cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined optimization of active structural systems and drive circuits

We consider the integrated optimization of electrically driven Recurve actuators. The drive circuit is based on a half-bridge switching amplifier topology. Both actuator and circuit physical design variables are considered in the optimization formulation. The objective is to minimize the weight of the system while satisfying performance and stability constraints. The interactions and trade offs between the actuator and the drive circuit are investigated. Optimization results show clear interrelations between the design of the electric circuit and the actuator. The optimization is based on an integrated model of the electronics with the Recurve actuator. A finite element model for Euler-Bernoulli beams is developed with appropriate coupling interface to the drive circuit. The proposed finite element model correctly considers charge variation over the actuator and leads to an energy conservative formulation. The structural model is coupled to the electric circuit model via charge-voltage transfer function.
Self-directed learning readiness and performance in the workplace: Implications for business, industry, and higher education

Deep and rapid changes in a “high-tech” society exceed the ability of formal educational systems to respond to new learning needs. Therefore, the future of post secondary education will increasingly include emphases on self-directed learning skills and activities. Despite recognition of such a trend, knowledge of self-directed learning and self-directed learners is in its infancy. This study of self-directed learning and performance was designed to determine the relationship of self-directed learning readiness and performance in an occupational setting. Business, government and industry are expected to depend heavily upon self-directed learning in the future. Because of the increasingly close relationship between education and these sectors of the economy, educators should have a keen interest in this kind of research. The sample included 753 individuals selected from the population of a large American utility company: 421 were managers and 318 were non-managers; 14 subjects did not define their occupational status. Subjects provided information on their management level, sex, age, education, race, job performance rating, creativity required on their jobs, problem-solving ability needed in their jobs and degree of change in their work. Nine hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Selected conclusions are as follows: (a) outstanding performers in jobs requiring a very high level of creativity had significantly higher SDLRS scores than others; (b) outstanding performers in jobs requiring a very high degree of problem-solving skill had significantly higher SDLRS scores than others; and (c) individuals who have completed higher levels of education tend to have higher SDLRS scores.
Motion Classification Using Wireless Sensors for Activity Monitoring in Firefighting

Firefighter’ chief reason for entering a burning structure is to search for and rescue potential victims. Currently, their primary method for communication is an often-congested two-way radio which the firefighters use from within a burning building to relay their activities (and other information) to an external battalion chief. In response to discussions with firefighters in the field, we introduce an approach for automatically segmenting and classifying a select set of activities using wireless accelerometers attached to the human body. The activities we focus on are the ones that are most commonly conducted by firefighters and that are important to the battalion chief for understanding the ongoing search and rescue. In our implementation, sensors continuously measure the acceleration of a small number of body segments and transmit data back to a central base station. At runtime, our system classifies data for short intervals, relying on training examples of the activities of interest. We show that our approach can appropriately detect motions in real-time without significant latency using as few as two accelerometers.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Innovation and Growth: A Schumpeterian Model of Innovation Applied to Taiwan

Following Schumpeter, we assume that innovation in specific firms, or groups of firms, can have economy-wide effects. Models based on this idea can be shown to have multiple equilibria. The idea of a positive feedback loop innovation system, or POLIS, is formalized by picking an appropriate sequence of equilibria over time. It is shown that POLIS has empirical relevance by applying the formal model to an actual economy. The 1997-98 financial crisis in many Asian countries, most notably South Korea, seemed to have reversed the conventional wisdom regarding the "East Asian miracle". This paper applies the concept of a POLIS to the case of Taiwan to show that, at least in this case, neither the view that the miracle was a mirage nor the view that the growth was a result of factor accumulation only is correct. Ultimately, technological transformation--in particular the creation of a positive feedback loop innovation system--is what makes the difference between sustained growth and gradual or sudden decline. A...
ULTRAPRODUCTS OF FINITE SETS

{a : a e C} is of the form F(D). The converse of the theorem is still an open question: does every set F(D) have the form {a+ : a e C} where the set C is as above? The proof of the theorem is broken down into a series of lemmas. We start by proving the result for the case that C is a singleton, then for the case that C is finite, and we work our way step by step to the final result. Theorems about the cardinality of ultraproducts often have applications to model theory (see [5] for some references). The results of this paper are no exception. We shall apply our results to show that certain pathological models of number theory exist, and the application also works for a wide class of other theories. The application to number theory is related to, but different from, an unpublished theorem of Ehrenfeucht which is proved by another method. The paper is divided into three sections. In ? 1 we state some definitions and results which we need from the literature. We prove our main theorem in ? 2, and the applications to model theory are in ? 3. This work was supported in part by N.S.F. Grant No. GP-1621.
Creep behavior of an aligned Ag3Mg-AgMg eutectic

A eutectic alloy, Ag-32.2 at. pct Mg, has been directionally solidified at growth rates,R, ranging from 0.9 to 63.9 cm/h to produce an aligned lamellar structure. The alloy consists of AgMg, an ordered CsCl type phase, and a solid solution of approximate composition Ag-27 at. pct Mg. The investigation consisted of studying ordering effects in the Ag-27 pct Mg phase on creep behavior of the aligned eutectic at temperatures between 210 and 270°C. Ordering of Ag-27 pet Mg markedly reduced creep rate and increased rupture life of the eutectic alloy. An increase in R resulted in a finer interlamellar spacing and further reduced creep rate for both ordered and disordered material. An increase in the apparent activation energy for creep with order is consistent with an increase in the activation energy for vacancy motion in the Ag3Mg phase. Creep tests on a single-phase Ag3Mg alloy confirmed this conclusion. Both the ordered and disordered eutectic alloy exhibited a high sensitivity of steady-state creep rate, e, to stress. The stress dependence was analyzed in terms of a proposed mechanism of creep in this alloy. Slip processes have been observed by optical microscopy, and fractographic techniques have been employed to explain the influence of long range order on rupture. Implications of this work to design of creep-resistant eutectic composites are discussed.
Automating Space Station operations planning

The development and implementation of the operations planning processes for the Space Station are discussed. A three level planning process, consisting of strategic, tactical, and execution level planning, is being developed. The integration of the planning procedures into a tactical planning system is examined and the planning phases are illustrated.
BOUNCE: A Community‐based Mother–daughter Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Low‐income Latino Families

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a family-based exploratory community study titled BOUNCE (Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition, Counseling, and Exercise) to increase physical fitness and activity in low-income Latino mothers and daughters. The BOUNCE study consisted of a 12-week exercise (e.g., Latin dance), nutrition education, and counseling intervention. The design included a two-arm parallel group assignment to an experimental group (EG; included 26 mother-daughter dyads) and comparison group (CG; included 20 mother-daughter dyads). Pre- and postintervention 20-Meter Endurance Shuttle Run Test and accelerometry were used to measure children's aerobic capacity and physical activity, respectively. For the mothers, the Rockport Walk test and Non-Exercise Physical Activity Rating test were employed to assess aerobic fitness and physical activity. Anthropometric, demographic, and dietary assessments were also collected pre- and postintervention. Differences in outcome measures between groups were tested using repeated measures analysis of covariance. The BOUNCE intervention had a significant effect on EG Latino daughters' aerobic capacity (P = 0.044). Although not statistically significant, EG daughters reported a higher reduction of high fat food and sweetened beverages and an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption compared to CG daughters. Similarly, EG mothers reported more strategies to increase fruit/vegetable consumption and reduce fat intake compared to CG mothers. No changes in physical activity or BMI were observed between EG and CG mother-daughter dyads.
Hydraulic admittance of a partially saturated microfluidic slit

Hydraulic admittance measurements have previously been performed on simple capillary systems as well as complex porous media such as gas diffusion layers. However, the theory for hydraulic admittance has yet to be developed for noncylindrical geometries in 2D channel studies. Here, hydraulic admittance theory is developed for a slit and experimentally measured for several hydraulic lengths (or partial saturation levels). Finite element modeling was included to address entrance effects associated with the sample. Both the theory and finite element modeling predicted higher hydraulic admittance magnitudes than measured, but the modeling predicted the resonance peak position better than the theory. The weak agreements to both the theory and modeling were mainly attributed to the slit approximation for the sample and additional interfacial curvature. Nonetheless, the resonance peaks were found to shift toward lower frequencies and decrease in magnitude with increasing hydraulic length for the theory, finite element modeling, and measurements.
Are neurologic examination abnormalities heritable? A preliminary study.

Abstract Background Neurologic examination abnormalities (NEA) are more prevalent among patients with schizophrenia as well as their unaffected relatives when compared with healthy controls, suggesting that NEA may be endophenotypes for schizophrenia. We estimated the heritability of NEA in moderately sized pedigrees. We also evaluated correlations between NEA and cognitive performance in order to examine their construct validity. Methods Members of eight extended families, each consisting of two first degree relatives with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders, as well as available first- to fifth-degree relatives were examined ( n = 96 participants). A modification of the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES) was employed, augmented with localizing signs. Where feasible, we used untransformed data such as error counts and completion time, rather than ordinal measures. Heritability was estimated using the variance component method, implemented in SOLAR. Results Statistically significant heritability ( h 2 ) estimates were obtained for several measures ( p h 2 ± standard error: rapid alternating movements, right-sided completion time, 0.99 ± 0.19; alternating fist–palm test, completion time, 0.77 ± 0.19 s, errors, 0.70 ± 0.32; fist–ring test, right-sided completion time, 0.53 ± 0.23 s, left-sided completion time, 0.70 ± 0.21 s; go–no go task, correct responses, 0.93 ± 0.33; audio–visual integration, correct responses, 0.79 ± 0.54). For most items, heritability analysis was hampered by insufficient data variability (infrequent errors). Correlational analyses show some degree of divergence among types of NEA, repetitive motor tasks being associated with most domains of cognitive functioning other than executive functioning, and cognitive–perceptual tasks being associated with memory and executive functioning. Conclusions Significant familial influences on certain aspects of neurologic performance were detected. These heritable measures were also correlated with heritable neurocognitive measures.
The loss of occlusion and its effect on mandibular immediate side shift

Abstract Mandibular immediate side shift is a lateral movement of the condyles at the commencement of mandibular laterotrusion. Amount of mandibular immediate side shift has been found to vary among patients and bilaterally within patients. Factors responsible for variance in mandibular immediate side shift have been suggested but not thoroughly investigated. Because of the clinical importance of the mandibular immediate side shift, this study attempted to demonstrate that one suggested factor—the loss of occlusion—would result in increased mandibular immediate side shift. Subjects were placed into one of four groups that had a varied amount of occlusion. Surprisingly, among groups no differences were detected in the amount of mandibular immediate side shift. Therefore loss of occlusion as a suspected cause of an increase in the amount of mandibular immediate side shift was not substantiated. Restorative therapy recommended on the basis of such an assumption will most likely prove inaccurate.
Reappraising Walter Bagehot's Liberalism: Discussion, Public Opinion, and the Meaning of Parliamentary Government

SummaryThis article offers a novel and comprehensive account of Walter Bagehot's political thought. It ties together an interpretation of Bagehot's liberal commitment to norms of discussion and deliberation, with an analysis of Bagehot's extensive arguments about the institutions of representative government. We show how Bagehot's opposition to American-style presidentialism, to parliamentary democracy, and to proportional representation were profoundly shaped by his conceptions of government by discussion, and the rule of public opinion. Bagehot's criticisms of English parliamentarianism, both of its pre-1832 and post-1832 varieties were also motivated by those principles, as was his own proposal for parliamentary reform. By examining the whole range of Bagehot's writings on representative government (not merely his preference for parliamentarianism over presidentialism) and by connecting his institutional recommendations to his liberal principles, we are also able to better clarify Bagehot's position in...
(B) Institutions on the Atlantic Side of Canada and the United States: Introduction

This section of the report is confined mainly to the physical investigations in progress during 1933. Information has been received from the following major institutions located on or near the Atlantic seaboard: (1) Fishery Research Commission, Newfoundland; (2) Biological Board of Canada; (3) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; (4) Bingham Oceanographic Foundation; (5) United States Bureau of Fisheries; (6) United states Hydrographic Office; (7) United States Coast and Geodetic Survey; (8) United States Coast Guard; and (9) Bermuda Biological Station. The detailed reports for the United States Hydrographic Office, Coast and Geodetic Survey, and Coast Guard were presented to the Section of Oceanography of the American Geophysical Union at its meeting April 27, 1934, and are printed above in the present volume of “Transactions.”
Corticosteroid Therapy and Unintentional Camouflage

In this issue ofTHE JOURNALJacobs et al1report two patients with inflammatory disease treated with large doses of prednisone for protracted periods who suffered bouts of true addisonian crisis: severe disturbances in electrolyte metabolism and near-fatal outcomes. The authors are to be commended for detecting spontaneously occurring Addison's disease not related provably to or caused by the diseases for which the prednisone was being given. Lacking the classic signs of full-blown primary adrenocortical insufficiency, weakness, weight loss, and dermal hyperpigmentation, the diagnosis of Addison's disease is hard to come by at the best of times.2In attempting to treat these two patients, the responsible physicians were not working at the best of times or under ideal circumstances. The reported intermittent changes in weight and strength could have been accounted for by the underlying disease. The administered prednisone, in doses up to 20, 40, and 60 mg/d
Effect of analogs of cinanserin on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Cinanserin, 2′-(3-dimethylaminopropylthio)cinnamanilide, was compared in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-treated human lymphocytes in vitro to two analogs, 2′-(3-dimethylaminopropoxy)-5′-methylcinnamanilide (SQ 11,276) and 5′-tert.-butyl-2′-(3-dimethylaminopropoxy) cinnamanilide (SQ 11,332). These analogs, like cinanserin, exhibit immunosuppressive activity but, unlike cinanserin, possess low antiserotonin activity. Within 1–1.5 hours after addition of the drugs (0.15 mM), incorporation of3H-uridine,14C-leucine, and3H-thymidine into a macromolecular fraction of PHA-treated cells were inhibited, in an increasing order, by cinanserin, SQ 11,276 and SQ 11,332. At this concentration cellular recovery and viability wre unaltered by cinanserin and SQ 11,276 and substantially decreased by SQ 11,332. SQ 11,332 was less cytotoxic at lower concentrations and 4–7 times more active than cinanserin as an inhibitor of the incorporation of the nucleosides into the macromolecular fraction.
Effects of bladder volume on detrusor contractility during sacral nerve stimulation

In spinalized dogs under Nembutal anesthesia, electrical stimulation of sacral nerves with electrodes inserted into the sacral canal induced maximal urinary bladder contractions. The amplitude of the peak vesical pressure varied with the bladder volume. Active peak pressures were highest when the bladder volume was 25 to 50 ml. Pressure declined to less than 50% of its maximum value at a bladder volume of 400 ml. In order to further describe the contractile properties of the detrusor muscle, wall tension was calculated using Laplace's law, wall stress was determined as tension per unit wall thickness, and the circumference of the vesical volume was calculated as a measure of muscle length. Active detrusor wall tension during stimulation tended to be highest at the midrange of volumes, whereas the wall stress increased linearly with increasing bladder volume. This increase in wall stress was secondary to the wall becoming thin at large volumes.
Building-in reliability: soft errors-a case study

A case is described for implementing building-in reliability. The case study deals with the phenomenon of soft-error rates in DRAMs. It is shown that the process begins with looking at output variables and then working backwards to identify the key input variables that affect the output variables. The authors demonstrate how monitoring the identified input variables leads to a stable process in manufacturing. In addition, they have identified a new source of alpha particles that contributes to the soft error rate of memory ICs, namely, the phosphoric acid used during wafer fabrication. The findings show that the raw materials used in wafer fabrication are at least as great a source of alpha particle emissivity as are packaging materials. >
Norman Stevens: Au Revoir and Toodle‐oo!

The following remarks are dedicated to Norman D. Stevens, director of the Molesworth Institute, in anticipation of his retirement from the hustle bustle world of academia. They are offered in gratitude from his colleagues and fellow editorial board members at Reference Serials Review.
Improved potential functions for bent AB2 molecules: Water and ozone

Abstract New experimental quartic potential functions are investigated for water and ozone using Δ R R instead of the traditional ΔR as the expansion parameter. Vibrational energies are calculated with both expansions using variational methods and dramatic improvement is found in the band origins for the new potential functions. This is a consequence of the new function's improved qualitative description of the energy surface at large nuclear displacements. Calculations on HDO and D2O are reported that provide reliable predictions for the energies of some of the experimentally unobserved excited vibrational states.
Cytosolic- calcium regulates epidermal growth factor endocytosis in rat pancreas and cultured fibroblasts

Abstract Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8), the COOH-terminal moiety of cholecystokinin (CCK), exerted a rapid inhibitory effect on total cell-associated 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) binding by decreasing the rate of EGF internalization in isolated rat pancreatic acini. Removal of CCK8 from incubation medium followed by extensive washing of acini did not abolish its inhibitory effect, indicating that its action was not readily reversible. Proglumide, a competitive antagonist of CCK8, blocked the inhibitory action of the secretagogue. Addition of CCK8 to cells previously exposed to 125I-EGF did not enhance the release of cell-associated 125I activity. CCK8 did not inhibit the binding of 125I-labeled insulin to pancreatic acini. Other pancreatic secretagogues that enhance digestive-enzyme release through Ca2+, including caerulein, bombesin, carbachol, gastrin, and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, also inhibited cell-associated 125I-EGF radioactivity. Further, at 37 degrees C the ionophore A23187 inhibited specific 125I-EGF binding in human A-431 carcinoma cells, Swiss 3T3 cells, and Rat-1 fibroblasts, and this effect was abolished when 125I-EGF internalization was reduced by incubating cells at 4 degrees C. It is concluded that alterations in cellular Ca2+ in the pancreas and other cells lead to inhibition of EGF endocytosis.
Orthotopic heart transplantation with bicaval and pulmonary venous anastomoses

We present our experience with an alternative technique for orthotopic heart transplantation. It consists of total excision of the recipient's atria, with the donor's heart implantation performed using bicaval end-to-end anastomoses as well as pulmonary venous anastomoses. Forty consecutive patients receiving transplants in this fashion were compared with 64 patients who underwent orthotopic transplantation with the standard technique. The incidence of postoperative tricuspid regurgitation was reduced in patients receiving transplants with the new surgical approach (p = 0.003). In addition, the need for pacemaker implantation for severe bradyarrhythmia in the early (0 to 6 weeks) posttransplantation period (p = 0.003) was eliminated. Although not statistically significant, there was a trend in the reduction of postoperative mitral regurgitation in patients who received transplants by the modified technique. Based on this experience, we believe this modified technique for orthotopic heart transplantation has an anatomic and physiologic advantage that may improve long-term hemodynamic results.
SOME PROBLEMS IN THE GEOMETRY OF VISUAL PERCEPTION

In view of the long history of discussion about the nature of perception, both by philosophers and psychologists, it may seem foolhardy to propose to begin afresh with a general discussion. However, as we hope to show in this paper, many of the most fundamental problems about perception have not as yet been clearly settled and are just now receiving careful formulation. We believe that from a scientific standpoint the problems of perception are difficult, and we want to say at once that we do not propose to solve may of them here. Our purpose is mainly to set up a general model which we may use as a framework for discussion. In these general terms, we shall try to summarize a class of empirical observations about perception, organize some of the fundamental problems into sharply defined classes, and suggest one or two possible explanations. 1.1. Physical Space vs. Perceptual Space We shall, as our title suggests, limit ourselves to a discussion of visual perception, and also to those visual phenomena involving perception of geometrical characteristics as opposed to such things as color, texture, and the like, although many of our remarks are more generally applicable. Our discussion for the most part will deal with binocular vision, although several of our explanations, notably those in terms of eye movements, will be monocular in nature. To begin with, we shall distinguish between physical space and perceptual space, the space from which we draw our 'conscious' perceptions. For the latter we shall also use the phrases visual space or subjective visual space. It seems sensible to take as physical space ordinary three-dimensional Euclidean space. This space we denote by E3, or simply by E. (It is possible to argue about this choice of physical space.) For perceptual space, we propose no a priori structure of a general nature. Indeed, we shall try to study how one might infer the geometric
An analysis of the information dependence between MODIS emissive bands

Multispectral, hyperspectral and ultraspectral imagers and sounders are increasingly important for atmospheric science and weather forecasting. The recent advent of multipsectral and hyperspectral sensors measuring radiances in the emissive IR are providing valuable new information. This is due to the presence of spectral channels (in some cases micro-channels) which are carefully positioned in and out of absorption lines of CO2, ozone, and water vapor. These spectral bands are used for measuring surface/cloud temperature, atmospheric temperature, Cirrus clouds water vapor, cloud properties/ozone, and cloud top altidude etc. The complexity of the spectral structure wherein the emissive bands have been selected presents challenges for lossless data compression; these are qualitatively different than the challenges offered by the reflective bands. For a hyperspectral sounder such as AIRS, the large number of channels is the principal contributor to data size. We have shown that methods combining clustering and linear models in the spectral channels can be effective for lossless data compression. However, when the number of emissive channels is relatively small compared to the spatial resolution, such as with the 17 emissive channels of MODIS, such techniques are not effective. In previous work the CCNY-NOAA compression group has reported an algorithm which addresses this case by sequential prediction of the spatial image. While that algorithm demonstrated an improved compression ratio over pure JPEG2000 compression, it underperformed optimal compression ratios estimated from entropy. In order to effectively exploit the redundant information in a progressive prediction scheme we must, determine a sequence of bands in which each band has sufficient mutual information with the next band, so that it predicts it well. We will provide a covariance and mutual information based analysis of the pairwise dependence between the bands and compare this with the qualitative expected dependence suggested by a physical analysis. This compression research is managed by Roger Heymann, PE of OSD NOAA NESDIS Engineering, in collaboration with the NOAA NESDIS STAR Research Office through Mitch Goldberg, Tim Schmit, Walter Wolf.
A validation of self-reported substance use with biochemical testing among patients presenting to the emergency department seeking treatment for backache, headache, and toothache.

Purpose: This study tests the validity of self-reported illicit substance use against biochemical testing among Emergency Department (ED) patients seeking treatment with narcotics for backache, headache, and toothache and to characterize patients who provide false reports. Methods: Retrospective chart review comparing the self-reported drug use history obtained during an ED visit during a six-year period (1995–2001) with the results of a biochemical drug screen obtained the same day. Results: 248 patients met screening criteria, 79 (32%) of whom tested positive for unclaimed “drugs of abuse.” Patients with a history of “drug abuse” and chronic pain were significantly more likely to test positive for unclaimed drugs than were their counterparts (p =. 05 and p <. 0001, respectively). No significant difference was found in comparing those with and without multiple ED visits or those requesting a specific narcotic. Conclusion: Self-reported drug use is unreliable in this ED subpopulation. When this knowledge ...
Collective excitation interferometry with a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate

The precision of most compact inertial sensing schemes using trapped- and guided-atom interferometers has been limited by uncontrolled phase errors caused by trapping potentials and interactions. Here we propose an acoustic interferometer that uses sound waves in a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate to measure rotation, and we demonstrate experimentally several key aspects of this type of interferometer. We use spatially patterned light beams to excite counterpropagating sound waves within the condensate and use in situ absorption imaging to characterize their evolution. We present an analysis technique by which we extract separately the oscillation frequencies of the standing-wave acoustic modes, the frequency splitting caused by static imperfections in the trapping potential, and the characteristic precession of the standing-wave pattern due to rotation. Supported by analytic and numerical calculations, we interpret the noise in our measurements, which is dominated by atom shot noise, in terms of rotation noise. While the noise of our acoustic interferometric sensor, at the level of $\ensuremath{\sim}\text{rad}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\text{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$, is high owing to rapid acoustic damping and the small radius of the trap, the proof-of-concept device does operate at the high densities and small volumes of trapped Bose-Einstein condensed gases.
Quality Assessment of Skin Biopsy Specimens Referred to Anonymous Consultants

Background and Design: Managed care organizations may direct dermatopathologic specimens to anonymous consultants. I hypothesized that the quality of the consultation decreases when there is no incentive for an anonymous consultant to actively pursue the dermatologist/consumer. Therefore, I examined 364 consecutive specimens that had been directed to anonymous consultants. The specimens were obtained from patients who consulted a university-based dermatology clinic or the office of a collaborating practitioner. The quality of consultation was evaluated in 5 areas: factual correctness, arguable differences in degree, evidence that the history had been read by the consultant, knowledge of dermatologic disease evident in the interpretative aspects of the report, and appropriate direct interaction with the referring physician when indicated. Results: There was concordance between the interpretation by anonymous consultants and the findings of my review in 66.8% of cases that involved common dermatopathologic diagnoses. There were errors in fact in 26 cases (7.1%). There were examples of failure to correlate histologic findings with clinical history, apparent lack of understanding of dermatologic disease, and failure to resolve conflicts between the histologic pattern and the clinical information. Conclusions: I found a decrease in the quality of biopsy specimen interpretation received from anonymous consultants. Dermatologists need to maintain and/or upgrade their skills in dermatopathology to supervise the quality of interpretation obtained from anonymous consultants. Arch Dermatol. 1996;132:1053-1056
Magnetodielectric effect in the S = 1 ∕ 2 quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet K 2 V 3 O 8

We report the optical and magneto-optical properties of K2V3O8 ,a nS=1/2quasi-two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet. Local spin density approximation electronic structure calculations are used to assign the observed excitations and analyze the field-dependent features. Two large magneto-optical effects, centered at 1.19 and 2.5 eV, are attributed to field-induced changes in the V 4+ d →d on-site excitations due to modification of the local crystal field environment of the VO5 square pyramids with applied magnetic field. Taken together, the evidence for a soft lattice, the presence of vibrational fine structure on the sharp 1.19 eV magnetooptical feature, and the fact that these optical excitations are due to transitions from a nearly pure spinpolarized V d state to hybridized states involving both V and O, suggest that the magneto-dielectric effect in K2V3O8 is driven by strong lattice coupling.
Guanine Analogues Enhance Antisense Oligonucleotide-induced Exon Skipping in Dystrophin Gene In Vitro and In Vivo

Exon skipping has demonstrated great potential for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other diseases. We have developed a drug-screening system using C2C12 myoblasts expressing a reporter green fluorescent phosphate (GFP), with its reading frame disrupted by the insertion of a targeted dystrophin exon. A library of 2,000 compounds (Spectrum collection; Microsource Discovery System) was screened to identify drugs capable of skipping targeted dystrophin exons or enhancing the exon-skipping effect by specific antisense oligomers. The 6-thioguanine (6TG) was effective for inducing skipping of both human dystrophin exon 50 (hDysE50) and mouse dystrophin exon 23 (mDysE23) in the cell culture systems and increased exon skipping efficiency (more than threefolds) when used in combination with phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) in both myoblasts and myotubes. Guanine and its analogues were unable to induce detectable skipping of exon 23 when used alone but enhanced PMO-induced exon skipping significantly (approximately two times) in the muscles of dystrophic mdx mouse in vivo. Our results demonstrate that small-molecule compounds could enhance specific exon skipping synergistically with antisense oligomers for experimental therapy to human diseases.
Urban Structure and Geographical Access to Public Services

Abstract The spatial structure of urban areas limits the geographical accessibility of public services to some income groups. Simulation analyses show that this limiting effect—the spatial constraint—varies among study areas depending on the relative locations and densities of income groups. In typical Western cities, however, the spatial constraint implies that the bulk of possible service locations are physically more accessible to low-than to high-income groups.
Field notes and geographic distribution of Callithrix aurita in Eastern Brazil

Callithrix aurita, an endangered marmoset endemic to eastern Brazil, was observed from June to October 1982. Preliminary observations suggest that behavioral and morphological differences exist which distinguish C. aurita from the common marmoset, C. jacchus. New data are provided on the geographic distribution of C. aurita, extending it northward within the known ranges of C. penicillata in the states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais and C. flaviceps in eastern Minas Gerais.
A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Risky Sexual Behavior and Decrease Sexually Transmitted Infections in Latinas Living in the United States

The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of behavioral interventions in reducing risky sexual behavior and incident sexually transmitted infections (STI) among Latina women living in the United States. Studies were found by systematically searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychInfo databases without language restriction. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full texts of articles to find randomized control trials testing the effects of behavioral interventions aimed at changing risky sexual behavior among Latinas. Articles were selected using prespecified inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers extracted data from the included trials in duplicate using a standardized data extraction form. Six randomized control trials met the inclusion criteria for a total of 2,909 participants. Using random effects models with inverse variance weighting, we found a protective effect of the behavioral intervention on reported risky sexual behavior (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval = 0.42, 0.64) and on incident nonviral STI (odds ratio = 0.65; 95% confidence interval = 0.46, 0.93). Behavioral interventions targeted toward Latina populations are effective in reducing risky sexual behaviors and incident STI and should be considered by policymakers as a potential tool for HIV/STI prevention in this population.
Near-infrared spectroscopy of 3:1 Kirkwood Gap asteroids II: Probable and plausible parent bodies; primitive and differentiated

Abstract The 3:1 Kirkwood Gap asteroids are a mineralogically diverse set of asteroids located in a region that delivers meteoroids into Earth-crossing orbits. Mineralogical characterizations of asteroids in/near the 3:1 Kirkwood Gap can be used as a tool to “map” conditions and processes in the early Solar System. The chronological studies of the meteorite types provide a “clock” for the relative timing of those events and processes. By identifying the source asteroids of particular meteorite types, the “map” and “clock” can be combined to provide a much more sophisticated understanding of the history and evolution of the late solar nebula and the early Solar System. A mineralogical assessment of twelve 3:1 Kirkwood Gap asteroids has been carried out using near-infrared spectral data obtained from 2010 to 2011 combined with visible spectral data (when available) to cover the spectral interval of 0.4–2.5 μm. Eight of these asteroids have surfaces with basaltic-type silicate assemblages, indicating at least partial melting within their parent bodies. Although HED-like mineralogies are present these objects exhibit subdued features indicating the presence of an additional phase (e.g., NiFe metal) or process (e.g., space weathering). Four of these asteroids appear to be ordinary chondrite assemblages. Three of these are plausibly linked to the probable H-chondrite parent body, (6) Hebe.
Rate and capacity of hepatic microsomal ring-hydroxylation of phenol to hydroquinone and catechol in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Abstract Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver microsomes were used to study the rate of ring-hydroxylation of phenol at 11 and 25 °C by directly measuring the production of two potentially toxic metabolites, hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CAT). An HPLC method with integrated ultraviolet and electrochemical detection was used for metabolite identification and quantification at low (pmol) formation rates found in fish. The Michaelis–Menten saturation kinetics for the production of HQ and CAT over a range of phenol concentrations were determined at trout physiological pH. The apparent Km's for the production of HQ and CAT at 11 °C were 14±1 and 10±1 mM, respectively, with Vmax's of 552±71 and 161±15 pmol/min per mg protein. The kinetic parameters for HQ and CAT at 25 °C were 22±1 and 32±3 mM (Km) and 1752±175 and 940±73 pmol/min per mg protein (Vmax), respectively. The calculated increase in metabolic rate per 10 °C temperature rise (Q10) was 2.28 for HQ and 3.53 for CAT production. These experiments assess the potential for metabolic bioactivation in fish through direct quantification of putative reactive metabolites at the low, but toxicologically significant, chemical concentrations found in aquatic organisms. This work initiates a series of studies to compare activation pathway, rate, and capacity across fish species, providing a basis for development of biologically-based dose response models in diverse species.
Evaluating government innovation programs: Lessons from the U.S. experience☆

Since the late 1970s policymakers in industrialized countries have been devoting increasing attention to programs intended to promote research and industrial innovation (Nelson 271; Rothwell and Zegveld [31,32]). The “new economic reality” that lies behind these actions can be characterized succinctly as the pinch between demands for fiscal restraint and pressures to enhance international economic competitiveness. Technological innovation, particularly in certain “high tech” industries such as computers, electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology, increasingly is being accepted as a major driving force behind national economic growth and competitiveness. This realization has led to expansion of traditional research and education programs and creation of a host of new, untested programs intended to stimulate industrial innovation and technology transfer. At the same time, demands for fiscal responsibility, accountability, and justification for the new programs led to a flurry of evaluation efforts. In the U.S., for example, passage of the R&D tax credit in 1981 was accompanied by substantial congressional concern about its effectiveness. In Europe, innovation and technology policy have been identified as
State of Stress and Intraplate Earthquakes in the United States

Recently compiled data on the state of stress have been used to define stress provinces in the conterminous United States in which the orientation and relative magnitude of the horizontal principal stresses are fairly uniform. The observed pattems of stress constrain mechanisms for generating intraplate lithospheric stresses. Coupled with new information on geologic structure and tectonism in seismically active areas of the Midcontinent and East, these data help to define some characteristics common to these areas and to identify key questions regarding why certain faults seem to be seismically active.
Use of a Single Coil Transvenous Electrode with an Abdominally Placed Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in Children

FISCHBACH, P.S., ET AL.: Use of a Single Coil Transvenous Electrode with an Abdominally Placed Im-plantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in Children. While transvenous defibrillaior electrode placementavoiding a thoracotomy is preferable, electrode size, a large intercoil spacing, and the need for subclavic-ular device placement preclude this approach in mo.'it children. We investigated a single RV coil to an ab-dominally placed active can ICD device. Five children ages 8-16 years (weight 21-50 kg. mean 35 kg) un-derwent ICD placement. Placement of a single coil Medtronic model 6932 or 6943 electrode was performedvia the left subclavian vein approach and the electrode positioned in the HV apex with the coil lying alongthe RV diaphragmatic surface. The ICD (Medtronic Micro Jewel II model 7223Cx) was implanted in a leftabdominal pocket with the lead tunneled from the infraclavicular region to the pocket. Implant DFTs were^ 15 f using a biphasic waveform. DFTs rechecked within 3-month postimplant were unchanged. Leadimpedance at implant ranged from 38 to 56 fl, mean 51 fl. Follow-up was 3-21 months (total 82 months)with no electrode dislodgment. lead fractures, or inappropriate discharges. Two of the five patients havehad successful appropriate ICD discharges. Transvenous ICD electrode placement can be performed inchildren as small as 20 kg with the device implanted in a cosmetically acceptable abdominal pocket thatis well tolerated. Fxcellent DFTs can be achieved. This approach avoids a thoracotomy in all hut thesmallest child, does not require subclavicular placement of the device, and avoids use of a second in-travascular coil. (PACE 2000; 23:884-887)defibrillator, children, arrhythmia, abdominal implantIntroductionThe value of implantable cardioverter defibril-lators [ICDs) as a lifesaving intervention has beonpreviously demonstrated in the pediatric popula-tion/ The experience with ICDs in this age group islimited, accounting for less than 1% of all im-planted devices.^ Similar to the indications for de-vice implantation in adult patients as outlined re-cently by the American College of Cardiology andthe American Heart Association,^ the need for anICD in the pediatric population arises from one ofthree causes: (1) primary electrical disease [con-genital long QT syndrome, idiopathic ventricularfibrillation fVF]); (2) cardiomyopathy [arrhythmo-genic right ventricular dysplasia, hypertrophic, di-lated); and [3) following repair of congenital heartdisease (tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of thegreat arteries). Previously, the size of the transve-
E-012 Six year single center experience with the treatment of spinal dural fistulae

Introduction and purpose Surgical disruption has been the traditional method for treatment of spinal dural fistulae. Currently the natural history of spinal dural fistula is not clearly understood. There are a few case series reported in the literature documenting successful endovascular treatment of spinal dural fistula with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) liquid embolic material. A relatively new liquid embolic agent ethylene vinyl alcohol (Onyx) has been used extensively in the endovascular treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation and dural arteriovenous fistula. The first application of Onyx in the endovascular treatment of a spinal dural fistula was reported in the literature in 2003. An additional three cases of spinal dural fistula treated successfully with Onyx were reported in 2009. We present our experience with endovascular treatment of spinal dural fistula using n-BCA and more recently Onyx. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective review of all spinal dural fistulae cases that were treated at our institution from February 2004 to February 2010. Patient chart review, outpatient clinic follow-up letters and imaging review formed the retrospective analysis for the identified group of patients. 14 patients were identified with a spinal dural fistula. There were nine men and five women in the cohort. The age ranged from 16 to 81 years (mean 57 years). 13 were confirmed on digital subtraction spinal angiography (DSA) and one was negative on DSA. Results 14 cases of spinal dural fistulae were treated. Three cases had to undergo surgical disruption due to the proximity of the anterior spinal artery to the arterial feeder to the fistula. All surgical cases were marked with coils in the anterior division of the intercostal artery to facilitate level identification. The 11 patients treated by endovascular embolization had a total of 14 procedures. Onyx was used as the liquid embolic agent in four cases while seven endovascular embolizations were performed utilizing n-BCA and coils. There were no procedure related complications associated with endovascular treatment. The mean follow-up of the cohort was 15 months (range 10 days–52 months). Nine of the 14 cases treated had symptomatic improvement and five were stable after treatment. All of the cases treated with Onyx had marked improvement in clinical symptoms. Conclusion Endovascular treatment of spinal dural fistula with liquid embolic agents is safe and effective. Surgical disruption should be performed when endovascular treatment risks iatrogenic injury or is not technically possible. Onyx may be an alternative to n-BCA when encountering inaccessible arterial feeders due to anatomic tortuosity. Utilization of the unique properties of Onyx may allow the safe treatment of spinal dural fistulae from a relatively proximal location.