cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonatal apnea: pathogenesis and therapy.

APNEIC ATTACKS in the preterm infant have recently received widespread attention in the medical literature. Physiologists have presented new data regarding the pathogenesis of this disorder, and clinicians have proposed many new forms of therapy. Frequently, however, a new treatment regimen becomes incorporated into nursery routine without regard for alternative, perhaps less invasive, modes of treatment, and often without consideration of the cause of apnea. It is the purpose of this report to review recent concepts regarding the pathogenesis of neonatal apnea and to propose a treatment schema based on counteracting the supposed physiologic aberrations with a minimum of risk.
LQR control and judicious sensor placement derived from functional gain analysis for a 1D active membrane

Membrane mirrors and apertures pose exciting alternatives to traditional technologies in the reconnaissance field. The ultra-flexibility of membrane structures translates into an order of magnitude reduction in weight and mission cost savings while improving the aperture size on-orbit by an order of magnitude. However, the flexibility of these structures wreaks havoc with on-orbit stability as membranes demonstrate adverse dynamics at low frequencies. To counter these adverse dynamics, novel means of vibration control must be pursued. Currently, a Kapton membrane strip augmented with a piezoelectric bimorph is modeled using Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, experimentally validated, and then controlled through numerical simulation using linear quadratic regulator theory. In formulating the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problem, the functional gains of the active membrane strip are also numerically computed. The functional gains are used to intelligently select regions within the structure's domain to place strain gages and to take velocity measurements. The 1D membrane sample provides a building block for more complex models, and illustrates the concept of functional gain analysis.
Ascending collaterals of cutaneous neurons in the fasciculus gracilis of the cat.

Abstract Primary sensory neurons with myelinated axons in the sural nerve of the cat were found to be divisible into 3 systems on the basis of the length of their central collaterals in the dorsal columns. The short system consists of neurons that ascend only a segment or two in the fasciculus gracilis above their level of entry into the spinal cord. It is composed of all neurons with peripheral conduction velocities in the Aδ range and thus includes both D hair and nociceptive neurons. Approximately 35% of the Aα neurons join the intermediate system and ascend 4–12 segments before leaving the dorsal columns. This system is composed of all sural type I neurons, as well as about 40% of the G 2 hair, 40% of the intermediate field, and 50% of the F 2 field neurons in the nerve. Those nociceptive neurons conducting at Aα velocities also contribute to the intermediate system. The remaining G 2 hair, intermediate field, and F 2 field neurons, together with almost all the sural type II, G 1 hair, intermediate hair, and F 1 field neurons, join the long system and ascend to the nucleus gracilis. Fibers in the intermediate system showed a relatively abrupt decrease in conduction velocity usually of 50% or more (median 71%) a few millimeters rostral to their entry into the spinal cord. Members of the long system also decreased in conduction velocity at this point, but the magnitude of the change was typically less than 50% of the peripheral velocity (median 36%). In addition, the ascending collaterals of the long system underwent a second reduction in conduction velocity near the cervical enlargement.
Tip-Enhanced Raman Nanographs: Mapping Topography and Local Electric Fields

We report tip-enhanced Raman imaging experiments in which information on sample topography and local electric fields is simultaneously obtained using an all-optical detection scheme. We demonstrate how a Raman-active 4,4′-dimercaptostilbene (DMS)-coated gold tip of an atomic force microscope can be used to simultaneously map the topography and image the electric fields localized at nanometric (20 and 5 nm wide) slits lithographically etched in silver, all using optical signals. Bimodal imaging is feasible by virtue of the frequency-resolved optical response of the functionalized metal probe. Namely, the probe position-dependent signals can be subdivided into two components. The first is a 500–2250 cm–1 Raman-shifted signal, characteristic of the tip-bound DMS molecules. The molecules report on topography through the intensity contrast observed as the tip scans across the nanoscale features. The variation in molecular Raman activity arises from the absence/formation of a plasmonic junction between the scan...
Management of macular hole and submacular hemorrhage in the same eye.

Background To report the management of patients with a macular hole and submacular hemorrhage in the same eye.
The limits of bibliotherapy: A study of the differential effectiveness of self-administered interventions in individuals with panic attacks * **

The present study compared the differential effectiveness of bibliotherapy with no therapist contact (bibliotherapy alone), and bibliotherapy plus daily self-monitoring and self-administered feedback (bibliotherapy plus monitoring), to daily self-monitoring and self-administered feedback (monitoring alone) and wait-list controls, in individuals with panic attacks. A repeated-measures MANOVA revealed no Condition × Time interaction or condition effect. However, a main effect for time across conditions emerged. Univariate tests revealed significant reductions from pre- to post-treatment for all groups for full-blown panic attacks, avoidance, panic cognitions, and panic symptoms. The results of this study cast doubt on the efficacy of bibliotherapy and self-monitoring interventions when utilized absent from contact with a professional who conducts the assessment and monitors treatment compliance.
The development of large rectangular ceramic insulators for ion accelerators for the neutral-beam program☆

The need for structures that are resistant to damage for 14 MeV neutrons, are bakeable, and that can be closely packed together, has resulted in the intensive development of rectangular brazed ceramic insulators for ion accelerators. The development of two candidate materials, machinable glass ceramic and alumina, is described along with the ceramic-to-metal brazing techniques developed for each material. The microstructures of the brazed joints are examined and the results of microprobe studies presented. It has been found that the surfaces produced by different machining methods have a significant effect on the strength of brazed joints to the machinable glass ceramic. Lapped surfaces have given bond strengths up to three times those produced with other surfaces. Successful full-size brazes have been realized between alumina and titanium and between machinable glass and titanium. Vacuum tight joints between machinable glass and titanium have not been reliably achieved and more work is needed before brazing techniques to this promising new material are fully understood.
Neutron Reflectivity and Grazing Angle Diffraction.

Over the past 10 years, neutron reflectivity has emerged as a powerful technique for the investigation of surface and interfacial phenomena in many different fields. In the paper, a short review of some of the work on neutron reflectivity and grazing-angle diffraction as well as a description of the current and planned neutron reflectometers at NIST is presented. Specific examples of the characterization of magnetic, superconducting, and polymeric surfaces and interfaces are included.
Giant Intracranial Aneurysm Masquerading in the Sella.

A 43-year-old woman presented with headaches for 4 years and blurred vision with decreased visual acuity for 6 months. The headaches evolved from a generalized and persistent sensation into a “throbbing, piercing and very severe” discomfort mostly confined to the right temporal region. The patient went to a local pharmacy where her blood pressure was found to be elevated at 205/118 mm Hg, and she subsequently sought medical care in the emergency room for her symptoms. She was treated with morphine sulfate with only partial relief. A computed tomography scan of the brain was performed, which revealed a 2.2 2.5 2.2 cm lesion occupying the sellar and suprasellar regions. Physical examination was significant for markedly diminished vision in the right eye, reduced peripheral visual acuity on the left side, and bilateral expressive galactorrhea. Pertinent laboratory findings were as follows: thyroid-stimulating hormone 1.00 mIU/mL (range: 0.35-4.5), free thyroxine (T4) 0.95 ng/dL (range: 0.76-1.46), serum cortisol 39.8 μg/dL (range: 4.3-22.4), and prolactin 31.7 ng/mL (2.2-30.3). T1 images on contrast magnetic resonance imaging showed a hyperintense, spherical lesion in the sagittal and coronal views (Figure A). The lesion was identified on computed tomography angiogram as a 22-mm paraclinoid aneurysm arising from the right internal carotid artery (Figure B), with a 3-dimensional digital subtraction angiography reconstruction shown in Figure C. This giant intracranial aneurysm of the suprasellar and sellar region was abutting the FI
Detection of Heavy Metals by Immunoassay: Optimization and Validation of a Rapid, Portable Assay for Ionic Cadmium

An immunoassay is described that measured Cd(II) in aqueous samples at concentrations from approximately 7 to 500 ppb. The assay utilized a monoclonal antibody that bound tightly to a cadmium−ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complex but not to metal-free EDTA. A inhibition immunoassay format was employed for this analysis; ionic cadmium was diluted into an excess of EDTA before being incubated with the antibody in the presence of an immobilized Cd(II)−EDTA conjugate. Ca(II), Na(I), and K(I), cations commonly encountered in ambient water samples, did not interfere with the cadmium immunoassay at concentrations approaching their solubility limit. The assay reliably measured Cd(II) in the presence of a 1 mM excess of Fe(III), Mg(II), and Pb(II). Zn(II) and Ni(II) had minimal effect on the assay at levels below 100 μM, and the immunoassay was relatively insensitive to interferences by In(III) and Mn(II) at concentrations up to 10 μM. Hg(II) had the ability to cause a false positive in the assay, but onl...
Quantative analysis of the impact of judging inconsistency on the performance of relevance feedback

Practical constrains of user interfaces make the user's judgment (during the feedback loop) deviate from real thoughts (when the full document is read).This is often overlooked in evaluation of relevance feedback.This paper quantitatively analyze the impact of judging inconsistency on the performance of relevance feedback.
Summarizing the Effect of a Wide Array of Amenity Measures into Simple Components

A significant issue existing within the rural economic development literature revolves around the difficulty with sorting out the controversy of the effects of amenity activities on rural economic growth. This problem is due to the different ways amenity attributes are linked to regional economic performance. Numerous researchers utilize principal component analysis to compress groups of variables that describe attributes of natural-based amenity and quality of life into scalar measures. While principal components are good at reducing a collection of variables into single measures, they often lack interpretability because they define some abstract scores which are often not meaningful or not well interpretable in practice. We apply the simple component analysis suggested by Rousson and Gasser (2004, Applied Statistics 53, 539–555) to summarize the information in groups of variables into a limited number of simple components and improve interpretability at a modest loss of optimality. Simple components allow us to identify and interpret the effect of attributes that most influence regional economic performance so as to gain better insight into policies to preserve and advance those attributes. The same methodology is appropriate for any social science discipline when there is a need to replace a larger number of multiple indicator measurements with a smaller set.
Potential Breakdown of Small Gaps Under Simulated High-Altitude Conditions

Concurrent with the present development program of a 400-cycle 208-volt power supply for aircraft, it was deemed advisable to study the effect of high altitudes on the breakdown potential between various conductors at different voltage levels.
The mental health of mothers in and after violent and controlling unions

Studies have shown that intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with poor mental health. But, does women’s, and specifically mother’s, mental health improve after leaving a union marked by IPV? We used two waves of the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study (n = 2610) to examine the association between IPV as measured by controlling and violent behaviors, and maternal mental health and union dissolution. Mothers in unions marked by IPV reported poorer mental health, became more depressed and maintained high levels of anxiety over time regardless of whether or not their union dissolved, compared to mothers who were in non-abusive unions. Mothers in stable non-abusive unions became more depressed over time, but at a lower magnitude than mothers in controlling and violent unions. Mothers in non-abusive unions that dissolved also became more depressed and anxious over time. Overall, we find that women are still at risk for mental health problems even after leaving IPV unions.
Escalation of commitment in private family businesses: The influence of outside board members

Abstract Owner–managers of private family businesses are vulnerable to escalation of commitment, which can lead to costly failure. In an effort to help private family businesses reduce such costs and contribute to the resource dependence literature, we extend prior research on escalation of commitment ( Staw, 1981 ). Specifically, we develop a model that examines how outside board members influence the antecedents, and moderate the processes, that lead to escalation of commitment. Our work encourages the use of outside board members, insofar as they are likely to help the owner–managers of private family businesses to avoid escalation of commitment.
Encapsulation of New Active Ingredients

The organic construct consumed as food comes packaged in units that carry the active components and protect the entrapped active materials until delivered to targeted human organs. The packaging and delivery role is mimicked in the microencapsulation tools used to deliver active ingredients in processed foods. Microencapsulation efficiency is balanced against the need to access the entrapped nutrients in bioavailable forms. Encapsulated ingredients boosted with bioactive nutrients are intended for improved health and well-being and to prevent future health problems. Presently, active ingredients are delivered using new techniques, such as hydrogels, nanoemulsions, and nanoparticles. In the future, nutraceuticals and functional foods may be tailored to individual metabolic needs and tied to each person's genetic makeup. Bioactive ingredients provide health-enhancing nutrients and are protected through encapsulation processes that shield the active ingredients from deleterious environments.
Chemistry of thienopyridines. XLII. Three novel compounds derived from thienopyridine N‐oxides

Extension of the Reissert-Henze reaction to treatment of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine 7-oxide with potassium thiocyanate and benzoyl chloride in water-methylene chloride gives a 2% yield of bis(6-thieno[2,3-b]pyridyl) disulfide. Peroxidation of 5-ethylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine (4) forms the 7-oxide 5 (53%), converted to a monopicrate 5a. Picrate 5a undergoes N-deoxygenation to 4-picrate on drying at 78° in vacuo, but shows the expected additive mass spectrum of 5 (thermally stable) and picric acid. Nucleophilic displacement of chloride ion from 7-chlorothieno[3,2-b]pyridine (derived, in turn, from thieno[3,2-b]pyridine 4-oxide) by the anion from ethyl cyanoacetate gives 7-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)methylene-4,7-dihydrothieno[3,2-b]pyridine (82%), stable in this iminodienic tautomeric form.
Analysis of Virtual Sensors for Predicting Aircraft Fuel Consumption.

to validate and analyze the initial results of this project. We examine the typical error in modeling, and compare modeling accuracy against both navely complex and navely simplistic regression approaches. We also estimate a ranking of the importance of each FOQA variable used as input, and demonstrate that FOQA variables can reliably be used to identify dierent modes of fuel consumption, which may be useful in future work. Analysis indicates that fuel consumption is accurately predicted while remaining theoretically sensitive to sub-nominal pilot inputs and maintenance-related issues.
A review of measures of self-management of type 1 diabetes by youth and their parents.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper was to identify and critique relevant existing instruments designed to measure self-management of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents. METHODS Literature on the self-management of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents was systematically searched to identify instruments measuring self-management. After eliminating instruments that measured only one aspect of self-management, those published prior to DCCT findings, and those for which little information was available, 6 instruments were identified for review. Each instrument is discussed in terms of history and description of the instrument, definitions, psychometrics, findings from studies using the instrument, availability of the instrument, and evaluation. RESULTS All of the instruments measure some of the activities of self-management; 1 expressly measures self-management; 1 measures the frequency of various self-care activities, and 4 measure adherence to prescribed diabetes regimens. Only 1 instrument comprehensively assesses the process of self-management. None measure the goals of self-management. CONCLUSIONS Instrument development has been hindered by the lack of clarity concerning the concept of self-management of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents. Existing measures need to be further developed and new measures need to be designed.
Fabrication of two-dimensional photonic crystals with embedded defects using blue-laser-writer and optical holography

We have demonstrated an approach of relatively rapid fabrication of two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystals (PCs) with embedded defects by combining a custom-built blue-laser-writer and the technique of optical holography. The blue-laser-writer is used to define various defect patterns first, and then the optical holography is used to create 2-D PCs on the samples with the predefined defects. A beam splitter was fabricated based on this new method and characterized.
Collagen suppresses the proliferative phenotype of allylamine-injured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Repeated cycles of oxidative injury by allylamine induce proliferative rat vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) phenotypes characterized by enhanced secretion of osteopontin (OPN). The present study was designed to evaluate the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions in the induction of proliferative phenotypes in this model of oxidant injury. Because OPN is involved in ECM/integrin signaling, and may participate in proliferative control, the proliferation profiles of control and allylamine vSMCs seeded on different matrices were compared. Allylamine cells exhibited a proliferative advantage over controls when seeded on plastic, Pronectin, or fibronectin, but not type I collagen. Addition of GRGDS peptide selectively enhanced [ 3 H]-thymidine incorporation in allylamine vSMCs, while anti-OPN antibodies nullified their proliferative advantage. Allylamine cells exhibited altered expression of α1, α5 and β3 integrin subunits and enhanced downstream integrin-coupled increases in focal adhesion kinase, AP-1 and NF-κB binding activity. Inhibition of NF-κB by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate selectively compromised proliferation of allylamine vSMCs, while seeding on a non-permissive collagen matrix ablated enhancement of NF-κB inducibility. These results implicate ECM interactions in the deregulation of vSMC proliferation following repeated cycles of oxidative chemical injury.
A novel method for producing partial restriction digestion of DNA fragments by PCR with 5-methyl-CTP

Partial digestion of DNA fragments is a standard procedure for subcloning analysis and for generating restriction maps. We have developed a novel method to generate a partial digestion for any DNA fragment that can be amplified by PCR. The method involves the incorporation of 5-methyl-dCTP into the PCR product to protect most of the restriction sites. As a result, complete digestion of the modified PCR products with a 5-methyl-dCTP-sensitive enzyme will produce an array of restriction fragments equivalent to a partial restriction enzyme digestion reaction done on unmethylated PCR products. This method reduces the time and material needed to produce partially-digested DNA fragments by traditional methods. Furthermore, using fluorescein-labeled primers in the reaction, we were able to detect the fluorescein-labeled end fragments resulting from the enzyme digestion using a fluorimager or anti-fluorescein-AP antibody and thus determine the restriction maps.
Dissolution equilibria and kinetics of fluorite and calcite mixtures

Minerals commonly contain impurities, and their dissolution involves complicated ionic equilibria and multicomponent mass transfer. This paper describes the experiments that were carried out and proposes a mechanism for dissolution behavior of fluorspar containing calcite as a major impurity in both batchwise and continuous packed-bed systems. The mechanism is based on analysis of coupled equilibria among the soluble species. Of more than eight potentially relevant species, only three (viz., F−, HCO3−, and Ca2+) are significant. The coupled flux equations for F− and HCO3− are written in terms of “main” and “cross” mass transfer coefficients, with the concentration of ca2+ being accounted for by electroneutrality. Only one main mass transfer coefficient needs to be determined experimentally; and other coefficients can be evaluated from it by means of simple diffusion coefficient ratios, which are determined independently. The Stanton number based on the main mass transfer coefficient is correlated with Reynolds number and the Schmidt number for packed bed dissolution.
Radiolysis of polymethyl isopropenyl ketone

Polymethyl isopropenyl ketone (PMIPK) undergoes random chain scission when irradiated at 23°C. with gamma rays or with ultraviolet light. Total energy absorption per chain scission, Ed, is 94 e.v./scission for PMIPK powders irradiated in vacuo with spent reactor fuel element gamma rays (0.42 Mrad/hr.). Ed is 84 e.v./scission for a PMIPK powder irradiated in vacuo with Co60 gamma rays (0.109 Mrad/hr.). The presence of air lowers the value of Ed to 41 e.v./scission under the former conditions. A film of PMIPK irradiated in air with 2537-A. wavelength light exhibits Ed = 22 e.v./scission or a quantum yield ϕd = 0.22 chain scissions/absorbed photon. The viscosity-average molecular weights of this film vary with light exposure in accordance with theoretical predictions.
Orbital Anatomy for the Surgeon

An anatomic description of the orbit and its contents and the eyelids directed toward surgeons is the focus of this article. The bone and soft tissue anatomic nuances for surgery are highlighted, including a section on osteology, muscles, and the orbital suspensory system. Innervation and vascular anatomy are also addressed.
Diffusional Creep and Kinetic Demixing in Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

The creep behavior of fine-grained yttria-stabilized zirconia with 25 mol% Y2O3 has been characterized as part of an investigation of kinetic demixing in solid-solution oxides which are subjected to a nonhydrostatic state of stress. At temperatures between 1400° and 1600°C, the steady-state strain rate of (Zr0.6Y0.4)O1.8 samples with average grain sizes between 2.5 and 14.5 μm can be summarized by the flow law ɛ= 6.5 × 10−7σ1.2 exp[−550 (kJ/mol)/RT]d−2.2 (s−1) for stresses in the range 8 to 60 MPa, where σ is in pascals and d is in meters. This flow law indicates that deformation occurs by a Nabarro-Herring creep mechanism in which the creep rate is limited by cation lattice diffusion. Kinetic demixing was not observed in deformed polycrystalline samples even though diffusional creep was rate limited by cation lattice diffusion. This result can be explained if the cation diffusivities are approximately equal or if extensive grain rotation occurs during diffusional creep.
Covering arbitrary point patterns

This paper considers the problem of covering an arbitrary point pattern — a set of λT points in the interval [0, T] — with a subset of [0, T] that is drawn from a predefined codebook. The subset is required to contain either all or a certain proportion of the points in the pattern, depending on the problem setting. Also, all subsets in this codebook must have Lebesgue measure not exceeding dT where d ≤ 1 is a given constant. The problem of interest here is to find the trade-off between d and the size of the codebook. We find this trade-off asymptotically as T goes to infinity. When the subset is required to cover all the points, the answer turns out to be the same as in the case where the points were randomly generated by a Poisson process of intensity λ, the latter being obtained in an earlier work.
Potassium 4,5‐Bis(dinitromethyl)furoxanate: A Green Primary Explosive with a Positive Oxygen Balance

Potassium 4,5-bis(dinitromethyl)furoxanate was synthesized readily from cyanoacetic acid. It was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the structure was confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Its positive oxygen balance, high density (2.130 g cm−3), sensitivity (IS=2 J, FS=5 N), and calculated heat of formation (−421.0 kJ mol−1), combined with its calculated superior detonation performance (D=7759.0 m s−1, P=27.3 GPa), make it a competitive replacement as a green primary explosive.
An analysis of inline substitution for a structured programming language

An optimization technique known as inline substitution is analyzed. The optimization consists of replacing a procedure invocation by a modified copy of the procedure body. The general problem of using inline substitution to minimize execution time subject to size constraints is formulated, and an approximate algorithmic solution is proposed. The algorithm depends on run-time statistics about the program to be optimized. Preliminary results for the CLU structured programming language indicate that, in programs with a low degree of recursion, over 90 percent of all procedure calls can be eliminated, with little increase in the size of compiled code and a small savings in execution time. Other conclusions based on these results are also presented.
Periodontics in General Practice: Professional Plaque Control

Traditionally the primary emphasis of preventive periodontics was daily patient performed plaque control. Recent studies indicate that frequent professional subgingival toothcleaning is a mandatory treatment for prevention of recurrent periodontitis. Pathogenic subgingival bacterial complexes are disrupted by frequent cleaning and require time to reestablish. Disease progression is prevented if the recall interval does not exceed the time required for reestablishment of a pathogenic plaque. Legally, patients have acquired the duty to comply with the prescribed recall interval. Both the patient and the practitioner will benefit from a preventive program that includes frequent professional subgingival toothcleaning.
Some Attempts to Label the Oracula Sibyllina , Book 7

Among the surviving books of the Sibylline Oracles, Book 7 has aroused particular interest because of its allegedly Jewish-Christian and Gnostic character. A. Rzach has described the author of Book 7 as “ein durch die Gnosis beeinflusster, vielleicht aus dem Judentume … hervorgegangener Christ.” J. Geffcken regards the book as a product of Jewish Christianity with traces of Gnostic influence. And A. Kurfess, in an article which bids fair to become the standard introduction for English-speaking students of the Sibyllines, calls it “purely Christian,” while also indicating the presence of “gnosticizing views.”. Given the lack of sustained interest in these writings during recent years, I think it not unimportant to examine the adequacy of these labels and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support them.
Marketing/Sales Students Understanding Of What Counts As Sales

Improper sales revenue recognition is the single largest issue contributing to financial restatements. Understanding and applying the rules of sales revenue recognition is not just an accounting problem; it is a marketing problem, too. Thus, it is important that the sales force has a basic understanding of the rules of sales recognition and be aware of when they should seek advice from accounting on the details of sales agreements. Unfortunately, most marketing and sales curricula neither expose nor alert students to sales revenue recognition issues and the resulting ethical, financial, legal and marketing consequences of improper revenue recognition. Such students, after joining the workforce, may pursue certain marketing goals, strategies and tactics which may lead them unknowingly to engage in unethical and/or illegal practices. Our findings based on a survey of 300 undergraduate students highlight the deficiencies in their understanding of what counts as sales. The survey used real cases where SIC found that misreporting of sales has occurred.
On the determination of parallel mechanism unmanipulable singularities

A geometric method is presented to determine the unmanipulable singular configurations of a general class of parallel robots. In unmanipulable singular configurations, the composite Jacobian matrix that maps active joint velocities to end-effector velocity loses rank, indicating the loss of a task degree-of-freedom (DOF). Finding unmanipulable configurations is difficult due to the complexity of the Jacobian matrix. The problem is greatly simplified by a novel decomposition of the matrix presented in this paper. It shows that for stable configurations the unmanipulable singularities are individual arm singularities. The method is used to find singularities in several example parallel machines.
Composite catalytic tubular membranes for selective hydrogenation in three-phase systems

Abstract Catalytic membrane contact reactors (CMCRs) were evaluated for the selective three-phase hydrogenation of the model reaction, the partial hydrogenation of soybean oil (PHSO). PHSO produces copious amounts of trans-fats when carried out in a batch slurry reactor due to hydrogen starvation at the catalyst, caused by inherent mass transfer limitations of the system. In this study composite ceramic/polymer membranes were rendered catalytically active by depositing a polymer-palladium complex, (poly(N-vinyl-2-pryyolidone) (PVP)-palladium (Pd)), onto the selective skin of the membrane. Hydrogen gas was supplied to the support side of the membrane, the hydrogen gas permeated from the support side to the skin side of the membrane, where it dissociated onto the catalyst surface. Liquid reactant was circulated over the skin side of the membrane, allowing the three components to come into contact and react. Our system is shown to be nearly zero order in hydrogen, indicating that the catalyst surface maintains high hydrogen coverage throughout. CMCRs produced 50% less trans-fat at equivalent levels of hydrogenation compared to slurry reactors. It was further demonstrated that an increase in temperature had minimal effects on trans-fat formation, while significantly increasing hydrogenation rates; allowing the system to capture higher reaction rates without adversely affecting product quality.
Interact for What? The Relationship between Interpersonal Interaction Based on Motivation and Educational Outcomes among Students in Manufacturing Programs at Two-Year Technical Colleges.

Objective: This study explored the relationship between different types of interpersonal interaction, characterized by their underlying motivations, and educational outcomes among students in manufacturing programs at two-year colleges. While there exist several ways to classify interaction, motivation as an inherent attribute that fuels behaviors has been largely neglected. In this study, we developed a nuanced approach to differentiating types of interaction based on students’ underlying motivation and further investigated how different forms of interaction are related to educational outcomes. Method: We analyzed the Community College Survey of Student Engagement data and administrative records of 242 students entering manufacturing programs during 2011-2012 at four public two-year technical colleges in Wisconsin. The outcome variables were students’ cumulative grade point average (GPA) and their retention/graduation status as of spring 2013. A multiple regression model and a logistic regression model w...
Modifying aggression and social prejudice

An extensive literature on the development of ethnic prejudice in children exists. Evidence of ethnic bias is found in children of primary age and even younger. However, there is a lack of longitudinal or other data that would guide us regarding the optimal age to intervene for the purpose of reducing ethnic prejudice and promoting positive interethnic social relations.
A review of shape memory polymers bearing reversible binding groups

Shape memory polymers (SMP) can be deformed to a stable, temporary shape and recovered to their original shape by applying a stimulus. These networks rely on the presence of two types of net points to establish their permanent and temporary shapes. Classical strategies to stabilize temporary shapes rely on cooling below Tg/Tm where macromolecules become pinned in a stressed state. Recovery of the SMP usually involves heating to above the transition temperature where the permanent shape is remembered. Employing reversible binding groups (RBGs) in SMPs has emerged as an alternative strategy for stabilizing temporary shapes or imparting recyclability of the permanent shape. The use of dynamic chemistry often engenders additional functionality such as intrinsic self-healing characteristics or alternative shape recovery triggering strategies. SMPs bearing both supramolecular and covalent RBGs will be reviewed with an emphasis on hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, metal–ligand coordination, and dynamic covalent exchange and addition reactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1340–1364
Non-physician performance of lower and upper endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and study aims: Demand for endoscopic procedures worldwide has increased while the number of physicians trained to perform endoscopy has remained relatively constant. The objective of this study was to characterize non-physician performance of lower and upper endoscopic procedures. Patients and methods: Bibliographical searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies were included where patients underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or upper endoscopy done by a non-physician (nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant) and outcome measures were reported (detection of polyps, adenomas, cancer, and/or adverse events). Pooled rates were calculated for specific outcomes and rate ratios were determined for selected comparison groups. Results: Most studies involved nurses performing flexible sigmoidoscopies for colorectal cancer screening. Nurses and nurse-practitioners/physician assistants performing flexible sigmoidoscopies showed pooled polyp detection rates of 9.9 % and 23.7 %, adenoma detection rates of 2.9 % and 7.2 %, colorectal cancer detection rates of 1.3 % and 1.2 %, and adverse event rates of 0.3 and 0 per 1000 sigmoidoscopies, respectively. There was no significant difference between polyp and adenoma detection rates in sigmoidoscopy performance studies comparing nurses or nurse-practitioners/physician assistants with physicians. For the 3 studies of non-physician performance of colonoscopy, pooled adenoma detection rate was 26.4 %, cecal intubation rate was 93.5 %, and adverse event rate was 2.2 /1000 colonoscopies. In the few studies examining upper endoscopies, 99.4 % of upper endoscopy procedures performed by nurses were successful with no reported adverse events. Conclusion: Available studies suggest that when non-physicians perform endoscopic procedures, especially lower endoscopies, outcomes and adverse events are in line with those of physicians.
Object tracking via Dirichlet process-based appearance models

Object tracking is the process of locating objects of interest in video frames. Challenges still exist in handling appearance changes in object tracking for robotic vision. In this paper, we propose a novel Dirichlet process-based appearance model (DPAM) for tracking. By explicitly introducing a new model variable into the traditional Dirichlet process, we model the negative and positive target instances as the combination of multiple appearance models. Within each model, target instances are dynamically clustered based on their visual similarity. DPAM provides an infinite nonparametric mixture of distributions that can grow automatically with the complexity of the appearance data. In addition, prior off-line training or specifying the number of mixture components (clusters or parameters) is not required. We build a tracking system in which DPAM is applied to cluster negative and positive target samples and detect the new target location. Our experimental results on real-world videos show that our system achieves superior performance when compared with several state-of-the-art trackers.
A Case of Phantom Synchiric Percepts in Touch and Vision

After being presented with an ipsilesional stimulus, individuals with synchiria report both ipsilesional and contralesional sensation. Most published reports of synchiria are limited to a single modality. We report an individual with a right frontoparietal lesion (KG_591) who demonstrated synchiria subsequent to both visual and tactile stimulation. We tested KG_591 with various tasks in which she was presented with a stimulus on the left side, right side, both sides simultaneously, or no stimulation. On tactile trials, she reported tactile synchiric percepts on approximately 40% of right hand stimulation trials. Next, we projected visual stimuli either onto or away from her hands, in order to examine whether her phantom visual sensations were limited to personal space on the body. KG_591's synchiric percepts remained constant on or off of her hands, suggesting that her deficit was not limited to her body. Furthermore, as she does not report seeing phantoms in everyday life, we examined the effect of stimu...
Lifetime of the c 3 Π u Metastable State of H 2 , D 2 , and HD

The lifetime of the $v=0$ $c^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{u}$ metastable state of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$, and HD has been measured using the time-of-flight technique. The velocity distribution of a thermal beam of metastable molecules is sampled and detected at two positions, 1.9 and 6.7 m from the pulsed electron gun used to excite the ground-state molecules effusing from a source slit. A comparison of the number of metastables within specific velocity intervals at the two detectors determines the number which decay in flight and yields an experimental plot of the number which decay versus time of flight. The lifetime $\ensuremath{\tau}$ is then obtained from the slope ($=\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\tau}}$) of a straight line least-squares fitted to the decay plot. The result, $\ensuremath{\tau}=1.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ msec, is the same for both para-and ortho-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, as well as for ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ and HD. Since all three isotopic combinations have the same measured lifetime, and since the lifetime for a forbidden predissociation through spin-orbit mixing with the $^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ state would be expected to depend upon details of the fine structure, our value is the radiative lifetime for a combination of magnetic-dipole electric-quadrupole decay of the $v=0$ $c^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{u}$ state to the repulsive $^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ state.
Seasonal Adult Sex Ratio Shift in the Praying Mantid Iris oratoria (Mantodea: Mantidae)

The adult sex ratio of the praying mantid Iris aratoria L. becomes increasingly female-biased as the season progresses. This 3-yr field study examines 3 possible causes of this shift in sex ratio: differences between the sexes in the date of adult eclosion, movement to and from the census area, and adult lifespan. In the field, male and female eclosion dates did not differ significantly. Movement to and from the census area was low for females and males. For each year, the number of females that moved into the area (immigrants) exceeded the number that moved out (emigrants), although this difference was not statistically significant in any year. Fewer males were recaptured; those that were did not show either immigration or emigration. Minimum lifespan for adults in the field was greater for females than males. Female lifespan also was greater among adults maintained in individual field containers. Furthermore, the eclosion dates of these captive adults did not significantly differ between the sexes. Thus, the sexes evidently eclosed at the same time of year, and the females most likely outlived the males in the field. This difference in adult lifespan can lead to an increasingly female-biased sex ratio over the course of the season, with different movement patterns between the sexes remaining a possible factor.
Voltage-Dependent Rhythmogenic Property of Respiratory Pre-Bötzinger Complex Glutamatergic, Dbx1-Derived, and Somatostatin-Expressing Neuron Populations Revealed by Graded Optogenetic Inhibition.

The rhythm of breathing in mammals, originating within the brainstem pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotC), is presumed to be generated by glutamatergic neurons, but this has not been directly demonstrated. Additionally, developmental expression of the transcription factor, Dbx1, or expression of the neuropeptide somatostatin (Sst), has been proposed as a marker for the rhythmogenic pre-BotC glutamatergic neurons, but it is unknown if these other two phenotypically-defined neuronal populations are functionally equivalent to glutamatergic neurons with regard to rhythm generation. To address these problems, we comparatively investigated, by optogenetic approaches, the roles of pre-BotC glutamatergic, Dbx1-derived, and Sst-expressing neurons in respiratory rhythm generation in neonatal transgenic mouse medullary slices in vitro and also more intact adult perfused brainstem-spinal cord preparations in situ . We established three different triple transgenic mouse lines with Cre-driven Archaerhodopsin-3 (Arch) expression selectively in glutamatergic, Dbx1-derived, or Sst-expressing neurons for targeted photoinhibition. In each line, we identified subpopulations of rhythmically active, Arch-expressing pre-BotC inspiratory neurons by whole-cell recordings in medullary slice preparations in vitro , and established that Arch-mediated hyperpolarization of these inspiratory neurons was laser power-dependent with equal efficacy. By site- and population-specific graded photoinhibition, we then demonstrated that inspiratory frequency was reduced by each population with the same neuronal voltage-dependent frequency control mechanism in each state of the respiratory network examined. We infer that enough of the rhythmogenic pre-BotC glutamatergic neurons also have the Dbx1- and Sst-expression phenotypes and thus all three phenotypes share the same voltage-dependent frequency control property. Significance Statement: The brainstem pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotC) is the origin of rhythmic neural activity producing inspiratory movements in mammals. Despite over two decades of investigation, there is the central problem of establishing the causal role of specific pre-BotC neuron populations in generating this rhythmic motor behavior. By optogenetic and electrophysiological approaches, we reveal that excitatory glutamatergic, transcription factor Dbx1-derived, and somatostatin-expressing neuronal populations, overlapping within the pre-BotC region, are functionally equivalent in respiratory rhythm generation with the same neuronal voltage-dependent frequency control mechanism in different functional and developmental states of the respiratory network including neonatal in vitro and adult in situ conditions. Our results help resolve the longstanding problem of delineating the relative roles of these excitatory interneuron populations in rhythm generation.
Hemoglobin Beirut (β126 Val ⏑ Ala [H4]) Synthesis in Erythroid Cultures

Abstract Hemoglobin Beirut is a β chain variant due to a neutral amino acid substitution. It is present in reduced amounts relative to βA in heterozygotes. Because HPLC has the potential for quantitating small amounts of hemoglobin, we examined the synthesis of Hb Beirut in erythroid colonies derived from the peripheral blood erythroid progenitor cells (BFUe) of an individual heterozygous for Hb Beirut and Hb A. The β globin chains (βBeirut and βA) were isolated and quantitated utilizing a combination of size exclusion, anion exchange and reverse phase HPLC. βBeirut accounted for 39.4% ± 4.6% of the total β chains in the accumulated hemoglobin and 43.3% ± 3.1% of the newly synthesized hemoglobin. The results indicate that Hb Beirut is synthesized in BFUe at a reduced rate which accounts for the reduced level of the variant hemoglobin in peripheral blood.
REGULATION OF METALLOTHIONEIN SYNTHESIS IN CULTURED MAMMALIAN CELLS: INDUCTION, DEINDUCTION, AND SUPERINDUCTION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the regulation of metallothionein (MT) synthesis in cultured mammalian cells. MT's low-molecular weight, cysteine rich, metal-binding proteins are induced in animal tissues and in cultured cells upon exposure to Cd or Zn. The ubiquity of this response in higher eukaryotes and the generality of the proposed roles for MTs in regulation of essential trace metals (Zn) and in protection against the toxicity of nonessential trace metals (Cd) make the MT induction system unique for studying the regulation of gene expression. In a study described in the chapter, a cloned, stable, variant subline (CdR) of the Chinese hamster cell—selected for its resistance to Cd-mediated cytotoxicity—was found to have increased capacity to induce MT upon exposure to Cd. The CdR cell was used to study the regulation of MT induction and deinduction. Maximal induction of MT in CdR was achieved by exposure of cells in suspension culture to 2 μM CdCl2. Following induction, the rate of MT synthesis increased above the low uninduced rate within 1.5–2.0 h, reached a maximal rate by 8 h, and decreased to a constant rate by 24 h.
Movie-tool for GUI recording, data mining, and learner evaluation

Graphical user interfaces that show a theoretical concept are now common, but they cannot evaluate student learning because they do not capture user actions. In this paper, we describe a general-purpose movie tool that was developed for the recording and playback of MATLAB GUIs. Thus, instructors can create complicated examples quickly and easily. For evaluation of student learning, a student's actions can be monitored or graded by examining the log file that contains the GUI playback script.