cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prospective study to select and evaluate anesthesiology residents: phase I, the critical incident technique.

Abstract Study Objective: To develop categories of behavior that define an applicant's aptitude for anesthesia, and to attempt to determine the relative importance of these behaviors to successful residency performance. Design: Prospective open study. Setting: Anesthesia residencies at three midwest university teaching hospitals. Interventions: Using a structured interview format known as the critical incident technique, faculty anesthesiologists were asked to describe examples of effective and ineffective behaviors observed among anesthesia residents during the twelve months prior to the interview. Measurements and Main Results: Interviews initially held with 34 anesthesiologists generated 172 incidents. These incidents formed the basis for a categorization analysis performed by two anesthesiologists. Six categories were developed: preparedness, interpersonal skills, response to teaching, data monitoring, technical skills, and emergency situations. Validation of these categories was confirmed with three subsequent interviews, in which 92 anesthesiologists generated 475 incidents. Most incidents were found to conform to the previously defined categories using a reallocation index with a range of 0.70 to 0.80. The category "technical skills" fell below the defined range. Over 60 percent of the incidents involved noncognitive personal attributes: preparedness, interpersonal skills, and response to teaching. Conclusion: Effective behavior in six categories identifies an applicant's aptitude for anesthesia. Selection of residents may be enhanced by routinely assessing noncognitive characteristics.
Numerical study of chemically reacting flows using an LU scheme

A new computational fluid dynamic code has been developed for the study of mixing and chemical reactions in the flow fields of ramjets and scramjets. The code employs an implicit finite volume, lower-upper symmetric successive overrelaxation scheme for solving the complete two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and species transport equations in a fully-coupled and very efficient manner. The combustion processes are modeled by an 8-species, 14-step finite rate chemistry model whereas turbulence is simulated by a Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model. The validity of the code is demonstrated by comparing the numerical calculations with both experimental data and previous calculations of a cold flow helium injection into a straight channel and premixed hydrogen-air reacting flows in a ramped duct. The code is then used to calculate the mixing and chemical reactions of a hydrogen jet transversely injected into a supersonic airstream. Results are presented describing the flow field, the recirculation regions in front and behind the injector, and the chemical reactions.
Retroposition and evolution of the DNA-binding motifs of YY1, YY2 and REX1

YY1 is a DNA-binding transcription factor found in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Database searches identified 62 YY1 related sequences from all the available genome sequences ranging from flying insects to human. These sequences are characterized by high levels of sequence conservation, ranging from 66% to 100% similarity, in the zinc finger DNA-binding domain of the predicted proteins. Phylogenetic analyses uncovered duplication events of YY1 in several different lineages, including flies, fish and mammals. Retroposition is responsible for generating one duplicate in flies, PHOL from PHO, and two duplicates in placental mammals, YY2 and Reduced Expression 1 (REX1) from YY1. DNA-binding motif studies have demonstrated that YY2 still binds to the same consensus sequence as YY1 but with much lower affinity. In contrast, REX1 binds to DNA motifs divergent from YY1, but the binding motifs of REX1 and YY1 share some similarity at their core regions (5′-CCAT-3′). This suggests that the two duplicates, YY2 and REX1, although generated through similar retroposition events have undergone different selection schemes to adapt to new roles in placental mammals. Overall, the conservation of YY2 and REX1 in all placental mammals predicts that each duplicate has co-evolved with some unique features of eutherian mammals.
Inhibition of Precipitation and Aggregation of Metacinnabar (Mercuric Sulfide) by Dissolved Organic Matter Isolated from the Florida Everglades

Precipitation and aggregation of metacinnabar (black HgS) was inhibited in the presence of low concentrations (≥3 mg C/L) of humic fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) isolated from the Florida Everglades. At low Hg concentrations (≤5 × 10-8 M), DOM prevented the precipitation of metacinnabar. At moderate Hg concentrations (5 × 10-5 M), DOM inhibited the aggregation of colloidal metacinnabar (Hg passed through a 0.1 μm filter but was removed by centrifugation). At Hg concentrations greater than 5 × 10-4 M, mercury formed solid metacinnabar particles that were removed from solution by a 0.1 μm filter. Organic matter rich in aromatic moieties was preferentially removed with the solid. Hydrophobic organic acids (humic and fulvic acids) inhibited aggregation better than hydrophilic organic acids. The presence of chloride, acetate, salicylate, EDTA, and cysteine did not inhibit the precipitation or aggregation of metacinnabar. Calcium enhanced metacinnabar aggregation even in the presence of DOM, but th...
The nphp-2 and arl-13 genetic modules interact to regulate ciliogenesis and ciliary microtubule patterning in C. elegans.

Cilia are microtubule-based cellular organelles that mediate signal transduction. Cilia are organized into several structurally and functionally distinct compartments: the basal body, the transition zone (TZ), and the cilia shaft. In vertebrates, the cystoprotein Inversin localizes to a portion of the cilia shaft adjacent to the TZ, a region termed the “Inversin compartment” (InvC). The mechanisms that establish and maintain the InvC are unknown. In the roundworm C. elegans, the cilia shafts of amphid channel and phasmid sensory cilia are subdivided into two regions defined by different microtubule ultrastructure: a proximal doublet-based region adjacent to the TZ, and a distal singlet-based region. It has been suggested that C. elegans cilia also possess an InvC, similarly to mammalian primary cilia. Here we explored the biogenesis, structure, and composition of the C. elegans ciliary doublet region and InvC. We show that the InvC is conserved and distinct from the doublet region. nphp-2 (the C. elegans Inversin homolog) and the doublet region genes arl-13, klp-11, and unc-119 are redundantly required for ciliogenesis. InvC and doublet region genes can be sorted into two modules—nphp-2+klp-11 and arl-13+unc-119—which are both antagonized by the hdac-6 deacetylase. The genes of this network modulate the sizes of the NPHP-2 InvC and ARL-13 doublet region. Glutamylation, a tubulin post-translational modification, is not required for ciliary targeting of InvC and doublet region components; rather, glutamylation is modulated by nphp-2, arl-13, and unc-119. The ciliary targeting and restricted localization of NPHP-2, ARL-13, and UNC-119 does not require TZ-, doublet region, and InvC-associated genes. NPHP-2 does require its calcium binding EF hand domain for targeting to the InvC. We conclude that the C. elegans InvC is distinct from the doublet region, and that components in these two regions interact to regulate ciliogenesis via cilia placement, ciliary microtubule ultrastructure, and protein localization.
Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin in patients with acute coronary syndrome

To characterize the role of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin in patients with acute coronary syndrome, serum levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Group 1 comprised 17 patients with acute myocardial infarction; group 2 included 17 patients with unstable angina; and group 3 included 19 control subjects. These 53 patients all had prolonged chest pain within 24 h and all underwent coronary angiography. Group 1 and 2 patients had significant coronary artery disease, while group 3 had normal coronary arteries. Blood samples were collected at the emergency department before antiplatelet agents were given. Serum levels of ICAM-1 were higher in group 1 and 2 (383±27 and 337±11 ng/mL, respectively) as compared with group 3 (282±18 ng/mL) (group 1 vs 3, p
Simultaneous in situ electron temperature comparison of Alouette 2 probe and plasma resonance data

The electron temperatures deduced from Alouette 2 diffuse resonance observations are compared with the temperature obtained from the Alouette 2 cylindrical electrostatic probe experiment using data from 5 mid-to-high latitude telemetry stations. The probe temperature is consistently higher than the diffuse resonance temperature. The average difference ranged from approximately 10% to 40% with the lower values occurring at the lowest altitudes sampled (near 500 km) and at high latitudes (dip latitude greater than 55 deg), and the larger values occurring at high altitudes and lower latitudes. The discrepancy appears to be of geophysical origin since it is dependent on the location of the data sample. The present observations support the view that the often observed radar backscatter - probe electron temperature discrepancy is also of geophysical origin.
Understanding the mode switching algorithm of the Intermedics Marathon

The Intermedics Marathon pacemaker uses a mode switch algorithm that allows the pacemaker to maintain AV synchrony during sinus rhythm while preventing ventricular tracking of high atrial rates. This algorithm relies on fulfilling mode switching criteria of run and rate, which are both dependent on the reliable sensing of atrial events. Programming of the pacemaker to allow for reliable atrial sensing will eliminate some of the problems seen with this algorithm.
Static Shape Control of Smart Structures Using Compliant Mechanisms

A novel approach to static shape control of smart structures is introduced. This approach uses a special class of mechanisms called compliant mechanisms powered by a single input actuator. The key design Issue in this approach is the synthesis of a suitable compliant mechanism for the task. A systematic procedure for synthesis of such compliant mechanisms is presented by combining the first principles of mechanics and kinematics through a structural optimization scheme. The procedure is illustrated by an example wherein a prescribed smooth shape change in the camber of an idealized airfoil structure is accomplished by a specially synthesized compliant mechanism actuated by a single torque input. The scope and benefits of the proposed approach in providing viable simple solutions for real-scale static shape control applications are also discussed.
Recruitment of Business Leaders: A Commentary on the Newcomer and Rae Papers

These interesting papers and the data they present offer further testimony to the increasing study and understanding of the position of the businessman in our society. In general they focus on two topics: the recruitment of the business executive and the influence of recruitment patterns on the occupational role of the business executive. It would be redundant to attempt to elaborate further the careful and concise conclusions reached by the authors. A more rewarding use of this opportunity for discussion might be to make some examination of these data from an alternative point of view, readdressing them from a somewhat different theoretical position. From such an examination it may be possible to explore further the recruitment process in our business system.
The Politics of Speaking in The Name of society

The emergence of the modern concept of Society raised the issue of specifying societal business. The resulting form of politics gave birth to the social problems perspective. This perspective included a distinctive type of sentimentality that informed both social action and sociological scholarship. Central to this sentimentality is a focus on suffering people as the initiators of social movements about problems. As students of the social problems process, we may be misled by this fundamental sentimentality into overlooking the political and ideological uses made of the social problems process by established, powerful and authoritative circles. The implications of this process are considered.
Are You Ready to Lock

In addition to storing a plethora of sensitive personal and work information, smartphones also store sensor data about users and their daily activities. In order to understand users' behaviors and attitudes towards the security of their smartphone data, we conducted 28 qualitative interviews. We examined why users choose (or choose not) to employ locking mechanisms (e.g., PINs) and their perceptions and awareness about the sensitivity of the data stored on their devices. We performed two additional online experiments to quantify our interview results and the extent to which sensitive data could be found in a user's smartphone-accessible email archive. We observed a strong correlation between use of security features and risk perceptions, which indicates rational behavior. However, we also observed that most users likely underestimate the extent to which data stored on their smartphones pervades their identities, online and offline.
Effect of current pulsing and “self-oxidation” on the CO tolerance of a PEM fuel cell

Abstract An investigation was conducted to determine and compare the effect of cell current pulsing and “self-oxidation” in increasing the CO tolerance of a PEM fuel cell. The most effective pulsing parameter values were also determined. Current pulsing involves periodically demanding positive increases in current from the fuel cell to create an anode over-potential that oxidizes CO from the catalyst surface, while “self-oxidation” or sustained potential oscillations is achieved when the anode catalyst becomes so saturated with CO that the anode over-potential increases to a value at which CO is oxidized from the catalyst. The CO tolerance of a fuel cell system with a Pt–Ru anode was tested using 50 and 496 ppm CO in the anode fuel. The performance of the system declined with an increase in CO concentration. Current pulses of various amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle were applied to the cell while CO was present in the anode fuel. With 496 ppm CO in the anode fuel, a pulse of 1.0 A/cm2, 0.5 Hz, and a 20% duty cycle proved most effective. When the cell was exposed to approximately 500 ppm CO, without employing pulsing, “self-oxidation” occurred and CO was periodically oxidized from the catalyst surface. However, pulsing allowed the cell to operate at a constant voltage and power a higher percentage of the time than “self-oxidation”; hence, pulsing was more effective in increasing the CO tolerance of the cell.
Exploration of the cause of the low intensity aortic component of the second sound in nonhypotensive patients with poor ventricular performance

This investigation was undertaken to explore the cause of the diminished second sound (S2) that may occur in normotensive patients with poorly performing ventricles. Intra-aortic sound and pressure were measured in 16 patients with angina; eight had normal ventricular performance (ejection fraction greater than or equal to 60%) and eight had poor performance (ejection fraction less than 50%). The amplitude of S2 was lower in patients with poor ventricular performance as was negative d/dt. Aortic pressure was conparable in both groups. The ampitude of S2 was linearly related to the rate of change of the pressure gradient that developed across the aortic valve during diastole (r = 0.82). The latter also correlated with negative dp/dt (r = 0.82). These observations indicate that in patients with poor ventricular performance, isovolumic relaxation may be compromised. This would cause a reduction of the rate of development of the diastolic pressure gradient, which would result in a diminished S2.
Teacher Efficacy And Perceived Success In Mainstreaming Students With Learning And Behavior Problems

Self-efficacy theorists contend that individuals pursue activities and situations in which they feel competent and avoid those in wbich they do not. Teacher efficacy beliefs, that is, teachers' perceptions of their own teaching competence, have been found to influence a myriad of teachers' behaviors and attitudes and to mediate the influence of other self-perceptions on those outcomes. In this study, we investigated the relationships among general education teachers' (a) efficacy beliefs (N = 128) for instructing students with learning and behavior problems, (b) the socioeconomic status of their students, and teachers' perceptions about (c) the support they receive from their building principal, (d) their collegial interactions, (e) the value of their preservice and inservice preparation, and (f) their success in instructing such students in mainstream classrooms. Path analysis results revealed that teacher efficacy beliefs had a direct effect on their perceived success in instructing mainstreamed special...
High cycle fatigue in polycrystalline Ni3Al+B

P/M Ni/sub 3/Al+B has a high ratio of fatigue limit to tensile yield stress at 25/sup 0/C and 500/sup 0/C, probably due to rapid cyclic hardening and delayed crack initiation. Above 500/sup 0/C, fatigue life falls sharply in moderate vacuum, paralleling embrittlement noted in tensile samples tested in air or in similar vacuum. Fracture resistance in moderate vacuum is expected to be rate dependent, as has been observed. Fatigue cracks initiate at inclusions and pores. Extrusion after hipping increases life at lower stress levels, but not to the same extent as tensile yield strength is increased.
Part II crystallography and morphology of the β → ζ massive transformation in Ag-26 a/o Al

Abstract Orientation relationships between parent β grains and grain face- or edge-nucleated ζm crystals have been determined for the β → ζm massive transformation in Ag-26 a/o Al, principally by means of selected area electron channelling, but supported by selected area electron diffraction. For 46 of 47 ζm crystals analyzed a Burgers orientation relationship obtains exactly or nearly so with at least one of the parent grains forming the grain boundary at which nucleation occurred. Approximately half of the orientation relationships between ζm and the non-Burgers related β grains can be expressed in terms of parallel planes and directions with relatively low indices. An O-lattice-based analysis of these nonBurgers orientation relationships indicates that somewhat more than half of them correspond to partially coherent interphase boundaries. However, the observation that β:ζm interfaces between non-Burgers-as well as between Burgers-related ζm and β grains are heavily faceted suggests that a much larger proportion of these boundaries has a partially coherent interfacial structure than either the orientation relationship data or the analyses of this data indicate. The observations that ζm crystals with similar shape formed along a β grain face of approximately constant orientation have the same spatial orientation to within ±1° and that primary ζm sideplates developed at a small-angle β grain boundary provide further support for the ubiquity of low energy orientation relationships between ζm and β and for the similarity between the massive and precipitation reactions in all aspects other than that of a composition difference between product and matrix phases.
Comparing efficiency and costs of cloud computing models

Public and private clouds are being adopted as a cost-effective approach for sharing IT resources. Customers acquire and release resources by requesting and returning virtual machines to the cloud. Different service models are proposed for virtual machine resource management. Some public cloud providers follow a t-shirt model for VM resource sizing. A second approach for resource management is based on a time share model. This paper compares the two approaches from the perspective of resource usage for both the service provider and workload owner. Using data from 312 customer applications, we show that the t-shirt model requires 40% more infrastructure than when a finer degree of resource sharing based on time varying resource shares is permitted.
A Dictionary-based Method for Detecting Anomalous Chief Complaint Text in Individual Records

The success of syndromic surveillance depends on the ability of the surveillance community to quickly and accurately recognize anomalous data. Current methods of anomaly detection focus on sets of syndromic categories and rely on a priori knowledge to map chief complaints to these general syndromic categories. As a result, the mapping scheme may miss key terms and phrases that have not previously been used. Furthermore, analysts do not have a good way of being alerted to these new terms in order to determine if they should be added to the syndromic mapping schema. We use a dynamic dictionary of terms to side-step the downfalls of a priori knowledge in this rapidly evolving field by alerting the analyst to rare and brand new words used in the chief complaint field.
Metaphors for learning

Abstract The challenge of teaching first-year students basic library skills is to make the process interesting and relevant. In this collaborative project between professor and librarian, metaphors in everyday life were used as a springboard for library research. Through the metaphor project, Honors students learned how to approach a topic, break down its parts, brainstorm searchable words, and make assumptions about ways to research. Most importantly, they learned to evaluate the results of their research to ensure that, in the materials located, they had actually found a real life application of their metaphor.
Amidated carboxyl groups in elastin.

Abstract Dicarboxylic amino acids constitute the most numerous residues of insoluble elastin which are potentially ionizable in the physiological range of pH. These residues are essential in facilitating productive electrostatic interaction between elastase and elastin. The present study has investigated the possibility that the glutamic and aspartic acid residues of elastin are amidated. Acid-labile amide-bound ammonia of elastin was quantitated after hydrolysis of the insoluble protein with 2 M HCl by incubating aliquots of microdistilled hydrolysates with glutamate dehydrogenase, excess α-ketoglutarate, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and measuring the resultant decrease in A340 due to oxidation of the dinucleotide cofactor. It was found that ligament elastin purified by repeated autoclaving contains approximately 2.29 μmol of acid-labile amide nitrogen per 10 mg of protein, a value equivalent to approximately 70% of the total number of dicarboxylic amino acid residues. Independent analysis of the amide content was obtained by amino acid analysis of an esterified and reduced elastin sample in which the free dicarboxylic amino acid residues had been converted to the corresponding alcohol derivatives. This analysis indicated that autoclaved ligament elastin contains approximately 18 glutamine, 3 asparagine, 4 glutamic acid and 5 aspartic acid residues per 1000 residues, in good agreement with the analysis of total acid-labile ammonia. The esterified and reduced elastin derivative was nearly inert as an elastase substrate, consistent with a lack of free dicarboxylic amino acid residues. However, addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate to this elastin derivative restores enzyme-substrate charge complementarity, and elastin-ligand complex was readily hydrolyzed by elastase at the fully stimulated rate, emphasizing the control such ligands can exert in elastolysis. The amide bonds of elastin were found to be significantly more resistant to hydrolysis by 0.1 M NaOH at 98 °C than were those of lysozyme or free amidated amino acids. The finding that most of dicarboxylic amino acid residues of elastin exist as neutral amides further emphasizes the apolar character of elastin and has bearing upon the metabolic susceptibility, ligandbinding ability and structural aspects of this connective tissue protein.
Formation of high‐performance fiber morphologies

Processes aimed at forming high-performance fiber morphologies from rigid, semirigid, and flexible polymers have been analyzed. Routes that rely at least partially on the favorable thermodynamic consequences of conformational rigidity imparted by intramolecular and polymer–solvent interactions are shown to offer much greater promise than those that rely entirely on externally applied deformation.
Occurrence of comorbidities among African-American and Latina breast cancer survivors

The co-occurrence of multiple chronic conditions in cancer patients is common and can have negative impact on cancer and cancer survivorship outcomes. This study aimed to document comorbidity occurrence among African-American and Latina (English language preferred (ELP) and Spanish language preferred (SLP)) breast cancer survivors (BCS). Eighty-eight African-American, 95 ELP Latina, and 137 SLP Latina BCS were recruited via case ascertainment from the California Cancer Registry and hospital registries. BCS completed a self-report questionnaire assessing demographic and cancer characteristics, and presence of comorbidities. Overall, 75 % of BCS reported at least one comorbidity with arthritis (37 %), high blood pressure (37 %), psychological difficulties (29 %), and diabetes (19 %) being most commonly endorsed. SLP Latinas were more likely to report diabetes (29 %), psychological difficulties (42 %), and >3 comorbidities (p < 0.05). Latina BCS were twice as likely to report osteoporosis and headaches compared to African-Americans; while one in two African-Americans reported hypertension and arthritis. Older age was correlated with arthritis, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. Our findings suggest that investigating the occurrence of comorbidities across ethnic groups may shed some light in understanding cancer survivorship risk for poor health outcomes and health disparities. Having a better grasp of comorbid conditions may aid in more appropriate early assessment, better follow-up care, surveillance, and management of the cancer and the comorbid condition(s). Integrated control and management of comorbidities among cancer survivors has the potential to improve quality care for the whole person, and increase survival and decrease morbidity.
Human ehrlichiosis: Yet another zebra or a recently recognized horse?

Ten years ago, tick-borne ehrlichiosis infection was primarily a problem in dogs, cattle, and sheep. Today hundreds of people have been infected by newly recognized Ehrlichia species. If infection ...
L-asparaginase kills lymphoma cells by apoptosis

Microscopic examination of histological sections of lymph nodes from a canine case of malignant lymphoma at 4 h after treatment with L-asparaginase revealed massive destruction of neoplastic cells by what was consistent with apoptosis morphologically. Apoptosis as the mode of cell death after asparaginase treatment was confirmed in a mouse lymphoma cell line (LY-TH) by the characteristic fragmentation of DNA into oligonucleosome-sized pieces and by the morphological changes consistent with apoptosis following treatment in vitro. Applied to these cells, asparaginase was found to be most cytotoxic over the range of 1–10 IU/ml. Even after 4 h of asparaginase treatment at 100 IU/ml, protein synthesis was reduced by only one-half, yet DNA fragmentation reached 40%. Other agents that affect protein synthesis (cycloheximide and actinomycin D) caused apoptosis as well; however, agents (radiation, prednisolone, and VP-16) whose mechanisms are different from inhibition of protein synthesis also caused apoptosis. As such, it seems unlikely that protein depletion per se and/or the elimination of specific shortlived proteins is the triggering event that leads to cell death. It is more likely that the suspension of cellular proliferation commits cells to apoptosis after asparaginase treatment.
Drug Insight: statins and gastrointestinal cancer

Basic research has provided evidence for a role for statins in cancer treatment and prevention; however, clinical research has both supported and refuted the role of statins in this setting. In this Review, the authors critically evaluate the current body of literature on the role of statins in the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal cancers, with a particular focus on clinical and observational studies.
Parenting Stress in Mothers and Fathers of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Associations with Child Characteristics

Elevated parenting stress is observed among mothers of older children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but little is known about parents of young newly-diagnosed children. Associations between child behavior and parenting stress were examined in mothers and fathers of 54 toddlers with ASD (mean age = 26.9 months). Parents reported elevated parenting stress. Deficits/delays in children's social relatedness were associated with overall parenting stress, parent-child relationship problems, and distress for mothers and fathers. Regulatory problems were associated with maternal stress, whereas externalizing behaviors were associated with paternal stress. Cognitive functioning, communication deficits, and atypical behaviors were not uniquely associated with parenting stress. Clinical assessment of parental stress, acknowledging differences in parenting experiences for mothers and fathers of young children with ASD, is needed.
A Parametric Study of Spin Coating over Topography

The spin coating of polymer solutions onto silicon substrates was investigated using both commercially formulated polyimide precursors and model polymer solutions. The latter included solutions of polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene oxide) in appropriate solvents. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of the various process, material, and geometrical variables on the thickness and thickness uniformity of films deposited on planar as well as patterned substrates; dry film thickness was measured with the help of profilometry. For flat substrates, the film thickness decreased with increasing spin speed, and, in the case of volatile solvents, increasing solvent volatility led to thicker films. Although solution viscosity could be changed by changing either the polymer concentration or the molecular weight, film thickness was more sensitive to changes in concentration. Process conditions that gave thicker films also tended to yield more uniform films. From experiments on subs...
Design and Performance of a Time Multiplex Multiple Slit Multielement Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

The design and performance characteristics of a new multielement flameless atomic absorption spectrometer are presented. Radiation from four hollow cathode lamps is combined by beam splitters and directed through a Varian model 63 carbon rod atomizer and then into a special monochromator with a separate exit slit for each element. The light exiting from all slits is directed to a single photomultiplier tube. Absorbance signals from different elements are distinguished with a time multiplex approach. Data acquisition and presentation is accomplished with a PDP-11 computer system. The absolute light levels are lower than those normally encountered with single element atomic absorption resulting in signal shot noise limited measurements. Detection limits (in ppb) of 0.2 (Cd), 2 (Mn), and 8 (Pb) were determined under multielement conditions. The measurement precision of moderate absorbance multielement solutions was determined to be 7% with manual injection of 5 μl samples.
Super low noise pseudomorphic InGaAs channel InP HEMTs

0-15 μm gate length pseudomorphic InGaAs channel InP-based HEMTs developed in our laboratory have exhibited super low noise and high associated gain performance at 12 GHz. The use or a highly doped InGaAs cap layer associated with optimal thickness or the Schottky barrier layer leads to excellent gate characteristics and noise figure improvement. The new pseudomorphic HEMTs with a 0-15 μm long and 150 μm wide gate geometry showed a noise figure or 0-23 dB with 16 dB associated gain at 12 GHz
The impact of front contact ZnO:Al/Zn1-xMgxO layer on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells

We studied the impact of the front-window layer on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. A bi-layer structure of ZnO:Al/ZnO was used as a standard front-window layer, and a replacement of ZnO by Zn1-xMgxO was analyzed. A numerical simulation was performed to understand the device characterization results. The results clearly indicate that any variation on the front-window layer and deposition condition impacts the underlying CdS/CIGS junction. Therefore, it is important to carefully choose the component of the front-window layer and sputtering parameters to protect the junction formation. With careful front-window layer design and modeling, an optimized device performance with a Zn1-xMgxO layer has been achieved (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Incomplete Subject of Colonial Memory: Puerto Rico and the Post/Colonial Biopolitics of Congressional Recollection

Congressional discourse on Puerto Rican self-determination is a memorial narrative that, although on its face an attempt at decolonization, constitutes Puerto Ricans as incomplete colonial subjects, reinscribes and normalizes the U.S.-Puerto Rico relationship along the axis of a flexible colonialism, and reveals the way in which Puerto Rico, as colony, is remembered in the “post/colony” envisioned by the United States.
Scalp-recorded early responses in man to frequencies in the speech range

Abstract Short-latency brain potentials, probably medullary in origin, in response to low-frequency sounds, were recorded from scalp electrodes. These responses are unique for each stimulus frequency. Furthermore, changes in potentials can be evoked to sounds near a subject's threshold. By implication, these findings hold considerable promise for objective clinical assessment and basic research of the lower auditory brain stem.
Microgrid dynamics characterization using the automated state model generation algorithm

This work presents a unified method for dynamic modeling and stability analysis of microgrid power systems. Using the automated state model generation algorithm, a state-space model of the microgrid power system is derived. The model may be used to conduct time-domain simulations and analyze system response to large transients. Additionally, eigenvalues of the system may be analyzed with respect to inverter control gains to assess small-signal stability. The proposed methodology is verified for a large-signal transient study and small-signal stability analysis using dual and single-inverter microgrid systems, respectively. The presented method is general and may be applied to balanced three-phase circuit topologies and inverter controllers without the need to derive circuit state equations.
Liquid media development for Heterorhabditis bacteriophora: lipid source and concentration.

Lipids are important entomopathogenic nematode nutritional components because they are energy reserves and serve as indicators of nematode quality. The composition and concentration of the media lipid component determine bacterial and nematode yields. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and its symbiont, Photorhabdus luminescens, were cultured in media containing various lipid sources. As lipid concentration increased from 2.5% to 8.0% (w/v), the final yield and productivity [calculated from the number of infective juveniles (IJ)] increased significantly from 2.1 × 105 IJ ml−1 to 2.8 × 105 IJ ml−1 (P 0.05). The largest nematode yield (2.8 × 105 IJ ml−1) was achieved within 8 days, using a medium containing an 8% (w/v) olive and canola oil (50:50 w/v) combination. Moreover, developmental synchrony was achieved in this medium with 96% infective juveniles. In short, lipid sources rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids and poor in saturated fatty acids produced optimal nematode growth.
Frontal Behavioral Syndromes in Cortical and Subcortical Dementia

The Frontal Lobe Personality Scale (FLOPS; Grace & Malloy, 1992) was administered to the caregivers of 51 patients with neurodegenerative disease to examine personality and behavioral features asso...
General Relationships between Species Diversity and Stability in Competitive Systems

Abstract: Investigating the effect of biodiversity on the stability of ecological communities is complicated by the numerous ways in which models of community interactions can be formulated. This has led to differences in conclusions and interpretations of how the number of species in a community affects its stability. Here, we derive a simple, general relationship between the coefficient of variation (CV) of combined species densities and the environmentally driven variability in species' per capita population growth rates. For a given level of environmentally driven variability in per capita population growth rates, increasing the number of species in a community decreases the CV of combined species densities, provided that species do not respond to environmental fluctuations in a perfectly correlated way. Thus, a community with more species of competitors will be more stable (have lower CV in combined species densities for a given level of environmental variability) than a species‐poor community, provi...
Electoral Competition, the State, and Communal Violence: A Reply

In a review of my 2004 book Votes and Violence,Ashutosh Varshney and Joshua Gubler criticize various aspects of the book and its electoral incentives theory. The implication is that Varshney's own local civic engagement theory provides a superior explanation for communal violence. This article responds to the specific criticisms of my arguments about the role of electoral incentives and state action, or inaction, in leading to communal violence, showing why these are wrong or unimportant. I cite three important recent studies, by scholars working independently of me, who come to the same conclusions I do about the key role of electoral incentives and the importance of the state. I also cite the work of other scholars, based on careful fieldwork, who have questioned Varshney's characterization of the causes of conflict and peace in the cities he discusses in his own 2002 book Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life.
Departures from optimality: understanding human analyst's information foraging in assisted requirements tracing

Studying human analyst's behavior in automated tracing is a new research thrust. Building on a growing body of work in this area, we offer a novel approach to understanding requirements analyst's information seeking and gathering. We model analysts as predators in pursuit of prey --- the relevant traceability information, and leverage the optimality models to characterize a rational decision process. The behavior of real analysts with that of the optimal information forager is then compared and contrasted. The results show that the analysts' information diets are much wider than the theory's predictions, and their residing in low-profitability information patches is much longer than the optimal residence time. These uncovered discrepancies not only offer concrete insights into the obstacles faced by analysts, but also lead to principled ways to increase practical tool support for overcoming the obstacles.
Officer Race Versus Macro-Level Context A Test of Competing Hypotheses About Black Citizens’ Experiences With and Perceptions of Black Police Officers

It has been proposed that hiring more Black police officers is an effective way to alleviate long-standing tensions between police and African Americans because Black officers will connect with Black citizens and treat them well. This hypothesis, however, fails to account for the macro-level context of the troubled locations in which African Americans disproportionately reside and wherein police–minority citizen problems are deep seated. The present study examines two competing hypotheses concerning the influence ofofficer race relative to that of ecological context in shaping African Americans’ experiences with and perceptions of local police. These hypotheses are testedusing in-depth interview data with Black residents of a majority-Black, high-crime, economically troubled city. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Sound Intensity of Booming in Lesser Prairie-Chickens

Wildlife managers traditionally monitored lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) populations using road-based lek surveys and assumed booming can be heard L km from a lek. To assess this assumption, we measured sound intensity (decibels) of booming lesser prairie-chickens. Our results indicated sound intensity 1.6 km from a lek would be less than or equal to the sound intensity of a whisper. Thus, 1.6 km is probably too great a distance for audible detection of booming in many conditions.
Stimulation and inhibition of [3H]ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum from malignant hyperthermia susceptible pigs☆

When compared to normal pig sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), SR from malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) porcine skeletal muscle has been shown to exhibit an increased rate of calcium release, as well as alterations in [3H]ryanodine-binding activity in the presence of microM Ca2+ (Mickelson et al., 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 9310). In the present study, various stimulators (adenine nucleotides and caffeine) and inhibitors (ruthenium red and Mg2+) of the SR calcium release channel were examined for effects on MHS and normal SR [3H]ryanodine binding. The apparent affinity of the MHS SR receptor for ryanodine in the presence of 10 mM ATP (Kd = 6.0 nM) or 10 mM caffeine (Kd = 28 nM) was significantly greater than that of the normal SR (Kd = 8.5 and 65 nM in 10 mM ATP or caffeine, respectively), the Bmax (12-16 pmol/mg) was similar in all cases. The Ca2+(0.5) for inhibition of [3H]ryanodine binding in the presence of 5 mM AMPPNP (238 vs 74 microM for MHS and normal SR, respectively) and the Ca2+(0.5) for stimulation of [3H]ryanodine binding in the presence of 5 mM caffeine (0.049 vs 0.070 microM for MHS and normal SR, respectively) were also significantly different. Furthermore, in the presence of optimal Ca2+, MHS SR [3H]ryanodine binding was more sensitive to caffeine stimulation (C0.5 of 1.7 vs 3.4 mM) and was less sensitive to ruthenium red (C0.5 of 1.9 vs 1.2 microM) or Mg2+ inhibition (C0.5 of 0.34 vs 0.21 mM) than was normal SR. These results further support the hypothesis that differences in the ryanodine/receptor calcium release channel regulatory properties are responsible for the abnormal calcium releasing activity of MHS SR.
dAtaxin-2 Mediates Expanded Ataxin-1-Induced Neurodegeneration in a Drosophila Model of SCA1

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders sharing atrophy of the cerebellum as a common feature. SCA1 and SCA2 are two ataxias caused by expansion of polyglutamine tracts in Ataxin-1 (ATXN1) and Ataxin-2 (ATXN2), respectively, two proteins that are otherwise unrelated. Here, we use a Drosophila model of SCA1 to unveil molecular mechanisms linking Ataxin-1 with Ataxin-2 during SCA1 pathogenesis. We show that wild-type Drosophila Ataxin-2 (dAtx2) is a major genetic modifier of human expanded Ataxin-1 (Ataxin-1[82Q]) toxicity. Increased dAtx2 levels enhance, and more importantly, decreased dAtx2 levels suppress Ataxin-1[82Q]-induced neurodegeneration, thereby ruling out a pathogenic mechanism by depletion of dAtx2. Although Ataxin-2 is normally cytoplasmic and Ataxin-1 nuclear, we show that both dAtx2 and hAtaxin-2 physically interact with Ataxin-1. Furthermore, we show that expanded Ataxin-1 induces intranuclear accumulation of dAtx2/hAtaxin-2 in both Drosophila and SCA1 postmortem neurons. These observations suggest that nuclear accumulation of Ataxin-2 contributes to expanded Ataxin-1-induced toxicity. We tested this hypothesis engineering dAtx2 transgenes with nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nuclear export signal (NES). We find that NLS-dAtx2, but not NES-dAtx2, mimics the neurodegenerative phenotypes caused by Ataxin-1[82Q], including repression of the proneural factor Senseless. Altogether, these findings reveal a previously unknown functional link between neurodegenerative disorders with common clinical features but different etiology.
A disease-specific Medicaid expansion for women: the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (BCCPTA) allows states the option of extending Medicaid eligibility to women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through a large federal screening program that does not include resources for treatment. Using qualitative data from interviews with 22 key informants and other sources, we present an analysis of the history and passage of the BCCPTA as a policy response to a perceived "treatment gap" in a national screening program. The results suggest that organizational policy entrepreneurs-primarily the National Breast Cancer Coalition-constructed an effective problem definition (that the government screening program was "unethical" and "broken") with a viable policy solution (an optional disease-specific Medicaid expansion), and pushed this proposal through a policy window opened by a budget surplus and an election year in which women's health issues had broad bipartisan appeal.
Toward evaluating lighting design interface paradigms for novice users

Lighting design is a complex but fundamental task in computer cinematography, involving the adjustment of light parameters to define final scene appearance. Many user interfaces have been proposed to simplify lighting design. They can be generally categorized in three paradigms: direct light parameter manipulation, indirect light feature manipulation (e.g., shadow dragging), and goal-based optimization of lighting through painting. To this date, no formal evaluation of the relative effectiveness of these paradigms has been performed.In this paper, we present a first step toward evaluating the benefits of these three paradigms in the form of a user study with a focus on novice users. 20 subjects participated in the experiment by performing various trials on simple scenes with up to 8 point lights, designed to test two lighting tasks: precise adjustment of lighting and the artistic exploration of lighting configurations. We collected objective and subjective data and found that subjects can light well with direct and indirect interfaces, preferring the latter. Paint-based goal specification was found to be significantly worse than the other paradigms, especially since users tend to sketch rather than accurately paint goal images, an input that painting algorithms were not designed for. We also found that given enough time, novices can perform relatively complex lighting tasks, unhindered by geometry or lighting complexity. Finally, we believe that our study will impact the design of future lighting interfaces and it will serve as the basis for designing additional experiments to reach a comprehensive evaluation of lighting interfaces.