cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of three methods of calculating strain in the mouse ulna in exogenous loading studies.

Axial compression of mouse limbs is commonly used to induce bone formation in a controlled, noninvasive manner. Determination of peak strains caused by loading is central to interpreting results. Loadstrain calibration is typically performed using uniaxial strain gauges attached to the diaphyseal, periosteal surface of a small number of sacrificed animals. Strain is measured as the limb is loaded to a range of physiological loads known to be anabolic to bone. The load-strain relationship determined by this subgroup is then extrapolated to a larger group of experimental mice. This method of strain calculation requires the challenging process of strain gauging very small bones which is subject to variability in placement of the strain gauge. We previously developed a method to estimate animalspecific periosteal strain during axial ulnar loading using an image-based computational approach that does not require strain gauges. The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship between loadinduced bone formation rates and periosteal strain at ulnar midshaft using three different methods to estimate strain: (A) Nominal strain values based solely on load-strain calibration; (B) Strains calculated from load-strain calibration, but scaled for differences in mid-shaft cross-sectional geometry among animals; and (C) An alternative image-based computational method for calculating strains based on beam theory and animal-specific bone geometry. Our results show that the alternative method (C) provides comparable correlation between strain and bone formation rates in the mouse ulna relative to the strain gauge-dependent methods (A and B), while avoiding the need to use strain gauges. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
The cancer stem cell niche—there goes the neighborhood?

The niche is the environment in which stem cells reside and is responsible for the maintenance of unique stem cell properties such as self-renewal and an undifferentiated state. The heterogeneous populations which constitute a niche include both stem cells and surrounding differentiated cells. This network of heterogeneity is responsible for the control of the necessary pathways that function in determining stem cell fate. The concept that cancer stem cells, a subpopulation of cells responsible for tumor initiation and formation, reside in their own unique niche is quickly evolving and it is of importance to understand and identify the processes occurring within this environment. The necessary intrinsic pathways that are utilized by this cancer stem cell population to maintain both self-renewal and the ability to differentiate are believed to be a result of the environment where cancer stem cells reside. The ability of a specific cancer stem cell niche to provide the environment in which this population can flourish is a critical aspect of cancer biology that mandates intense investigation. This review focuses on current evidence demonstrating that homeostatic processes such as inflammation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, hypoxia and angiogenesis contribute to the maintenance and control of cancer stem cell fate by providing the appropriate signals within the microenvironment. It is necessary to understand the key processes occurring within this highly specialized cancer stem cell niche to identify potential therapeutic targets that can serve as the basis for development of more effective anticancer treatments.
Searching Versus Surfing: How Different Ways of Acquiring Content Online Affect Cognitive Processing

ABSTRACT An experiment tested whether people orient to and encode pictures selected from a Web site differently, depending on whether the pictures were selected by searching or surfing. Participants in the search condition spent more time selecting pictures than the participants in the surf condition spent. The pictures chosen in the search condition elicited cardiac orienting, while pictures chosen in the surf condition did not. Participants recognized pictures acquired by searching more accurately than they recognized those acquired by surfing, indicating that searching led to better encoding than surfing.
Integrative Directions in Personal Construct Therapy

Abstract Studies demonstrate that eclecticism may be the dominant form of psychotherapeutic practice, although the theoretical coherence of such practice has only recently begun to receive widespread attention. Personal construct psychology can make a contribution to psychotherapy integration, by providing a conceptual framework that nests specific interventions and techniques within a more abstract clinical and formal psychological theory. Moreover, construct theory appears to be evolving toward a form of integrative practice not easily subsumed within current models of eclecticism. This model, termed Theoretically Progressive Integrationism (TPI), emphasizes integrative dialectics between theory and practice, and between different theories sharing a compatible (constructivist) metatheory. The concept of loosening versus tightening is discussed to illustrate the traditional technical eclecticism of construct theory, and current work is presented that broadens the scope of personal construct therapy in li...
A p-v-n diode model for CMOS latchup

Abstract A fully analytic model for holding voltage in a CMOS latch structure is derived by representing the device as a p-i-n or p-v-n diode. Due to heavy conductivity modulation in the region between emitters, this representation corresponds more closely to reality than lumped bipolar circuit equivalents, and requires no characterization of the parasitic latch components. Through considerations of the various current flows through the latch, an expression for the holding voltage as a function of emitter-emitter spacing is derived. Comparison with numerical simulation indicates adequate agreement.
Cross-ethnic measurement equivalence of the SCARED in an outpatient sample of African American and non-Hispanic White youths and parents.

The present study evaluated the measurement equivalence of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) in a clinical sample of non-Hispanic White (NHW) and African American (AA) youths and parents. In addition, we explored the concurrent criterion validity of parent report on the SCARED to a parent diagnostic interview. Cross-ethnic measurement equivalence was examined in both youth self-report (ages 11–18; N = 374) and parent report (youth ages 5–18; N = 808) using multiple group analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the SCARED parent report were also examined. The original five-factor structure of the SCARED was replicated using confirmatory factor analysis for both groups using parent and youth report, although factor loadings were not equivalent across groups. Sensitivity and specificity of the SCARED-P clinical cutoff score (Total ≥25) to anxiety diagnoses were acceptable in both ethnic groups. Although evidence for the c...
Sexual mate-swapping: A comparison of “normal” and “clinical” populations

While the results of research by sociologists and psychologists indicate that sexual mate-swapping is not a pathological behavior, psychodynamic considerations suggest that mate-swappers may have had difficulty adequately completing the developmental tasks of adolescence. Large scale surveys support this speculation in that mateswappers recall more unhappy childhood experiences and extremes of either parental overprotectiveness or neglect than do matched populations of non-mate-swappers. The researcher hypothesized that mate-swapping may represent an attempted “solution” to long standing individual and/or marital problems resulting from these earlier difficulties. An exploratory study of six mate-swapping couples in marital therapy supported the researcher's speculation that mate-swapping among a “client” population should be viewed from both a sociological and psychodynamic perspective. Further studies are needed to ascertain to what extent individual personality factors influence the choice of mate-swapping among the general, non-client population.
Policy implications of adjusting randomized trial data for economic evaluations: a demonstration from the ASCUS-LSIL Triage Study.

Background. Although the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is widely considered the most reliable method for evaluation of health care interventions, challenges to both internal and external validity exist. Thus, the efficacy of an intervention in a trial setting does not necessarily represent the real-world performance that decision makers seek to inform comparative effectiveness studies and economic evaluations. Methods. Using data from the ASCUS-LSIL Triage Study (ALTS), we performed a simplified economic evaluation of age-based management strategies to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) among women who were referred to the study with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). We used data from the trial itself to adjust for 1) potential lead time bias and random error that led to variation in the observed prevalence of CIN3 by study arm and 2) potential ascertainment bias among providers in the most aggressive management arm. Results. We found that using unadjusted RCT da...
Role of visual feedback in observational motor learning of primary-grade children

Bandura (1977) has suggested that self-observation, or visual feedback, is an important part of the modeling process because the learner uses it to make correct movements. This research was designe...
The angle measure technique: A new method for characterizing the complexity of geomorphic lines

A new method for characterizing the complexity of geomorphic phenomena is presented. This method, termed the angle measure technique, involves measuring the angularity of a digitized line for a wide range of scales. In this manner, the technique is capable of delineating changes in the complexity of geomorphic lines with scale, from which the characteristic scale(s) of the lines can be identified. Unlike fractal analysis, values produced by the angle measure technique correspond to single scales. Therefore, no assumptions are made concerning the relationship between complexity and scale, and the technique can resolve variations in complexity over small ranges of scale. The technique is illustrated using both computer-generated curves and natural lines, including the trace of a river channel, and is compared to fractal analysis on a contour line crossing two lava flows.
Optisim: A System Simulation Methodology for Optically Interconnected HPC Systems

Although CAD tools have significantly assisted electronic system simulation, the system-level optoelectronics modeling field has lagged behind due to a lack of simulation methodologies and tools. Optisim, a system-level modeling and simulation methodology of optical interconnects for HPC systems, can provide computer architects, designers, and researchers with a highly optimized, efficient, and accurate discrete-event environment to test various HPC systems.
Effects Of Nonlinear Resonant Absorption On Sodium Laser Guide Stars

Saturation effects may severely limit the brightness of guide stars created in the mesospheric sodium (Na) layer. Saturation arises when the laser energy density is large enough to significantly alter the population densities of the atomic states within the layer. These altered state populations lead to nonlinear absorption of the laser energy thereby producing in a reduced rate of fluorescence and an increased rate of stimulated emission. The level of saturation is determined by the laser's pulse length, pulse energy, beamwidth and linewidth. We have quantified the saturation effects in terms of these laser parameters and have formulated design equations which will allow us to design a laser capable of achieving a specified guide star brightness while at the same time minimizing the power and pulse length requirements. Our calculations show that a Na laser having a pulse energy and pulse length on the order of 106 mJ and 69 μs respectively and an linewidth of 600 MHz will produce a guide star at zenith which is bright enough to drive an adaptive optics system with a seeing cell size of r o = 18.5 cm. This energy corresponds to a laser power of 21 watts at 200 pulses per second.
On recording virtual environments

Documentation is fundamental to science. For virtual reality to be an effective scientific visualization tool, it must be recordable. This position statement outlines the benefits of image-based recording of virtual environments and introduces the VR-VCR, a device for immersive playback of recorded virtual environments. >
Tests for Parasite-mediated Frequency-dependent Selection in Natural Populations of an Asexual Plant Species

Genetic variation in plant populations for resistance to pathogens and herbivores might be maintained by parasite-mediated negative frequency-dependent selection (FDS). But it is difficult to observe the time-lagged oscillations between host and parasite genotypes that should result from FDS. To evaluate the potential for FDS, we tested for local adaptation of parasites to common clones, the role of host genetic diversity in resistance to parasites, and genetic correlations among fitness, parasitism, and the frequency of host clones. We studied three populations of Arabis holboellii, a short-lived apomictic (asexual by seed) plant attacked by rust fungi and insect herbivores. To estimate clone frequency, we used polymorphic allozyme markers on 200 individuals in each population in 1990 and in 2000. We also recorded levels of parasitism and host fitness (fruit production). Only the rust fungi showed evidence for local host adaptation; they usually increased in incidence as a function of clone frequency, and they tracked temporal change in clone frequency. In further support of FDS, parasitism was lower in populations with higher genetic diversity. However, total parasitism (herbivory and disease combined) decreased as host clone frequency and fitness increased. Thus, although the highly virulent rust pathogen showed potential for driving the cycles that result from FDS, this apparently does not occur in the populations studied because the host clones were also attacked by herbivores.
Do Sunscreens Increase or Decrease Melanoma Risk: An Epidemiologic Evaluation

Ultraviolet adiation is an important cause of melanoma, so the use of sunscreen lotions has been advocated for melanoma prevention. Several arguments have been raised in opposition to this inference. Sunscreen use may interfere with cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, which some have hypothesized may lower melanoma risk. Sunscreen users may compensate for their sunscreen use by staying out much longer in the sun, or may use sunscreen lotions inconsistantly. Published melanoma case-control studies have not consistantly demonstrated a protective effect of sunscreens; however, these studies do not provide strong evidence, ultraviolet radiation is a known cause of melanoma, and ultraviolet B may be particularly potent, so on balance the evidence supports continued advocacy of sunscreen lotion use as part of an overall sun-protection regimen. Uncertainty will remain, however, until the action spectrum of melanoma is convincingly demonstrated or the methodologic limitations of existing epidemiologic evidence are overcome. The latter may require another decade or more of experience with sunscreen use.
An Integrated Genomic Analysis of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Inhibition of B-Cell Differentiation

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alters differentiation of B cells and suppresses antibody production. A combination of whole-genome, microarray-based chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-on-chip), and time course gene expression microarray analysis was performed on the mouse B-cell line CH12.LX following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS and TCDD to identify the primary and downstream transcriptional elements of B-cell differentiation that are altered by the AHR. ChIP-on-chip analysis identified 1893 regions with a significant increase in AHR binding with TCDD treatment. Transcription factor binding site analysis on the ChIP-on-chip data showed enrichment in AHR response elements. Other transcription factors showed significant coenrichment with AHR response elements. When ChIP-on-chip regions were compared with gene expression changes at the early time points, 78 genes were identified as potential direct targets of the AHR. AHR binding and expression changes were confirmed for a subset of genes in primary mouse B cells. Network analysis examining connections between the 78 potential AHR target genes and three transcription factors known to regulate B-cell differentiation indicated multiple paths for potential regulation by the AHR. Enrichment analysis on the differentially expressed genes at each time point evaluated the downstream impact of AHR-regulated gene expression changes on B-cell-related processes. AHR-mediated impairment of B-cell differentiation occurred at multiple nodes of the B-cell differentiation network and potentially through multiple mechanisms including direct cis-acting effects on key regulators of B-cell differentiation, indirect regulation of B-cell differentiation-related pathways, and transcriptional coregulation of target genes by AHR and other transcription factors.
Flatback Revisited: Reciprocal Loss of Lumbar Lordosis Following Selective Thoracic Fusion in the Setting of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract Study Design Retrospective review of prospective multicenter adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) database. Objective To investigate the relationship between iatrogenic loss of thoracic kyphosis (TK) after selective thoracic posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSIF) for AIS with straightening of lumbar lordosis (LL). Summary of Background Data Segmental PSIF has become the standard of care for surgical treatment of severe AIS. Studies show that adults with flattening of TK and LL can develop pain and dysfunction associated with flatback syndrome. Analysis of post-fusion sagittal alignment is lacking in the AIS population. Methods Query of prospective multicenter database for AIS patients with Lenke 1, 2, or 3 curves who underwent selective thoracic PSIF (lowest instrumented vertebra equal or cephalad to L1) identified 123 patients with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up. Thoracic kyphosis (T5–T12), LL (T12–S1), and global sagittal alignment were measured preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. Health-related quality of life measures were examined. Results A total of 31% of patients had loss of TK and 42% lost LL. Patients with decreased TK had significantly higher rates of decreased LL (68%) than patients without decreased TK (31%). Multivariate regression confirmed that TK had significant predictive effect on LL (p Conclusions Loss of TK occurs commonly in selective fusion for AIS. This loss of kyphosis is strongly associated with reciprocal loss of LL. Spinal fusion can have unintended effects on sagittal alignment; these effects may have consequences that remain to be fully elucidated.
Imaging findings in musculoskeletal complications of AIDS

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are susceptible to a variety of complications that can affect the musculoskeletal system. These complications can be infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic or can take some other form. Infection (cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, soft-tissue abscess, pyomyositis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis) is the most common complication. Inflammatory processes include various arthritides as well as polymyositis. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma are the two most common neoplasms in this patient population. Miscellaneous disorders include osteonecrosis, osteoporosis, rhabdomyolysis, anemia-related abnormal bone marrow, and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. The underlying mechanisms leading to these diseases are complex and not fully understood but are thought to be multifactorial. Radiology may play an important role in early diagnosis and treatment planning in this population, in whom clinical and laboratory findings are commonly equivocal and nonspecific. Although biopsy is often necessary for the final diagnosis, it is important for the radiologist to be familiar with the different types of musculoskeletal disease in HIV-positive and AIDS patients so that an appropriate differential diagnosis can be established.
Real time chemical detection using time-wavelength spectroscopy technique

A sensing technique, based on time-wavelength spectroscopy and digital signal processing, is demonstrated through the detection of carbon monoxide. The system utilizes a linearly chirped broadband pulse to identify chemical and biochemical spectra. The main advantages of this method are the absence of an optical spectrometer and the possibility of real-time spectral analysis.
Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) most commonly develops in patients with structural heart disease. Myocardial infarction results in collagen replacement interspersed with surviving myocardium, which alters impulse propagation, facilitating re-entry.1 Aside from the postinfarction substrate, scar-mediated VT occurs in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, Chagas disease, sarcoidosis, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and postsurgical congenital heart disease. In structurally normal hearts, VT results from intracellular calcium overload or an abnormal response to adrenergic stimulation, promoting triggered activity or automaticity, respectively. There are 3 treatment options for VT, although many patients require a combination: an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), antiarrhythmic medications, and catheter ablation. An ICD provides abortive “rescue” therapy but cannot prevent the heart from going into VT. Antiarrhythmic therapy has limited efficacy and has the potential for multiple side effects, including proarrhythmia.2 In this Clinician Update, we discuss 3 different VT clinical scenarios that are amenable to catheter ablation to highlight the range of substrate-specific strategies used in the electrophysiology laboratory. An 18-year-old man presented with palpitations and fatigue. Over a period of 5 months, he had been unable to play sports owing to dyspnea on exertion. A resting ECG demonstrated sinus rhythm with frequent monomorphic premature ventricular contractions. An echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 35% with global hypokinesis. Previous treatment with β-blockers and flecainide was unsuccessful, and he was referred for evaluation for catheter ablation. The patient underwent electrophysiological study, and activation mapping was performed in the right and left ventricular outflow tracts to locate the earliest site of origin. A single application of radiofrequency energy at the earliest site below the left coronary cusp resulted in complete abolition of the premature ventricular contractions (Figure 1). Figure 1. A 12-lead ECG of ventricular bigeminy with left bundle-branch morphology and inferior axis with early precordial transition ( top ). Earliest site of activation ( bottom …
The Effect of Religious‐Based Mentoring on Educational Attainment: More than Just a Spiritual High?

Although research has found a positive relationship between various forms of adolescent religious involvement and educational outcomes, little research has examined connections to educational attainment. Using a nationally representative sample of youth (the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health—Add Health), we examine the extent to which adolescent religiosity facilitates educational attainment (i.e., high school completion and college enrollment) and whether informal mentorships formed during adolescence with religious and nonreligious adults can help explain the link between adolescent religious involvement and educational attainment. The findings confirm that, like academic outcomes, religious youth are more likely to complete high school and enroll in college even when controlling for other individual and interpersonal factors that affect educational attainment. Furthermore, informal mentorships, particularly those with adults who have official religious positions (e.g., priest, minister, rabbi) play an important role in college enrollment.
Computer-aided modeling and experimental verification of the performance of power conditioner operated permanent magnet brushless DC motors including rotor damping effects

A model is presented for computer-aided prediction of performance of permanent-magnet brushless DC motors, including effects of rotor damping due to metallic retainment sleeves. The computer-generated parameters given by N.A. Demerdash et al. (ibid., vol.3, see p.705-13, 1988) are used in a model formulated entirely in the natural abc frame of reference. This avoids the complication of transformation from one frame of reference to another, and hence this approach enables one to incorporate all insignificant harmonic effects due to any saliency and slotting. The development of the model in the natural abc frame of reference also facilitates the integration of the machine and the electronic power conditioner into one all-encompassing equivalent network model for the entire business DC motor system. The validity of the model was verified by applying it to the prediction of the performance of a 15 hp, 120 V, 6-pole, samarium-cobalt permanent-magnet brushless DC motor and comparing the digital simulation results with the corresponding test data for this motor system. >
Counselors'-in-Training Perceptions of Gendered Behavior

This study utilized Q methodology to examine counselors'-in-training (CIT) perceptions of gendered behavior. Findings supported that most CITs adhered to a traditional view of gender. To work effectively with couples and families, it is suggested that counselors need to address and explore potential biases and socialized stereotypes of gender.
Neurodiversity, neurological disability and the public sector: notes on the autism spectrum

Neurodiversity and neurological disabilities reflect rising public sector challenges. Both refer to the same set of medical conditions, but speak to different aspects of diversity affecting the public sector. Neurodiversity describes features of neurological difference associated with individual or community identity that is a more or less elective choice of those experiencing neurological difference. Neurological disability refers to impairment of socially determined major life functions caused by observable, diagnosable difference in an individual's brain. Both neurodiversity and neurological disability produce challenges and opportunities for public programs and societies. This article employs findings from a survey of families with children with autism to examine administrative implications of neurodiversity and neurological disability. The findings suggest that in managing new (and rising) kinds of diversity, public administrators must navigate sharpening divides between interests related to inclusio...
Union Leadership and Member Participation

Summary There is a substantial body of research which documents the importance of the leader's interpersonal skills in determining the attitudes and behavior of group members. Most of this work has been done in industry and has been concentrated on the relationship between the foreman and his men. The present article represents an attempt to replicate several of the well-established industrial findings on a different population–union stewards and the members of their shops. Participation in union activities was regarded as the analog of individual productivity, and it was predicted that this criterion would be related to the perceived leadership skills of the steward in (1) communicating to the men, (2) involving them in decision making, (3) providing “help” to the men, and (4) taking personal interest in how the men get along on the job. These relationships were tested in four local unions of the industrial type in southern Michigan. The locals had been selected to differ with respect to the participation criterion. Data were collected by written questionnaire, with telephone and personal follow-up. Results were substantially as predicted, with the rank order of locals on the leadership dimensions corresponding closely to the ranking on the participation criterion.
Surface Oriented Self-Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes

In this paper, we demonstrate the self assembled growth of nanotubes along the surface of (100), (110) and (111) silicon wafers using thermal CVD. Iron nanoparticles, 10 nm in diameter, were used as the catalyst. Carbon nanotubes were grown in a methane atmosphere at 1000°C. SEM and AFM characterization revealed single wall carbon nanotubes, about 10 nm in diameter and up to 10 νm in length, growing along the direction of the silicon wafer. The mechanism of growth of nanotubes is similar to that of molecular epitaxy which occurs due to the lattice matching of the silicon and iron crystal lattices forming self aligned silicides at high temperature which help orient the nanotubes. This process may enable the integration of nanotubes with CMOS processing technology.
Performance Characterization of Decimal Arithmetic in Commercial Java Workloads

Binary floating-point numbers with finite precision cannot represent all decimal numbers with complete accuracy. This can often lead to errors while performing calculations involving floating point numbers. For this reason many commercial applications use special decimal representations for performing these calculations, but their use carries performance costs such as bi-directional conversion. The purpose of this study was to understand the total application performance impact of using these decimal representations in commercial workloads, and provide a foundation of data to justify pursuing optimized hardware support for decimal math. In Java, a popular development environment for commercial applications, the BigDecimal class is used for performing accurate decimal computations. BigDecimal provides operations for arithmetic, scale manipulation, rounding, comparison, hashing, and format conversion. We studied the impact of BigDecimal usage on the performance of server-side Java applications by analyzing its usage on two standard enterprise benchmarks, SPECjbb2005 and SPECjAppServer2004 as well as a real-life mission-critical financial workload, Morgan Stanley's Trade Completion. In this paper, we present detailed performance characteristics and we conclude that, relative to total application performance, the overhead of using software decimal implementations is low, and at least from the point of view of these workloads, there is insufficient performance justification to pursue hardware solutions
Extended whole program paths

We describe the design, generation and compression of the extended whole program path (eWPP) representation that not only captures the control flow history of a program execution but also its data dependence history. This representation is motivated by the observation that typically a significant fraction of data dependence history can be recovered from the control flow trace. To capture the remainder of the data dependence history we introduce disambiguation checks in the program whose control flow signatures capture the results of the checks. The resulting extended control flow trace enables the recovery of otherwise unrecoverable data dependences. The code for the checks is designed to minimize the increase in the program execution time and the extended control flow trace size when compared to directly collecting control flow and dependence traces. Our experiments show that compressed eWPPs are only 4% of the size of combined compressed control flow and dependence traces and their collection requires 20% more runtime overhead than overhead required for directly collecting the control flow and dependence traces.
A Synthesis of Mathematical and Cognitive Performances of Students With Mathematics Learning Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the findings from 23 articles that compared the mathematical and cognitive performances of students with mathematics learning disabilities (LD) to (a) students with LD in mathematics and reading, (b) age- or grade-matched students with no LD, and (c) mathematical-ability-matched younger students with no LD. Overall results revealed that students with mathematics LD exhibited higher word problem-solving abilities and no significant group differences on working memory, long-term memory, and metacognition measures compared to students with LD in mathematics and reading. Findings also revealed students with mathematics LD demonstrated significantly lower performance compared to age- or grade-matched students with no LD on both mathematical and cognitive measures. Comparison between students with mathematics LD and younger students with no LD revealed mixed outcomes on mathematical measures and generally no significant group differences on cognitive measures.
Designing computer support for daily hospital staffing decisions

This paper relates issues encountered in extending a centralized computer-based nurse scheduling system to support daily staffing decisions in a hospital environment. When calculating the daily staffing needs on each nursing unit, the conceptually simple interactive staffing system incurred considerable costs in categorizing patients according to level of care required. Two years of historical data collected daily in a 568 bed St. Louis hospital were used to test the sensitivity of relative staffing requirements to daily fluctuations in patient-care distributions. A periodic sampling plan appears adequate for updating distributions which can then be applied to current census in estimating daily staffing needs. Recommendations for implementing such a system are offeredCet article decrit les problemes souleves par la misc en place d'un systeme automatise concu pour optimiser la repartition journaliere des infirmieres dans un hopital. Si les besoins correspondent a chaque unite de soins devaient ětre revus e...
Pattern Recognition of Sleep in Rodents Using Piezoelectric Signals Generated by Gross Body Movements

Current research on sleep using experimental animals is limited by the expense and time-consuming nature of traditional EEG/EMG recordings. We present here an alternative, noninvasive approach utilizing piezoelectric films configured as highly sensitive motion detectors. These film strips attached to the floor of the rodent cage produce an electrical output in direct proportion to the distortion of the material. During sleep, movement associated with breathing is the predominant gross body movement and, thus, output from the piezoelectric transducer provided an accurate respiratory trace during sleep. During wake, respiratory movements are masked by other motor activities. An automatic pattern recognition system was developed to identify periods of sleep and wake using the piezoelectric generated signal. Due to the complex and highly variable waveforms that result from subtle postural adjustments in the animals, traditional signal analysis techniques were not sufficient for accurate classification of sleep versus wake. Therefore, a novel pattern recognition algorithm was developed that successfully distinguished sleep from wake in approximately 95% of all epochs. This algorithm may have general utility for a variety of signals in biomedical and engineering applications. This automated system for monitoring sleep is noninvasive, inexpensive, and may be useful for large-scale sleep studies including genetic approaches towards understanding sleep and sleep disorders, and the rapid screening of the efficacy of sleep or wake promoting drugs
Effects of testosterone propionate on body weight and urinary nitrogen excretion of normal and hypophysectomized rats.

IN A PKEVTOUS paper (Simpson, Marx, Becks and Evans 1943) it was suggested that the well-known effect of testosterone propionate on body weight might be mediated through the pituitary. This hypothesis was supported by the failure of testosterone propionate to produce a significant increase in body weight and skeletal dimensions in hypophysectomized, young, male rats. On the other hand, Leonard (1943) reported partial maintenance of weight in hypophysectomized male rats when he injected 10-12 mg. of testosterone over a 10-day period, whereas the controls lost weight. Tyslowitz (1943) has also noted acceleration of growth in hypophysectomized rats. Kochakian (1943) induced nitrogen retention in an hypophysectomized, castrated dog with 25 mg. of testosterone propionate per day.
Interpreting Dimensions of Consumer Trust in E-Commerce

Consumer trust in an Internet vendor is an issue commanding ever more attention. Based on an extensive review of literature, this paper proposes dimensions of trust in an Internet vendor. These are competence, integrity and benevolence. Competence refers to a company's ability to fulfill promises made with the consumers. Integrity suggests that a company acts in a consistent, reliable, and honest manner. Benevolence is the ability of a company to hold consumer interests ahead of its own self-interest and indicates sincere concern for the welfare of the customers. In a further analysis various sources where trust might reside are also identified. Drawing on the literature in marketing and general management, the sources of trust are classified as characteristics of the consumer, the firm, the website and the interaction between the consumer and the firm. Given the dimensions and sources of trust, a path model for developing consumer trust in E-commerce is suggested. This research makes a contribution to the development of a theoretical understanding of trust in E-commerce. Although the concepts presented in this paper can be used to carry out further empirical research, they can also be used by practitioners to identify particular trust characteristics for realizing the potential of business to consumer E-commerce venture.
When Institutional Work Backfires: Organizational Control of Professional Work in Pharmaceutical Industry

Integrating institutional and role theories, this paper develops a Logics-Roles-Action (LRA) framework for understanding how for-profit organizations structure institutional work to managerially control the work of professionals they employ. Structurally, this institutional work involves three elements: (1) internalizing pluralistic logics (logics), (2) institutionalizing distinct roles embedded in these logics (roles), and (3) scripting goal-oriented role enactment plans (action). The LRA framework also posits that social knowledge of clients and publics is a critical factor in precipitating institutional change from the institutional work of organizations, whether intended or not. An empirical examination of the LRA framework in the pharmaceutical industry evidences four distinct organizational strategies that script role enactments of sales professionals in their interactions with physicians. Each strategy is intended to reaffirm prevailing institutional logics, but eventually backfires by disrupting the very institutional structures that it seeks to maintain and replicate. We show that this disruptive effect is mediated by changes in the social knowledge of institutional work. We close with theoretical and managerial implications for organizational structuring of institutional work and dynamics of institutional change.
The Inverse Problem: Computational Algorithms and Their Efficiency with Applications to a Model of the Calvin Photosynthesis Cycle

The present article is concerned with the mathematical and numerical algorithms encountered in the parameter identification problem for large and complex biological systems. The primary thrust is to determine how these algorithms interact when applied to realistically complex non-linear systems. Specifically, we are concerned with the computational complexity of a model which describes the Calvin photosynthesis cycle. The cycle is described mathematically by seventeen non-linear ordinary differential equations having twenty-two undetermined parameters [Milstein, 1975]. Identifying these parameters from several sets of data constitutes the inverse problem.
High Performance Input Scanning Arrays Using Amorphous Silicon Photodiodesand Thin-Film Transistors

The use of large area hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) technology has enabled compact, full page width scanners to be built inexpensively, and is now the dominant method for fabricating low-end facsimile machines. This technology has now been extended to scanners with considerably higher levels of performance. High speed, high resolution, full-width input scanning arrays have been developed using a-Si:H photodiodes and thin-film transistors (TFTs). A 12″ long array has been designed to scan 3 colors at 400 spots per inch, and operates at speeds of up to 40 pages per minute, achieving a signal/noise ratio of 400:1 at intensities of 30 μWcm-2. The color scan array is made using 3 rows of a-Si:H photodiodes, one per color, addressed by TFTs which share sets of common data lines. The data lines are arranged in a low capacitance non-crossing configuration which allows the scanner to achieve high responsivity with low crosstalk. The data lines are connected to a number of readout chips, each of which amplifies and multiplexes the photosignals onto a single video output line. Optoelectronic test results and images obtained from this device will be presented. These results indicate that high quality color images can be obtained from a-Si:H scanners, and that the present scanner is more limited by the speed of the readout chips than by the a-Si:H devices themselves.
Overview of a 32-Bit Microprocessor Design Project

This paper will attempt to give an overview of a large microprocessor design project. Its purpose is not so much to describe a particular machine, but rather to describe the design process. It will present the design approaches taken and the design tools used or created during the project, and will cover topics such as the division of work, problem areas and important results. However, in order to properly set that discussion in perspective, a brief description of the microprocessor will also be given.
Electroencephalographic coherence and cortical acetylcholine during ketamine-induced unconsciousness

Background There is limited understanding of cortical neurochemistry and cortical connectivity during ketamine anaesthesia. We conducted a systematic study to investigate the effects of ketamine on cortical acetylcholine (ACh) and electroencephalographic coherence. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats ( n =11) were implanted with electrodes to record electroencephalogram (EEG) from frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices, and with a microdialysis guide cannula for simultaneous measurement of ACh concentrations in prefrontal cortex before, during, and after ketamine anaesthesia. Coherence and power spectral density computed from the EEG, and ACh concentrations, were compared between conscious and unconscious states. Loss of righting reflex was used as a surrogate for unconsciousness. Results Ketamine-induced unconsciousness was associated with a global reduction of power ( P =0.02) in higher gamma bandwidths (>65 Hz), a global reduction of coherence ( P ≤0.01) across a broad frequency range (0.5–250 Hz), and a significant increase in ACh concentrations ( P =0.01) in the prefrontal cortex. Compared with the unconscious state, recovery of righting reflex was marked by a further increase in ACh concentrations ( P =0.0007), global increases in power in theta (4–10 Hz; P =0.03) and low gamma frequencies (25–55 Hz; P =0.0001), and increase in power ( P ≤0.01) and coherence ( P ≤0.002) in higher gamma frequencies (65–250 Hz). Acetylcholine concentrations, coherence, and spectral properties returned to baseline levels after a prolonged recovery period. Conclusions Ketamine-induced unconsciousness is characterized by suppression of high-frequency gamma activity and a breakdown of cortical coherence, despite increased cholinergic tone in the cortex.
Photoelectrochemistry of Polyaniline

@@ This structure has recently been confirmed by a step-wise synthesis of the polymer (2). Reduction of the polymer ultimately results in the formation of the pale yellow 1eucoemeraldine oxidation state (y = 1); oxidation results ultimately in the formation of the unstable intense violet perni-graniline oxidation state (y = 0). Protonation of the emeraldine base in ~ IM aqueous HCl (pH = 0) results in an increase in conductivity by a factor of ~* 1010 to a conductivity of ~* 5 S/cm2 with the formation of the emeraldine hydrochloride salt,
Comparison between the therapeutic effects of robotic-assisted locomotor training and an anti-spastic medication on spasticity

We studied the effects of robotic-assisted locomotor (LOKOMAT) training or an anti-spastic medication (tizanidine) on neuromuscular abnormality associated with spasticity in persons with incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Subjects were randomly divided to three groups: Lok, Tiz, and Cont. LOKOMAT training was performed 3 days/week for 4 weeks, with up to 45 minutes of training per session. Tizanidine (2mg) was administered (4\day), for 4 weeks. Subjects in Cont group received no intervention. The participants were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of training, and the effects of training on the intrinsic (muscular) and reflexive components of the neuromuscular properties were quantified over the ankle range-of-motion. A parallel-cascade system identification technique was used to determine the reflex and intrinsic stiffness of the ankle joint as a function of ankle position at each time point. The intercept and slope of the stiffness vs. joint angle curve were then calculated and tracked over the four-week period. The number of subjects that achieved the minimally important difference (MID) for the intercepts and slopes, and levels of changes were compared. Both Lokomat and tizanidine resulted in significant reduction in both intercept and slope of reflex and intrinsic stiffness. However, a higher proportion of subjects in Lok group achieved the MID for the reflex (>90%) and intrinsic (65–78%) parameters compared with Tiz group (up to 63% and 25% for reflex and intrinsic parameters, respectively). The levels of reduction were also higher in the Lok than the Tiz group. No one in the Cont group achieved the MID. Our findings demonstrate that LOKOMAT training can be more efficient in modifying neuromuscular abnormalities associated with spasticity than tizanidine.
Design of Sustainable Product Systems and Supply Chains with Life Cycle Optimization Based on Functional Unit: General Modeling Framework, Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming Algorithms and Case Study on Hydrocarbon Biofuels

We propose a life cycle optimization framework for the design of sustainable product systems and supply chains considering the concept of “functional unit” under economic and environmental criteria. This general modeling framework integrates the life cycle analysis methodology with multiobjective optimization and measures both the economic and environmental performances based on a standard quantity of functional unit associated with final products. The Pareto-optimal frontier returned by the multiobjective optimization problem reveals the trade-off between the economic and environmental objectives. We also present tailored optimization algorithms for efficiently solving the mixed-integer linear fractional programming problems, which result from the life cycle optimization framework. We apply the proposed life cycle optimization framework to a case study on the hydrocarbon biofuels through a spatially explicit model for the county-level supply chain in Illinois. The Pareto-optimal results show that the env...