cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vagus Nerve Stimulation AutoStim Feature, A Three-Year Study (4974)

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between AutoStim frequency and seizure control in patient with new detect and response VNS mode. Background: Up to 80% of epileptic patients experience tachycardia prior to onset of a seizure. The Automatic Stimulation Mode (AutoStim) feature of the Model 106 Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) AspireSR Therapy System stimulates the left vagus nerve upon detecting tachycardia. Ample evidence demonstrates that seizure severity and duration are better controlled after starting VNS through its ability to detect and respond to tachycardia. We believe that the frequency of AutoStims will decrease over time when seizures are better controlled. Design/Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from EPIC in patients with epilepsy who had VNS AspireSR implanted at UTMB between 2015–2018. VNS start date, seizure type, burden of seizure before VNS, and burden of seizure and VNS AutoStim frequency at different time points after the VNS was started was collected. Results: In 27 patients with VNS placement, 88%, 7.4%, 26%, 14.8%, 11%, 22% patients have generalized tonic clonic seizure (GTC), simple partial seizure, complex partial seizure, unspecified partial seizure, atonic seizure and absence seizure respectively. Seizure frequency was reduced by an average of 56%, 51%, 74%, 66%, and 46% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, and 3 years after VNS implantation, respectively. 93% of patients reported that VNS had decreased their seizure severity. There was no significant difference in number of AutoStim pulses triggered at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 year and 3 year after VNS implantation. Conclusions: VNS has been shown to be effective in reducing the number of seizures in patients with partial and secondarily generalized seizures. Though it is thought that the number of AutoStim pulses would decrease over time, our study showed there was no significant difference in the frequency of AutoStim pulses generated. Disclosure: Dr. Rai has nothing to disclose. Ms. Curtis has nothing to disclose.
Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship Directors Are Typically White Men in Their Early 50s With Strong Achievements in Research

Purpose To determine the objective characteristics of orthopaedic foot and ankle fellowship directors (FDs) by concentrating on the demographic characteristics, academic background, institutional history, research experience, and professional affiliations of these leaders. Methods Data for each FD were collected by searching institutional biographies, personal websites, or publicly available curricula vitae. Data collection included the following variables: age, sex, race/ethnicity, previous training institutions, residency and fellowship graduation years, advanced degrees, military affiliation, institutional loyalty, year hired, FD career timeline, total number of publications, total number of citations, and h-index. Results Of the 47 FDs, 44 (93.6%) were men and 3 (6.4%) were women. The mean age was 50.8 ± 9.4 years. Most orthopaedic foot and ankle FDs were white (n = 42, 89.4%), followed by Asian (n = 4, 8.5%) and black or African American (n = 1, 2.1%). The mean Scopus h-index, total number of publications, and total number of citations for all foot and ankle FDs were 13.3 ± 9.5, 47.5 ± 45.8, and 898.1 ± 1,040.3, respectively. Among all foot and ankle FDs, the mean tenure in the FD position was 5.8 ± 4.6 years. Conclusions Orthopaedic foot and ankle FDs are primarily white men in their 50s, with minimal female and minority representations. These FDs are distinguished by their high level of research productivity. Additionally, orthopaedic foot and ankle training backgrounds seem to play an important role, given that most of the appointed FDs trained in only a few select programs. Clinical Relevance This study outlines some of the most important characteristics among foot and ankle FDs and identifies important disparities within this population of leaders that may have detrimental effects on the field.
A thermodynamic model of bacterial transcription

Transcriptional pausing is highly regulated by the template DNA and nascent transcript sequences. Here, we propose a thermodynamic model of transcriptional pausing, based on the thermal energy of transcription bubbles and nascent RNA structures, to describe the kinetics of the reaction pathways between active translocation, intermediate, backtracked, and hairpin-stabilized pauses. The model readily predicts experimentally detected pauses in high-resolution optical tweezers measurements of transcription. Unlike other models, it also predicts the effect of tension and the GreA transcription factor on pausing.
Modeling the energy and cost impacts of excess static pressure in central forced-air heating and air-conditioning systems in single-family residences in the U.S.

Abstract Many central residential forced-air heating and air-conditioning systems contain high pressure drop elements such as high-efficiency or dust-loaded filters, dirty coils, or constricted or undersized ductwork, which are widely assumed to have substantial energy and economic impacts. However, the overall energy and cost consequences of excess static pressures have not been explored in depth across a wide range of climates, homes, or system characteristics. Therefore, we performed 780 annual building energy simulations using BEopt and EnergyPlus to predict the energy and cost impacts of realistic excess static pressures for typical new and existing single-family homes with both permanent split capacitor (PSC) blowers and electronically commutated motors (ECM) in 15 U.S. climate zones. Results demonstrate that excess static pressures can increase annual energy consumption and costs, but the magnitude varies by blower type and climate zone. Moderate increases in static pressures (i.e., from 50 to 150 Pa) were predicted to yield minimal increases in annual space conditioning energy costs (i.e., less than 3% across all homes, blowers, and climates), while more extreme increases in static pressure (i.e., from 50 to 350 Pa) were predicted to yield average increases in energy costs of ∼9% with ECM blowers and ∼18% with PSC blowers.
Effects of competition on video-task performance in monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

The effects of competition on performance of a video-formatted task were examined in a series of experiments. Two rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained to manipulate a joystick to shoot at moving targets on a computer screen. The task was made competitive by requiring both animals to shoot at the same target and by rewarding only the animal that hit the target first each trial. The competitive task produced a significant and robust speed-accuracy trade-off in performance. The monkeys hit the target in significantly less time on contested than on uncontested trials. However, they required significantly more shots to hit the target on contested trials in relation to uncontested trials. This effect was unchanged when various schedules of reinforcement were introduced in the uncontested trials. This supports the influence of competition qua competition on performance, a point further bolstered by other findings of behavioral contrast presented here.
Representation of objects in a volumetric frequency domain with application to face recognition

A novel method for representing 3-D objects that unifies viewer and model centered object representations is presented. A unified 3-D frequency-domain representation (called volumetric/iconic spectral signatures-V/ISS) encapsulates both the spatial structure of the object and a continuum of its views in the same data structure. The frequency-domain image of an object viewed from any direction can be directly extracted employing an extension of the projection slice theorem, where each Fourier-transformed view is a planar slice of the volumetric frequency representation. The V/ISS representation call be employed for pose-invariant recognition of complex objects such as faces. The recognition and pose estimation is based on an efficient matching algorithm in a four dimensional Fourier space. Experimental examples of pose estimation and recognition of faces are also presented.
202pJ/bit area-efficient ASK demodulator for high-density visual prostheses

A fully integrated low-power and area-efficient ASK demodulator is presented. By using a controllable digital envelope detector and a self-biased clock extractor, the threshold-detection level of the demodulator can be adjusted and the clock from the wireless power carrier can be recovered. This implantable demodulator was fabricated in a 0.35 µm CMOS process and tested using inductively-coupled coils with a resonant frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Polymorphisms in the genes encoding members of the tristetraprolin family of human tandem CCCH zinc finger proteins.

Abstract The three known mammalian CCCH tandem zinc finger proteins of the tristetraprolin (TTP) class have recently been demonstrated to be mRNA-binding proteins. The prototype, TTP, functions in normal physiology to promote the instability of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNAs. Conversely, these mRNAs are stabilized in TTP-deficient mice, leading to an inflammatory phenotype characterized by overproduction of these cytokines. To explore sequence variations in TTP and its two related proteins, we sequenced genomic DNA encoding the TTP protein ( ZFP36 ) and those of its two known mammalian relatives, ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 , from 72 to 92 anonymous human subjects from various geographical and ethnic backgrounds. We also sequenced ZFP36 in genomic DNA from 92 subjects exhibiting evidence of excessive TNFα action. The resequencing strategy identified 13 polymorphisms in the protein-coding regions of these three genes, of which six would result in amino acid changes; other putative polymorphisms were identified by EST searches. One mutation in ZFP36L1 was a dinucleotide substitution that would prevent splicing of the single intron. This mutation was identified in only one allele of the original 144 sequenced from an adult female Aka Pygmy from the Central African Republic; a second individual with the same variant allele was found by genotyping 58 additional Aka DNA samples. Analysis of mRNA from one of these subject's lymphoblasts confirmed that ZFP36L1 mRNA levels were approximately 50% of those in a comparable sample without the mutation. The functional significance of this and the other polymorphisms identified remains to be determined by both biochemical and population linkage studies. © 2003 Elsevier Science
Lung herniation in the implantable cardioverter defibrillator pocket

A 47-year-old Caucasian man with the medical history of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy with ejection fraction (EF) of 25–30% presented with pain in the left upper chest wall. Nearly 2 months earlier, he had undergone implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement surgery for low EF. The initial attempt to place the biventricular lead was unsuccessful. Subsequently, he had epicardial lead placement performed by the cardiothoracic surgeon with repositioning of the ICD generator above the previous pocket. One week prior, he noticed a small bulging over the area of recent surgery, particularly during coughing. It got worse and, the day prior …
Online calibration of quadrature low-IF receivers

In theory the quadrature low-IF receiver topology eliminates image filters required by the heterodyne topology. In practice analog component mismatch between the I/Q signal paths allows image energy to leak into the desired signal, limiting performance. Existing compensation techniques fall into three categories: offline, signal specific, and blind. In this paper a scheme is proposed that continually injects a calibration signal into the image band at the input of the receiver. This scheme allows the mismatched low-IF receiver system to be calibrated without taking it offline, without signal specific knowledge, and without the performance limits of blind techniques.
Has the Medicare Prospective Payment System Led to Increased Nursing Home Efficiency

The Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facility (SNF) reimbursement was implemented with the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 in order to reduce nursing home costs and align reimbursement with resource intensity. The initial payment system was phased in over four years starting in 1998, with the fixed prospective portion raised 25 percent each year (GAO 2002a, b). Adjustments to the system were soon deemed necessary due to nursing home complaints of financial difficulties. To that end, the Balanced Budget Refinement Act (BBRA) and the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act (BIPA) increased baseline payments in 2000 and 2001, respectively (GAO 2002a). In implementing the PPS for skilled nursing home care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expected that the stricter and more rational payments would motivate nursing homes to operate more efficiently but would not negatively affect compliance with regulatory standards or the quality of care (CMS 1999; Lee and Turnbull 2001; GAO 2002b; Mueller 2002). However, if nursing homes were already operating efficiently or did not have the resources to become more efficient, the PPS would not produce greater efficiency, but could compromise financial stability and/or quality of care. Under efficiency-seeking behavior, quality could be negatively affected if there was a reduced investment in work environment or workforce, as for example cutting nursing staff, that disrupted routines, reduced needed resources, or created too heavy workloads. A nursing home could fail at both efficiency and quality. In sum, it could be that the Medicare PPS resulted in: (1) greater efficiency with unchanged or better quality; (2) greater efficiency with worse quality; (3) neither greater efficiency nor unchanged nor better quality. There are indications that the PPS may not have resulted in greater efficiency in some nursing homes, but merely financial distress: within a year of its implementation, facilities began reporting financial difficulties, even to the point of bankruptcy (GAO 2002a, b). There are also indications that if there were gains in efficiency, there may have been an efficiency–quality tradeoff. Studies of the impact of the PPS show negative relationships with quality in general (Konetzka, Norton, and Kilpatrick 2004; Unruh, Zhang, and Wan 2006), and with rehabilitation services in particular (Murray 2005). To our knowledge, no research has looked at the relationship between the PPS and nursing home efficiency. This study assesses the following questions: (1) Has the implementation of a Medicare PPS under the 1997 BBA improved efficiency in skilled nursing homes when efficiency is adjusted for quality? (2) Has the implementation of the 1999 BBRA or the 2000 BIPA attenuated BBA impacts? (3) Have other market and facility factors influenced efficiency?
Dynamic accident sequence analysis in PRA: A comment on ‘Human reliability analysis—Where shoudst thou turn?’

Abstract Improved risk assessment for nuclear power plants requires not only treatment of operator cognitive behavior during accidents, but also an improved framework for integrating the responses of the operators and the plant into a single, dynamic, accident sequence analysis. Desirable characteristics of the improved framework are listed, and two potentially useful simulation approaches are briefly discussed.
Weathered crude oil effects on chicks of Fork-Tailed Storm-Petrels ( Oceanodroma furcata )

Adult Storm-Petrels had between 0.004 and 0.0008 ml of fossil fuel hydrocarbons present in their food samples when they were considered contaminated. Chicks of Fork-Tailed Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma furcata) were fed 0.1 ml of weathered Prudhoe Bay crude oil, which should be close to the maximum dose they might receive at a feeding. Chicks dosed orally once, twice, or weekly with 0.1 ml weathered Prudhoe Bay crude oil did not differ significantly in gross morphology, bill, tarsus, or wing growth from control chicks. Chicks dosed one time gained weight between the ages of 0–21 days at significantly slower rates. Chicks aged 22–51 days grew similarly regardless of treatment. Dosed chicks fledged on average two days later than control chicks. Ingesting small amounts of weathered oil had little effect perhaps because Storm-Petrels may be able to ingest long-chained hydrocarbons (like petroleum) with relative impunity, because these compounds are relatively nontoxic and are part of their normal diet.
Institutional Change in Turkey: The Impact of European Union Reforms on Human Rights and Policing

Dr Leila Piran (George Washington University, School of Professional Studies) has written an informative book that examines the development and evolution of Turkey's internal security sector, the T...
Cell of Origin Determines Tumor Phenotype in an Oncogenic Ras/p53 Knockout Transgenic Model of High-Grade Glioma

Human high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are known for their histologic diversity. To address the role of cell of origin in glioma phenotype, transgenic mice were generated in which oncogenic Ras and p53 deletion were targeted to neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and mature astrocytes. The hGFAP-Cre/KrasG12D/p53f l/f l mice develop multifocal HGGs that vary histopathologically and with respect to the expression of markers associated with NSPCs. One HGG pattern strongly expressed markers of NSPCs and arose near the subven-tricular zone. Additional nonoverlapping patterns that recapitulate human HGG variants were present simultaneously in the same brain. These neoplastic foci were more often cortical or leptomeningeal based, and the neoplastic cells lacked expression of NSPC markers. To determine whether cell of origin determines tumor phenotype, astrocytes and NSPCs were harvested from neonatal mutant pups. On orthotopic transplantation, early-passage astrocytes and NSPCs formed tumors that differed in engraftment rates, latency to clinical signs, histopathology, and protein expression. Astrocyte-derived tumors were more aggressive, had giant-cell histology, and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression. The NSPC-derived tumors retained NSPC markers and showed evidence of differentiation along astro-cytic, oligodendroglial, and neuronal lineages. These results indicate that identical tumorigenic stimuli produce markedly different glioma phenotypes, depending on the differentiation status of the transformed cell.
The Impact of a Graded Tax on a Rural Area: A Case Study in Indiana County, Pa.

. The graded tax is a reform of the property tax which would tax land values at a higher rate than improvements in or on the land. What would be its impact on different types of rural owners of real property? A study of rural Indiana County, Pennsylvania, by William Ritter shows that the impact would vary according to the level of development the individual tract or parcel has undergone.
Preparation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE)/epoxy laminate with functionalized PPE resin

Thermal expansion property at 288°C and methylene chloride resistance of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether (PPE)/epoxy laminate were found to be affected by the functionality on PPE resin. Nonlofting PPE/epoxy laminates were prepared with the PPE grafted with fumaric acid or the PPE having (di-n-butylamino) methyl substituent on the polymer backbone. Employing vacuum-vented PPE extrudate or phenol-redistributed PPE was also effective in improving the PPE/epoxy laminate properties. Attempts to preparing a real PPE/epoxy interpenetrating network as the matrix material for the laminate were also made by incorporating both PPE crosslinker and epoxy curing catalysts in the same formulation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of low doses of alcohol on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol's effects in pregnant rats.

Abstract Pregnant rats were intubated with 50 mg.kg of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or with THC plus alcohol to determine if a low dose of alcohol (1 g/kg) would significantly increase blood levels of THC. On the basis of this study, a second study was conducted in which pregnant rats were intubated with THC (50, 25 or 0 mg/kg) plus alcohol (2, 1 or 0 g/kg) from gestation day six to parturition. THC reduced birth weights but did not significantly affect litter size or passive avoidance learning. Alcohol did not have a significant effect on offspring birth weight nor did it interact with THC to affect offspring.
Rat mast cells communicate with fibroblasts via gap junction intercellular communications.

Usually mast cells (MCs) modulate other cellular activities through the release of their cytoplasmic granules. Recently, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between an established human MC cell line (HMC-1) co-cultured with human dermal fibroblasts in fibroblast populated collagen lattices (FPCLs), enhanced the rate and degree of FPCL contraction. However, HMC-1 cells were unable to generate GJIC with human neonatal fibroblasts in monolayer culture. Here freshly isolated rat peritoneal MCs are co-cultured with fibroblasts in collagen lattices and in monolayer culture in vitro and introduced into rat polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge implants in vivo. Co-cultured MC-FPCL contracted faster and to a greater degree. Loading Calcein AM green fluorescent dye into red fluorescent Dil tagged MC generates MC-paratroopers. When MC-paratroopers form GJIC with fibroblasts, some green dye is passed into the fibroblast, while the MC-paratrooper retains both its red and green fluorescence. MC-paratroopers passed green fluorescent dye into both human and rat dermal fibroblasts in monolayer culture. In rats 7-day-old subcutaneous PVA sponge implants, which received an injection of MC-paratroopers, exhibited auto-fluorescent green fibroblasts, when harvested 24 h later. MC-paratroopers pretreated with a long-acting GJIC inhibitor prior to their introduction into PVA sponge implants, failed to pass dye into fibroblasts. It is proposed that GJIC between granulation tissue fibroblasts and MCs can modulate some aspects of wound repair and fibrosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1170–1177, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Network based sensor localization in multi-media application of precision agriculture Part 2: Time of arrival

We study the problem of sensor node localization for a hybrid wireless sensor network deployed in a precision agriculture farm, with nodes located both underground and above-ground. We consider time of arrival measurements from unmodulated signals transmitted between neighboring sensor nodes and between satellite nodes and sensor nodes for ranging purposes. While this paper studies the network based localization of sensors, placed in multiple media, based on the measurements of time of arrival, in a companion paper we study the same problem based on the received signal strengths measurements. The localization problem is formulated with the goal of parameter estimation of the joint distribution of the ranging measurements. We derive the probability distribution for the measured time of arrival with the parameters governed by the sensor nodes' location coordinates based on rigorous statistical analysis. Then, we formulate a maximum likelihood optimization problem to estimate the nodes' location coordinates using the derived statistical models. We also present a sensitivity analysis of the estimates with respect to the soil complex permittivity and magnetic permeability.
Development of the noradrenergic innervation of neocortex

The development of the noradrenaline (NA)-neuron innervation of rat neocortex was studied by fluorescence histochemistry, high affinity uptake of [3H-]NA, and biochemical assay of regional NA content. Fluorescence histochemistry indicates that NA axons enter areas of developing neocortex prenatally and the innervation matures rapidly during early postnatal life. Frontal and lateral neocortical areas are the first to be innervated followed by occipital and parietal areas. All cortical layers receive innervation. The distribution and density of neocortical NA innervation achieves the adult pattern by the end of the first postnatal week. High affinity uptake studies confirm the observations from fluorescence histochemistry and show a very rapid maturation of the NA axon innervation with adult levels of uptake occurring by postnatal day 9. Following birth, there is a brief rise in NA content from P0 to P2 in all neocortical areas. NA content then drops to low levels in all areas by P4. This is followed by a gradual increase in NA content in all areas occuring over several months. This pattern of development of NA axon innervation of neocortex demonstrates that the density and distribution of NA axons in developing neocortex matures much earlier than shown in previous studies whereas the NA content of the developing axonal plexus achieves adult levels later in postnatal life.
Endoscopic variceal ligation: an alternative to sclerotherapy

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) consists of mechanical ligation and thrombosis of varices using elastic "O" rings. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of EVL as definitive therapy for bleeding esophageal varices. During a 16-month period, 68 consecutive patients with bleeding varices had EVL. Fourteen patients died from 3 to 125 (median = 12.5) days after initial EVL. Fifteen (88%) of those actively bleeding at index treatment had bleeding controlled during index hospitalization. Survivors of index hospitalization had a 37% incidence of recurrent bleeding. Thirty-five patients had varices eradicated or reduced to small size with a median of five EVL treatments. No significant treatment-related nonbleeding complications resulted from 265 EVL sessions. EVL appears to control active variceal bleeding and eradicates varices with repeat treatments. EVL results in few nonbleeding complications, and may be employed as a safe alternative to sclerotherapy.
Do higher face‐value coupons cost more than they are worth in increased sales?

Purpose – Given that coupons are one of the most popular promotional tools, this paper aims to investigate how intention to redeem the coupon is affected by the face value of the coupon for most common grocery items.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire from a convenience sample of students and non‐students (total sample size 425) at a south‐western metropolitan university campus town.Findings – The results suggest that, for low face values of coupon, intention to redeem is positively associated with face value, whereas, for the higher face values of the coupon, the intention remains more or less unchanged. The correlation between intention to redeem the coupon and the perceived sticker price of the product is positive at the lower levels of coupon face value, but becomes negative for higher face values.Research limitations/implications – One major limitation is the narrow choice of grocery products. Moreover, this study explored intention to redeem a co...
Pancreatic insufficiency and the congenital rubella syndrome

ALTHOUGH ACUTE PANCREATIC DISEASE has been associated with such viral infect ions as infect ious mononucleosis, infectious hepatit is, Coxsackie B infection, and mumps, 1'~ it is uncer ta in w he t he r viral infect ions can cause chronic pancreat ic disease in man. Ind i rec t evidence suggesting such an associat ion is p rov ided by the occurrence of diabetes mell i tus wi th in days to weeks af ter mumps and within several years af ter Coxsackie B or rubel la infections. 3-6 Al though the rube l la virus has been isolated f rom pancreat ic tissue of infants wi th the congenital rubel la syndrome, interst i t ial pancrea t i t i s has been described in only one infant and n o n e has h a d clinically documented acute or chronic pancreat i t is . 7, 8 It is therefore the purpose of this report to describe an in fan t with congenital rubel la who had bo th clinical and l abora to ry documenta t ion of chronic pancrea t ic insufficiency.
Conventional Hedging: An Inadequate Response to Long‐Term Foreign Exchange Exposure

Since the demise of the Bretton Woods System of quasi‐fixed exchange rates in the early seventies, unanticipated exchange rate movements are a fundamental feature of the international economic environment. The ever increasing degree of exchange rates volatility has spurred the creation of new financing and hedging instruments and techniques. The proliferation of these financial innovations has confounded many treasurers as to the appropriate instrument or technique to be used in resolving a foreign exchange risk management problem. Notwithstanding the persistent and sophisticated nature of current foreign exchange risk management, there are situations where hedging does not protect the firm from large losses caused by unanticipated changes in exchange rates. We present three situations where hedging fails to protect the firm from risks arising from fluctuating exchange rates: first, where the firm has a continuous inflow of foreign currency; second, where foreign exchange risks are compounded by general and relative price risks; and third, where the perfectly hedged firm faces competition from unhedged rivals.
Resists and Other Critical Issues in 157-nm Lithography

This paper outlines the critical issues facing the implementation of 157-nm lithography as a sub-100-nm technology. Special emphasis is placed on 157-nm photoresist options, including ultrathin resists and thicker resists with new chemistries. The status of other issues is also presented, such as mask materials, pellicles, optical materials, and coatings.
XUV radiometric standards at NBS

The far-UV and XUV detector calibration services at NBS, the properties of the detectors, and the spectrometer calibration facilities at the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility (SURF II) at NBS are described. The method used to calibrate the quantum efficiency of windowless photodiode detectors in the ionization chamber, and the facilities for calibrating photodiodes at various wavelengths are discussed. The cathode and anode of the windowless photodiodes and their operation are examined. Consideration is given to the calculation of spectral irradiance from SURF II; the two stations of the spectrometer facility; the large spectrometer calibration chamber; and sources of error in flux determinations for SURF II.
Role of kidney chloride channels in health and disease.

Chloride channels are expressed along the entire mammalian nephron. They participate in transepithelial chloride transport, cell volume regulation and acidification of intracellular vesicles. Some chloride channels are constitutively active and others are regulated by either second messengers such as cAMP or Ca++ or secondary to changes in membrane potential. The molecular identities of a number of chloride channels within the kidney are still unknown. Abnormalities in chloride channel expression and function in the kidney can cause a range of disorders such as autosomal recessive Dent’s disease, Bartter’s syndrome, renal tubular acidosis and diabetes insipidus. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of the chloride channels in the kidney and to focus on the function of renal chloride channels as revealed by diseases associated with channel dysfunction.
Humor and sexual selection.

Recently Geoffrey Miller has suggested that humor evolved through sexual selection as a signal of "creativity," which in turn implies youthfulness, intelligence, and adaptive unpredictability. Drawing upon available empirical studies, I argue that the evidence for a link between humor and creativity is weak and ambiguous. I also find only tenuous support for Miller’s assumption that the attractiveness of the "sense of humor" is to be found in the wittiness of its possessor, since those who use the phrase often seem to associate it with the affects of relatively mirthless "bonding" laughter. Humor, I conclude, may have evolved as an instrument for achieving broad social adhesiveness and for facilitating the individual’s maneuverability within the group, but that it evolved through sexual selection has yet to be convincingly demonstrated.
Water-cooled crystal and multilayer optics for a wiggler beamline

A set of internally water-cooled multilayers were fabricated for the double crystal monochromator of the A2 wiggler beamline at CHESS. With over 3 kW total deposited on the first multilayer, conventional contact cooled multilayers proved unable to cope with the incident heat load. Cooled silicon substrates were fabricated with internal water cooling channels to reduce or eliminate thermal distortion. The highly polished top surfaces were coated with a sputtered W/C or W/B4C multilayer film deposited at the Advanced Photon Source and Osmic, Inc. respectively. Measured reflectivities over 60% and bandwidths of 1.3 - 1.8% were obtained. Results to beam currents of 250 mA show the effectiveness of the internal cooling design and have provided x-ray fluxes of 1 X 1013 photons/sec/mm2.
CONCENTRATED ACID CONVERSION OF PINE SAWDUST TO SUGARS. PART II: HIGH-TEMPERATURE BATCH REACTOR KINETICS OF PRETREATED PINE SAWDUST

A study of high-temperature, concentrated-acid hydrolysis kinetics was undertaken for pretreated pine utilizing a corotating twin-screw extruder reactor. Five different acid concentrations were prepared ranging from 5 to 30 wt.% acid. These solutions were subjected to high-temperature acid hydrolysis at 110°, 120°, and 130°C using a custom-fabricated zirconium batch reactor. A number of nonlinear and linear regression analyses were undertaken so that the concentration of less resistant cellulose, resistant cellulose, glucose, and decomposition products could be obtained as a function of time, temperature, and acid concentration. Application of the kinetic rate constants obtained from the static batch reactor hydrolysis studies demonstrates that more than 50% of the theoretical glucose available in the pine sawdust can be obtained in roughly 25 minutes and 41% of the theoretical glucose available can be achieved in as little as 3 minutes. Further analysis highlights the importance of the pretreatment techn...
The adoption of electronic data interchange: a model and practical tool for managers

Abstract Despite the benefits of standards-based Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) modes of communication, only a small percentage of organizations have adopted even a single form of EDI. Organizations are often unable to assess the benefits resulting from the adoption of EDI due to the complexity of operational issues. This paper develops a model and decision support tool for identifying if EDI adoption is cost effective. In contrast to previous research, the model presented allows for the simultaneous adoption of multiple modes of communication. This tool is used to predict the appropriateness of EDI adoption with greater than 85% accuracy.
Essay: A challenge to the aging Corporation

Every day, in every way, the large corporation looks more and more like a species of dinosaur on its lumbering way to extinction. The cultural and political environment becomes ever more hostile; natural adaptation becomes ever more difficult; possible modes of survival seem to be beyond its imaginative capacity. The author's thesis is that science is redefining capitalism. The intelligence is here or will soon become available to allow the corporation to evolve into a status befitting a new age. Whether the corporation succeeds or not depends on its response to the challenge, but no constraints of logic prevent its adjustment, only constraints of adaptation. If it is to escape the fate of the brontosaurus, Big Business, prompted by social ferment, must adapt to new ways.
Specific heat of Wakefield thermal compound from 2 to 40 K

Abstract This paper reports on the measurement of the specific heat of Wakefield thermal compound from 2 – 40 K
Age, period, and cohort effects in motor vehicle mortality in the United States, 1980–2010: the role of sex, alcohol involvement, and position in vehicle

INTRODUCTION: Although substantive declines in motor vehicle fatalities in 1980-2010 have been observed, declines by position in the vehicle and alcohol involvement have not been well elucidated. METHOD: Analyses of FARS data use the Intrinsic Estimator (IE) to produce estimates of all age, period, and cohort effects simultaneously by position in the car and by alcohol involvement. RESULTS: Declines in MVC deaths by position in the car vary for men and women by age and cohort over time. Cohorts born before 1970 had higher risks than those born later. Analyses using proxy indicators of alcohol involvement found the highest risks for those aged 16-24. By period, these risks declined more rapidly than non- alcohol related traffic fatalities. CONCLUSION: Changes in risk patterns are consistent with evidence regarding the contributions of new technologies and public policy efforts to reduce fatalities, but gains have not been shared evenly by sex or position in the car. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Greater attention is needed in reducing deaths among older drivers and pedestrians. Gender differences should be addressed in prevention efforts aimed at reducing MVCs due to alcohol involvement. Language: en
Elastodynamic response of a wedge to surface pressures

An elastic wedge of interior angle κπ, where 1 < κ ⩽ 2, is subjected to the impact of spatially uniform pressures on its faces. The application of the pressures produces a system of longitudinal waves, transverse waves and head waves. In this paper the elastodynamic stress singularity in the circumferential stress at the vertex of the wedge is analyzed. The analysis is based on self-similarity of first-order time derivatives of the displacement potentials. By means of appropriate transformations the statement of the problem is reduced to two Laplace's equations, whose solutions in half-planes are coupled along the real axes. The solutions to this system are obtained by using elements of analytic function theory, together with summations over Chebychev polynomials along the real axes.
Reports of Pain After Dental Treatment, Electrical Tooth Pulp Stimulation, and Cutaneous Shock

To determine if dental treatment is relatively painless and if certain factors contribute to apprehension of dental treatment, a questionnaire was given to dental patients and subjects of mild laboratory stressors. Responses of these groups were then compared.
The social contents of place schemata: People are judged by the places where they live and work

Previous research in environmental cognition has focused primarily on physical attributes of environmental settings. The present studies were undertaken to explore the extent to which schemata for settings include their social attributes as well. Subjects were asked to make judgments about the occupants of a variety of examples of either residential or work settings, and to judge the settings themselves. Higher occupational status and more favorable traits were attributed to residents of higher-status neighborhoods. More favorable traits were attributed to people who work in settings associated with higher-status occupations. Higher-status neighborhoods, but not work settings, were judged more favorably. These findings support recent calls for a more inclusive view of environmental settings that considers both their physical and social attributes. They also suggest a new direction for social-psychological research in person perception.
Effect of Corn Starch on Digestibility of Alfalfa Hay

Summary Digestibility studies have been conducted on dairy cattle to investigate the effect of a readily digestible carbohydrate on the digestibility of alfalfa hay. Digestion trials of five or six days’ duration were carried out by the total collection method. When a 20-day preliminary period was allowed, the added carbohydrate had little, if any, effect on alfalfa digestibility. When no time was granted for adjustment to the starch addition, a highly significant depression of NFE, and significant decreases in protein and dry matter digestibilities, were observed. Evidence of other workers having a bearing on the relationship between preliminary periods and digestibility results has been presented. It is recommended that preliminary periods in digestibility trials with cattle consist of nine days as a minimum.
A remark on the arms race spiral

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain the tendency of escalation of a regular bilateral arms race, or the arms race spiral.Design/methodology/approach – Inspired by the Richardson‐type models, a system of two differential equations is used for describing a bilateral arms race. But the variation of one adversary's armaments and/or military expenditures is not associated with the amount of the other's armaments and/or military expenditures as it is usually done in this type of model. It is linked instead with their variation, as it practically happens in governments' decision‐making processes.Findings – The association of the two variations suggests that when one adversary tends to match the increase of the other's armaments and/or military expenditures, these tend to increase to infinity for a given fixed point in time.Originality/value – The mathematical result indicates that the tendency of completely matching the increase of adversary's armaments or military expenditures acts as an accelerat...
The hidden side of drug action: brain temperature changes induced by neuroactive drugs

Rationale Most neuroactive drugs affect brain metabolism as well as systemic and cerebral blood flow, thus altering brain temperature. Although this aspect of drug action usually remains in the shadows, drug-induced alterations in brain temperature reflect their metabolic neural effects and affect neural activity and neural functions.
Plant sugar-response pathways. Part of a complex regulatory Web

In addition to playing a central role in metabolism, soluble sugars such as Glc and Suc help regulate many developmental and physiological processes in plants (for review, see [Koch, 1996][1]; [Smeekens, 1998][2]; [Sheen et al., 1999][3]; [Yu, 1999][4]). For example, sugar levels have been
The World is One Great Hospital

This article attempts to locate the origin of Foucault’s work on biopolitics and biopower in his writings on medicine and medicalization. Though the concept of biopower is most closely associated with Foucault’ genealogy of the dispositif of sexuality, this essay sets aside the question of sexuality and examines more closely the archeology and genealogy of the medical dispositif to which Foucault dedicated a significant portion of his work throughout the 60’s and 70’s, in order to locate therein the lineage of his thought on biopower and biopolitics.
Experimental verification of PHOTON: A program for use in x-ray shielding calculations

Abstract At the National Synchrotron Light Source a computer program named PHOTON has been developed to calculate radiation dose values around a beam line. It is essential that the output from the program be an accurate guide to beam line shielding. In order to test the program, a series of measurements of radiation dose were carried out using existing beam lines and the results were compared to the theoretical calculations of PHOTON. Several different scattering geometries, scattering materials, and sets of walls and shielding materials were studied. The results of the measurements allowed many advances to be made in the program, ultimately resulting in good agreement between the theory and experiment.
Technical Report: Growth of Environmental Science at the NSLS

In the 25 years since the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) began operations, synchrotron “user facilities” have had a growing impact on research in molecular environmental science (MES). For example, synchrotron-based analytical techniques have allowed researchers to determine the molecular-level speciation of environmentally relevant elements and evaluate their spatial distribution and phase association at very low concentration levels (low parts per million) with micrometer or nanometer resolution [1]. For the environmental scientist, one of the primary advantages of these synchrotron-based techniques is that samples need not be disturbed or destroyed for study; characterization can often be done in-situ in dilute and heterogeneous natural samples with no need for species separation, pre-concentration, or pre-treatment [2]. Liquids, hydrated solids, and biological samples can also often be directly analyzed, which is of fundamental importance in environmental science for understanding the molecu...
Accurate mode boundary detection in digitally controlled boost power factor correction rectifiers

This paper presents an accurate mode boundary detection technique for digitally controlled boost power factor correction (PFC) rectifiers. Auto-tuning of the current and voltage control loops as well as estimation of power-stage parameters L and C are accomplished using sinusoidal perturbations injected into the control loops. The estimated L value acquired by this perturbation based tuning process is used to improve the detection of the boundary between continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) in the presence of inductance tolerance, thereby minimizing the mode transition effects and reducing the input current harmonic distortion. The proposed approach is verified by experimental results on a 300 W digitally controlled boost PFC rectifier prototype.
Hand use and metacarpal robusticity in Catarrhini

Recent studies,Rightmire (1972) andDay andScheuer (1973), have investigated the affinities of early hominid metacarpals from Swartkrans. Because of its extensive use in the analysis of metatarsals, the index of robusticity has also been applied to some fossil metacarpals. From the metatarsal analyses, it has been shown that within a group a variety of robusticity patterns exist with the average pattern occuring approximately 50 per cent of the time. This, coupled with the fact that it has also been shown that within the order Primates the pattern is not necessarily diagnostic of any locomotor category, has led us to investigate the usefulness of such an index in assessing primate metacarpals.
Applying electron propagator theory to electron affinities

Electron propagator theory is used to calculate vertical ionization energies of closed shell anions. Third order diagonal self-energies are calculated using the post-Hartree–Fock utility subroutines of GAUSSIAN 82. Higher order corrections are estimated using the outer valence approximation. The number of operations needed rises no faster than the number required for the limited two-electron integral transformation. Basis set augmentations are made until changes in the computational results are small. Adiabatic ionization energies are obtained via many body perturbation theory calculations on the neutral potential energy surface. Applications to BeH- and MgH- give results in excellent agreement with photodetachment experiments.