cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intermittent output tracking for linear single-input single-output non-minimum-phase systems

We propose an intermittent output-tracking controller for linear single-input single-output non-minimum-phase systems. For continuous-time non-minimum-phase systems, it is not possible to design tracking controllers that allow the output to asymptotically track an arbitrary reference trajectory. In view of this limitation, we design a controller that takes the output tracking error to zero at regular intervals of time. The proposed controller is designed in continuous time and is therefore different from output tracking controllers designed for discrete-time systems. The proposed control design is composed of three stages; finding a “discrete equivalent” minimum-phase system, designing tracking control for the discrete equivalent system, and finally deriving the switched control input for the non-minimum-phase plant. The reference trajectory can be arbitrary but a finite preview of the trajectory is needed. Numerical simulations are presented to show intermittent output tracking while ensuring internal stability of the closed-loop system.
Peridium of the acellular slime moldFuligo septica: Structure and composition

Abstract The peridium, an outer sheath surrounding the sporangium of acellular slime molds, was characterized for the first time in the species Fuligo septica . It is an intricately channeled bilaminar structure with a relatively thin outer face composed mainly of protein and carbohydrate and a thicker inner layer composed essentially of calcium carbonate and calcium oxalate. These calcium salts are present as porous sheets of closely packed spherical particles.
The Biomechanics and Biology of the Spinal Degenerative Cascade

We present a review of the literature on the current theories relating to the biomechanics and biology of the spinal degenerative cascade. Over the decades since the degenerative cascade was first presented, we have come to appreciate that spinal degeneration is the end-result of interplay between subtle alterations in mechanical and biochemical properties of the intervertebral disc and facet joint complex. As we better appreciate the biologic aspects of spinal degeneration, less-invasive, non-ablative treatments designed to reverse these biologic processes and restore the disc and facet functioning may become a reality.
Scarcity of relevant data on traumatic brain injuries in youth sports.

I commend Harvey for his highly informative review of youth sports traumatic brain injury (TBI) laws, and in particular for making the full data set, codebook, and protocol available for future research.(1) In his conclusion, Harvey writes that we must ask whether any of these TBI laws "will substantially reduce TBIs in youth sports."(1(p1254)) (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 17, 2013: e1. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301574). Language: en
Academic emergency medicine staffing nonacademic emergency department sites: a national survey.

UNLABELLED Changing health care markets have threatened academic health centers and their traditional focus on teaching and research. OBJECTIVES To determine the number of academic emergency medicine departments (AEMDs) that staff additional non-academic ED sites and to determine whether clinical reimbursement monies from those ED sites are used for academic purposes. METHODS A two-part survey of all 119 academic EM programs listed in the 1997-1998 Graduate Medical Education Directory was conducted. Questionnaires were addressed to each AEMD chair. AEMDs and ED sites were characterized. Hiring difficulties, EM faculty academic productivity, and use of ED site reimbursement monies for academic activities were assessed. RESULTS Ninety-nine of 119 (83%) AEMDs responded. Twenty-three (23%) AEMDs staffed 28 added ED sites. These sites tended to be urban (65%), with moderate volumes (25,000-35,000 patients/year), and had an equal or better reimbursement rate than the AEMD (89%). ED sites were commonly staffed by academic EM faculty (79%) and EM residents (29%). Ninety-six percent of the AEMDs had hired additional faculty; hiring new faculty was considered easy. Academic productivity at AEMDs with added ED sites was reported as unchanged. Reimbursement monies from these ED sites were commonly used for faculty salary support, faculty development, and EM research and residency activities. CONCLUSIONS Academic EM departments are often affiliated with nonacademic ED sites. These additional sites are commonly staffed by academic EM faculty and EM residents. Academic productivity does not appear to decrease when additional ED sites are added. Reimbursement monies from these ED sites commonly supports academic activities.
Bucking the tide: A transition from industry to academe

How do colleges and universities deal with the increasing student demand for more computer information systems education, while qualified faculty (in short supply anyway) continue to leave for industry's greener pastures? The paper presents the author's personal perspective on recently adjusting to a faculty role after more than twenty years in industrial and research environments. Many issues are dealt with, including: economics, institutional support, qualifications, lifestyle, work-load, and keeping up with technology. Alternative solutions to the manpower problem of computing education are presented and examples are given of some university-industry technology transfer programs. Specific examples of local academic support from the Boston Chapter of the Society for Information Management will also be noted.
An energy-based model for electrowetting-induced droplet actuation

Electrowetting (EW) induced droplet motion has been explored in the past decade in view of its promising applications in the field of microfluidics. This paper demonstrates the potential of energy-based analyses for modeling the performance of EW-based fluid actuation systems. Analyses based on system energy minimization offer simplified modeling tools to predict the overall performance of EW systems while circumventing the need to model the numerous complexities in the system. An analytical model is developed to estimate the actuation force on a droplet moving between two electrodes. The origins and contributions of various components of the actuation force are analyzed. The effects of dielectric parameters, electrode layout, droplet geometry and shape are discussed with the objective of maximizing the actuation force. The actuation force model is combined with semi-analytical models for predicting the forces opposing droplet motion to develop a model that predicts transient EW-induced droplet motion. Parametric results are obtained to evaluate the importance of operating voltage, fluid properties and droplet geometry on droplet motion.
General flow field analysis methods for helicopter rotor aeroacoustics

Previous work in the analysis of rotor flow fields for aeroacoustic applications involved the preliminary development of an efficient and accurate Lagrangian simulation of the unsteady vorticity field in the vicinity of helicopter main rotor that could analyze a limited class of rotor/wake interactions. The capabilities of this analysis have subsequently been considerably enhanced to allow it to serve as the foundation for a general analysis of the rotor/wake interaction noise. This paper presents the details of these enhancements, which focus on the expansion of the reconstruction approach developed previously to handle arbitrary vortex wake interactions within three-dimensional regions located near or within the rotor disk. Also, the development of nearfield velocity corrections appropriate for the analysis of such interactions is described, as is a preliminary study of methods for using the new high-resolution flow field analysis for noise predictions. The results show that by employing this novel flow field reconstruction technique it is possible to employ full-span free wake analyses with temporal and spatial resolution suitable for acoustic applications while reducing the computation time required by one to two orders of magnitude relative to traditional methods.
Plasma α2-HS glycoprotein concentrations in patients with acute myocardial infarction quantified by a modified ELISA

Abstract Background : Human α 2 -HS glycoprotein (α 2 -HSG) is synthesized and secreted by the liver into circulation. Plasma concentrations of α 2 -HSG decrease significantly following infection, inflammation and malignancy. Since increased plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein are observed in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we hypothesized that plasma concentrations of α 2 -HSG would decrease during the initial phase of AMI and begin to increase in the recovery phase. Methods : Twenty patients diagnosed with AMI were recruited for the study. A sensitive and specific ELISA was developed to assay α 2 -HSG concentrations in plasma. Results : In AMI patients, plasma α 2 -HSG concentrations were decreased (281.3±25.8 mg/l, ranging from 132 to 489 mg/l on admission) compared to healthy individuals (312.3±9.9 mg/l, ranging from 210 to 450 mg/l) ( P = 0.142). Interestingly, 40% of AMI patients demonstrated α 2 -HSG concentrations below 200 mg/l compared to none in the healthy control group. During the recovery period, α 2 -HSG concentrations begin to increase, with a mean±SEM of 290.1±22.1 mg/l. Regression analysis comparing plasma α 2 -HSG concentrations on admission to concentrations on discharge showed a significant positive correlation in matched-pair patient samples ( P r =0.45). Conclusions : We conclude that, in contrast to C-reactive protein, α 2 -HSG functions as a negative acute phase protein in AMI patients. Plasma α 2 -HSG concentrations start to decrease within a few hours after the onset of AMI and return to near normal concentrations during the recovery period (5–7 days after AMI).
Regional variation in municipal borrowing rates

Every one knows that westem municipalities pay higher interest rates on borrowed money than eastern cities. The purpose of this article is to show how great is the difference and why it occurs.
Successful tracheobronchial reconstruction of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation and long segment congenital tracheal stenosis: a case report

Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (CBPFM) and congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) are difficult developmental disorders especially when they are presented simultaneously in a patient. The authors report a case of a newborn boy born at 37 weeks of gestation weighing 2356 g with CBPFM (right esophageal lung) and long segment CTS. Staged surgical repair (by-force endotracheal intubation for securing the airway followed by bronchotracheal anastomosis for CBPFM, tracheostomy with handmade, length-adjustable tracheostomy tube, and slide tracheoplasty) was performed. He has been healthy without tracheostomy for 25 months after slide tracheoplasty. This is the first report of a successful tracheobronchial reconstruction for a patient with a long segment CTS and CBPFM preserving the affected lung function.
Computerized Career Information and Guidance Systems: Caveat Emptor

Computerized career information and guidance systems, although now commonplace, have received little psychometric scrutiny. The authors argue for examining these systems in the same way in which paper and pencil instruments are assessed. Consideration is also given to issues related to programming, technical-service problems, and staffing.
Nasal cytokine responses to natural colds in asthmatic children.

SummaryBackground The mechanisms by which viruses induce asthma exacerbations are not well understood. Objective We characterized fluctuations in nasal aspirate cytokines during naturally occurring respiratory viral infections in children with asthma. Methods Sixteen children underwent home collections of nasal aspirates when they were without cold symptoms and again during self-reported respiratory illnesses. The presence of viral infection was ascertained by multiplex PCR. Cytokines were measured using multiplex immune assay. mRNA expression for selected markers of viral infection was measured using RT-PCR. A cumulative respiratory symptom score was calculated for each day of measurement. Generalized estimated equations were used to evaluate associations between viral infection and marker elevation, and between marker elevation and symptom score. Results The 16 patients completed a total of 37 weeks of assessment (15 ‘well’ weeks; 22 self-assessed ‘sick’ weeks). Viral infections were detected in 3 of the ‘well’ weeks and 17 of the ‘sick’ weeks (10 rhinovirus, three coronavirus, two influenza A, two influenza B, two respiratory syncytial virus, one parainfluenza). Compared to virus-negative well weeks, nasal aspirate IFN-γ, CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL10/IP-10, CCL5/RANTES, CCL11/eotaxin-1, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL7/MCP-3, and CCL20/MIP3α protein levels increased during virus-positive sick weeks. Only a subset of cytokines (IFN-γ, CXCL8, CCL2, CCL4, CCL5, and CCL20) correlated with self-reported respiratory tract symptoms. While many aspirates were dilute and showed no mRNA signal, viral infection significantly increased the number of samples that were positive for IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2/3, TLR3, RIG-I, and IRF7 mRNA. Conclusions and clinical relevance We conclude that in children with asthma, naturally occurring viral infections apparently induce a robust innate immune response including expression of specific chemokines, IFNs, and IFN-responsive genes.
Effects of e‐servicescape on consumers' flow experiences

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the importance of e‐servicescape in the context of the lodging industry, based on the holistic perspective, by examining ambient, design, and social factors of the virtual environment. Employing the Stimulus‐Organism‐Response (S‐O‐R) model as a theoretical background, this study conceptually proposes a theoretical model, investigating the relationships among e‐servicescape, online consumers' flow experiences, emotion, satisfaction, and their behaviors. In addition, this study extends knowledge of e‐servicescape, incorporating individual differences, online consumers' self‐regulatory focus, in the proposed conceptual model.Design/methodology/approach – Based on an extensive literature review, this study proposes a conceptual framework and eight propositions to investigate the dimensions of e‐servicescape (i.e., design, ambient, and social factors) and its consequences towards online consumers.Findings – Based on the S‐O‐R and Regulatory Focus Theory as theoretical b...
Language and persuasion: Tag questions as powerless speech or as interpreted in context ☆

Abstract Research in impression formation and persuasion has considered use of tag questions as part of a powerless speech style. However, little research has examined how contextual factors, such as characteristics of the communicator, moderates whether tag questions act “powerless”. The present study manipulated source credibility, tag question use, and argument quality. When the source was low in credibility, tag question use decreased persuasion and biased message processing relative to a control message. However, when the source was credible, tag questions increased message processing in a relatively objective manner. Therefore, it appears that tag questions can have different effects on information processing, depending on who uses the tag questions.
Dimensional Quantification of Embedded Voids or Objects in Three Dimensions Using X-Ray Tomography

Scientific digital imaging in three dimensions such as when using X-ray computed tomography offers a variety of ways to obtain, filter, and quantify data that can produce vastly different results. These opportunities, performed during image acquisition or during the data processing, can include filtering, cropping, and setting thresholds. Quantifying features in these images can be greatly affected by how the above operations are performed. For example, during binarization, setting the threshold too low or too high can change the number of objects as well as their measured diameter. Here, two facets of three-dimensional quantification are explored. The first will focus on investigating the question of how many voxels are needed within an object to have accurate geometric statistics that are due to the properties of the object and not an artifact of too few voxels. These statistics include but are not limited to percent of total volume, volume of the individual object, Feret shape, and surface area. Using simple cylinders as a starting point, various techniques for smoothing, filtering, and other processing steps can be investigated to aid in determining if they are appropriate for a specific desired statistic for a real dataset. The second area of investigation is the influence of post-processing, particularly segmentation, on measuring the damage statistics in high purity Cu. The most important parts of the pathways of processing are highlighted.
Effects of radiation on the burning of vertical fuel surfaces

An analysis of laminar, free convective burning of a thermally thick, vertical fuel surface is presented. The analysis differs from previous work on this problem by including the effects of gas phase and surface radiation. Schvab-Zeldovich variables are used and the thin flame assumption is made. The boundary layer equations are transformed to a set of ordinary differential equations by use of a local similarity approximation. Numerical solutions are obtained using a finite difference procedure. Results are presented for PMMA burning in O 2 /N 2 mixtures. It is found that gas phase radiation has a neglible effect on burning rate (for this laminar, vertical configuration). Surface radiation is found to strongly affect the results. Whereas adiabatic solutions exist at all oxygen concentrations in the thin flame formulation (i.e., for infinite chemical reaction rates), the inclusion of surface radiation leads to predictions of extinction at Y O, ∞ =0.12 for complete combustion and up to Y O, ∞ =0.18 for incomplete combustion. At oxygen concentrations above these limits surface radiation increases the convective heat flux and decreases the burning rate relative to the adiabatic results.
Perspective secular changes in stellar proper motion, radial velocity and parallax

As time goes by, and stellar paths cover longer time intervals, it becomes necessary in astrometric studies to take into account the perspective secular change in proper motion, which is proportional to the radial velocity V, the (absolute) proper motion μ, and the (absolute) parallax p. Of less immediate concern are the corresponding changes in radial velocity, parallax and apparent magnitude, not to speak of the secular changes in these secular changes.
Analysis of gas dissociation solar thermal power system

Abstract : Energy collected at high temperatures in a set of scattered solar furnaces can be delivered to a central facility at intermediate temperature by using a polyatomic gas in a closed cycle circulation system. For example, gaseous SO3 dissociates at 800 to 1000 deg C to form SO2 + O2 with absorption of heat; the products recombine in the presence of a catalyst at 500 to 600 deg C liberating the heat of recombination. A system using SO3 for energy transfer and scaled for production of a continuous 100 MW of electrical power with 3 days of cloudy weather storage is outlined. Alternate working fluids CH4 + H2O, COCl2 and NF3 are compared. Selected design options, potential problem areas, and possibilities of utilizing the collected heat for chemical processing are discussed.
A local extension theorem for proper holomorphic mappings in ℂ2

Let ƒ: D → D′ be a proper holomorphic mapping between bounded domains D, D′ in ℂ2.Let M, M′ be open pieces on δD, δD′, respectively that are smooth, real analytic and of finite type. Suppose that the cluster set of M under ƒ is contained in M′. It is shown that ƒ extends holomorphically across M. This can be viewed as a local version of the Diederich-Pinchuk extension result for proper mappings in ℂ2.
Identification of a protease inhibitor produced by astrocytes that is structurally and functionally homologous to human protease nexin-I

In the present studies we have compared the structural and biochemical properties of human protease nexin-I (PN-I) and a protease inhibitor present in the serum-free culture fluid of normal rat brain astrocytes. The inhibitor binds to and forms covalent complexes with human urokinase and thrombin. The inhibitor has an approximate Mr = 43,000 based on the size of the complexes (deduced from SDS-PAGE) and mediates the cellular binding and uptake of the proteases to which it links. Binding is heparin sensitive and occurs on a cell surface receptor that also binds complexes formed between proteases and a well-characterized cell-secreted protease inhibitor, human PN-I. In addition, the inhibitor co-migrates with PN-I on SDS-PAGE and cross-reacts with anti-PN-I antibody on immunoblots. A similar molecule, designated NPF, is produced by C6 glioma cells in culture and has neurite promoting activity on a neuroblastoma cell line.
Reduction of streptolysin O (SLO) pore-forming activity enhances inflammasome activation

Pore-forming toxins are utilized by bacterial and mammalian cells to exert pathogenic effects and induce cell lysis. In addition to rapid plasma membrane repair, macrophages respond to pore-forming toxins through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to IL-1β secretion and pyroptosis. The structural determinants of pore-forming toxins required for NLRP3 activation remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate using streptolysin O (SLO) that pore-formation controls IL-1β secretion and direct toxicity. An SLO mutant incapable of pore-formation did not promote direct killing, pyroptosis or IL-1β production. This indicated that pore formation is necessary for inflammasome activation. However, a partially active mutant (SLO N402C) that was less toxic to macrophages than wild-type SLO, even at concentrations that directly lysed an equivalent number of red blood cells, enhanced IL-1β production but did not alter pyroptosis. This suggests that direct lysis may attenuate immune responses by preventing macrophages from successfully repairing their plasma membrane and elaborating more robust cytokine production. We suggest that mutagenesis of pore-forming toxins represents a strategy to enhance adjuvant activity.
Accepted TCT challenging case: common femoral artery perforation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention successfully treated with a novel transcatheter "thrombin-blood patch" injection technique.

Severe vascular access complications are infrequent, yet potentially life-threatening, conditions related to percutaneous procedures approached via the femoral artery. Surgical vascular repair of such complications are associated with high rates of morbimortality due to advanced cardiovascular disease. Endovascular repair of the injured vessel appears to be the treatment of choice for patients who cannot tolerate vascular reconstruction and bleeding due to severe cardiovascular disease. We report a case that illustrates the feasibility of a novel technique: transcatheter “thrombin-blood patch” injection to access perforated arteries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technology Insight: current status of video capsule endoscopy

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is the most recent major practical and conceptual development in the field of endoscopy. The video capsule endoscope-a small, pill-sized, passive imaging device-has been demonstrated to be the pre-eminent imaging device for disorders of the small intestine. The initial use for VCE was to detect the origin of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Several other indications have now been justified, or are in the process of evaluation. More than 200,000 of these disposable devices have been used worldwide, with an extraordinarily good safety record: indeed, the device has been approved for use in children as young as 10 years of age. In addition, a double-ended capsule has now been approved for the evaluation of mucosal disease in the esophagus. The now-widespread deployment of the device into gastrointestinal practice in the US and many other countries suggests that VCE has achieved mainstream utility. The development of similar competitor devices, and devices whose movement can be controlled, is in progress.
Hierarchical level and leadership style

Abstract This research investigates the relationship between the hierarchical level of managerial personnel and individual differences in their leadership styles, specifically the degree to which they are disposed to the use of participative versus autocratic decision-making strategies. Analysis of self-report data collected from four different levels of managers suggests a greater propensity for use of participative methods at higher organizational levels. Subordinate descriptions of their immediate superiors further support this relationship. However, members asked to describe this relationship reveal perceptions incongruent with the direction of effect implied by the between-level group differences. Reasons for the incongruity and its implications for the organization are discussed.
3D imaging from theory to practice: the Mona Lisa story

The warped poplar panel and the technique developed by Leonardo to paint the Mona Lisa present a unique research and engineering challenge for the design of a complete optical 3D imaging system. This paper discusses the solution developed to precisely measure in 3D the world most famous painting despite its highly contrasted paint surface and reflective varnish. The discussion focuses on the opto-mechanical design and the complete portable 3D imaging system used for this unique occasion. The challenges associated with obtaining 3D color images at a resolution of 0.05 mm and a depth precision of 0.01 mm are illustrated by exploring the virtual 3D model of the Mona Lisa.
Involvement in caregiving and adjustment to death of a spouse: Findings from the caregiver health effects study.

ContextMost deaths in the United States occur among older persons who have 1 or more disabling conditions. As a result, many deaths are preceded by an extended period during which family members provide care to their disabled relative.ObjectiveTo better understand the effect of bereavement on family caregivers by examining predeath vs postdeath changes in self-reported and objective health outcomes among elderly persons providing varying levels of care prior to their spouse's death.Design and SettingProspective, population-based cohort study conducted in 4 US communities between 1993 and 1998.ParticipantsOne hundred twenty-nine individuals aged 66 to 96 years whose spouse died during an average 4-year follow-up. Individuals were classified as noncaregivers (n = 40), caregivers who reported no strain (n = 37), or strained caregivers (n = 52).Main Outcome MeasuresChanges in depression symptoms (assessed by the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression [CES-D] scale), antidepressant medication use, 6 health risk behaviors, and weight among the 3 groups of participants.ResultsControlling for age, sex, race, education, prevalent cardiovascular disease at baseline, and interval between predeath and postdeath assessments, CES-D scores remained high but did not change among strained caregivers (9.44 vs 9.19; P = .76), while these scores increased for both noncaregivers (4.74 vs 8.25; F1,116 = 14.33; P<.001) and nonstrained caregivers (4.94 vs 7.13; F1,116 = 4.35; P = .04). Noncaregivers were significantly more likely to be using nontricyclic antidepressant medications following the death than the nonstrained caregiver group (odds ratio [OR], 12.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-162.13; P = .05). The strained caregiver group experienced significant improvement in health risk behaviors following the death of their spouse (1.47 vs 0.66 behaviors; F1,118 = 20.23; P<.001), while the noncaregiver and nonstrained caregiver groups showed little change (0.27 vs 0.27 [P = .99] and 0.46 vs 0.27 [P = .39] behaviors, respectively). Noncaregivers experienced significant weight loss following the death (149.1 vs 145.3 lb [67.1 vs 65.4 kg]; F1,101 = 8.12; P = .005), while the strained and nonstrained caregiving groups did not show significant weight change (156.2 vs 155.2 lb [70.3 vs 69.8 kg] [P = .41] and 156.2 vs 154.0 lb [70.3 vs 69.3 kg] [P = .12], respectively).ConclusionsThese data indicate that the impact of losing one's spouse among older persons varies as a function of the caregiving experiences that precede the death. Among individuals who are already strained prior to the death of their spouse, the death itself does not increase their level of distress. Instead, they show reductions in health risk behaviors. Among noncaregivers, losing one's spouse results in increased depression and weight loss.
Physicochemical purification and immunological characteristics of ductal carcinoma antigen.

Ductal carcinoma antigen (DCA), as recognized by monoclonal antibody (MAb) F36/22, was purified in high yield and to homogeneity from malignant effusions by means of physicochemical techniques. Fractionation procedures were monitored by immunoenzymometric assays. Preparations purified over 2,000-fold were obtained through acid-extraction, lectin-chromatographies and gel filtration steps. Purified antigen demonstrated a single component upon electrophoretic examination. This material had a high molecular weight and high immunoreactivity. Neuaminidase treatments failed to perturb the antigenicity of the component, indicating an absence of sialic acid residues at the antibody-combining site. Further, extensive proteolytic digestion effected the release of heterogeneous glycopeptides which retained immunologic activity, suggesting the presence of carbohydrate at the active site. Immunologically, DCA was compared with other tumor-associated mucin-like gly-coproteins which have been detected in the circulation of patients. Results indicated no cross-reactivity between DCA and other mucins, including CA 19–9 and CA-125. Further, no antigenic relationship was noted for purified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), also a heavily-glycosylated structure. These data thus suggest that immunological monitoring of disease may be approached using a selected panel of antigenically distinct reagents.
Model based project centered team learning

In this paper, we describe a model to support the non-technical aspects of team development. This model has been derived from studies of student team work at Pace University and through a number of student surveys. The model provides a framework to assess team practices and subsequently guide team members through material specific to their learning needs.
Abstract 185: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG, flaxseed lignan) improves biomarkers of early mammary gland cancer progression in a rat model of breast and ovarian cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Breast cancer prevention efforts increasingly are focused on potentially beneficial dietary modifications due to their ease of implementation, wide acceptance and excellent subject compliance. SDG is a bioactive component of flaxseed suggested to have beneficial SERM-like effects in females at high risk for the development of breast cancer. In parallel with a human phase II prevention trial, female Sprague Dawley rats (n=10-12/group) received 0, 1, 10 or 20 mg/kg/day SDG in the feed. Simultaneously, rats were induced to concurrent mammary and ovarian cancer progression in a previously validated model using sustained release 17β-estradiol and local ovarian DMBA treatment starting at 6 weeks of age. Serum was collected at 3 weeks to measure steady state SDG metabolite concentrations. Mammary gland and ovarian tissues were collected at 3 months post-treatment and examined for changes in epithelial cell proliferation (Ki-67, cell counts), histopathology and dysplasia scores as well as a panel of cancer risk and progression biomarker genes. Carcinogen treatment markedly elevated dysplasia scores while SDG decreased dysplasia in a dose-dependent fashion, with an approximately 50% improvement the highest dose. Mammary epithelial cell numbers were increased by carcinogen and this effect was mitigated similarly at all doses of SDG and reflected in reduced Ki-67 expression. Overall, SDG decreased mammary epithelial proliferation and dysplasia resulting from carcinogen treatment. This preclinical benefit occurred at serum concentrations similar to our human pilot study, in which dietary SDG reduced KI-67 expression in mammary epithelial cells, and decreased the proportion of women with RPFNA atypia. Supported in part by funds from Komen for the Cure grant KG101039. Citation Format: Devora Delman, Bruce F. Kimler, Carol J. Fabian, Brian K. Petroff. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG, flaxseed lignan) improves biomarkers of early mammary gland cancer progression in a rat model of breast and ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 185. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-185
Intraoperative surgical navigation for endoscopic sinus surgery: rationale and indications.

Purpose of reviewThe present review discusses the rationale and indications for image-guided surgery through a critical discussion of registration concepts as well as clinical reports.Recent findingsThe surgical navigation accuracy achieved by commercially available image-guided surgery systems is b
Repression of isoperoxidase formation in excised tobacco pith by exogenous, auxin-controlled RNA

Abstract Previous work has shown that tobacco pith tissue contains two constitutive isoperoxidases migrating toward the anode at pH 9·0. Within 24 hr of aseptic culture on basal medium, such tissue develops five new isoperoxidases, three cathodic and two anodic. The appearance of the new isoperoxidases involves de novo protein formation; it is inhibited by anaerobic conditions, by such inhibitors as Actinomycin D, and by the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). We now find that phenol RNA extracted from parent pith and injected or vacuum infiltrated into cultured pith explants prevents the appearance of the new isozymes; RNA from cultured pith has no such effect. Hydrolysis with 0·3 N KOH, ribonuclease or proteolytic enzymes partially destroys this activity, while treatment with both ribonuclease and proteolytic enzymes completely destroys it. Fractionation of the RNA indicates that part of the repressor activity is associated with an mRNA-like fraction.
Fatty acylcarnitine accumulation and membrane injury in ischemic canine myocardium

Although previous work has shown that long chain fatty acylcarnitine derivatives accumulate in ischemic canine myocardium, their role in the production of irreversible injury and associated sarcolemmal membrane injury is undefined. The present study examines the temporal and topographic relationship of the accumulation of long chain acylcarnitine with the uptake of technetium pyrophosphate and tissue calcium content during ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in canine myocardium. After 60 minutes of fixed LAD ligation, there was no significant increase in long chain acylcarnitine content in the ischemic subendocardium compared with the corresponding nonischemic value. However, the ischemic subendocardium was irreversibly injured at this time, as assessed by a 4-fold increase in tissue calcium content and a 20-fold increase in technetium-99m pyrophosphate uptake after reperfusion. The ischemic subepicardium showed a 41% increase in long chain acylcarnitine content compared with the corresponding nonischemic subepicardium. However, the ischemic subepicardium contained only 50% of the calcium content and 10% of the technetium-99m pyrophosphate uptake found in the ischemic subendocardium. It is concluded that increases in fatty acylcarnitine can be dissociated from the development of irreversible ischemic injury during fixed LAD occlusion in ischemic canine myocardium.
Temperature programmed desorption with reaction

Abstract Temperature programmed desorption kinetics have been studied numerically for the situation where the desorbing species has an appreciable surface reaction rate during desorption. Both noncompetitive and competitive adsorption models are studied, and a method of obtaining the rate constant for the surface reaction by varying the heating rate is described. Product desorption peaks are found to shift to higher temperatures and are narrower than would be predicted by their desorption parameters alone. Product desorption curves also tail off more slowly, making first-order peaks appear symmetric and second-order peaks asymmetric. Product peaks can also shift to higher temperature with increasing coverage for competitive adsorption. Literature data for NO on Pt is compared to the model for peak shape and peak temperature.
What Frustrates Screen Reader Users on the Web: A Study of 100 Blind Users

Abstract In previous research, the computer frustrations of student and workplace users have been documented. However, the challenges faced by blind users on the Web have not been previously examined. In this study, 100 blind users, using time diaries, recorded their frustrations using the Web. The top causes of frustration reported were (a) page layout causing confusing screen reader feedback; (b) conflict between screen reader and application; (c) poorly designed/unlabeled forms; (d) no alt text for pictures; and (e) 3-way tie between misleading links, inaccessible PDF, and a screen reader crash. Most of the causes of frustration, such as inappropriate form and graphic labels and confusing page layout, are relatively simple to solve if Webmasters and Web designers focus on this effort. In addition, the more technically challenging frustrations, such as screen reader crashes and conflicts, need to be addressed by the screen reader developers. Blind users in this study were likely to repeatedly attempt to...
Simultaneous Transgenic Suppression of LePG and LeExp1 Influences Rheological Properties of Juice and Concentrates from a Processing Tomato Variety

Processing tomato lines suppressed in the accumulation of ripening-related polygalacturonase or expansin were generated by introduction of transgenes to silence expression of the LePG and LeExp1 ge...
Retail Prescription Drug Spending In The National Health Accounts

Recent rapid spending growth for retail drugs has largely arisen from increased use of new drugs, rather than from increasing prices of existing drugs. A sizable shift in the payment from consumers to third parties has also contributed to faster growth. Strategies such as negotiating for rebates and using tiered copayments have sought to slow spending growth but simultaneously have complicated the estimation of spending in the National Health Accounts (NHA). NHA estimates show that retail pharmaceuticals’ share of health spending is not much different than it was in 1960, although its share of gross domestic product (GDP) has tripled.
The complete heart-lead relationship in the Einthoven triangle.

The relationship between the source strength and the “manifest vector” in the Einthoven Triangle is derived for a line and a point dipole source and confirmed experimentally. The result permits the interpretation of the standard ECG leads in absolute terms and corrected for body size. The manifest vector is shown to be approximately\(\sqrt 3 \) times what it would be in an otherwise similar circular slab which circumscribes the triangle.
The Future of Data-Intensive Science

Data-intensive science is now taking a place alongside theoretical science, experimental science, and computational science as a fundamental research paradigm.
Effect of element size on the static finite element analysis of steep slopes

The accuracy of the computed stress distribution near the free surface of vertical slopes was evaluated in this study as a function of the element size, including aspect ratio. To accomplish this objective, a parametric study was carried out comparing stresses computed using the finite element method (FEM) to those obtained from a physical model composed of photoelastic material. The results of the study indicate a reasonable agreement between a gelatin model and the FEM model for shear stresses, and an overall good agreement between the two models for the principal stresses. For stresses along the top of the slope, the height of the element tends to be more important than width or aspect ratio, at least for aspect ratios up to 4. In all cases, the greatest difference between the two models occurs in the vicinity of the slope. Specifically, if H is defined as the slope height, an element height of H/10 appears to be adequate for the study of stresses deep within the slope, such as for typical embankment analyses. However, for cases where tensile stresses in the vicinity of the slope face which are critical, such as for the stability analysis of steep slopes, element heights as small as H/32, or higher-order elements, are necessary. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What sort of change to believe in: an alternate opinion.

ronal circuits is admittedly not well known. Single-cell recording may show several phases of inhibition-excitation or the reverse in response to afferent stimulation in the normal thalamus. This is a feature of many basal ganglia nuclei and does not preclude a global excitatory or inhibitory alteration occurring in pathological states. Overall, the evidence for increased basal ganglia output activity in the parkinsonian state remains compelling. Clearly, the pathophysiology of the basal ganglia changes that occur in PD have not been completely elucidated, and it is important to remain open to new findings and ideas. However, we do not believe that the findings that Montgomery provided yet warrant abandoning our fundamental concepts.
Adaptive radio resource assignment for simultaneous services

An adaptive algorithm for selecting rate matching parameters has been developed to satisfy the operating frame error rate requirements for simultaneous services in 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) under Rayleigh fading channels. The results show that the adaptive algorithm can achieve the target error rates for multiplexed services of varying data rates and types, and only requires a few adjustments for convergence.
Revenge of the White Swan

This article comprehensively reviews the recent controversial book The Black Swan: Impact of the Highly Improbable. Whereas the book is statistically reckless about many issues in our profession, I also find reason to recommend perusal of its contents.
A Preliminary Examination of Child Well-Being of Physically Abused and Neglected Children Compared to a Normative Pediatric Population

Federal mandates require state child welfare systems to monitor and improve outcomes for children in three areas: safety, permanency, and well-being. Research across separate domains of child well-being indicates maltreated children may experience lower pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study assessed well-being in maltreated children using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0), a widely used measure of pediatric HRQL. The PedsQL 4.0 was used to assess well-being in a sample of children (N = 129) receiving child welfare services following reports of alleged physical abuse or neglect. We compared total scores and domain scores for this maltreated sample to those of a published normative sample. Within the maltreated sample, we also compared well-being by child and family demographic characteristics. As compared with a normative pediatric population, maltreated children reported significantly lower total, physical, and psychosocial health. We found no significant differences in total and domain scores based on child and parent demographics within the maltreated sample. This preliminary exploration indicates children receiving child welfare services have significantly lower well-being status than the general child population and have considerable deficits in social and emotional functioning. These findings support continued investment in maltreatment prevention and services to improve the well-being of victims of maltreatment.
Study of Unforced and Modulated Inclined Film-Cooling Jets Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition: Part I—Unforced Jets

The effects of jet flow-rate modulation were investigated in the case of a 35° inclined jet in cross-flow over a flat plate using Mie scattering visualizations, time-resolved flow rate records and large eddy simulations (LES). In forced experiments, average blowing ratios of 0.3 and 0.4 were investigated with a duty cycle of 50% and pulsing frequencies of St = 0.016 and 0.159. Time-resolved flow rate measurements during the experiments provided precise knowledge of the instantaneous jet blowing ratio and adequate inlet boundary conditions for large eddy simulations. The dynamics of the vortical structures generated during the transient parts of the forcing cycle as well as their impact on film cooling performance were investigated with respect of the forcing parameters. At the considered blowing ratios, a starting ring vortex was consistently generated at the transition from low to high blowing ratio. Ingestion of cross-flow fluid at the transition from high to low blowing ratio was also observed and had a negative impact on film cooling performance. All studied cases exhibited an overall decrease in coverage regardless of pulsing parameters over their corresponding steady jet cases at fixed mass flow rate. Comparisons between pulsed and steady jets at constant pressure supply (same high blowing ratio) did exhibit some film-cooling improvement with pulsing. 3D Proper orthogonal decomposition was performed on LES results at distinct forcing frequencies to provide an analysis of dominant modes in the velocity and temperature fields. Significantly different results were obtained depending on the forcing frequency.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Study of afterpulsing in InP-based single photon avalanche diodes for 1.5 μm and 1.06 μm photon counting applications

Afterpulsing effects in InP-based single photon avalanche diodes have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Characterization methods include both gated and free- running operation, and afterpulsing dependence on count rate is reported for both methods.
Wavelet analysis of quadriceps power spectra and amplitude under varying levels of contraction intensity and velocity.

Introduction: We investigated the effect of contraction intensity [100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)] and movement velocity (50°, 100°, 200°, and 400°/s) on surface electromyography root mean square amplitude (SEMGRMS) and median frequency (SEMGMDF) of rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM). Methods: SEMGs during knee extension were resolved into their respective frequencies using wavelet transformations. Results: RF, VL, and VM muscles displayed increased SEMGMDF as contraction intensity increased from 25% to 50% MVC and from 75% to 100% MVC, and each muscle displayed its own unique frequency shifting patterns. The SEMGMDF was not influenced by movement velocity. SEMGRMS increased in all 3 muscles as contraction intensity increased and was influenced by movement velocity, with the highest values observed at 400° and 200°/s. Conclusions: We infer that increasing contraction intensity facilitates greater recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers, but there are differing responses in RF, VL, and VM muscles. Muscle Nerve 50: 844–853, 2014
Eccentric exercise-induced injury to rat skeletal muscle

These experiments were designed to study skeletal muscle pathology resulting from eccentric-biased exercise in rats. The effects on the muscles of running on a treadmill on a 0 degrees incline (sim...