cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of One-Lung Ventilation With or Without Low-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Insufflation on Cardiorespiratory Variables in Cats Undergoing Thoracoscopy.

Objectives To document a technique for one-lung ventilation (OLV) in cats and evaluate the effect of low-pressure carbon dioxide insufflation and OLV (OLV–CDI) on cardiorespiratory variables in cats. Study design Prospective randomized study. Animals Cats (n = 6). Methods General anesthesia was induced using a standardized anesthetic protocol. A thermodilution catheter was placed into the pulmonary artery using fluoroscopic guidance. Two 6 mm thoracoscopic cannulae were placed at a subxiphoid and intercostal location, respectively, to allow direct observation of all lung lobes. OLV was induced using an endobronchial blocker, which was placed into the right and left main stem bronchi in randomized order using bronchoscopic guidance. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured at 5 and 30 minutes after induction of OLV and subsequently at 5 and 30 minutes after initiation of OLV–CDI at intra-thoracic pressures of 3 mmHg. Results Left-sided OLV was successful in 5 cats, right-sided OLV was successful in 2 cats, and neither was successful in 1 cat. No significant effects on hemodynamic variables or oxygen delivery were observed after right or left-sided OLV alone. Hemodynamic variables were also well-preserved after OLV–CDI; however, oxygen delivery was significantly lower after left OLV–CDI compared with right OLV–CDI, and in 2 cats, severe desaturation occurred after L-OLV–CDI before the 30 minute time point. Conclusions OLV can be used in cats for thoracoscopic interventions. Although right OLV–CDI was tolerated better than left OLV–CDI, the technique requires further investigation before it can be recommended for widespread clinical use.
Aluminum chemistry in two pristine alpine lakes of the Central Cascades, Washington

A field investigation of the Al chemistry in two adjacent dilute alpine headwater lakes of the Central Washington Cascades was conducted. Quartz Lake is naturally acidic, pH ca. 5.3, due to local geologic sources of S. By contrast, Hi Lo Lake has a pH of ca. 6.0 decreasing to 5.4 during storm episodes in the spring and fall due to cation dilution and increased levels of organic acids. Total Al levels were as high as 156 μg L−1 in Hi Lo Lake and 127 μg L−1 in Quartz Lake during high flow spring and fall, whereas summer Al concentrations were 4 and 2 fold lower in Hi Lo and Quartz lakes, respectively. The peak Al concentrations were approximately 4 to 5 times greater than the median total Al levels for Washington Cascade lakes observed by the EPA. Variable flow paths and organic acids are hypothesized to control Al solubility, and the acid-base chemistry of Hi Lo Lake. However, at Quartz Lake sulfate weathering in the groundwater zone appeared most important for Al chemistry controls.
Strategic participation and the median voter result

In a seminal paper on electoral equilibrium under majority rule, Ledyard (1984) demonstrates that strategic participation by voters results in an electoral equilibrium at the proposal that maximizes the utility of a randomly selected voter. Palfrey and Rosenthal (1985) limit the usefulness of this result by showing that strategic participation rates are miniscule in large electorates, and that the incentive to participate vanishes completely as the electorate grows without bound. The most reasonable modification of Ledyard’s approach that circumvents these criticisms is to allow for a negative cost of voting. We show that when voters can have even an arbitrarily small negative cost of voting, there is an electorate sufficiently large so that any proposal is defeated or tied by the median proposal. This observation raises questions about the existence of electoral equilibrium under strategic participation, and is relevant to the efficiency of elections.
Optimal control of two-time-scale systems with state-variable inequality constraints

The established necessary conditions for optimality in nonlinear control problems that involve state-variable inequality constraints are applied to a class of singularly perturbed systems. The distinguishing feature of this class of two-time-scal e systems is a transformation of the state-variable inequality constraint, present in the full-order problem, to a constraint involving states and controls in the reduced problem. It is shown that, when a state constraint is active in the reduced problem, the boundary-layer problem can be of finite time in the stretched time scale. Thus, the usual requirement for asymptotic stability of the boundary-layer system is not applicable and cannot be used to construct approximate boundary-layer solutions. Several alternative solution methods are explored and illustrated with simple examples. I. Introduction S TATE-VARIABLE inequality constraints are commonly encountered in the study of dynamic systems. The study of rigid body aircraft dynamics and control is certainly no exception. For instance, a maximum allowable value of dynamic pressure is usually prescribed for aircraft with supersonic capability. This limit is required to insure that the vehicle's structural integrity is maintained. Given a typical statespace description of the vehicle dynamics, this limit constitutes an inequality constraint on vehicle state. State inequality constraints have been studied extensively by researchers in the field of optimal control. First-order necessary conditions for optimality when general functions of state are constrained have been obtained.1"3 However, the construction of solutions via this set of conditions proves difficult. Most practitioners seeking an open-loop control solution rely on direct approaches to optimization that employ penalty functions for satisfaction of state inequality constraints.4 As a rule, algorithms employing such methods are computationally intense and slow to converge. Consequently, they are not well suited for real-time implementation. As discussed in the literature, the use of singular perturbation techniques in the study of aircraft trajectory optimization can, through order reduction, lead to both open- and closedloop solutions that are computationally efficient. These methods can sometimes be used to circumvent difficulties associated with enforcing a state inequality constraint as well.5 As an example, consider the minimum time intercept problem of Ref. 6 that employs a model of the F-8 aircraft. A nearoptimal feedback solution is obtained via singular perturbation theory that includes consideration of an inequality constraint on dynamic pressure. In the zero-order reduced solution, algebraic constraints are obtained when the perturbation parameter e, which premultiplies the so-called fast dynamic equations, is set to zero. These constraints can be used to eliminate the fast states (in this case altitude and flight-path angle) from the reduced problem. One can choose, however, to retain one or more of the fast states and to eliminate instead
Modal vibration response measurements for characterization of composite materials and structures

This paper summarizes recent research by the author, his colleagues and graduate students on the use of modal vibration response measurements to characterize, quickly and accurately the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composite materials and structures. It is shown that modal testing in either a single mode or multiple modes of vibration can be used to determine elastic moduli and damping factors of composites and their constituents under various environmental conditions. Modal testing by the use of impulsive excitation methods has been shown to have the potential to be a fast and accurate approach not only for the characterization of intrinsic material properties, but for quality control and inspection as well. Such measurements have been used to characterize the global elastic constants of composites, the distribution of reinforcing fibers within composites, time-domain creep response of composites, elevated-temperature behavior of composites and their constituents, interlaminar fracture toughness of composites, and the presence of defects, damage, and degradation in composites and adhesively-bonded composite structures. Recent research in these areas will be reviewed and recommendations for future work will be made.
The nucleic acid-sensing inflammasomes

Inflammasomes are oligomeric signaling complexes that promote caspase activation and maturation of proinflammatory cytokines. Structural and biophysical studies have shed light on the mechanisms of nucleic acid recognition and signaling complex assembly involving the AIM2 (absent in myeloma 2) and IFI16 (γ-interferon-inducible protein 16) inflammasomes. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3) activation, either by nucleic acids or by other reported stimuli, has remained elusive. Exciting recent progress on the filament formation by the ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain) pyrin domain and the IFI16-double stranded DNA complex has established that the formation of higher order polymers is one of the general mechanisms for signaling platform assembly in innate immune system. The paradigm-changing discovery of the extracellular function of the NLRP3-ASC inflammasome has opened the door for therapeutic targeting the inflammasome filament formation for various clinical conditions. Future characterization of the canonical and non-canonical inflammasome complexes will undoubtedly reveal more surprises on their structure and function and enrich our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition, activation, and regulation.
Geographical Distribution of Genetic Diversity in Arachis hypogaea

Abstract The U.S. maintains a large (> 8000 accessions) and genetically diverse collection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) germplasm. It is costly to screen all accessions within this collection for traits that could be useful in cultivar development. The objective of this research was to identify countries of origin that are rich sources of resistance to important peanut diseases. This would allow peanut breeders to focus their efforts on smaller subsets of the germplasm collection. Accessions in the peanut core collection were evaluated for resistance to late (Cercosporidium personatum Berk. & M. A. Curtis) and early (Cercospora arachidicola Hori) leaf spot, tomato spotted wilt Tospovirus (TSWV), the peanut root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 1], and Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR)[Cylindrocladium crotalarie (Loos) Bell & Sobers]. These data then were examined to determine if genes for resistance clustered geographically. Several geographical areas that appear to be rich source...
Antiviral and immunomodulating inhibitors of experimentally-induced Punta Toro virus infections

Abstract A major component of a US Army Medical Research and Development Command-supported program to discover and develop new drugs for the treatment of Rift Valley fever, sandfly fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever has been to study candidate test materials against hepatotropic infections of C57BL/6 mice induced by the related but less biohazardous Punta Toro virus (PTV). The effects of 75 compounds, some of which were considered immunomodulators in their primary mechanism of activity, were studied in the PTV infection model. Of these, ribavirin, ribamidine, ribavirin 2′,3′,5′-triacetate, tiazofurin, tiazofurin-5′-monophosphate, tiazofurin-2′,3′,5′-triacetate, selenazofurin, pyrazofurin, 3-deazaguanine, and 3-deazaguanosine were considered significantly inhibitory, acting against the infection by a direct antiviral (non-immunomodulatory) fashion. These compounds had therapeutic indices (TI) ranging from ≥ 5 to 65, using increased survivors as the evaluation parameter. Immunomodulators considered significantly inhibitory to this infection were poly (ICLC), ampligen, human recombinant interferon-α-A/D, MVE-1, MVE-2, AM-3, AM-5, mannozym, bropirimine, CL246,738, phenyleneamine, and 7-thia-8-oxoguanosine. Utilizing increased survivor numbers as measure of activity, these inhibitors had TI ranging from ≥ 16 to 1000. Other antiviral effects exerted by the active compounds included reduction of hepatic icterus, lowered serum glutamic oxaloacetic and pyruvic acid transaminases, and inhibition of recoverable serum and liver virus titers. The active immunomodulators were significantly effective when therapy was initiated as late as 48 h after virus inoculation, at a time when clinical signs of the PTV disease were being manifested in the animal.
Adrenergic modulation of cytokine release in bone marrow progenitor-derived macrophage following polymicrobial sepsis.

Abstract Catecholamines may impact on the pathophysiology of sepsis by attenuating proinflammatory cytokine and augmenting antiinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages. We tested this premise in bone marrow monocyte progenitor-derived macrophages. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced in mice through cecal ligation and puncture. ER-MP 12 monocyte progenitors were isolated and differentiated into macrophages in vitro 72 hr later. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine production was measured with and without epinephrine, IL-10 and anti-IL-10 antibody. Epinephrine significantly increased IL-10 production, but attenuated TNF-α release exclusively through β 2 adrenergic receptors, and is independent of IL-10 production. Together, these results suggest that epinephrine can promote a potent antiinflammatory response in sepsis.
A Commentary and an Overview of Key Questions on Corporate Social Performance Measurement

This article has two purposes. First, the author will provide a commentary on Donna Wood’s article on theory, research, passion, and integrity in business and society. This is in response to an inv...
Some dynamical properties of linear magnetic chains. I

Abstract We have studied the dynamical properties of a linear chain of spins of magnitude 1 2 described by the Hamiltonian H= ∑ l=1 N [a(S x l S x l+1 +S y l S y l+1 ) + λS z l S z l+1 ] by making use of the fact that this system is equivalent to a one-dimensional assembly of interacting Fermi particles with the strength of interaction proportional to |γ|. The case with |γ| ⪡ |α| has been treated by setting up a suitable kinetic equation for the particle distribution function in which the transformation properties of various quantities under the symmetry operations of the system have been found to play a rather important role. The spin density and the energy density show diffusive or sound wavelike oscillatory motions depending on the magnitudes of the wave vectors characterizing the scales of inhomogeneous disturbances. The extension of the work to systems with larger |γ| is suggested from the standpoint of the Landau theory of Fermi liquids.
Uterine remnants and pelvic pain in females with mayer-rokitansky-kuster-hauser syndrome

Objective: To assess the association between pelvic pain and uterine remnants and review the management of pelvic pain in females with Mayer-Rokitansky-K€ uster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary referring medical center. Patients: Forty-eight females with MRKH presenting from 1997 to 2011 with anatomy confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measure: Prevalence Of uterine remnants and the association of uterine remnants with pelvic pain in females with MRKH. Results: Of the 48 females with MRKH, 23 (48%) had uterine remnants and 22 (46%) had pelvic pain. Presence of endometrium was associated with pelvic pain (RR 5 2.3; 95% CI 5 1.2-4.7) in females with MRKH. Of the females with MKRH and pain, 9/22 had laparoscopy, with endometriosis seen in 5/9 of the uterine remnants at stages higher than are usually seen in teenagers (56%). Nine patients with pain and uterine remnants (8 with endometrium, 1 without) had laparoscopic removal of uterine remnants with resolution of pain. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of uterine remnants in females with MRKH, anatomic evaluation with MRI should be considered when assessing the etiology of pelvic pain. Presence of endometrium within uterine remnants, and subsequent endometriosis, in females with MRKH may be associated with pelvic pain necessitating surgical or medical management.
Bladder Outlet Obstruction Secondary to a Brunn's Cyst.

Introduction: Bladder outlet obstruction in younger men is often secondary to urethral stricture disease. In the older population it is often a result of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Materials and Methods: We describe the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of a rare case of a Brunn’s cyst causing bladder outlet obstruction in a 43-year-old male who was evaluated for obstructive urinary complaints. Results: Ultrasound and cystoscopy revealed a cystic lesion at the bladder neck. Transurethral unroofing of the cyst resulted in resolution of the obstructive symptoms and resumption of normal voiding. Final pathology revealed a cystic structure with predominately denuded urothelium with multiple submucosal cystically dilated von Brunn’s nests, most consistent with a Brunn’s cyst. A search of the literate reveals only one similar case. Conclusions: We present the rare case of a Brunn’s cyst causing bladder outlet obstruction in a young man.
Selective Arterial Embolization of Angiomyolipomas: A Comparison of Smaller and Larger Embolic Agents

Purpose: Selective transarterial embolization for renal angiomyolipomas is effective in preventing or limiting hemorrhage and preserving normal parenchyma. Data are insufficient regarding the safety and efficacy of embolic agents. We compared transarterial embolization of angiomyolipomas using embolic agents of different sizes.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all transarterial angiomyolipoma embolizations from 1999 to 2010, and evaluated demographics, procedural data, embolization response and outcomes comparing smaller (less than 150 microns) and larger (more than 150 microns) embolic agents.Results: Overall 48 patients underwent 66 embolization procedures for 72 angiomyolipomas. Smaller agents were used more commonly (58%). Age, gender, indications, pre-embolization angiomyolipoma size and prevalence of tuberous sclerosis were similar between the groups. Angiomyolipomas decreased a mean ± SD 25% ± 18% after embolization with no differences between the groups (p = 0.24). Ther...
Prognostic value of frontal QRS-T angle in patients without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Abnormal frontal QRS-T angle on a 12-lead electrocardiogram is associated with incident coronary heart disease and total mortality in a biracial cohort, but there have been no studies to date examining QRS-T angle's prognostic value across multiple ethnicities. We studied 6,814 participants (52.7% women, mean age 62 years) from Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a multiethnic cohort aged 45 to 84 years free of clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) at enrollment. Baseline examination included measurement of traditional risk factors and 12-lead electrocardiograms. Frontal QRS-T axis was defined as normal (less than seventy-fifth percentile), borderline (seventy-fifth to ninety-fifth percentile), or abnormal (ninety-fifth percentile or more), and participants were followed for the composite end point of incident CVD events: cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or heart failure. After 7.6 years of follow-up, there were 444 total events. Borderline (HR [hazard ratio] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 1.70) and abnormal QRS-T angles (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.97) were associated with incident CVD events in multivariate-adjusted models. However, after adjusting for T-wave abnormalities, there was no statistically significant association of either borderline (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.41) or abnormal (HR 1.31, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.84) QRS-T angle with incident CVD events. Abnormal frontal QRS-T angle predicts incident CVD events in a multiethnic population, and this increased risk is primarily mediated through T-wave abnormalities. QRS-T angle provides an easily interpretable continuous marker of abnormal ventricular repolarization that can aid the everyday clinician in risk prediction.
Identification of Nonlinear Structural Dynamic Systems

Abstract Two methods of system identification of n degrees-of-freedom nonlinear structural dynamic systems are studied and applied to identification of the hydrodynamic coefficient matrices associated with nonlinear drag and linear inertia forces appearing in the equations of motion of offshore structures subjected to wave forces. These two methods, being essentially the methods of state estimation, use nonlinear Kalman filtering algorithms which can be applied to parameter estimation problems by regarding each of the parameters involved in the system as an augmented state variable. One of these methods uses the extended Kalman filter while the other was the iterated linear filter-smoother. Analytical simulation studies are performed for two degrees-of-freedom structural systems on the basis of artificially generated input and output observations under the various output noise conditions. Both methods yield good estimates even under the conditions of fairly large amounts of output noise and are moderately...
Proposing a new velocity profile for continuous x-ray tube motion in digital breast tomosynthesis

In digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), a 3D image of the breast is generated from x-ray projections at various angles. There are two mechanisms for acquiring projection images in DBT, step-and-shoot motion and continuous tube motion. The benefit of continuous tube motion is shorter scan time and hence less patient motion; the trade-off is focal spot blurring. To minimize focal spot blurring in a system with continuous tube motion, this study proposes a new velocity profile for the x-ray tube during the scan. Unlike existing systems for which the x-ray tube has constant angular velocity, we investigate a smoothly-varying tube velocity that approaches zero during each projection and is larger between projections. With this unique design, the filtered backprojection reconstruction of a sinusoidal test object was calculated, and modulation was determined at various frequencies. It is shown that the newly proposed tube velocity yields increased modulation in the reconstruction relative to a conventional system with continuous tube motion. The modulation in the re-designed system differs minimally from an analogous step-and-shoot system operated with the same scan time. This improvement in image quality was validated with reconstructions of microcalcifications in computer breast phantoms. It is known that continuous tube motion reduces the contrast of microcalcifications relative to stepand-shoot systems; we show that the newly proposed tube motion increases the contrast of microcalcifications compared to conventional continuous tube motion. In conclusion, this work proposes a strategy for optimizing the velocity of tube motion in DBT.
Building a push-button RESOLVE verifier: Progress and challenges

A central objective of the verifying compiler grand challenge is to develop a push-button verifier that generates proofs of correctness in a syntax-driven fashion similar to the way an ordinary compiler generates machine code. The software developer’s role is then to provide suitable specifications and annotated code, but otherwise to have no direct involvement in the verification step. However, the general mathematical developments and results upon which software correctness is based may be established through a separate formal proof process in which proofs might be mechanically checked, but not necessarily automatically generated. While many ideas that could conceivably form the basis for software verification have been known “in principle” for decades, and several tools to support an aspect of verification have been devised, practical fully automated verification of full software behavior remains a grand challenge. This paper explains how RESOLVE takes a step towards addressing this challenge by integrating foundational and practical elements of software engineering, programming languages, and mathematical logic into a coherent framework. Current versions of the RESOLVE verifier generate verification conditions (VCs) for the correctness of component-based software in a modular fashion—one component at a time. The VCs are currently verified using automated capabilities of the Isabelle proof assistant, the SMT solver Z3, a minimalist rewrite prover, and some specialized decision procedures. Initial experiments with the tools and further analytic considerations show both the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain.
Molecule of the month: Synaptic plasticity - Protein miRNA interactions.

miRNAs (microRNAs) are small RNAs that are transcribed from intron and other non-coding RNAs. miRNAs are utilized by the cell's molecular biological machinery to help control transcription [1]. There are more than 500 known miRNAs involved in neuronal function including development, transport, and neuronal plasticity. [2] However, what of the neuronal proteins that interacts with these miRNAs? In this month's Editorial, we examine a few protein-protein interactions of proteins that interact with the miRNAs and demonstrate additional network pathways in which these proteins function in neurons. The protein product Atx2 (Ataxin-2 protein) is implicated in the human neurodegenerative disease, spinocerebellar ataxia. In studies in the brains of the fruit fly, Drosophila, Atx2 was identified as a miRNA pathway component. Both miRNA and Atx2 components were involved in long-term plasticity of synapses in these studies. Interestingly, the control of translation occurs locally in proximity to the involved synapses. In addition, Atx2 interacts with the Me31B family DEAD box helicases - DHH1 – (also termed DDX helicases) that interact with Argonaute (Ago) and affect function of miRNAs [1, 3] (Figure 1). Figure 1 Protein interactions with Atx2, Ago, and DDX. In this figure, line-colors and various interactions with other genes are red Down-regulation, green Up-regulation, beige Regulation, purple Co-expression, brown Physical Interaction, turquoise dotted Predicted ... The contributions of miRNAs to synaptic plasticity are extensive study. For example, CREB (cAMP responsive element binding protein), MECP2 (methyl CpG binding protein 2), and FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein) interact with miRNAs in their role as mediators of synaptic plasticity within dendrites. The RISC machinery is utilized post-DICER action, producing the miRNAs in situ as above. Post-translation inhibition occurs for these proteins following bursts of synaptic activity mediated by the rapid increase of calcium levels. These activities occur in mouse forebrain and are involved in longterm memory in Drosophila [5] (Figure 2). Figure 2 Protein interactions with CREB, MECP2, and FMRP. In this figure, line-colors and various interactions with other genes are red Down-regulation, green Up-regulation, beige Regulation, purple Co-expression, brown Physical Interaction, turquoise dotted Predicted ... The two figures illustrate various gene interactions, up to 100 [4]. It is left as a puzzle for the interested reader to identify the various genes and their functions in the figures [6].
Data mining in design of products and production systems

Abstract Data mining is acquiring its own identity by refining concepts from other disciplines, developing generic algorithms, and entering new application areas. Engineering design and manufacturing have been affected by the data mining pursuit. This paper outlines areas of product and manufacturing system design that are particularly suitable for data-mining applications. One of the emerging areas is innovation. The key challenges of data mining in the domains discussed in the paper are outlined.
Courtship Behavior of the Cumberland Plateau Woodland Salamander, Plethodon kentucki (Amphibia: Plethodontidae), with a Review of Courtship in the Genus Plethodon

Complete catalogs of courtship behavior are available for only seven of the 42 currently recognized species of Plethodon. Additional detailed studies of courtship behavior in Plethodon species are needed to analyze the evolution of courtship behavior in this genus. We investigated the courtship behavior of the Cumberland Plateau woodland salamander (Plethodon kentucki) and compared it to previous accounts of courtship in other Plethodon species. In the laboratory, we videotaped the complete courtship of 30 different P. kentucki pairs, which included 46 tail-straddling walks that resulted in spermatophore deposition. From a transition matrix of observed motor patterns, we constructed a flow diagram of significant motor-pattern transitions during courtship. In general, the courtship behavior of this species is very similar to that of other large eastern Plethodon; however, there are some notable differences. Prior to the tail-straddling walk, the male transfers courtship pheromone from his mental gland to the female's nasolabial grooves (via mental-gland tapping and ‘chin-to-chin’ behavior patterns) more frequently than in other Plethodon. In most courtships, the female initiates contact leading to the tail-straddling walk. Males exhibit a greater propensity to deposit multiple spermatophores per courtship (two deposited in 33% of courtships, three deposited in 10% of courtships, X = 1.53 spermatophores per courtship) than males of other plethodontids. Mean size of the spermatophore is smaller than in other large eastern Plethodon. Overall, the courtship behavior of this species is most similar to that of P. jordani.
Renormalized resonance frequencies of a ferrite sphere coupled to an LR circuit: Comparison of theory and experiment

We derive a formula for the AC susceptibility of a ferrite spherical resonator coupled to an LR circuit by formulating the problem in terms of a feedback mechanism. This technique allows us to find an analytical expression for the dependence of the shift in resonance frequency on the loop-crystal coupling strength, the circuit parameters, and the saturation magnetization of the ferrite. Finally, we compare these predictions to experimental results on YIG and Ga:YIG spheres. This coupling provides a simple way of tuning the uniform mode frequency relative to the spin-wave spectrum. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 24B: 39–45, 2005
Impact of antiretroviral dosing frequency and pill burden on adherence among newly diagnosed, antiretroviral-naive HIV patients.

There are few data on the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen factors on adherence in ART-naive HIV patients on contemporary once- or twice-daily regimens. Ninety-nine newly diagnosed patients in a prospective observational cohort study completed a visual analogue scale to assess their ART adherence. Adherence by type of ART and dosing frequency were compared by Brown-Mood median tests. Participants taking once-daily regimens had higher adherence (n = 70, 99.5%) compared with participants taking twice-daily regimens (n = 29, 94%; P = 0.01). Adherence of participants taking the fixed dose combination efavirenz-emtricitabine-tenofovir (n = 34, 100%) compared with those taking once-daily regimens of two or more pills was no different (n = 36, 99.3%; P = 0.34). Among a cohort of newly diagnosed ART-naive patients, once-daily dosing of ART resulted in higher adherence than twice-daily dosing. Pill burden among once-daily regimens did not predict adherence, suggesting that factors other than pill burden should drive regimen selection.
Spin polarization via electron tunneling through an indirect-gap semiconductor barrier

We study the spin dependent tunneling of electrons through a zinc-blende semiconductor with the indirect $X$ (or $\ensuremath{\Delta}$) minimum serving as the tunneling barrier. The basic difference between tunneling through the $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ vs the $X$ barrier is the linear-$k$ spin-orbit splitting of the two spin bands at the $X$ point, as opposed to the ${k}^{3}$ Dresselhaus splitting at the $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ point. The linear coefficient of the spin splitting at the $X$ point is computed for several semiconductors using density-functional theory and the transport characteristics are calculated using the barrier tunneling model. We show that both the transmission coefficient as well as the spin polarization can be large, suggesting the potential application of these materials as spin filters.
Spinoza on Human Freedom: Reason, Autonomy, and the Good Life

Matthew J. Kisner: Spinoza on Human Freedom: Reason, Autonomy, and the Good Life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, pp. xi + 261, £50.00, $85.00 (hb.). ISBN: 978-0-521-19888-2. One of th...
Types of degenerating geniculocortical axon terminals and their contribution to layer IV of area 17 in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri).

Radiofrequency lesions were made in the lateral geniculate nuclei of six squirrel monkeys. The resulting degenerating terminals and their postsynaptic structures in layer IV of area 17 were quantitatively categorized on photomontages covering large areas of neuropil. Two to five days after the lesion, numerous axon terminals were affected by a variety of degenerative changes, i.e., enlargement and distortion of synaptic vesicles, neurofilamentous hyperplasia, electron-lucent and electron-dense reactions. Based on the aggregation of electron-dense material beneath the postsynaptic membrane, the degenerating terminals were considered to be of the asymmetric type. Among the degenerating boutons were the largest axon endings that occur in layer IV. Three days postoperatively, degenerating boutons contributed an average of 16.2% to the total synapse population; five days postoperatively, the average had increased to 19.3 %. The percentage of degenerating boutons on individual montages, however, amounted to as much as 29%. This amount probably reflects more closely the actual contribution of the geniculocortical fiber system to layer IV of striate cortex. The postsynaptic structure most frequently contacted by degenerating axon endings was the dendritic spine, followed by dendrites of small diameter. To account for the diversity of degenerative changes in the same fiber system, we offer the tentative suggestion that heterogeneously degenerating axon terminals arise from a heterogeneous population of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus, i.e., from magnocellular versus parvocellular laminae.
A ghost in the RNA machine.

The 'RNA World' hypothesis presupposes the existence of a catalytic RNA that can polymerize nucleotide triphosphates to replicate a template, but such chemistry has not previously been detected in natural ribozymes. Detailed investigation of the products of a bacterial self-splicing group I intron now suggest that such ribozymes indeed exist in nature.
Stability criteria for impulsive differential equations in terms of two measures

In general, the stability notions of a given solution d(t) of an impulsive differential system cannot be transferred to the stability notions of the trivial solution by change of variables. This is because of the fact that moments of impulse effects of 4(t) need not be the same as that of a different solution x(t) and therefore demanding that the difference lx(t) d(t)1 be small for all future time seems unnatural (see [4, 73). As a result, the definitions of stability require suitable changes in the general situations and the corresponding theory has not yet been developed. However, in the case of impulsive differential systems with fixed moments of impulse effects such a problem does not arise and hence the standard definitions of stability will suffice. Employing suitable discontinuous Lyapunov functions, stability theory has recently been developed for such systems [ 1, 2, 3, 51. In this paper, we shall discuss stabiliy theory of impulsive differential systems with fixed moments of impulse effects in terms of two measures, since such a theory enables us to unify a variety of stability results found in the literature. We shall employ theory of impulsive differential inequalities as well as a direct approach to bring out the advantages of each approach.
Establishing the matching polytope

Abstract This paper gives an elementary, inductive proof-“graphical” in spirit-of a theorem of Edmonds' which specifies the convex hull of the matchings of an arbitrary, finite, undirected graph in terms of a finite system of linear inequalities.
Redefining the Chinese Revolution The Transformation and Evolution of Guizhou’s Regional State Enterprises, 1937–1957

In recent years, China scholars have often debated the meaning and definition of the Chinese Revolution. While some studies reveal discontinuity or radical and transformative change, others show continuity or gradual and evolutionary change. This article contributes to the debate by examining how the connective tissues in Guizhou’s regional economic institutions—the regional economic bureaucracy and regional state enterprises as well as enterprise organization, management, and incentive structures and mechanisms—emerged, grew, broke down, and were replaced over the period 1937 to 1957. Specifically, it focuses on the creation and expansion of Guizhou’s regional state enterprises, the transformation of enterprise authority structure, the transplantation of the Soviet economic accounting system, the appropriation of the Western accounting system, and the development of social service and welfare institutions. Drawing extensively on heretofore unavailable archival and published material, this study demonstra...
Father Dead, Mother Dead: Bereavement and Fictive Death in Penan Geng Society:

A characteristic of the mortuary complexes of central Bornean societies is the existence of systems of “death-names.” Death-names are actually titles, given to persons on the death of a relative. T...
Calculation of the thermodynamic and geochemical consequences of nonideal mixing in the system H2O-CO2-NaCl on phase relations in geologic systems: Equation of state for H2O-CO2-NaCl fluids at high pressures and temperatures

Fluid inclusion analyses leave little doubt that solutions containing large concentrations of H2O, CO2, and electrolytes are involved in a wide range of geologic processes. Although the miscibility gap in the system H2O-CO2 occurs only at low temperatures, experimental data reported by Takenouchi and Kennedy (1965) and Gehrig (1980) indicate that the addition of 6 weight percent NaCl relative to H2O + Nacl extends the region of immiscibility in the system H2O-CO2-NaC] to ≥700°C at 500 bars and mole fractions of CO2 (XCO2) ⩽ 0.1. In contrast, addition of 20 weight percent NaCl relative to H2O + NaCl at 700°C and 500 bars expands the miscibility gap to XCO2 ⩽ 0.2. At 2000 bars, addition of 20 and 35 weight percent NaCl relative to H2O + NaCl causes the miscibility gap to extend to ~500° and ~700°C, respectively, at XCO2 ⋍ 0.3. The existence of the immiscible region in this high-pressure/temperature environment has a profound effect on temperatures of equilibration for metamorphic mineral assemblages (Bowers and Helgeson, 1983). To determine the extent to which nonideality in the ternary system affects these equilibria, the modified Redlich-Kwong (MRK.) equation of state was fit to pressure-volume-temperature data taken from Gehrig (1980) along pseudobinaries for which XNaClXH2O is constant. Fugacity coefficients of the components were then generated from the fugacity coefficient analog of the MRK equation of state and these coefficients were used together with solubility data to determine the compositions of the coexisting immiscible phases. The tie lines connecting the coexisting phases shift in orientation from nearly parallel to the H2O-CO2 binary at low temperatures to almost perpendicular to this binary at high temperatures.
A toolbox for intensity modulated radiation therapy optimization.

We have designed a toolbox that provides an environment for testingradiotherapyoptimization techniques, objective functions, and constraints. A set of three-dimensional (3D) pencil beam dose distributions have been computed for a cylindrical phantom. The 6 MV pencil beams were computed using a superposition-based dose engine commissioned for an Elekta SL20 linear accelerator. Due to the cylindrical symmetry of the phantom, the pencil beam dose distributions for any arbitrary beam angle can be determined by simply rotating the pencil beam data sets. Thus, the full accuracy is maintained without the need for additional dose calculations or large data storage requirements. In addition to the pencil beam data sets, tools are included for (1) rotating the pencil beams, (2) calculating the beam’s eye view, (3) drawing structures, (4) writing the pencil beam dose data out to the optimizer, and (5) visualizing the optimized results. The pencil beam data sets and the corresponding tools are available for download at http://medschool.umaryland.edu/departments/radiationoncology/pencilbeam/. With this toolbox, researchers will have the ability to rapidly test new optimization techniques and formulations for intensity modulated radiation therapy and 3D conformal radiotherapy.
fMRI of Past Tense Processing: The Effects of Phonological Complexity and Task Difficulty

The generation of regular and irregular past tense verbs has been an important issue in cognitive science and has been used to advance different models of the organization of language in the brain. The dual-system view holds that the regular past tense forms are generated by a rule while irregular forms are retrieved from memory. The single-system view, on the other hand, holds that both forms are generated by a single integrated system and differ only in their reliance on factors such as phonology and semantics. We conducted an event-related fMRI study to examine the activation patterns associated with the generation and reading of regular and irregular past tense forms, in addition to the reading of their stems. Regular and irregular past tense generation activated similar brain regions compared to the reading of their respective stems. The areas activated more for irregular generation compared to regular generation included inferior frontal, precentral, and parietal regions bilaterally. This activation can be interpreted as ref lecting the greater attentional and response selection demands of irregular generation. Compared to irregular generation, regular generation activated a small region in the left superior temporal gyrus when the regular and irregular past tense forms were mismatched on phonological complexity. No areas were more activated for regulars than irregulars when the past tense forms were matched on this variable. This suggests that the activation specific to regulars was related to the higher phonological complexity of their past tense forms rather than to their generation. A contrast of the reading of regular and irregular past tense forms was consistent with this hypothesis. These results support a single-system account of past tense generation.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents after Open-Heart Surgery

Objective To assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) after open-heart surgery and to identify medical, individual, and family-related predictors of outcome. Study design Cross-sectional cohort study. 155 children with CHD (40% cyanotic type) who underwent open-heart surgery between 1995 and 1998 were eligible. One hundred and ten patients (response rate 71%) were investigated at a mean age of 10.4 years. Mean age at operation was 2.3 years (range, 0-8.7 years), mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 95 minutes (range, 5-206 minutes), and circulatory arrest was performed in 9% of the children. Child- and parent-rated HRQOL was evaluated by the TNO-AZL Child Quality of Life Questionnaire. Scores were compared with healthy references. Results Most dimensions of self-reported HRQOL were impaired, including autonomy and motor, social, and emotional functioning. In addition to the children’s ratings, parents rated cognitive functioning of their children as diminished. Multivariate analyses revealed that duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, length of hospitalization, need for current cardiac medication, and adverse family relationships had a negative impact on parent- but not on child-rated HRQOL. Conclusions HRQOL is impaired in children with CHD after open-heart surgery. Medical variables and the quality of family relationships are important determinants.
Computer-Supported Collaborative Writing: The Workplace and the Writing Classroom

With the advent of electronic networking, writing pedagogy has moved into the arena of computer-supported collaborative writing, using collaborative writing as an instructional means to promote a more social view of the writing process. Therefore, as business and technical communication researchers and instructors, we need to ask the following questions: What kinds of software have been developed to aid computer-supported collaborative writing in the workplace and in the writing classroom? What benefits and problems have resulted from the design and use of this software? What research issues should be addressed as we approach the next decade of computer-supported collaborative writing? In this article the author explores these questions, highlighting five computer-supported collaborative writing systems from the workplace and five such systems from the writing classroom.
A long-term analysis of 620 patients with malignant melanoma at a major referral center

Abstract Background: A univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of a single surgeon's experience with resectable malignant melanoma during 26 years (November 1970 to August 1996) was conducted. Methods: Six hundred twenty consecutive patients were registered. Univariate analysis of disease-free survival (DFS) and melanoma survival (MS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and correlated to American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, thickness, ulceration, site, lymph node involvement, age, sex, type, and excision margins. Linear trends, log-rank test, and pairwise comparisons were used to discriminate differences in survival curves. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis and determination of relative risk. Results: Univariate analysis of stage, thickness (in millimeters), ulceration, lymph node involvement, age, type, and margins of excision were predictive of DFS (5 years, 85.7%; 10 years, 82.5%) and MS (5 years, 92.2%; 10 years, 87.8%) (P
The effects of prayer, relaxation technique during general anesthesia on recovery outcomes following cardiac surgery

During general anesthesia the possibility of subconscious perception of intraoperative events is a controversial subject. Some studies found that positive verbal suggestions, or music improved intraoperative relaxation and postoperative recovery. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of prayer and relaxation technique applied while patients are under general anesthesia for open-heart surgery. A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial study included 78 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. During the surgery the patients used a headphone connected to a CD player. They were randomly divided into three groups. One group listened to prayer during the surgery, the other listened to relaxation technique and one, placebo. There was only one significant finding: the prayer group is less likely to believe that prayer would assist conventional medical treatments. Although not statistically significant, we discussed the length of stay (LOS) after surgery and the incidence of sternal wound infection.