cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limiting ischemic spinal cord injury using a free radical scavenger 21-aminosteroid and/or cerebrospinal fluid drainage

Traumatic spinal cord injury occurs in two phases: biomechanical injury, followed by ischemia and reperfusion injury. Biomechanical injury to the spinal cord, preceded or followed by various pharmaceutical manipulations or interventions, has been studied, but the ischemia/reperfusion aspect of spinal cord injury isolated from the biomechanical injury has not been previously evaluated. In the current study, ischemia to the lumbar spinal cord was induced in albino rabbits via infrarenal aortic occlusion, and two interventions were analyzed: the use of U74006F (Tirilazad mesylate), a 21-aminosteroid, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. These treatment modalities were tested alone or in combination. In Phase 1 of this study, the rabbits received 1.0 mg/kg of Tirilazad or an equal volume of vehicle (controls) prior to the actual occlusion, three doses of Tirilazad (1 mg/kg each) during the occlusion, then several doses after the occlusion. Of the Tirilazad-treated animals, 30% became paraplegic while 70% of the control animals became paraplegic. Phase 2 involved the same doses of Tirilazad as in Phase 1 and, in addition, CSF pressure monitoring and drainage were performed. The paraplegia rate was 79% in the control animals, 36% in the group receiving Tirilazad alone, 25% in the group with CSF drainage alone, and 20% in the Tirilazad plus CSF drainage group. This rate also correlated with changes noted in CSF pressure; both Tirilazad administration alone and CSF drainage alone induced a decrease in CSF pressure and the two combined produced a further decrease. There was marked improvement in the perfusion pressure when using Tirilazad alone, CSF drainage alone, and Tirilazad therapy in combination with CSF drainage, with the last group producing the largest increase. This change in CSF pressure and perfusion pressure correlated with improved functional neurological outcome. Pathological examination revealed that Tirilazad therapy reduced the extensive and diffuse neuronal, glial, and endothelial damage to (in its most severe form) a more patchy focal region of damage in the gray matter. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage resulted in pyknosis of some motor neurons, and some eosinophilia. The combination of CSF drainage and Tirilazad administration resulted in the least abnormality, with either normal or near-normal spinal cords. It is concluded that Tirilazad administration decreased CSF pressure during spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion and, like CSF drainage, increased and improved the perfusion pressure to the spinal cord, decreased spinal cord damage, and improved functional outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita antigen is synthesized by both human keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts.

In order to determine the source of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) antigen, we studied its synthesis by human keratinocytes and fibroblasts in culture. To identify the antigen, we used the sera of 5 patients with EBA. These sera had antibodies directed against the epidermal basement membrane zone (BMZ) at titers of 5-80. The 5 sera were further characterized by immunoblotting on extracts of the epidermal BMZ. In concert with previous reports, 4 sera stained a 290 kD polypeptide, 3 sera weakly stained a 145 kD polypeptide, and 1 serum did not bind either polypeptide. To study the synthesis of the ERA antigen, cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, derived from neonatal foreskins, were metabolically labeled with 14C-labeled amino acids. Radiolabeled newly synthesized proteins that were extracted from these cultures with nonionic detergent were used in an immunoprecipitation assay. The precipitated proteins were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. All 5 EBA sera, but none of 3 bullous pemphigoid or 4 normal human sera, precipitated a 290 kD polypeptide from extracts of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Approximately equal amounts of this 290 kD polypeptide were precipitated from equivalent amounts of extracts from either cell type. The 290 kD polypeptide was also specifically precipitated by ERA sera from extracts of a human squamous cell carcinoma line, SCC-15. The 145 kD polypeptide was not detected in the newly synthesized proteins of any of these cell cultures. This finding suggests that the 145 kD polypeptide is not a precursor of the 290 kD polypeptide. Taken together these results demonstrate that the EBA antigen is synthesized by both human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and is not a tissue (epidermal)-specific product.
Synoptic- and Frontal-Scale Influences on Tropical Transition Events in the Atlantic Basin. Part I: A Six-Case Survey

Abstract The process by which a baroclinic, vertically sheared, extratropical cyclone is transformed into a warm-core, vertically stacked tropical cyclone is known as tropical transition. Six recent tropical transitions of strong extratropical precursors in the subtropical North Atlantic are compared to better understand the manner by which some of the canonical structures and dynamical processes of extratropical cyclones serve to precondition the cyclone for transition. All six transitions resulted from the interaction between a surface baroclinic zone and an upper-level trough. During the extratropical cyclogenesis of each storm, a period of intense near-surface frontogenesis along a bent-back warm front occurred to the northwest of each sea level pressure minimum. Within the resultant circulation, diabatic redistribution of potential vorticity (PV) promoted the growth of a low-level PV maximum near the western end of the warm front. Concurrently, the upper-level PV anomaly associated with each trough w...
Absolute radiometric measurements of the emission from a BRV source at 34 nm.

The paper reports measurements of the time integrated spectral intensity near 34 nm of a BRV (Balloffet-Romand-Vodar) source of emission continuum. The transmittance profile of the combined filters is presented and the percent efficiency (electrons per photon) of the calibration system is given as a function of wavelength. It is noted that the BRV source provides an excellent emission continuum for XUV spectroscopy.
Mapping and analysis of tungsten photonic-lattice emission by infrared imaging

Abstract Using infrared cameras, we measured spectral radiance emitted from a heated photonic-lattice at both mid- (MW) and long-infrared (LW) wavelengths. At a typical sample bias of V = 0.7 V, the MW and LW radiation-temperatures are found to have a large difference, Δ T ≈ 320 K. Additionally, the infrared image of lattice emission is non-uniform across the sample. In particular, the derived radiation-temperature is significantly higher than the sample’s average temperature at the center region of the sample, and is lower near the sample edges.
Imposing and Testing for Shape Restrictions in Flexible Parametric Models

In many economic models, theory restricts the shape of functions, such as monotonicity or curvature conditions. This article reviews and presents a framework for constrained estimation and inference to test for shape conditions in parametric models. We show that “regional” shape-restricting estimators have important advantages in terms of model fit and flexibility (as opposed to standard “local” or “global” shape-restricting estimators). In our empirical illustration, this is the first article to impose and test for all shape restrictions required by economic theory simultaneously in the “Berndt and Wood” data. We find that this dataset is consistent with “duality theory,” whereas previous studies have found violations of economic theory. We discuss policy consequences for key parameters, such as whether energy and capital are complements or substitutes.
Identifying the structural boundaries of independent folding domains in the alpha subunit of tryptophan synthase, a beta/alpha barrel protein.

Two equilibrium intermediates have previously been observed in the urea denaturation of the α subunit of tryptophan synthase (αTS) from Escherichia coli, an eight-stranded β/α barrel protein. In the current study, a series of amino-terminal fragments were characterized to probe the elementary folding units that may be in part responsible for this complex behavior. Stop-codon mutagenesis was used to produce eight fragments ranging in size from 105–214 residues and containing incremental elements of secondary structure. Equilibrium studies by circular dichroism indicate that all of these fragments are capable of adopting secondary structure. All except for the shortest fragment fold cooperatively. The addition of the fourth, sixth, and eighth β-strands leads to distinct increases in structure, cooperativity, and/or stability, suggesting that folding involves the modular assembly of βαβ supersecondary structural elements. One-dimensional NMR titrations at high concentrations of urea, probing the environment around His92, were also performed to test for the presence of residual structure in the fragments. All fragments that contained the first four βα units of structure exhibited a cooperative unfolding transition at high concentrations of urea with significant but reduced stability relative to the full-length protein. These results suggest that the residual structure in αTS requires the participation of hydrophobic residues in multiple β-strands that span the entire sequence.
Differences in Crisis Knowledge Across Age, Race, and Socioeconomic Status During Hurricane Ike: A Field Test and Extension of the Knowledge Gap Hypothesis

Previous research in crisis and risk communication has suggested differences across demographic groups in informational needs and response, including the presence of knowledge gaps. In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the current study surveyed 691 Houston area residents to investigate these differences and contrast them with similar data collected following Hurricane Katrina. The results suggest narrowing knowledge gaps, as socioeconomic status did not predict informational needs or preparations for the storm. Differencesin these needs were still detected across sex and ethnicity. A substantive body of media effects research has examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to mediated information. Although dozens of studies have provided evidence for the knowledge gap hypothesis in public affairs, news, and technical information, few have attempted to examine knowledge gaps related to major public health issues, and almost none have explored the phenomenon in the context of an immediate crisis or disaster. Events such as Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and repeated flooding in the Midwestern United States all emphasize the need to explore and understand knowledge gaps in issues of public healthandrisk.Socialscientistsandotherscholarsinthepasthavepossiblyoverstated the importance of socioeconomic status, while ignoring relevant cultural factors. The current study seeks to extend knowledge gap to include some demographic considerations independent of socioeconomic status or education, and illustrates this theoreticalextensioninthecontextofarecentnaturaldisaster.Itoffersthatknowledge gaps can be expected during major disasters affecting historically underserved populations, thus rendering at-risk subpopulations especially vulnerable to knowledge
Calibration of the Andersen cascade impactor for the characterization of nasal products.

ABSTRACT Current cascade impactor protocols do not completely rule out nasal preparations entering the lower respiratory tract. A modified cascade impactor (MCI) was developed to characterize the particle size fraction capable of deposition in the lower respiratory tract. This is an important measure of the potential for delivery to a site which is not the route of administration, and which could lead to potential toxicity. Monodisperse aerosols were utilized to calibrate the Stage -2 and Stage -0 of an Andersen Mk II nonviable cascade impactor at 15 L per minute flow rate. While these sampling conditions are beyond the normal working range of impactor theory in practice the instrument was shown to discriminate the designated particle sizes sampled. This novel setup extended the upper limit of the range of particle sizes that the cascade impactor can characterize from 8.7 to 16.5 µm.
Recurrence of giant cell tumors in the hand: a prospective study.

Purpose Giant cell tumors of the hand remain a treatment dilemma: treatment requires a balance between extensive dissections for excision versus risk of recurrence. There is no consensus regarding how best to manage this balance. The purpose of this study was to identify the recurrence rate of giant cell tumors of the hand, as well as the correlation with the specific tissue type involved. Methods Two hundred thirteen cases of giant cell tumor of the hand were recorded in a prospectively designed, anatomically based registry that identified tumor location and surgical planes entered and tissues excised during the procedure. Mean follow-up was 51 months. Demographic and follow-up data were also tracked. The primary outcome tracked was tumor recurrence. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square analysis and the Fisher exact test to determine which perioperative and intraoperative factors were associated with tumor recurrence. Results There were 27 recurrences among our cases. Tumors involving the extensor tendon, flexor tendon, or joint capsule had the strongest correlation with recurrence: 12, 8, and 12 cases, respectively. Conversely, there was only one recurrence among the patients who did not have any involvement of either the flexor or extensor tendons or joint capsules. There was no association for involvement of skin, neurovascular bundle, tendon sheath, or bone at the initial excision. No identifiable preoperative or postoperative factors were linked to recurrence. Conclusions Our study shows that direct involvement of the extensor tendons, flexor tendons, or joint capsule puts patients in a high-risk category with respect to recurrence. Based on these findings, efforts regarding close monitoring and the role of adjuvant therapy should be directed at the high-risk population. This information may be helpful for hand surgeons developing evidence-based treatment algorithms for giant cell tumor in the hand. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic III.
Robust Feed-Forward Controls for Better Tracking: A Practical Approach to Optimal Air-Fuel Controls and Low Emissions

When designing control systems, it is important to keep in mind the end-users. In general, the complexity and difficulty of implementing and tuning a control strategy determine if such a strategy should be adopted, despite its performance. The automotive industry is no exception to that; powertrain control system engineers are constantly tasked to design controllers that are simple to follow, fairly robust, and require moderate resources for implementation and validation. Obviously, stability is critical for any control strategy; an oscillating controller not only could result in fluctuation in engine torque which could lead to customer dissatisfaction, but also could have a negative impact on vehicle tailpipe emissions. Bottom line is the controller must provide good stability as well as superb reference tracking. Proportional–Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers are attractive solutions for powertrain calibrators. They are widely used in the automotive industry as they are easy to implement and tune, especially when the Derivative term is dropped to reduce the sensitivity of the system and improve its robustness. Consequently, with only two gains to adjust, tuning a PI controller is a relatively simple task, but quite often calibrators struggle trying to meet both stability requirements and tracking performance. Adding a Smith Predictor (SP) to the PI controller, is one way to achieve the tracking performance desired. This is indeed a well known approach that allows for much higher gains to be used in order to improve the tracking ability while maintaining stability in the presence of plant models changing dynamics and system delays. However, with this combination (PI-SP), the robustness of the overall control strategy suffers as errors in the plant models tend to reduce the stability of the over all system and could potentially lead to an unstable or undesirable performance. In this paper, we will present a practical approach to improve the performance and robustness of the PI controller. This is achieved by adding unity-gain feed-forward (FF) of the air fuel set point for improved tracking plus a set-point filter in the input to the PI controller (FF-PI) to prevent overshoots. We will also show that this control structure provides excellent and robust reference tracking without destabilizing the system in the presence of errors in the plant model. In addition, we will include results obtained with the FF-PI controller when applied to two applications: Air-fuel ratio (A/F) control for gasoline lean burn vehicles (5.4L F150 and 4.0L Ford of Australia Falcon), and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) control on a 2.0L Gasoline, Turbocharged, Direct Injection Engine.© 2011 ASME
Analysis of sequence transfers resembling gene conversion in a mouse antibody transgene

The role of gene conversion in murine immunoglobulin gene diversification is unclear. An antibody gene construct designed to provide the homologous donor and acceptor sequences required for conversion mechanisms was produced and used to generate transgenic mice. When these transgenic mice were immunized, DNA sequence transfers between tandem transgene VDJ regions were detectable and resembled gene conversion events. There is a strong link between these conversion-like sequence transfers and transgene somatic hypermutation, suggesting that both processes might occur at the same stage of B cell differentiation.
Pullout strength of knotless suture anchors.

Purpose: Suture anchors are used consistently for repairs of soft tissues, especially around the glenohumeral joint. These anchors can be used either arthroscopically or in an open procedure to anatomically restore the labrum and capsular tissues to the glenoid after avulsion injuries (Bankart lesion). The purpose of this study was to analyze the pullout strength of a new knotless suture anchor (Mitek Knotless Suture Anchor; Mitek, Norwood, MA) compared with 2 commercially available suture anchors that require knots to be tied (Mitek Panalok 3.5-mm Anchor and Mitek GII Quick Anchor). Type of study: Randomized cadaveric study. Methods: Three groups of 10 anchors were tested on 15 fresh-frozen cadaveric glenoids. Two anchors were affixed to the anterior glenoid in subchondral bone, 1 each from 2 groups. In this way, the variance of bone density among groups was minimized. The anchors requiring knots were fixed to the glenoid and tied to a ring using a Duncan knot with 3 half-hitches alternating posts. The Knotless Anchor was looped through the ring and anchored into the glenoid as described by the manufacturer. All constructs were then tested for tensile strength on an Instron machine (Canton, MA) using a crosshead speed of 200 mm/min. Ultimate failure was defined as complete failure of the construct (either suture breakage or anchor pullout). Data were then analyzed for statistical significance using analysis of variance analysis among the 3 groups, and a 2-tailed t test for statistical significance among groups. Results: The average failure under tensile load for the GII, Panalok, and Knotless Anchors were 471.5 N, 432.8 N, and 650.0 N, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a statistical difference between the Knotless Anchor and the GII and Panalok sutures ( P = .02). Two-tailed t tests between the Knotless Anchor and the GII or Panalok Anchors were also significant ( P = .02 and P = .02, respectively). Observations included a large standard deviation within groups. This is thought to result from the variation in bone density because markedly lower tensile loads were recorded for those anchors that pulled out from the bone before suture failure. Conclusions: The Knotless Suture Anchor is a statistically stronger construct with respect to tensile loads. It appears to be a viable option for any type of soft-tissue repair around the glenoid. Clinical relevance: Because the knot in suture repair is consistently the weakest point in the construct and because of the difficulty in tying knots arthroscopically, the Knotless Suture Anchor appears to be a stronger and easier method for both arthroscopic and open Bankart repair, with or without capsular shift.
What can grocery basket data tell us about health consciousness

Abstract Health-conscious consumers are a sought-after market segment by manufacturers and retailers alike. But how large is the health-conscious segment? How price sensitive is it? In addition, what are the influences of consumer demographic characteristics on a consumer's health consciousness? To answer these questions, we control for covariates such as price, distinguish health consciousness from intrinsic preferences, and assess purchases over multiple categories with multiple nutritional attributes. We estimate a multi-category brand choice model using purchase history of a large sample of households (1062) in ten commonly purchased grocery categories. We find that health-conscious households constitute 18% of the market and that the more health conscious a household is, the less price sensitive it is. We also show that the following household demographic characteristics have strong impacts on a household's health consciousness: household income, house ownership, employment status of male household head, education level of male household head, presence of young children in the household, and the ethnicity of the household.
Correlation of body temperature with protection against staphylococcal enterotoxin B exposure and use in determining vaccine dose-schedule

The immunoprotective potential of a recombinant vaccine against the incapacitating effect of aerosolized staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in nonhuman primates is reported. SEB belongs to a family of structurally related superantigens responsible for serious, life threatening pathologies. Injecting the recombinant SEB vaccine did not induce temperature elevation in rhesus monkeys, a classical symptom of toxic-shock syndrome. No temperature elevation was noted following injection with control tetanus toxoid. In addition to 100% survival, we observed a clear correlation between vaccine dose and mitigation of temperature elevation after a lethal SEB aerosol challenge. We conclude that the recombinant SEB vaccine is non-pyrogenic and that monitoring changes in body temperature is an important biomarker of toxic shock in a primate animal model.
Error statistics and learning from error : Making a virtue of necessity

The error statistical account of testing uses statistical considerations, not to provide a measure of probability of hypotheses, but to model patterns of irregularity that are useful for controlling, distinguishing, and learning from errors. The aim of this paper is (1) to explain the main points of contrast between the error statistical and the subjective Bayesian approach and (2) to elucidate the key errors that underlie the central objection raised by Colin Howson at our PSA 96 Symposium.
Comparison of Food Group and Nutrient Intake Pattern of Individuals who Eat Ready-to-eat Cereals vs. Those who do not

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine nutritional contributions of ready-to-eat cereals. In order to investigate the nutritional contributions of ready-to-eat cereals (RTE) to the daily nutritional intake, we examined the intake of the major food groups and selected nutrients of individuals who consumed RTE cereals (RTE group) and those who did not (non-RTE group). Three-day dietary intake data of individuals included in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII-1990) were used in this study. The data were aggregated by age, gender and income. The average of 3-day intake for all income population of total meat, poultry and fish; milk and milk products; vegetables; fruits; and total grain products by the RTE group (n = 1078)) was: 171g, 349g, 176g, 172g and 259g; whereas, those by the non-RTE group (n = 1271) was: 194g, 190g, 194g, 128g, and 239g, respectively. The daily average intake of food energy, fat, total dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and folate by the RTE group was: 1763 kcal, 67g, 14g, 834mg, 16mg, and 301 fig; whereas, those by the non-RTE group was: 1724 kcal, 70g, 12g, 661mg, 11mg, and 193 fig, respectively. The RTE and non-RTE groups differed significantly (p
Recent developments in French official publications

Abstract The development of the database BIPA, The Banque d'lnformation Politique et d'Actualite, by Documentation Francaise and the distribution of its output in microfiche has greatly improved access to French official publications. Automation has also produced a number of significant changes at the National Library and the National Archives.
Adjusting assortativity in complex networks

Assortativity has been widely studied for understanding the structure and function of complex networks. Assortative is defined as an association of items with other items having similar characteristics. The research has shown that assortativity has a significant impact on many processes on networks, including information cascades, spreading, congestion relief, longevity, and epidemic thresholds. The degree distribution is also an important factor that affects some of these results. In this paper, we introduce a simple but effective method for adjusting a given network while preserving the degree distribution of the network and, if desired, the connectivity of the network. The algorithm is tested on both theoretical and real-world networks and is supported by detailed empirical results. We illustrate how changing assortativity affects some network properties. The method can be useful for researchers interested in the relationship of assortativity to network structures and the dynamics of processes on networks.
Two-Plasmon Intersubband Absorption in Quantum Wells

Linear light absorption of 2D electrons confined within a biased quantum well is studied theoretically. We demonstrate that for light polarization perpendicular to the 2D plane, in addition to conventional absorption peak at frequency ω ≈ Δ, where Δ is the intersubband energy distance, there exists a peak around a double frequency ω ≈ 2Δ. This additional peak is entirely due to electron-electron interactions, and corresponds to excitation of two electrons by one photon. The magnitude of two-electron absorption is proportional to U2, where U is the applied bias.
Generalised cylinders from local aggregation of sections

Abstract This paper describes a segmentation algorithm for three-dimensional objects. The input data is a three-dimensional lattice of points, where the object is easily separable from its background. The output description is in terms of elliptical straight cylinders and spatial relationships among them. The algorithm is based on local examination of slices and on aggregating them into individual cylinders according to similarity criteria.
Broadband electronically tunable planar active radiating elements and spatial power combiners using notch antennas

A Gunn device has been integrated with two types of active planar notch antennas. The first types uses a coplanar waveguide (CPW) resonator an a stepped-notched antenna with bias tuning to achieve a bandwidth of 275 MHz centered at 9.33 GHz with a power output of 14.2+or-1.5 dBm. The second type uses a CPW resonator with a varactor for frequency tuning to achieve a bandwidth of over 1.3 GHz centered at 9.6 GHz with a power output of 14.5+or-0.8 dBm. This is equivalent to over 14% electronic tuning bandwidth. Both configurations exhibit a very clean and stable output signal. A theoretical circuit model was developed to facilitate the design. The model agrees well with experimental results. Injection-locking experiments on the second configuration show a locking gain of 30 dB with a locking bandwidth of 30 MHz at 10.2 GHz. Power combining experiments of two-varactor-tuned CPW active notch antenna elements in a broadside configuration have achieved well over 70% combining efficiency throughout the wide tuning range. The circuits have advantages of small size, low cost, and excellent performance. >
Dynamic thermal management for high-performance microprocessors

With the increasing clock rate and transistor count of today's microprocessors, power dissipation is becoming a critical component of system design complexity. Thermal and power-delivery issues are becoming especially critical for high-performance computing systems. In this work, we investigate dynamic thermal management as a technique to control CPU power dissipation. With the increasing usage of clock gating techniques, the average power dissipation typically seen by common applications is becoming much less than the chip's rated maximum power dissipation. However system designers still must design thermal heat sinks to withstand the worse-case scenario. We define and investigate the major components of any dynamic thermal management scheme. Specifically we explore the tradeoffs between several mechanisms for responding to periods of thermal trauma and we consider the effects of hardware and software implementations. With approximate dynamic thermal management, the CPU can be designed for a much lower maximum power rating, with minimal performance impact for typical applications.
Visualizing Strain Evolution and Coordinated Buckling within CNT Arrays by In Situ Digital Image Correlation

Spatial mapping of strain fields within compressed carbon nanotube (CNT) array columns is achieved using digital image correlation (DIC) analysis of in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image sequences. Full-field displacement and strain maps are generated based upon the motion of the constituent CNTs, which serve as a traceable high-contrast speckle pattern for DIC analysis. The deformation modes and CNT array buckling characteristics vary systematically as a function of column aspect ratio, including bending, crushing, and bottom-up buckle accumulation behaviors. In spite of disparate appearing deformation modes, strain maps indicate that CNT array buckling consistently initiates at 5% local principal strain (ϵ2) for all columns. The ability to quantitatively assess the deformation modes and buckling behavior of CNT arrays at the nanoscale will enable their improved design for high-strain electrical contacts, compliant thermal interfaces, force sensors, energy-absorbing foams, or other applications.
The history of telescopes and binoculars: an engineering perspective

The design of the refracting telescope advanced rapidly following its invention in 1608, reaching its modern configuration in about a century. Even though the development of binoculars began almost simultaneously, nearly three hundred years elapsed before practical prismatic binoculars became available. The impediments to practical binoculars were not only in optical design, but in mechanical design, manufacturing, and materials. This paper will document the history of telescopes and binoculars from an engineering perspective looking at the evolution of basic optical system layout as well as some of the mechanical issues faced. This development will be illuminated using examples from the Museum of Optics at the College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona.
Preliminary Testing of an Asthma Distance Education Program (ADEP) for School Nurses in Appalachia

Asthma remains one of the most challenging chronic illnesses faced by school nurses both nationally and in the State of West Virginia. There is a clear need to provide ongoing continuing asthma education to school nurses. However, nurses face many barriers to receiving this education. The purpose of this pilot project was to develop and evaluate distance learning technology as a method to deliver continuing asthma education to school nurses in West Virginia. A sample of 20 school nurses from 2 counties in West Virginia participated in the study using the Wimba live classroom distance learning program. Significant modest improvements were found in both the intervention groups compared to a control group postintervention. The results of this pilot study are promising and show that distance learning technology could be a viable solution for school nurses to receive asthma continuing education.
Respiratory variations in the magnitude of the left to right shunt in experimental interatrial communications

Abstract An experimental interatrial communication was created in dogs using curved glass tubes inserted into both atria and joined together outside the thorax with a length of excised aorta. The magnitude of the left to right shunt and the respirogenic variations in this shunt were assessed using a sine-wave electromagnetic flowmeter. Observations were made during spontaneous respirations with variations in the concentration of oxygen in the inspired air. In all animals there was consistent inspiratory depression in the magnitude of the left to right shunt, with maximal depression occurring at the peak of inspiration. These data are in accord with the concept that in atrial septal defect the inspiratory augmentation of right heart filling from the great veins is offset by simultaneous depression in the contribution to right heart filling from the lungs via the left to right shunt. This phenomenon tends to minimize respirogenic changes in right ventricular filling in patients with atrial septal defect, and thus provides an explanation for the fixed splitting of the second cardiac sound.
Importance of age structure in models of the response of upper trophic levels to fishing and climate change

There is a growing effort to use predictions of the physical state of the ocean under climate change to forecast the response of marine ecosystems. Many of these forecasts use ecosystem models rather than age-structured population models to describe upper trophic level (UTL) species. We illustrate the potential effects of climate on age-structured populations, then illustrate the ways in which ecosystem models might not depict adequately: (i) long-term changes in abundance, and (ii) variability attributable to cohort resonance. We simulated two generic species with different life histories, a short-lived semelparous species (e.g. salmon), and a long-lived iteroparous species (e.g. cod). For both species, juvenile survival was varied, first with white noise, then with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation as environmental signals. Variability in recruitment increased with fishing and became particularly sensitive to forcing at time-scales near the mean age of reproduction, consistent with the cohort resonance effect. Ecosystem models without age structure do not predict this behaviour, particularly when the ecosystem model incorrectly predicts the effective steepness of the stock– recruitment relationship, or the age structure is approximated by a stage-structured model. We suggest that ecosystem models of UTLs include full representations of age structure, fitted to available population data.
ROBUST DESIGN USING COMPROMISE DECISION SUPPORT PROBLEMS

Compromise Decision Support Problems (DSPs) are used to model engineering decisions involving multiple trade-offs. In this paper, the focus is on how to apply such decision models in robust design. Suh's independence and information content axioms and Taguchi's signal to noise ratio are used as metrics for the assessment and improvement of the quality in this decision model. As an example, a compromise DSP for the robust design of an electrical network is used. Traditionally, in robust design, parameter and tolerance design are done sequentially and not concurrently. Furthermore, each time parameter and tolerance design are done in practice, the focus is usually on looking at one parameter at a time and not on looking at multiple parameters simultaneously. Using the electrical network as an example, it is shown how parameter and tolerance design involving multiple parameters can be performed concurrently.
Representation, Philosophical Issues about

Representation, the relation between a symbol, sign, or other vehicle and its content, has historically been analyzed through resemblance and causality; both accounts are flawed. The connectionist idea of distributed representation opens a window into the algebraic structure of representational vehicles, improving the prospects for a scientific theory of representation. Keywords: representation; resemblance; causality; information; connectionism
Distance and Foreign Policy: a Political Geography Approach:

Global politics and local politics, though interlinked today by processes of globalization, remain separated by the phenomenon of distance. Sheer physical distance, with its associated geography, assumes mainly a causal importance. It determines the way a policy is implemented practically, and can affect the outcome of policy. Planning and strategizing, especially in the sphere of foreign policy, are shaped by three other “distances” as well, each with a distinctive logic. The first is gravitational distance, according to which political and other power is thought to “decay” with increasing distance, although the “mass,” or size, of countries can modify this assumed attenuation of influence. The second is topological distance, according to which any two countries may seem more remote from one another if there are other countries located in between them, the number and arrangement of these intervening country-spaces—the configuration of the political map—being the key variable. The third is attributional d...
A Math Intervention for Third Grade Latino English Language Learners at Risk for Math Disabilities.

Word problems for English language learners (ELLs) at risk for math disabilities are challenging in terms of the constant need to develop precise math language and comprehension knowledge. As a result of this, ELLs may not only need math support but also reading and linguistic support. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a word problem–solving strategy called Estrategica Dinamica de Matematicas (EDM). This strategy was designed to provide math support in the native language based on students' math comprehension levels. A changing criterion multiple baseline design was used to instruct six second-grade Latino ELLs at risk for math disability. As compared with the baseline phase, EDM increased word problem solving for all participants. All students' level of performance were maintained and generalized during follow-up sessions. This study has implications for a native language intervention that focuses on strategy training to facilitate word problem–solving performance.
Leaders in Transition: Advice From Colin Powell and Other Strategic Thinkers

During each of the four years Colin Powell was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he addressed students at National Defense University (NDU) on the subject of leadership. The students are leade...
Research Traditions, Analysis, and Synthesis: Building a Faulty Case Around Misinterpreted Theory

Berkowitz and Devine's examination of research traditions in social psychology and their consideration of dissonance theory are questioned. In contrast to their position, the present authors doubt that the research enterprise can be neatly divided into analytic versus synthetic strategies. Furthermore, the authors question Berkowitz and Devine's portrayal of contemporary social psychology as too heavily analytic and too lightly synthetic. Nor do the auth ors see synthesis as at all incompatible with the field's present cognitive orientation. Last, and most important, is a discussion of the various manners in which Berkowitz and Devine have misinterpreted the authors' reformulation of dissonance processes. The breadth and synthetic value of the reformulation are discussed as an illustration of the synergistic relation between analytic and synthetic efforts.
Cell Proliferation from Regulated to Deregulated States Via Epigenomic Responses

It was established in the previous chapters that cells, under chronic conditions of hypoxia and/or ROS accumulation, must evolve for survival to overcome the pressure created by continuous glycolytic-metabolite accumulation plus possibly other pressures. This leads to continuous synthesis and export of hyaluronic acids in the early stage of a cancer development, as observed in many cancers. The fragments of the hyaluronic acid chains released into the pericellular space immediately become signals for inflammation, cell-cycle activation, cell proliferation, cell survival and angiogenesis, all designed for tissue repair except that no tissue is injured here. These molecules are continuously generated as long as the hypoxic or ROS conditions persist, hence providing driving signals for tissue repair on a continuous basis. In contrast, when a tissue is indeed injured, the hyaluronic acid fragments are released from the damaged underlying ECM rather than from the cells directly, hence the signaling will not continue indefinitely.
Association between Low Dietary Folate Intake and Suboptimal Cellular DNA Repair Capacity

Both reduced DNA repair capacity (DRC) and folate deficiency are associated with increased cancer risk. Furthermore, folate is involved in DNA repair through de novo DNA synthesis and methylation. To determine whether low dietary folate intake is associated with low cellular DRC in humans, we assessed total dietary folate intake using a food frequency questionnaire in 559 non-Hispanic white cancer-free subjects enrolled from 1995 through 2001 as controls for ongoing molecular epidemiological studies from among enrollees in a community-based multispecialty physician practice in the Houston metropolitan area. We assessed cellular DRC using the host-cell reactivation assay that measures nucleotide-excision repair capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The distribution of DRC was approximately normal in this study population. In univariate analysis, subjects in the lowest tertile of total dietary folate intake ( 225 μg/1000 kcal/day; P P n = 230; P n = 329; P = 0.177). Our findings suggest that low dietary folate intake is associated with suboptimal cellular DRC. Once replicated by other investigators, this finding has public health implications by reinforcing the need for folate supplementation or dietary modification for the at-risk population.
Preferred Orientation in Polymer Fiber Scattering

Fiber symmetry is one of the most important sample geometries encountered in both wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) of polymers, applicable both to natural polymers like collagen or cellulose and to many synthetic polymers that come in fiber form or otherwise exhibit cylindrical rotational symmetry. The structural information to be determined in scattering experiments from such fiber systems includes both the structure of the individual structural unit and qualitative and quantitative information about the preferred orientation state of the ensemble. Existing approaches and new developments to analyze fiber scattering patterns are rigorously reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the calculation of complete SAXS and WAXS fiber scattering patterns, and various practical examples including collagen and cellulose fibers as well as fibers based on copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene are discussed.
Long-Term Outcome With Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

Background— Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy improves short-term VT-free survival. We sought to determine the long-term outcomes of VT control and need for antiarrhythmic drug therapy after endocardial (ENDO) and adjuvant epicardial (EPI) substrate modification in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results— We examined 62 consecutive patients with Task Force criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy referred for VT ablation with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Catheter ablation was guided by activation/entrainment mapping for tolerated VT and pacemapping/targeting of abnormal substrate for unmappable VT. Adjuvant EPI ablation was performed when recurrent VT or persistent inducibility after ENDO-only ablation. Endocardial plus adjuvant EPI ablation was performed in 39 (63%) patients, including 13 who crossed over to ENDO–EPI after VT recurrence during follow-up, after ENDO-only ablation. Before ablation, 54 of 62 patients failed a mean of 2.4 antiarrhythmic drugs, including amiodarone in 29 (47%) patients. During follow-up of 56±44 months after the last ablation, VT-free survival was 71% with only a single VT episode in additional 9 patients (15%). At last follow-up, 39 (64%) patients were only on β-blockers or no treatment, 21 were on class 1 or 3 antiarrhythmic drugs (11 for atrial arrhythmias), and 2 were on amiodarone as a bridge to heart transplantation. Conclusions— The long-term outcome after ENDO and adjuvant EPI substrate ablation of VT in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is good. Most patients have complete VT control without amiodarone therapy and limited need for antiarrhythmic drugs.
Photophysics of GFP-related chromophores imposed by a scaffold design

In this paper, a rigid scaffold imposes the photophysics of chromophores with a benzylidene imidazolidinone core by mimicking the β-barrel structure of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its analogs. The designed artificial frameworks maintain fluorescence responses and, therefore, conformational rigidity of typically non-emissive GFP-related chromophores. To replicate a small weight percent of the chromophore inside the natural GFP, two synthetic approaches were utilized: coordinative immobilization and non-coordinative inclusion. Despite low chromophore loading in the rigid matrix, both approaches resulted in formation of photoluminescent hybrid materials. Furthermore, the rigid scaffold dictates chromophore fluorescence by replicating its behavior in solution or the solid state. The presented results open an avenue for utilization of rigid scaffolds in the engineering of materials with tunable photoluminescence profiles for a variety of practical applications.
Marketers’ Attitudes toward the Marketing Concept:

The marketing concept sparked the interest of business executives and marketing educators when introduced as a pioneering idea some twenty years ago. The doctrine has since influenced the thinking ...
de Gennes Narrowing Describes the Relative Motion of Protein Domains

The relative motion of structural domains is essential for the biological function of many proteins. Here, by analyzing neutron scattering data and performing molecular dynamics simulations, we find that interdomain motion in several proteins obeys the principle of de Gennes narrowing, in which the wave vector dependence of the interdomain diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to the interdomain structure factor. Thus, the rate of interdomain motion is inversely proportional to the probability distribution of the spatial configurations of domains.