cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New off-line method for detecting spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in human subjects.

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions were evaluated in 36 female and 40 male subjects. In agreement with the results of previous surveys, emissions were found to be more prevalent in female subjects and there was a tendency for the male subjects to have fewer emissions in their left ears. The digitization of five minute samples of ear canal signals, combined with sophisticated data analysis, produced a substantial reduction in the emission detection threshold. 588 emissions were detected in 72% of the subjects and 56% of the ears. Of the observed emissions, 18 could be identified with cubic distortion products of other emissions, and 11 could be identified as harmonic products (i.e., integral frequency multiples of other emissions). The large number of emissions detected (one subject had 32 in her right ear and 25 in her left) permitted evaluation of the pattern of separation of emissions. The average effective separation along the basilar membrane (according to the Greenwood frequency map) for adjacent emissions of all ears was 0.427 mm with interquartile values of 0.387 mm and 0.473 mm. The relationship between emission power, frequency, and full width at half maximum appears to be in agreement with the implications of a noise perturbed Van der Pol oscillator model of spontaneous emissions.
Mission extended for satellite exploring heliosphere

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Science Programme Committee has unanimously approved continuing the operations of the Ulysses spacecraft until March 2009, the agency announced on 16 November. This latest 1-year extension is the fourth for the joint NASA/ESA mission. Richard Marsden, ESA's mission manager and project scientist for Ulysses, said, “No other spacecraft can provide the out-of-ecliptic measurements made by Ulysses. The Sun's activity will soon pick up again, and there are plenty of unsolved questions to tackle.” Among these unsolved questions is an apparent asymmetry in the temperature of the Sun's polar coronal holes that appears to be related to the magnetic polarity, and data acquired by Ulysses may provide insights into this, according to ESA. Ulysses, now in its eighteenth year in space, is part of the Heliospheric Network, an international fleet of spacecraft operating at different locations in the heliosphere and beyond. For more information, visit the Web site: http://www .esa.int/esaSC/SEM3KY53R8F_index_0.html.
REIDEMEISTER MOVES FOR SURFACE ISOTOPIES AND THEIR INTERPRETATION AS MOVES TO MOVIES

A movie description of a surface embedded in 4-space is a sequence of knot and link diagrams obtained from a projection of the surface to 3-space by taking 2-dimensional cross sections perpendicular to a fixed direction. In the cross sections, an immersed collection of curves appears, and these are lifted to knot diagrams by using the projection direction from 4-space. We give a set of 15 moves to movies (called movie moves) such that two movies represent isotopic surfaces if and only if there is a sequence of moves from this set that takes one to the other. This result generalizes the Roseman moves which are moves on projections where a height function has not been specified. The first 7 of the movie moves are height function parametrized versions of those given by Roseman. The remaining 8 are moves in which the topology of the projection remains unchanged.
Behavioral thermoregulation and the "final preferendum" paradigm

Wider attention to Fry's (1947) “final preferendum” paradigm would facilitate comparative studies of temperature preference (behavioral thermoregulation) among different animal groups. According to Fry's bipartite definition, the final preferendum is that temperature at which preference and acclimation are equal, and to which an animal in a thermal gradient will finally gravitate regardless of its prior thermal experience (acclimation). This paradigm is helpful in distinguishing between acute thermal preferenda (measured within 2 hr or less after placing an animal in a thermal gradient), which are influenced by acclimation temperature, and the species-specific final preferendum (measured 24–96 hr after placement in the gradient), which is essentially independent of prior acclimation because reacclimation occurs during the gravitation process. The paradigm does not take into account non-thermal acclimatization influences (e.g., season, photoperiod, age, light intensity, salinity, disease, nutrition, pollutants, biotic interactions) which can also affect temperature preference. However, a graph of acutely preferred temperatures versus acclimation temperatures can be employed to determine an equivalent acclimation temperature for any given acclimatization state, as a simple means of quantifying acclimatization states resulting from interactions of many influences. This paradigm, developed for use with fishes, can also be applied to other ectothermic taxa, although it is most easily employed with aquatic organisms because of the simplicity of specifying aquatic thermal environments in terms of water temperature alone. Methodologies used in studies of behavioral thermoregulation should take the paradigm into account (especially with respect to length of tests) to enhance the comparative value of data across taxa.
SKELETAL MUSCLE IMPEDANCE IN THE CONTROL OF MOTOR ACTIONS

Unlike ideal engineering actuators, skeletal muscle has neither zero nor infinite mechanical impedance. Non-zero neuro-motor mechanical impedance is required to stabilize posture; its possible contribution to movement will briefly be considered. The essential role of variable mechanical impedance to control physical interaction with objects will be described. Evidence that humans voluntarily control impedance to achieve task goals will be reviewed. Robot impedance control is a biologically-inspired approach to controlling robot interaction. How robust contact stability may be achieved by constraining mechanical impedance will be detailed. One robot application requiring contact and cooperation between robots and humans is robotic physiotherapy. Experience to date demonstrating the success of robotic neuro-rehabilitation of patients recovering from stroke will be summarized. Analysis of the geometry of musculo-skeletal attachment reveals that force control may require synergistic co-contraction of apparently antagonist muscles, rendering the conventional anatomical definition of synergist and antagonist muscles ambiguous. Analysis of workless constraint forces show that they may be used to economize muscle effort; exerting force components normal to a kinematic constraint never requires more muscle effort than exerting purely tangential forces.
Strength and Deformation Characteristics of Cement-Treated Reclaimed Pavement with a Chip Seal:

The objective of this research was to analyze the strength and deformation characteristics of a cement-treated base (CTB) constructed with fulldepth reclamation, microcracked, and then surfaced with a single chip seal. In this field study, strength characteristics of the CTB layer were determined at the time of construction, and both strength and deformation characteristics were evaluated after 9 months of low-volume, heavy truck traffic. Observed distresses at 9 months included transverse cracking, rutting, and chip seal joint failure. The loss of the chip seal was caused by poor chip seal construction practices and not a deficiency in the CTB layer. The average ride qualities in and out of the wheelpath were in the fair ride category; the roughness was not likely caused by trafficking but probably resulted from construction or climatic factors. Structural testing performed after 9 months of service indicated that CTB stiffness and modulus were greater than the values measured after microcracking at the ...
Ignition in a tokamak reactor with INTOR-like parameters

The requirements for ignition in a tokamak reactor with INTOR-like parameters were studied using a one-dimensional transport code. With “empirical” electron energy diffusivityχe, ignition was obtained with 60–75 MW of neutral beam injection at a volume average pressure ratio 〈β〉=4–5% under a variety of conditions. Changingχe gave ignition at the same 〈β〉 if the plasma minor radius varied asa ∞ χe1/2. The maximum impurity concentration which allows ignition was found to be comparable to that for the much simpler case of a homogeneous plasma with radiative losses only. In long pulse simulations with efficient helium pumping, the maximum toroidal field ripple which allowed ignition was 2.0% (peak-to-peak) at the plasma edge. Ignition was maintained with over 99% recycling of helium ash using 5% less than maximum ripple.
City futures: politics, economic crisis, and the American model of urban development

Looking to the future, this essay examines the likely trajectory of the American model of urban development in the face of world-wide economic crisis and major political re-alignment in the United States. It highlights how deeply suspicious many Americans are about concentrating power, even in the face of big sacrifices to social equality and threat of economic crisis. The US model shows how global capitalism does not drive urban change, even in the capital of capitalism. American post-industrial cities have long promoted a competitive urban development style as a matter of public policy, not because of overpowering economic forces leaving little alternative. The major political pillars that sustain the American urban model are not being challenged by President Obama's political coalition. Although American commitment to localism may be unique, it also suggests how urban policy strongly reflects a nation's political choices even in crisis. From this perspective, predicting the future of cities is strongly...
Electronic journal forum: VPIEJ-L: An online discussion group for electronic journal publishing concerns

(1994). Electronic Journal Forum: VPIEJ-L: An Online Discussion Group for Electronic Journal Publishing Concerns. Serials Review: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 89-94.
Glucose administration after traumatic brain injury improves cerebral metabolism and reduces secondary neuronal injury

Abstract Clinical studies have indicated an association between acute hyperglycemia and poor outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), although optimal blood glucose levels needed to maximize outcomes for these patients' remain under investigation. Previous results from experimental animal models suggest that post-TBI hyperglycemia may be harmful, neutral, or beneficial. The current studies determined the effects of single or multiple episodes of acute hyperglycemia on cerebral glucose metabolism and neuronal injury in a rodent model of unilateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. In Experiment 1 , a single episode of hyperglycemia (50% glucose at 2 g/kg, i.p.) initiated immediately after CCI was found to significantly attenuate a TBI-induced depression of glucose metabolism in cerebral cortex (4 of 6 regions) and subcortical regions (2 of 7) as well as to significantly reduce the number of dead/dying neurons in cortex and hippocampus at 24 h post-CCI. Experiment 2 examined effects of more prolonged and intermittent hyperglycemia induced by glucose administrations (2 g/kg, i.p.) at 0, 1, 3 and 6 h post-CCI. The latter study also found significantly improved cerebral metabolism (in 3 of 6 cortical and 3 of 7 subcortical regions) and significant neuroprotection in cortex and hippocampus 1 day after CCI and glucose administration. These results indicate that acute episodes of post-TBI hyperglycemia can be beneficial and are consistent with other recent studies showing benefits of providing exogenous energy substrates during periods of increased cerebral metabolic demand.
Zr(C5H5)(6,6-dmch)(PMe3)2, an edge-bridged half-open zirconocene—synthesis, structure, and its reaction with C6H5C2SiMe3

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of an edge-bridged half-open zirconocene, Zr(C5H5)(dmch)(PMe3)2 (dmch=dimethylcyclohexadienyl), are described. As expected, the ZrC bond distances for the dmch ligand are significantly shorter than those for the C5H5 ligand. The compound readily incorporates 2 equiv. of alkyne, with loss of the PMe3 ligands, leading to a zirconacyclopentadiene complex, so that the dmch ligand has remained intact.
Evaluation of Concomitant Methylphenidate and Opioid Use in Patients with Pain

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system simulant that is used for management of opioid-induced sedation. Sparse data exist regarding use patterns of methylphenidate and opioids in patients with pain. This retrospective data analysis evaluated concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use from physician-reported medication lists and in urine specimens of patients with pain. All specimens were analyzed and quantified with LC-MS-MS. Concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use (e.g., sample population) were compared with a baseline population of patients taking opioids. There were 3,326 patients with physician-reported use of methylphenidate. Of these, 1,089 patients were tested for the presence of methylphenidate in urine. Methylphenidate was positive in urine for 551 patients (detection rate of 50.6%). Ritalinic acid was positive in 776 patients (detection rate of 71.3%). The current study observed differences in the use pattern of methylphenidate based on opioid type. Physician-reported use revealed methadone had the highest percent difference between the sample and baseline populations (77%, P ≤ 0.05). Fentanyl, morphine and hydromorphone also had higher percent differences of 19.6, 25.3 and 32.3%, respectively. Further studies need to examine the apparent discrepancies between the physician-reported medication lists and urine drug testing of concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use in patients with pain.
A Comparative Study of Ionic Association in Poly(Ethylene Oxide)- MCF3SO3 Systems (M=Lithium and Sodium)

A comparative infrared spectroscopic study of the local vibrational potential energy environment of the CF3SO3 (triflate) anion in the poly(ethylene oxide)-lithium triflate and poly(ethylene oxide)-sodium triflate systems is presented. Analysis of the crystalline stoichiometric compounds in the two systems identifies significant differences in the ionic association. Comparison of the relative percentages of the anionic species in the PEO-NaTf system at various concentrations suggests that crystalline compound formation may proceed through intermediate structures. A symmetry-based vibrational analysis is applied to the crystalline compounds.
Reduction of sulphur from polysulphidic model compounds by the hyperthermophilic archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus

Abstract Several polysulphidic model compounds were studied for their reducibility by a hyperthermophilic archaebacterium, Pyrococcus furiosus . Model compounds that may represent forms of organic sulphur in coal were selected for study including model compounds with bulky alkyl and aryl groups surrounding the sulphur atoms and polymeric polysulphides. P. furiosus reduced these organic polysulphides to hydrogen sulphide with varying efficiency. The use of complex model compounds may be more realistic than simple model compounds for evaluating the potential for microbial removal of organic sulphur from coal.
n -observability for linear systems

The n -observability problem is considered for linear dynamical systems. The discussion of the problem is divided into two sections: the first covers linear nonstationary continuous time systems and the second covers discrete time systems. A system is called n -observable at time t' , if the state can be reconstructed from n samples of the output history and from the input over this time interval. The first result gives a necessary and sufficient condition for a linear nonstationary continuous system to be n -observable at time t' . When this condition is satisfied, a formula is given by which the state at t' can be calculated from a knowledge of the system's output at n points in its history and from the system's input over this period of history. Although the theorem does provide a test for n -observability at t' , this test is not easily applied. To remedy this, further results relate this test to a more easily applied test for observability. These theorems connect the necessary and sufficient condition for n - observability with Kalman's necessary and sufficient condition for observability. The corresponding results for linear stationary continuous systems are given. For discrete time systems, the notation is purposely kept the same as for continuous time systems. In this way, the similarity of the relations of discrete to continuous systems is more obvious. The n -observability problem for discrete nonstationary systems is more obvious. The n -observability problem for discrete non-stationary systems is discussed, and a necessary and sufficient condition for n -observability is derived. Again, the corresponding results for stationary systems are given. Finally, the use of state reconstruction in the synthesis of feedback controllers is discussed. This discussion is limited to linear stationary continuous time system. An example is included to clarify the details.
Autophagic Nutrient Recycling in Arabidopsis Directed by the ATG8 and ATG12 Conjugation Pathways

Autophagy is an important mechanism for nonselective intracellular breakdown whereby cytosol and organelles are encapsulated in vesicles, which are then engulfed and digested by lytic vacuoles/lysosomes. In yeast, this encapsulation employs a set of autophagy (ATG) proteins that direct the conjugation of two ubiquitin-like protein tags, ATG8 and ATG12, to phosphatidylethanolamine and the ATG5 protein, respectively. Using an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) atg7 mutant unable to ligate either tag, we previously showed that the ATG8/12 conjugation system is important for survival under nitrogen-limiting growth conditions. By reverse-genetic analyses of the single Arabidopsis gene encoding ATG5, we show here that the subpathway that forms the ATG12-ATG5 conjugate also has an essential role in plant nutrient recycling. Similar to plants missing ATG7, those missing ATG5 display early senescence and are hypersensitive to either nitrogen or carbon starvation, which is accompanied by a more rapid loss of organellar and cytoplasmic proteins. Multiple ATG8 isoforms could be detected immunologically in seedling extracts. Their abundance was substantially elevated in both the atg5 and atg7 mutants, caused in part by an increase in abundance of several ATG8 mRNAs. Using a green fluorescent protein-ATG8a fusion in combination with concanamycin A, we also detected the accumulation of autophagic bodies inside the vacuole. This accumulation was substantially enhanced by starvation but blocked in the atg7 background. The use of this fusion in conjunction with atg mutants now provides an important marker to track autophagic vesicles in planta.
Cyber-Libel: Policy Trade-Offs

Abstract The laws that limit the publication of false but harmful statements about goods, services, or the companies that produce them do not extend to Internet service providers in the same way they do to older media. Companies therefore are vulnerable to negative communication from sources whose anonymity provides the heart of a legal dilemma: freedom of expression and privacy versus the right to damages when libeled. This dilemma leads the authors to suggest public policy and corporate policy remedies.
Fabrication of TiO 2 Nanobelt Network for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Interconnected TiO2 nanobelt networks were prepared to serve as anode materials. The aim is to enhance the electron transport through the anode of dye-sensitized solar cells. Using an alkaline hydrothermal procedure and by controlling the reaction time two kinds of nanostructures were synthesized. One is TiO2 nanobelts and another is TiO2 nanobelts protruding from TiO2 nanoparticles. The investigation suggests that TiO2 nanobelts resulted from the rearrangement of the adjacent [Ti(OH)6]2− monomers formed during the erosion process of TiO2 nanoparticles. The nanostructures of as-synthesized nanobelts were woven and interconnected, forming networks after an annealing process. Raman analysis indicated that both kinds of nanostructures were pure anatase. Electrical characterization suggests that the conductivities of these TiO2 nanobelt networks were higher than those of the TiO2 nanoparticle films. Under simulated sunlight with an intensity of AM 1.5 G, the solar cells made of TiO2 nanobelt networks show exceptional photocurrent in comparison to those made of TiO2 nanoparticles.
The effect of molecular structure on voltage induced shifts of charge transfer excitation in surface enhanced Raman scattering

The Raman intensity versus electrode voltage behavior of a series of substituted pyridines and saturated nitrogen heterocyclic compounds was studied at two laser excitation energies. The voltage (resonance) maximum shifts to more positive potential with increasing excitation energy for the substituted pyridines (case I) and to more negative potential with increasing excitation energy for the saturated nitrogen heterocyclic compounds (case II). The voltage maxima can be correlated with the Hammett sigma function for substituted pyridines and withpKa for the saturated nitrogen heterocycles. The results are consistent with charge transfer from the metal to molecule (adcluster—molecule complex) in the case I system and from the molecule (adcluster—molecule complex) to the metal in the case II system.
U.S. College Students’ Perception of Religion and Science: Conflict, Collaboration, or Independence? A Research Note

This research examines how undergraduates perceive the relationship between religion and science and the factors that shape those perceptions. Longitudinal data generated from the Spirituality in Higher Education Project representing a national sample of undergraduates is analyzed. The analysis finds that, despite the seeming predominance of a conflict-oriented narrative, the majority of undergraduates do not view the relationship between these two institutions as one of conflict. Undergraduate students are also more likely to move away from a conflict perspective than to adopt one during their college years. However, there are significant differences across fields of study and levels of religiosity. Students in the education and business fields, for example, are most likely to adopt a pro-religion conflict stance during college. Future research might examine the mechanisms that lead students in some fields towards or away from a conflict perspective.
Gregory VII and the Primacy of Archbishop Gebuin of Lyons

In the history of the pontificate of Gregory VII, the figure of archbishop Gebiun of Lyons is mysterious, and his very presence shadow-like, while his position as primate seems at first glance anomalous. The policy of the pope, from the start of his rule, had been dominated by motives of ecclesiastical centralization and by the notion of a hierarchy ruled directly on all levels by the pope himself or by administrators in constant contact with the papacy. Thus, he had regularized and extended the scope of the Roman Council, and had asserted the privileged position of the papal legate throughout the western church.
Evaluation of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injuries

Abstract Background : Injury to the diaphragm from penetrating or blunt thoracoabdominal trauma is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Chest radiography, computed tomography scan, contrast studies, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, and laparoscopy are inadequate; thus, celiotomy is commonly performed in patients with suspected diaphragmatic injury. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with that of exploratory celiotomy in the evaluation of diaphragmatic and thoracoabdominal injury. Patients and methods : Hemodynamically stable patients admitted to a level I trauma center with blunt or penetrating injury to the lower chest or abdomen underwent VATS and subsequent celiotomy under the same general anesthetic. Intraoperative thoracoscopic findings were blinded to the abdominal surgeons. Results : Twenty-six patients were enrolled in the study over a 12-month period. Diaphragmatic injuries were identified in 8 patients (31%). Videothoracoscopy identified all eight injuries in these patients. Six of the 8 patients (75%) with diaphragmatic injuries sustained associated injury to intrathoracic or intra-abdominal organs. There was no mortality and no procedure-related morbidity. There were no missed injuries in patients who underwent VATS. Conclusions : Video-assisted thoracoscopy is a safe, expeditious, and accurate method of evaluating the diaphragm in injured patients, and is comparable in diagnostic accuracy to exploratory celiotomy.
Efficacy of amikacin and ticarcillin as empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic children with cancer

Amikacin (600 mg/M2/day IV) and ticarcillin (12 gm/m2/day IV) were administered to 38 children with cancer, neutropenia (less than 1,000 PMN/mm3), and fever (greater than or equal to 38 degrees C) during 46 febrile episodes. Sixty-one percent of the children were severely neutropenic (less than 200 PMN/mm3). Febrile episodes consisted of 15 documented (E coli 5, K pneumoniae and P aeruginosa 1, P. Aeruginosa 1, S marcescens 1, S aureus 4, S epidermidis 1, S viridans 1, adenovirus 1), 13 clinically apparent, nine possible, and nine doubtful infections. Efficacy of amikacin and ticarcillin was not determined in persons with gram-positive, viral, and doubtful infections. Amikacin and ticarcillin were administered from 3 to 13 days (mean 7.3 days). Peak serum concentrations of amikacin on days two and five of treatment ranged between 13 and 35 microgram/ml; trough levels remained below 2 microgram/ml in 92% of the samples. Eighty-six percent of evaluable febrile episodes improved and 14% were unchanged. Among eight infections due to gram-negative enteric bacilli, six were cured (75%), and two (25%) improved temporarily. The excellent results observed in this study may be attributed, in part, to the predictably high serum concentrations of amikacin which exceeded the MICs of seven of eight gram-negative pathogens. Renal toxicity was not observed. Two children (9.5%) developed mild, transient, unilateral hearing losses. These data suggest that the combination of amikacin and ticarcillin is an effective and safe empiric regimen in febrile children with cancer.
Mobile Peer-to-Peer Data Dissemination with Resource Constraints

Peer-to-peer data dissemination in a mobile ad-hoc environment is characterized by three resource constraints, including energy, communication bandwidth, and storage. Most of the existing studies deal with these constraints separately. In this paper we propose an algorithm called RANk-based dissemination (RANDI), which provides an integral treatment to the three constraints. The contribution is in determining how to prioritize the reports in terms of their relevance, when to transmit the reports, and how many to transmit. We experimentally compare RANDI with IDS and PeopleNet, two mobile peer-to-peer dissemination algorithms. The results show that RANDI significantly outperforms both algorithms.
Identification of virulence genes in a pathogenic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by representational difference analysis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that may cause severe infections in humans and other vertebrates. In addition, a human clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa, strain PA14, also causes disease in a variety of nonvertebrate hosts, including plants, Caenorhabditis elegans, and the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. This has led to the development of a multihost pathogenesis system in which plants, nematodes, and insects have been used as adjuncts to animal models for the identification of P. aeruginosa virulence factors. Another approach to identifying virulence genes in bacteria is to take advantage of the natural differences in pathogenicity between isolates of the same species and to use a subtractive hybridization technique to recover relevant genomic differences. The sequenced strain of P. aeruginosa, strain PAO1, has substantial differences in virulence from strain PA14 in several of the multihost models of pathogenicity, and we have utilized the technique of representational difference analysis (RDA) to directly identify genomic differences between P. aeruginosa strains PA14 and PAO1. We have found that the pilC, pilA, and uvrD genes in strain PA14 differ substantially from their counterparts in strain PAO1. In addition, we have recovered a gene homologous to the ybtQ gene from Yersinia, which is specifically present in strain PA14 but absent in strain PAO1. Mutation of the ybtQ homolog in P. aeruginosa strain PA14 significantly attenuates the virulence of this strain in both G. mellonella and a burned mouse model of sepsis to levels comparable to those seen with PAO1. This suggests that the increased virulence of P. aeruginosa strain PA14 compared to PAO1 may relate to specific genomic differences identifiable by RDA.
THE DISSOCIATION OF α- AND β-LIPOVITELLIN IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION: PART I. EFFECT OF pH, TEMPERATURE, AND OTHER FACTORS

The effect of pH, temperature, ionic strength, and lipoprotein concentration on the reversible dissociation of α- and β-lipovitellin in aqueous solutions above pH 6 has been examined by ultracentrifugal measurements. Under otherwise similar conditions α- and β-lipovitellin are 50% dissociated at pH 10.5 and 7.8, respectively. Both lipovitellins undergo an irreversible aggregation above about pH 11; β-lipovitellin is sometimes converted to a non-dissociable form upon aging. Dissociation of both lipovitellins decreases with increasing ionic strength and increasing temperature. Although the ultracentrifugal method has limitations, provisional equilibrium constants and thermodynamic data were obtained from it that are comparable with those obtained for certain protein systems.
A multivariate quadrature based moment method for LES based modeling of supersonic combustion

The transported probability density function (PDF) approach is a powerful technique for large eddy simulation (LES) based modeling of scramjet combustors. In this approach, a high-dimensional transport equation for the joint composition-enthalpy PDF needs to be solved. Quadrature based approaches provide deterministic Eulerian methods for solving the joint-PDF transport equation. In this work, it is first demonstrated that the numerical errors associated with LES require special care in the development of PDF solution algorithms. The direct quadrature method of moments (DQMOM) is one quadrature-based approach developed for supersonic combustion modeling. This approach is shown to generate inconsistent evolution of the scalar moments. Further, gradient-based source terms that appear in the DQMOM transport equations are severely underpredicted in LES leading to artificial mixing of fuel and oxidizer. To overcome these numerical issues, a semi-discrete quadrature method of moments (SeQMOM) is formulated. The performance of the new technique is compared with the DQMOM approach in canonical flow configurations as well as a three-dimensional supersonic cavity stabilized flame configuration. The SeQMOM approach is shown to predict subfilter statistics accurately compared to the DQMOM approach.
A testbed for testing an active body support system for locomotion training

This paper describes the design of an experimental testbed used for nonhuman test of an active body-weight support system for treadmill based locomotion rehabilitation. The body support system is designed to off load not only partial weight but also inertia force (dynamic load) of the patient who is supported by the system during neural training. To avoid human subject test in the early phase of the technology development, a cam-slider based testbed is designed to facilitate the test of the active cable control of the body support system. The goal of the test is to see if the testbed can generate an accurate periodical motion pattern mimicking a human walking gait. The paper describes the design of the testbed hardware and a simulation test of the dynamic performance of the testbed.
Issues in single target tracking with state dependent detection probability

Target tracking algorithms have traditionally assumed that the target detection probability is uniform across the validation gate. This paper examines one approach for single target tracking when the target detection probability is non-uniform (state-dependent) across the gate. By using the expected value for the target measurement a tracker formulation similar to probabilistic data association (PDA) is derived with the summations in PDA replaced by integrals over the a posteriori innovation probability density function in the state-dependent formulation. The reduction of the new tracking update equations to the conventional formulation is shown along with a discussion of the effect of restricting target innovations of interest to the validation gate. The behaviour of the new tracker for a partially obscured validation gate is also demonstrated.
A Compact Cantilever Model That Includes Fillets

In this paper we present analytical expressions for determining the stiffness of cantilevers with fillets and tappers. We consider the unavoidable fillet due to the feature size limitation of lithography that rounds acute vertices, and the intentional tapper that is often used for reducing stress concentrations or can be used to reduce the effect of fillets. Previous compact models have not included the stiffness contributions from fillets. However, although fillets are small, they can measurably affect the performance of MEMS by affecting deflection or resonance frequency by their second most significant digit. We extend the well-known analytical beam model to include fillets. To our knowledge, this is the first analytical model of a filleted cantilever. In addition to the typical model parameters of beams, our model also includes process variation overcut and fillet radius of curvature, which are key parameters for MEMS designers. Our analytical solution is within 0.01% of finite element analysis.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Urethral mobilization for distal and mid shaft hypospadias with chordee.

Purpose: Many options are available for repairing mid shaft to distal hypospadias. Reported complications include poor cosmesis, persistent chordee, meatal stenosis and fistula. We hypothesized that advancing the intact native urethra would facilitate chordee correction and minimize complications.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our records of all 248 hypospadias repairs done from July 2003 to May 2009 and identified patients younger than 18 years with distal or mid shaft hypospadias who underwent repair by urethral mobilization. The outcomes recorded were patient satisfaction, bladder scan volume, and the rate of fistula, meatal stenosis or other complications.Results: Of the patients 83 met study inclusion criteria, including 5 (6%) treated with previous failed hypospadias operations. The hypospadias site was the distal, mid shaft and megameatal intact prepuce variant in 69 (83.1%), 11 (13.3%) and 3 patients (3.6%), respectively. Chordee was present in 80 patients (96.4%). The mean deg...
Finite-Layer Approach to Pavement Response Evaluation

The following aspects of the proposed continuum-based finite-layer model are presented: (1) theoretical basis, (2) applicability in evaluating pavement response, and (3) verification of predictive capability. The model incorporates important pavement response factors such as noncircular contact area, complex contact stress distributions (normal and shear), vehicle speed, and viscoelastic material characterization. The proposed model is much more computationally efficient than the moving-load models based on the finite-element method. A verification study, undertaken to validate the predictive capability of the proposed approach and its ensuing computer program, is also presented. The validation study includes (1) verification using results from ELSYM5, a widely used pavement response model, and (2) laboratory verification using two foam rubber models. Very good agreement was observed in both cases. Applicability of the proposed approach has also been demonstrated using realistic pavement loading. The prop...
Circadian changes in blood pressure and their relationships to the development of microalbuminuria in type 1 diabetic patients.

Diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients, as it is currently understood, progresses in a stepwise fashion from normoalbuminuria to microalbuminuria, then to overt proteinuria and progression to chronic renal failure, and ultimately to end-stage renal disease. The role of early blood pressure changes in relation to diabetic nephropathy is now better understood in light of recent data using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring as a means to monitor blood pressure changes noninvasively throughout the day. Cross-sectional studies with type 1 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria have shown that the normal nocturnal blood pressure often fails to fall normally during sleep. The question of which comes first, microalbuminuria or a rise in blood pressure in patients with type 1 diabetes, was recently addressed in a prospective study. An increase in systolic blood pressure during sleep precedes the development of microalbuminuria and may play a causative role in its development.
Active Control With an Isoluminant Display

Humans perceive isoluminant visual stimuli (i.e., stimuli that show little or no luminance variation across space) to move more slowly than their luminance-defined counterparts. To explore whether impaired motion perception at isoluminance also affects visuomotor control tasks, the authors examined the performance as humans actively controlled a moving line. They tested two types of displays matched for an overall salience: a luminant display composed of a luminance-defined Gaussian-blurred horizontal line and an isoluminant display composed of a color-defined line with the same spatial characteristics, but near-zero luminance information. Six subjects were asked to use a joystick to keep the line centered on a cathode ray tube display as its vertical position was perturbed pseudorandomly by a sum of ten sinusoids under two control regimes (velocity and acceleration control). The mean root mean square position error was larger for the isoluminant than for the luminant line (mean across subjects: 22% and 29% larger, for the two regimes, respectively). The describing functions (Bode plots) showed that, compared to the luminant line, the isoluminant line showed a lower open-loop gain (mean decrease: 3.4 and 2.9 dB, respectively) and an increase in phase lag, which can be accounted for by an increase in reaction time (mean increase: 103 and 155 ms, respectively). The performance data are generally well fit by McRuer's classical crossover model. In conclusion, both our model-independent and model-dependent analyses show that the selective loss of luminance information impairs human active control performance, which is consistent with the preferential loss of information from cortical visual motion processing pathways. Display engineers must therefore be mindful of the importance of luminance-contrast per se (not just total stimulus salience) in the design of effective visual displays for closed-loop active control tasks
Evaluation and management of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Today, overt complications of primary hyperparathyroidism such as osteitis fibrosa cystica, kidney stones, or classical neuromuscular features are uncommon. Rather, the vast majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are asymptomatic. As a result of this change in clinical presentation in the past two decades, parathyroidectomy, still the only curative approach, is no longer the treatment of choice in all cases. It has become necessary, instead, to utilize guidelines for the appropriate management of patients with this common disorder. While such guidelines exist, our evolving understanding of this modern form of primary hyperparathyroidism continues to dictate an evolving approach to those with the disease. The patients who form the basis of our approach to primary hyperparathyroidism are seen at a tertiary care medical center in a major urban environment. We see referrals from the immediate metropolitan New York-tristate area, and from all over the USA and abroad. We also care for a local, largely indigent, population. Our approach to primary hyperparathyroidism has been distilled from many years of experience with these patients in a variety of clinical settings. Patients are seen in private practice in a Metabolic Bone Disease Unit, the Endocrinology Clinic of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, as well as our long-standing clinical research program in the General Clinical Research Center. In the research setting, we have followed a cohort of 143 patients for up to 11 years as part of an ongoing study of primary hyperparathyroidism. In the more general patient care setting, our experience extends to a much larger number.
Identification and Characterization of a Smad2 Homologue fromSchistosoma mansoni, a Transforming Growth Factor-β Signal Transducer

Smad proteins are essential intracellular signal transducers of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. The TGF-beta superfamily signals through phosphorylation and activation of R-Smad proteins, receptor-regulated Smads, by heteromeric complexes of ligand-specific type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. R-Smads receive a signal from the activated receptor complex and transmit it to the nucleus. A cDNA was isolated that encodes a 649-amino acid protein found to be homologous to members of R-Smad subfamily with highest homology scored to clawed African frog and human Smad2. The Schistosoma mansoni homologue (SmSmad2) was overexpressed in bacteria as a Sj26-GST fusion protein and used to raise specific antibodies. The IgG fraction of the immunized rabbit serum identified 70- and 72-kDa protein bands in Western analysis of schistosome extracts. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase removed the 72-kDa band, which indicates that this band represents the phosphorylated form of schistosome Smad2. SmSmad2 was localized in the subtegument, parenchymal cells, and sex organs in both male and female worm cryosections. Similar results were also obtained from the analysis of the Smad2 mRNA distribution pattern revealed by in situ hybridization of adult worm pair paraffin sections. SmSmad2 mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in different mammalian host developmental stages and found to be constitutively expressed. SmSmad2 was also found to interact with a previously identified SmTbetaR-I, a serine/threonine type I kinase receptor. Furthermore, SmSmad2 was shown to undergo phosphorylation by constitutively active forms of SmTbetaR-I in vitro. In addition, SmSmad2 localized in the nuclei of mink lung epithelial cells upon treatment with TGF-beta(1). These data indicate that the SmSmad2 responds to the TGF-beta signals by interaction with receptor I, which phosphorylates it, whereupon it translocates into the nucleus presumably to regulate target gene transcription and consequently elicit a specific TGF-beta effect.
Church Engagement, Religious Values, and Mass‐Elite Policy Agenda Agreement in Local Communities

We provide evidence on two prominent but heretofore untested expectations about the relevance of religion for the democratic process: (1) that greater engagement in churches or comparable religious institutions and their organizational life enhances representational processes; and (2) that religious values in a community have greater influence on the latter processes, with more liberal religious values expected to enhance the responsiveness of community leaders to general public preferences. Using data on local communities in the United States in the late 1960s, we find strong support for the expected relevance of religious liberalism for representation, but none for the expected effect of church engagement. We provide evidence, too, that our findings about religious values are generalizable to present-day politics.
Tumors of Unknown Primary

Not so long ago, “Anaplastic Tumor” ranked among the top ten most common diagnoses in pathology departments around the World. That this is no longer true is in large measure attributable to the widespread use of IHC methods for the diagnosis of very poorly differentiated or anaplastic malignant tumors, whether as metastases or apparent primary lesions. In effect, IHC stains provide a sensitive method for the demonstration of characteristic cell products or structural proteins (antigens) that allow identification of cell lineage when morphologic features alone cannot do so. This chapter provides a concise and practical approach for the application of IHC methods to facilitate the diagnosis of tumors of unknown origin. Screening approaches employing selected panels of stains are described for common broad categories of tumors (carcinomas, sarcomas, lymphomas, etc.), together with “second-tier” stains to home in on a more specific diagnosis. Emphasis is on an efficient practical approach, that is both economical (using the minimum number of stains) and rapid (requiring of the least number of additional staining runs). For rapid reference many of the IHC stains and stain panels are presented in summary tables, without further detail of the typical patterns of reactivity of each antibody. However, all of the antibodies (stains) described in this chapter have been discussed previously in; further details may be found by recourse to individual organ and issue specific chapters throughout the book.
There Is No Such Thing as a “Mid-Pole”

or as incidentalomas found on other imaging studies, and because their superficial locations render them more easily accessible to percutaneous biopsy [6]. Hoang et al [1] recommended sonographic assessment of thyroid nodules based predominantly on patient age and nodule size. This is a most reasonable approach, although I suspect that in the future, there will be even more stringent requirements for workup, follow-up, and biopsy of such nodules.
Hand-held echocardiography: revolution or hassle?

Running apace with progress in electronics, the echocardiography industry has rapidly integrated innovations into instrument design; in so doing, this modality has become the central diagnostic tool in cardiology. Generally, active echocardiography laboratories use “high-end” instruments that