cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgeons and injury prevention: what you don't know can hurt you!

Abstract Background: The most effective treatment for traumatic injuries is to prevent them from occurring. Currently, few surgeons receive any formal training in injury control and prevention. This study was designed to test the knowledge of injury prevention principles among practicing surgeons, in order to identify areas in need of intensified educational efforts. Study Design: Survey questions designed by members of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma were programmed into a specialized touch-screen computer, which was displayed at four different surgery and trauma meetings, including the ACS Clinical Congress in 1999 and 2000. Participants were questioned about their knowledge of trauma epidemiology, bicycle helmet effectiveness, child safety seat usage, suicide, and domestic violence. Results: Seventy-nine surveys were completed by surgeons, including 33 specializing in trauma care, and by 106 nurses attending trauma courses. Overall, the percentage of correct answers was 50%. There were no significant differences in survey scores between trauma surgeons and general surgeons, although both scored higher than trauma nurses. Areas where knowledge deficits were the most apparent included proper use of child safety seats, the effectiveness of airbags, the prevalence of suicide, and the annual cost of injury in America. Conclusions: The majority of practicing surgeons and nurses, including those working at trauma centers, are unaware of the basic concepts of injury prevention. Advancements in the field of injury control will require efforts to educate medical professionals and the public.
Some experimental techniques for characterizing photoresists

Good experimental data is essential for the development of accurate and realistic models that describe resist behavior. In this paper, we give details of experimental procedures that can be used to collect data for resist modeling, and describe sources of error inherent to the various experimental methods. The need to acquire data in real time, from spun- cast films on wafers, is emphasized. The paper is illustrated with examples from our work in characterizing and modeling positive and negative deep-UV resists and silylation resists.
Quantitative Assessment of Brain Networks in Children With Sturge-Weber Syndrome Using Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

In this study, we examined whether topologic network analysis, using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can detect abnormalities of functional brain connectivity in children with unilateral brain injury due to Sturge-Weber syndrome. Three children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (ages 1, 3, and 10 years) underwent structural and resting state functional MRI, glucose metabolism positron emission tomography (PET), and neurocognitive evaluation. Eight different resting state networks were compared between the affected and unaffected hemispheres by quantitatively accessing communication efficiency measures. Significantly reduced efficiency values were found in all 3 patients. Visual network deficiency was present in both children with a visual field defect; frontal network abnormalities were associated with fine motor impairment. Location of network abnormalities corresponded to and, in some cases, extended beyond structural MRI and glucose PET abnormalities. The presented approach can dete...
The quality of medical care

This article classifies the major approaches to the assessment of the process and outcomes of medical care. The apparent need to safeguard and enhance the quality of care has led to the institution of mechanisms that subject care to constant review so that deficiencies may be found and corrected. The article reviews the developments that led to the involvement of the federal government in this activity through its sponsorship of professional standards review organizations (PSRO's). The major features of the PSRO's are described and their possible effects discussed. It is too early to say how the PSRO's will fare, but should they fail to accomplish their objectives the pressure for more radical solutions will be difficult to resist.
Low-cycle Fatigue Testing of Silicon Resonators

This paper presents a testing methodology for measuring the low cycle fatigue properties of single-crystal silicon thin films using kHz-frequency resonators. The dynamic behavior of the fatigue structures is thoroughly characterized to allow accurate measurements of stresses (±0.1 GPa) and fatigue lives (±250 cycles). The tests consist of applying successive bursts of small numbers of cycles (as low as ~500 cycles) and measuring the resonant frequency in between each burst. Continuous damage accumulation, beginning after the first burst, is observed based on the decrease in resonant frequency of the resonant structure.
Spline based microstructural mapping for soft biological tissues: Application to aortic valves

Splines are the standard tools in computer aided design for geometric representations and have been recently integrated into the finite element analysis of structures and fluids [1]. As the biomedical engineering is making progress, there is a need for an integrated tool for expanding the geometrical representation to include the microstructural details specific to soft tissue, e.g. fiber alignment, orientation, crimp and stiffness. In this work, a spline-based method is presented for aortic valves which facilitates mapping of the fiber structure from any aortic valve specimen to any other aortic valve geometry through a common parameter space. This techniques also has the ability to calculate mean tissue microstructure of representative population. Also strain and pre-strain from in-vivo state to the in-vitro state, where all the mechanical tests are done, are calculated for forward and inverse modeling of aortic valves.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Metastable Walking Machines

Legged robots that operate in the real world are inherently subject to stochasticity in their dynamics and uncertainty about the terrain. Owing to limited energy budgets and limited control authority, these âdisturbancesâ cannot always be canceled out with high-gain feedback. Minimally actuated walking machines subject to stochastic disturbances no longer satisfy strict conditions for limit-cycle stability; however, they can still demonstrate impressively long-living periods of continuous walking. Here, we employ tools from stochastic processes to examine the âstochastic stabilityâ of idealized rimless-wheel and compass-gait walking on randomly generated uneven terrain. Furthermore, we employ tools from numerical stochastic optimal control to design a controller for an actuated compass gait model which maximizes a measure of stochastic stabilityâthe mean first-passage timeâand compare its performance with a deterministic counterpart. Our results demonstrate that walking is well characterized as a metastable process, and that the stochastic dynamics of walking should be accounted for during control design in order to improve the stability of our machines.
The effect of newtonian cooling on the reflection of vertically propagating acoustic waves in an isothermal atmosphere

Abstract Upward travelling small amplitude acoustic waves in an isothermal atmosphere will be reflected downward if the gas is viscous or thermally conducting. The presence of small viscosity creates a layer which acts like an absorbing and reflecting barrier for waves generated below it. Above it the motion decays while below it the effect of viscosity is negligible. In the case of thermal conduction the effect is different since the oscillatory motion in the upper region approaches an isothermal one because of the exponential increase with height of the thermal diffusivity. Thus the local sound speed in the upper region approaches the Newtonian sound speed, and the difference in the speed in the two regions results in partial reflection and transmission. The addition of Newtonian cooling affects mainly the lower region, in which it produces wave attenuation and alters the wave length. If the Newtonian cooling is large, the temperature in the lower region evens out and the wave motion in the lower region approaches an isothermal one. This eliminates the attenuation since the isothermal regime is dissipationless. The effect on wave reflection is most pronounced when large Newtonian cooling is combined with thermal conduction. In this case the motion approaches an isothermal one in both regions, as a consequence of which the reflection is eliminated altogether. The case of a horizontal magnetic field is also considered since its effect can be easily combined with that of viscosity.
The amado model and the angular dependence of quasifree scattering in the 2H(p, 2p)N reaction

Abstract Quasifree scattering in the 2 H(p, 2p)n reaction has been studied at 30.3 MeV. The data are compared with the Amado model. The model fits individual spectra and reproduces the general trend of angular distributions. However, a few discrepancies as large as 60% are found, for which possible explanations are given.
A New Paradigm for Biomineral Formation: Mineralization via an Amorphous Liquid-Phase Precursor

Biologically mineralized tissues are well recognized for their unusual crystal morphologies and hierarchically organized composite structures. The soluble acidic macromolecules associated with biominerals are thought to play an important role in modulating the mineral morphology. Our in vitro studies, which use acidic polypeptide additives to modify crystal growth of calcium-based minerals, have demonstrated a crystallization mechanism that proceeds via a liquid-phase mineral precursor. Various features of the crystals produced via this mechanism, such as "extruded" mineral fibers and mineralized collagen composites, have led us to propose the hypothesis that an amorphous, liquid-phase precursor could play a fundamental role in the morphogenesis of calcium-based biominerals. Although in vivo evidence of this process remains to be determined, we demonstrate crystallization features that mimic bone and dental enamel and suggest that this process could be relevant to biomineralization in both vertebrates and invertebrates.
TU-D-T-617-05: TG-43U1 Based Dosimetric Characterization of Model 67-6520 Cs-137 Brachytherapy Source

Purpose: Dosimetric characteristics of a newly designed Cs-137 source (Model 67-6520) by Isotope Product Laboratories were determined using experimental and theoretical methods. These determinations were performed using TG-43U1 for distances larger than the active length of the source and along-away matrix for shorter distances. Method and Materials: Radial dose function, dose rate constant, 2D and 1D anisotropy function of the new Cs-137 source were determined following updated AAPM Task Group 43 (TG-43U1) recommendations. The experimental setup used for the determination of these parameters consisted of 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.0 mm3 and 3.2 × 3.2 × 0.89 mm3 TLD-100 LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters in Solid Water™ Phantom Material (40 × 40 × 20 cm3). TLD's were read using a Harshaw model 3500 TLD reader. The experimental results were compared to theoretical data using Monte Carlo simulations in liquid and Solid Water™. A Monte Carlo N-particle Transport Code (MCNP4C2) was used to calculate the dose rate distribution in Solid Water™ and liquid water. This code is capable of accounting for photoelectric, coherent, Compton and pair production interaction processes. The photon interaction cross section file used in this study was DLC-200 library distributed by the Radiation Shielding Information Computing Center (RSICC). In this study, up to 20×106 photons were used for each simulation. Calculations were set up in the same design format as the TLD experiments. Results: The calculated dose rate constant in liquid water and Solid Water™ were found to be 0.961 cGyh−1U−1 and 0.962 cGyh−1U−1, respectively. In addition, there was good agreement between the measured and calculated dose rate constant, radial dose function and the anisotropy function in Solid Water™. Conclusion: The dosimetric characteristics of the IPL 67-6520 Cs-137 source were determined using the TG-43U1 recommendation. The characteristics of the new Cs-137 source are comparable to the other commercially available sources.
Acid-base relationships across the sheep placenta.

Summary The umbilical artery and uterine vein blood pH, base excess and bicarbonate concentrations were measured in sheep in acute and chronic experiments. The lack of correlation between these parameters suggest that in the ewe the placenta is not the main regulator of fetal acid base balance.
Robustness of Equilibrium Exchange Rate Calculations to Alternative Assumptions and Methodologies

This paper explores a number of methodological issues that arise in the calculation of equilibrium exchange rates, which are identified in this paper as those real effective exchange rates consistent with macroeconomic equilibrium, i.e., internal and external balance. A partial equilibrium, comparative static analysis is presented and the methodology is applied to the break-up of the Bretton Woods exchange rate system. Then the dynamic interaction between the current account and the stock of net foreign assets is examined. Finally, the analysis uses a more general equilibrium approach by relying on simulations using MULTIMOD, a multicountry econometric model. The paper demonstrates the extent to which the equilibrium exchange rate calculations depend upon alternative assumptions regarding factors that affect internal and external balance. In addition, results obtained using the comparative static and dynamic macroeconomic approaches are compared.
Linkage of avian and reproductive tract tropism with sequence divergence adjacent to the 5S ribosomal subunit rrfH of Salmonella enterica

The 183 bp between the end of the 23S rrlH rRNA gene and the start of the 5S rrfH rRNA gene (ISR-1) and the 197 bp between the end of the rrfH rRNA gene and the start of the transfer RNA aspU (ISR-2) of Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serotypes Enteritidis, Typhimurium, Pullorum, Heidelberg, Gallinarum, Typhi and Choleraesuis were compared. ISR-1s of D1 serotypes (Pullorum, Gallinarum and Enteritidis), B serotypes (Typhimurium and Heidelberg) and the C2 serotype Newport and the enteric fever pathogens serotype A Paratyphi and serotype D1 Typhi formed three clades, respectively. ISR-2 further differentiated the avian-adapted serotype Gallinarum from avian-adapted Pullorum and Salmonella bongori from S. enterica. The results suggest that serotypes Heidelberg and Choleraesuis share some evolutionary trends with egg-contaminating serotypes. In addition, ISR-1 and ISR-2 sequences that confirm serotype appear to be linked to clinically relevant host associations of the Salmonellae.
National Depression Screening Day: Educating the Public, Reaching Those in Need of Treatment, and Broadening Professional Understanding

(1995). National Depression Screening Day: Educating the Public, Reaching Those in Need of Treatment, and Broadening Professional Understanding. Harvard Review of Psychiatry: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 156-159.
The relevance of reliability and validity for behavioral assessment

The differences between traditional and behavioral assessment are primarily conceptual, not methodological, and reliability and validity considerations therefore apply to both. Insufficient attention has been given these concepts by behavioral assessors. Classical reliability and validity issues are rephrased in terms of generalizability theory, and six universes of generalization are described. The relevance of each university for traditional and behavioral assessment is suggested, and a prototypical minimal generalizability study for the purveyors of new instruments is outlined.
Central amazonia and its fishes

Abstract 1. The Amazon river system is characterized by its great size (it drains an area of about 6.5 million km 2 ), its great depth (to 90 m or more in some places), the flat topography of its drainage basin, the annual cycles of high and low water periods, and the geological structure of the drainage area. 2. The central Amazonian ecosystem is complex and the types of habitat within it are numerous, with broad overlap and intergradation of categories. An especially important factor in the aquatic habitat is water type (“white”, “black” or “clear”), a characteristic which is related to the geological character and the flora of the drainage area. 3. Cyclical changes in water level and associated fluctuations in the availability of oxygen are two factors which exert considerable influence over the biology of central Amazonian fishes. 4. The collection sites of Alpha Helix Phase IV are described briefly. 5. The systematics and evolution of most Amazonian fish groups are poorly known; the inability to identify all fishes examined and lack of well-tested evolutionary hypotheses of relationship on which to base comparisons pose problems for the comparative biologist. 6. A brief survey of general aspects of phylogeny and of the natural history of fishes examined by Phase IV is presented, including, when possible. information about habitat preferences, food and other aspects of the biology of the fishes.
Intracolonial genetic diversity increases chemical signaling by waggle-dancing honey bees, Apis mellifera

Extreme polyandry is a derived mating strategy that is uncommon in the Hymenoptera, but occurs in ecologically dominant taxa such as honey bees, leaf-cutter ants, and army ants. Honey bee queens that mate with many males confer a selective advantage to their colonies in part by generating genetically diverse foraging workforces that are more active than those of colonies with singly mated queens. These foragers produce more waggle-dance signals, each circuit of which attracts larger audiences of dance followers. We investigated the role that dancer-produced volatiles (“waggle-dance compounds”) play in facilitating signal exchange when mating frequency, and thus patriline number, differs. We found a 6- to 200-fold increase in quantities of three of four waggle-dance compounds in the airspace of multiple-patriline versus single-patriline colonies. Possible worker-level mechanisms underlying this difference were investigated by sampling compounds from dancers over similar intervals at the start of dances. The best-supported explanation was the presence of greater quantities of compounds on the abdomens of foragers as dance length increased rather than differences in quantities sampled between colony types or among patrilines. Workers who danced more frequently attracted more followers to the initial circuits of their first dance, but following response was not linked to quantities of compounds on dancers. While honey bee colonies with multiple patrilines have greater quantities of dancer-produced volatiles in them, high concentrations of these chemicals probably do not attract more dance followers to specific dancers. Thus, the role that these compounds may play in enhancing colony productivity requires clarification.
Model of ecological (cultural) evolutionary neuropsychiatry.

A new model posits that there are specific patterns of groupings of several delayed human cognitive functions or dysfunctions in certain ecological circumstances which characterize a significant portion of a cultural group. It is further posited that such patterns ("ecological syndromes") are primarily based on as yet unknown neurophysiological givens . This deduction is based on the occurrence of several specific groupings of delayed cognitive functions or dysfunctions that have been identified in diverse time periods and cultural groups where no brain pathology can reasonably be expected. The "ecological syndromes" were, however, noted to be analogous to those found in neuropathology. The main factor contributing to such an "ecological syndrome" appears to be a specifically limited under-use of certain functions not needed for the survival of certain populations without implying any general cultural deprivation. Some examples of "ecological syndromes" are mentioned: low arithmetic skills linked with quantitatively inaccurate pictorial (and implied mental) representation of fingers, low literacy skills linked with specifically inaccurate pictorial (and implied mental) representation of the subtle spatial relations of the configuration of the human face, and an "ecological apractognosia " observed among wigmen of New Guinea.
Chemical modification of methionine residues in azurin.

Abstract Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been treated with bromoacetate at low pH to alkylate methionine residues. Two classes of methionine side chains are observed as a result of these reactions — four of the six methionines are reactive at pH 4, whereas all six are reactive at pH 3.2. The product containing four alkylated methionines maintains a significant portion of the blue color and spectroscopic characteristics of the native protein. The product which has been fully modified at the methionine residues, on the other hand, has lost all blue color and appears to be largely in a random coil form.
Radioactive products from boron CTR reactions

Abstract The nuclear reaction rates for 10 B(p, α) 7 Be and 10 B(p, γ) 11 C have been measured by a thick target technique using proton energies from 75 keV to 3.0 MeV. The results are valid for proton temperatures near 3 · 10 9 K where the 11 B(p, 3α) reaction has been suggested for power generation. At this temperature, the rates N A 〈 συ 〉 are 2.66 · 10 7 and 8.3 · 10 2 cm 3 g −1 s −1 for 7 Be and 11 C, respectively. As such, these rates suggest the possibility of serious radioactive contamination in using natural boron as a fuel in CTR devices.
Data acquisition system for high resolution, multiplexed electrode arrays

The recent development of novel implantable devices capable of interfacing with the brain using hundreds or thousands of individually controllable microelectrodes has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment methods for medically refractory epilepsy [1]. While enabling high-resolution interface with minimal wires, the silicon nanomembrane multiplexers built into the electrode array present significant challenges for neural data acquisition systems. These challenges include controlling the switching transistors to obtain useful multiplexed data and providing a constant drain current for on-array buffers. In this paper, we present an improved custom, high-bandwidth, highresolution neural data acquisition system developed to specifically address these challenges.
Using respondent-driven sampling for behavioural surveillance: response to Scott.

s r s t e v p f s In a recent article, Dr. Scott raised ethical questions bout respondent-driven sampling, or RDS (Scott, 2008). r. Scott used data he collected in Chicago, Illinois in 2005 t the time that the National HIV Behavioural Surveillance ystem amongst injecting drug users (NHBS-IDU), sponored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC), was being conducted. He asserted that RDS invites, f not promotes, violation of federal guidelines governing he protection of human research subjects and that the RDS esign generally, and the NHBS implementation specifially, resulted in data of questionable quality. CDC places he highest priority on human subjects protection and the thics of surveillance and research. We therefore comment n Dr. Scott’s article and then describe CDC plans for the ext NHBS-IDU cycle. Because NHBS uses a standard proocol in all sites (Lansky et al., 2007), we describe operations enerally, with details about the Chicago experience where elevant. Numerous controls for the protection of participants n research and surveillance activities are fundamental spects of the RDS method (Semaan, Santibanez, Garfein, eckathorn, & DesJarlais, 2008) and many were specifically sed in NHBS-IDU. The controls described below were put n place to assure the ethical conduct of NHBS-IDU. We isagree with Dr. Scott that “RDS assigns the lion’s share f responsibility for ethical conduct. . . to the human subjects
Equilibrium and Kinetic Analysis of Nucleotide Binding to the DEAD-Box RNA Helicase DbpA

The Escherichia coli DEAD-box protein A (DbpA) is an RNA helicase that utilizes the energy from ATP binding and hydrolysis to facilitate structural rearrangements of rRNA. We have used the fluoresc...
Shear-Wave Splitting and Implications for Mantle Flow Beneath the MELT Region of the East Pacific Rise

Shear-wave splitting across the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise has been measured from records of SKS and SKKS phases on the ocean-bottom seismometers of the Mantle Electromagnetic and Tomography (MELT) Experiment. The direction of fast shear-wave polarization is aligned parallel to the spreading direction. Delay times between fast and slow shear waves are asymmetric across the rise, and off-axis values on the Pacific Plate are twice those on the Nazca Plate. Splitting on the Pacific Plate may reflect anisotropy associated with spreading-induced flow above a depth of about 100 km, as well as a deeper contribution from warm asthenospheric return flow from the Pacific Superswell region.
Marfan syndrome is closely linked to a marker on chromosome 15q1.5----q2.1.

Abstract Marfan syndrome is a systemic disorder of the connective tissue inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The disorder imparts significant morbidity and mortality. The etiology of the disorder remains elusive. A recent study localized the gene for Marfan syndrome on chromosome 15. We present data showing that marker D15S48 is genetically linked to Marfan syndrome. Pairwise linkage analysis gave a maximum lod (logarithm of odds) score of Z = 11.78 at theta = 0.02. Furthermore our data suggest that the Marfan syndrome locus is possibly flanked on either side by D15S48 and D15S49.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (with flying robots)

Seven flying robot "fairies" joined human actors in the Texas AM the robots did not replace any actors, instead they were paired with them. The insertion of robots into the production was not widely advertised so the audience was the typical theatergoing demographic, not one consisting of people solely interested technology. The use of radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles provides insights into what types of autonomy are needed to create appropriate affective interactions with untrained human groups. The observations from the four weeks of practice and eight performances contribute (1) a taxonomy and methods for creating affect exchanges between robots and untrained human groups, (2) the importance of improvisation within robot theater, (3) insights into how untrained human groups form expectations about robots, and (4) awareness of the importance of safety and reliability as a design constraint for public engagement with robot platforms. The taxonomy captures that apparent affect can be created without explicit affective behaviors by the robot, but requires talented actors to convey the situation or express reactions. The audience's response to robot crashes was a function of whether they had the opportunity to observe how the actors reacted to robot crashes on stage, suggesting that pre-existing expectations must be taken into account in the design of autonomy. Furthermore, it appears that the public expect robots to be more reliable (an expectation of consumer product hardening) and safe (an expectation from product liability) than the current capabilities and this may be a major challenge or even legal barrier for introducing robots into shared public spaces. These contributions are expected to inform design strategies for increasing public engagement with robot platforms through affect, and shows the value of arts-based approaches to public encounters with robots both for generating design strategies and for evaluation.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Content Associated with Nuclear Changes in 131I-Irradiated Human Thyroids

ABSTRACT Samples of tissue from human thyroids previously treated with 131I for hyperthyroidism and subsequently studied extensively for early and late radiation effects have ultimately become available for morphologic study. A microspectrophotometric method has been used to measure the amount of DNA in individual nuclei. Doses of 131I just sufficient to bring hyperthyroidism slowly under control but not to produce significant architectural derangement result in increased nuclear DNA and variations in amounts of DNA and nuclear volume. Such changes correspond to the occasional bizarre nuclear forms previously recognized in such thyroids. The amounts of DNA in individual nuclei are sometimes found to surpass 2 times the diploid value, the level at which division of the cell should occur. Evidence suggests that this is thwarted cell division and probably explains the ultimate failure of thyroid function year3 after a euthyroid state had been achieved by 131I therapy. Thyroid tissue from non-irradiated patie...
A model for partitioning particulate absorption into phytoplanktonic and detrital components

Abstract A model for partitioning total particulate absorption, measured on glass fiber filters, into phytoplanktonic and detrital components is developed. The model reconstructs absorption spectra for living phytoplankton using total particulate absorption at the red absorption maxima for chlorophylls a and b, concentrations of chlorophyll a and pheopigment, and mean normalized absorption spectra for laboratory-grown algal cultures. The model was developed in stages for two types of phytoplankton assemblages. Section A of the model applies to waters dominated by eukaryotic algae and is based on absorption spectra for chromophytic (phytoplankton containing chlorophyll c) and chlorophytic (containing chlorophyll b) species. Section B of the model, allowing more variability in spectral shape, was developed for algal communities with more diverse pigmentation. All spectra are processed through Section A, with an internal evaluation determining whether processing continues through Section B. Detrital spectra, generated as the difference between total particulate and modelled phytoplanktonic spectra, included pheopigment absorption and had high blue absorption. Blind tests on samples of known composition predicted absorption within 8–10% at 436 nm and 1–13% when averaged from 400 to 700 nm, which is within the expected accuracy of the glass fiber filter method. No true measure of phytoplankton absorption in field samples is available for testing the model, but results from methanol-extractions were used for comparison despite inclusion of pheopigment absorption as “phytoplankton”. For samples collected from coastal waters of Washington State, the Sargasso Sea and coastal waters of Norway, modelled absorption (averaged over 400–700 nm) ranged from 25% lower to 0.5% higher than the methanol-extraction results; pheopigment absorption inappropriately included in the phytoplankton component accounts for the higher phytoplanktonic absorption estimated by the methanol technique. Successful application of the model to samples from widespread locations, of different absorption magnitudes, and with varied spectral shapes indicate that the model can be used in diverse environments.
Weddell Fan and associated abyssal plain, Antarctica: Morphology, sediment processes, and factors influencing sediment supply

The newly discovered Weddell Fan, Antarctica, covers 0.75 million km2. The adjacent continental shelf is characterized by deep, rugged topography; the inner shelf is covered by a grounded polar ice sheet. The upper fan has numerous deep, V-shaped canyons that intersect a slope-base, leveed fan valley. Piston cores from the valley contain disorganized gravel grading upward into graded gravel and sand. Levee cores contain interbedded hemipelagic sediments and fine-grained turbidites. The lower fan is sand-rich. Sediment supply to the fan apparently occurred before development of glacial shelf topography and during a more temperate glacial setting.
Ethanol induces calcium influx via the Cch1-Mid1 transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast suffers from a variety of environmental stresses, such as osmotic pressure and ethanol produced during fermentation. Since calcium ions are protective for high concentrations of ethanol, we investigated whether Ca2+ flux occurs in response to ethanol stress. We find that exposure of yeast to ethanol induces a rise in the cytoplasmic concentration of Ca2+. The response is enhanced in cells shifted to high-osmotic media containing proline, galactose, sorbitol, or mannitol. Suspension of cells in proline and galactose-containing media increases the Ca2+ levels in the cytoplasm independent of ethanol exposure. The enhanced ability for ethanol to induce Ca2+ flux after the hypertonic shift is transient, decreasing rapidly over a period of seconds to minutes. There is partial recovery of the response after zymolyase treatment, suggesting that cell wall integrity affects the ethanol-induced Ca2+ flux. Acetate inhibits the Ca2+ accumulation elicited by the ethanol/osmotic stress. The Ca2+ flux is primarily via the Cch1 Ca2+ influx channel because strains carrying deletions of the cch1 and mid1 genes show greater than 90% reduction in Ca2+ flux. Furthermore, a functional Cch1 channel reduced growth inhibition by ethanol.
On the neutron spectrum and multiplication factor in the infinite homogeneous reactor

The analysis of the infinite homogeneous reactor can be useful to have a quick understanding of nuclear reactor phenomena. Thanks to the fact that the neutron emission spectrum from fission is modeled in order to depend neither on the energy of the incident neutron nor on the fissioning nuclide, the critical neutron balance equation can be transformed from an eigenvalue problem to a simple inhomogeneous system. Similar considerations can be addressed to the adjoint problem and to the generalized importance, which can be computed with direct expressions. After having derived the equations relative to the above quantities, we apply them to the investigation of some features of the neutron spectrum in UO2 and MOX fuel. We deduce some relationships between the properties of the medium and the neutron spectrum, such as the independence of the neutron spectrum from the fission cross section and the neutron multiplicity. We show also in which extent these conclusions can be applied to real reactors.
Sustainability SI: Optimal Prices of Electricity at Public Charging Stations for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

With an increasing deployment of plug-in electric vehicles, evaluating and mitigating the impacts of additional electrical loads created by these vehicles on power distribution grids become more important. This paper explores the use of prices of electricity at public charging stations as an instrument, in couple of road pricing, to better manage both power distribution and urban transportation networks. More specifically, a multi-class combined distribution and assignment model is formulated to capture the spatial distribution of plug-in electric vehicles across the transportation network and estimate the electrical loads they impose on the power distribution network. Power flow equations are subsequently solved to estimate real power losses. Prices of electricity at public charging stations and road tolls are then optimized to minimize both real power losses in the distribution grid and total travel time in the urban transportation network. The pricing model is formulated as a mathematical program with complementarity constraints and solved by a manifold suboptimization algorithm and a pattern search method. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed model and solution algorithms.
Primate Pupillary Light Reflex: Receptive Field Characteristics of Pretectal Luminance Neurons

This study examined the response properties of luminance neurons found within the pretectal olivary nucleus (PON), which is the pretectal nucleus that mediates the primate pupillary light reflex. We recorded the activity of 121 single units in alert, behaving rhesus monkeys trained to fixate a back-projected laser spot while a luminance stimulus was presented. The change in the firing rate of luminance neurons was measured as a function of changes in the size, retinal illuminance, and position of the stimulus. We found that these neurons possessed large receptive fields, which were sufficiently distinct that they could be placed into three classes. Approximately 40% of the PON luminance neurons responded well to stimuli presented in either the contralateral or ipsilateral hemifield. These neurons were classified as "bilateral" neurons. In the primate, retinal projections to the pretectum and other retinorecipient nuclei are organized such that direct retinal input can only account for the contralateral hemifield responses of these neurons. Thus the representation of the ipsilateral hemifield in "bilateral" PON cells must result from input from a nonretinal source. Approximately 30% of PON neurons responded only to stimuli presented in the contralateral hemifield. These neurons were classified as "contralateral" neurons. Finally, approximately 30% of PON neurons responded to stimuli presented at or near the animal's fixation point. These neurons were classified as "macular" neurons. The mean firing rates of all classes of neurons increased with increases in stimulus size and luminance within their receptive fields. The thresholds and magnitude of these responses closely matched those that would be appropriate for mediating the pupillary light reflex. In summary, these results suggest that all three classes of PON neurons contribute to the behaviorally observed pupillomotor field characteristics in which stimuli at the macular produce substantially larger pupillary responses than more peripheral stimuli. The contributions of "bilateral" and "contralateral" cells account for pupillary responses evoked by peripheral changes in luminance, whereas the contributions of all three cell classes account for the larger pupillary responses evoked by stimuli in the central visual field.
Particle filtering to improve the dynamic accuracy of electromagnetic tracking

Tracking systems play a crucial role in many computer-assisted interventions by providing precise tool position and orientation with respect to the patient anatomy. In this study, we focus on a Particle Filtering (PF) approach to enhance the dynamic tracking performance of an electromagnetic tracking (EMT) system, even when the transmit coils are driven sequentially and/or the receive coils are not sampled simultaneously (indeed, it is applicable to any EMT system). The PF is applied to a custom EMT that consists of an array of transmitting coils and one (or more) receiving coils. The dynamic tracking accuracy is tested using a motorized linear stage to precisely move the receiving coil at different velocities. The results indicate that the PF provides an accurate estimate of the 5 degree of freedom (DOF) position and orientation of the receiving coil. Furthermore, it is shown that the dynamic tracking error is independent of the velocity for the range of velocities tested.
Structure and form of early Gothic flying buttresses

This paper explores the structural function of early Gothic flying buttresses. Their effectiveness is evaluated under minimum thrust conditions using conventional limit analysis. The significance o...
Blood Pressure Measurement in Childhood Epidemiological Studies

Background Accurate measurement of blood pressure in childhood epidemiological studies requires standardized conditions, valid instruments, and multiple measurements. Methods and Results We used published literature and our own data to make recommendations on the reduction of biases caused by various technical factors, to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of selected measurement devices, and to evaluate the optimal number of visits and measurements per visit for accurate estimation of a child’s blood pressure level. The conditions under which blood pressure is measured should be standardized. This includes training and certification to minimize observer biases; equipment factors such as use of an appropriate cuff bladder size, subject factors such as minimizing activities before and during the reading, environmental factors such as accounting for the time of day and ambient temperature, and technique factors such as recording both the fourth and fifth Korotkoff sounds. The choice of instrument for ...
Syndecan-4 regulates ATF-2 transcriptional activity in a Rac1-dependent manner

Syndecan-4 is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan that co-operates with integrins during cell-matrix interactions for the assembly of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers and in the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) on Tyr397. These cellular events are regulated by the small GTPase Rho, and in the absence of syndecan-4 ligation, cellular levels of GTP-bound Rho are decreased implicating syndecan-4 in the regulation of the small GTPases. In the present study we report that, compared with wild type cells, fibronectin-adherent syndecan-4-null fibroblasts showed enhanced lamellipodia and increased Rac1 activity that could be down-regulated by re-expression of syndecan-4 in the mutant cells. Consistent with the role for Rac1 in activating p38 and JNK signaling, syndecan-4-null cells display higher levels of active p38 MAPK and JNK that were abolished by the expression of a dominant-negative RacN17 mutant. Since p38 and JNK regulate gene expression by phosphorylating and activating transcription factors, we compared both the phosphorylation state and the transcriptional activity of the ATF-2 transcription factor, as a direct p38 and JNK target in syndecan-4-null and wild type cells. In the absence of syndecan-4, both ATF-2 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity were significantly more elevated compared with wild type cells, and both activities were decreased either by the re-expression of syndecan-4 or by the expression of RacN17. Our results reveal a novel function for syndecan-4 in modulating nuclear transcriptional activity and indicate an underlying mechanism that acts at the level of Rac1-p38/JNK signaling.
Is There a Philosophy of Information

In 2002, Luciano Floridi published a paper called What is the Philosophy of Information?, where he argues for a new paradigm in philosophical research. To what extent should his proposal be accepted? Is the Philosophy of Information actually a new paradigm, in the Kuhninan sense, in Philosophy? Or is it only a new branch of Epistemology? In our discussion we will argue in defense of Floridi’s proposal. We believe that Philosophy of Information has the types of features had by other areas already acknowledge as authentic in Philosophy. By way of an analogical argument we will argue that since Philosophy of Information has its own topics, method and problems it would be counter-intuitive not to accept it as a new philosophical area. To strengthen our position we present and discuss main topics of Philosophy of Information.
Effects of newly introduced chemotherapeutic agents on a cytogenetically highly malignant neuroblastoma, xenotransplanted in nude mice☆

Abstract A human neuroblastoma xenograft, designated TNB9, was used in this experiment. This xenograft is known to have a homogeneously staining region (HSR) on chromosome 20 and to exhibit 60- to 100-fold amplification of clones 8, G21 and N- myc , and showed a rapid tumor weight doubling time of 5.9 days; it represents one of the most malignant strains of human neuroblastoma. The effects of nine different chemotherapeutic agents on this xenograft were studied according to the standard Battelle Columbus Laboratories protocol, and the in vivo chemotherapeutic sensitivity assessment disclosed that Mitomycin C, Ifosfamide, and Carboplatin were highly effective against it, while VP-16, NK-171, 5-Fluorouracil, and THP-Adriamycin were ineffective. Cytogenetic and molecular-cytogenetic analyses suggest that the present data may accurately predict the clinical results with these chemotherapeutic agents in treating patients in advanced stages, as did those from our previous studies. Inclusion of Mitomycin C, Ifosamide, and/or Carboplatin into a new chemotherapeutic protocol may be recommended.
Clearing the Confusion over Hepatic Encephalopathy After TIPS Creation: Incidence, Prognostic Factors, and Clinical Outcomes

To assess the incidence, prognostic factors, and clinical outcomes of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. In this single-institution retrospective study, 191 patients (m:f = 114:77, median age 54 years, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease or MELD score 14) who underwent TIPS creation between 1999 and 2013 were studied. Medical record review was used to identify demographic characteristics, liver disease, procedure, and outcome data. Post-TIPS HE within 30 days was defined by new mental status changes and was graded according to the West Haven classification system. The influence of data parameters on HE occurrence and 90-day mortality was assessed using binary logistic regression. TIPS was successfully created with hemodynamic success in 99 % of cases. Median final PSG was 7 mmHg. HE incidence within 30 days was 42 % (81/191; 22 % de novo, 12 % stable, and 8 % worsening). Degrees of HE included grade 1 (46 %), grade 2 (29 %), grade 3 (18 %), and grade 4 (7 %). Medical therapy typically addressed HE, and shunt reduction was necessary in only three cases. MELD score (P = 0.020) and age (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with HE development on multivariate analysis. Occurrence of de novo HE post-TIPS did not associate with 90-day mortality (P = 0.400), in contrast to worsening HE (P < 0.001). The incidence of post-TIPS HE is non-trivial, but symptoms are typically mild and medically managed. HE rates are higher in older patients and those with worse liver function and should be contemplated when counseling on expected TIPS outcomes and post-procedure course.
Emissions from premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion and affect on emission control devices

Abstract A light-duty diesel engine has been operated in advanced combustion modes known generally as premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI). The emissions have been characterized for several load and speed combinations. Fewer NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions are produced by PCCI, but higher CO and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions result. In addition, the nature of the PM differs from conventional combustion; the PM is smaller and has a much higher soluble organic fraction (SOF) content (68% vs. 30% for conventional combustion). Three catalyst technologies were studied to determine the affects of HECC on catalyst performance; the technologies were a lean NOx trap (LNT), diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), and diesel particulate filter (DPF). The LNT benefited greatly from the reduced NOx emissions associated with PCCI. NOx capacity requirements are reduced as well as overall tailpipe NOx levels particularly at low load and temperature conditions where regeneration of the LNT is difficult. The DOC performance requirements for PCCI are more stringent due to the higher CO and HC emissions; however, the DOC was effective at controlling the higher CO and HC emissions at conditions above the light-off temperature. Below light-off, CO and HC emissions are problematic. The study of DPF technology focused on the fuel penalties associated with DPF regeneration or “desoot” due to the different PM loading rates from PCCI vs. conventional combustion. Less frequent desoot events were required from the lower PM from PCCI and, when used in conjunction with an LNT, the lower PM from less frequent LNT regeneration. The lower desoot frequency leads a ∼3% fuel penalty for a mixture of PCCI and conventional loads vs. ∼4% for conventional only combustion.