cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Death on the Crosswalk: A Study of Pedestrian-Automobile Collisions in Los Angeles

This research explores the spatial distribution of pedestrian-automobile collisions in Los Angeles and analyzes the social and physical factors that affect the risk of getting involved in such collisions. More specifically, this study investigates the influence of socio-demographic, land use, density, urban form, and traffic characteristics on pedestrian collision rates. We first provide an exploratory spatial and statistical analysis of pedestrian collision data in the city of Los Angeles to identify preliminary relationships between the frequency of collisions and socio-demographic and land use characteristics at the census tract level. This aggregate level analysis points to major concentrations of pedestrian collision data which are used at a second stage of the research for more qualitative and detailed analysis of specific case studies of intersections with high frequency of pedestrian collisions.
Regional Distribution of Cardiac Output in Conscious Rats at Rest and During Exercise: Effects of Diltiazem

The effects of intravenous infusion of the calcium antagonist, diltiazem (6, 30, and 150 mg/kg/hr) on cardiac and circulatory hemodynamics and on regional blood flow and cardiac output distribution to the major peripheral circulations were studied in conscious, normal Sprague-Dawley rats in the resting state. Therapy with diltiazem consistently increased cardiac output levels, as well as stroke volume, and decreased mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance in a dose-related fashion. Diltiazem had a substantial effect on increasing coronary blood flow and reducing coronary vascular resistance. Effects of similar direction and magnitude were observed in the cerebral and hepatic arterial circulations. In a second study, rats were subjected to a submaximal treadmill exercise protocol during continuous intravenous infusion of either saline solution or diltiazem (DZ) in order to determine the effects of this agent on cardiac output distribution during exercise. The results indicate that the positive effects of diltiazem on cardiac output are maintained during exercise. The increase in cardiac output with diltiazem appears to be distributed throughout the major regional circulations in proportion to regional demand.
My paper 20 years later: Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on right ventricular function in humans.

Introduction In 1992, we published a report on the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on right ventricular (RV) function in humans.
Cost-efficient and attack-resilient approaches for state estimation in power grids

State estimation is a fundamental question in a power grid and it is used to understand the state of power grids based on readings of sensors placed at important power grid components. Current state estimation approaches are highly vulnerable to malicious attacks; an attacker can compromise one or a few sensors to mislead state estimation and thus the power grid control algorithms, leading to catastrophic consequences (e.g., a large-scale blackout). This paper presents a series of attack-resilient state estimation algorithms for power grids. These algorithms use the intrinsic relationship among the state variables and the sensor measurements to effectively tolerate malicious sensor readings. This paper also investigates the properties of these algorithms through theoretical analysis and simulation, which both demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Ultrafine Striations in Skeletal Muscle Revealed by 3D Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy

Super-resolution three-dimensional imaging was achieved using newly synthesized photoactivatable quantum dot probes. Semiconductor quantum dots are nanoparticles with high photostability and brightness. They were modified with a novel quencher system to make them photoactivatable. The unique properties of these photoactivatable quantum dots enable single-fluorophore localization in three dimensions using a confocal microscopy optical sectioning method with a piezo scanner. To image skeletal muscle at resolutions exceeding that of the standard confocal microscope, the photoactivatable quantum dots were conjugated to secondary antibodies. Myofibrilar bundles were dual- labeled using both a primary antibody to myosin rod with the secondary antibody-conjugated photoactivatable 655 nm quantum dot and a primary antibody against tropomyosin with the secondary antibody-conjugated photoactivatable 525 nm quantum dot. During the 3D acquisition on a spinning disk confocal with piezo scanner, different individual quantum dots were photoactivated during each of hundreds of cycles. A sufficient number of single quantum dots were localized, reduced to their center of mass and then reconstructed to a super-resolution image. The resulting super-resolution image shows a sub-diffraction resolution in both lateral and axial directions. The broad absorbance band of quantum dots enables the excitation of both quantum dots with the same laser type. This technique enables the relative localization of two different myofibril proteins at nanometer scale resolutions in solution demonstrates ultrafine striations in the staining pattern with widths less than 70 nm in axial and lateral dimensions that are not evident by conventional confocal microscopy due to its resolution constraints. The bands appear to be related to the presentation of epitopes at the surface of thin and thick filaments and may be related to thick and thin filament binding proteins and/or structural variations in the actin and myosin filaments.
EVIDENCE FOR REGION-SPECIFIC REGULATION AND CORTISONE INDUCTION OF SIALYLTRANSFERASE mRNA EXPRESSION IN THE DEVELOPING INTESTINE

The immature intestinal epithelium is characterized by increased sialyltransferase (ST) activity that controls the sialylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Cell-surface sialic acid with specific glycosidic linkages may serve as a receptor determinant for certain viruses, bacteria and their toxins, and thereby may increase the host susceptibility in neonates. Further study of the rat small intestine reveals that developmental changes in ST activity occurred primarily in the distal (ileal), but not in the proximal (jejunal) region. Furthermore, the Galβl, 4GlcNAc α2, 6-ST activity, but not the Galβl, 4GlcNAc α2, 3-ST activity, was the major ST activity under developmental regulation. Northern blots of total RNA prepared from the proximal and distal small intestine of neonatal and adult rats were probed with a cDNA clone encoding the rat liver α2, 5-ST (a gift of Dr. James C. Paulson, UCLA). The data show that α2, 6-ST mRNA expression was age-dependent and regionally specific, with the highest level of mRNA expressed in the immature distal gut. Cortisone, a known transciption modulator, when injected into suckling rats, induced expression of ST mRNA only In the distal intestine. A parallel induction of distal ST activity by cortisone was also noted. This study indicates that the levels of ST activity are well correlated with the levels of ST mRNA and suggests that developmental variation in the intestinal ST activity is mainly caused by the control of the steady state levels of ST mRNA.
YULING PAN, Politeness in Chinese face-to-face interaction

This book makes an important contribution to understanding the complexity of the sources of power that govern Chinese politeness behavior in different settings. To answer the question of why Chinese seem to be inconsistent in their politeness behavior, the author conducted ethnographic research in southern China over a period of eight years in the 1990s. Through discourse analysis of data in both Cantonese and Mandarin, Pan describes Chinese politeness behavior across three social settings – business encounters, official meetings, and family gatherings – that represent a variety of situations and power structures. Taking into account the social factors of age, gender, rank, ingroup identity, and setting, Pan brings in the perspective of situational variation and looks at Chinese politeness practice in the larger framework of social context.
Spectra of single-bubble sonoluminescence in water and glycerin-water mixtures

This work was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research, the Defense Nuclear Agency, and the Naval Postgraduate School Research Program. The authors wish to thank David Cleary for the use of the scanning monochrometer and D. Scott Davis for many helpful discussions.
Arterial Flows in Carotid Artery Dissection

Dissection at the carotid artery is not infrequent, and it may lead to arterial stenosis, dissecting-aneurysm, ischemia stoke, or subarachnoid hemorrhage [2]. The exact cause of carotid artery dissection remains unknown, but it occurs often among young and middle-aged individuals who are otherwise healthy [3]. Extra-cranial carotid dissection is often managed conservatively by anti-thrombotic therapy, while the intracranial carotid dissection often requires interventional management.© 2007 ASME
Tunneling states and the low-temperature thermal expansion of glasses

A recent theoretical model, based on tunneling states, for the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of amorphous solids below 1 K is extended to include thermal expansion. The calculated Gruneisen constant γ is sensitive to the details of the tunneling states, but the model provides an explanation for the large negative values of γ observed in vitreous silica below 4 K.
Long-term effects of jejunoileal autotransplantation on myoelectrical activity in canine small intestine

We studied the longitudinal effects of autotransplantation on the motor function of the jejunoileum. By performing the autotransplantation procedure in a manner similar to that employed for allotransplantation, we sought to examine the long-term effects of both extrinsic denervation and the operative procedure itself on small intestinal motor function. Although initially disrupted, interdigestive myoelectrical activity demonstrated progressive organization: 88% of migrating myoelectrical complexes in animals studied between 12 and 20 months following autotransplantation demonstrated each phase of the complex in normal sequence. Longitudinal studies of several parameters of myoelectrical activity provided further evidence of progressive organization and entrainment of motor functions within the denervated intestine. Several abnormal myoelectrical patterns were observed within the autotransplanted segment, however, and coordination of either slow wave or phase III activity with the proximal innervated intestine did not recover with time. The major component of the myoelectrical response to feeding was permanently impaired with a delayed onset and shortened duration of the fed response. We conclude that the extrinsically denervated intestine recovers the ability to generate and organize all phases of the MMC but demonstrates permanent impairment of the major motor response to food. However, anoxic and cooling damage to enteric nerves and muscle, incurred during the autotransplantation procedure, may explain the persistence of abnormal motor patterns and impaired myoelectrical conduction and could play an important role, additional to that of extrinsic denervation, in the long-term motor function of the allotransplanted intestine.
Free Energy of Nonspecific Binding of Cro Repressor Protein to DNA

The Brownian dynamics (BD) simulation method has been employed to study the energetics of nonspecific binding of λ Cro repressor protein (Cro) to model B-DNA. BD simulates the diffusional dynamics as the protein encounters the DNA surface and describes (i) the steric effects of encounter between the irregular surfaces of the protein and DNA molecules based on crystallograhpic coordinates and (ii) the electrostatic effects of encounter based on finite difference numerical solutions of the Poisson−Boltzmann (PB) equation. Using BD as a means of generating a statistical ensemble of docked complexes in a Boltzmann distribution, a direct calculation of the free energy and entropy of the encounter is performed as a function of the radial distance from the DNA helix axis to the protein center. During the simulation electrostatic energies of protein interaction with DNA are taken from prior solutions of the PB equation stored on a cubic lattice. The PB equation is solved in three different forms: (i) the lineari...
Time-resolved photoluminescence studies of Al-rich AlGaN alloys

Si-doped n-type AlxGa1MINxN alloys with x up to 0.5 and Mg-doped p-type AlxGa1-xN alloys with x up to 0.27 were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on sapphire substrates. For the n-type AlxGa1-xN, we achieved highly conductive alloys for x up to 0.5. An electron concentration as high as 1x1018cm-3 was obtained in Si-doped Al0.5Ga0.5N alloys with an electron mobility of 16 cm$_2)Vs at room temperature, as confirmed by Hall-effect measurements. Our results also revealed that the conductivity of AlxGa1-xN alloys continuously increases with an increase of Si doping level for a fixed value of Al content (X =0.4) to n- type conductivity is about 1 x 1018cm-3. Time- resolved photoluminescence studies carried out on these materials have shown that Si-doping reduces the effect of carrier localization in AlxGa1-xN alloys and a sharp drop in carrier localization energy occurs when the Si doping concentration increases above 1x1018cm-3, which directly correlates with the observed electrical properties. For the Mg-doped AlxGa1-xN alloys, p-type conduction was achieved for x up to 0.27, as confirmed by variable temperature Hall measurements. Emission lines of band-to-impurity transitions of free electrons with neutral Mg acceptors as well as localized excitons have been observed in the p-type AlxGa1-xN alloys. The Mg acceptor activation energies EA were deduces from photoluminescence spectra and were found to increase with Al content and agreed very well with those obtained by Hall measurements. From the measured activation energy as a function of Al content, EA versus x, the resistivity of Mg-doped AlxGa1-x with high Al contents can be deduced. Our results have also shown that PL measurements provide direct means of obtaining EA especially where this cannot be obtained accurately by electrical methods due to high resistance of p-type AlxGa1-xN with high Al content.
Intersection of Small RNA Pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana Sub-Nuclear Domains

In Arabidopsis thaliana, functionally diverse small RNA (smRNA) pathways bring about decreased RNA accumulation of target genes via several different mechanisms. Cytological experiments have suggested that the processing of microRNAs (miRNAs) and heterochromatic small interfering RNAs (hc-siRNAs) occurs within a specific nuclear domain that can present Cajal Body (CB) characteristics. It is unclear whether single or multiple smRNA-related domains are found within the same CB and how specialization of the smRNA pathways is determined within this specific sub-compartment. To ascertain whether nuclear smRNA centers are spatially related, we localized key proteins required for siRNA or miRNA biogenesis by immunofluorescence analysis. The intranuclear distribution of the proteins revealed that hc-siRNA, miRNA and trans-acting siRNA (ta-siRNA) pathway proteins accumulate and colocalize within a sub-nuclear structure in the nucleolar periphery. Furthermore, colocalization of miRNA- and siRNA-pathway members with CB markers, and reduced wild-type localization patterns in CB mutants indicates that proper nuclear localization of these proteins requires CB integrity. We hypothesize that these nuclear domains could be important for RNA silencing and may partially explain the functional redundancies and interactions among components of the same protein family. The CB may be the place in the nucleus where Dicer-generated smRNA precursors are processed and assigned to a specific pathway, and where storage, recycling or assembly of RNA interference components takes place.
Purification and Characterization of Rat α-Lactalbumins: Apparent Genetic Variants

Abstract Rat α -lactalbumin, from the milk of Fischer 344 (CDF) rats, was isolated and purified by a combination of gel filtration and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. Three electro-phoretically distinct proteins had α -lactalbumin activity. Staining for carbohydrate indicated that at least two of the three forms were glycoproteins. The low molecular weight protein fraction from the wheys of two additional strains of laboratory rat were compared to ascertain whether the composition of this fraction was common in the divergent strains. Outbred Wistar and Long-Evans dams yielded wheys containing up to six forms of α -lactalbumin. Either one or both of two groups of three α -lactalbumins were in a given milk sample. The two groups of three α -lactalbumins appear to represent two genetic variants upon which is imposed a polymorphic character. All forms of α -lactalbumin, within and between strains, were immunologically identical.
Simulation-based transfer function modeling for transient analysis of general queueing systems

Abstract This paper is concerned with characterizing the transient behavior of general queueing systems, which is widely known to be notoriously difficult. The objective is to develop a statistical methodology, integrated with extensive offline simulation and preliminary queueing analysis, for the estimation of a small number of transfer function models (TFMs) that quantify the input–output dynamics of a general queueing system. The input here is the time-varying arrival rate of jobs to the system; the time-dependent output performances include the departure rate of jobs and the mean of the work in process (i.e., number of jobs in the system). The resulting TFMs are difference equations, like the discrete approximations of the ordinary differential equations provided by an analytical approach, while possessing the high fidelity of simulation. Our method is expected to overcome the shortcomings of the existing transient analysis approaches, i.e., the computational burden of simulation and the lack of fidelity of analytical queueing models.
Protection of the kidney after temporary ischemia: free radical scavengers

Free radicals have been implicated in the damage caused by tissue ischemia and reperfusion. Canine kidneys were subjected to a 60-minute period of normothermic ischemia. One group of animals received intra-arterial superoxide dismutase (SOD, 17.6 mg/50 ml, 50,000 units) at the end of the ischemic period, whereas a second group received albumin (17.6 mg/50 ml). The kidneys treated with SOD demonstrated significantly less edema formation (1.0 +/- 0.3% wet weight vs. 1.8 +/- 0.2%, mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.05) and lower renovascular resistance (44.0 +/- 5.6 dynes-sec/cm5 vs. 64.0 +/- 12.0, p less than 0.05). The SOD group displayed greater preservation of both glomerular filtration rate (45.9 +/- 6.1% of baseline vs. 23.7 +/- 5.8%, p less than 0.05) and urine flow (1.3 +/- 0.4 ml/min vs. 0.3 +/- 0.1, p less than 0.05). We conclude that the free radical scavenger SOD provides significant protection of the kidney during ischemia and reperfusion.
How Far Does the Itinerant Phosphoryl Group Move on a Phosphoryl-Transfer Enzyme?

A summary of recent and ongoing attempts to characterize the conformations of reaction complexes bound at the active sites of ATP-utilizing enzymes by high-resolution NMR methods is presented.
Juno Mission Simulation

The Juno spacecraft is planned to launch in August of 2012 and would arrive at Jupiter four years later. The spacecraft would spend more than one year orbiting the planet and investigating the existence of an ice-rock core; determining the amount of global water and ammonia present in the atmosphere, studying convection and deep- wind profiles in the atmosphere; investigating the origin of the Jovian magnetic field, and exploring the polar magnetosphere. Juno mission management is responsible for mission and navigation design, mission operation planning, and ground-data-system development. In order to ensure successful mission management from initial checkout to final de-orbit, it is critical to share a common vision of the entire mission operation phases with the rest of the project teams. Two major challenges are 1) how to develop a shared vision that can be appreciated by all of the project teams of diverse disciplines and expertise, and 2) how to continuously evolve a shared vision as the project lifecycle progresses from formulation phase to operation phase. The Juno mission simulation team addresses these challenges by developing agile and progressive mission models, operation simulations, and real-time visualization products. This paper presents mission simulation visualization network (MSVN) technology that has enabled a comprehensive mission simulation suite (MSVN-Juno) for the Juno project.
Rushton: The great theoretician and his contribution to personality

Abstract J. Philippe Rushton has been described as one of the greatest theorists in the field of personality and individual differences and social psychology. His life history theory (Differential K Theory) was said to bring unification to the scientific study of racial differences as Einstein’s theory of relativity unified the field of physics. It was maintained that Rushton’s General Factor of Personality (GFP) meshes with both general intelligence and his Differential K Theory. The present author presented a two-pillar theory of adaptive functioning that has a heavy concentration on Rushton conceptualization.
Combination of 5-Fluorouracil and N1,N11-Diethylnorspermine Markedly Activates Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase Expression, Depletes Polyamines, and Synergistically Induces Apoptosis in Colon Carcinoma Cells

The thymidylate synthase inhibitor 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is used widely for chemotherapy of colorectal carcinoma. Recent studies showed that 5-FU affects polyamine metabolism in colon carcinoma cells. We therefore examined whether combinations of 5-FU with drugs that specifically target polyamine metabolism, i.e. N1,N11-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) or alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), have synergistic effects in killing HCT116 colon carcinoma cells with wild-type or absent p53. Our results showed that simultaneous 5-FU and DENSPM, a spermine analogue, synergistically increased transcript levels of the polyamine catabolism enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, depleted spermine and spermidine, increased acetylated spermidine, and produced synergistic tumor cell apoptosis in both p53 wild-type and p53-null variants. By contrast, simultaneous combination of 5-FU with DFMO, an inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, depleted putrescine but did not produce synergistic cell killing. Some pre-treatment and post-treatment regimens of DENSPM and DFMO were antagonistic to 5-FU depending on cellular p53 status. Protein and transcriptome expression analysis showed that combined 5-FU and DENSPM treatment activated caspase 9, but not caspase 3, and significantly suppressed NADH dehydrogenases and cytochrome c oxidases, consistent with the observed increase in hydrogen peroxide, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome c. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the polyamine pathway in 5-FU effects and suggest that the combination of 5-FU with DENSPM has potential for development as therapy for colorectal carcinoma.
Improved spin-echo-edited NMR diffusion measurements.

Abstract The need for simple and robust schemes for the analysis of ligand-protein binding has resulted in the development of diffusion-based NMR techniques that can be used to assay binding in protein solutions containing a mixture of several ligands. As a means of gaining spectral selectivity in NMR diffusion measurements, a simple experiment, the gradient modified spin-echo (GOSE), has been developed to reject the resonances of coupled spins and detect only the singlets in the 1H NMR spectrum. This is accomplished by first using a spin echo to null the resonances of the coupled spins. Following the spin echo, the singlet magnetization is flipped out of the transverse plane and a dephasing gradient is applied to reduce the spectral artifacts resulting from incomplete cancellation of the J-coupled resonances. The resulting modular sequence is combined here with the BPPSTE pulse sequence; however, it could be easily incorporated into any pulse sequence where additional spectral selectivity is desired. Results obtained with the GOSE-BPPSTE pulse sequence are compared with those obtained with the BPPSTE and CPMG-BPPSTE experiments for a mixture containing the ligands resorcinol and tryptophan in a solution of human serum albumin.
Critical current measurements: A compendium of experimental results

Abstract The results of a programme to evaluate the measurement of the critical current of relatively small (
Amylose crystallization from concentrated aqueous solution.

Maize amylose, separated from granular starch by means of an aqueous leaching process, was used to investigate spherulite formation from concentrated mixtures of starch in water. Amylose (10−20%, w/w) was found to form a spherulitic semicrystalline morphology over a wide range of cooling rates (1−250 °C/min), provided it was first heated to >170 °C. This is explained through the effect of temperature on chain conformation. A maximum quench temperature of approximately 70 °C was required to produce spherulitic morphology. Quench temperatures between 70 and 110 °C produced a gel-like morphology. This is explained on the basis of the relative kinetics of liquid−liquid phase separation vis-a-vis crystallization. The possibility of the presence of a liquid crystalline phase affecting the process of spherulite formation is discussed.
An expedient synthesis of mellitic triimides.

Heating of the solid ammonium salts obtained from treatment of mellitic acid with 3 equiv of a primary amine yields trisubstituted mellitic triimides via dehydration and imide ring closure. This surprisingly simple synthetic approach is amenable to incorporation of alkyl, aryl, and amino acid ester substituents, thereby opening broad access to a family of C3-symmetric organic electron acceptors.
Some saturation properties of the representation formulae for (C0) m-parameter operator semigroups

Abstract In this paper, we determine the saturation order and the trivial class for some representation formulae of (C0) m-parameter operator semigroups.
Pattern Verification Through Die-To-Database Inspection

Die-to-database inspection allows a repetitive or non-repetitive pattern of any scale to be examined for data errors, random defects, and repetitive defects. This type of inspection finds repetitive defects that would not be detected in a die-to-die inspection mode. Increasing circuit and process complexity requires more intricate methods of data handling in terms of layout, sizing, and merging from design to final pattern generation. This increase in complexity of both data and data manipulation enhances the probability that an inadvertent data change may occur at some point between layout and final product. Inspection of the mask or reticle to the verified design will either find these unwanted changes or verify that no changes have occurred. Use of the Calma database as the source for the inspection provides a separate data conversion path parallel to the path used for pattern generation. This allows a more extensive data verification to be performed. If an intermediate format such as Electromask, Mann, or Mebes is used as source, some types of errors would not be detected since the data used for pattern generation and inspection would be one and the same. Thus, both the final product and the methods of data manipulation needed to produce the final product are checked when the Calma database is used as the inspection source. Pattern defects found with this type of inspection will be presented and explained as to their cause. The factors and limitations inherent to pure database inspection using the KLA-221 Klaris inspection system will be discussed.
The need to assess the impact of death education

Abstract This paper focuses on the recent phenomenon of death education. Formal approaches to education in this field have been needed for a long time. Assessment needs by various groups are discussed, as are examples of death education inquiry and curricular concerns.
Conducting social experiments

Randomized field experiments have been regarded as a gold standard in producing good evidence about the effects of social programs. But they have not been easy to conduct. In the past decade, the use of alternative randomization plans and incentives has contributed to their operational feasibility; legal, ethical, and professional arguments for experimentation have matured; and expectations have become better aligned with practical constraints that are likely to be encountered.
Method for high-power illumination of silicon for optically configurable microwave circuits

Photoexcited intrinsic silicon 'pixels' are applied as coupling elements between microstrip lines. Under proper illumination, the free-carrier concentration of the silicon increases sufficiently to pass a microwave signal across the pixels. Illumination is accomplished through the use of multimode fiber coupling between high-power laser diodes and multimode prismatic-waveguide output couplers. The prismatic couplers are fabricated on the endfaces of thick glass slab waveguides to direct the light onto the silicon pixel. This configuration delivers up to approximately 75% of the total laser diode light to the prism-waveguide couplers and these couplers, in turn, deliver up to approximately 70% of the input light to the silicon pixels. The prismatic waveguide couplers provide illumination uniformity within approximately ± 15% over the length of a 1mm X 5mm pixel. As a simple in-line coupler between microstrip lines, the fully illuminated pixel allowed an increase in transmitted signal of > 5dB over most of the range from 0.5GHz to 15GHz with > 10dB obtained over intermediate ranges. A silicon pixel tunable transmission line termination exhibits impedance matching at increasing wavelengths by successive illumination of multiple pixels, effectively increasing the length of the termination. This is illustrated by shifts in the resonant frequencies of the device reflection characteristics.
Rehearsals for revolution? Theatre of the Oppressed, dominant discourses, and democratic tensions

Theatre of the Oppressed was conceived by Brazilian theatre director and theorist Augusto Boal as a ‘rehearsal for revolution’; it hinges on participants' power to select material for inquiry and frame, shape, script, and perform stories of problems/oppressions in their own lives and communities. In a 12-week-long study I co-facilitated in the drama classroom of an urban charter school in the Autumn of 2007, six girls and two boys framed problems from their lives and communities, scripted and staged anti-model scenes, and performed a wide range of Forum interventions. As a facilitator, I struggled with the tension between my own desire to intervene in discourses in embedded assumptions I found problematic and my fears that by doing so, I would be colonising the workshop with my own privileged agenda. This article is about that struggle, and about the problem that popular positions and ideas are not necessarily progressive, and while Theatre of the Oppressed is usually utilised in support of politically pr...
Growth of single crystals of selenium in gels at ambient temperatures

Abstract The growth of selenium single crystals in organic gel media has been accomplished at near ambient temperatures. At least two different crystallographic modifications of selenium can be obtained depending upon the specifics of the growth system. The preparative techniques developed typically involve the diffusion of selenium solutions, e.g. carbon disulfide, methylene iodide etc. into toluene gels of styrenemaleic anhydride copolymers. The resulting single crystals whose size was in the order of 1.5–2 mm, were characterized by x-ray diffraction studies and suitable chemical analyses. The effects of different experimental system variables including selenium solvent, type of gel medium etc. on crystal characteristics are considered.
Effects of a classical conditioned ‘fear signal’ and ‘safety signal’ on nondiscriminated avoidance behavior

Rats were trained to avoid shock on a Sidman schedule in a shuttle apparatus; then they were tested with a probe stimulus that in a Pavlovian session for different groups signalled shock, or absence of shock. The danger signal increased the rate of avoidance responding and the safety signal decreased it. Two control procedures are compared.
Electrical conductivity, self-diffusion, and volume expansion of alkali halides at the melting point

In an earlier paper, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle was invoked at the melting point T m of crystalline solids to provide fundamental justification for Lindemann's melting law and to compute diffusion coefficients of several alkali halides. The uncertainty principle defines breakdown of Debye zone boundary (ZB) phonons as valid collective excitations when phonon energies and line widths due to anharmonicity become comparable at T m. Upon breakdown, random, high-frequency single-particle motion or “partial decoupling” of crystal ions sets in. Lifetimes of these single-particle ZB motions are determined from the “minimum-uncertainty product” inequality by assuming that it becomes an equality at T m for ZB phonons. The present paper addresses improved formulation of that work and extended application to ionic electrical conductivities of 18 molten alkali halides at T m. It is shown that use of the Debye model produces an approximate lower bound to the mean free time, not the unconstrained direct estimate previouslu implied. This feature is generally reflected in results for ionic conductivities and alkali halide diffusion coefficients for which comparison experimental data were found. However, in spite of this lower-bound formulation and the simple nature of the computation, the results compare favorably with experiment. A model of random single-particle harmonic motion superimposed on the lower-frequency collective motion is proposed to account for volume expansion accompanying the partial decoupling for hard-sphere ions. Experimental comparisons for 15 alkali halides show the decoupling volume change to account largely for the total volume change of melting (in the hard-sphere approximation), yielding a closer agreement with experiment than recent calculations aimed explicitly at the total volume change.
Face-Recognition Memory: Implications for Children's Eyewitness Testimony

In this paper we review studies pertaining to face-recognition memory and attempt to derive implications for assessing the dependability of children's performances as eyewitnesses. The small amount of data concerning children's performances in either identification parades or in laboratory face memory studies is reviewed; a somewhat more extensive, but still modest, literature concerning the performance of adults in these same contexts is examined in an attempt to draw useful generalizations about face recognition applicable to children. Throughout, we identify important developmental questions for future research.
Immunohistochemical and molecular cytogenetic evaluation of potential targets for tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder of Langerhans cells, a component of the dendritic cell system, with an unknown pathogenesis. Conventional therapy for patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis is usually effective, but some patients are refractory to treatment or develop toxicity. Thus, there is a need for innovative therapies. Recently, some cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis were reported to express platelet-derived growth factor receptors α and β or c-KIT by immunohistochemistry, and some of these patients had a clinical response to imatinib mesylate. Other hematologic disorders with PDGFRα or PDGFRβ gene rearrangements also have responded to imatinib mesylate. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunohistochemical and molecular markers in Langerhans cell histiocytosis that would identify cases for possible treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 14 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. As controls, we included cases of inflammatory dermatitis (n = 5) and dermatopathic lymphadenitis (n = 7). We performed immunohistochemistry for S100, CD1a, c-KIT, and platelet-derived growth factor receptors α and β. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to detect rearrangements of the PDGFRα or PDGFRβ genes was also performed. Four (28.5%) of 14 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis were positive for platelet-derived growth factor receptor α, whereas absent/weak expression was seen in 10 cases and all controls. All cases were negative for platelet-derived growth factor receptor β and c-KIT. The fluorescence in situ hybridization studies were also negative in all 8 cases with adequate quality DNA. Our findings suggest that a subset of cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis may be treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors due to the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α. Clinical trials that evaluate the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Langerhans cell histiocytosis seem warranted and should evaluate these markers.
Compensating differentials and the social benefits of the NFL: A comment

Abstract In a recent article in this journal, Carlino and Coulson [G. Carlino, N.E. Coulson, Compensating differentials and the social benefits of the NFL, Journal of Urban Economics 56 (1) (2004) 25–50] report evidence that the presence of an NFL franchise in a city raises rents in the central part of the city by about 8%. We re-estimate their model using several reasonable alternative specifications and find that their results are not robust to these changes. The presence of an NFL franchise does not appear to increase rents for center city apartments. Because their results are not robust to alternative model specifications, they should not be used to justify public spending for professional sports facilities.
A molecular orbital model of intergranular embrittlement

A current atomistic model for intergranular embrittlement is reviewed. It is argued that this model is incomplete and is applicable only in a region where impurity-impurity interactions are negligible. This restricts the application of this model to regions of dilute concentrations of embrittling agents at the grain boundary. What studies have been done show that changes in mechanical properties are a complicated function of the grain boundary concentration of segregated impurities. It is suggested that the brittle behavior may. in part, be due to the onset of chemical interactions between grain boundary impurities. SCF-Xga-SW molecular orbital calculations have been performed on a cluster designed to model the impurity-impurity interactions within a grain boundary. The results of these calculations indicate that these interactions are present and provide a basis for understanding the qualitative features of intergranular embrittlement.
The ARC/INFO geographic information system

Abstract ARC/INFO is a general-purpose system for processing geographic information. It is based on a relatively simple model of geographic space—the coverage—and contains an extensive set of geoprocessing tools which operate on coverages. ARC/INFO is used in a wide variety of applications areas, including: natural-resource inventory and planning, cadastral database development and mapping, urban and regional planning, and cartography. This paper is an overview of ARC/INFO and discusses the ARC/INFO conceptual architecture, data model, operators, and user interface.
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: Retroperitoneal versus transperitoneal approach

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy can be efficaciously performed by either the transperitoneal or the retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The primary indication for selecting one approach over another has historically depended on the individual surgeon's experience and training. With either technique, laparoscopy adheres to established surgical oncologic principles of wide specimen mobilization and early vascular control. This article reviews the history, contraindications, anatomic considerations, patient preparation, and surgical technique of these two laparoscopic approaches. A salient summary of the worldwide experience with these procedures is presented, as well as a brief synopsis of controversial arguments favoring specimen morcellation versus intact extraction.
“It Was Just That I Was Afraid”: Promoting Success by Addressing Students' Fear of Failure

This article considers the risk of failing college and how the fear of failure shapes students' behavior. Drawing on a semester-long study of students and instructors in a community college English composition course, this analysis highlights the potential for students to undermine their own educational goals in the absence of active intervention from the college, especially from course instructors.
A Description of Mothers' Questions to Their Young Deaf Children During Storybook Reading

The frequency and types of questions that four hearing mothers used with their 3- and 4-year-old deaf daughters was examined. Relationships between frequency and type of question and child mean length of utterance (MLU) measurements were also explored. Results indicated that the mothers used fewer questions than hearing mothers of hearing children but that the types of questions used were similar. Three mothers used text-related indirect commands, a question type not examined frequently in previous research. Child MLU measurements appeared to influence the amount and types of questions mothers used, although MLU, as measured in this study, may not have been a valid descriptor of the children's expressive language. Implications for the quality of language during joint book reading with young deaf children are discussed.
Cushing's syndrome: Why is diagnosis so difficult?

Practicing and perfecting the art of medicine demands recognition that uncertainty permeates all clinical decisions. When delivering clinical care, clinicians face a multiplicity of potential diagnoses, limitations in diagnostic capacity, and “sub-clinical” disease identified by tests rather than by clinical manifestations. In addition, clinicians must recognize the rapid changes in scientific knowledge needed to guide decisions. Cushing’s syndrome is one of several disorders in which there may be considerable difficulty and delay in diagnosis. This article describes a current model of clinical reasoning, some of its challenges, and the application of the principles of clinical epidemiology to meet some of those challenges.
Origin of salinity variations in Florida Bay

This note presents a method of distinguishing the source of freshwater that causes reductions in salinity in the coastal environment of South Florida. This technique, which uses the δ 18 O and 8D of the water, allows for differentiation of the freshwater derived from precipitation as opposed to runoff, because surface waters in the Everglades have been highly evaporated and therefore have elevated δ 18 O and 8D values relative to precipitation. A time series of monthly δ 18 O and δD values of surface waters, collected from stations in Florida Bay between 1993 and 1999, has shown that, during this time, the major source of freshwaters causing depressions in the salinity in the western portion of Florida Bay was derived from precipitation rather than from the runoff of water from the Everglades. In the eastern portion of Florida Bay, close to the boundary between peninsular Florida and the Bay, the proportion of freshwater derived from precipitation drops steadily, reaching <10%. This method not only allows differentiation between the sources of freshwater but can, in a temporal sense, ascertain the effectiveness of water management practices on the salinity of the estuarine ecosystems of South Florida.
Sensitivity and versatility of an adaptive system for controlling cyclic movements using functional neuromuscular stimulation

This study evaluated an adaptive control system (the PG/PS control system (see J. J. Abbas and H.J. Chizeck, vol. 42, p. 1117-27, 1995)) that had been designed for generating cyclic movements using functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS). Extensive simulations using computer-based models indicated that a broad range of control system parameter values performed well across a diverse population of model systems. The bet that manual tuning is not required for each individual makes this control system particularly attractive for implementation in FNS systems outside of research laboratories.
Cryoablation inside the pulmonary vein after failure of radiofrequency antral isolation.

Background Antral pulmonary vein (PV) ablation with radiofrequency (RF) energy has become widely used as a curative approach for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In some patients, despite antral ablation, PV entry and exit conduction block (BDB) cannot be achieved with RF energy. Cryoablation inside the PV may be an effective method to achieve BDB. Objective This study sought to describe a strategy of cryoablation within the PV to produce BDB in patients in whom antral RF ablation has failed. Methods In 15 of 148 consecutive patients (57 ± 8.9 years old, 80% male) with atrial fibrillation (14 paroxysmal, 1 chronic) undergoing PV isolation cryoablation (CryoCath Technologies, Inc., Montreal, Canada) was performed 12 ± 2 mm inside the PV after RF antral isolation failed. Nine patients were undergoing a repeat PV isolation procedure. Procedural and follow-up data were recorded and collected. Results In these 15 patients, BDB could not be achieved in 23 veins (12 left superior PV) with antral or ostial ablation alone. After cryoablation inside the vein, all patients had documented PV BDB and were in normal sinus rhythm at the end of the procedure. The average PV diameter before and after the procedure was unchanged (1.77 ± 0.18 vs 1.74 ± 0.19, P = .641). The average fluoroscopic and procedure times were 57 ± 16 min and 5.3 + 1.2 hours, respectively. At 1-year follow-up, 75% of patients remained in sinus rhythm off antiarrhythmic medication; 7 of 9 patients undergoing a repeat procedure were in sinus rhythm at 1 year off antiarrhythmics. None of the patients had clinical evidence of PV stenosis after cryoablation. Conclusion Cryoablation inside the PV after failed antral isolation with RF is a safe and effective method to achieve acute BDB.
Treatment of Serratia marcescens Meningitis with Prolonged Infusion of Meropenem

OBJECTIVE:To describe the use of and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) penetration o a prolonged infusion meropenem regimen in a patient with Serratia marcescen meningitis.CASE SUMMARY:A 54-year-old female was diagnosed with S. marcescen meningitis associated with an epidural abscess 57 days after surgery for a herniated spinal disk. Meropenem 2000 mg every 8 hours was administered as a prolonged (3 h) infusion for the purpose of optimizing pharmacodynamic exposure Meropenem concentrations were measured from the patient's blood and CSF (via a lumbar drain). The prolonged infusion regimen resulted in concentrations in both serum and CSF above the meropenem minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) o 0.047 μg/mL for 100% of the dosing interval. After 6 days of therapy, the patien showed no further signs of infection and was subsequently discharged to a rehabilitation facility. At follow-up, she had completed a 4 week course of the prolonged infused therapy without relapse or adverse events.DISCUSSION:Gram-negative i...