cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic management of failed frontal sinus obliteration.

BACKGROUND Frontal sinus obliteration (FSO) traditionally has represented the final stage in the algorithm for difficult to manage frontal sinus disease. In addition, FSO has been used in selected cases of frontal sinus trauma. However, this procedure has been associated with failure in 5-10% of cases. Advances in surgical instrumentation and image-guided surgical navigation have permitted endoscopic management of these failures. METHODS Eleven patients presenting with failure of a previously performed FSO were managed endoscopically with the assistance of image-guided surgical navigation. RESULTS Initial frontal sinus pathology included chronic inflammatory disease in six patients and frontal sinus trauma in two patients. Two patients underwent obliteration after neurosurgical frontal craniotomy and one patient underwent obliteration after curettage of a frontal sinus ossifying fibroma. Frontal sinuses were obliterated with fat in eight cases, bone chips in two cases, and bone cement in one case. The mean time interval to FSO failure was 11.1 years (range, 4 months-35 years). The etiology of failure included mucocele in eight patients, chronic frontal sinusitis in two patients, and Pott's puffy tumor in one patient. All 11 patients were managed endoscopically, of which 3 patients underwent a trans-septal frontal sinusotomy. Two patients required revision endoscopic surgery, but all were patent at last follow-up (mean, 14.8 months). CONCLUSION Endoscopic management of failed FSO may be performed safely. These approaches are viable alternatives to open revision procedures in the management of failed FSO.
Catheter Mapping and Ablation Technology

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has become the standard method for the management of many types of cardiac arrhythmias. Its safety and efficacy have been well described and the final outcome of RF-based ablation is frequently so satisfying that many patients would prefer it over medical therapy. Consequently, RF ablation has been attempted in virtually all types of cardiac arrhythmias including those with much less-defined substrates such as atrial fibrillation and its limitations were soon realized. This chapter outlines the fundamental aspects of the relatively low efficacy of conventional RF ablation technology. Other chapters in this book describe further technical components of RF ablation and alternative solutions.
Borderline Personality Features Mediate the Association Between ADHD, ODD, and Relational and Physical Aggression in Girls:

Objective: This study investigates borderline personality features (BPF) as a mediator of the association between ADHD and ODD symptoms and aggression in girls. Method: Parents of 118 girls (Mage =...
A Qualitative Study of Spanish-Speakers' Experience with Dense Breast Notifications in a Massachusetts Safety-Net Hospital.

Legislation requiring mammography facilities to notify women if they have dense breast tissue found on mammography has been enacted in 34 US states. The impact of dense breast notifications (DBNs) on women with limited English proficiency (LEP) is unknown. This study sought to understand Spanish-speaking women’s experience receiving DBNs in a Massachusetts safety-net hospital. Eligible women completed one audio-recorded, semi-structured interview via telephone with a native Spanish-speaking research assistant trained in qualitative methods. Interviews were professionally transcribed verbatim and translated. The translation was verified by a third reviewer to ensure fidelity with audio recordings. Nineteen Spanish-speaking women ages 40–74 who received mammography with a normal result and recalled receiving a DBN. Using the verified English transcripts, we conducted a content analysis to identify women’s perceptions and actions related to receiving the notification. A structured codebook was developed. Transcripts were independently coded and assessed for agreement with a modification of Cohen’s kappa. Content codes were grouped to build themes related to women’s perceptions and actions after receiving a DBN. Nineteen Spanish-speaking women completed interviews. Nine reported not receiving the notification in their native language. Four key themes emerged: (1) The novelty of breast density contributed to notification-induced confusion; (2) women misinterpreted key messages in the notification; (3) varied actions were taken to seek further information; and (4) women held unrealized expectations and preferences for follow-up. Not having previous knowledge of breast density and receiving notifications in English contributed to confusion about its meaning and inaccurate interpretations of key messages by Spanish speakers. Tools that promote understanding should be leveraged in seeking equity in risk-based breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts.
Loss of PTEN expression induces NF-kB via PI3K/Akt pathway involving resistance to chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines

5530 PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene responsible for downregulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k)/Akt pathway. Loss of PTEN expression frequently occurs in human cancer leading to high Akt activation, which consequently confers neoplastic cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Here we report a mechanism by which loss of PTEN expression activates the transcription factor NF-kB through the PI3k/Akt pathway that induces activation of the IkBα kinase (IKK). Activation of NF-kB by loss of PTEN expression results in resistance to doxorubicin in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Initially, we examined six leukemia cell lines derived from children with ALL for the expression of PTEN and activation of NF-kB, and found that 3 of the 6 lines lacked PTEN expression (PTEN-) and expressed constitutive activation of NF-kB. In contrast, 3 PTEN positive (PTEN+) lines were defect of NF-kB activation. Treatment of PTEN- line with PI3k kinase inhibitor Ly294002 caused downregulation of Akt activity accompanied by reduced activation of IKK and inhibition of nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kB, resulting in increased sensitivity to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Similar to treatment with Ly294002, transfection of the PTEN expression plasmid into the PTEN- lines attenuated constitutive activation of both Akt and NF-kB, thereby sensitizing these cells to doxorubicin. Conversely, inhibition of PTEN expression in PTEN+ lines with siRNA induced activation of NF-kB, leading to resistance to doxorubicin-induced cell death. These results suggest that both constitutive and inducible activation of NF-kB play an important role in chemotherapy resistance, and that loss of PTEN expression is at least one reason for the constitutive activation of NF-kB in ALL cells.
Ecological Awareness for Training-Teachers at Chemistry and Biology Departments and its Correlate with them Academic Achievement

The present study aims to identify the ecological awareness of the training- teachers from the Chemistry and life Biology departments and its correlate to their academic achievements. Therefore, a sample of (248) training- teachers was randomly selected from Chemistry and Biology departments in the College of Education for their departments representation. The study has required building an ecological awareness scale, which was prepared by the researchers based on the literature in the field of standards and testing building. The items of the scale have reached (40) distributed over five areas, each of which has (8) items: air pollution, biosphere, chemical pollution, health care related to human life, and general care for the environment. The results show that the training-teachers have an ecological awareness and that this awareness is positively related to their academic achievement. Finally, the study has made a number of recommendations and suggestions.
Design, Implementation, and in Vivo Validation of a Novel Proton FLASH Radiation Therapy System.

Purpose Recent studies suggest that ultrahigh-dose-rate, “FLASH,” electron radiation therapy (RT) decreases normal tissue damage while maintaining tumor response compared with conventional dose rate RT. Here, we describe a novel RT apparatus that delivers FLASH proton RT (PRT) using double scattered protons with computed tomography guidance and provide the first report of proton FLASH RT-mediated normal tissue radioprotection. Methods and Materials Absolute dose was measured at multiple depths in solid water and validated against an absolute integral charge measurement using a Faraday cup. Real-time dose rate was obtained using a NaI detector to measure prompt gamma rays. The effect of FLASH versus standard dose rate PRT on tumors and normal tissues was measured using pancreatic flank tumors (MH641905) derived from the KPC autochthonous PanCa model in syngeneic C57BL/6J mice with analysis of fibrosis and stem cell repopulation in small intestine after abdominal irradiation. Results The double scattering and collimation apparatus was dosimetrically validated with dose rates of 78 ± 9 Gy per second and 0.9 ± 0.08 Gy per second for the FLASH and standard PRT. Whole abdominal FLASH PRT at 15 Gy significantly reduced the loss of proliferating cells in intestinal crypts compared with standard PRT. Studies with local intestinal irradiation at 18 Gy revealed a reduction to near baseline levels of intestinal fibrosis for FLASH-PRT compared with standard PRT. Despite this difference, FLASH-PRT did not demonstrate tumor radioprotection in MH641905 pancreatic cancer flank tumors after 12 or 18 Gy irradiation. Conclusions We have designed and dosimetrically validated a FLASH-PRT system with accurate control of beam flux on a millisecond time scale and online monitoring of the integral and dose delivery time structure. Using this system, we found that FLASH-PRT decreases acute cell loss and late fibrosis after whole-abdomen and focal intestinal RT, whereas tumor growth inhibition is preserved between the 2 modalities.
Progress Towards a Non-Lamination Encapsulation Technology to Improve Reliability and Reduce Costs

New solar module architectures and manufacturing technologies are being developed that significantly reduce manufacturing costs and improve reliability. Variants for both crystalline silicon and thin film devices are being optimized. The outcome of this ongoing program will be a new module designs, streamlined manufacturing processes and accelerated stress results showing improved reliability. Prototype encapsulation process will demonstrate cycle time under 1 minute compared to the current industry method of vacuum lamination which takes more than 10 minutes. The new technology will significantly lower manufacturing costs, process time and reduce capital expenditures by approximately 3-5 times
Transesophageal Three-Dimensional Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease

In the past 10 years, real-time three-dimensional echocardiography has emerged as an important new technique in echocardiography for the diagnosis and evaluation of both acquired and congenital heart disease. In recent years, three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) probes have become available. While these probes were designed primarily for use in the adult age group, they have also been utilized effectively in older children and adolescents. These probes are capable of real-time 3D TEE imaging and color flow Doppler, providing excellent spatial detail of selected acquired and congenital heart defects. Thus 3D TEE serves an important and ever-increasing role during cardiac surgery as well as interventional cardiology procedures. This chapter describes the technique of 3D TEE imaging as well as some of its most common applications for congenital heart disease evaluation.
Conjugate transfer function compensation of ionospheric refractive effects

The next generation of GNSS signals will bring alongside them a new generation of errors. Understanding these errors and their sources can help their correction efforts to improve their PNT solution accuracy and to better support remote sensing applications. Some newer signals such as GPS L1C and L5, Galileo E5, BDS-3 have wider spectral coverages. The wide spectral coverage will subject the signals to more dispersion due to ionospheric effects, such as refractive code delay determined by the total electron content (TEC), leading to consequences such as correlation peak loss, widening, and offset which directly impact ranging accuracy. This study investigates the use of TEC estimations to compensate not only the delay error, but also the dispersion on wide bandwidth or spectral signals. By applying a frequency-dependent transfer function to the received spectra before the correlation process, the dispersion can be compensated and hence the effects on the correlation peak distortion are reduced. This transfer function is essentially the conjugate exponential of the dual-frequency TEC estimate phase delay. Simulated L1C signals are generated and reprocessed through the ionosphere by this transfer function to test its use. The TEC is varied to show how the correlation peak, width, and offset are affected. Then the described transfer function conjugate is applied to the ionospheric affected signal models and re-correlated with the replica to quantify how the correlation has improved in comparison to the pseudorange measurement ionospheric delay model. This comparison is the measure of how necessary applying this type of correction will be. Results show that for the L1C bandwidth, the pseudorange measurement ionospheric delay model is comparable to the conjugate transfer function.
Design and Implementation of a Dual-Probe Microsampling Apparatus for the Direct Analysis of Adherent Mammalian Cells by Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry.

Atmospheric pressure sampling mass spectrometric methods are ideal platforms for rapidly analyzing the metabolomes of biological specimens. Several liquid extraction-based techniques have been deve...
Finding a Needle in a Haystack: Proteomics in Heart Failure.

Circulating protein biomarkers provide information regarding pathways in heart failure (HF) and can add important value to clinicians. Advancements in proteomics allow researchers to measure a multitude of proteins simultaneously with excellent sensitivity and selectivity to detect low abundance proteins. This helps identify previously unrecognized pathways in HF and discover biomarkers and potential targets for HF therapies. Although several proteomic methods exist, including mass spectrometry, protein microarray, aptamer, and proximity extension assay-based techniques, each have their unique advantages. This paper provides an overview of the various proteomic methods, with examples of how each has contributed to understanding the pathways in HF.
A Binary Stacker via Barrel Shifters

Stacking, or grouping all set bits in a binary sequence together, is used recently to design a fast parallel (6,3) counter, and a novel approximate (4,2) compressor. These circuits use blocks of a stacking circuit, that can stack only three bits long binary sequences. This paper presents a new procedure to stack set bits in an N bits long binary sequence, for any N, in $\mathrm{O}({log}[N])$ stages. Design of fast parallel binary counters using the proposed stacking method, is also discussed.
Effects of Central Bank Intervention on the Interbank Market During the Subprime Crisis

We explore whether central bank intervention improves liquidity in the interbank market during the current subprime crisis with unique trade and quote data from the e-MID, the only regulated electronic interbank market in the world. Central bank intervention consistently creates greater uncertainty in the interbank market. Prior to the crisis, the cover-to-bid ratio effectively conveys good and bad news from the central bank, but this link is broken during the crisis, suggesting that standard (and special) interventions that do not specifically target interbank asymmetric information fail to improve market liquidity. Our results suggest that the central bank should release stress tests for individual banks, provide interbank loan guarantees, or engage in direct asset purchases rather than simply providing more capital when counterparty risk poses systemic risk to the interbank market. The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com., Oxford University Press.
Neuroscience Research using Small Animals on a Chip: From Nematodes to Zebrafish Larvae

Implementation of microfluidic technology to study small animal models such as Caenorhabditis elegans worms (soil-dwelling nematodes), Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) and larvae of Danio rerio (zebrafish) provides great opportunities for in vivo quantification of neuronal activities and behavioral responses. By controlling the internal environment, microfluidic devices can manipulate animal models with precision and cause minimal damage to the specimen. Due to these advantages, microfluidic devices have been applied to high-throughput drug screening, high-throughput brain-wide activity mapping, analyzing animals’ neuronal and behavioral responses to different external stimuli, microinjection, and neuronal regeneration. In this paper, we review different microfluidic devices and techniques that allow the manipulation of small animal models to study brain functions and behavioral responses. Furthermore, biomedical applications of microfluidic systems, technical challenges, and future directions in the whole brain and animal research on a chip will be discussed.
Status and Gap in Rechargeable Lithium Battery Supply Chain: Importance of Quantitative Failure Analysis

Rechargeable lithium batteries (RLBs), including lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), are accelerating the electrification of transportation and grid energy storage. This transformation of the transportation and energy sector could bring more clean energy into our energy security. The RLB technology is growing rapidly in these sectors due to substantial cost reductions and mobility needs. Yet, the durability, reliability, and safety issues of RLB remain concerns due to the nature of high-energy content in RLB. The concern of limited resources of the critical materials to sustain the RLB use is also escalated. Reuse and recycling of RLB to extend the useful life and recovery of the critical materials become important. Here, we provide a critical review of these topics to give a timely assessment of the status and gap of the RLB technologies and their supply chain. A key concept to use a quantitative failure mode and effect analysis is proposed to help advance RLB design, development, manufacturing, and deployment. The approach can be a viable method to enable physical principle-based technology assessment, failure identification, quantification, and verification of reliability and safety issues in the RLB supply chain.
Differential vulnerability of native and non-native mollusks to predation by juvenile black carp

Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), a large molluscivorous cyprinid native to eastern Asia, has become established in the Mississippi River basin in North America. The vulnerability of most North American snails and bivalves to black carp predation remains unknown, especially as it relates to juvenile black carp transitioning to mollusk prey. We conducted feeding experiments to assess the relative vulnerability of different mollusks to predation by age-0 and age-1 black carp. Age-0 black carp were tested with the North American native unionid Hamiota perovalis, a native pleurocerid snail Elimia livescens, and a native physid snail in the genus Physella. Age-1 black carp were tested with Elimia livescens, the North American native unionids Lampsilis cardium and Lampsilis cariosa, a native sphaeriid clam in the genus Musculium, and the non-native cyrenid clam Corbicula fluminea. Juvenile black carp readily attacked and consumed mollusks, but differences in vulnerability were evident among prey taxa exposed to age-0 and age-1 black carp. Age-0 black carp were able to consume Physella approaching the extent of their mouth gape. Age-1 black carp displayed greater feeding capabilities than age-0 black carp and easily consumed Elimia, Lampsilis, and Musculium. The only prey taxon that age-1 black carp struggled to consume was Corbicula, which had the thickest and widest shells relative to predator gape of all prey tested. Our results suggest that a wide range of small or juvenile mollusks are susceptible to predation by juvenile black carp but highlight that prey-specific characteristics, such as shell strength and shell size, may drive differential predation pressure on mollusk populations as the invaded range of black carp expands.
Material Cultural Macroevolution

Defining “evolution” simply as the fate of transmissible information allows comparisons to be drawn between the domains of biological and material cultural evolution. “Genes” are real corporeal information-bearing entities, whereas “memes” are particles of information known only from specifiable bits of cultural phenomena—including material culture.
Rewards and Consequences: Redistricting on the Chicago City Council

AbstractThe challenges of understanding gerrymandering are primarily related to its conceptual ambiguity and measurement. This is true despite landmark legal rulings and a rich literature on the subject. In an attempt to alleviate some of the confusion, theories of the gerrymandering process are combined with advanced quantitative and mapping techniques. The focus is on Chicago, where it is frequently claimed that gerrymandering is institutionalised; however, there has not been sufficient study of the causal connections between gerrymandering and a ward’s racial makeup. Employing a mixed methods approach which combines a case study of the 2011–2012 redistricting in Chicago with quantitative analysis of Decennial Census and data from the Chicago Data Portal, this article examines the remapping of Chicago from early 2012 (effective in 2015 and matched with 2010 Census data) to assess how potentially gerrymandered districts are diluting or concentrating vote share of racially homogeneous groups.
Isolation and characterization of the unusual lipopolysaccharide component, 2-amino-2-deoxy-2-N-(27-hydroxyoctacosanoyl)-3-O-(3-hydroxy- tetradecanoyl)-gluco-hexuronic acid, and its de-O-acylation product from the free lipid A of Rhizobium trifolii ANU843.

Two new, unusual lipid A components have been isolated and characterized from the free lipid A of Rhizobium trifolii ANU843. 2-Amino-2-deoxy-2-N-(27-hydroxyoctacosanoyl)-3-O-(3-hydroxy- tetradecanoyl)-gluco-hexuronic acid and its de-O-acylation product were purified from the chloroform/methanol extract of a mild acid hydrolysate of the lipopolysaccharide by chromatography on C18 reverse-phase columns and layers. The compositions of the two compounds were determined by releasing the acyl components by exhaustive acid-catalyzed methanolysis and identifying them as their methyl esters by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The sugar component was identified by converting it to the alditol acetate derivative of glucosamine in a two-step reduction and identifying it as such by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The linkages of the fatty acyl components to the sugar residue and the configuration of the sugar component was confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The complete structures of the two compounds were further confirmed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. It is still unsure whether the de-O-acylated derivative was formed from the di-acyl compound by de-O-acylation during acid hydrolysis. These structures represent the first report of 2-amino-2-deoxy-gluco-hexuronic acid in the free lipid A of a Gram-negative bacterium and confirms our earlier contention (Hollingsworth, R.I., and Carlson, R. W. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 9000-9303) of the involvement of 27-hydroxyoctacosanoic acid in the structure of the lipopolysaccharide of Rhizobium trifolii ANU843.
Cardiovascular Adjustments to Thermal Stress

The sections in this article are: 1 Critique of Some Methods Employed in Humans 1.1 Total and Regional Cutaneous Blood Flow 1.2 Cardiac Output 1.3 Central Blood Volume 1.4 Regional Blood Flow 1.5 Measurement of Temperature 2 General Features of the Cutaneous Circulation: A Brief Review 2.1 Cutaneous Blood Flow 2.2 Cutaneous Blood Volume 2.3 Innervation of Cutaneous Arterioles 2.4 Local Control of Skin Blood Flow: Interaction With Reflexes 2.5 Reflex and Local Control of Cutaneous Veins 3 Circulatory Adjustments to Heat Stress in Resting Humans 3.1 Changes in Cardiac Output, Blood Pressure, and Blood Volume 3.2 Distribution of Cardiac Output in Heat-Stressed Resting Humans 3.3 Cardiac Output and Its Distribution in Heat-Stressed Resting Subhuman Species 3.4 Distribution of Blood Volume in Heat-Stressed Resting Humans 3.5 Mechanisms of Blood Flow Redistribution in Rest 3.6 Acclimatization in Rest 4 Interaction Between Thermoregulatory and Nonthermoregulatory Reflexes in Control of Skin Blood Flow 4.1 Cutaneous Vascular Responses to Baroreflexes 4.2 Cardiopulmonary (Low-Pressure) Baroreflex 4.3 Postural Influences: Hydrostatic Problem 4.4 Upright Posture in Heat Stress: Interaction Between Reflex Vasoconstriction and Vasodilation 4.5 Exercise 4.6 Possible Modes of Reflex Interaction: Unsolved Problems 5 Overall Circulatory Adjustments to Heat Stress and Exercise 5.1 Distribution of Blood Volume 5.2 Redistribution of Blood Flow During Exercise 5.3 Central Circulation 5.4 Adaptation to Heat Stress and Exercise: Acclimatization
Dynamics of maximum junction temperature of power MOSFETs

It has been understood that a single pulse operation is limited by the maximum junction temperature, T/sub j,max/. The intrinsic nature of the maximum junction temperature limit is expressed in terms of power but not of voltage. Both simulation and experimental results reveal that the maximum junction temperature is not static but dynamic, depending on the voltage. The intrinsic junction temperature mechanism can not comprehend the dynamic property of the maximum junction temperature. This paper deals with dynamic characteristics of the maximum junction temperature of power MOSFET devices in terms of operation and design aspects.
Association Theory and the Nature of the Critical State

The association theory of liquids previously presented is used to formulate a description of the Critical State. This description accounts logically for the persistance of density differences after the refractive index boundary has disappeared. The theory predicts that x, the degree of association of the large particles would be 5 or more at the critical point. Approximate calculations are presented for 15 substances, giving the minimum and maximum limits for α. The lower limit for these substances is about 5.3 while the upper limit is around 30. Eine kurzlich publizierte Assoziationstheorie fur Flussigkeiten wird zur Beschreibung des kritischen Zustandes benutzt. Diese Beschreibung berucksichtigt Dichteschichtungen auch nach dem Verschwinden des Meniskus. Die Theorie sagt voraus, daβ der Assoziationsgrad α ≈5 am kritischen Punkt ist. Abschatzungen der Maximal- und Minimalwerte von α werden fur 15 Substanzen angegeben; die untere Grenze ist ca. 5,3, die obere ca. 30.
Bounties from Biomarkers

Echoes of Life . What Fossil Molecules Reveal About Earth History. By Susan M. Gaines, Geoffrey Eglinton, and Jurgen Rullkotter . Oxford University Press, New York, 2009. 375 pp. $35, £18.99. ISBN 9780195176193. Writing for the interested nonspecialist, the authors interweave an account of the development of biomarker research and sketches of what these fossil organic molecules tell us about the histories of Earth and life.
Thomas Fermi Calculation of the Degree of Ionization in a Dense Plasma

The knowledge of the average degree of ionization of a plasma plays a significant role both in inertial confinement experiments and in astrophysical situations. The Thomas-Fermi statistical model, combining relative simplicity, clarity and excellent qualitative descriptive capacity, has been proven to be a powerful method to calculate the average properties of the atomic system, such as the equation of state and the degree of ionization. A number of different versions of Thomas-Fermi model have been adopted to calculate the degree of ionization. Kobayashi (1959) solved the Thomas-Fermi equation for positive ions and calculated the degree of ionization for zero-temperature. For finite temperature, I.J. Feng, et al. (Feng, Zakowicz and Pratt, 1981) compiled a detailed study of the degree of ionization of a dense plasma in the Thomas-Fermi (TF) and the Debye-Huckel-Thomas-Fermi (DHTF) approximation. The results of Feng’s work are shown in Fig. 1. Note than an anomolous feature, viz., that the degree of ionization decreases as temperature increases, appears in both curves d and c, based on the DHTF model. In curve d, the bound electrons are defined as the electrons with a negative total energy and the number of bound electrons was calculated by integration. The dip in curve d is very obvious. In curve c, an attempt was made to remedy this defect. Here the bound electrons are restricted to be inside the sphere with the radius of mean distance between ions. The dip in the curve diminishes, but still exists.
Masking unveils pre-amodal completion representation in visual search

When one object is partly occluded by another, its occluded parts are perceptually ‘filled in’, that is, the occluded object appears to continue behind its occluder. This process is known as amodal completion1. The completion of a partially occluded object takes about 200 ms (ref. 2), and pre-completion information (that is, information from before amodal completion has occurred) exists in the visual system for that duration2,3. It has been suggested, however, that observers cannot make use of this information, even when it is beneficial to do so: visual search for a target that appears to be partly occluded, for example, is slower than for a target that does not undergo occlusion, despite both targets being physically identical4,5,6. Here we show that visual search does have access to pre-completion representations, but only for a limited time that depends on the size of the occluded region.
Momentum-transfer dependence of the γNN∗ vertex in a dispersion theoretical model. II☆

Abstract We study the dependence of the electropion production vertex on λ, the square of the 4-momentum transferred between electrons, by employing unsubtracted dispersion relations written in terms of the λ-variable itself. Adopting a model in which only spinless pions, nucleons, and photons are considered, we concentrate on complications of the λ-plane singularity structure which result from the instability of the final state π-N system. Physical unitarity in the λ-channel is approximated by the three intermediate states ππ, N N , and πN N . A closed system of form factors and scattering amplitudes which are coupled by unitarity is thus obtained. It is assumed that an s-wave gp-N resonance exists, and the π-N center-of-mass s-wave form factor is singled out for special attention. A dispersion relation is written for this form factor and is found to possess several complex anomalous branch cuts when the s-variable is above thresh-old. We calculate the discontinuities across these anomalous cuts and show that the dispersion relations obtained obey both s- and λ-channel unitarity. A version of the coupled channel N D method is used to rewrite the dispersion relations as an equivalent set of partially decoupled, linear integral equations.
A 60 joule, 600kv, 1ns rise-time marx system

This paper describes work on the design and development of a low energy Marx generator system capable of producing a fast (1 ns rise time) /spl Ichemo/ 600 kV pulse. The system consists of a Marx generator, peaking circuit and a short length coaxial line with a passive load. The generator delivers the power to 10-150 ohm loads with a peak power approaching 10 GW. The unique features are simplicity of design, ease of operation, and above all compactness which permits easy portability and in-situ application. The system can be used: a) to produce an intense relativistic electron/ion beam in the virtual cathode reflex triode for high power microwave generation; b) for flash X-ray radiography to record and study dynamic events where interposed material, debris, or flame exclude the use of high speed cameras; c) to provide 10/sup 6/ to 10/sup 7/ D-D (2.45 MeV) or D-T (14.1 MeV) neutrons in several nanoseconds; d) to study the dielectric properties of matter; e) for NEMP studies; and f) to preionize a powerful (electron beam controlled) eximer laser system. Experimental results are presented along with computer simulations using lumped-parameter approximations.
Evaluating the reliability of the Attitudes to Randomized Trial Questionnaire (ARTQ) in a predominantly African American sample

To evaluate the reliability of the Attitudes to Randomized Trial Questionnaire (ARTQ) in measuring perceptions of cancer clinical trials in a predominantly African American (AA) sample in South Carolina (SC). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cronbach’s alpha estimates were used to assess the reliability of the ARTQ in a convenience sample of 315 participants (81.4 % AA) who were recruited from 2008 to 2013, and who live in eleven different counties in South Carolina with high rates of racial disparities in cancer mortality rates. Slightly more than half of the 315 participants had at least a college education (77.9 %), 84.8 % were female, and 53.1 % had an annual income of $40,000 or more. In this study, PCA confirmed that the ARTQ is unidimensional. Cronbach’s alpha for the ARTQ was 0.86. The ARTQ displayed strong evidence of high statistical reliability. This analysis has great implications for future research because it represents the first test of reliability of the ARTQ in a predominantly African American sample and lays the groundwork for use of the ARTQ in future studies in diverse populations.
Product benchmarking using DFE analysis tools

Product benchmarking is carried out in industry as a means of comparing products with those of competing companies and as a means of gauging improvements in new designs. Design decision support tools, such as those for QFD, FMEA and DFMA, are often used for generating comparative data for benchmarking purposes. The availability of analysis tools for design for environment (DFE) enables environmental and disassembly measures to be included in product benchmarking studies. The application of a specific DFE tool to benchmarking is discussed and results for some selected products are presented.
Daniel S. Goldin's legacy at NASA

Abstract Daniel Goldin's tenure as NASA Administrator was marked by both innovation and cost-cutting—as exemplified by the ‘faster, better, cheaper’ maxim—which produced achievement and failure as well as praise and condemnation. His three-fold management strategy of encouraging risk taking, promoting miniaturization and reducing the numbers working on complex missions is analyzed. The author considers how far this was effective and suggests that history may view Goldin's administration as a bold first step towards displacing an inappropriate and unsustainable culture of uncontrolled spending on space.
Alcohol Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors and Outcomes in China: A Literature Review

This review systematically examines the empirical evidence regarding the association between alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors and outcomes among the Chinese population in mainland, China. Articles published in English (n = 11) and in Chinese (n = 7) from 1980 to 2008 documented consistent associations between alcohol use and several sexual risk behaviors, sexual coercion, sexual violence, and HIV/STIs across both the general population and high-risk groups, except for men having sex with men. This review suggests that alcohol use is associated with diverse sexual risk behaviors and outcomes across a variety of social groups in China, consistent with the evidence from the Western countries and Sub-Saharan Africa. Alcohol use is an important but under-researched correlate of sexual risk behaviors and outcomes in China. This review indicates the importance of research assessing alcohol use among both genders and with standardized measures, and suggests the importance of integrating alcohol use control in sexual risk reduction and prevention efforts in China.
Concept of schizophrenia

TINS- November 1978 129 In the first Point of View, T. Szasz replied to R. E. Kenddl's account of schizophrenia, as it is considered by most clinicians today, by suggest- inf. /nter aria, that many diagnoses of schizophrenia are "political', and that for many being a schizophrenic is a career. Kendell (p. 55) and others (pp. 68, 69, 131) have written to Trends in NeuroSciences to voice the strong disagreement which most scientists and clinicians have with Szasz' viewpoint. However, we have also received letters, published below, that indicate that there are others who would question some of our present views concerning schiz3- phrenia - ED.
Effects of Media Dependencies Audience Assessment of Government

A review of existing research shows some evidence that persons dependent on television news for public affairs information are more likely to have negative attitudes toward government and to be less well informed about that government than persons dependent on newspapers Such a relationship between dependency and evaluations and knowledge of government was replicated here, though only where local government was concerned The meaning of the dependency concept is explored and empirical evidence is offered that dependency is distinct from simple exposure to the media
Hypoplasia of the second metacarpal in mother and daughter

6. patrizi, G., Middlekamp, J. N., Herweg, J. C., and Thornton, H. K.: Human cytomegalovirus: Electron microscopy of a primary viral isolate, J. Lab. Clin. Med. 65: 825, 1965. 7. Remington, J. S., Miller, M. J., and Brownlee, I.: IgM antibodies in acute toxoplasmosis. I. Diagnostic significance in congenital cases and a method for their rapid demonstration, Pediatrics 41: 1082, 1968. 8. Monif, G. R. G. : In Viral infections of the human fetus, London, 1969, Collier-Macmillan, Ltd., p. 2. 9. Hayes, K., and Gibas, H." Placental cytomegalovirus infection without fetal involvement following primary infection in pregnancy, J. P~DIATR. 79: 401, 1971. 10. Lang, D. J., and Noren, B.: Cytomegaloviremia following congenital infection, J. PEDIATR. 73: 812, 1968. 11. Goldman, R. L., Bank, R. W., and Warner, N. E.: Cytomegalovirus infection of the cervix: An "incidental" finding of possible clinical significance, Obstet. Gynecol. 34: 326, 1969.
On the evolution of pure winner and loser effects: A game-theoretic model

The persistence of linear dominance hierarchies is often attributed to higher probabilities of a win after a win or a loss after a loss in agonistic interactions, yet there has been no theory on the evolution of such prior-experience effects. Here an analytic model, based on the idea that contests are determined by subjective perceptions of resource-holding potential (RHP) which animals may revise in the light of experience, demonstrates that winner and loser effects can evolve through round-robin competition among triads of animals drawn randomly from their population, and that the probability of a hierarchy increases with the strength of the combined effect. The effects are pure, in the sense that a contestant observes neither its own RHP nor its opponent’s RHP or RHP perception or win—loss record; and so the strength of an effect is unmodified by the RHPs of particular individuals, but depends on the distribution of RHP among the population at large. The greater the difference between an individual’s and its opponent’s RHP perception, the more likely it is to win a contest; however, if it overestimates its RHP, then the cost of fighting increases with the overestimate. A winner or loser effect exists only if the fitness gain of the beta individual in a hierarchy, relative to that of the alpha, is less than 0.5. Then a loser effect can exist alone, or it can coexist with a winner effect; however, there cannot exist a winner effect without a loser effect.
Some Remarks on the Graph Γ I (R)

Let R be a commutative ring with nonzero identity and Z(R) its set of zero-divisors. The zero-divisor graph of R is Γ(R), with vertices Z(R)∖{0} and distinct vertices x and y are adjacent if and only if xy = 0. For a proper ideal I of R, the ideal-based zero-divisor graph of R is Γ I (R), with vertices {x ∈ R∖I | xy ∈ I for some y ∈ R∖I} and distinct vertices x and y are adjacent if and only if xy ∈ I. In this article, we study the relationship between the two graphs Γ(R) and Γ I (R). We also determine when Γ I (R) is either a complete graph or a complete bipartite graph and investigate when Γ I (R) ≅ Γ(S) for some commutative ring S.
Interpreting Secondary Students’ Performance on a Timed, Multiple-Choice Reading Comprehension Assessment The Prevalence and Impact of Non-Attempted Items

Standardized measures are often used as an index of students’ reading comprehension and scores have important implications, particularly for students who perform below expectations. This study examined secondary-level students’ patterns of responding and the prevalence and impact of non-attempted items on a timed, group-administered, multiple-choice test of reading comprehension. The Reading Comprehension subtest from the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test was administered to 694 students in Grades 7 to 9. Students were categorized according to their test performance (low-, middle-, and high-achieving). Scores of the lowest achieving subgroup were affected significantly by high rates of non-attempted items, particularly on the later third of the test. Furthermore, the percentage of students who completed the assessment was far below that reported by the test authors. The results send a cautionary message to researchers and educators that, when text comprehension is the primary assessment target, to consider ra...
Characterization of the physical and chemical properties of the distillate fractions of crude bio-oil produced by the glycerol-assisted liquefaction of swine manure

Abstract The distillation curves of crude bio-oil from glycerol-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction of swine manure were measured. The crude bio-oil had much higher distillation temperature than diesel and gasoline. Ninety percentage of the crude bio-oil was recovered at a distillation temperature of 498.8 °C, compared to 350.4 °C for diesel and 177.8 °C for gasoline. The remaining 10% of the residue was mainly char formed during the distillation of the crude bio-oil. However, the crude bio-oil produced from glycerol-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction of swine manure was more distillable than the bio-oil produced by the traditional liquefaction of swine manure and the pyrolysis of corn stover. The physical and chemical properties of nine distillate fractions were analyzed. Except the first 10% volumetric fraction that was recovered at a temperature up to 359.4 °C contained 46.75% of water by mass, the moisture content of other eight bio-oil distillate fractions, each of which had 10% of the initial volume, was less than 1%. As the first 10% fraction had a large amount of water, its heating value was only 18.75 MJ/kg. The heating value of remaining eight fractions increased from 37.16 MJ/kg to 45.38 MJ/kg with the increase of the distillation temperature from 359.4 °C to 498.8 °C, compared to the 36.41 MJ/kg for the crude bio-oil with 5.38% of water by mass. The pH value of the crude bio-oil produced by the glycerol-assisted liquefaction of swine manure was 5.02. The pH values of the distillate fractions that were collected at relatively low or very high temperatures were close to neutral. The carbon content of the distillate fractions increased from 69.23% to 80.96% and the oxygen content decreased from 16.53% to 4.54% with the increase of the distillation temperature. There was small difference in hydrogen content ranged from 9.39% to 11.70%. The GC–MS analysis showed the distillates from the crude bio-oil produced by the glycerol assisted liquefaction of swine manure contained large amounts of different esters. Longer chain methyl acid esters were found in the distillate fractions collected at higher temperatures. As alkanes and alkenes were detected in the fractions collected at 410.9 °C or above, thermal cracking at a temperature from 410 °C to 500 °C might be used to upgrade the crude bio-oil produced from the glycerol-assisted liquefaction of swine manure. If a catalyst is used, the temperature of thermal cracking can be reduced to make the cracking process more energy efficient.
THE EFFECT OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE ON ROOT‐TIPS OF PISUM SATIVUM AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES

FROM INVESTIGATIONS on centrifuged plant cels various workers have drawn conclusions as to the structure, viscosity, and specific gravity of the several cell elements by noting the ease with which the elements move in the surrounding medium. The degree of movement depends not only upon the viscosity of the medium through which a particle moves but also upon the difference in specific gravity between the particle and the medium. By varying the viscosity it should be possible to determine the relative specific gravity of the various cell elements, provided the specific gravity and the viscosity do not change in the same direction under the same stimulus. F. and G. Weber (1917), Pantin (1924), and Lambers (1925) have demonstrated that, within limits, the viscosity of protoplasm decreases as the temperature increases. Mottier (1899) was the first investigator to study the effect of centrifugal force upon the living contents of the cell. He centrifuged trichomes of Tradescantia, Urtica, Momordica, and Cucurbita; root-tips of Zea Mays, Phaseolus vulgaris, Allium cepa, and Vicia faba as well as various algae and mosses. Mottier reported that in the trichomes and root-tip cells the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cytoplasmic inclusions were forced as a dense mass into the lower end of the cell while the vacuoles were compelled to occupy the opposite end of the cell. Mottier noted that in the embryonic cells of the root-tips, the nucleolus occupied a normal position after centrifuging. However, in older cells, the nucleolus usually was in contact with the nuclear membrane toward which the force was directed, and in a few cells the nucleolus was thrust through the nuclear membrane. An identical centrifugal force, however, did not eject the nucleoli from the nuclei of the various trichome cells. During cell division, early prophase stages showed but a slight displacement of the spireme. In later stages, in some cells the mitotic figures occupied an oblique position against the basal wall after being centrifuged. When this occurred, slight distortions were noted in the spindle fibers, but the chromosome groups were not thrown together. There appears to be but one published account of the behavior of mitochondria in centrifuged cells. Faure-Fremiet (1913), working with centrifuged eggs of Ascaris meqalocephala, reports that when the cytoplasm is not highly viscous the mitochondria may be centrifuged out, demonstrating that their specific gravity exceeds that of the cytoplasm. At 350C. four minutes were required for the mitochondria to
Expanding the crisis planning function: Introducing elements of risk communication to crisis communication practice

Abstract This study suggests the use of elements of risk communication for use by crisis communication practitioners who will face an increasing industrial reliance on new technology which might be associated with potential health and environmental harm. A case study of a small company crisis revealed that the elements of anticipation, public involvement, public trust, technological comparison, and media tolerance might be useful to public relations practitioners dealing with technological crises.