cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computers and the Internet

The use of the Internet implies an interactive involvement in the process of acquiring information. To retain such information and incorporate it in one’s daily life, that information needs to be in writing, either in printed form for reception or in one’s handwriting or typing for recording reactions and responses (Pulier, Mount, McMenamin, & Maheu, 2007). If the Internet is indeed the most revolutionary development in the last generation, the information it yields will need to be transferred to participant records and documentation. This approach has made it relatively easy to help people through distance writing (DW) without ever seeing them face-to-face or even talking with them.
Infrared Smartt interferometer as an alignment tool for carbon dioxide laser fusion systems

It is essential to minimize the pointing and focusing errors at the focal plane for many applications involving infrared laser systems. In the case of the LASL CO2 laser fusion systems, with two beams in the Gemini System and eight beams in the Helios System, this is particularly important. The LASL Helios CO2 Laser Fusion System has eight 34-cm diameter beams emerging from the power amplifier and each beam is brought to focus by an off-aperture parabola (nearly 77.3-cm focal length) resulting in a nearly F/2.4 beam at the focal plane. The design tolerance at the focal plane for pointing accuracy is ± 25 microns and for focusing accuracy is ± 50 microns for this system. This paper describes an alignment scheme based on the use of the infrared Smartt interferometer' and compares the results obtained using this technique and the autocollimating Hartmann scheme2 in a laboratory setup duplicating the target chamber region of one of the beams of the Helios System. The results using the Smartt interferometer show that pointing accuracy of ± 12.5 microns and focusing accuracies of ± 15 microns are obtained at the focal plane of the system.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Two-Year Review of Suicide Ideation Assessments Among Medical, Nursing, and Pharmacy Students

ABSTRACTSuicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and has increased in prevalence during the past 15 years. Patients who attempt suicide are more likely to have contact with their primary care provider than a mental health provider in the month before attempting suicide, highlighting the need for competency in suicide ideation (SI) assessment. The Communications Skills for Health Professionals is an interprofessional course involving first-year medical, nursing, and pharmacy students. Specific instruction regarding assessment of SI was delivered through an online module and later practiced by students with standardized patients (SP). A final Objective Structured Clinical Examination featured an SP with depression, but without SI, though an assessment of SI was indicated. Three hundred fifty six interviews were reviewed and 55.1% (196/356) of students assessed for SI. Across professions, 65.5% (93/142) of medical students, 52.5% (32/61) of nursing students, and 46.4% (71/153) of pharmacy stude...
Beam Energy Dependence of Dielectron Production

I review recent experimental measurements of dielectron production in heavy ion collisions. Results reported by the RHIC experiments cover a wide range of collision energy from about top SPS energy up to the top RHIC energy. I will discuss very recent developments towards understanding the low mass enhancement difference between PHENIX and STAR. Finally I will argue the future prospectives of utilizing the RHIC beam energy scan to search for the onset of QGP thermal radiation.
View direction and bandwidth adaptive 360 degree video streaming using a two-tier system

360 degree video compression and delivery is one of the key components of virtual reality (VR) applications. In such applications, the users may freely control and navigate the captured 3D environment from any viewing direction. Given that only a small portion of the entire video is watched at any time, fetching the entire 360 degree raw video is therefore unnecessary and bandwidth-consuming. In this work, a novel two-tier 360 degree video streaming scheme is proposed to accommodate the dynamics in both network bandwidth and viewing direction. Based on the real-trace driven simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed framework can significantly outperform conventional 360 video streaming schemes.
Use of ambulance dispatch data as an early warning system for communitywide influenzalike illness, New York City

In 1998, the New York City Department of Health and the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management began monitoring the volume of ambulance dispatch calls as a surveillance tool for biologic terrorism. We adapted statistical techniques designed to measure excess influenza mortality and applied them to outbreak detection using ambulance dispatch data. Since 1999, we have been performing serial daily regressions to determine the alarm threshold for the current day. In this article, we evaluate this approach by simulating a series of 2,200 daily regressions. In the influenza detection implementation of this model, there were 71 (3.2%) alarms at the 99% level. Of these alarms, 64 (90%) occurred shortly before or during a period of peak influenza in each of six influenza seasons. In the bioterrorism detection implementation of this methodology, after accounting for current influenza activity, there were 24 (1.1%) alarms at the 99% level. Two occurred during a large snowstorm, 1 is unexplained, and 21 occurred shortly before or during a period of peak influenza activity in each of six influenza seasons. Our findings suggest that this surveillance system is sensitive to communitywide respiratory outbreaks with relatively few false alarms. More work needs to be done to evaluate the sensitivity of this approach for detecting nonrespiratory illness and more localized outbreaks.
mTOR signaling in stem and progenitor cells

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) senses nutrients and growth factors to coordinate cell growth, metabolism and autophagy. Extensive research has mapped the signaling pathways regulated by mTOR that are involved in human diseases, such as cancer, and in diabetes and ageing. Recently, however, new studies have demonstrated important roles for mTOR in promoting the differentiation of adult stem cells, driving the growth and proliferation of stem and progenitor cells, and dictating the differentiation program of multipotent stem cell populations. Here, we review these advances, providing an overview of mTOR signaling and its role in murine and human stem and progenitor cells.
The Flatland Fallacy: Moving Beyond Low-Dimensional Thinking.

Psychology is a complicated science. It has no general axioms or mathematical proofs, is rarely directly observable, and is the only discipline in which the subject matter (i.e., human psychological phenomena) is also the tool of investigation. Like the Flatlanders in Edwin Abbot's famous short story (1884), we may be led to believe that the parsimony offered by our low‐dimensional theories reflects the reality of a much higher‐dimensional problem. Here we contend that this “Flatland fallacy” leads us to seek out simplified explanations of complex phenomena, limiting our capacity as scientists to build and communicate useful models of human psychology. We suggest that this fallacy can be overcome through (a) the use of quantitative models, which force researchers to formalize their theories to overcome this fallacy, and (b) improved quantitative training, which can build new norms for conducting psychological research.
Application of Enamel Matrix Derivative (Emdogain) in Endodontic Therapy: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Abstract Introduction Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is a protein extract used for the treatment of periodontal defects and soft tissue recession. Its use in endodontics has been a subject of exploration, especially in regenerative procedures. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature available on the application of EMD in the field of endodontics. Methods An initial literature search of databases using different combinations of the search terms yielded 1089 articles. From the 29 qualified studies, there were 17 animal studies and 12 human case series and clinical trials. Results The evidence for the application of EMD as a direct pulp capping agent was relatively dichotomous. In determining the possible effect of EMD on pulpotomy procedures, only 1 animal study qualified under the criteria set forth previously. When comparing EMD against calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), Portland cement, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Ca(OH)2 induced more histologic hard tissue formation, whereas MTA performed best clinically and radiographically. The scientific literature available is inconclusive on the effectiveness of EMD in preventing root resorption. In regeneration, EMD treatment induced mainly the formation of a cementumlike tissue at the apical region of the root's external surface and showed an ingrowth of newly formed hard tissues into the root canal space. Conclusions The results of EMD application in endodontic treatments are highly variable, warranting additional research, specifically in the subjects of replantation and regeneration/revascularization.
Single Photon CMOS Imaging Through Noise Minimization

This chapter presents the theory and circuitry necessary to build CMOS image sensors with single photon detection capability. The chapter begins with the basic theory of CMOS image sensor photon detection. Then a discussion about additive noise systems and the sources of noise in CMOS image sensors is presented. Signal amplification and bandwidth control in low-noise CMOS image sensors are also discussed in detail. Then two complete architectures for photon counting are presented. Finally, various methods for optimizing the performance of low-noise CMOS image sensors are reviewed. This chapter presents the theory and circuitry necessary to build CMOS image sensors with single photon detection capability. The chapter begins with the basic theory of CMOS image sensor photon detection. Then a discussion about additive noise systems and the sources of noise in CMOS image sensors is presented. Signal amplification and bandwidth control in low-noise CMOS image sensors are also discussed in detail. Then two complete architectures for photon counting are presented. Finally, various methods for optimizing the performance of low-noise CMOS image sensors are reviewed.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia can be treated successfully without cytotoxic chemotherapy.

In their scholarly article, Dr. Park and Dr. Tallman review the important clinical trials for treating patients with APL reported over the last two decades and argue the case for further reduction and perhaps elimination of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy in the frontline treatment of this disease.[1]
Biological significance and molecular mechanisms of p53-induced apoptosis.

The recognition that the p53 tumour suppressor gene is frequently inactivated in human cancers has galvanized an intense pursuit of the fundamental mechanisms by which the encoded protein halts malignant transformation and tumour progression. It is now evident that p53 is a multifunctional transcription factor that is intimately involved in the cellular response to stressful stimuli such as DNA damage and hypoxia. In addition to its role in the surveillance mechanisms that arrest cell cycle progression, p53 can also trigger apoptosis in response to DNA damage or oncogenic aberrations that induce aberrant cell cycle progression. Since p53 is a critical component for DNA damage-induced apoptosis, the frequent occurrence of p53 mutations in human neoplasia provides a genetic basis for their poor response to genotoxic anticancer agents. Two recent studies offer key insights into the molecular mechanisms employed by p53 to induce cell death. One model indicates that p53␣induce s redox-related genes that generate reactive oxygen species and promote the oxidative degradation of mitochondrial components. The other demonstrates p53-mediated induction of DR5, a death receptor of the tumour necrosis factor receptor family, that induces death by caspase-mediated proteolysis. These insights provide an exhilarating array of possible therapeutic interventions against p53-deficient human cancers that may pay enormous dividends in the not-too-distant future.
Large Sparse Eigenvalue Problems

This chapter presents the difficult problem of computing a few eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors of a large, sparse, matrix A. The power method is a Krylov subspace method and can be used to compute the largest eigenvalue in magnitude and its corresponding eigenvector, assuming there is a dominant eigenvalue. It turns out that some of the largest and smallest eigenvalues of A can be approximated in some cases by the eigenvalues of H m in the Arnoldi decomposition of A . For a nonsymmetric matrix, the approach is to find the Arnoldi decomposition and compute some of the largest or smallest eigenvalues of H m , the Ritz values. If uk is an eigenvector associated with a Ritz value λk , then vk = Qm × uk is used as a possible eigenvector of A , and ( λk , uk ) is called a Ritz pair. There are a number of approaches to selecting good eigenvalues and their eigenvectors, not using restart or deflation, using only restart, using deflation and restart, and using the implicitly restarted Arnoldi method. The latter is used by professionally developed software. It involves a polynomial filter to keep away from undesired eigenvalues, and this filter is cleverly computed using the implicit QR decomposition. If the matrix is symmetric, the Lanczos decomposition is used, since the matrix in the decomposition is symmetric tridiagonal. The Lanczos process suffers from lack of orthogonality of its vectors over time, and some type of reorthogonalization should be performed. If this is done, the algorithm produces excellent results. The convergence properties of the Arnoldi approach are very difficult to determine, but since the Lanczos process deals with a symmetric matrix, there are many useful convergence results.
On Quantitative Assessment of Reliability and Energy Consumption Indicators in Railway Systems

Stochastic model-based approaches are widely used for obtaining quantitative non-functional indicators of the analysed systems, as for example reliability, performance and energy consumption. However, a critical issue with models is their validation, in order to justifiably put reliance on the analysis results they provide. In this paper, we address cross-validation on a case study from the railway domain, by modelling and evaluating it with different formalisms and tools. Stochastic Activity Networks models and Stochastic Hybrid Automata models of rail road switch heaters, developed for the purpose of evaluating energy consumption and reliability indicators, will be evaluated with Mobius and Uppaal SMC. We will compare the obtained results, to improve their trustworthiness and to provide insights on the design and analysis of energy-saving cyber-physical systems.
Inflammatory cytokines mediate C-C (monocyte chemotactic protein 1) and C-X-C (interleukin 8) chemokine expression in human pleural fibroblasts.

Current knowledge implicates pleural mesothelial cells as mainly responsible for inflammatory responses in the pleural space. However, a vast body of recent evidence underscores the important role of fibroblasts in the process of inflammation in several types of tissues. We hypothesize that HPFBs (human pleural fibroblasts) play an important role in pleural responses and also when activated by bacterial endotoxin LPS (lipopolysaccharide), IL-1 β (interleukin-1 β), or TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) release of C–C and C–X–C chemokines—specifically, MCP-1 and IL-8. Our results show that pleural fluid–isolated human fibroblasts release IL-8 and MCP-1 upon stimulation with IL-1 β, TNF-α, and LPS in both a concentration- and time-dependent manner. RT–PCR (reverse-transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction) studies have also confirmed IL-8– and MCP-1–specific mRNA expression in activated pleural fibroblasts. On the time-dependent response curve, IL-8 was found in maximum concentrations at 144 hr, whereas MCP-1 continued to increase even after 196 hr following stimulation. IL-1 β induced the maximum release of IL-8 (800-fold) and MCP-1 (164-fold), as compared to the controls. TNF-α induced a 95-fold increase in IL-8 and an 84-fold increase in MCP-1 levels, as compared to the controls. Collectively, our results show that human pleural fibroblasts contribute to the inflammatory cascade in the pleural space.
Evolving the National Weather Service to Build a Weather-Ready Nation: Connecting Observations, Forecasts, and Warnings to Decision-Makers through Impact-Based Decision Support Services

AbstractAs the cost and societal impacts of extreme weather, water, and climate events continue to rise across the United States, the National Weather Service (NWS) has adopted a strategic vision o...
The inclusive vision

At the end of February 2019, Google Scholar reports more than 85,000 citations to David’s work. There is no question that his contribution to scholarship has been enormous, and his influence on the field of entrepreneurship research transformative. No matter what one’s theoretical lens and background are, we all benefited from David’s work. The number of citations and articles, quality of the outlets, and a long list of prizes and recognitions illustrate the many facets of his impressive career. Yet, they do not tell the whole story. In the following chapter, the author strives to tell that story.
Parasocial interactions and digital characters: the changing landscape of cinema and viewer/character relationships

ABSTRACTThis study investigates whether parasocial interactions (PSIs) vary in strength depending on whether a character is created entirely through computer-generated imagery (CG), a hybrid charac...
Intraoperative application of platelet-rich plasma to the neurovascular bundles during radical prostatectomy: A prospective clinical trial.

TPS380Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is the most common surgical treatment for prostate cancer (PC). Yet even with nerve-sparing RP (NS-RP), a significant proportion of men experience trans...
Visual Communication, the Evolution of Greek Tourism Development as Represented by GNTO Posters

Every artistic creation is a product of the main aesthetics principles of its time and represents the social and political culture of a certain era. The GNTO, ever since it became the national body for the promotion of tourism in Greece, has launched numerous campaigns, slogans and posters in an attempt to attract more tourists to the country. A beautiful image is the first read of all posters aiming at attracting visitors, but there is significant information to be discovered in a more detailed analysis of the visual product presented. The main developmental goals for tourism are included in the picture and the subtle changes in the way central government views tourism can also be traced in the fine lines. Accordingly, information relating to social structure, the place of women in the society, religion, politics, the role of the environment, cultural heritage and finally technology can also be identified according to the time period of a certain artistic creation and in this situation the GNTO posters. For the purpose of this analysis a set of indicators relating to advancements in technology, main political scene, environmental and cultural sensitivity and more, has been created in an attempt to analyze the main developmental goals for tourism in Greece as they come across by examining the relevant GNTO posters. The overall aim is to identify the role of an image not merely for its aesthetics, but as a cultural product that can promote a very complex message supporting the overall development of tourism and can act as a development tool.
Analgesic use after vaginal delivery in women with perineal lacerations: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate opioid consumption among parturients with varying degrees of perineal lacerations.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of women who delivered vaginally at our instituti...
The two-segment caliber method of diagnosing iliac vein stenosis on routine computed tomography with contrast enhancement

Abstract Background Iliac vein stenosis is a frequent pathologic process in advanced chronic venous disease. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has emerged as the “gold standard” to diagnose iliac vein stenosis and to guide stent treatment. A pre-IVUS test is often obtained. Routine venography is deficient in several respects to fill this role; absence of an internal scale is a critical deficiency. Computed tomography venography (CTV) may be superior; its measurement capabilities can be used to precisely identify stenotic iliac vein caliber. Furthermore, the calibers of common iliac vein (CIV) and external iliac vein (EIV) can be individually assessed, yielding two data points instead of single-point assessment used in venography and current CTV protocols. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the two-segment caliber method of CTV (arm vein injection of contrast material) with IVUS. Methods In patients who underwent computed tomography assessment of iliac vein segments before IVUS examination during a 5-year period, 91 limbs were analyzed. This is a single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. CTV images of CIV and EIV segments were compared individually and in combination with IVUS planimetry images. A caliber diameter of Results On IVUS evaluation, 84% of CIVs and 78% of EIVs were stenotic and 16% and 22% were of normal caliber. These provided IVUS positive and negative controls for CTV comparison. On CTV, at least one of the two segments (CIV or EIV) was stenotic in 90% of the limbs, about 10% to 15% higher than single-segment involvement. Mean CTV caliber difference from IVUS was +2.5% for CIV and +7.3% for EIV. On Bland-Altman plot, single-segment diagnostic sensitivity of CTV was 83% and 73% for CIV and EIV, respectively, compared with IVUS. The sensitivity increased to 97% with a positive predictive value and accuracy of 93% and 91%, respectively, when a stenotic caliber in at least one of the two segments was considered diagnostic of iliac vein stenosis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed increased accuracy of the two-segment method over single-segment assessment with an area under the curve of 0.89 (P Conclusions Caliber diameter of
Analysis of Environmental, Economic, and Demographic Factors Affecting COVID-19 Transmission and Associated Deaths in the U.S.A.

COVID-19 has arrived in the USA and spread quickly, causing deaths. The factors affecting the fast spread of COVID-19 and associated deaths are not clearly understood. In this research, we tried to identify the most significant environmental, economic, and demographic features impacting COVID-19 cases and associated mortality in the USA using statistical methods, including linear regression. We have chosen a wide range of feature parameters such as; average daily high temperature, hours of sunshine, population density, average relative humidity, median household income, persons 65 years and over, and percentage of African American, Hispanic and White population. We examined the correlation between the selected features and COVID-19 cases and associated deaths in 50 US counties. The counties are selected from each US state where the most populated city is located. We applied multiple linear regression and backward elimination method to decide which variables have the most impact on Corona related cases and deaths. Using these features, we tried to estimate COVID-19 cases and related deaths in the USA. We repeated the procedure for the state-wise comparison and chosen the parameters for the 50 US states and examined the correlation for the same attributes.
Review of An Introduction to Multilevel Modeling Techniques (4th edition)

An introduction to Multilevel modeling Techniques: MLM and SEM Approaches (4th edition), by Ronald H. Heck and Scott L. Thomas, is an encyclopedic text on multilevel modeling (MLM) and multilevel s...
Btla Signaling in Conventional and Regulatory Lymphocytes Coordinately Tempers Humoral Immunity in the Intestinal Mucosa

The Btla inhibitory receptor limits innate and adaptive immune responses, both preventing the development of autoimmune disease and restraining anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. It remains unclear how the functions of Btla in diverse lymphocytes contributes to immunoregulation. Here, we show that Btla inhibits activation of genes regulating proliferation and cytokine signaling including the transcription factor Myc, indicating a regulatory role in humoral immunity. Within mucosal Peyer’s Patches, we found T cell-expressed Btla regulated Tfh, while Btla in T or B cells regulated GC B cell numbers. Treg-expressed Btla was required for cell-intrinsic Treg homeostasis, that subsequently controlled GC B cells. Loss of Btla in lymphocytes resulted in increased IgA bound to intestinal bacteria, correlating with altered microbial homeostasis and elevations in commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Together our studies provide important insights into how Btla functions as a checkpoint in diverse conventional and regulatory lymphocyte subsets to influence systemic immune responses.
Weathering the Storm: How Foreign Aid and Institutions Affect Entrepreneurship Activity Following Natural Disasters:

This study examines how foreign aid and institutions affect entrepreneurship activity following natural disasters. We use insights from the entrepreneurship, development, and institutions literatur...
Exploring the potential for internal tides to reshape the continental shelf edge seafloor

Abstract Studies in the literature have argued anecdotally that strong near-bottom flow induced by internal tides could transport sediment and modify shelf-edge topography over the long term. To explore this argument, this study quantitatively investigates the topographic influence of internal tides using an idealized quasi-two-dimensional model that represents modern-day conditions at the shelf edge of the Mid-Atlantic Bight off the U.S. northeast coast. Observed temporal evolution of the internal tide amplitude and phases at the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf edge over a 2-month period is used in conjunction with the model. We i) investigate two sources of semi-diurnal internal tides at the shelf edge, locally generated internal tides (LIT) and incident internal tides (IIT), and ii) consider transport of both suspended and bedload sediment. Model results indicate that LIT alone are inadequate to induce sediment transport, but a combination of tides, LIT and IIT can mobilize sediment at the shelf edge. Modeled sediment transport exhibits a tendency to compensate for changes in shelf-edge curvature and sea level from present-day conditions. However, the present-day shelf-edge profile does not represent a stable condition, as the sediment transport is stronger for the modern configuration than for other hypothetical shelf-edge geometries. Projecting short-term topographic change induced by the combined internal tides over longer timespans (with several major assumptions) indicates that, within the covered parameter range, the shelf-edge seafloor change induced by combined tides and internal tides over 10,000 years has an upper bound of 1–2 m. Sensitivity simulations show that although rates of bed change are affected by bottom roughness, shelf-edge curvature and sea level, the order of magnitude of the seafloor change remains unchanged across the parameter space considered here. This order of magnitude of modeled sediment transport and bed change suggests that it is unlikely for internal tides alone to have significantly shaped the edge of the Mid-Atlantic Bight continental shelf, at least for the conditions considered here. However, whether internal tides have interacted with other oceanographic processes and modified the shelf edge topography and what oceanic processes have shaped the shelf edge topography are questions that remain to be answered.
Examining Motivator Factors of STEM Undergraduate Persistence through Two-Factor Theory

This study investigates undergraduate STEM persistence through two-factor theory. Using nationally representative data and multinomial regression, we conceptualize known determinants of persistence...
"No-touch" period: no benefit for donors, high cost for recipients.

Dear Editor, Zamperetti et al. discuss the ethics of organ procurement in the setting of controlled donation after circulatory determination of death (cDCDD) [1]. A pressing issue that they do not address is the appropriateness of using mere permanence versus irreversibility of circulatory cessation as the criterion of death. The difference is that permanence is based on the clinical decision of not resuscitating the circulation and not on physiologic irreversibility per se [2]. The authors question how long should the ‘‘notouch’’ period be. This is problematic since if we require irreversible circulatory cessation, the waiting period becomes prohibitively long. On the other hand, if we are satisfied with permanence of cessation, the waiting period is simply arbitrary; as the authors nicely phrase it, ‘‘we have to choose a shade of violet after which organ retrieval is allowable’’. This arbitrariness is reflected by the variable waiting periods across different countries and hospital protocols all the way from 75 s in Denver, Colorado to 20 min in Italy [3]. So, do we offer a service to the donor by waiting longer? Is waiting longer necessary in order to treat the donor as an ‘‘end in itself’’? If the answer is no, then is a waiting period necessary at all? Remember that in voluntary cDCDD: (1) The donor has been consented (often via surrogates) and so donation is the way to respect the donor’s autonomous will, and (2) The patient will undergo withdrawal of artificial support and inevitably die, regardless of donation or not. The obvious objection here is that without a waiting period, we would be violating the dead donor rule (DDR). But if we are respecting the autonomy of the donor in the face of her/his inevitable death, and we are minimizing harms by performing the procurement under general anesthesia and by respecting patient and family’s end-of-life preferences, it is hard to see how devotion to the DDR adds anything of moral significance. The authors argue that waiting for 5 min is better than 2 min because a 5-min period ensures both confirmation of a spontaneously irrecoverable dying process and offers families sufficient time with their deceased. These reasons though are not convincing, since waiting for 5 min does not ensure irreversibility; many patients may achieve return of spontaneous circulation (with resuscitative efforts) after 5 min of arrest. The 5-min period is based on the same criterion as the 2-min period, which is again permanence of cessation and thus offers no greater moral justification. Also, it is hard to accept that three extra minutes can make a large difference for grieving families. It follows that not only the 20-min waiting period is too long but also the 5-min period is too long. I agree with the authors that in the absence of strong moral reasoning we ought to focus on efficiency in order to avoid unnecessary prolongation of ischemic organ damage; thus, I would argue that the way to achieve this is not to shorten the ‘‘no-touch’’ period but to abolish it.
Some Intrinsic Constructions on Compact Riemann Surfaces

For any prescribed differential principal part on a compact Riemann surface, there are uniquely determined and intrinsically defined meromorphic abelian differentials with these principal parts, defined independently of any choice of a marking of the surface or of a basis for the holomorphic abelian differentials, and they are holomorphic functions of the singularities. They can be constructed explicitly in terms of intrinsically defined cross-ratio functions on the Riemann surfaces, the classical cross-ratio function for the Riemann sphere, and natural generalizations for surfaces of higher genus.
Design centering of analog circuits using GA and the regionalization method

In this paper, a new technique for design centering and feasible region estimation of analog filter circuits is introduced. The technique integrates genetic algorithms and the method of regionalization in a two-staged process of feasible region and design centering determination. Approximate boundary points of the feasible region are identified by a relaxed genetic algorithm (GA) search, and thus an estimation of the marginal boundaries of the feasible region is obtained. Using the method of regionalization, the marginal feasible range of each of the design parameters is divided into segments. The weight of each of the segments would depend on the its distance from the center of the design and the marginal probability density function is thus obtained. The joint probability density of the entire design can then be obtained by combining the marginal distribution functions. The technique is applied to the design centering problem of an analog filter circuit.
Quantitative Ratiometric Imaging of FRET-Biosensors in Living Cells

Biosensors based on FRET have been useful in deciphering the dynamics of protein activation events in living cells at subcellular resolutions and in time scales of seconds. These new systems allow observations of dynamic processes which were not possible previously using more traditional biochemical and cell biological approaches. The image data sets obtained from these sensors require careful processing in order to represent the actual protein activation events. Here, we will cover the basic approaches useful for processing the raw image data sets into relativistic ratiometric measurements, capable of depicting relative differences in the protein activation states within a single cell. We will discuss in detail the approaches for genetically encoded, single-chain biosensor systems based on FRET, as well as those that are based on intermolecular, dual-chain design. Additionally, the same analysis can be utilized for biosensor systems using solvatochromic dyes (Nalbant, Hodgson, Kraynov, Toutchkine, & Hahn, 2004), useful for detection of endogenous protein activation states.
A renaissance for the tumor immunosurveillance hypothesis

Little was known about the function of T cells expressing the γδ–T-cell receptor, until these cells were shown to protect against skin cancer. But what is the mechanism mediating this activity?
The Value of Children, Parenting Strains, and Depression Among Urban African American Mothers

This exploratory analysis examines the relationship between two dimensions of the parenting experience—values regarding children and parenting strains—and depression in a sample of 285 urban, economically disadvantaged African American women. An examination of this relationship among economically disadvantaged African American women is important in light of the high stress exposure of these mothers, their limited opportunity to engage in rewarding employment, and in view of the centrality of motherhood in this cultural context. Our central finding is that the impact of parenting strains on depression is substantially moderated by beliefs about the costs and emotional fulfillment associated with having children. African American mothers who regard the costs of children as low and the potential of children for providing emotional fulfillment as high are significantly more depressed by high parenting strains than African American mothers who hold the opposite beliefs about the costs and benefits of children. Variation in values regarding children and parenting strains accounts for more than 40% of variation in depression. These findings suggest the importance of understanding the social–psychological factors that contribute to the quality of parenting, not only because maternal mental health is important in and of itself, but because maternal well-being has a direct impact on child well-being.
High Q (Ba, Sr)TiO3 Interdigitated Capacitors Fabricated on Low Cost Polycrystalline Alumina Substrates with Copper Metallization

Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) ferroelectric thin films are attractive for radio frequency and microwave applications. However, for many non-military uses, the high cost of conventionally processed devices is a limitingfactor. This high cost stems from the use of single-crystalline sapphire, MgO, or LaAlO 3 substrates and Pt or Au metallization commonly used. Here we present a device process and materials complement offering a low cost alternative. Planar interdigitated capacitors Ba 0 . 7 5 Sr 0 . 2 5 TiO 3 (BST) thin films with chromium/copper top electrodes were fabricated on polycrystalline alumina substrates using a single step photolithographic technique and lift-off. RF magnetron sputtering was used for fabrication of BST thin films while Cu thin films were thermally evaporated The dielectric tunability of the Ba 0 . 7 5 Sr 0 . 2 5 TiO 3 IDCs was 40 % for an applied electric field of 120 kV/cm, which corresponds to 3 μm electrode gap spacing and a 35 volt dc bias. Low frequency (1MHz) loss measurements reveal a dielectric Q ∼ 100 while a device Q of ∼ 30 is obtained at 26 GHz. The reduction of Q between 0.1 and 26 GHz can be attributed to the metallization. Leakage current measurements of the BST planar varactors show current densities of 1.0 x 10 - 6 A / cm 2 for an electric field of 100 kV/cm. These dielectric characteristics (tunability and Q value) are comparable to numerous reports of IDCs with BST films prepared on expensive single crystalline substrates using noble metallization. As such, this technology is significantly less expensive, and amenable to large volume manufacturing.
Using technology to prepare for future scien tests

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Wichita State University, College of Education, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction.
Comprehension and Evolution of Legacy Software

This tutorial presents an overview of legacy systems comprehension and evolution. Software comprehension typically consumes more than one-half of the programming effort with the legacy systems. Software evolution is a change in requirements and it is the most common type of change in legacy systems.
Why Accept Stories About China

I am always amazed by the fascination of the American public with the "stories" from behind the Bamboo Curtain. The data of Dr. Wray in his article 1 are biased, i.e. , "I was told," etc. Any other article based upon similarly described data, especially from the United States, would not even be considered for publication by an editor, especially not by the editors of the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Wray9s last sentence, "... Chairman Mao9s command: ‘Serve the People!’" sounds more like a Marxist manifesto than the conclusion of a scientific report.
Improved immunohistochemical evaluation of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes of cutaneous melanoma with 'MCW Melanoma Cocktail' – A mixture of monoclonal antibodies to MART-1, melan-A, and tyrosinase

Background: MART-1, Melan-A, and Tyrosinase have shown encouraging results for evaluation of melanoma micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes, as compared to conventionally used S-100 protein and HMB-45. To achieve higher sensitivity, some studies recommend evaluation of three sections, each at intervals of 200 µ. This would mean, routine staining of three adjacent sections in each of the three clusters at intervals of 200 µ, requiring nine slides resulting in added expense. If a cocktail of these antibodies could be used, only one section would be required instead of three generating significant cost savings. Methods: We prepared a combination of monoclonal antibodies to these three immunomarkers in optimized dilutions (MART-1, clone M2-7C10, dilution 1:500; Melan-A, clone A103, dilution 1:100; and Tyrosinase, clone T311, dilution 1:50) and designated it as 'MCW melanoma cocktail'. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of sentinel lymph nodes from patients with cutaneous melanoma, without macro-metastases were evaluated with this cocktail. Results: Melanoma micrometastases were easily detectable with the cocktail in 41 out of 188 slices (8/24 cases). The diagnostic accuracy amongst five pathologists did not show statistically significant difference. Out of 188 slices, 78 had adjacent sections immunostained individually with MART-1 and Melan-A during our previous study. Of these 78 slices, 21 were positive for melanoma micrometastases with MART-1 and Melan-A individually. However, the adjacent section of these slices immunostained with the cocktail detected metastases in four additional slices. Thus, MART1 and Melan-A could not detect melanoma micrometastases individually in 16% (4/25) of slices positive with the cocktail. Benign capsular nevi were immunoreactive for the cocktail in 4.8% (9/
Health Plans' Early Response to Federal Parity Legislation for Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Objective:In 2008, the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) passed, prohibiting U.S. health plans from subjecting mental health and substance use disorder (behavioral health) coverage to more restrictive limitations than those applied to general medical care. This require d some health plans to make changes in coverage and management of services. The aim of this study was to examine private health plans’ early responses to MHPAEA (after its 2010 implementation), in terms of both intended and unintended effects.Methods:Data were from a nationally representative survey of commercial health plans regarding the 2010 benefit year and the preparity 2009 benefit year (weighted N=8,431 products; 89% response rate).Results:Annual limits specific to behavioral health care were virtually eliminated between 2009 and 2010. Prevalence of behavioral health coverage was unchanged, and copayments for both behavioral and general medical services increased slightly. Prior authorization requirements...
The Training and Visit Extension System: An Analysis of Operations and Effects

The paper analyzes several aspects of the operation and effects of the T&V extension system. Specific questions related to the supply of, and demand for, extension agents (VEW) visits, the presence or absence of farm size bias in VEW visits, seasonal and longer-term variations in the pattern of VEW visits, the relative importance of the VEW as a source of information to farmers, and the crop yields obtained by farmers in relation to their main sources of agricultural advice are addressed in detail. The paper draws the following main conclusions. Most (85 percent) contact farmers are visited regularly, and the majority of noncontact farmers also have some interaction with VEWs, suggesting that the supply of extension services is adequate. VEWs appear to be more active in the dry season than in the rainy season, which may be attributable to an emphasis on irrigated crop technology. As experience with the T&V system increases, contact farmers appear to receive fewer visits from VEWs, but visits to noncontact farmers increase. VEWs play a more important role as a disseminators of information in areas operating the T&V system than in areas relying on the older community development system of extension.
Flicker fusion characteristics of rod photoreceptors in the toad

Critical fusion frequency (CFF) of toad rods was examined at various intensities using intracellular recordings. Data were compared to CFF measurements (as a function of intensity) obtained with the electroretinogram (ERG) and with a horizontal cell. In all instances the rod (and rod mediated) responses produced a curve which increased monotonically to a high frequency asymptote at about 6 Hz. The curves obtained with the ERG and the horizontal cell were double branched. The upper branch exhibited a Purkinje shift and thus must have been produced by cones. Even when using a red background to suppress cone sensitivity, there was no sign of a second rod mediated branch in the CFF curves from this retina.
Confinement of ions injected into a radiofrequency quadrupole ion trap: Energy-selective storage of pulse injected ions

Abstract Energy-selective storage of a pulsed ion beam injected into a radiofrequency (r.f.) quadrupole ion trap of characteristic dimension r o = 0.54 cm is numerically evaluated. The calculation is performed for a well-collimated pulsed beam of singly charged ions of mass 100 u, injected along the gap between the electrodes or through an aperture at the mid-point of the ring electrode or at the apex of one of the endcap electrodes. Since the ion confinement property of the r.f. quadrupole trap for externally injected ions is energy dependent, phase-synchronized switching-on of the driving r.f. field can be employed to trap only a narrow energy portion of the ion beam, which is incident with a large spread. It is shown that the magnitude and the width of the accepted ion energy can be selected and that energy-selective storage of ions can be achieved in two different ways. The first way is to choose suitable trap operation parameters to achieve a very narrow time delay interval for ion confinement at theion energy of interest. The second way is to allow a field-free drift distance before ion injection and to take advantage of the energy spread of the ion packed. In both ways an energy window of less than 1 eV at an ion energy of 10 eV cam be obtained. When the ion trap is operated at the mass-selective tip of the stable region instead of at the center, an even higher energy-selectivity is possible. However, this goes at the expense of a lower ion confinement efficiency.
Dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker tester

To investigate the operation of dual-chamber cardiac pacemakers, a pacemaker tester is developed that is able to examine pacemaker parameters, demand modes and rate-adaptive modes. The tester generates simplified electrograms and responds to pacemaker pulses in a closed-loop simulation. The authors describe the hardware and the software algorithm of the tester. To demonstrate the capabilities of the tester, four tests are presented, together with their results on a rate-adaptive dual-chamber pacemaker.
Behavioral Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum, while no longer a serious threat to maternal mortality, is a serious disorder endangering pregnancy. While recognition of psychological factors in the etiology of the disord...
The challenges forensic nurses face when their patient is comatose: Addressing the needs of our most vulnerable patient population

Since 1996, the American Nurses Association has recognized forensic nursing as a formal specialty. Despite this recognition, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and Emergency Department nurses struggle with incorporating evidence collection into the care they give the unconscious or comatose patient they suspect has been sexually assaulted. Through case example, this article provides an abbreviated review of the circumstances under which these patients present for care, current challenges, and barriers in upholding the standard of forensic nursing care, as well as proposed interventions for the practicing forensic nurse.
Viscosity Changes of Li Battery Electrolytes and Their Long-Term Effect on the Frequency of EQCM Electrodes

The resonant frequency of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) electrodes (carbon, nickel, and aluminum) decreases gradually with time in 1 M LiClO 4 /ethylene carbonate (EC) + dimethyl carbonate (DMC) after the immediate frequency shift due to the presence of liquid column on the quartz crystals. It is found that the viscosity change of electrolyte is the main reason for the frequency decrease. The viscosities of five liquids (1 M LiClO 4 /EC + DMC, 1 M LiPF 6 /EC + DMC, EC + DMC, DMC, and propylene carbonate) have been measured. Systems with EC + DMC as the solvent of the lithium salt or with the solvent alone show viscosity increase in contact with the electrode, whereas none of the above liquids show viscosity change if they are stored in glass vials.