cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving Scoring Consistency of Flight Performance through Inter-Rater Reliability Analyses

Students, as well as the other stake-holders of flight schools, must be sure that the scoring of flight performance is such that the scores are a meaningful indicator of the student’s performance rather than an arbitrary indicator of the instructor’s perception. The scores should be somewhat consistent from one instructor to another. The apparent inconsistency in scoring from one instructor to another can be examined by conducting inter-rater reliability (IRR) analyses. Inter-rater reliability measures the extent of agreement between two or more individual raters – it is used to measure the consistency of a scoring or rating system, and those who use it. This foundational investigation was designed to assess inter-rater reliability between instructor pilots when observing 10 sample flights performed by student pilots. Results of the study indicated that inter-rater reliability was low. Suggestions for improving the consistency of flight instructor scoring are discussed, as well as recommendations for future research.
A Test Problem for Codes Solving the Discretized Diffusion Equation in Cartesian Geometry Derived Via Discrete Green’s Functions

We obtain a solution to a zone-centered discretization of the one dimensional time-dependent diffusion equation with arbitrary initial conditions and source, constant absorption and scattering opac...
Films of the Year, 2009

This article presents reviews of the author's selection of the best films released in the U.S. in 2009: Police, Adjective; Shirin; Tulpan; Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno; 35 Shots of Rum; The Hurt Locker; Sita Sings the Blues; Me and Orson Welles; Summer Hours; Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl .
Reactivity of the carbodiphosphorane, (Ph3P)2C, towards main group metal alkyl compounds: coordination and cyclometalation

The carbodiphosphorane, (Ph3P)2C, reacts with Me3Al and Me3Ga to afford the adducts, [(Ph3P)2C]AlMe3 and [(Ph3P)2C]GaMe3, which have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. (Ph3P)2C also reacts with Me2Zn and Me2Cd to generate an adduct but the formation is reversible on the NMR time scale. At elevated temperatures, however, elimination of methane and cyclometalation occurs to afford [κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]ZnMe and [κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]CdMe. Analogous cyclometalated products, [κ2-Ph3P{CPPh2(C6H4)}]ZnN(SiMe3)2 and [κ2-Ph3P{CPPh2(C6H4)}]CdN(SiMe3)2, are also obtained upon reaction of (Ph3P)2C with Zn[N(SiMe3)2]2 and Cd[N(SiMe3)2]2. The magnesium compounds, Me2Mg and {Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2}2, likewise react with (Ph3P)2C to afford cyclometalated derivatives, namely [κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]MgN(SiMe3)2 and {[κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]MgMe}2. While this reactivity is similar to the zinc system, the magnesium methyl complex is a dimer with bridging methyl groups, whereas the zinc complex is a monomer. The greater tendency of the methyl groups to bridge magnesium centers rather than zinc centers is supported by density functional theory calculations.
Language Comprehension After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Speed.

Purpose The aim of this study was to characterize language comprehension in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) by testing a speed-based hypothesis. We hypothesized that adults with mTBI would perfo...
Electronics packaging-a graduate course for Rutgers University School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

In this talk I will profile a course in electronic packaging that I am introducing for the spring semester 2001 at Rutgers University Graduate School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Packaging and its effects on the electrical signal integrity of electronic devices are not addressed in any of the existing courses at Rutgers. Electronic noise and signal distortion are introduced in Transistor Circuit Design and Integrated Transistor Circuit Design. However, the proposed course Electronics Packaging will deal with the electrical characterization and modeling of the parasitic of integrated circuit packaging. The course will be targeted to the general graduate population of Master's students and industry part time graduate students that have a background in circuit analysis. Ph.D. students in Solid State and VLSI design will also find the course useful due to the modeling content.
Functional connectivity among brain regions affected in Alzheimer's disease is associated with CSF TNF-α in APOE4 carriers.

It is now recognized that understanding how neuroinflammation affects brain function may provide new insights into Alzheimer's pathophysiology. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, an inflammatory cytokine marker, has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), as it can impair neuronal function through suppression of long-term potentiation. Our study investigated the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid TNF-α and functional connectivity (FC) in a cohort of 64 older adults (μ age = 69.76 years; 30 cognitively normal, 34 mild AD). Higher cerebrospinal fluid TNF-α levels were associated with lower FC among brain regions important for high-level decision-making, inhibitory control, and memory. This effect was moderated by apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE4) status. Graph theory metrics revealed there were significant differences between APOE4 carriers at the node level, and by diagnosis at the network level suggesting global brain network dysfunction in participants with AD. These findings suggest proinflammatory mechanisms may contribute to reduced FC in regions important for high-level cognition. Future studies are needed to understand the role of inflammation on brain function and clinical progression, especially in APOE4 carriers.
Conditions influencing e-Participation: a cross-country comparative mixed methods analysis

As e-government requires a great deal of resources to build infrastructure and citizens' understanding of public affairs, the existing knowledge emphasizes the importance of telecommunication infrastructure and human capital development for e-participation. The 2018 UN E-Government Survey shows a puzzling picture of Rwanda and Korea, in which both are part of the 'very high e-participation index group' while their qualities in telecommunication infrastructure, human capital, and others, i.e., geography, language, and culture, vary greatly. In response, this study aims to investigate a fuller and more accurate understanding of the conditions under which citizens participate through e-government platforms. By reviewing the literature on citizen participation, e-government, and e-participation studies, I draw four hypotheses in terms of demographic, political, security, and administrative conditions. These conditions serve as my research framework for this study. The preliminary findings, based on the comparison between Rwanda and Korea, suggest ample possibilities for finding interesting answers and ways to improve the research design when going about research with a mixed-method approach.
Doomsdays and New Dawns: Technological Discontinuities and Competence Ecosystems

This paper explores the effects of technological discontinuities on the competences of incumbent firms. In contrast to Tushman and Anderson, I argue that a given technological discontinuity can be ...
Cerebellar talcosis following posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in an intravenous methamphetamine abuser

Background Intravenous (IV) methamphetamine abuse is associated with a variety of short- and long-term effects on the nervous system, some of which have yet to be fully elucidated. One known systemic complication that has not been described in nervous system tissues is the deposition of substrate crystals contained in injectable drugs. Case description An unusual case is presented of a 35-year-old active IV methamphetamine abuser with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) who subsequently developed multifocal bilateral cerebellar enhancing lesions and leptomeningeal enhancement due to biopsy-proven crystalline deposits. Conclusion Although large crystalline substances will not normally penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), during a state of BBB compromise such as with PRES, talc deposition may occur in the central nervous system.
Pricing the hedging factor in the cross-section of stock returns

Abstract We investigate the role of investors’ net hedging strategy (factor) in predicting stock returns and pricing the cross-section of individual stocks and equity portfolios. We estimate stock exposure to changes in the hedging factor and show that the hedging premium is driven by outperformance of stocks with large positive net hedging betas, which explains their higher average returns. We find the positive hedging premium indicates risk-averse investors demand extra compensation to hold stocks with higher equity risk premiums, and they are themselves willing to pay higher prices for stocks with positive hedging betas.
36.2 An EM/Power SCA-Resilient AES-256 with Synthesizable Signature Attenuation Using Digital-Friendly Current Source and RO-Bleed-Based Integrated Local Feedback and Global Switched-Mode Control

Mathematically secure cryptographic algorithms leak side-channel information in the form of correlated power and electromagnetic (EM) signals, leading to physical side-channel analysis (SCA) attacks. Circuit-level countermeasures against power/EM SCA include current equalizer [1], series LDO [2], IVR [3], enhancing protection up to 10M traces. Recently, current domain signature attenuation [4] and randomized NL-LDO cascaded with arithmetic countermeasures [5] achieved $\gt1\mathrm{B}$ minimum traces to disclosure (MTD) with a single and two countermeasures, respectively. Among these, the highest protection with a single strategy is achieved using signature attenuation [4], [6], which utilized a current source making the supply current mostly constant. While being highly resilient to SCA, [4] required analog-biased cascode current sources and an analog bleed path, making it not easily scalable across different technology generations. Conversely, [2], [5] are synthesizable but a single countermeasure only achieved moderate protection (up to 10M MTD). This work embraces the concept of signature attenuation in the current domain, but makes it fully-synthesizable with digital current sources, control loop and the bleed to increase the MTD from 10M [5] to $250\mathrm{M} (25 \times $ improvement, Fig. 36.2.1) using a single synthesizable countermeasure. Finally, combining the digital signature attenuation circuit (DSAC) with a second synthesizable generic technique in the form of a time-varying transfer function (TVTF), this work achieves an MTD $\gt1.25\mathrm{B}$ for both EM and power SCA.
Does gender bias affect outcomes in mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation

Objectives This study was conducted to determine if gender bias explains the worse outcomes in women than in men who undergo mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation. Methods Patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation with or without concomitant ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation were identified from the Cardiovascular Research Database of the Clinical Trial Unit of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and were defined according to the Society of Thoracic Surgery National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Of the 1004 patients (33% female, mean age 62.1 ± 12.4 years; 67% male, mean age 60.1 ± 12.4 years) who met this criteria, propensity score matching was utilized to compare sex-related differences. Results Propensity score matching of 540 patients (270 females, mean age 61.0 ± 12.2; 270 males, mean age 60.9 ± 12.3) demonstrated that 98% of mitral valve surgery performed in both groups was mitral valve repair and 2% was mitral valve replacement. Preoperative CHA2DS2-VASc scores were higher in women and fewer women were discharged directly to their homes. Before surgery, women had smaller left heart chambers, lower cardiac outputs, higher diastolic filling pressures and higher volume responsiveness than men. However, preoperative left ventricular and right ventricular strain values, which are normally higher in women, were similar in the 2 groups, indicating worse global strain in women prior to surgery. Conclusions The worse outcomes reported in women compared to men undergoing surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation are misleading and not based on gender bias except in terms of referral patterns. Men and women who present with the same type and degree of mitral valve disease and similar comorbidities receive the same types of surgical procedures and experience similar postoperative outcomes. Speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess global longitudinal strain of the left and right ventricles should be utilized to monitor for myocardial dysfunction related to chronic mitral regurgitation.
Rural-urban and within-rural differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Purpose COVID-19 mortality rates are higher in rural versus urban areas in the United States, threatening to exacerbate the existing rural mortality penalty. To save lives and facilitate economic recovery, we must achieve widespread vaccination coverage. This study compared adult COVID-19 vaccination rates across the US rural-urban continuum and across different types of rural counties. Methods We retrieved vaccination rates as of August 11, 2021, for adults aged 18+ for the 2,869 counties for which data were available from the CDC. We merged these with county-level data on demographic and socioeconomic composition, health care infrastructure, 2020 Trump vote share, and USDA labor market type. We then used regression models to examine predictors of COVID-19 vaccination rates across the USDA's 9-category rural-urban continuum codes and separately within rural counties by labor market type. Findings As of August 11, 45.8% of adults in rural counties had been fully vaccinated, compared to 59.8% in urban counties. In unadjusted regression models, average rates declined monotonically with increasing rurality. Lower rural rates are explained by a combination of lower educational attainment and higher Trump vote share. Within rural counties, rates are lowest in farming and mining-dependent counties and highest in recreation-dependent counties, with differences explained by a combination of educational attainment, health care infrastructure, and Trump vote share. Conclusion Lower vaccination rates in rural areas is concerning given higher rural COVID-19 mortality rates and recent surges in cases. At this point, mandates may be the most effective strategy for increasing vaccination rates.
Responding to Student Uncertainty in Spoken Tutorial Dialogue Systems

In designing and building tutorial dialogue systems it is important not only to understand the tactics employed by human tutors but also to understand how tutors decide when to use various tactics. We argue that these decisions are based not only on student problem-solving steps and the content of student utterances, but also on the meta-communicative information conveyed through spoken utterances (e.g., pauses, disfluencies, intonation). Since this information is often infrequent or unavailable in typed input, tutorial dialogue systems with speech interfaces have the potential to be more effective than those without. This paper gives an overview of the Spoken Conversational Tutor (SCoT) that we have built and describes how we are beginning to make use of spoken language information in SCoT. Specifically, we describe a study aimed at using meta-communicative information to gauge student uncertainty and respond accordingly. In this study, we identify linguistic devices used by human tutors when responding to utterances containing signals of uncertainty, integrate these response strategies into two versions of SCoT, and evaluate their relative effectiveness. Our main hypothesis - that tutors are more effective if they use these linguistic devices in response to student uncertainty - was not confirmed, but our secondary hypothesis - that tutors using these linguistic devices are more effective than tutors that do not use them - was supported by the results.
Influence of Smoking on Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in Subjects Who Underwent Multiphasic Health Testing and Services

We quantified the effect of smoking on serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in 1341 subjects who underwent the multiphasic health testing and services in our center. Four hundred and sixty seven of them were smokers and the rest were nonsmokers. In male subjects, serum CEA levels were significantly higher in smokers (3.11 ±1.8 ng/ml) than in nonsmokers (2.14 ± 1.8 ng/ml) (mean ± SDs p < 0.01). For females, however, the levels had no significant differences between smokers (2.11 ± 0.91 ng/ml) and nonsmokers (1.87 ± 1.3 ng/ml). The CEA-positive subjects were 44, of whom 32 were male custom heavy smokers, and only 2 of them had gastrointestinal cancer. We concluded that the serum CEA level was influenced by smoking especially in males and its clinical significance for detection of carcinoma was doubtful.
Hybrid Grid Approach to Study Dynamic Stall

A hybrid structured and unstructured grid scheme is developed to study dynamic stall over an airfoil in a wind tunnel. The unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are solved implicity using this hybrid grid scheme. Results are compared with experimental data. Additionally, they reveal informative details of the flowfield physics associated with dynamic stall
Food grade titanium dioxide disrupts intestinal brush border microvilli in vitro independent of sedimentation

Bulk- and nano-scale titanium dioxide (TiO2) has found use in human food products for controlling color, texture, and moisture. Once ingested, and because of their small size, nano-scale TiO2 can interact with a number of epithelia that line the human gastrointestinal tract. One such epithelium responsible for nutrient absorption is the small intestine, whose constituent cells contain microvilli to increase the total surface area of the gut. Using a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy it was found that food grade TiO2 (E171 food additive coded) included ∼25 % of the TiO2 as nanoparticles (NPs; <100 nm), and disrupted the normal organization of the microvilli as a consequence of TiO2 sedimentation. It was found that TiO2 isolated from the candy coating of chewing gum and a commercially available TiO2 food grade additive samples were of the anatase crystal structure. Exposure to food grade TiO2 additives, containing nanoparticles, at the lowest concentration tested within this experimental paradigm to date at 350 ng/mL (i.e., 100 ng/cm2 cell surface area) resulted in disruption of the brush border. Through the use of two independent techniques to remove the effects of gravity, and subsequent TiO2 sedimentation, it was found that disruption of the microvilli was independent of sedimentation. These data indicate that food grade TiO2 exposure resulted in the loss of microvilli from the Caco-2BBe1 cell system due to a biological response, and not simply a physical artifact of in vitro exposure.
Chemistry of muscle contraction. Adenosine triphosphate and phosphorylcreatine as energy supplies for single contractions of working muscle.

Chemistry of Muscle Contraction: Adenosine Triphosphate and Phosphorylcreatine as Energy Supplies for Single Contractions of Working Muscle
Developmental analysis of cephalic axial dysraphic disorders in arsenic-treated hamster embryos.

Parenteral injection of pregnant golden hamsters with inorganic arsenic salts early in gestation results, by term, in markedly elevated embryonic-fetal mortality (approximately equal to 50%) and, in surviving fetuses, a high (approximately equal to 90%) incidence of cephalic axial dysraphic disorders ("neural tube defects"), particularly exencephaly/anencephaly and encephaloceles. The present investigation traces the day by day development of these embryopathic effects of arsenic in the hamster with an emphasis on the pathogenesis of cephalic axial dysraphic disorders. Pregnant golden hamsters were given an intraperitoneal injection of sodium arsenate (20 mg/kg) on the 8th day (08.00) of their 16 day gestation period. Matched control dams were injected with an equivalent volume of distilled water by the same route and at the same stage of gestation. Experimental and control dams were sacrificed beginning 24 h after treatment and at regular daily intervals thereafter until term. Embryos and fetuses delivered from sacrificed dams were examined for abnormalities both grossly and histologically. In embryos delivered earliest after treatment (24-48 h) the principal deleterious effect of arsenic observed was retarded growth (elevation, approximation, and fusion) of the cephalic neural folds. This growth retardation ranged in severity among embryos. In the most severely afflicted there was a site wherein the opposing cephalic neural folds had completely failed to appose and fuse ("closure"). This failure of closure of all four tissue components of the neural folds (surface ectoderm, paraxial mesoderm, neural crest cells, neuroectoderm) resulted in a persistent dorsal opening in the head, i.e., cranioschisis aperta. The extent and appearance of this opening varied from a small, ovoid aperture in the dorsal midbrain (mesencephalic) region of the head to a widely open cleft involving the fore and hindbrain regions as well as the midbrain region. In less severely afflicted early embryos, the cephalic neural folds had elevated and met in the dorsal midline but had only incompletely fused, i.e., cranioschisis occulta. Microscopic study of these latter embryos revealed that in the affected region(s), complete closure of the surface ectoderm component of the neural folds had taken place, but only partial closure of the mesoderm, neural crest and neuroectoderm components. The different types of cephalic axial dysraphic disorders presenting in arsenic-treated fetuses delivered at later gestational stages (predominantly exencephaly and encephaloceles) could all be traced back and related to one or the other of these early forms of disturbed neurulation.
Impaction of cardiac catheter in coronary vein.

A complication of right heart catheterization is described in which the tip of the catheter became impacted in a vein connecting to the coronary sinus, requiring thoracotomy and removal under direct vision. This occurred in a 2-year-old patient with an anomalous inferior vena cava with azygos continuation, and it is suggested that this anomalous course may well have contributed to the development of this complication.
MASCON—A Mass Consistent Atmospheric Flux Model for Regions with Complex Terrain

Abstract MASCON was developed to provide air pollution models for the San Francisco Bay Area with mass consistent meteorological input data. Measurements of inversion base heights above topography and mean winds within the mixed layer calculated from surface observations of wind speed and direction were used as input data for the model. Variational calculus techniques were used to adjust the observed horizontal fluxes so they satisfied the continuity equation. In cases where air within the elevated inversion was entrained into the mixed layer, we used a parameterization of the vertical velocity. This model can also accept solid boundaries in the interior of the grid simulating conditions in the Bay Area where the base of the inversion is below some of the topographic features. This results in the horizontal flow fields being forced around these obstacles.
Ethnic Differences in IQ Scores: What Do They Mean? (a Response to Lloyd Dunn):

This article responds to Dunn's conclusion that HispanicAnglo differences in IQ scores are due to genetic differences in intelligence. Several studies that look at between group variance in IQ scores for blacks, Angles and Hispanics are reviewed. It is concluded that sociocultural factors are important contributors to such variances. The adequate interpretation in educational practice of IQ scores is also discussed. Finally, instruments that use different sociocultural norms for different ethnic groups to make inferences about an individual's intelligence, such as the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) and the WISC-R are presented.
Two different hepatic adenosine deaminases in the chicken.

Abstract 1. 1. Sephadex chromatography of chicken liver preparations have revealed the presence of a large (110 000 mol. wt.) and a small (30 000 mol. wt.), adenosine deaminase adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4). 2. 2. The small hepatic enzyme (adenosine deaminase II) has been shown to be identical with the duodenal enzyme in every property compared. These properties included sizes (by Sephadex chromatography), activation energies, substrate specificities, Michaelis constants and behavior with p- mercuribenzoate . 3. 3. The tissue-specific differences between hepatic and duodenal adenosine deaminases are due to the presence of the large enzyme (adenosine deaminase I) in the liver which is absent in the duodenum. This enzyme has an entirely different set of kinetic properties and does not show mercurial activation as do the duodenal enzyme and hepatic adenosine deaminase II.
Prolonged c-fos expression in NGF-induced PC12 cells is mediated by cocaine-A possible mechanism for cocaine inhibitory effects on neuronal differentiation• 307

Prolonged c-fos expression in NGF-induced PC12 cells is mediated by cocaine-A possible mechanism for cocaine inhibitory effects on neuronal differentiation• 307
ncRNA consensus secondary structure derivation using grammar strings.

Many noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) function through both their sequences and secondary structures. Thus, secondary structure derivation is an important issue in today's RNA research. The state-of-the-art structure annotation tools are based on comparative analysis, which derives consensus structure of homologous ncRNAs. Despite promising results from existing ncRNA aligning and consensus structure derivation tools, there is a need for more efficient and accurate ncRNA secondary structure modeling and alignment methods. In this work, we introduce a consensus structure derivation approach based on grammar string, a novel ncRNA secondary structure representation that encodes an ncRNA's sequence and secondary structure in the parameter space of a context-free grammar (CFG) and a full RNA grammar including pseudoknots. Being a string defined on a special alphabet constructed from a grammar, grammar string converts ncRNA alignment into sequence alignment. We derive consensus secondary structures from hundreds of ncRNA families from BraliBase 2.1 and 25 families containing pseudoknots using grammar string alignment. Our experiments have shown that grammar string–based structure derivation competes favorably in consensus structure quality with Murlet and RNASampler. Source code and experimental data are available at .
Centric ordering is superior to gradient moment nulling for motion artifact reduction in EPI

Echo-planar imaging (EPI) is sensitive to motion despite its rapid data acquisition rate. Compared with traditional imaging techniques, it is more sensitive to motion or flow in the phase-encode direction, which can cause image artifacts such as ghosting, misregistration, and loss of spatial resolution. Consequently, EPI of dynamic structures (eg, the cardiovascular system) could benefit from methods that eliminate these artifacts. In this paper, two methods of artifact reduction for motion in the phase-encode direction are evaluated. First, the k-space trajectory is evaluated by comparing centric with top-down ordered sequences. Next, velocity gradient moment nulling (GMN) of the phase-encode direction is evaluated for each trajectory. Computer simulations and experiments in flow phantoms and rabbits in vivo show that uncompensated centric ordering produces the highest image quality. This is probably due to a shorter readout duration, which reduces T2* relaxation losses and off-resonance effects, and to the linear geometry of phantoms and vessels, which can obscure centric blurring artifacts.
Effect of x-organ sinus gland extract on [35S] methionine incorporation to the ovary of the red swamp crawfish Procambarus clarkii.

Abstract The presence of gonad-inhibiting hormone in the x-organ sinus gland complex was evaluated in female Procambarus clarkii . Elimination of gonad-inhibiting hormone by way of eyestalk removal resulted in a large acceleration of ovarian development. Daily injection of four sinus gland equivalents reduced ovarian growth of eyestalk-ablated females by about 50% on day 6. Use of the radiotracer [ 35 S] methionine showed that gonad-inhibiting activity reached its peak effect between 12 and 24 h following sinus gland injection. Dose-response showed that at least two sinus gland equivalents were needed to significantly counter the accelerated growth induced by eyestalk ablation. The high dose of extract needed to cause significant inhibition was attributed to this delayed response, which subsequently may have required a relatively prolonged exposure to the hormone.
Absence of measurable malaria-induced mortality in western fence lizards ( Sceloporus occidentalis ) in nature: a 4-year study of annual and over-winter mortality

Theoretical models of parasite virulence often quantify virulence by mortality. However, there is a lack of empirical studies of parasite-induced host mortality because it is often difficult to quantify in natural populations. I have estimated annual and over-winter mortality in a population of fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) infected with a malaria parasite, Plasmodium mexicanum, in northern California. The duration of time a lizard was observed (an estimate of life-span) throughout the 4-year observation period, or following winter, was not related to either infection status or maximum parasitemia. In contrast to previous laboratory studies of this parasite-host system, I found no evidence of parasite-induced host mortality in nature.
Improved Pretransplant Management of Infants with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Enables Discharge to Home while Waiting for Transplantation

For infants whose families select primary transplantation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the waiting time averages 3 months. Given the relative shortage of organs, the morbidity and mortality of these patients have been high. Therefore, pretransplant management is critical to improve the number of patients who survive to transplantation. This series shows our evolving management for these children, with an emphasis on nonintensive care. Fifty-two infants with HLHS were listed for primary transplantation at our institution during a 6-year period. The management was aimed at manipulating the pulmonary and systemic blood flows by low-dose continuous infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), early use of inhaled nitrogen, delayed opening of the atrial septum, and discharge to home with PGE1 infusion for continuing care when the child was on room air and growing. Almost all of the children (46/52) required nitrogen therapy with initial FiO2 of 0.16–0.17. Patients were weaned off nitrogen by 5 to 6 weeks of age. One fourth of the children needed atrial septal opening, typically at 2 or 3 months of age. Seventeen (32.7%) of the infants were able to spend at least some of their waiting time at home. Forty-five of the 52 children (86.5%) survived to receipt of a donor heart. Newborns with HLHS whose families select primary transplantation as their surgical option can be managed with a minimally invasive approach until receipt of a donor heart with an improvement in mortality rate.
The use of cluster analysis in typological research on community college students

This chapter provides an introduction to the family of partitional cluster analytical methods, with specific attention to research on community college students. Key decision points and common approaches in the use of cluster analysis are described.
A new, rapid and efficient transformation procedure for Neurospora.

A new, rapid, efficient and reliable method for transforming Neurospora crassa is described. In this procedure, germinated conidia are treated with lithium acetate, then incubated with DNA, followed by exposure to polyethylene glycol and then a brief heat shock, prior to plating on selective medium. Optimal conditions to achieve a high transformation rate are reported. Transformation can be obtained with both circular and linear plasmid DNA and also with genomic DNA. Although the rate is substantially decreased, transformation was also obtained with relatively impure DNA preparations, such as that made via rapid “miniprep” procedures. This transformation technique is simple and reliable and provides a considerable savings in time and materials.
Surgical treatment of Parkinson's disease: patients, targets, devices, and approaches.

Surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) has evolved from ablative procedures, within a variety of brain regions, to implantation of electrodes into specific targets of the basal ganglia. Electrode implantation surgery, referred to as deep brain stimulation (DBS), is preferred to ablative procedures by many experts owing to its reversibility, programmability, and the ability to be safely performed bilaterally. Several randomized clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of DBS surgery for control of PD symptoms. Many brain targets, including the subthalamic nucleus and the globus pallidus internus, have emerged as potentially effective, with each target being closely associated with important pros and cons. Selection of appropriate PD candidates through a methodical interdisciplinary screening is considered a prerequisite for a successful surgical outcome. Despite recent growth in DBS knowledge, there is currently no consensus on the ideal surgical technique, the best surgical approach, and the most appropriate surgical target. DBS is now targeted towards treating specific PD-related symptoms in a given individual, and not simply addressing the disease with one pre-defined approach. In this review we will discuss the historical aspects of surgical treatments, the selection of an appropriate DBS candidate, the current surgical techniques, and recently introduced DBS-related technologies. We will address important pre- and postoperative issues related to DBS. We will also discuss the lessons learned from the randomized clinical studies for DBS and the shifting paradigm to tailor to a more patient-centered and symptom-specific approach.
Systematic discrepancy between thin film magnetic transitions and supercooling in Al, In, Sn and Pb

Abstract Recent measurements permit a comparison between values of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter deduced from thin film measurements, and values obtained from supercooling. The large and systematic discrepancies existing between the two measurements are ascribed to non-locality.
Disseminating the Positively Aging® teaching materials: Results of a controlled trial

ABSTRACT This study tested the effectiveness of 2 dissemination methods for the Positively Aging® teaching materials. In San Antonio, Texas, 4 middle schools participated in a 3-year controlled trial of dissemination via distance electronic support alone (control) compared to distance electronic support plus in-school support from study staff (intervention). Web site and classroom utilization of lessons were tracked. The results demonstrated that in-school staff support was necessary to disseminate these materials. Potential dissemination barriers included competition for instructional time with other curricula, teacher variability in teacher computer use, teacher and student turnover, and the effects of mandatory testing on the educational process.
Analysis techniques for two-dimensional infrared data

In order to evaluate infrared detection and remote sensing systems, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the observational environment. For both scanning and staring sensors, the spatial characteristics of the background may be more of a limitation to the performance of a remote sensor than system noise. This limitation is the so-called spatial clutter limit and may be important for systems design of many earth application and surveillance sensors. The data used in this study is two dimensional radiometric data obtained as part of the continuing NASA remote sensing programs. Typical data sources are the Landsat multi-spectral scanner (1.1 micrometers), the airborne heat capacity mapping radiometer (10.5 - 12.5 micrometers) and various infrared data sets acquired by low altitude aircraft. Techniques used for the statistical analysis of one dimensional infrared data, such as power spectral density (PSD), exceedance statistics, etc. are investigated for two dimensional applicability. Also treated are two dimensional extensions of these techniques (2D PSD, etc.), and special techniques developed for the analysis of 2D data.
Effect of Sorbed Water and Temperature on the Optical Properties and Density of Thin Glassy Polymer Films on a Silicon Substrate

The effect of relative humidity and temperature on the refractive index and thickness of thin glassy polymer films (l ∼ 500 nm) supported on silicon substrates was measured using ellipsometry. The polymers considered, polysulfone and a polyimide, exhibited increasing refractive index and film thickness with increasing relative humidity. The effect of exposure to high water activity on dry glassy polymer film properties was studied. The specific refraction, as used in the Lorentz−Lorenz equation, was determined directly for these polymers, and its dependence on temperature and aging history was examined. Water vapor sorption in thick polymer films (l ∼ 100 μm) was measured using gravimetric techniques and shown to be consistent with the water vapor sorption measured in thin films using ellipsometry. The thin film water vapor sorption data are compared to the extreme possibilities of volume additivity and constant volume as water is sorbed; the results fall in between these limits but closer to the constant...
Subcritical instability and hysteresis in a two-layer model

Abstract A two-layer quasi-geostrophic model forced by surface friction and radiative relaxation to a jetlike wind profile can exist in either a wave-free state or in a finite-amplitude wave state, over a substantial region of the model's parameter space. The friction on the lower layer must be much stronger than the thermal relaxation, and the upper layer must be nearly inviscid, for this behavior to be observed. Consistent with this behavior, weakly unstable waves are found that do not stabilize the flow; instead, their growth rate increases with wave amplitude. We attempt to provide a physical explanation for this behavior in terms of 1) the competition between the stabilizing effect of the lower-layer potential vorticity fluxes and the destabilizing effect of nonlinear critical layer formation associated with the upper-layer fluxes, and 2) the tendency of surface drag to restore the vertical shear at the center of the jet by damping the surface westerlies generated by the baroclinic instability.
DNA Ordering on a Lipid Membrane

Certain kinds of gene therapy may require targeted delivery of genetic material into cells. As Spector and Schnur discuss in their Perspective, new results reported in the same issue by Radler et al. (p. 810) may shed light on ways to incorporate DNA into membranes.
Present at the creation

Political and Diplomatic Documents December 1947‐May 1948, Israel State Archives and Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem 1979, main volume 888 pp., index, 2 maps; companion volume 227 pp., index. General Editor: Gedalia Yogev
Bilateral Intraocular Lens Implantation

A study of 1796 consecutive cataract patients in a posterior chamber intraocular lens implant (IOL) series revealed 373 patients (20.8%) who had bilateral IOLs. Visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 87% of first eyes operated and 90% in second eyes. The major cause of vision less than 20/40 was senile macular choroidal degeneration in both first and second eyes. The surgical reintervention rate was 11.8% in first eyes and 3.7% in second eyes. Ninety-two percent of patients had an interval of six months or more between surgery on the first and second eyes.
Regulation of Internal Ribosomal Entry Site-mediated Translation by Phosphorylation of the Translation Initiation Factor eIF2α

Initiation of translation from most cellular mRNAs occurs via scanning; the 40 S ribosomal subunit binds to the m(7)G-cap and then moves along the mRNA until an initiation codon is encountered. Some cellular mRNAs contain internal ribosome entry sequences (IRESs) within their 5'-untranslated regions, which allow initiation independently of the 5'-cap. This study investigated the ability of cellular stress to regulate the activity of IRESs in cellular mRNAs. Three stresses were studied that cause the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor, eIF2alpha, by activating specific kinases: (i) amino acid starvation, which activates GCN2; (ii) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which activates PKR-like ER kinase, PERK kinase; and (iii) double-stranded RNA, which activates double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) by mimicking viral infection. Amino acid starvation and ER stress caused transient phosphorylation of eIF2alpha during the first hour of treatment, whereas double-stranded RNA caused a sustained phosphorylation of eIF2alpha after 2 h. The effects of these treatments on IRES-mediated initiation were investigated using bicistronic mRNA expression vectors. No effect was seen for the IRESs from the mRNAs for the chaperone BiP and the protein kinase Pim-1. In contrast, translation mediated by the IRESs from the cationic amino acid transporter, cat-1, and of the cricket paralysis virus intergenic region, were stimulated 3- to 10-fold by all three treatments. eIF2alpha phosphorylation was required for the response because inactivation of phosphorylation prevented the stimulation. It is concluded that cellular stress can stimulate translation from some cellular IRESs via a mechanism that requires the phosphorylation of eIF2alpha. Moreover, there are distinct regulatory patterns for different cellular mRNAs that contain IRESs within their 5'-untranslated regions.
Reducing Heat Transfer Across the Insulated Walls of Refrigerated Truck Trailers by the Application of Phase Change Materials

Abstract A general estimate shows that 80% of communities across the United States receive their goods exclusively by transport trucks, of which a significant number are climate-controlled because they carry perishable goods, pharmaceutical items and many other temperature-sensitive commodities. Keeping the inside of a truck trailer at a constant temperature and relative humidity requires exact amounts of heat and/or moisture management throughout the shipment period, which is regulated via small refrigeration units, placed outside the truck, that operate by burning fuel. These trucks, known as refrigerated truck trailers, are the focus of this paper. In the research presented herein, the conventional method of insulation of the refrigerated truck trailer was modified using phase change materials (PCMs). The limited research carried out in refrigerated transport compared to other refrigeration processes has left spaces for innovative solutions in this area. The research investigated the inclusion of paraffin-based PCMs in the standard trailer walls as a heat transfer reduction technology. An average reduction in peak heat transfer rate of 29.1% was observed when all walls (south, east, north, west, and top) were considered. For individual walls, the peak heat transfer rate was reduced in the range of 11.3–43.8%. Overall average daily heat flow reductions into the refrigerated compartment of 16.3% were observed. These results could potentially translate into energy savings, pollution abatement from diesel-burning refrigeration units, refrigeration equipment size reduction, and extended equipment operational life. The research and its results will help to better understand the scope of this technology.
Restitution and positive practice overcorrection in reducing aggressive-disruptive behavior: A long-term follow-up

Abstract Few overcorrection studies have reported long-term follow-up data. Those that have have found mixed results and have investigated either encopretic or self-stimulatory behavior. Long-term follow-up in the reduction of aggressive-disruptive behavior has not been reported. The present investigation used combined restitution and positive practice overcorrection to reduce paper-tearing in a single subject design. Follow-up data, 18 months after treatment, indicated continued response suppression. Issues related to teaching socially appropriate behaviors as part of overcorrection procedures were discussed.
Tissue-specific differences in DNA methylation in various mammals

The only naturally occurring modified base in vertebrate DNA is 5-methylcytosine. Using a precise high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of DNA enzymatically digested to deoxynucleosides, we have shown that rats, mice and four types of monkey display tissue-specific as well as species-specific differences in the extent of methylation of their cytosine residues. Several similarities in the patterns of tissue-specific DNA methylation in these mammals and in the previously studied human samples were observed. Compared to most other types of DNA examined, brain and thymus DNAs were hypermethylated which suggests that this hypermethylation is a determinant or a necessary byproduct of mammalian differentiation. In all of the studied rodents and primates, the highly repeated DNA sequence fraction was more methylated than the moderately repetitive or single copy fractions. The tissue-specific differences in overall DNA methylation showed no correlation with what is known about average cell turnover rates nor with the percentage of the genome that is transcribed. Liver regeneration in the rat following partial hepatectomy did not detectably alter 5-methylcytosine levels in liver DNA. A considerable increase in the extent of methylation of total liver DNA was observed during normal development of the rat. The latter phenomenon may be due to a major change in the cellular composition of the liver.
Perceived Urban Residential Quality A Cross-Cultural Bimodal Study

This research involved Saudi Arabians and Americans in the assessment of urban residential quality. The study sites were four residential areas in each of two desert cities, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a...
Ca-ATPase activity in bovine parathyroid cells☆☆☆

Abstract Ca-ATPase is thought to function as a calcium extrusion pump that may regulate cytosolic calcium concentration. Because the parathyroid gland is among the few tissues that are directly regulated by extracellular calcium and because cytosolic calcium may be a mediator of the effects of extracellular calcium on parathyroid hormone secretion, we have investigated the presence of this enzyme in homogenates of parathyroid cells. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the formation of ADP from ATP following incubation of ATP with cellular homogenate in a buffer containing ethylenedioxy- (diethylenedinitrilo) tetra acetic acid (EGTA), ouabain, and calcium. Enzyme activity was calcium-dependent, with Ca-ATPase showing two Km (Ca) values, 31 and 853 nM. High affinity Ca-ATPase activity was reduced by the calmodulin inhibitor, trifluoperazine (TFP), with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 7 × 10−5 M. Monovalent cations stimulated high affinity Ca-ATPase activity (K+ > Na+ > Rb+ > Li+) in the presence of calcium. Magnesium (0.8 mM) also stimulated cleavage of ATP. Sodium increased Ca-dependent ATPase activity by 82% but had no significant effect on Mg-stimulated activity. Furthermore, azide, an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATPase(s), had a significantly greater inhibitory effect on Mg-dependent than on Ca-dependent activity. In summary, a high affinity Ca-ATPase is present in bovine parathyroid cells which has a Km in the range of the cytosolic calcium concentration that is found in other cells. Ca-ATPase(s) may be of importance in regulating the cytosolic calcium concentration and, therefore, hormonal secretion in this cell type.