cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PPL: A whole-image processing language

This paper presents the design and implementation of the picture processing language (PPL) that extends the syntax and semantics of traditional image processing libraries. PPL provides a rich set of features to support the development of imaging systems. A main aspect is that many of these features treat a whole-image as an individual operand. An efficient memory management scheme is included that allows ''in-place operation'' with high memory efficiency. The PPL compiler together with an interpreter can work in two modes. The PPL compiler can convert the source code into C files that can be used as macros within a client program. The program can also be executed at run-time by an interpreter. The dual-execution modes make it possible to be used by both imaging researchers and equipment developers. The extended set of PPL instructions can communicate with digital sensors and 3D displays, and store image data into databases across the Internet. The wavelet-based reverse prediction algorithm can speed up the image loading process approximately three times faster than JPEG. The application programming interface (API) of PPL provides all the building blocks for programmers.
Thermocatalytic decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) in a multi-tubular, flow-through catalytic membrane reactor

Abstract The potential for the use of chemical weapons has increased in recent times. The successful use of a flow-through catalytic membrane reactor (FTCMR) as a protection system against a chemical warfare agent (CWA) was recently reported by this group. This FTCMR, employing a single catalytically active mesoporous membrane, was applied for the destruction of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), which is known as a chemical precursor (and used to simulate its characteristics) for Sarin (GB), a toxic CWA. In this paper, results are reported of efforts to scale-up this lab-scale FTCMR towards practical individual protection (IP) and collective protection (CP) applications. A multi-tubular FTCMR (MFTCMR) has been developed and tested towards the destruction of DMMP. The MFTCMR has been shown quite effective, providing extended protection periods against this CWA simulant. A key part of the research effort focused on improving the preparation of the catalytically active membranes to prepare membrane bundles with reproducible transport characteristics and reactivity. A key challenge for the large-scale production of such devices, furthermore, remains the development of a simple non-destructive test that assures that the produced parts are appropriate for the proposed application and that they continue to remain active during their shelf-life prior to their use. As part of this effort a simple propane-in-air light-off test was studied, which was shown capable to track the reactivity and performance of the MFTCMR.
Concentrations and behavior of oxygen and oxide ion in melts of composition CaO · MgO · xSiO2

The behavior of oxygen and oxide ion in silicate melts was investigated through their electrochemical reactions at a platinum electrode. Values are given for the diffusion coefficient for molecular oxygen in diopside melt and the activation energy of diffusion. It is shown that molecular oxygen dissociates prior to undergoing reduction and that oxide ion reacts quickly with silicate polymers when it is produced. The concentration of oxide ion is kept low by a buffering effect of the silicate, the exact level being dependent on the silicate composition. Data on the kinetics of reaction of the dissociation of molecular oxygen and on the buffering reactions are provided. It is demonstrated that the data on oxygen in these silicate melts are consistent with those for solid buffers.
Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients >70 years old

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to report the outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients >70 years of age at a community hospital in the United States. Methods A retrospective review was performed of prospectively collected data from patients aged >70 years who had undergone bariatric surgery at a single institution from 2002 to 2008. The data analyzed included age, preoperative and postoperative weight and body mass index, postoperative complications, and co-morbidities. Results Of 42 patients aged >70 years who underwent bariatric surgery, 22 patients (52.4%) had undergone laparoscopic gastric banding, 12 patients (28.6%) laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and 8 patients (19%) laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The mean preoperative weight and body mass index was 127.4 ± 25.5 kg and 46.8 ± 9.3 kg/m 2 , respectively. The mean postoperative weight and body mass index was 100.2 ± 17 kg and 35.5 ± 5.4 kg/m 2 , respectively. The median length of follow-up was 12 months (range 1–66). The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 47.7% at 12 months, with 73.1% follow-up data. Complications included wound infections in 4 patients (9.5%), band removal in 3 patients (7.1%), anastomotic leak in 1 patient (2.3%), and megaesophagus in 1 patient (2.3%). No mortality occurred. The postoperative use of medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and degenerative joint disease were reduced by 56%, 54%, 53%, 66%, and 50%, respectively. Conclusion Bariatric surgery in carefully screened patients aged >70 years can be performed safely and can achieve modest improvement in co-morbidities.
Application of the dissipated energy concept in fatigue endurance limit testing

A fatigue endurance limit has been postulated to exist in hot-mix asphalt pavement performance. It cannot be observed and studied with the use of traditional phenomenological approaches as seen by the totally different fatigue behavior at low strain-damage levels close to the fatigue endurance limit. The ratio of dissipated energy change succeeds in defining and investigating the existence of a fatigue endurance limit with a unique relationship between plateau value (PV) and fatigue life (Nf), regardless of strain-damage levels, mixture types, loading modes, and other testing conditions. To determine a fatigue endurance limit requires an extraordinarily long time to conduct testing. This paper applied the PV to the study of a fatigue endurance limit to validate a shortened laboratory testing procedure. Statistical analysis shows that the shortened test can predict the PV with sufficient accuracy. By applying the validated relationship between PV and Nf, the extremely long fatigue life under low strain-dam...
Cardiac Augmentation By Phasic High Intrathoracic Pressure Support In Man

Left ventricular performance can be significantly influenced by changes in intrathoracic pressure. In man, sustained increases in intrathoracic pressure unload the left ventricle, but since venous return decreases, increased intrathoracic pressure is associated with a decreased cardiac output. In a canine model of acute ventricular failure, it has been shown that phasic increases in intrathoracic pressure, which do not decrease venous return, improve steady-state cardiac output. We thus studied the cardiovascular effects of phasic high intrathoracic pressure support (PHIPS) in seven patients with shock in our intensive care unit whose condition was not responsive to conventional types of therapy. The PHIPS was generated by abdominal and chest wall binding during positive-pressure ventilation. As compared to the state before PHIPS, the PHIPS was associated with an increase in esophageal pressure (6.6 ± 1.1 mm Hg; p
Effects of antenatal corticosteroids on blood pressure in very low birth weight infants during the first 24 hours of life.

Effects of Antenatal Corticosteroids on Blood Pressure in Very Low Birth Weight Infants During the First 24 Hours of Life
Automated Structural Synthesis Using a Reduced Number of Design Coordinates

The automated synthesis of large structural systems using a reduced number of design variables is investigated. The synthesis is accomplished by generating a Fiacco-McCormi ck Penalty function which is minimized with a deflected gradient procedure. The optimization algorithm is modified using a reduced set of design variables which greatly reduces the computer effort usually required for large structural problems and provides an upper bound solution. A rational procedure based on the external loads and constraints on the system is developed for generating the reduced set of coordinates. Examples of truss systems subjected to stress constraints, displacement constraints, and constraints on the design variables are studied in detail. For the examples considered, the results show large reductions in computer effort and demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the method. The method provides a powerful tool for preliminary design studies, and appears to be the most effective method for obtaining near optimal designs of large systems.
A Possible Effect of an Increase in the Warm-Pool SST on the Magnitude of El Niño Warming

El Nino warming corresponds to an eastward extension of the western Pacific warm pool; one thus naturally wonders whether an increase in the warm pool SST will result in stronger El Ninos. This question, though elementary, has not drawn much attention. The observation that the two strongest El Ninos in the instrumental record occurred during the last two decades, when the warm pool SST was anomalously high, however, has added some urgency to answering this question. Here observational and numerical results that support a positive answer to this question are shown. The observational results come from an analysis of the heat balance of the tropical Pacific over the period 1980-99. The analysis confirms that El Nino acts as a major mechanism by which the tropical Pacific transports heat poleward—the poleward heat transport is achieved episodically, and those episodes correspond well with the occurrence of El Ninos. Moreover, the analysis shows that El Nino is a regulator of the heat content in the western Pacific: the higher the heat content, the stronger the subsequent El Nino warming, which transports more heat poleward, and results in a larger drop in the heat content in the western Pacific. These empirical results suggest that a higher warm-pool SST may result in stronger El Nino events. Specifically, raising the tropical maximum SST through an increase in the radiative heating across the equatorial Pacific initially increases the zonal SST contrast. A stronger zonal SST contrast then strengthens the surface winds and helps to store more heat in the subsurface ocean. Because of the stronger winds and the resulting steeper tilt of the equatorial thermocline, the coupled system is potentially unstable and is poised to release its energy through a stronger El Nino warming. A stronger El Nino then pushes the accumulated heat poleward and prevents heat buildup in the western Pacific, and thereby stabilizes the coupled system. Numerical experiments with a coupled model in which the ocean component is a primitive equation model (the NCAR Pacific basin model), and therefore explicitly calculates the heat budget of the entire equatorial upper ocean, support this suggestion. The numerical experiments further suggest that in the presence of El Ninos, the time-mean zonal SST contrast may not be sensitive to increases in the surface heating because the resulting stronger El Ninos cool the western Pacific and warm the eastern Pacific.
A New Biomechanical Model of Vocal Fold Vibrations: Preliminary Experimental Validation

This paper introduces a new seven-mass biomechanical model for the vibration of vocal folds. The model is based on the body-cover layer concept of the vocal fold biomechanics, and segments the cover layer into three masses. This segmentation facilitates the model comparison with the motion of the vocal glottis contour derived from modern high-speed digital imaging systems. The model simulation is compared to experimental data from a pair of healthy vocal folds showing good agreement in the frequency and time domains. The proposed model is also shown to outperform a previously-developed model that does not explicitly account for the body layer dynamics.© 2011 ASME
Self-Regulation and Inhibition in Comorbid ADHD Children: An Evaluation of Executive Functions:

The relationship between executive function and comorbid diagnoses in ADHD children is examined. One hundred six children between 7 and 15 years of age are assessed using the Tower of London (TOL), a test of executive function, and the Kiddie Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Present and Lifetime Version, a diagnostic interview. All children met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. A majority of the children had comorbid anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or oppositional defiant disorder. Measures on the TOL are total move score, total initiation time, and total rule violations. Age is predictive in all three measures of executive function as assessed by the TOL. Gender is predictive of total initiation time and total rule violations. Comorbid disorders are found to not have significance on executive function as measured by the TOL. This study concludes that comorbid disorders may not affect executive function
Numerical Investigations of Double-Species Slurry Flow in a Straight Pipe Entrance

Because of the complexity of multiphase slurry flow, most experiments and simulations described in the open literature are focused on single-species solid-liquid flow. In this paper, a Eulerian granular multiphase (EGM) model is introduced to make the numerical investigations in the entrance region of a straight pipe for a double-species slurry flow. In order for the study to obtain the numerical solution in fully developed turbulent flow, the k–e turbulent model was used with the Eulerian granular multiphase model. An O-type structured grid was chosen to discretize the entire computation domain, and a control volume finite difference method (CVFDM) was applied in the governing equations. Some simulation results are compared with the authors’ experimental data to validate the numerical investigation. These numerical results for the pressure gradients are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. It is very difficult to obtain some important flow characteristics in the double-species slurry flow by experiments; therefore, the volume fractions (or concentrations) of solids, the average velocity distributions, and the turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rates of water in the pipe entrance will be displayed and analyzed in the numerical investigations, which have seldom been reported in the open literature.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Relative accuracy of four removable die systems.

Abstract Four removable die systems were studied: brass dowel pins, the Plastipin, the J-Pin, and the Logix Model System. Results of measurements made of 10 working casts to determine the amount and type of vertical and horizontal shift revealed no statistical significance between various dies.
Monitoring of Accoutrement Grinding

This paper describes a monitoring system of the accoutrement grinding based on multi sensors and aims at machining some super rigid materials such as ruby, sapphire and diamond. This method, with the help of the style of an accouterment, ascertains the shape and pose of an accouterment in machining, and a smart grinding force sensor is made up; the poses are detected by multi optical grating sensors; the style and facets are viewed by image sensors. Because of the diversity of the diamond quality and the crystal main direction angle related to a grinded facade, a strategy is adapted to control the feeding of grinding, that is, the feeding of grinding is restricted by the temperature, area of a forced facade, and grinding force.
Smoke and mirrors: Magnified beliefs that cigarette smoking suppresses weight

Research suggests that for some smokers, weight concerns interfere with smoking cessation. Studies with individuals with eating disorders and weight concerns have indicated that weight-concerned individuals place undue faith in the effectiveness of certain weight control strategies; i.e., adopt a brand of magical thinking pertaining to food rules and dieting behaviors. The current study investigated whether weight-concerned smokers endorsed exaggerated beliefs in the ability of smoking to suppress body weight. Participants were 385 individuals undergoing treatment for smoking cessation. Prior to treatment, participants completed the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult (SCQ-A), the Dieting and Bingeing Severity Scale, and the Perceived Risks and Benefits Questionnaire (PBRQ). Results indicated that heightened beliefs in the effectiveness of smoking to control weight were related to eating and weight concerns; specifically, strong associations were observed between SCQ-A Weight Control scores and fear of weight gain, loss of control over eating, and body dissatisfaction. Although SCQ-A Weight Control scores were related to (self-reported) weight gain during a previous quit attempt, scores did not predict actual weight gain over the course of the cessation trial. Reported weight gain at previous attempts was also unrelated to actual weight gain over the current trial. These findings indicate that eating and weight-concerned smokers may benefit from psychoeducation concerning the relatively modest and temporary ability of nicotine to suppress weight.
The role of the zebrafish nodal-related genes squint and cyclops in patterning of mesendoderm.

Nodal signals, a subclass of the TGFβ superfamily of secreted factors, induce formation of mesoderm and endoderm in vertebrate embryos. We have examined the possible dorsoventral and animal-vegetal patterning roles for Nodal signals by using mutations in two zebrafish nodal-related genes, squint and cyclops, to manipulate genetically the levels and timing of Nodal activity. squint mutants lack dorsal mesendodermal gene expression at the late blastula stage, and fate mapping and gene expression studies in sqt-/-; cyc+/+ and sqt-/-; cyc+/- mutants show that some dorsal marginal cells inappropriately form hindbrain and spinal cord instead of dorsal mesendodermal derivatives. The effects on ventrolateral mesendoderm are less severe, although the endoderm is reduced and muscle precursors are located nearer to the margin than in wild type. Our results support a role for Nodal signals in patterning the mesendoderm along the animal-vegetal axis and indicate that dorsal and ventrolateral mesoderm require different levels of squint and cyclops function. Dorsal marginal cells were not transformed toward more lateral fates in either sqt-/-; cyc+/- or sqt-/-; cyc+/+ embryos, arguing against a role for the graded action of Nodal signals in dorsoventral patterning of the mesendoderm. Differential regulation of the cyclops gene in these cells contributes to the different requirements for nodal-related gene function in these cells. Dorsal expression of cyclops requires Nodal-dependent autoregulation, whereas other factors induce cyclops expression in ventrolateral cells. In addition, the differential timing of dorsal mesendoderm induction in squint and cyclops mutants suggests that dorsal marginal cells can respond to Nodal signals at stages ranging from the mid-blastula through the mid-gastrula.
Mapping golf green drainage systems and subsurface features using ground-penetrating radar

Good drainage is important for healthy turf and proper playing surface. Because of the aesthetic and playability considerations, most of the drainage systems in a golf course were installed underground. With time golf green drainage systems can fail or become plugged up due to improper construction and/or management. Unfortunately, many golf green drainage maps are either unavailable or inaccurate. Locating a drainage system in a green is a very time consuming and difficult job. Many golf course superintendents invested many hours in locating these pipes when drainage problems occured. Correcting the drainage problems can be destructive to the green and expensive when location of the present system is unknown. The objective of the study was to locate and map the tile drainage system under a green using a ground penetrating radar. In the study, a SIR system 2000, with a 400 MHz antenna, ground penetrating radar (GPR) was used to scan a USGA green and a California style green. The experiment was conducted at the Stone Creek golf course(SCGC) Green No. 3 (a USGA green located at Makanda, IL) and Hickory Ridge golf course (HRGC) Green No. 2 (a California green, located in Carbondale, IL). The green at the SCGC was about 500 m 2 and the one at HRGC was close to 200 m 2 . Since sprinkler heads are fixed objects around the green, they were used as permanent reference points. The golf greens were divided to form a grid system and marked with flags 1 meter apart. The green was marked and scanned. In the measurement, the scanning was completed within fifteen minutes, but it took up to 45 minutes for laying out the grid of a 500 m 2 green. Results indicated that GPR could accurately locate the rooting zone thickness, depth of gravel layer, and drainage tiles in a golf green with minimum time and disturbance.
Temperature-Time Profile in Rats Subjected to Selective Microwave Irradiation of the Brain

Real-time cortical and colonic temperature changes in rats irradiated for 20 min by a 2450 MHz contact radiator at the animals head were measured. Ten ?s pulses were delivered to the radiator at pulse repetition rates of 25-500 pulses/s and at energy rates of 0.3 to 1325 mW that corresponded to incident power densities of 0.18 to 875 mW/cm2. Lower power densities yielded a small cortical temperature increase below that for the body core whereas higher power densities produced a greater cortical temperature rise. Even at an incident power density as high as 875 mW/cm2 that resulted in a specific absorption rate of 70 mW/g in the brain, the cortical temperature increased by less than 3.0°C while the colonic temperature rose by 0.5°C. The cortical temperature rapidly rose during the initial transient period of irradiation. It soon became nonlinear and achieved a steady-state level around 39°C. From these observations we concluded that the brain temperature was lowered by thermoregulatory processes involving blood circulation, temperature, and mass differences between the brain and the nonirradiated body of the anesthetized rat, and furthermore, the irradiated brain received significant protection from the nonirradiated body.
Organophosphorus Chemistry. Ester-Chloride Conversion Under Mild Conditions at Phosphorus

Abstract The use of triphenylphosphine dichloride as a mild reagent for the replacement of a single ester linkage by a chloride in phosphonate diesters is described. The conversion has also been accomplished using a tertiary phosphine which is polymer-bound.
A Narratology of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clients’ Experiences Addressing Religious and Spiritual Issues in Counseling

Although spiritual and religious themes have been found to be salient for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals, a paucity of research has explored how these themes are attended to in the counseling context. This qualitative investigation used a narratology approach to explore the counseling experiences of seven LGBT clients around spiritual and religious issues. The narrative which emerged included (a) negative counseling experiences, (b) client perseverance in locating additional counseling, (c) positive counseling experiences, and (d) a reframing of counselor responsibility. The results of this study contain implications for future research, clinical practice, and counselor training.
Delivering Library Services with Centra Symposium

Summary The University of Tennessee's Distance Education unit is always looking for new and effective ways to deliver courses. One recent experiment has been using a course management system known as Centra Symposium for course delivery and, as a natural outgrowth of that, to deliver library services to the students.
Association of small vessel ischemic white matter changes with BOLD fMRI imaging in the elderly

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are often identified on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images in the elderly. The WMHs are generally associated with small vessel ischemic or pre-ischemic changes. However, the association of WMHs with blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal is understudied. In this study, we evaluate how the BOLD signal change is related to the presence of WMHs in the elderly. Data were acquired as part of a study of late-life depression and included elderly individuals with and without major depression. The subjects were pooled because the presence of depression was not significantly associated with task-related BOLD changes, task performance, and WMH distribution. A whole brain voxel-wise regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between WMH burden and BOLD signal change during finger-tapping in the parietal white matter. Our observation that WMHs are associated with a significant diminution of the BOLD signal change underscores the importance of considering cerebrovascular burden when interpreting fMRI studies in the elderly. The mechanism underlying the association of WMH and BOLD signal change remains unclear: the association may be mediated by changes in neural activation, changes in coupling between neuronal activity and hemodynamics, or, perhaps, secondary to the effect of the ischemic changes on the sensitivity of the T2* BOLD MR signal.
Atmospheric correction using near-infrared bands for satellite ocean color data processing in the turbid western Pacific region.

A regional near-infrared (NIR) ocean normalized water-leaving radiance (nLw(λ)) model is proposed for atmospheric correction for ocean color data processing in the western Pacific region, including the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea. Our motivation for this work is to derive ocean color products in the highly turbid western Pacific region using the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) onboard South Korean Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS). GOCI has eight spectral bands from 412 to 865 nm but does not have shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands that are needed for satellite ocean color remote sensing in the turbid ocean region. Based on a regional empirical relationship between the NIR nLw(λ) and diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm (Kd(490)), which is derived from the long-term measurements with the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite, an iterative scheme with the NIR-based atmospheric correction algorithm has been developed. Results from MODIS-Aqua measurements show that ocean color products in the region derived from the new proposed NIR-corrected atmospheric correction algorithm match well with those from the SWIR atmospheric correction algorithm. Thus, the proposed new atmospheric correction method provides an alternative for ocean color data processing for GOCI (and other ocean color satellite sensors without SWIR bands) in the turbid ocean regions of the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea, although the SWIR-based atmospheric correction approach is still much preferred. The proposed atmospheric correction methodology can also be applied to other turbid coastal regions.
Determination of ball mill residence time distributions form tracer data taken in closed-circuit operation

Abstract Based on a method which searches on the parameter values for models, the possible one- and two-detection system tracer methods for the determination of ball mill residence time distributions from data taken on closed-circuit recycle systems are treated. Mathematical relationships for the most promising approaches are developed for both methods. This includes deriving, demonstrating, and verifying (with existing simple analytical models of closed-circuit mills) analytical models of tracer input and output based on the use of tanks-in-series and finite stage models with the convolution integral principle. Simulated results for typical processes are given and non-linear search methods are described and demonstrated for determining mill residence time distribution model parameters.
Gross hematuria from an ileal conduit as a first presentation of portal hypertension.

In this Case Study, Tu et al. report a 76-year-old man who presented repeatedly with bleeding from an ileal conduit, identified as being caused by an isolated varix secondary to portal hypertension. The authors highlight that portal hypertension should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hematuria from an ileal conduit. Background A 76-year-old man who underwent cystoprostatectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion for muscle-invasive bladder cancer presented to his urologist 4 years later with episodes of spontaneous gross hematuria filling his ostomy bag with fresh clots. Investigations Physical examination, urine culture, urine cytology, peripheral smear, complete blood count, loopogram, CT–intravenous pyelogram, loop endoscopy, bilateral ureteroscopy, liver function tests, CT angiography, 99mTc-tagged red cell scan, hepatitis panel, measurement of transjugular wedge pressure, transjugular liver biopsy with pathologic analysis and re-evaluation of CT angiogram. Diagnosis Hematuria secondary to portal hypertension. Management The patient initially underwent revision of the ureteroileal anastomosis on the basis of the results of the 99mTc-tagged red cell scan, but hematuria recurred 9 months later. Once the hepatology service identified portal hypertension, the patient was taken to the operating room for ligation of a large venous communication between the ileal conduit and a branch of the inferior epigastric vein. He recovered well and was asymptomatic for 8 months. He was followed up by the hepatology service for his newly diagnosed portal hypertension secondary to cirrhosis.
Mapping the composition dependence of Cu 2 ZnSn(S, Se) 4 absorber quality using composition-spread libraries, photoluminescence, and Raman

We present a photoluminescence study of a high-throughput experiment in which nanocrystal inks of different composition are mixed to produce a continuous composition gradient. Using this technique we have produced films in which the cation ratios of a CZTSSe absorber layer are continuously varied laterally on the substrate. Here we report the compositional dependence of peak intensity, position, and peak shift with intensity as a function of composition.
X-ray beam lines and beam line components for the SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS)

The LCLS is a novel high-brightness X-ray source designed to operate in the 300-400 eV range. In contrast to conventional synchrotron radiation sources, its output pulses will be characterized by unprecedented levels of brevity and peak power. In this paper we present recently developed beam line layouts and design features intended to optimize the delivery of the LCLS photons to various experimental stations. >
SHAPE DESCRIPTION AND INVARIANT RECOGNITION EMPLOYING CONNECTIONIST APPROACH

This paper presents a new approach for shape description and invariant recognition by geometric-normalization implemented by neural networks. The neural system consists of a shape description network, a normalization network and a recognition stage based on fuzzy pyramidal neural networks. The description network uses a novel approach for hierarchical shape segmentation and representation which expands the image shapes into localized feature tokens. These feature tokens form a compact description of the shape and its components that include information on their location, size and orientation. The description network, which is composed of a novel pyramidal architecture called the Vectorial Gradual Lattice Pyramid, processes in parallel a new vectorial scale space representation of the shape. A novel measure called Cancellation Energy is used to determine the feature tokens. The normalization network utilizes the location, size and orientation information in the feature tokens to geometric-normalize the shape or its components with respect to these parameters. The recognition network which has a pyramidal structure, uses a fuzzy representation of these normalized feature tokens to achieve robust invariant recognition. Experimental results demonstrate robust recognition in large variations of scale, rotation, translation and also in moderate affine transformations and partial occlusion.
Development of atherosclerotic plaque with endothelial disruption in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit aortas.

Abstract To better understand the morphogenesis of atherosclerotic plaque, we evaluated temporal distribution of leukocytes, macrophages, foam cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and subendothelial lipid in Watanabe heritable hyperlipedimic (WHHL) rabbit aortas. Aortas of WHHL (n=20) and New Zealand White (NZW, controls; n=8) rabbits were perfusion fixed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of age. At initial gross evaluation of lipid distribution, we identified aortic areas at high risk for lesion development. In WHHL rabbits, the lipid-positive portion of high-risk areas increased from 3% at 1 month to 50% at 12 months; during the same period, adherent cell count increased from 2 to 25 leukocytes, 44 monocytes, and 10 foam cells/mm 2 . Controls showed no increase over time in lipid-positive areas or cellular adherence to the endothelium. One-month-old WHHL rabbit aortas had scattered lipid-positive cells in the intima (primarily branch points). Immunostaining of these areas did not show rabbit macrophages (RAM antibody) but were actin positive. Occasionally, platelets and monocytes adhered to the endothelial surface. By age 3 months, well-defined fatty streaks/atherosclerotic plaques had RAM-positive cells within foam cell core, along core margins, and in focal clusters in the fibrous cap and subendothelium. By age 12 months, isolated RAM-positive cells were on the endothelial surface, and surface morphology showed endothelial cell disruption foci containing clusters of macrophages and foam cells. Our results indicate that lipid accumulation (extra- and intracellular) is important in the early development of atherosclerotic lesions; a corresponding, slower accumulation of adherent cells on the lesion surface promotes lipid conversion from fatty streak to plaque.
Polio immunization policy in the United States: a new challenge for a new generation.

The primary reason that live poliovirus vaccine is recommended in the United States today is because it may immunize contacts who have not otherwise chosen to be vaccinated. This policy places contacts at risk of paralysis from an untested, unlicensed "spread virus" vaccine and places infants at risk for an unproven, theoretical benefit to others, not themselves. The licensed killed poliovirus vaccine provides equivalent protection to those vaccinated, with no risk to recipients or contacts. The preceding analysis by Hinman, et al, is an interesting exercise in modeling, but many of their assumptions are open to question. Their sweeping conclusions are not justified by the type of analysis performed, which should yield an overall assessment of a decision environment not a single optimal choice. No measure of perceived social consequence or patient attitude is included, although this is of central importance today. Their report lends an aura of credibility to one conclusion, but this credibility is illusor...
Material and Mechanical Properties of Tricalcium Phosphate-Based (TCP) Scaffolds

Bioactive ceramic materials like tricalcium phosphates (TCP) have been emerging as alternative and valid approaches to the current therapies of bone scaffolding to target major diseases such as fracture healing, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis [1]. These scaffolds can induce bone formation by acting as carriers or guides for enhanced bone regeneration by cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that both material and architectural characteristics influence the mechanical strength of bone scaffolds and their biological functionality [2]. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of three sets of TCP scaffolds were analyzed. The physical properties that were evaluated included volume, mass, density and porosity. The scaffold compressive mechanical properties were evaluated in air at room temperature and in saline at 37°C.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A simple method for production of pure silica from rice hull ash

Rice hull ash (RHA), a waste product of the rice industry is rich in silica. A simple method based on alkaline extraction followed by acid precipitation was developed to produce pure silica xerogels from RHA, with minimal mineral contaminants. The silica gels produced were heated to 80 o C for 12 h to obtain xerogels. Silica and mineral contents of xerogels were determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrometers, respectively. Xerogels produced from RHA had 93% silica and 2.6% moisture. The major impurities of silica produced from RHA at an extraction yield of 91% were Na, K, and Ca. Acid washing prior to extraction resulted in silica with a lower concentration of Ca (<200 ppm). However, final water washing of the xerogel was more eAective in producing silica with lower overall mineral content (Na < 200 ppm and K < 400 ppm). X-ray diAraction patterns revealed the amorphous nature of silica xerogel. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data indicated the presence of siloxane and silanol groups. ” 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Between ontology and folksonomy: a study of collaborative and implicit ontology evolution

We present our first user study of CRAFT, a semantic prototype for collaborative investigation and analysis, which allows users to extend the system's ontology to capture new concepts as they conduct their work. We devised a paradigm in which multiple series of ontologies evolve in different trajectories from the same initial point. We analyze the ontology evolution quantitatively with several metrics, and user behavior qualitatively through interviews and observation. Based on our study, we propose a set of design suggestions for semantic applications with collaborative and implicit ontology development.
Stroke Patients With Suspected Atrial Fibrillation Should NOT Be Started on Anticoagulation WHILE AWAITING the Results of Long-Term Cardiac Monitoring

Cryptogenic stroke is a frustrating diagnosis. For the patient who is looking for explanations, for the family members worrying and caring for their loved one, and, perhaps most of all, for the physician trained to localize, identify, and prevent a recurrent stroke. With a large proportion of ischemic strokes (20–30%) still classified as having no definite cause, this diagnostic scenario happens all too often at the bedside. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-established cause of many cardioembolic strokes, but may not always be readily detectable and frequently goes under-recognized by the patient. Occult AF could also explain a proportion of cryptogenic infarcts. However, initiating a treatment before knowing the diagnosis is much like putting the cart ahead of the horse. The case in point describes a 76-year old woman who suffered a recent embolic-looking occipital stroke with intermittent palpitations and other vascular risk factors. Potential causes of her stroke other than cardioembolic also need to be strongly considered. We are assuming that vertebral artery origins were carefully studied, as they do …
Absorbing boundary conditions for wave-equation migration

The standard boundary conditions used at the sides of a seismic section in wave-equation migration generate artificial reflections. These reflections from the edges of the computational grid appear as artifacts in the final section. Padding the section with zero traces on either side adds to the cost of migration and simply delays the inevitable reflections. We develop stable absorbing boundary conditions that annihilate almost all of the artificial reflections. This is demonstrated analytically and with synthetic examples. The absorbing boundary conditions presented can be used with any of the different types of finite-difference wave-equation migration, at essentially no extra cost.
Determination of Iron in Serum or Plasma by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

The determination of serum iron has been shown to be feasible by the use of a modified single-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The effect of interfering substances is eliminated by the use of standards prepared in physiological concentrations of protein. Average percentage recovery of added iron was 97.9 with an over-all coefficient of variation of 1.6%. Disparities between samples due to the effect of unequal viscosities and flow rates were overcome by the integration of the record curve generated by a measured volume of sample. Comparison between the method presented and a colorimetric procedure gave a higher mean value and normal range for plasma quantitated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
Evaluation of the stem injection technique and subsequent 15 N partitioning in red alder crowns

Red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) trees were labeled with15 NO- 3 or15 NH+ 4 using the stem-injection method. Leaves were sampled 3 and 15 months subsequent to injection within several crown positions, including top, bottom, proximal, medial, and distal. Stem injection of both15 NH+ 4 and15 NO- 3 at levels approaching 1% of crown N effectively labeled red alder trees. Although more variable, 15NO- 3 may have been more efficient in initial labeling. The distribution of 15N in the crown was uniform 3 months after labeling, but was diluted in the distal and top positions by the following year. In both years there was a clear increase in total N concentration toward the periphery of the tree. This increase became more pronounced with increasing crown size and crown closure. Crown position with respect to light availability may be the most important determinant in N allocation in red alder foliage.
POST-CHEMOTHERAPY SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH UNRESECTABLE OR REGIONALLY METASTATIC BLADDER CANCER

Purpose: We update our experience with post-chemotherapy surgery in patients with unresectable or lymph node positive bladder cancer.Methods: Of 207 patients with unresectable or regionally metastatic bladder cancer 80 (39%) underwent post-chemotherapy surgery after treatment with a cisplatin based chemotherapy regimen. We assessed the impact of surgery on achieving a complete response to chemotherapy and on relapse-free survival.Results: No viable cancer was present at post-chemotherapy surgery in 24 of the 80 cases (30%), pathologically confirming a complete response to chemotherapy. Of the 24 patients 14 (58%) survived 9 months to 5 years. Residual viable cancer was completely resected in 49 patients (61%), resulting in a complete response to chemotherapy plus surgery, and 20 (41%) survived. Post-chemotherapy surgery did not benefit those who failed to achieve a major complete or partial response to chemotherapy. Only 1 of the 12 patients (8%) who refused surgery remains alive.Conclusions: Post-chemoth...
Variation of iridium in a differentiated tholeiitic dolerite

Abstract Iridium has been determined in a drill core from the Great Lake (Tasmania) dolerite sheet. Iridium decreases systematically from the mafic dolerites (0.25 ppb) to the granophyres (0.006 ppb). The trend with differentiation closely parallels that of chromium.
2007 M&SOM Best Paper Award

It is a pleasure to announce that the first Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Best Paper is “Strategically Seeking Service: How Competition Can Generate Poisson Arrivals” by Martin Lariviere and Jan Van Mieghem (2004) of Kellogg School at Northwestern University. This annual award is given to one paper, published in one of the prior three volumes of M&SOM, deemed by the M&SOM Editorial Board as most deserving for its contribution to the theory and practice of operations management. For their accomplishment, Professors Lariviere and Van Mieghem will share $2,000, which was generously contributed by the Manufacturing and Service Operations Management Society of INFORMS to support this award. In short, this paper is about managing service systems in which consumers strategically choose when to seek service. In the base model, consumers do not care about when they receive the service nearly as much as how long they have to wait to be served. Hence, consumers try to enter the service system when they think it will not be crowded, knowing that all other customers are doing the same thing. Interestingly, this situation harbors an enormous number of equilibria, but one of them is simple and intuitive, therefore focal and straightforward to implement. This equilibrium continues to hold under numerous extensions, including customer segments with different waiting costs (some of us are more patient than others), timevarying preferences (we all like to eat lunch around noon), and limited capacity (an unfortunate reality for most service systems), among others. This paper asks two new and fundamental questions that have somehow been missed by queuing theorists and economists1—if consumers want to avoid
Effect of patient satisfaction on outcomes of care

Patient satisfaction with care is a common treatment goal in all areas of medicine. Patients’ satisfaction with their physicians depends on a variety of factors. A strong doctor–patient relationshi...
Spacetime diffeomorphisms and topological w∞ symmetry in two-dimensional topological string theory

This paper analyzes spacetime symmetries of topological string theory on a two-dimensional torus, and points out that the spacetime geometry of the model is that of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. Previously I found an infinite symmetry algebra in the absolute BRST cohomology of the model. Here I find an analog of the BV Δ operator, and show that if defines a natural semirelative BRST cohomology. In the absolute cohomology, the ghost-number-zero symmetries form the algebra of all infinitesimal spacetime diffeomorphisms, extended at non-zero ghost numbers to the algebra of all odd-symplectic diffeomorphisms on a spacetime supermanifold. In the semirelative cohomology, the symmetries are reduced to w∞ at ghost number zero, and to a topologically twisted N = 2 w∞ superalgebra when all ghost numbers are included. I discuss deformations of the model that break parts of the spacetime symmetries while preserving the topological BRST symmetry on the worldsheet. In the absolute cohomology of the deformed model, another topological w∞ superalgebra may emerge, while the semirelative cohomology leads to a bosonic w∞ symmetry.
Bone disease in primary biliary cirrhosis: Does ursodeoxycholic acid make a difference?

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been proposed as beneficial therapy for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The effects of UDCA on metabolic bone disease, a major source of morbidity in patients with PBC, are essentially unknown. Preliminary information suggests that UDCA may improve biochemical indices of bone disease, although information about the effects of UDCA on bone density is lacking. In this study, we describe the effects of UDCA on lumbar spine bone mineral densities over a 3-year period during which patients were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, therapeutic trial of UDCA for the treatment of PBC. Lumbar spine dual-photon densitometry was measured at entry and annually. Eighty-eight patients, 50 in the UDCA group and 38 in the placebo group, had serial measurements available for up to 3 years. There was no statistical difference between the two treatment groups at entry with respect to histological stage, total bilirubin, age, use of calcium supplement, vitamin D levels, or estrogen. After 3 years of treatment, there was no significant difference in the lumbar spine bone densitometry measurements between the UDCA-treated and placebo groups. We conclude that, after 3 years of treatment, UDCA is not associated with statistically significant differences in the rate of bone loss from the lumbar spine in patients when compared with placebo despite beneficial effects of treatment on the underlying liver disease. Further efforts to define effective treatments for the bone disease need to be pursued.