cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Baseline physiological state and the fMRI-BOLD signal response to apnea in anesthetized rats.

To decipher the biophysical mechanism behind the fMRI-BOLD response to apnea and its dependence on the baseline cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, fMRI and laser Doppler flow (LDF) studies were carried out in anesthetized rats. Baseline cerebral blood flow (CBF) and P a O 2 were modulated by ventilating with different gas mixtures namely, room air (21% O 2 ), 100% O 2 , carbogen (95% O 2 + 5% CO 2 ), 2% CO 2 in air or 5% CO 2 in air, respectively. A decrease in BOLD signal intensity was observed after the onset of apnea with either room air, 2% CO 2 or 5% CO 2 ventilation. P a O 2 and cerebral tissue PO 2 decreased during apnea under these conditions. However, the apnea-induced BOLD signal intensity was unaffected with carbogen ventilation and increased with 100% O 2 ventilation, during which P a O 2 remained constant and cerebral tissue PO 2 increased. When baseline CBF was high during hypercapnia, a faster decrease occurred in the apnea-induced BOLD signal. Apnea induced the largest increase in CBF of 85 ± 25% when ventilated with 2% CO 2 while a 44 ± 8% increase was observed with room air. During the other ventilatory conditions, minimal or no significant change in CBF was observed during apnea. These results show a significant correlation between the BOLD signal change and tissue PO 2 in response to apnea under different physiological conditions. Apnea-induced increase in CBF affects the magnitude of the BOLD signal response when P a O 2 remains constant or changes minimally.
Eight-second MRI scan for evaluation of shunted hydrocephalus.

Introduction Pediatric patients harboring shunts placed early in life are subjected to numerous radiographic studies during development of their central nervous system. Radiation is detrimental to these young patients. MRI avoids the risk of radiation but is thought more difficult due to the increased time a young patient must lie motionless during scan acquisition. Optimal radiographic interrogation would be quick, radiation-free, and allow adequate ventricular evaluation.
Experimental Study of Human Walking to Running Dynamics With Applications to Energy Harvesting

The nonlinear dynamics of a runner are reported here. Image processing software is used obtain experimental data of the 2-D leg motion of the athlete. The available power that the athlete creates from this motion is calculated for multiple speeds. The multi-frequency motion is then filtered, recreated numerically, and compared to the experimental data. This entire process is repeated for multiple athletes of different backgrounds and skill levels. The frequencies at which large amounts of power are available are compared for each athlete in order to find any possible commonality.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Understanding linear regression.

Multivariate regression is a powerful statistical technique that allows researchers to explore multiple predictors simultaneously, to adjust for confounding, to test for interactions, and to improve predictions. Commonly used regression models include linear regression, logistic regression, and Cox regression. Linear regression is appropriate when the outcome variable of interest is continuous and normally distributed (although the latter assumption is critical only for small samples). For example, in a cross-sectional study of 3369 middle-aged and older men, researchers explored the relationship between 2 continuous variables, serum vitamin D levels and cognitive function, by using linear regression [1]. This article attempts to demystify linear regression by using mock and real data based on this example study.
The Use of Immunohistochemistry in Liver Tumors

A variety of benign and malignant neoplasms can be encountered in the liver. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections alone may not yield sufficient information to definitively diagnose liver tumors; therefore, ancillary studies with immunohistochemical markers can play a crucial role in differentiating the different hepatic neoplasms. The recent development of oncofetoprotein glypican-3 has added to the value of immunohistochemistry in diagnosing liver cancer. This review discusses the immunohistochemical markers used most often in the diagnosis of hepatic tumors.
Interpreting statistical testing: Process and propensity, not population and random sampling

The standard textbook treatment of conventional statistical tests assumes random sampling from a population and interprets the outcome of the statistical testing as being about a population. Problems with this interpretation include that (1) experimenters rarely make any attempt to randomly sample, (2) if random sampling occurred, conventional statistical tests would not precisely describe the population, and (3) experimenters do not use statistical testing to generalize to a population. The assumption of random sampling can be replaced with the assumption that scores were produced by a process. Rejecting the null hypothesis then leads to a conclusion about process, applying to only the subjects in the experiment (e.g., that some difference in the treatment of two groups caused the difference in average scores). This interpretation avoids the problems noted and fits how statistical testing is used in psychology.
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia--worsening pain in opioid-dependent patients.

Abstract : Patients with chronic opioid use are commonly treated in the emergency department (ED). Opioid-induced hyper- algesia occurs in patients consuming opioids chronically and is a paradoxical response o f increased pain with opioid administration. It is difficult to diagnose and is often underrecognized, and therapies are unconventional. We report a case of a young service member with chronic pain and opioid use who presented to the ED with opioid- induced hyperalgesia.
Variational calculations of few-body nuclei

Improved variational wave functions for use in microscopic studies of few-body nuclei are presented. The trial functions are constructed from pair-correlation operators, which include central, spin, isospin, tensor, and spin-orbit components, and triplet-correlation operators, which include components induced by three-nucleon potentials. Energy expectation values are calculated using Metropolis Monte Carlo integration. Variational parameter searches are made using energy differences to reduce the effect of statistical fluctuations on the choice of optimal trial functions. Results are reported for ground-state binding energies of $^{3}\mathrm{H}$ and $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ using the Reid ${\mathit{v}}_{8}$ and Argonne ${\mathit{v}}_{14}$ two-nucleon potentials, and Argonne ${\mathit{v}}_{14}$ with the Tucson-Melbourne, Urbana VII, and Urbana VIII three-nucleon potentials. The variational binding energies are typically 3--4% above available Faddeev and Green's-function Monte Carlo results. Nucleon density distributions and elastic electromagnetic form factors are also presented. Extension of these wave functions to larger nuclei such as $^{5}\mathrm{He}$, $^{6}\mathrm{He}$, and $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ is discussed.
Allelic variations of human TCR V gene products

A central problem confronting the immune system is how to discriminate among vast numbers of antigens. Novel genetic ploys that aid the discriminative process, including complex gene rearrangements (in antibody and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes) and extensive allelic polymorphism (in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes), have been described. Recent evidence has suggested a further level of diversity; TCR V gene allelic variation. In this article David Posnett summarizes evidence in favour of this possibility and speculates on the possible functional consequences of TCR allelism.
Hormone-sensitive lipase in human adipose tissue, isolated adipocytes, and cultured adipocytes.

Summary: Employing a perifusion technique, the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in human adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes was found to be significantly stimulated by 5 μM epinephrine (5-fold, P 0.83). When the tissue and cells were stimulated in vitro before fractionation, the HSL activity in the S20 fraction of the original tissue increased 4-fold over basal (P < 0.001), whereas that in the cultured cells increased 2-fold (P < 0.01) regardless of the culture medium employed. In the S20 fractions derived from basally incuhated samples, but not in those derived from the epinephrine-stimulated samples, the HSL enzyme was slightly but significantly (P < 0.002) activated by exogenous addition of ATP, cyclic AMP, and protein kinase. The data suggest that the activity of HSL is retained in cultured human adipocytes and could be enhanced under conditions of culture which favor lipid accumulation and adipose conversion. Speculation: Although the hormone-sensitive lipase enzyme protein in adipose tissue of the rat and the chicken has been extensively purified, the human enzyme remains difficult to purify. The finding in this study, that human adipose tissue hormone-sensitive lipase activity is retained in culture, should facilitate the purification and characterization of the enzyme in man, promote the study of the cellular mechnisms involved in the synthesis, transport and degradation of the enzyme and enhance the search for possible genetic heterogeneity of the enzyme among individuals suspected to have genetic obesity.
Down-regulation and change in subcellular distribution of receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancers during therapy with LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix.

The inhibition of growth of various hormone-dependent cancers by analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) may be exerted in part through receptors for LH-RH present on tumor cells, but the direct mode of action of LH-RH agonists and antagonists is still not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH and antagonist Cetrorelix, administered s.c. at a dose of 100 microg/day for 3 weeks on the binding characteristics and subcellular localization of receptors for LH-RH in OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancers xenografted into nude mice. Using radioligand binding studies, following in vitro desaturation, we demonstrated the presence of specific, high affinity binding sites for LH-RH in both cell membrane and nuclear fraction of OV-1063 tumors. Treatment with Cetrorelix, but not [D-Trp6]LH-RH, caused about 60% reduction (p<0. 01) in tumor volume and weight. [D-Trp6]LH-RH decreased the number of LH-RH receptors on OV-1063 tumor membranes by 44% after 14 days (p<0.01), and the concentration of receptors remained at that level on day 21. The maximal binding capacity of receptors for LH-RH in the nuclei was significantly higher (p<0.05) after 3 weeks of treatment with [D-Trp6]LH-RH. Cetrorelix decreased the concentration of membrane receptors for LH-RH by 53% (p<0.01) after 14 days and the levels on day 21 were even lower, showing a 70% reduction (p<0. 01). In contrast, the number of LH-RH binding sites in the nuclear pellet was significantly increased (p<0.01) by Cetrorelix at that time. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the down-regulation of LH-RH receptors on the cell membranes of OV-1063 human ovarian cancers after therapy with antagonist Cetrorelix or agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH is associated with an increase in receptor concentration in the nuclei. These phenomena could be related to the internalization and subcellular translocation of receptors in these tumor cells.
Antenna design strategies to reduce coupling and interference in wireless communications systems

Antenna size is the dominant limiting factor in miniaturizing electronics and RF front ends. This paper reviews the challenges behind antenna design and integration in wireless systems and explores solutions, such as multifunctional antennas involving multiple frequency bands and communications modes, to achieve improved connectivity. The design of a segmented printed loop of resonant size is discussed to highlight tradeoffs associated with antenna miniaturization, such as low gain and moderate coupling. A dual-band slotted loop antenna array design, applicable to multifunctional radio, is addressed considering design strategies to minimize channel interference, such as scalability, elements with low cross-polarization, and exploiting geometrical symmetries to reduce mutual coupling.
Mercurian global tectonics - A consequence of tidal despinning

The surface of Mercury exhibits a global tectonic system consisting of an ancient set of NE and NW tending lineaments and a younger set of planimetrically arcuate escarpments interpreted as thrust of high-angle reverse faults. The trends, distribution, and age relations of these tectonic features can be explained by a combination of tidal despinning and global contraction of the planet. In our model, early tidal despinning resulted in conjugate shear fractures trending roughly N60 deg E and N60 deg W which were subsequently modified by a variety of surface processes to produce the presently visible set of lineaments. Continued despinning plus global contraction produced thrust faults with roughly north-south trends. Final contraction may have postdated despinning and produced randomly oriented thrust faults. All of these events predated the formation of Caloris basin, because basin-associated deposits blanket both lineaments and arcuate thrust faults.
Direct Electronic Property Imaging of a Nanocrystal-Based Photovoltaic Device by Electron Beam-Induced Current via Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) electron beam-induced current (EBIC) studies were performed on the cross-section of a nanocrystal-based hybrid bulk heterojunction photovoltaic device. Using these techniques, the short circuit carrier collection efficiencies are mapped with a better than 100 nm resolution. Electronically deficient and proficient regions within the photoactive layer are determined. The results show that only a fraction of the CdSe nanorod:P3HT layer (P3HT = poly-3(hexylthiophene)) at the Al cathode interface shows primary collection of charged carriers, in which the photoactivity decreases exponentially away from the interface. The recombination losses of the photoactive layer away from this interface prove that the limiting factor of the device is the inability for electrons to percolate between nanoparticles; to alleviate this problem, an interparticle network that conducts the electrons from one nanorod to the next must be established. Furthermore, the EBIC technique applied to the nanocrystalline device used in this study is the first measurement of its kind and can be applied toward other similar architectures.
Stability of strained thin films with interface misfit dislocations: A multiscale computational study

Abstract The stability of thin single-crystal, internal-defect-free Fe films on Mo(110) and W(110) substrates is investigated through calculations of energetics including contributions from the misfit strain, interfacial misfit dislocations, film surface and interface. The misfit dislocation model is developed through the Peierls–Nabarro framework, employing ab initio calculations of the corrugation potential at the film/substrate interface as an input to the model. The surface and interfacial energies for pseudomorphic films are calculated as a function of film thickness from 1 to 10 layers, employing first-principles spin-polarized density-functional theory calculations in the generalized gradient approximation. First-principles calculations are also employed to obtain the Fe surface stress used in the Peierls–Nabarro model to account for the strain dependence of the surface energy. It is found that the competition between the misfit strain, misfit dislocations, film surface and interfacial energies gives rise to a driving force for solid-state dewetting of a single-crystal, internal-defect-free film, i.e., an instability of a flat film that leads to formation of thicker and thinner regions. The details of the energetics are presented to demonstrate the robustness of the mechanism. Our findings indicate that misfit dislocations and their configurations play a significant role in a morphological evolution of metallic thin films.
Degradation of zinc-diffused GaAs electroluminescent diodes

A physical model is considered to describe the gradual degradation of Zn-diffused GaAs electroluminescent diodes. This model is based on the postulation that new recombination centers are formed during the degradation process. Evidence of the formation of these new centers is established through the measurement of the injected carrier lifetime. Experimental variations of quantum efficiencies, current-voltage characteristics, and light-current curves resulting from degradation tests are obtained. These experimental data agree with the calculated results based on the proposed model.
A programmable text editor

While operating system command languages have improved in recent years, the advances have not yet been widely applied to other command interpreters. This paper describes an editor that has been given two features popular in operating system command languages — i/o redirection and programmable command files. The result is suited both to editing and to some repetitive reformatting tasks often solved by one-shot, ad hoc programs. Examples display the utility of the extensions, and implications for still other command interpreters are discussed.
Paracontrast and disinhibition

This study examined the possibility that paracontrast results from reduction of mask effectiveness by the test stimulus. The stimuli were two stripes flanking a central rectangle. There was no sign of increased test brightness (disinhibition) and little evidence of paracontrast with the central rectangle as the test stimulus. With the flanking stripes as the test stimulus, disinhibition occurred at test-mask asynchronies corresponding to asynchronies at which the effect of test (stripes) on mask (rectangle) was greatest. Brightness reduction adjacent to disinhibition could be interpreted as paracontrast. Other situations in which effects of test on mask could affect the shape of masking curves were discussed.
Physicochemical Characterization of Phospholipid Solubilized Mixed Micelles and a Hydrodynamic Model of Interfacial Fluorescence Quenching

Mixed micelles of solubilized dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and the zwitterionic detergent dodecyldimethylammoniopropane sulfonate are characterized employing time-resolved fluorescence qu...
Adolescents' and parents' explanatory styles and parents' causal explanations about their adolescents

This pilot study compares the explanatory styles of adolescents, the explanatory styles of their parents, and the parents' causal explanations about their adolescents. Twenty-one adolescents with academic problems and their mothers (n =19) and fathers (n =15) completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire (Peterson et al., 1982). The parents also completed a parallel questionnaire, My Adolescent's Life (MAL). Both mothers' and fathers' explanations of events in their own lives and of events in their adolescents' lives were significantly associated. Fathers' explanations of events in their adolescents' lives were positively correlated with the adolescents' explanations of their own events. In this study, neither mothers' explanations of their own events nor of their adolescents' events nor fathers' explanations of their own events correlated with the adolescents' explanations of their own events. Significant findings with a small sample suggest that this line of inquiry and the MAL are promising for future research.
The Speech-Associated Attitude of Children Who Do and Do Not Stutter and the Differential Effect of Age

Fifty-five Flemish children, ages 6 to 13, who stuttered and 55 who did not were the subjects of a two (group) by eight (age) factorial investigation of their response to a Dutch translation of the...
Open Source Software and the SCO Litigation

Abstract In 1980, Congress amended the federal copyright statutes to cover computer programs. The courts interpreted these statutes to protect the creator of software from copying, as well as translating into another programming language. Translations into foreign languages (i.e., French or Spanish) are also prohibited. Commercial software developers use licenses and the threat of legal action to protect their investment against unauthorized copying.
Thermal analysis of microwave assisted bonding of poly(methyl methacrylate) substrates in microfluidic devices

Electromagnetic heating such as microwave processing has evolved as a promising technique to bond polymer substrates due to its ability to achieve non-contact, selective heating and localized melting. In microwave assisted bonding process, two polymer layers such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) substrates can be bonded by heating a thin layer of dielectric material placed between the polymer layers. To better understand the bonding process of polymer layers, a detailed theoretical analysis has been presented. In this analysis, the bonding process of polymer substrates has been modeled as a multilayered composite slab exposed to microwave radiations. The electric field distribution along each layer is computed from simplified Maxwell’s equation under plane wave configuration, and the Poynting theorem is used to find the volumetric power absorbed by each layer. The absorbed power is then used as the source term in unsteady energy equation which is solved by linear decomposition and separation of variables techniques. Finally, the closed form analytical solution obtained from this analysis is used to study the effect of material properties on temperature distribution of polymer substrate (PMMA) with poly-aniline as intermediate sacrificial layer. The analysis was carried out at household microwave frequency (2.4 GHz) with temperature dependent dielectric properties for both poly-aniline and PMMA layers. Our results show that dielectric properties, layer thickness, heat transfer coefficient and processing time have significant influence on the heating pattern. Results also show that the temperature of the PMMA substrate remains below the melting point globally, except at the interface of the poly-aniline layer due to its transparent nature to incident microwave radiation at 2.4 GHz.
Electrophysiological findings during the menstrual cycle in women with and without late luteal phase dysphoric disorder: relationship to risk for alcoholism?

This study evaluated electrophysiological (EEG, ERPs), and cognitive (neuropsychological testing) responses in patients with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD, DSM-III-R) and controls over the menstrual cycle. In both groups, the frequency and stability of electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha activity significantly differed over the menstrual cycle. The latency of the P3 components of the auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) did not vary as a function of the menstrual cycle, but the P3 latency was found to be later in LLPDD subjects as a group. When the LLPDD subjects were assessed based on family history of alcoholism, it was found that those with alcoholic relatives had more high-frequency alpha (9–12 Hz) in their EEG, lower P3 component amplitudes, and longer P3 component latencies when compared to LLPDD subjects without alcoholic relatives or controls. These data suggest that LLPDD may have persistent neurophysiological correlates, some of which are also in common with risk for alcoholism.
Surgical Salvage of Heart Rupture: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Two patients who sustained cardiac rupture complicating recent myocardial infarction were salvaged by expeditious diagnosis and surgical treatment. The cases of 9 other similar patients have been reported in the English-language literature. The cases of these 11 patients were reviewed in an attempt to find common clinical, pathological, and therapeutic features that might have been instrumental in the successful outcome of this usually fatal complication.
Early postnatal development of entopeduncular neurons and their neostriatal connections

Abstract The early postnatal development of dendrites and axodendritic connectivity in the entopeduncular nucleus of kittens was studied by light and electron microscopy. We focused on the fine structure of neuropil and the organization of synaptic elements at several ages during the first weeks of life. We were able to define, in newborn to 1-week-old kittens, several of the distinct types of nerve endings seen previously by us in adult animals. They were found singly or in small clusters widely spaced along surfaces of dendrites and cell bodies. Most endings were small, contained 45 to 50-nm synaptic vesicles, and formed symmetrical synaptic junctions. Fewer large endings, filled with 30- to 35-nm vesicles, formed asymmetrical synapses. By the end of the second week, most dendrites and much of the cell body surfaces were ensheathed by these endings. Astroglial elements apposed nonsynaptic surfaces and enveloped arrays of axodendritic synapses. We used Fink and Heimer staining of degenerating axons to show that much of this early connectivity originated in the neostriatum. These morphologic studies support physiologic data that striopallidal pathways are functional at birth and suggest that many of the age-related changes in response parameters reflect a quantitative increase in axodendritic connectivity. To assess this notion, we initiated a computer-assisted study of Golgi-impregnated neurons and measured dendritic growth during this period. Preliminary data suggested dendritic fields are extensive in 3-day-old kittens (mean total dendritic length of 2800 μm) and individual dendrites radiate for long distances and branch sparsely (mean total branch length of 700 μm). By 18 days of age, these parameters had increased by about 40% to 4800 and 1200 μm, respectively.
An Approximation to Midcourse Correction Direction Errors

A new approximation to the components of midcourse correction direction errors is described that is more accurate than a previously used approximation. The calculation effort involved is much less than that for numerical integration. A comparison of numerical integration results with those of the new approximation is presented in a diagram.
Central nervous system complications of leukemic conversion of the lymphomas

Forty-seven cases of lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma in which leukemic conversion occurred were compared to 48 cases of lymphosaicoma in which leukemic conversion did not occur. The mortality, morbidity, and neurologic complications were studied. The mortality was greatest in the leukemic group regardless of the presence of neurologic complications. Forty percent of the leukemic group developed neurologic complications in contrast to 23 percent of the nonleukemic group. Forty-four percent of the neurologic complications in the leukemic group were meningeal sarcomatosis. The infiltrative meningitis was “atypical” in its presentation in view of the relatively small number of premonitory signs and symptoms. In the nonleukemic group, there were 44.4 percent peripheral neurologic problems and no meningeal complications. The meningeal syndrome responded to a number of therapeutic regimens, the most widely used in this study being intrathecal methotrexate. It is concluded that the rapid course of illness in the leukemic group and the neurologic complications (similar to those encountered in acute leukemia) reflect the severity of illness and acuteness of the leukemia.
Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on the development of burn scarring

Anabolic agents, such as recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), have been used effectively to ameliorate the catabolic response to burn injury and to improve wound-healing. However, in experimental animal models, growth hormone has also been associated with increased renal scarring. The effect of rhGH on the development of human scarring is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of rhGH on the scarring of human skin after burn injury. A series of 94 patients was studied in a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients receiving 0.2 mg/kg/day subcutaneous rhGH during their acute hospital stays presented with the same quality and intensity of scarring as patients receiving a placebo. Similar reconstructive needs also resulted. The treatment of severely burned children with recombinant human growth hormone during the acute-phase hospital course did not increase scarring of the burn wound.
An eigenvalue method of obtaining subjective probabilities

This article deals with decision making by individual persons, living systems at the organism level. It presents a methodology for extracting a set of subjective probabilities from such a decision maker. The method involves obtaining an N × N matrix of compared probabilities and then finding the maximum eigenvalue of this matrix. The unit eigenvector associated with this maximum eigenvalue contains the desired subjective probabilities. The results of an experiment which compared this method with other methods of eliciting subjective probabilities are discussed.
Writing Watts: Budd Schulberg, Black Poetry, and the Cultural War on Poverty

The Watts Writers Workshop was among the most visible community arts projects to develop in Southern California after the 1965 Watts riot. The brainchild of author, screenwriter, and Hollywood personality Budd Schulberg, the workshop sought to develop creative writing talent as an antidote for black social alienation. As an effort in interracial urban reform through artistic expression, the workshop found strong initial support among liberal celebrities, government officials, and private foundations. The increasing salience of the black power movement, however, raised serious internal questions regarding the workshop's avowedly integrationist mission. The Watts Writers Workshop thus offers an important window into the 1960s-era conflict between liberal and radical forces.
Treatment of “obstructive” pain by endoscopic drainage in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma

Obstruction of the main pancreatic duct with secondary upstream ductal hypertension is one cause of pain in patients with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic endoscopic stenting and decompression of the pancreatic duct have been effective in the treatment of pain secondary to chronic calcifying pancreatitis and in one case of pancreatic cancer. We describe eight patients with unresectable cancer of the pancreatic head associated with upstream dilatation of the pancreatic duct and severe pancreatic "obstructive"-type pain (correlation with meals and pain radiation to the back) in which a pancreatic stent was inserted across the neoplastic stricture. No mortality was associated with the procedure. All patients but one were free of pain within 48 hours after endoscopic pancreatic stenting, and all discontinued narcotics. Mean survival time was 165.5 days (range, 26 to 575 days). Six patients were still without symptoms, whereas two had a painful relapse a few days before death. No clinical evidence of pancreatic clogged stent was observed during follow-up. Endoscopic pancreatic drainage is a safe and effective way of controlling cancer pain in selected cases and should be considered as a further therapeutic option in these patients.
Creating an Interactive Light Studio for the American Sign Language and English Lower School

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art created an Interactive Light Studio for pre-kindergarten students at The American Sign Language and English Lower School (P.S. 347) in New York City. Specific goals included designing a space for science exploration and creating ways for both deaf and hearing students to explore light and sound. Deaf and hearing impaired students, in particular, benefit from the design of a sound-to-light installation that uses microphones to provide visual feedback. Another installation includes a network of circuits, which imitate the interaction of fireflies when placed in various configurations by the children. The Interactive Light Studio promotes science to young children and engages a diverse student population in science and engineering. The project offers undergraduate engineering students an opportunity to improve their technical and professional skills and develop a broader appreciation of the role of engineers in bettering society.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Trends in Survival and Recovery From Stroke Evidence From the National Long-Term Care Survey/Medicare Data

Background and Purpose— Improvements in recovery rates may contribute to an increase in healthy life expectancy. It is unclear, however, whether such changes take place because health researchers traditionally deal with changes in incidence and survival from diseases. The purpose of this study was to test for the presence of time trends in the recovery rate from stroke. Methods— We compared age patterns of recovery rates from stroke evaluated in 2 subcohorts represented in the National Long-Term Care Survey data linked with the Medicare service use files. Results— We found a statistically significant increase in recovery rate between 1994 and 1999 for females but not for males. Conclusions— Time trends in recovery rate from stroke exist and can be detected from available data. The roles of influential factors and causes of sex difference in recovery improvement deserve further studies.
Global Health Training in Pediatric Residency Programs

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to describe current resident interest, participation, curricula, resources, and obstacles related to global health training within pediatric residency programs. METHODS. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the 201 accredited pediatric residency programs in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean from October 2006 to January 2007. Survey topics included resident interest and participation in electives, training opportunities, program support, and educational curricular content related to global health. RESULTS. Of the 201 surveyed pediatric residency programs, 106 (53%) responded. Fifteen percent of responding programs reported that a majority of their residents were interested in global health. Fifty-two percent offered a global health elective within the previous year, and 47% had formally incorporated global health into their training curricula. Six percent of the programs reported a formalized track or certificate in global health. The median number of residents per program participating in global health electives within the previous year was 0 during postgraduate year 1, 1 during postgraduate year 2, and 2 during postgraduate year 3. The median number of all residents per program participating in a global health elective in the previous year was 3 (7.4% of program size). Among programs that offered a global health elective, support to participating residents included prerequisite clinical training (36%), cultural orientation (36%), language training (15%), faculty mentorship (82%), and postelective debriefing (77%). Fourteen percent of the programs provided full funding for resident electives. Characteristics of pediatric residency programs that were significantly associated with higher resident participation in a global health elective were larger program size, university affiliation, greater reported resident interest, and faculty involvement in global health. CONCLUSIONS. More than half of the pediatric residency programs surveyed offered a global health elective in the previous year. An American Academy of Pediatrics survey 10 years earlier had shown 1 of 4 programs with global health electives. Observance of American Academy of Pediatrics consensus guidelines for global health electives varied widely among programs, and additional efforts should focus on resident preparation, mentorship, and funding.
Ground-state properties of artificial bosonic atoms, Bose interaction blockade, and the single-atom pipette

We analyze the ground-state properties of an artificial atom made out of repulsive bosons attracted to a center for the case that all the interactions are short ranged. Such bosonic atoms could be created by optically trapping ultracold particles of alkali-metal vapors; we present the theory describing how their properties depend on experimentally adjustable strength of 'nuclear' attraction and interparticle repulsion. The binding ability of the short-range potential increases with space dimensionality, only a limited number of particles can be bound in one dimension, while in two and three dimensions the number of bound bosons can be chosen at will. Particularly in three dimensions we find an unusual effect of enhanced resonant binding: for not very strong interparticle repulsion the equilibrium number of bosons bound to a nuclear potential having a sufficiently shallow single-particle state increases without bound as the nuclear potential becomes less attractive. As a consequence of the competing nuclear attraction enhanced by the Bose statistics and interparticle repulsions, the dependence of the ground-state energy of the atom on the number of particles has a minimum whose position is experimentally tunable. This implies a staircase dependence of the equilibrium number of bound bosons on external parameters which maymore » be used to create a single-atom pipette--an arrangement which allows the transport of atoms into and out of a reservoir, one at a time.« less
Attention and generalization during a conditional discrimination.

A conditional discrimination was established and analyzed, using four pigeons. The discrimination was among four compound stimuli projected on the response key—a white circle or triangle on a red or green background—during two conditions of illumination in the chamber, no illumination or flashing illumination. The two lighting conditions indicated whether the stimuli on the key containing triangles or those containing red would be the occasion for reinforcement. After the discrimination formed, generalization to intermediate and extreme values of the conditional stimulus and the attention of the birds to separate aspects of the stimulus on the key under each of the conditional stimuli were studied. All subjects generalized across values of the conditional stimulus, the lighting of the chamber. But subjects differed in the manner in which they treated the compound stimuli: two tended to attend to one or the other aspect of the stimulus on the key depending on the conditional stimulus, and two offered no evidence of such selective attention. Thus, the differential control of responding by the conditional stimuli cannot be attributed to a shift in attention between the figure and ground aspects of the compound stimuli.
Signal transduction pathways in free cholesterol-loaded macrophages: cell biological insight into the progression of atherosclerosis

Abstract Macrophage death in advanced atherosclerotic lesions gives rise to lesional necrosis and plaque instability. Late lesional macrophages accumulate large amounts of unesterified, or “free” cholesterol (FC), and FC loading of macrophages is cytotoxic. Therefore, FC-induced macrophage death in advanced atherosclerosis may represent an important turning point in lesion progression. This brief review summarizes recent findings on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of FC-induced macrophage death. These mechanisms suggest novel therapeutic strategies directed at maintaining plaque stability and inhibiting acute vascular events.
Personal history of childhood abuse among clinicians

Abstract We conducted a survey to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and effects of a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse among professionals responsible for evaluating child sexual abuse allegations. A genderstratified random sample of 1,635 United States clinicians was drawn from the most current national directories of clinical social work, pediatrics, psychiatry, and psychology. We received 656 completed questionnaires, yielding a 42% response rate. Thirteen percent of the men and 20% of the women reported a personal history of childhood sexual abuse; 7.3% of the men and 6.9% of the women reported a history of physical abuse as children. The modal age at which both genders were sexually abused was 8 years. The modal age at the time of physical abuse was 10 years for both sexes. Of those sexually abused, 50% of both genders were sexually abused for only 1 year. Of those physically abused, more than 50% of both genders were physically abused for 3 or more years. Older females were more likely to report a history of sexual abuse than were their younger cohorts. In this population, physical abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by parents. However, the modal perpetrators of sexual abuse (for both females and males) were male acquaintances or male strangers. Fathers and stepfathers were unlikely to be perpetrators of sexual abuse (3% for males and 12% for females) in this sample. For both genders, particularly males, sexually abused respondents were less likely to be married than their nonabused cohorts. Both men and women who had been sexually abused were more likely to be in nonmarital relationships than were those who had not been sexually abused. Women who had been sexually abused were less likely to have raised children than were women who had not been sexually abused. Respondents who had been sexually abused and/or physically abused were more likely to believe allegations of sexual abuse contained in 16 vignettes alleging sexual abuse.
Effects of alcohol conditioning and expectancy on a visuo-motor integration task

Two experiments were performed in which the classical conditioning model of tolerance, the habituation theory of tolerance, and state dependent learning theory made conflicting predictions. In the first experiment, alcohol conditioning did not produce a compensatory response under placebo on a visuo-motor integration task, but disguised alcohol produced a large decrement in performance. Since the results were consistent both with habituation and state dependent learning theories, a second experiment was performed in which all subjects received alcohol, but half were told that they were receiving pure tonic water. The finding of no expectancy effect was inconsistent with habituation theory, but fully consistent with state dependent learning theory.
Pediatric liver magnetic resonance imaging

Imaging is a standard part of the evaluation of pediatric liver disease. Advances in MR imaging have improved the detection, characterization, and staging of hepatic lesions. Clinical information, however, is still important in selecting the best imaging study and in correctly interpreting the examination. This article addresses the clinical and imaging features of the common hepatic and biliary lesions in children. In addition, the techniques for performing hepatic MR imaging are reviewed.
Nanobiomaterials: State of the Art and Future Trends

In the past decade, it is clear that the development of biomaterials has entered the “nanotechnology era.” The interface between biomaterials and nanotechnology has created enormous opportunities to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of numerous diseases. Nanobiomaterials, a new term describing biomaterials with constituent or surface feature sizes less than 100 nm (10−7 m), provide not only extraordinary materials with unique structures and properties to solve our most traditional biomedical puzzles, but also provide unprecedented knowledge and principles toward understanding biology, medicine, and materials science. At the commencement of the second decade of the new millennium, it is worthwhile to review the current state of the art for the use of nanobiomaterials in medicine as well as possible future trends. Therefore, this paper seeks to summarize the current advances in nanobiomaterials research, spanning a wide range of tissue engineering applications (both soft and hard tissues), drug delivery, disease detection, and disease treatment. In addition, emerging concerns on the safety of manufacturing and using nanobiomaterials (especially toxicological issues) with necessary future research directions from the design of intelligent nanobiomaterials to molecular mechanisms of cell–nanomaterial interactions are also discussed.
Fluctuations of Perceptual Organization and Orientation: Stochastic (Random) or Steady State (Satiation)?

Using flat drawings, intra-reversal times were obtained for two kinds of fluctuations, perspective reversals in a figure eliciting apparent depth and reversals of lateral organization in a figure not eliciting apparent depth. The durations of the alternate percepts (P1 and P2) between reversals early in a viewing session were compared with recently published data of the same type. In the latter study, P1 was found to be of longer duration than P2, both with a flat drawing and a rotating skeletal cube. These prior data were explained in terms of satiation theory; however, we found no significant differences between P1 and P2 with two different groups of Os and with two figures. Explanations for these differences in results were advanced. The use of grouped percept-duration data to support steady state (e.g., satiation) theories of perceptual fluctuation phenomena was criticized.
The effects of transcrystalline interphase in advanced polymer composites

Surface-induced transcrystallization in fibers has been reported in some advanced polymer composites. It is believed that transcrystalline interphase may affect stress transfer efficiency between the reinforcing fiber and the matrix. In this study, attempts were made to examine the effects of transcrystallinity on composite performance, particularly on fiber-matrix interfacial bond strength, and to investigate possible attributes of transcrystallization. Three polymer resins, poly(etherketoneketone) (PEKK), poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK), and poly(phenylenesulfide) (PPS), and four types of fiber, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based AU-4 (untreated AS-4) carbon, pitch-based carbon, poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPDT) aramid, and E-glass were used. It was found that PPDT aramid and pitch-based carbon fibers induce a transcrystalline interphase in all three polymers because of an epitaxial effect. Under certain conditions, transcrystallization was also observed in PAN-based carbon and E-glass fibers, which may be partially attributed to the thermal conductivity mismatch between the fiber and the matrix. Plasma treatment on fiber surface showed a negligible effect on inducing transcrystallization, whereas solution-coating of PPDT on the fiber surface showed a positive effect. The Microdebonding test, which measures the interfacial bond strength between the fiber and the matrix, consistently showed more than 40% increments for various single filament systems with transcrystalline interphase versus without. However, the effects of transcrystallinity on the interfacial bond strength appeared to decrease as the fiber content increased in composites.
The Use of Accommodations Among Students with Deafblindness in Large-Scale Assessment Systems:

The provision of accommodations for students with disabilities is mandated by amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 1997) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB; 2002); and as states are moving to adapt their assessment practices to include all students, it is essential that appropriate accommodations be determined. Implementing the appropriate accommodations serves to maximize the student's performance, while also providing fair access to the general curriculum and statewide assessment measures.This study attempted to describe the use of accommodations among students with deafblindness, both in the general curriculum and during statewide assessments, to illustrate how policy affects practice. The three major findings to emerge were that (a) students were provided accommodations that were not specifically tailored to their needs; (b) self-determination among students with deaf-blindness was not actively observed in the classroom; and (c) there was a lack of congruence among ...