cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The demand to initiate medical care: A morbidity specific analysis

Abstract The dependence of the one year probability of utilizing preventive services and the one year probability of utilizing visits for acute micro-organism disease in the Kaiser-Oregon Prepaid Medical Care System on ten (10) explanatory factors has been investigated using a multiple logistic function analysis. Our results demonstrate the importance of disaggregating the population and the type of medical care when investigating the determinants of utilizing service. This is especially important for understanding the underlying structure of medical care utilization decisions. The study also illustrates a potentially fruitful application of the multivariate logistic analysis to the fields of health care planning and policy analysis. The use of specific types of medical care in the short-term is probabilistic and depends on many factors. For most groups, the multivariate logistic approach produces an analysis reasonably consistent with the actual data. Further research is needed to test the predictive ability of these types of utilization models and to investigate the determinants of other morbidity specific types of medical care utilization. The problem will then be to develop a model of the quantity of alternative types of services utilized-conditioned on the number of persons initiating service for alternative health reasons.
Nitrate in Polluted Mountainous Catchments with Mediterranean Climates

The mountains of southern California receive some of the highest rates of nitrogen (N) deposition in the world (~40 kg ha�1 year�1). These high rates of deposition have translated into consistently high levels of nitrate (NO3�) in some streams of the San Bernardino Mountains. However, not all streams are exhibiting these high levels of NO3�. Perennial streams have high NO3� concentrations (~200 [b.mu ]moles l�1) while ephemeral streams do not (~20 [b.mu ]moles l�1). This difference points to groundwater as the source of the NO3� observed in streams. Furthermore, the evidence indicates a differential impact of N deposition on terrestrial and aquatic systems in Mediterranean climates, with aquatic systems being impacted more quickly. The primary reason for this difference involves the asynchrony between the time that atmospheric deposition occurs (summer), the time period of maximum soil NO3� availability and leaching (winter), and the time of maximum plant N demand (spring). Our results indicate that semiarid Mediterranean climate systems behave differently from more humid systems in that, because of this asynchrony, aquatic systems may not be indicative of changes in terrestrial ecosystem response. These differences lead us to the conclusion that the extrapolation of impacts from humid to Mediterranean climates is problematic and the concept of N saturation may need to be revisited for semiarid and seasonally dry systems.
Multivariate analysis and quantitation of 17O-nuclear magnetic resonance in primary alcohol mixtures

Abstract Multivariate techniques were used to address the quantification of 17 O-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for a series of primary alcohol mixtures. Due to highly overlapping resonances, quantitative spectral evaluation using standard integration and deconvolution techniques proved difficult. Multivariate evaluation of the 17 O-NMR spectral data obtained for 26 mixtures of five primary alcohols demonstrated that obtaining information about spectral overlap and interferences allowed the development of more accurate models. Initial partial least squares (PLS) models developed for the 17 O-NMR data collected from the primary alcohol mixtures resulted in very poor precision, with signal overlap between the different chemical species suspected of being the primary contributor to the error. To directly evaluate the question of spectral overlap in these alcohol mixtures, net analyte signal (NAS) analyses were performed. The NAS results indicate that alcohols with similar chain lengths produced severely overlapping 17 O-NMR resonances. Grouping the alcohols based on chain length allowed more accurate and robust calibration models to be developed.
Optimization of breast imaging procedure with dedicated compact gamma cameras

Results are presented on studies conducted with various prototypes of a dedicated small field-of-view (SFOV) gamma camera for use in radiopharmaceutical studies of the breast. Since the experience in the clinical use of such instruments is limited, these experiments were conducted to test various clinical imaging implementations. Both planar and tomographic techniques were utilized to image various compressed and noncompressed breast phantoms. Lesion contrast was used to quantify the lesion visibility of each case. The results of this study indicate that lesion contrast is optimized with planar imaging of the compressed breast and that contrast is also dependent on lesion-to-detector distance. Based on these observations, planar imaging conducted with a system comprised of two opposed detectors providing compression to the breast would be optimal. The opposed views would ensure the minimization of lesion-to-detector distance, especially for lesions whose location is not known a-priori.
SU-E-T-129: Dosimetric Evaluation of the Impact of Density Correction On Dose Calculation of Breast Cancer Treatment: A Study Based On RTOG 1005 Cases

Purpose: RTOG 1005 requires density correction in the dose calculation of breast cancer radiation treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of density correction on the dose calculation. Methods: Eight cases were studied, which were planned on an XiO treatment planning system with pixel-by-pixel density correction using a superposition algorithm, following RTOG 1005 protocol requirements. Four were protocol Arm 1 (standard whole breast irradiation with sequential boost) cases and four were Arm 2 (hypofractionated whole breast irradiation with concurrent boost) cases. The plans were recalculated with the same monitor units without density correction. Dose calculations with and without density correction were compared. Results: Results of Arm 1 and Arm 2 cases showed similar trends in the comparison. The average differences between the calculations with and without density correction (difference = Without - With) among all the cases were: -0.82 Gy (range: -2.65∼−0.18 Gy) in breast PTV Eval D95, −0.75 Gy (range: −1.23∼0.26 Gy) in breast PTV Eval D90, −1.00 Gy (range: −2.46∼−0.29 Gy) in lumpectomy PTV Eval D95, −0.78 Gy (range: −1.30∼0.11 Gy) in lumpectomy PTV Eval D90, −0.43% (range: −0.95∼−0.14%) in ipsilateral lung V20, −0.81% (range: −1.62∼−0.26%) in V16, −1.95% (range: −4.13∼−0.84%) in V10, −2.64%more » (−5.55∼−1.04%) in V8, −4.19% (range: −6.92∼−1.81%) in V5, and −4.95% (range: −7.49∼−2.01%) in V4, respectively. The differences in other normal tissues were minimal. Conclusion: The effect of density correction was observed in breast target doses (an average increase of ∼1 Gy in D95 and D90, compared to the calculation without density correction) and exposed ipsilateral lung volumes in low dose region (average increases of ∼4% and ∼5% in V5 and V4, respectively)« less
Hydrogen production in the radiolysis of bromide solutions

Abstract The radiolysis of water without a protecting agent is found to form a low steady-state concentration of molecular hydrogen. The addition of bromide anion leads to a linear response for molecular hydrogen production with doses up to 300 kGy. Bromide concentrations are found to remain constant over this dose range due to recycling of the oxidized species containing the bromine atom by hydrated electrons, H atoms or HO 2 (O 2 − ). This process appears to occur many times with little change in total bromide anion concentration. Efficient electron scavengers are found to have no effect on bromide anion concentration except possibly at extremely high concentrations. Nitrous oxide saturated solutions show a significant depletion of bromide anion concentration with a concurrent formation of BrO 3 − and a suppressed yield of molecular hydrogen.
Cleft palate repair: art and issues

Caring for the child with cleft palate requires a multidisciplinary approach that begins with evaluation for other possible congenital anomalies, decisions about timing of repair, and choice of techniques. Postoperative follow-up similarly requires a team approach and should include an otolaryngologist, an orthodontist, and a speech therapist. The art of cleft palate repair has enjoyed a decade rich in new developments. New techniques have been developed, and standard techniques have been refined. Most importantly, the need for prospective, randomized trials to objectively compare surgical techniques has been recognized. Initiation and completion of these trials will improve outcomes for patients with cleft palate repairs.
Floristic composition, beta diversity, and nestedness of reference sites for restoration of xeroriparian areas.

In restoration ecology, reference sites serve as models for areas to be restored and can provide a standard of comparison for restoration project outcomes. When reference sites are located a relatively long distance from associated restoration projects, differences in climate, disturbance history, and biogeography can increase beta diversity and may decrease the relevance of reference sites. Variation in factors at the scale of individual reference sites such as patch size, microclimate, barriers to dispersal, or soil chemistry can result in reference site species composition that is a nested subset of the regional species pool. In the western United States, restoration of riparian areas, particularly those occupied by Tamarix spp., has become a priority; however, little is known about suitable native replacement vegetation communities for relatively dry and saline riparian terraces that comprise many of the sites where Tamarix is removed prior to restoration activities. We studied plant communities on riparian terraces along five rivers in New Mexico, USA, to (1) determine whether the floristic composition of reference sites can be predicted by easily measured soil variables such as pH, salinity (electric conductivity), and texture; (2) examine the extent of distance decay in the compositional similarity of xeroriparian plant communities in the southwestern United States; and (3) determine the degree of nestedness in xeroriparian plant communities in relationship to soil variables. We found that sites clustered into groups based largely on variation in soil salinity and texture. Vegetation across all sites was highly nested with dominant, salt-tolerant species found on most soil groups and salt-intolerant subordinate species restricted to low- salinity soils. The identity of subordinate species was largely site dependent, causing all sites to have the same low degree of similarity regardless of the distance between them. We conclude that, when planning restoration projects on dry and saline riparian sites, soil salinity and texture are good predictors of which species will be most suited to the area being restored, but a candidate species pool should be developed from the nearest possible reference sites, particularly for subordinate species.
New varicella vaccines

The live attenuated varicella vaccine, which is available for the prevention of chickenpox, was produced by a classic technology that also has been used for polio, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. There are many newer technologies that have been applied to the research and development of other vaccines. Each of these other approaches offers potential advantages and disadvantages relative to the current varicella vaccine.
Novel Cu(II)Cd(II) macrocyclic complex that hydrolyzes an activated phosphate diester

Abstract The dinucleating macrocyclic ligand 3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaaza-29,30-dihydroxy-13,27-dimethyl-tricyclo[23,3,1,1 11,15 ] triaconta-1(28),11,13,15(30),25,26,-hexaene(BDBPH) was synthesized from [2+2] condensation between a diethylenetriamine lead(II) mononuclear complex and diformal- p -cresol. By stepwise synthesis, the heterodinuclear Cu(II)Cd(II) complex was obtained. The single crystal was triclinic, space group P 1, with cell constants a =13.2675(10) A, b =16.4655(13) A, c =17.9502(14) A, α =87.78(10), β =68.69(10), γ =74.81(10), V =3517.6(3) A and Z =4. Potentiometric titration reveals that Cu(II)Cd(II)BDBPHOH species dominate in basic solution from pH 7 to 12. In the hydrolysis of BNP, this dinuclear complex can provide both Lewis acid and base sites to an active phosphate diester in which nucleophilic OH − attacks the substrate to fulfill the hydrolysis cycle. In this system the synergic two functional groups in one catalyst molecule exerted remarkable catalytic activity towards hydrolysis of BNP.
Loosening the bonds of conventionalism: problems and possibilities of a transformative pedagogy

Abstract As two teacher-educators, the authors advocate for democratic practices in classrooms. They describe how, in their Masters programme for veteran teachers, they have grappled to undercut conventions of schooling, which thwart teacher activism. They look critically at how market-driven notions such as efficiency, clarity and outside expertise constrain how teachers think and go about their work, entrenching generic, rather than tailored responses to individual students. The writers describe how they attempt to undermine these forces and they trace the difficulties they encounter along the way. They offer a description of an arts-based curriculum that challenges teachers to surface, revisit, and rethink the ideologies and assumptions that guide their thinking and practices. Such an approach to curriculum, the authors claim, can awaken the critical consciousness of teachers, and motivate them to more creative and empowering practices, practices that provide a freeing context for students to pursue th...
Altered Immunohistochemical Localization of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor after Bleomycin-Induced Lung Injury

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent inducer of growth and proliferation for many cell types involved in wound healing. Although bFGF has previously been identified in lung tissue, its role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. We investigated the distribution of bFGF after bleomycin-induced lung injury in the rat in hope of learning how bFGF might participate in the process of lung injury, repair and fibrosis. Increased immunoreactive bFGF was found in the extracellular matrix after bleomycin and co-localized to a marker of active cell proliferation. This suggests that bFGF may participate in directing cell proliferation following lung injury. In addition, a marked increase in the number of mast cells with strong reactivity for bFGF was found at days 14 and 21 after bleomycin. These cells may represent a source of bFGF during the fibroproliferative stage after lung injury.
Heterogeneity of gum arabic and its salts

Abstract Moving-boundary electrophoresis experiments with the alkali-metal salts of gum arabic have shown the existence of a previously unreported, minor component. This component arises when gum arabic is kept in solution for several days, and it appears to be a hydrolysis product. From the frictional coefficients, calculated from the electrophoretic mobilities at infinite ionic strength, it was deduced that the hydrolysis proceeds with the removal of specific branches from the main backbone of the gum arabic molecule. Approximately 35 percent of the branches are more readily hydrolysed than the others and, thus, are different from the rest of the branches. The labile branches appear to be made more susceptible to hydrolysis by a physical change, possibly dehydration, that occurs in crude gum arabic when it is stored in the dry state. The equivalent weight of the hydrolysis product is 1490, compared to 1190 for gum arabic. The electrophoretic data, combined with light-scattering data, indicate that its molecular weight is approximately 20 percent less than that of gum arabic, but that, in solution, its molecules are larger than those of gum arabic. The high molecular weights observed in light-scattering experiments have been shown to be due to the presence of the hydrolysis product, which appears to cause aggregation through hydrogen bonding. The aggregates are very loosely held together, however, and can break apart in an electric field and in a shear field. At high ionic strengths, both gum arabic and its hydrolysis product are free-draining, and both have very large frictional coefficients, indicative of the large size of the ionic segments in these molecules.
Image forces and potential energy of a dislocation around a crack tip

Abstract The image forces on a dislocation due to the presence of a semi-infinite crack derived by Rice and Thomson and by Asaro are used to calculate the potential energy of the dislocation around the crack. Explicit expressions and some graphs for radial and tangential forces and for slip and climb forces are presented.
Wave attenuation as a measure of muscle quality as measured by magnetic resonance elastography : Initial results

Advances in imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) have allowed researchers to gain insights into muscle function in vivo. MRE has been used to examine healthy and diseased muscle by calculating shear modulus. However, additional information can be measured from visualizing a mechanical wave as it passes through a tissue. One such measurable quantity is wave attenuation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a simple measure of wave attenuation could be used to distinguish between healthy and diseased muscle. Twenty seven subjects (14 healthy controls, 7 hyperthyroid myopathy patients, 6 myositis patients) participated in this study. Wave amplitude was determined along a linear profile through the center of the muscle, and an exponential decay curve was fit to the data. This measure was able to find significant differences in attenuation between healthy and diseased muscle. Furthermore, four hyperthyroid myopathy subjects who were tested following treatment all showed improvement by this measure. A likely reason for patients with hyperthyroid myopathy and myositis behaving similarly is that this measurement may reflect similar changes in the muscle extracellular matrix. In addition to modulus, attenuation seems to be an important parameter to measure in skeletal muscle. Further research is needed to investigate other potential measures of attenuation as well as examining other potential measures that can be found from visualizing wave propagation. Future studies should also include muscle biopsies to confirm that the changes seen are as a result of changes in extracellular matrix structure.
Of Bandwagons and Bathwater: The Value of Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Child Psychiatric Research

his installment of Translations introduces a modality of functional magnetic resonance T imaging (fMRI), often called resting state fMRI (R-fMRI), and discusses its relevance to child psychiatry. The authors provide an introduction to R-fMRI, point out the salient differences between standard task-based fMRI and R-fMRI, outline its major strengths and weaknesses, and discuss potential ramifications of this approach from a clinical and developmental perspective. As reviewed by several investigators, multiple lines of neuroimaging research converged in the 1990s to create renewed interest in brain activity that occurs during “rest.” The idea of using neuroimaging to study spontaneous as opposed to evoked brain activity initially met with resistance. In process, it ran counter to the scientific precept of testing two experimental conditions against each other, which, in the context of functional neuroimaging, has been transformative for cognitive neuroscience. By content, the idea of measuring spontaneous brain activity was immediately complicated by ideas of consciousness and the many historical layers of the mind-brain dialectic. Despite these thorny beginnings, R-fMRI approaches have rapidly proliferated in clinical neuroscience over the past 5 years. R-fMRI data are based on the same blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) signal that is collected in the magnet during task-based fMRI (Table 1 lists acronyms commonly used in the field). However, R-fMRI focuses on spontaneous fluctuations in the BOLD signal that are usually treated as “noise” or “baseline” in task-based fMRI studies. These fluctuations are extremely slow (generally fewer than six cycles per minute) and exhibit amplitudes that are often more than one order of magnitude larger than the evoked signal changes observed with task-based fMRI. The most common way to record these signal
Method for in-field evaluation of the modulation transfer function of electronic display devices

Electronic medical display devices require routine monitoring of their resolution characteristics. This paper introduces a methodology for the assessment of resolution (MTF) characteristics of display devices using a photographic-grade CCD camera, and reports initial MTF measurements on a 5 megapixel medical CRT display device at three display resolution settings. The intrinsic performance of the camera was first evaluated. The camera was placed at a 2 cm distance form the display's faceplate and focused on the image plane. For each MTF assessment, the images of two test patterns were captured without moving the camera, each containing a single-pixel-wide, low- modulation (20% positive contrast) horizontal or orthogonal MTFs were deduced by 1) linearizing the data, 2) identifying the angle of the line transition within the images, 3) reprojecting the 2D data along that direction to determine the line spread function (LSF), and 4) Fourier transforming of the LSF. The results demonstrate that the methodology produces reproducible results in the orthogonal directions and is sensitive to the resolution setting of the display device. The instrumentation needed for the method is portable and can easily be utilized in a clinical setting.
Language and Words: Communication in the Analects of Confucius

Despite attention to effects of Confucianism on Asian communication, views of Confucian philosophy are hampered by predilection to look at its social implications rather than Confucius's many observations about words and speaking. Comprehensive examination of Confucian Analects yields four principles: (a) words define and reflect moral development, (b) beautiful words lacking substance are blameworthy, (c) actions are more important than words, and (d) appropriate speaking relies on rules of propriety. Five weaknesses are found in current views linking Confucianism and Asian communication: (a) collectivist metaphors are inappropriately foregrounded, (b) social position is assumed incompatible with individual will, (c) moral character is excluded from discussion of language in Confucian societies, (d) personal freedom is thought the essence of ability to reason and formulate messages, and (e) Confucianism is used retroactively to explain observed communication behaviors in Confucian societies. Research sug...
Venous Thromboembolism in Pregnancy

In Western nations, venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity and the most common cause of maternal death during pregnancy and the puerperium. Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state in which coagulation is activated and thrombolysis inhibited. This prothrombotic risk is compounded when hereditary and acquired thrombophilias and other prothrombotic risk factors are present. The risk of venous thrombotic events is increased fivefold during pregnancy and 60-fold in the first 3 months after delivery (postpartum period) compared with nonpregnant women. Many of the signs and symptoms of VTE overlap those of a normal pregnancy, which complicates the diagnosis. Patients with history of previous VTE should use graduated compression stockings throughout pregnancy and the puerperium, and should receive postpartum anticoagulant prophylaxis. The indications for antepartum anticoagulant prophylaxis are somewhat controversial. This article reviews the management of VTE during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
Morphological and Phenotypic Analyses of the Human Placenta Using Whole Mount Immunofluorescence

The human placenta performs multiple essential functions required for successful pregnancy. Alterations in the placental vasculature have been implicated in severe complications of pregnancy. Despite the importance of placental vascular function during pregnancy, there are gaps in our knowledge regarding the molecular pathways that control vessel development. Furthermore, there are limited tools available to simultaneously examine the morphology, phenotype, and spatial arrangement of cells within intact placental structures. To overcome these limitations, we developed whole mount immunofluorescence (WMIF) of the human placenta. Morphological analyses using WMIF revealed that blood vessel structures were consistent with an immature, angiogenic morphology in first-trimester placentas and mature, remodeled endothelium at term. To investigate placental expression of factors that control blood vessel development, we utilized WMIF to examine gestation age-specific expression of 1) the receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3), which are required for placental vascular development in mice, and 2) activated, tyrosine phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), a transcription factor that mediates VEGFR2 signaling. We detected high levels of VEGFR2, VEGFR3, and pSTAT3 expression in early placental blood vessels that were significantly diminished by term. VEGFR1 was expressed primarily in trophoblast and Hofbauer cells throughout gestation. Based on our collective results, we propose that VEGFR2, VEGFR3, and STAT3 play essential roles in the development of the human placental vasculature. In addition, we anticipate that WMIF will provide a powerful approach for comparing placental morphology and protein expression in normal versus pathological pregnancies and for investigating the effects of environmental factors on placental function.
The Effects of Mind Mapping Activities on Students' Motivation

We examined how students‟ motivation differed when they participated in three different types of mind mapping activities: one activity that was completed individually outside of class time, one that was completed individually in class with the instructor available for help, and one that was completed in class with other students and the instructor available for help. Using the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation (Jones, 2009) as a framework, we implemented a concurrent mixed methods design using identical samples whereby the quantitative component was dominant over the qualitative component. Participants included 40 undergraduate students enrolled in an educational psychology course at a U.S. university. After each of the mind mapping activities, study participants completed questionnaires that included open- and closed-ended items. Although the three activities had similar effects on students‟ motivation-related beliefs, some differences were documented in their preferences of mind mapping activities. Instructional implications are provided.
PHYTOCHROME A AND PHYTOCHROME B MEDIATE THE HYPOCOTYL-SPECIFIC DOWNREGULATION OF TUB1 BY LIGHT IN ARABIDOPSIS

Arabidopsis contains six alpha-tubulin and nine beta-tubulin genes that are expressed in a tissue-specific and developmentally regulated manner. We analyzed the effects of light on tubulin mRNA abundance in Arabidopsis seedlings using RNA gel blot hybridizations and gene-specific probes. Transcript levels of all 15 tubulin genes were decreased by continuous white light, although to different degrees. Detailed analysis was performed with the beta-tubulin TUB1 gene. The transcript level of TUB1 was high in etiolated seedlings and decreased to approximately 20% of the dark mRNA level after 2 to 6 hr of white light treatment. We showed that this downregulation requires high-irradiance light treatment and that multiple photoreceptors are involved. In particular, using phytochrome mutants and narrow wave band light, we demonstrated that both the phytochrome A (phyA)-mediated far-red light high-irradiance response and the phytochrome B (phyB)-mediated red light high-irradiance response are involved in the downregulation of TUB1 expression by white light. Histochemical analysis of transgenic plants expressing a TUB1-beta-glucuronidase chimeric transgene indicated that the downregulation observed only in hypocotyls and not in roots is controlled transcriptionally.
An object and performance framework for implementation of web-based knowledge sharing technology

Any e-organization, whether it is commercial or governmental, requires a knowledge management support in order to achieve optimal performance. Many of the technologies that serve the operations of such organizations can also support knowledge management to facilitate efficient knowledge sharing and reuse. Thus, e-organizations should be at the forefront in the use of knowledge management. This paper examines systems of knowledge management used in large organizations. The limitations of traditional organizational schemes are examined, including the tie to the traditional pre-digital knowledge unit, the multi-page document. An action research approach is taken towards the question of how we improve upon traditional approaches using the technology available in conjunction with approaches arising from organizational research. A new framework is described where knowledge is packaged into objects and classified by organizational performance roles and goals. A prototype implementation of the framework was developed in order to test its feasibility. Evaluation of the prototype suggests that the system could result in a more intuitive organizational framework that enables workers to obtain appropriate knowledge support in a timely manner without the need for extensive search, and also facilitates greater reuse and sharing of knowledge.
Stationary Planetary Waves in Upper Mesospheric Winds

Abstract Quasi-stationary planetary-scale longitudinal variations are found in the upper mesospheric winds measured during winter by the HRDI satellite instrument. These are negatively correlated with eddy winds in the stratosphere. Two different mechanisms are proposed to explain the mesospheric perturbation winds and their anticorrelation with stratospheric winds: 1) Planetary waves propagate through the stratosphere and into the mesosphere, with a phase shift of one-half cycle and 2) mesospheric perturbations are forced in situ by gravity waves whose spectrum has longitudinal asymmetries due to filtering by planetary waves in the stratosphere. The first mechanism is more consistent with the observations during Southern Hemisphere late winter (August) and also may explain the observations during Northern Hemisphere early winter (December). The second mechanism gives a more consistent explanation for the Northern Hemisphere late winter observations, as previously shown by the author. The hemispheric diff...
Shaking up the Lesson Plan

Boil an egg, crack the shell, and what do you have? Voila, plate tectonics! It may not be the first thing that comes to mind for a seismologist, but when it comes to the middle school classroom, keeping it hands-on and fun are key. That was an important lesson learned by SSA member and geophysics professor Anne Sheehan after she partnered with the University of Colorado's Science Explorers program to develop a Natural Hazards middle school curriculum. Science Explorers, a professional development program for Colorado teachers of grades 5–8 and their students, offers activity-based, one-day science workshops throughout the school year. Supported by both university and private funds, Science Explorers tailors its inquiry-based activities for small teams made up of one teacher and five to six students. Workshops cater to about 20 teams per school district and are focused around a specific science theme that changes every year. Past programs have included lessons in chemistry, optics, water resources, and climate change. In total, about 20 district-based workshops are held each year around the state. “After the December 2004 tsunami devastated Indo-Pacific communities, Science Explorers wanted to design classroom activities that would build upon the public's interest in natural hazards and, in particular, tsunamis. They wanted students to learn about earthquakes and plate tectonics, as well as natural hazards that are common in Colorado, like wildfires and avalanches,” said Sheehan, who is a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder professor and a Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) fellow. Lannie Hagan, then the director of Science …
Ceramics in Pollution Control

The important continuing and new applications of ceramics and ceramic materials to the control of pollution in the air, water, and land media are generally considered to be mundane in comparison with other more sophisticated applications. Nevertheless, ceramics enjoy major and growing uses in generation of electric power, including nuclear fuel in biological wastewater treatment in control of odor, hydrocarbon, and particulate emissions from stationary sources to the atmosphere in control of emissions to the atmosphere from mobile sources.
Eliza in SNOBOL4

When implemented in Snobol4, Eliza is dramatically shorter and simpler than the original Fortran program. The brevity of the rewritten Eliza greatly enhances its value in a course on artificial intelligence. The complete program, and a portion of a script are included as Appendices.
The best practices: use of the guidelines by ten state tobacco control programs.

Results: Lead agencies and advisory agencies were the most familiar with the guidelines, while other state agencies were less aware of the guidelines. Participants’ prioritization of the nine components was closely related to the lead agencies’ estimated category expenditures. Three states modified the guidelines to develop more-tailored frameworks. Major strengths of the guidelines included providing a basic program framework and state-specific funding recommendations. The guidelines did not address implementation strategies or tobaccorelated disparities, and had not been updated with current evidence-based research. Conclusions: The guidelines are important recommendations for state tobacco control programs. To continue to be useful to states, the guidelines need to be updated to address implementation and tobacco disparities, and include additional evidence-based examples. Active dissemination of updated guidelines needs to be increased beyond typical consumers to other tobacco control partners such as coalitions and other state agencies.
Adjuvant radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer is associated with a survival benefit primarily in stage IIB patients.

Background The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for pancreatic cancer remains controversial despite the completion of three multi-institutional randomized trials. This study examines the survival impact of postoperative RT in a large population-based database.
Effects of group size and repeated social disruption on the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in two genetic lines of White Leghorn laying hens

Farm practices such as increasing group size (GS) and mixing unfamiliar chickens may result in repeated social disruption (RSD) and affect the well-being of hens. To examine whether there are genetic differences in response to social stress, 2 genetic strains of White Leghorn hens were used [i.e., high group production and survivability (HGPS) and DeKalb XL commercial strain (DXL). At 50 wk of age, social stress was created by increasing GS from 4 hens (control) to 8 hens (experimental) per cage and removing hens within the stressed groups to create 4 treatments (control-HGPS, control-DXL, GS/RSD-HGPS, and GS/RSD-DXL). For RSD, 2 hens per cage were moved weekly among the experimental cages within the same treatment. At 58 wk of age, blood sample and brain were collected from 1 hen per cage (n = 10 per treatment). Whole-blood tryptophan and serotonin (5-HT) and plasma norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), and dopamine (DA) were analyzed by HPLC. The raphe nuclei and the hypothalamus (HYP) were dissected and analyzed by HPLC for the central NE, EP, DA, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), 5-HT, and the ratios of DOPAC:DA and 5-HIAA:5-HT. There were no line differences in the concentrations of peripheral tryptophan, 5-HT, EP, NE, and DA in response to GS-RSD (P > 0.10). However, neuronal transmitters were regulated differently in the different central nuclei between the lines. In the raphe nuclei, control-HGPS tended to have a higher 5-HIAA:5-HT ratio than the control-DXL (P = 0.09). Concentrations of EP were increased in the DXL hens (P < 0.01), whereas the HGPS hens had decreased levels of DOPAC (P < 0.05) and DA turnover (DOPAC:DA, P < 0.01) post GS-RSD. In the HYP, compared with relative controls, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of 5-HT, whereas the levels of 5-HIAA were reduced (P < 0.01) after GS-RSD, suggesting that GS-RSD led to a lower 5-HT turnover in the HYP. The results indicate that selection for docility and productivity alters serotonergic and catecholamine homeostasis in hens in response to social stress, GS-RSD.
Homogenized dynamic constitutive relation for Bloch-wave propagation in periodic composites: structure and symmetries

Central to the idea of metamaterials is the concept of dynamic homogenization which seeks to define frequency dependent effective properties for Bloch wave propagation. While the theory of static effective property calculations goes back about 60 years, progress in the actual calculation of dynamic effective properties for periodic composites has been made only very recently. Here we discuss the explicit form of the effective dynamic constitutive equations. We elaborate upon the existence and emergence of coupling in the dynamic constitutive relation and further symmetries of the effective tensors.
HUMAN AUGMENTATION AND EXOSKELETON SYSTEMS IN BERKELEY

Human–robot integration, in particular human augmentation, outlines the future of robotics. Although autonomous robotic systems perform remarkably in structured environments (e.g. factories), integrated human–robotic systems are superior to any autonomous robotic systems in unstructured environments that demand significant adaptation. In our research work at Berkeley, we have separated the technology associated with human power augmentation into lower extremity exoskeletons and upper extremity exoskeletons. The reason for this was two-fold: firstly, we could envision a great many applications for either a stand-alone lower or upper extremity exoskeleton in the immediate future. Secondly, and more importantly for the division is that the exoskeletons are in their early stages, and further research still needs to be conducted to ensure that the upper extremity exoskeleton and lower extremity exoskeleton can function well independently before we can venture an attempt to integrate them. With this in mind, we proceeded with the designs of the lower and upper extremity exoskeleton separately, with little concern for the development of an integrated exoskeleton. This article first gives a description of the upper extremity exoskeleton efforts and then will proceed with the more detailed description of the lower extremity exoskeleton.
Intervertebral disc calcification in adults: a review.

HE FIRST description of intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) appeared in a textbook of anatomy published in 1838,’ and IDC was seen on a clinical roentgenogram in 1922.” Although not common as a cause of physical signs or symptoms, IDC occurs in the general adult population in 5% and 6% of chest and plain abdominal x-rays, respectively.“.4 Perhaps the frequency of IDC is even higher, but extensive epidemiologic or pathologic studies are not available to provide these data. The clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of IDC in various diseases are presented in this review, with special reference to the etiology of the phenomenon. ANATOMY
Embedded compilation for multimedia applications

Reconfigurable computing obtains its performance advantage over fixed processors by creating hardware configurations that are specialized for a particular application. In some cases, this advantage can be pushed even further, by creating hardware specialized to a particular instance of an application. For many problems where this approach is applicable, such as automatic target recognition, template matching and encryption, the problem parameters can change often, even within a single program execution, requiring periodic, and potentially expensive, hardware reconfigurations. To support these applications, we propose a method for on-chip configuration generation, or embedded compilation, for use with Carnegie Mellon University's PipeRench reconfigurable processor. We describe PipeRench's performance in detail for one problem, template matching, relative to the newest general-purpose processors, and show how embedded compilation can be used to support multiple problem instances for a second problem, IDEA encryption.
Representation of stereoscopic edges in monkey visual cortex

Form perception in random-dot stereograms is based on information that resides in the correlation between the two images, but is not present in either image alone. We have studied the coding of stereoscopic figures in the neural activity of areas V1 and V2 of alert behaving monkeys. While cells in V1 generally responded according to the disparity of the surface at the receptive field, we found cells in area V2 that responded selectively to the figure edges. These cells signaled the location and orientation of contrast borders as well as stereoscopic edges, and were often selective for the direction of the step in depth. We concluded that stereoscopic edges are explicitly represented in area V2. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Coupled Circuit by the Method of Generalized Angular Velocities

The generalized impedance z of an oscillating circuit may be formed from the generalized angular velocity of oscillation, n, by analogy with the alternating-current circuit. Equating this generalized impedance to zero, and solving for n, gives the free generalized angular velocities of oscillation. The real and imaginary portions of these free generalized angular velocities are used to find respectively the damping factors and frequencies of oscillation of the circuit. From z may be found the threshold impedance of the circuit n(dz/dn). Dividing the initial voltage of the circuit by this threshold impedance gives the initial amplitudes of current oscillation. The use of these two rules determines the complete expression for the oscillating current in any oscillating-current network. The method applies to the simple inductively coupled circuit. A complete exact solution for the case of primary condenser discharge may be readily obtained. The method is of particular service in numerical problems. An approximate method of solving the biquadratic obtained when coupled circuits are considered is given in an appendix to the paper.
Hemoglobin uptake by rat hepatocytes and its breakdown within lysosomes.

The peroxidatic activity of hemoglobin permitted visualization of its uptake by rat hepatocytes by means of the Graham-Karnovsky 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) procedure. Lysosomes were visualized by their acid phosphatase, β-glucuronidase, and glucosaminidase activities. When large doses of rat, cow, or human hemoglobin are intravenously injected, or when hemoglobinemia is induced by injection of distilled water, DAB-positive hemoglobin is engulfed by pinocytosis. Pinocytotic vacuoles become digestive vacuoles ("phagolysosomes") by fusion with lysosomes of the dense body type that have moved from their pericanalicular position. By 16–24 hr after even massive amounts of hemoglobin (400 mg/100 g), the protein is barely demonstrable in hepatocytes. At the lowest doses of injected hemoglobin (15 mg/100 g body weight), DAB-positive vacuoles are demonstrable only in the Kupffer cells.
Structure of falling film heat and mass transfer on a fluted tube

The falling liquid film has become a popular means of transferring heat and mass from a vapor to a binary liquid, especially in gas-fired heat pump systems. Ideally, the required amount of heat and mass transfer can be accomplished by using a simple cylindrical tube; however, increasingly stringent size and weight requirements for the machine prohibit use of the simple cylindrical surface, and other more complex surfaces with higher absorption capacities have been sought. In this article, absorption of a single component and condensation of a binary mixture on an axially fluted tube is considered. The solution to the problem hinges on the energy equation, although the entire energy transfer process is mass-transfer-limited. Significant mass transfer is limited to a thin layer near the liquid-vapor interface. Solutions to the energy equation are obtained for both the conduction- and convection-dominated regimes. In the latter, significant heat transfer occurs within a thin layer near the liquid-vapor interface which contains the mass transfer layer; this boundary layer structure does not appear to have been recognized in previous work in this area. Using the present results, the capacity of a given tube may be predicted as a function of governing geometrical and physical parameters.more » The principal objective of this work is to develop the theoretical tools from which computations may be carried out during a design process. The theoretical results may be applied to mixtures typical of application in the absorption heat pump industry.« less
Elevated CO2 influences the expression of floral‐initiation genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Atmospheric CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)]) is rising on a global scale and is known to affect flowering time. Elevated [CO(2)] may be as influential as temperature in determining future changes in plant developmental timing, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control altered flowering times at elevated [CO(2)]. Using Arabidopsis thaliana, the expression patterns were compared of floral-initiation genes between a genotype that was selected for high fitness at elevated [CO(2)] and a nonselected control genotype. The selected genotype exhibits pronounced delays in flowering time when grown at elevated [CO(2)], whereas the control genotype is unaffected by elevated [CO(2)]. Thus, this comparison provides an evolutionarily relevant system for gaining insight into the responses of plants to future increases in [CO(2)]. Evidence is provided that elevated [CO(2)] influences the expression of floral-initiation genes. In addition, it is shown that delayed flowering at elevated [CO(2)] is associated with sustained expression of the floral repressor gene, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), in an elevated CO(2)-adapted genotype. Understanding the mechanisms that account for changes in plant developmental timing at elevated [CO(2)] is critical for predicting the responses of plants to a high-CO(2) world of the near future.
The Physical and Electrical Properties of Buried Nitride SOI Structures Synthesized by Nitrogen ION Implantation

Buried nitride silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures have been fabricated using the technique of nitrogen ion implantation. The crystallinity of the top silicon film was found to be exceptionally good. The minimum channeling yield, Xmin' was better than 3%. This is comparable to the value observed for single crystal silicon. The buried insulator formed during the anneals has been identified as polycrystalline α-Si 3 N 4 with numerous silicon inclusions. This nitride, however, has been found to remain amorphous in regions at the center of the implant where the nitrogen concentration exceeds the stoichiometric level of Si 3 N 4 . Nitrogen donor formation in the top silicon layer has also been observed.