cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active and progressive A new duality of MS classification

In this issue of Neurology® , Lublin and over 30 multiple sclerosis (MS) specialists from around the world propose a new consensus framework for MS classification.1 The increasing importance of MRI in clinical management and treatment trials, together with expanding treatment options and improved understanding of the pathophysiology of MS, motivated the present re-examination of MS phenotypic classifications and clinical course descriptions. The new schema supplants the one proposed by Lublin and Reingold2 in 1996 depicting 4 courses of MS that has been widely embraced in research and in clinical practice. The original 4 clinical subtypes were based on an international survey of MS clinicians, and utilized clinical information alone to describe relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, secondary progressive, and progressive-relapsing phenotypes. However, distinctions among the original 4 subtypes are imprecise and do not reflect current capabilities to target MS treatments based on integrated assessment of clinical and MRI data.
Adaptive event-triggered control of a uncertain linear discrete time system using measured input and output data

In this paper, an adaptive model-based event-triggered control of an uncertain linear discrete time system is developed. Measured input and output vectors and their history are utilized to express the unknown linear discrete-time system as an autoregressive Markov representation (ARMarkov). A novel adaptive model in the form of AR Markov is proposed and an update law is derived in order to estimate parameters of the ARMarkov model at triggered instants unlike periodic updates in standard adaptive control. Lyapunov method is used to derive the event trigger condition, prove boundedness of the parameter vector and asymptotic convergence of the outputs and states. A simulation example is utilized to verify theoretical claims and a comparison of the proposed with zero order hold (ZOH) and fixed model-based schemes is also discussed as part of simulation.
Study of the topography of cannabinoids in model membranes using X-ray diffraction

Small-angle X-ray diffraction was used to determine the topography of (−)-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol in partially hydrated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers. Electron density profiles of lipid bilayers in the presence and absence of the cannabinoid were calculated using Fourier transform. Step-function equivalent profiles were then constructed to obtain the absolute electron density scale. We have compared the electron density profiles of the above preparations to determine the location of the drug molecule in the bilayer. By using (−)-5′-iodo-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol in parallel experiments, we were also able to locate the iodine atom in the bilayer and deduce the conformation of the cannabinoid side alkyl chain. All comparisons were made between different preparations having the same mesomorphic form and total period repeat distance. To achieve this, we have carried out X-ray diffraction experiments at various temperatures to cover the different mesomorphic phases and combined our data with the corresponding results from differential scanning calorimetry. Based on the results of this work and previous data on the orientation of the cannabinoid in model membranes, we concluded that the phenolic hydroxy group of the drug molecule exists near the carbonyl groups of DMPC and that the average position of the iodine atom is approx. 5.5 A from the center (terminal methyl region) of the DMPC bilayer. This requires the cannabinoid side-chain to assume an orientation parallel to the bilayer chains.
Update on optical design of adaptive optics system at Lick Observatory

In 1999, we presented our plan to upgrade the adaptive optics (AO) system on the Lick Observatory Shane telescope (3m) from a prototype instrument pressed into field service to a facility instrument. This paper updates the progress of that plan and details several important improvements in the alignment and calibration of the AO bench. The paper also includes a discussion of the problems seen in the original design of the tip/tilt (t/t) sensor used in laser guide star mode, and how these problems were corrected with excellent results.
The inhalation toxicity of phenylglycidyl ether. I. 90-day inhalation study

Abstract Male and female rats and male dogs were exposed 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 90 days (63 exposures) to atmospheres of 1, 5, and 12 ppm (v/v) of phenylglycidyl ether (PGE) vapors generated from liquid heated to a polymer process temperature of 310°C. The only significant finding was patchy, bilateral, hair loss in both male and female rats exposed at the two highest levels. Dogs did not show this effect. Histopathologic evaluation of the hair loss areas showed varying degrees of damage to the hair follicles with occasional shaft breakage outside the epidermis. Microscopic comparison of 32 other major organs and tissues from test and control animals showed no compound-related effects. Likewise, no differences between test and control groups were seen relative to body weight, hematologic, urinanalytical, or biochemical indices. The hair loss was probably attributable to a mild focal skin irritation from PGE vapor and not to a systemic effect of inhaled PGE. Our results agree with those of previous investigators in that the main hazard to workers from PGE vapor is dermal irritation. These results also suggest that the present TLV of 10 ppm (v/v) may not assure an adequate margin of protection against potential skin irritation.
Response-contingent time out: Important parameters in behavior modification with children

Abstract The present paper delineates and discusses eight parameters of response-contingent time out (TO) procedures that need to be considered in treating children and conducting research. In general, the parameters have not been systematically controlled or investigated.
Tunnel‐visioned activity and sociologically problematic deviant behavior

Interactionist notions of the process of self‐indication justifiably bear on sociological explanations of the freedom involved in most forms and instances of deviant behavior. Yet, a substantial nu...
Functional Outcomes Following Radical Cystectomy in Women with Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review

Abstract Context Gender-specific functional and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BCa) remain unclear, with many studies excluding women from the study population. Objective To better characterize female-specific functional outcomes following RC and urinary diversion for BCa. Evidence acquisition We performed a critical review of PubMed/Medline and Embase in August 2015 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Outcomes of interest included urinary function (for orthotopic neobladder), sexual function, bowel function, and quality of life. Excluded were nonbladder malignancies, RCs performed for neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and patients with exposure to radiation therapy prior to surgery. Forty-five publications were selected for inclusion in this analysis. Evidence synthesis Included reports addressed urinary function (34 studies), sexual function (11 studies), and HRQOL (9 studies). All studies had a high risk of bias and ranged significantly in sample size, inclusion criteria, and follow-up time, precluding meaningful meta-analysis. Daytime incontinence approximated 20%, nighttime incontinence 20%, and hypercontinence 10–20%. Sexual function appeared to be better among those patients undergoing genitalia-sparing RC, but generally poor outcomes were noted among those undergoing routine RC. Only 40% of studies assessed sexual function using standardized instruments. HRQOL differences between diversion types appeared to be minimal, whereas comparisons with the general population revealed significant differences in emotional problems, role functioning, fatigue, and appetite. Conclusions Functional outcomes among women undergoing RC for BCa are poorly studied with limitations regarding use of validated questionnaires, heterogeneous patient populations, and small sample sizes. Collaborative efforts will be needed to better define functional outcomes among this poorly studied patient population. Patient summary We reviewed functional outcomes following cystectomy among women with bladder cancer. We found that urinary, sexual, and bowel function and quality of life are poorly studied among women, with function ranging significantly across studies.
Aromatic isocyanate as a new type of electrolyte additive for the improved performance of Li-ion batteries

Abstract Aromatic isocyanate, 4-fluorophenyl isocyanate and phenyl isocyanate, were first used to reduce the initial irreversible capacities during the formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on a graphite surface. Results showed that the addition of 1–5 wt.% isocyanate to propylene carbonate-containing electrolytes could effectively reduce the initial irreversible capacities in the SEI formation and increase the cycleability of Li-ion batteries. The improvement is attributed to the high reactivity of isocyanate with chemisorbed oxygen groups, such as carboxyl and phenol, which are inevitably present in the prismatic (edge) sites of graphite and are known among the sources to cause the initial irreversible capacities of a graphite anode. It is proposed that the isocyanate reacts with carboxyl and phenol groups to form more stable products, and that the resulting products have a better affinity to the subsequently formed SEI. In addition, the presence of isocyanate assists in scavenging water and acidic HF impurities from the electrolyte.
Silver as a test element for Zeeman furnace AAS

Abstract Silver was studied as a candidate element to test the stability of graphite furnace performance. Several problems were found, but when these were controlled the instrumental performance was quite stable and reproducible. When the Ag line at 328.1 nm was used with a matrix containing phosphate and a metal, a small spectral interference was produced when Zeeman background correction was used. The interference appeared to result from Zeeman splitting of PO bands that overlapped the 328.1-nm line from the source. Since phosphate had been recommended as a matrix modifier for Ag, this could be a serious problem. Both Pd and Cu are shown to be preferable to phosphate as a matrix modifier for Ag, especially with Zeeman corrected instruments.
Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery in patients with benign adnexal disease

Objective To present our initial experience in laparoscopic surgery for benign adnexal disease performed exclusively through an umbilical incision using a single three-channel port and flexible laparoscopic instrumentation. Design Case report. Setting Tertiary-care referral center. Patient(s) Since November, 2008, we have performed single-port laparoscopic surgery in nine patients diagnosed with benign adnexal disease. Patients with adnexal masses or endometriosis and a body mass index of 2 were selected. Intervention(s) Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery. In each case, a multichannel port was inserted into the peritoneum through a 1.5–2.0-centimeter umbilical incision. Main Outcome Measures Feasibility, postoperative pain score, age, BMI, estimated blood loss. Result(s) Eight of nine cases were completed successfully, without conversion to a standard laparoscopic approach or to laparotomy. An additional 3 mm extraumbilical port was required in one patient with stage 4 endometriosis. Seven out of nine patients had earlier abdominal surgery. The operative blood loss ranged from minimal to 75 mL. Duration of hospital stay was Conclusion(s) The LESS surgery for benign adnexal disease is feasible in patients with or without earlier surgery. Additional investigation is needed to evaluate the safety and long-term outcomes of this new approach.
Inclusive thinking in computer science education

On average, one in every five people has a disability. There is a growing, worldwide attention to the rights and needs of disabled users to access information technologies (IT). This technology is not simply for recreational use, but in many cases is a disabled user's lifeline to services and a path to employment. To address this issue, there has been enactment of legislation in countries worldwide aimed at making technology accessible. Such legislation has led to the creation of standards, guidelines, and checklists for accessibility, with the goal of having a common understanding of what is needed to make IT accessible and thereby enabling developers to create accessible applications. Despite these efforts, however, technology remains largely unusable for people with disabilities. A number of factors may contribute to this state. Here we consider one of the key factors--that developers, in large part, do not understand and are not attuned to the needs of disabled users. The checklists are not intuitive and provide developers with little insight into the very real problems that disabled users have with computing. Moreover, these checklists address issues of "compliance", but do not meet the needs of a large number of users whose needs fall outside of traditional accessibility concerns. Older adults are an excellent example of users whose needs are often not considered during development. A conference theater event will highlight computer use by persons with disabilities. Following up on that event, inclusive design in computer science education will be considered. The focus will be on populations that are often not considered in the design process.
Stability and Change in Constitutional Litigation: The Public Piety Cases

It has been suggested that the movement of modifying concepts in the common law follows the incremental path of margin dependent choice. This presumes a fluid legal system in which rule changes occur as the rules are applied. In order to determine whether change in state constitutional law follows a similar incremental path, a longitudinal study of state Sunday closing and prayer and Bible readings cases was conducted. The results indicate that state constitutional litigation may have a higher level of stability than areas of the common law, at least where precedent is reinforced by institutional norms and the collective values of judges. Nonetheless, where change occurred it followed, in the aggregate, an incremental path. The incremental adjustments presumed a volume of litigation sufficient to alert the judiciary to environmental changes impinging on precedent. Furthermore, the aggregate direction of change was increasingly disruptive of the status quo, to the point that the magnitude of the final adju...
Structure of electroweak corrections due to extended gauge symmetries

Author(s): Chivukula, RS; He, HJ; Howard, J; Simmons, EH | Abstract: This paper studies models with extended electroweak gauge sectors of the form [Formula Presented] We establish the general behavior of corrections to precision electroweak observables in this class of theories and connect our results to previous work on specific models whose electroweak sectors are special cases of our extended group. © 2004 The American Physical Society.
DIFFUSIONAL NARROWING OF GE ON SI(100) COHERENT ISLAND QUANTUM DOT SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS

The normalized width=standard deviation of island radius/mean island radius (σr/〈r〉) of molecular beam epitaxy grown Ge on Si(100) coherent island quantum dot size distributions is analyzed for various deposition conditions. It is found that this width decreases as substrate temperature increases independent of deposition flux. This result is interpreted in the context of models which suppose that the energy barrier for edge atom detachment decreases with island size. The faster diffusion kinetics at higher growth temperatures allow these detached edge atoms to more rapidly find the smaller islands producing sharper island size distributions.
Enzymatic Formation of Psychotomimetic Metabolites from Normally Occurring Compounds

An enzyme has been found that N-methylates serotonin and tryptamine to psychotomimetic metabolites, bufotenine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. This enzyme is highly localized in the rabbit lung and also N-methylates phenylethylamine derivatives such as tyramine, phenylethylamine , mescaline, and dopamine.
The measurement of current at radio frequencies

The state-of-the-art of radio-frequency current measurement is reviewed with emphasis on the most useful standards. In particular, thermocouple and electrodynamic ammeters are discussed in detail. Reference is made to photoammeters, air thermometer milliammeters, and other types of current-measuring apparatus, some of which deserve additional development. Extensive referencing is included for the convenience of investigators interested in an intensive review of radio-frequency current measurements.
STRAIN EFFECTS IN DILUTE ALLOYS.

Abstract Impurities in metals give rise to residual resistivity and to electric field gradients. This paper deals with the contribution to these effects by those host ions which are slightly displaced by the impurities. The calculations treat these ions as discrete and give results which are entirely at variance with those of earlier continuum theories.
Inhibition of unilateral ovarian compensatory hypertrophy in the rat by ingestion of aspirin.

Abstract Removal of one ovary from young Sprague-Dawley rats was followed by compensatory ovarian hypertrophy of the remaining ovary by 94%. Administration of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) at a dietary concentration of 1 g aspirin/kg diet to young semispayed rats for 21 days inhibited the compensatory ovarian hypertrophy of the residual ovary with consequent decrease in uterine weight.
Geochemical techniques in geothermal research — the Hawaii example

Abstract The Hawaii Geothermal Project (HGP) was organized in 1972 to locate and utilize geothermal energy resources in Hawaii. A geophysical program was designed to select a site of high potential for a geothermal resource and to develop an understanding of the thermal processes of a basaltic volcano and its associated rift zones. The well was completed in July 1976 and after subsequent clearing was producing at 5800 kg/hr with a well head pressure of 11 kg/cm 2 and a temperature of 190°C (equivalent to 3.5 MW of electrical energy). The discharge fluid was only slightly saline despite the termination of the well 1768 m below sea level. The water was nearly depleted in magnesium but contained high concentrations of silica and sulfide. Geochemical thermometers based on the data of Fournier, Rowe, White, Ellis, and Truesdell are in excellent agreement with the measured downhole temperature of 275°C. Stable and radioactive isotope analyses for 14 C, 13 C and 13 O indicate that 66% of the recharge is from local rainfall with a turnover of at least several hundred years. The remaining discharge is derived from sea water (10%) and hydrothermally altered fluids. Analyses for the gases CO 2 , He and 3 He indicate that the fluids have a deep-seated or magmatic source.
BRCA1 foci in normal S-phase nuclei are linked to interphase centromeres and replication of pericentric heterochromatin

Breast cancer–associated protein 1 (BRCA1) forms foci at sites of induced DNA damage, but any significance of these normal S-phase foci is unknown. BRCA1 distribution does not simply mirror or overlap that of replicating DNA; however, BRCA1 foci frequently abut sites of BrdU incorporation, mostly at mid-to-late S phase. Although BRCA1 does not overlap XIST RNA across the inactive X chromosome, BRCA1 foci position overwhelmingly in heterochromatic regions, particularly the nucleolar periphery where many centromeres reside. In humans and mice, including early embryonic cells, BRCA1 commonly associates with interphase centromere–kinetochore complexes, including pericentric heterochromatin. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen or BrdU labeling demonstrates that BRCA1 localizes adjacent to, or “paints,” major satellite blocks as chromocenters replicate, where topoisomerase is also enriched. BRCA1 loss is often associated with proliferative defects, including postmitotic bridges enriched with satellite DNA. These findings implicate BRCA1 in replication-linked maintenance of centric/pericentric heterochromatin and suggest a novel means whereby BRCA1 loss may contribute to genomic instability and cancer.
Prospective Comparison of Cell Cultures and Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for Laboratory Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis Infections

Specimens submitted in M5 medium for cell culture detection of Chlamydia trachomatis were tested by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and in cell cultures. Of 35 (genital) and 26 (nongenital) specimens positive for C. trachomatis, 21 and 14 specimens, respectively, were detected exclusively by NAAT. NAAT is significantly (P < 0.0001) more sensitive than cell culture and should be considered the new “gold standard” for the laboratory diagnosis of C. trachomatis infections.
Folk yoghurt kills Helicobacter pylori

Aims: To evaluate a traditional yoghurt used as folk medicine for its ability to kill Helicobacter pylori in vitro. Methods and Results: Micro-organisms from the yoghurt were identified and tested in different food substrates for their effects on H. pylori in a co-culture well system. Two yeasts and several strains of lactobacilli were isolated from the yoghurt, and both the yeast and the lactobacilli independently showed cidal activity against H. pylori. The microbes from the original yoghurt also retained their cidal effect when grown in corn meal and soy milk. Conclusions: The yeast and lactobacilli found in this yoghurt form a hardy symbiotic culture. The organisms secrete soluble factors capable of killing H. pylori, and these factors may include some organic by-products of fermentation. Significance and Impact of the Study: These yoghurt-derived food preparations could become simple and inexpensive therapies to suppress H. pylori infections in endemic countries.
Participation of Na,K-ATPase in FGF-2 secretion: rescue of ouabain-inhibitable FGF-2 secretion by ouabain-resistant Na,K-ATPase alpha subunits.

We have examined the relationship between Na,K-ATPase and FGF-2 secretion in transfected primate cells. FGF-2 lacks a classic hydrophobic export signal, and the mechanisms mediating its secretion are unknown. To monitor secretion, a FLAG epitope tag was inserted into the carboxyl terminus of the 18 kDa form of human FGF-2, and the construct was transfected into either human HEK 293 or monkey CV-1 cells. Exported FGF-2 was detected in the culture medium using the FLAG-specific monoclonal antibody M2. FGF-2 secretion from HEK 293 or CV-1 cells was linear over time and sensitive to inhibition by the cardiac glycoside ouabain, a specific inhibitor of the Na,K-ATPase. In contrast, the secretion of FGF-8 (an FGF family member that contains a hydrophobic secretory signal) was not inhibited by treatment of HEK 293 or CV-1 cells with ouabain. FGF-2 secretion was also assayed in CV-1 cells expressing the naturally ouabain-resistant rodent Na,K-ATPase α1 subunit. In cells expressing the rodent α1 subunit, FGF-2 secr...
Maximally Informative Feature and Sensor Selection in Pattern Recognition Using Local and Global Independent Component Analysis

In pattern recognition, a suitable criterion for feature selection is the mutual information (MI) between feature vectors and class labels. Estimating MI in high dimensional feature spaces is problematic in terms of computation load and accuracy. We propose an independent component analysis based MI estimation (ICA-MI) methodology for feature selection. This simplifies the high dimensional MI estimation problem into multiple one-dimensional MI estimation problems. Nonlinear ICA transformation is achieved using piecewise local linear approximation on partitions in the feature space, which allows the exploitation of the additivity property of entropy and the simplicity of linear ICA algorithms. Number of partitions controls the tradeoff between more accurate approximation of the nonlinear data topology and small-sample statistical variations in estimation. We test the ICA-MI feature selection framework on synthetic, UCI repository, and EEG activity classification problems. Experiments demonstrate, as expected, that the selection of the number of partitions for local linear ICA is highly problem dependent and must be carried out properly through cross validation. When this is done properly, the proposed ICA-MI feature selection framework yields feature ranking results that are comparable to the optimal probability of error based feature ranking and selection strategy at a much lower computational load.
ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF (111)-ORIENTED N-SI SURFACES DERIVATIZED WITH COVALENTLY-ATTACHED ALKYL CHAINS

The electrochemical properties of alkyl-terminated, (111)-oriented, n-type Si surfaces, prepared via a two-step halogenation/alkylation procedure, were analyzed in contact with CH3OH−1,1‘-dimethylferrocene+/0 (Me2Fc+/0) solutions. Current density−potential and differential capacitance−potential measurements of these surfaces in contact with CH3OH−Me2Fc+/0 indicated that the electrochemical properties of the alkyl-terminated surfaces were very similar to those of the H-terminated Si surface. The alkyl overlayers did not shift the Si band edges or induce significant surface recombination, but they did provide an additional electrical series resistance to charge transfer across the Si/liquid interface. The efficacy of alkyl overlayers in preventing photooxidation and photocorrosion of n-silicon surfaces was measured in contact with CH3OH−Me2Fc+/0 solutions to which a known amount of water had been added. Under these conditions, the alkyl-terminated surfaces consistently showed excellent current density−poten...
Imaging of total colonic Hirschsprung disease

Background Hirschsprung disease (HD) is a functional obstruction of the bowel caused by the absence of intrinsic enteric ganglion cells. The diagnosis of total colonic HD (TCHD) based on contrast enemas is difficult in newborns because radiological findings vary.
Content analysis in leadership research: Examples, procedures, and suggestions for future use

Abstract Content analysis is a method for analyzing written and oral textual materials which is used sparingly by organizational researchers. This paper reminds leadership researchers that content analysis is in their methodology toolbox and reviews: what content analysis is and how it has evolved; examples of its use in leadership research; the variety of analysis techniques for which the results are suitable; and the strengths and weaknesses associated with this method. In addition, a suggested procedure is presented to assist researchers in using content analysis. Finally, the role of content analysis in future leadership research is considered.
The effects of temperature on isolated hearts from neonatal through post-weanling rats

1. 1. Isolated hearts from neonatal (<48hr) rats ceased contractility at 4.5 C while those from 21–30 days old stopped beating at 10 C. 2. 2. Heart rate-temperature data analyzed by Arrhenius plots and Q4 determinations demonstrated that hearts from neonates respond in a manner approaching that of hearts from hibernators, while the response from the 21–30 day olds was more typical of hearts from adult, non-hibernators.
The oxidation behavior of amorphous and polycrystalline ZrNi alloys

Abstract The surface reactivity of amorphous and crystalline ZrNi alloys with oxygen have been examined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxidation at ambient conditions (1 atm air and room temperature (RT)) and over the temperature range RT to 300°C and at pressures between atmospheric and 10 −8 Torr have been studied. The preferential oxidation of zirconium and the structure of the resulting oxide films are discussed in terms of the Cabrera-Mott model. The pressure and temperature dependence appears consistent with the model. The instability of thin ZrO 2 films with respect to oxygen absorption into the bulk or subsurface region and electrochemical charge exchange has been observed. A comparative discussion of surface reactivity to oxygen of the crystalline and amorphous alloys is given.
The Associative Group Analysis Method and Evaluation Research

This article presents an overview, description, and assessment of the Associative Group Analysis method for studying conceptual development and changes in belief systems. Three specific applications to evaluation research tasks are used to illustrate its potential. AGA is found to be particularly useful when cross-cultural issues, beliefs, integration, and adaptation are at issue. Evaluators are encouraged to explore AGA's utility.
SEPARATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE REACTION PRODUCTS OF NITRITE IN CURED MEAT

A water-soluble extract was prepared from a cured meat product which had been manufactured with 15N-labelled nitrite. Fractionation of this extract on Sephadex G-10 showed one large and one small peak of 15N content, neither of which contained free nitrite. The two 15N containing peaks did not coincide with the ninhydrin positive or ultraviolet absorbing fractions that were eluted. Examination of the labelled fractions for sulfhydryl groups also proved negative and inhibition of Clostridium botulinum was not accomplished by either of the fractions.
Imaging and Decision-Making in Neurocritical Care

Critically ill neurologic patients are common in the hospital practice of neurology and are often in extreme states requiring accurate and specific information. Imaging, especially using advanced imaging techniques, can provide an important means of garnering this information. This article focuses on the clinical utilization of selective imaging methods that are commonly used in critically ill neurologic patients to render diagnoses, to monitor effects of treatment, or have contributed to a better understanding of pathophysiology in the intensive care unit.
Efficacy of a Smartphone System to Support Groups in Behavior Change Programs

Smartphone platforms provide an excellent opportunity for projecting existing or new behavior-change methods into everyday life at great economies of scale. In this paper we present an experimental test of a new behavior-change smartphone platform and application called Fittle, which delivers ecological momentary interventions and group support to help people progressively master healthy habits. An 8-week field study involving 19 participants demonstrated the engagement and efficacy of Fittle across three classes of behavior (diet, physical activity, and stress-reduction). Individual adherence to the behavior programs was found to be associated with group membership. Content analysis of intragroup interactions suggests that high performance groups were generally more social, more supporting of each other on program goals, and shared more.
Public relations: State of the field

Public relations is both a professional practice and a subfield of communication with its own research and theory base. Public relations is relatively young as an academic field, however, having developed identifiable theory in only about the last 50 years. The field of public relations is developing into a theoretically based area of applied communication that has the potential to inform several areas of communication/mass communication and to offer theoretic and conceptual tools useful in health, risk, and political communication, among others. Because many readers are unfamiliar with public relations theory and research, this article first reviews and summarizes theory-related scholarship in public relations, then categorizes and explains the theoretic trends in the field. The article concludes by demonstrating how one of public relations' theoretic/conceptual tools, issues management, can apply across all areas of applied communication.
Optimal designs of time-lapse seismic surveys for monitoring CO2 leakage through fault zones

Cost-effective time-lapse seismic surveys are crucial for long-term monitoring of geologic carbon sequestration. In this paper, we numerically model time-lapse seismic surveys for monitoring CO2 leakage through fault zones, and design optimal surveys for time-lapse seismic data acquisition using elastic-wave sensitivity analysis. Two stages of CO2 leakage through fault zones are simulated. In the early stage of leakage, when CO2 is confined in a relatively deep region, and our results show that the most desired location for receivers at the surface is at the hanging-wall side of the fault zone, of normal faults (with large dip angles) or reverse faults. The most sensitive places at the surface to the change of different elastic parameters (e.g. P- and S-wave velocity and density) are similar to one another, and are often not sensitive to the source location. In a late stage of leakage, in which CO2 migrates close to the surface, our modeling demonstrates that the best region at the surface for time-lapse seismic surveys is very sensitive to the source location and the elastic parameter to be monitored. For time-lapse vertical seismic profiling (VSP) surveys, our modeling suggests that it is important to account for the effect of free-surface reflections, especially for large offset VSP surveys.
Systematic Direct Observation of Time on Task as a Measure of Student Engagement

This study examines the relationship between systematic direct observation (SDO) of time on task (TOT) and student engagement as measured by a self-report task-specific measure. The research questi...
Asymptotic considerations for selecting the best component of a multivariate normal population

Several two-stage and sequential procedures have been developed for selecting the “best” component in a multivariate normal population through the classical “indifference zone” approach ofBechhofer. The works inMukhopadhyay/Chou will constitute to be very basic in this regard. A number of first-order and second-order asymptotic analysis of these procedures has also been reported. In the case of a bivariate population, the normality assumption has been dropped, and the rate of convergence of the probability of correct selection is studied.
Managing patients with ICD shocks and programming tachycardia therapies during acute heart failure syndromes

We review the pharmacologic, interventional and device programming treatment options for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators who present with acute heart failure and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks.
Ciliary body endophotocoagulation during pars plana vitrectomy for pediatric patients with vitreoretinal disorders and glaucoma

Abstract PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of ciliary body endophotocoagulation during pars plana vitrectomy in eyes of pediatric patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma. METHOD: We compared preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure and visual acuity in five eyes of five patients aged between 10 months and 14.5 years who had 180 degrees of ciliary body endophotocoagulation with pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: Preoperative intraocular pressure on medical therapy for glaucoma ranged from 30 to 55 mm Hg (median, 35 mm Hg). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months, with a median of 16 months. Postoperative intraocular pressure on medical therapy ranged from 12 to 35 mm Hg (median, 25 mm Hg) at 6 weeks, from 12 to 33 mm Hg (median, 29 mm Hg) at 6 months, and from 12 to 29 mm Hg (median, 27 mm Hg) at 12 months. Twelve months after surgery, mean intraocular pressure reduction of 20 mm Hg was statistically significant ( P = .020). CONCLUSION: Ciliary body endophotocoagulation during pars plana vitrectomy may be an effective treatment for pediatric patients with simultaneous uncontrolled glaucoma and vitreoretinal disorders.
Image-enhanced passive tracking of maneuvering targets

The design of effective pointing-and-tracking systems is particularly difficult when the target is capable of evasive maneuvers. Traditional approaches employed to detect a change in maneuver acceleration rely on observing changes in the residual error process, which introduces a time lag between the onset of a maneuver and its detection. This problem is exacerbated when only passive bearing measurements are available because measurement localization errors are infinite in one dimension. Earlier studies using active (range and bearing) measurement models have suggested the use of an augmenting imaging sensor to determine target orientation, from which the likely direction of a maneuver acceleration can be inferred. This paper extends these earlier results to the case of passive (bearing only) measurements, again using an augmenting imaging sensor to estimate target orientation. This sequence of orientation measurements is used to infer the onset and direction of a maneuver acceleration. As in these earlier studies, orientation measurements provide significant value in localizing and tracking the target during a maneuver.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Is it (Still) Mostly Fiscal? Determinants of Sovereign Spreads in Emerging Markets

Using a panel of 30 emerging market economies from 1997 to 2007, this paper investigates the determinants of country risk premiums as measured by sovereign bond spreads. Unlike previous studies, the results indicate that both fiscal and political factors matter for credit risk in emerging markets. Lower levels of political risk are associated with tighter spreads, while efforts at fiscal consolidation narrow credit spreads, especially in countries that experienced prior defaults. The composition of fiscal policy matters: spending on public investment contributes to lower spreads as long as the fiscal position remains sustainable and the fiscal deficit does not worsen.
Key issues for ICT applications: impacts and implications for hospitality operations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand several key issues regarding technology strategies for the lodging industry, including the use and impact of technology, technology adoption and implementation, the role of organization technology environment in technology use, channel management strategies, as well as future trends of technology development.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative interviews are conducted with hotel practitioners to gain knowledge in order to help explore issues and generate hypotheses for future research regarding information and communications technology (ICT) applications in the lodging industry.Findings – The research finds that technology will continue to impact guest service and customer relationship management in the lodging industry, and that companies vary in their implementation and use of the technology applications.Research limitations/implications – Using qualitative research limited the number of hotels that could be interviewed; as a result, the finding...
Longitudinal study of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hypertensive pregnant women: Deviations related to the development of superimposed preeclampsia

A prospective longitudinal study of 25 pregnant women (30 pregnancies) with chronic hypertension, a group prone to development of preeclampsia, was conducted to explore the relationship between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the development of superimposed preeclampsia. In women with chronic hypertension in whom preeclampsia did not develop (17 pregnancies), blood pressure decreased and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was stimulated, beginning in the first trimester and continuing throughout pregnancy as found previously in normotensive pregnant women (n = 58). Plasma estradiol and progesterone levels also increased progressively. In women with chronic hypertension in whom preeclampsia developed (13 pregnancies), blood pressure decreased and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was stimulated in the first trimester as in the other groups. However, later in pregnancy significant differences were observed. Blood pressure began to rise in the second trimester. Initially the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system remained stimulated, but in the early third trimester, when preeclampsia was diagnosed, plasma renin activity and urine aldosterone excretion decreased, and atrial natriuretic factor increased. These data provide information that may be useful in the recognition of superimposed preeclampsia, and in the investigation of its pathogenesis.
Cultural Pragmatics: Social Performance between Ritual and Strategy*:

From its very beginnings, the social study of culture has been polarized between structuralist theories that treat meaning as a text and investigate the patterning that provides relative autonomy and pragmatist theories that treat meaning as emerging from the contingencies of individual and collective action—so-called practices—and that analyze cultural patterns as reflections of power and material interest. In this article, I present a theory of cultural pragmatics that transcends this division, bringing meaning structures, contingency, power, and materiality together in a new way. My argument is that the materiality of practices should be replaced by the more multidimensional concept of performances. Drawing on the new field of performance studies, cultural pragmatics demonstrates how social performances whether individual or collective can be analogized systematically to theatrical ones. After defining the elements of social performance, I suggest that these elements have become “de-fused” as societies...
New Two-photon Absorbing Probe with Efficient Superfluorescent Properties

The synthesis, linear photophysical, and photochemical parameters, two-photon absorption (2PA), and superfluorescence properties of 2,2′-(5,5′-(9,9-didecyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl)bis(ethyne-2,1-diyl)bis(thiophene-5,2-diyl))dibenzo[d]thiazole (1) were investigated, suggesting its potential as an efficient fluorescent probe for bioimaging applications. The steady-state absorption, fluorescence, and excitation anisotropy spectra of 1 were measured in several organic solvents and aqueous media. Probe 1 exhibited high fluorescence quantum yield (∼0.7−0.8) and photochemical stability (photobleaching quantum yield ∼(3−7) × 10−6). The 2PA spectra were determined over a broad spectral range (640−920 nm) using a standard two-photon induced fluorescence method under femtosecond excitation. A well-defined two-photon allowed absorption band at 680−720 nm with corresponding 2PA cross sections δ2PA ≈ 800−900 GM was observed. The use of probe 1 in bioimaging was shown via one- and two-photon fluorescence imaging of HCT-116...
Shallow centers in diluted magnetic semiconductors

The effect of spin-spin exchange interaction between shallow centers in diluted magnetic semiconductors and localized magnetic moments is reviewed and illustrated by three distinct examples: (1) spin-flip transitions observed on donors in Cd1−xMnxSe, illustrating the role of exchange as a “magnetic field intensifier;” (2) the bound magnetic polaron, illustrating the effect of exchange on shallow centers in DMS in the absence of an external magnetic field; and (3) the giant magnetoresistance observed in p-type Hg1−xMnxTe, which arises as a result of exchange-induced “swelling” of the acceptor wave functions with increasing magnetic field.
Determining quality of business-to-business relationships: A study of Indian IT-enabled service providers

Summary What factors determine quality of inter-firm relationships involving cross-border sourcing of information-technology enabled services (ITES)? This paper addresses this heretofore underexamined question by drawing on the relationship-focused and global sourcing literature and employing a multi-method research technique. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected from the top executives of Indian ITES industry suggest that perceptual evaluation of (i) three intangible firm assets (employee, organization, and management-related), and (ii) recent firm performance positively impact relationship quality. Based on the empirical findings we discuss implications for theory and practice and provide directions for future research.
Cultivation of malarial parasites

The method for continuous cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum has now been successfully applied to several strains from different geographical areas. It has been used for tests of antimalarial drugs, for studies of parasite-host cell interactions with special reference to sickle haemoglobin, and for the production of amounts of parasite sufficient for experimental immunisation of Aotus trivirgatus monkeys.
Model for evolution of rocky mountains east of Idaho Batholith

Abstract Studies of thick, synorogenic, continental conglomerates in south-western Montana indicate that by Mid-Cretaceous time erosion of the roof of the Cretaceous Idaho Batholith had caused extensive exposure of Precambrian quartzites in a high mountainous terrain occupying part of the former geosyncline in central Idaho. Evidently, emplacement of the batholith had been accompanied by rapid regional uplift, creating a large tumor or undation. The gravity potential provided in this manner represents at least one known source of energy for the contemporary and subsequent orogenic processes in the northern Rocky Mountains. The Late Cretaceous to Paleocene folds and thrusts east of the batholith may be seen as the result of compressive shortening compensating for extension in the domed roof due to down-flank gravitative spreading. Compressive stress was propagated toward the edge of the cratonic shelf as earlier thrusts were folded and locked and newer thrusts formed farther east, finally involving the conglomerates. Local uplifts gave rise to epidermal gliding sheets. On a smaller scale, the Boulder Batholith in Montana played a somewhat similar role in causing westward directed folds and thrusts. The undation model for the northern Rockies accounts well for the radially directed tectonics around the northeast corner of the Idaho Batholith, for the dominant westward transport on the Pacific side of the Cordilleran belt, and for the recent seismic data indicating that the Sial in this belt not only lacks a root, but is actually thinner than normal by 5–20 km. The alternative model fitting the field data would require longdistance centrifugal overthrusting of the solidified batholithic core itself, or centripetal underthrusting of the craton and ocean basin in eastward, south-ward, and westward directions beneath this core. This alternative is difficult to accept from a mechanical point of view and also would lead to a thickening of the Sial, in contradiction to the seismic data.