cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intra-Arterial Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor Treatment for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis Presenting as Large Vessel Occlusions.

Introduction There is no consensus on the optimal treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) large vessel occlusions (LVOs) or near-occlusions with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). We report the first American series using intra-arterial (IA) glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) as a stand-alone revascularization technique for ICAS presenting with large vessel ischemic syndromes. Methods Records at two centers of 140 patients presenting with AIS undergoing stroke intervention from January 2017 to June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated with IA GPIs were identified, and baseline factors, imaging, procedural characteristics, hospital course, and outcomes were collected. Six patients with ICAS underlying their acute symptomatic near occlusion or LVO were treated with IA GPI. Four near-occlusions were treated with IA GPI as the first-line therapy, while two LVOs were treated with IA GPI as an adjunct therapy to thrombectomy. Results The mean age was 61.3 years (range 36-79), presentation National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 10 (4-18), time from last seen well to treatment was 434.5 minutes (164-1290), and time from groin puncture to revascularization was 67.3 minutes (26-94). Three patients received intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and all patients received an IA weight-based GPI infusion. Five patients had thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) 3, and one patient had TICI 2b. The mean discharge NIHSS was 2.5 (0-8). The mean modified Rankin scale was 1.3 (range 0-4) at discharge and .8 at three months. No patients had a postprocedural symptomatic hemorrhage. Conclusion Our results highlight the utility of IA GPI administration as the first-line therapy for symptomatic ICAS near occlusions or as a rescue technique after failed thrombectomy for LVO patients suspected of underlying ICAS.
Exploring the CELF — An Innovative Cyber Engineering Learning Facility

This innovative practice work-in-progress study presents the technical architecture and pedagogical design from a new type of laboratory environment intended to resolve an experiential disconnect between students and educators or instructional designers. The cybersecurity laboratory exercise is a common feature in computing education. Researchers and instructional designers suggest these laboratory exercises are constructivist by nature and impart an active learning experience. However, students report an overtly objectivist perspective when asked about how they use the same laboratories. More specifically, whereas traditional laboratory exercise designs are theme parks in game design terms, the Cyber Engineering Learning Facility (CELF) is designed and implemented as a sandbox. To that end, the CELF uses the pedagogical concept of a phenomenarium and first principles of cyber science to engender a full stack Bloom’s taxonomy experience. Preliminary results suggest the CELF design and implementation is operating as intended but with room for additional innovation. To that effect, we present analysis of the infrastructure utilization as well as analysis of student perceptions. Further, we discuss limitations of the current CELF design along with several avenues for future innovation.
COVID-19, Death Records and the Public Interest: Now is the Time to Push for Transparency

As the U.S. has grappled with COVID-19, the government has resisted repeated requests to follow open records laws, which are essential to transparency. Current efforts to reduce access to death records and other public information amid the pandemic jeopardizes government accountability and undermines the public’s trust. Given that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected low-income Americans, incarcerated populations and people of color, access to government-held data has serious implications for social justice. Importantly, those goals can be met without violating personal privacy. After analyzing state open records laws, court decisions and attorney general opinions, the author has developed a set of best practices for advocating access to death records to provide journalists and government watchdogs with important public health information that’s squarely in the public interest.
Continuation of Solutions

Suppose f in (2.1) is continuous. If x is a solution of (2.1) on an interval [σ,a), a > σ, we say x is a continuation of x if there is a b > a such that x is defined on [σ−r,b), coincides with x on [σ−r,a), and x satisfies (2.1) on [σ,b). A solution x is noncontinuable if no such continuation exists; that is, the interval [σ,a) is the maximal interval of existence of the solution x. The existence of a noncontinuable solution follows from Zorn’s lemma. Also, the maximal interval of existence must be open.
Does Nurse Preceptor Role Frequency Make a Difference in Preceptor Job Satisfaction

This study identified nurse preceptor role frequency to newly licensed registered nurses and how it made a difference to the preceptors' job satisfaction. Statistical analysis revealed there was no difference in job satisfaction in preceptors who performed in the role one to four times than those who served five times or more, F(4, 124) = 0.261, p > .05. The study found variation in preceptor role preparation and differing registered nurse practice experience prior to performing as a preceptor.
Simulation of the Electrochemical Impedance in a Three-Dimensional, Complex Microstructure of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathode and Its Application in the Microstructure Characterization.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique for material characterization and diagnosis of the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) as it enables separation of different phenomena such as bulk diffusion and surface reaction that occur simultaneously in the SOFC. In this work, we simulate the electrochemical impedance in an experimentally determined, three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of a mixed ion-electron conducting (MIEC) SOFC cathode. We determine the impedance response by solving the mass conservation equation in the cathode under the conditions of an AC load across the cathode’s thickness and surface reaction at the pore/solid interface. Our simulation results reveal a need for modifying the Adler-Lane-Steele model, which is widely used for fitting the impedance behavior of a MIEC cathode, to account for the difference in the oscillation amplitudes of the oxygen vacancy concentration at the pore/solid interface and within the solid bulk. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the effective tortuosity is dependent on the frequency of the applied AC load as well as the material properties, and thus the prevalent practice of treating tortuosity as a constant for a given cathode should be revised. Finally, we propose a method of determining the aforementioned dependence of tortuosity on material properties and frequency by using the EIS data.
Loughnane on Merleau-Ponty and Nishida: Artists Expressing Faith Intrinsic to Embodiment

Nishida’s and Merleau-Ponty’s “perceptual ontologies” lead to other notions of self, spirituality, and faith, bringing out the distinctive and comparable religious paths of Buddhism and embodied ph...
The Actively Caring for People Movement: A Synergistic Integration of Behaviorism, Humanism, and Positive Psychology

This article reviews the Actively Caring for People (AC4P) Movement, initiated in 2007 to increase occurrences of interpersonal acts of kindness worldwide. Resources to support the AC4P Movement, including research-based training manuals and AC4P wristbands for adults and children, are available at www.ac4p.org . This prosocial movement incorporates principles from three diverse disciplines of psychological science: humanism, positive psychology, and applied behavioral science (ABS). With this article, I explicate seven evidence-based “life lessons” that operationalize select principles from humanism and ABS, and rejuvenate a seemingly forgotten applied psychology concept from the 1970s: humanistic behaviorism. Whenever and wherever practiced, these life lessons benefit human well-being and quality of life. Certain life lessons reflect the essence of empowerment and self-motivation and thereby illustrate critical distinctions between management and leadership. Next, I exemplify synergistic connections between positive psychology and ABS, highlighting practical techniques for promoting and supporting human welfare and personal happiness. Previous and ongoing research by my students and colleagues demonstrates how ABS can apply findings from positive psychology to promote subjective well-being on a large scale. The need for worldwide application and dissemination of practical procedures to increase occurrences of AC4P behavior is strikingly obvious, perhaps more so now than ever before in our contentious, fractured, and polarized society. This article explores evidence-based strategies for increasing occurrences of AC4P behavior in various settings, with the mission to cultivate an AC4P culture in families, educational settings, corporations, and communities throughout the world.
The Tubulin Superfamily

In addition to the well-known α- and β-tubulin, which constitute the tubulin dimer, there are other related forms of tubulin, including γ, σ, e, η and others. γ-Tubulin plays a key role in the nucleation of microtubule assembly at the centrosome. The roles of the other members of the tubulin superfamily are still being explored. It is interesting that all of them are found either in the centrosome or the very similar basal body; there is evidence that some of these play significant roles in the assembly of these organelles. The proteins of the tubulin superfamily are also related to the prokaryotic protein FtsZ, which plays a key role in cell division. Comparison of the sequences of all of these proteins allows for speculation about their evolution. These proteins and their evolution will be discussed in this chapter.
Mitochondrial potential and reactive oxygen intermediates in antigen-specific CD8+ T cells during viral infection

Following many viral infections, there are large expansions of Ag-specific CD8 + T cells. After viral clearance, mechanisms exist to ensure that the vast majority of effector cells undergo apoptosis. In studies of thymocyte apoptosis, loss of mitochondrial potential (ΔΨ m ) and excess production of reactive oxygen intermediates have been implicated as key events in cellular apoptosis. The purpose of the experiments presented in this work was to determine these parameters in Ag-specific CD8 + T cells during a physiological response such as viral infection. Using lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection of mice, we found that Ag-specific CD8 + effector T cells that had undergone recent TCR stimulation had an increased ΔΨ m . These cells also had increased levels of superoxide. As these cells progressed through the contraction of the immune response, their potential decreased, but superoxide levels remained similar to naive cells. One of the consequences of reduced mitochondrial potential is membrane permeability and subsequent caspase activation. We examined both the enzymatic activity and levels of cleaved caspase 3, an effector caspase, and could only detect increased levels in Ag-specific CD8 + T cells on day 5 postinfection, a time point in which virus was still present. This contrasts with Ag-specific effector cells examined during the contraction phase that had no detectable caspase activity directly ex vivo. These data suggest that the apoptotic program begins earlier than previously expected on day 5, during the expansion phase.
Chapter 15. The “Case” of USNS Impeccable versus 5 Chinese Ships: A Close Examination of the Facts, the Evidence, and the Law

This chapter focuses on the facts of the March 8 incident and includes a factual account of the incident. It presents the official public statement made by the People's Republic of China (PRC) government about the incident. The chapter examines two bodies of international law. The first body of law under which the incident will be analyzed is the international rules of navigational safety. The second body of law is the international law of the sea. Viewing the facts of the incident through the prism of these two distinct, but related, bodies of international law will show which nation operated in accordance with its legal rights and responsibilities, and which nation disregarded international law in its actions. The chapter also focuses upon how a nation which is weak on the facts of the incident and the applicable law is left only to engage in politically posturing. Keywords:international law of the sea; March 8 incident; People's Republic of China (PRC)
Computational Characterization of Adhesive Bond Properties Using Guided Waves in Bonded Plates

This research develops a guided waves technique to nondestructively characterize the stiffness properties of bonded engineering components. This study first quantifies the influence of the relevant adhesive layer properties—Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and bond thickness—on the dispersion curves of a two-layer bonded system, an aluminum plate with an adhesive tape layer bonded to its lower surface. Both a commercial finite element (FE) code (ABAQUS/Explicit) and the global matrix method (GMM) are used to determine the dispersion relationships of this bonded plate system in the form of frequency-wavenumber and slowness-frequency relations. These dispersion curves are then used to determine a set of adhesive tape parameter sensitive points, whose frequency coordinates represent the solution criteria for a proposed inversion procedure. This inversion is based on the GMM and assumes the three adhesive tape properties are unknown. The performance of this inversion procedure depends on the number of input time-domain signals; it is possible to solve the inverse problem for all three of the unknown adhesive tape properties if multiple input signals are known.
Syllable parsing in English and French

In this paper I argue that Optimality Theory provides for an explanatory model of syllabic parsing in English and French. The argument is based on psycholinguistic facts that have been mysterious up to now. This argument is further buttressed by the computational implementation developed here. This model is important for several reasons. First, it provides a demonstration of how OT can be used in a performance domain. Second, it suggests a new relationship between phonological theory and psycholinguistics. (Code in Perl is included and a WWW-interface is running at this http URL)
A refreshable multilevel memory for a continuous-time synapse

Multilevel dynamic storage employing refreshing schemes potentially allows very compact synapses with fast read and write operations. A circuit implementation is described which performs an 8-b to 10-b transmission of dynamically stored value and a 2-MHz, successive approximation, A/D to D/A (analog-to-digital to digital-to-analog) conversion. The synapse size is 105 mu m*75 mu m for a 2- mu m process. This implementation is capable of bandwidths in the low megahertz (1 to 20 MHz). >
Billiards with Pockets: A Separation Principle and Bound for the Number of Orbit Types

We introduce and prove a Separation Principle, similar in form to the familiar Uncertainty Principle of quantum mechanics, which separates the position and direction of any two phase points on distinct unfoldings of (non-parallel) trajectories on a polygonal billiard table with pockets. Applying this principle, we demonstrate that the number of orbit types (that is, classes of trajectories, up to parallelism) on a polygonal billiard table with area A and pockets of area a is strictly bounded above by \(\). More generally, the same bound applies to any compact polyhedral surface with pockets at its vertices. If the boundary is empty (so that billiard trajectories are just geodesics), the bound is reduced by a factor of two to \(\). We believe the Separation Principle will also have fundamental applications to other problems in the theory of billiards and related dynamical systems.
The Critical Mediating Role of Social Encouragement for Science Motivation and Confidence Among High School Girls and Boys1

Previous research has identified student status variables (gender, ability, and parent education level) and social influence variables (encouragement from family, teachers, and peers) as predictors of science attitudes. The present study tested the extent to which social encouragement mediates the relation between status variables and science motivation and confidence. In a sample of 184 senior high school students, social encouragement was a stronger predictor of science attitudes than status variables and mediated 72% of the variance in attitudes predicted by status variables. Encouragement from family, encouragement from teachers, and encouragement from peers were each independent predictors of science attitudes. The findings provide strong evidence of the critical importance of encouragement from social agents in the development of adolescents' motivation and confidence to achieve in science.
Effects of Interference Fit Screw Length on Tibial Tunnel Fixation for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Graft-tunnel mismatch during arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the central-third patellar tendon results in less than 20 mm of bone plug remaining in the tibial tunnel. We decided to evaluate the strength of bone plug fixation using interference fit screws that were less than 20 mm in length. Biomechanical testing was performed on 48 porcine hindquarters using 9-mm diameter interference fit screws that measured 12.5, 15, and 20 mm in length. No significant difference was noted between the different-length screws for insertion torque, divergence, stiffness, displacement, or load to failure. We believe, therefore, that comparable graft fixation can be achieved in the tibial tunnel using 9-mm diameter interference fit screws that are less than 20 mm long, and that these shorter screws may be useful in cases of graft-tunnel mismatch.
Computer integrated manufacturing (semiconductor processing)

It is noted that, in computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), there are many advantages to collecting and managing data from front-end and back-end operations in a logically integrated structured database. When this is done, correlations between elements in these data sets can be used to localize and quickly diagnose problems that reduce productivity. A simple and flexible system architecture suitable for this application is described. This CIM architecture is a two-level one. The lowest level includes the embedded controllers that provide real-time control of semiconductor analysis and fabrication equipment. Personal computers used as equipment controllers or for other tasks are included within this first level. The second level comprises a distributed network of computer workstations, file servers, and compute servers linked by a common distributed relational DBMS. Some workstations may be diskless; others may include local disks of varying sizes. A high-speed local area network (10 to 100 Mb/s) provides communications among processors at this level. >
Paleogeographic control of upper cretaceous tidal deposits, Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Abstract Shallow marine to coastal, clastic, and evaporitic sediments of the Allen (Loncoche) Formation were deposited during the late Campanian-early Maastrichtian in the Neuquen foreland basin (western Argentina). On the basis of detailed stratigraphic sections, four facies associations representing different tidal subenvironments have been recognized: (A) crossbedded sandstones; (B) massive mudstones with dolomites and volcanic ashes; (C) mixed sandstones and mudstones; and (D) evaporites. The arrangement of facies association records a fining-upward trend from the basal sandy facies A deposited in a subtidal environment to the supratidal evaporites of facies D. On the east side of the foreland basin, paleoenvironments resemble the classical tidal-flat examples of the North Sea, while toward the west, paleoenvironments correspond to modern tide-dominated estuarine environments. Differences in the depositional paleoenvironments are attributed to differences in the tidal regime related to the basin geometry. A microtidal range controlled the depositional environments of the low-relief coast to the east, while a macrotidal regime influenced the depositional environments of the funnel-shaped basin toward the north. Additional factors affecting facies association distribution include paleoslope, sediment input and climate. Gentle paleoslopes and reduced sediment input affect deposition on the eastern cratonic side of the foreland basin, whereas increased sediment input and steeper paleoslope affect deposition on the western retro-arc side of the basin. The arid climate favored extensive deposition of evaporites.
The Party of Democratic Socialism in the new Germany

Abstract The Party of Democratic Socialism's electoral prowess reflects the success other reformed communist parties are having with voters disillusioned with the changes since 1989. This article seeks to explain why it is doing so well, what kind of people are drawn to it, and what its success tells us about the new eastern political culture and the consequences of unification. Its future prospects depend on how quickly the two parts of Germany become integrated and how effectively the other parties respond to eastern Germans' feelings. PDS success is a product of eastern German attitudes and conditions. It thrives on the tensions between east and west and on east Germans asserting their determination to be different from west Germans. But it will experience difficulty in continuing to derive its identity from a mixture of nostalgia for certain aspects of the GDR and animosity toward western Germans. With its path to western voters blocked, with growing intraparty disunity, and with a leader absorbed by charges that he had been a Stasi collaborator, the PDS faces a serious struggle to survive in the 21st century as a long-term significant political force.
Allergic contact dermatitis to proparacaine with subsequent cross-sensitization to tetracaine from ophthalmic preparations

We report 2 cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to proparacaine and tetracaine. Patient 1 is an ophthalmologist with chronic finger pad dermatitis sensitized to the topical anesthetic proparacaine. Despite discontinuance of proparacaine and substitution with a patch test negative agent, tetracaine, his hand dermatitis persisted. Follow up patch testing documented that acquisition of contact allergy to tetracaine as well as thiuram had taken place. Patient 2 had a periocular eczematous dermatitis with ACD to both proparacaine and tetracaine. Cross sensitization between related topical ophthalmologic anesthetics has been suggested to be a rare occurrence. We suggest that allergic sensitization and possible cross-reaction to topical anesthetics in ophthalmologists and ophthalmologic technicians is an occupational hazard. Chronically eczematized skin might result in increased exposure to contact allergens and result in concomitant allergic sensitization. ACD to topical anesthetic agents among ophthalmologists should be recognized as a potential hazard.
Interactions of retrotransposons with the host genome: the case of the gypsy element of Drosophila

Abstract Insertion of the gypsy retrotransposon into various Drosophila genes results in mutant phenotypes that can be altered by second site mutations in a variety of modifier loci. One of these loci is the suppressor of Hairy-wing, which encodes a DNA-binding protein that binds to specific sequences of the gypsy element to regulate its expression. Interactions between the su(Hw) protein and transcription factors responsible for expression of the mutant genes are the primary cause of gypsy-induced phenotypess. Gypsy also appears to mediate effects in trans between copies of a gene located on homologous chromosomes. This interchromosomal communication allows transcriptional enhancers located in one chromosome to interact with their target promoter located on the other homolog.
Age-associated impairement in endpoint accuracy of goal-directed contractions performed with two fingers is due to altered activation of the synergistic muscles

The purpose of this study was to determine whether older adults compared with young adults exhibit impaired end-point accuracy during a two-finger task due to altered activation of the contributing synergistic muscles. Nine young (21.3 years ± 1.6 years, 4 men) and 9 older (73.1 years ± 6.4 years, 5 men) were instructed to accurately match the center of a target with concurrent abduction of the index and little fingers (synergistic two-finger task). The target comprised of 20% MVC and 200 ms. Visual feedback of the force trajectory and target was provided 1s after each trial. Subjects completed 40 trials and the last 10 were used for analysis. Endpoint accuracy was quantified as the normalized deviation from the target in terms of peak force (peak force error), time-to-peak force (time-to-peak force error), and a combination of the two (overall error). Motor output variability was quantified as the standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV) of peak force and time to peak force. The neural activation of the involved synergist muscles (first dorsal interosseus (FDI) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM)) was quantified with the electromyography (EMG) amplitude (root mean square) and its frequency structure (wavelet analysis). Older adults exhibited significantly greater peak force (46.7 ± 10% vs. 24.9 ± 3.2%) and overall endpoint error (68.5 ± 9.7% vs. 41.7 ± 4.3%), whereas the time to peak force error was similar for the two age groups. Older adults also exerted greater peak force variability than young adults, as quantified by the CV of peak force (34.3 ± 3.5% vs. 24.1 ± 2.3%). The greater peak force error in older adults was associated with changes in the activation of the ADM muscle but not the FDI. Specifically, greater peak force error was associated with greater power from 13-30 Hz and lesser power from 30-60 Hz. These results, therefore, suggest that older adults compared with young adults exhibit impaired endpoint force accuracy during a two finger task because of altered activation of one of the synergist muscles.
Optically Switchable Chelates : Optical Control and Sensing of Metal Ions

This study introduces new concepts in the design, synthesis, and in vitro and in vivo characterization, manipulation, and imaging of organic chelates whose association with metal ions is rapidly and reversibly controlled by using light. Di- and tricarboxylic group bearing photochromes, nitrobenzospiropyran (nitroBIPS), undergo rapid and reversible, optically driven transitions between their spiro (SP) and fluorescent merocyanine (MC) states. The MC state of nitroBIPS-8-DA binds tightly to various metal ions resulting in specific shifts in absorption and fluorescence, and the dissociation constant for its Gadolinium complex in water is measured at ∼5 μM. The metal-bound MC state is converted to the weaker-binding SP state with use of 543 nm light, while the SP to MC transition is complete with use of 365 or 720 nm (2-photon) light within several microseconds. Fluorescence imaging of the MC state of nitroBIPS-8-TriA was used to quantify the rate and efficiency of optical switching and to provide a real-time...
Brain Cells in Culture: Morphological Transformation by a Protein

One type of elmbryonic rat brain cell having an epithelioid morphology in the monolayer culture can be transformed by brain extract into cells having extensive processes resembling mature astrocytes. The transforming factor is a protein with a molecular weight of 350,000. A partially purified sample showed that it is active at a concentration as low as 1 x 10 -8 M. The transforming actvity is high in adult brains but low in embryonic brains and tumors of the nervous systems.
Approximating moments of acoustic fields in random media

Abstract Starting from a path integral representation of the fourth moment of an acoustic field, two types of approximations are considered in detail: a ‘zero-kink’ approximation and a ‘single-kink’ approximation. The expressions ‘zero-kink’ and ‘single-kink’ describe families of paths which are used to approximate path integrals over all continuous paths. The single-kink approximation reduces the propagation problem to a phase screen problem with fluctuations on the phase screen containing information about fluctuations along entire paths from source to receiver.
Endocrine control of spine epidermis resorption during metamorphosis in crab larvae.

During premolt of the fourth zoeal instar ofRhithropanopeus harrisii, the epidermal tissue of the dorsal spine is resorbed (=spine epidermis resorption, SER). 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) accelerated SER in fourth, but not in third instar zoeae in vivo. Dorsal spines explanted from day-1 third or fourth instar larvae underwent SER in response to 20-HE (0.001–5 μg/ml) in vitro, while spines from day-2 third instar larvae showed no 20-HE-stimulated SER in vitro. Extracts of third, but not fourth instar zoeae inhibited 20-HE-elicited SER in explanted spines from third and fourth instar larvae in vitro. The results suggest that a factor is present in the larvae that inhibits metamorphic activity in the larval epidermis.
Local multiple alignment via subgraph enumeration

Abstract We discuss three problems, which we call blocking, chaining and flattening , that arise when computing a multiple-sequence alignment from given pairwise alignments. Blocking is the construction of gap-free multiple alignments, each called a “block”, from the pairwise alignments; it is formalized here as the enumeration of maximal cliques in a certain graph. Chaining is the identification of a collection of blocks that can appear together in a multiple alignment, which we formalize as determining a maximal connected subgraph (of a different graph) that satisfies certain consistency conditions. Flattening is the introduction of gaps within a chain of blocks to create a multiple alignment, which involves solving a problem of dynamic bipartite matching. For each problem, practical algorithms are presented and shown to be effective for analyzing sequences containing internal repeats.
Impact of focal spot size on the spatial resolution of a digital x-ray imaging system for small-animal studies

Spatial resolution of x-ray imaging systems is crucial in small animal studies because of the small size of the subjects. A digital x-ray imaging system for small animal studies was specially designed to achieve such required resolution. The system features a small x-ray focal spot of 20 micrometers , the use of magnification radiography to improve the resolution, and a fiber-optics taper-coupled CCD detector with a 24-micrometers pixel size. The aim of this study is to characterize the system in terms of its spatial resolution and the effect of the focal spot size on spatial resolution. The spatial resolution of the system was determined from observer-based measurements of x-ray phantom images and from modulation transfer function calculation. The measured spatial resolution values were close to the theoretical values at low magnification factors as expected. At higher magnification factors, the measured spatial resolution values showed noticeable deviations from the theoretical values due to the Penumbra effect created by the use of magnification radiography. The Penumbra effect was characterized in our study. The advantages of this system such as small focal spot size and high resolution make it a suitable system for small animal studies.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lateralized sensitivity to vibrotactile stimulation: Individual differences revealed by interaction of threshold and signal detection tasks

Abstract Left index fingers exhibited lower method of limits thresholds; however, signal detection revealed that some subjects were more sensitive on the right, others on the left, while others were equisensitive. For some individuals, lateralization occurs at a level of processing fundamental to both tasks, while for others lateralization varies as a function of tasks.
Object-based media and stream-based computing

Object-based media refers to the representation of audiovisual information as a collection of objects - the result of scene-analysis algorithms - and a script describing how they are to be rendered for display. Such multimedia presentations can adapt to viewing circumstances as well as to viewer preferences and behavior, and can provide a richer link between content creator and consumer. With faster networks and processors, such ideas become applicable to live interpersonal communications as well, creating a more natural and productive alternative to traditional videoconferencing. In this paper is outlined an example of object-based media algorithms and applications developed by my group, and present new hardware architectures and software methods that we have developed to enable meeting the computational requirements of object- based and other advanced media representations. In particular we describe stream-based processing, which enables automatic run-time parallelization of multidimensional signal processing tasks even given heterogenous computational resources.
Inactivation of outward Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange current in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.

1. Outward Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange currents were measured in freshly dissociated guinea-pig myocytes to probe in intact cells the functional status of exchanger inactivation reactions, described previously in giant excised cardiac membranes patches. 2. When the cytoplasmic (pipette) solution contained 40 mM Na+ and 0.1 microM free Ca2+ (50 mM EGTA), the outward exchange current activated by extracellular Ca2+ decayed with time (time constant, 13.1 +/- 2.6 s; n = 6), and an inward current transient was observed upon removal of extracellular Ca2+. Both the current decay and the subsequent inward current transient were remarkably diminished with a saturating (100 mM) pipette Na+ concentration. 3. With 100 mM cytoplasmic Na+ and 140 mM extracellular Na+, a significant fraction of the exchanger population is predicted to be in an inactive state. Intracellular application of 2 mg ml-1 chymotrypsin and 5 microM sodium tetradecylsulphate, both of which decrease Na(+)-dependent inactivation in giant membrane patches, increased the outward exchange current by about 160-170%, suggesting that about 60-70% of exchangers might be inactivated. 4. With 100 mM cytoplasmic Na+ and no extracellular Na+ (replaced with 140 mM Li+), application of extracellular Ca+ was predicted to reorient exchanger binding sites from the extracellular side to the cytoplasmic side and thereby favour inactivation. During such protocols, the outward exchange current decayed by 60-80% when activated by extracellular Ca2+. The current decayed similarly when extracellular Ca2+ and Na+ were applied together, whereby current magnitudes were about 3-fold smaller. 5. The decay of outward exchange current usually followed a biexponential time course (5.8 +/- 3.5 and 27.3 +/- 16.3 s, means +/- S.D., n = 11). Intracellular application of 0.5-2 mg ml-1 trypsin attenuated the fast component more than the slow component, suggesting that the fast component reflects an inactivation process. 6. Current-voltage (I-V) relations of the outward exchange current became less steep during the inactivation protocols, but this flattening could not be correlated with inactivation. 7. Replacement of extracellular Li+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG), tetraethylammonium (TEA), sucrose or Cs+ resulted in a flattening of I-V relations and a decrease of the outward exchange current amplitude by approximately 3-fold, but the kinetics and extent of inactivation were not remarkably changed. Thus, the mechanism of inactivation appears to be independent of the mechanism(s) of activation by extracellular monovalent cations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
HPV-Related Risk Perceptions and HPV Vaccine Uptake Among a Sample of Young Rural Women

Appalachia Kentucky is recognized for increased cervical cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality and lower rates of Pap testing. Understanding the predictors of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is warranted among this population. The purpose of this exploratory research is to determine associations between HPV-related risk perceptions and uptake of free Gardasil offered to rural Appalachian women ages 18-26 attending regional health clinics. Young women (N = 247) were recruited from health clinics in Southeastern, Kentucky from March 2008 through September 2009. After completing a brief interview assessing seven HPV-related risk perceptions, women received a HPV vaccine voucher which provided the entire three-dose vaccine series free of charge. Whether women redeemed the voucher for dose one of Gardasil served as the study outcome variable. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to estimate the independent effects of each predictor variable on vaccine uptake. Less than 50% redeemed the voucher to receive dose one of the HPV vaccine. Five of the seven variables significantly predicted uptake. In a controlled analysis, only two predictors remained significant: "in general, vaccines are a good thing" (P = .02) and "I believe that getting the vaccine will be painful" (P = .03). The remaining three predictor variables (worry about having HPV [P = .07], HPV is serious enough for vaccination [P = .43], and not sure vaccine is safe [P = .22]) were not significant in the model. Health promotion programs designed for this population may enhance HPV vaccine uptake by creating more realistic perceptions about the inherent value of vaccines and by improving perceptions relative to injection pain.
Marshy pools on permafrost mitigate landscape‐scale climate warming

Starting 5000 years ago, small marshy lakes dotting northern Siberia became significant carbon sinks, cooling the climate on a landscape scale. Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) published their findings in Nature online on 16 July.
Superiority of electrocautery over the suture method for achieving cervical cone bed hemostasis.

Abstract Objective To compare the efficacy of electrocautery with that of the suture method for achieving hemostasis of the cervical cone bed. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent cold-knife conization of the cervix over a 5-year period. Patients were categorized into two groups: the cautery group, in which the cone bed was electrocauterized with a hand-held electrocoagulation device; and the suture group, in which hemostasis was achieved by a continuous locking suture placed circumferentially around the cone bed. Outcome measures evaluated include estimated blood loss, operative time, and incidence of complications, including secondary hemorrhage, cervicitis, and cervical stenosis. Data were analyzed by Student t test, χ2 test, linear regression, and multiple logistic regression where appropriate. Results There were 156 women in the cautery group and 35 in the suture group. The cautery group had significantly lower estimated blood loss (27 mL versus 101 mL; P Conclusions Cauterization of the cone bed is superior to suture as a method of achieving hemostasis, with significantly less blood loss and shorter operative time.
COMPsych: A description and progress report

COMPsych, a computerized software information system for psychologists, is described. Also included is information on how to access the system and a description of the information available from the system. A summary and analysis of the activity on the system during the first 5 months of operation and a consideration of possible future directions are also provided.
Calculation of three-dimensional viscous flows in turbomachinery with an implicit relaxation method

This study developed and appraised a numerical method for the complex three-dimensional compressible flow inside a cascade of airfoils at design and off-design conditions. The numerical method is based on an upwinding relaxation scheme with fully conservative control volume. The fully three-dimensional Reynolds-avera ged Navier-Stokes equation is solved with an algebraic Reynolds stress model. The governing conservation equations and transport equations for turbulence quantities are solved sequentially. Comparison between the numerical solutions and experimental data indicates that various complex aerodynamic characteristics inside a cascade of airfoils are well represented with the numerical solutions. Cfl,Ce2,y,D6 T CP Da F,
Internationalising business education curriculum in a 'flat world': the scope and constraints

This study empirically analyses the scope and constraints of internationalising business education curriculum in the USA. Using primary data, we evaluate the extent to which faculty members engage in internationalisation activities, the potential job risk attached to the process and the university support. Additionally we attempt to address the following three questions: What are the current approaches to business curriculum internationalisation? What are the constraints? What other effective and cost efficient approaches can faculty members use? Results point to compelling evidence that majority of the faculty members are currently internationalisation their curriculum. However, the preferred approach is by infusing cross–cultural elements in the course content rather than involve international travel. Nonetheless, they face cost constraints and lack of proper international experiences. Furthermore job risk plays a significant role in a faculty's decision to internationalise.
Beta cell nesidioblastosis in idiopathic hypoglycemia of infancy

A histochemical technique (pinacyanole metachromasia), specific for insulin in vitro and in beta cells of pancreatic tissue sections, was used to study surgically resected pancreases of 12 patients with documented idiopathic hypoglycemia of infancy. Hematoxylin and eosin—stained sections from 3 patients revealed overt hypertrophy and hyperplasia of all insular units. In the pancreases of the other 9 patients, hematoxylin and eosin sections showed histologically unremarkable islets, whereas the histochemically stained sections revealed the presence of many additional beta cells scattered either singly or in small packets of 2 to 6 cells. These were separate from the islets and most often seen about the walls of small ducts or in the glandular acini proper. The term beta cell nesidioblastosis most appropriately describes this cellular variant. These results, including electron microscopic findings of membrane-bound insulin inclusions in many cells, provide histomorphologic correlation with other evidence in support of the concept that excess production of insulin is an important feature of idiopathic hypoglycemia of infancy.
Institutional Mission: The Soul of Christian Higher Education

Institutions and individuals function best with a sense of purpose—a reason for existence. When designed and communicated effectively, the mission statement has the power to transform people's values, motivations, and actions into a positive outcome. To investigate the role of institutional mission in Christian higher education, a review of the literature resulted in the identification of nine essential components of effective mission statements. Using the World Wide Web, a content analysis was then conducted of the 105 member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) to assess the incorporation of these components into their own mission statements. The analysis resulted in a variety of research findings and observations relevant to the Christian higher education community.
Contribution of pheromones processed by the main olfactory system to mate recognition in female mammals.

Until recently it was widely believed that the ability of female mammals (with the likely exception of women) to identify and seek out a male breeding partner relied on the detection of non-volatile male pheromones by the female’s vomeronasal organ and their subsequent processing by a neural circuit that includes the accessory olfactory bulb, vomeronasal amygdala, and hypothalamus. Emperical data are reviewed in this paper that demonstrate the detection of volatile pheromones by the main olfactory epithelium of female mice which, in turn, leads to the activation of a population of glomeruli and abutting mitral cells in the main olfactory bulb (MOB). Anatomical results along with functional neuroanatomical data demonstrate that some of these MOB mitral cells project to the vomeronasal amygdala. These particular MOB mitral cells were selectively activated (i.e., expressed Fos protein) by exposure to male as opposed to female urinary volatiles. A similar selectivity to opposite sex urinary volatiles was also seen in mitral cells of the accessory olfactory bulb of female mice. Behavioral data from female mouse, ferret, and human are reviewed that implicate the main olfactory system, in some cases interacting with the accessory olfactory system, in mate recognition.
Rare presentations of basal cell carcinoma.

Background: Even though basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are the most common skin cancers in the world, they rarely appear in the African–American, Hispanic, and Asian populations. BCCs most commonly present on the head and neck of elderly, light-skinned individuals who have received an excessive amount of sun exposure. However, it has been hypothesized that the development of BCCs in unusual populations is a result of an alteration in tumor surveillance or an impairment in cellular immunity. Objective: We present two cases of BCC, one in an Asian woman and one in an African–American woman. Neither of these patients had any history of genodermatoses or were immunocompromised. Conclusion: BCCs can occur in Asian and African–American patients. Clinicians should include the diagnosis of BCC in their differential for these patients despite their rare presentations.
The viscosity of helium

Abstract The paper describes measurements of the viscosity of helium in the range of pressures of 1137 atm and in the range of temperatures of 25237C with an accuracy of from 0.2% at lower temperatures to 0.5% at higher temperatures. The method used was that of a disk oscillating between two plates with moderate gaps, and the measurements were relative to nitrogen. The results show no significant pressure effect. The temperature effect has been correlated empirically by the use of Keesom's and Keyes' formulae as well as by the use of the methods of statistical mechanics, i.e. with the aid of the Lennard-Jones, 612, and the modified Buckingham, exp-6, potentials. It appears that the best fit is obtained with the aid of the exp-six potential. If an accuracy of 1 % only is required then there is little to choose between the various schemes up to 800C. Keesom's formula spans the widest range of temperatures.