cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Trained and Untrained Vocalists on the Dysphonia Severity Index

The purposes of this study were (1) to compare trained and untrained singers on the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) and its component measures, and (2) to contribute to normative DSI data for trained singers. This study included 36 untrained participants (15 males and 21 females) and 30 participants (15 males and 15 females) with singing experience between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Measures of maximum phonation time (MPT), highest phonational frequency, lowest intensity, and jitter were obtained for each subject and incorporated into the previously published multivariate DSI formula. Results indicated that vocally trained subjects have significantly higher DSI scores than untrained subjects (mean DSI: 6.48 vs 4.00, respectively), with significant differences observed between trained and untrained groups for three of the four components of the DSI (F(0) high; I low; jitter). The findings of this study are consistent with previous reports that indicate significant increases in the DSI with vocal training, and with various studies that have observed increased vocal capability in trained singers versus their untrained counterparts. The results of this study indicate that alternative normative expectations for the DSI may need to be taken into account when using the DSI with patients who have participated in directed vocal training, such as choral participation and voice/singing lessons.
Turcotte receives Whitten medal

Donald L. Turcotte was honored as the recipient of the Charles A. Whitten Medal at AGU's Fall Meeting in San Francisco, on December 13, 1995. The award is given for outstanding achievement in research on the form and dynamics of the Earth and the planets. The citation and Turcotte's response are given here.
The Religious State in the Sudan: A Preliminary Characterization of the Debacle

The performance of the Islamist state in the Sudan shows clear signs of disintegration. Its totalitarian grip over the country and its population is dramatically restrained by internal and external factors that have been working together since the regime's formative years. Despite the religious nature of the regime's ideology, religion has played a key role in the discourse of its opponents. The paper outlines some of the factors that have contributed to the regime's disintegration.
Curriculum Design as a Political Act: Problems and Choices in Teaching Social Justice

Abstract Linear models of curriculum and course development have been influential in curriculum theory since Tyler presented his views in 1950. Tyler's rationale included four steps: (1) selecting objectives, (2) identifying experiences, (3) ordering experiences, and (4) evaluating outcomes. Learning objectives are central to this process and in turn assume that terminal behaviors can be specified. A terminal behavior must state sufficient conditions for attaining a learning objective. In a review of positions on social justice stated by Harsanyi, Rawls, and Nozick it is argued that it is not possible to state sufficient conditions for terminal objectives, only necessary ones. A view of curriculum development as classroom discourse is then discussed.
Contemporary Management of Pineocytoma

Pineocytoma is a rare tumor; therefore, assimilating data from case reports and small case series to generate definitive treatment guidelines is difficult. The authors recently systematically reviewed the existing literature on outcomes for patients with pineocytoma. Gross total resection is associated with significantly increased tumor control and survival compared with subtotal resection combined with radiotherapy. When gross total resection is not possible, adding radiotherapy to subtotal resection is not associated with increases in either tumor control or survival. Although aggressive surgery in the pineal region carries the risk of neurologic injury, gross total resection should be attempted for pineocytoma.
Use of simple quality assurance procedures in the analysis of beam asymmetries on cobalt-60 treatment units

Recently, the mechanical failure of one of the upper collimator mechanical trimmers on a cobalt-60 unit resulted in large beam asymmetries and unacceptable flatness characteristics. This malfunction was not detected using currently accepted schedules for quality assurance tests. The incident suggests that the frequency of routine beam profile constancy checks should be increased to weekly for cobalt-60 units.
UNC112. A new regulator of cell-extracellular matrix adhesions?

Genetic analyses of Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans have yielded invaluable insights into many basic biological processes, perhaps most notably in the fields of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and apoptosis. In this issue of The Journal of Cell Biology , the identification of UNC-112 as a
Induction of CYP1A1, but Not CYP1A2, in Adrenals of 3,3′-Methylcholanthrene-Treated Guinea Pigs

To test the inducibility of CYP1A homologs in guinea pig adrenal, the effects of 3,3'-methylcholanthrene, an archetypal inducer of CYP1A, were compared in guinea pig adrenal and liver. Western blot analysis showed that levels of both CYP1A1 (53 kDa) and CYP1A2 (56 kDa) increasedin liver microsomes of 3,3'-methylcholanthrene-treated guinea pigs. In adrenals, an immunoreactive protein comigrating with liver CYP1A1 was detected only after 3,3'-methylcholanthrene treatment. Protein comigrating with CYP1A2 was never detected in adrenal microsomes. A third inducible immunoreactive protein (57 kDa) was seen in liver, but not adrenal, after 3, 3'-methylcholanthrene treatment. Another immunoreactive protein (52 kDa), present constitutively in liver and adrenal microsomes, was not induced in either tissue by 3,3'-methylcholanthrene. The precise identities of the inducible 57-kDa and the noninducible 52-kDa proteins remain to be determined. However, the identity of the 53-kDa protein in the adrenal as CYP1A1 was confirmed by RT-PCR, Northern blot, and sequence analysis. Similar analyses demonstrated that, despite the fact that the 56-kDa protein was not detectable in adrenal microsomes, CYP1A2 mRNA was present in adrenals of control animals. Strikingly, CYP1A2 mRNA decreased in adrenal, but increased in liver, following 3,3'-methylcholanthrene treatment, underscoring differences in the regulation of CYP1A expression in the two tissues. Levels of ethoxyresorufin and methyoxyresorufin metabolism correlated with levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 protein, respectively.
Perceptions of HIV/AIDS-STD Risk Among First-Year African-American College Students: The Decomposition of Self-Esteem to Promote a Positive Behavioral Change in Risk-Reduction Practices

A sample of 512 first-year students attending a Historically Black College in North Carolina was used to identify correlates of the perceptions of HIV/AIDS–STD risk, and of condom usage. In a logistic regression analysis, the author found that attendance at a prior HIV/AIDS program (.69, p = .04), condom knowledge (.15, p = .05), having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) (1.50. p = .001), and the self-esteem element “I feel I do not have much to be proud of” (.72, p = .03) were all positively related to this risk. Conversely, a higher score on the condom usage scale (–.52, p = .01), HIV/AIDS knowledge (–.28, p = .03), and tested for the HIV virus (–.59, p = 04) were all negatively related to this risk. Surprisingly, those students who were of the conviction that they were at-risk of HIV/AIDS–STD infection were reluctant to always use condoms. The self-esteem element “I feel I do not have much to be proud of” was found to be the only impediment in this group of freshmen's decision mak...
The Uses of Anaerobiosis by Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians and reptiles rely upon anaerobic glycolysis to support their energetic requirements under a variety of circumstances. Although adult frogs derive most of the energy for muscle contraction during intense, short-term locomotion from glycolysis, anuran tadpoles have a very low rate of lactate formation during 30 sec of burst swimming; instead, they rely largely on the use of phosphocreatine stores. Among squamate reptiles, the rate of lactate formation during vigorous exercise is largely related to the duration of activity and to body temperature. Recent studies have shown that fossorial, limbless reptiles do not differ from surface-dwelling, quadrupedal species in the rate of glycolysis during intense activity. The energetics of locomotion differs significantly between swimming and running turtles; thus the site of activity influences the role of anaerobiosis in movement. Lactate levels increase in some frogs during calling and nest building and in some reptiles during prey capture and ingestion. However, voluntary locomotion and diving by reptiles are rarelyaccompanied by an increase in lactate levels. Freshwater turtles rely heavily on glycolysis during aquatic hibernation. Thus, it can be concluded that amphibians and reptiles derive a significant proportion of their energetic requirements from anaerobic metabolism only under selected circumstances when the benefits outweigh the costs associated with the accumulation of lactate.
If a Tree Falls in the Forest The Effect of Grievances on Employee Perceptions of Performance Appraisal, Efficacy, and Job Satisfaction

This study examines the effect of grievances on organizational effectiveness characteristics. Using data from the 2000 Merit Principles Survey, the author constructs three measures of organizational effectiveness characteristics: attitudinal indices on performance appraisal, job satisfaction, and efficacy. These serve as dependent variables in regression analyses testing perceptions of adverse events (fair treatment and being misled), filing of formal complaints, and being subject to retaliation. This allows an examination of whether withdrawal (a decline in organizational effectiveness characteristics) is because of the initial event (measured as lack of fair treatment or being misled) or because of participation in the formal grievance process or later retaliation.
Corridors of Warm Season Precipitation in the Central United States

Abstract During the warm season in the central United States there often exists a corridor of precipitation where a succession of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) follow similar paths lasting several days. The total cumulative rainfall within a corridor can be substantial while precipitation at nearby regions may be below normal. Understanding the nature of the corridors and the environmental factors important for their formation thus has important implications for quantitative precipitation forecasting and hydrological studies. In this study a U.S. national composite radar dataset and model-analyzed fields are used for the 1998–2002 warm seasons (July–August) to understand the properties of corridors and what environmental factors are important for determining when and where they develop. The analysis is restricted to a relatively narrow longitudinal band in the central United States (95°–100°W), a region where convection often intensifies and becomes highly organized. It is found that ∼68% of MCSs we...
The effect of an electric current on rod-eutectic solidification in Sn-0.9 wt.% Cu alloys

Abstract A directionally solidified Sn-0.9 wt.% Cu rod eutectic alloy is subject to sustained electrical current pulses applied parallel to the direction of growth. The current pulses result in disruption of the aligned rod morphology giving rise instead to segments of the rod (Cu 6 Sn 5 ) phase embedded in the Sn matrix. A model for the directional growth of the eutectic in the presence of an electric current is presented. The model is used to illustrate that electromigration is unimportant in affecting changes in spacings for steady eutectic growth conditions.
250 mW, 1.5µm monolithic passively mode-locked slab-coupled optical waveguide laser

We report the demonstration of a 1.5 µm InGaAsP mode-locked slab-coupled optical waveguide laser (SCOWL) producing 10 ps pulses with energies of 58 pJ and average output powers of 250 mW at a repetition rate of 4.29 GHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first passively mode-locked slab-coupled optical waveguide laser. The large mode and low confinement factor of the SCOWL architecture allows the realization of monolithic mode-locked lasers with high output power and pulse energy. The laser output is nearly diffraction limited with M2 values less than 1.2 in both directions.
Validating a natural language processing tool to exclude psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in electronic medical record-based epilepsy research

Abstract Rationale As electronic health record (EHR) systems become more available, they will serve as an important resource for collecting epidemiologic data in epilepsy research. However, since clinicians do not have a systematic method for coding psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), patients with PNES are often misclassified as having epilepsy, leading to sampling error. This study validates a natural language processing (NLP) tool that uses linguistic information to help identify patients with PNES. Methods Using the VA national clinical database, 2200 notes of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who completed video electroencephalograph (VEEG) monitoring were reviewed manually, and the veterans were identified as having documented PNES or not. Reviewers identified PNES-related vocabulary to inform a NLP tool called Yale cTakes Extension (YTEX). Using NLP techniques, YTEX annotates syntactic constructs, named entities, and their negation context in the EHR. These annotations are passed to a classifier to detect patients without PNES. The classifier was evaluated by calculating positive predictive values (PPVs), sensitivity, and F-score. Results Of the 742 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who received a diagnosis of epilepsy or seizure disorder by VEEG, 44 had documented events on VEEG: 22 veterans (3.0%) had definite PNES only, 20 (2.7%) had probable PNES, and 2 (0.3%) had both PNES and epilepsy documented. The remaining 698 veterans did not have events captured during the VEEG admission and/or did not have a definitive diagnosis. Our classifier achieved a PPV of 93%, a sensitivity of 99%, and a F-score of 96%. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that the YTEX NLP tool and classifier is highly accurate in excluding PNES, diagnosed with VEEG, in EHR systems. The tool may be very valuable in preventing false positive identification of patients with epilepsy in EHR-based epidemiologic research.
Advances in Glaucoma Treatment and Management: Neurotrophic Agents

The causes of glaucoma are complex and so are its treatment regimens. It is almost as if glaucoma were several separate diseases. Controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) in the anterior segment is certainly a prime consideration, but the pathologic endpoint of glaucoma is the death of the retinal ganglion cell in the posterior segment. The disease itself is probably best called an optic neuropathy, one of many diseases that can affect neuronal cells. However, it is unique as to the cell affected (the ganglion cell) and the endpoints of the disease process. Biologically and physically, glaucoma is characterized by changes in the optic disc, optic nerve, and brain and by ganglion cell death. Functionally, the changes lead to visual impairment, as best exemplified by a decrease in visual field. Thus, developing methods of preserving ganglion cell function and lifespan are the ultimate goals in maintaining vision in glaucoma. One way to achieve preservation is through neuroprotection—the use of neuron-survival (neurotrophic) agents. In a rational approach to disease control, one should first ask: What are the stages of glaucoma pathology where neurotrophic agents might be effective? Probably not at the stage of an initial insult or injury such as with a genetic mutation, increased IOP, and so on. Intervention can come relatively early, though, maybe at the first signs of physical and structural changes in the disc region and optic nerve, or at least at the first signs of vision loss. These changes would be rooted in biochemical alterations secondary to the primary insult but still early enough to slow, halt, or even reverse the disease process. A prime therapeutic target would be the process of cell death of the ganglion cells; similarly, a secondary target would be the induced degeneration to neighboring ganglion cells through a “bystander” effect. An important but difficult area would be controlling gliosis and the changes that occur in glial activation. However, the effects of neurotrophic agents will be different at different stages of the disease, with obviously no effect after most or all the ganglion cells are dead.
Control of Oxygen Delamination in Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cells via Modifying Operational Regime

Modifications of operational regimes for solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) devices for hydrogen production are discussed. It is shown that applying alternating current voltage pulses at a certain frequency range to SOECs could reduce oxygen delamination degradation in these devices and significantly increase their lifetime. This operational scheme provides possibility to increase longevity of SOEC devices required for their use in commercial hydrogen production processes, without any significant modification of used materials and/or cell design.
Effect of parasympathetic blockade on ventilatory and cardiac depression induced by opioids.

We have previously shown that delta-opioid agonists decrease ventilation and heart rate. Because of these results and the known interactions between opioid and acetylcholine metabolism, we hypothesized that opioids induce cardiorespiratory changes via the parasympathetic nervous system. To test this hypothesis, we administered atropine sulfate (systemically) at maximal effect of D-Ala-D-Leu-enkephalin (DADLE; a preferential delta-opioid agonist), injected intracisternally, and examined its effect on cardiorespiratory function. All experiments were performed on chronically instrumented and conscious adult dogs. Mean instantaneous minute ventilation or VT/TTOT decreased and PaCO2 increased after DADLE; atropine had little effect on these changes. Naloxone, even in small doses, reversed opioid effects on VT/TTOT and PaCO2. Atropine, however, reversed the DADLE-induced depression in cardiac rate. In doses that reversed this cardiac depression, atropine had no effect on cardiorespiratory function at rest, i.e., with no prior administration of DADLE. We conclude that DADLE decreases heart rate by increasing parasympathetic activity to the heart and induces hypoventilation by a different mechanism. We speculate that the opioid-induced ventilatory depression is due to either direct opioid action on central respiratory regulation or parasympathetic non-muscarinic or non-cholinergic mediating mechanisms.
Response interference in the acquisition of sequential patterns of binary events

Binary patterns were learned by Ss who predicted the events from the start, observed until ready to predict, or counted successive events until ready to predict. The counting response, even though it is stimulus redundant and supplies information about run length, resulted in acquisition that was more like learning with prediction than learning with observation. Overt responses, when they do interfere with the acquisition of binary sequences, apparently interfere more with the organization of run-length orders than with run-length “perception.”
Quantitative Morphometric Analysis of the Pulmonary Arteries in Two Patients with D-Transposition of the Great Arteries and Persistence of the Fetal Circulation

Summary: Quantitative morphometric studies were performed on the pulmonary arteries of two newborns who died at 1 and 3 days of age with both transposition of the great arteries and persistence of the fetal circulation. Similar studies were performed on two normal control subjects (age 2 and 6 days), one newborn infant (age 1 day) with secondary persistence of the fetal circulation, and one newborn infant (age 2 days) with isolated D-transposition of the great arteries. Morphometric data, summarized herein, showed greatest mean percent wall thickness in the patients with persistent fetal circulation either alone or with D-transposition of the great arteries, as compared to those without it. When wall thickness was related to external diameter of the vessel, the greatest difference in thickness was observed in the smallest vessels (<150 μ in diameter). Extension of smooth muscle peripherally and to the smallest vessels (<50 μ) was similarly most marked in those infants with persistence of the fetal circulation, either secondary or with D-transposition of the great arteries. Alevolar/artery ratio determinations were similar among the six subjects. These comparative data indicate that cyanotic congenital heart disease and persistence of the fetal circulation may coexist but at the same time be unrelated in a single patient. Furthermore when such coexistence is unrecognized, pharmacologic manipulation of the ductus arteriosus may be hazardous.
Solution to the multi-particle diffusion problem with applications to ostwald ripening—II. Computer simulations

Abstract The multi-particle diffusion solution developed in Paper I is used to determine the collective behavior of a system of dispersed second phase particles undergoing Ostwald ripening. Since the multi-particle diffusion solution was employed to determine the diffusion field within the matrix, interparticle diffusional interactions are specifically included in the treatment. Both the transient and long-time behavior of given initial distributions of particle sizes were examined over a wide range of volume fractions of the coarsening phase. It was found in the transient region that the collective behavior of the coarsening ensemble was highly dependent on the initial distribution. When these distributions were scaled by the average particle radius, they all eventually evolved to identical time-independent distributions which were functions of the volume fraction of the coarsening phase. These time-independent distributions are, in general, significantly different from the classic Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner distribution, and become progressively broader and more symmetric with increasing volume fraction. The ripening kinetics were also found to be a function of the volume fraction, the kinetics increasing by a factor of five upon changing the volume fraction from zero to 0.5. The statistical nature of Ostwald ripening was investigated by examining the influence of the volume fraction on the distribution of individual particle source/sink strengths. This statistical information is used to show the self-consistency of the numerical approach.
Evaluation of Public Health Professionals' Capacity to Implement Environmental Changes Supportive of Healthy Weight.

Abstract Community-based interventions to promote healthy weights by making environmental and policy changes in communities may be an important strategy in reversing the obesity epidemic. However, challenges faced by local public health professionals in facilitating effective environmental and policy change need to be better understood and addressed. To better understand capacity-building needs, this study evaluated the efforts of the Healthy Start Partnership, a university-community project to promote healthy weights in young families in a rural eight-county area of upstate New York. Qualitative interviews ( n = 30) and pre/post surveys ( n = 31) were conducted over three years of the intervention. Challenges faced by partners significantly slowed progress of environmental interventions in some communities. First, many partners did not feel their “regular” jobs afforded them sufficient time to do community work. Second, many partners did not feel they had the personal political power to work on broader environmental, policy, or system change issues. Third, facilitating and policy change and reaching out to non-traditional partners, like businesses, required developing a new set of public health skills. Fourth, the long-time frame of environmental and policy work meant that many efforts would exceed the grant period. Building local public health leaders for environmental and policy change necessitates that these challenges are acknowledged and addressed.
Mathematical model for optical smoothing prediction of high-spatial-frequency surface errors

This paper describes a mathematical model, called the Bridging model, for predicting the smoothing of high spatial frequency surface errors in optical surfaces during polishing processes, which use large flexible polishing laps. The mathematical model is developed in two stages. First, the Kirchoff flat plate equation, which is modified to include the effect of shear flexibility of the lap and compressive stiffness of the pitch, is solved for lap pressure distribution over a surface error feature represented by a sinusoidal spectrum. This pressure distribution is used as an input to the Preston's equation for material removal rate. The resulting equation is then solved for material removal and surface error smoothing predictions. Available data from a laboratory test and a real optics fabrication program are compared with analytical predictions of the mathematical model. Good correlation is obtained between the two.
Design and realization of an intelligent ground vehicle with modular payloads

In June 2011, Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) unmanned ground vehicle Prometheus participated in the 8th Annual Robotic Lawnmower and 19th Annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competitions back-to-back. This paper details the two-year design and development cycle for WPI's intelligent ground vehicle, Prometheus. The on-board intelligence algorithms include lane detection, obstacle avoidance, path planning, world representation and waypoint navigation. The authors present experimental results and discuss practical implementations of the intelligence algorithms used on the robot.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of some fluorine‐containing polymers

High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were measured for the F/sup 19/ resonance in some fluorinecontaining polymers. These data show that the F/sup 19/ resonance frequency depends on the electronegativity of the other substituents on the carbon atom, in a manner similar to that found for small molecules. The resonance frequency also is dependent on substituents attached to adjacent carbons in a way not easily explained by inductive effects. It is hynothesized that these latter shifts may be due to direct potential interaction. The above generalizations, together with other supporting evidence, were utilized to assign a small peak in the spectrum of polyvinylidene fluoride to a head-to- head structure. This structure is present to the extent of 8 to 10%. (auth)
Quasi-equivalence in site-specific recombinase structure and function: crystal structure and activity of trimeric Cre recombinase bound to a three-way Lox DNA junction

The crystal structure of a novel Cre-Lox synapse was solved using phases from multiple isomorphous replacement and anomalous scattering, and refined to 2.05 A resolution. In this complex, a symmetric protein trimer is bound to a Y-shaped three-way DNA junction, a marked departure from the pseudo-4-fold symmetrical tetramer associated with Cre-mediated LoxP recombination. The three-way DNA junction was accommodated by a simple kink without significant distortion of the adjoining DNA duplexes. Although the mean angle between DNA arms in the Y and X structures was similar, adjacent Cre trimer subunits rotated 29 degrees relative to those in the tetramers. This rotation was accommodated at the protein-protein and DNA-DNA interfaces by interactions that are "quasi-equivalent" to those in the tetramer, analogous to packing differences of chemically identical viral subunits at non-equivalent positions in icosahedral capsids. This structural quasi-equivalence extends to function as Cre can bind to, cleave and perform strand transfer with a three-way Lox substrate. The structure explains the dual recognition of three and four-way junctions by site-specific recombinases as being due to shared structural features between the differently branched substrates and plasticity of the protein-protein interfaces. To our knowledge, this is the first direct demonstration of quasi-equivalence in both the assembly and function of an oligomeric enzyme.
Current estimation from satellite image sequence with global similarity optimization model

A new approach for current tracking from a satellite image sequence is proposed to address the issue of radiometric variations between two-frame images. A global similarity criterion (GSC) is defined based on the cross correlation between two images to convert a convex optimization model to a non-convex one. The retrieval of the motion field with the criterion of the maximum similarity becomes solving a nonlinear minimization problem. One of the generic iterative equations is formulated based on the Global Similarity Optimization Model (GSOM) and a unified adaptive framework. The approach is tested using an ocean simulation dataset and realistic satellite infrared image sequences. Experimental results indicate that the new approach is not only robust for radiometric variations between two images, but also efficient, fast, and accurate for motion estimation.
Towards better uncertainty estimates for turbulence statistics

Methods for calculating the statistical uncertainty associated with the sampling of random processes such as those which occur in turbulence research are given. In particular, formulas based on normal distribution assumptions and on any general distribution shape are given for means, variances, Reynolds stresses, correlation coefficients, homogeneous and mixed turbulent triple products and fourth order turbulence moments. In addition, two resampling algorithms, the “bootstrap” and “jackknife”, are presented and compared using actual turbulence data. The availability of these methods will allow turbulence data to be presented with statistical uncertainty error bars on all turbulence quantities.
GATA Factor-dependent Regulation of Cardiac m2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Gene Transcription

The m2 subtype is the predominant muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype expressed in heart and regulates the rate and force of cardiac contraction. We have previously reported the isolation of the promoter region for the chick m2 receptor gene and defined a region of the chick m2 promoter sufficient for high level expression in cardiac primary cultures. In this manuscript we demonstrate transactivation of cm2 promoter by the GATA family of transcription factors. In addition, we define the GATA-responsive element in the chick m2 promoter and demonstrate that this element is required for expression in cardiac primary cultures. Finally, we demonstrate specific binding of both a chick heart nuclear protein and of cloned chick GATA-4, -5, and -6 to the GATA-responsive element.
Greatest barrier is retaining young scientists

The National Science Foundation's top priorities as listed by director Neal Lane in Eos (November 9) are to strengthen NSF and its support of scientific research and education, to better articulate to the public why it is so important that support of science and engineering be strengthened, and to continue to lower barriers that discourage young people from choosing careers in science. While we firmly support the first two priorities, we are concerned about the underlying assumptions and implications of the third. Barriers discouraging women and minorities from considering careers in math and science do exist within our educational system, and there is now abundant statistical evidence showing these groups are under-represented in most fields of science. However, as stated in the Eos article, solving these problems and leveling the playing field is not the primary goal of the NSF policy.
A convenient equilibrium separation method for competitive protein-binding assay of corticosterone in rat serum.

Competitive protein-binding assays for corticosterone have typically employed adsorption methods for separation of free and bound ligand. Such methods often impose inconveniently strict limits upon incubation time and temperature, due to the necessity of minimizing the progressive loss of bound ligand to the adsorbent. This paper describes a convenient equilibrium assay method in which a centrifugable ion-exchange medium, DEAE-cellulose, is used to separate the corticosteroid binding globulin of rat serum and ligand bound to it, from free ligand. This method allows great latitude in incubation time and temperature, and is therefore very convenient for processing large numbers of samples. An assay optimized for use over the 50-1000 pg range showed midrange precision averaging 12% c.v., an interassay variation of 15%, and high specificity.
The classical origins of Pavlov’s conditioning

This article presents a brief description of the scientific discovery of classical conditioning both in the United States and in Russia. The incorporation of classical conditioning as a scientific method in the United States is described. Particular attention is given to how and why the terminologies used to identify the components of classical conditioning were modified over the years. I then trace the curious evolution of the terminology associated with Pavlov’s form of conditioning, from its introduction to the United States as “the Pawlow salivary reflex method” to its present appellation as classical conditioning. Finally I conclude by developing a theory as to when and why the term classical conditioning was adopted.
Identification of anomalous network security token usage via clustering and density estimation

Fraudulent use of network security tokens is a serious concern for any system that contains data that must be secured against illicit access, duplication, or manipulation. Anomaly-based techniques to classify logins as fraudulent or legitimate have been proposed and used successfully, however the lack of clear mathematical structure in the space of IP addresses means that many of these methods require significant supplemental information such as payload, failed token usages, or user activity upon the secured network in order to achieve accurate detection rates. When this additional information is not available, such as in network-based intrusion detection systems, many systems to detect fraudulent security token usage require a series of usages before a classification can be made. We present an anomaly detection system based upon IP addresses, a mapping of geographic location as inferred from IP address, and usage timestamps that is capable of identifying fraudulent token usage with as little as a single instance of fraudulent usage while overcoming the often significant limitations in geographic IP address mappings.
Actuality and the amodal perspective

In this paper, I examine our intuitive understanding of metaphysical contingency, and ask what features a metaphysical picture must possess in order to satisfy our intuitions about modal matters. After spelling out what I think are the central intuitions in this domain, I examine the debate between the two most widely held views on the nature of modality, namely, modal realism and modal actualism. I argue that while each of these views is able to accommodate some of our intuitions, it leaves others unsatisfied. I then present an alternative metaphysical picture, which I argue can accommodate our intuitions in a way that the traditional views cannot. More specifically, I argue that our intuitions about modality call for a pluralist view of the structure of reality—a view on which there is more than one ultimate ‘shape’ to the fundamental facts, each corresponding to a distinct metaphysically privileged perspective on reality.
Crack Initiation at Stress Concentrations as Influenced by Prior Local Plasticity

Notched metal crack initiation, determining high cyclic loads effects by prior local plastic behavior at stress concentration
Cortical Imaging of Event-Related (de)Synchronization During Online Control of Brain-Computer Interface Using Minimum-Norm Estimates in Frequency Domain

It is of wide interest to study the brain activity that correlates to the control of brain-computer interface (BCI). In the present study, we have developed an approach to image the cortical rhythmic modulation associated with motor imagery using minimum-norm estimates in the frequency domain (MNEFD). The distribution of cortical sources of mu activity during online control of BCI was obtained with the MNEFD. Contralateral decrease (event-related desynchronization) and ipsilateral increase (event-related synchronization) are localized in the sensorimotor cortex during online control of BCI in a group of human subjects. Statistical source analysis revealed that maximum correlation with movement imagination is localized in sensorimotor cortex.
Health Care Needs of Foreign-Born Asian Americans: An Overview

Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States. A majority of them are foreign born, which makes their health-related situation very complex. Many still have the diseases they brought with them from their native lands. In addition, they acquire new diseases attributed to the changes in their living conditions and lifestyle. They are vulnerable to the physical effects of acculturation-related stress as well. The health care needs of these new Americans are not being adequately met. This article describes the barriers to their ability to use health care services and analyzes the reasons for the health care system's inability to respond to their needs. Finally, it urges social work to contribute to the system's responsiveness and suggests approaches to social work intervention with and on behalf of Asian Americans.
Importance of Atrial Flutter Isthmus in Postoperative Intra-Atrial Reentrant Tachycardia

Background—In survivors of congenital heart surgery, intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) often develops. Previous reports have emphasized the atriotomy scar as the central barrier around which a reentrant circuit may rotate but have not systematically evaluated the atrial flutter isthmus in such patients. We sought to determine the role of the atrial flutter isthmus in supporting IART in a group of postoperative patients with congenital heart disease. Methods and Results—Nineteen postoperative patients with IART underwent electrophysiological studies with entrainment mapping of the atrial flutter isthmus for determining postpacing intervals. Radiofrequency ablation was performed at the identified isthmus in an effort to create a complete line of block. Twenty-one IARTs were identified in 19 patients, with a mean tachycardia cycle length of 293±73 ms. The atrial flutter isthmus was part of the circuit in 15 of 21 (71.4%). In the remaining 6 of 21, the ablation target zone was at sites near atrial inc...
The influence of local meteorological conditions on the circadian rhythm of corn (Zea mays L.) pollen emission

Field experiments were performed to study the diurnal cycle of corn pollen emission and its relation to local meteorological conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, mean wind speed, and turbulence quantities. Pollen concentrations were measured from canopy height to twice this level using four Rotorod samplers located on a pole in the middle of the corn field. The measured pollen concentration at canopy height was used as a surrogate for the pollen source strength while the concentrations above canopy represented the pollen transported upwards from canopy height. At twice the canopy height, the pollen concentration decreased considerably to about 30% of the canopy height values. During the mornings, pollen was emitted in large quantities while during the afternoons, airborne pollen concentrations decreased and no significant atmospheric pollen was measured from about 2 h prior to sunset until sunrise the next morning. The actual time that airborne pollen was first recorded differed from day-to-day and depended on the time required for the anthers to dry and open, as well as there being sufficiently strong winds to entrain the pollen away from the plants. On four consecutive mornings diurnal atmospheric pollen concentration distributions were bi-modal in time. The first pollen concentration peak happened shortly before the direct irradiance peak on the anthers suggesting that direct solar irradiation might be important for drying the anthers. The subsequent dip in pollen concentration seemed to be linked to a lull in mean and turbulent wind conditions. Analysis of the vertical velocity fluctuations, sw, showed that the fraction of pollen transported upwards from canopy height increased with increasing sw. In addition, Quadrant– Hole analysis applied to the turbulence data sets of 2 days suggested that low values of ejection duration fractions were associated with low values of pollen concentration, while high values were associated with high concentration values. The diurnal pattern of ejection duration fractions was similar to the pattern of the fraction of pollen that reached twice the canopy height, indicating
Antithrombotic Management for Transient Ischemic Attack and Ischemic Stroke (Other than Atrial Fibrillation)

The new definition and risk stratification for transient ischemic attack (TIA) have clear implications for the urgency of evaluation and treatment. The optimal antithrombotic treatment for TIA is being intensively studied. New guidelines for prevention of non-cardioembolic stroke in patients with stroke or TIA recommend the use of antiplatelet agents rather than oral anticoagulation. New antiplatelet drugs are being used in cardiovascular patients, and their role in cerebrovascular patients is being studied. The impact of genetic CYP2C19 polymorphisms is becoming clarified in cardiovascular patients and it is likely these polymorphisms will affect the management of cerebrovascular patients. The results of trials of clopidogrel plus aspirin in patients with lacunar strokes and acute TIAs are forthcoming. The results of CLOSURE I, a study of a patent foramen ovale device closure trial for cryptogenic stroke or TIA, showed no differences in stroke or TIA at 2 years.
Langinuir probe measurements of double-layers in a pulsed discharge

Langmuir probe measurements were carried out which confirm the occurrence of double-layers in an argon positive column. Pulsing the discharge current permitted probe measurements to be performed in the presence of the double-layer. Supplementary evidence, obtained from DC and pulsed discharges, indicated that the double-layers formed in the two modes of operation were similar. The double-layers observed were weak and stable; their relation to other classes of double-layers are discussed, and directions for future work are suggested.
Sexually transmitted diseases in sexually abused children: medical and legal implications

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may be transmitted during sexual assault. In children, the isolation of a sexually transmitted organism may be the first indication that abuse has occurred. Although the presence of a sexually transmissible agent from a child beyond the neonatal period is suggestive of sexual abuse, exceptions do exist. In this review I discuss the issues of the transmissibility and diagnosis of STDs in the context of child sexual abuse. Rectal or genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis among young children may be the result of perinatally acquired infection and may persist for as long as 3 years. A major problem with chlamydia testing in the context of suspected sexual abuse in children has been the inappropriate use of non-culture tests. Although the new generation of nucleic acid amplification tests have shown high sensitivity and specificity with genital specimens from adults, data on use of these tests on any site in children are practically non-existent. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been identified among children who have been abused and among those who have not been abused. However, many of the methods used to diagnose BV in adults have not been evaluated in children. Recent studies of perinatal infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) have been inconclusive. HPV DNA has been detected at various sites in children who have not been abused. The relation to the development of clinically apparent genital warts is unclear. Although HIV can be acquired through sexual abuse in children, the exact risk to the child and which children should be screened is still controversial.
Optimal thermal design of air cooled forced convection finned heat sinks-experimental verification

D.B. Tuckerman and R.F.W. Pease (1981) showed that microchannels with water flow could be used to cool VLSI systems. Their work required the flow to be laminar, and the channel system, or fin array, was optimized analytically. Recently, it has been shown that, for some geometries and fluid pressure drops, a lower thermal resistance can be found if the channels are designed to allow turbulent flow. The current work uses the optimization scheme developed by R.W. Knight et al. (1991 and in this issue) to design three air-cooled aluminum finned arrays, which were built and tested experimentally. The thermal performances of the fin array designs, one containing 5 fins, one with 11 fins, and one with the predicted optimum of 8 fins, are compared. All arrays had turbulent flow and pressure drop across them, and all fins were the same length and width. The best thermal performance was obtained with the design predicted to be optimal. The scheme can be applied to a variety of heat sink design applications, including water-cooled microchannels. >
On best-fit corotated frames for 3D continuum finite elements

SUMMARY We discuss a strategy to construct corotated frames for three-dimensional continuum finite elements by minimizing deformations within the frame. We find that irrespective of the type of element and the number of nodes, using a quaternion parametrization of rotations, this minimization is naturally stated as computing the smallest eigenvalue of a 4 � 4 matrix. The simplicity of this smallest eigenvalue plays a crucial role when linearizing the kinematics. Ensuant quaternion algebra, although lengthy, results in remarkably simple formulas for projections that arise in the linearized kinematics. The exact stiffness matrix does not require computation of the second derivative of the rotation function and is also given by a simple formula. As a result, the implementation of this corotational formulation becomes particularly straightforward. Furthermore, in contrast to other results in the literature, the stiffness matrix for elements with translational DOFs is symmetric. For illustration, this corotational formulation is applied to a solid-shell finite element, and numerical results are presented. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 25 April 2013; Revised 15 October 2013; Accepted 10 December 2013
Coda: a highly available file system for a distributed workstation environment

A description is given of Coda, a file system for a large-scale distributed computing environment composed of Unix workstations. It provides resilience to server and network failures through the use of two distinct but complementary mechanisms. One mechanism, server replication, involves storing copies of a file at multiple servers. The other mechanism, disconnected operation, is a mode of execution in which a caching site temporarily assumes the role of a replication site. Disconnected operation is particularly useful for supporting portable workstations. The design of Coda optimizes availability and performance and provides the highest degree of consistency attainable. Measurements from a prototype show that the performance cost of providing high availability in Coda is reasonable. >