cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low pressure spark chambers — high resolution spectrometer for 1 GeV protons*

Abstract A low pressure magnetic spectrometer for 1 GeV protons utilizing wire spark chambers operated at 0.1 normal atmosphere is described. The reduced multiple scattering of this system produced a distinct improvement in energy resolution over that of a comparable spectrometer operated at normal atmospheric pressure. Details on the operating characteristics of the low pressure spark chambers are given, and an outline of the pressure regulating system is included.
Multi-axis tool path generation for surface finish machining of a rapid manufacturing process

This paper proposes a completely automated, integrated tool path planning for the finish machining of freeform surfaces as a part of the hybrid metal additive manufacturing and CNC machining. This planning capability spans from a generation of b-spline freeform surfaces, to surface finish optimisation, to collision detection, to tool path generation. Two scallop height methods have been used to compare the optimal tool path strategy. Both collision detection of a tool with neighbouring surfaces and collision correction for a tool are solved using a novel extension of the bounding box, which uses body diagonal points for computation. This paper proposes a multiple screening technique to improve the computational efficiency of tool path generation calculations.
A rapid method for the diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth disease Type 1A by FISH

▼Charcot Marie Tooth disease Type 1A (CMT1A) is associated with a submicroscopic tandem duplication on the short arm of chromosome 17. The 1.5 Mb duplication contains the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene, the dosage of which plays a crucial role in the aetiology of the disorder. Diagnosis of CMT1A has until recently been limited to studies on Southern blots. Methods derived for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis have relied on traditional 72-h cytogenetic cultures of patient blood samples (Ref. 1) or on the development of more complex blood treatment protocols (Ref. 2). Metaphase chromosomes cannot be used because the duplication is tandem and unresolvable by FISH at metaphase level. We describe a rapid, reliable method producing large numbers of well-conserved nuclei, suitable for FISH, that fits easily into the routine procedures of a busy diagnostic cytogenetic laboratory. The main modification of standard blood culture procedures is the reduction of culture time to overnight, with no colchicine treatment. Stock culture medium can be used, containing phytohemagglutinin (PHA) if this is the way stock is usually prepared, since overnight culture is insufficient to stimulate nuclei past the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle. This is important, for the replicated chromatids of late S or G2 frequently give double signals, potentially mimicking the CMT1A duplication. This method therefore obviates the need to co-hybridize an alternate-coloured control probe to check the replication status of the 17p segment. Blood cultures for diagnosis are set up the day before any normal harvest day. Any standard chromosome harvesting procedure that includes hypotonic treatment and acetic
A case of refractory secondary paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with high sensitivity to phenytoin monotherapy

We report on a 42-year-old man with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia who was referred as a refractory case to any drug used in the past as monotherapy or in combination. Our decision to discontinue his current combined medication and to administer only high-dose phenytoin led to significant improvement. It is of interest to note that the previous use of phenytoin in combination with other antiepileptic and neuroleptic drugs had no effect. In addition, the co-administration of gabapentin led to a dramatic recurrence of the episodes.
Temporal Filtering Properties of Ampullary Electrosensory Neurons in the Torus semicircularis of Eigenmannia: Evolutionary and Computational Implications

Weakly electric fish have parallel electrosensory systems, the phylogenetically older ampullary system and the novel tuberous system. The tuberous system is an adaptation related to the evolution of active electrolocation. To examine the evolutionary relationship of the ampullary and tuberous systems, the temporal filtering properties of ampullary neurons in the dorsal torus semicircularis of Eigenmannia were studied. 'Whole-cell' recordings were made in vivo using patch-type pipettes. The responses of 19 neurons to sinusoidal electric signals (< 40 Hz) were recorded and the anatomy of these neurons demonstrated by injection of biocytin. All eight low-pass ampullary neurons had broad, relatively smooth post-synaptic potentials (psps) that at low frequencies nicely reflected the sinusoidal stimuli. These neurons had somata of 10-14 microns diameter and thick, spiny dendrites. Eight high-pass neurons were recorded, representing three physiological classes. The first class (3 neurons) had psps that roughly followed the sinusoidal time course of the stimulus; the psp morphology was similar to low-pass neurons. The second class had many small, fast, individual psps; their rate of occurrence varied with the stimulus. Finally, four neurons showed psps that were of constant width across stimulus frequencies. All three classes of high-pass neurons had small somata (8-10 microns diameter) with thin dendrites and either few or no spines. Some of these neurons had large varicosities on the dendrites. Three neurons had band-pass filtering properties: neurons that showed strong band-pass properties were morphologically similar to low-pass neurons. Comparisons of the temporal filtering, shapes of post-synaptic potentials, and anatomy of ampullary and tuberous neurons in the torus suggest that the circuitry for tuberous processing in the torus may have evolved as an elaboration or duplication of the ampullary system. The mechanisms underlying the low-pass filtering characteristics of tuberous neurons therefore appear to have predated the evolution of the tuberous system and to have served as a pre-adaptation for the evolution of the jamming avoidance response. In addition, these data support the hypothesis that spine density influences the temporal filtering properties of neurons.
On avoidable and unavoidable trees

A directed tree is a rooted tree if there is one vertex (the root) of in-degree 0 and every other vertex has in-degree 1. The depth of a rooted tree is the length of a longest path from the root. A directed graph G is called n-unavoidable if every tournament of order n contains it as a subgraph. M. Saks and V. Sos [“On Unavoidable Subgraphs of Tournaments,” Colloquia Mathematica Societatis Janos Bolyai 37, Finite and Infinite Sets, Eger, Hungary (1981), 663–674] constructed unavoidable rooted spanning trees of depth 3. There they wrote, “It is natural to ask how small the depth of a spanning n-unavoidable rooted tree can be.” In this paper we construct unavoidable rooted spanning trees of depth 2. Note that the depth 2 is the best we can do. For each n define λ(n) to be the largest real number such that every claw with degree d ≤ λ(n)n is n-unavoidable. The example in X. Lu [“On Claws Belonging to Every Tournament,” Combinatorica, Vol. 11 (1991), pp. 173–179] showed that λ(n) < 1/2 for sufficiently large n, but the upper bound on λ(n) given there tends to 1/2 for large n. Let λ be the lim sup of λ(n) as n tends to infinity. In this paper we show that λ is strictly less than 1/2, specifically λ ≤ 25/52. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Four wave mixing of finite amplitude Alfven waves

Summary form only given. Past treatments of coherent wave mixing of Alfven waves have generally been restricted to three wave interactions. This paper presents the first results that show that finite amplitude Alfven waves can also undergo four wave mixing. This observation opens the possibility of a variety of new low frequency nonlinear phenomena in plasmas. The wave mixing process is also unique in the sense that all the interacting waves are exact solutions of the nonlinear equation. We use the resistive derivative nonlinear Schrodinger (DNLS) equation to study the four wave interaction of Alfven waves. This equation describes the finite amplitude Alfven waves and solitons. It is shown that the frequencies and wave numbers of time harmonic solution of the DNLS equation satisfy the criterion for four wave mixing. Four such waves can, therefore, interact coherently with each other in the plasma. Assuming that the complex wave amplitudes evolve slowly in time and space, the evolution equations governing the wave amplitudes are derived. These equations are then used to identify quantities that remain invariant in time in a dissipationless plasma. One such quantity is the total wave magnetic energy. We also use the evolution equations and conservation relations to explore two applications. First, we investigate the evolution of two small amplitude Alfven waves in the presense of two large amplitude pump waves. The second application considers the interaction of four waves in a dissipative plasma. We also describe extensions of the basic plasma model and geometry that can be useful in studying other applications of four wave mixing.
Inhibitory properties of serum proteins on the enzymatic sequence leading to lysis of red blood cells by snake venom

Serum albumin inhibited hemolysis of washed red cells by Crotalus atrox venom, non-specifically and indirectly, by binding lysolecithin during or after its formation. Specific and non-specific serum globulins did not inhibit hemolysis in the indirect assay method used. When purified rabbit gamma globulin specific for C. atrox venom was allowed to act on the venom before the lecithin substrate and red cells were added, hemolysis was inhibited. Nonspecific purified gamma globulins from various sources did not inhibit venom hemolysis by this direct mechanism.
Real Donors, Real Consent: Testing the Theory of Reasoned Action on Organ Donor Consent

In an attempt to apply the theory of reasoned action (TRA) to the process underlying organ donor consent, participants completed questionnaires concerning their affective responses to organ donation, as well as their intentions to donate. Participants were given the opportunity to sign an organ donor card. Those who chose to sign the card had more positive attitudes about donation, perceived donation as something that their reference group would encourage, and had stronger intentions to consent to signing a card. The current investigation extends the organ donor literature by using a true behavioral outcome measure indicating consent. Moreover, the pattern of results between attitudes, norms, intention, and behavior illustrates the usefulness of applying the TRA to yet another health-related behavior.
Full-text information retrieval: further analysis and clarification

Abstract In 1985, an article by Blair and Maron described a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of an operational full text retrieval system used to support the defense of a large corporate lawsuit. The following year Salton published an article which called into question the conclusions of the 1985 study. The following article briefly reviews the initial study, replies to the objections raised by the second article, and clarifies several confusions and misunderstandings about the 1985 study.
Thermoelectric power of MBE grown Bi thin films and BI/CDTE superlattices on CdTe substrates

Abstract We have measured the thermoelectric power (TEP) of epitaxial Bi thin films and Bi/CdTe superlattices grown on CdTe substrates as a function of temperature in the range 20–300 K. We have observed that the TEP of a 10 000ABi thin film is in good agreement with the bulk single crystal value and that the TEPs for superlattices with 400Aand 800ABi well thicknesses are enhanced over the bulk values. However, p -type doping effects in both thin films and superlattices lead to a positive TEP in samples with thinner quantum wells and a suppression of the magnitude in all cases. This suggests that the TEP may be enhanced further by altering the growth conditions to reduce the excess hole concentration.
Disposition and Availability of 5-Fluorouracil Prodrug 5′-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine after Oral Administration in Rats

5′-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine (dFUR) is a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (FU) and requires metabolic activation by enzymes that are abundant in several tumors as well as in some normal tissues. 5′-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine is presently under investigation as an orally administered anticancer drug. This study examines the absorption and disposition of orally administered dFUR and its systemic availability in female Fischer rats. Animals were given an oral dose of unlabeled dFUR solution (500 mg·kg−1) and, 5 min later, an intravenous (iv) tracer dose of [6-3H]dFUR over a period of 1 min. The concomitant iv dose was given to assess the drug clearance during absorption of the oral dose. The blood concentrations of radiolabeled and unlabeled dFUR and FU were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography and liquid scintillation counting. The clearance of the iv tracer dose of [6-3H]dFUR was 18.5 ± 2.5 mL·kg−1·min−1 (mean ± SD, n = 5). The oral bioavailability, calculated using the clearance of [6-3H]dFUR and the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) of unlabeled dFUR, was 63.4 ± 16.9%. Eighty to ninety percent of the absorption was completed by 8 h. The absorption rate of dFUR, analyzed by the Loo-Riegelman method, suggests that drug absorption took place in part by saturable mechanisms. The AUC of FU after the oral dose was 15–35% higher than that after iv injections of dFUR at the same dose. Analysis of the FU data indicates that a fraction of the dFUR dose was metabolized to FU during the presystemic first pass.
Structure of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E in complex with 4EGI-1 reveals an allosteric mechanism for dissociating eIF4G.

The interaction of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E with the initiation factor eIF4G recruits the 40S ribosomal particle to the 5′ end of mRNAs, facilitates scanning to the AUG start codon, and is crucial for eukaryotic translation of nearly all genes. Efficient recruitment of the 40S particle is particularly important for translation of mRNAs encoding oncoproteins and growth-promoting factors, which often harbor complex 5′ UTRs and require efficient initiation. Thus, inhibiting the eIF4E/eIF4G interaction has emerged as a previously unpursued route for developing anticancer agents. Indeed, we discovered small-molecule inhibitors of this eIF4E/eIF4G interaction (4EGIs) that inhibit translation initiation both in vitro and in vivo and were used successfully in numerous cancer–biology and neurobiology studies. However, their detailed molecular mechanism of action has remained elusive. Here, we show that the eIF4E/eIF4G inhibitor 4EGI-1 acts allosterically by binding to a site on eIF4E distant from the eIF4G binding epitope. Data from NMR mapping and high-resolution crystal structures are congruent with this mechanism, where 4EGI-1 attaches to a hydrophobic pocket of eIF4E between β-sheet2 (L60-T68) and α-helix1 (E69-N77), causing localized conformational changes mainly in the H78-L85 region. It acts by unfolding a short 310-helix (S82-L85) while extending α-helix1 by one turn (H78-S82). This unusual helix rearrangement has not been seen in any previous eIF4E structure and reveals elements of an allosteric inhibition mechanism leading to the dislocation of eIF4G from eIF4E.
Infrared analysis of contour feathers: The conservation of body heat radiation in birds

Abstract 1. We examined infrared absorption spectra in contour feathers of 10 species of birds to compare infrared features of the downy and pennaceous regions with the mechanisms of conservation of body heat radiation. 2. At 1700 cm −1 , a sharp increase in transmittance was observed for downy parts, but not for the distal pennaceous regions. 3. The transmittance peak for down may be significant in the conservation of radiation heat: the 1700 cm −1 radiation transmitted by the down is scattered and reflected by the pennaceous region of the contour feather, thereby containing the heat radiation within the feather coat.
Effect of NaF on cAMP Accumulation, cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Activity in, and Amylase Secretion from, Rat Parotid Gland Cells

Stimulation of amylase secretion from parotid glands by beta-adrenergic agonists is mediated by the activation of adenylate cyclase and the resultant increase in cellular cAMP. Since NaF is known to increase adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP accumulation in intact cells, we investigated whether it would stimulate amylase secretion from isolated rat parotid gland cells. The results provide evidence that the addition of NaF (0.01 - 10 mmol/L) increased cAMP concentration (1.5-2.8-fold) in, and amylase secretion (16-93%) from, isolated parotid gland acinar cells. NaF was found to increase cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios (51-84%) in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. The data suggest that the stimulation of amylase secretion from parotid gland cells by NaF may be mediated by an increase in the cellular cAMP concentration, which exerts its effect, at least in part, by increasing the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
Multiplexing two information sources over fading channels: a cross-layer design perspective

We consider the transmission over an unknown frequency-selective channel of two independent sources with different application-layer characteristics: one source (such as voice) has a low information rate with a strict delay constraint; the other (such as data) has a high rate but without any delay constraints. We propose a system structure that jointly considers the different decoding requirements of the application layer and the unknown fading nature of the physical channel. In the proposed communication system, pilot symbols are not present and the low-rate information is decoded noncoherently first. The decoded low-rate codewords are then used for channel estimation to facilitate coherent decoding of the high-rate source. For a fixed detection error probability of the low-rate source, we derive achievable rate expressions for the high-rate source. We demonstrate a convergence behavior of the achievable rate of the high-rate source as the decision error probability of the low-rate source goes to zero. Numerical results show that the achievable rate of the high-rate source converges to that achievable by a training-based scheme at moderate decision error levels.
Through-the-glass spectroscopic ellipsometry of superstrate solar cells and large area panels

We have advanced the technique of through-the-glass spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) toward the nondestructive, non-invasive analysis of large area coated glass plates and completed solar modules in the superstrate configuration. The focus of this work involves reducing the effects of artifacts due to changes in the polarization state of light as it traverses the glass to the film side. By including the effects of (i) strain in the glass, (ii) differences in soda lime glass optical properties at the tin side versus the film side, and (iii) possible collection of both tin side and film side reflections, the accuracy in the determination of film properties in through-the-glass measurements can be improved. For example, measurements of the index of refraction spectra of the uncoated film side glass using a through-the-glass method agree with direct measurements from the uncoated film side to within ±0.004 over the full spectral range of through-the-glass measurements (∼300 to 1600 nm).
Absence of left ventricular volume loading in infants with coarctation of the aorta and a large ventricular septal defect.

Abstract Clinical characteristics and angiographic ventricular volume data were obtained in 25 infants aged 1 to 66 days who presented with coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect and congestive heart failure to determine if left ventricular volume loading was present and if there were hemodynamic or volumetric variables that were predictive of operative mortality in this group. Pulmonary to systemic flow ratio averaged 2.8 ±0.8 and right ventricular/left ventricular peak pressure ratio was 0.96 ± 0.12. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume averaged 116 ± 49% of normal and was less than the investigators' lower limit of normal in 5 (20%) of 25 patients. In contrast, right ventricular end-diastolic volume, measured in eight patients, averaged 173 ± 47% of normal and was greater than the investigators' upper limit of normal in seven (88%) of eight. Left ventricular ejection fraction averaged 0.47 ± 0.17 and was below normal ( 12 mm Hg) in 12 (55%) of 24 patients. Early plus late mortality was related to left ventricular size: 3 of 5 patients with a small left ventricular end-diastolic volume died, compared with only 4 of 20 with a normal or increased volume (p Despite a marked increase in pulmonary to systemic flow ratio, left ventricular end-diastolic volume remains normal or small in the majority of infants with coarctation and a large ventricular septal defect. Normal or low left ventricular end-diastolic volume in these patients in combination with increased right ventricular end-diastolic volume suggests a prominent atrial left to right shunt, which may partially be related to decreased left ventricular compliance. Abnormalities of left ventricular pump function are common in these patients but are primarily related to afterload mismatch or irreversible contractile function depression, or both.
Segmentation of mid-ocean ridges

Studies of mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans show that the volcanism that forms the oceanic crust along the spreading-plate boundaries is concentrated at regular intervals related to spreading rate. This observation and a new calculation for a Rayleigh–Taylor type of gravitational instability of a partially molten mantle region growing under spreading centres yield reasonable estimates of upper mantle viscosities.
Late Pleistocene Glacial Sequence for the West Side of Iztaccihuatl, Mexico

A sequence of late Pleistocene glacial deposits on the west side of the volcano Iztaccihuatl, Mexico, represents (oldest to youngest) the Tomicoxco, Diamantes, Alcalican, and Ayolotepito substages, determined by study of stratigraphy of lava and ash alternating with glacial deposits, comparisons of morainal topography and degree of weathering and of soil development, and similarity of sedimentary characteristics. Till-like sediments in older alluvial deposits along the west base of the mountain suggest an earlier glaciation; these extend down to an altitude of 2450 m. Pyroclastic sediments overlie these, and all are severely eroded, weathered, and support a thick yellow Podzolic soil. During the Tomicoxco Substage, of two distinct ice advances, moraines of Nexcualango Till were deposited across lower mountain slopes; outwash reached the Mexico basin and is the only outwash correlated with a former lake level (the highest) in the basin. Moraines on the mountain are eroded and support a strongly developed gray-brown Podzolic soil. Volcanic activity occurred intermittently high on the north end. A belt of striking moraines of Hueyatlaco Till representing the Diamantes Substage, showing evidence of an interval of erosion and of soil formation, was built higher across the mountain, covering in places a new flow. Lava inundated the upper ends of several moraines of this till, and all the region was mantled with ash and lapilli. The moraines have been eroded and bear a moderately developed soil. Glaciation during the Alcalican Substage left small moraines of Milpulco Till in the southwest valleys only. Black ash then fell on the mountain; a weak soil is developed on these latest deposits. During the Ayolotepito Substage, a final but minor episode of refrigeration, huge moraines of Ayoloco Till were built in the mouths of the valley heads. Since then the little glaciers in the valley heads have retreated, leaving three or four recessional moraines.
Zeeman Effect in Intermediate Coupling

A method is given for calculating $g$-values in intermediate coupling when the matrix of internal energy of the atom (spin-orbit plus electrostatic interaction) is known in $\mathrm{LS}$ coupling. The transformation from the states of $\mathrm{LS}$ coupling to the states of intermediate coupling, in which the internal energy matrix is diagonal, is then readily determined in terms of the parameters expressing the relative magnitudes of the interactions. The coupling parameters are ascertained from the measured energy levels. The transformation so determined is applied to the matrix of the energy due to an external magnetic field, as known for $\mathrm{LS}$ coupling. The diagonal terms of the transformed matrix contain the $g$-values of the states of the atom in intermediate coupling. Application of the method is made to the configurations ${p}^{2}$, ${p}^{3}$ and ${d}^{2}$. Agreement with the available experimental $g$-values is satisfactory, being as good as the agreement of energy levels to be had from a first order calculation.
Anthropocentric Indirect Arguments for Environmental Protection

Environmental ethicists have devoted considerable attention to discussing whether anthropocentric or nonanthropocentric arguments provide more appropriate means for defending environmental protection. This paper argues that philosophers, scientists, and policy makers should pay more attention to a particular type of anthropocentric argument. These anthropocentric indirect arguments (AIAs) defend actions or policies that benefit the environment, but they justify the policies based on beneficial effects on humans (e.g., new jobs, cost savings, stronger communities) that are not caused by their environmental benefits. AIAs appear to have numerous appealing characteristics, and their weaknesses do not provide compelling reasons to avoid them. Elucidating these arguments should inspire social scientists and philosophers to study the range of situations in which AIAs can be ethically and effectively employed and the extent to which they increase or diminish public support for environmentalism.
Induction and transcription of VSH-1, a prophage-like gene transfer agent of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.

Abstract The anaerobic spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is host to a bacteriophage-like agent known as VSH-1. VSH-1 is a novel gene transfer mechanism which does not self-propagate and transfers random 7.5 kb fragments of host DNA between B. hyodysenteriae cells. In these investigations early events during VSH-1 induction by mitomycin C were examined. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that VSH-1 hvp38 and hvp53 genes did not detectably increase in copy numbers during induction. Based on Northern blot hybridization assays, transcription of VSH-1 genes hvp38, hvp53, hvp45, hvp101, and lys increased fivefold to tenfold between 2 and 4 h after induction whereas mRNA levels for B. hyodysenteriae flaA1 declined over the same time period. Chloramphenicol prevented the mitomycin C-induced increases in VSH-1 gene transcription. Hydrogen peroxide (300 μM) substituted for mitomycin C as an inducer of VSH-1 gene transcription and is a possible ‘natural’ inducer of VSH-1 production in vivo. Northern blot hybridization, RT PCR, and primer extension analyses showed that VSH-1 genes are co-transcribed at an initiation site upstream of the VSH-1 gene operon. Two direct heptanucleotide repeats (ACTTATA) were identified between the putative −35 and −10 positions of the VSH-1 gene operon and are likely to represent a binding site for transcription proteins. These findings indicate VSH-1 virion production does not require genome replication, consistent with the inability of VSH-1 to self-propagate. Early events in VSH-1 induction include de novo synthesis of protein(s) essential for transcription of VSH-1 genes as polycistronic mRNA initiating upstream of the hvp45 gene.
Challenges in international collaboration in child and adolescent psychiatry

International collaboration in child and adolescent psychiatry has historically been weak and fragmented. The field has also lagged in developing remedies for improving collaboration. This article identifies barriers to successful collaboration and examines problems in the areas of finance, professional development, knowledge dissemination, professional organisations, public policy and the political environment, priority setting, nomenclature, as well as ethical challenges. The article then identifies some promising initiatives and proposes solutions to improve international collaboration in child and adolescent mental health.
Rocking and rolling with Ca2+ channels

Voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels are a large family of related heterooligomers that couple cell excitability to intracellular signalling. Recent studies on mice carrying Ca2+ channel mutations, or in which Ca2+ channel subunits have been deleted, have provided important information about the roles carried out by these molecules in cardiovascular function, pain, epilepsy, migraine and deafness, in addition to further defining how Ca2+ channels regulate the physiology of excitable cells.
Goals and Competencies for Precollege STS Education: Recommendations Based upon Recent Literature in Environmental Education

Abstract Initiated by recommendations in the reports of the study groups that examined the status of science education in the United States early in this decade, science-technology-society (STS) education has become accepted as a viable part of the school science curriculum. The social responsibility perspective on STS education that was embodied in those recommendations has become the most widely accepted. Approached from a social responsibility perspective, the goal of STS education is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and affective qualities to take responsible action on the myriad of STS issues facing humankind. That goal is congruent with the superordinate goal of EE. Given the parallel and the lack of a body of research in STS education, recent EE research on responsible environmental behavior was used to generate a goal structure for STS education that is similar to one prepared for EE by Hungerford et al. in 1980. The STS goal structure is further explicated in a set of fifty-three l...
Intraoperative coronary artery balloon-catheter dilatation

A new transluminal angioplasty catheter based on linear extrusion of the dilating element has been specifically designed and developed for the cardiac surgeon. This catheter facilitates placement of the dilating balloon within the arterial narrowing without the routine use of fluoroscopy in the operating room. Physical measurements of the frictional forces exerted on the inner arterial surfaces by three different angioplasty catheter designs during advancement show that the linear extrusion catheter consistently minimizes these forces. The linear extrusion catheters have now been used in over 64 coronary adjunctive intraoperative dilatations. The results of these clinical studies and our research data indicate that the linear extrusion balloon catheter is a safe and effective adjunct to primary coronary artery bypass procedures.
Improving database schemes by adding attributes

This paper examines the technique of adding attributes to a relational database scheme. It is shown that doing so can result in an improvement in the conceptual simplicity and efficiency of the scheme. Some well-known non-independent schemes are made independent by adding attributes, results are given to support the conjecture that all schemes can be made independent as well.
Terms for Intergenerational Relations Among the Tumbuka of Northern Malawi

ABSTRACT Culturally enshrined ideas about generational relations affect language, the use of language, and linguistic conventions for expressing these ideas. Generation terms (or age-set terms) distinguish people in the social group according to their age and sex. The age set is a formally organized group of youths, or men or women which has collectively passed through a series of stages each of which has distinctive status, ceremonial, military or other activities. Membership of the group frequently involves ritual in initiation, accompanied by special teaching of the community's law and customs, instructions in sexual matters, and, in some societies, physical initiation that is the mark of attainment of maturity. But how is the system of intergenerational relationship manifested in a particular social group? How do the members of each generation use language differently? How does language treat the generations differently? How do such differences affect our perceptions, attitudes and behavior in everyda...
Future cache design using STT MRAMs for improved energy efficiency: devices, circuits and architecture

Spin-transfer torque magnetic RAM (STT MRAM) has emerged as a promising candidate for on-chip memory in future computing platforms. We present a cross-layer (device-circuit-architecture) approach to energy-efficient cache design using STT MRAM. At the device and circuit levels, we consider different genres of MTJs and bitcells, and evaluate their impact on the area, energy and performance of caches. In addition, we propose micro-architectural techniques viz. sequential cache read and partial cache line update, which exploit the non-volatility of STT MRAM to further improve energy efficiency of STT MRAM caches. A detailed comparison of STT MRAM caches with SRAM-based caches is also presented. Our results indicate that the proposed optimizations significantly enhance the efficiency of STT MRAM for designing lower level caches.
Microbial Keratitis after Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis Implantation: Incidence, Organisms, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

Purpose To identify the incidence of and risk factors for microbial keratitis after implantation of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA). Design Retrospective, single-surgeon consecutive case series. Participants A total of 105 patients (125 keratoprosthesis procedures in 110 eyes) who underwent Boston type I keratoprosthesis implantation at the Jules Stein Eye Institute between May 1, 2004, and April 1, 2012. Methods Data regarding ocular history, relevant intraoperative data, postoperative management, and outcomes were collected for each procedure. Risk factor analyses were performed using the Fisher exact test, log-rank test, and hazard ratio (HR). Main Outcome Measures Incidence of microbial keratitis, organisms responsible, risk factors, and outcomes. Results During the period under review, 20 presumed infectious infiltrates were diagnosed in 15 eyes (13.6%) of 15 patients (14.3%), for a rate of 0.073 infections per eye-year. The rate of culture-positive bacterial keratitis was 0.022 infections per eye-year, and the rate of culture-positive fungal keratitis was 0.015 infections per eye-year. Topical vancomycin use, topical steroid use, and contact lens wear did not increase the incidence of infectious keratitis, but prolonged vancomycin use was associated with an increased risk for fungal keratitis and infectious keratitis overall. Persistent corneal epithelial defect formation also was associated with an increased incidence of fungal keratitis and infectious keratitis overall. There were no cases of endophthalmitis resulting from infectious keratitis. Conclusions Infectious keratitis develops in 13.6% of eyes after keratoprosthesis implantation, with a similar rate of culture-positive bacterial and fungal keratitis. The observed rate of microbial keratitis suggests the need for additional topical antimicrobial prophylaxis after keratoprosthesis implantation in eyes at higher risk, such as those with persistent corneal epithelial defect formation or prolonged vancomycin use. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Predictors of acute stroke mimics in 8187 patients referred to a stroke service.

Background Some patients seen by a stroke team do not have cerebrovascular disease but a condition that mimics stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and predictors of stroke mimics in a large sample. Methods This is an analysis of data from consecutive patients seen by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Program over 10 years. Data were collected prospectively as a quality improvement initiative. Patients with a cerebrovascular event or a stroke mimic were compared with the Student t or Pearson chi-square test as appropriate, and logistic regression was done to identify independent predictors. Results The analysis included 8187 patients: 30% had a stroke mimic. Patients with a stroke mimic were younger, and the proportion of patients with a stroke mimic was higher among women, patients without any risk factors, those seen as a code stroke or who arrived to the emergency department via personal vehicle, and those who had the onset of symptoms while inpatients. The proportion of patients with a stroke mimic was marginally higher among African-Americans than Caucasians. Factors associated with the greatest odds of having a stroke mimic in the logistic regression were lack of a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation or hyperlipidemia. Conclusions One third of the patients seen by a stroke team over 10 years had a stroke mimic. Factors associated with a stroke mimic may be ascertained by an emergency physician before calling the stroke team.
Design, synthesis and application of easy wash-off reactive dyes

New dyes that not only give good fixation levels but also relatively low substantivity in the hydrolysed form were the targets of this research. Our approach involved lowering the substantivity of the hydrolysed dye by reducing the planarity that is required for dyes to have high substantivity on cotton. In this regard, bifunctional bis-dichlorotriazine (bis-DCT) and tetrafunctional bis-monochlorotriazine/ bis-sulphatoethyl sulphone [bis-(MCT/SES)] reactive dyes were made, using selected diaminobiphenyls. Bis-DCT bifunctional reactive dyes were applied to cotton by a pad-batch method, while bis-(MCT/SES) tetrafunctional reactive dyes were applied to cotton by a pad-dry-cure. Following dye application, it was found that the resultant hydrolysed dyes easily washed off the fibre surface and that the dyed cotton fabrics had colour fastness to rubbing and laundering properties that were comparable with the commercial prototypes used in this study. However, it is also apparent that the combination of relatively low water solubility and large molecular size has an adverse effect on fibre penetration.
The turtle–hare race story revisited: Social capital and resource accumulation for firms from emerging economies

How can firms from emerging economies, given their internal resource constraints, compete effectively with established multinational enterprises (MNEs) in home markets and gain capabilities for international expansion? We develop an integrative view of resources by incorporating network-based social capital theories and articulate that the depth and nature of emerging economy firms’ external social capital determine the direction and magnitude of resource exchanges with their business partners, and thus their effectiveness in accumulating critical internal resources. Throughout the development of our theoretical framework, we have also relied on empirical evidences from various business sources, including the cases on Lenovo and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). We conclude with scholarly and practical implications and future research avenues.
The Challenge of Risk Characterization: Current Practice and Future Directions

Risk characterization is perhaps the most important part of risk assessment. As currently practiced, risk characterizations do not convey the degree of uncertainty in a risk estimate to risk managers, Congress, the press, and the public. Here, we use a framework put forth by an ad hoc study group of industry and government scientists and academics to critique the risk characterizations contained in two risk assessments of gasoline vapor. After discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each assessment`s risk characterization, we detail an alternative approach that conveys estimates in the form of a probability distribution. The distributional approach can make use of all relevant scientific data and knowledge, including alternative data sets and all plausible mechanistic theories of carcinogenesis. As a result, this approach facilitates better public health decisions than current risk characterization procedures. We discuss methodological issues, as well as strengths and weaknesses of the distributional approach. 21 refs., 1 tab.
Adjunctive use of endoscopy during acoustic neuroma surgery.

Objective/Hypothesis: In specific clinical situations, endoscopes offer better visualization than the microscope during acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) surgery and can therefore decrease the incidence of the postoperative complications of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and recurrence of tumor. This study was undertaken to determine if the use of adjunctive endoscopy provides complementary information to the operating surgeon during surgery for acoustic neuromas. Method: Seventy-eight patients with acoustic neuromas underwent tumor excision by two neurotologists (P.A.W., D.S.P.), together with their respective neurosurgical partners, via a retrosigmoid (suboccipital) approach (n=68), translabyrinthine approach (n=7), or middle cranial fossa approach (n=3). Endoscopy with a rigid glass lens endoscope was used during tumor removal to examine posterior fossa neurovascular structures, and after tumor excision to inspect the internal auditory canal (IAC), inner ear, and middle ear, depending on the approach used. One of the authors (D.S.P.) has not used adjunctive endoscopy during resections via the translabyrinthine and middle cranial fossa approaches, and therefore, these cases were excluded from the data collection and analysis. Results: Complete tumor excision was achieved in 73 patients. Endoscopy allowed improved identification of tumor and adjacent neurovascular relationships in all cases. In addition, residual tumor at the fundus of the IAC (n=11) and exposed air cells (n=24) not seen with the microscope during retrosigmoid approaches were identified endoscopically. In one of the translabyrinthine cases, the endoscope allowed identification of open air cells not visualized with the microscope. None of the 78 patients developed CSF rhinorrhea. Incorporating the endoscope did not significantly increase operative time. Conclusions: Endoscopy can be performed safely during surgery to remove acoustic neuromas. The adjunctive use of endoscopy may offer some advantages including improved visualization, more complete tumor removal, and a lowered risk of CSF leakage.
C−H···O Hydrogen Bond between N-Methyl Maleimide and Dimethyl Sulfoxide: A Combined NMR and Ab Initio Study

The proton chemical shifts in N-methyl maleimide (NMM) in dry dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (DMSO) and in cyclohexane-d12 solutions have been measured between 30 and 70 °C. The proton shieldings have also been calculated using the gauge-including atomic orbital method at the Hartree−Fock and hybrid Becke−Lee−Yang−Parr (B3LYP) density functional levels, using the 6-311++G and 6-311++G** basis sets. There is a 0.4 ppm discrepancy between the observed chemical shift of the ring protons in DMSO solution and the value derived from the calculations, whereas only 0.1 ppm or less is expected (see Wang, B.; Hinton, J. F.; Pulay, P. J. Comput. Chem. 2002, 23, 492). The discrepancy almost certainly arises from a C−H···O hydrogen bond between the acidic ring proton and the oxygen of DMSO. This is supported by its strong temperature coefficient and by model calculations on NMM−DMSO, NMM−acetone, and NMM−water complexes at the B3LYP and second-order Moller−Plesset levels with large basis sets (up to 6-311++G(3df,3pd)). The lat...
Nitric Oxide Limits Transcriptional Induction of Nitric Oxide Synthase in CNS Glial Cells

Nitric oxide (NO) can modulate directly and indirectly the activity of a variety of enzymes, including nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In addition, it appears that the NO formed by astroglial cells in which transcriptional induction of NOS has been evoked by cytokines affects NOS mRNA level. We have observed that induction in the presence of NOS inhibitors or NO-trapping agents amplifies NOS mRNA expression and that this effect is reversed by an NO donor. Rather than promoting mRNA instability, NO appears to inhibit the transcriptional induction of NOS. This effect of NO on induction of the NOS gene provides a mechanism by which the temporal and perhaps spatial production in the nervous system of NO, a reactive and potentially toxic mediator, can be finely regulated.
Suppression and facilitation of auditory neurons through coordinated acoustic and midbrain stimulation: investigating a deep brain stimulator for tinnitus.

Objective. The inferior colliculus (IC) is the primary processing center of auditory information in the midbrain and is one site of tinnitus-related activity. One potential option for suppressing the tinnitus percept is through deep brain stimulation via the auditory midbrain implant (AMI), which is designed for hearing restoration and is already being implanted in deaf patients who also have tinnitus. However, to assess the feasibility of AMI stimulation for tinnitus treatment we first need to characterize the functional connectivity within the IC. Previous studies have suggested modulatory projections from the dorsal cortex of the IC (ICD) to the central nucleus of the IC (ICC), though the functional properties of these projections need to be determined. Approach. In this study, we investigated the effects of electrical stimulation of the ICD on acoustic-driven activity within the ICC in ketamine-anesthetized guinea pigs. Main Results. We observed ICD stimulation induces both suppressive and facilitatory changes across ICC that can occur immediately during stimulation and remain after stimulation. Additionally, ICD stimulation paired with broadband noise stimulation at a specific delay can induce greater suppressive than facilitatory effects, especially when stimulating in more rostral and medial ICD locations. Significance. These findings demonstrate that ICD stimulation can induce specific types of plastic changes in ICC activity, which may be relevant for treating tinnitus. By using the AMI with electrode sites positioned with the ICD and the ICC, the modulatory effects of ICD stimulation can be tested directly in tinnitus patients.