cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pattern of performance on the tactual performance test

Abstract This study explored the neuropsychological correlates of different performance patterns on the first two trials of the Tactual Performance Test (TPT) in normal subjects. Regression analysis showed a significant relationship between TPT pattern and neuropsychological summary scores, other TPT measures, and individual measures assessing visual-spatial skills and left-hand motor performance. A direct comparison of subjects who showed the expected pattern of improvement with reversal subjects, however, revealed differences only for other TPT measures and certain WAIS Performance subtests. These data are important because it appears that a reversal in the expected pattern of improvement on the TPT occurs fairly commonly in normals, especially those who are older and less well educated.
The role of relationships in public relations: Examining the influence of key public member relational attitudes on behavioral intent

Increasingly, scholars and practitioners define the practice of public relations as relationship management. Scholars recently have demonstrated that relationship attitudes can be used to predict key public member satisfaction and intended behavioral outcomes in the telecommunications, banking, and education industries. The investigation reported herein examines the role that relationships play in influencing respondent behavioral intentions in the insurance industry by surveying 62 clients of a medium‐sized full‐service agency. The results indicated that respondent personal, professional, and community relationship attitudes differentiated those who intend to remain loyal to the agency from those who were not or were undecided. The findings suggest that (a) the practice of public relations should continue to evolve toward the relationship management paradigm, (b) practitioners may wish to re‐conceptualize the measurement of public relations outcomes away from measuring effectiveness based on communicatio...
Numerical multi-block grids in coastal ocean circulation modeling

Abstract In coastal ocean modeling, one desires to capture the evolution and interaction of multi-scales of physical phenomena in a complicated physical domain. With limited computer resources, an appropriate choice of the numerical grid has a key role in determining the quality of the solution of a numerical coastal ocean model. Traditionally, single-block rectangular grids have been most commonly used in coastal ocean modeling for their simplicity. An effective coastal ocean model represents the dynamics of the coastal ocean flow on a numerical grid, including the effects of complicated features such as coastlines, bottom topography (submarine canyons, seamounts, narrow straits), and multi-scale physical phenomena. These problems require a model grid system more efficient than a traditional single-block rectangular grid. The model grids must give better resolution of coastlines and boundary conditions, multi-scale physical phenomenon, and save computer resources. These grids can also easily increase horizontal resolution in a subregion of the model domain without increasing computer expense with high resolution over the entire domain. The multi-block numerical generation grid technique is used in developing a coastal ocean system applied to the Mediterranean Sea (MED) with complicated coastlines, bottom topography and multi-scale physical features. The MED coastal ocean system consists of the MED model based on the Princeton Ocean Model, numerical grid generation routines, and a grid package which allows the model to be coupled with model grids. The traditional, nine-block orthogonal grid, and eight-block curvilinear nearly orthogonal coastline-following grid are used in the study. The numerical solutions with the three grids are compared in term of effectiveness. The numerical simulations show some MED basic physical features.
Intramolecular Exchange in Fe(η4-diene)[P(OME)3]3 complexes

Abstract The intramolecular exchange pathway in the complexes Fe(diene)L3 (where L = P(OMe)3 and diene = butadiene, isoprene, and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene) has been delineated by analysis of their temperature dependent 31P{1H} NMR spectra. The basic permutation which is required to produce simulated spectra in agreement with experiment can only be reconciled with a physical mechanism involving cyclical exchange of the three phosporus ligands. This mechanism is probably best described as a diene rotation.
Effectiveness of a group exercise program in a long-term care facility: a randomized pilot trial.

Objective The purpose of this pilot was to determine whether a strength and flexibility program in frail long-term care facility (LTC) residents would result in improved function. Design A prospective, randomized, controlled, semicrossover trial was designed with participants assigned either to group exercise (EX) or recreational therapy (C). In the EX group, the intervention continued for 1 year. In the C group, recreation continued for 6 months; these controls were then crossed over to the same exercise intervention as the EX group and followed for an additional 6 months. Functional outcomes were measured at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for both groups. Setting A LTC facility, which included both assisted living (AL) and nursing home (NH) residents. Participants Twenty frail residents (5 from NH, 15 from AL) aged 75 to 99 years at one LTC facility. Intervention After random group assignment, the EX group met 1 hour three times per week. An exercise physiologist and LTC staff conducted sessions which included seated range of motion (ROM) exercises and strength training using simple equipment such as elastic resistance bands (therabands) and soft weights. The C group met three times per week and participated in activities such as painting during the first 6 months, before crossing over to exercise. Measurements and Methods Objective measures of physical and cognitive function were obtained at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months using the timed get-up-and-go test (TUG), Berg balance scale, physical performance test (PPT), and mini-mental status exam (MMSE). Because we were interested in the impact of exercise on multiple endpoints and to protect the type I error rate, a global hypothesis test was used. Results There was a significant overall impact across the four measures of the exercise intervention (P = 0.013). Exercise benefit as indicated by the difference between exercise and control conditions showed exercise decreased TUG by 18 seconds, which represents an effect size (in standard deviation units) of 0.50, increased PPT scores by 1.3, with effect size = 0.40, increased Berg scores by 4.8, with effect size of 0.32, and increased MMSE by 3.1, with effect size = 0.54. Except for the Berg, 90% confidence intervals on these exercise effects excluded 0. Conclusion Frail elderly in a LTC facility were able to participate and benefit from a strength training program. The program was delivered with low-cost equipment by an exercise physiologist and LTC staff. The advantage of such a program is that it provides recreational and therapeutic benefits.
Robotically controlled ablation for atrial fibrillation: the first real-world experience in Africa with the Hansen robotic system.

Background : We report the first single-centre experience in Africa with the Sensei X robotic navigation system in an unselected subset of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods : Data were recorded prospectively of all consecutive patients who underwent robotically assisted catheter ablation therapy using the Sensei X robotic navigation system at the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, from July 2009 to July 2010. Outcomes were defined at one and nine months. Results : A total of 95 patients were included: 63% had only AF and 37% had AF plus atrial flutter. AF was of the persistent type in 81% of patients. The mean procedure, fluoroscopy and ablation times were 220.6 ± 89.6 min, 31.0 ± 20.4 min, and 61.3 ± 28.1 min, respectively. Both fluoroscopy and procedure times were significantly longer for the first 19 patients compared with the remaining 76 patients (43.5 ± 22.7 vs 27.8 ± 18.5 min and 274.7 ± 90.2 vs 207.1 ± 84.7 min, respectively, p = 0.002). The procedural endpoint of the study was successfully achieved in all patients. After one attempt, 27% were discharged from hospital off anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs). At a median of nine months' follow up, 74% were AF-free off AADs, and 11% were AF-free on AADs, yielding a total freedom from AF of 84% without any redo procedures. Freedom from relapse after 1.12 procedures was 88%. Conclusion : The Sensei X robotic navigation system offers a safe and effective approach for the treatment of AF. There was a learning curve with regard to fluoroscopy and procedure time, after which point reduction in radiation exposure and operator strain, as well as improvement in procedure throughputs were even more pronounced.
Spectrophotometric determination of traces of gold with rhodamine B

A procedure is described for the spectrophotometric determination of 1–10μg of gold by making use of the benzene extraction of rhodamine B chloraurate.
Commentary: Acetaldehyde and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Colon

Elamin and colleagues in this issue report that acetaldehyde activates Snail, a transcription factor involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, in an intestinal epithelium. Snail mediates acetaldehyde-induced tight junction disruption and increase in paracellular permeability. Results of this study and other previous studies raise several important questions. This commentary addresses these questions by discussing the acetaldehyde concentration in colon, disruption of epical junctional complexes in the intestinal epithelium by acetaldehyde, and the consequence of long-term exposure to acetaldehyde on colonic epithelial regeneration, carcinogenesis, and metastases. The precise role of acetaldehyde in colonic epithelial modifications and promotion of colorectal cancers still remains to be understood.
Computerized diagnosis of gastrointestinal helminths of humans

An interactive computer program written in BASIC with the objective of assisting the identification of species of common gastrointestinal parasites of humans is presented. The computer program acquires observational information needed for the identification of a parasite from the user. The user selects a description from a set of given descriptions that best fits the parasite observed. Depending on the response of the user, the program presents another set of descriptions from which the user must choose again, and so on, until the program concludes with the species of the parasite, the mode of infection, the affected system(s), and the treatment of choice.
Putting the pieces together: teaching undergraduate research from a theoretical perspective.

Problem/purpose. Baccalaureate graduates are expected to utilize research across a wide variety of practice settings. While the literature reports a variety of teaching approaches, few studies examine baccalaureate students' comprehension of research content. Teaching techniques that focus on a conceptual or theoretical approach may foster research comprehension. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate teaching/learning outcomes of an undergraduate nursing research course designed from a conceptual or theoretical approach. Procedure/findings. Two classes of senior baccalaureate nursing students (n = 47) at a private institution, whose curriculum was based on the Roy adaptation model, were surveyed in 1990 and 1991 at the end of their undergraduate research course. The survey tool consisted of seven three-point Likert scale questions, four open-ended questions, and one unstructured comment. Findings showed that 72% strongly agreed that they would continue to read nursing articles in their practice field, 57% disagreed that they were intimidated by research language, and 55% agreed that they trusted their ability to use and utilize nursing research in practice. The most helpful learning activity was the research critique (34%) followed by group work (28%). The support of the teacher and Instructor's use of own research examples was also seen as most helpful (36%), while abstract cards (8%) were least helpful. Nonetheless, 23% requested more group activities, 13% wanted more class examples, and 11% asked for more time to comprehend definitions. Implications. Students who approached research from the perspective of a nursing conceptual framework indicated that they put the pieces of the research puzzle together by working in groups, being supported by the Instructor, and learning from a variety of teaching methods.
Biomass and productivity of trematode parasites in pond ecosystems

Summary Ecologists often measure the biomass and productivity of organisms to understand the importance of populations and communities in the flow of energy through ecosystems. Despite the central role of such studies in the advancement of freshwater ecology, there has been little effort to incorporate parasites into studies of freshwater energy flow. This omission is particularly important considering the roles that parasites sometimes play in shaping community structure and ecosystem processes. Using quantitative surveys and dissections of over 1600 aquatic invertebrate and amphibian hosts, we calculated the ecosystem-level biomass and productivity of trematode parasites alongside the biomass of free-living aquatic organisms in three freshwater ponds in California, USA. Snails and amphibian larvae, which are both important intermediate trematode hosts, dominated the dry biomass of free-living organisms across ponds (snails = 3·2 g m−2; amphibians = 3·1 g m−2). An average of 33·5% of mature snails were infected with one of six trematode taxa, amounting to a density of 13 infected snails m−2 of pond substrate. Between 18% and 33% of the combined host and parasite biomass within each infected snail consisted of larval trematode tissue, which collectively accounted for 87% of the total trematode biomass within the three ponds. Mid-summer trematode dry biomass averaged 0·10 g m−2, which was equal to or greater than that of the most abundant insect orders (coleoptera = 0·10 g m−2, odonata = 0·08 g m−2, hemiptera = 0·07 g m−2 and ephemeroptera = 0·03 g m−2). On average, each trematode taxon produced between 14 and 1660 free-swimming larvae (cercariae) infected snail−1 24 h−1 in mid-summer. Given that infected snails release cercariae for 3–4 months a year, the pond trematode communities produced an average of 153 mg m−2 yr−1 of dry cercarial biomass (range = 70–220 mg m−2 yr−1). Our results suggest that a significant amount of energy moves through trematode parasites in freshwater pond ecosystems, and that their contributions to ecosystem energetics may exceed those of many free-living taxa known to play key roles in structuring aquatic communities.
Acceptability of the Reality female condom and a latex prototype.

We report on the comparative acceptability of a prototype latex female condom and the polyurethane Reality female condom. We also identified factors associated with acceptability, measured via a composite index with domains related to ease of insertion, noise, and comfort during insertion and use. There were 135 couples in this randomized crossover trial. The average age was 30 years; more than 60% had education beyond high school; 40% were married; and participants were at low risk for sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy (due to the investigational status of the prototype). Participants were asked to use three of each of the study condoms during a 6-week period. Acceptability ratings on 12 items were summed into a composite index for each participant by condom type. The index midpoint (range) for females was 48 (12–84), and it was 32 (8–56) for males, with lower scores indicating higher acceptability (men completed only a subset of the acceptability questions). Both condoms were equally acceptable: Mean scores were 37 and 40 for the women's ranking of the prototype and Reality, respectively (P=.07) and 29 and 30 for men's rankings, respectively (P=.35). Multiple regression models to predict acceptability scores by gender were somewhat uninformative (most R2 values were less than 0.10). Nevertheless, minority ethnicity (African American or Hispanic vs. white) was associated with higher acceptability by both genders for both condom types. Among women, for both condom types, less education (less than high school compared with high school or beyond) was associated with higher acceptability. Female condom acceptability may not be equally distributed across demographic groups, which is important for health educators to keep in mind when promoting the female condom.
Conformational heterogeneity of a leucine enkephalin analogue in aqueous solution and sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles: comparison of time-resolved FRET and molecular dynamics simulations.

We have undertaken time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze conformations and conformational heterogeneity of an analogue of leucine enkephalin in solution and in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles. Enkephalins are opioid pentapeptides that interact with opioid receptors in the central nervous system. We used time-correlated single-photon counting to detect energy transfer between the N-terminal tyrosine and a tryptophan residue substituted for phenylalanine at the 4 position. FRET from Tyr to Trp was measured over a temperature range from 5 to 55 degrees C in aqueous solution. By taking into account Tyr rotamer interconversion rates measured previously, we determined average distances between Tyr and Trp for the two populated rotameric conformations of Tyr. Molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) support this analysis and indicate extensive conformational heterogeneity. The simulations also predict that the FRET orientational factor is correlated with the Tyr-Trp separation. Failure to account for the correlation between orientation and distance results in errors that appear to be largely offset in the leucine enkephalin analogue (YGGWL) by a weighting bias inherent in the R(-6) dependence of the energy-transfer rate. The Tyr lifetimes decrease upon titration of the peptides with SDS, indicating formation of compact conformations of the peptide in the micelle environment. This result is consistent with the conjecture that the lipid environment may induce formation of bioactive conformations of the peptide.
The small Rho GTPase Cdc42 regulates neutrophil polarity via CD11b integrin signaling

Neutrophil migration to sites of infection is the first line of cellular defense. A key event of migration is the maintenance of a polarized morphology, which is characterized by a single leading edge of filamentous actin and a contractile uropod devoid of filamentous actin protrusions. Using a mouse model of high Cdc42 activity, we previously demonstrated the importance of Cdc42 activity in neutrophil migration. However, the specific functions of Cdc42 in this process remain to be understood. Using neutrophils genetically deficient in Cdc42, we show that Cdc42 regulates directed migration by maintaining neutrophil polarity. Although it is known to be activated at the front, Cdc42 suppresses protrusions at the uropod. Interestingly, Cdc42 makes use of the integrin CD11b during this process. Cdc42 determines the redistribution of CD11b at the uropod. In turn, using CD11b-null cells and CD11b crosslinking experiments, we show that CD11b modulates myosin light chain phosphorylation to suppress lateral protrusions. Our results uncover a new mechanism in which Cdc42 regulates the uropod through CD11b signaling to maintain polarity in migrating neutrophils. It also reveals new functions for CD11b in neutrophil polarity.
INCORPORATION OF PARENTAL DNA INTO GENETIC RECOMBINANTS OF E. COLI.

Two kinds of mechanisms have been considered to account for genetic recombination in bacteriophage and bacteria. One involves exchange of pre-existing genetic material between homologous chromosomes (breakage and reunion), and the other implies exchange of genetic information without exchange of pre-existing genetic material (copy choice). Experiments by Meselson and Weigle2 and Kellenberger, Zichichi, and Weigle have shown that when a strain of bacteriophage X containing labeled DNA is crossed with an unlabeled and genetically distinguishable strain, the genetic recombinants arising from such a mating contain discrete amounts of the parental DNA. We present evidence which indicates that recombinants arising from the mating of an Hfr with an F - strain of Escherichia coli inherit labeled DNA from the F- parent. Bacterial conjugation involves a progressive transfer of genetic markers from the Hfr to the recipient F - . There is a concomitant transfer of DNA from the Hfr to the F - . The recipient subsequently gives rise to recombinants. The present procedure for detecting the incorporation of parental DNA into recombinants involves the mating of a T6-resistant Hfr to a T6-sensitive F - carrying specifically labeled DNA. When the mated cells are exposed to a high multiplicity of the phage T6, the sensitive cells are rapidly lysed. The T6-resistant F - recombinants can then be separated by filtration and examined for the presence of the parental label.
Experience and progesterone in ring dove incubation

Doves were tested for progesterone-induced incubation after they had acquired previous experience with from one to five different phases of their initial breeding cycle. A sixth group had no previous breeding experience. Previous breeding experience inclusive of at least the nestbuilding phase of the cycle is a significant facilitator of incubation behaviour induced by injected progesterone, but previous experience with only the courtship phase was not sufficient. Experience with phases additional to nestbuilding increased overall nest-responsiveness without significantly increasing the number of birds incubating. The nature of a ring dove's previous experience is therefore an important influence in its behavioural response to exogenous progesterone.
High Throughput Gramicidin-Based Fluorescence Assay to Screen for Small Molecules' Bilayer-Perturbing Potential

Many small molecules used to modulate biological function are amphiphiles that adsorb at the bilayer/solution interface and thereby alter lipid bilayer properties. Such changes in bilayer properties can lead to altered membrane protein function due to the hydrophobic coupling between the host bilayer and its embedded proteins. Amphiphile-induced changes in lipid bilayer properties may, therefore, provide a mechanistic basis for the "off target" effects of drugs and other biologically active molecules. We have previously developed electrophysiological assays for changes in lipid bilayer properties, as sensed by bilayer-spanning proteins, using the channels formed by the linear gramicidins as probes. Gramicidin channels are mini-proteins formed by the transbilayer dimerization of two non-conducting subunits; they are sensitive to changes in their membrane environment, which renders them excellent probes for monitoring changes in bilayer properties. We now report a fluorescence assay for detecting changes in bilayer properties, using the linear gramicidins as probes. The assay is based on measuring the time course of fluorescence quenching from fluorophore-loaded large unilamellar vesicles, due to the entry of a quencher through the gramicidin channels. The fluorescence method presented is scalable and suitable for both mechanistic studies and high-throughput screening of small molecules for bilayer-perturbing, and potential off-target, effect. To illustrate the validity and power of this approach, we have tested compounds with bilayer-modifying effects that previously have been characterized using the electrophysiological (single-channel) gramicidin approach. We find that the methods are in good agreement. We also have undertaken a systematic study of the bilayer-perturbing effect of short- and intermediate-chain length alcohols (methanol through n-octanol, isopropanol, 2-butanol and tert-butanol) as well the fluorinated alcohols (trifluoroethyl alcoho, hexafluoroisopropanol and nonafluoro-tert-butyl alcohol). These compounds alter lipid bilayers properties at the concentrations at which they alter membrane protein function.
Optimizing infrastructure network maintenance when benefits are interdependent

Network Topology Dependencies (NTD) are a class of externalities in the maintenance cost structure of infrastructure networks with applications to many network industries, including natural gas and water distribution pipelines. It is shown that the above externalities may be included to infrastructure maintenance decisions, if optimal maintenance is formulated as a Rhys-Balinski selection problem. A unique contribution is that this risk management problem is analyzed from the point of view of integrating quantitative analysis to organizational and inter-organizational decision processes. Hence, the importance of various procedural requirements is established in addition to computational efficiency and numerical accuracy. In particular, the benefits of sensitivity analysis facilitation and of avoiding manipulability are stressed. The proposed solution process achieves all four requirements. Special attention is paid to the role of submodularity and antitone differences in sensitivity analysis.
The radiation tail accompanying elastic electron scattering from the atomic nucleus

Abstract The radiation tail accompanying elastic electron scattering from a finite nucleus with charge Z is calculated using distorted wave methods. The point radial integrals and the external radial integrals are evaluated in terms of generalized gamma functions, while the internal radial integrals are evaluated by numerical integration and depend on the nuclear ground state charge distribution. The maximum incident electron energy is about 150 MeV, and the energy loss can be up to 80% of the incident energy.
Does N-hydroxyglycine inhibit plant and fungal laccases?

Abstract The effect of N -hydroxyglycine on the oxidation of substrates, syringaldazine, tolidine, 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, by fungal and plant laccases was examined. At μM concentrations, N -hydroxyglycine decolorized solutions of substrates oxidized enzymatically by laccase or chemically by sodium periodate. This discoloration, or bleaching, could be mistaken for inhibition of laccase activity if N-hydroxyglycine was added to assays for laccase that monitored colored products. N -hydroxyglycine also affected oxygen consumption assays when some of these substrates were oxidized enzymatically or chemically. Spectral scans of the products formed during enzymatic or chemical oxidation of the substrates indicated that addition of N -hydroxyglycine caused a general decrease in absorption. Except for 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, no formation of new absorption peaks was noted. These results suggest that N -hydroxyglycine may not be a “classical” enzyme inhibitor of laccase, but that this compound interferes with both spectrophotometric and oxygen uptake enzyme assays for laccase.
Transcriptional dysregulation in skeletal malformation syndromes.

Normal skeletal development requires coordinated temporal and spatial gene expression patterns that specify the functions of various cell types. Transcription factors by definition coordinate this process and are themselves subject to hierarchical levels of regulation. Together they determine the context-dependent function of each transcription factor. Hence, loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations within specific transcription factors cause dysregulation of broad transcriptional networks. Consequences are usually dominantly inherited skeletal malformation syndromes that can be broadly viewed as consequences of defects of cellular differentiation, proliferation, and survival versus defects in pattern formation. The study of human phenotypes and mutations can lead to hypotheses about targets within the respective transcriptional network. These targets can then be confirmed by combining mouse genetic and in vitro studies. Although this has been successful in a small group of skeletal dysplasias, the majority of transcriptional networks during skeletogenesis remain to be elucidated. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stabilimentum of the garden spiderArgiope trifasciata: a possible prey attractant

Abstract Abstract. Stabilimenta are silky structures on the webs of some orb-weaving spiders, whose function is still not well understood. This study tested the prey-attraction hypothesis as a possible function of stabilimenta with the banded garden spiders Argiope trifasciata in southeastern Michigan. Spider webs' stabilimentum length, prey interception rates and web characteristics were recorded daily. The daily insect interception rates and web characteristics were compared between stabilimentum-decorated and undecorated webs. An intra-web comparison was performed between decorated and undecorated halves of webs on the daily insect interception rates and web characteristics. The effects of location and characteristic of webs on insect interception rates were further examined at decorated and undecorated webs. A higher interception rate for flying insects was found in webs decorated with stabilimenta, but orthopteran interception rate was the same when compared with undecorated webs. The decorated web's higher interception rate for flying insects did not seem to result from locations or characteristics of webs. The length of a stabilimentum had little effect on increasing its attractiveness to flying insects.There was no difference in flying insect interception rates between decorated and undecorated halves of webs, but orthopteran interception rates were always higher in lower halves of webs. The results from intra-web comparison indicated that a stabilimentum did not increase insect interception rate of the adjacent area but did increase that of the whole web.
Imaginative geographies: identity, difference, and English as the language of instruction in a Mexican university program

This article explores the geographies of difference at LI-NSU, a Mexican university program where English is the predominant language of instruction. The interactions between LI-NSU students and students from other programs are marked by themes of national identity and symbolically charged views of English, creating a contested ‘poetics of space’ within the classroom and beyond. The article questions the impact that English-only classrooms may have on student identity in contexts where English is not the official or dominant language.
Illicit substance detection using fast-neutron interrogation systems

Fast-neutron interrogation techniques are of interest for detecting illicit substances such as explosives and drugs because of their ability to identify light elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, which are the primary constituents of these materials. Two particular techniques, fast-neutron transmission spectroscopy and pulsed fast-neutron analysis, are discussed. Examples of modeling studies are provided which illustrate the applications of these two techniques.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Integrating Biopsychosocial Intervention Research in a Changing Health Care Landscape.

Objective:Safety net care systems are experiencing unprecedented change from the Affordable Care Act, Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) uptake, health information technology application, and growing of mental health care integration within primary care. This article provides a review of previous and current efforts in which social workers deliver biopsychosocial depression care.Method:Recent research trials tested biopsychosocial care for patients with major depression and concurrent illness and technology-facilitated patient–provider and provider–provider communication within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). In addition, qualitative studies assessed patient, social worker, and medical provider perceptions.Results:DHS has recently activated its PCMH model, technology applications aimed at facilitating cross-provider communication, and the integration of colocated social workers.Conclusions:This article demonstrates both need and opportunity to develop, apply, and test social ...
Investigating Randomness via Simulation Using the TI‐83

Most students do not have a good grasp of the consequences of randomness. Simulating random phenomena with unexpected outcomes sparks student interest and discussion when presenting probability topics in class. TI-83 programs for simulating selected random phenomena are available from the author.
Water controls on nitrogen transformations and stocks in an arid ecosystem

Following water, nitrogen (N) is the most frequent limiting factor to aboveground net primary production in arid ecosystems. Increased water availability can stimulate both plant nitrogen uptake and microbial nitrogen mineralization, but may also stimulate losses from the ecosystem. Here, we assess the effect of water availability on nitrogen stocks and transformations in an arid ecosystem. We conducted a field experiment with five levels of precipitation input (−80%, −50%, ambient, +50%, +80%) and two levels of N fertilization (ambient or 10 g·m−2·yr−1 NH4NO3) in a desert grassland of the Chihuahuan Desert. We measured in situ net N mineralization, plant N uptake, foliar N, N leaching under grass-rooting zone, and soil N availability during two years. Our results showed that increased water availability did not affect net N mineralization, but there was higher plant N uptake than with drought. Soil inorganic N pools were 2–4 times lower with increased water availability compared to drought conditions. N leaching below grass-rooting zone was higher in dry than wet conditions because of higher available N. Increased water availability differentially affected N species significantly reducing the NO3:NH4 ratio. The accumulation of inorganic N during drought was the result of a decoupling between microbial and plant activity, and suggests that the cycling of N is more open in dry years than in wet years.
FMIR infrared spectroscopy of coatings on fibers and metal plates

The FMIR technique offers a new and improved means of identifying coatings on fibers, elucidating coating–substrate bonds, and determining the nature of absorption sites on substrates by infrared spectroscopy. This technique is based on the internal reflectance of radiation in the middle infrared region. The ability to obtain infrared spectra of surface materials without removing the materials from the fiber gives the FMIR technique a noteworthy advantage over transmission techniques.
Submarine geology of Hana Ridge and Haleakala Volcano's northeast flank, Maui

Abstract We present a morphostructural analysis of the submarine portions of Haleakala Volcano and environs, based upon a 4-year program of geophysical surveys and submersible explorations of the underwater flanks of Hawaiian volcanoes that was conducted by numerous academic and governmental research organizations in Japan and the U.S. and funded primarily by the Japan Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Technology. A resulting reconnaissance geologic map features the 135-km-long Hana Ridge, the 3000 km 2 Hana slump on the volcano's northeast flank, and island-surrounding terraces that are the submerged parts of volcanic shields. Hana Ridge below 2000 m water depth exhibits the lobate morphology typical of the subaqueously erupted parts of Hawaiian rift zones, with some important distinctions: namely, subparallel crestlines, which we propose result from the down-rift migration of offsets in the dike intrusion zone, and an amphitheater at its distal toe, where a submarine landslide has embayed the ridge tip. Deformation of Haleakala's northeast flank is limited to that part identified as the Hana slump, which lies downslope from the volcano's submerged shield, indicating that flank mobility is also limited in plan, inconsistent with hypothesized volcanic spreading driven by rift-zone dilation. The leading edge of the slump has transverse basins and ridges that resemble the thrust ramps of accretionary prisms, and we present a model to describe the slump's development that emphasizes the role of coastally generated fragmental basalt on gravitational instability of Haleakala's northeast flank and that may be broadly applicable to other ocean-island slumps.
VLSI bit-sequential architectures for digital signal processing

Increasing digital signal processing requirements coupled with developing VLSI circuit capabilities suggest that new architectures may be necessary for many signal processing applications. These new architectures must be compatible with the high density and planar layout features of VLSI circuits. Characteristics of parallel and serial multipliers for high-speed digital signal processing are discussed along with their respective implications for VLSI circuit realizations. Advantages of a bit-sequential approach to large-scale digital signal processors are presented, and the characteristics of a single-chip design for an image filter with 16, 12×12-bit multipliers followed by a tree adder structure are summarized.
Die Russellsche Typentheorie

Wir haben in den vorangegangengen Abschnitten ein Kernstuck der Mengenlehre umrissen, ohne uns dabei auf irgendwelche bedeutsamen Existenzannahmen festzulegen. Wir hatten 7.10, 13.1 und 23.12, welche uns endliche Klassen gaben. Daneben haben wir es mit Ad-hoc-Existenzpramissen zu tun gehabt, die innerhalb der Theoreme, die sie verwendeten, ausgedruckt wurden.
A distribution free test to detect general dependence between a response variable and a covariate in the presence of heteroscedastic treatment effects

In this paper,we present a test of independence between the response variable, which can be discrete or continuous, and a continuous covariate after adjusting for heteroscedastic treatment effects. The method involves first augmenting each pair of the data for all treatments with a fixed number of nearest neighbours as pseudo-replicates. Then a test statistic is constructed by taking the difference of two quadratic forms. The statistic is equivalent to the average lagged correlations between the response and nearest neighbour local estimates of the conditional mean of response given the covariate for each treatment group. This approach effectively eliminates the need to estimate the nonlinear regression function. The asymptotic distribution of the proposed test statistic is obtained under the null and local alternatives. Although using a fixed number of nearest neighbours pose significant difficulty in the inference compared to that allowing the number of nearest neighbours to go to infinity, the parametric standardizing rate for our test statistics is obtained. Numerical studies show that the new test procedure has robust power to detect nonlinear dependency in the presence of outliers that might result from highly skewed distributions.
New rat model of Pneumocystis carinii infection.

Rats free of latent Pneumocystis carinii organisms were immunosuppressed with adrenal corticosteroids and transtracheally injected with P. carinii. These animals subsequently developed P. carinii pneumonia. Infection was accomplished by using organisms from infected rat lung or from culture. Diffuse infection was produced with no significant differences in the numbers of organisms found in various lobes of the lungs. Infections progressed over time so that by 6 weeks postinoculation all animals were heavily infected. Infection by transtracheal injection has three advantages over current models. First, transtracheal injection provides a reliable model which is not dependent on naturally occurring latent Pneumocystis infection. Second, transtracheal injection allows the perpetuation of specific Pneumocystis strains. Third, transtracheal injection is a more rapid and economical means of producing severe Pneumocystis pneumonia. Images
Analysis of the distinct meanings of the notion of «time», in different physical theories

Problems concerning the concept of time have recently generated a widespread interest. Among these: the role of time in quantum gravity, the choice of an internal time in general relativity, the origin of the «arrow of time», and the time asymmetry in cosmology. These problems often pertain to distinct aspects of the notion of time; unfortunately, however, the use of identical terms for different issues leads often to a confused discussion, and the complexity of the problem of understanding or altering a notion as the notion of time is perhaps underestimated. Here, we analyze the distinct roles that this notion plays in different theories: We find ten distinct versions of the concept of time, all used in the natural sciences, characterized by different properties, or attributes, ascribed to time. We propose a general terminology to express these differences. In addition, we observe that the different notions of time are hierarchically arranged, in the sense that complex attributes of time become necessary only in dealing with progressively more special natural systems, and we derive from this observation some speculations on the significance of the notion of time at the fundamental level.
The STAR-C Truth: Analyzing Reconfigurable Supercomputing Reliability

Reconfigurable supercomputers are a possible next generation architecture for traditional cluster-based supercomputers. In this cluster-based architecture, coprocessor boards will be added to each node for application-specific acceleration. There are many interesting coprocessor boards with Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that are well matched with supercomputing codes. Already large-scale supercomputing clusters have been plagued by memory upsets due to neutron-based terrestrial radiation, which is a situation bound to worsen with the addition of co-processor boards. These memory upsets can cause silent data corruption and unreproducible system crashes. FPGAbased reconfigurable supercomputers will also be susceptible to circuit changes from memory upsets. Therefore, reliability analysis of these systems and their codes is a necessary step in designing and using these machines. In this abstract, we present an overview of a reliability analysis toolset, called the Scalable Tool for the Analysis of Reliable Systems (STAR Systems), with modules for determining the reliability of FPGA designs (STAR-Circuits) and reconfigurable supercomputers (STAR-Reconfigurable SuperComputers).
Chronic intermittent hypoxia alters neurotransmission from lateral paragigantocellular nucleus to parasympathetic cardiac neurons in the brain stem

Patients with sleep-related disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. OSA events are more severe in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep further increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events by diminishing cardioprotective parasympathetic activity. The mechanisms underlying REM sleep-related reduction in parasympathetic activity likely include activation of inhibitory input to cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs) in the brain stem originating from the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi), a nucleus that plays a role in REM sleep control. This study tests the hypothesis that chronic intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia (CIHH), an animal model of OSA, inhibits CVNs because of exaggeration of the GABAergic pathway from the LPGi to CVNs. GABAergic neurotransmission to CVNs evoked by electrical stimulation of the LPGi was examined with whole cell patch-clamp recordings in an in vitro brain slice preparation in rats exposed to CIHH and control rats. GABAergic synaptic events were enhanced after 4-wk CIHH in both male and female rats, to a greater degree in males. Acute hypoxia and hypercapnia (H/H) reversibly diminished the LPGi-evoked GABAergic neurotransmission to CVNs. However, GABAergic synaptic events were enhanced after acute H/H in CIHH male animals. Orexin-A elicited a reversible inhibition of LPGi-evoked GABAergic currents in control animals but evoked no significant changes in CIHH male rats. In conclusion, exaggerated inhibitory neurotransmission from the LPGi to CVNs in CIHH animals would reduce cardioprotective parasympathetic activity and enhance the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.
Katrina Bloggers and the Development of Collective Civic Action: The Web as a Virtual Mobilizing Structure

Scholarship on collective civic action helps link collective-level contentious actions and individual-level civic engagement. Using longitudinal data from a group of New Orleans residents who started blogging in the wake of hurricane Katrina, we highlight the digitally mediated social processes linking individual civic engagement with collective civic actions. Through a developmental approach, we analyze the progression from individual blogging to the creation of social networks, the formation of a community of “Katrina bloggers,” and their engagement on a range of offline collective civic actions. We argue that the Web serves as a “virtual” mobilizing structure, enabling individuals with shared concerns to organize across time and space, without the need of copresence or preexisting formal ties, networks, or organizations. Our analysis provides insights into the development of virtual communities and social movements formed around collective identities and processes of collective efficacy that highlight ...
Microcharacterization of MEMS ultrasonic transducers using laser interferometry

A detailed micro-characterization of a MEMS ultrasonic transducer was done using a scanning heterodyne interferometry technique. Both temporal and spatial measurements were made of the out-of-plane displacement levels of the transducer under normal operating conditions. Spatial resolution levels approaching the optical diffraction limit of 1 mm were achieved, which allowed characterizations of individual micro-transducer elements to be made. The resonance characteristics of individual transducer membranes were evaluated for drive frequencies between 1 MHz and 7 MHz. Although the majority of transducer elements showed nearly identical frequency response characteristics, several of the MEMS elements showed evidence of shifted resonance response features, which dramatically altered their performance level. Displacement levels in excess of 100 nm were observed for peak DC and AC drive voltage input levels. Time-sequenced measurements of the oscillating MEMS structures were also studied, and showed phase-reversal effects near the edges of transducer membranes. The scanning interferometry technique proved to be a very useful NDE tool for micro-characterization, and provided a wealth of information regarding the micro-features of the MEMS ultrasonic transducer which are currently not available with any other advanced NDE.