cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Putting Physics First: Three Case Studies of High School Science Department and Course Sequence Reorganization

This article examines the process of shifting to a “Physics First” sequence in science course offerings in three school districts in the United States. This curricular sequence reverses the more common U.S. high school sequence of biology/chemistry/physics, and has gained substantial support in the physics education community over the past few decades. Using qualitative case study methodology, the present study focuses on the lessons learned in three school districts that successfully rearranged their course offerings and made physics a ninth-grade subject for all of its students. Findings show that in all districts, the shift was undertaken to support student learning in mathematics and in future science learning. In every case, the coordination between ninth grade physics and ninth-grade algebra was much more difficult than expected. Also, during most transitions, the number of students taking biology dropped precipitously for a period of 1–2 years. Though there is shared agreement about Physics First as the realignment of the high school curricular sequence, there is less consensus about how such programs ought to be aligned with mathematics curricula. The article concludes with suggestions for sources of evidence in conducting effectiveness studies on the Physics First approach.
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objective To observe the clinical effects and complications of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods From November 2006 to November 2008,109 consecutive patients with GERD were treated by LNF. The clinical records of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results All patients,except one case converted to laparotomy because of bleeding from short gastric vessel. The mean operation time was 68.1 min (30-245 min);mean intraoperative blood loss was 30.0 mL (5-450 mL);and mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.2 d (2-8 d).Postoperatively,102 patients were followed-up for 3 to 27 months,and among them,99 patients (97.1%) had complete resolution of their digestive symptoms such as regurgitation and heartburn,2 patients (2.0%) had symptoms markedly relieved,and 1 patient (0.9%) had not improved. Postoperative complications included severe dysphagia in 2 cases,bloating in 1 case,diarrhea in 2 cases and postoperative hiatal hernia in 1 case. Conclusions Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a minimally-invasive,safe and effective procedure in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The Forecast Model of College Students' Sports Results

By analysing the students' life-index of their weight, height and waist measurement, this essay sets up a linear model for forecasting 50 meters and 800 meters sports achievements using main component regression analysis. In this way, it provides help for the students to improve their sports results when they do daily exercise on purpose.
Expression of the 32-Kd polypeptide of the Rh antigen

To develop procedures for the expression of Rh antigen-containing proteins, we prepared a previously cloned Rh cDNA by isolation from a human bone marrow library using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cDNA that encodes either Rh(E) or (e) antigens was inserted into a vector (pGEM7ZRh) and transcription/translation performed in a reticulocyte lysate system. This produced a major (32 Kd) and minor (30 Kd) protein band in the region of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels where Rh proteins are known to migrate. These same two proteins were immunoprecipitated by a rabbit anti-Rh antibody preparation that reacts with all Rh proteins, confirming that Rh protein was expressed in this cell-free system. Transient expression of Rh protein in COS-1 cells was also accomplished using a transfection vector (pBC12BIPLRh) containing inserted Rh cDNA. COS-1 cells transfected with this vector also produced a 32-Kd protein band that formed an immune complex with rabbit anti-Rh, while cells transfected with the same vector minus the Rh cDNA insert did not yield any detectable Rh immune-complexed protein. This system should prove useful for studying the transport of Rh proteins within the cell and the expression of Rh antigenicity at the cell surface.
Note on Coussy’s Thermodynamical Definition of Fluid Pressure for Deformable Porous Media

In a lifetime of work, Dr. Olivier Coussy developed a complete theoretic framework for porous media that researchers in a broad range of fields including (but not limited to) concrete, hydrology, swelling clay, and $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ -induced swelling of coal have continued to use as a foundation. However, in some of these works where a framework is developed for a deformable porous media, a dissipative inequality is assumed that implicitly results in a thermodynamical form of liquid pressure that is inconsistent with the classical thermodynamical form of pressure found in thermodynamic textbooks for a single phase. In this note, we compare this definition of pressure with those developed in other mixture-theoretic frameworks and demonstrate this inconsistency by mathematically showing that the thermodynamic quantity is most closely related to the solid pressure and explain how this inconsistency came about.
Analysis of stabilizing value iteration for adaptive optimal control

Value iteration as an algorithm for ‘learning’ solutions to discrete-time optimal control problems is investigated in this paper. It is shown that if the iterations are initialized using a stabilizing initial guess, then the evolving control at each iteration will remain stabilizing. The novelty of this study is in providing rigorous theoretical analyses on a) continuity of the value function subject to approximation, b) stability of the system operated using any single/constant resulting control policy, c) stability of the system operated using evolving/time-varying control policy, d) convergence of the algorithm, and e) optimality of the limit function. Moreover, estimations of the region of attraction for the solution are provided so that if the initial state is within the region, the whole trajectory will remain inside it and hence, the tuned controller will remain valid for use.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer

With over a decade׳s worth of clinical experience to guide stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa), sufficient data exist for robust conclusions to be made regarding its efficacy and the toxicities associated with this treatment. We briefly review the fundamental radiobiological basis of SBRT for PCa and provide a comprehensive synthesis of the medical literature to date, focusing on clinical outcomes and toxicities. When possible, we draw comparisons to comparable data for conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. Finally, a brief overview of technical considerations is presented. Although randomized clinical trials comparing SBRT with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy are underway, the current body of evidence supports the efficacy and safety of SBRT for PCa.
Cognitive load and issue engagement in congressional discourse

Like all human actors, politicians possess limited cognitive capacity. In ordinary interactions, this limitation discourages political decision-makers from addressing high-dimensional policy problems unless incentivized to do so by exogenous focusing events. Public policy researchers have documented this pattern extensively, and have argued that cognitive constraints help explain the stickslip dynamics that characterize macro-level policymaking. However, data and measurement limitations have prevented these studies from examining individual-level information processing patterns.In this paper, I develop a text-based approach designed to measure diversity of attention at an individual level, which I apply to an original dataset of Congressional hearing transcripts surrounding the 20082009 Financial Crisis. I find that individual speakers engaged with a more diverse set of topics during the crisis than before its onset, and became more focused as the crisis subsided.
Prediction Algorithm for Surgical Intervention in Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy.

Background Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) results in reduced function of the affected arm with profound ramifications on quality of life. Advances in surgical technique have shown improvements in outcomes for appropriately selected patients. Patient selection, however, remains difficult. Objective To develop a decision algorithm that could be applied at the individual patient level, early in life, to reliably predict persistent NBPP that would benefit from surgery. Methods Retrospective review of NBPP patients was undertaken. Maternal and neonatal factors were entered into the C5.0 statistical package in R (The R Foundation). A 60/40 model was employed, whereby 60% of randomized data were used to train the decision tree, while the remaining 40% were used to test the decision tree. The outcome of interest for the decision tree was a severe lesion meeting requirements for surgical candidacy. Results A decision tree prediction algorithm was generated from the entered variables. Variables utilized in the final decision tree included presence of Horner's syndrome, presence of a pseudomeningocele, Narakas grade, clavicle fracture at birth, birth weight >9 lbs, and induction or augmentation of labor. Sensitivity of the decision tree was 0.71, specificity 0.96, positive predictive value 0.94, negative predictive value 0.79, and F1 score 0.81. Conclusion We developed a decision tree prediction algorithm that can be applied shortly after birth to determine surgical candidacy of patients with NBPP, the first of its kind utilizing only maternal and neonatal factors. This conservative decision tree can be used to offer early surgical intervention for appropriate candidates.
Less Lipid, More Commitment

Sexual differentiation of the malaria parasite is a pre-requisite for transmission from humans to the mosquito vector and has emerged as a target for intervention in eradication efforts. In this issue of Cell, a study from Marti, Clardy, and colleagues (Brancucci et al., 2017) describes a host-derived lipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) that regulates sexual commitment.
U.S. periodical reporting on Mexico, 1960-1985

En este trabajo se hace la revision de dieciseis rotativos de Estados Unidos durante el periodo 1960-1985 con el fin de probar dos hipotesis: 1. Que el interes periodistico de Mexico se manifiesta en una mucho mayor frecuencia en la aparicion de articulos hacia finales de los anos setenta y de nuevo en los inicios de los ochenta. Y 2. que el enfasis de los articulos comprendidos en este lapso recaeria sobre los intereses economicos y geopoliticos que Estados Unidos tenia en Mexico. Los periodicos revisados se agruparon en "semanarios de noticias", "periodicos de interes general" y "periodicos sobre politica internacional"; mientras que la informacion sobre la frecuencia de aparicion de los articulos se compilo de acuerdo al tema y zonas geograficas agrupada en quinquenios. La primera hipotesis se rechazo para el periodo 1976-80, no asi para el 1981-85. La segunda hipotesis se acepto para ambos periodos. ABSTRACT This paper examines sixteen U.S. periodicals during the period 1960-85 in order to test two hypotheses:-That Mexico's increased newsworthiness would manifest itself in a greatly expanded frequency of articles in the latter part of the 1970s and again in the early 1980s-That the major emphasis of the articles throughout the period would be on U.S. economic and geopolitical interest in Mexico. The periodicals examined were grouped according to "news weeklies," "general interest periodicals," "business periodicals," and "international relations periodicals," while the data on frequency of articles were compiled according to subject and geographical areas and presented in five-year time periods. The first hypotheses was rejected for the period 1976-80 but accepted for 1981-85. The second hypothesis was accepted for both periods.
PTCR Effect in BaTiO3: Structural Aspects and Grain Boundary Potentials

Extensive microstructural and structure-property studies on donor doped barium titanate have revealed that the PTCR phenomenon is strongly controlled by the density, number of grain boundaries available to conduction, domain orientation and grain boundary domain coherence. Structural heterogeneities lead to a wide range of grain boundary structures, potential barriers and, therefore, depletion widths. Conduction thus occurs primarily by percolation of electrons through favorably aligned domain pathways and low potential barrier grain boundaries. At the Curie point, the increase in the potential barriers along these pathways is likely to dominate the PTCR effect. To improve theoretical understanding a model needs to take heed of local values of parameters and also incorporate the fact that the bulk of the current flow is only through a certain percentage of grain boundaries. The specific structural factors that have led to an improved qualitative understanding of overall PTCR phenomenon are discussed.
Racism and perinatal addiction.

Recent publicity and policy have targeted drug use by non-white women, particularly during pregnancy and parenthood. This emphasis on women of color is discordant with the population demographics of substance use and addiction, although morbidity and mortality related to drugs is often greater among nonwhites. Women with addictive disorders that are exacerbated by their social environments are blamed for their behavior. Meanwhile, drug treatment and primary health care services for these women are woefully inadequate. Among newborns testing positive for cocaine, those with black mothers are more likely to be discharged to non-maternal care, which may perpetuate family disruption. There are multiple reasons for true and perceived ethnic differences in substance use, addiction, and related social and medical harm. Such harm may be worsened by the racism inherent in U.S. drug policy. The scapegoating of non-white drug-using women and the paucity of treatment for them may be related to political and economic imperatives of society in maintaining and pacifying exploited groups.
Characterization of the relationship between bicuspid aortic valve morphology and hemodynamics

Background Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect affecting 1-2% of the US population. BAV has been associated with progressive secondary pathologies, such as aortic valve calcification, stenosis, regurgitation, aortic root dilatation, and/or aortic aneurysm. However, not all patients exhibit symptoms or develop aortopathy and the exact link between BAV morphology and disease progression is not fully understood. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been previously used to characterize BAV hemodynamics. However, studies have been hampered by the need for lengthy manual data analysis thereby limiting reproducibility and/or integration into a clinically feasible workflow.
Sleep and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A growing number of studies have addressed the prevalence of sleep problems among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As the major symptoms of ADHD (i.e., inattention, impulsiveness, and restlessness) are also characteristic of sleep deprivation, the role of sleep in ADHD is the focus of many investigations. Parental reports of sleep disturbances are common in children with ADHD (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), and as such they were so widely presumed to be an intrinsic part of the clinical phenotype of ADHD that sleep problems were included as one of the previous Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition (DSM-III) diagnostic criteria for ADHD (9). However, none of the more recent diagnostic manuals (10,11) have included sleep disturbance as a symptomatic criterion for ADHD. Therefore, because parental perception of sleep disturbance helped to define ADHD previously, it is not surprising that studies using earlier diagnostic criteria found a significant association between ADHD and sleep problems.
South American Ungulate Evolution and Extinction

Because of its variety, good fossil record, and history of biogeographic isolation, South America’s indigenous land-mammal fauna has figured prominently in the formation of our current concept of macroevolutionary process and pace (e.g., Simpson, 1953, 1965). Throughout the Tertiary, this autochthonous fauna was dominated by distinctive and or-dinally endemic ungulate groups, not all of which were hooved and all of which are now wholly extinct. Together with the South American edentates (order Xenarthra) and marsupials, these ungulates comprise the continent’s “ancient immigrant” faunal stratum (Simpson, 1965). General interest in South American ungulate groups stems from the facts that they include forms that converged remarkably on their unrelated ecological vicars in Holarctic faunas, that they underwent adaptive radiations correlated with climatic change, and that the introduction by immigration of adaptively similar mammals in the Oligocene and at the end of the Tertiary provides a testing ground for hypotheses regarding competition among herbivores, food as a diversity-limiting resource, predator-prey coevolu-tion, and so forth.
Vertically aligned MoS2 on Ti3C2 (MXene) as an improved HER catalyst

We have demonstrated the microwave-assisted growth of vertically aligned interlayer expanded MoS2 on conductive two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets (MoS2⊥Ti3C2) and investigated the produced material as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). MoS2⊥Ti3C2 offers a unique inorganic hybrid structure that allows increased exposure of catalytically active edge sites of MoS2, compared to pure MoS2 with a platelet-like morphology. The vertically aligned few-layer MoS2 sheets have an expanded interlayer spacing of 9.4 A. The MoS2⊥Ti3C2 catalyst exhibited a low onset potential (−95 mV vs. RHE) for the HER and a low Tafel slope (∼40 mV dec−1). This catalyst maintained a steady catalytic activity for the HER for over 20 hours.
Reducing the Incidence of Graft Contamination during Allogeneic Marrow Harvest

Objectives Microbial contamination of hematopoietic stem cell products is a rare but potentially fatal complication of stem cell transplantation. We hereby describe the effort our harvest team implemented to decrease contamination rates during bone marrow harvest process. Method We retrospectively analyzed 166 bone marrow harvests that took place at our center between January 2011 and August 2018 for incidence of graft contamination. Starting in September 13, 2016, we used antimicrobial drape (Ioban™) as part of harvest site preparation. The following steps were followed: • Scrub with DuraPrep™ • Square off the area with towels • Drape the area with Ioban™ • Then use the universal draping Results Prior to adding the antimicrobial surgical drape (Ioban™), a total of 84 patient underwent bone marrow harvest of whom 8 had positive culture for contaminates (9.5%). Skin contaminants were most prominent, including Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium acne, Staphylococcus saccharolyticus and Staphylococcus caprae. Since implementing the use of the antimicrobial surgical drape between 9/13/16 and 8/6/18 (n=82) there has been only one incident of contamination (1%). Conclusion Use of an antimicrobial surgical drape during bone marrow harvest reduces the risk of graft contamination from skin flora.
Yeast centrosome components form a noncanonical LINC complex at the nuclear envelope insertion site

Bipolar spindle formation in yeast requires insertion of centrosomes (known as spindle pole bodies [SPBs]) into fenestrated regions of the nuclear envelope (NE). Using structured illumination microscopy and bimolecular fluorescence complementation, we map protein distribution at SPB fenestrae and interrogate protein-protein interactions with high spatial resolution. We find that the Sad1-UNC-84 (SUN) protein Mps3 forms a ring-like structure around the SPB, similar to toroids seen for components of the SPB insertion network (SPIN). Mps3 and the SPIN component Mps2 (a Klarsicht-ANC-1-Syne-1 domain [KASH]-like protein) form a novel noncanonical linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex that is connected in both luminal and extraluminal domains at the site of SPB insertion. The LINC complex also controls the distribution of a soluble SPIN component Bbp1. Taken together, our work shows that Mps3 is a fifth SPIN component and suggests both direct and indirect roles for the LINC complex in NE remodeling.
Update on Medications for the Treatment of Anxiety

It is interesting to note that antidepressants are widely represented in the medications used to treat the anxiety disorders. This has led to speculation about the role of depression, particularly subclinical forms being manifested as anxiety disorders. The specificity of diagnostic categories suggests that, at least for the moment, medications have a very specific and circumscribed role in the treatment of anxiety. This suggests that the difficulties of many anxious patients are not effectively treated with medication or that medication has only a short-term role at best. The next column will review health problems associated with psychotropic treatments for anxiety and discuss strategies for creating a "wedge," ie, introducing adjunct learning experiences along the anxiety gradient in conjunction with pharmacotherapy.
Memory Distance for Interfacial Chemical Bond-Induced Friction at the Nanoscale.

Macroscale rate and state friction (RSF) laws include a memory distance, Dc, which is considered to be the distance required for a population of frictional contacts to renew itself via slip, counte...
Collagenase Induced Pontine Hemorrhage in Rats

Pontine hemorrhage is a devastating subtype of stroke with high rates of morbidity and mortality and currently has no treatment. Animal models are useful in elucidating the pathophysiological changes which occur in pontine hemorrhage and to evaluate potential therapeutic interventions. This chapter describes the bacterial collagenase injection in rats which creates a reproducible hematoma in the brain stem of rats. Detailed methods, an overview of the outcomes, and the limitations and alternatives is presented.
Political Identity and the Consumer Journey: A Research Review

Abstract The importance of consumers’ political identity in the consumer journey has grown in recent years. This article describes and discusses four key issues relevant to consumers and political identity: (1) the definition and conceptual structure of political identity as a construct; (2) a practical guide to measure political identity; (3) the role of political identity in consumer decisions; and (4) an examination of ways in which political identity can affect the consumer journey in retailing. Overall, the insights from this article can help retailers better utilize consumers’ political identity for their strategy and tactical implementation process.
The Battle Is on: New Beta-Lactams for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Organisms

Resistant gram-negative infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat, prompting increased focus on drug development. This review will focus primarily on the new beta-lactam agents developed in the past 5 years that target multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative organisms, including those producing carbapenemases. Four new agents including ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI), meropenem-vaborbactam (MER-VAB), imipenem-relebactam (IMI-REL), and cefiderocol have recently been approved for the treatment of resistant gram-negative infections. CAZ-AVI remains an option for blaOXA-48–producing isolates and potentially MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but the concern for resistance arises when using the agent for KPC-producing Enterobacteriales. MER-VAB appears to be more stable than CAZ-AVI in the treatment of KPC-producing Enterobacteriales but less is known about its propensity for the development of resistance and the drug does not reliably expand the coverage of meropenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. IMI-REL expands the spectrum of imipenem-cilastatin to include KPC-producing Enterobacteriales as well as MDR P. aeruginosa but much less is known about its real-world clinical utility. Cefiderocol is the only of the four new agents with efficacy against metallo-beta-lactamases and resistant Acinetobacter species, but comparator studies using best available therapy for carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections show higher mortality rates with the new drug, making its role in clinical therapy still to be determined. The new beta-lactams differ in their mechanisms of combatting resistance and thus have unique roles in therapy. Additional evidence is needed regarding the potential for development of resistance in the newer combination agents, as well as for the role of cefiderocol in carbapenem-resistant gram-negative infections.
The Meaning of “Racism”:

This article explores the meanings of racism in the sociology of race/ethnicity and provides a descriptive framework for comparing theories of racism. The authors argue that sociologists use racism...
Excess histone H3 is a competitive Chk1 inhibitor that controls cell-cycle remodeling in the early Drosophila embryo.

Summary The DNA damage checkpoint is crucial to protect genome integrity. 1 , 2 However, the early embryos of many metazoans sacrifice this safeguard to allow for rapid cleavage divisions that are required for speedy development. At the mid-blastula transition (MBT), embryos switch from rapid cleavage divisions to slower, patterned divisions with the addition of gap phases and acquisition of DNA damage checkpoints. The timing of the MBT is dependent on the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N/C ratio) 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 and the activation of the checkpoint kinase, Chk1. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 How Chk1 activity is coupled to the N/C ratio has remained poorly understood. Here, we show that dynamic changes in histone H3 availability in response to the increasing N/C ratio control Chk1 activity and thus time the MBT in the Drosophila embryo. We show that excess H3 in the early cycles interferes with cell-cycle slowing independent of chromatin incorporation. We find that the N-terminal tail of H3 acts as a competitive inhibitor of Chk1 in vitro and reduces Chk1 activity in vivo. Using a H3-tail mutant that has reduced Chk1 inhibitor activity, we show that the amount of available Chk1 sites in the H3 pool controls the dynamics of cell-cycle progression. Mathematical modeling quantitatively supports a mechanism where titration of H3 during early cleavage cycles regulates Chk1-dependent cell-cycle slowing. This study defines Chk1 regulation by H3 as a key mechanism that coordinates cell-cycle remodeling with developmental progression.
Effects of a remote, YouTube-delivered exercise intervention on young adults' physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Public health guidelines have called for innovative and flexible physical activity (PA) intervention strategies to promote PA and health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study's purpose was to examine the effects of a home-based, YouTube-delivered PA intervention grounded in self-determination theory on young adults' free-living PA, sedentary behavior, and sleep quality (NCT04499547). METHODS: Sixty-four young adults (48 females; age: 22.8 ± 3.4 years, mean ± standard deviation; body mass indexâ¯=â¯23.1 ± 2.6 kg/m2) were randomized (1:1) into the intervention group, which received weekly aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA videos, or control group, which received weekly general health education videos, for 12 weeks. Our primary outcome was free-living moderate-to-vigorous PA and our secondary outcomes were sedentary behavior, light PA, and sleep quality (measured using ActiGraph accelerometers) along with muscle-strengthening PA frequency, self-determination theory-related motivation (non-regulation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation, and intrinsic regulation), and perceived PA barriers (assessed using validated questionnaires). Repeated measures ANOVAs examined between-group differences at an adjusted significance level of 0.004 and effect sizes as partial eta-squared (I·p2). RESULTS: We observed statistically significant interaction effects for moderate-to-vigorous PA, sleep efficiency, muscle-strengthening PA frequency, non-regulation, integrated regulation, intrinsic regulation, and perceived PA barriers (F(1, 62)â¯=â¯10.75-77.67, p < 0.001-0.002, I·p2â¯=â¯0.15-0.56) with all outcomes favoring the intervention group. We observed no statistically significant differences in either group for sedentary behavior, light PA, sleep duration, or external, introjected, and identified regulations after 12 weeks (F(1, 62)â¯=â¯1.11-3.64, pâ¯=â¯0.06-0.61). CONCLUSION: With national COVID-19 restrictions still in place and uncertainty regarding post-pandemic PA environments and behaviors, a remote, YouTube-delivered PA intervention may help foster clinically meaningful improvements in young adults' free-living moderate-to-vigorous PA, muscle-strengthening PA frequency, sleep efficiency, PA-related intrinsic motivation, and perceived PA barriers.
Scheduled Sleep Periods as an Adjuvant Treatment for Narcolepsy

Publisher Summary Scheduled sleep periods are indicated for patients with narcolepsy who are unable to remain awake during the day. Scheduled sleep periods (naps) and good sleep hygiene have traditionally been recommended for management of excessive daytime sleepiness in narcoleptic patients. However, due to their limited efficacy, naps and good sleep hygiene are no longer recommended as the sole treatments for narcolepsy. The treatment is contraindicated in narcoleptic patients with recent increases in excessive daytime sleepiness. Since obstructive sleep apnea is common in patients with narcolepsy, all patients who report an increase in excessive daytime sleepiness need to be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea. This intervention is suitable for narcoleptic patients who prefer not to take stimulant medications, and/or those patients whose medications do not completely relieve their excessive daytime sleepiness.
A Clustering Technique for Object Oriented Databases

This paper proposed a new clustering technique for an object-oriented database mangement system. The technique is dynamic and employs a reduced set of statistics to minimize statistics collection overhead. Clustering is done automatically by using several evaluation criteria and requires less knowledge from the user by using fewer user's hints than other techniques. The technique also allows the user to tune the clustering process through a reduced set of parameters. Simulation experiments based on the HyperModel benchmark showed that the proposed clustering technique outperformed the two existing techniques, ORION and CACTIS.
Persistent tracking and identification of regime‐switching systems with structural uncertainties: unmodeled dynamics, observation bias, and nonlinear model mismatch

SUMMARY This work focuses on tracking and system identification of systems with regime-switching parameters, which are modeled by a Markov process. It introduces a framework for persistent identification problems that encompass many typical system uncertainties, including parameter switching, stochastic observation disturbances, deterministic unmodeled dynamics, sensor observation bias, and nonlinear model mismatch. In accordance with the ‘frequency’ of the parameter switching process, we divide the problems into two classes. For fast-switching systems, the switching parameters are stochastic processes modeled by irreducible and aperiodic Markov chains. Because accurately tracking real-time parameters in such systems is not possible because of the uncertainty principles, the effect of parameter switching is evaluated on their average by the stationary distribution of the Markovian chain and estimated by the least squares algorithms. We derive upper and lower bounds on identification errors, which characterize how identification accuracy depends on the earlier uncertainty terms. When the system parameters switch their values infrequently in a probabilistic sense, their values can be tracked based on input/output observations. Stochastic approximation algorithms with adaptive step sizes are used for such systems. Simulation studies are carried out to demonstrate that slowly varying parameters could be tracked with reasonable accuracy.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Institutions Evolve: THE EVOLUTION OF SKILL FORMATION IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES

This chapter extends the analysis and the line of argumentation developed for Germany and Britain to two further cases, Japan and the United States. Japan provides an important counterpoint to Germany, for there, too, firm-based training rests on institutional arrangements that ameliorate costly competition among firms and mitigate the collective action problems typically associated with private-sector training. Both German and Japanese employers overcame their collective action problems in the area of training, but they did so in radically different ways: in Germany through the construction of a national system that generates a plentiful supply of workers with portable skills, and in Japan, through plant-based training in the context of stronger internal labor markets. Applying the terms introduced in Chapter 1, we note a broad difference between skill formation regimes based on “collectivism” in the German case and “segmentalism” or “autarky” in the Japanese case. The other case considered in this chapter, the United States, provides a useful counterpoint to that of the British. In both countries, apprenticeship was a source of conflict between employers and craft unions, and therefore, strongly contested across the class divide. As in Britain, so too in the United States only in rare cases (the construction industry is an example) could an accommodation be reached that stabilized coordination across firms and between organized labor and employers in the area of apprentice training. The U.S. case also shares some similarities with Japan, however.
Electromigration-induced failure analysis of VLSI interconnection components

An analysis of electromigration-induced failure effects in various VLSI interconnection components is conducted using the series model of the failure mechanism. The components include a straight segment, a bend, a step, a via, a multisection interconnection and a power/ground bus. By considering the effects of the average flux density and the bamboo phenomenon on the grain boundary migration, each interconnection component is reduced into a series-parallel combination of straight segments. For each of the above-mentioned components, the dependence of the median-time-to-failure and the lognormal standard deviation of the corresponding failure distribution on the various component parameters is investigated. Results can be used for minimizing the interconnection failure due to electromigration. >
Experiments in the combustibility of the human body.

This paper provides possible explanations for two previously misunderstood circumstances surrounding cases of socalled “spontaneous human combustion”—the nearly complete cremation of human bone, and the failure of such fires to spread to nearby combustibles. Two experiments were conducted. The first involved the cremation of “healthy” and “osteoporotic” human bone and observing the resulting fragmentation and color change. Osteoporotic elements consistently displayed more discoloration and a greater degree of fragmentation than healthy ones. The second experiment involved the combustion of a sample of human tissue and observation of the flame height and burning area in order to calculate the effective heat of combustion. The resulting heat was 17kJ/g indicating a fire that is unlikely to spread. These results, which are among the first obtained for human samples, lend further support and credence to previous scientific explanations for “spontaneous human combustion.”
Fluctuation-induced forces between manifolds immersed in correlated fluids

We develop a general field-theoretical approach for computing fluctuation-induced forces between manifolds immersed in a correlated fluid. Both isotropic, e.g., a superfluid or critical binary mixture, and anisotropic, e.g., nematic or smectic liquid crystals, are considered. The effects of different types of boundary conditions are explored, and in particular the role of deformations from perfect geometries is studied. Specific results include the following: The Casimir force between a flat and a self-affinely rough surface acquires a correction term that decays with the average separation of the plates through an exponent related to the roughness of the boundary. Surface fluctuations in films of correlated fluids may be enhanced, or suppressed by such forces, depending on whether the boundaries are alike or different. We also compute the resulting two-body force between a line (directed polymer) and a surface, and the three-body interaction (repulsive) between three lines.
Using Bilinear Transformations to Estimate The Ratios of Accommodation and Vergence Responses of Binocular Vision

Abnormal binocular vision occurs in a broad range of disorders including strabismus, amblyopia, heterophorias, large fixation disparities, and anomalous refractive conditions. The examination and treatment of these problems are the major tasks in optometry clinics. However, the concepts and parameters used in clinic are not closely related to the parameters in the interactive model of the accommodative and vergence systems. In this paper we study the ratio accommodative response and vergence response of the system. We show that the ratio of accommodative and vergence responses is a classical Mobius transformation (bilinear transformation). We then determine the derivatives, composite structures, and fixed points of ratios. The results of this study will greatly improve our insight in the oculomotor system and its mechanisms related with different types of abnormal binocular vision.
Emergency Department Status Boards: A Case Study in Information Systems Transition

Patient status boards play an important role in coordinating and communicating about patient care in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Status boards are transitioning from dry-erase whiteboards to electronic systems. Although electronic systems may preserve some surface features of the manual artifacts, important affordances of the manual technology are not always maintained. We compared information on manual and electronic status boards in an ED. Photographs of the manual board and screen shots of the electronic system were obtained before and after a hospital transitioned between systems. Displayed information as well as detailed content regarding patient chief complaints, clinical plans, and dispositions were coded and analyzed to understand the type and function of information present, as well as the use of features such color. Results indicated that although categories of information found were similar, the frequency with which some types of information appeared on the two system displays was sub...
Surgery for cervical myelopathy in geriatric patients.

Objective The number of geriatric patients seeking surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy is steadily increasing. Although anecdotal experiences have been good, insufficient data exists in the spine literature concerning this particular group. We decided to review our experience to determine efficacy of surgical management and examine our morbidity with this select group. Methods We undertook a retrospective review of all surgical procedures for nontraumatic cervical myelopathy performed at Mt Sinai Medical Center and Jackson Memorial Medical Center between January 1 1987 and June 1 1992, in patients older than 70 years of age (33 men and 18 women). Results A total of 53 cervical surgical procedures were performed in 51 patients (nine expansile laminoplasties, 20 anterior cervical diskectomies and fusion and 24 decompressive posterior laminectomies). The average hospital stay was 7.7 +/- 3.4 days. Twenty-one (41%) patients required inpatient rehabilitation; the remaining 30 patients received outpatient rehabilitative therapy. The major morbidity rate was 3.9%, and the minor morbidity rate was 5.8%. Perioperative medical complications included cardiac arrhythmias, hypertensive episodes, atelectasis, confusion, urinary dysfunction and hyponatremia. All of these complications resolved except in one patient. The perioperative mortality rate was 2%. Office follow-up was performed for a mean of 11.1 +/- 2.5 months postoperatively. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative functional status was performed using Nurick's criteria as described in the literature. At follow-up, 60.8% of the patients had improvement in their myelopathic symptoms, especially in regard to gait; 33.3% were stabilized and 5.9% had worsened neurological function. Conclusion This study demonstrates that corrective surgical procedures for significant nontraumatic cervical myelopathy in the geriatric population may be performed safely, that is, with acceptable risk of morbidity and reasonable expectation for clinical improvement.
Dynamic refinement algorithms for spectral element methods

Abstract A numerical method is presented that combines high-order domain decomposition and adaptive mesh refinement. The spatial discretization is based on a nonconforming spectral element method. Meshes are generated by adaptive refinement of a quadtree using either local solution gradients or the local polynomial spectrum as a refinement criteria. The method is applied to solve scalar test problems and to simulate the flow in a lid-driven cavity at moderate Reynolds numbers.
Soil enzyme activities in two forage systems following application of different rates of swine lagoon effluent or ammonium nitrate

Abstract Land application of swine lagoon effluent (SLE) to forage production systems is widespread in the southeastern USA and often leads to change in soil properties. Although soil enzymes are crucial to the degradation of soil organic matter and cycling of nutrients, the impacts of SLE application on soil enzyme activities have not been well characterized. We assessed the activities of soil enzymes involved in soil C, N, and P cycling in forage systems 3 years after the termination of three consecutive years of fertilization. Bermudagrass and tall fescue were supplied with SLE or ammonium nitrate (AN) at the rates of 0, 200, 400, and 600 kg plant available N (PAN) ha−1 year−1. The activities of oxidative enzymes (i.e., peroxidase and phenol oxidase) differed between soils amended with SLE versus AN. In soils amended with AN at 600 kg PAN ha−1 year−1, the activities of phenol oxidase and peroxidase were lower than or similar to those in the unfertilized control. In contrast, those activities were stimulated by the application of SLE at the rate of 600 kg PAN ha−1 year−1 except for phenol oxidase in the bermudagrass system. The activities of cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase, cellulase, β-glucosaminidase, protease, and acid phosphatase, however, were independent of the source, but varied with the rate of fertilization. In general, the activities of cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase, cellulase, β-glucosaminidase, protease, and acid phosphatase in soils with N fertilization at 200 or 400 kg PAN ha−1 year−1 were higher than those in the unfertilized control. But the activities of some hydrolytic enzymes in soils fertilized with 600 kg PAN ha−1 year−1 were similar to or lower than those in the unfertilized control. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) analysis integrated the activities of eight soil enzymes and showed significant differences between fertilized soils and the unfertilized control and between soils amended with SLE versus AN. These differences in soil integrated enzyme activity were correlated with soil pH (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.76, P
Designing systems that support learning and use : a customer-centered approach

Abstract As the importance of customer satisfaction has grown, a corresponding emphasis on customer-centered design and end-user computing has emerged. However, little research has attempted to show the application of user-centered design for information-based products, specifically with how customers use information to learn about their software systems and how information assists users when problems arise. This article reports the results of a 2-year study of a cross-functional design team within a major software company; they were monitored while they used a contextual design process to gather information about users. The paper discusses the contextual design methodology, outlines the development of the cross-functional team and research focus, discusses the collection and interpretation of customer data, and shows how the development group translated data into design ideas and prototyped and tested those ideas. Constraints affecting the implementation of design ideas are discussed, with implications explored. This article provides an interpretive case study that demonstrates the contextual design methodology as it applies to the design of information. Additionally, it provides insights into customer use of information and the application of the methodology to the design of information systems, computer applications, and their documentation.
Ecology of low-input, no-tillage agroecosystems

Abstract Low-input, no-tillage agroecosystems are a category of low-input, sustainable agroecosystems. No-tillage in combination with lower inputs generate ecological interactions similar to those occurring in natural terrestrial ecosystems. Primary production, predation, consumption, decomposition and nutrient cycling of low-input, no-tillage systems mimic natural system behavior to a greater extent than conventionally tilled or plowed systems. The similarity of low-input, no-tillage systems to natural systems has a number of positive agronomic effects. Nutrients cycle more conservatively, decomposition of plant residues is slower, thus conserving soil moisture, and biological control activity, especially arthropod predation and weed consumption, is higher than in conventional systems. In this paper, we defend and provide experimental evidence for our contention that the enhancement of soil biota and activity under low-input, no-tillage conditions promotes interactions beneficial to agricultural production at several ecological levels.
Dose‐Response Studies with Thyrotropin‐Releasing Hormone: Evidence for Differential Pituitary Responses in Men with Major Depression, Alcoholism, or No Psychopathology

A reduced thyrotropin (TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) has been reported in both alcoholic and depressed men. To discern whether the pathophysiological basis of a reduced TSH response is similar in these two disorders, the present study compares the dose-response patterns of TSH and prolactin (PRL) to TRH in depressed, alcoholic, and control men. Four doses of TRH (25, 100, 500, and 800 micrograms) were given at several day intervals to 6 men with major depression, 8 men with alcohol dependence, and 7 control men. Examination of the pattern of TRH-induced TSH and PRL response revealed differences for each paired group comparison: depressed versus control, depressed versus alcoholic, and alcoholic versus control. Compared with controls, depressed men had low TSH and low PRL responses to TRH, whereas alcoholic men had low TSH responses and normal PRL responses. Levels of neither thyroid hormones, cortisol, or sex steroids, nor age or body size, explained these differences. These findings suggest that the pathophysiological basis of a reduced TSH response to TRH is different in alcoholism, compared with depression.