cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A unimolecular evaporation model for simulating argon condensation flows in direct simulation Monte Carlo

In previous work, a cluster evaporation model was derived from the classical nucleation theory (CNT) to simulate condensation in free expanding plumes using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. However, the use of a CNT evaporation model, especially in a low temperature environment, is problematic because macroparameters such as cluster surface tension and vapor saturation pressure are not physical for small cluster sizes. In this work, we propose a kinetic based evaporation model obtained from unimolecular dissociation theory (UDT) to model argon cluster evaporation processes in a free expanding plume. The UDT argon cluster evaporation model has been directly verified by molecular dynamics and quasiclassical trajectory simulations. It is found that although there is about one order of magnitude difference in the CNT and UDT evaporation rates, these two theories predict similar cluster evaporation rate trends as a function of cluster size and temperature. The verified new UDT evaporation model...
A comprehensive transcriptome analysis of silique development and dehiscence in Arabidopsis and Brassica integrating genotypic, interspecies and developmental comparisons.

Asynchronous flowering of Brassica napus (canola) leads to seeds and siliques at varying stages of maturity as harvest approaches. This range of maturation can result in premature silique dehiscence (pod shattering), resulting in yield losses, which may be worsened by environmental stresses. Therefore, a goal for canola crop improvement is to reduce shattering in order to maximize yield. We performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis on the dehiscence zone (DZ) and valve of Arabidopsis and Brassica siliques in shatter resistant and sensitive genotypes at several developmental stages. Among known Arabidopsis dehiscence genes, we confirmed that homologs of SHP1/2, FUL, ADPG1, NST1/3 and IND were associated with shattering in B. juncea and B. napus. We noted a correlation between reduced pectin degradation genes and shatter-resistance. Tension between lignified and non-lignified cells in the silique DZ plays a major role in dehiscence. Light microscopy revealed a smaller non-lignified separation layer i...
A Very Tangled Web Public and Private Redux

A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling raises significant concerns about the continuing erosion of the line between public and private, and the proliferation of the “unintended consequences” that flow from sectoral blurring. The authors use that case to introduce a broader discussion of the merits and drawbacks of public–private contracting, and the challenges in distinguishing among organizational types in an era that has seen considerable overlap in organizational characteristics. The authors survey the literature on these subjects and conclude with a discussion of the underappreciated financial, ethical, and constitutional implications of the erosion of clear sectoral distinctions.
Backpropagation training for multilayer conditional random field based phone recognition

Conditional random fields (CRFs) have recently found increased popularity in automatic speech recognition (ASR) applications. CRFs have previously been shown to be effective combiners of posterior estimates from multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) in phone and word recognition tasks. In this paper, we describe a novel hybrid Multilayer-CRF structure (ML-CRF), where a MLP-like hidden layer serves as input to the CRF; moreover, we propose a technique for directly training the ML-CRF to optimize a conditional log-likelihood based criterion, based on error backpropagation. The proposed technique thus allows for the implicit learning of suitable feature functions for the CRF. We present results for initial phone recognition experiments on the TIMIT database that indicate that our proposed method is a promising approach for training CRFs.
Medicolegal Claims in Intraocular Lens Implant Cases

In 11 of 22 medicolegal claims involving intraocular lens implants, the medical care given to the patients was judged to be substandard, whereas this was true in only 19 of 110 (17.3%) ophthalmic claims not involving intraocular lenses. The major reason for this difference was that the intraocular lenses were implanted in cases where they were not indicated. Also, many of these patients had relatively good vision before the surgery and were more likely to sue if the results were poor.
Does a physically active lifestyle improve symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome

It has been proposed that physical activity moderates physiological or psychological responses to chronic conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine if women with a chronic functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, had less active lifestyles than healthy controls and to test whether active women with irritable bowel syndrome had less severe recalled or daily reports of GI, psychological, and somatic symptoms than inactive women with irritable bowel syndrome. Questionnaires were used to measure GI and psychological distress and somatic symptoms in 89 women who participated in this study. A daily symptom and activity diary was kept for one menstrual cycle. Women with irritable bowel syndrome were significantly less likely to be active (48%) than control women (71%) (X2 = 3.4, p = .05). Within the irritable bowel syndrome group, active women were less likely to report a feeling of incomplete evacuation following a bowel movement than inactive women (p < .04), yet active women did not have less severe recalled psychological or somatic symptoms than inactive women. Active women with irritable bowel syndrome reported less severe daily somatic symptoms, which were accounted for by a lower level of fatigue (p = .003), but not daily GI or psychological symptoms. These results suggest that physical activity may produce select symptom improvement in women with irritable bowel syndrome.
Design of a spreader bar crane-mounted gamma-ray radiation detection system

Abstract Over 95% of imports entering the United States from outside North America arrive by sea at 329 ports of entry. These imports are packaged in more than 11 million cargo containers. Radiation portals monitors routinely scan cargo containers leaving port on specially-designed trucks. To accelerate the process, some commercial entities have placed detection systems on the spreader-bar cranes (SBCs) used to offload. Little is known about the radiation background profiles of systems operating on these cranes. To better understand the operational characteristics of these radiation detection systems; a research team from Texas A&M University (TAMU) mounted three thallium-doped sodium iodide [NaI(Tl)] detectors on an SBC at the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's (DNDO) test track facility at the Port of Tacoma (PoT). These detectors were used to monitor background radiation levels and continuously recorded data during crane operations using a custom-built software package. Count rates and spectral data were recorded for various crane heights over both land and water. The results of this research created a background profile in which count rate was heavily dependent on position demonstrating how detector readings changed in the operational environment.
Reducing artifacts in coded images using a neural network aided adaptive FIR filter

Abstract Coding artifacts can greatly degrade the visual quality of the images. This paper presents a new postprocessor for image coding artifact removal. The basic idea is to smooth the artifacts using an adaptive FIR filter aided by neural networks. The specially designed and trained network provides adaptive filter coefficients based on local image properties with the ability to efficiently remove the coding artifacts while preserving image details. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed postprocessor on coding artifact removal and its efficiency in terms of providing a fast processing speed. The proposed method is promising for real-time video image processing due to the inherent parallelism of computations and hardware implementation of the neural network.
CYBERCITIES OF ASIA: MEASURING GLOBALIZATION USING HYPERLINKS (ASIAN CITIES AND HYPERLINKS)

Abstract This paper measures globalization of Asia's cities, by examining the hyperlinks or URL references to websites of Asian cities with more than 750,000 population. Measuring a variety of URL characteristics, the study finds that Singapore and Hong Kong are the overwhelmingly dominant cybercities in such measures as hyperlinks, links between Asian cities, links with non-Asian cities, hyperlink per capita ratios, and others, followed by Tokyo, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi, and other key Asian cities. A composite classification reveals four classes of Asian cybercities, led by Hong Kong and Singapore.
The Relationship between Zonal Mean Flow and Quasi-Stationary Waves in the Midtroposphere

Abstract The degree to which quasi-stationary midtropospheric flow is consistent with linear, potential vorticity conservation is investigated. The linear theory suggests there should be a well defined relationship between the zonal mean component of steady flow and departures from the zonal mean. A set of 45 monthly mean winter states is examined to determine if there is a zonal/eddy relationship. Month-to-month variations in zonal mean winds are represented in terms of an EOF analysis. Correlation and compositing techniques isolate two-dimensional patterns which appear to be associated with each zonal EOF. Solutions to the nondivergent barotropic vorticity equation linearized about a zonal mean state suggest that the two-dimensional flow patterns associated with several of the leading zonal mean EOFs are consistent with the dynamical mechanism Rossby first proposed as an explanation for a zonal/eddy relationship. It is suggested that the zonal/eddy relationship examined here may in fact play a role in l...
Use of a Patient-Entered Family Health History Tool with Decision Support in Primary Care: Impact of Identification of Increased Risk Patients on Genetic Counseling Attendance

Several barriers inhibit collection and use of detailed family health history (FHH) in primary care. MeTree, a computer-based FHH intake and risk assessment tool with clinical decision support, was developed to overcome these barriers. Here, we describe the impact of MeTree on genetic counseling (GC) referrals and attendance. Non-adopted, English speaking adults scheduled for a well-visit in two community-based primary-care clinics were invited to participate in an Implementation-Effectiveness study of MeTree. Participants’ demographic characteristics and beliefs were assessed at baseline. Immediately after an appointment with a patient for whom GC was recommended, clinicians indicated whether they referred the patient and, if not, why. The study genetic counselor kept a database of patients with a GC recommendation and contacted those with a referral. Of 542 patients completing MeTree, 156 (29 %) received a GC recommendation. Of these, 46 % (n = 72) were referred and 21 % (n = 33) underwent counseling. Patient preferences, additional clinical information unavailable to MeTree, and an incomplete clinician evaluation of the FHH accounted for the 85 patients clinicians chose not to refer. Although MeTree identified a significant proportion of patients for whom GC was recommended, persistent barriers indicate the need for improved referral processes and patient and physician education about the benefits of GC.
Can encoding differences explain the benefits of directed forgetting in the list-method paradigm?

We propose that the benefits of directed forgetting are explained by the differences in recall arising from individual strategy choices used to encode List 2. In Experiment 1, inducing participants to encode both lists using the same strategy (either shallow or deep) led to significant costs of directed forgetting but abolished the benefits. In Experiment 2, inducing a shallow encoding on List 1 and a deep encoding on List 2 produced similar results, abolishing the benefits but not the costs. Reanalysis of Sahakyan and Kelley's (in press) Experiment 2 showed that the costs of directed forgetting could be detected irrespective of participants' strategy choices. However, the benefits of directed forgetting are best explained by a more frequent use of deeper encoding of the second list by the forget group participants.
Hypnotic Susceptibility and Previous Relationship with the Hypnotist

Abstract It was hypothesized that previous acquaintance with the hypnotist would increase subjects' hypnotic susceptibility scores. Two matched groups were given the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, using a tape-recorded induction procedure. One group knew the recorded hypnotist as their classroom instructor, while the other was unfamiliar with him. Even when possibly resistant subjects were eliminated from the results for the second group, the group which knew the hypnotist had higher hypnotic susceptibility scores at between the .001 and .002 levels of significance.
Onychoheterotopia: Pathogenesis, presentation, and management of ectopic nail

Background Onychoheterotopia is an extremely rare condition in which the nail tissue grows outside the classic nail unit of the dorsal fingers and toes. It presents as either small outgrowths of a deviant nail or a complete double fingernail malformation. The histology of the onychoheterotopia matrix is oftentimes very similar to the normal nail matrix, although it plays a central role in diagnosis. Objective We sought to review the current literature on the clinical and histologic aspects of onychoheterotopia. Methods A literature search was performed to evaluate peer-reviewed articles on the topic. Results Detailed reports have characterized many features of onychoheterotopia. The various etiology and treatment options are reviewed. Limitations The study was limited to those articles in the English-language literature. Conclusions In this article, we provide a review of the literature based on the current understanding of onychoheterotopia, its diagnosis, and its management.
Ultimacy and alternative possibilities

I explore a key feature of Robert Kane’s libertarianism (about which I have been puzzled for some time). Kane claims that we should separate issues of alternative possibilities from issues of ultimacy, but he further argues that they are connected in a certain way. I call into question this connection, and I continue to argue for a strict separation of considerations pertaining to alternative possibilities and “actual-sequence” considerations.
Rapid electroelution of nucleic acids from agarose and acrylamide gels.

Abstract We describe a procedure for the electroelution of nucleic acids from agarose or acrylamide gels. The method employs a combination of low- and high-ionic-strength buffers so that nucleic acids electroelute under a high-voltage gradient but accumulate over a high-salt barrier. By this means electroelution is rapid (1–2 h) and recovery is quantitative (at least 78%). DNA fragments as small as 47 bp and as large as 49 kbp can be efficiently electroeluted. Moreover, the entire apparatus can be treated with diethylpyrocarbonate to inactivate RNase so that RNA can be recovered intact. The apparatus is commercially available, but a homemade device of similar construction can be easily fabricated.
Synthesis of Highly Soluble and Oxidatively Stable Tetraceno[2,3-b]thiophenes and Pentacenes

A comparative study of suitably functionalized, highly soluble tetraceno[2,3-b]thiophenes (1-3) and pentacenes (4-6) that show higher photoxidative stability than that of unfunctionalized corresponding acenes is reported. The absorption and emission of 1-3 (Amax = 624-656 nm, lambda max = 634-672 nm, PhiF approximately 10%) and 4-6 (Amax = 672-704 nm, lambda max = 682-718 nm, PhiF approximately 10%) were found to be systematically red-shifted by the substitution in the order of the tert-butylethynyl < triisopropylsilylethynyl < phenylethynyl groups. The oxidation potentials of these compounds were similar (E1/2 approximately 0.70 V), except for 4, which showed lower oxidation potential (E1/2 approximately 0.63 V).
Lymphocyte responses to retinal-specific antigens in uveitis patients and healthy subjects

A modified procedure for measuring human lymphocyte responses to retinal antigens was introduced and found to be highly sensitive. The main modifications are the use of round bottom culture wells, high antigen concentrations (up to 100 micrograms/ml) and extended incubation time (up to 9 days). Using this procedure, the majority of patients with uveitis, as well as a large proportion of healthy donors were found to respond positively (S.I. greater than or equal to 2.0) toward S-antigen and interphoto-receptor retinoid-binding protein. The responses to the retinal antigens were further enhanced by enriching the cultured lymphocytes for the helper/inducer subset. The responses to the retinal antigens were inferior to those against tuberculin (PPD), in particular in subjects who had been inoculated with BCG. The "secondary" responses to PPD were always higher in magnitude, were stimulated by markedly lower concentrations of antigen and were detected earlier in culture. The notion that the responses to retinal antigen in healthy donors are "primary" in nature was further supported by the findings that (a) lymphocytes from cord blood samples resembled adult lymphocytes in their response to S-Ag and (b) healthy donor lymphocytes which were prestimulated in vitro with S-Ag reacted to this protein by a specific "secondary" fashion. The possible involvement of lymphocytes with reactivity toward retinal antigens in pathogenic autoimmune processes in the eye is discussed.
Improved Stability of a Protein Vaccine Through Elimination of a Partially Unfolded State

Ricin is a potent toxin presenting a threat as a biological weapon. The holotoxin consists of two disulfide-linked polypeptides: an enzymatically active A chain (RTA) and a galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-binding B chain. Efforts to develop an inactivated version of the A chain as a vaccine have been hampered by limitations of stability and solubility. Previously, recombinant truncated versions of the 267-amino-acid A chain consisting of residues 1–33/44–198 or 1–198 were designed by protein engineering to overcome these limits and were shown to be effective and nontoxic as vaccines in mice. Herein we used CD, dynamic light scattering, fluorescence, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to examine the biophysical properties of these proteins. Although others have found that recombinant RTA (rRTA) adopts a partially unfolded, molten globule–like state at 45°C, rRTA 1–33/44–198 and 1–198 are significantly more thermostable, remaining completely folded at temperatures up to 53°C and 51°C, respectively. Deleting both an exposed loop region (amino acids 34–43) and the C-terminal domain (199–267) contributed to increased thermostability. We found that chemically induced denaturation of rRTA, but not the truncated variants, proceeds through at least a three-state mechanism. The intermediate state in rRTA unfolding has a hydrophobic core accessible to ANS and an unfolded C-terminal domain. Removing the C-terminal domain changed the mechanism of rRTA unfolding, eliminating a tendency to adopt a partially unfolded state. Our results support the conclusion that these derivatives are superior candidates for development as vaccines against ricin and suggest an approach of reduction to minimum essential domains for design of more thermostable recombinant antigens.
1H n.m.r. Zeeman relaxation in premium coals and other coals of various rank

Abstract Proton n.m.r. spin-lattice relaxation measurements are reported of eight available Argonne premium coals and five other coals. Possible relaxation mechanisms are considered, including proton-proton interactions, interactions between the protons and the unpaired electrons present in organic radicals, and interactions between the protons and the unpaired electrons present in paramagnetic oxygen. The effect of possible limitations in proton spin diffusion on relaxation behaviour has also been taken into account. For the two highest rank premium coals an unusually long relaxation time was observed. This was found to be due to the fact that these coals have never been exposed to air. The relaxation rates of the other coals were found to increase strongly with decreasing coal rank. It was concluded that this is due to an increasing amount of paramagnetic oxygen, trapped in the coals even after evacuation. It was also observed that for most coals the relaxation is non-exponential, with a non-exponentiality which increases for decreasing coal rank. This has been attributed to the presence of protons in both a molecular and a macromolecular phase in the coal, with an increasing amount of protons in the molecular phase for decreasing coal rank. The results were found to be consistent with those obtained in other coals of similar rank.
Cardiac Hypertrophy Causes Newly-Synthesized Calsequestrin to Remain Around the Nucleus in Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Hypertrophy (LVH) leads to use of perinuclear Ca2+ distinct from junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR). Little is known about Ca2+-handling proteins associated with regulation of perinuclear Ca pools. Calsequestrin (CSQ), the Ca2+-binding protein of jSR, exists as a polymorphic collection of mass isoforms that results from actions of phosphatases and mannosidases following its biosynthesis in rough ER. To test the hypothesis that LVH triggers changes in CSQ structure by regulating its biosynthesis, we induced heart failure (LVEF <35%) in dogs by intracoronary microembolizations, resulting in increased cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (60 ± 10%). Detergent-solubilized CSQ was purified from LV, and electrospray mass spectrometric analysis resolved individual CSQ protein structures in 3 failed and 3 normal hearts. In hypertrophic hearts, only higher mass CSQ structures were present, characteristic of perinuclear rough ER of cardiomyocytes (Figure). CSQ glycoforms and phosphoforms in LVH showed underprocessed structures characteristic of newly formed CSQ in rough ER that were more highly phosphorylated by CK2, a growth-activated kinase. These changes in CSQ processing in LVH may be part of a transformation from jSR Ca stores to perinuclear IP3-sensitive stores needed to maintain an altered phenotype.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Current Treatments for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and represent an important focus of treatment within the field of psychiatry as well as within medicine more broadly. First-line pharmacotherapy treatment for anxiety disorders is serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). For patients who do not responsd to an initial first-line treatment, clinicians should ensure that there has been adequate exposure to the medication by assessing compliance and optimizing the prescribed dose. Non-response to a treatment trial should also prompt a re-evaluation of the diagnosis and a search for occult psychiatric, substance, or general medical disorders. Laboratory tests and other components of a diagnostic work-up should be considered if they have not already been completed. Following confirmation of the diagnosis, the clinician should consider a switch to an agent from a different class, for example a tricyclic antidepressant or monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Combination treatments with an antidepressant plus a benzodiazepine, second-generation antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, β-blocker, or other medication may be considered but data is limited. Psychotherapy is an important treatment component for anxiety disorders and should be implemented whenever feasible. Variants of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in particular are effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, and data suggest that the combination for CBT plus medication may be particularly beneficial for patients. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while sharing many clinical features with anxiety disorders, represents its own unique clinical challenge and has been removed from the category of anxiety disorders in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). SSRIs are first-line therapy for OCD and higher doses are often required compared with anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder. Exposure and response prevention may be a particularly helpful form of psychotherapy for this patient population. For severe, intractable OCD, deep brain stimulation may be an appropriate therapeutic option.
Esomeprazole therapy for gastric acid hypersecretion in children with cystinosis

Oral cysteamine therapy prevents natural disease progression in children with cystinosis, but it may cause severe gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms through gastric acid-hypersecretion. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of esomeprazole in controlling cysteamine-induced acid-hypersecretion and GI symptoms in children with cystinosis. Subjects underwent upper GI endoscopy and biopsy, serum gastrin and cysteamine measurements as well as acid secretion studies (basal, maximal and peak acid output, BAO, MAO, PAO) before and during esomeprazole therapy. A symptom score (maximum 14 points) was devised to monitor symptoms. Twelve children (mean age 5.8 years) were studied. Cysteamine ingestion resulted in mean MAO and PAO significantly higher than mean BAO, both before and during esomeprazole therapy. PAO was usually within 60 min of cysteamine ingestion. Esomeprazole therapy significantly reduced MAO (P<0.01) and PAO (P<0.01). The mean symptom score fell from 6.4 to 0.7 (P<0.0001) during esomeprazole therapy. The mean final dose of esomeprazole was 1.7 mg/kg per day (range 0.7 mg/kg per day to 2.75 mg/kg per day). Plasma cysteamine levels were not affected by acid-suppression therapy. One child had multi-nucleated parietal cells. Cysteamine-induced gastric acid-hypersecretion and GI symptoms are dramatically reduced with esomeprazole therapy. Esomeprazole does not alter cysteamine absorption and is very well tolerated in children.
Genome Size of Three Miscanthus Species

Environmental and economic factors have stimulated research in the area of bioenergy crops. While many plants have been identified as potential energy crops, one species in particular, Miscanthus x giganteus, appears to have the most promise. As researchers attempt to exploit and improve M. x giganteus, genome information is critical. In this study, the genome size of M. x giganteus and its two progenitor species were examined by flow cytometry and stomatal cell analyses. M. x giganteus was found to have genome size of 7.0 pg while Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus were observed to have genome sizes of 5.5 and 4.5 pg respectively with stomatal size correlating with genome size. Upon computing the two tetraploid × diploid hybrids theoretical genome sizes, the data presented in this paper supports the hypothesis of the union of a 2x M. sacchariflorus and a 1x M. sinensis gamete for the formation of the allotriploid, M. x giganteus. Such genomic information provides basic knowledge that is important in M. x giganteus plant improvement.
Multilevel iterative solution and adaptive mesh refinement for mixed finite element discretizations

Abstract We consider the numerical solution of elliptic boundary value problems by mixed finite element discretizations on simplicial triangulations. Emphasis is on the efficient iterative solution of the discretized problems by multilevel techniques and on adaptive grid refinement. The iterative process relies on a preconditioned conjugate gradient iteration in a suitably chosen subspace with a multilevel preconditioner of hierarchical type that can be constructed by means of appropriate multilevel decompositions of the mixed ansatz spaces. Using the Dryja-Widlund theory of additive Schwarz iterations, we show that the spectral condition number of the preconditioned stiffness matrix asymptotically exhibits a quadratic growth in the refinement level as it is the case in the standard conforming approach. The adaptive grid refinement is based on an efficient and reliable a posteriori error estimator for the total error in the flux which can be established by a defect correction in higher order mixed ansatz spaces combined with a hierarchical two-level splitting.
Treatment of Renal Artery Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a nonatherosclerotic and noninflammatory disease that can result in stenoses of the renal arteries and hypertension, most commonly affecting middle-aged women. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has long been considered the mainstay of therapy and offers high rates of improved or cured hypertension. The disease involves the mid and distal renal arteries and branchpoints and poses endovascular treatment challenges that separate fibromuscular dysplasia from atherosclerotic disease. The development of smaller balloon dilation systems offers safe and highly effective endovascular treatment options for technically difficult lesions. Newer technologies such as cutting balloons also add to the armamentarium of treatment choices, which may be useful in the setting of resistant stenoses. This article focuses on the modern technical considerations in the diagnostic evaluation and endovascular treatment of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia.
Early imitation within a functional framework : the importance of person identity, movement, and development

Facial imitation was investigated in infants 6 weeks and 2 to 3 months of age. Three findings emerged: (a) early imitation did not vary as a function of familiarity with the model—infants imitated a stranger as well as their own mothers; (b) infants imitated both static facial postures and dynamic facial gestures; and (c) there was no disappearance of facial imitation in the 2- to 3-month age range, contrary to previous reports. Two broad theoretical points are developed. First, a proposal is made about the social and psychological functions that early imitation serves in infants' encounters with people. It is argued that infants deploy imitation to enrich their understanding of persons and actions and that early imitation is used for communicative purposes. Second, a theoretical bridge is formed between early imitation and the “object concept.” The bridge is formed by considering the fundamental role that identity plays in infants' understanding of people and things. One of the psychological functions that early imitation subserves is to identify people. Infants use the nonverbal behavior of people as an identifier of who they are and use imitation as a means of verifying this identity. Data and theory are adduced in favor of viewing early imitation as an act of social cognition.
Working at Heathrow airport may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Residual confounding is a possibility in Hansell and colleagues’ study on cardiovascular disease and aircraft noise, and correlation is not causation.1 I would like to suggest a …
Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases during stimulated ovarian recrudescence in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of extracellular matrix-cleaving enzymes involved in ovarian remodeling. In many non-tropical species, including Siberian hamsters, ovarian remodeling is necessary for the functional changes associated with seasonal reproduction. We evaluated MMPs and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs), during photoperiod-induced ovarian recrudescence in Siberian hamsters. Hamsters were transferred from long-day (LD;16:8) to short-day (SD;8:16) photoperiods for 14wks, and then returned to LD for 0,1,2,4, or 8wks for collection of ovaries and plasma. Post-transfer (PT) LD exposure increased body and ovarian mass. Numbers of corpora lutea and antral, but not preantral follicles increased in PT groups. Plasma estradiol concentrations were lower in PT wks0−4, and returned to LD levels at PTwk8. No change was observed in relative MMP/TIMP mRNA levels at PTwk0 (SDwk14) as compared to LD. Photostimulation increased MMP-2 mRNA at PTwk8 as compared to PT wks 0−1. MMP-14 mRNA expression peaked at PTwks1−2 as compared to LD levels, while MMP-13 expression was low during this time. TIMP-1 mRNA peaked at PT wk8 as compared to PTwks0−4. No changes were noted in MMP-9 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression. In general, MMP/TIMP protein immunodetection followed the same patterns with most staining occurring in granulosa cells of follicles and corpora lutea. Our data suggest that mRNA and protein for several members of the MMP/TIMP families are expressed in Siberian hamster ovaries during recrudescence. Because of the variation observed in expression patterns, MMPs and TIMPs may be differentially involved with photo-stimulated return to ovarian function.
The place of mindfulness in a sensorimotor psychotherapy intervention to improve women's sexual health

Given the gap in the existing literature on body-based, mindfulness-informed approaches to group therapy in sex therapy, we decided to pilot test the feasibility, acceptability and potential effect of a group-based, sensorimotor intervention, with a strong mindfulness component, on women's sexual health. Two case studies were conducted, at a Midwestern, university-based sexuality clinic in the USA. Compared with pre-intervention scores, overall mindfulness scores significantly improved following the intervention. In line with prior studies, our qualitative results indicated that participants found mindfulness skills to be particularly useful and transferable to their daily lives. In contrast, there was no statistically significant improvement in the quantitative measure of body connection. Nevertheless, the qualitative data indicated that the intervention had an impact on both body awareness and connection. Future studies should explore the potential of sensorimotor interventions to improve sexual health ...
Controlling print height in an ink jet printer

This paper describes a control system for maintaining constant print height in an ink jet printer. Following power on and during a periodic off-line correction operation a specially designed sensor detects the position of a test group of electrostatically charged ink drops to obtain print height correction data. Information provided by the same sensor is used to synchronize the application of a unique charge to each drop to be printed.
The uncertainty room: strategies for managing uncertainty in a surgical waiting room.

Hospitals are responsible for providing a great number and variety of services in a competitive environment. Typically these services are tied to medical procedures, which, although routine from the point of view of the hospital, are unfamiliar sources of concern for patients and their families. Moreover, insurance companies and managed care firms rely on patient satisfaction surveys that include items regarding the experiences of family members during the hospital experience to make contact and reimbursement choices. Thus, remaining competitive in the market requires hospital managers to attend not only to patients' clinical needs but also to the social and emotional needs of patients and their loved ones. Family members are likely to feel uncertain as they wait for their loved one to come out of surgery, despite attempts to create comfortable waiting spaces.1,2 Much research on waiting rooms has focused on physical changes (eg, lowering the volume of the television, having a pot of coffee available, and providing more comfortable chairs).1,3 Some studies have highlighted the important role that staff play in supporting family members through a difficult time.4,5 Communication scholars in particular have examined experiences of uncertainty in a variety of health contexts6,7 and have argued that people often experience uncertainty “when details of situations are ambiguous, complex, and unpredictable” and when “information is unavailable or inconsistent.”8 Managing uncertainty is a complex challenge that research suggests falls to staff who work in the surgical waiting room.4 This case study aimed to identify challenges in managing uncertainty, if any, that staff noticed in a surgical waiting room. In addition, we sought to identify the strategies that staff used to manage the challenges they perceived family members experienced in an effort to reveal specific communication behaviors that exist in what we call the uncertainty room.
Libraries in Hawaii

Presentation et breve description des principes bibliotheques d'Hawaii a la suite d'une visite. Evolution des fonds
Language skills in low-SES rural Appalachian children: Kindergarten to middle childhood

This study examined the development of language in low-SES rural Appalachian children from kindergarten through middle childhood. Findings showed that the children's language skills improved significantly between kindergarten and middle childhood, with all middle childhood language means within the average range. However, all areas of language except the ability to correctly interpret nonliteral language remained significantly below normative population means. Girls performed significantly better than did boys and higher-SES girls performed better than lower-SES girls. Nonliteral language and receptive syntax were relative strengths and vocabulary and pragmatic judgment were relative weaknesses. Use of grammatical markers of Appalachian English was not related to language skills and, as a group, these children demonstrated adequate phonological working memory. Standardized measures of morphology and syntax best classified children into groups who received remedial services for reading or other language-related tasks and those who did not. Implications of these finding are discussed.
Performance measurement—A strategic imperative and a call to action

In 2010, the American Academy of Nursing Expert Panel on Health Care Quality identified performance measurement in the transforming health care delivery system as a strategic imperative and agreed that a synthesis of key concepts was needed to guide policy and provide direction for the Academy and nursing’s partners in health care. Envisioned as a “call to action,” the Expert Panel affirmed the foci of target papers, recruited members as lead authors and co-authors, and launched an ambitious effort to develop 6 substantive position papers in 2011. The first 2 papers, developed by writing teams led by Drs. Joyce Verran and Gerri Lamb, were presented at the Academy’s Pre-Conference on October 14, 2011. Additional papers under development are currently on track for draft review in 2011 and all papers will be forwarded to the Academy’s Board of Directors for review and endorsement. The Expert Panel on Health Care Quality acknowledges the direct and indirect contribution of its dedicated members, particularly the thought leaders whose insight and expertise are shaping this work. Importantly, the Panel is collaborating with other Academy Expert Panels in reviewing emerging papers and is informally collaborating with organizations who share a commitment to advancing nursing’s performance measurement imperative.
Methods for determination of vitamin B6foods and other biological materials: A critical review☆

Abstract The determination of vitamin 136 is a difficult analytical problem because of the existence of multiple biologically active forms of the vitamin at low levels in complex matrices. Many advances have been made in the analysis of vitamin B6 by physicochemical, biological, and biochemical methods. The validity of these methods often varies, depending on the particular application. Sample extraction and preparative treatments represent a key phase of the analysis that has often not been sufficiently examined. The objective of this review is to provide a critical and comparative appraisal of the principal traditional and recently developed analytical methods for vitamin B6, with particular attention on methods applicable to the analysis of foods and other biological materials.
Younger, middle-aged, and older adults’ memories for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

Abstract Adults, aged 18–88 years, recalled details about the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election shortly following the election and 6 months later. Individuals who felt positive about the election outcome reported a greater quantity of information at both time points. However, across the lifespan, individuals who felt negative about the election outcome demonstrated a greater proportion of detail consistency over time, a finding that had previously been shown only for younger adults. Individuals who felt positive about the outcome showed increased confidence in their ability to retain information accurately, as did individuals who felt emotionally intense about the election. These results indicate that for adults of all ages, positive emotion is associated with a reduced ability to retain details consistently over time; yet people may not recognize this tendency when recalling information, thereby retaining higher confidence in their ability to remember event details if they felt positive about the event.
Relationships of the dexamethasone suppression test to clinical severity and degree of melancholia

Abstract Investigators continue to debate whether the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) reflects clinical severity or degree of melancholia ("endogeneity"). To evaluate this question, we studied 73 drug-free inpatients diagnosed with Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia/Research Diagnostic Criteria (SADS/RDC) as having major depressive disorder (MDD). We compared absolute and dichotomous DST values (DST suppression versus nonsuppression) with absolute and dichotomous measures of endogeneity (as measured by operationally defined RDC items) and with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores that were collected immediately prior to treatment. We found that (1) degree of endogeneity correlated moderately ( r = 0.27) but significantly ( p = 0.02) with absolute DST values; (2) DST nonsuppression increased proportionately with changes in categorical endogenous subtype (0% of the nonendogenous patients were nonsuppressives, 52% of probable endogenous, and 61% of subjects definitely endogenous); (3) mean values for maximum DST concentrations increased steadily with categorical endogeneity (nonendogenous, 1.44 μg/dl; probable endogenous, 7.65 μg/dl; definite, 10.93 μg/dl; p = 0.01); (4) HRSD scores correlated more strongly ( r = 0.45, p = 0.000) with maximum DST levels than did the degree of endogeneity. Age and weight changes did not account for the relationship of endogeneity to DST values. These data suggest that maximum postdexamethasone plasma cortisol levels reflect overall severity of depression and endogeneity and that endogeneity per se is highly confounded with severity.
Application of Split Flow Design Technique to Simple Microchannel Geometries for Enhanced Mixing

The ability to control mixing of reagents in MEMS systems is crucial for many biological and chemical analysis applications. However mixing in these microfluidic devices is a challenge because the flows are laminar corresponding to very low Reynolds number. In this paper mixing of such reagents in simple microchannel geometries is investigated computationally. A novel concept of “split flow design” is applied to these simple microchannel configurations. Significant improvement in mixing is seen by employing the split flow design technique.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The MX debate: Evaluating the arguments

(1985). The MX debate: Evaluating the arguments. Defense Analysis: Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 255-268.
The geometric properties of free motion the dynamical systems in the phase space

Formulated the law of the curvature of the phase space with the free movement of dynamical systems. In addition to adopted in classical mechanics classification of motions in the state space as a translational motion of the center of mass and spinor motion around the center of mass in the phase space added classification spinor motion on the surface of a hypersphere and translational motion of the center offset hypersphere. We propose a new paradigm named L. Euler development of mathematical and scientific disciplines, born in the well known “dispute D'Alembert and L.Euler about the string”, namely: “forget about the equation, if the phenomenon is described is found the general solution rather than the equation.”
Monsoons and Meltdowns

What do periods of weak low-latitude rainfall have to do with the meltdown of great ice sheets? On page 248 of this issue, Cheng et al. ( 1 ) show that this counterintuitive association contains a hot clue about the much-debated causes of the ice age cycles that end every 100,000 years or so in a collapse of the great Northern Hemisphere ice sheets (a glacial termination). Understanding this collapse is relevant to human affairs both past and future, because the collapse typically causes a subsequent period of unusual climatic stability and warmth (an interglacial period), exemplified by the past 11,700 years of relatively stable climate in which human agriculture and civilization have flourished ( 2 ). Further, the future stability of ice sheets is an urgent question facing society today ( 3 ).
The Economies of Central Asia: A Survey

The ex-Soviet republics of Central Asia have instituted some economic reforms within their authoritarian political systems, including reliance on worldwide exports of their energy, mineral, and agricultural products, and select imports. Besides relatively poor and aid-dependent Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, all have now recovered their pre-independence levels of income and begun to grow at respectable rates. The petro-dependent states of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have grown fastest lately but show signs of corruption and ‘Dutch disease’. Like independence-minded Uzbekistan, all try to derive benefits from surrounding great powers and international financial institutions without giving up their freedom of action.
Prevalence of essential tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease vs. Parkinson‐plus syndromes

Clinical literature suggests an association between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD), and recent pathological studies describe Lewy bodies in some ET patients. If some ET were an expression of Lewy body disease, one could hypothesize that ET patients who develop parkinsonism would more likely develop PD (a Lewy body disease) than non-Lewy body forms of parkinsonism. The objective was to compare the proportions of patients with PD vs. Parkinson-plus syndromes who had diagnoses of ET. Retrospective chart review at the Neurological Institute (NI) of New York. A larger proportion of the 210 PD than 210 Parkinson-plus syndrome patients had kinetic tremor on examination (119 [56.7%] vs. 70 [33.3%], P < 0.001). Patients with PD were more likely to have a prior diagnosis of ET than were patients with Parkinson-plus syndromes (7.1% vs. 2.4%, OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.13-8.85, P = 0.02) and more likely to have a diagnosis of ET assigned by an NI neurologist (5.3% vs. 0.0%, OR 12.85, 95% CI 1.66-99.8, P = 0.001). Patients with PD were three to thirteen times more likely to have diagnoses of ET than were patients with Parkinson-plus syndromes. These data further confirm the link between ET and PD, and possibly, between ET and Lewy body disease.
OR FORUM---Little's Law as Viewed on Its 50th Anniversary

Fifty years ago, the author published a paper in Operations Research with the title, “A proof for the queuing formula: L = λW” [Little, J. D. C. 1961. A proof for the queuing formula: L = λW. Oper. Res.9(3) 383--387]. Over the years, L = λW has become widely known as “Little's Law.” Basically, it is a theorem in queuing theory. It has become well known because of its theoretical and practical importance. We report key developments in both areas with the emphasis on practice. In the latter, we collect new material and search for insights on the use of Little's Law within the fields of operations management and computer architecture.