cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermionic Cooling of the Target Plasma to a Sub-eV Temperature

Contemporary models of bounded plasmas assume that the target plasma electron temperature far exceeds the temperature of the cold electrons emitted from the target, ${T}_{\text{emit}}$. We show that when the sheath facing a collisional plasma becomes inverted, the target plasma electron temperature has to equal ${T}_{\text{emit}}$ even if the upstream plasma is hotter by orders of magnitude. This extreme cooling effect can alter the plasma properties and the heat transmission to thermionically emitting surfaces in many applications. It also opens a possibility of using thermionic divertor plates to induce detachment in tokamaks.
CD44 Regulates Formation of Spheroids and Controls Organ-Specific Metastatic Colonization in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma.

Disseminating epithelial ovarian cancer cells often become assembled into spheroids prior to their arrival at metastatic sites within the peritoneal cavity. Although epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy, the mechanisms regulating formation and metastatic potential of spheroids are poorly understood. We show that expression of a cell surface glycoprotein CD44 is an important contributing factor for spheroid formation and spheroid adhesion to mesothelial cells, and its loss impairs mesenteric metastasis. In contrast, loss of CD44 resulted in significant increase of tumor burden at several locoregional sites, including liver, and unleashed distant metastases to the thoracic cavity. Altogether our studies suggest that CD44 regulates metastatic progression of epithelial ovarian carcinoma in an organ-specific manner. Implications: Expression of CD44 promotes spheroid formation, mesothelial adhesion and formation of mesenteric metastasis, but it suppresses development of metastasis to several peritoneal sites, including liver, and the thoracic cavity.
Lack of virologic suppression is associated with lower HIV-related disclosure stigma in people living with HIV.

Stigma remains a leading barrier to HIV care. To determine the influence of disclosure stigma (DS), fear of disclosing one’s serostatus, on virologic suppression, a cross-sectional study was perfor...
Geophysical Site Characterization

Abstract This article presents a brief overview of the most commonly used methods for geophysical site characterization, describing seismic, electrical, and potential field methods. Some methods provide high-resolution images of the subsurface, whereas others provide estimates of subsurface physical properties. Magnetic and frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) methods can quickly map changes in physical properties over relatively large areas with little interpretation. Other methods, such as seismic refraction and ground penetrating radar (GPR), require more expertise, but are quickly learned and useful to the novice. Seismic reflection, electrical resistivity imaging, and time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) require extensive knowledge of the equipment and interpretation methods to confidently model the ground. That geophysical methods are minimally invasive is highly advantageous, as environmentally sensitive areas can be studied with minimal disruption. Because these methods do not disturb the ground surface, they do not provide avenues for chemicals to contaminate the ground as a well or borehole might. These geophysical methods characterize the subsurface in ways that can be further used by geoscientists and engineers to better understand the nature of the site.
Impact of psychiatric comorbidities on outcomes related to thyroid and parathyroid operations

Abstract Background We examined the effect of psychiatric comorbidities on perioperative surgical outcomes and the leading causes of readmissions in patients who underwent thyroid and parathyroid operations. Method Patient information was retrieved from the Nationwide Readmission Database (2010–2017). Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors for hospital readmissions. Results A total of 181,007 and 53,808 patients underwent thyroid and parathyroid operations, respectively. Of those, 8,468 (4.7%) and 6,112 (11.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days. Psychiatric comorbidities were more frequent in readmitted cohorts after thyroidectomies (14.9% vs 10.4%; P Conclusion Concomitant psychiatric conditions after thyroid and parathyroid operations were associated with increased risk of postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stays, and greater rates of readmissions.
Impact of provider volume on front-line chemotherapy guideline compliance and overall survival in elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Abstract Purpose We sought to evaluate whether provider volume or other factors are associated with chemotherapy guideline compliance in elderly patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods We queried the SEER-Medicare database for patients ≥66 years, diagnosed with FIGO stage II-IV EOC from 2004 to 2013 who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy within 7 months of diagnosis. We compared NCCN guideline compliance (6 cycles of platinum-based doublet) and chemotherapy-related toxicities across provider volume tertiles. Factors associated with guideline compliance and chemotherapy-related toxicities were assessed using logistic regression. Overall survival (OS) was compared across volume tertiles and Cox proportional-hazards model was created to adjust for case-mix. Results 1924 patients met inclusion criteria. The overall rate of guideline compliance was 70.3% with a significant association between provider volume and compliance (64.5% for low-volume, 72.2% for medium-volume, 71.7% for high-volume, p = .02). In the multivariate model, treatment by low-volume providers and patient age ≥ 80 years were independently associated with worse chemotherapy-guideline compliance. In the survival analysis, there was a significant difference in median OS across provider volume tertiles with median survival of 32.8 months (95%CI 29.6, 36.4) low-volume, 41.9 months (95%CI 37.5, 46.7) medium-volume, 42.1 months (95%CI 38.8, 44.2) high-volume providers, respectively (p Conclusions In a modern cohort of elderly Medicare patients with advanced EOC, we found higher rates of non-compliant care and worse survival associated with treatment by low-volume Medicare providers. Urgent efforts are needed to address this volume-outcomes disparity.
Nonlinear refractive index pulsewidth dependence in the atmosphere

Ultrafast response function of air is used to predict the pulsewidth dependence of the effective nonlinear refractive index from our measurements done in the near and mid-infrared, which shows no dispersion. Pulsewidth dependence of the effective nonlinear refractive index prediction at different altitudes was done.
Effects of the autonomous vehicle crashes on public perception of the technology

Abstract In March 2018, an Uber-pedestrian crash and a Tesla's Model X crash attracted a lot of media attention because the vehicles were operating under self-driving and autopilot mode respectively at the time of the crash. This study aims to conduct before-and-after sentiment analysis to examine how these two fatal crashes have affected people's perceptions of self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology using Twitter data. Five different and relevant keywords were used to extract tweets. Over 1.7 million tweets were found within 15 days before and after the incidents with the specific keywords, which were eventually analyzed in this study. The results indicate that after the two incidents, the negative tweets on “self-driving/autonomous” technology increased by 32 percentage points (from 14% to 46%). The compound scores of “pedestrian crash”, “Uber”, and “Tesla” keywords saw a 6% decrease while “self-driving/autonomous” recorded the highest change with an 11% decrease. Before the Uber-incident, 19% of the tweets on Uber were negative and 27% were positive. With the Uber-pedestrian crash, these percentages have changed to 30% negative and 23% positive. Overall, the negativity in the tweets and the percentage of negative tweets on self-driving/autonomous technology have increased after their involvement in fatal crashes. Providing opportunities to interact with this developing technology has shown to positively influence peoples' perception.
Of mice and men: What a mouse model of microglial C9ORF72 deficiency does—and does not—tell us about human neurodegenerative diseases

Expansions in C9ORF72, which cause frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, result in formation of aberrant peptide and RNA species and decreased expression of the normal gene. In this issue of Neuron, Lall et al. (2021) report the consequences of microglial C9ORF72 deficiency in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Therapeutic Targeting of the Gas6/Axl Signaling Pathway in Cancer

Many signaling pathways are dysregulated in cancer cells and the host tumor microenvironment. Aberrant receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathways promote cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Hence, numerous therapeutic interventions targeting RTKs have been actively pursued. Axl is an RTK that belongs to the Tyro3, Axl, MerTK (TAM) subfamily. Axl binds to a high affinity ligand growth arrest specific 6 (Gas6) that belongs to the vitamin K-dependent family of proteins. The Gas6/Axl signaling pathway has been implicated to promote progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance in many cancer types. Therapeutic agents targeting Gas6 and Axl have been developed, and promising results have been observed in both preclinical and clinical settings when such agents are used alone or in combination therapy. This review examines the current state of therapeutics targeting the Gas6/Axl pathway in cancer and discusses Gas6- and Axl-targeting agents that have been evaluated preclinically and clinically.
Atrial natriuretic factor increases vascular permeability

An increase in central blood volume in microgravity may result in increased plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). In this study, it was determined whether ANF increases capillary permeability to plasma protein. Conscious, bilaterally nephrectomized male rats were infused with either saline, ANF + saline, or hexamethonium + saline over 2 h following bolus injections of (I-125)-albumin and (C-14)-dextran of similar molecular size. Blood pressure was monitored, and serial determinations of hematocrits were made. Animals infused with 1.0 microg/kg per min ANF had significantly higher hematocrits than animals infused with saline vehicle. Infusion of ANF increased the extravasation of (I-125)-albumin, but not (C-14)-dextran from the intravascular compartment. ANF also induced a depressor response in rats, but the change in blood pressure did not account for changes in capillary permeability to albumin; similar depressor responses induced by hexamethonium were not accompanied by increased extravasation of albumin from the intravascular compartment. ANF may decrease plasma volume by increasing permeability to albumin, and this effect of ANF may account for some of the signs and symptoms of space motion sickness.
Neural Network-Based Diesel Engine Emissions Prediction Using In-Cylinder Combustion Pressure

This paper explores the feasibility of using in-cylinder pressure-based variables to predict gaseous exhaust emissions levels from a Navistar T444 direct injection diesel engine through the use of neural networks. The networks were trained using in-cylinder pressure derived variables generated at steady state conditions over a wide speed and load test matrix. The networks were then validated on previously "unseen" real-time data obtained from the Federal Test Procedure cycle through the use of a high speed digital signal processor data acquisition system. Once fully trained, the DSP-based system developed in this work allows the real-time prediction of NOX and CO2 emissions from this engine on a cycle-by-cycle basis without requiring emissions measurement.
CHONDROCALCINOSIS ARTICLARIS (Pseudogout) A Study of 72 Patients

This paper reports the results of a study of 72 symptomatic patients with chondrocalcinosis articularis collected over a period of seven years at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital.
Further Characterization of the Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate:Nitrate Oxidoreductase in Aspergillus nidulans

The reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH):nitrate oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.6.2) from Aspergillus nidulans wild-type bi-1 was purified by means of salt fractionation, gel filtration, affinity chromatography, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Enzyme which was adsorbed on Cibacron blue agarose could be eluted with 2 mM NADPH or 2 mM oxidized NADP (NADP(+)), the former being about three times more effective than the latter. About half the total NADPH:nitrate reductase activity adsorbed on agarose required elution with 1 M NaCl. This salt-elutable form remained active with NADPH and was not converted to the NADPH-elutable form after readsorption on Cibacron blue agarose. The NADPH-eluted enzyme exhibited a markedly different electrophoretic mobility than the enzyme eluted with NADP(+) or NaCl. After electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels, the NADPH-eluted NADPH:nitrate reductase was separated into four proteins, two of which contained nonheme iron and exhibited reduced methyl viologen-nitrate reductase activity. None of these proteins, singly or in combination, reduced nitrate with NADPH as substrate. Difference spectra analyses and specific heme iron stains revealed the presence of cytochrome b(557) in the largest of the proteins. The molecular weights of the four proteins, which were determined from the relationship of their mobilities on varied concentrations of acrylamide gel, were 360,000, 300,000, 240,000, and 118,000. The subunit molecular weights of these, which are determined via sodium dodecyl sulfate slab gel electrophoresis, were 49,000, 50,000, and 75,000. The key role of NADPH in maintenance of the active form of the heteromultimer is further substantiated.
The super politics of comic book fandom

Editorial for "Appropriating, Interpreting, and Transforming Comic Books," edited by Matthew Costello, special issue, Transformative Works and Cultures, no. 13 (2013).
Follow-up of the Asymptomatic Patient with Ovarian Cancer

At present the optimal follow-up/monitoring strategy for the asymptomatic patient with advanced ovarian cancer after initial treatment remains undefined. Important considerations in the decision to take a more "passive" or "active" approach in follow-up include: (1) absence of data on the overall clinical utility of second-line ("salvage") therapy in ovarian cancer; (2) costs, morbidity, and mortality of possible monitoring and treatment strategies; and (3) patient preference for a particular approach. Currently, it must be concluded that there is no evidence that intensive investigative monitoring efforts in the asymptomatic patient exert a significant positive impact on overall survival, symptom-free survival, or quality of life. However, in carefully selected patients, such a strategy may be an appropriate management option, as long as individuals followed in this manner are informed of the limited data demonstrating the value of either intensive monitoring or therapy in this clinical setting.
Hardware Considerations for Embedded Vision Systems

Image processing and computer vision do not start with a frame in the frame buffer. Embedded vision systems need to consider the entire real-time vision pipeline from image acquisition to result output, including the operations that are to be performed on the images. This chapter gives an overview of this pipeline and the involved hardware components. It discusses several types of image sensors as well as their readout styles, speeds, and interface styles. Interconnection options for such sensors are presented with low-voltage differential signaling highlighted due to performance and prevalence. Typical image operations are overviewed in the context of an embedded system containing one or more sensors and their interfaces. Several hardware storage and processing components (including DSPs, various systemon- a-chip combinations, FPGAs, GPUs, and memories) are explained as building blocks from which a vision system might be realized. Component-to-component relationships, data and control pathways, and signaling methods between and among these components are discussed, and specific organizational approaches are compared and contrasted.
Global CMA error surface characteristics, source statistic effects: polytopes and manifolds

This work focuses on gaining insight to CMA behavior through identification of the global properties of CMA stationary point locations due to source statistics (distributions and temporal correlation). The CMA error function under source correlation effects is viewed as a deformation of the i.i.d. CMA error surface. As deformations are the realm of topology, we look at some of the topological aspects connected with CMA source correlation. Some general characteristics of CMA under i.i.d. source are presented, noting relations to Morse theory, polytopes, and Euler characteristics.
Analysis of TAB inner lead fatigue in thermal cycle environments

The inner leads of a Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) device can be subject to early fatigue failures in thermal cycle environments. This paper describes a 3-D non-linear finite element analysis of the failure mechanism, and verifies the results by experiment. Some TAB applications require environmental qualification and electrical testing in the unexcised tape carrier or retain a significant portion of the polyimide tape in the assembly. In these cases the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) mismatch between the silicon die and polyimide tape can cause plastic strains in the inner leads. Several design variations are quantified. Those with first order effects were found to be encapsulant material, lead length, and lead material. >
Effects of flecainide on defibrillation thresholds in the anesthetized dog.

Abstract The effects of fiecainide on defibrillation thresholds in 21 open chest, anesthetized dogs were studied. Defibrillation was accomplished using nontruncated exponential pulses delivered through two epicardial patches. Multiple shocks of varying energy were administered after 10 s of ventricular fibrillation in random order. The percent success was plotted against the energy delivered for each dog. A sigmoidal curve was fit to the data and the energy associated with 50% success (E50) calculated. Flecainide (n = 16) or saline solution (n = 5) was then infused and E50again determined. Flecainide infusion produced mean (standard error of the mean) plasma levels of 610111 ng/ml. Defibrillation thresholds were obtainable in 10 of 16 dogs that received fiecainide infusion. Flecainide infusion increased E50by 75% (from 6.5 ± 1.9 to 11.4 ± 2.6 J) (p Flecainide infusion significantly increases defibrillation threshold and has important adverse arrhythmic and hemodynamic effects in this experimental preparation.
Effect of Rauwolfa serpentina and Reserpine on the Blood Pressure in Essential Hypertension A Long-Term Double-Blind Study

A 2-year double-blind study of 18 ambulatory patients treated with Rauwolfia serpentina and reserpine is presented, with a statistical evaluation by the method of analysis of variance.
Cl (2Pj)_ fine structure quantum yields from UV dissociation of PCl3, CCl4, CHCl3 and Cl2 in a supersonic jet

Abstract Jet-cooled phosphorus trichloride, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and molecular chlorine are photodissociated in the UV wavelength range 235–238 nm. Chlorine atom photofragments Cl ( 2 P 3 2 ) and Cl* ( 2 P 1 2 ) are detected via resonance-enhanced (2+1) ionization throughout the 232–238 nm wavelength region. The relative Cl* yields, φ*=[Cl*]/([Cl]+[Cl*]), are measured for both 35 Cl and 37 Cl isotopes using the two-photon atomic transitions at 235.3 nm for Cl and 237.8 nm for Cl*. Preliminary results indicate that the Cl* yields are different for the two isotopes for some of the precursors. In addition, we obtained the two-photon oscillator strength of the Cl transition at 237.7 nm relative to the Cl* transition at 237.8 nm. The advantage of using the two-photon Cl transition at 237.7 nm for quantum yield measurements is discussed.
A Single Native Ganglioside GM1-Binding Site Is Sufficient for Cholera Toxin To Bind to Cells and Complete the Intoxication Pathway

Cholera toxin (CT) from Vibrio cholerae is responsible for the majority of the symptoms of the diarrheal disease cholera. CT is a heterohexameric protein complex with a 240-residue A subunit and a pentameric B subunit of identical 103-residue B polypeptides. The A subunit is proteolytically cleaved within a disulfide-linked loop to generate the A1 and A2 fragments. The B subunit of wild-type (wt) CT binds 5 cell surface ganglioside GM(1) (GM(1)) molecules, and the toxin-GM(1) complex traffics from the plasma membrane (PM) retrograde through endosomes and the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). From the ER, the enzymatic A1 fragment retrotranslocates to the cytosol to cause disease. Clustering of GM(1) by multivalent toxin binding can structurally remodel cell membranes in ways that may assist toxin uptake and retrograde trafficking. We have recently found, however, that CT may traffic from the PM to the ER by exploiting an endogenous glycosphingolipid pathway (A. A. Wolf et al., Infect. Immun. 76:1476-1484, 2008, and D. J. F. Chinnapen et al., Dev. Cell 23:573-586, 2012), suggesting that multivalent binding to GM(1) is dispensable. Here we formally tested this idea by creating homogenous chimeric holotoxins with defined numbers of native GM(1) binding sites from zero (nonbinding) to five (wild type). We found that a single GM(1) binding site is sufficient for activity of the holotoxin. Therefore, remodeling of cell membranes by mechanisms that involve multivalent binding of toxin to GM(1) receptors is not essential for toxicity of CT. Through multivalent binding to its lipid receptor, cholera toxin (CT) can remodel cell membranes in ways that may assist host cell invasion. We recently found that CT variants which bind no more than 2 receptor molecules do exhibit toxicity, suggesting that CT may be able to enter cells by coopting an endogenous lipid sorting pathway without clustering receptors. We tested this idea directly by using purified variants of CT with zero to five functional receptor-binding sites (BS). One BS enabled CT to intoxicate cells, supporting the conclusion that CT can enter cells by coopting an endogenous lipid-sorting pathway. Although multivalent receptor binding is not essential, it does increase CT toxicity. These findings suggest that achieving higher receptor binding avidity or affecting membrane dynamics by lipid clustering and membrane remodeling may be driving forces for evolution of AB(5) subunit toxins that can bind multivalently to cell membrane lipid receptors.
Characterization of P1 argF derivatives from Escherichia coli K12 transduction III. P1Cm13argF derivatives

Abstract In a system where generalized transduction cannot occur, transduction of argF with P1Cm13 as a vector occurred with a frequency of 9.2 × 10 −8 . This frequency of specialized transduction was 30 times lower than we have observed for other PI vectors. Genetic analysis indicated that though the transductants harbored P1Cm13 argF prophage, most (six out of seven) prophage were defective in some way. Physical analysis confirmed that two of the prophage had large deletions of P1 genes located near or at an IS 1 element. From these results we concluded that the insertion of argF into P1Cm13 is often accompanied by deletions in the prophage genome. The additional DNA in P1Cm13 consists of 2 IS 1 elements and the chloramphenicol resistance determinant. The deletions in the transductant prophage could be a result of enhanced IS 1 × IS 1 recombination due to the additional IS 1 elements in the P1Cm13 genome or the orientation of these IS 1 elements.
Temperature Dependent FCS Shows Mammalian Cell Membrane is not Poised near Miscibility Transition Temperature

Immiscibility of liquid mixtures occurs when Gibb's free energy of the separated state is more favorable to that of homogeneous state of the system. Immiscibility is known to be taking action in various lipid mixture membrane systems too. Studies examining macro scale phase separations in ternary lipid mixtures and mammalian membrane blebs have shown that domain separation can also sort membrane components by differential chemical potentials. This behavior is commonly extended to native cell membranes hypothesizing existence of nano-scale heterogeneous domains but actual evidence of this link has been vague. Hence where in the phase diagram the live cell membrane is poised would be a very important question in terms of thermodynamics even considering the possible non-equilibrium perturbation to the membrane by actin cytoskeleton or active exchange of components etc. Temperature dependent fluorescence correlation spectroscopy of fluorescent labeled lipids shows a consistently linear trend of mobility as a function of temperature for several different types of lipids. Supported by Monte-Carlo simulation on random walking particles under different states of the system, it shows cell membrane doesn’t experience effective miscibility transition well below the physiological temperature. Fluorescence lifetime study with DiI, a known local viscosity reporter, confirms this trend, and shows a clear difference in lifetime between living cell membranes and the blebs derived from them. This also shows even though the membrane blebs are directly induced from the native cell membrane, they may not be under the identical environment which would also suggest two systems being at different positions in the phase diagram.
TRANSMUTATION MISSIONS FOR FUSION NEUTRON SOURCES

Abstract There are a number of potential neutron transmutation missions (destruction of long-lived radioisotopes in spent nuclear fuel, ‘disposal’ of surplus weapons-grade plutonium, ‘breeding’ of fissile nuclear fuel) that perhaps best can be performed in sub-critical nuclear reactors driven by a neutron source. The requirements on a tokamak fusion neutron source for such transmutation missions are significantly less demanding than for commercial electrical power production. A tokamak fusion neutron source based on the current physics and technology database (ITER design base) would meet the needs of the spent nuclear fuel transmutation mission; the technical issue would be achieving ≥50% availability, which would require advances in component reliability and in steady-state physics operation.
p − p Interactions at 2 Bev. I. Single-Pion Production

An analysis of 3600 two-pronged events, obtained in p-p interactions at 2 Bev in the BNL 20-in. hydrogen bubble chamber, was made. Cross sections were measured for elastic scattering, for the two modes of single-pion production, p + p yields p + n + pi /sup +/, p + p yields p + p + pi /sup 0/ and for strange particle production. The branching ratio for the two one pion production reactions is sigma (pn pi /+sup 0/) = 4.17 plus or minus 0.25 Momentum distributions and Q values indicate that singlepion production proceeds almost entirely through the of the extended isobar model and also a one-pion exchange model for production. The branching ratio and momentum distributions can be explained by including a small effect from the I = 1/2 resonant state in addition to the dominant I =3/2 resonance. The c.m. angular distribution of the nucleons in single-pion production shows very marked backward-forward peaking indicating a one-pion exchange mechanism. Absolute differential cross sections as a function of laboratory kinetic energy were calculated from Selleri's equation for the pn pi reaction. There is sgreement with the data for low four-momentum transfers ers the theoretical are larger than the experimentalmore » cross sections. (auth)« less
Botulinum toxin: Adjunctive treatment for posterior glottic synechiae

Introduction: Synechiae formation of the posterior glottis can result in tracheostomy dependence secondary to airway obstruction. Stenosis is caused by total or partial fixation of the vocal folds in adduction resulting from scar contracture. The treatment poses a management dilemma because of recurrent scar formation, made worse by mobility of the vocal folds. Although various treatment options from conservative endoscopic repair to open procedures have been proposed, the results are not satisfactory and patients often require multiple procedures. Methods: We present the trial of a conservative approach that includes microscopic CO2 laser resection of the scar with concomitant botulinum toxin injection of the interarytenoid and thyroarytenoid muscles of the more mobile cord. This results in a temporary paresis of the adductor muscles and hence prevents overadduction in the posterior commissure during the postoperative healing period. Study Design: We present the surgical technique and results in three patients who underwent the procedure. Results: Treatment in all three patients was successful. Conclusions: The appropriate use of botulinum toxin may help improve the treatment outcome of posterior synechiae of the larynx without sacrificing any laryngeal components. Key Words: Larynx, stenosis, botulinum toxin.
Writing as an Act of Courage:The Inner Experience of Developmental Writers

ABSTRACT Developmental writing programs often include a small number of students who seem unable to respond to instruction and to acquire sufficient writing skills to move on. Many common writing difficulties reflect ambivalence about expression. A core issue is that expression is related to trust in the anticipated response to what is expressed. An understanding of the underlying emotional and interpersonal aspects of writing can lead to effective strategies for instructors and counselors to reach these students and facilitate increased writing skills.
Wavelet-based technique for detection of mechanical chaos

This paper presents the development of an innovative wavelet-based diagnostic methodology to perform real-time detection of mechanical chaos occurring in high-speed, high- performance rotor-dynamic systems. The objective is to provide an early warning if macroscopic and/or microscopic faults are detected in time to prevent catastrophic mechanical failures that could compromise safety and cause expensive downtime. In this paper, we make use of the popular discrete wavelet transform (DWT) operating in the time-domain that has demonstrated to be superior to Fourier- based methods and is highly effective in identifying small variations of parameters in rapid transient events. In addition, the DWT and its extension to wavelet packet transform are real-time implementable in many DSP chips. We present a comparison between the wavelet approach and the traditional technique to identify chaotic signals using synthetic and laboratory-generated data.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Room-temperature optically pumped AlGaN-AlN multiple-quantum-well lasers operating at <260nm grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Data are presented for AlGaN-AlN multiple-quantum-well optically pumped lasers operating at 300K. The structures were grown by MOCVD on bulk AlN substrates and were fabricated into cleaved bars with a cavity length ~1mm. The epitaxial structures consist of ten 3 nm AlGaN quantum wells with 5 nm AlGaN barriers and an AlN buffer layer deposited on a (0001) AlN substrate at a growth temperature 1155 oC. The bars were photopumped under pulsed conditions at 300K with a 193nm excimer laser. The threshold optical pump power is 455 kW/cm2 and laser emission is observed at 247 nm.
Laser experiments for the secondary school classroom

The Laser Applications in Science Education (LASE) project at San Jose State University explores the use of HeNe and visible diode lasers as key teaching tools for an introductory, inquiry-based, precollege laboratory course in electro-optics. Since 1990, National Science Foundation grants and cost-sharing funds from industrial supporters have allowed over one hundred elementary, middle, and high school teachers to attend workshops designed to show the teachers how to present the course material later to their students as prescribed exercises. This experience then leads the students into open-ended 'menus' of further things to try, and perhaps publish their results in the project journal LASE LOG or compete in science fairs. This paper describes course content (set experiments and menus) ranging from laser surveying, refractive index measurements, fiber optics, lenses, scanning and chopping systems, irradiance measurements, polarization, diffraction, visible diode lase construction, and holography. The place of such a course, both potential and realized, in secondary education is also discussed.
Far-field uncertainty due to random near-field measurement error

Recent planar near-field scanning tests with ultralow-sidelobe antennas have confirmed that random near-field measurement errors will ultimately limit the accuracy of far-field patterns. A formulation is outlined for estimating the spectral signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) arising from noncorrectable near-field random measurement errors. The formulation applies to arbitrarily directive test antennas and probes-even nulling probes. A far-field parameter, called the scan plane coupling factor, may be computed directly from the near-field data, and then used to form the spectral SNR. The accuracy of the spectral SNR is confirmed by simulation and by actual tests with low-sidelobe AWACS array antenna. >
The subspecies concept in primatology: The case of mountain gorillas

The criteria for the application of subspecific units in living primate populations have received little attention relative to other vertebrate taxa, even though they have important implications for conservation strategies for many nonhuman primate populations. One of the most critically endangered primates is the mountain gorilla,Gorilla gorilla beringei, of which 600 animals exist in east-central Africa. FollowingSarmiento et al. (1996), taxonomists have proposed splitting these populations into two subspecies as part of a revised taxonomy of the genusGorilla. In this paper I review the application of the subspecies concept in primatology, using the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virungas as case studies. An examination of genetic, morphological, biogeographic, ecological, and behavioral evidence indicates that reclassifying Bwindi gorillas as taxonomically distinct from those in the Virungas is not well supported and needs further study. Because taxonomy provides the basis of conservation management policies, a cautious and conservative approach to the subspecies question is warranted in the case of endangered primate populations.
Designing Advanced Traveler Information Systems from a Driver's Perspective: Results of a Driving Simulation Study

The focus is on the design of advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) from the user's perspective. Based on the experimental results of this research, types of ATIS information that meet drivers' needs and capabilities and offer effective method(s) of conveying the information are identified. A driving simulator was developed to assist the investigation. The research results indicate that a driver's familiarity with a given traffic network significantly affects his or her perception of the ideal type of ATIS information and the most effective information conveyance method. When traveling in a familiar network and encountering congestion and delay caused by an unexpected traffic incident, drivers need only short and simple information, such as the location of the incident and expected delay time, to assist them in making route diversion decisions. It was found that drivers prefer to receive an auditory ATIS message when traveling in a familiar traffic network. For navigation assistance in an unfamilia...
Electroencephalographic and behavioral assessment of intracerebroventricular somatostatin and a substance P analogue.

Abstract Chronically implanted rats were injected either with somatostatin (SST) lumbar intrathecally (i.t.) (100 μ g, n = 5), into the fourth ventricle (3 μ g, n = 5; 10 μ g, n = 6; 30 μ g, n = 5) or into the lateral ventricle (10 μ g, n = 6; 30 μ g, n = 6), or received an injection of the substance P (SP) analogue, [ d -Pro 2 , d -Trp 7,9 ]SP into the fourth ventricle (0.3 μ g, n = 2; 1 μ g, n = 4; 3 μ g, n = 4; 10 μ g, n = 1) or lateral ventricle (3 μ g, n = 3). A dose-dependent EEG depressant effect was observed following fourth and lateral ventricular injections of SST and of the SP analogue. Acute death due to respiratory depression was observed following i.t. and fourth ventricular injection of SST, and fourth ventricular injection of the SP analogue. Prominent motor behavior (barrel rotation, circling, cranial stereotypies) was observed, without signs of EEG seizure activity, following intraventricular injection of both drugs. Present findings indicate neurotoxic effects of SST and SP analogue at the cerebral level.
Risk Management Principles and Guidelines

ABSTRACT This article examines ISO 31000-2009, also referred to as ANSI/ASSE Z690.2, the second of a trio of standards dealing with the concept of Risk. In our first review (Luko 2013) risk management terminology was reviewed. The terminology documents, ISO Guide 73 and ANSI/ASSE Z690.1-2011, were found to be identical and contained all of the risk vocabulary used in the subsequent two standards. In the present review, the second of the trio of standards concerning risk is treated. The general topic of this standard is risk management principles and guidelines.
Screening for medullary thyroid carcinoma with serum calcitonin measurements in patients with thyroid nodules in the United States and Canada.

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare thyroid malignancy with the potential for aggressive behavior. Measurement of serum calcitonin (Ct) in the thyroid nodule population is the most sensitive way to detect occult MTC. An important and controversial question is whether all patients with thyroid nodules should undergo Ct measurements to detect occult MTC. Summary: The prevalence of MTC detected by performing surgery on unselected individuals with thyroid nodules with elevated serum Ct is 0.4%. The central role of pentagastrin (PG) stimulation for triaging patients with minimally elevated serum Ct to prevent unnecessary surgery is reviewed. Data concerning a large reservoir of medullary thyroid microcarcinomas are discussed. Conclusion: Given the unavailability of PG in the United States and Canada, the available data argue against routine Ct measurements in all individuals with thyroid nodules in these countries because of the potential for unnecessary surgery and the uncertain benefit in...
The Decline of Oligarchy in Seventeenth-Century Norwich

The resurgence of oligarchies in England's provincial towns during the fifteenth century and their firm control over almost all aspects of civic life during the sixteenth century has received considerable attention and is apparently beyond dispute. The characteristic feature of this oligarchical control was the domination of the important civic offices by urban dynasties whose members practiced the most influential and lucrative trades, were the most affluent citizens, and were linked by close family ties. Comparatively few studies have been made of officeholders of the seventeenth century, especially for the period after 1660, yet the evidence so far accumulated suggests that officeholding remained the exclusive privilege of a closed social elite. Nevertheless, Norwich may provide an instructive exception. An examination of the pool of men eligible for political office in Norwich, the largest provincial capital, indicates that the door to political office was open to men of diverse social backgrounds and occupations to a greater extent than during the sixteenth century and apparently much more so than in the other large provincial capitals.Oligarchy may be defined as the possession and exercise of power by a few individuals either directly, as a consequence of holding the important political offices, or indirectly, as a consequence of controlling recruitment of officeholders and influencing their decisions. In the former case, which was the general pattern establishsed in those fifteenth and sixteenth-century towns which remained free from the intervention of territorial magnates, oligarchy implies further that the magistrates have either the exclusive privilege of appointing their own replacements or the ability to manipulate the mechanism of political recruitment involving a wider electorate through control of the processes of nomination and election of officeholders.
Bayesian nonparametric modeling for functional analysis of variance

Analysis of variance is a standard statistical modeling approach for comparing populations. The functional analysis setting envisions that mean functions are associated with the populations, customarily modeled using basis representations, and seeks to compare them. Here, we adopt the modeling approach of functions as realizations of stochastic processes. We extend the Gaussian process version to allow nonparametric specifications using Dirichlet process mixing. Several metrics are introduced for comparison of populations. Then we introduce a hierarchical Dirichlet process model which enables comparison of the population distributions, either directly or through functionals of interest using the foregoing metrics. The modeling is extended to allow us to switch the sampling scheme. There are still population level distributions but now we sample at levels of the functions, obtaining observations from potentially different individuals at different levels. We illustrate with both simulated data and a dataset of temperature versus depth measurements at different locations in the Atlantic Ocean.
Gapless spin-fluid ground state in a random quantum Heisenberg magnet.

We examine the spin-S quantum Heisenberg magnet with Gaussian-random, infinite-range exchange interactions. The quantum-disordered phase is accessed by generalizing to SU(M) symmetry and studying the large M limit. For large S the ground state is a spin glass, while quantum fluctuations produce a spin-fluid state for small S. The spin-fluid phase is found to be generically gapless---the average, zero temperature, local dynamic spin susceptibility obeys \ensuremath{\chi}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{\sim}ln(1/\ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\Vert})+i(\ensuremath{\pi}/2)sgn(\ensuremath{\omega}) at low frequencies.
Do Economic Impact Studies Misrepresent the Benefits of Arts and Cultural Organizations

(2004). Do Economic Impact Studies Misrepresent the Benefits of Arts and Cultural Organizations? The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society: Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 166-187.
Optical flow background subtraction for real-time PTZ camera object tracking

The use of pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) camera systems with Computer Vision (CV) techniques is a burgeoning field. Utility is most commonly seen with security systems, robotics, navigation and for capturing sports events. This paper seeks to expand the use of PTZ's in the area of measurement; specifically, the real-time tracking and measurement of Nano/Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Empirical methods for developing various Nano/Micro UASs, typically ornithopter-related, show possibilities, but require theoretical development for continued understanding and advancements. The study of Nano/Micro UAS state characteristics would enable empirical development by providing supplementary model information for use in finite element and computational fluid dynamics analyses. One such advancement is to develop a metrology system using CV tracking coupled with videogrammetry techniques. The focus of this work is to provide a unique method for obtaining high-resolution, high frame-rate images of a UAS. A novel approach using a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-based pyramidal implementation of the Lucas-Kanade feature tracker (i.e. optical flow) to subtract PTZ movement is used to obtain motion measurements for directing the PTZ cameras.
Frontal Instability in a Sheared Basic State

Abstract A two-layer frontal model is adapted to investigate the stability of fronts in the presence of potential vorticity (PV) anomalies corresponding to cross-front shear of the mean alongfront flow. Introducing shear modifies the unstable baroclinic modes that exist in the original unsheared model. In addition, the shear produces two new unstable ageostrophic modes. One of these new modes is characterized by barotropic instability, while the other is a shallow mode characterized by a mixed barotropic–baroclinic instability. The alongfront scale of the most unstable mode in both cases is determined by the scale of the anomaly. The barotropic mode requires some PV anomaly in both layers, whereas the mixed mode can exist with an anomaly confined to the lower layer only. The maximum growth rate of the barotropic mode is independent of the scale of the PV anomaly and the Richardson number of the flow. Anomalies in the basic-state relative vorticity of 10−4 s−1 produce growth rates of 1.45 day−1. The mixed ...
Effects of middle-ear pressure on the auditory periphery

A series of 52 young adult guinea pigs were used to study the effects of middle‐ear pressure on the electrophysiological response of the cochlea. A round window electrode was used to record the cochlear microphonic (CM) and N1 action potential. Pure tones from 80 to 30 000 Hz were used to elicit the CM response; 0.1‐msec clicks presented at ten clicks per second were used for N1 response studies. Middle‐ear pressures ranging from −300 to +300 mm H20 were examined. Both pressure and frequency were examined in a pseudorandom order. CM response sensitivity (1 μV isopotential contour) and dynamic range of the CM were measured. Greater changes in the cochlear potentials were noted for negative pressures than for positive pressures. Also, it was found that there was a greater falloff of sensitivity of the CM as a function of pressure for small pressure variations than for greater pressure changes. The effects of middle‐ear pressure were frequency dependent. Changes in the dynamic range of the CM were found to b...
CAMTA in Cardiac Hypertrophy

In this issue of Cell, the Calmodulin binding transcription activator 2 (CAMTA2), is shown by Song et al. (2006) to be an indispensable transcription coactivator for cardiac hypertrophy. CAMTA2 is activated by the dissociation of class II histone deacetylase 5 and promotes transcription of genes involved in cardiac hypertrophy through its interaction with Nkx2-5.