cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
International greenways: a Red River Valley case study

Building and preserving a network of greenways can be an intricate activity requiring interdisciplinary collaboration. Greenway segments often require local input and participation. In addition, greenways are not necessarily generic open spaces, but can be managed structurally to fulfill specific spatial and temporal requirements. This paper describes local activities in the Fargo (North Dakota)-Moorhead (Minnesota) metropolitan area related to preserving and embellishing the greenway focused around the Red River Valley of the North. This greenway is part of a larger Western Hemisphere greenway, composed of riparian corridors operating as wildlife habitat migration flyways and as resident wildlife habitat. Local activities include demonstration gardens, comprehensive corridor planning, habitat analysis, and revegetation studies. From 1985 to 1990, four spatial treatment investigations were completed, one spatial planning study was prepared, and five demonstration gardens were built. The spatial treatment investigations revealed that the wildlife occupying the greenway could be divided into four habitat-use dimensions, suggesting four important habitat associations for the greenway. The study also revealed three distinct vegetation zones for re-establishing herbaceous vegetation in non-wooded planting conditions. In addition, one experiment indicated that replanting the disturbed woodland corridor was not influenced by seedling size and that Fraxinus pennsylvanica seedlings were highly successful at surviving in a gap opening within the forest corridor. In the last experiment, a seeding application rate study indicated that seeding rates three times higher than recommended rates resulted in improved vegetation cover of non-wooded herbaceous vegetation planting sites. The spatial planning study illustrated landscape patterns for the greenway composed of a continuous tree canopy corridor, augmented by herbaceous vegetation patches, food plots, and snags. To build and manage the greenway, this investigation reaffirms the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration, local participation, and the potential individualistic structure of a greenway. The study suggests that both broad landscape planning visions and detailed site endeavors are necessary to understand and manage the greenway successfully.
Atomic recombination rate determination through heat-transfer measurement.

A theoretical and experimental demonstration is presented which shows that under suitable conditions the volume recombination coefficient can be determined by measuring the heat transfer rate into the wall of a cylinder through which a dissociated stream is passing. The experimental results obtained are in agreement with those of other investigators.
Polyamides based on the renewable monomer, 1,13-tridecane diamine II: Synthesis and characterization of nylon 13,6

Abstract Nylon 13,6 was successfully synthesized and its chemical composition, thermal properties, crystal structure, and moisture absorption characterized. Melting temperature and glass transition temperature were determined to be 206 °C and 60 °C, respectively, while the equilibrium melting temperature was determined to be 248 °C. Characterization of the crystallization kinetics showed that nylon 13,6 exhibits very fast crystallization compared to the industrially important nylons, nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. In addition, the moisture absorption of nylon 13,6 was dramatically lower than nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 which is consistent with the much lower amide content of nylon 13,6. The crystal structure was determined to be different from the expected γ-form, which possess a pseudohexagonal unit cell. Instead, the x-ray scattering pattern was more similar to the α-form. A similar result has been obtained for other odd–even nylons including nylon 5,6, nylon 5,10, nylon 9,2, nylon 11,10, and nylon 11,12.
5.2.1 Systems Engineering Complexity in Context

Systems engineering literature identifies many different kinds of complexity. One paper cataloging complexity for the purpose of modifying systems engineering cost estimates identified more than 30 types. The research described in this paper investigates the idea of sorting and organizing the many concepts of complexity and showing the relationships between them on a single two-dimensional chart. The Systems Engineering Complexity Contexts (SECC) chart was developed to show how a large number of complexity concepts relate to systems engineering and to each other. All but two of the 30 types from the paper mentioned above fit on this chart. Those two appear as aspects that may apply to all other boxes on the chart instead of as orthogonal elements, which was the desired representation.
bcl-2/bax ratio as a predictive marker for therapeutic response to radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives. Markers predictive of therapeutic response of prostatic tumors to radiotherapy may have major significance in optimizing effective treatment of prostate cancer. Because inherent cellular radioresistance plays a critical role in the failure of radiotherapy, in this study, we investigated whether there is a correlation between the ratio of two apoptosis regulators, bcl-2 (apoptosis suppressor) and bax (apoptosis inducer) in prostatic tumors and the clinical response to radiotherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer. Methods. A retrospective review of records of 41 patients who underwent external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer was conducted. On the basis of post-treatment prostate biopsy and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) criteria, the cancers of 20 patients were classified as radiation nonresponders and 21 as radiation responders. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded prostate sections to determine the level of expression of the two apoptotic proteins, bcl-2 and bax, in tumor cells. Results. bcl-2 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in prostatic tumors not responsive to radiotherapy (38.6 ± 4.1), compared with the radiation responders (24.1 ± 4.6) ( P P r = 0.67) was independent of age, PSA, and Gleason score. Conclusions. These findings suggest that patients with an elevated bcl-2/bax ratio are at increased risk of their cancer failing to respond to radiotherapy. This study suggests a predictive value for the bcl-2/bax ratio as a potential molecular marker for predicting radioresistance of prostatic tumors.
Prevalence of Depression–PTSD Comorbidity: Implications for Clinical Practice Guidelines and Primary Care-based Interventions

Compared to those with depression alone, depressed patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience more severe psychiatric symptomatology and factors that complicate treatment. To estimate PTSD prevalence among depressed military veteran primary care patients and compare demographic/illness characteristics of PTSD screen-positive depressed patients (MDD-PTSD+) to those with depression alone (MDD). Cross-sectional comparison of MDD patients versus MDD-PTSD+ patients. Six hundred seventy-seven randomly sampled depressed patients with at least 1 primary care visit in the previous 12 months. Participants composed the baseline sample of a group randomized trial of collaborative care for depression in 10 VA primary care practices in 5 states. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 assessed MDD. Probable PTSD was defined as a Primary Care PTSD Screen ≥ 3. Regression-based techniques compared MDD and MDD-PTSD+ patients on demographic/illness characteristics. Thirty-six percent of depressed patients screened positive for PTSD. Adjusting for sociodemographic differences and physical illness comorbidity, MDD-PTSD+ patients reported more severe depression (P < .001), lower social support (P < .001), more frequent outpatient health care visits (P < .001), and were more likely to report suicidal ideation (P < .001) than MDD patients. No differences were observed in alcohol consumption, self-reported general health, and physical illness comorbidity. PTSD is more common among depressed primary care patients than previously thought. Comorbid PTSD among depressed patients is associated with increased illness burden, poorer prognosis, and delayed response to depression treatment. Providers should consider recommending psychotherapeutic interventions for depressed patients with PTSD.
Multiple similarity solutions for solidification and melting

Abstract We explore multiple similarity solutions in one spatial dimension during the solidification or melting of a binary alloy. The configuration is analogous to that of a diffusion couple, for which similarity multiple solutions in isothermal ternary alloys were discovered by Coates and Kirkaldy and explored further by Maugis et al. We proceed by finding analytical solutions to the transport equations for heat and solute. Under the assumption of local equilibrium at the interface, a transcendental equation for the parabolic growth rate constant is obtained, which we solve numerically. We use a lead–tin alloy as an example, and examine the situation in which each member of the diffusion couple is a stable phase, one solid and one liquid. The “diffusion path” begins at the composition and temperature of one such phase, crosses the two-phase region at a tie line, and terminates at the composition and temperature of the other phase. For the cases examined here in which there are multiple solutions, such diffusion paths enter the two-phase region before crossing the tie line. The concomitant temperature and concentration profiles are also explored and, in some cases, are quite counterintuitive. For a pure material, we have only found multiple solutions when the solid is superheated, which may be difficult experimentally. Experiments to explore the binary alloy case should, however, be possible. We speculate about the physical manifestation of these multiple solutions by considerations including adjustment to initial conditions, interface kinetics, non-similarity solutions, and instabilities.
Role of Charge Transfer in Water Diffusivity in Aqueous Ionic Solutions.

We performed molecular dynamics simulations on four types of systems containing ion and solvating water. Two systems contained a cation (Na+ or K+), and two other systems an anion (Cl– or I–). Classical molecular dynamics simulations were performed using three different force fields: a fixed charge force field, a polarizable force field that includes explicit polarization, and also a recently developed force field that includes polarization and charge transfer. These simulations were then compared to first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. While the first-principles simulations showed that the anions accelerated water translational diffusion, the cations slowed it down. In simulations with the classical force fields, only the force field that incorporates explicit charge transfer reproduced this ion-specific behavior. Additional simulations performed to understand the effect of charge transfer demonstrated that two competitive factors determine the behavior of water translational diffusion: the i...
Weakly Injective BCK-Modules

We introduce the notion of weakly injective BCK-module and show that Baer's criterion holds for weakly injective BCK-modules but not for injective BCK-modules in general. We also provide examples and counterexamples of weakly injective BCK-modules.
Results of arthroscopic adhesiolysis and manipulation in the stiff knee secondary to septic arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

The term stiV joint refers to the loss of the range of motion. It may occur as consequence of Wbrous adhesion by hemarthrosis or exudates, which may impair considerably the joint function and quality of life. The literature addressing the beneWt of arthroscopic adhesiolysis in arthroWbrosis due to septic arthritis or adhesions secondary to inXammatory arthritis is scarce [1, 2]. Although, most of the publications about arthroWbrosis are relative to trauma or surgical procedures, several medical conditions has been recognized [3–6]. To explore the beneWts of minimal invasive surgery in a series of patients who failed conservative treatment for stiV knee secondary to inXammatory or septic arthritis, we reviewed data on patients with arthritis and secondary arthroWbrosis of the knee joint, who underwent arthroscopic adhesiolysis and manipulation at our arthroscopy unit from 1991 to 2006. Of the 2,374 knee arthroscopies performed by a rheumatologist, 31 were arthroscopic adhesiolysis secondary to arthritis. The criteria for surgery were a Xexion less than 90°, and any limitation in extension. Arthroscopy was performed in the operating room under spinal or general anesthesia. Excision of Wbrotic adhesions was performed using four standard portals: suprapatellar medial and lateral, and infrapatellar medial and lateral. No posterior approaches were used. The procedure was completed with a gentle manipulation maneuvers, followed by intraarticular injection of 2 mg of morphine plus 50 mg of bupivacaine 0.25%. Postoperative pain management and rehabilitation were provided by anesthesiologist and physical therapist. The mean age of the patients was 38 (2–79) years. The average length of stay was 7.3 (0–32) days. Septic arthritis was the most common cause of stiV knee (74%), followed by gout (6.4%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (3.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (3.2%), reactive arthritis (3.2%), and unknown arthritis (3.2%). The procedure was well tolerated and no complications were observed. Prior to arthroscopy and manipulation, extension was limited in 55% of patients, while Xexion was restricted in 90% of patients. One month after treatment, extension improved in 76% and Xexion was increased in 82% of patients. Prior to minimal invasive procedure, the mean extension was 173°, while the mean Xexion was 61°. After that, extension improved to 178° (165°–180°) and Xexion to 101°
The development of in vivo imaging systems to study gene expression

Imaging techniques are currently being developed to map the topography and level of gene expression following gene therapy. To date, two different imaging strategies have been investigated — using marker genes encoding either intracellular enzymes or cell-surface receptors. The first approach employs the ability of certain enzymes to modify imaging prodrugs, so that tissue accumulation of such drugs reflects the expression. The second approach utilises cell-surface expression of a ligand-binding receptor that can be detected using imaging tracers. In this review, we discuss nuclear- and magnetic-resonance-imaging techniques that have been developed to detect gene expression.
The Introduction of Micro Cells to Treat Pressure in Free Surface Fluid Flow Problems

A new method of calculating the pressure field in the simulation of two-dimensional, unsteady, incompressible, free surface fluid flow by use of a marker and cell method is presented. A critical feature of the new method is the introduction of a finer mesh of cells in addition to the regular mesh of finite volume cells. The smaller (micro) cells are used only near the free surface, while the regular (macro) cells are used throughout the computational domain. The movement of the free surface is accomplished by the use of massless surface markers, while the discrete representation of the free surface for the purpose of the application of pressure boundary conditions is accomplished by the use of micro cells. In order to exploit the advantages offered by micro cells, a new general equation governing the pressure field is derived. Micro cells also enable the identification and treatment of multiple points on the free surface in a single surface macro cell as well as of points on the free surface that are located in a macro cell that has no empty neighbors. Both of these situations are likely to occur repeatedly in a free surface fluid flow simulation, but neither situation has been explicitly taken into account in previous marker and cell methods. Numerical simulation results obtained both with and without the use of micro cells are compared with each other and with theoretical solutions to demonstrate the capabilities and validity of the new method.
Glutamate uptake is attenuated in spinal deep dorsal and ventral horn in the rat spinal nerve ligation model

Alteration of glutamatergic (GLU) neurotransmission within the spinal cord contributes to hyperalgesic and allodynic responses following nerve injury. In particular, changes in expression and efficacy of glutamate transporters have been reported. Excitatory, pain transmitting primary afferent neurons utilizing glutamate as an excitatory neurotransmitter project to both superficial (I-II) and deep (III-V) laminae of the dorsal horn. These experiments were designed to examine changes in glutamate uptake occurring concomitantly within the spinal deep dorsal and ventral horn in situ after experimentally induced neuropathic pain. In vivo voltammetry, using microelectrode arrays configured for enzyme-based detection of GLU were employed. Sprague-Dawley rats had either sham surgery or tight ligation of L5 and L6 spinal nerves (SNL). Four to six weeks later, the L4-L6 spinal cord of chloral hydrate-anesthetized animals was exposed, and ceramic-based glutamate microelectrodes equipped with glass micropipettes 50 microm from the recording surfaces were placed stereotaxically at sites within the spinal cord. Pressure ejection of GLU into the ipsilateral L5-L6 spinal cord resulted in a 72% reduction of GLU uptake in SNL rats compared to sham controls in the ipsilateral L5-L6 deep dorsal horn and a 96% reduction in the ventral horn. In contrast, in the same animals, the contralateral L5-L6 or the ipsilateral L4 spinal cord showed no change in glutamate uptake. The data suggest that spinal nerve ligation produced attenuated glutamate uptake activity extending into the deep dorsal and ventral horn. The study suggests that plasticity related to spinal nerve injury produces widespread alteration in glutamate transporter function that may contribute to the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain.
Automobile seat belt use in selected countries, states and provinces with and without laws requiring belt use

Abstract Belt use in automobiles was observed in 19 cities in five countries. In jurisdictions with belt use laws, belt use ranged from a high of 83% in Sydney, Australia to a low of less than 1% at expressway exits in Japan. Prior to the belt law in Ontario and Quebec, Canada and in the United States without a belt law, belt use ranged from a high of 33% in Los Angeles to a low of 4% in Windsor, Ontario. Persons less than 20 years of age were using belts less often than adults and many people were wearing belts too loosely to be effective in crashes. The 10–20% reductions in deaths in countries with belt laws are not as high as would be expected from the known effects of belts apparently because of the lower usage by those disproportionately involved in severe crashes and because belts are worn improperly.
Constraint or Accommodation: The Congressional Budget Procedure's Effect on Appropriations Decisions

Have the congressional budget committees' spending targets provided stringent budget constraints for appropriators? That is, are these budget targets below or above the levels that appropriators would have agreed to in the absence of the budget process? The author estimates a model based on appropriations data from before budget reforms were enacted to forecast budget appropriations figures in the postreform era. He then compares these predicted budget figures with actual Budget Committee targets (602[b] suballocations) to assess the degree of budget restraint. The author concludes from the analysis that the budget process has not generally operated as a procedural spending restraint on House appropriators, although the targets have been constraining in the early 1990s and have served a partisan role for congressional Democrats in redirecting spending priorities from defense to domestic nondefense appropriations.
Extinction time of deleterious mutant genes in large populations.

Abstract The average number of generations until extinction of a deleterious mutation is studied by using the branching process method and diffusion approximations, assuming that the population size is large. It is shown that both the methods give practically the same result. Kimura and Ohta's diffusion formula for the extinction time of a single mutant gene is extended to cover the case in which the initial number of mutant genes is more than one. The standard deviation and probability distribution of extinction time are also studied by using the branching process method. The standard deviation is larger than the mean extinction time when selection coefficient and the initial number of mutant genes are small.
Chaperone Activity of Protein O-Fucosyltransferase 1 Promotes Notch Receptor Folding

Notch proteins are receptors for a conserved signaling pathway that affects numerous cell fate decisions. We found that in Drosophila, Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (OFUT1), an enzyme that glycosylates epidermal growth factor-like domains of Notch, also has a distinct Notch chaperone activity. OFUT1 is an endoplasmic reticulum protein, and its localization was essential for function in vivo. OFUT1 could bind to Notch, was required for the trafficking of wild-type Notch out of the endoplasmic reticulum, and could partially rescue defects in secretion and ligand binding associated with Notch point mutations. This ability of OFUT1 to facilitate folding of Notch did not require its fucosyltransferase activity. Thus, a glycosyltransferase can bind its substrate in the endoplasmic reticulum to facilitate normal folding.
Hands Across the Sea?: U.S.-Japan Relations, 1961-1981

In 1961, the U.S. economy and military were practically unassailable in the eyes of the world. Within twenty years however, America had faced defeat in Vietnam its economy had been shaken, and Japan had assumed the title of the world's economic superpower. The U.S. and Japan had reversed roles as surplus and debtor nations. In Hands across the Sea? Timothy Maga examines this role reversal and traces the volatile relationship between these two powerful allies. Maga's research took him through presidential archives and interviews with policy-makers in both the U.S. and Japan, where he found a relationship forever troubled by cultural misunderstanding, America's Cold War obsession, Japanese pride, and strangely conflicting goals. But, as Maga discovered, for different reasons both nations needed each other during this critical time. For better or for worse, they persisted.
Discrimination and alcohol-related problems among college students: A prospective examination of mediating effects

Background Discrimination is a risk factor for health-risk behaviors, including alcohol abuse. Far less is known about the mechanisms through which discrimination leads to alcohol-related problems, particularly during high-risk developmental periods such as young adulthood.
Distributed parameter statics of magnetic catheters

We discuss how to use special Cosserat rod theory for deriving distributed-parameter static equilibrium equations of magnetic catheters. These medical devices are used for minimally-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and can be operated remotely or controlled by automated algorithms. The magnetic material can be lumped in rigid segments or distributed in flexible segments. The position vector of the cross-section centroid and quaternion representation of an orthonormal triad are selected as DOF. The strain energy for transversely isotropic, hyperelastic rods is augmented with the mechanical potential energy of the magnetic field and a penalty term to enforce the quaternion unity constraint. Numerical solution is found by 1D finite elements. Material properties of polymer tubes in extension, bending and twist are determined by mechanical and magnetic experiments. Software experiments with commercial FEM software indicate that the computational effort with the proposed method is at least one order of magnitude less than standard 3D FEM.
The Properties of Known Drugs. 1. Molecular Frameworks

In order to better understand the common features present in drug molecules, we use shape description methods to analyze a database of commercially available drugs and prepare a list of common drug shapes. A useful way of organizing this structural data is to group the atoms of each drug molecule into ring, linker, framework, and side chain atoms. On the basis of the two-dimensional molecular structures (without regard to atom type, hybridization, and bond order), there are 1179 different frameworks among the 5120 compounds analyzed. However, the shapes of half of the drugs in the database are described by the 32 most frequently occurring frameworks. This suggests that the diversity of shapes in the set of known drugs is extremely low. In our second method of analysis, in which atom type, hybridization, and bond order are considered, more diversity is seen; there are 2506 different frameworks among the 5120 compounds in the database, and the most frequently occurring 42 frameworks account for only one-fou...
On a problem of H.-G. Steiner

Abstract Steiner's problem: In which fields the formula √ ab = √ a √ b makes sense is generalized and solved for n -th roots. Furthermore the periodic abelian groups which can be complemented in any abelian extension with torsionfree factor group are characterized.
Nanobeads highly loaded with superparamagnetic nanoparticles prepared by emulsification and seeded-emulsion polymerization.

Functional superparamagnetic colloids possessing high saturation magnetization are prepared by emulsification of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPM NPs) and heterogeneous polymerization. The coll...
Simplification and linearization of manipulator dynamics by the design of inertia distribution

This paper presents a new approach to designing a simple manipulator with better dynamic behavior. The method is based on eliminating coefficients of nonlinear terms in the system's kinetic and potential energy equations. Accordingly, a set of design criteria regarding the link's inertia distribu tion can be established for each robot type. A robot designed to satisfy these criteria will result in much simplified dy namics. Also we find that for some configurations of three- and four-link robots, it is possible to design for completely linearized dynamic equations.
Alcohol Dependence Produced in Mice by Inhalation of Ethanol: Grading the Withdrawal Reaction

Intoxicating blood levels of ethanol are maintained for several days in mice housed in an atmosphere of ethanol vapor. On removal from the alcohol, all the mice develop withdrawal signs. The signs can be graded to indicate the time course and intensity of the withdrawal reaction.
The use of a specific behavioral technique (thought-stopping) in the context of conjoint couples therapy: A case report

This case illustrates the possible rapprochement between a family therapy and behavioral approach in couples therapy. To maintain the emphasis on dyadic communication, however, techniques such as thought-stopping need to be used in a somewhat modified form. The couple treated had their symbiotic relationship severely disrupted by the wife's short-term “affair” with another man. After an initial period of crisis intervention, therapy was impeded by the husband's obsessional involvement in the minute details of his wife's meetings with the other man. Thought-stopping was introduced as a new communication skill, by means of which the couple could exercise control over such destructive interactions. Only three sessions were necessary to bring the obsession under control, and therapy was terminated after a total of 12 sessions. Follow-up 8 months after termination indicated maintenance of therapeutic gains.
Perspective: Restoring the Ethical Balance in Health Care

The American Medical Association's new strategy to increase physician accountability, safeguard ethical standards, and protect patients.
Membrane performance reports on reverse osmosis plants using permasep® permeators since 1972

Abstract Four brackish water desalting plants operating with Du Pont's B-9 Permasep® permeators in different sections of North America in a variety of applications involving electronics, power and municipal users are reviewed. Operating costs are cited, including data on feed water salinity and plant performance. Actual membrane replacement rates over the full operating period, some of which reflect 1972 startup dates, are examined. In spite of early problems in plant design, pretreatment, and operator training, a solid pattern has emerged which demonstrates the inherent durability of the polyamide membranes and the reliability of reverse osmosis. Initial performance data on Du Pont's B-10 membrane for producing potable water from the sea are presented including a composite of recent cost estimates for large scale B-10 plants in Saudi Arabia. Contentions that reverse osmosis has become the principle competitor to distillation for desalination of seawater are supported.
In and Out of Place: Geographies of Revolt in Camus's La Peste

From Roland Barthes to Shoshana Felman, some of the most insightful readings of Albert Camus’s La Peste (The Plague) have focused on its historical dimension. In contrast, this article attends to less studied spatial representations, bringing recent insights from human geography to bear on depictions of Oran and exile in the novel. From its start, The Plague insistently connects plot, spatial setting, and notions of normativity and transgression. Understandings of place—and in particular, who or what is out of place—catalyze contestation and shape Camus’s universalized ethics of revolt, one that views evil and suffering as always out of place in a just world. Ultimately, this analysis suggests that places constitute not merely settings, sites, and objects in the Camusian imaginary, but a dynamic way of encountering and reading the world.
Mojim: A Reliable and Highly-Available Non-Volatile Memory System

Next-generation non-volatile memories (NVMs) promise DRAM-like performance, persistence, and high density. They can attach directly to processors to form non-volatile main memory (NVMM) and offer the opportunity to build very low-latency storage systems. These high-performance storage systems would be especially useful in large-scale data center environments where reliability and availability are critical. However, providing reliability and availability to NVMM is challenging, since the latency of data replication can overwhelm the low latency that NVMM should provide. We propose Mojim, a system that provides the reliability and availability that large-scale storage systems require, while preserving the performance of NVMM. Mojim achieves these goals by using a two-tier architecture in which the primary tier contains a mirrored pair of nodes and the secondary tier contains one or more secondary backup nodes with weakly consistent copies of data. Mojim uses highly-optimized replication protocols, software, and networking stacks to minimize replication costs and expose as much of NVMM?s performance as possible. We evaluate Mojim using raw DRAM as a proxy for NVMM and using an industrial NVMM emulation system. We find that Mojim provides replicated NVMM with similar or even better performance than un-replicated NVMM (reducing latency by 27% to 63% and delivering between 0.4 to 2.7X the throughput). We demonstrate that replacing MongoDB's built-in replication system with Mojim improves MongoDB's performance by 3.4 to 4X.
Comparison of interspecific to intersubspecific backcrosses demonstrates species and sex differences in recombination frequency on mouse chromosome 16.

One hundred fourteen progeny from an interspecific backcross between laboratory mice and M. spretus were typed for six markers spanning most of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 16. Additional maps of 9–10 markers of this chromosome were derived from analysis of over 500 progeny from four backcrosses between inbred laboratory strains and members of the Mus musculus group, M.m. musculus and M.m. molossinus (subspecies). The results of these analyses confirmed the gene order: (CEN)-Prm-1/Prm-2-Igl-1-Smst-Mtv-6-Gap43-Pit-1(dw)-D21S16h-App-Sod-1-Ets-2-Mx. Maps produced from these five crosses were of similar lengths, but recombination in several regions was affected by sex of the F1 parent or by the combination of strains used in the cross. As reported previously, recombination frequencies were elevated significantly at the distal end of the chromosome in a cross using F1 males. The male map showed significant compression in the interval Smst to Gap43. Both male and female intersubspecific maps were expanded near the proximal and distal ends of the chromosome relative to the interspecific cross. The spretus cross was compressed in the proximal interval, Prm-1-Igl-1-Smst, and was slightly expanded in the Smst-Gap43 interval, relative to intersubspecific crosses using F1 females. Female intersubspecific maps were expanded about 50% near the distal end of the chromosome when compared to the interspecific cross. The expansion or compression of maps using different strain or sex combinations has implications for the efficient production of high resolution recombinational maps of the mouse genome.
Moving beyond the white cane: building an online learning environment for the visually impaired professional

This article is about the development of an online learning environment (OLE) for a retired, visually impaired professional named Donald Mitchell. He has macular degeneration (MD). Because of this he is legally blind. The article deals with his fight to overcome the barriers, threats, and challenges posed by the reduction of his visual capacities. The article is organized into four main areas of concern or barriers. The first is physical, the second is intellectual, the third is psychological, and the fourth is technological. The authors place special emphasis on the psychological, intellectual, and technological barriers. In addition, the authors relate the steps Mitchell took in building his personalized OLE that included a laborious process of selecting the right hardware and software as well as harnessing an array of technologies such as personal computing tools, Web-based resources, network resources, audio tapes, voice recognition software, and non-print support devices, including the audio features of broadcast and cable television. This development is especially relevant to this special issue of IHE since Dr. Mitchell's work was done in the early days of online learning beginning in the late eighties.
Assessing parents preferences for the avoidance of undesirable anesthesia side effects in their children undergoing surgical procedures

Summary Background: Willingness to pay (WTP) surveys have proven to be useful tools in determining patient preferences though relatively few pediatric studies have utilized them. Studies in the adult surgical population have used such methods to assess patients’ perspectives regarding the avoidance of anesthesia side effects or outcomes. The purpose of this survey was to assess parental preferences, using a relative WTP model, for the avoidance of anesthesia side effects in their children undergoing surgery. Methods: The survey was distributed to 150 parents of children who were undergoing surgery. Parents were asked to rank order (1 = most unwanted to 7 = least troublesome) six stated potential anesthesia side effects and to allocate a fixed dollar percentage of a $100 toward prevention of each. A total of 142 surveys were returned (95% response rate). Results: Parents ranked vomiting as the least desirable side effect for their child (rank order = 1.9) and pain as second (rank order = 2.14). However, parents allocated $33.48 to prevent pain compared with $28.89 for vomiting as a relative dollar amount. Conclusions: This study suggests that targeting management toward the prevention of these adverse outcomes may improve parental satisfaction with anesthesia care of their children.
A Functional Link between Dynamin and the Actin Cytoskeleton at Podosomes

Cell transformation by Rous sarcoma virus results in a dramatic change of adhesion structures with the substratum. Adhesion plaques are replaced by dot-like attachment sites called podosomes. Podosomes are also found constitutively in motile nontransformed cells such as leukocytes, macrophages, and osteoclasts. They are represented by columnar arrays of actin which are perpendicular to the substratum and contain tubular invaginations of the plasma membrane. Given the similarity of these tubules to those generated by dynamin around a variety of membrane templates, we investigated whether dynamin is present at podosomes. Immunoreactivities for dynamin 2 and for the dynamin 2–binding protein endophilin 2 (SH3P8) were detected at podosomes of transformed cells and osteoclasts. Furthermore, GFP wild-type dynamin 2aa was targeted to podosomes. As shown by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, GFP-dynamin 2aa and GFP-actin had a very rapid and similar turnover at podosomes. Expression of the GFP-dynamin 2aaG273D abolished podosomes while GFP-dynaminK44A was targeted to podosomes but delayed actin turnover. These data demonstrate a functional link between a member of the dynamin family and actin at attachment sites between cells and the substratum.
Automated Feature Selection Methodology for Reconfigurable Automated Visual Inspection Systems

The lack of flexibility of the current automated visual inspection (AVI) systems to accommodate new products is one of the main problems faced by the users of these systems. In this paper, the authors propose a framework that will facilitate the design of highly reconfigurable AVI systems. We focus on two issues: the general description of a framework for the development of reconfigurable systems and the description of a method for feature selection that will make the automation of this process easier.
Giving In A Time Of Terrorism

Recent research in psychology suggest that altruism and altruistic decisions may, in fact, be endogenous and depend on the social situation in which people find themselves. People are more likely to be altruistic, to give to charities and others in need, when they feel secure and safe. This paper looks at the implications of a person’s perceived state of security on giving now that there are terrorist threats in the U.S. We use data from the Center on Philanthropy Panel Study (COPPS), and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (the PSID) to test for endogenous changes in giving and volunteering from before and after the 2001 terrorist attacks. We find evidence indicating that increasing uncertainty resulted in a decline in the giving of both money and time, holding other variables constant, but the relationship is not significant.
Neonatal Sepsis Resulting from Possible Amniotic Fluid Infection Risk and Detection

Antibiotics are frequently prescribed "prophylactically" when the neonate is considered to be at risk for infection. The risk factors of prolonged rupture of membranes (greater than 24 hours), maternal fever/infection, and/or unexplained preterm labor (suggesting possible anmiotic fluid infection) were investigated in 276 babies. Only two of 150 babies investigated for a single factor proved to have sepsis, while of the 126 babies who had multiple factors, 13 had sepsis. Several laboratory tests, used singly or in combination, were more helpful than clinical manifestations in predicting which babies were likely to be infected. Neonatal sepsis was present in 6 per cent of the total, in 10 per cent of neonates with clinical signs, in 21 per cent with an increased immature/total neutrophil ratio (I/T ratio greater than or equal to 0.2), and in 36 per cent of infants with a positive "sepsis screen." The incidence of "infection" (sepsis and "very probable" infection) was 12 per cent overall, but was 14 per cent with neonatal signs, 44 per cent with I/T ratio greater than or equal to 0.2, and 74 per cent in those with a positive sepsis screen. A leukocyte count less than 5,000/cu mm and/or an I/T ratio greater than or equal to 0.2 was 100 per cent sensitive for sepsis, but the sepsis screen was most "efficient" at detecting "infection." Starting antibiotics on the basis of risk factors alone does not seem appropriate. In situations where amniotic fluid infection is possible, evaluation with the leukocyte count and differential (with or without other tests) could decrease the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, particularly when a single risk factor is the reason for suspecting infection.
From Web Service Artifact to a Readable and Verifiable Model

Models of Web service compositions that are both readable and verifiable will benefit organizations that integrate purportedly reusable Web services. Colored Petri nets (CPNs) are at once verifiable and visually expressive, capable of presenting subtle flaws in service composition. Constructing CPN models from business process execution language (BPEL) artifacts had been a manual process requiring human judgment. Building on results from the workflow community, we automate the mapping of artifacts written in BPEL to models used by CPN Tools - a formal verification environment for development, simulation, and model checking of colored Petri nets. We extend related work that already converts BPEL to Petri nets, to reflect hierarchy and data type (color in CPN terminology), while improving model layout. We present a prototype implementation that mines both a BPEL artifact and the Petri net generated from it by an existing tool. The prototype partitions the Petri net into subnets, lays them out, colors them, and generates their XML file for import into CPN tools. Our results include depictions of subnets produced and initial simulation results for a well-known case study.
Ill-conditioned inverse problems: a solution using the complex cepstrum of higher order spectra

The application of higher-order spectral methods to certain multichannel inverse problems where the observed time signals are linear combinations of unknown sources is proposed. The transfer matrix is static and known beforehand but is highly ill-conditioned, leading to the failure of standard least squares regularization techniques or low rank approximation when there is additive noise. The noise suppression properties of third order cumulants are used, along with the ability to obtain multiple estimates by extracting individual signals from their third order cross-correlations via cross-bicepstrum operations. Variations of this approach are presented, and normalization issues are discussed. >
Bilingual teachers' performances of power and conflict

This paper describes and analyzes the use of Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed (TO) as a form of academic and social support used in a recruitment and retention program for bilingual teachers in the Southeastern United States. We use critical discourse analysis to understand how TO works to disrupt monologic relationships and reestablish dialogue between teachers and others in their professional lives. Focused on power dynamics and communication between a bilingual paraprofessional and an adversarial parent, our analysis examines actors’ changing stances as they role‐play different possible approaches to the conflict. Findings suggest awareness of both the language tools that structure individual relationships and the larger forces shaping what different individuals can and cannot say, providing teacher‐participants with options for approaching interactional conflict in new ways – to take up confident, expansive roles and to project new futures for themselves and others.
Some Statistics Regarding the Reliability and Validity of Student Ratings of Teachers.

Abstract Four forced-choice teacher evaluation forms were developed and administered to students in 103 physical education activity classes. A stability coefficient and internal consistency estimates were computed on the various equivalent forms. Two validity coefficients were calculated using average grade assigned by the instructor and a composite rating obtained from supervisors. It was concluded that the results are internally consistent and relatively stable across time; however, the validity of the instruments remains questionable. Administrative decisions based largely upon the results of such instruments are not supported.
Examining the role of mu opioid receptor endocytosis in the beneficial and side-effects of prolonged opioid use: From a symposium on new concepts in mu-opioid pharmacology ☆

a b s t r a c t Opioid drugs remain the gold standard for the treatment of severe pain, both acute/post-surgical and chronic. However, the utility of opioid drugs for the treatment of chronic pain is compromised by the development of analgesic tolerance which, in turn, leads to dose-escalation and increased likelihood of dangerous side effects, including dependence. Consequently, there remains resistance among clinicians and the general population to using opiates for pain management because of risk of “addiction.” These fears are not unwarranted. More than 2.5 million people begin abusing opioid painkillers each year, and prescription opioid abuse is now the second most common type of illegal drug use after marijuana. Some abusers become dependent due to recreational use of prescription painkillers. However, many abusers are among the 40 million people suffering from chronic pain, and developed dependence while using the drugs for legitimate purposes. Both of these trends highlight the need to develop opioid therapeutics with a reduced liability to cause tolerance, dependence and addiction. Identifying the ideal properties of opioid drugs that would retain analgesia but reduce these side-effects has been a goal of my laboratory for more than a decade. During this time, we have proposed the novel hypothesis that opioid drugs that promote desensitization, endocytosis and recycling of the mu-opioid-receptor (MOR) will retain analgesic efficacy, but will have a reduced liability to cause tolerance, dependence and addiction. We have generated substantial data, both pharmacological and genetic to suggest that our hypothesis is a valid one. These data are summarized in this review. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Positive psychological health and stroke risk: The benefits of emotional vitality.

Objective Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Various forms of positive psychological health (e.g., emotional vitality) are associated with lower risk for heart disease. However, it is unclear whether positive psychological health may also be beneficial for stroke risk. The purpose of the present study was to examine prospectively the association between emotional vitality and incident stroke in a nationally representative sample of 6,019 participants in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Methods Emotional vitality was assessed via self-report at study baseline in 1971-1975. Stroke cases were identified from hospital/nursing home discharge reports and death certificates. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of incident stroke associated with a 1 SD increase in emotional vitality scores. Models were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and subsequently for psychological distress. Results Higher emotional vitality was associated with lower risk of incident stroke over a mean of 16.29 (SD = 4.75) years of follow-up (hazard ratio = 0.89; 95% confidence interval: 0.81, 0.99). Findings persisted when controlling for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and psychological distress. Conclusions Higher levels of emotional vitality were prospectively associated with lower stroke risk in a representative sample of the U.S. Population Associations were independent of psychological distress. Results point to the potential importance of positive psychological functioning for cardiovascular health and for stroke prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record