cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deterioration Processes With Increasing Thresholds

The present chapter derives the reliability functions and hazard functions, when the threshold for deterioration is an increasing function of time. Four cases are considered. Case I: The threshold is a step function with K jumps at known points. Case II: The threshold is a step function with K jumps, where the location of jumps are random, following a renewal process. Case III: The controlled case. The jumps occur after the first crossing of a control limit. Case IV: The threshold increases linearly. The theory is illustrated in all four cases with a Markovian deterioration process, i.e., a compound Poisson process with i.i.d. jumps following an exponential distribution.
Case Methods in Teacher Education

Since the 1980s, case methods have gained traction in teacher education, with growing empirical evidence that demonstrates impact on prospective teachers' abilities to analyze an authentic situation critically, generate multiple theoretical and practical interpretations of it, and formulate plans of action for a particular situation. The construction and definition of what constitutes a case in teacher education varies widely, with multimedia representations of practice becoming more common. Some dominant theoretical frameworks about learning, reasoning, and reflection have guided research and pedagogical purposes of cases, but the degree to which research and practice are positioned within particular frameworks is inconsistent.
Computer Based Simulations as Adjuncts for Teaching and Evaluating Complex Clinical Skills

Computer simulations have been used for teaching and evaluation in a number of professions including health care. Recent advances in technology and cognitive sciences (decision-making and memory system) permit expansion of simulations as an important adjunct to the teaching and evaluation of clinical decision-making. Simulations offer a number of attributes: They can be integrated into clerkship training, used as both self-evaluation and standardized external evaluation measures, and created and modified by faculty. The key features of simulations are that they are experiential, a patient case can be modelled to unfold over time and options generated by users need not be constrained, thus creating multiple pathways. These characteristics allow medical educators to capture decision-making and its component processes of sequencing, timing and pathway choice. Analysing these dimensions can reveal errors, classify patterns and isolate the component processes of the clinical management process. Current concepts in learning theory (feedback, transfer, error analysis, modelling, declarative and procedural memory systems) will be used as a framework for discussion and analysis of simulation. Examples will highlight the use of the computer based case simulation (CBX) from the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Deep Neural Network Based Non-Intrusive Load Status Recognition

In this paper, we have targeted two appliances, microwave and fridge, from a single house and have built a neural network model to recognize their load status i.e, either ON or OFF. The data-set was obtained online from UK-DALE which contains appliance meter readings and site-meter readings of a few houses at a 6 second sampling rate. To train our network model, we use Intrusive Load Monitoring (ILM) by using the load status (0 or 1), recognized from the appliance meter readings, as the output and the site-meter readings as the input. The main objective of the paper is to successfully detect the change in the status of the appliance and the duration of this change, which denotes its ON/OFF status. We have used a novel approach of feature detection for a change in status using convolutional neural networks (CNN) followed by the use of Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks (RNN). The results show the F1 score and the accuracy score of the implemented neural network on the test data and the actual vs predicted load status graph over a period of time for both the appliances is plotted.
A protocol for measuring the impact of a smoke-free housing policy on indoor tobacco smoke exposure

Tobacco remains a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., responsible for more than 440,000 deaths each year. Approximately 10% of these deaths are attributable to exposure of non-smokers to secondhand smoke (SHS). Residents living in public multi-unit housing (MUH) are at excess risk for SHS exposure compared to the general population. On November 30, 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) passed a rule requiring all public housing agencies to implement smoke-free housing (SFH) policies in their housing developments by July 30, 2018. As part of a larger natural experiment study, we designed a protocol to evaluate indoor SHS levels before and after policy implementation through collection of repeat indoor air samples in non-smoking apartments and common areas of select high-rise NYCHA buildings subject to the HUD SFH rule, and also from socio-demographically matched private-sector high-rise control buildings not subject to the rule. A baseline telephone survey was conducted in all selected buildings to facilitate rapid recruitment into the longitudinal study and assess smoking prevalence, behaviors, and attitudes regarding the SFH policy prior to implementation. Data collection began in early 2018 and will continue through 2021. The baseline survey was completed by 559 NYCHA residents and 471 comparison building residents (response rates, 35, and 32%, respectively). Smoking prevalence was comparable between study arms (15.7% among NYCHA residents and 15.2% among comparison residents). The majority of residents reported supporting a building-wide smoke-free policy (63.0 and 59.9%, respectively). We enrolled 157 NYCHA and 118 comparison non-smoking households into the longitudinal air monitoring study and performed air monitoring in common areas. Follow up surveys and air monitoring in participant households occur every 6 months for 2.5 years. Capitalizing on the opportunity of this federal policy rollout, the large and diverse public housing population in NYC, and robust municipal data sources, this study offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the policy’s direct impacts on SHS exposure. Methods in this protocol can inform similar SFH policy evaluations elsewhere.
Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Films for Superconductor-Topological Insulator Hybrid Devices

Proximation of s-wave superconductivity to topological materials is an effective way to realize Majorana modes in condensed matter physics. In order to fabricate a successful device, the superconducting material plays a crucial role since selection of material, growth method, applicable critical temperature, adequate critical magnetic field, transparent electrical contact, and thus proper work function, needs to be deliberately considered. Here, we report the fabrications and transport measurements for two types of superconducting thin films, tantalum (Ta) and niobium nitride (NbN), at various growth conditions. Both Ta and NbN films show applicable potentials as the superconducting electrodes. We also demonstrate the proximity effect induced supercurrent state in an InAs/GaSb bilayer device with superconducting Ta electrodes.
A retrospective study of characteristics influencing successful completion of poststroke driver rehabilitation programs

Date Presented 04/05/19 Primary Author and Speaker: Lori Breeden Additional Authors and Speakers: Brittany Finigan, Hannah Elliott, Brooke Householder, Hannah Klemp, Lesly Solares
Effects of variableC min on gamma-ray burstC max/C min distributions

Claims continue to be made that detector selection effects can explain the deviation of the gamma-ray burst brightness distributions from the -3/2 power law expected for homogeneous burst sources. However, these effects are insufficient to explain the BATSE observations. The BATSE sensitivity threshold does vary with time, independent of the burst brightness; however, a homogeneous distribution of standard candle sources would still produce a -3/2 power law. The variation in the threshold does affect inhomogeneous source models. As an example, the effect of a time-varyingC min on theC max/C min distribution of an extended Galactic halo model is shown here. To fit the BATSEC max/C min distribution including a varyingC min requires a larger observing distance (relative to the scale-height of the halo) than for a constantC min; however, the observations can still be fit using the halo models.
Perfusion confusion after carotid artery stenting: Answer

Abstract A 63 year-old female with a recent history of symptomatic left internal carotid artery stenosis (ICA) status post left ICA stenting, and known asymptomatic right ICA stenosis presented with vision loss in the right eye. CT angiogram (CTA) demonstrated mild focal in-stent stenosis of the left ICA and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arterial spin labeling (ASL) sequencing demonstrated decreased blood flow in the left cerebral hemisphere.
Creative Placemaking: Creating Change by Building Partnerships

Arts, artists, and creative strategies can be critical vehicles for achieving social, economic, and community goals. Creative placemaking is one type of arts-led planning that incorporates the goals of communities with stakeholder participation. Questions exist, however, around who participates in the creative placemaking process and to what end. This study explores a case where a state-sponsored workshop brought together people from diverse backgrounds to facilitate community development and engagement through creative placemaking. The study highlights how a one-shot intervention can reshape perceptions of creative placemaking that are held by planners, nonplanners, artists, and nonartists. The study shows that while pre-workshop participants focused on identifying resource-based challenges, post-workshop participants focused more on initiating collaborations and being responsive to community needs. The different attitudes before and after the state-sponsored workshop demonstrate the importance of not only building stakeholder understanding but also facilitating stakeholder engagement for successful creative placemaking.
One-pore through the umbilical "Z" incision in laparoscopic retrograde appendectomy

Objective To summarize the experience of one-pore through the umbilical "Z" incision in laparoscopic retrograde appendectomy.Methods Laparoscope introduced into abdominal cavity through the single umbilical incision,and fininshed the retrograde appendectomy outside of abdomen.Results Eleven cases were operated successfully,2 cases were coverted to two-pots,1 case was converted to laparotomy,5 cases had umbilical infection postoperative.Conclusions One-pore pull-through laparoscopic retrograde appendectomy is safe and feasible for children,and is really microinvasive,reflected the characteristic of less wound,less pain,faster rescovery,good concealment and cosmetic results. Key words: Appendectomy; One-pore pull-through; Umbilicus; "Z"port; Laparoscopy
What Is Successful Aging in Lesbian and Bisexual Women? Application of the Aging-Well Model.

OBJECTIVES Most evidence concerning aging ignores women's sexual orientation, yet sexual orientation-related discrimination across the life course may influence older lesbian and bisexual women's risk for poorer health. Understanding aging-well in this group is vital to development, testing, and implementation of evidence-based health promotion programming and services for aging sexual minority women. METHOD Data were from the Women's Health Initiative (N = 15,691; heterosexual n = 15,002, lesbian n = 440, bisexual n = 249) extension study. Multivariable linear and logistic regression tested associations between sexual orientation and indicators of successful, effective, and optimal aging-well in age-stratified groups of women (60-74 and 75+). RESULTS Lesbians aged 60-74 were more likely (odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16, 2.18) to report good self-mastery, more social support (b = 2.92, 95% CI, 1.99, 3.85), and greater likelihood of enjoying life (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06, 2.01) compared with heterosexual women. Bisexual women aged 75+ reported increased personal growth (b = 1.09, 95% CI 0.23, 1.95) compared to heterosexuals. While lesbians aged 75+ had greater likelihood of living in a nursing home (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.01, 3.82) and were less likely to be happy at least most of the time (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49, 0.99), they reported greater self-mastery (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.06, 2.26) than their heterosexual peers. DISCUSSION Aging-well is not the same for all women. Health promotion programs may consider maximizing sexual minority women's internal and external resources-including social supports, self-mastery, and personal growth-to promote wellness in older age.
Preliminary findings on the use of intravascular ultrasound in the assessment of pediatric pulmonary vein stenosis.

Objective Determine the feasibility of performing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in pediatric pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) and investigate whether IVUS can delineate the mechanism of PVS. Background The use of IVUS in pediatric patients with PVS has not been reported. Methods Retrospective, single center, cohort analysis of all patients who underwent IVUS of pulmonary veins from August 2016 to December 2019. Results IVUS was performed on 81 pulmonary veins in 50 pediatric patients (median age = 1.7 years [0.9, 3.1], median weight = 8.6 kg [7.3, 11.8]). All veins accepted the IVUS catheter (.014 or .018), with adequate visualization in 88% (71/81) of imaged veins, and improvement in visualization in the more recent period (23/24; 96%). Veins were categorized as having presumed intimal thickening (PIT) with luminal narrowing (n = 36), ostial narrowing without PIT (n = 14), distortion/compression (n = 6), normal (n = 2), and stent with (n = 9) or without in-stent stenosis (n = 4). In veins with at least 6 months of follow up, (re)intervention occurred more commonly in veins with PIT (14/19; 74%) versus veins without PIT (3/13; 23%; p = 0.01). There were no IVUS related adverse events. Conclusion IVUS can be used safely in pediatric patients and can reliably demonstrate vein lumen and wall architecture. With further refinement, IVUS has the potential to differentiate intimal neo-proliferation from other mechanisms of obstruction. The exact role of IVUS in the assessment of pediatric PVS is yet to be determined.
Changes in the Options for Management of Prolactin Secreting Pituitary Adenomas

Objectives Initial therapy for the management of prolactinomas has long been maintained to be medical, consisting of a dopamine agonist. These therapies may have troublesome side effects, and some prolactinomas are resistant to medical therapy regarding lowering prolactin levels or shrinking the tumor. These issues have revived interest in surgery for prolactin-secreting adenomas as an early therapeutic option. We report our analysis of surgery for prolactin microadenomas in women, using the transsphenoidal endoscopic approach. Design We reviewed a contemporary series of 33 women (mean age = 31.8 years) with microprolactinomas who underwent early surgical intervention, which was a three-dimensional transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic operation. Setting The study was conducted at a tertiary academic referral center for pituitary tumors. Main Outcome Measures Preoperative and postoperative prolactin. Results Overall, 28 patients had received preoperative dopamine agonists, 24 of these experienced a variety of drug-related side effects, and 4 had tumors that were resistant to lowering prolactin or tumor shrinkage. Preoperative prolactin levels averaged 90.3 ng/mL (range = 30.7–175.8 ng/mL). We observed a 94% normalization rate in postoperative prolactin (mean = 10.08 ng/mL, range = 0.3–63.1 ng/mL). During the follow-up (mean = 33.9 months), five patients had elevated prolactin; four required reinitiation of medical therapy, two had surgical reexploration, and none received radiation therapy. Complications included syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (n = 3), transient diabetes insipidus (n = 1), postoperative epistaxis (n = 1), and fat graft site infection (n = 1). Conclusion This review supports the consideration of transsphenoidal surgery as an early intervention for some women with prolactin-secreting microadenoma. Indications include significant side effects of medical therapy and tumors that do not respond to standard medical management.
I never quite got it, what they meant: an introduction to poetic teaching

We have become well-familiar with how unpoetic teaching can be. The prevalence, furthered by much recent reform, of a systematic school culture focused on accountability, standardisation, and learn...
What is behavior? No seriously, what is it?

Abstract Studying ‘behavior’ lies at the heart of many disciplines. Nevertheless, academics rarely provide an explicit definition of what ‘behavior’ actually is. What range of definitions do people use, and how does that vary across disciplines? To answer these questions we have developed a survey to probe what constitutes ‘behavior’. We find that academics adopt different definitions of behavior according to their academic discipline, animal model that they work with, and level of academic seniority. Using hierarchical clustering, we identify at least six distinct types of ‘behavior’ which are used in seven distinct operational archetypes of ‘behavior’. Individual respondents have clear consistent definitions of behavior, but these definitions are not consistent across the population. Our study is a call for academics to clarify what they mean by ‘behavior’ wherever they study it, with the hope that this will foster interdisciplinary studies that will improve our understanding of behavioral phenomena.
Impact of aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis on organic and functional mitral regurgitation

AIMS Concurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) influences treatment considerations in patients with severe aortic stenosis (sAS). Limited information exists regarding haemodynamic effects of sAS on MR severity and outcome of these patients. We assessed the impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on MR according to mechanism in patients with sAS and MR. METHODS AND RESULTS In patients with sAS who received surgical or transcatheter AVR from 2008 to 2017, those with effective mitral regurgitant orifice area (ERO) ≥ 10 mm2 prior to AVR were evaluated. The change in MR after AVR was considered significant when there was at least one grade difference. We compared the all-cause mortality of patients with and without improvement in MR. Of 234 patients with sAS and MR (age 80 ± 9 years, 52% male, ERO 19 ± 7 mm2 ), organic and functional MR were present in 166 (71%) and 68 (29%), respectively. MR improved in 136 (58%); improvement occurred with similar frequency in organic versus functional MR (59% and 57%, P = 0.88). Associated determinants were absence of atrial fibrillation in organic MR [odds ratio (OR) 2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-4.37; P = 0.049] and indexed aortic valve area (iAVA) ≤ 0.40 cm2 in functional MR (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.13-9.47; P = 0.028). In the overall cohort, mitral annulus diameter < 3 cm (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.02-2.97; P = 0.041) and QRS duration < 115 ms (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.00-2.98; P = 0.049) were independently associated with improvement in MR. During median follow-up of 3.5 years, lack of improvement in MR was not associated with higher mortality in the overall cohort of patients with ERO ≥ 20 mm2 [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.71, 95% CI 0.90-3.27; P = 0.10, adjusted for age, New York Heart Association III or IV, diabetes, and creatinine ≥ 2.0 mg/dL]. Lack of improvement in organic MR was associated with higher mortality (adjusted HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.40-8.05; P < 0.01). In patients with functional MR, change in MR was not associated with mortality (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.44-3.47; P = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS In nearly 60% of patients with sAS and MR, MR improved after AVR, even in the majority of patients with organic MR. Absence of atrial fibrillation in organic MR, iAVA ≤ 0.40 cm2 in functional MR, and mitral annulus diameter < 3 cm and QRS duration < 115 ms in the overall population were associated with MR improvement. Post-operative improvement in organic MR was associated with better survival.
The evolution of power systems for unmanned interplanetary spacecraft in the 70's.

The power subsystems planned for missions in the 70s have relied heavily on earlier hardware technology and represent an extension of technology conceived in the 60s. Solar panels and primary rechargeable silver-zinc batteries were used throughout the series as power sources. However, because of the increase in battery discharge-charge cycles required, subsequent spacecraft beginning with the Mariner Mars 1971 will use nickel-cadmium batteries. Spacecraft missions to Mars and Venus will continue to use the solar panel and the battery as primary and secondary power sources. The use of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator as the primary power source appears mandatory for missions to the outer planets.
Biotic and Abiotic Stress Signaling Mediated by Salicylic Acid

Biotic and abiotic stresses are significant factors limiting the production of food and other supporting materials required to sustain increasing world population. Plant health is directly related to human health and is increasingly becoming significant and demands more attention towards limiting the damages caused by biotic and abiotic stresses. Significant progress has been made towards our understanding of the processes, which mediate both biotic and abiotic stress signaling in plants. Significant role is played by various plant hormones, e.g., salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in biotic stress and abscisic acid (ABA) in abiotic stress (Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 28:489–521, 2012). Other hormones with minor role include the cytokinins (CK), auxins (indole 3 acetic acid. IAA), and the brassinosteroids (BR) (Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 28:489–521, 2012). Cross talk between these plant hormones is significant and may result in either synergistic or antagonistic effect on stress responses (Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 28:489–521, 2012). In recent years, extensive research carried out in various laboratories has implicated cross talk between the ABA and the SA in abiotic stress response. This is significant in light of SA being key player in biotic stress responses in plants. This review will discuss the role of SA in biotic and abiotic stress signaling and its cross talk with other hormones in mediating abiotic stress signaling in plants.
The Promotion Detective

The last chapter ended with the discussion of the way a manager could use a model-based model animation system to review a brand’ s performance. This review focused on the identification and analysis of the marketing events that affected the brand. Even with a system like the one in the last chapter, this type of review becomes a costly endeavor because of the number of promotions implemented in any one year.
Growth and Survival of Microbial Pathogens in Cheese

Abstract Cheesemaking evolved centuries ago as a means of preserving raw milk via fermentation. Selection of the beneficial natural flora in milk (i.e., lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactococci), or a direct addition of these organisms as starter cultures, helps to preserve products and allows competition with microbial contaminants, including human pathogens. Cheeses can become contaminated with pathogens as a result of their presence in the raw milk used for cheesemaking and subsequent survival during the cheesemaking process. Alternatively, bacterial pathogens can contaminate cheese via postprocessing contamination if sanitation and other measures in the processing plant are not sufficient to prevent recontamination. Although infrequent, cheeses have been linked with documented cases and outbreaks of foodborne illness. The combination and interaction of a number of factors, including acidity, salt content, and water activity, will dictate the potential for survival and growth of microbial pathogens. This chapter provides an overview of microbial pathogens in cheese and the factors that affect their growth and survival.
Proposed proper Engle-Pereira-Rovelli-Livine vertex amplitude

As established in a prior work of the author, the linear simplicity constraints used in the construction of the so-called ‘new’ spin-foam models mix three of the five sectors of Plebanski theory, only one of which is gravity in the usual sense, and this is the reason for certain ‘unwanted’ terms in the asymptotics of the EPRL vertex amplitude as calculated by Barrett et al. In the present paper, an explicit classical discrete condition is derived that isolates the desired gravitational sector, which we call (II+), following other authors. This condition is quantized and used to modify the vertex amplitude, yielding what we call the ‘proper EPRL vertex amplitude.’ This vertex still depends only on standard SU(2) spin-network data on the boundary, is SU(2) gauge-invariant, and is linear in the boundary state, as required. In addition, the asymptotics now consist in the single desired term of the form e iS Regge , and all degenerate configurations are exponentially suppressed.
Inverse Kinematics of Arbitrary Robotic Manipulators Using Genetic Algorithms

In this paper we present a unified approach for solving the inverse kinematics problem of an arbitrary robotic manipulator based on Genetic Algorithms. The fitness function we use in our algorithm does a multi-objective optimization satisfying both the position and orientation of the end-effector. As an example we show how this approach can be used for computing the motion of an n-R robotic manipulator following a specified end-effector path. To avoid unnecessary manipulator undulations in case of a redundant design, we thereby introduce a third objective to our fitness function minimizing the discrete joint velocities. Unlike Jacobian-based solutions our approach deals efficiently with redundant designs and singularities.
Precipitation of surfactant salts

Abstract The effects of two nonionic surfactants (hexaethyleneglycol mono n-dodecyl ether, C12E6, and octaethylegneglycol dodecyl ether, C12E8) on the precipitation of calcium dodecyl sulfate, Ca(DS)2, have been studied as a function of the concentration of all reacting components. The addition of C12E6 and C12E8 greatly enhances the solubility of Ca(DS)2. The results are explained in terms of mixed micelle formation based on the regular solution theory taking into consideration the counterion exchange at micelles.
Origin and Properties of Solar Energetic Particles in Space

Transient energetic (E> 10 MeV) particle events from the Sun have been observed at the Earth for half a century using several detection techniques. We review these observations and the change in focus from solar flares to fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and shocks as the causal agents of solar energetic particle (SEP) events. We review the properties of SEP events that are important for space weather: 1) the number distributions of peak SEP intensities and of SEP fluences; 2) the relationship of SEP intensities to CME speeds; 3) when SEP events occur during the solar cycle; and 4) where SEP events occur relative to the CME-driven shocks. We conclude with a discussion of two cases of direct negative effects of SEPs on space experiments.
A study of streptococci from chronic infection of the cervix uteri and fallopian tubes

Abstract 1. 1. Streptococci are frequent in chronic infections of the cervix (40 per cent) and of the fallopian tubes (35 per cent). Streptococcus hemolyticus occurred in 14 per cent of the cultures of the fallopian tubes and 5 per cent of the cultures from the cervix, while Streptococcus viridans occurred in 21 per cent of the cultures of the fallopian tubes and 27.5 per cent of the cultures from the cervix. 2. 2. There appears to be no relation between the incidence of streptococci in the cervix and that in the fallopian tubes. 3. 3. The morphologic and cultural characteristics of the streptococci isolated from the diseased cervix and fallopian tubes resemble those isolated from abscesses, peritonitis, and fatal streptococcus infections. 4. 4. The pathogenicity of the different strains of streptococci as determined by rabbit inoculations is similar to the strains isolated from various streptococcus infections. No specificity for the fallopian tubes was demonstrated.
Computational Complexity in Physics

There are many definitions of the word “complexity.” These fall into three main categories: Information and thermodynamic entropy, as in Shannon and Gibbs, with extensions by Crutchfield and others Minimum description length, as in Kolmogorov and Chaitin, and physical versions of this, as in Lloyd, Pagels and Gell-Mann Computational complexity.
New LR&W Teachers Alert! 14 Ways to Avoid Pitfalls in Your First Year of Teaching

Teaching is a challenge. This article discusses common pitfalls to avoid in your first year of teaching and how to navigate around them.
Longitudinal and seasonal variation of the equatorial flux tube integrated Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth rate

Using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM), the ionospheric Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth rate is calculated. The seasonal and longitudinal variations of the growth rate from the TIEGCM appear to match that of the spread F observed by various satellite missions. The growth rate is strongly dependent on the angle between the sunset terminator and the geomagnetic field line near the magnetic equator. The TIEGCM simulations with nonmigrating tides show the zonal wave number 4 structure in the Rayleigh-Taylor instability due to the inclusion of the nonmigrating diurnal eastward zonal wave number 3 and semidiurnal eastward zonal wave number 2 tides.
Seeing the invisible: the challenge of imaging vitreous

Imaging the vitreous is an attempt to view what is by design invisible. The inability to adequately image vitreous hinders a more complete understanding of its normal structure and function and how these change in aging and disease. The combined use of more than one technique could provide better imaging for investigational and clinical purposes. Past and present imaging methodologies are sum- marized and research and clinical techniques that are currently in development for future applications, are discussed. Dark-field slit mi- croscopy has been used to characterize vitreous anatomy, both within the vitreous body as well as at the vitreo-retinal interface. In addition to this methodology, slit-lamp biomicroscopy; direct, indirect, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopies; ultrasonography; optical coherence tomography; magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopies; and dy- namic light-scattering methodologies for noninvasive evaluation are presented. Dark-field slit microscopy enables in vitro imaging without dehydration or tissue fixatives. Optical coherence tomography en- ables better in vivo visualization of the vitreo-retinal interface than scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography, but does not image the vitreous body. Dynamic light scattering can determine the average sizes of vitreous macromolecules within the vitreous body as well as possibly image the posterior vitreous cortex once detached, while Raman spectroscopy can detect altered vitreous molecules, such as glycated collagen and other proteins in diabetic vitreopathy. © 2004 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Singular value decomposition based broadband microwave spectroscopy of 1H,2H-perfluorocyclobutane

Abstract Broadband rotational free induction decays (FIDs) from 1H,2H-perfluorocyclobutane have been captured at a rate of 25 ps/point for a duration of 20 μs. FIDs have been treated using fast Fourier transformation (FFT) and singular value decomposition (SVD). It is demonstrated that the SVD-based model can yield a sufficient number of accurate transition frequencies for initial spectral analysis using only ≈1% (200 ns) of the FID. Furthermore, the SVD-based analysis has produced information concerning transition phase, amplitude, damping, and frequency for the strongest molecular signals. The damping factors determined appear useful in distinguishing molecular and non-molecular signals. The FFT analysis of the full FID has yielded, for the first time, spectroscopic parameters for the parent and all C-13 isotopologues of both the cis and trans species.
On multiple connectivity and reduction of constants for composites with body forces

In this paper we discuss the problem of reduction of constants in plane elasticity when a twophase material is subjected to body forces, and we focus on multiply connected materials with either per...
siRNA target site secondary structure predictions using local stable substructures

The crystal structure based model of the catalytic center of Ago2 revealed that the siRNA and the mRNA must be able to form an A-helix for correct positing of the scissile phosphate bond for cleavage in RNAi. This suggests that base pairing of the target mRNA with itself, i.e. secondary structure, must be removed before cleavage. Early on in the siRNA design, GC-rich target sites were avoided because of their potential to be involved in strong secondary structure. It is still unclear how important a factor mRNA secondary structure is in RNAi. However, it has been established that a difference in the thermostability of the ends of an siRNA duplex dictate which strand is loaded into the RNA-induced silencing complex. Here, we use a novel secondary structure prediction method and duplex-end differential calculations to investigate the importance of a secondary structure in the siRNA design. We found that the differential duplex-end stabilities alone account for functional prediction of 60% of the 80 siRNA sites examined, and that secondary structure predictions improve the prediction of site efficacy. A total of 80% of the non-functional sites can be eliminated using secondary structure predictions and duplex-end differential.
Retargetability and Extensibility in a Parallel Debugger

This paper describes the design and implementation ofPanorama, a parallel debugger for MIMD message-passing computers. Programmers can readily adapt Panorama to new parallel platforms and extended it to include their ownviewsof a target program. The system comes with three built-in graphical program views, and it also includes a software tool to help programmers design and implement new views. Panorama avoids detailed dependence on target architectures by using thebase debuggersupplied by each hardware vendor to carry out low-level debugging tasks such as setting breakpoints and examining data. Since the interfaces and capabilities of base debuggers vary, we have developed a strategy that models interactions between Panorama and base debuggers. The model separates general-purpose code from the special-case functions that handle specific debugger characteristics. The resulting system is easy to adapt and free from the clutter of conditionally-executed, special-case code.
Comparison of Lifting and B-spline DWT Implementations for Implantable Neuroprosthetics

The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) has been shown to provide exceptionally efficient data compression for neural records. This paper describes area-power minimized hardware implementations of the lifting and B-spline DWT schemes for multi-level, multi-channel DWT and analyzes their performance tradeoffs for implantable neuroprosthetics. The lifting scheme is shown to be increasingly superior for a larger number of input channels.
Nucleon spin physics at Jefferson Lab.

Abstract I shall discuss experiments which form part of a comprehensive physics program aimed at the study of the spin structure of the neutron using a polarized 3 He target and a polarized beam at Jefferson Lab in Hall A. The spin structure of the nucleon at short and large distances is investigated using sum rules that span the full spectrum of 4-momentum transfers. An outlook on the possibilities offered by the 12 GeV upgrade of Jefferson Lab will be presented.
CSF changes during acute meningoencephalitis in mice caused by encephalomyocarditis virus

Encephalomyelitis was induced in mice by intravenous inoculation with encephalomyocarditis virus. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed marked pleocytosis and increased amounts of protein, including immunoglobulins. These proteins entered the cerebrospinal fluid by transfer from serum during the period of central nervous system infection.
Music as basic metaphor and deep structure in Plato and in ancient cultures

Abstract Ernest McClain has argued that the basic metaphors for cosmos, history and human society used in the Rg Veda, by Plato in his dialogues and in much ancient literature is drawn from the construction of musical scales from a monochord by successive divisions by powers of 2, 3, 5 and 7. Without irrational divisions which were not known to these ancient cultures, all such tuning systems of the monochord presented problems of consonance and dissonance that are removed only by setting limits to the number of intervals generated in each scale. There are, moreover, different mathematical tunings as well as different scales of notes. The structure of these scales, he argues, constitutes for much ancient literature the basic metaphor for all complex systems such as the cosmos, human and exemplary history, the social order and city planning. The author examines how this metaphor works, particularly in Plato, and further, whether the pervasiveness of the metaphor can be traced to deep structures in human cognitive processes.
Identification of time-varying linear and bilinear systems via Fourier series

A method for identification of time-varying linear systems and bilinear systems is proposed. The method is based upon expanding various time functions in the system as their truncated Fourier series, using the operational matrices for integration and product and hence reducing the problem into a set of algebraic equations. The method is computationally attractive, and applications are demonstrated through illustrative examples.
Characterization of Transport through the Periplasmic Histidine Permease Using Proteoliposomes Reconstituted by Dialysis

Abstract The superfamily of traffic ATPases (ABC transporters) includes bacterial periplasmic transport systems (permeases) and various eukaryotic transporters. The histidine permease of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli is composed of a membrane-bound complex containing four subunits and of a soluble receptor, the substrate-binding protein (HisJ), and is energized by ATP. The permease was previously reconstituted into proteoliposomes by a detergent dilution method (1). Here we extensively characterize the properties of this permease after reconstitution into proteoliposomes by dialysis and encapsulation of ATP or other reagents by freeze-thawing. We show that histidine transport depends entirely on both ATP and liganded HisJ, with apparent Km values of 8 mM and 8 μM, respectively, and is affected by pH, temperature, and salt concentration. Transport is irreversible and accumulation reaches a plateau at which point transport ceases. The permease is inhibited by ADP and by high concentrations of internal histidine. The inhibition by histidine implies that the membrane-bound complex HisQ/M/P carries a substrate-binding site. The reconstituted permease activity corresponds to about 40-70% turnover rate of the in vivo rate of transport.
Comparative marine chemistries of some trivalent metals—bismuth, rhodium and rare earth elements

Abstract The differing marine chemical behaviors of some trivalent elements are compared on the bases of their crustal rock concentrations and of those in various marine compartments. At one extreme, the platinum group element rhodium has a remarkable stability in seawater, perhaps attributable to kinetically hindered complex formation. On the other hand, bismuth is far more reactive as evidenced by its unusual enrichments in ferromanganese minerals and by its depletion in deep waters. The rare earth elements, lanthanum, samarium and lutetium show behaviors intermediate between those of rhodium and bismuth.
Effect of technosphere inhaled insulin on quality of life and treatment satisfaction.

Abstract Aims: This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of Technosphere® insulin (MannKind Corp., Valencia, CA) delivered via the MedTone® inhaler (MannKind Corp.) on quality of life an...
Advance directives in the intensive care unit of a tertiary cancer center

Living will legislation was placed in effect in the United States on November 1, 1991. The purpose of this legislation was to ensure that the health care desires of patients who had become ill to the extent that they could no longer express their wishes would be respected [1]. It had been hoped that through living will legislation patients who had little chance of surviving their critical illness, and who had executed an advance directive stipulating that they did not wish to be kept alive in the event of medical futility, would be spared the burden of life support systems. Families or other decision makers of such patients would not have to face the difficult and often recurrent decisions of whether or not, and to what extent, to continue therapy as a meaningful recovery became progressively unlikely. Society as a whole would be better able to channel limited health care resources towards patients for whom recovery was more likely and to those patients who desired such measures.
State government organization of health services, 1990-2009: correlates and consequences.

Objectives To describe changes in the organizational structure of state health-related departments/agencies between 1990 and 2009; to identify factors associated with key organizational structures; and to investigate their relationship with different resource allocations across health policy areas, as represented by state budgets. Design Original data collection on the organization of state health-related departments/agencies from 1990 to 2009. Analyses included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and time-series regression modeling. Setting and participants All 50 states. Main outcomes measures Organizational structure of state government related to health in 4 areas (Medicaid, public health, mental health, human services); coupling of Medicaid and public health in the same agency; state budget changes in health policy areas, including Medicaid, public health, and hospitals. Results The housing of 2 or more health-related functions in the same unit was common, with 21 states combining public health and Medicaid at 1 or more points in time. Eighteen states (36%) reorganized their health agencies/departments during the study period. Controlling for numerous economic, social, and political factors, when the state agency responsible for public health is consolidated with Medicaid, the share of the state budget allocated to Medicaid declined significantly, while public health allocations were unchanged. However, consolidating Medicaid with other services did not impact state Medicaid spending. Conclusions Government organizational structure related to health varies greatly across states and is somewhat dynamic. When Medicaid and public health functions are consolidated in the same stage agency, public health does not "lose" in terms of its share of the state budget. However, this could change as Medicaid costs continue to grow and with the implementation the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Infrared spectral studies of hydrogen bonding phenomena in solutions containing hydrogen fluoride

Abstract An infrared spectral study of hydrogen bonding phenomena has been carried out on solutions of anhydrous HF (and in some cases DF) in the following solvents: diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethanol, ethanol-d, trifluoroethanol, acetone, acetonitrile, diethyl sulfide, phenol, and nitrobenzene. In general three new broad regions of absorption appear centering around (a) 3000 cm−1, (b) 1800 cm−1, and (c) 800 cm−1, which are attributed respectively to (a) the stretching vibration of HF in a molecular complex, (b) the HF2− ion, (c) a hydrogen vibration in a molecular complex, probably the out-of-plane vibration in the XHF bond. There are also observed in many of the spectra new, sharp peaks which appear to be disturbances of the peaks due to the functional groups. These are attributed to the formation of molecular complexes.
The determination of electronic stopping powers of light ions in metals from damage‐rate measurements

We investigate a new technique for the determination of light‐ion stopping powers in metals. The radiation‐damage‐induced resistivity change in thin films is measured as a function of ion energy. As the ion energy is raised, an increasing fraction of the energy passes through the back surface, thereby resulting in decreased damage production. This effect has been analyzed by comparison with predictions based on an Edgeworth expansion of the damage‐distribution function, using the moments tabulated by Winterbon. Results are presented for He, Li, and C irradiations of silver films with thicknesses of 2640 and 3880 A. The present results are compared with those of previous work. Other methods for calculation of the damage‐distribution function are compared with the Edgeworth expansion.
Drosophila melanogaster locomotion in cold thin air.

The alpine environment is likely to challenge insect locomotion because of low mean temperatures and reduced barometric pressure. In this study, we measured the direct and interactive effects of these factors on walking and flight performance of wild-caught Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. We found that decreased temperature and decreased air pressure both reduced walking speed and flight performance. Flies walked more slowly at 18°C and in the lowest air pressure treatment (34 kPa). This treatment, equivalent in air pressure to the top of Mount Everest, was the only air pressure that significantly reduced fly walking speed. Therefore, walking performance in the wild is likely limited by temperature, but not oxygen availability. In contrast to walking performance, low but ecologically realistic air pressures dramatically reduced overall flight performance. The effects of reduced air pressure on flight performance were more pronounced at colder temperatures. Reduced flight performance in high altitude conditions was primarily driven by an increased reluctance for flies to initiate flight rather than outright failure to fly. Such reluctance to fly in high altitude conditions may in part explain the prevalence of aptery and brachyptery in high altitude insects. The observed interactive effects of temperature and air pressure on flight performance confirm the importance of simultaneously manipulating both of these factors when studying the impact of altitudinal conditions on insect physiology and behavior.
Character and Action in the Physician's Vocation

Abstract The Christian physician cannot both prescribe contraception at the office and believe that contraception is wrong at home. He or she cannot divide personal beliefs from the practice of medicine and still maintain integrity. This is a matter of character on which the Hippocratic Oath is instructive but which much of current medical ethics glosses over. A Christian physician acts out of a Christian metaphysics founded on God as Creator. The Christian anthropology built upon this foundation depicts the human being as made in the image of God and created for excellence. The development of good character through practicing the virtues is the path to excellence. The Christian physician of good character acting on his belief in God avoids prescribing contraception and takes strength from Christ the Good Samaritan and Divine Physician.