cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinematic profiles during activities of daily living in adults with traumatic brachial plexus injuries.

Abstract Background Injuries to the brachial plexus leave individuals with lasting effects in upper extremity motor function, even with successful surgical restoration of elbow flexion. Quantitatively describing independent patient function during activities of daily living utilizing motion analysis could aid in prioritization of secondary surgical targets, as well as serve as an outcome measure. This study explored the upper extremity kinematic profiles during activities of daily living in adults with brachial plexus injury. Methods Eight adult participants (4 subjects with brachial plexus injury, 4 healthy controls) completed activities of daily living during one motion capture setting. Trunk, shoulder, and elbow joint minima, maxima, and range of motion were calculated and compared between groups. Kinematic profiles over a motion cycle were compared between groups using statistical parametric mapping. Findings Subjects with brachial plexus injuries had significantly greater trunk range of motion during feeding and dressing tasks compared to control subjects. This compensatory trunk motion was accompanied by limited shoulder external rotation demonstrated using conventional descriptors and statistical parametric mapping. Interpretation Significant compensatory trunk motion is required to complete select activities of daily living in subjects with brachial plexus injury. Additionally, restoration of shoulder external rotation would be a beneficial secondary target of surgical restoration of motor function. These aspects should be considered in treatment planning, as they could impact patient outcomes. Combining conventional descriptors of patient motion (e.g. joint minima, maxima, and range of motion) with statistical parametric mapping can provide a rich description of patient compensations and limitations.
Computer literacy: what it means and do today's college students need a formal course in it?

In today's society, it is generally accepted that one of the keys to being successful is to be computer literate or to have a certain level of technical competence. Children are taught to use computers at a young age and as they proceed through primary and secondary grades they regularly come into contact with various technologies. Because of this they become adept at being users of technology. Recently, there has been much research trying to identify basic computer literacy skills that are needed for all college-level students and to determine if a need exists for a general computer literacy/skills course for all undergraduate students. A starting point for considering this issue is to define what is meant by computer literacy and to discuss if that is what is truly needed or whether the related "information literacy" or "digital literacy" is more appropriate. Is being able to use personal productivity software tools enough or should this be expanded to the more general "problem solving using a computer" or "computing for everyone"? Additionally, what set of computer concepts is important to know? Once a working set of required skills is determined the discussion can be advanced to consider which of these, if any, typical incoming freshmen students possess. Incoming freshmen students frequently complain about having to take a literacy course because they feel like they already "know how" to use computers. Clearly, their view of what skills are necessary to be literate differ from what college educators believe. If, as is commonly believed, it is determined that these incoming students lack important skills and knowledge then the next question is how are these skills and concepts best taught? Should colleges and universities require that a formal course be taken in this area as part of their core curriculum? If so, what would such a course cover and how would it be assessed?
Oral microbiome and onset of oral mucositis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background Oral mucositis (OM) is a debilitating sequela for patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). This study investigated whether oral microbial features before treatment or during treatment are associated with the time to onset of severe OM in patients with HNSCC. Methods This was a cohort study of newly diagnosed patients with locoregional HNSCC who received chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy from April 2016 to September 2017. OM was based on the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. The oral microbiome was characterized on the basis of the 16S ribosomal RNA V4 region with the Illumina platform. A mixture cure model was used to generate hazard ratios for the onset of severe OM. Results Eighty-six percent of the patients developed OM (n = 57 [33 nonsevere cases and 24 severe cases]) with a median time to onset of OM of 21 days. With adjustments for age, sex, and smoking status, genera abundance was associated with the hazard for the onset of severe OM as follows: 1) at the baseline (n = 66), Cardiobacterium (P = .03) and Granulicatella (P = .04); 2) immediately before the development of OM (n = 57), Prevotella (P = .03), Fusobacterium (P = .03), and Streptococcus (P = .01); and 3) immediately before the development of severe OM (n = 24), Megasphaera (P = .0001) and Cardiobacterium (P = .03). There were no differences in α-diversity between the baseline samples and Human Microbiome Project data. Conclusions Changes in the abundance of genera over the course of treatment were associated with the onset of severe OM. The mechanism and therapeutic implications of these findings need to be investigated in future studies.
Modified Peng-Robinson equation of state for CO2/hydrocarbon systems within nanopores

Abstract Phase behavior of confined fluid demonstrates significant deviation from that of bulk fluid because of the strong molecule-wall interaction and geometric constraint in confined space, resulting in the inapplicability of the classical cubic equation of state (EOS). The objective of this work is to modify the Peng-Robinson EOS (PR EOS) with respect to both the attractive parameter and the covolume term to reflect the impact of molecule-wall interaction and geometric constraint, respectively. The modified PR EOS is applied to compute the phase diagrams of CO2+n-C4H10 and CO2+n-C10H22 binary mixtures, CO2+n-C4H10+n-C10H22 ternary mixture, and CO2+Eagle Ford condensate in nanopores. In this work, correlations of both critical temperature and critical pressure shift with nanopore sizes are proposed to compute the confined attractive parameter and the confined covolume in the modified PR EOS. The proposed EOS model is validated by both the critical temperature and the critical pressure shift data collected from literature. Results demonstrate that confinement effect in nanopores impose an overall shrinkage to the two-phase diagrams of all the CO2-hydrocarbon systems. The upper dew-point pressure of the Eagle Ford condensate sample is calculated to be 2972.6 psi, with a suppression of 27.56% compared to the bulk value of 4103.6 psi. Moreover, the size of the two-phase region in the ternary diagram and the minimum miscibility pressure also decrease in confined space, which is in favor of the miscible gas injection enhanced oil recovery with a higher possibility of achieving first contact miscibility.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Muscle Perfusion May Indicate Patient Response to Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy.

Purpose Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is associated with peripheral vascular abnormalities beyond those associated with heart failure (HF). These abnormalities are associated with persistent functional impairments that adversely impact quality of life (QoL). Methods for measuring peripheral vascular function in this population are needed. Methods This pilot study investigated the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using standardized protocols to estimate changes in peripheral (quadriceps) muscle perfusion among patients with HF (INTERMACS profile 3) undergoing LVAD implantation (n = 7). Patients were then stratified by those who did ("responders", n = 4) and did not ("nonresponders", n = 3) report QoL improvement with LVAD support. Results Serial measurements obtained preoperatively and 3 months following LVAD implantation showed no significant change (P > .23) in muscle perfusion by all CEUS-based measures at rest or with an exercise stimulus for the overall population. Responders exhibited improved muscle perfusion at rest (P = .043) and decreased time to peak contrast enhancement (P = .010) at 3 months compared with baseline, suggesting improved delivery of blood to the extremities post-LVAD. Nonresponders showed unchanged resting muscle perfusion (P > .99), time to peak contrast enhancement (P = .59), and response to exercise stimulus (P > .99) following LVAD therapy. Conclusion Our findings suggest that CEUS evaluation is a promising noninvasive, quantitative modality for real-time assessment of peripheral vasculature and muscle perfusion as an indication of treatment response in LVAD recipients and that this modality may capture perfusion measures important to QoL following LVAD implantation.
Reconstructing liberalism: Charles Mills’ unfinished project

The political theory of Charles W. Mills seeks simultaneously to expose liberalism's complicity with white supremacy and to transform liberalism into a source of antiracist political critique. This article analyzes both Mills’ critique of liberalism and his attempt to reconstruct it into a political philosophy capable of adequately addressing racial injustice. I focus on his (a) problematization of moral personhood, (b) theorization of white ignorance, and (c) conceptualization of white supremacy. Together these establish the need to integrate a new empirical axiom into liberal political theory: the axiom of the power of white supremacy in modernity, or the axiom of white power, for short. This axiom is analogous to James Madison's axiom of “the encroaching spirit of power.” Any liberal theorist who fails to take the encroaching spirit of power seriously meets the scorn of his peers. The same should be true for white power, Mills suggests. I conclude that Mills' reconstruction of liberalism is incomplete ...
Turning Off the Vacuum

Spontaneous emission is usually regarded as a fundamental property of matter. An excited atom in empty space inevitably decays to its ground state, the decay rate depending on the nature of the particular radiative transition. The transition rate is given by the Einstein A coefficient, and can be expressed in terms of the “Golden Rule” $$ A = {\hbar ^{ - 2}}{\left| { } \right|^2}\rho \left( \nu \right) $$ where |i> is the initial state (excited atom, no photon), |f> is the final state (ground state atom, l photon), H is the interaction Hamiltonian, and ρ(υ) is the frequency density of final photon states. In free space, ρ0(υ)=4πυ2/c3.
Handbook of Image Quality: Characterization and Prediction

With 300 figures, tables, and equations, this book presents a unified approach to image quality research and modeling. The author discusses the results of different, calibrated psychometric experiments can be rigorously integrated to construct predictive software using Monte Carlo simulations and provides numerous examples of viable field applications for product design and verification of modeling predictions. He covers perceptual measurements for the assessment of individual quality attributes and overall quality, explores variation in scene susceptibility, observer sensitivity, and preference, and includes methods of analysis for testing and refining metrics based on psychometric data.
Conditions for the commutativity of restricted lie algebras

(1985). Conditions for the commutativity of restricted lie algebras. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 13, No. 7, pp. 1475-1489.
Comparison of Effects of Sublethal Microwave Radiation and Conventional Heating on the Metabolic Activity of Staphylococcus aureus

This study was conducted in an attempt to characterize some of the effects of sublethal microwave radiation on cells of Staphylococcus aureus. Cultures were exposed to microwave radiation for 10, 20, 30, and 40 s. The effects of a conventional heat treatment were also compared by placing flasks containing cultures in a boiling water bath for the amount of time required to reach temperatures equivalent to those found in cultures exposed to microwave radiation. Control, microwave-treated, and conventionally heat-treated cultures were centrifuged, pellets were resuspended in distilled water, and the resulting suspensions were passed through a French pressure cell. Cell lysates and walls were then isolated and assayed for enzymatic activity. Thermonuclease production was also determined at various levels of exposure of cells to microwave radiation. Activities of malate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases, cytochrome oxidase, and cytoplasmic adenosine triphosphatase were higher in microwave-treated cells than in control cells. Membrane adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were unaffected when cells were exposed to microwave radiation. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was decreased by exposure of cells to microwave radiation. In conventionally heated cells, activities of glucose-6-phosphate and malate dehydrogenases and cytoplasmic adenosine triphosphatase increased activities of alpha-ketoglutarate and lactate dehydrogenases decreased, and alkaline phosphatase activity remained unaffected. Increased levels of thermonuclease activity were observed when cells were exposed to microwave radiation for 10 or 20 s. Data indicate that microwave radiation affects S. aureus in a manner which cannot be explained solely by thermal effects.
Legislative Politics in Latin America: EXPLAINING THE HIGH LEVEL OF PARTY DISCIPLINE IN THE ARGENTINE CONGRESS

Politicians and academics consider party discipline in the Argentine Congress to be (comparatively) very high (Jones 1997a; Molinelli 1991; Mustapic and Goretti 1992). While the conventional wisdom of high levels of party discipline is nearly universal in Argentina, there have been no empirical studies of roll-call voting behavior during the post-1983 era and virtually no structured attempts to explain the principal sources of this high level of discipline. This chapter has two goals. First, undertaking the first analysis of rollcall votes in the post-1983 period, it underscores the comparatively high levels of party discipline in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies. Second, it identifies the primary determinants of this highly disciplined voting behavior. Argentine Political Institutions Argentina is a federal republic consisting of 23 provinces and a semiautonomous federal capital. It has a presidential form of government with a bicameral legislature and since 1983 has represented one of Latin America's most vibrant and successful democracies. The Argentine Chamber of Deputies has 257 members, who are elected from multimember districts (the 23 provinces and the federal capital) for four-year terms. The deputies are elected from closed party lists using the d'Hondt divisor form of proportional representation. In the event that a deputy dies or resigns during office, he/she is replaced by the next person on the party list who has not yet occupied a Chamber seat. One-half (127 and 130) of the Chamber is renewed every two years, with every district renewing one-half of its legislators (or the closest equivalent).
The lateral deformation of cross-linkable PPXTA fibres

The lateral deformation properties of oriented polymer fibres were examined by transverse compressive and torsional experiments. A modified interfacial test system machine was used to study the transverse compressive deformation behaviour of thermally cross-linkable poly(p-1,2-dihydrocyclobutaphenylene terephthalamide) (PPXTA) fibres and of a number of commercially available polymers (Nomex, nylon, Kevlar, Dacron) and ceramic (Nicalon and FP) fibres. The torsional (shear) modulus G of PPXTA and Kevlar poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibres was measured by pendulum experiments. During both fibre torsion and transverse compression, the deformation involves materials slip on ( hk 0) planes, in the [0 0 1] direction for the torsion and the [ hk 0] directions for transverse compression. The intermolecular crosslinks in PPXTA did not significantly modify the elastic transverse modulus Et and caused only slight (13%) increase in shear modulus G. However, the plastic transverse properties of cross-linked PPXTA were significantly different than those of uncross-linked PPXTA. The stress at the proportional limit r6 p, determined from the transverse load—displacement curves, was substantially higher for the cross-linked fibres than for the uncross-linked fibres. In addition, the cross-linked PPXTA fibres exhibited a large strain recoverable response reminiscent of elastomers, whereas the PPTA and uncrosslinked PPXTA fibres exhibited a large strain irreversible response.
The Adjoint L-function of SU(2,1)

We modify Ginzburg’s construction for the adjoint L-function of GL(3) to accommodate quasi-split unitary groups.
Diffractive resonators for solid-state lasers

Summary form only given. Diffractive optics has been shown to be capable of producing high quality solid state laser mirrors and lenses with arbitrary surface figures. In the present experiment, we show that using a curved output mirror has several advantages. First, the cavity can be shortened substantially while still maintaining good discrimination against higher-order modes. Second, the total phase excursion can often be contained within 2 /spl Pi/ radians, eliminating the phase discontinuity present in a diffractive structure.
The feature interaction problem in networked multimedia services — present and future

Feature interaction problems have been a serious issue among intelligent network services for a number of years, but, until now, the issue has not been investigated for existing and emerging networked multimedia services. This paper describes the final results of the feature interactions in a multimedia systems project which determined the level of threat that the problem posed to the networked multimedia domain. After considering the causes of the problem, some existing multimedia services are described and illustrative multimedia feature interaction scenarios provided. Issues with future networks are outlined and the paper concludes by outlining some possible approaches for handling the problem in the future.
The culture and history surrounding "Szomorú nótak" of Béla Bartók's Twenty Hungarian folksongs and its influence on Bartók's settings

iii List of Musical Examples vi List of Symbols viii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review 4 Chapter 3: Methodology 9 Chapter 4: Bela Bartok Biography 10 Chapter 5: The History of the Magyar 16 Chapter 6: Folksong 24 Chapter 7: Process of Collection 31 Chapter 8: History of the Twenty Hungarian Folksongs 38 Chapter 9: Laments 55 Chapter 10: A Tomlocben (In Prison) 63 Chapter 11: Regi Keserves (Old Lament) 72 Chapter 12: Bujodoso-enek (Wandering Song) 78 Chapter 13: Pasztornota (Shepherd’s Song) 84 Chapter 14: Conclusion 89 Bibliography 91 Appendix A: Final Draft Syllable Stresses 95
Length dependence of force generation exhibit similarities between rat cardiac myocytes and skeletal muscle fibres

According to the Frank–Starling relationship, increased ventricular volume increases cardiac output, which helps match cardiac output to peripheral circulatory demand. The cellular basis for this relationship is in large part the myofilament length–tension relationship. Length–tension relationships in maximally calcium activated preparations are relatively shallow and similar between cardiac myocytes and skeletal muscle fibres. During twitch activations length–tension relationships become steeper in both cardiac and skeletal muscle; however, it remains unclear whether length dependence of tension differs between striated muscle cell types during submaximal activations. The purpose of this study was to compare sarcomere length–tension relationships and the sarcomere length dependence of force development between rat skinned left ventricular cardiac myocytes and fast-twitch and slow-twitch skeletal muscle fibres. Muscle cell preparations were calcium activated to yield ∼50% maximal force, after which isometric force and rate constants (ktr) of force development were measured over a range of sarcomere lengths. Myofilament length–tension relationships were considerably steeper in fast-twitch fibres compared to slow-twitch fibres. Interestingly, cardiac myocyte preparations exhibited two populations of length–tension relationships, one steeper than fast-twitch fibres and the other similar to slow-twitch fibres. Moreover, myocytes with shallow length–tension relationships were converted to steeper length–tension relationships by protein kinase A (PKA)-induced myofilament phosphorylation. Sarcomere length–ktr relationships were distinct between all three cell types and exhibited patterns markedly different from Ca2+ activation-dependent ktr relationships. Overall, these findings indicate cardiac myocytes exhibit varied length–tension relationships and sarcomere length appears a dominant modulator of force development rates. Importantly, cardiac myocyte length–tension relationships appear able to switch between slow-twitch-like and fast-twitch-like by PKA-mediated myofibrillar phosphorylation, which implicates a novel means for controlling Frank–Starling relationships.
Complementary lattice arrays for coded aperture imaging

In this work, we propose the concept of complementary lattice arrays in order to enable a broader range of designs for coded aperture imaging systems. We provide a general framework and methods that generate richer and more flexible designs compared to the existing techniques. Besides this, we review and interpret the state-of-the-art uniformly redundant array designs, broaden the related concepts, and propose new design methods.
Semi-global output regulation for linear systems subject to input saturation-a low-and-high gain design

The problem of semi-global output regulation for linear systems subject to input saturation was first solved by Lin et al. using regulators which are based on low gain feedback. In this paper, we show that new regulators based on the low-and-high gain design methodology as developed by Lin-Saberi also solve the same problem. These new regulators, inheriting the attributes of the low-and-high gain design methodology, fully utilize the available control capacity to achieve better closed-loop performance.
Metals or Management? Explaining Africa's Recent Economic Growth Spurt

This article seeks to explain Africa's current "period of unparalleled economic success," following decades of economic stagnation. Using newly available data, we investigate whether international commodity price increases (our "metals" hypothesis) or policy reforms (our "management" hypothesis) have driven Africa's recent reversal of economic fortune. Using cross-country growth analysis, we find that both "metals" and "management" have played a role. Because commodity booms are typically followed by commodity busts, better economic management may be critical for sustaining Africa's economic gains, particularly in the face of the present global economic crisis. We thus invite a reexamination of our "management" and "metals" hypotheses after a few years, when new data are available and the crisis has evolved.
Systemic control of plasmacytoid dendritic cells by CD8+ T cells and commensal microbiota.

The composition of the intestinal microbial community is a distinctive individual trait that may divergently influence host biology. Because dendritic cells (DC) regulate the quality of the host response to microbiota, we evaluated DC in mice bearing distinct enteric microbial communities divergent for colitis susceptibility. Surprisingly, a selective, systemic reduction of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) was observed in isogenic mice with different microbiota: restricted flora (RF) vs specific pathogen free (SPF). This reduction was not observed in germfree mice, suggesting that the pDC deficiency was not simply due to a lack of intestinal microbial products. The microbial action was linked to cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, since pDC in RF mice were preserved in the CD8−/− and perforin−/− genotypes, partially restored by anti-CD8β Ab, and augmented in SPF mice bearing the TAP−/− genotype. Direct evidence for pDC cytolysis was obtained by rapid and selective pDC depletion in SPF mice transferred with RF CD8+ T cells. These data indicate that commensal microbiota, via CTL activation, functionally shape systemic immune regulation that may modify risk of inflammatory disease.
Radiation-induced cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in solution: 2. Polymerization of ethyl vinyl ether in methylene dichloride solution

Abstract The rates and degrees of polymerization of ethyl vinyl ether (EVE) polymerized by gamma radiation in methylene chloride (CH 2 Cl 2 ) have been studied in detail. The addition of even a small amount of CH 2 Cl 2 sharply reduced the rates and degrees of polymerization. After about 0.5 ml −1 of CH 2 Cl 2 the rates became roughly first order in monomer. It is postulated that CH 2 Cl 2 strongly solvates the growing chain ends disrupting the solvation by the polymer chains themselves, leading to lower rates. The degrees of polymerization support this hypothesis. Isodielectric constant solutions of EVE in benzene-CH 2 Cl 2 mixtures gave rates at the same monomer concentrations, which fitted perfectly those obtained in EVE-CH 2 Cl 2 mixtures. These results indicate that the dielectric constant is not the predominating property as formerly thought but that solvation is a more important factor. The activation energies were lower in CH 2 Cl 2 solution than in bulk monomer or in low dielectric constant solvents, again indicating perhaps a different state of solvation of the growing chain ends.
Rapid synthesis of trideoxyribonucleotide blocks

Die Kondensation zwischen dem Diphosphat (I) und dem Nucleosid (II) zu (III) und weiter zu (IV) wird in verschiedenen Varianten untersucht und diskutiert.
N-octanol/water partition coefficients by reverse phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for eight/tetrachlorinated planar molecules

Abstract N-octanol/water partition coefficients (Kow's) were determined using reverse phase liquid chromatography for eight tetrachlorinated planar molecules. The log Kow's are as follows: 2,3,7,8-, 1,2,3,4-, 1,3,7,9-, and 1,3,6,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, 7.02, 7.18, 7.06, and 7.20, respectively; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, 5.82; 1,3,6,8-tetrachloro-9H-carbazole, 5.75; 2,3,6,7-tetrachlorobiphenylene, 6.14; and 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl, 5.81. The accuracy of these values was estimated to be ca. ± 0.50. Reevaluation of log Kow's previously determined using reverse phase liquid chromatography for chlorinated dibenzofurans and dibenzo-p-dioxins yielded values of ca. 7.0 for the tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, also. This reevaluation was performed by using experimental rather than estimated log Kow's in the correlative relationship. In addition, these values suggest that the log Kow's for dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans range from ca. 4.0 for the unsubstituted parent molecule to ca. 8.6 for the octachlorinated compounds; much lower than previously reported.
Elevated repetitive behaviors are associated with lower diurnal salivary cortisol levels in autism spectrum disorder

Previously, we reported a subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) had consistently high rates of repetitive behaviors (RBs) with abnormal sensory sensitivity. Given evidence of lower cortisol levels in response to stress and associated sensory sensitivity in the ASD population, this pilot study evaluates whether the presence of RBs reflects an underlying pathophysiology related to cortisol regulation. Diurnal salivary cortisol from 21 children with ASD and high versus low occurrence RBs were collected at four time points over three consecutive days. Although a typical decline in salivary cortisol was observed, participants in the high RB group showed 36% lower diurnal salivary cortisol than the low RB group. Age, IQ, RB type, and sleep quality were unrelated to observed differences. These findings suggest that RBs may serve to mitigate distress or that the glucocorticoid system has been down regulated in association with prolonged distress in this sample population.
A model of elegance.

GenBank, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Web/GenbankGenome Sequencing Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, http://genome.wustl.edu/gsc/gschmpg.htmlThe Sanger Center, http://www.sanger.ac.ukXREFdb, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Bassett/modelorgs
Time Resolved Emittance Measurements with a Freely Expanding Electron Beam

Time resolved rms emittance measurements have been made on the ETA by allowing the electron beam to freely expand into a magnetic field free vacuum region while measuring beam size versus time with x-ray probes at three axial positions. The beam is not required to be at a waist. Temporal resolution is limited only by the beam size measurement technique, which for the x-ray probe technique is subnanosecond. The analysis consists of matching parameters of the beam envelope equation with measured radii. Space charge effects were ignored since they were small for this experiment. They can be easily included but the resulting envelope equation must be solved numerically. Emittance measurements of the wire zone conditioned electron beam will be given.
The Christology of Aphrahat, the Persian Sage: an Excursus On the 17Th Demonstration

Aphrahat' (* c. 270 t c. 345) is indisputably one of the giants of early Christianity. His twenty-three Demonstrations define classical Syriac,2 and are the most significant literary monument of Syrian Christianity before Ephrem. The alert reader of literature about Aphrahat is struck by a paradox in many descriptions of his theology, especially his Christology. Three examples will illustrate the point. The first sentence of the Vorwort of Ortiz de Urbina's 1933 dissertation asserts that Aphrahat's writings "sind fur die Dogmengeschichte ausserordentlich wertvoll; sie bieten ein unicum fur die Geschichte der christlichen Lehre."3 This is because Aphrahat is "unabhangig von Nizaa und...[der] Entwicklung der griechisch-romischen Christologie."4 Aphrahat was and remained "ein reiner Semit."5 "In der ganzen christlichen Fruhzeit...ist uns...kein anderer christlicher Schriftsteller rein semitischer Kultur bekannt ausser Afrahat."6 After such a beginning, one might presume that Ortiz de Urbina would contrast this "ausserordentlich wertvoll" Semitic theology with the Nicene and post-Nicene theology of the Hellenistic "Great Church." Instead, however, his study, titled Die Gottheit Christi bei Afrahat, quickly acquires a defensive tone; one hundred and forty pages later it climaxes with this italicized sentence: "Also war Christus nach Afrahat eigentlich Gott."7 Three questions are raised by Ortiz de Urbina's conclusion. First, why italicize and make the capstone of one's argument what is today simply orthodox Christian theology-unless there is some question about it? Second, if Ortiz de Urbina's conclusion is correct, then does it not mitigate the "uniqueness" he claims for Aphrahat? Third, how can Ortiz de Urbina use such patently Nicene language to summarize Aphrahat's theology, which he himself has characterized as being so distinctly Semitic, an "unicum," untouched by the Hellenistic world and Nicaea?
Serotonin's SOS signal

Neurotransmitters relay signals within the brain and to peripheral tissues, allowing communication between nerve cells. New work from Liang et al. (2006) in this issue of Cell Metabolism reveals that, in C. elegans, serotonin functions during conditions of stress through the well-characterized insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway, suggesting a mechanism for the stress response.
The development of fan filter unit with flow rate feedback control in a cleanroom

Abstract A new type of fan filter unit (FFU) systems was developed and evaluated in this study. Capable of controlling the volume airflow rate through a networked feedback control system, the innovative smart FFU systems can supply much more uniform airflow distribution at the exit of the FFUs than common FFUs that are commercially available in the market. The development of the smart FFU was described and the comparisons of exit airflow velocities between the smart FFU and other conventional FFUs were made. The measurements have shown that the velocity uniformity values of the exit airflow of the smart FFUs were less than 5.0% while the conventional FFUs showed the uniformity values in the range of 14.0–28.0%. In addition, the test results in this study demonstrate that smart FFU systems are capable of reaching preset airflow rates relatively quickly, i.e., within 5 s, and maintaining the stable airflow supply to the cleanroom.
Factorization in certain Cayley rings

Abstract There are, up to isomorphism, three rings of integral elements of the Cayley algebra over the rationals which contain the naive Cayley ring as a proper subring. This paper studies factorizations in each of these rings in a manner analogous to that in an earlier study by Pall and Taussky.
Reactions of trialkylgalliums with substituted hydrazines leading to the formation of rings and cages: X-ray structures of (iPr2GaNHNMe2)2 and (MeGaNHNtBu)4 ☆

The reaction of trialkylgalliums with substituted hydrazines forms simple Lewis acid–base adducts at room temperature. Subsequent thermolysis of these adducts leads to step by step alkane loss forming first dimeric rings, then tetrameric cages. Thus the dimeric compounds [Me 2 GaNHNMe 2 ] 2 , [Et 2 GaNHNMe 2 ] 2 , [Me 2 GaNHNPh 2 ] 2 , [Et 2 GaNHNPh 2 ] 2 , [ i Pr 2 GaNHNMe 2 ] 2 , and [Me 2 GaNHNH t Bu] 2 , have been synthesized. In addition, [ i Pr 2 GaNHNMe 2 ] 2 has been characterized crystallographically. Although exclusively in the anti conformation in the solid state, the dimers are fluxional in solution at room temperature. The fluxionality is examined in detail by NMR spectroscopy. The tetrameric [MeGaNHN t Bu] 4 has been isolated and crystallographically characterized. It is shown to have a cage structure consisting of two hexagonal and four pentagonal rings.
Reading up books: Fiber optics: Fiber optics will revolutionize communications and instrumentation providing challenges to the well-prepared

Although less than 20 years old, the field of fiber optics is already a key element of modern digital communication and electronic instrumentation systems. Current fiber optic applications include communications in long-haul, high data-rate, point-to-point links, and small local area networks as well as the sensing of pressure, temperature, and underwater sound fields. In the near future these applications will expand to include medium-scale distributed communications and the sensing of a wide variety of physical parameters.
Concentration and Size Distribution Measurements of Atmospheric Aerosols and a Test of the Theory of Self-Preserving Size Distributions

Abstract The concentration and size distribution of particles from 0.001 to 3 μ in radius dispersed in the urban atmosphere was measured with a continuous-sampling sizing system composed of a nuclei counter, an electrical particle-counter, and an optical counter. Atmospheric aerosol size distribution measurements made by previous investigators are reviewed and compared with the new information. The diurnal variation of size distribution was measured for four 24-hr periods, and concentration variations are shown to be related to local particulate source and meteorological conditions. The self-preserving size distribution theory of Friedlander is reviewed and tested with 58 size distributions measured under a variety of conditions. The experimental data are consistent with the theory for particles of radii greater than about 0.05 μ, and the size distribution function, dN/dr, is found to he equal to 0.05ϕr−4 for the size range 0.05–3 μ where N is the number of particles cm−3, r the particle radius, and ϕ the...
In vitro inhibitory effect of onion extract on hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

In vitro studies were performed that used varying concentrations of onion extract added to cell cultures of an epidermoid carcinoma cell line derived from hamster buccal pouch carcinoma (HCPC-1). The studies demonstrated tumor growth inhibition beginning after 24 hours of incubation at an onion extract concentration of 25% and above in culture media. After 4 days and 10 days of incubation, there was a noted decrease in tumor proliferation. The plating efficiency for 24 hours was observed to produce a 54-89% inhibition in plating density. The results indicated here provide in vitro evidence of the inhibitory and cytotoxic activity on an oral carcinoma cell line.
A Validated Finite Element Model of Force in Active and Passive Skeletal Muscle

A fully 3D, continuum mechanics based model of skeletal muscle, validated against experimental force data, can be used to computationally solve for individual muscle forces. A constitutive formulation, representing muscle as a transversely isotropic, hyperelastic, and isovolumetric material [1] has been implemented in a finite element model (FEM) of passive skeletal muscle and validated against experimental tension measurements [2]. Of further interest is an expanded formulation that will allow for the addition of muscle activation levels on the overall skeletal muscle force generation. The purpose of this study was to expand the FEA model to include muscle activation and validate it with tests of active skeletal muscle tissue at varied lengths.© 2010 ASME
Meditations on a Placement Program or When Should a Foreign Language Be Studied

M ANY brain cells, much ink, no little physical energy, far too much heat and a modicum of light are going into the current Battle of the Methods. And that, or most of it, is good. That other factors still loom large on the foreign language horizon is the burden of the following observations. Some of those other factors have been brought forcefully to our attention this year in the course of our normal language placement program at Grinnell College. All students who have been exposed to a year or more of a modern foreign language before coming to this college of liberal arts are tested on arrival. The tests used, for better or worse, are advanced forms of the objective Cooperative Tests: Part I, reading; Part II, vocabulary and Part III, grammar. While these tests are not very conclusive in detail, we have found over the course of years that relative scores on the Cooperative Tests correspond strikingly to relative grades in our courses. Consequently we feel justified in using them as a rough guide in dividing our freshmen sheep from the goats. This year 134 incoming students* took the Spanish test (Advanced Form Q). For reasons more real than apparent, we used a scaled score of 40 points as our critical score. All who fell below this were advised to start Spanish over again or try a different language. Sixty-three students, or 47% of the total number, were thus penalized. In breaking down these distressing figures, we have found still more distressing causes behind them. The breakdown is in the following three tables which attempt to give a graphic picture of the situation. Column 1 for groups A, B and C indicates the number of students scoring 50 or above; Column 2 for the same groups indicates the number of students scoring less than 50 but more than 40, the critical score adopted (note further on my discussion of this group's inadequate preparation for second year college Spanish), and Column 3 indicates similarly those who failed to score above 40. In groups B and C the promotions, near-failures and failures are tabulated by the number of years of study in Spanish. The parentheses indicate the totals in each group. In Column 1, for example, 40 students received 50 or more points, while of group B in the same column only 9 scored above 50.
"Then You Know How I Feel": Empathy, Identification, and Reflexivity in Fieldwork

This article extends the discussion of the subjective and positioned nature of the researcher in ethnography by examining how a cancer survivor conducting fieldwork in an oncology clinic shapes and is shaped by the experience. Narratives of lived experience interrupt the academic essay to demonstrate my dynamic understanding of the clinic and the connections between my experiences and those of the patients and staff. I explore how my experiences with cancer shape how I understand the patients and staff; how viewing the clinic from multiple viewpoints affects my understanding of it; and how this process influences my understanding of my own experiences as a cancer survivor.
Manifold regression for subsurface contaminant characterization

Characterization of sites contaminated by chemicals such as trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and other dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) is a necessary first step in the design and implementation of successful remediation strategies. In this paper, we develop a machine learning-based approach for estimating characteristics of a source zone related to the distribution of contaminant mass in highly saturated pool regions and more diffuse ganglia based on observations of down-gradient concentration images. After extracting a set of morphological features from training images, Laplacian Eigenmaps is employed to embed these features with the known source zone metric in a low dimensional manifold. A spectral regression scheme is used to embed the test data into the same manifold after which a Bayesian approach is employed to estimate the associated metric as well as a confidence interval. Results based upon simulated data demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the overall approach.
Bottom water transport through the Southwest Indian Ridge

Abstract Properties measured on a line of hydrographic stations in the southeastern Madagascar Basin, parallel to the Southwest Indian Ridge, show clear evidence of bottom flow from the Crozet Basin into the Madagascar Basin through fractures in the ridge. The volume transport is estimated at about 6 × 106 m3 s−1, comparable with previous estimates of the transport of the deep western boundary current off Madagascar. It is inferred that the latter current derives entirely from the Crozet Basin and not at all from the Mozambique Basin to the west.
Transscrotal orchidopexy: orchidopexy revised

In a study of 120 orchidopexies for palpable undescended testes, the observation of Schuller [9] and Bevan [1, 2] that most testicular undescent was associated with a shorter than normal processus vaginalis was confirmed. Division of the processus vaginalis allowed 1.5–3.5 cm of further testicular descent. The testicular vascular pedicle was always long enough to allow tension-free placement of the testis in an ipsilateral extradartos pouch except in those testes that had been retained at a high level within the inguinal canal. It is proposed that the majority of orchidopexies for palpable undescended testes should commence with a scrotal incision, and that an additional groin incision and retroperitoneal vascular pedicle mobilisation be reserved for the few high testes that will not otherwise reach the scrotum. The technique has the advantage of a single incision, much less dissection and disruption of tissue, greater comfort for the “day-case” child, rapid healing with excellent cosmesis, and a well maintained testicular position in the scrotum. The high scrotal incision allows such easy direct access to the processus vaginalis and external inguinal ring that we also recommend this approach for routine inguinal herniotomy in children.
Profiling Charge Complementarity and Selectivity for Binding at the Protein Surface

A novel analysis and representation of the protein surface in terms of electrostatic binding complementarity and selectivity is presented. The charge optimization methodology is applied in a probe-based approach that simulates the binding process to the target protein. The molecular surface is color coded according to calculated optimal charge or according to charge selectivity, i.e., the binding cost of deviating from the optimal charge. The optimal charge profile depends on both the protein shape and charge distribution whereas the charge selectivity profile depends only on protein shape. High selectivity is concentrated in well-shaped concave pockets, whereas solvent-exposed convex regions are not charge selective. This suggests the synergy of charge and shape selectivity hot spots toward molecular selection and recognition, as well as the asymmetry of charge selectivity at the binding interface of biomolecular systems. The charge complementarity and selectivity profiles map relevant electrostatic properties in a readily interpretable way and encode information that is quite different from that visualized in the standard electrostatic potential map of unbound proteins.
Temperature dependence of Na+ transport in the isolated toad bladder.

Abstract 1. 1. Na + transport, measured in the urinary bladder of the toad, was positively dependent on temperature over the range 18–27° and negatively dependent over the range 27–36°. At all temperatures, there was a 1:1 correspondence between radio-isotopically measured net Na + flux and short-circuit current (s.c.c.). 2. 2. Three possible mechanisms for the positive temperature dependence, i.e. (1) thermal activation of Na + pump, (2) thermal enhancement of metabolism, and (3) thermal facilitation of Na + entry across the apical membrane, were explored by a one-step rapid change in temperature from 18–25° (the temperature-jump method). 3. 3. In the presence of ouabain, an inhibitor of ATPase, the response to the temperature jump was more impaired than the response to vasopressin, suggesting that thermal activation of the Na + pump may be involved. Metabolic interference with iodoacetate, rotenone or antimycin A abolished the s.c.c. response to the temperature jump, while considerable responsiveness to the stimulating actions of vasopressin and amphotericin B was preserved in the presence of these inhibitors. These results suggest a role for metabolic pathways in mediating thermal activation of Na + transport. 4. 4. Reduction of the inward Na + gradient significantly reduced the response to the temperature jump, whereas pretreatment with vasopressin or amphotericin B, presumed activators of apical conductance, enhanced the subsequent response to the temperature jump. Thus, heat does not appear to act on the same Na + conductance pathway as do vasopressin or amphotericin B. 5. 5. These studies indicate that thermal activation of Na + transport does not involve a single unique rate-limiting step, a conclusion consistent with the nonlinear character of the Arrhenius plot. 6. 6. Owing to the complex character of the temperature dependence of active Na + transport, the response to increments in temperature does not provide useful information on the mechanism of action of mineralocorticoids as implied in an earlier study.