cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Neuromorphic Approach to Path Planning Using a Reconfigurable Neuron Array IC

This paper presents hardware results for a neuromorphic approach to path planning using a neuron array integrated circuit. The algorithm is explained and experimental results are presented showing 100% correct and optimal performance for a large number of randomized maze environment scenarios. Based on neuron signal propagation speed, neuron integrated circuit (IC) path planning may offer a computational advantage over state-of-the-art wavefront planners implemented on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Analytical time and space complexity metrics are developed in this paper for a neuron ICs planner, and these are verified against experimental data. Optimality and completeness are also addressed. The neuron structure allows one to develop sophisticated graphs with varied edge weights between nodes of the grid. Two interesting cases are presented. First, asymmetric edge costs are assigned to describe cases, which have a certain cost to travel a path in one direction, but a different cost to travel the same path but in the opposite direction. The application of this feature can translate to real world problems involving hills, traffic patterns, and so forth. Second, cases are presented where the nodes near an obstacle are given higher costs to visit these nodes. This is in an effort to keep the autonomous agent at a safe distance from obstacles. This grid weighting can also be used to differentiate among terrains such as sand, ice, gravel, or smooth pavement. Experimental results are presented for both cases.
Comparison of the effects of serotonin selective, norepinephrine selective, and dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors on lower urinary tract function in cats

Previous studies showed that the dual serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor, duloxetine, increases bladder capacity and urethral sphincter electromyographic (EMG) activity in a cat model of acetic acid-induced bladder irritation. The present study aimed to determine the relative importance of 5-HT versus NE reuptake inhibition for mediating these effects by examining drugs that are selective for either the 5-HT or NE system or both. Similar to duloxetine, venlafaxine (0.1 to 10 mg/kg), also a dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, produced marked increases in bladder capacity and EMG activity that were reversed by methiothepin (0.3 mg/kg). S-norfluoxetine (0.01 to 10 mg/kg), a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor, produced small but significant increases in bladder capacity and EMG activity at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg. Thionisoxetine (0.01 to 3.0 mg/kg), a NE selective reuptake inhibitor, produced no effects on bladder capacity or sphincter EMG activity. Surprisingly, co-administration of thionisoxetine and s-norfluoxetine up to doses of 1 mg/kg of each compound produced no effect on lower urinary tract function. These doses were the maximum that could be administered in combination due to drug-induced emergence of skeletal muscle activity in chloralose-anesthetized animals. These results indicate that there are unexplained pharmacological differences between the effects of single compounds that exhibit dual NE and 5-HT reuptake inhibition and a combination of compounds that exhibit selective NE and 5-HT reuptake inhibition on lower urinary tract function.
The Structure of a T=169d Algal Virus, PBCV-1, at 15Å Resolution

Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1) (genus Chlorovirus, family Phycodnaviridae), infects certain unicellular, exsymbiotic, chlorella-like green algae [1]. The PBCV-1 virion (~1x10 Da) has a linear dsDNA genome (330kbp) and contains at least 100 different proteins [1, unpublished data]. A published cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction of PBCV-1 (26A resolution) revealed that the outer icosahedral glycoprotein capsid, with a maximum diameter of 1,900A along the five-fold axis, consists of 1680 trimeric capsomers (trimer) and 12 pentameric capsomers (pentamer) [2]. These capsomers are arranged on a T=169d (h=7, k=8) quasi-equivalent lattice. The trimers and pentamers are organized into 20 trisymmetrons (66 trimers) and 12 pentasymmetrons (30 trimers plus one central pentamer). In the present study, we have recorded new images, which have been used to compute a 3D image reconstruction of PBCV-1 at 15A resolution.
Exercise rehabilitation of pediatric patients with cardiovascular disease

Abstract Physical activity can augment the function of virtually all organs. The benefits of exercise programs in children include improved strength, cardiovascular and pulmonary function, functional status and quality of life. Children with cardiovascular disease, either congenital or acquired, can benefit from exercise with better cardiac function and minimizing risk factors associated with progressive heart dysfunction. For the child scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgery, a supervised physical activity intervention before and after surgery may result in improved outcomes. An overview of the benefits and contraindications for exercise in children with or who are at risk for cardiovascular disease is presented. Furthermore, an outline for the development of a hospital-based exercise program is offered.
Local corner cutting and the smoothness of the limiting curve

Abstract Stimulated by recent work by Gregory and Qu, it is shown that the limit of local corner cutting is a continously differentiable curve in case the corners of the iterates becomeincreasingly flat.
Threat to privacy: the federal government's use of personal information in the new communication environment

Abstract A central question that has emerged with the advent of new information technology is how the federal government can operate our national information systems without violating the citizen's right to privacy. The main guarantor, the Privacy Act of 1974, is in need of considerable revision so as to reflect more fully the challenges posed to personal privacy by new applications of information technology. And while changes are being initiated through legislative action, it is essential that the larger issue of the establishment of a de facto national database, containing personal information on most Americans, be addressed.
Ethical Issues on Campus: Intentional, Unintentional, and Accidental College Influences on Student Moral Development

One of the important challenges for higher education today is to expand the ways in which the moral influences of collegiate environments are intentional and to reduce the most negative unintention...
Penicillin Therapy of Experimental Endocarditis Induced by Tolerant Streptococcus sanguis and Nontolerant Streptococcus mitis

The response of tolerant Streptococcus sanguis and nontolerant Streptococcus mitis infections to penicillin therapy was compared in the rabbit model of endocarditis. The minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of penicillin were 0.1 and 0.1 mug/ml, respectively, for S. mitis and 0.05 and 6.2 mug/ml, respectively, for S. sanguis. Time-kill studies done in vitro with penicillin concentrations of 2 and 20 mug/ml demonstrated minimal killing of the tolerant strain, with a 3 log difference in survival between the two strains after 24 and 48 h. Both strains produced endocarditis with comparable bacterial densities on the valvular vegetations. Rabbits were treated with procaine penicillin G in two dosage regimens, 80,000 or 5,000 U/kg given every 8 h. There was no difference between bacterial densities in valvular vegetations removed from rabbits infected with either strain after 2, 4, or 6 days of treatment with the high-dose regimen (serum penicillin concentration at 0.5 h, 9.4 mug/ml), despite the fact that serum bactericidal activity against the tolerant strain at 0.5 h was minimal. With the low-dose penicillin regimen (serum concentration at 0.5 h, 2.5 mug/ml), therapy was significantly less effective in the tolerant group only after 6 days of treatment. Similar results were obtained when penicillin was administered in low and high doses to prevent infection. In this animal model of infection, penicillin tolerance was associated with a diminished response to penicillin therapy only when the dose was severely restricted. In the high-dose regimen, there was no difference in the response to penicillin therapy between animals infected with either strain, despite the presence of only minimal serum bactericidal activity in the rabbits infected with the tolerant strain.
Diurnal Rhythm in Cave Crayfish

NUMEROUS investigations have suggested persistent diurnal physiological rhythmicity to be the rule among organisms, inhabiting the natural day–night environment. However, the only report known to me of results of a study of an animal fully removed for innumerable generations from such daily changes in light and temperature, the case of the cave crayfish, Orconectes pellucidus (Tellkampf), clearly established that these possess no difference in activity between day-time and night-time when kept under controlled conditions in the laboratory1.
An integrated dynamic scene algorithm for segmentation and motion estimation

Segmentation and motion estimation are two problems that require accurate estimation for many applications in computer vision and image analysis. This work presents a solution to these two problems simultaneously. Both the segmentation and motion fields are integrated and estimated in parallel to reduce computation time. The presented algorithm is based on producing motion estimates and restored pixel intensity values through an optimization process that uses deterministic mean-field annealing (MFA) framework. The MFA results at different temperature values are used to run a segmentation process using the concept of region-growing-based algorithm. The segmentation process starts at high temperatures and continues in parallel to the annealing process to refine the segmentation process at lower temperatures. The algorithm results are good and dependent on the annealing parameters. Several experimental results from synthetic and real-world sequences are presented.
An implemented universal mission controller with run time ethics checking for autonomous unmanned vehicles—A UUV example

The authors have been involved for several decades in the development and testing of both remotely controlled and autonomous subsea and ground vehicles. This experience has led us to view autonomous mobile robot control problems from both a bottom up and a top down perspective. Specifically, in our work, we have developed and tested a three-level software architecture called Rational Behavior Model (RBM), in which a top (strategic) level mission control finite state machine (FSM) orders the rational execution, at an intermediate (tactical) level, of vehicle behaviors in such a way as to carry out a specified mission. This implementation experience and these principles have led us to believe that human-like intelligence and judgment are not required to achieve a useful operational capability in autonomous mobile robots. Furthermore, we are convinced that a primitive but useful type of robot ethical behavior can also be attained, even in hazardous or military environments, without invoking concepts of artificial intelligence. To support our views, we present a software invention called a mission execution engine (MEE), implemented in the Prolog logic programming language. This MEE can be shown to represent an extension of the idea of a universal Turing machine and is therefore well grounded in existing mathematical automata theory. We further show how human readable mission orders, also written in Prolog, can specialize an MEE to any desired mission control FSM. An important aspect of our work is that mission orders can be tested exhaustively in human executable form before being translated into robot executable form. This provides the kind of transparency and accountability needed for after action review of missions, and possible legal proceedings in case of loss of life or property resulting from errors in mission orders.
Hot electron resistance properties of submicron gate structures

Abstract Scaling into the submicron range requires the use of silicides, composite materials or refractory metals for the gate conductor. The primary purpose of these recent gate structures is to reduce resistance in an effort to increase device switching speed in the submicron regime. Recently, these structures have been investigated with respect to hot electron resistance and reliability with the result that the gate material plays an important role in determining both the type and level of degradation. In this paper, the hot electron performance of these new gate materials are reviewed. Guidelines are proposed with respect to gate materials which will prove useful in the design of hot electron resistance processes.
The experience of faculty development: patterns of variation in conceptions of teaching

As research demands continue to weigh heavily on junior and non‐tenured faculty, the need to maintain and develop sound teaching is crucial. Yet few studies have systematically explored how a faculty development program (FDP) can impact the way that faculty experience or conceive of teaching. In this study, we examine how a year‐long FDP impacts the conceptions of teaching held by early‐career faculty. We interviewed 22 tenure‐track faculty participants, pre‐ and post‐program, categorizing their conceptions of teaching from the transcripts. The analysis drew on conceptual frameworks of faculty conceptions of teaching derived from phenomenographic literature increasingly used in Europe, Asia, and Australia, but not in the USA. The present study identifies and explores a range of patterns of experience that emerged over the course of an American FDP program. We discuss the broader implications of these patterns for the study and understanding of faculty development programs. Alors que les demandes reliees a...
Toward the modular synthesis of glycosaminoglycans: synthesis of hyaluronic acid disaccharide building blocks using a periodic acid oxidation

Abstract The synthesis of two differentially protected GluNAc-β(1→4)-GluA and GluA-β(1→3)-GluNAc disaccharide modules for the solid-phase assembly of hyaluronic acid are described. A periodic acid/chromium trioxide oxidation was the key transformation to facilitate access to the glucuronic acid moiety from glucose and should find wide application in the oxidation of primary alcohols.
Complicating the classics: Neoclassical rhetorics in two early American schoolbooks

Abstract This article examines two texts important in American rhetorical history, Caleb Bingham's 1794 American Preceptor and Eliphalet Pearson's 1802 abridgment of Blair's Lectures. These schoolbooks challenge accepted historiographies of late eighteenth‐ and early nineteenth‐century rhetoric in two ways: they demonstrate that neoclassicism encompassed a much greater variety of ancient figures and texts than is usually presumed, and they suggest that neoclassical rhetorics operated within a more complicated sociopolitical milieu than is commonly understood. Bingham and Pearson emerge as key figures in early American rhetorical history and their books prompt reconsideration of American neoclassicism.
Portion Sizes and Beyond — Government's Legal Authority to Regulate Food-Industry Practices

The New York City Department of Health proposes to prohibit restaurants, movie theaters, and mobile food vendors from selling sugar-sweetened beverages in containers larger than 16 oz. Does government have the authority to regulate food-industry conduct in this way?
Effects of a Dynamic Seat Pan on Torso Movement, Back Comfort, and Task Performance

Thirty-six subjects, half with back pain, performed 1-hour sessions, including 3 × 10-minute tasks separated by 2 × 10-minute relaxation tasks, while sitting on both a static seat (SS) and a rotary dynamic seat (DS) at fixed speed. Ss torso movement was greater for the DS condition (p=.000) and while performing active versus passive tasks (p=.000). However, personal comfort measures for postural stability (p<.000), postural instability (p<.003), limitations in writing and typing (p<.001), feelings of nausea (p<.023), and dizziness (p<.024) were worse for the DS condition than for the SS condition. The DS did not significantly affect task performance or back pain. Ss without pre-existing back pain made more negative than positive comments on the chair's motion than those with back pain. Allowing intermittent use of the DS with personal control of the speed of rotation according to task demands and comfort level, may afford some benefits.
Practice Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Abstract: The Role of Nutrition in Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention

Abstract Food intake, lifestyle behaviors, and obesity are linked to the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. It is recognized that physical and social environment influences individuals' behaviors, and some population subgroups such as racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with low socioeconomic status or limited literacy or language abilities seem to be especially vulnerable to disparities in disease risk factors, disease prevalence, or health outcomes. Certain life cycle phases appear to be especially important for health promotion and disease prevention as the development of chronic diseases can take several decades. Such complex health issues often require system-wide, multifactorial, and multidisciplinary solutions. Social ecological models, with approaches spanning from individual level to macro policy level, can provide registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) with a comprehensive framework to promote health and to prevent chronic diseases. Furthermore, the Nutrition Care Process can be utilized in carrying out the health promotion and disease prevention efforts. RDs and DTRs have the training and requisite skills to be leaders and active members of multidisciplinary teams to promote health and prevent chronic diseases across the life span. The position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that primary prevention is the most effective, affordable method to prevent chronic disease, and that dietary intervention positively impacts health outcomes across the life span. RDs and DTRs are critical members of health care teams and are essential to delivering nutrition-focused preventive services in clinical and community settings, advocating for policy and programmatic initiatives, and leading research in disease prevention and health promotion. In concordance with the Academy's position, this practice paper provides an overview of practice examples, effective program components, and a comprehensive range of health promotion and chronic disease prevention strategies for RDs and DTRs. This paper supports the "Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The Role of Nutrition in Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention" published in the July 2013 Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Administrative Leadership in the Public Sector

Leadership, particularly in public administration, is an illusive concept Often based on private sector management and leadership theories and practice, it has been underresearched as a prac tice and in theory In existing studies of leadership in private and public organizational contexts, writers have defined leadership in three general camps as a set of exemplary traits, values, and behaviors that individuals possess, the ability to influence action and motivation based on situational contexts and follower characteristics, and ascription among followers Much of the scholarship has focused on individuals in charge of for-profit firms rather than in government In the pubic sector, studies have centered on elected repre sentatives and heads of organizations Administrative Leadership in the Public Sector differs from the existing Leadership, particularly in public administration, is an illusive concept Often based on private sector management and leadership theories and practice, it has been underresearched as a practice and in theory In existing studies of leadership in private and public organizational contexts, writers have defined leader ship in three general camps as a set of exemplary traits, values, and behaviors that individuals possess, the ability to influence action and motivation based on situational contexts and follower characteristics, and ascription among followers Much of the scholar ship has focused on individuals in charge of for-profit firms rather than in government In the pubic sector, studies have centered on elected representatives and heads of organizations Administrative Leadership in the Public Sector differs from the existing literature in its emphasis on leadership as influencing change at both the individual and organizational levels. The focus differs as well. Leaders are career public serv ants, for the most part, who may initiate and carry out the roles and responsibilities of leadership at multiple agency echelons. The authors identify these leaders as having personal characteristics and competencies that enable them to create and sustain interpersonal and organizational transformation from their knowledge and experiences within the public sector.
Blunt Abdominal Trauma: Current Imaging Techniques and CT Findings in Patients with Solid Organ, Bowel, and Mesenteric Injury

Imaging plays a critical role in the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. In most institutions, computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice when evaluating such patients. The purpose of this review is to highlight current techniques in trauma imaging and to review CT findings associated with solid organ, bowel, mesenteric, and diaphragmatic injury. In particular, emphasis is placed on the use of multidetector CT technology (MDCT), especially 64-row detector CT. The role of various techniques, including the use of oral and intravenous contrast, as well as the potential benefit of delayed imaging, is discussed.
Preclinical fluorescent mouse models of pancreatic cancer

Here we describe our cumulative experience with the development and preclinical application of several highly fluorescent, clinically-relevant, metastatic orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer. These models utilize the human pancreatic cancer cell lines which have been genetically engineered to selectively express high levels of the bioluminescent green fluorescent (GFP) or red fluorescent protein (RFP). Fluorescent tumors are established subcutaneously in nude mice, and tumor fragments are then surgically transplanted onto the pancreas. Locoregional tumor growth and distant metastasis of these orthotopic implants occurs spontaneously and rapidly throughout the abdomen in a manner consistent with clinical human disease. Highly specific, high-resolution, real-time visualization of tumor growth and metastasis may be achieved in vivo without the need for contrast agents, invasive techniques, or expensive imaging equipment. We have shown a high correlation between florescent optical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging in these models. Alternatively, transplantation of RFP-expressing tumor fragments onto the pancreas of GFP-expressing transgenic mice may be used to facilitate visualization of tumor-host interaction between the pancreatic tumor fragments and host-derived stroma and vasculature. Such in vivo models have enabled us to serially visualize and acquire images of the progression of pancreatic cancer in the live animal, and to demonstrate the real-time antitumor and antimetastatic effects of several novel therapeutic strategies on pancreatic malignancy. These fluorescent models are therefore powerful and reliable tools with which to investigate human pancreatic cancer and therapeutic strategies directed against it.
Systems level-based RNAi screening by high content analysis identifies UBR5 as a regulator of estrogen receptor-α protein levels and activity

Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is a central transcription factor that regulates mammary gland physiology and a key driver in breast cancer. In the present study, we aimed to identify novel modulators of ERα-mediated transcriptional regulation via a custom-built siRNA library screen. This screen was directed against a variety of coregulators, transcription modifiers, signaling molecules and DNA damage response proteins. By utilizing a microscopy-based, multi-end point, estrogen responsive biosensor cell line platform, the primary screen identified a wide range of factors that altered ERα protein levels, chromatin remodeling and mRNA output. We then focused on UBR5, a ubiquitin ligase and known oncogene that modulates ERα protein levels and transcriptional output. Finally, we demonstrated that UBR5 also affects endogenous ERα target genes and E2-mediated cell proliferation in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, our multi-end point RNAi screen identified novel modulators of ERα levels and activity, and provided a robust systems level view of factors involved in mechanisms of nuclear receptor action and pathophysiology. Utilizing a high throughput RNAi screening approach we identified UBR5, a protein commonly amplified in breast cancer, as a novel regulator of ERα protein levels and transcriptional activity.
Iterative techniques for time dependent Stokes problems

Abstract In this paper, we consider solving the coupled systems of discrete equations which arise from implicit time stepping procedures for the time dependent Stokes equations using a mixed finite element spatial discretization. At each time step, a two by two block system corresponding to a perturbed Stokes problem must be solved. Although there are a number of techniques for iteratively solving this type of block system, to be effective, they require a good preconditioner for the resulting pressure operator (Schur complement). In contrast to the time independent Stokes equations where the pressure operator is well conditioned, the pressure operator for the perturbed system becomes more ill conditioned as the time step is reduced (and/or the Reynolds number is increased). In this paper, we shall describe and analyze preconditioners for the resulting pressure systems. These preconditioners give rise to iterative rates of convergence which are independent of both the mesh size h as well as the time step and Reynolds number parameter k .
Computing Performance: Game Over or Next Level?

The end of dramatic exponential growth in single-processor performance marks the end of the dominance of the single microproessor in computing. The era of sequential computing must give way to an era in which parallelism holds the forefront. Although important scientific and engineering challenges lie ahead, this is an opportune time for innovation in programming systems and computing architectures.
Is swelling of the secretory granule matrix the force that dilates the exocytotic fusion pore

The swelling of the secretory granule matrix which follows fusion has been proposed as the driving force for the rapid expansion of the fusion pore necessary for exocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we have combined simultaneous measurements of secretory granule swelling using videomicroscopy with patch clamp measurements of the time course of the exocytotic fusion pore in mast cells from the beige mouse. We show that isotonic acidic histamine solutions are able to inhibit swelling of the secretory granule matrix both in purified secretory granules lysed by electroporation and in intact cells stimulated to exocytose by guanine nucleotides. In contrast to the inhibitory effects on granule swelling, the rate of expansion of the exocytotic fusion pore is unaffected. Therefore, as the rate of granule swelling was more than 20 times slower under these conditions, swelling of the secretory granule matrix due to water entry through the fusion pore cannot be the force responsible for the characteristic rapid expansion of the exocytotic fusion pore. We suggest that tension in the secretory granule membrane, which has recently been demonstrated in fused secretory granules, might be the force that drives the irreversible expansion of the fusion pore.
Inductions of recoveries from injuries to the cortex: Dissociation of equipotential and regionally specific mechanisms

Rats were first trained on a black-white discrimination problem and were then subjected to either one-quadrant or two-quadrant neocortical injuries. Following a test of retention, the subjects again sustained one-quadrant or two-quadrant lesions, always such that one quadrant remained intact. Another test of retention was administered, and then some subjects were completely decorticated by removal of the final remaining quadrant, followed by a final retention test. The effects on retention following the first-stage lesions suggested the existence of an equipotential, cortically related retrieval mechanism. The deficits in performance following second-stage injuries suggested the existence of a second, independent, posteriorly specific mechanism. The findings demonstrated that not only does interoperative retraining facilitate retrieval of preoperatively established memories, but also that injuries to any component of the cortex will induce reorganizations that will then prevent memory-retrieval deficits after any combination of subsequent injuries to the cortex.
Backward associations: Differential learning about stimuli that follow the presence versus the absence of food in pigeons

During training intended to establish positive and negative backward associations, pigeons received periodic 3-sec illuminations of a grain magazine, with food simultaneously available on 50% of the illuminations. For backward-positive subjects, a red keylight followed food trials only; for backward-negative subjects, it followed no-food trials only. During this training, the birds hardly ever pecked the red stimulus (no evidence of backward conditioning). However, when the red stimulus subsequently preceded and signaled grain for all birds, the backward-positive subjects pecked sooner and more often than did the backward-negative subjects, and control subjects performed at an intermediate level. Increases in the amount of original training did not significantly change the facilitatory effects of the backward-positive stimulus, but seemed to enhance the retarding effects of the backward-negative stimulus. These group differences cannot be attributed to what happened after the backward stimuli during original training. The features of the present technique that could possibly have produced strong and long-lasting positive and negative backward associations are discussed in comparison to prior research that has indicated weak or transitory evidence of true backward conditioning.
Prolonged exposure to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an active substance abuser

Effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been the focus of research studies for many years, with exposure therapy consistently emerging as the leading treatment for this disorder. However, for a variety of reasons most studies exclude individuals suffering from concurrent substance use disorders. In recent years, this omission has been addressed, and the belief that substance dependent individuals cannot benefit from trauma treatment until they are free from substances is losing favor. Early studies have demonstrated that prolonged exposure therapy can be effective for persons suffering from both disorders. The current case study seeks to provide information on the length of time and type of symptom change in an individual suffering from comorbid PTSD-substance abuse (PTSD-SA). Therefore, prolonged exposure was utilized to treat PTSD in an active abuser of both alcohol and marijuana. Pre- and post-treatment assessments demonstrate dramatic reductions in PTSD symptoms, general an...
Perceptual Categorization: Factors Influencing Identification and Reproduction of Visual and Auditory Stimuli

Using a near threshold auditory and three visual tasks, it was demonstrated that the more cues available for perceptual categorization, the fewer the errors made in reproductions of stimuli.
Radiative corrections to νμe and νμe scattering

Abstract We give the double and single logarithmic radiative (order α) corrections to νμe and νμe scattering cross sections for the case of high energy incident neutrinos and high energy recoil electrons scattered in a bubble chamber. We use the exact bremsstrahlung cross section so that both “hard” as well as “soft” photon contributions are included. Logarithmic order α corrections arising in one loop approximation to the Weinberg-Salam theory are also discussed.
304 mW green light emission by frequency doubling of a high-power 1060-nm DBR semiconductor laser diode

We report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, 304 mW green light emission generated by frequency doubling of the output from a 1060-nm DBR semiconductor laser using a periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate waveguide in a compact single-pass configuration. The excellent performance of these DBR lasers, including a kink-free power greater than 750 mW, single-spatial-mode output beam, single-wavelength emission spectra, and high wavelength-tuning efficiency, plays an important role in the generation of high-power green light.
RO15-4513 but not FG-7142 reverses anticonvulsant effects of ethanol against bicuculline- and picrotoxin-induced convulsions in rats

The reversal of anticonvulsant effect of ethanol against chemoconvulsions by RO15-4513 was investigated in rats as this novel imidazobenzodiazepine (ethyl-8 azido-5, 6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-Oxo-4H-imidazo [1,5a] [1,4] benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate) is reported to antagonize the acute behavioral and biochemical effects of ethanol in animals. Reversal of ethanol effects on onset of myoclonic jerks, tonic extensor phase, mortality time and percent protection against mortality were compared with not only other anticonvulsant pentobarbital but also with another inverse agonist FG-7142. Pretreatment with RO15-4513 (4 mg/kg) reversed the protective effect of ethanol against bicuculline-induced tonic extensor phase and mortality (87%). This response was sensitive to reversal by RO15-1788 (10 mg/kg). However, onset of myoclonic jerks and duration of clonus were not significantly altered. It also reversed the effect against picrotoxin but the reversal against mortality was up to 50%. As compared to ethanol, RO15-4513 reversed partially the protective effect of pentobarbital against bicuculline- and picrotoxin-induced convulsions. FG-7142 failed to reverse the protective effect of ethanol and pentobarbital against bicuculline-induced tonic extensor phase although it reversed the effect against onset and mortality. It had no effect on the protective effect against picrotoxin-induced convulsions. Both RO15-4513 and FG-7142 possessed proconvulsant effects against bicuculline but not against picrotoxin. These observations suggest that RO15-4513 has a more preferential action against ethanol effects as compared to the other inverse agonist.
Time Variability in the Outer Edge of Saturn's A-Ring Revealed by Cassini Imaging

We examine the outer edge of Saturn's A-ring, whose shape is strongly influenced by the co-orbital satellites Janus and Epimetheus, during the period from day 2005-121 to day 2009-036. Twenty-four Cassini imaging data sets are used, each one giving a picture of the ring during a short interval, allowing us to explore its time variability in detail for the first time. We find that the ring experienced a period of adjustment within ~8 months of the 2006 January co-orbital swap, corresponding to the interval during which the two satellites were within about 60° of one another. Outside that adjustment period, the ring is dominated by an m = 7 pattern, as expected near a 7:6 inner Lindblad resonance, but the alignment is opposite in phase to that predicted for isolated test particles, and the amplitude of the radial distortion varies with time. We find that the amplitude variation corresponds to a beat pattern between the perturbations from the two satellites as would be expected if the responses add linearly. However, we also find deviations of limited azimuthal extent from the simple m = 7 pattern. Some of the additional structure may arise from coupling between the two excited modes in the ring, but the origin of these features is still under investigation.
Electrochemical characterization of inorganic ∣ organic hybrid films prepared from ferrocene modified silanes

Abstract Inorganic ∣ organic hybrid films were fabricated from (ferrocenylmethyl)dimethyl( w -trimethoxysilyl)alkylammonium hexafluorophosphate (FDAH-C3; FDAH-C11) and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and potential step chronocoulometry. The materials were prepared via the acid catalyzed hydrolysis and co-condensation of FDAH with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) in fixed mole ratios of 1:50, 1:25, 1:10 FDAH/TMOS. Gel-immobilized ferrocene was found to be stable, electroactive, and functional. The shapes of the voltammetric curves depended strongly on the amount of FDAH in the film, the length of the alkyl spacer in the FDAH modifier, and the supporting electrolyte anion. The voltammetric results suggest that the FDAH ∣ TMOS hybrid films are poorly solvated and inhomogeneous. The apparent diffusion coefficients for gel-immobilized ferrocene were measured in 0.1 M KClO 4 using chronocoulometry and found to be ∼10 −9 –10 −10 cm 2 s −1 . The FDAH-C3 ∣ TMOS (1:50) hybrid films have been applied in the catalytic oxidation of catechol to evaluate their usefulness in electrocatalysis applications. At slow sweep rates, significant catalytic current can be observed for catechol at the FDAH-modified electrode whereas little can be observed for a much larger catechol derivative, catechol violet.
Model analysis of electrical conduction through morphologically complex cells and cell masses.

Abstract Examination of fundamental field theory relevant to the distribution of electrical conduction at low frequencies and intensities through passive tissues composed of thin membranes in volume electrolytes indicates that structurally similar inanimate models can also be made electrodynamically similar, regardless of morphological complexity, simply by matching values of “membrane number” (a non-dimensional function of normal membrane resistivity, electrolyte conductivity, and size) everywhere in model and tissue. Metallic electrolytic-tank models of simple cell shapes have in the past occasionally been formed using various conventional construction methods and may still have value, especially in light of a more quantitative theory of electrical modeling. But, at least for the investigation of tissue impedance factors, far more realistic (and steadily improving) structural models of single, profusely branching and interwoven brain cells and laminar neuronal arrays can be “grown” by sequential dendritic electrodeposition of one or more metals from solution. These electrodeposition processes can then be followed by total immersion in acid to form a uniform and reproducible high-resistance passive surface layer on those parts of the model intended to represent high-resistance cell membranes. An ample variety of experimental process controls exist and are being explored together with an examination of approximations and “don't-care” conditions which will facilitate the modeling of aggregates of such small cells in a practical experimental sense. The most useful allowable deviation from exact theory in the investigation of impedance factors (involving, therefore, only external energy sources or power supply) concerns the model materials and conductivity corresponding to intracellular fluid: in such problems, due to the relatively high resistance of cell membranes, very little current flows through the cells and, furthermore, most of the energy loss in whatever transcellular charge transfer does occur takes place just at the cell walls. Hence, solid-metal cell models (such as electrodeposited dendrites) may be used for convenience in this case with very small error, even though such model cells have substantially higher internal conductivity (and even lower relative energy loss) than that called for by exact theory.
Intersector technology cooperation: Hard myths, soft facts

Abstract Intersector or cross-sector technology cooperation has lately gained increased public and academic attention as perhaps an effective means to promote corporate global competitiveness. As empirical research continues to emerge, the widely held myths associated with such cooperation may now be challenged. This paper lists three general myths and two myths for each type of cross-sector technology cooperation: university, industry, university-government, and industry-government. These myths, some positive, others negative, tend to oversimplify the causes that contribute to the success or failure of the cooperation. The paper concludes that intersector cooperation is feasible and produces some results that benefit all the cooperating parties. However, it is also a complex phenomenon that cannot and should not be reduced to overly simplistic assertions, usually encapsulated in myths about its feasibility.
Obama's Executive Branch Czars: The Constitutional Controversy and a Legislative Solution

The increasingly common practice of presidential appointment of so-called executive branch czars has become especially contentious in the Obama era. Much of that controversy unfortunately is highly partisan-oriented and misses the core constitutional issues at stake. In this article, we describe and analyze the Obama-era executive branch czars controversy from a constitutional analysis framework. In so doing, we offer a working definition of executive branch czars—a much-needed corrective to the current debates in which the term has been used very loosely. We examine and analyze the scope of authority exercised by the high-level executive branch officials during the Obama administration that we consider to be constitutionally troublesome. Although our focus is on the Obama czars that have vast and largely unchecked powers, we also acknowledge that some media-labeled czar positions are statutorily created and accountable and thus should not be in the same category. After addressing the Obama-era czars, we ...
Electric Field Tuning of Plasmonic Response of Nanodot Array in Liquid Crystal Matrix

In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of electric-field tuning of the plasmonic spectrum of a novel gold nanodot array in a liquid crystal matrix. As opposed to previously reported microscopically observed near-field spectral tuning of individual gold nanoparticles, this system exhibits macroscopic far-field spectral tuning. The nanodot-liquid crystal matrix also displays strong anisotropic absorption characteristics, which can be effectively described as a collective ensemble within a composite matrix in the lateral dimension and a group of noninteracting individual particles in the normal direction. The effective medium model and the Mie theory are employed to describe the experimental results.
Evaluation of Gestational Age Estimate Method on the Calculation of Preterm Birth Rates

The objectives of this study is to evaluate the impact of vital record gestational age estimation method on resulting preterm birth (PTB) rate calculations. This ret- rospective analysis reviewed three methods of gestational age estimation using all Ohio live birth records from 2006 to 2009. PTB rates were calculated using each gestational age representation and agreement between classifications of PTB was evaluated with respect to maternal age and race. For each of 608,530 births, gestational age estimates based on last menstrual period (LMP) were compared to clinically-based obstetric estimates. When gestational age estimates did not perfectly agree, differences in the con- sequential classification of PTB status were evaluated with respect to a third reconciliatory combined gestational age estimate. Mean birth weight at each week of gestation was calculated and compared for all three estimate methods. Substantial agreement was found in PTB classification among gestational age estimates (kappa: 0.748; 95 % Confidence Interval: 0.745-0.750); agreement was weakest among black mothers and among mothers less than 20 years of age. LMP-based gestational age estimates did not perfectly agree with obstetric estimates in 238,262 records (39.2 %). Disagreement in gestational age led to disagreement in PTB status in 32,033 records (5.3 % of total cases) resulting in a 1.8 percentage point difference in PTB rate calculations (11.0 % using obstetric and 12.8 % using combined estimates). Researchers and policy makers need consistency in selecting which gestational age esti- mate method to use when calculating or comparing PTB rates.
Reply to Safer, Tasci, Cintosun, and Binay Safer

to the editor: We appreciate the letter by Dr. Safer and colleagues ([2][1]) and are pleased to respond. First, we would like to inform the readers that the volunteers in our study are the exact same subjects as described by Hastings et al. ([1][2]), participating in exactly the same study;
Management of Long-Bone Fractures in Paraplegic Patients

A study of thirty-two fractures of long bones in paraplegic patients suggests that these fractures are unique in that the conventional and accepted methods of treatment are not applicable. In this unselected series, a high proportion of disastrous complications resulted from procedures which would be quite acceptable in otherwise normal patients. Best results were obtained by the use of padded plaster shells, removed regularly for meticulous skin care.
Text mining for a clear picture of defect reports: a praxis report

We applied the text mining categorization technology, in the publicly available, IBM Enterprise Information Portal V8.1 to more than 15,000 customer reported, product problem records. We used a proven software quality category set to categorize these problem records into different areas of interest. Our intent was to develop a clear picture of potential areas for quality improvement in each of the software products reviewed, and to provide this information to development's management. We present the benefits that can be gained from categorizing problem records, as well as the limitations.
Junctional ectopic tachycardia in association with blunt abdominal trauma

Junctional ectopic tachycardia is recognized predominantly as a postoperative arrhythmia after surgery for congenital heart disease. Diagnosis and treatment distinguish it from more commonly observed mechanisms of supraventricular tachycardia. We present a case of junctional ectopic tachycardia that occurred in the setting of abdominal trauma caused by child abuse and then explore the significance of this arrhythmia in a patient with trauma.
Coordinated contour following control for machining operations-a survey

Contour following is one of the most critical requirements in multi-axial machining operations. In these operations, a tool path is defined to specify where material ought to be removed from the part being machined. The tool must precisely follow this contour as any deviations from the contour would result in unintentional material removal. In the paper, the main control approaches for this class of problems are reviewed and surveyed, highlighting the coordination aspect of these problems. These can be roughly categorized into time trajectory based methods and non-time based control methods. The former includes the so called "cross-coupled" control, and modifications. The latter includes the "velocity field control" approach.