cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence Lifetime-Based Optical Molecular Imaging

Fluorescence lifetime is a powerful contrast mechanism for in vivo molecular imaging. In this chapter, we describe instrumentation and methods to optimally exploit lifetime contrast using a time domain fluorescence tomography system. The key features of the system are the use of point excitation in free-space using ultrashort laser pulses and non-contact detection using a gated, intensified CCD camera. The surface boundaries of the imaging volume are acquired using a photogrammetric camera integrated with the imaging system, and implemented in theoretical models of light propagation in biological tissue. The time domain data are optimally analyzed using a lifetime-based tomography approach, which is based on extracting a tomographic set of lifetimes and decay amplitudes from the long time decay portion of the time domain data. This approach improves the ability to locate in vivo targets with a resolution better than conventional optical methods. The application of time domain lifetime multiplexing and tomography are illustrated using phantoms and tumor bearing mouse model of breast adenocarcinoma. In the latter application, the time domain approach allows an improved detection of fluorescent protein signals from intact nude mice in the presence of background autofluorescence. This feature has potential applications for longitudinal pre-clinical evaluation of drug treatment response as well as to address fundamental questions related to tumor physiology and metastasis.
Comparison of Activities and Attitudes of Baccalaureate Level and Entry-Level Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates of the University of Illinois at Chicago:

Objective:To determine whether (1) differences exist between BSPharm and PharmD pharmacists in practice site selection, activities, and attitudes; and (2) differences in activities and attitudes exist uniquely between BS and PharmD pharmacists in hospital settings and in community settings.Design:A survey was designed and sent through the mail.Setting:The BSPharm graduating classes of 1985 and 1986 and the PharmD graduating classes of 1988–1990 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.Participants:Usable responses were received from 65% (n = 159) of the BSPharm cohort and 54% (n = 176) of the PharmD cohort.Main Outcomes:The outcomes under study were: (1) the choice of practice setting of the first job and the current job; (2) percent of time spent in 4 broad categories of pharmacists' activities: prescription processing, clinical activities, management, and educating; (3) levels of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction; and (4) levels of professional commitment.Results:Chi-square results indicated th...
Prediction of Ductility-Dip Cracking in Narrow Groove Welds Using Computer Simulation of Strain Accumulation

Ductility-dip cracking (DDC) in high chromium nickel-base weld metals has been an issue during fabrication and repair of nuclear power plant components for many years. DDC is a solid-state cracking phenomenon, and several theories [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] have been proposed for the mechanism. Research conducted to develop these theories has primarily been performed using test methods involving small-scale specimens that may not replicate actual welding conditions (e.g., strain-to-fracture, hot-ductility, and varestraint). Due to the complexities of welding, there are potentially significant differences in the strain, strain-rates, stresses, and thermal cycles that can occur between these small-scale test methods and actual welding conditions. To eliminate this uncertainty, a high-restraint, narrow groove weld mockup was developed to assess DDC in this work. Filler metals 52 and 52M (AWS specifications ERNiCrFe-7 and ERNiCrFe-7A, respectively), compositions considered susceptible to DDC, are deposited with cold wire GTAW in a narrow groove with precise heat input and bead placement controls to isolate the occurrence of DDC to a known region of the weld deposit. Computer modeling using SysWeld™ with validated weld parameter inputs was also performed to simulate the narrow groove weld. Comparison of test specimens to computer simulations shows that the highest occurrence of DDC is in weld regions with multiple reheat cycles and high strain accumulation. This and future work is intended to develop a method to predict DDC susceptibility in multi-pass welds and to develop procedures and techniques that minimize the occurrence of DDC.
A unique approach for broadband characterization of frequency dependent substrate material property

One of the major challenges for high speed channel simulation is generating reliable and accurate material models for dielectric constant and loss tangent. Existing industry-standard method often relies on the electrical properties of traveling wave along a transmission line, which could suffer from the roughness effect of the copper trace, consequently introduces errors into extracted value and often yields inconsistent material data from different vendors. This paper will demonstrate a methodology for measurement of typical substrate material (GZ41) using a circular plate capacitor to eliminate the effect of copper surface roughness. By simulating the fringing effect of the design structure a piecewise linear equation with two arbitrary dielectric constants is obtained. The unknown material value is bounded within this data range. The dielectric constant of unknown material can then be determined from measured fringing effect of capacitor pattern and compare it against the fringing equation. An example of this approach will be presented and demonstrated with a material test coupon. Electromagnetic simulation shows that extraction error is within 1 % of assigned target material value. Through careful design of capacitor pattern the material extraction methodology bandwidth can be extended up to 30GHz.
Fiber and fiber based technology after VAD development

The development of VAD optical fibers for transoceanic submarine cable networks, from standard single-mode fibers for TPC-3 in 1989 to ultra-low loss fibers with large mode area for the latest digital coherent systems, is reviewed.
Promoting Healthy Growth or Feeding Obesity? The Need for Evidence-Based Oversight of Infant Nutritional Supplement Claims

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) model recognizes growth in infancy and childhood as a fundamental determinant of lifespan health. Evidence of long-term health risks among small neonates who subsequently grow rapidly poses a challenge for interventions aiming to support healthy growth, not merely drive weight gain. Defining healthy growth beyond “getting bigger” is essential as infant and young child feeding industries expand. Liquid-based nutritional supplements, originally formulated for undernourished children, are increasingly marketed for and consumed by children generally. Clarifying the nature of the evidentiary base on which structure/function claims promoting “healthy growth” are constructed is important to curb invalid generalizations. Evidence points to changing social beliefs and cultural practices surrounding supplementary feeding, raising specific concerns about the long-term health consequences of an associated altered feeding culture, including reduced dietary variety and weight gain. Reassessing the evidence for and relevance of dietary supplements’ “promoting healthy growth” claims for otherwise healthy children is both needed in a time of global obesity and an opportunity to refine intervention approaches among small children for whom rapid subsequent growth in early life augments risk for chronic disease. Scientific and health care partnerships are needed to consider current governmental oversight shortfalls in protecting vulnerable populations from overconsumption. This is important because we may be doing more harm than good.
Disorders of sweating

The clinical spectrum of sweating disorders includes sudomotor excess and deficiency. Hyperhidrosis is characterized by sweating beyond that required to maintain a constant internal body temperature. Hypohidrosis and anhidrosis are distinguished by a reduced or absent ability to generate sweat for the purpose of evaporative heat dissipation. Whereas hyperhidrosis is usually benign, anhidrosis may predispose to hyperthermia. Either hyperhidrosis or anhidrosis may accompany a more serious underlying disorder. Correct diagnosis depends on determining the anatomical pattern of sweating and localizing the lesion within the autonomic nervous system. Sudomotor deficits may involve the frontal operculum, hypothalamus, brain stem, spinal cord, sympathetic chain ganglia, peripheral nerve, or eccrine sweat glands. Treatments for hyperhidrosis include topical aluminum chloride, oral anticholinergic agents, intradermal botulinum toxin for some localized syndromes, and thoracic ganglionic sympathotomy or sympathectomy for refractory palmar hyperhidrosis.
Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain at a Pediatric Oncology Institution.

Background and purpose/objective Mirror therapy has not been reported for phantom limb pain (PLP) in pediatric oncology. Our aims are to describe the incidence and duration of PLP post-amputation, the duration of follow-up, pain scores and pain medications, and the differences between a group that received mirror therapy (MT) in addition to the standard treatment and a group that received only the standard treatment (non-MT). Methods A retrospective review of patients' medical records from June 2009 to March 2015 was completed. The demographic characteristics, diagnoses and types of surgery were collected. The incidence and duration of PLP, duration of pain service follow-up, pain medications and pain scores were collected and analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results Of 21 patients who underwent amputations (median age 13 years, range, 8-24 years), most common primary diagnosis osteosarcoma), 18 (85.7%) experienced PLP; 38.9% of them experienced PLP at 1 year post-amputation (11.1% of the MT group and 66.7% of the non-MT group). The MT group and non-MT groups experienced PLP for a mean (± SD) of 246 (± 200) days, and 541 (± 363) days, respectively (p=0.08). The mean (SD) opioid doses (mg/kg/day) in the MT and non-MT groups were 0.81 (± 0.99) and 0.33 (± 0.31), respectively; the mean (SD) gabapentin doses (mg/kg/day) were 40.1 (± 21) for the MT group and 30.5 (± 11.5) for the non-MT group. Conclusion MT in children with cancer-related amputations is associated with lower incidence of PLP at 1 year and shorter duration of PLP.
State mental health funding and mental health system performance.

BACKGROUND The evaluation of state mental health system performance is a priority to funders, service providers and clients. AIMS This paper tests whether state levels of mental health care expenditures are associated with state indicators of performance and access. METHODS Data from multiple sources measured 2003 state mental health spending, on a per client and a per capita basis, and a set of 21 performance indicators. Performance measures addressed access to care, client reported quality and outcomes, employment, incarceration, homelessness, and other areas. Analyses were conducted at the state or person level depending on the data, and included bivariate correlations, multiple linear regression, and hierarchical categorical modeling. RESULTS For 17 of 21 measures, no statistical relationship was found between performance and mental health spending, after adjusting for state income and illness severity. Spending was related to basic access measures and to lower incarceration rates, but not to the remaining measures of quality or outcome. DISCUSSION The results suggest that expenditures through state mental health authorities in the United States do not translate to improved outcomes or quality. This may be due to ineffective administrative practices and policies which are not conducive to promoting best practices. Limitations of the data include the cross-sectional design and some weaknesses in measurement. Implications for improvement of state systems are discussed, including the need for policies that emphasize shared state-local models to implement treatment programs of known effectiveness.
Outcomes of Resident-Performed Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

Purpose This article aimed to evaluate outcomes of resident-performed Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Methods This is a case series of patients who underwent DSAEK performed by PGY-4 ophthalmology residents at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital from January 2013 to August 2016 staffed by a fellowship-trained cornea specialist. Patients with less than 1 month of follow-up were excluded. Demographics, baseline ocular characteristics, and intraoperative data were recorded. Vision and graft status were recorded at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and the last follow-up visits. Surgical failure was defined as graft detachment within 1 week of surgery and/or primary graft failure within 3 months of surgery. Results Eighteen eyes of 18 patients who followed up for 14.9 months (±12.9) were included. Mean age of patients was 60.9 years (±13.2). Indications for DSAEK included pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (10), Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (4), and other causes of endothelial dysfunction (4). Eleven (61%) eyes had prior ocular surgery, and 7 (39%) had prior glaucoma surgery. There were no postoperative graft detachments and two (11%) primary graft failures. There was one primary graft failure in a glaucoma patient. Of the 16 graft successes, logMAR visual acuity improved by 0.46 logMAR (±0.73) from baseline. Conclusion With appropriate staffing by an experienced cornea surgeon, DSAEK with residents as the primary surgeons is a safe and effective procedure with reasonably good outcomes.
Use of Ultrasound in Male Infertility: Appropriate Selection of Men for Scrotal Ultrasound.

Male factor infertility is a complex and multifaceted problem facing the modern urologist and is identified in 30–40% of infertile couples. This review focuses on the use of ultrasound, as an adjunct screening tool, in the initial evaluation of male infertility. Access to male reproductive urologist for assessment of male infertility is limited and about a quarter of infertile couples do not complete the male component in their infertility assessment. Ultrasound evaluation of the infertile male is low-cost and non-invasive and helps uncover underlying pathologies that may be missed during the initial assessment. The addition of ultrasound allows the physician to accurately assess testicular anatomy and dimensions, as well as vascular environments, which may help guide treatment decisions. Scrotal ultrasound evaluation, in conjunction with a semen analysis and as an adjunct to physical exam, can be offered in the initial assessment of men who present for infertility consultation given its low cost, non-invasive nature, and ability to detect and discriminate between various etiologies of male infertility. Further, when directed by physical exam and semen analysis findings, it provides a valuable tool to select men for referral to a reproductive urologist, especially for infertile couples who are only screened by reproductive endocrinologists and female infertility specialists.
Taking Duties Seriously? The Decline of Duties in a Rights Culture

The notion of moral duty has fallen on hard times. Once regarded by the Ancients and many Moderns as the fundamental moral category, as the bedrock even of moral and political rights, the concept of duty languishes in our culture as an object of neglect and suspicion. For us, duties tend to exist either as the pale correlates of rights or as the fiercely contested dictates of an oppressive state or overbearing moralists.
Upregulation of calcium homeostatic mechanisms in chronically depolarized rat myenteric neurons.

Upregulation of calcium homeostatic mechanisms in chronically depolarized rat myenteric neurons. Perturbations of intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) have important effects on numerous n...
Two-phase velocity measurements around cylinders using particle image velocimetry

The Particle Image Velocimetry flow measurement technique was used to study both singlephase flow and two-phase flow across a cylindrical rod inserted in a channel. First, a flow consisting of only a single-phase fluid was studied. The experiment consisted of running a laminar flow over four rods inserted in a channel. The water flow rate was 126 cm 3 /s. Then a two-phase flow was studied. A mixture of water and small air bubbles was used. The water flow rate was 378 cm 3 /s and the air flow rate was approximately 30 cm 3 /s. The data are analyzed to obtain the velocity fields for both experiments. After interpretation of the velocity data, forces acting on a bubble entrained by the vortex were calculated successfully. The lift and drag coefficients were calculated using the velocity measurements and the force data.
Theory in the Social Sciences

Science is of a “piece,” the whole piece being threaded together by methodology. The social sciences are different from the physical/biological sciences. But the skein of scientific method ties them all together. Although social science differs from the physical/biological sciences, it is not completely separable. Science is one. This is the perspective we have adopted in this book.
Methods for Using Surrogate Models to Speed Up Genetic Algorithm Optimization: Informed Operators and Genetic Engineering

In this article we present and compare two methods for forming and using surrogate models to speed up genetic-algorithm-based optimization. The methods work by forming functional approximations of the fitness function which are used to speed up the GA optimization. One method speeds up the optimization by making the genetic operators more informed. The other method speeds up the optimization by genetically engineering some individuals instead of using the regular Darwinian evolution approach. Empirical results in several engineering design domains are presented.
Mechanical confinement via a PEG/Collagen interpenetrating network inhibits behavior characteristic of malignant cells in the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA.MB.231

Abstract To decouple the effects of collagen fiber density and network mechanics on cancer cell behavior, we describe a highly tunable in vitro 3D interpenetrating network (IPN) consisting of a primary fibrillar collagen network reinforced by a secondary visible light-mediated thiol-ene poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) network. This PEG/Collagen IPN platform is cytocompatible, inherently bioactive via native cellular adhesion sites, and mechanically tunable over several orders of magnitude—mimicking both healthy and cancerous breast tissue. Furthermore, we use the PEG/Collagen IPN platform to investigate the effect of mechanical confinement on cancer cell behavior as it is hypothesized that cells within tumors that have yet to invade into the surrounding tissue experience mechanical confinement. We find that mechanical confinement via the IPN impairs behavior characteristic of malignant cells (i.e., viability, proliferation, and cellular motility) in the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA.MB.231, and is more effective than removal of soluble growth signals. The PEG/Collagen IPN platform is a useful tool for studying mechanotransductive signaling pathways and motivates further investigation into the role of mechanical confinement in cancer progression. Statement of Significance In this study, we have developed, optimized, and applied a novel 3D in vitro cell culture platform composed of an interpenetrating network (IPN) that is both mechanically tunable and inherently bioactive. The IPN consists of a primary fibrillar collagen type-1 network reinforced by a secondary thiol-ene poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) network. The IPNs are formed via a novel strategy in which cell-laden collagen gels are formed first, and soluble PEG monomers are added later and crosslinked via visible light. This approach ensures that the collagen gels contain a fibrillar architecture similar to the collagen architecture present in vivo. We applied our IPN platform to study the effect of mechanical confinement on cancer cell behavior and found that it inhibits malignant-like behavior.
Social Promotion and Learning Outcomes: Evidence from India

We study the effects of a national social promotion policy on learning outcomes in India. The “No Detention Policy” mandated automatic promotion of students till grade 8. Exploiting variation in pre-existing grade retention rules across states, we set up a differences-in-differences design. Using data from eight years of a large-scale education survey, we find that social promotion improved reading scores by 2.5 percent, and math scores by 5 percent. Both boys and girls show improvements in learning outcomes and the effects are strongest in the lowest quartile of the test score distribution. We consider different mechanisms that could be driving our results.
Abstract 265: Improving Compliance with Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation Metrics by Standardizing Code Note Documentation

Background: Accurate documentation of in-hospital cardiac arrest is essential to patient care. Recently, the American Heart Association created Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation (GWTG-R) to fac...
The Legionella pneumophila metaeffector Lpg2505 (SusF) regulates SidI-mediated translation inhibition and GDP-dependent glycosyltransferase activity

Legionella pneumophila, the etiological agent of Legionnaires Disease, employs an arsenal of hundreds of Dot/Icm-translocated effector proteins to facilitate replication within eukaryotic phagocytes. Several effectors, called metaeffectors, function regulate the activity of other Dot/Icm-translocated effectors during infection. The metaeffector Lpg2505 is essential for L. pneumophila intracellular replication only when its cognate effector, SidI, is present. SidI is a cytotoxic effector that interacts with the host translation factor eEF1A and potently inhibits eukaryotic protein translation by an unknown mechanism. Here, we evaluated the impact of Lpg2505 on SidI-mediated phenotypes and investigated the mechanism of SidI function. We determined that Lpg2505 binds with nanomolar affinity to SidI and suppresses SidI-mediated inhibition of protein translation. SidI binding to eEF1A and SusF is not mutually exclusive and these proteins bind distinct regions of SidI. We also discovered that SidI possesses GDP-dependent glycosyltransferase activity and that this activity is regulated by Lpg2505. We have therefore renamed Lpg2505, SusF (suppressor of SidI function). This work reveals novel enzymatic activity for SidI and provides insight into how intracellular replication of L. pneumophila is regulated by a metaeffector.
Photocrosslinking probes for capture of carbohydrate interactions.

Abstract Glycan-mediated interactions are essential in many biological processes and regulate a wide variety of cellular functions. However, characterizing these interactions is difficult because glycan biosynthesis is not template driven and because carbohydrate recognition events are usually of low affinity and transient. Photocrosslinking carbohydrate probes can form a covalent bond with molecules in close proximity on UV irradiation and are capable of capturing interactions between glycans and glycan-binding proteins in situ. Because of these advantages, multiple photocrosslinking carbohydrate probes have been designed and applied to study the biological functions of glycans. This review will discuss recent advances in the development of novel photocrosslinking functional groups and the design of photocrosslinking probes to detect interactions mediated by glycolipids, peptidoglycan, and multivalent carbohydrate ligands. These probes have demonstrated the potential to address some of the major challenges in the study of glycan-mediated interactions in both model systems and in more complex biological settings.
Leveraging Multiple Connected Traffic Light Signals in an Energy-Efficient Speed Planner

Connecting automated vehicles to traffic lights can lead to significant energy savings by enabling them to pass through intersections in an energy-efficient way without unnecessary stops. A cellular-based communication system connecting multiple traffic lights can help realize the full potential of energy-efficient driving at intersections. Thus, we propose a hierarchical speed planner that can leverage information from multiple connected traffic lights. The proposed speed planner consists of two modules: a green window selector and a reference trajectory generator. The green window selector, based on Dijkstra’s algorithm, finds a series of “green windows” for connected traffic lights that builds an energy-optimal path for vehicles to follow. The reference trajectory generator finds optimal entering times, based on the selected green window at each intersection, and then computes reference trajectories. Deriving and using analytical optimal entering speeds as a function of entering times allows us to guarantee the computational simplicity suitable for real-time implementation. We also demonstrate how to balance energy and traffic flow perspectives in the reference trajectory generator. Finally, a high-fidelity simulation framework is used to evaluate the proposed speed planner and quantify the extent to which it can save energy in various real-world urban route scenarios.
The 'Embodied Equity' Theory of Term Structure

This study analytically specifies the residual cash flow stream that real capital embodies. The specification separates debt cash flows from equity and obtains an equilibrium condition equating marginal physical product and real user cost of capital. Analysis of the user cost specification reveals that the equilibrium interest rate is an increasing function of the debt contract's loan-to-value ratio and average period of debt. The basic reason why the interest rate increases with average period is this: the equity financing rate exceeds the interest rate, a lengthening debt average period reduces to equity the discounted cost of debt, the financing rate increases to re-establish equilibrium. The “embodied equity” hypothesis advanced herein joins the expectations hypothesis, the liquidity preference hypothesis, and the market segmentation hypothesis as a fundamental explanation for the upward slope on the yield curve.
The challenge of delimiting cryptic species, and a supervised machine learning solution

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWThe diversity of biological and ecological characteristics of organisms, and the underlying genetic patterns and processes of speciation, makes the development of universally applicable genetic species delimitation methods challenging. Many approaches, like those incorporating the multispecies coalescent, sometimes delimit populations and overestimate species numbers. This issue is exacerbated in taxa with inherently high population structure due to low dispersal ability, and in cryptic species resulting from nonecological speciation. These taxa present a conundrum when delimiting species: analyses rely heavily, if not entirely, on genetic data which over split species, while other lines of evidence lump. We showcase this conundrum in the harvester Theromaster brunneus, a low dispersal taxon with a wide geographic distribution and high potential for cryptic species. Integrating morphology, mitochondrial, and sub-genomic (double-digest RADSeq and ultraconserved elements) data, we find high discordance across analyses and data types in the number of inferred species, with further evidence that multispecies coalescent approaches over split. We demonstrate the power of a supervised machine learning approach in effectively delimiting cryptic species by creating a "custom" training dataset derived from a well-studied lineage with similar biological characteristics as Theromaster. This novel approach uses known taxa with particular biological characteristics to inform unknown taxa with similar characteristics, and uses modern computational tools ideally suited for species delimitation while also considering the biology and natural history of organisms to make more biologically informed species delimitation decisions. In principle, this approach is universally applicable for species delimitation of any taxon with genetic data, particularly for cryptic species.
Transcatheter embolic coils to treat peridevice leaks after left atrial appendage closure

Background Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has proven to be an effective alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation in the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation. In a minority of patients, inadequate seal may result in persistent peridevice flow and inability of the appendage to fully thrombose, thereby representing a potential source for thromboembolism. Objective The purpose of this study was to study the use of endovascular coiling of the appendage to address persistent peridevice leak in patients undergoing LAAC with the Watchman device. Methods This is a retrospective single-center analysis involving patients who underwent placement of a LAAC device and returned for endovascular coiling to address persistent device leak between 2018 and 2020. Baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, and follow-up echocardiograms were analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of this technique. Results Patients (N = 20) were identified with a mean leak size of 3.8 ± 1.3 mm (range 2.5–7 mm), all of whom had a non-thrombosed appendage. Acute procedural success was achieved in 95% of patients. Complete or significant reduction in flow beyond the LAAC device was achieved in 61% and 33% of patients, respectively. The 1 procedure-related adverse event was a pericardial effusion before coil deployment, requiring percutaneous drainage. Conclusion The clinical impact of residual peridevice leak post-Watchman implantation is a matter of continuing investigation. However, appendage coiling represents a new therapeutic tool to address this potential source for thromboembolism. Further studies should address the clinical impact of this technique, including the safety of discontinuing anticoagulation after successful coiling.
Hip abductor strength in people with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study of reliability and association with function.

Abstract Background To investigate the clinical importance of hip abductor (HA) strength in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), the purposes of this study were to 1) compare the association of HA strength and physical function to that of knee extensor (KE) strength and physical function, and 2) determine the reliability of the assessment of HA strength using a hand-held dynamometer. Methods Thirty-five individuals [58 years standard deviation 10 years old] with knee osteoarthritis participated. Physical function was assessed with performance-based [Get-Up and Go (GUG), stair climb and descent (SC), and five times chair rise (CR)] and self-reported (WOMAC function) measures. The relationship between strength and function was assessed using bivariate correlation and hierarchical multiple regression models. Reliability across sessions was assessed in 25 subjects. Results In the bivariate models, both KE and HA strength were both significantly associated with performance-based measures of function, but not WOMAC function. After controlling for anthropometric factors and KE strength in the hierarchical models, HA made significant independent contributions to the prediction of GUG and SC, but not CR or WOMAC function. The reliability of HA strength was excellent (ICC2, 3 = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.86–0.97), while the minimum detectable change (MDC95) was 0.29 Nm/kg (95% CI = 0.23–0.41). Conclusion HA strength can be reliably measured and is closely associated with functional performance in people with knee OA. Clinical Relevance These results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that HA strength may be an important rehabilitation target for the conservative management of knee OA.
The11B(p, p0) and (p, p1) reactions and the continuum model of nuclear reactions

The excitation functions of the analysing power in the11B(p, p0) and the11B(p, p1) reaction channels predicted by the extended coupled-channel model are compared with the available data in the (19.6÷25) MeV region of excitation in12C. The validity of the model predictions regarding resonances in12C made in the earlier analyses of other data on proton-induced reactions on11B is further tested.
The Relationship Between Attitudes Toward Technology, Adaptability, And Customer Orientation Among Professional Salespeople

The use of computer technology is increasingly becoming a way of life for professional salespeople. Given the increased use of technology in virtually aspects of sales, it would seem natural to reconcile both the uses of, and attitudes toward, computers among professional salespeople with traditionally emphasized sales constructs such as adaptability and customer orientation. The results of such an analysis would have implications for both academic sales research as well as sales managers and trainers who would benefit from an investigation into a propensity to accept computer technology and the ability to engage in significant sales activities that represent the human dimension. The current study addresses this issue by assessing the relationships between salespersons’ attitudes toward computer technology, adaptability, and customer orientation. The findings generally indicate a positive predisposition toward computer usage and a significant positive relationship between those attitudes and both adaptability and customer orientation among a sample of professional salespeople.
Implantable biofuel cells operating in vivo: Providing sustainable power for bioelectronic devices: From biofuel cells to cyborgs

Implantable devices harvesting energy from biological sources and based on electrochemical transducers are currently receiving high attention. The energy collected from the body can be utilized to activate various microelectronic devices. This article is an overview of the recent research activity in the area of enzyme-based biofuel cells implanted in biological tissue and operating in vivo. The electrical power extracted from the biological sources presents use for activating microelectronic devices for biomedical applications. While some microelectronic devices can work within a fairly broad range of electrical operating conditions, others, such as pacemakers, require precise voltage levels and voltage regulation for correct operation. Thus, certain classes of electronic devices powered by implantable energy sources will require careful attention not only to energy and power considerations, but also to voltage scaling and regulation. This requires appropriate interfacing between the energy harvesting device and the energy consuming microelectronic device. The paper focuses on the problems in the present technology as well as offers their potential solutions. Lastly, perspectives and future applications of the implanted biofuel cells are also discussed. The considered examples include a pacemaker and a wireless signal transfer system powered by implantable biofuel cell extracting electrical energy from biological sources.
Calculations of Lyman Alpha Absorption in the Mesosphere

Detailed calculations of the absorption of solar Lyman alpha flux in the earth’s mesosphere which include wavelength and temperature dependent O2 and H2O absorption cross sections, are used to investigate the effects on the water vapour photodissociation of a) absorption by atmospheric species other than O2 b) changes in the solar Lyman alpha line profile with solar activity and c) atmospheric temperature and density variations. These calculations indicate that neglecting the absorption by N2, H2O, CO2 and CH4, in addition to that by O2, may overestimate the Lyman alpha photodissociation of H2O by 8–9% in the altitude region of maximum photodestruction. Changes in the Lyman alpha line profile from the minimum to the maximum of the 11 year solar activity cycle cause only a 2% increase in photodissociation, which can be compared with the approximately factor of two increase associated with the solar cycle variation of the integrated line flux. However, at solar maximum, using the Meier and Prinz line profile underestimates the peak photodestruction by 4%.
Changing Role of the Speed of Processing Construct in the Cognitive Psychology of Human Aging

Publisher Summary Speed of processing, whether as a measured variable or an inferred latent variable, accounted for a large portion of the age-related variance in a wide range of cognitive tasks. A fact that was sometimes noted but usually accorded little attention was that the measures of speed of processing that were most effective in accounting for variance in cognitive tasks were not relatively pure measures, such as a simple reaction time. They were complex psychometric measures that tapped a variety of functions. Speed of processing lost primacy of place as a cause of age-related decline when it became clear that other noncognitive variables, such as sensory acuity could also account for a large portion of the age-related variance in cognitive performance. Instead of a single, underlying cause that mediated change in cognitive performance, there was some deeper underlying change that in turn explained strongly associated changes across a variety of tasks, including tasks that measured the speed of processing. The common cause models that resulted largely provided very good fits to data collected on cognitive performance across a wide cross-sectional range of adult ages. The common cause hypothesis foundered on longitudinal data that showed weak intra-individual correlations between measured or latent variables over time.
Discussion of An Analysis of the Theories and Explanations Offered for the Mispricing of Accruals and Accrual Components: mispricing of accruals

In an interesting and provocative paper, Kraft, Leone, and Wasley (henceforth, KLW) conduct an in-depth analysis of Sloan's [1996] earnings fixation hypothesis as a causal explanation for the accrual anomaly. The earnings fixation hypothesis predicts that abnormal returns are high (low) following low (high) accruals. A testable implication is that a strategy that buys the decile of stocks with the lowest accruals, and sells the decile of stocks with the highest accruals, earns excess returns. These apparently predictable excess returns following readily observable components of earnings are puzzling from a market efficiency perspective, and there is a variety of hypotheses to explain them. However, as Sloan [1996, p. 314] first observes, these returns "do not necessarily imply investor irrationality or the existence ofunexploited profit opportunities." Trading costs, arbitrage risk, or other risk mismeasurement may explain the returns without contradicting market efficiency (Kothari
Classical Optics and Its Applications: Second-order coherence and the Hanbury Brown–Twiss experiment

Introduction The degree of first-order temporal coherence, a function denoted by g (1) ( τ ), provides information about the coherence length and the power spectral density of a light source. However, without additional information, g (1) ( τ ) has no bearing on intensity fluctuations and higher-order statistics of the emitted light. A quasi-monochromatic laser beam and the beam of light from an incandescent light bulb, provided that the latter is properly filtered to match the spectral line-shape of the former, will have identical degrees of first-order coherence. Any interferometric experiment involving the splitting and superposition of amplitudes would yield identical results for the laser beam and the (properly filtered) thermal light. Therefore, on the basis of such experiments alone, there is no way to distinguish the two light sources. It turns out, however, that the intensity fluctuations of laser light are fundamentally different from those of thermal light. The two sources can, therefore, be distinguished based on their second-order coherence properties. An ideal photodetector produces an electrical signal proportional to the “cycle-averaged intensity” of the E -field (or B -field) of the light beam at the location of the detector. Assuming that the electrical bandwidth of the detector (including all associated circuitry) is greater than the bandwidth of the incident light wave by at least a factor of 2, the output of the detector should accurately represent the intensity fluctuations of the light beam as a function of time.
Sintered Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride by Microwave Heating

Sintered silicon nitride has many desired properties, however, for most applications these materials are too expensive to compete with metal parts. Sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) is more economical, with raw material costs <27% those of comparable high-purity materials, making it competitive with metal parts. Conventional processing of SRBSN requires long nitridation times and a two-step firing process. Microwave (MW) heating reduces the reaction times and is performed in a one-step process, thereby simplifying the operation. The flexural strength of the MW-SRBSN is equivalent to the strength of some materials made from higher-cost powders. Thus, these materials may be appropriate for a number of applications.
Interpretation of the vibrational behavior of methyl and substituted methyl radicals perturbed by alkali halide molecules

Abstract The observed vibrational behavior of free and alkali halide-perturbed methyl radicals in low temperature inert matrices is rationalized on the basis of the relaxation of the molecular charge distribution of the methyl radical on vibration. It is shown that the primary interaction of an MX species with a methyl radical, is with the unoccupied, antibonding a ′ 1 orbital of the latter, which, via a perturbation treatment is linked to the electronic ground state out-of-plane bending force constant and quartic pottntial terms. The behavior of the halo substituted analogs is investigated in terms of the molecular orbital energy separation parameter, Δ ϵ , as a function of out-of-plane angle, and the number of available π-type ligand orbitals.
Time-Dependent Reliability Estimation for Dynamic Problems Using a Niching Genetic Algorithm

A time-dependent reliability analysis method is presented for dynamic systems under uncertainty using a niching genetic algorithm (GA). The system response is modeled as a parametric random process. A double-loop optimization algorithm is used. The inner loop calculates the maximum response in time, using a hybrid (global-local) optimization algorithm. A global GA quickly locates the vicinity of the global maximum, and a gradient-based optimizer subsequently refines its location. A time-dependent problem is, therefore, transformed into a time-independent one. The outer loop calculates multiple most probable points (MPPs), which are commonly encountered in vibration problems. The dominant MPPs with the highest contribution to the probability of failure are identified. A niching GA is used because of its ability to simultaneously identify multiple solutions. All potential MPPs are initially identified approximately, and their location is efficiently refined using a gradient-based optimizer with local metamodels. For computational efficiency, the local metamodels are built using mostly available sample points from the niching GA. Among all MPPs, the significant and independent ones are identified using a correlation analysis. Approximate limit states are built at the identified MPPs, and the system failure probability is estimated using bimodal bounds. The vibration response of a cantilever plate under a random oscillating pressure load and a point load is used to illustrate the present method and demonstrate its robustness and efficiency. A finite-element model is used to calculate the plate response.
A digital frequency discriminator for biofeedback research

The design and construction of a digital frequency discriminator, useful in various research and clinical applications of biofeedback, is presented. The module may be constructed for approximately $25 (excluding power supply and mounting hardware).
Relative extrema of Legendre functions of the second kind

Let μk,n denote the relative maxima of ⋎Qn(x)⋎, the Legendre function of the second kind, ordered so that μk+1,n occurs to the left of μk,n. They by analogy with a theorem of Szego for Legendre polynomials, μk,n+1<μk,n,k=1,...,n,n=1,2,...
Multiwave analysis of grating diffraction at Bragg incidence

A procedure is presented whereby a truncated set of coupled-wave equations describing incidence on an unslanted transmission grating at a Bragg angle can be factored into two independent sets of equations. Each of these sets contains approximately half as many equations as the original set, which permits a convenient solution with lower-order secular equations. Explicit coefficient arrays are presented for systems of as much as eight diffracted orders for incidence at the first four Bragg angles. Numerical results are presented for incidence at the second Bragg angle with three- and five-wave theories. The research emphasizes electro-optically induced gratings but includes the possibility of a direct interaction with the electrode structure.
Does spatial aptitude influence science-math subject preferences of children?

Four measures of spatial aptitude designed for elementary school children (Creature Puzzles) were given to 250 third grade students from four elementary schools in Western Pennsylvania. Both suburban and rural schools were represented and the population contained as many male as female members. The results of the tests were scrutinized by the declared favorite subjects of the participants and by gender. This scrutinization revealed no significant difference between the boy and girl participants. The results did indicate, however, that the students who preferred learning about science and math subjects did better on the spatial tests than the students who preferred subjects outside of science and math.
Calcified Amorphous Tumor of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract

We report a very rare case of a calcified amorphous tumor presenting atypically as a mobile left ventricular outflow tract mass in a 69-year-old female who was admitted for shortness of breath.
Maxwell's displacement current and his theory of light

Every physics student knows Maxwell added a term to Ampere's law. The original law related the magnetic force to the conduction current. Maxwell's new term is the time rate of change of displacement. The resultant version of the law thus relates the magnetic force to the total current, the sum of the conduction and displacement currents.* Yet, though physicists are correctly taught that this addition was Maxwell's, they are usually misinformed about the reasons which led him to make it. Two explanations are particularly common. The first is that Maxwell changed Ampere's law because of an aesthetic desire to give the electromagnetic equations a greater symmetry. The addition of the time rate of change of displacement brings the law into closer analogy with Faraday's law, which relates the time rate of change of magnetic induction to the electric force.** The trouble with this explanation is that Maxwell's equations, as first collected together, exhibit no symmetry between Ampere's and Faraday's laws. This is because Faraday's law does not appear. Instead, there are equations for the magnetic induction and electric force separately, in terms of the vector and scalar potentials [1]. The second explanation commonly offered is that Maxwell compared Ampere's law in its original form with the equation for the continuity of charge, and realized the two were inconsistent*** [2]. Now Maxwell did compare these equations in 1856, as we shall see later, but he did not draw the conclusion that they were incompatible and that consequently Ampere's law must be altered. He did not alter Ampere's law for another five years.