cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Not all repetition is alike: Different benefits of repetition in amnesia and normal memory

While it is well known that repetition can enhance memory in amnesia, little is known about which forms of repetition are most beneficial. This study compared the effect on recognition memory of repetition of words in the same semantic context and in varied semantic contexts. To gain insight into the mechanisms by which these forms of repetition affect performance, participants were asked to make Remember/Know judgments during recognition. These judgments were used to make inferences about the contribution of recollection and familiarity to performance. For individuals with intact memory, the two forms of repetition were equally beneficial to overall recognition, and were associated with both enhanced Remember and Know responses. However, varied repetition was associated with a higher likelihood of Remember responses than was fixed repetition. The two forms of repetition also conferred equivalent benefits on overall recognition in amnesia, but in both cases, this enhancement was manifest exclusively in enhanced Know responses. We conclude that the repetition of information, and especially repetition in varied contexts, enhances recollection in individuals with intact memory, but exclusively affects familiarity in patients with severe amnesia.
The resurgence of ethnicity: Myth or reality?*

(1978). The resurgence of ethnicity: Myth or reality? Ethnic and Racial Studies: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 265-285.
The Composition of the Editorial Boards of General Marketing Journals

Unlike the diversity issues in corporate governance, the diversity in top academic positions (e.g., editorial boards of academic journals in business) is rather underresearched. The editorial boards of academic marketing journals are important gatekeepers and trendsetters in the creation and dissemination of marketing knowledge. Membership on journal editorial boards usually signals scholarly stature and professional advancement. This study examines the composition of editorial boards of general marketing journals, and compares it with what it was like 15 years ago. The study also investigates the impact of the composition of editorial boards on journal quality. We find that women’s participation in editorial boards generally corresponds to their presence in the profession. We also find an overall small representation of board members affiliated with nonacademic institutions. While the presence of women, practitioners, or international members does not have any relationship with journal quality, the prese...
NextGen progress and ICAO

Presents a collection of slides covering the following topics: NextGen improvements; NextGen budget profile; en route automation; terminal automation; ADS-B coverage and en route integration; data communications; NAS voice system; SWIM infrastructure deployment; SWIM terminal data distribution by TRACON; NextGen weather operational overview; ICAO global air navigation plan; ASBU performance improvement; airport operations; and GANP.
Dalteparin versus Enoxaparin for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in trauma patients

The use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the chemoprophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in trauma patients is supported by Level-1 evidence. Because Enoxaparin was the agent used in the majority of studies for establishing the efficacy of LMWH in VTE, it remains unclear if Dalteparin provides an equivalent effect. To compare Dalteparin to Enoxaparin and investigate their equivalence as VTE prophylaxis in trauma. Trauma patients receiving VTE chemoprophylaxis in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of a Level-1 Trauma Center from 2009 (Enoxaparin) to 2010 (Dalteparin) were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of clinically significant VTE. Secondary outcomes included heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), major bleeding, and drug acquisition cost savings. Equivalence margins were set between −5 and 5 %. A total of 610 patient records (277 Enoxaparin, 333 Dalteparin) were reviewed. The two study groups did not differ significantly: blunt trauma 67 vs. 62 %, p = 0.27; mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) 17 ± 10 vs. 16 ± 10, p = 0.34; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score 17 ± 9 vs. 17 ± 10, p = 0.76; time to first dose of LMWH 69 ± 98 vs. 65 ± 67 h, p = 0.57). The rates of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (3.2 vs. 3.3 %, p = 1.00), pulmonary emboli (PE) (1.8 vs. 1.2 %, p = 0.74), and overall VTE (5.1 vs. 4.5 %, p = 0.85) did not differ. The absolute difference in the incidence of overall VTE was 0.5 % [95 % confidence interval (CI): −2.9, 4.0 %, p = 0.85]. The 95 % CI was within the predefined equivalence margins. There were no significant differences in the frequency of HIT or major bleeding. The total year-on-year cost savings, achieved with 277 patients during the switch to Dalteparin, was estimated to be $107,778. Dalteparin is equivalent to Enoxaparin in terms of VTE in trauma patients and can be safely used in this population, with no increase in complications and significant cost savings.
40Ar/39Ar ages of flood basalt provinces in Russia and China and their possible link to global faunal extinction events: A cautionary tale regarding alteration and loss of 40Ar∗

Abstract The hypothesis that the Permo–Triassic boundary (PTB) mass extinctions were caused by flood basalt volcanism in Russia (Siberian Traps) and/or China (the Emeishan Traps) is investigated from the point of view of time of occurrence ( 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages). Numerous published ages in the literature are rejected as good estimates of the time of crystallization. The filters applied in this respect are (a) statistical reliability of plateau/isochron sections of stepheating data and (b) the alteration state of the material that was dated. Alteration appears to be ubiquitous, unsurprising since most of the material dated was used without acid leaching – a procedure that is effective in yielding fresh(er) samples. Of ∼70 ages in the literature for the main pulse of Siberian Trap volcanism, less than ten prove to be reliable ages. Similar techniques applied to 40 Ar/ 39 Ar for the Emeishan Traps, leaves only a single reliable age for the magmatic episode. These ages are compared to both published and new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for the PTB as based on analysis of minerals from critical ash beds in China. There is good overlap in the ages (PTB – 250.0 ± 0.1 Ma, Siberian Trap lavas – 250.1 ± 0.4 Ma), lending credence to a genetic link between the formation of the Siberian Traps and the faunal extinction event at the PTB. A similar link for the formation of the Viluy Traps (Russia) and the Late Devonian extinction event is investigated; only a single reliable 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age is available for the Viluy Traps, and falls close to the interpolated age for the Frasnian–Fammenian boundary. The use of the unspiked K–Ar technique to yield accurate ages for such (altered) samples is questioned. A review of U–Pb data pertinent to these problems suggests a close temporal link between the formation of the Siberian Traps and the PTB. Comparison of U–Pb and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for the PTB, raises questions about the accuracy of high precision sanidine ages, possibly resulting from very slow leakage of 40 Ar ∗ from this mineral.
Proton-proton quasi-free scattering in the p+d → p+p+n reaction for Ep = 4.5 − 13.0 MeV☆

Abstract Low-energy proton-proton quasi-free scattering was studied by coincidence detection of the two out-going protons at θ 1 = − θ 2 = 30° in the p+d → p+p+n reaction. The impulse approximation gives a good description of the measured spectral shapes and when normalized with a factor N = 0.2 describes the energy dependence of the peak cross section surprisingly well.
Late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont) De Bary) development from potato seed‐pieces treated with fungicides

Fungicides were applied as seed-piece treatments to control potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, US8, A2 biotype in controlled environment and field experiments. Efficacy of seed treatments for controlling late blight was examined under three disease development regimes simulated by artifical inoculation; (a) seed-borne infection, (b) transmission of infection resulting from spread during the seed-cutting operation, and (c) infection of foliage by aerial inoculation. Emergence of plants from the seed-borne infection was uniformly low (<40%) in controlled environment and field experiments. In controlled environment experiments some of the plants that emerged from fungicide-treated seed-pieces were infected with late blight. Following exposure of tuber surfaces to P infestans, emergence rates from seed-pieces treated with formulated products that included mancozeb in the formulation were comparable to the untreated and non-inoculated control in controlled environment and field experiments. Plants that emerged from non-inoculated seed-pieces treated with fungicides that contained active ingredients known to be effective against foliar late blight had lower percentage foliar infection after inoculation than the untreated control. Leaves close to the base of the stem had fewer infections than leaves attached at the mid region of the main stem, 14 days after inoculation, in some of the controlled environment studies. In contrast, field experiments conducted under conditions conducive to late blight development showed that none of the seed treatments applied to late blight-free seed-pieces delayed the onset and severity of late blight infection. In potato production areas at risk of early season late blight, seed treatments applied to healthy seed may confer limited protection against late blight between planting and the first scheduled applications of prophylactic foliar fungicides. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry
Associations Between Race, Ethnicity, Religion, and Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking

We surveyed a random sample of 852 students at a large university in 2010-2011 to clarify associations between waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), ethnicity, and religion. Current (past 30 day) WTS was reported by 116 (14%) students, and 331 (39%) reported ever WTS. Middle Eastern ethnicity was associated with current WTS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06, 5.34) and ever WTS (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.22, 5.47). South Asian ethnicity was associated with lower odds for ever WTS (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.86), but there was no significant association between South Asian ethnicity and current WTS. Being an atheist and having lower religiosity were associated with both WTS outcomes.
History and Other Times

Book reviewed in this article: Other Times: Philosophical Perspectives on Past, Present and Future, by David Cockburn
Relation of brightness to duration and luminance under light-and dark-adaptation

Abstract These experiments determined how the brightness of a brief flash grows with duration and intensity in dark-adapted and light-adapted eyes. Observers matched the brightness of a 1-sec flash to that of shorter flashes over a wide range of luminances. They also matched the briefer flashes to the 1-sec flash. The matching functions exhibit the brightness enhancement known as the Broca-Sulzer effect. The maximum enhancement shifts to a lower duration as the intensity is increased. Below about 10 msec in the dark-adapted eye the product of duration and intensity is constant for a given brightness (Bloch's law). In an eye adapted to 95 dB (300 mL) this reciprocity was not found at the durations used, 0.15 msec and greater. The results accord with other evidence to the effect that brightness grows as a power function of luminance, but that two basically different exponents are involved. When the duration is above the region of the Broca-Sulzer enhancement, the exponent has the value13. When the duration is short enough for Bloch's law to apply, the exponent is larger. Present evidence places the flash exponent between 0.4 and 0.5 for the dark-adapted eye.
Mechanisms of foxp3+ T regulatory cell-mediated suppression.

Foxp3 + T regulatory (Treg) cells control all aspects of the immune response. Here, I will review the in vitro model systems that have been developed to define the mechanisms used by Treg cells to suppress a large number of distinct target cell types. These mechanisms can be broadly divided into those that target T cells (suppressor cytokines, IL-2 consumption, cytolysis) and those that primarily target antigen-presenting cells (decreased costimulation or decreased antigen presentation). Although multiple mechanisms for Treg cell suppression have been shown in vitro, it is unclear whether the same or different mechanisms are used by Treg cells in vivo. An increase in our understanding of Treg cell suppressor mechanisms will offer an insight into how Treg cell function can be manipulated either positively or negatively in vivo.
Calculation of lower bounds to energy eigenvalues by reduced density matrices and the representability problem

The expectation value of the Hamiltonian H for a many-electron system may be expressed in terms of the reduced second-order density matrix and the “reduced” Hamiltonian K for a two-electron system. It may be shown that the antisymmetric component HAS of the original Hamiltonian is an “outer projection” of K with respect to the antisymmetrizer O, so that HAS = OKO. This result implies that the eigenvalues of K are, in order, lower bounds to the eigenvalues of HAS, i.e. to the eigenvalues of H associated with the antisymmetry requirement. The expectation values of K are hence often below the ground state energy of H, and the eigenvalues may be used for the calculation of lower bounds. Some numerical applications to atoms serve as an illustration, and it is shown that the lower bounds become worse as the number of electrons increases. The implications for the “representability problem” are discussed.
Trade and structural change: NICs and next tier NICs as transitional economies

Abstract The paper finds a strong association between rapid change in the sectoral composition of output and exports (structural change) and rapid export growth in the newly industrializing countries. Capital formation appears to be encouraged in dynamic economies by the underpricing of investment goods vis-a-vis consumption and government goods within these economies; also the underpricing of investment goods in dynamic economies is relatively greater than in less dynamic economies. Whereas other research has found low price distortion to be associated with high growth and an outward rather than an inward-looking orientation, these associations are seriously challenged and more caution is urged in reaching generalized conclusions.
Analysis of irradiation disordering data

Abstract The analysis of irradiation disordering data in ordered Ni3Mn is discussed. An analytical expression relating observed irradiation induced magnetic changes in this material to the number of alternating site (… [sbnd]Mn[sbnd]Ni[sbnd]Mn[sbnd] …) replacements is derived. This expression is then employed to analyze previous experimental results of Kirk, Blewitt and Scott.1 This analysis gives results which appear to be consistent with a previous Monte Carlo data analysis and indicates that the expected number of alternating site replacements is 66.4 per 450 eV recoil.
Agreement between SPECT V/Q scan and CT angiography in patients with high clinical suspicion of PE

To track agreement between single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) V/Q and CT angiography in patients with high clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE). If significant agreement occurs, a case could be made for more frequent use of chest radiography followed by SPECT V/Q scanning given its lower risk profile. Diagnosis of PE can be difficult. CT pulmonary angiography (CTA) is the preferred initial test, but may be indeterminate, is a significant source of ionizing radiation, and is contraindicated in renal insufficiency. SPECT ventilation/perfusion imaging (V/Q) is therefore preferred in certain patients. Two thousand nine hundred and twenty patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in New York City were screened and 100 consecutive high-risk patients who required both CTA and V/Q for an initial indeterminate or negative imaging test despite a high pre-test probability were identified. The agreement between these tests was evaluated. There was no significant agreement between CTA and V/Q when positive, negative and indeterminate results were included (K = 0.18, SE = 0.09, p = 0.051). However, in the presence of a positive finding on either test, there was substantial agreement between the two (K = 0.62, SE = 0.27, p = 0.02). In 30 cases in which CTA was indeterminate, V/Q was diagnostic 93 % of the time. In 12 cases in which V/Q was indeterminate, CTA was diagnostic 83 % of the time and negative in 100 % of those cases. In the presence of an indeterminate CTA in patients with high clinical suspicion of PE, SPECT V/Q often provides a diagnosis.
Coding of envelope modulation in the auditory nerve and anteroventral cochlear nucleus.

We have investigated responses of the auditory nerve fibres (ANFS) and anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) units to narrowband `single-formant' stimuli (SFSS). We found that low and medium spontaneous rate (SR) ANFS maintain greater amplitude modulation (AM) in their responses at high sound levels than do high SR units when sound level is considered in dB SPL. However, this partitioning of high and low SR units disappears if sound level is considered in dB relative to unit threshold. Stimuli with carrier frequencies away from unit best frequency (BF) were found to generate higher AM in responses at high sound levels than that observed even in most low and medium SR units for stimuli with carrier frequencies near BF. AVCN units were shown to have increased modulation depth in their responses when compared with high SR ANFS with similar BFS and to have increased or comparable modulation depth when compared with low SR ANFS. At sound levels where AM almost completely disappears in high SR ANFS, most AVCN units we studied still show significant AM in their responses. Using a dendritic model, we investigated possible mechanisms of enhanced AM in AVCN units, including the convergence of inputs from different SR groups of ANFS and a postsynaptic threshold mechanism in the soma.
Why should an aged male baboon ever transfer troops

Dispersals by subadult or adult male baboons are common. In contrast, the occasional transfer of aged baboons is puzzling, given the physical dangers of transfer and the cognitive demands of mastering the ecological and social rules of a new troop. The present data suggest a possible explanation for such transfers in a study of two troops of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Kenya. Aged males who remained in the troop in which they had been dominant were subjected to significantly higher rates of approach-avoid interactions by the current high-ranking cohort (i.e., the individuals they had dominated years past) when compared to males who had transferred into the troop in their old age. Thus, transfer in old age offers the advantage of relative anonymity. Of the 14 males who progressed into older adulthood in the same troop in which they were in their prime, seven ultimately transferred to a different troop. The seven who remained and the seven who transferred did not differ in the rate at which they were subjected to approach-avoid interactions. However, those who remained had significantly higher rates of various affiliative behaviors (copulations, consortships, grooming and contact with females, and positive interactions with infants). Thus, amid the disadvantages of an old age spent in the troop in which a male baboon was in his prime, a high degree of social affiliation might constitute a sufficient disincentive against transferring. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Superconducting transition temperature and resistivity of tin whiskers as a function of uniaxial tension

Abstract The effect of 1% elastic strain on the superconducting transition temperature and resistivity of single crystal tin has been measured. In the and directions these quantities are non-linear in strain. It is suggested that changes in the topology of the Fermi surface cause this non-linearity.
X.—The African species of Cylindromyia Meigen (Diptera, Tachinidæ)

(1934). X.—The African species of Cylindromyia Meigen (Diptera, Tachinidae) Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 14, No. 79, pp. 121-142.
Legislating child restraint usage -Its effect on self-reported child restraint use rates in a central city.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the newly enacted child passenger safety law, Wisconsin Act 106, on self-report of proper restraint usage of children in Milwaukee's central city population. METHOD: A prospective, non-randomized study design was used. The settings used were (a) a pediatric urban health center, and (b) two Women, Infants and Children offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Participants included 11,566 surveys collected over 18 months that spanned the pre-legislation and post-legislation time periods from February 2006 through August 2008. RESULTS: The study set out to assess appropriate child passenger restraint. The results showed that the changes in adjusted proper restraint usage rates for infants between the pre-law, grace period, and post-fine periods were 94%, 94%, and 94% respectively. For children 1-3years old, the adjusted proper usage rates were 65%, 63%, and 59%, respectively. And for children 4-7years old, the rates were 43%, 44% and 42%, respectively. There was a significant increase in premature booster seat use in children who should have been restrained in a rear- or forward-facing car seat (10% pre-law, 12% grace period, 20% post-fine; p Language: en
Thermally-driven isotope separation across nanoporous graphene

Abstract Quantum tunneling contributes to the transmission of atoms through nanoporous graphene barriers, even at room temperature. In a temperature gradient, the mass-dependence of tunneling leads to isotope separation, in contrast to the classical transmission case where no separation can occur. Using transition state theory, we show that zero-point and tunneling contributions enrich the isotopes in opposite directions with respect to the temperature gradient. Zero-point energy differences dominate around room temperature.
An automated algorithm for cell-level FISH dot counting

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) dot counting is the process of enumerating chromosomal abnormalities in interphase cell nuclei. This process is widely used in many areas of biomedical research and diagnosis. We present a generic and fully automatic algorithm for cell-level counting of FISH dots in 2-D fluorescent images. Our proposed algorithm starts by segmenting cell nuclei in DAPI stained images using a 2-D wavelet based segmentation algorithm. Nuclei segmentation is followed by FISH dot detection and counting, which consists of three main steps. First, image pre-processing where median and top-hat filters are used to clean image noise, subtract background and enhance the contrast of the FISH dots. Second, FISH dot detection using a multi-level h-minima transform approach that accounts for the varying image contrast. Third, FISH dot counting where clustered FISH dots are separated using a local maxima detection-based method followed by FISH dot size filtering based on constraints to account for large connected components of tightly-clustered dots. To quantitatively assess the performance of our proposed FISH dot counting algorithm, automatic counting results were compared to manual counts of 880 cells selected from 19 invasive ductal breast carcinoma samples exhibiting varying degrees of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) expression. Cell-level dot counting accuracy was assessed using two metrics: cell classification agreement and dot-counting match. Our automatic results gave an overall cell-by-cell classification agreement of 88% and an overall accuracy of 81%.
Nanoheteroepitaxy: The Application of nanostructuring and substrate compliance to the heteroepitaxy of mismatched semiconductor materials

This article describes an approach to the heteroepitaxy of lattice mismatched semiconductors, that we call nanoheteroepitaxy. The theory developed here shows that the 3D stress relief mechanisms that are active when an epilayer is nucleated as an array of nanoscale islands on a compliant patterned substrate, will significantly reduce the strain energy in the epilayer and extend the critical thickness dramatically. Calculations show that with the scale of patterning that is achievable with advanced lithography (10–100 nm) we can eliminate mismatch dislocations from heterojunctions that are mismatched by as much as 4.2%.
Trace class perturbations and the absence of absolutely continuous spectra

We show that various Hamiltonians and Jacobi matrices have no absolutely continuous spectrum by showing that under a trace class perturbation they become a direct sum of finite matrices.
Evidence that intracellular synthesis of 5-fluorouridine-5'-phosphate from 5-fluorouracil and 5-fluorouridine is compartmentalized.

Abstract L1210 cells were exposed to equitoxic concentrations of [14C]5-fluorouracil and [3H]5-fluorouridine for 4 hours. The RNA from these cells was separated into cytosolic and nuclear fractions, and then further fractionated by chromatography on poly-U Sepharose, Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose. The ratio of tritium to carbon-14 incorporated into various species of RNA differed by as much as 6-fold, indicating that the respective 5-fluorouridine-5′-monophosphates synthesized from the two precursors are localized in separate pools that do not mix rapidly.
Use of dome (meniscus) lenses to eliminate birefringence and tensile stresses in spatial filters for the Nova laser

We document the concept and the design method for dome lenses that have a compressive pressure applied to the periphery. Dome (meniscus) lenses can eliminate both birefringence and tensile stresses if used in evacuated spatial filters where a pressure difference is present across the lenses. Calculations show that spatial filter birefringence is an insignificant 3 nm within the portion of a 740-mm Nova spatial filter dome lens illuminated by the laser beam. Membrane stresses are everywhere compressive, varying from -1.2 to -2.4 MPa, and are nearly uniform over the illuminated portion of the lens. Eliminating sources of birefringence on the Nova laser could increase the energy on target with Type 11/Type II frequency conversion from '-50% to the '70% level attainable with Type I/Type II frequency conversion. Eliminating tensile stresses may reduce the damage and catastrophic failure that has occurred in some Nova spatial filter input lenses. The major disadvantage of using dome lenses on Nova is the cost of new lenses which could range up to $50,000 per lens for the material and $20,000 per lens for finishing.
Identity of the cross-reflection coefficients for symmetric surface-relief gratings

The zeroth-order cross-reflection coefficients of a surface-relief grating are shown to be equal from experimental evidence and numerical evidence by use of rigorous coupled-wave analysis simulations. This result is valid for any range of grating parameters as well as for anisotropic media that have the optic axis in the surface plane. This result is corroborated by effective-medium theory, which models the gratings as thin layers of uniaxial anisotropic media that have the optic axis in the surface plane. For asymmetric grating profiles the zeroth-order reflection coefficients are no longer identical. This property has potential for scatterometry applications.
Estimating a public school expenditure model under binding spending limitations

Abstract A model explaining desired expenditure on education is estimated for a sample of New Jersey school districts. Because the limit on annual increases in school spending is binding for a subsample of jurisdictions, the Tobit estimation procedure is used. We test for equality of the pre- and postlimitation structures and find substantial similarity. The cap on expenditure increases was part of a court-ordered reform of New Jersey school finance law. The results can be used to explain the failure of the existing school finance laws in lessening expenditure disparities at the lower end of the distribution.
Probing the Reactivity of Solid Supports via Hammett Relationships

A high-throughput technique for elucidating Hammett relationships on solid supports and its application to the comparison of various commercially available solid supports is reported. Specifically, we report the use of competition experiments to derive Hammett relationships for the displacement of a solid-supported pentafluorophenyl (pfp) ester with four para-substituted anilines (p-MeO, p-Me, p-F, p-Cl) and aniline. By taking advantage of the unique physical properties of the solid supports, we were able to conduct competition experiments with seven different solid supports in a single reaction vessel. This enabled us to generate 35 Hammett plots from only 10 reaction vessels. These studies revealed the strong dependence of the Hammett reaction constant ρ on both the solid support and solvent used in the ester displacement reaction. Interestingly, the ρ values obtained for reactions conducted on poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted polystyrene (PS-PEG) resin closely matched the corresponding solution-phase ρ va...
Fourier transform channeled spectropolarimetry in the MWIR.

A complete Fourier Transform Spectropolarimeter in the MWIR is demonstrated. The channeled spectral technique, originally developed by K. Oka, is implemented with the use of two Yttrium Vanadate (YVO4) crystal retarders. A basic mathematical model for the system is presented, showing that all the Stokes parameters are directly present in the interferogram. Theoretical results are compared with real data from the system, an improved model is provided to simulate the effects of absorption within the crystal, and a modified calibration technique is introduced to account for this absorption. Lastly, effects due to interferometer instabilities on the reconstructions, including nonuniform sampling and interferogram translations, are investigated and techniques are employed to mitigate them.
Expanding medicare and employer plans to achieve universal health insurance

This article presents a proposal for expanding Medicare and employer-based health insurance plans to achieve universal health insurance. Under this proposed health care financing system, employers would provide basic health insurance coverage to workers and dependents, or pay a payroll tax contribution toward the cost of their coverage under Medicare. States would have the option of buying all Medicaid beneficiaries and other poor individuals into Medicare by paying the Medicare premiums and cost sharing. Other uninsured individuals would be automatically covered by Medicare. Employer plans would incorporate Medicare's provider payment methods. This proposal would result in incremental federal governmental outlays on the order of $25 billion annually. These new federal budgetary costs would be met through a combination of premiums, employer payroll tax, income tax, and general tax revenues. The principal advantage of this plan is that it draws on the strengths of the current system while simplifying the benefit and provider payment structure and instituting innovations to promote efficiency. ( JAMA . 1991;265:2525-2528)
Higher Survival Rates Among Younger Patients After Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Cardiac Arrests

BACKGROUND.Age is an important determinant of outcome from adult cardiac arrests but has not been identified previously as an important factor in pediatric cardiac arrests except among premature infants. Chest compressions can result in more effective blood flow during cardiac arrest in an infant than an older child or adult because of increased chest wall compliance. We, therefore, hypothesized that survival from cardiac arrest would be better among infants than older children. METHODS.We evaluated 464 pediatric ICU arrests from the National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation from 2000 to 2002. NICU cardiac arrests were excluded. Data from each arrest include 200 variables describing facility, patient, prearrest, arrest intervention, outcome, and quality improvement data. Age was categorized as newborn (1 month; N 62), infant (1 month to 1 year; N 105), younger child (1 year to 8 years; N 90), and older child (8 years to 21 years; N 207). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association between age and survival. RESULTS.Overall survival was 22%, with 27% of newborns, 36% of infants, 19% of younger children and 16% of older children surviving to hospital discharge. Newborns and infants demonstrated double and triple the odds of surviving to hospital discharge from a cardiac arrest in an intensive care setting when compared with older children. When potential confounders were controlled, newborns increased their advantage to almost fivefold, while infants maintained their survival advantage to older children. CONCLUSIONS.Survival from pediatric ICU cardiac arrest is age dependent. Newborns and infants have better survival rates even after adjusting for potential confounding variables.
Relative antifungal efficacies of phosphoric acid and other compounds on fungi isolated from poultry feed

Abstract Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. were isolated from poultry feed. Experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of phosphoric acid (PPA) with other antifungal compounds at 1 g kg −1 and 5 g kg −1 levels. The order of antifungal efficacies varied with fungal strain. For example, the efficacies at 1 g kg −1 level of compound on a yellow-colored Aspergillus isolate were: sorbic acid (SA) = gentian violet (GV-11) = Na-benzoate (BA) ⩾ propionic acid (PA) > PPA = Na-pyrophosphate (PY) > Ca-propionate (CaPA), and on a greenish-yellow-colored Aspergillus isolate were: SA > GV-11 > PA > PPA > BA = CaPA. The antifungal efficacies for Penicillium isolates were: SA > PPA ⩾ PA > GV-11; while CaPA, BA, and PY did not exhibit any inhibitory effect. For a Fusarium isolate, the efficacy continuum was: SA = PA > BA = GV-11 > PPA; PY and CaPA did not inhibit the growth of this isolate. Results suggested that PPA may be an effective antifungal ingredient for poultry feed.
Dialectic and Dialogue in Plato: Refuting the model of Socrates-as-teacher in the pursuit of authentic Paideia

AbstractIncorporating Gadamer and other thinkers from the continental tradition, this essay is a close and detailed hermeneutic, phenomenological, and ontological study of the dialectic practice of Plato’s Socrates—it radicalizes and refutes the Socrates-as-teacher model that educators from scholar academic ideology embrace.
Integrated tuning elements for millimeter and sub-millimeter SIS mixers

The authors present two different designs of integrated tuning elements for superconducting tunnel junction mixers. The structures consist of a self-complementary log-periodic antenna, superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction, and a broadband superconducting tuning circuit placed between the center of the antenna and the SIS junction. The designs allow good coupling to relatively large-area (7 mu m/sup 2/) junctions. The best design has a 3-dB bandwidth of 102 GHz at the central frequency of 98 GHz, and 75 GHz at the central frequency of 492 GHz. Microwave scale-model measurements show excellent agreement with simulation results. Devices are being fabricated in niobium technology. >
Temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma cells occurs partly through epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated induction of connexin 43

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive adult primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. GBM patients develop resistance to the frontline chemotherapy, temozolomide (TMZ). As the connexins (Cx) have been shown to have a complex role in GBM, we investigated the role of Cx43 in TMZ resistance. Cx43 was increased in the TMZ-resistant low passage and cell lines. This correlated with the data in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cx43 knockdown, reporter gene assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, real-time PCR and western blots verified a role for Cx43 in TMZ resistance. This occurred by TMZ-resistant GBM cells being able to activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In turn, EGFR activated the JNK-ERK1/2-AP-1 axis to induce Cx43. The increased Cx43 was functional as indicated by gap junctional intercellular communication among the resistant GBM cells. Cell therapy could be a potential method to deliver drugs, such as anti-EGF to tumor cells. Similar strategies could be used to reverse the expression of Cx43 to sensitize GBM cells to TMZ. The studies showed the potential for targeting EGF in immune therapy. These agents can be used in conjunction with stem cell therapy to treat GBM.
Poly(d-lactide)/poly(caprolactone) nanofiber-thermogelling chitosan gel composite scaffolds for osteochondral tissue regeneration in a rat model:

Macroporous nanostructured scaffolds that can be made to closely mimic skeletal tissue extracellular matrix as well as have the potential to support bone and cartilage tissue regeneration. Porous p...
The process safety impact of distributed control systems

Experience has shown that a Distributed Control System (DCS) can provide enhanced process monitoring and control capabilities, as well as system self-diagnostics, that permit increased safety of process operations. However, this enhanced safety does not come about automatically with the installation of a DCS. The complexity and versatility of the DCS can introduce new failure scenarios leading to process upset and potential relization of process hazards. This paper reviews some novel considerations that should be taken into account when conducting process hazards reviews on facilities controlled by a DCS.
Using fuzzy behaviors for the outdoor navigation of a car with low-resolution sensors

An approach using superposition of elemental fuzzy behaviors to emulate humanlike qualitative reasoning schemes is discussed. The authors describe how a previously developed navigation scheme implemented on custom-designed VLSI fuzzy inferencing boards for indoor navigation of a small laboratory-type robot was progressively enhanced and used to investigate two control modes for driving a car in a priori unknown environments on the basis of sparse and imprecise sensor data. In the first mode, the car navigates fully autonomously, whereas in the second mode, the system acts as a driver's aid providing the driver with linguistic (fuzzy) commands, depending on the obstacles perceived by the sensors. Experiments with both modes of control are described in which the system uses only three acoustic range (sonar) sensor channels. Simulation results, as well as indoors and outdoors experiments, are presented and discussed. >
Placental prolactin-like protein A. Identification and characterization of two major glycoprotein species with antipeptide antibodies.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to develop immunologic probes to prolactin-like protein A (PLP-A) that could be used to characterize the protein and its distribution in various tissues. Five oligopeptides corresponding to different regions of the predicted PLP-A amino acid sequence (peptides 1-13, 62-76, 101-114, 129-145, and 152-164) were chemically synthesized by solid phase methodology. The peptides were purified to homogeneity by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography and coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The peptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates were used to immunize rabbits. Immune responses were monitored by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Reactivity of the antipeptide antisera with placental proteins was determined by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation analyses. All of the peptides except peptide 1-13 yielded significant immune responses. Antisera to peptides 101-114, 129-145, and 152-164 each specifically recognized proteins of Mr 29,000 and 33,000 from cytosol preparations of rat placental tissue and showed limited or no cross-reactivity with other members of the prolactin-growth hormone family. Three experiments were performed to determine whether the Mr 29,000 and 33,000 species were glycosylated derivatives of an Mr 25,000 precursor. Treatment of placental cytosolic preparations with N-Glycanase prior to immunoblotting resulted in the identification of only an Mr 25,000 species. It was also determined that the Mr 29,000 and 33,000 species specifically bound to concanavalin A. Furthermore, tunicamycin shifted the synthesis of PLP-A by placental explants from the Mr 29,000 and 33,000 forms to the Mr 25,000 species. The Mr 29,000 and 33,000 species were identified in serum obtained from pregnant and fetal rats but not in serum from nonpregnant females or males. We conclude that PLP-A is expressed in rat placenta. An Mr 25,000 precursor (predicted from PLP-A cDNA and these results) is glycosylated to either the Mr 29,000 or 33,000 form, both of which predominate in placenta and in circulation.
Children's acceptance of a peer who is overweight: relations among gender, age and blame for weight status

Objective: To examine the role of blame as a mediator of the relationships between perceiver age and gender and children's acceptance of an overweight peer.
Tree-based Classifiers for Bilayer Video Segmentation

This paper presents an algorithm for the automatic segmentation of monocular videos into foreground and background layers. Correct segmentations are produced even in the presence of large background motion with nearly stationary foreground. There are three key contributions. The first is the introduction of a novel motion representation, "motons", inspired by research in object recognition. Second, we propose learning the segmentation likelihood from the spatial context of motion. The learning is efficiently performed by Random Forests. The third contribution is a general taxonomy of tree-based classifiers, which facilitates theoretical and experimental comparisons of several known classification algorithms, as well as spawning new ones. Diverse visual cues such as motion, motion context, colour, contrast and spatial priors are fused together by means of a conditional random field (CRF) model. Segmentation is then achieved by binary min-cut. Our algorithm requires no initialization. Experiments on many video-chat type sequences demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm in a variety of scenes. The segmentation results are comparable to those obtained by stereo systems.
Measurement of partial discharge in machine winding insulation during short-rise time pulse voltage

The use of power electronics can increase the electrical stress for machine winding insulation. These increased electrical stresses require improvements in quality of the electrical insulation system. A popular method of testing insulation quality is the use of partial discharge measurements. When power electronics are utilized, the harmonics of applied square pulses are present in the electrical insulation. Furthermore, partial discharges due to such voltage distortions cannot be identified and localized with traditional lower frequency measurement techniques. Recent studies include partial discharge measurements for pulse voltage source, but do not completely address problems introduced by the degradation of the machine winding insulation. A method is presented to evaluate partial discharges when square pulse voltage and high temperature is applied causing degradation of machine winding insulation.
Risks of noncardiac surgery after coronary stenting

An increased risk of major complications for noncardiac surgery after coronary stenting has been suggested. We retrospectively reviewed all cases of coronary stents from 1999 to 2003 with subsequent surgery to assess major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, major bleeding, and death. Among the 56 patients identified, 8 developed MACEs; 38% underwent surgery ≤14 days after stenting, and 62% underwent surgery 15 to 42 days after stenting. No patient developed MACEs if surgery occurred >42 days after stenting. Among patients who developed MACEs, 77% of surgeries were elective, 19% were urgent, and only 4% were emergency. Noncardiac surgery 6 weeks after coronary stenting is associated with a high risk of MACEs.
The Folding Transition-State Ensemble of a Four-Helix Bundle Protein: Helix Propensity as a Determinant and Macromolecular Crowding as a Probe

The four-helix bundle protein Rd-apocyt b562, a redesigned stable variant of apocytochrome b562, exhibits two-state folding kinetics. Its transition-state ensemble has been characterized by Φ-value analysis. To elucidate the molecular basis of the transition-state ensemble, we have carried out high-temperature molecular dynamics simulations of the unfolding process. In six parallel simulations, unfolding started with the melting of helix I and the C-terminal half of helix IV, and followed by helix III, the N-terminal half of helix IV and helix II. This ordered melting of the helices is consistent with the conclusion from native-state hydrogen exchange, and can be rationalized by differences in intrinsic helix propensity. Guided by experimental Φ-values, a putative transition-state ensemble was extracted from the simulations. The residue helical probabilities of this transition-state ensemble show good correlation with the Φ-values. To further validate the putative transition-state ensemble, the effect of macromolecular crowding on the relative stability between the unfolded ensemble and the transition-state ensemble was calculated. The resulting effect of crowding on the folding kinetics agrees well with experimental observations. This study shows that molecular dynamics simulations combined with calculation of crowding effects provide an avenue for characterize the transition-state ensemble in atomic details.
Response rates to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HCV/HIV coinfection: a research synthesis

Several recent trials have determined varying rates of response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (peg-IFN + RIB) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus-coinfected patients. We sought to identify a pooled response rate and sources of interstudy variability. A literature search was conducted to identify randomized or prospective studies evaluating response rates to peg-IFN + RIB in coinfected patients. A Bayesian hierarchical model was used to estimate overall response rate. Between-study variance was calculated and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Meta-regression was employed to identify sources of between-study variability. The literature search yielded seven studies of 146, which matched keywords and inclusion criteria. The combined patient total was 784. Individual intention-to-treat response rates ranged from 27.3% to 44.2%. The pooled Bayesian estimate of percent response was 33.3%. Significant interstudy heterogeneity was detected. Meta-regression yielded no significant effects of covariates on response rate. Subanalyses by CD4+, HCV viral load and genotype yielded sustained virological response (SVR) odds ratios of 0.73 for low CD4+, 0.41 for high viral load and 0.30 for genotype 1/4. The pooled response rate is not attributable to any one study. Response is poor compared with HCV-monoinfected patients. Interstudy variability is not satisfactorily explained by factors influencing individual response, but may be due to differences between studies unavailable for inclusion in this analysis. However, both genotype 1/4 and high HCV viral load at baseline were significantly associated with a reduction in odds of SVR in pooled subanalysis. Improved treatments are needed in coinfected patients, especially with genotype 1/4 and high viral load.