cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolving applications of coronary angioplasty: technical and angiographic considerations

Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is now applicable to selected patients with multiple vessel disease, total occlusions, tandem lesions and complex branch disease. Operator experience and skill contribute to a high success rate in complex anatomy, but equally important is appropriate case selection based on angiographic review of lesion morphology, branches, extent of coronary artery disease, and left ventricular function. Likewise, during and after the procedure similar angiographic assessment is important to determine resultant lesion morphology, branch anatomy, distal runoff, and adequacy of lesion dilatation. Thus, the outcome of angioplasty is dependent on the operator's ability to opacify the coronary arteries with minimal or no vessel/lesion overlap or foreshortening. Although coronary angiography has become more routine for many angiographers with the advent of angioplasty, the importance of high-quality angiography continues to be a major component for successful angioplasty.
Renal perfusion dynamics during preservation.

A study of the relation between dynamic measurements of renal perfusion and the physiological state of the preserved kidney make it possible to predict posttransplant immediate function. This report describes the measurement of perfusion dynamic changes during preservation and the model utilized for comparing damaged and nondamaged kidneys.
Uptake of adenine-8-14C by whole and fractional amoebae.

RECENTLY, Goldstein and Plaut1 have obtained direct evidence for the synthesis of cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid by the nucleus in Amoeba proteus. The demonstration by Brachet and Szafarz2 that enucleate fragments of the unicellular alga Acetabularia mediterranea exhibit a distinct turnover of a precursor of ribonucleic acid (orotic acid) has been interpreted by Brachet3 as indicative of cytoplasmic synthesis of ribonucleic acid in the absence of a nucleus. If these two findings are both applicable to cells in general, we could conclude that there are two basic systems of synthesis of cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid : one centred in the nucleus, and the other a cytoplasmic system which is independent of the nucleus. In order to investigate this possibility, we have undertaken a study of the incorporation of the ribonucleic acid precursor adenine-8-14C into whole and fractional amœbae. For a valid comparison of the rates of synthesis of cellular constituents it is necessary, first of all, to ascertain the intracellular availability for synthesis of a labelled precursor in whole and nucleate and enucleate half-cells4; otherwise an impaired ability to transfer a material across the cell membrane might be mistaken for a reduction or loss of synthetic capacity.
Miniaturized Low-Voltage Power Converters With Fast Dynamic Response

This paper demonstrates a two-stage approach for power conversion that combines the strengths of variable-topology switched capacitor techniques (small size and light-load performance) with the regulation capability of magnetic switch-mode power converters. The proposed approach takes advantage of the characteristics of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes, and the resulting designs provide excellent efficiency and power density for low-voltage power conversion. These power converters can provide low-voltage outputs over a wide input voltage range with very fast dynamic response. Both design and fabrication considerations for highly integrated CMOS power converters using this architecture are addressed. The results are demonstrated in a 2.4-W dc-dc converter implemented in a 180-nm CMOS IC process and co-packaged with its passive components for high performance. The power converter operates from an input voltage of 2.7-5.5 V with an output voltage of ≤1.2 V, and achieves a 2210 W/in 3 power density with ≥80% efficiency.
New egg-shaped fullerenes: non-isolated pentagon structures of Tm3N@Cs(51365)-C84 and Gd3N@Cs(51365)-C84

Although there are 51568 non-IPR and 24 IPR structures for C84, the egg-shaped endohedral fullerenes Tm3N@Cs(51365)-C84 and Gd3N@Cs(51365)-C84 utilize the same non-IPR cage structure as found initially for Tb3N@Cs(51365)-C84.
Boundary conditions of the impact of a hypervigilant coping style on the subjective decision-making experience

Two experiments explored how characteristics of the task environment and the consumer's propensity to a use a hypervigilant coping style interacted to influence ratings of perceived information amount, choice difficulty, decision-process–related satisfaction,choice deferral, and the desire for decision assistance. Results indicate a series of main effects of time pressure on the dependent measures across two different choice scenarios. In addition, the findings suggest that a propensity to use a hypervigilant coping style seems to have little influence on the subjective decision-making experience. Theoretically, this research establishes boundary conditions under which decision-process–related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not likely to be influenced by coping style, and extends prior work on the determinants of choice deferral and the desire for decision assistance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Soil treatment with disulfoton against certain insect pests of cigar-wrapper tobacco.

Disulfoton was applied as soil treatments to control certain insect pests of cigar-wrapper tobacco in the Georgia-Florida area. Band applications gave the best control of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the highest yield and crop index. However, broadcast applications gave the highest grade index. Combined band and sidedress applications gave the best control of the tobacco flea beetle, Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer), and some control of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), and the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). No treatments gave satisfactory control of coarse root disease caused primarily by nematodes, Pratylenchus spp. Disulfoton, which is toxic to cabbage looper larvae, was not detected in the leaves of treated tobacco, but certain of its metabolites that are much less toxic were present.
NASA's new space flight project requirements: Earlier definition for later cost stability

NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 7120.5, revision E, was released on August 14, 2012. The new NPR, titled NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements, communicates NASA's top-level requirements for space flight programs and projects. The requirements are levied on NASA managers and the project engineering and programmatic teams who are developing and operating NASA's space flight missions. NASA made significant additions and changes to the requirements governing space flight programs and projects, in particular to the project life cycle, project reviews, and the project programmatic and engineering products that document project plans for developing and operating spacecraft and missions. These document products are also used to assess project readiness for approval to move into the next life cycle phase. Development of the new products, and of existing products earlier in the project life cycle, will require changes in how NASA's space flight projects are managed and implemented. In particular, projects will need additional funding and/or schedule time during the Formulation Phase of the project life cycle. Other notable changes were made to the NPR, including the addition of a program/project compliance matrix and revision of the waiver process. This paper will describe the key changes to project requirements in the new NPR, how they will impact the development of space flight projects, and how JPL is preparing to implement the new requirements.
Demonstration of a quantum error detection code using a square lattice of four superconducting qubits

The physical realization of a quantum computer requires built-in error-correcting codes that compensate the disruption of quantum information arising from noise. Here, the authors demonstrate a quantum error detection scheme for arbitrary single-qubit errors on a four superconducting qubit lattice.
The origin of high sulfate concentrations in a coastal plain aquifer, Long Island, New York

Ion-exchange batch experiments were run on Cretaceous (Magothy aquifer) clay cores from a nearshore borehole and an inland borehole on Long Island, NY, to determine the origin of high SO4� concentrations in ground water. Desorption batch tests indicate that the amounts of SO4� released from the core samples are much greater (980–4700 mg/g of sediment) than the concentrations in ground-water samples. The locally high SO4� concentrations in pore water extracted from cores are consistent with the overall increase in SO4� concentrations in ground water along Magothy flow paths. Results of the sorption batch tests indicate that SO4� sorption onto clay is small but significant (40–120 mg/g of sediment) in the low-pH ( <5) pore water of clays, and a significant part of the SO4� in Magothy pore water may result from the oxidation of FeS2 by dissolved Fe(III). The acidic conditions that result from FeS2 oxidation in acidic pore water should result in greater sorption of SO4� and other anions onto protonated surfaces than in neu�
Optimal executive compensation versus managerial power: a review of lucian bebchuk and jesse fried's Pay without Performance : The Unfulfilled Promise of Executive Compensation

This essay reviews Lucian A. Bebchuk and Jesse M. Fried's Pay without Performance: The Unfulfilled Promise of Executive Compensation. Bebchuk and Fried criticize the standard view of executive compensation, in which executives negotiate contracts with shareholders that provide incentives that motivate them to maximize the shareholders' welfare. In contrast, Bebchuk and Fried argue that executive compensation is more consistent with executives who control their own boards and who maximize their own compensation subject to an "outrage constraint." They provide a host of evidence consistent with this alternative viewpoint. The book can be evaluated from both positive and normative perspectives. From a positive perspective, much of the evidence they present, especially about the camouflage and risk-taking aspects of executive compensation systems, is fairly persuasive. However, from a normative perspective, the book conveys the idea that policy changes can dramatically improve executive compensation systems and consequently overall corporate performance. It is unclear to me how effective potential reforms designed to achieve such changes are likely to be in practice.
Nonuniform, Inhomogeneous, and Anisotropic Waveguides

This paper discusses in a general way some of the properties of nonuniform, inhomogeneous, and anisotropic waveguides and transmission lines. No attempt is made to discuss in detail the behavior of any particular type of waveguide except for the purposes of example. Most of the points discussed are well known separately, but an attempt has been made to bring some of general properties of special types of waveguide together in order to unify them, and, thus, it is hoped, to contribute to the over-all understanding of guided wave phenomena.
Characterizing Dark DNS Behavior

Security researchers and network operators increasingly rely on information gathered from honeypots and sensors deployed on darknets, or unused address space, for attack detection. While the attack traffic gleaned from such deployments has been thoroughly scrutinized, little attention has been paid to DNS queries targeting these addresses. In this paper, we introduce the concept of dark DNS, the DNS queries associated with darknet addresses, and characterize the data collected from a large operational network by our dark DNS sensor. We discuss the implications of sensor evasion via DNS reconnaissance and emphasize the importance of reverse DNS authority when deploying darknet sensors to prevent attackers from easily evading monitored darknets. Finally, we present honeydns, a tool that complements existing network sensors and low-interaction honeypots by providing simple DNS services.
Nonsingleton fuzzy logic systems: theory and application

In this paper, we present a formal derivation of general nonsingleton fuzzy logic systems (NSFLSs) and show how they can be efficiently computed. We give examples for special cases of membership functions and inference and we show how an NSFLS can be expressed as a "nonsingleton fuzzy basis function" expansion and present an analytical comparison of the nonsingleton and singleton fuzzy logic systems formulations. We prove that an NSFLS can uniformly approximate any given continuous function on a compact set and show that our NSFLS does a much better job of predicting a noisy chaotic time series than does a singleton fuzzy logic system (FLS).
Magnetically bound states of electronic and positronic hydrogen ions: The case of zero orbital angular momentum

This paper considers the binding of an electron or a positron to a ground-state hydrogen atom in a uniform magnetic field $B$, concentrating on states with zero orbital angular momentum $J$. It is shown that the affinity of a positron to a hydrogen atom is $2.23{b}^{2}{e}^{2}∕a$, where $a$ is the Bohr radius, $b\ensuremath{\equiv}B∕{B}_{0}$, ${B}_{0}=2.3505\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{T}$, $b⪡1$ is assumed, and the proton is assumed to have infinite mass. With these assumptions it is also shown that no $J=0$ singlet or triplet excited state of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ exists. These results are compared to a previous estimate of the electron affinity of $J=0$ magnetically bound ions [V. G. Bezchastnov, P. Schmelcher, and L. S. Cederbaum, Phys. Rev. A 61, 052152 (2000)].
Changes in Electrical Energy Requirements to Operate an Ice Cream Freezer as a Function of Sweeteners and Gums

Changes in electrical energy required to operate a continuous freezer were monitored for various ice cream formulae. Ice cream formulae consisted of nine different combinations of sucrose, 36 DE corn syrup, and 42 high fructose corn syrup as well as two ratios of guar gum to locust bean gum. Within the same sweetening system, a mix high in locust bean gum tended to have a lower energy demand than mix with large amounts of guar gum. This was especially pronounced in mixes with 50% 42 high fructose corn syrup and/or 50% 36 DE corn syrup solids.
Preoperative abdominal ultrasound may be misleading in risk stratification for presence of common bile duct abnormalities

Background: Following the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the preoperative predictors of common bile duct (CBD) abnormalities became more important in perioperative decision making. Preoperative transabdominal ultrasound (US) is used to assess the preoperative risks associated with CBD abnormalities. This study attempts to determine the sensitivity and specificity of US in determining CBD abnormalities in patients prior to LC. Methods: US measurements of the CBD diameter and presence of stones were ascertained from radiology reports in 100 patients who had LC with a routine intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). The same information was obtained from the patients' IOC. A supraduodenal CBD diameter of >8 mm was considered dilated. Results: US demonstrated a sensitivity of 25% and a specificity of 70% for the detection of CBD dilatation compared to IOC. The sensitivity of US for predicting CBD dilatation was 55% when the IOC-derived diameter was >10 mm and 100% when it was >15 mm. The overall sensitivity of US for detection of stones was 10%; it improved to 17% in patients with a dilated CBD on US. Conclusions: Preoperative ultrasound is neither sensitive nor specific for detecting CBD dilatation or presence of stones. A negative preoperative US report may be misleading in risk stratification for the presence of these CBD abnormalities. In order to avoid missing any CBD pathology, we recommend the routine use of intraoperative cholangiography.
Effectiveness of the "teaching the teachers" diagnostic US training program.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The "Teaching the Teachers" training program was meant to establish standardized ultrasound education programs worldwide, reaching the largest possible number of physicians. The authors performed this study to evaluate the results of this training. Materials and Methods An open-ended test question format (ie, uncued testing) that would evoke responses from physicians in a manner ensuring the highest fidelity with a real clinical setting was selected. An examination was administered at the beginning and the end of the program and then again 6 months later to assess baseline knowledge, changes in knowledge, and knowledge retention, respectively. Results Scores on entry and end-of-program examinations were available for 112 participants. The mean entry test score was 35%, and the mean end-of-program examination score was 73%. All changes in scores were statistically significant ( P t tests. Follow-up examinations were available for 27 of the 112 participants at the time of the analysis. On these examinations, mean total test scores increased by nearly 4 percentage points. Although follow-up test scores were available for only 27 participants, these mean test scores were comparable to those reported for the entire group on the end-of-program examination. Conclusion The examinations administered at the end of the 3-month program showed marked improvement compared with the baseline assessment. That this improvement remained stable over 6 months indicates the success of the educational process.
The Investigation of Obsidian Craft Production at Xochicalco, Morelos

Surface reconnaissance at the site of Xochicalco, Morelos, identified 12 areas believed to be production locales where obsidian tools were manufactured during the Epiclassic period (A.D. 700-900). Production locales were identified from concentrations of chipped stone debitage located in both residential and nonresidential contexts at Xochicalco. Differences in the size and location of these production locales suggested obsidian craft activity was carried out in three different production contexts similar to those reported at the large urban center of Teotihuacan: small domestic workshops, large nonresidential workshops, and civic-ceremonial precinct workshops. Stratigraphic excavations were initiated to test whether the inferences about the context of production based on surface concentrations of obsidian debitage would be confirmed by subsurface testing. The results show that in most cases surface concentrations of obsidian debitage accurately reflect the presence of in situ craft activity.
Comparative wax esterase activity of various microorganisms.

Summary1) Various microorganisms were studied for ability to metabolize myricyl palmitate (beeswax), tubercle wax, and tributyrin. All cultures except one produced positive results varying only in rate and extent to which they attacked these substrates. A pronounced lag phase in utilization of substrate by 3 microorganisms tested was attributed to saturation of enzyme sites with endogenous substrates. 2) With the exception of Candida albicans intact cells did not show esterase activity. However, positive results were obtained with extracts which suggested that deesterification was an initial step in utilization of waxes as sources of energy for the various microorganisms tested.
SXmin: a self-routing, high-performance ATM packet switch based on group-knockout principle

We propose SXmin: a self-routing, group-knockout principle based asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) packet switch which provides comparable delay-throughput performance and packet loss probabilities at significantly reduced hardware requirements compared to earlier switches. The M/spl times/N SXmin consists of an N/spl times/N Batcher sorter followed by log/sub 2/N-1 stages of sort-expander (SX) modules arranged in the form of a complete binary tree. Each SX module consists of a column of 2/spl times/2 switches with a wraparound-unshuffle input-output interconnection. This enables the hierarchical utilization of the group-knockout principle to expand the number of inputs by a small factor at each stage, resulting in a significant reduction in overall hardware complexity. Routing at each switch is controlled by a single bit. However, in case of contention, a dual bit resolution algorithm is used locally which drops excess packets in a predetermined manner while ensuring global randomness of packet loss over the entire switching network. There are no internal buffers at the individual stages and therefore the internal delay is constant and proportional to the number of stages. The use of simple hardware components and regular interconnections in the SX modules makes the network suitable for optical implementation.
Middleware support for global access to integrated computational collaboratories

The growth of the Internet and the advent of the computational "Grid" have made it possible to develop and deploy advanced computational collaboratories. These systems build on high-end computational resources and communication technologies underlying the Grid, and provide seamless and collaborative access to particular resources, services or applications. Integrating these "focused" collaboratories presents significant challenges. Key among these is the design and development of robust middleware support that addresses scalability, service discovery, security and access control, and interaction and collaboration management for consistent access. The authors first investigate the architecture of such a middleware that enables global (Web-based) access to collaboratories. They then present the design and implementation of a middleware substrate that enables a peer-to-peer integration of and global (collaborative) access to geographically distributed instances of the DISCOVER computational collaboratory for interaction and steering.
Experimental implementation of classical far-field phase-sensitive ghost imaging

We demonstrate for the first time far-field ghost imaging with phase-sensitive classical light whose anti-phase correlation between the signal and reference beams is imposed by two spatial light modulators.
Development of Synchroton Saxs/Diffraction Instrumentation

The high brilliance and wavelength tunability of synchrotron x-rays require modified designs in x-ray optics and x-ray detectors so as to optimize the experimental setups in small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS)/diffraction instrumentation. This lecture summarizes some of the instruments which have been constructed by the Chu group on the State University of New York (SUNY) X3 A1/A2 beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Descriptions on modified Kratky slit collimator, pinhole geometry and Bonse-Hart ultrasmall angle x-ray diffractometer (USAXD) as well as linear intensified photodiode and area (intensified) CCD x-ray position sensitive detectors are presented. Designs of the x-ray facility which tries to take into account of the synchrotron beam characteristics and of the ease in operation, as well as provisions for combining the x-ray instrumentation with other techniques for simultaneous detection of correlated physical parameters, are emphasized.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Elicits Extracellular Traps in Primary Neutrophil Culture While Suppressing the Oxidative Burst

ABSTRACT Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus) causes gonorrhea and is uniquely adapted to survive within the human reproductive tract. Gonococci evade host immune surveillance in part by varying their pili and opacity-associated proteins. These variable surface antigens influence interactions with host epithelial and immune cells. A potent polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) response is a hallmark of symptomatic gonococcal infection, with vast numbers of PMNs recruited to the site of infection. A large body of literature describes gonococcus-PMN interactions, but the factors driving the outcome of infection are not fully understood. Gonococci have been described to both induce and suppress the PMN oxidative burst, but we determined that gonococci differentially affect induction of the PMN oxidative burst depending on the multiplicity of infection (MOI). Infecting PMN at an MOI of 20 suppresses the burst. Oxidative burst in response to gonococci is enhanced by, but does not require, expression of pili or opacity proteins. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were observed in gonococcus-infected PMNs, a process which requires an oxidative burst, yet gonococci induced NETs under suppressing conditions. The NETs were unable to kill gonococci despite killing the common vaginal bacterium Lactobacillus crispatus. Thus, gonococci influence PMN biology to promote their own survival by suppressing the oxidative burst of PMNs and stimulating the formation of NETs, which do not effectively kill gonococci, illustrating how N. gonorrhoeae has evolved to modulate PMN responses to promote infection. IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the gonococcus, is the only causative agent of gonorrhea and is exclusively found within the human host. Gonococci stochastically vary the composition of antigens on their surface to evade immune surveillance. We used gonococcal mutants which stably express different surface antigens to dissect interactions between gonococci and primary human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). We found that gonococci, depending on the number of bacteria present, either induce or suppress the oxidative burst of PMNs regardless of other stimuli. Gonococci also cause PMNs to release DNA, forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) independently of the oxidative burst. The NETs were unable to kill gonococci but were able to kill commensal bacteria, suggesting that NET production can help gonococci outcompete other bacterial species. We propose that gonococci have evolved to manipulate PMN responses to promote their own survival during infection.
Reasons for Attrition From Occupational Therapy

This study examined the reasons why occupational therapists have left the field of occupational therapy. The purpose of the study was to find ways to prevent attrition and to bring back those who have left the field as a means to address the profession's personnel shortage. Questionnaires from 696 therapists who have left the profession were analyzed. The therapists' most common reasons for leaving were (a) childbearing and child rearing; (b) geographic relocation and subsequent inability to find a job; (c) excessive paperwork; (d) desire for increased salary and promotional opportunities; (e) high caseloads, stress, and burnout; (f) the actual practice of occupational therapy not being what was expected; (g) dissatisfaction with bureaucracy; (h) the chronicity and severity of the clients' illnesses; and (i) an inability to find part-time work. Most therapists who left the profession did not return to practice because they felt professionally out of date and unable to compete with younger therapists.
An approach to tableau inferencing with “hardwired” heuristics

In this paper we discuss a prototype of the tableau method which derives its rule base from Jeffrey's text [3]. The heuristics are a subset of those outlined for HARP by Oppacher and Suen [4]. The prototype was written in C and intended for use with the IBM family of microcomputers. We shall outline some of our implementation strategies and, insofar as is possible, contrast them with those of the earlier pioneering work of Oppacher and Suen.
Competency-Based Education and Training in Internal Medicine

Recent efforts to improve medical education include adopting a new framework based on 6 broad competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. In this article, the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine Education Redesign Task Force II examines the advantages and challenges of a competency-based educational framework for medical residents. Efforts to refine specific competencies by developing detailed milestones are described, and examples of training program initiatives using a competency-based approach are presented. Meeting the challenges of a competency-based framework and supporting these educational innovations require a robust faculty development program. Challenges to competency-based education include teaching and evaluating the competencies related to practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice, as well as implementing a flexible time frame to achieve competencies. However, the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine Education Redesign Task Force II does not favor reducing internal medicine training to less than 36 months as part of competency-based education. Rather, the 36-month time frame should allow for remediation to address deficiencies in achieving competencies and for diverse enrichment experiences in such areas as quality of care and practice improvement for residents who have demonstrated skills in all required competencies.
Improvement on robust fuzzy control of nonlinear systems with parametric uncertainties

This paper proposes a new robust stabilization condition for Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy control system with parametric uncertainties. The condition is represented in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and is less conservative than some relaxed quadratic stabilization conditions published in the literature. Based on the LMI-based conditions derived, one can easily synthesize controllers for state feedback robust stabilization for T-S fuzzy control system with parametric uncertainties. Since only a set of LMIs is involved, the controller design is quite simple and numerically tractable. Finally, the validity of the proposed approach is successfully demonstrated in the the control of a continuous-time nonlinear system with parametric uncertainties.
Visualizing Animal Impacts on the Landscape: Remote Sensing in the Geography Classroom

Abstract The impact of animals upon the landscape, through such actions as trampling, feeding, burrowing, mounding, and dam building, is a topic of interest in university geography classrooms. However, the relatively fine‐scale nature of most such impacts precludes its examination via remote sensing. Nevertheless, remote sensing of many types of animal impact is possible, and in this paper I illustrate several such examples, primarily drawn from free‐access sites on the World Wide Web, using a variety of remote sensing platforms. Instructors of physical geography or resource/land use management courses can thus introduce a variety of remote sensing concepts and imagery types in their classrooms while at the same time examining the role of animals on the landscape.
Management of persistent tracheal stoma

A rare late complication of tracheostomy is persistence of the stoma after removal of the tracheostomy tube. This article reviews the indications for surgical repair and outlines two alternative approaches to surgical management of this problem.
Nanoscale scanning microwave impedance microscopy on advanced functional materials

We present the design and experimental results of near-field scanning microwave impedance microscopy (MIM). By sending the excitation 1GHz signal to a shielded cantilever probe and detecting the reflected signal, the MIM electronics measure the real and imaginary components of the tip-sample admittance to form the corresponding MIM-Re and MIM-Im images. The system can be installed on commercial atomic-force microscope platforms or cryogenic chambers. Nanoscale electrical imaging on advanced materials, such as monolayer MoS2 flakes, BaTiO3-Ge heterostructures, and ZnO field-effect transistors, have been obtained using the near-field microwave microscope.
Temperature changes caused by MR imaging of the brain with a head coil.

Tissue heating caused by exposure to RF radiation is a primary safety concern in MR imaging. Therefore, to determine temperature changes caused by high field strength MR imaging of the brain with a head coil, we measured body and skin temperatures in 35 patients immediately before and after clinical MR imaging. MR imaging was performed with a 1.5 T MR system using a 28-cm, open-bore RF transmit/receive head coil specifically designed for examinations of the brain. The average body temperature was 36.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C before MR imaging and 36.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C immediately afterward (mean +/- SD, p = not significant). The average forehead skin temperature increased from 32.6 +/- 0.6 to 32.8 +/- 0.5 degrees C (p less than .01), and the average outer canthus skin temperature increased from 32.1 +/- 0.6 to 32.7 +/- 0.6 degrees C (p less than .01) after MR imaging. The highest skin temperature recorded was 34.2 degrees C, and the largest temperature change was +2.1 degrees There were no statistically significant changes in the average skin temperatures of the upper arm and hand. We conclude that patients undergoing MR imaging of the brain with a head coil at the RF radiation exposure we studied experience no significant changes in average body temperature and statistically significant increases in local (i.e., areas within the head coil) skin temperatures. The observed elevations in skin temperatures were physiologically inconsequential.
Enclave: Promoting Unobtrusive and Secure Mobile Communications with a Ubiquitous Electronic World

Thanks to smartphones’ mass popularity in our society, our world is surrounded by ubiquitous electronic signals. These signals originate from static objects such as buildings and stores and mobile objects such as people or vehicles. Yet it is difficult to readily access electronic information. Current wireless communications focus on reliable transmission from sources to destinations, which entails tedious connection establishment and network configuration. This forms a virtual electronic barrier among people that makes unobtrusive communication difficult. In addition, there is concern about interacting with the electronic world due to such interactions’ insecurity. To safely remove the electronic barrier, we propose Enclave, a delegate wireless device that helps people’s smartphones communicate unobtrusively. We realize Enclave using two key supporting technologies, NameCast and PicComm. NameCast uses wireless device names to unobtrusively transmit short messages without connection establishment. PicComm uses the transfer of visual images to securely deliver electronic information to people’s smartphones. We implement Enclave on commercial off-the-shelf smartphones. Our experimental evaluation illustrates its potential for smartphone data protection and unobtrusive and secure communication.
Is the Road to Disparate Impact Paved With Good Intentions? -- Stuck on State of Mind in Antidiscrimination Law

The disparate impact theory of liability in antidiscrimination law is in its fourth decade of doctrinal development, but the theory remains misunderstood, mislabeled, and misused. Despite the fact that the effects-based theory emerged as a method of proof theoretically unconcerned with the concept of intent - whether of the "good" or "bad" variety - all of the stakeholders using disparate impact theory have remained stuck on state of mind. This Article examines the particular way in which the focus on the defendant's state of mind in disparate impact cases has helped undermine the theory, despite the belief of many theorists that a thorough grounding in intent may be necessary to ensure the theory's survival. The Article suggests that recent events and more modern conceptions of evil make it possible for us to look past "good intentions," to revisit our notions of culpability and fault, and to reinvigorate a disparate impact theory focused solely on effects.
Web-based teaching and learning for blind or visually-impaired faculty

Currently, 24% of the population has experienced significant vision loss. Though there has been some progress on developing accessible Web pages, there has been little work on providing Web page development accessibility to visually-impaired faculty. This chapter presents a study designed to assist educational organizations with blind or visually-impaired (BVI) faculty in the development of online courses and in the teaching of those same courses. The study used the tools of interview, usability analysis, and experimentation. Issues discussed include software accessibility, college or university support requirements, motivational factors, instructor skill levels, and strategies for working with BVI faculty. The findings and recommendations are specific to the WebCT environment, but some of the strategies may be generalized to other similar environments. The article ends with a discussion of major technology initiatives currently underway.
The plasma etching of electronic material

Microelectronic fabrication requires the repeated use of etching processes in a variety of materials to delineate fine-scale circuit features with submicrometer dimensions. Plasma-assisted etching combines chemical etching by reactive neutral gas phase species with bombardment by charged plasma ions to form volatile final etch products. This ion-neutral interaction makes possible highly directional etching in semiconductors, metals, polymers, and dielectrics, with satisfactory etch rates and process yields.
Screening applicants for risk of poor academic performance: a novel scoring system using preadmission grade point averages and graduate record examination scores.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop an effective screening tool for identifying physician assistant (PA) program applicants at highest risk for poor academic performance. METHODS Prior to reviewing applications for the class of 2009, a retrospective analysis of preadmission data took place for the classes of 2006, 2007, and 2008. A single composite score was calculated for each student who matriculated (number of subjects, N=228) incorporating the total undergraduate grade point average (UGPA), the science GPA (SGPA), and the three component Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: verbal (GRE-V), quantitative (GRE-Q), analytical (GRE-A). Individual applicant scores for each of the five parameters were ranked in descending quintiles. Each applicant's five quintile scores were then added, yielding a total quintile score ranging from 25, which indicated an excellent performance, to 5, which indicated poorer performance. RESULTS Thirteen of the 228 students had academic difficulty (dismissal, suspension, or one-quarter on academic warning or probation). Twelve of the 13 students having academic difficulty had a preadmission total quintile score 12 (range, 6-14). In response to this descriptive analysis, when selecting applicants for the class of 2009, the admissions committee used the total quintile score for screening applicants for interviews. Analysis of correlations in preadmission, graduate, and postgraduate performance data for the classes of 2009-2013 will continue and may help identify those applicants at risk for academic difficulty. CONCLUSION Establishing a threshold total quintile score of applicant GPA and GRE scores may significantly decrease the number of entering PA students at risk for poor academic performance.
Survival of Overwintering Alfalfa Weevil Eggs in Pennsylvania

Studies were conducted on the survival of overwintering eggs of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) in 3 Pennsylvania counties during the winters of 1965 and 1966. Egg samples taken at monthly intervals during the winter were held until hatching occurred, and the percent viability was then computed. These studies indicated a decreasing viability as winter progressed. Egg viability was high in January and very low in March. Appreciable differences were found also in the percent hatch when 2 extraction methods were compared. It was apparent that overwintering eggs contributed only a small percentage to the spring larval population.
Study on acute toxicity test of an environment-friendly high-performance delayed-release deodorizer and its irritating effect on broken skin

Objective:To investigate the acute toxicity of an environment-friendly high-performance delayed-release deodorizer and its irritating or corroding effect on broken skin.Methods: This study was carried out as per NY1109.6.3.1,6.3.2-2006 in General Technical Guidelines on Microbial Fertilizer Biosafety.Results: The maximum tolerated dose method was used for acute toxicity test of the environment-friendly high-performance delayed-release deodorizer in mice.No apparent toxic symptom or death was found in the 14d observation period following gastric administration of a single dose of 5000 mg/kg·BW.No skin irritating symptom was exhibited in the single-dose broken skin irritating test.Conclusion: The environment-friendly high-performance delayed-release deodorizer is practically non-toxic and has no skin irritating effect.
Study on immunotoxicity of polyurethane wood paint volatiles in mice

The mice were exposed to polyurethane wood paint volatiles for 28 days,2 hours per day,then measure various immune indices.The result showed that the lymphocyte transformation rate,delayed allergic reaction,serum hemolysin level,antibody producing ability,chicken RBC phagocytizing ability of peritoneal macrophages and the nature killer cell activity,in exposed groups were all lowered compared with control group.It is suggested that the polyurethane wood paint volatiles has definite inhibition effect on immune function of mice,the lowest effect level for immune inhibition is 61 mg/m3observed in this study.
CT Diagnosis of Split Cord Malformation in Children

Objective To study the appearances of split cord malformation(SCM)and evaluate the diagnostic value of CT for SCM.Methods Clinical and CT data of 48 cases with SCM were analyzed retrospectively ,21 were males and 27 were females,ranged from 1 day to 8 years with a mean of 11.6 months. All cases evaluated by plain CT with coronal and sagittal reconstructions.Results Type I accounted 75%, consisted of two hemicords, each contained in its dural tube and separated by a rigid median septum .TypeⅡaccounted 25%, consisted two hemicords contained in a single dural sac separated by a non-rigid, fibrous median septum. Associated abnormalities: tethered cord syndrome(n=38), syringomyelia(n=9), intradural lipomas(n=10), meningocele(n=18).Conclusion CT can clearly demostrate the position, the septum and the shape of the SCM, as well as associated abnormalities.
Heart Failure and B-Type Natriuretic Protein

1. Jonathan Hoyne, PhD[⇑][1] 1. is Director of Chemistry, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 1. Address for correspondence: Jonathan Hoyne PhD, Director of Chemistry, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd. Stabile N-225 Jacksonville, Fl 32224, hoyne.jonathan{at}mayo.edu. Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1. Define heart failure and discuss its signs and symptoms. 2. Describe how heart failure is classified and explain NYHA functional criteria. 3. Explain the role biomarkers can play in heart failure. 4. Discuss the physiologic role of BNP and its origin in healthy individuals versus HF patients. 5. Describe the synthesis and release of BNP noting proteolytic cleavage products. 6. State the current recommendations for BNP use. 7. Interpret BNP values in the context of heart failure. Heart Failure: Pathology Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome of varying but progressive severity in which the ability of the heart to pump blood is compromised. It has been said that, “…heart failure is a primary complication of virtually every form of heart disease”1. In general, prior to developing HF, a disease or condition exists that stresses the cardiovascular system. The body possesses several feedback mechanisms that adapt to stress and maintain acute cardiovascular function. However, many of these adaptations are themselves toxic and degrade cardiac function over the long term2. Several common chronic progressive conditions such as hypertension, acute coronary syndrome, a previous myocardial infarction or diabetes mellitus are precursors to HF3. At diagnosis, one-year mortality is nearly 10% and five-year mortality is about 50%4. The clinical presentation of HF is variable. Patients may present without symptoms but with evidence of left ventricular structural or functional changes. Classic signs and symptoms include breathing difficulty, fatigue after modest physical exertion and fluid retention resulting in peripheral edema and pulmonary congestion. Heart Failure: Clinical Summary In addition to the individual toll, heart failure (HF) is a public health problem whose morbidity and mortality are significant burdens on the health care system. According to the American Heart Association (AHA)4, in 2006 the prevalence of HF in the US was 5.7 million people, or 2.5% of the population. In 2005, HF was the primary cause of 58,933 deaths and a contributing factor in an additional 233,281 deaths. That same year, the total direct… Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1. Define heart failure and discuss its signs and symptoms. 2. Describe how heart failure is classified and explain NYHA functional criteria. 3. Explain the role biomarkers can play in heart failure. 4. Discuss the physiologic role of BNP and its origin in healthy individuals versus HF patients. 5. Describe the synthesis and release of BNP noting proteolytic cleavage products. 6. State the current recommendations for BNP use. 7. Interpret BNP values in the context of heart failure. [1]: #corresp-1
Controlled Parturition in Cattle

Summary Parturition was artificially induced in 294 cows (Angus, Hereford, Holstein, Brown Swiss and their crosses) by treatment with dexamethasone or flumethasone. An additional 10 cows calved before administration of a corticoid treatment was performed. The 20 mg dosage of dexamethasone caused parturition within 72 hr. in 159 of 189 cows. All higher dosages of dexamethasone (30, 50 or 60 mg) and the 7.5 mg dosage of flumethasone caused parturition within 72 hr. in all animals treated. Placental retention occurred in 159 of the 294 treated cows and none of the 10 untreated cows. Intramuscular treatment of cows with a retained placenta with 4 million units penicillin and 5 g streptomycin resulted in good post-partum recovery and subsequent normal fertility. Mean services per conception was 1.23 for retained placenta animals and 1.35 for animals that did not retain the placenta. The calving interval was 365 days following the induced parturition. There was a significant correlation (r=.271, P < 0.01) of birth weight with day of pregnancy at parturition over all breeds. Within individual breeds, only the cross-bred females failed to show a similar correlation. The average increase in calf birth weight per day of gestation length ranged from 1.20 lb. (.545 kg) for Angus females to 0.28 lb. (.129 kg) for cross-bred females and averaged 0.94 lb./day, (.428 kg/ day) for all animals. These data were based on calving at days 267 to 285 of gestation. One may expect some reduction in birth weight but since good calf survival is difficult if parturition occurs more than 1 to 2 weeks early, this would mean that a reduction of 8.8
Aural Perception of Different Syntactic Structures and Lengths

Eleven sets of 16 sentences, previously rated as natural English statements, were presented to two groups of listeners. Each set of sentences differed in syntactic structure and contained four sentences of each of four lengths : 8, 10, 12, and 14 words. The listeners heard the sentences either under a fixed condition of filtering or without filtering; their task was to write as much of each sentence as possible immediately after it was presented. The sentences were scored for the number of words correctly reproduced, and differences in aural perception among the various sentence types and lengths were tested on the basis of the derived intelligibility scores. The results of the study indicated that (1) perception of the sentences was affected by their syntactic structure and varied, depending upon the grammatical complexity of the statements as specified by a generative-transformational grammar ; (2) the sentences of 12 words were more easily perceived than were the sentences of the other lengths ; (3) no...