cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-objective optimization and scenario-based robustness analysis of the MoneyMaker Hip Pump

Abstract Water-lifting technologies for irrigation have significant potential to increase agricultural yields and stimulate economic growth in rural areas of the developing world. Human-powered water pumps have been used with great success in this rapidly developing market. KickStart's MoneyMaker Hip Pump is a human-powered water pump with additional design features that make it lightweight and portable for use in remote fields in several countries throughout Africa. This work first applied numerical optimization techniques to the design of the MoneyMaker Hip Pump and offers further improvements to its design. Deterministic multi-objective optimization methods were employed to maximize the flow rate of the pump, maximize the pumping height of water, and minimize cost. Following optimization, the robustness of the optimized pump design was analyzed under several modified scenarios, including fouling of the hoses and a decrease in operator power due to fatigue or aging. The set of cost-optimized pump designs was then compared to a second set of optimal designs that was found using material volume as a simplified proxy for the cost objective function. Findings indicate that several technical improvements can be made to the current MoneyMaker Hip Pump design to reduce cost by up to 37% without affecting water flow rate, or increase water flow rate by up to 88% without increasing cost. The numerical model was validated through physical experimentation of the MoneyMaker Hip Pump, and design alterations to reduce cost were experimentally shown to maintain pump performance.
Designing for human-machine collaboration: smart hearing aids as wearable technologies

This study examines design aspects that shape human/machine collaboration between wearers of smart hearing aids and their networked aids. The Starkey Halo hearing aid and the TruLink iPhone app that facilitates real-time adjustments by the wearer offer a case study in designing for this sort of collaboration and for the wearer's rhetorical management of disability disclosure in social contexts. Through close textual analysis of the company's promotional materials for patient and professional audiences as well as interface analysis and autoethnography, I examine the ways that close integration between the wearer, onboard algorithms and hardware, and geolocative telemetry shape everyday interactions in multiple hearing situations. Reliance on ubiquitous, familiar hardware such as smart phones and intuitive interface design can drive patient comfort and adoption rates of these complex technologies that influence cognitive health, social connectedness, and crucial information access.
Estimation of adaptive ventilation success and failure using polysomnogram and outpatient therapy biomarkers

Study objectives Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) devices provide anticyclic pressure support for the treatment of central and/or complex sleep apnea, including heart failure patients. Variability in responses in the clinic and negative clinical trials motivated assessment of standard and novel signal biomarkers for ASV efficacy. Methods Multiple clinical databases were queried to assess potential signal biomarkers of ASV effectiveness, including the following: (1) attended laboratory adaptive ventilation titrations: 108, of which 66 had mainstream ETCO2 measurements; (2) AirView data in 98 participants, (3) complete data, from diagnostic polysomnogram (PSG) through review and prospective analysis of on-therapy data using SleepyHead freeware in 44 participants; and (4) hemodynamic data in the form of beat-to-beat blood pressure during ASV titration, using a Finometer in five participants. Results Signal biomarkers of reduced ASV efficacy were noted as follows: (1) an arousal index which markedly exceeded the respiratory event index during positive pressure titration; (2) persistent pressure cycling during long-term ASV therapy, visible in online review systems or reviewing data using freeware; (3) the ASV-associated pressure cycling induced arousals, sleep fragmentation, and blood pressure surges; and (4) elevated ratios of 95th percentile to median tidal volume, minute ventilation, and respiratory rate were associated with pressure cycling. High intraclass coefficients (>0.8) for machine apnea-hypopnea index and other extractable metrics were consistent with stability of patterns over multiple nights of use. Global clinical outcomes correlated negatively with pressure cycling. Conclusions Potential polysomnographic- and device-related signal biomarkers of ASV efficacy are described and may allow improved estimation of therapeutic effectiveness of adaptive ventilation.
Retrieval practice in the form of online homework improved information retention more when spaced 5 days rather than 1 day after class in two physiology courses

Studies have shown that practicing temporally spaced retrieval of previously learned information via formal assessments increases student retention of the information. Our objective was to determin...
Retinal Metastatic Tumors

Intraocular metastasis is the most common intraocular tumor. The most common primary tumor site is the lung in men and breast in women [1]. In the majority of cases, intraocular metastasis is limited to choroid. Other ocular structures, like the vitreous, optic nerve, and iris, may also be involved and rarely, a tumor may metastasize to the retina.
Women and Ischemic Heart Disease: Paradox and Pathophysiology

In the U.S., more than a quarter of a million women die each year from ischemic heart disease (IHD), and current projections indicate that this will increase with our aging population and epidemics of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. Notably, IHD is the leading killer of women at
Diffusion of Nanotechnology and the External Environment

The interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology is a given, i.e., the principles of this technology finds its application in a variety of different sectors. Hence, its success in terms of enabling economic growth is largely dependent as to whether such collaboration at the research and development stages is promoted effectively. In fact, the celebrated multiplier effect of this technology requires collaboration without which the impact of nanotechnology would stand as irrelevant to the economic environment it is brought in.
Reversed in-plane cyclic behavior of post-tensioned clay brick masonry walls for high performance modular housing

Publisher Summary The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) program represents a partnership between industry, government, and researchers aimed to reduce risk of life, injury, and property destruction from natural hazards by at least 10% and reduce residential construction work illness and injuries by at least 20%, and improve durability and reduce maintenance costs by 50%. This chapter investigates the behavior of pre-stressed clay masonry walls that will then lead into a new modular housing technique, which will advance the goals of the PATH program. The pre-stress force for the walls was determined using a displacement-based design approach. It was stipulated that the prestress force in the walls should provide sufficient moment capacity to limit the wall drift ratio to 2% under the design level earthquake. It was determined that walls with unbonded tendons performed best in terms of strength, deformation capacity, and strength degradation. Application of galvanized steel confinement plates results in a marked effect on wall deformation capacity due to the ability of the plates to confine the compression toe region and stabilize the diagonal compression strut required for the wall rocking mechanism to develop.
The Long-Run Impacts of Financial Aid: Evidence from California's Cal Grant

We examine the long-term impacts of California's state-based financial aid by tracking educational and labor force outcomes for up to 14 years after high school graduation. We identify program impacts by exploiting variation in eligibility rules using GPA and family income cutoffs that are ex ante unknown to applicants. Aid eligibility increases undergraduate and graduate degree completion, and for some subgroups, raises longer-run annual earnings and the likelihood that young adults reside in California. These findings suggest that the net cost of financial aid programs may frequently be overstated, though our results are too imprecise to provide exact cost-benefit estimates.
Incidence and clinical pattern of immune related adverse effects (irAE) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

e14151Background: ICIs have revolutionized outcomes in many advanced malignancies, however their use is associated with irAEs. Methods: An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review was done using th...
Feasibility and validity of birth certificate control selection for studies of pediatric cancer: The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) experience.

5359 Random digit dialing (RDD) has served for decades as the control selection method of choice but, due to social and technological change, is becoming increasingly unfeasible. Thus the COG Epidemiology Committee is actively seeking strategies alternative to RDD for case-control studies of pediatric cancers. United States (US) birth registries are an appealing source of young control children since they are population-based, provide demographic and pregnancy data for comparison of responders to the study base, and are able to match on birth characteristics. Not all registries can participate in epidemiological studies, however, and cases born in such states should technically be excluded. In studies of rare pediatric cancers, for which cases must be recruited nationwide, this could result in the exclusion of an unacceptable number of subjects. If participating states are representative of the US then a relaxation of orthodoxy may be warranted. The purpose of this report is 1) to describe the ability of US birth registries to release information sufficient to locate and contact control subjects and 2) to determine if participating states adequately represent the US as a whole with respect to characteristics reported in the US Census 2004 American Household Survey. We contacted 52 US birth registries (50 states plus the District of Columbia and New York City) between 12/2004 and 6/2005 to obtain rosters of controls subjects for COG case-control studies of hepatoblastoma and infant leukemia. Thirty-two states (n = 32), in which 79.9% of children 0-5 years of age reside, approved the recruitment of controls through their birth registries. Reasons for nonparticipation of the remaining birth registries were statute (n = 8), departmental policy (n = 4), lack of resources (n = 4), and nonresponse (n = 4). We calculated mean values of selected Census characteristics of participating states, weighted for population 0-5 years of age, and compared them to US values using the one-sample t-test. Participating states did not differ significantly from the US as whole with respect to the mean percentage (% age) of white residents (75.7 vs. 75.6; p = 0.97), mean % age of black residents (11.7 vs. 12.2; p = 0.69), mean % age of children living below the poverty level (18.5 vs. 18.4; p = 0.91), mean % age of adults with at least a high school education (83.4 vs. 83.9; p = 0.48), and median household income ($45,510 vs. $44,684; p = 0.46). Mean number of people per square mile differed significantly (226 vs. 79.6; p = 0.001) due to the nonparticipation of several sparsely populated states. We conclude that is possible to select controls through a preponderance of state birth registries, which account for a large majority of young children and which adequately represent the characteristics of the US as a whole. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01CA111355 and R01CA079940.
Evaluation and Imaging of Lacrimal Drainage Disorders

The lacrimal drainage system is a mucous membrane-lined duct whose function results from the interplay of anatomy and physiology. The presence of epiphora depends on the balance between tear production and tear drainage, not the absolute status of either. No single evaluation test will localize the anatomic site of blockage or the physiologic basis for the imbalance between tear production and tear drainage. A detailed combination of external examination and one or more clinical tests will usually uncover the correct etiology of drainage dysfunction. In some difficult cases, imaging techniques will enhance the reliability of the diagnosis and permit an appropriate management strategy. The most common clinical tests include the dye disappearance test, the Schirmer test, and the Jones I and II tests. The most useful imaging techniques are dacryocystography, dacryoscintigraphy, CT and MRI scans, and ultrasonography.
Predicting Crystallization Tendency of Polymers Using Multifidelity Information Fusion and Machine Learning

The degree of crystallinity of a polymer is a critical parameter that controls a variety of polymer properties. A high degree of crystallinity is associated with excellent mechanical properties crucial for high-performing applications like composites. Low crystallinity promotes ion and gas mobility critical for battery and membrane applications. Experimental determination of the crystallinity for new polymers is time and cost intensive. A data-driven machine learning-based method capable of rapidly predicting the crystallinity could counter these disadvantages and be used to screen polymers for a myriad of applications in a fast, inexpensive fashion. In this work, we developed the first-of-its-kind, data-driven machine learning model to predict the most-likely polymer crystallinity trained on experimental data and theoretical group contribution methods. Since polymer data under consistent processing conditions are unavailable, we tackled process variability by using the "most-likely" polymer values which we refer to as the polymer's tendency to crystallize. Experimental data for polymers' tendency to crystallize is limited by number and diversity, and to tackle this, we augmented experimentation-based data with data using group contribution methods. Therefore, this work utilized two data sets, viz., a high-fidelity, experimental data set for 107 polymers and a more diverse, less accurate low-fidelity data set for 429 polymers which used group contribution methods. We used a multifidelity information fusion strategy to utilize all the information captured in the low-fidelity data set while still predicting at the high-fidelity accuracy. Although this model inherently assumed "typical" processing conditions and estimated the "most-likely" percent crystallinity value, it can help in the estimation of a polymer's tendency to crystallize in a far more cost-effective and efficient manner.
Biding time versus timely retreat: Asymmetric dependence, issue salience, and conflict duration:

Trade-conflict studies focus on whether and how economic interdependence suppresses interstate conflict initiation. Meanwhile, formal theories of war show that conflict initiation is inherently tie...
Pulmonary Blastomycosis: Pediatric Cases Emphasizing Prompt Identification Using C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin to Distinguish Fungal vs Bacterial Origin.

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary blastomycosis is a rare fungal disease with increased prevalence in states such as Wisconsin. Clinical manifestations of blastomycosis may vary from asymptomatic infection to multiorgan, disseminated disease. CASE PRESENTATION We present 2 pediatric patients with blastomycosis who were initially worked up secondary to cough and fever of suspected bacterial origin, though whose subsequent hospital course was notable for deterioration until antifungal treatment was initiated. DISCUSSION In each case, the disease burden was monitored concurrently with serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels, the former of which remained relatively normal throughout the hospital course signifying lack of bacterial involvement. CONCLUSION We emphasize the importance of obtaining an early C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, which may distinguish a bacterial from fungal pulmonary infection such as blastomycosis. This, in turn, may shorten hospital stay and reduce hospital inpatient cost, morbidity, and mortality by means of prompt antifungal intervention.
Enterprise Risks, Rewards, and Regulation

Risk management is critical to the success of contemporary firms and while new technologies present opportunities for innovation and growth, they present new risks. Risk management of information systems and technology (IS/IT) is particularly critical because firms in almost all sectors of the economy are so dependent on it. We explore firms' response to IS/IT risk management by analyzing their SEC-mandated regulation S-K risk disclosures. We find a lower than expected incidence of risk disclosures related to IS/IT and surmise that this result may be symptomatic of tension between firms' need to comply and their need to appear to comply with the regulation, while at the same time presenting data that are valid, but which do not jeopardize potential investment. We explore three propositions related to IS/IT risk disclosures and discuss implications for research and practice.
Preparation of E. coli RNA polymerase transcription elongation complexes by selective photoelution from magnetic beads.

In vitro studies of transcription frequently require the preparation of defined elongation complexes. Defined transcription elongation complexes (TECs) are typically prepared by constructing an artificial transcription bubble from synthetic oligonucleotides and RNA polymerase. This approach is optimal for diverse applications but is sensitive to nucleic acid length and sequence and is not compatible with systems where promoter-directed initiation or extensive transcription elongation is crucial. To complement scaffold-directed approaches for TEC assembly, I have developed a method for preparing promoter-initiated Escherichia coli TECs using a purification strategy called selective photoelution. This approach combines TEC-dependent sequestration of a biotin–triethylene glycol transcription stall site with photoreversible DNA immobilization to enrich TECs from an in vitro transcription reaction. I show that selective photoelution can be used to purify TECs that contain a 273-bp DNA template and 194-nt structured RNA. Selective photoelution is a straightforward and robust procedure that, in the systems assessed here, generates precisely positioned TECs with >95% purity and >30% yield. TECs prepared by selective photoelution can contain complex nucleic acid sequences and will therefore likely be useful for investigating RNA structure and function in the context of RNA polymerases.
Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways - Proposed Rule; Notice of Proposed Amendments to National Standards for Traffic Control Devices: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets And Highways; Revision Docket Id: Fhwa-2020-0001 Regulation Identifier Number (Rin) 2125-Af85

This comment was submitted in response to a Notice of Proposed Amendments to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD establishes national standards for certain aspects of road design and transportation policy. Our comment calls upon the MUTCD's owner, the Federal Highway Administration, to scrap the current review process and conduct a full rewrite of the MUTCD. We also call upon the FHWA to exercise its authority under the Administrative Procedure Act to issue an emergency rule withdrawing a method it sanctions for modifying speed limits, the 85th Percentile Method.
How does teacher bias influence students?: An introduction to the special issue on teachers’ implicit attitudes, instructional practices, and student outcomes

Abstract Implicit bias, unconscious beliefs based upon stereotypes and prejudices, has emerged as a useful way to understand and explain issues of discrimination, particularly involving race. The influence of implicit bias has been explored in various academic disciplines and numerous contexts, including education. Despite the burgeoning research literature, there is limited research on the role implicit bias plays within the classroom. The goal of this special issue is to broaden and challenge the current thinking on teacher implicit bias and attitudes as well as their influence on students.
Processing, Assembly, and Ligand Binding of the Mouse Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptor Subunits in Stably Transfected Fibroblasts

In 1981 Sumikawa and his colleagues showed that messenger RNA isolated from Torpedo and injected into Xenopus oocytes produced an assembled form of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) within the injected oocyte. This system elegantly demonstrated that all the machinery for the biogenesis of the AChR, from message to assembled protein, was common among diverse species, and most probably common among tissues. Since then, the oocyte injection technique has been utilized to explore the properties of AChR subunit combinations (Kurolaki et al., 1987) as well as functional regions of the α subunit via site directed mutagenesis (Mishina et al., 1985). There are, however, disadvantages of this technique due to working with one large cell as opposed to a cell population: oocytes must be injected before every experiment, the long incubation times before receptor is expressed make pulse-chase experiments difficult, and finally, detailed binding and biochemical studies of the receptor are impractical because of the inadequate amount of protein produced. Transfection of eukaryotic cells is an alternative expression system that has recently been utilized to express functional AChR on the surface of mouse fibroblasts (Claudio et al., 1987). Because eukaryotic cells can be stably transfected with expression vectors then grown from clones to populations of cells, many of the disadvantages of the oocyte injection system are avoided. We therefore have chosen to use a eukaryotic expression system to study the processing of the α subunit and assembly of combinations of subunits of the mouse nicotinic AChR.
IS IPO THE DEATH OF INNOVATION

This study examines whether changes made in the composition of the board of directors at the time of a firm’s initial public offering are related to changes in the firm’s innovation activity. The dependent variable is the change in R&D intensity from the pre-IPO period to the post-IPO period. Using a sample of 93 biotechnology or semiconductor firms with an IPO during the years 1996 – 2005, we find that changes in R&D intensity are negatively related to changes in (a) board size, (b) the percentage of members who are venture capitalists, and (c) the percentage of members with a science education and positively related to the change in age diversity.
Finding and Counting MSTD Sets

We review the basic theory of more sums than differences (MSTD) sets, specifically their existence, simple constructions of infinite families, the proof that a positive percentage of sets under the uniform binomial model are MSTD but not if the probability that each element is chosen tends to zero, and “explicit” constructions of large families of MSTD sets. We conclude with some new constructions and results of generalized MSTD sets, including among other items results on a positive percentage of sets having a given linear combination greater than another linear combination, and a proof that a positive percentage of sets are k-generational sum-dominant (meaning A, A + A, \(\ldots\), \(kA = A + \cdots + A\) are each sum-dominant).
Multiple mutating masculinities: Of maps and men

Abstract:Masculinity studies recognizes that masculinity is culturally variable, historically specific, multidimensional, and multiple. This mutability is reflected in concepts like hegemonic masculinity, hybrid masculinity, mosaic masculinities, personalized masculinities, sensual masculinity, and inclusive masculinity. Building on this idea of mutating masculinity, this paper addresses a theoretical problem acknowledged by many scholars: how to account for both the singular intimacy of lived experience and the commonality of shared social norms. In order to build a mutable model that encompasses both experience and norms the paper borrows from Felix Guattari's technique of schizoanalytic cartography, which maps assemblages. This new approach to theorizing masculinity is illustrated by diagrams which map its institutional, discursive, cultural, existential, bodily, and biological aspects.
Comparing the real-time performance of Windows NT to an NT real-time extension

Because of the dominance of Microsoft(R) Windows(R) in the PC market there is a strong interest in using Windows NT(R) as a platform for real-time process and control systems. This type of solution is very cost effective because applications and development tools are widely available. However, Windows NT was designed as a general purpose operating system and optimizes average not worst case performance. We investigate two methods to bring real-time process and control systems to NT based platforms. We first evaluate NT as-is, using a series of real-time benchmarks, and show that NT use in real-time systems is limited to soft real-time systems where there is low system load. The second approach for developing NT based real-time systems is to add a real-time extension to NT. We evaluate one such product, INtime(R) from RadiSys and conclude that, even under a heavy system load hard real-time determinism is possible.
Dying to Watch

Research has shown that thoughts about death influence sexual cognitions and some media choices. The present study tested the hypothesis that thoughts about death may affect individuals’ tendency t...
Gene therapy: What have we accomplished and where do we go from here?

As a potential treatment for arthritis, gene transfer should be viewed within the context of biological therapy. Its particular strengths include the ability to deliver therapeutic gene products, both RNA and protein, to specific cells or tissues in a targeted, sustained, and potentially regulated, cost-effective fashion. An expanded definition of gene therapy includes the delivery of noncoding nucleotide sequences that act, for example, as decoy molecules. Considerable experimental progress has been made in the preclinical development of gene therapies for arthritis. Indeed, there is overwhelming proof of principle in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and accumulating evidence of efficacy in animal models of osteoarthritis (OA). Early-phase human clinical trials have been successfully conducted and others are in progress. Additional research is necessary to optimize gene transfer technologies and achieve regulated transgene expression. However, the most urgent need is for interventional studies in human disease and the funding with which to implement them.
Continuous peripheral nerve blocks

Sophisticated regional anesthesia techniques have experienced substantial growth throughout the past 5 years for acute and chronic pain management. The recognition that regional anesthesia leads to superior postoperative outcomes in acute pain management and to an increased understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic pain has led to increased use of continuous peripheral nerve catheters. Furthermore, the availability of new equipment and techniques specifically designed to facilitate effective catheter placement has increased interest and adoption of peripheral nerve catheters to manage painful conditions. This has become particularly relevant as the scope of ambulatory surgery continues to grow. To maximize success rates with continuous peripheral nerve catheters, clinicians must be intimately aware of the pertinent regional anatomy and technical issues surrounding placement and maintenance of continuous nerve blockade. The recent development of outpatient infusion systems and novel anesthetics has been exciting and is likely to lead to an increase in the use of continuous peripheral catheter techniques. The consistent recognition that these techniques dramatically increase patient satisfaction should dictate an increasing presence in the field of pain management throughout the next several years.
An improved synthesis of malonyl-coenzyme A

A method for the synthesis of [14C]malonyl-Coenzyme A starting with 10 mumol of [14C]malonate is reported. The synthesis is accomplished with yields of 48 +/- 4% (1 sigma, n = 6) using a procedure which does not require the isolation or purification of any intermediates.
Depth Adjacency and Induced Motion

Induced motion was investigated as a function of the stereoscopic separation of the test and inducing object and the instructions to attend to or to ignore the inducing object. It was found that stereoscopically displacing the test object from the inducing object with both kinds of instructions resulted in a decrease in the magnitude of induction particularly with crossed disparity. These results are consistent with the adjacency principle and with the ability of attention as well as adjacency to modify the magnitude of the induced motion.
Recent Innovations In CID Cameras

Since the introduction of the CID (Charge Injection Device) sensor by General Electric, there has been steady progress in reducing noise and artifacts as well as improvements in effective video bandwidth. New sensor technology, coupled with camera design techniques which use the advantages of the CID structure, have substantially reduced noise and made possible increased video bandwidth. Cameras with no apparent fixed pattern noise (spatial noise) have been demonstrated -without requiring specially selected sensors. Also, random ("white" or temporal) noise has been reduced to about .1% of saturation current (at a bandwidth of 4.2 MHz). Additionally, a technique has been demonstrated which extends camera bandwidth to 4.2 MHz (± 1 dB) with current technology sensors.
Wafer scale integration: a university perspective

This paper presents the Wafer Scale Integration research underway at our university. Specifically, we focus here on theApplications, Architectures, Design, and Test areas. Discussed are the philosophy of such an--admittedly aggressive--effort, the evolving infrastructure for the project, the application-driven architectures developed, and the design and test methodology. The first WSI design is a fully parallel FFT wafer, with application to a high-performance, high-speed CW jamming canceller. Other wafer level designs include an L-U decomposition array, using a newly-developed reciprocal cell, and a multipurpose PE array. The transition from basic tools, such as MAGIC, to commercial tools such as CADENCE, and the importance of a high level description language, VHDL, for modeling and simulation is emphasized. The discipline of reconfiguration, and the associated yield models, incorporating a harvesting factor, are also an integral part of the on-going project. Although, the first wafer will be reconfigured usingLaser linking and Cutting on the in-house laser table, alternative recon-figuration approaches for the other wafer designs are also being considered.
Dead Wrong?: Battle Deaths, Military Medicine, and Exaggerated Reports of War's Demise

Is war in decline? Recent scholarship suggests that it is. The empirical basis for this argument is a decline in battle deaths over the past several centuries, a standard metric for counting wars and armed conflicts. Dramatic improvements in medical care in conflict zones—in preventive medicine, battlefield medicine, evacuation, and protective equipment—have raised the likelihood of surviving battle wounds today compared with past eras. Thus the fact that war has become less fatal does not necessarily mean that it has become less frequent. Original data on wounded-to-killed ratios, supplemented by medical research and interviews with physicians from the military and nongovernmental communities, is used to advance this claim. The results show that the decline in war is likely not as dramatic as some scholars have argued. These findings question the foundation of existing datasets on war and armed conflict. They also highlight the growing need for policy focused on the battle wounded.
Whole Muscle Length-Tension Relationships are Accurately Modeled as Scaled Sarcomeres in Rabbit Hindlimb Muscles

An a priori model of the whole active muscle length-tension relationship was constructed utilizing only myofilament length and serial sarcomere number for rabbit tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and extensor digitorum II (EDII) muscles. Passive tension was modeled with a two-element Hill-type model. Experimental length-tension relations were then measured for each of these muscles and compared to predictions. The model was able to accurately capture the active-tension characteristics of experimentally-measured data for all muscles (ICC=0.88 ± 0.03). Despite their varied architecture, no differences in predicted versus experimental correlations were observed among muscles. In addition, the model demonstrated that excursion, quantified by full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the active length-tension relationship, scaled linearly (slope=0.68) with normalized muscle fiber length. Experimental and theoretical FWHM values agreed well with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99 (p<0.001). In contrast to active tension, the passive tension model deviated from experimentally-measured values and thus, was not an accurate predictor of passive tension (ICC=0.70 ± 0.07). These data demonstrate that modeling muscle as a scaled sarcomere provides accurate active functional but not passive functional predictions for rabbit TA, EDL, and EDII muscles and call into question the need for more complex modeling assumptions often proposed.
Odor sensitivity is impaired in HIV-positive cognitively impaired patients

Abstract An estimated 7–28% of patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) develop dementia and at least 50% develop mild neurocognitive impairment. Past studies have shown odor identification impairments in HIV + neurocognitively impaired patients. It is difficult, however, based on an odor identification test to state with certainty that individuals with cognitive impairment have sensory olfactory deficits, because odor identification tests are known to draw upon cognitive skills. In the present study odor detection sensitivity was evaluated using an ascending, forced-choice, two-alternative, odor threshold test for butanol. Subjects were divided into three groups, HIV seropositive (HIV +) neurocognitively impaired, HIV + neurocognitively unimpaired, and HIV negative, based on neurological and psychological testing. An analysis of variance revealed significantly poorer odor sensitivity for the HIV + neurocognitively impaired group than for the two control groups. A significant negative correlation between degree of cognitive impairment and olfactory sensitivity was also found. We suspect that the olfactory deficits found in the HIV + neurocognitively impaired subjects are primarily due to damage to the central nervous system; however, nasal infection may be a contributing etiology.
Interfacial particle bonding via an ultrathin polymer film on Al2O3 nanoparticles by plasma polymerization

To study interfacial particle-to-particle bonding mechanisms, an ultrathin film of pyrrole was deposited on alumina nanoparticles using a plasma polymerization treatment. High resolution transmission electron microscopy experiments showed that an extremely thin film of the pyrrole layer (2 nm) was uniformly deposited on the surfaces of the nanoparticles. In particular, the particles of all sizes (10-150 nm) exhibited equally uniform ultrathin films indicating well-dispersed nanoparticles in the fluidized bed during the plasma treatment. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy experiments confirmed the nano-surface deposition of the pyrrole films on the nanoparticles. The pyrrole-coated nanoparticles were consolidated at a temperature range (approximately 250 °C) much lower than the conventional sintering temperature. The density of consolidated bulk alumina has reached about 95% of the theoretical density of alumina with only a few percent of polymer in the matrix. After low-temperature consolidation, the micro-hardness test was performed on the bulk samples to study the strength that was related to particle-particle adhesion. The underlying adhesion mechanism for bonding of the nanoparticles is discussed.
A new approach for noninvasive skin blood imaging in microcirculation

A new noninvasive method is proposed for optically imaging blood under skin. A mini-mirror is used to guide the light incident onto the skin surface, while blocking specularly reflected light from the tissue. Moreover, by using two linear polarizers at right angles, the specular reflection can be reduced further, while also blocking the rough surface scattered light. A circular polarizer may be used to obtain the same effect. As a result, the blood flow beneath the surface of skin can be visualized clearly. The effect of the mini-mirror is also analyzed theoretically and experimentally.
Effect of the effective resist diffusion length to the photolithography at 65- and 45-nm nodes: a study with simple and accurate analytical equations

As the current photolithography moves toward the 65 and 45 nm nodes, resist blur, which is now around 50 to 90 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM), starts to limit the printability of narrow pitches by lowering image contrast, increasing mask error factor (MEF), and changing critical dimension (CD) through pitch behavior. Since such resist blur is known to originate from acid and base diffusion, which is an important process for chemical amplification, the reduction of such blur may affect the resist performance. Therefore, knowing how much diffusion can be tolerated at any given lithographic condition is critical to the success of photolithography at the 65 and 45 nm nodes. In this paper, we present a systematic study of the effect of the resist diffusion with a series of simple and accurate analytic equations and experimental data for the 193 nm lithography. We also extend our predictions to the 193 nm immersion lithography. We first show a simple way to accurately measure the effective resist diffusion length through the regular wafer exposure method for many typical resists. We then show a method to accurately quantify the contrast reduction due to such resist diffusion for both alternating phase shifting masks (Alt-PSM) and attenuated phase shifting masks (Att-PSM). We conclude that the contrast reduction is very significant with typical 193 nm resists, which have diffusion lengths of around 30 to 40 nm. In the study, we found that the mask error factor (MEF), though dependent on the illumination condition, is a strong function of the resist diffusion length at any given illumination condition. For example, in the alt-PSM case, the MEF is almost entirely determined by the resist diffusion. In the att-PSM case, however, the MEF is only partially dependent on the resist diffusion length, about 50%. In fact, a short diffusion length of less than 20 nm will be required to extend its litho-worthiness to the 45 nm node with contrast levels comparable to the current ones. Plots of the contrast and MEF through pitch for both alt-PSM and att-PSM for various diffusion lengths under typical lithographic conditions will be presented. Experimental verification of the above analytical equations will be presented.
The human polycystic kidney disease 2-like (PKDL) gene: exon/intron structure and evidence for a novel splicing mechanism.

Polycystin-L is a member of the expanding family of polycystins. Mutations in polycystin-1 or -2 cause human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The mouse ortholog of PKDL, Pkdl, is deleted in a mouse line with renal and retinal defects. We recently have shown that polycystin-L has calcium channel properties. In the current study, we determined the exon/intron organization of the PKDL gene and its alternative splicing. We show that PKDL has 16 exons. All splice acceptor/donor sites for these exons conform to the GT-AG rule. The positions of introns and the sizes of exons in the PKDL gene are very similar to those of PKD2, except for the last two 3′ end exons. RT-PCR demonstrates the existence of at least three polycystin-L splice variants: PKDL(Δ5), PKDL(Δ456), and PKDL(Δ15) that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. In addition, we have localized polymorphic marker D10S603 to intron 4 and exon 5 of PKDL. Elucidation of the gene structure, exact location, and alternative splicing patterns of PKDL will facilitate its evaluation as a candidate gene in cystic or other genetic disorders.
Relationship between Achievement and Students' Acceptance of Evolution or Creation in an Upper-Level Evolution Course.

Students often hold strong attitudes regarding topics they encounter during their studies, and many instructors feel that these attitudes can have strong effects on students' performance. We characterized students' attitudes toward evolution and investigated the influence of students' attitudes (pre-course and post-course) regarding evolution on their performance in an evolution course, measured as their final grade. We found our students to hold positive attitudes toward evolution; these attitudes became more positive following the course. The most significant change in attitude occurred in the group of students initially undecided toward evolution. We also found that attitudes prior to the course had little influence on later achievement; however, at the end of the course, students' attitudes were positively related to final grades, although the effect was small. We argue that pedagogical techniques directly addressing students' attitudes help reduce the influence of attitudes (especially prior attitudes) on achievement. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 7–24, 2006
Patient skin self examination in the dysplastic naevus syndrome using full-scale colour total body photographs

A detailed method of patient skin self examination for the dysplastic naevus syndrome using full-scale colour total body photographs is described. The patient and the physician share the same set of photographs to monitor the syndrome. Any new lesions or changing lesions are reported by the patient to the physician for further evaluation. This method has an advantage over previous recommendations because patient use of the photographs provides an objective visual baseline for comparison. Overall costs of caring for patients with the dysplastic naevus syndrome through this method are likely to decrease since biopsies can be limited to new lesions or lesions demonstrating a changing pattern.
The effect of hexosamine inhibitors on the secretion ofγ-globulin

Hemmung von Hexosamin vermag die Sekretion vonγ-Globulin durch antikorperproduzierende Zellen unter in vitro Bedingungen nicht zu verhindern. Dies konnte darauf hinweisen, dass unter den gewahlten Bedingungen kohlehydratfreieγ-Globulinmolekule sezerniert werden.
Neutron-proton bremsstrahlung from low-energy heavy-ion reactions.

High-energy photon yields from the reactions [sup 12]C+[sup 112,124]Sn at 10 MeV/nucleon have been measured. The ratio of cross sections ([ital E][sub [gamma]][ge]30 MeV)[sigma]([sup 124]Sn)/[sigma]([sup 112]Sn) is 1.6[plus minus]0.2, which is larger than expected within the equal-participant model. The elementary [ital n]-[ital p]-[gamma] cross section is evaluated within the neutral scalar [sigma] meson exchange model, and implemented into a BUU code. The results of the BUU calculation suggest that the high-energy [gamma]-ray yield differences for the two Sn isotopes arise from the differences in nucelon phase-space distributions. The sensitivity of the high-energy photon production to the initial phase-space conditions is explored.
Family consequences of refugee trauma.

Objective: To construct a model on the consequences of political violence for refugee families based upon a qualitative investigation. Methods: This study used a grounded-theory approach to analyze qualitative evidence from the CAFES multi-family support and education groups with Bosnian refugee families in Chicago. Textual coding and analysis was conducted using ATLAS/ti for Windows. Results: A grounded-theory model of Family Consequences of Refugee Trauma (FAMCORT) was constructed that describes Displaced Families of War across four realms of family life: (1) changes in family roles and obligations, (2) changes in family memories and communications, (3) changes in family relationships with other family members; and (4) changes in family connections with the ethnic community and nation state. In each realm, the model also specifies family strategies, called Families Rebuilding Lives, for managing those consequences. Conclusions: Political violence leads to changes in multiple dimensions of family life and also to strategies for managing those changes. Qualitative family research is useful in better understanding refugee families and in helping them through family-oriented mental health services.
Neuropeptide Y and glutamate block each other's phase shifts in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in vitro

The suprachiasmatic nuclei contain a circadian clock whose activity can be recorded in vitro for several days. Photic information is conveyed to the nuclei primarily via a direct projection from the retina, the retinohypothalamic tract, utilizing an excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter. Photic phase shifts may be mimicked by application of glutamate in vitro. A second, indirect pathway to the suprachiasmatic nuclei via the geniculohypothalamic tract utilizes neuropeptide Y as a transmitter. Phase shifts to neuropeptide Y in vitro are similar to those seen to non-photic stimuli in vivo. We have used the hypothalamic slice preparation to examine the interactions of photic and non-photic stimuli in the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Coronal hypothalamic slices containing the suprachiasmatic nuclei were prepared from Syrian hamsters and 3 min recordings of the firing rate of individual cells were performed throughout a 12 h period. Control slices receiving either no application or application of artificial cerebrospinal fluid to the suprachiasmatic nucleus showed a consistent daily peak in their rhythms. Glutamate produces phase shifts of the circadian clock in the hamster hypothalamic slice preparation during the subjective night but not during the subjective day. These phase shifts were similar in timing and direction to the photic phase response curve in vivo confirming previous work with the rat slice preparation. Neuropeptide Y produces phase shifts of the circadian clock during the subjective day but not during the subjective night. The phase shifts are similar in timing and direction to the non-photic phase response curve in vivo, confirming previous in vitro work. We then examined the interaction of these neurochemicals with each other at various times during the circadian cycle. We found that both advances and delays to glutamate in the slice are blocked by application of neuropeptide Y. We also found that phase shifts to neuropeptide Y in the slice are blocked by application of glutamate. These results indicate that photic and non-photic associated neurochemicals can block each others phase shifting effects within the suprachiasmatic nucleus in vitro. These experiments demonstrate the ability of photic and non-photic associated neurochemicals to interact at the level of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. It is clear that neuropeptide Y antagonizes the effect of glutamate during the subjective night, and that glutamate antagonizes the effect of neuropeptide Y during the subjective day. Great care must be taken when devising treatments where photic and non-photic signals may interact.