cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency-Dependent Light Stimulation Effects on Performance During Vigilance Tasks on a Laptop

Students, office workers, or other computer and mobile device users can suffer from decrements in alertness or productivity, but many intervention methods on these can be too distracting or even affect daily routines. Using heart rate (HR) to determine a fast and slow target frequency at which to oscillate light brightness stimulation on a laptop, thirty-six participants joined a cognitive task where we hypothesized that fast frequency stimulation would increase alertness and decrease relaxation, while slow frequency stimulation would have the opposite effects. We found that slow frequency stimulation produces a statistically significant delay in response time, users react more slowly (3.8e2 ± 5.5e1 ms), when compared to the no stimulation (3.7e2 ± 4.1e1 ms) (p = 9.0e-3) conditions. The (Slow - No Stimulation) response time (1.7e1 ± 2.7e2 ms) produced a statistically significant delay in response time versus the (Fast - No Stimulation) response time (-0.74 ± 2.4e1 ms) (p = .016). These delays due to slow stimulation occurred without influencing accuracy or subjective sleepiness ratings. We observed that frequency-dependent light stimulation can potentially influence HRV metrics such as the mean normal-to-normal intervals and mean HR. Future work will target breathing rate to determine light stimulation oscillations as we further investigate the potential of using the slow-frequency domain to unobtrusively influence user performance and physiology.
Separate and Unequal Under One Roof: How the Legacy of Racialized Tracking Perpetuates Within-School Segregation

In this article, we use administrative data from three cohorts of North Carolina public high school students to examine the effects of within-school segregation on the propensity of academically eligible black high school students to take advanced math courses. Our identification strategy takes advantage of cohort-to-cohort variation in the share of eleventh and twelfth grade black students enrolled in advanced math courses when a cohort first enters a school in the ninth grade. We find that a 1 point increase in the percentage of black eleventh and twelfth graders in advanced math courses increases the likelihood that an academically eligible black student will take an advanced math course before they graduate by 22 percentage points in racially diverse schools. Effects are larger for black males.
A Mobility Performance Assessment on Plug-in EV Battery

This paper deals with mobility prediction of LiFeMnPO4 batteries for an emission-free Electric Vehicle. The data-driven model has been developed based on empirical data from two different road types –highway and local streets –and two different driving modes – aggressive and moderate. Battery State of Charge (SoC) can be predicted on any new roads based on the trained model by selecting the drving mode. In this paper, the performance of Adaptive Recurrent Neural Network (ARNN) and regression is evaluated using two benchmark data sets. The ARNN model at first estimates the speed profile of the new road based on slope and then both slope and speed is going to be used as the input to estimate battery current and SoC. Through comparison it is found that if ARNN system is appropriately trained, it performs with better accuracy than Regression in both two road types and driving modes. The results show that prediction SoC model follows the Columb-counting SoC according to the road slope.
Diagnostic Challenges of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) comprises 1-2% of all thyroid cancers, yet 15% of all thyroid cancer-related deaths. While up to 20% of cases may be predicted due to autosomal dominant germline mutations, 80% of cases are sporadic. However, due to non-specific presenting symptoms and diagnostic imaging, prompt diagnosis and treatment has remained elusive. This article will further investigate the limitations of MTC diagnosis and look into future areas for diagnostic improvement. Methods Relevant articles were identified using a systematic PubMed and Google Scholar search. Results Prophylactic total thyroidectomy for the 20% of MTC cases that are present in autosomal dominant disorder provides definitive treatment. Serum calcitonin (Ctn) screening has several technical limitations due to population variability and laboratory assay interference, but advances in laboratory technology and combined use with fine needle aspiration increase its sensitivity. Other serum assays such as carcinoembryonic antigen and procalcitonin have limited applicability. Thyroid ultrasound remains the gold standard for the initial diagnostic planning, with limited application for CT, MRI, and PET imaging. Conclusion With complete surgical resection the only definitive treatment, early MTC diagnosis has presented an elusive challenge, mainly due to its relative rarity and difficulty in finding an economic screening strategy. Careful family history combined with fine needle aspiration with serum Ctn analysis can improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity to greater than 95%.
Silent Sitting and Visualization Techniques and the Environment: A Mindful Tool for Developing Awareness

Due to the rapid expansion of urbanization in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries, many students are losing their connectedness with the environment at a time when this interconnectedness is crucial. This chapter provides some examples of silent sitting and visualization as an integral part of classroom teaching to create a sense of connection between students and the environment. These ideas have been drawn primarily from successful water education programs in Asia, including selected parts of India and China, and in Africa. Cornell’s Flow Learning concept has been adapted as a framework for these techniques. Some examples are provided with lessons learned from the implementation of silent sitting and visualization using elements from the environment. The chapter also refers to a model developed by Jumsai to explain why silent sitting can be helpful in bringing about environmental awareness.
The effect of gender, opioid use/risk, duration of chronic pain and associated factors on response to medical/procedural intervention in chronic pain patients

Although numerous studies have evaluated the correlation of various factors such as age/gender/opioid use on the presence of chronic pain, very few have evaluated whether such factors determine how well a patient will respond to a medical/procedural intervention. In this retrospective study, we evaluated various factors that affected response to intervention and whether the type of intervention (medical vs procedural) affected the degree of response. In a study approved by the University of Arizona IRB, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) were obtained from the Banner University of Arizona pain clinic. From the 2,980 EMRs of adult patients a total of 371 EMRs with different chronic pain conditions were randomly selected and appropriate variables were extrapolated from the charts. Response to medical/procedural intervention was measured by patient reported outcomes for pain and quality of life measures. Data were analyzed by linear regression. The sampled population had 2:3 male/female ratio was and mean age of 54.5 years. We found that the higher initial pain score, and higher opioid risk score, were negatively associated with response to the intervention. Regardless of initial pain score, females and patients with more than one pain sites were likely to respond to the intervention. Interestingly, duration of pain or amount of the opioids had no effect on the degree of response patients had after the intervention. Finally, patients were likely to respond favorably to a procedural intervention compared to medication alone. Our study points towards numerous factors that may affect response to an intervention offered in a chronic pain clinic and procedural intervention is likely going to result in greater reduction in pain compared to medication alone. Future studies will need to evaluate whether the response varies by the type of pain and type of procedure. National Institute of Health (NIH K08 NS104272).
How to choose your surgeon for colorectal cancer: The influence of fellowship training on outcomes.

e18603Background: Rectal cancer has a well-established volume-outcome relationship. However, the impact of fellowship training on outcomes following colorectal cancer resection is unknown. Methods:...
BOLD Asynchrony Elucidates Tumor Burden in IDH-Mutated Gliomas.

Background Gliomas comprise the most common type of primary brain tumor, are highly invasive, and often fatal. IDH-mutated gliomas are particularly challenging to image and there is currently no clinically accepted method for identifying the extent of tumor burden in these neoplasms. This uncertainty poses a challenge to clinicians who must balance the need to treat the tumor while sparing healthy brain from iatrogenic damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using resting-state blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to detect glioma-related asynchrony in vascular dynamics for distinguishing tumor from healthy brain. Methods Twenty-four stereotactically localized biopsies were obtained during open surgical resection from ten treatment-naive patients with IDH-mutated gliomas who received standard of care preoperative imaging as well as echo-planar resting-state BOLD fMRI. Signal intensity for BOLD asynchrony and standard of care imaging was compared to cell counts of total cellularity (HE Sox2, p = 3 x 10 -5), cellular proliferation (Ki67, p = 0.002), and as well as inversely related to neuronal density (NeuN, p = 1 x 10 -4). Conclusions Asynchrony in vascular dynamics, as measured by resting-state BOLD fMRI, correlates with tumor burden and provides a radiographic delineation of tumor boundaries in IDH-mutated gliomas.
Multi-version attack recovery for workflow systems

Workflow systems are popular in daily business processing. Since vulnerabilities cannot be totally removed from a system, recovery from successful attacks is unavoidable. We focus on attacks that inject malicious tasks into workflow management systems. We introduce practical techniques for on-line attack recovery, which include rules for locating damage and rules for execution order. In our system, an independent intrusion detection system reports identified malicious tasks periodically. The recovery system detects all damage caused by the malicious tasks and automatically repairs the damage according to dependency relations. Without multiple versions of data objects, recovery tasks may be corrupted by executing normal tasks when we try to run damage analysis and normal tasks concurrently. We address the problem by introducing multiversion data objects to reduce unnecessary blocking of normal task execution and improve the performance of the whole system. We analyze the integrity level and performance of our system. The analytic results demonstrate guidelines for designing such kinds of systems.
Bovine glutamate dehydrogenase. Loss of allosteric inhibition by guanosine triphosphate and nitration of tyrosine-412.

Abstract Bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase is desensitized to its allosteric inhibitor guanosine triphosphate upon reaction with tetranitromethane. The presence of GTP affords at most only a small protection against loss of the inhibitory effect of GTP. By amino acid analysis, the nitration of tyrosine appears to be the major change in the protein upon reaction with tetranitromethane and the modification most likely to be responsible for the loss of GTP inhibition. The rate of formation of 3-nitrotyrosine during the reaction of the enzyme with tetranitromethane is apparently the sum of two concurrent reactions, an initial rapid reaction which accounts for the nitration of approximately 1 tyrosyl residue per subunit chain and a slower reaction which also accounts for significant tyrosine nitration. We have identified the tyrosyl residue which is rapidly nitrated by the isolation of a single labeled peptide from a tryptic digest and by the isolation of a labeled cyanogen bromide peptide. In both cases, the modified residue proved to be tyrosine-412 according to the present tentative numbering of the polypeptide chain.
Microstructure Refinement and Homogenization of Non-Deforming Constituent Distributions During FSW/P

Weld nugget / stir zone microstructures often exhibit highly homogeneous distributions of non-deforming constituent phases as well as refinement of such phases and grain structures. The role of recrystallization in grain refinement during FSW/P is well understood. However, the processes involved in refinement of particle size and homogenization of particle distributions during FSW/P are less well understood. FS of an as-cast AA356 alloy has been conducted over a wide range of RPM values using both threaded and smooth tools. The conversion of the primary — eutectic microstructure to a highly refined and homogeneous dispersion of Si particles in a finegrained Al matrix will be documented. The roles of advective mixing, diffusional processes, and discontinuous shearing of material will be delineated and quantitative measures of homogeneity will be discussed. The potential roles of tool and process conditions in homogenization are also considered.
Optimization of fuzzy systems by approximation of fuzzy relations

A novel approach to the optimization of discretized fuzzy systems is proposed. This method does not require the prespecification of reference fuzzy sets. Instead, the reference fuzzy sets are parameterized and the optimal parameters are obtained by the method of steepest descent. The optimization algorithm is derived based on a theorem which establishes a common input/output description for the approximated and approximating systems. Proof of the required theorem and derivation of the optimization algorithm is fully described. Preliminary simulation results are also presented to illustrate the proposed approach. >
Fault detection filters for a class of nonlinear systems

Detection filter concepts for linear systems and nonlinear observer design techniques can be coupled to achieve directionality in Lipschitz nonlinear systems under actuator and sensor faults.
Safe haven: granting support to victims of child abuse who have been judicially emancipated

Emancipation is the process by which a minor becomes free from the custody and control of the minor's parents. There are twenty-eight U.S. states with emancipation statutes that set forth the procedure for obtaining emancipation status. Current emancipation statutes terminate the parents' obligation to support the minor. Thus, parents of emancipated minors are no longer required to provide financial assistance, health care or housing to the minor. Although minors must show that they have an independent and legitimate source of income when they first petition for emancipation status, the increased financial burden and limited options of support available to minors leave them vulnerable to becoming impoverished. Minors who seek emancipation due to domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, and abandonment are especially vulnerable to becoming impoverished and homeless due to financial insecurity, lack of affordable housing, and mental illness resulting from traumatic experiences in violent households. This Note proposes an amendment to state emancipation statutes authorizing the court to exercise its discretion in granting continued parental support to minors who are seeking emancipation due to maltreatment. Assistance should be calculated based on the state's guidelines for child support payments, but parents should not be responsible for debts incurred by the minor after emancipation is granted. Assistance should continue only until the minor reaches the age of majority. A grant of postemancipation financial assistance will further the state's interest in protecting the welfare of children by ensuring that minors have sustenance, housing, health care, and the opportunity to complete their education. Key Points for the Family Court Community * Currently twenty-eight states have statutes that set forth the procedure in which a minor can petition for emancipation status. * Nearly half of states with emancipation statutes terminate the parent's obligation to provide financial support to the minor. * Without support from their parents and limited options for work and housing, judicially emancipated minors are vulnerable to impoverishment. * Minors who seek emancipation status because they were abused, neglected or abandoned by their parents should not be forced to incur all expenses that result from leaving the household. Language: en
Identification of Noise Sources in Scroll Compressor for Air-Conditioner

Low noise of air-conditioners is one of the most important issues because of the users’ strong demand. The main source of noise in an air-conditioner is the compressor. Therefore, noise reduction in a compressor is quite significant as an element technology in the air-conditioner field. Recently, scroll compressors are widely used, because they feature low noise, due to less pulsation of gas pressure, than that of rotary compressors. For reduction of noise, the source of noise must be identified. This paper presents a detailed analysis to identify the noise source and shows the dominant factors of noise of the scroll compressor, which will make it possible to design a scroll compressor with low noise.
Experimental studies of flashover voltage under lightning and steep-front pulses on distribution line construction

The results of a study of the critical flashover voltage using standard lightning impulse 1.2/50 mu s and flashover voltage-time characteristics under steep-front, short-duration pulses applied to distribution line construction are presented. Data were obtained under dry and wet conditions, for positive and negative polarities. The obtained flashover voltages show large differences in electrical strength under the tested voltages. >
Gene flow and melanism in garter snakes revisited: a comparison of molecular markers and island vs. coalescent models

Within populations, the stochastic effect of genetic drift and deterministic effect of natural selection are potentially weakened or altered by gene flow among populations. The influence of gene flow on Lake Erie populations of the common garter snake has been of particular interest because of a discontinuous colour pattern polymorphism (striped vs. melanistic) that is a target of natural selection. We reassessed the relative contributions of gene flow and genetic drift using genetic data and population size estimates. We compared all combinations of two marker systems and two analytical approaches to the estimation of gene flow rates: allozymes (data previously published), microsatellite DNA (new data), the island model (FST-based approach), and a coalescence-based approach. For the coalescence approach, mutation rates and sampling effects were also investigated. While the two markers produced similar results, gene flow based on FST was considerably higher (Nm > 4) than that from the coalescence-based method (Nm < 1). Estimates of gene flow are likely to be inflated by lack of migration-drift equilibrium and changing population size. Potentially low rates of gene flow (Nm < 1), small population size at some sites, and positive correlations of number of microsatellite DNA alleles and island size and between M, mean ratio of number of alleles to range in allele size, and island size suggest that in addition to selection, random genetic drift may influence colour pattern frequencies. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 79, 389–399.
A novel adaptive time-frequency excision technique for direct sequence spread spectrum communications

A novel, adaptive time-frequency (ATF) exciser for suppressing the interference in direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications systems is proposed. The adaptability of the proposed algorithm is two-fold. First, the domain of excision is decided. Then, for time-localized interference, excision is performed in the time domain. For a frequency-localized interference, an adaptive subband transform is employed. This joint treatment of time and frequency domains overcomes the performance limitations of the fixed transform-based excision algorithms. It is shown that the proposed ATF exciser-based DSSS receiver drastically outperforms the existing systems. Its performance is nearly optimal and very robust to the variations of the undesired signal. >
The Effects of Pulsed Electrical Protocols on Skin Damage, Sensation, and Pain

Application of electricity to skin has found use in transdermal drug delivery, primarily in the form of iontophoresis2,3. While iontophoretic exposures typically employ continuous dc current, ac and pulsed dc waveforms have also been reported. Recently, studies have investigated transdermal flux enhancement with high-voltage pulses which may create transient changes in skin structure by a mechanism involving electroporation4. In all of these cases, electrical enhancement is limited by undesired side-effects of electricity, such as tissue damage and pain. To aid in the development of specialized electrical protocols for novel approaches to drug delivery across skin, a detailed understanding of the body’s complex response to electricity is needed. Basic neurophysiology studies, as well as applied research concerned with electrical safety and a variety of biomedical applications, provide an extensive literature on the effects of electric current applied to skin.
Perfect Bases for Equational Theories

Perfect bases for equational theories are closely related to confluent and finitely terminating term rewrite systems. The two classes have a large overlap, but neither contains the other. The class of perfect bases is recursive. We also investigate a common generalization of both concepts; we call these more general bases normal, and touch the question of their uniqueness. We also give numerous examples.
A report on the current state and understanding of human response to electrical contacts

Until the late 1980's it was believed that the mechanisms of electrical injury had been identified and thoroughly explored. In rare instances where people presented with symptomatology that was inconsistent with known mechanisms, the symptoms were thought to be of psychological (non-organic) origin. In the last two decades a broader set of symptoms has been found to be linked to contact with energized components. Many of the symptoms are inconsistent with the traditionally known mechanisms of injury but occur with enough consistency to suggest an organic origin (physical). The author has been conducting research into the broad spectrum of symptomatology associated with electric shock. His case database has now reached a critical mass, allowing for effects of electrical contact to be studied based on very narrow shock parameterization while still yielding results that are statistically valid. (Most studies to date have limited populations requiring a wide cross-sectional grouping of electrical contact parameters.) The objective of this paper is to share the author's research and the broader current state of generally accepted science in this domain.
Embryo biopsy for aneuploidy detection in the general infertility population

Since report of the first live birth following preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) in 1995, the procedure and available technologies for aneuploidy detection have rapidly evolved. Through these efforts, the biology of meiotic and mitotic segregation errors has been partially elucidated. A process that began with polar body biopsy and four-color fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect copy number in a limited number of chromosomes is now hardly recognizable: current molecular methods permit high-density screening of the entire human genome for copy number variants, structural rearrangements, microdeletions, and polyploids to a resolution of 35 kilobases in less than 48 hours. Indeed, with the advent of real-time quantitative analyses of ploidy status that allow same-day trophectoderm biopsy with fresh transfer of a euploid blastocyst, the future is bright for PGS. Questions remain about how best to safely offer this technology to patients, and which patients, if any, will benefit from routine biopsy. Herein, we will review the limited available evidence for application of PGS in the general infertility population as an adjunct method to optimize live birth rates.
Emergency department visits in the United States for pediatric depression: estimates of charges and hospitalization

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to calculate national estimates of depression-related emergency department (ED) visits and associated health care resource use among children and adolescents 17 years or younger. Another goal was to explore the effects of certain sociodemographic and health care system factors and comorbidities on ED charges and subsequent hospitalization in the United States. METHODS: The authors analyzed data from the 2006 and 2009 National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the largest source of U.S. ED data. ED visits with all listed diagnoses (i.e., principal diagnosis plus secondary conditions) of depression were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes 293.83, 296.2X, 296.3X, 300.4, and 311. Population-based estimates of ED visits, hospitalization, resource use, comorbidities, and demographics associated with pediatric depression were calculated. Potentially significant covariate associations were also explored using ED charges and hospital admission from the ED. RESULTS: The 2006 and 2009 NEDS sample contained 365,713 ED visits for pediatric depression; the majority were made by adolescents (87.9%). Of these, 27.2% were admitted to the hospital, 69.5% were treated and released, and CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric depression is common in the ED and is associated with significant burden to the health care system. Certain factors such as a higher number of diagnoses, key comorbidities, and suicide and intentional self-inflicted injury are associated with increased health care costs and resource use. Special attention should be given to these factors, when present. Language: en
Research and Learning Intensive: Bowling Green State University Commits to Both.

Ten years ago, BGSU pledged to become the premier learning community in Ohio and one of the best in the nation. With campuswide agreement and widespread assessment, the institution has made gains and has a clear sense of what it needs to do next.
Analytical Simulation of Snow Drift Loading

An analytical procedure for simulating roof snow drift loads is presented. The procedure is based upon the physics of drift formation and consists of two elements. The first element is the transport rate which quantifies the snow flux from the snow source area. The second element is the trapping efficiency which quantifies the percentage of transported snow from the source area which is captured at the drift. Knowing wind speed and snowfall information for a given winter, the procedure can be used to simulate the annual maximum drift for a given snow source area. The method is applied to over 40 years of weather data at each of over 50 NWS first-order sites across the United States. The calculated annual maxima are fit with an extreme value distribution to determine 50-year drift loads for both roof step and gable roof geometries. It is shown that current leeward roof step drift provisions in ASCE 7-02 as well as gable roof drift provisions proposed for ASCE 7-05 yield loads with something close to a 50 year mean recurrence interval.
Experimentally based correction procedures for planar laser-induced fluorescence measurements of mean species concentration

Experimentally-based correction procedures are demonstrated which enhance the quantitative nature of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) images for mean species concentration by correcting for the influence of the electronic quenching rate coefficient. Implementation of these methods requires only the ability to make PLIF and laser-saturated fluorescence (LSF) measurements. Though applied herein to NO, these procedures are broadly applicable both in terms of species and users. Moreover, they are generally effective regardless of the error gradients associated with spatial variations in the electronic quenching rate coefficient. In such general environments, these methods produce quenching-corrected, spatially resolved PLIF images of mean species concentration with a total uncertainty equivalent to that of a single LSF measurement.
Transfection of pancreatic islets using polyvalent DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles.

Background Transplantation of pancreatic islets is an effective treatment for select patients with type 1 diabetes. Improved cellular therapy results may be realized by altering the gene expression profile of transplanted islets. Current viral and nonviral vectors used to introduce nucleic acids for gene regulation hold promise, but safety and efficacy shortcomings motivate the development of new transfection strategies. Polyvalent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) densely functionalized with covalently immobilized DNA oligonucleotides (AuNP-DNA) are new single entity transfection and gene regulating agents (ie, not requiring lipids, polymers, or viral vectors for cell entry) able to enter cells with high efficiency and no evidence of toxicity. We hypothesize that AuNP-DNA conjugates can efficiently transfect pancreatic islets with no impact on viability or functionality, and can function to regulate targeted gene expression. Methods AuNPs were surface-functionalized with control and antisense DNA oligonucleotides. Purified murine and human islets were exposed to AuNP-DNA conjugates for 24 hours. Islet AuNP-DNA uptake, cell viability, and functionality were measured. Furthermore, the ability of antisense AuNP-DNA conjugates to regulate gene expression was measured using murine islets expressing eGFP. Results Collectively, fluorescent confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and flow cytometry revealed substantial penetration of the AuNP-DNA conjugates into the inner core of the islets and within islet cells. No change in cellular viability occurred and the insulin stimulation index was unchanged in treated versus untreated islets. Transplantation of AuNP-DNA treated islets cured diabetic nude mice. Functionally, antisense eGFP AuNP-DNA conjugates reduced eGFP expression in MIP-eGFP islets. Conclusion Polyvalent AuNP-DNA conjugates may represent the next generation of nucleic acid-based therapeutic agents for improving pancreatic islet engraftment, survival, and long-term function.
Characterization of Minocycline Transport by Human Neutrophils

Background: Tetracyclines are used in periodontal therapy as antimicrobial agents and as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases. Neutrophils appear to accumulate minocycline and other tetracyclines through a mechanism that has not been fully characterized.Methods: The transport of minocycline and other tetracyclines by isolated human neutrophils was characterized by measuring the increase in cell-associated fluorescence.Results: Quiescent neutrophils took up minocycline through a saturable, concentrative, sodium-dependent mechanism with a Michaelis constant (Km) of 153 μg/ml (501 μM) and a maximal velocity of 240 ng/minute/106 cells. The efficiency of minocycline transport was not influenced significantly by a two-unit variation in extracellular pH and was not enhanced upon cell activation with phorbol myristate acetate. Neutrophil incubation in medium containing 10 μg/ml minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline yielded steady-state intracellular/extracellular concentration ratios of ∼64.0, 7.5, or 1.8,...
Simultaneous Reverse and Normal Initiation in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with concurrent reverse and normal initiation process was investigated. Bulk polymerizations of both n-butyl acrylate (BA) and styrene (St) were conducted using CuBr2 complexed with 1 equiv of tris(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me6-TREN) as the catalytic system, initiated by 2,2‘-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) and an alkyl halide (RX). Polymerization of BA at 60 or 90 °C provided well-defined polymers with molecular weights up to 40 000 g/mol and low polydispersities (Mw/Mn < 1.10). Similar results were obtained for the polymerization of styrene at 110 °C. The effects of polymerization temperature and solubility were studied in order to moderate the high activity of the catalyst and the poor solubility of the Cu(II) complex in monomers. Additionally, other parameters influencing this ATRP process are discussed.
Teachers and Students’ Preferred Method of Evaluation: An Action Research in Anatomy and Physiology

The proponent, through this study, made a follow-up on the recommendation from the action paper entitled “An Analysis of Two Methods of Instruction in Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Classes” (Lunar, et.al, 2008). It was found out that there was no significant difference in the achievement of students when they were evaluated using the computer-aided examination and move-system examination. This study ascertains the preferred method of evaluation of achievement in Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Class, with the teachers and students as respondents of the study. After the data were gathered and interpreted, the following conclusions are drawn. Computer- aided practical examination is more preferred by both teachers and students. It is because students find it less stressful than the move- system since they are not exposed to actual specimens and they need not go from one station to another. The teachers preferred it for ease of preparation and administration. However, the move system type of test is preferred by some students for the reason that students perceived that physical setting is more controlled in this type of evaluation and they prefer to see actual specimens rather than to see them in slides of power-point presentation. Keywords - achievement in Anatomy, physiology laboratory class, computer-aided practical examination.
The admittance of the ideal reversible electrode with adsorption of reactants. Analysis of theoretical aspects

Summary The following theoretical aspects of the admittance of the ideal reversible electrode are examined: (a) description in terms of four double-layer parameters related to the thermodynamics of the electrocapillary curve for an ideal reversible electrode; (b) reduction to three independent double-layer parameters, as a direct consequence of the electrocapillary curve equation; (c) selection of independent variables; (d) condition for applicability of the classical Warburg theory; (e) introduction of variational methods in the assignment of parameters from experimental data and the attending requirements for accurate experimental data; (f) analysis of data from the limits for Ω→o and Ω→∞ as a starting point for any variational computation; (g) correlation with the general theory for any exchange current; (h) correlation with Sluyters' work.
Instructional Design Practice: Career Environments, Job Roles, and a Climate of Change

Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) professionals practice their skills in a broad range of career environments and job roles. The resulting collection of competency lists and wide range of practice environments, coupled with the frequent changes that have always characterized the field, produce complexity that is difficult to communicate to IDT students. However, students need to understand these complex aspects of the field so that they can make informed decisions about their career goals and educational direction. This review of the current literature looks at the current issues impacting practice and preparation. It concludes that the path professional academic preparation programs choose will depend on their orientation to instructional design and performance improvement, and whether they see themselves as preparing students for specific career environments or are pursuing a generalist program.
Renal clearance and excretion of endogenous substances in the owl monkey

The clearance and excretion of creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium by the kidney was evaluated in 62 owl monkeys using timed urine collections and quantitative urinalyses. The endogenous clearance of creatinine was determined for each monkey. Urinary electrolyte excretion and fractional electrolyte excretions (FE) were measured. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the correlation between urinary excretion and FE for each electrolyte. The coefficient of determination for each analyte was significant (P ⩽ .0001). Determination of FE was found to be an appropriate indicator of the renal handling of electrolytes and, when viewed in conjunction with urinalysis and other serum parameters, an aid in evaluating renal function in the owl monkey. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Intraductal papillary tumors of the breast. A study of 78 cases

Seventy-eight intraductal papillary tumors of the breast were followed. The 14 papillary carcinomas were all treated by mastectomy. Metastases did not occur. In 64 patients with papillomas, six developed carcinoma—two in situ and four invasive. The incidence of cancer was higher in patients with multiple papillomas and with papillomatosis. The current experience (1949–1967) is discussed relative to the previous experience at the same institution from 1895 to 1941.
A theory for the radiation at the third to fifth harmonics of the plasma frequency upstream from the Earth's bow shock

A theory involving the process L + T' - T is proposed for the observed third to fifth harmonics of the plasma frequency observed upstream from the earth's bow shock. The conditions for which the theory may explain the observed radiation are determined, and the viability of the theory is discussed. The theory is found to require L waves with temperature between about 10 to the 21st and 10 to the 22nd K in the source regions to account for the levels and number of harmonics of the observed radiation. Such L wave temperatures are theoretically possible in the foreshock, but are not consistent with the most intense observed L waves.
Atomic detection and matter-wave coherence

We analyze several models of atomic detectors in the context of the measurement of coherence properties of matter waves. In particular, we show that an ionization scheme measures normally-ordered correlation functions of the Schr\"odinger field, in analogy with the optical situation. However, it exhibits a sensitivity to exchange processes that is normally absent in optics.
Platelet Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors: Linking Hemostasis, Inflammation, and Host Defense

Blood platelets play critical roles in hemostasis, providing rapid essential protection against bleeding and catalyzing the important slower formation of stable blood clots via the coagulation cascade. They are also involved in protection from infection by phagocytosis of pathogens and by secreting chemokines that attract leukocytes. Platelet function usually is activated by primary agonists such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin, and collagen, whereas secondary agonists like adrenalin do not induce aggregation on their own but become highly effective in the presence of low levels of primary agonists. Current research has revealed that chemokines represent an important additional class of agonists capable of causing significant activation of platelet function. Early work on platelet alpha-granule proteins suggested that platelet factor 4, now known as CXCL4, modulated aggregation and secretion induced by low agonist levels. Subsequent reports revealed the presence in platelets of messenger RNA for several additional chemokines and chemokine receptors. Three chemokines in particular, CXCL12 (SDF-1), CCL17 (TARC), and CCL22 (MDC), recently have been shown to be strong and rapid activators of platelet aggregation and adhesion after their binding to platelet CXCR4 or CCR4, when acting in combination with low levels of primary agonists. CXCL12 can be secreted by endothelial cells and is present in atherosclerotic plaques, whereas CCL17 and CCL22 are secreted by monocytes and macrophages. Platelet activation leads to the release of alpha-granule chemokines, including CCL3 (MIP-1alpha), CCL5 (RANTES), CCL7 (MCP-3), CCL17, CXCL1 (growth-regulated oncogene-alpha), CXCL5 (ENA-78), and CXCL8 (IL-8), which attract leukocytes and further activate other platelets. These findings help to provide a direct linkage between hemostasis, infection, and inflammation and the development of atherosclerosis.
Glutamine-Mediated Attenuation of Cellular Metabolic Dysfunction and Cell Death After Injury Is Dependent on Heat Shock Factor-1 Expression

Background Cellular metabolic dysfunction is associated with occurrence of multiple-organ failure after critical illness. Glutamine (GLN) attenuates cellular metabolic dysfunction in critical illness models. The mechanism of this protection is unclear. We previously demonstrated that GLN's benefit in critical illness might be due to enhanced heat shock protein (HSP) expression. We hypothesize that GLN's attenuation of cellular metabolic dysfunction is dependent on presence of heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1). Methods HSF-1 wild-type and knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (HSF-1+/+ and HSF-1-/-) were used in all experiments. Cells were not treated, or were treated with 8 mmol/L GLN and immediately exposed to heat stress injury (45 degrees C for 45 minutes). Cells were harvested for metabolic analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at 24 hours postinjury. Cell survival was assessed using the MTS assay. Results GLN treatment in HSF-1+/+ cells led to significant attenuation of decreases in adenosine triphosphate (ATP)/adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ratio, phosphomonoester/phosphodiester (PME/PDE) ratio, and cell survival observed in non-GLN-treated HSF-1+/+ cells. In HSF-1-/- cells, the beneficial effect of GLN on preservation of ATP/ADP ratio, PME/PDE proliferation, and cell survival was lost. GLN-treated HSF-1-/- cells had a significant increase in extracellular lactate concentrations vs GLN-treated HSF+/+ cells. Conclusions GLN treatment attenuated cellular metabolic dysfunction and improved cell membrane recovery only in HSF-1+/+ cells. Cellular injury, as measured by lactate release and cell survival assay, was improved by GLN treatment in HSF-1+/+ cells alone. Thus, GLN's beneficial effect on cellular metabolic dysfunction and cell survival appears to be dependent on HSF-1 expression.
Nanotechnology: getting it right the first time

Nanotechnology has the potential to deliver considerable benefits to society. Some of the properties of nanomaterials, however, call into question the adequacy of current methods for determining hazard and exposure and for controlling risks. Given the limitations of existing regulatory tools and policies, three distinct initiatives are urgently needed: first, a major increase in nanomaterial risk research; second, rapid development and implementation of voluntary standards of care; and third, development of adequate regulatory policies on nanomaterial risk management.
Stumbler, a new mutant mouse with cerebellar disease

A new mutant mouse named Stumbler (stu) displays clinical features suggesting a cerebellar lesion. The main light microscopic findings, based on a Golgi technique and on sections of plastic embedded material, are that Purkinje cells in the mutant cerebellum have small dendritic arborizations and exhibit immature spines on their somata. Purkinje cells also contain an increased number of mitochondrial profiles both in cell bodies and in swellings on dendrites.
SU‐E‐T‐170: Development and Testing of a Single Exposure Film Calibration Procedure

Purpose: To develop and test the sensitivity of a single exposure film calibration procedure using a dynamic wedge. Method and Materials:A 60o dynamic wedge was used to expose EDR2 film and generate optical density (OD) to dose calibration curves in DoseLab Pro. Doses between 50 and 500 cGy were examined. Dosimetric data was generated from a Profiler2 diode array. This calibration curve was compared to one generated by the standard approach of irradiating 8 separate sheets of film to known doses. The sensitivity of the wedged‐film calibration procedure was also tested through the following 4 investigations. First, film measurements were repeated 10 times to determine the variability of the film response. Second, profiler measurements were repeated 10 times to determine the variability of the profiler response. Third, positional offsets of the profiler were investigated (up to 4mm off‐center — the size of the diode spacing). Fourth, different amounts of solid water build‐up were used (between 1 and 10cm) above the profiler and corresponding film. Results: The calibration curve generated with the wedge exposure compared very well to that generated with the standard 8‐film approach, being less than 2.5% locally different (0.8% relative to maximum) at doses above 50 cGy. Irradiation of multiple films introduced a maximum deviation of 1.2%, while multiple profiler measurements introduced a maximum deviation of 0.5%. Shifts in the position of the profiler introduced a maximum error of 3.0%. These deviations represent good robustness of the calibration procedure. Consistent calibration curves were generated regardless of the extent of build‐up material used. Each film exposure and software analysis was completed in 1 minute and 5 seconds, respectively. Conclusions: This work has developed a single exposure film calibration procedure. This offers physicists a rapid and robust film calibration method.
Quebec and Her Sisters in the Third Legal Family

The global legal landscape is populated with at least three legal families: civil, common, and mixed. This third family, and Quebec’s place within it, forms the subject of the 2008 Wainwright Lecture. Professor Vernon Palmer proposes that although jurisdictions in this family may share certain features, there is no single model of a mixed jurisdiction. A thriving legal system, like that in Quebec, inevitably draws support from its own distinctive social, cultural, and institutional context. The lecture proceeds by means of a five-fold exploration of the concept of “mixed jurisdictions”:
Enzymatic production of L-tryptophan in a reverse micelle reactor

The enzymatic production of tryptophan from indole and serine was investigated in a micellar solution of the surfactant Brij 56 in cyclohexane. An anion exchanger was employed to facilitate the transfer of tryptophan and serine between the water pool of the reverse micelle and the bulk organic phase. The influence of potassium ion, water content, pH, and co-surfactant on enzyme activity is reported. Kinetic studies indicate that the enzyme is not inhibited by indole in the micellar system and that the enzyme is more stable in reverse micelles than in bulk water. The design of a continuous reverse micelle reactor, which accommodates both product recovery and enzyme reactivation, is discussed.
Magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 tesla) in patients with intractable focal seizures.

• Magnetic resonance (MR) (1.5 tesla) studies were performed in ten patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and two with temporofrontal epilepsy. Two patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and one with temporofrontal epilepsy exhibited areas of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images in the mesiobasal portion of the temporal lobe shown by electroencephalography to be the epileptogenic focus; no analogous abnormalities had been found in these patients on computed tomographic scans. Pathologic studies have not revealed a specific ultrastructural correlate for the MR findings in this group of patients. We found MR to be a useful, noninvasive diagnostic adjunct in the presurgical assessment of some patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Where abnormalities were found, they corresponded with the epileptogenic focus as defined by electroencephalography.