cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Women in interventional cardiology: Update in percutaneous coronary intervention practice patterns and outcomes of female operators from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry®

Objectives To examine the practice patterns and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures performed by female interventional cardiologists in the United States (U.S.). Background Little is known about the prevalence, volume, case mix, and outcomes of PCI procedures performed by female interventional cardiologists. Methods Using data from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry®, we performed a retrospective study of 2,465,685 PCI procedures performed at 1,431 U.S. hospitals between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2013. Interventionalist sex was ascertained from the National Provider Identifier number of each operator. Results Women accounted for only 4% (412/9,179) of interventional cardiologists in the U.S., and performed 3% (n = 70,009) of all PCI procedures during the time period studied. Forty-one percent of female interventionalists operated at an institution with no other female operators. Female interventionalists performed a median of 48 PCI procedures per year (interquartile range: 22–87). Of the cases performed by female interventionalists, 77% were performed on patients with acute coronary syndrome, 3% on patients with cardiogenic shock, and 16% on call. In-hospital mortality was low (1.8%), and was not significantly different between female operators with high (≥50 cases/year) versus low (1.95% vs. 1.75%, unadjusted P = 0.12, adjusted OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.84–1.27) annual procedure volume. Conclusions Female interventional cardiologists remain uncommon in contemporary U.S. practice. Performing only a very small proportion of PCI cases, female interventionalists are often low-volume operators, yet no significant differences in patient mortality were observed in low- versus high-volume operators. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential visual depth threshold of the chick

The differential visual depth threshold of the chick was tested on the visual cliff. The chicks chose the shallow side reliably when the deep side was 2 in. or more below the shallow side. At 1–3/4 in., 1–1/2 in. or 1 in. visual distance of the deep side below the glass, the shallow side was chosen at a chance level.
Delivery of time-critical messages using a multiple copy approach

Reliable and timely delivery of messages between processing nodes is essential in distributed real-time systems. Failure to deliver a message within its deadline usually forces the system to undertake a recovery action, which introduces some cost (or overhead) to the system. This recovery cost can be very high, especially when the recovery action fails due to lack of time or resources.Proposed in this paper is a scheme to minimize the expected cost incurred as a result of messages failing to meet their deadlines. The scheme is intended for distributed real-time systems, especially with a point-to-point interconnection topology. The goal of minimizing the expected cost is achieved by sending multiple copies of a message through disjoint routes and thus increasing the probability of successful message delivery within the deadline. However, as the number of copies increases, the message traffic on the network increases, thereby increasing the delivery time for each of the copies. There is therefore a tradeoff between the number of copies of each message and the expected cost incurred as a result of messages missing their deadlines. The number of copies of each message to be sent is determined by optimizing this tradeoff. Simulation results for a hexagonal mesh and a hypercube topology indicate that the expected cost can be lowered substantially by the proposed scheme.
462 THE INCIDENCE OF NEONATAL ENTEROVIRAL DISEASE

In order to assess the frequency of serious enteroviral disease in the neonate the records of the Monroe County Health Department/Strong Memorial Hospital virus laboratory were reviewed for a 5-year period (1976-1980). Our laboratory is the only viral diagnostic facility for a community of 750,000 people with 10,000 live births/year. Enterovirus was isolated from 68 hospitalized infants ≤1 month of age and included 33 Echo, 2 Coxsackie A, 31 Coxsackie B, and 2 Enterovirus 71. Virus was isolated from the CSF of 22 neonates and 46 children with an undefined febrile illness. Recognizing the fact that not all infected infants were cultured and that not all of the infected infants included were from Monroe County the approximate incidence of neonatal enteroviral disease was calculated using as a denominator live births in Monroe County during the “enterovirus season” (June-Nov.). These data suggest that enteroviral disease is more common in the neonate than generally appreciated.
Expedient Access to the Okadaic Acid Architecture: A Novel Synthesis of the C1−C27 Domain

A newly designed synthetic entry to the C1-C27 domain of okadaic acid has been developed. This incorporates substantial improvements in the preparations of the key okadaic acid building blocks representing the C3-C8, C9-C14, and C16-C27 portions. The synthesis of the C3-C8 lactone used (R)-glycidol as the origin of the C4 stereogenic center and featured a late-stage optional incorporation of the C7 hydroxyl group. The complementary C9-C14 fragment was synthesized in a concise route from (R)-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methylpropanal and propargyl bromide. Assembly of the C3-C14 spiroketal-containing intermediate from the constitutent fragments revealed a dramatic effect of C7 functionalization upon spiroketalization efficiency. In contrast, both (9E)- and (9Z)-enones converged readily to the C8 spiroketal upon treatment with acid. Modifications to the central C16-C27 fragment of okadaic acid included the early replacement of benzylic protecting groups by more suitable functionalities to facilitate both the generation of the C15-C27 intermediate and the deprotection of the final products. These modular building blocks were deployed for the synthesis of the C1-C27 scaffold of 7-deoxyokadaic acid. This work demonstrates improvements in the formation of versatile okadaic acid intermediates, as well as a reordering of fragment couplings. This alternative order of coupling was designed to promote the late stage incorporation of nonnatural lipophilic extensions from the C27 terminus.
Impact of Diet-Induced Obesity on Intestinal Stem Cells: Hyperproliferation but Impaired Intrinsic Function That Requires Insulin/IGF1

Nutrient intake regulates intestinal epithelial mass and crypt proliferation. Recent findings in model organisms and rodents indicate nutrient restriction impacts intestinal stem cells (ISC). Little is known about the impact of diet-induced obesity (DIO), a model of excess nutrient intake on ISC. We used a Sox9-EGFP reporter mouse to test the hypothesis that an adaptive response to DIO or associated hyperinsulinemia involves expansion and hyperproliferation of ISC. The Sox9-EGFP reporter mouse allows study and isolation of ISC, progenitors, and differentiated lineages based on different Sox9-EGFP expression levels. Sox9-EGFP mice were fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks to induce DIO and compared with littermates fed low-fat rodent chow. Histology, fluorescence activated cell sorting, and mRNA analyses measured impact of DIO on jejunal crypt-villus morphometry, numbers, and proliferation of different Sox9-EGFP cell populations and gene expression. An in vitro culture assay directly assessed functional capacity of isolated ISC. DIO mice exhibited significant increases in body weight, plasma glucose, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels and intestinal Igf1 mRNA. DIO mice had increased villus height and crypt density but decreased intestinal length and decreased numbers of Paneth and goblet cells. In vivo, DIO resulted in a selective expansion of Sox9-EGFP(Low) ISC and percentage of ISC in S-phase. ISC expansion significantly correlated with plasma insulin levels. In vitro, isolated ISC from DIO mice formed fewer enteroids in standard 3D Matrigel culture compared to controls, indicating impaired ISC function. This decreased enteroid formation in isolated ISC from DIO mice was rescued by exogenous insulin, IGF1, or both. We conclude that DIO induces specific increases in ISC and ISC hyperproliferation in vivo. However, isolated ISC from DIO mice have impaired intrinsic survival and growth in vitro that can be rescued by exogenous insulin or IGF1.
Hard x-ray nanofocusing by multilayer Laue lenses

Multilayer Laue lens (MLL) is a new class of x-ray optics that offer great promise for achieving nanometre-level spatial resolution by focusing hard x-rays. Fabricating an MLL via thin-film deposition provides the means to achieve a linear Fresnel-zone plate structure with zone widths below 1?nm, while retaining a virtually limitless aspect ratio. Despite its similarity to the Fresnel-zone plate, MLL exhibits categorically distinctive focusing properties and their fabrication comes with a wide array of challenges. This article provides a comprehensive review of advances in MLLs, and includes extensive theoretical modelling on focusing performance, discussion on fabrication challenges, their current capabilities and notable results from x-ray focusing experiments.
Intercostal and abdominal muscle afferent influence on medullary dorsal respiratory group neurons

Studies were performed on anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated cats. Phrenic (C5) efferent activity, dorsal respiratory group (DRG) neuron activity in the vicinity of the medullary solitary tract complex, and thoracic dorsal root compound action potentials were recorded during electrical stimulation of intercostal and lumbar nerves. DRG neurons were identified by their firing pattern and response to lung inflation. Phrenic activity (PA) was inhibited by stimulating external intercostal nerves T3-T10, internal intercostal nerves T3-T12, lateral branch of the main intercostal nerves T6-T12, or lumbar nerves 1-2. Stimulation of lower (T9-T11) intercostal or lumbar nerves produced a short duration (10-20 msec) facilitation of PA prior to the inhibition. Facilitation and inhibition of PA were correlated with recruitment of afferent fibers from muscle proprioceptors. Inspiratory neurons (I alpha and I beta) in the DRG were inhibited simultaneously with PA regardless of the nerves stimulated. DRG neurons which fired in phase with lung inflation (P cells) were unaffected by nerve stimulation even though PA was inhibited. Lower intercostal nerve (T9-T11) stimulation produced a brief facilitation of medullary neuron activity simultaneous with facilitation of PA. It is concluded that intercostal and abdominal muscle proprioceptor afferents, and perhaps cutaneous afferents, reflexly alter the activity of DRG inspiratory neurons (I alpha, I beta) which drive the phrenic motoneurons. The inhibitory effect is not via P cells but may be via other interneurons in close proximity to the I cells.
Electric field dependent magnetoconductance in a two-dimensional system with strong localization

Abstract In thin crystals of Bi 14 Te 11 S 10 the magnetoconductance has been shown to be strongly dependent on electric field. Several different mechanisms seem to be involved simultaneously. In the region of metallic conductance, weak antilocalization seems to dominate. In the region of strong localization at high electric fields, a simpler mechanism seems to become dominating; the magnetoconductance changes monotonically with magnetic field there.
Kinetics of the hydrolysis of atmospherically relevant isoprene-derived hydroxy epoxides.

Isoprene (the most abundant nonmethane hydrocarbon emitted into the atmosphere) is known to undergo oxidation to 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-butanetetraol, a hydrophilic compound present in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere. Recent laboratory work has shown that gas phase hydroxy epoxides are produced in the low NOx photooxidation of isoprene and that these epoxides are likely to undergo efficient acid-catalyzed hydrolysis on SOA to 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-butanetetraol at typical SOA acidities. In order to confirm this hypothesis, the specific hydroxy epoxides observed in the isoprene photooxidation experiment (as well as several other related species) were synthesized, and the hydrolysis kinetics of all species were studied via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. It was determined that the isoprene-derived hydroxy epoxides should undergo efficient hydrolysis under atmospheric conditions, particular on lower pH SOA. An empirical structure−reactivity model was constructed that parametrized the hydr...
Effects of Aerobic Dance and Progressive Relaxation on Improving Physical Fitness of High School Girls

108 high school girls were assessed to determine if exercise alone or in combination with relaxation training affected their physical fitness. Resting heart rate, recovery heart rate, systolic and ...
An injection micromixer fabricated by improved SU-8 processing for biochemical microfluidic systems

In this research, first a modular polymer-based (PMMA) injection micromixer prototype has been designed, fabricated and tested. This micromixer is easy to be integrated into biochemical microfluidic systems under development for BioMagnetICs DARPA funded project at CAMD. To improve the mixing efficiency, layout of micronozzles of the mixer was optimized according to the simulation results. Also because SU-8, an epoxy-based negative photoresist, has high chemical resistance, an SU-8 injection mixer was designed and fabricated to run some biochemical sample liquids. Internal stress in patterned SU-8 structures has been reduced and multi-layer SU-8 processing has been successfully developed to fabricate SU-8 injection mixer.
172. Spatially-Controlled Delivery of Cyclodextrin-Based Polyplexes from Solid Surfaces

Localized, nucleic acid delivery from solid surfaces is an important technology for biomedical research, with applications ranging from gene therapy to tissue engineering to functional genomics. The spatially-controlled delivery of growth factor is required for creating a well-organized, complex cellular architecture by tissue engineering. Non-viral gene delivery vehicles have been immobilized to solid surfaces by physical adsorption, biotin-streptavidin interaction, and chemical conjugation1. Here, we present a new approach for surface-mediated gene delivery based on inclusion complex formation between the solid surface and delivery vehicles. Through this method, the delivery of transgenes can be spatially controlled by gene delivery through specific interactions between the delivery vehicles and the surface. Cyclodextrins (CD), cyclic oligomers of glucose, form inclusion complexes with small, hydrophobic compounds such as adamantane. In this work, nanoparticle composites of cyclodextrin polycations and nucleic acids were specifically immobilized on adamantane-coated surfaces. The interaction was characterized by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Executive function mediates effects of white matter hyperintensities on episodic memory

This study examined the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and executive functioning on episodic memory in a group of older adults who were cognitively normal or diagnosed with MCI or dementia. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of total brain volume, white matter hyperintensity volume, and hippocampal volume along with age, education, and gender were evaluated as predictors of episodic memory. WMH were found to influence both episodic memory and executive functioning independently of other variables. The influence WMH on episodic memory was mediated by executive functioning and was completely eliminated when the interaction between executive functioning and hippocampal volume was entered in the regression model. The results indicate that executive functioning mediates the effects of WMH on episodic memory but that executive functioning and hippocampal volume can also interact such that executive functioning can exacerbate or ameliorate the influence of hippocampal volume on episodic memory.
Super high affinity 3H-para-aminoclonidine binding to platelet adrenoceptors in depression.

Abstract 1. 1. An assay was developed using sucrose gradient purified platelet plasma membranes which allowed detection, for the first time in patients, of both super-high affinity (K D -17 pM) and high affinity (K D -1.7 nM) binding sites. 2. 2. Limited Scatchard plot analyses were performed on platelet membranes from depressed patients and controls using 10 pM-2.5 nM 3 H-p-aminoclonidine ( 3 H-PAC). 3. 3. Patients (n = 9) were age-paired with healthy control subjects for simultaneous blood drawing, platelet preparation and analysis. 4. 4. All patients were endogenous depressives with Hamilton-Depression scores ranging from 19 to 30 at the time of pre-treatment. Seven of the nine patients were analyzed again at six weeks of treatment with antidepressant medication. 5. 5. Using 60 pM 3 H-PAC (a concentration determined to bind predominantly to the super-high affinity receptor state) pre-treatment patient values were higher then paired controls (p = 0.06). Post-treatment analysis of seven of the patients and paired controls showed no differences (p = 0.5) suggesting a normalization of receptor binding following treatment. 6. 6. No differences were observed in platelet yield or morphology or in the percent of other blood cell contaminants in the platelet preparations between patients at pre-treatment and controls. However, the platelet yield was significantly lower in patients post-treatment (p = 0.06). 7. 7. These results are in agreement with two previous studies showing elevated 3 H-clonidine binding to high affinity sites from depressed patients. The data presented herein suggest that there is a modest 1.25-fold elevated super-high affinity platelet adrenoceptor binding in depressed patients pre-treatment. Receptor binding becomes normal post-treatment.
Eight questions to enhance lecturing.

Critics have been predicting the imminent demise of the lecture at least since the invention of the printing press, and such pronouncements have merely resurfaced and intensified of late. These more recent predictions have been stimulated primarily by a variety of technical innovations, including television, computers, and software. Critics of lectures ask, “Why should learners travel to a lecture hall at a specified time to listen to someone talkwhen theycan watch the same presentation at a place andtimeof theirownchoosing, at their own pace, and pause and review as often as they wish? In fact, why should they watch someone talk at all, when interactive software can permit an even more individually tailored and interactive education?” Yet as Mark Twain once quipped regarding his obituary notices, reports of the lecture’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, lectures are among the greatest inventions in the history of education, and some of the greatest learning experiences many of us have known took place in lecture halls. Great lecturers are a wonder and joy to behold. They not only convey new information, but they also fan the flames of our curiosity, expand our horizons, deepen our understanding, help us see new connections, and inspire us to do and be more than we thought possible. One reason lecturing is maligned is the fact that we are not investing sufficiently in the development of excellent lecturers. The best stand-up comedians, dancers, singers, musicians, and actors often devote thousands of hours to honing their craft. Why then should we expect newly minted academics to be able to walk up on stage for the first time and dazzle an audience of learners? Lecturing is an art and a craft, no less so than the
Utilité de la TEP au 18FDG dans l’épilepsie. Méthodes et indications

Resume La tomographie par emission de positons (TEP) utilisant comme traceur le 18fluorodesoxyglucose (18FDG) est actuellement indiquee dans l’evaluation preoperatoire des epilepsies partielles pharmacoresistantes, chez l’enfant comme chez l’adulte, en complement de l’imagerie par resonance magnetique (IRM). Les cameras actuelles ayant une resolution spatiale inferieure a 5 mm permettent d’obtenir des coupes fines (de l’ordre de 2 mm d’epaisseur) dans les trois plans de l’espace. L’injection de 18FDG par voie intraveineuse a la dose de 3 MBq/kg de poids corporel doit etre effectuee a l’etat intercritique, au repos, en l’absence de stimulations sensorielles, avec une etroite surveillance pour s’assurer de l’absence de mouvements de la tete et de survenue de crise. Chez le jeune enfant, le recours a une sedation peut etre necessaire. L’acquisition des images debute 30 minutes apres injection et se termine 15 a 20 minutes plus tard. L’analyse semi-quantitative des donnees s’effectue visuellement en clinique grâce a des echelles de couleur. Le recalage sur l’IRM permet d’augmenter la sensibilite de l’examen. L’analyse statistique grâce a des logiciels type SPM peut egalement s’averer utile mais necessite le recours a une base de temoins. Dans l’epilepsie temporomesiale associee a une sclerose hippocampique, un hypometabolisme intercritique est observe du cote du foyer epileptogene dans 70 a 90 % des cas et constitue un facteur pronostique dans le traitement chirurgical. Dans les autres formes d’epilepsie temporale et les epilepsies extratemporales avec IRM normale, un hypometabolisme focal peut etre detecte, permettant l’identification de lesions gyrales subtiles correspondant a des dysplasies corticales focales. Dans ces cas avec IRM negative, la TEP contribue a ameliorer les resultats chirurgicaux.
Statistical mechanics of neural networks

Abstract The dynamical behavior of a large assembly of interconnected neurons is so complex that a statistical approach to its description is imperative. Some formal and conceptual elements of an approach patterned after conventional nonequilibrium statistical mechanics are introduced. The discussion is framed in terms of a model of the microscopic dynamics in which (i) time is quantized in units of a universal delay time τ for signal transmission and (ii) at each time-step t , each neuron makes a stochastic choice of whether or not to fire, biased by the signal it recieves from neurons which fired at time t − τ. The model, operating without external stimulus, defines an aperiodic, irreducible, homogeneous, finite Markov chain. Consequently the dynamical system is ergodic, being characterized by a unique stationary distribution over the available states, which is approached at large times independently of initial conditions. An approximate formulation of the time evolution of the state occupation probabilities is developed in terms of a master equation in continuous time. The nature of time-dependent and steady solutions of this master equation is studied. In accord with the Markov-chain formulation, the steady solution is found to be unique in the physical region. An important question is whether or not this unique solution, the so-called Kirchhoff solution, corresponds to thermodynamic equilibrium, or detailed balance. To answer this equation, and at the same time carry the description to a more global, thermodynamic level, an analogy with a fictitious chemical-kinetic system is established, and a formula for the steady-state entropy production of the neural system is obtained in terms of macroscopic forces and fluxes. The latter variables, which provide the essential elements of the macroscopic description, are determined by the state-transition matrix and by the steady-state occupation probabilities. It is proven by counterexample that in general, neural nets will operate away from thermodynamic equlibrium; detailed balance will strictly prevail only under very special and perhaps artificial situations involving symmetry of the neuronal couplings. Aspects of the formalism are examined explicitly for two- and three-neuron systems.
Intellectual Ability, Social Desirability, and Differential Teacher Effectiveness

This study investigated the relationship between intellectual ability and differential teacher effectiveness. The relationship between intellectual ability and student ratings of student teachers was considered separately for different types of students. In addition, the Marlowe-Crowne Measure of Social Desirability was used as a moderator variable. The principal findings were: (1) student teachers who were low on intellectual ability measures were rated more favorably by their non-college-bound than by their college-bound students provided they were low on the Marlowe-Crowne and (2) student teachers who were low in intellectual ability and high on the Marlowe-Crowne were rated more favorably by their college-bound than by their non-college-bound students.
Charge Transfer and Ionization in Collisions between Atomic Ions and Rare-Gas Atoms for Primary-Ion Energies below 100 eV

Cross sections for the production of ${\mathrm{Kr}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Kr}}^{++}$, ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{++}$ in collisions of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{+}$ with Kr and Xe have been measured for primary-ion kinetic energies $E$ between 0.5 and 100 eV. These cross sections rise rather sharply as $E$ is increased, reach a maximum, and then decrease rather slowly. Maximum values of the cross sections range from 0.1 to 40 ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$. Production of the doubly charged ions must correspond to the production of a free electron; these ionization processes have apparent threshold energies 0-4 eV above the true threshold energies. Collisions of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ with Kr and Xe do not produce doubly charged positive ions. The cross sections for reactions that release a free electron are not adequately represented by any of the theoretical expressions with which the experimental data were compared. Cross sections for the production of singly charged positive ions are larger for the more complex target atoms and lighter primary ions; these cross sections are well represented by the charge-transfer theory of Rapp and Francis when the experimental cross sections are large, but not otherwise. Rapp and Francis's formulas are not applicable to charge-transfer reactions having small cross sections. The present experimental data agree fairly well with previous experimental results.
Correlation between quantum dot morphology and photovoltaic performance

The use of nanostructures, such as quantum dots (QD) or quantum wells within photovoltaic (PV) devices has demonstrated enhanced current generation, but often at the expense of open-circuit voltage. QD morphology and optical quality have a direct impact on PV performance and optimizing the epitaxial growth of QDs is critical to achieve the desired benefits of QD-enhanced PV. The spatial uniformity of QD epitaxy can determine the PV performance across a large area wafer. In this paper, we demonstrate a correlation between the spatial uniformity of QD size distribution and photovoltaic conversion efficiency. A spatially varying Voc measured on QD-enhanced GaAs solar cells correlates with the presence of coalesced QDs. The results suggest the presence of large, coalesced QDs is a significant cause for a reduced Voc in QD-enhanced GaAs p-i-n solar cells.
Simple axioms for countably additive subjective probability

Abstract This paper refines Savage’s theory of subjective probability for the case of countably additive beliefs. First, I replace his continuity axioms P6 and P7 with a simple modification of Arrow’s (1970) Monotone Continuity. Second, I relax Savage’s primitives: in my framework, the class of events need not be a σ-algebra, and acts need not have finite or bounded range. By varying the domains of acts and events, I obtain a unique extension of preference that parallels Caratheodory’s unique extension of probability measures. Aside from subjective expected utility, I characterize exponential time discounting in a setting with continuous time and an arbitrary consumption set.
Prosody and voice characteristics of children with cochlear implants.

Abstract This descriptive, longitudinal study involved the analysis of the prosody and voice characteristics of conversational speech produced by six young children with severe to profound hearing impairments who had been fitted with cochlear implants. A total of 40 samples were analyzed using the Prosody–Voice Screening Profile (PVSP; Shriberg, L. D., Kwiatkowski, J., & Rasmussen, C. (1990). Prosody–Voice Screening Profile (PVSP). Tuscon, AZ: Communication Skill Builders). Overall, the children presented with noticeable problems with stress and resonance quality. There were some difficulties noted with rate, loudness, and laryngeal quality, but there were no consistent difficulties with phrasing or pitch. This suggested that prosody and voice characteristics in this population are different from those typically observed in children with severe to profound hearing impairments though some problem areas remain. Some developmental trends were also observed. These findings suggest that cochlear implants offer some significant benefits to children with hearing impairment in terms of prosody and voice outcomes. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to: (1) identify aspects of prosody and voice that have been noted as problematic for individuals with severe to profound hearing impairment, and (2) list potential differences between the prosody and voice characteristics of children with cochlear implants and classic descriptions of the speech of individuals with hearing impairment.
SHOOT HISTOGENESIS: SUBAPICAL MERISTEMATIC ACTIVITY IN A CAULESCENT PLANT AND THE ACTION OF GIBBERELLIC ACID AND AMO‐1618

SACHs, R. M., A. LANG, C. F. BRETZ and JOAN ROACH. (U. California, Los Angeles.) Shoot histogenesis: subapical meristematic activity in a caulescent plant and the action of gibberellic acid and Amo-1618. Amer. Jour. Bot. 47(4): 260-266. Illus. 1960.-Studies on gibberellininduced stem formation in rosette plants (Sachs et al. 1959) have shown that a zone of intensive meristematic activity, arising below the existing apical meristem, is almost solely responsible for stem histogenesis, i.e., the formation of the cells constituting the elongate stem. An extensive subapical zone of meristematic activity is also present in caulescent plants, such as Chlrysanthemum morifolium. Amo-1618 ([4-hydroxy-5 isopropyl-2 methylphenyl] trimethylammonium chloride, I-piperidine carboxylate) completely inhibits subapical meristematic activity in chrysanthemum, causing the plants to assume a dwarfed, rosette-like habit of growth. Gibberellic acid, applied either simultaneously, or following the Amo-1618 treatinent, completely prevents or reverses the effect of Amo-1618, making the plants retain or resume their normal growth habit. Amo-1618 and gibberellic acid have relatively little effect upon the activity of the apical meristem of Chrysanthemum. Thus, while the apical meristem proper (euor promeristem) is the site of shoot organization and the ultimate source of the cells of the entire shoot, the subapical zone of division, termed the subapical meristem, is largely responsible for stem histogenesis in caulescent as well as in rosette plants. Gibberellins, or native, gibberellin-like suibstanices appear to reg-ulate the activity of the subapical meristem and thus to play an important role in shoot development. Amo-1618 and related compounds seem to exert their dwarfing effect in plants by acting as antagonists of gibberellins, at least with respect to the latters' function in regulating the subapical meristematic activity in the shoot.
A novel high-throughput irradiator for in vitro radiation sensitivity bioassays.

This paper describes the development and characterization of a fully automated in vitro cell irradiator using an electronic brachytherapy source to perform radiation sensitivity bioassays. This novel irradiator allows complex variable dose and dose rate schemes to be delivered to multiple wells of 96-well culture plates used in standard biological assays. The Xoft Axxent? eBx? was chosen as the x-ray source due to its ability to vary tube current up to 300??A for a 50?kVp spectrum using clinical surface applicators. Translation of the multiwell plate across the fixed radiation field is achieved using a precision motor driven computer controlled positioning system. A series of measurements was performed to characterize dosimetric performance of the system. Measurements have shown that the radiation output measured with an end window ionization chamber is stable between operating currents of 50?300??A. In addition, radiochromic film was used to characterize the field flatness and symmetry. The average field flatness in the in-plane and cross-plane direction was 2.9??1.0% and 4.0 ?1.7%, respectively. The average symmetry in the in-plane and cross-plane direction was 1.8 ?0.9% and 1.6??0.5%, respectively. The optimal focal spot resolution at the cellular plane was determined by measuring sequential irradiations on radiochromic film for three different well spacing schemes. It was determined that the current system can irradiate every other well with negligible impact on the radiation field characteristics. Finally, a performance comparison between this system and a common cabinet irradiator is presented.
Dose perturbation caused by high-density inhomogeneities in small beams in stereotactic radiosurgery

The influence of high-density tissue heterogeneities in small-diameter beams used in stereotactic radiosurgery has been investigated. Dose perturbation immediately behind aluminium sheets, used to simulate a high-density tissue inhomogeneity such as bone, was studied in a solid water phantom. Dose reduction factors (DRFs), which are the ratios of the dose in the presence of the inhomogeneity to dose in a uniform density solid water phantom, were measured with a diamond detector for three thicknesses of aluminium. DRFs exhibit dependence on both the inhomogeneity thickness and the beam diameter. The DRF decreases with inhomogeneity thickness. The DRF initially decreases with increase in the beam diameter from 12.5 to 25 mm. For fields greater than 25 mm, the DRFs are nearly constant. The commonly used algorithms such as the TAR ratio method underestimate the magnitude of the measured effect. A good agreement between these measurements and Monte Carlo calculations is obtained. The influence of the high-density inhomogeneity on the tissue maximum ratio (TMR) was also measured with the inhomogeneity at a fixed depth from the entrance surface. The TMR is reduced for all detector-inhomogeneity distances investigated. The dose build-up phenomenon observed in the presence of low-density air inhomogeneity is absent in the presence of a high-density inhomogeneity. The beam width (defined by 50% dose points) immediately beyond the inhomogeneity is unaffected by the high-density inhomogeneity. However, the 90%-10% and 80%-20% dose penumbra widths and the dose outside the beam edge (beyond the 50% dose point) are reduced. This reduction in dose outside the beam edge is caused by the reduced range of the secondary radiation (photons and electrons) in the high-density medium.
Language in children's television commercials: A sociolinguistic perspective

At this point the television station stops the programming and shows a series of commercials. In this particular break there are two candy commercials, one cookie commercial, two station identification commercials, one movie commercial, and two sugared cereal commercials. Commercials aimed at children, like the ones mentioned above, have come under scrutiny from a variety of sources. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission held several hearings on this issue. Among the questions that are being asked by parents, government officials, and television personnel is to what extent is the promotion of commercial products in children's commercials deceptive? Some consumer groups feel that commercials are inherently deceptive (Action for Children's Television, 1977, 1979). They feel that young children are unable to fully understand the commercial intent. On the other side, television representatives have claimed that commercials are not deceptive since parents, not children, purchase the products. Parents can, and often do, say "no" to children's requests (interview with John Summers, The New York Times, 3-4-79). In this paper, we are concerned with two aspects of what is communicated to young children in the commercials described above. Our primary purpose in analyzing these commercials was to explore the construction of commercial messages targeted at young children. However, we also uncovered much misrepresentation and/or deception during the course of our investigation. In this article, we will discuss both types of findings: 1) how language in these commercials is used to promote the commercial products, and 2) how language is used to deceive young children.
Inequality for the Infinite-Cluster Density in Bernoulli Percolation

Under a certain assumption (which is satisfied whenever there is a dense infinite cluster in the half-space), we prove a differential inequality for the infinite-cluster density, ${P}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}(p)$, in Bernoulli percolation. The principal implication of this result is that if ${P}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}(p)$ vanishes with critical exponent $\ensuremath{\beta}$, then $\ensuremath{\beta}$ obeys the mean-field bound $\ensuremath{\beta}l~1$. As a corollary, we also derive an inequality relating the backbone density, the truncated susceptibility, and the infinite-cluster density.
Balloon to artery ratio, not inflation pressure, correlates with adequate stent deployment: Size is more important than pressure

To investigate the relative importance of balloon to artery ratio (BAR) and poststent inflation pressure (IP), we retrospectively analyzed the IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) data available for patients (n = 30) who underwent coronary stent implantations (n = 31) between May 1993 and April 1996 under various stent deployment strategies. Choice for sizing of the postdilatation balloon varied widely with BAR ranging from 0.7.5 to 1.34 (mean = 1.07 ± 0.14). IP also varied profoundly from 4 to 22 atm (mean = 14.7 ± 3.7 atms). Although there was no uncovered dissection or subintimal hemorrhage by IVUS, the adequacy of the stent deployment as assessed by relative stent expansion (RSE) varied significantly from 44.0% (very poor deployment) to 141.7% (overstretching of the arterial segment). Strikingly, BAR, not IP, correlated significantly with RSE (correlation coefficient [CC] of BAR =0.77, P 0.5; stepwise linear regression analysis). No stent postdilated by a balloon with a BAR of ≤ 1.0 achieved a RSE of 100%, while BARS ≤ 1.2 uniformly resulted in RSEs ≤ 100%. In contrast, despite postdilation IP of ≤ 15 atm, only 6 (33.3%) of 18 stem achieved RSE > 100%. Moreover, high RSEs were obtained by IP as low as 8 atms. Thus, BAR was much more strongly correlated with RSE, an index of optimal stent deployment, while IP was not correlated with RSE. These data suggest that BAR may be more important than IP for maximal stent implantation in the majority of patients. However, further larger scale, prospective studies are required to determine the importance of BAR versus IP to achieve optimal stent deployment.
Dication induced stabilization of gas-phase ternary beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes observed by electrospray mass spectrometry.

Electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) is an important tool for characterization of non-covalent binding in the gas phase. In this study, iron (II) has been introduced as a dication to enhance the detection of cyclodextrin (CD) plus aromatic compound complexes in ES-MS. Evidence that a novel ternary complex comprised of one β-CD, one iron (II) and one toluene exists as an inclusion complex has been compiled via ES-MS and ES-MS/MS experiments as well as by a computational approach. This evidence strongly suggests that iron (II) serves to modify the conformation of the β-CD ring, and that toluene inclusion is stabilized by dication interaction with the toluene π-system and by crimping of the β-CD ring leading to stronger van der Waals interactions with toluene. Mg(II), another dication of similar radius, showed similar behavior, while added group one cations (H+ and Na+) were ineffective at producing observable ions representative of the complex. The ternary β-CD complex with iron (II) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) has also been examined. ES-MS and ES-MS/MS experiments suggest that it is the polar portion of 2,4,5-T (i. e., the carboxylic acid moiety) that is favored for inclusion in the β-CD cavity, rather than the non-polar aromatic part.
Insect-gene-activity detection system for chemical and biological warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals

Detection of multiple chemical and biological weapons (CBW) agents and/or complex mixtures of toxic industrial chemicals (TIC) is imperative for both the commercial and military sectors. In a military scenario, a multi-CBW attack would create confusion, thereby delaying decontamination and therapeutic efforts. In the commercial sector, polluted sites invariably contain a mixture of TIC. Novel detection systems capable of detecting CBW and TIC are sorely needed. While it may be impossible to build a detector capable of discriminating all the possible combinations of CBW, a detection system capable of statistically predicting the most likely composition of a given mixture is within the reach of current emerging technologies. Aquatic insect-gene activity may prove to be a sensitive, discriminating, and elegant paradigm for the detection of CBW and TIC. We propose to systematically establish the expression patterns of selected protein markers in insects exposed to specific mixtures of chemical and biological warfare agents to generate a library of biosignatures of exposure. The predicting capabilities of an operational library of biosignatures of exposures will allow the detection of emerging novel or genetically engineered agents, as well as complex mixtures of chemical and biological weapons agents. CBW and TIC are discussed in the context of war, terrorism, and pollution.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) associated with macroalgae in a coral-reef community in the Bahamas

N2 fixation (C2H2 reduction) was associated with several species of macroalgae on a coral reef near Grand Bahama Island. The highest rates were associated with Microdictyon sp. (Chlorophyceae) and Dictyota sp. (Phaeophyceae). Extensive mats of filamentous blue-green algae, not heterotrophic bacteria, were the N2 fixing agents: in experiments with samples of Microdictyon sp., the activity was lightdependent and not stimulated by organic compounds under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Assays in situ, at 20 m depth, and on shipboard, gave similar rates of N2 fixation; the cyanophytes presumably have pigment adaptations to function in blue light. The maximum rate of N2 fixation, associated with Microdictyon sp., was 3.8 μg N fixed g dry weight-1 h-1. Coral-reef communities flourish in nutrientimpoverished waters, and therefore any input of nitrogen is probably important in stabilizing such ecosystems.
Who's really in charge of my life, anyway? Locus of control and cognitive substance abuse treatment in a federal prison

External locus of control has been identified as problematic among prison inmates across a number of dimensions, related both directly to substance abuse as well as to more general adjustment. Graduates of a nine month residential, cognitive substance abuse treatment program, housed within a Federal prison, were compared with a waiting-list control group for changes in locus of control. Both global locus of control, as measured by the Rotter Internal-External Scale (RIE) and vocational locus of control, as measured by the Spector Work Locus of Control Scale (WLCS) were examined. Treatment groups displayed significantly more internal loci or control across the two dimensions. Results are discussed in terms of prior findings of benefits of more internal locus of control related to aspects of personal and vocational adjustment, interpersonal violence, recidivism, and reductions in depression and suicidality, as well as substance abuse and relapse.
Visual and Tactual Integration and Cerebral Dysfunction in Children with Learning Disabilities

This study reintroduces a historically old question: Of what relevance is brain dysfunction to educational planning? It has been widely accepted in educational circles that the brain's physical integrity is not relevant as the child still must be educated. Adams demonstrates that optimal educational programs may need to take into account brain status. — G.M.S.
Caregiver Appraisals of Functional Dependence in Individuals With Dementia and Associated Caregiver Upset: Psychometric Properties of a New Scale and Response Patterns by Caregiver and Care Recipient Characteristics

To evaluate psychometric properties and response patterns of the Care-giver Assessment of Function and Upset (CAFU), a 15-item multidimensional measure of dependence in dementia patients and caregiver reaction. Method: 640 families were administered the CAFU (53% White, 43% African American, and 4% mixed race and ethnicity). We created a random split of the sample and conducted exploratory factor analyses on Sample 1 and confirmatory factor analyses on Sample 2. Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results: A two-factor structure for functional items was derived, and excellent factorial validity was obtained. Convergent and discriminant validity were obtained for function and upset measures. Differential response patterns for dependence and caregiver upset were found for caregiver race, relationship, and care recipient gender but not for caregiver gender. Discussion: The CAFU is easily administered, reliable, and valid for evaluating appraisals ...
Mode locked tuning of diode pumped femtosecond Cr:LiSAF and Cr:LiCAF lasers using AlGaAs based saturable Bragg reflectors

We obtained femtosecond tuning-ranges of 803-831 nm (28-nm), 828-873 nm (45-nm) and 890-923 nm (33-nm) with Cr:LiSAF, and of 767-817 nm (50-nm) with Cr:LiCAF gain media using AlGaAs-based saturable Bragg reflectors and a birefringent tuning-plate.
Theory of Auger line shapes in chemisorption of Cl on Si(111)

${L}_{1}{L}_{2,3}V$ and ${L}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}$ Auger line shapes have been calculated for Cl and Si in the adsorption system Si(111)-Cl(1 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 1), based on an empirical tight-binding surface band-structure calculation. The fact that Cl and Si orbitals do not mix strongly means that the local densities of states (LDOS) at the Cl and Si atoms are very different; this difference is reflected in the predicted Cl and Si Auger spectra, and its experimental observation would be of considerable interest, as a demonstration that Auger spectra can provide local electronic structure information. The Si ${L}_{1}{L}_{2,3}V$ spectra from clean and Cl-covered Si(111) will probably not be different enough, because of the breadth of the Si $2s$ level, to permit one to obtain useful information from their difference. However, if one uses a grazing incidence beam to enhance the contributions of the outermost Si layers, the differences between the Si ${L}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}$ spectra for the clean and covered surfaces should be quite prominent, and will reflect the changes in the Si electron energy distribution induced by the formation of strong $\ensuremath{\sigma}$- and weak $\ensuremath{\pi}$-bonds with the Cl. The calculated Cl spectra decompose readily into contributions from the $s$- and $p$-like components of the Cl LDOS and from convolutions of them, a fact which will permit the experimental determination of Auger matrix-element angular-momentum dependence.
Using Service-Based GIS to Support Earthquake Research and Disaster Response

Service-based geographic information system (GIS) technologies can enable an open-architecture cyberinfrastructure to provide standards-compliant data products and computing services for both earthquake research and disaster planning and response. Here, a service-based GIS framework is evaluated using examples from two earthquake science projects: QuakeSim and E-Decider.