cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Right ventricular pacing and atrial fibrillation: villain, victim, or just misunderstood?

Right ventricular (RV) pacing enters its sixth decade facing an uncertain future and an increasingly dissatisfied audience. This surprising reversal of fortune would not have been anticipated by the preceding 40 years, since Furman and Schwedel demonstrated the feasibility of transvenous endocardial pacing from the RV.1 The prevention of recurrent syncope and death due to ventricular asystole, the most lethal of all heart rhythm disturbances, using RV pacing stands as one of the greatest medical achievements of the 20th century. Protection against ventricular asystole remains the primary purpose of pacemaker therapy. This fact is reflected at two levels of concern for safety (i) design principles of pacing systems, (ii) physician choice of pacing system for the individual patient. All pacing systems which include a ventricular lead operate on the defining principle that ventricular pacing (VP) is guaranteed on every cardiac cycle if needed. Consequently, dual-chamber timing cycle operation is configured to meet this goal by scheduling a VP stimulus at the end of the pacemaker atrioventricular (AV) interval (pAVI). Additional countermeasures are taken to prevent inappropriate inhibition of the scheduled VP during the pAVI. All other timing considerations are secondary to rules for maintaining VP. From the physician's perspective of patient safety, VP capability is almost universally mandatory, even though many patients with sinus node disease (SND) are safely treated with atrial-only pacing.2 Nominal pAVIs are <200 ms on the physiologically imprecise premise that approximation of the normal PR interval with RV pacing duplicates four-chamber … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 857 307 1940, Fax: +1 587 307 1944, Email: mosweeney{at}partners.org
Distributed Generation Placement Planning Modeling Feeder’s Failure Rate and Customer’s Load Type

In this paper, economic- and network-driven distribution generation (DG) placement planning problem is investigated from the local distribution company’s (DISCO’s) viewpoint considering reliability level and power loss of the electrical distribution network. Herein, the feeder’s failure rate is modeled respective to active component of the current flowing through the feeder applying several mathematical functions. In addition, the customers’ load type is modeled and load-model-based power flow is applied instead of conventional power flow. Moreover, in order to achieve realistic results, economic factors such as inflation and interest rates and technical factors including yearly load growth and hourly and daily variations of the load are considered in the planning problem. Furthermore, several analyses are done to calculate amounts of the detriment and error due to unreal modeling of the customers’ load type and the feeder’s failure rate in the DG placement planning problem. It is proved that the unreal modelings can markedly affect the results of the problem and even the optimal locations of the DGs.
Statistical Analysis of Indoor Radon Concentrations in a Reinforced Concrete Building with Three Stories above Ground and One Basement

It is important to understand 222Rn concentrations in dwellings precisely for dose assessment. 222Rn concentrations were continuously measured in a reinforced-concrete house in Tokyo with three stories above ground and one basement for seven years, from October 1988 to September 1995. In the basement, temperature and humidity were also measured, which were used for analyzing the seasonal variation of the 222Rn concentration and its relationship with environmental factors. 222Rn concentrations on the 2nd and 3rd floors showed a statistically significant seasonal variation, i. e., higher in winter and lower in summer, but those on the 1st floor did not show any significant seasonal variation. The 222Rn concentration in the basement showed a reverse seasonal variation, i. e., higher in summer and lower in winter. The 222Rn concentrations on each floor showed a drastic decrease after the renewal of the dehumidifier in the basement, which suggests that the 222Rn concentration in the basement has an influence on that in the rooms above ground. A multiple regression analysis suggested that the 222Rn concentration in the basement and its seasonal variation can be expressed with statistical significance by the linear combination of temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. It was also revealed that the 222Rn concentration on the 1st floor can be expressed by the linear combination of the concentrations in the basement, 2nd and 3rd floors.
ABAC Tetrablock Terpolymers for Tough Nanoporous Filtration Membranes

Nanoporous poly(styrene)-b-poly(isoprene)-b-poly(styrene) (PS–PI–PS) was prepared from PS–PI–PS–PLA (PLA = poly(d,l-lactide)) tetrablock terpolymer precursors. Hydroxy end-functionalized PS–PI–PS was synthesized by sequential anionic polymerizations and used to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide. A combination of small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy data supports a core–shell cylinder morphology with PLA as the core component. The inherently robust mechanical properties associated with PS–PI–PS block copolymers provide the materials with enhanced flexibility and toughness compared to analogous nanoporous polystyrene samples prepared by etching of PS–PLA diblocks. Composite membranes containing nanoporous PS–PI–PS on top of microporous poly(ether sulfone) (PES) were prepared by direct spin-coating and also by a salt-plate coating/film-transfer strategy. Nanopores (dpore ≈ 15 nm) were created by a combination of reactive ion etc...
CONCEPTUALIZATION OF TERRORISM

Many issues and problems surround the conceptualization of terrorism. Most definitions of the term are indefensible if only because they do not speak to those issues and problems. An assessment of contending definitions can transcend purely personal opinions; and an assessment can be undertaken without a theory, even though an impressive theory is the ultimate justification of its constituent definitions. The present conceptualization goes beyond a definition of terrorism by emphasizing the definition's bearing on five major conceptual questions, each of which introduces a major issue and/or problem. Then it is argued that thinking of terrorism and other sociological phenomena in terms of control promotes recognition of logical connections and/or empirical associations, each of which could become a component of a theory.
Development and Application of Management System for Standardization Job on-the-spot

The standardization job on-the-spot for power equipment is an important means of ensuring the safely and steady operation of power network.Through developing and application of standardization job management system on-the-spot,the job standardization, institutionalization and informative process on-the-spot can be realized.The paper introduced the system composition,job guidance book management,system construction characteristics,system working process,way and experiences of standardization job management system on-the-spot in Jiangxi Electric Power Co..
Study on the resistance of Culex tritaeniorhynchus to common used insecticides in Hanzhong city

Objective To learn the resistance of Culex tritaeniorhynchus to insecticides in Hanzhong city.Methods Distinguishing dosage method was used to detect the resistance of Cx.tritaeniorhynchus to insecticides.The LC50 of Cx.tritaeniorhynchus to common used insecticides were studied.Results High resistance to DDVP and deltamethrin,moderate resistance to permethrin and susceptibility to cypermethrin and DDT were obtained.The LC50 of Cx.tritaeniorhynchus to DDT,DDVP,beta-cypermethrin,permethrin,deltamethrin,cypermethrin,abate and propoxur were 0.221,9.212,0.006,0.026,0.008,0.003,1.747 and 12.079 mg/L respectively.Conclusion DDVP and deltamethrin could not be applied and integrated management should be selected for control mosquitoes in these areas.
Interaction of platelet plasma membranes with thrombin-activated platelets.

This study described the binding of platelet plasma membranes to either control or thrombin-activated platelets. Glycoproteins in plasma membranes isolated from human platelets were labeled by oxidation with periodate followed by reduction with [3H]NaBH4. Labeled membranes were incubated with either control or thrombin-activated platelets. The amount of membranes bound was measured by separating platelets with bound membranes from solution by rapid centrifugation through 27% sucrose and determining the amount of radioactivity associated with platelets. Five- to sevenfold more membranes bound to thrombin- activated platelets than to control platelets. This enhanced binding of labeled membranes was completely inhibited by an excess of unlabeled platelet membranes. Human erythrocyte membranes had little affinity for either washed or thrombin-activated platelets and therefore did not compete for platelet-membrane binding. Binding of platelet membranes to thrombin-treated platelets was inhibited by prior incubation of the platelets with PGI2 suggesting that the enhanced binding of membranes was to activated platelets. This study demonstrates that the purified platelet membranes have functional sites that can mediate membrane binding to platelets and that quantitation of membrane binding appears to reflect the increased aggregation capability of activated platelets.
Platelet norepinephrine and epinephrine concentration in patients with pheochromocytoma.

Platelet and plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined in 17 patients with surgically proven pheochromocytoma (mean age 42.3 years); in 31 patients with borderline hypertension (mean age 35.3 years) and in 9 healthy controls (mean age 39.3 years). Both platelet norepinephrine and epinephrine were significantly increased in patients with pheochromocytoma when compared with hypertensive and control groups (P less than .001). No correlation between platelet and plasma catecholamines was detected in all studied groups. The diagnostic accuracy of platelet catecholamine in pheochromocytoma is limited since increased platelet norepinephrine was found in 35.5% and increased platelet epinephrine was found in 19.4% of patients with essential hypertension.
Understanding the Intentions Behind the Referential/Attributive Distinction

In his recently published John Locke Lectures, Saul Kripke attempts to capture Keith Donnellan’s referential/attributive distinction for definite descriptions using a distinction between general and specific intentions. I argue that although Kripke’s own way of capturing the referential/attributive distinction is inadequate, we can use general and specific intentions to successfully capture the distinction if we also distinguish between primary and secondary intentions. An attributive use is characterized by the fact that the general intention is either the primary or only designative intention, whereas a referential use occurs when a specific intention is either the primary or only designative intention. Along the way, accounts of the referential/attributive distinction offered by John Searle and by Kepa Korta and John Perry come in for criticism as well, and we’ll also discuss Michael O’Rourke’s dual-aspect uses of definite descriptions.
Hemocyanin: A Biological Copper Dioxygen Carrier

Hemocyanin is a dioxygen-carrying copper protein found in crabs, snails, spiders, octopi, and certain other related animals (for a review, see Brunori et al., 1982). There are two copper atoms at the oxidation level of cuprous ion at each reaction center. The structure of hemocyanin has been derived from X-ray studies.
Lossless Pruned Naive Bayes for Big Data Classifications

Abstract In a fast growing big data era, volume and varieties of data processed in Internet applications drastically increase. Real-world search engines commonly use text classifiers with thousands of classes to improve relevance or data quality. These large scale classification problems lead to severe runtime performance challenges, so practitioners often resort to fast approximation techniques. However, the increase in classification speed comes at a cost, as approximations are lossy, mis-assigning classes relative to the original reference classification algorithm. To address this problem, we introduce a Lossless Pruned Naive Bayes (LPNB) classification algorithm tailored to real-world, big data applications with thousands of classes. LPNB achieves significant speed-ups by drawing on Information Retrieval (IR) techniques for efficient posting list traversal and pruning. We show empirically that LPNB can classify text up to eleven times faster than standard Naive Bayes on a real-world data set with 7205 classes, with larger gains extrapolated for larger taxonomies. In practice, the achieved acceleration is significant as it can greatly cut required computation time. In addition, it is lossless: the output is identical to standard Naive Bayes, in contrast to extant techniques such as hierarchical classification. The acceleration does not rely on the taxonomy structure, and it can be used for both hierarchical and flat taxonomies.
Approximations in English language arts: Scaffolding a shared teaching practice.

Abstract Recent research highlights the importance of providing teacher candidates with opportunities to approximate practice. Less attention focuses on tools teacher educators use within and surrounding approximations to focus candidates’ attention on features of practice. This multi-case study investigates how three teacher educators use different approximations in ways that strategically reduce the complexity of learning to teach and scaffold the development of practice. Data indicate teacher educators capitalized on four tools that scaffolded and shaped approximations into spaces for co-constructing shared understandings of practice. These tools include: instructional activities, representations of practice, planning templates, and specified texts and instructional goals.
Field Experience on Effect of Power Electronic Component Failure in Excitation Circuit of a 5 MW Synchronous Motor

Nowadays, brushless excitation systems are used in medium voltage synchronous motors. A brushless excitation system is coupled to the AC generator with its field circuit on the stator and the armature circuit on the rotor. The three phase output of the generator of the AC exciter is rectified using solid state rotating rectifiers. Brushless excitation systems provide high reliability by eliminating the use of collector rings, brushes and carbon dust, which greatly reduce maintenance, operational and inspection costs. Redundant rotating rectifiers with detection of diode failure while in operation, allows for more convenient operational interval. The field synchronizing and field voltage dissipation modules play a key role in the successful operation of this excitation module. This paper explains the effect of failure of these excitation modules and proposes a scheme for more reliable operation for the same.
Context-Aware Conversation Thread Detection in Multi-Party Chat

In multi-party chat, it is common for multiple conversations to occur concurrently, leading to intermingled conversation threads in chat logs. In this work, we propose a novel Context-Aware Thread Detection (CATD) model that automatically disentangles these conversation threads. We evaluate our model on four real-world datasets and demonstrate an overall im-provement in thread detection accuracy over state-of-the-art benchmarks.
A Study on Reduced/Absent Adhesion/Cap Layers for Optimized BEOL RC Performance

Abstract Lower RC delay is vital to achieve optimal and competitive circuit performance and hence drives the endlessly pursued BEOL integration scheme advancement. To date low-k dielectric material...
Effects of Sodium Reduction on Energy, Metabolism, Weight, Thirst, and Urine Volume: Results From the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)-Sodium Trial.

Two recent studies challenged traditional paradigms of mammalian sodium physiology, suggesting that sodium reduction might cause weight gain by altering metabolism. This new theory has important im...
20.4 3D Surgical Alignment with 100µm Resolution Using Magnetic-Field Gradient-Based Localization

Substantial advances in the field of surgery have taken place in recent years, which aim at decreasing patient morbidity through innovations in endoscopy, optical imaging, laparoscopic and robotic technologies. However, real-time imaging and navigation during high precision surgery necessitates the use of X-Ray fluoroscopy with most existing technologies to achieve precise localization. Intramedullary (IM) nailing is a common example of such high precision orthopedic surgery, which requires insertion of a nail into the medullary canal of a fractured bone followed by locking screws [1]. Proximal screw locking is performed using a mechanical guide, which is not possible for distal locking owing to the deformation (≈15mm) caused during insertion [2]. Freehand technique is typically used to localize distal holes, in which the surgical drill is aligned with the hole axis through fluoroscopic imaging. This process is time-consuming and exposes the patient and surgical team to high ionizing radiation. Various other methods, which reduce or eliminate irradiation during distal locking, are not widely used. This is attributed to their lack of compensation for significant deformation of the nail, added requirements such as computing systems, extra robotic arms, CT images, sophisticated hardware and software that require training for the surgeon and staff.
Rethinking Executive Function and Its Development

Research on executive function in early childhood has flourished in recent years. Much of this work is premised on a view of development of executive function as the emergence of a set of domain-general component processes (e.g., working memory updating, inhibitory control, shifting). This view has shaped how we think about relations between executive function and other aspects of development, the role of the environment in executive-function development, and how best to improve executive function in children who struggle with it. However, there are conceptual and empirical reasons to doubt that executive function should be defined in this way. I argue that the development of executive function is better understood as the emergence of skills in using control in the service of specific goals. Such goals activate and are influenced by mental content such as knowledge, beliefs, norms, values, and preferences that are acquired with development and are important to consider in understanding children's performance on measures of executive function. This account better explains empirical findings than the component-process view; leads to specific, testable hypotheses; and has implications for theory, measurement, and interventions.
Caregivers’ Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Time Commitment Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation at a Rural Cancer Center

ABSTRACT The emotional and physical toll on caregivers of cancer patients is well documented, but research evaluating the financial burdens and time commitments of caregivers is limited. We suspected that the rural location of our cancer center would intensify these burdens for caregivers. We conducted a prospective trial to assess the out-of-pocket expenses and time commitment of caregivers of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients within the first 4 weeks after discharge from the hospital from a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center. These results show that caregivers of autologous recipients paid out-of-pocket expenses of $196 over 4 weeks. If lost wages were included, the expenses increased to $736 during this period. Caregivers of allogeneic recipients had out-of-pocket expenses of $110 in 4 weeks, or a total of $610 when lost wages were included. In the month after discharge from the hospital, caregivers traveled a median distance of 450 miles or 560 miles, depending on whether the patient received an autologous transplant or an allogeneic transplant, respectively. These results demonstrate a compelling need to address caregiver support, given the significant financial out-of-pocket expenses and time commitment.
Maya Bonesetters: Manual Healers in a Changing Guatemala: By Servando Z. Hinojosa

Hinojosa, Servando Z. Maya Bonesetters: Manual Healers in a Changing Guatemala. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2020.
Comparison of Flow Injection-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS for the Determination of Ochratoxin A.

Two methods for measuring ochratoxin A in corn, oat, and grape juice were developed and compared. Flow injection (FI) and on-line liquid chromatography (LC) performances were evaluated separately, with both methods using a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) for quantitation. Samples were fortified with 13C uniformly labeled ochratoxin A as the internal standard (13C-IS) and prepared by dilution and filtration, followed by FI- and LC-MS/MS analysis. For the LC-MS/MS method, which had a 10 min run time/sample, recoveries of ochratoxin A fortified at 1, 5, 20, and 100 ppb in corn, oat, red grape juice, and white grape juice ranged from 100% to 117% with RSDs < 9%. The analysis time of the FI-MS/MS method was <60 s/sample, however, the method could not detect ochratoxin A at the lowest fortification concentration, 1 ppb, in all tested matrix sources. At 5, 20, and 100 ppb, recoveries by FI-MS/MS ranged from 79 to 117% with RSDs < 15%. The FI-MS/MS method also had ~5× higher solvent and matrix-dependent instrument detection limits (0.12–0.35 ppb) compared to the LC-MS/MS method (0.02–0.06 ppb). In the analysis of incurred corn and oat samples, both methods generated comparable results within ±20% of reference values, however, the FI-MS/MS method failed to determine ochratoxin A in two incurred wheat flour samples due to co-eluted interferences due to the lack of chromatographic separation.
The Prevalence of Intrapulpal Cracks in 1st and 2nd Mandibular Molars Requiring Non-Surgical Root Canal Treatment

THE PREVALENCE OF INTRAPULPAL CRACKS IN 1ST AND 2ND MANDIBULAR MOLARS REQUIRING NON-SURGICAL ROOT CANAL TREATMENT By Sean O. Lawson D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Director: Karan J. Replogle, DDS, MS Program Director, Department of Endodontics Few studies have reported the incidence or prevalence of cracked teeth with pulpal involvement. No attempts have been made to evaluate the prevalence or clinical predictors for intrapulpal cracks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intrapulpal cracks in first and second mandibular molars and to determine if clinical findings are predictive for the existence of intrapulpal cracks. First and second mandibular molars (190) requiring nonsurgical root canal treatment at the VCU Graduate Endodontic Practice between February 15, 2013 and August 15, 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Teeth were transilluminated, stained, and inspected for intrapulpal cracks using a dental microscope. Data gathered included: demographics, subjective and objective information regarding the chief complaint to include bite stick test, transillumination, probing depths greater than 4mm, existing restorations, and diagnosis. Chi-square and logistic regression were performed (p<0.05). The prevalence of intrapulpal cracks in first and second mandibular molars combined was 9% (17/190, 95%CI= 5.7% to 13.9%). The prevalence was 7% for 1 st molars and 13% for 2 nd molars. There was no statically significant difference in the prevalence between first and second mandibular molars. Individual characteristics predictive for the existence of intrapulpal cracks were age, probing depth greater than 4mm, transillumination and a positive Tooth SloothTM test (all p<0.05). Staining of the pulp chamber after access identified only one of 17 intrapulpal cracks. Staining of the pulp chamber did not significantly increase the ability to identify intrapulpal cracks. Neither diagnosis, sex, nor existing restorations were significant predictors for intrapulpal cracks. Probing depth greater than 4mm, age over 40 and a positive Tooth SloothTM test were conjointly significant for predicting intrapulpal cracks.
Due Process for All: Applying Eldridge to Require Appointed Counsel for Asylum Seekers

Under international and domestic law, aliensfleeing persecution have the legal right to seek asylum in the United States. Statutorily and constitutionally, asylum seekers are guaranteed due process. This Comment isolates one specific due process right, the right to appointed counsel, and applies the Mathews v. Eldridge due process analysis to argue that appointed counsel is constitutionally required for asylum seekers. By marshaling current empirical and statistical evidence in applying a quasi-cost benefit analysis balancing of the three Eldridge factors, this Comment endeavors to demonstrate that a faithful application of Eldridge requires appointing counselfor asylum seekers.
Darboux Like Functions that are Characterizable by Images, Preimages and Associated Sets

For \(\mathcal{A},\mathcal{B}\subset\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{R})\) let \(\mathcal{C}_{\mathcal{A},\mathcal{B}}=\{ f\in\mathbb{R}^\mathbb{R}\colon(\forall A\in\mathcal{A})\,(f(A)\in\mathcal{B})\}\) and \(\mathcal{C}_{\mathcal{A},\mathcal{B}}^{-1}=\{ f\in\mathbb{R}^\mathbb{R}\colon(\forall B\in\mathcal{B})\,(f^{-1}(B)\in\mathcal{A})\}\). A family \(\mathcal{F}\) of real functions is characterizable by images (preimages) of sets if \(\mathcal{F}=\mathcal{C}_{\mathcal{A},\mathcal{B}}\) (\(\mathcal{F}=\mathcal{C}_{\mathcal{A},\mathcal{B}}^{-1}\), respectively) for some \(\mathcal{A},\mathcal{B}\subset\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{R})\). We study which of the classes of Darboux like functions can be characterized in this way. Moreover, we prove that the class of all Sierpinski-Zygmund functions can be characterized by neither images nor preimages of sets.
Population screening for cancer of the cervix with irrigation smears.

Abstract Using the self-obtained irrigation smear technique, a selective screening program was carried out in Washington County, Maryland, in 1963 and 1965. A 78 per cent participation rate was achieved with a yield of 7.8 cancers per 1,000 asymptomatic women in the 1963 screening. The participation rate in 1965 was 74 per cent with a yield of 4.0 per 1,000. Selective screening with the self-obtained irrigation smear offers an efficient technique for community control of cancer of the cervix.
Nursing Bottle Caries

Feeding habits affect dental health and ultimately the total health of young children. There is mounting concern among pediatric dentists about the increased incidence of nursing bottle caries in patients younger than 3 years old. Nursing bottle caries, nursing bottle syndrome, or bottle-propping caries are synonymous terms for a devastating condition that may render young children dental cripples. Typically, the primary maxillary incisors are affected most severely. The primary first molars are second in frequency; the most remarkable finding is that the mandibular incisors are seldom involved (Fig. 1 and 2). This is thought to be related to the protective effect of the tongue during suckling.
Some fundamentals of order-algebraic semantics

The order-theoretic enrichment of the algebraic approach to theoretical computer science, and to the theory of programming in particular, can be accomplished rather directly and elegantly, and appears to have a wide range of applications. This paper presents mathematical fundamentals of order-algebraic semantics. The principal new results concern free continuous algebraic theories and minimal conditions for solving general "systems of (recursive) equations" in algebraic theories.
Glycylhydroxyprolyl sequences in earthworm cuticle collagen: glycylhydroxyprolylserine.

Abstract A second tripeptide representing a glycylhydroxyprolyl sequence, glycylhydroxyprolylserine, has been isolated from purified earthworm cuticle collagen following digestion of the denatured collagen by clostridial collagenase. This tripeptide was estimated to represent 4 to 5% of the total hydroxyproline in the peptide mixture released by collagenase action. The isomeric tripeptide, glycylserylhydroxyproline, was not detected but could have been present at a maximum concentration representing another 4% of the total peptide hydroxyproline. Data are presented on the susceptibility of native and denatured earthworm cuticle collagen to clostridial collagenase and on the amino acid composition and chromato-graphic behavior of a number of peptide fractions obtained from collagenase digests of earthworm cuticle collagen.
Persistence and expansion of ponderosa pine woodlands in the west‐central Great Plains during the past two centuries

Aim Woody plant expansion and infilling in grasslands and savannas are occurring across a broad range of ecosystems around the globe and are commonly attributed to fire suppression, livestock grazing, nutrient enrichment and/or climate variability. In the western Great Plains, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodlands are expanding across broad geographical and environmental gradients. The objective of this study was to reconstruct the establishment of ponderosa pine in woodlands in the west-central Great Plains and to identify whether it was mediated by climate variability. Location Our study took place in a 400-km wide region from the base of the Front Range Mountains (c. 105° W) to the central Great Plains (c. 100° W) and from Nebraska (43° N) to northern New Mexico (36° N), USA. Methods Dates for establishment of ponderosa pine were reconstructed with tree rings in 11 woodland sites distributed across the longitudinal and latitudinal gradients of the study area. Temporal trends in decadal pine establishment were compared with summer Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). Annual trends in pine establishment from 1985 to 2005 were compared with seasonal PDSI, temperature and moisture availability. Results Establishment of ponderosa pine occurred in the study area in all but one decade (1770s) between the 1750s and the early 2000s, with over 35% of establishment in the region occurring after 1980. Pine establishment was highly variable among sites. Across the region, decadal pine establishment was persistently low from 1940 to 1960, when PDSI was below average. Annual pine establishment from 1985 to 2005 was positively correlated with summer PDSI and inversely correlated with minimum spring temperatures. Main conclusions Most ponderosa pine woodlands pre-date widespread Euro-American settlement of the region around c. ad 1860 and currently have stable tree populations. High variability in the timing of establishment of pine among sites highlights the multiplicity of factors that can drive woodland dynamics, including land use, fire history, CO2 enrichment, tree population dynamics and climate. Since the 1840s, the influence of climate was most notable across the study area during the mid-20th century, when the establishment of pine was suppressed by two significant droughts. The past sensitivity of establishment of ponderosa pine to drought suggests that woodland expansion will be negatively affected by predicted increases in temperature and drought in the Great Plains.
ViCurriAS: a curriculum visualization tool for faculty, advisors, and students

This paper introduces ViCurriAS, a visual tool to aid curriculum committees, faculty, and advisors in mapping a particular program of study. ViCurriAS also allows advisors and students to see the course dependencies and progress for the aforementioned program of study. ViCurriAS consists of two integrated environments: one for developing and arranging the flow of courses for a particular program or to aid in the introduction of new courses to an existing curriculum; and the second to provide an advising tool to visually show student progress through the program.
Osteophytes for Neophytes-Geriatric MSK Anatomy for Health Care Students

The anatomy presented in most anatomy courses and anatomical atlases is prime of life anatomy—generally that of the child-bearing years, usually featuring the most common variation. Anatomy outside...
The eDRAM based L3-cache of the BlueGene/L supercomputer processor node

BlueGene/L is a supercomputer consisting of 64K dual-processor system-on-a-chip compute nodes, capable of delivering an arithmetic peak performance of 5.6Gflops per node. To match the memory speed to the high compute performance, the system implements an aggressive three-level on-chip cache hierarchy for each node. The implemented hierarchy offers high bandwidth and integrated prefetching on cache hierarchy levels 2 and 3 to reduce memory access time. The integrated L3-cache stores a total of 4MB of data, using multibank embedded DRAM. The 1024 bit wide data port of the embedded DRAM provides 22.4GB/s bandwidth to serve the speculative prefetching demands of the two processor cores and the Gigabit Ethernet DMA engine.
Atossa’s Dream Yoking Music and Dance, Antiquity and Modernity in Maurice Emmanuel’s Salamine (1929)

This essay explores the conflicting trends of tradition and modernism, unity and independence in Parisian musical and dance culture in the late 1920s through an analysis of Maurice Emmanuel’s (1863-1938) aesthetics of contemporary and ancient Greek music and dance. It begins by outlining and critiquing Emmanuel’s relevant scholarly contributions to ancient Greek dance history and music history before demonstrating how these tensions manifested in the 1929 production of Emmanuel’s opera Salamine based on Aeschylus’s The Persians. Exploring Emmanuel’s aesthetics of music and dance (ancient and modern) affords a unique opportunity to see how these creative media were theorized and practiced in the tumultuous years after the Ballets russes, while illustrating some of the conflicts between what Leandre Vaillat termed “the academic and the eurhythmic” in dance and music.
Ill-Posed Problems

Problems involving differential equations usually come in the following form: we are given an equation for the unknown function u, P(u) = f, on a domain Ω together with some “side” conditions on u. For example, we may require that u assumes certain preassigned values on ∂Ω, or that u is in L 2(Ω), or that u is in class C k in Ω. At first glance, it would seem that any of these extra conditions are quite reasonable, and that one is as good as the other. However, we shall see that this is far from being true, and that whichever additional supplementary conditions one assigns is intimately connected with the form of equation.
Effect of concentrate level and live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on Texel lamb performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract An alternative additive that improves the nutrient use by ruminants and reduces the use of antibiotics is desirable in order to promote a sustainable and ecological animal production. The objective of the study was to evaluate the supplementation of live yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) in diets of finishing lambs fed with different concentrate levels on their performance, carcass traits, metabolic profile and eating pattern. The trial was carried out at Institute of Animal Science and Pastures , in Nova Odessa city, Brazil, with 24 Texel lambs, 18.0 Kg±1.14 Kg of initial live weight, and averaging 70 days-old, kept in individual pens. The animals were fed with diets comprising hay and concentrate rations in two different proportions (80 or 60%, on DM basis), supplemented or not with live yeast. A completely randomized blocks design, on a 2×2 factorial arrangement (2 concentrate levels with presence or absence of live yeast), was used to compare the means. Supplementation with live yeast did not affect ( P >0.05) DM intake, feed conversion, daily live weight gain, total live weight gain and final live weight, although it increased cold carcass weight ( P =0.0135) and external carcass length ( P =0.0104) regardless of the concentrate feed proportion in the diet. On carcass traits, supplementation with live yeasts did not modify ( P >0.05) cold carcass dressing percentage, compactness index, leg length, external chest depth, buttock circumference, carcass fat cover score, and conformation score. Lambs fed diets with greater concentrate level (80%) significantly increased ( P P >0.05) the cold dressing percentage, degree of carcass fat cover score and conformation. The live yeast decreased plasmatic lactate ( P P >0.05) plasmatic glucose, and reduced ( P P >0.05) the plasmatic glucose and lactate. Supplementation of live yeasts did not improve ( P >0.05) the rib eye dimensions and the carcass subcutaneous fat thickness measured by ultrasound. Lambs on diet with greater concentrate level had smaller ( P
Cultural and linguistic alchemy: Mining the resources of spanish-speaking children and families receiving early intervention services

This study was designed to gain insight into how early intervention (EI) services incorporate the cultural and linguistic resources of families and how EI professionals and families build partnerships with each other. Through observation and interview, the author looked deeply at the experiences of a small group of culturally and linguistically diverse children and families receiving home-based EI services. Results revealed that professionals and family members placed a high value on bilingualism, despite the many complexities and confusions regarding the use of English and Spanish by participating children and adults. A range of family strengths and potentialities were recognized, and professionals integrated various family members into their efforts. However, missed opportunities to build on family routines and areas of expertise and interest were identified. Despite the fact that collaboration was often carried out in a one-directional, parent-training model, families and professionals in the study for...
Cardiovascular complications of the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in young adults and the elderly and an important cause of admission to intensive care units. Manifestations of the GBS vary from monoparesis to life-threatening paralysis of the respiratory muscles. The latter is often punctuated by the presence of cardiac involvement. This ranges from variations in blood pressure to involvement of the myocardium and potentially fatal arrhythmias. This review addresses some of the common cardiovascular complications of the GBS, with their myriad presentations and therapeutic options, as well as potential preventive measures that can be helpful in the management of patients admitted to intensive care units. In conclusion, it is necessary to recognize the potentially fatal cardiovascular complications associated with the GBS and treat them accordingly.
THE EFFECT OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED ASCORBIC ACID AND/OR l-CYSTINE ON URINARY STEROID EXCRETION

THERE is considerable evidence that ascorbic acid and sulfhydryl-bearing compounds influence adrenal cortical function. The relationship between ascorbic acid and adrenal activity is well known and need not be reviewed here, except for a few pertinent data. Massive dosage of ascorbic acid prevents adrenal hypertrophy of animals exposed to the stress of low temperatures, and increases their survival rate (1). The rise of urinary 11-oxycorticoid excretion is less when ACTH is given in combination with ascorbic acid than when ACTH is used alone (2). Even in scorbutic patients the administration of ascorbic acid produces a temporary decrease in the already low 11-oxycorticoid excretion (3). Depletion of adrenal ascorbic acid under rigidly controlled circumstances serves for the bioassay of ACTH. The adrenal cortex is rich in sulfur-bearing, nonprotein compounds including glutathione, dimethyl sulfone, taurine, bis-β-hydroxyethyl sulfoxide, potassium ethyl sulfate and other incompletely identified substances. ...
Computer simulation of grain growth-III. Influence of a particle dispersion

Abstract A Monte Carlo computer simulation technique has been developed which models grain growth in the presence of a particle dispersion. The simulation allows for the monitoring of an evolving microstructure as a function of time. The model predicts normal grain growth, i.e. R = Ct n , where R is the average grain size and n is the grain growth exponent, followed by an abrupt transition to a pinned state. Both the exponent n and the grain size distribution are found to be in close agreement with that observed for grain growth in the absence of particles. The grain size distribution and kinetics are independent of particle concentration. The final average grain area and the time required for the microstructure to pin are both approximately proportional to the inverse of the particle concentration. The results are quantitatively accounted for in terms of a simple topological theory.
CP Violation in Pseudo-Dirac Fermion Oscillations

Supersymmetric theories with a $U(1{)}_{R}$ symmetry have Dirac gauginos, solve the supersymmetric flavor and $CP$ problems, and have distinctive collider signatures. However, when supergravity is included, the $U(1{)}_{R}$ must be broken, adding small Majorana mass terms which split the mass of the two components of the Dirac gaugino and lead to oscillations between $U(1{)}_{R}$ charge eigenstates. We present a general study of fermion-antifermion oscillations in this system, including the effects of decays and $CP$ violation. We consider the effects of such oscillations in the case where the two $U(1{)}_{R}$ charge eigenstates can decay into the same final state and show that $O(1)$ $CP$ violation is allowed. In the case of decays into final states containing leptons, such $CP$ violation can be observed as a same-sign dilepton asymmetry.
Iterative projective wavelet methods for denoising

Wavelet thresholding is a powerful tool for denoising images and other signals with sharp discontinuities. Using different wavelet bases gives different results, and since the wavelet transform is not time-invariant, thresholding various shifts of the signal is one way to use different wavelet bases. This paper describes several denoising methods that apply wavelet thresholding or variations on wavelet thresholding recursively. (We previously termed one of these methods "recursive cycle spinning.") These methods are compared experimentally for denoising piecewise polynomial signals. Though similar, the methods differ in computational complexity, convergence speed, and sensitivity to threshold selection.
THE IMPACT OF PREDATION ON LIFE HISTORY EVOLUTION IN TRINIDADIAN GUPPIES (POECILIA RETICULATA)

Theoretical studies have demonstrated the potential importance of demographic selection in molding life history patterns. Some of the factors which have been examined include density-dependent versus density-independent mortality (MacArthur and Wilson, 1967), fluctuations in the survivorship of some or all age classes (Murphy, 1968; Schaffer, 1974; Hirshfield and Tinkle, 1975), and changes in the mean survivorship of specific age classes (Gadgil and Bossert, 1970; Law, 1979; Michod, 1979; reviewed by Stearns, 197 6a). Empirical studies have sought correlations between life histories and potential sources of demographic selection and, in some cases, have attempted to determine if the organisms have evolved as predicted by theory (reviewed by Stearns, 1977). These studies have found interand intraspecific life history variations that are often consistent with theory. However, in interpreting these variations as the product of evolution and relating them to theoretical predictions, one must both demonstrate that the observed differences have a genetic basis and characterize the type of natural selection. Few empirical studies have achieved either goal. Other criteria for adequately testing life history models are presented by Stearns (1977). Natural populations of guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters) provide an opportunity to resolve many of the difficulties in empirical life history studies. They are easy to breed and have a short generation
Safety and efficacy of ticlopidine for only 2 weeks after successful intracoronary stent placement

Background —In patients receiving intracoronary stents, stent thrombosis is reduced when ticlopidine therapy is combined with aspirin after the procedure. However, ticlopidine causes neutropenia in 1% of patients when administered for >2 weeks, and little is known about the duration that ticlopidine needs be administered to prevent stent thrombosis. Methods and Results —We analyzed 827 patients undergoing successful stent placement in 1061 coronary segments at Mayo Clinic who were treated between May 1, 1996, and October 31, 1997. Chronic warfarin therapy, cardiogenic shock, and enrollment in research protocols requiring 4 weeks of ticlopidine were exclusion criteria; ticlopidine was discontinued after 14 days in all remaining patients. The mean age of the study population was 64±11 years; 49% had suffered a prior infarction, 20% had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery, and 65% had multivessel disease. The indication for stent placement was dissection or abrupt closure in 31% of patients and suboptimal results from balloon angioplasty in 18%. Placement was elective in 51% of patients, and 10.3% of patients were treated within 12 hours of an acute myocardial infarction. Mean nominal stent size was 3.3±0.5 mm. High-pressure inflations (≥12 atm) were performed in all patients (mean, 17±4 atm). Intravascular ultrasound was used to facilitate stent placement in 8.8% of patients. Abciximab was administered to 38% of patients; 11% of patients who were at increased risk of stent thrombosis were treated with enoxaparin for 10 to 14 days. Adverse cardiovascular events in the 14 days after stent placement occurred in 11 patients (1.3%). Two patients died of nonischemic causes (sepsis and renal failure) in the 15th through 30th days after ticlopidine was stopped. However, there were no cardiovascular deaths, myocardial infarctions, coronary artery bypass operations, or repeat angioplasty procedures between the 15th and 30th days; stent thrombosis did not occur in any patient after ticlopidine had been stopped. No patient developed neutropenia, although 1.8% of the first 489 patients who were closely monitored for side effects from ticlopidine developed side effects requiring its discontinuation, and milder side effects occurred in 4.7%. Conclusions —In patients receiving intracoronary stents, the discontinuation of ticlopidine therapy 14 days after stent placement is associated with a very low frequency of stent thrombosis and other adverse events.
SURVIVAL OF AN UNIRRADIATED SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM MARKER STRAIN INOCULATED IN POULTRY FEEDS AFTER IRRADIATION

The present study was designed to compare unirradiated Salmonella typhimurium survival during storage after inoculation in either irradiated or unirradiated poultry feed. The effects of irradiation (5 kGy) on the indigenous feed microflora and on the survival of marker strain of S. typhimurium contaminated after irradiation treatment were determined during 56 days of storage of either soybean meal (SBM) or meat and bone meal (MBM) based feeds. The initial aerobic bacterial populations were reduced more than 90% in both SBM (4.96 to 4.08 ± 0.03 log10 CPU/g feed) and MBM (5.12 to 3.90 ± 0.03) by irradiation. Irradiation treatment reduced the average fungal counts during 56 days of storage in both SBM (4.24 to 2.74 ± 0.03) and MBM (4.38 to 2.15 ± 0.03) containing feeds. However, unirradiated S. typhimurium populations inoculated after irradiation of the feed were not different in either irradiated or nonirradiated SBM and MBM based feeds. Therefore, the differences in fungal versus bacterial sensitivity among the feed types and storage times suggests that gamma irradiation can alter the makeup of indigenous microbial populations in feed but this does not appear to have a discernible influence on subsequent survival of unirradiated S. typhimurium added as a dry inoculum after irradiation.