cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive human performance modeling made easy

Although engineering models of user behavior have enjoyed a rich history in HCI, they have yet to have a widespread impact due to the complexities of the modeling process. In this paper we describe a development system in which designers generate predictive cognitive models of user behavior simply by demonstrating tasks on HTML mock-ups of new interfaces. Keystroke-Level Models are produced automatically using new rules for placing mental operators, then implemented in the ACT-R cognitive architecture. They interact with the mock-up through integrated perceptual and motor modules, generating behavior that is automatically quantified and easily examined. Using a query-entry user interface as an example [19], we demonstrate that this new system enables more rapid development of predictive models, with more accurate results, than previously published models of these tasks.
Targeted discovery and validation of plasma biomarkers of Parkinson's disease.

Despite extensive research, an unmet need remains for protein biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in peripheral body fluids, especially blood, which is easily accessible clinically. The discovery of such biomarkers is challenging, however, due to the enormous complexity and huge dynamic range of human blood proteins, which are derived from nearly all organ systems, with those originating specifically from the central nervous system (CNS) being exceptionally low in abundance. In this investigation of a relatively large cohort (∼300 subjects), selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assays (a targeted approach) were used to probe plasma peptides derived from glycoproteins previously found to be altered in the CNS based on PD diagnosis or severity. Next, the detected peptides were interrogated for their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity as well as the correlation with PD severity, as determined by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The results revealed that 12 of the 50 candidate glycop...
Evaluation of the reliability of determining soft rot resistance in potatoes by the tuber slice method

Soft rot resistance in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers can be determined by inoculating tuber slices with soft rotErwinia species. Questions have been raised in the literature concerning the reliability of the tuber slice method. The objectives of this study were to 1) examine the statistical assumptions underlying the analysis of variance for different response variables as measures of soft rot resistance using the tuber slice method of evaluation; 2) estimate the sample sizes necessary to detect specified differences with power 0.83; and, 3) choose the “best” variable for measuring resistance to soft rot based on valid statistical analysis and minimal sample size. Slices from fifteen tubers from each of three cultivars (Atlantic, Norchip, Superior) were inoculated withErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica, E. carotovora subsp.carotovora orE. chrysanthemi and incubated at two different temperatures (20 C and 30 C) for 48 hrs. The test was conducted on two dates. Tuber samples were sliced and weighed prior to inoculation and after the macerated tissue was removed following a 48 hr incubation period. The maximum diameter of macerated tissue, actual weight loss, four measures of proportional weight loss, and various transformations of these variables were analyzed. The “best” response variables for measuring resistance to soft rot by the tuber slice method were the diameter of the macerated tissue and the square root transformation of one of the measures of proportional weight loss. No differences were found among the cultivars nor theErwinia subsp. for either of these response variables, and the cultivar ×Erwinia subsp., cultivar × temperature and cultivar ×Erwinia subsp. × temperature interactions were not significant. However, there were significant differences between the incubation temperatures, and theErwinia subsp. × temperature interaction was significant for both response variables. Estimates of sample sizes necessary to find a 20% difference in main effect and interaction effect means were calculated.
Transient decoupling of cortical EEGs following arousals during NREM sleep in middle-aged and elderly women.

Abstract Spontaneous cortical arousals in non-REM sleep increase with age and contribute to sleep fragmentation in the elderly. EEG spectral power in the faster frequencies exhibits well-described shifts during arousals. On the other hand, EEG activities also exhibit correlations, which are interpreted as an index of interdependence between distant cortical neural activities. The possibility of changes to the interdependence between cortical regions due to an arousal has not been considered. In this work, using previously recorded C3A2 and C4A1 EEG signals from two groups of adults, middle-aged (42–50 years) and elderly (71–86 years) women, we examined the effects of spontaneous arousals in NREM sleep on cortical interdependence. We quantified the auto- and cross-correlations in these signals using mutual information and characterized these correlations in periods before the onset and following the end of arousals. The pre-arousal period exhibited significantly higher interdependence between central regions than that following the arousal in both age groups (middle-aged: p = 0.004, elderly: p
Consumer brand confusion: A conceptual framework

A definition and theoretical framework for consumer brand confusion are developed. Brand confusion is distinguished from related terms, such as uncertainty, miscomprehension, infringement, and deception. The factors affecting the likelihood of brand confusion are extended beyond stimulus similarity to include individual and situational factors, and propositions regarding the effects of individual and situational factors are developed. The value of a better understanding of consumer brand confusion to managers and policy makers is discussed.
Degradation of rock fracture asperities in unloading, reloading, and reversal

Among the constitutive models for rock fractures developed over the years, Barton's empirical model has been widely used. Although Barton's failure criterion predicts peak shear strength of rock fractures with acceptable precision, it has some limitations in estimating the peak shear displacement, post-peak shear strength, dilation, and surface degradation. The first author modified Barton's original model in order to address these limitations. Barton proposed his model for degradation of fracture asperities in unloading, reloading, and shear displacement reversal based on just one cyclic direct shear test. In this study, a database of results of 18 cyclic direct shear tests available in the literature was collected and analyzed. Modifications were made to Barton's original model (in terms of fracture cyclic shearing) to make it consistent with the modified model proposed by the first author. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High Level Expression of Recombinant Porcine Coagulation Factor VIII

Recombinant human factor VIII expression levels, in vitro and in vivo, are significantly lower than levels obtained for other recombinant coagulation proteins. Here we describe the generation, high level expression and characterization of a recombinant B-domain-deleted porcine factor VIII molecule. Recombinant B-domain-deleted porcine factor VIII expression levels are 10- to 14-fold greater than recombinant B-domain-deleted human factor VIII levels by transient and stable expression in multiple cell lines. Peak expression of 140 units x 10(6) cells(-1) x 24 h(-1) was observed from a baby hamster kidney-derived cell line stably expressing recombinant porcine factor VIII. Factor VIII expression was performed in serum-free culture medium and in the absence of exogenous von Willebrand factor, thus greatly simplifying protein purification. Real time reverse transcription-PCR analysis demonstrated that the differences in protein production were not caused by differences in steady-state factor VIII mRNA levels. The identification of sequence(s) in porcine factor VIII responsible for high level expression may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms that limit factor VIII expression.
Parapapillary atrophy in patients with focal visual field loss.

Abstract PURPOSE: To examine parapapillary atrophy in normal subjects and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with focal visual field loss. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with repeatable early focal visual field loss according to standard automated perimetry (Humphrey program 24-2) and 29 matched (age and disk area) normal subjects were included. Parapapillary atrophy area and optic disk topography were evaluated with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The difference in parapapillary atrophy area between normal subjects and patients with glaucoma was examined. Optic disk topography was evaluated by means of the rim-disk area ratio in 36 10-degree sectors and classified into diffuse and focal patterns of neuroretinal rim thinning. In patients with a focal pattern, the locations of rim thinning and parapapillary beta zone atrophy were compared. RESULTS: Beta zone atrophy was detected more frequently in patients with glaucoma (45% [13/29]) than in normal subjects (7% [2/29]), and it was located both superiorly and inferiorly in 92% (12/13) of the glaucoma patients. Alpha zone atrophy was significantly larger in patients with glaucoma than normal subjects ( P = .009) but not more frequent (97% [28/29] in both groups). Sixty-one percent (8/13) of glaucoma patients with beta atrophy had diffuse thinning and 31% (4/13) had focal thinning. Eight percent (1/13) did not have neuroretinal rim thinning. In the four patients with both focal rim thinning and beta zone atrophy, the location of rim thinning corresponded to the location of the beta zone atrophy (100% [4/4]). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with early focal glaucomatous visual field loss, the presence and location of parapapillary beta zone atrophy and neuroretinal rim thinning are in good correspondence. Observation of localized parapapillary beta zone atrophy in clinical practice should direct one to more closely examine the optic disk in this region, as it may reveal localized rim thinning in a disk previously considered to be normal. Moreover, diffuse structural change in an eye with only focal functional change, as determined by standard automated perimetry, is consistent with the possibility that structural damage may be more widespread than functional damage in these patients.
Should nursing home residents with atrial fibrillation be anticoagulated

Anticoagulation is underused in long-term care patients with atrial fibrillation; most would benefit.
Cultural lag: conception and theory

Sets out to review the points for and against the concept of cultural lag. First clarifies the cultural lag concept and theory. Addresses the issue of empirical verification, and discusses the relevance of the concept and theory of cultural lag to socioeconomic policy.
Effects of Signal Regularity and Salience on Vigilance Performance and Cerebral Hemovelocity

The signal regularity effect — enhanced performance efficiency when critical signals for detection appear in a temporally regular as opposed to an irregular manner- has a long history in vigilance research. However, the precise conditions under which this effect can be elicited have not been identified. Toward that end, this study demonstrates that the effect is limited to low salience signals, perhaps because the effort needed to generate veridical temporal expectancies is unnecessary with high salience signals. Additionally, using signal detection theory indices (d' & c) and neuroimaging of cerebral blood flow via transcranial Doppler sonography, this study also shows that the signal regularity effect is rooted in sensing rather than decision-making factors and that it is localized in the right cerebral hemisphere.
Interchannel gradient reconstruction of color images corrupted by impulse noise

This paper presents an algorithm for the reconstruction of digital color image component signals corrupted by impulse noise by exploiting interchannel redundancy. Results of numerical studies have shown that intercomponent gradient reconstruction is superior to median filtering in the accuracy of reconstruction of lost or corrupted color image elements. Processing of a three-component digital color image has shown the efficiency of the proposed algorithm..
Label-free kinetic screening of proteins and virus binding in A 51,200 small-molecule library with a high-throughput ellipsometric scanning microscope

Using a label-free high-throughput optical scanning microscope we detected endpoints and binding kinetics of RNPC1a, Pyl(1&2) proteins and influenza virus A/PR/8/34 with a library of 51,200 small-molecule compounds from the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program.
Synthesis and X-ray crystallographic characterization of the decamethylsamarocene solvates (C5Me5)2Sm(OC5H8)2 and (C5Me5)2Sm(OC5H10)

The bis(dihydropyran) and mono(tetrahydropyran) solvates of (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Sm have been prepared by displacing THF from (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Sm(THF) 2 and have been studied by X-ray diffraction. (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Sm(OC 5 H 8 ) 2 crystallizes from C 5 H 8 O in space group P 2 1 / c with a = 11.819(6), b = 14.192(10), c = 17.838(6) A,β = 95.26(4)° and D calc = 1.313 g cm −3 for Z = 4. Least-squares refinement on the basis of 3168 observed reflections led to a final R value of 0.047. (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Sm(OC 5 H 10 ) crystallizes from hexane in space group P 2 1 / a a with a = 14.900(5), b = 16.263(7), c = 10.732(3) A, β = 70.32(2)° and D calc = 1.376 g cm −3 for Z = 4. Least-squares refinement of 3660 observed reflections led to a final R value of 0.046. Structural variations in the (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Sm(ether) x series where x = 0, 1 and 2 are analysed.
Overview of Recent Circulation Control Modeling Activities at Cal Poly

This paper provides an overview of the Circulation Control modeling research that has been performed, and is still ongoing, at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This work started in 2005 with the interest of applying Circulation Control technologies to advanced aircraft designs. After the initial investigations into this, it was apparent that there was a long history of experimental work in this area to build on, but a number of deciencies existed in the modeling capabilities. For Circulation Control enabled aircraft, these included: few available tools to accurately model the takeo and landing performance, the limitations in the standard regulations with respect to takeo and landing requirements, the inconsistent published results in modeling the aerodynamics of these problems, and the lacking of tools necessary to model the coupling of the propulsion system and the aerodynamics. These were some of the problems that Cal Poly researchers, both students and faculty, identied as avenues of exploration, and these are the areas that have received the majority of the focus since the beginning of this work. This is the work that will be summarized in this paper.
Weyl-Dirac equation for an SU(2) gauge theory with spherical symmetry

The coupling of chiral fermions in a fundamental representation of SU(2) to a general set of spherically symmetric gauge fields is explored. A method patterned after that employed for the gauge fields is used to impose spherical symmetry on the spinor fields. When this is done, reduction of the Weyl-Dirac equations using the explicit spherical symmetry leads to significant simplifications. The interaction of SU(2) fermions and gauge fields in 3+1 dimensions reduces to an effective theory of Abelian gauge fields, charged scalars, and fermions in a curved (1+1)-dimensional space.
Aortopulmonary transposition in the fetus: speculation on pathophysiology and therapy.

Fetuses with transposition and abnormalities of the foramen ovale and/or ductus arteriosus detected by ultrasound may develop severe hypoxemia postnatally. Higher than normal oxygen content in the pulmonary artery has been considered to be responsible. Patterns of blood flow in the normal fetus and the fetus with aortopulmonary transposition were reviewed. Well-oxygenated ductus venosus is preferentially directed through the foramen ovale into the left atrium. Normally this produces a higher oxygen content in the ascending aorta. In the fetus with transposition, pulmonary arterial oxygen content is higher. Pulmonary vascular resistance is decreased and the ductus arteriosus constricted. Increased pulmonary venous return to the left atrium tends to close the foramen ovale. Changes are more likely in the last trimester because sensitivity of the pulmonary circulation and ductus arteriosus increases. Severe ductus arteriosus constriction could result in pulmonary arterial hypertension and increased pulmonary arteriolar smooth muscle development. Variability of responses could be related to the proportion of umbilical venous blood passing through the ductus venosus. It is proposed that, in fetuses with evidence of abnormalities of the ductus arteriosus andor the foramen ovale, methods to occlude the ductus venosus be developed to avoid progressive changes.
A Feedback Linearization Based Nonlinear Control Approach for Variable Speed Wind Turbines

Abstract: This paper describes the design and implementation of a nonlinear control strategy for the control of the shaft speed of wind turbine systems. The proposed approach is based on input-output linearization techniques. Because wind turbine systems are highly nonlinear, feedback linearization constitutes a suitable optimal control design for those systems. Further, Electromechanical systems in general are good candidates for nonlinear control applications because the nonlinearities, being modeled on the basis of physical principles, are often significant and exactly known. The underlying design objective is to endow the wind turbine with high performance dynamics while maximizing power extraction when the wind turbine operates in the partial load regime. In addition to fulfilling the aforementioned control objectives, our control design aims to reduce the complexity of the control scheme, saving thereby the computation time of the control algorithm, which is an improvement over previous work found in the technical literature. Application of the proposed approach to an induction generator based variable speed wind turbine has led to optimum operations and maximization of power extraction when the wind turbine operates in the partial load regime. Keywords:
Different phospholipid transfer protein complexes contribute to the variation in plasma PLTP specific activity.

Abstract Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) facilitates the transfer of phospholipids among lipoproteins. Over half of the PLTP in human plasma has been found to have little phospholipid transfer activity (inactive PLTP). We recently observed that plasma PLTP specific activity is inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level and particle size in healthy adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that contribute to the variation in plasma PLTP specific activity. Analysis of the specific activity of PLTP complexes in nine plasma samples from healthy adults revealed two clusters of inactive PLTP complexes with mean molecular weights (MW) of 342 kDa and 146 kDa. The large and small inactive PLTP complexes represented 52 ± 8% (range 39–63%) and 8 ± 8% (range 1–28%) of the plasma PLTP, respectively. Active PLTP complexes had a mean MW of 207 kDa and constituted 40 ± 6% (range 33–50%) of the plasma PLTP. The specific activity of active PLTP varied from 16 to 32 μmol/μg/h. These data demonstrate for the first time the existence of small inactive plasma PLTP complexes. Variation in the amount of the two clusters of inactive PLTP complexes and the specific activity of the active PLTP contribute to the variation in plasma PLTP specific activity.
The Effects of Residual RTOs on Formation of CoSi2 and Its Properties for 0.18 μm CMOS

The effects of residual oxides formed on polycrystalline Si and active Si on the formation of CoSi 2 and its sheet resistance for 0.18 μm complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) have been investigated considering its formation regions and process parameters such as polycrystalline structure and grain size, kinds of dopant, and integration schemes. Having a columnar-type polycrystalline Si, strong linewidth dependence of the sheet resistance was observed in the p+ polycrystalline regions but not in the n+ polycrystalline regions or the n+/p+ diffusion regions. The same results were also observed when a granular-type polycrystalline Si was deposited as a gate material. The sheet resistance of CoSi 2 in the p+ polycrystalline regions having a granular-type polycrystalline Si is higher than that of a columnar-type polycrystalline Si at all gate lengths. These results were found to be due to oxide that resided on the surface of polycrystalline Si in the p+ polycrystalline regions and due to the larger area of grain boundary. An alternative integration has no linewidth dependence in any silicided regions down to 0.15 μm gate length through removing the rapid thermal oxide (RTO) completely, which was used to block the dopants'out-diffusion from the source/drain and gate during the source/drain annealing that was processed before the cobalt deposition. Confirmation of these results was processed through lengthening the time of the diluted HF precleaning step to remove the RTO completely.
Genome introgression of Festuca mairei into Lolium perenne detected by SSR and RAPD markers

The genera of Lolium and Festuca belong to the same tribe Poeae, of subfamily Pooideae, but offer a range of complementary characteristics of agronomic importance. Intergeneric hybridization between the two genera is expected to combine the desirable characteristics of Lolium (good turf quality and good establishment) with Festuca species (drought and heat tolerance and disease resistance) in turfgrass breeding. The use of molecular markers to trace genome introgression in intergeneric hybrids has been reported for many crops, but not for Lolium and Festuca. The objective of this study was to use simple sequence repeats (SSR) or microsatellite markers developed from Lolium perenne L. and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to assess genomic introgression of Festuca mairei St. Yves (Fm) into L. perenne (Lp). Out of the 40 SSR markers tested, nine markers covering seven linkage groups, fully discriminated the Fm and Lp parents and revealed that the Fm genome was transferred into the backcross progenies of Fm and Lp. In 13 backcross derivatives detected by SSR markers, 11 individuals showed that the Fm genome was introduced. Forty-one RAPD primers were chosen to detect genome introgression of the backcross progeny. A total of 188 parent-specific markers were obtained. Ninety-two (49%) are Fm-specific markers. The 13 backcross progenies showed a range of introgression of Fm-specific markers (5.4-60.9%). The introgression levels of the backcross progeny revealed by SSR and RAPD markers were significantly correlated (P ≤ 0.0116). The SSRs and RAPD markers were informative and effective in detecting Fm genome introgression into the Lp genome.
MES system solution for PLAT recipe reduction

For recipe reduction requirement of bump plating process, we provided the MES system solutions — recipe parameters, product table and conversion function in SiView SpecMgr. Recipe parameter could help to define different process conditions by specific product instead of recipe itself. Product table is to maintain recipe parameter directly in product table instead of recipe table and the concept is easy and straightforward for users to maintain. Conversion function used in recipe parameter could help to get real value from product table. Thus, PLAT recipe became to only define plating current, but the process time actually defined in product table by each specific product. So PLAT recipes could be grouping and reduced to extremely small counts compare to as-was. All functions were already existed in SiView SpecMgr and helped to minimize the IT development effort. After all, it's a creative idea without experience in any other process before but did contribute the most important part for PLAT recipe reduction.
A Monte Carlo-finite element model for strain energy controlled microstructural evolution - 'Rafting' in superalloys

This paper presents a specialized microstructural lattice model, MCFET (Monte Carlo finite element technique), which simulates microstructural evolution in materials in which strain energy has an important role in determining morphology. The model is capable of accounting for externally applied stress, surface tension, misfit, elastic inhomogeneity, elastic anisotropy, and arbitrary temperatures. The MCFET analysis was found to compare well with the results of analytical calculations of the equilibrium morphologies of isolated particles in an infinite matrix.
Crystallization of an inorganic phase controlled by a polymer matrix

BIOLOGICAL composite materials such as bones, teeth and shells consist of a polymer matrix reinforced by an inorganic phase which forms in the matrix1. These materials are distinguished from synthetic composites by the high degree of organization and regularity displayed by the inorganic phase: inorganic minerals of uniform size, morphology and crystallographic orientation can be formed in ordered arrays in living cells. Such a process has until now not been realized in synthetic systems, although the recent interest in nanoscience2–6has stimulated much research in the area. We report here an example of a synthetic process that produces composite materials analogous to those produced by natural biomineralization. The inorganic/organic in situ synthesized composites display controlled inorganic crystal size, morphology and orientation, which are determining features of type II, or matrix-mediated7, biocomposites. The synthetic factors that must be optimized to give biomimetic properties to synthetic composites are strong binding of the inorganic reagents by the organic matrix (molecular complementarity); good 'solvation' of the inorganic reagents by the polymer; and an ordered, regular polymer environment in which to induce nucleation (matrix preorganization)1.
Game Theory and Literature

Abstract Applications of game theory to novels, short stories, plays, opera librettos, narrative poems, and the Hebrew Bible are surveyed from both an historical and a critical perspective, based in part on responses to a questionnaire. While some analyses shed light on literary issues, such as the role of emotions or the rationality of character choices that culminate in tragedy, others highlight game-theoretic issues, such as problems of coordinating choices or building reputations when information is incomplete. Several models indicate a sophisticated understanding of plots and character motives, but others are quite trivial or misuse game theory. Fiction writers, too, vary in the intuitive understanding of game theory that they bring to their works. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: 026.
Second order differential equations with hypergeometric solutions of degree three

Let L be a second order linear homogeneous differential equation with rational function coefficients. The goal in this paper is to solve L in terms of hypergeometric function 2F1(a,b;c|f) where f is a rational function of degree 3.
Dabru Emet : A Contextual Analysis

Un des quatre redacteurs de Dabru Emet explique le processus ayant conduit un groupe d'intellectuels juifs etats-uniens a repondre a la question: «Que sont les chretiens pour nous?» Il en precise la portee, les objectifs et les motivations. Il revient sur certaines controverses suscitees par la maniere dont le document articule anti-judaismne et Shoah. Selon lui, les affirmations de Dabru Emet doivent etre aussi lues sous forme interrogative pour alimenter les discussions futures.
Replicating a Teen HIV/STD Preventive Intervention in a Multicultural City

Although there are now several adolescent HIV and STD preventive interventions of demonstrated efficacy in the literature, little is understood about the portability of these interventions. This study replicated Stanton's Focus on Kids intervention, developed for inner city African American adolescents, in a different population, transferring it to a multicultural city. Despite careful replication of the original study's procedures, youth in the preventive intervention condition of the replication study did not improve in attitudes, perceived norms, self-efficacy, or intentions toward sexual initiation, condom use, or abstinence compared with a carefully matched control condition. We discuss several possible reasons for this failure to replicate, concluding that the most likely reason is the lower rates of sexual activity among youth in the replication city.
Identity and Agency: The Meaning and Value of Pregnancy for Young Black Lesbians

Young sexual minority women disproportionately experience pregnancy, repeat pregnancy, and become parents, when compared with their heterosexual peers. Black sexual minority women who are socioecon...
Selectivity of Effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide on Macrophages and Lymphocytes in Compartmental Immune Responsesa

: The major immunoregulatory effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are mediated by structurally distinct type I (VIPR1) and II (VIPR2) G protein-associated receptors on many different types of immune cells. VIP is released in functionally relevant concentrations during many immunologic and inflammatory responses. Mast cells (VIPR1), macrophages (VIPR1 and VIPR2), B cells, and T cells (VIPR1, VIPR2, or VIPR1 and VIPR2) recognize and respond to VIP in patterns that are controlled by the relative levels of expression of VIPR1 and VIPR2. VIPR2 transduces human T-cell chemotaxis, expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 and consequently basement membrane and connective tissue transmigration, while signaling suppression of proliferation and cytokine production. In contrast, VIPR1 fails to transduce T-cell chemotaxis but mediates suppression of chemotaxis and MMP expression elicited by some cytokines and chemokines. The relative representation of each type of VIPR, which is presumed to be under cytokine control, thus may determine T-cell responses to VIP and other immune mediators in tissue compartments innervated by VIPergic nerves.
Pseudoakathisia: A review and two case reports

Pseudoakathisia is a movement disorder associated with the use of neuroleptic medication. There has been disagreement on the precise nature of the condition and its relation to akathisia. The available literature on pseudoakathisia is reviewed. Two cases of pseudoakathisia are reported that demonstrate the reversibility of the diagnosis of pseudoakathisia.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Travel Information Acquisition among Tourists from Three Pacific-Rim Countries:

To address the deficiencies of cross-cultural research in the realm of tourist information search behavior, this study investigates external information sources used by tourists of Pacific-rim countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The data drawn from a series of in-flight surveys of Japanese, South Korean, and Australian tourists to the United States between January and December 1997 were analyzed. Correspondence analyses were employed to compare tourists’ information research behavior among the tourists of the study countries. The resulting data reveal the differences that provide theoretical support for expanded research in the area of cross-cultural behavior and highlight the need for managers to consider possible differences in the development of promotional strategies when enticing potential Japanese, South Korean, and Australian tourists to the United States.
Comparing Aortic Root Replacements: Porcine Bioroots Versus Pericardial Versus Mechanical Composite Roots: Hemodynamic and Ventricular Remodeling at Greater Than One-Year Follow-Up

Background Stentless porcine bioroots and pericardial composite roots were developed as prostheses that avoid the anticoagulation necessary for mechanical composite roots. Data on the hemodynamics of all root replacements are lacking and questions remain regarding comparative performance. Methods This study evaluated patients receiving a stentless porcine bioroot, a pericardial, or a mechanical composite root at a single institution from January 2000 to December 2008. All patients underwent preoperative, postoperative and greater than 1-year echocardiograms. All root replacements were performed for aortic insufficiency or aneurysm. Median follow-up was 3.3 years (1 to 8 years). Results There were no significant differences in preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, aortic valve peak gradient, mean gradient, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, and left ventricular end systolic diameter. Postoperative peak and mean gradients in mechanical composite roots were significantly higher than stentless porcine bioroots. At greater than 1 year, stentless porcine bioroots had significantly lower peak and mean gradients than both mechanical composite roots and pericardial composite roots. The end diastolic diameter was also significantly smaller in stentless porcine bioroots at greater than 1 year than mechanical composite roots. Conclusions All prostheses resulted in favorable hemodynamic and ventricular remodeling. Stentless porcine bioroots had the lowest gradients at greater than 1 year of all root replacements, with significantly better ventricular remodeling when compared with mechanical composite roots. Pericardial roots also had favorable hemodynamics and ventricular remodeling, suggesting that they are a viable alternative.
ENTRY GUIDANCE BY TRAJECTORY REGULATION

An advanced entry guidance scheme is presented in this paper. The guidance concept is based on regulation of the trajectory about the reference trajectory in the state space. At the core of the guidance approach is a closed-form, easily obtained linear time-varying guidance law that guarantees closed-loop stability when designed by following systematic steps. No on-line integrations or iterations are required, and few off-line parameter adjustments are necessary for different missions. The precision of this entry guidance algorithm is shown to be considerably higher than the existing schemes.
Response to Lammers and Witjes article: new developments in intravesical therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Response to: Lammers RJM, Witjes JA. Developments in intravesical therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Expert Rev. Anticancer Ther. 10(12), 1903–1916 (2010).
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Breast Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe the extent to which women with breast cancer, who participated in a randomized control trial on exercise, adopted American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for healthy lifestyle behaviors. Women in the study exercised during cancer treatment and for 6 months after completion of treatment. The sample included 106 women, average age 50.7 years (SD = 9.6). Adherence to guidelines for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables ranged from 36% (n = 28) to 39% (n = 36). Adherence with alcohol consumption guidelines was 71% (n = 28) to 83% (n = 30). Adherence with meeting a healthy weight ranged from 52% (n = 33) to 61% (n = 31). Adherence with physical activity guidelines ranged from 13% (n = 30) to 31% (n = 35). Alcohol and healthy weight guidelines were followed by more than half of the participants, but physical activity and dietary guidelines were followed by far fewer women. Further prospective clinical studies are indicated to determine whether interventions are effective in producing a healthy lifestyle in cancer survivors.
On tracer correlations in the troposphere: The case of ethane and propane

[1] To investigate the reasons for and the utilities of tropospheric tracer correlations, we examine the interrelationship between ethane and propane on the basis of the observations at northern middle and high latitudes (TOPSE) and over the tropical Pacific (PEM-Tropics B) and the corresponding global three-dimensional chemical transport model (GEOS-CHEM) simulations. We chose to examine the correlation between propane and ethane/propane ratio because it is more sensitive to mixing and is less dependent on temperature than that between ethane and propane. We show that the correlation generally follows the one determined by chemical (loss) kinetics and that the deviation from the kinetics slope reflects the difference between ethane and propane in the effect of mixing relative to chemical loss. At northern middle and high latitudes the model is generally in agreement with the observations in February and March but simulates a wrong seasonal change of the correlation from March to May. The model appears to overestimate the transport from lower to middle latitudes and the horizontal transport and mixing at high latitudes in May. Over the tropical Pacific the model reproduces well the observed two-branch structure of the correlation. The discrepancy between observed and simulated correlation slope values appears to reflect an underestimate of continental convective transport at northern middle latitudes and an overestimate of latitudinal transport into the tropics. In addition, we show that the correlation can be used to define the subset of observations, in which the coupling between chemistry and transport is simulated reasonably well in the model. Using the subset of observed and simulated data for inverse modeling would reduce (systematic) biases introduced by systematic model transport errors. On the basis of this subset (March at middle latitudes and February–April at high latitudes), we find that the model underestimates the emissions of ethane and propane by 14 ± 5%.
Status of Cat-CVD (Hot Wire CVD) research in the United States

The status of Cat-CVD (Hot Wire CVD) research in the United States is presented. This paper is divided into two topics. Firstly, the status of Si-based Cat-CVD research is presented. For this topic, a short history of previous research in this field is given. This will serve to illustrate the increasing level of interest in this new and exciting field. This part includes both hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) as well as microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) based materials. Although a heavy emphasis upon basic research will be shown, device work is also included. The second (very brief) topic includes research outside of Si-based materials.
“We Told You that's How They Are”: Responses To White Women in Abusive Intimate Relationships with Men of Color

The urging by interracial couples to be accepted as “normal” couples may present as challenging if problems arise in the relationship; especially if those “problems” are of an abusive or violent nature. Drawing on semi-structured, in-depth interviews we analyze the experiences of White women in abusive intimate relationships with men of color. We query the struggles of the women negotiating these relationships and explore the responses the women receive by family, friends, the general public, and workers in the criminal justice system and social and medical services. We argue that White women abused by men of color face additional challenges because of outsiders' disapproving views of the interracial nature of the relationships.
Beyond the wiring diagram: signalling through complex neuromodulator networks

During the computations performed by the nervous system, its ‘wiring diagram’—the map of its neurons and synaptic connections—is dynamically modified and supplemented by multiple actions of neuromodulators that can be so complex that they can be thought of as constituting a biochemical network that combines with the neuronal network to perform the computation. Thus, the neuronal wiring diagram alone is not sufficient to specify, and permit us to understand, the computation that underlies behaviour. Here I review how such modulatory networks operate, the problems that their existence poses for the experimental study and conceptual understanding of the computations performed by the nervous system, and how these problems may perhaps be solved and the computations understood by considering the structural and functional ‘logic’ of the modulatory networks.
The use of recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (nesiritide) in the management of acute decompensated heart failure

Nesiritide is a synthetic human B-type natriuretic factor that has a balanced arterial and venous dilator effect, with natriuretic, diuretic, anti-aldosterone and antisympathetic action. It was launched in the US for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in August 2001 and, recently, in Switzerland and Israel. It has been demonstrated to provide more rapid and sustained haemodynamic stabilisation than glyceryl trinitrate and significant symptomatic improvement vs. placebo at 3 h, and to be safer than dobutamine. The main side effects associated with nesiritide therapy are asymptomatic and symptomatic hypotension, which are treated with dose reduction. When compared to dobutamine, the increased acquisition costs of nesiritide are completely offset by reduced intensity of hospital admissions and reduced readmission rate at 3 weeks.
Dilution of protein‐surfactant complexes: A fluorescence study

Dilution of protein-surfactant complexes is an integrated step in microfluidic protein sizing, where the contribution of free micelles to the overall fluorescence is reduced by dilution. This process can be further improved by establishing an optimum surfactant concentration and quantifying the amount of protein based on the fluorescence intensity. To this end, we study the interaction of proteins with anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) using a hydrophobic fluorescent dye (sypro orange). We analyze these interactions fluourometrically with bovine serum albumin, carbonic anhydrase, and beta-galactosidase as model proteins. The fluorescent signature of protein-surfactant complexes at various dilution points shows three distinct regions, surfactant dominant, breakdown, and protein dominant region. Based on the dilution behavior of protein-surfactant complexes, we propose a fluorescence model to explain the contribution of free and bound micelles to the overall fluorescence. Our results show that protein peak is observed at 3 mM SDS as the optimum dilution concentration. Furthermore, we study the effect of protein concentration on fluorescence intensity. In a single protein model with a constant dye quantum yield, the peak height increases with protein concentration. Finally, addition of CTAB to the protein-SDS complex at mole fractions above 0.1 shifts the protein peak from 3 mM to 4 mM SDS. The knowledge of protein-surfactant interactions obtained from these studies provides significant insights for novel detection and quantification techniques in microfluidics.
Computer-aided generation of modularised conceptual designs with assembly and variety considerations

Design is the foremost step in the development of any electro-mechanical product. One limitation of existing design tools is that they only focus either on the initial design phase such as customer needs gathering, or on the later phases such as design embodiment or detailed design phase. As a result, there are very few existing computational tools to aid the designers at the conceptual design stage. The proposed research seeks to eliminate this drawback by providing a computerised conceptual design framework that incorporates Modularity, design for assembly (DFA) and design for variety (DFV) principles. Conceptual design alternatives obtained from the proposed research framework are ranked based on minimum assembly time, and are composed of modules in such a way that future changes in customer needs are satisfied only by replacing certain modules. This paper provides a detailed discussion of the proposed framework obtained by amalgamating Modularity, DFA, and DFV. Working of the framework is also demonst...
Mapping the polarity of changes that occur in interrupted CAG repeat tracts in yeast.

To explore the mechanisms by which CAG trinucleotide repeat tracts undergo length changes in yeast cells, we examined the polarity of alterations with respect to an interrupting CAT trinucleotide near the center of the tract. In wild-type cells, in which most tract changes are large contractions, the changes that retain the interruption are biased toward the 3′ end of the repeat tract (in reference to the direction of lagging-strand synthesis). In rth1/rad27 mutant cells that are defective in Okazaki fragment maturation, the tract expansions are biased to the 5′ end of the repeat tract, while the tract contractions that do not remove the interruption occur randomly on either side of the interruption. In msh2 mutant cells that are defective in the mismatch repair machinery, neither the small changes of one or two repeat units nor the larger contractions attributable to this mutation are biased to either side of the interruption. The results of this study are discussed in terms of the molecular paths leading to expansions and contractions of repeat tracts.
Displaced and Disenfranchised: Internally Displaced Persons and Elections in the OSCE Region

Abstract In Europe and Central Asia today there are some three million people who have been forcibly uprooted from their homes and communities as a result of ethnic conflict and tensions, but who, unlike refugees, remain within their own countries. Safeguarding the security and welfare of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) is the responsibility first and foremost of their own government. IDPs are entitled to the same set of rights as non-displaced nationals, and for all citizens this includes the right to political participation. Around the world, however, internally displaced persons face a number of obstacles to exercising their right to vote. The disenfranchisement of the internally displaced not only infringes their rights, it exacerbates the social, political and economic marginalization that they typically experience. Most significantly, it deprives them of the ability to exercise democratic levers of influence over the decisions affecting their lives and thereby to press national and local a...
Towards a solution to violence in Burundi: a case for political and economic liberalisation

The causes of violence in Burundi are complex and go beyond the alleged ‘age-old’ animosities between the Hutu and the Tutsi. In the short run, it may be impossible to eradicate conflicts; but it is imperative to transform conflicts into non-violent ‘shocks of ideas’ between rival parties, which must refocus their energy at finding a negotiated settlement. This article posits that the solution to violence must revolve around political and economic liberalisation aimed at (1) eradicating the tradition of using the state for oppression and accumulation; (2) achieving egalitarian development; and (3) protecting the rights of all citizens.