cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) patients treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Background Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy is associated with tachyarrhythmia and an increased risk of sudden death. Methods This study included 42 ARVD/C patients with ICDs (52% male, age 6 to 69 years, median 37 years) followed at our center. Results Mean follow-up was 42 ± 26 months (range 4 to 135 months). Complications associated with ICD implantation included need for lead repositioning (n = 3) and system infection (n = 2). During follow-up, one patient died of a brain malignancy and one had heart transplantation. Lead replacement was required in six patients as a result of lead fracture and insulation damage (n = 4) or change in thresholds (n = 2). During this period, 33 of 42 (78%) patients received a median of 4 (range 1 to 75) appropriate ICD interventions. The median period between ICD implantation and the first firing was 9 months (range 0.1 to 66 months). The ICD firing storms were observed in five patients. Inappropriate interventions were seen in 10 patients. Predictors of appropriate firing were induction of ventricular tachycardia (VT) during electrophysiologic study (EPS) (84% vs. 44%, p = 0.024), detection of spontaneous VT (70% vs. 15%, p = 0.001), male versus female gender (91% vs. 65%, p = 0.04), and severe right ventricular dilation (39% vs. 0%, p = 0.013). Using multivariate analysis, VT induction during EPS was associated with increased risk for firing in ARVD/C patients; odds ratio 11.2 (95% confidence interval 1.23 to 101.24, p = 0.031). Conclusions Patients with ARVD/C have a high arrhythmia rate requiring appropriate ICD interventions. The ICD therapy appears to be well tolerated and important in the management of patients with ARVD/C.
Some projection methods for the approximation of implicit functions

Abstract Using the Newton-Kantorovich method we approximate implicit functions by solving linear algebraic systems of finite order. We also provide error estimates. In particular, these error estimates generalize the ones in [5] and [8].
5-Lipoxygenase Metabolite 4-HDHA Is a Mediator of the Antiangiogenic Effect of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Lipid signaling is dysregulated in many diseases with vascular pathology, including cancer, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and age-related macular degeneration. We have previously demonstrated that diets enriched in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) effectively reduce pathological retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy, in part through metabolic products that suppress microglial-derived tumor necrosis factor–α. To better understand the protective effects of ω-3 PUFAs, we examined the relative importance of major lipid metabolic pathways and their products in contributing to this effect. ω-3 PUFA diets were fed to four lines of mice deficient in each key lipid-processing enzyme (cyclooxygenase 1 or 2, or lipoxygenase 5 or 12/15), retinopathy was induced by oxygen exposure; only loss of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) abrogated the protection against retinopathy of dietary ω-3 PUFAs. This protective effect was due to 5-LOX oxidation of the ω-3 PUFA lipid docosahexaenoic acid to 4-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid (4-HDHA). 4-HDHA directly inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and sprouting angiogenesis via peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ), independent of 4-HDHA’s anti-inflammatory effects. Our study suggests that ω-3 PUFAs may be profitably used as an alternative or supplement to current anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment for proliferative retinopathy and points to the therapeutic potential of ω-3 PUFAs and metabolites in other diseases of vasoproliferation. It also suggests that cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin and ibuprofen (but not lipoxygenase inhibitors such as zileuton) might be used without losing the beneficial effect of dietary ω-3 PUFA.
An attribute-based approach to audio description applied to segmenting vocal sections in popular music songs

We present a descriptive approach for analyzing audio scenes that can comprise a mixture of audio sources. We apply this method to segment popular music songs into vocal and non-vocal sections. Unlike existing methods that directly rely on within-class feature similarities of acoustic sources, the proposed data-driven system is based on a training set where the acoustic sources are grouped by their perceptual or semantic attributes. Our audio analysis approach is based on a quantitative time-varying metric to measure the interaction between acoustic sources present in a scene developed using pattern recognition methods. Using the proposed system that is trained on a general sound effects library, we achieve less than ten percent vocal-section segmentation error and less than five percent false alarm rates when evaluated on a database of popular music recordings that spans four different genres (rock, hiphop, pop, and easy listening).
Structured models of scientific concepts for organizing, accessing, and using learning materials

Concepts and their interrelationships are the fundamental building blocks for representing the phenomena investigated in mathematics, science, and engineering (MSE). The knowledge represented in learning materials for the sciences is typically organized around term-based or "weakly-structured" models of concepts and their interrelationships. We introduce a "strongly-structured" model of scientific concepts that provides the foundation for a knowledge base (KB) of concept representations. It focuses on such attributes as the objective representations, operational semantics, use, and interrelationships of concepts, all of which play important roles in constructing representations of phenomena that further understanding of MSE domains of knowledge.We have developed a strongly-structured model of concepts for SME domains in terms of a frame-based KRS with slots and attribute-value fillers. The model, whose framework is shown in Figure 1, is implemented as an XML schema. This schema is used as the basis for creating domain-specific KBs containing XML records of concepts.The Alexandria Digital Library (ADL) Digital Earth Testbed system (http://www.alexandria.ucsb.edu) has been extended with: (1) a KB of scientific concepts, from the domain of physical geography, that are represented in terms of our XML schema for concept representation; (2) a collection of heterogeneous learning materials exemplifying the concepts and their properties in various contexts; and (3) services that provide a variety of views of the content of the KB and associated collection. (Please refer to the JCDL paper "The ADEPT Digital Library Architecture" by Janee and Frew.) This extension to ADL is being deployed in teaching an introductory course in physical geography in Fall, 2002.
Traumatic brain injury state planning grant: preparing for change in a rural state.

Purpose: The overarching purpose of this work was to generate a framework on which to build a traumatic brain injury (TBI) system-support action plan for individuals with a TBI living in a rural state.Methods: Four research questions were posed aimed at describing rural service/support needs and service satisfaction among persons with a TBI, as well as rural service/support availability as defined by providers. One hundred and ninety-four providers/agencies and 250 individuals/family members completed one of two versions (provider/agency, individual/family member) of a Needs and Resources Assessment.Results: Data analyses indicated that the majority of individual respondents lived at an impoverished income level and lived with a TBI for ∼12 years. Quality of life was perceived as significantly lower after the TBI than before. Employment decreased significantly following a TBI. Reasons for unemployment included a perceived inability to work, problems regarding proper accommodation and/or perceptions regard...
An understanding of the electrodeposition process of Al–Mg alloys using an organometallic-based electrolyte

Al–Mg alloys were deposited using a base-electrolyte with the composition Na[AlEt4] + 2Na[Et3Al–H–AlEt3] + 2.5AlEt3 + 6toluene (where Et = −C2H5). Mg was introduced into this electrolyte by employing a pure Mg anode. It was found that initially the amount of Mg in the electrolyte increased with the deposition time but eventually a steady state was reached such that the amount of Mg dissolved at the anode became equal to that deposited at the cathode. Compositional and phase analyses indicated that this state is achieved at a critical Mg/Al ratio that resulted in the formation of the hcp Mg-rich phase. By devising various component electrolytes we have attempted to understand the roles of different compounds in the base-electrolyte and have proposed a scheme for the Al–Mg alloy deposition.
Escherichia coli detection using mTEC agar and fluorescent antibody direct viable counting on coastal recreational water samples

Aims: Escherichia coli is the faecal indicator species recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for monitoring fresh recreational water. Viable but nonculturable (VBNC) E. coli are living cells that are dormant and not culturable using standard microbiological cultivation methods. This study reports a comparison between the mTEC culture method recommended by USEPA for E. coli enumeration and a fluorescent antibody-direct viable count (FA-DVC) method to visualize living E. coli cells with a microscope. Methods and Results: Escherichia coli, faecal coliforms and Enterococcus were detected using standard methods recommended by the USEPA. VBNC E. coli was visualized with FA-DVC. Results were analysed with standard statistical methods (Pearson correlation; paired-sample t-test). Significantly higher numbers of E. coli were detected using the FA-DVC method than using the mTEC method. Escherichia coli results were also compared with faecal coliform (mFC broth) and Enterococcus (mEI agar) counts in the same samples. Conclusions: The results of this comparative study demonstrate that E. coli can be present in higher numbers than what are detected with standard culture methods. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study re-emphasizes the need for a rapid, accurate and precise method for detecting health risks to humans who use recreational waters.
Multimode Instabilities In Cw Dye Lasers

New experimental results are presented which show the behavior of a homogeneously broadened ring dye laser both below and above the threshold for the onset of the two-frequency instability. It is shown that the spectrum of the output of the laser is extremely sensitive to the detuning of the initial lasing frequency from the center of the gain curve. Spectral splittings as large as 340 A are reported. The close connection between this instability and the production of femtosecond mode-locked laser pulses is discussed.
Investigating the activity of quinine analogues versus chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract Plasmodium falciparum , the deadliest malarial parasite species, has developed resistance against nearly all man-made antimalarial drugs within the past century. However, quinine (QN), the first antimalarial drug, remains efficacious worldwide. Some chloroquine resistant (CQR) P. falciparum strains or isolates show mild cross resistance to QN, but many do not. Further optimization of QN may provide a well-tolerated therapy with improved activity versus CQR malaria. Thus, using the Heck reaction, we have pursued a structure–activity relationship study, including vinyl group modifications of QN. Certain derivatives show good antiplasmodial activity in QN-resistant and QN-sensitive strains, with lower IC 50 values relative to QN.
Linear transformations that preserve majorization, Schur concavity, and exchangeability

Abstract A characterization is given for the linear transformations that preserve majorization, Schur concavity, and exchangeability. In the case of bijections, it is shown that the same class of linear transformations preserves all three properties. More generally it is shown that the class of injections preserving majorization consists of the symmetric generalized inverses of the class of surjections that preserve exchangeability. Explicit matrix forms are given for each class, and the theory is applied to determine the partial exchangeability of estimators of interactions as well as to develop two extensions of the Marshall-Olkin theorem.
DESIGNING LANGUAGE TEACHING TASKS

DESIGNING LANGUAGE TEACHING TASKS. Keith Johnson. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. Pp. x + 196. 26.95 paper.First and foremost, readers should know that this book is not about how to design language teaching tasks. Rather, it is a pilot study of how professional task designers and teachers prepare language tasks for the classroom.
Sexual behavior in junior high school students.

Objective To evaluate the association between 14 demographic variables and the loss of virginity in a specific sample of junior high school students in Chicago. Methods Nine hundred seventy-six students in nine Chicago junior high schools, sixth through eighth grades, were given an anonymous behavior survey (the noncognitive assessment survey). Two separate logistic regression equations were used to determine the relative relationships of the demographic variables to self-reported virginity loss. Results Five variables were significantly associated with virginity loss in both regression equations. In rank order, they were gender, ethnic group, pubertal status, suicidal ideation, and sibling number (adjusted odds ratio 13.3, 4.57, 3.38, 1.93, and 1.24, respectively.) Nine variables did not have a consistent relation with early sexual activity: church attendance, religious affiliation, grade average, housing status, marital status of natural parents, self-esteem, sex education knowledge, school attendance, and chronologic age. Conclusions These results call into question two widely held assumptions that form the foundation of many teen pregnancy prevention efforts. First, although many believe that sex education courses can affect behavior, we found no link, either positive or negative, between knowledge of reproductive biology and age of first intercourse. Second, self-esteem level was not associated with age of first intercourse. The variables that did seem related to early sexual activity do not lend themselves to easy manipulation. Our findings suggest that current school-based efforts to alter teen pregnancy rates and sexual behavior are unlikely to succeed.
Effect of oxidation on ceramometal bond strength

Summary The ceramometal bond strength between SMG-3 gold alloy and Ceramco porcelain was evaluated using seven different oxidation cycles. The control group was not oxidized. Three groups were oxidized under vacuum at a temperature of 1,925 °F. The metal was heated (1) just until it reached temperature, (2) for 5 minutes, and (3) for 10 minutes. The last three groups were oxidized without a vacuum, with the time-temperature heat regimen the same as for the previous three groups. The group using an oxidation cycle without a vacuum and a temperature of 1,925 °F for 10 minutes was the only group that statistically differed from the control group.
Factors affecting isometry of endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: the effect of guide offset and rotation

Eight normal cadaveric knee specimens were used to evaluate the effects of femoral and tibial tunnel positions on length excursions of a single wire and bone-patellar tendon-bone graft as measured by an isometer. Femoral attachment sites were varied by using a commercially available femoral pin guide with either a 5.5- or 7.0-mm offset and by aiming with the guide oriented vertically (12:00 notch position) or rotating 45 degrees toward the lateral condyle (1:30 or 10:30 notch position depending on right or left knee). Tibial isometry was altered by testing the wire against the posterior tunnel wall or 5-mm anterior using a custom centering device. Isometry was measured from 0 degrees to 120 degrees for each position tested. A 7-mm offset guide rotated to the 12:00 position yielded the best single fiber and graft excursion patterns (P < .05). A 5.5-mm offset guide yielded inferior single fiber and graft excursion patterns. Single fiber and graft isometry were found to be similar, but not identical in endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Centering the single fiber in the tibial tunnel had little effect on excursion patterns, showing that the more posterior tibial positions needed for endoscopic reconstruction are acceptable from an isometry standpoint.
HIF-1 and tumor progression: pathophysiology and therapeutics

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) controls oxygen delivery (via angiogenesis) and metabolic adaptation to hypoxia (via glycolysis). HIF-1 consists of a constitutively expressed HIF-1 beta subunit and an oxygen- and growth-factor-regulated HIF-1 alpha subunit. In xenografts, tumor growth and angiogenesis are correlated with HIF-1 expression. In human cancers, HIF-1 alpha is overexpressed as a result of intratumoral hypoxia and genetic alterations affecting key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. HIF-1 alpha overexpression in biopsies of brain, breast, cervical, esophageal, oropharyngeal and ovarian cancers is correlated with treatment failure and mortality. Increased HIF-1 activity promotes tumor progression, and inhibition of HIF-1 could represent a novel approach to cancer therapy.
Relative valuation roles of equity book value and net income as a function of financial health

Abstract This study tests predictions that pricing multiples on and incremental explanatory power of equity book value (net income) increase (decrease) as financial health decreases. Tests using a sample of 396 bankrupt firms and tests using a larger, pooled sample both yield inferences consistent with predictions. Findings are robust to inclusion of controls for industry, size, return-on-equity, and volatility of equity returns. Equity book value and net income multiples and incremental explanatory power vary predictably across three illustrative industries, selected based on the likely extent of unrecognized intangible assets.
Boundary conditions, temperatures, and stress intensity factors under arbitrary thermal transients via the inverse route

Abstract A common threat to components is thermal shock from operational steady-state or transient thermal-states; an analysis of this type of problem ultimately requires the determination of stress intensity factors (SIF). For direct problems where all boundary conditions are known, the procedure is relatively straightforward and mathematically tractable. Although more practical from a measurement standpoint, the inverse problem where the boundary conditions must be determined from remotely determined temperature and/or flux data is ill-posed and inherently sensitive to errors in the data. Despite these difficulties, the inverse problem can be readily solved using a least-squares determination of polynomial coefficients based on a generalized direct solution to the Heat Equation. Once the unknown surface temperature history is determined, the resulting polynomial can also used with the generalized direct solution to determine the temperature and stress distributions as a function of time. For a semi-infinite slab with both edge- and surface-cracks, excellent agreement was seen with known solutions when this method was employed. Given the versatility of the polynomial solutions advocated, the method appears well suited for many thermal scenarios provided the analysis is restricted to the time interval used to determine the polynomial and the thermophysical properties that do not vary with temperature. The method can also be implemented as part of a finite-element solution for more complex geometries when closed-form solutions do not exist.
FOOD-FINDING BY POLYPHAGOUS ARCTIID CATERPILLARS LACKING ANTENNAL AND MAXILLARY CHEMORECEPTORS

Patterns of locomotion of arctiid caterpillars, Diacrisia virginica Fabr., deprived of all external chemosensory organs were recorded in a field where there was patchy distribution of two of the most favored food plants, Plantago major L. and Taraxacum officinale Walker, on a background of grass and mixed forbs. Each track traced in the field was retraced on a digitizing tablet from its point of origin in the center of a circle of 30 cm radius to the circumference. The length of the path was a measure of tortuosity. The patterns of paths followed by normal, antennectomized, maxillectomized, and antennectomized + maxillectomized larvae were compared. No differences in meander were found. The ability of larvae of each class to locate, discriminate among, and feed upon food plants was tested in field-plot tests and cafeteria tests. Different degrees of chemosensory deprivation did not affect ability to locate and begin feeding on plants but did impair ability to discriminate among species. Execution of normal patterns of meandering by chemosensorily deprived larvae and successful encounters with food plants support the hypothesis that food-related search behavior by this species of caterpillar is neither initiated nor steered by chemical stimuli provided by food plants.
WE-D-351-06: Automated Quality Assurance Test for MLC-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Purpose: We present an automated method of Linac mechanical quality assurance (QA) for MLC‐based Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The test is designed to determine 3D deviation of the Linac beam central axis defined by the center of the collimator aperture defined by the MLC leaves from the machine isocenter defined by the small tungsten sphere target. Method and Materials: The automation is achieved using Portal Imager as a 2D detector. Based on the approach of Winston‐Lutz Alignment Test, we monitor the alignment of the isocentrically‐placed tungsten sphere target, mounted on a metal stem, with the center of the MLC‐defined small square field. Multiple projection images are acquired for a specified set of gantry angles. After acquisition, the EPIDimages are saved in DICOM format by the imager's software for subsequent automated analysis on a Windows‐based PC running MATLAB®. Results: The center of the sphere deviated by 0.75 ±0.17 mm (1SD) from the MLC defined field center. The lateral, longitudinal and vertical sphere displacements were [0.66±0.17, 0.20±0.18, 0.217±0.13] mm, respectively. The average extent of the MLC motion in the direction parallel to the leaf travel was within 0.2 mm maximum span, while the carriage motion in the perpendicular direction ranged from 0.2 mm for 5×5cm2 field to 1 mm motion for 2×2cm2 field. All results were automatically processed using GUI. Conclusion: Our test is capable of sub‐millimeter sensitivity to the MLC leaf position and carriage position, as well as gantry sag and carriage shift due to the effect gravity at multiple gantry angles. The system employs a graphic interface, which is intended to facilitate the frequent clinical use of the presented QA technique. Conflict of Interest: This work is partially supported by Varian Medical Systems (PaloAlto, CA).
Minimization of the effect of errors in approximate radiation view factors

Abstract The maximum temperature of irradiated fuel rods in storage containers was investigated, taking account only for radiation heat transfer. Estimating view factors is often easy but the emphasis is often on calculating the quadruple integrals exactly. Selecting different view factors in the view factor matrix as independent, yields somewhat different view factor matrices. In this study, errors of 10%–20% in view factors produce small errors in the temperature, which are well within the uncertainty resulting from the surface emissivities uncertainty. However, the enclosure and reciprocity principles must be strictly observed, or large errors in the temperatures and wall heat flux are observed (up to a factor of 3). In addition to being an aid for calculating the dependent view factors, satisfying these principles, particularly reciprocity, is more important than the calculation accuracy of the view factors. Comparison with experiment showed that the results of the radiation calculation were definitely conservative, as desired, despite the approximations of the view factors.
OVARIAN TORSION MIMICKING UROLOGICAL DISEASE

Case 1. A 9-year old girl presented with intermittent right lower quadrant pain radiating to the right flank, low grade fever, emesis and dysuria 4 days in duration. Her father had a history of recurrent nephrolithiasis. Physical examination revealed right lower quadrant tenderness to deep palpation without peritoneal signs. Rectal examination was normal. Urinalysis demonstrated calcium oxalate crystals and 5 to 7 red blood cells per high power field. Ultrasonography showed normal kidneys and a 7 x 4 cm. right ovary with cystic components, and blood flow was decreased on a Doppler study. Exploration through a Pfannenstiel incision revealed a necrotic right ovary. The patient underwent oophorectomy and contralateral oophoropexy. Hematuria had resolved by 3 weeks postoperatively. Case 2. A 19-year-old woman presented with acute onset of right lower quadrant and mild right flank pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Episodes of pain lasted up to 30 minutes. Physical examination demonstrated mild right flank and right lower quadrant tenderness without peritoneal signs. Pelvic examination was normal. Urinalysis revealed 5 to 7 red blood cells per high power field. Excretory urography was normal. Pain resolved and the patient left the hospital but she returned within 12 hours with excruciating right lower quadrant pain. Pelvic ultrasound was consistent with ovarian torsion. Laparoscopic right oophorectomy was performed without contralateral oophoropexy. The patient was subsequently lost to followup.
Editorial 2015 IEEE TSM Best Paper Award

High quality scholarship requires technical excellence but also connects the work to the primary references in the field. In this way, the reader advances their knowledge and gains perspective. The TRANSACTIONS ON SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING supports these goals by recognizing the best paper chosen by the Associate Editors and reviewers. The winning paper was selected from 140 papers published by TSM in 2015. The winner is “An Algorithm of Multi-Subpopulation Parameters With Hybrid Estimation of Distribution for Semiconductor Scheduling With Constrained Waiting Time” by Hung-Kai Wang, Chen-Fu Chien, and Mitsuo Gen published in the August 2015 issue of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING (10.1109/TSM.2015.2439054). I congratulate the authors on their selection.
Detection of a 60-Hz electric field by pigeons.

Pigeons seem to be able to detect a 50 kV/m 60 Hz (extremely low frequency, or ELF) ac electric field (undisturbed field strength) under laboratory conditions. Noise parameters or exposure grid vibration are potential artifacts associated with ELF field generation systems. The study presented here used conditioned suppression to indicate detection of ELF field onset by pigeons which were either shielded by a Faraday cage or unshielded. Pigeons shielded from the ELF field by a Faraday cage did not exhibit conditioned suppression; those unshielded did. Hence, noise intensity of ELF electric fields and that noise and/or vibration of the exposure system are not the cue(s) used by the pigeons to detect the ELF field.
Thermodynamics for self-association of caffeine in water: apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities of aqueous caffeine at temperatures from 278.15 to 393.15 K and at the pressure 0.35 MPa

Abstract We have determined the apparent molar volumes V φ and the apparent molar heat capacities C p , φ for aqueous solutions of caffeine at temperatures T from 278.15 K to 393.15 K, at the pressure 0.35 MPa, and at molalities m from 0.01 mol · kg −1 to 0.1 mol · kg −1 . We used a vibrating tube densimeter (DMA 512P, Anton PAAR, Austria) to determine the densities and volumetric properties, and a twin fixed-cell, power-compensation, differential-output, temperature-scanning calorimeter (NanoDSC 6100, Calorimetry Sciences, American Fork, UT, USA) to obtain the heat capacities. We have assumed that aqueous caffeine is described by a monomer–dimer equilibrium, and we have applied Young’s Rule to fit our results with regression functions that are thermodynamically self-consistent and that include the equilibrium constant and the changes in enthalpy Δ r H m , heat capacity Δ r C p , m , volume Δ r V m , and entropy Δ r S m for the monomer–dimer reaction over the ranges of temperature and molality of our experiments.
Modification of calcium requirement for activation of cardiac myofibrillar ATPase by cyclic AMP dependent phosphorylation

Abstract Phosphorylation of dog cardiac myofibrils with cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase incorporated 0.8 nmol phosphate mg/protein. This phosphorylation was associated with a righward shift of the relationship between free calckum and myofibrillar ATPase with no change in basal or macimal ATPase. Half-maximal activating free calcium was 0.2 μM in control and 0.1 μM in phosphorylated myofibrils. Calcium bound to phosphorylated myofibrils was significantly depressed at all free calcium concentrations studied. Dephosphorylation of control myofibrils with alkaline phosphotase caused a relatively small leftward shift of the relation between free calcium and myofibrillar ATPase and a significant elevation in myofibrillar calcium binding. Our data suggest that phosphorylation of myofibrillar troponin I alters the calcium binding properties of troponin C.
Consequences of a mismatch between biological and management units on our perception of Atlantic cod off New England

A mismatch between the scale of fishery management units and biological population structure can potentially result in a misperception of the productivity and sustainable yield of fish stocks. We used simulation modelling as a tool to compare the perception of productivity, stability, and sustainability of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) off New England from an operating model based on the current US management units to a model that more closely reflects the biological complexity of the resource. Two age-structured models were compared: (i) the management unit model, wherein cod were grouped based on the current spatially defined US management areas (Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank), and (ii) the biological unit model, consisting of three genetically defined population components (northern spring spawning, southern winter/spring spawning, and eastern Georges Bank spring-spawning groups). Overall, the regional productivity and maximum sustainable yield of the biological unit model was lower compared with the management unit model. The biological unit model also provided insights on the distribution of productivity in the region, with southern and northern spawning groups being the dominant contributors to the regional spawning– stock biomass and yield and the eastern Georges Bank spawning group being the minority contributor at low to intermediate levels of fishing mortality. The comparison of models revealed that the perception of Atlantic cod derived from the management unit model was of a resource that is more resilient to fishing mortality and not as susceptible to “collapse” as indicated by the biological unit model. For Atlantic cod, one of the main risks of ignoring population structure appears the potential for overexploitation of segments of the population. Consideration of population structure of cod changed our perception of the magnitude and distribution of productivity in the region, suggesting that expectations of sustainable yield of cod in US waters should be reconsidered.
Impacts of temperature and precipitation variability in the Northern Plains of the United States and Canada on the productivity of spring barley and oat

Increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation are expected to effect a change in production of cool- season crops such as spring barley and oat. To determine whether observed changes may already have had an impact on these crops in the Northern Plains of the United States and Canada, first-differences of growing-season temperature and precipitation and of annual yield data were analysed via multiple linear regression for 1980-2012 for the genetically stable cultivars of 'Robust' spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at three sites in Minnesota, and for 'Gopher' oats (Avena sativa L.) at five sites in Minnesota and neighbouring states and provinces. Temperature and precipitation impacts also were assessed for the top-three yielding barley and oat cultivars at each site to assess whether newer varieties responded similarly to the older varieties. Barley yield at the coolest site showed a modest relationship with climate while the warmer sites showed stronger relationships between climate variability and barley yield, particularly for negative impacts of high temperatures. Climate variability also had a significant impact on yield at the five oat sites. Warm pre-sowing temperatures enhanced yields at cooler sites while high temperatures later in the growing season reduced yields across the sites. Results for the top-three barley and oat cultivars often were similar to those for the older cultivars. Our results suggest that observed climate changes have contributed to the relative decrease in barley and oat yields in the region, that more recent releases have partially compensated for the negative impacts of observed temperature and precipitation trends, and that model projected changes in temperature and precipitation will continue to present both benefits and challenges for barley and oat production in the Northern Plains.
Intrinsic redox properties of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor can determine the developmental expression of excitotoxicity in rat cortical neurons in vitro

The sensitivity of central neurons in culture to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated cell death increases with development. In this study, we show that this phenomenon in vitro may be due, at least in part, to changes in the redox properties of the NMDA receptor itself. With increasing days in culture, NMDA-induced electrical responses in rat cortical neurons are less sensitive to dithiothreitol-induced potentiation and spontaneously oxidize less readily than in younger cells. These results imply that at earlier developmental ages NMDA receptors prefer a more oxidized state. Hence, in the presence of a reducing agent, NMDA-induced neurotoxicity was produced in normally resistant younger neurons. The observed changes in NMDA receptor properties with development could not be attributed to long-range diffusible redox endogenous factors. An oxidized NMDA receptor thus confers maturing neurons a protective mechanism against glutamate toxicity during development.
Barriers to Effective Special Education Consultation

Special education consultation is widely supported by teacher educators as a necessary component of the role of the special educator, particularly those educators being trained to work with mildly handicapped students. Data indicate, however, that in practice special educators spend very little of their time consulting. This article examines (a) the emergence of the consulting movement, (b) barriers that impede consultation from being integrated into the role of the special educator, and (c) ways to address those barriers.
Speckle Metrology Techniques And Their Applications

Fundamentals of speckle metrology are reviewed, with special emphasis on principles governing speckle formation and dependence of this phenomenon on objects' motion and/or deformation. Processes relating to recording and reconstruction of specklegrams are discussed and are followed by presentation of methods for quantitative interpretation of specklegrams. Solution of the resulting equations, based on the method of projection matrices and the fringe vector theory, is outlined. Applications of speckle metrology techniques to measurement of displacements and strains are presented. Presentation of these applications is illustrated by representative examples from the fields of engineering and medicine, including measurement of displacements and vibrations of objects with diffusely scattering surfaces in real time.
The deduced amino acid sequence of human carbonic anhydrase-related protein (CARP) is 98% identical to the mouse homologue.

SUMMARY A recently reported mRNA, encoding ‘carbonic anhydrase-related polypeptide’ (CARP) from the Purkinje cells of mouse cerebellum, was shown to have a 30-40% deduced amino acid sequence identity with the carbonic anhydrases (CA) of mammals. In order to compare the mouse and human CARP sequences, we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify human CARP sequences from several cDNA libraries (salivary gland, testis and placenta). The sequence has an 89.3% sequence identity with mouse CARP at the nucleotide level and 97.9% at the amino acid level. This extremely high evolutionary conservation suggests an important function for the CARP gene product.
Intake Air Path Diagnostics for Internal Combustion Engines

Presented is the detection, isolation, and estimation of faults that occur in the intake air path of internal combustion engines during steady state operation. The proposed diagnostic approach is based on a static air path model, which is adapted online such that the model output matches the measured output during steady state conditions. The resulting changes in the model coefficients create a vector whose magnitude and direction are used for fault detection and isolation. Fault estimation is realized by analyzing the residual between the actual sensor measurement and the output of the original (i.e., healthy) model. To identify the structure of the steady state air path model a process called system probing is developed. The proposed diagnostics algorithm is experimentally validated on the intake air path of a Ford 4.6 L V-8 engine. The specific faults to be identified include two of the most problematic faults that degrade the performance of transient fueling controllers: bias in the mass air flow sensor and a leak in the intake manifold. The selected model inputs include throttle position and engine speed, and the output is the mass air flow sensor measurement.
Personal, Interpersonal, and Organizational Influences on Student Satisfaction With Clinical Education

Background and Purpose. Understanding the factors that contribute to student satisfaction may lead to improved education in physical therapy. This study tested the extent to which variables in the personal, interpersonal, and organizational domains influence satisfaction with clinical experiences. Subjects. Physical therapist students (N=113) in 2 phases of their clinical experiences at one private school participated. Methods. A nonexperimental design tested 3 models for predicting overall satisfaction. Students completed 3 surveys and weekly logs during 8-week-long clinical experiences. Results. The survey return rate was 96%. Overall satisfaction with the clinical experience was predicted by life satisfaction, gender, off-site events, on-site events, interaction between negative events and gender, instructor teaching skills, interaction between education phase and gender, variety, and use of selected orientation methods. Conclusion and Discussion. Overall satisfaction is predicted by variables in all 3 domains. Overall satisfaction was best explained by factors in the interpersonal domain and student gender. Causal research is needed to confirm whether satisfaction can be improved and whether the results apply to other students at other schools. The relationships among satisfaction, performance, later job satisfaction, and career commitment need to be explored further.
A Pair of Dual Integral Equations Occurring in Diffraction Theory

Dual integral equations of the formwhere f(x) and g(x) are given functions, ψ(x) is unknown, k≧0, μ, v and α are real constants, have applications to diffraction theory and also to dynamical problems in elasticity. The special cases v = −μ, α = 0 and v = μ = 0, 0<α2<1 were treated by Ahiezer (1). More recently, equations equivalent to the above were solved by Peters (2) who adapted a method used earlier by Gordon (3) for treating the (extensively studied) case μ = v, k = 0.
Négocier les différences religieuses dans les organisations laïques : l’exemple des chapelles d’hôpitaux

Research about religion and community is more likely to look at religious communities than at the presence and significance of religion in secular settings. The author considers religion in such settings by asking how religion and spirituality are present in one set of large academic hospitals in the United States. She focuses on the physical spaces – typically called chapels or meditation rooms – these hospitals demarcate for religious or spiritual purposes. She finds hospitals increasingly removing religious symbols and objects from these spaces in an effort to make them more versatile and accessible to a range of people. Rather than multi-faith spaces shared by people from a range of religious backgrounds, hospitals are creating seemingly neutral spaces focused on art or nature that sometimes nevertheless continue to reflect underlying Christian assumptions. A clearer picture of how religion is present in secular organizations is essential to a complete understanding of how it operates in a range of in...
How Basal Ganglia Outputs Generate Behavior

The basal ganglia (BG) are a collection of subcortical nuclei critical for voluntary behavior. According to the standard model, the output projections from the BG tonically inhibit downstream motor centers and prevent behavior. A pause in the BG output opens the gate for behavior, allowing the initiation of actions. Hypokinetic neurological symptoms, such as inability to initiate actions in Parkinson’s disease, are explained by excessively high firing rates of the BG output neurons. This model, widely taught in textbooks, is contradicted by recent electrophysiological results, which are reviewed here. In addition, I also introduce a new model, based on the insight that behavior is a product of closed loop negative feedback control using internal reference signals rather than sensorimotor transformations. The nervous system is shown to be a functional hierarchy comprising independent controllers occupying different levels, each level controlling specific variables derived from its perceptual inputs. The BG represent the level of transition control in this hierarchy, sending reference signals specifying the succession of body orientations and configurations. This new model not only explains the major symptoms in movement disorders but also generates a number of testable predictions.
Skeletal muscle capillary function: contemporary observations and novel hypotheses

The capillary bed constitutes a vast surface that facilitates exchange of O2, substrates and metabolites between blood and organs. In contracting skeletal muscle, capillary blood flow and O2 diffusing capacity, as well as O2 flux, may increase two orders of magnitude above resting values. Chronic diseases, such as heart failure and diabetes, and also sepsis impair these processes, leading to compromised energetic, metabolic and, ultimately, contractile function. Among researchers seeking to understand blood-myocyte exchange in health and the basis for dysfunction in disease, there is a fundamental disconnect between microcirculation specialists and many physiologists and physiologist clinicians. While the former observe capillaries and capillary function directly (muscle intravital microscopy), the latter generally use indirect methodologies (e.g. post-mortem tissue analysis, 1-methyl xanthine, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, permeability-surface area product) and interpret their findings based upon August Krogh's observations made nearly a century ago. 'Kroghian' theory holds that only a small fraction of capillaries support red blood cell (RBC) flux in resting muscle, leaving the vast majority to be 'recruited' (i.e. to initiate RBC flux) during contractions, which would constitute the basis for increasing surface area for capillary exchange and reducing capillary-mitochondrial diffusion distances. Experimental techniques each have their strengths and weaknesses, and often the correct or complete answer to a problem emerges from integration across multiple technologies. Today, Krogh's entrenched 'capillary recruitment' hypothesis is challenged by direct observations of capillaries in contracting muscle, which is something that he and his colleagues could not do. Moreover, in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, application of a range of contemporary physiological technologies, including intravital microscopy of contracting muscle, magnetic resonance, near-infrared spectroscopy and phosphorescence quenching, combined with elegant in situ and in vivo models, suggest that the role of the capillary bed, at least in contracting muscle, is subserved without the necessity for de novo capillary recruitment of previously non-flowing capillaries. When viewed within the context of the capillary recruitment hypothesis, this evidence casts serious doubt on the interpretation of those data that are based upon Kroghian theory and indirect methodologies. Thus, today a wealth of evidence calls for a radical revision of blood-muscle exchange theory to one in which most capillaries support RBC flux at rest and, during contractions, capillary surface area is 'recruited' along the length of previously flowing capillaries. This occurs, in part, by elevating capillary haematocrit and extending the length of the capillary available for blood-myocyte exchange (i.e. longitudinal recruitment). Our understanding of blood-myocyte O2 and substrate/metabolite exchange in health and the mechanistic basis for dysfunction in disease demands no less.
Colonoscopy-induced splenic injury: report of 3 cases and literature review.

Background Since its first report in 1974, 66 cases of splenic injury after colonoscopy have been reported in the world literature. Splenic injury is among the rarest complications of colonoscopy. However, it can be associated with severe morbidity and has rarely been fatal. Objectives Three cases of splenic injury following colonoscopy are described, and the world literature is reviewed. Methods Case reports and literature review. Results Seventy-six percent of the patients were females. When reported, colonoscope insertion was technically difficult in 36% of cases. The onset of symptoms is usually within 48 h of colonoscopy. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom (93% of cases). CT scan and ultrasound each had 100% diagnostic sensitivity when performed. Twenty of 65 cases (31%) with available data were successfully managed supportively with bed rest, transfusion and pain control. Hemodynamic instability was associated with surgical treatment, but no clinical features were perfect predictors of successful conservative therapy or the need for surgery. Conclusions Splenic injury during and after colonoscopy is more common in women. Technically difficult colonoscopy is a possible risk factor. Onset of symptoms is often delayed by hours. CT scan is probably the best diagnostic test for splenic injury after colonoscopy, though the literature indicated ultrasound is also sensitive. Patients with hemodynamic instability are most often operated. Patients with confined intrasplenic hematoma and hemodynamic stability can be given a trial of conservative management.