cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subglottic pressure and the control of phonation by the echolocating bat,Eptesicus

1. The respiratory dynamics of phonation, particularly the relationship between subglottic pressure and the sound pressure level (SPL), frequency and duration of vocalizations by nine bats (Eptesicus fuscus) is described. 2. Subglottic pressure rises to about 30 or 40 cm H2O immediately prior to emission of a single FM pulse or group of pulses, respectively, and drops 5 to 20 cm H2O during the course of each pulse (Fig. 2). 3. The maximum SPL of the echolocative pulse is positively correlated with the magnitude of the subglottic pressure at the onset of phonation in eight bats. The unusually high subglottic pressure in bats is an adaptation for the production of high intensity orientation pulses, thus increasing the range of echolocation. 4. The maximum SPL was proportional to the subglottic pressure at the pulse onset raised to a power which ranged from a mean of 0.4 to 1.36 for individualEptesicus (Fig. 3 and Table 1). The approximately linear relationship between sound pressure level and onset subglottic pressure in several bats suggests the vocal tract has a minimal effect on pulse intensity. 5. Within a given vocalization, upward sweeping FM is usually associated with either constant or increasing subglottic pressure (Figs. 4 and 5), but the absolute value of the subglottic pressure at pulse onset is correlated with the initial frequency of vocalization in only four of these bats (Table 2). 6. Subglottic pressure drops most rapidly during short pulses, but during long vocalizations (exceeding 20 ms) it attains a minimum rate of decline of about 0.2 cm H2O/ms (Fig. 6 and Table 2), which may be determined by the maximum glottal resistance at which phonation can occur. 7. The relatively non-compliant lung ofEptesicus (mean static compliance = 0.021 ±0.002 ml/cm H2O) may be an adaptation for the production of the unusually high subglottic pressures needed to produce high intensity echolocative pulses.
Exploring Librarian Roles in Support of One Health

The growing One Health movement recognizes connections among human, animal, and ecosystem health and encourages collaboration among these disciplines. Fostering a One Health perspective in students and faculty is a strategic initiative of the Medical Sciences Library at Texas A&M University, which provides human and animal medicine, public health, agriculture, and life sciences programs. Librarians implemented a four-pronged approach to pilot One Health strategies among user communities—including developing curriculum modules, redesigning library learning spaces, and developing new research services. Aggregate data and participant comments from these activities support the value and feasibility of librarian engagement in One Health initiatives.
Utilization of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in a Medical-Surgical ICU

Study objective To assess the utilization of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in a medical-surgical ICU. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting A closed (mandatory critical care consult) medical-surgical ICU of a large community teaching hospital. Interventions The medical records of consecutive medical-surgical ICU admissions were evaluated by a single investigator during a 3-month period. Risk factors for VTE and the type and timing of VTE prophylaxis were recorded. Measurements and results Of 308 admissions evaluated, 209 were included in the study. VTE prophylaxis was administered within the first 24 h of ICU admission to 179 of the 209 study patients or 86%. Fifty-three percent (n=111) were surgical patients and 47% (n=98) were medical patients. The study patients had an average of 4.4 risk factors for VTE. Thirty study patients (14%) did not receive VTE prophylaxis. Conclusion Eighty-six percent of the medical-surgical patients included in this study received VTE prophylaxis. The utilization of VTE prophylaxis described in this study is higher compared to previously published data. The nature of physician coverage in our medical-surgical ICU (closed unit), consistent practice patterns of a designated ICU staff, and a continuing medical education program involving VTE prophylaxis are the factors believed to be responsible for these results.
Some Results of an Archaeomagnetic Study on the Secular Variation in the Southwest of North America

Some preliminary data on secular variations of the geomagnetic field are given for the time 600 to 1500 A. D. as determined by archaeomagnetic methods. The inclination of the field has varied from a low of approximately 40 degrees to a maximum of some 60 degrees. Values of declination vary approximately from 10 degrees east of true north to 15 degrees west.
Carbon Nanotube IR Photothermovoltaic Devices: Power, Fill Factor, and Transient Response

The power output, fill factor (FF), and transient photoconduction characteristics of infrared photothermovoltaic devices comprising mainly semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are studied as a function of incident optical power and temperature. Explicit analytical expressions for the electrical power and FF are derived and verified experimentally. An improvement in the figure of merit is found to counterbalance the effect of FF reduction on the output power under high illumination fluxes. The transient response is shown to be limited by the RC parameter and not by nanotube-associated heat transport processes.
Localization and morphology of cat extraocular muscle afferent neurones identified by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

Afferent neurones that provide proprioceptive innervation of extraocular muscles of the cat have been identified by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Discrete injections of HRP into the medial rectus, lateral rectus, or retractor bulbi muscles labeled pseudounipolar neurones that were localized exclusively to the ipsilateral semilunar ganglion. The distribution of labeled neurones within the ganglion was consistent with its somatotopic organization with the majority found within the ophthalmic subdivision. Cell counts indicating approximately 90 labeled neurones per horizontal rectus muscle correlated well with earlier quantitative observations regarding the percentage of afferent fibers in oculomotor nerves and the number of proprioceptive terminals in the extraocular muscles. Neither the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus nor the contralateral semilunar ganglion contained labeled neurones following injections of HRP into extraocular muscles. Consistent with other studies of spinal and cranial ganglia the contingent of pseudounipolar neurones present in the cat semilunar ganglion included both light and dark cell types. Light and electron microscope analysis of HRP-labeled neurones in combination with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry revealed that only one of the two neuronal types, the light cell, subserves extraocular muscle proprioception. Our data support the hypothesis that ganglion neurone type and, more specifically, soma diameter, are important determinants of functional status.
Inhalation challenge testing of latex-sensitive health care workers and the effectiveness of laminar flow HEPA–filtered helmets in reducing rhinoconjunctival and asthmatic reactions

Abstract Background: There are few data relating latex aeroallergen concentrations to biologic responses in latex-sensitized persons. Objectives: We sought to investigate acceptable latex aeroallergen concentrations below which latex-sensitive health care workers do not experience symptoms and to study the effect of high-efficiency particle arrest (HEPA)–filtered laminar flow helmets in preventing latex-induced symptoms. Methods: Under challenge chamber conditions, latex-sensitive health care workers underwent 7 sequential inhalation challenge tests by donning and discarding either vinyl gloves (challenge 1), low latex–allergen powder-free gloves (challenge 2), or high latex–allergen powdered gloves (challenges 3 to 7) for up to 1 hour. Volunteers wore a laminar flow helmet during all challenges; HEPA filters in the helmet were in place only during challenges 3 and 4. Flow-volume loops, symptom scores, and latex aeroallergen concentrations were measured before and during each test. Results: At 60 minutes, latex aeroallergen concentrations during challenges 3 to 7 (mean, 7600 ng/m 3 ; range, 93 to 54,000 ng/m 3 ) were significantly higher than during challenges 1 or 2 (mean, 65 ng/m 3 ; range, nondetectable to 100 ng/m 3 ) ( P 1 (–16% and –11%, respectively) were significantly greater compared with those measured during challenges 3 and 4 (–3% and –1%, respectively) ( P = .03). Mean maximum change from baseline symptom scores during challenges 5 and 6 was significantly higher than that during challenges 3 and 4 ( P = .006). During challenges with high latex–allergen gloves, 4 volunteers had reproducible FEV 1 falls of 20% or greater at cumulative inhaled latex aeroallergen doses ranging from less than 100 ng to 1500 ng. Conclusion: The laminar flow helmets were effective in reducing latex-induced symptoms. Only 1 volunteer exhibited a fall in FEV 1 of 20% or greater after a cumulative inhaled latex aeroallergen dose of less than 100 ng, and no volunteer showed a decline in FEV 1 after exposure to powder-free low allergen gloves. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;102:998-1004.)
Non-epithelial ovarian tumours: a review of selected patterns that mimic epithelial tumours and other high-grade malignancies

Abstract Non-epithelial ovarian tumours exhibit a diverse array of growth patterns that can mimic epithelial ovarian cancers or other high-grade malignancies. This review highlights selected morphologic features that may assist in the differential diagnosis, as well as recent advances in immunohistochemistry. Steroidogenic factor-1 is a novel marker for sex cord-stromal differentiation and is useful in the diagnosis of granulosa cell tumour. SALL4 is a novel marker of primitive germ cell tumours and is useful in the diagnosis of yolk sac tumour. Distinction of primary versus metastatic origin of carcinoid tumour is important and gross and microscopic features are more accurate to this end than immunohistochemistry, except for the value of TTF-1 in pulmonary or cervical neuroendocrine tumours. Finally, unusual presentations of struma ovarii are also discussed, including proliferative struma, extra-ovarian struma, and carcinoma arising within struma ovarii.
Modeling Pilot Control Behavior with Sudden Changes in Vehicle Dynamics

A pursuit tracking model of the human pilot adapting to sudden changes in vehicle dynamics is developed and exercised. The current model is based upon a simplified representation of the human pilot in multi-axis tasks previously reported in the literature. A key feature of the adaptive model is the simplicity afforded by only varying two gain parameters in each control loop to accommodate pilot adaptation. The model is first exercised in a single-loop task in which the controlled element dynamics are changed from rate command to acceleration command (with time delay), back to rate command, and finally, to position command. A second example applies the model to a simple two-axis task (two control inceptors) in which the controlled element dynamics in both control loops are changed simultaneously. The model employed for sudden changes in vehicle dynamics is also applied to a single-axis task in which the controlled element dynamics change gradually over a 10 s period. Finally, longitudinal control of a simplified model of a fighter aircraft undergoing sudden damage is considered.
Immunogenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen derived from the baculovirus expression vector system: a mouse potency study.

Abstract A standard mouse potency test was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in the baculovirus/insect cell expression system. Groups of NIH Swiss mice were immunized with serial four-fold amounts of either baculovirus-derived HBsAg adsorbed to aluminum sulfate or a commercially available yeast-derived recombinant HBsAg vaccine preparation. Results from these experiments showed that the effective dose of baculovirus-and yeast-derived HBsAg vaccine preparations necessary to seroconvert 50% of the animals were similar. The duration of the antibody response to HBsAg was studied in mice immunized with the highest doses of the two recombinant vaccine preparations 3 and 6 months after injection. No decrease in the anti-HBs response was observed 6 months after injection. No decrease in the anti-HBs response was observed 6 months after immunization with either of the two vaccine preparations. These results indicate that the baculovirus-derived recombinant HBsAg could serve as an alternative vaccine candidate for hepatitis B virus.
The quality of care and symptom control — the effects on the terminal phase of ALS/MND

The quality of care in the terminal phase of ALS/MND depends critically on the palliative care provided throughout the disease process. A retrospective review of 52 patients shows that patients with multiple symptoms and care needs can be cared for, and die, at home. To ensure that the care of patients is co-ordinated and allows patients and family to be cared for where they wish, a team approach is required. A co-ordinated team approach, involving health care, social services and voluntary groups, is described.
Enhancement of tyrosine hydroxylase expression and activity by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite-derived neurotrophic factor.

Abstract A parasite-derived protein, PDNF, produced by the Chagas' disease agent Trypanosoma cruzi , functionally mimics mammalian neurotrophic factors by delaying apoptotic death and promoting survival and differentiation of neurons, including dopaminergic cells, through the activation of nerve growth factor receptor TrkA. Because it is well established that neurotrophic factors regulate enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters, we examined whether PDNF could also directly activate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of dopamine and other catecholamine neurotransmitters. We found that primary cultures of rat ventral mesencephalon responded to PDNF by increasing the number of TH-positive neurons and, most importantly, preserved expression of TH in neurons treated with Parkinson disease-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP + ). In dopaminergic PC12 cells, PDNF induced TH transcription via CRE element in TH promoter followed by significant increase in TH protein and expansion of TH-positive cell population. Furthermore, PDNF stimulated TH enzymatic activity by enhancing phosphorylation of seryl residues 31 and 40 through the activation of MAPK/Erk1/2 and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A signaling, respectively. Therefore, our results indicate that PDNF, in addition to its functioning as survival and differentiation-promoting factor for dopaminergic neuronal cells, can directly influence activity of the rate-limiting enzyme that underlies catecholamine biosynthetic cascade. This novel feature of PDNF should help understand the mechanism of neuronal function altered by T. cruzi infection, specifically neurotransmitter secretion. In addition, the findings have potential implications in the therapy of Chagas' and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect of a Teacher Clarity Variable on Student Achievement

AbstractThe effect of teacher clarity on student achievement (N = 50) was determined by using a randomized control group, posttest only, experimental design. The independent variable was comprised of two levels of teacher clarity: a clear lesson versus an unclear lesson. The dependent variable consisted of student achievement as measured by a criterion -referenced test at the comprehension and application levels. Students in the "clear lesson" group achieved significantly more [t (48) = 2.28, p > .05] than students in the "unclear lesson" group. These findings are discussed in relation to previous research and suggestions are made for additional research.
Variation for Seedling Root Architecture in the Core Collection of Pea Germplasm

Root growth is an important component of plant growth but has received little attention by plant breeders because of difficulties associated with root observation. Improved root architecture and production are likely to improve pea (Pisum sativum L.) production because they are often grown on marginal land and suffer from increased disease pressure and poor fertility. The objective of this study was to quantify the phenotypic variation in seedling root production among Pisum germplasm and to classify the root architecture observed. Seed of 330 accessions from the core collection of Pisum germplasm were germinated and grown under artificial conditions for 14 d and their root characters analyzed. Root systems were scanned and digitized by the WinRHIZO program. Data collected included taproot length, shoot length, and root and shoot dry weight. Data generated by WinRHIZO included total root length, surface area, average root diameter, and root volume. Taproot length ranged from 181 to 433 mm, while root and shoot dry weight ranged from 6 to 57 mg and 13 to 104 mg, respectively. Total root length ranged from 54 to 399 cm, root surface area ranged from 9 to 75 cm 2 , and root volume ranged from 0.11 to 1.12 cm3. Seed weight was significantly correlated with all root characters with the exception of taproot length. Shoot and root dry weight were positively correlated with total root length, average root diameter, and root volume. PI 261631, an accession from Spain, produced the greatest total root length, had a root:shoot weight ratio of 0.79, and the largest root volume (1.12 cm 3 ). Plant breeders will be able to use the wide variation for root characters in their crossing and selection programs to modify root traits during cultivar development.
Bubble dynamics and oxygen transfer in a speece cone

A model is developed that predicts bubble dynamics and oxygen transfer in a Speece Cone. The model is based on differential mass balances for both gas and water and requires a knowledge of cone dimensions, water flow rate, depth to the cone, and initial bubble diameter produced by the oxygen diffuser. The model calculates the oxygen transfer, nitrogen stripping, and gas-phase holdup within the cone. Experimental data for a Speece Cone have not been published; however, a modified version of the model is tested using data obtained from a hydrodynamically similar full-lift hypolimnetic aerator with good results. This process model, when coupled with a suitable cost model, should prove useful in the preliminary design and economic optimization of Speece Cone oxygenators.
New frontiers in brain resuscitation

Abstract Resuscitation from cardiac arrest or brain trauma is frequently limited by a poor neurologic outcome. Although there have been advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of hypoxicischemic iscephalopathy and traumatic brain injury, do pharmacologic agent has proved efficacious. The recognition of the importance of secondary injury after bran trauma has led to new therapeutic recommendations. The induction of mild cerebral hypothermia after hypoxiaischemia or trauma has been shown to be beneficial in animal models and a few recent clinical studies and offers promise as a useful therapy iii the near future. There are issues, however, that must be addressed before this therapy can be widely recommended, and an evaluation of thin treatment in children must be performed.
Managerial style and health promotion programs

Organizational correlates of worksite health promotion programs were isolated and interpreted within a diffusion of innovation framework. A sample of managers from California (U.S.A.) 500 organizations were interviewed via telephone on their corporate management styles and health care strategies. Organizational management style was found to be related to prevalence of health promotion programs and future plans for health promotion programs. Specifically, this study found that organizations with democratic management styles are more likely to plan, adopt, and/or implement worksite health promotion programs when compared to organizations with authoritarian management styles. An additional contribution of this study was the development and validation of the Organizational Management Style (OMS) scale. These results have important theoretical and practical implications. For example, these findings explain why some organizations are more or less likely to adopt health promotion programs. Both diffusion of innovation and social control explanations are used to interpret the results.
Effects of Secular Changes in Frequency of Observations and Observational Errors on Monthly Mean MSLP Summary Statistics Derived from ICOADS

Abstract A Monte Carlo technique has been employed to assess how sextile mean sea level pressure (MSLP) statistics derived from ship observations can be affected by changes in the frequency of observations. The results show that when the number of observations is small (less than 20 per month), the estimates of the first sextile as well as the intersextile range, which is considered to be a resistant estimate of the standard deviation, can contain large biases. The results also suggest that, while changes in the frequency of observations do not have strong impacts on the standard way of estimating the standard deviation, such statistics are strongly affected by secular trends in observational error statistics. The results are applied to examine the increasing trend in cool season (December–March) Pacific cyclone activity during the second half of the twentieth century. The results show that the trends in sextile statistics derived from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data are only consistent with those derived f...
The genetic resolution of juvenile canopy structure and function in a three-generation pedigree of Populus

A genetic approach to the understanding of tree architecture is to cross trees of contrasting features and to study their segregating F2 progenies. For this purpose, members of a 3-generation pedigree, combining Populus trichocarpa, P. deltoides, and their F1 and F2 offspring, were grown side by side in a clonally replicated plantation. At 2 and 3 years of growth, tree architecture was analyzed at the stem, branch, and leaf levels. In all generations, proleptic branches were more numerous, longer, and had more and larger leaves than sylleptics initiated in the same year. The analysis of variance revealed significant genotypic effects on growth, branch and leaf biometrics in the F2 family, with broad-sense heritabilities (H2) ranging from 0.50 to 0.80 for most traits. For branch and leaf traits, the H2 values were found to vary among branch types and crown positions. In year 2, the degree of genetic control was stronger for sylleptics than proleptics and for upper than lower crown positions. These patterns were followed in year 3, except that H2 values were more a function of position within crown, as a consequence of increased competition among trees. The genetic correlations between branch/leaf morphology and stem growth were also a function of branch type and crown position. Generally, traits on proleptics or at upper positions were more tightly correlated with height growth, whereas those on sylleptics or at lower positions, with basal area growth. By year 3, proleptic traits showed increased genetic correlations with both height and radial growth. The implications of these results for the construction of ideotypes are discussed.
A History of Business in Medieval Europe, 1200–1550

Introduction Part I. Before the Black Death: Progress and Problems: 1. Economics, culture, and geography of early medieval trade 2 Tools of trade: business organization 3. Traders and their tools 4. The politics of business 5. Business gets bigger: the super-company phenomenon Part II. Business in the Late Middle Ages: A Harvest of Adversity: Introduction 6. The new business environment of the Middle Ages 7. Business responses to the new environment 8. The fifteenth century: revolutionary results from old processes 9. Sources of capital in the late Middle Ages 10. A new age for business Conclusions Further reading.
THE OXIDATION REACTIONS OF ACETYLENE AND METHANE

The high temperature oxidation reactions of acetylene and methane have been studied in shock waves using two technics. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been used to determine the concentration of reactants, intermediates, and products at 50 μ sec intervals throughout the reaction. In another apparatus the chemiluminescent radiation emitted by CH and C 2 and the ionization accompanying the oxidation have been monitored. The oxidation of acetylene proceeds by fast chain branching reactions. Most of the observations presented in this paper are well explained by the chain branching mechanism: H+O 2 →OH+O (1) O+C 2 H 2 →OH+C 2 H (2) OH+C 2 H 2 →C 2 H+H 2 O (3) C 2 H+O 2 →2CO+H (4) C 2 H+O 2 →CO 2 +CH (5) C 2 H+C 2 H 2 →C 4 H 2 +H (6) CH+O 2 →CO+OH. (7) Reaction (1) is the slowest reaction and thus controls the rate of chain branching. The oxidation is accompanied by chemi-ionization. The C 3 H 3 + ion is observed in abundance early in the reaction and we believe that under our conditions this species is the first ion to be formed. A cyclic structure, having stability derived from delocalization of its π electron system, is proposed for this ion. The mechanism of chemiluminescence is also discussed. The oxidation of methane is characterized by an induction period which is followed by fast chain branching reactions. The duration of the induction period is controlled by the rate of production of oxygen atoms. A mechanism involving a straight chain reaction to produce an intermediate which itself takes part in chain branching reactions is suggested.
The trigger-maintenance model of persistent mild to moderate hyperoxaluria induces oxalate accumulation in non-renal tissues

Persistent mild to moderate hyperoxaluria (PMMH) is a common side effect of bariatric surgery. However, PMMH's role in the progression to calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis and its potential effects on non-renal tissues are unknown. To address these points, a trigger + maintenance (T + Mt) model of PMMH was developed in rats (Experiment 1). The trigger was an i.p. injection of PBS (TPBS) or 288 μmol sodium oxalate (T288). Maintenance (Mt) was given via minipumps dispensing PBS or 7.5–30 μmol potassium oxalate/day for 28 days. Urinary oxalate ranged from 7.7 ± 0.8 μmol/day for TPBS + MtPBS to 18.2 ± 1.5 μmol/day for T288 + Mt30 (p ≤ 0.0005). All rats receiving T288 developed CaOx nephrocalcinosis, and many developed ‘stones’. This was also true for Mt doses that did not elevate urinary oxalate above that of TPBS + MtPBS (p > 0.1) and for rats that did not have a detectable surge in urinary oxalate post T288. When TPBS was administered, CaOx nephrocalcinosis did not develop regardless of the Mt dose even if urinary oxalate was elevated compared to TPBS + MtPBS (p ≤ 0.0005). One of the risks associated with PMMH is oxalate accumulation within tissues. Hence, in a second set of experiments (Experiment 2) different doses of oxalate (Mt0.05, Mt15, Mt30) labeled with 14C-oxalate (14C-Ox) were administered by minipump for 13 days. Tissues were harvested and 14C-Ox accumulation assessed by scintillation counting. 14C-Ox accumulated in a dose dependent manner (p ≤ 0.004) in bone, kidney, muscle, liver, heart, kidney, lungs, spleen, and testis. All these tissues exhibited 14C-Ox concentrations higher (p ≤ 0.05) than the plasma. Extrapolation of our results to patients suggests that PMMH patients should take extra care to avoid dietary-induced spikes in oxalate excretion to help prevent CaOx nephrocalcinosis or stone development. Monitoring for oxalate accumulation within tissues susceptible to damage by oxalate or CaOx crystals may also be required.
283 POST-OPERATIVE APNEA AND BRADYCARDIA IN FORMER PREMATURE INFANTS

Apnea in the immediate post-operative period is often observed in young former premature infants. In order to characterize post-operative apnea in this population, 30 infants were evaluated prospectively with pre-operative and recovery room pneumocardiograms for a minimum of two hours. Episodes of apnea and bradycardia were also recorded by nuring staff. Mean birthweight ± SEM was 1900 ± 142 g and mean G.A. ± SEM was 32±0.6 wks. Apnea was defined as cessation of breathing of 15 seconds or longer, or less than 15 seconds accompanied by bradycardia (> 40 bpm below resting heart rate). Fourteen of 30 (46.7%) infants had post-operative apnea not diagnosed prior to surgery. Two infants (6.6%) had apnea with no discerable change pre- and post-operatively. The remaining 14 (46.7%) had no post-operative apnea. Factors placing these infants at greatest risk were post-conceptional age 32-55 weeks (p<.05) and postnatal age of 4-25 weeks (p <.05). The apnea was central in origin in all cases. The last post-operative apneic episode occurred in 11 (78.5%) infants within 24 hours of surgery, while 2 (14.3%) infants had apneic episodes more than 24 hours after surgery. One patient (7.2%) required continuous intubation and ventilatory support following surgery. These data suggest former premature infants undergoing surgery should be carefully monitored during the post-operative period, and the use of day surgery in these infants may place them at high risk for significant apnea-related complications.
The California State University E-book Pilot Project: implications for cooperative collection development

The California State University conducted a year-long study of the use of a collection of NetLibrary e-books in its libraries. The purpose of the study was to introduce e-books, and develop a model for cooperative collection development of a shared electronic monograph collection. Title usage and subject usage statistics were examined, as well as a user survey. Challenges in analyzing e-book usage statistics are discussed, and positive user feedback is reported. Strategies are presented for cooperatively developing a shared collection of electronic monograph literature.
Implementing microcomputers in science teaching

The most important finding from this study is that if one adheres to the guidelines from the literature on staff development and educational change, teachers can and will change their teaching behaviors. It is very easy, however, to underestimate the time and resources required to implement change in schools. Even a seemingly simple change such as increasing use of educational computing, which teachers can implement in their individual classrooms without an overhaul of schools, is immensely complex and difficult. Helping teachers and schools change requires a systematic effort, with intensive on-going support over a period of three or more years. Science educators, school leaders, and the public must learn that school improvement is not an event but a continual process of renewal and refinement. This study demonstrates the importance of allocating resources to staff development and implementation along with those for curriculum development. Fortunately, the National Science Foundation has recognized the importance of implementation in school improvement by requiring that implementation be an integral part of all curriculum development projects it funds. As Hall (1986) said, “It is not enough to build pretty boxes; what is important is to get the boxes used.”
Ammonia as a source of hydrogen for hardening oils

Equipment for dissociating or “cracking” ammonia has been developed to deliver catalytically pure hydrogen under pressure. The cracker is practically automatic in operation, occupies but small space, and can be built to meet a wide range of capacity operating at high economy. While it is not claimed that cracked ammonia is the preferred source of hydrogen for large outputs, it should be considered for any requirement of less than 1,000 cu. ft. per hour, and in some cases for requirements of 1,000 cu. ft. and more. Cracked ammonia has been demonstrated to be suitable for hardening oils, and affords a source of cheap hydrogen with a minimum investment for those who desire to operate on small scale or who desire to decentralize large operations.
Time Series Analysis and Models of Freeway Performance

AbstractThis paper describes a study whose primary purpose is to better understand the relationship between freeway traffic flow and speed. Incidents of recurrent and nonrecurrent congestion were encountered at six radar collection northbound locations on New Hampshire interstate I-93 in July 2010. The root cause for the onset of the recurrent congestion is explained with exploratory data analyses and a time series modeling approach. A complex combination of present and past values of traffic flow, speed, and congestion state, a congestion history of lingering effect variables, can explain the triggering and mitigation of congestion events for a highly volatile traffic environment. The approach includes two mathematical models: (1) a generalized additive binomial model to forecast the probability of congestion and (2) state-space models of speed and flow. The state-space models use a dynamic linear model (DLM) with switching structures to describe the bimodal distribution of speed and flow in the free-flo...
SUPERHEATING AND SUPERCOOLING IN SINGLE SPHERES OF TIN, INDIUM, AND GOLD- PLATED INDIUM.

An experimental study of the superheating and supercooling properties of tin, indium, and gold-plated indium spheres, typically 10 \ensuremath{\mu}m in diam, has been made. The results are more reliable than those obtained from experiments on powders. The effects of nucleation centers are discussed, and it is shown that in indium, at least, different nucleation centers are active in superheating and supercooling. The effect of nucleation centers vanishes as one approaches ${T}_{c}$, where the following values for the Ginzburg-Landau parameter $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ are obtained: ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{Sn}}=0.0926\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$ and ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{In}}=0.0620\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$. The effect of specimen size upon superheating and supercooling is also clearly demonstrated. It is found that gold plating reduces the supercooling field near ${T}_{c}$ by a factor of 1.70 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2%), as predicted by theory. Gold plating affects the superheating field, as a function of temperature, in a manner which is qualitatively predicted by the Ginzburg-Landau theory.
Macrocerebellum, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and gut malrotation in a child with a 16q24.1–q24.2 contiguous gene deletion

Macrocerebellum is a rare condition characterized by enlargement of the cerebellum with conservation of the overall shape and cytoarchitecture. Here, we report on a child with a distinctive constellation of clinical features including macrocerebellum, epilepsy, apparent intellectual disability, dysautonomia, gut malrotation, and poor gut motility. Oligonucleotide chromosome microarray analysis identified a 16q24.1-q24.2 deletion that included four OMIM genes (FBXO31, MAP1LC3B, JPH3, and SLC7A5). Review of prior studies describing individuals with similar or overlapping16q24.1-q24.2 deletions identified no other reports of macrocerebellum. These observations highlight a potential genetic cause of this rare disorder and raise the possibility that one or more gene(s) in the 16q24.1-q24.2 interval regulate cerebellar development.
Development of reproductive tract lesions in male F344 rats after treatment with dimethyl methylphosphonate

Abstract Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) is an organophosphorous compound that impairs fertility in male rodents. In previous studies, male rats treated with DMMP had decreased sperm motility and count, and sired fewer litters with fewer pups per litter. The following studies examined the development of the reproductive lesions by light and electron microscopy after treatment with DMMP. Adult male F344 rats were treated po with DMMP, 1750 mg/kg, for up to 12 weeks. Tissues were perfused in situ with Karnovsky's fixative and embedded in glycol methacrylate. After 5 weeks of treatment there were occasional PAS-positibe bodies in lumina of tubules in stages XII-III. These were ultrastructurally similar to cytoplasm of step 12–17 spermatids. After 7 weeks of treatment, there was an increase in the number of tubules exhibiting these bodies, as well as an increase in the number of tubules showing delayed or early spermiation, or focal exfoliation of nonnecrotic cap-phase spermatids and some spermatocytes. No multinucleated giant cells were seen. Focal loss of germ cells occurred more frequently as duration of exposure increased, and occupied 5–100% of an affected tubule. Frequently, an area of germ cell exfoliation occurred adjacent to areas of normal tubular epithelium. These lesions were not specific to any particular stages of spermatogenesis. Occasionally, elongating spermatids were without rib elements of the fibrous sheath in the tail; these were not seen in epididymal sections. Animals left to recover for 14 weeks after treatment showed approximately 80% normal tubules; affected tubules varied in their degree of recovery, but all showed the loss of normal epithelial organization, a characteristic of DMMP treatment. Epididymal epithelium was not visibly affected by treatment with DMMP. DMMP produced morphologic alterations in Sertoli cells and elongating spermatids, as well as producing functional defects in spermatozoa.
Energy and power needs of electric vehicles

Both energy and energy rate (power) requirements are described based on the mechanical output requirements of typical electric automobiles, the electrical input requirements at the inverter, and the requirements from a utility into a charger. The impact of lithium-ion battery input-output efficiency is considered. A fully loaded full-size car with a mass of 2000 kg, for example, requires only about 15 kW of mechanical effort to operate at 105 km/hr. Effects of charging levels (Level 1 from a basic convenience outlet, Level 2 from a high-capacity residential source, Level 2A from a basic three-phase connection, and Level 3 from a fast charger) are explored. Comparisons are made with energy and power capabilities of fuel-driven cars. Cost comparisons are discussed based on expected utility rate structures. It is shown that EV energy and power requirements are well within established capabilities of electric machines and power electronics, but still push limits of batteries. Short-range EV driving offers far better energy use and much lower cost than the same use of fuel-driven cars. Charge flexibility can increase the effective range, and even basic convenience outlet infrastructure offers substantial range enhancement.
Patient and procedural characteristics for successful and failed immediate tracheal extubation in the operating room following cardiac surgery in infancy.

Summary Background Immediate extubation in the operating room after congenital heart surgery is practiced with rising frequency at many cardiac institutions to decrease costs and complications. Infants less than one year of age are also increasingly selected for this ‘fast track’. However, factors for patient selection, success, or failure of this practice have not been well defined in this population, yet are critical for patient safety. Objective To identify selection criteria, patient and procedural characteristics for successful or failed very early endotracheal extubation in the operating room immediately following infant heart surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 326 consecutive patients undergoing neonatal and infant heart surgery from 2009 to 2012. Extubation and reintubation data were taken from the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and patients' charts. Patient characteristics were derived using multivariable logistic regression models. Results Very early extubation in the operating room was performed for 130 of 326 neonates and infants (40%). Weight >4 kg, lesser procedural complexity, and absence of trisomy 21 were identified as significant predictors for attempted very early extubation. Of these patients, 12% required reintubation within 48 h following surgery, predominantly due to respiratory failure or for mediastinal re-exploration. Greater procedural complexity was associated with failed extubations. Reintubation was associated with prolonged hospitalization. Conclusions Extubation immediately after infant heart surgery in the operating room can be safely achieved. However, our data suggest that patients undergoing more complex procedures should be selected more conservatively for immediate early extubation.
Hardware assisted two dimensional ultra fast online placement

Time taken to find placement location for a dynamic task is an overhead on the application execution time in a partially reconfigurable system. Inherent parallelism of the reconfigurable hardware can be explored in such cases to speed up the placement process. In this paper, we propose use of the reconfigurable hardware resources of the target platform for speed-up of online placement algorithm. We present three different architectures for two-dimensional online placement. Each architecture makes different trade-offs between area usage, memory requirement and execution time. These architectures are capable of achieving very fast placement while using a very small number of hardware resources.
Asymptotics of the d’Alembertian with potential on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold

Let l be the Laplace-d'Alembert operator on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold (M, g). We derive a series expansion for the fundamental solution G(x, y) of l + H, H E C??(M), which behaves well under various symmetric space dualities. The qualitative properties of this expansion were used in our paper in Invent. Math. 129 (1997), 63-74, to show that the property of vanishing logarithmic term for G(x, y) is preserved under these dualities.
Acid Sphingomyelinase-deficient Macrophages Have Defective Cholesterol Trafficking and Efflux

Next Section Abstract Cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells, a key step in reverse cholesterol transport, requires trafficking of cholesterol from intracellular sites to the plasma membrane. Sphingomyelin is a cholesterol-binding molecule that transiently exists with cholesterol in endosomes and lysosomes but is rapidly hydrolyzed by lysosomal sphingomyelinase (L-SMase), a product of the acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) gene. We therefore hypothesized that sphingomyelin hydrolysis by L-SMase enables cholesterol efflux by preventing cholesterol sequestration by sphingomyelin. Macrophages from wild-type and ASM knockout mice were incubated with [3H]cholesteryl ester-labeled acetyl-LDL and then exposed to apolipoprotein A-I or high density lipoprotein. In both cases, [3H]cholesterol efflux was decreased substantially in the ASM knockout macrophages. Similar results were shown for ASM knockout macrophages labeled long-term with [3H]cholesterol added directly to medium, but not for those labeled for a short period, suggesting defective efflux from intracellular stores but not from the plasma membrane. Cholesterol trafficking to acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) was also defective in ASM knockout macrophages. Using filipin to probe cholesterol in macrophages incubated with acetyl-LDL, we found there was modest staining in the plasma membrane of wild-type macrophages but bright, perinuclear fluorescence in ASM knockout macrophages. Last, when wild-type macrophages were incubated with excess sphingomyelin to “saturate” L-SMase, [3H]cholesterol efflux was decreased. Thus, sphingomyelin accumulation due to L-SMase deficiency leads to defective cholesterol trafficking and efflux, which we propose is due to sequestration of cholesterol by sphingomyelin and possibly other mechanisms. This model may explain the low plasma high density lipoprotein found in ASM-deficient humans and may implicate L-SMase deficiency and/or sphingomyelin enrichment of lipoproteins as novel atherosclerosis risk factors.
Applying Spot Rate Forecast Technique in Estimating Energy Price Uncertainties

This paper presents a new version of methodology based on Spot Rate Forecasts technique under Market Expectations Theory (Term Structure), for estimating the uncertainty unit price of energy during the unavailability of energy and compares it to the original discrete price probability methodology presented by the paper entitled: Determining Rational Redundancy of 500-kV Reactors in Transmission System Using a Probability-Based Economic Analysis Approach - BCTC's Practice. The basis of Spot Rate Forecasts method is to assume that the market expectations implied by the current spot rate curve will be fulfilled, and heuristic representativeness characteristics are followed; this method has the capability to predict the following cycle of energy price under uncertainties (similar method in logically predicting future spot rate curve). The methodology of determining a rational redundancy level of power system equipment based on coordination among the total transfer capability (TTC) in the transmission system and the estimation of random equipment failures remain the same. The Spot Rate Forecasts methodology is only applied to the electric energy market information, where the price of energy is involved. The result indicates that Spot Rate Forecast Methodology is another technique of estimating the uncertainty of energy price besides the discrete probability technique.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Photophysics, and Broadband Nonlinear Absorption of a Platinum(II) Complex with the 6-(7-Benzothiazol-2′-yl-9,9-diethyl-9 H-fluoren-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridinyl Ligand

A platinum complex with the 6-(7-benzothiazol-2′-yl-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridinyl ligand (1) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. UV/Vis absorption, emission, and transient difference absorption of 1 were systematically investigated. DFT calculations were carried out on 1 to characterize the electronic ground state and aid in the understanding of the nature of low-lying excited electronic states. Complex 1 exhibits intense structured 1π–π* absorption at λabs<440 nm, and a broad, moderate 1MLCT/1LLCT transition at 440–520 nm in CH2Cl2 solution. A structured 3π–π*/3MLCT emission at about 590 nm was observed at room temperature and at 77 K. Complex 1 exhibits both singlet and triplet excited-state absorption from 450 nm to 750 nm, which are tentatively attributed to the 1π–π* and 3π–π* excited states of the 6-(7-benzothiazol-2′-yl-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine ligand, respectively. Z-scan experiments were conducted by using ns and ps pulses at 532 nm, and ps pulses at a variety of visible and near-IR wavelengths. The experimental data were fitted by a five-level model by using the excited-state parameters obtained from the photophysical study to deduce the effective singlet and triplet excited-state absorption cross sections in the visible spectral region and the effective two-photon absorption cross sections in the near-IR region. Our results demonstrate that 1 possesses large ratios of excited-state absorption cross sections relative to that of the ground-state in the visible spectral region; this results in a remarkable degree of reverse saturable absorption from 1 in CH2Cl2 solution illuminated by ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The two-photon absorption cross sections in the near-IR region for 1 are among the largest values reported for platinum complexes. Therefore, 1 is an excellent, broadband, nonlinear absorbing material that exhibits strong reverse saturable absorption in the visible spectral region and large two-photon-assisted excited-state absorption in the near-IR region.