cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The contribution of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus to the total pattern of thalamic terminations in striate cortex of the virginia opossum

These studies were carried out to show the manner of projection of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and other thalamic nuclei to striate cortex in the Virginia opossum. In order to demonstrate these projections, lesions were made in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, in the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, in most of the thalamus on one side except for the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, and in the entire unilateral thalamus. Following various survival times, usually seven days, the brains were appropriately prepared and stained with procedure I of the Fink-Heimer technique. Dorsal lateral geniculate neurons project in a topographical manner only to certain layers of striate cortex. These projections from the lateral geniculate are compared with the same system in other mammals, and it is concluded that it is similar in all mammals studied, except for the cat. In the cat the lateral geniculate projects beyond the border of striate cortex, but even in the cat the layers of termination within striate cortex are apparently similar. The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus does not project to visual cortex. Dorsal thalamic nuclei other dian the lateral geniculate project to peristriate cortex and to layers VI and I of striate cortex. The finding that thalamic nuclei, other than the lateral geniculate nucleus, project to striate cortex has never been described as part of the visual pathways in other mammals. It is suggested that these additional projections arise mainly from the lateral nuclear group of the thalamus in the opossum, and must be considered in relation to any response characteristics and organization of striate cells determined from physiological studies. These multiple thalamic projections can provide the substrate for more than one representation or “map” of sensory information in striate cortex.
Dilated cardiomyopathy with mitral regurgitation: Decreased survival despite a low frequency of left ventricular thrombus

Abstract Ninety-one patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were studied by two-dimensional, pulsed, and color Doppler echocardiography (1) to detect and quantify mitral regurgitation (MR), (2) to record apical flow velocities in systole and diastole, and (3) to detect the presence of left ventricular thrombi. MR was detected in 57% of the patients and thrombi were present in 40%, but the occurrence of both MR and thrombus was rare (8%). Apical flow velocity was significantly higher throughout the cardiac cycle in the group with MR (diastole 15 ± 7 vs 9 ± 7 cm/sec; systole 29 ± 12 vs 16 ± 13 cm/sec; p p
School Violence: Bullying Behaviors and the Psychosocial School Environment in Middle Schools

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among a school's psychosocial environment and the prevalence and types of bullying behaviors that either lead to or result from that environment. More specifically, this study examined how the frequency of aggressive behaviors (for example, bullying) experienced by students (as perpetrators and as victims) contributed to their interpretation of their school's psychosocial environment and how those environments affected the existence of ongoing aggressive and avoidance behaviors. The data for this study were archival, having originally been collected for a study of school culture, climate, and violence from the Philadelphia School District during the 1993-94 school year. To understand the consequences of bullying in schools, the authors used structural equation modeling analyses to develop a theoretical model of predictive relationships among (1) students' perceptions of bullying behaviors and safety at school, (2) the schools' psychosocial environment as measured by the students, and (3) the students' reactionary behavior to both (1) and (2). Direct practice applications for school social work practice are discussed.
Cognitive theories as reinforcement history surrogates: the case of likelihood ratio models of human recognition memory.

B. F. Skinner (1977) once argued that cognitive theories are essentially surrogates for the organism’s (usually unknown) reinforcement history. In this article, we argue that this notion applies rather directly to a class of likelihood ratio models of human recognition memory. The point is not that such models are fundamentally flawed or that they are not useful and should be abandoned. Instead, the point is that the role of reinforcement history in shaping memory decisions could help to explain what otherwise must be explained by assuming that subjects are inexplicably endowed with the relevant distributional information and computational abilities. To the degree that a role for an organism’s reinforcement history is appreciated, the importance of animal memory research in understanding human memory comes into clearer focus. As Skinner was also fond of pointing out, it is only in the animal laboratory that an organism’s history of reinforcement can be precisely controlled and its effects on behavior clearly understood.
Potentiation of animal “hypnosis” with low levels of electric current

Abstract Hypnotic trance durations of rabbits were prolonged by whole head stimulation with low levels of electric current (0·2 mA.). Effective frequencies were 4, 8, and 100 cycles/second. Localized stimulation with still lower current levels (30 μA.) was also effective in prolonging hypnosis duration when the anteroventral thalamus and the pontine reticular formation were stimulated. Caudate stimulation enhanced trance duration at the 90 per cent. level of confidence. Stimulation of two other brain areas, the amygdala and the hippocampus, was not generally effective in potentiating hypnosis. The relevance of this research is discussed with respect to previous reports of electrosleep studies.
Scoring of WISC-R Comprehension, Similarities, and Vocabulary Responses by Experienced and Inexperienced Judges.

Ten judges scored items from the Comprehension, Similarities, and Vocabulary subtests of the WISC-R. Five were inexperienced undergraduates and five were experienced PhDs. Overall, there were no appreciable differences in the percentages of agreement between the two groups.
Expression of gene rrg is associated with reversion of NIH 3T3 transformed by LTR-c-H-ras

A partial complementary DNA was isolated for a gene (rrg) that is normally expressed in mouse NIH 3T3 cells, but is down-regulated after cellular transformation by long terminal repeat (LTR)-activated c-H-ras (LTR-c-H-ras). This gene was reexpressed in a nontumorigenic persistent revertant cell line created by prolonged treatment of the transformed cells with mouse interferon alpha/beta. Persistent revertants stably transfected with rrg complementary DNA antisense expression vectors appeared transformed, had decreased amounts of rrg messenger RNA, and were tumorigenic in nude mice. Stable transfection with sense constructs did not alter the normal morphology, message level, or nontumorigenicity of the persistent revertant cell line.
Third- and fourth-generation implantable cardioverter defibrillators: current status and future development.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy has become the mainstay of therapy for patients with a history of sudden cardiac death or life-threatening Ventricular arrhythmias. The current generation of ICDs used for secondary prevention combines features for tachycardia reversion with demand ventricular pacing, antitachycardia pacing, programmable shock therapy, and tachycardia events memory. Although demand pacing and defibrillation is indicated for primary prevention usage of ICDs, the application of antitachycardia pacing modes is more controversial. High energy cardioversion and defibrillation shocks remaining the mainstay of sudden death prevention will be redefined as more effective defibrillation shock modes and lead systems are developed. Fourth-generatioti ICD systems accomplished a significant reduction of device size and almost universal success using an endocardial lead configuration and pectoral implant. A variety of new directions of ICD therapy in clinical practice such as primary prevention applications and the adjunctive role of antiarrhythmic drug therapy are currently being examined in clinical trials. The concepts underlying initiation of tachyarrhythmias are being studied to develop new approaches to tachycardia prevention. These include rate support, subthreshold stimulation, and multiple site pacing. The current developments of ICD therapy promise continued growth of this technology.
On the inclusion of compressibility effects in the Scorer parameter

The vertical structure of steady, two-dimensional, linear mountain waves depends on the Scorer parameter profile of the background flow. This note briefly reviews the approximations associated with each simplified equation, discusses their relationship to standard filtered systems of equations, and evaluates the performance of each simplified vertical structure equation by determining the error introduced by each approximation in the calculation of the horizontal wavelength of trapped mountain lee waves.
New Technique of DNA Sensing: Nanoribbon Transverse Electrodes

The technique of DNA sensing by electrophoretically driving it through solid-state nanopores is promising to reach the goal of rapid sequencing of individual human genomes. This approach can allow for the label-free, amplification-free analysis of nucleic acids as either single stranded DNA or double stranded DNA. Molecules ranging in length from single nucleotides to kilobase-pair can potentially be analyzed with nanometerresolution.However, the standard 2-terminal nanopore sensing method also possesses disadvantages, as the measurement resolution does not allow sensing of individual nucleobases. In order to eliminate this disadvantage, modification of the nanopore sensing technique has been proposed theoretically [1, 2]. We are pursuing the structure of a graphene nanoribbon with an embedded nanopore as a transverse electrode. A unique change of the transverse current for each nucleobase could allow discrimination between different types of nucleotides.The graphene nanoribbons are fabricated on a suspended stacked graphene/dielectric nanocomposite membrane. The stacked membrane was implemented according to the method described recently [3]. The top graphene layer was patterned by e-beam lithography in a 2 μm long x 30 nm wide nanoribbon. We will report on the transport measurements in air and in buffer solution with and without the embedded nanopore within the graphene nanoribbon.[1] T. Nelson, B. Zhang, and O.V. Prezhdo, Nano Lett. 10, 3237 (2010).[2] K.K. Saha, M. Drndic, B.K. Nikolic, arXiv:1108.3801v1 (2011).[3] B. M. Venkatesan, D. Estrada, S. Banerjee, X. Jin, V. E. Dorgan, M.-H. Bae, N. Aluru, E. Pop, and R. Bashir, submitted, (2011).
Computer determined closing volumes

Abstract The measurement of closing volume has been proposed as a simple and sensitive test of small airways disease. One factor which may limit the sensitivity of the closing volume technique is the between-reader variability. To eliminate the between-reader variability, a computer program was implemented to determine closing volume, under the assumption that the computer determinations would at least be consistent. The closing point is the point of departure of the nitrogen concentration from the computer-generated best-fit least squares line through the latter one-half of Phase III. The most critical part of this procedure is defining the latter one-half of Phase III. Computer-determined closing volumes (CV's) and closing volumes expressed as a percentage of the expired vital capacity (CV%VCe's) on 320 tracings were compared with four independently determined hand values. The differences between the computer and hand-determined closing volumes and closing volumes expressed as a percentage of the expired vital capacity were small enough to consider the computer as another reader and were not clinically significant.
Associability and anagram solution

Ten undergraduates solved 11 word anagrams that had been scaled for associability. Partialling out the effect of solution associability, solution time and anagram associability were negatively correlated. Partialling out the effect of anagram associability, solution time and solution associability were positively correlated. These results were replicated in a second experiment in which 10 additional undergraduates solved the 11 word anagrams in the opposite direction. It was concluded that associability mediates the ease with which a solver breaks down a given anagram and conversely, the difficulty with which a solver finds a given solution.
Integrative mechanisms in the growth of knowledge: a legacy of Manfred Kochen

Abstract Within the extensive writings of Manfred Kochen can be found a recurrent and intriguing theme of extraordinary importance, a theme encompassing first of all the thesis that the growth of knowledge gives rise to the problem of fragmentation. That problem in turn stimulates the study of integrative mechanisms. Kochen has persuasively argued that synthesis, evaluation, and the creation of connections between fragments all deserve higher priority than they are presently accorded. He has also analyzed cerain simple knowledge structures from the viewpoint of cognitive science in an attempt to capture what is essential for explaining how knowledge can grow in the mind. It is shown here how a similar model can be applied to science literature structures in a way that demonstrates the possibility of discovering new knowledge by assembling and conecting published fragments in novel ways. It is further shown how Kochen's analysis of the “small world phenomenon” (networks of acquaintances) involves problems and questions similar to those that arise in the study of linkages between scientific articles.
Optimal truss plates

Sandwich plates comprised of truss cores faced with either planar trusses or solid sheets are optimally designed for minimum weight subject to prescribed combinations of bending and transverse shear loads. Motivated by recent advances in manufacturing possibilities, attention is focussed on plates with truss elements and faces made from a single material. The optimized plates are compared with similarly optimized honeycomb core sandwich plates fashioned from the same material. Sandwich plates with solid sheet faces and truss cores are highly efficient from a weight standpoint. These are also studied for their performance as compression panels. Optimized compression panels of this construction compare favorably with the most efficient stringer stiffened plates.
Classroom Use of the Personal Computer to Teach Statistics.

I investigated the benefits of using a single personal computer and a projection system to teach undergraduate statistics. In this article, I outline the method used and the hardware and software required. Educational objectives are identified, and the attitudinal and pedagogical effectiveness of the method is discussed.
Essential thrombocythemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Allogeneic transplant recipients are at high risk of developing secondary malignancies as a late complication of therapy. We report a case of essential thrombocythemia occurring 8 years following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Axial rotation dependence of resonances in curved CO2-laser-induced long-period fibre gratings

The magnitude and wavelength of transmission resonances in curved CO/sub 2/-laser-induced long-period fibre gratings (LPFGs) are shown to exhibit a strong dependence on the axial rotational orientation of the LPFGs.
Doppler Assessment of Renal Resistive Indices in Patients with Pregnancy Induced Hydronephrosis

Diagnostic ultrasound is the method of choice for screening suspected urinary tract obstructions. Recent research indicates that renal resistive indices obtained with duplex Doppler sonography are ...
Constraints on the Moon's origin from the partitioning behaviour of tungsten

An evaluation is conducted of the parameters which control the partitioning of W between metal and silicate in the moon, taking into account information on the possible magnitudes of the lunar W depletion and the possible lunar metal content. A major question regarding depletion of W during partial melting is found to be related to the very homogeneous W/La ratios in lunar samples. It is concluded that a metal content consistent with present geophysical constraints on the size of a metallic lunar core could account for the depletion of W observed in lunar rocks. The low W/La ratio of the moon cannot be used as evidence for the formation of the moon from the earth's mantle by fission following terrestrial core formation. The approximate coincidence of W/La ratios in the earth, moon, and eucrite parent body may only reflect the operation of the same depletion mechanism in similar conditions on several parent bodies.
Abrasion Resistance of Multifilament and Staple Yarns Tested on Modified Walker Abrader

Nine multifilament yarns and 18 staple yarns were tested on a modified Walker Abrader using the same low tension for all yarns. To correct all filament yarns to the same fineness (100 den.), multiple strands of filament viscose 100/40 were tested, and a correction factor was obtained. In the same manner, multiple strands of Kuralon 80/2 were tested to obtain a correction factor for staple yarns. The Walker Abrader results for staple yarns were also corrected to 100 den.After the results had been corrected, acetate filament yarn was found to have the lowest abrasion resistance and nylon filament yarn the highest abrasion resistance among the filament yarns. In the staple yarns, acetate 20/1 had the lowest abrasion resistance, and Dacron 60/2 (worsted) had the highest abrasion resistance. Comparing staple and filament yarns, acetate staple 20/1 had the lowest abrasion resistance, and nylon 100/40/2.5 filament had the highest abrasion resistance.In general, the abrasion resistance of filament yarns was great...
Separating the Nature and Nurture of the Allocation of Energy in Response to Global Change

Synopsis Understanding and predicting biological stability and change in the face of rapid anthropogenic modifications of ecosystems and geosystems are grand challenges facing environmental and life scientists. Physiologically, organisms withstand environmental stress through changes in biochemical regulation that maintain homeostasis, which necessarily demands tradeoffs in the use of metabolic energy. Evolutionarily, in response to environmentally forced energetic tradeoffs, populations adapt based on standing genetic variation in the ability of individual organisms to reallocate metabolic energy. Combined study of physiology and genetics, separating ‘‘Nature and Nurture,’’ is, thus, the key to understanding the potential for evolutionary adaptation to future global change. To understand biological responses to global change, we need experimentally tractable model species that have the well-developed physiological, genetic, and genomic resources necessary for partitioning variance in the allocation of metabolic energy into its causal components. Model species allow for discovery and for experimental manipulation of relevant phenotypic contrasts and enable a systems-biology approach that integrates multiple levels of analyses to map genotypic-to-phenotypic variation. Here, we illustrate how combined physiological and genetic studies that focus on energy metabolism in developmental stages of a model marine organism contribute to an understanding of the potential to adapt to environmental change. This integrative research program provides insights that can be readily incorporated into individual-based ecological models of population persistence under global change.
Fission after division primordium removal in the ciliate Stentor coeruleus and comparable experiments on reorganizers.

Abstract 1. 1. Following excision of division primordia even at the earliest stages, stentors can go on to complete nuclear and cytoplasmic division without the normally concomitant development of this oral primordium. 2. 2. The majority of the dividers did not replace the excised primordium by formation of a new one. 3. 3. Reorganizers are like dividers in also continuing on this course after primordium excision, resorbing the old mouth although no new one is ready to take its place, and in not renewing the oral primordium in the majority of cases. 4. 4. Regenerators, in contrast, promptly replace the excised oral primordium by formation of a new one, as here confirmed. The relevance of these findings to the problem of cell division in ciliates and to the interpretation of the reorganization process is indicated.
A longitudinal evaluation of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD in detecting war-related stress symptomatology.

The long-term psychological effects of war-related stress were assessed 3 years after the Persian Gulf War with the Mississippi Scale for Desert Storm War Zone Personnel (M-PTSD-DS), developed from the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (M-PTSD; Keane, Caddell, & Taylor, 1988). The M-PTSD-DS scores of 30 Marine reservists were compared with the number of DSM-III-R PTSD criteria each met at two points in time, initially at 3 months after the Gulf War and again 3 years later. Findings support the construct validity (sensitivity) of this scale in the immediate and longitudinal measurement of relatively nonpathological degrees of war-related stress in reservists not involved in direct fighting. Initial level of PTSD symptomatology upon returning from a war zone was predictive of M-PTSD-DS scores 3 years later. This scale was effective in detecting varying degrees of war-related stress in this self-selected group of reservists and warrants further study. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 54: 1085–1090, 1998.
Optimum damping locations for structural vibration control

A technique for determining the optimum damper locations and damping rates for a flexible structure has been developed. Using a nonlinear-mathematical-programming algorithm, a diagonal damping matrix is determined such that specified modes have a prescribed modal damping ratio. The design objective is to minimize the total damping effort while constraining the modal damping ratio to be equal or greater than the prescribed amount. Additional constraints require the diagonal elements of the damping matrix to be positive which guarantees that all modes of the damped system will be stable. Results are shown for a uniform free-free beam.
Zenith/Nadir Pointing mm-Wave Radars: Linear or Circular Polarization?

We consider zenith/nadir pointing atmospheric radars and explore the effects of different dual-polarization architectures on the retrieved variables: reflectivity, depolarization ratio, cross-polar coherence, and degree of polarization. Under the assumption of azimuthal symmetry, when the linear depolarization ratio (LDR) and circular depolarization ratio (CDR) modes are compared, it is found that for most atmospheric scatterers reflectivity is comparable, whereas the depolarization ratio dynamic range is maximized at CDR mode by at least 3 dB. In the presence of anisotropic (aligned) scatterers, that is, when azimuthal symmetry is broken, polarimetric variables at CDR mode do have the desirable property of rotational invariance and, further, the dynamic range of CDR can be significantly larger than the dynamic range of LDR. The physical meaning of the cross-polar coherence is revisited in terms of scattering symmetries, that is, departure from reflection symmetry for the LDR mode and departure from rotation symmetry for the CDR mode. The Simultaneous Transmission and Simultaneous Reception mode (STSR mode or hybrid mode or ZDR mode) is also theoretically analyzed for the case of zenith/nadir pointing radars and, under the assumption of azimuthal symmetry, relations are given to compare measurements obtained at hybrid mode with measurements obtained from orthogonal (LDR and CDR) modes.
Future x-ray missions

Recent results from XMM-Newton and Chandra show that sufficiently sensitive x_ray imaging and spectroscopic capabilities allow one to observe the evolution of active galaxies out to z ~ 6, the x-ray signature of luminous star forming galaxies at z~3, as well as the origin and evolution of cosmic structure. With the advent of new optical/UV/IR and radio capabilities in the next decade, it is appropriate to evaluate the future capabilities of planned x-ray missions (e.g., Constellation_X and Astro-E2) as well as other missions being developed (e.g., Gen-X, XEUS, and Astro-G) or under advance planning (MAXIM and EXIST). I will present a summary of the present status of the field and the capabilities of these missions for extragalactic x-ray astronomy.
Observational and clinical trial findings on the comparative effectiveness of diabetes drugs showed agreement.

Abstract Objectives This study compares an observational study of diabetes treatment effectiveness to randomized controlled trials to assess their convergent validity. Study Design and Setting Multivariate models were developed using observational data to describe change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; % unit) and weight (kilograms) after addition of a second-line oral diabetes drug to metformin monotherapy. Randomized trials of these scenarios were systematically identified. The models were used to simulate each trial, and simulated and actual results were compared by linear regression and meta-analysis. Results Thirty-two randomized trials of second-line diabetes oral therapy were identified. For all outcomes and drugs studied, simulation and actual results correlated ( P Conclusion An observational study of diabetes drug effectiveness showed convergent validity with randomized data. This supports cautious use of the observational research to draw conclusions about drug effectiveness in populations not studied in clinical trials. This approach may be useful in other situations where observational and randomized data need integration.
Complex dynamics in the 1:3 spatial resonance

Abstract The interaction between two steady-state bifurcations with spatial wave numbers in the ratio 1:3 is considered. Periodic boundary conditions are assumed. The resulting O(2) equivariant normal form, truncated at third order, exhibits a number of global bifurcations that may result in complex dynamics. The origin of this behavior is elucidated with the help of careful numerical simulations and analysis of appropriate return maps. The results generalize to other 1: n resonances.
Carbonyl and trifluorophosphine adducts of bis(2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)titanium and bis(2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)vanadium

The syntheses of mono(carbonyl) and mono(trifluorophosphine) adducts of bis(2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)titanium and bis(2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)vanadium are described. Characterization has been achieved by routine spectral and analytical procedures. Detailed 1H and 13C NMR studies, as well as electron paramagnetic resonance and comparative infrared studies have been carried out in order to gain further understanding of the electronic nature of pentadienylmetal compounds, particularly compared to cyclopentadienylmetal compounds. Thus, infrared and EPR studies of V(C5H5)2(CO) and V(2,4-C7H11)2(CO) suggest that the withdrawal of electron density by the 2,4-dimethylpentadienyl ligand is considerably greater than that by the cyclopentadienyl ligand
Participation in Development: New Avenues

Abstract Political redemocratization now occurring in numerous countries of Asia and Latin America challenges both the rule of dictators and their elitist development strategies. This essay argues that new modes of popular participation are needed in the transition to equitable development. The author classifies diverse forms of participation, assesses lessons of experience, illustrates new forms of participation in Sri Lanka and Brazil, and summarizes the strategic importance of new approaches. Participation is newly conceptualized as a “moral incentive” allowing the powerless poor to negotiate new “material incentives” for themselves, and as a leverage point permitting successful micro actors to gain entry into macro arenas of decision making. Criteria are established for authentic participation, and its indispensable role in the pursuit of equitable development and political democracy is justified.
Freedericksz Transition in Nematics: Effects of Non-Linear Shear Profile and Elastic Anisotropy

Using the nematodynamic equations of Ericksen and Leslie, we investigate the nature of the Freedericksz transition for elastically anisotropic nematic liquid crystals between parallel plates and subject to a shear and an external magnetic field. Two types of velocity profiles are considered: the simplified (linear) profile where the velocity gradient in the bulk of the sample is constant and a more realistic non-linear profile. We investigate and characterize the differences in the director distortions and the onset of transition in these cases for a range of external field strengths.
Antiinfectives Update: Focus on Treatment and Prevention of Viral and Associated Infections:

OBJECTIVE:To review the clinically significant antiinfectives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1996, with an emphasis on agents used for treatment, prevention, or suppression of infection in immunocompromised individuals.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search covering November 1994 to March 1998 was conducted to identify all antiinfectives (new medications and old medications with new indications) and the pertinent literature for review. The search was updated in August 1998 and supplemented with an FDA listing of approved drugs to enhance completeness.STUDY SELECTION:Clinically relevant studies were selected to highlight specific points about each medication. Preclinical publications were used when sufficient information was not available from clinical trials and this information was needed for clinical practice.CONCLUSIONS:Several new and promising antiretroviral agents (stavudine, lamivudine, saquinavir soft-gel capsules, nelfinavir, efavirenz) have been approved, which may allow more op...
Biomolecule‐Directed Assembly of Self‐Supported, Nanoporous, Conductive, and Luminescent Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Scaffolds

A single-walled carbon nanotube self-suspended network of exceptionally low density is formed by DNA-streptavidin-assisted assembly where the DNA complex serves as a cross-shaped point connector. The macroscopic nanotube aerogel is conductive and luminescent and presents an excellent scaffold for subsequent functionalization. For example, platinum and titanium dioxide coating of the nanotube network is demonstrated.
The interfacial stresses in particulate composite systems

It is postulated that property gradients exist at the interface forming an “interphase” between the insert and the matrix. Such gradients might be caused by partial solubility and diffusivity of the two phases comprising a composite. For simplicity, the “interphase” is replaced by a shell exhibiting averaged properties (Eshell = 1/2 Einsert + 1/2 Ematrix, etc.). An exact linear elastic solution was employed to evaluate stress fields throughout all regions. The possible effect of the “interphase” and its thickness on several physical properties of the composite are evaluated in terms of the particular stress fields.
Understanding and Applying Psychology through Use of News Clippings

To promote application of course material to the world outside the classroom, students prepared portfolios of magazine articles and newspaper clippings that illustrated psychological concepts. For each clipping, students wrote a brief description or explanation of how it related to a psychological concept, theory, or research covered in class or the textbook. Students evaluated the project positively on several dimensions, including increased knowledge about course material and application of material outside the classroom.
The frontal lobes and the regulation of mental activity

Results of neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies of frontal lobe function have been interpreted by some as evidence for specialized modules that are localized to distinct regions of frontal cortex, and that differ in both content and process from those in neighboring regions. These descriptions stand in stark contrast to the many domain-general theoretical accounts of the regulatory role of the frontal lobes in cognition. Recent attempts to understand how general regulatory mechanisms might operate across multiple domains (e.g. working memory, sentence comprehension) have been increasingly important in our understanding of the frontal lobes.
A Comparative Analysis of ADL Questions in Surveys of Older People

This article describes questions designed to assess limitations with respect to activities of daily living (ADLs) that were asked on the first wave of the AHEAD study, and it assesses their cross-sectional measurement properties. It also provides comparisons between those questions and parallel questions that have been asked on two other surveys of the elderly population in the United States: the 1984 Supplement on Aging (SOA) to the National Health Interview Survey and the screener for the 1982 National Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS). It also compares a single item from the 1990 Census. It then compares the ways in which the same individuals answer these different versions of ADL questions, using data from subsamples of the AHEAD respondents who were also asked the SOA, NLTCS, or Census questions. The analysis shows that there is a substantial amount of measurement error in the answers to ADL questions, and it suggests that this is a major contributor to apparent improvements and declines in functional health observed in longitudinal data.
Mark and recapture studies of Hylobius pales (Herbst) (Col., Curculionidae) for measuring bait and trap efficacy

The pales weevil, Hylobius pales (Herbst) (Col., Curculionidae) is an important regeneration pest of Pinus seedlings and a secondary pest of Christmas tree plantations in the United States. Attempts to sample this endemic pest in Virginia, USA with simulated host odors of ethanol and turpentine have met with varying levels of success. Mark- and-recapture techniques were used to assess the efficacy of various combinations of host volatiles, pine billets, and trap designs for capturing H. pales adults. No differences were observed in the number of H. pales caught between pit and PVC pitfall traps containing the same bait type. Traps containing freshly cut Pinus strobus L. billets caught significantly more weevils than traps containing synthetic volatiles alone. Traps baited with freshly cut P. strobus caught significantly more weevils than those containing P. strobus cut 2 months previously. The synthetic attractant components of ethanol and turpentine were most effective when presented in a combined bait blend than when released from separate vials. Overall, traps baited with combined blends of 5: 1 ethanol-turpentine and freshly cut P. strobus were most effective in capturing H. pales. Hylobius pales showed no attraction to unbaited PVC pitfall or pit traps. Males and females responded similarly to all treatments.
Modified equations of the first kind for the Helmholtz equation

Integral equations of the first kind for exterior problems arising in the study of the three-dimensional Helmholtz equation are considered. These equations are derived by seeking solutions in the form of layer potentials with modified fundamental solutions. For each first kind equation, existence and uniqueness of solution are proved with the aid of composition relations involving associated modified boundary integral operators. For the Dirichlet problem, an optimal choice of the modification coefficients is considered in order to minimize the condition number of the resulting integral operator. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated genetic analysis microsystems

With the completion of the Human Genome Project and the ongoing DNA sequencing of the genomes of other animals, bacteria, plants and others, a wealth of new information about the genetic composition of organisms has become available. However, as the demand for sequence information grows, so does the workload required both to generate this sequence and to use it for targeted genetic analysis. Microfabricated genetic analysis systems are well poised to assist in the collection and use of these data through increased analysis speed, lower analysis cost and higher parallelism leading to increased assay throughput. In addition, such integrated microsystems may point the way to targeted genetic experiments on single cells and in other areas that are otherwise very difficult. Concomitant with these advantages, such systems, when fully integrated, should be capable of forming portable systems for high-speed in situ analyses, enabling a new standard in disciplines such as clinical chemistry, forensics, biowarfare detection and epidemiology. This review will discuss the various technologies available for genetic analysis on the microscale, and efforts to integrate them to form fully functional robust analysis devices.
A trial of 3 interventions to promote colorectal cancer screening in African Americans.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. CRC incidence and mortality rates are higher among blacks than among whites, and screening rates are lower in blacks than in whites. For the current study, the authors tested 3 interventions that were intended to increase the rate of CRC screening among African Americans. METHODS: The following interventions were chosen to address evidence gaps in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guide to Community Preventive Services: one-on-one education, group education, and reducing out-of-pocket costs. Three hundred sixty-nine African-American men and women aged � 50 years were enrolled in this randomized, controlled community intervention trial. The main outcome measures were postintervention increase in CRC knowledge and obtaining a screening test within 6 months. RESULTS: There was substantial attrition: Two hundred fifty-seven participants completed the intervention and were available for follow-up 3 months to 6 months later. Among completers, there were significant increases in knowledge in both educational cohorts but in neither of the other 2 cohorts. By the 6-month follow-up, 17.7% (11 of 62 participants) of the Control cohort reported having undergone screening compared with 33.9% (22 of 65 participants) of the Group Education cohort (P ¼ .039). Screening rate increases in the other 2 cohorts were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that group education could increase CRC cancer screening rates among African Americans. The screening rate of <35% in a group of individuals who participated in an educational program through multiple sessions over a period of several weeks indicated that there still are barriers to overcome. Cancer 2010;116:922–9. V C 2010 American Cancer Society.
Three-dimensional printing of anatomically accurate, patient specific intracranial aneurysm models

Objective To develop and validate a method for creating realistic, patient specific replicas of cerebral aneurysms by means of fused deposition modeling. Methods The luminal boundaries of 10 cerebral aneurysms, together with adjacent proximal and distal sections of the parent artery, were segmented based on DSA images, and corresponding virtual three-dimensional (3D) surface reconstructions were created. From these, polylactic acid and MakerBot Flexible Filament replicas of each aneurysm were created by means of fused deposition modeling. The accuracy of the replicas was assessed by quantifying statistical significance in the variations of their inner dimensions relative to 3D DSA images. Feasibility for using these replicas as flow phantoms in combination with phase contrast MRI was demonstrated. Results 3D printed aneurysm models were created for all 10 subjects. Good agreement was seen between the models and the source anatomy. Aneurysm diameter measurements of the printed models and source images correlated well (r=0.999; p Conclusions The 3D printed aneurysm models presented were accurate and were able to be produced inhouse. These models can be used for previously cited applications, but their anatomical accuracy also enables their use as MRI flow phantoms for comparison with ongoing studies of computational fluid dynamics. Proof of principle imaging experiments confirm MRI flow phantom utility.
OPNp1-4: Full-Connectivity Optical WDM Interconnects Using Fixed-range Wavelength Conversion

In this paper, we present a new design approach for WDM optical interconnects that reduces both switching and wavelength conversion complexity. The proposed design approach employs wavelength conversion strictly between two pre-specified wavelengths, independent of the total number of wavelengths in the network, thus eliminating the need for wide-range converters. We investigate both single-stage and multi-stage interconnects. For the single-stage design, we present a full-connectivity interconnect with a smaller number of switching elements compared to most existing designs. For multi-stage interconnects, we consider 3-stage designs, and present two design methods and investigate optimal interconnects for each of the two methods. Finally, we present a cost model to analyze the hardware complexity of the different designs. Cost analysis shows that, the proposed designs can achieve a significant cost saving compared to most designs. In particular, under various conditions, the proposed designs can achieve up to 40 % reduction in cost compared to best known 3-stage designs.
Assembly of A beta amyloid protofibrils: an in vitro model for a possible early event in Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid fibrils comprising primarily the peptides Aβ40 and Aβ42 are a defining feature of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, and convergent evidence suggests that the process of their formation plays a central role in the AD pathogenic pathway. Elucidation of fibril assembly is critical for the discovery of potential AD diagnostics and therapeutics, since the pathogenic entity is not necessarily the product fibril, but could be a precursor species whose formation is linked to fibrillogenesis in vivo. Atomic force microscopy allowed the identification of an unanticipated intermediate in in vitro fibril formation, the Aβ amyloid protofibril. This manuscript describes studies of the structure of the Aβ40 protofibril and its in vitro assembly and disassembly using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The Aβ40 protofibril has a height of ca. 4.3 ± 0.5 nm and a periodicity of ca. 20 ± 4.7 nm. The rate of its elongation depends on the total concentration of Aβ40, the temperature, and ionic strength of the medium. Aβ4...
Dysfunctional visual word form processing in progressive alexia

Progressive alexia is an acquired reading deficit caused by degeneration of brain regions that are essential for written word processing. Functional imaging studies have shown that early processing of the visual word form depends on a hierarchical posterior-to-anterior processing stream in occipito-temporal cortex, whereby successive areas code increasingly larger and more complex perceptual attributes of the letter string. A region located in the left lateral occipito-temporal sulcus and adjacent fusiform gyrus shows maximal selectivity for words and has been dubbed the ‘visual word form area’. We studied two patients with progressive alexia in order to determine whether their reading deficits were associated with structural and/or functional abnormalities in this visual word form system. Voxel-based morphometry showed left-lateralized occipito-temporal atrophy in both patients, very mild in one, but moderate to severe in the other. The two patients, along with 10 control subjects, were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging as they viewed rapidly presented words, false font strings, or a fixation crosshair. This paradigm was optimized to reliably map brain regions involved in orthographic processing in individual subjects. All 10 control subjects showed a posterior-to-anterior gradient of selectivity for words, and all 10 showed a functionally defined visual word form area in the left hemisphere that was activated for words relative to false font strings. In contrast, neither of the two patients with progressive alexia showed any evidence for a selectivity gradient or for word-specific activation of the visual word form area. The patient with mild atrophy showed normal responses to both words and false font strings in the posterior part of the visual word form system, but a failure to develop selectivity for words in the more anterior part of the system. In contrast, the patient with moderate to severe atrophy showed minimal activation of any part of the visual word form system for either words or false font strings. Our results suggest that progressive alexia is associated with a dysfunctional visual word form system, with or without substantial cortical atrophy. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate that functional MRI has the potential to reveal the neural bases of cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative patients at very early stages, in some cases before the development of extensive atrophy.
Image enhancement by noncontrast harmonic echocardiography. Part II. Quantitative assessment with use of contrast-to-speckle ratio.

Objective To ascertain whether "harmonic imaging"—use of ultrasound signals with the frequency twice that of the transmitted signal for ultrasound image generation—can improve image contrast while reducing noise. Methods Technically difficult echocardiograms (nonvisualization of 2 or more endocardial segments in a 16-segment model) from 25 patients were analyzed. Corresponding fundamental and harmonic images of the left ventricle in the apical four-chamber, two-chamber, and long-axis views were divided into basal, mid, and apical regions. The difference in image quality between fundamental and harmonic scans was assessed by using the muscle-to-cavity contrast-to-speckle ratio (CSR mc ). Results The mean CSR mc values of pooled data revealed significant image enhancement by harmonic scanning (CSR mc increased from 0.84 to 1.06; P mc values in 68% of all scans. Regional analysis indicated the most enhancement in basal regions (CSR mc increased from 0.96 to 1.34; P mc increased from 0.84 to 1.04; P mc increased from 0.68 to 0.74; P = 0.0138) left ventricular regions. Conclusion Noncontrast harmonic imaging significantly enhances suboptimal echocardiographic images, particularly in the regions distant from the transducer.
Activity of lactic dehydrogenase and its isozymes in bovine semen.

Abstract Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH, LDH-1, and LDH-5 isozymes activity has been determined in 101 semen samples from 12 young Holstein-Friesian bulls. Highly significant (P
PILOT: an interactive tool for learning and grading

We describe a Web-based interactive system, called PILOT, for testing computer science concepts. The strengths of PILOT are its universal access and platform independence, its use as an algorithm visualization tool, its ability to test algorithmic concepts, its support for graph generation and layout, its automated grading mechanism, and its ability to award partial credit to proposed solutions.
Recognition, Memory Retrieval, Mental Set, and Other Decisional Operations of the Neocortex

In the last chapter, the attentional process was presented somewhat mechanically as a two-phase evaluating process—upstream and downstream—with the two phases activated, respectively, at the subcortical thalamic—basal gangliar complex and after substantial processing in the cortex, in the amygdaloid—hippocampal complex. Subject to influences impinging on them from the surrounding behavioral systems, these centers either (1) activate or fail to activate the consciousness system, (2) excite or inhibit arousal and brain activation, (3) tie positively evaluated events into the consciousness system, and (4) appropriately direct the beam of attention.