cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance differences in laparoscopic surgical skills between true high-definition and three-chip CCD video systems

Laparoscopic surgery requires surgeons to rely on visual clues for discrimination among differing tissues and for depth of field on a two-dimensional screen. High definition (HD) provides a superior image. If there is a measurable advantage with HD television (TV), the increase in the cost of the technology would be justified. A digital three-chip CCD camera with a standard monitor (SD system) and a true HD camera (1,080 pixels) with a 16:9-ratio HD monitor (HD system) were compared in clinical and laboratory settings. Three experiments were performed: (1) subjective visual evaluation of the HD and SD systems during actual surgical cases, (2) subjective visual evaluation in a controlled laboratory surgical setting with simultaneous parallel recording, and (3) three laparoscopic surgical task evaluations in a laboratory setting, namely, task A (metric analysis of participants on the surgical simulator), task B (simple eye–hand coordination performance), and task C (knot tying). All 53 participants subjectively evaluated HD as superior to SD in the laboratory setting and during actual surgery. In task B, there was no significant difference between SD and HD (dominant hand: p = 0.19; nondominant hand: p = 0.07). In task C, the knot-tying time was significantly less when performed with HD (mean, 173 ± 84 s vs 214 ± 107 s; p = 0.003). Most importantly, subjects with less skill (more documented time required in the basic module on a surgical simulator) improved significantly in the knot-tying task with the HD system (R = 0.631; p = 0.005). All the participants preferred HD to SD. High definition significantly improved laparoscopic knot tying, which requires precise depth perception, proving that HD is more than just a pretty picture.
Complete spectral assignments of tatsidine by two-dimensional NMR techniques

Homonuclear 1 H COSY, long-range COSY and relay coherence transfer (RCT) correlation spectroscopy NMR experiments were used together with fixed-evolution HETCOR and selective INEPT spectra for complete 13 C and 1 H spectral peak assignments for tatsidine. Stereochemical and conformational assignments were made from the two-dimensional NOE spectrum. The results of these studies confirmed the location of the methylenedioxy group at C-7/C-8.
Influence of temperature on the helix sense of several polyamino acids

An increase in temperature causes an increase in the amplitudes of intramolecular and intermolecular motions and mainfests itself as an increase in the effective radii of the various atoms, especially hydrogen atoms. If one uses a Lennard-Jones 6-12 potential function to account for nonbonded interactions, this increase in the radius of the hydrogen atom is equivalent to a modification of the coefficient of the repulsive part of the Lennard-Jones potential. Accordingly, this effect of increasing temperature on the helix sense of several polyamino acids is computed by allowing the effective radius of the hydrogen atom to increase. It is found that the preferred sense of several polyamino acid helices changes from right- to left-handed as the temperature is increased. This accounts for recent experimental observations of changes in helix sense with temperature.
DETERMINANTS OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES: NEW EVIDENCE FROM DISAGGREGATIVE DATA

In this paper we test a model of per capita spending for government services developed by Dao (1994) using data from a set of 105 countries. We are able to show that the income elasticity of the demand for public services depends on the type of devices and on how developed (economically or politically) a country is. We also find that population density explains variations in certain types of government expenditures among DCs, while the level of urbanization is a better empirical proxy for interdependencies which arise from the process of economic development. Per capita government spending for education and health is shown to vary positively with the relative price of public sector output (suggesting a price-inelastic demand for these two government services) and their provision is subject to scale economies in countries with large populations. Copyright 1995 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
IMPROVED LINE PARAMETERS FOR THE X1Σ+ (0–0) AND (0–1) BANDS OF HI

Abstract Hyperfine lines associated with the X 1 Σ + (0–0) and (0–1) bands of H 127 I are generated. Discussion of the HI line parameters in the HITRAN and SAO databases is presented. The new (0–0) line parameters are based on previously published far-infrared constants. High-resolution laboratory spectra in the infrared fundamental band region are presented and analyzed for new fine structure spectroscopic constants, which are combined with available hyperfine structure constants for calculating the new (0–1) line parameters.
Health Status of Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee Larvae (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in United States Alfalfa Seed Fields

We conducted a broad geographic survey in the northwestern United States to quantify production losses in the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata (F.), Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), a solitary pollinator used extensively in alfalfa seed production. Viable larvae were found in only 47.1% of the nest cells collected at the end of the season. Most of the rest of the cells contained pollen balls (typified by a provision but no larva; 16.7%), unknown causes of mortality (15.5%), or larvae killed by chalkbrood (8.0%). Prevalence of pollen balls was correlated positively with bee release rates and negatively with alfalfa stand age. The unknown mortality was correlated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Plant Hardiness Zone, and thus, some of the mortality may be caused by high temperature extremes, although the nesting season degree-days were not correlated with this mortality. Chalkbrood prevalence was correlated with possible nesting-resource or crowding-related factors, such as the number of bees released per hectare and the number of shelters used, but not with nesting board disinfection practices. Vapona is used to control parasitoids when the parent bees are incubated before release, and use of this fumigant was associated with an increase in both chalkbrood and diapausing offspring, although any reason for these correlations are unknown. This survey quantifies the variation in the quality of alfalfa leafcutting bee cocoons produced across much of the U.S. alfalfa seed production area.
Burnout of Junction Field Effect Transistors

This paper presents the results of a study on burnout characteristics of n-channel silicon junction field effect transistors as established by electrical pulse injection tests and high dose rate radiation tests. For reverse biased pulse injection tests on JFETs connected in a diode configuration (source and drain tied together), current-mode second breakdown was observed at short failure times (tf<0.1?s) while thermally-induced second breakdown occurred at longer times. The high voltage JFETs tested were found to be much more susceptible to reverse bias pulse injection damage than were the low voltage JFETs (attributed to surface effects). When the gate lead of an actively biased device was driven with a forward biased pulse, the JFET failed due to heating in the pinchoff region of the channel causing a drain-gate short. Under Flash X-ray radiation tests, the diode configuration exhibited photocurrent enhancement near the same current levels at which current-mode second breakdown occurred in the pulse injection tests, but higher power dissipation could be tolerated before device damage was incurred. When irradiated in the active configuration, the onset of photocurrent enhancement resulted in a sustained high current mode which persisted until metallization burnout occurred.
The asymptotic behavior of the order parameter for the infinite-N Kuramoto model

The Kuramoto model, first proposed in 1975, consists of a population of sinusoidally coupled oscillators with random natural frequencies. It has served as an idealized model for coupled oscillator systems in physics, chemistry, and biology. This paper addresses a long-standing problem about the infinite-N Kuramoto model, which is to describe the asymptotic behavior of the order parameter for this system. For coupling below a critical level, Kuramoto predicted that the order parameter would decay to 0. We use Fourier transform methods to prove that for general initial conditions, this decay is not exponential; in fact, exponential decay to 0 can only occur if the initial condition satisfies a fairly strong regularity condition that we describe. Our theorem is a partial converse to the recent results of Ott and Antonsen, who proved that for a special class of initial conditions, the order parameter does converge exponentially to its limiting value. Consequently, our result shows that the Ott-Antonsen ansatz does not completely capture all the possible asymptotic behavior in the full Kuramoto system.
First‐Principles Study of Doping Limits of CdTe

First-principles total energy and band structure calculations are performed to understand the factors that limit doping in CdTe. We calculated systematically the formation energies and transition energy levels of intrinsic and extrinsic defects and defect complexes. We find that n-type doping in CdTe is limited by the spontaneous formation of the intrinsic closed-shell cation vacancy V 2- Cd and/or DX centers. For p-type doping, it is limited by not having a dopant with both high solubility and shallow acceptor level.
Stem cell-paved biobridges facilitate stem transplant and host brain cell interactions for stroke therapy.

Abstract Distinguished by an infarct core encased within a penumbra, stroke remains a primary source of mortality within the United States. While our scientific knowledge regarding the pathology of stroke continues to improve, clinical treatment options for patients suffering from stroke are extremely limited. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the sole FDA-approved drug proven to be helpful following stroke. However, due to the need to administer the drug within 4.5 h of stroke onset its usefulness is constrained to less than 5% of all patients suffering from ischemic stroke. One experimental therapy for the treatment of stroke involves the utilization of stem cells. Stem cell transplantation has been linked to therapeutic benefit by means of cell replacement and release of growth factors; however the precise means by which this is accomplished has not yet been clearly delineated. Using a traumatic brain injury model, we recently demonstrated the ability of transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to form a biobridge connecting the area of injury to the neurogenic niche within the brain. We hypothesize that MSCs may also have the capacity to create a similar biobridge following stroke; thereby forming a conduit between the neurogenic niche and the stroke core and peri-infarct area. We propose that this biobridge could assist and promote interaction of host brain cells with transplanted stem cells and offer more opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in stroke. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Cell Interactions In Stroke .
Organic Radical Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We report a molecular design that provides an intravenously injectable organic radical contrast agent (ORCA) for which the molecular 1H water relaxivity (r1) is ca. 5 mM–1 s–1. The ORCA is based on spirocyclohexyl nitroxide radicals and poly(ethylene glycol) chains conjugated to a fourth-generation polypropylenimine dendrimer scaffold. The metal-free ORCA has a long shelf life and provides selectively enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in mice for over 1 h.
The ethics of Soviet medical practice: behaviours and attitudes of physicians in Soviet Estonia.

OBJECTIVES: To study and report the attitudes and practices of physicians in a former Soviet republic regarding issues pertaining to patients' rights, physician negligence and the acceptance of gratuities from patients. DESIGN: Survey questionnaire administered to physicians in 1991 at the time of the Soviet breakup. SETTING: Estonia, formerly a Soviet republic, now an independent state. SURVEY SAMPLE: A stratified, random sample of 1,000 physicians, representing approximately 20 per cent of practicing physicians under the age of 65. RESULTS: Most physicians shared information with patients about treatment risks and alternatives, with the exception of cancer patients: only a third of physicians tell the patient when cancer is suspected. Current practice at the time of the survey left patients few options when physician negligence occurred; most physicians feel that under a reformed system physician negligence should be handled within the local facility rather than by the government. It was common practice for physicians to receive gifts, tips, or preferential access to scarce consumer goods from their patients. Responses varied somewhat by facility and physician nationality. CONCLUSION: The ethics of Soviet medical practice were different in a number of ways from generally accepted norms in Western countries. Physicians' attitudes about the need for ethical reform suggest that there will be movement in Estonia towards a system of medical ethics that more closely approximates those in the West.
Further study of factors affecting the metabolic clearance rate of testosterone in man.

ABSTRACT A study of the effect of various factors on the metabolic clearance rate of testosterone (MCRT) is presented. Change from the supine to the erect position resulted in a sharp fall in the MCRT in one subject, with little or no significant change in 3 additional subjects. In one of the latter group, however, there subsequently occurred a significant increase in the MCRT upon changing from the erect to the supine position. Acute increases in the plasma concentration of testosterone in normal menstruating women and in a bilaterally adrenalectomized castrated woman were not associated with any appreciable change in the MCRT until a plasma level of testosterone exceeding 1.2 μg/100 ml was reached. In a normal and a hypogonadal male, an acute increase in the circulating level of testosterone produced a moderate increase in the MCRT. The increase, however, was considerably smaller than that found after chronic administration of the steroid. The decrease in the plasma concentration of testosterone followi...
Uranyl Incorporation into Calcite and Aragonite: XAFS and Luminescence Studies

X-ray absorption, luminescence, and Raman spectroscopic studies of U(VI)-containing calcite and aragonite show that the U ion, the dominant and mobile form of dissolved uranium in near-surface waters, has a disordered and apparently less stable coordination environment when incorporated into calcite in comparison to aragonite, both common polymorphs of CaCO3. Our findings suggest that calcite, a widely distributed authigenic mineral in soils and near-surface sediments and a principal weathering product of concrete-based containment structures, is not likely to be a suitable host for the long-term sequestration of U(VI). The more stable coordination provided by aragonite suggests that its long-term retention should be favored in this phase, until it inverts to calcite. Consequently, future remobilization of U(VI) coprecipitated with calcium carbonate minerals should not be ruled out in assessments of contaminated sites. Our observation of a similar equatorial coordination of U in aragonite and the dominant...
Study abroad as ‘adventure’: globalist construction of host–home hierarchy and governed adventurer subjects

This article examines how the discourse of adventure, prevalent in study-abroad advertisements, constructs hierarchical relations between the study-abroad students' host and home societies and interpellates the students as subjects. Through text analysis of two US-based guidebooks on study abroad, this article shows how the discourse of adventure constructs the host society as isolated, unknown, and behind the times, with an unsound educational system, and the students' home society as always accessible and up to date, with a sound education system. Through its intersection with valorization of immersion and ideologies of outcome-based education, the discourse also interpellates the students as ‘adventurers’ and governs their desires regarding how to learn (through exploration) and what to gain (‘global competence’). This article offers critical analyses of the little-examined globalizing project of study abroad and its effects that go beyond mere reproduction of imperial travels.
Interfacial geometry and d-variation effects in two-phase systems

Numerical solutions of the governing diffusion equation for two-phase concentration dependent diffusion coefficients are examined. Solutions were also calculated for planar, cylindrical, and spherical geometries to compare the effect of interface geometries with those caused by concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients, and two methods of averaging D were considered to determine the best averaging method for different types of D-variations. The effects of interface-location criteria on mass conservation and convergence of interface location, diffusion coefficient variation in the alpha and beta-phases of a two-phase binary alloy system, effect of D(alpha) variation in a cylindrical couple on beta-phase thickness, and geometry and D-variation effects on the degree of homogenization were determined. It is concluded that typical D(alpha)-variations can have a greater influence on the kinetics of interdiffusion than the geometry.
Realization of representations of completely solvable Lie groups in spaces of L2 harmonic forms

Abstract Let S be a completely solvable, ad-algebraic connected and simply connected Lie group with Lie algebra J . Let λ ϵ J ∗ and let P be a totally complex, metric polarization for λ which satisfies the complex Pukanszky condition. In this work we prove the non-triviality and irreducibility of the harmonically induced representation corresponding to the given data. For these results to hold, it is necessary to replace the invariant metric on the coadjoint orbit by a semi-invariant metric. It is proven that these results also have applications to the study of homogeneous domains in C n.
Diagram processing: computing with diagrams

Of the set of behaviors that will be required of an autonomous artificially intelligent agent, a somewhat neglected member has been the ability to deal with diagrammatic information. We describe a theoretical and computational foundation for machine processing of certain forms of diagrammatic information and show its usefulness in enabling a system to draw inferences from diagrammatic information, make decisions using diagrammatic information, learn from diagrammatic information, solve problems posed diagrammatically, and communicate diagrammatically in a variety of domains.
Experimental Study of River Incision

Experiments in a 60-ft-long tilting, recirculating flume were conducted to study river incision in simulated bedrock, which was a mixture of sand and kaolinite. Slope, sediment feed, and water discharge were controlled during the development of four channels. After an increase of slope at constant discharge, the following sequence of erosion occurred: (1) development of longitudinal lineations, ripples, and potholes; (2) enlargement of the lineations into prominent grooves; (3) coalescence of the grooves into a single, narrow, and deep inner channel. The inner channel was incised below base level and a sequence of bedrock lows and highs formed. Bedrock scour lows had a weakly regular spacing during incision and a randomly clustered spacing following aggradation. Incision around stabilized alternate bars in a sinuous sand-bed channel resulted in destruction of the bars and maximum scour where the flow was locally constricted. In an initially sinuous bedrock channel, scour depth was greater at bends than at crossings. Provided all of the available sediment load was entrained, the bed was eroded more at convex banks of bends than at concave banks. However, after deposition occurred, the maximum erosion shifted to the concave bank. These results indicate that lateral or vertical incision at bends of incised meandering streams is controlled by the amount of available sediment load entrained by channel-forming discharges. The results also suggest that incised meanders superposed from an earlier pattern on a peneplain should rarely occur in nature, if epeirogenic tilting caused the incision. Representing the locus of deepest scour by a bedrock stream, inner channels may be the locations of heavy mineral concentrations as well as gravel deposits. The experimental results help to explain inner channels discovered at damsites, provide an explanation for some paleochannels in California and South Africa, and suggest that, like the Dalles type of river channel, bedrock floors of valleys will be uneven in both transverse and longitudinal sections.
The detection of Pasteurella pseudotuberculosis antibodies by the microhemagglutination test.

ural epizootics have occurred in rodents (Bishop, 1932; Kurauchi, 1931; Girard, 1928; Boquet, 1936; Plankina and Ogneva, 1961), fowl (Christensen, 1927; Kilian et al, 1962), and apes (Mollaret et al, 1963). An epidemic in humans was reported by Mollaret and Berthon (1962). Several investigators (Rowland, 1913; Lawton and Surgalla, 1963; Thai, 1955) have protected animals against virulent Pasteurella pestis infection by immunization writh avirulent P. pseudotuberculosis. Deoras (1960) demonstrated the presence of antibodies against both P. pseudotuberculosis and P. pestis in plague-resistant rats in Bombay. The susceptible country population of the same species of rats did not have antibody to either P. pestis or P. pseudotuberculosis. P. pseudotuberculosis can be divided into 5 serotypes and 2 subtypes which
Effects of smoking on coronary microcirculatory function: a twin study.

Background In asymptomatic smokers, coronary microcirculatory dysfunction, assessed by coronary flow reserve (CFR), is an early indicator of cardiovascular risk. Inflammation and oxidative stress may be the mechanisms through which smoking affects the microvasculature.
Incidence of bacteremia in infants and children with fever and petechiae.

Objective We determined the incidence of serious invasive bacteremia caused by Neisseria meningitidis) and other organisms in febrile infants and children with a petechial rash. Further, we studied the diagnostic value of laboratory and clinical findings in these patients. Study design We conducted this prospective cohort study in the emergency department of an urban pediatric teaching hospital, during an 18-month period, and enrolled consecutive patients with temperature of 38° C or higher and petechiae. Our measures included (1) laboratory tests (leukocyte count, coagulation profile, blood culture, and cerebrospinal fluid bacterial culture); (2) a questionnaire requesting clinical data including general appearance, number and location of petechiae, and presence or absence of purpura; and (3) a follow-up telephone survey documenting health status. Results A total of 411 patients were enrolled, with 57.7% between 3 and 36 months of age. Eight patients (1.9%) had bacteremia or clinical sepsis. Six had serious invasive bacteremia: N. meningitidis (two patients), group A streptococcus (one), or sepsis with negative culture results (three). Two had occult bacteremia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and no evidence of sepsis. No patient had a positive cerebrospinal fluid culture result. None of the 357 well-appearing patients (95% confidence interval: 0.0%, 1.0%) had serious invasive bacteremia. Fifty-three patients appeared ill, including all six with serious invasive bacteremia. Ill appearance of the child had a sensitivity of 1.00 (95% confidence interval: 0.60, 1.00), and a leukocyte count of 15,000 or greater, or of less than 5000, had a sensitivity of 1.0 (95% confidence interval: 0.53, 1.00) for detecting serious invasive bacteremia. All children with meningococcemia had purpura. Conclusions Invasive bacteremia occurred less frequently in our study than in previous series and was identified by clinical criteria. Our data support the treatment of selected well-appearmg children “with fever and petechiae as outpatients.
The effects of semantic and phonemic prestimulation cues on picture naming in aphasia

In this study of auditory prestimulation cues, picture naming performances under phonemic and semantic conditions were compared to picture naming performance under a neutral condition. Twenty aphasic subjects named 324 pictures (108 pictures x 3 conditions) each. Responses were scored using a coding system adapted by the investigator from classification systems used by Williams and Canter (1982) and Kohn and Goodglass (1985). Results indicated that naming accuracy was facilitated by phonemic and semantic cues. An examination of the distribution of errors under the three conditions revealed systematic effects of phonemic and semantic cues on the frequency of occurrence of specific error types. Increases in semantic paraphasia proportion scores and decreases in unrelated word error proportion scores were associated with the semantic condition, while increases in phonemic paraphasia proportion scores were associated with the phonemic condition. The finding that naming performance of aphasic adults varies as a function of the type of information provided by the cue is discussed in relation to cascade visual confrontation naming models.
Elevated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the Engrailed-2 ( EN-2 ) promoter is associated with increased gene expression and decreased MeCP2 binding in autism cerebellum

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate programmed gene expression during prenatal neurogenesis and serve as a mediator between genetics and environment in postnatal life. The recent discovery of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), with highest concentration in the brain, has added a new dimension to epigenetic regulation of neurogenesis and the development of complex behavior disorders. Here, we take a candidate gene approach to define the role 5-hmC in Engrailed-2 (EN-2) gene expression in the autism cerebellum. The EN-2 homeobox transcription factor, previously implicated in autism, is essential for normal cerebellar patterning and development. We previously reported EN-2 overexpression associated with promoter DNA hypermethylation in the autism cerebellum but because traditional DNA methylation methodology cannot distinguish 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) from 5-hmC, we now extend our investigation by quantifying global and gene-specific 5-mC and 5-hmC. Globally, 5-hmC was significantly increased in the autism cerebellum and accompanied by increases in the expression of de novo methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B, ten-eleven translocase genes TET1 and TET3, and in 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) content, a marker of oxidative DNA damage. Within the EN-2 promoter, there was a significant positive correlation between 5-hmC content and EN-2 gene expression. Based on reports of reduced MeCP2 affinity for 5-hmC, MeCP2 binding studies in the EN-2 promoter revealed a significant decrease in repressive MeCP2 binding that may contribute to the aberrant overexpression of EN-2. Because normal cerebellar development depends on perinatal EN-2 downregulation, the sustained postnatal overexpression suggests that a critical window of cerebellar development may have been missed in some individuals with autism with downstream developmental consequences. Epigenetic regulation of the programmed on-off switches in gene expression that occur at birth and during early brain development warrants further investigation
Asymmetry of gap junction formation along the animal-vegetal axis of Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract Functional expression of gap junction proteins (connexins) in paired oocytes exhibits a strong polar preference: oocyte pairs with their vegetel poles in apposition have higher junctional conductances than equivalent pairs contacting at their animal poles. This asymmetry of cell-cell channel formation is probably due to a corresponding asymmetric distribution of the connexin proteins along the vegetal-animal axis as indicated by immunohistochemical localization. The asymmetry can be influenced by the membrane potential of the oocytes and also by applying an electrical field. A key determinant is the charge of the connexin protein. Mutant connexins in which the net positive charge of the presumed cytoplasmic portion of connexin32 is abolished or reversed to a net negative charge (by addition of negatively charged amino acids to the carboxyl terminus) show loss of asymmetry or reversal of it, respectively. This change of asymmetry of channel formation is paralleled by a change in the distribution of the mutant proteins.
OCCURRENCE OF URINARY CALCULI IN INBRED STRAIN (C3H) OF MICE TREATED WITH ESTROGEN1

INVESTIGATORS WHO HAVE TREATED castrated and noncastrated male mice with estrogen have observed various pathologic changes in the genitourinary tract, including a), slight increases in the dried weight of the kidneys, independent of possible inflammatory changes (1); b) hydronephrosis and hydroureter, sometimes complicated by infection and suppuration which led, in turn, to pyonephrosis and pyoureter (2, 3); c), dilatation of the urinary bladder (3, 4, 5), urinary retention, sometimes associated with purulent cystitis, and squamous metaplasia of the bladder epithelium with downgrowths extending to the muscular coat (2); d), squamous metaplasia of the epithelium of the prostatic urethra and periurethral glands (6); e) squamous metaplasia of the epithelium lining the prostate glands (4–11), seminal vesicles (5, 9,10,11), coagulating glands (6,10,11), and bulbourethral glands (12), sometimes with keratinization of the epithelium and suppuration in the glandular lumina; f) increase in the fibrous tissue strom...
Analysis of crack formation in T-joint structures under dynamic loading

T-joints play a vital role in the hulls of ships and bulkheads made of sandwich materials. Their design aspects and crack detection are important in preserving the safety of ships navigating through violent sea waves. In this work, an overview of the state-of-the-art of design aspects of T-joints used mainly in ship structures is first provided. The design aspects are focused on estimating static and quasi-static failure loads, fracture and fatigue characteristics. This study also develops a reduced order dynamic model for identification of cracks in T-joints. The reduced model constitutes three modal equations with piecewise-linear asymmetric characteristics in which the influence of the crack appears in terms of its length parameter. In particular, it is shown that the presence of a crack essentially affects both the amplitude and frequency content of the dynamic response due to nonlinear coupling between normal modes. Under external dynamic loading with a frequency close to the first mode frequency, the development of a crack is identified by the evolution of attractors on the configuration planes created by different combinations of modal coordinates.
A simulation framework for energy efficient data grids

High performance data grids are increasingly becoming popular platforms to support data-intensive applications. Reducing high energy consumption caused by data grids is a challenging issue. Most previous studies in grid computing focused on performance and reliability without taking energy conservation into account. As such, designing energy-efficient data grid systems became highly desirable. In this paper, we proposed a framework to simulate energy-efficient data grids. We presented an approach to integrate energy-aware allocation strategies into energy-efficient data grids. Our framework aims at simulating a data grid that can conserve energy for data-intensive applications running on data grids.
Brain stem oxidative stress and its associated signaling in the regulation of sympathetic vasomotor tone

There is now compelling evidence from studies in humans and animals that overexcitation of the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. An excellent example is neurogenic hypertension, in which central sympathetic overactivation is involved in the development, staging, and progression of the disease, and one of the underlying mechanisms involves oxidative stress in key brain stem sites that are engaged in the regulation of sympathetic vasomotor tone. Using the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) as two illustrative brain stem neural substrates, this article provides an overview of the impact of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants on RVLM and NTS in the pathogenesis of neurogenic hypertension. This is followed by a discussion of the redox-sensitive signaling pathways, including several kinases, ion channels, and transcription factors that underpin the augmentation in sympathetic vasomotor tone. In addition, the emerging view that brain stem oxidative stress is also causally related to a reduction in sympathetic vasomotor tone and hypotension during brain stem death, methamphetamine intoxication, and temporal lobe status epilepticus will be presented, along with the causal contribution of the oxidant peroxynitrite formed by a reaction between nitric oxide synthase II (NOS II)-derived nitric oxide and superoxide. Also discussed as a reasonable future research direction is dissection of the cellular mechanisms and signaling cascades that may underlie the contributory role of nitric oxide generated by different NOS isoforms in the differential effects of oxidative stress in the RVLM or NTS on sympathetic vasomotor tone.
A Technology Snapshot: Teacher Preparation Program and the Local Public Schools

This paper describes the infusion of technology training into a university’s special education program for intern teachers. As the teachers participate in their core classes they have the opportunity to immediately consider and plan for incorporating technology into their teaching to assist their special needs students. Through their class activities and course assignments they demonstrate technology knowledge and skills that they are able to immediately transfer to their classrooms. The program, in response to an informal inquiry into technology use in the interns’ schools, is extending the partnerships with the schools to include technology training to benefit both the teachers and the students.
Perusing Google eBookstore

Google launched the Google eBookstore in December 2010. This edition of Techcast provides some initial thoughts on its impact on libraries.
State space sensitivity to a prescribed probability density function shape in coal combustion systems: Joint β-PDF versus clipped Gaussian PDF

The turbulent transport of three coal off-gas mixture fractions is coupled to a prescribed joint β -probability density function ( β -PDF) mixing model. This physical transport and subgrid joint β -PDF mixing model is used to explore the incorporation of coal off-gas compositional disparities between the devolatilization and the char oxidation regime in detailed pulverized-coal combustion simulations. A simulation study of the University of Utah pulverized-coal research furnace is presented to evaluate the sensitivity of different mixing model assumptions. These simulation studies indicate that using a variable composition to characterize the process of coal combustion does not appreciably change the predicted gas-phase temperature field. Moreover, neglecting fluctuations in the char off-gas stream was found to change gas-phase temperature predictions by approximately 15%. State space variable sensitivity to the assumed shape of the PDF (clipped Gaussian vs. joint β ) is presented. Simulation results indicate differences in temperature profiles of as much as 20% depending on the chosen shape of the PDF. Integration accuracy issues for the joint β -PDF are presented and are found to be acceptable. A robust β -PDF function evaluation procedure is presented that accommodates arbitrarily high β -PDF distribution factors. This robust algorithm simply transforms the joint β -PDF function evaluation into a logarithmic form. The assumption that a joint PDF, as rigorously required within a prescribed subgrid mixing model, can be written as the product of N − 1 statistically independent probability density functions is quantified and shown to be less accurate.
Sensing of Ionizing Radiation-induced DNA Damage by ATM through Interaction with Histone Deacetylase

The ATM gene is mutated in individuals with ataxia telangiectasia, a human genetic disease characterized by extreme sensitivity to radiation. The ATM protein acts as a sensor of radiation-induced cellular damage and contributes to cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, and DNA repair; however, the mechanisms underlying these functions of ATM remain largely unknown. Binding and immunoprecipitation assays have now shown that ATM interacts with the histone deacetylase HDAC1 both in vitro and in vivo, and that the extent of this association is increased after exposure of MRC5CV1 human fibroblasts to ionizing radiation. Histone deacetylase activity was also detected in immunoprecipitates prepared from these cells with antibodies to ATM, and this activity was blocked by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. These results suggest a previously unanticipated role for ATM in the modification of chromatin components in response to ionizing radiation.
Cervical length screening: a randomized trial assessing the impact on visit length and patient attitudes.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to quantify the time required for transvaginal cervical length measurements during a second-trimester anatomy scan and to evaluate patient attitudes regarding cervical length assessment. Methods Consenting women were randomly assigned to one of the following: (1) standard arm—cervix visualized, no prespecified cervical length measurement; (2) sequential arm—3 transabdominal cervical length measurements obtained, transvaginal sonography performed if images were inadequate or if any measurement was 3 cm or less; and (3) screening transvaginal sonography arm—3 transvaginal cervical length measurements obtained. Times were recorded for the entire examination and cervical length evaluation. Participants completed a questionnaire at the end of their visits. Results Sixty of 230 eligible women enrolled. Demographic characteristics were similar across groups except for body mass index, which was greater in the sequential arm than the screening arm (mean ± SD, 28.5 ± 7.75 versus 24.7 ± 3.89 kg/m2; P = .03). There were no differences in total examination times between the 3 arms (24.8 ± 8.59 versus 27.8 ± 8.75 versus 28.5 ± 7.78 minutes; P= .39). There were no differences across groups in participant attitudes regarding examination discomfort or embarrassment. Conclusions Performing screening transvaginal sonography to measure cervical length did not have a statistically significant impact on the amount of time for completion of the entire examination. Participants had positive responses regarding cervical length assessment by transabdominal and transvaginal sonography.
Minimizing the Lengths of Test Sequences with Overlapping

In finite-state machine (FSM) based testing, it is highly desirable to minimize the test sequence length while achieving a certain level of fault coverage. This article, assuming the presence of a unique input/output (UIO) sequence for each state, proposes a novel mathematical model to construct a minimum-length test sequence that makes use of overlapping. It also describes algorithms for generating such test sequences, especially, efficient algorithms for FSM with special features. Examples are provided to illustrate the model and results
Toward a General Sociological Theory of the Economy

In the spirit of Gerhard Lenski's macro-level analysis of stratification and societal evolution, a theory of the economy is presented. Like Lenski's work, this theory emphasizes population and power as they interact with production and distribution dynamics. Macro-level social organization in general, and economic processes in particular, are viewed as driven by the forces of population, power, production, and distribution. For each force, a theoretical proposition is presented. Forces are all implicated in each other; the resulting set of principles provides a view of how production and distribution, as the core of an economy, are embedded in population and power processes, and vice versa. The end result is a more general macro-level theory that captures the spirit and substance of Lenski's models of societal organization.
What do filter coefficient relationships mean

There are three commonly used relationships between alpha and beta that are reported in the literature: Kalata, Benedict-Bordner, and continuous white noise. The Kalata relation is obtained from steady state Kalman filter theory assuming zero mean white noise in the position and velocity state equations. The Benedict-Bordner relation is derived based on good noise reduction and good tracking through maneuvers. Both the Kalata and Benedict-Bordner relationships can be derived without any reference to a Kalman filter. The question, given the variety of filter coefficient relationships, is which relationship should be chosen as part of a filter design and why? What does it mean to choose a particular filter coefficient relationship? What is the difference between filter coefficient relationship and a criteria to maximize performance? In this paper, the author tries to give the answer to these questions.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty as palliation for patients considered poor surgical candidates

Thirty-one patients with angina inadequately controlled by medical therapy, but who were poor surgical candidates because of advanced age and poor general condition, or because of depressed left ventricular function, had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). These high-risk patients were identified prospectively, and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) was planned only in the event of arterial occlusion and chest pain. PTCA was successful in 11 of 17 (65%) high-risk geriatric patients, in 11 of 12 (92%) patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%, and in two additional patients having PTCA without surgical stand-by because of technically difficult vascular anatomy for CABS. There were no PTCA-related deaths; three of the 31 high-risk patients had emergency surgery because of arterial occlusion, and the remaining four patients with PTCA failure remain on medical therapy for angina. The clinical course of the 31 high-risk patients was similar to that of 155 patients having PTCA during the study period who were considered good candidates for either PTCA or CABS. PTCA may thus be considered an intermediate, palliative procedure for patients with inadequate control of ischemic symptoms who are poor surgical candidates.
Critical Perspectives on Local Development Policy Evaluation

Local economic development policies and programs should integrate the reality that values are inherent in the design and conduct of any evaluation. This article outlines the content of several atte...
Haplotype Inference in Random Population Samples

Contemporary genotyping and sequencing methods do not provide information on linkage phase in diploid organisms. The application of statistical methods to infer and reconstruct linkage phase in samples of diploid sequences is a potentially time- and labor-saving method. The Stephens-Smith-Donnelly (SSD) algorithm is one such method, which incorporates concepts from population genetics theory in a Markov chain–Monte Carlo technique. We applied a modified SSD method, as well as the expectation-maximization and partition-ligation algorithms, to sequence data from eight loci spanning >1 Mb on the human X chromosome. We demonstrate that the accuracy of the modified SSD method is better than that of the other algorithms and is superior in terms of the number of sites that may be processed. Also, we find phase reconstructions by the modified SSD method to be highly accurate over regions with high linkage disequilibrium (LD). If only polymorphisms with a minor allele frequency >0.2 are analyzed and scored according to the fraction of neighbor relations correctly called, reconstructions are 95.2% accurate over entire 100-kb stretches and are 98.6% accurate within blocks of high LD.
Adverse Selection and Partial Exclusive Dealing

I reconcile a disagreement in the literature regarding the impact of downstream price competition on anticompetitive exclusive dealing, and then extend the exclusive dealing literature to accommodate adverse selection. Adverse selection expands the scope of inecient exclusion, and may also explain policies of partial exclusion, in which an incumbent prots by locking up select retailers even though the entrant's product is still competitively supplied in equilibrium. I relate my results to recent antitrust cases against Intel. Consider a market entrant facing two key challenges: gaining access to consumers and con- vincing them that it sells a good product. These challenges are particularly dire because the incumbent may curtail the entrant's access to consumers by oering retailers exclusive contracts, and because the market is aicted
Systemic Pesticides in Woody Plants: Present and Future Application

Although knowledge and techniques for using systemic insecticides may have advanced more during the past 15 years than in all previous history, the science of gaining plant protection with chemicals translocated through a plant's own vascular system was tried as early as the 13th century. Leonardo da Vinci planted cabbages in soil treated with arsenicals. Nearly 100 years ago Boucherie obtained the first patent covering techniques for administering chemicals systemically in trees. He drilled a hole into the base of the trunk, and then with a keyhole saw, cut through the entire trunk except for a shell one-half inch thick around the circumference. (Historical information is based on a report by Craighead and St. George, 1938).
Stabilization of the polymer electrolyte/lithium metal electrode interface with increased ion conduction using PEO polymer/low molecular weight PE-b-PEO diblock copolymer composite bi-layer films

Abstract A method of stabilizing the interface of PEO polymer electrolytes with respect to lithium metal, using a composite bi-layered, hybrid film is described. This method utilizes a low molecular weight PE- b -PEO diblock copolymer having a general chemical formula of H-(CH 2 ) 32 -(O-CH 2 CH 2 ) 10 -OH that can be positioned at the PEO polymer electrolyte surface. These hybrid films are fabricated by making a thin layer of the PE- b -PEO materials by solvent casting and then casting a second layer of standard PEO polymer electrolyte on the PE- b -PEO film. This PE- b -PEO layer adheres to the polymer electrolyte surface, making a stabilized interface with lithium. This hybrid system not only stabilize the lithium/polymer electrolyte interface but also has the desirable property of increasing ion conduction by almost three orders of magnitude over a standard PEO polymer electrolyte system. The stabilization of the lithium/polymer electrolyte interface and the increase in ionic conduction has been studied by using AC impedance spectroscopy, AFM phase imaging, and attenuated total reflection IR, which allow the mechanism for stabilization and increased ionic conduction to be discussed.
“That Imperious Passion”: Self as Vortex in Don Juan’s Russian Affair 1

Does globalism exist? At least one commentator suspects not. In 1999, under the aegis of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Swingline stapler factory relocated from Long Island Ci...