cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attitudes toward Accelerated Urban Development in Low‐Population Areas

The primary objective of the study reported was to measure directly the attitudes toward rapid economic development held by members of the communities being impacted. Two areas selected for the study were Caribou County, Idaho, and Beaver County, Utah, contrasts in terms of economic structure and growth. In Beaver County, the population dropped from 5,014 in 1940 to 3,800 in 1970. The median income was only 78 percent of the state average. Its populace was dependent on agriculture and transportation (railroads); these industries have declined. In Caribou County, Idaho, the increase in population and income resulted from development of phosphate deposits. Median income was 7 percent above the state level for 1970. Thus, the two areas provide a laboratory for assessing attitudes about economic development. Conclusions show that attitudes in the two west intermountain areas with significant difference in economic structure, growth, and welfare levels, are generally quite favorable toward proposals that would mean rapid economic and population growth. The attitudinal data are supportive of the growing body of research dealing with the responses of different subgroups of the American population toward environmental deterioration and economic growth. Generally, those most concerned about environmental deterioration are not economically insecure and maymore » not need or want the increased benefits associated with industrial growth. (MCW)« less
S0 ring-puckering potential energy function for coumaran.

With the aid of a reported inversion splitting value, the far-infrared spectrum resulting from the ring-puckering vibration of coumaran has been reassigned and the one-dimensional potential energy ...
High efficiency optical diplexers

This paper describes various interferometric optical circuits that could provide highly efficient combining of local oscillator and signal beams in heterodyne mixers. Already in use at millimeter wavelengths, they will be of particular importance in optical systems where the available local oscillator power is low.
A technique for hypophysectomy of neonatal rats.

Abstract A new technique for hypophysectomy of 4 to 6 day old neonatal rats is described. A success rate of 82% was obtained on 6 day old neonates, and they showed a 50% reduction in growth rate. The advantages of this new technique are discussed. It provides a method for directly studying the pituitary contribution to development in the preweaned rat pup.
Neutron scattering study of nitrogen adsorbed on basal-plane-oriented graphite*

Thermal-neutron scattering has been used to investigate the structure of nitrogen films adsorbed on Grafoil, a basal-plane-oriented graphite. Diffraction scans were made at coverages between 1/3 of a monolayer and 7/4 monolayers over a temperature range from 10 to 90 K. The observed line shapes were analyzed and found to be generally consistent with the predictions of two-dimensional diffraction theory. From the data at least three distinct surface phases can be identified: (i) a low-temperature epitaxial phase with a triangular lattice structure, (ii) a more compressed low-temperature phase with the same structure but not in registry with the substrate, and (iii) one or more high-temperature disordered phases. Changes in the slope of the adsorption isotherm are found to correlate well with the observed transitions from one phase to another.
Molecular genotyping of fetal platelet antigens with uncultured amniocytes

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Amino acid substitutions in platelet membrane glycoproteins result in alloantigens implicated in neonatal alloimmune thromboctyopenia. We report the use of the reverse dot blot technique to genotype the five major fetal platelet alloantigens from amniotic fluid cells. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated a patient with Bak b platelet antibodies who had a previous pregnancy complicated by fetal intracranial hemorrhage. The father was heterozygous Bak a /Bak b , giving the pregnancy a 50% risk for platelet incompatibility between mother and fetus. Amniotic fluid was obtained at 16 weeks. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from uncultured amniocytes and amplified with polymerase chain reaction. These products were hybridized to filters containing oligonucleotides specific for each of the 10 different platelet antigen alleles. Reactivity was detected with a chromogenic substrate. RESULTS: The reverse dot blot genotyping of uncultured amniocytes revealed the fetus to be Bak a /Bak a , thus not at risk for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: Precise knowledge of fetal platelet type of amniocentesis could obviate the need for fetal blood sampling and significantly alter prenatal management of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.
Greening of the campus: a whole-systems approach

Abstract An overview is presented of the comprehensive, whole-systems approach used at Ball State University to institutionalize its ongoing ‘greening of the campus.’ This approach bridges academic content, administrative policies, and facilities management practices. It enables a campus-wide unfolding of education for sustainability. Tracking the history, evaluating the progress, modifying the approach and continually refocusing the effort are presented as essential to a whole-systems approach.
Analysis of 2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline in Rice by HSSE/GC/MS

ABSTRACT An extremely sensitive method for the analysis of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) in rice, employing stir bar sorptive extraction (Twister) was studied. The Twister stir bar is placed in the headspace of a 20-mL vial containing 1 g of rice kernels, 7.5 mL of 0.1M KOH, and 2.2 g of NaCl, along with a second Teflon-coated stir bar for mixing. Analytes are adsorbed onto the Twister for 4 hr at 40°C and then desorbed at 270°C into a GC column while cryofocusing at –80°C. The headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) method was able to detect 10%) was not as good as the GC/FID method (≈6%). Using HSSE, 2AP was observed in all samples generally considered to be aromatic and was not observed in any nonaromatic samples. Additionally, a modified method for the synthesis of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was studied and the presence of a tautomer of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was confirmed.
Copper chemistry of β-diketiminate ligands: Monomer/dimer equilibria and a new class of bis(μ-oxo)dicopper compounds

A series of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of a variety of β-diketiminate ligands (L-) with a range of substitution patterns were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and, in s...
Inflammatory Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Complications in Sickle Cell Disease: A Review

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inheritable genetic disorder hallmarked by a single point mutation in the β-globin chain resulting in abnormal polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin and subsequent sickling of the erythrocyte. Longevity in SCD patients has greatly increased, shifting the paradigm for cause of death from acute to chronic conditions. Endothelial dysfunction attributed to SCD triggers a cascade of inflammatory biomarkers known to mediate several cardiovascular complications, however, the etiology of heart disease in SCD remains unclear. Cardiovascular manifestations resulting in premature mortality include elevated cardiac output, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, and sudden cardiac death. This review explores relevant biomarkers of inflammation typically observed as mediators or indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as current literature on cardiovascular complications found in those with SCD. Additionally, the potential role of CVD treatments to manage the severity of SCD will be explored.
An evaluation of design trade-offs in a high-performance, media-on-demand server

We present a high-performance solution to the I/O retrieval problem in a distributed multimedia system. Parallelism of data retrieval is achieved by striping the data across multiple disks. We identify the components that contribute to media data-retrieval delay. The variable delays among these have a great bearing on the server throughput under varying load conditions. We present a buffering scheme to minimize these variations. We have implemented our model on the Intel Paragon parallel computer. The results of componentwise instrumentation of the server operation are presented and analyzed. Experimental results that demonstrate the efficacy of the buffering scheme are presented. Based on our experiments, a dynamic admission-control policy that takes server workloads into account is proposed.
Minimizing Energy Consumption of FatTree Data Center Networks

Many data centers are built using a fat-tree network topology because of its high bisection bandwidth. Therefore thereis a need to develop analytical models for the energy behavior of fat-tree networks and examine strategies to reduce energy consumption. The most effective strategy is to power off entire switches, if possible. In this paper, we derive formulas for the minimum number of active switches needed in a fat-tree data center network for arbitrary types of loading. We also derive expressions for the expected traffic loss when these networks are overloaded with external (Internet) traffic. Results of detailed simulations conducted using well-known traffic models for data center networks [4] closely match our derived formulas. We show that a fat-tree network incurs significant energy cost even when very lightly loaded. In order to further reduce energy consumption, we consolidate traffic into fewer switches and derive expressions for energy cost versus load assuming traffic consolidation and show linear scaling. Finally, we observe that traffic patterns have a significant impact on energy consumption and this fact is evident in the analytical formulas.
Implementation of a Communication Skills Laboratory

Abstract Objectives To describe a Communication Skills Laboratory and assess student performance, ability to meet North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) blueprint competency statements, and student confidence in communication-related patient care activities. Design Essential elements of pharmacist communication, Counseling, Drug Information, and Written Documentation, were incorporated into a Communication Lab. Student performance was assessed using grading rubrics and scores. A student survey assessed how effectively the curricula met the NAPLEX blueprint objectives and perceptions of confidence in performing communication tasks. Assessment Performance, assessed via student grades, improved significantly in the three main activities of the lab ( p p p Conclusion A Communication Skills Laboratory improved student performance, met NAPLEX competencies, and increased self-rating in confidence in patient care activities involving communication.
Tyrosine hydroxylase in neuroblastoma

Abstract Tyrosine hydroxylase activity was assayed in two neuroblastoma tissues. It was found that the neuroblastoma tyrosine hydroxylase required DMPH4 as a cofactor and was stimulated by Fe2+. These properties are quite similar to those reported for bovine and pheochromocytoma enzymes. Catechol compounds and other inhibitors, at concentrations of 2.5 × 10−5-5 × 10−4 m , inhibited the neuroblastoma enzyme to the same extent as bovine adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase. This finding suggests that neuroblastoma tyrosine hydroxylase is normally susceptible to feedback inhibition, in contrast to the pheochromocytoma enzyme which has been reported to be less sensitive to inhibition by catechols. Both neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma are associated with increased synthesis of catecholamines; in the case of pheochromocytoma there are large stores of norepinephrine in the tumor, but catecholamine synthesis still continues at an elevated rate, apparently because of a decreased sensitivity to feedback inhibition of the tyrosine hydroxylase in this tumor. On the other hand, in neuroblastoma the catecholamines appear to exert a “normal” feedback inhibition on tyrosine hydroxylase, and, therefore, we must look elsewhere to explain the high rate of catecholamine synthesis, such as lowering of the intracellular catecholamine levels by rapid metabolism. Further investigation will be necessary to establish the alteration of control mechanisms in neuroblastoma.
Click to "like" organ donation: the use of online media to promote organ donor registration

Context —Efforts to promote organ donation have traditionally relied on massmediated or interpersonal communication to promote donor registration. Despite its popularity, the use of online media has yet to be carefully evaluated as a platform to promote organ donation. Objective —To describe results of an intervention to promote donor registration that relies solely on online media to communicate to target audiences. Design —For 3 years, 6 campaigns were implemented in 3 different online media formats. Setting —Online media formats included (1) traditional online advertising, (2) stu dent seeders’ social networking sites campaigns, and (3) challenge campaigns. Participants —Online media campaigns primarily targeted college-aged individuals. Intervention —Each campaign directed individuals to the dedicated project website, where they could access educational material about donation and request a donor registration card. Main Outcome Measures —Unique website visitors, webpages viewed per site visit, time spent on site, and organ donor cards requested/received were tracked in relation to each online media format. Results —Traditional online advertising offered greater message exposure but failed to result in a higher proportion of website visitors who registered their donation intentions. Use of student seeders (ie, motivated students who promote donation b y using social networking sites) and challenge campaigns resulted in greater attentio n to the project website, donor card requests, and subsequent returns. Additional research is recommended to reveal the effect of combining 2 or more varying online media formats within a single campaign. ( Progress in Transplantation. 2012; 22:168-174)
Haptic interaction with holographic video images

We describe the implementation of a system which enables a user to interact with and modify an electronic holographic image using a force-feedback device. The force-feedback (or haptic) device is capable of sensing and reporting the 3D position of its hand-held stylus and displaying appropriate forces to the user. Thus, a user can feel and modify algorithmically specified shapes in the haptic workspace. We precisely register the haptic workspace with the free- standing, spatial image displayed by the MIT second-generate holographic video system (holovideo). In the coincident visuo-haptic workspace, a user can see, feel, and interact with synthetic objects that exhibit many of the properties one expects of real ones, and the spatial display enables synthetic objects to become a part of the user's manipulatory space. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that such an interactive holographic system has been built.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
GaN technology for microwave and millimeter wave applications

After many years of development to improve the material and devices, GaN technology is now in production and poised to revolutionize many of today's Radar and Communication systems. In this paper we present an overview of GaN development, focusing on reliability, affordability, and defense applications.
Metal contamination in wildlife living near two zinc smelters

Abstract Wildlife in an oak forest on Blue Mountain was studied 10 km upwind (Bake Oven Knob site) and 2 km downwind (Palmerton site) of two zinc smelters in eastern Pennsylvania, USA. Previous studies at sites near these smelters had shown changes in populations of soil microflora, lichens, green plants and litter-inhabiting arthropods. The 02 soil litter horizon at Palmerton was heavily contaminated with Pb (2700 mg kg −1 ), Zn (24 000 mg kg −1 ), and Cd (710 mg kg −1 ), and to a lesser extent with Cu (440 mg kg −1 ). Various kinds of invertebrates (earthworms, slugs and millipedes) that feed on soil litter or soil organic matter were rare at, or absent from, the Palmerton site. Those collected at Bake Oven Knob tended to have much higher concentrations of metals than did other invertebrates. Frogs, toads and salamanders were very rare at, or absent from, the Palmerton site, but were present at Bake Oven Knob and at other sites on Blue Mountain farther from the smelters. Metal concentrations (dry wt) in different organisms from Palmerton were compared. Concentrations of Pb were highest in shrews (110 mg kg −1 ), followed by songbirds (56 mg kg −1 ), leaves (21 mg kg −1 ), mice (17 mg kg −1 ), carrion insects (14 mg kg −1 ), berries (4·0 mg kg −1 ), moths (4·3 mg kg −1 ) and fungi (3·7 mg kg −1 ). Concentrations of Cd, in contrast, were highest in carrion insects (25 mg kg −1 ), followed by fungi (9·8 mg kg −1 ), leaves (8·1 mg kg −1 ), shrews (7·3 mg kg −1 ), moths (4·9 mg kg −1 ), mice (2·6 mg kg −1 ), songbirds (2·5 mg kg −1 ) and berries (1·2 mg kg −1 ). Concentrations of Zn and Cu tended to be highest in the same organisms that had the highest concentrations of Cd. Only a small proportion of the metals in the soil became incorporated into plant foliage, and much of the metal contamination detected in the biota probably came from aerial deposition. The mice from both sites seemed to be healthy. Shrews had higher concentrations of metals than did mice, and one shrew showed evidence of Pb poisoning; its red blood cell ALAD activity was greatly reduced, one kidney contained acid-fast intranuclear inclusion bodies, and the other kidney had 280 mg kg −1 Pb (wet wt). The livers from two cuckoos from Palmerton had elevated Pb concentrations (18 and 25 mg kg −1 , wet wt). Most of the songbirds seemed to be healthy.
Indian-atlantic transfer of thermocline water at the agulhas retroflection.

During November and December 1983, two anticyclonic eddies were observed west of the Agulhas Retroflection, apparently spawned at the retroflection. The western eddy, centered 300 kilometers southwest of Cape Town, has a winter cooled core encircled by warm Indian Ocean water. Between Cape Town and the "Cape Town Eddy" is a net geostrophic transport of Indian Ocean thermocline water (14 x 106 cubic meters per second) into the South Atlantic Ocean. This circulation configuration, similar to that observed by earlier researchers, suggests that Indian-Atlantic thermocline exchange is a common occurrence. Such a warmwater link between the Atlantic and Indian oceans would strongly influence global climate patterns. The Indian Ocean water is warmer than the adjacent South Atlantic water and thus represents a heat input of 2.3 x 1013 to 47 x 1013 watts into the Atlantic. The large uncertainty arises from the unknown partition between two possible routes for the return flow from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean: cooler South Atlantic thermocline water or much colder North Atlantic Deep Water. In either case, interocean mass and heat exchange of thermocline water at the Agulhas Retroflection is a distinct likelihood.
Agglutination and bactericidal responses of the channel catfish to Salmonella paratyphi.

Abstract Intraperitoneal immunization of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus , with Salmonella paratyphi in Freund's complete adjuvant produced persistent agglutinating antibody titers of hundreds of thousands during a 1-year response. Bactericidal activity of 2 high-titered sera averaged 30% and 20%. Post-immunization bactericidal activity varied little and remained within 10% of pre-immunization bactericidal activity. Fresh channel catfish serum from unimmunized catfish exhibited 100% bactericidal activity against S. paratyphi . Lysozyme was present in fresh channel catfish serum at 1.8 μ/ml serum or 34 ng lysozyme/mg protein.
Temporal factors influencing the acquisition and maintenance of an autoshaped keypeck

Food-deprived pigeons were given briei meals of grain following the presentation of a lignt on a response key. Pecking the key had no consequence Virtually all of the pigeons pecked the lignted key. The number of trials prior to the first peck varied inversely witn the value of the mean interval between light onsets. Trials to criterion was a negative power function of the value of the intertrial interval. The addition of a second stimulus, never followed by food, retarded the acquisition of the keypeck, particularly at short intertriai intervals. During steady state performance, the value of two measures of response strength, rate and probability of responding, increased as a function of the duration of the intertriai interval.
Voice/data traffic management in the return path of two-way hybrid fiber optic coaxial networks

Two-way hybrid fiber-optic coaxial (HFC) networks have enabled the integrated services of high-speed Web surfing, additional phone lines and video on demand etc. on top of the existing CATV broadcast service. However, the key to the success of this technology relies on the quality of service (QoS) provided to the subscribers. In terms of the available bandwidth and channel quality of the two-way transmission system, the reverse path (from subscribers to the headend) is most likely the problematic factor toward subscriber satisfaction due to its limited bandwidth (5 - 42 MHz) and inherent noise characteristics in the tree-and-branch network topology. This paper investigates some traffic management issues in order to guarantee the diverse QoS of different traffic types in the return path of the HFC network where code division multiple access technique is employed as the medium access protocol. In particular, the tradeoff between the QoS of voice and data services, and strategies for the headend to improve the QoS of the integrated traffic are studied and quantified by numerical examples.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reconstruction of the Talkeetna intraoceanic arc of Alaska through thermobarometry

[1] The Talkeetna arc is one of two intraoceanic arcs where much of the section from the upper mantle through the volcanic carapace is well exposed. We reconstruct the vertical section of the Talkeetna arc by determining the (re)crystallization pressures at various structural levels. The thermobarometry shows that the tonalites and quartz diorites intruded at ∼5–9 km into a volcanic section estimated from stratigraphy to be 7 km thick. The shallowest, Tazlina and Barnette, gabbros crystallized at ∼17–24 km; the Klanelneechena Klippe crystallized at ∼24–26 km; and the base of the arc crystallized at ∼35 km depth. The arc had a volcanic:plutonic ratio of ∼1:3–1:4. However, many or most of the felsic plutonic rocks may represent crystallized liquids rather than cumulates so that the liquid:cumulate ratio might be 1:2 or larger. The current 5- to 7-km structural thickness of the plutonic section of the arc is ∼15–30% of the original 23- to 28-km thickness. The bulk composition of the original Talkeetna arc section was ∼51–58 wt % SiO2.
Potential Pollutants from Farm, Food and Yard Waste Composts at Differing Ages: Part I. Physical and Chemical Properties

There is little information about the changes in physical and chemical properties of compost as a function of compost feedstocks and age of the compost mixture. As a consequence of this gap, the potential of compost to serve as a pollutant source relative to compost age (from initial mixing of raw feedstocks to mature compost) and feedstocks (i.e. % of food, manure, bedding, leaves, etc.) during the composting operation is not well known. This study was conducted to assess the variation of physical and chemical properties of compost under different mixes of source material and at differing ages (from freshly mixed to mature compost). The change in compost C:N ratio with age during composting was represented well (R2 ≥ 0.81) by the equation Y = CNf + (CNi-CNf)e(−X/r), where Y is the C:N ratio at any time X. CNf is the value of the C:N ratio as the composting time approaches infinity. CNi is the initial C:N ratio at the beginning of the composting process and 1/r is the rate of decrease of the C:N ratio. Th...
Magnetic resonance angiography of the brain and neck: Techniques and applications

Abstract Magnetic resonance angiography has become a widely used and versatile technique for evaluating many neurologic diseases. Even with the current widespread use of magnetic resonance angiography, it continues to evolve as older techniques are optimized and new methods are developed. A general description of magnetic resonance angiography techniques will be provided, and the strengths and weaknesses of the techniques will be highlighted. The article focuses on time-of-flight and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography methods. The application of magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation of arterial dissections, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and carotid stenosis will be described.
Marine aerosols in pacific upwelling regions

Abstract In a recent research cruise along the American West Coast and the Equator, concentrations of marine aerosols were measured to investigate the temporal and spatial variability in upwelling regions where nutrient-rich, deep-sea water ascends. Aerosol mass concentrations that represent mainly primary production of large sea-salt particles depend primarily on surface wind speed. Aerosol number concentrations, which are dominated by secondary production of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and organic particles, are complex functions of solar radiation, sea-surface temperature, wind speed, and wind direction. Both oceanic processes (e.g. production of precursor gases such as CH3SCH3, NOx, NH3), and atmospheric processes (e.g. photochemical reactions and gas-to-particle conversions) are important in the formation of marine secondary aerosols.
Introducing the Balanced Scorecard: Creating Metrics to Measure Performance

This experiential exercise presents the concept of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and applies it in a university setting. The Balanced Scorecard was developed 12 years ago and has grown in popularity and is used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500 companies as a performance measurement and strategic management tool. The BSC expands the traditional financial measures into three other dimensions to capture a balanced approach to measure performance in an organization. These additional dimensions are as follows: Customer Focus, Competence/Employee Learning and Growth, and Operational Efficiency. The exercise uses an analogy of a race car driver who relies on one aspect of measurement to gauge the race versus relying on multiple dimensions of performance.
Introduction to molecular and clinical genetics

Abstract The quest to understand the relationship between phenotypes and genetic traits has been a paramount theme throughout the history of biology. The days of Mendel's pea pods have been replaced with 21st century genetic technology such as gene chips, automated sequencing and a knowledge of the human genome down to the individual base-pairs. The goals of genetics as a field, however, remain largely the same and include attempts to uncover the genetic basis of disease, with the intention of developing improved diagnostics and therapeutics. Our goal in this review is to provide an introduction to molecular and clinical genetics to facilitate comprehension of the concepts and terms that are discussed in this issue of Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology. We will focus on the topics of genotype and phenotype, initially by examining the different patterns of inheritance, then follow with discussions on the methodologies used to identify the genetic basis of disease and the role of genetics as applied directly to clinical medicine.
Verbal working memory dysfunction in schizophrenia: use of a Brown-Peterson paradigm

Recent studies of schizophrenia have implicated deficits in processes related to working memory, but the cognitive features of these deficits have been incompletely characterized. We used a modified Brown-Peterson paradigm to compare working memory in patients with schizophrenia and in normal control subjects. Distractor conditions differed in processing demand, increasing in complexity from no distractor to counting backwards (serial threes). We found significant effects of group, of distractor condition, and of a group x distractor condition interaction. The significant interaction was the result of a more rapid decline in the performance of schizophrenic patients with concurrent articulation. In addition, the schizophrenic group also made significantly more intrusion errors. The study suggests that schizophrenic patients exhibit dysfunction of the verbal working memory system due to a diminution in its overall processing resources.
Use of Bioabsorbable Nerve Conduits as an Adjunct to Brachial Plexus Neurorrhaphy

Purpose The use of bioabsorbable conduits in digital nerve repair has demonstrated increased efficacy compared to direct repair (for gaps ≤ 4mm) and nerve grafting (for gaps ≥ 8 mm) for sensory recovery in a level 1 human trial. Although nonhuman primate studies on mixed motor-sensory nerves have documented comparable efficacy of the bioabsorbable nerve conduits when compared to nerve repair or grafting, there is minimal human clinical data on motor recovery following bioabsorbable nerve conduit repair. This study investigates the outcomes of bioabsorbable nerve conduits in pure motor nerve reconstruction for adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries. Methods Over a 3-year period, 21 adult patients had 1 or more nerve-to-nerve transfers for traumatic brachial plexus palsy performed using the operative microscope. Ten nerve transfers were performed by advancing the nerve ends into a semi-permeable type I collagen conduit stabilized with 8-0 nylon sutures (conduit-assisted neurorrhaphy). Twenty-eight concurrent nerve transfers were performed using standard end-to-end neurorrhaphy and 8-0 or 9-0 nylon sutures. Clinical evaluation using the Medical Research Council grading system (MRC) was performed at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Postoperative electromyographic studies were performed in 28 of 38 transfers at final follow-up. Results Thirty transfers (17 patients) were available for 2-year follow-up evaluation. All 10 transfers performed with nerve conduits demonstrated clinical recovery and electromyographic reinnervation at 2 years. Eighteen of 20 transfers performed without conduits demonstrated clinical recovery. Conclusions Although no statistical difference in functional recovery was seen in nerve transfers performed with collagen nerve conduits or by traditional neurorrhaphy, this pilot series demonstrated clinical and electromyographic recovery in 10 of 10 motor nerve repairs performed using conduits. These findings warrant continued investigation into the efficacy of conduit-assisted repair for motor nerves, especially in regards to operative time, precision of repair, and speed of nerve recovery. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Defining black studies on the world wide web

Abstract Commercial home pages link to personal (and other commercial) home pages much more frequently than do academic ones. Thus, clients using academic sites have limited access to Black Studies resources unless they turn to nonacademic sites. Clearly, academic Web sites have little connection to contemporary black experience and activism.
The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene.

Germline mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene (VHL) in humans causes a hereditary cancer syndrome characterized by the development of retinal and central nervous system hemangioblastomas. Other tumors associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease include clear cell renal carcinomas and pheochromocytomas. Tumor development in this setting is due to functional loss of the remaining wild-type VHL allele. Biallelic VHL inactivation is also common in nonhereditary hemangioblastomas and clear cell renal carcinomas, in keeping with Knudson's 2-Hit Model of carcinogenesis. The VHL gene product, pVHL, is a component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets the alpha subunits of the HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) transcription factor for destruction in the presence of oxygen. Consequently, tumor cells lacking pVHL overproduce the products of HIF target genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha. pVHL has been implicated in a variety of processes that are central to carcinogenesis including cell-cycle control, differentiation, extracellular matrix formation and turnover, and angiogenesis.
Fundamental Limitations In Linear Invariant Restoration Of Atmospherically Degraded Images

Restoration of atmospherically degraded images is limited most fundamentally by the photon noise inherent in any detected image. After presenting a general model for photon-limited images, we derive the form of the linear, space invariant filter which restores the image with minimum mean-squared error. Measures of the restorable bandwidth and image quality are developed. The theory is applied to the case of images degraded by atmospheric turbulence, both with and without perfect tilt removal. The relationship between the number of detected photoevents and the restorability of the degraded images is quantified.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Genetic dissection of memory in Drosophila

Behavioral analyses of single-gene mutants have yielded genetic dissection of olfactory Pavlovian learning in fruit flies.
A unifying condition for separable two player optimal control problems

We derive a simple condition under which a class of two player linear quadratic optimal control problems can be solved by two separate problems. The condition unifies most of the previously known separable two player problems, and further enables us to explicitly solve a new class of problems of which the optimal control was previously unknown. Moreover, natural interpretation of the separated problems provides better understanding of the optimal controllers' dynamics.
Developing a bright 17 keV x-ray source for probing high-energy-density states of matter at high spatial resolution

A set of experiments were performed on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to develop and optimize a bright, 17 keV x-ray backlighter probe using laser-irradiated Nb foils. High-resolution one-dimensional imaging was achieved using a 15 μm wide slit in a Ta substrate to aperture the Nb Heα x-rays onto an open-aperture, time integrated camera. To optimize the x-ray source for imaging applications, the effect of laser pulse shape and spatial profile on the target was investigated. Two laser pulse shapes were used—a “prepulse” shape that included a 3 ns, low-intensity laser foot preceding the high-energy 2 ns square main laser drive, and a pulse without the laser foot. The laser spatial profile was varied by the use of continuous phase plates (CPPs) on a pair of shots compared to beams at best focus, without CPPs. A comprehensive set of common diagnostics allowed for a direct comparison of imaging resolution, total x-ray conversion efficiency, and x-ray spectrum between shots. The use of CPPs was seen to re...
The emotional basis of moral judgments

Recent work in cognitive science provides overwhelming evidence for a link between emotion and moral judgment. I review findings from psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and research on psychopathology and conclude that emotions are not merely correlated with moral judgments but they are also, in some sense, both necessary and sufficient. I then use these findings along with some anthropological observations to support several philosophical theories: first, I argue that sentimentalism is true: to judge that something is wrong is to have a sentiment of disapprobation towards it. Second, I argue that moral facts are response-dependent: the bad just is that which cases disapprobation in a community of moralizers. Third, I argue that a form of motivational internalism is true: ordinary moral judgments are intrinsically motivating, and all non-motivating moral judgments are parasitic on these.
Crosstalk reduction by transistor sizing

In this paper we consider transistor sizing to reduce crosstalk. First, crosstalk noise dependency on wire width, wire spacing, driver and receiver sizes are discussed, and validated by experiments. Then transistor sizing for timing and noise is discussed and solved using optimization techniques. Experimental results suggest that crosstalk violations can be removed by transistor sizing with very small area overhead.
Ultrahigh-resolution OCT of prostate pathology in the clinic using a portable Cr:forsterite laser

We demonstrate real time, ultrahigh resolution OCT imaging using a portable mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser. OCT imaging at 5.5 um axial resolution was performed of normal and cancerous human prostate tissue and correlated with histology.
Photoacoustic active ultrasound element for catheter tracking

In recent years, various methods have been developed to improve ultrasound based interventional tool tracking. However, none of them has yet provided a solution that effectively solves the tool visualization and mid-plane localization accuracy problem and fully meets the clinical requirements. Our previous work has demonstrated a new active ultrasound pattern injection system (AUSPIS), which integrates active ultrasound transducers with the interventional tool, actively monitors the beacon signals and transmits ultrasound pulses back to the US probe with the correct timing. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments have proved that AUSPIS greatly improved tool visualization, and provided tool-tip localization accuracy of less than 300 μm. In the previous work, the active elements were made of piezoelectric materials. However, in some applications the high driving voltage of the piezoelectric element raises safety concerns. In addition, the metallic electrical wires connecting the piezoelectric element may also cause artifacts in CT and MR imaging. This work explicitly focuses on an all-optical active ultrasound element approach to overcome these problems. In this approach, the active ultrasound element is composed of two optical fibers - one for transmission and one for reception. The transmission fiber delivers a laser beam from a pulsed laser diode and excites a photoacoustic target to generate ultrasound pulses. The reception fiber is a Fabry–Perot hydrophone. We have made a prototype catheter and performed phantom experiments. Catheter tip localization, mid-plan detection and arbitrary pattern injection functions have been demonstrated using the all-optical AUSPIS.
Electrically controlled lens and prism using nanoscale polymer-dispersed and polymer-networked liquid crystals

Inhomogeneous nanoscale polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices having gradient nanoscale droplet distribution were fabricated. This gradient refractive index nanoscale (GRIN) PDLC film was obtained by exposing the LC/ monomer with a uniform ultraviolet (UV) light through a patterned photomask. The monomer and LC were mixed at 70: 30 wt% ratio. The area exposed to a weaker UV intensity would produce a larger droplet size, and vice versa. Owing to the nanoscale LC droplets involved, the GRIN PDLC devices are highly transparent in the whole visible region. The gradient refractive index profile can be used as switchable prism gratings, Fresnel lens, and positive and negative lenses with tunable focal lengths. Such a GRIN PDLC device is a broadband device and independent of light polarization. The diffraction efficiency of the lens is controllable by the applied voltage. The major advantages of the GRIN PDLC devices are in simple fabrication process, polarization-independent, and fast switching speed, although the required driving voltage is higher than 100 Vrms. To lower the driving voltage, the technique of polymer-networked liquid crystal (PNLC) has been developed. The PNLC was also produced by exposing the LC/monomer mixture with a uniform UV light through a patterned photomask. However, the monomer concentration in PNLC is only around 2-5 wt%. The formed PNLC structure exhibits a gradient polymer network distribution. The LC in the regions stabilized by a higher polymer concentration exhibits a higher threshold voltage. By using this technique, prism grating, tunable electronic lens and Fresnel lens have been demonstrated. The driving voltage is around 10 Vrms. A drawback of this kind of device is polarization dependence. To overcome the polarization dependence, stacking two orthogonal homogeneous PNLC lens is considered.
Central sensitization and pain after spinal cord injury

Abstract Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) result in a devastating loss of function below the level of the lesion in which there are variable levels of motor recovery and, in most cases, central neuropathic pain syndromes (CNPs) develop several months to years after injury. Unfortunately, the study of chronic pain after SCI has been neglected due in part to the lack of appropriate animal models, but largely due to the clinically held belief that CNP is not a real phenomenon and is psychogenic in nature, rather than based on pathophysiologic mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to present standardized terminology of pain, offer insight into animal modeling issues of CNP, provide descriptions of the current clinical therapies, and examine the pathophysiologic mechanisms that provide the substrate for CNP that will lead to innovative new therapies. This information will provide new insights for health-care professionals for better care not only of SCI patients but also many other CNP syndromes.
Conditionals and indexical relativism

I set out and defend a view on indicative conditionals that I call “indexical relativism”. The core of the view is that which proposition is (semantically) expressed by an utterance of a conditional is a function of (among other things) the speaker’s context and the assessor’s context. This implies a kind of relativism, namely that a single utterance may be correctly assessed as true by one assessor and false by another.
A Comparison of Item Selection Techniques for Testlets

This study examined the performance of the maximum Fisher’s information, the maximum posterior weighted information, and the minimum expected posterior variance methods for selecting items in a com...
Teaching the Teacher: Tutoring SimStudent Leads to More Effective Cognitive Tutor Authoring

SimStudent is a machine-learning agent initially developed to help novice authors to create cognitive tutors without heavy programming. Integrated into an existing suite of software tools called Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools (CTAT), SimStudent helps authors to create an expert model for a cognitive tutor by tutoring SimStudent on how to solve problems. There are two different ways to author an expert model with SimStudent. In the context of Authoring by Tutoring, the author interactively tutors SimStudent by posing problems to SimStudent, providing feedback on the steps performed by SimStudent, and also demonstrating steps as a response to SimStudent’s hint requests when SimStudent cannot perform steps correctly. In the context of Authoring by Demonstration, the author demonstrates solution steps, and SimStudent attempts to induce underlying domain principles by generalizing those worked-out examples. We conducted evaluation studies to investigate which authoring strategy better facilitates authoring and found two key results. First, the expert model generated with Authoring by Tutoring is better and has higher accuracy while maintaining the same level of completeness than the one generated with Authoring by Demonstration. The reason for this better accuracy is that the expert model generated by tutoring benefits from negative feedback provided for SimStudent’s incorrect production applications. Second, authoring by Tutoring requires less time than Authoring by Demonstration. This enhanced authoring efficiency is partially because (a) when Authoring by Demonstration, the author needs to test the quality of the expert model, whereas the formative assessment of the expert model is done naturally by observing SimStudent’s performance when Authoring by Tutoring, and (b) the number of steps that need to be demonstrated during tutoring decreases as learning progresses.
The gypsy Insulator Can Act as a Promoter-Specific Transcriptional Stimulator

Insulators define chromosomal domains such that an enhancer in one domain cannot activate a promoter in a different domain. We show that the Drosophila gypsy insulator behaves as a cis-stimulatory element in the larval fat body. Transcriptional stimulation by the insulator is distance dependent, as expected for a promoter element as opposed to an enhancer. Stimulation of a test alcohol dehydrogenase promoter requires a binding site for a GATA transcription factor, suggesting that the insulator may be facilitating access of this DNA binding protein to the promoter. Short-range stimulation requires both the Suppressor of Hairy-wing protein and the Mod(mdg4)-62.7 protein encoded by the trithorax group gene mod(mdg4). In the absence of interaction with Mod(mdg4)-62.7, the insulator is converted into a short-range transcriptional repressor but retains some cis-stimulatory activity over longer distances. These results indicate that insulator and promoter sequences share important characteristics and are not entirely distinct. We propose that the gypsy insulator can function as a promoter element and may be analogous to promoter-proximal regulatory modules that integrate input from multiple distal enhancer sequences.
Advances in tuboplasty.

Reconstructive oviductal surgery was performed on 205 private patients with primary and secondary infertility, who were selected from 1 075 endoscopic examinations. Each patient underwent an infertility survey which included gamete formation, reception and deposition of gametes, nidation, post-coital, and semen analysis. Only those with tubal abnormalities, not responding to conservative therapy after a minimum period of six months following laparoscopic examination, were selected for tuboplasty. Spiral stents for fimbrioplasty and straight teflon tubing for mid-portion and cornua obstruction were employed. These stents were removed eight weeks post-surgery, under local anesthesia at the office. Of the 205 tuboplasties, 193 patients had sustained patency; 75 conceived; 7 aborted; and 1 had an ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy occurred between 1 and 26 months after removal of the stents. Complications were very few. The use of Roland spiral teflon stents has resulted in a greater percentage in patency and pregn...