cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbial and Animal Limitations to Fiber Digestion and Utilization

The ruminal microbial populations attack, degrade and ferment structural carbohydrates in forage cell walls and thereby provide volatile fatty acids and protein to the host animal. Microbial colonization of fiber is quite rapid; however, the rate and extent to which fiber is degraded is determined to a considerable degree by factors such as microbial accessibility to substrate, physical and chemical nature of the forage and kinetics of ruminal digestion. The physical and chemical nature of forages can present a barrier to their complete digestion in the rumen, especially the association of lignin with polysaccharide constituents. Adhesin proteins allow bacteria with cell-bound enzymes to come into intimate contact with their substrates, ensuring that the degradation products are preferentially available. Research on various fibrolytic enzymes and cellulose binding domains may allow for the transfer of novel genetic material to bacteria for enhancing the hydrolysis of plant cell walls. Fungi may also play an important synergistic role in the ruminal digestion of forages by physically disrupting the lignified stem tissue. This allows the ruminal microbes greater access to the plant stem and the digestible portions of the plant. New developments in fiber utilization by ruminants are currently under investigation and include genetic manipulation of ruminal bacteria, chemical and biological treatments of forages, and manipulation of dietary inputs and feeding management.
Effects of Gibberellic Acid on Growth and Parthenocarpy in the Dwarf Telephone Pea

Growth in height and production of seedless pods wore studied in Dwarf Telephone pea seedlings treated with relatively large amounts of the potassium salt of gibberellic acid applied in solution to leaflets. Such treatment produced a saturation in growth in height with 2 mg or more per plant when the plants were allowed to grow to maturity. Larger amounts caused no inhibitory effects on growth. Maximum growth with 1 mg per plant was attained only if the treated leaflets were left on the plant for about 14 days, at least, but increasing numbers of weekly 10-mg applications produced no additional growth affects beyond two applications. Increasing age of plants from 10 to 59 days of age at the time of single 10-mg applications per plant resulted in decreasing final heights. Gibberellic acid caused the formation of seedless pods a number of weeks after application, and deformed flower petals, elongated peduncles, and conspicuously inflated pods were associated with seedlessness. GA was most effective in inducing parthenocarpy when applied to the first true leaves of young seedlings and became progressively less effective with age. A complete absence of seeds in pods formed on the main plant axis was produced by one application of 10 mg GA per plant, while six applications were required for the suppression of seed formation on side branches.
Simulation of rapid startup in microwave magnetrons with azimuthally-varying axial magnetic fields

Recent experiments have shown that the sidebands and the close-in noise in a microwave oven magnetron may be virtually eliminated by the addition of an azimuthally varying axial magnetic field. Not only the low noise behavior was observed, but also the startup was found to be substantially hastened when the number of the perturbing magnets equals the number of electron spokes in the operating mode (usually the /spl alpha/-mode) of the magnetron. The starting current was also observed to be one order of magnitude lower. In this paper, we show that this rapid startup is a result of "magnetic priming", which is achieved by imposing n=N/2 azimuthal variations in the axial magnetic field in an N-cavity magnetron that operates in the /spl alpha/ mode.
The Wish to Die and 5-Year Mortality in Elderly Primary Care Patients

Objectives The authors examined the impact of the wish to die on mortality over a 5-year period, stratified by baseline depressive status (i.e., major, minor, and no depression diagnosis). The authors also examined whether a depression care management intervention would minimize these relationships. Design Longitudinal analyses of the practice-randomized Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly: Collaborative Trial (PROSPECT). Setting Twenty primary care practices from New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Participants One thousand two hundred two participants were identified through two-stage, age-stratified (60–74 years; 75 years and older) depression screening of randomly sampled participants. Intervention Practices randomized to Care Management Intervention or Usual Care conditions. Measurements Vital status at 5 years using the National Death Index. Results Rates of the wish to die were 29% (major depression), 11% (minor depression), and 7% (no depression). In Usual Care, the wish to die was associated with an increased risk of 5-year mortality across depressive status (adjusted hazard ratios ranging from 1.62 to 1.71). In intervention practices, this association was greater among the no depression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.64) compared with major depression group (adjusted hazard ratio 0.68). Conclusions The wish to die was associated with mortality in the usual care of elderly primary care patients, suggesting that the wish to die has clinical significance and may be worth assessing even in patients without other evidence of depression. This association was not observed among depressed patients located in primary care practices that implemented the PROSPECT intervention, suggesting potential long-term benefits of treatment and management of depression.
Platelet GpIbα Binding to von Willebrand Factor Under Fluid Shear: Contributions of the D'D3-Domain, A1-Domain Flanking Peptide and O-Linked Glycans

Background Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) A1-domain binding to platelet receptor GpIbα is an important fluid-shear dependent interaction that regulates both soluble VWF binding to platelets, and platelet tethering onto immobilized VWF. We evaluated the roles of different structural elements at the N-terminus of the A1-domain in regulating shear dependent platelet binding. Specifically, the focus was on the VWF D′D3-domain, A1-domain N-terminal flanking peptide (NFP), and O-glycans on this peptide. Methods and Results Full-length dimeric VWF (ΔPro-VWF), dimeric VWF lacking the D′D3 domain (ΔD′D3-VWF), and ΔD′D3-VWF variants lacking either the NFP (ΔD′D3NFP ─ -VWF) or just O-glycans on this peptide (ΔD′D3OG ─ -VWF) were expressed. Monomeric VWF-A1 and D′D3-A1 were also produced. In ELISA, the apparent dissociation constant (K D ) of soluble ΔPro-VWF binding to immobilized GpIbα (K D ≈100 nmol/L) was 50- to 100-fold higher than other proteins lacking the D′D3 domain (K D ~0.7 to 2.5 nmol/L). Additionally, in surface plasmon resonance studies, the on-rate of D′D3-A1 binding to immobilized GpIbα (k on =1.8±0.4×10 4 (mol/L) −1 ·s −1 ; K D =1.7 μmol/L) was reduced compared with the single VWF-A1 domain (k on =5.1±0.4×10 4 (mol/L) −1 ·s −1 ; K D =1.2 μmol/L). Thus, VWF-D′D3 primarily controls soluble VWF binding to GpIbα. In contrast, upon VWF immobilization, all molecular features regulated A1-GpIbα binding. Here, in ELISA, the number of apparent A1-domain sites available for binding GpIbα on ΔPro-VWF was ≈50% that of the ΔD′D3-VWF variants. In microfluidics based platelet adhesion measurements on immobilized VWF and thrombus formation assays on collagen, human platelet recruitment varied as ΔPro-VWF ─ -VWF ─ -VWF. Conclusions Whereas VWF-D′D3 is the major regulator of soluble VWF binding to platelet GpIbα, both the D′D3-domain and N-terminal peptide regulate platelet translocation and thrombus formation.
Treatment of Symptomatic Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthritis with Percutaneous Arthrodesis: a Novel Technique in Select Patients

Arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint is a reliable means of achieving pain relief in a symptomatic DIP joint afflicted by a variety of degenerative, inflammatory, or posttraumatic conditions. Successful arthrodesis is more reproducible when rigid compression of the joint is achieved. The emergence of an increasing number of commercially available headless or variable pitch compression screws reflects the growing trend among hand surgeons to utilize rigid stabilization of the DIP joint so that motion at more proximal levels can be initiated immediately without affecting arthrodesis rates. Successful closed percutaneous DIP arthrodesis can be achieved in a patient with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, passively correctable deformity, and patients at increased risk for perioperative soft tissue complications associated with open arthrodesis. We present a novel percutaneous DIP fusion technique utilizing a cannulated headless compression screw in a select group of patients. The sagittal plane diameters of the distal and middle phalanges are templated. Cannulated headless compression screws, 2.4 and 3.0 mm, with short or long terminal threads at the leading end of the screw are selected based upon patient-specific anatomic considerations. Pain-free status and radiographic fusion were achieved in both patients (gout arthropathy, n = 1; posttraumatic arthritis, n = 1) at an average of 6 weeks postoperatively. Our current indications, along with pearls and pitfalls with this technique, are reviewed. In select patients, this percutaneous DIP joint arthrodesis is advantageous in comparison with open fusion techniques.
A new hypersensitive site, HS10, and the enhancers E3′ and Ed, differentially regulate Igκ gene expression

The mouse Igκ gene locus has three known transcriptional enhancers: an intronic enhancer (Ei), a 3' enhancer (E3'), and a further downstream enhancer (Ed). We previously discovered, using the chromosome conformation-capture technique, that Ei and E3' interact with a novel DNA sequence near the 3' end of the Igκ locus, specifically in B cells. In the present investigation, we examined the function of this far downstream element. The sequence is evolutionarily conserved and exhibits a plasmacytoma cell-specific DNase I-hypersensitive site in chromatin, henceforth termed HS10 in the locus. HS10 acts as a coactivator of E3' in transient transfection assays. Although HS10(-/-) mice exhibited normal patterns of B cell development, they were tested further along with E3'(-/-) and Ed(-/-) mice for their Igκ expression levels in plasma cells, as well as for both allelic and isotype exclusion in splenic B cells. HS10(-/-) and Ed(-/-), but not E3'(-/-), mice exhibited 2.5-fold lower levels of Igκ expression in antigenically challenged plasma cells. E3'(-/-) mice, but not HS10(-/-) mice, exhibited impaired IgL isotype and allelic exclusion in splenic B cells. We have suggestive results that Ed may also weakly participate in these processes. In addition, HS10(-/-) mice no longer exhibited regional chromosome interactions with E3', and they exhibited modestly reduced somatic hypermutation in the Jκ-Cκ intronic region in germinal center B cells from Peyer's patches. We conclude that the HS10, E3', and Ed differentially regulate Igκ gene dynamics.
Catheter-based ultrasound devices and MR thermal monitoring for conformal prostate thermal therapy

Catheter-based ultrasound applicators have been developed for delivering hyperthermia or high-temperature thermal ablation of cancer and benign disease of the prostate. These devices allow for control of heating along the length and angular expanse during therapy delivery. Four types of transurethral applicators were devised for thermal treatment of prostate combined with MR thermal monitoring: sectored tubular transducer devices with directional heating patterns and rotation; planar and curvilinear devices with narrow heating patterns and rotation; and multi-sectored tubular devices capable of dynamic angular control without applicator movement. Interstitial devices (2.4 mm OD) have been developed for percutaneous implantation with directional or dynamic angular control. In vivo experiments in canine prostate under MR temperature imaging were used to evaluate these devices and develop treatment delivery strategies. MR thermal imaging was used to monitor temperature and thermal dose in multiple slices through the target volume. Multi-sectored transurethral applicators can dynamically control the angular heating profile and target large regions of the gland in short treatment times without applicator manipulation. The sectored tubular, planar, and curvilinear transurethral devices produce directional coagulation zones, extending 15–20 mm radial distance to the outer prostate capsule. Sequential rotation under motor control and modulated dwell time can be used to tightly conform thermal ablation to selected regions. Interstitial implants with directional devices can be used to effectively ablate targeted regions of the gland while protecting the rectum. The MR derived 52 °C and lethal thermal dose contours (t43=240 min) effectively defined the extent of thermal damage and provided a means for real-time control of the applicators. Catheter-based ultrasound devices, combined with MR thermal monitoring, can produce relatively fast (5–40 min) and precise thermal ablation of prostate.
CAD Tools for System‐Level Modeling and Implementation

Designing a silicon chip is an increasingly complicated process. MICHAEL J FLYNN and PATRICK HUNG discuss the implications. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized Graphical Abstractions for Statistical Machine Translation

We introduce a novel framework for the expression, rapid-prototyping, and evaluation of statistical machine-translation (MT) systems using graphical models. The framework extends dynamic Bayesian networks with multiple connected different-length streams, switching variable existence and dependence mechanisms, and constraint factors. We have implemented a new general-purpose MT training/decoding system in this framework, and have tested this on a variety of existing MT models (including the 4 IBM models), and some novel ones as well, all using Europarl as a test corpus. We describe the semantics of our representation, and present preliminary evaluations, showing that it is possible to prototype novel MT ideas in a short amount of time.
Troubles With Textual Authority In Sociology

This text raises questions about the dilemma of the authorial voice in sociology texts that presume to present factual, data-based narratives about other people and their lives. The discussion bears particularly on so-called qualitative and historical forms of sociological writing although the issues are equally alive for other sociological genres. The dilemma of the authorial voice has beer given rather wide attention of late in literary studies and in anthropology. Relatively little attention thus far has been given to the topic in professional sociology. By drawing on variant reflexive forms, the text seeks to bring its own production and grounds under examination in such a way to suggest how the dilemma is present for those writing substantive narrative texts.
Thermal regeneration of sulfuric acid hydrates after irradiation

In an attempt to more completely understand the surface chemistry of the jovian icy satellites, we have investigated the effect of heating on two irradiated crystalline sulfuric acid hydrates, H2SO4 4H2O and H2SO4 H2O. At temperatures relevant to Europa and the warmer jovian satellites, post-irradiation heating recrystallized the amorphized samples and increased the intensities of the remaining hydrate's infrared absorptions. This thermal regeneration of the original hydrates was nearly 100% efficient, indicating that over geological times, thermally-induced phase transitions enhanced by temperature fluctuations will reform a large fraction of crystalline hydrated sulfuric acid that is destroyed by radiation processing. The work described is the first demonstration of the competition between radiation-induced amorphization and thermally-induced recrystallization in icy ionic solids relevant to the outer Solar System.
Long-term effectiveness of operations for ascending aortic dissections

Abstract Objective: To evaluate long-term effectiveness of a strategy for managing the aortic root and distal aorta according to the pathology in ascending aortic dissection. Methods: From 1978 to 1995, 208 patients underwent operations for acute (n = 135) and chronic (n = 73) ascending aortic dissection. Surgical strategies included valve resuspension with supracoronary aortic root repair and ascending aortic graft for normal sinuses and valve (n = 135), composite valve and ascending aortic graft for abnormal sinuses and valve (n = 47), and valve replacement and supracoronary ascending aortic graft for normal sinuses and abnormal valve (n = 26). Resection extended into the arch only if the intimal tear originated in or extended to the aortic arch (n = 31). Results: Hospital mortality was 14%. Cardiogenic shock ( P = .002) and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting ( P = .001) were associated with increased risk; use of circulatory arrest ( P = .0003) decreased risk. Survival was 87%, 68%, and 52% at 30 days, 5 years, and 10 years, respectively. Advanced age, earlier date of operation, composite graft, and arch resection were associated with decreased survival; residual distal dissected aorta was not. Reoperation was required for 5 proximal and 8 distal problems. Conclusions: In both acute and chronic ascending aortic dissections, (1) circulatory arrest is associated with low early mortality; (2) with normal sinuses and valve, supracoronary repair of the dissected aortic root and valve resuspension is effective long term; and (3) residual distal dissected aorta does not decrease late survival and has a low risk of aneurysmal change and reoperation for at least 10 years. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:946-62)
The reliability properties of MOCVD PZT thin films on multilayer PT/IR electrodes

Abstract The reliability properties including fatigue, thermal stability, thermal imprint and retention properties of PZT thin films on multilayer Pt/Ir electrodes have been investigated. An oxide MOCVD reactor with liquid delivery system was used for the growth of PZT thin films. The experimental results showed that the PZT thin films on oriented multilayer Pt/Ir electrodes exhibited excellent reliability properties. The normalized polarization of PZT thin films on Pt/Ir electrodes was about 50% after 1 × 1010 switches at switching frequency of 5 kHz and switching voltage of 5 V. When the temperature is increased from 28°C to 120°C, the 2Pr values is reduced from 40.2 μC/cm2 to about 32.2 μC/cm2. The 2Ec value decreases from 74.4 kV/cm to 61.3 kV/cm at a switch voltage of 5 V. The leakage current of the PZT thin films increased from 1.7 × 10−7 A/cm2 to 5.5 × 10−6 A/cm2 at 100KV/cm with increasing the temperatures from 28°C to 120°C. Based on these data the dc activation energy is about 3.7 eV, whic...
SOE-LRed: a simple and time-efficient method to localize genes with point mutations onto the Escherichia coli chromosome

We use a powerful method to replace wild-type genes on the chromosome of Escherichia coli. Using a unique form of PCR, we generate easily constructible gene fusions bearing single point mutations. Used in conjunction with homologous recombination, this method eliminates cloning procedures previously used for this purpose.
Extrafloral nectar from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) as a food source for parasitic wasps

Summary 1For many adult nectar-feeding parasitoids food and moisture are essential for survival in the field. Early in the season, when floral nectar is not yet available in cotton, extrafloral nectar (EFN) is already present on young cotton plants. 2The parasitoid Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) can use EFN cotton plants as an only food source. The longevity and reproduction of EFN-fed female wasps was comparable to wasps fed with honey and water provided on nectariless (NL) cotton plants, and was significantly higher compared with wasps kept on NL plants with no additional food source. 3Wasps that were given preflight experiences on EFN cotton plants choose EFN cotton over NL cotton plants in two choice experiments in the flight tunnel. The parasitoids are more willing to search on an EFN plant at their second and third encounter with a plant previously visited, compared with an NL cotton plant. 4Wasps can locate EFN from short distances by its odour alone, and find it almost as fast as honey, but much faster than odourless sucrose, which is only found randomly. Experience with EFN increased the retention ability of parasitoids on a flower model.
Geometric Mechanics Based Modeling of the Attitude Dynamics and Control of Spacecraft With Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes

The attitude dynamics of a spacecraft with a variable speed control moment gyroscope (VSCMG), in the presence of external torques and internal inputs, is derived using variational principles. A complete dynamics model, that relaxes some of the assumptions made in prior literature on control moment gyroscopes, is obtained. A non-standard VSCMG model, that has an offset between the center of the gimbal axis and the center of the rotor (flywheel) is considered. The dynamics equations show the complex nonlinear coupling between the internal degrees of freedom associated with the VSCMG and the spacecraft base body’s attitude degrees of freedom. Some of this coupling is induced by the non-zero offset between the gimbal axis and the rotor center. This dynamics model is then generalized to include the effects of multiple control moment gyroscopes placed in the base body with non-parallel gimbal axes. It is shown that the dynamical coupling can improve the control authority on the angular momentum of the base body of the spacecraft using changes in the momentum variables of the VSCMG. Numerical simulations confirm the use of these VSCMGs for attitude control for a given de-tumbling maneuver.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Complications of Hip Arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy is a relatively safe procedure with complications rates reported by several authors around 1.5%. As with any surgical procedure, there are potential complications related to bleeding, deep venous thrombosis, infection, and neurovascular injury. There are a number of complications related to hip arthroscopy that have not been reported in any other joint due to issues related to joint distraction, proximity to the abdomen, and treatment of hip-specific pathology. Most of the reported complications involve the use of traction and fluid management. However, the most frequent, but underreported, complications likely result from iatrogenic cartilage injury and over- or undertreatment of the underlying pathology. For example, inadequate resection of a CAM or pincer lesion for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may result in persistent pain or revision surgery, while overresection may cause subtle instability. As our understanding and ability to treat hip pathology have expanded, the rate of complications has not changed, but the types of complications have differed. In the early phases of hip arthroscopy, the complications were related to neurapraxias related to excessive traction time and limited to iatrogenic injury within the central compartment. Hip arthroscopy for FAI has also introduced complications that were not previously encountered. The goal of this chapter is to review potential complications related to hip arthroscopy and discuss strategies for avoiding them.
Infrared spectra of hydrogen isotopes in α - Al 2 O 3

Infrared absorption of O${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, O${\mathrm{D}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and O${\mathrm{T}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ at 77 K occurs at energies of 3282, 2439, and 2069 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, respectively. A small band at 3266 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ disappeared after high-temperature treatment of the crystal and was attributed to an O${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion which is perturbed by an unidentified defect. Calculations of the electrostatic potential combined with measurements of the polarization of the absorbed light indicated that the O${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion lies in the basal plane of the crystal. No evidence was found from measurements of the EPR spectrum of a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-irradiated crystal for the presence of ${V}_{\mathrm{OH}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ centers in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.
REYNOLDS STRESS AND SMALL-SCALE MORPHOLOGY MEASUREMENTS DURING DUCK94

A recently developed Coherent Acoustic Sediment Probe (CASP) was deployed from an instrumented sled during the Duck94 nearshore experiment at Duck, North Carolina, in October 1994. The CASP measured acoustic backscatter profiles and three component velocity vectors in an 0(1 cm3) volume 25cm in front of the downward-looking instrument package. The CASP was remotely positioned to selected heights to form profiles of velocity and sediment concentration through the bottom boundary layer. A vertical stack of 8, two-axis electromagnetic current meters extended the horizontal measurements to the surface. A colocated scanning pencil-beam sonar and tilt sensors were used to map the small-scale morphology across a lm by 4m area centered on the CASP measurements, quantitifying the local roughness and slope elements down to 4cm scales under low acoustic clutter conditions. It is shown that the stress measured near the bed in a gravity oriented vertical reference system is associated with both the turbulent Reynolds' stresses and a wave stress due the vertical velocity induced by the horizontal wave velocity acting on the sloping bottom being correlated with the horizontal velocity. The wave stress is largest at the bed and decreases towards the surface and can be larger than the turbulent Reynolds' stresses.
Abstract TP263: Whole Brain Screening of Cellular and Molecular Changes After Stroke

Objective: Recovery can occur after stroke in both human and animals, and this is attributed in part by rewiring of neural connections in areas adjacent to or remotely connected to the infarct. As stroke can cause brain-wide network changes, it is important to interrogate regenerative processes in the whole brain after stroke. In this study we use a high resolution 3D whole brain imaging technique called CLARITY to visualize the cellular and structural changes in stroke mice during recovery. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the CLARITY procedure will provide a more detailed and complete visualization of post-stroke regenerative processes in the whole brain. Material/Methods: We used C57Bl6 WT mice with 10-12 weeks of age. Ischemic stroke was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion using an intraluminal suture. Mice were sacrificed at different time points (Post-stroke day 1, 7, 14 and 28) and brains were processed with the CLARITY protocol. Brains were immunostained repeatedly with antibodies for neurons, glia, oligodendrocytes, microglia/macrophages and blood vessels. Results: Stroke brains collected at different post-stroke timepoints became optically transparent after the CLARITY process. Interestingly, the ischemic area turned transparent for all timepoints except post-stroke day 7 and 28. At this time point the ischemic area remains opaque after CLARITY process, suggesting that the cellular composition at this timepoint is resistant to the CLARITY treatment. Immunostaining with MAP2 demonstrates labeling of neuronal processes in the whole brain. Current studies investigate other cell types and cellular processes, such as glial scarring (GFAP), microglia/macrophage accumulation (CD68) and angiogenesis (Collagen IV) to map the reorganization at the cellular level with high resolution in 3D whole brain. Conclusion: Stroke brains can be made optically transparent after the CLARITY process. This allows high resolution whole brain 3D imaging to probe for the cellular and molecular mechanisms during stroke recovery.
ACOG Iowa Section Report, November 2015

The Iowa Section of (ACOG), The American College/Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the strengths of our membership are education, research, political advocacy and service to women including internationally.
PHILIPPE PINEL (1745-1826) CLERC TONSURE

Philippe Pinel received an excellent education from the Fathers of the Christian Doctrine whose recently discovered library is here analyzed. New facts about his first teacher, Jean-Pierre Gorsse, indicate that he, too, was a student of the Doctrinaires and that a benefice requiring the tonsure passed to Pinel when Gorsse married in 1759.
Affordance-Based Methods for Design

In previous work, the authors have suggested that the concept of affordance, a term borrowed from the field of perceptual psychology, should be considered as more fundamental to design than other concepts such as function and behavior. This paper continues this avenue of research by presenting a generalized theory of affordances applicable to design. Then several affordance-based methods for design are presented with brief examples. Methods are introduced for designing Artifact-User Affordances, Artifact-Artifact Affordances, various kinds of graphical affordance structures, embodiment design, and reverse engineering. The affordance-based methods presented offer a very different way of thinking from what would be used in a purely functional approach. In particular, the affordance-based methods emphasize satisfaction of user demands and wishes (what the artifact should afford) while safeguarding at each step against introducing unwanted or dangerous features (what the artifact should not afford). The affordance-based methods also lend themselves to taking advantage of the multiple afffordances of various objects, to achieve naturally what is sometimes termed “functional integration”.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Cerebral Blood Flow, Heart Rate, and Blood Pressure Patterns during the Tilt Test in Common Orthostatic Syndromes

Objective. The head-up tilt test is widely used for evaluation of orthostatic intolerance. Although orthostatic symptoms usually reflect cerebral hypoperfusion, the cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) profile in orthostatic syndromes is not well described. This study evaluated CBFv and cardiovascular patterns associated with the tilt test in common orthostatic syndromes. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed the tilt test of patients with history of orthostatic intolerance. The following signals were recorded: ECG, blood pressure, CBFv using transcranial Doppler, respiratory signals, and end tidal CO2. Results. Data from 744 patients were analyzed. Characteristic pattern associated with a particular orthostatic syndrome can be grouped into abnormalities predominantly affecting blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension, orthostatic hypertension syndrome, vasomotor oscillations, and neurally mediated syncope—cardioinhibitory, vasodepressor, and mixed), cerebral blood flow (orthostatic hypoperfusion syndrome, primary cerebral autoregulatory failure), and heart rate (tachycardia syndromes: postural tachycardia syndrome, paroxysmal sinus tachycardia, and inappropriate sinus tachycardia). Psychogenic pseudosyncope is associated with stable CBFv. Conclusions. The tilt test is useful add-on in diagnosis of several orthostatic syndromes. However diagnostic criteria for several syndromes had to be modified to allow unambiguous pattern classification. CBFv monitoring in addition to blood pressure and heart rate may increase diagnostic yield of the tilt test.
Exploring child prostitution in a major city in the West African region

The study explored the characteristics of child prostitution in a major city in the West African region. A convenience sample of children in prostitution, specifically girls below age 18 (n=243), were recruited on 83 prostitution sites identified in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. A survey instrument, consisting of 71 closed-ended question items, was used to explore various variables including profile of children in prostitution, factors of vulnerability to prostitution; prostitution practices, compensations and related issues in child prostitution. The findings show that most children in prostitution in the city were from Burkina Faso (63%) and Nigeria (30%), two countries that do not share borders. Most native respondents practiced prostitution for survival and to support their families. In contrast, all the respondents from Nigeria practiced prostitution as victims of international sex trafficking. An important finding was that 77% of the children in prostitution surveyed were educated. Among the respondents, there were similarities in the major life events that contributed to their situation of prostitution. These life events include early separation with parents, sexual abuse, foster care, and forced marriage. Implications for policy, practice and research are discussed.
The Genesis of Authority: Value

How does the kind of situation which constitutes authority come into being? How can authority come into existence? Values upon which it rests, as we have seen in the previous chapter, constitute a necessary condition, but they are not sufficient, if they remain the same. The genesis of authority is the outcome of changes in values, and the collapse of authority results from their disappearance. Revolution is not an overthrow of authority, but the substitution of one kind of authority for another. In the gradual transformation of values (and beliefs) the authority of some men is weakened, while that of others is increased. The sequence of generations is manifest in these changes, and they rarely constitute a ‘gap’, though under extraordinary conditions such a gap may occur, especially in connection with war and revolution. It has been said that when the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, they eliminated tradition as a useful source of authority.1 Such a statement is incorrect; for what they developed, namely the constitution, became almost at once a great tradition and the source of authority in the United States. It expressed the values to which the colonies had become attached.
Optical Communication Networks

A comprehensive explanation of the newest developments in optical networks in the MCGRAW-HILL COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS series. Case studies and research projects at AT&T, Fujitsu, and NTT are considered in order to provide the reader with hands-on information which can be applied in practice.
Money isn’t everything: Understanding moderate income households’ use of lawyers’ services

We know surprisingly little about the use of lawyers by moderate income people. What we do know includes some unexpected elements. Despite a widely shared perception that lawyers' services are prohibitively expensive, a survey of Americans who have used lawyers' services finds that Americans are often satisfied with the fees they paid, while surveys of Americans who considered and decided not to use lawyers have found that this decision is motivated by cost in only a minority of instances. Drawing on fundamental insights from sociology, I propose two additional factors that may shape middle income Americans' use of lawyers: the social construction of legality and social searching. The legal nature of any given problem is socially constructed. In many instances, people do not think of their civil justice problems in legal terms and so do not consider legal staff, such as lawyers, as an appropriate source of assistance. Social searching reflects a common way that people respond to the challenges attendant on finding service providers in markets: people rely on people whom they already know as sources of referrals to specific attorneys or as providers of legal services. The costs of lawyers' services are a part of what is shaping moderate income families' behavior, but they are not the only factor. The findings have implications for access to justice policy.
Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support in the Congenital Heart Patients

Congenital heart surgery was once believed to be uncorrectable, until the operation pioneered by Vivian Thomas and first performed in humans by Alfred Blalock, MD, on a patient of Helen Tausig, MD, showed that “blue babies could be helped” (Blalock and Taussig 1984). C. Walton Lillehei, MD, using cross circulation, then performed the first bypass procedures in 1955, when the advent of open heart surgery began (Warden et al. 1954). Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant in 1967 (he trained under Dr. Lillehei at the University of Minnesota). Immunosuppression as we know it today began with the work of Drs. George Hitchings and Gertrude Elion with the development of 57–322 or Imuran (Hitchings and Elion 1985). Long-term heart allograft survival was not accomplished until the introduction of cyclosporine in the 1980s.
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Cancer

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been investigated the most within the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders in cancer. The purpose of this review is to describe the biological pathways and review the epidemiological studies regarding OSA and cancer, and to additionally explore the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders in cancer. Murine models have elucidated intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation as oncogenic, and large epidemiologic studies have identified increased cancer incidence among those with OSA and hypoxemia. Central sleep apnea (CSA) may develop in those using opioids for pain control. Sleep-related hypoventilation should be considered in those with underlying pulmonary dysfunction, vocal cord abnormalities, and neuromuscular weakness. Cancer patients are at risk of developing sleep-related breathing disorders in the form of OSA, CSA, or sleep-related hypoventilation. The impact of sleep-related breathing disorders on cancer may have ramifications for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Evaluation of PARP inhibition as a platinum sparing strategy in Brca2-deficient pancreatic tumors.

e15237 Background: BRCA1/2 mutations are found in up to 5% of patients with PAC. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and platinum based chemotherapy may have increased anti-tumor efficacy in this population du...
Engaging patients through an iBooks-based patient portal tutorial

Introduction Patient portals or personal health records allow patients to access their health information and communicate with their physician’s office outside of their clinic visit. As such, their use has been observed to increase patient engagement and decrease administrative costs. Despite these advantages, patient adoption and successful use of patient portals remains low. Here we assess the feasibility and efficacy of an iBooks-based tutorial in increasing comfort and compliance with personal health record use. Methods We created and published a 5-min iBooks-based tutorial describing our institution’s patient portal features. We administered the tutorial, along with presurvey and postsurvey, to ophthalmology clinic patients. Results Of 70 participants, 50% had already registered for our institution’s patient portal. Registered patients had viewed labs (74%, n=26) and messaged providers (57%, n=20) but rarely used other features such as scheduling appointments (17%, n=6) or requesting refills (26%, n=9). After the tutorial, comfort levels in knowledge on how to use portal features increased by 20%–80%, depending on portal feature and registration status. Main barriers to portal usage were preference for telephone-based communication (26%, n=18) and knowledge of portal existence (21%, n=15). The majority (86%, n=60) agreed the tutorial would increase their utilisation of the patient portal. Conclusion Tutorials increase knowledge and awareness of patient portal features, allowing these features to be fully used. An iBooks-based approach allows patients to successfully access and use tutorial content outside of the clinic.
Fifty Years of Petroleum Geochemistry: A Valuable Asset in Oil Spill Environmental Forensics

Abstract Any environmental forensic investigation generally revolves around three or four important questions, such as: what is the product; where did it come from; how long has it been there and is it degrading? Many site-or incident-specific factors will determine how these questions are addressed but most will l involve chemical analysis using gas chromatography (GC), GC–mass spectrometry, and stable isotopes. Interpretation of these data for forensic purposes derives from the understanding of oil chemistry, weathering, and naturally occurring organic matter in the environment that exists within decades of petroleum geochemistry literature, which is not commonly used by the majority of environmental investigators but can be very useful in providing additional clues that can be of great use in differentiating oils from different sources.
‘Car Talk’: automobility and Chinese international students in Michigan

The apparent conspicuous consumption of luxury vehicles by Chinese international students attending a public Michigan University provides an opportunity to examine the convergence of different idea...
New Methods of Teaching and Learning in Libraries

New Methods of Teaching and Learning in Libraries by Ann Whitney Gleason is the eleventh book in a series discussing a range of topics that are important to health sciences librarianship.
Existing evidence summarization methods cannot guarantee trustworthy patient decision aids.

Abstract Objectives Our aim was to evaluate how organizations that develop patient decision aids conduct their evidence summarization process and assess whether their current processes provide sufficient information to instill confidence that patient decision aids are trustworthy and up to date. Study Design and Setting We identified 23 organizations from a public inventory of patient decision aid developers and included only organizations that have produced five or more tools. These organizations were asked to complete a 17-item survey and to share relevant documents. Results Of the 23 organizations, 18 completed the survey, and 15 were eligible for analysis. Most organizations reported using existing systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines. Seven of 15 had a documented approach for summarizing evidence, but the documents offered varying levels of detail. Common steps identified are tool-relevant question formation, search strategies, evidence appraisals, and updating policies. Conclusions Organizations do not use a standardized process to summarize evidence for the patient decision aids that they develop. This is problematic, given that the information they contain is known to influence patients' decisions. Further attention to how organizations summarize evidence for these tools is required.
Economic Driving Forces in Electro-Organic Synthesis

A simple cost equation has been used to examine the relative importance of various factors in the economics of electroorganic syntheses. It is shown that cells which are currently available commercially can support viable processes for $1.00 lb-1 chemicals in the 100 molecular weight range. Higher value compounds can be very profitable. For lower value compounds, the same equation can be used to drive cell design towards an acceptable financial return.
The International Organization for Resistant Pest Management (IRPM): A Fresh Collaborative Approach

The goal of the International Organization for Resistant Pest Management (IRPM) is to provide an international forum to promote the concept of pest resistance management within the context of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems, and to facilitate implementation programs in industrial and developing nations and the emerging democracies. A General Assembly of IRPM, the First International Resistant Pest Management Congress, will be held in 1992 in Washington, D.C. The Congress will bring together key representatives of the institutions in the public and private sectors that are critical to implementing resistant pest management programs. This body will identify practical approaches to encourage and coordinate internationally the implementation of local resistance management programs and help to establish a continuing and expanding communication network world-wide. Programs which have been funded and are under development for implementation include Resistance Management of Apple Insects and Fire Blight in Mexico; Resistance Management of Apple Insects, Diseases and Weeds in Poland; and Resistance Management of Heliothis on Cotton in India.
A Collision Control Strategy for Multiple Moving Robots

We present a solution to prevent collisions among robots that are moving toward their respective goals. A robot may start moving at any time from its station to its goal. For a moving robot, the probability of conflict increases proportionately to the complexity of other robots’ respective routes. In terms of lowering possibilities of collision, a proper strategy for controlling robot behaviors before encounters is essential. Prior research presented a negotiation-based solution through a broadcasting method. In our solution, we assume robots are unable or unwilling to negotiate or broadcast data among one another. They should possess a strategy to detect and predict conflict zones, and hence determine strategies to avoid collisions independently.
Patterns of Fluoride Accumulation in Boreal Forest Species Under Perennial Exposure to Emissions from a Phosphorus Plant

Abstract The information in this paper relates to accumulation patterns of fluoride (F) in foliage of boreal forest species under perennial exposure to emissions from a phosphorus plant. Regressional relationships of foliar F-levels to long-term average F-concentrations in air are also presented. These relationships are used to predict F-levels in air corresponding to foliar F-accumulations which are considered safe for the health of plants and consuming animals. Accumulation of fluoride in balsam fir and other boreal conifers reached its maximum at the end of second year of exposure and foliar F-levels stabilized thereafter. Patterns and levels of F-accumulation in other boreal conifers were similar to those in balsam fir. A regression equation, Y = 1.89 X -1.41, was derived to express the relationship of F-levels in foliage exposed for one year (X) to those in foliage exposed for 2 years (Y). This doubling of foliar F-levels in 2 years is important to be considered for establishing air quality standards safe for the health of plants and consuming animals. An air concentration of 37.4 μg F/dm 2 /30 days (≃ 0.29 μg F/m 3 ) is predicted to result in 20 ppm of F-levels in foliage, reported to be a safe level for plants and consuming animals. This F-level in air compares reasonably well with the recommended Canadian Standard of 0.20 μg HF/m 3 average for 70-day exposure period and 0.30 μg HF/m 3 average recommended by IUFRO for one-year period.
Iridium Metal as Potential Substrates for Experiments in Space

Due to its unique properties, Iridium is currently being considered by NASA as a substrate (optically thick Ir on ultra-smooth fused silica) for the study of contamination layers deposited in the space environment. Extremely smooth thin films of iridium were deposited in this work onto super-polished fused silica substrates, using DC magnetron sputtering in an argon plasma. The influence of deposition process parameters on film micro-roughness was investigated. Moreover, Ir film optical constants were determined using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, over the spectral range from vacuum ultraviolet to middle infrared (140 nm-35 μm). Because the Ir films were optically thick and the surface roughness were measured by atomic force microscopy, and then accounted for in the optical model, the as-determined film optical constants are expected to be the best available for Ir bulk metals, minimally affected by surface over-layers or microstructure.