cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing Change in an Urban School District: A Case Study of the Reorganization of the Little Rock School District

In July 2005, the Little Rock, Arkansas, school district implemented a new policy to reorganize its management structure in order to create a more efficient bureaucracy. Using Richard Matland’s ambiguity-conflict model of policy implementation, the authors examine the implementation of this school reorganization policy. Interviews and surveys were conducted with the superintendent and his executive assistants, school principals, teachers, and staff. In line with Matland’s model, the findings suggest that successful implementation is directly related to the policy characteristics of ambiguity and conflict. However, the authors point to the importance of recognizing particular characteristics for different groups of stakeholders within the policy implementation process. Discrepancies among groups of policy actors in the degree of policy ambiguity and policy conflict lead to strikingly different implementation strategies.
Qualitative modeling as a paradigm for diagnosis and prediction in critical care environments

This article describes ongoing research for the development of a physiological model for diagnosis, prediction, and therapy management purposes. The patient model is part of an intelligent monitoring system designed for intensive care applications, and it is based on ontology which extends the Qualitative Process theory. A major feature of the modeling ontology is the capability to incorporate numerical values in qualitative simulations in addition to purely qualitative values. The article also discusses the use of model-based reasoning for diagnosis and prediction tasks in physiological domains. Preliminary efforts for validation of the model are described. The current limitations of the patient model and the framework are outlined, and future research directions are stated.
Public Health, Public Trust and Lobbying

Each year, infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) leads to millions of abnormal Pap smears and thousands of cases of cervical cancer in the US. Throughout the developing world, where Pap smears are less common, HPV is a leading cause of cancer death among women. So when the international pharmaceutical giant Merck developed a vaccine that could prevent infection with several key strains of HPV, the public health community was anxious to celebrate a major advance. But then marketing and lobbying got in the way. Merck chose to pursue an aggressive lobbying campaign, trying to make its new vaccine mandatory for young girls. The campaign stoked public mistrust about how vaccines come to be mandated, and now it's not just Merck's public image that has taken a hit. The public health community has also been affected. What is the lesson to be learned from this story? Public health communication relies on public trust.
On the asymptotic number of non-equivalent binary linear codes

Denote by b(n) the number of non-equivalent linear codes in F"2^n and by G"n","2 the number of subspaces in F"2^n. M. Wild gave a proof that lim"n"->"~(n!b(n)G"n","2)=1. R. Lax pointed out that Wild's proof contains a gap which does not appear to have an easy fix. In this paper, we give a complete proof for the formula lim"n"->"~(n!b(n)G"n","2)=1.
Design, synthesis, and spectroscopic properties of peptide-bridged fluorescence energy-transfer cassettes.

A general partial solid-phase synthetic scheme was developed for the synthesis of energy-transfer cassettes with the donor and acceptor dyes bridged by a peptide. In these cassettes, 6-carboxyfluorescein (Fam) served as a donor. For the second dye, 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine (Rox) was used as a fluorescent acceptor or erythrosin B as a quencher. Different peptides bearing Rox at the amino terminus and Fam linked through different diamines to the carboxyl terminus were synthesized to examine the effects of the chain length and rigidity on energy-transfer efficiency. The ratio of emission intensities at 605 nm of the acceptor dye (ROX) in the cassette Rox-GPPPEPPP-p-xylylenediamine-Fam versus free ROX with 488 nm excitation was approximately 14 and is similar to that obtained for optimized oligonucleotide primers bearing the same dyes [Ju, J., Ruan, C., Fuller, C. W., Glazer, A. N., and Mathies, R. A. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 4347-4351].
Racial differences in helping behaviors: The role of respect, safety, and identification.

Building upon social and racial identity theories, this study examines the role of positive relational climate in predicting interpersonal helping behaviors (IHBs) at the workplace. Within this context, we examine both the role of mutual respect and psychological safety as exemplars of positive relational climate, and the mediating role of organizational identification (OI). The study also recognizes the importance of individual differences by examining racial differences in OI and IHBs. Results support the hypotheses and strengthen claims of social and racial identity theories.
Intermolecular Covalent π−π Bonding Interaction Indicated by Bond Distances, Energy Bands, and Magnetism in Biphenalenyl Biradicaloid Molecular Crystal

Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for energy band structure and geometry optimizations on the stepped π-chain, the isolated molecule and (di)cations of the chain, and various related molecules of a neutral biphenalenyl biradicaloid (BPBR) organic semiconductor 2. The dependence of the geometries on crystal packing provides indirect evidence for the intermolecular covalent π−π bonding interaction through space between neighboring π-stacked phenalenyl units along the chain. The two phenalenyl electrons on each molecule, occupying the singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs), are participating in the intermolecular covalent π−π bonding making them partially localized on the phenalenyl units and less available for intramolecular delocalization. The band structure shows a relatively large bandwidth and small band gap indicative of good π−π overlap and delocalization between neighboring π-stacked phenalenyl units. A new interpretation is presented for the magnetism of the stepped π-c...
Parts per billion doping and characterization of uranium distribution in an epoxy polymer matrix.

Formulating an epoxy polymer provides a broadly applicable method for homogeneously doping a chemically stable, particulate-resistant, and radiation-hardened matrix with virtually any trace elements of interest. In the example reported, control of uranium levels over the range, 15 μg/g−15 ng/g, is demonstrated. Fission track density determinations, referenced to NIST SRMs, indicate ±5% variations in lateral uranium distributions. Determinations of levels of uranium impurities in commercially available high-purity samples of graphite, fused silica, and aluminum show respective nanogram per gram ranges of 3 ± 0.1−5 ± 0.3, 3 ± 0.8−27 ± 2, and 113 ± 11−546 ± 11. The prepared polymer materials cover 3 orders of magnitude of uranium levels in an ideal matrix. This accomplishes the prerequisite for subsequent investigations of the chemistry occurring at fission fragment-induced damage sites of selected track registering materials as a function of controlled reactive site densities. The matrix also serves as a so...
Ursolic Acid-Regulated Energy Metabolism—Reliever or Propeller of Ultraviolet-Induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a leading cause of diseases, such as skin cancers and cataracts. A main process mediating UV-induced pathogenesis is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS levels induce the formation of DNA adducts (e.g., pyrimidine dimers) and result in stalled DNA replication forks. In addition, ROS promotes phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase-coupled hormone receptors and alters downstream energy metabolism. With respect to the risk of UV-induced photocarcinogenesis and photodamage, the antitumoral and antioxidant functions of natural compounds become important for reducing UV-induced adverse effects. One important question in the field is what determines the differential sensitivity of various types of cells to UV light and how exogenous molecules, such as phytochemicals, protect normal cells from UV-inflicted damage while potentiating tumor cell death, presumably via interaction with intracellular target molecules and signaling pathways. Several endogenous molecules have emerged as possible players mediating UV-triggered DNA damage responses. Specifically, UV activates the PIKK (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase) family members, which include DNA-PKcs, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), whose signaling can be affected by energy metabolism; however, it remains unclear to what extent the activation of hormone receptors regulates PIKKs and whether this crosstalk occurs in all types of cells in response to UV. This review focuses on proteomic descriptions of the relationships between cellular photosensitivity and the phenotypic expression of the insulin/insulin-like growth receptor. It covers the cAMP-dependent pathways, which have recently been shown to regulate the DNA repair machinery through interactions with the PIKK family members. Finally, this review provides a strategic illustration of how UV-induced mitogenic activity is modulated by the insulin sensitizer, ursolic acid (UA), which results in the metabolic adaptation of normal cells against UV-induced ROS, and the metabolic switch of tumor cells subject to UV-induced damage. The multifaceted natural compound, UA, specifically inhibits photo-oxidative DNA damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells while enhancing that in skin melanoma. Considering the UA-mediated differential effects on cell bioenergetics, this article reviews the disparities in glucose metabolism between tumor and normal cells, along with (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α)-dependent mitochondrial metabolism and redox (reduction-oxidation) control to demonstrate UA-induced synthetic lethality in tumor cells.
Passive Photonics in an Unmodified CMOS Technology With No Post-Processing Required

Passive photonic components consisting of sub-micrometer waveguides, grating couplers, and ring resonators are demonstrated in an unmodified commercial complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. Waveguides demonstrate propagation losses of approximately 1 dB/mm at 1.3-μm wavelengths. Grating couplers achieve better than -5.8-dB coupling efficiencies. Ring resonators exhibit Qs greater than 5000 with extinction ratios of more than 20 dB. Furthermore, due to the utilization of front-end-of-the-line design layers for creating the waveguide cores coupled with a relatively thick buried-oxide layer standard within the process, no post-processing is required at the chip or wafer level to achieve the reported device performance. Hence, for the first time, designers without processing capabilities may design custom CMOS photonic circuits for a broad range of applications. One such application which may appropriately leverage the low-cost platform could be disposable bio-photonic sensor arrays.
Stress-induced dichroism at the absorption edge of SrTiO3

Abstract The stress-induced dichroism at the absorption edge of SrTiO 3 has been measured at room temperature by the rotary transmission method. Stress- and strain-absorption coefficients were determined for the range of photon energies 3.15 – 3.22 eV. Our results, together with the selection rules derived by Casella, cast doubt upon the assignment of the absorption edge of SrTiO 3 to the transition X 5' → X 3 .
Optimizing Anticonvulsant Administration for Children Before Anesthesia: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract Objective Children with epilepsy are at increased risk of missing scheduled anticonvulsants during the home-to-hospital transition, including when being admitted for procedures requiring anesthesia. This may contribute to breakthrough seizures because of lowered anticonvulsant levels. We conducted an interdisciplinary quality improvement project with a specific aim to increase the percentage of children receiving their anticonvulsants as scheduled before procedures requiring anesthesia. Methods The Institute for Health Care Improvement methodology was used to develop an interdisciplinary team and improve the process of ensuring administration of maintenance anticonvulsants. Successful components of the improvement project included focusing on the outcome for patients, standardization of medication administration when "nothing per os" before anesthesia and development of a contingency plan when children had not received anticonvulsants at home. Results The percentage of children receiving their anticonvulsants medications at home before procedures requiring anesthesia increased from 58 of 76 (76%) to 334 of 370 (90%) ( P = 0.002). The number of children receiving maintenance anticonvulsant medications in the hospital before the procedure increased from 8 of 38 (21%) to 15 of 16 (91%) ( P Conclusion The use of established quality improvement methods improved the number of children receiving maintenance anticonvulsants during the home-to-hospital transition. The transition into the hospital for children with chronic illnesses includes a handoff between parents and medical staff. Future efforts to improve care during the home-to-hospital transition will require sustaining these gains and the involvement of parents.
Level characteristics corresponding to peripheral eigenvalues of a nonnegative matrix

In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a set of Jordan blocks to correspond to the peripheral spectrum of a nonnegative matrix. For each eigenvalue, λ, the λ-level characteristic (with respect to the spectral radius) is defined. The necessary and sufficient conditions include a requirement that the λ-level characteristic is majorized by the λ-height characteristic. An algorithm which has been implemented in MATLAB is given to determine when a multiset of Jordan blocks corresponds to the peripheral spectrum of a nonnegative matrix. The algorithm is based on the necessary and sufficient conditions given in this paper.
Density of Suspension and Morphology of Sperm in Relation to Fertility in the Fowl

Abstract THE PROBLEM MOST of the critical work upon problems of fertility in the fowl has been done in the past few years. The recent discovery of a method of artificial insemination has been a great stimulus to investigations in this field. Studies on mammals have indicated that there is a relationship between sperm morphology and fertility. Moench and Holt (1933) report sterility in men showing abnormalities in more than 25 percent of the sperm. Williams and Savage (1927) found in the bull evidence of sterility where the percentage of abnormal sperm was above 17. McKenzie and Phillips (1934) have reported an association between poor fertility and morphologically-defective spermatozoa in rams and boars. The relationship of density of sperm suspension to fertility has been studied in fowl by Hutt (1929), and in the rabbit by Walton (1927). The purpose of this study was to determine whether evidence could be found for . . .
The Bet Collector

The Bet Collector (Kubrador), Jeffrey Jeturian, director; 2006, 101 minutes, DVD; in Tagalog, with English subtitles. Distributed by Global Film Initiative, San Francisco, CA.
Unipolar arc damage of materials in a hot, dense deuterium plasma

Abstract We have determined the damage kinetics of unipolar arcing in a shock tube environment with an ion temperature of about 600 eV and a particle flux of about 10 23 ions/cm β s. Included in our study are the stainless steels AISI 304, 316 and Nimonic PE-16; the refractory metals Nb, Nb-751, T-111, Mo-TZM and W and isotropic reactor grade graphite. We find, for example, that unipolar arcing is a significant damage mechanism that is observed to occur on all materials tested; that arcing produces cathode spots preferentially at microstructural heterogeneities, that, with certain exceptions, differences in the chemistry of widely different metals and alloys did not result in resolvable differences in area coverage owing to arcing and that powder metallurgical W, martensitic 4130 and isotropic, bulk graphite are much more susceptible to arcing than the other materials. The results are discussed with respect to anticipated impurity fluxes into plasmas and with respect to arc theory.
N = 1 super Yang-Mills theory on a ( 3 + 1 ) dimensional transverse lattice with one exact supersymmetry

We formulate N=1 super Yang-Mills theory in 3+1 dimensions on a two dimensional transverse lattice using supersymmetric discrete light-cone quantization in the large-N{sub c} limit. This formulation is free of fermion species doubling. We are able to preserve one supersymmetry. We find a rich, nontrivial behavior of the mass spectrum as a function of the coupling g{radical}(N{sub c}), and see some sort of transition in the structure of a bound state as we go from the weak coupling to the strong coupling. Using a toy model we give an interpretation of the rich behavior of the mass spectrum. We present the mass spectrum as a function of the winding number for those states whose color flux winds all the way around in one of the transverse directions. We use two fits to the mass spectrum and the one that has a string theory justification appears preferable. For those states whose color flux is localized we present an extrapolated value for m{sup 2} for some low-energy bound states in the limit where the numerical resolution goes to infinity.
DNA synthesis in permeabilized karyoplasts from cytochalasin B-enucleated mouse L cells.

Abstract DNA synthesis was examined in karyoplasts permeabilized by hypotonic buffer or lysolecithin. DNA synthesis was not affected by the omission of a single deoxyribonucleated triphosphate but was greatly reduced in the absence of three of the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates. The rate of DNA synthesis was linear for 40 min and continued for up to 2–3 h. The DNA synthesized in the permeabilized karyoplasts was a continuation of semi-conservative replication occurring in the intact cell.
Effects of vegetation, albedo, and solar radiation sheltering on the distribution of snow in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico

The effects of radiation scattering and sheltering on snow distributions are poorly understood in montane regions of the southwestern United States. To examine this, we develop a single-layer, distributed snow model (DSM) that includes canopy interception, and radiation scattering and sheltering. In our simulations, we distinguish between local and remote controls on shortwave radiation. This allows us to vary the representation of the effective albedo of the surrounding terrain from a vegetated to a snow-covered landscape and examine the impact this has on snow accumulation and melt. The distributed model is applied to La Jara catchment in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico, during the 2004-2005 winter season. Results indicate that a landscape-scale albedo controlled by vegetation has little effect on local scale-processes, such as incoming shortwave radiation and maximum snow water equivalent (SWE). This implies that increases from scattered light are nearly equal to the losses of radiation from remote sheltering. In contrast, when landscape-scale albedo is controlled by snow cover or by a proposed dynamic method accounting for snow in the vegetation canopy, there are large deviations in the spatiotemporal distributions of shortwave radiation and SWE due to scattered radiation exceeding the sheltering effects of remote topography. Our study results indicate that remote interactions of radiation, vegetation and topography are critical to consider in snow ecohydrological studies in regions with high solar flux and rugged topography.
Earth and Nature-Based Spirituality (Part I): From Deep Ecology to Radical Environmentalism

Earth and nature-based spirituality is proliferating globally. In Part I of this study, I argue that although participants in countercultural movements often eschew the label religion, these are religious movements, in which these persons find ultimate meaning and transformative power in nature. Focusing on the deep ecology movement, I further argue that (1) experiences of nature spirituality are evoked by practices as diverse as mountaineering, neo-shamanic ritualising and states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens; (2) earthen spiritualities are often contested and may be viewed as inauthentic or dangerous by practitioners of other forms of nature spirituality; and (3) despite significant diversity, a sense of connection and belonging to nature (sometimes personified as a transforming, if not transcendent power) unites these cross-fertilising and sometimes competing spiritualities. Part II examines additional forms of nature-oriented religion, searching further for continuities, discontinuities and ironies among its diverse forms.
Neural regulation of muscle glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase: effect of batrachotoxin and tetrodotoxin.

: We tested the hypothesis that glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in the rat skeletal muscle is regulated by putative axonally derived neurotrophic factors. This was accomplished by comparing the effects of nerve section and subperineural injection of batrachotoxin (BTX) or tetrodotoxin (TTX) on G6PD in rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. BTX, an agent known to block nerve impulse conduction and axonal transport, increased G6PD activity to 155% and 163% of control by days 2 and 4 after injection. Denervation of the EDL muscle by section of the peroneal nerve 10–20 mm from its entrance to the muscle caused G6PD activity to increase to 170% of control by day 1 and to 200% and 180% of control by days 2 and 4, respectively. The increase in enzyme activity after denervation and after subperineural injection of BTX was due in part to muscle inactivity resulting from blockade of nerve impulses. This conclusion is based upon the observation that subperineural injection of TTX at an identical site in the peroneal nerve caused a small but significant (30%) increase in G6PD activity after 4 days. Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity was assessed as a measure of the efficacy of blockade of slow axonal transport. Decreases in CAT activity following denervation or injection of BTX or TTX were parallel to increases in G6PD activity observed under these conditions. These results argue for a role of axonal transport in neural regulation of muscle G6PD, with a small contribution by neuromuscular activity.
Evaluation of Lespedeza germplasm genetic diversity and its phylogenetic relationship with the genus Kummerowia

The genetic diversity of the genus Lespedeza is not well known and the phylogenetic relationship of Lespedeza with the genus Kummerowia is unclear. We report the first study in which polymorphic expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers derived from Medicago, cowpea and soybean were used to assess the genetic diversity of the USDA Lespedeza germplasm collection and clarify its phylogenetic relationship with the genus Kummerowia. Phylogenetic analysis partitioned 44 Lespedeza accessions into three main groups some of which were species-specific and eight subgroups. This data set revealed some misidentified accessions, and indicated that the two species in the genus Kummerowia are closely related to the genus Lespedeza. Morphological reexamination was used to correct the misidentified accessions within the genus Lespedeza. Our results demonstrated that phylogenetic analysis with morphological reexamination provides a more complete approach to classify accessions in plant germplasm collection and conservation.
Experimental evidence for density-dependent reproductive output in a coral reef fish

We tested for density-dependent reproduction in a small coral reef fish using field manipulations of density and observational data. Males of the study species, the bridled goby (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum Gill), defend benthic nest sites, within which they spawn with females, and females can spawn repeatedly over an extended breeding season. In small areas, usually only a single male nested at any one time regardless of how many males were present, so the probability of nesting was inversely proportional to density. Nesting males were almost always the largest in the vicinity, suggesting that, for males whose home ranges overlap, social interactions dictate opportunities to nest. Both the per capita rate at which clutches were laid and the number of eggs produced per clutch declined with increasing density, so the per capita rate of egg production was also density dependent. All three measures of fecundity were better predicted by numerical density (numbers per unit area) than biomass (mass of fish per unit area), and were well described as an inverse function of the number of gobies in the vicinity. A simple hypothesis consistent with these results is that a constant number of females spawn, regardless of density. Alternately, the effect of crowding may depend primarily on the number of interacting individuals and affect all females relatively equally. This density dependence could thus contribute to population regulation at the spatial scale over which populations become reproductively closed.
Impurity-Induced g Shift of Conduction Electrons

A simple theory of the $g$ shift of conduction electrons induced by nonmagnetic impurities embedded in a metal is described. A single impurity atom is placed at the center of a large sphere containing a free-electron gas. The major contribution to the $g$ shift is obtained by calculating the change in the orbital angular momentum due to the spin-orbit interaction. Quite large $g$ shifts obtain when the spin-orbit interaction with the impurities is large, when the scattering phase shifts are not too small, when one or more partial waves go through a narrow resonance, or when the phase shifts change rapidly with energy without becoming large, and when the alloys are concentrated. Application of the theory to very dilute lithium alloys has revealed that the $g$ shifts are too small to be observable by means of conduction-electron spin resonance. This was confirmed by performing spin-resonance experiments on dilute Li-Zn, Li-Ag, and Li-Cd alloys. The theory presented here provides the extension of the theory of the $g$ factor of atomic electrons to the case of electrons in the continuum states.
An Instructional Model for Teaching Identification and Naming of Music Phenomena to Preschool Children

This investigation provided evidence that four-year-olds can develop concepts of clarinet timbre, trombone timbre, cello timbre, exact melodic repetition, and half-step intervals when Aural-Visual Identification Instruction (AVII) model materials are used. The socioeconomic background, sex, and age of a child at the beginning of instruction (48 months or more) on the task were not significantly related to achievement. Number of practice trials was a significant effect for mastery of cello and exact repetition concepts. Individual-tested posttest scores had only a low correlation with group-tested posttest scores.
Role of lipid polymorphism in acoustically sensitive liposomes.

Ultrasound (US) triggered drug release is a promising drug delivery method that allows ex vivo modulation of treatment intensity and duration. This method relies on the synergistic interaction between the rupture of sonosensitive particles and enhanced plasma membrane permeability. Conventional liposomal systems where the drug passively diffuses through the membrane show virtually no response to acoustic energy. One method to activate drug transport is to induce a topological restructuring of the lipid membrane (zero intrinsic curvature, H = 0) by puncturing pores (H < 0) through which the drug can readily leak out from the interior of the liposomes. In this work we demonstrate strategies to lower the energy cost of creating such membrane defects by introducing lipid molecules with molecular shapes prone to self-assemble into non-lamellar (negative intrinsic curvature, H < 0) structures. All formulations investigated comprise the relevant components typically required for delivery applications such as stealth moieties, cholesterol, and phospholipids. Small angle X-ray scattering studies of a number of lipid systems at increasing amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) phospholipids reveal that membranes without PE respond to ultrasound by thinning ca. 10 A, which concomitantly lowers the bending rigidity quadratically in addition to increasing the passive drug permeability. However, at the appropriate PE content the lipid systems display a classic lamellar structure (H = 0) that undergoes a topological transformation after ultrasound exposure into lipid tubes of the reversed type (H < 0) packed in a 2D hexagonal array. At the dilute regime, Fluorescence Microscopy of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) comprising DOPE also experience ultrasound induced restructuring that can be modulated by DOPE content. In general, smaller vesicles of diverse shape connect and form into a “pearl-necklace” configuration. We argue that the inclusion of DOPE within the GUV membrane may result in curvature-driven lipid sorting, providing the system with local membrane instabilities that drive vesicle pearling when exposed to ultrasound.
A comparison of seven filling to packing switchover methods for injection molding

The effectiveness of seven methods for controllingswitchover from the ﬁlling to packing stage wereinvestigated, including: (1) screw position, (2) injectiontime, (3) machine pressure, (4) nozzle pressure, (5) run-ner pressure near the sprue, (6) cavity pressure nearthe gate, and (7) cavity temperature at the end of ﬂow.The activation threshold for each of the seven switch-over methods was iteratively determined so as to pro-duce similar part weights relative to a standard pro-cess. A design of experiments was implemented foreach of the seven switchover methods that perturbsthe process settings by an amount equal to six stand-ard deviations of the standard process so as to repli-cate the expected long-term process variation. Theresults suggest that conventional switchover methods(e.g., screw position) had lower short-term variation,but other methods were more robust with respect torejecting long-term process variation. The merits ofdifferent dimensional measurements for quality controlare also discussed relative to the society of the plas-tics industry (SPI) standard tolerances.
A Numerical Study of Explosive Heating due to Projectile Impact

A finite difference Eulerian computer code with some very useful Lagrangian features is employed to study the impact of a projectile on a heavily confined, inert, solid explosive. Temperature rise due to shock compression and plastic deformation in both the explosive and the metal confinement is estimated. It is concluded that in situations where the shock is weak and the explosive does not initiate shortly after the projectile impact, the possibility of it so doing, due to plastic deformation, at a later time cannot be discounted.
A review of the utilization of sedative-hypnotic drugs in a general hospital.

A retrospective review of 493 patients treated during a single month in a general hospital in mid-Michigan revealed that a majority (84.2%) of them received prescriptions for sedative-hypnotic drugs. These were p.r.n. in 66% of cases and routine prescriptions in the remainder. Prescriptions were equally distributed across the specialties: internal medicine 15%, surgery 23%, family practice 19%, psychiatry 22%, and OB/GYN 20%. Flurazepam was the most frequently prescribed drug (48.4%), followed by triazolam (24.6%) and temazepam (12.2%). Actual utilization rates were highest among psychiatric patients (85%) and lowest in obstetrics (33%). The therapeutic rationale for prescribing sedative hypnotic agents to hospitalized patients is discussed.
REMARKS ON SOME QUESTIONS OF NEUTRON OPTICS

Several derivations of the expression for the index of refraction of neutrons are discussed and difficulties recently raised are cleared up. The theory is extended to cover cases involving absorption (through capture or incoherent scattering). Formulas for the scattering due to disorder in crystals are used for the determination of scattering amplitudes of isotopes in agreement with direct experiments. It is shown how the polarization of neutrons scattered under small angles can be used to obtain information about the structure of mixed crystals. The problem of primary and secondary neutron extinction is also discussed in the light of a recent publication.
RESULTS OF MULTIPLE STRICTUREPUSTIES IN DIFFUSE CROHN'S DISEASE OF THE SMALL BOWEL

With extensive small bowel strictures due to Crohn's disease, resectional surgery may lead to short bowel syndrome. Strictureplasty (SP) has emerged as a useful alternative for selected strictures. This study reviews the results of 42 patients with diffuse obstructive Crohn's disease of the small bowel in whom at least four SP were performed in each patient (median: 7; range: 4-15; total SP: 315). Twenty-three patients (55%) had had 1-5 previous small bowel resections. Co-existing perforative disease was present in four patients (10%). Synchronous resection of a separate segment of small bowel was performed in 22 patients (52%). There was no operative mortality. Enterocutaneous fistula and/or intra-abdominal abscess developed in three patients (7%) and only one of these needed operative intervention. The median follow-up was 3 years (range: 10 months to 7 years). After SP, all patients experienced relief from obstructive symptoms. The median weight gain was 3 kg (range: -1-21 kg) and more than half the patients were weaned off steroids. Symptomatic recurrence occurred in 10 patients (24%) and was due to strictures (N = 9) and/or perforative disease (N = 2) at new site(s) unrelated to previous SP. Rate of symptomatic restricture of the SP site was 1.6% and was associated with new strictures elsewhere in all cases. Thus, in selected cases, SP is a safe and effective treatment for diffuse Crohn's strictures.
A method for visualizing independent spatio-temporal patterns of brain activity

Evoked and coordinated brain signals often exhibit distinct, individualized spatial and temporal characteristics, such as amplitude and phase couplings across and within spatial channels. In the study of these brain potentials, it is important to characterize both the spatial and temporal morphologies of the responses for a better understanding of both the physiology and function of the brain. This paper presents a method for visualizing the characteristic spatio-temporal brain activity associated with two distinct conditions. This method, called Independent Spatio-Temporal Patterns (ISTPs), extends Common Spatial Patterns (CSPs) for spatio-temporal pattern visualization by adding temporal features. Independent component analysis (ICA) is then applied to extract independent spatio-temporal patterns corresponding to each condition. The results indicate that the inclusion of temporal features can provide useful insight regarding the spatio-temporal characteristics of sensorimotor rhythms.
Course Administration: The Often Neglected Component of Technology Infusion

Technology infusion and new pedagogical methods create an extra load on the faculty that introduces them. However, course administration techniques, that enhance the instructor's working capabilities to cope with this extra load, are seldom provided. This sometimes leads to failures in faculty development efforts. In this paper, we discuss real life experiences in teaching technology infusion and modern pedagogical methodology while also including course administration techniques. We present such experiences in Third World institutions where, due to economic and infrastructure limitations, tools such as Course Administration Software cannot be used. We instead substitute them with standard software tools, which are then integrated with modern pedagogical and technical principles, into our entire teaching approach. Examples and results are presented.
Cultivars of Hexaploid Wheat of Contrasting Stature and Chlorophyll Retention Differ in Cytokinin Content and Responsiveness

Abstract The work reported here compared cytokinin content and sensitivity in a selection of hexaploid wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars using the following measurements: leaf cytokinins at three time points during light-growth and at four 24 h intervals after light-grown plants were transferred to darkness; sensitivity of root growth to direct applications of isopentenyl adenosine ([9R]iP); and, sensitivity of germination and subsequent root and shoot growth to 18 h imbibition of seeds in benzyladenine (BA). Accumulation of zeatin riboside-type cultivars was greatest during light-growth in Tibet Dwarf, a wheat with an extreme dwarf phenotype, intermediate in Omar standard and dwarf cultivars, and lowest in the standard and dwarf versions of Itana. Cytokinin levels were otherwise not directly correlated to plant stature in these wheats. There were no cultivar-associated qualitative differences in the types of cytokinins detected in this study. During the 16 h light period, the content of zeatin riboside-type cytokinins increased up to tenfold and then declined to basal levels during dark growth. Chlorophyll retention during dark-growth was correlated with leaf cytokinin content. Data collected at a restricted number of sampling points during dark-growth suggested a cyclic accumulation of [9R]iP-type cytokinins and the apparent cycle in Tibet Dwarf was offset by 24 h. Tibet Dwarf showed the greatest root growth inhibition after exposure of seedling roots to [9R]iP or imbibition of seeds in BA. Neither of these treatments affected shoot growth in any of the cultivars.
Unusual motion detected on real-time sonography inside a glomus tumor in the thigh.

Glomus tumors are rare and many have been reported to have a hypervascular appearance on color or power Doppler sonography. We report a pathologically proven case of superficial glomus tumor within the thigh with no detectable color flow signals on color or power Doppler sonography. In addition, real-time sonography showed spontaneous motions within the tumor, which were not synchronized with vascular or respiratory motions, and misled the presurgical diagnosis of a suspected parasite in a patient who had direct contact with multiple animal species. The etiology of this internal motion remains hypothetical but, if reconfirmed, this finding may be a useful adjunctive sign for the diagnosis of glomus tumors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
Biofunctionalized targeted nanoparticles for therapeutic applications

Background: The development of nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic agents has introduced new opportunities for the improvement of medical treatment. Recent efforts have focused on developing targeted nanoparticles, which are formulated by (for therapeutic delivery) functionalizing nanoparticle surfaces with targeting molecules, such as antibodies, peptides, small molecules and oligonucleotides. Objectives: To review the state of targeted nanoparticles development. Methods: The authors discuss the nanoparticle platforms for therapeutic delivery, targeting molecules and the biofunctionalized targeted nanoparticles currently in development. Results/conclusions: Biofunctionalized targeted nanoparticles have demonstrated exciting results in preclinical studies. With continued improvements, they may fulfill their potential as therapeutics carriers that can deliver the maximum dose to diseased tissue while minimizing effects on normal cells.
How interactive multimedia authoring transforms object-oriented thinking

This paper discusses a cognitive study of how interactive multimedia authoring (IMA) affects novice computer science students' conceptual understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP). In this study, interactive multimedia authoring refers to the construction of a role-playing game using a game template developed with Adobe Flash CS3 and ActionScript 2.0. Three cognitive processes of disequilibrium, exploration, and awareness were observed in this study, which aided the transformation of students' understanding of OOP through interactive multimedia authoring.
Medicare from A to D: What Every Nephrologist Needs to Know

In 1972, the Congress of the United States put insurance coverage for ESRD under Medicare. Thus, most patients who required dialysis and transplantation in the United States were covered by this program, enabling widespread application of these treatments for kidney failure. The system of coverage is complex, and often patients and their physicians are confused about the regulations and intricacies of the system. The purpose of this article is to simplify Medicare from the perspective of a day-to-day financial counselor to patients in an active kidney transplant program. It is hoped that this article will leave the reader with three things: ( 1 ) A greater knowledge of Medicare's part in covering the expenses for ESRD treatment, ( 2 ) a grasp of what patients experience in negotiating the financial challenges of receiving dialysis or maintaining a kidney transplant, and ( 3 ) inspiration for advocacy on behalf of patients for a stronger Medicare program. Medicare has been aptly described as the US version of single-payer universal health insurance (1), albeit restricted to approximately 13% of the population (2). According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), fewer than half of Medicare beneficiaries believe that they know what Medicare covers; beneficiaries who are younger than 65 yr report the biggest gap in knowledge (3), and this is the largest segment of the Renal Medicare population (4). In 1965, Congress created Medicare hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) insurance for older Americans. In 1972, Medicare expanded to include people with permanent disabilities and those with ESRD (5). Although the program has many intricacies today as a result of changes enacted through the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, Parts A and B are still the foundation on which all other Medicare benefits have been built. To become entitled to Renal Medicare, a patient must …
Behavioral responses to social separation stressor change across development and are dynamically related to HPA activity in marmosets.

Psychosocial stressors activate two distinct stress–response systems, a central, behavioral response, and a peripheral, endocrine response. Both behavioral and endocrine responses to stressors are subject to individual and developmental variables, but it is not known whether stressor induced behaviors are stable across development, and how they correspond with changes in the endocrine component of the stress response. We characterized the development and stability of behavioral responses to a mild psychosocial stressor in marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi), and assessed the degree to which the behavioral and endocrine stress–response systems were co-activated. The behavioral response to stressors was stable within individuals, but only some stressor-induced behaviors changed as the monkeys developed. Overall, there was more variability in the development of behavioral responses compared to stress-induced endocrine profiles found previously [French et al., 2012. Horm Behav 61:196–203]. In young marmosets, only increased alarm calling was correlated with increased cortisol reactivity, and in older marmosets increased cage manipulations and motor activity were associated with poorer post-stressor cortisol regulation. Because these relationships were so few, we conclude that while the behavioral and endocrine systems follow a similar developmental trajectory, each system maintains a level of independence. Furthermore, the relationship between stressor-induced behaviors and HPA activity changes across development. Am. J. Primatol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A generalized eigenproblem approach to singular control problems. I. LQG problems

Summarizes new results which give a general descriptor representation for the solution to the LQG (linear quadratic Gaussian) control problem. The descriptor representation applies without additional complexity to singular cases, i.e. when the associated noise intensities and/or control weightings are not invertible improper solutions. The authors also determine the limiting transfer function and resulting cost. The results reflect the reduction in dimension in the optimal feedback solution which can occur in the singular case. The results are based on an eigenspace solution to the cheap control problem obtained by the application of a known result on the invariant subspaces of analytic matrix functions of a single variable. The results also have significance to the LQG-LTR (loop transfer recovery) design procedure because they allow direct computation of the limiting controller which achieves LTR without the usual iteration. >
Mechanisms of vaccine adjuvanticity at mucosal surfaces

The vast majority of pathogens invade via mucosal surfaces, including those of the intestine. Vaccination directly on these surfaces may induce local protective immunity and prevent infection and disease. Although vaccine delivery to the gut mucosa is fraught with obstacles, immunization can be enhanced using adjuvants with properties specific to intestinal immunity. In this review, we present three general mechanisms of vaccine adjuvant function as originally described by Freund, and we discuss these principles with respect to intestinal adjuvants in general and to the prototypical mucosal adjuvant, cholera toxin. The key property of intestinal adjuvants is to induce an immunogenic context for the presentation of the vaccine antigen. The success of oral vaccine adjuvants is determined by their ability to induce a controlled inflammatory response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues, characterized by the expression of various costimulatory molecules and cytokines. An understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms of adjuvanticity in the gut will allow the rational development of safe and effective oral vaccines.
Biosurveillance: Detecting, Tracking, and Mitigating the Effects of Natural Disease and Bioterrorism

Biosurveillance is the regular collection, analysis, and interpretation of health and healthrelated data for indicators of diseases and other outbreaks by public health organizations. Motivated by the threat of bioterrorism, biosurveillance systems are being developed and implemented around the world. The goal of these systems has been expanded to include both early event detection and situational awareness, so that the focus is not simply on detection, but also on response and consequence management. Whether they are useful for detecting bioterrorism or not, there seems to be consensus that these biosurveillance systems are likely to be useful for detecting and responding to natural disease outbreaks such as seasonal and pandemic flu, and thus they have the potential to significantly advance and modernize the practice of public health surveillance.