexts, including connected speech. VNeST’s fundamental premise is that verbs and their thematic roles are interrelated and as such can be strengthened by systematic retrieval of thematic roles related to trained verbs. In a recent group study, the hypothesised effects of VNeST were observed in a small group of people with aphasia who showed increased lexical retrieval within single words, sentence production, and discourse. However, variable patterns of improvement were observed across participants.Aims: The purpose of the current study was to conduct a theoretically based analysis of pretreatment language abilities for each participant from a previous group study in order to characterise patterns of impairment and improvement. Pretreatment profiles were compared against posttreatment outcomes to provide insight into potential mechanisms of improvement...
Shell-Tunneling Spectroscopy of the Single-Particle Energy Levels of Insulating Quantum Dots

The energy levels of CdSe quantum dots are studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. By varying the tip-dot distance, we switch from “shell-filling” spectroscopy (where electrons accumulate in the dot and experience mutual repulsion) to “shell-tunneling” spectroscopy (where electrons tunnel, one at a time, through the dot). Shell-tunneling spectroscopy provides the single-particle energy levels of the CdSe quantum dot. The results of both types of tunneling spectroscopy are compared with pseudopotential many-body calculations.
Resveratrol—A boon for treating Alzheimer's disease?

Resveratrol, a red wine polyphenol, is known to protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancers, as well as to promote antiaging effects in numerous organisms. It also modulates pathomechanisms of debilitating neurological disorders, such as strokes, ischemia, and Huntington's disease. The role of resveratrol in Alzheimer's disease is still unclear, although some recent studies on red wine bioactive compounds suggest that resveratrol modulates multiple mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Emerging literature indicates that mechanisms of aging and Alzheimer's disease are intricately linked and that these mechanisms can be modulated by both calorie restriction regimens and calorie restriction mimetics, the prime mediator of which is the SIRT1 protein, a human homologue of yeast silent information regulator (Sir)-2, and a member of NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases. Calorie restriction regimens and calorie restriction-mimetics trigger sirtuins in a wide variety of organisms, ranging from bacteria to mouse. In a mouse model of Huntington's disease, resveratrol-induced SIRT1 was found to protect neurons against ployQ toxicity and in Wallerian degeneration slow mice, resveratrol was found to protect the degeneration of neurons from axotomy, suggesting that resveratrol may possess therapeutic value to neuronal degeneration. This paper mainly focuses on the role of resveratrol in modulating AD pathomechanisms.
Glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones inhibit proliferation of serum‐free mouse embryo (SFME) cells

Mouse embryo cells derived in a serum-free medium formulation (SFME cells) do not exhibit growth crisis or chromosomal abnormalities and are nontumorigenic in vivo; these cells are also reversibly growth inhibited by serum or platelet-free plasma (Loo et al.; Science, 236:200-202, 1987). A portion of the inhibitory activity of serum could be extracted by charcoal, a procedure that removes steroid and thyroid hormones. Both L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and hydrocortisone inhibited growth of SFME cells in a reversible manner. The inhibitory activity of serum also was partially removed by treatment with anion exchange resin in a procedure designed to deplete serum of thyroid hormone. However, the effect of serum on untransformed SFME cells could not be prevented by addition of the antiglucocorticoid RU38486, and ras-transformed clones of SFME cells, which are capable of growing in serum-containing medium, retained inhibitory responses to glucocorticoid and, with some clonal variability, to T3. These results suggest that glucocorticoid or thyroid hormones may contribute to the inhibitory activity of serum on SFME cells, but additional factors are also involved.
Silver Diffusion and High-Temperature Lubrication Mechanisms of YSZ–Ag–Mo Based Nanocomposite Coatings

Abstract Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanocomposite coatings consisting of silver and molybdenum were produced by a hybrid process of filtered vacuum arc, magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser depositions for tribological investigations at different temperatures. The coatings with 24 at.% Ag and 10 at.% Mo contents showed a friction coefficient of 0.4 or less for all temperatures from 25 to 700 °C. The wear scar surfaces and coating cross-sections were studied using scanning electron, transmission electron, scanning transmission electron and focused ion beam microscopes, which also provided the information on chemical composition distributions of silver and molybdenum along with microstructure features. It was demonstrated that silver diffusion and coalescence on surfaces played an important part in the high-temperature lubrication mechanism of the YSZ–Ag–Mo coatings. Silver was found to be an effective lubricant at temperatures below 500 °C and its coalescence on the surface isolated molybdenum inside coatings from ambient oxygen. Lubricious oxides of molybdenum were formed and lubricated at temperatures above 500 °C when the silver was worn off the contact surface. For silver containment inside the coating at high temperatures, a multilayer architecture was built by inserting a TiN diffusion barrier layer in the composite coatings. Microscopic observations showed that this barrier layer prevented silver exit to the coating surface. At the same time, this enabled a subsequent lateral lubricant supply toward a wear scar location where the diffusion barrier layer was worn through and/or for a next thermal cycle. The multilayer coating maintained a friction coefficient of 0.4 or less for more than 25,000 cycles, while the monolithic coating lasted less than 5000 cycles. In addition, a TiN surface barrier layer with pinholes was deposited on the YSZ–Ag–Mo composite surface to control vertical silver diffusion. With this coating design, the coating wear lifetime was significantly increased beyond 50,000 cycles.
Dopant diffusion and segregation in semiconductor heterostructures: Part 2. B in Ge x Si 1-x /Si structures

Si1-x/Si heterostructures have been obtained. Here the chemical effects seem to be of less importance. The Fermi-level effect determines the ionized boron solubilities in GexSi1-x and in Si, as well as the thermal equilibrium concentration of the singly-positively-charged crystal self-interstitials I+ which governs the boron diffusion process. The junction carrier concentration affects the concentration of I+ and solubility of B in the region and hence controls B diffusion across the heterojunction.
Standardized infection ratio: the next generation of risk‐adjusted wound infection measures

Background The scientific literature overwhelmingly supports the value of surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance with feedback of infection rates to surgeons. Recognizing that feedback has little value without some form of adjustment for patient factors, surgeons long ago developed the four-level wound classification system. In the 1980s the SENIC multivariate risk index was introduced, followed by the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance multivariate risk index which is the currently recommended US standard. Methods To address recent advances in surgical technology, ambulatory surgery, and differences between the USA and other countries, newer risk-adjustment methods were explored. The ideal approach would overcome the following common practical problems encountered in generating SSI rates such as: (1) new patient-level risk factors, (2) technology-specific factors, (3) small monthly denominators and (4) postdischarge surveillance. Despite increased mathematical complexity, an acceptable risk-adjustment technique must still provide easily interpretable results. Results The standardized infection ratio (SIR) is proposed as the next generation in epidemiological approaches for monitoring and feeding back risk-adjusted SSI rates to surgeons. The SIR is a single monthly number for each surgeon, calculated by dividing the observed number of SSIs by the expected number predicted from a complex statistical model of patient-level and technology-specific risk factors. Like the well known standardized mortality ratio, the SIR offers the advantage of providing one generalizable quality index regardless of the mix of operations performed. In addition, the SIR is well suited to control chart techniques and for providing valid interhospital comparisons. Conclusion The SIR model offers simple data input and easily interpretable output suitable for application in all healthcare settings worldwide. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
An Analysis of the EM Algorithm and Entropy-Like Proximal Point Methods

The EM algorithm is a popular method for maximum likelihood estimation from incomplete data. This method may be viewed as a proximal point method for maximizing the log-likelihood function using an integral form of the Kullback-Leibler distance function. Motivated by this interpretation, we consider a proximal point method using an integral form of entropy-like distance function. We give a convergence analysis of the resulting proximal point method in the case where the cluster points lie in the interior of the objective function domain. This result is applied to a normal/independent example and a Gaussian mixture example to establish convergence of the EM algorithm on these examples. Further convergence analysis of the method for maximization over an orthant is given in low dimensions. Sublinear convergence and schemes for accelerating convergence are also discussed.
A Diapiric Structure Near Sable Island - Scotian Shelf

A diapiric structure was discovered on the Scotian Shelf at a point 45 km north-northeast of Sable Island, by means of continuous seismic-reflection techniques. The structure is dome-shaped, may contain an evaporitic core, and intrudes rocks considered to be of Cretaceous age. The area of structural disturbance is at least 10 km in diameter.
Widebandgap Semiconductor HFET Models for Microwave CAD

Physics-based device models integrated into harmonic-balance microwave CAD simulators add flexibility and the ability to investigate both device and circuit design parameters before fabrication and prototyping. Accurate formulation of these models requires that relevant physical phenomena affecting the performance of these devices be identified and suitable models developed. In this work it is shown that inclusion of space-charge induced source resistance, RF channel breakdown, and gate tunnel leakage and surface conduction in AlGaN/GaN HFETs produce a simulator that produces excellent agreement between simulated and measured data for amplifiers fabricated with these devices. This type of simulator is very useful for advanced optimization investigations.
Osmolality of oral drug solutions and suspensions

The osmolality values of a variety of commonly used drug solutions and suspensions were determined. A total of 58 commercially available drug solutions and suspensions and electrolyte solutions for oral use were analyzed. Samples of each product were diluted 1:10 to a total volume of 100 microL with sterile water for irrigation and mixed thoroughly. The osmolality of 10-microL aliquots of each diluted mixture was determined at least in duplicate by vapor pressure osmometry. Only six (10%) of the products had osmolality values that were less than or equal to 1000 mOsm/kg (i.e., similar to the values of commercially available enteral formulas). The other products had osmolality values ranging from 1,050 to 10,950 mOsm/kg. Since many drug solutions and suspensions are hypertonic compared with normal gastrointestinal secretions, inappropriate administration could cause adverse gastrointestinal effects in patients receiving enteral nutrition support.
Interprétation scientifique et exégèse d’Exode 16

Pour satisfaire aux exigences habituelles d’objectivite scientifique, l’exegese traditionnelle a eu tendance a imposer aux textes un sens artificiel, sens selon lequel ils auraient ete compris par les auteurs et les lecteurs originaux. Les principes plus recents de la critique litteraire peuvent fournir une comprehension du contenu d’un texte, et permettre de suivre la trace des interpretations ulterieures de ce meme sujet. La force originelle du texte est, de cette facon, restituee et remise en valeur par le developpement des connaissances contemporaines. L’interpretation d’Ex 16 est offerte ici en exemple.
In vitro quantification of radiofrequency ablation lesion size using intracardiac echocardiography in dogs

Abstract The results of this study demonstrate that realtime ultrasonic evaluation of radiofrequency lesion creation and lesion size is feasible.
Assistive technology for children with disabilities.

Through The Rehabilitation Act, the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (The Tech Act), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the federal government broadened the states' roles in increasing awareness and accessibility of assistive technology (AT) devices and services to children with disabilities. As a member of the AT team, the occupational therapy practitioner plays an integral role in selecting the most appropriate device, and working with parents and other professionals to integrate the device into a child's daily routines. This literature review presents a summary of available information on AT materials and strategies that assist infants, toddlers, and school-aged children with disabilities. We begin with a brief look at legislation affecting the provision of AT. Issues concerning the use of Electronic Aides of Daily Living (EADL), and strategies for successful manipulation are presented; follow...
Recognition of Lysophosphatidylcholine by Type II NKT Cells and Protection from an Inflammatory Liver Disease

Lipids presented by the MHC class I-like molecule, CD1d, are recognized by NK T (NKT) cells, which can be broadly categorized into two subsets. The well-characterized type I NKT cells express a semi-invariant TCR and can recognize both α- and β-linked glycolipids, whereas type II NKT cells are less well studied, express a relatively diverse TCR repertoire, and recognize β-linked lipids. Recent structural studies have shown a distinct mode of recognition of a self-glycolipid sulfatide bound to CD1d by a type II NKT TCR. To further characterize Ag recognition by these cells, we have used the structural data and screened other small molecules able to bind to CD1d and activate type II NKT cells. Using plate-bound CD1d and APC-based Ag presentation assay, we found that phospholipids such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) can stimulate the sulfatide-reactive type II NKT hybridoma Hy19.3 in a CD1d-dependent manner. Using plasmon resonance studies, we found that this type II NKT TCR binds with CD1d-bound LPC with micromolar affinities similar to that for sulfatide. Furthermore, LPC-mediated activation of type II NKT cells leads to anergy induction in type I NKT cells and affords protection from Con A-induced hepatitis. These data indicate that, in addition to self-glycolipids, self-lysophospholipids are also recognized by type II NKT cells. Because lysophospholipids are involved during inflammation, our findings have implications for not only understanding activation of type II NKT cells in physiological settings, but also for the development of immune intervention in inflammatory diseases.
Global Financial Crisis and Economic and Social Challenges for Asia and the Pacific

As the first global economic contraction in modern times hit Asia and the Pacific in late 2008, economic growth among developing economies of the region decelerated sharply from a pre-crisis level of 9.1 % in 2007 to 4.0 % in 2009. The seemingly V-shaped recovery witnessed in 2010 was subject to several downside risks, such as return of inflation and financial and exchange rate volatility, and risks of a double-dip recession that have continued to threaten the fragile recovery 2 years beyond this chapter was first written and as most of the economies across the globe have witnessed another slowdown since the second half of 2011. Besides them there is the medium-term challenge of sustaining Asia-Pacific growth as the advanced economies of the West are no longer able to play their role as engines of global growth. ESCAP has argued that the region can turn its challenges such as economic, social, ecological, and development imbalances into opportunities. For instance, new aggregate demand could be generated for driving growth by closing the development gaps by empowering the poor and generating growth which is more inclusive of the poor and more ecologically sustainable. Social protection programs and interventions must be seen not only as solely welfare strategy but as social investments that pay off richly. The focus should also be on driving agricultural growth and make agriculture more environmentally resilient, as the majority of poor people live in the rural areas and depend on agriculture for livelihood. Greener industries and businesses based on innovations that are eco-efficient will save energy, water, and earth’s resources and provide more affordable green products and services, while promoting environmental sustainability could become new drivers of growth. The financial system could be made more inclusive to make modern financial services more accessible and small and medium enterprises can be assisted to contribute to development. Investment in human capital will also enable Asia-Pacific region to shape a more knowledge-intensive and innovative path for sustaining future growth. The chapter is concluded with some policy options for leveraging some of these synergies between economic, social, and environmentally sustainable policies for a more inclusive and sustainable future for Asia-Pacific.
Dynamic Gravity: Endogenous Country Size and Asset Accumulation

The gravity equation is the most successful and celebrated empirical model in international trade. Over the past decade numerous gravity applications have resorted to panel data econometric techniques in order to account for the intrinsically dynamic nature of trade data. With the theory of gravity being so far only static, these empirical estimations lack solid structural foundations. As a consequence, a consensus on a unied dynamic gravity estimation approach is yet to be reached. The contribution of this paper is threefold: First, we build a theoretical foundation for the gravity model in a dynamic setting. Second, we use our structural framework to provide clear empirical implications for gravity-type estimations with panel data, and we consider applications. Finally, to better understand the eect of trade policy in this dynamic framework, we calibrate and numerically simulate our general equilibrium model, and we compare its properties to those of the standard static gravity model.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHEATING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: A Review

A review was conducted of the results of 107studies of the prevalence and correlates of cheatingamong college students published between 1970 and 1996.The studies found cheating to be more common in the 1969-75 and 1986-96 time periods thanbetween 1976 and 1985. Among the strongest correlates ofcheating were having moderate expectations of success,having cheated in the past, studying under poor conditions, holding positive attitudes towardcheating, perceiving that social norms support cheating,and anticipating a large reward for success. However, animportant limitation on the conclusions drawn from this research is that many variables wereincluded in only one or a few studies. A model of theantecedents of cheating is proposed and the implicationsof this model for the identification of students at risk for cheating and controlling cheatingare discussed.
Finite-Difference Modeling of the Anisotropic Electric Fields Generated by Stimulating Needles Used for Catheter Placement

The use of peripheral nerve blocks to control pain is an increasing practice. Many techniques include the use of stimulating needles to locate the nerve of interest. Though success rates are generally high, difficulties still exist. In certain deeper nerve blocks, two needles of different geometries are used in the procedure. A smaller needle first locates a nerve bundle, and then is withdrawn in favor of a second, larger needle used for injection. The distinct geometries of these needles are shown to generate different electric field distributions, and these differences may be responsible for failures of the second needle to elicit nerve stimulation when placed in the same location as the first. A 3-D finite-difference method has been employed to numerically calculate the electric field distributions for a commercial set of stimulating needles.
Implementing a Case Management Initiative in High-Need Schools.

Abstract States continue to experiment with ways of improving health and human service use by people with complex needs. Such efforts have often sought to increase individual and family control over services as well as to enhance coordination among providers. Paths to achieving these goals are not well understood. This study draws on two previously distinct conceptual frameworks to examine how 71 public schools implemented a team approach to increasing family and agency engagement for children at risk. Results from the longitudinal data fit the core components expected to affect implementation and also indicated sustainability, but in ways distinctive to the initiative's public school settings. Accountability to the state appeared to be a major catalyst, yet in some respects also constrained local agencies from participating as intended. School inertia may have both undermined the program through some evaluation practices and gaps in administrative support, and supported integration into organizational routines and successful experimentation over time in increasing caregiver involvement. Family hesitation about sharing information with multiple agencies may also help explain why the goal of seamless coordination remains elusive.
Transit timing observations from Kepler - VII. Confirmation of 27 planets in 13 multiplanet systems via transit timing variations and orbital stability

We conrm 27 planets in 13 planetary systems by showing the existence of statistically signicant
Beyond Teaching and Research: Faculty Perceptions of Service Roles at Research Universities

Faculty members in higher education institutions frequently have the responsibility of providing service activities to their institutions, professional societies, and external communities. This responsibility, however, generally carries little reward in the workplace and does not play a major role in promotion criteria. For the study we report here we drew upon a sample of 4,400 research university faculty members to explore their satisfaction with service roles by academic rank. Findings showed that mid-career faculty members at the associate professor rank were significantly less satisfied with their service functions, including workload, equity, work balance, recognition, and institutional support, when compared with both assistant and full professors.
Spatial synchrony of monarch butterflies

I examined spatial synchrony in populations of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) during the summer breeding season across North America and while overwintering along the Pacific Coast. Spatial synchrony was observed in all analyses, but was particularly great among eastern summer populations and among overwintering populations on the Pacific Coast. Thus, in a year when relatively large numbers of monarchs were found at a particular breeding or wintering site in these populations, other sites within a wide area were likely to have relatively large numbers of monarchs as well. Spatial structure, measured by the decline in synchrony with distance, was relatively strong among summer populations in eastern North America, weaker, but present, among western summering populations and virtually nonexistent among overwintering populations along the Pacific Coast. Spatial synchrony in mean temperatures during the relevant time periods was generally much greater than that observed in the monarchs, consistent with the hypothesis that environmental factors (the Moran effect) may be playing a central role in causing the observed population synchrony. However, differences in spatial structure between monarch populations and mean temperature during the summer suggest that other factors, possibly post-migratory dispersal, are also affecting synchrony. Dispersal is particularly likely to be important in determining the unusual lack of spatial structure observed in overwintering populations of monarchs, which are believed to mix over wide areas during fall migration.
12MAP: Cloud Disaster Recovery Based on Image-Instance Mapping

Virtual machines (VMs) in a cloud use standardized ‘golden master’ images, standard software catalog and management tools. This facilitates quick provisioning of VMs and helps reduce the cost of managing the cloud by reducing the need for specialized software skills. However, knowledge of this similarity is lost post-provisioning, as VMs could experience different changes and may drift away from one another. In this work, we propose the 12MAP system, which maintains a mapping between each instance and the golden master image from which it was created, consisting of a record of all changes to the instance since provisioning. We motivate that this mapping can aid several cloud management activities such as disaster recovery, system administration, and troubleshooting. We build a host-based disaster recovery solution based on 12MAP, which is ideally suited for low cost cloud VMs that do not have access to dedicated block-based storage recovery solutions. Our solution deduplicates changes across VMs and needs to replicate only the unique changes, significantly reducing replication traffic on end hosts. We demonstrate that 12MAP is able to deliver on tight recovery time and recovery point objectives of the order of minutes with low overhead. Compared to state-of-the-art host-based recovery solutions, 12MAP is able to save 50-87% network bandwidth on the primary data center.