cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute Responses of Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling on the Ventilation-to-CO2 Production Ratio and Substrate Utilization After Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Background Ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratio is comparable with peak oxygen uptake in the prognosis of cardiovascular disorders. Currently, there are no established indices to determine the submaximal effects of functional electrical stimulation on cardiovascular performance in persons with spinal cord injury. Objective To determine the effects of an acute bout of functional electrical stimulation-lower extremity cycling on ventilation, carbon dioxide production, ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratio, and substrate utilization in people with motor complete spinal cord injury. Design Observational cross-sectional design. Setting Clinical laboratory setting. Participants Ten individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury. Methods Participants were allowed to cycle until fatigue. The effects of functional electrical stimulation on ventilation, carbon dioxide production, ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratio, and substrate utilization were measured with a portable metabolic cart (COSMED K4b2). Body composition was determined with bioelectrical impedance. Results Resting and warm-up ventilation were 8.15 ± 3.5 L/min and 8.15 ± 2.8 L/min, respectively. Functional electrical stimulation increased ventilation significantly (14.5 ± 6.4 L/min), which remained significantly elevated (13.3 ± 4.3 L/min) during the recovery period. During resting and warm-up phases, the ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratios were 41 ± 4.8 and 38 ± 5.4, respectively. Functional electrical stimulation decreased the ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratio significantly to 31.5 ± 4, which remained significantly reduced during the recovery period (34.4 ± 3). Functional electrical stimulation relied primarily on carbohydrate utilization (188 ± 160 g/day to 574 ± 324 g/day; P = .001) with no changes in fat utilization (77.5 ± 28 g/day to 93.5 ± 133.6 g/day; P = .7) from resting to exercise periods. Significant relationships were noted between carbohydrate utilization during functional electrical stimulation and carbon dioxide (r = 0.98; P = .00010) production. The percentage whole body fat-free mass was negatively related to the exercise ventilation-to-carbon ratio (r = −0.66; P = .045). Conclusions An acute bout of functional electrical stimulation resulted in a significant drop in the ventilation-to-carbon ratio, accompanied with a reliance on carbohydrate utilization and a diminished capacity to utilize fat as a substrate. Fat-free mass may be associated with a decrease in ventilation to carbon dioxide ratio and an increase in carbohydrate utilization in persons with spinal cord injury.
Whole-Cell Biosensors as Tools for the Detection of Quorum-Sensing Molecules: Uses in Diagnostics and the Investigation of the Quorum-Sensing Mechanism

Genetically engineered bacterial whole-cell biosensors are powerful tools that take advantage of bacterial proteins and pathways to allow for detection of a specific analyte. These biosensors have been employed for a broad range of applications, including the detection of bacterial quorum-sensing molecules (QSMs). Bacterial QSMs are the small molecules bacteria use for population density-dependent communication, a process referred to as quorum sensing (QS). Various research groups have investigated the presence of QSMs, including N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) and autoinducer-2 (AI-2), in physiological samples in attempts to enhance our knowledge of the role of bacteria and QS in disease states. Continued studies in these fields may allow for improved patient care and therapeutics based upon QSMs. Furthermore, bacterial whole-cell biosensors have elucidated the roles of some antibiotics as QS agonists and antagonists. Open image in new window Graphical Abstract
Progress in structured covariance estimation

The author summarizes recent work on the problem of computing maximum-likelihood estimates of structured covariance matrices, as it applies to problems in array processing and spectrum estimation. Two areas are discussed; the existence of positive definite solutions when the number of observations is less than the dimension of the matrix, and the efficient implementation of the algorithm expectation-maximization for estimating Toeplitz matrices. For the Toeplitz case, it is shown that, for a single observation vector, the probability of generating a positive definite solution can be very small, whereas when the Toeplitz covariance matrix is constrained to have a nonnegative definite circulant extension, a positive definite solution will exist with probability. >
Evolving expression patterns of the homeotic gene Scr in insects

While the mRNA expression patterns of homeotic genes have been examined in numerous arthropod species, data on their protein accumulation is extremely limited. To address this gap, we analyzed the protein expression pattern of the hox gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) in six hemimetabolous insects from four divergent orders (Thysanura, Orthoptera, Dictyoptera and Hemiptera). Our comparative analysis reveals that the original domain of SCR expression was likely confined to the head and then subsequently moved into the prothorax (T1) in winged insect lineages. The data also show a trend toward the posteriorization of the anterior boundary of SCR expression in the head, which starts in the mandibles (Thysanura) and then gradually shifts to the maxillary (Orthoptera) and labial segments (Dictyoptera and Hemiptera), respectively. In Thermobia (firebrat) and Oncopeltus (milkweed bug) we also identify instances where SCR protein is not detected in regions where mRNA is expressed. This finding suggests the presence of a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of Scr in these species. Finally, we show that SCR expression in insect T1 legs is highly variable and exhibits divergent patterning even among related species. In addition, signal in the prothoracic legs of more basal insect lineages cannot be associated with any T1 specific features, indicating that the acquisition of SCR in this region preceded any apparent gain of function. Overall, our results show that Scr expression has diverged considerably among hemimetabolous lineages and establish a framework for subsequent analyses to determine its role in the evolution of the insect head and prothorax.
Causes of Degradation of Thermal Performance of Ball Grid Arrays After Thermal Cycling

The thermal performance of Ball Grid Array packages depends upon many parameters including die size, use of thermal balls, number of perimeter balls, use of underfill, and printed circuit board heat spreader and thermal via design. Thermal cycling can affect the integrity of thermal paths in and around the BGA as a result of the cracking of solder balls and delamination of the package, including at underfill interfaces. In this study, the impact of thermal cycling on the thermal performance of BGA’s was investigated and quantified. A number of test boards which included a range of the parameters cited above were experimentally examined. A baseline thermal resistance was measured for each case, which was verified with numerical thermal modeling. The boards were then subjected to thermal cycling from −40°C to 125°C. Every 250 cycles the thermal performance was measured. Packages expected to be least reliable (with large die and no underfill), showed an increase in thermal resistance after 750 thermal cycles. Further increases in thermal resistance were observed with continuous thermal cycling until solder joint failure occurred at 1250 cycles, preventing additional measurements. Finite element analysis identified critical thermal and perimeter solder balls as the most likely sites for cracking. Boards were cross-sectioned and examined for solder joint cracks and delamination to identify the cause for the observed increases in thermal resistance. Cracking was found in the critical thermal and perimeter solder balls.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Ferumoxytol Use as an Intravenous Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ferumoxytol for use in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the vasculature.Data Sources:Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1946-September 2011) and EMBASE (1947-September 2011) using the terms ferumoxytol, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, blood pool agent, and superparamagnetic iron oxide. Reference citations from Identified publications were reviewed for relevant information.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All English-language articles and human studies (N = 9) were Identified that evaluated ferumoxytol use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Articles that evaluated the use of the drug in first-pass and equilibrium phase imaging of the vasculature were included (n = 4).Data Synthesis:Contrast agents for MRI improve disease characterization and diagnosis. Ferumoxytol, a medication approved for treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adults with chronic kidney disease, has superparamagnetic properties. As a blood pool agent, ferumoxy...
Low-coherence enhanced backscattering imaging with simultaneous multiple spatial filters

We demonstrate an alternative yet effective approach for spatial gating without mechanical pinhole scanning. We take advantage of the intrinsic property of the robust self-interference effect of low-coherence enhanced backscattering under low spatial coherence illumination. The unique combination of low spatial coherence illumination and differential angle imaging permits the implementation of multiple independent virtual pinholes into a large area imaging platform. Thus, our imaging approach substantially minimizes cross-talk among adjacent pixels, rejects the background light caused by out-of-plane scattered light, and thereby enhances image contrast and resolution.
Structure and function of the pigeon visual system

This comprehensive, up-to-date account of vision in the pigeon begins with a description of the eye, its dimensions, and optical properties. The retina is discussed in considerable detail, with particular attention given to: the distribution of the various cell types within and across the retina, the number and the nature of the oil drops in the cones, the highly developed inner plexiform layer, the response characteristics of the ganglion cells, and the damage to cones caused by exposure to light. Lastly, the three major visual pathways are examined neuroanatomically and electrophysiologically. In the second section, several important issues have been emphasized: the putative differences between frontal and lateral vision, visual sensitivity to both discrete and periodic stimuli at various adaptation levels, polarotaxis in the pigeon, the bipartite spectral sensitivity of its retina, hue and saturation discrimination, sensitivity to ultraviolet light, panoramic acuity, and the detection of movement.
Theory of cation-phospholipid-induced shape changes in a lipid bilayer couple

A quantitative model of ion binding and molecular interactions in the lipid bilayer membrane is proposed and found to be useful in examining the factors underlying such membrane characteristics as shape, sidedness, stability and vesicle size at various cation concentrations. The lipid membrane behaves as a bilayer couple whose preferential radius of curvature depends on the expansion or contraction of one monolayer relative to the other. It is proposed that molecular packing may be altered by electrostatic repulsion of adjacent like-charged phospholipid headgroups, or by bringing two headgroups closer together by divalent cation crossbridging. The surface concentrations of each type of cation-phospholipid complex can be described by simple binding equilibria and the Gouy-Chapman-Stern formulation for the surface potential in a diffuse double layer. The asymmetric distribution of acidic phospholipids in most biological membranes can account for the differential effects of identical ionic environments on either side of the bilayer. The fraction of vesicle material which tends to have a right-side-out orientation may be approximated by a normal distribution about the mean curvature. The theory generates vesicle sidedness distributions that, when fitted to experimental results from human erythrocyte membranes, provide an alternative method of estimating intrinsic cationphospholipid dissociation constants and other molecular parameters of the bilayer. The results also corroborate earlier suggestions that the Gouy-Chapman theory tends to overestimate free counter-ion concentrations at the surface under large surface potentials.
Comparative of signal processing techniques for micro-Doppler signature extraction with automotive radar systems

In recent years, the automotive industry has experienced an evolution toward more powerful driver assistance systems that provide enhanced vehicle safety. These systems typically operate in the optical and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and have demonstrated high efficiency in collision and risk avoidance. Microwave radar systems are particularly relevant due to their operational robustness under adverse weather or illumination conditions. Our objective is to study different signal processing techniques suitable for extraction of accurate micro-Doppler signatures of slow moving objects in dense urban environments. Selection of the appropriate signal processing technique is crucial for the extraction of accurate micro-Doppler signatures that will lead to better results in a radar classifier system. For this purpose, we perform simulations of typical radar detection responses in common driving situations and conduct the analysis with several signal processing algorithms, including short time Fourier Transform, continuous wavelet or Kernel based analysis methods. We take into account factors such as the relative movement between the host vehicle and the target, and the non-stationary nature of the target’s movement. A comparison of results reveals that short time Fourier Transform would be the best approach for detection and tracking purposes, while the continuous wavelet would be the best suited for classification purposes.
The Photographic Legacy of Lyndon Baines Johnson

AbstractIn this essay, I take up the question of why, despite Lyndon Baines Johnson's great interest in photography, his determination to harness the medium to sway public perceptions about his presidency could only be realized retrospectively. As part of this investigation, I first consider how Johnson sought to use photography to shape the historical legacy of his presidency and the extent to which his preoccupation with his outward appearance as well as his desire to conduct his governance in private influenced and even impeded that photographic legacy. To further come to terms with the limitations of Johnson's approach to the photography of his presidency, I then turn to two iconic photographs that are frequently evoked when thinking historically about Johnson's presidency. I argue that their historical significance depends less on their representation of Johnson and more on their role in constructing a collective sense of American public identity, especially in relation to the Vietnam War, one of the...
Effects of Plant Density and Nitrogen Application Rate on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Super Hybrid Rice

The nitrogen uptake, yield and its components for two super-high-yielding hybrid rice combinations, Guodao 6 and Eryou 7954 were investigated under different plant densities (15, 18, and 21 plants/m^2) and different nitrogen application rates (120, 150, 180, and 210 kg/hm^2). The experiment was conducted on loam soil during 2004–2006 at the experimental farm of the China National Rice Research Institute in Hangzhou, China. In these years, the two hybrid rice clearly showed higher yield at a plant density of 15 plants/m^2 with a nitrogen application rate of 180 kg/hm^2. Guodao 6 produced an average grain yield of 10 215.6 kg/hm^2 across the three years, while the yield of Eryou 7954 was 9 633.0 kg/hm^2. With fewer plants per unit-area and larger plants in the plots, the two hybrid rice produced more panicles per plant in three years. The highest nitrogen uptake of the two hybrid rice was at a plant density of 15 plants/m^2 with a nitrogen application rate of 180 kg/hm^2. Further increasing nitrogen application rate was not advantageous for nitrogen uptake in super-high-yielding rice under the same plant density.
Nanopatterned polycrystalline ZnO for room temperature gas sensing

Abstract We demonstrate that the soft e-beam lithography (soft-eBL) fabricated polycrystalline ZnO nanolines show reproducible response to ppm-level H2 and NO2 even at room temperature, due to the intrinsic Joule heating effect in such nanodevices. The Joule heating effect is confirmed by studying the resistance–temperature relationship of the sensor as well as the persistent photoconductivity phenomena in ZnO. We note that Joule heating increases the nanoline temperature to around 72 °C, which enhances the oxidation–reduction reaction at the ZnO surface. Therefore, the nanolines show faster photoresponse than the thin film. These results may help tailor and optimize gas sensor devices for improved performance.
Global Trends in Managing Cultural Diversity

The changing of demographics, globalisation of business, and the pursuit of effective competition makes it imperative for organisations to implement programmes for diversity management. The ability to manage a diverse workforce will be a major determinate of the continued survival and success in becoming a global corporation. Many organisations have begun by initiating training programmes, yet they have not explored the full scope of a diverse environment by introducing a complete diversity programme that is fully supported by upper management. Diversity is a very sensitive issue and if not handled properly it can be detrimental to an organisation. A cultural evolution is taking place in the worldwide workforce, and those organisations that take immediate action will be in the forefront of the global business environment.
Computational Modeling of Bed Material Shear Stresses in Piston-Type Erosion Rate Testing Devices

AbstractThe sediment erosion rate flume (SERF) device was computationally modeled using CD-adapco’s Star-CCM+ at varying flow rates and sample roughnesses so that wall shear stresses could be evaluated during a piston-style erosion test. Shear stress data were matched between the model and data from previous physical tests. Pressure differential upstream and downstream from an eroding specimen displayed similar behavior during both physical and modeled tests in that as eroding sample roughness increased, pressure differential did not appear to change. A series of complicated bed configurations were added to the computational model to quantify the effects of blocking, chunking, or sample overadvancement during an erosion test. Results appeared to indicate that small deviations in sample geometry may have large effects on localized shear stresses. Another series of models was run to provide an explanation for the beginning of blocking or chunking as a result of shear stress development over a rough sample. ...
Bereavement during motherhood: a mixed method pilot study exploring bereavement while parenting

AbstractThis mixed method retrospective pilot study empirically investigated the grief experience of mothers of small children who were bereaved during motherhood. Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), life satisfaction, and attachment styles were measured among a web-based sample of 37 mothers using quantitative measures, and essay questions were used to gather qualitative data. Results indicated that while none of the mothers met the complete criteria for PGD, 49% endorsed presently experiencing separation distress, 24% endorsed frequently experiencing psychological symptoms and 14% reported current impairment in daily living. Insecure attachment style was positively correlated with higher PGD scores. Qualitative findings also indicated that although challenging, motherhood offered a distraction from grief, and provided a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Motherhood seems to have helped them to be less susceptible to prolonged grief complications. This was also responsible for their low scores on the PG-1...
Uptake and speciation of mercury and selenium in vegetable crops grown on compost-treated soil

The uptake and speciation of Hg and Se were assessed for the edible portion of 16 different vegetable crops grown on a garden plot which had been exclusively treated with residential compost for 6 yr. This study was conducted under actual field conditions typical of residential gardening and utilized organic gardening techniques. Crops had methylmercury levels averaging 12.8 % of the total edible tissue Hg content, divalent inorganic Hg being the only other element form identified. An average of 20.0% of the total Se content was present as hexavalent Se, the remainder being divalent and tetravalent Se forms. In terms of plant/soil concentration factors, Se was more readily assimilated by crops than Hg.
Infrared transmission in GE-SB-SE glasses

The infrared transmission properties of GeSbSe glasses have been investigated in order to determine the extrinsic and intrinsic absorption effects which limit their performance in avionic infrared systems and as CO2 laser windows. Extrinsic effects were found to include oxide and carbonaceous contamination. These detrimental contaminants were negated by preparation techniques such as distillation through quartz frits and addition of a gettering agent such as Al. Removal of the large extrinsic absorptions revealed the lower level intrinsic absorptions. The long wavelength infrared cutoff appears to be determined by higher order excitations of several fundamental vibrational modes, near 245 cm−1 for Ge-Se and 180 cm−1 for Sb-Se. Variation of the composition resulted in changes in the absorption coefficient in the 8–12 micron atmospheric window. These changes are due to the formation of distorted molecular units and to mixtures in the types of bonds formed among Ge, Sb, and Se. At 10.6 microns the absorption coefficients were found to very from a high of 0.024 cm−1 to a low of 0.008 cm−1.
On target: a tuberculosis control strategy whose time has come.

In this issue, Jones and colleagues starkly document that a jail was the major reservoir of tuberculosis in their community. Their study shows that enhanced targeted screening may have a major effe...
Three-fluid heat exchangers with three thermal communications. Part A: general mathematical model

Abstract A general, simple and easy to implement analytical model that enables design and analysis of three-fluid heat exchangers with three thermal communications for all flow arrangements is developed. The model is shown to reduce to either a three-fluid, two thermal communications model or the traditional two-fluid heat exchanger model under proper conditions. Six non-dimensional design parameters are identified and their effect on the temperature distributions of the different fluid streams is presented. The model shows that the presence of three coupled thermal interactions makes temperature distributions of the different streams difficult to assess due to slight changes in the design parameters.
LUT-based FPGA technology mapping for reliability (abstract only)

As device size shrinks to the nanometer range, FPGAs are increasingly prone to manufacturing defects. We anticipate that the ability to tolerate multiple defects will be very important at 32nm and beyond. It is common for defect points to occur in the lookup table (LUT) configuration bits, which are crucial to the correct operation of FPGAs. In this work we will present an error analysis technique that is able to efficiently calculate the number of critical bits needed to implement each LUT. We will perform this analysis using an overlapping window-based method which allows for accurate and efficient error calculations. This new windowing technique can approximate the complete don't cares (CDC) within 2.5%. This is 5X faster than a 100k Monte Carlo simulation and 26% more accurate. Compared to the windowing method used in the ABC synthesis system, our new method is 2.77X more accurate for computing the CDC. We then use our new windowing in an FPGA mapping algorithm to reduce the number of possible faults. This will allow the design to have a much higher success of functioning correctly when implemented on a faulty FPGA. By using our algorithm, we are able to reduce the number of possible faults by over 12% with no area increase. Our work shows that it is possible to effectively increase the reliability of a design in the presence of LUT faults in FPGAs.
Changes in FDA enforcement activities following changes in federal administration: the case of regulatory letters released to pharmaceutical companies

Background: The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the protection of the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness and security of human drugs and biological products through the enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and related regulations. These enforcement activities include regulatory letters (i.e. warning letters and notice of violation) to pharmaceutical companies. A regulatory letter represents the FDA’s first official notification to a pharmaceutical company that the FDA has discovered a product or activity in violation of the FDCA. This study analyzed trends in the pharmaceutical-related regulatory letters released by the FDA during the period 1997–2011 and assessed differences in the average number and type of regulatory letters released during the last four federal administrations. Methods: Data derived from the FDA webpage. Information about the FDA office releasing the letter, date, company, and drug-related violation was collected. Regulatory letters were classified by federal administration. Descriptive statistics were performed for the analysis. Results: Between 1997 and 2011 the FDA released 2,467 regulatory letters related to pharmaceuticals. FDA headquarters offices released 50.6% and district offices 49.4% of the regulatory letters. The Office of Prescription Drug Promotion released the largest number of regulatory letters (850; 34.5% of the total), followed by the Office of Scientific Investigations (131; 5.3%), and the Office of Compliance (105; 4.3%). During the 2nd Clinton Administration (1997–2000) the average number of regulatory letters per year was 242.8 ± 45.6, during the Bush Administration (2001–2008) it was 120.4 ± 33.7, and during the first three years of the Obama administration (2009–2011) it was 177.7.0 ± 17.0. The average number of regulatory letters released by the Office of Prescription Drug Promotion also varied by administration: Clinton (122.3 ± 36.4), Bush (29.5 ± 16.2) and Obama (41.7 ± 11.1). Conclusions: Most regulatory letters released by FDA headquarters were related to marketing and advertising activities of pharmaceutical companies. The number of regulatory letters was highest during the second Clinton administration, diminished during the Bush administrations, and increased again during the Obama administration. A further assessment of the impact of changes in federal administration on the enforcement activities of the FDA is required.
Limit on the mass of the tau neutrino

We place an upper limit on the mass of the tau neutrino by using the total-charged-energy distribution in three-track tau decays. Including both statistical and systematic uncertainties, the 95%-confidence-level limit is m/sub ..nu../<85 MeV/c/sup 2/.
A new solution branch for the Blasius equation-A shrinking sheet problem

In this work, a similarity equation of the momentum boundary layer is studied for a moving flat plate with mass transfer in a stationary fluid. The solution is applicable to the practical problem of a shrinking sheet with a constant sheet velocity. Theoretical estimation of the solution domain is obtained. It is shown that the solution only exists with mass suction at the wall surface. The equation with the associated boundary conditions is solved using numerical techniques. Greatly different from the continuously stretching surface problem and the Blasius problem with a free stream, quite complicated behavior is observed in the results. It is seen that there are three different solution zones divided by two critical mass transfer parameters, f"0"1~1.7028 and f"0"2~1.7324. When f"0f"0"2). There is a terminating point for the solution domain and the terminating point corresponds to a special algebraically decaying solution for the current problem. The current results provide a new solution branch of the Blasius equation, which is greatly different from the previous study and provide more insight into the understanding of the Blasius equation.
Coordinate Regulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor and c-jun Gene Expression Is Cell Type-Specific and Exhibits Differential Hormonal Sensitivity for Down- and Up-Regulation†

We have previously proposed a novel mechanism for the coupled regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and c-jun transcription in triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-treated AtT-20 cells. This involved transcriptional interference of AP-1 (Fos/Jun)-driven gene transcription by the formation of inactive GR/Jun heterodimers. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism for GR autoregulation, the expression of GR and c-jun mRNA and protein levels were examined in both mouse L929 fibroblast cells and human CEM-C7 acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. A rapid down-regulation of both GR and c-jun mRNA and protein levels occurs in TA-treated L929 cells. All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) treatment of Jun-deficient, mouse F9, teratocarcinoma cells causes the induction of c-jun expression. The increased expression of both c-jun mRNA and protein is accompanied by the induction of GR expression. These data further suggest that functional cJun is needed for the expression of the GR and c-jun genes in F9 cells. CEM-C7 cells undergo apoptosis after exposure to glucocorticoids. There is a parallel up-regulation of GR and c-jun mRNA levels in TA-treated CEM-C7 cells. This is accompanied by a concomitant increase in GR and cJun protein levels. Dose-response analyses reveal the expected coordinate regulation of both GR and c-jun mRNA and protein in L929 cells (decreasing) and in CEM-C7 cells (increasing). However, approximately 20-fold less TA is required for the inhibition of GR and c-jun expression as compared to that required for the stimulation of these two genes. These data demonstrate that the coordinate regulation of GR and c-jun gene expression is dose-dependent and cell type-specific. These results, along with previously reported data, suggest that GR complex formation with itself or with another transcription factor is important for the coordinate up- and down-regulation, respectively, of the GR and c-jun genes.
A reinterpretation of the structure and development of the basement lamella: An ordered array of collagen in fish skin

Abstract An adepithelial basement lamella of 8–10 layers of apparently orthogonally arrayed collagen fibrils develops in the skin of Fundulus heteroclitus between the fifth and twelfth days after fertilization. Subsequent thickening of the lamella with growth until posthatching stages is the result of an increase in the number of rows of fibrils per layer, not in the number of layers. In contrast to the admuscular lamella, which forms in posthatching stages, the adepithelial lamella is acellular except in the sublamellar region. A morphological study of the skin of developing stages of Fundulus places the present “plywood” theory of basement lamella structure and development in doubt and supports a new “scindulene (shingle)” theory. Collagen fibril layers are observed to descend at a slight angle from the basement membrane, rather than to lie parallel to it as proposed by the plywood theory. Deposition of collagen in the basement lamella appears not to result from sequential switching and layering of collagen fibrils parallel to the basement membrane, as suggested by the plywood theory. Rather it appears that the collagen fibrils are inserted at end points into the basement membrane and are polymerized in one orientation only in any given area of the basement membrane and that adjacent areas are oriented at 105–110° to each other. Morphological changes with growth are accounted for by expansion of these “areas of insertion” in the basement membrane. Problems of variation in lamella thickness, crossover fibrils between different collagen layers, and the possible role of the basement membrane in the deposition of collagen into the lamellar structure are discussed.
ON THE FORCE DECOMPOSITIONS OF LIGHTHILL AND MORISON

Lighthill's assertion that the viscous drag force and the inviscid inertia force acting on a bluff body immersed in a time-dependent flow operate independently is not in conformity with the existing exact solutions and experimental facts. The two force components are interdependent as well as dependent on the parameters characterizing the phenomenon: the rate of diffusion of vorticity, relative amplitude of the oscillation, and the surface roughness.
SU-EE-A1-01: Calibration of a Cobalt-60 Irradiator for Stereotactic Radiosurgery Following the AAPM TG51 Protocol

Purpose: Compare calibration of the Leksell Gamma Knife according to the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Groups 21 and 51 protocols. Materials and Methods: The Gamma Knife calibration phantom (The Phantom Laboratory, Inc., Salem, NY) is designed to fill with water and support an Exradin (Standard Imaging, Inc., Middleton,WI), model A‐16, ionization chamber positioned at its center. The phantom and chamber assembly was mounted in a Leksell stereotactic ring. The location of chamber's sensitive volume was determined using computed tomography and the Leksell fiducial frame. The chamber‐phantom assembly was attached to the 18 mm helmet in the Gamma Knife by the stereotactic ring. The phantom's geometry allowed radiation beams from each of the 201 Gamma Knife cobalt‐60 sources to converge along an 8 cm path to the ionization chamber's sensitive volume. This is equivalent to the arrangement by which one calibrates the Gamma Knife using the manufacturer‐supplied polystyrene phantom. Results: The phantom could be attached to the Gamma Knife so that the ionization chamber was reproducibly positioned at the convergence of the beams. Because of the phantom's design, either trunnions or automatic patient positioning system could attach the phantom. Comparisons using different phantoms and protocols resulted in the following calibration ratios for TG‐21 in the polystyrene sphere phantom, TG‐21 in the water phantom and TG‐51 in the water phantom, respectively: 1.00, 1.010, 0.996. Transmission measurements using a block of identical material indicate that the phantom's 2mm plastic shell would result in an error of approximately 0.6% if ignored. Conclusions:Calibration of the Gamma Knife can be performed in liquid water using the AAPM TG‐51 protocol, thereby eliminating any uncertainties with respect to the composition of the polystyrene from. Calibration values for the Gamma Knife that were obtained using the three methods for our phantoms agree to within 1.4%.
Mandibular Mechanics After Osteotomy and Distraction Appliance Placement I: Postoperative Mobility of the Osteotomy Site

Purpose Fixation at the osteotomy site for mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) is probably not rigid, especially during mastication. Micromotion may affect the course of DO. This study aimed to measure the mobility of the fresh distractor-fixed osteotomy site in response to mastication and masticatory muscle stimulation. Materials and Methods Twenty-eight domestic pigs, 6 to 8 weeks old, underwent osteotomy of the right mandible and placement of a distractor appliance. Immediately after surgery, displacement at 3 different locations (superior–lateral, inferior–lateral, and inferior–medial) of the osteotomy site was assessed using ultrasound piezoelectric crystals or differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRTs). The amount of lengthening or shortening at each location was measured during mastication and muscle stimulation. Displacement was also measured for bilateral osteotomy during muscle stimulation from a subgroup of 12 pigs. Results The osteotomy site demonstrated significant mobility during power strokes of mastication with an average magnitude of 0.3 to 0.4 mm. Distinct patterns of displacement were associated with different locations, and the patterns varied between chewing sides. The most common pattern was lengthening at the superior–lateral and shortening at both inferior sites. Similar amounts of displacement were observed during the stimulation of jaw-closers (masseter and medial pterygoid), but the patterns produced by these muscles did not completely explain the masticatory pattern. Opening the osteotomy to 1.5 mm did not alter the displacements observed during muscle stimulation. Bilateral osteotomy tended to decrease displacement. Conclusions The study demonstrates that during mastication and masticatory muscle stimulation, an acute mandibular osteotomy site is mobile despite fixation by a distractor appliance.
Analysis of the apparent tissue specific differences in Acheta domesticus ribosomal proteins

Abstract One- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ribosomal proteins isolated from Acheta domesticus male accessory gland, testes and whole body show highly reproducible quantitative and qualitative differences. However, control experiments show that these differences are due either to preferential loss of some ribosomal proteins or to the binding of cell sap proteins during ribosome isolation. No differences could be detected between proteins of 0.25 M and 0.5 M KCl-washed nymph and adult accessory gland ribosomes. The protein composition of ribosomes isolated from various tissues and developmental stages of the cricket appear to be very similar.
Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale

Given recent attention to emotion regulation as a potentially unifying function of diverse symptom presentations, there is a need for comprehensive measures that adequately assess difficulties in emotion regulation among adults. This paper (a) proposes an integrative conceptualization of emotion regulation as involving not just the modulation of emotional arousal, but also the awareness, understanding, and acceptance of emotions, and the ability to act in desired ways regardless of emotional state; and (b) begins to explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of a new measure, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Two samples of undergraduate students completed questionnaire packets. Preliminary findings suggest that the DERS has high internal consistency, good test–retest reliability, and adequate construct and predictive validity.
Numerical smearing, ray effect, and angular false scattering in radiation transfer computation

Abstract Solutions of the integro-differential equation of radiation transfer via numerical methods were well known to suffer from two “separate” shortcomings: (1) numerical smearing error due to spatial domain discretization, and (2) ray effect error due to angular discretization. In this study, proportionality expressions for various orders of numerical smearing errors are derived, and the inherent dependence of such errors on both spatial and angular discretization is found. Ray effect is categorized into two components: local and propagation errors; and they are not independent of spatial discretization. Using DOM solution, the individual and combined impacts of the above-mentioned numerical errors together with the recently discovered angular false scattering error are examined for various spatial and angular discretizations and medium optical properties. The dependence of numerical errors on scattering anisotropy is investigated. It is found that, for low scattering anisotropy, either numerical smearing or ray effect errors dominate, depending on optical thickness and scattering albedo. For high scattering anisotropy, however, the ray effect and angular false scattering dominate.
Adjuvant Surgery in Testicular Cancer Patients Undergoing Postchemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

To evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients undergoing adjuvant surgery during postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND). From 2004 to 2010, 85 testicular cancer patients underwent PC-RPLND by a single surgeon (S.D.). A bilateral template approach was utilized with nerve-sparing technique whenever feasible. The clinicopathologic and outcome of patients who underwent removal of any organ or structure during PC-RPLND were reviewed. Of 85 patients undergoing PC-RPLND, 28 (33%) required adjuvant procedures. Thirteen (15%) required vascular procedures including cavotomy/caval resection in 6, aortic resection in 8, common iliac vessels resection in 4, and renal vessels resection/reimplant in 2. Twelve patients (14%) required adjuvant nephrectomy (ten of 12 left-sided). There was one ureteral resection with appendiceal substitution, one partial duodenectomy, two cholecystectomy, two thoracotomies, four liver resection/biopsy, and one neck dissection. There were eight early complications (28%), including vocal cord paralysis, brachial plexus injury, lower extremities compartment syndrome, thigh numbness, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, retroperitoneal hematoma, and alcohol withdrawal. No perioperative death was reported. Retroperitoneal pathology revealed mature teratoma in 11 patients (39%), fibrosis in 8 (28%), and viable germ cell tumor (GCT) in 9 (32%). A total of 75, 82, and 66% of patients with fibrosis, teratoma, and viable GCT, respectively, had no evidence of recurrence at a mean follow-up of 18 months. Many patients undergoing PC-RPLND require adjuvant surgery, including vascular procedures and nephrectomy. The excellent outcomes associated with low operative morbidity and mortality validates such aggressive surgical approaches performed by experienced surgeons.
Overview, Definitions, and Goals for ASHA's Treatment Outcomes and Clinical Trials Activities (What Difference Do Outcome Data Make to You?).

This article examines differences between efficacy and effectiveness, describes two research designs related to measuring efficacy and effectiveness, and describes the American Speech-Language-Hear...
Tracking performance and average error analysis of GPS discriminators in multipath

Signal multipath in GPS leads to undesirable tracking errors and inaccurate ranging information. The extent of the tracking error in compromising the receiver performance depends on the multipath amplitude, delay, and phase relative to the direct path. The coherent discriminator and the noncoherent early-minus-late power discriminator offer different tracking accuracy and sensitivity to multipath parameters. In this paper, we develop analyses of the effect of multipath carrier phase offset on GPS tracking error bounds as well as statistical average error values. Although the two receiver discriminators share the same performance bounds, they differ in their response to the multipath within these bounds. The analytical expressions for this response provide the framework to assess the average performance of the two discriminators over the multipath phase distribution and other important propagation channel variables.
Auto-synchronized laser scanning range sensor for thermoplastic pavement marking material thickness measurement

Pavement marking materials provide delineation on highways around the world. The condition of the marking materials is very important for the driver's safety as well as the comfort and the driving expenses. Currently thermoplastic pavement marking materials (TPMM) are widely used in states. Measuring the thickness of TPMM on pavement is an essential index to monitor the contractors, calculate durability of marking materials, and provide better information for the pavement marking evaluation. In recent years to measure the thickness of TPMM, a procedure involving pre-embedded plates sprayed with the marking materials has been widely accepted. This method is labor intensive, and cannot obtain a continuous-thickness profile. Therefore there are demands to develop a high-speed automatic measuring system for determining the thickness and uniformity of marking materials. In this paper, a laser range sensor based on auto-synchronized laser scanning is proposed for the thermoplastic pavement marking material thickness measurement. Compare to classical triangulation method, this approach doesn't scarify the system resolution for large field of view and it is more suitable for highway speed measurement. To achieve high speed measurement, PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) is used in the prototype system instead of CCD (Charge Couple Device) in traditional auto-synchronized system. The standoff distance and transverse scan range of the prototype system both are 1 foot. The lab test results show that the prototype system can measure the thermoplastic type thickness with error in 5mil at laser scanning rate up to 50Hz.
Theoretical analysis of a reinforcement learning based switching scheme

A reinforcement learning based scheme for optimal switching with an infinite-horizon cost function is briefly proposed in this paper. Several theoretical questions are shown to arise regarding its convergence, optimality of the result, and continuity of the limit function, to be uniformly approximated using parametric function approximators. The main contribution of the paper is providing rigorous answers for the questions, where, sufficient conditions for convergence, optimality, and continuity are provided.
Pairwise Comparisons Using Trimmed Means or M‐Estimators when Working with Dependent Groups

For J dependent groups, let θ j , j = I,..., J, be some measure of location associated with the jth group. A common goal is computing confidence intervals for the pairwise differences, θ j - θ k , j < k, such that the simultaneous probability coverage is 1 - α. If means are used, it is well known that slight departures from normality (as measured by the Kolmogorov distance) toward a heavy-tailed distribution can substantially inflate the standard error of the sample mean, which in turn can result in relatively low power. Also, when distributions differ in shape, or when sampling from skewed distributions with relatively light tails, practical problems arise when the goal is to obtain confidence intervals with simultaneous probability coverage reasonably close to the nominal level. Extant theoretical and simulation results suggest replacing means with trimmed means. The Tukey-McLaughlin method is easily adapted to the problem at hand via the Bonferroni inequality, but this paper illustrates that practical concerns remain. Here, the main result is that the percentile t bootstrap method, used in conjunction with trimmed means, gives improved probability coverage and substantially better power. A method based on a one-step M-estimator is also considered but found to be less satisfactory.
meaning and morality: a semiotic approach to evil eye accusations in a Greek village

Anthropological approaches to the evil eye have suffered from the analytical inadequacy of the evil eye construct itself. Utilizing material from a Greek (Rhodian) village, this article seeks a wider frame of reference in which evil eye accusations are treated as expressions of a moral-value system and in which that system is shown to articulate concepts of fate and character with the criteria for inclusion in the village society. The primary focus is thus semiotic; it is an attempt to show how villagers interpret personal habits and characteristics, including the possession of an allegedly dangerous eye, as signs of the individual's failure to satisfy those membership criteria adequately. On the basis of this ethnographic evidence, it is suggested that the concept of boundary transgression may prove to be a more useful tool of cross-cultural analysis than the generalized stereotype of “the evil eye.” [evil eye, witchcraft, moral systems, social boundaries, semiotics, Greece]