cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway couples photic input to circadian clock entrainment.

In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus function as the major biological clock. SCN-dependent rhythms of physiology and behavior are regulated by changes in the environmental light cycle. Currently, the second messenger signaling events that couple photic input to clock entrainment have yet to be well characterized. Recent work has revealed that photic stimulation during the night triggers rapid activation of the p42/44 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the SCN. The MAPK signal transduction pathway is a potent regulator of numerous classes of transcription factors and has been shown to play a role in certain forms of neuronal plasticity. These observations led us to examine the role of the MAPK pathway in clock entrainment. Here we report that pharmacological disruption of light-induced MAPK pathway activation in the SCN uncouples photic input from clock entrainment, as assessed by locomotor activity phase. In the absence of photic stimulation, transient disruption of MAPK signaling in the SCN did not alter clock-timing properties. We also report that signaling via the Ca2+/calmodulin kinase pathway functions upstream of the MAPK pathway, coupling light to activation of the MAPK pathway. Together these results delineate key intracellular signaling events that underlie light-induced clock entrainment.
Distortion-invariant pattern recognition algorithms in the presence of environmental degradation of the input image

The presence of turbulence such as maritime aerosols between the target and the observer degrades the detection and classification performance of electro-optical sensors and detectors. A filtering algorithm that takes into account of the environmental degradation, the background non-overlapping noise, the non-stationarity of the scene, non-target objects and additive system noise is designed and implemented to detect and classify targets under such conditions. The detection performance of this algorithm has been validated using computer simulations and found to be superior to filters that are optimal with respect to noise statistics but do not take into account the effects of environmental conditions. The algorithm is then extended using a set of training images to be distortion-invariant with respect to different target aspects.
Learning from Fantasy and Real Characters in Preschool and Kindergarten.

In three experiments, 3½- to 6-year-old children were presented with analogical problems in which the protagonists were either real people or fantasy characters. Children were more likely to transfer solutions from the stories about real people rather than the stories about fantasy characters. These results suggest that the use of a fantasy character might not be an effective strategy for teaching children information that is meant to be applied to the real world.
A Comparison of Mixed-Model Analyses of the Iowa Crop Performance Test for Corn

Multienvironment trials generally have highly unbalanced data structures in which a particular cultivar is only observed in a subset of all environments for which data are available. A very common approach to reporting data from such unbalanced data is to subset the data into balanced subsets and restrict comparisons within balanced subsets. Such an approach results in much information being ignored. We undertook an empirical study of 65 individual data sets from the Iowa Crop Performance Test for corn (Zea mays L.) to compare eight different mixed linear models to determine which features in the data need to be considered in developing approaches to make use of all available information. We used a model selection approach to identify the best model based on the presence or absence of heterogeneity of error variances among environments, heterogeneity of genotypic variances among environments, and heterogeneity of genotypic correlations between pairs of environments. The trait analyzed was grain yield. We found evidence of heterogeneity of error variances among locations in 58 of 65 data sets for two model selection criteria. Heterogeneity of genotypic variances and correlations between pairs of environments was found in about half of the sets we analyzed. A general recommendation for model selection cannot be made from this analysis. In general, we found that heterogeneity of variances and correlations was prominent in many data sets. Identifi cation of the best statistical model for a particular data set may be dependent on application of a model selection approach.
Neurologic manifestations of the neglected tropical diseases

Abstract Background The World Health Organization has identified 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that disproportionately affect the world's poorest populations. The neurologic aspects of many of these NTDs have received relatively little attention. Methods A review was performed in PubMed (MedLine) for each NTD by disease name, name of its causative organism, and neurology, neurosurgery, neurologist, brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, nervous system, encephalitis, meningitis, encephalopathy, stroke, neuropathy, and myopathy (1968-Sept. 2013). The Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine guidelines were used to determine the level of evidence of neurological involvement and treatment based on the reports identified. Results Neurologic manifestations were reported for all NTDs except yaws. Neurologic involvement was described in systematic reviews for four NTDs (Chagas disease, echinococcosis, rabies, cysticercosis) (levels 2a–3a), retrospective cohort studies for six (dengue, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis) (levels 2b–3b), case series for one (foodborne trematodiasis) (level 4), and case reports for five (Buruli ulcer, dracunculiasis, filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthes, and trachoma). Level 1 evidence for treatment of neurologic manifestations of NTDs was found for human African trypanosomiasis, leprosy, and cysticercosis and level 2 evidence exists for treatment of neurologic involvement in Chagas disease. For the remaining NTDs, treatment of neurologic complications is described in case series and case reports only. Conclusions Neurologic manifestations of NTDs cause significant morbidity and mortality, although limited evidence exists on how best to treat these neurologic complications. Increased awareness of neurologic manifestations of the NTDs can increase their early identification and treatment, contributing to ongoing elimination and eradication campaigns.
MicroRNAs and the Failing Heart

Ablation of a microRNA protects mice from left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis.
Charge-metering sampling circuits and their applications

Charge-metering sampling circuits comprise a new CMOS circuit class for sampled analog data applications. They avoid some drawbacks of conventional sampling circuits without the use of operational amplifiers. They lightly load their inputs, may be cascaded without buffering to provide analog pipelining, and avoid charge injection errors. Application to linear and nonlinear digital-to-analog converters (DACs), particularly for active matrix display data line drivers, is detailed. In the display application, the nonlinear charge-metering DACs provide a predetermined nonlinear relationship between digital input and display luminance down to the least significant bit, avoiding compromising color reproduction by the use of a piecewise-linear response. Experimental verification of this new circuit class has included the design and fabrication of a cross section of an integrated CMOS six-bit digital-analog data line driver. Experimental results are presented.
How fast can PCs truly go

Despite predictions that computer-switching speeds are fast approaching fundamental limits, consumers continue to see a steady increase. Improved performance has pushed the clock speed of top end personal computers well over the 400 MHz mark. Perhaps more impressive, this improvement in operating speed has been achieved through incremental improvements on existing technology. Current personal computers have yet to exploit the potential of non-traditional computing technologies, such as optics and high speed GaAs. As these technologies are integrated into desktop computers, expect more significant increases in clock speed and overall performance. This trend of increasing processor speed naturally leads to questions concerning its actual fundamental limits. 1) What factors limit the speed of current integrated circuit (IC) based computers? 2) Is current IC technology approaching a fundamental limit? 3) What factors must be overcome to continue increasing computer speed? These questions are discussed.
Prenatal cocaine exposure alters behavioral and neurochemical sensitization to amphetamine in adult rats.

Abstract This study examined the neurochemical correlates of amphetamine (AMPH)-induced behavioral effects in prenatally saline (PSAL)-exposed or cocaine (PCOC)-exposed male rats. Pregnant Long-Evans rats received saline or saline containing cocaine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg s.c., b.i.d.) from gestational days 15–21. Animals were left with their biological mothers. Adult offspring were exposed to daily saline or AMPH (0.5, 1.5, or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) injections for 7 days. Behaviors were recorded in an open field during the first hour post-injection. PCOC rats did not exhibit behavioral anomalies during habituation to injection-stress or placement in the open field. PCOC rats displayed significant alterations in stereotyped responses to acute or intermittent exposure to various doses of AMPH. Within 48 h of the final testing day, striatal tissue was obtained from these animals and electrically-evoked [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) release was measured from striatal slices. Superfusion of tissue slices with various concentrations of AMPH (1–1000 nM) produced dose-dependent inhibition of ACh release in both PSAL and PCOC rats repeatedly injected with saline as adults. However, AMPH-induced inhibition of ACh release was decreased in PCOC rats repeatedly injected with AMPH as adults. At 5 mg/kg AMPH, PCOC rats exhibited increased mortality compared to PSAL rats. These data suggest that PCOC exposure produces long-lasting alterations in nigrostriatal transmission and behaviors mediated by this system.
Pyruvate — Oxaloacetate exchange reaction in baker's yeast

The results in this paper show that extracts of baker's yeast contain a pyruvate carboxylase which catalyzes the carboxylation of pyruvate to form oxaloacetate and the exchange of oxaloacetate and pyruvate. The carboxylation reaction requires GSH, MgCl2, ATP and is stimulated by acetyl-CoA. In the exchange reaction the transfer of the β-COOH group of oxaloacetate to pyruvate does not require ATP and is not stimulated by acetyl-CoA. Both reactions are inhibited by low concentrations of avidin and p-chloromercuribenzoate.
Existence and stability of equilibria in age-structured population dynamics

The existence of positive equilibrium solutions of the McKendrick equations for the dynamics of an age-structured population is studied as a bifurcation phenomenon using the inherent net reproductive rate n as a bifurcation parameter. The local existence and uniqueness of a branch of positive equilibria which bifurcates from the trivial (identically zero) solution at the critical value n=1 are proved by implicit function techniques under very mild smoothness conditions on the death and fertility rates as functional of age and population density. This first requires the development of a suitable linear theory. The lowest order terms in the Liapunov-Schmidt expansions are also calculated. This local analysis supplements earlier global bifurcation results of the author. The stability of both the trivial and the positive branch equilibria is studied by means of the principle of linearized stability. It is shown that in general the trivial solution losses stability as n increases through one while the stability of the branch solution is stable if and only if the bifurcation is supercritical. Thus the McKendrick equations exhibit, in the latter case, a standard exchange of stability with regard to equilibrium states as they depend on the inherent net reproductive rate. The derived lower order terms in the Liapunov-Schmidt expansions yield formulas which explicitly relate the direction of bifurcation to properties of the age-specific death and fertility rates as functionals of population density. Analytical and numerical results for some examples are given which illustrate these results.
Medical students’ self-assessment of performance: Results from three meta-analyses

Abstract Objective Self-assessment is an important component of medical education. Meta-analyses were conducted to better understand accuracy of self-assessment and direction of inaccuracy. Methods Three meta-analyses were conducted on results from 35 published articles on medical student self-assessment, one for each of the theoretically distinct ways of measuring accuracy of self-reported ability (correlational, paired comparison, and independent means comparison). Characteristics that potentially influence self-assessment accuracy, including gender, year in medical school, and type of self-assessment, were examined. Results Students are moderately able to self-assess performance and are more accurate later in medical school. Students as a whole do not significantly over- or underestimate, but are more likely to overestimate on communication-based, standardized patient encounters than objective, knowledge-based performance measures. Female students underestimate their performance more than male students, but gender analyses are often unreported. Conclusion A deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of over- and underestimation is impossible without measurement and reporting of the direction of inaccuracy. Practice implications To improve our understanding of self-assessment and increase its effectiveness as a teaching tool, research should report self-assessment as both a correlation and a paired comparison, and conduct analyses of important moderators that can influence self-assessment accuracy.
A physical and chemical interpretation of boron particle combustion

The combustion of boron is considered from both physical and chemical points of view. The overall combustion process is separated into an ignition phase, during which the particle is covered by a layer of boron oxide, and a clean particle burning phase. During the ignition phase boron oxide production results from boron diffusion across the oxide layer, rather than the currently accepted view of oxygen diffusion. During the clean particle burning phase, boron oxidation is found to be similar to that of carbon. The chemistry of boron oxide production during this phase and the regions of kinetic and diffusion control of the burning rate are defined.
Application of microcarriers in stormwater treatment

This paper present the results of an experimental investigation on removing colloidal particles from stormwater runoff by microcarrier process. The mechanisms of the microcarrier process involve particle capturing, suspension and sedimentation. The results indicated that this process is effective in treating stormwater runoff. The removal rate for particle count, turbidity, suspended solids and volatile solids reach 96% and higher. The total treatment include a 30‐second mixing with a 3‐minute settling, a substantial time reduction from that of the conventional approach. This rapid treatment indicates that the microcarrier process has the capacity to treat large volumes of surface runoff during a storm event.
Consumer-based m-commerce: exploring consumer perception of mobile applications

With m-commerce still in its infancy, there have been relatively few attempts to systematically explore the opportunities and challenges posed by m-commerce. This study is an early attempt aims to provide empirical data on consumer perception of mobile applications. This paper first examines the value proposition of mobility. It then investigates m-commerce operation modes and potential consumer-based applications. A consumer perception survey was conducted to reveal the attributes that are perceived as important by consumers for making m-commerce choices. Results provide company executives with useful insights into m-commerce applications and their commercial potentials.
Mesenchymal stem cell concentration and bone repair: potential pitfalls from bench to bedside.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent and have the ability to differentiate into bone. We conducted a preclinical trial comparing the osteogenic potential of human bone marrow aspirate with that of mesenchymal stem cell-enriched bone marrow aspirate (both mixed with demineralized bone matrix) in a critical-sized rat femoral defect model. Methods: The buffy coat was extracted from human bone marrow aspirate to obtain mesenchymal stem cell-enriched bone marrow aspirate. Fifty-nine athymic rats, each with a 6-mm femoral defect, were divided into six treatment groups: defect only (Group I), demineralized bone matrix and saline solution (Group II), demineralized bone matrix and bone marrow aspirate (Group III), demineralized bone matrix and mesenchymal stem cell-enriched bone marrow aspirate (Group IV), demineralized bone matrix and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) (Group V [positive control]), and absorbable collagen sponge and rhBMP-2 (Group VI [positive control]). All animals were killed at twelve weeks for radiographic, micro-computed tomography, histomorphometric, and histologic analysis. Results: There was wide variability in the mesenchymal stem cell concentrations obtained from the human donors. All ten defects healed in the positive control groups (Groups V and VI). Only one defect healed in each experimental group (Groups II, III, and IV) (i.e., three of forty-four defects healed). There was no significant difference among the radiographic scores of Groups II, III, and IV (p = 0.59), and the score for each of those groups was significantly higher than that for Group I (p ≤ 0.005) and significantly lower than those for Groups V and VI (p ≤ 0.001). The bone volume and mineral density did not differ among Groups III, IV, and V (p = 0.53). The percent total bone volume and percent normal bone volume in Group VI were significantly higher than those values in Groups I, III, and IV (p < 0.0001) and those in Group II (p = 0.048). In Groups II through V, the cortical bone was more dense than the lace-like bone in Group VI. Conclusions: Neither bone marrow aspirate nor mesenchymal stem cell-enriched bone marrow aspirate mixed with demineralized bone matrix resulted in reliable healing of critical-sized bone defects. It is possible that a greater number of mesenchymal stem cells or an enhanced osteoinductive signal is required for adequate bone-healing. Mesenchymal stem cell and/or carrier variability may also contribute to differences in bone formation. Clinical Relevance: This study identified potential problems when adapting the use of mesenchymal stem cells for consistent bone repair in a clinical setting.
Anterior optic nerve blood flow decreases in clinical neurogenic optic atrophy.

Abstract Anterior optic nerve blood flow was studied in nine patients with unilateral neurogenic optic atrophy using noninvasive techniques. Disk reflectometry measurements from temporal sites demonstrated a significant reduction in the index of blood volume in atrophic optic nerves as compared with the contralateral optic nerves ( P P P ρ = 0.92, P
The photochemistry of methane in the atmosphere of Triton

The model of Summers and Strobel (1989) for photochemical reactions in the Uranus atmosphere was modified and used for quantitative calculations of methane in the atmosphere of Triton. The principal adjustable parameters in the new model are the surface CH4 concentrations and the vigor of vertical mixing in Triton's lower atmosphere. It is shown the rate of methane photolysis that was calculated is sufficient to generate a smog of condensed C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C4H2 particles in the lowest 30 km of Triton's atmosphere, with an optical depth consistent with the Voyager imaging results.
Filtering of MS/MS data for peptide identification

The availability of fast, relatively inexpensive data analysis through tandem mass spectrometry has ushered in an era of “shotgun proteomics.” Biologists can easily fragment large numbers of samples, and obtain extremely accurate measurements of fragment mass; from this, it is possible to work backwards to identify parent peptides and proteins. To obtain accurate identifications, however, it is necessary to filter the raw data, separating noise from primary parent ions. In this paper, we utilize a new technique based on orthogonal polynomials to filter raw MS/MS data without the need for manual tuning. The effectiveness of the approach is shown through dramatic increases in the accuracy of identifications with a de novo method, with results rivaling those of the best available database matching methods.
Towards a unified theory: Threads in a tapestry

Glashow's Nobel lecture is reprinted in which the author reviews the development of today's ''standard theory'' of elementary particles. (AIP)
Ethnic patterns of thyroid cancer incidence in the United States, 1973‐1981

Descriptive epidemiological findings for 7,696 patients with newly diagnosed thyroid cancer reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for the years 1973 through 1981 are summarized. The preponderance of this tumor in women and of the papillary histologic subtype are well documented. The data suggest that previously reported increases in the incidence of thyroid cancer among Whites levelled off in the late 1970s. Differences in the incidence of this cancer according to ethnic group were particularly striking. Compared with White men and women, Puerto Rico Hispanics and Blacks had significantly lower thyroid cancer rates (weighted rate ratios ranged from 0.48 to 0.65). New Mexico Hispanic men and Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian and Filipino men and women had significantly higher rates (weighted rate ratios ranged from 1.56 to 3.17). Elevated thyroid cancer rates for residents of Hawaii, regardless of ethnic group, were also a noteworthy finding. Variations in thyroid cancer risk according to ethnic group and geographical residence may reflect socio-economic or local environmental influences, including the possibility of a carcinogenic agent in volcanic lava.
Interorientation interactions and impressions: Does the timing of disclosure of sexual orientation matter?

Abstract Unlike gender, race, or ethnicity, sexual orientation is not necessarily readily identifiable. The current work tests whether the timing of disclosure of sexual orientation influences reactions to intergroup interactions. Participants in two studies anticipated interacting with a partner for a study of first-time interactions. Prior to the interaction, they received information about the partner in the form of a prerecorded interview. During the interview the partner revealed his sexual orientation either early or late. Male participants whose partner disclosed as gay early in the interview responded with negative and avoidant responses to the upcoming interaction, formed more stereotypic impressions of the interaction partner, and reacted more aggressively toward the partner. Timing of disclosure by a straight partner did not influence responses. In addition, the negative responses toward the gay target who disclosed early were mediated by the stereotypicality of the impression the male participants formed of their interaction partner. These results suggest a primacy effect for group categorization such that greater levels of bias occur when group categorization occurs prior to the receipt of individuating information.
Measurement of the inclusive decay properties of charmed mesons

Abstract We report a high statistics study of the inclusive decay properties of the charmed D0 and D+ mesons, and the first inclusive study of the charmed Ds+. The data are collected at s =3.77 GeV and s =4.14 GeV with the Mark III detector at the e+e− storage ring SPEAR. For each charmed meson species, the charged-particle multiplicity, the strangeness content of the final state, and the average π0 multiplicity are determined.
Two perceptually given aspects of the self and their development

Abstract In this paper the conception of self as a single entity with a single course of development is rejected. Instead, it is argued that there are many sources of self-knowledge, each giving rise to a different aspect of the self with a different developmental history. Two early emerging aspects of the self are discussed in this paper: the ecological self and the interpersonal self. These are distinguished from the conceptual self, based on mental representations, that has been the traditional focus of research. Following from ecologically oriented cognitive psychology, it is argued that knowledge begins with perception rather than with representation. In this view, the ecological and interpersonal aspects of self are directly specified to the young infant by the coperception of environment and self that occurs with activity in the environment. Research that focuses on the ecological self, including perceived location, global motion of self, and other aspects of ongoing relationships with the local physical environment, is summarized. The interpersonal self derives from perception of information produced by the perceiver's responses that invite continued participation and mutuality with others. Research that focuses on infants' behavior in social interaction and their responses to visual and auditory information that specifies interaction is summarized.
Assessment of oral bisphosphonate use in elderly patients with varying degrees of kidney function

Abstract Background: Oral bisphosphonates are prescribed for millions of men and women in the United States who have osteopenia or osteoporosis. However, there are limited data on the use of oral bisphosphonates in patients with kidney impairment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) and reported adverse events in elderly patients with varying degrees of kidney function who were taking oral bisphosphonate therapy. Methods: The present study was a retrospective review of the medical records of elderly patients (age range, 65–89 years) who were prescribed oral bisphosphonates for a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia at the University of Colorado Hospital Seniors Clinic during the period January 1999 through March 2003. Data on age, sex, body weight, height, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations, and adverse-reaction history were collected. Clinic notes were reviewed to determine whether patients had taken an oral bisphosphonate previously or whether bisphosphonate therapy was initiated during the study period. The Cockcroft-Gault equation was used to calculate CrCl. Rates of drug-related adverse events were compared in patients with and without severe kidney impairment. For the purposes of this study, severe kidney impairment was defined as a CrCl Results: Data from 181 patients (88.4% female, 11.6% male; mean age, 79.2 years) who received oral bisphosphonates were included in the analysis. One hundred fourteen (63.0%) patients began bisphosphonate therapy during the study period. The mean duration of bisphosphonate therapy was 22.3 months. Thirty-one (17.1%) patients taking bisphosphonates had severe kidney impairment. There was no change in calculated CrCl after the initiation of oral bisphosphonate therapy in patients who started therapy during the study period. Adverse drug events, 19 of them related to the gastrointestinal system, occurred in 24 (13.3%) patients. Overall, 19.4% (6/31) of patients with severe kidney impairment and 12.0% (18/150) of those without severe kidney impairment experienced adverse events; the difference between groups was not statistically significant. No reported adverse drug event required hospitalization or emergency treatment. Conclusions: When prescribed for elderly patients with varying degrees of kidney function, oral bisphosphonate therapy was well tolerated and was not associated with a decline in calculated CrCl.
Early Globalities, and Its Questions, Objectives, and Methods: An Inquiry into the State of Theory and Critique

The study of the global past in deep time sets in the foreground many questions that also bedevil literary theory today. That convergence — between how to study the global past and how to read literary texts — drives this essay’s critical examination of salient methods, concepts, and objectives, and of the politics of endeavor. As examples, the essay analyzes historiographies of the global current today, asking what is at stake in reading global premodernity, and reading literary texts, at a historical moment when universities from Texas to Minnesota, Oxford to Illinois, North Carolina to California are beginning to study early globalities, a Global Middle Ages, or a “Medieval Globe.”
The Role of Dimerization in Noise Reduction of Simple Genetic Networks

Fluctuations are an intrinsic property of genetic networks due to the small number of interacting molecules. We study the role of dimerization reactions in controlling these fluctuations in a simple genetic circuit with negative feedback. We compare two different pathways. In the dimeric pathway the proteins to be regulated form dimers in solution that afterward bind to an operator site and inhibit transcription. In the monomeric pathway monomers bind to the operator site and then recruit another monomer to form a dimer directly on the DNA. We find that while both pathways implement the same negative feedback mechanism, the protein number fluctuations in the dimeric pathway are drastically reduced compared to the monomeric pathway. This difference in the ability to reduce fluctuations may be of importance in the design of genetic networks.
Acute Kidney Injury in the Intensive Care Unit

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among critically ill patients and results in increased mortality in this population. This review focuses on the diagnosis and management of AKI. The authors first explore new aspects of diagnosis, including new criteria that take into account even modest changes in renal function, and the development of novel biomarkers to allow earlier identification and better differential diagnosis of AKI. The authors also explore the available data on choice of dialysis modality and dialysis dose for the treatment of AKI, as well as the breakthrough development of the bioartificial kidney. Last, the authors review co-interventions that may have relevance to prognosis of AKI, such as intensive insulin therapy and the use of erythropoietin.
Small Business and JIT: A Managerial Overview

For the small‐firm manufacturing manager considering the just‐in‐time philosophy, the literature is relatively sparse. Reviews academic and practitioner literature on small businesses and just‐in‐time manufacturing and synthesizes conceptual and practical aspects of this relationship. The concerns addressed include small‐firm applicability of JIT, theorized and realized benefits, and suggestions for initial steps in the implementation process.
A generic Delaunay triangulation algorithm for finite element meshes

Abstract A mathematical framework for the construction of k dimensional meshes embedded in n dimensions is provided. By extending Delaunay triangulations a generic triangulation algorithm is stated along with methods for assessing the shapes of simplices. Planar, surface and solid meshes illustrate the algorithm.
Eco-Visualization: Promoting Environmental Stewardship in the Museum

Abstract Eco-visualizations are artworks that reinterpret environmental data with custom software to promote stewardship. Eco-visualization technology offers a new way to dynamically picture environmental data and make it meaningful to a museum population. The questions are: How might museums create new projects and programs around place-based information? How might museum educators integrate environmental education with the viewing of art? This article suggests that artists have a fundamental role to play in creating work that "translates" site-specific environmental data, once solely the domain of scientists, into easily accessible visual narratives. Artistic productions based on changing streams of environmental data create novel and challenging opportunities for museums and museum educators.
Social based throwbox placement in large-scale throwbox-assisted Delay Tolerant Networks

Recent advances in Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) allow delivering packets among mobile devices via opportunistic communications during intermittent contacts. However, the lack of rich contact opportunities still causes poor delivery ratio and long delay of DTN routing, especially for large-scale networks. Deployment of additional stationary throwboxes can create a greater number of contact opportunities, thus improve the performance of DTN routing. However, the locations of deployed throwboxes are critical to such improvement. In this paper, we investigate where to deploy throwboxes in a large-scale throwboxassisted DTN. By leveraging the social properties discovered from real-life tracing data, we propose a set of social-based throwbox placement algorithms which smartly pick the location of each throwbox. Extensive simulations are conducted with a real-life wireless tracing dataset and a wide range of existing DTN routing methods. The results confirm the efficiency of the proposed methods.
HIGH-ENERGY CONTRIBUTIONS TO CURRENT-ALGEBRA SUM RULES. I.

A method to evaluate high-energy contributions to current-algebra sum rules by combining them with finite-energy sum rules is suggested. Applications are made to the Adler-Weisberger-type sum rules for the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and the $K\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ systems, and to various sum rules for the pion photoproduction process. It is shown that the former sum rules can be approximately satisfied without requiring very large scalar contributions. Some interesting results are found for the latter sum rules.
Afghan refugee issues in the U.S. social environment.

Since Afghan refugees began coming to the United States in the early 1980s, the Afghan community of the San Francisco Bay Area has become the largest in the United States. This population copes with a number of stressors that negatively affect their health and psychological well-being. Based on an ethnographic study, we focus on the social context in which Afghan refugees find themselves, describing Afghans' perceptions of their interactions with mainstream American citizens and health and social service providers. The theme running through all such interactions is information--its scarcity, character, and cultural differences in type, purposes, and means of transmission. Quotes from interviews illustrate four types of problems: economic and occupational problems, health-care access, family and children's issues, and immigration issues/ethnic bias. Policy and program recommendations are applicable to other recent refugee populations that experience similar information problems with regard to the dominant society.
Pharmaceutical companies and sustainability: an analysis of corporate reporting

Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to benchmark the evolution of reported sustainability activity in the pharmaceutical sector, which has been recognized as a leading sector in industrial sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – The authors examined recent published corporate sustainability activity reports for 11 pharmaceutical sector‐related companies and compared this to a similar earlier study.Findings – Sustainability related activity has increased in breadth and depth, but activity is now being shifted toward corporate social responsibility, which is reflective of corporate need to satisfy public sentiment.Research limitations/implications – The paper is formed on the basis of voluntarily reported activities and published documentation, therefore, it does contain a potential for bias and “greenwashing”; however, regardless of the impetus, the integration of sustainability is still evident.Practical implications – The paper is of value to the practicioner and manager to benchmark the...
A. E. Shilov's influence on early work in organometallic CH activation and functionalization

Abstract The work of A. E. Shilov was a key factor in the development of the area of CH activation and homogeneous catalysis of alkane conversion to functionalized products with transition metals. In this account, the early developments of the field up to the mid 1980s are covered to illustrate this influence, in particular on our own work.
Ensuring quality in a computerized database system: a perinatal network.

We have described the key elements of quality control in a database system and have discussed these with respect to the University of Illinois Perinatal Database. Clearly, the hallmark of a successful database is the ease with which high quality data can be stored and retrieved, and the usefulness of the reports that can be generated. In order to achieve these ends, quality control cannot be an afterthought, but must be the cornerstone of the system.
Line parameters of absorption and dispersion Lorentzian curves under conditions of combined modulation and saturation distortion

Analytical and computer solutions for the parameters of the first Fourier coefficients of Lorentzian lines subject to simultaneous modulation and saturation distortion are presented. Both absorption and dispersion shape functions are examined. The system is assumed to be described by the saturation theory of either Bloembergen, Purcell, and Pound (BPP), or Redfield. In the BPP case, results are given for the modulation frequency, ωm, being much greater or less than 1T1 while in the Redfield case, only ωm ⪡ 1T1 is considered. In all cases, it is assumed that ωm2π is much less than the inverse line width of the pure absorption curve and that the line is traversed during a time which is slow compared to T1 and 2πωm. Various methods are outlined for determining the true line width, line intensity, saturation parameter, and modulation amplitude from measurements on the distorted line shapes under conditions of optimum sensitivity. Tests for verifying the character of the Lorentzian line shape are also suggested.
Biological Foundations of Behavior: Implications for Counseling

Professional and social movements of the 1980s demand that counselors have a basic knowledge of biological foundations of behavior, a knowledge that has been neglected in counselor training programs, theories of counseling, and theories of personality. This article discusses biological explanations of human behavior and problems, along with implications and applications for the counselor in terms of the counseling setting, client problem, counselor role, counselor training, and the counseling profession.
Rethinking the public/virtual sphere: The problem with participation

Responding to the long-standing interest of new media scholars in online participation as a mechanism for political and cultural democracy and empowerment, this article elaborates a critique of online participation. It examines the ways in which online participation has been economized at a fundamental level — the level at which data is transmitted — and argues that this economization draws into question the viability of a public/virtual sphere paradigm. In the process, it implicates public/virtual sphere scholarship in the production of a mode of power — vital or productive power — which has been under-examined in new media scholarship.
DECREASING DANGEROUS INFANT BEHAVIORS THROUGH PARENT INSTRUCTION

One adult and three adolescent mothers with 1-year-old infants were taught to reduce their infants' potential for injury in the home. After being taught to increase their positive interactions with their infants, the mothers were taught to child-proof the home, to use playpen time-out for potentially dangerous behaviors, and to give positive attention for safe behaviors. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to evaluate functional control. Potentially dangerous behaviors, observed during 10 min of free play, decreased from variable and, at times, high rates during baseline to stable near-zero rates after treatment. These target behaviors remained low at a 7-month follow-up assessment.
Phototoxic Retinal Degeneration Caused by Occupational Exposure to an Arc Lamp Movie Projector

AbstractMacular retinopathy caused by photic radiant energy is well documented. This study reports an unusual case in which the image imprint of an arc-illuminating source of a movie projector was induced in the retina. A 66-year-old man presented for routine ophthalmic examination. The patient worked as a movie projectionist for 50 years, and almost daily viewed the circular image of the projector's illuminating arc electrodes in a reflecting bowl with his right eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed 20/20 visual acuity in both eyes. Pupils, tonometry, anterior segment, and optic nerve examination were unremarkable in both eyes. The right macula revealed faint foveal yellow pigmentary change with a surrounding ring of hypopigmentation approximately one disc diameter in size. The left fundus was within normal limits. Fluorescein angiography revealed foveal hypofluorescence with a surrounding window defect, corresponding to the fundus lesion. On Amsler grid testing he had small focal waviness of lines superi...
Coronary and myocardial angiography: angiographic assessment of both epicardial and myocardial perfusion.

Angiographic assessment of epicardial coronary artery blood flow has played a pivotal role in our understanding of the “time-dependent open artery hypothesis” and in the evaluation of reperfusion strategies over the past 2 decades.1–8 It has become increasingly apparent, however, that clinical outcomes are not only associated with angiographic flow in the epicardial artery, but also with angiographic flow in the myocardium.9–13 To this end, the goal of reperfusion therapies has shifted to include reperfusion downstream at the level of capillary bed, and it might be more appropriate that the hypothesis now be termed “the time dependent open artery and open microvascular hypothesis.” The goal of this article is to review angiographic methods used to evaluate myocardial ischemia and infarction and to discuss the insights into the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes provided by these angiographic indexes of coronary artery blood flow and myocardial perfusion. For nearly 2 decades now, the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade classification scheme has been successfully used to assess coronary blood flow in acute coronary syndromes1 (Table). It has been a valuable tool to compare angiographic outcomes following reperfusion, and the association of the TFGs with clinical outcomes (including mortality) has been well documented.2–8 The relationship between TFG and mortality does satisfy what some consider to be 3 criteria required to validate a surrogate end point for mortality, as follows: (1) There is an association between TIMI grade 3 flow and mortality, (2) an agent such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator improves TIMI grade 3 flow by 22% over another agent such as streptokinase, and (3) the agent tissue plasminogen activator improves mortality 1.1% over streptokinase. View this table: Definitions of the TFG and the TMPG Systems On the basis of this relationship between TIMI flow and mortality observed in the GUSTO …
On Data Sets, Extrapolations, and Urologic Issues

There is an increasing use of large data groupings extracted from administrative claims sets to extrapolate trends of syndrome and disease diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for populations from which these data sets are acquired. One of the most extensive assessments using administrative claims is the Urologic Diseases in America project, an ongoing analysis of urologic diseases and syndromes in the United States that uses data sets acquired from three main areas: the US government (Medicare), unique sources representative of national health care utilization and expense data (eg, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project–Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the Ambulatory Medical Care Survey/National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey), and special data sets for specific conditions and subpopulations (National Nursing Home Survey and the Veterans Health Administration National Surgical Quality Improvement Project) [1]. The explicit inclusion of multiple differing data sources and the longitudinal acquisition, compilation, and interpretation of data from these sources represents one of the most impressive efforts to date in the use of large administrative data sets to aggregate important knowledge previously disparate and often under- or unappreciated. In this month’s journal, a compilation of administrative claims sets are assayed for the use of a particular medication type within a population with conclusions rendered about gender-based differences in recognition and therapy [2]. The patient data set was derived for a 1-yr period with administrative claims from >85 US health care plans and included 9 991 730 patients from all age groups. The goal of the study was to determine frequencies of medical (pharmacologic) treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in both men and women. Diagnostic codes from the International Classification of Diseases, specifically diagnostic codes for OAB (596.xx and 788.3x), were used to identify those who were candidates for therapy (and were 45 yr of age). These individuals were then linked to prescription drug data for the population. OAB medication use (which was defined as either an anticholinergic and/or tricyclic class of agent) was derived from the prescription drug data. Individuals who received medication during the study time frame were considered treated; those who did not were considered untreated. Gender-specific and -nonspecific comorbidities were also identified. The authors concluded that men received treatment for symptoms of OAB less frequently than women, regardless of age.
Chorus: Collision Resolution for Efficient Wireless Broadcast

Traditional wireless broadcast protocols rely heavily on the 802.11-based CSMA/CA model, which avoids interference and collision by conservatively scheduling transmissions. While CSMA/CA is amenable to multiple concurrent unicasts, it tends to degrade broadcast performance, especially when there are a large number of nodes and links are lossy. In this paper, we propose a new, drastically different protocol called Chorus that improves the efficiency and scalability of broadcast service with a MAC layer that allows packet collisions. Chorus is built upon the observation that packets carrying the same data can be effectively detected and decoded, even when they overlap in time and have comparable signal strength. It performs collision resolution using symbol-level iterative decoding, and then combines the resolved symbols to reconstruct the packet. This collision-tolerant mechanism significantly improves the transmission diversity and spatial reuse in wireless broadcast, providing an asymptotic broadcast delay that is proportional to the network radius. This advantage is exploited further by Chorus's MAC-layer cognitive sensing and scheduling scheme. We evaluate Chorus with symbol-level simulation, and validate its network-level performance via ns-2, in comparison with a typical CSMA/CA broadcast protocol.