cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetically determined differences in the effects of morphine on mice.

Abstract We have compared a variety of well known behavioral actions of morphine across four strains of laboratory mice. These measures included locomotor activation, analgesia, tolerance, dependence and drug-seeking. We found that analgesia and drug-seeking did not vary greatly among strains, although some statistically significant differences were found. The interstrain rank ordering for locomotor activity, tolerance and dependence was different for each of these measures. This suggests that each of these effects of morphine may depend upon separate mechanisms, perhaps with each under independent genetic control. Other experiments were carried out to determine whether or not there were differences in the in vivo brain uptake of an opiate or the in vitro binding of naloxone to ‘stereospecific receptors’. No significant interstrain differences could be found.
Cavernous hemangioma of the right atrium: presumptive diagnosis by coronary angiography.

The angiographic findings in a patient with an interesting vascular tumor of the right atrium are described. The tumor was supplied by vessels from both the right and left coronary arteries and consisted of dilated blood spaces in which contrast material persisted for a prolonged period of time. Since this picture is identical to that described in cavernous hemangioma of other organs, this report presumably represents the first description of the angiographic findings in a cavernous hemangioma of the heart.
Predicting temporal lobe volume on MRI from genotypes using L 1 -L 2 regularized regression

Penalized or sparse regression methods are gaming increasing attention in imaging genomics, as they can select optimal regressors from a large set of predictors whose individual effects are small or mostly zero. We applied a multivanate approach, based on L1-L2-Aregulanzed regression (elastic net) to predict a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tensor-based morphometry-derived measure of temporal lobe volume from a genome-wide scan in 740 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) subjects. We tuned the elastic net model's parameters using internal cross-validation and evaluated the model on independent test sets. Compared to 100,000 permutations performed with randomized imaging measures, the predictions were found to be statistically significant (p ∼ 0.001). The rs9933137 variant in the RBFOX1 gene was a highly contributory genotype, along with rs10845840 in GRIN2B and rs2456930, discovered previously in a univanate genome-wide search.
Detection and Triage of Urinary Incontinence Problems in a Psychiatric Practice

Abstract Urinary incontinence is a common complaint in women, and the incidence increases with age. Since continence is the result of the interaction of several neurologic, anatomic, and physiologic factors, it may be affected by a number of pathological conditions, physical changes, or pharmacologic agents. Psychiatrists are often the only physicians caring for women in an ongoing fashion. But patients are often embarrassed to discuss incontinence unless directly questioned. Thus, it is reasonable for a psychiatrist to ask about this problem, take a history to help determine whether the patient will respond to simple therapy or whether she may require referral. This paper will define the types of incontinence and the etiologic factors that may be the cause and will offer suggestions as to how the psychiatrist can evaluate the patient initially and decide on appropriate disposition of the patient with this problem.
Head injury does not alter disease progression or neuropathologic outcomes in ALS

Objectives: To study the effects of head injury on disease progression and on neuropathologic outcomes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: Patients with ALS were surveyed to obtain head injury history, and medical records were reviewed. Linear regression was performed to determine if head injury was a predictor for mean monthly decline of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale–revised (ALSFRS-R), while controlling for confounders. Head injury history was obtained from family members of ALS autopsy cases. The frequency of tau proteinopathy, brain TDP-43 inclusions, and pathologic findings of Alzheimer disease (AD) were examined in ALS cases with head injury compared to cases without. Logistic regression was performed with each neuropathologic diagnosis as an outcome measure and head injury as a predictor variable. Results: No difference was seen in rate of decline of the ALSFRS-R between patients with head injury (n = 24) and without (n = 76), with mean monthly decline of −0.9 for both groups ( p = 0.18). Of 47 ALS autopsy cases (n = 9 with head injury, n = 38 without), no significant differences were seen in the frequency of tau proteinopathy (11% with head injury; 24% without), TDP-43 in the brain (44% with head injury; 45% without), or AD pathology (33% with head injury; 26% without). Independent logistic regression models showed head injury was not a predictor of tau pathology ( p = 0.42) or TDP-43 in the brain ( p = 0.99). Conclusions: Head injury was not associated with faster disease progression in ALS and did not result in a specific neuropathologic phenotype. The tau pathology described with chronic traumatic encephalopathy was found in ALS autopsy cases both with and without head injury.
`Sex' - It's not only Women's Work: A Case for Refocusing on the Functional Role that Sex Plays in Work for both Women and Men.

Mention of the term sex work often invokes images of marginalized women at risk for HIV infection. Such images, however, are counterintuitive to the functional role intended by the movement that spawned use of the terms ‘sex work’ and ‘sex worker.’ This article looks at the sexual practices of men in urban China to argue for a return to a functional definition of ‘sex work’, which was originally meant to legitimize the role sex plays in work. The progenitors of this movement intended to use ‘sex work’ as a means to legitimize sex as an income-generating activity for women involved in prostitution. I show that sex can also serve a functional role in the work-related duties of men seeking economic and political success in contemporary urban China. Men in China utilize sex as one way for demonstrating the loyalty necessary to access state-owned and controlled resources in a market economy governed under a Leninist system. Overall, the article demonstrates that reclaiming perception of sex work as a functiona...
Developing recommendations for consortial cataloging of electronic resources: Lessons learned

In 2003, the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO) consortium convened a task force to recommend a set of consortial standards for cataloging electronic resources in its new Voyager integrated library management system (ILMS). The CatER group faced the task of producing proposals that would embrace coherently a variety of local practices, and do so within a distributed system architecture. In the course of its work, CatER considered the interplay of many factors, including historical practice, user expectations, MARC standards, system functionality, conflicting cataloging philosophies, and the impact of new technologies. This paper summarizes some instructive aspects of the group's deliberations and elaborates upon the main themes that emerged.
Weaving Moral Elements and Research-Based Reading Practices in Inclusive Classrooms Using Shared Book Reading Techniques.

Promoting moral, language and literacy development is particularly important for children in inclusive early childhood programs serving disadvantaged children. In the first section of this article, the author: (1) summarizes research about the gap between typically developing children in professional families and most disadvantaged children and children with disabilities in terms of language, social and emotional development; (2) provides evidence that current literacy practices in most early childhood programs serving disadvantaged children are unlikely to close that gap; and (3) describes recent legislation that mandates efforts to close the gap in order for all children to start school ‘ready to learn’. In the second section, the author focuses on shared storybook reading as an intervention and offers five steps to use this intervention to weave social and emotional development with language and literacy. In the final section, the author offers suggestions to improve professional development for early ...
Gauss-Newton and Inverse Gauss-Newton Methods for Coefficient Identification in Linear Elastic Systems

The "inverse problem" of determining parameter distributions in linear elastic structures has been explored widely in the literature. In the present article we discuss this problem in the context of a particular formulation of linear elastic systems, dividing the associated inverse problems into two classes which we call Case 1 and Case 2. In the first case the elastic parameters can be obtained by solving a certain set of linear algebraic equations, typically poorly conditioned. In the second case the corresponding problem involves nonlinear equations which usually must be solved by approximation methods, including the Gauss-Newton method for overdetermined systems. Here we discuss the application of this method and a related, empirically more stable, method which we call the inverse Gauss-Newton method. Convergence theorems are established and computational results for sample problems are presented.
Hand preference and transcranial magnetic stimulation asymmetry of cortical motor representation.

Human handedness may be associated with asymmetry in the corticospinal motor system. Previous studies measuring the threshold for eliciting motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have provided evidence consistent with this hypothesis. However, TMS asymmetry observed in previous studies may have reflected cortical or spinal differences. We therefore undertook this investigation to test the hypothesis that handedness is associated with asymmetry in cortical motor representations. We used TMS to map contralateral cortical motor representations of the right and left abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscles in nine normal subjects (three left-handed). Using focal stimulation with a figure-of-8 shaped magnetic coil, we found no differences in MEP threshold or MEP size between the preferred and the nonpreferred hand. However, we observed that the number of scalp stimulation sites eliciting MEPs was statistically greater for APB and FCR muscles of the preferred limb. We found significant asymmetry between right-handed and left-handed subjects, such that in right-handers, the representation of the right APB was larger than that of the left APB, but in left-handers the representation of right APB was smaller than that of the left APB. These results suggest that handedness is associated with asymmetry in cortical motor representation.
p,q -Stirling numbers and set partition statistics

Abstract We give bijections on restricted growth functions and rook placements on stairstep Ferrers boards to show that the q -Stirling numbers of the second kind, described by Gould, arise as generating functions for various statistics on set partitions. We also describe a two-variable, p, q -Stirling number which is the generating function for the joint distribution of pairs of statistics.
A short cylindrical antenna as a diagnostic probe for measuring collision frequencies in a collision-dominated non-Maxwellian plasma

Investigations have been made to determine the effects of interparticle collisions on the antiresonant impedance characteristics of an electrically short, cylindrical antenna in the vicinity of the plasma frequency of an isotropic non-Maxwellian plasma (a weakly ionized plasma in which the electron-neutral collision frequency for momentum transfer is a function of the electron energy). The dependence of the electron-neutral collision frequency on the electron energy has been taken into account. The experimental results have been compared with the theories proposed by King et al [1] and Balmain [2]. The use of this antenna as a diagnostic probe for measuring electron-neutral collision frequency and electron density has been investigated. Electron-neutral collision frequencies for helium measured by this technique are in good agreement with theoretical results calculated from the collision cross-section data of Golden and Bandel [3].
IFRS and the regulatory environment: The case of U.S. investor allocation choice

Abstract This paper investigates whether a country’s use of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) is associated with increased US investment in foreign equities. The recent global trend towards the use of IFRS may signal attempts by policy makers to reduce information asymmetries for international investors. However, a concern is that these standards must be accompanied by a stronger regulatory environment in order for them to gain legitimacy. Investor allocation choice is based on US holdings of foreign equities and the regulatory environment is interpreted using two distinct factors: the legal standards system and the enforcement regime. We document that US investment is associated with IFRS only when it is combined with a strong regulatory environment, specifically a strong enforcement regime. We also find that mandating IFRS is attractive to US investors only when combined with a strong regulatory environment.
Developmental toxicity evaluation of inhaled tertiary amyl methyl ether in mice and rats.

This evaluation was part of a much more comprehensive testing program to characterize the mammalian toxicity potential of the gasoline oxygenator additive tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME), and was initiated upon a regulatory agency mandate. A developmental toxicity hazard identiﬁcation study was conducted by TAME vapor inhalation exposure in two pregnant rodent species. Timed-pregnant CD®(Sprague-Dawley) rats and CD-1® mice, 25 animals per group, inhaled TAME vapors containing 0, 250, 1500 or 3500 ppm for 6 h a day on gestational days 6–16 (mice) or 6–19 (rats). The developmental toxicity hazard potential was evaluated following the study design draft guidelines and end points proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Based on maternal body weight changes during pregnancy, the no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 250 ppm for maternal toxicity in rats and 1500 ppm for developmental toxicity in rats using the criterion of near-term fetal body weights. In mice, more profound developmental toxicity was present than in rats, at both 1500 and 3500 ppm. At the highest concentration, mouse litters revealed more late fetal deaths, signiﬁcantly reduced fetal body weights per litter and increased incidences of cleft palate (classiﬁed as an external malformation), as well as enlarged lateral ventricles of the cerebrum (a visceral variation). At 1500 ppm, mouse fetuses also exhibited an increased incidence of cleft palate and the dam body weights were reduced. Therefore, the NOAEL for the mouse maternal and developmental toxicity was 250 ppm under the conditions of this study. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water Purification Through Selective Transport

Accumulation of inorganic nitrates and phosphates in regions such as the Mississippi river basin has resulted in catastrophic growth of algal blooms. These algal blooms deplete the surrounding oxygen and asphyxiate nearby aquatic life, resulting in large regions incapable of sustaining life. Using biomimicry principles to design a tailored active material to selectively transport these pollutants may offer a strategy to restore these dead zones to health. Theoretically a combination of selected protein transporters may be employed to create a selective sponge to reclaim these nitrates and phosphates. Presented is a feasibility study of various configurations of transporters, and a unique solution for restoring the aquatic ecosystem back to health.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effective Arrestin–Specific Immunotherapy of Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis with RTL: A Prospect for Treatment of Human Uveitis

Purpose: To evaluate the immunotherapeutic efficacy of recombinant T cell receptor ligands (RTLs) specific for arrestin immunity in treatment of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in humanized leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR3) transgenic (Tg) mice.
Solid-Phase Synthesis and Configurational Reassigment of Callipeltin E. Implications for the Structures of Callipeltins A and B

Two possible isomers of the natural product callipeltin E (1, 5) were synthesized by using an Fmoc-based solid-phase strategy in 7 steps, in 20% and 26% overall yields, respectively. The (1)H NMR spectrum of synthetic 5 correlated closely with that of the natural product, whereas that of 1 did not, providing confirmation of the configurational reassignment of the N-terminal residue of callipeltin E as D-allothreonine. This result strongly implies that the corresponding residue in the closely related cyclic depsipeptides callipeltins A and B should also be considered a D-allothreonine residue.
Bedform movement recorded by sequential single-beam surveys in tidal rivers

Abstract A portable system for bedform-mapping was evaluated in the delta of the lower Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, California, from 1998 to 2000. Bedform profiles were surveyed with a two-person crew using an array of four single-beam transducers on boats about 6 m in length. Methods for processing the bedform profiles into maps with geographic coordinates were developed for spreadsheet programs and surface-contouring software. Straight reaches were surveyed every few days or weeks to determine locations of sand deposition, net transport directions, flow thresholds for bedform regimes, and bedform-transport rates. In one channel of unidirectional flow, the portable system was used to record changes in bedform regime through minor fluctuations of low discharge, and through high discharges near channel capacity. In another channel with reversing flows from tides, the portable system recorded directions of net bedload-transport that would be undetectable by standard bedload sampling alone.
Response of Transformer Windings to System Transient Voltages

Some recent transformer failures have been attributed to part-winding resonances excited by a form of switching surge voltage pulse which produced internal overvoltages. This paper takes a tutorial approach to relate a transformer winding to an equivalent electrical network which can exhibit resonant effects both at its terminals and internally. The relationship between the resonance phenomenon and pulse response is explained and illustrated with practical examples for the standard test waveforms. A proposed alternative switching surge waveform is examined for its effect on the internal response of transformer windings. The material presented should promote the understanding required for consideration of changes in standard test waveforms.
Planning for Enjoyment in the General Music Classroom.

Enjoyment is an important but often overlooked element in the music classroom. In this article, we review research literature related to enjoyment in musical interactions and discuss the role of en...
Wavelet-packet-based time–frequency distribution and its application to radar imaging

An efficient wavelet-packet-based time–frequency technique is proposed in this paper. This technique has found applications in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR). It combines the Wigner–Ville distribution (WVD) of each sub-band signal partitioned from an input signal by the wavelet-packet transform (WPT). These distributions are used to estimate the parameters in Doppler processing. Similar parametric compensation is carried out in range processing so that a specific scatterer is focused in both range and cross-range. The end result uses the Fourier imaging method to obtain a high-resolution radar image. This technique is primarily based on estimation and compensation of the Doppler scattering parameters of the dominant scatterers for improved focus. It can be of great value to the scattering-oriented ISAR imaging. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monte Carlo analysis of light transport in tissue in the mid-infrared domain

The mid-infrared wavelength region contains characteristic peaks of several of the biochemical constituents of tissue. Recently, it has been shown that measurements of mammalian cell suspensions can provide estimates of biochemical composition and consequently information on the growth stage. This information may be used to identify cancerous tissue in-vivo. To facilitate the development of an in-vivo diagnostic technique, we have performed simulations of photon propagation and light collection in epithelial tissue, given a specific optical probe geometry.
Amplification of tumor-specific regulatory T cells following therapeutic cancer vaccines.

The fate of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells is central to the outcome of the host immune response to cancer. We show that tumor antigen recognition by a subset of CD4+ T cells led to their differentiation into cells capable of suppressing naive and Th1 effector cells. Such tumor-induced regulatory T cells (TMTregs) arose both from precommitted “natural” regulatory T cells and CD4+CD25–GITRlow precursors. Once induced, TMTregs were capable of maintaining suppressor activity long after transfer into antigen-free recipients. Suppression was mediated by GITRhigh cells residing within both CD25+ and CD25– subsets. Vaccination of the tumor-bearing host concomitantly expanded TMTregs and effector cells, but suppression was dominant, blunting the expansion of naive tumor-specific T cells and blocking the execution of effector function in vitro and in vivo. These studies illustrate the possibility that therapeutic vaccination could actually worsen host tolerance to tumor antigens and support treatment paradigms that seek to not only increase the frequency of tumor-specific T cells, but to do so in conjunction with strategies that inactivate or remove regulatory T-cell populations.
Random sample consensus: a paradigm for model fitting with applications to image analysis and automated cartography

A new paradigm, Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC), for fitting a model to experimental data is introduced. RANSAC is capable of interpreting/smoothing data containing a significant percentage of gross errors, and is thus ideally suited for applications in automated image analysis where interpretation is based on the data provided by error-prone feature detectors. A major portion of this paper describes the application of RANSAC to the Location Determination Problem (LDP): Given an image depicting a set of landmarks with known locations, determine that point in space from which the image was obtained. In response to a RANSAC requirement, new results are derived on the minimum number of landmarks needed to obtain a solution, and algorithms are presented for computing these minimum-landmark solutions in closed form. These results provide the basis for an automatic system that can solve the LDP under difficult viewing
Multi-aperture extraction system with micro-beamlet switching capability

Abstract A novel ion projection lithography (IPL) technique called maskless-micro-beam reduction lithography (MMRL) is being developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Instead of a thin stencil mask, this new ion projection lithography scheme utilizes a thicker universal pattern generator (or beam forming electrode) which contains switchable beamlets. Both single aperture and nine-aperture beam extraction systems have been used to test the switching scheme. In the single aperture case, an ion beam current of 23 nA was extracted and successfully turned off when a positive voltage was applied on the second electrode. For the nine-hole system, ion beams were switched on and off selectively and independently from each other. It has been demonstrated that electron beam switching can be achieved in a similar manner.
Local damage detection using the two-dimensional gapped smoothing method

Abstract This paper presents a procedure for locating variability in structural stiffness. For some types of structure, this variability is directly related to manufacturing defects and/or in-service damage. Unlike many published damage detection methods, the procedure presented here uses only data obtained from the damaged structure. Baseline data and theoretical models of the undamaged structure are not used during the analysis presented here. The procedure locates regions in a structure where the stiffness varies. Providing it is known that the structure, in its undamaged state, is homogeneous with respect to stiffness, the procedure will detect the areas of inhomogeneity that are caused by the incipient damage. For non-homogeneous structures, some knowledge of the structural details (for example, engineering drawings or a baseline test) is required in order to discriminate damage. The procedure is a two-dimensional generalization of a previously published one-dimensional gapped smoothing method, whereby local features in vibration curvature shapes are extracted using a localized curve fit (i.e., smoothing). A variability index is generated for each test point on the structure. Increased variability is due either to structural stiffness features or damage. A statistical treatment of the indices enables discrimination of areas with significant stiffness variability. Providing the damaged areas are sufficiently small compared to the total surface area, their indices will be statistical outliers. The procedure can either analyze mode shape data, or frequency dependent operating displacement shape data. The procedure is demonstrated with a finite element model of a plate, and experiments on composite plates with deliberately induced multiple delaminations. Finally, the method is demonstrated on data taken from a large composite hull structure. In all cases the procedure successfully located the damaged regions.
Modulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase by chemical inducers of differentiation: effects on beta receptors and the inhibitory regulatory protein Gi.

AbstractSeveral drugs known to induce differentiation in tumor cells were analyzed for their effects on the β-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system in two human carcinoma cell lines, HeLa and A431. Each of the drugs was tested alone or in combination with sodium butyrate (NaBu), a known inducer of this signal transduction system. Puromycine amino nucleoside (PMAN) caused the largest increase in β-adrenergic receptors in HeLa cells followed by hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA) whereas 5′-azacytidine (5AZC) was ineffective. In addition, PMAN but not the others acted together with NaBu to elevate receptor levels 12-fold over control values. In contrast, HMBA and 5AZC were much more effective on A431 cells, PMAN caused only a slight increase in β receptors and none of the drugs acted in concert with NaBu. The increase in β receptors was usually accompanied by a corresponding increase in isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These effects of the drugs appeared to require protein sy...
Using phase scintillation spectral measurements to determine angle-of-arrival fluctuations during solar superior conjunction

[1] In this study, we develop a complete theoretical approach to derive the angle-of-arrival fluctuations (AAF) of radio signals passing through the turbulent solar plasma medium during solar superior conjunctions. Using the power spectra of phase fluctuations measured at various solar elongation angles (or impact heliocentric distances) from the Cassini spacecraft, we have defined the dependence of the AAF variance on the heliocentric distance as ∼r−3.5 within a range very close to the Sun. This quantity decreases with increasing distance, with a slope significantly less steep than that previously expected. The AAF expression is theoretically derived by assuming a frozen turbulence and by converting a phase temporal variation into a spatial variation. To perform this calculation, the solar plasma medium is treated as an anisotropic ionized medium by applying the Booker electron irregularity spectrum model and the phase expression in term of the electron refractive index. Using the phase spectral measurements from the Cassini spacecraft during a solar superior conjunction, coefficients of the expression are calibrated, and the final AAF results are quantitatively obtained.
A stable optic-flow based method for tracking colonoscopy images

In this paper, we focus on the robustness and stability of our algorithm to plot the position of an endoscopic camera (during a colonoscopy procedure) on the corresponding pre-operative CT scan of the patient. The colon has few topological landmarks, in contrast to bronchoscopy images, where a number of registration algorithms have taken advantage of features such as anatomical marks or bifurcations. Our method estimates the camera motion from the optic-flow computed from the information contained in the video stream. Optic-flow computation is notoriously susceptible to errors in estimating the motion field. Our method relies on the following features to counter this, (1) we use a small but reliable set of feature points (sparse optic-flow field) to determine the spatio-temporal scale at which to perform optic-flow computation in each frame of the sequence, (2) the chosen scales are used to compute a more accurate dense optic flow field, which is used to compute qualitative parameters relating to the main motion direction, and (3) the sparse optic-flow field and the main motion parameters are then combined to estimate the camera parameters. A mathematical analysis of our algorithm is presented to illustrate the stability of our method, as well as comparison to existing motion estimation algorithms. We present preliminary results of using this algorithm on both a virtual colonoscopy image sequence, as well as a colon phantom image sequence.
A Phonologically Based Intervention for School-Age Children With Language Impairment: Implications for Reading Achievement

This study was conducted utilizing a quasi-experimental pre- and postgroup design to examine the effects of a phonologically based intervention aimed to improve phonological awareness (PA) and reading abilities in school-age children with language impairment (LI) in Grades 1 through 3. The intervention included instruction in PA and sound-symbol correspondence. Sixty-four school-age children with LI (Grades 1-3) were assigned to either an experimental (n = 34) or a control group (n = 30). Eleven kindergarten-age children with LI were then included as a comparison grade group to investigate whether the magnitude of treatment effect changed across grade level in the experimental group (K-3). Participants in the experimental group (Grades 1-3) made significantly greater gains in PA and reading (e.g., decoding and text comprehension) than the control group. Similar gains were observed across the varying grade levels (K-3). These results suggest that, despite being at risk of reading failure, school-age children with LI in Grades 1 through 3 have the potential to make accelerated gains in their reading development and in the PA skills that are essential to successful literacy acquisition.
Low-high heterojunction of c-Si substrate and /spl mu/c-Si:H film under rear contact for improvement of efficiency

For improvement of conversion efficiencies of single-crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells, the low-high heterojunction structure of p-type c-Si substrate and a highly conductive B doped hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (c-Si:H) film with a wide optical bandgap under a rear contact has been investigated. This paper reports that a conversion efficiency of 21.1% was obtained for a 5 cm/spl times/5 cm c-Si solar cell with the /spl mu/c-Si:H film. This result has come from the examinations of the depositing conditions of the film and the improvement of rear reflection using a SiN film between the /spl mu/c-Si:H film and the rear contact. From TEM observations, it was clear that the /spl mu/c-Si:H film consisted of two kinds of domain classified by the crystallite degree of spatial order of Si atoms.
Intracardiac Extension of Wilms' Tumor A Recognizable Complication

A case of Wilms' tumor presenting with direct intracardiac extension is described. The clinical features of this unusual complication are described from a review of previous cases. The presence of cardiac abnormalities in a child with a right-sided Wilms' tumor can suggest direct intracardiac extension.
The Present and Future Use of Physician Extenders in General Surgery Training Programs: One Response to the 80-Hour Work Week

Background The aim of this study was to assess the use of physician extenders (PEs) in general surgery residency programs. Study Design We surveyed the program directors in surgery for the number of chief residents, PEs on general surgery services, PE duties, whether PEs were hired in response to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hour restrictions, plans to hire additional PEs, and program type. Data were analyzed using the Student's t- test; p values are two-tailed and considered significant if Results There were 163 programs (65%) that responded, (87 university, 70 nonuniversity, and 6 military programs), with a total of 689 graduating chief residents per year. One hundred sixty programs use 840 PEs (median, 3.5 PEs per program; mean, 5.3 PEs per program, 2 PEs per chief resident). One hundred twenty-seven programs (79%) use at least 1 PE (range 1 to 50 PEs); 93 programs (57%) hired 513 (61%) PEs in response to work-hour restrictions. Before 2003, the mean number of PEs per program was 2.0; after 2003, there were 5.3 per program (p=0.0001). Most common uses of PEs included taking histories and physicals (84%), seeing consults (58%), first-assisting (52%), and seeing patients in the emergency department (47%). Forty-seven of 162 (29%) programs plan to hire more PEs in the next 3 years, 76 programs (47%) would like to, but are unsure of funding; 23 programs (14%) are not planning to increase the total, and 16 programs (10%) are unsure. With available funding, 431 additional PEs may be hired in the next 3 years, for a total of 1,271 PEs in 163 programs, or an average of 7.8 PEs per program and 1.8 PEs per chief resident. Conclusions PEs have been hired in large numbers to assist on general surgery teaching services, with most hired in response to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hour restrictions, and most of their duties are intended to aid resident education. Almost 80% of programs currently use PEs; 76% would like to hire more. Currently 1.2 PEs are used per graduating chief resident; this could increase to 1.8 PEs per chief resident in the next 3 years.
Antibiotic Resistance Caused by Gram-Negative Multidrug Efflux Pumps

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of most lipophilic agents tend to be much higher against gram-negative than gram-positive bacteria. Multidrug efflux pumps that traverse both the inner and outer membranes make a major contribution to this intrinsic resistance of gram-negative bacteria. Such a pump is composed of at least three components, is energized by the proton-motive force, and can pump out not only an extremely wide variety of detergents, dyes, and antibiotics, but also those compounds, such as beta-lactams, that do not easily cross the cytoplasmic membrane. Increased expression of these pumps can raise the MICs to an impressive level. For example, 80% of carbenicillin-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the British Isles owed their resistance to overexpression of an efflux pump and had carbenicillin MICs that were up to 2,000 times higher than that of the pump-deficient mutant strain.
Phytomass, LAI, and NDVI in northern Alaska: Relationships to summer warmth, soil pH, plant functional types, and extrapolation to the circumpolar Arctic

[1] We examined the effects of summer warmth on leaf area index (LAI), total aboveground phytomass (TAP), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across the Arctic bioclimate zone in Alaska and extrapolated our results to the circumpolar Arctic. Phytomass, LAI, and within homogeneous areas of vegetation on acidic and nonacidic soils were regressed against the total summer warmth index (SWI) at 12 climate stations in northern Alaska (SWI = sum of mean monthly temperatures greater than 0°C). SWI varies from 9°C at Barrow to 37°C at Happy Valley. A 5°C increase in the SWI is correlated with about a 120 g m−2 increase in the aboveground phytomass for zonal vegetation on acidic sites and about 60 g m−2 on nonacidic sites. Shrubs account for most of the increase on acidic substrates, whereas mosses account for most of the increase on nonacidic soils. LAI is positively correlated with SWI on acidic sites but not on nonacidic sites. The NDVI is positively correlated with SWI on both acidic and nonacidic soils, but the NDVI on nonacidic parent material is consistently lower than the NDVI on acidic substrates. Extrapolation to the whole Arctic using a five-subzone zonation approach to stratify the circumpolar NDVI and phytomass data showed that 60% of the aboveground phytomass is concentrated in the low-shrub tundra (subzone 5), whereas the high Arctic (subzones 1–3) has only 9% of the total. Estimated phytomass densities in subzones 1–5 are 47, 256, 102, 454, and 791 g m−2, respectively. Climate warming will likely result in increased phytomass, LAI, and NDVI on zonal sites. These changes will be most noticeable in acidic areas with abundant shrub phytomass.
Using statistical and artificial neural network models to forecast potentiometric levels at a deep well in South Texas

Reliable forecasts of monthly and quarterly fluctuations in groundwater levels are necessary for short- and medium-term planning and management of aquifers to ensure proper service of seasonal demands within a region. Development of physically based transient mathematical models at this time scale poses considerable challenges due to lack of suitable data and other uncertainties. Artificial neural networks (ANN) possess flexible mathematical structures and are capable of mapping highly nonlinear relationships. Feed-forward neural network models were constructed and trained using the back-percolation algorithm to forecast monthly and quarterly time-series water levels at a well that taps into the deeper Evangeline formation of the Gulf Coast aquifer in Victoria, TX. Unlike unconfined formations, no causal relationships exist between water levels and hydro-meteorological variables measured near the vicinity of the well. As such, an endogenous forecasting model using dummy variables to capture short-term seasonal fluctuations and longer-term (decadal) trends was constructed. The root mean square error, mean absolute deviation and correlation coefficient (R) were noted to be 1.40, 0.33 and 0.77 m, respectively, for an evaluation dataset of quarterly measurements and 1.17, 0.46, and 0.88 m for an evaluative monthly dataset not used to train or test the model. These statistics were better for the ANN model than those developed using statistical regression techniques.
Neural network retrieval of precipitation using NPOESS microwave sensors

This paper will present efforts for the development and validation of passive microwave precipitation retrieval algorithms for the NPOESS (national polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system) satellite program and the NPOESS preparatory project (NPP) prior to the launch of the first satellite in 2009. The advanced technology microwave sounder (ATMS) offers improvements including finer sampling and spatial resolution over heritage instruments such as the advanced microwave sounding unit instruments AMSU-A/B aboard the NOAA-15, NOAA-16, and NOAA-17, and similar instruments. The conical scanning microwave sounder (CSMS) is planned for the second and subsequent NPOESS satellites. A system for simulating ATMS and CSMS microwave observations from atmospheric data has been developed. This system has shown encouraging results when validated with observations from AMSU-B on NOAA-16. This system is flexible and can be used not only with cross-track scanning instruments but also with conically scanning instruments. A neural network was trained to estimate 5.2deg MM5 rain rates from simulated ATMS observations. Encouraging agreement was observed. However, this algorithm is only preliminary and many improvements are in progress.
NEUROMUSCULAR SENSITIVITY TO TUBOCURARINE A comparison of 10 parameters

The pharmacometrics of neuromuscular block by tubocurarine was studied. Ten parameters were compared for the sensitivity, the scatter and the linearity of response at three levels of block in 11 cats. The fourth twitch of the train-of-four is the most sensitive parameter, followed in order of decreasing sensitivity by the train-of-four fade, the faded tetanus, the tetanus, the single twitch, the post-tetanic twitch and the tetanic fade. At the level of 50% block of the single twitch, all other parameters differ significantly (P
Seeing the forest and the trees: Steiner wirelength optimization in placemen

We show how to optimize Steiner-tree Wirelength (StWL) in global and detail placement without a significant runtime penalty, making the use of Half-Perimeter Wirelength unnecessary. Given that StWL correlates with Routed Wirelength (rWL) much better than HPWL, our new optimization improves the overall Place-and-Route results. We also develop congestion-driven whitespace distribution during global placement. Comparing to the state of the art where whitespace is redistributed after global placement, we demonstrate that cell-shifting techniques often increase via counts.Our placer ROOSTER outperforms best published results for Dragon, Capo, FengShui, mPL-R/WSA and APlace in terms of routed wirelength by 10.7%, 5.6%, 9.3%, 5.5% and 4.2% respectively. Via counts, especially important at 90nm and below, are improved by 15.6% over mPL-R/WSA and 11.9% over APlace.
Perceptual integration of acoustic cues to laryngeal contrasts in Korean fricatives.

This paper provides evidence that multiple acoustic cues involving the presence of low-frequency energy integrate in the perception of Korean coronal fricatives. This finding helps explain a surprising asymmetry between the production and perception of these fricatives found in previous studies: lower F0 onset in the following vowel leads to a response bias for plain [s] over fortis [s*], despite the fact that there is no evidence for a corresponding acoustic asymmetry in the production of [s] and [s*]. A fixed classification task using the Garner paradigm provides evidence that low F0 in a following vowel and the presence of voicing during frication perceptually integrate. This suggests that Korean listeners in previous experiments were responding to an “intermediate perceptual property” of stimuli, despite the fact that the individual acoustic components of that property are not all present in typical Korean fricative productions. The finding also broadens empirical support for the general idea of perceptual integration to a language, a different manner of consonant, and a situation where covariance of the acoustic cues under investigation is not generally present in a listener's linguistic input.
No matter Where You Go, There You Are: The Genetic Foundations of Temporal Stability

We present empirical tests of the stability of individual differences over the lifespan using a novel methodological technique to combine behavior-genetic data from twin dyads with longitudinal measures of life history-related traits (including health and personality) from non-twin samples. Using data from The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Longitudinal Survey, we constructed a series of “hybrid” models that permitted the estimation of both temporal stability parameters and behavior-genetic variance components to determine the contributions of genetic and environmental influences on individual differences. Our results indicate that changes in a higher-order factor of life history strategy (Super-K, composed of the K-Factor, Covitality, and Personality) over the study period were very small in magnitude and that this temporal stability is under a considerable degree of shared genetic influence and a substantial degree of non-shared environmental influence, but a statistically non-significant degree of shared environmental influence. Implications and future directions are discussed. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v5i1_figueredo
Information seeking and beyond: impacts of studying different forms of information behavior

Although people engage in a range of information behaviors, the majority of previous models and empirical research in information behavior tend to focus just on information seeking and use. This panel will discuss the need of extending the territories of information behavior research beyond seeking and use. Panelists will explain their own research studies that explore different forms of information behavior, and introduce emerging models including serendipitous finding of information, information-organizing behavior, and information-creating behavior. Theoretical and methodological issues concerning modeling the new modes of information behavior will be discussed. This panel will involve the audience in identifying under-investigated areas of information behavior and discussing potential impacts of studying various forms of information behavior on individuals, society, organizations, systems & technology, and culture.
Isolation and X-Ray Crystal Structures of Li?mu 2-As(SiMe3)2MU 3-As(SiMe3)2(THF)2 and (Me3Si)2AsLiTHF)22.

Abstract The lithium arsenides {Li2[μ2-As(SiMe3)2] [μ3-As(SiMe3)2](THF)}2 (I) (THF = tetrahydrofuran) and [(Me3Si)2AsLi(THF)2]2 (II) were isolated and their solid-state structures determined by X-ray methods. Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with a = 10.147(1)A, b = 19.665(2)A, c = 16.768(2)A, β = 107.78(1)° and Z = 2. The core structure consists of an [LiAs]4 ladder-like framework with four antiparallel adjacent As-Li rungs. The two lithium atoms of the central ring each bridge three arsenic centers while the two lithium atoms belonging solely to the outer rings each span two arsenic atoms and are coordinated to one THF molecule. Monoclinic crystals of compound II belong to space group C2/c, with a = 17.877(4) A, b = 14.077(3) A, c = 19.006(4) A, β = 109.16(2)° and Z = 4. The structure consists of a centrosymmetric dimer containing a four-membered As-Li-As-Li ring wherein each lithium atom is coordinated to two molecules of THF.
‘Idea-shift’: how ideas from the rest are reshaping global order

AbstractAn ‘idea-shift’ is taking place that may be of greater consequence for global governance than is the ongoing ‘power shift’ or the rise of new powers. A number of non-Western thinkers and practitioners - who may be called idea-shifters - have contributed to new concepts and approaches that have radically altered the way we think about development, security and ecology, among other areas. Their ideas are often dismissed or downgraded in the West as imitation, or the product of the Western education of their creators, or of partnership with Western collaborators, governments, donor agencies and multilateral institutions dominated by the Western powers. Challenging this view, this essay holds that ideas from the postcolonial world, its thinkers and policymakers have played an important role in the making of the postwar norms of governance, such as universal sovereignty, human rights, international development and regionalism. Moreover, some of the important recent ideas about development (human develo...