cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IS project team performance: an empirical assessment

Abstract IS project team performance is a topic of increasing importance to practicing managers as well as researchers. This paper discusses the development and testing of a theoretical model of IS project team performance. Empirical analysis suggests that team members' perceptions of their ability to represent users' views during a project is a significant predictor of the team's perception of their overall performance. Another significant predictor is team members' belief in their personal involvement in the development process. However, findings on the influence of cohesion on performance differ from those in other studies: apparently cohesion was not a significant factor in this study.
Cumulative effects of intermittent maximal contractions on voluntary activation deficits

The purpose of this research was to provide more definitive support for the hypothesis that prolonged muscle activation at high intensities increases voluntary activation deficits. Interpolated twitch responses were evoked during maximal and sub-maximal voluntary contractions of the soleus muscle in 10 college-aged students. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), maximal muscle twitches, and interpolated twitch responses were measured before, during, and after fatiguing isometric exercise, five bouts of 20 intermittent MVCs. The relationship between voluntary activation and force was studied by evoking interpolated twitches during sub-maximal voluntary contractions on Day 1 and pre-post fatigue on Day 2. Intraclass reliability coefficients for the MVC, maximal muscle twitch, and interpolated twitch responses were adequate across trials and days (R > or = .80). MVC force and maximal twitch force decreased after the fatiguing exercise bouts by 28% and 32%, respectively (p or = 70% MVC target levels (p < .05). These data demonstrate the cumulative effects of prolonged exercise on voluntary activation.
Capsule Commentary on Shelton et al., Reducing PSA-Based Prostate Cancer Screening in Men ≥ 75 Years Old with Highly Specific Computerized Clinical Decision Support

Clinical decision support (CDS) systems can improve patient safety by providing physicians with important information and guidance at the point of care. This guidance should be evidence-based, and the alert message clear and concise, to allow physicians to directly act on the information received. Shelton et al. develop a highly specific and targeted CDS alert to remind providers of the current guidelines and policy at the point of ordering a screening PSA.1 This relatively simple intervention has been shown to significantly reduce inappropriate PSA screening for prostate cancer. Alerts which lack clinical relevance (low alert specificity) are often overridden by the physician, thus contributing to alert fatigue.2,3 The authors of this study reflected on how they used a wide range of structured clinical data (including laboratory, pharmacy, and problem list data) to help increase the specificity of their alert, and believe that this may have contributed to its success. Alert specificity and sensitivity is recognized as being important.4 Patient specific parameters, e.g., age, should be incorporated into decision-making algorithms to improve the accuracy and appropriateness of alerts. One study found that only 10 % of drug–drug interaction alerts would be applicable in all circumstances; however, by incorporating laboratory results and other clinical parameters, this percentage could rise to 25 % or possibly higher.5 The effectiveness of alerts should always be monitored; this includes how often they fire and whether clinicians choose to accept or override the alerts. Interestingly, Shelton et al. reported sharp increases in screening rates during periods when the alerts were switched off. This finding underscores the importance of CDS as a tool to guide physician decision-making and improve the quality and efficiency of health care. Furthermore, it shows how they can address inappropriate overuse of preventive care and, in turn, reduce health care costs.
Robotic implantation of gastric electrical stimulation electrodes for gastroparesis.

Background Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is a low-morbidity treatment option that may be effective for refractory symptoms in patients with gastroparesis of diabetic or idiopathic etiology. During surgery to initiate GES, two electrodes are tunneled in the gastric antrum in a precise location. If these electrodes pass through the mucosa and into the gastric lumen (determined by endoscopy) they must be repositioned, often multiple times. During this procedure, extensive suturing to anchor the electrodes is necessary once properly placed. Robotic surgical systems may provide surgeons with several technical and ergonomic advantages during this procedure when compared with a standard laparoscopic approach. Methods Over a 26-month period, 22 GES systems were implanted. The initial procedures were performed laparoscopically. After the first 15 laparoscopic cases, a technique for robotically implanting leads was developed and employed for the remainder of the series. Demographics, operative time, and endoscopically confirmed electrode mucosal perforations were quantified and compared based on operative approach. Results Patients were similar demographically. Total operative time did not differ based on technique (152 ± 40 min laparoscopic versus 158 ± 38 min robotic placement; p = 0.6). Mucosal perforations on first attempt at electrode placement occurred more frequently with the laparoscopic than with the robotic technique (15/30 laparoscopic versus 1/14 robotic; p = 0.006). There were no procedure-related complications. Conclusions The robotic approach to GES electrode implantation is feasible and safe. Compared with standard laparoscopic techniques, the accurate insertion and anchoring of these leads can be accomplished more efficiently and comfortably using robotic techniques. Whether robotic GES electrode placement will result in significant clinical advantages for patients will require long-term follow-up.
Models of some genus one curves with applications to descent

Abstract Let p denote a prime, and K a field of characteristic prime to p and containing the p th roots of unity. For p equal to 3 and 5, the author finds a scheme T p and a family of genus one curves over T p such that any genus one curve defined over the field K of index p whose Jacobian elliptic curve E has E [ p ] ( K ) = E [ p ] ( K ¯ ) is isomorphic to a curve lying over a K -point of T p . The author then relates the explicit presentation of such families to the program of descent on elliptic curves.
TESL Degree Candidates´ Perceptions of Trust in Supervisors

This study examined TESL degree candidates' initial impressions of trustworthiness in a supervisor. As an antecedent of self-disclosure, trust plays a critical role in supervision that encourages reflection and awareness of personal beliefs and values. In an exploration of how a supervisor's communication style can affect teachers' perceptions of trust, 266 participants from 22 TESL programs viewed videotaped segments of conferences in which the supervisors' nonverbal behaviors of either dominance or affiliation were manipulated. The teachers then rated the supervisors on three separate scales: the Individualized Trust Scale (ITS) and a communicative competency measure consisting of appropriateness and effectiveness scales. As hypothesized, supervisors with an affiliative style scored higher on the ITS than those who displayed nonverbal behaviors of dominance. Teachers also rated affiliation as being more appropriate and effective than dominance. Moreover, positive associations were found between trust and teachers' ratings of appropriateness and effectiveness. These results have implications for preparing L2 teacher educators as well as teacher learners to engage in productive supervision. Supervision is a fundamental part of preservice and in-service professional development experiences for teachers of ESL. The need to create a meaningful learning experience for teachers has directed attention to theories and models of supervision that encourage reflection through methods such as peer mentoring, coaching, and portfolio development, to name just a few (Holten & Brinton, 1995; Johnson, 1996; Nolan, 1991). Despite the enthusiasm about and dedication to these practices, the field has largely overlooked the need for an understanding of the communicative context of ESL supervision. In particular, little is known about the dynamics of the teacher-supervisor relationship that serves as a foundation for effective professional development. What is known is that traditional evaluation-oriented approaches to supervision are characterized by a power imbalance in which the supervisor is
Excess risk of Clostridium difficile infection in ovarian cancer is related to exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Purpose The purpose of the study was to determine if a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is independently associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
Limiting left-sided catheter dwelling time using 3-D NavX to mark and reaccess the left atrium via prior transseptal puncture site

Introduction Ablations requiring transseptal access to the left heart place patients at increased risk for stroke, bleeding, and post-procedural cognitive dysfunction and other complications. Diminishing left atrial catheter dwelling time may decrease these risks. 3-D NavX can be used to facilitate reaccess of transseptal puncture sites to allow catheter removal from the left atrium immediately after ablation, with reaccess through the prior transseptal site if required. Here, we describe the techniques employed and our experience using 3-D NavX to limit left atrial catheter dwelling time by marking and reaccess of the left atrium via the previously marked transseptal puncture site, a potentially radiation-free technique.
Capsule Commentary on Efird et al., Identifying the Risks of Anticoagulation in Patients with Substance Abuse

To anticoagulate or not to anticoagulate? That is the question…that is regularly encountered by physicians and their patients, and the consequences of making the wrong decision may include devastating outcomes such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, and life-threatening hemorrhage. Physicians help guide patient decision-making by assessing individualized risks and benefits. While there is substantial evidence available regarding benefits, physicians have inadequate tools to predict risk for major hemorrhage. While bleeding risk scores are available, such as HAS-BLED and HEMORR2HAGES, they are only slightly better than chance at identifying patients who will bleed.1 Most physicians tend to overestimate a patient’s risk for bleeding,2 and this is a key reason why anticoagulants are underused in key populations, such as patients with atrial fibrillation.3 One potential risk factor for bleeding during anticoagulant use is substance abuse, but it is unclear whether anticoagulants should be avoided among substance abusers. Efird et al. analyzed the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) database to retrospectively assess the risk of anticoagulation among substance abusers.4 They determined that both alcohol and drug abusers had significantly worse anticoagulation control, and higher rates of bleeding independent of anticoagulation control. Poor outcomes were substantially higher for drug abusers than alcohol abusers. The most interesting and novel finding in this study was the association between AST:ALT ratio and poor outcomes. Among alcohol abusers, an AST:ALT ratio > 2.0 was associated with both poor anticoagulation control and a three-times increased rate of bleeding. Meanwhile, an AST:ALT ratio of < 1.5 among alcohol abusers was not associated with an increased rate of major hemorrhage. This simple clinical measure may be a means to risk-stratify alcohol abusers into two groups: those with substantial increased risk for bleeding on anticoagulation versus those with no increased risk compared to non-abusers. Future work should involve the incorporation of the AST:ALT ratio into risk prediction schemes, and its utility for prospectively predicting bleeding events should be tested. At present, this study should give providers pause in providing anti-coagulation to their patients who also suffer from substance abuse.
The Origins of Japanese Socialist Tradition

The Japanese socialist movement, although the oldest in the Far East, is young when compared with similar movements in the western world.' Making its appearance shortly after the close of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Japanese socialism has compressed into its brief but richly checkered career an ideological experience ranging from sedate utopianism to doctrinaire communism. The only East Asiatic society both to study western thought and to industrialize before the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Japan has been the sole East Asiatic nation to develop a socialist tradition. The implications of this have become all too evident in recent years when most peoples of the Far East have been caught tragically between the political millstones of left and right extremism. Whereas in few nations of the East does there now exist the desperately sought "third choice," in Japan it is to be found in socialism.2 Wherever socialism has appeared to inspire peoples to struggle against social and economic injustice, it has been subjected to dual influences. The broader and ultimate objectives of the cause have encompassed all of mankind, evincing the utopianism without which no social crusade can ever hope to be successful. Based on a lofty idealism, international socialism has been fundamentally a dream of millenarians. As a philosophy of hope nurtured by despair, it has continued both to inspire historically established movements and to generate new movements among the benighted and oppressed of the entire world. International socialism functions at best, however, as a catalyst, for effective socialist movements, although inspired by an international ideology, are basically timely responses to social needs. The successful socialist movement is therefore the one which is most aptly attuned to the peculiar conditions of local social development. As such, socialist movements are each and all unique and are more the
Comparative Effectiveness Research For Antipsychotic Medications: How Much Is Enough?

Second-generation antipsychotics have attracted practitioners’ and policy-makers’ attention, because of concerns over their health effects and costs. Comparative effectiveness data from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE)—a high-profile National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded study—have been used to argue for restricting coverage for these costly drugs. But concerns about the design of CATIE and its associated cost-effectiveness analysis and uncertainty about the precision of these findings raise questions about this interpretation. Our work suggests that additional research to increase the precision of comparisons of the effectiveness of antipsychotics would be well worth the cost.
Gap junctions in the myometrium of pelvic-neurectomized rats with blocked parturition.

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were laparotomized on days 8–10 and sham-operated (S) or subjected to bilateral section of the pelvic parasympathetic nerves (pelvic neurectomy (PN)). Both S and PN animals were allowed to go to term and the time of delivery was recorded. Eight of ten S animals delivered on the afternoon of day 22 and two delivered on the morning of day 23. Pelvic neurectomy blocked parturition in five rats autopsied on day 24, and five rats autopsied on day 26. On these days the PN animals had full-term fetuses; live on day 24, but dead on day 26. In a second study, the fine structure of the myometrium of S and PN pregnant rats was examined during the parturient period for the presence of gap junctions. Gap junctions were present between myometrial smooth muscle cells of the S group during delivery and in the PN group on days 23, 24, and 25, in the absence of delivery. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the number of gap junctions on day 23 in the PN animals. There was no difference in the length of gap junctions in the different groups. These observations indicate that the parturition block characteristic of PN animals is not attributable to the failure of gap junction formation between smooth muscle cells. Apparently, the nervi erigentes participate in the orchestration of events terminating in parturition, but their specific role remains an enigma.
Functional analysis of Gln-237 mutants of HhaI methyltransferase.

When the HhaI (cytosine-5) methyltransferase (M.HhaI) binds DNA it causes the target cytosine to be flipped 180 degrees out of the helix. The space becomes occupied by two amino acids, Ser-87 and Gln-237, which enter the helix from opposite sides and form a hydrogen bond to each other. Gln-237 may be involved in specific sequence recognition since it forms three hydrogen bonds to the orphan guanosine, which is the partner of the target cytosine. We have prepared all 19 mutants of Gln-237 and tested their biochemical properties. We find that mutations of this residue greatly affect the stability of the M.HhaI-DNA complex without affecting the enzyme's specificity for the target sequence. Surprisingly, all mutants retain detectable levels of enzymatic activity.
Investigation of the low power stage of an 1178nm Raman system

An 1178 nm seeded and 1069 nm pumped Raman laser system where the second Stokes is amplified in a 1121 nm resonator defined by high reflector fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) has the potential of producing high output power of narrow linewidth 1178 nm. However, 1121 nm power leakage out of the resonator cavity around the gratings was found to impact the performance of the laser and needs to be dealt with in order to obtain high 1178 nm output power levels. In order to address this problem, the causes of linewidth broadening must be understood. A fully nonlinear model has been built which involves propagation of the spectral wave shape via the nonlinear Schrodinger equation in addition to the Raman processes. It was found that increases in 1121 nm cavity power, fiber Bragg grating bandwidth, and the nonlinear index of refraction n2, as well as a decrease in group velocity dispersion β 2 leads to an increase in linewidth broadening. It is concluded that the magnitude of linewidth broadening seen experimentally can only be explained if the spectral components outside the bandwidth of the FBGs are being amplified. Experimentally, 1121 nm power leakage can be handled by using a three wavelength WDM on either side of the rare earth doped amplifier. In addition, usage of a fiber having a high value for group velocity dispersion and/or a low value for nonlinear index of refraction n2 in addition to narrower bandwidth fiber Bragg gratings may help reduce the amount of linewidth broadening.
Epitaxial growth of Au on Ag(110) studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract The epitaxial growth of Au on Ag(110) has been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy up to 3 ML. A very consistent “intermixed Stranski-Krastanov” growth mode is demonstrated. Below 1 ML the open structure of the (110) surface allows the Au atoms to be incorporated mainly in the second layer. At higher coverages three-dimensional anisotropic islands of gold are observed. The anisotropic shape, the island density and the transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional growth are discussed.
Comparative analysis of surgical freedom and angle of attack of two minimal-access endoscopic transmaxillary approaches to the anterolateral skull base.

Objective Surgical freedom and the angle of attack influence approach selection for open cranial base approaches, but these concepts have not been well studied in minimal-access endoscopic approaches. We therefore developed a methodology to study surgical freedom and angle of attack in two endoscopic transmaxillary transpterygoid approaches, the endonasal ipsilateral uninostril medial maxillotomy and the sublabial Caldwell-Luc anterior maxillotomy. Methods Dissections were performed bilaterally in three formalin-fixed cadaver heads (six sides). For each approach, three progressively lateral and posterior anatomic targets were identified. Utilizing frameless stereotaxy, surgical freedom using the vector cross-product method was calculated for both approaches for each target. The mean and maximum possible angles of attack were calculated in the axial and sagittal planes. Results Compared to the endoscopic endonasal-transmaxillary approach, the endoscopic Caldwell-Luc approach offered significantly greater surgical freedom to the genu of the internal carotid artery ( P = 0.02), foramen rotundum ( P = 0.03), and foramen ovale ( P = 0.03). Mean and maximum possible angles of attack were also significantly different between the two approaches for each target. The Caldwell-Luc approach offered a more bottom-up approach in the sagittal plane and a more head-on approach in the axial plane to each target ( P Conclusions We have successfully developed a model for comparing endoscopic skull base approaches. Both the endonasal medial maxillotomy approach and Caldwell-Luc approach provided endoscopic access to each target. However, the sublabial Caldwell-Luc approach offered greater surgical freedom and a more head-on approach than the endonasal medial maxillotomy. These differences in surgical freedom and angles of attack may be useful to consider when planning minimal-access approaches.
Manganese toxicity in standard culture solutions

Atlas barley plants grown in standard Hoagland culture solutions developed dark brown necrotic spots on the older leaves. The symptoms varied from small freckle-like spots to large blotchy areas and were found to be associated with the concentrations of Mn and B in the culture solutions. An increase in the concentration of Mn or B in the solutions increased the intensity of the spotting. A decrease in the Mn- and B-concentrations to 0.025 ppm, or one-twentieth of the normal Hoagland value, caused the spots to almost completely disappear. Mn- and B-concentrations of 0.025 ppm are optimum only under a particular set of conditions. In deciding what concentration of Mn and B to use the number of plants, volume of solution, macro-salt concentration, and season must be taken into consideration. The recommended Hoagland concentrations of Mn and B were only slightly toxic to lettuce and non-toxic to tomato plants. Barley plants grown in the winter were able to tolerate much higher concentrations of Mn and B before showing toxicity symptoms. Mn- and B-toxicity symptoms on lettuce and barley are compared in photographs.
Morphological features of epithelial cells in the sheep isthmus oviduct during early pregnancy.

Background The objective of the present study was to define the morphological changes that occur in the epithelium of the isthmus oviduct of the sheep during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Materials: Isthmus oviducts were obtained from ovariectomized, estrous (day O) and pregnant (day 2, 3, 4, 6, and 16) ewes and analyzed using light and electron microscopy. Results The epithelium was low cuboidal in the isthmus from ovariectomized sheep, significantly increased in height at estrus, underwent an additional increase at day 3, and was significantly reduced by day 4 of pregnancy. Ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells were present at all reproductive stages. Ciliated cells were always the predominant cell type. The percentage of ciliated and nonciliated cells did not significantly change at any stage examined. In addition, a third cell type, located adjacent to the basement membrane, was present. These “basal” cells were rounded in appearance and more frequently observed in the epithelial lining of ovariectomized ewes and after day 3 of pregnancy. The secretory organelles of nonciliated epithelial cells obtained from ovariectomized ewes were poorly developed. In estrous ewes, the Golgi apparatus in nonciliated cells consisted of stacked cisternae that atrophied later in pregnancy. The most striking alterations in the secretory apparatus occurred in ciliated cells. Two populations of ciliated cells were observed at estrus-one with abundant, membrane bound supranuclear granules and one without granules. The granules in ciliated cells were rare after day 3 of pregnancy and no evidence of secretion was ever observed. Large lipid droplets were present in the cytoplasm of ciliated cells at estrus. Lysosomes were abundant in nonciliated cells by day 16 of pregnancy. Regularly arranged microvilli were present in nonciliated cells obtained from ovariectomized, estrous, and pregnant ewes. No appreciable change in nuclear shape or chromatin content was observed at any reproductive stage examined. The ultrastructural characteristics and relative abundance of other cytoplasmic organelles such as the RER, SER, mitochondria, and glycogen varied slightly during pregnancy in ciliated and nonciliated cells. Conclusions These data show that the epithelial lining of the isthmus oviduct in the sheep undergoes subtle, yet distinctive, structural changes during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Anat. Rec. 247:368–378, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
IκB Kinase Complex α Kinase Activity Controls Chemokine and High Endothelial Venule Gene Expression in Lymph Nodes and Nasal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

The lymphotoxin (LT) β receptor plays a critical role in secondary lymphoid organogenesis and the classical and alternative NF-κB pathways have been implicated in this process. IKKα is a key molecule for the activation of the alternative NF-κB pathway. However, its precise role and target genes in secondary lymphoid organogenesis remain unknown, particularly with regard to high endothelial venules (HEV). In this study, we show that IKKαAA mutant mice, who lack inducible kinase activity, have hypocellular lymph nodes (LN) and nasal-associated lymphoid (NALT) tissue characterized by marked defects in microarchitecture and HEV. In addition, IKKαAA LNs showed reduced lymphoid chemokine CCL19, CCL21, and CXCL13 expression. IKKαAA LN- and NALT-HEV were abnormal in appearance with reduced expression of peripheral node addressin (PNAd) explained by a severe reduction in the HEV-associated proteins, glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM-1), and high endothelial cell sulfotransferase, a PNAd-generating enzyme that is a target of LTαβ. In this study, analysis of LTβ−/− mice identifies GlyCAM-1 as another LTβ-dependent gene. In contrast, TNFRI−/− mice, which lose classical NF-κB pathway activity but retain alternative NF-κB pathway activity, showed relatively normal GlyCAM-1 and HEC-6ST expression in LN-HEV. In addition, in this communication, it is demonstrated that LTβR is prominently expressed on LN- and NALT-HEV. Thus, these data reveal a critical role for IKKα in LN and NALT development, identify GlyCAM-1 and high endothelial cell sulfotransferase as new IKKα-dependent target genes, and suggest that LTβR signaling on HEV can regulate HEV-specific gene expression.
A high-performance two-stage packet switch architecture

This paper contributes a distributed packet controller which reduces queueing to a single stage in two-stage packet switches. Software and neural network based controllers are described. Simulations under a range of traffic conditions for a 1024/spl times/1024 switch size shows the simplest architecture has the best performance.
Support for the Coelomata Clade of Animals from a Rigorous Analysis of the Pattern of Intron Conservation

Many intron positions are conserved in varying subsets of eukaryotic genomes and, consequently, comprise a potentially informative class of phylogenetic characters. Roy and Gilbert developed a method of phylogenetic reconstruction using the patterns of intron presence-absence in eukaryotic genes and, applying this method to the analysis of animal phylogeny, obtained support for an Ecdysozoa clade (Roy SW, Gilbert W. 2005. Resolution of a deep animal divergence by the pattern of intron conservation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 102:4403-4408). The critical assumption in the method was the independence of intron loss in different branches of the phylogenetic tree. Here, this assumption is refuted by showing that the branch-specific intron loss rates are strongly correlated. We show that different tree topologies are obtained, in each case with a significant statistical support, when different subsets of intron positions are analyzed. The analysis of the conserved intron positions supports the Coelomata topology, that is, a clade comprised of arthropods and chordates, whereas the analysis of more variable intron positions favors the Ecdysozoa topology, that is, a clade of arthropods and nematodes. We show, however, that the support for Ecdysozoa is fully explained by parallel loss of introns in nematodes and arthropods, a factor that does not contribute to the analysis of the conserved introns. The developed procedure for the identification and analysis of conserved introns and other characters with minimal or no homoplasy is expected to be useful for resolving many hard phylogenetic problems.
Speaker stress-resistant continuous speech recognition

Most speech recognizers are sensitive to the speech style and the speaker's environment. This system extends an earlier robust continuous observation HMM IWR system to continuous speech using the DARPA-robust (multi-condition with a pilot's facemask) database. Performance on a 207 word, perplexity 14 task is 0.9% word error rate under office conditions and 2.5% (best speaker) and 5% (4 speaker average) for the normal test condition of the database. >
Decomposition of neural systems with nonlinear feedback using stimulus–response data

Abstract The need often arises in many modeling studies of physiological systems with feedback, for separate characterization of the feedthrough and feedback components using stimulus–response data from the entire system. For instance, the hippocampal formation consists of multiple feedback connections which are difficult to identify experimentally. This paper investigates the application of adaptive estimation techniques in the context of the Volterra–Wiener approach to decompose unobservable subsystems from the overall feedback system data. Computer simulation studies have demonstrated its effectiveness over the traditional approach which employs nonlinear systems analysis in the frequency domain. This approach can be used to indirectly characterize the unobservable feedback basket cells in the hippocampus utilizing experimental stimulus–response data from dentate granule cells.
A low bandwidth, still image transmission system

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) performs aerial reconnaissance of roadways and bridges. To enhance the analysis of aerial observations, CAP has proposed broadcasting amateur television from aircraft cockpits to ground receiving stations, However, because of the large bandwidth required for video transmission and the low transmitter power available the range of video transmission is very limited. As an alternative to amateur television transmission, the paper develops a software based, continuous-tone, still image transmission system. A digitized color image at television resolution contains nearly one million bytes. Digital imaging is, therefore, not often implemented due to high storage or transmission costs. However, by employing a high quality image compression technique, images may be compressed from 1/10 to greater than 1/50 their uncompressed size without visibly affecting image quality. These compressed images can then be transmitted over a low bandwidth channel in a reasonable time. The major issues in developing the prototype system were the image compression and data transmission techniques. The selected image compression technique is based on the JPEG Still Image Data Compression Standard, known officially as ISO DIS 10918-1 or CCITT Recommendation T.81. The system's data link will use high speed (9600 bits per second) packet radio (CCITT X25). This system shows the JPEG image compression method is suitable for transmitting high quality compressed images over a low bandwidth channel in a reasonable time. Additional data compression is achieved through the use of V.42 bis data compression.
The relationship between the flexion synergy and stretch reflexes in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

This study utilized a novel robotic device, the ACT-4D, to investigate the relationship between the flexion synergy and stretch reflexes in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Because the flexion synergy influences the amount of elbow flexor muscle activation present in the paretic limb during tasks requiring shoulder abduction loading, it was hypothesized that stretch reflexes may be modulated by expression of this abnormal muscle coactivation pattern. To test this hypothesis, the ACT-4D was used to enable 10 individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke to generate varying amounts of shoulder abduction torque while concurrently receiving elbow extension position perturbations. It was found that increased expression of the flexion synergy led to greater reflex amplitudes as well as lower reflex velocity thresholds. The physiological basis of the flexion synergy is briefly discussed, as are the implications of the flexion synergy and stretch reflexes for purposeful movement.
Research-supported ideas for implementing reauthorized IDEA with intelligent professional psychological services

The recent reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA; 2004) is first discussed in its historical context. Then, a programmatic line of research (funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development since 1989) is described that is relevant to a proposed model for universal screening, providing instruction for grade-appropriate target reading or writing skills for at-risk students, monitoring student response to instruction, and diagnosing when necessary. It is recommended that the reauthorization of IDEA include the following in services for students with specific learning disabilities: Cognitive, Achievement, and Process Assessment (CAP), Implementation of Scientifically Supported Instruction (SSI), Response to Intervention (RTI), and Differential Diagnosis for Teaching (D2T). State legal code for the reauthorization of IDEA should allow school psychologists flexibility to practice their craft according to current scientific knowledge, professional standards, and best practices of their profession, coupled with Caring, Connecting, and Communicating (C3), so that students with specific learning disabilities and other developmental disabilities are well served. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 781–796, 2006.
Patient adherence in chronic illness: Personality and coping in context.

ABSTRACT Previous reviews have concluded that there is no evidence for a predictable association between person factors and regimen adherence in chronic illness. The brief current review of the literature reveals that past work has been limited by the lack of a common structural theory of personality and the failure to consider the interaction of person factors with disease and treatment context. Application of the five-factor model of personality to adherence research will reduce divergence in the field and and in the orientation and interpretation of future work. Evidence suggests that an interactive perspective recognizing the moderating influence of contextual factors on the behavioral expression of personality traits will contribute to the prediction of adherence behavior.
Kinetics of the pyrolysis of utah tar sands

Utah tar sands have been pyrolyzed experimentally in a tubular furnace into a stream of nitrogen. Various condensate products have been collected and analyzed, and the pyrolyzed sands have been analyzed for coke and unreacted bitumen. The kinetics of the pyrolysis appeared to be second order under conditions of approximately constant temperature and in experiments with continuously changing temperatures. A lighter product with less sulfur, nitrogen, and arsenic was produced when more rapid heating rates were used. Other characteristics of the reaction and products are presented. Des sables bitumineux de l'Utah ont ete pyrolyses dans un four tubulaire sous un courant d'azote. Divers produits de condensats ont ete recueillis et analyses et les sables pyrolyses ont ete analyses pour determiner leur teneur en coke et en bitumes non reagis. La cinetique de la pyrolyse s'avere ětre du second ordre dans des conditions de temperature a peu pres constante ainsi que dans des experiences effectuees avec des temperatures changeant de facon continue. Un produit plus leger avec moins de soufre, d'azote et d'arsenic a ete produit avec des vitesses de chauffe plus rapides. D'autres caracteristiques de la reaction et des produits sont presentees.
Mercury contamination in Long Island Sound, USA, from the historic hat-making industry

mg/kg (dry wt); total mercury contents in the atmosphere ranged from 1.44 ng/Nm 3 to 1100 ng/Nm 3 ,with a mean value of 45.93 ng/Nm3; mercury in fresh vegetables ranged 0.4-68.6 ~tg/kg with a mean value of 7.032 ~tg/kg. The results showed that of 108 soil samples, 59.3% contain more than 1.5 mg Hg 9 kg -~, enrichment factor of mercury in soils reaches 5.07, as compared with the background value of mercury in soils in Fujian Province, mercury in soils in Zhangzhou has obviously been disturbed. The isoline of mercury in soils is similar to that of temperature of spring in the urban area, especially the highest point in Jiulong Park. So, the geothermal spring in Zhangzhou may be an important geological source of mercury. We also observed from the concentrations of mercury in vegetables that mercury in soils upon the geothermal spring may be more active than in other areas. Meanwhile, human-related sources of mercury to the environment are numerous and widespread. It could be concluded that both geological and anthropogenic sources lead to elevated mercury in soils.
Inverse modeling of Texas NO x emissions using space-based and ground-based NO 2 observations

Abstract. Inverse modeling of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions using satellite-based NO2 observations has become more prevalent in recent years, but has rarely been applied to regulatory modeling at regional scales. In this study, OMI satellite observations of NO2 column densities are used to conduct inverse modeling of NOx emission inventories for two Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) modeling episodes. Addition of lightning, aircraft, and soil NOx emissions to the regulatory inventory narrowed but did not close the gap between modeled and satellite-observed NO2 over rural regions. Satellite-based top-down emission inventories are created with the regional Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) using two techniques: the direct scaling method and discrete Kalman filter (DKF) with decoupled direct method (DDM) sensitivity analysis. The simulations with satellite-inverted inventories are compared to the modeling results using the a priori inventory as well as an inventory created by a ground-level NO2-based DKF inversion. The DKF inversions yield conflicting results: the satellite-based inversion scales up the a priori NOx emissions in most regions by factors of 1.02 to 1.84, leading to 3–55% increase in modeled NO2 column densities and 1–7 ppb increase in ground 8 h ozone concentrations, while the ground-based inversion indicates the a priori NOx emissions should be scaled by factors of 0.34 to 0.57 in each region. However, none of the inversions improve the model performance in simulating aircraft-observed NO2 or ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations.
The growth of the number of prime knots

A fundamental and interesting question in knot theory is:Question 1. How many prime knots of n crossings are there ?Over time, knot theorists have answered this question for n ≤ 13 by the method of exhaustion: one writes down a list of all possible knots of n crossings, and then works hard to eliminate duplications from the list [12]. A perhaps easier question is the following:
Evaluation and prediction of shrub cover in coastal Oregon forests (USA)

We used data from regional forest inventories and research programs, coupled with mapped climatic and topographic information, to explore relationships and develop multiple linear regression (MLR) and regression tree models for total and deciduous shrub cover in the Oregon coastal province. Results from both types of models indicate that forest structure variables were most important for explaining both total and deciduous shrub cover. Four relationships were noted: (1) shrub cover was negatively associated with Tsuga heterophyllabasal area and density of shade-tolerant trees; (2) shrub cover was negatively associated with variables that characteristically peak during stem exclusion and mid-succession; (3) shrub cover was positively associated with variables that characterize later successional stages; and (4) higher total and especially deciduous shrub cover were positively associated with hardwood stands. Environmental variables were more important for explaining deciduous shrub cover compared to total shrub cover, but they have an indirect effect on total shrub cover by influencing tree composition. However, because of land ownership patterns, it was difficult to decouple environmental from disturbance factors associated with management strategies across multiple ownerships. Tree models performed similarly (PRD = 0.17–0.27) or better compared to MLR models (PRD = 0.17–0.23) although they contained more (2) predictor variables. Our results indicate that response variable transformation can greatly improve regression tree model performance. While interpretation of MLR and tree models were somewhat similar, the tree models allowed a more explicit understanding of relationships and provided thresholds for anticipating shifts in shrub cover. Such thresholds are useful to forest managers who are monitoring and evaluating critical amounts of shrub cover necessary for different ecosystem components such as bird habitat. Lack of strong predictive power in both types of models may be because many common shrubs can persist and maintain consistent cover under a variety of stand and environmental conditions or there may be a lag time between disturbance events and shrub response. The stochastic nature of disturbance and their interactions with site conditions also makes prediction at this scale in this highly managed landscape inherently problematic. Yet, our models provide both a predictive and conceptual tool for understanding shrub cover patterns across the region. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
How does context play a part in splitting words apart? Production and perception of word boundaries in casual speech

Four experiments examined listeners' segmentation of ambiguous schwa-initial sequences (e.g., a long vs. along) in casual speech, where acoustic cues can be unclear, possibly increasing reliance on contextual information to resolve the ambiguity. In Experiment 1, acoustic analyses of talkers' productions showed that the one-word and two-word versions were produced almost identically, regardless of the preceding sentential context (biased or neutral). These tokens were then used in three listening experiments, whose results confirmed the lack of local acoustic cues for disambiguating the interpretation, and the dominance of sentential context in parsing. Findings speak to the H&H theory of speech production (Lindblom, 1990), demonstrate that context alone guides parsing when acoustic cues to word boundaries are absent, and demonstrate how knowledge of how talkers speak can contribute to an understanding of how words are segmented.
Selective sensitization of bacteria to peroxide damage associated with fluoride inhibition of catalase and pseudocatalase

Fluoride and sulfide are known inhibitors of heme catalases in acid environments. Staphylococcus aureus H cells were found to be sensitized by fluoride or sulfide to H2O2 killing at acid pH values in the range of 3.5 to 4.0, and catalase activity was reduced concomitantly. In contrast, fluoride had little effect on H2O2 killing of Streptococcus mutans GS-5, which has fluoride-insensitive peroxidase activity, but still is more sensitive to H2O2 than is S. aureus in the absence of fluoride. Fluoride but not sulfide was inhibitory also for the Mn-containing, non-heme pseudocatalase of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14431 over a wide pH range, and this inhibitory effect was reflected in enhanced H2O2 killing in the presence of fluoride. In addition, we found that catalase-positive S. aureus or Neisseria sicca could protect catalase-negative S. mutans against killing by H2O2 in mixed suspensions, but protection was compromised by fluoride or sulfide under acid conditions. Thus, catalase-positive organisms could protect a catalase-negative organism against peroxide damage, but inhibition of catalase reduced protection. These findings are pertinent to the widespread use of fluoride and peroxide in oral health care products.
Tying and Bundling in a Nearly Contestable Market

This paper presents a model of bundling and tying when the threat of entry provides the primary competitive constraint, but entrants have a disadvantage with respect to the incumbent, i.e., in a, “nearly contestable,” market. The entrant’s disadvantage can be with respect to marginal costs, the fixed cost of a good, or the fixed cost of an offering (which can be interpreted as a product differentiation advantage). The incumbent’s profits depend on both the nature of its cost advantage and the set of offerings. With an advantage in the fixed cost of an offering, the incumbent prefers mixed bundling if it is sustainable. With a marginal cost advantage, the incumbent prefers pure bundling, in which all customers buy both components. While the latter result might appear to formalize a commonly-alleged rationale for tying, the practice can be a Pareto improvement over mixed bundling and can cause total consumer surplus to increase relative to only selling the products separately. Mixed bundling can lower consumer surplus and be a form of product proliferation.
Optimal Regulation of the Media Industry

This paper studies how a society should optimally organize and regulate its media industry. First, a political economy model of the media industry is developed. Second, a constitutional stage is considered and the optimal regulation of the industry is deduced. A simple but powerful normative message is derived from this analysis. The media should not be treated as a standard industry. Even if it operates under increasing returns to scale, this is not enough to conclude that the best solution is a media monopoly. Unless media productivity is extremely low, the optimal regulation is either to encourage entry with subsidies or to impose moderate entry limitations. It is worthwhile to pay the extra costs associated with several media companies obtaining and reporting the same news because competition avoids media capture and the corresponding dissipation of resources in the political system.
School, Community, and Cultural Connectedness as Predictors of Adjustment Among Rural American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Adolescents

Characteristics of rural American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are highlighted with particular attention to reservations which are located predominantly in rural areas. The historical trauma model is provided as a framework for understanding the causes behind high levels of some adjustment problems of AI/AN adolescents today. Of primary interest in this chapter is examination of theory and research on potential protective roles of school, community, and cultural forms of social connectedness relative to adjustment outcomes of rural AI/AN youth. Social connections are implicit components of resilience models and resonate with several theoretical frameworks and views on AI/AN well-being. The chapter concludes with summarizing comments including recommendations for future research on the topic.