cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pleural Effusion from Leaky Diaphragm—the Hepatic Hydrothorax

A 76-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis presented with six weeks of progressive shortness of breath, and was found to have a large right pleural effusion with minimal ascites. Echocardiogram showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction. The portal venous system was patent by Doppler ultrasound. Pleural fluid analysis revealed a transudative effusion without evidence of infection or malignancy. Despite drainage and diuretics, her effusion recurred. When technetium was injected into the peritoneal cavity for nuclear imaging, there was strong uptake in the perihepatic fluid collection and diffuse uptake into the right hemithorax, suggesting a peritoneo-pleural communication, confirming the diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax (Figs. 1 and ​and2).2). The patient underwent a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure with improvement of symptoms. Figure 1 Intense uptake of technetium noted in the perihepatic region, with diffusely increased uptake of lesser intensity in the right hemithorax with minimal or no uptake in the left hemithorax. Figure 2 Sagittal view showing diffusely increased uptake in the hemithorax. Hepatic hydrothorax is a complication of portal hypertension and usually affects the right side of the chest. Leakage of fluid from the peritoneal to the pleural cavity through sub-centimeter diaphragmatic defects is the likely mechanism.1 Once cardiopulmonary causes of effusion are excluded, the investigation of choice is radioisotope-based nuclear imaging.2,3 Chest tube placement should not be performed, as it can cause large amounts of fluid loss, leading to renal failure and even death.2 TIPS procedure is recommended in diuretic resistant patients with recurrent effusions, although eventually a liver transplantation should be considered.1,3
Mechanism-Based Phenomenological Models for the Pseudoelastic Hysteresis Behavior of Shape Memory Alloys

A hierarchy of mechanism-based phenomenological models, comprising linear, piecewise-linear, and nonlinear springs and friction elements, are presented for the pseudoelastic damping behavior of Sha...
Reference and command governors for systems with slowly time-varying references and time-dependent constraints

We present a reference governor/command governor design for use in systems with slowly time-varying references or for enforcing slowly time-varying constraints. Ordinary governor designs are based on constraint-admissible invariant sets, but we base our design on contractive sets, which are used to ensure that the constraint-admissible set decays quickly enough to guarantee reference tracking or constraint enforcement for references or constraints that vary slowly. The results presented in the paper provide bounds on the rate of change of the reference or of the constraints, which are based on the rate of contraction. Two numerical examples are considered illustrating the capabilities of the new design. The first example is a linearized F-16 model that tracks a slowly-varying reference and the second example is a mass-spring-damper system that enforces a slowly-varying constraint.
Monte Carlo-aided dosimetry of the new Bebig IsoSeed®103Pd Interstitial Brachytherapy Seed

A new model 103 Pd interstitial brachytherapy source, the IsoSeed® 103 Pd , was recently introduced by Bebig Isotopentechnik und Umweltdiagnostik GmbH for permanent implant applications. This study presents the first quantitative theoretical study of the seed’s dosimetric quantities. Monte Carlophoton transport (MCPT) simulation techniques have been used to evaluate the dose-rate distributions around the model IsoSeed® 103 Pd source in liquid water and air phantoms. These results have been used to calculate and tabulate the anisotropy function, F(r,θ), radial dose function, g(r), and anisotropy factors, φ(r), and dose-rate constant as defined by AAPM Task Group 43 (TG-43) Report. Cartesian “away” and “along” tables, giving the dose rates per unit air-kerma strength in water in the range 0.1–3 cm distance around the seed have also been tabulated. The dose-rate constant, Λ, was evaluated by simulating the wide-angle, free-air chamber (WAFAC) calibration geometry recently implemented by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) to realize the primary standard of air-kerma strength (S K,N99 ) for low-energy photon-emitting brachytherapy sources. The dose-rate constant has been found to be Λ=0.660±0.017 in units of dose-rate per unit air-kerma strength (cGy⋅h−1⋅U−1).
An Intra-Cultural Perspective on Research

A review of selected methodological strategies and findings of minority research is presented. An alternative research paradigm and recommendations are offered to counter the negative impact which has characterized much of this research in the past.
Schedule-induced drinking with food, but not ICS, reinforcement.

The development of schedule-induced drinking was studied in rats trained to respond on variable-interval schedules in which food and intracranial stimulation served as reinforcers. The typical post-reinforcement schedule-induced drinking pattern appeared after food rewards but not after intracranial-stimulation rewards. These results help to specify the boundary conditions within which schedule-induced drinking will emerge.
Crossing Cultural Borders into Science Teaching: Early Life Experiences, Racial and Ethnic Identities, and Beliefs about Diversity.

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore the development of belief systems as related to racial and ethnic identities of preservice teachers as they crossed cultural borders into science teaching. Data were collected throughout a yearlong teacher preparation program to learn how early life experiences and racial and ethnic identities of preservice teachers influenced both their beliefs about diversity in science classrooms and science teaching pedagogy. Case studies of three preservice teachers from diverse racial and ethnic background are presented: Asian American, African American, and Rural Appalachian. Using Bank's ethnicity typology, findings suggest that racial and ethnic identity, developed in early life experiences of preservice teachers, provided clarity on the rigidity of their beliefs about diversity and how they view science teaching. By learning about the border crossing experiences of preservice teachers in relation to their beliefs about diversity as related to racial and ethnic identities, the researchers hoped to provide insight on preparing preservice teachers for the challenges of working in diverse classrooms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 41: 119–141, 2004
A sinc-collocation method for initial value problems

A collocation procedure is developed for the initial value problem u ' (t) = f(t, u(t)), u(0) = 0, using the globally defined sinc basis functions. It is shown that this sinc procedure converges to the solution at an exponential rate, i.e., O(M 2 exp(-κ√M)) where κ > 0 and 2M basis functions are used in the expansion. Problems on the domains R = (-∞,∞) and R + = (0, ∞) are used to illustrate the implementation and accuracy of the procedure.
Incidence of unsuspected blunt carotid artery injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to document the incidence of unsuspected blunt carotid artery injury (BCI) in a prospective series of consecutive blunt trauma patients undergoing angiographic evaluation of the aorta. Previous studies have included mainly patients who became symptomatic from BCI, thus documenting a "detected incidence." METHODS: During a 22-month period, all patients undergoing angiographic evaluation of the aorta after blunt trauma who were not felt to be at increased risk for BCI were included in the screening protocol. All patients initially suspected of BCI were studied outside the protocol. Angiographic evaluation of the carotid arteries was performed using nonselective contrast injections after aortic injury had been ruled out. RESULTS: The incidence of BCI among those patients screened under the protocol (n = 119) was 2.5% (3 of 119). Among all patients undergoing aortic evaluation at presentation (n = 171), the detected incidence of BCI was 3.5% (6 of 171). The detected incidence of BCI among all patients during the study period was 0.32% (10 of 3174). No risk factors for BCI were identified beyond the severity of trauma that led to aortic evaluation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of BCI found in those patients screened in this study, nearly 10 times the incidence of BCI in our blunt trauma population overall, suggests that these patients represent a subgroup on which to focus screening efforts, regardless of the diagnostic tools employed. The similarity between the angiographic incidence and the detected incidence of BCI in this study argues that few BCIs remain asymptomatic. All blunt trauma patients injured sufficiently to prompt aortic evaluation at presentation should be screened in some manner for BCI. Language: en
Culture and taxonomic status of Chlorochytrium lemnae a green algal endophyte

Pure (axenic) strains of an intercellular endophyte identified as Chlorochytrium lemnae Cohn (= Chlorosphaeropsis lemnae Moewus) were isolated from infected duckweed (Lemna spp.). Pure cultures of the host were also obtained. Both grew well in mineral media, requiring no organic growth factors. In suitably dilute media, the algae could be induced to infect dead leaves of several different Lemna clones. Since its cells divide vegetatively by the formation of common cross walls (“desmoschisis”), Chlorochytrium lemnae should be transferred from the Chlorococcales to the Chaetophorales. The taxonomic status of other algae identified as Chlorochytrium—some of them demonstrated to be stages in the life-cycle of filamentous algae—should be re-evaluated.
An Unusual Presentation of a Page Kidney 24 Days After Transplantation: Case Report

The Page kidney phenomenon is a well recognized entity where an extrinsically compressed kidney results in hypertension and loss of function. This compression is usually caused by a subcapsular hematoma secondary to blunt abdominal trauma or an invasive procedure such as a renal biopsy. We describe an unusual case involving the spontaneous development of a Page kidney 24 days after renal transplantation without any history of preceding trauma. The subcapsular hematoma was detected by a computerized tomographic scan performed as part of the work-up for acute allograft dysfunction. Prompt recognition and early intervention are essential if renal function is to be restored before irreversible damage occurs.
An 8-channel neuron recording interface for a microcomputer (apple II), designed to gather spike occurrence times

A microcomputer interface card is described, using a standard peripheral interface adapter chip, for use in multi-channel extracellular single unit recording. The design is for the Apple II. The card sends an interrupt signal to the processor whenever a pulse arrives to it, and enables the computer to read out which of 8 possible channels brought the pulse and when.
Radiolarian Skeletons: Solution at Depths

Radiolarian skeletons were placed at several depths on the taut mooring wire of a buoy in the central Pacific for 4 months. Recent radiolarian sediment dissolved at appreciable rates at depths shallower than 2000 meters; solution was greatest near the surface and decreased with depth. This pattern correlates with bathymetric distributions of dissolved silicon and of temperature. Siliceous Radiolaria from planktonic samples appeared to dissolve about eight times faster than those from sediment. Tripyleans seemed to be less resistant than polycystins. Acantharia dissolved completely at all depths.
Neuropeptide Y inhibits adrenergic transmitter release in cultured rat superior cervical ganglion cells by restricting the availability of calcium through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism.

Abstract Neuropeptide Y has been reported to inhibit the release of the adrenergic transmitter from sympathetic nerves in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of neuropeptide Y on the release of the adrenergic transmitter in cultured superior cervical ganglion cells prelabeled with tritiated norepinephrine. In cultured superior cervical ganglion cells superfused with a HEPES-buffered saline, electrical field stimulation (1 Hz, 30 pulses, 1 ms, 60 V) increased the fractional overflow of tritium. Neuropeptide Y (50 nM) attenuated this depolarization-induced increase in transmitter release. The nonhydrolyzable cAMP analog, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)cyclic AMP (100 μM) and the potassium channel blockers, tetraethylammonium chloride (1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (300 μM) potentiated the electrically stimulated increase in fractional tritium overflow but failed to alter the inhibitory effect of neuropeptide Y on fractional tritium overflow. Increasing the calcium concentration in the superfusion fluid from 1.8 to 5.4 mM potentiated the electrically stimulated increase in fractional tritium overflow and attenuated the inhibitory effect of neuropeptide Y. Reduction of superfusion fluid calcium concentration to 0.5 mM decreased electrically stimulated fractional tritium overflow and augmented the inhibitory effect of NPY on release of tritium. The fractional release of tritium in response to the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, was not significantly altered by neuropeptide Y. In Fura-2-loaded isolated sympathetic neurites obtained from superior cervical ganglia explants, the depolarization-induced (54 mM KC1) increase in cytosolic calcium was attenuated by neuropeptide Y (50 nM). Pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml for 4 h) pretreatment abolished both the neuropeptide Y-induced decrease in electrically stimulated fractional tritium overflow and the reduction in depolarization-induced increase in cytosolic calcium. These data suggest that NPY inhibits adrenergic transmitter release in cultured superior cervical ganglion cells by decreasing the availability of calcium for the release process by a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism.
Relation between angular distribution and polarization in the optical model

Abstract The relation between the angular dependence of the cross section and the polarization is discussed. A formula is derived for estimating the depth of the spin-orbit potential from the observed polarization. Sufficient conditions for the validity of these results are derived. In the course of this discussion a useful approximate formula is derived which relates the depth of the central potential, the size of the target, and the positions of the minima in the angular distribution.
Design, development, and testing of an automated window shade controller

An approach to the design of active window shades is developed to control the direct solar gain through a window. Using simple actuation hardware and sensors, a control strategy is presented that automatically adjusts window shades to save HVAC energy by controlling direct solar radiation passing through a window. The control algorithm is based on a simple approach that admits direct light in the winter and blocks the direct light in the summer, while providing shade adjustment that affords maximum visibility through the window. Cloudy skies or indirect sun result in horizontal placement of the shades, and the shades close at night. The implementation uses two thin-film photovoltaic cells as sensors and a control algorithm that is independent of the window orientation, latitude, or solar time, so that it operates properly in any installation location. Preliminary analytic and test results show significant energy savings when the automatic window shades are compared with a window without shades, and with a window outfitted with fixed horizontal shades.
"The Purest Mode of Looking": (Post)Colonial Trauma in Wole Soyinka's Death and the King's Horseman

The starting point of this essay is Wole Soyinka’s (in)famous claim concerning his Death and the King’s Horseman that the “Colonial Factor is … a catalytic incident merely.” Since that assertion appears to be at odds with the central movement of the play, almost to the point of missing a truth that simply cannot be missed, the essay aims to address a question first posed by Anthony Appiah, “why [does] Soyinka feel the need to conceal his purposes?” The focal point of the answer will be Freud’s notion of Nachtraglichkeit (“deferred action”), especially as revised through Cathy Caruth’s seminal work on trauma theory. Through an extended rhetorical analysis of the play, the essay details how the subject of colonization can be understood as the subject of trauma precisely to the extent that the experience of colonization entails an originary missing of the event itself. The essay’s final section explores how such a missing yet offers an ethical opportunity, the bearing witness to what it means not to see.
Permeability of carbon dioxide at elevated pressures in substituted polycarbonates

Hysteretic permeation results for bisphenol A polycarbonate exposed to carbon dioxide conditioning pressures of 300, 600 and 900 psia are reported. Tetramethyl bisphenol A polycarbonate and hexafluorobisphenol A polycarbonate show qualitatively similar a but smaller long-lived hysteretic effects. The percentage increase in permeability following conditioning treatments are discussed in terms of fractional free volume considerations
Raman spectroscopy of disk coatings in a working magnetic disk drive

Abstract Raman spectroscopy is a very sensitive indicator of the structure and history of hard carbon films which have been recently used as wear-resistant coatings in thin film magnetic disk drives. In this first application of Raman spectroscopy to a working disk drive we obtain a sensitivity of 0.5 nm in the thickness of a carbon layer with respect to spatial variations. To within this sensitivity, no wear is detected in the slider track after 43000 start-stop cycles. The effect of laser heating is observed on the carbon overlayer while monitoring the disk temperature through the Raman spectrum.
Sleep in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Meta-Analysis of Subjective and Objective Studies

Abstract Objective To perform a meta-analysis of subjective (i.e., based on questionnaires) and objective (i.e., using poly-somnography or actigraphy) studies comparing sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus controls. Method We searched for subjective and objective sleep studies (1987–2008) in children with ADHD (diagnosed according to standardized criteria). Studies including subjects pharmacologically treated or with comorbid anxiety/depressive disorders were excluded. Results Sixteen studies, providing 9 subjective and 15 objective parameters and including a total pooled sample of 722 children with ADHD versus 638 controls, were retained. With regard to subjective items, the meta-analysis indicated that children with ADHD had significantly higher bedtime resistance ( z = 6.94, p z = 9.38, p z = 2.15, p = .031), difficulties with morning awakenings ( z = 5.19, p z = 2.05, p = .040), and daytime sleepiness ( z = 1.96, p = .050) compared with the controls. As for objective parameters, sleep onset latency (on actigraphy), the number of stage shifts/hour sleep, and the apnea-hypopnea index were significantly higher in the children with ADHD compared with the controls ( z = 3.44, p = .001; z = 2.43, p = .015; z = 3.47, p = .001, respectively). The children with ADHD also had significantly lower sleep efficiency on polysomnography ( z = 2.26, p = .024), true sleep time on actigraphy ( z = 2.85, p = .004), and average times to fall asleep for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test ( z = 6.37, p Conclusions The children with ADHD are significantly more impaired than the controls in most of the subjective and some of the objective sleep measures. These results lay the groundwork for future evidence-based guidelines on the management of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD.
Crisis in computer science education at the precollege level

This paper attempts to focus attention on the problem of providing meaningful and effective educational programs for precollege teachers. Computer science departments caught in their own staffing problems have not given much attention to precollege teacher training in computer science. Elementary and secondary schools are experiencing very little turnover in staff. Even when these schools have an open position, individuals entering the teaching field have little or no training in computer science. Yet the need for precollege teachers with a computer science background exists and is growing larger each year. This paper addresses this crisis in computer science education at the precollege level and proposes an approach which can be implemented easily and effectively.
Combining Gene Expression Profiles and Protein-Protein Interactions for Identifying Functional Modules

Identifying functional modules from protein-protein interaction networks is an important and challenging task. This paper presents a new approach called PPIBM which is designed to integrate gene expression data analysis and clustering of protein-protein interactions. The proposed approach relies on a Bayesian model which uses as its base protein-protein interactions given as part of input. The proposed method is evaluated with standard measures and its performance is compared with the state-of-the-art network analysis methods. Experimental results on both real-world data and synthetic data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Achieving Target Emulsion Drop Size Distributions Using Population Balance Equation Models of High-Pressure Homogenization

Abstract A population balance equation (PBE) model that accounts for drop breakage and coalescence in high pressure homogenization was used for emulsion product design. Six adjustable parameters were estimated by nonlinear optimization from measured drop volume distributions at a specified operating condition. The values of two parameters were estimated at four different homogenization pressures and interpolated to allow improved prediction over a range of pressures. Using two alternative objective functions, the parameterized model was used to determine the pressure of each homogenization pass needed to achieve the target drop size distribution at the final pass. Homogenization experiments performed to validate the model predictions produced measured distributions in very good agreement with two target distributions.
The effects of cooling the area postrema of male rats on conditioned taste aversions induced by LiCl and apomorphine

Although permanent lesion studies have demonstrated that the area postrema (AP), a chemoreceptor trigger zone, is part of the neural mechanism for conditioned taste aversions (CTAs), its exact role remains questionable. It has been suggested that the attenuated acquisition of a CTA after permanent lesions of the AP is the result of an inability to recognize the conditioned taste as novel. The present series of experiments was designed to test the hypothesis that lesions of the AP interfered with LiCl processing and not recognition of taste novelty. This was accomplished by using the reversible lesioning procedure, cooling, only during administration of the illness-inducing agent. In Expt. 1, measurement of thermal lines around the tip of the cold probe in the AP indicated that our cooling procedures allowed the majority of the AP to be cooled to temperatures that suppress neuronal activity and transsynaptic transmission, but not axonal transmission. In Expts. 2 and 3, rats were injected with either LiCl or apomorphine after consumption of a 10% sucrose solution. Cooling of the AP was initiated 5 min before administration of one of the illness-inducing agents and was continued for 55 min after injection. The rats were tested later for acquisition while the neural function of the AP was preserved. Our experimental results demonstrated that cooling the AP could attenuate the CTA induced by LiCl, but had no effect on the CTA induced by apomorphine. Since the AP was functional when the rats encountered the novel sucrose solution both before and after conditioning, but not functional when LiCl was given, these results do not support the recognition of taste novelty hypothesis.
Determination of relative antigen-antibody affinities by reverse quantitative immunoelectrophoresis.

Abstract In reverse quantitative immunoelectrophoresis, rocket-shaped immune precipitates are formed when antibody is electrophoresed into agarose gel containing antigen. Ratios of values of [Δarea/Δantibody] obtained from plots of rocket area versus the amount or concentration of antibody applied to the wells reflect the relative average affinities of different antibody populations for an antigen or of an antibody population for different antigens. The results are the same as those obtained by comparison of values of [Δarea/Δantigen] from quantitative immunoelectrophoresis, the electrophoresis of antigen into agarose gel containing antibody. Thus, both techniques can be used to study antigen-antibody interaction.
Flammability Resistance Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites

Current aerospace and naval applications require blast and flammability resistance characteristics. Materials and formulations with flammability resistance properties are most suitable in these type applications since fire and smoke toxicity are inherently associated with blast situations. In this effort, VAHLUP fabricated epoxy nanocomposites are evaluated and characterized for flammability resistance properties such as effective heat of combustion, ignition time, rate of mass loss, rate of heat release and smoke density. The effects of nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites are also evaluated. Uncoated polyaramid papers (Kevlar, Nomex with heat release rates of 0.18, 0.175 MJ/m2 respectively) exhibit better flammability resistance properties than resin/nanocomposites coated polyaramid papers. VAHLUP fabricated epoxy nanocomposites exhibit better flammability resistance properties than cast epoxy nanocomposites. Kapton, polyimide film with ignition time of 90 seconds+] give the best overall flammability resistance properties. Mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites are enhanced by processing. The preliminary data of the influence of the post-curing protocol tend to suggest the 2.0% nanoclay level as the optimal clay content level with respect to mechanical properties.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A mixed type boundary problem describing the propagation of disturbances in viscous media I. Weak solutions for quasi-linear equations

Abstract The mixed type boundary problem utt = ((aijuxi)xj)t + (bijuxi)xj + (F(x, t, u, ux))t in n-dimensional spaces has been studied. The existence, uniqueness, and stability of the weak solution are discussed for the first boundary value case.
The influence of surface finish and strain hardening on near-surface residual stress and the friction and wear behavior of A2, D2 and CPM-10V tool steels

Abstract The effect of surface finishing method on near-surface residual stress, relative cold work and sliding friction and wear behavior of commercially available air hardening A2, D2, and CPM-10V tool steels was investigated. Microstructural characterization was accomplished using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron and optical microscopy combined with macrohardness measurements. The wear tests were performed using low load-slow speed reciprocating sliding conditions with tool steel flats in unlubricated contact with a 52100 steel spherical slider. The coefficient of friction and mass loss were measured during the course of wear testing and residual stress measurements were made before and after wear testing. Surface grinding and polishing conditions had a significant effect on surface residual stress but had little effect on tool flat sliding wear rates. Residual stress measurements performed after wear testing showed a decrease in compressive residual stresses as wear rate increased. Tool steel wear rates were a linear function of sliding distance except for the initial run-in period. The low wear rates, the run-in friction behavior, and the constancy of near-surface mechanical properties indicate that during run-in surface finish was wear rate controlling and that sample microstructure and composition controlled long-term sliding friction and wear behavior. The low wear rates and the post wear residual stress measurements also indicate that oxidative wear was the primary mechanism responsible for tool flat material attrition. CPM-10V steel flats exhibited the lowest coefficient of friction and the highest resistance to wear which can be attributed to the high volume fraction and homogeneity of V-Cr-C carbides.
Capital, Exploitation and Economic Crisis

With Capital, Exploitation and Economic Crisis, John Weeks presents an updated and extended revision of Capital and Exploitation, originally published in 1981. The current version covers the core t...
Personal Aerosol Sampler Design: A Review

Abstract A variety of personal aerosol samplers are commercially available. Several of these samplers have been used and evaluated by researchers. The literature describing a variety of personal dust samplers was reviewed to indicate sampler problems and potential solutions to these problems. The characteristics of samplers that can affect their accuracy include: adherence to current international conventions for sampling inhalable, thoracic, and respirable dust; construction and assembly; electrostatically induced biases; internal losses; collection medium stability; and sample handling ease before, during, and after collection. Each of these areas was examined and specific recommendations were made. All samplers in current use can be improved, though further research is needed in a number of areas.
An Examination of Three Tests of Visual-Motor Integration

This study examines three tests of visual-motor integration which might be used as predictors of learning disabilities in a kindergarten population: the Bender Gestalt Test, the Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, and the Geometric Design subtest of the WPPSI. Issues discussed include the relative interscorer reliabilities of the three tests, correlations among scores of the three tests, correlations between visual-motor integration scores and IQ, and sex differences in test performance. Suggestions are provided regarding the selection of a test of visual-motor integration for the kindergarten population.
Some effects of a split litter cross foster design applied to 15 day old rat pups

Rat litters were divided and cross fostered on a postnatal Day 15 so that each mother had 4 of her own pups and 4 pups of a second litter, until weaning at 21 days. Daily weight and body temperature measurements made between Day 15 and 21 showed no differences between foster pups and pups who stayed with their biological mothers. However, by the age of 30 days, foster pups weighed less than pups reared by their own (biological) mothers; and foster pups at that age did not survive food deprivation as well as the pups reared by their biological mothers. In their Day 30 weights and the capacity to survive food deprivation, foster pups resembled pups that had been permanently separated from their mothers on postnatal Day 15. We conclude that the split cross foster design may introduce variability rather than reduce it. Nonetheless, this design may be useful in the experimental investigation of maternal behavior and mother-pup interactions in the rat.
Application of appropriatenes criteria to stress single photon emission computed tomography sestamibi studies: A comparison of the 2009 revised appropriateness criteria to the 2005 original criteria

Background The 2005 appropriate use criteria (AUC) for stress single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI) were revised in 2009 to reflect changes in published evidence, clinical practice and experience with application of the 2005 AUC. The purpose of this study was to compare the 2009 AUC for SPECT MPI with the original 2005 criteria. Methods Using the Mayo Rochester Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory database, we retrospectively examined 281 patients who underwent stress SPECT MPI at Mayo Clinic Rochester between May 1, 2005, and May 15, 2005, using the revised 2009 AUC and compared these findings to our previously published results in this same cohort using the 2005 AUC. Results Compared to the 2005 AUC, the 2009 AUC resulted in a highly significant overall change ( P P = .02), increased studies of uncertain appropriateness (16.0% vs 10.7%, P = .01), and increased inappropriate studies (24.2% vs 14.6%, P Conclusions In this cohort of patients undergoing SPECT MPI, compared to our previous study using the original 2005 AUC, the 2009 AUC had a significant impact on the classification of appropriateness. The 2009 AUC eliminated unclassified patients, increased inappropriate studies and increased studies of uncertain appropriateness.
The Topography of Presence: Bonnefoy and the Spatialization of Poetry

Summary Critics have usually read Bonnefoy's poetry as a kind of writing seeking its own annihilation in the face of presence. Using Du mouvement et de l'immobilite de Douve as a laboratory, this paper sets two goals for itself: One, to investigate the theoretical rigor of the critical concepts presupposed by both Bonnefoy himself and his most influential readers. Two, to analyze a typical Bonnefoy poem in the attempt to demonstrate that it in fact doesn't reduce itself in the service of the extra-textual. Du mouvement et de l'immobilite de Douve is an elegant example of the recalcitrance of poetry. It refuses to be subsumed into that version of Hegelian dialectics that most critics of Bonnefoy's work have tended to use, either explicitly or implicitly, as a theoretical infrastructure upon which to situate the poem. Instead, it perforais its resistance to speculative negation by thematizing its own linguistic materiality.
Knowledge, execution, and what sufficiently describes sensors and actuators

To be useful in the real world, robots need to be able to move safely in unstructured environments and achieve their given tasks despite unexpected environmental changes or failures of some of their sensors. The variability of the world makes it impractical to develop very detailed plans of actions before execution since the world might change before execution begins and thus invalidate the plan. We propose to generate the very detailed plan of actions needed to control a robot at execution time. This allows to obtain up-to-date information about the environment through sensors and to use it in deciding how to achieve the task. Our theory is based on the premise that proper application of knowledge in the integration and utilization of sensors and actuators increases the robustness of execution. In our approach we produce the detailed plan of primitive actions and execute it by using an object-oriented approach, in which primitive components contain domain specific knowledge and knowledge about the available sensors and actuators. These primitives perform signal and control processing as well as serve as an interface to high-level planning processes. This paper addresses the issue of what knowledge needs to be available about sensors, actuators and processes in order to be able to integrate their usage, and control them during execution. The proposed methods of execution works for any sensor/actuator existing on the robot when given such knowledge.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of different alleles on CYP2D6 activity

Background Previous studies have evaluated the relationship between CYP2D6 genotype and its metabolic capacity with contradictory results. CYP2D6 activity in intermediate metabolizers appears to be allelic specific. Aims To compare CYP2D6 activity in groups with one or two CYP2D6*1 alleles. Methods Human liver microsomes (HLM) from 46 livers were genotyped for CYP2D6*3, *4, *6 and *8 nonfunctional alleles, and *10 and *17 dysfunctional alleles. Poor metabolizers (n=6) were excluded. CYP2D6 activity was determined using dextromethorphan (DTM) O-demethylation rate. DTM (2, 5, 10 and 15 μM) was incubated with HLM (0.5 mg protein) for 7 min. Dextrorphan formation was measured by HPLC-fluorescence, with codeine as internal standard. Results Twenty-five HLM were classified as extensive metabolizers (EM) and 15 as intermediate metabolizers (IM): *1/*4 (n=7), *1/*8 (n=2), *1/*10 (n=3), *1/*17 (n=2), *4/*17 (n=1). There was an extensive overlap in the activity between genotype groups. Vmax, intrinsic clearance (Clint) and Km in EM were not significantly different from IM. EM had a different Vmax from *1/*4 IM (p<0.05), Vmax and Clint from *1/*10 IM (p<0.05) and Km from *1/*17 IM (p<0.05). IM carrying one nonfunctional allele showed a significant difference in the Km from IM carrying one dysfunctional allele (p<0.01). Conclusions Genotype did not predict CYP2D6 activity. The allele selective effect on CYP2D6 activity among IM may be explained by a difference in the expression and/or affinity of the enzyme. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P25–P25; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.098
Prognostic value of early electrophysiologic studies for ventricular tachycardia recurrence in patients with coronary artery disease treated with amiodarone.

Abstract Amiodarone was used in 86 patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) (67 patients) or ventricular fibrillation (19 patients) secondary to coronary artery disease. The mean ± standard deviation left ventricular ejection fraction was 30 ± 12% (range 8 to 65%). Prior trials with 4 ± 1.2 alternate anti-arrhythmic agents had been unsuccessful. Amiodarone was loaded at dosages of 1,200 to 1,800 mg/ day, with maintenance dosages of 400 to 600 mg/ day. Drug efficacy was evaluated by programmed stimulation at 10 to 14 days in 68 patients. In 38 patients sustained VT or ventricular fibrillation was inducible (group I), whereas 30 patients (group II) had either no inducible VT (8) or had nonsustained VT induced (22). Holter monitoring was used to assess drug efficacy in 18 patients (group III). All patients were evaluated at 3- to 6-month intervals with Holter monitors for efficacy and a standard protocol for toxicity. During a long-term follow-up of 18 ± 16 months, sudden death occurred in 5 patients and nonfatal arrhythmia recurrences were detected in 16. The actuarial probability of freedom from fatal and nonfatal arrhythmia recurrences at 24 months was 0.52 for group I, 0.97 for group II and 0.68 for group III. The mode of induction, rate change or hemodynamic tolerance of the induced ventricular tachycardia did not predict arrhythmia recurrence. Among the clinical variables analyzed, only an ejection fraction of ≤30% was identified as a significant predictor of arrhythmia recurrence. Nonsudden cardiac death occurred in 21 patients, including 19 from heart failure and 2 from myocardial infarction. Noncardiac death occurred in 7 patients. The overall incidence of side effects was 65% (severe toxicity requiring drug discontinuation occurred in 10% and moderate toxicity requiring drug suspension or dosage reduction in 38%). Thus, in patients receiving amiodarone for drug-refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias, early electrophysiologic studies have prognostic value. Fewer arrhythmia recurrences were observed in patients who had no inducible VT or had nonsustained VT induced, as compared with those with inducible sustained VT. Total mortality in patients administered amiodarone was high. Most deaths were from heart failure. Toxicity from amiodarone requiring drug discontinuation, suspension or dosage reduction was common.
Identification of Binding Sites for Bepridil and Trifluoperazine on Cardiac Troponin C

Abstract The solution structure of cardiac troponin C (cTnC) (Sia, S., Li, M. X., Spyracopoulos, L., Gagne, S. M., Liu, W., Putkey, J. A. & Sykes, B. D. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 18216–18221) challenges existing structure/function models for this critical regulatory protein. For example, it is clear that the closed conformation of the regulatory N-terminal domain in Ca2+-bound cardiac troponin C (cTnC) presents a much different binding surface for Ca2+-sensitizing compounds than previously thought. We report here the use of Met methyl groups as site-specific structural markers to identify drug binding sites for trifluoperazine and bepridil on cTnC. Drug dependent changes in the NMR heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectra of [methyl-13C]Met-labeled cTnC indicate that bepridil and trifluoperazine bind to similar sites but only in the presence of Ca2+. There are 3–4 drug binding sites in the N- and C-terminal domains of intact cTnC that exhibit fast exchange on the NMR time scale. Use of a novel spin-labeled phenothiazine and detection of isotope-filtered nuclear Overhauser effects allowed identification of drug binding sites in the shallow hydrophobic cup in the C-terminal domain and on two hydrophobic surfaces on the N-terminal regulatory domain. The data presented here, coupled with our previous study using covalent blocking groups, support a model in which the Ca2+-sensitizing binding site includes Met-45 in helix B of site I, and Met-60 and -80 in helices B and C of the regulatory site II. This subregion in cTnC makes a likely target against which to design new and selective Ca2+-sensitizing compounds.
Children's dreams viewed through the prism of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

During a regular free writing time in class, children in Kindergarten through sixth grade in various areas of the city were given the writing prompt, ‘My dreams for the world’. Writing samples were collected from an elementary school in an affluent area of the city, an elementary and a middle school in a low socio-economic area, and an elementary school located on an Air Force base. Writings were analysed using an expanded version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and rated on a scale according to the content. This was done individually by two of the researchers and then discussed for final agreement on rating. The samples were coded for age/grade level, gender, and school. A ‘Maslow Average’ was calculated for each writing sample, along with a ‘Maslow Highest’. The hypotheses tested were that Maslow score and Maslow highest were influenced by gender, income, ethnicity, and grade.
A reference model for manufacturing enterprise system by using object modelling technology (OMT) method

Business process models are often useful to both information system and management in manufacturing enterprises. Many models are proposed to describe activities in manufacturing operations. Some of them describe manufacturing activity models in CIM system architecture[1-5]. These models combine business process models with information system infrastructure, and represents business activities in hierarchical function-oriented modeling approaches.Recently, the benefits of object-oriented (OO) modeling technologies are often discussed to information/operations management. Many OO models are proposed for manufacturing enterprise information systems. Majority of them are product models for concurrent engineering focused on CAD/CAM system [6,7], or operations models of real time shop-floor control and scheduling systems [8-10]. There are also modeling researches focused on Production Planning and Control (PPC) applications considering resource management in factory. These works propose OO manufacturing enterprise models [11], or BOM data model[12]. These are challenging works, but they do not include various factory management operations such as planning, ordering, logistics, administrations, maintenance, customer service, and others. Implementation of manufacturing enterprise information models requires modeling of the business operations in factory management. SEMATECH model is a good example such as the above approach, but, its business domain is focus on semiconductor manufacturing system[13]A modeling strategy is required to implement a general factory business process model. This paper describes a generic modeling strategy and a methodology through an implementation of a novel OO business process model.
Growth and novel properties of magnetic heterostructures by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract Diluted magnetic semiconductor Cd1−xMnxTe-Cd1−yMnyTe heterostructures of various layer thickness, where 0 ≤ x, y ≤ 0.4, were grown by molecular beam epitaxy for optical and magnetic studies of reduced-dimensional systems. X-ray diffraction patterns, low-temperature photoluminescence spectra (PL), and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements were used to verify the integrity of these structures. The carrier quantization in the quantum wells were revealed by the magnetic response in a magneto-optic microsusceptometer as well as by the results of PL measurement. These SLs were used to study the dimensional cross-over of the spin-glass phase. In addition, a magnetic-field-induced transition from type I to type II superlattice was observed.
Metal-coated nanoscale TiO2 catalysts for enhanced CO2 photoreduction

Nanoscale TiO2 particles embedded in the hydrophilic cavities of Nafion membrane films were coated with silver for significantly improved photoconversion of CO2. The primary product from the photocatalytic reduction became methanol, with the overall conversion efficiency higher than that without the silver coating. These catalytic films are also stable chemically and photochemically, reusable in repeated reactions. The results from the characterization of the nanoparticles and the use of films with different silver loadings are presented and discussed.
Influence of Size-Selective Mortality on Growth of Gulf Menhaden and King Mackerel Larvae

Abstract Gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus and king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla represent two widely different larval life history strategies: feeding on large and small prey, respectively. We back-calculated lengths at age for wild and laboratory-reared larvae of gulf menhaden and wild king mackerel using direct proportion procedures then constructed matrices of observed age (rows) by increment number (columns) for mean back-calculated lengths at age. The coefficient of variation (100±SD/mean) in length at age was greater for observed than for back-calculated length at age for both wild and laboratory-reared gulf menhaden and for king mackerel. Columns in the length-at-age matrix of wild gulf menhaden showed significant trends of increasing back-calculated length at age for older larvae, but the matrix for laboratory-reared fish did not. We suggest that size-selective mortality—the culling of slower-growing larvae—was the cause of the different error structures of observed and back-calculated lengths ...
Reduced communication between frontal and temporal lobes during talking in schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Communication between the frontal lobes, where speech and verbal thoughts are generated, and the temporal lobes, where they are perceived, may occur through the action of a corollary discharge. Its dysfunction may underlie failure to recognize inner speech as self-generated and account for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Methods: Electroencephalogram was recorded from 10 healthy adults and 12 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV) in two conditions: talking aloud and listening to their own played-back speech. Event-related electroencephalogram coherence to acoustic stimuli presented during both conditions was calculated between frontal and temporal pairs, for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. Results: Talking produced greater coherence than listening between frontal-temporal regions in all frequency bands; however, in the lower frequencies (delta and theta), there were significant interactions of group and condition. This finding revealed that patients failed to show an increase in coherence during talking, especially over the speech production and speech reception areas of the left hemisphere, and especially in patients prone to hallucinate. Conclusions: Reduced fronto-temporal functional connectivity may contribute to the misattribution of inner thoughts to external voices in schizophrenia.