cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fostering Public Engagement in Local Land Use Planning and Zoning Recodification Projects: A Case Study from the University of Wisconsin–Extension, Lincoln County

This study outlines the processes used by University ofWisconsin–Extension, Lincoln County (UWELC), educatorsover an eight-year period to facilitate the development of acounty land use plan and to guide committees through a reviewof the new proposed county zoning ordinances based on thatplan. As a partner in these projects, UWELC helped create amodel of public participation for other counties and municipalitiesconducting land use planning based on Wisconsin’s comprehensiveplanning law passed in October 1999. UWELCeducators drew on the expertise of University of Wisconsinsystem faculty based outside Lincoln County to provide informationabout land use and zoning issues.
Content validation of standards of nursing care for the child with asthma

Standards of nursing care for the child with asthma were developed utilizing outcome criteria to evaluate the patient's status. These standards were submitted to three experts in the field of pulmonary nursing to enable calculation of a content validity index (CVI). The experts also provided qualitative comments to improve clarity of the standards. The CVI for the standards was 0.85. The standards were revised to reflect the CVI and the qualitative comments by the three experts.
High precision damage-resistant multiple-pass ultraviolet reflectometer

A multiple-pass cell was reported by John White in 1942. Since them, it has been adapted for use as a high-precision reflectometer. The multiple-pass reflectometer has been studied and reported by Arnon and Baumeister. Here, a reflectometer which is similar is described. It utilizes a uv laser operating at lambda = 351 nm as the source and the White-cell mirrors are high-reflection dielectric coatings designed for that wavelength. Because of the low-loss reflectors used in the cell, a high number of traversals, reflections, can be achieved; R greater than or equal to 239. The use of dielectric mirrors also improves the damage resistance of the apparatus which is important when a uv laser beam is used. The results of reflectance measurements performed on several ultraviolet high reflectors are also reported. These include conventional dielectric coatings as well as a hybrid coating consisting of Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, HfO/sub 2/, and SiO/sub 2/ layers. The Los Alamos optical damage laboratory has observed and defined several types of laser-induced damage to optical materials. In the case of high reflection, multi-layer, dielectric coatings, damage may be defined as any change in the coating layers or at the substrate interface which causes a measurable changemore » in reflectance at its design wavelength. Since most dielectric high reflectors have reflectances approaching unity, and a change caused by laser irradiation can be minute, a precise method for measuring high reflectance must be utilized. A multiple-pass reflectometer based on the White cell was selected because of its demonstratd precision and high accuracy. It utilizes a laser as the source for reasons described later.« less
A 10-Gb/s inductorless AGC amplifier with 45-dB linear variable gain control in 0.13-µm CMOS

This paper presents an inductorless, 10Gbps automatic gain control (AGC) circuit including a speed enhanced variable gain amplifier (VGA), a power detector, a comparator and a switching exponential function generator for extended dB-linear performance. Third order interleaved feedback technique is utilized to enhance the speed of the current steering VGA stage. A stagger-tuned switching architecture for CMOS exponential function generation is utilized to achieve a dB-linear gain control range of 45dB with better than ±0.5 dB gain error. The AGC circuit achieves a maximum data rate of 10 Gbps for 231-1 PRBS input, maintaining 360mV p-p constant differential output with a BER p-p to 240mV p-p ). Fabricated in IBM 0.13-µm CMOS technology, the chip draws 50 mW from a 1.2 V power supply (excluding output buffer) and occupies an active area of 0.4 mm2.
Vascular Neurologists as Directors of Stroke Centers in the United States

Background and Purpose— Hospital certification as primary and comprehensive stroke center is associated with improvement in care. We aimed to characterize the leadership at stroke centers nationwide to determine the proportion led by vascular neurologists, a board-recognized subspecialty focusing on stroke care. Methods— We identified hospitals in the United States holding primary and comprehensive stroke center designation as of September 2013. We contacted each hospital to identify the medical director and used data from relevant medical boards to determine specialization. Sex and date of medical school graduation were obtained from an online physician database. Results— Of the 1167 primary and 50 comprehensive stroke center hospitals certified by the Joint Commission (n=1114), Det Norske Veritas (n=68), and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (n=35), we identified the director in 940 (77%). Leadership was most often by a neurologist (n=745; 79%) followed by physicians in emergency medicine (n=58; 6%) and internal medicine (n=17; 2%). Vascular neurologists (n=319) led about one-third of stroke centers. Directors were mostly men (n=764; 81%), with a median number of years after medical school graduation of 25 (interquartile range, 18–34). Comprehensive stroke centers were more likely than primary stroke centers to have leadership by vascular neurologist (77%, n=37 versus 32%, n=282; P <0.001). Conclusions— Vascular neurologist led about one-third of stroke centers. There is opportunity for vascular neurologists to increase their role in stroke center directorship.
An Epistemic Case for Empathy

Much recent work on empathy assumes that one cannot give non-question-begging reasons for empathizing with others. In this article I argue that there are epistemic reasons for cultivating empathy. After sketching a brief general account of empathy, I proceed to argue that empathic information is user-friendly, fostering the achievement of widely held cognitive goals. It can also contribute to social knowledge and the satisfaction of democratic ideals. The upshot of my analysis is that there are strong, but defeasible, epistemic reasons for empathizing with others.
Risk Screening of Arapaima, a New Species Proposed for Aquaculture in Florida

AbstractAgencies have a growing range of options for risk assessment of nonnative species varying from comprehensive assessments to rapid risk screens. Risk screens identify high-risk and low-risk species and those where more evaluation is warranted. Despite development and testing of risk-screening methods, there is little information in the literature regarding their implementation in management decisions. We used a screening tool, the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK), coupled with a detailed literature review to evaluate the risks of the genus Arapaima across Florida, where there is growing interest in its culture as a food fish. We found a medium risk of invasiveness overall, the greatest risk being to subtropical south Florida due to the low cold tolerance of Arapaima that it would experience further north. Ultimately the agency determined that a combination of literature review and the risk screen was sufficient to inform their decision making and that current conditional species regulations p...
Universal bone densitometry screening combined with alendronate therapy for those diagnosed with osteoporosis is highly cost-effective for elderly women.

Objectives: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of universal bone densitometry in women aged 65 and older combined with alendronate treatment for those diagnosed with osteoporosis (femoral neck T-score ≤−2.5). Design: A Markov model with a lifetime time horizon and eight health states (no fracture, distal forearm fracture, radiographic (but clinically inapparent) vertebral fracture, clinical vertebral fracture, hip fracture, hip and vertebral fracture, and other fractures), using the societal perspective. Setting: Women living independently and those in nursing homes. Participants: Caucasian women aged 65, 75, 85, or 95. Intervention: Bone densitometry of the hip, with 5 years of alendronate therapy for those found to have osteoporosis versus no intervention (densitometry or drug therapy). Measurements: Lifetime accumulated quality adjusted life years (QALYs), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Results: The cost per QALY gained for the screen-and-treat strategy was $43,000 per QALY gained for 65-year-old women and $5,600 per QALY gained for 75-year-old women. For 85- and 95-year-old women, the screen-and-treat strategy was cost saving. Sensitivity analyses showed that the screen-and-treat strategy was cost-effective even under assumptions of reduced adherence to drug therapy, reduced fracture reduction benefit from alendronate therapy, or reduced QALYs saved by preventing fracture. Conclusion: Universal bone densitometry combined with alendronate therapy for those found to have osteoporosis is highly cost-effective for women aged 65 and older and may be cost saving for ambulatory women aged 85 and older (whether independently living or residing in nursing homes).
Applications of Dextran-magnetite as a sodium relaxation enhancer in biological systems

Dextran-magnetite particles consist of macromolecular magnetite (Fe304) cores coated with the hydrophilic polymer dextran. These particles are completely soluble in aqueous solution and are similar to the iron-dextran complex which has been used to stimulate hematopoesis (I). However, unlike iron-dextran particles, dextran-magnetite particles are superparamaguetic and possess a large, inducible magnetic moment. In magnetic fields over a few thousand gauss, this magnetic moment approaches the saturation magnetization of 5660 G for ferromagnetic magnetite (2). This magnetic moment is two to three orders of magnitude larger than that for similarly sized paramagnetic materials at commonly used NMR field strengths (3). Almost a decade ago, dextran-magnetite was shown to be at least ten times more effective on a molar basis than the Mn2’ ion in reducing the T2 of water protons (4). Since this initial report, there has been relatively little use of this reagent in spectroscopic studies. Part of the reason for this may have been the fact that the reagent was not readily available. The particles used in the initial report were specially prepared and have not been commercially marketed. Recently, however, a simple synthetic procedure has been developed and published (5). Essentially, this protocol involves the precipitation of dextran-magnetite from a stoichiometric mixture of ferrous and ferric chlorides in a viscous dextran solution. The completely soluble particles possess a dense magnetite core ranging from 100-200 A in diameter and are approximately 30% dextran by weight. In addition to relaxing water protons, dextran-magnetite also effectively decreases the T2 of sodium in aqueous solution. In Fig. IA, the 23Na spectrum from a 140 nUI4 NaCl solution containing dextran-magnetite at an approximate molar particle concentration of 3.0 ti (14.5 g magnetite/liter) is displayed. This spectrum was recorded using a Bruker CXP-200 spectrometer operating at 52.9 MHz for sodium; the observed linewidth is slightly greater than 6900 Hz. In contrast, a well shimmed saline sample has a linewidth of only 20 Hz under the same conditions. Figure 1B also contains a spectrum obtained from fresh human erythrocytes which have been washed in 140 mM NaCl containing 3.0 N dextran-magnetite particles. Due to the relatively large size of the particles, they do not enter cells in solution. The resulting spectrum is readily seen to contain two components; a larger, broader component arising from the extracellular sodium and a smaller, narrower component arising from the intra-
Unpaired Structures in SCA10 (ATTCT)n·(AGAAT)n Repeats

A number of human hereditary diseases have been associated with the instability of DNA repeats in the genome. Recently, spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 has been associated with expansion of the pentanucleotide repeat (ATTCT)(n).(AGAAT)(n) from a normal range of ten to 22 to as many as 4500 copies. The structural properties of this repeat cloned in circular plasmids were studied by a variety of methods. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy detected local DNA unpairing in supercoiled plasmids. Chemical probing analysis indicated that, at moderate superhelical densities, the (ATTCT)(n).(AGAAT)(n) repeat forms an unpaired region, which further extends into adjacent A+T-rich flanking sequences at higher superhelical densities. The superhelical energy required to initiate duplex unpairing is essentially length-independent from eight to 46 repeats. In plasmids containing five repeats, minimal unpairing of (ATTCT)(5).(AGAAT)(5) occurred while 2D gel analysis and chemical probing indicate greater unpairing in A+T-rich sequences in other regions of the plasmid. The observed experimental results are consistent with a statistical mechanical, computational analysis of these supercoiled plasmids. For plasmids containing 29 repeats, which is just above the normal human size range, flanked by an A+T-rich sequence, atomic force microscopy detected the formation of a locally condensed structure at high superhelical densities. However, even at high superhelical densities, DNA strands within the presumably compact A+T-rich region were accessible to small chemicals and oligonucleotide hybridization. Thus, DNA strands in this "collapsed structure" remain unpaired and accessible for interaction with other molecules. The unpaired DNA structure functioned as an aberrant replication origin, in that it supported complete plasmid replication in a HeLa cell extract. A model is proposed in which unscheduled or aberrant DNA replication is a critical step in the expansion mutation.
CONFIRMATION OF CATFISH MORTALITIES RESULTING FROM MICROCYSTIN PRODUCED DURING MICROCYSTIS BLOOMS

Enigmatic deaths of finfish have occurred in freshwater systems for many years. Some of these fish mortalities can be attributed to the accumulation of cyanobacterial toxins during ingestion of floating feeds or passively through opercular ventilation. We recently were able to document the accumulation of microcystin and resulting catastrophic mortality of pond-raised catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The causative organism, Microcystis aeruginosa, was the dominant phytoplankton component within the cooler fall-winter season. Microcystin, a hepatotoxin produced by Microcystis, was detected in water and catfish liver samples. Fish exposed to pond water containing this bloom were killed within 24 h. Necropsy of fish exposed to pond water revealed congested liver and spleen tissues. Environmental conditions associated with several similar bloom events suggest several predictive options to forecast conditions supporting toxin formation, particularly temperature.
Submicrometer dimensional measurements with optical microscopy

We describe here a new approach for measuring focus/exposure dense photoresist line structures with a 1 micrometers spatial period. The algorithm depends on a data clustering technique which allows us to measure resist lines down to 0.3 micrometers . With an advanced calibration procedure, linearity between optical and SEM measurements is achieved down to 0.3 micrometers for nested focus/exposure resist structures with a standard deviation of about 10 nm.
Detached Cane Assay of Resistance to Botryosphaeria Cane Canker (Botryosphaeria dothidea) in Eastern U.S. Blackberry Genotypes

Abstract Resistance to Botryosphaeria cane canker in blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) was studied in eleven cultivars (‘Apache’, ‘Arapaho’, ‘Chester Thornless’, ‘Chickasaw’, ‘Illini Hardy’, ‘Kiowa’, ‘Navaho’, ‘Ouachita’, ‘Prime-Jim™’, ‘Shawnee’ and ‘Triple Crown’) using a detached cane assay. Ends of stem segments were sealed with wax and wound-inoculated using squares of media with mycelium. Segments were kept in humid containers on a lab bench and reaction was evaluated ten days after inoculation by measuring the area of the resulting lesion. ‘Chicaksaw’ was found to be the most susceptible by this assay, while ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Triple Crown’ were found to be the most resistant.
Ultrastructural features of the pineal gland in normal and light deprived golden hamsters.

Although current physiological findings imply that the mammalian pineal organ liberates an antigonadal agent, microscopic examinations of this organ have afforded little information regarding the possible storage and release of such a substance. Since it is known that light deprivation for six weeks results in pineal-induced atrophy of certain reproductive organs in adult golden hamsters, one might expect that any morphological manifestations of this activity in the pineal organ would be enhanced in hamsters which had heen deprived of light for that length of time. A comparison at the ultrastructural level of pineal glands from normal and experimentally blinded hamsters revealed that pineal cells from the blinded animals exhibited a greater number of vesicles and contained complex membranous whorls. The possible significance of the vesicles and lamellar whorls is discussed in terms of similar structures found in other tissues.
Discharge Petitions, Agenda Control, and the Congressional Committee System, 1929–76

The discharge petition process offers a simple majority of members of the U.S. House of Representatives a mechanism to circumvent gatekeeping imposed by committees and party leaders. Using recently discovered data on all discharge petitions filed from 1929 to 1976, along with public data from 1993 to 2006, we test hypotheses about partisan agenda control and the House committee system. Rather than universalistic norms of deference to committees, we find that members with a greater stake in the committee system were less likely to sign than were other members. In addition, northern Democrats, despite their majority party status, were more likely than Republicans to sign discharge petitions for much of the 1940–60s, in sharp contrast to majority party members’ unwillingness to sign in the contemporary era.
RGFGIGS Is an Amino Acid Sequence Required for Acetyl Coenzyme A Binding and Activity of Human Spermidine/Spermine N1Acetyltransferase

Polyamine catabolism is rate limited by spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT). Although the amino acid sequence of SSAT is known, the substrate binding and catalytic sites are not. The goal of this study was to define the region responsible for acetyl coenzyme A binding. Human SSAT contains a region of 20 amino acids homologous to several microbial antibiotic N-acetyltransferases. The highest homology is represented in the Campylobacter coli streptothricin acetyltransferase sat4 gene, where 16 identical or highly conserved amino acids exist in a 20-residue stretch. The most conserved residues within this region are RGFGIGS beginning at Arg-101 in the human SSAT. Site-directed mutations to Arg-101, Gly-104, and Gly-106 resulted in proteins with no measurable activity. The G102D mutation produced a partially active protein with a decreased affinity for acetyl coenzyme A and with a Km >10-fold that of the wild-type protein. Analysis using the PredictProtein program suggests a common structure among the microbial and eukaryotic N-acetyltransferases in the region corresponding to the RGFGIGS of human SSAT consisting of an alpha-helix usually preceded by a glycine loop. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that Arg-101 and the proximal glycine loop are necessary for the activity of human SSAT.
HYDROGENASE ACTIVE SITES: A NEW PARADIGM FOR NATURAL PRODUCT-INSPIRED SYNTHESIS BASED ON ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY

The scientific career of F.G.A. Stone witnessed the birth of transition metal organic chemistry and contributed greatly through an amazing period of development. The maturation and acceptance of this new field depended on the accumulated syntheses and careful characterization of compounds that spanned the transition metal series, setting “in Stone” the precedents, principles, and tenets of structure and bonding of species containing a metal-carbon bond.[ 1 ] These well-described observations from Stone's laboratory permitted predictions that guided applications to homogeneous catalysis from the organic chemist's bench to the industrial plant processes. This new organometallic chemistry ultimately changed our lives. Nevertheless, there was “old” organometallic chemistry, well developed in nature from billions of years of evolution. It was just waiting to be discovered when the chemistry in our Schlenk flasks, signals from our spectra, and structures from our crystal tubes were sufficiently understood.
Small bubbles oxygenation membrane

Large bubbles emerge from porous membranes with small pores because the emerging bubbles spread on the membrane surface before they detache from the surface. If the sessile bubble contact angle (θ) is less than 45°, no spreading occurs, and the bubble size is determined by the size of hole. Even in this case, the equivalent diameter (of spherical bubble) is significantly larger than the pore diameter due to the bubble formation mechanism. If θ > 45°, the spreading of the emerging bubble on the surface occurs, and the bubble size is determined by the size of base of a sessile bubble, which depends on the value of θ, and is independent of the pore size. The equivalent diameter of a bubble could be greater in order of magnitude than the pore diameter. The same principle applies to the bubble formation from an inclined surface; however, the bubble formation is more complicated because of drifting of a developing bubble out of the orifice and the merging of sliding bubbles. In order to create small bubbles, it is necessary to create small orifices on a hydrophilic surface, of which θ < 45°, and two orifices should be separated beyond the maximum diameter of emerging bubble. A horizontal flat surface is the best for the creation of small-sized bubbles. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 387–398, 2003
An On-Line Analog Electronic Reset Integrator

Circuit details and operational instructions for a precision electronic reset integrator are presented. The unit is compatible with commercial flow measuring equipment. The maximum output signal is 12 V, and the drift is less than 10 mV/s. A built-in calibrator facilitates the setup of recording instruments, and the design is expandable for up to ten channels.
Gender differences in mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Abstract Background: Although the incidence of sepsis is higher in men than in women, it is controversial whether there are sex-based differences in sepsis-associated mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hospital mortality is higher in males compared with females with severe sepsis/septic shock who require intensive care. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of intensive care unit (ICU) patients hospitalized (in 98 ICUs in 71 US hospitals and 4 Canadian or Brazilian hospitals) with severe sepsis/septic shock between mid-2003 and 2006, using data from the Cerner Project IMPACT database. Results: Data were analyzed for 18,757 ICU patients (median age, 66 years; interquartile range, 53–77 years), including 8702 females (46%). Hospital mortality was higher in female patients compared with male patients (35% vs 33%, respectively; P = 0.006). After adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics and processes of care, females had a higher likelihood of hospital mortality than did males (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04–1.19; P = 0.002). Female patients were less likely than male patients to receive deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis (OR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84-0.97), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76–0.86), or hemodialysis catheters (OR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78–0.93). Females were more likely than males to receive red blood cell transfusions (OR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09–1.22) and code status limitations (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.18–1.47). Conclusions: In this large cohort of ICU patients, females with severe sepsis/septic shock had a higher risk of dying in the hospital than did males. This difference remained after multivariable adjustment. Significant gender disparities were also found in some aspects of care delivery, but these did not explain the higher mortality in female patients.
Mapping Surface Chemistry and Molecular Orientation with Combinatorial Near-Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy†

Mapping in the bond chemistry and molecular orientation of self-assembled monolayer gradients on flat surfaces and reaction intermediates in catalyst arrays is made possible using combinatorial near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. These spatially resolved NEXAFS maps have been made by utilizing synchrotron-based NEXAFS spectroscopy in conjunction with a computer controlled precision sample manipulator. The NEXAFS maps reveal bond concentroation, rehybridization, and orien tation of the surface-bound molecules with sub-millimeter planar spatial resolution and sub-monolayer molecular sensitivity. The wide applicability of the combinatorial NEXAFS method is illustrated by mapping: (1) the concentration and molecular orientation of semifluorinated molecules in molecular gradients; (2) the concentration of amino groups in molecular gradients used for nanoparticle templating, and (3) the rehybridization of propyljene intermediates on zeolite catalyst arrays used for measuring solid-state acidity and catalys activity.
Die Anwendung von Natriumparawolframat und der Lötrohrflamme bei der Bestimmung der sauren Radikale von Chloriden, Chloraten, Perchloraten, Bromiden, Bromaten und Fluoriden

Natriumparawolframat der Zusammensetzung 5 Na2O. 12 WO3, saures Salz,. ist fahig, sich in geschmolzenem Zustande leicht mit Metalloxyden zu verbinden unter Bildung von Wolframaten und unter quantitativer Austreibung gewisser fluchtiger saurer Radikale. Es kann leicht hergestellt werden durch Schmelzen von Natrium-wolframat mit einem gleichen Gewicht von Wolframtrioxyd; das so gebildete saure Salz ist leicht schmelzbar und unter den hier eingehaltenen Versuchsbedingungen nicht fluchtig. Es ist nicht ausergewohnlich hygroskopisch ud kann leicht in einem Exsikkator uber Schwefelsaure trocken gehalten werden. Die Dauer der erforderlichen Erhitzung ist – verglichen mit den bisher vorgeschlagenen Flusmitteln – bemerkenswert kurz. Fruher ist gezeigt worden, das die Bestimmungen saurer Elemente oder Oxyde, namlich der Carbonate, Nitrate, Jodide und Jodate mit groser Genauigkeit durch einfache Schmelzung in gewohnlicher Weise ausgefuhrt werden kann. In dieser Arbeit ist nun nachgewiesen, das das fragliche Verfahren auch auf die Analyse von Chloriden, Chloraten, Perchloraten, Bromiden, Bromaten und Fluoriden ausgedehnt werden kann, wenn man die Schmelzung in Gegenwart von uberhitztem Dampf vornimmt, der in der Weise zur Anwendung kommt, das man direkt die Lotrohr-flamme auf das Parawolframatgemisch wirken last.
Steady-state and transient properties of reaction-diffusion systems

Abstract In this paper we discuss different quantities that allow a characterization of steady-state and transient properties of nonequilibrium reaction-diffusion systems for which microscopic reversibility is broken. Using numerical exact techniques and numerical simulations we show that stationary probability currents allow to quantify the distance to equilibrium. When a system is forced out of a steady state, fluctuation ratios provide non-trivial insights into the microscopic dynamics of that system.
Global understanding of barriers to breast cancer screening.

ACCORDING TO THE World Health Organization breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and under certain circumstances regular mammography screening for women 50 years and older and clinical breast examination are effective strategies for reducing breast cancer deaths worldwide. The papers on breast cancer screening in this issue demonstrate the challenges of implementing effective strategies in diverse populations. The work of Shirazi et al. and of Azaiza and Cohen demonstrates that there is significant diversity among women who are traditionally grouped together as one entity (e.g. Arab women or immigrant women) and that the social and political context of womens lives plays an important role in determining health beliefs and behaviors. The work of Su et al. and of Ferrant et al. illustrates the challenges of reaching underserved women whether they are underserved due to ethnic status or body habitus and the important role that physicians attitudes and behavior toward women play in encouraging routine screening. (excerpt)
Adaptive reference/test forced-choice method with application to fluoroscopy perception

We developed a new, interspersed, adaptive forced-choice method of general applicability, and used it to study perception in x-ray fluoroscopy. We measured detectability of low-contrast objects in noisy image sequences and determined x-ray dose levels for equivalent detectability of test (typically pulsed fluoroscopy at 15 acq/sec, hereafter called pulsed-15) as compared to reference (conventional fluoroscopy at 30 acq/sec, hereafter called pulsed-30). We interspersed reference and test in order to reduce effects of subject effort and attention. After 200 total presentations, we obtained absolute detectability of reference and test and an equivalent perception dose ratio (EPDR) for test as compared to reference. For this technically demanding application, implementation features such as real-time creation of noisy image frames and fast maximum-likelihood estimation of detectability were critical. We derived parameter uncertainties and proved applicability with Monte Carlo simulations and experiments. The interspersed, reference/test method lowered experimental standard deviations due to the removal of day-to-day variations in absolute detectability. Reliability of comparisons of subject response times was also improved. A variety of results in x-ray fluoroscopy has been obtained with this new method. Examples are a dose savings of pulsed- 15 as compared to pulsed-30, a saturation of the detectability response as one increases the number of frames in the display loop, effects of temporal filtering, and effects of motion.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Immunological identification of the human erythrocyte monosaccharide transporter.

Abstract Antibodies to the purified cytochalasin B binding component of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter were prepared in rabbits. They precipitated detergent-solubilized transporter, and partially inhibited its binding of cytochalasin B. The antibodies were used to locate the transporter polypeptide in SDS-polyacrylamide gels of erythrocyte membranes prepared from freshly drawn blood in the presence of protease inhibitors. They labelled only the region of the gel corresponding to that occupied by the purified transporter, with an apparent molecular weight range of 45,000–75,000. These findings indicate that the isolated transporter does not arise by proteolytic degradation of a larger polypeptide, either during the storage of blood or during purification of the transporter.
Modifying Students’ Perceptions of School Ability and Role through Classroom Intervention

This study was conducted to determine if students having successful academic leadership experiences tend to improve both their self-concept of problem-solving ability and their classroom performance. 5s of low self-concept of problem-solving competence were given special classroom intervention training preparing them to assume specific academic leadership roles. After functioning in classroom leadership roles, the experimental Ss modified their perceptions associated with their ability to perform in school, intensified their classroom involvement, and increased the productivity of their classroom participation more than the control Ss. The results of this study may indicate that classroom intervention programs can effectively assist certain students to enhance their self-concept of school-related ability and, thereby, to improve their classroom performance.
CHARACTERIZING AND RESPONDING TO NAZI GENOCIDE: A REVIEW ESSAY

Trying to speak to an evil that a people has suffered, the enormity of which seems unsurpassable, is profoundly humbling. After all, one reasonably asks: What else besides reporting the facts can one do without running the risk of trivializing or distorting or in some way desecrating the memories of those who have suffered so? If there is an Aristotelian mean to be attained here, it is not to refrain entirely from speaking, but rather to be ever so mindful that one may fail to do justice to the enormity of the suffering, one's best efforts and intentions nonwithstanding. Berl Lang masterfully achieves this mean in his very important book Act and Idea in the Nazi Genocide, which is divided into three parts: I. The Presence of Genocide; II. Representations of Genocide; and III. Histories and Genocide. I begin with the first, skip to the third and then return to the second. I would very much like to have discussed Lang's views about forgiving the perpetrators of heinous evil and his assessment of what Robert J. Lifton calls the "doubling effect" (both in Part I.)1 But as with any view, it is necessary to pass over some themes of enormous interest. In Part II (ch. 5), Lang offers a very rich discussion of Edmund Jabes. This, too, I must leave aside,2 as well as his discussion of Kant.
Understanding Ivy Lee's declaration of principles: U.S. newspaper and magazine coverage of publicity and press agentry, 1865–1904

Abstract Ivy Lee's 1905 “Declaration of Principles” has been called the “starting point of modern public relations,” but what did it mean in the context of his time? Analysis of press discussion finds that, while press agentry was connected to the circus and theater, “corporate publicity” was linked to Theodore Roosevelt's call for the release of financial information in the public interest. The paper confirms that scholars do not have a clear understanding of public relations history and identifies areas for further research.
Antibiotic therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia: outcome correlations in a prospective study of 200 patients.

Purpose and patients and methods We performed a prospective clinical study of 200 consecutive patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremias to analyze in vitro susceptibility and synergistic testing of antibiotics the patients received and clinical parameters to assess their relationship to survival. Results No significant correlation between in vitro susceptibility testing (minimal inhibitory concentrations/minimal bactericidal concentrations) and outcome could be demonstrated. Similarly, improved outcome could not be demonstrated for patients receiving antibiotic combinations that were synergistic in vitro (either time-kill or checkerboard) versus those combinations that were not. There was also no correlation between results obtained by time-kill curve and checkerboard synergistic testing, i.e., combinations found to be synergistic by one method were not necessarily synergistic by the other method. Clinical parameters associated with improved survival were a urinary portal of entry and absence of neutropenia. Conversely, survival was significantly decreased when the portal was the respiratory tract The mortality rate between patients receiving combination therapy (27%) and monotherapy (47%) was significant (p Conclusion Increasing effort should be placed on ensuring timely administration of combination therapy to patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia since the use of combination therapy was even more important in determining outcome than was underlying disease.
Long-term implications of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation following wide area circumferential ablation for atrial fibrillation

Background: Wide area circumferential ablation (WACA) has emerged as an effective therapy for patients with both trigger and substrate mediated AF. Nevertheless, patients may have recurrent AF in the first 3 months following the ablation. The implications of the early recurrence on longterm outcome have not been completely established. Methods: Therefore, the outcome of 63 patients (55 10 yrs, 6 female/56 male) undergoing WACA for AF was assessed. These patients had 7.5 6.1 years of AF failing to respond to 3 1 antiarrhythmic drug trials. The LVEF was 57 0%. The temporal pattern and consequence of early recurrent AF following the ablation was assessed over long-term follow up. Results: Twenty-one patients had paroxysmal, 32 had persistent, and 9 had permanent AF. Two hundred forty eight PVs were ablated with acute isolation of right and left PVs achieved in 99% of pts. Linear ablation from the left WACA ring to the mitral valve annulus was effective in creating bidirectional block in 85%. Twenty-five (40%) of patients showed recurrent AF on follow up. Fourteen (56%) recurred within the first 30 days, 4 (16%) within the second 30 days, with 2 additional recurrences (8%) around 120 days. Of the 18 recurrences within 60 days of ablation, 15 showed no further AF on long-term follow up with 10 remaining on prophylactic or therapeutic antiarrhythmic drugs. Three had recurrent symptomatic AF despite therapy. In 7 of 18 patients (39%), no long-term drug therapy was required, suggesting that early recurrence of AF was related to the irritation of the WACA ablation alone. In contrast, late recurrences after the 4-month mark are likely to require further intervention or drug therapy. Conclusion: AF recurrence in the first 12 weeks following WACA is typically a transient, short-lived response to the ablative process. This does not presage long-term outcome, although some pts. may require transient drug therapy to control AF. These data are important in avoiding repeat ablation of clinically transient AF, and in setting the blanking interval in clinical trials assessing AF ablation.
Ramsey theory for graph connectivity

rc(k) Denotes the smallest integer such that any c-edge-coloring of the rc(k) vertex complete graph has a monochromatic k-connected subgraph. For any c, k ≧ 2, we show 2c(k – 1) + 1 ≦ rc(k) < 10/3 c(k – 1) + 1, and further that 4(k – 1) + 1 ≧ r2(k) < (3 + √ (k – 1) + 1. Some exact values for various Ramsey connectivity numbers are also computed.
Effects of chloride depletion on electron donation from the water-oxidizing complex to the photosystem II reaction center as measured by the microsecond rise of chlorophyll fluorescence in isolated pea chloroplasts

Abstract The role of Cl − in the electron transfer reactions of the oxidizing side of Photosystem II (PS II) has been studied by measuring the fluorescence yield changes corresponding to the reduction of P + -680, the PS II reaction center chlorophyll, by the secondary PS II donor, Z. In Cl − -depleted chloroplasts, a rapid rise in fluorescence yield was observed following the first and second flashes, but not during the third or subsequent flashes. These results indicate that there exists an additional endogenous electron donor beyond P-680 and Z in Cl − -depleted systems. In contrast, the terminal endogenous donor on the oxidizing side of PS II in Tris-washed preparations has previously been shown to be Z, the component giving rise to EPR signals II f and II vf . The rate of reduction of P + -680 in the Cl − -depleted chloroplasts was as rapid as that measured in uninhibited systems, within the time resolution of our instrument. Again, this is in contrast to Tris-washed preparations in which a dramatic decrease in the rate if this reaction has been previously reported. We have also carried out a preliminary study on the rate of rereduction of Z + in the Cl − -depleted system. Under steady-state conditions, the reduction half-time of Z + in uninhibited systems was about 450 μs, while in the Cl − -depleted chloroplasts, the reduction of Z + was biphasic, one phase with a half-time of about 120 ms, and a slower phase with a half-time of several seconds. The appearance of the quenching state due to P + -680 observed following the third flash on excitation of Cl − -depleted chloroplasts was delayed by two flashed when low concentrations of NH 2 OH (20–50 μM) were included in the medium. Hydrazine at somewhat higher concentrations showed the same effect. This is taken to indicate that the reactions leading to PS II oxidation of NH 2 OH or NH 2 NH 2 are uninhibited by Cl − depletion. Addition of NH 2 OH at low concentrations to Tris-washed chloroplasts did not alter the pattern of the fluorescence yield, indicating that the reactions leading to the NH 2 OH oxidation present in Cl − -depleted systems are absent following Tris inhibition. The results are discussed in terms of an inhibition by Cl − depletion of the reactions of the oxygen-evolving complex. It is suggested that no intermediary redox couple exists between the oxygen-evolving complex and Z, and that Z + is reduced directly by Mn of the complex. In terms of the S-state model, Cl − depletion appears to inhibit the advancement of the mechanism beyond S 2 , but not to inhibit the transitions from S 0 to S 1 , or from S 1 to S 2 .
Bombesin-like peptide in hypothalamus: Chemical and immunological characterization

Abstract Mammalian brain contains a bombesin-like peptide of ca . 32 amino acids. Trypsin digestion of mammalian bombesin generates a bombesin-like peptide approximately equal in size to bombesin itself, a tetradecapeptide found in frog skin. The acid extract of 490,000 ovine hypothalami, containing 3.8 ng bombesin-like immunoreactivity per hypothalamic fragment, has been purified 1200-fold.
Melt intercalation of polystyrene in layered silicates

We have studied the melt intercalation of polystyrene into organically modified sodium bentonite, a layered, mica-type silicate, using a variety of techniques. Wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments on polymer/silicate hybrid samples demonstrate that intercalation of polymer chains leads to an ∼25% increase in the spacing between silicate layers. The magnitude of this increase, compared with the radius of gyration of the melt polymer, implies a flattened conformation of chains in the galleries. Low voltage scanning electron microscopy reveals voids in the intercalated hybrid matrix that correspond to regions where pristine polymer was present in the physical mixture of polymer and silicate before intercalation. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that only unintercalated polymer contributes to the measured glass transition trace, so that the magnitude of the trace is diminished upon intercalation.
Pairwise-difference rank estimation of the transformation model

This article considers pairwise-difference rank estimators of the coefficient vector in a transformation model. These estimators, like other existing rank estimators, require no subjective bandwidth choice. Monte Carlo simulations, numerical asymptotic efficiency comparisons, and two empirical applications suggest that the proposed estimators perform well in comparison with existing semiparametric estimators.
The discovery and coordination of resource complements in a dispersed knowledge society

Although knowledge based theories of the firm and capabilities perspectives provide important understanding to the organisation and development of a firm's knowledge, the insights of Austrian economics present a third but neglected approach to knowledge based perspectives. Austrian economics subscribe that the key knowledge problem is how to adapt to unanticipated change when knowledge experiences are dispersed in the market. Through the discovery of resource complements, a conceptual model is developed to explain adaptation in terms of the coordination of diverse knowledge experiences. This conceptual model is drawn from the entrepreneurial behaviours of Austrian economics and strategic network perspectives. This conceptual model is also used to explain the coordination of resource complements by exploiting inter-temporal knowledge experiences. Knowledge based strategies are, thus, developed with this model. Implications of this model to knowledge-based theories are also discussed.
Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Childhood: What’s Really Wrong with These Children?

Lower urinary tract dysfunction, in otherwise neurologically and anatomically normal children, encompasses a variety of LUT conditions that are often diagnostically challenging. Currently, the most common diagnostic approach has been the one advocated by the ICCS in which the primary focus is on symptomatology, clinical history, and various uroflow patterns, and results are judged on the basis of symptomatic improvement. For example, the “daytime conditions” of OAB and voiding postponement are a compilation of symptoms and presumptions and do not represent true, urodynamically defined conditions. Our approach differs in that while symptoms and clinical history are taken into account, we routinely incorporate uroflow with simultaneous pelvic floor EMG in their assessment and define the various LUT conditions on the basis of specific uroflow/EMG criteria. We focus on the driving forces responsible for those symptoms and have found that most children with LUT dysfunction have one of four conditions: (1) dysfunctional voiding (active pelvic floor EMG during voiding, +/−DO); (2) idiopathic detrusor overactivity disorder, similar to OAB but with DO documented by a short EMG lag time and a quiet EMG during voiding; (3) detrusor underutilization disorder, willful postponement of urination resulting in an expansive bladder capacity (>125 % EBC for age) otherwise normal voiding with a quiet EMG; and (4) primary bladder neck dysfunction, a condition diagnosed by prolonged EMG lag time in association with hesitancy, an abnormal, depressed uroflow, and a quiet EMG. Assessment of therapeutic response in these four conditions should be based not only on amelioration of symptoms but on correction of their objective abnormal pretreatment uroflow/EMG parameters. Lastly, we have found that LUTS and uroflow patterns alone often do not represent the condition they are thought to, and unless uroflowmetry is done with simultaneous pelvic floor electromyography to better identify the condition, incorrect diagnoses and suboptimal therapy are increasingly likely. We encourage adult urologists to read this article as much that is discussed as regards children can be applied to adults as well.
Strengthening the engagement of food and health systems to improve nutrition security: Synthesis and overview of approaches to address malnutrition

The nutritional status of populations often serves as a proxy for the world׳s wider progress and setbacks. Currently, we are facing a crisis: a double burden of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity compounded with food insecurity in many countries. In an increasingly globalized world and interconnected food system, subjected to the pressures of growing populations, climate variability and food price volatility, no country or population is immune to the challenges that lay ahead. While unsettling, we now have more information, both in science and in practice, on how to improve the global food system. The solutions are inherently trans-sectoral, engaging practitioners and experts across agriculture, rural development and public health. Improvements can be driven by resilient food system approaches to ensure better utilization of food and dietary diversity and quality. Strengthening food systems should be complemented with engagement of the public health and the water, sanitation and hygiene systems to ensure adequate food and nutrition security, health and wellbeing for all.