cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural network for ocean bottom parameter estimation

Abstract This concerns the estimation of physical parameters characterizing the ocean bottom fromparallel time series representing (A) the instantaneous height of the water column above a section ofbottom and (B) the vertical displacement of the bottom section from its long term average. Timeseries A, representing wind-generated waves, is modeled by a sinusoid with phase jitter. In theabsence of both seismic background noise and any nonlinear behavior in the ocean bottom, time seriesB could be modeled by coupling the bottom through a spring and dashpot to a mass proportional to A.We created two- and three-layer adaptive networks in which series A and B (with lag) were inputs.Training consisted in subtracting the network output from the current value of series B and feedingback these errors in accordance with the appropriate formulas for gradient descent in squared error.The trained nets act as models of the way in which the bottom responds to changes at the surface. 1 . The Linear Model
A Regression Model of Predictor Variables on Critical Reflection in the Classroom: Integration of the Critical Incident Questionnaire and the Framework for Reflective Thinking

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Rapidradio: a domain-specific productivity enhancing framework

The RapidRadio framework for signal classification and receiver deployment is discussed. The framework is a productivity enhancing tool that reduces the required knowledge-base for implementing a receiver on an FPGA-based SDR platform. The ultimate objective of this framework is to identify unknown signals and to build FPGA-based receivers capable of receiving them. The architecture of the receiver deployed by the framework and its implementation are discussed. The framework's capacity to classify a signal and deploy a functional receiver is validated with over-the-air experiments.
Maternal obesity and sex-specific differences in placental pathology.

Abstract Objective Adverse effects of obesity have been linked to inflammation in various tissues, but studies on placental inflammation and obesity have demonstrated conflicting findings. We sought to investigate the influence of pregravid obesity and fetal sex on placental histopathology while controlling for diabetes and hypertension. Methods Placental histopathology focusing on inflammatory markers of a cohort of normal weight (BMI = 20–24.9) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) patients was characterized. Demographic, obstetric and neonatal variables were assessed. Results 192 normal and 231 obese women were included. Placental characteristics associated with obesity and fetal sex independent of diabetes and hypertension were placental disc weight >90 th percentile, decreased placental efficiency, chronic villitis (CV), fetal thrombosis, and normoblastemia. Additionally, female fetuses of obese mothers had higher rates of CV and fetal thrombosis. Increasing BMI increased the risk of normoblastemia and CV. The final grade and extent of CV was significantly associated with obesity and BMI, but not fetal gender. Finally, CV was less common in large-for-gestation placentas. Conclusions Maternal obesity results in placental overgrowth and fetal hypoxia as manifested by normoblastemia; it is also associated with an increased incidence of CV and fetal thrombosis, both more prevalent in female placentas. We have shown for the first time that the effect of maternal obesity on placental inflammation is independent of diabetes and hypertension, but significantly affected by fetal sex. Our data also point to the intriguing possibility that CV serves to normalize placental size, and potentially fetal growth, in the setting of maternal obesity.
Committed Belief Annotation and Tagging

We present a preliminary pilot study of belief annotation and automatic tagging. Our objective is to explore semantic meaning beyond surface propositions. We aim to model people's cognitive states, namely their beliefs as expressed through linguistic means. We model the strength of their beliefs and their (the human) degree of commitment to their utterance. We explore only the perspective of the author of a text. We classify predicates into one of three possibilities: committed belief, non committed belief, or not applicable. We proceed to manually annotate data to that end, then we build a supervised framework to test the feasibility of automatically predicting these belief states. Even though the data is relatively small, we show that automatic prediction of a belief class is a feasible task. Using syntactic features, we are able to obtain significant improvements over a simple baseline of 23% F-measure absolute points. The best performing automatic tagging condition is where we use POS tag, word type feature AlphaNumeric, and shallow syntactic chunk information CHUNK. Our best overall performance is 53.97% F-measure.
Complications of combined radical hysterectomy and pelvic radiation

Abstract Long-term gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary tract (UT) complications were evaluated in 48 women treated by radical hysterectomy (RH) and pelvic node dissection (PND) and in 25 women who received 5000–5400 rad of external pelvic radiation (RT) after RH-PND. No major complications developed in the surgery-only group, but the 5-year minor GI complication rate was 4% and the 5-year minor UT complication rate was 10%. In 9 patients receiving RT at 200 rad/day, one major GI complication (13%) and one major UT complication (14%) developed. In 16 patients receiving RT at 180 rad/day only minor GI complications (7%) and minor UT complications (13%) developed. The conclusion is that after RH-PND, adjunctive RT delivered at 180 rad/day through four ports results in acceptable, minimal complications.
Synthesis and characterization of perfluoro-tert-butyl semifluorinated amphiphilic polymers and their potential application in hydrophobic drug delivery

Semifluorinated polymer surfactants, composed of a monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) hydrophilic head group and 1, 2, or 3 perfluoro-tert-butyl (PFtB) groups as the fluorophilic tail, were synthesized, and their aqueous self-assemblies were investigated as a potential design for theranostic nanoparticles. Polymers with three PFtB groups (PFtBTRI) solely formed stable, spherical micelles, approximately 12 nm in size. These PFtBTRI surfactants demonstrate similar characteristics to those of polymers with linear perfluorocarbon tails, despite large differences in the tail structure. For example, PFtB polymer solutions stably emulsified 20 v/v% sevoflurane with perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) as a stabilizer. However, these PFtB polymers have the additional potential to serve as F-MRI contrast agents. PFtBTRI micelles gave one narrow 19F-NMR signal in D2O, with T1 and T2 parameters of approximately 500 and 100 ms, respectively. 19F-MR images of PFtB polymer solutions at 1 mM gave an intense signal at 4.7 T without sensitizers or selective excitation sequences. These preliminary data demonstrate the potential of PFtB polymers as a basic design, which can be further modified to serve as dual drug-delivery and imaging vehicles.
Role of Physical Performance Component Evaluations in Occupational Therapy Functional Assessment

In the 1970s, occupational therapy assessments tended to focus on physical performance component (PPC) evaluations such as strength and range of motion; assessment of occupational performance played a secondary role. Given changes within and outside the profession of occupational therapy, it is time for the assessment of occupation and role performance to assume a primary role, while PPC evaluation should shift to a secondary role. Although PPC evaluations may be less prominent than in the past, they will continue to play an important role in occupational therapy practice and research. Therapists need to be critical consumers of PPC measurement tools because many require further development to validate their use for occupational therapy purposes.
A changing environment: the virtual world meets the physical world

With the coming of computers and the Internet, the relationship of the physical and virtual worlds has shifted. Virtual environments will not replace physical ones, but the nature, location, and function of the latter will change, creating both challenges and opportunities for architects.
Blood-flow indices in amputee and control limbs by mutual electrical impedance plethysmography.

Abstract Arterial insufficiency is recognized in amputee segments of thighs by bioelectrical impedance indices of blood flow. The radiofrequency method of volume detection is painless, noninvasive, and reproducible for diagnostic or therapeutic management of circulatory impairments. It interprets complex changes in electrical conductances in real volumetric terms which are easily understood by physicians. Blood flow indices based on bioelectric impedance in the present study indicate a statistically significant circulatory deficit is present in the amputated thigh of traumatic and nontraumatic amputees. Vascular and degenerative diseases are almost invariably present in the nontraumatic amputee group.
Rickets in Chicks I. Variations in the Antirachitic Potency of Different Brands of Cod Liver oil

Abstract Since the vitamins of cod liver oil have been found to be a specific preventive of rickets1 in chicks and to materially aid growth, the question has arisen whether or not there is any significant variation in the vitamin content of different brands of cod liver oil, when used for this purpose. Drummond, Zilva and Golding2 of England and Holmes3 of this country have reported marked variations in the potency of different samples of cod liver oil as a curative of rickets and a means of causing the resumption of growth in white rats. In view of these results it seemed reasonable, therefore, that similar variations in the vitamin content of different sources of cod liver oil would be obtained, when these oils were fed to chicks. The results of a study of this problem are presented in this paper. EXPERIMENTAL Three trials were conducted with White Leghorn chicks, using . . .
Do caveolins regulate cells by actions outside of caveolae

Caveolae (caveolin-containing lipid rafts) are plasma membrane domains that scaffold and organize a variety of important proteins in eukaryotic cells. Recent work shows that caveolins can act independently of caveolae, both in cells that lack caveolae (e.g. neurons and leukocytes) and in non-caveolar regions of cells that have caveolae (e.g. cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts). Phosphorylation of caveolins can influence the scaffolding of protein partners, and caveolins appear to participate in the protection and trafficking of proteins to and from the plasma membrane. Together, these results suggest that, despite their name, caveolins should now be thought of as proteins that scaffold signaling and other proteins in both caveolar and non-caveolar regions.
Research on Deformation Permeability Changing Law during Snake Rolling Process

In order to refine the microstructure and improve the mechanical properties of the thicker steel plate, the large rolling reduction should be conducted. Confined to the biting angle of rolling mill, the maximum press quantity is constant. The research indicates that shear stress produced in the deformation region during snake rolling process is helpful and the snake rolling method can be used in the thick steel plate production. The effective strain of steel plate with various roller speed ratio, plate thickness, fraction and roller speed was determined by numerical calculation method. By comparison, the effective strain changing law was obtained. The calculation results indicate that compared to traditional rolling process, the effective strain produced in the plate can be improved with the increase of roller speed ratio, and the deformation permeability can also be improved.
Quantitative determination of calcium, magnesium, and zinc in fingernails by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Abstract Quantitative determination of Ca, Mg, and Zn in fingernails was performed with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Two different methods of producing solid standards for calibration were explored – preparation of keratin pellets and deposition of aqueous solutions to filter papers. Measurements of the temperature and electron density of the plasma produced on keratin pellets, filter paper, and nails were performed, and it was determined that the standards prepared on filter paper gave plasma temperatures and electron densities closer to those observed on the nails. The ablation rate of the filter paper was also more similar to that of the nails. Using calibration curves produced using these filter paper standards, Ca, Mg, and Zn were determined in fingernails of 11 subjects. For comparison, the same samples were digested and atomic absorption was used to determine the same three elements. The differences in results are discussed in light of sample homogeneity and instrumental precision; the best agreement was obtained for determination of Zn. The work suggests that the filter paper method of standard preparation may be appropriate for LIBS analysis of other samples that give relatively low temperature, low electron density plasmas (i.e., polymers).
Acute Pain Management in Older Adults in the Emergency Department

Effective treatment of acute pain in older patients is a common challenge faced by emergency providers. Because older adults are at increased risk for adverse events associated with systemic analgesics, pain treatment must proceed cautiously. Essential elements to quality acute pain care include an early initial assessment for the presence of pain, selection of an analgesic based on patient-specific risks and preferences, and frequent reassessments and retreatments as needed. This article describes current knowledge regarding the assessment and treatment of acute pain in older adults.
LINKING TESTING AND INSTRUCTION: POLICY ISSUES

We would not be surprised if many readers were to question the need for a special issue of JEM devoted to "Linking Testing and Instruction." After all, skeptics might reasonably argue, it is a truism that the content of standardized achievement tests-the focus of this issue-must be linked to instruction if meaningful inferences about performance are to be made. Further, they might contend that a central tenet of the evaluation movement is the need to gather information about student achievement using tests directly linked to educational objectives and instruction. Obviously, our skeptics are correct. Why then this special issue? The reason is that standardized achievement testing is no longer concerned primarily with issues directly related to classroom practice and to the use of results by teachers. Increasingly, standardized achievement tests are being used for a host of policy-oriented purposes: assessing educational equity; providing evidence on school and program effectiveness; allocating compensatory funds to school districts; evaluating teacher effectiveness; accrediting school districts; classifying students for remediation; and certifying successful completion of high school or a given grade of elementary school. Linking testing to instruction generally is not a major problem for individual teachers, thanks partly to sensitive teacher judgment about the relevance of test items to the content of instruction in their classroom and partly to many textbook publishers who now provide integrated teaching/testing/curriculum packages. When standardized tests were used primarily by teachers, the problem of the sensitivity of the test to actual classroom instruction was not a major issue. Generally, the results were not terribly important and seldom were major decisions made on the basis of the results. However, when achievement test results are intended to inform extra-classroom policy decisions where there is the potential for serious harm either to individuals or programs, then the problems of linking testing and instruction become acute. It is the increased use of achievement test results in the policy sphere, much less than the use of test results by classroom teachers, which makes this special issue so pertinent. Our task is to provide an overview of the issues associated with the problem of linking testing and instruction. First we describe two general policy areas which have prompted concern about these links: studies of school and program effectiveness and minimum competency testing programs used for pupil certification. While other policy issues noted above are important, space does not permit a discussion of each. However, the points associated with the two areas we shall deal with are also pertinent to these other issues. Second, we shall describe techniques that have been used to investigate links between tests and instruction. Finally, we shall address a number of educational and policy issues that arise from efforts to link tests and instruction.
Blood Lead Concentrations in Waterfowl Utilizing Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

The Coeur d’Alene River Basin, Lake Coeur d’Alene, and the Spokane River contain elevated heavy metal concentrations in sediment and water from historical mining and ore processing operations in the Coeur d’Alene Basin. Lead poisoning has been identified as the cause of death in hundreds of waterfowl utilizing wetlands in the floodplain of the Coeur d’Alene River, but little was known about hazards to waterfowl from heavy metal contamination in shallow bays and wetlands of Lake Coeur d’Alene. We examined lake sediment and blood lead concentrations in waterfowl utilizing Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to evaluate potential lead contamination of waterfowl utilizing the lake. We collected 56 palustrine and 102 lacustrine sediment samples and 61 mallard and 8 wood duck blood samples. Mean lead concentrations from palustrine and lacustrine sediment samples ranged from 14 to 3508 mg/kg dry weight (dw) and from 19 to 5009 mg/kg (dw), respectively. Lead concentrations in palustrine and lacustrine sediment from several Lake Coeur d’Alene bays were higher than those in lake reference areas and were higher than Bunker Hill Superfund Site target cleanup levels and suggested site-specific toxicity thresholds for swans. Mean blood lead from mallard and wood ducks sampled from Lake Coeur d’Alene bays were within lead toxicity ranges for waterfowl associated with clinical and severe clinical lead poisoning. We also collected 19 Canada goose and 3 mallard fecal samples to evaluate exposure through sediment ingestion. Waterfowl using Lake Coeur d’Alene appear to be exposed to lead by ingesting contaminated lake sediment. Our model predicts a sediment lead effects range of 147–944 mg/kg (dw) and mortality effects level of 1652 mg/kg (dw) for mallards utilizing Lake Coeur d’Alene. The locations of Harrison Slough, Powderhorn Bay, and Cottonwood Bay at the mouth of the Coeur d’Alene River and Blackwell Island and Cougar Bay near the Spokane River outflow of Lake Coeur d’Alene were the areas of greatest concern for waterfowl exposure to lead contaminated sediment.
Results of an Effective Hub and Spoke Model for Treatment of Clubfoot

The aim of this study was to assess a 'hub and spoke' model for a treatment of clubfoot that involves the casting of feet by trained physiotherapists based at local hospitals close to the patients' homes. It has been demonstrated that non-medical personnel can be trained effectively in the Ponseti technique in developing nations where resources and orthopaedic surgeons are scarce. 1–5 In the UK the British Orthopaedic Association published the 'blue book' on children's orthopaedics in 2006, which advises a hub and spoke model to address the issue of a shortage of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons in peripheral district general hospitals (DGHs). 6 The extent of subspecialisation among orthopaedic surgeons and the lack of paediatric anaesthetists have reduced peripheral paediatric orthopaedic surgical treatment. We believe there is no study in the literature to date assessing the advantages of such a service using existing physiotherapy facilities at multiple centres.
High precision subsurface photodisruption in human sclera

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Femtosecond pulses can generate high precision subsurface photodisruption in transparent tissues, such as the cornea. We used femtosecond laser technology to demonstrate early proof of concept for high precision subsurface photodisruption in the translucent sclera. This technique may ultimately enable novel surgical procedures for the treatment of glaucoma and/or presbyopia. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS AND MATERIALS: Microjoule femtosecond pulses from two different sources, 1060 and 775 nm, were used to make subsurface incisions in human sclera in vitro. Scleral tissue was dehydrated to improve translucency at these wavelengths. The beam was focused to a 1.5 (775 nm) or 5 microm spot size (1060 nm) and scanned below the tissue surface at various depths to produce four incision patterns. RESULTS Photodisruption on the backsurface of the sclera was achieved without damage to overlying tissue. Several types of intrascleral incisions were made, including transcleral channels and grooves for scleral implants. CONCLUSIONS High precision, subsurface scleral photodisruption can be achieved in vitro for a variety of intrascleral incisions. Further studies are required to determine if this technique is applicable in vivo for actual surgical applications.
Transrectal Ultrasound versus Cystography In the Evaluation of Anatomical Stress Urinary Incontinence

Summary— Thirty-two female patients with clinical and urodynamic findings of genuine stress urinary incontinence were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery for stress urinary incontinence. Twenty-nine control patients had identical evaluations before and 6 months after surgery which did not involve the urethrovesical junction. Twenty-four patients with primary bladder instability had similar evaluations and served as a second control group. Anatomical landmarks indicating support to the urethrovesical junction were evaluated by the position of the urethra at the most dependent point in the bladder on straining and the urethral descent on straining to beneath the posterior ramus of the symphysis pubis on bead chain cystography. The urethrovesical junction drop on straining was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography. Cystographic and ultrasonographic tests for the position of the urethrovesical junction at the most dependent position in the bladder during straining were very sensitive in women with stress urinary incontinence (94 and 87% respectively) but much less specific (45 and 48% respectively). When evaluating anatomical support to the urethrovesical junction and its descent on straining, these tests were both highly sensitive (97 and 94% respectively) and specific (76 and 96% respectively) in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence. Simple clinical tests for support of the urethrovesical junction, such as the Q tip test, are nonspecific in patients with stress urinary incontinence. Transrectal ultrasonography is a simple and quick out-patient procedure. The availability of ultrasound equipment in most clinics and the high sensitivity and specificity of the test make it an attractive and cost-effective alternative to X-ray cystography in the pre-operative evaluation of anatomical support to the urethrovesical junction.
Relation of speech sound discrimination and selected language skills

Abstract This investigation involves speech sound discrimination and its relation to auditory-vocal subtests of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA). First-grade subjects aged six years, six months to seven years, six months exhibited various combinations of adequate and deviant speech sound discrimination and articulation. The Templin Speech Sound Discrimination Test was administered on a group basis. Subjects obtained scores in the top or bottom 20% of the scores achieved by the group tested. Articulation was evaluated using the Templin-Darley screening test. Subjects demonstrated an IQ of 90 or above, normal hearing, and no record of an organic problem. Results of the three factor analysis of covariance indicated discrimination scores had a significant effect on ITPA subtest scores; however, the effects of articulation and interaction of discrimination and articulation on ITPA subtest scores were not significant. Significant differences were found between the subtest examining auditory memory span and the subtest examining tenses and plurals. All other interactions were not significant.
Complex juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma: A case report

Abstract Background Juxtapapillary capillary hemangiomas can occur as isolated clinical abnormalities or a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Because of the location of these vascular tumors on or adjacent to the optic disc, any therapeutic treatment option involves risk. Management typically includes close monitoring, with treatment initiation as the tumor progresses or when vision is compromised. This case report reviews this condition while highlighting the treatment and potential complications associated with juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma. Case Report A 14-year-old black male had juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma diagnosed during a routine eye examination. The patient complained of blurry vision in the right eye, and best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were 20/25 O.D. and 20/20 in the left eye. At the retinologist's discretion, no treatment was initiated, and the patient was advised to return in 4 months for a dilated retinal evaluation and referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast of the brain. The patient was lost to follow-up and presented a year later when vision had deteriorated to 20/400 O.D. with an associated afferent pupillary defect. Enlargement of the juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma with increased fibrovascular growth, macular exudation, and subretinal fluid was observed O.D. Photodynamic therapy was initiated, and the patient experienced treatment complications, including a vitreous hemorrhage and serous retinal detachment. A scleral buckling procedure, vitreoretinal surgery, and endo-laser photocoagulation were performed. The patient's visual acuity improved from 20/400 to 20/60 O.D., with the development of a dense posterior subcapsular cataract, for which the patient had cataract extraction. Genetic testing was positive for a small deletion in codon 76 of the von Hippel-Lindau gene, and MRI of the brain was reported to be normal. Additional testing to rule out visceral organ involvement, including abdominal ultrasound scan, urinalysis, and blood chemistry were ordered, and the patient's family was also evaluated for the presence of the VHL gene. Conclusion The clinical course of juxtapapillary capillary hemangiomas is highly variable, potentially leading to significant ocular complications. Currently, no definitive treatment guideline is available, and any therapeutic option involves inherent risk because of the location of these tumors. Because juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma may be the only manifestation of VHL disease, genetic and clinical screening of patients and their relatives is highly recommended. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve both the visual and systemic prognosis in patients with juxtapapillary capillary hemangiomas.
Metal-nitroxyl interactions. 44. Collision interactions between transition metal complexes and nitroxyl radicals in aqueous solution

Abstract The broadening of nitroxyl EPR spectra by 11 Cr(III) and 2 Fe(III) complexes was measured as a function of temperature in aqueous solution and in water:glycerol mixtures at room temperature. There was greater broadening of the nitroxyl signal by complexes of ligands with π spin delocalization than by complexes of ligands without π delocalization. Plots of the broadening as a function of the reciprocal of the nitroxyl tumbling correlation time showed greater deviation from )Linearity for complexes that caused little broadening than for complexes that caused greater broadening. The ratio of the broadening for metal-nitroxyl pairs of opposite charge to metal-nitroxyl pairs of like charge was about 10 for the anionic metal complexes and about 2 for the cationic metal complexes. This suggests substantially greater solvation of the cationic metal complexes than of the anionic metal complexes.
Gustatory determinants of suckling in albino rats 5-20 days of age.

Taste reactivity in suckling rat pups was assessed. Five-day-old rats in Experiment I were equipped with tongue cannulae seated 2 mm rostral, 0-3 mm caudal, or 4-6 mm caudal to the intermolar eminence. Either water, 1.4 X 10(-3) QHC1, .50M NH4Cl, or .43M NaCl was delivered in one of three fashions during suckling: (1) continuous: fluid was continuously available from a reservoir connected to the cannula, and could be obtained by exerting suction; (2) discrete: same procedure as above, save that fluid was available for only 30 sec every 3 min of the 30-min test; (3) pulsatile: here, .05 ml fluid was delivered by infusion pump 8-10 sec every 3 min, provided the pups were attached to a nipple. Based on intake, time and behavioral measures, we conclude behavioral reactivity exists especially to NH4Cl and NaCl. As to quinine, Day 5 pups were responsive only when QHCl was delivered in the continuous mode. In Experiment II, rats 10, 15, and 20 days of age received the above solutions by infusions with the cannulae located in one of the three positions. Quinine reactivity developed sequentially in an anterior to posterior direction. NH4Cl disrupted behavior in 5-, 10-, and especially 20-day-old rats. Remarkably, Day 15 rats were not behaviorally reactive to NH4Cl. Sodium chloride, especially in the anterior and middle positions, was treated as an aversive solution during suckling throughout development. Based on existing electrophysiological data, the last finding was unexpected.
A nested case-control study of first-trimester maternal vitamin D status and risk for spontaneous preterm birth.

We assessed if first-trimester vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in women who experienced a spontaneous preterm birth compared with women who delivered at term. We conducted a nested case-control study of pregnant women who had previously given blood for first-trimester combined screening for trisomy 21 and subsequently delivered at a tertiary hospital between November 2004 and July 2009. From an overall cohort of 4225 women, 40 cases of spontaneous preterm birth (≥23 0/7 and ≤34 6/7 weeks) were matched by race/ethnicity with 120 women delivering at term (≥37 0/7 weeks) with uncomplicated pregnancies. Banked maternal serum was used to measure maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The prevalence of first-trimester maternal vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <50 nmol/L] was comparable among women who subsequently delivered preterm compared with controls (7.5% versus 6.7%, p=0.90). The median 25(OH)D level for all subjects was 89 nmol/L (interquartile range, 73 to 106 nmol/L). Seventy-three percent (117/160) of the cohort had sufficient vitamin D levels [25(OH)D ≥75 nmol/L]. In a cohort of pregnant women with mostly sufficient levels of first-trimester serum 25(OH)D, vitamin D deficiency was not associated with spontaneous preterm birth.
An Industry-Centered Capstone Experience for an Engineering Technology Program

Industry-centered education has been an integral part of the educational program at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) since the founding of the college in 1941. This has included extensive use of cooperative education as part of all MMA academic programs. Employers, graduates, and potential students describe MMA’s “hands-on” focus, reflected in these cooperative education experiences, to be one of the main advantages of an MMA education. The MMA Engineering Department decided to build on this strength as a core component of a new Power Engineering Technology (PET) Capstone experience. The Capstone experience was developed in 2003 as a two-course, nine credit hour sequence that included both individual and team projects. The courses build on previous course material, the student’s cooperative education experience, and include specific new material on project management and teamwork skills. The courses conclude with a major project where teams of students are paired with a local industrial facility. At this facility, the students work with an inhouse mentor and, using project management techniques, with faculty oversight, complete a study of a topic of interest for that facility. The teams then prepare formal written reports and presentations documenting their results. The Capstone experience has become a key feature of the PET program and continues to evolve and improve, receiving positive feedback from graduates and industry participants. This feedback, combined with other improvement efforts, is used to strengthen and improve the Capstone experience and the PET program.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Crystallography of phase transition of YBa2Cu3O7−δ

A space‐group theoretical approach has been applied to the high Tc superconducting oxide YBa2Cu3O7−δ (δ∼0.3) to explain the occurrence of coherent domain boundaries. This method quantitatively accounts for the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of {110} twin boundaries in the room‐temperature orthorhombic phase. The possible nature of the relaxation of these twin boundaries and the atomic arrangement at these boundaries are briefly discussed.
Simultaneous determination of fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E and pro-vitamin D2 in animal feeds by one-step extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis

Traditionally, alkaline saponification for the extraction of vitamins and step-wise HPLC analyses have been widely used for analysis of fat-soluble vitamins in animal feeds. The objective of present study was to develop an analytical method using one-step extraction and simultaneous determination of the vitamins A, D and E and pro-vitamin D2 in animals feeds b HPLC. Various analytical conditions were tested which included sample particle size extraction solvents, the ratio of solvent to sample, extraction approach, extraction time, N2 protection, prepurification with Sep-Pak cartridge and detection wavelength. The accuracy of the developed method has been proven by comparison with the AOAC method. The reproducibility of the developed method has been substantiated by repeated recovery experiments. The detection limit for the four vitamins was 10 ng/g of feed sample. One of the important properties of the present method is rapidity and ease of use.
Expected value analysis of multiparameter systems

This paper proposes a new method, called EVA (expected value analysis), to analyze the effect of the uncertainties of the parameters on the output function of systems described as differential equation initial value problems. Starting from the model equations, the associated EVA differential equations are shown to be readily handled through available computer codes. A quantitative analysis of the EVA approximation is presented along with a comparison to local SSA (statistical sensitivity analysis) and global FAST (Fourier amplitude sensitivity test).
Long life, low noise proximity focused image intensifiers

The Night Vision Goggle System, recently developed by the Night Vision Laboratory and the International Telephone and Telegraph Company (ITT), has been very successfully demonstrated in various night operations such as driving, flying and other close-up operations. The light amplifier is a proximity focused image intensifier with a microchannel plate (MCP) as the gain mechanism. A major problem in development life, caused by a decrease of the cathode sensitivity due to ion feedback from the MCP. In addition, ions feedback is responsible for the very bright scintillations at the output phosphor screen giving the output image a degraded noisy appearance especially at very low light levels. At the Night Vision Laboratory, a technique was developed to coat the input of the MCP with a very thin film of Al 2 O 3 , preventing ion feedback but allowing electrons with energy greater than 800 ev to pass with practically no loss. This increased the operational lifetime of the intensifier by more than a factor 10. By modifying the processing of the MCP in the tube and some redesign of the tube structure other performance characteristics were also improved.
Pandemic influenza and its definitional implications.

Importantly, his assessment highlights a critical ongoing divide between competing perceptions of the very concept of a “pandemic”: namely, between “pandemic” as predominantly a function of geography and virology, versus disease severity.This is not a minor semantic distinction, but rather one with enormous bearing on planning priorities. For instance, while the United States of America applies an all-hazards ap -proach in its federal, state and local public health emergency readiness efforts, a major piece of 2006 national preparedness legislation was notably called the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act.
Space, Agency, and the Transfiguring of Lesbian/Queer Desire

In this study, the author uses ethnographic and interview data from Pussy Palace, a lesbian/queer bathhouse in Toronto, Canada, to examine the ways in which the bathhouse space impacted participants' sexuality, behaviors, and notions of self. The Toronto Women's Bathhouse Committee (TWBC), an explicitly feminist and queer organization, is responsible for putting on Pussy Palace events and in creating an atmosphere that is simultaneously sexual and safe. Findings indicate elements of both spatial praxis and sexual agency, wherein individuals expressed being able to "take risks," "find their sexuality," and "discover who they are" in a safe space, where nonnormative bodies and sexualities are to be celebrated. Although participants expressed feeling "liberated," many also described feeling anxious, awkward, and insecure. Within a sexual space where bodies are exposed and highly salient, these anxieties worked to inhibit and curtail bodily expression. The author concludes by discussing the significance of spaces like Pussy Palace for lesbian/queer individuals when it comes to sexual expression and the need for further research when it comes to examining lesbian/queer sexualities and public sexual cultures.
Optimal reconfiguration strategy for a degradable multimodule computing system

A new quantitative approach to the problem of reconfiguring a degradable multimodule system is presented. The approach is concerned with both assigning some modules for computation and arranging others for reliability. Conventionally, a fault-tolerant system performs reconfiguration only upon a subsystem failure. Since there exists an inherent trade-off between the computation capacity and fault tolerance of a multimodule computing system, the conventional approach is a passive action and does not yield a configuration that provides an optimal compromise for the trade-off. By using the expected total reward as the optimal criterion, the need and existence of an active reconfiguration strategy, in which the system reconfigures itself on the basis of not only the occurrence of a failure but also the progression of the mission, are shown.Following the problem formulation, some important properties of an optimal reconfiguration strategy, which specify (i) the times at which the system should undergo reconfiguration and (ii) the configurations to which the system should change, are investigated. Then, the optimal reconfiguration problem is converted to integer nonlinear knapsack and fractional programming problems. The algorithms for solving these problems and a demonstrative example are given. Extensions of the optimal reconfiguration problem are also discussed.
Asset holding and net worth among households with children: Differences by household type

Abstract Both net worth and the accumulation of assets are important indicators of economic stability associated with positive outcomes for children and adults. The primary purposes of this study are (a) to examine asset levels, types of assets, and net worth in different types of households with children; and (b) to identify the factors that influence a household's ability to accumulate wealth. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (N = 8665) this study examines assets and net worth among households with children. Differences by household type (i.e., married, female-headed, male-headed, and cohabitants) are explored. Findings show married couples have higher levels of wealth than all other household types, and that female-headed households fare the worst in asset accumulation. Household structure, income, race and ethnicity, age, education, and the number and age of children are all associated with net worth. Implications regarding the design of social policies to alleviate poverty and improve family well-being are discussed.
Wireless sensor and actor networks: research challenges

Abstract Wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs) refer to a group of sensors and actors linked by wireless medium to perform distributed sensing and acting tasks. The realization of wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs) needs to satisfy the requirements introduced by the coexistence of sensors and actors. In WSANs, sensors gather information about the physical world, while actors take decisions and then perform appropriate actions upon the environment, which allows a user to effectively sense and act from a distance. In order to provide effective sensing and acting, coordination mechanisms are required among sensors and actors. Moreover, to perform right and timely actions, sensor data must be valid at the time of acting. This paper explores sensor-actor and actor-actor coordination and describes research challenges for coordination and communication problems.
Rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for failed thrombolysis in a patient with anomalous coronary arteries

Coronary artery anomalies (CAA) often render technically difficult the completion of coronary angiography and intervention. Their presence in patients undergoing emergency angiography for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is particularly challenging for interventional cardiologists. In this article, we report, for the first time in the literature, a case of rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for failed thrombolysis in a patient with AMI due to occlusion of a left circumflex coronary artery with anomalous origin from right sinus of Valsalva (in an anomalous left coronary system also including an anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the right sinus). In particular, the present clinical vignette emphasizes the importance of a thorough search for the culprit vessel during cardiac catheterization. Especially in the emergency setting, non-invasive methods of ischemia localization, such as ST-segment elevation at the ECG and wall motion abnormalities at echocardiography, are of pivotal usefulness to guide the interventional cardiologist in identifying and treating the diseased coronary vessel in a timely and effective fashion.
Phonetic and Phonological Factors in the Second Language Production of Phonemes and Phonotactics

The study of second language (L2) speech production has been informed by research in a number of areas, including phonological theory, acoustic phonetics, and articulatory phonetics. A synthesis of the research in these areas is presented in this paper. First, early theories about ‘foreign accents’ that have continued to influence current research are discussed, including the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis and interlanguage. Next, we turn to the acquisition of consonants and vowels, which has been the subject of both experimental and theoretical investigations. The last section examines the acquisition of suprasegmental structure, such as syllables, phonotactics, and prosodic position. Several theories that elucidate the relative contributions of first language transfer and universal markedness are presented, such as the Markedness Differential Hypothesis and Optimality Theory. Both phonetic and phonological aspects of L2 production are considered in light of data from learners at all stages of language acquisition, from cross-language speech production studies which may reflect the initial state of language learning to proficient L2 speakers.
The numerical simulation of electron transmission through a two-dimensional quantum device by the finite element method

In this paper we present a method for numerically solving the Schrodinger equation for the problem of electron transmission through a quantum device defined on a two-dimensional domain. An important aspect of our formulation is the treatment of the boundary conditions at the contact–device interfaces, allowing the problem to be discretized on the device domain only. With the FEM aproach that we employ, the nature of the potential field does not effect the computational expense (for smoothly varying fields). We examine a sample problem of a symmetric cavity in a wave-guide structure.
Development of a 5-Item Parent Questionnaire to Screen Preschool Children for Reading Problems

Objective. To develop a brief tool for screening of emergent literacy skills in preschool children (3-5 years old) in pediatric clinics. Methods. Parents were given an 8-item questionnaire, and the children were tested with the Get Ready to Read–Revised (GRTR-R) screener. With the GRTR-R score as gold standard, the parent questionnaire was optimized using various combinations of questions and response weights in one half of the sample. The resulting 5-item questionnaire was then validated using the other half of the sample. Results. A total of 203 patients were enrolled. In the validation sample, the 5-item questionnaire had sensitivity and specificity vis-a-vis the GRTR-R of 100% and 78.6% in 5-year-olds (cutoff score of 8) and 78.6% and 68.2% in 4-year-olds (cutoff of 6). The questionnaire did not perform well in 3-year-olds. Conclusion. A very brief parent questionnaire may be useful as a first-line screener for early reading problems.
Children with autism: Sleep problems and mothers' stress.

Parenting a child with autism has been associated with maternal stress. The present investigation examined children's sleep difficulties and severity of autism along with mothers' sleep problems in...
Cochannel signal recovery using the MUSIC algorithm and the constant modulus array

We describe an approach to cochannel signal recovery for correlated sources that is based on the the MUSIC (multiple signal classification) algorithm and the constant modulus (CM) array. The MUSIC algorithm provides estimates of the source angles of arrival, which are used to initialize a parallel bank of CM arrays. These adaptive beamformers are updated by the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) to capture and track the source signals, even when they are highly correlated. Computer simulations are presented to illustrate the transient behavior of the proposed algorithm. >
Some Run Orders Requiring a Minimum Number of Factor Level Changes for the 24 and 25 Main Effect Plans

It is often desirable to execute the observations in an experimental design in such an order that the number of factor level changes is kept small. This paper describes a study which utilized a computer program written to examine run orders requiring a minimum number of factor level changes and select those in which the correlations between the main effects and a linear time trend are small. Some results are given for the 24 and 25 designs.
Optical guiding of atoms through a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber.

We demonstrate the first guiding of atoms through a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber. Rb atoms from a thermal oven source travel through 6.1 and 4.0 cm long fibers with a guiding potential $1/{e}^{2}$ radius of $3.0\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$. When the photon scattering rate is small, the observed guiding efficiency is greater than 70%. An unexpected low-speed cutoff is attributed to inefficient optical coupling.