cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical Coherence Tomography in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity is a vasoproliferative condition characterized by abnormal vascularization of the retina which may lead to tractional retinal detachment. Timely screening and treatment with laser and/or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents help prevent blindness. While bedside indirect ophthalmoscopy remains the gold standard for screening, optical coherence tomography has emerged as a new modality for understanding the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity, providing in-vivo monitoring, and evaluating subclinical findings. This chapter provides an overview of optical coherence tomography in retinopathy of prematurity, including available models and adjustments in the neonatal population, differences between preterm, term and adult foveal anatomy, current usages of optical coherence tomography in retinopathy of prematurity as well as descriptions of popcorn retinopathy, macular edema, vitreous bands on imaging.
Genes related to redox and cell curvature facilitate interactions between Caulobacter strains and Arabidopsis

Bacteria play an integral role in shaping plant growth and development. However, the genetic factors that facilitate plant-bacteria interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated the importance of two bacterial genetic factors that facilitate the interactions between plant-growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria in the genus Caulobacter and the host plant Arabidopsis. Using homologous recombination, we disrupted the cytochrome ubiquinol oxidase (cyo) operon in both C. vibrioides CB13 and C. segnis TK0059 by knocking out the expression of cyoB (critical subunit of the cyo operon) and showed that the mutant strains were unable to enhance the growth of Arabidopsis. In addition, disruption of the cyo operon, metabolomic reconstructions, and pH measurements suggested that both elevated cyoB expression and acid production by strain CB13 contribute to the previously observed inhibition of Arabidopsis seed germination. We also showed that the crescent shape of the PGP bacterial strain C. crescentus CB15 contributes to its ability to enhance plant growth. Thus, we have identified specific genetic factors that explain how select Caulobacter strains interact with Arabidopsis plants.
Feasibility of implementing an exercise intervention in older adults with hematologic malignancy.

Abstract Older adults with Hematologic Malignancy (HM) are vulnerable to functional decline secondary to disease and treatment. Interventions for physical deconditioning, in concert with routine hematology care are limited. The feasibility of accrual, retention, and demand for an exercise intervention among a high-risk HM population was piloted. Methods Older adults with HM, on active treatment, with functional impairment were recruited prospectively to participate in a 6-month Otago Exercise Programme (OEP). Measures of motivation, self-efficacy, patient identified barriers to exercise, barriers to clinical trial enrollment, study satisfaction, and serious adverse events were captured. Results 63 patients were approached, 18 declined trial enrollment, 45 consented, 30 patients enrolled in the exercise program. The main barrier for trial enrollment was transportation/travel concerns (n = 15). Of the 45 consented participants, 8 (12.7%) dropped out due to clinical deterioration, 5 (7.9%) withdrew, and 2 (3.2%) were ineligible prior to exercise-intervention intiation. The median age was 75.5 years (range 62–83) with plasma cell dyscrasia (63%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (20%) and leukemia (17%). Retention of the physical therapist (PT) led-OEP was 76.6% of patients (n = 23/30), and end-of-study retention was 66.7% (n = 20/30). Of the evaluable patients, 23/29 completed the PE-led OEP yielding a completion rate of 79%. Participants were extremely motivated (72.4%) and strongly intended (89.7%) to engage in regular physical activity. Exercising when tired increased from a median score of 50 at Visit 1 to 70 at Visit 2, but dropped significantly to 45 at Visit 3 (p Conclusions Older patients with HM had higher completion of in-person, PT-led exercise compared to at-home, independent exercise. Older adults were motivated and found the program acceptable, yet the ability to sustain a structured exercise program was challenging due to changes in health status. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02791737
Lifestyles of Online Gamers

This study compares people who play games on the Internet, people who use the Internet but not for gaming, and people who do not use the Internet. In terms of demography, there is no gender difference among the three groups. On-line gamers are the youngest group and have above-average education and income, but non-gaming Internet users enjoy the highest socioeconomic status. In terms of motivation, on-line gamers are more impulsive and more open to the Internet than either other group. On-line gamers are also highest in novelty seeking, risk-taking, and word-of-mouth communication. In terms of attitude, both online gamers and non-gaming Internet users are more liberal toward socially sensitive issues than non-Internet users, and more tolerant of advertising that contains sex or violence. Practical implications and the need for additional research are discussed.
A gap analysis of combined heat and power with gas turbines at Colorado State University

A cogeneration system could be implemented at Colorado State University to produce electricity while offsetting the thermal load currently supplied by the boiler system. After investigating various cogenerative technologies a gas turbine was selected as the most optimal for Colorado State University's utility system. Due to their size and installation flexibility two Centaur 40 3.4 MW turbines made by solar turbines were selected as the gas turbines that would be implemented. There are various implementation aspects that need to be addressed to gain the optimal performance of the Centaur 40. Within this document the various options for a cogeneration system were analyzed for their optimal installation. These aspects included: absorption chillers, assisted steam turbines, peak shaving and waste heat utilization and were all found to not be economically feasible. A split-installation site was found to be the optimal location of the turbines based on Colorado State University's thermal and electrical loads.
Strong verifiable secret sharing (extended abstract)

Verifiable secret sharing has proven to be a powerful tool in the construction of fault-tolerant distributed algorithms. Many algorithms for VSS exist in the literature. These are of two types: small-error and error-free. In the small-error solutions, there is a small probability either that the dealer has not properly distributed the secret or that the faulty players can figure out the secret before reconstruction. In the error-free solutions neither of these can occur. However, the error-free solutions of which we are aware have a small weakness: the faulty processors can force a correct dealer to publicly reveal so much information that every correct processor learns the secret prematurely. This occurs despite the fact that no faulty processor learns anything at all about the secret. We overcome this weakness with no increase in the number of processors while remaining error-free.
A unique and practical graduate course in radar cross section at the Air Force Institute of Technology

The US Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) offers a variety of master's degree programs in engineering which cater to the needs of the Air Force. One of the hallmarks of the low observables curriculum is a unique graduate level course entitled "Radar Cross Section (RCS) Analysis, Measurement, and Reduction." The author describes this particular course, and its role in the low observables curriculum. Graduates praise the experience of making their own RCS measurements in AFIT's laboratory as being extremely beneficial in understanding the usefulness and limitations of data presented to them later by government contractors. >
Chapter 2 Computational aspects of motor control and motor learning

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews various computational issues that arise in the study of motor control and motor learning. It describes feedback control, feedforward control, the problem of delay, observers, learning algorithms, motor learning, and reference models. It focuses on basic theoretical issues with broad applicability. The chapter develops some of the basic ideas in the control of dynamical systems, distinguishing between feedback control and feedforward control. In general, controlling a system involves finding an input to the system that will cause a desired behavior at its output. Feedback control and feedforward control can both be understood as techniques for inverting a dynamical system. The chapter discusses some mathematical representations for dynamical systems.
Some considerations on the microwave electrodeless discharge: Plasma diagnostics in argon, helium or nitrogen atmospheres

Abstract Plasma diagnostics of several microwave plasmas are determined by making electrical (with double floating probes) and optical measurements in pure Ar, He or N 2 plasmas, and also in Ar plasmas containing various metals, i.e. Cs, Tl or Zn; plasma parameters, such as, electric field ( E ), electron ( j e ) and ion ( j i ) current densities, electron density ( n e ), electron temperature ( T e ) electron conductivity (σ e ), ion density ( n i ), electron mean free path (λ e ) electron (μ e ) and ion (μ i ) mobilities and electron [( v e ) drift ] and ion [( v i ) drift ] volocities are either directly measured or calculated. The reversal temperature ( T r ) of excited (0.96 eV lower level) thallium atoms is measured, and the steady-state conditions of the plasma are analyzed by the energy balance equation. The experimental measurements indicate that the electric field strength E decreases as the space charge decreases (ionization extent) increases. Although the plasma appears to be under steady-state conditions, it is not under local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions, i.e. T e > T r . In addition, the measurements indicate that there is a deficiency of electrons in the plasma ( n e n i ), probably due to electron affinity processes; and the plasma has a small positive space charge.
X-band power performance of N-face GaN MIS-HEMTs

A report is presented on the X-band power performance of N-face GaN-based metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs). The use of an AlN-based back-barrier enabled low sheet resistance, eliminated alloy disorder scattering to the 2-D electron gas (2DEG), and provided carrier confinement under high electric fields for device scaling. At 10 GHz, a peak power-added efficiency of 56% with a continuous-wave output power density (Pout) of 5.7 W/mm were measured in devices with 0.7 µm gate length and 28 V drain bias. A maximum drain efficiency of 70% and saturated output power density of 6 W/mm were achieved. These results are the first demonstration of dispersion-free large-signal operation in N-face devices beyond the C-band.
A circadian clock in the fish retina regulates dopamine release via activation of melatonin receptors

Although many biochemical, morphological and physiological processes in the vertebrate retina are controlled by a circadian (24 h) clock, the location of the clock and how the clock alters retinal function are unclear. For instance, several observations have suggested that dopamine, a retinal neuromodulator, may play an important role in retinal rhythmicity but the link between dopamine and a clock located within or outside the retina remains to be established. We found that endogenous dopamine release from isolated goldfish retinae cultured in continuous darkness for 56 h clearly exhibited a circadian rhythm with high values during the subjective day. The continuous presence of melatonin (1 nM) in the culture medium abolished the circadian rhythm of dopamine release and kept values constantly low and equal to the night-time values. The selective melatonin antagonist luzindole (1 microM) also abolished the dopamine rhythm but the values were high and equal to the daytime values. Melatonin application during the late subjective day introduced rod input and reduced cone input to fish cone horizontal cells, a state usually observed during the subjective night. In contrast, luzindole application during the subjective night decreased rod input and increased cone input. Prior application of dopamine or spiperone, a selective dopamine D(2)-like antagonist, blocked the above effects of melatonin and luzindole, respectively. These findings indicate that a circadian clock in the vertebrate retina regulates dopamine release by the activation of melatonin receptors and that endogenous melatonin modulates rod and cone pathways through dopamine-mediated D(2)-like receptor activation.
A Review of: “Information Systems and Global Diversity”

Information Systems and Global Diversity is a valuable resource for any scholar interested in institutional theory and the social aspects of technological innovation in organizations. In the book, ...
Mechanical behaviour of poly(methyl methacrylate)

A series of tensile and three-point bending studies was conducted at various temperatures and loading rates using a commercial poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Tensile properties and fracture toughness data were obtained for the various conditions. In general, both tensile strength and fracture toughness increase with increasing loading rate and decreasing temperatur E. However, when the temperature reaches the glass transition region, the relationships between fracture toughness, loading rate, and temperature become very complex. This behaviour is due to the simultaneous interaction of viscoelasticity and localized plastic deformation. In the glass transition region, the fracture mechanism changes from a brittle to a ductile mode of failure. A failure envelope constructed from tensile tests suggests that the maximum elongation that the glassy PMMA can withstand without failure is about 130%. The calculated apparent activation energies suggest that the failure process of thermoplastic polymers (at least PMMA) follows a viscoelastic process, either glass orβ transition. The former is the case if crack initiation is required.
Safety of outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

Recent changes in reimbursement for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy have resulted in a large number of these procedures being done on an outpatient basis. There is still considerable controversy, however, as to the safety of this concept. We reviewed the charts of 1000 consecutive patients who underwent these procedures. Three hundred ninety-six procedures were performed as inpatient surgery and 604 were performed as outpatient surgery. Patients were considered as candidates for outpatient surgery if they met specific criteria, such as good overall medical health, no central apnea, normal bleeding history and profile, and had adequate social considerations. The inpatient group included those patients who did not meet the criteria to be outpatients. We compared the complication rates of these two groups with regard to age, type of procedure performed (tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, adenotonsillectomy), and indication for surgery in order to determine if there was any increased risk of outpatient surgery, despite strict selection criteria. The two groups were similar in their distribution with regards to age, sex, type of procedure, and indication for surgery. The overall complication rate for the entire group was 7.9%, with an 11.8% complication rate for inpatients and 4.1% complications for outpatients. The higher complication rate among the inpatient group is probably a direct result of the selection process because this group included the higher-risk patients. On the basis of these findings, we believe that surgery of the tonsils and adenoids can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure, regardless of age, indication, or procedure, if the candidates for ambulatory surgery are carefully selected by the surgeon.
Calibrating short-timescale tropospheric phase fluctuations seen by a radio telescope: Limits from subreflector and Cassegrain feed ring radiometer placement

[1] Water vapor radiometers (WVRs) measure tropospheric brightness temperatures and use those measurements to infer path delay. Calibration of short-timescale phase fluctuations at a radio telescope requires that the WVR and radio telescope sample a similar volume of the troposphere. Using a statistical (Kolmogorov frozen flow) model of tropospheric fluctuations, the short-timescale calibration capability of two WVR configurations has been quantified. The first configuration is a WVR mounted, with its own antenna, on the back side of the main radio telescope subreflector, giving a conical beam that is coaxial with the main cylindrical near-field beam of the large telescope. The second configuration uses a Cassegrain feed ring, with the WVR and radio astronomy feeds at different positions on the ring. This second configuration gives a cylindrical calibration near-field beam, offset in angle to the main cylindrical beam. An important application of short-timescale phase calibration is improving the coherence of high-frequency interferometric observations. For two cases of current/near future interest (86 GHz very long baseline interferometry with the Very Long Baseline Array; 350 GHz observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, ALMA), useful calibration could be achieved with either geometry (coaxial conical beam or offset cylindrical beam). For a coaxial conical beam, a 2° WVR beam width would allow significant coherence improvement, but a beam width ≤1° (full width at half maximum) is needed for optimum performance. For an offset cylindrical beam, the desired angular offset (on the sky) is ≤1° for 43 GHz Very Large Array observations, or ≤0.3° for 350 GHz ALMA observations.
Decision-Making Support System Effectiveness: the Process to Outcome Link

Many information systems are available to directly support decision-making.i¾ i¾ The various frameworks have engendered a variety of models to evaluate system effectiveness.i¾ i¾ Disparate results have been reported from the use of these models, and the results have been used to suggest various, sometimes conflicting, design, development, and implementation strategies.i¾ i¾ Without general guidelines, implementation in practice can be a time-consuming, costly, and error-prone process. This paper seeks to improve the situation by offering a general decision making support system (DMSS), a general model of system effectiveness, and an information system to deliver the effectiveness model.i¾ i¾ The paper first overviews the decision making process, identifies the role of a DMSS in improving decision-making, and develops a general model of DMSS effectiveness.i¾ i¾ Next, there is a presentation of recent studies that have applied the model across various decision situations using a variety of decision-making support systems.i¾ i¾ Then, a DMSS is presented that can readily deliver the effectiveness model to researchers and practitioners.i¾ i¾ The paper concludes with a discussion of the article's implications for information systems research and practice.
A context-driven programming model for pervasive spaces

This paper defines a new, context-driven programming model for pervasive spaces. Existing models are prone to conflict, as it is hard to predict the outcome of interleaved actions from different services, or even to detect that a particular device is receiving conflicting instructions. Nor is there an easy way to identify unsafe contexts and the emergency remedy actions, or for programmers and users to grasp the complete status of the space. The programming model proposed here resolves these problems by improving coordination by explicitly defining the behaviors via context, and providing enhanced safety guarantees as well as a real-time, at-a-glance snapshot of the space's status. We present this model by first revisiting the definitions of the three basic entities (sensors, actuators and users) and then deriving at the definition of the operational semantics of a pervasive space and its context. A scenario is provided to demonstrate both how programmers use this model as well as the advantages of the model over other approaches.
Self-esteem and responses to success and failure: Subsequent performance and intrinsic motivation

A model is proposed in which the goal of people with high self-esteem is to cultivate personal strengths in order to excel, whereas the goal of people with low self-esteem is to remedy personal deficiencies in order to become adequate In two experiments, subjects received initial outcome feedback of either success, humiliating failure (internal attribution), or failure that allowed face-saving (external attribution) Experiment 1 then measured subjects intrinsic motivation to pursue the task during free-choice time Subjects with high self-esteem had the highest intrinsic motivation after success Subjects with low self-esteem had the highest intrinsic motivation after the humiliating failure Experiment 2 required a second performance on a similar task Performance results were consistent with the intrinsic motivation results of Experiment 1, with one exception High self-esteem subjects were sensitive to the different failure treatments, performing well after humiliation but poorly after face-saving Subjects with low self-esteem performed the same in both failure conditions The relation of the present model and results to previous work is discussed
Beyond traditional educating: facilitating power‐point learning through SuperLeadership

Proposes a new sort of learning process ‐ power‐point learning ‐ that goes beyond the traditional “teaching”. It involves a learning process that aims at satisfying the primary needs of the most important customers involved ‐ the learners. Suggests that one effective method of fulfilling these student needs is through a SuperLeadership approach.
Neutrophil Sequestration and Pulmonary Dysfunction in a Canine Model of Open Heart Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass Evidence for a CD18-Dependent Mechanism

Background Previous studies documented an inflammatory reaction to cardiopulmonary bypass with neutrophil (PMN) sequestration in the lungs, contributing to microvascular injury and postoperative pulmonary dysfunction. This study explored the hypothesis that the β2 integrin CD18, a leukocyte adhesion molecule, mediates this response. Methods and Results Fifteen adult, mixed-breed dogs underwent 90 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass with 3 hours of subsequent recovery. Seven additional dogs were treated before cardiopulmonary bypass with a 1-mg/kg IV bolus of R15.7 IgG, a monoclonal antibody to CD18. Both groups were compared with 5 sham bypass control dogs. Bypassed dogs demonstrated an increased number of PMNs sequestered in the lungs 3 hours after bypass compared with sham bypass control dogs (1466±75 versus 516±43 PMN/mm2 alveolar surface area, mean±SEM, P<.001). Also, when PMNs from bypass dogs were compared with those from sham dogs, they produced more H2O2 (305±45 versus 144±48 amol H2O2 per phagocyte...
A Pulsed Neutron Generator for Mass Flow Measurement Using the Pulsed Neutron Activation Technique

A high-output, transportable neutron generator has been developed to measure mass flow velocities in reactor safety tests using the Pulsed Neutron Activation (PNA) Technique. The PNA generator produces >1010 14 MeV D-T neutrons in a 1.2 millisecond pulse. The Millisecond Pulse (MSP) Neutron Tube, developed for this application, has an expected operational life of 1000 pulses, and it limits the generator pulse repetition rate to 12 pulses/minute. A semiconductor neutron detector is included in the generator package to monitor the neutron output. The control unit, which can be operated manually or remotely, also contains a digital display with a BCD output for the neutron monitor information. The digital logic of the unit controls the safety interlocks and rejects transient signals which could accidently fire the generator.
Practicing Anthropology: Forging New Roles and Relationships with Communities

The articles in this issue of Practicing Anthropology are all positive examples of people working to make a difference by using anthropology to construct meaningful relationships and roles through their work with a community of "other" people. What does community mean in the 21st century? This is a question anthropology is uniquely positioned to help answer, but the answer isn't necessarily short or sweet. The articles in this issue apply the concept of community in a variety of ways to different human groups, suggesting that community is a multidimensional concept. In keeping with anthropological tradition, all the authors in this issue attempt to represent the real concerns of the community members with whom they work by privileging an emic viewpoint. Anthropologists gain access to an emic perspective by employing ethnographic methods that generate insight and empathy into the lives of community members with whom they work. This empathy is part of the passion and conviction that characterizes the high d...
Management of eyelid trauma

The management of eyelid trauma presents some frustrating challenges to the general ophthalmologist. Because each case is unique, adaptation of general principles is essential for optimal ophthalmic treatment. This review includes the essentials of approaches to the evaluation and treatment of eyelid margin and canalicular lacerations. Specific attention is directed towards avoidance of complications.
Optimally-weighted dispersion relations. II

Abstract We construct the optimally-weighted dispersion relation and extrapolation error for an amplitude with unequal, possibly correlated, errors in the experimental boundary values of its real and imaginary parts. The uniqueness of the optimally-weighted dispersion relation is demonstrated.
Naturally acquired and vaccine-elicited antibodies block erythrocyte cytoadherence of the Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein.

Malaria merozoites require the presence of specific surface receptors on the red blood cell for invasion. Plasmodium vivax, requires the Duffy blood group antigen as an obligate receptor for invasion. The parasite Duffy binding protein (DBP) is the ligand involved in this process, making the DBP a potential vaccine candidate. A preliminary objective was to study whether people exposed to vivax malaria acquire antibodies that have the ability to block erythrocyte cytoadherence to the PvDBP. In comparison, we studied the immunogenicity of various recombinant DBP vaccines and investigated their potential to induct antifunctional antibodies. In order to do so, recombinant proteins to different regions of the putative ectodomain of the DBP and a DNA vaccine were used to immunize laboratory animals. An in vitro cytoadherence assay was used to investigate the presence of antifunctional antibodies in plasmas from people naturally exposed to vivax malaria, as well as in antisera obtained by animal vaccination. Our results showed that human plasma from populations naturally exposed to vivax malaria, as well as antisera obtained by vaccination using recombinant proteins, a DNA vaccine, and a synthetic peptide to DBP, inhibited in vitro binding of human erythrocytes to the DBP ligand domain (DBPII) in correlation to their previously measured antibody titer. Our results provide further evidence for the vaccine potential of this essential parasite adhesion molecule.
Diet measurement in Vietnamese youth: Concurrent reliability of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire

Dietary patterns of Asian Americans change with increasing acculturation, leading to increased consumption of Western foods including those high in fat. Strategies to preserve the healthy aspects of traditional diets need to be developed and dietary assessment methods evaluated. Little is known about reliability of brief dietary measures in the general population or among minority youth. The concurrent reliability of a brief food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was determined among Vietnamese youth using diet reports.
The role of the trivalent metal in an LDH: Synthesis, characterization and fire properties of thermally stable PMMA/LDH systems

Two layered double hydroxides (LDHs), calcium aluminum undecenoate (Ca3Al) and calcium iron undecenoate (Ca3Fe), have been prepared by the co-precipitation method. XRD analysis of these LDHs reveals that they are layered materials and FT-IR and TGA confirmed the presence of the undecenoate anions in the material produced. The PMMA composites were prepared by bulk polymerization and the samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, TGA and cone calorimetry. Both additives greatly enhance the thermal stability of PMMA, while the calcium aluminum LDH gives better results when the fire properties were examined using the cone calorimeter.
Validation of a flexible endoscopy simulator

Abstract Background Virtual reality (VR) simulation is a rapidly proliferating adjunct of surgical training. Numerous devices have evolved as educational tools in a variety of fields. Whether these tools can be used for validation of physicians' skills has yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to determine whether the GI Mentor (Simbionix, Lod, Israel) flexible endoscopy simulator construct could distinguish experienced endoscopists from beginners. Methods Seventy-five surgical attendings, fellows, and residents were recruited for participation in the study. Two cohorts were used and these groups were selected from 2 separate scientific sessions. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire documenting their endoscopic training and experience. Physicians subsequently were designated as experienced or beginner after their endoscopic training and experience were evaluated. All participants completed 1 of 2 colonoscopic simulations. The GI Mentor objectively evaluated performance on the basis of programmed data points, including the time to reach the cecum, the percentage of mucosa visualized, the completed polypectomy rate, the percentage of time spent in clear view through the lumen, the percentage of time that the patient was in pain, and overall efficiency. Results In both simulations, experienced endoscopists were more efficient than beginners (.32%/s vs. .26%/s, P = .02; and .53%/s vs. .37%/s, P = .03) and achieved a greater polypectomy rate (78% vs. 43%, P = .03; and 87% vs. 48%, P = .01). Furthermore, experienced endoscopists visualized more of the colonic surface (86% vs. 82%, P = .02) and spent a greater proportion of the time in clear view of the lumen (55% vs. 47%, P = .05) than beginners completing the first simulation. In the second simulation, experienced participants reached the cecum more rapidly than beginners (175 vs. 262 s, P = .01). Conclusions The G1 Mentor VR colonoscopy construct appears valid. Significant performance differences were shown between the experienced and beginner cohorts. The beginner participants in this study were all physicians with some degree of endoscopic experience. Therefore, the G1 Mentor distinguished endoscopists of varying experience and exposure. Further validation studies are needed to evaluate the breadth of programs inherent to this simulator and to determine whether it may be used in the future for qualification and certification purposes.
The Use of Technology for Second Language Learning and Teaching: A Retrospective

As one of the oldest and most influential foreign language pedagogical journals, The Modern Language Journal (MLJ) offers valuable insights into how technological advances have affected language teaching and learning at various points in history. The present article will review the proposed pedagogical use of technological resources by means of a critical analysis of articles published in the MLJ since its first edition in 1916. The assessment of how previous technical capabilities have been implemented for pedagogical purposes represents a necessary background for the assessment of the pedagogical potential of present-day technologies. In this article I argue that, whereas most “new technologies” (radio, television, VCR, computers) may have been revolutionary in the overall context of human interaction, it is not clear that they have achieved equal degrees of pedagogical benefit in the realm of second language teaching. I further claim that the pedagogical effectiveness of different technologies is related to four major questions: (a) Is increased technological sophistication correlated to increased pedagogical effectiveness? (b) Which technical attributes specific to new technologies can be profitably exploited for pedagogical purposes? (c) How can new technologies be successfully integrated into the curriculum? and (d) Do new technologies provide for an efficient use of human and material resources?
Infrared observations of Comet Kohoutek before perihelion passage

I REPORT in this letter broadband observaions at 10 µm and 20 µm of the nucleus of Comet Kohoutek. These measurements were taken about 1 week before perihelion, while the comet was about 0.35 AU from the Sun. Table 1 summarises the results, which show that the comet was an intense infrared object, magnitude about −5, and that the nuclear material responsible for the infrared emission heated up rapidly as the comet sped toward the Sun.
Where am I and who am I?: issues in collaborative technical help

In a study of collaborative help-giving within several organizations settings, we identified two forms of trouble and bewilderment that we explore further in this paper. In one case, the user is confused about where they, their files, or other resources are within a larger technical infrastructure (Where am I?). In the second case, the user isn't sure which login is needed and which actions are allowed (Who am I?). We believe that these issues carry important implications for the design of interfaces that can explicitly support repair and problem-solving, and that they are essential to consider in the development of CSCW and ubiquitous computing applications.
Strange couplings to the Higgs

We explore the coupling of the strange quark to the state of mass close to 126 GeV recently observed by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC. An enhanced coupling relative to the expectations for a SM Higgs has the effect of increasing both the inclusive production cross section and the partial decay width into jets. For very large modifications, the latter dominates and the net rate into non-jet decay modes such as diphotons is suppressed, with the result that one can use observations of the diphoton decay mode to place an upper limit on the strange quark coupling. We find that the current observations of the diphoton decay mode imply that the coupling of the new resonance to strange quarks can be at most ∼ 50 times the SM expectation at the 95% C.L., if one assumes at most a O(1) modification of the coupling to gluons. © 2013 SISSA.
History of Development of the Phase‐Doppler Particle‐Sizing Velocimeter

The ability to routinely make simultaneous measurements of the size and velocity of individual spherical particles is identified as a crucial component of advances in the science and technology of multiphase systems and processes. Since it is the dual beam interferometer identified in this article as the phase-Doppler particle-sizing velocimeter (PD) that has provided this capability, and since 1995 marks twenty years from a seminal paper by Durst and Zare, a historical review is warranted and is presented. The roots and context of the development of PD are traced from the days of laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) in the early 1970's through work culminating at several laboratories in the mid 1980's. A number of important contributions and the engineers and scientists responsible for those contributions are recognized.
Bilateral Optic Nerve Compression as a Mechanism for the Foster Kennedy Syndrome

An 11-year-old boy with a juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma developed optic disc pallor in one eye and optic disc edema in the other eye (Foster Kennedy Syndrome [FKS]). The mechanism was believed to be bilateral, asymmetric optic nerve compression. Review of the 36 previously reported cases of FKS revealed that 12 cases (33%) were probably also caused by bilateral optic nerve compression. Only eight (22%) of the cases satisfied Foster Kennedy's original hypothesis for the pathogenesis of his syndrome, namely, direct compression of one optic nerve causing atrophy and increased intracranial pressure causing contralateral papilledema. In 15 (41%) reported cases of FKS, descriptions were inadequate to determine a mechanism, while two (5%) were probably caused by long-standing increased intracranial pressure without direct optic nerve compression. The authors believe that as sophisticated imaging permits earlier diagnosis and more precise localization, most future cases of FKS caused by mass lesions will be found to result from bilateral direct optic nerve compression.
Aerospace aircraft information display system for flight operations in North Dakota

The John D. Odegard School Of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota operates flight training centers at a variety of locations, including at the Grand Forks International Airport | Mark Andrews Field (GFK). The Grand Forks operation includes a fleet of 116 aircraft and conducts approximately 120,000 flight hours per year. With students tasked to certain training exercises in certain regions of the airspace, this level of activity makes it desirable to have some way of tracking aircraft while in-flight. While a commercial system is available, it is prohibitively expensive for a university and does not provide the functionality that a custom built system can. Therefore, a system originally designed to support Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operation and research was modified to support the flight operations at GFK and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA). As this system has evolved, more applications have been identified for its use, including further UAS operations and research through a project called the Limited Deployment - Cooperative Airspace Project (LD-CAP); which is a UND, NASA-Langley, MITRE corporation, and Draper Laboratories cooperative automatic UAS “sense and avoid” research project. The system developed integrates aircraft position data from ADS-B along with Doppler weather radar and overlays this georeferenced information on an aviation sectional chart. In addition, the “Aerospace Aircraft Display System (AADS)” uses NATO/APA icons for the different aircraft types and displays the boundaries of the different “practice areas” and Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA) areas used by UND flight operations. As multiple displays are desired, the system is built on a client-server architecture; only the server is interfaced with the ADS-B transceiver. The clients retrieve all required data (ADS-B data, NOAA Doppler weather radar, and local atmospheric pressure data) independent of each other and can be configured to display those data in either a north-up orientation or an aircraft heading-up orientation. When used in more public locations the clients can be configured such that all menu options, and aircraft identifiers, are disabled. Finally, the system was developed using Linux, OpenGL, and C++, in order to be reasonably close to DO-178B compliance.
Manufacturing Assembly Instructions; A Summary

A series of 13 experiments over a period of four years investigating various methods of presenting work instructions to employees is reported. It is concluded that the communication medium is very important and that different media affect both time and errors. Error rates can be cut to from one-third to one-tenth of existing rates while the associated assembly time is usually cut to one-half of the existing time. Four different assembly tasks were used. The number of subjects in each experiment ranged from 8 to 64. A wide variety of communication techniques such as a typed list of step-by-step instructions, three picture slides per assembly, one picture slide per assembly, a list with a place keeping device, audio, an ‘ information board ’, audio plus a list, slides plus audio, photographs, and models were used. The best medium is pictorial in which an operator can match a picture with the assembly to be built. Less desirable media are those (such as a typed step-by-step list of instructions) which requir...
Calcineurin Inhibitor–Free Graft-versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide and Brief-Course Sirolimus Following Reduced-Intensity Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) form the foundation of current graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimens. We hypothesized that a CNI-free regimen consisting of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and brief-course sirolimus would reduce chronic GVHD and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) after reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Twenty-six patients (median age, 61 years) underwent unmanipulated PBSCT from an 8/8 locus-matched donor (matched related donor, n = 17; natched unrelated donor, n = 9). GVHD prophylaxis consisted of PTCy and brief-course sirolimus. Donor engraftment occurred in all patients. The cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II-IV acute GVHD, grade III-IV acute GVHD, and chronic GVHD was 46%, 15%, and 31% respectively. One-year NRM was 4%. The median time to immunosuppression discontinuation was day +138. With a median follow-up of 20 months, the estimated 2-year overall survival was 71%, estimated disease-free survival was 64%, and estimated relapse incidence was 32%. In patients with a lymphoid malignancy (eg, chronic lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin disease), 2-year disease-free survival was 100%, and there were no relapses. Good immune reconstitution was evidenced by low cytomegalovirus reactivation rate of 21% (4 of 19 at-risk patients). GVHD prophylaxis with PTCy and sirolimus achieves consistent donor engraftment, low rates of chronic GVHD and NRM, and excellent outcomes in recipients of HLA-identical related and unrelated donor allogeneic PBSCT.
Serum calcium, phosphorus and cardiovascular events in post-menopausal women

Abstract Background There is increasing evidence linking phosphorus and calcium levels to a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. Methods We performed a post hoc data analysis from the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial of raloxifene treatment in 7259 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis to test the hypothesis that higher baseline calcium and phosphorus levels are associated with a higher risk of incident cardiovascular events during 4years of follow-up. Results Baseline mean (SD) values were 2.3 (0.1)mmol/L for serum calcium, 1.2 (0.2)mmol/L for serum phosphorus. Adjusted for multiple covariates including 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, and phosphorus, adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) per SD of calcium were: 1.17(1.01–1.35), p =0.03 for combined cardiovascular outcome, 1.22(0.99–1.49), p =0.06 for cerebrovascular events, 1.12(0.92–1.37), p =0.25 for coronary heart disease, and 1.18(0.94–1.48), p =0.16 for death. While there was some evidence that higher serum phosphorus levels were associated with higher rate of combined cardiovascular outcome ( p =0.07) and cerebrovascular events ( p =0.03) in pauci-variable analysis, these associations did not persist after adjustment for additional confounders. Adjusted for multiple covariates including 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, and calcium, AHR(95% CI) per SD of phosphorus were 0.88(0.77–1.01), p =0.07 for combined cardiovascular outcome, 0.86(0.70–1.06), p =0.15 for ceverbrovascular events, 0.92(0.76–1.10), p =0.35 for coronary heart disease, and 1.00(0.80–1.25) for death. Conclusion We found an independent association between higher baseline serum calcium levels and higher rate of cardiovascular events. Our findings did not support an independent association between serum phosphorus levels and cardiovascular events.
The influence of psychological variables on health-related quality of life among HIV-positive individuals with a history of intravenous drug use.

Abstract Objective: Intravenous drug use (IDU) remains a prominent pathway of HIV transmission in the United States, though little is known about modifiable factors influencing quality of life among IDUs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of psychological variables (e.g., depression and anxiety) on health-related quality of life among HIV-positive individuals with a history of IDU who were enrolled in outpatient treatment for opioid dependence. Method: 108 HIV-positive individuals with a history of IDU and participating in current outpatient treatment for opiate dependence who were screened for participation in a depression and adherence study reported sociodemographic data, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; Multidimensional Health Assessment using the ACTG-SF 21). Results: Multiple regression models controlling for disease stage and background characteristics identified significant negative relationships between General Health Perception and Fu...
Strengthening Global Social Justice

John Langmore hopes that the Geneva Special Session will be a global social justice summit. He outlines the official expectations and suggests that their success depends not only on governments but also on the NGOs and individuals who support the summit's initiatives.
The Attentional Function Index—a self-report cognitive measure

Objective: Cognitive assessment in individuals with cancer requires both measured performance on neuropsychological tests and self-report of effectiveness in functioning. Few instruments are available to assess the perceived impact of cognitive alterations on daily functioning in individuals treated for cancer. In this study, we investigated the psychometric properties of a theoretically based instrument, and the Attentional Function Index (AFI), designed to measure perceived effectiveness in common activities requiring attention and working memory, particularly the ability to formulate plans, carry out tasks, and function effectively in daily life. Methods: Women (N=172), ages 27–86 years, completed the questionnaire before primary treatment for early stage breast cancer. Construct validity was established using exploratory principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation. Results: A 13-item instrument emerged with 3 subscales, namely effective action, attentional lapses, and interpersonal effectiveness, which explained 74.69% of total variance. The internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach's α) were 0.92 for the total instrument, and ranged from 0.80 to 0.92 for the 3 subscales. Further examination of validity indicated that the scores on the AFI (1) showed expected correlations with established measures of ability to concentrate, cognitive failures, states of confusion, and mental fatigue, and (2) could distinguish differences in perceived cognitive functioning between younger and older age groups. AFI scores were not significantly associated with years of education or presence of comorbid conditions. Conclusion: The brief AFI has demonstrated usefulness for assessment of perceived cognitive functioning in populations with life-threatening and chronic illness, such as breast cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.