cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Architecting technology transitions: A sustainability‐oriented sociotechnical approach

Achieving sustainability involves complex processes of technology, people, institutions, and the environment. The sustainability challenge requires a combination of social, political, and technological efforts. This paper discusses processes for technological change in order to meet the sustainability challenge. These complex processes are found to be a suitable application for systems engineering and for systems architecture in particular. Based on a thorough review of the literature, an architecture framework is developed to support management of portfolios of sustainable technology projects. This architecture framework is validated through a case study process, providing enhancements and lessons learned. The full architecture framework construct and associated proposed implementation approaches are presented, demonstrating the need for and applicability of such systems engineering approaches to achieve sustainability. Lessons learned from case studies and development of representative architectures are also described. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Schematic classification problems and their solution

Abstract The necessity arises in a variety of tasks to classify items on the basis of the presence of one of a number of criterial sets of co-related feature values. Such sets are called class characteristics. Because such classification problems require the identification of characteristics on the basis of limited training information, they entail a difficult search problem. Consideration of the differences between the theoretical models underlying characteristic and volume pattern generators suggests a schematic approach. Schemata, sets of commonly co-occuring features values, are probabilistic indicators of class membership whenever the characteristics are unknown but the characteristic model prevails. Formal and algorithmic solutions to the classification problem when exemplars are simple (consist only of M feature or attribute values) are described. The relevance of these procedures to problems involving general (relational) data structures is also indicated.
Inhibitory Effects of Dichlorophenoxyacetones on Auxin-induced Growth of Avena Coleoptile Sections

Six dichlorophenoxyacetones were synthesized and examined as potential metabolic antagonists utilizing Avena coleoptile sections and the straight growth assay procedure. Supplements of indoleacetic acid promoted growth of the sections which were inhibited by the analogs; the most inhibitory derivatives were 2,3-; 2,4-; 2,5-; and 3,4-dichlorophenoxyacetone which produced half-maximal growth responses (relative to the unaug-mented control growth) at concentrations of 106, 86, 80, and 62 mug/ml, respectively. A Lineweaver-Burk plot of the data for the inhibition by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetone and its reversal by indoleacetic acid appeared to represent an uncompetitive-like inhibition.
Volume and outcome: the more patients the better?

Many studies have demonstrated improved outcomes for patients treated at high-volume hospitals by physicians with substantial experience in a given condition or procedure. Volume recommendations are now incorporated into consensus guidelines in a variety of specialties. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association first integrated volume parameters for percutaneous coronary interventions for hospitals and cardiologists into their practice guidelines in 1988, and current percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines recommend at least 75 procedures per cardiologist and at least 400 procedures per institution. 2 Similarly, according to outcome data, the American College of Surgery recommends minimum patient volumes for trauma centers and surgeons. Better outcomes are related to higher volumes across medical and surgical specialties. Kitahata et al 3 found that patients with an AIDS-defining illness had a 43% lower adjusted mortality risk if treated by an experienced physician as defined by number of AIDS patients treated during residency and clinical practice. Tilford et al 4 reported that both risk-adjusted mortality and patient length of stay are inversely related to pediatric ICU volumes independent of other institutional factors such as number of ICU beds, children’s hospital affiliation, or fellowship training program. Recent work by Durairaj et al 5
Reversal Learning and Risk‐Averse Foraging Behavior in the Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Learning ability allows insects to respond to a variable environment, and to adjust their behaviors in response to positive or negative experiences. Pollinating insects readily learn to associate floral characteristics, such as color, shape, or pattern, with appetitive stimuli, such as the presence of a nectar reward. However, in nature pollinators may also encounter flowers that contain distasteful or toxic nectar, or offer highly variable nectar volumes, providing opportunities for aversive learning or risk-averse foraging behavior. Whereas some bees learn to avoid flowers with unpalatable or unreliable nectar rewards, little is known about how Lepidoptera respond to such stimuli. We used a reversal learning paradigm to establish that monarch butterflies learn to discriminate against colored artificial flowers that contain salt solution, decreasing both number of probes and probing time on flowers of a preferred color and altogether avoiding artificial flowers of a non-preferred color. In addition, when we offered butterflies artificial flowers of two different colors, both of which contained the same mean nectar volume but which differed in variance, the monarchs exhibited risk-averse foraging: they probed the constant flowers significantly more than the variable ones, regardless of flower color or butterfly sex. Our results add to our understanding of butterfly foraging behavior, as they demonstrate that monarchs can respond to aversive as well as appetitive stimuli, and can also adjust their foraging behavior to avoid floral resources with high variance rewards.
State-plane analysis of parallel resonant converter

A method for analyzing the complex operation of a parallel resonant converter is developed, utilizing graphical state-plane techniques. The comprehensive mode analysis uncovers, for the first time, the presence of other complex modes besides the continuous conduction mode and the the discontinuous conduction mode and determines their theoretical boundaries. Based on the insight gained from the analysis, a novel, high-frequency resonant buck converter is proposed. The voltage conversion ratio of the new converter is almost independent of load.
Temperature dependence of magnetoresistance and surface magnetization in ferromagnetic tunnel junctions

The temperature dependence of spin-polarized tunneling is investigated between 77 and 420 K for various ferromagnetic tunnel junctions. Both the junction resistance and the magnetoresistance decrease with increasing temperature $T.$ The experimental results are successfully described by a model that includes two current contributions. The dominant one is elastic, spin-polarized tunneling between the two ferromagnetic electrodes, each with an electron polarization $P$ that decreases with $T$ due to thermally excited spin waves according to $P\ensuremath{\propto}(1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}{T}^{3/2}),$ i.e., in the same way as the surface magnetization. A smaller second conductance is due to assisted, spin-independent tunneling which we find to be proportional to ${T}^{1.35\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15}.$
Rapamycin-induced modulation of miRNA expression is associated with amelioration of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN)

Recent studies suggested that miRNAs are involved in the development of the pathogenesis of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Rapamycin, a widely used mTOR inhibitor, has been demonstrated to slow down the progression of HIVAN. However, the role of miRNA in the regulation of these processes has not been investigated so far. In the current study, we have used a microarray-based approach in combination with real-time PCR to profile the miRNA expression patterns in rapamycin-treated HIVAN mice (Tg26). Our results demonstrated that 19 miRNAs belonging to 13 different families expressed differentially in renal tissues of rapamycin-receiving Tg26 mice when compared to Tg26 mice-receiving saline only. The patterns of miRNAs expression in rapamycin-receiving Tg26 mice took a reverse turn. These miRNAs were classified into 8 functional categories. In in vitro studies, we examined the expression of specific miRNAs in HIV-1 transduced human podocytes (HIV/HPs). HIV/HPs displayed attenuation of expression of miR-99a, -100a, -199a and miR-200, whereas, rapamycin inhibited this effect of HIV. These findings suggest that rapamycin-mediated up-regulation of specific miRNAs could contribute to amelioration of renal lesions in HIVAN mice.
Young adult waterpipe smokers: Smoking behaviors and associated subjective and physiological effects.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate smoking behaviors and subjective and physiological effects of nicotine on young adult occasional waterpipe smokers. Methods This study utilized a repeated-measures design that included one repeated factor for condition (nicotine and non-nicotine). For each participant, the sequencing of the repeated factor was assigned using random allocation. The two nicotine conditions were nicotine (0.75 g) and non-nicotine (0 g placebo) tobacco. Over the course of two weeks, twenty-two participants completed subjective (Acute Subjective Effects of Nicotine) and physiological (blood pressure, heart rate, and CO level) measures. Additional measures (QSU and MNWS-R) were used to assess for withdrawal symptoms. Sample The participants (n = 22) were young adults (23 ± 3.1 years); 71% smoked waterpipe once a month in the past year and 29% smoked waterpipe 1–2 times per week. In addition, 60% reported sharing their waterpipe with friends while smoking. None of the participants reported using any other forms of tobacco products. Results Under the nicotine condition, participants tended to smoke longer (i.e. smoking duration, p = 0.004), take more puffs ( p = 0.03), take shorter puffs ( p = 0.03), and inhale less volume with each puff ( p = 0.02). The repeated measures analysis of the factor headrush revealed an effect of the nicotine condition ( F = 9.69, p 2 = 0.31) and time ( F = 8.17, p = 0.02, partial η 2 = 0.30). Heart rate increased significantly across the nicotine condition ( F = 7.92, p = 0.01, partial η 2 = 0.31) and over time ( F = 12.64, p = 0.01, partial η 2 = 0.41). Conclusions This study demonstrates how differences between nicotine and non-nicotine waterpipe smoking are associated with changes in smoking behaviors, experiencing a headrush and an increase in heart rate.
Anterior segment findings in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis

• Background: Anterior segment findings in AIDS patients presenting with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis have not been specifically addressed in the American literature. • Methods: Our study evaluated 21 AIDS patients with CMV retinitis. • Results: Nineteen (90%) of these patients exhibited corneal endothelial deposits concurrent with CMV retinitis. The endothelial deposits were microscopic, opaque, linear flecks arranged in a reticular-like fashion. Of 42 eyes evaluated, 32 (76%) demonstrated active CMV retinitis. Corneal endothelial deposits were noted in 26 (81%) of the 32 eyes with retinitis. These corneal endothelial deposits were absent in the eyes which did not have CMV retinitis. • Conclusion: Meticulous examination of the retina of an HIV-positive or AIDS patient who presents with reticularly arranged, linear, flecked corneal endothelial deposits should be performed to ensure that the diagnosis of CMV retinitis can be ruled out.
Mechanisms of ventricular tachycardia: wide, complex ignorance.

A prerequisite to successful treatment of chronic recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a detailed understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the arrhythmia. No such understanding exists. In fact, our ignorance is extensive and the result is a disappointing failure to correct or control the arrhythmia in too many patients. Despite this ignorance, or precisely because of it, numerous medical and surgical therapies for VT are empirically applied worldwide. An ever incomplete list includes several dozen antiarrhythmic drugs, psychotropic drugs and maneuvers, prophylactic and interruptive pacing, internal and external direct current cardioversion, coronary artery bypass grafting, conventional aneurysm resection, myocardial resection or ablation guided by a variety of electrical mapping findings, endoventriculotomy, and combinations of the above. Carefully applied pharmacologic therapy of VT continues to be disappointing despite the recent availability of sophisticated monitoring techniques, plasma drug concentration determinations, and numerous new antiarrhythmic agents. Encainide, a new antiarrhythmic agent which dramatically depresses infranodal conduction, illustrates this point. In a study of its efficacy against recurrent, previously refractory VT, most of the 38 patients treated with encainide improved initial1y.l However, at 6 months 46% and at 18 months 71% of the patients had relapsed. The essential problem which plagues pharmacologic therapy of VT is not so much an inability to create agents with potent electrophysiologic effects, as it is an uncertainty regarding which effect or effects are needed in the given
The conversion of the amino group of amino acids and proteins to the non-basic nitroguanidino group.

Abstract 1. 1. A study has been made on the conversion of the amino group of some amino acids and serum albumin into the nitroguanidino group with the use of 2-methyl-1 (or 3)-nitro-2-thiopseudourea. 2. 2. The reagent was found to react satisfactorily in alkaline solution with glycine, β-alanine, and δ-aminovaleric acid. 3. 3. The pH of the reacting medium was found to control the extent of reaction serum albumin with approximately 20 groups converted at pH 9. Serum albumin, after four treatments at pH 9, was modified into a derivative with 40 amino groups converted out of the available 56 to 60 groups. 4. 4. Electrophoretic, sedimentation, and solubility analyses are given for an albumin sample with 21 amino groups converted. 5. 5. U.V. absorption measurement at 269–270 mμ was found to be useful in quantitating the number of nitroguanidino groups introduced into serum albumin.
Absorption of carbon dioxide by carbonate solutions in a disc column

Abstract Results from the study of the various factors which affect the rate of absorption of carbon dioxide by carbonate solutions in a Stephens-Morris disc column are presented. The characteristics of the absorption carried out in the disc column were found to be similar to those of the absorption in packed towers in respect of the following variables : total concentration of the solution, percentage conversion to bicarbonates, rate of liquor flow, and temperature. At 40% conversion to bicarbonate, the absorption coefficients for a solution 1·00 total sodium normality are given by Absorption coefficients for potassium carbonate solutions are approximately 36% higher than those for sodium carbonate solutions under the same conditions.
Commentary on the article “Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions”

“Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessment for resource allocation decisions.” The title says it all. I am amazed that such a summary is even possible and that it defines this field so well. Perhaps this report will be cited for years to come as the best and central definition of HTA. A field like this can be defined in other ways.
A Hybrid Parallelizable Algorithm for Computer Simulation of the Motion Behaviors of a Branched Multibody System

This paper presents a hybrid parallelizable algorithm for the computer-aided modeling of the dynamic behavior of multibody open tree systems. The method is based on cutting certain system interbody joints at branched bodies so that a system of largely independent multibody subchains is formed. These subchains interact with one another through associated unknown constraint forces fc at the cut joints. The increased parallelism is obtainable through cutting joints and the explicit determination of associated constraint forces combined with a sequential O(n) procedure. Consequently, the sequential O(n) procedure is carried out within each subchain to form and solve the equations of motion, while parallel strategies are performed between the subchains to form and solve constraint equations concurrently. Two extreme cutting procedures are further discussed to conduct a comparison of computational efficiency. One case is to cut the joints at branched bodies so that the longest lengths of subchains are obtained and the other is to cut the joints at branched bodies so that the shortest lengths of subchains are formed. The algorithm can easily accommodate the available number of processors while maintaining high efficiency. The algorithm will also be implemented on both parallel homogeneous computing (PHC) systems and network-distributed heterogeneous computing (DHC) environment. The implementation of the algorithm in a DHC environment will permit engineers and researchers to conduct distributed simulation of dynamic behaviors of large and complex multibody systems on ubiquitous network-distributed PC workstations in their workplace. In short, the exploration of the parallelizable algorithm for a multibody tree system will provide a deep understanding of the relationship between computational load balancing and optimal joint locations to be cut. The computational efficiency of the algorithm can be increased further.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Uneasy alliance: Peter the Great and Ayuki Khan

(1988). Uneasy alliance: Peter the Great and Ayuki Khan. Central Asian Survey: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 1-45.
Acute calcific tendinitis in a child: A case report

Abstract Acute calcific tendinitis is an uncommon condition in which soft tissue calcification is associated with an acute inflammatory reaction that may be confused with an infection. Cohen 1 first described a case of acute calcium deposition at the insertion of the flexor carpi ulnaris in 1924. The condition usually occurs in the adult shoulder, wrist, hand, and, on rare occasions, lower extremity. To our knowledge, there is only one reported case of acute calcific tendinitis in a child. 2 This entity is so rare in children that it may not be considered when one is evaluating a child with a suspected infection.
A phase II trial of arsenic trioxide in patients with metastatic melanoma.

BACKGROUND Arsenic trioxide induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in human melanoma cell lines. Therefore, a Phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of single-agent arsenic trioxide in patients with Stage IV melanoma. METHODS Twenty patients, 10 with metastatic melanoma of cutaneous origin and 10 with metastatic melanoma of choroidal origin, received arsenic trioxide 0.25 mg/kg/day for 5 days, followed by a maintenance dose of 0.35 mg/kg/day twice a week. All patients with melanoma of cutaneous origin and four patients with melanoma of choroidal origin had received prior therapy. RESULTS Single-agent arsenic trioxide did not induce clinical response in this patient population. Eight patients (five with melanoma of cutaneous origin, and three with melanoma of choroidal origin) had disease stabilization for at least six weeks. The median overall survival duration for patients with melanoma of cutaneous origin was 7.9 months, and that of patients with melanoma of choroidal origin has not been reached at a median follow-up duration of 11.8 months. Grade 3 toxicity included neutropenia, fatigue, abdominal pain, and arthralgia. Grade 4 toxicity did not occur. CONCLUSIONS Single-agent arsenic trioxide was generally well tolerated; however, no tumor regression was observed in this patient population. Future clinical trials should evaluate arsenic trioxide in combination with other anticancer drugs that may improve its clinical activity in melanoma. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Electrochemical oxidation of multisulfur heterocycles in molten AlCl3−NaCl mixtures

Summary The electrochemical oxidation of two sulfur heterocycles has been carried out in molten chloroaluminates. This broadens the range of compounds which are known to be compatible with these solvent system10.11. The radical cation and the dication of the tetrathioethylene, compound i and thianthrene, compound II, are readily prepared by electrochemical generation in AlCl3−NaCl mixtures. The voltammetric parameters conform well to theory for two successive reversible one-electron transfer reactions at sweep rates up to 20 V s−1 at tungsten electrodes. The dications of I and II are considerably (ca. three orders of magnitude) more stable in molten chloroaluminates at 150°C than in nucleophilic solvents such as dry acetonitrile at room temperature. At platinum electrodes two successive reversible one-electron transfer reactions are also observed for I and II. However, the voltammograms are complicated by platinum surface effects in the region of 0.7 V vs. Al/AlCl3−NaCl (63–37 mol%).
Incomplete recovery and individualized responses of the human distal gut microbiota to repeated antibiotic perturbation

The indigenous human microbiota is essential to the health of the host. Although the microbiota can be affected by many features of modern life, we know little about its responses to disturbance, especially repeated disturbances, and how these changes compare with baseline temporal variation. We examined the distal gut microbiota of three individuals over 10 mo that spanned two courses of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, analyzing more than 1.7 million bacterial 16S rRNA hypervariable region sequences from 52 to 56 samples per subject. Interindividual variation was the major source of variability between samples. Day-to-day temporal variability was evident but constrained around an average community composition that was stable over several months in the absence of deliberate perturbation. The effect of ciprofloxacin on the gut microbiota was profound and rapid, with a loss of diversity and a shift in community composition occurring within 3–4 d of drug initiation. By 1 wk after the end of each course, communities began to return to their initial state, but the return was often incomplete. Although broadly similar, community changes after ciprofloxacin varied among subjects and between the two courses within subjects. In all subjects, the composition of the gut microbiota stabilized by the end of the experiment but was altered from its initial state. As with other ecosystems, the human distal gut microbiome at baseline is a dynamic regimen with a stable average state. Antibiotic perturbation may cause a shift to an alternative stable state, the full consequences of which remain unknown.
Upper Ocean Shear and Density Variability at the Equator during TROPIC HEAT

Abstract A four and one-half day time series of upper-ocean shear and density observations was collected in the tropical Pacific Ocean in November 1984. The measurements were made on the equator at 139°50′W during a period when the equatorial undercurrent was well developed and 20–30 day period velocity fluctuations were prominent. Shear observations were collected with a ship-mounted acoustic-Doppler velocity profiler; density data were obtained from a loosely tethered microstructure instrument. The mean shear profile during the series strongly reflected the structure of the undercurrent; however, the meridional component contributed significantly to the magnitude of the total shear. The mean Richardson number was large near the undercurrent core, but fell to values less than 0.5 25 m above and below the core, and was below 0.25 in the upper 40 m for most of the sample period. Buoyancy frequency varied on a diurnal time scale in the upper 50 m owing to the solar heating cycle, but a compensating diurnal ...
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Modification of the Quasi-Low-Dimensional Compound KMo4O6

Abstract Prismatic single crystals, up to 3 mm in length, of a third modification of KMo4O6 have been prepared by electrolysis of a melt with a high ratio of K2MoO4 to MoO3. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the structure conforms more closely than the other two modifications to that reported originally for NaMo4O6. When current is passed parallel to the tetragonal c axis (i.e., parallel to the trans-edge-sharing chains of Mo6 octahedra) the compound displays metallic conductivity down to 100 K, where a broad transition to semiconducting behavior occurs. If the current is passed perpendicular to the c axis the conductivity is approximately a factor of 5 lower. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on a randomly oriented collection of crystals showed Pauli paramagnetic behavior with a small Curie tail at low temperatures.
The US advertising industry's self‐regulation of comparative advertising

Purpose – Although there is considerable scholarly research on advertising self‐regulation in the USA, there is no research at all on the unique problems that comparative advertising created for those involved in the industry's self‐regulation. This study aims to address this gap in the literature with an historical analysis of the industry's efforts to respond to the widespread adoption of comparative advertising during the twentieth century.Design/methodology/approach – The study's primary and secondary sources consist of nearly 640 articles collected from historical and contemporary trade journals. The analysis focuses on two research questions: When did calls for the reform and regulation of comparative advertising appear, why did they appear, and who did advertisers believe should be responsible? and Why did advertisers and industry observers believe comparative advertising should be regulated, and what were the consequences of their self‐regulation efforts and initiatives?Findings – The paper finds ...
Modeling the functional repair of nervous tissue in spinal cord injury

Functional repair of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most challenging goals in modern medicine. The annual incidence of SCI in the United States is approximately 11,000 new cases. The prevalence of people in the U.S. currently living with SCI is approximately 200,000. Exploring and understanding nerve regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is a critical first step in attempting to reverse the devastating consequences of SCI. At Mayo Clinic, a preliminary study of implants in the transected rat spinal cord model demonstrates potential for promoting axon regeneration. In collaborative research between neuroscientists and bioengineers, this procedure holds promise for solving two critical aspects of axon repair-providing a resorbable structural scaffold to direct focused axon repair, and delivery of relevant signaling molecules necessary to facilitate regeneration. In our preliminary study, regeneration in the rat's spinal cord was modeled in three dimensions utilizing an image processing software system developed in the Biomedical Imaging Resource at Mayo Clinic. Advanced methods for image registration, segmentation, and rendering were used. The raw images were collected at three different magnifications. After image processing the individual channels in the scaffold, axon bundles, and macrophages could be identified. Several axon bundles could be visualized and traced through the entire volume, suggesting axonal growth throughout the length of the scaffold. Such information could potentially allow researchers and physicians to better understand and improve the nerve regeneration process for individuals with SCI.
Synergistic activation of transcription by the mutant and wild-type minimal transcriptional activation domain of VP16.

Abstract VP16 activates transcription by stimulating initiation, and for this function the aromatic residue at position 442 within its activation domain is critical. Recent studies have suggested that VP16 also stimulates transcriptional elongation. It has been shown that VP16 can activate transcription tethered downstream of the transcription start site to RNA. Here, we analyze the synergistic activation features of hybrid VP16 fusion proteins when tethered simultaneously to RNA downstream of the start site and to DNA upstream of a promoter in order to investigate its role in postinitiation control of transcription. Upon targeting the VP16 activation domain simultaneously to both DNA and RNA, high levels of transcriptional synergism is observed. Importantly, a transcription-defective VP16 minimal activation domain (amino acids 413-453) mutated at critical residue 442 (phenylalanine proline) maintained synergism, when bound to RNA, with the DNA-bound wild-type VP16 minimal activation domain. Targeting of this “functionally defective” VP16 minimal activation domain via RNA and an intact activation domain via DNA allowed us to uncover a postinitiation activity for VP16 not previously detected in DNA targeting studies. We suggest that, in addition to stimulating initiation, VP16 also acts at a postinitiation step involving residues other than the critical residue at position 442 within the same 41-amino acid minimal activation domain (amino acids 413-453) required for initiation.
A multiprocessor architecture combining fine-grained and coarse-grained parallelism strategies

Abstract A wide variety of computer architectures have been proposed that attempt to exploit parallelism at different granularities. For example, pipelined processors and multiple instruction issue processors exploit the fine-grained parallelism available at the machine instruction level, while shared memory multiprocessors exploit the coarse-grained parallelism available at the loop level. Using a register-transfer level simulation methodology, this paper examines the performance of a multiprocessor architecture that combines both coarse-grained and fine-grained parallelism strategies to minimize the execution time of a single application program. These simulations indicate that the best system performance is obtained by using a mix of fine-grained and coarse-grained parallelism in which any number of processors can be used, but each processor should be pipelined to a degree of 2 to 4, or each should be capable of issuing from 2 to 4 instructions per cycle. These results suggest that current high-performance microprocessors, which typically can have 2 to 4 instructions simultaneously executing, may provide excellent components with which to construct a multiprocessor system.
Motor Learning and Control Foundations of Kinesiology: Defining the Academic Core

This paper outlines the kinesiological foundations of the motor behavior subdisciplines of motor learning and motor control. After defining the components of motor behavior, the paper addresses the undergraduate major and core knowledge by examining several classic textbooks in motor learning and control, as well as a number of contemporary textbooks in these fields, searching for topics that have persisted over time, as well as topics that have emerged more recently. The paper also discusses the changing nature of the undergraduate kinesiology major in terms of their backgrounds and career goals. I address what I perceive to be a “measurement paradox” in assessing our students' knowledge, skills, and abilities, and suggest that the undergraduate kinesiology major, in addition to learning core content in motor learning and control, must also gain an appreciation of research as a way to acquire knowledge about these subdisciplines.
Homeowner Adaptation to Flooding An Application of the General Hazards Coping Theory

This research examines the question of whether long-term adjustments to repeated flooding by individual homeowners can be explained by the application of the Burton, Kates, & White (1978) model dev...
Diagnosis and management of thyroid carcinoma: a focus on serum thyroglobulin

Thyroid cancer is poised to become one of the most common cancer diagnoses in living cancer patients. Thyroglobulin (Tg) is thyroid but not tumor specific. Serum Tg levels less or equal to 0.1 ng/ml in patients without Tg autoantibodies (TgAbs) indicate cure following total thyroid ablation when measured on thyroxine with assays of functional sensitivity less or equal to 0.1 ng/ml. Less-sensitive assays might require stimulated Tg measurements. Tg measurement in biopsy-needle washes is becoming important as an adjunct to cytology in lymph node biopsies. The major limitations of Tg are false low interferences by TgAbs and a lack of established reference ranges for cured patients with thyroid remnants. Clinical acumen and neck ultrasound remain the best tools in TgAb-positive patients. For the increasing number of patients presenting with small indolent cancers who might receive less than total thyroid thyroidectomy, possibly without radioactive iodine remnant ablation, Tg reference ranges must be establish...
Parallel processing for biomedical signal processing

The authors describe how systematic mapping methodologies can be used to derive special-purpose processor arrays for the estimation of the bispectrum via the third-order moments. A novel design that is optimal in terms of total execution time for multiple pipelined data blocks is proposed, and it is shown how formal verification of the design can be achieved analytically. The discussion focuses on mapping regular algorithms to parallel architectures, bispectrum estimation from the third-order moments, and systolic array design for the third-order moments. >
Spine loss and regrowth in hippocampus following deafferentation.

SEVERAL studies have reported that there is a loss of dendritic spines after partial deafferentation. It is known that terminals lost to a structure after injury to one of its afferents are replaced in part or whole by sprouting of undamaged inputs1–3. This raises questions as to the nature of the accompanying post-synaptic changes but no attempts have been made to follow the loss of spines over time4–6. Specifically, there are no data on whether spines are replaced when sprouting afferents invade deafferented dendritic zones. This is a critical question if the nature of the morphological reorganisation which follows lesions in the brain is to be understood.
A procedure for selecting between two regression models

A class of procedures are proposed for selecting between two regression models. Under certain conditions error bounds are derived for these procedures. The bounds are also tested by simulation examples
Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support for Fulminant Myocarditis Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock

In fulminant myocarditis complicated by cardiogenic shock, early mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may prevent cardiomyopathy and death. We sought to examine the outcomes of patients with fulminant myocarditis supported with MCS. A retrospective review of patients with acute cardiogenic shock treated with MCS from 2007 to 2013 was conducted, and patients with a diagnosis of fulminant myocarditis were included in this series. At our center, 260 patients received MCS for acute cardiogenic shock, and 11 were implanted for fulminant myocarditis. Eight received the Centrimag biventricular assist device (BIVAD), and three received veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VA ECMO), though 1 VA ECMO-supported patient was transitioned to BIVAD due to refractory shock. The mean acute support time was 14.7 ± 4.4 days. Two patients required long-term left ventricular assist devices and were further supported for 55 and 112 days. Eight patients recovered with a mean ejection fraction of 54 ± 7 %, and one was successfully transplanted. Eight patients survived to discharge (73 %) with mean follow-up: 292.6 ± 306.8 days. All three deaths were due to neurologic complications. MCS should be considered in patients with fulminant myocarditis complicated by shock. With aggressive medical therapy, early utilization of MCS carries promising outcomes.
A successful interdisciplinary course on coputational intelligence

This article presents experiences from the introduction of a new three hour interdisciplinary course on computational intelligence (CI) taught at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This course is unique in the sense that it covers five main paradigms of CI and their integration to develop hybrid intelligent systems. The paradigms covered are artificial immune systems (AISs), evolutionary computing (EC), fuzzy systems (FSs), neural networks (NNs) and swarm intelligence (SI). While individual CI paradigms have been applied successfully to solve real-world problems, the current trend is to develop hybrids of these paradigms since no one paradigm is superior to any other for solving all types of problems. In doing so, respective strengths of individual components in a hybrid CI system are capitalized while their weaknesses are eliminated. This CI course is at the introductory level and the objective is to lead students to in-depth courses and specialization in a particular paradigm (AISs, EC, FSs, NNs, SI). The idea of an integrated and interdisciplinary course like this, especially at the undergraduate level, is to expose students to different CI paradigms at an early stage in their degree program and career. The curriculum, assessment, implementation, and impacts of an interdisciplinary CI course are described.
Congestion control and user utility function for real-time traffic

Usage of multimedia communication in everyday life has seen a remarkable growth. Vast in Bandwidth demand often result in lower network performance and reduced quality of user experience during congestion. In this paper, we will address congestion control problem while providing quality of service (QOS) of delay for inelastic flows like video streaming, IPTV, etc. First, we propose an extension of an existing user utility function to capture user's satisfaction over bandwidth allocation, QoS, and the cost to acquire the service. Second, we will study the relationship between these three entities1.
N- and P-channel transport behavior in thin film transistors based on tricyanovinyl-capped oligothiophenes.

We report the structural and electrical characterization of thin films of organic semiconductor molecules consisting of an oligothiophene core capped with electron-withdrawing tricyanovinyl (TCV) groups. X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy of evaporated films of three different TCV-capped oligothiophenes showed that the films were highly crystalline. Electrical transport was measured in thin film transistors employing silver source and drain contacts and channel probes to correct for contact resistance. Three compounds exhibited n-channel (electron) conduction consistent with cyclic voltametry data that indicated they undergo facile reduction. Maximum electron mobilities were 0.02 cm2/V·s with an on/off current ratio of 106. A fourth end-capped molecule, TCV-6T-TCV, which had six thiophene rings, exhibited both p- and n-channel transport. Overall, these results confirm that substitution of oligothiophene cores with electron-withdrawing groups is a useful strategy to achieve electron-transporting...
Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Mouse Mitochondrial Membrane Properties

Long-chain polyunsaturated (n-3) fatty acids have been proposed to be involved in a wide variety of biological activities. In this study, mitochondrial docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were increased by either dietary manipulation or by fusing the mitochondria with phospholipid vesicles made from 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (18:0/22:6 PC). The fused mitochondria exhibited a DHA-induced decrease in respiratory control index (RCI) and membrane potential and an increase in proton movement. The modified mitochondria also demonstrated an increase in fluidity (as detected by 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene anisotropy) and changes in membrane structure detected by the fluorescence probes MC540 and pyrene decanoate. Proton movement in lipid vesicles made from mitochondrial lipid extracts was shown to be enhanced by incorporated 18:0/22:6 PC. Mitochondria were isolated from young (5-mon) and old (24-mon) mice which were maintained on either a diet rich in saturated fats (hydrogenated coconut oil) or rich in n−3 polyunsaturated fats (menhaden oil). Mitochondrial bioenergetic function was followed by RCI, state 3 respiration, ATP level, and phosphate uptake. In addition, lipid composition, phospholipid area/molecule, and extent of lipid peroxidation were also determined. Decreases in RCI for the menhaden oil diet-modified mitochondria paralleled those in which DHA levels were enhanced by fusion with phospholipid vesicles. RCI reductions are attributed to DHA-induced increases in H+ movement, producing diminished mitochondrial membrane potentials. One purpose of this project was to determine if the deleterious effects of aging on mitochondrial bioenergetic function could be reversed by addition of n−3 fatty acids. The experiments reported here indicate that incorporation of long-chain polyunsaturated n−3 fatty acids into mitochondrial membranes does not appear likely to reverse the effects of age on mitochondrial function.
Minimally Invasive Partial Nephrectomy for Single Versus Multiple Renal Tumors

Purpose: We report the perioperative outcomes of robotic/laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for multiple tumors at a single operative session. Outcomes were compared with those of a matched pair cohort treated with partial nephrectomy for a single renal tumor.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database from 2001 to 2010 and identified 33 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for multiple tumors. They were matched 1 to 1 with 33 patients treated with partial nephrectomy for a single tumor. The multiple and single groups were matched for dominant tumor size (3.2 and 3.3 cm, p = 0.61), patient age (60 and 57 years, p = 0.59) and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (79.7 and 91.8 ml per minute/1.73 m2, p = 0.11), respectively.Results: A total 114 tumors were excised, including 81 in the multiple cohort. There was a median of 2 tumors per kidney (range 2 to 6). In the multiple and single tumor groups estimated blood loss (250 and 235 ml, p = 0.46) and war...
New Laser-Based and Imaging Methods for Studying the Dynamics of Molecular Collisions

The application of a wide variety of new techniques to studies of collision dynamics has changed our understanding of how molecular processes depend on such parameters as the initial state of reactants, the internal state of products, and the distance and angle of approach between two reactants. This article reviews the new techniques and places emphasis on those that allow the final velocity distribution of products to be determined of a function on the above-mentioned parameters.
ADAPTIVE PLASTICITY IN DEVELOPMENT OF SCAPHIOPUS COUCHII TADPOLES IN DESERT PONDS.

Couch's spadefoot toads (Scaphiopus couchii) breed in ephemeral desert ponds that are highly variable in duration. Rapid development is expected to be advantageous in short-duration ponds, but slower development, allowing more time for growth, may be advantageous in ponds of longer duration. Previous experiments have revealed both genetic variation in development time and phenotypic plasticity in response to pond drying. In this paper, I examine the norms of reaction of five sibships of tadpoles to see whether there is genetic variation in the effect of pond duration, i.e., in phenotypic plasticity. Several important results emerged. 1) Differences among sibships in development time that were seen in the lab were also seen in the field. 2) There was no evidence for genetic variation in plasticity of development; all sibships exhibited faster development and decreased larval period in ponds of short duration. Plasticity in development appears to be adaptive, as size at metamorphosis was correlated with duration of larval period. The slowest developing sibship, however, suffered higher mortality compared to other sibships in short duration ponds. 3) Sibships did not differ in growth or size at metamorphosis in short-duration ponds, but the slowest developing sibship metamorphosed at the largest size in long duration ponds, resulting in a significant genotype x environment interaction for size at metamorphosis. Thus, although only one of the five sibships responded differently, there appears to be genetic variation for plasticity in growth, and a genetically determined trade-off between fitness in short-duration ponds (via rapid development) and fitness in long duration ponds (via large size at metamorphosis). This may explain the existence of both phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation in development. A single genotype, although capable of adaptive plasticity, is not sufficiently flexible to have equally high fitness in both long- and short-duration ponds.
Assessment of Antipodal-Impact Terrains on Mars

The regions anitpodal to Mars' three largest impact basins, Hellas, Isidis, and Argyre, were assessed for evidence of impact-induced disrupted terrains. Photogeology and computer modeling using the Simplified Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (SALE) finite element code suggest that such terrains could have been found by the Hellas impact. Maximum antipodal pressures are 1100 MPa for Hellas, 520 MPa for Isidis, and 150 MPa for Argyre. The results suggest that if antipodal fracturing were associated with later volcanism, then Alba Patera may be related to the Hellas event, as proposed by Peterson (1978). Alba Patera is a unique volcano in the solar system, being a shield volcano which emitted large volume lava flows. This volcanism could be the result of the focusing of seismic energy which created a fractured region that served as a volcanic conduit for the future release of large volumes of magma. No disrupted terrain features are observed antipodal to the Isidis or Argyre basins, although some of the old fractures in Noctis Labyrinthus could have originated in response to the Isidis impact, and later have been reactivated by the Tharsis tectonics assumed to have produced Noctis. If the lower calculated antipodal pressures for Argyre were capable of producing disrupted terrains, then the terrains have been covered subsequently by volcanic or aeolian material, or modified beyond recognition.
Oral correction of essential fatty acid deficiency in cystic fibrosis.

A combination of pancreatic insufficiency and inadequate caloric intake may produce essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis. Seventy-five percent of the adolescents and young adults with poor weight gain in our clinic were EFA-deficient by total plasma linoleic acid criteria. Twenty of these patients were placed on an oral hyperalimentation regimen containing 230% of calories required for basal energy expenditure, 40% as fat. Forty percent of these (8/20) achieved normal EFA levels on this diet. Eight of the nonresponding patients were given an additional 5% of their caloric intake as linoleic acid monoglyceride. All who maintained caloric intake achieved normal EFA levels. Normalization of EFA levels was associated with a number of clinical benefits including increase in weight and activity and, in five teenage girls, regulation of menses. The 16 control patients who received standard pancrelipase therapy and nutritional supplements remained fatty acid deficient. We conclud...
Precipitous stem cell (SC) differentiation and 1 f noise

Abstract After a brief digression on certain types of noise of generic interest, it is concluded that 1 f noise offers interesting interpretations for unusual modes of SC differentiation such as the precipitous maturation of a subset of the macrophage lineage. Functionally equivalent to weak, spurious sources these specialized cells support the proliferation and maturation of erythroid cells extending thus the stimulatory influence of true, strong sources although in a rather indirect fashion.