cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating cotton response to free-air carbon dioxide enrichment with canopy reflectance observations

Most approaches for monitoring plant growth and development have serious drawbacks which limit their use in agricultural research programs. First of all, traditional methods for measuring above-ground green leaf area index (LAI) and biomass are very labor intensive, tedious and time consuming to execute. The size, number and frequency of samples required to characterize the plant canopy and detect statistically significant differences between treatments are usually large and often not practicable because of constraints on labor and space for cold storage and oven drying. Destructive sampling techniques are usually not appropriate in small research plots because the removal of some individuals from the population alters the response of remaining plants. Furthermore, the time required for physically separating leaves from stems and measuring them with a leaf area meter or waiting for tissues to dry in an oven precludes the use of these data in real-time decision making processes. Thus, important information that has immediate utility for assessing the efficacy of different treatments, identifying incipient problems, or guiding future sampling efforts is typically not available until several days or weeks after the samples have been collected. Non-invasive, remote sensing techniques which use plant canopy reflectance to monitor changes in canopy conditionmore » avoid these problems while providing scientists with an efficient tool for research and management of their projects. 19 refs., 9 figs., 10 tabs.« less
Whole-body vibration transmissibility in supine humans: effects of board litter and neck collar.

Abstract Whole-body vibration has been identified as a stressor to supine patients during medical transportation. The transmissibility between the input platform acceleration and the output acceleration of the head, sternum, pelvis, head-sternum, and pelvis-sternum of eight supine subjects were investigated. Vibration files were utilized in the fore-aft, lateral, and vertical directions. The power spectral density across the bandwidth of 0.5–20 Hz was approximately flat for each file. A comparison between a baseline rigid-support and a support with a long spinal board strapped to a litter has shown that the latter has considerable effects on the transmitted motion in all directions with a double magnification in the vertical direction around 5 Hz. The results also showed that the neck-collar has increased the relative head-sternum flexion–extension because of the input fore-aft vibration, but reduced the head-sternum extension–compression due to the input vertical vibration.
Dispersion of nanofillers in high performance polymers using reactive solvents as processing aids

Melt mixing of nanoparticles with high performance polymers is not feasible due to severe shear heating and formation of particle aggregates. An alternative scheme was investigated in the present study involving the use of low molecular weight reactive solvents as processing aid and dispersing agent. Dispersion of nanosize fumed silica particles in polyethersulphone (PES) matrix was studied with the aid of small amounts of low molecular weight epoxy. Viscosity and processing temperatures of PES were significantly reduced and fumed silica particles were successfully dispersed to nanoscales. Epoxy component was polymerized after dispersion of fumed silica to recover the mechanical properties. Significant improvement in barrier resistance and heat deflection temperature over neat PES was observed.
Geometric Calibration of Digital Cameras for 3D Cumulus Cloud Measurements

Abstract A technique for calibrating digital cameras for stereo photogrammetry of cumulus clouds is presented. It has been applied to characterize the formation of summer thunderstorms observed during the Cumulus Photogrammetric, In Situ, and Doppler Observations (CuPIDO) project. Starting from gross measurements of locations, orientations of cameras, and landmark surveys, accurate locations and orientations of the cameras are obtained by minimizing a geometric error (GE). Once accurate camera parameters are obtained, 3D positions of cloud-feature points are computed by triangulation. The main contributions of this paper are as follows. First, it is proven that the GE has only one minimum in the neighborhood of the real parameters of a camera. In other words, searching the minimum of the GE enables the authors to find the right camera parameters even if there are significant differences between the initial measurements and their true values. Second, a new coarse-to-fine iterative algorithm is developed th...
Attachment Theory and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Attachment theory is applied to understanding and treatment of the anxiety condition of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults. Conceptualized as intensified attachment behavior which is elicited at separation or loss or threat of separation, PTSD responses represent an inherent, though exaggerated, attempt to ensure protection and security. The secure base of a therapeutic relationship reduces the intensity of responses and provides an opportunity to review experiences relevant to current distress in order to affirm emotional reactions and come to terms with distressing events. Implications for prevention are discussed.
Willingness to participate in genomics research and desire for personal results among underrepresented minority patients: a structured interview study

Patients from traditionally underrepresented communities need to be involved in discussions around genomics research including attitudes towards participation and receiving personal results. Structured interviews, including open-ended and closed-ended questions, were conducted with 205 patients in an inner-city hospital outpatient clinic: 48 % of participants self-identified as Black or African American, 29 % Hispanic, 10 % White; 49 % had an annual household income of <$20,000. When the potential for personal results to be returned was not mentioned, 82 % of participants were willing to participate in genomics research. Reasons for willingness fell into four themes: altruism; benefit to family members; personal health benefit; personal curiosity and improving understanding. Reasons for being unwilling fell into five themes: negative perception of research; not personally relevant; negative feelings about procedures (e.g., blood draws); practical barriers; and fear of results. Participants were more likely to report that they would participate in genomics research if personal results were offered than if they were not offered (89 vs. 62 % respectively, p < 0.001). Participants were more interested in receiving personal genomic risk results for cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes than obesity (89, 89, 91, 80 % respectively, all p < 0.001). The only characteristic consistently associated with interest in receiving personal results was disease-specific worry. There was considerable willingness to participate in and desire for personal results from genomics research in this sample of predominantly low-income, Hispanic and African American patients. When returning results is not practical, or even when it is, alternatively or additionally providing generic information about genomics and health may also be a valuable commodity to underrepresented minority and other populations considering participating in genomics research.
Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for germ cell tumor of testis in association with horseshoe kidney

Abstract Four of 310 patients (1.3 per cent) who underwent retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for germ cell tumor of the testis at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between July, 1971, and July, 1978, had incidental finding of horseshoe kidney. The management of these 4 patients is presented, with specific reference to the surgical technique of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy can be performed by adequate mobilization of the renal isthmus without the need of its division.
A visit to the wasteland of federal scientific and technical information policy.

Long before the appearance of the Reagan Administration, whose expressed policy was and is the reduction of the Federal Government in all areas save national security, there has been what is almost a precipitous retreat from overall planning and management of Federal scientific and technical information. The exodus got underway during the Nixon Administration in the early 1970s, a few years before the science apparatus was banished from the White House by a president who became disenchanted with scientists, if not science. The problem was that the stiff-necked men of science refused to bow down before the idols of political expediency.
In vitro assessment of adrenocortical toxicity.

Among the endocrine glands, the adrenal cortex is one of the most vulnerable to chemically induced lesions (Ribelin, 1984; Szabo and Lippe, 1989; Colby and Longhurst, 1992). Because of the multiple levels of control of adrenocortical function, there are a number of potential sites of action for toxicants to interfere with adrenal homeostasis (Fig. 1). Thus, compounds affecting the hypothalamus and/or anterior pituitary gland may alter ACTH secretion, thereby changing adrenal cortisol production. Nonetheless, most of the known adrenocortical toxicants exert effects directly on the gland (Colby and Longhurst, 1992). However, even within the adrenocortical cell, there are potentially multiple targets for toxic substances. Interference with CAMP production, for example, would compromise the capacity for hormone synthesis and secretion. In addition, the complexity of the pathways required for steroid hormone synthesis (Fig. 2) provides chemicals with numerous enzymatic targets for inhibition of steroidogenesis. Indeed many different types of chemically unrelated substances have been found to directly affect the catalytic function of one or more enzymes in the pathway, thereby altering steroid hormone production and output (Colby and Longhurst, 1992). Although in vivo investigations are essential for establishing the toxic potential of chemicals on the adrenal cortex, it is difficult to determine the specific sites and mechanisms of action in such studies. Accordingly, in vitro adrenal preparations are often employed for more mechanistic analyses of toxic effects on the gland, but are, of course, limited to those substances acting directly on the adrenal. The focus of this review is on the use
First-Year Undergraduate Laboratory Experiments with Zeolites

The synthesis of Zeolite A or Linde Type A zeolite is described as an undergraduate laboratory geared for the first-year student in general chemistry. The procedure describes the synthesis, isolation, and various qualitative and quantitative characterization methods related to the material’s water-softening ability.
Schottky barriers on GaAs: Screened pinning at defect levels

Schottky barrier heights on {ital n}-type GaAs can be made to vary from 0.30 to 1.20 eV by adjusting the conditions under which the Schottky contact is fabricated. To explain the observed trends it is asserted (a) that there are several defect pinning points associated with GaAs surfaces, (b) that an appropriate interfacial permittivity may be defined to predict the barrier height from the metal work function and the position of the appropriate pinning point, and (c) the pinning point is sensitive to the metal-GaAs reaction chemistry. In a thermodynamic context the present analysis is an electronegativity model. The work function of a polycrystalline metal and the charge neutrality level of the semiconductor are interpreted as the bulk chemical potentials of the two materials. When the two materials are brought into contact electronegativity equalization takes place as charge is transferred across the interface in the formation of metal-semiconductor bonds. Proper derivation of the equilibrium bond charge dipole requires a knowledge of the chemical {open_quotes}softness{close_quotes} of the two surfaces being brought into contact as well as the electronegativity difference of the two materials. The equilibrium dipole determines the barrier height of an {open_quotes}ideal interface Schottky contact.{close_quotes} A description is given ofmore » how the softness of metal and semiconductor surfaces may be defined and how near surface defects in the semiconductor modify the interfacial dipole. The strength of the model is in its descriptive power as it can identify the specific native defects at which pinning is observed in GaAs Schottky diodes. It provides a framework for the development of a predictive model based on identifying the particular native defects produced by the reaction of specific metals with a semiconductor as a function of the process history. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Aspects of the interaction between vegetation and soil under global change

Responses of terrestrial ecosystems to a world undergoing a change in atmospheric CO2 concentration presents a formidable challenge to terrestrial ecosystem scientists. Strong relationships among climate, atmosphere, soils and biota at many different temporal and spatial scales make the understanding and prediction of changes in net ecosystem production (NEP) at a global scale difficult. Global C cycle models have implicitly attempted to account for some of this complexity by adapting lower pool sizes and smaller flux rates representing large regions and long temporal averages than values appropriate for a small area. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that terrestrial ecosystems may be experiencing a strong transient forcing as a result of increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 that will require a finer temporal and spatial representation of terrestrial systems than the parameters for current global C cycle models allow. To adequately represent terrestrial systems in the global C cycle it is necessary to explicitly model the response of terrestrial systems to primary environmental factors. While considerable progress has been made experimentally and conceptually in aspects of photosynthetic responses, and gross and net primary production, the application of this understanding to NEP at individual sites is not well developed. This is an essential step in determining effects of plant physiological responses on the global C cycle. We use a forest stand succession model to explore the effects of several possible plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration. These simulations show that ecosystem C storage can be increased by increases in individual tree growth rate, reduced transpiration, or increases in fine root production commensurate with experimental observations.
Differential transcriptional regulation by mouse single-minded 2S

Single-minded 1 and 2 are unique members of the basic helix-loop-helix Per-Arnt-Sim family as they are transcriptional repressors. Here we report the identification and transcriptional characterization of mouse Sim2s, a splice variant of Sim2, which is missing the carboxyl Pro/Ala-rich repressive domain. Sim2s is expressed at high levels in kidney and skeletal muscle; however, the ratio of Sim2 to Sim2s mRNA differs between these tissues. Similar to full-length Sim2, Sim2s interacts with Arnt and to a lesser extent, Arnt2. The effects of Sim2s on transcriptional regulation through hypoxia, dioxin, and central midline response elements are different than that of full-length Sim2. Specifically, Sim2s exerts a less repressive effect on hypoxia-induced gene expression than full-length Sim2, but is just as effective as Sim2 at repressing TCDD-induced gene expression from a dioxin response element. Interestingly, Sim2s bind to and activates expression from a central midline response element-controlled reporter through an Arnt transactivation domain-dependent mechanism. The differences in expression pattern, protein interactions, and transcriptional activities between Sim2 and Sim2s may reflect differential roles each isoform plays during development or in tissue-specific effects on other protein-mediated pathways.
Car Country: An Environmental History

Christopher W. Wells. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 2013. xxxiv and 430 pp., maps, photos, diagrams, illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $40.00 cloth (ISBN 978-0-295-99215-0)....
NeatFreq: reference-free data reduction and coverage normalization for De Novo sequence assembly

Background: Deep shotgun sequencing on next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms has contributed significant amounts of data to enrich our understanding of genomes, transcriptomes, amplified single-cell genomes, and metagenomes. However, deep coverage variations in short-read data sets and high sequencing error rates of modern sequencers present new computational challenges in data interpretation, including mapping and de novo assembly. New lab techniques such as multiple displacement amplification (MDA) of single cells and sequence independent single primer amplification (SISPA) allow for sequencing of organisms that cannot be cultured, but generate highly variable coverage due to amplification biases. Results: Here we introduce NeatFreq, a software tool that reduces a data set to more uniform coverage by clustering and selecting from reads binned by their median kmer frequency (RMKF) and uniqueness. Previous algorithms normalize read coverage based on RMKF, but do not include methods for the preferred selection of (1) extremely low coverage regions produced by extremely variable sequencing of random-primed products and (2) 2-sided paired-end sequences. The algorithm increases the incorporation of the most unique, lowest coverage, segments of a genome using an error-corrected data set. NeatFreq was applied to bacterial, viral plaque, and single-cell sequencing data. The algorithm showed an increase in the rate at which the most unique reads in a genome were included in the assembled consensus while also reducing the count of duplicative and erroneous contigs (strings of high confidence overlaps) in the deliverable consensus. The results obtained from conventional Overlap-Layout-Consensus (OLC) were compared to simulated multi-de Bruijn graph assembly alternatives trained for variable coverage input using sequence before and after normalization of coverage. Coverage reduction was shown to increase processing speed and reduce memory requirements when using conventional bacterial assembly algorithms. Conclusions: The normalization of deep coverage spikes, which would otherwise inhibit consensus resolution, enables High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) assembly projects to consistently run to completion with existing assembly software. The NeatFreq software package is free, open source and available at https://github.com/bioh4x/NeatFreq.
Exercise and Bone Mineral Density in Premenopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective. Examine the effects of exercise on femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women. Methods. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled exercise trials ≥24 weeks in premenopausal women. Standardized effect sizes () were calculated for each result and pooled using random-effects models, score alpha values, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and number needed to treat (NNT). Heterogeneity was examined using and . Moderator and predictor analyses using mixed-effects ANOVA and simple metaregression were conducted. Statistical significance was set at . Results. Statistically significant improvements were found for both FN (7's, 466 participants, , 95% , 0.553, , , , %, ) and LS (6's, 402 participants, , 95% , 0.394, , , , %, ) BMD. A trend for greater benefits in FN BMD was observed for studies published in countries other than the United States and for those who participated in home versus facility-based exercise. Statistically significant, or a trend for statistically significant, associations were observed for 7 different moderators and predictors, 6 for FN BMD and 1 for LS BMD. Conclusions. Exercise benefits FN and LS BMD in premenopausal women. The observed moderators and predictors deserve further investigation in well-designed randomized controlled trials.
A sedimentological study of the dredged material deposit in the New York Bight

A variety of sediment types were identified in sediment cores taken at the dredged material dumpsite in the New York Bight. Black sandy mud is characteristic of dumped dredged material while glauconitic and quartzose sands are typical of the naturally deposited sediments underlying the deposit. The sedimentological investigation indicates that largescale differentiation of dumped material occurs at the dumpsite. Laminated sediments and discrete beds are typical of the central part of the deposit, the area that receives the bulk of direct dumping. Relatively homogeneous, fine-grained sediments, presumably derived from the area of direct dumping, are characteristic of the material present at the periphery of the deposit. Preferential transport of fine-grained material to the fringes of the deposit may be an important contaminant transport mechanism in the area. Incursion of glauconitic sand, derived from surrounding areas, onto the edges of the deposit is also believed to occur. Based on bathymetric surveys of the area conducted in 1936, 1973, and 1978, rates of dredged material accumulation at the dumpsite have been estimated for the period 1936–1978. The calculated rates range from 50 cm/yr at the apex of the deposit to 6 cm/yr at the periphery.
Circanota: a new genus of Sparganothini from the Neotropics, and its two new species (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae).

Circanota, new genus, and its two new species, Circanota undulata sp. n. (type species), from Costa Rica and Panama, and Circanota simplex sp. n., from Panama and Ecuador, are described and illustrated. Although superficially similar to some species of Platynota Clemens, 1860, Circanota appears to be more closely related to members of a putative clade within Sparganothini defined by a slender crescent-shaped signum in the corpus bursae of the female genitalia. The most conspicuous autapomorphy for Circanota is the strongly undulate costa of the male and female forewing. Barcode sequence data (i.e., cytochrome oxidase I) from Circanota undulata (n = 12) form a tight cluster with exceedingly limited genetic divergence (less than 0.1%); specimens of Circanota simplex have not been sequenced. In neighbor-joining trees based on COI, Circanota is portrayed nearest Sparganothoides, which is consistent with morphological evidence.
Satellite Attitude Control and Power Tracking with Energy/Momentum Wheels

A control law for an integrated power/attitude control system (IPACS) for a satellite is presented. Four or more energy/momentum wheels in an arbitrary noncoplanar cone guration and a set of three thrusters are used to implement the torque inputs. The energy/momentum wheels are used as attitude-control actuators, as well as an energy storage mechanism, providing power to the spacecraft. In that respect, they can replace the currently used heavy chemical batteries. The thrusters are used to implement the torques for large and fast (slew) maneuvers during the attitude-initialization and target-acquisition phases and to implement the momentum management strategies. The energy/momentum wheels are used to provide the reference-tracking torques and the torques for spinningupor down thewheels for storing or releasing kineticenergy. The controller publishedina previous work by the authors is adopted here for the attitude-tracking function of the wheels. Power tracking for charging and discharging the wheels is added to complete the IPACS framework. The torques applied by the energy/momentum wheels are decomposed into two spaces that are orthogonal to each other, with the attitude-control torques and power-tracking torques in each space. This control law can be easily incorporated in an IPACS system onboard a satellite. The possibility of the occurrence of singularities, in which no arbitrary energy proe le can be tracked, is studied for a generic wheel cluster cone guration. A standard momentum management scheme is considered to nullthe total angular momentumof the wheels so as tominimizethe gyroscopic effects and prevent the singularity from occurring. A numerical example for asatellite inalow Earth near-polar orbit is provided totest the proposed IPACS algorithm. The satellite’s boresight axis is required to track a ground station, and the satellite is required to rotate about its boresight axis so that the solar panel axis is perpendicular to the satellite‐sun vector.
Spectroscopic studies of carbons. XXII. The oxidation of polyvinyl halide chars

Abstract Chars prepared by pyrolyzing polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl bromide, and polyvinyl fluoride in vacuum were oxidized in pure 0 2 at 150 Torr over the 100–600°C range. The chars were chosen to be representative of each of the different stages of the degradation and carbonization process of the specific polyvinyl halide and/or the group as a whole. Reactions leading to the formation of surface oxidic species were followed with infrared photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy and the results discussed in relation to the nature of the individual char and its extent of carbonization. Some band assignments to specific surface species were made, and the evolution of these bands was followed and discussed in the context of the surface properties of the char precursor. Low temperature chars ( 450 °C resulted in the burn-off of the chars and the accompanying loss of acidic carbonylic species.
Decoupling a fermion whose mass comes from a Yukawa coupling

Perturbative analyses seem to suggest that fermions whose mass comes solely from a Yukawa coupling to a scalar field can be made arbitrarily heavy, while the scalar remains light. The effects of the fermion can be summarized by a local effective Lagrangian for the light degrees of freedom. Using weak coupling and large N techniques, we present a variety of models in which this conclusion is shown to be false when nonperturbative variations of the scalar field are considered. The heavy fermions contribute nonlocal terms to the effective action for light degrees of freedom. This resolves paradoxes about anomalous symmetry violation in these models. Application of these results to lattice gauge theory imply that attempts to decouple lattice fermion doubles by the method of Swift and Smit cannot succeed, a result already suggested by lattice calculations.
Broken and Empty: Pastoral Leadership as Embodying Radical Courage, Humility, Compassion, and Hope

This article presents a reflection on pastoral leadership through the prisms of the particular issues and crises extant in U.S. society and a passage from the Gospel of Thomas. I argue that the current social dilemmas and struggles in the U.S. represent a crisis of care. In particular, I note that several social-political and economic factors heighten existential vulnerability and anxiety, which in turn give rise to rampant social, class, and ecclesial divisions, hostile conflicts, and interhuman alienation, all of which signify and contribute to a diminished obligation to care for Others. This diagnosis of the social situation sets the stage for a prescription—depicting the kind of leadership needed in society and communities of faith. Beginning with a brief eisegetical account of a passage from the Gospel of Thomas, I contend that care-full pastoral leadership in a polarized society requires radical courage, humility, compassion, and hope. I conclude with a brief discussion on ways to form pastoral leaders who can attend to the ambiguities, uncertainties, vulnerabilities, and division within their churches, as well as invite their communities of faith to be compassionate and reconciling presences in a culture of conflict and alienation.
Controllable ON-OFF adhesion for Earth orbit grappling applications

ON-OFF adhesives can benefit multiple Earth orbit applications by providing the capability to selectively anchor two surfaces together repeatedly and releasably without significant preload. Key to this new capability, targets will not need special preparation; ON-OFF adhesives can be used with cooperative and non-cooperative objects, like defunct satellites or space debris. Using an ON-OFF adhesive gripper allows large surfaces on a target to serve as potential grapple points, reducing the precision needed in the sensing and control throughout the grapple operation. A space-rated adhesive structure is presented that can be turned ON-OFF using a slight sliding motion. This adhesive mimics the geometry and performance characteristics of the adhesive structures found on the feet of gecko lizards. Results from adhesive testing on common orbital surfaces like solar panels, thermal blankets, composites, and painted surfaces are presented. Early environmental testing results from cold temperature and vacuum tests are also presented. Finally, the paper presents the design, fabrication, and preliminary testing of a gripping mechanism enabled by these ON-OFF adhesives in preparation for satellite-servicing applications. Adhesive levels range from near zero on rough surfaces to more than 75 kPa on smooth surfaces like glass.
A micro cell culture analog (µCCA) with 3-D hydrogel culture of multiple cell lines to assess metabolism-dependent cytotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs

A microfluidic device with 3-D hydrogel cell cultures has been developed to test the cytotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs while reproducing multi-organ interactions. In this device, a micro cell culture analog (µCCA), cells embedded in 3-D hydrogels are cultured in separate chambers representing the liver, tumor, and marrow, which are connected by channels mimicking blood flow. While the microfluidic network provides a platform for mimicking the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of a drug in humans, the 3-D hydrogel provides a more physiologically realistic environment to mimic the tissue than monolayer culture. Colon cancer cells (HCT-116) and hepatoma cells (HepG2/C3A) were encapsulated in Matrigel and cultured in the tumor and the liver chamber in a µCCA, respectively. Myeloblasts (Kasumi-1) were encapsulated in alginate in the marrow chamber; a stiffer hydrogel was necessary to prevent cell migration out of the matrix. The cytotoxic effect of Tegafur, an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), on each cell line was tested using the µCCA with cell-embedded hydrogel. The comparison of experimental results using a 96-well microtiter plate and a µCCA demonstrated that the µCCA was able to reproduce the metabolism of Tegafur to 5-FU in the liver and consequent death of cells by 5-FU, while the cultures in a 96-well microtiter plate were unable to do so. The µCCA utilizing 3-D hydrogel cell cultures has potential as a platform for pharmacokinetic-based drug screening in a more physiologically realistic environment.
Echocardiographic and anatomic findings in atrioventricular discordance with ventriculoarterial concordance

Atrioventricular (AV) discordance with ventriculoarterial (VA) concordance is a rare form of congenital heart disease that consists of 5 different anatomic types. The salient therapeutic consideration uniting these 5 different anatomic entities is that anatomic correction can be achieved by an atrial switch procedure with closure of any associated septal defect. Three patients who had AV discordance with VA concordance are presented, with emphasis upon 2-dimensional echocardiographic diagnosis and surgical management. One of these patients had ventricular inversion with inverted normally related great arteries in situs solitus (i.e., [S,L,I]), thus representing a form of congenital heart disease that until now has not been documented anatomically. Although these are complex defects, multiple-plane imaging with 2-dimensional echocardiography was found to be extremely reliable in ascertaining the anatomy when a comprehensive, segmental analysis is applied. This approach includes determination of visceroatrial situs, ventricular loop and great arterial position and alignment. A surgical approach to closure of the ventricular septal defect through the left-sided infundibulum in isolated ventricular inversion afforded excellent exposure of the defect and avoided AV conduction block.
Indicators of Client Engagement: Influences on Alcohol Treatment Satisfaction and Outcomes.

This investigation explored the relationship of client engagement variables (client expectations, therapeutic/working alliance, and session attendance) with treatment satisfaction and posttreatment drinking-related outcomes using data from 2 outpatient alcohol treatment studies (N=208). Path analysis was used to test a model in which engagement variables jointly influence client satisfaction with treatment and subsequent drinking-related outcomes. The proposed model fit well with the data and accounted for 14-23% of the variance in posttreatment outcomes. The relationships in the model suggest that the link between treatment satisfaction and outcome is clarified by examining client engagement variables, which relate indirectly to outcome by means of client satisfaction.
Coverage of the Test of Memory Malingering, Victoria Symptom Validity Test, and Word Memory Test on the Internet: Is test security threatened?

In forensic neuropsychological settings, maintaining test security has become critically important, especially in regard to symptom validity tests (SVTs). Coaching, which can entail providing patients or litigants with information about the cognitive sequelae of head injury, or teaching them test-taking strategies to avoid detection of symptom dissimulation has been examined experimentally in many research studies. Emerging evidence supports that coaching strategies affect psychological and neuropsychological test performance to differing degrees depending on the coaching paradigm and the tests administered. The present study sought to examine Internet coverage of SVTs because it is potentially another source of coaching, or information that is readily available. Google searches were performed on the Test of Memory Malingering, the Victoria Symptom Validity Test, and the Word Memory Test. Results indicated that there is a variable amount of information available about each test that could threaten test security and validity should inappropriately interested parties find it. Steps that could be taken to improve this situation and limitations to this exploration are discussed.
General interval type-2 Mamdani fuzzy systems are universal approximators

Fuzzy systems using type-2 fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic are important and are indeed gaining increasing attention in the literature (e.g., type-2 fuzzy controllers and fuzzy models). A fundamental question is whether a type-2 fuzzy system is a universal approximator in that it is capable of uniformly approximating any real continuous function on a compact domain to any degree of accuracy. Up to date, no work addressing this issue can be found in the literature. In this paper, we constructively prove that a general class of Mamdani interval type-2 fuzzy systems is universal approximator. This result lays a theoretical foundation for the fuzzy systems development.
Detection of micrometastases in peritoneal washings of gastric cancer patients by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Background Gastric cancer patients with positive (+) peritoneal cytology have a prognosis similar to stage IV patients. We studied the ability of quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect peritoneal micrometastases in patients undergoing staging laparoscopy.
Generalized Language Measure of Finite State Logical Systems

The signed real measure of regular languages has been introduced and validated in recent literature for quantitative analysis and synthesis of discrete-event supervisory (DES) control systems. This paper reports several generalizations of the language measure, which are applicable to synthesis of optimal discrete event supervisory control. These generalizations eliminate a user-selectable parameter in the original concept of language measure. The concepts are illustrated with simple examples
Are there subgroups of bulimia nervosa based on comorbid psychiatric disorders

Objective The current study sought to determine whether there are subtypes of bulimia nervosa (BN) differentiated by comorbid psychiatric disorders. Method Data on comorbid psychiatric diagnoses in female relatives of probands and controls in the Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) who met criteria for BN (as outlined in the 3rd Rev. ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) were analyzed using latent class analysis. Resulting latent classes were compared on a variety of variables related to impulsive behaviors and psychological functioning. Results The best-fitting solution, a two-class model, yielded one class (72%) characterized by substance dependence, depression, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and anxiety disorders, and another characterized by depression. The highly comorbid class had more suicidality, more daily smokers, sought help for emotional problems, and had lower Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores compared with those in the comorbid depression only class. Discussion Latent class findings suggest the existence of two classes of BN differentiated by substance dependence, impulsive behaviors, and poorer psychological functioning. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Reducing the Incidence of Paraplegia

Paraplegia is a major complication associated with repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). A number of therapies have been tried over the years, none of which has been successful. Recently, regional lumbar epidural cooling has been tried in an attempt to prolong the safe ischemic time during aortic cross- clamping. In approximately 90 patients in whom the authors have tried this technique, there was no de crease in the incidence of paraplegia in patients with type II TAAAs. This is perhaps not unanticipated be cause the paraplegia is related to a number of factors including the duration of the aortic cross-clamping, the adequacy of collateral circulation, embolization during the procedure, and perhaps thrombosis in situ. Given the multimodal cause of paraplegia, perhaps it is naive to think that a single therapy would be of benefit. Additional studies are necessary to explore the mecha nisms and to prove efficacy or lack of benefit of any techniques designed to decrease the incidence of parapl...
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Infection, Propagation, Quantitation, and Storage

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was first reported as the etiological agent of Burkitt's lymphoma in 1964. Since then, EBV has also been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia, as well as infectious mononucleosis, complications of AIDS, and transplant-related B cell lymphomas. This virus has further been linked with T cell lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease, establishing the concept of a wide spectrum of EBV-associated malignant disorders. So far, there are a number of EBV-infected cell lines established that can be induced for production of infectious viral progeny and that facilitate the study of the mechanism of EBV-related infection, transformation, and oncogenesis. This unit describes procedures for the preparation of EBV virion particles and in vitro infection of cells with EBV. In addition, procedures for quantitation and storage of the virus are provided.
EXPORTIN1 Genes are Essential for Development and Function of the Gametophytes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Gametes are produced in plants through mitotic divisions in the haploid gametophytes. We investigated the role of EXPORTIN1 (XPO1) genes during the development of both female and male gametophytes of Arabidopsis. Exportins exclude target proteins from the nucleus and are also part of a complex recruited at the kinetochores during mitosis. Here we show that double mutants in Arabidopsis XPO1A and XPO1B are gametophytic defective. In homozygous–heterozygous plants, 50% of the ovules were arrested at different stages according to the parental genotype. Double-mutant female gametophytes of xpo1a-3/+; xpo1b-1/xpo1b-1 plants failed to undergo all the mitotic divisions or failed to complete embryo sac maturation. Double-mutant female gametophytes of xpo1a-3/xpo1a-3; xpo1b-1/+ plants had normal mitotic divisions and fertilization occurred; in most of these embryo sacs the endosperm started to divide but an embryo failed to develop. Distortions in male transmission correlated with the occurrence of smaller pollen grains, poor pollen germination, and shorter pollen tubes. Our results show that mitotic divisions are possible without XPO1 during the haploid phase, but that XPO1 is crucial for the maternal-to-embryonic transition.
Thermal analysis of the radiation induced conductivity in GeO2 glasses

Abstract Gamma radiation effects upon sodium ion transport in GeO2 glasses prepared with a variety of liquid equilibration temperatures, T φ, have been examined. The thermal annealing of these effects has been measured and the results interpreted to give insight into the radiation induced perturbation of the glass structure through which the alkali ion moves. These results indicate that the activation energy for removal of the radiation induced modification is 2.0 eV irrespective of the glass preparation conditions.
Childhood maltreatment and illicit drug use in middle adulthood: The role of neighborhood characteristics

This paper examined whether childhood maltreatment increases the risk of living in neighborhoods with less desirable characteristics (i.e., more disorder and disadvantage, less social cohesion, social control and advantage, and fewer resources) in middle adulthood and whether these neighborhood characteristics influence subsequent illicit drug use. Using a prospective cohort design study, court documented cases of childhood abuse and neglect and matched controls (n = 833) were first interviewed as young adults (mean age = 29 years) from 1989 to 1995 and again in middle adulthood from 2000 to 2002 (mean age = 40 years) and 2003 to 2005 (mean age = 41 years). In middle adulthood, individuals with histories of childhood abuse and neglect were more likely to live in neighborhoods with more disorder and disadvantage and less social cohesion and advantage compared to controls and to engage in illicit drug use during the past year. Path analyses showed an indirect effect on illicit drug use via neighborhood disorder among maltreated children, even after accounting for drug abuse symptoms in young adulthood, although this was sex specific and race specific, affecting women and Whites. Overall, child abuse and neglect places children on a negative trajectory that dynamically influences negative outcomes at multiple levels into middle adulthood.
Genlocked digital overlay on a video signal

The synchronization problems involved in mixing computer graphics with a video signal are outlined, and it is shown how two components solve them. The components, a video encoder and a genlocking digitizer facilitate overlays of digital computer graphics and/or text data onto a standard analog NTSC (National Television System Committee) or PAL baseband television signal. The mapping of the clock and subcarrier recovery algorithm and the video encoding procedure into the architectures of the two chips is discussed. >
Towards a Computational Architecture of Dyadic Rapport Management for Virtual Agents

Rapport has been identified as an important factor in human task performance. Motivated by the proliferation of virtual agents that assist humans on various tasks, we propose a computational architecture for virtual agents, building on our own work on a dyadic model of rapport between humans and virtual agents. We show how such a system can be trained in order to build, maintain and destroy rapport.
A Comparison of Marital Interaction Patterns Between Couples in Which the Husband Does or Does Not Have Alzheimer's Disease

UNLABELLED Objectives. Our main purpose was to examine similarities and differences in patterns of interpersonal interaction between Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregiving and noncaregiving couples (n = 54). Methods. Twenty-seven wives caring for moderately impaired husbands with probable AD and 27 noncaregiving wives from comparable sociodemographic backgrounds were videotaped in their homes during both mealtime and a future event planning task. In addition, they completed self-report questionnaires to assess depression, stress, relationship mutuality, and perceived hope. Results. Compared with their counterparts, caregiving wives reported higher levels of depression and stress, but similar shared values and closeness. For the three factors developed from the Marital Interaction Coding System (MICS, version IV; Supportive Facilitative, and Rapport Building), a complex pattern of results was found in which disease status, type of task, and gender interacted significantly. Noncaregiving couples were more interactive overall and expressed more support to each other. Caregiving wives were found to be most facilitative during the planning task, whereas AD husbands were highest on interactions that built rapport (e.g., smiling) during that same task. Caregiving wives actually increased their facilitative behavior from the mealtime to planning task, probably reflecting the increased demand characteristics of the latter. DISCUSSION This study is one of a small body of literature to describe the negative impact of AD on spousal communication as observed and coded in two videotaped interaction situations in the home. Suggestions are made for future research, including the inclusion of longitudinal designs and non-Caucasian couples.
"A Lot You Know about Us Monkeys": Representation and Reference in Kingston's Tripmaster Monkey: His Fake Book

A black-and-white cop car and a black-and-white cab cruised past each other. We're in a good part of Oakland, which used to be restricted. "No person of African or of Japanese, Chinese, or any Mongolian descent will ever be allowed to purchase, own, or even rent a lot in Rockridge or live in any house that may be built there except in the capacity of domestic servants of the occu pant thereof." Lance was living there in an integrated marriage, and Wittman was walking there. Oakland Tech ought to be teaching this localest history. (150) This passage condenses many of the anxieties that contributed to the social climate of Northern California in the 1960s, during which time Kingston's novel is set: the references to racially determined integrations and prop erty restrictions indicate the increasingly prevalent politicization of race in the discourse of citizens' rights; the vaguely threatening presence of the "black-and-white cop car" suggests the spirit of confrontation between government authority and many elements of the general populace; and the reference to "Oakland Tech" explicitly invokes the university campus, the site for much of the radical political and social action that marked the decade. This last detail demands further elaboration. The narrator seems to note a deficiency in the academic sphere's articulation of "history"—specifically in its determination of what historical phenomena should be taught. But the narrator offers no specific corrections or clarifications; even the phrase "localest history" leaves open a few key questions. For instance: How local is "localest"? Is this regional history, or history at the level of the city, the neighborhood, or the body? Moreover, given how Kingston's notoriously complex text situates its characters and readers, what counts as "history"? These questions are especially vexing given the difficulty of delimiting MELUS, Volume 36, Number 1 (Spring 2011)