cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gesture and Identity in the Teaching and Learning of Italian

This study investigated the use of mimetic gestures of identity by foreign language teachers of Italian and their students in college classes as a form of meaning-making. All four of the teachers were found to use a variety of Italian gestures as a regular aspect of their teaching and presentation of self. Students and teachers also were found to mirror each other's gestures. None of the teachers had been video-recorded before the study and all were surprised to see the degree to which they appeared to be Italian, although at the same time all believed this to be an important and positive aspect of their teaching. In offering an explanation for these findings we consider the role of gesture as a social semiotic in learning another language, how teachers use gesture to prolept students into a possible future as embodied communicators of the language (identity within a figured world), the process of communicative actuation as it relates to learning a language across different timescales and environments, an...
COLLECTIVE FIELD THEORY OF THE MATRIX-VECTOR MODELS

We construct collective field theories associated with one-matrix plus r vector models. Such field theories describe the continuum limit of spin Calogero Moser models. The invariant collective fields consist of a scalar density coupled to a set of fields in the adjoint representation of U(r). Hermiticity conditions for the general quadratic Hamiltonians lead to a new type of extended non-linear algebra of differential operators acting on the Jacobian. It includes both Virasoro and SU(r) (included in sl(r, C) × sl(r, C)) current algebras. A systematic construction of exact eigenstates for the coupled field theory is given and exemplified.
Arterial blood oxygen desaturation in infants and children during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Arterial blood oxygen desaturation and abnormal electrocardiographic changes have been reported in adults undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We studied 32 infants and children less than 12 years of age using pulse oximetry and continuous electrocardiography before, during, and after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed under intravenous sedation. Sinus tachycardia was the most common electrocardiographic change, and no clinically significant electrocardiographic abnormalities were induced by the procedure. Desaturation to ≤90% was found in 37.5% of the patients and was most commonly noted during the endoscopy procedure and in patients with cardiopuimonary disease. The desaturation was unpredictable because there was no correlation between desaturation and medication, tolerance to the procedure, weight, or age of the child. Some patients who subjectively appeared to tolerate the procedure well had significant desaturation. The use of pulse oximetry should be considered for all children undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Effect of Carrier on the True Metabolizable Energy of Corn Oil

Abstract The true metabolizable energy (TME) of corn oil was determined using both practical and purified carriers. When assayed with “high-fat” practical carriers (corn or mixed feed), the TME of corn oil averaged 9.21 kcal/g compared with a significantly (P≤.05) higher value of 9.66 kcal/g when assayed with “low-fat” carriers (soybean meal or ether-extracted feed). As the latter value exceeded the gross energy of fats, it was concluded that the addition of corn oil to the low fat carriers enhanced the absorption of these substances, and this was reflected in the TME of the corn oil by extrapolation. It was found that neither glucose nor corn starch alone was satisfactory as a carrier for determining the TME of corn oil. Combinations of glucose and corn starch had TME values equal to their gross energies, indicating virtually complete absorption. The TME of corn oil determined using these carriers was 8.90 kcal/g, which was not significantly different (P≤.05) than when high fat practical carriers were used. Glucose-corn starch carriers may find application in evaluating the interactions between supplemental fats and basal diets in energy determinations.
Endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) application to irradiated soft tissue.

Delayed poatoperative wound healing in previously radiated cancer patients is a common and debilitating occurrence. Prior studies have given evidence that endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) can accelerate neovascularization in soft tissue. To explore its effects in irradiated tissue, an ECGF-heparin formulation (7200 μg/mL) contained in Gelfoam® was applied to previously irradiated (N=38) and nonirradiated skin flaps (N=38) on rabbit ears. Both peripheral neovascularization and flap viability were quantitatively documented by polar planimetry and digital angiography in all flaps
Membrane cholesterol depletion and K+ transport in high and low potassium sheep red cells.

The effect of cholesterol depletion on potassium tracer fluxes was studied in sheep red cells. Removal by the plasma incubation method (5, 12, 30) of approximately 31 and 34% membrane cholesterol from high-potassium (HK) and low-potassium (LK) sheep red cells, respectively, did not induce significant changes in the steady-state cation composition of these cells nor in their passive (leak) and active (pump) K+ influxes. In cholesterol-depleted LK sheep red cells, there was no impairment nor augmentation of the Lp an tibody stimulated K+ pump flux and L1-antibody-mediated reduction of K+ leak flux indicating that the removed cholesterol does not contribute to the activity of the Lp and L1 antigens.
Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma With Epstein-Barr Virus–Positive Reed-Sternberg–Like B-Cells in a 59-Year-Old Hispanic Man

### Patient A 59-year-old Hispanic man. ### Chief Complaint Generalized pruritic rash; bilateral axillary, inguinal, and cervical lymphadenopathy; unintentional 20-lb weight loss over the past 8 months. ### Past Medical History Hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. ### Family and Social History Noncontributory ### Principal Laboratory Findings Excisional biopsy of an inguinal lymph node revealed diffuse nodal effacement by atypical small- to medium-sized lymphoid cells. We identified scattered large mononuclear and binuclear cells with prominent eosinophilic nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm resembling Hodgkin variants and classic Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells throughout the lymph nodes. Via immunohistochemical staining, the small- to medium-sized cells were CD2 positive (CD2+), CD3+, CD4 negative (CD4−), CD5+, CD7+, CD8−/+, and CD30−. The large RS-like cells were weakly CD20+, weakly PAX-5+, CD30+, CD15+, and CD45−; they lacked T-cell markers CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD8. In situ hybridization results for Epstein-Barr Virus–encoded RNA (EBER) were positive in the RS-like cells. Concurrent flow cytometric testing confirmed an aberrant population of small T cells but did not detect an abnormal B-cell population. Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated clonal rearrangements of the T-cell receptor gamma chain. We also detected clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin genes (immunoglobulin heavy chain [IgH] and immunoglobulin kappa [IGκ] loci) which provided further support for B-cell derivation of the RS-like cells. A 59-year-old Hispanic man with a medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation arrived in the emergency department of the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center with a generalized pruritic rash and bilateral cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymphadenopathy; he had experienced unintentional weight loss of 20 lbs over the past 8 months. Physical examination revealed systemically distributed and well-demarcated scaly, erythematous, exfoliating papules and plaques. The rash was nearly confluent on the chest and back and was more discrete on the dorsal surfaces of the feet, shins, and upper arms; the palms, soles, face, and …
UV absorption cross sections for SO3

Room temperature gas phase absorption cross sections for SO3 have been measured over the wavelength range 195 to 330 nm using a diode array spectrometer. The SO3 spectrum is continuous with weak diffuse vibrational band structure in the 225 to 295 nm region. Atmospheric photolysis rate calculations show that photolysis of SO3 in the 190 to 230 nm actinic window is important in determining the sulfur partitioning in the upper stratosphere.
Normal Feed Consumption of Female Sprague-Dawley-Rolfsmeyer Rats.∗:

SummaryMean daily feed consumption of 24 nulliparous female Sprague-Dawley-Rolfsmeyer rats was found to be 5.26 g per 100 g BW and showed a range of 3.32 g per 100 g BW. Statistical analysis shows that some animals of a population may consume as little as 2.93 g and others may consume as much as 7.5 g per 100 g BW.
Internal stress relaxation and load redistribution during the twinning–detwinning-dominated cyclic deformation of a wrought magnesium alloy, ZK60A

Abstract A study of the internal strain (stress) evolution during cyclic deformation dominated by { 1 0 1 ¯ 2 } 〈 1 0 1 ¯ 1 〉 twinning and detwinning mechanisms within a magnesium alloy, ZK60A, was conducted using in situ neutron diffraction. It is shown that once the matrix grains twin, the (00.2) matrix and twin grains are relaxed relative to the neighbors. This load redistribution between the soft- and hard-grain orientations is a result of plastic anisotropy. The twins which formed during the initial compression sustain a tensile stress along the c -axis, when the applied compressive stress is less than ∼80 MPa upon unloading. This local (intergranular) tensile stress is hypothesized to be effective for driving the detwinning event under a macroscopic compressive field along the c -axis. The activation stresses, 15 and 6 MPa, respectively, for the { 1 0 1 ¯ 2 } 〈 1 0 1 ¯ 1 〉 extension twinning and detwinning, are approximated, based on the relaxation of the internal stresses in the matrix and twin grains.
The Impact of Social Desirability Biases on Self-Report Among College Student and Problem Gamblers

The impacts of two types of social desirability bias, self-deceptive enhancement (SDE) and impression management (IM), were examined on self-reports of gambling problems, measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), and recent gambling behavior, as measured by the Timeline Followback (TLFB) method, in a sample of college students (N = 191), and a sample of treatment-seeking problem gamblers (N = 49). Consistent with our expectations, IM was negatively associated with SOGS scores in both samples. IM was most highly correlated with SOGS scores among treatment-seeking participants (r = -.44, p < .01). Substantial numbers of participants in both samples had high enough IM scores as to call into question the validity of their self-report gambling data, according to published interpretive guidelines. With respect to SDE, we had predicted that it would be positively related to gambling behaviors and gambling-related problems, but found that SDE was inversely related to SOGS scores in both samples. Very little evidence was found for social desirability effects on TLFB scores. Thus, preliminary evidence was obtained that self-report data on gambling problems, but not on gambling behavior (frequency of gambling and amount of time and money spent), may be susceptible to the effects of impression management in both college students and treatment-seeking gamblers.
Promoting health and well-being at the end of life through client-centered care

AbstractBackground: Client-centered care is the cornerstone of the hospice and includes family members and significant others as the client unit. There needs to be a conceptual shift away from “medicalizing” patients at the end of life to promoting their health and considering their well-being a shared responsibility. Using the hospice philosophy of client-centered care can inform and expand health-promotion occupational therapy practice, particularly for people at the end of life. Objectives. This paper examines client-centered care at the end of life as that which enables engagement in meaningful occupation and promotes health and well-being until one dies. Methods: Constant comparison and thematic analysis is used for 12 interviews of hospice professionals. One of the themes, client-centered care, is discussed relative to the promotion of health and well-being at the end of life. Results: Client-centered care is deemed to be an important approach at the end of life. Conclusions/significance: It is dete...
Simple flat-field eyepiece.

A simple three-element eyepiece is presented which has a zero Petzval sum and is corrected for both longitudinal and lateral color. Following a third-order analysis, results of ray tracing several examples are presented. Designs using a single glass are useful at f/4 and 40°, and multiglass designs can be used at f/3 and 40°. These latter designs also correct the coma of a paraboloidal mirror objective.
Histopathologic Features of Explanted Lungs Supported by Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Purpose Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a modality used to support patients with both reversible lung injury and end stage lung disease. In end stage disease, patients are supported until suitable donor lungs become available. The effects of ECMO on native lungs are not well described in the adult population. Methods and Materials We identified all patients in our institution from January 2009 to November 2012 supported with ECMO as a bridge to transplant. The explanted lungs were sectioned, stained and examined under light microscopy. Patterns of injury seen with ECMO supported patients and not typically observed in non-ECMO supported patients are described. Results Twelve patients were identified. Patients were supported for a median of 13 days (range 3-155 days). Patient disease included interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (n=7), emphysema (n=2), cystic fibrosis (n=1), Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (n=1), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (n=1). Intra-alveolar hemorrhage was present in all cases (n=12) and most prominent in non-fibrotic areas. This was accompanied by chronic interstitial pneumonitis with reactive pneumocyte hyperplasia in all cases (n=12), frequently with patchy acute alveolar injury. Plasma cells were prominent in the interstitial infiltrate of cases with duration of support greater than eight days (n=7). Diffuse hemosiderosis was seen in cases with duration of support greater than eight days (n=7). Organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern was present in the interstitium in seven lungs, with central hemosiderotic fibrosis in areas of OP in three. Airway changes included small airway necrosis in three cases and a bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in two. Interstitial neutrophilic infiltrates in areas of hemorrhage were seen in three cases. Conclusions ECMO may cause several patterns of injury not typically present in underlying fibrotic lung disease, which are characterized by acute and organizing lung injury associated with the sequelae of pulmonary hemorrhage.
Detecting region outliers in meteorological data

Spatial outliers are the spatial objects with distinct features from their surrounding neighbors. Detection of spatial outliers helps reveal important and valuable information from large spatial data sets. In the field of meteorology, for example, spatial outliers can be associated with disastrous natural events such as tornadoes, hurricane, and forest fires. Previous study of spatial outlier mainly focuses on point data. However, in the meteorological data or other applications, spatial outliers are frequently represented in region, i.e., a group of points, with two dimensions or even three dimensions, and the previous point-based approaches may not be appropriate to be used. As region outliers are commonly multi-scale objects, wavelet analysis is an effective tool to study them. In this paper, we propose a wavelet analysis based approach to detect region outliers. We discuss the region outlier detection problem and design a suite of algorithms to effectively discover them. The algorithms were implemented and evaluated with a real-world meteorological data set.
The logic of TGFβ signaling

The identification of the TGFβ cytokine signaling pathway, including membrane receptor serine/threonine kinases and Smad transcription factors as their substrates, has allowed the delineation of a process for conversion of these signals into programs of gene activation and repression that underlie critical cell fate and developmental decisions. The deconstruction of one of these responses – the cell cycle arrest response – into its elemental molecular parts has shed light into the mechanisms used by tumors to evade surveillance and cause metastasis.
Understanding the Mechanical Properties of Microalgae Using Atomic Force Microscopy

From consumer productions to energy production, algae is used in many industrial processes. Understanding the mechanical behavior of algae is important to optimize these processes. To obtain a better understanding of algae cell response, we mechanically characterized single, dried Scenedesmus dimorphus cells. To accomplish this, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image S. dimorphus cells, which enabled us to map the AFM measurements to a location on the individual cells. We were then able to perform force measurements on the AFM to determine the Young’s modulus of S. dimorphus. These findings enable a more detailed understanding of the mechanical properties of a single S. dimorphus cell, which may be useful in many applications.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Enhanced survival and decreased mutation frequency after photoreactivation of UV damage in rat kangaroo cells

The effect of pyrimidine dimers on cytotoxicity, DNA repair and mutagenesis was studied in cells, derived from the rat kangaroo, which possess photoreactivating capabilities. A significant enhancement in colony-forming ability was achieved after UV irradiation in exponentially growing cells if photoreactivating light treatment followed the UV irradiation. If photoreactivation treatment was delayed 24 h after UV irradiation, no significant increase in survival was observed. Assays of pyrimidine dimers, unscheduled DNA synthesis, and survival in contact-inhibited cells all confirmed a minor role of dark excision repair and a major role of photoreactivation. Photoreactivation decreased the frequency of mutations to 6-thioguanine resistance to a greater extent than the alteration seen in survival. Approximately 1.6 times the dose must be given to get equal killing in photoreactivated cells, whereas 4 times the dose must be given to obtain equal mutation frequencies in light-treated cells. This suggests that the removal of dimers is more effective in mutant reduction than enhancement of survival.
Soluble dextran complexes of kallikrein. Bradykinin and enzyme inhibitors.

Abstract Pig pancreatic kallikrein, the protease inhibitor aprotinin (Trasylol), SQ 21541 (Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro, an angiotensin I converting enzyme or kininase II inhibitor), and bradykinin were each coupled covalently to soluble dextran with an average molecular weight of 500,000. Dextran had been activated either with cyanogen bromide (CNBr) or sodium meta-periodate (SMP). Of the reactants, 56 per cent of kallikrein, 35 per cent of aprotinin and 23 per cent of bradykinin had been bound to CNBr-activated dextran, while 38 per cent of SQ 21541 and 45 per cent of bradykinin had been bound to SMP-activated dextran. The activities of the complexes were determined in vitro . Kallikrein CNBr-dextran had 72 per cent of the esterase activity of non-coupled kallikrein. Aprotinin CNBr-dextran had 41 per cent of the kallikrein inhibitory activity of free aprotinin, and SQ 21542 SMP-dextran had 24 per cent of the converting enzyme inhibitory activity of the free peptide in vitro . The relative potencies of bradykinin CNBr-dextran and bradykinin SMP-dextran on the isolated rat uterus were 6 and 29 per cent those of native bradykinin. Their relative immunological potencies, however, were 92 and 80 per cent as determined by radioimmunoassay. Free and bound bradykinin inhibited the hydrolysis of hippuryl-glycylglycine by converting enzyme, but the coupled peptide inhibited less than the free kinin. Bradykinin coupled covalently to dextran was inactivated more slowly by converting enzyme than free bradykinin.
Atmospheric Refractivity Tracking From Radar Clutter Using Kalman and Particle Filters

This paper addresses the problem of tracking the spatial and temporal lower atmospheric variations in marine and coastal environments. The method tracks the evolution of the range and height-dependent index of refraction using the sea clutter measured from sea-borne radars operating in the region. A split-step fast Fourier transform based parabolic equation approximation to the wave equation is used to compute the clutter return in complex environments with varying index of refraction. In addition, regional statistics are incorporated as prior densities, resulting in a highly nonlinear and non-Gaussian tracking problem. Various tracking algorithms such as the extended Kalman, unscented Kalman and particle Alters are used for tracking surface-based electromagnetic ducts frequently encountered in marine environments. Tracking performance of each Alter is also calculated and compared using the posterior Cramer-Rao lower bound. Even though the tracking performance of the Kalman Alters was limited by the high non-linearity of the parabolic equation, particle Alters proved to be very promising in tracking even the abruptly changing environments.
The performance of neurologically normal bilingual speakers of Spanish and English on the short version of the Bilingual Aphasia Test

Background: The assessment of aphasia in bilingual speakers is complicated by the need to measure language impairment in each language, as well as defining how one language recovers in relation to another. The Bilingual Aphasia Test (BAT) is a criterion‐referenced measure designed to provide the requisite data needed to measure the impairment of bilingual speakers with aphasia while minimising the effects of pre‐morbid differences in language skill. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of neurologically normal adult bilingual speakers on the short version of the BAT (English and American Spanish). Methods & Procedures: A total of 22 adults ranging in age from 51 to 77 completed the BAT as well as a series of measures of language history, proficiency, and use. Outcomes & Results: Results indicated that the group scored higher in English than in Spanish on the BAT. BAT performance was consistent with higher proficiency in English than Spanish, as indicated by responses to language ...
Thalamic atrophy in antero-medial and dorsal nuclei correlates with six-month outcome after severe brain injury

The primary and secondary damage to neural tissue inflicted by traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. The secondary processes, in particular, are of great clinical interest because of their potential susceptibility to intervention. We address the dynamics of tissue degeneration in cortico-subcortical circuits after severe brain injury by assessing volume change in individual thalamic nuclei over the first six-months post-injury in a sample of 25 moderate to severe traumatic brain injury patients. Using tensor-based morphometry, we observed significant localized thalamic atrophy over the six-month period in antero-dorsal limbic nuclei as well as in medio-dorsal association nuclei. Importantly, the degree of atrophy in these nuclei was predictive, even after controlling for full-brain volume change, of behavioral outcome at six-months post-injury. Furthermore, employing a data-driven decision tree model, we found that physiological measures, namely the extent of atrophy in the anterior thalamic nucleus, were the most predictive variables of whether patients had regained consciousness by six-months, followed by behavioral measures. Overall, these findings suggest that the secondary non-mechanical degenerative processes triggered by severe brain injury are still ongoing after the first week post-trauma and target specifically antero-medial and dorsal thalamic nuclei. This result therefore offers a potential window of intervention, and a specific target region, in agreement with the view that specific cortico-thalamo-cortical circuits are crucial to the maintenance of large-scale network neural activity and thereby the restoration of cognitive function after severe brain injury.
Correlates of parental control and autonomy support in an interdependent culture: A look at Ghana

It is unclear whether, similar to research findings in Western societies, autonomy support is associated with positive child outcomes, and forceful control with negative outcomes in collectivist societies. A two-part study (N = 190 Ghanaian sixth graders) examined the relations of parental structure, control, and autonomy support in Ghana with child outcomes, and whether autonomy support was at odds with Ghanaian children’s values of interdependence and respect for elders. Results showed that structure was related to cognitive perceived competence, parental control was related to controlled regulation around school work and decreased academic engagement, and autonomy support was negatively related to depression and positively related to autonomous forms of motivation, engagement in school, and interestingly, children’s endorsement of collectivist cultural values. The importance of distinguishing between parental control and provision of structure, and the implication of the findings for understanding the role of parental autonomy support in diverse cultures, are discussed.
Characterization of epoxy-bismaleimide network matrices

This study investigated intercrosslinked networks formed by co-curing two thermosets: a tetrafunctional epoxy/amine and a bismaleimide formulation. The mechanical properties and phase behaviour of the intercrosslinked networks were compared with the corresponding neat epoxy and bismaleimide systems. In addition, the reaction scheme of the epoxy-bismaleimide resin mixtures was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. A homogeneous structure for the networks was suggested by the results of both dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy. In contrast to most epoxy systems modified with rubbers or thermoplastics, phase separation was not observed in these intercrosslinked epoxy-bismaleimide networks.
The urinalert: A neonatal alarm system for timed urinary collections

T H E C O L L E C T I O N OF urinary samples from neonates has traditionally presented technical problems. Since many neonates void infrequently in the first hours and days of life, so-called 24 hour urinary collections may be incomplete. For example, the infant may void a large volume a few minutes after a so-called 24 hour collection. Part of this volume should have been included in the 24 hour collection. To partly overcome this difficulty timed collections from one voiding to another, adjusted for the elapsed time, may be used. However, there is difficulty in dete~znining the exact voiding time in neonates in a busy nursing setting. "Homemade, alarm systems have been tried, but difficulties have arisen because of contamination of the urine by the component parts of the alarm, or because of insensitivity of the alarm. A simple design of a urinary alarm system suitable for use in nurseries, and requiring no extra effort on the part of the nursing staff, is presented (Table I ) . This "alarm"
A proteomic analysis of bromobenzene reactive metabolite targets in rat liver cytosol in vivo.

Metabolic activation and protein covalent binding are early and apparently obligatory events in the cytotoxicity of many simple organic chemicals including drugs and natural products. Although much has been learned about the chemistry of reactive metabolite formation and reactivity toward protein nucleophiles, progress in identifying specific protein targets for reactive metabolites of various protoxins has been much slower. We previously reported nine microsomal and three cytosolic proteins as targets for reactive metabolites of bromobenzene in rat liver. These results, and contemporary work by others, indicate that protein covalent binding is not totally random in cells. Moreover, as protein targets for other protoxins were identified, little commonality of target proteins became apparent. In the present work, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to separate liver cytosolic proteins from rats treated with 14C-bromobenzene; 110 of the 836 observed spots contained measurable radioactivity that vari...
THE ECONOMICS AND POLITICS OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY: SOME LESSONS FROM THE U.S. AND ABROAD

The accelerating United States trade deficit has again focused widespread political attention on industrial policy issues. However, given the breadth and complexity of the industrial policy issues, we can be confident that strengthening the U.S. international trade position will not be sufficient to quell concern over this area of economic policy.
The Fungicidal Action of Triethylene Glycol

The experimental apparatus (fig. 1) was essentially the same as has been described in earlier publications.1 Two small (2 cubic feet) glass walled air tight chambers were used, one for the test and the other serving as a control. A small fan in each chamber produced gentle agitation of the air. Relative humidity was determined by the use of wet-dry bulb thermometers. Carefully calibrated flowmeters were used to regulate the necessary quantity of air for the introduction of TEG vapor, mold spores, and the removal of air samples. The generation and introduction of a controllable quantity of TEG vapor was accomplished by the apparatus de-
Automated Audiometry Using Apple iOS-Based Application Technology

Objective. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of an Apple iOS-based automated hearing testing application and to compare its accuracy with conventional audiometry. Study Design. Prospective diagnostic study. Setting. Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods. An iOS-based software application was developed to perform automated pure-tone hearing testing on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. To assess for device variations and compatibility, preliminary work was performed to compare the standardized sound output (dB) of various Apple device and headset combinations. Forty-two subjects underwent automated iOS-based hearing testing in a sound booth, automated iOS-based hearing testing in a quiet room, and conventional manual audiometry. Results. The maximum difference in sound intensity between various Apple device and headset combinations was 4 dB. On average, 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91%-100%) of the threshold values obtained using the automated test in a sound booth were within 10 dB of the corresponding threshold values obtained using conventional audiometry. When the automated test was performed in a quiet room, 94% (95% CI, 87%-100%) of the threshold values were within 10 dB of the threshold values obtained using conventional audiometry. Under standardized testing conditions, 90% of the subjects preferred iOS-based audiometry as opposed to conventional audiometry. Conclusion. Apple iOS-based devices provide a platform for automated air conduction audiometry without requiring extra equipment and yield hearing test results that approach those of conventional audiometry. © American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2013.
Evaluation of markers on human chromosome 10, including the homologue of the rodent Rf-1 gene, for linkage to ESRD in black patients

Abstract There is abundant evidence supporting the contribution of genetic factors to the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in blacks. Two renal failure susceptibility genes, Rf-1 and Rf-2 , have been identified in the fawn-hooded rat, an animal model of hypertension and nephrosclerosis. The human homologous region containing the rodent Rf-1 gene has been localized to chromosome 10q. We tested for genetic linkage between 21 polymorphic markers on human chromosome 10 and chronic renal failure in 129 black sibling pairs concordant for ESRD. Two adjacent markers on 10p, D10S1435 and D10S249 (4 centiMorgans from D10S1435), approached significance for linkage to ESRD in sibling pairs with nondiabetic causes of ESRD ( P = 0.035 pairwise, P = 0.082 multipoint for D10S1435; P = 0.074 pairwise, P = 0.063 multipoint for D10S249). The markers spanning the homologous region of Rf-1 did not show evidence for linkage to ESRD in sibling pairs concordant for diabetic ESRD, sibling pairs concordant for nondiabetic causes of ESRD, or in the entire family set. These results suggest that the human homologue of Rf-1 is unlikely to contribute substantially to renal failure susceptibility from the common causes of kidney disease in blacks.
The PV Technology Incubator project

The PV Technology Incubator is structured to allow the utmost in flexible, innovative approaches targeted at research and development of photovoltaic (PV) systems and component prototypes to achieve prototype modules and pilot production. The PV Incubator project receives funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and funding opportunities are cyclical. The PV Incubator project targets small businesses that have demonstrated a proof-of-concept/process in a laboratory, but still need to overcome significant barriers before they can achieve commercialization. After 18 months of funding, a successful project is expected to be able to enter the market in the 2011 timeframe at a price point that enables electricity close to grid parity. Ten Incubator subcontractors were awarded in 2007 and participated in Stage-Gate reviews in the summer of 2008. Seven of these companies transitioned to Phase II of their two-phased subcontract based on the outcome of the Stage-Gate review. In addition, a second Incubator solicitation was issued in 2008. The six companies selected for the 2008 round of funding were awarded subcontracts in early 2009. This presentation overviews the PV Incubator project, gives a brief synopsis of the current subcontracts and their accomplishments, addresses progress by subcontracts awarded under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 solicitation, and discusses new funding opportunities.
Significance of Pupil Diameter Measurements for the Assessment of Affective State in Computer Users

The need to provide computers with the ability to distinguish the affective state of their users is a major requirement for the practical implementation of Affective Computing concepts. The determination of the affective state of a computer user from the measurement of some of his/her physiological signals is a promising avenue towards that goal. In addition to the monitoring of signals typically analyzed for affective assessment, such as the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and the Blood Volume Pulse (BVP), other physiological variables, such as the Pupil Diameter (PD) may be able to provide a way to assess the affective state of a computer user, in real-time. This paper studies the significance of pupil diameter measurements towards differentiating two affective states (stressed vs. relaxed) in computer users performing tasks designed to elicit those states in a predictable sequence. Specifically, the paper compares the discriminating power exhibited by the pupil diameter measurement to those of other single-index detectors derived from simultaneously acquired signals, in terms of their Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.
Bose-Einstein condensates as a probe for Lorentz violation

The effects of small Lorentz-violating terms on Bose-Einstein condensates are analyzed. We find that there are changes to the phase and shape of the ground-state wave function that vary with the orientation of the trap. In addition, spin couplings can act as a source for spontaneous symmetry breaking in ferromagnetic condensates making them sensitive probes for fundamental symmetry violation.
The Mechanistic Basis of a Large Male Mating Advantage in Two Freshwater Amphipod Species

In many animals, body size plays an important role in determining both ecological success and mating success. Thus, the expression of body size within a population is often the result of the interaction between natural selection and sexual selection. Here, I examine the mechanistic basis for a large male mating advantage in two freshwater amphipod species that differ ecologically. Traditionally, size-biased mating patterns in amphipods have been attributed to the advantage of large size in male–male competition for females. In this study, when direct male–male interactions were eliminated (via tethering), large males had a mating advantage similar to that observed under control conditions (males free to interact) and in previous field and laboratory studies. These results suggest that male–female interactions play an important role in selecting for large male size. There was, however, some evidence for male takeovers in the species that shows the stronger size-based mating bias. Takeovers occurred in 33% of trials when smaller males were in the position of defender, i.e. paired with the female. Therefore, takeovers by larger males may also contribute to the strong size-based mating biases observed in this species.
Returning to My Inner Nerd: Following the &#x0022;Social&#x0022; Disruption of Computing

An unusual career trajectory led to the intersection of computer science and social sciencea#x2014;and a new perspective on gender diversity in computing. This is one of five articles providing personal perspectives on gender diversity in computing. The Web extra at http://youtu.be/S8OFA0J7iR4 is a video interview in which Kate Starbird, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Centered Design aamp; Engineering at the University of Washington, discusses the importance of gender diversity in computing with Alfred C. (Alf) Weaver, the director of the University of Virginia's Applied Research Institute.
Is ischemic mitral regurgitation an indication for surgical repair or replacement

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is common in patients with coronary artery disease. While it is well-known that IMR exerts a graded effect upon survival—the greater the degree of IMR, the lower the survival—the indications for surgical treatment and the choice of surgical procedure (repair versus replacement) are controversial. In patients with mild to moderate IMR, the benefit of a mitral valve procedure has not been demonstrated, and surgical practice varies. In patients with severe IMR, mitral valve surgery is the norm, but guidelines for choosing between valve repair and valve replacement do not exist. Furthermore, the survival impact of mitral valve surgery in patients with severe IMR is uncertain. When patients with severe IMR undergo mitral valve surgery, undersized annuloplasty results in durable repair in 70% to 85% of cases. Newly-developed adjunctive repair techniques may further improve results. Currently, mitral valve repair is the procedure of choice in the majority of patients having surgery for severe IMR. However, the most severely ill patients and those with certain echocardiographic characteristics (e.g. severe bileaflet tethering) should be treated with bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement rather than repair.
Direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing for acute urinary tract infections in women.

Despite its theoretical advantages, direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing (DST) of urine specimens remains controversial largely because of concerns regarding its accuracy, particularly with mixed cultures. To evaluate the performance of DST in the setting of acute urinary tract infection (UTI), we performed DST using 25 traditional and contemporary antimicrobial agents on urine specimens from 162 women with suspected acute uncomplicated UTI, and compared these results with the results of standardized disk diffusion susceptibility tests done on the same specimens. Direct tests were interpretable for 129 specimens, i.e., 80% of all specimens and 85% of the 152 specimens that met the culture criteria for UTI. Of the 2,983 individual comparisons between the direct and standard tests, 0.8% represented very major errors, 0.6% represented major errors, 3.1% represented minor errors, and 95.5% were in agreement. Errors were more common in association with older antimicrobial agents and agents with a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, non-Escherichia coli strains, low urine bacterial concentrations, sparse or mixed growth in the direct test, and the presence of multiple significant organisms in urine. The urine leukocyte concentration was > or = 15/mm3 in all subjects and did not differentiate between specimens that gave an interpretable direct test and those that did not. Calculation of the sensitivity of DST in identifying antimicrobial resistance supplemented conventional error rate analysis. We conclude that when used selectively and interpreted carefully, DST of urine specimens offers an efficient, rapid, and accurate method for antimicrobial susceptibility determination for acute UTI, particularly when the urine bacterial concentration is > 10(5) CFU/ml.
Communication and leadership differences in virtual design teams: Why some teams do better than others

Organizations in today’s global economy face continual pressures to remain responsive to changes in the competitive marketplace. One way that firms have adapted to these pressures is to use web-based communication technologies to support virtual project teams. To better understand the effectiveness of these dispersed teams, we have analyzed the transcripts of eight virtual design teams composed of graduate students in information systems. Using a coding scheme based on design rationale concepts, we compare and contrast the communication activities of high and low performing virtual teams working on the early stages of software design. Our results suggest that the high performing virtual teams significantly out-communicated the low performing virtual teams. High performing teams communicated more regarding design alternatives. They also spent considerably more effort summarizing their work and discussing the write-up of the final design deliverable. The leaders of high performance teams had more communication content than leaders of low performing teams.
Determining In-plane and Thru-plane Percolation Thresholds for Carbon Nanotube Thin Films Deposited on Paper Substrates Using Impedance Spectroscopy

Concentration- and layer-dependent percolation thresholds can be determined for carbon nanotube (CNT) films deposited from aqueous dispersions on paper substrates at both the surface of the deposited film (in-plane) and through the thickness of the paper (thru-plane) using impedance spectroscopy. By analyzing the impedance spectra as a function of the number of layers (solution concentration is constant) or the solution concentration (number of layers is constant), the electrical properties and percolation thresholds for CNT-paper composites can be determined. In-plane measurements show that percolation occurs at 4 layers when 1 mg/mL solution concentration is used. In the thru-plane direction, the films are already percolated at 1 mg/mL concentration, which is confirmed by varying the concentration of the solution used to deposit 1 layer films. A second percolation event happens between 8 and 12 layers due to an increased number of interconnections of CNTs within the paper substrate. The lowest sheet resistance achieved was 100 Ω/□.
Pollution Effects on Plant Distribution

Since Man's earliest dominion of the Earth, he has depended on the land and its plants for his survival, and he has often altered the forest and field to enhance his success. He has removed some species, planted others, and encouraged growth of still others, both intentionally and inadvertently, to the extent that few areas of the Earth still remain covered by large expanses of totally undisturbed plant communities.Among the inadvertent changes that have been wrought by Man in natural systems are those resulting from the input of the pollutants of technology: sulphur dioxide, herbicides, photochemical pollutants, pesticides, radiation, and much more. The presence of each provides a selective force favouring some genotypes, discouraging others, and eliminating species that lack sufficient genetic diversity to survive. Thus the occurrence and distribution of plants is influenced, and community composition is changed—usually for the worse. Where large numbers of species are killed and the land is laid bare to erosion, the impact is highly undesirable. In other instances, tolerant genotypes existed of a sufficiency of species to allow them to reproduce and fill vacated niches. In the occasional instance where only a few plant species are damaged, the character of the change will depend on the nature of the tolerant individuals and species. A shift from forest to more tolerant grasses and forbs is common.
MODULATORY EFFECTS OF TYPE‐C NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE ON SYMPATHETIC COTRANSMISSION IN THE RAT ISOLATED TAIL ARTERY

1. Rat type-C natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been studied for its effects on the neurogenically induced overflow of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine (ADO) and noradrenaline (NA) in endothelium-free segments of rat isolated tail artery. The overflow of each was evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS) of 0.5 ms pulses at 8 Hz for 3 min and the amount of ATP, ADP, AMP and ADO was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescent detection, while the amount of NA was quantified by HPLC-electrochemical detection. 2. Type-C natriuretic peptide (100 nmol/L) was found to cause a significant reduction of the overflow of all adenine purines and NA. However, at lower concentrations (1 and 10 nmol/L), CNP caused a significant reduction of the overflow of NA but did not change ATP overflow. 3. The overflow of ADP, AMP and ADO was significantly reduced by either concentration of CNP, so that the ratio ATP:ADP was diminished from 1:2 in controls to 1:1 after 1 nmol/L CNP and to 1:1.2 after 10 nmol/L CNP. 4. The production of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in response to the exogenous application of ATP was significantly reduced by 1, 10 or 100 nmol/L CNP. 5. Type-C natriuretic peptide exerts neuromodulatory effects on the neurogenically induced release of the cotransmitters ATP and NA in rat tail artery, consisting of an inhibition of the release of both ATP and NA. This effect is accompanied by inhibition of the breakdown of ATP by ecto-ATPases. Either effect results in apparent CNP-induced differential modulation of the overflow of the cotransmitters ATP and NA.
Analytical approach to dynamics of reverse saturable absorbers

We develop an analytical approach to the dynamics of band populations of reverse saturable absorbers modeled by the three-level approximation of the five-level rate equations. We find high-accuracy approximate solutions to these rate equations, taking into account the temporal shape of the incident laser pulse for different regimes of excitation. The results obtained are confirmed by direct numerical integration of the rate equations and are verified by solution of the full system of the rate and the propagation equations. The validity ranges of the approximations are determined. We also prove that for input pulses that are much longer than the lifetime of the first excited state the ground-state depletion obeys the same functional dependence on the input fluence as in the case of rectangular input pulses. The dynamics of the excited states, however, explicitly depends on the pulse shape. We quantitatively estimate the effect of various parameters on the nonlinear absorption coefficient and discuss implementation of the approach by a beam propagation method to reduce the computational time.