cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A multimodal aging and dying course for first-year medical students improves knowledge and attitudes

When medical schools change their curricula, this opens up opportunities for the development of new material and often eliminates previously designed courses. Emory University's School of Medicine revised its curriculum in 2007, combining clinical medicine and basic sciences in the first 18 months. As part of its first section on "The Healthy Human," it included a weeklong module on aging. The main objective of this study was to evaluate attitudes and knowledge about aging issues before and after the course. The course included 5 days of sessions on topics ranging from molecular biology to societal aspects of aging. Students completed a survey including demographics, the University of California at Los Angeles Geriatrics Attitudes Scale (UCLA-GAS), and the Facts on Aging Quiz-1 (FAQ1) before and after the course. The UCLA-GAS measures attitudes toward geriatric patients on a 5-point Likert scale, and the FAQ1 is a 25-item true-false test on knowledge of aging. All 130 first-year students completed the precourse survey, and 129 completed the postcourse survey. Four students said they planned to pursue specialty training in geriatrics before the module, and 10 planned to do so after the course (P=.28 using Fisher exact test). Mean UCLA-GAS score was 3.7+/-0.4 before the class and 3.8+/-0.4 after (P<.001 using paired t-test). Mean of correct answers on FAQ1 was 16.1+/-2.4 before the class and 17.5+/-2.3 after (P<.001 using paired t-test). This weeklong course on aging for first-year medical students at Emory improved their attitudes toward elderly people and their knowledge base on aging.
Ionized Intracellular Calcium Concentration Predicts Excitotoxic Neuronal Death: Observations with Low-Affinity Fluorescent Calcium Indicators

Cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) is an important mediator of neuronal signal transduction, participating in diverse biochemical reactions that elicit changes in synaptic efficacy, metabolic rate, and gene transcription. Excessive [Ca2+]i also has been implicated as a cause of acute neuronal injury, although measurement of [Ca2+]i in living neurons by fluorescent calcium indicators has not consistently demonstrated a correlation between [Ca2+]i and the likelihood of neuronal death after a variety of potentially lethal insults. Using fluorescence videomicroscopy and microinjected calcium indicators, we measured [Ca2+]i in cultured cortical neurons during intense activation with either NMDA (300 microM) or AMPA (450 microM). At these concentrations NMDA killed >80% of the cultured neurons by the next day, whereas neuronal death from AMPA was 5 microM during lethal NMDA exposure, but [Ca2+]i levels were <1.5 microM during nonlethal activation of AMPA receptors or voltage-gated calcium channels. Fura-2 reported [Ca2+]i responses during brief exposure to glutamate, NMDA, AMPA, kainate, and elevated extracellular K+ between 0.5 and 1 microM. With the use of BTC, only NMDA and glutamate exposures resulted in micromolar [Ca2+]i levels. Neurotoxic glutamate receptor activation is associated with sustained, micromolar [Ca2+]i elevation. The widely used calcium indicator fura-2 selectively underestimates [Ca2+]i, depending on the route of entry, even at levels that appear to be within its range of detection.
The Rule of Law and Freedom in Emerging Democracies: A Madisonian Perspective

The basic principles of liberal constitutional order proposed by James Madison - the qchief architectq of the U.S. Constitution - are considered in the article. It is stressed that Madison rejected the idea of redistributive state (welfare state) and focused on the limits of government. The overriding principle of liberal order is freedom under the rule of law. The lesson for newly independent states is that spontaneous market-liberal order is needed to coordinate economic activity and the government must minimize its role in the economy. Freedom of choice lets people rise the wealth of nation.
Distributed processor allocation for discrete event simulation and digital signal processing using a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm

The use of large scale distributed systems for multiple perhaps heterogeneous applications is becoming more commonplace. The organizations that are utilizing these resources must ensure that the applications are executed in a timely manner without unnecessary wasting the resources available on the distributed system. Characteristics of two distributed computing applications are presented; large scale discrete event simulation and a real-time digital signal processing activity. A stochastic processor allocation algorithm is developed for assigning processes to processors in an effective and efficient manner based upon application characteristics. In particular, a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) is created in order to examine Pareto results for such diverse processor allocation. The results indicate that the focus of the two distinct applications and the associated respective optimal regions have distinct differences.
Relationship of ice content to hurricane intensity examined using TRMM/TMI data sets

¶In this study, TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) data were used to investigate a possible relationship between the total ice contents of Atlantic basin hurricanes to their intensities. Ice content data from the TMI was gathered for all available TRMM swaths for the ten hurricanes. These data were then correlated to the observed maximum wind speeds and minimum central pressures from the storms at the respective times of the TRMM swaths to examine the relationship.
Authentication and Authorization of Mobile Clients in Public Data Networks

We present a protocol that enables mobile clients to be authenticated and authorized in data networks that are deployed in public places otherwise referred to as hotspots! The three key elements of a hotspot network are the mobile client, the hotspot server and the service provider. A mobile client is any device that can be used to access the internet. The hotspot server is a node in the data network that is a bridge between wireless clients and wired broadband network. The service provider is an entity that has an existing service relationship with the client and the hotspot server. The protocol discussed in this paper shows how three parties: Client, hotspot server and the service provider come together in a mutually un-trusted environment, authenticate each other and upon authentication exchange authorization tokens that are used in subsequent service requests. The most common use of this protocol is for clients to gain internet connectivity in public places, specifically in hotspots. The hotspot server provides the equivalent of cellular network roaming functionality. The service provider allows added features to its clients.
Drilled Shaft Foundations

A drilled shaft, also known as drilled pier, drilled caisson, caisson, bored pile, etc., is a versatile foundation system that is used extensively on a worldwide basis. In its simplest form, a drilled shaft is constructed by making a cylindrical excavation, placing a reinforcing cage (when necessary), and then concreting the excavation. With available drilling equipment, shaft diameters up to 20 ft (6 m) and depths exceeding 250 ft (76 m) are possible. However, for most normal applications, diameters in the range of 3 to 10 ft (1 to 3 m) are typical. This size versatility allows a single drilled shaft to be used in place of a driven pile group and eliminates the need for a pile cap. In addition, normal construction practices for drilled shafts effectively eliminate the noise and strong ground vibrations that develop during pile driving operations. For these and other secondary reasons, drilled shafts have become both the technical and economic foundation of choice for many design applications. In fact, they have become the dominant foundation type in many geologic settings around the world.
Challenges of Pre- and Post-Test Counseling for Orthodox Jewish Individuals in the Premarital Phase

The Jewish community has traditionally taken ownership of its health, and has taken great strides to raise awareness about genetic issues that affect the community, such as Tay-Sachs disease and Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome. Thanks in part to these heightened awareness efforts, many Orthodox Jewish individuals are now using genetics services as they begin to plan their families. Due to unique cultural and religious beliefs and perceptions, the Orthodox Jewish patients who seek genetic counseling face many barriers to a successful counseling session, and often seek the guidance of programs such as the Program for Jewish Genetic Health (PJGH). In this article, we present clinical vignettes from the PJGH's clinical affiliate, the Reproductive Genetics practice at the Montefiore Medical Center. These cases highlight unique features of contemporary premarital counseling and screening within the Orthodox Jewish Community, including concerns surrounding stigma, disclosure, "marriageability," the use of reproductive technologies, and the desire to include a third party in decision making. Our vignettes demonstrate the importance of culturally-sensitive counseling. We provide strategies and points to consider when addressing the challenges of pre- and post-test counseling as it relates to genetic testing in this population.
User Defined Partitioning - Group Data Based on Computation Model

A technical trend in supporting large scale scientific applications is converging data intensive computation and data management for fast data access and reduced data flow. In a combined cluster platform, co-locating computation and data is the key to efficiency and scalability; and to make it happen, data must be partitioned in a way consistent with the computation model. However, with the current parallel database technology, data partitioning is primarily used to support flatparallel computing, and based on existing partition key values; for a given application, when the data scopes of function executions are determined by a high-level concept that is related to the application semantics but not presented in the original data, there would be no appropriate partition keys for grouping data. Aiming at making application-aware data partitioning, we introduce the notion of User Defined Data Partitioning (UDP). UDP differs from the usual data partitioning methods in that it does not rely on existing partition key values, but extracts or generates them from the original data in a labelingprocess. The novelty of UDP is allowing data partitioning to be based on application level concepts for matching the data access scoping of the targeted computation model, and for supporting data dependency graph based parallel computing. We applied this approach to architect a hydro-informatics system, for supporting periodical, near-real-time, data-intensive hydrologic computation on a database cluster. Our experimental results reveal its power in tightly coupling data partitioning with "pipelined" parallel computing in the presence of data processing dependencies.
Simultaneous, changes in striatal dopamine, serotonin, and metabolites after withdrawal seizures in rats from dependence on alcohol

Abstract Ethanol dependence was achieved in male, Long-Evans rats after 8 days on a balanced liquid diet that supplied 4.5% ethanol. After 1-h access to a solution of 10% ethanol (95%)/5% sucrose, the rats were deprived of food, water, and ethanol for 9 h. Following 30-s key jingling, about 80% of the animals exposed to ethanol experienced tonic-clonic seizures. Neurochemical analyses of striatal tissues revealed a significant ( p
How evolution guides complexity

Long‐standing debates about the role of natural selection in the growth of biological complexity over geological time scales are difficult to resolve from the paleobiological record. Using an evolutionary model—a computational ecosystem subjected to natural selection—we investigate evolutionary trends in an information‐theoretic measure of the complexity of the neural dynamics of artificial agents inhabiting the model. Our results suggest that evolution always guides complexity change, just not in a single direction. We also demonstrate that neural complexity correlates well with behavioral adaptation but only when complexity increases are achieved through natural selection (as opposed to increases generated randomly or optimized via a genetic algorithm). We conclude with a suggested research direction that might be able to use the artificial neural data generated in these experiments to determine which aspects of network structure give rise to evolutionarily meaningful neural complexity.
A Multidimensional Approach to the Structure of Consumer Satisfaction with Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the dimensions underlying consumer satisfaction with vocational rehabilitation services. Participants were 223 consumers who received services from a state rehabilitation agency in a midwestern state. Data were gathered via mail survey through participant completion of a self-report questionnaire. A two-dimensional configuration of 14 consumer satisfaction stimuli yielded the following dimensions: (a) satisfaction related to case management versus employment and (b) satisfaction related to consumer choice versus customer service. Findings suggest that consumers view satisfaction as a multidimensional construct. Implications for the measurement of consumer satisfaction and use of consumer satisfaction data in vocational rehabilitation program evaluations are discussed.
Carrier dynamics in active regions for ultraviolet optoelectronics grown on thick, relaxed AlGaN on semipolar bulk GaN

Active regions for mid-ultraviolet laser diodes grown on bulk AlGaN templates are investigated by time-resolved photoluminescence. The active regions were grown pseudomorphically on thick, relaxed AlGaN on bulk GaN in the semi-polar () orientation where it has been shown that the glide of dislocations create strain relieving defects confined to the AlGaN/GaN interface, away from the active region. The photoluminescence lifetimes were found to have mono-exponential decays of around 500 ps and calculated radiative and non-radiative lifetimes are compared to previously reported results for active regions on bulk m-plane GaN.
Studies on the effect of chymotrypsin on reovirions

Abstract The effect of chymotrypsin on the chemical and biological properties of three strains of reovirus, namely Dearing, Abney, and Carter, was studied. At low enzyme concentrations (less than 100 μg/ml provided that the virus concentration was not below 100 μg/ml) chymotrypsin converted reovirions to cores via several stages. The first stage consisted of the removal of capsid polypeptide σ3 and yielded particles which retained full infectivity, lost their oligonucleotides on prolonged incubation at 37°, and possessed no transcriptase activity. The second stage involved the removal of polypeptide μ2 via a series of sequentially arising polypeptide fragments which remained transiently associated with the particles. At the beginning of this stage virus flocculated, increased in buoyant density, diminished about 5 logs with respect to specific infectivity, lost its oligonucleotide complement, and developed transcriptase activity. During the final stage the particles lost polypeptide σ1. At high enzyme concentrations (more than 1000 μg/ml for strains Abney and Dearing, and more than 100 μg/ml for Carter) a different end product was formed. This consisted of particles which lacked polypeptide σ3 and a 12,000 dalton fragment of μ2, had a buoyant density about 0.01 g/ml higher than that of virions, and possessed full infectivity, the entire oligonucleotide complement, and no transcriptase activity. These particles closely resembled virions in their physical, enzymatic, and biological properties, but lacked about one-third of their capsid protein complement. The degradation of reovirions by chymotrypsin was affected by the ionic strength of the suspending medium. It was also strongly influenced by virus concentration, suggesting that particle-particle interactions may play a role.
Terapia génica para la insuficiencia cardiaca: un tratamiento en fase de investigación que está llegando a su madurez

Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org Durante las ultimas dos decadas, y a pesar de los avances en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardiaca con la adicion de nuevos farmacos y dispositivos muy eficaces, el numero de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca continua aumentando. Este trastorno es el resultado final de diversos procesos patologicos, como la enfermedad coronaria, la hipertension, el abuso de alcohol y ciertas infecciones. Sea cual sea la etiologia de la insuficiencia cardiaca, en el miocito cardiaco se producen multiples cambios de la expresion genetica de las proteinas contractiles que pueden constituir dianas efectivas para terapias moleculares1. La posibilidad de que la terapia genica pueda mejorar la funcion cardiaca a traves de una normalizacion de la expresion genica de las proteinas contractiles es un camino abierto a la investigacion clinica activa en el siglo XXI. Esta breve revision describe la situacion inicial de la terapia genica para la insuficiencia cardiaca.
Free Vibration of Clamped, Moderately Thick, Arbitrarily Laminated Plates Using a Generalized Navier's Approach

Abstract A heretofore unavailable analytical solution to the boundary value problem of free vibration of arbitrarily laminated moderately thick rectangular plates is presented. The YNS (Yang, Norris and Stavsky) theory incorporating first order shear deformation, and rotatory and in-plane inertias, is used in the formulation. A recently developed boundary-continuous displacement-based generalized Navier solution technique is extended to solve the five highly coupled linear second order partial differential equations with constant coefficients, and the rigidly clamped boundary conditions. The assumed solution functions are in the form of double Fourier series, which satisfy the rigidly clamped boundary conditions a priori in a manner similar to the conventional Navier method. Convergence characteristics (necessary condition) of the natural frequencies are established by numerical means. Other numerical results presented herein include (i) comparison with the corresponding available analytical and Galerkin solutions; and (ii) study of the effects of lamination, thickness, aspect ratio and fiber orientation angle on the natural frequencies of angle-ply and arbitrarily laminated plates.
A Three-Dimensional Solder Shape Model Incorporating Top Pad Inclination and Misalignment

In this technical brief, we describe a simple, yet versatile solder shape prediction model that can handle inclination (as is likely to occur when warped substrates are used) and misalignment of the top pad of the solder joint relative to the bottom pad. The developed model is general in nature and is demonstrated on a solder joint with circular top and bottom pads and on a stud joint where the interconnection is to a stud on which the wetted area is to be determined through simulation. The model was able to accurately predict the solder profiles from literature with an error of ±5%. A program written within the MATHEMATICA ® environment was developed and used for the above simulations.
Functionalized nanospheres for targeted delivery of paclitaxel

Targeted delivery of anti-cancer agents to cancer cells is a mature line of investigation that has yet to realize its full potential. In this study we report on the development of a delivery platform with the future goal of merging two thus far parallel methods for selective elimination of cancer cells: targeted nanospheres and pretargeted radioimmunotherapy. Several clinical trials have shown the promise of pretargeted radioimmunotherapy, which leverages the specificity of antibodies for targeted cell populations and delivers a localized dose of a biotinylated radionuclide that is most often administered following binding of a biotinylated antibody and streptavidin (StA) to the target cells. The work presented here describes the development of biotinylated nanospheres based on an ABA-type copolymer comprised of a tyrosine-derived oligomer as the B-block and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) A-blocks. The biotinylated nanospheres encapsulate paclitaxel (PTX) to the same extent as unbiotinylated nanospheres. Efficacy of targeting was shown on CD44 positive cells in the SUM159 breast cancer cell line by incubating the cells sequentially with a biotinylated anti-CD44 antibody, StA and the biotinylated nanospheres encapsulating PTX. Targeted nanospheres achieved the half maximal inhibitory concentration of PTX on SUM159 cells at a 5-10 fold lower concentration than that of PTX applied in either non-targeted nanospheres or free drug approaches. Moreover, targeted nanospheres selectively eliminated CD44 positive SUM159 cells compared to free PTX and untargeted nanospheres. This new generation of nano-sized carrier offers a versatile platform that can be adopted for a wide variety of drug and target specific applications and has the potential to be combined with the clinically emerging method of pretargeted radioimmunotherapy.
Can long-path FTIR spectroscopy yield gas flux measurements through a variance technique?

Abstract Long-path Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is capable of measuring concentrations of many environmentally important trace gases in the atmospheric surface layer over horizontal averaging paths of up to 1 km. If the FTIR could also measure the variance in gas concentration, we could conceivably use it to estimate the path-averaged, vertical flux of any gas that the FTIR can detect. The problem in measuring variances, however, is that the large sampling volume—which allows the FTIR to measure concentrations with the best resolution—degrades its response to the high-wavenumber turbulent fluctuations that contribute to the variance. In this paper, we use a model for the three-dimensional scalar spectrum to look at the effects of this volume averaging on the FTIR's ability to measure gas concentration variance. Our modeling suggests that there is no realistic configuration or sampling rate that will let the FTIR measure gas concentration variance in the surface layer. Its sampling volume must simply be so large that all turbulent fluctuations with wavenumbers from the dissipation region down to the vicinity of the spectral peak are irrevocably degraded. Our analysis identifies experiments that can test these predictions. Despite the FTIR's predicted inability to measure gas fluxes through the variance technique, we lastly show that it can still yield these fluxes through other micrometeorological techniques.
Vascular KCNQ (Kv7) Potassium Channels as Common Signaling Intermediates and Therapeutic Targets in Cerebral Vasospasm

Cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by prolonged severe constriction of the basilar artery, which often leads to ischemic brain damage. Locally elevated concentrations of spasmogenic substances induce persistent depolarization of myocytes in the basilar artery, leading to continuous influx of calcium (Ca 2+ ) through voltage-sensitive Ca 2+ channels and myocyte contraction. Potassium (K + ) channel openers may have therapeutic utility to oppose membrane depolarization, dilate the arteries, and reduce ischemia. Here, we examined the involvement of vascular Kv7 K + channels in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm and tested whether Kv7 channel openers are effective therapeutic agents in a rat model of SAH. Patch-clamp experiments revealed that three different spasmogens (serotonin, endothelin and vasopressin) suppressed Kv7 currents and depolarized freshly isolated rat basilar artery myocytes. These effects were significantly reduced in the presence of a Kv7 channel opener, retigabine. Retigabine (10 μmol/L) also significantly blocked L-type Ca 2+ channels, reducing peak inward currents by >50%. In the presence of a selective Kv7 channel blocker, XE991, the spasmogens did not produce additive constriction responses measured using pressure myography. Kv7 channel openers (retigabine or celecoxib) significantly attenuated basilar artery spasm in rats with experimentally-induced SAH. In conclusion, we identify Kv7 channels as common targets of vasoconstrictor spasmogens and as candidates for therapeutic intervention for cerebral vasospasm.
Menopause and hormone replacement therapy

A woman born in 1970 can expect to spend one-third of her life post-menopause. The climacteric period can be challenging for both patients and health care providers, with menopausal symptoms and th...
The role of Rel/NF-κB proteins in viral oncogenesis and the regulation of viral transcription

Rel/NF-kappa B is a ubiquitous transcription factor that consists of multiple polypeptide subunits, and is subject to complex regulatory mechanisms that involve protein-protein interactions, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, proteolytic degradation, and nucleocytoplasmic translocation. The sophisticated control of Rel/NF-kappa B activity is not surprising since this transcription factor is involved in a wide array of cellular responses to extracellular cues, associated with growth, development, apoptosis, and pathogen invasion. Thus, it is not unexpected that this versatile cellular homeostatic switch would be affected by a variety of viral pathogens, which have evolved mechanisms to utilize various aspects of Rel/NF-kappa B activity to facilitate their replication, cell survival and possibly evasion of immune responses. This review will cover the molecular mechanisms that are utilized by mammalian oncogenic viruses to affect the activity of Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors and the role of Rel/NF-kappa B in the regulation of viral gene expression and replication.
Video rate spectral imaging using a coded aperture snapshot spectral imager

We have previously reported on coded aperture snapshot spectral imagers (CASSI) that can capture a full frame spectral image in a snapshot. Here we describe the use of CASSI for spectral imaging of a dynamic scene at video rate. We describe significant advances in the design of the optical system, system calibration procedures and reconstruction method. The new optical system uses a double Amici prism to achieve an in-line, direct view configuration, resulting in a substantial improvement in image quality. We describe NeAREst, an algorithm for estimating the instantaneous three-dimensional spatio-spectral data cube from CASSI’s two-dimensional array of encoded and compressed measurements. We utilize CASSI’s snapshot ability to demonstrate a spectral image video of multi-colored candles with live flames captured at 30 frames per second.
Myocardial energy metabolism in the newborn lamb in vivo during pacing-induced changes in oxygen consumption.

Myocardial energy metabolism was studied in newborn sheep to determine whether the metabolic responses to pacing-induced increases in heart rate were similar to those previously found during catecholamine stimulation. Open-chest newborn sheep, 3 to 9 d old (n = 11), underwent atrial pacing at a respiratory rate harmonic just above the intrinsic heart rate. Pacing rate was increased by 30 beats/min every 5 min until conduction block or a drop in systemic arterial pressure occurred. Phosphorous metabolites were monitored simultaneously (n = 7) using a 31P magnetic resonance surface coil over the heart within a magnet operating at 4.7 tesla. Myocardial oxygen consumption was monitored via an extracorporeal shunt from the coronary sinus. Rate pressure product increased with heart rate and was found to relate to myocardial oxygen consumption (r = 0.75), which increased maximally by 47 ± 9% due to increases in coronary blood flow. Phosphocreatine/ATP ratio decreased significantly, and calculated ADP increased between baseline and peak performance but returned to near baseline levels during recovery at the initial pacing rate. These findings indicate that intracellular high-energy phosphate concentrations do change with alterations in myocardial oxygen consumption induced by cardiac pacing in the newborn. These changes are similar to those found during epinephrine infusion. Furthermore, the ATP hydrolysis products probably participate in myocardial respiratory regulation in the newborn in vivo.
Learning AND-OR Templates for Object Recognition and Detection

This paper presents a framework for unsupervised learning of a hierarchical reconfigurable image template - the AND-OR Template (AOT) for visual objects. The AOT includes: 1) hierarchical composition as "AND" nodes, 2) deformation and articulation of parts as geometric "OR" nodes, and 3) multiple ways of composition as structural "OR" nodes. The terminal nodes are hybrid image templates (HIT) [17] that are fully generative to the pixels. We show that both the structures and parameters of the AOT model can be learned in an unsupervised way from images using an information projection principle. The learning algorithm consists of two steps: 1) a recursive block pursuit procedure to learn the hierarchical dictionary of primitives, parts, and objects, and 2) a graph compression procedure to minimize model structure for better generalizability. We investigate the factors that influence how well the learning algorithm can identify the underlying AOT. And we propose a number of ways to evaluate the performance of the learned AOTs through both synthesized examples and real-world images. Our model advances the state of the art for object detection by improving the accuracy of template matching.
Methods for Hatching Margined Madtom Eggs

Abstract We used the margined madtom Noturus insignis as a model species to develop egg-hatching techniques for other madtom species. Twelve methods were tested at water temperatures between 22°C and 30°C, but only one method produced consistent, high hatches of madtom eggs. Use of broodfish to incubate eggs was not effective because they ate their tank-spawned egg masses. Consequently, madtom eggs must be artificially incubated. Use of sodium sulfite, Na2SO3, to facilitate artificial incubation by separating madtom egg masses is not effective because it causes premature hatching and subsequent low survival of larvae. Agitation strong enough to tumble eggs and high temperature appear to be key in consistently producing good hatches. We obtained hatch rates greater than 65% for 14 of 16 margined madtom egg masses by incubating them at 28-30°C within a 6-mm-bar-mesh plastic basket positioned over an air stream strong enough to keep egg masses in constant motion. The larvae hatched in about 7 d at 28°C, and ...
An experimental investigation of the safe distance for internal orbital dissection

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the distance from the orbital rim to the important soft tissues of the orbital apex using eight reference points to provide clinically useful information for surgical decision making. Materials and Methods: Eight human cadavers were used in this investigation. After circumorbital incisions were made and the canthal ligaments were detached, a careful subperiosteal dissection was performed to the soft tissues of the orbital apex. Four reference lines were established. The first two were based on a horizontal line drawn through the medial and lateral canthal ligaments and a perpendicular to this through the infraorbital foramen. The other two were created at points 45 ° from the first two. Depth measurements were made with a straight probe at the eight points where the lines crossed the orbital rim. Means, standard deviations, and ranges were derived, and statistical differences were calculated between right and left orbits using a paired-samples t-test. Because no right and left differences were noted (P < .05), the data were pooled. Results: The mean distance from the orbital rim to the soft tissues of the orbital apex was 44.1 ± 1.4 mm medially, 38.3 ± 3.0 mm laterally, 44.5 ± 1.72 superiorly, and 39.4 ± 2.9 mm inferiorly. The superomedial distance was 46.3 ± 2.7 mm, the inferomedial distance was 44.1 ± 1.4 mm, the inferolateral distance was 41.4 ± 2.5 mm, and superolateral distance was 39.4 ± 2.8 mm. Conclusions: The distances from the orbital rim to the soft tissues of the orbital apex varied among the eight different reference points (range, 38.3 ± 3.0 mm to 46.3 ± 2.7 mm). No distance was less than 31.0 mm or exceeded 51.1 mm. There was no difference noted (P < .05) between the right and left sides for each of the corresponding reference points.
Three-dimensional optical tomography of objects in turbid media using the round-trip matrix

A new algorithm based on multi-static data and vector subspace classification to eigenvectors of a round-trip matrix is introduced for optical imaging and localization of objects embedded in a turbid medium. The transport of light from multiple sources through excitation of the embedded objects to the array of detectors is represented by a response matrix that can be constructed from experimental data. The 'round-trip (RT) matrix" is constructed by multiplying the response matrix by its transpose for continuous-wave (adjoint matrix for frequency domain) illumination. Mathematically, the RT matrix is equivalent to transfer of light from the sources via the embedded objects to the array of detectors and back, and is similar to the time-reversal matrix used in the general area of array processing for acoustic and radar time-reversal imaging. The eigenvectors with leading non-zero eigenvalues of the RT matrix correspond to embedded objects, which are orthogonal to the vectors in the noise subspace. The vector subspace method along with Green"s functions calculated from an appropriate model for light propagation through turbid media is then used to determine the locations of the embedded objects. We tested this algorithm in simulation for light transmitting through a 50 l tr thick (l tr ~ 1 mm is transport mean free path) parallel slab turbid medium with up to six embedded absorptive objects. The method was able to globally locate all six objects with surprising accuracy. This "round-trip tomographic imaging" approach is fast, applicable to different geometries and to different forward models.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Radionuclide imaging of dog prostate

Abstract Using 11C-methylputrescine and a positron emission transaxial tomographic (PETT scanner, the have been able to visualize clearly the prostate gland in dogs in whom the urinary flow totes previously diverted by an ileal loop.
Comparisons between behaviour development of normal and isolated domestic fowl.

Abstract Development of social behaviour and the stimuli associated with it were studied in two separate experiments. In the first, a schedule of classes of social behaviours, ages of occurrence, and the relevant stimuli were suggested from observations of White Cobb cockerels. The results led to a six-item schedule, part of which followed work by Guhl. In the second study, two groups of White Leghorn cockerels were used. Birds in one group were isolated from one through 70 days of age; the other group were raised normally. During isolation, four patterns shown by the normal birds were shown by the isolated birds. However, systematic delay in the behaviour was noted among the isolated group. At 70 days of age the isolated birds were assembled together; immediate and intense interactions took place involving all of the birds. Full social organization was apparent within several days. It was concluded that social behaviours occurred during isolation in the absence of stimulation from other birds and that isolation does not prevent later social organization. The specific behaviours shown during development were further classified as synthesized and differentiated and this classification was applied to the present data.
Anticipating the next decade of Sun‐Earth system variations

Approximately every decade, the Sun enters a new phase when its magnetic activity increases from quiescent conditions to peak values about 3–5 years later. This intensified solar activity gradually reduces over the next 6–7 years, returning the system to “quiet” conditions. The near-periodic 11-year solar cycle is manifested by the regular presence of large sunspots during high solar activity (solar maximum) and few, if any, sunspots during quiet periods (solar minimum). This cycle, in turn, creates significant observable effects on Earth and its surrounding environment. During times of peak solar activity, Earth's atmosphere warms globally. In the past decade, the Sun's increased brightness at solar maximum warmed the Earth's atmosphere by about 0.1 degree Kelvin (0.1 K) in the 10 kilometers nearest to the surface (the troposphere), 1 K near 50 kilometers in altitude (at the top of the stratosphere), and 400 K at an altitude of 500 kilometers in the thermosphere. During this time, total ozone concentration increased by a few percent, offsetting for a while the overall decline associated with chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) pollution. Electron densities in the ionosphere and neutral densities in the thermosphere increased by 1–2 orders of magnitude, altering the propagation of radio waves that enable communication and increasing the drag on spacecraft in low-Earth orbits.
Implementation and evaluation of motivational interviewing in a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the implementation of motivational interviewing in the required Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum by assessing student knowledge of motivational interviewing, ability to use motivational interviewing skills, and perceptions regarding motivational interviewing. Methods Motivational interviewing was longitudinally incorporated into the curriculum at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. Motivational interviewing was threaded through four courses in the curriculum during the first three years of pharmacy school. Results Student knowledge was assessed by administration of a quiz, and the ability to use motivational interviewing was assessed during a role-play simulation with a faculty preceptor. The average score on the quiz was 50%. Student performance on the role-play counseling that incorporated motivational interviewing techniques was evaluated on a 30-point scale. The mean score improved each year: 21.9 (± 4.4) in 2008, 24.4 (± 3.4) in 2009, and 25.8 (± 3.6) in 2010 (2008–09, p p = 0.011). Students in the 2009 cohort were asked to complete a survey that assessed their confidence and perceptions with regard to communication skills and motivational interviewing, in particular. Seventy percent of students were confident or very confident in their understanding of the key principles of motivational interviewing. Conclusion Incorporating motivational interviewing throughout the core curriculum of an entry level PharmD program provided opportunities for students to learn about motivational interviewing and practice this skill as their therapeutic knowledge grew. Formative assessment provided feedback to assist students in improving their health behavior change counseling.
When Is a Good Day Teaching a Bad Thing

Tim Slater is an associate professor of astronomy and the director of the Science and Mathematics Education Center at the University of Arizona, where his scholarship is focused on the teaching and learning of astronomy and preservice science teacher education.
Stability parameter and roll rate from early re-entry radar or optical data

The modulation of the early re-entry intensity of optical emissions and radar range by the angular motion of a rolling re-entry vehicle is examined. The theoretical spectra of the modulation in the frequency space canonical to the square root of the air density at the vehicle altitude are generated. Transforms of length sufficient to resolve roll-related features without masking by the variation of the pitch oscillation frequency with vehicle altitude are possible in this frequency domain. It is shown that modulation mechanisms that depend linearly and quadratically on vehicle angle of attack result in up to six frequency components in this space. This transform technique provides a means to determine altitude-dependent stability parameter and roll-rate altitude profiles from optical or radar re-entry data.
Comparison of OMA BCAST 1.0 service guide with DVB-IPDC phase 1 ESG over DVB-H

DVB-H is a European transmission standard for mobile multimedia broadcasting, and planed to be deployed not only in Europe, but also in several Asian and African countries. Since DVB-H is mainly designed for delivering IP packets over terrestrial broadcast networks, other service layer specifications over DVB-H are required for supporting IP-based service applications. Currently, two service layer specifications are available over DVB-H, and they are the OMA BCAST 1.0 specification and the DVB-IPDC phase 1 specification. In fact, the data-plane protocols of the two specifications for delivering both AV streams and files are almost the same, and could be easily harmonized. However, the control-plane protocols of the two specifications are of more difference, such as the service description and discovery frameworks, and the service and content protection frameworks. In this paper, we compare the service description and discovery frameworks of the two specifications -- the OMA BCAST Service Guide and the DVBIPDC ESG (Electronic Service Guide), and highlight similarities and differences that are worth noting.
Experiments with a “pseudo-gradient” algorithm for target localization using wireless sensor networks

This paper proposes a novel scheme for target localization using a deployed wireless sensor network (WSN). The goal is to have mobile autonomous robots navigate from any point within the WSN-covered region to an identified target through interaction with the WSN. Reaching the target is achieved in two ways, by: (i) producing gradients in the WSN region that give the maximum peak closest to the target, (ii) having the sensors guide the robot to the target efficiently. This scheme uses the topology of the network to create a navigation path. The robot follows the pseudo-gradient in the WSN to reach the global maximum. In this method, there is no global coordinate reference available for the region i.e., the WSN and robots only make use of the relative neighborhood information to attain their goal. The performance of the scheme is analyzed in simulation using a variety of node-densities.
Breakdown of Cellulose Dextrin and Gelatin in the Presence of Attapulgite

THE attenuation in the breakdown of protein materials and soluble cellulose dextrin by microorganisms with montmorillonite has been reported by Pinck et al. 1, Ensminger and Gieseking2 and Lynch and Cotnoir3. This attenuation in the case of cellulose dextrin was attributed partially to the inactivation of the enzyme cellulase3.
Intensive outdoor culture of marine phytoplankton enriched with treated sewage effluent

Abstract Secondary sewage effluent has been used as a nutrient source for the outdoor mass culture of marine phytoplankton that serve as food for bivalve molluscs in a combined tertiary sewage treatment-aquaculture system. Using a daily harvest rate of 50%, yield in algae ranged from one to five grams carbon/m 2 /day and averaged 2.6 over the four-month experimental period. Under outdoor conditions, the sewage enrichment of sea water in 400-liter tanks stimulated the growth of a variety of microalgae which were usually dominant in the water before enrichment. Several sources and samples of sewage effluent were successfully used for enrichment, and the possible control of species composition was demonstrated using different combinations of nutrients. Changes in the rate of harvest and level of enrichment increased the yield by 37% and further refinements in the growing and harvesting procedure would make possible higher yields of plant material.
Effects of videotape on attendance and attitude in the fundamentals of speech communication course

Students who videotaped oral assignments to be played back for class had better class attendance, became more favorable toward the use of videotape in the classroom, and evaluated the instructor and course more favorably than those doing the assignments “live” for the class.
The Effect of Magnetic Fields on Corrosion in Pipeline Steel

Measurements performed in earlier research have indicated a strong effect of magnetization on hydrogen content (thermodynamics) as well as cracking, and pitting (kinetics) in pipeline steels as described in Sanchez (2005) and Sanchez et al. (2005). The effect of cold work, further increasing hydrogen content, cracking, and pitting, was also assessed. Theoretical descriptions of both thermodynamic and kinetic interpretations of the observed effect is described and correlated to observed results. There are two ways that electromagnetic current influences corrosion: (1) D/C currents (under applied or Remanent magnetic fields) and A/C electric currents (which create electromagnetic fields through Lenz’s Law) may influence magnetocorrosion as described in this paper, and (2) A/C currents also have the potential to strip the protective passive layer from materials and greatly accelerate corrosion. Electrochemical charging is currently being performed at varied magnetic field strengths to assess the nature of the observed influence of magnetization on both hydrogen content (thermodynamic) and cracking/pitting (kinetic), including the role of controlled-roll cold working. Naval and maritime use of A/C and D/C electric-powered systems including propulsion drives, servos, and controls, is increasing rapidly in sea-going operation and potential for stray currents is an increasing risk. Magnetic flux leakage inspection, using saturating magnetic fields, is widely used for reliable and accurate inspection of pipeline corrosion and wall thickness. Previous laboratory research shows a significant increase in both pipeline steel hydrogen content in steel and pitting and cracking after electrochemical hydrogen charging under an applied two Tesla magnetic field. Cold work was observed to further increase the observed effects. The thermodynamic auxiliary functions, using a derivation of Helmholtz free energy, are examined to assess the thermodynamic effects of magnetization on hydrogen content. The effect of magnetization on the thermodynamics of electron spin configurations, interstitial solute-induced strain, magnetostriction (directional strain induced in steel from an applied magnetic field) are considered. Kinetic interpretations of possible interactions with the Helmholtz Double (capacitor-like) Layer and the Gouy-Chapman (diffuse) layer that may lead to increased diffusion and thus to hydrogen supersaturation are described. Electrochemical impedance measurements are being performed to assess the influence of applied magnetic fields on the Helmholtz and Gouy-Chapman layers.Copyright © 2007 by ASME