cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and adaptive compression of a multi-soliton laser source

Ultrashort pulse generation in the 1600 nm wavelength region is required for deep-tissue biomedical imaging. We report on the characterization and adaptive compression of a multi-soliton output spanning >300 nm from a large-mode area photonic-crystal fiber rod for two separate laser setups. Sub-30 fs pulses are generated by first compressing of each soliton individually, and then followed by coherently combining all of the pulses in the train, which are separated by hundreds of femtoseconds. Simulations of the source, together with amplitude and phase coherence measurements are provided.
High-frequency radar ground clutter spatial correlation analysis: Transverse ionospheric drift velocity

A method of evaluating transverse ionospheric winds from oblique high-frequency radar ground scatter is presented. Measurements of the two-point, two-time mutual coherence function (MCF) of ground clutter targets made by the Kodiak Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) HF phased array radar illustrate that the spatial distribution of the backscattered electric field moves coherently across the radar aperture over time. Diffraction theory is applied to illustrate that the observations are consistent with an ionospheric drift transverse to the look direction of the radar. A general theoretical expression for the MCF is derived whose amplitude contours in the space-time plane may be simply related to the azimuth angular spectrum and Doppler spectrum of the incident signal and a transverse ionospheric drift between the radar and the illuminated area. A method of estimating ionospheric drift from the observed MCF is developed and applied to observations made by the Kodiak SuperDARN radar.
Clinical grading of Reinke's edema.

Objective Reinke's edema (RE) is a pathologically benign structural change of the vocal folds with a wide spectrum of clinical severity. We aim to propose and validate a clinical grading system based on size of the lesion to facilitate effective universal communication of disease severity. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Patients diagnosed with RE exclusive of other glottic pathology between December 2010 and December 2014 were included. Sixty laryngoscopy photographs were extracted from recorded archived laryngeal videostroboscopy exams, blinded and graded by four laryngologists with experience diagnosing RE. Results A high degree of agreement among all four raters was demonstrated by high interclass correlation coefficients with a 95% confidence interval. Similarly, high intra-rater reliability was seen across all raters. Forty-nine (33%) lesions were grade 1. Thirty-five lesions (29.17%) were grade 2; 18 (15%) lesions were grade 3; and nine (7.5%) lesions were grade 4. Contralateral vocal fold was not graded in cases of grade 4. Conclusion This clinical grading for RE is a reliable tool for conveying severity of disease. High inter- and intra-rater reliability strongly suggest that RE similarly can be graded by different raters, and that a single rater is expected to grade RE similarly at different times. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 127:2310–2313, 2017
AID Recognizes Structured DNA for Class Switch Recombination

Summary Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) initiates both class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM) in antibody diversification. Mechanisms of AID targeting and catalysis remain elusive despite its critical immunological roles and off-target effects in tumorigenesis. Here, we produced active human AID and revealed its preferred recognition and deamination of structured substrates. G-quadruplex (G4)-containing substrates mimicking the mammalian immunoglobulin switch regions are particularly good AID substrates in vitro. By solving crystal structures of maltose binding protein (MBP)-fused AID alone and in complex with deoxycytidine monophosphate, we surprisingly identify a bifurcated substrate-binding surface that explains structured substrate recognition by capturing two adjacent single-stranded overhangs simultaneously. Moreover, G4 substrates induce cooperative AID oligomerization. Structure-based mutations that disrupt bifurcated substrate recognition or oligomerization both compromise CSR in splenic B cells. Collectively, our data implicate intrinsic preference of AID for structured substrates and uncover the importance of G4 recognition and oligomerization of AID in CSR.
Sperm DNA fragmentation testing.

The editors of this book, Drs. Ashok Agarwal, Ahmad Majzoub, Chak-Lam Cho and Sandro Esteves, are to be congratulated for bringing together an extensive tome on the evaluation and management of sperm DNA fragmentation. The perspectives from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world provide an interesting snapshot into management of the unique phenomenon of sperm DNA damage.
Mechanisms of Vowel Variation in African American English.

Purpose This research explored mechanisms of vowel variation in African American English by comparing 2 geographically distant groups of African American and White American English speakers for par...
Detection of Saturation in High-Resolution Pushbroom Satellite Imagery

Over the last decade, DigitalGlobe has launched a series of commercial Earth imaging satellites. These high-resolution satellite imageries provide an increasingly abundant data source for remote mapping of the Earth surface and its temporal variability. Among the factors affecting image quality is saturation of the charge-coupled device due to improper setting of the time delay integration level for the imaged surface, which results in along-track striping over areas of high radiance. We present and demonstrate an algorithm for the local detection of saturation striping by a wavelet transform, used to detect periodic variations of brightness (i.e., striping) with varying frequencies at different locations, combined with the use of unidirectional brightness gradients. The algorithm is applicable to raw, orthorectified, and resampled imagery. We test the algorithm using panchromatic images acquired by the GeoEye-1 and WorldView 1–3 sensors over polar regions. Saturation area classification masks generated by the algorithm agree well with manually identified areas of saturation. Manual validation of the algorithm applied to over 6000 images in Iceland reveals a high (>80%) success rate when the saturation levels are 2% or higher. Our general methodology may be widely applicable to periodic noise detection in imagery.
On the Importance of a Consistent Treatment of Prognostic Moisture Variables between Convective and Microphysical Parameterizations

AbstractAnalysis of WRF Model output from experiments using two double-moment microphysics schemes is carried out to demonstrate that there can be an inconsistency between the predicted mass and number concentrations when a single-moment convective parameterization is used together with a double-moment microphysics scheme. This inconsistency may arise because the grid-scale and subgrid-scale cloud schemes generally apply different levels of complexity to the parameterized microphysical processes. In particular, when a multimoment formulation is used in the microphysics scheme and other physical parameterizations modify only the mass-related moment while the values of the second (or higher) moment for individual hydrometeors remain unchanged, an unintended modification of the particle size distribution occurs. Simulated radar reflectivity is shown to be a valuable tool in diagnosing this inconsistency. In addition, potential ways to minimize the problem are explored by including number concentration calcul...
Unmet needs in cystic fibrosis: the next steps in improving outcomes.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) outcomes and survival have improved over the last century primarily due to advancements in antibiotics, nutritional, and pulmonary therapies. Reviewed here are th...
Designing Appropriate Learning Technologies for School vs Home Settings in Tanzanian Rural Villages

Smartphone- and tablet-based learning systems are often posited as solutions for closing early literacy gaps between rural and urban regions in emerging economies. These systems are often developed based on experiences with students in urban contexts, limiting their success rates with children from rural areas who have had little to no prior exposure to technology. To explore how such technologies are used in different learning contexts, we deployed an early literacy learning application in school and home settings in a rural village in Tanzania. We use Rogoff's theory of instructional models to understand and describe the interaction between learners, adults, and peers. We found that in the presence of a school teacher, the instructional model was primarily "adult-run" where information was almost entirely disseminated by the teacher, while in home settings, the instructional model was similar to a "community-of-learners" model where children collaborate with other peers and adults to achieve their learning goals. We use these instructional models to surface six themes of support and scaffolding that were expressed differently across settings, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the instructional models observed in providing support across these themes.
Gene delivery of wild-type rhodopsin rescues retinal function in an autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa mouse model.

Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) is frequently caused by mutations within the gene for the opsin of rod photoreceptor cells. Studies on transgenic mice, carrying mutated rhodopsin (RHO) transgene on different genetic backgrounds, suggested that an increased amount of wild-type RHO in ADRP photoreceptors attenuated the impact of the mutant transgene. Therefore, we employed a gene therapy approach with the help of Adeno-associated virus (AAV) to treat mice expressing a P23H mutant human RHO transgene. Knowing that AAV5 primarily transduces photoreceptor cells, we designed “hardened” form of the rhodopsin gene (RHO301) that expressed normal rhodopsin and was specifically resistant to degradation by the previously tested siRNA301. AAV5 RHO301 was subretinaly injected into the right eyes of P23H RHO mice at postnatal day 15. Animals were analyzed monthly by electroretinography (ERG) for 6 months. Analysis of the full-field scotopic electroretinogram (ERG) demonstrated that increased expression of opsin slowed the rate of retinal degeneration in P23H mice with increased amplitudes in both a-wave and b-wave amplitudes compared to control eyes. An increase in the ERG amplitudes was correlated with improvement of retinal structure. The thickness of the outer nuclear layer in AAV-RHO301-injected eyes was increased by 80% compared to control eyes. This finding indicates that wild-type RHO could rescue the retinal degeneration in transgenic mice carrying a dominant RHO mutation and that increased production of normal rhodopsin could suppress the effect of the mutant protein. These findings suggest that wild-type RHO can be used as a therapeutic agent to retard retinal degeneration in ADRP caused by different mutations of RHO via increased production of normal rhodopsin protein.
Stress Signaling II: Calcium Sensing and Signaling

Calcium is an essential second messenger in plant signaling networks. Many environmental and developmental stimuli induce an increase in cytosolic calcium to trigger different physiological responses. The specificity of Ca2+ signaling is achieved by a combination of distinct calcium signatures that are generated by specific calcium channels, pumps and transporters, and diverse calcium sensors that differ by their expression pattern, sub-cellular localization, substrate specificities and calcium sensitivities. Calcium binding modifies the structural conformation or enzymatic activity of the calcium sensors, which subsequently regulate downstream targets. Calmodulin is the most important Ca2+ transducer in eukaryotes and regulates numerous proteins with diverse cellular functions, including protein kinases. Plants also possess specific multigene families of protein kinases that play crucial roles in mediating calcium signaling. The multiplicity and diversity of plant calcium sensors, as well as the interconnections between various signal transduction pathways, constitute a tightly regulated signaling network that induces specific stress responses to improve plant survival.
Prediction and confidence intervals in regression

This class considers prediction intervals, confidence intervals, and the associated statistics for a regression model. As with confidence intervals for the mean, these intervals rely on an estimate of variability known as the standard error. Although the interpretation of confidence intervals in regression is similar to that of the confidence intervals developed in Basic Business Statistics, the regression model itself is more complex and complicates the interpretation of the intervals. In addition, similar intervals known as prediction intervals provide estimates of the accuracy of predictions from the fitted model.
Stress distribution in a tooth treated through minimally invasive access compared to one treated through traditional access: A finite element analysis study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the stress distributions in the teeth treated through minimally invasive access (MIA) designs to those of the teeth treated through traditional straight-line access and their relationship to the final restoration using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods: Four FEA models of an extracted mandibular first molar were constructed. An intact model served as the control, whereas the other three were prepared with either an MIA or traditional straight-line access. Simulated composite access fillings with or without a simulated gold crown were applied to the models, followed by application of an occlusal load of 100 N. Von Mises stresses in the teeth were then calculated and analyzed. Results: Stress values within the dentin for baseline, MIA with composite filling, MIA with composite filling and crown, and traditional access with composite filling and crown were 10.14 MPa, 6.98 MPa, 11.79 MPa, and 16.81 MPa, respectively. Higher stress values indicate that the tooth is more prone to fracture. Conclusions: A traditional endodontic access cavity may render a tooth more susceptible to fracture compared with an MIA design.
Case Study: Ensay and Swifts Creek Wild Dog Groups—East Gippsland, Victoria

The neighbouring communities of Ensay and Swifts Creek face similar threats from wild dogs but are shown to respond in very different ways. This case study reveals how local context influences the way an issue is understood by different communities. Through dissent and discord, a significant connection between knowledge of the issue and power to steer the agenda is identified.
“A Cloak That Looks like Help”: US Intervention and the Neoliberal Turn in Kerry Young’s Pao

In this article, I analyze how Kerry Young’s novel Pao negotiates the Jamaican political economy from the inception of Jamaica’s political parties, through the Manley period in the 1970s, and into the neoliberal era. I focus, in particular, on how the novel aligns with Manley’s claims of CIA involvement in destabilizing his government, and on the ascendancy of US-backed neoliberal hegemony that followed Manley’s defeat. I argue that we can read the protagonist’s character, riven between anti-imperialist ideals and capitalist ambitions, as a critique of Jamaican political economy and the waning of emancipatory politics since the neoliberal turn.
Interdependent Decision-Making on Complex Networks

When the number of agents grows and becomes enormous, e.g., social network and the Internet, the finite network modeling capturing the explicit interactions between agents is inefficient and prohibitive. To this end, this chapter investigates decision-making on complex networks by proposing a new type of system framework. The focus of this chapter is to design an optimal strategy for controlling two competing epidemics spreading over complex networks. The designed strategy globally optimizes the trade-off between the control cost and the severity of epidemics in the network. We also provide structural results on the predictability of epidemic spreading by showing the existence and uniqueness of the solution. Finally, a gradient descent algorithm based on a fixed-point iterative scheme is proposed to find the optimal strategy.
Local outlier factor as part of a workflow for detecting and attenuating blending noise in simultaneously acquired data

ABSTRACT A number of deblending methods and workflows have been reported in the past decades to eliminate the source interference noise recorded during a simultaneous shooting acquisition. It is common that denoising algorithms focusing on optimizing coherency and weighting down/ignoring outliers can be considered as deblending tools. Such algorithms are not only enforcing coherency but also handling outliers either explicitly or implicitly. In this paper, we present a novel approach based on detecting amplitude outliers and its application on deblending based on a local outlier factor that assigns an outlier‐ness (i.e. a degree of being an outlier) to each sample of the data. A local outlier factor algorithm quantifies outlier‐ness for an object in a data set based on the degree of isolation compared with its locally neighbouring objects. Assuming that the seismic pre‐stack data acquired by simultaneous shooting are composed of a set of non‐outliers and outliers, the local outlier factor algorithm evaluates the outlier‐ness of each object. Therefore, we can separate the data set into blending noise (i.e. outlier) and signal (i.e. non‐outlier) components. By applying a proper threshold, objects having high local outlier factors are labelled as outlier/blending noise, and the corresponding data sample could be replaced by zero or a statistically adequate value. Beginning with an explanation of parameter definitions and properties of local outlier factor, we investigate the feasibility of a local outlier factor application on seismic deblending by analysing the parameters of local outlier factor and suggesting specific deblending strategies. Field data examples recorded during simultaneous shooting acquisition show that the local outlier factor algorithm combined with a thresholding can detect and attenuate blending noise. Although the local outlier factor application on deblending shows a few shortcomings, it is consequently noted that the local outlier factor application in this paper obviously achieves benefits in terms of detecting and attenuating blending noise and paves the way for further geophysical applications.
A Good Place to Start - Low-Threshold Buprenorphine Initiation.

A Good Place to Start In Baltimore, a van was repurposed as a mobile health unit to address the city’s opioid-overdose crisis. Clinicians prescribe buprenorphine to people recently released from in...
In situ identification of electrochemical impedance spectra for Li-ion batteries

The monitoring and control of battery systems can be enhanced by data collection and analysis that provide insight into the internal behavior of the battery. A well-known example is electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which is equivalent to estimating the frequency response of the battery impedance at a particular operating condition. System identification provides a method for implementing EIS using hardware commonly found in advanced battery-management systems. In this chapter, a possible implementation of online system identification is discussed and illustrated using both simulation and experimental data.
Design and Experimental Validation of a Novel High-Speed Omnidirectional Underwater Propulsion Mechanism

This article details the design, working principles, and testing of a novel position control mechanism for marine operations or inspection in extreme, hostile, or high-speed turbulent environments where unprecedented speed and agility are necessary. The omnidirectional mechanism consists of a set of counter-rotating blades operating at frequencies high enough to dampen vibrational effects on onboard sensors. Each rotor is individually powered to allow for roll control via relative motor effort and attached to a servo-swashplate mechanism, enabling quick and powerful manipulation of fluid flow direction in the hull's coordinate frame without the need to track rotor position. The mechanism inherently severs blade loads from servo torques, putting all load on the main motors and minimizing servo response time, while exploiting consistent blade momentum to minimize the corresponding force response time. A small-scale force-validating model is fabricated and tested for various force and moment commands. Kinematic and hydrodynamic analyses of the hull and surrounding fluid forces during various blade maneuvers are presented, followed by the mechanical design and kinematic analysis of each subsystem in a small scale model. Experimental results of the small-scale model are presented that verify the concepts presented for the larger-scale model. Finally, an open-loop controller is constructed with decoupled parameters for each degree of freedom.
Field-based body temperatures reveal behavioral thermoregulation strategies of the Atlantic marsh fiddler crab Minuca pugnax

Behavioral thermoregulation is an important defense against the negative impacts of climate change for ectotherms. In this study we examined the use of burrows by a common intertidal crab, Minuca pugnax, to control body temperature. To understand how body temperatures respond to changes in the surface temperature and explore how efficiently crabs exploit the cooling potential of burrows to thermoregulate, we measured body, surface, and burrow temperatures during low tide on Sapelo Island, GA in March, May, August, and September of 2019. We found that an increase in 1°C in the surface temperature led to a 0.70-0.71°C increase in body temperature for females and an increase in 0.75-0.77°C in body temperature for males. Body temperatures of small females were 0.3°C warmer than large females for the same surface temperature. Female crabs used burrows more efficiently for thermoregulation compared to the males. Specifically, an increase of 1°C in the cooling capacity (the difference between the burrow temperature and the surface temperature) led to an increase of 0.42-0.50°C for females and 0.34-0.35°C for males in the thermoregulation capacity (the difference between body temperature and surface temperature). The body temperature that crabs began to use burrows to thermoregulate was estimated to be around 24°C, which is far below the critical body temperatures that could lead to death. Many crabs experience body temperatures of 24°C early in the reproductive season, several months before the hottest days of the year. Because the use of burrows involves fitness trade-offs, these results suggest that warming temperatures could begin to impact crabs far earlier in the year than expected.
Trends in total elbow arthroplasty utilization in the United States from 2002 to 2017

Abstract Background Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an effective treatment for multiple elbow pathologies. It is a relatively uncommon procedure relative to arthroplasty of the hip, knee and shoulder; consequently, less literature regarding historical utilization is available. The purpose of this study is to determine the utilization of TEA over the last 15 years for which data is available. This study aims to characterize trends in TEA from 2002 to 2017. Methods The National Inpatient Sample database was queried for all TEA utilization using ICD 9 and ICD 10 codes from 2002 to 2017. A patient demographic analysis for sex, age, and socioeconomic status was conducted. Yearly TEA complication and comorbidity rate was analyzed by dividing the total number of complications/comorbidities each year by the total frequency of TEA each year. Primary diagnosis was categorized as dislocation, fracture, inflammatory arthropathy/rheumatoid arthritis, neoplasm, infection, osteoarthritis, mechanical complication, post-traumatic arthritis and other and analyzed over time. Results The annual volume of TEA increased from 1713 cases in 2002, to 2753 in 2011. From 2011 to 2013, volume decreased to 1665. A higher proportion of female patients underwent TEA relative to male patients (2.37:1 ratio). The 65-84 age group comprised 33%-47.5% of TEA patients yearly. The number of comorbidities per TEA performed increased consistently from 1.06 in 2002 to 2.40 in 2017 (P Conclusion Several notable trends were identified including a precipitous decline in TEA utilization after 2011. Our data suggests that TEA was performed most commonly for fracture-related elbow pathology every year from 2002 to 2017. Inflammatory arthropathy-related TEA steadily decreased over the study interval yet remained the second most common primary diagnosis associated with TEA. Our data suggests that TEA has been performed most often on women over the age of 65 with an associated increasing comorbidity burden seen during the timeframe of 2002-2017. Identification of these trends is helpful to physicians who must adapt to an evolving TEA patient population. Level of Evidence Level IV.
Moving and improving in safety-critical systems: Impacts of head-mounted displays on operator mobility, performance, and situation awareness

Abstract Mobile displays provide operators in safety-critical systems with real-time information access when tasks require mobility in the working environment. Little empirical work has explored the impact of mobile displays on operator mobility or the impacts of operator mobility on operator performance and situation awareness (SA) in safety-critical settings. This work explores the impacts of head-mounted displays (HMDs) on operators in a real-time physical simulation of maritime navigation. HMD use significantly improved operator performance, SA, and mobility. These results suggest that the contextual information provided to mobile operators by HMDs may reduce information retrieval effort and allow operators to maintain SA without returning to fixed displays. This underscores longstanding training and domain requirements encouraging operator mobility throughout safety-critical systems, indicating a link between increased mobility and improved performance and SA that has not been empirically tested before.
Employee resource groups: Examining a viable and valuable crisis response structure

Although employee resource groups (ERGs) have existed since the early 1960s, little empirical research has been conducted on them. Most of the knowledge comes from case studies that focus on indivi...
Peripheral Kynurenines as Biomarkers and Targets for Prevention and Treatment of Psychiatric Conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract Present review focuses on the possible role of tryptophan (Trp) – kynurenine (Kyn) pathway in the mechanism(s) of COVID-19 associated psychiatric complications. SARS-CoV-2 infection, that causes COVID-19, triggers overproduction of interferon-gamma (IFNG), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. IFNG activates indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO), enzyme that catalyzes Trp conversion into Kyn, and enzymes of down-stream Kyn pathway that catalyze Kyn conversion into 3-hydroxykynurenine, kynurenic and anthranilic acids in brain and peripheral organs. We reviewed data on SARS-CoV-2 - IFNG – induced changes of peripheral Trp – Kyn pathway, considering their translational potential for personalized psychiatric care. Elevated blood levels of Trp – Kyn pathway metabolites were correlated with the severity of symptoms and predicted the negative outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Association of Trp – Kyn pathway up-regulation with psychiatric complication in non-COVID-19 patients suggests that activation of these pathways contribute to the mechanism(s) of COVID-19 associated psychiatric conditions as well. Increased risk of psychiatric complications in carriers of T (high producer) allele of polymorphic IFNG gene and elevation of serum levels of Kyn and its metabolites in interferon-alpha treated hepatitis C virus patients provides further support for such a suggestion. Assessment of blood levels of Kyn and its metabolites, and polymorphism of Trp – Kyn pathway genes might be developed into personalized biological markers predicting gender/aging dependent individual’s risk of psychiatric complications in COVID-19 patients. Up-regulation of IFNG and IDO is necessary for anti-viral protection. Therefore, inhibition of down-stream Kyn pathway should be considered as a new target for prevention/treatment of COVID-19 and COVID-19-associated psychiatric complications.
Estimating the absolute wealth of households

AbstractObjective To estimate the absolute wealth of households using data from demographic and health surveys.Methods We developed a new metric, the absolute wealth estimate, based on the rank of each surveyed household according to its material assets and the assumed shape of the distribution of wealth among surveyed households. Using data from 156 demographic and health surveys in 66 countries, we calculated absolute wealth estimates for households. We validated the method by comparing the proportion of households defined as poor using our estimates with published World Bank poverty headcounts. We also compared the accuracy of absolute versus relative wealth estimates for the prediction of anthropometric measures.Findings The median absolute wealth estimates of 1 403 186 households were 2056 international dollars per capita (interquartile range: 723-6103). The proportion of poor households based on absolute wealth estimates were strongly correlated with World Bank estimates of populations living on less than 2.00 United States dollars per capita per day (R2= 0.84). Absolute wealth estimates were better predictors of anthropometric measures than relative wealth indexes.Conclusion Absolute wealth estimates provide new opportunities for comparative research to assess the effects of economic resources on health and human capital, as well as the long-term health consequences of economic change and inequality.
Expanding Secondary Attainment in the United States, 1940–80

Abstract In this article, the authors examine the growth of secondary school attainment in the United States between 1940 and 1980, exploring several different conceptual frames of reference. Using state-level data, the authors identify a diffusion model of educational expansion using a fixed-effects panel regression approach. This method is used to analyze change over time, with particular attention to evaluating nonlinear processes of growth. The authors consider the effect of a number of correlates on changing patterns of enrollment in the postwar era. Regional differences in attainment diminished during each decade, and a limited number of social and economic developments appear to have influenced rising enrollment, although most attainment growth appears to have been linked to a self-generating process of diffusion.
Technology for spinal cord injury rehabilitation and its application to youth

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in a sudden, devastating loss of function. SCI is particularly challenging for the pediatric and adolescent populations who, under normal circumstances, are still achieving developmental milestones, but following SCI face additional barriers posed by paralysis and the accompanying secondary complications. Advancing technology in rehabilitation is changing the course of how people with spinal cord injury participate in rehabilitation. Technology plays an ever-increasing role in both restorative and compensatory rehabilitative interventions. While the practical or functional needs of the pediatric patient may differ from those of the adult, technology can and does play a role in restoring function for this population. Applications of technology span broad areas, providing improved options for care in grasp and manipulation, seating and mobility, augmentative and alternative communication, electronic aids to daily living, and computer access and use. This article reviews select applications of technology that have great impact on the functional needs of people with spinal cord injury (SCI): therapeutic and functional stimulation, EMG biofeedback and EMG-triggered stimulation, assistive technology for computer access, and implanted functional electrical stimulation systems. Some of these technologies are already in use in the pediatric population, while some are not - yet have great potential for restoring function in this group. The challenges and potential solutions for implementing these technologies in the pediatric population are discussed.
A prototype system for ground control space telerobotics

A telerobotics system is described which provides supervised autonomous control capability for time-delayed ground-remote control applications. The system includes a local site operator interface for interactive task description and a remote site task execution system. Interactive stereo graphics overlay on video is provided at the local site to update the remote environment model. The remote site system is capable of nominal task execution, as well as monitoring and reflex motion. Execution utilizes multiple control modules which execute based on command parameterization. >
Performance of maximum entropy algorithms for image reconstruction from projections

The analysis of maximum entropy algorithms is provided for image reconstruction from projections. The performance of block- and row-type multiplicative algebraic reconstruction techniques, Bregman's method of convex programming for entropy maximization under linear equality constraints, and MENT is compared with those of the Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques and the convolution backprojection. The quality of the successive reconstructed iterates versus the computational complexity of the algorithms is given. Furthermore, it is shown that a priori knowledge of the shape of the image to be reconstructed is easily included with these algorithms by solving a more general optimization problem. >
Effects of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on the Coagulation Profile of Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Animal studies suggest that ischemic preconditioning prolongs coagulation times. OBJECTIVE: Because coagulation changes could hinder the translation of preconditioning into clinical settings where hemorrhage may be an issue, such as ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, we evaluated the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on coagulation in patients undergoing RIPC after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Twenty-one patients with SAH (mean age, 56.3 years) underwent 137 RIPC sessions 2 to 12 days after SAH, each consisting of 3 to 4 cycles of 5 to 10 minutes of lower limb ischemia followed by reperfusion. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR) were analyzed before and after sessions. Patients were followed for hemorrhagic complications. RESULTS: No immediate effect was identified on PTT (mean pre-RIPC, 27.62 s; post
Synthesis of the C1–C12 fragment of the tedanolides. Selective hydroboration–protonation of allylic alcohol approach

Abstract The combination of highly stereoselective vinyllithium addition and hydroboration–protonation of the resulting allylic alcohol permits the preparation of the completely protected C 1 –C 12 fragment 2 of the novel macrocyclic cytotoxic agent tedanolide 1 .
The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words

Taboo words are defined and sanctioned by institutions of power (e.g., religion, media), and prohibitions are reiterated in child-rearing practices. Native speakers acquire folk knowledge of taboo words, but it lacks the complexity that psychological science requires for an understanding of swearing. Misperceptions persist in psychological science and in society at large about how frequently people swear or what it means when they do. Public recordings of taboo words establish the commonplace occurrence of swearing (ubiquity), although frequency data are not always appreciated in laboratory research. A set of 10 words that has remained stable over the past 20 years accounts for 80% of public swearing. Swearing is positively correlated with extraversion and Type A hostility but negatively correlated with agreeableness, conscientiousness, religiosity, and sexual anxiety. The uniquely human facility for swearing evolved and persists because taboo words can communicate emotion information (anger, frustration) more readily than nontaboo words, allowing speakers to achieve a variety of personal and social goals with them (utility). A neuro-psycho-social framework is offered to unify taboo word research. Suggestions for future research are offered.
A Composite Mesoscale Cumulonimbus Budget

Abstract Composite maps at levels from 950 to 150 mb of relative wind field (Vτ), mixing ratio (r), equivalent potential temperature (θE), and temperature perturbation (T′) from the growth and decay phases of a mean mesoscale cumulonimbus system (systems used had a maximum radar echo area >400 km2) were constructed using radar and one rawinsonde (experiment VIMHEX) for days having a similar synoptic-scale wind field. Echo area and track were measured from radar film, and relative winds calculated by subtracting a mean echo velocity; positions of radiosonde data points relative to the echo as center were computed, scaled by an echo radius, and plotted with echo motion vectors aligned along one coordinate axis. Mass flows into the mean system at all levels give vertical mass transports for growth and decay phases, and net mass balance. The net convergence of r closely balances a mean surface rainfall per echo, and the net enthalpy source by the cumulonimbus system. Fluxes of θE, into and out of the system f...
Volumetric Image Alignment Utilizing Particle Swarm Optimization

In some cases an object can not be completely imaged with a single image. These cases call for taking multiple images and stitching the images together to form a complete view of the object. The images that are dealt with are taken with a confocal laser-scanning microscope. This produces a stack of two-dimensional images that represent the volume in the microscope’s field of view. While the microscope automatically creates a z stack, the positioning of the tiles in x and y is done manually. Therefore, the slices within each stack are assumed to be already aligned. Our technique will take multiple stacks of images and stitch them together to form a single volume. We will use a particle swarm optimization technique to calculate the proper transformations required to produce the final volume.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Alkylation of protein by methyl methanesulfonate and 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea in vitro

Abstract Methylation of horse heart cytochrome c has been examined in vitro with [methyl-14C]methanesulfonate (MMS) and [1-methyl-14C]-1-nitrosourea (MNU) as alkylating agents. Analysis of protein hydrolyzates by an automatic amino acid analyzer indicates that, at pH 9.0 with MMS, ϵ-N-monomethyllysine is found to be the only major methylated basic amino acid. On the other hand, the identity of the predominant basic amino acid residue which is [methyl-14C]-labeled by MNU cannot be determined at present. Peptide mapping of chymotryptic digests of cytochrome c after reaction with MMS reveals a lack of specificity in methylation of a specific lysine residue in this hemoprotein.
I. PET Studies of Memory: Novel and Practiced Free Recall of Complex Narratives

Abstract Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with the tracer H 2 15 O was used to measure regional cerebral blood flow in 13 healthy volunteers during two experimental memory tasks, one of which was well-practiced and the other of which was novel. The materials used for the memory tasks consisted of two complex narratives (Story A and Story B from the Wechsler Memory Scale). Natural language materials were chosen because they similate experimentally the natural learning situation and permit study of the neural mechanisms by which recall memory becomes more fluid, automatic, or "rote." One week before the PET study, subjects were trained to perfect recall of Story A, while they were exposed to Story B only 60s prior to PET data acquisition. Despite the substantial differences in level of familiarity (and in free recall performance), patterns of activation were quite similar; activations presumed to reflect recall in both tasks included frontal, inferior temporal, thalamic, anterior cingulate, and cerebellar regions. Many regions were smaller during recall of the familiar story, however, presumably reflecting greater neural efficiency due to practice. In addition, the novel task activated an additional left frontal region that is presumed to reflect more active encoding. The similarity and multiplicity of the activations in the two tasks suggest that the brain uses a multinodal general network for memory tasks such as free recall, while the differences suggest that some nodes in the network may be used for specific components of memory such as encoding and retrieval.
Properties of argon-ethane/methane mixtures for use in proportional counters

Abstract Properties of argon/ethane and argon/methane mixtures for use in proportional counters have been investigated. Multiplication and resolution are reported as a function of gas mixture and pressure for X-rays and charged particles. It is found that filtered industrial natural gas can be used as a substitute for pure methane gas in the operation of proportional counters.
Influence of Crystallite Size on the Electrochemical Properties of Chemically Synthesized Stoichiometric LiNiO2

A nearly stoichiometric LiNiO 2 (ca. 1% nickel on Li site disorder) was synthesized using a particulate sol-gel approach. The oxide exhibits a high capacity of 205 mAh/g under a moderate C-rate of C/2. By maintaining the defect concentration and eliminating any impurity phases during synthesis, it was possible to quantitatively investigate the influence of crystallite size alone on the electrochemical properties of LiNiO 2 . The electrochemical capacity was reduced by approximately 10% when the average crystallite size of the chemically synthesized oxide was increased from ca, 0.3 to 0.8 μm. Using the success of estimating the influence of crystallite size on the electrochemical properties of the nearly stoichiometric LiNiO 2 , an analytical study on the factors affecting the electrochemical properties of defective LiNiO 2 was further conducted. The analysis indicates that the electrochemical properties of the oxide are more strongly influenced by the presence of defects on Li sites and impurity phases than by the crystallite size.
Content management and the production of genres

In this paper, I suggest that granularized content management introduces as-yet-unexplored issues to genres of technical communication. I argue that content management, while it can, as advertised, free content and make it easy to reuse that content in multiple genres, that flexibility can create new problems for genres and genre systems, leading to problematic reuse, inflexible genre systems, rigid and proprietary genres, and uncritical internationalization.
Discrimination of Structural Isomers of N-Methylated and N-tert-Butylated Tetrazoles by 13C and 15N NMR. Long-Range 15N,1H Coupling Constants

Natural abundance 13C and 15N NMR studies were carried out on a series of N-methylated and N-tert-butylated tetrazoles. Long-range 13C,1H and 15N,1H NMR coupling constants together with 1J(15N,13C) allowed unequivocal assignments of 13C and 15N chemical shifts for isomeric 1,5- and 2,5-disubstituted tetrazoles. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE DEVELOPMENTAL CYCLE OF SOLIFLUCTION LOBES

The form and character of soli fluction lobes in the Ruby Range, Yukon Territory suggest the outlines of a developmental cycle. Small lobes have relatively steep narrow fronts, and late snow melt areas that are completely vegetated, with few rocks. Large lobes have gentler wider fronts, and late snow melt areas that are bare and rocky with poorly developed vegetation. The difference between lobes results from increased snow accumulation in the lee as the lobe becomes larger. Increased snow melts later in the summer, plants have less time to mature, and erosion becomes more important than growth. The eventual product is a subdued system of fairly stable treads and risers. The most recent phase of development appears to have begun with the advent of neoglaciation (2800–2600 years, B.P.) at the close of the hypsithermal.
A Combined Derivative Spectroscopy and Savitzky-Golay Filtering Method for the Analysis of Hyperspectral Data

Hyperspectral data analysis has been of importance to the remote sensing community, and analysis tools for extracting information (targets) from hyperspectral data have been developed in recent yea...
An improved HPLC assay for S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl phosphorothioate (WR-2721) in plasma

Abstract An HPLC assay is presented for the detection and quantitation of the radioprotective drug S -2-(3-aminopropylami-no)ethyl phosphorothioate (WR-2721, ethiofos) present in plasma. Improved selectivity and a 40-fold increase in sensitivity have been demonstrated over the method previously reported by this laboratory. Using precolumn derivatization with fluorescamine and S -3-(4-aminobutylamino)propyl phosphorothioate (WR-80855, a homolog of WR-2721) as the internal standard, drug levels of 0.05 to 1000 μg/mL were determined with excellent precision (CV ⩽ 5% over the concentration range). An isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile/ethanol/water (16:7:77) modified with 0.01 M tetrabutylammonium phosphate eluted the drug and the internal standard from the C-18 reverse phase column in 23 minutes and 26 minutes, respectively. Detector response was linear over the entire range. The assay uses 150 μL of plasma and requires a total chromatography time of about 50 minutes. The method was found suitable for pharmacokinetic studies in a preliminary experiment with a beagle dog in which no interferences due to plasma constituents or drug metabolites were observed.
A study of the available phosphorus status of soils by phosphorus-deficient tomato seedlings

Several important New York soils were evaluated for their phosphorus fertility status in the greenhouse by growing tomato plants and determining the relationship between the anthocyanin content of the plants and their response to added phosphorus. In general, there was an inverse relationship between the anthocyanin content of the leaves and increases in dry weight production when phosphorus only was the limiting factor.
Time dependent effects produced in chicks after prenatal injection of methylmercury

Abstract Methylmercury dicyandiamide (0.05 to 10 mg/kg egg) injected into the yolk sac of fertilized chicken eggs prior to incubation produced a dose related decrease in the percentage of chicks hatched (90-57% of control). With dosage fixed at 0.5 or 5.0 mg/kg egg and injections made on Days 0, 7 or 14 of incubation, hatches were 90, 68 and 75%, respectively, for the low dose and 63, 13 and 18% for the high dose. In contrast to results obtained from chicks hatched from eggs injected on Day 0 of incubation, chicks hatched from eggs injected with 0.5 or 5.0 mg MMD/kg on Day 7 or 14 were not different from controls in a detour learning situation. Administration of 14-C methylmercury revealed maximal brain radiolabel in embryos injected on Day 0 to be 10% that seen with eggs injected on Day 7 but twice that seen with eggs injected on Day 14. We tentatively conclude that a period of maximal sensitivity to the behavior effects exists prior to Day 7 and that the mechanisms of embryolethality is different from that producing the functional deficits.