cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Research Comparing Mobile Technology Speech-Generating Devices to Other AAC Modes with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

As 30% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate difficulties with vocal output, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention can provide a means for those persons to have the ability to communicate with others. To determine the most effective mode of AAC for individuals with ASD, practitioners must have access to current comparative research in order to make evidence-based decisions. This systematic review searched ERIC, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and Science Direct databases for studies that compared AAC modes, including mobile technology based speech-generating devices, in intervention with individuals with ASD. The search yielded nine (n = 9) alternating treatment design single case studies including a total of 36 participants with ASD with a mean age of seven (range: 3–13). The included studies were compared to evaluate operants, evidence-based best practices, preferences, and participant performance across AAC modes. Visual and statistical analyses indicated most participants not only preferred using the SGD but had performed better when using such devices compared to picture exchange and manual sign. Findings suggest that practitioners should consider using mobile technology based SGDs to promote verbal behavior from children with a diagnosis of ASD. Additionally, research evaluating verbal operants beyond the initial mand (request) and incorporating participants who are adolescents or adults is needed.
Cefepime Induced Neurotoxicity Following A Regimen Dose-Adjusted for Renal Function: Case Report and Review of the Literature:

Introduction: Cefepime induced neurotoxicity (CIN) is commonly associated with renal dysfunction, however CIN can occur in patients with normal renal function or renally dose-adjusted regimens. Few...
Clinico-Neuropsychological Assessment Methods in Behavioral Neurotoxicology

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the clinico-neuropsychological assessment methods in behavioral neurotoxicology. Although neuropsychological assessment is generally associated with the administration of formal tests, the clinical assessment process is more complex. It includes a thorough review of medical, academic, occupational, and personal history through interviews with the patient and/or significant others and through review of medical and school records when appropriate. Neuropsychological assessment results are often combined with information from history and physical examination and data from imaging and neurophysiological tests to determine the ultimate diagnosis. When evaluating a patient with toxic exposures, information from medical records can be invaluable in reconstructing the patient's history. Patient's interview is another important source of getting substantial information regarding the exposure being evaluated and any other exposures that the patient may have experienced. The clinician needs to be aware of the many sources of exposure that may occur quite commonly and the names of frequently used chemicals in order to handle this inquiry accurately. This chapter discusses in detail the reasons for neuropsychological assessment. Cognitive domains and methods of assessment are explained in detail. The chapter also describes the issues in differential diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy.
Who Herds? Who Doesn't?

We build a simple model of analysts' propensity to herd. Using ideas from GMM and simulated method of moments, we estimate an analyst's herding propensity with I/B/E/S forecast data from 1989-2004. We find that, of the analysts whose herding propensity is defined by our model, 85% of them tend to herd while 5% of them tend to stand out from the crowd (i.e., 'anti-herd'). Out-of-sample tests validate our underlying model for analysts' behavior. Further cross-sectional analyses suggest that an analyst tends to herd if she issues less accurate forecasts in the past, has more analysts that issue forecasts before her, a longer forecast horizon, issues forecast less frequently, has less firm-specific experience, more general experience, follows more industries, works for a smaller brokerage house, and follows a firm with less volatile earnings and smaller size.
New monogenic autoinflammatory diseases—a clinical overview

Translating pathogenic insights gained from mono- genic defects that cause autoinflammatory diseases into novel therapies has dramatically improved the lives of patients with thesesyndromes.Thelast15yearshavefocusedonthecentral role of IL-1 in driving autoinflammatory phenotypes and on therapies blocking IL-1 signaling. Recent discoveries from patients unresponsive to IL-1 blockade have highlighted other key inflammatory mediators and pathways. New genetic dis- coveries have confirmed unifying mechanisms of autoinflammation, including dysregulation of danger sensing, cell stress, and immune-receptor signaling. Recent gene dis- covery in novel diseases has demonstrated new concepts. First, several complex clinical syndromes, caused by muta- tions leading to chronic type I interferon (IFN) production present with organ manifestations different from IL-1 mediat- ed diseases including cerebral calcifications, myositis, and interstitial lung disease and the frequent occurrence of auto- antibodies. These disorders introduce type I IFN' sa s inflam- matory mediators that cause autoinflammatory phenotypes. Second, conditions associated with high IL-18 production may provide a direct linkbetween autoinflammation and mac- rophage activation syndrome. Third, dysregulation of inflam- matory and cell differentiation pathways in nonhematopoietic cells, such as aberrant calcium signaling and impaired endo- thelial or keratinocyte development, provide an understanding of organ specificity in autoinflammatory disorders. Many of these discoveries highlight the intricate interconnections be- tween autoinflammation, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and lymphoproliferation and suggest ways in which we may better diagnose and treat autoinflammatory diseases.
The Rise and Fall of Absolute Space

Originally, relativity in physics meant the abolition of absolute space. More particularly, it has come to mean either of Einstein’s famous two theories: his special relativity (SR) of 1905, and his general relativity (GR) of 1915. SR abolished absolute space in its Maxwellian role as the “ether “—the carrier of light waves and of electromagnetic fields in general—whereas GR abolished absolute space also in its Newtonian role as the standard of nonacceleration. (Even more importantly, though not by design, Einstein’s theories abolished the concept of absolute time; that we shall discuss in the next chapter.) Since these ideas are fundamental, we devote the first chapter to a brief discussion centered on the three questions: What is absolute space? Why should it be abolished? How can it be abolished?
Randomized Block Designs

The randomized block design (RBD) is a standard design used primarily to control for a nuisance variable. The advantage of controlling for an important nuisance variable is increased power and precision relative to a nonblocked, completely randomized design. Keywords: experimental design; randomization; analysis of variance
The biogeography of avian extinctions on oceanic islands

Aim To test the influences of island area, island isolation, and human-introduced mammalian predators on avian extinctions that have occurred on oceanic islands worldwide. Location The oceanic islands of the world. Methods We augmented and re-examined an existing data set for 218 oceanic islands by means of causal modelling using path analysis (a form of structural equation modelling) and a null model. Results The number of extinctions was not a simple function of the number of bird species on the various islands. Whereas introduced mammalian predators had an influence on the number of extinctions, island area (via indirect influences) and isolation (via direct influences) were equally or more important. Main conclusions The multiple influences of physical and biotic factors on past extinctions can be revealed through modelling the causal influences of physical attributes of islands on biological characteristics, and the causal influences of both physical and biological characteristics on extinctions.
PERCEIVED FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION DURING MID- TO LATE LIFE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF AFFECT

Engagement in health-promoting behaviors plays an important role in successful aging and may delay the onset and progression of disability in later life. The current study examined a model of health promotion using age, perceived functional limitation, and affective beliefs (e.g., positive affect and negative affect) as predictors of health-responsibility behaviors. Participants were 122 adults between the ages of 40 and 88 who completed measures via an online survey. Results indicate that perceived functional limitation both directly and indirectly, through its association with positive affect, influence health-responsibility behaviors. Adults who perceived more severe functional limitations and experienced greater positive affect reported engagement in more health-responsibility behaviors. This finding suggests that positive affect may be an underlying mechanism by which functional limitation influences engagement in health-promoting behaviors. These results may also have important clinical implications for the use of positive affect as an indicator of health functioning among middle-aged and older adults with chronic illness.
Capacity Analysis of One-Bit Quantized MIMO Systems With Transmitter Channel State Information

With bandwidths on the order of a gigahertz in emerging wireless systems, high-resolution analog-to-digital convertors (ADCs) become a power consumption bottleneck. One solution is to employ low resolution one-bit ADCs. In this paper, we analyze the flat fading multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel with one-bit ADCs. Channel state information is assumed to be known at both the transmitter and receiver. For the multiple-input single-output channel, we derive the exact channel capacity. For the single-input multiple-output and MIMO channel, the capacity at infinite signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is found. We also derive upper bound at finite SNR, which is tight when the channel has full row rank. In addition, we propose an efficient method to design the input symbols to approach the capacity achieving solution. We incorporate millimeter wave channel characteristics and find the bounds on the infinite SNR capacity. The results show how the number of paths and number of receive antennas impact the capacity.
The Measurement of Returns in Tests of the CAPM

Periodic returns are widely used to estimate expected return when testing the CAPM. We show that in the original one-period CAPM, the linear relationship between beta and the expected periodic return is obtained only by adjusting the expected continuously compounded return, and the linearity is well-preserved as the length of the period is increased. A reasonable interpretation of the empirical evidence is that tests of the CAPM that use periodic returns simply reflect the variance of returns, but not the pricing of securities as required by an asset pricing model.
Simulation and modeling for power electronics

Existing power semiconductor and magnetic models are compared for their accuracy and convenience, and simulators are compared for their modeling ability. The desirability of integrating a fast simulator with an accurate analog simulator in a common working environment is addressed. The analog simulators of interest for power electronics are all general-purpose analog or electronic circuit simulators, while fast simulators are used mainly for power electrons. Software manufacturers may be reluctant to narrow their customer base by adding a feature useful to only a limited group. Thus, the fast simulators must be adapted to the general-purpose simulator environment for an integration of these two simulation approaches to occur. It is further noted that, although the analog circuit simulators currently available (such as SPICE or SABER) contain elementary semiconductor and magnetic device models, these models fail to simulate important power (high-voltage) device phenomena. In addition, many power device types such as thyristors or IGBTs (insulated-gate bipolar transistors) are omitted from these model libraries. New device types and combination devices also need to be included. >
How long a dynamic PET acquisition is needed for quantification of 18F-FLT kinetics in breast cancer?

581 Objectives To investigate and optimize acquisition time of dynamic 18F-FLT PET for accurate quantification of uptake/proliferation kinetics in order to reduce patient burden and PET system time. To establish an optimized dynamic protocol for FLT imaging to assess therapy response. Methods 30min-dynamic FLT PET scans were acquired on a Philips Gemini TF 64 system in continuous list mode. PET data were reconstructed following a 26-frame protocol (8x15s, 6x30s, 5x1min, 5x2min, 2x5min). Maximum activity concentrations (Bq/mL) of both tumors and plasma in the descending aorta were obtained with 3D Volume of Interest placement along time frames. Ki values were calculated using Patlak Analysis by in-house developed software based on different data acquisition durations (Td) (10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 25 and 30min, separately) and different linear regression onset time (T0) points (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5min). Ki of the 30min-data set was taken as the gold standard and compared with the rest shortened data series. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9 was chosen as a limit for the correlation coefficient. A total of 26 data sets were evaluated. Results Correlations of Ki between the 30min-dynamic PET and the shortened dynamic PET series increased as the increase of Td from 10 to 25min. It revealed poor correlations for PET with Td ≤14min (R=0.57±0.09, 0.73±0.04, 0.84±0.02 at Td=10, 12 and 14min, respectively), and excellent correlations when Td of PET ≥16min regardless of T0 value (R=0.90±0.01, 0.97±0.00, 1.00±0.00 under Td of 16, 20, 25min, respectively). Conclusions A 16min-dynamic 18F-FLT PET acquisition is long enough to predict accurate Ki values of Patlak analysis. This study demonstrates the ability of shortened FLT dynamic PET imaging without influencing the kinetic quantification for assessment of changes for response assessment making the use of dynamic acquisitions more clinically feasible. Research Support OIRAIN TECH 09-028
A rapid staining technique for detection of RNase after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract Ribonucleases may be detected in polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis by incubation in a solution of RNA, followed by a 30 second dip into 0.2% toluidine blue. The method is very rapid and is sensitive to small amounts of plant RNases. The enzyme may be eluted from the gel after it is located by staining.
Effects of mowing frequency on densities of natural enemies in three Pacific Northwest pear orchards

Effects of mowing frequency on ground cover composition and on numbers of predators, parasitoids, and select phytophagous arthropods in the ground cover of three reduced-insecticide pear orchards were determined. Concurrent samples taken in the tree canopy (with beating trays) and in the herbicide strips on the orchard floor (with pitfall traps) tested whether counts of natural enemies in these two habitats were also affected by mowing regime. A reduction in frequency of mowing from two to three times per month (= control) to once per month or once per growing season led to increased cover of grasses, broadleaf plants, and broadleaf plants in flower. Sweep net samples of natural enemies in the ground cover were dominated numerically by spiders (Araneae), parasitic Hymenoptera, and predatory Heteroptera, with lesser numbers of other taxa (Syrphidae, Neuroptera, Coccinellidae). Predators and parasitoids showed substantial increases in numbers associated with decreased mowing frequency. Sweep net counts of aphids, Lygus spp. (Heteroptera: Miridae), and leafhoppers/planthoppers, all potential prey of predators, also increased significantly with decreased mowing frequency. In the pitfall samples, only the European earwig (Forficula auricularia L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) exhibited a change in counts associated with mowing treatment; numbers of earwigs in pitfall traps declined as mowing frequency decreased. For the beat tray samples, mean tray counts for most natural enemy taxa were higher in the less frequently mowed plots, but significantly (P < 0.05) so only for two taxa: spiders and a predatory mirid, Deraeocoris brevis (Uhler) (Heteroptera: Miridae). It remains to be determined whether biological control of pests in the tree canopy can be enhanced by manipulating mowing frequency. Questions raised by this study include whether there is extensive movement by natural enemies between the ground cover and tree canopy, and whether plot size affects the likelihood of showing that mowing frequency influences predator densities in the tree canopy.
Structure of seven W surfaces

Abstract We present a theoretical study of the structure of seven W surfaces, using a modified fourth moment approximation to tight-binding theory. The seven W surfaces include three low-index surfaces ((100), (110) and (111)) and four high-index ((210), (211), (310) and (321)) surfaces. Perpendicular to the surface, most surfaces followed an oscillatory pattern of contraction and expansion, but the (111) and (321) surfaces relaxed with successive contractions of the first and second interplanar spacing, followed by an expansion of the third interplanar spacing. Also, the (100) surface and high-index (210), (211), (310) and (321) surfaces formed reconstructions with the top layers shifting parallel to the surface. The details of the atomic rearrangement can be understood with a simple bonding coordination argument.
Analysis of cryogenic propellant behaviour in microgravity and low thrust environments

Predictions of a CFD program calculating a fluid-free surface shape and motion as a function of imposed acceleration are validated against the drop-tower test data collected to support design and performance assessments of the Saturn S-IVB stage liquid-hydrogen tank. The drop-tower facility, experimental package, and experiment procedures are outlined, and the program is described. It is noted that the validation analysis confirms the program's suitability for predicting low-g fluid slosh behavior, and that a similar analysis could examine the effect of incorporating baffles and screens to impede initiation of any unwanted side loads due to slosh. It is concluded that in actual vehicle applications, the engine thrust tailoff profile should be included in computer simulations if the precise interface versus time definition is needed.
A study of the electroplastic effect in metals

Abstract : The effects of high density, direct current pulses (100 to 1000 A/sq. mm for periods of 55-120 microsecs) on the flow stress determined in an Instron tensile testing machine were studied in a number of polycrystalline metals representing various crystal structures (Pb, Sn, Fe and Ti), with most attention being focused on Ti. The current pulses produced a decrease in the flow stress delta (o sub p) in all four metals. The work on Ti indicated that delta (o sub p) contains a contribution in addition to heating and pinch effects. This contribution (the electroplastic effect) increased significantly with current density, interstitial content and temperature (77-300K), to a lesser degree with strain, but no change was detected for a 25 fold increase in strain rate. Computer calculations of the dynamic stress changes associated with the approximately sinusoidal current-time pulses employed here yielded a contribution due to the electron-dislocation interaction (for a current density of 5000 A/sq mm at 300K) which was 32% of delta (o sub p). A model is proposed for the electroplastic effect which is based on theoretical considerations that the current flow exerts a force on the dislocations which adds to the applied force pushing a dislocation against obstacles. Complementary studies were performed on: (a) the decremental unloading method for determining the internal stress in metals, (b) the effects of temperature, gain size and interstitial content on the flow stress of Ti and (c) plastic instability in Ti sheet. (Author)
Spatial and overwinter changes in clam populations of San Pablo Bay, a semiarid estuary with highly variable freshwater inflow

In many estuaries worldwide, climate trends together with human diversion of fresh water have dramatically impacted the benthos. Such impacts have sometimes been complicated by exotic species, whose invasion and persistence can be mediated by wide variations in freshwater inflow. Monitoring such changes usually involves periodic samples at a few sites; but sampling that does not recognize variation at a range of spatial and seasonal scales may not reveal important benthic trends. San Pablo Bay, in northern San Francisco Bay, has extreme fluctuations in freshwater inflow. This bay also experienced a major benthic change with introduction of the Asian clam (Potamocorbula amurensis) in 1986. This species initially displaced the former community, but later appeared to vary in abundance depending on site and freshwater inflow. To investigate such patterns and provide guidelines for research and monitoring, we took 1746 core samples at six sites around San Pablo Bay from 19 October to 17 December 1999 and from 6 March to 19 April 2000. Most biomass consisted of the clams P. amurensis, Macoma balthica and Mya arenaria. Potamocorbula amurensis dominated the benthos at most sites in the fall and recruited a new cohort during winter, while there was weak recruitment in M. balthica and none in M. arenaria. At most but not all sites, densities of P. amurensis and M. arenaria declined dramatically over winter while M. balthica declined only slightly. The dominant clams had patch diameters O5 m at most but not all sites, and some showed inconsistent patch structure at scales of 100e1400 m. In this semiarid estuary with highly variable freshwater inflow, samples for research and monitoring should include multiple sites and seasons, and samples within sites should be R5 m apart to account for between-patch variation. Species abundance in winter 1999e2000 appeared to be affected by high freshwater inflows in 1997e1999, while spatial patterns were probably most affected by post-settlement dispersal and mortality. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Case-Based Reasoning: Application Techniques for Decision Support

Decision-support systems can be improved by enabling them to use past decisions to assist in making present ones. Reasoning from relevant past cases is appealing because it corresponds to some of the processes an expert uses to solve problems quickly and accurately. All this depends on an effective method of organizing cases for retrieval. This paper investigates the use of inductive networks as a means for case organization and outlines an approach to determining the desired number of cases-or assessing the reliability of a given number. Our method is demonstrated by application to decision making on corporate tax audits.
The nonpartisan ballot and the decline of American parties: A contextual effect?

The nonpartisan municipal ballot is one of several turn-of-the-century reforms intended to weaken political parties. Through its effects on individuals' political contexts and voting experiences, it might have contributed to the twentieth-century decline in public support for political parties. This paper tests this hypothesis with items available in the 1980 CPS presidential election survey augmented with a ballot form variable. There are no significant differences in measures of party support among residents of partisan and nonpartisan communities, and thus no measurable evidence that nonpartisan elections discouraged the public from supporting political parties.
Metabolism of prostaglandins and xenobiotics by adrenal microsomal monooxygenase in the guinea pig.

Abstract The possibility that prostaglandins could serve as substrates for the guinea pig adrenal microsomal monooxygenase was investigated. The binding of PGE 1 to adrenal microsomes was found to exhibit a reverse type I spectral change. Also PGE 1 diminished the magnitude of type I spectrum elicited by cortisol binding to adrenal microsomes. The incubation of [ 3 H]PGE 1 or of [ 3 H]PGE 2 with adrenal microsomes supplemented with NADPH yielded primarily the respective 19-hydroxy metabolite. The enzymatic activity catalyzing this hydroxylation appears to be a typical monooxygenase, requiring NADPH for activity and being strongly inhibited by metyrapone, SKF 525A, and cytochrome c . Carbon monoxide at a ratio of 9:1 to oxygen moderately inhibited the hydroxylation of PGE 1 . Whereas the liver catalyzed the hydroxylation of PGE 1 and PGA 1 equally well, the adrenal microsomes preferentially catalyzed the hydroxylation of PGE 1 . This finding and the observation that α-naphthoflavone is a weak inhibitor of the adrenal PGE 1 hydroxylation points to significant differences between the adrenal and liver prostaglandin hydroxylation activities. Cortisol, which is a substrate for adrenal monooxygenase, strongly inhibited PGE 1 and PGE 2 hydroxylation. By contrast, certain xenobiotics (ethylmorphine, hexobarbital, benzpyrene), which are also metabolized by adrenal microsomes, only slightly inhibited the hydroxylation of PGE 1 . Similarly, PGE 1 only weakly inhibited ethylmorphine and benzphetamine demethylation and hexobarbital hydroxylation. These observations suggest that adrenal microsomes contain several monooxygenases with different affinities for prostaglandins and for the different xenobiotic substrates.
Influence of WALP Peptides on Phase Behavior of Cholesterol Containing Ternary Lipid Mixtures

Partitioning of lipid bilayer membrane components plays a crucial role in biological processes. For example, cellular mechanisms such as signaling, adhesion and transport are often dependent on and regulated by inhomogeneities in the biological membranes. Ternary lipid systems containing cholesterol provide an opportune model for characterizing phase behavior, such as separation between liquid disordered and liquid ordered ("raft") phases. In these model systems one can incorporate (non-perturbing) deuterium labels and use 2H NMR methods to establish the phase behavior of the system as a function of temperature. It is of interest to investigate also the possible influence that membrane-spanning peptide components may have on the segregation of lipids.In some experiments, we have used the saturated fluid model lipid diphytanoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPhPC). We have investigated both DPhPC:DPPC-d62:Cholesterol and DOPC:DPPC-d62:Cholesterol (35:35:30) mixtures, with and without incorporation of WALP peptides of different lengths (acetyl-GWW(LA)nLWWA-ethanolamide).When WALP peptides are introduced into DPhPC:DPPC-d62: Cholesterol, a peptide length-dependent appearance of non-bilayer phase is observed. The non-bilayer phase is apparent in both 2H and 31P NMR spectra. A prominent isotropic lipid peak has disqualified this system as a model for investigations of longer WALP peptides.The DOPC:DPPC-d62:Cholesterol model system is better behaved. Upon addition of WALP peptides, no apparent formation of non-bilayer phase is evident. Incorporation of WALP peptides of various lengths results in a slight increase in phase transition temperature, from a range of about 288-293 K with no peptide present, to a range of about 293-298 K when a WALP peptide is present at 1/160 (peptide/total lipid). Results for different length WALP peptides will be discussed.
Custom-contoured ablation pattern method for the treatment of decentered laser ablations.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the custom-contoured ablation pattern (C-CAP) method as a tool for providing customized laser ablations for decentered ablations based on corneal topography data. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. Methods: In a prospective noncomparative interventional case series, 8 eyes from 7 post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patients and 1 post-photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) patient with symptomatic laser decentration were treated with the C-CAP method. The Zeiss Humphrey topography system was used to identify and analyze decentered ablations. The computer software allowed the surgeon to preoperatively model the effect of various ablation schemes on the preoperative topography until a scheme that alleviated the decentration was identified. The planned ablation parameters, which included size, depth, and location of the ablation, were programmed into the Visx S4 excimer laser before treatment. Results: The mean follow-up after C-CAP ablation was 4.2 months (range 1.8 to 6.3 months). At the last postoperative examination, no eye lost a line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) improved by 3 lines in 1 eye (12.5%), by 2 lines in 1 eye (12.5%), and by 1 line in 3 eyes (37.5%); it remained unchanged in 2 eyes (25.0%) and decreased by 1 line in 1 eye (12.5%). The BSCVA improved by 3 lines in 1 eye (12.5%), by 2 lines in 2 eyes (25.0%), and by 1 line in 3 eyes (37.5%); it remained unchanged in 2 eyes (25.0%). In all eyes, including those without improvement in UCVA or BSCVA, a significant improvement in centration and subjective complaints was achieved. The pre-C-CAP and post-C-CAP root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront data were available in 5 of 8 eyes. The total and higher-order RMS aberrations decreased by 41.7% ( P = .0027) and 45.5% ( P = .039), respectively, after C-CAP treatment. Conclusions: Early U.S. results show the topography-driven C-CAP method is an effective tool to address untreatable postsurgical decentration. This method is presented as a technique to enhance the overall quality of vision, reduce patient-perceived visual aberrations, regularize the corneal surface, and maximize BSCVA.
Extractability of cellulases in forest litter and soil

Cellulases in forest litter and soil occur in both bound and extractable forms. The proportion of total bound endocellulase activity (not extractable) increases during decomposition, whereas the proportion of bound exocellulase activity remains fairly constant. The proportions of bound enzymes differ among litter types with different chemical compositions. The proportion of bound activity is higher in mineral soil than in litter. We also investigated the effects of anion type (NaCl versus Na2SO4), concentration and pH on the extractability of cellulases and protein in two horizons of two forest soils. The extractability of cellulases increases as pH increases from 3.5 to 5.6. Anion type and concentration did not have consistent effects on extractability. However, there was a trend for higher extractability by sulfate than by chloride and with increasing salinity.
How Dynamic is Dynamic Walking? Human vs. Robotic Gait

For design and control of biped walking robots, it is important to quantify the different level of dynamicity. We propose the Dynamic Gait Measure (DGM) that quantifies the dynamicity of a given biped walking motion. The DGM is associated with the gait stability, and quantifies the effects of inertia in terms of the Zero-Moment Point (ZMP) and the ground projection of center of mass (GCOM). Also, DGM takes into account the stance foot dimension and the relative threshold between static and dynamic walking. Human-like and robotic walking motions are generated for a planar biped system from an optimization problem. The resulting DGMs demonstrate their dependence on the stance foot dimension as well as the walking motion. The DGM results verify the dynamic nature of normal human walking. For a given gait motion, smaller foot dimension results in increased dynamicity. Moreover, the DGMs for normal human walking are greater than those for robotic walking. The proposed results will benefit the development of walking robots.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Use of regression analysis and flow cytometry for determining levels of mixed semiallogeneic immune chimerism.

It has been shown that tolerance or specific immunologic nonresponsiveness in various lymphohemopoietic transplant models can be associated with the development of mixed lymphoid chimerism. As a specific example, composite tissue (limb) allografts were studied as a model for vascularized bone marrow transplantation (VBMT) and it was demonstrated that development of stable cellular immune chimerism is associated with long-term allograft survival. Recently, studies were initiated using a new parental to hybrid VBMT model, but the detection of donor cells is complicated, due to the fact that they share one parental allotypic determinant. Therefore, regression analysis with a flow cytometric immunofluorescent staining assay was evaluated for the assessment of cellular lymphoid chimerism in donor parental to hybrid (P-->F1) lymphohemopoietic transplant models. Standard curves consisting of known mixed populations of parental donor (Lewis, LEW) and hybrid host F1 (Lew x BN, LBN) lymphocytes were established. Standard curves were analyzed by linear regression statistics and excellent coefficients of determination (r > .881) were obtained for all standard curves. A highly statistically significant (p < .016) linear relationship between level of donor cell chimerism (independent variable) and percent stained (dependent variable) was determined. The technique was then evaluated using the parental to hybrid VBMT model. Levels of donor LEW lymphoid chimerism in all VBMT LBN recipients were successfully assessed by regression analysis and inverse prediction using distinct recipient allodeterminant markers. In conclusion, this technique was proven to be reliable and accurate for the detection of of chimerism in parental to F1 lymphohemopoietic allograft models.
An Analysis Of The Optical Injection Locking Of Gaas MESFET Oscillators

An approximate theoretical analysis of the optical injection locking phenomenon inMESFET oscillators is presented. The locking ranges estimated in the frame of this analysis are in quite fair agreement with those found experimentally.
Radiosensitivity of seeds—III. Effects of pre-irradiation humidity and gamma-ray dose on seeds from five botanical families

Abstract Seeds of Brassica napus L. (Cruciferae), Festuca elatior L. (Gramineae), Lactuca sativa L. (Compositae), Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae), and Trifolium incarnatum L. var. elatius Gibelli & Belli (Leguminosae) were equilibrated at relative humidities of 10, 35, 60, and 85 per cent then exposed to gamma-ray doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, or 400 kr at 450 r/min. Seedlings were grown for 14 to 16 days in a controlled environment and assayed for dry weight. Data were analyzed by a full-quadratic regression model. Except for Festuca , growth from irradiated and control seeds was drastically affected by preirradiation humidity, with higher humidities generally more damaging than lower but with growth decreasing both above and below an optimum humidity. Optimum humidity varied with species, ranging from 9 to 38 per cent R.H. in the controls, and with radiation treatment, ranging from 42 to 53 per cent R.H. at the highest doses tolerated. The hypothesis of persisting radiation-induced radicals at lower humidities does not explain the similar increase in radiosensitivity at humidities above the optimum.
The Motif of the Collector and History in Ondaatje's Work

Jon Saklofske, in his paper "The Motif of the Collector and History in Ondaatje's Work" recognizes that Ondaatje rescues Buddy Bolden from historical obscurity by elevating and complicating the musician's largely forgotten history with a self-conscious and largely fictional synthesis of memory and imagination. The liberties Ondaatje takes in Coming Through Slaughter with his subject to achieve this re-presentation and the ownership of the portrait that results exposes this type of authorial activity as a problematic appropriation. Saklofske suggests that to understand the implications of Ondaatje's activity it is useful to compare his efforts with Walter Benjamin's "collector" figure, who is both a selfish, destructive thief, and a careful preserver. As a collector, Ondaatje becomes the owner and an essential part of this transformed and personalised image of Bolden. Further, Saklofske argues that Ondaatje preserves Bolden's presence, actively confronts historical exclusivity, and interrupts his own authority over his subject. Although his interaction with actual historical figures decreases with successive novels, Ondaatje's personal encounter with the impersonal machine of history continues, asserting itself repeatedly as a successful strategy against destructiveness or authoritative exclusion. Jon Saklofske, "The Motif of the Collector and History in Ondaatje's Work" page 2 of 8 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 6.3 (2004):
PARACREPTOTREMA BLANCOI N. GEN., N. SP. (DIGENEA: PLAGIORCHIFORMES: ALLOCREADIIDAE) IN THE OLOMINA, PRIAPICHTHYS ANNECTENS (OSTEICHTHYES: POECILIIDAE), FROM THE ÁREA DE CONSERVACIÓN GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

A new species of allocreadiid digenean is described from Priapichthys annectens (Regan) (Osteichthyes: Poeciliidae) in the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica. A new genus, Paracreptotrema, is proposed to accommodate this species as well as Fellodistomum mendezi Songandares-Bernal, 1955, which was previously described from another poeciliid, Brachyrhaphis episcopi, in Panama. Paracreptotrema differs from all other nominal genera of Allocreadiidae by a combination of its symmetrical testes, restricted vitellaria, and the lack of oral lappets (muscular ‘papillae’) or other such appendages. Paracreptotrema blancoi n. sp. resembles Creptotrema creptotrema Travassos, Artigas and Pereira, 1928, but differs in lacking ventral oral lappets and in having vitellaria extending posteriorly only to the level of the testes. It can be distinguished from P. mendezi n. comb. in having a relatively larger and more posteriorly placed acetabulum, vitellaria that are more restricted anteriorly, smaller testes, and a u...
Unusual epidermal cyst.

Abstract An epidermal or sebaceous cyst of unusual dimensions has been reported. It was removed via the oral cavity to prevent possible keloidal scarring of the patient's face. It is seldom that the oral surgeon has an opportunity to remove such a cyst through the oral cavity.
Analysis of the moving apparent common line and dynamic contact angle formed by a draining film

When we make the usual no slip boundary condition, unbounded forces appear at a moving common line on a rigid solid. While this singularity can be removed with the assumption that slip occurs within the immediate neighborhood of the common line, we are left with no fundamental understanding of the process. Our premise here is that a common line does not move. As viewed on a macroscale, it appears to move as a succession of stationary common lines are formed on a microscale, driven by a negative disjoining pressure in the receding film. The amount of receding phase left stranded by the formation of this succession of common lines is too small to be easily detected. This thesis is illustrated for a receding thin liquid film against a gas having a uniform pressure. The liquid film is assumed to be draining under the influence of gravity. The dynamic contact angle Θ is computed and compared with the limited available data.
De bonne main : Les pourvoyeurs de nouvelles à Rome au 17e siècle

Au debut de l'epoque moderne, l'information politique devint un produit de consommation. et les colporteurs de nouvelles militaires, dynastiques et administratives les plus audacieux n'etaient pas, du moins au debut, de grandes maisons d'edition ou des magnats du journalisme ; ils n'etaient en fait que des ecrivains et des distributeurs de soi-disant avvisi ou « nouvelles a la main » au service d'abonnes repandus dans toute l'Europe. On trouvait parmi eux des representants honorables du gouvernement et des bureaucraties ecclesiastiques, ainsi qu'une bande heteroclite d'avocats, de notaires, cle scribes, d'ecrivains a la tâche, d'espions, d'intellectuels sans emploi et meme d'assassins et d'extorqueurs. for geant ainsi un nouveau genre a partir d'un hybride de correspondance diplomatique et commerciale, ils commencerent a faire circuler leurs nouvelles a la main de facon reguliere, une ou deux fois par semaine, vers la seconde moitie du 16e siecle. en depit de persecutions quasi permanentes, ils parvinrent a publier, en meme temps que des informations simples ou erronees, des commentaires suivis et des critiques les plus caustiques et les plus acerbes sur les gouvernements dc l'epoque presents dans les provinces catholiques.
Thermal Detectors as Single Photon X-Ray Spectrometers

Thermal detectors operating at cryogenic temperatures can be used as sensitive microcalorimeters for measuring small pulses of energy such as produced by the absorption of individual X-ray photons. This scheme has two major advantages for photon detection. First, in principle, all the X-ray energy can be degraded into phonons to which we are sensitive, thus avoiding the statistical noise associated with the partition of the energy into several channels. Second, the limiting noise of the energy measurement is set by thermodynamic fluctuations. At low temperatures, these fluctuations in practical devices will allow energy resolution on the order of a few electron volts (eV) FWHM. We present results of experiments performed to evaluate the characteristics of thermal detectors. We find that our measurements agree well with the the general theory of thermal detectors. Specifically, the magnitude of the equilibrium temperature fluctuations agrees well with that predicted by thermodynamics for the detectors tested. The completeness of energy thermalization, however, varies among the devices tested. We will discuss this as it affects detector energy resolution.
Appearance of Hipparion in the tertiary of the Siwalik hills of north India, Kashmir and west Pakistan.

Hipparion species are important markers in faunal correlations. Their appearance is normally taken to define the boundary between the Miocene and Pliocene in continental deposits1. The genus is thought to have evolved in North America, probably around 12 million years ago2, and the spread of early, primitive Hipparion species to Eurasia has consequently been presumed to have occurred at this time, although it might have happened earlier if Hipparion older than 12 million years is dated in North America. The relative age of the faunas of the classic Siwalik deposits of north-west India and Pakistan is of considerable interest for the dating of the fossil primates Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus. The age of these primates is important because Ramapithecus has been recognized as the earliest probable hominid and it may lie in the direct line of human ancestry.
Crack velocity thresholds and healing in mica

Abstract Kinetic crack effects in mica in nitrogen, air, and water environments are investigated. There are applied loading thresholds below which the cracks close up and heal. Significant hysteresis is observed during load-unload-reload cycles. The results are interpreted in terms of the restraining influence of oscillatory attractive surface forces at the crack interface.
Metamorphosis of polyhedrons 2. Octahedron to dodecahedron

Abstract In this work, we begin from the octahedron with its eight triangular faces, we reached the icosahedron with 20 triangular faces, then to the icosadodecahedron with 32 faces, 20 triangular faces that caxne from the icosahedron and 12 pentagons. We describe two important methods for which this can be performed. Both methods are used in order to present the methods, and techniques needed for actual applications in many chemical applications. The basic fundamental methods are derived here. Through these manipulations we also describe the transformation through other chemically interesting geometries that are commonly encountered in group theoretical discussions.
Electro-Optical Modulation Processes in Si-PMOSFET LEDs Operating in the Avalanche Light Emission Mode

In this paper, the switching characteristics as associated with ${\rm p}+{\rm n}$ gated MOSFET silicon LED are reviewed. By employing the insulated-gate terminal, which allows the adjustment of ${\rm P}^{+}$ source/drain to N-substrate junction breakdown voltage, it is demonstrated that the electro-optical modulation in the Si-PMOSFET device operates as gate-controlled diodes. The PMOSFET device can operate as a Si-diode LED or an Si gate-controlled diode LED. The main features of switching transitions of Si-diode LED and Si gate-controlled diode LED are characterized, and a model is developed to explain the modulation speed, which is then reviewed. The upper limit derived value for the expected maximum modulation of the device could be in the range of a few hundred GHz. According to the best of my knowledge, despite the low efficiency, the Si-PMOSFET light-emitting device will be a potentially key component for silicon photonic integrated circuits for future computing I/O applications.
The structure of acyl coenzyme A-cholesterol acyltransferase and its potential relevance to atherosclerosis.

Acyl coenzyme A-cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) catalyzes the formation of intracellular cholesterol esters. It is present in a variety of tissues and is believed to play significant roles in cholesterol homeostasis. Under pathologic conditions, accumulation of the ACAT reaction product as cytoplasmic cholesterol ester lipid droplets within macrophages and smooth muscle cells is a characteristic feature of early lesions of human atherosclerotic plaques. ACAT is a membrane protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Its activity is susceptible to inactivation by detergents, and it has never been purified to homogeneity; no antibodies directed against it have been reported. Through a somatic cell and molecular genetic approach, we have recently succeeded in molecular cloning and functional expression of a human macrophage ACAT cDNA. This cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1650 base pairs encoding an integral membrane protein of 550 amino acids. Protein homology analysis shows that the predicted protein sequence shares short regions of homology with other enzymes involved in the catalysis of acyl adenylate formation with subsequent acyl thioester formation and acyl transfer. The ACAT cDNA will enable the investigation of ACAT biochemistry and molecular biology. It will speed up the design of specific ACAT inhibitors as drugs that may provide more effective therapeutic treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis. In addition, studies on the physiologic roles of ACAT in various tissues can now be undertaken through transgenic animal research.
Clinical and Serum Lipid Findings in a Large Family with Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa, of unknown cause, has recently been associated with decreased amounts of the polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, in the plasma of affected as compared with unaffected relatives. It has been suggested that this finding may serve as a marker for the disease and might indicate alterations in photoreceptor cell metabolism. The authors studied 54 members of a family with dominantly inherited retinitis pigmentosa in five generations. In addition to the typical clinical findings of retinitis pigmentosa, eight persons also had a bull's eye maculopathy, and four persons had uni- or bilateral optic nerve drusen. When the authors determined the plasma fatty acid and lipid contents, they saw the expected age-related effect on cholesterol and triglycerides, but an unexpected, significant reduction in fatty acids in the unaffected controls as compared with persons with retinitis pigmentosa. The authors' results emphasize the heterogeneity of phenotypic expression of retinitis pigmentosa within a single family.