cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards a brain computer interface based on the N2pc event-related potential

Research over the last decade has shown that brain-computer interfaces (BCI) based on electroencephalography (EEG) can provide an alternative input paradigm for both clinical and healthy populations. Currently, the majority of BCI paradigms rely on a limited number of brain potentials; thus there remain many EEG signals to be explored for BCI applications. One such signal is the N2pc event-related potential (ERP). The N2pc is an ERP elicited 150ms to 350ms post-stimulus onset in response to target detection in visual search tasks. During this time window, target detection causes a negative deflection in the ERPs measured contralaterally to the target, allowing the lateralization of the target to be determined. Here we explore the feasibility of an N2pc-based BCI paradigm by analyzing the classification performance of participants based on data collected during an N2pc elicitation task. We quantify performance as a function of two variables; channel selection and the number of trials averaged together to obtain the ERP. Preliminary results indicate that with as few as three trials, the N2pc can be classified at nearly 90% accuracy in some individuals. These results could directly lead to the development of a new BCI paradigm, which we plan to realize in future work through the construction of a speller interface.
Use of ND:YAG laser in treatment of bladder cancer

A total of 53 patients were treated with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and followed up for two years. Three patients had carcinoma in situ (CIS); 4 had Ta lesions; and 28 had TINxMo, 8 had T2NxMo, and 10 had T3NxMo lesions. The patients with CIS received a combination of Nd:YAG laser and intravesical bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) instillation. The remainder of the patients received no supplementary chemotherapy. No tumor recurrence was noted in those with Ta lesions. Tumor recurred in 18 per cent of patients with T1 lesions, and 33 per cent of those with T2 lesions; 80 per cent of patients with T3 lesions had resistant or residual tumors. In patients with CIS, there was no tumor recurrence. Nd:YAG laser is effective in Ta, T1, and T2 bladder cancers, with low recurrence rate and minimal complications. In very select, high-risk patients with small lesions, and in those who refuse cystectomy, there may be a place for laser therapy for either palliation or definitive treatment of T3 invasive tumors of the bladder.
Electron scattering off simple atoms for large momentum transfer collisions

Abstract In a previous paper this author examined the Born expansion and isolated those parts of the expansion that contribute most significantly to the scattering amplitude for large momentum transfer collisions in inelastic collisions from the ground state of both hydrogen and helium. It turned out that certain terms where the scattering electron interacts once with the nucleus and once with the other electron dominate. The physical reason is that large momentum transfer collisions require the nucleus to take the bulk of the incident momentum but require an interaction with the one of the bound electrons to change the state of the atom. The arguments are quite general and this paper will extend this analysis by comparing the inelastic results obtained by this method for hydrogen and helium to a close coupling calculation with many intermediate states. Further, we will extend this analysis to the correction to the 1st Born result for elastic electron–hydrogen and electron–helium collisions and provide some results for scattering from the initial metastable states of hydrogen for large momentum transfer collisions. A comparison of the results of this analytic approach will be made to the numerical close coupling approach and experiments where available. The agreement is remarkable.
Keeping research on track

The atmosphere is changing as we examine the real-world problems associated with the implementation of the experimental design.
Abnormal Tibiofemoral Contact Stress and Its Association With Altered Kinematics After Center-Center Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction An In Vitro Study

Background:Abnormal tibiofemoral contact stress and aberrant kinematics may influence the progression of osteoarthritis in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient and the ACL-reconstructed knee. However, relationships between contact stress and kinematics after ACL reconstruction are poorly understood. Therefore, we posed the following research questions: (1) How do ACL deficiency and reconstruction affect the kinematics of and contact stress in the tibiofemoral joint? (2) What kinematic differences are associated with abnormal contact stress after ACL reconstruction?Hypothesis:Center-center ACL reconstruction will not restore knee kinematics and contact stress. Correlations will exist between abnormal contact stress and aberrant kinematics after ACL reconstruction.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Clinical tests of anterior and rotational stability were simulated on 11 cadaveric knees using an industrial robot. Tests were conducted with the ACL intact, sectioned, and after single-bu...
Deficit schizophrenia, gender and social class of origin

Abstract Background To date, studies of gender differences in schizophrenic symptoms are inconsistent and ambiguous. We tested to see if social class of origin may connect with any possible gender difference in propensity for type of schizophrenia. Methods A total of 436 schizophrenic patients were separated into deficit and nondeficit presentation. They were further divided into social class of origin and gender. Results We uncovered a significantly reduced risk for deficit schizophrenia among men born into nonpoor families. Conclusion Our results suggest that the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is gender-specific and may connect with genetic penetrance coupled with prenatal experiences.
Involving women in HIV vaccine efficacy trials: Lessons learned from a vaccine prepared ness study in New York City

This paper identifies the recruitment strategies and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors of at-risk women in an HIV vaccine preparredness study in New York City, assesses how these behaviors changed over time, and draws implications for women's involvement in HIV vaccine efficacy trials. Noninjecting HIV-1 ngative women (N=89) were recruited into an HIV vaccine preparedness study. An observational cohort study design was used. Women were recruited from clinics and community-based organizations (40%), through other study participants (24%), through newspaper advertisements (20%), and through street outreach (16%). Most women who refused (72%) also came from clinics and agencies. Retention after 12 months was 67%; after 18 months, it was 62%. The proportion of women reporting unprotected vaginal sex in the previous 3 months was 85% at baseline and declined to 70% after 12 months (P<.05). There have been no seroconversions detected. Recruitment efforts to include at-risk women in HIV vaccine efficacytrials must be diverse and actively involve community agencies. Successfully retaining these cohorts over time and detecting a high enough HIV seroincidence rate present ongoing challenges that will need to be addressed to ensure women's involvement in future trials in the US
Estimation of design loads for reduced reference periods

Abstract Traditionally, loads specified for structural design correspond to maximum lifetime loads. These values are appropriate for lifetime (or “ultimate”) design in which the relative safe performance of the structural element or system is of concern. However, the use of these values for design for reduced reference periods (i.e., “shorter exposure periods”) may be excessively conservative. A number of design cases can be identified for which a 50-year reference period may not be appropriate, such as (1) buildings during construction, (2) temporary structures, and (3) serviceability. From a design standpoint, it may be most appropriate to provide modification factors to be used with existing (i.e., 50-year) design values. In this paper, one approach to determining appropriate design load values for design situations other than the full design-life is presented. This may be especially useful for the design of structures exposed to environmental loadings such as wind, snow and earthquake for relatively short exposure periods.
α1-antitrypsin deficiency and liver disease

α1-Antitrypsin (α1AT) deficiency, one of the most common lethal hereditary disorders among Caucasians, is associated with emphysema in adults, while in children it is associated with liver disease. Produced in the liver and released into the plasma, α1AT serves as the body's major inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, a powerful proteolytic enzyme capable of degrading extracellular structural proteins. The pathogenesis of the liver disease associated with α1AT deficiency is not as well understood, but is clearly linked to specific mutations in coding exons of the α1AT gene, and the resulting accumulation of α1AT within hepatocytes. At present, therapy for the liver disease associated with α1AT deficiency is symptomatic, with liver transplantation as a last resort. New strategies are being developed to suppress the accumulation of α1AT by transferring the normal gene into the liver.
CALIBRATION OF [O IV] 26 μm AS A MEASURE OF INTRINSIC ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS LUMINOSITY

We compare [O IV] 25.89 μm emission line luminosities with very hard (10-200 keV) X-rays from Swift, INTEGRAL, and BeppoSAX for a complete sample of 89 Seyferts from the Revised Shapley-Ames sample. Using Seyfert 1s, we calibrate [O IV] as a measure of active galactic nucleus (AGN) intrinsic luminosity, for particular use in high-obscuration environments. With this calibration, we measure the average decrement in 14-195 keV X-ray to [O IV] luminosity ratio for Seyfert 2s compared to type 1s. We find a decrement of 3.1 ± 0.8 for Seyfert 2s, and a decrement of 5.0 ± 2.7 for known Compton-thick Seyfert 2s. These decrements imply column densities of approximately log NH = 24.6 cm–2 and 24.7 cm–2, respectively. Thus, we infer that the average Seyfert 2 is more highly obscured and intrinsically more luminous than would be inferred even from the very hard X-rays. We demonstrate two applications of the hard X-ray to [O IV] ratio. For the extremely obscured NGC 1068, we measure a column density of log NH = 25.3-25.4 cm–2. Finally, by comparing [O IV] luminosities to total infrared luminosities for 12 bright ultraluminous infrared galaxies, we find that four have substantial AGN contributions.
Impaired repair activity of a truncated DNA polymerase β protein

Abstract DNA polymerase β (polβ) is an essential enzyme for gap filling synthesis in damaged DNA template involved in base excision repair pathway. A truncated polβ protein is expressed in primary colorectal and breast adenocarcinomas. To determine a possible alteration in the functions of the enzyme, a human cell line named HeLapolβΔ expressing the truncated form of polβ has been established. These cells revealed a significantly reduced level of repair activity evaluated by gap filling synthesis and polβ activity. More importantly, the HeLapolβΔ cells are hypersensitive to MNNG, a DNA alkylating agent. It appears from the responses that the gap filling synthesis of WT cells, a HeLa cell line overexpressing wild-type polβ protein, was inhibited by HeLapolβΔ protein.
The changing elderly population and future health care needs.

The impending growth of the elderly population requires both fiscal and substantive changes in Medicare and Medicaid that are responsive to cost issues and to changing patterns of need. More emphasis is required on chronic disease management, on meaningful integration between acute and long-term case services, and on improved coordination between Medicare and Medicaid initiatives. This paper reviews various trends, including the growth in managed-care approaches, experience with social health maintenance organizations and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly demonstrations, and the need for a coherent long-term care policy. Such policies, however, transcend health care and require a broad range of community initiatives.
Graphic applications subroutine packages

The Graphic Applications Subroutine Package, GASP, is a set of interdependent two-dimentional programs capable of producing drawings on an automatic digital plotter. GASP was justified and developed in an engineering support environment to satisfy certain requirements within the workload responsibilities of a production drafting room and within the engineering areas. In FORTRAN (G or H level) for the IBM System/360, the package utilizes plotter dependent routines through a simple standard interface.Users with minimal FORTRAN experience can produce drawings using basic geometric elements drawn with selected line types and widths. More experienced users invoke multiple level transformations to manipulate groups of elements as subpictures and utilize features for drafting dimensioning and automatic pen-width compensation.The paper presents features and design philosophy of GASP, and comments on its use and extension. Simple graphic programs are presented along with several representative samples of production artwork.
The NAB shape learning subtest as a predictor of lateralized seizure onset

This study presents the first empirical evaluation of the predictive value of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Shape Learning (NAB-SL) subtest in a sample of patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy. Stimulus characteristics of the NAB-SL may improve predictive ability over other commonly used visual memory tests. Forty-nine patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy were compared on measures of non-verbal and verbal memory (NAB-SL and Wechsler Memory Scale-III subtests). Univariate and forward conditional logistic regressions identified predictive values for each memory test individually and in combination. The NAB-SL delayed memory demonstrated consistently stronger predictive power over visual reproduction at the univariate and multivariate levels. The NAB-SL was a good predictor (80% range) of lateralized seizure onset when combined with a verbal memory measure. These preliminary results provide support for the use of the NAB-SL in preoperative epilepsy evaluations as a predictor of non-dominant temporal lobe dysfunction. Potential benefits of this test are discussed.
Confinement via dynamical monopoles

Abstract It is known that an SU( N ) lattice gauge theory can be exactly mapped into a Z( N ) gauge theory coupled to dynamical monopoles, with couplings and monopole distributions determined by the SU (N) Z (N) dynamics. The effect of the monopoles on long-distance behavior is discussed for N = 2. Rigorous inequalities are derived that reduce the problem of confinement at large β to estimates on expectations of monopole currents. The manner in which this can lead to permanent confinement for space-time dim d ⩽ 4 is discussed.
Buckets of Resistance: Standards and the Effectiveness of Citizen Science

In light of arguments that citizen science has the potential to make environmental knowledge and policy more robust and democratic, this article inquires into the factors that shape the ability of citizen science to actually influence scientists and decision makers. Using the case of community-based air toxics monitoring with ‘‘buckets,’’ it argues that citizen science’s effectiveness is significantly influenced by standards and standardized practices. It demonstrates that, on one hand, standards serve a boundary-bridging function that affords bucket monitoring data a crucial measure of legitimacy among experts. On the other hand, standards simultaneously serve a boundary-policing function, allowing experts to dismiss bucket data as irrelevant to the central project of air quality assessment. The article thus calls attention to standard setting as an important site of intervention for citizen science-based efforts to democratize science and policy.
Prevention of pneumococcal disease through vaccination.

Abstract The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by world leaders in the year 2000 with an aim to accomplish them by 2015, provide concrete benchmarks for tackling extreme poverty in its many dimensions. One aim is to reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children
Non-bayesian foundations for statistical estimation, prediction, and the ravens example

The paper provides a formal proof that efficient estimates of parameters, which vary as as little as possible when measurements are repeated, may be expected to provide more accurate predictions. The definition of predictive accuracy is motivated by the work of Akaike (1973). Surprisingly, the same explanation provides a novel solution for a well known problem for standard theories of scientific confirmation — the Ravens Paradox. This is significant in light of the fact that standard Bayesian analyses of the paradox fail to account for the predictive utility of universal laws like “All ravens are black.”
Distribution and excretion of hexachlorobenzene in bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

After a single dose of [14C]hexachlorobenzene (HCB) via gavage into the crop, the accumulation of [14C]HCB in female bobwhite (Colinus virginianusj tissues occurred to the greatest extent in adipose tissue followed by skin, liver, brain, heart and kidney, whole blood, and muscle. There was a general relation between increasing HCB concentration and increasing fat content of the tissue. Absorption of [14C]‐HCB was rapid with peak radioactivity occurring at 4 h in all tissues except for fat and skin, where it continued to rise until 32 and 16 h after dosing, respectively. Elimination of HCB from tissue was biphaslc with phase I representing the combination of HCB excretion and HCB redistribution from tissue into fat stores. Phase II represented solely HCB excretion, which appeared to be a first‐order process. The half‐life of [14C]HCB in tissues, feces, and eggs ranged from 9–13 d regardless of HCB concentration. Radioactive HCB accumulation in egg yolk was a significant mechanism for the removal of this ch...
Uni-directional liquid spreading on asymmetric nanostructured surfaces

Controlling surface wettability and liquid spreading on patterned surfaces is of significant interest for a broad range of applications, including DNA microarrays, digital lab-on-a-chip, anti-fogging and fog-harvesting, inkjet printing and thin-film lubrication. Advancements in surface engineering, with the fabrication of various micro/nanoscale topographic features, and selective chemical patterning on surfaces, have enhanced surface wettability and enabled control of the liquid film thickness and final wetted shape. In addition, groove geometries and patterned surface chemistries have produced anisotropic wetting, where contact-angle variations in different directions resulted in elongated droplet shapes. In all of these studies, however, the wetting behaviour preserves left-right symmetry. Here, we demonstrate that we can harness the design of asymmetric nanostructured surfaces to achieve uni-directional liquid spreading, where the liquid propagates in a single preferred direction and pins in all others. Through experiments and modelling, we determined that the spreading characteristic is dependent on the degree of nanostructure asymmetry, the height-to-spacing ratio of the nanostructures and the intrinsic contact angle. The theory, based on an energy argument, provides excellent agreement with experimental data. The insights gained from this work offer new opportunities to tailor advanced nanostructures to achieve active control of complex flow patterns and wetting on demand.
Evaluation of the maternal role in survival of suckling mice.

Das Uberleben der von der eigenen Mutter und von stammesfremden «Ammen» gesaugten Jungen wurde untersucht an Mausen der Stamme AKR/Sp, PL/Sp und C57BL/Sp. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die genetische Herkunft der Sauglinge wie auch andere, nicht genetisch bedingte Einflusse der Mutter auf die Jungen in utero fur das Uberleben der Jungen ausschlaggebend ist.
Initial findings from a telescopic search for small comets near earth

An analysis is provided for the capabilities of the Spacewatch Camera operated at Kitt Peak National Observatory by the University of Arizona for the detection of the large flux of small comets in the vicinity of earth that is proposed by Frank et al. (1986). The characteristics of this telescope are used to determine its optimum operational mode for the detection of these small comets. It is concluded that the Spacewatch Camera can detect these small comets near earth if the proposed large fluxes in prograde orbits are present. It is unlikely that previous optical telescope surveys would have detected these objects. A heretofore undetected, large flux of small objects was detected. The characteristics of these objects appear to be in general agreement with those of the comets proposed by Frank et al. (1986). No other known population of objects or other effects that could provide the observed optical signatures has been identified at this time. Because these initial results are of such great importance to our perception of the solar system, they should be conservatively treated as an initial result until confirmation is made with similar observations from other telescopes.
Differential capacitive position sensor for planar MEMS structures with vertical motion

A capacitive sensor has been developed for measuring the vertical deflection of bridge-type micro-electromechanical (MEMS) silicon actuators. The sensor requires no electrodes above the actuator surface and does not require the actuator diaphragm to be used as a signal electrode. Sets of interdigitated electrodes, one for ac signal injection and the other for signal sensing, are placed beneath the actuator membrane. As the actuator deflects, the capacitance between the interdigitated finger electrodes is altered, leading to a change in the time-varying charge induced on the sense fingers. This change in induced charge is monitored by a current-to-voltage converter, thereby providing a measure of actuator displacement in the direction perpendicular to the silicon substrate. Signal voltages on the order of 10 mV per 1 μm of deflection are observed for deflections in the 1-μm range.
Comment on “atomic-basis calculations for the two-electron system Li2+−H”

Abstract Recent results by Henne et al. for electron transfer in Li 2+ + H collisions call into question the reliability of the close-coupling method with atomic-orbital basis sets at energies around the cross section peak. We present arguments which indicate that the results by Henne et al. are probably in error.
Threshold for retinal damage associated with the use of high-power neodymium-YAG lasers in the vitreous.

Ultrashort, Q-switched or mode-locked, neodymium-YAG laser pulses focused within 2 mm of the retina caused reproducible retinal damage in four eyes of two monkeys and in four eyes of three rabbits. The distance of the laser focus from the retina for clinically observed threshold retinal damage was characterized for pulse energies up to 9 mJ. For the 2- to 6-mJ pulse energies necessary to rupture vitreal membranes in clear media in rabbits, the high-power laser pulses could not be focused within 2 mm of the retina without substantial risk of damaging the underlying retina. These laser pulses did not rupture vitreal membranes in hazy ocular media that prevented precise focusing. The retinal damage was somewhat greater than expected for retinal absorption of 1.06-μm laser energy, suggesting that secondary effects such as self-focusing and shock waves emanating from the focus may be important.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Water next to Electrified Ag(111) Surfaces

The aim of this report is to compare the density profiles, orientation, and structure of water near charged and uncharged Ag(111) interfaces obtained using molecular dynamics calculations with those suggested from a recent experiment. In the simulations, water contained between two parallel Ag(111) surfaces with charge densities of 0.0, 8.85, and 26.55 μC/cm2 on the left wall and opposite values on the right wall experiences external electric fields of 0.0, 1.0, and 3.0 V/A. The predicted orientation and density of water for the zero field case is consistent with previous predictions for water near metal surfaces and indicates that water is present in layers and has an orientational structure similar to that of hexagonal ice. For simulations with charged surfaces, there is a reordering of water throughout the simulation cell in response to the polarization of the water dipoles. We show that the spacing between the peaks in the liquid density profiles obtained from our MD calculations matches the results o...
Nonlinear experimental design using Bayesian regularized neural networks

Novel criteria for designing experiments for nonlinear processes are presented. These criteria improve on a previous methodology in that they can be used to suggest a batch of new experiments to perform (as opposed to a single new experiment) and are also optimized for discovering improved optima of the system response. This is accomplished by using information theoretic criterion, which also heuristically penalize experiments that are likely to result in low (nonoptimal) results. While the methods may be applied to any type of nonlinear-nonparametric model (radial basis functions and generalized linear regression), they are here exclusively considered in conjunction with Bayesian regularized feedforward neural networks. A focus on the application of rapid process development, and how to use repeated experiments to optimize the training procedures of Bayesian regularized neural networks is shown. The presented methods are applied to three case studies. The first two case studies involve simulations of one and two-dimensional (2-D) nonlinear regression problems. The third case study involves real historical data from bench-scale fermentations generated in our laboratory. It is shown that using the presented criteria to design new experiments can greatly increase a feedforward neural network's ability to predict global optima. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Remote Monitoring of Harsh Environments Using Acoustic Emissions

AbstractThis paper presents the results of studies assessing waveguided acoustic emission techniques for remotely sensing the condition of structures operating in extreme environments. A particularly acute challenge to sensing in extreme conditions is that the sensor and associated electronics are not sufficiently robust to withstand the structural test conditions. Instead, it is necessary to use signal transduction methods to carry the signal from the structure to a remote and more hospitable sensor location. In the studies reported here an inductively coupled plasma torch creates a simulated environment for the testing of hypervelocity vehicle heat shield materials. Stresses within the material generate acoustic emissions (AEs) that propagate as elastic waves. Waveguides coupled to the sample material and AE sensors allow sample material tests to be monitored remotely. The data were analyzed using multiple statistical methods. The results show that various testing conditions produce repeatable differenc...
Learning retention of thoracic pedicle screw placement using a high-resolution augmented reality simulator with haptic feedback.

Background We evaluated the use of a part-task simulator with 3D and haptic feedback as a training tool for a common neurosurgical procedure--placement of thoracic pedicle screws. Objective To evaluate the learning retention of thoracic pedicle screw placement on a high-performance augmented reality and haptic technology workstation. Methods Fifty-one fellows and residents performed thoracic pedicle screw placement on the simulator. The virtual screws were drilled into a virtual patient's thoracic spine derived from a computed tomography data set of a real patient. Results With a 12.5% failure rate, a 2-proportion z test yielded P = .08. For performance accuracy, an aggregate Euclidean distance deviation from entry landmark on the pedicle and a similar deviation from the target landmark in the vertebral body yielded P = .04 from a 2-sample t test in which the rejected null hypothesis assumes no improvement in performance accuracy from the practice to the test sessions, and the alternative hypothesis assumes an improvement. Conclusion The performance accuracy on the simulator was comparable to the accuracy reported in literature on recent retrospective evaluation of such placements. The failure rates indicated a minor drop from practice to test sessions, and also indicated a trend (P = .08) toward learning retention resulting in improvement from practice to test sessions. The performance accuracy showed a 15% mean score improvement and more than a 50% reduction in standard deviation from practice to test. It showed evidence (P = .04) of performance accuracy improvement from practice to test session.
Minimizing the uncertainty about the uncertainty principle

Uncertainty principle forms a crucial part of quantum theory and wave optics. By using the propagation of a scalar, 3-D wave packet with and without dispersion as a heuristic device, we examine different aspects of the principle as it applies to transverse and longitudinal dispersion, and to time-dependent and stationary states.
Paracorporeal lung assist devices as a bridge to recovery or lung transplantation in neonates and young children

Objective To evaluate paracorporeal lung assist devices to treat neonates and children with decompensated respiratory failure as a bridge to recovery or lung transplantation. Methods One neonate (23 days old) and 3 young children (aged 2, 9, and 23 months) presented with primary lung disease with pulmonary hypertension, including alveolar capillary dysplasia in 2 and right pulmonary hypoplasia and primary pulmonary hypertension in 1. The patients were listed for lung transplantation but decompensated and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The patients were transitioned from ECMO to a pumpless paracorporeal lung assist device (Maquet Quadrox-iD oxygenator in 3, Novalung in 1) with inflow from the pulmonary artery and return to the left atrium. Results The patients were weaned from ECMO and supported by the device for 44 ± 29 days (range, 5-74). Three patients were extubated while supported by the device (after 9, 15, and 72 days). One patient was bridged to lung transplant (9 months old, with alveolar capillary dysplasia, supported 5 days). One patient was bridged to recovery with maximal medical therapy (23 months old, with primary pulmonary hypertension, supported 23 days). Two patients died while awaiting a suitable lung donor after a support time of 54 and 72 days. Conclusions Pediatric patients bridged from ECMO to lung transplantation have poor results. An alternative method for longer term respiratory support was necessary as a bridge for these patients. The use of a paracorporeal lung assist device successfully supported 4 patients to recovery, lung transplantation, or past the average wait time for pediatric donor lungs (27 days). This therapy has the potential to bridge children with decompensated respiratory failure to lung transplantation.
Theoretical studies of the interaction of H2O with small clusters of beryllium atoms

The interaction of a water molecule with a cluster of beryllium atoms [Ben … OH2, n = 1–5] has been examined by ab initio molecular orbital methods. The dependence of interaction energy and structure on the size of the cluster was investigated with a large basis set including polarization functions. The effects of electron correlation were considered by Moller-Plesset perturbation theory. A surprisingly large increase in the interaction energy from 5 kcal/mol to 23 kcal/mol occurs when the cluster size reaches three atoms with a decrease in the Be-O distance from 1.71 to 1.64 A. The dissociation energy shows no further large changes when the cluster size is increased to four and five atoms. The H2O is found to prefer corner binding sites significantly over edge or face sites on the clusters. The nature of the bonding between H2O and the Be clusters is discussed.
Attenuation of p53 Expression Protects against Focal Ischemic Damage in Transgenic Mice

Apoptosis or programmed cell death may be involved in neuronal death in the cerebral cortex after a permanent focal ischemic insult. Studies indicate that protein p53 is a major determinant of the cellular mechanism that leads to programmed cell death. Wild-type C57 mice and two groups of transgenic C57 mice, one homozygous and the other heterozygous for a p53 null gene, were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. As expected, the wild-type mice had a large, consistent infarct volume (22.11 +/- 4.59 mm3; n = 10). Both transgenic groups had significantly less ischemic damage than the wild-type control group. However, unexpectedly, the heterozygous group had the least amount of ischemic damage (16.12 +/- 1.71 mm3, n = 11; 27% reduction in infarct size). The ischemic damage in the homozygous group (18.72 +/- 3.48 mm3, n = 9) was significantly less than in the wild-type control (15% reduction in infarct size) but significantly more than in the heterozygous group. Thus, although the absence of p53 expression was protective, greater protection was afforded by reduced expression of p53. These data suggest that attenuated p53 expression may be protective after an ischemic event.
ROBUST GENERIC MODEL CONTROL FOR PARAMETER INTERVAL SYSTEMS

Abstract A multivariable control technique is proposed for a type of nonlinear system with parameter intervals. The control incorporates the feedback linearization scheme called Generic Model Control, and alters the control calculation by utilizing parameter intervals, employing an adaptive step, averaging control predictions, and applying an interval problem solution. The proposed approach is applied in controlling a nonlinear arc welding system.
Mechanism for the generation of 10(9) G magnetic fields in the interaction of ultraintense short laser pulse with an overdense plasma target.

The physical mechanism for the generation of very high ``dc'' magnetic fields in the interaction of ultraintense short laser pulse with an overdense plasma target originates in the spatial gradients and nonstationary character of the ponderomotive force. A set of model equations to determine the evolution of the ``dc'' fields is derived and it is shown that the ``dc'' magnetic field is of the same order of magnitude as the high frequency laser magnetic field.
An Involvement-Oriented Approach in a Medium-Sized Marketing Principles Class

Abstract Presented in this article is a proposed involvement-oriented solution to the lecture/discussion and multiple-choice/essay dilemma confronting instructors of medium-sized (50–100 students) business classes. The approach was developed and subsequently implemented in a marketing principles class. The position taken by the authors is that knowledge and understanding developed through active learning can best be cultivated through practical application and involvement. An involvement-oriented approach is presented that has been designed to increase the level of active student learning. More specifically, the following pedagogical methods are explained and their use rationalized: (a) in-class involvement exercises, (b) chapter summary notes, (c) application-type, multiple-choice questions, and (d) the exam written-appeal process. Upon implementation, the instructors and students concluded that, though increased effort was required, the results made it worthwhile.
BODY-TYPE STEREOTYPING IN THERAPEUTIC JUDGMENTS '

Summary.-23 professional psychotherapists and 25 graduate student trainees rated line drawings of three clients' body types on 21 chically relevant personal characteristics. Professionals and students ahke rated ectomorphic and endomorphic clients less favorably than mesomorphic dents. It is often assumed that professional psychotherapists keep personal biases out of the therapeutic process, but value-free therapy may be unrealistic (Hardy & Johnson, 1992). The present study was undertaken to examine whether body-type stereotyping (Young & Powell, 1985) affects the dinical judgments of professional therapists and students in training to become therapists. Thirty-Five chical psychology graduate students and 23 professional therapists (with a mean of 13 years experience) were shown line drawings of male endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph body types from Rozin and Fallon (1991). Anonymously they rated each of the three hypothetical clients on 21 5-point scales to assess chically relevant personal characteristics (e.g., maladjustment, prognosis). A series of 21 2 x 3 (raters' experience x client's body type) factorial analyses of variance, using the 21 characteristics of dents as dependent variables, indicated both groups rated the mesomorph more favorably than either the endomorph or ectomorph on 15 of 21 characteristics. On no scales were extreme body types rated more favorably than the mesomorph. Limitations of the study include use of highly artificial stimuli, asking participants to rate clients without the usual background information, relatively small samples, and an inflated study-wise Type I error rate resulting from multiple, statistically dependent tests of significance. However, results are consistent with the conclusion that clients' body types may be related to clinically relevant perceptions of both professional psychotherapists and their trainees. Statistical tables are on file.
Labeling guidance text for progestin-only oral contraceptives

In May 1885 the labeling information for progestin-only oral contraceptives was revised and an updated and simplified text was provided for both the professional labeling and the patient package inserts. The full text of both is included. The professional labeling includes a note that patients should be counseled that this product does not protect against HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); a description of the mode of action and pharmacokinetics; indications and usage and contraindications; warnings related to ectopic pregnancy delayed follicular atresia irregular genital bleeding and carcinoma of the breast and reproductive organs; general precautions and those concerning physical examinations and follow-up carbohydrate and lipid metabolism drug interactions interactions with laboratory tests pregnancy nursing mothers and fertility following discontinuation; counseling issues for the patient; adverse reactions; overdosage; dosage and administration; how the product is supplied; and proper storage. The patient information insert opens with the same warning about STDs and HIV; depends upon the manufacturer to supply the description; and contains an introduction and information on effectiveness mode of action counterindications safety risk factors side effects drug interactions method of use and discontinuation if pregnancy is suspected.
Quark masses and chiral symmetry.

I discuss the global structure of the strongly interacting gauge theory of quarks and gluons as a function of the quark masses and the {ital CP}-violating parameter {theta}. I concentration on whether a first order phase transition occurs at {theta}={pi}. I show why this is expected when multiple flavors have a small degenerate mass. This transition can be removed by sufficient flavor breaking. I speculate on the implications of this structure for Wilson`s lattice fermions.
Prediction of microbial toxicity of industrial organic chemicals

Aqueous solubility is evaluated as a predictor of microbial toxicity. Experimental toxicity data for activated sludge, methanogens, nitrobacter, and two commercial cultures, Polytox and Microtox were correlated with experimental solubility data for over 70 organic chemicals of diverse molecular structures and congeneric families. The database covered over 8 log units of aqueous solubility and over 6 log units of IC50 values. Statistically significant correlations were found between log (IC50) and log (solubility) for all the microorganisms, with coefficients of correlation ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 at a level of significance of p = 0.0001. An overall correlation was found to be log (IC50, mM/l) = 0.68 log (Solubility, mM/l) - 0.25, with an r 2 = 0.756 for nearly 200 data points.
Writing for the Robot: How Employer Search Tools Have Influenced Resume Rhetoric and Ethics.

To date, business communication scholars and textbook writers have encouraged resume rhetoric that accommodates technology, for example, recommending keyword-enhancing techniques to attract the attention of searchbots: customized search engines that allow companies to automatically scan resumes for relevant keywords. However, few scholars have discussed the ethical implications of adjusting resume keywords for the sole purpose of increasing searchbot hits. As the resume genre has evolved over the past century, strategies of resume “padding” have likewise evolved, at each stage violating one of four maxims of the Cooperative Principle. Direct factual misrepresentation violates the maxim of quality and is of course discouraged, but resume writers have turned in succession to violations of manner (formatting tricks) and then more recently to violations of quantity and/or relevance with deceptive keywording techniques. The authors conclude by suggesting several techniques to business communication instructors...
The epidemiology of vascular injury in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Background: Blood vessel trauma leading to hemorrhage or ischemia presents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after battlefield injury. The objective of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of vascular injury in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, including categorization of anatomic patterns, mechanism, and management of casualties. Methods: The Joint Theater Trauma Registry was interrogated (2002‐2009) for vascular injury in US troops to identify specific injury (group 1) and operative intervention (group 2) groups. Battle-related injuries (nonreturn to duty) were used as the denominator to establish injury rates. Mechanism of injurywascomparedbetweentheatersofwarandthemanagementstrategiesof ligation versus revascularization (repair and interposition grafting) reported. Results: Group 1 included 1570 Troops injured in Iraq (OIF) (n = 1390) and Afghanistan (OEF) (n= 180). Mechanism included explosive (73%), gunshot (27%), and other (<1%) with explosive more common in OIF than OEF (P<0.05).Duringthisperiod,13,076battle-relatedinjuriesoccurredresulting in a specific rate of 12% (1570 of 13,076), which was higher in OIF than OEF (12.5% vs 9% respectively; P < 0.05). Of group 1, 60% (n = 940) sustained injury to major or proximal vessels and 40% (n = 630) to minor or distal vessels (unknown vessel, n = 27). Group 2 (operative) comprised 1212 troops defining an operative rate of 9% (1212 of 13,076) and included ligation (n=660; 54%) or repair (n =552; 46%). Peak rates in OIF and OEF occurred in November 2004 (15%) and August 2009 (11%), respectively and correlated with combat operational tempo. Conclusion: The rate of vascular injury in modern combat is 5 times that reported in previous wars and varies according to theater of war, mechanism of injury and operational tempo. Methods of reconstruction are now applied to nearly half of the vascular injuries and should be a focus of training for combat surgery. Selective ligation of vascular injury remains an important management strategy, especially for minor or distal vessel injuries. (Ann Surg 2011;253:1184‐1189)
Leech Collections from Washington State, with the Description of Two New Species of Placobdella (Annelida: Glossiphoniidae)

ABSTRACT An assessment of the hirudinifauna of Washington State is presented. In total, 11 distinct leech species were found representing two new records for the state and two new species of the genus Placobdella, both described herein. Placobdella kwetlumye, n. sp., and Placobdella sophieae, n. sp., both collected in Squires Lake, Whatcom County, are morphologically similar to P. burresonae and P. pediculata respectively, but exhibit morphological features that readily separate them from congeners. In addition to the descriptions of the new species, here we provide a brief summary of the morphological traits possessed by each species found.
A classification approach using multi-layered neural networks

Abstract There has been an increasing interest in the applicability of neural networks in disparate domains. In this paper, we describe the use of multi-layered perceptrons, a type of neural-network topology, for financial classification problems, with promising results. Back-propagation, which is the learning algorithm most often used in multi-layered perceptrons, however, is inherently an inefficient search procedure. We present improved procedures which have much better convergence properties. Using several financial classification applications as examples, we show the efficacy of using multilayered perceptrons with improved learning algorithms. The modified learning algorithms have better performance, in terms of classification/prediction accuracies, than the methods previously used in the literature, such as probit analysis and similarity-based learning techniques.
A system for nonradiographic source localization and real-time planning of intraoperative high dose rate brachytherapy.

We have developed a system for source localization and real-time planning of interstitial volume implants for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) using high dose rate remote afterloading techniques. Source localization is realized by using an electromagnetic tracking device, which consists of a transmitter coil, a receiver coil, and a signal processing unit, to generate the coordinates and orientation of the receiver. A drawback of the device is its sensitivity to adjacent metallic objects. Localization accuracy was evaluated in an operating room environment, where the metallic objects closest to the receiver are surgical retractors (that, incidentally, preclude radiographic localization). For achievable separation distances, we found an rms error of 0.7 mm in determining the distance between points 2 cm apart, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of the method. The receiver is mounted on a plastic block from which projects a long stylet and the transmitter is located at about 50 cm from the receiver. The stylet is inserted sequentially into source catheters to obtain the location and orientation data that serve as input to treatment planningsoftware. The planning program optimizes source dwell time to make calculated dose conform to the dose prescribed on an ellipsoidal surface to an extent consistent with a certain level of dose uniformity inside the target volume. A least squares method is used that involves minimizing the objective function by a matrix method (nonnegative least squares). We have demonstrated that dwell time optimization can be performed in a short time and that the approach is adequate for the IORT application.