cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving Introductory Calculus Education with 3-D Visualizationand Virtual Touch (Haptics)

Despite advances in 3-D computer graphics, students in introductory calculus classes still learn mainly by working with equations and the occasional 2-D diagram. When moving to more complex levels of calculations, we observed a need for aiding the students' understanding via 3-D visualization, but without the use of powerful, yet complicated, professional math software. In this paper, we will discuss some of the issues that early college students have visualizing 3-D mathematical shapes and graphs in their minds and what the use of 3-D computer graphics and the simulation of touch (computer haptics) can do to help. We are working on a simple and intuitive application that enables a student to enter a mathematical equation and to see and touch its shape in 3-D. This combined view/touch approach may lead students in introductory calculus classes to a better understanding of complex mathematical equations; a study testing this hypothesis is planned for the fall. Further applications using this technology could be adapted to teach visually impaired students about calculus and about 3-D shapes in general.
Emotion Regulation and Psychopathology: The Role of Gender

This review addresses three questions regarding the relationships among gender, emotion regulation, and psychopathology: (a) are there gender differences in emotion regulation strategies, (b) are emotion regulation strategies similarly related to psychopathology in men and women, and (c) do gender differences in emotion regulation strategies account for gender differences in psychopathology? Women report using most emotion regulation strategies more than men do, and emotion regulation strategies are similarly related to psychopathology in women and men. More rumination in women compared to men partially accounts for greater depression and anxiety in women compared to men, while a greater tendency to use alcohol to cope partially accounts for more alcohol misuse in men compared to women. The literature on emotion regulation is likely missing vital information on how men regulate their emotions. I discuss lessons learned and questions raised about the relationships between gender differences in emotion regu...
Dr. Stephen Graham's Narration of the “ Duplin Insurrection ”: Additional Evidence of the Impact of Nat Turner

When Liberty Hall, as it came to be called, the ancestral home of the Kenan family, was being restored some years ago in Kenansville (Duplin County), North Carolina, among the many books left in the library was discovered an accounts ledger used by two members of the Chauncey Graham family.1 The most significant feature of this complex book is the obscurely entered, first-hand account of a supposed slave insurrection and its conse quences. The author is Dr. Stephen Graham, and the uprising that he depicts in Kenansville can be linked to the furor unleashed by the Nat Turner rebellion.
Recent advances in etched cast restorations

This article described the etched cast restoration. The advantages, disadvantages, indications, contraindications, and technique were discussed. The rationale for modifications in the original framework design and tooth preparation was also presented; some unique advantages over traditional fixed prosthodontics are provided. A retentive framework with maximum coverage is recommended until research expands and simplifies the technique.
The implications of change in population size, distribution, and composition on the number of overweight and obese adults and the direct and indirect cost associated with overweight and obese adults in Texas through 2040.

Changes in population characteristics are associated with changes in the prevalence of physical and related health conditions with alternative types of population change leading to change in the prevalence of certain conditions. Examination of the effects of future demographic change on such conditions is, in turn, critical for understanding the future need for various types of health-related facilities and services. This article provides an example of how future demographic changes are likely to impact overweight and obese status in Texas, a rapidly growing and diversifying state. Specifically it uses population decomposition techniques to examine the relative impacts of population growth, aging and changes in the racial/ethnic composition of the population on increases in the prevalence and related costs of overweight and obesity in Texas, an important input for the formulation of statewide health policies. The number of overweight adults in Texas is projected to increase from 5.5 million in 2000 to 16.0 million in 2040, and the number of obese adults to increase from 3.5 million in 2000 to 14.6 million in 2040. The largest projected increases occur among Hispanics and other minority populations and for all race/ethnicity groups the increases are largest among those who are 65 years of age and older. Decomposition analysis indicates that of the projected increase of 10.5 million overweight adults from 2000 to 2040, 54.0% is attributable to population increase, 15.0% to change in age distribution, and 31.0% to change in racial/ethnic composition. Of the projected increase in the number of obese adults, 61.6% is due to population change and 38.4% to change in racial/ethnic composition. The annual costs associated with overweight and obesity prevalence are expected to increase from $10.5 billion in 2000 to $40.3 billion in 2040. The results suggest that services to address these conditions will need to be widely dispersed across the state with particular concentrations of the elderly, Hispanics, and Other minority populations.
The Ultrasound Assisted Oxidation of α-Substituted Carbonyl Compounds to Carboxylic Acids

Abstract Carbonyl compounds containing electron-withdrawing substituents are efficiently oxidized by percarbonate and superoxide using ultrasound.
A Review of Biofeedback for Mental Disorders

Although biofeedback was developed by psychologists, it has been most widely used in the treatment of psychophysiological and medical disorders and less frequently used to control symptoms of psychopathology and mental disorders. The authors review studies in which biofeedback was used in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, alcohol and drug dependence, and tardive dyskinesia. The studies indicate that biofeedback can help selected patients modify specific responses or response patterns associated with a mental disorder. It appears to be most suitable for patients and disorders in which physiological processes can be identified as relevant. However, the findings offer little support for biofeedback as the treatment of choice for any mental disorder.
GaAs negative electron affinity photocathode preparation by atomic hydrogen

Summary form only given, as follows. Negative electron affinity (NEA) GaAs photocathodes are widely used in imaging tubes such as image intensifiers, streak cameras and photomultipliers, and recently proposed for applications in electron beam lithography and NEA-based microelectronics. GaAs activation to NEA requires an atomically clean crystal surface which is obtained by a chemical process followed by heating in ultrahigh vacuum. In this work, we prepare GaAs(100) NEA photocathodes by atomic hydrogen bombardment. Atomic hydrogen is known to cause a homogeneous desorption of carbon and oxide contaminants from GaAs surfaces, which can replace the chemical cleaning process and reduce the GaAs cleaning temperature. The preparation of the photocathodes by atomic hydrogen is performed at 450/spl deg/C while the conventional heat cleaning is performed at 600-700/spl deg/C. The high temperature cleaning causes preferential desorption of As and can destroy the photocathode. The samples are then activated to NEA by alternately depositing cesium and oxygen to maximize the photoemission. Cesium and oxygen are known to reduce the vacuum level below the bulk conduction band minimum producing a NEA surface with high quantum efficiency (QE) defined as the number of emitted electrons per incident photon. When we exposed the photocathodes to atomic hydrogen before activation, a QE of /spl sim/8.3% and /spl sim/5.3 % was produced when excited with 632.8 nm and 780 nm lasers, respectively. For a current of 1 /spl mu/A, the QE is reduced by /spl sim/25% after continuous operation for 13 hours.
Timer Interaction in Route Flap Damping

Route Flap Damping is a mechanism generally used in network routing protocols. Its goal is to limit the global impact of unstable routes by temporarily suppressing routes with rapid changes over short time periods. Although route damping is a clearly defined and simple procedure at each router, its effect in a large network setting is not well understood. We show that the current damping design leads to the intended behavior only under persistent route flapping. When the number of flaps is small, the global routing dynamics deviates significantly from the expected behavior with a longer convergence delay. Previous work observed that a single route flap can falsely trigger route suppression due to path exploration. However our simulations show that this false suppression only accounts for 30% of the convergence delay after a single route flap. Our study reveals previously unknown interactions between reuse timers at different routers. Route suppression and reuse at different routers are triggered at different times and thus affect the number of updates received by other routers. In turn, this impacts other routers' damping behavior. We propose to use Root Cause Notification to eliminate both false suppression and undesirable timer interaction
An information-centric architecture for data center networks

We propose a new Data Center Network (DCN) architecture, based on the principles of Information-Centric Networking (ICN). Our Info-Centric Data Center Network (IC-DCN) addresses many of the pain-points in current DCNs, such as network scalability, host mobility, etc. At the same time, IC-DCN introduces a number of new features to the current information-centric network architectures. We achieve this goal by decoupling the control-plane and data-plane functionalities. The control-plane is implemented in a centralized manner, while the data-plane is fully distributed. We show that IC-DCN effectively addresses many of the ICN challenges in the data center, such as routing scalability, full network utilization, and name space management.
Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Biopsy With a Dedicated Breast Scanner: Initial Evaluation

Efforts to create dedicated nuclear medicine breast imaging scanners are maturing as they approach more routine clinical use. These systems promise to improve the detection of small lesions, especially those in breasts that are not definitively imaged with standard methods. Since these techniques lack sufficient specificity for accurate diagnoses of cancer, a method for guiding biopsies with these new devices must be developed. In this investigation, a technique that capitalizes upon the three-dimensional, multi-angle positron emission tomography (PET) breast images created by our new positron emission mammography/tomography imaging and biopsy device (PEM-PET) to guide breast biopsies was tested. Specifically, the accuracy and precision of the needle positioning system was measured for each of the three axes of motion. In addition, a biopsy of a simulated breast lesion was performed under realistic imaging conditions. The results from the positioning tests revealed that the system had very good accuracy and precision in all three axes. The maximum positioning error was plusmn 0.27 mm, sufficient to obtain samples from most lesions detected with PEM-PET. In addition, the simulated biopsy was performed successfully on a single attempt in obtaining a sample from a 5-mm-diameter target sphere. This successful test moves the project closer to the next phase of development, initiation of limited human testing.
Modification and control of currents on an electrically long monopole using magnetic bead loading

With the growing demand for wireless communication systems has come growing opposition to increasing the numbers of cellular towers. A possible alternative to simply trying to hide the antenna mounting structure is to use parts of the existing environment as the radiating element. The simplest parts of an existing structure with which to begin such a study are conducting wires that may be part of an existing structure; these wires are electrically long at the frequencies where wireless communications are employed. To turn these electrically long wires into radiating elements, methods for modifying and controlling the natural current distribution on the wires are needed. We have investigated the use of magnetic beads to load an electrically long monopole and alter its input impedance and radiation properties. The current distribution can be shaped to resemble that of a quarter wavelength monopole. To obtain the required result, however, a magnetic bead with a large relative permeability was used, which may not be available at current wireless communication frequencies. Using alternating sections of magnetic and dielectric beads, it was found that lower permeability materials could be used to make the electrically long antenna behave as though it were a smaller element.
Motion Segmentation by Spatiotemporal Smoothness Using 5D Tensor Voting

Our goal is to recover temporal trajectories of all pixels in a reference image for the given image sequence, and segment the image based on motion similarities. These trajectories can be visualized by observing the 3D (x, y, t) spatiotemporal volume. The mathematical formalism describing the evolution of pixels in time is that of fiber bundles, but it is difficult to implement directly. Instead, we express the problem in a higher dimensional 5D space, in which pixels with coherent apparent motion produce smooth 3D layers. The coordinates in this 5D space are (x, y, t, vx, vy). It is initially populated by peaks of correlation. We then enforce smoothness both in the spatial and temporal domains simultaneously, using the tensor voting framework. Unlike the previous 4D approach which uses only two frames, we fully take advantage of the temporal information through multiple images, and it significantly improves the motion analysis results. The approach is generic, in the sense that it does not make restrictive assumptions on the observed scene or on the camera motion. We present some results on real data sets, and they are very good on even challenging image sequences such as serious occlusion.
Optimizing Tilapia, Oreochromis sp., Marketing Strategies in Nicaragua: A Mixed‐integer Transshipment Model Analysis

Tilapia, Oreochromis sp., production has increased in the Central American region in recent years. Yet, commercial tilapia aquaculture has not developed in Nicaragua on the scale that it has in other neighboring countries. Although demand for tilapia products exists, lack of thorough understanding of domestic markets and coordinated production and marketing efforts have hampered the development of a domestic market. The objectives of this study were to quantify domestic marketing costs for tilapia produced in Nicaragua and develop a mixed-integer transshipment mathematical programming model to identify the most profitable marketing alternatives for tilapia farmers. Results suggested targeting primarily outlets with higher sales prices such as restaurants with supplemental production delivered to local supermarkets. The model chooses cities with weekly restaurant demand capable of absorbing the farm’s production with excess product sold to alternative outlets. Supply of farm-raised tilapia production in most regions of Nicaragua was insufficient and created problems associated with frequent and dependable deliveries required by higher paying outlets (restaurants and supermarkets). Larger farms will generate greater returns with regular consistent deliveries to higher priced restaurant outlets. Smaller farms with limited production volumes were not able to meet weekly delivery requirements. Biannual deliveries reduced transportation cost and sales price and were not profitable. However, sustaining markets with infrequent deliveries may not be feasible. This analysis provides guidelines for targeting those specific markets that optimize returns to specific farm sizes in specific regions.
Intrasellar pituicytoma in a patient with other endocrine neoplasms.

Abstract Considered a neoplasm of pituicytes, pituicytoma is a rare and distinct type of glioma that arises in the suprasellar space and within the sella turcica. Only 12 previously reported cases of pituicytoma are documented in the literature. We report an intrasellar pituicytoma in a 66-year-old man presenting with symptoms and radiologic appearance indistinguishable from a nonfunctional pituitary adenoma. The patient also had a medical history significant for parathyroid adenomas and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. The intrasellar tumor had morphologic features of a pituicytoma, with interlacing fascicles and a storiform pattern much like a benign fibrous histiocytoma. Immunoreactivity for S100 was strong, but the tumor lacked intercellular collagen type IV. The differential diagnosis of a low-grade spindle cell lesion of the sellar space is discussed, and the literature is reviewed. A summary of the clinical and pathologic features of this case, as well as the 12 previously reported cases, is pr...
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: still connecting the dots between genotype and phenotype

The current era of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has resulted in a resurgence of interest in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We are now much more aware of the various phenotypic expressions of this disease, which can manifest with typical septal thickening or other variants of hypertrophy, such as apical, midwall or concentric. Additionally, CMR has enabled us to appreciate the wide variety of abnormalities in papillary muscle morphology, which in some cases can contribute to left ventricular outflow tract or mid-cavitary level obstruction (1). In some subjects, mitral valve elongation, myocardial crypts, prominent apical trabeculation, papillary muscle thickening (with or without apical displacement) and abnormal chordal attachments may be subtle phenotypic HCM variants, despite normal left ventricular wall thickness. These abnormalities may be symptomatic to varying degrees or remain subclinical and be noted incidentally or on HCM familial screening programs. Whether these subjects will go on to develop progressive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or whether they are manifesting incomplete phenotypic penetrance of the disease process remains unclear.
Adiabatic thin-film evaporation of volatile organic compounds from industrial wastewater into a natural gas receiving stream

This work develops and presents design parameters for a novel unit operation: Adiabatic thin-film evaporation. Liquid flowing downward in a thin film is contacted with gas flowing upward. For applications involving the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater, this unit operation is employed and the process design is conducted. In order to prevent cross-media transfer of pollutants, the use of natural gas for the receiving stream is recommended. Subsequent use of the natural gas for fuel would result in destruction of the VOCs. Relative advantages and disadvantages of other technologies for this applications are discussed in detail. 29 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
Musings on the Wanderer: What's New in Our Understanding of Vago-Vagal Reflexes? I. Morphology and topography of vagal afferents innervating the GI tract

An understanding of the events initiating vago-vagal reflexes requires knowledge of mechanisms of transduction by vagal afferents. Such information presumes an understanding of receptor morphology and location. Anatomic studies have recently characterized two types of vagal afferents, both putative mechanoreceptors distributed in gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle. These two receptors are highly specialized in that they 1) are morphologically distinct, 2) have different smooth muscle targets, 3) form complexes with dissimilar accessory cells, and 4) vary in their regional distributions throughout the GI tract. By comparison, information on the architecture and regional distributions of other classes of vagal afferents, notably chemoreceptors, has only begun to accumulate. Progress on the study of the two mechanoreceptors, however, illustrates general principles and delineates experimental issues that may apply to other submodalities of vagal afferents. By extension from morphological and physiological observations on the two species of smooth muscle endings, it is reasonable to hypothesize that additional classes of vagal receptors are also differentiated morphologically and that they vary in structure, accessory cells, regional distributions, and other features. A full appreciation of vago-vagal reflexes will require thorough structural and regional analyses of each of the types of vagal receptors within the GI tract.
How Batterer Program Participants Avoid Reassault

Men recruited for a multisite batterer program evaluation were asked how they avoided violence at each 3-month follow-up interval over a 15-month period (n = 443), and later asked how their sense of women and being a man had changed (n = 120). More than half (53%) of the men reported relying on interruption methods, 19% on discussion, and 5% on respect of women at 3 months after intake. These percentages remained constant over the 15-month follow-up period. A fifth of the men reported positive changes in their attitudes toward women, and more than a third changed to a “great extent,” according to their female partners. Men in the longer programs were more likely to use discussion or respect methods and to have changed to a great extent.
Loading of the 3F3/2 Antigen onto Kinetochores Is Dependent on the Ordered Assembly of the Spindle Checkpoint Proteins

Accurate chromosome segregation is controlled by the spindle checkpoint, which responds to the lack of microtubule-kinetochore attachment or of tension across sister kinetochores through phosphorylation of kinetochore proteins by the Mps1, Bub1, BubR1, Aurora B, and Plk1/Plx1 kinases. The presence of the 3F3/2 phosphoepitope on kinetochores, generated by Plk1/Plx1-mediated phosphorylation of an unknown protein, correlates with the activation of the tension-sensitive checkpoint pathway. Using immunodepletion approach and a rephosphorylation assay in Xenopus extracts, we report here that not only the formation of the 3F3/2 phosphoepitope is dependent on the checkpoint activation but also the loading of the 3F3/2 substrate to kinetochores requires the prior assembly of Mps1, Bub1 and BubR1 onto kinetochores. Interestingly, generation of the 3F3/2 epitope in checkpoint extracts requires the kinase activities of Mps1 and Bub1 but not that of BubR1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that checkpoint proteins in Xenopus extracts are assembled onto kinetochores in a highly ordered pathway consisting of three steps. Mps1 and Bub1 are loaded first, and BubR1 and Plx1 second, followed by Mad1 and Mad2. The characterization of this ordered assembly pathway provides a framework for the biochemical mechanism of the checkpoint signaling and will aid in the eventual identification of the 3F3/2 substrate.
ALCOHOL ANALYSIS OF STORED WHOLE-BREATH SAMPLES BY AUTOMATED GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

A new method was developed to apply the advantages of automated gas chromatographic headspace analysis to delayed measurement of alcohol in whole breath (W-B). End-expiratory breath and vapor-alcohol samples were collected in sealed, heated 22-mL glass vials, stored for 0-15 days, and thereafter analyzed for alcohol by automated GC with aqueous calibrators without further sample preparation. The results were compared with those of direct alcohol determinations in closely adjacent breath samples by IR absorptiometry with an Intoxilyzer. The mean difference between 389 paired-sample breath-alcohol concentrations thus determined was close to zero; the correlation coefficient for linear regression of these results plus corresponding blanks was R=0.989. The new method is practical and reliable for law enforcement, clinical, and research applications of delayed breath-alcohol analysis.
THE POTENCY OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL HORMONE PREPARATIONS1

During the past few years we have made a study of assay methods for estrogenic, gonadotropic and adrenal cortex hormones, and as part of this study have assayed a number of commercial hormone preparations. It seems desirable to bring together in one paper the results obtained on these preparations, as well as others not reported previously. It is not the purpose of this report to cast aspersions on the products of any company. As compared with epinephrin or insulin, these hormones are of relatively recent development, uniform assay methods have not been adopted, nor has the problem of deterioration been sufficiently studied. However, we believe that many times the failure of experimental workers to check each other’s results and, what is more serious, the failure of one clinician to achieve the same therapeutic success which another has reported, is due to the fact that commercial preparations vary greatly in actual biologic potency. It is to emphasize this fact that the present report is made.
Primary literature across the undergraduate curriculum: teaching science process skills and content

Emily Rauschert, Joseph Dauer, Jennifer L. Momsen, and Ariana Sutton-Grier presented a workshop titled “101 Ways to Effectively Use Journal Articles as Teaching Tools.” They show us a number (not sure there are exactly 101 but who is counting) of ways to use primary literature to meet a multitude of learning objectives, primarily in the undergraduate classroom, but many of the approaches can be used in other settings. They also present some feedback and comments from the participants, so it is almost as if you were there.
Effect of Incremental Depth and Part Shape on Failure Modes in Single Point Incremental Forming of Polymers

Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) has received considerable attention recently due to advantages such as part-shape-independent tooling, higher formability and higher process flexibility as compared to conventional forming. While significant research has been performed on SPIF of metals, recent work has also shown the feasibility of using SPIF for cold-forming of thermoplastic polymer sheets. However, the effects of incremental depth and part shape on the modes of failure during polymer SPIF have rarely been investigated. This paper examines the effects of part shape and incremental depth on the formability and failure modes in polymer SPIF. It is shown that greater incremental depths result in greater formability in polymer SPIF. Furthermore, it is shown that increasing the rate of change of the wall angle with the Z depth of the part increases the maximum formability achievable using a given incremental depth. At the same time, it is observed that this dual advantage of greater formability and reduced forming time, possible with higher incremental depths, is limited by the occurrence of sheet wrinkling when the incremental depth becomes too high. Additionally, the dependence of sheet wrinkling on the overall shape of the part being formed is also shown.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
An American Witness to the Huk Rebellion: A Brief Introduction to Benjamin Appel's Fortress in the Rice

This essay discusses the narrative and historical background of Benjamin Appel's novelistic treatment of the Huk Rebellion in the Philippines, Fortress in the Rice (1951).
REDUCTION OF ISOLATED DEFECTS ON Ge DOPED CH CAPSULES TO BELOW IGNITION SPECIFICATIONS

The NIF Ge-doped CH capsule should be free of isolated defects on the outer surface. The allowed number and dimensions of large isolated defects over the entire capsule surface is given by the isolated feature specification. To date NIF-thickness (146μm) capsules are plagued by a few isolated large domes on the outer surfaces that otherwise meet the atomic force microscope (AFM) spheremap modal power spectra specification. The large domes on the capsule surfaces were mostly caused by particulate contamination from the wear of an agitation tapping solenoid inside the coater. By eliminating the solenoid and using an alternate rotation agitation, most thick-walled capsules become free of large isolated defects and meet the AFM spheremap modal power spectra standard. The number and size of the isolated defects on the outer surface were characterized with a high resolution phase-shifting diffractive spherical interferometer and checked against the NIF isolated defect specification. The results show the isolated defects on the rolled capsule are below the isolated defect specification. The growth modeling of the remaining nanometer-height domes on the capsules indicates most of these small domes come from the mandrel surface. The rolled capsules meet the layer thickness, doping levels and wall thickness specifications and have good wall uniformity of± 0.1-0.2 μm.
Chromosomal Location of Some Marker Genes in Rice Using the Primary Trisomics

The chromosomal locations of 17 mutant genes were determined by crossing marker stocks with the 12 primary trisomics of rice Genetic segregation in the F2 or backcross populations was studied. Of the 204 possible combinations, 186 F2 or backcross populations were studied. Results showed that the genes gf-2 and z-8 were located on chromosome 1, gh-2, bc-5, z-11, and z-12 on chromosome 2; z-9 on chromosome 3; pl-2 and st-7 on chromosome 4; z-7, Rk-3 and bc-2 on chromosome 5; z-13 on chromosome 6; wp-1, spl-9, and z-10 on chromosome 7; and chl-S on chromosome 8. In addition, the gene st-8 was located on chromosome 7 by linkage analysis.
Control and Quality in Empowered Work Settings: Model and Empirical Analysis

The need for businesses to react quickly to increased competition, continuously improve quality and provide total customer satisfaction has caused firms to reject the traditional "command and control" management style which is now widely condemned as being too rigid and not motivating information gathering and sophisticated thought by workers. Hoping instead, to institute a pro-active approach to experimentation, data-gathering, improved understanding of their own work environment and hence, improved and timely decision-making, firms are empowering their workers. As the TQM literature argues, the learning by doing that empowerment allows can also be leveraged by firms into improved quality. However, the inherent lack of control in this approach can reduce the benefits of empowerment if workers make use of their newly acquired informational advantages and lack of supervision to generate slack instead of profits. In this paper we examine what empowerment means and the control problems that arise as a result. We find that empowerment is most likely to be beneficial if accompanied by strong control systems. In particular, we suggest that Just In Time is a means of successfully controlling empowerment because JIT shortens feedback loops and provides process information in real time to managers. Empirical evidence from a unique dataset supports our conclusions about the benefits of JIT as a control mechanism for empowerment.
Possible modulation of rat renal prostaglandin production by oxygen.

The effect of oxygen on in vitro prostaglandin production by slices of rat renal inner medulla was evaluated. Oxygen increased prostaglandin production in a dose-response fashion. Double reciprocal plots of the relationship revealed a half-maximal stimulation of prostaglandin (PG) E2 production by 15.1% or 143 μM O2 and of PGF2α by 16.8% or 160 μM O2. An increased prostaglandin production at 95% O2 was measurable within 2 min of incubation and was maximal at approximately 15 min. Oxygen also increased inner medullary cyclic AMP content with a similar time course. Lowering oxygen did not alter the response of the inner medulla to increase cyclic AMP content when exposed to vasopressin. PGE2α increased cyclic AMP at 5% O2 but not at 95%, while PGF2α was ineffective at either oxygen concentration. In the presence of structurally dissimilar prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, indomethacin and sodium meclofenamate, there was a reduction of basal cyclic AMP content as well as prostaglandin production. PGE2 increased cyclic AMP at 95% O2 in the presence of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors while PGF2α remained inactive. This suggests that the oxygen-mediated increases in cyclic AMP content may be due to endogenously produced PGE2. The data are consistent with oxygen modulating inner medullary production of prostaglandins, and with endogenously produced prostaglandins exerting a hormone-like action in the inner medulla. cyclic AMP; vasopressin; renal medulla; renal countercurrent system Submitted on March 25, 1977
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES OF CEPAEA NEMORALIS.

Because of their highly polymorphic shell patterns, snails in the genus Cepaea, principally C. nemoralis, have been the subject of numerous studies in ecological genetics in Europe for decades. The proportions of the various color and banding morphs often differ noticeably from one colony to another, and various workers have attempted to explain this variation. Selection by predators against the most conspicuous morph is evidently an important factor in some areas (Cain and Sheppard, 1950, 1954; Clarke, 1960, 1962), while genetic drift and founder effects (Lamotte, 1959; Goodhart, 1963), "cryptic" environmental factors (Cain and Currey, 1963), the action of modifier genes (Clarke, 1966), and climatic selection (Arnold, 1968, 1969, 1971; Jones, 1973) have also been implicated. Many conflicts of interpretation over the relative importance of these forces have yet to be adequately resolved. Introduced colonies of C. nemoralis are established in various localities in North America (Pilsbry, 1939; Reed, 1964), but they have received relatively little attention. The colony at Lexington, Virginia, is probably the best known. Its existence was noted simultaneously by Cockerell (1889) and Pilsbry (1889); and in a later paper, Cockerell (1897) listed the various color and banding morphs which had been collected there. Howe (1898) was the first to publish a detailed study of the variation in this colony, and McConnell (1935) reported on the changes in morph frequencies which had occurred since Howe's time. Other papers which list shell morph frequencies in North American Cepaea colonies are those of Brooks and Brooks (1934), Judd (1953, 1955), Landman (1956), and Reed (1964). However, no study on the variation of C. nemoralis throughout its range on this continent had ever been done. The primary objective of this study was to describe the pattern of geographic variation in shell polymorphisms and allozymes in a substantial number of North American C. nemoralis colonies, and to determine, if possible, the most likely reasons for the observed variation.
Nanoscale Direct Patterning With a Combination of Micro Zone Plates and Pulsed Light Sources

Micro Fresnel zone plate has showed a potential in the recent few years for precise nanoscale detection and fabrication. In this study, nano-patterns have been generated on photoresist and copper films through coupling a micro Fresnel zone plate with pulsed light sources. To understand the near field and far field optical energy transport from the zone plate to the target along with the resulting thermal energy transport, a series of experimental measurement of the size and shape of nano-patterns generated on targets under different experimental conditions was conducted. In addition, a theoretical optical analysis for the light focusing in the near field range to the target along with the heating process of the target is established.© 2010 ASME
Implementation and evaluation of a home gavage program for preterm infants.

PURPOSE To describe the implementation and evaluation of a home gavage program for preterm infants. DESIGN Retrospective chart reviews were used to assess the physiologic progress of infants, and retrospective written questionnaires were administered by mail to families participating in home gavage to assess their experience and solicit advice. SAMPLE One hundred forty-three infants born at <37 weeks gestational age with a primary diagnosis of prematurity who met criteria for home gavage, of whom 52 were given home gavage and 91 attained full oral feedings in intensive care before discharge. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES The safety of home gavage was evaluated by weight change and hospital readmission. Parental satisfaction was assessed by the mailed survey. Cost savings were also evaluated. RESULTS Infants gained and average of 31 gm/day while receiving home gavage. No hospital readmissions were related to home gavage. Parents expressed satisfaction with the home gavage program. There was an average savings of $12,428 per infant related to shorter hospital stays.
Effects of Work Ethic and Task Labels on Task Preference

ABSTRACT An identical task was labeled as either difficult or easy. A sample of American adults was divided into high or low work ethic groups based on a median split in their scores on a work ethic measure. The results of a 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that low work ethic subjects in the difficult condition showed higher task preference than the average of the other three groups. For subjects who endorsed the work ethic, task preference was not affected by the labels. In the difficult condition, low work ethic subjects had higher task preference than high work ethic subjects. The results suggest that low work ethic individuals exert more effort in the free choice period when they are challenged.
Simone Weil: An Introduction

In her brilliant exposition of Simone Weil’s thought, Mary Dietz categorised Simone Weil as a thinker “who remains widely unexamined, perhaps even ignored … despite thought provoking, masterful, even extraordinary work” (Dietz 1988: 1). Twenty-six years later, this still holds true. Simone Weil is a writer whose philosophy and thought remain relatively unknown in the discipline of political science, and absolutely unknown in the subfield of International Relations.1 Why this is so can be potentially attributed to a host of reasons, first among them her spiritual experiences in the 1930s that brought an impassioned Christian mysticism to her thought. This mysticism, when combined with her exacting commitment to a stringent way of being, and the tragedy of her early death, lends itself to a misguided dismissal of her thought as “other-worldly”, “anti-political”, or “merely mystical”. Yet, in thought and in deed Simone Weil was fundamentally engaged in, and constantly struggling to make sense of, the world in which she lived. As Dietz (1988: 31) so eloquently delineates, Simone Weil’s writings consider “the meaning of individual freedom in the modern collectivity, the nature of community in the nation state, and the political and social possibilities for an end to the affliction and oppression of the human condition”.
Premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, and group B streptococcal colonization of mothers

In a prospective study of colonization with group B streptococci (GBS) among 6,706 parturients, we found statistically increased incidences of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm delivery at
Influence Function of Multiple Kernel Canonical Analysis to Identify Outliers in Imaging Genetics Data

Imaging genetic research has essentially focused on discovering unique and co-association effects, but typically ignoring to identify outliers or atypical objects in genetic as well as non-genetics variables. Identifying significant outliers is an essential and challenging issue for imaging genetics and multiple sources data analysis. Therefore, we need to examine for transcription errors of identified outliers. First, we address the influence function (IF) of kernel mean element, kernel covariance operator, kernel cross-covariance operator, kernel canonical correlation analysis (kernel CCA) and multiple kernel CCA. Second, we propose an IF of multiple kernel CCA, which can be applied for more than two datasets. Third, we propose a visualization method to detect influential observations of multiple sources of data based on the IF of kernel CCA and multiple kernel CCA. Finally, the proposed methods are capable of analyzing outliers of subjects usually found in biomedical applications, in which the number of dimension is large. To examine the outliers, we use the stem-and-leaf display. Experiments on both synthesized and imaging genetics data (e.g., SNP, fMRI, and DNA methylation) demonstrate that the proposed visualization can be applied effectively.
Survey on the Use of Nuclear Renal Imaging in the United States

Throughout the years, the role of nuclear medicine departments in the care of renal patients has changed as a result of technologic advancements and other factors. This study evaluated the current role of nuclear renal imaging. Methods: A survey was generated with questions about patient populations, the clinical indications most often seen, radiopharmaceutical use, measurement techniques, the average number of scans completed, and medical center/transplant team affiliations. The survey was sent to recipients on a mailing list acquired from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Results: Most of the responses came from departments in the southeastern United States. Most of the patient population is suburban. Nephrologists are the most common referring physicians for renal imaging. Most departments complete fewer than 10 renograms per month, and most departments use 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine as the radiopharmaceutical of choice. A camera-based measurement technique is used most often. Most departments report being affiliated with a medical center, but only about half of those medical centers perform renal transplantation. The most commonly seen clinical indication for renal imaging is renal obstruction, whereas the least commonly seen is urine leakage. Conclusion: These results provide a better understanding of the current role of nuclear medicine in the care of renal patients and how this role has changed over the years.
Introduction: The Many Hands of the State

In this paper, Morgan and Orloff survey the contemporary study of states in the social sciences. They begin by tracing the history of scholarship on the state. The authors identify six main clusters of research on states that emerged through the effort to “bring the state back into” history and the social sciences. These clusters include the institutionalist turn; state formation and building; states, culture, symbolic power, and violence; states, empires and the transnational/global turn; implementing states; and states and social stratification. Discussing the contributions, salience, and limitations of these different approaches, Morgan and Orloff offer guiding statements for theoretically conceptualizing the state. First, the authors argue that the state cannot be replaced by concepts such as “governmentality,” “governance” or “institution.” Second, they contend that scholars should consider the ways in which states concentrate and use material and symbolic powers. Third, they suggest that contemporary states work through complex modes of governance. Finally, Morgan and Orloff assert that the “many hands of the state” offers a useful metaphor for thinking through the complexity and multiplicity of actors and institutions within the state. Morgan and Orloff conclude by reviewing the contents of their forthcoming edited volume. Author Bios Kimberly J. Morgan is professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University. She is the author of Working Mothers and the Welfare State: Religion and the Politics of Work-Family Policies in Western Europe and the United States (Stanford 2006), co-author of The Delegated Welfare State: Medicare, Markets, and the Governance of Social Policy (Oxford 2011), and a co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of U.S. Social Policy (Oxford 2014). Ann Shola Orloff is professor of sociology and political science and Board of Lady Managers of the Columbian Exposition Chair at Northwestern University. A founding editor of the journal Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State and Society, Orloff is the co-editor of Remaking Modernity: Politics, History and Sociology (with Julia Adams and Elisabeth Clemens; Duke 2005) and the author of States, Markets, Families: Gender, Liberalism and Social Policy in Australia, Canada, Great Britain and the United States (with Julia O'Connor and Sheila Shaver; Cambridge 1999), among other works. She is currently working on a manuscript, Farewell to Maternalism, Toward a Gender-Open Future? Transformations in Gendered Labor Policies and Feminist Politics.
Assessing the mechanical anisotropy and hysteresis while cycling IOP of porcine eyes before and after CXL by noncontact optical coherence elastography

Diseases such as keratoconus can alter the orientation of collagen fibrils in the cornea. Moreover, therapeutic interventions such as UV-A/riboflavin corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) can alter the collagen fibril arrangement. Therefore, the anisotropic characteristics of the cornea can provide vital information about tissue integrity. In this work, we utilize noncontact elastic wave imaging optical coherence elastography (EWI-OCE) to assess the elastic anisotropy and hysteresis of in situ porcine corneas as various intraocular pressures (IOP). In addition, we evaluated the effects of CXL on the mechanical anisotropy and hysteresis. OCE measurements were made at stepped meridional angles, and a sliding window algorithm spatially mapped the elasticity. A modified planar anisotropy coefficient was utilized to quantify the elastic anisotropy of the corneas. The results show that the stiffness and elastic anisotropy of the corneas were significantly affected by CXL and IOP (P<0.001), but the hysteresis was not significant (P<0.05). Moreover, the changes in elasticity due to CXL were angle-dependent (P<0.005). However, the changes in mechanical anisotropy from CXL were not angle-dependent (P>0.05).
Forests of Puerto Rico, 2014

This resource update provides a short overview of the status of forest resources in Puerto Rico (Mainland, Culebra, and Vieques) based on the fifth forest inventory funded and conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Southern Research Station and by the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Data estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design for the measurement years 2011-2014 with comparisons made to data collected in 2006-2009 and 2001-2004. The sample plot population presented here for Puerto Rico consists of 480 plots, collected across a period of 4 years (about 120 plots, or about 25 percent of the data per year). The data used in this publication were accessed from the FIA Database at http://fia.fs.fed.us/tools-data/ on September 2016.
Pancreas Transplantation and Dysuria

AbstractBladder drainage of the pancreatic graft remains the most common technique in pancreatic transplantation. Graft and patient survival is superior to duct injection and bowel drainage techniques. However, several urological complications develop as a result of bladder drainage. We report 6 cases of the dysuria syndrome after combined kidney/pancreas transplantation. Retrograde urethrography or cystoscopy showed extravasation from the bulbous urethra in all cases, which was most likely caused by activated proteolytic exocrine enzymes from the transplanted pancreas. Minor urethral trauma due to Foley catheterization or cystoscopy may pre-dispose patients to this syndrome. Short-term urethral catheterization or suprapubic catheter drainage led to resolution in all cases. A high index of suspicion coupled with early intervention is recommended for patients with the dysuria syndrome.