cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trip and parking generation at transit-oriented developments: Five US case studies

Guidelines for trip and parking generation in the United States come mainly from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). However, their trip and parking manuals focus on suburban locations with limited transit and pedestrian access. This study aims to determine how many fewer vehicle trips are generated at transit-oriented developments (TODs), and how much less parking is required at TODs, than ITE guidelines would suggest. Our sample of TODs is small, which limits our ability to generalize. However, the five cases selected for this study are more or less exemplary of the D variables, at least in comparison with US norms. They are characterized by land-use diversity and pedestrian-friendly designs. They minimize distance to transit, literally abutting transit stations. They have varying measures of destination accessibility to the rest of the region via transit. Three have progressive parking policies, which fall under the heading of demand management. Two have high residential densities, and one has a high intensity of commercial development. Simply put, our case study TODs create significantly less demand for parking and driving than do conventional suburban developments. With one exception, peak parking demand in these TODs is less than one half the parking supply guideline in the ITE Parking Generation manual. Also, with one exception, vehicle trip generation rates are about half or less of what is predicted in the ITE Trip Generation Manual. Automobile mode shares are as low as one quarter of all trips, with the remainder being mostly transit and walk trips.
Shaping Codes for Structured Data

In this work, we study data shaping codes for flash memory. We first review a recently proposed direct shaping code for SLC (one bit per cell) flash memory that reduces wear by minimizing the average fraction of programmed cells. Then we describe an adaptation of this algorithm that provides data shaping for MLC (two bits per cell) flash memory. It makes use of a page- dependent cost model and is designed to be compatible with the standard procedure of row-by- row, page-based, wordline programming. We also give simulation results demonstrating the performance of these data shaping codes when applied to English language text. Finally, we use a random walk model to analyze the potential error propagation properties of direct shaping codes when used in a noisy memory.
Inelastic wedge billiards

Billiards are simple systems used to investigate Hamiltonian dynamics in physics. When real billiards are examined experimentally, the energy dissipated in each collision must be replaced by an external stimulus to maintain the dynamics. We focus on a specific system of a driven billiard using a wedge shaped boundary to examine nonlinear and chaotic behavior. Mathematical models such as the logistic map are simple low dimensional systems that exhibit nonlinear and chaotic behavior as a single parameter is varied. This logistic map can then be used to identify a very specific mathematical parameter known as the Lyapunov exponent, which helps in identifying chaos more clearly. In the current experiment, the dynamics of a particle free to move near a horizontally shaken vertical boundary will be examined for the presence of chaos. The goal of the research is to extract a Lyapunov exponent between any two trajectories in the system. In addition, the manner in which the dynamics evolve freely through dissipative collisions provides a testbed for measurements of the velocity dependent coefficients of restitution for the billiard. A better description of hard sphere coefficients of restitution would be beneficial to a host of experiments and numerical simulations in granular physics.
Safety of shorter length of hospital stay for patients undergoing minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Objective Determine the feasibility and predictors of early discharge after minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Background Duration of hospitalization has a direct impact on overall cost of care, but the clinical impact of length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing minimalist TAVR remains unclear. Methods We studied 268 patients who underwent minimalist TAVR. Short LOS (sLOS) was defined as post-procedural LOS ≤ 3 days and observed in 163 patients. Prolonged LOS (pLOS) was observed in 105 patients. Propensity score matching based on 39 variables yielded 54 pairs of patients in each group. We analyzed 30-day mortality, 30-day re-hospitalization and long-term survival data. Multivariate regression models were used to define predictors of sLOS. Results Thirty-day mortality was 0% versus 5.5% in the sLOS and pLOS groups, respectively (P = 0.08). Incidence of re-hospitalization was higher in pLOS (13% vs. 3.7%). sLOS was associated with lower odds ratio of minor vascular complication (OR 0.1 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.75], P = 0.05), any bleeding (OR 0.35 [95% CI: 0.14, 0.87], P = 0.02), blood transfusion (OR 0.27 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.81], P = 0.02), and new pacemaker implantation (OR 0.23 [95% CI: 0.1, 0.53], P < 0.001). Discharge to home had a significantly higher odd ratio for sLOS (OR 8.67 [95% CI: 3.59, 23.11], P < 0.001). Conclusion In appropriately selected patients, sLOS following minimalist TAVR approach in an experienced and high volume center is feasible and safe. Implementing such a strategy may reduce medical costs with the potential clinical benefit of early re-habilitation for the elderly TAVR population.
Offset-Free Robust MPC of Systems with Mixed Stochastic and Deterministic Uncertainty

Abstract This paper presents a robust model predictive control (MPC) approach for offset-free tracking of piece-wise constant references in the presence of bounded deterministic and stochastic disturbances. The system is considered to be linear with two sources of additive bounded uncertainties on the states. The first uncertainty source accounts for unknown, deterministic structural/parametric plant-model mismatch. The second uncertainty source represents stochastic exogenous system disturbances. The proposed deterministic-stochastic robust MPC approach uses estimates of the deterministic model uncertainties to modify the nominal state and input targets. This allows for achieving offset-free tracking of the mean of the controlled variables. A non-conservative constraint tightening procedure is used to handle probabilistic state constraints and hard input constraints in the presence of stochastic uncertainties. The computational complexity of the proposed robust MPC approach is comparable to that of nominal MPC. The closed-loop performance of the proposed robust MPC approach is compared to that of robust tube-based MPC and stochastic MPC in a simulation study.
Nursing Students' Attitudes and Use of Holistic Therapies for Stress Relief.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore student nurses’ openness to using or recommending holistic therapies, the strategies they use to manage stress from school or work, and their perceptions of the impact of holistic therapies on personal health. Study Design: Qualitative component of a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study. Methods: A convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students in a southeastern U.S. university completed baseline surveys, including demographics and three open-ended questions regarding attitudes toward holistic therapies and strategies used for stress management. Qualitative thematic analysis was undertaken to identify recurring themes in textual data. Findings: Students are open to using or recommending holistic therapies but identify lack of knowledge and lack of time as barriers to their practice. Among strategies used by student nurses to manage stress from school or work were physical activity, prayer and meditation, time management, distraction, socialization...
Supervenience and causation : A probabilistic approach

It is often argued that if a mentalproperty supervenes on a physical property, then (1)the mental property M ``inherits'' its causal efficacyfrom the physical property P and (2) the causalefficacy of M reduces to that of P. However, once weunderstand the supervenience thesis and the concept ofcausation probabilistically, it turns out that we caninfer the causal efficacy of M from that of P andvice versa if and only if a certain condition, whichI call the ``line-up'' thesis, holds. I argue that thesupervenience thesis entails neither this conditionnor its denial. I also argue that even when theline-up thesis holds true, reductionism about thecausal efficacy of the mental property doesn'tfollow.
Decreasing health disparities for children with asthma and their families: Conceptualizing cultural weaving & identifying the cultural characteristics of a head start organization in the United States

ABSTRACTThe overall purpose was to identify cultural competency characteristics of a community organization and its staff in caring for chronically ill children from diverse backgrounds. The study used a qualitative design to explore the elements of cultural values and beliefs within the context of a Head Start organization that cares for chronically ill, low income children. A small convenience sample of organization employees provided demographic data, completed cultural competency assessment instruments and participated in focus groups. Qualitative data were analyzed first coding and identifying themes related to cultural values and belief of the individuals who manage a local Head Start. The results indicated previous experience influences the working with diverse populations. Whereas the socialized culture had a greater effect on working with diverse groups of children and their families. Although there is a need to provide knowledge on communicating with diverse population of children and families, ...
Abstract TMP58: Is Lactate Dehydrogenase Level a Biomarker of Ischemic Stroke in Ventricular Assist Device?

Introduction: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is used as a biomarker of pump thrombosis in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The relationship of LDH level to ischemic stroke remains unclear. We aimed to explore the relationship of LDH as a marker for LVAD-associated ischemic stroke. Methods: We reviewed consecutive patients with ischemic stroke in a prospectively collected data of LVAD patients in a single, tertiary center from October 2004 to December 2016. LDH values from various time points were collected: at the time of stroke, and 1, 3, and 6-month (± 2 weeks) prior as controls. The clinical reference used for LDH’s normal range was 110 - 200 U/L. Pump thrombosis was diagnosed by isolated power elevations, LDH rise, evidence of hemolysis, and new heart failure symptoms as defined by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. The LDH levels were compared using Rank Sum test. Results: Of 477 persons with LVAD, 61 (12.7%) developed ischemic stroke within a median of 143...
Review of the distribution of Sapygidae in Italy and new records (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea)

The distribution of the Italian species of Sapygidae is reviewed and new occurrence records for some species are given. Monosapyga clavicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) is recorded for the first time in Lazio and Abruzzo, Polochrum repandum Spinola, 1806 in Abruzzo, and Sapygina decemguttata (Jurine, 1807) in Veneto. Due to insufficient sampling efforts in Italy, all the Italian species of Sapygidae should be currently considered as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Differential localization of histone variant TH2B during the first round compared with subsequent rounds of spermatogenesis

BACKGROUND Male germ cells are unique because they express a substantial number of variants of the general DNA binding proteins, known as histones, yet the biological significance of these variants is still unknown. In the present study, we aimed to address the expression pattern of the testis-specific histone H2B variant (TH2B) and the testis-specific histone H2A variant (TH2A) within the neonatal mouse testis. RESULTS We demonstrate that TH2B and TH2A are present in a testis-enriched for undifferentiated spermatogonia. Co-localization studies with an undifferentiated marker, ZBTB16, revealed that TH2B and ZBTB16 co-localize in the neonatal testis. Upon the appearance of the primary spermatocytes, TH2B no longer co-localized with the ZBTB16 positive spermatogonia but were instead detected within the differentiating spermatogonia. This pattern of expression where TH2B and ZBTB16 no longer co-localize was maintained in the adult testis. CONCLUSION These findings are in contrast to previous studies, which demonstrated that TH2B and TH2A were found only in adult spermatocytes. Our data are in support of a switch in the expression of these variants following the first round of spermatogonial differentiation. These studies reinforce current understandings that spermatogonia within the neonatal mouse testis are inherently different from those residing within the adult testis.
AI-Mediated Communication: How the Perception that Profile Text was Written by AI Affects Trustworthiness

We are entering an era of AI-Mediated Communication (AI-MC) where interpersonal communication is not only mediated by technology, but is optimized, augmented, or generated by artificial intelligence. Our study takes a first look at the potential impact of AI-MC on online self-presentation. In three experiments we test whether people find Airbnb hosts less trustworthy if they believe their profiles have been written by AI. We observe a new phenomenon that we term the Replicant Effect: Only when participants thought they saw a mixed set of AI- and human-written profiles, they mistrusted hosts whose profiles were labeled as or suspected to be written by AI. Our findings have implications for the design of systems that involve AI technologies in online self-presentation and chart a direction for future work that may upend or augment key aspects of Computer-Mediated Communication theory.
Role of isothermal omega phase precipitation on the mechanical behavior of a Ti-Mo-Al-Nb alloy

Abstract The formation and the evolution of the athermal and isothermal omega phase precipitates in a commercial metastable β–titanium alloy, β-21S, under controlled heat treatments, and its consequent impact on tensile properties has been presented in this paper. The structural and compositional changes of the omega precipitates have been tracked using SEM, TEM, and atom probe tomography (APT). Upon quenching from above the β-transus, the microstructure consisted of a single phase β without any discrete athermal omega precipitates and this condition exhibited the highest tensile ductility. Following β -solutionizing, when the samples were aged below the omega solvus temperature, there was an increase in the size scale of the omega precipitates with increasing time period. The larger and more solute-depleted omega precipitates, resulted in increased tensile strength and reduced ductility. The details of the deformation behavior were further analyzed using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and TEM. Two different modes of deformation were noted in the system, depending on the initial microstructure. While the single phase condition (β solutionized sample) exhibited deformation occurring mainly via (110)β slip, the presence of larger isothermal omega precipitates in the aged condition (β solutionized + 350 °C/100H) resulted in the activation of not only (110) β slip but also (112) β slip. The reasonably high tensile ductility noted in this aged condition has been attributed to the activation of both these slip systems.
Asian American Identification with African Americans, Latinos, and Whites: The Roles of Discrimination and Self-Identified Skin Tone

Using a sample of up to 1,208 Asian Americans, we examine the effects of skin tone on perceived commonality with African Americans, Latinos, and whites. Overall, we find that Asian Americans are mo...
The wanderer’s gaze: Jewish writers in the urban landscape of Budapest at the turn of the 20th century

The article uncovers the voices of secular Jewish writers who wrote about Budapest at the turn of the twentieth century in the same progressive literary journals. Their literary depictions of Budap...
Impact of Lagtime, Health Insurance Type, and Income Status at Diagnosis on the Long-Term Survival of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Delays in diagnosis can affect the short-term survival outcomes of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. We sought to determine the extent to which delayed diagnosis, health insurance type, and income status are associated with the long-term survival of AYA cancer patients. Methods: We reviewed an institutional cohort of 268 patients age 15-29 years who were diagnosed with the most common neoplasms of the AYA population between 2001 and 2003. We grouped patients by the time of onset of cancer symptomatology to verified diagnosis (lagtime to diagnosis; short or long), health insurance type at diagnosis (public or private), zip-code-based median household income (≤U.S. $50,000 or >U.S. $50,000), and demographic variables. Overall survival (OS) and late OS (LOS; the time from the 5-year anniversary of cancer diagnosis to death from any cause) were the outcomes of interest. Results: OS and LOS did not differ between those with short or long lagtimes to diagnosis for all cancer and for specific cancer types. Among patients with long lagtimes, those with private insurance had significantly better LOS than those with public insurance (p = 0.03). Compared with those who had public insurance, patients who had private insurance at diagnosis had significantly better LOS (p = 0.008). Patients with household incomes >U.S. $50,000 had better LOS than those with household incomes ≤U.S. $50,000 (p = 0.02). Patients with public insurance and household incomes ≤U.S. $50,000 had the poorest LOS. Conclusions: AYA cancer patients with either public health insurance or a low household income at diagnosis are at risk of an inferior LOS.
Rolling Soft Membrane-Driven Tensegrity Robots

We present a methodology for designing, fabricating, and controlling rolling membrane-driven tensegrity robots. This methodology is enabled by pneumatic membrane actuators and a generalized path planning algorithm for rolling polyhedra. Membrane actuators are planar, assembled in a scalable fashion, and amenable to arbitrary geometries. Their deformation trajectories can be tuned by varying the stacking sequence and orientation of layers of unidirectional lamina placed on their surfaces. We demonstrate the application of the same set of membrane actuators consisting of polygonal faces of Platonic Solids to create polyhedral tensegrity variants. Three specific tensegrities in the forms of cube, dodecahedron, and rhombicuboctahedron are chosen to demonstrate the path planning algorithm, though the algorithm is generalizable to any uniform or non-uniform n-sided polyhedra. The membrane-driven tensegrities are able to roll in unique trajectories and circumvent obstacles contingent on the distribution and types of polygons which constitute their faces.
The Only Woman in the Room: Oral Histories of Senior Women Physicians in a Midwestern City.

Introduction: The female students of the 1960s and 1970s have been at the forefront of issues for women in medicine throughout their careers. They have personally experienced the diverse challenges...
One-Pot Synthesis of Proton Exchange Membranes from Anion Exchange Membrane Precursors

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) play a critical role in many electrochemical devices that could solve the shortcomings of current energy storage and conversion systems. Hydrocarbon-based PEMs are ...
Community engagement in dissemination and implementation models: A narrative review:

Background:Responding to the growing demand for scientific understanding of adoption and uptake of evidence-based interventions (EBIs), numerous dissemination and implementation (“D&I”) models have...
African Americans and Asian Americans today: A conversation with Amritjit Singh

Nitesh Narnolia of Central University of Gujarat is an advanced doctoral scholar researching African American Literature. He has been talking to Professor Amritjit Singh for over two years by email...
Accelerated Phase of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Background Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) can transform into blast phase MPN (leukemic transformation; MPN-BP), typically via accelerated phase MPN (MPN-AP), in ∼20-25% of the cases. MPN-AP and MPN-BP are characterized by 10-19% and ≥20% blasts, respectively. MPN-AP/BP portend a dismal prognosis with no established conventional treatment. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the sole modality associated with long-term survival. Summary MPN-AP/BP has a markedly different mutational profile from de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In MPN-AP/BP, TP53 and IDH1/2 are more frequent, whereas FLT3 and DNMT3A are rare. Higher incidence of leukemic transformation has been associated with the most aggressive MPN subtype, myelofibrosis (MF); other risk factors for leukemic transformation include rising blast counts above 3-5%, advanced age, severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, increasing bone marrow fibrosis, type 1 CALR-unmutated status, lack of driver mutations (negative for JAK2, CALR, or MPL genes), adverse cytogenetics, and acquisition of ≥2 high-molecular risk mutations (ASXL1, EZH2, IDH1/2, SRSF2, and U2AF1Q157). The aforementioned factors have been incorporated in several novel prognostic scoring systems for MF. Currently, elderly/unfit patients with MPN-AP/BP are treated with hypomethylating agents with/without ruxolitinib; these regimens appear to confer comparable benefit to intensive chemotherapy but with lower toxicity. Retrospective studies in patients who acquired actionable mutations during MPN-AP/BP showed positive outcomes with targeted AML treatments, such as IDH1/2 inhibitors, and require further evaluation in clinical trials. Key Messages: Therapy for MPN-AP patients represents an unmet medical need. MF patients, in particular, should be appropriately stratified regarding their prognosis and the risk for transformation. Higher-risk patients should be monitored regularly and treated prior to progression to MPN-BP. MPN-AP patients may be treated with hypomethylating agents alone or in combination with ruxolitinib; also, patients can be provided with the option to enroll in rationally designed clinical trials exploring combination regimens, including novel targeted drugs, with an ultimate goal to transition to transplant.
The effect of second-language orthographic input on the phonological encoding of Mandarin words

Previous studies have yielded mixed findings regarding the effect of familiar and novel L2 graphemes on learners’ phonological encoding. The current study investigated this topic by comparing the effect of Pinyin and Chinese characters on English speakers’ Mandarin word learning. Different from previous research, this study examined both segmental and tonal encoding and compared participants from different Mandarin proficiency levels. Seventeen Advanced learners, 29 Intermediate learners, and 21 Naive English speakers participated in a word-learning experiment in which half of the participants were exposed to the Pinyin spelling of the target words while the other half to characters. After the learning phase, they did a meaning – auditory stimulus matching task. Half of the stimuli were complete matches, while in the other half the stimulus mismatched the target either in segments or tones. The results revealed that at the Advanced level, the Character group was more accurate than the Pinyin group in rejecting tonal mismatches to the target words, while the opposite tendency was observed at the Naive level. This study suggests that novel graphemes facilitate advanced L2 learners’ tonal encoding more than familiar graphemes, which is probably due to the unique nature of Chinese characters.
Comprehension of “Before” and “After” by the Young Child

“When children enter a structured school environment they are, often for the first time, required to follow sequential directions rather explicitly” (Barrie-Blackley, 1973, p. 164). Clauses joined with time connectives are commonly used by teachers in explanations, directions, and requests to children. Some children have little difficulty following these temporal directions. Many young children are able to carry out the commands through selective ignoring of the time connectives either from practice—“washing hands after painting”—or by observing the nonverbal actions of the adult or peers to see what is expected (Hatch, 1971). These contextual clues may be largely responsible for the child’s comprehension of the directions even though he or she does not have a real understanding of some of the temporal words.
Imaging the brain with optical methods

Casting Light on Neural Function: A Subjective History.- Fluorescent Sensors of Membrane Potential that Are Genetically Encoded.- The Influence of Astrocyte Activation on Hemodynamic Signals for Functional Brain Imaging.- Somatosensory: Imaging Tactile Perception.- How Images of Objects Are Represented in Macaque Inferotemporal Cortex.- Optical Imaging of Short-Term Working Memory in Prefrontal Cortex of the Macaque Monkey.- Intraoperative Optical Imaging of Human Cortex.- Using Optical Imaging to Investigate Functional Cortical Activity in Human Infants.- In Vivo Dynamics of the Visual Cortex Measured with Voltage Sensitive Dyes.- Fast Optical Neurophysiology.- Two-Photon Laser Scanning Microscopy as a Tool to Study Cortical Vasodynamics Under Normal and Ischemic Conditions.
Corrosion monitoring of post-tensioned concrete structures using fractal analysis of guided ultrasonic waves

SUMMARY This work presents a new approach based on fractal analysis of guided ultrasonic waves (GUWs) for monitoring the corrosion evolutionary path in post-tensioned systems. Fractal analysis is a new scientific paradigm that has been used successfully in many fields including biological and physical sciences. However, its application in the SHM community has been modest. The proposed approach utilizes piezoelectric transducers, permanently attached to the steel tendon, to transmit and receive GUWs. The corrosion monitoring is performed through the examination of the fractal dimension of GUW measurements over time. Accelerated corrosion tests were carried out on two 7 wire steel strands embedded in two concrete blocks to validate the proposed system. Finally, an outlier detection algorithm is proposed to enhance the sensitivity of the technique to the corrosion-induced damage. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inductive inference as ampliative and non monotonic reasoning

Inductive Inference is reasoning that justifies change from one state of full belief or absolute certainty to another by adding new information to the initial state that is consistent with it but does not entail it. Inductive inference is, therefore, ampliative. It is also non monotonic. But the deviations from monotonicity differ from those characterized by belief revision according to Alchourron, Gardenfors and Makinson or preferential entailment developed by Kraus, Lehmann and Magidor and Lehmann and Magidor. The default reasoning of Reiter resembles ampliative reasoning more closely according to the decision theoretic account of inductive expansion proposed in this essay. The paper seeks to explain the differences and why they occur.
Singing Gesualdo: Rules of Engagement in the Music History Classroom

In our music history classrooms we all want to find ways to make musics of the past relevant and alive. One of these ways is to sing and play our way through the canon of music history. For music majors this can be both daunting and pleasurable at the same time. Depending on the strengths of aural training and the performance areas of the students, these experiences are rewarding in varying degrees. Placing a performance demand on students in a history-based course, however, is tricky, for to put a grade to their work is usually not appropriate or fair, since performance is not one of the learning objectives of the course. We all know, however, that students are driven by grades and need to see how their classroom activities will be rewarded. This paper explores three areas related to the teaching problem presented above. First of all, I seek to present the pedagogy of live engagement and encounters with the content under study. What is the degree of learning that occurs by performing music live? Can that be an improvement on reliable textbook learning, class discussion, and reliable professional recordings? What if the music is too hard to perform and the experiment fails? Second, I will discuss assessment methods for live performance components in traditionally non-performance courses. Third, I will present some of my experiments in the classroom; the good, the bad, and even an ugly one—singing Gesualdo.
Differential response of microRNA to contraction in aged and obese mice (1168.4)

Resistance to anabolic stimuli in skeletal muscle occurs within both aging and obese populations. However, the mechanisms responsible for this ‘anabolic resistance’ are unknown. MicroRNA (miRNA), s...
Electrophysiology of dissociated gastrointestinal muscle cells

The sections in this article are: 1 Dispersion Techniques 1.1 Comparison of Approaches 1.2 Evaluation of Dispersed Cells 2 Rhythmicity In Cellular Preparations 3 Voltage Recordings From Isolated Cells 3.1 Agonist Effects on Voltage 3.2 Other Voltage Recordings in Isolated Cells 4 Voltage-Clamp Studies Of Isolated Cells 4.1 Microelectrode Voltage-Clamp Studies 4.2 Whole-Cell Current and Voltage Clamp by Patch-Clamp Technique 4.3 Properties of Potassium Channels 4.4 Properties of Calcium Channels 4.5 Properties of Chloride Channels 5 Effects of Physiological Agonists on Channels 5.1 Cholinergic Regulation of Potassium Channels 5.2 Cholinergic Effects on Calcium Channels 5.3 Effects of Other Agonists 6 Relating Studies of Ionic Channels to Electrical Events of the Gut 7 Implications of Single-Channel Studies on Models of Electrical Activity
Neurokinin-1 receptor-expressing cells of the ventral respiratory group are functionally heterogeneous and predominantly glutamatergic.

According to a recent theory (Gray et al., 1999) the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R)-immunoreactive (ir) neurons of the ventral respiratory group (VRG) are confined to the pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotC) and might be glutamatergic interneurons that drive respiratory rhythmogenesis. In this study we tested whether the NK1R-ir neurons of the VRG are glutamatergic. We also examined whether different groups of NK1R-ir neurons coexist in the VRG on the basis of whether these cells contain preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA or project to the spinal cord. NK1R immunoreactivity was found in two populations of VRG neurons that are both predominantly glutamatergic because most of them contained vesicular glutamate transporter 2 mRNA (77 +/- 9%; n = 3). A group of small fusiform neurons (somatic cross section: 91 +/- 3.6 microm2) that has neither PPE mRNA nor spinal projections is primarily restricted to the pre-BotC. These cells may be the interneurons the destruction of which produces massive disruptions of the respiratory rhythm (Gray et al., 2001). The rest of the NK1R-ir neurons of the VRG are multipolar, are larger (somatic cross section: 252 +/- 15 microm2), and express high levels of PPE mRNA. Some of these cells located in the rostral half of the rostral VRG project to the spinal cord (C4 or T3). Using electrophysiological methods, we showed that these bulbospinal NK1R-ir neurons are slowly discharging inspiratory-augmenting neurons, suggesting that they may control phrenic or intercostal motor neurons. In summary, NK1R-expressing cells of the VRG are a heterogeneous group of predominantly glutamatergic neurons that include subpopulations of respiratory premotor neurons.
Abstract Interpretation of Small-Step Semantics

The techniques of classical abstract interpretation are extended to the big- and small-step operational semantics of higher-order and communicative languages: Well-known techniques, such as memoization, and lesser-known ones, such as abstraction on program syntax, are employed to generate finite abstract interpretations of source programs based on their formal operational semantic definitions. The result is a clear methodology for generating semantically safe (and live) abstract, regular trees for programs that do not possess obvious, finite, state-transition diagram depictions. The primary application of the research is to the validation of program properties; in particular, the application of model checking to validate safety properties in the box-mu calculus and liveness properties in the diamond-mu calculus is discussed.
Non-Commutative Space-Times, Black Hole, and Elementary Particle

It is shown that elementary black hole can not be distinguished from an elementary particle in the non-commutative space-times (space/space and space/time) at the Planck scale. But, the non-commutative space-times can not be ``directly'' measured in the elementary black hole system. A time-varying non-commutative parameter $\theta(t)$ is suggested in accordance with the time-varying-G scenario. By identifying the elementary black hole with an elementary particle, the large hierarchy between the weak scale and Planck scale is naturally understood. For large black hole, the discrete spectrum of the horizon area is derived by identifying the black hole horizon with a non-commutative sphere.
VLSI implementation of early branch prediction circuits for high performance computing

In this paper, design and VLSI implementation of an Early Branch Prediction (EBP) circuit, based on a variation of the Carry Look-ahead scheme is presented. The key features of this design are low area, high speed (2 [log n/2]+1), and high modularity. This design out performs all the EBP designs presented so far. For 64-bit word length the early branch prediction is obtained in 679 ps as simulated for 0.2 /spl mu/m technology under typical conditions. Simulation and layout results for 0.2 /spl mu/m CMOS technology show a 30% increase in speed with 25% decrease in area as compared, to recently published results.
FRACTAL VASCULAR GROWTH PATTERNS

Flow distributions in the heart and lung are heterogeneous but not at all random. The apparent degree of heterogeneity increases as one reduces the size of observable elements; the fact that the dispersion of flows shows a logarithmic relation to element size says that the system is statistically fractal. The fractal characterization is a statement that the system is nonrandom and that it shows correlation. The close near neighbor correlation has as the corollary of long tailing or falloff in correlation with distance, so called spatial persistence. Correlation can be expected because flow is delivered via a branching vascular system, and so it appears that the structure of the vasculature itself contributes. Since it is also practical and efficient for growth to occur via recursive rules, such as branch, grow, and repeat the branching and growing, it appears that fractals may be useful in understanding the ontological aspects of growth of tissues and organs, thereby minimizing the requirements for genetic material.
JOINT DISTENSION AND REFLEX MUSCLE INHIBITION IN THE KNEE.

Gradual distension of the knee joint with plasma was observed to result in weakening of the quadriceps muscle in sixteen subjects. In normal subjects this occurred before pain was experienced, but in some subjects with articular disease, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, pain preceded weakness of the quadriceps. In a patient with neuropathic disease of the knee joint muscle weakness did not develop even when the joint was distended at high pressure. Similarly, in other subjects, the instillation of local anesthetics delayed the appearance of weakness until the joints were distended at higher pressures. These studies suggest that stimuli from the knee joint reflexly inhibit the lower motoneurons supplying the quadriceps muscle. Reflex inhibition may lead to the muscle weakness, the atrophy, and the deformity that are seen in association with joint disease.
Applicability of Imaging Time-of Flight Secondary Ion MS to the Characterization of Solid-Phase Synthesized Combinatorial Libraries

We employ imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to perform high-throughput analysis of solid-phase synthesized combinatorial libraries by acquiring mass spectra from arrays of polymer resin particles. To generalize this procedure to various types of resins and their associated chemical linkers, it is necessary to understand the dynamics associated with the analyte molecules during chemical pretreatment steps. Using stearic acid as a model compound, we examine the influence of three classes of linkers-acid or base labile linkers, a thermally labile linker, and a photochemically cleavable linker- all of which are used to anchor one end of the analyte to the polymer resin. With data obtained using secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we conclude that an effective treatment of the resin needs to include cleaving the linker and extracting the unbound analyte to the resin surface. We also demonstrate that the hydrophilicity of the polymeric constituents of a resin particle affects the experiments by changing the location of the analyte molecules during resin treatment. With this information, it is possible to utilize imaging TOF-SIMS to assay a range of material supports with assurance that high-quality spectra can be acquired.
Coadsorption of ethanethiol with sulfur, oxygen, and water on the Fe(100) surface

Coadsorption of ethanethiol (C2H5SH) with sulfur, oxygen, and water on the Fe(100) surface under ultrahigh vacuum has been investigated using temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). Precovered sulfur shows a site-blocking effect for ethanethiol adsorption on the Fe(100) surface. Oxygen also shows a similar behavior but is less effective than sulfur. The reactivity of ethanethiol is reduced by the presence of preadsorbed sulfur or oxygen as indicated by the increasing decomposition temperature with increasing sulfur or oxygen coverage. Ethanethiolate is formed on adsorption, and its decomposition is limited by C−S bond cleavage followed by ethylene and ethane formation. Water physically adsorbs on the ethanethiolate overlayer and does not affect the adsorption and decomposition of the thiolate. However, strong interaction between iron and ethanethiolate res...
Saturation molalities and standard molar enthalpies of solution of cytidine(cr), hypoxanthine(cr), thymidine(cr), thymine(cr), uridine(cr), and xanthine(cr) in H2O(l)

Abstract Saturation molalities m(sat) in H2O(l) have been measured for the substances cytidine(cr), hypoxanthine(cr), thymidine(cr), thymine(cr), uridine(cr), and xanthine(cr) by using h.p.l.c. The states of hydration were established by performing Karl-Fischer analyses on samples of these substances, which had been allowed to equilibrate with their respective aqueous saturated solutions for several days at T≈298 K and then dried with air at T≈296 K for ≈24 h. The crystalline forms of the substances were identified by comparison of the results of X-ray diffraction measurements with results from the literature. Also, molar enthalpies of solution ΔsolHm(cal) for these substances were measured by using an isoperibol solution calorimeter. A self-association (stacking) model was used to estimate values of the activity coefficients γ and relative apparent molar enthalpies Lφ for these substances. These γ and Lφ values were used to adjust the measured values of m(sat) and ΔsolHm(cal) to the standard state and thus obtain values of the standard molar Gibbs free energy ΔsolG∘m and enthalpy changes ΔsolHm∘ for the dissolution reactions of these substances. The values of the pKs and of the standard molar enthalpies of the ionization reactions were also used to account for speciation of the substances in the calculations of ΔsolGm∘ and ΔsolHm∘. Values of standard molar enthalpies of formation ΔfHm∘, standard molar Gibbs free energies of formation ΔfGm∘, and standard partial molar entropies S2,m∘ for the aqueous species of hypoxanthine and xanthine were calculated. A detailed summary and comparison of thermodynamic results from the literature for these substances is presented.
Analysis and meta-analysis of single-case designs with a standardized mean difference statistic: A primer and applications

This article presents a d-statistic for single-case designs that is in the same metric as the d-statistic used in between-subjects designs such as randomized experiments and offers some reasons why such a statistic would be useful in SCD research. The d has a formal statistical development, is accompanied by appropriate power analyses, and can be estimated using user-friendly SPSS macros. We discuss both advantages and disadvantages of d compared to other approaches such as previous d-statistics, overlap statistics, and multilevel modeling. It requires at least three cases for computation and assumes normally distributed outcomes and stationarity, assumptions that are discussed in some detail. We also show how to test these assumptions. The core of the article then demonstrates in depth how to compute d for one study, including estimation of the autocorrelation and the ratio of between case variance to total variance (between case plus within case variance), how to compute power using a macro, and how to use the d to conduct a meta-analysis of studies using single-case designs in the free program R, including syntax in an appendix. This syntax includes how to read data, compute fixed and random effect average effect sizes, prepare a forest plot and a cumulative meta-analysis, estimate various influence statistics to identify studies contributing to heterogeneity and effect size, and do various kinds of publication bias analyses. This d may prove useful for both the analysis and meta-analysis of data from SCDs.
Hepatic arterial reconstruction in 95 adult right lobe living donor liver transplants: Evolution of anastomotic technique

The success of adult right-lobe living donor liver transplants (RLDLT) would not have been possible without the experience of the early pioneers of pediatric living donor liver transplants (LDLT). Our experience with 95 RLDLTs from July, 2000 to May, 2002 at a single institution is reported with specific emphasis on arterial reconstruction. The evolution of technique using the autogenous Y extension graft and the reverse extension bifurcated graft for arterial revascularization, which we believe has reduced the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis, is described. Outcome and the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis are reported.
Propagation of the three independent elastic waves in the [1,1,0] direction in LiF and KI single crystals

Abstract The experiments reported here demonstrate that the three elastic waves (one longitudinal and two transverse) move through a crystal independently and each with its characteristic velocity. The demonstration is in accord with theory and is so even when the three waves are excited simultaneously by a transducer. Pulse-echo techniques are used on single crystals of LiF and KI and quantitative data are taken on the relative amplitudes of the two transverse waves propagated along the [1, l, 0] direction.
Don't help victims of crime if you don't have the time: Assessing support for Good Samaritan laws☆

Abstract Criminologists tend to study crimes that include active behaviors by offenders. Much less attention is given to inaction – or crimes that are defined by the absence of behaviors. A number of different crimes of omission, however, are included within state statutes. In recent times, a great deal of legislative attention has been directed towards whether Good Samaritan laws should be developed- laws that require bystanders to help those who are imperiled. This article describes a pilot study involving a survey of 134 “bystanders” to determine their attitudes about helping and their support for laws mandating that bystanders help crime victims. Results show that the sample overwhelmingly indicated that they would help others themselves, but there was mixed support for laws requiring that individuals help those in need. Support for Bad Samaritan laws was related to age and education. Implications are provided.
Working in the Classroom Improving Idiom Comprehension Through Classwide Peer Tutoring

Idioms occur frequently in classroom language. Students with literacy or language weaknesses are often challenged by idioms; therefore, the failure to comprehend idioms can impact academic performance. Four 7th-grade female students (mean age: 12 years, 6 months) participated in a multiple baseline single subject study during their general education intensive reading class. Three sets of idioms were taught to examine the effects of classwide peer tutoring (CWPT) intervention on idiom comprehension. Following implementation of CWPT, comprehension of most idiomatic phrases increased and remained largely stable as indicated through visual analysis. Teaching idioms with CWPT was flexible, effective, and time-efficient in a general education classroom setting. Speech language pathologists collaborating with educators should provide evidence-based interventions as guided by educational standards and curriculum. Response to intervention provides a framework to implement a classroom intervention for all students ...
Fluoxetine: juvenile pharmacokinetics in a nonhuman primate model

Rationale The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine is the only psychopharmacological agent approved for use in children. While short-term studies of side effects have been performed, long-term consequences for brain development are not known. Such studies can be performed in appropriate animal models if doses modeling therapeutic use in children are known.
Magnetic nanoparticles with high specific absorption rate of electromagnetic energy at low field strength for hyperthermia therapy

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), referred to as the Dartmouth MNPs, which exhibit high specific absorption rate at low applied field strength have been developed for hyperthermia therapy applications. The MNPs consist of small (2–5 nm) single crystals of gamma-Fe2O3 with saccharide chains implanted in their crystalline structure, forming 20–40 nm flower-like aggregates with a hydrodynamic diameter of 110–120 nm. The MNPs form stable (>12 months) colloidal solutions in water and exhibit no hysteresis under an applied quasistatic magnetic field, and produce a significant amount of heat at field strengths as low as 100 Oe at 99–164 kHz. The MNP heating mechanisms under an alternating magnetic field (AMF) are discussed and analyzed quantitatively based on (a) the calculated multi-scale MNP interactions obtained using a three dimensional numerical model called the method of auxiliary sources, (b) measured MNP frequency spectra, and (c) quantified MNP friction losses based on magneto-viscous theory. The frequency responses and hysteresis curves of the Dartmouth MNPs are measured and compared to the modeled data. The specific absorption rate of the particles is measured at various AMF strengths and frequencies, and compared to commercially available MNPs. The comparisons demonstrate the superior heating properties of the Dartmouth MNPs at low field strengths (<250 Oe). This may extend MNP hyperthermia therapy to deeper tumors that were previously non-viable targets, potentially enabling the treatment of some of the most difficult cancers, such as pancreatic and rectal cancers, without damaging normal tissue.