cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reforming the Relationship between the State and Civil Society in Latin America

This essay reviews the following works: Enhancing Democracy: Public Policies and Citizen Participation in Chile . By Gonzalo Delamaza. New York: Berghahn Books, 2015. Pp. vi + 296. $99.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9781782385462. The Politics of Local Participatory Democracy in Latin America: Institutions, Actors, and Interactions . By Francoise Montambeault. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2016. Pp. ix + 265. $65.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9780804795166. Participatory Democracy in Brazil: Socioeconomic and Political Origins. By J. Ricardo Tranjan. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2016. Pp. vii + 269. $30.69 paperback. ISBN: 9780268042400. Activating Democracy in Brazil: Popular Participation, Social Justice, and Interlocking Institutions. By Brian Wampler. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame, 2015. Pp. xi + 297. $39.00 paperback. ISBN: 9780268044305.
Low-dose Cyclophosphamide and IL-2 in the Treatment of Advanced Melanoma

We have recently described a new combinantion of biomodulators, low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), which has been successful in the treatment of advanced melanoma in 24 patients [1]. In this report, we present results on the first 30 patients treated with this regimen. Our rationale for giving low-dose CY was to inhibit suppressor T cells, the number and activity of which might be increased by IL-2, thereby possibly preventing an increase in the number of helper and cytolytic T cells and in lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells as well. The dose of IL-2 was chosen to be at or near the projected maximum tolerated single dose level, as estimated from Phase I data.
The Effective Potential in Device Modeling: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

We discuss the use of the effective potential to incorporate quantum effects in device models. While threshold shifts and charge set-back are handled well, tunneling is not well handled by this approach, or by any other local potential approach.
Cervical Cerclage versus Vaginal Progesterone for Management of Short Cervix in Low-Risk Women.

Objective To evaluate the risk of preterm birth in low-risk women with cervical length (CL) ≤25 mm on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) managed with vaginal progesterone (VagP) therapy versus cerclage. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort of women with no prior history of preterm birth or cervical insufficiency and CL ≤ 25 mm on TVUS, managed with either VagP therapy alone or cerclage (with or without VagP). The primary outcome was rate of preterm delivery Results Women undergoing cerclage placement (n = 31) were older and had an earlier GA at the time of diagnosis of short cervix compared with women receiving VagP (n = 62). Delivery at Conclusion Cerclage compared with VagP therapy did not decrease risk of preterm birth in women with CL ≤ 25 mm. Further research is needed to determine optimal management in such women given a residual 40% risk of preterm birth despite optimal therapy.
(352) Sex Differences in Sensory Processing: The Role of Stimulus Modality ad Psychological Factors

The experience of pain varies greatly from person to person. Many factors affect individual differences in pain, including sex and psychological factors. Previous studies have separately examined the effects of sex and psychological factors on pain, but most have not examined them in combination. The aim of this preliminary, exploratory analysis was to investigate sex differences in pain in a large sample to determine how pain responses and psychological measures of males compare to those of females using multiple quantitative sensory testing paradigms and multiple psychological measures. 141 participants (55 males, 86 females, mean age=29.1±6.8) were exposed to noxious heat, cold, and non-noxious audio stimuli. Participants were asked to rate their pain intensity and unpleasantness from thermal stimuli and the loudness of auditory stimuli. Psychological measures included the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, PROMIS Anxiety, PROMIS Depression, PROMIS Pain Interference, and Pain Catastrophizing Scales. Univariate analyses and multiple linear models were constructed. Significant sex differences were found for cold and auditory stimuli but not heat. Females had lower cold tolerance during cold water hand immersion (means: males=76.2 seconds, females=59.7 seconds; p=.010). However, for 0.5°C cold phasic contact stimuli, males had greater pain intensity ratings (means: males=1.8, females=1.1; p=.030), and pain unpleasantness ratings (means: males=1.5, females= 0.9; p=0.040). Males had greater sensitivity to auditory stimuli as demonstrated by higher auditory unpleasantness ratings (means: males=4.1, females= 3.1; p=.049). Sex differences in psychological measures were found only for anxiety, which was greater in females (means: males=11.2, females=13.7; p=.006) and impulsivity, which was greater in males (means: males=56.0, females=51.7; p=.003). After adjusting for anxiety and impulsivity, the sex differences in cold pain tolerance, contact cold pain, and auditory sensitivity were not significantly different. Thus, sex differences in sensory processing are modality specific but may arise from sex differences in psychological factors.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Achievement Goal Orientations Shift with Age.

Students engage in learning activities with different achievement goal orientations. Some students pursue learning for learning sake (i.e. mastery goal orientation), some are driven by gaining favo...
High-Level Path Planning in Hostile Dynamic Environments

In this paper, we introduce and study a graph-based variant of the path planning problem arising in hostile environments. Here, the robot must reach a given destination while avoiding being intercepted by probabilistic entities which exist in the graph with a given probability and move according to a probabilistic motion pattern. Given a deadline to reach its goal, the robot must compute a path that maximizes its chances of survival. To solve this problem, which is proven to be NP-hard, we present a convex Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program to compute optimal solutions and a more scalable heuristic algorithm.
Using spectator distributions to measure the initial geometry fluctuation

A study of eccentricity (en) fluctuations and its possible impact on final state momentum anisotropy (υn) for symmetric collisions are presented in the framework of Glauber model. Effect of fluctuations of nucleon's position on the initial geometry has been studied using a new method, where the difference between oppositely moving spectators is taken as a measurement of eccentricity fluctuations. This study shows that higher harmonics (n = 3, 4 and 5) of eccentricity are less sensitive to fluctuations in transverse plane compared to the 2nd harmonic. Position fluctuations in transverse plane will increase e2 and hence possibly υ2 for the most central nucleus–nucleus collisions. For semi-central and peripheral collisions, the fluctuations have opposite effect, it decreases the eccentricity e2. The fluctuation of initial geometry can be studied in collider experiments by studying the spectator distribution on the both sides of the beam.
Numerical Modeling of Fuel/Air Mixing in a Dry Low-Emission Premixer

Large-eddy simulation of turbulent fuel/air mixing in a combustor that is a close approximation of a full-scale General Electric gas turbine combustor has been carried out to quantify the efficiency of the premixer of this combustor. Experimental studies show that the swirling fuel/air mixture generated by the dual annular counter-rotating premixer has significant spatial variation in the local equivalence ratio in the near field. This unmixedness can impact the emission characteristics of the combustor. The present study focuses on determining if this observed phenomenon can be simulated using a large-eddy simulation methodology that captures the dynamics of scalar mixing within the context of a new linear-eddy subgrid mixing model as well as a gradient-diffusion based subgrid closure. Results demonstrate that unmixedness observed in the experiments can be simulated with reasonable accuracy on a relatively coarse grid.
A flexible readout mechanism of human sensory representations.

Attention can both enhance and suppress cortical sensory representations. However, changing sensory representations can also be detrimental to behavior. Behavioral consequences can be avoided by flexibly changing sensory readout, while leaving the representations unchanged. Here, we asked human observers to attend to and report about either one of two features which control the visibility of motion while making concurrent measurements of cortical activity with BOLD imaging (fMRI). We extend a well-established linking model to account for the relationship between these measurements and find that changes in sensory representation during directed attention are insufficient to explain perceptual reports. Adding a flexible downstream readout is necessary to best explain our data. Such a model implies that observers should be able to recover information about ignored features, a prediction which we confirm behaviorally. Thus, flexible readout is a critical component of the cortical implementation of human adaptive behavior. It is known that attention can modify the brain's representations of sensory stimuli to enhance features of importance. Here, the authors show that flexible readout of cortical representations is also required to explain the behavioral effects of attention.
T-strain effects in kinked interfacial fracture of bonded composites

Abstract Strain-based criteria are employed to predict fracture initiation behavior in bi-material cracked components. Two versions of the maximum tangential strain criterion are developed theoretically for the case of a crack existing at the interface of two dissimilar isotropic elastic solids to predict kinking angle and the mixed-mode interfacial fracture toughness. The first version (MTSN) is developed based on the singular strain fields while the second version (EMTSN) takes into account the effects of the first non-singular strain term (T-strain) as well as the singular terms. The theoretical effect of T-strain on the calculation of the kinking angle and the mixed-mode interfacial fracture toughness is studied. Then, both MTSN and EMTSN criteria are examined by comparing theoretical predictions to the previously reported experimental results for the kinking angle and mixed-mode interfacial fracture toughness in different bonded composite specimens. It is found that considering T-strain can significantly improve the theoretical predictions of the experimental results provided by the maximum tangential strain criterion.
Deriving solution value bounds from the ADMM

This short paper describes a simple subgradient-based techniques for deriving bounds on the optimal solution value when using the ADMM to solve convex optimization problems. The technique requires a bound on the magnitude of some optimal solution vector, but is otherwise completely general. Some computational examples using LASSO problems demonstrate that the technique can produce steadily converging bounds in situations in which standard Lagrangian bounds yield little or no useful information. A second set of experiments establishes a proof of concept indicating the potential practical usefulness of the bounding technique.
Mindset in the Classroom: Changing the Way Students See Themselves in Mathematics and Beyond.

Intelligence is not fixed. While many of us may not be innately talented in all areas of learning, all of us are capable of learning anything. It is important that teachers help communicate this co...
The pricing effects of entry by Hainan airlines: Evidence from the U.S.-China international air travel market

Abstract This paper examines the impacts of entry by Hainan Airlines (HA) to the U.S.-China air travel market, using user-reported data from Travelsuperlink.com. The sample consists of 15,773 round-trip economy-class fares for 39 routes purchased between 2010 and 2016. Our analysis indicates that, compared to other routes, the average airfare of the routes where HA entry occurs increases by up to 3.4 %. We also find evidence that U.S. legacy carriers respond to HA entry by raising their ticket prices, while smaller rivals do not. These findings are consistent with “the displacement effect” documented in the literature.
Epitranscriptomic Modifications and How to Find Them

Recently, there has been significant progress made in regard to chemical protocols for the detection and investigation of epitranscriptomic modifications, such as new breakthroughs in high-throughput sequencing methods, base-specific chemistries, and spectroscopy. Herein, we describe the development in methodology for probing epitranscriptomic modifications. We characterize the prevalent RNA modifications and the most important breakthroughs in epitranscriptomics. Further, a summary of the available approaches for detection is presented, with a strong focus on the newest methodology for each modification. We characterize analytical methods for the following modifications: N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytidine (m5C), 5-hydroxymethylcytidine (hm5C), 5-formylcytidine (f5C), 5-carboxycytidine (ca5C), inosine (I), pseudouridine (Ψ), and 2′-O-methylation (Nm). These are framed in the context of mRNA and other coding and non-coding RNAs. These epitranscriptomic modifications often determine the structure, life span, and function of RNAs, which are major regulatory molecules of cellular biology.
Directing Energy Transfer in Halide Perovskite-Chromophore Hybrid Assemblies.

Directing the flow of energy and the nature of the excited states that are produced in nanocrystal-chromophore hybrid assemblies is crucial for realizing their photocatalytic and optoelectronic applications. Using a combination of steady-state and time-resolved absorption and photoluminescence (PL) experiments, we have probed the excited-state interactions in the CsPbBr3-Rhodamine B (RhB) hybrid assembly. PL studies reveal quenching of the CsPbBr3 emission with a concomitant enhancement of the fluorescence of RhB, indicating a singlet-energy-transfer mechanism. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows that this energy transfer occurs on the ∼200 ps time scale. To understand whether the energy transfer occurs through a Forster or Dexter mechanism, we leveraged facile halide-exchange reactions to tune the optical properties of the donor CsPbBr3 by alloying with chloride. This allowed us to tune the spectral overlap between the donor CsPb(Br1-xClx)3 emission and acceptor RhB absorption. For CsPbBr3-RhB, the rate constant for energy transfer (kET) agrees well with Forster theory, whereas alloying with chloride to produce chloride-rich CsPb(Br1-xClx)3 favors a Dexter mechanism. These results highlight the importance of optimizing both the donor and acceptor properties to design light-harvesting assemblies that employ energy transfer. The ease of tuning optical properties through halide exchange of the nanocrystal donor provides a unique platform for studying and tailoring excited-state interactions in perovskite-chromophore assemblies.
An Integrated Compact Phase Shifter With a Single Analog Control

This letter presents a new circuit topology for a vector sum phase shifter where the amplitudes and phases of I and Q are simultaneously varied using a single analog control signal. The simultaneous adjustment of amplitudes and phases of I and Q allows for the vector sum's large phase tuning while maintaining its amplitude. Moreover, various functions of vector summation are all performed in a single stage, minimizing the chip real estate and power consumption. The maximum range of analog phase tuning with a constant amplitude is theoretically 180°, but in practice, it is limited by the tuning range of the utilized varactors. To achieve a large phase tuning range given varactors with limited tunability, digital control has been added to allow for coarse tuning of the phase. The utilized approach for coarse phase tuning preserves the chip area and power consumption but causes amplitude variation. The phase shifter performance is verified by simulations and measurements.
America's Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage

1. Introduction 2. Overview and background 3. Massachusetts 4. California 5. Oregon 6. New York 7. Conclusion.
On the proposal of a G0 phase and the restriction point

Zetterberg and Larsson proposed that the restriction point divides the G1 phase into two parts. Cells before this point are able to leave the division cycle and enter a G0 phase; cells past this point are unaffected by a short period of low serum. Additional results of Zetterberg and Larsson--1) cycloheximide treatment affects cells in the same way as low serum, and 2) a delay in the second division after serum starvation in the cells not initially affected in their first division--indicate that their experiments are consistent with serum removal affecting cells in all phases of the cell cycle equally. Their experiments are consistent with the continuum model of the mammalian division cycle. There is no need to postulate a restriction point or a G0 phase to explain the serum starvation results.
Discrimination in a General Algebraic Setting

Discriminating groups were introduced by G. Baumslag, A. Myasnikov, and V. Remeslennikov as an outgrowth of their theory of algebraic geometry over groups. Algebraic geometry over groups became the main method of attack on the solution of the celebrated Tarski conjectures. In this paper we explore the notion of discrimination in a general universal algebra context. As an application we provide a different proof of a theorem of Malcev on axiomatic classes of Ω-algebras.
The Schema-Independent Database UI A Proposed Holy Grail and Some Suggestions

If you have ever encountered a piece of highly domain-specific business software, you may have noticed that it was largely a graphical front-end to some relational database. You may also, in fact, have avoided using the system at all—studies show that information workers prefer to dump their data into spreadsheets, a general and more familiar tool which, unfortunately, is poorly suited for many standard database tasks. It is time that we stop streamlining the process of creating a new application for every schema, and that we instead develop the visual query languages that will let endusers access the full power of relational database management systems from a simple and unified interface. Once information workers can create, manage, and query real databases with the same ease as they routinely manipulate spreadsheets today, they will never return to their schemadependent, consultant-made, and oddly-colored Microsoft Access applications.
Quantitative determination of copper in potato tissue using neutron activation analysis and electrodeposition of copper.

Abstract This technique describes the quantitative determination of copper in biological tissue samples in amounts of 0.01 to 10 μg. Tissue samples were activated in a 100 kw nuclear reactor for 30–180 min, after which the samples were digested in HNO3 (conc.) and H2SO4 (conc.). The free copper was then electroplated on to a brass or copper screen, and the screen was counted for the 0.511 mev positron annihilation radiation associated with the decay of 64Cu. There is a linear relationship between the observed count rate and the quantity of copper present in the tissue. The electrodeposition removes the copper from the presence of the interfering radioactive isotopes of 24Na, 42K, and 56Mn normally found in activated potato tissue. This separation is so nearly complete that there is essentially no contribution to the count rate from these other radioactive elements. The plating technique had a yield of approximately 100% and was completely reproducible. The charge deposited by the power supply was approximately 150% of the amount required to plate out the 50 mg of carrier copper added to the electrolyte. Current density and plating voltage critically affected the recovery of copper. With the type of brass or copper screen cathode described in this article, best results were obtained with a plating current of 250 ma for 15 min. It was demonstrated by the use of this technique that it is possible to determine accurately the quantity of copper in 50 mg samples of potato tissue.
Oral mucosa controlled delivery of LHRH by bilayer mucoadhesive polymer systems

Abstract Several mucoadhesive devices have been developed from mucoadhesive polymers for the enhanced and controlled transmucosal delivery of LHRH through oral mucosa. The mucoadhesive devices developed are of a bilayer type, which consist of a fast-release layer containing PVP (k-30), and a sustained-release layer formulated from Carbopol 934 and PVP (k-90). They have been designed for a prolonged application onto the gingival/ alveolar mucosa for a period of up to 24 h. These oral mucosa LHRH delivery devices also contain enhancer, sodium cholate, to promote the transmucosal permeation of LHRH and stabilizer, cetylpyridinium chloride, to stabilize LHRH from degradation by the microflora. In order to simulate the in vivo condition, a specially designed device holder was also used to have one side of the mucoadhesive device adhering to the alveolar mucosa and the other side facing the buccal mucosa. Results from the release kinetics studies demonstrated a burst release of LHRH from the fast-release layer, which provide a rapid delivery of LHRH, and a prolonged release of LHRH from the sustainedrelease layer, which maintains a sustained delivery of LHRH. Permeation kinetics studies indicated that the transmucosal permeation of LHRH increases as increasing the loading dose of either LHRH or enhancer in the fast-release layer, but decreases as increasing the ratio of Carbopol 934/PVP (k-90) in the sustained-release layer. The formulation of the mucoadhesive device can be varied to achieve a specific rate of transmucosal permeation.
Physical determinants of economic value of riparian buffers in an agricultural watershed

: Economic values of riparian buffers in a watershed are evaluated by the changes in the net economic return for farming with and without riparian buffers when achieving the same water quality objectives. The simulated water quality impacts of alternative farming systems using SWAT and experimental data for riparian buffers are used in a mathematical optimization model to estimate net economic return for farming subject to a water quality objective. Physical characteristics such as stream length, channel slope, average land slope, cropland percentage and several soil attributes are identified in the watershed using ARC/INFO GIS. A regression model is then used to evaluate the impacts of these physical characteristics on the estimated economic values of buffers. The study is conducted in Goodwater Creek watershed, Missouri. The results show the estimated economic value of buffers is significantly affected by some soil properties, stream length, and cropland percentage in watershed and can be used to improve the effectiveness of riparian buffers at watershed and regional levels.
Progress in UCO's search for silver-based telescope mirror coatings

We report on the on-going effort at University of California Observatories Astronomical Coatings Lab to develop robust protected-silver coatings suitable for telescope mirrors. We have identified a very promising recipe based on YF 3 that produces excellent reflectivity at wavelengths of 340 nm and greater, has ~1.5% emissivity in the thermal IR, and does not contain problematic materials for the Mid-IR, such as SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 . The recipe holds up extremely well to aggressive environmental testing (80C and 80% RH; high-H 2 S atmosphere), and currently is being evaluated under real observatory conditions. This coating may satisfy the need for telescope mirror coatings that are long-lasting (~5 years or more) and have good reflectivity into the UV. We also evaluate and compare some other silver-based coatings developed elsewhere that should be useful in the same role. In addition, we describe recent upgrades to our coating facilities allowing us to deposit ion-assisted e-beam coatings on optics up to ~1m. This novel arrangement places the e-gun and ion source on a pivoting "swing-arm", allowing the position to move radially without changing the e-gun/ion source/ substrate geometry. Large substrates can be coated with good uniformity using single-axis rotation only. This technique is scalable to arbitrarily large substrate sizes.
Mechanical vs. beetle-mediated self-pollination in Gossypium tomentosum (Malvaceae), an endangered shrub.

Experimental hand pollinations of the endangered, Hawaiian, endemic, Gossypium tomentosum Nutt. Ex. (Malvaceae) showed that it was self-compatible, but self-pollination resulted in reduced reproductive output. Field observations and pollen tube analyses using fluorescence microscopy showed that mechanical self-pollination in this species included a mechanism known as bending stigmas. A receptive stigma bent backwards and contacted dehiscent anthers in 7% of flowers found on 17 G. tomentosum plants. The yellow flowers were nectarless and were not visited by most anthophilous insects in situ except for the introduced, nitidulid beetle, Aethina concolor Macleay. Collections and insect GI-tract dissections showed that A. concolor carried and ate the pollen of the host flower. Field observations recorded regular contact between beetles and stigma lobes as these insects exited the flowers effecting self-pollination. Behavioral experiments showed that the beetles responded positively to a yellow visual cue. Under some circumstances, an introduced pollen vector may help maintain a low level of reproductive success in an insular endemic.
Opposite principles in nonlinear conservative systems

The tao conservativity and opposite principles in geometric nonlinear conservative systems are studied based on the theory of convex analysis. By introducing a so-called complementary gap function, a remarkable symmetry is discovered in the yin-yang structures (like primal and dual problems in optimization). Its is found that the opposite principles in a system are directly related to the property of this gap function. Applications in continuum mechanics are illustrated.
Global rank-invariant set normalization (GRSN) to reduce systematic distortions in microarray data

Background: Microarray technology has become very popular for globally evaluating gene expression in biological samples. However, non-linear variation associated with the technology can make data interpretation unreliable. Therefore, methods to correct this kind of technical variation are critical. Here we consider a method to reduce this type of variation applied after three common procedures for processing microarray data: MAS 5.0, RMA, and dChip®. Results: We commonly observe intensity-dependent technical variation between samples in a single microarray experiment. This is most common when MAS 5.0 is used to process probe level data, but we also see this type of technical variation with RMA and dChip ® processed data. Datasets with unbalanced numbers of up and down regulated genes seem to be particularly susceptible to this type of intensity-dependent technical variation. Unbalanced gene regulation is common when studying cancer samples or genetically manipulated animal models and preservation of this biologically relevant information, while removing technical variation has not been well addressed in the literature. We propose a method based on using rank-invariant, endogenous transcripts as reference points for normalization (GRSN). While the use of rank-invariant transcripts has been described previously, we have added to this concept by the creation of a global rank-invariant set of transcripts used to generate a robust average reference that is used to normalize all samples within a dataset. The global rank-invariant set is selected in an iterative manner so as to preserve unbalanced gene expression. Moreover, our method works well as an overlay that can be applied to data already processed with other probe set summary methods. We demonstrate that this additional normalization step at the "probe set level" effectively corrects a specific type of technical variation that often distorts samples in datasets. Conclusion: We have developed a simple post-processing tool to help detect and correct nonlinear technical variation in microarray data and demonstrate how it can reduce technical variation and improve the results of downstream statistical gene selection and pathway identification methods.
Effects of certain training parameters on detection of simulated breast cancer.

Forty-two female subjects, constituting 14 groups, palpated a silicone breast model in a lump detection task. Three variables, number of trials (amount of practice), search pattern requirement (restricted vs. unrestricted), and the presence or absence of lumps, were manipulated according to 3 X 2 X 2 design. The effect of all modes of practice on detection performance in posttest 1 was evidenced by an increase in percent of lumps detected and a decrease in detection threshold, but no form of practice was superior to the others. Following posttest 1 a brief search-training procedure was administered to 39 subjects which further lowered detection threshold, increased percent of lumps detected, and increased trial duration in posttest 2. The results indicate the effectiveness of the training procedure for improving detection ability and suggest the need for a more complex model to determine more specifically the effects of the practice models employed.
Prolonged recovery associated with dexmedetomidine when used as a sole sedative agent in office-based oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures.

Purpose Office-based oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures that require sedation are popular. Dexmedetomidine has the advantages of having a minimal effect on respiration and an antisialogogue effect that could make it a good choice for dental procedures. Materials and Methods We performed a prospective pilot study in which patients undergoing office-based oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures received dexmedetomidine as a sole sedative agent. The loading dose of dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg infused over 10 minutes) was followed by a maintenance dose (0.2 to 0.8 μg/kg/hour) to achieve a Ramsay sedation score of 2 to 3. The demographic data were collected, and the pre- and intraprocedural vital signs and Ramsay sedation score were recorded every 5 minutes. The duration of the procedure, recovery time, and patient and surgeon satisfaction were documented. Results No statistically significant changes were found in the heart rate, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturation during the procedure when compared to baseline. However, we noticed a significant decrease in the heart rate at the end of the loading dose, and statistically significant change in the blood pressure between baseline and during the procedure ( P Conclusions Dexmedetomidine has demonstrated hemodynamic and respiratory stability when used as a sole sedative agent. Despite the discomfort on injection and the lack of reliable amnesic property, patient and surgeon satisfaction were high. However, the prolonged recovery time makes this drug unsuitable for busy office-based practices. We believe it should be reserved for patients with a high risk of respiratory complications (eg, obese patients or those with a history of sleep apnea).
An Optical Technique for Radio Frequency Interference Mitigation

A new photonics-based approach for interference mitigation utilizing the nonlinear response of optical modulators is described. The technique is analyzed both theoretically and experimentally with excellent agreement. Proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate upward of 78-dB suppression of a large interfering signal, while degrading the response to small signals of interest by only 8 dB.
An ultrahigh vacuum chamber for simultaneous Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microgravimetric measurements

A small UHV chamber that fits in the sample compartment of a commercial Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (IBM‐98, Brucker) has been designed and constructed to acquire reflection/absorption spectra of species adsorbed and/or condensed on metal films vapor deposited in situ on the surface of a quartz‐crystal microbalance (QCM). The QCM is mounted on a variable‐temperature Au‐plated Cu block, which houses a second (reference) QCM, attached in turn to a liquid‐He cold finger. The unique capabilities of this apparatus make it possible to correlate quantitatively various spectral characteristics, including peak widths and intensities, with the absolute mass of adsorbed and/or condensed material per unit area m, or coverage, over a wide range of m and temperatures. Results obtained using tetrahydrofuran (THF) condensed on freshly vapor deposited gold films have shown that the sensitivity of the instrument is sufficient to detect mTHF on the order of a single monolayer. Plots of the intensity of the most ...
Century 21 - Pregnant with Ozone

Abstract As we enter this new century, it is striking how the number of applications for ozone is growing. During ozone's first century, the emphasis for using it involved primarily, potable water treatment, wastewater treatment, bottled water treatment, odor control and medical therapy. Of these, potable water and wastewater treatment now can be called the “classical” applications for ozone. But there are a great many more uses for this versatile chemical that might be termed “non-classical”, and these began emerging toward the end of the last century. Some of these so-called “non-classical” developing applications for ozone will be reviewed in this paper. As we enter the 21s1 century, applications for ozone in the various aspects of the agricultural and food processing industries are very active and most promising.
Comments on "transmission techniques for digital terrestrial TV broadcasting" [and reply]

We are responding to the paper by Sari et al. (see ibid., vol.33, no.2, p.100, 1995), referred to as SKJ, in which it is claimed that single-carrier (SC) transmission with frequency-domain equalization (FDE) is generally superior to coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (COFDM) for terrestrial broadcasting. After pointing out a few additional considerations and briefly discussing the questions of carrier frequency offset and the effect of transmitter nonlinear distortion, we deal with the main issue: the performance of the two systems in the presence of strong echoes as would be encountered in single-frequency networks (SFNs). Any high performance communication system should incorporate sophisticated error-correction methods to achieve the desired performance. Therefore, a comparison based on uncoded or even trellis-coded transmission performance, as presented in SKJ, does not properly represent the tradeoffs involved in SC vs. COFDM terrestrial broadcast. A comparison should be based upon the most powerful practical coding system. For example, based on existing knowledge, a concatenated block and trellis coding system that incorporates adequate interleaving and maximum-likelihood decoding (using channel state information) offers a good solution. Using these techniques, we give an example of the performance of both kinds of systems with echoes ranging up to 0 dB. We find that it is possible to make the bit error rate of both systems improve with large echoes. SKJ reply that the basic message they want to convey through their article is that a well designed single-carrier system (with frequency-domain equalization) achieves similar performance to COFDM while avoiding its two well known problems of sensitivity to nonlinear distortion and carrier synchronization difficulties. >
When is success not satisfying? Integrating regulatory focus and approach/avoidance motivation theories to explain the relation between core self-evaluation and job satisfaction

Integrating implications from regulatory focus and approach/avoidance motivation theories, we present a framework wherein motivational orientations toward positive (approach motivation orientation) or negative (avoidance motivation orientation) stimuli interact with workplace success to mediate the relation of core self-evaluation (CSE) with job satisfaction. Using data collected from supervisor-subordinate dyads (Sample 1) and time-lagged data (Sample 2), we found that the results from two studies indicated that the interaction of workplace success and avoidance motivation orientation mediated relations of CSE with job satisfaction. Although approach motivation orientation did not interact with workplace success, it did mediate the CSE-job satisfaction relation on its own. Implications for the CSE and approach/avoidance literatures are discussed.
Protein kinase C α protein expression is necessary for sustained erythropoietin production in human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells exposed to hypoxia

Although protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated as an effector of erythropoietin (EPO) production, its exact role is still uncertain. Hep3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells were used for this study and were depleted of PKC in three different ways: long-term treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), selective inhibition with calphostin C, and treatment with PKCalpha antisense oligonucleotides. When EPO-producing Hep3B cells were incubated in 1% O2 (hypoxia) for 24 h, PMA treatment resulted in significant decreases in medium levels of EPO in Hep3B cell cultures at concentrations higher than 10 nM. The specific PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, significantly inhibited medium levels of EPO and EPO mRNA levels in Hep3B cells exposed to 1% O2. Western blot analysis revealed that Hep3B cells express the classical PKCalpha and gamma isoforms, as well as novel PKCepsilon and delta and the atypical zeta isoform. Preincubation with PMA for 6 h specifically down-regulated PKCalpha protein expression. Phosphorothioate modified antisense oligonucleotides specific for PKCalpha also decreased EPO production in Hep3B cells exposed to hypoxia for 20 h when compared to PKCalpha sense treatment. The translocation of PKCalpha from the soluble to particulate fractions was increased in Hep3B cells incubated under hypoxia compared with normoxia (21% O2) controls. These results suggest that the PKCalpha isoform plays an important role in sustaining hypoxia-regulated EPO production.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

The theory behind functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is to re-establish drainage from the maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal sinuses. In addition, allowing the ostiomeatal complex to stay patent is an important factor in re-establishing mucociliary clearance from the dependant sinuses. By achieving adequate drainage from the natural ostium, the mucosal disease and subsequent symptoms could become reversible in many cases. Many children who are considered for FESS have comorbidities that include allergies, immune deficiency, ciliary disorders or cystic fibrosis. Medical management should be maximized before FESS. There are multiple methods and techniques described to perform FESS; however, in this manuscript we will describe an anterior to posterior technique used at the University of Miami.
Microsurgery for tubal reconstruction following Falope-Ring sterilization in swine.

13 large 6-9-month-old domestic swine weighing from 90-150 kilograms underwent laparotomy and sterilization using the Falope-Ring. The silastic band was applied to the isthmus in 6 swine and to the isthmic-ampullary junction in 7 swine. The OPMI-6 Zeiss operating microscope was used to perform tubal reconstruction. Following isthmic-isthmic anastomosis pregnancy was observed in 5 or 6 swine. It was observed in 5 of 7 swine following isthmic-ampullary anastomosis. 10 of 13 swine conceived following tubal anastomosis. An advantage to the placement of the Falope-Ring in the isthmus of the swine oviduct was not demonstrated. A similar study was undertaken by Boeckx and coauthors in rabbits. A nidation index of 71% after tubal reconstruction following Falope-Ring sterilization was compared to an index of 73% in controls. The studies suggest an acceptable pregnancy rate following tubal reconstruction using contemporary techniques in 2 mammalian species after silastic-band sterilization. Several recent reports have shown that a pregnancy rate of 60-70% can be expected in humans following tubal reconstruction under magnification using microsurgical techniques.
Antagonism and Mutual Dependency. Critial Models of Performance and “Piano Interpretation Schools”

To polarize and, coincidently, intersect two different concepts, in terms of a distinction/analogy between “piano interpretation schools” and “critical models” is the aim of this paper. The former, with its prior connotations of both empiricism and dogmatism and not directly shaped by aesthetic criteria or interpretational ideals, depends mainly on the aural and oral tradition as well the teacher-student legacy; the latter employs ideally the generic criteria of interpretativeness, which can be measured in accordance to an aesthetic formula and can include features such as non-obviousness, inferentially, lack of consensus, concern with meaning or significance, concern with structure or design, etc. The relative autonomy of the former is a challenge to the latter, which embraces the range of perspectives available in the horizon of the history of ideas about music and interpretation. The effort of recognizing models of criticism within musical interpretation creates the vehicle for new understandings of the nature and the historical development of Western classical piano performance, promoting also the production of quality critical argument and the communication of key performance tendencies and styles.
A stochastic analysis of superposed rhythmic synergies

Abstract Three experiments examined the bimanual coordination dynamics of persons producing circular motions with two hand-held pendulums. The task was modeled as a superposition of rhythmic synergies of motions in planes sagittal and transverse to the body. To examine the degree of interaction within the superposition, three model potentials were compared by numerically fitting a stationary probability distribution estimated from the data to predictions from the Fokker-Planck equation. Experiment 1 examined isolated and superposed movements inphase and antiphase in each plane, and found differential stability between the circular patterns which were fit very well with a distribution assuming a higher-order coupling between the component movements. Simulations indicated that the method can qualitatively compare models, but will suffer quantitative inaccuracy for short trial durations and small noise strength. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1, and found that stability was greater for the slower of two coupled movement frequencies. Experiment 3 found that the higher-order coupling increased in strength relative to the lower-order couplings as movement frequency was increased, and antiphase relations in the higher-order coupling decreased in stability relative to inphase. The results are interpreted as a higher-order synergy formation which reduces the effective degrees of freedom the movement system must control.
Relationship between marine boundary layer clouds and lower tropospheric stability observed by AIRS, CloudSat, and CALIOP

[1] Thirteen months of matched temperature and water vapor profiles from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), collocated European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model analyses, National Centers for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis, and cloud profiles from the CloudSat and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instruments are investigated to quantify aspects of maritime boundary layer (MBL) clouds and their thermodynamic environment. This study highlights the strengths and limitations of this multisensor A-Train approach. The AIRS retrieval yield (percentage of high-quality temperature and water vapor profiles to the surface) over the oceans between 40°S and 40°N within MBL clouds is between 61% and 71% globally and is greater than 80%–90% throughout most of the subtropics. The lower tropospheric stability (LTS) and estimated inversion strength (EIS) are derived from AIRS temperature and water vapor profiles over the global oceans as well as from collocated ECMWF model analysis data. Positive values of EIS derived from AIRS well represent MBL conditions, demonstrating that AIRS contains quantitatively useful information with regard to relative changes in dynamic range of temperature and water vapor in the MBL. The relative magnitude and seasonality of LTS and EIS from the collocated satellite data set in stratocumulus regions are very similar to spatially and temporally collocated ECMWF model analyses, but differences are found between different subsampling criteria of reanalysis data. For coincident vertical profiles, the MBL in AIRS data shows a more smoothed structure than that of ECMWF. This multisensor investigation establishes a basis for using A-train observations to quantify elements of low cloud-climate feedback.
Exploring antecedents of SMS-based mobile advertising perceptions

A mobile advertising study conducted with college students evaluated the effect of a mobile advertisement's message length on the receiving mobile user's perceptions of informativeness, entertainment and consequent attitude toward the advertisement, as well as cultural, gender or age differences. A PLS data analysis indicates positive effects of mobile ads' message length on the perceived informativeness and entertainment of the mobile ad, which in turn positively influence both attitude toward the mobile ad and the mobile user's intention to learn more about the advertised brand. The model has high explanatory power. Implications of click through intentions on e-finance are discussed.
Ambiguity in the Oral Exegesis of a Sacred Text: Tirukkōvaiyār (or, the Guru in the Garden, Being an Account of a Tamil Informant's Responses to Homesteading in Central New York State)

My aim in this article is to describe some ways in which intentional ambiguity, the deliberate crafting of messages in such a way that they invite multiple interpretation, devolves in an ethnographic situation. I take the ethnographic situation to be not a strange one, but a very common one-an example of dialogue taking place across a horizon, between two worlds that are likely to interpret the same tree, let us say, on that horizon very differently. In this case, in fact, we are dealing not with two worlds but with many worlds and an indeterminate number of horizons, since the material of our analysis is an ancient Indian (Tamil) poem that comes to us embedded in many layers of interpretation and can be seen to incorporate multiple voices much more ancient than itself even prior to its own embedding. By intentional ambiguity I mean something more than anomaly, or mediation, or transition, or otherness, more than something outside the structure that has somehow to be dealt with, and more than the kind of once-a-year chaos that is needed to keep some orders well defined. Intentional ambiguity is not interstitial ambiguity-marginal, liminal ambiguity characteristic of what is dismaying or strange to people-but ambiguity at the heart of things, openly embraced where it is found, emphasized where it is hard to perceive, and created where it would not otherwise exist. It entails an acceptance of the fact that the horizon is everywhere, including the place where we stand now. In what follows, I try to show that the ambiguities I encountered in the poem I studied and in the exegesis of it that was offered to me acted in similar ways to bring diverse forms of thought into some kind of mutual awareness. In particular, I try to show how various kinds of poetic ambiguity are used to relate opposed paradigms, opposed theories about the nature of things, or, less formally and self-