cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical limits of inference

Abstract We show that physical devices that perform observation, prediction, or recollection share an underlying mathematical structure. We call devices with that structure “inference devices”. We present a set of existence and impossibility results concerning inference devices. These results hold independent of the precise physical laws governing our universe. In a limited sense, the impossibility results establish that Laplace was wrong to claim that even in a classical, non-chaotic universe the future can be unerringly predicted, given sufficient knowledge of the present. Alternatively, these impossibility results can be viewed as a non-quantum-mechanical “uncertainty principle”. The mathematics of inference devices has close connections to the mathematics of Turing Machines (TMs). In particular, the impossibility results for inference devices are similar to the Halting theorem for TMs. Furthermore, one can define an analog of Universal TMs (UTMs) for inference devices. We call those analogs “strong inference devices”. We use strong inference devices to define the “inference complexity” of an inference task, which is the analog of the Kolmogorov complexity of computing a string. A task-independent bound is derived on how much the inference complexity of an inference task can differ for two different inference devices. This is analogous to the “encoding” bound governing how much the Kolmogorov complexity of a string can differ between two UTMs used to compute that string. However no universe can contain more than one strong inference device. So whereas the Kolmogorov complexity of a string is arbitrary up to specification of the UTM, there is no such arbitrariness in the inference complexity of an inference task. We informally discuss the philosophical implications of these results, e.g., for whether the universe “is” a computer. We also derive some graph-theoretic properties governing any set of multiple inference devices. We also present an extension of the framework to address physical devices used for control. We end with an extension of the framework to address probabilistic inference.
Outcomes Results From the Evaluation of the APA/HRSA Faculty Scholars Program

Background.—The goal of the Ambulatory Pediatric Association/Health Resources and Services Administration National Faculty Development Scholars Program was to improve primary care education in the pediatric setting. The program evaluation focused on four stake-holder objectives: 1) increase the educational skills of community and generalist faculty; 2) create pediatric leadership focused on changing the culture within the medical community to support primary care education; 3) develop an infrastructure that supports sustained faculty development efforts at the local, regional, and national level; and 4) include content areas consistent with Health Resources and Services Administration contract requirements. Methods.—A multimethod evaluation plan, focused on the 107 completing scholars, was implemented utilizing six evaluation instruments. Results.—Key outcomes from both quantitative and qualitative outcome measures reveal that all evaluation objectives were achieved. Scholars presented 438 local workshops and 161 regional/national workshops focused on pediatric education with a combined attendance of 7939 participants. More than half of the scholars have now assumed a leadership position in education associated with program participation. Ninety-three percent of the scholars reported organizational/infrastructure changes associated with their program participation ranging from increased numbers of community teaching sites to specific resource allocations to support of faculty development. Conclusions.—The outcomes of this evaluation reveal that the faculty development program achieved its objectives, with participants leading workshops, impacting faculty development infrastructure, advancing their own careers, and being strategically positioned in leadership roles with the skills to improve primary care education in the ambulatory setting.
The aromatic character of silacyclopropenes

Abstract Minimum energy geometries for silacyclopropene, 1,1-difluoro-,1,1-dimethyl,2,3-dimethy1-, and tetramethylsilacyclopropene have been calculated using the CND0/2 approximation. The calculations predict a remarkably small ring CSiC bond angle of about 43.6°. The average ring CC bond length is predicted to be 1.380 A, slightly shorterthan the CC bond length in aromatic rings. Substantial stabilization of the compounds arises from π interaction between the CC double bond and acceptor orbitals on silicon giving significant aromatic character to the molecules.
“You Ate All That!?”: Caretaker-Child Interaction during Children's Assisted Dietary Recall Interviews

Young children's dietary recalls generally are conducted with a guardian present, but how this contributes to data accuracy is unclear. Furthermore, some assumptions underlying the preference for guardian presence may be unfounded. To investigate the range of guardian-child interactions within the diet recall setting, we examined transcriptions of guardian-assisted recalls conducted with 34 children aged 7-11 whose households were enrolled with the San Diego site of the Olestra Post-Marketing Surveillance Study (OPMSS). Although guardians did add to the breadth of data collected, children were quite knowledgeable about their diets. Moreover, they sometimes rejected guardian suggestions, and guardians generally could not provide assistance when children requested it. Guardian-child negotiations reflected cultural understandings regarding children, caretaking, and guardian-child power structures as well as food, and sometimes interviewers had to make very subjective data classification decisions. Suggestions for improving dietary recall methods are provided. Findings are relevant for other research methods involving children.
The Roles of Relationship With Family and Life Values in the Housing Choices of Elderly Koreans

Housing choice is a significant factor in forecasting the housing market. In an aging population in which the wealth of the elderly is found mostly in housing equity, the housing choices of the elderly are an increasingly important yet underrepresented research theme. In addition to lower income and greater leisure time, the change of family relationships of the elderly are likely to result in significantly different housing choices from those made by younger groups. This article investigates the roles of family relationships and life values in the housing choices (tenure and location) of elderly Koreans. Subjective life satisfaction and propensity for expenditure were found to be significant determinants in the choice of housing tenure, whereas the choice of location is influenced by circumstances, especially their relationship with their children. These findings provide new insight into the Asian housing market, in which the elderly of traditional large families have a children-oriented mindset and main...
Dihydropyrrolopyrazole Transforming Growth Factor-β Type I Receptor Kinase Domain Inhibitors: A Novel Benzimidazole Series with Selectivity versus Transforming Growth Factor-β Type II Receptor Kinase and Mixed Lineage Kinase-7

Novel dihydropyrrolopyrazole-substituted benzimidazoles were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as inhibitors of transforming growth factor-β type I receptor (TGF-β RI), TGF-β RII, and mixed lineage kinase-7 (MLK-7). These compounds were found to be potent TGF-β RI inhibitors and selective versus TGF-β RII and MLK-7 kinases. Benzimidazole derivative 8b was active in an in vivo target (TGF-β RI) inhibition assay.
The Malliavin calculus and hypoelliptic differential operators

This article is intended as an introduction to Malliavin's stochastic calculus of variations and his probabilistic approach to hypoellipticity. Topics covered include an elementary derivation of the basic integration by parts formulae, a proof of the probabilistic version of Hormander's theorem as envisioned by Malliavin and completed by Kusuoka and Stroock, and an extension of Hormander's theorem valid for operators with degeneracy of exponential type due to the author and S. Mohammed.
A temperature wall function formulation for variable-density turbulent flows with application to engine convective heat transfer modeling

A temperature wall function was derived for variable-density turbulent flows that are commonly found in internal combustion engines. Thermodynamic variations of gas density and the increase of the turbulent Prandtl number in the boundary layer are included in the formulation. Multidimensional computations were made of a pancake-chamber gasoline engine and a heavy-duty diesel engine under firing conditions. Satisfactory agreement between the predicted and measured heat fluxes was obtained. It was found that gas compressibility affected engine heat transfer prediction significantly while the effects of unsteadiness and heat release due to combustion were insignificant for the cases considered.
An expression system for mammalian amino acid transporters using a stably maintained episomal vector.

Abstract Despite its versatility and effectiveness in numerous studies, the vaccinia/HeLa cell expression model may not be optimal for the study of all transport proteins. To evaluate an alternative expression model for amino acid transport Systems ASC and XAG−, the mRNA content and transport activity encoded by human hippocampal ASCT1 cDNA and rat hippocampal EAAC1 cDNA, respectively, were measured in pDR2-cDNA-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells made competent by stable transfection with the Epstein–Barr neutral antigen-1 (EBNA-1) cDNA (293c18 cells) to evaluate the EBNA-1/293c18 expression system. The results show that (i) the EBNA-1/293c18 expression system results in a larger increase over background of Systems ASCT1 (6.4×) and EAAC1 (39×) transport activity than does the vaccinia/HeLa expression system (2.6× and 22×, respectively); (ii) transfection and hygromycin B selection for the pDR2 vector do not affect the endogenous transport velocities of Systems ASC, X−AG, or A; and (iii) the endogenous transport velocities of Systems ASC and XAG−in 293c18 cells were not affected by the expression of exogenous EAAC1 or ASCT1. We conclude that the EBNA-1/293c18 cell expression model represents a useful transient expression regimen to characterize mammalian amino acid transport proteins, especially for transporters that may exhibit relatively low activity in transient expression systems lacking a selection mechanism.
Time evolution of an excited atom's position–momentum uncertainty

Abstract In this work, the position–momentum uncertainty of an excited two-level atom is analyzed for its time-dependent properties by taking into consideration the interaction between the atom and vacuum electromagnetic modes. For the purpose of comparison, the position–momentum uncertainty of a free particle is also considered. It is found that, because of the atom–field interaction, the uncertainty of the atom can be temporarily lower than that of the free particle.
The effect of capital wealth on optimal diversification: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances

Abstract It is well known that the wealthier the household, the larger tends to be the proportion of its total capital portfolio allocated to publicly traded stock, and the larger tends to be the number of individual stock issues included in its portfolio. Using the “homogeneous securities” case of a mean-variance model originally proposed by Michael Brennan, explicit functional forms are obtained for both the optimal proportion of the portfolio allocated to stocks and the optimal number of individual stock issues in the portfolio. An empirical evaluation of these theoretical results, using a dataset derived from the 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances, lends substantial support to the model.
Theoretical Study of the Diels-Alder Reaction of Selenoaldehydes and Selenoketones.

The Diels−Alder reaction of a series of substituted selenoaldehydes (SeCHR; R = H, F, Me, OMe, CH2F, CF3, and CN) or selenoketones (SeCR2; R = Me and CN) with 1,3-butadiene or 2-methoxy-1,3-butadiene to yield 3,6-dihydro-2H-selenopyrans were examined using B3LYP with a modified 6-31G* basis set. This method is compared with results from a number of standard ab initio procedures and compares well with post-HF results. The Diels−Alder reaction of the selenocarbonyl compounds proceeds through a concerted, though asynchronous, transition state. Strong electron-withdrawing groups alter the mechanism; a charge-transfer complex is first formed, followed by a concerted TS before reaching the heterocyclic product. The transition state geometry, regiochemistry, and dependence of the activation barrier on substituents can be understood in terms of FMO theory.
A Six-month Follow-up of the Use of Hypnosis and Biofeedback Procedures in Essential Hypertension

Abstract This study, presenting follow-up data over a six-month period, continues a previous investigation (Friedman & Taub, 1977) which dealt with the effects of three procedures, hypnosis alone (HO), biofeedback alone (BO), and hypnosis and biofeedback combined (HB) upon essential hypertensive patients during a training period and brief follow-up. Although both HO and BO were capable of producing decrements in blood pressure, the former, HO, appeared somewhat more effective. The HB procedure continued to offer no advantage over the control “measurement only” (MO) group.
Renal arterial compliance and conductance measurement using on-line self-adaptive analog computation of model parameters.

Dynamic renal arterial flow pattern, arterial compliance, and pre-glomerular conductance were predicted from the measured canine renal arterial pressure pulse pattern using on-line analog computer simulation of renal arterial parameters. The flow was accurately predicted not only under steady-state conditions but also in the presence of marked fluctuations in arterial pressure pattern, mean level, and heart rate. The model has five parameters: largeartery resistance, inertance, and compliance; a pre-glomerular arteriolar conductance; and a non-pulsatile glomerular pressure. The first two were set manually while the last three were automatically adjusted by the method of steepest descents to minimize the absolute error expressed as the instantaneous difference between the measured flow in the artery and the flow predicted by the computer.
Patterns of distress in US medical students

Background: How multiple forms of psychological distress coexist in individual medical students has not been formally studied.Aim: To explore the prevalence of various forms of distress in medical students and their relationship to recent suicidal ideation or serious thoughts of dropping out of school.Methods: All medical students at seven US schools were surveyed with standardized instruments to evaluate burnout, depression, stress, mental quality of life (QOL), physical QOL, and fatigue. Additional items explored recent suicidal ideation and serious thoughts of dropping out of medical school.Results: Nearly all (1846/2246, 82%) of medical students had at least one form of distress with 1066 (58%) having ≥3 forms of distress. A dose-response relationship was found between the number of manifestations of distress and recent suicidal ideation or serious thoughts of dropping out. For example, students with 2, 4, or 6 forms of distress were 5, 15, and 24 fold, respectively, more likely to have suicidal ideat...
High speed flow of air-oil mixtures in converging-diverging ducts

This paper presents a theoretical model for the high speed flow of homogeneous air-oil mixtures through converging - diverging ducts. This model is used to investigate the effects of friction, oil density, oil mass fraction in the mixture, duct throat clearance, and duct geometry, on the flowrate through the duct. The results indicate that for homogeneous mixtures the effect of the density is marginal. On the other hand, it was found that the surface friction, the size of throat clearance, and the duct geometry affected significantly the mass flowrate. Increasing the gas to liquid mass ratio increases the leakage. This effect diminishes at large values of the mass ratio.
Mechanisms controlling the sensitivity of the Limulus lateral eye in natural lighting

Electroretinograms were recorded from the horseshoe crab compound eye using a high-intensity light-emitting diode and a whole-eye seawater electrode. Recordings were made from both lateral eyes in natural daylight or in continuous darkness with the optic nerve intact or cut. Recordings from two eyes of the same animal in different conditions facilitated direct comparisons of the effects of diurnal lighting and circadian efferent activity on the daily patterns of sensitivity of the eye. Structural changes appear to account for about half of the total electroretinogram excursion. Circadian input begins about 45 min in advance of sunset and the nighttime sensitivity returns to the daytime values 20 min after sunrise. When the optic nerve is cut, the nighttime sensitivity shows exponential decay over the next 5 or 6 days, consistent with a light-triggered structural light adaptation process unopposed by efferent input. Our results suggest that two mechanisms mediate the increase in lateral eye sensitivity at night—physiological dark adaptation and circadian efferent input. Three mechanisms appear to be involved in mediating the decrease in lateral eye sensitivity during daylight—physiological light adaptation, a continuous structural light adaptation process, and a separate light-triggered, efferent-primed structural light adaptation process.
Functional Impact of a Spectrum of Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND Approximately 10% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have interstitial lung disease (ILD), and one-third have subclinical ILD on chest CT scan. In this study, we aimed to further characterize functional decrements in a spectrum of RA-associated ILD. METHODS All subjects were enrolled in the Brigham and Women's Hospital Rheumatoid Arthritis Sequential Study (BRASS). The presence of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) on clinically indicated chest CT scans was determined using a previously validated sequential reading method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between degree of ILAs and physiologic, functional, and demographic variables of interest. RESULTS Of 1,145 BRASS subjects, 91 subjects (8%) were included in this study. Twelve had radiologically severe ILAs, 34 had ILAs, and 38 had no ILAs on CT scan. Subjects with radiologically severe ILAs were older ( P = .0037), had increased respiratory symptoms (cough, P = .027; dyspnea, P = .010), and more severe RA disease (rheumatoid factor, P = .018; total swollen joints, P = .046) compared with subjects with no ILAs. Participants also had a trend toward having an increased smoking history ( P = .16) and having lower FVC % predicted (77% vs 94%, P = .097) and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide % predicted (52% vs 77%, P = .068). Similar but attenuated increases in respiratory symptoms, functional decrements, and RA disease severity were observed in subjects with ILAs compared with those with no ILAs. CONCLUSIONS We have shown that patients with RA have varying degrees of ILAs that are associated with a spectrum of functional and physiologic decrements. Our findings suggest that improved risk stratification and detection of ILAs will provide a therapeutic window that could improve RA-ILD outcomes.
A case report of a carbon dioxide embolism caused by endoscopic vein harvesting during cardiac surgery -A case report-

A carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism during endoscopic vein harvesting is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for limiting the extent of the embolism and stabilizing the resulting cardiovascular compromise. We report a case of CO2 embolization during endoscopic vein harvesting. Transesophageal echocardiography was instrumental in the diagnosis and management of this patient by further improving the decision making process, which resulted in the best outcome. Mid-esophageal bicaval view is the best view to determine whether a CO2 embolism is coming from the upper or lower extremities.
The ecology of climate change and infectious diseases: reply

Paul Epstein (2010) objects to my hypothesis that climate change should result in shifts (as opposed to net increases) in the distribution of infectious diseases (Lafferty 2009a, b). My first exposure to the link between climate change and infectious disease came from a Scientific American article by Epstein (2000) showing maps of malaria transmission risk increasing dramatically in New England and Europe. I used these maps to frighten my North American students into caring about malaria. In 2005, I attended a Cary Conference where David Rogers and Sarah Randolph challenged Epstein’s view that climate change would unilaterally increase disease. They advocated two-tailed hypotheses (disease can go up or down), followed by sophisticated analyses that control for temporal and spatial confounds and apportion variance in disease to climate and myriad other factors. Those talks convinced me ecologists possessed the skills needed to address this important issue and that a review aimed at ecologists might help get them into the game. Epstein gives two arguments for why disease should respond positively (but not negatively) to climate change. The first considers that the future might have warmer winters and disproportionate warming at higher latitudes. As a result, the globe would not necessarily be hotter than at present, just less cold. The tropics would stay the same and the temperate latitudes would become
The Complex Etiology of Delayed Ejaculation: Assessment and Treatment Implications

The male sexual disorder of delayed ejaculation has been difficult to diagnose and treat due to a lack of research or clearly definable set of diagnostic criteria and the multitude of potential biopsychosocial factors. By employing an intersystem approach in sex therapy, clinicians can explore causal factors, make a diagnosis, and develop an integrated treatment plan.
Influence of age and weight of Landrace gilts at fertile insemination on litter size and longevity

The relationship between age and weight of Landrace gilts both litter size and longevity then culling has been analyzed. The data structure included 1.615 gilts which have been divided in three groups of age at fertile insemination (180-210 days; 211-230 days and 231-260days) and three groups of weights at the same time (90-114 kg; 115-130 kg and 131-170 kg). Management and the nutrition of gilts and sows have been treated at common level of production. Analysis included data from 4 farms and the period of two years production (2009 and 2010). MME - mixed model has been installed to use FYS (Farm, Year and Seasons) and litter as fixed effect and sire influence as random. Significant influence of age and weight on litter size has been recognized. Also those two factors had significant effect on longevity and production of sows. The best results were determined in gilts introduced at the age of 231-260 days and weight class of 131-170 kg. Those factors had significant influence on longevity and life production. Genetic and phenotypic correlations showed high and significant value. All results have been interpreted in 8 tables and 4 graphs.
Relative Performance of Categorical Diagonally Weighted Least Squares and Robust Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Robust maximum likelihood (ML) and categorical diagonally weighted least squares (cat-DWLS) estimation have both been proposed for use with categorized and nonnormally distributed data. This study compares results from the 2 methods in terms of parameter estimate and standard error bias, power, and Type I error control, with unadjusted ML and WLS estimation methods included for purposes of comparison. Conditions manipulated include model misspecification, level of asymmetry, level and categorization, sample size, and type and size of the model. Results indicate that cat-DWLS estimation method results in the least parameter estimate and standard error bias under the majority of conditions studied. Cat-DWLS parameter estimates and standard errors were generally the least affected by model misspecification of the estimation methods studied. Robust ML also performed well, yielding relatively unbiased parameter estimates and standard errors. However, both cat-DWLS and robust ML resulted in low power under cond...
Math Achievement and Children’s Savings: Implications for Child Development Accounts

In this study, we propose that children who have a savings account may be more likely to have higher math scores than children without a savings account. We find that children’s savings accounts are positively associated with math scores. Children with savings accounts on average score almost nine percent higher in math than children without a savings account. Further, results suggest that children’s savings accounts fully mediate the relationship between household wealth and children’s math scores. However, household wealth moderates the mediating relationship. We find math scores of low-wealth children increase by 2.13, middle-wealth children’s increase by 4.36, while high-wealth children’s increase by 6.59 points. Policy implications are discussed.
Synthesis and turnover of lipids in monolayer cultures of BHK-21 cells.

Abstract Synthesis and turnover of lipids in monolayer cultures of BHK-21 cells were investigated using three separate techniques: (a) relative rates of synthesis and turnover during short pulses; (b) rates at which the label was lost following equilibrium incorporation of label; (c) time required to reach equilibrium using different precursor molecules. With short pulses (1 h) of [2-3H]glycerol followed by a chase period of 22 h the half-life of major phospholipids was found to be 2 1 2 –4 h. These findings were confirmed by sequential labeling, i.e., equilibrium labeling cells with [2-14C]glycerol followed by a short pulse with [2-3H]glycerol and chases for 21 h. Evidence of rapid turnover was also found using [1,2-14C]choline. Diglycerides and triglycerides also showed evidence of rapid turnover. Under the conditions of these experiments, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol did not equilibrate and the reason for this is unknown. Based on these studies, lipids can be divided into three classes: those showing rapid turnover, e.g., phosphatidylcholine, di-, and triglycerides; those showing intermediate turnover, phosphatidylethanolamine; those showing a slow turnover (greater than 15 h), sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine. Short pulse-chase studies with [2-3H]glycerol provides a good method for measuring relative rates of synthesis and turnover of phosphoglycerides and neutral glycerides in eukaryotic cells.
Scaling and root planing performed on pregnant women with mild to moderate periodontal disease is not efficacious in reducing preterm birth, low birth weight, or other poor pregnancy outcomes.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials shows no evidence that periodontal treatment during pregnancy prevents adverse pregnancy outcomes. Baccaglini L. J Am Dent Assoc 2011;142(10):1192-3. Reviewer Ananda P. Dasanayake, BDS, MPH, PhD, FACE Purpose/Question To determine whether scaling and root planning performed on pregnant women with mild to moderate periodontal disease is efficacious in reducing preterm birth, low birth weight, or other poor pregnancy outcomes Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Systematic review with meta-analysis Level of Evidence Level 1: Good-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade A: Consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence
A theory of ratio magnitude estimation

Abstract Various axiomatic theories of magnitude estimation are presented. The axioms are divided into the following categories: behavioral , in which the primitive relationships are in principle observable by the experimenter; cognitive , in which the primitive relationships are theoretical in nature and deal with subjective relationships that the subject is supposedly using in making his or her magnitude estimations; and psychobehavioral , in which the relationships are theoretical and describe a supposed relationship between the experiment's stimuli and the subject's sensations of those stimuli. The goal of these axiomatizations is to understand from various perspectives what must be observed by the experimenter and assumed about the subject so that the results from an experiment in which the subject is asked to estimate or produce ratios are consistent with the proposition that the subject is, in a scientific sense, “computing ratios” in making his or her magnitude responses.
Design of a Cafeteria Tray for Use by Stroke Survivors

Survivors of a stroke present varying types and degrees of neurological impairments and functional deficits. They often have difficulty using one side of their body and may require assistive devices such as canes and walkers. As a result, carrying a standard cafeteria tray can pose a challenge to these individuals. Our goal was to design a cafeteria tray that could be easily used with one hand. User interviews of stroke survivors offered client needs that guided the entire design process. It was important to the stroke survivors that the device required intuitive understanding of use, effectively transported food using only one hand, supported the weight of a meal, and had a pleasing design to promote discreteness by avoiding a “disabled” appearance.
Optimum Partial Sequential Tests for Two-Sided Tests of the Binomial Parameter

Abstract An optimum partial sequential procedure for testing a null hypothesis concerning the binomial parameter with a two-sided alternative hypothesis is described. Formulas for its operating characteristic and average sample number functions are derived. By approximating an Armitage procedure by a special case of this partial procedure, approximate values can be obtained for his operating characteristic and average sample number functions.
"Every Body Sees the Theft": Fanny Fern and Literary Proprietorship in Antebellum America

IN Walden, Henry David Thoreau complained of what he believed to be the provincial reading habits of his Concord neighbors: "If we will read newspapers, why not skip the gossip of Boston and take the best newspapers in the world at once?to not be sucking the pap of 'neutral family' papers, or browsing the 'Olive Branches' here in New England."' While Thoreau's own Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers failed to find
Incompatible Rhetorical Expectations: Julia W. Carpenter's Medical Society Papers, 1895–1899

This article examines 3 papers presented before the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine by 19th-century physician Julia W. Carpenter. The article identifies 3 strategies Carpenter used to negotiate the incompatible rhetorical expectations for women and for physicians. The published records of academy discussions provide evidence for Carpenter's colleagues' reactions to each strategy, revealing the complexity of her rhetorical situation and demonstrating the complex links among rhetorical practice, professional identity, and a communicator's social position.
Modal noise in multimode fibers under restricted launch conditions

Modal noise is a non-Gaussian noise source associated with the interference of fiber modes at a detector. Most derivations of the statistics of modal noise assume a limiting case of overfilled launch conditions where there are many modes propagating in the fiber. However, if the transmitted power is contained in a few modes, commonly referred to as restricted-mode launch conditions, the general assumptions for modal noise theory are not valid. Here, we present experimental measurements of the noise distributions for both full- and restricted-mode launch cases and show that the noise statistics for a restricted launch are significantly different than for a full-mode launch. In particular, the variance of the noise distribution is larger than in the over-filled launch case leading to a degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Modifications of existing theory are then used to develop a numerical model for the noise statistics of a restricted-mode launch and good agreement between this model and experimental data is achieved.
Determining Audience for a Health Sciences Writing Course.

The authors, co-instructors in a health sciences technical writing course, investigated the expectations and needs of audience in the health care professions. They desired to know if health care professionals had expectations significantly different from other audiences. Through interviews, they determined the audience's reading habits, the document qualities desired by the audience, and the audience's intended use of the documents. Some of the health care professionals' expectations are similar to those of all technical writing audiences, but some are specific to health care. The authors have applied this knowledge to the teaching of their course.
Nandus prolixus, a new species of leaf fish from northeastern Borneo (Teleostei: Perciformes: Nandidae)

Nandus prolixus sp. nov. is described from the Sepilok River drainage in Sabah, northeastern Borneo. This species is distinguished from its only Sundaic southeastern Asian congener, N. nebulosus, in having a longer, more produced snout (25.7–30.6% HL vs. 18.5–26.1), more lateralline scales (33–37 vs. 24–34), more scales below the lateral line (12 vs. 10–11), fewer spines in the dorsal fin (XIV vs. XV–XVI), and fewer pectoral-fin rays (15–16 vs. 17–19). It differs from N. nandus (from India) in having fewer lateral-line scales (33–37 vs. 42–55), fewer scales above the lateral line (4–5 vs. 6–7), fewer scales below the lateral line (12 vs. 14–18), more dorsal spines (XIV vs. XII–XIII), and the absence (vs. presence) of a distinct dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle. It differs from N. oxyrhynchus (from mainland southeastern Asia) in having a more slender body (body depth 37.6–40.5% SL vs. 41.3–44.1) and a less steeply sloping predorsal profile.
Effects of nitrate and phosphate on grazer-induced toxin production in Alexandrium minutum

Two strains of Alexandrium minutum were exposed to waterborne cues from copepod grazers in factorial combinations of nitrate and phosphate concentrations to evaluate the importance of grazer-induced paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) production under different nutrient regimes. In nitrate-rich treatments, the presence of waterborne cues from grazers resulted in significantly increased cell-specific PST content. In low nitrate treatments, however, waterborne cues from grazers did not result in any detectable increase in cell-specific PST content. The grazer-induced increase in cell-specific PST content in nitrate-rich treatments was comparable in size to the effects of nitrate in the absence of grazers. Effects of phosphate limitation were less consistent, resulting in increased PST content in nitrate-rich treatments in one of the A. minutum strains, but had no significant effect in the other. The ability of dinoflagellates to sense and respond to the presence of grazers by increased PST production may be one of the most important factors affecting cell-specific PST content under nitrogen replete conditions.
Venous malformation of the palm in a collegiate crew athlete.

An18-year-oldfemalecollegiaterowercametothetrainingroomcomplainingofapainfulbluishmassonherrightpalm.Shehadrecentlycompleteda1-hour rowing workout followed by a 1-hourweight-liftingsession.Themassdevelopedtowardtheendofherweight-liftingworkout.Shedeniedanydirecttraumaorblowtoherhand,andtherewas nothing unusual about her training sessions.Shehadneverexperiencedsimilarsymptomsinthepast. Her medical history was unremarkable. Shewasonnomedicationsanddeniedanytobaccooralcoholuse.On physical examination a subcutaneous masswith blue coloration was located on the palmarsurface of the right hand. The mass measured10.0 0.8mmandwasinlinewithasuperﬁcialveinthatranalongthebaseofthethenareminence.It was very tender to touch, mobile, and did notblanch under pressure. Radial pulse was normal,and an Allen test showed an intact arterial arch.Findingsofaneurologicexaminationwerenormal.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed adiscretemasswithoutdeeptissueextension(Figure1).Dopplerultrasonographyshowednobloodﬂowthroughthelesion.Thepatientunderwenta1-weektrialofrest,ice,compression, and anti-inﬂammatory medicationwithoutimprovement.Shewasreferredtoahandsurgeon, who performed an open excision of themasswhilethepatientwasundergeneralanesthe-sia.Theexcisedmassmeasured1.0cminitsgreat-est dimension. Histologic analysis (Figure 2)showedbenignbloodvesselswithabnormalmor-phologicfeaturesconsistentwithavenousmalfor-mation. Intralesional thrombosis was also found.There was no endothelial hyperplasia or arterialcomponent.Thepatienthadanuncomplicatedpostoperativecourseandreturnedtorowingwithin2monthsofhersurgery.Theﬁnaldiagnosiswasavenousmal-formationwithevidenceofintralesionalthrombo-sis.
Acoustic adaptations of periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Magicicada)

We studied the trade-off between traits that function in mate attraction and those that function in enemy avoidance by contrasting features of acoustic communication in cicadas differentially at risk to predators in the same environment. Two genera of North American cicadas were studied: Magicicada and Tibicen. Magicicada species of periodical cicadas, with 17-year life cycles, seek mates in dense aggregations of calling males that are made possible by the relative ineffectiveness of predators to control their numbers. During the breeding season, Magicicada are so abundant that they satiate their predators. From their relative freedom from predation, it is to be expected that traits for attracting mates are emphasized in Magicicada compared with the more solitary genus Tibicen, which reproduce at much lower densities. Males of solitary species are expected to sing more loudly and at low pitch because both features enhance long-distance transmission. These two features were confirmed by measurement. Magicicada septendecim appears to be the most divergent species, evolutionarily, in terms of an unusually sharply tuned sound resonating system, low resonant frequency, and quietness of its song that cannot be entirely explained by body size. These characteristics represent adaptations to the problem of communicating unambiguously to females at close range in a loud and heterogeneous sound environment. Sensitivity to predators, parasitoids, and congeneric species may also have shaped the evolution of their communication systems. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 90, 15–24.
Isopropanol Protein Precipitation for the Analysis of Plasma Free Metanephrines by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Background: High-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS)[1][1] analysis of plasma free metanephrines is the most diagnostically sensitive and specific screening test for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. We sought to develop an in-house method for this expensive test Methods: We used off-line isopropanol protein precipitation of plasma to remove interfering substances before LC-MS/MS analysis. We compared the extraction efficiency and limits of quantification of protein precipitation to those of previously reported solid-phase techniques. Results: The new method had limits of quantification of 0.09 nmol/L and 0.17 nmol/L for metanephrine and normetanephrine, respectively. Method comparison with a previously described solid-phase extraction method revealed Deming regression slopes of 0.904 and 0.994, intercepts of 0.007 and 0.023, and SEs of the residuals (Sy|x) of 0.071 and 0.284 for metanephrine and normetanephrine, respectively. Extraction efficiency of isopropanol protein precipitation was 66% for metanephrine and 35% for normetanephrine, results that were superior to the efficiencies of 4% and 1% for our adapted solid-phase extraction method. No ion suppression was observed at the retention times for metanephrine and normetanephrine. Conclusions: Isopropanol protein precipitation is a novel and effective off-line sample preparation method for metanephrines that offers a less expensive alternative to on-line solid-phase extraction for low-volume testing and requires a sample volume of only 200 μL. The mass spectrometric analysis time is equivalent to that of solid-phase techniques. [1]: #fn-3
New Directions in Undergraduate and Graduate Education in Kinesiology and Physical Education.

New opportunities exist in graduate and undergraduate kinesiology programs for both enhancement and innovation. Professional master's degrees prepare students for careers at the intersections of academic disciplines and the business world. Interdisciplinary study can result in opportunities not only for innovative research discoveries, but also for students to find meaningful connections within the kinesiology subdisciplines. Designing core courses for intentional far transfer of fundamental concepts using specific research supported strategies can enhance student satisfaction, retention, and learning.
Dual-Mode Reconfigurable Filter With Asymmetrical Transmission Zeros and Center Frequency Control

A reconfigurable bandpass filter with asymmetrical responses is demonstrated using a dual-mode microstrip resonator. The proposed topology introduces several fixed and switchable perturbations to control the center frequency and the location of the transmission zeros of the filter. The tuning mechanism consists of capacitively loading the edges of a modified square patch resonator, in order to manipulate the current distribution of the degenerate modes. This operation results in asymmetrical responses with a center frequency tuning ratio of 10% at X band, and angular transmission zero displacement of Deltaomegaz = 3.5rad/s or greater in both a lower and higher side of the passband
Maintenance of GABA receptor function of small-diameter cockroach neurons by adenine nucleotides.

Small diameter (,20 μm) neurons from the sixth abdominal ganglion of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, were enzymatically isolated and responses to exogenously applied γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. With a minimal intracellular medium, responses to repeated applications of GABA decreased to zero within a few minutes. The rate of rundown of GABA responses was decreased by the intracellular inclusion of the phosphatase inhibitors microcystin and okadaic acid, suggesting that phosphorylation is necessary for the maintenance of cockroach GABA receptor function. ATP (5 mM) prevented GABA response rundown. ADP (5 mM) also slowed GABA response rundown, but responses stabilized at a level about half that seen with ATP. In the presence of protein kinase A inhibitory peptide (PKI), ATP was only as efficacious as ADP in slowing rundown. PKI had no effect on the ability of ADP to slow rundown, suggesting that the β-phosphate of ADP is not involved in PKA-dependent phosphorylation of the GABA receptor. These results suggest that in cockroach neurons, GABA receptor function is maintained intracellularly by adenine nucleotides, not only by phosphorylation, but also possibly by an interaction with a nucleotide recognition site unrelated to PKA-dependent phosphorylation. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effectively managing computer resources

Achieving success with computer applications has more to do with effective management strategies than with technological sophistication.
Resolving regulatory uncertainty: legislative language for potentially invasive bioenergy feedstocks

Concerns about invasions by novel bioenergy feedstocks are valid, given the parallels between the traits of energy crops and those of many common invasive plants. As the bioenergy industry is poised to introduce nonnative bioenergy crops to large acreages in the United States under state and federal mandates, it is important to consider these concerns – and not simply in an academic sense. Instead, the prevention of invasions should be codified in statutes and regulations pertaining to bioenergy production on both the state and federal level. Unfortunately, this is not occurring regularly or consistently at this time. The few existing regulations that do consider invasiveness in bioenergy systems suffer from vague terminology that could have major economic, environmental, and legal consequences. Here, we discuss existing regulatory challenges and provide solutions to address invasion potential of bioenergy crops. We provide model definitions and provisions to be included in revised or new state and federal regulations, including an invasion risk assessment process, a permit and bond system for high-risk crops, and a risk mitigation provision for all novel crops. Our proposal provides a consistent and transparent system that will allow the industry to move forward with minimal risk of invasion by novel feedstocks.
Weakly nonlinear high frequency waves

Abstract : In this paper we derive a method for finding small amplitude high frequency solutions to hyperbolic systems of quasilinear partial differential equations. Our solution is the sum of two parts: (i) a superposition of small amplitude high frequency waves; (ii) a slowly varying 'mean solution'. Each high frequency wave displays nonlinear distortion of the wave profile and shocks may form. Shock conditions are derived for conservative systems. Different high frequency waves do not interact provided the frequencies and wave numbers of two waves are not linearly related to those of a third. The mean solution is found by solving a linear partial differential equation. This method generalizes Whitham's nonlinearization technique 9 for single waves, to problems where many waves are present. We obtain these results by generalizing a scheme first proposed by Choquet-Bruhat 1 which employs the method of multiple scales. (Author)
Measuring the rate of spread of chaparral prescribed fires in northern California

Prescribed fire is a common method used to produce desired ecological effects in chaparral by mimicking the natural role of fire. Since prescribed fires are usually conducted in moderate fuel and weather conditions, models that accurately predict fire behavior and effects under these scenarios are important for management. In this study, explosive audio devices and steel stakes were used to record the location of the flaming front during seven prescribed fires in mature, chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) dominated chaparral in northern California. Intervals between detonations measured the time required for five fires to transverse a fixed distance and were used to estimate the rate of spread (ROS) during headfire burning conditions. In two other fires, a stopwatch was used to measure the time required to travel successive 5 m distances and ROS was calculated. Burns were completed during moderate weather conditions: average temperature 17 °C, average relative humidity 42 %, and wind light and variable, generally from the west ranging from 0 km h−1 to 8 km h−1. Average percent moisture was 92.1 % for chamise live one-hour fuels, and 8.8 % for chamise dead one-hour fuels. Live fuel height averaged 1.2 m. Overall average ROS was 0.36 m s−1 (range 0.22 m s−1 to 0.56 m s−1) for areas where the flaming front advanced upslope. Measurements of ROS were indeterminable for many of the points along the line transects due to lack of visibility from smoke and from fire not traversing the terrain as predicted. For comparison, BehavePlus fire modeling was performed using five different shrub fuel models (NFFL 4, SH5, SH7, SCAL15, SCAL17); all models underestimated ROS and flame length with NFFL model 4 producing values most similar to that recorded during the prescribed fires. Users of the recently developed fuel models may benefit from field studies to verify model adequacy and fire behavior predictions.
A theory of the winter absorption anomaly at middle latitudes

Winter radio absorption anomaly at middle latitudes theory in terms of temperature and nitric oxide distributions in D region