cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One‐wall proximal defects: pre‐treatment characteristics and bone response following flap curettage

Several characteristics of 53 infrabony defects were compared with changes in bone height, following treatment by flap-curettage and regular maintenance. The mean post-surgical interval was 11.4 years. Proximal angular defects from mandibular posterior teeth comprised the study population. Changes in bone height following therapy were compared with the pre-treatment bone loss, tooth-bone angle, and inter-radicular width. The influence of the post-surgical duration on these factors was also evaluated. Bone height was examined at both the deep and shallow sides of each proximal defect. Data were collected from enlarged tracings of pre- and post-treatment radiographs. Gain or loss of bone was established at greater than 2 SD of the measurement error as determined by replicate calibration trials. Deep-side sites which gained bone exhibited the most pretreatment bone loss at a mean of 57.1%. These sites also exhibited a mean tooth-bone angle of 31.9 degrees and a mean inter-radicular width of 3.1 mm. Gaining sites were those with longer post-surgical durations. Deep-side sites that lost bone following therapy had a mean pre-treatment bone loss of 43.6%, a mean tooth-bone angle of 50.3 degrees, and a mean interradicular width of 2.9 mm. Losing sites were those with shorter post-surgical durations. The majority of deep-side sites with less than 55% pretreatment bone loss remained unchanged. Shallow-side sites which gained bone following treatment had a greater mean pretreatment bone loss and a smaller tooth-bone angle than losing sites.
Vision-based defect detection method for fine-pitch surface-mounted devices

The inspection of fine pitch surface-mounted devices by comparison of defect-free and defective packages is a promising area of research. The types of defects considered include missing pins, bent pins, broken pins, and bad solder connections on mounted packages. The detection algorithm includes morphological image processing operations followed by a neural network. The feature extraction steps include morphological filtering for thresholding, skeletonization, and centroid determination. The centroids are used as inputs to a backpropagation neural network for determining the presence of defects. The neural network compares the input data against data representing defect-free packages and produces a measure of how closely the two data sets match. The accuracy of the network in identifying both good and defective packages is discussed with output values interpreted both incorporating and not incorporating rejection on the bases of a minimal threshold for output values and a minimal separation between output values. The algorithm performance is evaluated based on its performance in correctly identifying the presence or absence of a number of frequently found defect types. Evaluation is also based on the neural network performance with different training parameters. The neural network is shown to identify defects over 70% of the time without rejection and often 100% of the time with rejection.
Effect of early revascularization on mortality from cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction in california

Recent retrospective analyses of treatment of cardiogenic shock suggest that early revascularization reduces mortality. All nonfederal hospital admissions in California for 1994 with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were identified. From that cohort, patients who developed cardiogenic shock were selected to determine demographic features, procedure utilization, and outcomes of their admission compared with patients with AMI without cardiogenic shock. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of early revascularization on survival of patients in cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock was identified in 1,122 patients. Mean age was 70.4 years, 45% of patients were women, and 28% had diabetes mellitus. Shock patients were more likely to be older, diabetic, women, and having an anterior Q-wave AMI. Overall in-hospital mortality for patients with shock was 56%. Patients referred for early revascularization had more favorable risk profiles, but after multivariate analysis early revascularization remained a powerful, independent predictor of improved survival, reducing the odds of death by 80%. This population-based study suggests that early revascularization may improve in-hospital survival of patients with cardiogenic shock complicating AMI, even after adjustment for baseline differences between patients who underwent early revascularization and those who did not.
SU‐GG‐I‐78: Implementation of a Quality Assurance Program for Interventional Radiography (IR): Methodology for Flagging Patient Cases Based on Time and Dose Analysis

Purpose: Distributions of fluoroscopic time and air kerma for IR cases are analyzed to determine procedure averages and standard deviations as well as procedure dose outliers. Physicians and physicists establish time and dose threshold values that trigger a QA loop, with the aim of lowering the population dose average per procedure. Method and Materials: Procedure time and frontal and lateral air kerma (FAK, LAK) from flat‐panel angiographic systems are recorded into a Cardiology Information Management System (CIMS) by radiology technologists. Caveats of the reporting include accurate transcription from the imaging system to the CIMS and the total dose includes fluoroscopy, cine runs, and any 3D/CT angiography. A quarterly report with procedure type, date, accession number, time, FAK, and LAK is sorted by procedure type with data excluded if more than five standard deviations above the respective means. These points are removed from analysis but flagged for QA to determine inaccuracy in reporting or a complication in procedure. An adjusted average and standard deviation of the time and dose is calculated and compared to previous quarters. Cases with time or dose greater than the established threshold values for their respective procedures are also flagged for QA review. The averages, standard deviations, and flagged data are presented at monthly QA meetings with the goal of providing continual evaluation of population doses per procedures. Results: QA time and dose threshold values are set per procedure type at the mean plus two standard deviations. The time and dose averages of arterial intervention, GI procedures, GU procedures and vascular access procedures are 12.8±8.5, 2.0±1.3, 5.2±4.4 and 2.1±1.7 minutes and 1.32±1.26, 0.022±0.015, 0.095±0.147, and 0.028±0.026 Gy, respectively. Conclusion: Ongoing knowledge of time and dose distributions for IR procedures allows QA teams to recognize procedure dose outliers and trends and therefore modify practice to ensure ALARA doses.
Implementation of Marketing: A Study of Various‐Sized Banks

The implementation of marketing among bank executives has been late and slow. In recent years, deregulation, and resultantly, a more competitive environment have motivated the retail banking industry to be exceedingly market oriented and to implement marketing more thoroughly. This study explores the implementation of marketing by various sized Indiana banks and its relation with net income levels of banks after two succeeding deregulation waves. Implications of findings for both public policy makers and bank executives are discussed.
Preface to the special issue: Considering the warning context—New research methodologies and advances

In the last two decades, a large body of research has been published on warnings. There have been hundreds of research-based articles written in various journals as well as several comprehensive books. This special issue of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries (HFEMSI) concerns the topic of warnings. Although there have been special issues on warnings in several human factors/ ergonomics journals, this is the first for HFEMSI. Warnings are relevant in the sectors of manufacturing and service because hazards are embedded in most contexts today. For example, in manufacturing, there are dangers in the production side of product and equipment, as well as hazards involved in the actual use. There are diverse contexts in which warnings are used as a means to disseminate safety information for the purpose of reducing hazard-related harm to people and property. Examples include warning labels on products, signage in environments, and admonitions in operator’s manuals for industrial equipment. Co-occurring with the growing body of warning research has been the development of models to conceptualize the cognitive processing involved when people encounter effective warnings (e.g., Edworthy & Adams, 1996; Lehto & Miller, 1986; Rogers, Lamson, & Rousseau, 2000). A recent iteration of the communication-human information processing (C-HIP) model (see Wogalter, 2006) can be used to conceptualize much of the body of research on warnings. The C-HIP model depicted in Figure 1 has two main sections, each with several component stages. The first section of the framework uses a communications
DETERMINATION OF INORGANIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE IN THE PRESENCE OF ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE: A CRITIQUE.

Abstract A number of procedures for the estimation of inorganic phosphate in the presence of adenosine triphosphate have been compared. It is concluded that the Potter modification of the Lowry and Lopez procedure, when performed at 0°C, is a most accurate, convenient, and rapid method, leading to only negligible hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate.
Working memory training and interpreting interactions in intelligence interventions

Abstract Recently, there have been numerous attempts to improve higher-order cognition, and more specifically fluid intelligence, via repeated practice on cognitively demanding working memory tasks. While some reviews of the working memory training literature have provided limited evidence for such far transfer, the authors of several individual studies have concluded that the training improved cognitive ability outcomes in their particular experiments. Here I reinterpret the results of several example studies, focusing on the pattern of pre- to post-test change exhibited by the training and control groups. I argue that the studies highlighted here provide virtually no evidence for the efficacy of such training interventions to improve intelligence, contrary to claims made within the original articles.
A phase I trial of topically applied trans-retinoic acid in cervical dysplasia-clinical efficacy.

Forty-two patients were entered into a phase I trial to evaluate the vitamin A derivative, trans-retinoic acid, in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Treatment consisted of four consecutive 24-h applications of retinoids via an inert collagen sponge in a cervical cap. Patients were followed for response at 3-month intervals using cytology, colposcopy, and selected biopsies. Thirty-six patients were evaluable (mild dysplasia, 13; moderate dysplasia, 17; severe dysplasia, 6) with follow-up from 5 to 18 months. Complete regression was seen in 2/14 (14%) patients treated with concentrations of 0.05% → 0.1167% and in 10/22 (45%) patients treated with concentrations of 0.1583% → 0.484% (p < 0.05). One patient with negative biopsies at 12 months has subsequently recurred at 18 months.
A simulation tool for teaching CPU design and microprogramming concepts

Courses in computer architecture, among other things, must address issues of CPU design and microprogramming. Real environments, if even available, provide very specialized, vendor specific architecture solutions. Computer architecture for this reason is often approached without the benefit of any hands-on experience. Simulation obviously provides a means of exploring "new" architectures. However, simulation tools in the architecture area tend to be highly specialized, typically dictating CPU design and microprogramming organization. If engineering-level concerns of speed or timing considerations are not at issue, APL provides a uniquely effective base for building a general simulation tool to implement both mundane and exotic microprogrammable CPU designs. The authors have conceived and developed such an environment using APL. Both students and instructor can use the simulation toolkit to "implement" CPU designs or install an existing CPU architecture. The user can specify registers and function modules activated by bits in the microinstructions. CPU bus structures, the microprogram store, main memory and its access scheme are user-definable. An interface guides the construction of microcode. The simulation can be operated one instruction at a time, one microinstruction at time, or integral multiples of either. A student-ready version has been successfully class tested during the 1989 Spring semester.
Urban Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions of the Impact of NCLBon Their Literacy Practices

While much has been written concerning the impact of NCLB on students, teachers, parents, administrators, andpolicies makers in general, little has been documented about the impact of NCLB on urban early childhood educators’literacy practices in particular. The purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary findings from a research studythat examines urban early childhood educators’ perceptions of NCLB on their literacy practices. An on-line surveywas administered to 47 urban early childhood educators in grades P-3 in an urban school district in the Midwest partof the United States of America. While a significant percentage of the teachers surveyed perceive that NCLB has hada largely negative impact on curriculum, literacy instruction and student achievement overall, it has, nonetheless, ledto a more rigorous curriculum in their classrooms.
Using Online Tutorials to Reduce Uncertainty in Information Seeking Behavior

ABSTRACT Uncertainty is defined as affective symptoms of stress, anxiety, and frustration when faced with an information need. Traditional face-to-face instruction allows sender and receiver to fulfill information needs using multiple sources, which can be visual, auditory, tactile, or verbal. Distance learners may experience high levels of uncertainty when most or all of the communication and interaction takes place in an electronic environment that does not allow for these multiple information sources. Research on face-to-face communication and uncertainty suggests that people attempt to reduce uncertainty by acquiring more information and also by using structured or familiar information resources. This paper suggests that many of our behavioral motivations in face-to-face activities would also apply in the online environment. By creating online tutorials that combine structured hierarchical instructions with familiar modes of communication, we may be able to reduce symptoms of uncertainty in the librar...
Inflammatory arthritis in the era of the biologics

Abstract Over the last decade there have been some profound changes in the way we treat inflammatory arthritis. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, a significant philosophy change that had been underway for at least a decade was formalized with the concept of “inverting the pyramid”, which was to treat patients early and aggressively to prevent joint damage. In the late 1990's the biologic agents became available and these played into this concept of early aggressive therapy with their ability to affect inflammation rapidly and prevent joint damage. Currently the use of the biologic agents is undergoing some “fine tuning” as we add their power to older disease modifying agents such as methotrexate. New biologic agents are on the horizon that will hopefully add to the ability to diminish the impact of inflammatory arthritis. Cost and unknown long-term side effects add caution to the use of these agents. Rheumatologists finally have therapies that we do not need statisticians to tell us that they work; our patients demonstrate their efficacy to us daily.
Training interpersonal skills among mentally retarded and socially dysfunctional children

Abstract Two moderately retarded boys, ages 11 and 12 yr, who resided in an inpatient unit for emotionally disturbed children, were treated for deficits in social skills. The deficits included physical gestures, facial mannerisms, eye contact, words spoken, and intonation and content of speech. The treatment package consisted of instructions, performance feedback, social reinforcement, modeling, and role-playing. The effects of the treatment in developing appropriate social performance were evaluated in separate multiple-baseline designs across behaviors for each child. The training improved social skills and brought children up to or beyond the level of normal control subjects who were the same age and gender.
Pyro — Sweden's Unique Career Education for All Secondary School Students

It is common practice for educational historians to consider that since World War I, there have been few, if any, European academic models to be studied and transferred to, or adapted by, other nations. Recently, however, those in Washington concerned with U.S. schools have resurrected the idea that there may be educational practices worth borrowing and adjusting to our own educational enterprise. In no area is this more true than in what is currently called "experience-based career education" (EBCE). (1)
EFFECTS OF LOW DOSAGE GAMMA-RADIATION ON SOLUBLE COLLAGEN.

THE effects of low-dosage radiation on soluble collagen molecules have not been reported. This low-dosage radiation is suitable for producing initial radiation-induced molecular changes which are described and interpreted in this communication.
Ossifying chondroid lipoma

Chondroid lipoma is a rare variant of lipoma that pathologically can mimic liposarcoma or possibly other sarcomas. Variants of lipoma, including chondroid lipoma, may demonstrate radiological evidence of fat within the tumor, but often display heterogeneous features on imaging studies, making a clinical diagnosis difficult. A large collective experience with the imaging characteristics of chondroid lipoma is lacking due to the rarity of this tumor. We present a case of chondroid lipoma of the upper thigh in a 37-year-old woman who had regions of metaplastic bone formation within the tumor. Radiologically, the tumor presented as a large soft tissue mass with calcification and ossification. Although metaplastic bone formation in conventional lipoma is well described, it has been rarely reported to occur in chondroid lipoma and has not been pathologically documented or illustrated. The imaging findings and histopathology of this unusual tumor are presented, along with a review of the literature.
Effects of bathymetric complexities and wind generation in a coastal wave propagation model

Abstract A new wave modelling strategy has been developed by Holthuijsen et al. (1989) for estimating wave heights for engineering applications in coastal areas. This strategy as well as the original model itself of Holthuijsen et al. (1989), called HISWA, are being used in several engineering applications. This paper examines two aspects of this model: its ability to adequately predict wave properties in regions with complex bathymetry where diffraction effects are likely to be important, and its ability to model wave growth due to wind. The former is of interest because the model is based on the energy-balance equation and does not explicitly incorporate diffraction. Other such models deal with this through artificial bounds on the energy, whereas HISWA does not. It is therefore necessary for the engineer to be aware of its performance in such situations. Investigations are therefore performed using hydraulic model data and the results of other mathematical models that are known to adequately handle such bathymetric configurations. For complex bathymetries, the model is found to give good simulations for sea-states with considerable directional spreading. As the degree of spreading decreased or for certain special wave conditions, model performance was marginal. Finally, the model is used to study the physics of wave decay and wind-induced growth in Saginaw Bay (Michigan) using prototype data.
Structural basis of mRNA cap recognition by proteins.

Abstract Crystal structures have recently become available for two proteins (VP39 and eIF4E) complexed with their cognate ligand — the mRNA cap. Despite their total structural dissimilarity, both proteins bind N7-methylguanine between two parallel aromatic sidechains. The resulting stacked arrangement governs their high specificity for the alkylated form of the nucleobase.
Spontaneous resolution of a pericardial cyst

persistence of intertrabecular spaces of the embryonic myocardium, with failure of obliteration of these spaces by compression from the surrounding developing myocardium.5s6 A developmental arrest at an early stage may thus result in multiple communications. The possible role of the thebesian system of veins has been alluded to in cases of CACF draining into the left ventricle,2,5.9 but has not been invoked as a mechanism in reported cases of fistulas draining to the right ventricle. The nature of the fistulous communication described in this case, would seem to indicate that a developmental arrest was involved in the pathogenesis of the CACF. The case described above demonstrates the unusual occurrence of multiple fistulas from RCA to the right ventricle, with filling of the mid and distal RCA from the left anterior descending artery. In addition, a hitherto undescribed surgical appraoch to the management of CACF is reported, whereby a physiologic cure was obtained with no adverse effects.
Genomic regions of neurovirulence and attenuation in Theiler murine encephalomyelitis virus.

Abstract Full-length cDNA clones of two Theiler murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) strains, one highly virulent and the other less virulent, were constructed in the bacterial plasmid pGEMR-3. Transfection of BHK-21 cells with RNA transcribed from these cDNAs yielded progeny viruses with the exact in vitro growth phenotype and mouse neurovirulence pattern of the respective parental virus strains. RNA transcripts derived from recombinant chimeras constructed by exchanging corresponding genomic regions [5' noncoding, leader/P1 (L/P1), P2, P3, and 3' noncoding] between the parental cDNAs were infectious and enabled analysis of the growth characteristics in vitro and mouse neurovirulence of the chimeras. A correlation was found between plaque size and temperature sensitivity and the origin of the L/P1 region. Neurovirulence mapped primarily to the L/P1 region encoding the leader and coat proteins. Depending on parental origin, the 5' noncoding region either influenced virus attenuation or augmented virulence.
Foaming activity and pKa of some surface active compounds

Abstract A novel method to determine the p K a of surface active compounds is presented. Since the ionized and unionized forms of amphiphiles have distinct surface and foaming properties, foamability as a function of pH can be used to obtain an approximate p K a . Since foam is easily produced and measured, this method requires no specialized equipment. The foamability–pH profile is sigmoidal for both weak acids and bases, and a change of the foam activity is consistently observed in the region of their p K a . The above relationship is confirmed using the following surface active compounds: amitriptyline, cyclohexylamine, dexverapamil, 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA), diphenhydramine, heptanoic acid, n -heptylamine, ibuprofen, laurylcarnitine, naphthoic acid, oleic acid and phenytoin.
Low temperature growth of GaAs quantum well lasers by modulated beam epitaxy

GaAs single quantum well lasers have been successfully grown at low temperatures by a modulated beam epitaxy process in which the Al/GaAs flux is held constant while the As flux is periodically shut off to produce a metal-rich surface. Devices grown at a substrate temperature of 500 degrees C exhibit threshold current densities below 1 kA/cm/sup 2/. This value is lower than normally grown low temperature lasers and is the lowest achieved by any low substrate temperature growth technique. In addition, this technique is more practical than migration enhanced epitaxy for low temperature laser growth. >
The evaluation and treatment of the overweight patient

Obesity represents one of the most important treatable causes of mortality and morbidity facing the primary care physician. Approximately one of every three U.S. adults is overweight or obese, leading to more than 300,000 preventable deaths each year. Because it is a multifactorial disorder involving food intake, physical activity, metabolism, and genetic factors, obesity is best treated with a coordinated approach. Diet and exercise remain the best initial treatment focus. Orlistat and sibutramine are recently developed medications reserved for obese patients who fail conservative therapy. Surgical remedies are indicated in limited circumstances for morbidly obese individuals. As primary care physicians, obstetrician/gynecologists are ideally positioned to motivate, evaluate, and treat overweight patients.
Halothane and Isoflurane Inhibit Endothelium-derived Relaxing Factor-dependent Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Accumulation in Endothelial Cell-Vascular Smooth Muscle Co-cultures Independent of an Effect on Guanylyl Cyclase Activation

Background : Interaction of inhalational anesthetics with the nitric oxide signaling pathway and the mechanism of such effects are controversial. The aim of this study was to clarify the sites and mechanism of inhalational anesthetic interaction with the vascular nitric oxide and guanylyl cyclase signaling pathway. Methods. To specifically study the mechanism of anesthetic interaction with the nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase pathway, cultured vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell-vascular smooth muscle (EC-VSM) co-culture models were chosen. Monolayer cultures of VSM with or without cultured endothelial cells grown on microcarrier beads were preequilibrated with anesthetic and stimulated with agonists. The effect of inhalational anesthetics on cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) content of unstimulated VSM and of VSM in which soluble guanylyl cyclase had been activated by the endothelium-independent nitrovasodilators, sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or nitric oxide was determined. Experiments were also performed to assess the effect of inhalational anesthetics on unstimulated endothelial cell-vascular smooth muscle co-cultures and on co-cultures in which nitric oxide synthase and subsequent cyclic GMP production had been activated by the receptor-mediated agonists bradykinin and adenosine triphosphate and by the non-receptor-mediated calcium ionophore A23187. Results : Increasing concentrations of halothane and isoflurane from 0.5 to 5% had no effect on basal cyclic GMP concentrations in cultured VSM alone or in endothelial cell-vascular smooth muscle co-cultures, and had no effect on sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or nitric oxide stimulated cyclic GMP accumulation in cultured VSM. In agonist-stimulated cocultures, however, halothane and isoflurane significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited increases in cyclic GMP concentration in response to both receptor- and non-receptor-mediated nitric oxide synthase activating agents. Conclusions : Inhalational anesthetics do not stimulate or inhibit basal cyclic GMP production in co-cultures or VSM, suggesting that inhalational anesthetics do not activate soluble or particulate guanylyl cyclase and do not activate nitric oxide synthase. Inhalational anesthetics do not inhibit nitrovasodilator-induced cyclic GMP formation, suggesting a lack of interference with soluble guanylyl cyclase activation. Inhalational anesthetics inhibit both agonist and calcium ionophorestimulated nitric oxide-dependent cyclic GMP accumulation in endothelial cell-vascular smooth muscle co-cultures. Consistent with previous vascular ring studies, anesthetics appear to inhibit nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase signaling distal to receptor activation in the endothelial cell and proximal to nitric oxide activation of guanylyl cyclase.
Binding kinetics of calmodulin with target peptides of three nitric oxide synthase isozymes.

Efficient electron transfer from reductase domain to oxygenase domain in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is dependent on the binding of calmodulin (CaM). Rate constants for the binding of CaM to NOS target peptides was only determined previously by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) (Biochemistry 35, 8742–8747, 1996) suggesting that the binding of CaM to NOSs is slow and does not support the fast electron transfer in NOSs measured in previous and this studies. To resolve this contradiction, the binding rates of holo Alexa 350 labeled T34C/T110W CaM (Alexa-CaM) to target peptides from three NOS isozymes were determined using fluorescence stopped-flow. All three target peptides exhibited fast kon constants at 4.5 °C: 6.6 × 108 M− 1 s− 1 for nNOS726–749, 2.9 × 108 M− 1 s− 1 for eNOS492–511 and 6.1 × 108 M− 1 s− 1 for iNOS507–531, 3–4 orders of magnitude faster than those determined previously by SPR. Dissociation rates of NOS target peptides from Alexa-CaM/peptide complexes were measured by Ca2+ chelation with ETDA: 3.7 s− 1 for nNOS726–749, 4.5 s− 1 for eNOS492–511, and 0.063 s− 1 for iNOS507–531. Our data suggest that the binding of CaM to NOS is fast and kinetically competent for efficient electron transfer and is unlikely rate-limiting in NOS catalysis. Only iNOS507–531 was able to bind apo Alexa-CaM, but in a very different conformation from its binding to holo Alexa-CaM.
Joint replacement surgeries among medicare beneficiaries in rural compared with urban areas

Objective People in rural areas live farther away from hospitals than do people in urban areas. Thus, there is concern that people living in rural areas may be less willing or able to undergo elective surgical procedures. This study was undertaken to determine whether Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas were less likely to have elective total knee or hip replacement surgeries compared with their urban counterparts. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of Medicare beneficiaries, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and economic status. Beneficiaries were assigned to rural versus urban areas based on their zip code of residence and the 10-point Rural-Urban Commuting Area designation. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Results Compared with urban beneficiaries, rural beneficiaries were 27% more likely to have total knee or hip replacement surgeries (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.26–1.28]). After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, median household income, average house value, mean poverty ratio, and state of residence, rural beneficiaries were still 14% more likely to have total joint replacement surgeries (OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.13–1.16]). Differential use of surgery before and after receiving Medicare eligibility did not explain the findings. While significant sex, racial, and ethnic disparities were present in both rural and urban areas, for the most part these disparities were ameliorated rather than accentuated in rural areas. Conclusion Contrary to expectations, our findings indicate that Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas are more likely to undergo total knee or hip replacement surgeries.
Electrical Insulating Properties of Porcelain Enamels on Copper

The electrical properties of copper oxide-bearing porcelain enamels fired on sheet platinum and of the clear base porcelain enamel fired on sheet copper were measured. The dielectric constant, dissipation factor, and resistivity of the coatings were determined from room temperature to 700°F., and at frequencies varying from 0.1 to 100 kc. per second. The effect of firing time, firing temperature, and coating thickness on the copper ion content resulting in the coatings fired on copper was investigated. The copper ion concentration of the porcelain enamels fired on cop per was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis. Electrical measurements of coatings fired on platinum and on copper were correlated with the copper ion concentration of the coating. At concentrations in the coating below 5% CuO, some marked changes occurred in the electrical characteristics of the coatings as a function of CuO content. These changes were even more accentuated at elevated temperatures. At concentrations varying from 5% CuO to the saturation point of CuO in the coating (about 20% CuO for coatings fired at 1600°F.), the electrical properties of these coatings at room temperature were nearly unchanged throughout this range, whereas at elevated temperatures the general effect was that of a decrease in dielectric constant and dissipation factor as the CuO content was increased.
Reinforcement learning algorithms for average-payoff markovian decision processes

Reinforcement learning (RL) has become a central paradigm for solving learning-control problems in robotics and artificial intelligence. RL researchers have focussed almost exclusively on problems where the controller has to maximize the discounted sum of payoffs. However, as emphasized by Schwartz (1993), in many problems, e.g., those for which the optimal behavior is a limit cycle, it is more natural and computationally advantageous to formulate tasks so that the controller's objective is to maximize the average payoff received per time step. In this paper I derive new average-payoff RL algorithms as stochastic approximation methods for solving the system of equations associated with the policy evaluation and optimal control questions in average-payoff RL tasks. These algorithms are analogous to the popular TD and Q-learning algorithms already developed for the discounted-payoff case. One of the algorithms derived here is a significant variation of Schwartz's R-learning algorithm. Preliminary empirical results are presented to validate these new algorithms.
Emotion Enhances Learning via Norepinephrine Regulation of AMPA-Receptor Trafficking

Emotion enhances our ability to form vivid memories of even trivial events. Norepinephrine (NE), a neuromodulator released during emotional arousal, plays a central role in the emotional regulation of memory. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. Toward this aim, we have examined the role of NE in contextual memory formation and in the synaptic delivery of GluR1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors during long-term potentiation (LTP), a candidate synaptic mechanism for learning. We found that NE, as well as emotional stress, induces phosphorylation of GluR1 at sites critical for its synaptic delivery. Phosphorylation at these sites is necessary and sufficient to lower the threshold for GluR1 synaptic incorporation during LTP. In behavioral experiments, NE can lower the threshold for memory formation in wild-type mice but not in mice carrying mutations in the GluR1 phosphorylation sites. Our results indicate that NE-driven phosphorylation of GluR1 facilitates the synaptic delivery of GluR1-containing AMPARs, lowering the threshold for LTP, thereby providing a molecular mechanism for how emotion enhances learning and memory.
Local Treatment of Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infection with Multivesicular Liposome-Encapsulated Amikacin

Background. Contaminated surgical fields limit the use of prosthetic vascular grafts. We studied the efficacy of sustained-release amikacin applied locally to contaminated grafts in the prevention of infectious complications. Materials and methods. Thirty-one New Zealand white rabbits underwent placement of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition graft in a 1-cm segment of the descending aorta. The surgical field was infected with application of 10 5 to 10 8 Staphylococcus aureus organisms suspended in normal saline solution. Nineteen rabbits underwent contaminated aortic graft placement without treatment. Twelve rabbits were treated with local application of 2.5 ml of amikacin encapsulated in lipid particle-based sustained-release dosage form. Rabbits were observed for 2 weeks and then evaluated for the presence of graft infection. Results. Seventy-five percent of the treated rabbits survived without evidence of graft infection or systemic sepsis versus 37% in the untreated group (P < 0.04). Cultures verified the absence of organisms in all surviving rabbits without clinical infection. Conclusions. Sustained-release lipid particle-encapsulated amikacin applied to contaminated PTFE grafts increased survival and decreased postoperative graft infections. Adjunctive use of local, delayed-release antibiotics in contaminated vascular beds may allow wider clinical use of prosthetic grafts.
RING3 kinase transactivates promoters of cell cycle regulatory genes through E2F.

RING3 is a novel, nuclear-localized, serine-threonine kinase that has elevated activity in human leukemias. RING3 transforms NIH/3T3 cells and is activated by mitogenic signals, all of which suggest that it may play a role in cell cycle-responsive transcription. We tested this hypothesis with transient transfection of RING3 into fibroblasts and assayed transactivation of the promoters of cyclin D1, cyclin A, cyclin E, and dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) genes. RING3 transactivates these promoters in a manner dependent on ras signaling. A kinase-deficient point mutant of RING3 does not transactivate. Mutational analysis of the dhfr promoter reveals that transactivation also depends on the presence of a functional E2F binding site. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Rb protein, a negative regulator of E2F activity, suppresses the RING3-dependent transactivation of this promoter. Consistent with a potential role of E2F in RING3-dependent transcription, anti-RING3 immunoaffinity chromatography or recombinant RING3 protein affinity chromatography of nuclear extracts copurified a protein complex that contains E2F-1 and E2F-2. These data suggest that RING3 is a potentially important regulator of E2Fdependent cell cycle genes.
Epiphytic refugium: are two species of invading freshwater bivalves partitioning spatial resources?

Enumeration of benthic (bottom dwelling) and epiphytic (attached to plants) zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis, respectively) at Lake Erie near-shore sites in fall of 2000 revealed an unexpected prevalence of the zebra mussel on submerged plants. Even at Buffalo, New York, USA, where benthic dreissenids have been 92–100% quagga mussel since 1996, zebra mussels constituted 30–61% of epiphytes numerically. This may reflect a partitioning of settling space consistent with interspecific competition. A seasonal epiphytic refugium might allow the zebra mussel to persist even where the benthos is almost exclusively quagga mussel.
Population genetic effects of urban habitat fragmentation in the perennial herb Viola pubescens (Violaceae) using ISSR markers.

†Background and Aims Fragmentation of natural habitats can negatively impact plant populations by leading to reduced genetic variation and increased genetic distance as populations become geographically and genetically isolated from one another. To test whether such detrimental effects occur within an urban landscape, the genetic structure of six populations of the perennial herb Viola pubescens was characterized in the metropolitan area of Greater Cincinnati in southwestern Ohio, USA. †Methods Using three inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, 51 loci amplified across all urban populations. For reference, four previously examined agricultural populations in central/northern Ohio and a geographically distant population in Michigan were also included in the analysis. †Key Results Urban populations retained high levels of genetic variation (percentage of polymorphic loci, Pp ¼ 80.7 %) with similar genetic distances among populations and an absence of unique alleles. Geographic and genetic distances were correlated with one another, and all populations grouped according to region. Individuals from urban populations clustered together and away from individuals from agricultural populations and from the Michigan population in a principle coordinates analysis. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that most of the genetic variability was partitioned within populations (69.1 %) and among groups (22.2 %) of southwestern Ohio, central/northern Ohio and Michigan groups. Mean Fst was 0.308, indicating substantial population differentiation. †Conclusions It is concluded that urban fragmentation does not appear to impede gene flow in V. pubescens in southwestern Ohio. These results are consistent with life history traits of this species and the possibility of high insect abundance in urban habitats due to diverse floral resources and nesting sites. Combined with the cleistogamous breeding system of this species, pollinator availability in the urban matrix may buffer populations against detrimental effects of habitat fragmentation, at least in larger forest fragments. Consequently, it may be inappropriate to generalize about genetic effects of fragmentation across landscapes or even across plant species with different pollination systems.
Analysis of the forward problem with diffuse photon density waves in turbid media by use of a diffraction tomography model

We extend our previously developed diffraction tomography model of diffuse photon density wave propagation in turbid media to analyze the forward problem associated with detecting and resolving both absorptive and scattering inhomogeneities. Our results assume that detection occurs in a plane but no restrictions are placed on the illumination source geometry. We then specialize these results to plane-wave illumination and derive the turbid media version of the Fourier diffraction theorem. We also develop a shot-noise-limited Fourier-domain signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) expression to determine how background, system, and inhomogeneity parameters affect one’s ability to detect and resolve inhomogeneities. We show that, in general, scattering inhomogeneities are more easily resolved than absorbing inhomogeneities. We also show that lower temporal modulation frequencies enhance one’s ability to detect and resolve inhomogeneities. These theoretical results are compared with previously published image-domain SNR results, and qualitative agreement is demonstrated.
Extrapolating inventory results into biodiversity estimates and the importance of stopping rules

Seven methods for predicting species diversity from inventory data were tested based on two model data sets. These data sets, derived from state automobile license plates observed in Mexico City and Lawrence, Kansas, had the advantage of providing known ‘communities’ to be sampled, allowing evaluation of different inference methods. Of the seven methods, those of Chao (1984), Clench (Soberon & LLorente, 1993), and model Mth of CAPTURE (Otis et al., 1978) were the most robust. Error inherent in calculations based on raw data was reduced substantially using a series of bootstrap manipulations. We recommend that optimal design of inventories should include stopping rules based on precision of results rather than on effort expended, an approach that offers considerable advantages, in terms of both accuracy of results and efficiency of sampling efforts.
Microbial Volatilization of Selenium from Soils

Microbial volatilization of selenium (Se) was evaluated as a potential strategy for detoxifying Se-affected soils. The factors governing Se volatilization were investigated, employing a 75Se labeling technique with activated carbon traps. Three fungi that volatilized selenite and selenate were isolated from seleniferous agricultural soils and identified as Ulocladium tuberculatum, Penicillium citrinum, and Acremonium falciforme.
Extended cluster information vector quantization (ECI-VQ) for robust classification

This paper presents a novel extension to vector quantization referred to as extended cluster information (ECI). In this method the decoder retains more general statistics about the VQ clusters found during codebook training than the single prototypical point of conventional VQ systems. Typically this information is unnecessary, however if the items being compressed are feature space vectors used as input to a statistical pattern classification system, the extra probabilistic information can be used during the classification as in Bayes predictive classification (BPC) to improve recognition results. To demonstrate ECI-VQ, a simple experiment is described where the Aurora2 distributed speech recognition front end is altered to provide more aggressive mel frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) compression. As the bit-rate drops, the corresponding recognition performance suffers. It is then shown that using ECI-VQ as the input to an uncertain observation (UO) speech recognizer, a number of errors due to compression can be corrected with no extra cost in bit-rate.
Nonlinearity management: a route to high-energy soliton fiber lasers

We propose the use of self-defocusing nonlinearities to control nonlinear phase shifts in soliton fiber lasers. By analogy to dispersion management, we refer to this scheme as nonlinearity management. First we describe a map that can be regarded as a combination of nonlinearity management and dispersion management. The map is designed to support solitons in two segments of alternating sign of nonlinearity and dispersion. Analytical and numerical calculations demonstrate that this map can be essentially free of spectral-sideband generation. Suppressing the spectral sidebands should make possible pulse energies 100 times greater than those of existing soliton fiber lasers. We also discuss the less than ideal case of direct reduction of average nonlinearity by use of self-defocusing nonlinearity segments without optimizing dispersion. The second scheme has the advantage of easier implementation. Practical implementations with existing materials are discussed.
Studies in chaotic vibrations of buckled beams

The authors have studied chaotic vibrations of buckled beams with base excitations. Nonlinearities due to the stretching of the neutral axis, transverse stops and their combination have been studied. The resulting ordinary and partial differential equations have been integrated numerically. Results have been presented in the form of phase plane plots and bifurcation diagrams.
Pre-patterns for designing embodied interactions in handheld augmented reality games

The game industry and related research communities have shown a surge of interest in reality-based interfaces that create “embodied” game play experiences. Handheld AR (HAR) is a reality-based interface that renders digital objects onto a player's perception of the physical world. HAR creates a hybrid space in which players can leverage their existing physical and social skills to interact with the game system and with each other. Although HAR has received some attention in the world of handheld gaming, there is little research that summarizes and communicates design principles and implications across multiple examples. In this paper, we analyze and generate design lessons from dozens of HAR games, drawn from academic and commercial AR games, and also our years of experience designing and teaching HAR game design. We summarize our experience in this new field into a set of design “pre-patterns” as a means of formalizing significant design lessons derived from these existing practices into repeatable principles and solutions. We contribute to both the game and interaction design communities with pre-patterns that support embodied game play.
Foetal and placental metabolisms: their interrelationship and impact upon maternal metabolism*

In summary, foetal and placental metabolisms have certain characteristics which appear to bridge species differences. The consumption of carbohydrate and amino acids by the foetal lamb is adequate to meet the energy, C and N requirements of the foetus both for oxidated metabolism and for growth. Techniques to study foetal or maternal metabolism or both under conditions of a biological steady state, comparatively free of stress, are now readily available in several large mammals and are becoming so for small mammals. This should permit comparative physiologic studies in animals differing widely in diet and in body size. Hopefully, such studies will clarify those characteristics of foetal metabolism which are unique to a species and those which are common to all foetuses.