cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Field Measurement Requirements For Electro-Optical Obscuration Modeling

Questions concerning data types required for electro-optical obscuration modeling of the "dirty battlefield" are addressed. The philosophy is taken that "modeling should lead measurements" in setting requirements and a framework is established to examine questions from this viewpoint. Specific examples for modeling hygroscopic growth effects, fire products and path radiance are given. The major emphasis is on transmission and radiance but other factors required for modeling and which influence the accuracy of measurements are also addressed.
Permian Facies Relationships in Eastern Nevada: ABSTRACT

Lower and Middle Permian formations between Confusion Range, Millard Co., Utah, and Dry Mountain, White Pine Co., Nevada, have many distinct facies, but all pre-Kaibab Permian rocks may be referred to five formations. The stratigraphic succession at Illipah Gorge comprises Reipe Spring limestone, Reipetown sandstone, Pequop formation, and Loray formation. In the Confusion Range, Butte Mountains, and Ely area, Pequop and Loray formations are generally recognizable, but no distinctive boundary for mapping purposes can be recognized. In these areas, the Arcturus formation is used to designate the entire section between Reipetown sandstone and Kaibab limestone. Reipe Spring limestone is rather uniform in its physical characteristics, although it becomes somewhat arenaceous at Dry Mountain and silty in the Butte Mountains. A limestone-rich facies near Divide Spring, and mudstone rich facies at Dry Mountain represent the Reipetown sandstone. The lower Pequop formation consists of interbedded calcarenite and sandstone at Illipah Gorge, but at Dry Mountain an almost entirely mudstone facies is present. In the Ely area and Confusion Range this member is represented by interbedded limestones and sandstones of the lower Arcturus formation. Massive, crinoidal, and fusulinid-rich limestones of the upper Pequop formation at Moorman Ranch are represented in the Ely area by interbedded thin limestones and sandstones of the middle Arcturus formation. The upper Arcturus formation in the Ely area, Butte Mountains, and Confusion Range comprises thin interbedded red and yello sandstones and dark gray limestones similar to those of the Loray formation in the northeast part of the Illipah Quadrangle. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1776------------
A new network representation of a “classic” school districting problem

Abstract Declining and fluctuating enrollments of the last decade have necessitated changes in the sizes and locations of schools in hundreds of districts across the United States. School administrators are thus faced with the difficult and complex problems of redistricting, compounded when desegregation is at issue. Researchers have worked for two decades with variants of a linear programming districting model which minimizes total distance traveled as all students are assigned to schools that are subject to capacity and racial balance limitations. This model could aid in the construction of districting alternatives but, in practice, is difficult to solve with generalized solution methods due to excessive size. Network-based representations have been actively pursued because of the existence of fast special algorithms and codes. However, single-network representations have been successful in modeling only special cases of this problem. We present here a generalized network flow problem with side constraints which is a new and exact equivalent of this classic districting problem.
An approximate viscous shock layer technique for calculating nonequilibrium hypersonic flows about blunt-nosed bodies

An approximate axisymmetric method has been developed which can reliably calculate nonequilibrium fully viscous hypersonic flows over blunt-nosed bodies. By substituting Maslen's second-order pressure expression for the normal momentum equation, a simplified form of the viscous shock layer (VSL) equations is obtained. This approach can solve both the subsonic and supersonic regions of the shock layer without a starting solution for the shock shape. This procedure is significantly faster than the parabolized Navier-Stokes and VSL solvers and would be useful in a preliminary design environment. Solutions have been generated for air flows over several analytic body shapes. Surface heat transfer and pressure predictions are comparable to VSL results. Computed heating rates are in good agreement with experimental data. The present technique generates its own shock shape as part of its solution, and therefore could be used to provide more accurate initial shock shapes for higher-order procedures which require starting solutions.
Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA for rat pancreatic cholesterol esterase.

A full-length cDNA complementary to the rat pancreatic cholesterol esterase mRNA was isolated by screening a rat pancreatic cDNA expression library in λgt11 vector with antibodies against the porcine pancreatic cholesterol esterase. The isolated cholesterol esterase cDNA is 2050 bp in length and contains an open reading frame coding for a protein of 612 amino acids. A 20-amino acid hydrophobic leader sequence is predicted, based on the position of the first ATG initiation codon upstream from the sequenced amino terminus of the isolated cholesterol esterase. The cholesterol esterase cDNA was subcloned into a mammalian expression vector, pSVL, for transfection studies. Expression of the cDNA in COS cells resulted in the production of bile salt-stimulated cholesterol esterase. Comparison of the cholesterol esterase cDNA sequence with other proteins revealed that the pancreatic cholesterol esterase is identical to rat pancreatic lysophospholipase. The primary structure of cholesterol esterase displayed no significant homology with other lipases, although the putative lipid interfacial recognition site of G-X-S-X-G is present in the cholesterol esterase sequence. However, the cholesterol esterase sequence revealed a 63-amino-acid domain which is highly homologous to the active site domain of other serine esterases. These data suggest that cholesterol esterase may be a member of the serine esterase supergene family. Analysis of the cholesterol esterase structure also revealed a repetitive sequence enriched with Pro, Asp, Glu, Ser, and Thr residues at the C-terminal end of the protein. This sequence is reminiscent of the PEST-rich sequences in short-lived proteins, suggesting that cholesterol esterase may have a short half-life in vivo. Northern blot hybridization showed that the bile salt-stimulated cholesterol esterase mRNA is present in liver suggesting that this protein may also be synthesized by liver cells.
Toward an Improved Haptic Zooming Algorithm for Graphical Information Accessed by Individuals who are Blind and Visually Impaired

An increasing amount of information content used in school, work, and everyday living is presented in graphical form. Unfortunately, it is difficult for people who are blind or visually impaired to access this information, especially when many diagrams are needed. One problem is that details, even in relatively simple visual diagrams, can be very difficult to perceive using touch. With manually created tactile diagrams, these details are often presented in separate diagrams which must be selected from among others. Being able to actively zoom in on an area of a single diagram so that the details can be presented at a reasonable size for exploration purposes seems a simpler approach for the user. However, directly using visual zooming methods have some limitations when used haptically. Therefore, a new zooming method is proposed to avoid these pitfalls. A preliminary experiment was performed to examine the usefulness of the algorithm compared to not using zooming. The results showed that the number of corr...
Antigen presentation events in autoimmune diabetes

Antigen presenting cells (APC) be they dendritic cells (DC) or macrophages reside in all tissues. Their role varies from presenting antigen, clearing the tissue from unwanted material, helping in the remodeling that follows injury and inflammation, to a supporting or trophic function. Their features, biology, and turnover may be unique for each organ, modulated by the particular anatomy and physiology of the tissue. These features affect the handling and presentation of antigens, either exogenous such as those from viruses or bacteria, or endogenous, autologous proteins in situations of autoimmunity. Herein, we focus on the resident APC of the islets of Langerhans and their role in autoimmune diabetes. The intra-islet APC are central cells in diabetogenesis by presenting beta cell derived antigens and by modulating the localization of T cells into the islets.
Considering specialization/versatility as an unintended collateral consequence of SORN

Abstract Purpose Empirical studies examining specialization/versatility among offenders have long been an area of interest among criminologists. This same focus has only relatively recently been directed toward sex offenders. Methods Utilize matched random samples of male sex offenders released from prison pre- and post-Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) in the state of New Jersey with eight years of follow-up for measuring recidivism. Results Various specialization thresholds and individualized diversity index (D) scores disaggregated by recidivism offense type (e.g., violent, property, drug, and sex offenses) suggest that these sex offenders were more diverse than specialized. Furthermore, Tobit regression analysis revealed that alcohol problems, being a rapist, being a prior violent offender, and recidivism offense frequency significantly predicted versatility compared with being married and being a prior property offender, which were inversely related to versatility. Finally, sex offenders who were released from prison post-SORN demonstrated a higher level of specialization than sex offenders who were released from prison pre-SORN, yet their tendency toward specialization was almost exclusively a function of drug offenses not sex offenses. Conclusions SORN policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Concealing to Belong, Revealing to be Known: Classification Expectations and Self-threats Among Persons with Concealable Stigmas

Whereas a large body of research examines the interpersonal stressors associated with revealing a stigmatized identity to others, comparatively little work documents the intrapsychic stressors associated with concealing a stigmatized identity from others. In two studies of persons with concealable stigmas (nerds in Study 1, gay men and lesbians in Study 2), we found support for a model in which behaviors that reveal a stigmatized identity to others lead to expectations of accurate classification as stigmatized, and behaviors that conceal a stigmatized identity lead to expectations of misclassification as nonstigmatized. In turn, expectations of accurate classification threaten stigmatized people's need for belonging (positive social connections), and expectations of misclassification threaten their need for coherence (feedback that confirms their stable self-views).
Childhood primary aldosteronism with bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia: plasma renin activity as an aid to diagnosis.

The demonstration of “suppressed” plasma renin activity in a patient with childhood or juvenile primary aldosteronism secondary to adrenocortical hyperplasia is described, together with a detailed case report and a tabular review of previously reported cases of this unusual syndrome.
Exercise assessment in children after cardiac transplant in infancy: effect of chronotropic incompetence

Abstract Limited data are available on exercise performance after infant cardiac transplantation (CTX). Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory response to exercise in children who had undergone CTX for hypoplastic left heart syndrome in infancy with normal (NML) subjects. Procedure: Subjects (24 CTX; 25 NML) were exercised on a treadmill using pediatric ramp protocols. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen consumption (VO2), CO2 production and ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) were measured. Mean age at CTX was 32±26 days. Age of CTX subjects at time of exercise was 9.7±2.3 years and 10.5±1.4 years in NML subjects (p=NS). All subjects in both groups were NYHA Class I. Results: Exercise duration was similar (p=NS) in both groups (10.3±2.0 minutes(CTX) versus 11.1±1.5 minutes (NML). HR at rest was greater in CTX patients (94±15 BPM versus 85±11 BPM (p=0.02). Peak HR was also less in the CTX group (158 BPM±15 BPM versus 189 BPM±12 BPM (p Conclusions: 1) Overall, children receiving cardiac transplantation in infancy have an exercise capacity within the normal range. 2) Subjects undergoing cardiac transplantation in early infancy have decreased heart rate reserve that may account for the differences in peak oxygen consumption compared to normal subjects.
MOCABA: A GENERAL MONTE CARLO - BAYES PROCEDURE FOR IMPROVED PREDICTIONS OF INTEGRAL FUNCTIONS OF NUCLEAR DATA

Abstract MOCABA is a combination of Monte Carlo sampling and Bayesian updating algorithms for the prediction of integral functions of nuclear data, such as reactor power distributions or neutron multiplication factors. Similarly to the established Generalized Linear Least Squares (GLLS) methodology, MOCABA offers the capability to utilize integral experimental data to reduce the prior uncertainty of integral observables. The MOCABA approach, however, does not involve any series expansions and, therefore, does not suffer from the breakdown of first-order perturbation theory for large nuclear data uncertainties. This is related to the fact that, in contrast to the GLLS method, the updating mechanism within MOCABA is applied directly to the integral observables without having to “adjust” any nuclear data. A central part of MOCABA is the nuclear data Monte Carlo program NUDUNA, which performs random sampling of nuclear data evaluations according to their covariance information and converts them into libraries for transport code systems like MCNP or SCALE. What is special about MOCABA is that it can be applied to any integral function of nuclear data, and any integral measurement can be taken into account to improve the prediction of an integral observable of interest. In this paper we present two example applications of the MOCABA framework: the prediction of the neutron multiplication factor of a water-moderated PWR fuel assembly based on 21 criticality safety benchmark experiments and the prediction of the power distribution within a toy model reactor containing 100 fuel assemblies.
Cerebral infarction with a single oral dose of phenylpropanolamine

Abstract Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a synthetic sympathomimetic that is structurally similar to amphetamine, is avallable over the counter in anorectics, nasal congestants, and cold preparations. Its prolonged use or overuse has been associated with seizures, intracerebral hemorrhage, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and nonhemorrhagic cerebral infarction. We report the case of a young woman who suffered a cerebral infarction after taking a single oral dose of PPA.
Small geometry MOS transistor capacitance measurement method using simple on-chip circuits

A method of measuring the gate capacitance of very small geometry devices using simple on-chip circuits is described. Short-channel effects observed in gate capacitance measurements of an MOS transistor with W eff /L eff = 9.2 µm/0.8 µm are presented. Measurement results show that the resolution of the technique is much better than 0.1 fF.
Improved technique for hilar vascular stapling

The use of stapling instruments is common in thoracic surgery, but there is a continued reluctance to use them on hilar vascular structures. We have developed a technique that satisfies the major objections to stapler use on hilar vascular structures.
Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of coronary artery fistulas using detachable balloons.

Three pediatric patients underwent successful transcatheter coronary artery fistula occlusion using the Debrun system. This latex balloon system offers several advantages over other occlusion systems. First, the balloon delivery and release is controlled. Second, “test occlusions” can be performed that allow simultaneous balloon inflation, coronary cineangiography, and electrocardiographic monitoring. Third, because the balloons are flow-directed, they are easily positioned in properly chosen locations. Finally, the balloons can be constructed to suit the size of the fistula. In this study, two patients received only one balloon; in the other patient two balloons were placed in the same fistula. All fistulas drained into either the right atrium or ventricle and were successfully occluded. After a follow-up period of up to 3 years, no local or systemic reactions to the balloons were recognized. We conclude that detachable balloon occlusion of coronary artery fistulas is a safe, effective alternative to surgical ligation in selected pediatric patients.
Development of a Child Safety Seat Hassles Scale in a Largely Low-Income Latino Population

OBJECTIVE: High rates of use of child safety seats have been achieved. A remaining challenge in child passenger safety is to reach the Healthy People 2010 objective of child safety seat use to 100%. Several factors have been reported to influence child safety seat use. A child safety seat Hassles Scale was developed to explore hassles that are associated with child safety seat nonuse. METHODS: Focus groups with violators of the California Child Passenger Safety Law provided data to construct the 29-item Hassles Scale. The scale was used in an interview that was conducted with 132 parents who were cited for violation of the law and whose children were 12 to 47 months of age and weighed 20 to 40 pounds. Interviews were conducted 3 months after parents paid the fine for the citation. Each hassle was rated 0 to 3 on frequency and intensity. Parent report of child safety seat use was obtained. Factor analysis was used to construct subscales. Relationship of subscale frequency and intensity scores to reported child safety seat use was assessed with linear regression. RESULTS: The sample was 86% Latino, 45% Spanish-speaking, and 55% with income Language: en
A coupling function for solar wind effect on geomagnetic activity

[1] From a simple theoretical consideration, we obtained two coupling functions linking upstream solar wind parameters to geomagnetic activity. We took into account (1) a scaling factor related to polar cap expansion while increasing the reconnected magnetic flux in the dayside magnetosphere, and (2) a modified Akasofu function for the reconnected flux for combined IMF Bz and By components. One of these coupling functions may be written as Fα = aVswByz1/2 sinα (θ/2), where Vsw is the solar wind speed, Byz is the magnitude of the IMF vector in the Y-Z plane, θ is the clock angle between the Z axis and IMF vector in the Y-Z plane, a is a coefficient, and the exponent, α, is derived from the experimental data and equals approximately to 2. The Fα function is proportional to the square root of Byz, which makes it significantly different from the coupling functions proposed earlier. Nevertheless, the statistical data analysis supports this dependence. For testing the found coupling function, we used the solar wind and IMF data for four years. We computed 2-D diagrams showing the correlation coefficients for the dependence of the polar cap PC geomagnetic activity index on different combinations of solar wind/IMF parameters. The obtained diagrams showed very good agreement with the theoretical coupling function. The correlation coefficient for the dependence of the PC index on the coupling function is about 0.8–0.85, which is significantly higher that that for other commonly used coupling functions for the same time intervals.
Time and energy resolved probing of many-body interactions in graphene and heterostructures

We studied the electron-phonon and electron-electron interactions in graphene and its heterostructures using pump-probe spectroscopy. Graphene on hexa-Boron Nitride undergoes band structure modification, which affects the relaxation mechanisms of the hot carriers.
A CONSTANT TIME SORTING ALGORITHM FOR A THREE DIMENSIONAL RECONFIGURABLE MESH AND RECONFIGURABLE NETWORK

Sorting techniques have numerous applications in computer science. Current real number and integer sorting techniques for the reconfigurable mesh operate in constant time using a reconfigurable mes...
Vector autoregressions for causal inference? comment

Edward Learner's paper provides an interesting and provocative discussion of one of the most important issues facing macroeconomists. The particular issue which he addresses is the extent to which causal inferences regarding macroeconomic phenomenon can be made from time series data. Learner begins by arguing that the Cowles program for engaging in such inferences suffers from critical defects. He then evaluates the research program put forward by C. Sims (1980, 1982) as an alternative to that program. As interpreted by Learner, Sims' program involves only the analysis of vector autoregressions in ways that minimize the role of a priori economic theory. The paper concludes that any program which calls for the investigation only of reduced form systems will be inadequate for engaging in causal inferences. While this conclusion strikes me as a sensible one, I believe that criticizing Sims' program on these grounds alone avoids most of the difficult and interesting issues raised by Sims and ignores the important, albeit, limited ways in which vector autoregressions can be used. For example, Sims (1982) argues that there exist formulations of the policy problem for which reduced form systems can be viewed as structural. The relevant question is whether Sims' notion of policy is in any way an interesting one. Since my function here is to comment on Learner's paper rather than on Sims', I refer the reader to work by McCallum (1982) and Sargent (1983) for analyses of the potential role of unconstrained vector autoregressions as a tool for policy analysis. In this comment I discuss three points which are related to Learner's rejection of the Cowles paradigm for engaging in causal inferences and his conclusion that there is no program at all for drawing causal inferences
Trophic factors GDNF and BDNF improve function of retinal sheet transplants

The aim of this study was to compare glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) treatment of retinal transplants on restoration of visual responses in the superior colliculus (SC) of the S334ter line 3 rat model of rapid retinal degeneration (RD). RD rats (age 4–6 weeks) received subretinal transplants of intact sheets of fetal retina expressing the marker human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP). Experimental groups included: (1) untreated retinal sheet transplants, (2) GDNF-treated transplants, (3) BDNF-treated transplants, (4) none surgical, age-matched RD rats, (5) sham surgery RD controls, (6) progenitor cortex transplant RD controls, and (7) normal pigmented rat controls. At 2–8 months after transplantation, multi-unit visual responses were recorded from the SC using a 40 ms full-field stimulus (−5.9 to +1 log cd/m2) after overnight dark-adaptation. Responses were analyzed for light thresholds, spike counts, response latencies, and location within the SC. Transplants were grouped into laminated or rosetted (more disorganized) transplants based on histological analysis. Visual stimulation of control RD rats evoked no responses. In RD rats with retinal transplants, a small area of the SC corresponding to the position of the transplant in the host retina, responded to light stimulation between −4.5 and −0.08 log cd/m2, whereas the light threshold of normal rats was at or below −5 log cd/m2 all over the SC. Overall, responses in the SC in rats with laminated transplants had lower response thresholds and were distributed over a wider area than rats with rosetted transplants. BDNF treatment improved responses (spike counts, light thresholds and responsive areas) of rats with laminated transplants whereas GDNF treatment improved responses from rats with both laminated and rosetted (more disorganized) transplants. In conclusion, treatment of retinal transplants with GDNF and BDNF improved the restoration of visual responses in RD rats; and GDNF appears to exert greater overall restoration than BDNF.
Infrared optical constants of aqueous sulfate-nitrate-ammonium multi-component tropospheric aerosols from attenuated total reflectance measurements: Part II. An examination of mixing rules

Abstract We examine the performance of several mixing rules that are commonly used in modeling optical constants of aerosol mixtures either in remote sensing or radiation transfer/climate studies employing the new refractive index data reported in Part I. We demonstrate that the optical constants of the considered mixtures are not accurately modeled using pure solute optical constants (e.g., ammonium sulfate optical constants and the optical constants of pure water) due to the complex ion–ion and ion–water interactions. On the other hand, we do find that ternary and quaternary mixtures can be well modeled by applying the mixing rules to lower order multi-component optical constants data, e.g., binary data to determine ternary optical constants, or binary and ternary data to determine quaternary optical constants. By using lower order optical constants data sets, much of the ion–ion and ion–water effects are captured. Both mass-fraction and volume-fraction weighting of the “component” optical constants yield satisfactory results, performing as well or better than the more complicated mixing rules. These findings will be of practical use in remote sensing and radiation transfer/climate studies as well as help guide the decision on what optical constants measurements will be required.
Predicting cancer on excision of atypical ductal hyperplasia.

Abstract Background There are no specific histopathologic factors that allow identification of patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) who will have cancer on final excision. Methods This was a retrospective study of all patients who had ADH on biopsy followed by excision from 1999 to 2006. Results Fifty-one patients were found to have ADH on core biopsy. Eight (15.7%) patients had invasive carcinoma on surgical excision, 9 (17.5%) had ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS), 21 (41.5%) had ADH, 4 (8%) patients had atypical lobular hyperplasia, and 9 (17.5%) had benign tumors. The grade of atypia on the core biopsy was mild in 13 (25%) patients, moderate in 22 (43%), and marked in 16 (32%). On multivariate analysis of histopathologic factors, the grade of atypia was the only significant variable that predicted a diagnosis of cancer on final surgical excision ( P = .001). Conclusions The grade of atypia correlated with the presence of cancer on surgical excision.
Comprehensive Study of Isobutane Selective Oxidation Over Group I and II Phosphomolybdates: Structural and Kinetic Factors

Various phosphomolybdates were synthesized using cations from Groups 1 and 2 of the periodic table. These compounds were of the form M x H3−xn [PMo12O40], with n being the cationic charge (+1 or +2). XRD analysis shows pure phosphomolybdic acid has a triclinic structure. A body centered cubic (BCC) structure gradually develops with addition of Group 1 cations, and the triclinic phase is completely replaced by the BCC phase once metal cations occupy a volume greater than 9–11 A3 per phosphomolybdate anion. The Group 2 compounds do not form a cubic phase, however the triclinic phase distorts once cationic volume is greater about 5 or 6 A3 and appears to become somewhat amorphous. Isobutane selective oxidation over the compounds yielded methacrolein (primary product), 3-methyl-2-oxetanone (lactone), acetic acid, propene, methacrylic acid, carbon dioxide and water as products. Propene was formed over the Group 1 compounds exclusively and methacrylic acid formation was observed with BaH[PMo12O40] only. Products form via two distinct processes: Category 1 product has an exponential profile and coverage is consistent with a Langmuir model, Category 2 formations are consistent with desorptions from within the bulk of the substrates. Methacrolein forms via both Category 1 and 2 processes, whilst all other products are formed by Category 2 exclusively. A rigorous kinetic analysis yielded accurate activation parameters. Category 1 methacrolein formation apparent activation energies ranged from 34.7 ± 1.3 to 119 ± 4 kJ mol−1. Category 2 formations ranged from 34.3 ± 0.4 to 726 ± 172 kJ mol−1. No relationship between activity and composition or structure could be ascertained, despite investigation into correlations using several different models.
Thermal Analyses and Design Considerations of NASA’s Passively Cooled 35 K Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST)

The configuration and thermal analyses of NASA's Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) Yardstick concept utilizing a novel sunshield approach for passive cooling is described. The NGST mission concept of a large aperture optical telescope passively cooled to less than 40 K and instrument detectors passively cooled to below 30 K is unique from any other mission flown to date. Achieving such a low operational temperature requires reducing by a factor of several thousand the internal heat dissipation and environmental heating of the telescope. The techniques for achieving these requirements, i.e. orbit selection, configuration, etc., along with the supporting thermal analyses are described.
How cognitive theory guides neuroscience

The field of cognitive science studies latent, unobservable cognitive processes that generate observable behaviors. Similarly, cognitive neuroscience attempts to link latent cognitive processes with the neural mechanisms that generate them. Although neural processes are partially observable (with imaging and electrophysiology), it would be a mistake to ‘skip’ the cognitive level and pursue a purely neuroscientific enterprise to studying behavior. In fact, virtually all of the major advances in understanding the neural basis of behavior over the last century have relied fundamentally on principles of cognition for guiding the appropriate measurements, manipulations, tasks, and interpretations. We provide several examples from the domains of episodic memory, working memory and cognitive control, and decision making in which cognitive theorizing and prior experimentation has been essential in guiding neuroscientific investigations and discoveries.
Physician nutrition education

Nutrition education for physicians in the United States is limited in scope, quality, and duration due to a variety of factors. As new data and quality improvement initiatives highlight the importance of nutrition and a generation of nutrition experts retire, there is a need for new physician educators and leaders in clinical nutrition. Traditional nutrition fellowships and increased didactic lecture time in school and postgraduate training are not feasible strategies to develop the next generation of physician nutrition specialists in the current environment. One strategy is the development of short immersion courses for advanced trainees and junior attendings. The most promising courses include a combination of close mentorship and adult learning techniques such as lectures, clinical experiences, literature review, curricular development, research and writing, multidisciplinary interactions, and extensive group discussion. These courses also allow the opportunity for advanced discourse, development of long-term collaborative relationships, and continued longitudinal career development for alumni after the course ends. Despite these curricular developments, ultimately the field of nutrition will not mature until the American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes nutrition medicine with specialty board certification.
A Description of Preschool Neuropsychological Assessment in the P.I.N.T. Clinic after the First 5 Years

Assessment of preschool-aged children constitutes a dilemma for many neuropsychologists because of a limited set of standardized measures with normative data as well as inadequate understanding of typical developmental trajectories for neuropsychological functions during the first years of life. However, numerous neurological disorders, medical disorders with central nervous system involvement, and even psychiatric disorders have their onset during this time and subsequently impact cognition by altering functional developmental trajectories. Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations can help to delineate this alteration in developmental trajectory and assist in determining need for specific interventions services so that they can be implemented early as possible in hopes of reducing developmental cognitive impairments. In this descriptive report, potential preschool neuropsychological evaluation procedures are described and a discussion of appropriate reasons for referral and pertinent testing considerations is presented. Additionally, the Preschool and Infant Neuropsychology (P.I.N.T.) Clinic is presented to describe a methodology for conducting preschool neuropsychological assessment.
A kinetic and thermodynamic framework for the Azoarcus group I ribozyme reaction

Determination of quantitative thermodynamic and kinetic frameworks for ribozymes derived from the Azoarcus group I intron and comparisons to their well-studied analogs from the Tetrahymena group I intron reveal similarities and differences between these RNAs. The guanosine (G) substrate binds to the Azoarcus and Tetrahymena ribozymes with similar equilibrium binding constants and similar very slow association rate constants. These and additional literature observations support a model in which the free ribozyme is not conformationally competent to bind G and in which the probability of assuming the binding-competent state is determined by tertiary interactions of peripheral elements. As proposed previously, the slow binding of guanosine may play a role in the specificity of group I intron self-splicing, and slow binding may be used analogously in other biological processes. The internal equilibrium between ribozyme-bound substrates and products is similar for these ribozymes, but the Azoarcus ribozyme does not display the coupling in the binding of substrates that is observed with the Tetrahymena ribozyme, suggesting that local preorganization of the active site and rearrangements within the active site upon substrate binding are different for these ribozymes. Our results also confirm the much greater tertiary binding energy of the 5′-splice site analog with the Azoarcus ribozyme, binding energy that presumably compensates for the fewer base-pairing interactions to allow the 5′-exon intermediate in self splicing to remain bound subsequent to 5′-exon cleavage and prior to exon ligation. Most generally, these frameworks provide a foundation for design and interpretation of experiments investigating fundamental properties of these and other structured RNAs.
Regulation of limb patterning by extracellular microfibrils.

To elucidate the contribution of the extracellular microfibril–elastic fiber network to vertebrate organogenesis, we generated fibrillin 2 (Fbn2)–null mice by gene targeting and identified a limb-patterning defect in the form of bilateral syndactyly. Digit fusion involves both soft and hard tissues, and is associated with reduced apoptosis at affected sites. Two lines of evidence suggest that syndactily is primarily due to defective mesenchyme differentiation, rather than reduced apoptosis of interdigital tissue. First, fusion occurs before appearance of interdigital cell death; second, interdigital tissues having incomplete separation fail to respond to apoptotic clues from implanted BMP-4 beads. Syndactyly is associated with a disorganized matrix, but with normal BMP gene expression. On the other hand, mice double heterozygous for null Fbn2 and Bmp7 alleles display the combined digit phenotype of both nullizygotes. Together, these results imply functional interaction between Fbn2-rich microfibrils and BMP-7 signaling. As such, they uncover an unexpected relationship between the insoluble matrix and soluble factors during limb patterning. We also demonstrate that the Fbn2- null mutation is allelic to the recessive shaker-with-syndactyly (sy) locus on chromosome 18.
Robust null space representation and sampling for view-invariant motion trajectory analysis

In this paper, we propose a novel robust retrieval and classification system for video and motion events based on null space representation. In order to analyze the robustness of the system, the perturbed null operators have been derived with the first order perturbation theory. Subsequently, the sensitivity of the null operators is discussed in terms of the error ratio and the SNR respectively. Meanwhile, the normwise bounds and componentwise bounds based on classical matrix perturbation theory are presented and discussed. Given the perturbation, uniform sampling are proposed for the convergence of the SNR and Poisson sampling are proposed for the convergence of the error ratio in the mean sense by choosing the rate parameter the same order as the number of samples. The simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our system in motion event indexing, retrieval and classification that is invariant to affine transformation due to camera motions.
Effects of Group Sex Composition on Self‐Presentation and Sex‐Typing

It is proposed that the sex composition of a group affects the sex-role awareness and sex-related responses of its members, and that such effects can operate even when there is no actual or anticipated verbal interaction among group members. In fact, the “mere presence” of certain proportions of males and females may be sufficient. Relevant studies by the present authors and others are reviewed, and their implications for the sex-role status quo are considered.
On the controllability of singularly perturbed systems

Sufficient conditions for controllability of high-order systems of singularly perturbed type are formulated in terms of two lower order subsystems. At first, linear time-varying systems are considered and then the results are extended to a class of nonlinear systems.
On an inverse problem: Recovery of non-smooth solutions to backward heat equation

We have recently developed two quasi-reversibility techniques in combination with Euler and Crank–Nicolson schemes and applied successfully to solve for smooth solutions of backward heat equation. In this paper, we test the viability of using these techniques to recover non-smooth solutions of backward heat equation. In particular, we numerically integrate the backward heat equation with smooth initial data up to a time of singularity (corners and discontinuities) formation. Using three examples, it is shown that the numerical solutions are very good smooth approximations to these singular exact solutions. The errors are shown using pseudo-L- and U-curves and compared where available with existing works. The limitations of these methods in terms of time of simulation and accuracy with emphasis on the precise set of numerical parameters suitable for producing smooth approximations are discussed. This paper also provides an opportunity to gain some insight into developing more sophisticated filtering techniques that can produce the fine-scale features (singularities) of the final solutions. Techniques are general and can be applied to many problems of scientific and technological interests.
MERIT 2000-a new concept in power engineering education

This paper suggests an extensive use of simulation technology to enhance student's understanding of the fundamentals, as well as practical solutions while making this approach quite effective in reducing overall classroom teaching time. This is achieved by efficiently presenting and explaining the analytical and practical aspects of related phenomena through simulation, as well as by redistributing some of the teaching to the laboratory environment. This approach will make sure that an additional time in the curriculum is made available for introduction of the new topics that will reflect the multidisciplinary issues created by the changing environment.
Combining desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance for differential metabolomics without sample preparation

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are used to provide data on urine examined without sample preparation to allow differentiation between diseased (lung cancer) and healthy mice. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to shortlist compounds with potential for biomarker screening which are responsible for significant differences between control urine samples and samples from diseased animals. Similar PCA score plots have been achieved by DESI-MS and NMR, using a subset of common detected metabolites. The common compounds detected by DESI and NMR have the same changes in sign of their concentrations thereby indicating the usefulness of corroborative analytical methods. The effects of different solvents and surfaces on the DESI mass spectra are also evaluated and optimized. Over 80 different metabolites were successfully identified by DESI-MS and tandem mass spectrometry experiments, with no prior sample preparation.
Prophets and Prophecy in the Qumran Community

It has long been axiomatic in the study of postbiblical Judaism that prophecy had become a dormant institution. For scholars studying Judaism in its many ancient manifestations, prophecy was a phenomenon closely related to the heritage of biblical Israel. It disappeared as biblical Israel gave way to Judaism in the aftermath of the Babylonian exile. This scholarly assumption has found support in several texts from ancient Judaism that indeed espouse such a position. In recent years, the dominance of this consensus has begun to wither away as scholars have become both more fully aware of the diverse forms of Judaism in the Second Temple and rabbinic periods and more sensitive to the multiple modes of religious piety in ancient Judaism. In this article, I would like to extend the contours of this conversation by mapping out some methodological rubrics for the study of prophecy in ancient Judaism and discuss one context for the application of this methodology—the Qumran community.
Divergence of information-criterion based Markov order estimators for infinite memory processes

For finite-alphabet stationary ergodic processes with infinite memory, Markov order estimators that optimize an information criterion over the candidate orders based on a sample of size n are investigated. Three familiar information criteria are considered: the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) with generalized penalty term yielding the penalized maximum likelihood (PML), and the normalized maximum likelihood (NML) and the Krichevsky-Trofimov (KT) code lengths. A bound on the probability that the estimated order is greater than some order is obtained under the assumption that the process is weakly non-null and α-summable. This gives an O(log n) upper bound on the estimated order eventually almost surely as n → +∞. Moreover, a bound on the probability that the estimated order is less than some order is obtained if the decay of the continuity rate of the weakly non-null process is in some exponential range. This implies that then the estimated order attains the O(log n) divergence rate eventually almost surely as n → +∞.
Contrast Echocardiography in Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The patient was a 43-year-old asymptomatic Indian male referred for evaluation of an abnormal ECG obtained at a routine check-up. His cardiovascular risk factors included hyperlipidemia and a family history of premature coronary artery disease. His physical examination was unremarkable. The ECG (Figure 1) showed sinus rhythm with evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, ST-segment elevation in the inferior …
Interaction between high-fat diet and alcohol dehydrogenase on ethanol-elicited cardiac depression in murine myocytes.

REN, JUN. Interaction between high-fat diet and alcohol dehydrogenase on ethanol-elicited cardiac depression in murine myocytes. Obesity. 2007;15:2932–2941. Objective: Consumption of high-fat diet and alcohol is associated with obesity, leading to enhanced morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to examine the interaction between high-fat diet and the alcohol metabolizing enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) on ethanol-induced cardiac depression. Research Methods and Procedures: Mechanical and intracellular Ca 2 properties were measured in cardiomyocytes from ADH transgenic and Friend Virus-B type (FVB) mice fed a low- or high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and Foxo3a, two proteins essential for cardiac survival, was evaluated by Western blot. Cardiac damage was determined by carbonyl formation. Results: High fat but not ADH induced obesity without hyperglycemia or hypertension, prolonged time-to-90% relengthening (TR90), and depressed peak shortening (PS) and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening ( dL/dt) without affecting intracellular Ca 2 properties. Ethanol suppressed PS and intracellular Ca 2 rise in low-fat-fed FVB mouse cardiomyocytes. ADH but not high-fat diet shifted the threshold of ethanol-induced inhibition of PS and dL/dt to lower levels. The amplitude of ethanol-induced cardiac depression was greater in the high-fat but not the ADH group without additive effects. Ethanol down- and up-regulated Akt and Foxo3a expression, respectively, and depressed intracellular Ca 2 rise, the effects of which were exaggerated by ADH, high-fat, or both. High-fat diet, but not ADH, enhanced Foxo3a expression and carbonyl content in non-ethanol-treated mice. Ethanol challenge significantly enhanced protein carbonyl formation, with the response being augmented by ADH, high-fat, or both. Discussion: Our data suggest that high-fat diet and ADH transgene may exaggerate ethanol-induced cardiac depression and protein damage in response to ethanol.
Noninvasive Ventilation in Severe Acute Asthma

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in severe acute asthma is controversial but may benefit this population by preventing intubation. We report on a 35-year-old male asthma patient who presented to our emergency department via emergency medical services. The patient was responsive, diaphoretic, and breathing at 35 breaths/min on 100% oxygen with bag-mask assistance, with S(pO2) 88%, heart rate 110-120 beats/min, blood pressure 220/110 mm Hg, and temperature 35.8 °C. NIV at 12/5 cm H2O and FIO2 0.40 was applied, and albuterol at 40 mg/h was initiated. Admission arterial blood gas revealed a pH of 6.95, P(aCO2) 126 mm Hg, and P(aO2) 316 mm Hg. After 90 min of therapy, P(aCO2) was 63 mm Hg. Improvement continued, and NIV was stopped 4 h following presentation. NIV tolerance was supported with low doses of lorazepam. The patient was transferred to the ICU, moved to general care the next morning, and discharged 3 days later. We attribute our success to close monitoring in a critical care setting and the titration of lorazepam.