cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GEOGRAPHY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

(1968). GEOGRAPHY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 163-166.
Comparison of Two Indices of Answer Copying and Development of a Spliced Index

Two indices of answer copying, one using only identical wrong responses and the other using both right and wrong, were compared using naturally occuring test responses (no simulation of copying). Each index pointed to the existence of about the same number of examinee pairs who had copied. However, index B implicated more higher scoring pairs than the g 2 index, which, in turn, implicated more lower scoring pairs. An adaptation of g 2 using only wrong-answer correspondences was found to identify even more pairs of highly likely copiers than B among higher scoring examinees. A spliced index, the regular g 2 for lower scoring pairs and g 2 based on identical wrong responses for higher scoring pairs, was found to identify substantially more pairs of likely copiers than any single index. The methodological approach adopted made it possible to evaluate the indices without knowing which pairs of examinees actually copied.
USING POLICY-CAPTURING TO MEASURE ATTITUDES IN ORGANIZATIONAL DIAGNOSIS

The need for an indirect method of attitude measurement that could be applied on an individual basis was suggested. Policy-capturing was proposed as filling all requirements. When used in 3 experiments, this method detected prejudicial attitudes toward females that were not detected using traditional, direct methods.
E-cadherin promotes retinal ganglion cell neurite outgrowth in a protein tyrosine phosphatase-mu-dependent manner

During development of the visual system, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) require cell-cell adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix proteins for axon growth. In this study, we demonstrate that the classical cadherin, E-cadherin, is expressed in RGCs from E6 to E12 and promotes neurite outgrowth from all regions of the chick retina at E6, E8 and E10. E-cadherin is also expressed in the optic tectum. E-cadherin adhesion blocking antibodies specifically inhibit neurite outgrowth on an E-cadherin substrate. The receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase, PTPμ, associates with E-cadherin. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that antisense-mediated down regulation of PTPμ, overexpression of catalytically inactive PTPμ, and perturbation of endogenous PTPμ using a specific PTPμ inhibitor peptide results in a substantial reduction in neurite outgrowth on E-cadherin. Taken together these findings demonstrate that E-cadherin is an important adhesion molecule for chick RGC neurite outgrowth and suggest that PTPμ expression and catalytic activity are required for outgrowth on an E-cadherin substrate.
Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 is a Novel Modulator of HIV-1-Associated Neuroinflammation via Regulation of Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling and Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter-2 Repression

Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), a novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-inducible oncogene, has generated significant interest in the field of cancer research as a therapeutic target for many metastatic aggressive tumors. However, little is known about its role in astrocyte responses during HIV-1 central nervous system (CNS) infection and whether it contributes toward the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Therefore, in this study, we investigated changes in AEG-1 CNS expression in HIV-1-infected brain tissues and elucidated a potential mechanism of AEG-1-mediated regulation of HAND. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analyses of HIV-1 seropositive and HIV-1 encephalitic human brain tissues revealed significantly elevated levels of AEG-1 protein. Immunohistochemical analyses of HIV-1 Tat transgenic mouse brain tissues also showed a marked increase in AEG-1 staining. Similar to in vivo observations, cultured astrocytes expressing HIV-1 Tat also revealed AEG-1 and cytokine up-regulation. Astrocytes treated with HAND-relevant stimuli, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and HIV-1, also significantly induced AEG-1 expression and nuclear translocation via activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated IL-1β- or TNF-α-induced AEG-1 interaction with NF-κB p65 subunit. AEG-1 knockdown decreased NF-κB activation, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional output in TNF-α-treated astrocytes. Moreover, IL-1β treatment of AEG-1-overexpressing astrocytes significantly lowered expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2, increased expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 repressor ying yang 1, and reduced glutamate clearance, a major transducer of excitotoxic neuronal damage. Findings from this study identify a novel transcriptional co-factor function of AEG-1 and further implicate AEG-1 in HAND-associated neuroinflammation.
JUGULAR VENOUS PULSATIONS AS THE SOLE LANDMARK FOR PERCUTANEOUS INTERNAL JUGULAR CANNULATION

Successful internal jugular venous cannulations were obtained in 210 of 212 consecutive patients using the venous pulsations as the sole landmark with which to locate the vein. Jugular venous blood was aspirated on the initial insertion of a 23-gauge seeker needle in 87.7% of the patients and successful passage of eithera 14-or 8-French cannula occurred on the first attempt in 82.5% of patients. The ease, success and relative safety of this technique compare favourably with other techniques. The carotid artery was punctured in three patients (1.5%).
The Role of Role Playing in Organizational Research

The present article analyzes role playing as an organizational research technique. A survey of organizational journals for 1978-1988 reveals that role playing was used in 11.55 percent of the published studies. Role playing studies are conducted to learn about attitudes and behaviors in organizational contexts and to learn about basic psychological contexts. The studies differ along three key dimensions: subjects’ level of involvement, the role being played, and the degree of response specificity provided. We recommend that role playing studies be designed in a manner that is appropriate to the purpose of the study, and offer guidelines for doing so.
Architecture and vertebral fracture

Bone strength is determined by mass density, structural arrangement, and the presence of microdamage. This presentation focuses on trabecular microstructure as an element of bone strength, particularly in the syndrome of vertebral compression fracture. The base material comes from transilial biopsies from 90 patients with the crush fracture syndrome and from 34 normal volunteers who underwent transilial biopsy. Trabecular connectivity was compared in these two groups. Patients and normals were then matched for trabecular bone volume (BV/TV). To highlight measures of trabecular connectivity, three general methods for examining trabecular connectivity were applied to the 23 patient-control pairs matched for BV/TV. The conventional method of Parfitt [1] showed that trabecular number was decreased by 11%, trabecular separation was increased by 9%, and trabecular thickness was increased by 9% in patients compared with controls. The method of counting trabecular nodes and trabecular free ends showed that in the patients, free ends were decreased by 37% and nodes were decreased by 37%. The marrow space star volume (the average volume of marrow measured from radii placed at random points within the marrow and extending to trabecular surface) was 36% greater in the patients. All three methods are measures of trabecular connectivity (the density of connections between trabeculae). All three demonstrated less trabecular connectivity in the patients versus controls for identical BV/TV. Patients with vertebral fractures had fewer trabecular elements rather than global thinning of trabeculae. Differences in measures of connectivity were not accompanied by significant differences in any of the measures of bone remodeling dynamics, as examined by tetracycline labels. Loss of trabecular elements would result in increased mechanical loads during ordinary activity for the trabecular elements remaining. Such increased loads would produce increased strain in these elements. This could shorten the fatigue life of the remaining elements by an order of magnitude, and thus outstrip the rate of fatigue damage repair by the bone remodeling system. This could result in accumulation of trabecular fractures such as those observed by J. S. Arnold in the 1960s [2]. Osteoporotic bone fragility due to loss of trabecular connectivity can be demonstrated by independent methods. This feature of the bone loss in osteoporosis may be at least partly responsible for the observation that skeletal fragility seems to be excessive in proportion to the amount of bone lost. Finally, the loss of trabecular elements is not accompanied by demonstrable defects in bone remodeling dynamics.
Mathematica and the power method

In this article, we will show how to use the software package Mathematica to understand the power method in linear algebra or numerical analysis. The power method enables one to find the eigenvalue with the largest absolute value of a given matrix, and a corresponding eigenvector. We will also discuss the importance of the underlying assumptions of the power method, and will give specific examples to illustrate what could go wrong if those assumptions are not satisfied. In the process, we will also discover a conjecture, and prove it mathematically at the end.
Intensive BP control, falls, and fractures: response to Jolobe (MS #17620).

T o the Editor: In our study showing no increase in the rate of falls with intensive blood pressure (BP) control in the ACCORD trial, Dr. Jolobe inquires whether the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension differed between the intensive and standard BP control groups. He further notes that orthostatic hypotension may not be accompanied by symptoms. The ACCORD BP trial did gather data on orthostatic BP change and dizziness on standing in a subgroup of participants. Of the 3,099 participants included in our analysis, orthostatic BP measurements and reports of dizziness or lightheadedness on standing during the measurement are available on 905 participants at baseline. We also have data on a subgroup of 607 participants who were assessed for health-related quality of life at baseline and 12 months. This included a question about dizziness on standing within the previous month. Seated and standing brachial artery BP was measured using an Omron model HEM-907 automatic sphygmomanometer. After 7 min of seated rest, during which BP was measured 3 times, participants were asked to stand. Standing BPwas taken every minute for 3 min in the same arm. BP change was calculated using the lowest of the standing measurements minus the mean of the seated measurements. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decline in either systolic BP ≥20 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥10 mm. Orthostatic hypotension was present in 17 % of standard and 21 % of intensive BP group participants at the baseline visit (p=0.13). Dizziness or lightheadedness during these measurements was uncommon and also did not differ between the groups (5 % of standard and 6 % of intensive BP group participants, p=0.56.) Dizziness on standing within the previous month was more common, but did not differ between the standard and intensive treatment groups either at baseline or at 12months of follow-up in the subgroup of participants in these analyses (Table 1). This is similar to the previous report for the ACCORD BP trial. Our analysis was designed to determine whether intensive BP treatment would affect the risk of falls or fractures, and our findings suggest that intensive treatment is safe with regard to these outcomes. Based on the data presented in this letter, we consider it unlikely that differences in orthostatic hypotension at baseline influenced our results. As Dr. Jolobe notes, an important outstanding question is Bwhether or not orthostatic hypotension (and its severity) might have contributed to falls in either group.^We agree that this is an important question, and we are currently conducting analyses to carefully examine the influence of orthostatic BP change and symptoms on falls and fractures among ACCORD BP trial participants.
Five-dimensional space-time: Mass and the fundamental length

Relativistic physics is described by a sixteen-component hypercomplex number system which reduces to the eight-component complex quaternion system when rest mass → 0. Rest mass is identified with a scale setting, cyclic, fifth dimension. The Lorentz group is generalized to rotations in five dimensions, a ten-parameter group. Special Relativity and General Relativity are tentatively welded into one unified covariance scheme in five-dimensional space-time.
WinRDBI: a Windows-based relational database educational tool

RDBI is an educational tool that provides students with the capability to test their understanding of the formal relational query languages (relational algebra, domain relational calculus and tuple relational calculus) and the industry standard query language SQL. Although RDBI is an integral part of the database management courses at a number of universities, it is unavailable to those universities that do not have a license for the software product in which RDBI is implemented. WinRDBI, a version of RDBI for Windows, removes this limitation by increasing the availability of the educational tool to a standard Windows platform. Another advantage of WinRDBI is its graphical user interface, providing the student with a more intuitive interface than the command line interface of RDBI. This paper describes the architecture and user interface of WinRDBI. The features of WinRDBI are also illustrated using nontrivial examples from a popular database text. Although formal relational query languages do not provide inherent support for aggregation, these examples illustrate how to write queries in the formal languages to support (a limited form of) counting and minimum/maximum queries.
Synaptic Excitation May Activate a Calcium-Dependent Potassium Conductance in Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells

In hippocampal CAl pyramidal cells, orthodromic synaptic excitation is followed by an early hyperpolarization mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a late non-GABA-mediated hyperpolarization that has properties consistent with an increase in potassium conductance. Depolarizations produced by iontophoretically applied glutamate are followed by hyperpolarizations that have features in accordance with an increase in potassium conductance. The hyperpolarizations are independent of chloride and resistant to tetradotoxin but are blocked by a low-calcium, high-cobalt medium. Voltage clamping the glutamate depolarization does not reduce the subsequent hyperpolarization, indicating that the hyperpolarization results from a direct increase in calcium conductance produced by glutamate, rather than from activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels. A single transmitter, possibly acting on one type of receptor and channel, may initiate both excitation and inhibition in the same postsynaptic cell.
Chronic intermittent injections of high-dose ethanol during adolescence produce metabolic, hypnotic, and cognitive tolerance in rats.

Background: Many humans are first exposed to ethanol during adolescence, the time at which they are most likely to binge drink ethanol. Chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure produces ethanol tolerance in adolescent rodents. Recent studies suggested that adolescent animals administered CIE experienced increased cognitive impairment following an ethanol challenge. These studies further explore development of ethanol tolerance caused by CIE in adolescence, and whether CIE during adolescence leads to altered ethanol response in adulthood. Methods: Beginning postnatal day (P) 30, adolescent rats were administered 5.0 g/kg ethanol or saline every 48 hours for 20 days. In experiment I, animals were tested for differential weight gain. In experiment II, loss of righting reflex (LORR) was observed after each injection, then at completion of pretreatment all animals were tested with 5.0 g/kg ethanol and LORR was observed. In experiment III, blood ethanol levels were observed and elimination rates calculated after the first and fifth pretreatments. All animals were tested with 5.0 g/kg at completion of pretreatment and elimination rates were recalculated. In experiment IV, animals were trained on the spatial version of the Morris Water Maze Task (MWMT) on non-treatment days. Following completion of pretreatment and training, animals were tested after receiving an ethanol (1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 g/kg), or saline. Tests for experiments II, III, and IV were repeated in the same animals following 12 ethanol-free days. Results: Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure during adolescence caused differential weight gain (experiment I). Adolescent rats developed tolerance to ethanol-induced LORR (experiment II) and metabolic tolerance to ethanol (experiment III). This tolerance was seen after 12 ethanol-free days. CIE also attenuated ethanol-induced spatial memory deficits in the MWMT (experiment IV). This effect was not long-lasting. Conclusions: Following CIE pretreatment during adolescence, tolerance developed to the hypnotic and cognitive impairing effects of ethanol, along with increased metabolic rate and decreased weight gain. These results further emphasize the ability of CIE to produce a variety of effects during adolescence, some having long-lasting consequences.
Gunshot Wounds to the Face: Emergency Interventions and Outcomes

Gunshot wounds to the face (GSWF) may produce life-threatening injuries. Our objective is to describe outcomes of and factors related to interventions for urgent airway control (UAC) and urgent bleeding control (UBC) as well as to analyze complications associated with GSWF. This was a retrospective study of 155 GSWF patients who were admitted to two Level 1 academic trauma centers over an 11-year period. Demographic details, injuries sustained, interventions performed, and timing of the interventions were recorded. Morbidity and mortality data were evaluated. Overall, 115 (74 %) patients suffered isolated GSWF, and none died. Of the 90 (58 %) patients requiring UAC, only three had a cricothyroidotomy. Of the 41 (26 %) patients requiring UBC, only four had angiographic embolization. Intraoral involvement and extrafacial injuries were associated with both UAC and UBC. Overall, 75 patients (48 %) required operations on the bones, eyes, or both. Complications developed in 14 and were treated successfully. UAC and UBC are required frequently after GSWF and are associated with intraoral involvement and injuries beyond the face. Simple methods, such as orotracheal intubation and packing, are typically sufficient for successful management. About half of the patients need further surgery, with infrequent morbidity.
Thermochemistry of fluorinated single wall carbon nanotubes.

The gradient corrected Perdew−Burke−Ernzerhof density functional in conjunction with a 3-21G basis set and periodic boundary conditions was employed to investigate the geometries and energies of C2F fluorinated armchair single wall carbon nanotubes (F−SWNT's) with diameters ranging from 16.4 to 4.2 A [(12,12) to (3,3)] as well as a C2F graphene sheet fluorinated on one side only. Using an isodesmic equation, we find that the thermodynamic stability of F−SWNT's increases with decreasing tube diameter. On the other hand, the mean bond dissociation energies of the C−F bonds increase as the tubes become thinner. The C−F bonds in the (5,5) F−SWNT's are about as strong as those in graphite fluoride (CF)n and are also covalent albeit slightly (<0.04 A) stretched. Whereas a fluorine atom is found not to bind covalently to the concave surface of [60]fullerene, endohedral covalent binding is possible inside a (5,5) SWNT despite a diameter similar to that of the C60 cage.
Robust control: A historical review

A historical review is presented of recent results in robust control. The robust control problem, i.e., the problem of designing accurate control systems in the presence of significant plant uncertainties, is classical. However, over the past 15 years significant new theory has been developed for the solution of this problem, especially with respect to linear multivariable systems characterized in the frequency domain, and the term robust control for this classical problem is only of recent vintage (1973). Some of the major contributions of modern robust control theory include the development of synthesis techniques for robust stabilization, and H2 and H? sensitivity-optimization of multivariable systems. In this review, we confine the term robust control to the design of fixed controllers. Thus only non-adaptive or non-self-timing solutions to the problem of controlling uncertain systems are reviewed. Finally it should be noted that the review is largely limited to the literature published in IEEE journals and conference proceedings, and some English-language journals. It is of course, recognized that many significant related contributions have appeared elsewhere.
Innominate artery cannulation for proximal aortic surgery: outcomes and neurological events in 263 patients.

Objectives To determine whether innominate artery cannulation is the ideal perfusion strategy for delivering antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) during surgery on the proximal ascending aorta and transverse aortic arch. Methods A total of 263 patients underwent innominate artery cannulation with a side graft for surgery on the proximal aorta. Operations performed were ascending and proximal arch replacement (n = 213, 81.0%), ascending and total arch replacement (n = 33, 12.6%) and ascending aortic replacement (n = 12, 4.6%). Concomitant or other procedures included aortic root replacement and repair (n = 113, 43.0%), aortic valve replacement or repair (n = 118, 44.9%), coronary artery bypass (n = 40, 15.2%), antegrade stent graft delivery to the proximal descending thoracic aorta for aneurysm or dissection (n = 28, 10.7%), mitral valve repair (n = 11, 4.2%), patent foramen ovale repair (n = 3, 1.1%) and tricuspid valve repair (n = 2, 0.8%). Twenty-seven patients (10.3%) presented with acute or subacute Type I aortic dissection, and 45 (17.1%) had a previous sternotomy. Median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), cardiac ischaemia and ACP times were 126.0 [95-163 interquartile range (IQR)], 91.0 (73-121 IQR) and 21.0 (16-32 IQR) min. Bilateral ACP was delivered in 235 patients (90.7%). Results The operative mortality rate was 4.9% (n = 13). Nine patients (3.4%) had postoperative stroke, which was permanent in 5 (1.9%) of them. Multivariate analysis associated risk of stroke or temporary neurological deficit with acute or subacute Type I aortic dissection (P = 0.028) and age (P = 0.015). Renal disease (P = 0.036) and CPB time (P = 0.011) were independent risk factors for operative mortality. Circulatory arrest time was identified as a risk factor for mortality (P = 0.038). Conclusions Innominate artery cannulation can be performed safely and poses a low risk of neurological events in procedures requiring hypothermic circulatory arrest. The technique for cannulating this artery should be part of the routine armamentarium of cardiac and aortic surgeons, and the innominate artery is among the preferred perfusion sites for delivering ACP.
Home energy manager: A consumer-oriented interactive tool to optimize energy use

This paper presents a tool that enables consumers to manage their energy consumption, generation and storage capabilities in a dynamic pricing environment, integrating electric, thermodynamic, economic, comfort and environmental parameters. Consumers can interact with the tool from a dedicated touch screen or using alternative digital media.
The theoretical prediction of safe deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) time using estimated tissue oxygen loading

Abstract Hyperoxia used with pH-stat gas strategy during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) results in the least acid production during Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest (DHCA). Theoretically, pH-stat strategy maximizes capillary perfusion allowing hyperoxia to maximize tissue oxygen loading, which takes advantage of a reduced metabolism (8–16% of normal based on weight) and a 40% increased solubility of oxygen at 18 °C versus 37 °C. Pre-arrest preparation by oxygen loading tissues can delay the conversion from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism thus extending the safe DHCA time [Pearl JM, Thomas DW, Grist GE, Duffy JY, Manning PB. Hyperoxia for Management of Acid–Base Status During Deep Hypothermia with Circulatory Arrest. Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:751–5]. Using the arterial and venous pO 2 values on CPB, the hypothetical average tissue pO 2 value can be estimated at various temperatures. This combined with known values of oxygen solubility in salt water at various temperatures and the consumption of oxygen at sub-normal temperatures, the safe time of DHCA can be estimated. One table was designed to calculate the average tissue pO 2 during hypothermia. A second table was designed to estimate the safe DHCA time based on temperature, patient weight, and the calculated average tissue pO 2 from the first table. Traditional methods of DHCA rely primarily on reaching a specified temperature without consideration for tissue oxygen loading. These tables provide indicators that can theoretically guide the clinician in providing a safer DHCA based on the magnitude of tissue oxygen loading.
Predictive rendering for accurate material perception: modeling and rendering fabrics

In computer graphics, rendering algorithms are used to simulate the appearance of objects and materials in a wide range of applications. Designers and manufacturers rely entirely on these rendered images to previsualize scenes and products before manufacturing them. They need to differentiate between different types of fabrics, paint finishes, plastics, and metals, often with subtle differences, for example, between silk and nylon, formaica and wood. Thus, these applications need predictive algorithms that can produce high-fidelity images that enable such subtle material discrimination.
Connections between physical, optical and biogeochemical processes in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract A new biogeochemical model has been developed and coupled to a three-dimensional physical model in the Pacific Ocean. With the explicitly represented dissolved organic pools, this new model is able to link key biogeochemical processes with optical processes. Model validation against satellite and in situ data indicates the model is robust in reproducing general biogeochemical and optical features. Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) has been suggested to play an important role in regulating underwater light field. With the coupled model, physical and biological regulations of CDOM in the euphotic zone are analyzed. Model results indicate seasonal variability of CDOM is mostly determined by biological processes, while the importance of physical regulation manifests in the annual mean terms. Without CDOM attenuating light, modeled depth-integrated primary production is about 10% higher than the control run when averaged over the entire basin, while this discrepancy is highly variable in space with magnitudes reaching higher than 100% in some locations. With CDOM dynamics integrated in physical-biological interactions, a new mechanism by which physical processes affect biological processes is suggested, namely, physical transport of CDOM changes water optical properties, which can further modify underwater light field and subsequently affect the distribution of phytoplankton chlorophyll. This mechanism tends to occur in the entire Pacific basin but with strong spatial variability, implying the importance of including optical processes in the coupled physical-biogeochemical model.
A multitrait‐multioccasion generalization of the latent trait‐state model: Description and application

Single‐trait, multioccasion (STMO) measurement models have been developed to decompose variance into the constituent components of common trait, state, item‐specific, and random error. In this article, a generalization of the STMO model was provided via a confirmatory measurement model for multitrait‐multioccasion (MTMO) data. A brief description of several commonly employed confirmatory measurement models (e.g., congeneric factor analytic model) was provided and contrasted with the MTMO. An illustration of the MTMO model was provided with a large, four‐wave data set involving family support and alcohol involvement. Conceptual issues regarding the trait‐state distinction were discussed, as were statistical issues about the estimation of parameters corresponding to item‐specific and measurement error components.
Ultrasonic pulse-echo beam width and axial response approximations for clinical broadband focused transducers.

Abstract A means of estimating the pulse-echo response beam width and the position of the peak: in the pulse-echo axial response for clinical ultrasonic transducers is presented. Using a simple model based on continuous wave propagation, equations describing the width of a transmitted beam and the axial pressure amplitude as a function of distance from the transducer have been adapted to describe broadband transducers. The efficacy of these adaptations is verified by comparison to actual measurements performed on both focused and non-focused transducers for attenuating paths as well as “lossless” water paths. By using either the center frequency or a computed mean frequency to represent a broadband pulse, both the −20 dB pulse-echo response beam width and the divergence of the beam as it propagates through tissue-like material can be well approximated. Also, for nonattenuating paths, the position of the peak in the axial pressure profile, and, hence, the focal plane position, can be estimated from the phys ical dimensions of the focused transducer and the center or mean frequency.
HOMOTOPY APPROACH TO OPTIMAL, LINEAR QUADRATIC, FIXED ARCHITECTURE COMPENSATION

Optimal linear quadratic Gaussian compensators with constrained architecture are a sensible way to generate good multivariable feedback systems meeting strict implementation requirements. The optimality conditions obtained from the constrained linear quadratic Gaussian are a set of highly coupled matrix equations that cannot be solved algebraically except when the compensator is centralized and full order. An alternative to the use of general parameter optimization methods for solving the problem is to use homotopy. The benefit of the method is that it uses the solution to a simplified problem as a starting point and the final solution is then obtained by solving a simple differential equation. This paper investigates the convergence properties and the limitation of such an approach and sheds some light on the nature and the number of solutions of the constrained linear quadratic Gaussian problem. It also demonstrates the usefulness of homotopy on an example of an optimal decentralized compensator.
Staining for acid-fast bacilli in surgical pathology: practice patterns and variations

Analysis of acid-fast bacilli stains on sputum smears for the diagnosis of tuberculosis has a long history, but quality control for acid-fast bacilli in histologic sections is not as well established. In tissues, necrotizing granulomas are closely linked to positive cultures for mycobacteria. However, the practices of pathologists examining acid-fast bacilli in surgical specimens are not well described in the literature. This study characterizes practice patterns related to the histologic interpretation of acid-fast bacilli stains. A survey invitation was sent to 1299 pathologists including members of the Pulmonary Pathology Society and randomly selected fellows of the College of American Pathologists. Twenty-one questions inquired about demographics, ordering and interpreting acid-fast bacilli stains, reporting, and correlation. Of the 392 responses (30.2% response rate), 363 respondents review acid-fast bacilli stains on histologic sections. Approximately half of respondents practice in an academic setting, with the other half in community practice. Most respondents examine the entire acid-fast bacilli slide with the ×40 objective; approximately half confirm the organisms under oil immersion at ×100. There was considerable variation in when an acid-fast bacilli stain is ordered, as well as possible additional workup for negative cases, reporting of results, correlation with clinical and culture findings, and training. Many respondents reported never having been taught a general approach to acid-fast bacilli interpretation. There is substantial variation in practice patterns involving all aspects of ordering, histologic examination, and reporting of acid-fast bacilli stains. Future efforts to standardize the interpretation of acid-fast bacilli stains can potentially improve the diagnosis of mycobacterial disease.
Home-based services by nurse-midwives: Sample data from phase II of nurse-midwifery care to vulnerable populations in the United States

This article presents prospective data from Phase II of Nurse-Midwifery Care to Vulnerable Populations in the United States, about home-based health care, including home birth, provided to women and infants by CNMs and the type of practice in which these services are provided. Forty-one certified nurse-midwives collected data on 1,739 client visits, of which 234 occurred in the home. The results indicate that the majority of home visits occur within a practice setting that includes more traditional modes of service and that a proportion of women choose home as the place for health care.
Prognostic value of regional cerebral metabolism in patients undergoing dementia evaluation: comparison to a quantifying parameter of subsequent cognitive performance and to prognostic assessment without PET.

Abstract It is difficult to accurately forecast the clinical course of many patients presenting with mild cognitive problems. The utility in prognostic evaluation of various parameters of brain structure and function that can now be noninvasively measured remains to be clearly defined. The present work examined the value of regional cerebral metabolism, assessed with positron emission tomography (PET) and [ 18 F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose, in this context. PET scans of 167 patients (mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)=24 of 30 possible points) were classified as being positive or negative for evidence of progressive dementia. Results of scans were compared to patients' subsequent clinical course in general and in particular, to their changes in MMSE scores, for up to 10 years following PET. Data were further stratified according to the predictions of referring physicians based upon clinical assessments that had been performed up until the time of PET. Among those patients for whom a progressive dementing course had been predicted by PET criteria (but not those who were predicted by PET criteria to remain stable) a significant decline in general cognitive performance and MMSE scores occurred in the period following PET. Among those patients predicted by clinical criteria to have a progressive dementing illness, 94% of those with positive PET scans did suffer a progressive decline, while only 25% of those with negative scans progressed (relative risk 3.8). Similarly, among those patients who had been predicted by clinical criteria to remain cognitively stable, 74% of those with positive PET scans nevertheless suffered progressive decline, compared with 4% of those with negative PET scans (relative risk 18.4). These data indicate that evaluation of brain metabolism by PET in appropriately selected patients may improve the accuracy of clinical prognostic assessment.
Photon antennas: self-assembly of donor and acceptor metal ions at the galleries of layered α-zirconium phosphonates

Donor and acceptor metal ions are self-assembled by coordination to the carboxylate functions of the α-carboxyethyl zirconium phosphonate (α-ZrCEP). Uranyl and europium ions, for example, bind to the carboxyl functions of α-ZrCEP at stoichiometric amounts (2:1, carboxylate to metal ion). Selective excitation of uranyl (donor) with visible light (430 nm) resulted in efficient energy transfer from the donor excited states to europium(III) (acceptor). Sensitized emission from the acceptor was observed at 590 nm and the quenching efficiencies are estimated from the luminescence experiments. Binding of the donors and acceptors to the matrix resulted in enhanced energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor when compared to the solution phase studies. The quenching efficiencies increase dramatically with donor concentration as direct evidence for the donor-to-donor energy migration within the assemblies of the metal ions. Such systems that function with visible light may be of interest in photonics, and in solar energy harvesting.
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: cornering the rat

See article by Frey et al. [8] (pages 254–264) in this issue. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a terrible disease [1]. It is associated with negative hemodynamic changes leading to pulmonary congestion and low output, and with severe ventricular arrhythmias that in many cases are lethal. We have learned a good deal about the electrophysiology of this disease [2]. Unlike ischemic heart disease that predisposes to conduction block and reentrant arrhythmias on that basis, the lesion of hypertrophy involves repolarization [3]. Hypertrophied cells have long and non-uniform repolarization times. This dispersion of action potential duration is a milieu in which early afterdepolarizations can generate sustained and highly disorganized ventricular arrhythmias, manifest on the surface ECG as polymorphous ventricular tachycardia that quickly degenerates into ventricular fibrillation. As hypertrophy progresses, the situation is further complicated by fibrosis and irregular cell connection that increases the potential for transmyocardial reentry and arrhythmogenesis. Hypertrophied cells, already manifesting marked potassium channel abnormalities, are highly sensitive to metabolic conditions such as hypokalemia, or QT prolonging drugs that further prolong refractoriness, compounding the potential for polymorphic ventricular tachycardia [3,4]. Thus, in patients with hypertrophic disease, in particular the familial form, sudden and unexpected death is a heavy liability. Unfortunately, we have not yet developed efficient methods to predict which patients are uniquely susceptible to this problem, nor have we available highly effective or safe …
High-throughput sequencing of the DBA/2J mouse genome

BackgroundThe DBA/2J mouse is not only the oldest inbred strain,but also one of the most widely used strains. DBA/2Jexhibits many unique anatomical, physiological, andbehavior traits. In addition, DBA/2J is one parent of thelarge BXD family of recombinant inbred strains [1]. Thegenome of the other parent of this BXD family—C57BL/6J—has been sequenced and serves as themouse reference genome [2]. We sequenced the gen-ome of DBA/2J using SOLiD and Illumina highthroughput short read protocols to generate a compre-hensive set of ~5 million sequence variants segregatingin the BXD family that ultimately cause developmental,anatomical, functional and behavioral differences amongthese 80+ strains.ResultsWe generated approximately 13.2 and 38.9× whole-gen-ome short reads of DBA/2J females using Illumina GA2and ABI SOLiD massively parallel DNA sequencingplatforms. Comparing to the C57BL/6J reference gen-ome sequence, we identified over 4.5 million singlenucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 84 non-sense and ~11,000 missense mutations, 78% of whichare novel. We also detected ~568,000 insertions anddeletions (indels) within single short reads and ~9,400between mate-paired reads. Approximately 300 inver-sions were detected by SOLiD mate-pair reads, 46 ofwhich span at least one exon. In addition, we identified~22,000 copy number variants (CNVs) in the range of1 Kb to 100 Kb (Figure 1).ConclusionOur study generates the first consensus sequence for theDBA/2J and creates a compendium of sequence andstructural variations that will be used by the communityof researchers who study complex traits in mouse mod-els.Thesequencedataprovideanovelresourcewithwhich to initiate reverse genetic analysis of complex
Color stability of provisional restorative materials after accelerated aging

Purpose Color of 11 provisional restorative materials (4 acrylic resins and 7 resin composites) was evaluated by reflection spectrophotometry immediately after fabrication, after aging for 15 kJ/m(2), and after aging for 60 kJ/m(2) to determine relative color stability under experimental aging conditions. Materials and methods Specimens of provisional restorative materials were polymerized according to manufacturers' instructions and aged in an artificial aging chamber with exposure to a total ultraviolet irradiation of 60 kJ/m(2) in increments of 15 kJ/m(2). Color was measured by CIE L*a*b* on a reflection spectrophotometer before and after aging. Color change (Delta E*) was calculated and analyzed statistically by analysis of variance with repeated measures after 15 and 60 kJ/m(2) intervals of aging. Results Statistically significant changes in color were observed after accelerated aging at both the initial and final aging intervals. Five of the 11 provisional materials tested showed perceptible color change (Delta E* from 3.6 to 9.3) after accelerated aging of 15 kJ/m(2). Seven of the 11 provisional materials tested showed perceptible color change (Delta E* from 3.4 to 9.4) after accelerated aging of 60 kJ/m(2). Conclusions Clinically perceptible color changes (Delta E* Delta 3.3) can be expected in some acrylic resin and composite resin provisional materials after accelerated aging.
Building Gifted Education One State at a Time

The Marland Report was the impetus and structure to provide a more systematic approach to building state and regional gifted programs. One of the strategies used to proliferate the spread of progra...
SOME SPLICE QUOTIENT DOUBLE POINTS

The splice quotients are an interesting class of normal surface singularities with rational homology sphere links. In general, it can be difficult to determine whether or not a singularity is a splice quotient (an analytic condition). We consider splice quotient deformations of splice quotients of the form z2 = xa + yb, and show that in general not all equisingular deformations are splice quotients.
Institutional and Political Antecedents of Interjurisdictional Tax Harmonization: Lessons from Three States

ABSTRACT: Within the United States, the current sales and use tax (SUT) system is riddled with complexity, in part because of the lack of coordination between jurisdictions. One vehicle of cooperative state action is the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA). This study employs an in-depth qualitative analysis of three states to examine the institutional and political influences on a state's decision to adopt legislation conforming to the provisions of this interjurisdictional tax agreement, and the political strategies and tactics used by supporting and opposing interest groups. Relying on interest group theory and institutional theory, case study results indicate that governmental interest groups, rather than businesses, play an important role in the adoption of inter-jurisdictional tax policy changes. The presence of strong institutional entrepreneurs and normative pressures to adopt are also critical. These findings have significant implications for jurisdictions that seek to adopt a consoli...
Greedy Population Sizing for Evolutionary Algorithms

The number of parameters that need to be manually tuned to achieve good performance of evolutionary algorithms and the dependency of the parameters on each other make this potentially robust and efficient computational method very time consuming and difficult to use. This paper introduces a greedy population sizing method for evolutionary algorithms (GPS-EA), an automated population size tuning method that does not require any population size related parameters to be specified or manually tuned a priori. Theoretical analysis of the number of function evaluations needed by the GPS-EA to produce good solutions is provided. We also perform an empirical comparison of the performance of the GPS-EA to the performance of an EA with a manually tuned fixed population size. Both theoretical and empirical results show that using GPS-EA eliminates the need for manually tuning the population size parameter, while finding good solutions. This comes at the price of using twice as many function evaluations as needed by the EA with an optimal fixed population size; this, in practice, is a low price considering the amount of time and effort it takes to find this optimal population size manually.
An empirical study on using hidden markov model for search interface segmentation

This paper describes a hidden Markov model (HMM) based approach to perform search interface segmentation. Automatic processing of an interface is a must to access the invisible contents of deep Web. This entails automatic segmentation, i.e., the task of grouping related components of an interface together. While it is easy for a human to discern the logical relationships among interface components, machine processing of an interface is difficult. In this paper, we propose an approach to segmentation that leverages the probabilistic nature of the interface design process. The design process involves choosing components based on the underlying database query requirements, and organizing them into suitable patterns. We simulate this process by creating an "artificial designer" in the form of a 2-layered HMM. The learned HMM acquires the implicit design knowledge required for segmentation. We empirically study the effectiveness of the approach across several representative domains of deep Web. In terms of segmentation accuracy, the HMM-based approach outperforms an existing state-of-the-art approach by at least 10% in most cases. Furthermore, our cross-domain investigation shows that a single HMM trained on data having varied and frequent design patterns can accurately segment interfaces from multiple domains.