cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A simulator-based resident curriculum for laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

Background Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) remains an underused treatment for choledocholithiasis, likely in part because of a lack of exposure to the procedure during surgery residency. In this study, we implemented a resident LCBDE curriculum using a previously validated procedural simulator. Methods Senior surgery residents underwent a curriculum consisting of deliberate practice using the LCBDE simulator. Residents performed a simulated transcystic and transcholedochal LCBDE before and after completing the curriculum, which were rated by three faculty. Passing scores were determined using an Angoff method. Results Ten residents participated. For transcystic LCBDE, all 10 residents failed the pretest. Assessment scores improved after the curriculum (20 ± 4 vs 41 ± 2; scale 0−45, P Conclusion This curriculum improved the ability of surgery residents to perform both transcystic and transcholedochal LCBDE on a procedural simulator.
Relationship between membrane potential and progesterone release in ovine corpora lutea.

When slices of ovine lutea’ tissue were perfused with medium containing luteinizing hormone (LH), the output of progesterone was increased significantly (P < 0.01) in eleven of twelve experiments. However, addition of LH to the medium did not influence the luteal cell membrane potential. The addition of 47 mM potassium to the medium resulted in increased progesterone output (P < 0.01) and depolarization of the luteal cell membrane within 2 min. Progesterone output decreased to approximate pretreatment levels within 2 min of the return to normal potassium levels in the perfusion medium. High levels of potassium further increased the output of progesterone from tissue stimulated with LH. Perfusion of the slices with sodium-free medium also resulted in increased (P < 0.01) progesterone output within 2 min, which returned to pretreatment levels within 2 min after normal sodium levels were restored to the medium. Perfusion of the slices with sodium-free medium did not influence the membrane potential. Perfusio...
Dispersion in momentum space and the existence of U( t,t')

The operatorU(t,t') giving transition probabilities between finite times or connecting free and interacting fields does not exist (apart from the ultraviolet divergence problem) because of the 3-translation invariance of current quantum field theory. To remedy this, the idealization that one has an infinite timeT = ∞ to prepare initial, or measure final,n-particle momentum eigenstates is discarded here. It is shown that random space-time (which itself eliminates ultraviolet divergences from field theory) implies and fixes uniquely a random momentum space if free particle momentaK are determined by time-of-flight measurements withT < ∞. In particular, the dispersion ofK ∞ mλ/T, whereλ is the space-time dispersion andm is the particle mass. Stochastic momentum space is incorporated into field theory in a preliminary way; because 3-translation form-invariance is slightly violated, the unitaryU-operator expressed as the usualT-exponential exists and the limitU → S ast → ∞,t' → −∞ is welldefined withoutad hoc tricks like the adiabatic cut-off. A frame-dependence is necessarily introduced into fields andU-operator, and the transformation properties expressing Lorentz covariance are of the same more general type encountered in previous work on quantum field theory over stochastic spacetime.
Accommodation and Size-Constancy of Virtual Objects

Accommodation has been suspected as a contributor to size illusions in virtual environments (VE) due to the lack of appropriate accommodative stimuli in a VE for the objects displayed. Previous experiments examining size-constancy in VE have shown that monocular cues to depth that accompany the object are a major contributor to correct size perception. When these accompanying cues are removed perceived size varied with the object’s distance from the subject, i.e., visual angle. If accommodation were the dominant mechanism contributing to a visual angle response [due to its action to keep physical objects clear] in this condition, an open-loop accommodation viewing condition might restore size-constancy to this condition. Pinhole apertures were used to open-loop accommodation and examine if size-constancy might be restored when few accompanying monocular cues to depth were present. Visual angle performance when viewing a low cue environment was found with and without the use of the pinhole apertures. Thus, these results signify that accommodation does not play a dominate role in the loss of size-constancy in sparse visual environments often used in VE. These results suggest that size-constancy is driven by the inclusion of the remaining monocular cues to depth in VE as it is in the physical world.
Gutzwiller approach to the Anderson lattice model with no orbital degeneracy.

A new technique is used to obtain the Gutzwiller ground-state energy functional for the Anderson lattice model with no orbital degeneracy (ALM). For the Hubbard model, known expressions are derived with ease and simplicity. For the ALM, we derive the ground-state energy functional of Varma, Weber, and Randall. As a check on our Gutzwiller functional, we find an independent analytical upper bound for the ground-state energy of ALM with a dispersionless f band. For the case of a dispersionless f band and momentum-independent hybridization, in the Kondo regime, we derive analytical expressions for the ground-state energy, charge, and magnetic susceptibilities. For the special case of infinite Coulomb repulsion, we recover results of Rice and Ueda and of Fazekas and Brandow, notably the negative value of the magnetic susceptibility. The negative magnetic susceptibility persists in the entire Kondo region, i.e., finite-U effects do not stabilize the nonmagnetic Kondo state. This suggests that nonzero orbital degeneracy in the Anderson lattice model must be retained to describe heavy-fermion materials with a normal Fermi liquid ground state.
Electron spectroscopic study of the iron surface and its interaction with oxygen and nitrogen

Abstract The interaction of oxygen and nitrogen with a clean polycrystalline iron surface was investigated using Auger electron spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Further evidence for the dissociative nature of adsorbed nitrogen on iron is shown by the photoelectron spectroscopy data in conjunction with preliminary thermal desorption work. The first electron energy loss data for the nitrided iron surface is presented and shown to be very similar to that for the clean and oxidized surfaces.
Primitive multipotential primary sarcoma of bone

This report analyzes 25 tumors designated “primitive multipotential primary sarcoma of bone.” The lesions were most common (60%) in the second and third decade and were distributed equally between males and females. Anatomically they occurred in long or flat bones; the most common site was the femur. Roentgenographically the lesions were nonspecific. Pathologically there were 10 types of histologic differentiation in addition to a basic undifferentiated pattern.
Time-dependent close-coupling calculations of the triple-differential cross section for electron-impact ionization of hydrogen

The formulation of the time-dependent close-coupling method is extended to allow the calculation of electron-impact triple-differential cross sections for atoms. The fully quantal method is applied to the electron-impact ionization of hydrogen at an incident energy of 54.4 eV for various scattering geometries. The time-dependent close-coupling results are found to be in very good agreement with those obtained by a time-independent exterior complex-scaling method. On the other hand even though the incident energy is relatively large, significant differences are found between the two nonperturbative cross-section results and those obtained using perturbative distorted-wave methods. Large differences are found for those geometries that require an accurate knowledge of the correlation between two outgoing continuum electrons in the presence of a Coulomb nuclear field.
Lanczos Filtering in One and Two Dimensions

Abstract A Fourier method of filtering digital data called Lanczos filtering is described. Its principal feature is the use of “sigma factors” which significantly reduce the amplitude of the Gibbs oscillation. A pair of graphs is developed that can be used to determine filter response quality given the number of weights and the value of the cutoff frequency, the only two inputs required by the method. Examples of response functions in one and two dimensions are given and comparisons are made with response functions from other filters. The simplicity of calculating the weights and the adequate response make Lanczos filtering an attractive filtering method.
Relation Between Flow Velocity and Impact Pressure in a Green Water Flow

Impact pressure due to plunging breaking waves impinging on a simplified model structure was investigated in the laboratory based on two breaking wave conditions: the wall impingement wave condition and the deck impingement wave condition. Pressure, void fraction, and velocities were measured at various locations on the deck surface. Impact pressure was correlated with the mean kinetic energy calculated based on the measured mean velocities and void fraction to obtain the impact coefficient. For the wall impingement wave condition, the relationship between impact pressure and mean kinetic energy is linear with the impact coefficient close to unity. For the deck impingement wave condition, the above relationship does not show good correlation, whereas the impact coefficient was found to be a function of the rate of pressure rise.© 2013 ASME
Twinning in magnesium alloy AZ31B under different strain paths at moderately elevated temperatures

Abstract Twinning activity and deformation limits were investigated for wrought and cast magnesium at room and moderately elevated temperatures and varying strain paths. In situ compression and tension tests, combined with high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) techniques, demonstrated that twin formation and geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density strongly depend on initial microstructure and load directions. It was also shown that GND content was lower inside a twin than outside, in the parent grain. This explains the observation of a leveling off of GND density, while twin fraction continued to increase with plastic strain. Plane strain and biaxial tension experiments at room temperature resulted in compression twin shear bands, which began to appear at effective strains of about 4%, compared to the uniaxial tension case, where shear band formation had been shown to occur at effective strains closer to failure. This behavior was attributed to the strong basal texture of the AZ31B sheet, where thinning of the sheet requires c-axis compression. While thinning strains were accommodated by compression twinning at room temperature, compression twin shear bands were not observed in plane strain and biaxial tension specimens at 75 and 125 °C, at effective strains between 5% and 12%. This provides evidence of a transition from compression twinning to 〈 c + a 〉 slip in order to accommodate thinning strains at these mildly elevated temperatures, resulting in significant formability increases, especially in biaxial tension.
Controllable optomechanical coupling in serially-coupled triple resonators

Radiation pressure can efficiently couple mechanical modes with optical modes in an optical cavity. The coupling efficiency is quite dependent on the interaction between the optical mode and mechanical mode. In this report, we investigate a serially-coupled triple resonator system, where a freestanding beam is placed in the vicinity of the middle resonator. In this coupled system, we demonstrate that the mechanical mode of the free-standing beam can be selectively coupled to different resonance supermodes through the near field interaction.
Defining the Political Ontology of the Classroom: Toward a Multitudinous Education.

This paper is driven by a simple question: what type of collective space is a classroom and how can it be imagined differently? Drawing on the social topography provided by Hardt and Negri, I suggest that schools have traditionally worked to produce either (a) a people; (b) a crowd; or (c) the masses. The problem with these forms of social collectivity is that they each tend to limit radical movements for democracy. Opposed to a people, a crowd, or the masses, I suggest that classroom collectivity be reconceptualized in terms of the multitude. It is by configuring the dynamic space of the classroom in relation to a theory of the multitude that educational democracy can be achieved.
Flow near a Slowly Rotating Disk in a Finite Cylinder

Numerical soilutons for the steady flow of a viscous fluid driven by a slowly rotating disk in a cylinder of finite aspect ratio are presented. Based on the comprehensive flow data acquired, the torque exerted on the disk is computed. The radial and axial structures of both the azimuthal and meridional flow details are exhibited. The effect of small, but non-zero, Reynolds number is discussed. The torque increases rapidly as the disk-cylinder radius ratio approaches unity because of the concentrated flow gradients near the tip of the disk. As the cylinder aspect ratio increases, the torque decreases. The flow can be approximated by the infinite cylinder model if the aspect ratio is greater than about 2.0. The theoretical torque estimate by using the infinite cylinder configuration is shown to be in reasonable agreement with the numerical results for large aspect ratios.
Letter by Behrouz et al Regarding Article, “Tenecteplase–Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Evaluation for Minor Ischemic Stroke With Proven Occlusion”

The study by Coutts et al1 on intravenous tenecteplase for minor strokes is a reminder, once again, that a large-scale trial involving this drug in acute ischemic stroke is needed. Although the study was small and uncontrolled, it reiterated what earlier investigations have suggested about the safety and efficacy of tenecteplase.2 In tenecteplase–tissue-type plasminogen activator evaluation for minor ischemic stroke with proven occlusion-1, no comparison to historical alteplase cases could be made because, as the authors acknowledged, patients with minor strokes are excluded or under-represented in most of the stroke thrombolysis trials. The investigators could, nonetheless, compare their results to a matched control group of patients who did not receive any …
Chemical Vapor Deposition and Defect Characterization of Silicon Carbide Epitaxial Films

SiC homo-epitaxial layers have been grown using a halide chemical vapor deposition (HCVD) process. The thermodynamic process of SiC CVD in SiCl4-C3H8-H2 gas system was studied using equilibrium model. The predicted growth rate decreases gradually with the increase in growth temperature, and this trend is consistent with our experimental results. Good quality epitaxial layers with low density of basal plane dislocations could be grown. Some elementary screw dislocations present in the substrate do not seem to be propagating into the epitaxial layer.
Relation of impulse conduction to electrically induced release of neurosecretory material from the urophysis of the teleost fish Tilapia mossambica.

The caudal neurosecretory system of the teleost Tilapia mossambica was subjected in vivo and in vitro to intense and prolonged electrical stimulation. Repeated firing of neurosecretory units was observed in the in vivo preparations, and compound action potentials were recorded in vitro. Evidence of depletion of neurosecretory material from the urophysis was obtained on the light and electron microscope levels. Ultrastructurally two pictures were encountered in the responding axon terminals: (1) a decrease in electron density of most of the elementary neurosecretory granules in individual terminals; (2) complete or nearly complete disappearance of granules and vesicles from individual terminals. The latter picture is considered to be a more advanced stage of depletion.
Wannier-like equation for the resonant cavity modes of locally perturbed photonic crystals

In analogy to the Wannier equation for localized electronic impurity states in crystalline materials, a wave equation for the envelope of the resonant optical modes of local defects within two-dimensional periodic dielectric structures is derived. In the case of degenerate satellite extrema, this is generalized to a set of coupled Wannier-like equations for a multienvelope system. The localized Wannier envelope solutions are then used in conjunction with a group theoretical symmetry analysis to determine an approximate form for donor and acceptor modes in a hexagonal photonic crystal. For an effective harmonic potential formed by varying the filling fraction of the lattice, the localized resonant modes are explicitly calculated using the Wannier equation and symmetry analysis, and a comparison to exact numerically computed modes is presented.
2011 Presidential Address: from classroom to courtroom to clinic-closing the gaps in human genetics education.

In this address, I will talk about some current gaps in human genetics education. I will focus on two quite different areas in which we need to improve the knowledge of our fellow professionals and the general public: the use and interpretation of genetic testing and the understanding and appreciation of the science of evolution. I will conclude with an example in which these and other gaps are being closed through an educational program for the judiciary.
Rise and Fall of the Spin Alignment in Deep-Inelastic Reactions

Both the magnitude and alignment of the transferred angular momentum in the reaction {sup 165}Ho + {sup 165}Ho have been measured as a function of Q value via continuum {gamma}-ray multiplicity and anisotropy techniques. Two regimes are observed: A low-Q-value regime where the aligned angular momentum component dominates over the random components, and a large-Q-value regime where the random components dominate and decrease the spin alignment.
Commercial bank entry into equity IPO underwriting: modern evidence

This study examines the increased participation in underwriting of equity initial public offerings (IPOs) by section 20 subsidiaries of commercial banks. Using a four year test period (January 1995 to December 1998) this study finds that the average underpricing of equity IPOs decreased significantly from 23.0% to 17.4% after the decision to relax revenue constraints, on Section 20 activities of commercial banks, by the Federal Reserve Board on 3 August 1996. A further finding is that the decrease in underpricing is highly related to the increasing IPO market share of commercial banks. This study also finds that IPO underwriter fees did not increase after bank entry. The results of this study provides further evidence that increased participation of commercial banks in new issues markets has had a positive impact on competition and information dissemination in new issues markets.
Peptide Regulation of Bursting Pacemaker Activity in a Molluscan Neurosecretory Cell

Vasopressin and related peptides (10-9 to 10-6 molar) induced bursting pacemaker potential activity and altered the current-voltage relations of the membrane in a specific molluscan neurosecretory cell. These effects long outlasted the period of application of the peptides. Sensitivity of the cell to these peptides was primarily localized on the axon hillock region. The observed effects do not resemble conductance changes evoked by conventional neurotransmitters, but rather suggest a membrane regulatory role for these peptides, and thus may be indicative of a new form of information transfer in the nervous system.
Evaluations of presidential performance: Race, prejudice, and perceptions of Americanism

Abstract Earlier research suggests that despite President Obama's election, racial prejudice persists and continues to shape reactions to his presidency. The current work examines the role of Whites’ prejudice in shaping perceptions of Obama's Americanism, and ultimately evaluations of his performance. Specifically, this research proposes that “how American” Obama is perceived will mediate the relationship between racial prejudice and evaluations of his performance for White, but not Black participants and only for Obama and not for Vice-President Biden. Data were collected from 295 Black or White students surveyed 1 year after Obama's election. Supportive of our hypotheses, racial prejudice predicted Whites’ negative evaluations of Obama's performance, and this relationship was mediated by how American Obama was perceived. Additionally, these relationships were not obtained among Black participants or when Blacks or Whites evaluated the Americanism and job performance of Vice-President Biden.
ANALYSIS OF A HIGH-SPEED INTERCONNECTION NETWORK

A thorough routing analysis of a switching network called the spherical switching network for high-speed applications is presented in this paper. The spherical switching network has a cyclic, regular, and highly expandable structure with a simple self-routing scheme. The network is constructed with fixed-size switch elements regardless of the size of the network. Each switch element consists of a carefully-selected sized 9 input/output crossbar and a local controller. One of the nine pairs of links is external and carries the external traffic, and the other eight pairs are internal. The contention resolution in each switch element is based on deflection of losing packets and incremental priority of packets. The switch elements do not utilize any buffering within the network. The analysis shows that this network clearly outperforms typical interconnection networks currently being deployed in practical switches and routers such as Banyan network. In order to keep the number of deflections low, each incoming external link is connected to a buffer with flow control capabilities. Due to the special arrangement of interconnections in the network, a much larger number of shortest paths between each pair of source/destination exists. The related analysis for finding the number of hops and shortest paths appear in this paper.
Antiscientific attitudes within psychotherapy: concluding comments.

In all of the articles of this special section (Beutler & Harwood, Erwin, Jopling, and Spence), the authors express their commitment to a conventional view of truth and objectivity, a view which serves as a precondition for their commitment to a true science of psychotherapy. In my concluding comments, I first describe the particular focus of each author's concerns about current standards of truth and objectivity in the field. I then anticipate the ways in which their arguments might be challenged by those who now challenge the possibility of truth and objectivity (in any conventional sense) within psychotherapy, or, more broadly, within the human sciences, or, more radically, within the physical sciences. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 53–62, 2001.
Patient ventilator asynchrony in critically ill adults: Frequency and types

Abstract Background Patient ventilator asynchrony (PVA) occurs frequently, but little is known about the types and frequency of PVA. Asynchrony is associated with significant patient discomfort, distress and poor clinical outcomes (duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital stay). Methods Pressure–time and flow–time waveform data were collected on 27 ICU patients using the Noninvasive Cardiac Output monitor for up to 90 min per subject and blinded waveform analysis was performed. Results PVA occurred during all phases of ventilated breaths and all modes of ventilation. The most common type of PVA was Ineffective Trigger. Ineffective trigger occurs when the patient's own breath effort will not trigger a ventilator breath. The overall frequency of asynchronous breaths in the sample was 23%, however 93% of the sample experienced at least one incident of PVA during their observation period. Seventy-seven percent of subjects experienced multiple types of PVA. Conclusions PVA occurs frequently in a variety of types although the majority of PVA is ineffective trigger. The study uncovered previously unidentified waveforms that may indicate that there is a greater range of PVAs than previously reported. Newly described PVA, in particular, PVA combined in one breath, may signify substantial patient distress or poor physiological circumstance that clinicians should investigate.
On the Potential for Homogeneous Nucleation of Salt From Aqueous Solution in a Natural Convection Boundary Layer

Recent studies have examined the rate of salt deposition by natural convection on a cylinder heated above the solubility temperature corresponding to the concentration of salt in the surrounding solution at conditions typical of the Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) process (Hodes et al. [1,2], Hodes [3]). The total deposition rate of salt on the cylinder is the sum of the rate of deposition at the salt layer-solution interface (SLSI) formed on the cylinder and that within the porous salt layer. The rate of deposition at the SLSI cannot be computed without determining whether or not salt nucleates homogeneously in the adjacent (natural convection) boundary layer. A methodology to determine whether or not homogeneous nucleation in the boundary layer is possible is presented here. Temperature and concentration profiles in the boundary layer are computed under the assumption that homogeneous nucleation does not occur. If, under this assumption, supersaturation does not occur, homogeneous nucleation is impossible. If supersaturation is present, homogeneous nucleation may or may not occur depending on the amount of metastability the solution can tolerate. It is shown that the Lewis number is the critical solution property in determining whether or not homogeneous nucleation is possible and a simple formula is developed to predict the Lewis number below which homogeneous nucleation is impossible for a given solubility boundary and set of operating conditions. Finally, the theory is shown to be consistent with experimental observations for which homogeneous nucleation is absent or present.
The Effects of Timolol Maleate and Acetazolamide on the Rate of Aqueous Formation in Normal Human Subjects

We used a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the effect of acetazolamide alone and timolol maleate alone and of the two in combination on the rate of aqueous humor flow in 21 normal subjects. The rate of aqueous flow was measured by fluorophotometry over an eight-hour period. Timolol decreased the flow by 33%, acetazolamide by 27%, and the drug combination by 44%, compared to the placebo treated eye (P
Geo-spatial image analysis applications

Recent advances in the field of spectral sensing technology have elucidated the benefits of multispectral and hyperspectral sensing the military and civil user community. These advancements, when properly exploited can provide the additional and improved automated terrain analysis, image understanding, object detection, and material characterization capabilities. the U.S. Army has established a Center of Excellence for Spectral Sensing Technology. This Center conducts collaborative research on, and development and demonstration of spectral sensing, processing and exploitation techniques. The Center's collaborative efforts integrate programs across multiple disciplines and form a baseline program consisting of coordinated technology thrusts. Existing efforts span the domains of sensor hardware, data processing architectures, algorithms, and signal processing and exploitation technologies across wide spectral regions. These thrusts in turn enable progress and performance improvement in the automated analysis, understanding, classification, discrimination, and identification of terrestrial objects, and materials. The participants draw upon common scientific processes and disciplines to approach similar problems related to different categories and domains of phenomenology.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Egg Production and Adult Life Span in Two Species of Bracon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Egg production throughout life was scored for 22 females of Bracon serinopae (Cherian) and for 21 females of B. hebetor Say. Average daily egg production by B. serinopae , the longer-lived species, was nearly triple that by B. hebetor , and the egg-laying period of the former was 50% longer than that of the latter. Within each species, there was no correlation between egg production and length of adult life span. These results indicate that fecundity is not involved in the modification of life span in these species.
Investigation of the complex between rabbit muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and aldolase using fluorescence laser spectroscopy

The interaction of rabbit muscle aldolase with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) labeled with fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC) has been investigated at 25°C in Tris buffer, pH 7. 5. The addition of 5 to1 0 fold excess of aldolase to 0.1-1 micron GPDH labeled with FITC (GPDHFITC) causes a large increase in both the fluorescence and polarization of FITC over a period of several hours, reflecting the formation ofa complex between the enzymes. When GPDH-FITC is incubated with either 1 mM NAD or ADP, the fluorescence of FITC increases while the polarization decreases, indicating that these nucleotides may increase the degree of dissociation of tetrameric GPDH. The rate of approach to equilibrium during the formation of the complex between the two enzymes increases in the presence of either NAD or ADP but decreases with increasing concentrations ofGPDH. Therefore, the interaction of the enzymes may involve the dissociation of tetrameric GPDH into smaller units. Aldolase causes no changes in the fluorescence properties of probes that are attacted to the active site cysteine residues of GPDH, such as fluorescein acrylamide, indicating that when the active site of GPDH is blocked the formation of the complex between the two enzymes is prevented. When GPDH-FITC is incubated with either excess NAD or aldolase, the average fluorescence lifetime of FITC slowly increases and approaches that of free FITC. Since fluorescein is quenched by tryptophan, it is likely that the increases observed both in the fluorescence intensities and lifetimes of GPDH-FITC during its interaction with aldolase arise from the removal of tryptophan residues from the vicinity of the FITC groups as a result of changes either in the conformation or in the degree of dissociation of tetrameric GPDH.
Support for Democratic Schooling: Classroom Level Change via Cooperative Learning.

Abstract This article focuses on the success of the instructional initiative of cooperative learning. It differs from other articles on cooperative learning since it views this instructional initiative as a part of recent school reform, specifically the democratic schools movement. As a classroom level reform initiative, the application of this universal pedagogical method is recommended as a vehicle for teaching democratic principles. However, the actual use of any instructional initiative is typically based on teachers' judgments about its viability. Therefore, we stress the importance of theory, research, and modeling when making judgments about the application of cooperative learning. We hope that this information will enable teachers at all levels to make positive judgments about the use of cooperative learning methods in the classroom. By doing so, teachers have the opportunity to support classroom-level reform toward democratic schooling.
Hadronic deformation energy. I. Quark-antiquark separation

The MIT bag model for hadrons is treated in the static cavity approximation in three dimensions with a definite quark number. The energy of the system is computed to second order in the gluon coupling. A constrained variational method is described which permits the calculation of the energy as a function of a collective variable. The bag cavity is permitted to assume whatever shape of a general class is necessary in order to minimize the energy for a given expectation value of the collective variable. The method is well suited for the study of the two-nucleon interaction at short range. By way of introducing the computational procedure the method is here applied to a bag containing one quark and one antiquark and the energy as a function of a measure of the separation of the quarks is evaluated.
Treatment of visual loss in pseudotumor cerebri associated with uremia

Ten patients with pseudotumor cerebri associated with renal insufficiency had papilledema and elevated intracranial pressure, but neurologic examinations and CT were normal. The 40% frequency of severe visual loss, 20/100 or worse, was higher than expected for pseudotumor cerebri. While furosemide was effective in 3 patients with renal transplants, administration of corticosteroids to 2 other patients did not halt progressive loss of vision. The visual function of 2 patients deteriorated even after lumboperitoneal shunting. Five patients underwent fenestration of the optic nerve sheath. This procedure improved the visual acuity of 3 patients and stabilized vision in the others. While the pathogenesis of pseudotumor cerebri in renal insufficiency is unknown, optic nerve sheath fenestration is the surgical treatment of choice for visual loss unresponsive to medical therapy.
Characterization of bulk-micromachined direct-bonded silicon nanofilters

The ability to separate 30-100 nm particles - nanofiltration - is critical for many biomedical applications. Where this filtration needs to be absolute, such as for viral elimination in the blood fractionation process, the large variations in pore size found with conventional polymeric filters can lead to the unwanted presence of viruses in the filtrate. To overcome this problem, we have developed a filter with micromachined channels sandwiched between two bonded silicon wafers. These channels are formed through the selective deposition and then removal of a thermally-grown oxide, the thickness of which can be controlled to +/- 4 percent for 30 nm pores. In this paper, we will present both the gas and liquid characterization, and the filtration studies done on 44 and 100 nm beads.
Template-assisted synthesis of high packing density SrLi2Ti6O14 for use as anode in 2.7-V lithium-ion battery

Abstract SrLi2Ti6O14 has been prepared by using mesoporous TiO2 brookite as a template and reactant. The prepared particles retained the rounded shape of the precursor, leading to high dispersivity and high packing density. The material has been further electrochemically characterized in both half and full cells. It shows good cycling stability and rate capability. A 2.7-V cell has been built by combining a SrLi2Ti6O14 anode with a 4-V spinel cathode of LiMn2O4. This cell has a higher voltage compared to the 2.5-V LiMn2O4/Li4Ti5O12 system.
Damage initiation sites in osteoporotic and normal human cancellous bone.

Abstract Using a finite element (FE) method called biomechanical stereology , Wang et al. previously reported increased microcrack formation and propagation in bone samples from patients with a history of osteoporotic fracture as compared to normal subjects. In this study, we re-analyzed the data from Wang's report to determine the microscopic differences between bone tissue from osteoporotic patients and normal subjects that caused these different patterns of bone tissue damage between the groups. The morphological features examined were the number of “voids” (or osteocyte lacunae) visible and the distance of the lacunae from the initiation of the microcracks. We found that bone samples from patients with a history of osteoporotic fracture contained significantly more lacunae than normal control specimens. We also found a significant correlation (r 2 = 0.483, p = 0.001) between the number of lacunae visible in the image and the number of microcracks formed. These results help to explain the differences in total microcrack number between the osteoporotic and normal subjects reported in our previous work.
Two Highly Polarized Quasi-stellar Objects Discovered by the Two Micron All Sky Survey

We present optical observations of two remarkable new active galactic nuclei (AGNs) discovered by the Two Micron All Sky Survey. Both are classified as quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) based on their optical spectra, near-IR colors, and near-IR and [O III] λ5007 luminosities, but their optical polarizations are among the highest seen for nonblazar AGNs—approaching 15% for 2MASSI J151653.2+190048. The polarized light spectrum for each object exhibits broad Balmer emission lines but lacks the narrow lines that are evident in the total light spectrum. This is most pronounced for the type 1.5 object 2MASSI J165939.7+183436, where broad lines dominate only in polarized light. The polarization properties of these AGNs suggest that dust near the nucleus at least partially obscures the AGNs and that material probably intermixed with the narrow-line-emitting gas scatters nuclear light into our line of sight. These QSOs illustrate the variety of highly polarized AGNs that have been missed by traditional optical search techniques and demonstrate that such objects are exposed by surveys in the near-IR.
Depositor discipline and changing strategies for regulating thrift institutions

Abstract This paper examines the role of uninsured deposits as a source of thrift funding from 1984 to 1994, and tests whether uninsured depositors have adjusted their holdings at thrifts in response to market forces, such as indications of impending institutional failure. It also examines how the reactions have changed over time as new legislation has been implemented. The study finds that failed institutions exhibit declining proportions of uninsured deposits-to-total-deposits prior to failure and that failing institutions attract fewer deposits from uninsured depositors prior to failure than do solvent institutions. Though there are some differences between the periods, the empirical results indicate that uninsured deposits will be governed by market discipline and that reducing the insurance limits on deposits will increase market discipline on thrifts.
A Fast and Accurate Tensor-based Optical Flow Algorithm Implemented in FPGA

Many computer vision applications require real-time processing of image data. This requirement is especially critical for autonomous vehicles performing obstacle avoidance, path planning, and target tracking tasks. A quickly calculated and relatively rough motion estimate is more useful for autonomous navigation than a more accurate, but slowly calculated estimate. Recent technology advancements in small unmanned air and ground vehicles make many low-cost surveillance and military applications possible. Most of these applications demand a low power, compact, light weight, and high speed computation platform for processing image data in real time. In most cases, the traditional general purpose processor and sequentially executed software approach does not meet these requirements. In this paper, a tensor-based optical flow algorithm is modified and implemented using field programmable gate array (FPGA) for small unmanned vehicle obstacle avoidance and navigation
Advanced Cosmetic Surgery

Dermasurgeons are playing an ever-expanding role in the management of cosmetic patient concerns. As a specialty, they have advanced and pioneered safe liposuction, noninvasive endovascular venous technologies, ablative and nonablative laser approaches, and minimally invasive suture-based lifting procedures. The evaluation of advanced surgical techniques continues to evolve and remains an area of keen interest to the practicing dermasurgeon. Safety, efficacy, cost containment, and minimal downtime approaches are hallmarks of the subjects presented in this issue of Dermatologic Clinics. Advancement of technology remains at the forefront of this approach. It is hoped that the advanced dermatologic surgical procedures highlighted in this issue will stimulate the practicing dermasurgeon to incorporate
Hypercaloric enteral nutrition in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial

Summary Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with few therapeutic options. Mild obesity is associated with greater survival in patients with the disease, and calorie-dense diets increased survival in a mouse model. We aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of two hypercaloric diets in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis receiving enteral nutrition. Methods In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase 2 clinical trial, we enrolled adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from participating centres in the USA. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older with no history of diabetes or liver or cardiovascular disease, and who were already receiving percutaneous enteral nutrition. We randomly assigned participants (1:1:1) using a computer-generated list of random numbers to one of three dietary interventions: replacement calories using an isocaloric tube-fed diet (control), a high-carbohydrate hypercaloric tube-fed diet (HC/HC), or a high-fat hypercaloric tube-fed diet (HF/HC). Participants received the intervention diets for 4 months and were followed up for 5 months. The primary outcomes were safety and tolerability, analysed in all patients who began their study diet. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00983983. Findings Between Dec 14, 2009, and Nov 2, 2012, we enrolled 24 participants, of whom 20 started their study diet (six in the control group, eight in the HC/HC group, and six in the HF/HC group). One patient in the control group, one in the HC/HC group, and two in the HF/HC group withdrew consent before receiving the intervention. Participants who received the HC/HC diet had a smaller total number of adverse events than did those in the other groups (23 in the HC/HC group vs 42 in the control group vs 48 in the HF/HC group; overall, p=0·06; HC/HC vs control, p=0·06) and significantly fewer serious adverse events than did those on the control diet (none vs nine; p=0·0005). Fewer patients in the HC/HC group discontinued their study diet due to adverse events (none [0%] of eight in the HC/HC group vs three [50%] of six in the control group). During the 5 month follow-up, no deaths occurred in the nine patients assigned to the HC/HC diet compared with three deaths (43%) in the seven patients assigned to the control diet (log-rank p=0·03). Adverse events, tolerability, deaths, and disease progression did not differ significantly between the HF/HC group and the control group. Interpretation Our results provide preliminary evidence that hypercaloric enteral nutrition is safe and tolerable in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and support the study of nutritional interventions in larger randomised controlled trials at earlier stages of the disease. Funding Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, and Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center.
REMODELING SENSORY CORTICAL MAPS IMPLANTS SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL MEMORY

Neural mechanisms underlying the capacity of memory to be rich in sensory detail are largely unknown. A candidate mechanism is learning-induced plasticity that remodels the adult sensory cortex. Here, expansion in the primary auditory cortical (A1) tonotopic map of rats was induced by pairing a 3.66-kHz tone with activation of the nucleus basalis, mimicking the effects of natural associative learning. Remodeling of A1 produced de novo specific behavioral memory, but neither memory nor plasticity was consistently at the frequency of the paired tone, which typically decreased in A1 representation. Rather, there was a specific match between individual subjects' area of expansion and the tone that was strongest in each animal's memory, as determined by post-training frequency generalization gradients. These findings provide the first demonstration of a match between the artificial induction of specific neural representational plasticity and artificial induction of behavioral memory. As such, together with prior and present findings for detection, correlation and mimicry of plasticity with the acquisition of memory, they satisfy a key criterion for neural substrates of memory. This demonstrates that directly remodeling sensory cortical maps is sufficient for the specificity of memory formation.
The Effects of Data Reduction in Determining the Schedule of Voicing Acquisition in Young Children

Purpose In this study, multiple measures of voicing acquisition were used to evaluate the extent to which developmental patterns based on voice onset time (VOT) mean data differed from those based ...
Toward a method of selecting among computational models of cognition.

The question of how one should decide among competing explanations of data is at the heart of the scientific enterprise. Computational models of cognition are increasingly being advanced as explanations of behavior. The success of this line of inquiry depends on the development of robust methods to guide the evaluation and selection of these models. This article introduces a method of selecting among mathematical models of cognition known as minimum description length , which provides an intuitive and theoretically well-grounded understanding of why one model should be chosen. A central but elusive concept in model selection, complexity, can also be derived with the method. The adequacy of the method is demonstrated in 3 areas of cognitive modeling: psychophysics, information integration, and categorization. How should one choose among competing theoretical explanations of data? This question is at the heart of the scientific enterprise, regardless of whether verbal models are being tested in an experimental setting or computational models are being evaluated in simulations. A number of criteria have been proposed to assist in this endeavor, summarized nicely by Jacobs and Grainger (1994). They include (a) plausibility (are the assumptions of the model biologically and psychologically plausible?); (b) explanatory adequacy (is the theoretical explanation reasonable and consistent with what is known?); (c) interpretability (do the model and its parts— e.g., parameters—make sense? are they understandable?); (d) descriptive adequacy (does the model provide a good description of the observed data?); (e) generalizability (does the model predict well the characteristics of data that will be observed in the future?); and (f) complexity (does the model capture the phenomenon in the least complex—i.e., simplest—possible manner?). The relative importance of these criteria may vary with the types of models being compared. For example, verbal models are likely
Reduced Cathartic Bowel Preparation for CT Colonography: Prospective Comparison of 2-L Polyethylene Glycol and Magnesium Citrate

There were no significant differences in amount of residual solid stool or fluid or in patient acceptance when reduced-volume polyethylene glycol was compared with magnesium citrate, with both demonstrating effective bowel cleansing for CT colonography.