cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supporting Engagement in Metamodeling Ideas in General Chemistry: Development and Validation of Activities Designed Using Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning Criteria.

Metamodeling ideas move beyond using a model to solve a problem to consider the nature and purpose of a model, such as reasoning about a model’s empirical basis and understanding why and how a model might change or be replaced. Given that chemistry relies heavily on the use of models to describe particulate-level phenomena, developing sophisticated ideas about models reflects a critical competency for undergraduate students in chemistry courses. Here we describe a set of collaborative learning activities developed using the design criteria for process oriented guided inquiry learning. The activities were designed to use general chemistry topics as a context to engage students in the metamodeling ideas: model changeability, model multiplicity, evaluation of models, and process of modeling. In addition to learning relevant content (gas laws, nuclear chemistry, orbitals, colligative properties, equilibrium, chemical kinetics), each activity provides opportunities to reason about the nature of models, including mathematical models such as equations and graphs. As a practical consideration, the complete activities and instructor guides are provided as editable files.
Psychometric Properties of NASA-TLX and Index of Cognitive Activity as Measures of Cognitive Workload in Older Adults.

Cognitive workload is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of performance in cognitive tests and daily life activities. Cognitive workload is a measure of physical and mental effort allocation to a task, which can be determined through self-report or physiological measures. However, the reliability and validity of these measures have not been established in older adults with a wide range of cognitive ability. The aim of this study was to establish the test-retest reliability of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Index of Cognitive Activity (ICA), extracted from pupillary size. The convergent validity of these measures against event-related potentials (ERPs) was also investigated. A total of 38 individuals with scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment ranging between 17 and 30 completed a working memory test (n-back) with three levels of difficulty at baseline and at a two-week follow-up. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) values of the NASA-TLX ranged between 0.71 and 0.81, demonstrating good to excellent reliability. The mean ICA scores showed fair to good reliability, with ICCs ranging between 0.56 and 0.73. The mean ICA and NASA-TLX scores showed significant and moderate correlations (Pearson's r ranging between 0.30 and 0.33) with the third positive peak of the ERP at the midline channels. We conclude that ICA and NASA-TLX are reliable measures of cognitive workload in older adults. Further research is needed in dissecting the subjective and objective constructs of cognitive workload.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage from sudden gravitational changes.

Diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage is commonly attributed to the rupture of intracranial aneurysms or other vascular malformations. Non-aneurysmal hemorrhages often have a characteristic pattern or cl...
Health and immigration systems as an ethnographic field: Methodological lessons from examining immigration enforcement and health in the US

Abstract The complexity of health systems and their social, political, and economic contexts has resulted in a call for multidisciplinary research that can appropriately examine the relationships and interactions surrounding health systems. Anthropologists, who have a disciplinary training that emphasizes social structures and human relationships, are well-suited to conduct health systems research. However, there remains a gap in anthropologically-ground methodological approaches for conducting in-depth, qualitative research that simultaneously conceptualizes and maps out a health system and examines connections between health systems and other social structures, such as immigration enforcement systems. Without such methodological approaches, limitations in examining a health system and its constituent elements will persist, and health and social scientists will miss opportunities to identify links between different factors in a health system and outside the system itself. In this article, I use ethnographic research examining the health-related consequences of immigration enforcement laws and police practices in the United States to show how to examine relationships between multiple social systems. In doing so, I provide an example for how to conduct in-depth, qualitative health systems research by merging theoretical frameworks in health sciences and anthropology to demonstrate how medical anthropologists can conceptualize a health system as a social field for ethnographic inquiry. Overall, I argue that such an approach permits anthropologists a way to conduct rigorous health systems research that emphasizes relationships and reveals potentially hidden interactions.
Specialty fibers for optical communication systems

Publisher Summary Low-loss optical transmission fibers have been critical to the enormous success of optical communications technology. Fiber-based components have played a critical role in this success. Many of the components found commercial applications in optical sensor technology such as in fiber gyroscopes and other optical sensor devices. A significant number of these components were fabricated from polarization maintaining fibers (PMFs). This chapter discusses the design, performance and applications of various specialty fibers with special attention to dispersion compensation fibers, polarization maintaining and single-polarization fibers, highly nonlinear fibers, double clad fiber for high-power lasers and amplifiers, and photonic crystal fibers. Specialty fibers are designed by changing fiberglass composition, refractive index profile, or coating to achieve certain unique properties and functionalities. The nature of microstructured optical fibers leads to an endless variety of fibers with varying geometries, materials, properties, and applications.
Unitary premotor drives and modular reflex primitives in frog spinal cord

Modular organization of reflexes and premotor drives in frog spinal cord can be revealed in a number of ways. Isometric force-field measurements, electromyogram decomposition with statistical methods, and direct reflex manipulation all support a small number of elements supporting spinal behaviors. The central neural circuits that support the modules indicated by these methods are not well understood. A current focus of our laboratory is to begin to examine activity patterns that support modular common drives. To examine activity we are using a Bionic Technologies Cerebus 128 channel system with real time (1KHz 1ms resolution) delivery of up to 2 resolved spikes spikes per channel. Neuralynx Cyborg drives, microwire, and tetrodes are being tested for recording with this system. Activity is elicited by reflex stimulation to induce wipe movements or muscle vibration. We are also testing activity induction by photolytic uncaging of glutamate in the preparation, a technique with the advantage of no electrical artefact but perhaps reduced temporal precision. If recruited by microstimulation or other means a modular spinal circuitry may in the future support powerful neuroprosthetic designs.
Salt tolerance of nestling Laughing Gulls: An experimental field investigation

-Although Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) in southern New Jersey nest in highly productive salt marshes, adults commonly forage at inland sites when they have young in the nest. Foods from these inland sites have much lower levels of salt than typical marine foods available near the breeding colonies. I hypothesized that Laughing Gulls optimize growth and survival of their offspring by selecting nestling diets that minimize the amount of salt intake. I investigated the role of dietary salt intake on growth of young by providing salt supplements to groups of nestlings in 2 experiments conducted in 1993 and 1994. Dietary salt supplements administered in 1993, but not in 1994, slowed nestling growth and resulted in lower final body weights, total head lengths, and exposed culmen lengths. Nestlings receiving lower salt supplements fared better. By feeding their chicks inland foods, adults may minimize osmotic stress for their young and thereby enhance their growth and survival. Received 19 May 1997, accepted 3 August 1997, final version received 27 August 1997.
The Law of International Sea Piracy

The word "piracy" has been applied to acts of murder, robbery, plunder, rape and other villainous deeds which have transpired throughout history. Piracy usually conjures up images of a flag with skull and crossbones and of swashbucklers, plundering ships and taking booty as prize. Traditionally, acts of piracy have been condemned by municipal law. It was not until the twentieth century, however, that notions of piracy were recognized by the UN which produced the Convention on the High Seas', of which eight articles (the 1958 Articles) relate to piracy.This article discusses the problems raised in the context of international legal norms and international conventions on piracy. The article begins by explaining the 1958 Articles and the Informal Composite Negotiating Text provisions on piracy currently being discussed at the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. Then the article reviews general developments in the international law of the sea as they relate to piracy. Finally, the article describes the specific problems left unsolved by the 1958 Articles and the 1977 composite text, and recommends future approaches toward the international regulation of piracy.
Evidence of Positive Cross-Regulation on Th1 by Th2 and Antigen-Presenting Cells: Effects on Th1 Induced by IL-4 and IL-12

The response of Th cells to cytokines is normally strictly regulated, such that following antigenic stimulation, Th cells respond for only a short period of time, after which they become refractory to cytokine-mediated effects. IL-12, a costimulator of Th1 having no proliferation-inducing capacity of its own, allows Th1 clones and lines to respond to IL-4 when they would otherwise be unable to respond to this cytokine. Cells that have proliferated in response to IL-4 plus IL-12 are fully able to be subsequently activated by specific Ag and APC. Additionally, the response to IL-4 of Th1 effector cells derived from normal murine spleen is enhanced significantly by IL-12. Furthermore, in the presence of IL-12, stimulated Th2 can induce proliferation of Th1 via IL-4 production, in a dual chamber culture system. We hypothesize that the effects of IL-4 and IL-12 represent a novel, positive cross-regulatory pathway that acts on Th1, and is mediated by Th2 (the IL-4 source) and APC (the IL-12 source). We propose this as a way for a Th2 immune response to positively influence an ongoing or waning Th1 response.
Thulium-169 neutron inelastic scattering cross section measurements via the 169 Tm(n,n'γ) reaction

Abstract Neutron inelastic scattering from thulium-169 has been studied for states above 100 keV via the (n,n′γ) reaction at incident energies in the 0.2- to 1.0-MeV range. A high-resolution Ge spectrometer in conjunction with the time-of-flight technique was utilized. Thirty-six gamma-ray transitions from 16 levels were observed. Gamma-ray angular distributions were measured at E n =750 keV and excitation functions at 125 degrees were measured in 50 keV steps over the range of incident energies. Differential gamma-ray production cross sections and gamma-ray branching ratios were obtained. Inferred neutron inelastic level cross sections of the four lowest ground-state rotational band (K π =1/2 + ) members are compared to the sum of calculated compound nucleus and direct interaction cross sections. For the remaining levels, measurements are compared to compound nucleus calculations only. The comparison shows generally good agreement particularly near threshold.
Evaluation of Semi-Automatic Metadata Generation Tools: A Survey of the Current State of the Art

Assessment of the current landscape of semi-automatic metadata generation tools is particularly important considering the rapid development of digital repositories and the recent explosion of big data. Utilization of (semi)automatic metadata generation is critical in addressing these environmental changes and may be unavoidable in the future considering the costly and complex operation of manual metadata creation. To address such needs, this study examines the range of semi-automatic metadata generation tools (n=39) while providing an analysis of their techniques, features, and functions. The study focuses on open-source tools that can be readily utilized in libraries and other memory institutions. The challenges and current barriers to implementation of these tools were identified. The greatest area of difficulty lies in the fact that the piecemeal development of most semi-automatic generation tools only addresses part of the issue of semi-automatic metadata generation, providing solutions to one or a few metadata elements but not the full range elements. This indicates that significant local efforts will be required to integrate the various tools into a coherent set of a working whole. Suggestions toward such efforts are presented for future developments that may assist information professionals with incorporation of semi-automatic tools within their daily workflows.
In Vitro Neurotoxicity of Methylisothiazolinone, a Commonly Used Industrial and Household Biocide, Proceeds via a Zinc and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Dependent Pathway

Neurodegenerative disorders in humans may be triggered or exacerbated by exposure to occupational or environmental agents. Here, we show that a brief exposure to methylisothiazolinone, a widely used industrial and household biocide, is highly toxic to cultured neurons but not to glia. We also show that the toxic actions of this biocide are zinc dependent and require the activation of p44/42 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) via a 12-lipoxygenase-mediated pathway. The cell death process also involves activation of NADPH oxidase, generation of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and overactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, all occurring downstream from ERK phosphorylation. The toxic effects of methylisothiazolinone and related biocides on neurons have not been reported previously. Because of their widespread use, the neurotoxic consequences of both acute and chronic human exposure to these toxins need to be evaluated.
Underwater experiments using a reactive system for autonomous vehicles

This paper describes a situated reasoning architecture, originally used with ground mobile robots, which is shown to easily integrate control theoretic algorithms, navigation heuristics and human supervision for semiautonomous robot control in underwater field environments. The control architecture produces reaction plans that exploit low-level competences as operators. The low-level competences include both obstacle avoidance heuristics and control-theoretic algorithms for generating and following a velocity/acceleration trajectory. Experiments with an undersea remotely-piloted robot in a test tank at the Deep Submergence Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA are described. The robot performed both pilot-aided and autonomous exploration tasks robustly during normal changes in the task environment. The architecture was implemented in the GAPPS/REX situated automata programming language. The guaranteed constant cycle time of the synchronous REX circuits allowed for rapid tuning of the parameters of the control-theoretic and heuristic algorithms to obtaln smooth, safe motion.
Nongeocentric axial dipole field behavior during the Mono Lake excursion

A new record of the Mono Lake excursion (MLE) is reported from the Summer Lake Basin of Oregon, USA. Sediment magnetic properties indicate magnetite as the magnetization carrier and imply suitability of the sediments as accurate recorders of the magnetic field including relative paleointensity (RPI) variations. The magnitudes and phases of the declination, inclination, and RPI components of the new record correlate well with other coeval but lower resolution records from western North America including records from the Wilson Creek Formation exposed around Mono Lake. The virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) path of the new record is similar to that from another high-resolution record of the MLE from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 919 in the Irminger Basin between Iceland and Greenland but different from the VGP path for the Laschamp excursion (LE), including that found lower in the ODP-919 core. Thus, the prominent excursion recorded at Mono Lake, California, is not the LE but rather one that is several thousands of years younger. The MLE VGP path contains clusters, the locations of which coincide with nonaxial dipole features found in the Holocene geomagnetic field. The clusters are occupied in the same time progression by VGPs from Summer Lake and the Irminger Basin, but the phase of occupation is offset, a behavior that suggests time-transgressive decay and return of the principal field components at the beginning and end of the MLE, respectively, leaving the nonaxial dipole features associated with the clusters dominant during the excursion.
Effects and compensation of gain bandwidth in the state variable filter

The effects of operational amplifier gain bandwidth (GB) on the performance of a state variable filter are considered. Third- and fifth-order models for these effects are generated and compared. A method of compensating for the effects of GB is developed, and examples of its use are given. It is shown that the compensation is possible even for high-Q and low-GB cases. >
A novel technique for in-plane thermal conductivity measurements of electrically conductive interconnects and nanostructures

Accurate modeling of heat transport in multi-level interconnects of advanced microprocessors requires accurate knowledge of the thermal properties in thin film structures. The commonly used suspended bridge structures for the lateral thermal conductivity measurements of the metallic thin films involves significant microfabrication process and often cannot produce suspended structures with dimensions near 100 nm/spl times/100 nm. In this paper, a novel technique for the in-plane thermal conductivity measurements of electrically conductive structures is presented. Thin interconnects or nanostructures can be deposited on a silicon dioxide layer of thickness near /spl sim/1 /spl mu/m and then patterned to form a bridge with the width comparable to or less than 100 nm. Joule-heating in the patterned bridge results in a temperature distribution that is strongly dependent on the lateral conduction along the bridge itself through the silicon dioxide layer. The feasibility of the proposed structure for thermal conductivity measurement is investigated by performing careful sensitivity analysis.
A process dynamic modeling and control framework for performance assessment of Pd/alloy-based membrane reactors used in hydrogen production

Abstract In the present study a comprehensive, insightful and practical process dynamic modeling framework is developed in order to analyze and characterize the transient behavior of a Pd/alloy-based (Pd/Au or Pd/Cu) water-gas shift (WGS) membrane reactor. Furthermore, simple process control ideas are proposed aiming at enhancing process system performance by inducing the desirable dynamic characteristics in the response of the controlled process during start-up as well as in the presence of unexpected adverse disturbances (process upset episodes) or operationally favorable set-point changes that reflect new hydrogen production requirements. Finally, the proposed methods are evaluated through detailed simulation studies in an illustrative example involving a Pd/alloy-based WGS membrane reactor that exhibits complex dynamic behavior and is currently used for lab-scale pure hydrogen production and separation.
Scapegoating and Leader Behavior

This article examines how the alternatives of scapegoating or social-emotional leadership are determined in small discussion groups. The hypothesis asserts that the alternative "selected" by the group depends on whether the task leader supports the low-status member. An experiment designed to test this hypothesis indicated that scapegoating of the low-status member occurs when the task leader is somewhat hostile toward him. However, social-emotional leadership was not more in evidence when the task leader supported the low-status member. Instead, such support had the unanticipated consequence of increasing the task leader's legitimacy in performing task activity, thus decreasing both scapegoating and social-emotional leadership.
The renin-angiotensin system: an overview of its intracellular function.

The enzyme reiin has been purified and characterized by structural analysis. Pure renin protein was used to produce a specific antibody to renin, which was useful in demonstrating the presence of a specific renin in many tissues other than kidney. Further, in these cells angiotensins I and II and converting enzyme all were found to coexist with renin by immunohistochemical studies, indicating the local production of renin, angiotensinogen and angiotensins in these cells. Angiotensisn II produced in the cultured cells was secreted to the outside of the cells. Secretion of angiotensin II from the angiotensin-producing cells was demonstrated with perfused mesenteric artery. The secretion of angiotensin II from the vascular beds was inhibited by converting enzyme inhibitors, and was stimulated by the adrenergic β-agonist isoproterenol. These studies demonstrate local production and controlled secretion of angiotensin II and define its physiologic role.
Interaction of Volatiles, Sugars, and Acids on Perception of Tomato Aroma and Flavor Descriptors

To better understand the effect of sugars and acid levels on perception of aroma volatiles, intensity of tomato earthy/medicinal/musty, green/grassy/viney, and fruity/floral aroma and flavor descriptors were evaluated using coarsely chopped partially deodorized tomato puree. This puree was spiked with 1.5% to 3% sugar (glucose/fructose combinations), 0.1% to 0.2% acid (citric/malic acid combinations), or water and 2 levels of 12 individual food-grade volatiles reported to contribute to tomato flavor. A panel consisting of 6 to 8 trained members rated 9 aroma, 8 taste, and 1 aftertaste descriptors of the spiked and nonspiked purees. The panelists detected significant differences (P < or = 0.1) for various individual aroma compound/sugar/acid combinations for a range of descriptors. Adding 0.2% acids alone to bland tomato puree decreased green and floral aromas as well as sweet taste. Adding 3% sugars alone increased green and musty aromas and decreased floral aroma as well as sour, citrus, and bitter tastes. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 56.5% of the variation in the first 3 principal components (PCs) for added acids and volatiles to bland tomato puree. The effect of added acids with the various aroma compounds generally increased perception of overall and ripe tomato taste and aroma, tropical aroma, and sour taste, and decreased sweet, fruity, and bitter tastes. PCA for added sugars with volatiles explained 67.8% of the variation in first 3 PCs, and sugars generally decreased perception of sour, bitter, and citrus tastes and green aroma, while enhancing perception of flavors associated with ripe, tropical, and aromatic tomatoes. Adding sugars, acids, and volatiles together had a similar effect to addition of sugars alone.
Friction and wear behaviour of ion beam modified ceramics

In the present study, the sliding friction coefficients and wear rates of carbide, oxide, and nitride materials for potential use as sliding seals (ring/liner) were measured under temperature, environmental, velocity, and loading conditions representative of a diesel engine. In addition, silicon nitride and partially stabilized zirconia discs were modified by ion mixing with TiNi, nickel, cobalt and chromium, and subsequently run against carbide pins, with the objective of producing reduced friction via solid lubrication at elevated temperature. Unmodified ceramic sliding couples were characterized at all temperatures by friction coefficients of 0.24 and above. However, the coefficient at 800 C in an oxidizing environment was reduced to below 0.1, for certain material combinations, by the ion implantation of TiNi or cobalt. This beneficial effect was found to derive from lubricious titanium, nickel, and cobalt oxides.
Novel functions of interferon-induced proteins

Interferons are important cytokines which regulate antiviral, cell growth, immune modulatory and anti-tumor functions. These pleiotropic effects of interferons are brought about by a large number of cellular proteins, the interferon-inducible proteins. Investigation of the biochemical and cellular activities of some of these proteins have revealed new pathways of regulation of cellular RNA and protein metabolism, growth and differentiation, apoptosis and signal transduction. In this article we discuss recent findings on the novel activities of a selected number of interferon-induced proteins.
An Investigation of Student-Selected and Parent-Delivered Reading Interventions.

In this study, we examined whether individualized, student-selected, parent-delivered reading interventions would produce generalized oral reading fluency improvements. Three 3rd-grade students received reading fluency interventions (repeated readings, modeling, error correction, and flashcard instruction) 1 at a time and were shown the results that each intervention produced. The students then selected the intervention strategies they wanted their parents to use. We trained parents in the student-selected reading intervention package who delivered the interventions for 4–5 weeks, and students were given the opportunity to earn rewards for generalized performance improvements at the end of each week in school. Using an alternating treatments design, results of parent tutoring were compared to a control condition that included a reinforcement contingency for generalized performance improvements to control for reinforcement effects across conditions. Generalized improvements in oral reading fluency (to high-word-overlap passages) were found for all participants. Results are discussed in terms of how educators can improve parent-tutoring outcomes by influencing students’ motivation to engage in tutoring procedures.
Protein polymorphism and the rate of loss of duplicate gene expression.

THE adaptive significance of the widespread protein polymorphism found in natural populations continues to be a central issue in population genetics1–3. Whether this variation is maintained by some form of balancing selection (the selectionist hypothesis) or by the stochastic interaction between selectively neutral mutations and genetic drift (the neutralist hypothesis) remains unclear. Also, evidence is accumulating that the simple electrophoretic separation of proteins detects a much smaller amount of the actual genetic variation present than had been assumed4–9. This has serious implications for much of the data used as evidence in the selection–neutrality controversy. If electrophoretic allozymes are actually large heterogeneous classes of alleles (that is, electromorphs10), then much of the most convincing data presented as evidence for the selectionist hypothesis may be illusory9. Therefore, methods are needed to distinguish between the selectionist and neutralist models without being dependent on detecting all or most of the genetic variation at a particular locus. I describe here a method meeting this criterion by using the relative rate of loss of duplicate gene expression to test the predictions of these two conflicting hypotheses. I report that the rate of loss for different proteins following tetraploidy in two independent groups of fish is positively correlated with the tendency for particular proteins to be polymorphic in natural populations of animals. This relationship is predicted by the ‘neutralist’ hypothesis of protein polymorphism and is in direct conflict with the predictions of the ‘selectionist’ hypothesis.
Induction therapy for esophageal cancer improves survival: A study of comparative effectiveness

Introduction The impact of induction chemoradiation therapy on esophageal cancer survival is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of induction chemoradiation therapy on perioperative outcomes and long-term survival. Methods A retrospective study of 347 consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomies between 1999-2010 at a high-volume institution was performed. Comparison cohorts were patients treated with induction chemoradiation followed by surgery and surgery only patients. Follow-up was complete in 97% of patients. Propensity score analysis controlled for potential allocation-to-treatment bias and created matched groups. Cox proportional hazards regression evaluated differences in survival. Multivariable logistic regression and the generalized linear model determined differences in perioperative outcomes. Results The majority (86%, 298/347) of patients had pretreatment endoscopic ultrasonography and PET imaging. 170 (49%) patients received induction chemoradiation therapy and 44 (26%) achieved pathologic complete response. The propensity score model performed well to create matched groups (c-index=0.88). The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated a survival difference by treatment group (p = 0.04). Controlling for treatment bias, clinical stage and comorbidity, surgery only patients had an increased risk of five-year mortality (HR = 2.6, CI: 1.05-6.50) compared to patients treated with induction therapy. Perioperative outcomes were similar between groups ( Table 1 ). Effect of Surgery Only Referent to Induction Therapy in Propensity Matched Population Outcome Surgery Only (%) (median, range) Induction Therapy (%) (median, range) Surgery Only vs. Induction Therapy (P-val) 95% CI Intraoperative transfusion 14 (7.9%) 7 (3.9%) OR = 1.97 (0.19) 0.71 to 84.13 Postoperative transfusion 32 (18%) 18 (10.1%) OR = 1.62 (0.17) 0.81 to 3.23 Readmission within 30 days of discharge 27 (15%) 14 (8%) OR = 1.74 (0.16) 0.80 to 3.78 Length of stay (d) 9 (3-84) 9 (0-75) Beta = 0.27 (0.79) −1.74 to 2.28 Chest tube duration (d) 7 (1-62) 7 (3-180) Beta = −1.39 (0.28) −3.95 to 1.16 30-day mortality 3 (1.7%) 2 (1.1%) HR = 0.75 (0.82) 0.06 to 9.07 Conclusions In a contemporary, propensity-matched cohort, induction chemoradiation therapy for appropriate esophageal cancer patients improves long-term survival without significant increases in perioperative morbidity or mortality.
Twenty years of ECG grading of the severity of ischemia

Shortly following an occlusion of an epicardial coronary artery, changes in the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) can be detected. Initially, T waves in leads with their positive poles facing the ischemic zone become positive, tall and symmetrical. Later, ST segment elevation (STE) becomes apparent. If ischemia continues, changes in the terminal portion of the QRS may also be detected. The changes in the terminal portion of the QRS are believed to be caused by prolongation of the electrical conduction in the ischemic zone and reflect severe ischemia due to lack of protection by preconditioning or collateral circulation. Several groups have shown that patients with the QRS changes of grade 3 ischemia have higher mortality, higher incidence of reinfarction and heart failure than patients presenting with only the T and ST changes of grade 2 ischemia, despite equal success in recanalizing the epicardial coronary artery by either thrombolytic therapy or primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Grade 3 ischemia is associated with more rapid progression of necrosis and larger final infarct size. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms that determine the severity of ischemia and how we should use this method based on the standard 12 lead ECG to implement clinical therapeutic decisions.
Risk-accepting personality and personal protective equipment use within the Agricultural Health Study.

ABSTRACT Pesticide exposures can be reduced by use of personal protective equipment as well as proper mixing and application practices. The authors examined the effects of risk-accepting personality on personal protective equipment (PPE) use and mixing and application practices among private pesticide applicators and their spouses within the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) in Iowa and North Carolina and commercial applicators in Iowa. The AHS follow-up questionnaire included four questions designed to assess attitudes toward risk. Analysis was limited to those who were currently working on a farm or registered as a commercial applicator and indicated current pesticide use (n = 25,166). Respondents who answered three or more questions in the affirmative (private applicators: n = 4160 [21%]; commercial applicators: n = 199 [14%]; spouses: n = 829 [23%]) were classified as having a risk-accepting personality. Logistic regression was used to evaluate specific work practices associated with risk-accepting atti...
Gluino-driven radiative breaking, Higgs boson mass, muon g-2, and the Higgs diphoton decay in supergravity unification

We attempt to reconcile seemingly conflicting experimental results on the Higgs boson mass, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, null results in the search for supersymmetry at the LHC within the 8 TeV data and results from $B$-physics, all within the context of supersymmetric grand unified theories. Specifically, we consider a supergravity grand unification model with nonuniversal gaugino masses where we take the $\mathrm{SU}(3{)}_{C}$ gaugino field to be much heavier than the other gaugino and sfermion fields at the unification scale. This construction naturally leads to a large mass splitting between the slepton and squark masses, due to the mass splitting between the electroweak gauginos and the gluino. The heavy Higgs bosons and Higgsinos also follow the gluino toward large masses. We carry out a Bayesian Monte Carlo analysis of the parametric space and find that it can simultaneously explain the large Higgs mass and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, while producing a negligible correction to the Standard Model prediction for $\mathcal{B}r({B}_{s}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}})$. We also find that the model leads to an excess in the Higgs diphoton decay rate. A brief discussion of the possibility of detecting the light particles is given. Also discussed are the implications of the model for dark matter.
The geniculohypothalamic pathway in a congenitally anophthalmic mouse

Abstract In a previous study we described abnormalities in cytoarchitecture and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide distribution in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of anophthalmic mice. However, the effect of anopththalmia on the geniculohypothalamic pathway, an important pathway for relay of photic information to the SCN, is not known. The present study examined the geniculohypothalamic pathway in congenitally anophthalmic and sighted control mice. The data demonstrate that the development of an intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) by IGL neurons and the formation of NPY terminal fields in the SCN proceed in the absence of retinal input. Although the cytoarchitectural organization of the anophthalmic IGL differs from that of the control mouse, the distribution of NPY plexuses in the suprachiasmatic nucleus is remarkably similar.
Reduced tillage for peanut production

Abstract Conservation tillage offers economical and erosion-control advantages to peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) growers, provided it does not reduce yield. An on-farm research program was initiated in 1982 in Alabama to compare the effects of reduced tillage and conventional tillage on yield, weed pressure, disease intensity and nematode numbers. Results from 17 experiments during 1982–1986 showed reduced tillage increased yield at 3 sites, decreased yield at 5 sites, and had no effect at 9 sites. Reduced tillage did not increase disease intensity or nematode numbers. Weed control was excellent, and weed competition was judged to have adversely affected yield at only one site, where crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scep.) control was delayed in early season of wet weather.
Analysis on errors due to photon noise and quantization process with multiple images

In the scenes with deflective and/or reflective medium such as fogs or mirrors, where the contrast levels among the intensity values of the pixels in the image are very small, even a small estimation improvement on the intensity value of each pixel could make a big difference for the perceptual quality of the final image if we want to subtract the interference components from the original image. In this paper we analyze the average quantization error, total error and photon noise from multiple images with fixed and varied exposure time. We observe that by properly controlling and varying exposure time with multiple images, one can obtain an image with better performance than that of the conventional wisdom, where multiple images are taken repeatedly with the same exposure time.
Performance of piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composites for active structural-acoustic control of laminated composite plates

This paper deals with the active structural acoustic control of thin laminated composite plates using piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite (PFRC) material for the constraining layer of active constrained layer damping (ACLD) treatment. A finite element model is developed for the laminated composite plates integrated with the patches of ACLD treatment to describe the coupled structural-acoustic behavior of the plates enclosing an acoustic cavity. The performance of the PFRC layers of the patches has been investigated for active control of sound radiated from thin symmetric and antisymmetric cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply laminated composite plates into the acoustic cavity. The significant effect of variation of piezoelectric fiber orientation in the PFRC layer on controlling the structure-borne sound radiated from thin laminated plates has been investigated to determine the fiber angle in the PFRC layer for which the structural-acoustic control authority of the patches becomes maximum.
The quality of civil society in post-communist Eastern Germany: a case-study of voluntary associations in Leipzig

Quantitative data show the weakness of civil society in the post-communist countries of East-Central Europe by using such indicators as membership in voluntary associations. Building on this data, this research offers an in-depth case-study of voluntary associations in the Eastern German city of Leipzig in order to examine the quality of the existing civil society. Due to structures put in place by the local government to encourage citizen input in policy decisions and widespread democratic participation both before and after the fall of communism, Leipzig presents an interesting case-study in assessing the vibrancy of civil society, and thus democracy, in a post-communist city that appears to embrace ideals of citizen participation. The study, based on data from 23 qualitative interviews with members of citizen associations, local parliamentarians and city officials, explores three main issues that are found in the theoretical literature on associations and civil society: the development of civic compete...
Trastuzumab-induced cardiomyopathy: incidence and associated risk factors in an inner-city population.

Abstract Background Although it is known that trastuzumab causes cardiotoxicity, its extent and reversibility are still in question. Earlier studies have not evaluated consecutive patients with reproducible nuclear ventriculography. Objective We sought to evaluate the baseline characteristics which predispose patients to increased risk of trastuzumab cardiotoxicity and to determine the natural history of the cardiotoxicity. Methods and Results Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured in 76 women aged 36–73 years who had been treated with trastuzumab at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center. LVEF was determined at baseline and then 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment initiation. Cardiotoxicity was defined as ≥16% decrease in LVEF or ≥10% decrease in LVEF to Conclusions Decreased LVEF while undergoing trastuzumab therapy occurs frequently and is usually reversible. African Americans had a higher risk of developing decreased LVEF. These findings raise clinically important questions as to whether it is necessary to discontinue trastuzumab for asymptomatic decrease in LVEF and whether African Americans are more predisposed to a decrease in LVEF while receiving trastuzumab. Further studies carefully assessing LVEF should address these hypotheses.
Adapting the Helpful Responses Questionnaire to Assess Communication Skills Involved in Delivering Contingency Management: Preliminary Psychometrics

A paper/pencil instrument, adapted from Miller and colleagues' (1991) Helpful Responses Questionnaire (HRQ), was developed to assess clinician skill with core communicative aspects involved in delivering contingency management (CM). The instrument presents a single vignette consisting of six points of client dialogue to which respondents write 'what they would say next.' In the context of an implementation/effectiveness hybrid trial, 19 staff clinicians at an opiate treatment program completed serial training outcome assessments before, following, and three months after CM training. Assessments included this adaptation of the HRQ, a multiple-choice CM knowledge test, and a recorded standardized patient encounter scored for CM skillfulness. Study results reveal promising psychometric properties for the instrument, including strong scoring reliability, internal consistency, concurrent and predictive validity, test-retest reliability and sensitivity to training effects. These preliminary findings suggest the instrument is a viable, practical method to assess clinician skill in communicative aspects of CM delivery.
β-adrenoceptors on smooth muscle, nerves and inflammatory cells

Although the bronchodilator action of beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists in asthma is largely due to relaxation of airway smooth muscle, these agents have other effects which may contribute to their anti-asthma action. Human airway smooth muscle contains only beta 2-receptors which, when stimulated, stimulate a rise in intracellular cAMP and activation of PKA (protein kinase A), which in turn phosphorylates several cellular proteins, resulting in relaxation. However, beta-agonists also influence membrane K+ channels and induce smooth muscle relaxation without a rise in cAMP, and this mechanism appears to be the major feature of bronchodilatation in asthma. There is also evidence that beta-agonists may modulate neurotransmission in airways via prejunctional receptors on airway nerves, both sensory and motor. Blockade of prejunctional beta 2-receptors in asthma patients may lead to marked rise in acetylcholine release, with severe bronchoconstriction. Although beta-agonists have little or no effect on the chronic inflammatory response which underlies chronic airway hyper-responsiveness, they do inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells in vitro. The presence of beta-receptors has also been detected not only on mast cells but also on eosinophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils, but beta-agonists have little or no inhibitory action on the activities of all these cells due to rapid tachyphylaxis.
Radio Link Control Acknowledged Mode configuration for MUOS

As part of 3G WCDMA, the Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol is a layer 2 protocol that provides transport services between User Equipment (UE) and the Radio Access Network (RAN). Three transport modes of operation are provided: Transparent Mode (TM), Unacknowledged Mode (UM), and Acknowledged Mode (AM). In a satellite system, the long propagation delay between the UE and the RAN make the proper configuration of RLC AM critical in meeting MUOS requirements such as latency and capacity. In this paper, we focus on the enhancements to and configuration of RLC for a satellite system such as MUOS. Of particular interest is the modification of RLC to support MUOS Group services.
Significance of multidimensional radiative transfer effects measured in surface fluxes at an Antarctic coastline

[1] At a coastal high-latitude site, multiple reflection of photons between the high albedo surface and an overlying cloud can enhance the downwelling shortwave flux out over the adjacent open water to a distance of several kilometers. This coastal albedo effect has been predicted by theoretical radiative transfer studies and has also been measured under ideal conditions. In this study, three multispectral solar ultraviolet radiometers were deployed in the vicinity of Palmer Station, Antarctica (64° 46′S, 64° 04′W) to determine the prevalence of the coastal albedo effect under the region's natural variability in cloud cover. One radiometer was deployed near the base of a glacier, and the other two radiometers were deployed on Janus Island and Outcast Island, islets ∼2.8 km (1.5 nautical miles) and 5.6 km (3 nautical miles) distant from Palmer Station, respectively. The radiometers were operated simultaneously for 16 days during late December 1999 and January 2000. Under all cloudy sky conditions sampled by this experiment the coastal albedo effect is seen in the data 60% of the time, in the form of a decreasing gradient in surface flux from Palmer Station through Janus and Outcast Islands. During the other 40% of the cloudy sky measurements, local cloud inhomogeneity obscured the coastal albedo effect. The effect is more apparent under overcast layers that appear spatially uniform and occurs 86% of the time under the low overcast decks sampled. The presence of stratus fractus of bad weather, under higher overcast layers, obscures the coastal albedo effect such that it occurs only 43% of the time. A wavelength dependence is noted in the data under optically thin cloud cover: the ratio of a flux measured at an islet to that measured at the station increases with wavelength. This wavelength dependence can be explained by plane-parallel radiative transfer theory.