cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Concepts for the Compression of Large Volumes of Carbon Dioxide

In the effort to reduce the release of CO{sub 2} greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, sequestration of CO{sub 2} from Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and Oxy-Fuel power plants is being pursued. This approach, however, requires significant compression power to boost the pressure to typical pipeline levels. The penalty can be as high as 8% to 12% on a typical IGCC plant. The goal of this research is to reduce this penalty through novel compression concepts and integration with existing IGCC processes. The primary objective of the study of novel CO{sub 2} compression concepts is to boost the pressure of CO{sub 2} to pipeline pressures with the minimal amount of energy required. Fundamental thermodynamics were studied to explore pressure rise in both liquid and gaseous states. For gaseous compression, the project investigated novel methods to compress CO{sub 2} while removing the heat of compression internal to the compressor. The high-pressure ratio due to the delivery pressure of the CO{sub 2} for enhanced oil recovery results in significant heat of compression. Since less energy is required to boost the pressure of a cooler gas stream, both upstream and interstage cooling is desirable. While isothermal compression has been utilized in some services, it has not been optimized for the IGCC environment. This project determined the optimum compressor configuration and developed technology concepts for internal heat removal. Other compression options using liquefied CO{sub 2} and cryogenic pumping were explored as well. Preliminary analysis indicates up to a 35% reduction in power is possible with the new concepts being considered.
Recursive filters for fast B-spline interpolation and compression of digital images

Signal processing concepts are used to study the problems of obtaining continuous image representations in terms of B-spline basis functions, and performing reconstructions at various magnifications. Filters that compute direct or indirect B-spline transformations are derived and characterized in terms of their z-transforms for polynomial splines of any order. Efficient recursive implementations of these operators are proposed. Recursive filters that efficiently solve the problem of approximating a signal through the use of least squares splines are also derived. This last procedure is analogous to the application of an anti-aliasing filter prior to decimation for the representation of a signal with fewer samples.
Radiation-induced electron migration in nucleic acids.

Radiation-induced electron migration along DNA is a mechanism by which randomly produced stochastic energy deposition events can lead to non-random types of damage along DNA manifested distal to the sites of the inital energy deposition. Radiation-induced electron migration in nucleic acids has been examined using oligonucleotides containing 5-bromouracil (5-BrU). Interaction of 5-BrU with solvated electrons results in release of bromide ions and formation of uracil-5-yl radicals. Monitoring either bromide ion release or uracil formation provides an opportunity to study electron migration processes in model nucleic acid systems. Using this approach we have discovered that electron migration along oligonucleotides is significantly influenced by the base sequence and strandedness. Migration along 7 base pairs in oligonucleotides containing guanine bases was observed for oligonucleotides irradiated in solution, which compares with mean migration distances of 6–10 bp for Escherichia coli DNA irradiated in sol...
Optimal location of a single distal interlocking screw in intramedullary nailing of distal third femoral shaft fractures.

Objective This biomechanical study was done to determine the effect of the level of a single distal screw in a static intramedullary (IM) femoral nail on the stability of fixation of a fracture in the distal third of the femur. Design Fifteen composite fiberglass femora were osteotomized transversely in the distal third of the femur. A Grosse-Kempf nail was implanted into the femurs, which were divided into three groups of five specimens. Single screw distal nail locking was varied distal to the osteotomy site for each group at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 centimeters, respectively. Intervention All instrumented femurs were mounted on a servohydraulic testing machine and fitted with transducers to measure axial, rotational, and bending displacements. Specimens were cyclically loaded (one hertz) in simultaneous torsion (moment: +/- 10 newton-meters) and axial compression (amplitude: 2,000 newtons) for 500 cycles with a 250-pound abductor force. Main outcome measurement Data from linear and rotational transducers were sampled at 100 hertz for five cycles before cycling, every 100 cycles of loading, and immediately after cycling. Custom computer software was developed to convert transducer signals into static and dynamic measurements of axial motion (in millimeters), rotation (in degrees), and angulation (in degrees). Results Osteotomy site dynamic rotation increased significantly in specimens locked at 7.5 centimeters when compared with the 2.5-centimeter group. There was minimal difference between the stability of the 5.0-centimeter and 7.5-centimeter groups. There was no significant change in position at the fracture site before or after cyclic loading with respect to axial shortening, rotation, or bending. Both dynamic axial and angular displacements were also unaffected by screw position. Conclusion The location of a single distal interlocking screw in static IM nail fixation of distal third femur fractures can significantly affect rotational stability but not axial or angular fixation.
The Effects of Zero Population Growth on the Spatial Distribution of Economic Activity

HE condition of zero population growth is achieved when the number of new births and immigrants equals the number of deaths and emigrants. This condition, also referred to as a stationary population, eventually may be necessary to prevent excessive depletion of our resources and overcrowding, even though it does not imply zero economic growth. The rapid decline in birth rates in the United States in recent years-from 3.65 in 1960 to only 2.41 in 1969lends support to the possibility of achieving such a condition. In this paper I concentrate on the general trends in distribution of economic activity that I think are most likely to occur under zero population growth, with no attempt to provide specific coefficients for the amount of economic development that could occur under the many variables and assumptions that influence either economic or population growth. This paper is divided into two sections. In the first, which concerns the conceptual framework, I clarify assumptions about the eventual size and distribution of our population under zero population growth; examine changes in aggregate demand and investment to show the impact of a stationary population on economic growth; and finally discuss relationships among population, economic activity, and such exogenous forces as technology, tastes, international trade, and government programs. In the second section, I summarize the anticipated trends in the distribution of economic activity among geographic regions and various sized cities. This analysis is undertaken for both market forces and government policies. Little previous work has been published on economic distribution under a stationary population, so this section is speculative. I hope my hypotheses will stimulate follow-up research.
Neuronal instability : implications for Rett's syndrome

The maturational changes in the brain and spinal cord do not linearly proceed from immature in infants to mature in adults. Dendrites dynamically extend or retract as neurotrophic factors fluctuate. In certain cases mature neurons can be seen soon after birth, and in other cases immature neurons can be identified in the aged brain. Monoamine 'neurotransmitter'; such as serotonin (5-HT), dopamine and norepinephrine appear to function as Maintenance Growth Factors since they must be present in order to produce their maturational actions. Serotonin neurons contain TRK-B receptors and are sensitive to availability of the trophic factor, BDNF. 5-HT also functions by promoting the release of the glial extension factor, S-100beta. 5-HT and S-100beta can provide maturational signals to a variety of neurons, in both cortical and subcortical areas, and appear to be involved in regulating the maturation and release of acetylcholine and dopamine. We have shown that activation of the 5-HT1A receptor is particularly effective in inducing growth of stunted neurons. The mechanism of action of the 5-HT1A receptor involves both a direct inhibition on c-AMP and pCREB formation in postsynaptic neurons and a release of S-100beta from glial cells. Both these events are capable of stabilization and elaboration of the cytoskeleton of the neuron and inhibition of apoptosis. 5-HT1A receptors have been shown to effectively reverse stunted neurons and microencephaly produced in animal models of fetal alcohol syndrome and prenatal cocaine administration. I discuss the implications for regressive disorders such as Rett's syndrome and autism, and the feasibility of treatments with 5-HT1A agonists in children with developmental disorders.
Photoelectron angular distribution of the 3s-subshell of atomic aluminum

Abstract Hartree-Fock calculations for the photoelectron angular distribution assymmetry parameters β ( 1,3 P) for the processes Al 3s 2 3p( 2 P) + ω → Al + 3s3p( 1,3 P) + e − are carried out neglecting interchannel interactions. While the β's are found to differ from 2, as predicted for open-shell atom s-subshells by Starace, Rast and Manson, the deviations are found to be rather small in Al due to the absence of Cooper minima in the corresponding photoionization cross sections above threshold.
Learning from the Natural World

Kohlstedt examines the nature study movement in early-20th-century America and considers the impact of its efforts to introduce science into primary education.
Achieving Vine Balance of Syrah with Mechanical Canopy Management and Regulated Deficit Irrigation

Canopy architecture, yield components, fruit composition, and vigor of Syrah were measured in response to four canopy management and three regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments. The control consisted of dormant hand pruning to 22, two-node spurs (HP) with no further manipulation. Other treatments consisted of mechanically box pruning vines to 10 cm hedges and mechanically thinning the canopy to a density of 5 (CLL) or 7 (CLM) count shoots per 30 cm of row or mechanically box pruning to a 10 cm hedge with no shoot thinning (CLH). Control vines were irrigated to 70% of evapotranspiration (ETo) from fruit set until harvest (RDIC). Other vines either received 70% of full vine ETo until veraison and 50% of ETo (RDIL) thereafter or received 50% of ETo between fruit set and veraison (RDIE) and 70% thereafter. Mechanical shoot thinning (CLM) removed 25% of the total shoots, exposing 70,600 shoots·ha−1 with a distance of 4.6 cm between count shoots on the cordon, which translated to four leaf layers and 12.6 m2 leaf area. The combination of the CLM and RDIE decreased berry weight at harvest by 12% without decreasing yield compared to HP, resulting in 21.5 tons·ha−1 yield. A combination of CLM and RDIE was needed to achieve vine balance with a crop load of 9.9 kg yield/kg pruning weight and a leaf area to fruit ratio of 0.75 m2·kg−1. The study identified a canopy management method that can be used in combination with regulated deficit irrigation that reduces input costs through mechanization and enhances berry composition with a vine balance that provides sustainable production.
Vertical migration ofMysis relicta Lovén

This review discusses the known features of diurnal vertical migration in the opossum shrimpMysis relicta. Field observations describe a noctural pattern which is correlated to changing patterns of illumination. Hypothesis that offer evolutionary origins of vertical migration are presented which link trophic interactions of the migrator to their predators and prey. These couplings are examined for the case ofMysis relicta. All of the hypotheses are partially supported byMysis behavior.
Morphological texture assessment of oral bone as a screening tool for osteoporosis

Three classes of texture analysis approaches have been employed to assess the textural characteristic of oral bone. A set of linear structuring elements was used to compute granulometric features of trabecular bone. Multifractal analysis was also used to compute the fractal dimension of the corresponding tissues. In addition, some statistical features and histomorphometric parameters were computed. To assess the proposed approach we acquired digital intraoral radiographs of 47 subjects (14 males and 33 females). All radiographs were captured at 12 bits/pixel. Images were converted to binary form through a sliding locally adaptive thresholding approach. Each subject was scanned by DEXA for bone dosimetry. Subject were classified into one of the following three categories according World Health Organization (WHO) standard (1) healthy, (2) with osteopenia and (3) osteoporosis. In this study fractal dimension showed very low correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, which did not reach a level of statistical significance (p<0.5). However, entropy of pattern spectrum (EPS), along with statistical features and histomorphometric parameters, has shown correlation coefficients ranging from low to high, with statistical significance for both males and females. The results of this study indicate the utility of this approach for bone texture analysis. It is conjectured that designing a 2-D structuring element, specially tuned to trabecular bone texture, will increase the efficacy of the proposed method.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Assessing Internet Health Information on Female Pelvic Floor Disorders

Purpose: While health information on the Internet on female pelvic floor disorders is abundant, to our knowledge there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the quality of this material. We assessed health information on the Internet using Health on the Net Foundation principles as they pertain to female pelvic floor disorders.Materials and Methods: Web sites were searched using the key words urinary incontinence, vaginal, uterine or pelvic organ prolapse and overactive bladder. The first 150 websites identified for each female pelvic disorder were assessed for Health on the Net Foundation certification using an automated toolbar function. The specific sponsorship of each web site was also recorded.Results: All searched domains for female pelvic floor disorders revealed that most websites were not certified. The certification rate for urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and overactive bladder was 29%, 27% and 27%, respectively. Overall websites were sponsored by for profit commercial entities (4...
Process simulation for HgCdTe infrared focal plane array flexible manufacturing

The strategy and status of a process simulator for the flexible manufacture of HgCdTe infrared focal plane arrays is described. It has capabilities to simulate Hg vacancy and interstitial effects and cation impurity diffusion, for various boundary conditions in one dimension. Numerical complexity of these problems stems from the necessity of solving diffusion equations for each defect that are coupled to each other via nonlinear interaction terms. The simulator has already led to the prediction of heretofore unexplained experimental data. Current extensions of the one-dimensional simulator planned over the next few years include the addition of Te antisites, antisite-Hg vacancy pairs, and In-Hg vacancy pairs, ion implantation, and various energetic processes (such as ion milling). The sequential effect of various processes will be possible with the input to the simulator looking much like a process run sheet.
Vascular niche for adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

The thin lamina between the hippocampal hilus and granule cell layer, or subgranule zone (SGZ), is an area of active proliferation within the adult hippocampus known to generate new neurons throughout adult life. Although the neuronal fate of many dividing cells is well documented, little information is available about the phenotypes of cells in S-phase or how the dividing cells might interact with neighboring cells in the process of neurogenesis. Here, we make the unexpected observation that dividing cells are found in dense clusters associated with the vasculature and roughly 37% of all dividing cells are immunoreactive for endothelial markers. Most of the newborn endothelial cells disappear over several weeks, suggesting that neurogenesis is intimately associated with a process of active vascular recruitment and subsequent remodeling. The present data provide the first evidence that adult neurogenesis occurs within an angiogenic niche. This environment may provide a novel interface where mesenchyme-derived cells and circulating factors influence plasticity in the adult central nervous system.
Body Mass Index Predicts Aldosterone Production in Normotensive Adults on a High-Salt Diet

Context: The mechanisms underlying obesity-mediated cardiovascular disease are not fully understood. Aldosterone and insulin resistance both are associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to test the hypotheses that aldosterone production is elevated and associated with insulin resistance in overweight adults on a high-sodium diet. Participants/Interventions: Healthy normotensive adults were categorized as lean body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2 (n = 63) or overweight BMI 25 kg/m2 or greater (n = 57). After 7 d of a high-sodium diet, participants fasted overnight and remained supine throughout hemodynamic and laboratory assessments and angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation. Results: The overweight group, compared with the lean group, had higher 24-h urinary aldosterone (9.0 ± 0.8 vs. 6.6 ± 0.5 μg per 24 h; P = 0.003) and higher AngII-stimulated serum aldosterone (11.4 ± 1.0 vs. 9.0 ± 0.6 ng/dl; P = 0.04). There were no differences in 24-h urinary c...
Serotonin, motivation, and playfulness in the juvenile rat

ABSTRACT The effects of the selective 5HT 1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT were assessed on the play behavior of juvenile rats. When both rats of the test pair were comparably motivated to play, the only significant effect of 8-OH-DPAT was for play to be reduced at higher doses. When there was a baseline asymmetry in playful solicitation due to a differential motivation to play and only one rat of the pair was treated, low doses of 8-OH-DPAT resulted in a collapse of asymmetry in playful solicitations. It did not matter whether the rat that was treated initially accounted for more nape contacts or fewer nape contacts, the net effect of 8-OH-DPAT in this model was for low doses of 8-OH-DPAT to decrease a pre-established asymmetry in play solicitation. It is concluded that selective stimulation of 5HT 1A receptors changes the dynamic of a playful interaction between two participants that are differentially motivated to play. These results are discussed within a broader framework of serotonergic involvement in mammalian playfulness.
Impact of ecological disturbance on awareness of urban nature and sense of environmental stewardship in residential neighborhoods

Abstract Experience with nature contributes to human wellbeing and environmental stewardship. Both may be affected when people experience local environmental disturbances. I test the hypothesis that relatively gradual ecological disturbance in urban areas increases awareness and appreciation of urban nature and environmental stewardship. In recent years the Emerald Ash Borer killed 10,000 street trees in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Information on residents’ attitudes and behavior regarding urban nature and street trees was collected from a mailed survey returned by 594 homeowners. Residential properties in the sample were distributed across the city as 24 pairs of nearest neighbor streets, including a “treatment street” (>70% street trees lost) and a “control street” ( Findings indicate that those experiencing tree loss were significantly more engaged with nature and more willing to participate in stewardship. The degree of increased engagement was directly related to the individual's proximity to the disturbance. Proximity to the loss was also a significant contributor to respondents’ appreciation of urban nature and the feeling that street trees enhance sense of wellbeing. However, regardless of proximity to tree loss, responses to items concerning appreciation of urban nature and the feeling that street trees enhance sense of wellbeing were extremely high. The results of this study suggest that recovery from ecological disturbance may be best supported by stewardship activities that engage citizens in what the care about, in ways that foster wellbeing of both the self and the urban ecosystem.
Genomic architecture and transcriptional activation of the mouse and human tumor susceptibility gene TSG101 : Common types of shorter transcripts are true alternative splice variants

The functional inactivation of the tumor susceptibility gene tsg101 in mouse NIH3T3 cells leads to cell transformation and the formation of metastatic tumors in nude mice. We cloned, mapped and sequenced the mouse tsg101 gene and further identified a processed pseudogene that is 98% identical to the tsg101 cDNA. Based on Northern blot analysis, tsg101 is expressed ubiquitously in mouse tissues. A comparison of the coding region of the mouse tsg101 gene with the human TSG101 cDNA revealed that both the mouse and human gene encode ten additional highly conserved amino acids at the N-terminus. Based on the mouse tsg101 genomic structure, we predicted four additional introns within the human TSG101 gene. Their location was confirmed using PCR and sequencing analysis. The presence of these so far unidentified introns now explains published data on aberrantly spliced mRNA products that were frequently observed in primary breast tumors. We show that a majority of shorter TSG101 transcripts are not the result of aberrant splicing events, but represent a fraction of true alternative splice variants. Finally, we examined tsg101 expression patterns during different stages of mammary gland development and in different transgenic mouse models for breast tumorigenesis.
Purification and properties of protease inhibitors from developing embryos of Hemileuca oliviae (Ckl)

Abstract A perchloric acid extract of eggs of Hemileuca oliviae inhibits bovine trypsin, kallikrein and papain, as well as the native proteolytic activity (pH 7.0) of the developing embryo. Specificity is indicated by the lack of inhibition of other proteases. The amount of inhibitory activity changes during embryological development, reaching a maximum around 23 days, when the larva is fully developed. The inhibitory activity was lost by dialysis and was destroyed by ashing (450°C, 18 h) but was unaffected by exposure to 97°C for 3 min. The presence of two protease inhibitors was detected in the perchloric acid extract. The principal component has a molecular weight of approx. 9000 and its heat sensitivity is affected by pH. At the present time the role of these inhibitors in the developing embryo is unknown. Some trypsin-like native protease activity occurs in the egg during embryogenesis and may thus be the target enzyme in vivo.
Identification and properties of myocardial myoglobin as a binder of iodothyronines

Gel filtration of dog myocardial cytosol previously incubated with [125I]T4 or [125I]T3 revealed hormone binding in three fractions, one of which, M-2, was presumptively identified as myoglobin by absorbance maximum, molecular weight and specific immunodiffusion. Gel chromatography of purified horse or dog myoglobins incubated with labeled T3 or T4 resulted in coelution of the myoglobin and iodothyronine peaks. Excess unlabeled thyroid hormone displaced no more than 25% of tracer bound to myoglobin. Acid-acetone fractionation of myoglobin into heme and globin, and subsequent precipitation of the heme, localized hormone binding to the heme moiety. Hematin (ferric state heme) in solution was also shown to bind thyroid hormone. Added to human sera which were then subjected to T3 or T4 radioimmunoassay, myoglobin reduced detectable, endogenous iodothyronine by 77 and 26%, respectively. The myoglobin effect was concentration dependent. Heart myoglobin, like hemoglobin in the erythrocyte, is a cytoplasmic heme protein responsible for a major fraction of binding of intracellular iodothyronine. The nature of the interaction between iodothyronines and the heme prosthetic group is unclear.
The effect of specific antiserum on the metabolism of three membrane-associated antigens of ASL-1 × LM(TK)−hybrid cells

Fusion of ASL-1 cells, a murine leukemia forming thymus leukemia (TL) antigens, with LM(TK)− cells, a TL(−) murine cell line, resulted in a stable hybrid forming TL antigens. The hybrids failed to undergo modulation, the reversible disappearance of TL antigens from the surfaces of the cells, stimulated by TL antiserum. Unlike ASL-1 cells, the rate of disappearance of the antigens from modulation negative hybrid cells was unaffected by TL antiserum. The t1/2 of TL antigens of the hybrid was approximately 30 h. The t1/2 of TL antigens of ASL-1 cells was 10 h in the presence of TL antiserum, 18 h in the absence of TL antiserum. The rate of metabolism of a putative tumorassociated antigen of ASL-1 cells formed by the hybrid was unaffected by exposure to specific antiserum, as was the metabolism of H-2 antigens formed by the cell types.
BH3 profiling in whole cells by fluorimeter or FACS

Rapid analysis of a cell's propensity to undergo apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway is hindered by the complex network of interactions between more than fifteen known members of the BCL2 family that govern the decision to undergo mitochondrial apoptosis, and measurement of protein levels alone fails to account for critical interactions between the proteins. To address this issue, we have developed two functional assays for same-day analysis of cell lines or primary tissue samples. Using defined inputs in the form of peptides derived primarily from the BH3 domains of pro-apoptotic members of the BCL2 family, we invoke a response in the mitochondria in the form of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization measured indirectly using potential sensitive dyes. BH3 profiling can be applied to any viable single cell suspension and provides a response from the sum total of all known and unknown interactions within the BCL2 family for each stimulus, and the pattern of response can provide both a cell's propensity towards mitochondrial apoptosis, or 'priming', as well as indicate dependencies on specific anti-apoptotic proteins. Described here are optimized conditions for both plate-based and FACS-based BH3 profiling for homogeneous and heterogeneous samples.
ENTHALPY FLUX COOLING OF THE SOLAR CORONA

The differential emission measure profile for quiet and flaring solar regions is considered, using a model in which the principal downflow of heat is due to the enthalpy of downward-flowing material, rather than conduction. It is found that the emission measure profile for quiet solar regions is matched well by a downward particle number flux which decreases with temperature. This would be expected if this particle flux is due to heated spicular material falling back onto the chromosphere. In flaring regions, however, a particle flux which increases with temperature is required to explain the steep emission measure profile. This could be a result of mass motions downward out of the flaring loops.
Role of D1-His190 in the proton-coupled oxidation of tyrosine YZ in manganese-depleted photosystem II.

To further characterize the role of D1-His190 in the oxidation of tyrosine YZ in photosystem II, the pH dependence of P680•+ reduction was measured in H190A and Mn-depleted wild-type* PSII particle...
The use of infant seating devices in child care centers.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare the duration of time that infants in child care centers were placed in infant seating devices to the duration of time spent on the floor or being held by child care providers. METHOD. Thirty-eight infants who were typically developing (mean age = 4.5 months) from eight child care centers were observed minute-by-minute for a consecutive 120 min, targeting the amount of time each infant spent in seating devices, on the floor, or being held by child care providers. RESULTS. The amount of time the infants spent in seating devices was significantly longer than on the floor (p = .0001) or being held by child care providers (p = .0001). CONCLUSION. All infants spent more time in seating devices than on the floor or being held by child care providers. Future research should explore seating device use in infants identified as at-risk or as having special needs, particularly how child care routines for these infants may influence seating device use, as well as the impact of this practice on these infants' motor development.
Evaluation of ATC Requirements for Soil‐Structure Interaction Using Data from the 3 March 1985 Chile Earthquake

Abstract The effect of soil‐structure interaction on building responses is investigated using data from the 3 March 1985 Chile earthquake. Four shear wall buildings located in Vin˜a del Mar, Chile and subjected to strong, long duration, earthquake ground motions during the 3 March 1985 Chile earthquake are studied. Detailed analyses are conducted on one building using available information on soil properties, measured periods, and recorded ground motions. Based on the detailed study, ATC‐3 procedures are used to incorporate soil‐structure interaction effects for three additional buildings. The analyses indicate that soil‐structure interaction is an important consideration for the stiff shear wall buildings located in Vin˜a del Mar, Chile. Reductions in base shear of 10 to 47% were computed; however, roof drift ratios generally were unchanged. For spectra representing US design ground motions (ATC), reductions in base shear are not expected to be as pronounced and roof drift ratios are expected to increase...
Mobile Learning: Endless Possibilities for Allied Health Educators

As younger generations continue to grow and mature with mobile devices weaved into their lives, an expectation has formed to include these in as many ways as possible into all their activities. Thi...
Group-velocity-matched noncollinear optical parametric oscillation in quasi-phase matched gratings

We propose a novel scheme of noncollinear phase matching for femtosecond optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled gratings. Consequently, the parametric gain is enhanced by orders of magnitude and the threshold for oscillation reduced significantly.
The structure of DNA in a nucleosome.

Abstract We describe the application of the hydroxyl radical footprinting technique to examine the histone-DNA interactions of a nucleosome that includes part of the 5S ribosomal RNA gene of Xenopus borealis. We establish that two distinct regions of DNA with different helical periodicities exist within the nucleosome and demonstrate a change in the helical periodicity of this DNA upon nucleosome formation. In particular, we find that on average the helical periodicity of DNA in this nucleosome is 10.18 +/- 0.05 base pairs per turn. The same DNA, when bound to a calcium phosphate surface, has a periodicity of 10.49 +/- 0.05 base pairs per turn, similar to that of random sequence DNA. Modulations in minor groove width within the naked DNA detected by the hydroxyl radical are maintained and exaggerated in nucleosomal DNA. These features correlate with regions in the DNA previously suggested to be important for nucleosome positioning.
Extracting content from instructional videos by statistical modelling and classification

This paper presents a robust approach to extracting content from instructional videos for handwritten recognition, indexing and retrieval, and other e-learning applications. For the instructional videos of chalkboard presentations, retrieving the handwritten content (e.g., characters, drawings, figures) on boards is the first and prerequisite step towards further exploration of instructional video content. However, content extraction in instructional videos is still challenging due to video noise, non-uniformity of the color in board regions, light condition changes in a video session, camera movements, and unavoidable occlusions by instructors. To solve this problem, we first segment video frames into multiple regions and estimate the parameters of the board regions based on statistical analysis of the pixels in dominant regions. Then we accurately separate the board regions from irrelevant regions using a probabilistic classifier. Finally, we combine top-hat morphological processing with a gradient-based adaptive thresholding technique to retrieve content pixels from the board regions. Evaluation of the content extraction results on four full-length instructional videos shows the high performance of the proposed method. The extraction of content text facilitates the research on full exploitation of instructional videos, such as content enhancement, indexing, and retrieval.
World Trade Center perspective from a Manhattan emergency medicine resident

Abstract [Scheibner AD. World Trade Center perspective from a Manhattan emergency medicine resident. Ann Emerg Med . January 2002;39:9-10.]
Impact of Changes in Clinical Practice Guidelines on Assessment of Quality of Care

Background: Measures for pay-for-performance and public reporting programs may be based on clinical practice guidelines. The impact of guideline changes over time—and whether evolving clinical evidence can render measures based on prior guidelines misleading—is not known. Objective: To assess the impact of using different percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guidelines when evaluating whether PCI was indicated. Research Design: PCIs from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry's CathPCI registry performed in 2003-2004 were categorized into indication classes (Class I, IIa, IIb, III), using 2001 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for PCI, the guidelines available at the time of the procedures. The same procedures were recategorized using 2005 guidelines, which reflect the best evidence available to clinicians at the time of PCI. Procedures unable to be categorized were labeled as "Not Certain." Subjects: Patients undergoing PCI for stable or unstable angina in 394 hospitals. Measures: Number of procedures changing classification categories using 2001 versus 2005 guidelines. Results: A total of 345,779 PCIs were evaluated. Applying 2001 guidelines, 47.9% had Class I indications; 33.3% Class IIa; 5.9% Class IIb; 3.7% Class III; and 9.2% Not Certain. Applying 2005 guidelines to the same procedures, 25.1% had Class I indications; 57.5% Class IIa; 5.5% Class IIb; 3.7% Class III; and 8.3% Not Certain; 41.1% of procedures changed the classification overall. Conclusions: The changes in guidelines resulted in a marked shift in whether PCIs done in 2003-2004 were considered indicated. Guideline-based performance measures should be carefully evaluated before implementation to avoid incorrect assessments of quality of care.
Pain responsivity in major depression and bipolar disorder.

Signal detection theory measures of thermal pain responsivity were examined in patients with major depression and bipolar disorder and in control subjects. Patients with major depression had significantly poorer sensory discrimination of painful thermal stimuli than control subjects, but they did not differ from the control subjects in their sensory discrimination of warm thermal stimuli of lower intensity. Patients with bipolar disorder did not differ significantly in sensory discrimination from either the patients with major depression or the control subjects. Patients with major depression had significantly higher (i.e., more stoical) response criteria than the control subjects for the painful thermal stimuli and also for the lower intensity stimuli; patients with bipolar disorder had significantly higher criteria than control subjects for only the lower intensity stimuli. The results suggest that reduced responsivity to pain in major depression may reflect sensory as well as affective abnormalities. Complaints of pain are very common in mood disorders, and continued examination of experimental pain in individuals with these disorders has the potential to enhance our understanding of this phenomenon.
Nicotinic Versus Muscarinic Blockade Alters Verbal Working Memory-Related Brain Activity in Older Women

Objectives: An important aspect of furthering our understanding of the central nervous system function after menopause is to examine the cerebral circuitry that appears to be influenced by cholinergic antagonist drugs in the presence and absence of estrogen. This pilot study investigated the effects of two anticholinergic drugs on brain activation and working memory performance in postmenopausal women not taking estrogen. This approach simulates the effects of age- or disease-related neuroreceptor or neuronal loss by temporarily blocking pre- and postsynaptic muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Design: Six healthy postmenopausal women took part in three drug challenges using the antinicotinic drug mecamylamine (MECA, 20 mg, oral), the antimuscarinic drug scopolamine (SCOP, 2.5 g/kg, IV), and placebo during functional magnetic resonance imaging. The cognitive measure was a visually presented verbal N-back test of working memory. Results: Neither MECA nor SCOP significantly impaired performance on the verbal N-back. Functional magnetic resonance imaging results showed greater increases in frontal lobe activation in the placebo condition relative to each drug condition with different specific regional activation for MECA and SCOP. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that brain activation patterns are sensitive to cholinergic modulation in postmenopausal women and that differential effects may be observed following nicotinic versus muscarinic blockade. This approach offers a potentially valuable method for modeling age-related changes in brain function, and the findings may have implications for cholinergic contributions to normal and pathologic aging. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2008; 16:272–282)
Pavement Performance Analysis Applying Probabilistic Deterioration Methods

The procedure used to determine whether performance differences exist among the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT's) 12 districts is presented. Two performance measures were used: pavement condition rating deterioration trends and distributions. The methods used to develop the performance measures from existing pavement data are presented. Five years of actual pavement inspection data were supplied. The study was limited to divided highways with four or more lanes. To develop the deterioration trends, existing data were transformed into a probabilistic deterioration model using geographic information systems and relational database software. Monte Carlo simulation was used to establish deterioration trends and a Markovian deterioration envelope. Hypothesis testing was implemented to determine which districts were performing better or worse than the state as a whole. ODOT's northeastern districts performed worse than the state average, and rural districts performed better than the state average.
Modulation of cAMP and Ras Signaling Pathways Improves Distinct Behavioral Deficits in a Zebrafish Model of Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Summary Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal-dominant disorder associated with attention deficits and learning disabilities. The primary known function of neurofibromin, encoded by the NF1 gene, is to downregulate Ras activity. We show that nf1- deficient zebrafish exhibit learning and memory deficits and that acute pharmacological inhibition of downstream targets of Ras (MAPK and PI3K) restores memory consolidation and recall but not learning. Conversely, acute pharmacological enhancement of cAMP signaling restores learning but not memory. Our data provide compelling evidence that neurofibromin regulates learning and memory by distinct molecular pathways in vertebrates and that deficits produced by genetic loss of function are reversible. These findings support the investigation of cAMP signaling enhancers as a companion therapy to Ras inhibition in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in NF1.
TEST TRANSPARENCY as Related to TEST RESPONSE

The California Test of Personality was given to two 10th grade groups. One group took the test under normal conditions; the other group took the test: first while pretending to be a “happy” frame of mind, and later while pretending to be in a “bad” frame of mind. It was hypothesized that there would be no differences in the scores of persons taking the test under normal conditions and while “faking happy.” This hypothesis grew out of the belief that the items are transparent and that students customarily try to put “their best foot forward.” The hypothesis was confirmed. In addition the split half reliabilities reported in the manual were compared to test-retest reliabilities calculated in this study. The retest reliabilities were found to be lower in several instances. Admonitions for test users were included in the discussion section.
Path cost metrics for multi-hop network routing

Future network architectures for mesh networks, sensor networks, and hybrid networks include multiple wireless hops with fixed or mobile routers relaying messages between mobile nodes and access points. The vast literature on routing for ad hoc networks is applicable for route discovery between a mobile node and an access point for these multi-hop networks. However, most ad hoc routing protocols rely upon "least-cost" or "shortest-path" routing, wherein a single metric of hop-count or energy-usage is used to define the path cost. For multi-hop networks, a number of additional metrics should be simultaneously considered for determining path cost. In this paper, we introduce our first step towards combining a number of cost criteria to define path cost during route discovery. Our simulation results indicate that giving simultaneous consideration to hop-count, path-congestion, and energy-usage results in a system performance with greater packet delivery ratio, lower end-to-end delay, lower overhead, and lower per-node energy usage.
Synthetic-aperture imaging from high-Doppler-resolution measurements

We develop the theory of radar imaging from data measured by a moving antenna emitting a single-frequency waveform. We show that, under a linearized (Born) scattering model, the signal at a given Doppler shift is due to a superposition of returns from stationary scatterers on a cone whose axis is the flight velocity vector. This cone reduces to a hyperbola when the scatterers are known to lie on a planar surface. In this case, reconstruction of the scatterer locations can be accomplished by a tomographic inversion in which the scattering density function is reconstructed from its integrals over hyperbolas. We give an approximate reconstruction formula and analyse the resolution of the resulting image. We provide a numerical shortcut and show results of numerical tests in a simple case.
Some theory for Fisher's linear discriminant function, `naive Bayes', and some alternatives when there are many more variables than observations

We show that the ‘naive Bayes’ classifier which assumes independent covariates greatly outperforms the Fisher linear discriminant rule under broad conditions when the number of variables grows faster than the number of observations, in the classical problem of discriminating between two normal populations. We also introduce a class of rules spanning the range between independence and arbitrary dependence. These rules are shown to achieve Bayes consistency for the Gaussian ‘coloured noise’ model and to adapt to a spectrum of convergence rates, which we conjecture to be minimax.
A probabilistic framework to estimate full-chips subthreshold leakage power distribution considering within-die and die-to-die P-T-V variations

This paper presents a probabilistic framework for full-chip estimation of subthreshold leakage power distribution considering both within-die and die-to-die variations in process (P), temperature (T) and supply voltage (V). The results obtained under this framework are compared to BSIM results and are found to be more accurate in comparison to those obtained from existing statistical models. Using this framework, a quantitative analysis of the relative sensitivities of subthreshold leakage to P-T-V variations has been presented. For the first time, the effects of die-to-die channel length and temperature variations on subthreshold leakage are studied in combination with all within-die variations. It has been shown that for accurate estimation of subthreshold leakage, it is important to consider die-to-die temperature variations which can significantly increase the leakage power due to electrothermal couplings between power and temperature. Furthermore, the full-chip leakage power distribution arising due to both within-die and die-to-die P-T-V is calculated, which is subsequently used to estimate the leakage constrained yield under the impact of these variations. The calculations show that the yield is significantly lowered under the impact of within-die and die-to-die process and temperature variations.
Staff appraisal in higher education — a study of performance review at Nene College, Northampton

This paper describes a study of staff appraisal in Higher Education and, in particular, of the appraisal system—called ‘Performance Review’—at Nene College, Northampton.
Time Response or a Feedback Thyratron Controlled D-C Motor With a Nonlinear Load

The problem of determining the transient response of a feedback thyratron armature controlled d-c motor is considered. First a simple graphical approach is used to determine the response of the corresponding system without feedback. Later feedback is introduced and the speed torque curves are slightly modified so that the same technique might be used. The proposed method is easily extended to the case of slowly time-varying inputs.
NIDCAP improves brain function and structure in preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction

The effect of NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) was examined on the neurobehavioral, electrophysiological and neurostructural development of preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A total of 30 infants, 27–33 weeks gestation, were randomized to control (C; N=17) or NIDCAP/experimental (E; N=13) care. Baseline health and demographics were assessed at intake; electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 35 and 42 weeks postmenstrual age; and health, growth and neurobehavior at 42 weeks and 9 months corrected age (9 months). C and E infants were comparable in health and demographics at baseline. At follow-up, E infants were healthier, showed significantly improved brain development and better neurobehavior. Neurobehavior, EEG and MRI discriminated between C and E infants. Neurobehavior at 42 weeks correlated with EEG and MRI at 42 weeks and neurobehavior at 9 months. NIDCAP significantly improved IUGR preterm infants' neurobehavior, electrophysiology and brain structure. Longer-term outcome assessment and larger samples are recommended.