cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel approach for characterizing the mixing zone of a saltwater wedge

[1] The mixing zone between freshwater and seawater in a coastal aquifer is an important transition region that controls regional groundwater flow dynamics and reactive transport processes. While experimental procedures have been developed to study the movement of salt wedges in aquifers, so far no one has attempted to exclusively map the mixing zone associated with the wedge in a laboratory-scale aquifer model. We propose a colorimetric experimental method, which employs the reaction between alkaline freshwater and acidic saltwater, to map the mixing zone. The experiment was completed in a two-dimensional aquifer model to simulate a steady saltwater wedge. We used the density-dependent flow model SUTRA to simulate these experimental results and to estimate the mixing parameters, i.e., dispersivity coefficients. The results show that the proposed colorimetric technique is a useful experimental approach to visualize and quantify the level of mixing in a saltwater intrusion experiment.
The Imperial monetary system of Mughal India

Early modern India under the Mughals evolved a powerful uniform currency and monetary order. Like the state that created it, the Mughal monetary system was pervasive, flexible and long-lived. One indication of this is the sheer number and wide distribution of coins in circulation or retained in private and public coffers; as remarkable was the fact that this enormous mint output occurred, over two centuries, in a region lacking in any significant production of silver and gold, and only limited copper. This volume of seven essays by distinguished economic historians, constitutes the first systematic study of the Mughal monetary system, and the process of imperial monetary integration. Readership: economic historians; economists; students of South Asian Studies.
Layer-by-Layer Assembly of CdSe Nanoparticles Based on Hydrogen Bonding

We report the synthesis of nonaqueous dispersion of CdSe nanoparticles and the layer-by-layer assembly of hybrid poly(vinylpyridine) (PVP)/CdSe multilayer thin films based on hydrogen bonding. The multilayer buildup is monitored by UV−vis spectra, which showed a linear increase of the film absorbance with the number of adsorbed CdSe layers. The resulted films have a high degree of flatness and smoothness as indicated by small-angle X-ray diffraction. Hydrogen bond interaction, the driving force for the formation of PVP/CdSe multilayer thin film, between the pyridine group of PVP and the carboxylic acid group on CdSe was verified by FTIR spectroscopy.
Events of Hospitalization Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Previous research has identified vaso-occlusive pain crisis as the most common reason for hospitalization among pediatric patients with sickle cell disease. We sought to identify contributors to hospitalization and length of stay (LOS) for this patient population. A descriptive design was used to determine factors associated with hospitalization and LOS for patients with sickle cell disease at an urban tertiary care pediatric hospital in the Midwest. Sickle cell disease as a principal or secondary diagnosis during calendar year 2003 was used to identify patients for study inclusion. Data were collected from subjects' medical records and the hospital accounting system. 72 African American subjects, ranging in age from infant to 24 years (mean = 10.3) met study inclusion criteria, and accounted for 186 hospitalizations. Sickle cell pain crisis was the most common diagnosis associated with hospitalization (n = 122). Adolescent age was significantly associated with longer LOS (r = .451; p<.001), and females stayed on average 2.1 days longer than male subjects (p = .001). Age and gender appear to be associated with LOS in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease, although specific factors underlying these findings remain unclear. Further research is necessary to determine how the complex interplay of social, cultural, developmental, and physiologic factors may contribute to the hospitalization experience of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.
Clustering Very Low-Income, Insured Women’s Mammography Screening Barriers Into Potentially Functional Subgroups

Background: Mammography screening is essential for early detection of breast cancer and increased survival rates. Women, particularly those of low socioeconomic status, face barriers that impede their screening adherence. Although many studies have sought to identify these barriers, more research is needed on to address these obstacles in practice. The objective of this study is to divide mammography screening barriers into functional clusters using empirical evidence, which may guide the development of effective mammography screening promotion messages. Methods: A sample of 173 low-income White and Black women randomly selected from a managed care organization rated each of 21 potential mammography barriers on a scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” A maximum clustering similarity method was used to identify relevant clusters of screening barriers. Results: Five clusters were derived, with a high similarity index (0.881). Each cluster was named to reflect the shared theme of the barriers within it: Perceived Lack of Value in Health Care, Lack of Information, Mistrust/Skepticism, Medical Delay Behavior, and Anxiety/No Control. A dominant barrier within each cluster was identified, and bivariate correlation coefficients were reported. Conclusion: Cluster analysis yielded five distinct subgroups of mammography screening barriers. Copyright 2012 by the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.
The deformation and kinematic mixing of a collapsing interface

Abstract Interface morphology and flow characteristics of buoyancy driven flow inside a closed cavity are investigated numerically with a two-fluid model. A van Leer scheme is used to resolve the sharp property gradient across the interface. Transport equations are solved for zone-averaged variables of each fluid with allowance for interface transfer of momentum. The volume fraction of one of the fluids is used to track the interface. At a small Atwood number the model agrees with the results based on the Boussinesq approximation. Three flow regimes (chaotic, convective, and diffusive) are formed, depending on the parametric range of the Reynolds number, which is shown to be related to the Grashof number. The mixing efficiency is found to be highest in the chaotic regime and lowest in the diffusive regime.
Effects of dietary copper deficiency on relative food intake and growth efficiency in rats

Weanling male rats were fed either copper-adequate (CuA) or copper-deficient (CuD) diets ad lib for 20 wk. A pair-fed group was also studied. Two relative food intake indices (RFIs) and a growth efficiency (GE) index were calculated. Body weights of the CuD group became reduced compared to the CuA group starting the sixth week of the study. Copper deficiency was found to affect both of the RFI indices and the GE index in a time-dependent manner. RFIs and GE were reduced early, but recovered towards the control values during the last half of the experimental period. At the end of 20 wk, organ copper content and serum ceruloplasmin was reduced in the CuD group. Dietary copper deficiency reduces growth rate through effects both on food intake and efficiency of food utilization for growth.
Phase plane based identification of fetal heart rate patterns

Using a phase plane analysis (PPA) of the spatial spread of trajectories of the fetal heart rate and its time-derivative we characterize the fetal heart rate patterns (fHRP) as defined by Nijhuis. For this purpose, we collect 22 fetal magnetocardiogram using a 151 SQUID system from 22 low-risk fetuses in gestational ages ranging from 30 to 37 weeks. Each study lasted for 30 minutes. After the attenuation of the maternal cardiac signals, we identify the R waves using an adaptive Hilbert transform approach and calculate the fetal heart rate. On these datasets, we apply the proposed approach and the traditionally used approaches such as standard deviation of the normal to normal intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of the successive difference (RMSSD). Heart rate patterns are scored by an expert using Nijhuis criteria and revealed A, B, and D patterns. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve is used to assess the performance of the metric to differentiate the different patterns. Results showed that only PPA was able to differentiate all pairs of fHRP with high performance.
Failure analysis of through-silicon vias in free-standing wafer under thermal-shock test

Abstract Through-silicon vias (TSVs), being one of the key enabling technologies for three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) stacking, silicon interposer technology, and advanced wafer level packaging (WLP), has attracted tremendous interest throughout the semiconductor industry. However, limited work addresses TSV reliability issue, and even less experimental failure analysis has been reported in the literatures. In this paper, TSV samples have been fabricated and tested under thermal-shock test from −55 °C to 125 °C. Various experimental techniques have been used to carry out the failure mechanism analysis. Both Cu/SiO2 interfacial separations and SiO2/Si cohesive cracking were identified at various locations along the Cu/SiO2/Si interfaces. Finite-element based fracture analysis models have also been developed to understand the interfacial/cohesive crack initiation and propagation. A centered finite difference approach (CFDA) based on Griffith’s energy balance has been developed for the axisymmetric crack propagation analysis. Also, the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) has been applied for the axisymmetric interfacial/cohesive crack analysis. Both methods match perfectly with each other for linear elastic analysis, and agree well for elastic–plastic analysis. The fracture analysis results match the experimental observations, and also provide insight on the reason behind different failure mechanisms.
On matching the spectrum of Io: Variations in the photometric properties of sulfur-containing mixtures

The problem of comparing laboratory spectra of sulfur-containing binary mixtures with the spectrum of Io is discussed. For the satellite, the observable is the geometric albedo as a function of wavelength, whereas in the laboratory one often measures some other type of albedo. A previous paper demonstrated that for pure sulfur the multiplicative factor which converts the laboratory albedos to geometric albedos can be strongly wavelength dependent. The present paper demonstrates that this is also true for binary sulfur-containing mixtures. Furthermore, there is no universal conversion factor applicable to all binary mixtures, nor can the factor be interpolated for a particular mixture from the conversion factors of the two end members. The conversion factor is a function not only of the specific composition of a binary mixture but also of the relative particle size distributions of the two components, and must be measured specifically for each individual sample if a quantitative comparison between a laboratory sample and Io's surface is desired.
Apoptotic abscess imaging with 99mTc-HYNIC-rh-Annexin-V

Abstract Abscess formation causes systemic and localized up-regulation of neutrophil [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)] signaling pathways. In the abscess, following bacterial ingestion or PMN activation by inflammatory mediators, PMN apoptosis is elevated and leads to the externalization of phosphatidylserine. Annexin-V (AnxV) has been shown to have high affinity to externalized phosphatidylserine. We hypothesized that 99m Tc-AnxV will target high densities of apoptotic PMNs and image abscesses. AnxV, conjugated with hydrazinenicaotinamide (HYNIC), was labeled with reduced 99m TcO 4 − and its purity was determined by instant thin-layer chromatography. Apoptosis was induced in isolated human PMNs by incubation in 2% saline for 17 and 22 h at 37°C. PMNs were then incubated with 99m Tc-HYNIC-AnxV and associated 99m Tc was determined. Abscesses were induced in mice by intramuscular injection of bacteria or turpentine. Following intravenous administration of 99m Tc-HYNIC-AnxV, mice were imaged and tissue distribution studied at 4 and 24 h. Radiochemical purity of 99m Tc-HYNIC-AnxV was 84.9±8.11%. At 17 h, 99m Tc-HYNIC-AnxV bound to apoptotic PMNs was 71.6±0.01% and 48.6±0.01% for experimental and control cells, respectively ( P =.002). At 22 h, experimental cells retained 74.9±0.02% and control cells retained 47.2±0.02% ( P =.005). 99m Tc-HYNIC-AnxV associated with bacterial abscesses was 1.25±0.09 and 3.75±0.83 percent injected dose per gram (%ID/g) at 4 and 24 h compared to turpentine abscesses which was 1.02±0.16 and 0.72±0.17 %ID/g at 4 ( P ≤.05) and 24 h ( P ≤.01). 99m Tc-HYNIC-AnxV represents a minimally invasive and promising agent to image and potentially distinguish between infectious and inflammatory abscesses.
An adaptive control system with sinusoidal parameter perturbation

An adaptive control system is analyzed in order to investigate system behavior. The system consists of a model system in parallel with a system whose parameters are adjusted or dithered sinus-oidally. The difference in output (error) of the two systems is squared and used as a performance criterion in optimizing the parameters of the adjusted system. It is shown that the deviation from the optimum parameter value is a linear function of the component of error squared at the dither frequency if initial error is not too large. If the initial error is large, the deviation may be independent of error squared in which case the system will not adapt.
Cytokine gene expression in the MRL/lpr model of lupus nephritis.

Cytokine gene expression in the MRL/lpr model of lupus nephritis. The murine MRL/lpr model of lupus nephritis is characterized by a systemic autoimmune syndrome closely resembling the human disease. The lpr mutation represents a defect in the expression of the apoptosis-signaling Fas antigen gene which causes accelerated autoimmune disease in MRL/lpr mice and a milder, non-lethal autoimmune syndrome in C57BL6-lpr/lpr mice. The role of cytokines in autoimmune pathogenesis and its relationship with the lpr mutation remains poorly understood. In this study we utilized a RNase protection assay to quantitatively and simultaneously examine the expression of 10 different cytokine genes, namely IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TNF-β in kidney, spleen, liver, and lymph nodes obtained from pre-diseased and diseased lupus-prone MRL/lpr, pre-diseased MRL/+ + and C57BL/6-lpr mice, as well as healthy non-autoimmune C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice. Diseased MRL/lpr mice demonstrated marked and predominant IL-1β gene up-regulation in kidneys, liver, lymph nodes and spleen. Increased message for both TNF-α and IFN-γ genes was also observed in lymph nodes, and less consistently, in the spleen, and kidneys derived from diseased MRL/lpr mice as compared to pre-diseased MRL/+ + or normal non-autoimmune control mice. Furthermore, a modest increase in the expression of both IL-1β and IFN-γ message was observed in lymphoid organs of pre-diseased MRL/lpr and C51BL/6-lpr mice compared with MRL/+ + and C57BL/6 controls, respectively. Increased IL-1β gene expression was associated with the presence of the lpr mutation, was observed during the prediseased stage, and increased during active disease in both male and female mice. In summary, these results demonstrate that generalized up-regulation of IL-1β gene expression, in concert with a more limited up-regulation of both TNF-α and IFN-γ expression, are prominent features of the autoimmune syndrome in the MRL/lpr model of SLE and may contribute to the disease-accelerating effect of the lpr mutation.
Acceptance Testing and Performance Monitoring of Radiographic Phototimers

A protocol for acceptance testing and performance monitoring of radiographic phototimers is described, together with results obtained during application of the protocol to evaluation of the response characteristics of phototimers on two new x-ray generators.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation is required for Asp816 mutant c-Kit–mediated cytokine-independent survival and proliferation in human leukemia cells

Activating mutations of c-kit at codon 816 (Asp(816)) have been implicated in a variety of malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The mutant c-Kit receptor confers cytokine-independent survival of leukemia cells and induces tumorigenicity. Changes in the signal transduction pathways responsible for Asp(816) mutant c-Kit-mediated biologic effects are largely undefined. The results of this study show that Asp(816) mutant c-Kit induces constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT1, and up-regulates STAT3 downstream targets, Bcl-x(L) and c-myc. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K)/Akt pathway, but not the Ras-mediated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, is also constitutively activated by Asp(816) mutant c-Kit. Suppression of STAT3 activation by a dominant negative molecule in MO7e leukemia cells transduced with mutant c-kit inhibits stem cell factor (SCF)-independent survival and proliferation, accompanied by the down-regulation of Bcl-x(L) and c-myc. However, activated STAT3 does not appear to be the sole mediator that is responsible for the phenotypic changes induced by Asp(816) mutant c-Kit, because expression of constitutively activated STAT3 in MO7e cells does not completely reconstitute cytokine independence. Activation of other signaling components by mutant c-Kit, such as those in the PI-3K/Akt pathway, is demonstrated and may also be needed for the mutant c-Kit-mediated biologic effects. The investigation of altered signal transduction pathways and the resulting functional consequences mediated by Asp(816) mutant c-Kit should provide important information for the characterization of subsets of leukemia and potential molecular pathways for therapeutic targeting. (Blood. 2001;97:3559-3567)
A roadmap for data services

This poster describes our experiences as four CLIR/DLF postdoctoral fellows in developing data services at our respective universities. We report on our particular activities and achievements, which we synthesize into a common framework that can guide the development of data services at other academic institutions. The analysis of our experiences suggests the necessity of stronger cooperation of units within universities as well as increased and more diverse collaborations among universities.
Does working memory load lead to greater impulsivity? Commentary on Hinson, Jameson, and Whitney (2003).

Previous research by J. M. Hinson, T. L. Jameson, and P. Whitney (2003) demonstrated that a secondary task in a delayed discounting paradigm increased subjects’ preference for the immediate reward. J. M. Hinson et al. interpreted their findings as evidence that working memory load results in greater impulsivity. The present authors conducted a reanalysis of the data from J. M. Hinson et al.’s Experiment 1 at the individual-subject level. Difference scores were calculated by subtracting the digit memory load condition from the control condition for k (discounting parameter) and a measure of “erroneous” responses. The results indicated that the secondary task increased random responding, which in turn can account for the increased mean estimates of k. Thus, the data do not support the claim that cognitive load affects impulsivity per se.
Morphological effects of coronary balloon angioplasty in vivo assessed by intravascular ultrasound imaging.

BACKGROUND Histological examination of the effects of balloon angioplasty have been described from in vitro experiments and a limited number of pathologic specimens. Intravascular ultrasound imaging permits real time cross-sectional observation of the effect of balloon dilation on the atherosclerotic plaque in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS The morphological effects of coronary angioplasty were visualized at 66 lesions in 47 patients immediately after balloon dilatation with an intravascular ultrasound imaging catheter. Cross-sectional images were obtained at 30 frames per second as the catheter passed along the length of the artery. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the dilated atherosclerotic plaque were made from the angiograms and the ultrasound images. Six morphological patterns after angioplasty were appreciated by ultrasound imaging. Type A consists of a linear, partial tear of the plaque from the lumen toward the media (seven lesions); Type B is defined by a split in the plaque that extends to the media (12 lesions); Type C demonstrates a dissection behind the plaque that subtends an arc of up to 180 degrees around the circumference (18 lesions); Type D was a more extensive dissection that encompasses an arc of more than 180 degrees (four lesions); and Type E may be present in either concentric (Type E1, 14 lesions) or eccentric (Type E2, 11 lesions) plaque and is defined as an ultrasound study without any evidence of a fracture or a dissection in the plaque. There was a large amount of residual atheroma in each type of morphology (7.8 +/- 2.9 mm2, 61.6 +/- 15.4% of cross-sectional area); there was no difference, however, in lumen or atheroma cross-sectional area among these six patterns. There was a good correlation between ultrasound and angiography for the recognition of a dissection. Calcification was seen in only 14% of lesions on angiography, whereas most lesions (83%) revealed calcification on ultrasound imaging. As determined by intravascular ultrasound, calcified plaque was more likely to fracture in response to balloon dilatation than noncalcified plaque (p less than 0.01). Thirteen of 66 lesions (20%) developed clinical and angiographic restenosis. Restenosis was more likely to occur when the original dilatation left a concentric plaque without a fracture or dissection (Type E1, 50% incidence) compared with a mean restenosis rate of 12% in the remaining morphological patterns (p = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS Intravascular ultrasound provides a more complete quantitative and qualitative description of plaque geometry and composition than angiography after balloon angioplasty. In addition, intravascular ultrasound identified a subset of atherosclerotic plaque that has a higher incidence of restenosis. This information could be used prospectively to consider other therapeutic options in this subset. Intravascular ultrasound provides a method to describe the effects of angioplasty that will be useful in comparing future coronary intervention studies.
Exact solutions of the Helmholtz, Weyl composition equation in underwater acoustics - The quadratic profile

The application of phase space and path integral methods to both mathematical and computational forward and inverse wave propagation modeling at the level of the scalar one-way Helmholtz equation has been extensive in ocean seismo-acoustics. Operator symbols play a primary role in the development. The construction of the operator symbol requires the exact or approximate solution of the (Helmholtz) Weyl composition equation in the Weyl pseudo-differential operator calculus. The exact symbols for several quadratic profiles and a linear limiting case are derived.
Reminiscences of Things Past.

Abstract A personalistic and selective view of the history of school psychology is offered. A brief biographical sketch, and some of the early personal encounters and major professional preoccupations of the author, are presented first. This is followed by an exposition centered on the development of school psychology as a specialty. Two historical streams of intellectual thought, intervention methods, and professional affiliation, along with their consequences for school psychology, are then described. Finally, some observations on the future of school psychology are made.
Phased array antenna calibration using airborne radar clutter and MIMO

In active phased array radar systems, beamformer performance will be degraded by unknown phase and gain deviations across the antenna array. Elements within the array can be calibrated by injecting a known signal directly into each receiver module (e.g., via a loop-back path, or via mutual coupling), but this approach does not correct transmission or array deformation errors. Fortunately, when the radar system is airborne, an alternative approach for removing array errors can be used. This approach uses radar clutter to calibrate the radar while in flight. An antenna calibration algorithm that removes transmit and receive subarray errors, using MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) waveforms, is described and simulated.
Exposure-response relationships for coal mine dust and obstructive lung disease following enactment of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.

Underground U.S. coal miners were studied cross-sectionally for the association of respirable coal mine dust exposure with pulmonary function and symptoms of airways obstruction. The study group included 1,185 miners participating in Round 4 of the National Study of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis who had started mining in or after 1970 when comprehensive exposure regulations first came into effect. Quantitative estimates of cumulative exposure, derived using respirable dust measurements taken by the Mine Safety and Health Administration over the entire study period, were used in linear and logistic regression models on indicators of pulmonary function and chest symptoms while controlling for smoking status, pack-years, and other potential confounders. Statistically significant associations between log cumulative exposure and decrements in FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were observed. In logistic models, statistically significant associations of cumulative exposure with increasing prevalence of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC less than 80% predicted and symptoms including chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis, breathlessness, wheeze, and wheeze with shortness of breath were found. It is concluded that exposures to respirable coal mine dust present in U.S. mines since 1970 continue to affect respiratory health in underground miners.
Spintronics: Perpendicular all the way

A conventional material used in magnetic tunnel junctions with in-plane magnetization can also be magnetized perpendicularly, offering new possibilities for high-performance memory and logic circuits.
Damage quantification using smart patch system for hot spot monitoring

Fatigue crack detection and quantification is by far the most challenging task in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). In the past decade numerous techniques were developed to detect and quantify fatigue damages. Fatigue loading leads to fatigue crack development in metals and delamination growth in composites. It has been found that different techniques are suitable for different damage development. Hence, the selection of the appropriate analysis methodologies pertaining to different problems is crucial. At the same time there has been an effort to reduce the power requirement for data analysis. This in turn triggered the idea of developing low power damage detection algorithms. In this paper a comparison between different damage detection techniques are presented and problems with different materials and structural geometries are considered. Three damage detection techniques were selected and evaluated.
A strategic contingency approach to expatriate assignment management

This exploratory study examines how expatriate management practices differ with respect to three international management strategies (local, centralised or global) in 27 mature multinational corporations. In particular, this study examines the categories of expatriate assignments, the strategic integration of expatriate assignments into leadership development and the types of human resource practices that firms utilise to manage expatriates. Results indicate that organisations differentially assign expatriates based on the firm's respective international management strategy. Firms with a global management strategy made greater use of developmental expatriates, had a greater number of senior managers with expatriate experience and had a stronger focus on leadership development through expatriation. Firms did not differ with respect to their use of expatriate management practices based on their international management strategy.
Sex-specific associations between parent and child pain and functioning in a pediatric chronic pain sample: a mixed methods approach

This study employed a mixed-method design to test sex-specific parent-child pain associations. Subjects were 179 chronic pain patients aged 11–19 years (mean = 14.34; 72% female) presenting for treatment at a multidisciplinary, tertiary clinic. Mothers and children completed questionnaires prior to their clinic visit, including measures of children’s pain, functioning and psychological characteristics. Mothers also reported on their own pain and psychological functioning. Interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of 34 mothers and children prior to the clinic visit and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The quantitative data suggest stronger mother-daughter than mother-son pain relationships. The qualitative data suggest that girls’ pain and pain-related disability is related to an overly enmeshed mother-daughter relationship and the presence of maternal models of pain, while boys’ pain and disability is linked to male pain models and criticism and to maternal worry and solicitousness. Boys and girls appear to have developmentally incongruous levels of autonomy and conformity to maternal expectations. The mixed-method data suggest distinct trajectories through which mother and father involvement may be linked to chronic pain in adolescent boys and girls.
Fusional vergence response to local peripheral stimulation

Horizontal, convergent disparities were introduced between dichoptic stimuli confined to small regions of the peripheral retina. Stimuli were presented at 32 locations: radial positions varied in 5-deg increments up to 20 deg, while angular position varied in 45-deg steps. The stimulus size and disparity were scaled in accordance with the cortical magnification factor. Eye movements were objectively measured, and the relative contributions of the motor and nonmotor components to the fusional response were evaluated as a function of stimulus eccentricity and angular position. Vergence responses elicited by peripheral disparities had longer latencies and durations and were more asymmetric than the movements elicited by foveal disparities. The composition of the fusional response changed with the position of the stimulus. The largest percentage of motor compensation was observed for stimuli located either near the line of sight or directly above it. The variations in the size of the motor response with increasing eccentricity could not be explained by the cortical magnification factor.
Multiscale Interactions in an Idealized Walker Circulation: Mean Circulation and Intraseasonal Variability

AbstractA high-resolution cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulation is developed here for a two-dimensional Walker circulation over a planetary-scale domain of 40 000 km for an extended period of several hundred days. The Walker cell emerges as the time-averaged statistical steady state with a prescribed sinusoidal sea surface temperature (SST) pattern with a mean temperature of 301.15 K and a horizontal variation of 4 K. The circulation exhibits intraseasonal variability on a time scale of about 20 days with quasi-periodic intensification of the circulation and broadening of the convective regime. This variability is closely tied to synoptic-scale systems associated with expansion and contraction of the Walker circulation. An index for the low-frequency variability is developed using an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis and by regressing various dynamic fields on this index. The low-frequency oscillation has four main stages: a suppressed stage with strengthened midlevel circulation, an intensifi...
A PILOT STUDY OF EFFECTS OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION TRAINING ON PARTICIPANTS' SELF-CONCEPTS

The administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was taught to a group of 12 adults. The Tennessee Self-concept Scale Form-C and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior Scale (FIRO-B) were administered before and after their training. A control group of 12 was administered both scales twice with one day between administrations. Analysis indicated both groups showed significant differences between the pre- and posttest administrations on expressed affection on the FIRO-B. However, participants in a brief CPR course did not score significantly differently from a control group on these measures, as expected.
GIP: No Longer the Neglected Incretin Twin?

In the design of therapeutics to treat type 2 diabetes, researchers have exploited the observation that oral ingestion of nutrients leads to the secretion of glucose homeostasis-regulating incretin hormones (for example, glucagon-like-peptide-1) from the gut. Here, we discuss two recent papers that suggest that the "other" incretin hormone, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), also is important in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. These findings warrant further studies to unravel the mechanism of action of GIP in β-cells of the endocrine pancreas and to evaluate the possibility of designing novel therapeutics that target both incretin hormones.
Training Tomorrow's Leaders: Enhancing the Emotional Intelligence of Business Graduates

Educational institutions have traditionally focused primarily on the importance of IQ with less attention given to other types of intelligence. Yet many reserchers are begining to argue that intrap...
Altered Right Atrial Excitation and Propagation in Connexin40 Knockout Mice

Background— Intercellular coupling via connexin40 (Cx40) gap junction channels is an important determinant of impulse propagation in the atria. Methods and Results— We studied the role of Cx40 in intra-atrial excitation and propagation in wild-type (Cx40+/+) and knockout (Cx40−/−) mice using high-resolution, dual-wavelength optical mapping. On ECG, the P wave was significantly prolonged in Cx40−/− mice (13.4±0.5 versus 11.4±0.3 ms in Cx40+/+). In Cx40+/+ hearts, spontaneous right atrial (RA) activation showed a focal breakthrough at the junction of the right superior vena cava, sulcus terminalis, and RA free wall, corresponding to the location of the sinoatrial node. In contrast, Cx40−/− hearts displayed ectopic breakthrough sites at the base of the sulcus terminalis, RA free wall, and right superior vena cava. Progressive ablation of such sites in 4 Cx40−/− mice resulted in ectopic focus migration and cycle length prolongation. In all Cx40−/− hearts the focus ultimately shifted to the sinoatrial node at ...
Formation of Arabidopsis Cryptochrome 2 Photobodies in Mammalian Nuclei APPLICATION AS AN OPTOGENETIC DNA DAMAGE CHECKPOINT SWITCH

Nuclear bodies are discrete suborganelle structures that perform specialized functions in eukaryotic cells. In plant cells, light can induce de novo formation of nuclear bodies called photobodies (PBs) composed of the photosensory pigments, phytochrome (PHY) or cryptochrome (CRY). The mechanisms of formation, the exact compositions, and the functions of plant PBs are not known. Here, we have expressed Arabidopsis CRY2 (AtCRY2) in mammalian cells and analyzed its fate after blue light exposure to understand the requirements for PB formation, the functions of PBs, and their potential use in cell biology. We found that light efficiently induces AtCRY2-PB formation in mammalian cells, indicating that, other than AtCRY2, no plant-specific proteins or nucleic acids are required for AtCRY2-PB formation. Irradiation of AtCRY2 led to its degradation; however, degradation was not dependent upon photobody formation. Furthermore, we found that AtCRY2 photobody formation is associated with light-stimulated interaction with mammalian COP1 E3 ligase. Finally, we demonstrate that by fusing AtCRY2 to the TopBP1 DNA damage checkpoint protein, light-induced AtCRY2 PBs can be used to activate DNA damage signaling pathway in the absence of DNA damage. Background: AtCRY2 forms photobodies in plants. Results: AtCRY2 forms photobodies in human cells. By fusing AtCRY2 to a human checkpoint protein, the DNA damage response can be activated by light. Conclusion: AtCRY2 and its fusion proteins can achieve light-induced protein multimerization independent of other plant proteins. Significance: AtCRY2 can function as an optogenetic tool to modulate signaling pathways.
THE INITIATION OF SPIKE POTENTIAL IN BARNACLE MUSCLE FIBERS UNDER LOW INTRACELLULAR CA

Electrical properties of the muscle fiber membrane were studied in the barnacle, Balanus nubilus Darw. by using intracellular electrode techniques. A depolarization of the membrane does not usually produce an all-or-none spike potential in the normal muscle fiber even though a mechanical response is elicited. The intracellular injection of Ca++-binding agents (K2SO4 and K salt of EDTA solution, K3 citrate solution, etc.) renders the fiber capable of initiating all-or-none spikes. The overshoot of such a spike potential increases with increasing external Ca concentration, the increment for a tenfold increase in Ca concentration being about 29 mv. The threshold membrane potential for the spike and also for the K conductance increase shifts to more positive membrane potentials with increasing [Ca++]out. The removal of Na ions from the external medium does not change the configuration of the spike potential. In the absence of Ca++ in the external medium, the spike potential is restored by Ba++ and Sr++ but not by Mg++. The overshoot of the spike potential increases with increasing [Ba++]out or [Sr++]out. The Ca influx through the membrane of the fiber treated with K2SO4 and EDTA was examined with Ca45. The influx was 14 pmol per sec. per cm2 for the resting membrane and 35 to 85 pmol per cm2 for one spike. From these results it is concluded that the spike potential of the barnacle muscle fiber results from the permeability increase of the membrane to Ca++ (Ba++ or Sr++).
Smectic pores and defect cores

Riemann's minimal surfaces, a one-parameter family of minimal surfaces, describe a bicontinuous lamellar system with pores connecting alternating layers. We demonstrate explicitly that Riemann's minimal surfaces are composed of a nonlinear sum of two oppositely handed helicoids.
Oversimplification: a reply to White

Roger White has argued that the assumptions required to support a simplicity favoring principle are far more modest than it first seems. I criticize White's arguments and show that White requires assumptions for his arguments that are at least as controversial as the simplicity favoring principle he wishes to support.
The Timing of Staffing Decisions in Hospital Operating Rooms: Incorporating Workload Heterogeneity into the Newsvendor Problem

We study the problem of setting nurse staffing levels in hospital operating rooms when there is uncertainty about daily workload. The workload is the number of operating room hours used by a medical specialty on a given day to perform surgical procedures. Variable costs consist of wages at a regular (scheduled) rate and at an overtime rate when the realized workload exceeds the scheduled time. Using a newsvendor framework, we consider the problem of determining optimal staffing levels with different information sets available at the time of decision: no information, information on number of cases, and information on number and types of cases. We develop empirical models for the daily workload distribution in which the mean and variance change with the information available. We use these models to derive optimal staffing rules based on historical data from a U.S. teaching hospital and prospectively test the performance of these rules. Our numerical results suggest that hospitals could potentially reduce their staffing costs by up to 39%--49% by deferring staffing decisions until procedure type information is available. The results demonstrate how data availability can affect a newsvendor's performance. The systematic approach of empirical modeling presented in the paper can be applied to other newsvendor problems with heterogeneous sources of demand.
Neural systems of social comparison and the "above-average" effect.

Abstract Extant neural models of self-evaluation are dominated by associations with medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) function and have mostly been developed from studies differentiating self-evaluation from evaluation of other people. Although self-evaluation is robustly characterized by systematic biases, current neural models of self-evaluation cannot speak to their neurobiology because of a lack of research. The few extant studies have made claims about associations between bias and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) function but have confounded bias with the valence of experimental stimuli. In study 1, fMRI was used to examine the neurobiology of the “above-average” effect, a robust self-evaluation bias. The majority of people judge their personality to be more desirable (i.e., more positive and less negative traits) than their peers' personalities. MPFC and PCC were significantly more activated by a condition that reduced susceptibility to “above-average” judgments. However, MPFC and PFCC activity were not modulated by individual differences in “above-average” judgments. VACC activity distinguished positive from negative valence but did not predict individual differences in “above-average” judgments. Instead, the extent to which participants viewed themselves as “above average” was negatively correlated with orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and, to a lesser extent, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) activation. A complementary study found that mental load increases “above-average” judgments (study 2). These findings are the first to directly examine the neural systems involved in social judgment bias and have implications for the association between frontal lobe dysfunction and poor insight.
A computational model of syntactic processing: ambiguity resolution from interpretation

Syntactic ambiguity abounds in natural language, yet humans have no difficulty coping with it. In fact, the process of ambiguity resolution is almost always unconscious. But it is not infallible, however, as example 1 demonstrates. (1) The horse raced past the barn fell. This sentence is perfectly grammatical, as is evident when it appears in the following context: (2) Two horses were being shown off to a prospective buyer. One was raced past a meadow and the other was raced past a barn. Grammatical yet unprocessable sentences such as 1 are called 'garden-path sentences.' Their existence provides an opportunity to investigate the human sentence processing mechanism by studying how and when it fails. The aim of this thesis is to construct a computational model of language understanding which can predict processing difficulty. The data to be modeled are known examples of garden path and non-garden path sentences, and other results from psycholinguistics. It is widely believed that there are two distinct loci of computation in sentence processing: syntactic parsing and semantic interpretation. One longstanding controversy is which of these two modules bears responsibility for the immediate resolution of ambiguity. My claim is that it is the latter, and that the syntactic processing module is a very simple device which blindly and faithfully constructs all possible analyses for the sentence up to the current point of processing. The interpretive module serves as a filter, occasionally discarding certain of these analyses which it deems less appropriate for the ongoing discourse than their competitors. This document is divided into three parts. The first is introductory, and reviews a selection of proposals from the sentence processing literature. The second part explores a body of data which has been adduced in support of a theory of structural preferences--one that is inconsistent with the present claim. I show how the current proposal can be specified to account for the available data, and moreover to predict where structural preference theories will go wrong. The third part is a theoretical investigation of how well the proposed architecture can be realized using current conceptions of linguistic competence. In it, I present a parsing algorithm and a meaning-based ambiguity resolution method.
Fibrinolytic potential is significantly increased by oestrogen treatment in postmenopausal women with mild dyslipidaemia

Objective—To study the eVects of oestrogen replacement treatment on fibrinolytic potential in postmenopausal women. Design—Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of oral 17‚oestradiol. Setting—Subjects were evaluated in the outpatient setting. Patients—Nineteen postmenopausal women with mild dyslipidaemia, aged 44 to 69 years (mean (SD) 55.7 (6.7)). Main outcome measures—Fibrinolytic activity (fibrin plate assay) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen were measured at baseline and after three, six, and nine weeks of each treatment. Results—After nine weeks of 2 mg oestradiol treatment, there was a significant increase in fibrinolytic potential compared with placebo, as indicated by an increase in fibrinolytic activity (mean (SEM), 80 (9) v 54 (5) mm 2 of lysis in the fibrin plate, 2 mg v placebo, p = 0.002) and a decrease in t-PA antigen (5.8 (0.9) v 8.4 (1.2) ng/ml,2 mgvplacebo,p < 0.001). There was a similar trend with the 1 mg dose but the changes were less noticeable. Conclusions—Hormone replacement treatment with 17‚-oestradiol for nine weeks significantly increased fibrinolytic potential in postmenopausal women with mild dyslipidaemia. This suggests that the cardioprotective eVect of oestrogen may be mediated, in part, by an increase in fibrinolytic potential. (Heart 1998;80:235‐239)
H∞ optimal control of smart structures

The design and implementation of control strategies for large, flexible smart structures presents challenging problems. Uncertainties stem from control structure interaction, modeling errors, and parameter variations (such as fuel consumption). We developed a new algorithm called H (infinity ) robust control for natural frequency variations (H (infinity )/NF) that includes the knowledge of the natural frequency uncertainty bounds. In addition, we were successful in implementing this algorithm on a flexible smart structure in our laboratory. This smart structure was a cantilever beam that used NiTiNOL shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators. The performance of H (infinity )/NF algorithm was compared with the modified LQG/LTR algorithm using a settling time specification. The H (infinity )/NF controller exhibited dramatically reduced sensitivity to natural frequency uncertainty as compared to the modified LQG/LTR controller. The standard LQG/LTR control algorithm produced controllers that saturated the NiTiNOL actuators used on the test article. To overcome this saturation problem, we used a modified LQG/LTR design algorithm. We successfully implemented the proposed algorithm on a simple cantilever beam test article.