cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraocular lens scaffold to facilitate intraocular lens exchange.

We describe a technique of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in patients with post-refractive surgery IOL power error or patients who are dissatisfied with the optical performance of the IOL. The technique involves the presence of 2 IOLs in the eye: the offending IOL, which is manipulated out of the capsular bag into the anterior chamber, and the corrective IOL, which is inserted into the bag. The anteriorly elevated IOL is transected with the IOL cutting scissors, while the corrective IOL acts as a scaffold for the posterior capsule. The technique provides continuous distension of the bag with the IOL, which prevents damage to the posterior capsule and acts as a barrier to vitreous prolapse in cases of an open posterior capsule; it also prevents slippage of the optic during transection of the IOL being removed. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
The Politics of Cultural Representation: Visions of Fields/Fields of Visions 1:

In this paper, I address the current debates around ethnography and propose a critical feminist ethnography which depends on the alternative narrative strategies suggested by experimental ethnograp...
A study of a new medicament in the chemomechanical preparation of infected root canals

The effectiveness of Gly-Oxide (a solu­ tion of 10 per cent urea peroxide in a vehicle of anhydrous peroxide) was com­ pared with that of aqueous hydrogen peroxide in the chemomechanical prep­ aration of infected root canals in 77 single-rooted teeth. With both solutions, growth-free cultures were obtained in more than 90 per cent of instances after the initial cleansing and enlarging of the canal. However, with the initial culture at the second visit, Gly-Oxide was sub­ stantially more efficient than aqueous hy­ drogen peroxide in producing growthfree cultures (65.7 per cent versus 48.5 per cent).
Cloning and sequencing of the gene for a 120-kDa immunodominant protein of Ehrlichia chaffeensis.

Abstract Ehrlichia chaffeensis is the tick-borne, obligately intracellular bacterium that causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis. A 120-kDa protein is one of the immunodominant proteins of E. chaffeensis that stimulates production of specific antibodies in infected humans. A genomic library of E. chaffeensis was constructed in a λZAP II phage vector, and a clone expressing the 120-kDa protein of E. chaffeensis was identified using canine anti- E. chaffeensis serum. DNA sequence analysis of the cloned 120-kDa protein gene of E. chaffeensis identified a 1884-bp open reading frame with an ehrlichial promoter. Five identical 240-bp tandem repeat units were identified in the 120-kDa protein gene of E. chaffeensis , comprising 60% of the entire gene. Aside from the first repeat unit, all the other repeat units are identical. In the first repeat unit there are four nucleotides that are different from the other repeats. Hydropathy analysis of the deduced amino-acid sequence demonstrated that the repeat domain contains highly hydrophilic segments. The 120-kDa protein should be evaluated for a role in stimulating protective immunity.
In the Light of Evolution: A Reevaluation of Conservation in the CO–FT Regulon and Its Role in Photoperiodic Regulation of Flowering Time

In order to maximize reproductive success, plants have evolved different strategies to control the critical developmental shift marked by the transition to flowering. As plants have adapted to diverse environments across the globe, these strategies have evolved to recognize and respond to local seasonal cues through the induction of specific downstream genetic pathways, thereby ensuring that the floral transition occurs in favorable conditions. Determining the genetic factors involved in controlling the floral transition in many species is key to understanding how this trait has evolved. Striking genetic discoveries in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) and Oryza sativa (rice) revealed that similar genes in both species control flowering in response to photoperiod, suggesting that this genetic module could be conserved between distantly related angiosperms. However, as we have gained a better understanding of the complex evolution of these genes and their functions in other species, another possibility must be considered: that the genetic module controlling flowering in response to photoperiod is the result of convergence rather than conservation. In this review, we show that while data clearly support a central role of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) homologs in floral promotion across a diverse group of angiosperms, there is little evidence for a conserved role of CONSTANS (CO) homologs in the regulation of these loci. In addition, although there is an element of conserved function for FT homologs, even this component has surprising complexity in its regulation and evolution.
Black genocide? Preliminary thoughts on the plight of America’s poor black men

Our aim in this article is to offer a preliminary defense of the claim heard frequently these days that poor African American men are subjected to conditions of life that are sufficiently destructive to amount to an instance of genocide. To make our case, we define the term genocide and apply measures of this phenomenon to the life experiences of poor black American men. Our focus is on grossly disproportionate death rates among this group, which we examine as one of a number of products of social deprivation.
Manipulation of response-contingent unconditioned-stimulus intensity in human eyelid conditioning: A two-phase model analysis.

Four groups of human subjects were given 360 classical eyeblink conditioning trials. All groups received the same UCS (unconditioned stimulus) intensity on\({CR}\) (nonconditioned response) trials but differed in the intensity presented on CR trials. Response probability increased as a positive function of UCS intensity on CR trials. Phase 1 of the two-phase model was longer when no UCS was presented on CR trials, but did not differ in duration among the remaining three groups. Most subjects could be described with a single operator in Phase 2, the operator limit increasing as a positive function of CR-contingent UCS intensity. For subjects requiring different operator limits on CR and\({CR}\) trials, the latter was lower with high CR-trial intensities but higher with low CR-trialintensities. The results were interpreted to be more consistent with drive theory than with “law-of-effect” or two-factor theories.
Carbon number distribution of Fischer-Tropsch products formed on an iron catalyst in a slurry reactor

Studies at 234 to 269/sup 0/C and at 790 kPa showed a precise linear relationship between the log of mole fraction m/sub n/ of products of carbon number n, and n, as predicted by the Flory molecular-weight distribution provided that all products, including oxygenated species, are considered. The relationship held over more than four orders of magnitude of m/sub n/, values of n of from 1 to about 20, and over a wide range of gas composition. The chain growth probability factor, ..cap alpha.., increased slightly from 0.67 at 269/sup 0/C to 0.71 at 234/sup 0/C. 8 figures, 1 table.
Using public rhetoric to assess private philosophy: Richard M. Weaver and beyond

The many writings of Richard M. Weaver have brought renewed attention to the subject of moral‐philosophical criticism. This essay seeks both to analyze Weaver's critical method and to supply further insight into the value‐based criticism of argument.
The relation of social to biological processes in disease

A common language is developing which describes how social interaction can lead to disease. There is a consensus based on forty years of psychophysiological research that emotion is the crucial driving force in a chain of events leading from psychosocial interaction to neuroendocrine changes. These changes, in turn, can induce physiological abnormalities eventually leading to pathologic changes. The emotions involved have been presented in a model in which a sympathetic adrenal-medullary effort-relaxation axis is contrasted with a pituitary adrenal-cortical elation-dejection axis. A further pituitary-gonadotropic axis for social success as opposed to low social assets is described. Although overlapping, each system can be shown to be related to a separate neuroendocrine mechanism whose activity pattern may be either exaggerated or suppressed. Social scientists like Kemper and gender psychologists like Bakan speak of separate power (agentic) and status (communion) axes. They appear to correspond broadly to the neuroendocrine mechanisms mentioned earlier. The changes induced by emotions are sufficiently powerful to regularly override the neuroendocrine feedback controls that should restore homeostasis. These overrides will either gradually or sometimes abruptly--as in cardiac arrhythmia--lead to pathophysiological changes and so to disease states, which are eventually fatal. Although social supports and social assets are successful in keeping neuroendocrine disturbances to a minimum in a healthy society, if the milieu is disordered, one's vulnerability is increased.
The variable hinge region of novel PKCs determines localization to distinct regions of the immunological synapse.

The immunological synapse (IS) formed between a T cell and its cognate antigen-presenting cell (APC) enables the directional secretion of cytolytic and inflammatory molecules. Synaptic architecture is established in part by a two-step cascade of novel protein kinase C (nPKC) isozymes. PKCe and PKCη arrive at the IS first, and occupy the entire synaptic membrane. Then, PKCθ accumulates in a smaller zone at the center of the contact. We investigated the molecular basis for this differential recruitment behavior using chimeric nPKC constructs and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Our studies revealed that the V3 linker just N-terminal to the kinase domain plays a crucial role in specifying nPKC localization. Substitution of this linker switched the scope and the kinetics of PKCθ accumulation to that of PKCe and PKCη, and vice versa. Although the V3 was necessary for synaptic compartmentalization, it was not sufficient, as the tandem C1 domains were also required to mediate membrane association. Together, these results suggest a model whereby the V3 linker controls nPKC sub-compartmentalization after initial C1 domain-mediated accumulation at the IS.
Experiments and Computations of Solitary-Wave Forces on a Coastal-Bridge Deck. Part II: Deck with Girders

Abstract Solitary wave-induced forces on a two-dimensional model of a coastal bridge are investigated by conducting laboratory experiments and performing CFD computations. Experimental parameters included four water depths, five wave amplitudes, four submergence depths and three elevations above the still-water level (SWL), for a total of 118 cases. Submergence depths and elevations are chosen such that the bridge model may be fully submerged, partially inundated or fully elevated above the SWL. Euler's equations are solved by use of the CFD program OpenFOAM to compute the wave forces. It is found that the forces calculated by OpenFOAM are in close agreement with the laboratory measurements in most cases. The effect of formation of entrapped air pockets on the wave forces is studied by including air pressure relief openings on the deck of the model. This paper is a companion to Part I under the same title. The forces on the deck with girders are compared with those on the flat plate (given in Part I) to examine the role of girders on the forces. The solitary wave forces are further studied computationally by changing the number of girders in different submergence depths.
How Widespread Was Late Trading in Mutual Funds

This paper uses daily fund flow data to examine the extent of late trading in the U.S. mutual fund industry. Trading decisions that are required by law to have been made before 4 PM Eastern Time are correlated with market movements from 4 to 9 PM that evening. The cross- sectional variation in this correlation is consistent with late trading being its primary cause and inconsistent with alternative explanations. For example, apparent late trading ceases in September 2003 after the announcement of the investigation into mutual fund trading practices, it is three times greater in fund families that have been cited by regulators for allowing late trading, and it is greater in funds and asset classes that are also receiving heavy stale price arbitrage flows. In my sample, which includes 75 percent of non-specialized equity mutual funds and 48 percent of assets, late trading led to average annual shareholder dilution from 1998 to 2003 of 3.8 and 0.9 basis points in international and U.S. equity funds, respectively. If these dilution rates prevailed industry wide, they would imply shareholder losses of about $400 million per year. Furthermore, there is statistically significant evidence of late trading in the funds of 39 of 66 fund families.
The determination of abamectin from soil and animal tissue by supercritical fluid extraction and fluorescence detection

The insecticide abamectin is extracted from soil and animal tissue by supercritical fluid extraction. Supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 9% 2-methoxyethanol extracted abamectin from soil samples at levels up to 11 ng g -1 with greater than 80% efficiency. Recovery at fortification levels of 5 ng g -1 were obtainable without the need for clean-up. Abamectin was also easily extracted from animal tissue at levels of 22 ng g -1 without interfering coextractives. Extracted abamectin was determined by liquid chromatography of a fluorescent derivative
Epistemic Privilege and Expertise in the Context of Meta-debate

I argue that Kotzee’s (Argumentation 24:265–281, 2010) model of meta-debate succeeds in identifying illegitimate or fallacious charges of bias but has the unintended consequence of classifying some legitimate and non-fallacious charges as fallacious. This makes the model, in some important cases, counter-productive. In particular, cases where the call for a meta-debate is prompted by the participant with epistemic privilege and a charge of bias is denied by the participant with social advantage, the impasse will put the epistemically advantaged at far greater risk. Therefore, I propose treating epistemic privilege as a variety of expert opinion specifically in cases where meta-debate participants come to an impasse in deliberation. My proposal exposes the problem of interpreting debate contexts as both adversarial and free from social power differentials.
Attention Problems and Pathological Gaming: Resolving the ‘Chicken and Egg’ in a Prospective Analysis

Pathological gaming (PG) behaviors are behaviors which interfere with other life responsibilities. Continued debate exists regarding whether symptoms of PG behaviors are a unique phenomenon or arise from other mental health problems, including attention problems. Development of attention problems and occurrence of pathological gaming in 144 adolescents were followed during a 1-year prospective analysis. Teens and their parents reported on pathological gaming behaviors, attention problems, and current grade point average, as well as several social variables. Results were analyzed using regression and path analysis. Attention problems tended to precede pathological gaming behaviors, but the inverse was not true. Attention problems but not pathological gaming predicted lower GPA 1 year later. Current results suggest that pathological gaming arises from attention problems, but not the inverse. These results suggest that pathological gaming behaviors are symptomatic of underlying attention related mental health issues, rather than a unique phenomenon.
Cytoarchitecture of muscle in a genetic model of murine diabetes.

Although diabetic neuropathy is well documented, diabetic myopathy is not, except for descriptions of diabetic patients with muscular weakness thought to be due to metabolic changes in the muscle. Muscle and nerve are dependent on each other for normal structure and function; since the peripheral nerve is damaged in diabetes, one would expect concomitant changes in the muscle. This study examines the cytoarchitecture of diabetic muscle. The extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from 165-day-old C57BL/KsJ db-m mice were examined using electron microscopy. Morphological analysis of the diabetic EDL revealed that a significant number of the myofibers, examined within the midbelly region of the muscle, exhibited various degrees of degeneration, signs of denervation, and abnormal lipid stores. Both myoneural junctions and muscle spindles showed significant signs of degeneration, denervation, and abnormal structure. Thus the morphologic changes seen could account for the physiologic changes seen in diabetic muscle.
INDIVIDUAL‐BASED MODEL OF YELLOW PERCH AND WALLEYE POPULATIONS IN ONEIDA LAKE

Predator–prey dynamics and density dependence are fundamental issues in ecology. We use a detailed, individual-based model of walleye and yellow perch to investigate the effects of alternative prey and compensatory responses on predator and prey population dynamics. Our analyses focus on the numerical and developmental responses of the predator, rather than the traditional emphasis on functional responses. The extensive database for Oneida Lake, New York, USA was used to configure the model and ensure its realism. The model follows the daily growth, mortality, and spawning of individuals of each species through their lifetime. Three ecologically distinct periods in the history of Oneida Lake were simulated: baseline, high mayfly densities, and high forage fish densities. Mayflies and forage fish act as alternative prey for walleye. For model corroboration, the three periods were simulated sequentially as they occurred in Oneida Lake. Model predictions of abundances, size at age, and growth and survival ra...
Automated Identification Technology and Information Security in Digital Hospitals

“Digital hospital” is a modern hospital mode that strongly relies on information technology and networks. Automated identification technology (AIT) mainly includes bar coding, radio frequency identification (RFID), and biometrics. AIT has been cutting-edge technology for supporting digital hospitals. Bar coding has been widely used in collecting data and identifying patients, personnel, and equipment in hospitals. RFID has been used in identifying and tracking patients, clinicians, equipment, and drugs in hospitals. It can improve quality of patient care by reducing medical errors and improving medication security. Biometrics has much potential in authentication and information security for digital hospitals. The characteristics and functions of digital hospitals, an introduction to the applications of AIT in digital hospitals, and a discussion related to issues in information security is presented in this paper.
The Interplay Between Genotypes and Family Relationships: Reframing Concepts of Development and Prevention

Children's genotypes and their social relationships are correlated throughout their development. Heritable characteristics of children evoke strong and specific responses from their parents; frequently, these same heritable characteristics also influence the children's adjustment. Moreover, parental heritable traits that influence their parenting are also transmitted to children and influence their children's adjustment. Thus, genetically influenced evocative processes from children and parental-transmission mechanisms influence the covariances between measures of family relationships and child development. These findings suggest new targets for preventing adverse development: altering parental responses to heritable characteristics of children and influencing the genetically influenced ontogeny of parenting.
Adverse effects of smoke exposure on the upper airway

Objective: This paper reviews secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and diseases and symptoms of the upper airway, including the sinuses. Risks to flight attendants, who were occupationally exposed until smoking was banned on all flights, are emphasised. Data sources: A systematic database search was conducted; the US Surgeon General’s reports and other major reviews were evaluated. Literature summarised by National Research Council (NRC) reports on the airline cabin environment are included. Study selection: A limited number of research publications on adults were identified; these are included. Many studies cited by the NRC were never published and information is taken directly from the reports. Data extraction: Data from observational studies of cabin crews and the general public were extracted from surveys; exposure monitoring of cabin crews is reported. Data from controlled exposure studies are included; most are challenge studies using volunteers screened for sensitivity to SHS. Data synthesis: Evidence shows that active and passive smoking cause upper airway diseases, including sinonasal and laryngeal cancers in adult active smokers. Experimental studies indicate that brief exposures to SHS result in nasal mucosa inflammation. However, direct evidence on sinusitis is limited. Conclusions: Evidence does not show a strong connection between active smoking and sinusitis, and active smokers have substantial exposures to SHS. However, extrapolation of these studies to cabin crews needs to be cautious, as other environmental conditions may increase risk for upper airway disease and symptoms. Surveys of cabin crews, while flawed, consistently indicate high rates of upper airway symptoms.
Development of new apertures for coherent X-ray experiments

When one performs a coherent small-angle X-ray scattering experiment, the incident beam must be spatially filtered by slits on a length scale smaller than the transverse coherence length of the source which is typically around 10 microm. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of the slit is one of the important sources of background in these experiments. New slits which minimize this parasitic background have been designed and tested. The slit configuration apodizes the beam by the use of partially transmitting inclined slit jaws. A model is presented which predicts that the high wavevector tails of the diffraction pattern fall as the inverse fourth power of the wavevector instead of the inverse second power that is observed for standard slits. Using cleaved GaAs single-crystal edges, Fraunhofer diffraction patterns from 3 and 5.5 keV X-rays were measured, in agreement with the theoretical model proposed. A novel phase-peak diffraction pattern associated with phase variations of the transmitted electric field was also observed. The model proposed adequately accounts for this phenomenon.
Comparison of Plate Fin Compact Heat Exchanger Performance

Plate fin heat exchangers (PFHE) are characterized by very close temperature approaches and high thermal effectiveness, large heat transfer area per unit volume, low weight per unit transfer and possibility of heat exchange between many process streams. These advantages are only limited by operating fluid temperatures and pressures. The main target of this paper is to study the performance of plate fin compact heat exchangers and to provide full explanation of previous comparison methods of compact heat exchanger surfaces (plain, strip, louvered, wavy, pin, perforated and vortex) used in plate fin compact heat exchangers. We generalize these methods to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each type of geometry (more than sixty geometries studied) based on required size, entropy generation, pumping power, weight, and cost. The effect of using different surfaces on each side of the heat exchanger and design recommendations are also discussed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Experimental studies of stochastic models for the Prisoner's dilemma

A game of strategy represents a situation in which two or more players make choices between available alternatives. When the interests of the players are partly coincident and partly opposed, it is a nonzero-sum game. The psychologically interesting aspects of this game or of any realistic situation which can be adequately described by it stem from mixed motives, in which the confrontation is not only between the conflicting players but also between the conflicting motives within each player.
Diffraction-based optical sensor detection system for capture-restricted environments

The use of digital cameras and camcorders in prohibited areas presents a growing problem. Piracy in the movie theaters results in huge revenue loss to the motion picture industry every year, but still image and video capture may present even a bigger threat if performed in high-security locations. While several attempts are being made to address this issue, an effective solution is yet to be found. We propose to approach this problem using a very commonly observed optical phenomenon. Cameras and camcorders use CCD and CMOS sensors, which include a number of photosensitive elements/pixels arranged in a certain fashion. Those are photosites in CCD sensors and semiconductor elements in CMOS sensors. They are known to reflect a small fraction of incident light, but could also act as a diffraction grating, resulting in the optical response that could be utilized to identify the presence of such a sensor. A laser-based detection system is proposed that accounts for the elements in the optical train of the camera, as well as the eye-safety of the people who could be exposed to optical beam radiation. This paper presents preliminary experimental data, as well as the proof-of-concept simulation results.
Effect of potentiation on the catchlike property of human skeletal muscles.

The catchlike property of skeletal muscle is the force enhancement produced when a brief, high-frequency burst of pulses (two to four pulses) is added to a subtetanic train of pulses. Stimulation trains that take advantage of the catchlike property have been shown to produce greater forces than trains commonly used during clinical application of functional electrical stimulation (FES). We recently showed, however, that there was no force enhancement observed with the catchlike property when muscles were nonfatigued and highly potentiated. Thus, understanding the relationship between the force augmentations produced by the catchlike property and potentiation may provide insight into the physiological conditions that best take advantage of the catchlike property. The goal of this study was to explore quantitatively the effect of potentiation on the catchlike property of the muscle. Isometric data were collected from human quadriceps femoris muscles. A negative linear relationship between the force augmentation produced by the catchlike property and the amount of potentiation was observed. These data showed that for nonfatigued muscles, the catchlike property would be most beneficial at the onset of activation, when muscles are the least potentiated. These results should help to guide clinicians to design stimulation protocols that optimize performance during FES. Muscle Nerve 27: 312–319, 2003
Theoretical aspects of differential reflectance and electroreflectance spectroscopy in the UV-Vis region as applied to the study of molecular layers adsorbed on metal surfaces

Differential reflectance UV−vis spectra (ΔR/R vs wavelength, λ) of molecular layers adsorbed on various metal surfaces have been simulated using Fresnel equations for a stratified three-phase model...
Synthesis of a Calix[4]arene Derivative for Isolation of a Stable Cation Radical Salt for Use as a Colorimetric Sensor of Nitric Oxide

We have designed and synthesized a modified calixarene derivative (1) that allows, for the first time, the isolation of a stable cation radical salt that binds a single molecule of nitric oxide deep within its cavity with remarkable efficiency (KNO >108 M-1), as demonstrated by isolation of a crystalline complex [1, NO]+ and its characterization by X-ray crystallography as well as by optical spectroscopy. Furthermore, the ready accessibility of the calixarene cation radical will allow the exploration of its use for developing efficient sensing devices for nitric oxide based on the accompanied color changes.
A limiting Lagrangian for infinitely constrained convex optimization inR n

For convex optimization inRn,we show how a minor modification of the usual Lagrangian function (unlike that of the augmented Lagrangians), plus a limiting operation, allows one to close duality gaps even in the absence of a Kuhn-Tucker vector [see the introductory discussion, and see the discussion in Section 4 regarding Eq. (2)]. The cardinality of the convex constraining functions can be arbitrary (finite, countable, or uncountable).
Extracting P-impulse Responses of Lithosphere From Passive Earthquake Data

To recover receiver-side lithospheric/upper mantle structures from teleseismic P wave data, it is necessary to extract accurate P-impulse response estimates. Rather than attempt to estimate the complicated source wavelet itself, we use the multi-taper method to estimate the power spectrum of the source wavelet. The proven theoretical concept that the transmission response of the medium is minimum phase in the absence of evanescent waves allows us to utilize the power spectrum alone in a spectrum deconvolution method. Two types of P-impulse response estimates can be constructed from their common power spectrum: One is a minimum phased P-transmission response constructed by the Kolgomogrov method; the other is the P-reflection response constructed by one-way wavefield correlation-type reciprocity. For both the Ptransmission and reflection responses, we remove the free surface multiples by using inverse scattering series. The final outputs are Ptransmission and reflection impulse response estimates with free surface multiples removed.
Action spectrum for an enhancement of endogenous respiration by light in chlorella.

The oxygen consumption of a starved chlorophyll-free, yellow mutant of Chlorella vulgaris is enhanced by very small amounts of blue light (λ 450 mμ); a saturation level is reached at about 500 ergs cm−2 sec−1. At that intensity the respiration is about 3 times greater than in the dark. An action spectrum for the enhancement of respiration shows 2 peaks around λ 450 and 375 mμ. Flavins and cis-carotenoids are discussed as the pigments involved.
Predicting inpatient mortality for pediatric trauma patients with blunt injuries: A better alternative

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify significant independent predictors of inpatient mortality rates for pediatric victims of blunt trauma and to develop a formula for predicting the probability of inpatient mortality for these patients. Methods: Emergency department and inpatient data from 2,923 pediatric victims of blunt injury in the New York State Trauma Registry in 1994 and 1995 were used to explore the relationship between patient risk factors and mortality rate. A stepwise logistic regression model with P Results: The only significant independent predictors of severity that emerged were the ICISS, no motor response (best motor response=1) from the GCS, and the unresponsive component from the AVPU score. The statistical model exhibited an excellent fit (C statistic=.964). The specificity associated with the prediction of inpatient mortality rate based on the presence of 1 or more of these risk factors was.926, and the sensitivity was.944. Conclusions: The best independent predictors of inpatient mortality rate for pediatric trauma patients with blunt injuries include variables not specifically contained in the PTS or the RTS: ICISS, no motor response (best motor response=1) from the GCS, and the unresponsive component of the AVPU score. J Pediatr Surg 35:155-159. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies: a biological perspective

Summary Mutations in genes expressed in Schwann cells and the axons they ensheath cause the hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. At present, mutations in ten different genes have been identified, chromosomal localisation of many other distinct inherited neuropathies has been mapped, and new genetic causes for inherited neuropathies continue to be discovered. How to keep track of these mutations is a challenge for any neurologist, partly because the mutations are commonly presented as an expanding list to be memorised without a biological context of how the encoded proteins behave in the cell. A further challenge for investigators studying diseases of the peripheral nervous system is the increasing complexity of myelination, axonal function, and interactions between Schwann cells and axons. To address these concerns, we present the mutated genes causing these inherited neuropathies in the context of the cell biology of the Schwann cell and axon, and we begin to develop a model of how the various genes may interact in the pathogenesis of CMT disease.
Early intervention for young children at risk: The therapeutic family day care project

This essay discusses an early intervention program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers at risk of maltreatment that has been implemented by a state child protection agency, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The Therapeutic Family Day Care Project offers quality out-of-home child care to young children at risk and support services to improve the caregiving skills of these children's mothers. This essay examines the identification and enrollment of project children, the recruitment, training and monitoring of family day care providers, the providers’ caregiving and remediation of children's developmental delays, and the involvement of these children's mothers in the project.
A comparative study of stereo, vergence, and focus as depth cues for active vision

The performances of the binocular cues of stereo, vergence, and the monocular cue of focus for range estimation using an active vision system are compared. The performance of each cue is characterized by its sensitivity to errors in the imaging parameters. The effect of random quantization errors is expressed in terms of the standard derivation of the resulting depth error. The effect of systematic calibration errors on estimation using each cue is studied. Performance characterization of each cue is shown to be useful for active control of the imaging parameters to improve the accuracy of the estimated range. Methods to integrate the use of the cues in order to overcome their individual limitations are discussed. >
Correlations of Permeability and Grain Size

Previous theoretical and empirical investigations of the relation between particle size and intergranular permeability have resulted in the well-known formula for intrinsic permeability (k) where d is particle diameter, and c is a dimensionless constant. Statistical power regression analyses were per- formed on 19 sets of published data on size and laboratory permeability of unconsolidated sediments. The exponent of grain diameter ranged from 1.11 to 2.05, but most values were significantly less than 2.0. Results indicate that the permeability/grain size relation alternatively may be expressed, from an empirical basis, as Values of c and the exponent both generally decrease with decreased textural maturity and increased induration.
Radiation Effects On Light Sources And Detectors

The rapidly expanding field of optoelectronics includes a wide variety of both military and non-military applications in which the systems must meet radiation exposure requirements. Herein, we review the work on radiation effects on sources and detectors for such optoelectronic systems. For sources the principal problem is permanent damage-induced light output degradation, while for detectors it is ionizing radiation-induced photocurrents.
Symbolic path simulation in path-sensitive dataflow analysis

Symbolic path simulation is becoming an increasingly important component in many static analysis tasks. The emergence of inter-procedural path-sensitive dataflow algorithms has both raised the demands and posed new challenges for effective techniques in path feasibility analysis.This paper develops a general-purpose path simulator and applies it to support path-sensitive dataflow analysis. The core component of the path simulator is a simulation engine that supports a wide variety of programming language features. This simulation engine can be "wrapped" with an interface layer to support a given client application.As a concrete case study, we discuss the experiences gained in integrating the path simulator with ESP, a software validation tool for C/C++ programs. We apply ESP to validate a future version of Windows against critical security properties. Our results show that the global path simulation mechanism is both critical in improving precision and scalable enough to be of practical use.
Deep storage of oceanic crust in a vigorously convecting mantle

[1] Fractionated isotopic ratios in some oceanic basalts indicates the presence of recycled oceanic crust in the mantle. This crust must have escaped complete remixing for a significant period of time. Gravitational settling into a dense layer at the base of the mantle may facilitate this preservation. Christensen and Hofmann (1994) first demonstrated the dynamics of this process by developing scaling laws for extrapolating low convective vigor models to conditions estimated for the mantle. Here this sequestration is studied in models with more Earth-like convective vigor. Scaling laws for geodynamic parameters are updated and the isotopic evolution of the U-Pb and Sm-Nd systems examined. Significant accumulation is still found at high Rayleigh number, but only when the excess density of oceanic crust in the lower mantle is larger than currently suggested from laboratory experiments. These accumulations are found to maintain the fractionated isotopic signature of ancient crust for models with moderate to moderately high convective vigor relative to mantle estimates. At the highest convective vigor tested, the accumulations are not isotopically distinct.
Prevalence and Patterns of Gulf War Illness in Kansas Veterans: Association of Symptoms with Characteristics of Person, Place, and Time of Military Service

Gulf War veterans have reported health problems that they attribute to their military service, but little is understood about the nature or extent of these conditions. To determine whether Kansas Gulf War veterans are affected by excess health problems, a population-based survey of 1,548 veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War (PGW) and 482 veterans who served elsewhere (non-PGW) was conducted in 1998. Gulf War illness, defined as having chronic symptoms in three of six domains, occurred in 34% of PGW veterans, 12% of non-PGW veterans who reported receiving vaccines during the war, and 4% of non-PGW veterans who did not receive vaccines. The prevalence of Gulf War illness was lowest among PGW veterans who served on board ship (21%) and highest among those who were in Iraq and/or Kuwait (42%). Among PGW veterans who served away from battlefield areas, Gulf War illness was least prevalent among those who departed the region prior to the war (9%) and most prevalent among those who departed in June or July of 1991 (41%). Observed patterns suggest that excess morbidity among Gulf War veterans is associated with characteristics of their wartime service, and that vaccines used during the war may be a contributing factor.
The (Greek) Key to Structures of Neural Adhesion Molecules

Cells need to adhere specifically to cellular and extracellular components of their environment to carry out diverse physiological functions. Examples of such functions within the nervous system include neurite extension, synapse formation, and the myelination of axons. The ability to recognize multiple environmental cues and to undergo specific adhesion is critical to each of these complex cellular functions. Recognition and adhesion are mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), which bind to macromolecules expressed on neighboring cells or in the extracellular matrix (ECM).
Maternal care and altered social phenotype in a recently collected stock of Astatotilapia burtoni cichlid fish

Synopsis For over 30 years, the African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, has been an important model system for studying the mechanisms underlying socially mediated behavioral change, with the focus being the dominance behavior of males. A recently collected wild-stock (WS) of this species invigorates interest in parallel studies of females’ behavior. Here, we describe a robust ‘good-mother’ phenotype, increased maternal affiliation in fry, and subtle differences in males’ behavior that are exhibited by this new stock. While the females of both the laboratory-stock (LS) and the WS brood the developing fry in their buccal cavity, only the WS continues to provide maternal care after initial release of the fry while the LS engage in filial cannibalism. We show that weight loss during starvation, either during brooding or with restriction of food, is greater in the LS than in the WS; thus, the observed behavioral differences may be tied to metabolic differences. The WS also exhibits a robust androgen response to challenge during the maternal care phase. Given the increasing power of genomic tools available for this species, the comparison of these two stocks will offer the opportunity to investigate the genetic and genomic basis of behavioral differences.
English Language Proficiency and the Earnings of Mexican Immigrants

This paper studies the effect of English language deficiency on the wage rates of Mexican immigrants. Using a sample of 81,059 labor market male Mexican immigrants taken from Census PUMS data, I find that the direct effect of English language deficiency on earnings is virtually nonexistent for immigrants with low education and experience levels. These results show that only immigrants with at least a high school education or some US labor market experience will make less than their immigrant counterparts who speak English very well. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol10/iss1/17
Transient stability of multi-machine power systems with transfer conductances

This paper deals with the stability problem of multimachine power systems with transfer conductances via a Lyapunov function. We present easily tested criteria for the existence of this function. Using an example with four-machine power systems studied in previous literature we show the efficiency of these criteria in applications.
Resource Allocation for a Life Science Automation Line: a Petri nets Approach

High-throughput screening (HTS) processes have been increasingly used in the life sciences area for diverse bio-chemical experiments. This paper investigates the resource allocation issue of scheduling HTS processes under multiple constraints including operation constraints, resource constraints, starvation constraints and multi-experiment constraints. We first use timed transition Petri nets (PN) to model the HTS processes. We then illustrate the transition variant property of the PN model, and propose an efficient best-first (E-BF) algorithm combined with PN execution to find the schedule. Finally we apply the E-BF algorithm to three typical HTS experimental processes under different resource constraints and compare the E-BF algorithm with a traditional best-first (BF) algorithm as case studies. The results show that the E-BF algorithm can be used to allocate resources for HTS processes properly and can easily be more efficient than the BF algorithm when applied to transition variant PN.
Capacitive heating of phantom and human tumors with an 8 MHz radiofrequency applicator (thermotron RF-8)

The thermal profile was investigated in agar phantoms and in human tumors heated capacitively with 8 MHz RF. Deep and homogeneous heating could be achieved in a large homogeneous phantom of 25 cm diameter and 24 cm thick when heated with a pair of 25 cm diameter electrodes, coupled to both bases of the phantom. When the size of the two electrodes was not the same, the region near the smaller electrode was preferentially heated. It was, therefore, possible to control the depth of heating by choosing properly sized electrodes. Therapeutic temperature (greater than 42 degrees C) could be obtained in 7 out of 9 small, as well as, bulky superficial human tumors as large as 8 X 8 X 10 cm. Indications are that heating of some deep-seated human tumors might be achieved by the capacitive method, provided that subcutaneous fat layer is cooled by temperature controlled bolus and large electrodes are used. The effect of the anatomical structure on the power deposition in the human body during capacitive heating should be further investigated.
Single-machine scheduling with waiting-time-dependent due dates

We consider a single-machine scheduling problem in which due dates are linear functions of the job waiting-times and the objective is to minimize the maximum lateness. An optimal sequence is constructed by implementing an index-based priority rule for a fixed value of the due date normalizing constant k. We determine in polynomial time all the k value ranges so that the optimal sequence remains the same within each range. The optimal due dates are computed as linear functions of the global optimal value of k. The overall procedure is illustrated in a numerical example.
Deconstructing Agile Processes: Would Planned Design Be Helpful in XP Projects?

Extreme programming (XP) suggests replacing planned up-front design with evolutionary design, which advises implementing the simplest solution that satisfies the current iteration's requirements. However, the literature records several instances where development teams have argued for the naturalness of, and need for, planned design. This paper describes two experimental studies that compared both approaches regarding product quality and programmer productivity. Results from both studies show that (1) there is no significant difference of product quality, independently of the subjects' experience, but (2) novices are more productive when allowed to use planned design.
Changing Spectrum of Diabetes Mellitus in Children Challenges With Initial Classification

Objective. To determine the frequency of initial misclassification of diabetes mellitus (DM) in children and to compare the presenting features of DM1, DM2, and the misclassified cases. Results. A total of 206 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of them, 74.75% had DM1 and 25.25% had DM2. Ten percent of studied patients had a subsequent change in classification. The mean HbA1c of the DM2 patients, who were initially misclassified, was 13.35% (SD = 1.96). The mean HbA1c of DM2 patients with correct initial classification was 8.83% (SD = 3.01). Diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) was seen in 59.44% of DM1 and 23.91% of DM2 patients. Of the DM2 patients who were initially misclassified, 58.82% had presented in DKA as opposed to only 6.45% of patients who were correctly classified. Conclusion. The initial classification of DM frequently requires revision (10% in this study). The misclassification is highest among DM2 patients who initially present with higher HbA1c and DKA.
School Choice and the Branding of Milwaukee Private Schools

Objective Brands communicate information to consumers about a good or service. As school-choice policies become more widespread and more parents are faced with the task of choosing a school for their child, schools may be branding themselves to differentiate themselves from other schools. This article seeks to determine whether schools possess name brands that influence the choices of parents. Methods We use multinomial logit to model the relationship between the educational preferences and the selection of schools for 2,600 parents participating in a large, urban private school voucher program. Results We find that parental choices are systematic. Parents who value particular school characteristics tend to choose schools with brands that espouse those characteristics. Conclusion These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that schools carry brands that communicate information to parents who then use the brands to help them select schools for their children.