cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limited flexibility in female Pacific field cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus) exploratory behaviors in response to perceived social environment

How populations adapt, or not, to rapid evolution of sexual signals has important implications for population viability, but is difficult to assess due to the paucity of examples of sexual signals evolving in real time. In Hawaiian populations of the Pacific field cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus), selection from a deadly parasitoid fly has driven the rapid loss of a male acoustic signal, calling song, that females use to locate and evaluate potential mates. In this newly quiet environment where many males are obligately silent, how do phonotactic females find mates? Previous work has shown that the acoustic rearing environment (presence or absence of male calling song) during late juvenile stages and early adulthood exposes adaptive flexibility in locomotor behaviors of males, as well as mating behaviors in both sexes that helps facilitate the spread of silent (flatwing) males. Here, we tested whether females also show acoustically induced plasticity in walking behaviors using laboratory‐reared populations of T. oceanicus from Kauai (HI; >90% flatwings), Oahu (HI; ~50% flatwings), and Mangaia (Cook Islands; no flatwings or parasitoid fly). Though we predicted that females reared without song exposure would increase walking behaviors to facilitate mate localization when song is rare, we discovered that, unlike males, female T. oceanicus showed relatively little plasticity in exploratory behaviors in response to an acoustic rearing environment. Across all three populations, exposure to male calling song during development did not affect latency to begin walking, distance walked, or general activity of female crickets. However, females reared in the absence of song walked slower and showed a marginally non‐significant tendency to walk for longer durations of time in a novel environment than those reared in the presence of song. Overall, plasticity in female walking behaviors appears unlikely to have facilitated sexual signal loss in this species.
Translational benefits to patients in the post-genomic era

The transformative discoveries in the field of genetics have led to a revolution in the way that diseases of genetic origin can be studied and treated. The ability to profile a patient’s genome to uncover all of the genetic variants at once now provides physicians the opportunity to better understand each patient’s disease and provides scientists a new window into pathogenesis. The translation of ‘next generation’ sequencing directly to the clinic is still being assessed, but holds great promise for genetic disease to reduce costs, advance accuracy, and point to unsuspected and treatable conditions. To study its capability in the clinic, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in 118 probands with a diagnosis of a pediatric-onset neurodevelopmental disease in which most known causes had been excluded. Among several novel genes identified in this study were EXOC8 in Joubert syndrome and GFM2 in microcephaly, simplified gyral pattern, and insulin-dependent diabetes, further establishing WES as a useful tool for novel gene discovery. Importantly, exome sequencing uncovered 10 probands with mutations in genes known to cause a disease different from the initial diagnosis. Upon further medical evaluation, these mutations were found to account for each proband’s disease, leading to a change in diagnosis, some of which led to changes in management. This data provide proof-of-principle that genomic strategies are useful in reclassifying diagnosis in a substantial proportion of patients. In order to explore potential treatments for ciliopathy disorders, we devised a cell-based screen, using a pharmacologically-relevant RNAi library to search for genes modulating ciliogenesis and cilia stability. Among the hits were several genes in the actin regulatory network. We found that genes that promote actin stability led to an inhibition of ciliogenesis, whereas genes that inhibit actin stability promoted ciliogenesis. Cytochalasin, a drug with potent actin inhibitory activity, promoted ciliogenesis both in wildtype cells as well as cells with mutations in key ciliogenesis gene. While cytochalasin itself might be too toxic for human use, these findings suggest pharmacological approaches to treating ciliopathies. We have extended these findings by probing the connection between ciliogenesis and the cell cycle and have uncovered a node centered around HNF4, encoding Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, as a module linking these two cellular stages. We are interested in optimizing high-content cell-based screening strategies to identify functional genetic requirements for a host of important cell biological questions in the field of cilia in development and disease.
Does CRM training work

Formal cockpit resource management training in crew coordination concepts increases the percentage of crews rated as above average in performance and decreases the percentage of crews rated as below average.
Effect of surface-bound sulfide on oxygen reduction reaction on Pt: Breaking the scaling relationship and mechanistic insights.

A combined in situ electrochemical attenuated total reflection-surface enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy, microkinetic simulation, and density functional theory calculation study shows that not only can the adsorbed sulfide disproportionally affect the surface binding of OOH* (EOOH*) vs OH* (EOH*), i.e., breaking the original scaling relationship of pure metals (Ir, Pd, Pt, Au), to enhance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity but can also be used as a reaction pathway alternating species to help deepen our mechanistic understanding of ORR.
(376) An Evaluation of the Short- and Long-Term Influence of Presurgical Expectancies on Pain and Function following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Expectancies have a strong, well-documented influence on future pain experiences, responses to pain, pain treatment outcomes, and postsurgical outcomes. In individuals with osteoarthritis, several studies haveshown that presurgical expectancies predict heightened pain and disability following total knee arthroplasty. However, despite growing recognition of the importance of expectancies in clinical settings, evidence to support the short and long-term predictive nature of expectancies is unsatisfactory. The objective of the present study was to explore the temporal association between presurgical expectancies and pain and function following total knee arthroplasty. Data were collected from patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty 1 week prior to surgery, and then at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1-year post-surgery. Multivariate analyses examined the influence of presurgical expectancies on patients’ perceptions of pain reductions and functional improvements at each time-point. All analyses controlled for age, sex, presurgical pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, depression and anxiety. Results revealed that pain expectancies significantly predicted reductions in pain at 3-month and 1-year follow-ups, however pain expectancies were better predictors of pain at 1-year follow-up than at 3-month follow-up. Functional expectancies significantly predicted improvements in function at 1-year follow-up, but not at any of the other time-points. This study extends previous work by investigating the effect of presurgical expectancies on pain outcomes over time. It identifies expectancies as important predictors of long-term postsurgical pain and function, providing targets for clinical interventions. The results of this study highlight the importance of measuring associations between expectancies and pain outcomes at multiple time-points to fully capture the relationship between expectancies, pain and function following total knee arthroplasty.
Large-scale analysis of micro-level citation patterns reveals nuanced selection criteria

The analysis of citations to scientific publications has become a tool that is used in the evaluation of a researcher's work; especially in the face of an ever-increasing production volume1-6. Despite the acknowledged shortcomings of citation analysis and the ongoing debate on the meaning of citations7,8, citations are still primarily viewed as endorsements and as indicators of the influence of the cited reference, regardless of the context of the citation. However, only recently has attention9,10 been given to the connection between contextual information and the success of citing and cited papers, primarily because of the lack of extensive databases that cover both types of metadata. Here we address this issue by studying the usage of citations throughout the full text of 156,558 articles published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), and by tracing their bibliometric history from among 60 million records obtained from the Web of Science. We find universal patterns of variation in the usage of citations across paper sections11. Notably, we find differences in microlevel citation patterns that were dependent on the ultimate impact of the citing paper itself; publications from high-impact groups tend to cite younger references, as well as more very young and better-cited references. Our study provides a quantitative approach to addressing the long-standing issue that not all citations count the same.
Tail-flashing as an anti-predator signal in small wintering birds

Prey species use pursuit-deterrent signals to discourage an attack, by informing a predator either that the latter has been detected, or that the prey is capable of escaping if attacked. These signals tend to be conspicuous behaviors, such as bobbing, stotting, and predator inspection. Dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) show prominent tail-flashing in social displays during the breeding season, but they continue to tail-flash in winter. We examined whether such tail-flashing functions as a pursuit-deterrent signal by measuring tail-flashing rates in the presence and absence of a taxidermically mounted hawk predator. Our results showed that juncos tail-flash more in the presence of the predator and at higher rates when in direct view of the predator. This suggests that tail-flashing is directed to the predator as a pursuit-deterrent signal. Additionally, juncos reduced tail-flashing when feeding far from cover (low escape probability), suggesting that tail-flashing likely has an attraction cost. We also found a marked group size effect with solitary juncos tail-flashing more than those in large groups, indicating an additional cost to tail-flashing that need not be paid in larger groups. This additional cost is not related to food intake, since we found no negative association between food intake and tail-flashing. We observed tail-flashing in other sparrow species co-occurring with juncos at the study site, suggesting that tail-flashing as a pursuit-deterrent behavior may be widespread in this taxonomic group of birds. Many animals, and especially birds, use tail movements as a signal in various contexts. Dark-eyed juncos make extensive use of tail-flashing as a breeding signal, but they continue to tail-flash during the winter. Our experiment provides evidence that such tail-flashing serves as a pursuit-deterrent signal, a function previously not examined in these birds. Juncos tail-flashed more in the presence of a visible predator, suggesting that the signal is directed towards the predator. Tail-flashing was maximal when close to cover, indicating that tail-flashing incurs a cost of attracting predator attention. A negative relationship between flock size and tail-flashing suggests an additional cost to this behavior, which we demonstrate is not related to food intake rate. We suspect that tail-flashing functions more widely as a pursuit-deterrent signal in the broad phylogenetic group of emberizid sparrows.
SURF: Joint Structural Functional Attack on Logic Locking

To help protect hardware Intellectual Property (IP) blocks against piracy and reverse engineering, researchers have proposed various obfuscation techniques that aim at hiding design intent and making black-box usage difficult. A dominant form of obfuscation, referred to as logic locking, relies on the insertion of key gates (e.g., XOR/XNOR) at strategic locations in a design followed by logic synthesis. Recently, it has been shown that such an approach leaves predictable structural signatures, which make them susceptible to machine learning (ML) based structural attacks. These attacks are shown to deobfuscate a design by learning the deterministic nature of transformations incorporated by commercial synthesis tools. They are attractive for unraveling the design intent. However, they may not be able to provide a working design. In this paper, we introduce a novel attack on obfuscation techniques, called Structural Functional (SURF) attack, which, for the first time to our knowledge, accomplishes key extraction through scalable functional analysis while leveraging the output of structural attacks. We have developed complete flow and an automatic tool for the attack, which shows promising results. We are able to retrieve, on average, ~90% keybits for obfuscated ISCAS-85 benchmarks (100% in several cases) with > 98% output accuracy. We observe that SURF attack, unlike any known attack, can enable both discovering design intent as well as black-box usage. It is effective for all major variants of logic locking; scalable to large designs; and unlike SAT based attacks, is effective for all design types (e.g., multipliers, where SAT based attacks typically fail).
Identifying Outpatients with Acute Cough at Very Low Risk of Pneumonia.

In patients with acute cough, is it possible to identify a subset with a very low likelihood of community-acquired pneumonia?
Associations of Urine Biomarkers with Kidney Function Decline in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Men.

BACKGROUND HIV-infected (HIV+) persons are at increased risk of chronic kidney disease, but serum creatinine does not detect early losses in kidney function. We hypothesized that urine biomarkers of kidney damage would be associated with subsequent changes in kidney function in a contemporary cohort of HIV+ and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) men. METHODS In the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, we measured baseline urine concentrations of 5 biomarkers from 2009 to 2011 in 860 HIV+ and 337 HIV- men: albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin (α1m), interleukin-18 (IL-18), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP). We evaluated associations of urine biomarker concentrations with annual changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using multivariable linear mixed models adjusted for demographics, traditional kidney disease risk factors, HIV-related risk factors, and baseline eGFR. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 4.8 years, the average annual eGFR decline was 1.42 mL/min/1.73 m2/year in HIV+ men and 1.22 mL/min/1.73 m2/year in HIV- men. Among HIV+ men, the highest vs. lowest tertiles of albumin (-1.78 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, 95% CI -3.47 to -0.09) and α1m (-2.43 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, 95% CI -4.14 to -0.73) were each associated with faster annual eGFR declines after multivariable adjustment. Among HIV- men, the highest vs. lowest tertile of α1m (-2.49 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, 95% CI -4.48 to -0.50) was independently associated with faster annual eGFR decline. Urine IL-18, KIM-1, and PIIINP showed no independent associations with eGFR decline, regardless of HIV serostatus. CONCLUSIONS Among HIV+ men, higher urine albumin and α1m are associated with subsequent declines in kidney function, independent of eGFR.
House to house, shelter to shelter: experiences of black women seeking housing after leaving abusive relationships.

Locating safe and affordable housing is a vital step for women who decide to leave their abuser. Without housing, many women, particularly those who live in poverty, are forced to remain in abusive relationships, accept inadequate or unsafe housing, or become homeless (Menard, 2001; Moses, 2010). Women who choose to leave their abusers are faced with multiple barriers in establishing their independence such as limited financial resources, mental illness, and the lack of affordable housing (Botein & Hetling, 2010), putting them at risk of revictimization. This pilot study explores the narratives of Black mothers currently residing at an emergency intimate partner violence shelter to discover their experiences in seeking housing after leaving abusive relationships with a focus on housing instability and mental health. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive design, four major themes emerged: (a) unstable/insecure housing over time, (b) limited support, Language: en
Graph Signal Processing of Indefinite and Complex Graphs using Directed Variation.

In the field of graph signal processing (GSP), directed graphs present a particular challenge for the "standard approaches" of GSP to due to their asymmetric nature. The presence of negative- or complex-weight directed edges, a graphical structure used in fields such as neuroscience, critical infrastructure, and robot coordination, further complicates the issue. Recent results generalized the total variation of a graph signal to that of directed variation as a motivating principle for developing a graphical Fourier transform (GFT). Here, we extend these techniques to concepts of signal variation appropriate for indefinite and complex-valued graphs and use them to define a GFT for these classes of graph. Simulation results on random graphs are presented, as well as a case study of a portion of the fruit fly connectome.
Concentrations and size distribution of TiO2 and Ag engineered particles in five wastewater treatment plants in the United States.

Abstract The growing use of engineered particles (e.g., nanosized and pigment sized particles, 1 to 100 nm and 100 to 300 nm, respectively) in a variety of consumer products increases the likelihood of their release into the environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important pathways of introduction of engineered particles to the aquatic systems. This study reports the concentrations, removal efficiencies, and particle size distributions of Ag and TiO2 engineered particles in five WWTPs in three states in the United States. The concentration of Ag engineered particles was quantified as the total Ag concentration, whereas the concentration of TiO2 engineered particles was quantified using mass-balance calculations and shifts in the elemental ratio of Ti/Nb above their natural background elemental ratio. Ratios of Ti/Nb in all WWTP influents, activated sludges, and effluents were 2–12 times higher (e.g., 519 to 3243) than the natural background Ti/Nb ratio (e.g., 267 ± 9), indicating that 49–92% of Ti originates from anthropogenic sources. The concentration of TiO2 engineered particles (in μg TiO2 L−1) in the influent, activated sludge, and effluent varied within the ranges of 70–670, 3570–6700, and 7–30, respectively. The concentration of Ag engineered particles (in μg Ag L−1) in the influent, activated sludge, and effluent varied within the ranges of 0.11–0.33, 1.45–1.65, and 0.01–0.04, respectively. The overall removal efficiency (e.g., effluent/influent concentrations) of TiO2 engineered particles (e.g., 90 to 96%) was higher than that for Ag engineered particles (e.g., 82 to 95%). Particles entering WWTPs are in the nanosized range for Ag (e.g., >99%) and a mixture of nanosized (e.g., 15 to 90%) and pigment sized particles (e.g., 10 to 85%) for TiO2. Nearly all Ag (>99%) and 55 to 100% of TiO2 particles discharged to surface water with WWTP effluent are within the nanosize range. This study provides evidence that TiO2 and Ag engineered nanomaterials enter aquatic systems with WWTP effluents, and that their concentrations are expected to increase with the increased applications of TiO2 and Ag engineered nanomaterials in consumer products.
Sea surface temperature across the Subarctic North Pacific and marginal seas through the past 20,000 years: A paleoceanographic synthesis

Abstract Deglacial sea surface conditions in the subarctic North Pacific and marginal seas are the subject of increasing interest in paleoceanography. However, a cohesive picture of near-surface oceanography from which to compare inter and intra-regional variability through the last deglaciation is lacking. We present a synthesis of sea surface temperature covering the open North Pacific and its marginal seas, spanning the past 20 ka using proxy records from foraminiferal calcite (δ18O and Mg/Ca) and coccolithophore alkenones (Uk’37). Sea surface temperature proxies tend to be in agreement through the Holocene, though Uk’37 records are often interpreted as warmer than adjacent δ18O or Mg/Ca records during the Last Glacial Maximum and early deglaciation. In the Sea of Okhotsk, Holocene discrepancies between δ18O and Uk’37 may be the result of changes in near-surface stratification. We find that sea-surface warming occurred prior to the onset of the Bolling-Allerod (14.7 ka) and coincident with the onset of the Holocene (11.7 ka) in much of the North Pacific and Bering Sea. Proxy records also show a cold reversal roughly synchronous with the Younger Dryas (12.9–11.7 ka). After the onset of the Holocene, the influence of an intensified warm Kuroshio Current is evident at higher latitudes in the Western Pacific, and an east-west seesaw in sea surface temperature, likely driven by changes in the strength of the North Pacific Gyre, characterizes the open interglacial North Pacific.
Mitigation Strategies to Prevent Engineering Design Quality Defects

AbstractA prior study identified factors that contribute to engineering design defects and assessed the relative magnitude of the impact of those factors. This paper provides 40 mitigation strategi...
Three U.S. Post-COVID Legislative, Regulatory, and Higher Education Recommendations: Future Considerations for Policy, Compliance, Accreditation, and Curricula

The novel coronavirus has dramatically altered teaching and learning for the foreseeable future. In addition to economic and workforce effects, the present predicts gaps from learning deficiencies for all current K-12 students (Education Journal, 2021). Therefore, the direct syllogism anticipates fewer numbers of qualified college applicants in the coming generation. Thus, bold action can mitigate negative potential future social disruption impacts. Virtual practitioner training, license and program reciprocity, and interdisciplinary studies can ensure quality practitioner mobility and the ability to meet the workforce needs of all fields across the nation?at local, state, regional, and national levels.
Management of Myelofibrosis-Associated Anemia: Focus on Standard Agents and Novel Therapeutics in Phase 3 Clinical Trials

The management of myelofibrosis is risk-adapted when considering transplant eligibility and symptom-directed, prioritizing the most burdensome symptoms for the patient. Unfortunately, myelofibrosis-anemia is common, multifactorial in its origin, and impactful regarding prognosis. While clinical trials are advised, not all patients have convenient access, and therefore, hematologists should be aware of the data supporting the use of conventional agents such as erythropoietin-stimulating agents, steroid treatments (danazol and prednisone), and immunomodulatory drugs (thalidomide and lenalidomide). This review summarizes the conventional approach to treating myelofibrosis-anemia and highlights recent data from 3 novel agents that are under phase 3 evaluation. Momelotonib is a JAK1/2 and ACVR1 inhibitor that has demonstrated not only improvements in splenomegaly and symptoms, but also amelioration of anemia on the SIMPLIFY 1 and 2 clinical trial program. This may occur through suppression of hepcidin production. Luspatercept promotes late-stage hematopoiesis, and the phase 2 study has shown promise in ameliorating anemia as a monotherapy, and especially in combination with ruxolitinib. Finally, CP-0160, a BET inhibitor, has shown efficacy as an anemia-directed agent, when used as monotherapy and in combination. This agent reduces cytokine production and promotes erythroid differentiation. Results have been presented for patients previously treated with JAK inhibitors, as well as those who were naive to JAK inhibitor therapy. Safety and effectiveness are reviewed for both conventional and selected novel agents used in the treatment of MF-anemia. A practical approach to treatment is presented, and data from ASH 2020 are presented.
Non-Alcohol-Related Wernicke's Encephalopathy: Diagnosis and Treatment

The Psychiatric Consultation Service at Massachusetts General Hospital sees medical and surgical inpatients with comorbid psychiatric symptoms and conditions. During their twice-weekly rounds, Dr Stern and other members of the Consultation Service discuss diagnosis and management of hospitalized patients with complex medical or surgical problems who also demonstrate psychiatric symptoms or conditions. These discussions have given rise to rounds reports that will prove useful for clinicians practicing at the interface of medicine and psychiatry.
Research and Development in the Field of Walsh Functions and Sequency Theory

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the research and development in the field of Walsh functions and Sequency theory. During the nineteenth century, the most important functions for communications were block pulses. Voltage and current pulses could be generated by mechanical switches, amplified by relays, and detected by a variety of magnetomechanical devices. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, more practical means to implement capacitances than Leyden jars and metallic spheres were found. When looking for useful complete systems of orthogonal functions, the Walsh functions appear. These functions assume the two values + 1 or −1 only, which makes them comparably simple as the block pulses and leads to simple equipment. On the other hand, the functions have different shapes like the sinusoidal functions, which assures that the theory and equipment are not as restricted as for block pulses. In this chapter, features of frequency, time, and sequency multiplexing are discussed. Matching sequency multiplex signals to frequency multiplex channels is described. Filters for signals with two space variables are also elaborated.
Final Salute to Lost Soldiers: Preserving the Freedom of Speech at Military Funerals

This Comment argues that RAFHA, as currently written, cannot stand in light of First Amendment jurisprudence. Part I reviews the history and development of relevant free speech case law and restrictions on expression, including the recent trend in the states of passing legislation similar to RAFHA. Part II assesses the Act’s constitutionality against this background. First, Part II contends that the statute is a content-based restriction of free speech and is thus subject to strict scrutiny. Second, even if deemed content neutral, the Act could not survive the courts’ intermediate scrutiny. Finally, this Comment reasons that even if able to survive the above challenges, the Act is still unconstitutional under First Amendment case law because it provides for standardless prior restraint. This Comment concludes that RAFHA is an unconstitutional regulation of speech and should be challenged in court.
ZnO based SAW delay line sensor: fabrication and characteristics

ZnO, a well-known piezoelectric material, is used to develop micro-scale surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay line sensor. In this work, SAW delay line sensors are fabricated employing ZnO films that are deposited by RF sputtering technique. Films are characterized prior to device fabrication by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for film crystalline quality, UV-visible transmission spectroscopy for optical characteristics, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for surface morphology. Interdigital electrodes producing surface acoustic waves in the hundreds of MHz are developed by photolithography and metallization techniques. SAW delay line sensor device testing, measurement and characteristics on RF sputtered ZnO films are presented and compared.
The Social Background of Early Israels Rejection of Cultic Images: A Proposal

Early Israel's rejection of the cultic image stems from the social revolt by which Canaanite-Israelite peasantry overthrew a hierarchical social structure. In its place it attempted to form a society marked by decentralized power and an even distribution of material goods. At the social level, the idol functioned as a legitimating device for Canaanite social hierarchies. Through sacrifice to the idol, large amounts of material productivity were funneled into the control of the Canaanite priestly and royal classes. The idol was therefore a kind of tax or tribute gathering device. In this context, Israelite hostility to cultic images yields to a possible two-fold interpretation. First, by repudiating the cultic image, Israel rid itself of an important source of wealth for the ruling classes, thereby thwarting possible internal programs seeking to re-establish political hierarchy. Second, frontier Israel was insuring that agricultural goods used in cultic sacrifice would be circulated back into the producing...
Adult metformin ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers, 2000-2006.

Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Limited information exists on adult metformin ingestions reported to poison control centers. The distribution of adult metformin ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers during 2000–2006 was determined for various factors. In addition, triage guidelines for the management of isolated ingestions were drafted. Of 1528 total metformin ingestions, 58% involved coingestants. Of the 264 ingestions of metformin alone, where the final medical outcome was known, dose ingested was reported for 66%. The mean reported dose was 4739 mg (range 500–60,000 mg). Ingestions of ≤2500 mg and >5000 mg reported doses differed with respect to the proportion involving suspected attempted suicide (6% versus 81%), serious final medical outcome (3% versus 19%), and referral to a health care facility (3% versus 83%). Using 5000 mg as a threshold dose for referral to a health care facility, 91% of cases not already at or en route to...
Photoelectric Plethysmography of the Fingers and Toes in Man

SummaryPhotoelectric plethysmographs for the fingers and toes are described which use electrocardiographs for the recording and which have definite advantages in routine clinical observations on th...
Tutoring in a generic intelligent simulation training system

Abstract An Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) can be viewed as a system that provides an environment for exploration and learning. An Intelligent Simulation Training System (ISTS) is a generic Intelligent Tutoring System that can easily be adapted to different domains. ISTS uses dynamic simulation scenarios as a basis for drilling and instructing a trainee. The functionalities of ISTS include the individualization of the lesson plan to the needs of a trainee, the evaluation of the trainee's overall performance, and the generation of expert feedbacks. The personalized scenario is dynamically generated with emphasis on the weakness of each trainee. This paper presents a thorough description of several functionalities within the ISTS. These include lesson creation, dynamic scenario modification, material presentation, and the generation of expert feedback.
Investigation of neutron scattering for a multisphere spectrometer.

Count rates were measured as a function of distance from a planar concrete reflector for a set of eight Bonner-sphere detectors and four isotopic neutron sources. These data can be used to determine the contributions of scattered neutrons to the response of moderated detectors used in environments bounded by concrete. A model based on images of the original source can be developed to produce an equation that describes the data well, if the strengths of the image sources can be treated as variable parameters. Values of the parameters appearing in the equations are given based on least-squares analysis of the experimental results.
Method and architecture for quantification of bone structure using microscopic image slices

Tills paper presents a new system that reconstructs, visualizes and classifies trabecular bone structure by using microscopic image slices. In this study, we evaluated the structure of a trabecular bone using 3D X-ray imaging after passing through the special image enhancement and de-nosing algorithms. We propose a new simple imaging technique tool for the quantification of structural changes within the micro architecture of human bones by enhancing the characteristics attributes of the bone architecture from μ-CT scans. Computer simulation illustrates that the presented imaging technique has the potential to become a powerful tool to investigate the structure of trabeculae during in vivo measurements.
Unified treatment for dealing with auxiliary conditions in blade dynamics

Use of Lagrange multipliers is shown here to lead to a convenient method for the numerical analysis of blade dynamics in which a variety of auxiliary conditions may be imposed. General equations are derived that can deal with blades having virtually all of the possible combinations of boundary conditions. The method is combined with a generalized coordinates approach to obtain a unified and efficient formulation that is applicable to both linear and nonlinear situations
Analyst earnings forecast trends in Pacific Rim countries

This study analyzes trends in analyst forecast properties from 1987 through 1998 in the United States and seven Pacific Rim countries: Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Analyst forecast properties in the United States have become less dispersed, more accurate, and less optimistic during the sample period. Similar trends exist in Australia and New Zealand, but not in the other sample countries. In contrast, the forecast property trends of most Asian countries are the exact opposite. For example, in Japan and Korea, forecast dispersion, forecast error, and optimism all significantly increase over the sample period. The results suggest that Asian firms do not play the U.S.‐style earnings game in which managers guide analysts toward a certain target number and then report earnings that beat the target.
Sound Measurements in Liquid and Solid He 3 , He 4 , and He 3 - He 4 Mixtures

Using the ultrasonic pulse technique at a carrier frequency of 10 Mc/sec, we have measured the longitudinal velocity of sound in liquid and solid ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$, and ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$-${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ mixtures (0.0, 5.03, 25.0, 74.9, 98.00, 99.84% ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$) in the temperature range from 1 to 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and the pressure range from 1 to 150 atm. An upper limit to the attenuation of sound in the region of the solid investigated is on the order of 0.3 to 0.7 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Values of the adiabatic compressibility of the liquid along the melting curve of ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ are given. The discontinuity in the propagation velocity at a first-order phase boundary was utilized to locate the solidification curves of these samples and also to investigate the bcc-hcp crystallographic transition in solid samples, including pure ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$, similar to that observed in pure ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ by Grilly and Mills. The triple points for this transition in ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ are given by ${T}_{l}=1.449\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, ${P}_{l}=26.18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ atm; ${T}_{u}=1.778\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, ${P}_{u}=30.28\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ atm. The upper triple points for the mixtures lie on a straight line connecting ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ and ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ in temperature-pressure space. In addition, by observing the peak in the attenuation of sound, it was possible to measure the $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ line in ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ and in the 5.0% and 25.0% ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ liquid mixtures. The upper $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ point for pure ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ is given by ${T}_{s}=1.765\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and ${P}_{s}=29.90\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ atm. Comparison is made with existing data wherever possible.
Development of hydrogel TentaGel shell-core beads for ultrahigh throughput solution-phase screening of encoded OBOC combinatorial small molecule libraries.

The one-bead one-compound (OBOC) combinatorial library method enables the rapid generation and screening of millions of discrete chemical compounds on beads. Most of the OBOC screening methods require the library compounds to remain tethered to the bead during screening process. Methods have also been developed to release library compounds from immobilized beads for in situ solution phase or “lawn” assays. However, this latter approach, while extremely powerful, is severely limited by the lack of suitable solid supports for such assays. Here, we report on the development of a novel hydrogel TentaGel shell−core (HTSC) bead in which hydrogel is grafted onto the polystyrene-based TentaGel (TG) bead as an outer shell (5−80 μm thick) via free radical surface-initiated polymerization. This novel shell−core bilayer resin enables the preparation of encoded OBOC combinatorial small molecule libraries, such that the library compounds reside on the highly hydrophilic outer layer and the coding tags reside in the pol...
The Dimensions of Psychological Well-Being A Critical Review

The concept of psychological well-being has intrinsic interest to social psychologists and relates to a more general literature on adjustment, competence, mood indicators, and so on. Data from two surveys are presented which partially replicate Bradburn's studies in psychological well-being and which suggest that the constructs of "positive and negative affect" in Bradburn's work are an oversimplification. It is argued that there is insufficient evidence for the usefulness of the balance model of psychological well-being. Existing research on the dimensions of emotion is discussed.
Threading Immobilized DNA Molecules Through Solid-State Nanopores

In pursuit of manipulating and controlling DNA translocation speed in voltage biased solid-state nanopores, we designed and constructed an apparatus that can control a DNA molecule moving speed and measure the ionic current change when the DNA is captured and released from the nanopore. The probe tip's position is sensed and controlled by a tuning fork based force sensor and a nanopositioning system. Using this apparatus, we demonstrate DNA translocation rate of >100µs/base or <1nm/ms in silicon nitride nanopores. This rate is 1000 times slower than free DNA translocation through solid-state nanopores reported previously, which could provide enough temporal resolution to read each base on a tethered DNA molecule. We show results of this apparatus for measuring controlled translocations of ds/ss hybrid DNA molecules through solid state nanopores. The ds/ss hybrid DNA is a 48.6 kb double-stranded λ DNA with 1kb single-stranded DNA ligated to one end, and biotinlated oligo ligated to the other end for attaching the hybrid DNA to a probe tip. We further compare the controlled translocation with free translocation of these hybrid DNA molecules through solid state nanopores.
Cryptography in data processing

Abstract Recent reports of breaches in computer system security have created a heightened concern and interest in the vulnerability of computer systems. Cryptography is one method of combatting one problem of security. The article describes the two types of algorithm involved in cryptographic techniques.
Thermosensitive poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels bonded on cellulose supports

A two-step initiation and polymerization process was developed for the preparation of two series of hydrogel-cellulose composites with distinctively different morphologies and swelling behaviors. Hydroentangled cot- ton cellulose fibers were optimally initiated in 20 mMaque- ous ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate for 15 min and then polymerized in aqueous solutions ofN-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer andN,N!-methylene bisacrylamide (BisA) crosslinker. The extents of hydrogels on the cellulose solids could be controlled by variations in the concentrations of the monomer and crosslinker as well as the NIPAAm/ BisA solution-to-solid ratios. The two series of hydrogel- cellulose composites formed were hydrogel-covered/filled cellulose (I) and cellulose-reinforced hydrogel (II) compos- ites. Series I composites were synthesized with NIPAAm/ BisA solutions below the liquid saturation level of the cel- lulose; this led to pore structures (size and porosity) that depended on both the extent and swelling of the grafted hydrogels. Series II composites were polymerized in the presence of excessive NIPAAm/BisA solutions to produce cellulose solids completely encapsulated in the hydrogels. All the cellulose-supported hydrogels exhibited lower ex- tents of phase transition over a wider temperature range (28-40°C) than the free poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydro- gels (32°C). These findings demonstrate that hydrogels can be used to control the pore structure of cellulose and can be supported with cellulose fibers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 999-1006, 2003
Relationship of clinical staging and lymphocyte morphology to survival in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Summary. The value of the Rai clinical staging system and lymphocyte morphology in predicting survival in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia was examined in 83 patients who had been followed for at least 5 years. Patients with less clinical evidence of disease (Stages 0 and I) had significantly longer survivals than patients with more evidence of disease (Stages II, III and IV). Patients in whom greater than 35% of the lymphocytes resembled benign atypical lymphocytes had longer survivals than those in whom most of the lymphocytes had narrow rims of cytoplasm and coarsely clumped chromatin. The survival differences in the morphologic groups were less striking than those in the clinical stages, and when the morphological groups were corrected for clinical stage, no significant differences in survival among the morphologic groups remained.
457 Readmission Following Continuous Flow LVAD Implantation: Are We keeping Patients out of the Hospital Long Enough?

curred in 37 (24%) patients at a median 88 [17,249] days post HMII implant. Medication administration was not predictive of GIB. Correlates of GIB included older age (HR 1.3 [1.1,1.7] per 10 years), presence of moderate aortic insufficiency (AI) development during LVAD support (HR 1.7 [1.03,3.7]), lower HMII speed (HR 0.72 [0.56,0.93] per 200 rpm), and occurrence of an embolic event while on LVAD support (HR 2.3[1.1,4.7]). Conclusions: GIB following LVAD implant is likely multifactorial, driven by factors related to patient–specific bleeding risk, as well as factors arising secondary to LVAD device and complication management. The etiology for AI and rpm speed’s impact on GIB is unknown but may be related to vWF destruction during AI ventricular backflow or during HMII transit, respectively.
Structure and mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy billets by different hot-top semi-continuous casting technology

AZ31 alloy billets of 200 mm in diameter were produced by three different processes of conventional direct chill (DC) casting, low-frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and low-frequency electromagnetic vibration casting (LFEVC), respectively. The effect of LFEC and LFEVC on the microstructures, macrosegregation and mechanical properties of AZ31 alloy billets was investigated. In conventional DC casting, the AZ31 alloy billets exhibited coarse grains (about 370 μm) and severe segregation of Al and Zn. In the presence of a solo low-frequency alternating magnetic field or a low-frequency electromagnetic vibration field applied during DC casting of ϕ200 mm AZ31 billets, grains in the AZ31 alloy billets were effectively refined (about 210 μm) and the macrosegregation of Al and Zn in the billets was greatly decreased. Furthermore, the tensile strength, fracture elongation and hardness of the as-cast AZ31 alloy billets were improved by the processes of LFEC and LFEVC relative to that cast by the process of conventional DC casting.
A C6, C7 oxygen functionalized intermediate for the synthesis of forskolin: stereochemical control in an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

Abstract Stereospecific intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of aldehydes 3a and 3b afford lactones 4 and 5, respectively. The mechanism of the reactions is considered. Lactone 4 is elaborated further to provide acetonide 14b, an important intermediate in an approach to the synthesis of forskolin (1).
Diffractive optofluidic imaging flow cytometry

We integrated a diffractive lens array into a microfluidic channel array to produce a parallel flow-based cell imaging platform. Using the system, we demonstrate imaging with submicron resolution at throughputs surpassing 10,000 cells per second.
Comparison of acyl-oxyester and acyl-Thioester lipids as substrates for bovine milk lipoprotein lipase

Abstract The dithioester analog of dihexanoylphosphatidylcholine, rac -1,2- S , S -dihexanoyl-3-phosphocholine-1,2-dimercapto-3-propanol was synthesized and compared to the corresponding acyl-oxyester lipid as a substrate for bovine milk lipoprotein lipase. The apparent maximal reaction velocity ( V max ) for dihexanoyldithiophosphatidylcholine was considerably lower than that for dihexanoylphosphatidylcholine (0.12 vs. 5.0 μmol product released/min per mg lipoprotein lipase, respectively). The apparent K m values were 1.9 and 4.0 mM, respectively. 3-Butyrylthio-1,2-dibutyryloxypropane was also compared to tributyrylglycerol as a substrate for lipoprotein lipase; hydrolysis of the acyl-thioester bond was insignificant when compared to the corresponding oxyester derivative. Apolipoprotein C-II, the activator protein of lipoprotein lipase for long-chain fatty acyl substrates, had no effect on the hydrolysis of either the thio- or oxyester short-chain substrates. The low lipoprotein lipase activity for the thioester substrates is discussed in relation to the structure of the lipid and the active site of the enzyme.
Eocene decapod crustaceans from Snowdrift Quarry, South Otago, New Zealand

Abstract Three species of decapod crustaceans, reported from Snowdrift Quarry near Milburn in South Otago, increase the number of arthropods known from that locality to five. Close similarity with faunas from previously described Bortonian occurrences supports a likely middle Eocene age for the concretions at Snowdrift Quarry. Among the 15 genera known from the Eocene of New Zealand, Rhachiosoma, Laeviranina, and Lyreidus comprise an assemblage typical of middle and late Eocene, inner shelf, sandy substrata, and Tumidocarcinus tumidus typifies late Eocene, outer shelf, silty substrata.