cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of feature generation methods for PTZ camera object tracking

Object detection and tracking using computer vision (CV) techniques have been widely applied to sensor fusion applications. Many papers continue to be written that speed up performance and increase learning of artificially intelligent systems through improved algorithms, workload distribution, and information fusion. Military application of real-time tracking systems is becoming more and more complex with an ever increasing need of fusion and CV techniques to actively track and control dynamic systems. Examples include the use of metrology systems for tracking and measuring micro air vehicles (MAVs) and autonomous navigation systems for controlling MAVs. This paper seeks to contribute to the determination of select tracking algorithms that best track a moving object using a pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) camera applicable to both of the examples presented. The select feature generation algorithms compared in this paper are the trained Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) and Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF), the Mixture of Gaussians (MoG) background subtraction method, the Lucas- Kanade optical flow method (2000) and the Farneback optical flow method (2003). The matching algorithm used in this paper for the trained feature generation algorithms is the Fast Library for Approximate Nearest Neighbors (FLANN). The BSD licensed OpenCV library is used extensively to demonstrate the viability of each algorithm and its performance. Initial testing is performed on a sequence of images using a stationary camera. Further testing is performed on a sequence of images such that the PTZ camera is moving in order to capture the moving object. Comparisons are made based upon accuracy, speed and memory.
Unitary gauge theories of noncompact groups

It is noted that the use of an internal metric field allows one to guage noncompact internal-symmetry groups without sacrificing unitarity. The possibility that such theories could be rendered renormalizable is discussed.
Poverty Among Southern Workers: Metro and Nonmetro Differentials

quired to sustain a minimally adequate standard of living. It is still pervasive in our society and affects more than 13% of the population (over 32 million people). The American public customarily perceives poverty as a metro2 problem. However, the poverty rate has been higher in nonmetro than in metro areas since 1959, the first year for which poverty data are available using the official government definition (USDA). Further, according to the 1992 U.S. Bureau of the Census, poverty rates continued to be more severe in nonmetro areas than in metro areas. The 1992 nonmetro poverty rate was 16.8%; 2.9 percentage points higher than the metro rate of 13.9% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Geographically, the South3 continues to have the highest poverty rate, 16.9% in 1992. Moreover, the South continues to have the highest nonmetro black poverty rate, around 40%, and over 90% of poor nonmetro blacks reside in the South. The census data also indicate that each population group (female head of household, married couples, related children, whites, blacks, Hispanic, and elderly/aged) had a higher poverty ate in nonmetro areas in 1992 than in metro areas; the increases in poverty rates since 1973 have been unevenly distributed across all groups. For instance, since 1987, the poverty rate for nonmetro female heads of households
Clinical Nuggets: Fluency Toolboxes and Beyond

The term fluency tool has been used extensively to refer to specific fluency shaping and stuttering modification target behaviors that provide the client with his own individual set of skills that facilitate more fluent communication. Bennett (1995) used visual imagery in her adaptation of the House that Jack Built in order to facilitate the use of fluency tools using a house-building analogy. This strategy helped to facilitate new learning and skill set development through a visual referent. Similarly, Allen and Emerson (2002) used a “toolbox” construct to develop associative relationships between fluency targets and analogous referent items typically cited in fluency development programs for young children (Runyan and Runyan, 1986; Fosnot and Woodford, 1992; Pindzola, 1987). In their work, Allen and Emerson used items such as a turtle and an elephant to, “symbolize ways to talk.” Their young client then constructed a toolbox (from a shoebox) in which these items could be carried and used as reminders.
Joint linear prediction and epoch estimation of voiced speech using a basis where the prediction residual can be sparsely represented

Whereas most approaches to linear speech prediction fail to account for the quasi-periodic glottal flow, this paper incorporates the Liljencrants-Fant model for glottal flow derivative (GFD) directly into the linear prediction problem. A linear model for the prediction error is obtained by constructing a dictionary of time-shifted GFD pulses. Minimizing the difference between the linear prediction residual and a sparse combination of the pulses in the dictionary leads to joint estimation of the linear predictor as well as a sparse representation for the prediction error that reveals the instants of vocal tract excitation (epochs). A greedy algorithm is proposed to approximately solve this joint estimation problem. The method is applied to voiced segments extracted from the CMU Arctic dataset which also includes electro-glottograms. Results show that the approach and the proposed algorithm are effective in estimating the parameters of interest.
Auditioning for Understudy

AbstractLuc Sante describes how he was once auditioned by Bob Dylan's entourage for work on a Dylan television special (which did not go forward).
Write/read performance in two-photon 3D memories

We describe progress in developing a 3D optical memory using 2 photon optical recording. The memory can be designed for bit, line, or page oriented data storage. We discuss advantages and drawbacks to each addressing method in terms of the capacity, storage density, and peripheral devices. We conclude with the most recent experimental results for multiple image storage using 2-photon recording.
Quintet State Electron Spin Resonance Spectra of Pyridyldinitrenes

A number of 2,4- and 2,6-diazidopyridine derivatives were photolyzed under frozen matrix conditions (77 K), and their X-band electron spin resonance spectra (ESR) investigated. Typically, both mono...
The response of Fusarium graminearum-infected seed of hard red spring wheat to Vitavax Extra RTU and Dividend XL seed treatments.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum can severely impact seed quality and limit the availability of seed. Repeated outbreaks of FHB in the hard red spring wheat (HRSW) production areas of Minnesota and North Dakota since 1993 has forced seed dealers and producers, on occasion, to use FHB-infected wheat as seed. In this experiment, two FHB-infected seed lots, one of the variety Verde and one of the variety 2375, were used to determine the effect of Vitavax Extra RTU (16.7% carboxin : 1.2% imazalil : 1.5% thiabendazole) and Dividend XL (16.5% difenoconazole : 1.38% mefenoxam) on initial plant population, grain yield, and quality. The standard laboratory germination tests indicated that germination of Vitavax Extra RTU-treated seed increased germination from 64 to 84% for both seed lots. Using a four-by-two factorial design, the effect of the brand of seed treatment, the effect of using either brand of seed treatment versus not using a seed treatment at all, and the attained germination percentages from the laboratory tests were used to determine the effects on the initial plant population, grain yield, test weight, and grain protein content. In three field trials, there was no significant interaction between the use of either Vitavax Extra RTU or Dividend XL and seeding rate for initial plant population, grain yield, and test weight. Although a treatment of FHBinfected wheat seed with Vitivax Extra RTU increased germination in a laboratory test, there was no increase in initial plant population or grain yield and quality compared to untreated seed. However, increasing the seeding rate in field trials compensated for poor germination results in the laboratory test and resulted in higher initial stands. Consequently, results of the laboratory test of the untreated seed needed to be used to calculate a proper seeding rate for both seed lots.
Systemic Iron Supplementation Replenishes Iron Stores Without Enhancing Colon Carcinogenesis in Murine Models of Ulcerative Colitis: Comparison with Iron-Enriched Diet

Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients frequently require iron supplementation to remedy anemia. The impact of systemic iron supplementation (intraperitoneal injection) on UC-associated carcinogenesis was assessed in mice subjected to cyclic dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment and compared with dietary iron enrichment. Systemic iron supplementation, but not a twofold iron diet, remedied iron deficiency as indicated by the histochemical detection of splenic iron stores. A twofold iron diet, but not systemic iron, increased iron accumulation in colonic luminal contents, at the colonic mucosal surface, and in superficial epithelial cells. Colitis-associated colorectal tumor incidence after 15 DSS cycles was not affected by systemic iron (2/28; 7.1%) compared to nonsupplemented controls (4/28; 14.1%) but was significantly increased by the twofold iron diet (24/33; 72.7%) (P < 0.001). Mechanistic study revealed that systemic iron had no effect on DSS-induced inflammation, or colonic iNOS and COX-2 protein levels, compared to controls. Systemic iron supplementation for 16 weeks replenished splenic iron in a spontaneous colitis model (interleukin-2-deficient mice) and significantly reduced colonic inflammation compared to interleukin-2 (-/-) controls without increasing hyperplastic lesions. These results suggest that iron supplemented systemically could be used to remedy anemia in UC patients without exacerbating inflammation or enhancing colon cancer risk. These findings need to be verified in clinical studies.
Some Theory Concerning Certification of Mathematical Subroutines by Black Box Testing

Several inequalities are derived for use in certifying function subroutines by means of black box testing. It is assumed that a function is approximated by means of a polynomial of limited degree on a closed interval. These inequalities give upper bounds on the error of the approximation over the entire interval based on the error measured over a finite sample and known properties of the function.
Enzymatic conversion of morphine to pseudomorphine.

Abstract The interaction of morphine with an enzymatic oxidation-reduction system was investigated. It has been reported that morphine is converted to a highly water-soluble metabolite by incubation with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), albumin and H 2 O 2 (Misra and Mitchell, Experientia 27, 1442 (1971)). After incubating [ 14 C]morphine with HRP and H 2 O 2 , we detected two radioactive compounds with t.l.c. One compound corresponded to morphine. Using spectral analysis, the other, 14 C-labeled compound, was identified as pseudomorphine, a dimerized oxidation product of two molecules of morphine. Using compounds structurally related to morphine, it was determined that: (1) a free phenolic hydroxyl group in position 3 was necessary for the enzymatic oxidation of morphine to pseudomorphine; (2) a carbonyl group in position 6 of the morphinan ring prevents the formation of the dimer; and (3) substitution of other functional groups on the morphine molecule did not affect the peroxidase-catalyzed dimerization. By optimizing reaction conditions, measurable rates of peroxidase-catalyzed pseudomorphine formation were observed at morphine concentrations as low as 5 × 10 −7 M. The nature of peroxidase enzymes and the phenolic character of morphine suggest that the formation of pseudomorphine proceeds through a morphine-free radical intermediate.
Peasant-State Relations and the Social Base of Self-Help in Kenya

Peasant-state relations in developing countries are often a function of the nature and extent of stratification in peasant populations. Where there is a rigid class structure, the prospects for cooperation by members of the peasantry are low, and large landowners tend to ally themselves with the state to exploit the rural poor. Where, on the other hand, the nature of rural stratification is ambiguous, “small” and “middle” peasants are able to organize themselves for collective action and to bargain effectively for state aid to their communities. The hypothesis is confirmed using survey data about the nature of peasant participation in the Harambee selfhelp development movement in rural Kenya. Effective peasant-state bargaining in Kenya has in turn contributed to the legitimacy of the Kenyan political system.
Formation of 5′-nucleotides of 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside in human tissues in vitro

Abstract The recent finding [T. P. Zimmerman, L.-C. Chu, C. J. L. Bugge, D. J. Nelson, G. M. Lyon and G. B. Elion, Cancer Res. 34 , 221 (1974)] that 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate (MMPR-5'-TP) is a human metabolite of both 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine has prompted a re-examination of the metabolism of 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside (MMPR) in vitro . Human whole blood, peripheral leukocytes and nucleated marrow cells were incubated with MMPR for times as long as 22 hr. Examination of the acid-soluble extracts of these tissues by high-pressure anion-exchange chromatography demonstrated that the 5'-mono-, -di- and -triphosphates of MMPR were formed in all three of these human cell types. As reported previously by others, MMPR (0.2 to 0.9 mM) was taken up rapidly and nearly quantitatively by human blood cells, where it accumulated predominantly as 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate (MMPR-5'-P). Intracellular concentrations of MMPR-5'-P as high as 2 μmoles/ml of packed erythrocytes were subsequently maintained with little diminution for several hr, during which time MMPR-5'-TP was formed at a linear rate. Relative to MMPR-5'-TP, little of the analog nucleoside 5'-diphosphate accumulated during these incubations. The rate of phosphorylation of MMPR-5'-P was shown to be a function of its intracellular concentration and an apparent K m of 5.1 mM was estimated with intact erythrocytes. The accumulation of MMPR nucleotides had no discernible effect on the ATP or GTP pools of erythrocytes. The metabolism of MMPR in human leukocytes and marrow cells appeared to be similar in nature to that observed in erythrocytes. In contrast to erythrocytes, however, leukocytes and marrow cells both manifested large (35–85 per cent) decreases in their ATP and GTP pools during incubation with MMPR. Evidence is presented that adenylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.3) is responsible for the phosphorylation of MMPR-5'-P in human erythrocytes.
Synchrony in a Wild Turkey Population and its Relationship to Spring Weather

Abstract Synchrony is an important component of wildlife population dynamics because it describes spatial pattern in temporal population fluctuations. The strength and spatial extent of synchrony can provide information about the extrinsic and intrinsic forces that shape population structure. Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations undergo annual fluctuations, possibly due to variation in weather during the reproductive season. To determine if spring weather plays a role in synchronizing wild turkey populations, we used a modified Mantel-type spatial autocorrelation procedure to measure the synchrony in fall wild turkey harvest data collected in 443 townships from 1990 to 1995 and compared this to the pattern of synchrony in spring weather variables (May rainfall and temp) over the same period. We measured correlation using Spearman correlation coefficients between the total fall harvests from 1990 to 1995 for each pair of townships, and sorted pairs into 6 50-km distance intervals. We ca...
Cooling, dilution and mixing of ocean water by free-drifting icebergs in the Weddell Sea

Abstract Iceberg C-18a (35×7×0.184 km) was studied repeatedly by five circumnavigational surveys in March-April 2009. During the period of the surveys, C-18a travelled 109 nautical miles in 23 days covering an area of 8.1×10 3 km 2 . This iceberg was formed from iceberg C-18 (76×7 km) that originated from the Ross Ice Shelf in May, 2002. Ship-based measurements show that this iceberg produced fresh meltwater above the seasonal pycnocline that diluted and chilled the water it passed through from the surface to a depth of approximately 50 m (summer mixed layer). The surface meltwater effects were detectable as far away as 19 km and persisted for at least 10 days. We also found evidence that this iceberg was disrupting the Weddell Deep Water to depths up to 1500 m. If we include these deep effects through the water column, the estimate of ocean water altered by this single iceberg reaches 3×10 12 m 3 over 23 days. Chemical and biological effects were detected at the same space and time scales as the physical properties, with decreasing partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO 2 ) close to the iceberg and lower particle and chlorophyll concentration. Ten days after the passage of C-18a, chlorophyll- a had increased by 15%. These results are consistent with alternative hypotheses regarding the role of icebergs as mediators of a localized geophysical disturbance (H 1 ) as well as promoters of chlorophyll- a production (H 2 ).
The Three Sigma Rule

Abstract For random variables with a unimodal Legesgue density, the 3[sgrave] rule is proved by elementary calculus. It emerges as a special case of the Vysochanskiĭ-Petunin inequality, which in turn is based on the Gauss inequality.
A microcomputer-based system for the management of vascular surgical references

Abstract As the number and diversity of contributions to the medical literature continue to grow at an astronomic rate, vascular surgeons are feeling increasingly frustrated in their efforts to remain current with the latest developments in their specialty. The introduction of powerful, inexpensive microcomputers and “user-friendly” programs for data base management has made it possible to organize large amounts of information for subsequent review. Using such a microcomputer-based system, we developed a practical approach to the storage and retrieval of vascular surgical references, which permits virtually unlimited numbers of articles to be catalogued and quickly retrieved with multiple search parameters. This system has been operational in our Division of Vascular Surgery for nearly a year and currently contains more than 3000 journal articles that are readily available for resident teaching, patient care, and research. (J V ASC S URG 1987;6:542-7.)
The oxidative photosynthetic carbon cycle or C2 cycle

The oxidative photosynthetic carbon cycle (or C2 cycle) is the metabolic pathway responsible for photosynthetic oxygen uptake and the light‐dependent production of carbon dioxide that is termed photorespiration. The C2 and reductive C3 cycles coexist, and combined, represent total photosynthetic carbon metabolism. A brief historical review is presented beginning with the early observations of the oxygen inhibition of photosynthesis up to the discovery of the oxygenase activity associated with ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. The properties and the role of the compartmentalization of the enzymes involved with the pathway and the transport of C2 cycle intermediates are reviewed. The relationship of the C2 cycle to photorespiratory nitrogen metabolism and other associated metabolic pathways and the properties and regulation of the C2 cycle in diverse photosynthetic organisms are discussed.
Natural suppression of symmetry violation in gauge theories: Muon- and electron-lepton-number nonconservation

We analyze the circumstances under which the violations of an approximate symmetry in a unified gauge theory of weak interactions are naturally suppressed; in particular, we investigate approximate muon- and electron-type lepton-number conservation as an example of such a symmetry. Extending earlier work, we propose a unified treatment of this symmetry together with strangeness conservation by the weak neutral current and $\mathrm{CP}$ invariance. The rate for the decay $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}e\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is calculated for a general SU(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(1) gauge model. From this and a similar study of the decay $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{ee}\overline{e}$ we derive a set of conditions which guarantees that the violation of muon- and electron-type lepton-number conservation is naturally strongly suppressed. As part of this, we compute the nondiagonal electromagnetic vertex to one-loop order for an arbitrary SU(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(1) gauge theory. We then focus on the phenomenological predictions of a particular gauge model with three left-handed doublets of leptons and quarks. These include the existence of charged and neutral heavy leptons and of small violations of $\ensuremath{\mu}$-$e$ universality and the relation ${G}_{F}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}sec{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{C}={G}_{F}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$. Other muon- and electron-number-violating effects include nonvanishing rates for the decays ${K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}e\overline{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${K}_{L}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}e\overline{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and for the reactions $\ensuremath{\mu}+N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}e+N$ and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}+N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}+X$.
PAPR reduction for beamforming OFDM via constellation-beam modification

The high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of orthogonal frequency multiplexing (OFDM) greatly reduces the transmitter power efficiency. We propose a method that yields significant and consistent PAPR reductions for all numbers of users (receivers) in a beamforming MISOOFDM system, such as WiMAX, by simultaneously exploiting the degrees of freedom in the constellation domain and in the null-space of the channel matrix. We also provide an efficient algorithm that is compatible with various constellation configurations in practical systems. With no sacrifice in data rate or channel efficiency, the proposed method achieves a maximum of 6.59 dB and a minimum of 2.11 dB PAPR reduction in an 8-antenna QPSK beamforming MISO-OFDM scenario.
Utilizing human vision and computer vision to direct a robot in a semi-structured environment via task-level commands

A novel approach to directing a highly autonomous robot operating in a semi-structured environment is presented. In this approach, the human operator assists the robot in perceiving unexpected situations in the environment through simple point-and-click type interaction with a live video display from cameras on-board the robot. As a result of this high-level guidance, the robot is now able to invoke a variety of computer vision algorithms to augment the world model accordingly. This novel approach utilizes the complimentary vision capabilities of both the human and computer to extend the capability of the human/robot team to overcome the challenges of semi-structured environments without sacrificing the high-degree of autonomy and resilience to time delay of the task-level command architecture. Preliminary experimental results with a laboratory robot are presented.
Physical and sensory characteristics of processed cheeses manufactured by extrusion technology

BACKGROUND: Not much work has been reported on use of extrusion technology for manufacturing processed cheese. The main goal of this study was to determine whether processed cheese of acceptable quality could be manufactured by extrusion technology. Two extrusion temperatures (80 and 90 °C), two moisture levels (440 and 480 g kg−1), and two emulsifying salt levels (10 and 15 g kg−1) were studied (eight experimental samples). Instrumental measures (moisture and texture profile analysis), descriptive analysis, and consumer acceptability for the processed cheese samples were carried out. RESULTS: The instrumental measures and descriptive analysis showed differences among the samples. The major difference was a result of the moisture content. The lower-moisture cheeses were firmer/chewier in texture, and had more Cheddar flavor note. Consumers found the lower-moisture cheeses extruded at 80 °C to be more acceptable. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from this study that processed cheeses that were extruded at lower temperature with lower moisture levels might be better suited for manufacturing using extrusion technology. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Identifying Connectors and Communities: Understanding Their Impacts on the Performance of a DTN Publish/Subscribe System

Mobile devices carried by people are dynamically networked. Understanding the social structures within the human mobility traces captured from the mobile devices help us design efficient message dissemination schemes. Furthermore, community is an important attribute of future human contact-based networks. People who are in multiple communities are good message carriers. Thus, a distributed community detection scheme that can identify different communities efficiently from the various communication traces e.g. users’ emails, human mobility traces is very useful. In this paper, we first identify nodes that can play key roles from some real-world human mobility and email traces using the traditional social network metrics. Then, we investigate the usefulness of several community extraction schemes that can handle both email and contact traces. Last but not least, we demonstrate how the connector identification helps to improve the performance of a DTN publish/subscribe system.
Bifurcation of the Outer Van Allen Belt and related auroral phenomena

It is argued that two separate regions of auroral activity are associated with the outer belt dual structure and that this structure results from neutron beta decay for the inner, and solar injection for the outer branch. (L.N.N.)
Analysis of a 69-kb Contiguous Genomic Sequence at a Putative Tumor Suppressor Gene Locus on Human Chromosome 6q27

Multiple neoplasias including B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast carcinoma, and ovarian carcinoma, have been associated with frequent deletions of the distal region on the long arm of human chromosome 6, suggesting the presence of one or more tumor suppressor gene(s) at this locus. Loss of heterozygosity analysis of breast and ovarian tumors has further restricted the minimal region of loss within 6q27. To further characterize this genomic region for gene content including putative tumor suppressor genes as well as other elements that may contribute to tumorigenesis, a 68940-bp contiguous sequence, encompassing markers D6S193 and D6S297, was generated by random shotgun sequencing of a cosmid, P1, and PAC contig. In addition, exon trapping was performed utilizing a subset of these clones. Sixteen trapped exons, ranging in size from 44 to 399 bp, span this approximately 69-kb region. Many other putative exons have been identified computationally. Further analysis has identified 13 potential promoters and 13 putative polyadenylation sites in the region. Northern analysis identified a transcript mapping within this interval that is expressed in ovarian, breast, and lymphoid-derived tumor cell lines. Consideration of these data, together with the demonstration of several regions of high CpG content, suggests the possibility of several genes at this locus.
Compliance with Sulfonylureas in a Health Maintenance Organization: A Pharmacy Record–Based Study

OBJECTIVE:To determine which factors affect compliance with sulfonylureas in a population served by a health maintenance organization in Southern California.METHODS:Retrospective analysis of pharmacy records and healthcare utilization data for two years (April 1993–March 1995), and a survey mailed to patients. Patients treated with sulfonylureas were selected for analysis on the basis of their prescription profile. Compliance was measured from the pharmacy records as the proportion of days the patient was in possession of the prescribed medications. Patient compliance with sulfonylureas was modeled as a function of four clusters of determinants: patient-related attributes, drug regimen characteristics and complexity, health status and disease-related variables, and characteristics of the interaction with healthcare providers.RESULTS:786 patients were identified for analysis (49.1% women, mean age 59 y). The mean compliance rate was 83% ± 22% SD. Compliance was significantly positively related with age and...
Issues in design of symbiotic DSS

The author describes the design of a system for a business planning problem. A knowledge representation (KR) scheme is used to represent the user's image of the problem, and the procedures available-both user-directed processes (UDP) and computer-directed processes (CDP)-and in designing the logic of the CDPM. The CDPM uses a plan generator to generate several different types of plans. The history inference processor makes inferences about the user, the problem characteristics, and the process of working on the problem. The evaluation of the plans is based on criteria which consider these inferences and on other factors. >
Reading Intervention Using Interactive Metronome in Children With Language and Reading Impairment: A Preliminary Investigation

This exploratory study examined the effects of Interactive Metronome (IM) when integrated with a traditional language and reading intervention on reading achievement. Forty-nine school-age children with language and reading impairments were assigned randomly to either an experimental group who received the IM treatment or to a control group who did not. Both groups received language and reading intervention, and the experimental group received an additional four hours of IM treatment during a four-week period. Although both groups made gains in reading rate/fluency and comprehension, the extent of the gains was much larger in the IM group. IM training may be useful for promoting the reading rate/fluency and comprehension of children with language and reading impairments.
THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND FLUID MEDIUM ON THE SURVIVAL OF EMBRYONIC TISSUES IN VITRO

1. Embryonic chick and rat tissues preserved at temperatures ranging from –7° to +20° C. live longest at about +6° C. The duration of life under the most favorable conditions is less than twenty days. 2. The kind of isotonic medium used,—plasma serum, Ringer solution, or normal salt solution,—does not appreciably influence the period of survival. The quantity of medium in proportion to tissue is similarly without marked effect.
Fiber bandwidth measurement using pulse spectrum analysis.

The pulse spectrum analysis (PSA) method of measuring fiber bandwidth has been suggested as an alternative to the frequency and time domain methods, but there is a paucity of information on the technique and very little data. In fact, we know of no measurement comparisons between the PSA method and the frequency and time domain methods. The PSA method has the advantage of being very simple and gives results that are consistent with the time domain and frequency domain methods. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recommends the PSA method, but the Electronics Industries Association (EIA) of the U.S.A. takes no position in this regard. This paper gives results of an experiment which compared the three methods.
A Review of “Why Great Teachers Quit: And How We Might Stop the Exodus”

Farber uses the retention statistics for classroom teachers in the United States as a backdrop for this book. Over 70 teachers from across the United States in rural, urban, and suburban schools we...
Shifting values: hope and concern for ''waking up''

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to take up the challenge of Slaughter's Biggest Wake‐up Call in History to look for solution in the interior aspects of the Integral perspective by focusing on long‐term patterns of changing values in individual interior (the upper‐left “intentional” quadrant of the Integral matrix).Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies the author's research on long‐term patterns in individual values changes. It takes a developmental perspective, suggesting a consistent direction of change in individual values, drawing on an analysis of 20 values systems described in the literature.Findings – The findings suggest that the long‐term values changes offer both hope and concern for addressing the global emergency. The hope comes from development in postmodern and integral values, suggesting that the rise of postmodern values could lead to greater awareness of the global emergency and that the rise of integral values in particular could lead to greater action in addressing it. A...
Prospect theory: A literature review

Abstract This paper examines the ideas underlying the Kahneman and Tversky (1979) decision-choice model, Prospect Theory, and presetns an extensive chronological review of the literature. The literature review centers on leading articles that either examine aspects of Prospect Theory itself or use Prospect Theory as a basis for other areas of research. The paper concludes with a brief look at the potential for using Prospect Theory in financial research.
The Chicago School Trap in Trademark: The Co-Evolution of Corporate, Antitrust, and Trademark Law

The central claim of this Article is that, as a descriptive matter, trademark legislation and court interpretation is a close normative match with the Chicago School approach of scholars such as Robert Bork and Richard Posner. The organizing intellectual structure of modern trademark law, as developed in the law, has been freedom of action for the owner of the mark, not minimizing search costs as repeatedly stated in academic writing. This Article thus reveals that modern trademark law is a subset of the Chicago School’s approach to the firm, deference to management, and competition. That view is not interested in limiting firms or trademarks; its goals lie in the opposite direction.Understanding this reality dramatically changes the normative project of trademark scholars and reformers. Instead of chastising judges for their mistaken understanding of search costs, potential reform must recognize the reigning intellectual structure and shape recommendations in light of it. As a normative matter, challenging current trademark law becomes essentially the same debate as challenging the Chicago School approach to antitrust and corporate law.This Article thus frees trademark scholarship to mount a clearer critique and deeper attack on what truly drives trademark law. This approach allows discussions of social costs in trademark policy to focus on aspects of welfare other than serving total wealth maximization. In addition, the approach shows that behavioral economics — which has mounted an effective critique on antitrust and corporate law — should also be marshaled to question the now identified core of trademark law. As a question of trademarks’ information function in the marketplace, the approach offers a way to reclaim the term, information, and recast trademarks as information devices that serve all in the marketplace rather than mainly producers. In short, this Article offers a diagnosis of trademark law that explains how trademark law works and its current foundation, which in turn provides a way out of its current conceptual trap and towards normative outcomes that current critics desire.
Utility and reliability of emergency toxicologic testing

Emergency physicians using toxicologic testing should learn the capabilities of their laboratories: What is detectable? What is not? What is the expected turnaround time? Do pharmacologic relationships exist? In ordering test requests, the laboratory should allow the physician to order limited test combinations, and the physician can assist the laboratory in the search for unknowns by indicating the running diagnosis and suspected drugs. Only a few drugs require quantitation in serum in order to assist in therapeutic decisions. Urine drug screening is useful in documenting intoxications due to drugs and frequently demonstrates more drugs or drugs other than those clinically expected. The impact of findings from emergency drug screening upon diagnosis and therapy appears to be low. Although comprehensive drug screening in the emergency setting has a better positive predictive value ("rule-in") than negative predictive value, toxicologic screening may be useful as a "rule-out" test in other diagnostic applications of lower prior probability. Future directions in laboratory diagnosis of the intoxicated patient are likely to include growth in new immunoassays with limited applications, but with rapid turnaround within the Emergency Department. Also, with improvements in technology, screening of serum drugs will become more common, including the discovery of more quantitative relationships between serum concentration and toxic effects.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Depolarizes Solitary Complex Neurons In Tissue Slices Rat Medulla Oblongata

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2)at 3 atmospheres absolute (ATA) pressure is toxic to the mammalian CNS due to excessive free radical production. No study has ever determined the effects of ≤3 ATA of O2 on the membrane potential and firing rate of neurons in the mammalian brainstem. Likewise, no study has ever determined the effects of ≤3 ATA pressure per se on brainstem neurons. Accordingly, we initiated intracellular recordings at 1 .ATA in solitary complex neurons in slices (300 μ of rat caudal medulla oblongata that were maintained inside a 72 liter hyperbaric chamber. Helium, which is inert and without narcotic effect at moderate levels of hyperbaria, was used to hydro-statically compress the submerged brain slice to determine the effects of pressure per se. Tissue oxygen tension and extracellular pH were also measured during exposure to hyperbaric gases. Six of 19 neurons were affected by hyperburic helium; 5 cells were depolarized and 1 cell was hyperpolanzcd. Input resistance (Rm)either increased (n=1)or decreased (n 2) When control perfusatc (0.95 ATA O2) was switched to perfusate saturated with 98%O2 (balance CP2, PH=7.3•7.4, pO2 23–34 ATA; 2–18 minutes of exposure) in a separate pressure vessel, 8 of 13 neurons were depolarized and 5 neurons were insensitive. In the 8 O-responsive neurons, Rm either increased (n 5). decreased (n 2) or was unchanged (n=⌋). Three of 8 neurons depolarized by HBOP2 were also depolarized by hyperbaric helium, usually with an additional change in Rm We conclude that hydrostatic (helium) pressure and HBO2 independently increase excitability in certain solitary complex neurons. We hypothesize that these responses contribute, in part, to neural events that either precede or occur during CNS O2 toxicity.
Ocean‐Bottom Seismograph Performance during the Cascadia Initiative

Online Material: Figures showing channel uptime and quality. The Cascadia Initiative (CI) is a community designed and implemented onshore/offshore seismic and geodetic network deployed along the Cascadia subduction zone from northern California to Vancouver Island (Toomey et al. , 2014). The goal of the initiative was to investigate a variety of questions related to megathrust earthquakes (e.g., Atwater et al. , 1995), episodic tremor and slip (e.g., Rogers and Dragert, 2003), volcanic arc structure (e.g., Parsons et al. , 1998), and the overarching interactions between the Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates. The CI operated from 2011 to 2015 and was funded by the National Science Foundation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding supported the construction of an amphibious array (AA), which comprised 60 three‐component broadband ocean‐bottom seismographs (OBSs), the deployment and operation of land‐based seismographs as part of the USArray Transportable Array, and the upgrade of Plate Boundary Observatory Global Positioning System (GPS) stations to high‐rate real‐time data. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), and the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) constructed the OBSs as part of the Ocean Bottom Seismograph Instrument Pool (OBSIP). The Cascadia Initiative Expedition Team (CIET; cascadia.uoregon.edu) deployed the OBSs over four consecutive summers from 2011 to 2014, and each deployment lasted approximately one year. The CIET team deployed almost four times more instrumentation than the average broadband OBSIP experiment, and data recovered from the CI are openly available to the entire scientific community immediately after instrument recovery. In an effort to make the CI data widely available, the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) OBSIP Management Office (OMO) performs data quality assessments as part of archiving the data at the IRIS Data Management Center (DMC). In this study, we focus on OBS station performance, data return, and horizontal …
Epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis A in Xuchang City from 2004-2012

[Objective]To understand the epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis A in Xuchang City,provide the scientific evidences for making control strategies.[Methods]The epidemic data of hepatitis A in Xuchang City from 2004-2012 were statistically analyzed with descriptive epidemiological methods.[Results]1 528 cases of hepatitis A were reported in Xuchang City from 2004-2012,and the annual average incidence rate was 3. 98 / lakh. The incidence rate of hepatitis A showed a downward trend. Hepatitis A cases were mainly concentrated in Yanling County and Xuchang County. The cases were reported in the whole year,and there were two peaks which were January to March and July to August respectively. Most of patients were students,farmers and children,and mainly in the age group of 0-15 years old. The ratio of male-to-female was 1. 98 ∶ 1. [Conclusion]The results revealed that the reported incidence rate of hepatitis A has gradually decreased in Xuchang City. The comprehensive control measures which are dominated by hepatitis A vaccine can effectively reduce the incidence rate of hepatitis A.
A NEW METHOD OF ENTERPRISE EVALUATION—SQUARED METHOD

Enterprise evaluation method is regarded as the operation and management of an enterprise, it plays a key role in enterprises' existence and development. Present enterprise evaluation methods are mainly financial evaluation,which is no longer scientific and efficient in economic era.Based on the long-time study on the shortcomings of traditional enterprise evaluation,we come up with a completely new method of evaluating enterprises—squared method of enterprise evaluation.
Developing trends and its welding of steel tube used in power station boiler

The situation and its developing trend of steel tube used in power station boiler at home and abroad were introduced,the weldability of some typical heat-resisting steel tubes used for power station boiler was analyzed,and the welding methods and the welding consumables matched with their methods were given with the purpose of digesting and absorbing advanced technology abroad and developing by our own steel tubes used for power station boiler suitable for the temperature over 580 ℃ in the line.
Validating the extract, transform, load process used to populate a large clinical research database.

Abstract Background Informaticians at any institution that are developing clinical research support infrastructure are tasked with populating research databases with data extracted and transformed from their institution's operational databases, such as electronic health records (EHRs). These data must be properly extracted from these source systems, transformed into a standard data structure, and then loaded into the data warehouse while maintaining the integrity of these data. We validated the correctness of the extract, load, and transform (ETL) process of the extracted data of West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Integrated Data Repository, a clinical data warehouse that includes data extracted from two EHR systems. Methods Four hundred ninety-eight observations were randomly selected from the integrated data repository and compared with the two source EHR systems. Results Of the 498 observations, there were 479 concordant and 19 discordant observations. The discordant observations fell into three general categories: a) design decision differences between the IDR and source EHRs, b) timing differences, and c) user interface settings. After resolving apparent discordances, our integrated data repository was found to be 100% accurate relative to its source EHR systems. Conclusion Any institution that uses a clinical data warehouse that is developed based on extraction processes from operational databases, such as EHRs, employs some form of an ETL process. As secondary use of EHR data begins to transform the research landscape, the importance of the basic validation of the extracted EHR data cannot be underestimated and should start with the validation of the extraction process itself.
Young-of-the-year fish as a prospective bioindicator for aquatic environmental contamination monitoring.

Abstract Toxic metals (Hg, Cd, Pb) and fifteen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were determined in different fish samples at two locations on the Elbe River in the Czech Republic. The muscle tissue of the two adult fish species most commonly used as bioindicators in central Europe and whole body homogenates of various species of young-of-the-year (YOY) fish were used. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential to replace adult fish muscle tissue with YOY fish for contamination monitoring. All of the toxic metals and five of the fifteen PFASs were found in the YOY fish samples while only mercury and PFOS were detected in the muscle tissue of adults. The concentration of total mercury (THg) in the YOY fish homogenates ranged between 0.014 and 0.062 μg g−1. Of the spectrum of analysed pollutants, only the THg concentrations were lower in YOY fish homogenates than in adult muscle tissue. The cadmium concentration varied from 0.004 to 0.024 μg g−1 and the lead concentration varied from 0.032 to 0.396 μg g−1 in YOY fish homogenates, while in most of the adult samples, Cd and Pb were below the detection limit of the analytical methods employed. The PFOS concentrations in YOY fish homogenates were comparable to the concentrations frequently found in adult liver tissue. These results show that mixed shoals of YOY fish can be successfully used for aquatic bio-monitoring. Interspecific variability in the concentrations of the target pollutants in YOY fish whole body homogenates is usually lower than the intraspecific variability of the concentrations of the pollutants in adult fish muscle. YOY fish were found to be a suitable bioindicator and have several advantages compared to adult fish.
Discontinued drug therapies to treat diabetes in 2015

This manuscript describes 21 drug targets in the area of diabetes and related conditions that were discontinued in 2015. Areas covered: The material for this paper was obtained by contacting biopharmaceutical companies, reviewing their pipelines, press releases and annual reports. Additionally, the authors searched clinicaltrials.gov, PubMed and general Internet search engines. Majority of the compounds were in early stages of the development. Expert opinion: Business reasons for termination of the drug projects emerge more and more frequently over the years. Safety signals usually appear early in the development and are often associated with novel drugs. 2015 medicines with inadequate efficacy were unable to compete with existing approved members of the class they represented.