cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of meal type on specific dynamic action in the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas

The effect of meal type on specific dynamic action was investigated in the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas. When the crabs were offered a meal of fish, shrimp, or mussel of 3 % of their body mass the duration of the SDA response and thus the resultant SDA was lower for the mussel, compared with the shrimp or fish meals. In feeding behaviour experiments the crabs consumed almost twice as much mussel compared with fish or shrimp. When the animals were allowed to feed on each meal until satiated, the differences in the SDA response were abolished. The mussel was much softer (compression test) than the fish or shrimp meal, and meal texture is known to affect the SDA response in amphibians and reptiles. When the crabs were offered a meal of homogenized fish muscle or whole fish muscle, the SDA for the homogenized meal was approximately 35 % lower. This suggested that a significant portion of the SDA budget in decapod crustaceans may be related to mechanical digestion. This is not unexpected since the foregut is supplied by over forty muscles which control the cutting and grinding movements of the gastric mill apparatus. There were slight, but significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture and total energy content of each meal type. Three prepared meals that were high in either protein, lipid or carbohydrate were offered to the crabs to determine if the nutrient content was also a contributing factor to the observed differences in the SDA. The crabs did not eat the prepared meals as readily as the natural food items and as they are messy feeders there was a large variation in the amount of food eaten. The lack of significant differences in the SDA response as a function of nutrient content was likely due to differences in amount of food eaten, which is a major factor determining the SDA response. The differences in SDA when consuming natural food items were likely due to a combination of the costs of mechanical digestion, variation in nutrient content and food preference: determining how each of these factors contributes to the overall SDA budget remains a pressing question for comparative physiologists.
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on heart rate in cardiac transplant recipients.

Omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) consumption has been linked to reductions in the risk of death from coronary heart disease and, recently, to lower heart rates (HRs). The investigators previously observed a reduction of 5 beats/min in HR in patients with coronary heart disease given n-3 FAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) for 4 months. Reductions in HR may be explained by enhanced vagal tone, influences on cardiac voltage-gated ion channels, or both. The hypothesis that n-3 FAs would affect HR independent of vagal input was investigated by studying the effects of n-3 FA supplementation on HR in patients with denervated hearts after orthotopic heart transplantation. Electrocardiographic data obtained in 2 prospective trials in which 18 heart transplant recipients received n-3 FA supplementation (1 to 3.4 g/day) for 4 to 6 months were collected. Patients were studied 4.4 ± 2.6 years after transplantation. HR, QRS complex, and QTc duration were determined before and after treatment. Pretreatment HR was reduced from 88 ± 14 to 83 ± 13 beats/min after n-3 FA treatment (p = 0.016). QRS duration increased from 107 ± 24 to 117 ± 25 ms (p = 0.001). QTc duration remained unchanged from baseline (427 ± 34 ms) to study end (424 ± 39 ms). In conclusion, n-3 FA supplementation reduced HR and prolonged QRS duration in heart transplant recipients who were presumably devoid of vagal innervation. These findings suggest that n-3 FAs may modify electrophysiologic properties of the myocardium itself.
A New Synthetic Approach to Novel Polymers Exhibiting Large Electrooptic Coefficients and High Thermal Stability

The Stille coupling reaction was explored to synthesize novel polymers with a pending NLO chromophore exhibiting a large μβ value but high chemical sensitivity. This approach enabled the synthesis of aromatic polyimides through the careful design of dibromo monomers bearing NLO chromophores. The resulting polyimide was shown to possess a glass transition temperature of 170 °C and a large electrooptic coefficient.
Total synthesis of eudesmane terpenes by site-selective C–H oxidations

From menthol to cholesterol to Taxol, terpenes are a ubiquitous group of molecules (over 55,000 members isolated so far) that have long provided humans with flavours, fragrances, hormones, medicines and even commercial products such as rubber. Although they possess a seemingly endless variety of architectural complexities, the biosynthesis of terpenes often occurs in a unified fashion as a 'two-phase' process. In the first phase (the cyclase phase), simple linear hydrocarbon phosphate building blocks are stitched together by means of 'prenyl coupling', followed by enzymatically controlled molecular cyclizations and rearrangements. In the second phase (the oxidase phase), oxidation of alkenes and carbon-hydrogen bonds results in a large array of structural diversity. Although organic chemists have made great progress in developing the logic needed for the cyclase phase of terpene synthesis, particularly in the area of polyene cyclizations, much remains to be learned if the oxidase phase is to be mimicked in the laboratory. Here we show how the logic of terpene biosynthesis has inspired the highly efficient and stereocontrolled syntheses of five oxidized members of the eudesmane family of terpenes in a modicum of steps by a series of simple carbocycle-forming reactions followed by multiple site-selective inter- and intramolecular carbon-hydrogen oxidations. This work establishes an intellectual framework in which to conceive the laboratory synthesis of other complex terpenes using a 'two-phase' approach.
Arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of a medial femoral condylar fracture after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A case report.

More than 100,000 anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operations are performed annually in the United States1. Autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft is the most frequent graft option used. The reported prevalence of complications varies widely, and serious complications include infection, stiffness, graft failure, deep venous thrombosis, tendon rupture, osteonecrosis, and periarticular fracture2-6. Periarticular fractures associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have been reported and include patellar, tibial plateau, tibial tubercle, and lateral femoral condylar and supracondylar femoral fracture patterns. Patellar fracture has been the most commonly documented postoperative fracture complication and occurs in conjunction with the harvesting of autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft7,8. Additionally, eight tibial fractures9-16 and eight lateral condylar or supracondylar femoral fractures associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have been reported17-24. These fractures occurred through iatrogenic stress-risers25,26 created at the time of reconstruction, and the reported treatment had been arthrotomy with open reduction and internal fixation. To our knowledge, the case of our patient represents the first published report of medial femoral condylar fracture occurring after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and the first report of the use of arthroscopically assisted medial femoral condylar reduction and percutaneous internal fixation. Arthroscopically assisted reduction with internal fixation of a displaced lateral condylar fracture has been reported rarely27-29; however, to our knowledge, a similar approach to a medial condylar fracture has not been reported. In the case of our patient, the mechanism of injury causing the medial femoral condylar fracture appeared to be the direct impact onto the medial femoral condyle of a flexed knee during a fall. Similar to the other reported femoral fracture patterns, this fracture occurred through the femoral tunnel stress-riser that had been created during …
Lag superposition method for structural analysis through ambient vibration

Vibration analysis for non-destructive evaluation of large-scale civil engineering structures often rely on ambient vibrations as excitation sources. In this case, the input force is typically not available for establishing the transfer functions for vibration analyses. Conventional technologies dealing with random vibration signals, such as correlation analysis and/or random decrement method, may yield less accurate results when the signal-to-noise ratio of the response measurement is not sufficiently high. In this paper, a method called lag-superposition is introduced that provides a better response spectrum and more accurate results with reasonable computation speed. Formulations of Single-Degree-of-Freedom (SDOF) and Multi-Degree-of-Freedom (MDOF) approaches are presented and verified by experimental tests and numerical examples. Comparisons with other methods are also made.
Preschool neurodevelopmental outcome of children following fetal myelomeningocele closure

Objective We sought to investigate the preschool neurodevelopmental outcomes of children following fetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) surgery. Study Design Prior to the Management of Myelomeningocele Study trial, 54 children underwent fMMC closure at our institution. Thirty (56%) returned at 5 years of age for standardized neurocognitive examination. Scores were grouped as high-average, average, mildly delayed, and severely delayed by SD intervals. Results Mean verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), performance intelligence quotient (PIQ), and full intelligence quotient (FIQ) scores were within normal population range. High-average or average scores for VIQ, PIQ, FIQ, and processing speed were found in 93%, 90%, 90%, and 60%, respectively. Mean FIQ and processing speed of nonshunted children were significantly higher than for those who required shunt placement ( P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). Mean VIQ and PIQ tended to be higher in nonshunted fMMC children ( P = .05). Conclusion The majority of fMMC children in this highly selective population had average preschool neurodevelopmental scores. fMMC children who did not require shunt placement were more likely to have better scores.
The effect of radar wavelength on meteor echo rate

A new theory is given for the way in which the number of echoes received from sporadic meteor ionization trails varies with radar wavelength and other system parameters. Previously-published explanations of the echo rate dependence on wavelength are critically examined. The present explanation of echo rate variations is based upon a more complete analysis of the radio reflection process than is afforded by the Lovell-Clegg theory. The effects of high electron density, the linear rate of trail formation, and the initial column radius are discussed. A number of apparent conflicts in earlier investigations are reconciled by the new theory.
Applying Computerized-Scoring Models of Written Biological Explanations across Courses and Colleges: Prospects and Limitations

Our study explored the prospects and limitations of using machine-learning software to score introductory biology students' written explanations of evolutionary change. We investigated three research questions: 1) Do scoring models built using student responses at one university function effectively at another university? 2) How many human-scored student responses are needed to build scoring models suitable for cross-institutional application? 3) What factors limit computer-scoring efficacy, and how can these factors be mitigated? To answer these questions, two biology experts scored a corpus of 2556 short-answer explanations (from biology majors and nonmajors) at two universities for the presence or absence of five key concepts of evolution. Human- and computer-generated scores were compared using kappa agreement statistics. We found that machine-learning software was capable in most cases of accurately evaluating the degree of scientific sophistication in undergraduate majors' and nonmajors' written explanations of evolutionary change. In cases in which the software did not perform at the benchmark of "near-perfect" agreement (kappa > 0.80), we located the causes of poor performance and identified a series of strategies for their mitigation. Machine-learning software holds promise as an assessment tool for use in undergraduate biology education, but like most assessment tools, it is also characterized by limitations.
On the portability and performance of fully monolithic transformer structures for RF power amplfiers in standard CMOS process

In this paper, we examine several proposed power combining topologies for RF power amplifiers (PA). These structures are simulated in a generic 45 nm CMOS process to allow for comparison of their process portability distinguishing necessary adaptations for reasonable performance. The power combining structures are compared and explored by means of electromagnetic (EM) simulations to help establish an attainable baseline performance using classical transformer structures for fully monolithic combiners with standard CMOS processes.
Research Joint Ventures: Conceptual Foundations Practical Implications

]It was not coincidental that the two major market economies that felt serious competitive pressure in the early 1980s took important steps simultaneously to promote cooperative industrial research. In 1984, while the European Community was initiating the first Framework Programme for research and technological development activities, the Congress of the United States was ratifying the National Cooperative Research Act (NCRA). These policy initiatives were very important for the two regions. On one hand, the Framework Programmes have, since 1984, articulated the objectives, content and organizational modalities of the European Union R&D policy.1 Shared-cost contractual research, mainly put into effect through research joint ventures (RJVs), is the main form of E.U. intervention in the research area. On the other hand, NCRA was a very significant step in breaking with antitrust law tradition in the United States. In line with the merger guidelines released in 1982 and 1984, NCRA provided legal protection to those RJVs which would be registered with — and presumably formally reviewed by — the U.S. Attorney General (Department of Justice) and the Federal Trade Commission.
Light-Induced Changes in Photoreceptor Membrane Resistance and Potential in Gecko Retinas : II. Preparations with Active Lateral Interactions

The time-course of light-induced changes in membrane voltage and resistance were measured in single photoreceptors in eyecup preparations of Gekko gekko. A small circular stimulus directed toward the impaled receptor produced membrane hyperpolarization. Application of a steady annular light to the receptor periphery resulted in diminution of the receptor's response to the stimulus. The effects of illumination of the surrounding receptors were isolated by directing a small, steady desensitizing light to the impaled receptor and then applying a peripheral stimulus. Brief stimuli produced a transient decrease in resistance with rapid onset and offset, a time-course similar to that of the response diminution. For some cells a depolarization that coincided with the resistance decrease was seen. During illumination with prolonged stimuli the resistance decrease was followed by a slow increase. After offset resistance rose transiently above the original value and then returned slowly to its original value. The slow resistance changes were not accompanied by changes in membrane voltage. The response diminution, resistance decrease, and depolarization were not observed in retinas treated with aspartate or hypoxia. It is therefore concluded that these effects are mediated by horizontal cells. The diminution is achieved by shunting the receptor potential and may play a role in field adaptation.
Vagus nerve stimulation: predictors of seizure freedom

Objectives: To identify predictive factors for the seizure-free outcome of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Methods: All 47 patients who had undergone VNS implantation at one centre and had at least one year of follow up were studied. They underwent complete presurgical evaluation including detailed clinical history, magnetic resonance imaging, and long term video-EEG with ictal and interictal recordings. After implantation, adjustment of stimulation parameters and concomitant antiepileptic drugs were at the discretion of the treating physician. Results: Mean (SD) age of the patients was 22.7 (11.6) years (range 7 to 53). Six patients (13%) became seizure-free after the VNS implantation. Only two variables showed a significant association with the seizure-free outcome: absence of bilateral interictal epileptiform discharges (IED) and presence of malformation of cortical development (MCD). Epilepsy duration showed a non-significant trend towards a negative association with outcome. By logistic regression analysis, only absence of bilateral IED correlated independently with successful VNS treatment (p<0.01, odds ratio = 29.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.4 to 353)). Bilateral IED (independent or bilateral synchronous) was found in one of six seizure-free patients and in 33 of 41 non-seizure-free patients. When bilateral IED were absent, the sensitivity for seizure-free outcome was 0.83 (0.44 to 0.97), and the specificity was 0.80 (0.66 to 0.90). Conclusions: Bilateral IED was independently associated with the outcome of VNS. These results are preliminary because they were based on a small patient population. They may facilitate prospective VNS studies enrolling larger numbers of patients to confirm the results.
Extended factored space-time processing for airborne radar systems

Factored space-time processing has been proposed as a reasonable suboptimal solution to reduce ground clutter in an airborne radar system in order to lower the enormous computational complexity required in fully adaptive processing. An algorithm for mitigating loss in performance of the basic factored technique by extending the Doppler filter spatial weight set to include various degrees of adjacent Doppler coupling is described. The extended factored algorithm is developed, and performance results, vis-a-vis the optimal and basic factored approaches, are presented for both theoretical and measured airborne clutter scenarios. >
On Diffusion Tensor Estimation

In this paper we propose a formal formulation for the estimation of Diffusion Tensors in the space of symmetric positive semidefinite (PSD) tensors. Traditionally, diffusion tensor model estimation has been carried out imposing tensor symmetry without constraints for negative eigenvalues. When diffusion weighted data does not follow the diffusion model, due to noise or signal drop, negative eigenvalues may arise. An estimation method that accounts for the positive definiteness is desirable to respect the underlying principle of diffusion. This paper proposes such an estimation method and provides a theoretical interpretation of the result. A closed-form solution is derived that is the optimal data-fit in the matrix 2-norm sense, removing the need for optimization-based tensor estimation.
In vitro allograft irradiation prevents graft-versus-host disease in small-bowel transplantation.

In small-bowel transplantation, the transfer of large numbers of donor lymphocytes with the intestinal allograft may provoke a lethal graft-versus-host reaction. The effectiveness of allograft irradiation in vitro as a method of preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was studied in a rat model of small-bowel transplantation, with the Lewis → Lewis x Brown Norway F1 hybrid strain combination. Cold harvested small-bowel allografts were irradiated immediately prior to heterotopic or orthotopic transplantation. Animals that had received heterotopic allografts irradiated with 0, 250, or 500 rad all died of GVHD after 14.4 ± 3.0, 15.0 ± 1.3, and 14.2 ± 1.9 days, respectively. None of the animals that had received allografts treated with 1000 rad developed clinical or pathologic evidence of GVHD, however, and all survived for more than 6 months (P < 0.001). Allograft function was studied in animals that underwent orthotopic transplantation. Recipients of nonirradiated orthotopic allografts all died of GVHD after 14.0 ± 0.7 days, whereas recipients of allografts irradiated with 1000 rad all survived for more than 5 months (P < 0.001). After 120 days, weight gain (51.8 ± 11.7%), serum albumin (3.9 ± 0.7 g/dl), serum triglycerides (67.0 ± 24.3 mg/dl), CBC, and differential in these animals were not statistically different from those in either age-matched isograft recipients or normal animals, and when the rats were sacrificed, irradiated allografts showed no changes suggestive of radiation injury. These results indicate that irradiation of small-bowel allografts in vitro prevents development of GVHD, and that this can be achieved at a dose which does not cause injury to or malfunction of the allograft.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Advanced-Stage Prostate Cancer: the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study

Background African-Americans have twice the risk of non-Hispanic whites for presenting with advanced-stage prostate cancer. To investigate the reasons for this difference, we evaluated the association between race/ethnicity and advanced-stage prostate cancer, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and pathologic factors. Methods A population-based cohort of 3173 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between October 1, 1994, and October 31, 1995, was analyzed. Medical record abstracts and self-administered survey questionnaires were used to obtain information regarding race/ethnicity, age, marital status, insurance status, educational level, household income, employment status, comorbidity, urinary function, prostate-specific antigen level, tumor grade, and clinical stage. The odds ratio (OR) for advanced-stage prostate cancer was estimated with weighted logistic regression analysis. All P: values were two-sided. Results Clinically advanced-stage prostate cancers were detected more frequently in African-Americans (12.3%) and Hispanics (10.5%) than in non-Hispanic whites (6.3%). Socioeconomic, clinical, and pathologic factors each accounted for about 15% of the increased relative risk. After adjusting for all covariates, the risk remained statistically significantly increased for African-Americans (OR = 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43 to 3.58) but not for Hispanics (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.73 to 2.08). Conclusion Traditional socioeconomic, clinical, and pathologic factors accounted for the increased relative risk for presenting with advanced-stage prostate cancer in Hispanic but not in African-American men.
Dark matter sterile neutrinos in stellar collapse: Alteration of energy/lepton number transport and a mechanism for supernova explosion enhancement

We investigate matter-enhanced Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) active-sterile neutrino conversion in the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}\ensuremath{\rightleftharpoons}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{s}$ channel in the collapse of the iron core of a presupernova star. For values of sterile neutrino rest mass ${m}_{s}$ and vacuum mixing angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ (specifically, $0.5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{keV}l{m}_{s}l10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{keV}$ and ${sin﻿}^{2}2\ensuremath{\theta}g5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$) which include those required for viable sterile neutrino dark matter, our one-zone in-fall phase collapse calculations show a significant reduction in core lepton fraction. This would result in a smaller homologous core and therefore a smaller initial shock energy, disfavoring successful shock reheating and the prospects for an explosion. However, these calculations also suggest that the MSW resonance energy can exhibit a minimum located between the center and surface of the core. In turn, this suggests a post-core-bounce mechanism to enhance neutrino transport and neutrino luminosities at the core surface and thereby augment shock reheating: (1) scattering-induced or coherent MSW ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{s}$ conversion occurs deep in the core, at the first MSW resonance, where ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$ energies are large ($\ensuremath{\sim}150\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$); (2) the high energy ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{s}$ stream outward at near light speed; (3) they deposit their energy when they encounter the second MSW resonance ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$ just below the proto-neutron star surface.
Lack of Association Between Duration of Untreated Illness and Severity of Cognitive and Structural Brain Deficits at the First Episode of Schizophrenia

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine whether the duration of illness before antipsychotic drug treatment for schizophrenia was associated with the severity of cognitive deficits and volumetric brain structure anomalies observed in some patients with a first episode of schizophrenia. Method: Duration of psychotic symptoms and of other symptoms marking a behavioral change was estimated from structured interviews with 50 patients who had a first episode of schizophrenia and their family members. Interviews were conducted within a month of the patients’ hospitalization. Duration of untreated psychotic symptoms and of behavioral change was correlated with neuropsychological summary scores from a comprehensive cognitive battery and with measurements of lateral ventricular, temporal lobe, and cerebral hemispheric volumes. Results: No significant correlations were observed between measures of untreated illness and the severity of either cognitive or structural brain deficits at baseline. Conclusions: The duration of untreated symptoms of schizophrenia, for which an association with an uncontrolled toxic brain process has been proposed, is unlikely to explain why first-episode patients with schizophrenia have widespread deficits in cognitive functioning and have detectable ventricular enlargement and some loss of cortical mass.
Plastic Mulch Color Effects on Reflected Light and Tomato Plant Growth

Abstract Effects of plastic mulch color on upwardly reflected light and on the growth of tomato plants were investigated. Plants grown in sunlight over black polyethylene mulch had fewer axillary shoots (branches) and were taller than plants grown over white polyethylene mulch. The black surface reflected less total light and less blue light, but a higher ratio of far-red (FR) relative to red (R) light. In a controlled environment, tomato plants that were exposed to brief periods of FR at the end of the daily photosynthetic period were taller than those that received brief periods of R. The effect of FR on plant height could be reversed by R and implies phytochrome involvement. Differences in the light spectrum reflected from the plastic, and the similar differential responses to mulch color and light treatments, suggest that tomato plants grown in plastic mulch culture may respond to relatively small changes in light environment induced by the surface color of the mulch.
Kallikrein Gene Transfer Protects Against Ischemic Stroke by Promoting Glial Cell Migration and Inhibiting Apoptosis

Kallikrein/kinin has been shown to protect against ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial infarction and apoptosis. In the present study, we examined the potential neuroprotective action of kallikrein gene transfer in cerebral ischemia. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 1-hour occlusion of the middle cerebral artery followed by intracerebroventricular injection of adenovirus harboring either the human tissue kallikrein gene or the luciferase gene. Kallikrein gene transfer significantly reduced ischemia-induced locomotor deficit scores and cerebral infarction after cerebral ischemia injury. Expression of recombinant human tissue kallikrein was identified and localized in monocytes/macrophages of rat ischemic brain by double immunostaining. Morphological analyses showed that kallikrein gene transfer enhanced the survival and migration of glial cells into the ischemic penumbra and core, as identified by immunostaining with glial fibrillary acidic protein. Cerebral ischemia markedly increased apoptotic cells, and kallikrein gene delivery reduced apoptosis to near-normal levels as seen in sham control rats. In primary cultured glial cells, kinin stimulated cell migration but inhibited hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of kinin on both migration and apoptosis were abolished by icatibant, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. Enhanced cell survival after kallikrein gene transfer occurred in conjunction with markedly increased cerebral nitric oxide levels and phospho-Akt and Bcl-2 levels but reduced caspase-3 activation, NAD(P)H oxidase activity, and superoxide production. These results indicate that kallikrein gene transfer provides neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia injury by enhancing glial cell survival and migration and inhibiting apoptosis through suppression of oxidative stress and activation of the Akt-Bcl-2 signaling pathway.
Monolithic 2GHz electrostatically actuated MEMS oscillator with opto-mechanical frequency multiplier

We present a silicon opto-acoustic oscillator operating at 2.05GHz with signal power +18dBm and phase noise -80dBc/Hz at 10kHz offset from carrier. We employ displacement amplification and partial air gap capacitive transduction to enhance the transduction efficiency. Built-in nonlinear opto-mechanical modulation provides noiseless upconversion of the oscillation signal all the way up to 16.4GHz with -45dBm signal power. We isolate oscillation harmonics at 4.1GHz and 6.15GHz and measure phase noise of -74dBc/Hz and -70dBc/Hz respectively at 10kHz offset from carrier. The monolithic opto-mechanical frequency multiplier eliminates the need for external active multipliers.
Forced Vibration of Class of Nonlinear Dissipative Beams

An “exact” solution employing a Galerkin-type approach is presented for the steady-state motion of a class of dissipative Bernoulli-Euler beams provided with nonlinear auxiliary mass dampers. The beams are viscously damped and the excitation is furnished in the form of distributed, or concentrated loads, or both, that vary sinusoidally. The nonlinear damper may be applied to any point in the system. Experimental studies with a mechanical model corroborate the theoretical results. Results of the analysis are applied to cantilever and simply-supported beams subjected to base excitation, uniform load, and discrete force excitation at various points along the beams. The effects of all system parameters and mass ratio are determined. It is found that the damper under consideration is an efficient device for reducing the vibration of continuous systems, particularly cantilevered structures.
COMPASS PLOTS: A COMBINATION OF STAR PLOT AND ANALYSIS OF MEANS TO VISUALIZE SIGNIFICANT INTERACTIONS IN COMPLEX TOXICOLOGY STUDIES

The Compass Plot, a new graphical methodthat combines the advantages of the star plot andthe analysis of means (ANOM), has beenintroducedfordisplaying the results of experiments. Incontrast to the star plot, this plot allows statistical inferences to be made for treatment and for factor effects. In contrast to ANOM, this plot is good for comparison in multiresponse experiments, a scenario becoming more commonplace in toxicology with the advent of increasing numbers of chemical mixture studies. An example of a 2 3 factorial chemical exposure experiment is considered here.
THE EVOLUTION OF EPISTASIS AND THE ADVANTAGE OF RECOMBINATION IN POPULATIONS OF BACTERIOPHAGE T4

Experiments reported here test two hypotheses about the evolution of recombination: first, the Fisher-Muller concept that sexual organisms respond to selection more rapidly than do asexual ones, and second, that epistasis is more likely to evolve in the absence of recombination. Populations of bacteriophage T4 were selected by the drug proflavine in discrete generations and the change in mean population fitness was monitored. Three separate selection series yielded results supporting the Fisher-Muller hypothesis. The amount of epistasis evolved was measured by partitioning the T4 map into regions and comparing the sum of the proflavine resistances of each region with the resistance of the whole. Significantly more interactions were found in phage isolated from the populations with lower total recombination than in those from populations with higher recombination. The degree to which these experiments fit preconceived notions about natural selection suggests that microorganisms may be advantageously used in other population genetics experiments.
Flowery math: a case for heterodiscoursia in mathematics problems solving in recognition of students’ authorial agency

In an innovative, progressive school, students were asked to solve a fairly routine mathematical problem using real money in a “real-world” scenario. Even though the school values students’ ideas, the reaction of the teacher to one student’s alternative modelling of the problem suggests that he was expecting a particular answer to be provided using routine mathematical models and thinking while not being interested in exploring the student’s unexpected alternative. We place his reasoning for doing so within broad pedagogical discourses that we think define the “allowable” responses of teachers and students in ways that inhibit meaning-making for both. These broad discourses are defined as the progressive constructivist approach, the scaffolding discursive approach, the situation modelling approach and the dialogic approach. We consider the advantages and the potential consequences each might bring to the case. We suggest that extensive consideration of pedagogical discourses in mathematics classes must be...
Lisa Baldez. Defying Convention: U.S. Resistance to the U.N. Treaty on Women's Rights

Lisa Baldez's book Defying Convention: U.S. Resistance to the U.N. Treaty on Women's Rights examines why the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has n...
Rubens J. Pamies, MD, FACP

The Editorial Board of theJournal of the National Medical Association has dedicated this column in recognition of the outstanding academic, scientific, social and cultural accomplishments of NMA members in all aspects of the medical profession.It is anticipated that these members will serve as both an inspiration to our young members and as a “road map” to assist them in planning for a successful career. Interested members are encouraged to contact the honorees directly. Submissions for this column are encouraged and should beforwarded to shaynes@nmanet.org.
International Growth and Human Resource Management Challenges: a Review of Hewlett-Packard’s Efforts to Maintain the HP Way

This case is about Hewlett-Packard, its culture, and the problems the company encountered as it made a journey from a domestic firm to an international organization. The case discusses how the culture was created, developed, and perhaps lost during the company battle to stay in the top of the computer, test and measurement instrument markets. This case discusses the national and international challenges that HP has to deal with and the changes the company has to make in order to save the HP way.
The Library in 2020

A thought piece on the library envisioned for 2020 sparks reflection and conversation on how library schools, librarians and library organizations might prepare for this possible coming reality. Broader con-siderations are needed regarding collaboration, community, crossroads, service and flexibility.
COMPLICATIONS OF THE OPERATIVE TREATMENT OF DUPUYTREN’S DISEASE

Complications of surgery for Dupuytren's disease occur intra-operatively as well as during the early and late postoperative periods. Digital nerve injury, vascular injury, skin flap "button holes," hematoma, swelling, infection, flare, wound dehiscence, recurrence, pseudoaneurysm, and inclusion cysts are discussed and their treatment reviewed. Recognition of the complication is necessary for motion therapy to proceed in a timely fashion in order to avoid postoperative digital stiffness.
In-situ 3D characterization of He bubble and displacement damage in dense and nanoporous thin films.

This initial work attempted to determine the feasibility of using advanced in-situ, electron tomography, and precession electron diffraction techniques to determine the structural evolution that occurs during advanced aging of Pd films with nanometer resolution. To date, significant progress has been made in studying the cavity structures in sputtered, evaporated, and pulsed-laser deposited Pd films that result from both the deposition parameters, as well as from He ion implantation. In addition, preliminary work has been done to determine the feasibility of performing precession electron diffraction (PED) and electron tomography in these type of systems. Significant future work is needed to determine the proper conditions such that relevant advanced aging protocols can be developed.
The Balance Between Teaching and Research in the Work Life of American Academics

Since the Second World War, academic work came to be structured by institutional type and academic field. Faculty in research universities spent their time in different ways than those at baccalaureate colleges and faculty in the sciences or professional fields in very different ways from those in the humanities and social sciences. As academic work and careers evolve, we are now seeing increasing diversification within institutional types and academic fields—primarily on the bases of gender and type of appointment (regular, full-time vs. part-time and limited term). Teaching and research are increasingly being undertaken by different kinds of faculty on different kinds of appointments rather than as an integrated set of responsibilities of every faculty member. Within the context of this increasing role specialization as between teaching and research, two trends seem clear: the teaching emphasis of faculty work has grown, while the resources and actual faculty effort devoted to research have slightly declined. Some of that may be attributable to the rise of full-time nontenure eligible, limited contract faculty with more highly specialized roles. More American faculty are now engaged in either teaching or research than at any time in the last half century, and it is the “pure” teacher contingent that is growing. Moreover, the actual publication productivity of American academics has declined over the past 15 years (1992–2007)—that is, fewer resources and less time invested have resulted in less productivity by the conventional standard of scholarly publications.
Special and Immunohistochemical Stains

H&E alone is rarely sufficient for a non-neoplastic liver sample. At a minimum, a trichrome stain should be ordered to assess for fibrosis unless the specimen is blatantly cirrhotic. A wide variety of other special stains can be useful in many circumstances (Table 16.1), and immunohistochemistry is valuable in specific settings.
Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

SummaryObjective Individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at an increased risk of developing a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (PHEO/PGL). However, the best case detection strategy is unknown. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence, clinical presentation and outcomes of PHEO/PGL associated with NF1 and formulate case detection testing recommendations for PHEO/PGL. Design A retrospective cohort study from 1959 to 2015, Tertiary medical centre. Patients and Measurements We studied 41 patients with NF1 and PHEO/PGL who were identified using the PHEO/PGL and NF1 databases: 3289 and 1415 patients, respectively. Our main outcome measures were prevalence of PHEO/PGL in NF1 and occurrence of bilateral, recurrent, or metastatic disease and method of PHEO/PGL detection (symptoms vs incidental vs biochemical case detection testing). Results The prevalence of PHEO/PGL in patients with NF1 was 2·9%. The 41 patients included 23 men (56%) and 18 women. The median age at diagnosis was 41·0 years (range 14–67). The median tumour size was 3·4 cm (range 0·8–9·5). Bilateral PHEO was identified in 17% (n = 7) of patients, all women. Metastatic or recurrent disease occurred in 7·3% (n = 3). In the last 25 years, PHEO/PGL was diagnosed after incidental finding on computed imaging in 31% of patients (n = 11). Only three patients (7·3%) had PHEO/PGL discovered because of biochemical case detection testing. Conclusion We recommend patients with NF1 have biochemical case detection testing for PHEO/PGL every 3 years starting at age 10 to 14 years. Biochemical case detection testing should also be carried out prior to elective surgical procedures and conception.
Increasing Academic Engagement through Focused Antecedent Modification

This article reviews the functional behavior assessment steps followed to develop interventions designed to decreasechallenging behavior in the classroom. The implementation of antecedent based interventions generated from datagathered through interviews and observations addressed off-task, call outs and other challenging classroom behaviors.The interventions helped the student learn appropriate replacement behavior that resulted in a decrease in challengingbehavior. A discussion and description of the step by step process of developing and implementing an effectiveantecedent based intervention to address disruptive behavior triggered by the demand of academic tasks is presented.
Post-Hospitalization Follow-Up Appointments for Neurologic Inpatients (P1.352)

Objective: To determine whether scheduling a post-hospitalization follow-up appointment prior to discharge from an inpatient neurology service improves the 90-day follow-up and hospital readmission rates, compared to recommendation alone. Background: The period immediately following hospital discharge is a critical transition, highlighted by the 34[percnt] 90-day readmission rate of Medicare beneficiaries. Post-hospitalization follow-up with primary care providers may prevent readmissions, and scheduling appointments prior to discharge—rather than relying on patients to schedule their own appointments—yields higher follow-up rates. No studies of neurology inpatients have validated whether 1) scheduling an appointment prior to discharge improves follow-up rates, or 2) whether post-hospitalization follow-up appointments decrease readmission rates. Design/Methods: Retrospective cohort/ecological study with pre- and post-intervention analysis. The intervention included follow-up appointment scheduling via the electronic medical record and a call center. We reviewed the medical records for consecutive patients ≥18 years old discharged from NYU Langone Medical Center9s inpatient stroke and general neurology services in the months preceding and following the intervention. The primary outcome was follow-up with any outpatient provider in 90 days. The secondary outcome was 90-day readmission. Results: Of the 396 inpatients in the pre-intervention phase, 89[percnt] were recommended to follow-up with a provider, yet <4[percnt] had an appointment scheduled upon discharge. Within 90 days, 13[percnt] were readmitted, of whom 52[percnt] were for the same diagnosis as their index hospitalization. In the first 139 post-intervention inpatients, 31[percnt] had an appointment scheduled at discharge, reflecting an eightfold increase in the rate of scheduled follow-up. Conclusion: Incorporating appointment scheduling into neurology discharge planning greatly improved scheduled follow-up rates in this preliminary analysis. Forthcoming data will determine whether this protocol yielded 1) higher rates of appointment attendance, and 2) lower 90-day readmission rates. If successful in decreasing readmissions, this model may be suitable for dissemination to improve transitions in care. Disclosure: Dr. Bondi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fleisher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Balcer has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec and Genzyme as a consultant. Dr. Kvernland has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lanoff has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benedict has nothing to disclose. Dr. Harrold has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baner has nothing to disclose.
Communication: No guidance needed: Ordered structures and transformations of thin methanol ice on hydrophobic surfaces

A clear knowledge of structures is essential to the understanding and potential control of complex interfacial phenomena that involve multiple intermolecular and surface interactions of different strengths. Molecules with the ability to form hydrogen bonds are often of particular interest. Here, we report the observation of 2- and 3-dimensional ordered assemblies of methanol molecules on hydrophobic silicon surfaces, using reflection high-energy electron diffraction. Direct structure probing reveals that the crystallization temperatures and the structural transformations of the hydrogen-bonded networks are far beyond a single-stage description and strongly depend on the thermal annealing procedures used. Such results elucidate the unique self-assembling behavior of interfacial methanol even without much guidance from the smooth substrate.
The Use of Discussion Protocols in Social Studies

This article examines the use of protocols to improve discussion pedagogy in social studies. Discussion protocols, defined as a method of guided discussion, empowers students to engage with social studies content by providing specific and clear roles for participation. This article highlights the pedagogical relevance as well as the practical application of protocols for improved discussion in social studies. Sample protocols and further resources are provided.
Psychosocial Factors and Hypertension: A Review of the Literature

Black people have the highest prevalence of hypertension in the United States. Evidence suggests that psychosocial factors increase the risks for hypertension and help to account for racial differences in this condition. This article reviews research on psychosocial factors and hypertension, and contextualizes the findings within a health disparities framework. A wide range of psychosocial factors contribute to hypertension but understanding remains limited about how these factors relate to each other and accumulate to contribute to hypertension disparities. Future research on psychosocial factors and hypertension needs to enhance the effectiveness of interventions to reduce hypertension risk in ethnic minority communities.
Alcohol consumption and factors associated with depressive symptoms among older adults in mainland China

ABSTRACTBackground: High levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to be related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disease and is an important variable in the global burden of disease. Purpose: This study explored the relationship between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults in mainland China. Methods: Participants included 7601 people aged 60 or older who participated in the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM) was used. Results: Findings indicate that men have a decreased risk of experiencing depressive symptoms by 47% when controlling for other independent variables. People living only with a spouse were less likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to people living alone. Discussion: The findings have important implications in educating Chinese about alcohol and the relationship between alcohol and disease-related variables. Translation to Health Educatio...