cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operative Treatment for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Biologics and Scaffold-Based Therapy.

ObjectiveNumerous basic science articles have published evidence supporting the use of biologic augmentation in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). However, a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical outcomes of those treatment modalities in OLT has yet to be published. The purpose of this review is to provide an evidence-based overview of clinical outcomes following biologic augmentation to surgical treatments for OLT.DesignA comprehensive literature review was performed. Two commonly used surgical techniques for the treatment of OLT—bone marrow stimulation and osteochondral autograft transfer—are first introduced. The review describes the operative indications, step-by- step operative procedure, clinical outcomes, and concerns associated with each treatment. A review of the currently published basic science and clinical evidence on biologic augmentation in the surgical treatments for OLT, including platelet-rich plasma, concentrated bone marrow aspirate, and scaffold-based therapy...
Frege, fiction and force

Discussion of Frege’s theory of fiction has tended to focus on the problem of empty names, and has consequently missed the truly problematic aspect of the theory, Frege’s commitment to the view that even fictional sentences that contain no empty names fail to refer. That claim prima facie conflicts with his commitment to the cognitive transparency of sense, and the determination of reference by sense. Resolving this tension compels us to recognize that fiction for Frege is a special kind of force, and that words express a sense capable of picking out a referent only in the presence of the appropriate assertoric force. In effect, Frege’s theory of fiction reveals his commitment to an act-centered rather than an expression-centered semantics.
Imagined Frontiers: Contemporary America and Beyond. By Carl Abbott

Imagined Frontiers: Contemporary America and Beyond . By Carl Abbott. (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2015. x + 259 pp. Illustrations, maps, table, notes, index. $19.95, paper.) “A frontier,” Carl Abbott proclaims in Imagined Frontiers , “is an edge—a line on a map and the territories and communities that surround that line.” (3) From this definition, Abbott explores the ways that visions of frontiers—whether in South Florida, Portland, Oregon, or even the planet Mars—have shaped American culture in the second half of the twentieth century. Though he acknowledges scholarly critiques of the frontier concept, he argues that it remains “useful precisely because it has so many nested or overlapping meanings that artists can play with in different … dabnet{at}fullerton.edu
Fitting the Pieces Together Once Again

Someday, perhaps, the international money problem will disappear. Perhaps the nation-state will be phased out as the basic political unit; without nation-states, there won’t be national monies. Or independent countries may merge their currencies into a common international currency. Sort of Globalization 100.0, the end of the sequence of the discoveries of globalization.
American pikas ( Ochotona princeps ) extirpated from the historic Masonic Mining District of eastern California

American pikas ( Ochotona princeps ) are small alpine lagomorphs and talus obligates with a narrow range of temperature tolerance, along with physiological and ecological characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to local extirpation in the face of climate change. Since their initial colonization of the Great Basin during the Pleistocene geological epoch, the distribution of pikas in this region has become more restricted, with population losses occurring especially in lower-elevation sites characterized by relatively low precipitation and high temperatures. Even where pikas have persisted, many populations are now restricted to higher elevations. We surveyed several sites in the Bodie Hills of eastern California known to have been recently occupied by pikas. Here we report the recent extirpations of 2 of these sites: one small cluster of anthropogenic patches in the historic Masonic Mining District and one natural patch on Masonic Mountain. These extirpations are consistent with those reported in California and across the Great Basin and may indicate the impending loss of pikas from this region due to impacts from global climate change. La pica americana ( Ochotona princeps ), pequenos lagomorfos alpinos, viven en el talud alpino y toleran un estrecho margen de temperaturas. Sus caracteristicas fisiologicas y ecologicas los hacen especialmente vulnerables a la extirpacion local ante el cambio climatico. Desde su colonizacion inicial de la Gran Cuenca (Great Basin) durante la epoca geologica del Pleistoceno, la distribucion de las picas en esta region se ha vuelto mas restringida, con perdidas poblacionales que ocurren sobre todo en areas con menor elevacion, caracterizadas por un numero relativamente bajo de precipitaciones y por sus altas temperaturas. Incluso en aquellos casos en los que las picas han resistido, muchas de estas poblaciones ahora estan limitadas a las elevaciones mas altas. Monitoreamos varias zonas en Bodie Hills al este de California conocidas por haber sido recientemente colonizadas por poblaciones de picas. En este estudio mostramos las extirpaciones mas recientes de dos de estas areas, un pequeno grupo de parches antropogenicos en el historico distrito de Masonic Mining y un parche natural en Masonic Mountain. Estas extirpaciones concuerdan con aquellas registradas en California y en toda la Gran Cuenca, y pueden indicar la inminente perdida de picas en esta region debido a los impactos del cambio climatico global.
Health halo effects in sequential food consumption: The moderating roles of health-consciousness and attribute framing

Abstract Has the huge increase in healthful food options indeed promoted consumer health? Previous studies have noted the health halo effects of such foods, which subconsciously lead consumers to rather unhealthful eating. This study examined whether the health halos of entrees increase the subsequent intention for desserts in restaurants when moderated by internal and external cues: health-consciousness and attribute framing. A 2 (perceived healthiness of entrees) × 2 (health-consciousness) × 2 (attribute framing of desserts) quasi-experimental design was employed using a scenario-based online survey, and 427 consumers participated in the survey. The results revealed that the effect of the perceived healthiness of entrees on increasing the intention for desserts was more salient among less (vs. highly) health-conscious consumers and when the desserts were framed as healthy (vs. tasty). The findings provide theoretical implications for consumer food behavior and sequential consumption literature, and highlight practical implications for consumers, health professionals, public officials, and restaurateurs.
Knowledge infrastructures for the Anthropocene

The technosphere metabolizes not only energy and materials, but information and knowledge as well. This article first examines the history of knowledge about large-scale, long-term, anthropogenic environmental change. In the 19th and 20th centuries, major systems were built for monitoring both the environment and human activity of all kinds, for modeling geophysical processes such as climate change, and for preserving and refining scientific memory, i.e. data about the planetary past. Despite many failures, these knowledge infrastructures also helped achieve notable successes such as the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963, the ozone depletion accords of the 1980s, and the Paris Agreement on climate change of 2015. The article’s second part proposes that knowledge infrastructures for the Anthropocene might not only monitor and model the technosphere’s metabolism of energy, materials and information, but also integrate those techniques with new accounting practices aimed at sustainability. Scientific examples ...
Population Pharmacokinetics of Eplerenone in Japanese Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

To characterize eplerenone pharmacokinetics (PK) in Japanese chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and to estimate the impact of factors that may affect eplerenone PK, population pharmacokinetic (PPK) analysis was conducted. In addition, PK of Japanese CHF and Western CHF patients from a previous clinical pharmacology study were compared in the analysis. Eplerenone PK was characterized by a 1-compartment PPK model with first-order absorption and lag time in Japanese CHF patients. The population mean of apparent oral clearance (CL/F) in Japanese CHF patients was estimated as 5.31 L/h, which was similar to the mean CL/F for Western CHF patients. In the full model approach, creatinine clearance (CLcr) on CL/F and body weight on apparent central volume of distribution (Vc/F) were selected as factors that may affect PK. The effect of CLcr on CL/F predicted that CL/F would be decreased by 25% when CLcr was decreased from 80 mL/min to 50 mL/min. The effect of body weight on Vc/F predicted that Vc/F would be decreased by 18% when body weight was decreased from 80 kg to 60 kg. Distribution of individual CL/F estimates for Japanese CHF patients overlapped CL/F observed values for Western CHF patients, and CL/F values for Western CHF patients were contained within the distribution of CL/F estimates for Japanese CHF patients. No obvious difference between Japanese and Western subjects was detected even in the updated model by adding the data obtained from Western CHF patients and Western healthy adults to the model constructed with data from Japanese CHF patients.
Cellular resolution multiplexed FLIM tomography with dual-color Bessel beam

Fourier multiplexed FLIM (FmFLIM) tomography enables multiplexed 3D lifetime imaging of whole embryos. In our previous FmFLIM system, the spatial resolution was limited to 25 μm because of the trade-off between the spatial resolution and the imaging depth. In order to achieve cellular resolution imaging of thick specimens, we built a tomography system with dual-color Bessel beam. In combination with FmFLIM, the Bessel FmFLIM tomography system can perform parallel 3D lifetime imaging on multiple excitation-emission channels at a cellular resolution of 2.8 μm. The image capability of the Bessel FmFLIM tomography system was demonstrated by 3D lifetime imaging of dual-labeled transgenic zebrafish embryos.
Gamification in Education: A Passing Trend or a Genuine Potential?

Traditional schooling is perceived by many students as ineffective and boring. Although teachers continuously seek novel instructional approaches, it is largely agreed that today's schools face major problems around student motivation and engagement. The use of educational games as learning tools is a promising approach. Games have remarkable motivational power. They utilize a number of mechanisms to encourage people to engage with them, often without any reward, just for the joy of playing and the possibility to win. However, creating a highly engaging, full-blown educational game is difficult, time consuming and costly and typically targets only a single set of learning objectives as chosen by the game designer. Yet, the effective classroom adoption of games requires an appropriate pedagogical integration and sometimes a certain technical infrastructure. Can we then, instead of using full-scale games, incorporate game thinking and game design elements in the learning environment as an alternative, less costly and more flexible approach to improving learners' engagement and motivation? Gamification -- the use of game design elements in non-game contexts -- has already seen a successful adoption in many areas including business, marketing, politics, health, fitness and travel. It seems surprising that the education is not in the list of "success stories" yet. Is this just a matter of late reaction or a wait for more persuasive evidence? Can gamification be used in an educational context as well and if so, which are the factors promising success? The talk will explore these questions giving specific attention to the motivational factors that impact learning and behaviour change and will present an overview of the current state of the art and the challenges in using gamification in education.
Outcomes of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in stage 2 and 3 non-small cell lung cancer: an analysis of the National Cancer Database.

// Matthew MacLean 1 , Xin Luo 2 , Shidan Wang 1 , Kemp Kernstine 3 , David E. Gerber 4, 5 and Yang Xie 1, 2, 5 1 Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA 2 Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA 3 Department of Cardio Thoracic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA 4 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA 5 Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA Correspondence to: David E. Gerber, email: david.gerber@utsouthwestern.edu Yang Xie, email: yang.xie@utsouthwestern.edu Keywords: lung cancer; neoadjuvant chemotherapy; national cancer database Received: September 30, 2017 Accepted: March 27, 2018 Published: May 11, 2018 ABSTRACT Introduction: The current recommendation for the treatment of stage II and III NSCLC is surgery with chemotherapy. While the convention is to administer chemotherapy postoperatively (adjuvant chemotherapy), inconsistent results have been reported regarding the administration of chemotherapy preoperatively (neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy use in NSCLC is needed. Results: Of the 35,134 NSCLC patients identified, 18,684 received surgery alone, 1,154 received surgery with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 15,296 received surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy. Race, Charlson-Deyo score, facility type, insurance type and stage of disease are associated with the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the case of stage II disease, adjuvant chemotherapy showed improved survival (median OS = 80.8 months) over neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OS = 67.0 months) and surgery alone (OS = 51.0 months). For stage III disease, adjuvant chemotherapy (OS = 49.0 months) showed improved survival over surgery alone (OS = 24.3 months), followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OS = 42.0 months). After propensity score matching, adjuvant chemotherapy was found to provide a survival advantage over neoadjuvant in both stage II (HR = 0.70; p = 5.8e-3) and stage III (HR = 0.77; p = 0.011) NSCLC. Conclusions: Our analysis finds a survival advantage for neoadjuvant chemotherapy when compared to surgery alone, but no advantage compared to adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of resectable stage II and III NSCLC. Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for all cases of stage II and III NSCLC from 2006 to 2012. These patients were stratified by stage, and the factors affecting use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the effects of neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) were investigated.
Formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of imines with alkoxyisocoumarins

A new preparation of δ-lactams is reported. In the presence of a Lewis acid promoter, alkoxyisocoumarins engage a range of N-aryl and N-alkyl imines to form δ-lactams with a pendent carboalkoxy substituent. A sulfonamide-thiourea catalyst enables the synthesis of these products in moderate to good enantioselectivities.
Topography of sound level representation in the FM sweep selective region of the pallid bat auditory cortex.

Abstract Sound level processing is a fundamental function of the auditory system. To determine how the cortex represents sound level, it is important to quantify how changes in level alter the spatiotemporal structure of cortical ensemble activity. This is particularly true for echolocating bats that have control over, and often rapidly adjust, call level to actively change echo level. To understand how cortical activity may change with sound level, here we mapped response rate and latency changes with sound level in the auditory cortex of the pallid bat. The pallid bat uses a 60-30 kHz downward frequency modulated (FM) sweep for echolocation. Neurons tuned to frequencies between 30 and 70 kHz in the auditory cortex are selective for the properties of FM sweeps used in echolocation forming the FM sweep selective region (FMSR). The FMSR is strongly selective for sound level between 30 and 50 dB SPL. Here we mapped the topography of level selectivity in the FMSR using downward FM sweeps and show that neurons with more monotonic rate level functions are located in caudomedial regions of the FMSR overlapping with high frequency (50–60 kHz) neurons. Non-monotonic neurons dominate the FMSR, and are distributed across the entire region, but there is no evidence for amplitopy. We also examined how first spike latency of FMSR neurons change with sound level. The majority of FMSR neurons exhibit paradoxical latency shift wherein the latency increases with sound level. Moreover, neurons with paradoxical latency shifts are more strongly level selective and are tuned to lower sound level than neurons in which latencies decrease with level. These data indicate a clustered arrangement of neurons according to monotonicity, with no strong evidence for finer scale topography, in the FMSR. The latency analysis suggests mechanisms for strong level selectivity that is based on relative timing of excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Taken together, these data suggest how the spatiotemporal spread of cortical activity may represent sound level.
Identifying the Phylogenetic Context of Whole-Genome Duplications in Plants

Although evolutionary biologists have long recognized the transformative evolutionary potential of whole-genome duplications (WGDs) in plants, identifying the precise phylogenetic location of WGDs presents many challenges. This chapter reviews some new approaches to map WGDs on a phylogeny, the first step for understanding the large-scale evolutionary and ecological consequences of WGDs in plants. Specifically, it examines approaches for using chromosome and gene copy number data, gene trees, and other genomic insights to identify the evolutionary location of WGDs. The abundance of genomic sequence data and advances in phylogenetic methods present unprecedented opportunities to place WGDs within the plant tree of life. Still, there exist few direct tests to identify and place WGDs, and analyses of complex data are often susceptible to error.
Perspectives for the Clinical Use of Aromatase Inhibitors

The enzyme aromatase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in estrogen biosynthesis in both men and women. The availability of more potent, selective and non-toxic aromatase inhibitors could potentially provide effective therapy for a number of estrogen-dependent diseases. Clinical application of these agents depends upon the physiologic source of estrogen and the ability of regulatory systems to counteract the effects of these inhibitors. Consequently, estrogen blockade might be more effective in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women or in men. In assessing aromatase inhibitors, the various advantages and disadvantages of all the available strategies to block estrogen synthesis or action must be considered. Such analysis suggests that aromatase inhibitors will find an important place in the management of breast and endometrial carcinomas and possibly benign diseases such as endometriosis, leiomyomata uteri, perimenopausal bleeding and gynecomastia.
Computer science and math: a precise mix for uncertain database applications

There are a variety of mathematical theories for incorporating uncertainty management into database applications. This paper explores the improvements that can be applied to traditional relational databases by implementing techniques from rough set theory. In particular, the level of precision required to extract relevant data is greatly reduced, and more information is returned. Issues arising during the design phase of a real world application are discussed.
The structure of developmental theory.

This paper explores the thesis that any theory is generated out of a matrix of philosophical values. Evaluations of theories of development presuppose the acknowledgement that any theory emerges from an ontological and epistemological realist matrix, or, from an epistemological rationalist matrix. Theories are sets of propositions designed to explain some domain. The realist matrix leads to developmental theories that are particularistic, bottom up, inductive, and reductionistic. These theories accept only causal or antecedent factors as ultimately explanatory. Pattern explanations are viewed as reducible to such material explanations. The rationalist matrix leads to developmental theories that are universal, top down, retroductive, and holistic. These theories offer pattern explanations as primary non-reducible modes of explanation. Pattern-progressive explanations explain various levels of organization in the developmental series. Material explanations, within the rationalistic matrix, are understood as operating within the framework established by the pattern explanations. The epistemological rationalist approach to empirical scientific knowledge is compared and contrasted with the current knowledge building activities called hermeneutics and narrative knowing.
The Medieval Accomplishment in Mechanics and Optics

The scientific revolution of the seventeenth century, as is commonly acknowledged, had its remote antecedents in Greek and early medieval thought. In the period from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries this heritage gradually took shape in a series of methods and ideas that formed the background for the emergence of modern science. The methods adumbrated were mainly those of experimentation and mathematical analysis, while the concepts were primarily, though not exclusively, those of the developing sciences of mechanics and optics. The history of their evolution may be divided conveniently on the basis of centuries: (1) the thirteenth, a period of beginnings and reformulation; (2) the fourteenth, a period of development and culmination; and (3) the fifteenth and sixteenth, a period of dissemination and transition. It is the purpose of this essay to sketch the essentials of this achievement in mechanics and optics by relating it to the philosophical setting sketched in the previous essay, and so to provide a framework in which the essays constituting the remaining parts of the volume can conveniently be located.
Variability of Fiber/Resin Interfacial Shear Strengths

The microbond pullout technique for the measurement of interfacial shear strength in fiber-reinforced composites has provided data to support the hypothesis that observed bond strength variations for a fiber/resin system are mainly the consequence of fiber surface heterogeneities. This conclusion is based upon two observations. First, there is closer agreement in bond strength associated with near-neighbor fiber sites than for more widely separated sites. Second, shear strength distributions become narrower as embedment areas are increased. Since fiber surface defects and variations tend to average out when larger embedment areas are used, broad shear strength distributions may not be observed with macro pullout experiments.
APPENDIX H – The Dynamic Scientific-Information User*

In this article we examine the concept of the “information user”, and attempt to describe some of the dynamics of the situation by discussing some of our data relative to “intra-individual variations” (changes which occur within individual scientists as their scientific work progresses) and “inter-individual variations” (physical vs social scientists, basic vs applied scientists, experienced vs inexperienced scientists, and scientists' working in the same subject-matter area vs scientists who recently changed their areas). All of these were found to produce significant variation in the information needs of scientists and in the sources they used to satisfy these needs. Some implications of these findings relative to information technology are discussed.
Genetically Determined Disorders of Extracellular Calcium (Cao2+) Sensing and Cao2+ Homeostasis

The extracellular calcium ( C a o 2 + )-sensing receptor (CaSR) plays key roles in maintaining C a o 2 + homeostasis by regulating the functions of parathyroid and kidney in response to perturbations in C a o 2 + so as to maintain a nearly constant level of blood calcium. The cloning of the CaSR made it feasible to rapidly identify several disorders arising from inactivating or activating mutations of the receptor. More than 300 such mutations of the CaSR have been reported, the majority of which cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, type 1 (FHH1), a generally benign hypercalcemic and hypocalciuric condition. Recently, inactivating mutations in genes downstream of the CaSR that also participate in C a o 2 + sensing, namely the G protein, Gα 11 , and the σ-1 subunit of the adaptor-related protein complex 2 (AP2S1), have been identified, which cause FHH2 and FHH3, respectively. These syndromes are similar to those caused by mutations of the CaSR, but with some interesting differences. In contrast to FHH, homozygous inactivating mutations of the CaSR in many cases cause neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT). It is a severe, sometimes life-threatening form of hyperparathyroidism, although it has become increasingly apparent that there is a wide range of severity associated with homozygous inactivating CaSR mutations. Patients with FHH1 and FHH2 generally do not need parathyroid surgery, while total parathyroidectomy is not uncommonly necessary to control hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia in NSHPT. Patients with FHH3 can have a somewhat more severe phenotype than in FHH1 or FHH2, and their optimal management requires further study. Activating mutations of the CaSR produce autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (now called ADH1), rarely with features of Bartter’s syndrome (so called type V), because the CaSR is too sensitive to its ligand, C a o 2 + . ADH2, with a similar or perhaps milder phenotype, is caused by heterozygous activating mutations of Gα 11 . As additional hyper- and hypocalcemic patients with CASR , GNA11 , or AP2S1 mutations have been studied, the clinical presentations of the various forms of FHH, ADH, and NSHPT have broadened to the point where their biochemical findings overlap significantly, leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for the clinician and patient.
Improvisational Theatre in Teacher Learning about Facilitating Discussion: Exercising Pedagogical Presence

Facilitating classroom discussion requires preparation and improvisation. How might learning improvisational theatre affect teachers’ verbal moves while facilitating discussion? This articl...
Identification of Affective State Change in Adults With Aphasia Using Speech Acoustics.

Purpose The current study aimed to identify objective acoustic measures related to affective state change in the speech of adults with post-stroke aphasia. Method The speech of 20 post-stroke adult...
Kaleidic Economies and Internally Generated Change

This chapter elaborates the ecology of plans notion by explaining that economic systems are naturally fluid or turbulent and not in placid states of equilibrium. Once society is recognized to resemble an active pedestrian crowd more than a parade, turbulence of variable intensity is a societal characteristic. That turbulence emerges out of the continual injection of entrepreneurial plans into society where those plans conflict with existing plans. What most macro theorists label as exogenous shocks are instead the misidentified conflicts among plans that entrepreneurship inserts into society. Public ordering, moreover, intensifies turbulence within society, contrary to conventional claims on behalf of the moderating influence of political action.
Improving Fluid Output Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose:To assess the potential clinical impact of an automated urine output (UOP) monitoring system in the intensive care unit.Methods:Frequency of UOP documentation during a 20-month period was a...
COVID-19: Threat and Vulnerability Among Latina Immigrants

As has been documented in public health data, infections and deaths from COVID-19 have been inequitably distributed in the United States, producing adverse health outcomes among vulnerable populati...
Activity-Based Cost Analysis of Robotic Anatomic Lung Resection During Program Implementation.

Abstract Background While robotic-assisted lung resection has seen a significant rise in adoption, concerns remain regarding initial programmatic outcomes and potential increased costs. We present our initial outcomes and cost analysis since initiation of a robotic lung resection program. Methods Patients undergoing either video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy (VATS) or robotic-assisted lobectomy or segmentectomy (RALS) between August of 2014 and January of 2017 underwent retrospective review. Patients underwent 1:1 propensity matching based on preoperative characteristics. Perioperative and 30-day outcomes were compared between groups. Detailed activity-based costing analysis was performed on individual patient encounters taking into effect direct and indirect controllable costs, including robotic operative supplies. Results There were no differences in 30-day mortality between RALS (n = 74) and VATS (n = 74) groups (0% vs 1.4%; P = 1). RALS patients had a decreased median length of stay (4 days vs 7 days; P Conclusions A potentially cost-advantageous robotic-assisted pulmonary resection program can be initiated within the context of an existing minimally invasive thoracic surgery program while maintaining good clinical outcomes when compared with traditional VATS. Process-of-care changes associated with RALS may account for decreased costs in this setting.
Recent Experiments on the S-Band Coaxial Multipactor Test Cell *

Vacuum electronic devices that are exposed to oscillating electric fields can undergo multipactor discharges. During multipactor, radiofrequency electric fields accelerate free electrons into surfaces, causing them to undergo secondary electron emission [1] . These secondary electrons continue this process of acceleration and secondary emission, causing the electron population to multiply exponentially. The resultant electron cloud can cause a number of deleterious effects. Multipactor causes signal attenuation, cavity loading, and reduces the signal quality [2] . The repeated electron impacts can even cause localized heating, potentially leading to catastrophic damage to the device.
Computer simulation of convection in floating zone melting: II. Combined free and rotation driven flows

Abstract The pure free convection and the combined free and rotation driven convection in a floating zone is theoretically analized by using a computer. The electron beam heating (i.e., a ring heat source around the periphery at the middle of zone) is used as a model for heat transfer analysis. The free convection is generally suppressed by rotation of the crystals and the extent of suppression varies depending on the viscosity of melt and on the modes of rotation. The higher the kinematic viscosity of the melt, the less the influence of crystal rotation on the free convection. Co rotation of the crystals is found to be an effective means to suppress the free convection.
IN DEFENCE OF THE HIERARCHY OF EFFECTS: A REJOINDER TO WEILBACHER

ABSTRACT Thomas E. Barry feels that rather than discard the hierarchy of effects model, we should develop rigorous, collaborative efforts to validate its continued value to guide us in advertising and marketing communications planning for another 100 years.
Mental Health Services within the New York State Department of Correctional Services: An Examination of Best Policies and Practices

A significant number of inmates with mental illness reside within the New York State Department of Corrections (NYSDOCS). New York State has taken the initiative to provide mentally ill inmates with necessary services through a collaboration of the New York State Department of Correctional Services and the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH). The collaboration results in a mental health delivery system that provides many essential services to mentally ill inmates. This paper focuses on the organization of mental health services within NYSDOCS, best practices, past and current litigation, and staff responsibilities. As the population of mentally ill inmates continues to grow, implications for the Human Services professions of OMH and DOCS needs to continue to address and provide adequate mental health care and resources for this special population.
FRONTIERS IN ATOMIC PHYSICS~~INTRODUCTION AND OPENING REMARKS

Fragmentation, spectroscopy, and collisions represent three broad categories of atomic and molecular processes. We regard the formation of excited bound states in spectroscopic studies as fragmentations in which the fragments do not have enough energy to escape. Collisions are represented as the product of fragmentation reactions run in reverse in the initial state, and fragmentation reactions run in normal direction in the final state. The Jost functions form the mathematical framework for this picture. Issues that emerge naturally are the identification of appropriate reaction coordinates to describe the propagation of the system, the classification of the channels at large and small values of the reaction coordinate and the connection between the two regions.
Inputs and Student Achievement: An Analysis of Latina/o-Serving Urban Elementary Schools.

One of the most pressing problems in the United States is improving student academic performance, especially the nation’s burgeoning Latina/o student population (Rumberger & Anguiano, 2004). According to the federal mandate of No Child Left Behind, all children must test at a proficient level by 2014 (Darling-Hammond, 2007). This goal may prove to be elusive for Latina/os, many of whom struggle academically (Crosnoe, 2005). The achievement gap on some tests is as high as 30 percentage points between Latina/o and White students (Torres, 2001). In an effort to understand what influences student achievement and the gap between ethnic minority and White students, many variables have been analyzed, such as student, teacher, community, and school characteristics as well as financial expenditures. However, there is a dearth of research on variables associated with student achievement in Latina/o majority schools in urban districts. As the majority of Latina/o students are segregated into central cities (Arias, 1986) and Latina/o achievement issues tend to start in the first three years of school (Espinosa & Ochoa, 1986), a study focused on urban elementary schools would help decipher what variables affect Latina/o student achievement during the first few years of school. Considering the continuing challenge of the Latina/o achievement gap, an analysis to understand the relationship between key inputs and Latino/a student achievement is important. The purpose of the research was to better understand the association between financial resources, student demographics, school capacity, and student achievement in majority Latina/o schools. This study asked the following questions: What inputs are related to school level status and growth of mathematics and reading achievement? Do these inputs differ for achievement growth in majority Latina/o elementary schools?
Stabilizing controller design for multi-bus MVDC distribution systems using a passivity based stability criterion and positive feed-forward control

Advances in switching power electronic converter technology have brought about a resurgence of interest in the use of DC power distribution systems for a variety of applications. However, the notional power electronic based DC distribution system is a complex and extensively interconnected system consisting of multiple power converters. As a result, a number of system-level challenges related to stability arise due to interaction among multiple converter subsystems. The design of this type of system is difficult due to the general lack of proper analysis tools and limited understanding of the problem. This paper addresses the stability analysis of multi-bus MVDC converter systems using an unterminated two-port modeling technique to construct the impedance of all system buses. Evaluation of these system bus impedances utilizing the recently proposed Passivity Based Stability Criterion allows for a proper determination of overall system stability. A stabilizing controller is designed using a Positive Feed-Forward control technique to ensure passivity of the system buses and guarantee stability and performance.
The Rights of the Defenseless: Protecting Animals and Children in Gilded Age America. By Susan J. Pearson. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2011. Pp. 280. $45.00.)

Defending the weak and alleviating suffering are ancient injunctions in religious and secular ethics. In her elegant book, Susan Pearson examines the many contact points between campaigns to protec...
Development of an Interdisciplinary Experimental Series for the Laboratory Courses of Cell and Molecular Biology and Advance Inorganic Chemistry

An interdisciplinary approach to education has become more important in the development of science and technology, which requires universities to have graduates with broad knowledge and skills and to apply these skills in solving real-world problems. An interdisciplinary experimental series has been developed for the laboratories in cell and molecular biology and advanced inorganic chemistry. Students performed the synthesis and characterization of a Ru(II) monoarene anticancer complex in the advanced inorganic chemistry laboratory, followed by testing its DNA-binding properties in the cell and molecular biology laboratory. The objectives of this experimental series are to introduce the students to the connections between different scientific subjects and to the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in solving practical scientific problems. Students learn important techniques such as synthesis and purification, 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and electrophoresis that are used collectively in the develop...
Sites of Desire

© 2007 Nicholas Birns The distinct contribution of Joan Jonas to postmodern performance has been the introduction of a defined narrative and a complicated relationship with anterior source material into tableaux, without yielding to conventional storytelling. In works such as The Juniper Tree, inspired by the Brothers Grimm, and the more recent Lines In The Sand based on the poet H. D.’s modernist-feminist epic Helen In Egypt (whose enactment of modernity’s critical quest for primal, archaic nurturing is a clear precursor to The Shape, The Scent, The Feel of Things), Jonas has been inspired by literary sources without simply adapting them. She performs in her own pieces with other actors, theatrical props, and a complicated series of video presentations. Furthermore, Jonas’s films, drawings, and sound effects are part of these presentations and provide multiple conduits for her response to the source material. SITES OF DESIRE
Tem Study of Yielding in Polycrystalline Gold Thin Films

We have used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to study the microstructure of thin gold films which were grown on 〈100〉 rock salt. The samples were annealed on the rock salt substrate or on a gold TEM specimen grid. Films annealed on rock salt had a larger mean grain size than those annealed on TEM grids. All of the annealed films have a 〈111〉 preferred orientation. Several cracks are observed in the film annealed on rock salt. Plastic yielding of the film was identified by the presence of dislocations, and is caused by tensile stress derived from grain growth. In spite of the uniform texture of the films, the observed dislocations were concentrated only in some individual grains, while their surrounding grains remained dislocation-free. Yielded grains showed no difference of orientation that would lead to higher Schmid factors, so other predictors of yielding must be considered.
Endovascular Repair of Traumatic Aortic Injuries

Endograft repair has clearly revolutionized the treatment of traumatic aortic injury. Numerous studies, both retrospective and prospective, have documented the advantages with respect to lower mortality and lower paraplegia rates as compared with traditional open repair. Additionally, 2 recent meta-analyses of the published literature both reported significantly lower mortality and paraplegia rates with endovascular repair. These clear improvements, however, come at an increased rate of device-related complications. Currently, newer devices designed to adapt to more acute bends in the proximal thoracic aorta are in the multicenter trial phase. These devices are also expected to be available in a wider range of diameters and lengths, including smaller diameter devices required to treat younger patients. A conformable Gore TAG design is undergoing trials in the United States. Trials of the Talent thoracic device for the treatment of blunt aortic injury are also ongoing. We await the results of the ongoing multicenter trials and expect that with improvements in technology, the vast majority of patients with traumatic aortic injury can be treated without open thoracic aortic surgery. The long-term durability and natural history of thoracic endograft devices, however, are unknown. Continued regular follow-up is recommended, although this can be difficult in this young population of patients. Because follow-up may be ongoing for decades, the need to identify a potential problem has to be weighed against the oncologic risks of repeated radiation exposure.
Carbon nanofiber paper and its effect on cure kinetics of low temperature epoxy resin

In this study, the preparation, properties, and characterization of thin films or “nanopapers” of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were studied. Specifically, a layer-by-layer nanopaper preparation method was used, which significantly improved the mechanical properties of nanopapers. The effect of CNF nanopaper on the cure kinetics of a low temperature epoxy resin was studied. A modified autocatalytic model was used to represent the reaction kinetics. It was found that the presence of CNF nanopaper substantially increased the resin reaction rate and final conversion. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
An 87×49 mutual capacitance touch sensing IC enabling 0.5 mm-diameter stylus signal detection at 240 Hz-reporting-rate with palm rejection

A touch sensing system capable of stylus input should have “palm rejection” function which allows the user to place one's palm on the surface of the touch sensor while writing with a stylus. In order to realize “palm rejection”, it is necessary to detect the small stylus while neglecting large signal from the palm. However this is not sufficient because small electrical noise injected through the palm into the touch sensor impedes stylus input signal in real use. This issue is because the injected noise propagates onto the touch sensor's sense channels which are capacitively-coupled with the palm and degrades the SNR of the stylus signal on the channels. A simple and effective technique to eliminate this issue is implemented in a newly developed 87×49 mutual capacitance touch sensing IC which is fabricated in an 85 nm CMOS technology. It achieves an SNR over 33 dB for a 0.5 mm-diameter stylus when a 10 Vp-p sinusoidal noise is injected to the stylus and the palm. Both the die area and the power consumption of a unit charge-to-voltage converter (CVC) designed for the IC are reduced to approximately 50% compared to those of the previous implementation [4]. In order not to report unwanted touches due to palm signals, a palm detection filter is implemented in the digital signal processor on the IC.
Effective fill-factor design results in extraordinary optical transmission in a THz wire-grid polarizer

A terahertz (THz) wire-grid polarizer is designed and demonstrated using an effective fill-factor (EFF) approach. Full-wave numerical simulations are performed to compare the performance of the EFF device with that of a baseline design wire-grid polarizer at two fill-factors (FF). The simulation results predict that the physical effects seen in the baseline design can be realized in the EFF device. This behavior is confirmed in experiments at 275, 530, and 720 GHz.
Work Incentive and Labor Force Participation after the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act of 2000

A larger share of individuals 65 and older have been staying in or returning to the labor force since the late 1980s. Because Social Security was changed from providing incentives for earlier withdrawal from the labor force to providing incentives to remain in the labor market longer, we can expect to find a relationship between the Retirement Earnings Test removal and labor force participation. The findings have implications for welfare policy such that they can increase the portion of older adults who work.
Practical Considerations for Selection of Representative Elementary Volumes for Fluid Permeability in Fibrous Porous Media

We investigate the lower bound of the area of a square-shaped representative elementary volume (REV) for the permeability tensor for transverse Stokes flow through randomly packed, parallel, and monodisperse cylinders. The investigation is significant to flow models using small calculation regions for fibrous porous media, such as modeling defect formation during directional solidification in the mushy zone of dendritic alloys. Using 90 ensembles of 1,000 domains, where each ensemble comprises domains with the same number and size of cylinders, we develop correlations between the permeability tensor invariants and macroscopic features of the domain. We find that for ensembles of domains with fewer than 200 cylinders, the eigenvectors of the permeability tensors exhibit preferential alignment with the domain axes, demonstrating that the estimated permeability is significantly affected by the periodic boundary conditions for these cases. Our results also suggest that the anisotropy of the permeability tensor may not be insignificant even for large sampling volumes. These results provide a practical lower bound for the calculation volumes used in permeability simulations in fibrous porous media, and also suggest that modelers should consider using an anisotropic tensor for small calculation volumes if phenomena such as channeling are important.
Deblurring with rank-structured inverse approximations

In this presentation, the restoration of images blurred by atmospheric turbulence is examined. The proposal uses a new class of approximations to blurring operators representing Gaussian blur. The Toeplitz matrix representing the blur is transformed into a Cauchy-like (CL) matrix using the FFT. In addition to the CL structure, the transformed matrix has a rank structure. In particular, the off-diagonal blocks have low rank. This class of matrices can be approximated quickly, and the structure can be exploited for fast image restoration.