cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hearing Loss in the Elderly

This paper provides an understanding of the nature of hearing loss in the elderly. A brief discussion of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the auditory system is followed by a description of the type of assessment required in order to develop a treatment program. Rehabilitation strategies center around procuring and adjusting to a hearing aid. Audiologic habilitation considerations are discussed which include hearing aid services, speech-reading, auditory training, sensory aids, and listener-speaker strategies. The references and resources listed will provide the reader with desired additional information.
Resolving single cone inputs to visual receptive fields

With the current techniques available for mapping receptive fields, it is impossible to resolve the contribution of single cone photoreceptors to the response of central visual neurons. Using adaptive optics to correct for ocular aberrations, we delivered micron-scale spots of light to the receptive field centers of neurons in the macaque lateral geniculate nucleus. Parvocellular LGN neurons mapped in this manner responded with high reliability to stimulation of single cones.
Hydrometeor profile characterization and drop size distribution retrieval algorithms for global precipitation measurement mission

The dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) on board GPM core satellite collects Ku and Ka band vertical profiles which allow us to investigate the microphysics using the difference between two frequency observations (measured dual frequency ratio or DFRm). DFRm has been shown in the literature to be rich in information and can be used to perform melting layer detection and estimate drop size distribution (DSD) parameters. This paper summarizes the candidate algorithms to perform melting layer detection and DSD retrieval for GPM-DPR. Hurricane Earl observations collected by airborne precipitation radar were used to demonstrate the application.
Collision-broadened half-widths and shapes of methane lines

Abstract High-resolution measurements are reported on a few rotational lines in the ν3-fundamental and the 2ν3-overtone of methane. Half-width data are presented in self-broadening and in broadening by H2, He, N2, O2 and air. Comparison with available data on 3ν3-band shows, within experimental error, that the line-widths are the same for ν3 and its overtones in all cases of broadening. The half-widths exhibit an observable dependence on the rotational quantum number only in self-broadening and nitrogen-(and air-) broadening. Line-shape measurements in the ν3-fundamental suggest that the Lorentz contour for collision-broadened lines in an accurate representation for all cases of broadening that were studied.
Lower cumulative stress is associated with better health for physically active adults in the community

AbstractBoth cumulative adversity, an individual’s lifetime exposure to stressors, and insufficient exercise are associated with poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether exercise buffers the association of cumulative adverse life events (CALE) with health in a community-wide sample of healthy adults (ages 18–50 years; women: n = 219, 29.5 ± 9.2 years; men: n = 176, 29.4 ± 8.7 years, mean ± standard deviation). Participants underwent the Cumulative Adversity Interview, which divides life events into three subsets: major life events (MLE), recent life events (RLE) and traumatic experiences (TLE). These individuals also completed the Cornell Medical Index and a short assessment for moderate or greater intensity exercise behavior, modified from the Nurses’ Health Study. Results indicated that higher CALE was associated with greater total health problems (r = 0.431, p < 0.001). Interactions between stress and exercise were not apparent for RLE and TLE. However, at low levels of ...
PROCEDURE FOR THE ECONOMICAL EVALUATION OF WATER NETWORKS' PARAMETERS1

: The Generalized Geometric Programming and Branch and Bound technique are used to reach optimally designed water systems with their variables in integer forms. The water systems and constraints are formulated by sets of nonlinear equations. A solution for a specific water system is presented.
A review and critique of thought stopping research

Abstract Different thought stopping procedures were examined and a review of the literature conducted. Although thought stopping enjoys widespread clinical use, its effectiveness has yet to be conclusively demonstrated. Suggestions for improved research designs are offered.
Stent Endothelialization Time Course, Impact of Local Catheter Delivery, Feasibility of Recombinant Protein Administration, and Response to Cytokine Expedition

Background Because prior studies have established the critical role of the endothelium in preventing vascular thrombosis and intimal thickening, we designed a series of experiments to determine the feasibility of percutaneous local catheter delivery of recombinant protein to accelerate development of an intact endothelial monolayer after stent implantation. Methods and Results Balloon injury followed by percutaneous delivery of a 15-mm-long, balloon-expandable metallic stent was performed in 64 rabbit external iliac arteries (baseline diameter, 2.67±0.07 mm). Planimetric time-course analysis disclosed P =.045), local ChB delivery of 100 μg VEGF overcame this catheter effect: By day 7, stent endothelialization was nearly complete (91.8±3.8%) ( P P =.006). Occlusive thrombus was seen only in the absence of local VEGF administration. Conclusions (1) Local delivery of recombinant protein to the arterial wall is feasible after stent implantation, and (2) local delivery of the endothelial cell mitogen VEGF accelerates stent endothelialization, reducing stent thrombosis. These results thus establish a novel means by which the safety and/or bioactivity of endovascular stents may be further enhanced.
Grobner Bases and Invariant Theory

Abstract In this paper we study the relationship between Buchberger's Grobner basis method and the straightening algorithm in the bracket algebra. These methods will be introduced in a self-contained overview on the relevant areas from computational algebraic geometry and invariant theory. We prove that a certain class of van der Waerden syzygies forms a Grobner basis for the syzygy ideal in the bracket ring. We also give a description of a reduced Grobner basis in terms of standard and non-standard tableaux. Some possible applications of straightening for symbolic computations in projective geometry are indicated.
Renovating landfills by air extraction and treatment

Liquid flow from disposal sites can be prevented by drying the site much below the minimal dryness attained by drainage into wells and drains. Evaporation in any site can achieve the degree of dryn...
Approximation of fuzzy concepts in decision making

Abstract The aim of this paper is to present a new method of approximating decision concepts by condition concepts, where all concepts are described by fuzzy sets in universe X. A lower and an upper approximation of a coefficient of belonging of an object x ϵ X to a fuzzy decision concept will be derived from the description of x by means of a family of fuzzy condition concepts defined on X. We discuss the connection of our method to rough set, and fuzzy rough set, approximations.
Effects of self-assembled multilayers on the evolution of surface physical properties of indium-tin-oxide

Using layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, we have deposited multilayers of poly(diallydimethylammonium) (PDDA) and nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) onto indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. To determine how self-assembled multilayers affect charge transfer properties of conductive ITO surface, Kelvin probe and surface photovoltage measurements have been carried out. The results showed an oscillation of the surface potential as the top layer was alternated between PDDA and NiPc. The changes in surface potential of ITO induced by the growth of PDDA or NiPc monolayers are attributed to the modulation in electron affinity.
Lumican Reduces Tumor Growth Via Induction of Fas-Mediated Endothelial Cell Apoptosis

Matrikines are important components of tumor microenvironments that integrate communication between extracellular matricies and membrane-bound receptors thereby regulating cellular behaviors. One such matrikine that is differentially expressed in cancer microenvironments is the extracellular matrix protein lumican; however its precise role in cancer remains ambiguous. To study the effects of lumican on cancer cells, we created lumican-overexpressing cell lines from murine fibrosarcoma (MCA102) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Pan02) cells. Lumican overexpression in Pan02 cells increased invasiveness, decreased soft agar colony size, and increased proliferation. Conversely in MCA102 cells, lumican decreased invasiveness, increased soft agar colony size, but did not influence proliferation. In contrast to these pleiotropic in vitro results, lumican overexpression within the in vivo tumor microenvironment produced uniformly smaller tumors. Importantly, reduced tumor size was correlated with reduced vascular density. Consistent with lumican’s proposed anti-angiogenic activity, lumican increased endothelial cell apoptosis. Importantly, lumican was previously shown to influence Fas expression and our results show that lumican enhanced Fas mediated endothelial cell apoptosis although we were unable to detect any difference in Fas or Fas ligand expression between lumican-overexpressing and control cells. Interestingly, lumican had no effect on MCA102 apoptosis, suggesting that the observed reduction in tumor size is specifically due to endothelial cell apoptosis rather than a direct effect on the cancerous cells themselves. Therefore, this study is the first to demonstrate a causal relationship between tumor reduction and lumican’s effect on angiogenesis as opposed to an effect on the cancerous cells themselves.
Psychological and Physiological Attributes Associated with Performance of Selected Players of the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour

23 players in the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour participated in an assessment which included two psychological inventories and eight physiological measurements. The average score from one year of competitive play was used as the primary criterion of performance. A multiple regression analysis indicated that four variables (percent body fat, locus of control, personality type, and relative strength) predicted 61% of the variation in the average score among participants.
Mathematical modeling of fluidized bed combustion — 2: combustion of gases

Combustion of volatiles within a fluidized bed combustor is expected to influence the pollutant formation and emission characteristics as well as the combustion behavior of carbon. The difficulties involved in developing system models which include details of the release of volatiles from coal and their subsequent combustion are well recognized. In this paper, the behavior of combustible gas mixtures is considered as a sub-model of the more complex problem. The hydrodynamic description of the bubbling fluidized bed is based on the three-phase dispersion model, which accounts for the variation of the visible bubble flow with height above the distributor (the ability of this model to explain experimental data on gas-phase mixing and reaction in isothermal bubbling beds has already been established). The non-isothermality of the bed resulting from combustion reactions is taken into account through inclusion of an energy balance for the bubble phase. Finally, the effect of the variation in superficial gas velocity, on bubble properties and cross-flow, is included through an overall mass balance. Species (intermediates and products) and energy balances are solved numerically. Transient calculations show that the ignition first occurs close to the top of the bed; with time, the ignition front moves closer to the distributor. Steady-state parametric analyses show that the ignition front moves closer to the distributor with increase in bed temperature and particle size, and decrease in the excess gas velocity. Model calculations were also compared with experimental data reported in the literature on the axial variation in mole fractions of various reactant and product species. These comparisons show that under typical fluidized bed combustion conditions, methane and propane burn in a region of parametric sensitivity; thus, significant variations in calculated mole fractions result from comparatively minor variations in reaction rate parameters. Nevertheless, with activation energies well within acceptable limits established in independent kinetic studies, good agreement is obtained with experimental data for combustion of gases in fluidized beds.
Design, Implementation, and Integration of a Publish/Subscribe-like Multi-UAV Communication Architecture

As missions of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles become increasingly elaborateand the level of collaboration between multiple vehicle increases, e–cientmeans of communication enabling data exchange among vehicles and groundelements is the key to a successful accomplishment of the objectives. Thispaper describes the design, implementation, and integration of a publish/subscribe-like message passing architecture. Key elements of this approach are the in-frastructure that allows the transmission of a generic message from node tonode and the ability to automatically forward messages from the source overseveral intermediates to the destination. The design has been integratedinto the °ight software and simulation tools developed by the UnmannedAerial Vehicle Research Team at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Laparoscopic myomectomy and pregnancy outcome in infertile patients.

Abstract Objective: To assess outcomes and pregnancy-related complications after laparoscopic myomectomy in infertile patients. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Tertiary care advanced laparoscopic center. Patient(s): Twenty-eight infertile patients with at least one uterine leiomyoma of >5 cm in diameter. Intervention(s): Laparoscopic myomectomy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Occurrence of pregnancy, delivery rate, and pregnancy-related complications. Result(s): The average size of the myomas removed was 6 cm (range, 4–13.3 cm). None of the procedures were converted to laparotomy. The postoperative rate of intrauterine pregnancy was 64.3% (n = 18), including 1 of 2 patients who underwent concomitant hysteroscopic myomectomy. Four patients had spontaneous abortions and 14 delivered viable term neonates. Six women had a vaginal delivery without complications and 8 had a cesarean section. No antepartum or intrapartum complications were reported. Conclusion(s): Laparoscopic myomectomy can be offered to patients who want to have children and who refuse to undergo an abdominal myomectomy. Patient selection as well as meticulous surgical technique are the key factors in achieving a successful outcome.
Structural performance of hybrid GFRP/steel concrete sandwich panels

Precast/prestressed concrete sandwich panels consist of two concrete wythes separated by a rigid insulation foam layer and are generally used as walls or slabs in thermal insulation applications. Commonly used connectors between the two wythes, such as steel trusses or concrete stems, penetrate the insulation layer causing a thermal bridge effect, which reduces thermal efficiency. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite shell connectors between the two concrete wythes are used in this research as horizontal shear transfer reinforcement. The design criterion is to establish composite action, in which both wythes resist flexural loads as one unit, while maintaining insulation across the two concrete wythes of the panel. The experiments carried out in this research show that hybrid GFRP/steel reinforced sandwich panels can withstand out-of-plane loads while providing resistance to horizontal shear between the two concrete wythes. An analytical method is developed for modeling the horizontal shear tra...
Relationship between single quantum-dot intermittency and fluorescence intensity decays from collections of dots

We show that the slow dynamics of the fluorescence from a collection of colloidal quantum dots and the intermittency observed in single quantum dots are intimately related. This system illustrates the importance of uncovering dynamical behavior at the microscopic level for a proper understanding of ensemble phenomenology. We propose a model that introduces lower and upper bounds to the on- and off-time power-law distributions in single-nanocrystal quantum-dot (QD) fluorescence intermittency statistics. We use Monte Carlo simulations and analytical forms to quantitatively connect this single QD model to the fluorescence intensity decay to a steady state that is observed in collections of QD's. Inversely, we also show that experiments on collections of QD's can be used to directly obtain upper bounds to the single-QD fluorescence intermittency power-law statistics.
Union use of employee pension funds: Introduction and overview

A case can be made that labor unions are seeking to gain control of the financial leverage of employee pension funds as a means of offsetting a secular decline in membership which has occurred over the past twenty years and which has been accelerating. Pension fund assets are now substantial and are growing very rapidly so that even partial or indirect influence over investment policies could have major impacts on the economy. Unions have already achieved success on a limited scale with the pension fund weapon. Their intention to achieve widespread influence through this vehicle is signalled by the establishment in January, 1981, of a monthly newsletter,Labor & Investments which is devoted exclusively to the union use of employee pension funds.
The economic role of a work ethic

Abstract This paper explores the extent to which a cultural work ethic can improve the performance of an economy. It argues that a variety of technological and institutional features of labor markets tend to cause Pareto sub-optimal amounts of labor to be supplied to the economic nexus. As a consequence, a proper work ethic can improve economic efficiency as well as material well being. “A man does not ‘by nature’ wish to earn more and more money but simply to live as he is accustomed to live and to earn as much as is necessary for that purpose. Wherever modern capitalism has begun its work of increasing the productivity of human labor by increasing its intensity, it has encountered this leading trait of pre-capitalistic labor.” Max Weber [ The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904/1984, p. 60)]. ‘Sacred to the city, however, is the work ethic; office workers think nothing of leaving for work at 6a.m. and staying on to 9 or 10 at night. That, rather than economic management, is the explanation for the Brazilian miracle of the past 40 years’. The Economist (April 25, 1987), p. 22. 1
Partial Deafness Cochlear Implantation (PDCI) and Electric-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS)

The purposes of this paper are to (1) review briefly the experience to date with combined EAS for patients with some residual, low-frequency hearing; and (2) describe the further results that have been obtained with this combination for patients with higher levels of residual hearing at low frequencies, termed 'PDCI'. In broad terms, PDCI and combined EAS have produced large improvements in the speech reception abilities of the treated patients, compared with preoperative scores or with postoperative scores for electric stimulation only or acoustic stimulation only. The benefits have been especially large for recognition of speech presented in competition with interfering sounds such as speech-spectrum noise. Although PDCI and combined EAS have been established as highly effective procedures, questions remain about optimal combinations of electric and acoustic stimuli; the ideal depth of insertion for the electrode array; whether the ideal depth may vary from patient to patient; and whether the reliability of hearing preservation in an implanted cochlea can be increased beyond the present high levels. The answers to these questions could lead to even better treatments for persons with little or no hearing at high frequencies and at least some remaining hearing at low frequencies.
Optimization of dual energy contrast enhanced breast tomosynthesis for improved mammographic lesion detection and diagnosis

Dual-energy contrast-enhanced breast tomosynthesis has been proposed as a technique to improve the detection of early-stage cancer in young, high-risk women. This study focused on optimizing this technique using computer simulations. The computer simulation used analytical calculations to optimize the signal difference to noise ratio (SdNR) of resulting images from such a technique at constant dose. The optimization included the optimal radiographic technique, optimal distribution of dose between the two single-energy projection images, and the optimal weighting factor for the dual energy subtraction. Importantly, the SdNR included both anatomical and quantum noise sources, as dual energy imaging reduces anatomical noise at the expense of increases in quantum noise. Assuming a tungsten anode, the maximum SdNR at constant dose was achieved for a high energy beam at 49 kVp with 92.5 μm copper filtration and a low energy beam at 49 kVp with 95 μm tin filtration. These analytical calculations were followed by Monte Carlo simulations that included the effects of scattered radiation and detector properties. Finally, the feasibility of this technique was tested in a small animal imaging experiment using a novel iodinated liposomal contrast agent. The results illustrated the utility of dual energy imaging and determined the optimal acquisition parameters for this technique. This work was supported in part by grants from the Komen Foundation (PDF55806), the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, and the NIH (NCI R21 CA124584-01). CIVM is a NCRR/NCI National Resource under P41-05959/U24-CA092656.
Interpreting Top-Down Mass Spectra Using Spectral Alignment

Recent advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation, such as FTICR and OrbiTrap, have made it possible to generate high-resolution spectra of entire proteins. While these methods offer new opportunities for performing “top-down” studies of proteins, the computational tools for analyzing top-down data are still scarce. In this paper we investigate the application of spectral alignment to the problem of identifying protein forms in top-down mass spectra (i.e., identifying the modifications, mutations, insertions, and deletions). We demonstrate how spectral alignment efficiently discovers protein forms even in the presence of numerous modifications and how the algorithm can be extended to discover positional isomers from spectra of mixtures of isobaric protein forms.
Generation of complex, static solution gradients in microfluidic channels

A microfluidic device is used to generate a complex gradient of diffusible molecules in a static solution. The gradient is precise and steady both in space and in time. This device, made from poly(dimethylsiloxane), consists of three layers. The molecules in reservoirs on the top layer diffuse through the flat middle layer of hydrogel and reach an equilibrium distribution. Microfluidic channels on the bottom layer that are in close contact with the hydrogel contain free solution that has concentration gradients based on the gradient in the gel. The gradient profile in the channel can be designed to have an arbitrary form (within the range of the existing gradient in the hydrogel) by controlling the local direction of the channel at each point.
A new through-the-scope balloon-assisted deep enteroscopy platform.

intheOctoberissueofGastrointestinal Endoscopyregarding their experience with the NaviAidAB through-the-scope balloon (Smart Medical Systems, Ra ’anana, Israel).We have also found this device useful to facilitate assess-ment of the distal ileum in patients with suspected Crohn’sdisease. To date, we have performed 24 retrograde enter-oscopies using this platform, 3 for the diagnosis and man-agement of suspected ileal Crohn’s disease. We agree thatno specialized training is required and that the learningcurve is swift. We wish to emphasize that an adult colono-scope is necessary because the through-the-scope balloonrequires a minimum working channel diameter of 3.7 mm.A concern in our early experience was advancing theballoon catheter in a blind fashion in patients with a poten-tially inﬂamed and friable ileal mucosa. However, becauseof the soft tip and ﬂexible nature of the balloon catheter,we found that resistance was easily discerned. If excessiveforce was used to advance the balloon catheter, it wouldsimply retroﬂex. Initial concerns also included blind inﬂa-tion of the balloon when it was inadvertently placed withina stricture, resulting in unintended dilatation and possibleperforation. However, the pressure-sensitive balloon ap-pears to recognize the stenosis, and inﬂation does notoccur.In our experience, the endoscope was surprisinglyable to maintain a stable position during the advance-ment of the deﬂated balloon catheter without losingthe ground gained. This resulted in challenging thera-peutic interventions being performed (eg, polypectomy,enteral stent insertion) with standard accessories by us-ing the larger working channel that accompanies theadult colonoscope as compared with the enteroscope.Another beneﬁt over standard deep enteroscopy plat-forms is the ability to intubate the ileocecal valve by usingthe inﬂated balloon to pull the colonoscope into the ter-minal ileum. This may overcome a frustrating and chal-lenging step in ileocolonoscopy.
Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to protirelin (TRH) prior to and during chronic imipramine treatment in patients with panic disorder

Abstract The effects of protirelin [thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)] administration on the release of thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) were examined in 14 patients with panic disorder prior to and during chronic treatment with imipramine. During imipramine treatment, the patients exhibited an increase in their TSH response to TRH ( Δ Δ max TSH = 3.65 ± 6.02 μIU / ml , p 〈0.05) and in their PRL response to TRH ( Δ AUC PRL = 734 ± 965 ng/ml/45 min, p
Estimating diameter at breast height and basal diameter of trees from stump measurements in Nepal's lower temperate broad-leaved forests

Multiple linear regression models for predicting diameter at breast height (DBH) and basal diameter (BD) of trees from stump measurements are presented. These models were developed for the lower temperate broad-leaved forests of Nepal's central middle hills. In addition to general prediction models based on all trees in the sample, specific models for this forest type are presented for small (< 35 cm DBH) and large (⩾ 35 cm DBH) trees, and for two dominant taxa, Schima wallichii and the genus Castanopsis. The models were derived from a total of 1304 diameter observations measured on 163 trees in two forests. Diameters were measured on each tree at eight different stem heights (3.0 to 180.0 cm above the ground level), which included BD and DBH (measured at 30.0 and 130.0 cm above the ground level, respectively). In addition, two general simple linear regression models are presented to predict DBH from BD, and vice versa. Cross-validation results indicate good predictive ability, and reliability and validity of the models. Seventeen commonly occurring tree species and ten families were represented in the sample. These models are recommended for general use in the lower temperate broad-leaved forests of the central Himalayas, particularly in those forests dominated by the Schima-Castanopsis association.
A low-power 6GS/s track and hold circuit implemented with antimonide based compound semiconductor HBTs

A track-and-hold (T/H) circuit which was implemented with antimonide based compound semiconductor (ABCS) HBTs operated at 6 GS/s and consumed 478 mW. With a 600 MHz, 300 mV peak-to-peak input, the fundamental to 3/sup rd/ harmonic ratio was measured to be 43 dB. It represents a power saving of at least a factor of 2 for the T/Hs of similar performance as compared with any other semiconductor technology.
Five-year experience with Lillehei-Kaster prostheses in the aortic position.

From 1972 through 1976, 140 patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the Lillehei-Kaster (LK) prosthesis and 18 additional patients had AVR plus coronary bypass procedures. Follow- up information was obtained in 98% of the patients. The operative mortality rate was 7.5% and the actuarial 5- year survival rate was, 79%. Two episodes of thromboembolism occurred in 3,645 patient-months. Prosthesis malfunction or significant hemolysis has not occurred. Postoperative catheterization studies revealed a functional valve area of 0.81 cm2 with the 14A prosthesis; all other valve areas were greater than 1.1 cm2. Continued use of the LK aortic valve prosthesis with warfarin anticoagulation is recommended in sizes greater than 14A.
How perceptions of a simulated physician-patient interaction influence intended satisfaction and compliance☆

Abstract A frequent problem encountered in the evaluation of medical services is that patients inter-twine or confound perceptions of technical medical skills (competence) with those of interpersonal and communication skills (courtesy). The present study investigated the extent to which competence and courtesy influenced enacted patient perceptions of medical care; as well as how those perceptions related to satisfaction and compliance with the care delivered. Small groups of undergraduates viewed one of four videotapes on which were depicted a physician-patient interaction for a sore throat problem. Differential levels of competence and courtesy were displayed in the various tapes. While watching the videotape, subjects were asked to assume the role of the sore throat patient. Factor analysis of semantic differential items administered subsequent to the videotapes revealed the presence of two strong and distinct clusters, one labeled courtesy and the other competence. Univariate ANOVAs indicated that the courtesy manipulation influenced the perception of courtesy and general medical satisfaction, while the competence manipulation influenced not only perceived competence but perceived courtesy, general medical satisfaction, and compliance as well. Subjects were able to accurately discriminate the extremes of good and poor physician behavior. The limitations of the study as well as its implications for developing better understanding of how perceptions of health care providers are formed were explored.
Autofocus using image phase congruency

The key issue in passive autofocus is to choose robust focus measures to judge optical blur in defocused images. Existing focus measures are sensitive to image contrast (illumination) as they use image intensity. In this report we demonstrate a focus measure using phase congruency. The proposed focus measure is robust for noisy imaging sensors in varying illumination conditions, and has great balance of defocus sensitivity and effective range. Its advantages are shown with a number of synthetic image sequences.
Experimental and theoretical advances in prosody: A review

Research on prosody has recently become an important focus in various disciplines, including Linguistics, Psychology, and Computer Science. This article reviews recent research advances on two key issues: prosodic phrasing and prosodic prominence. Both aspects of prosody are influenced by linguistic factors such as syntactic constituent structure, semantic relations, phonological rhythm, pragmatic considerations, and also by processing factors such as the length, complexity, or predictability of linguistic material. Our review summarises recent insights into the production and perception of these two components of prosody and their grammatical underpinnings. While this review only covers a subset of a broader set of research topics on prosody in cognitive science, these topics are representative of a tendency in the field towards a more interdisciplinary approach.
Fatty Acids Regulate Stress Resistance and Virulence Factor Production for Listeria monocytogenes

Fatty acids (FAs) are the major structural component of cellular membranes, which provide a physical and chemical barrier that insulates intracellular reactions from environmental fluctuations. The native composition of membrane FAs establishes the topological and chemical parameters for membrane-associated functions and is therefore modulated diligently by microorganisms especially in response to environmental stresses. However, the consequences of altered FA composition during host-pathogen interactions are poorly understood. The food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes contains mostly saturated branched-chain FAs (BCFAs), which support growth at low pH and low temperature. In this study, we show that anteiso-BCFAs enhance bacterial resistance against phagosomal killing in macrophages. Specifically, BCFAs protect against antimicrobial peptides and peptidoglycan hydrolases, two classes of phagosome antimicrobial defense mechanisms. In addition, the production of the critical virulence factor, listeriolysin O, was compromised by FA modulation, suggesting that FAs play a key role in virulence regulation. In summary, our results emphasize the significance of FA metabolism, not only in bacterial virulence regulation but also in membrane barrier function by providing resistance against host antimicrobial stress.
Gating of the cardiac Ca2+ release channel: the role of Na+ current and Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange

In cardiac myocytes, calcium influx through the calcium channel is the primary pathway for triggering calcium release. Recently it has been suggested that the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism can also be activated indirectly by the sodium current, which elevates the sodium concentration under the cell membrane, thereby favoring the entry of "trigger" calcium via the sodium-calcium exchanger. To test this hypothesis, sodium current was suppressed by reducing the external sodium concentration or applying tetrodotoxin. At potentials positive to -30 millivolts, calcium release was unaffected. A small calcium release at more negative potentials could be attributed to partial activation of calcium channels, because it was unaltered by replacement of sodium with lithium and was blocked by cadmium. Thus, sodium influx or its accumulation does not initiate calcium release. In addition, sodium-calcium exchange-related calcium release at potentials positive to +80 millivolts has slower kinetics than calcium channel-induced release. Therefore, only the calcium channel gates the fast release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the range of the action potential.
Grain sorghum yield with hybrid advancement and changes in agronomic practices from 1957 through 2008.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grain yield has improved since the deployment of hybrid sorghum in the mid-1950s. However, information on the contribution of different factors to this yield increase for irrigated and dryland sorghum production is scarce. The objective of the present study was to determine the magnitude of change in irrigated and dryland sorghum yields with hybrid improvement and changes in agronomic practices. Data from selected irrigated and dryland grain sorghum performance trials conducted in Kansas from 1957 to 2008 were analyzed. The mean yield of the highest-yielding hybrid over years was 9.3 Mg ha -1 at irrigated sites and 5.8 Mg ha -1 at the dryland sites. There was an increase in hybrid yield of nearly 50 kg ha -1 yr -1 in dryland sites over the 52 yr analyzed. Irrigated grain sorghum yields, however, remained unchanged over the same period. Agronomic practices such as planting date, P fertilizer use, and planting density changed over these years but were not found to contribute to increased dryland sorghum yields. Hybrid advancement and increased N fertilizer application were responsible for changes in dryland yields. The yield focus of sorghum hybrid development was effective in dryland sorghum production, likely because of intentional or inadvertent selection of hybrids with better drought tolerance.
Anomalous Origin of Left Pulmonary Artery From the Ascending Aorta

A patient whose left pulmonary artery arose from the ascending aorta is described. The embryology and a review of the literature concerning this unusual anomaly is presented. This is the third reported case of an anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery without associated intracardiac defects and the sixth one successfully corrected. This patient presented the interesting opportunity to compare histologically the ef fects of having one lung connected to the lesser circulation and the other to the systemic circulation in the same patient. The severe cardiac symptoms usually en countered and the otherwise fatal outcome makes surgical correction of this lesion mandatory.
Evaluation of gamma prime volume fractions and lattice misfits in a nickel base superalloy using the external standard X-ray diffraction method

Abstract The unconstrained lattice parameters and volume fractions of γ′ for a low misfit nickel based superalloy were evaluated using X-ray diffraction techniques. Extraction techniques were used to provide unconstrained γ′ powders for both water quenched and slow cooled samples that were aged at 760 °C for 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 h. The external standard method was used to determine the volume fraction for the unaged water quenched sample and the slow cooled sample aged for 200 h. These two extremes in processing conditions provided an increase in the total volume fraction of γ′.
Symptomatic Progression of Asymptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears: A Prospective Study of Clinical and Sonographic Variables

Background: The purposes of this study were to identify changes in tear dimensions, shoulder function, and glenohumeral kinematics when an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear becomes painful and to identify characteristics of individuals who develop pain compared with those who remain asymptomatic. Methods: A cohort of 195 subjects with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear was prospectively monitored for pain development and examined annually for changes in various parameters such as tear size, fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff muscle, glenohumeral kinematics, and shoulder function. Forty-four subjects were found to have developed new pain, and the parameters before and after pain development were compared. The forty-four subjects were then compared with a group of fifty-five subjects who remained asymptomatic over a two-year period. Results: With pain development, the size of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear increased significantly, with 18% of the full-thickness tears showing an increase of >5 mm, and 40% of the partial-thickness tears had progressed to a full-thickness tear. In comparison with the assessments made before the onset of pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores for shoulder function were significantly decreased and all measures of shoulder range of motion were decreased except for external rotation at 90° of abduction. There was an increase in compensatory scapulothoracic motion in relation to the glenohumeral motion during early shoulder abduction with pain development. No significant changes were found in external rotation strength or muscular fatty degeneration. Compared with the subjects who remained asymptomatic, the subjects who developed pain were found to have significantly larger tears at the time of initial enrollment. Conclusions: Pain development in shoulders with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear is associated with an increase in tear size. Larger tears are more likely to develop pain in the short term than are smaller tears. Further research is warranted to investigate the role of prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic shoulders to avoid the development of pain and loss of shoulder function. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Double Jeopardy? The Interaction of Gender and Race on Earnings in the United States

There are sizeable earnings differentials by both gender and race in the U.S. labor market, with women earning less than men and most racial/ethnic minority groups earning less than whites. It has been proposed in the previous literature that the effects of gender and race on earnings are additive, so that minority women suffer the full disadvantage of each status. We test this proposition for a broad range of minority groups in the U.S. We find that women of all minority groups in the U.S. suffer a smaller gender penalty than white women. Exploring the potential role of racial variation in gender role specialization in producing such differentials, we find some empirical evidence suggesting that white families specialize more than families of most other races.
XPHEVE: An Extensible Physics Engine for Virtual Environments

Virtual reality (VR) has gained more popularity due to the advancements in hardware technology, an advancement that eliminated much of the limitations that VR technology was facing before. With the complexity that exists in today's applications, it is apparent that software issues are now the limiting factor in the development of realistic VR applications. This is largely due to lack of structure and standards in this new generation of software products. The introduction of physics engines was the first step in shaping the structure of VR applications. A physics engine is a library or a framework that hides the low-level details of the physics needed in VR applications, thus allowing developers to focus on the higher-level functionalities of the application. Although physics engines contribute to the development of more structured VR applications. While a flight simulation would appreciate such laws as planet gravity and aerodynamics, a car racing game would be more concerned with collision laws and road friction. Therefore different VR application may not only require different laws, but also laws with different precision levels. xPheve, an extensible physics engine that uses a container/plug-in architecture in which laws are treated as plug-ins; they can be plugged in and out of the physics engine depending on the application needs. A military simulation built over xPheve is highlighted
The effects of alternative criteria functions on the optimum management plans for Southern pine plantations

FOREST RESOURCES CONSTITUTE one of the major natural resources of the Southeastern United States. A significant amount of these forest resources are owned and managed by paper companies as industrial forests. The manager of an industrial forest faces the complex problem of simultaneously maximizing the return from the assets entrusted to his care and providing an even flow of wood to the mill. Basic to the problem is the choice of the criteria function for maximization. The basic purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate the effects of alternative criteria functions on the optimum management plan. The two leading candidates for the optimization criterion are the net present value of the asset and the internal rate of return of the asset. These two criteria are both present in the basic equation, which can be developed inthe following manner. If the assumption is made that some of the funds realized from the sale of the timber will be re-invested in planting a new generation of trees on the same land, then the present value of one rotation of length t is P =f(t)e-1t-c, where P present value of one rotation of length t, f(t) the value of the standing timber at time t, e-it = the time-discount factor, and c the planting or regeneration costs. Then V or the present value of the earnings for perpetuity is defined as V = P+ Pe-it + Pe-i2t + Pe-+3t + The sum of this geometric progression is V = PA(1-e-it) or
Optimum methodology for estimating baseline serum creatinine for the acute kidney injury classification

Aim This study aimed to investigate how varied methods of determining baseline serum creatinine (SCr) would affect acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis and prediction of 60 day mortality in critically ill patients following an episode of AKI. Methods This is a single-centre retrospective study conducted at a tertiary referral hospital. All adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients between January and December 2011, who had at least one SCr values measured between 7 days and 180 days before hospital admission and during ICU stay, were analyzed. The baseline SCr was calculated using either the most recent (SCrmost recent) or the minimum (SCrmin) value of SCr measurement over the specified assessment period before hospital admission. AKI was defined based on KDIGO SCr definition. The primary outcome was 60 day mortality after ICU admission. Results A total of 4020 patients were included in the analysis. AKI was detected in 1204 (30.0%) using the SCrmin and 945 (23.5%) using the SCrmost recent (P < 0.001). Compared with patients without AKI regardless of baseline SCr methodology, the 60 day mortality risk of patients who developed AKI using the SCrmin and SCrmost recent was significantly increased (odds ratio (OR) = 3.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.98–4.70). Similarly, the risk of 60 day mortality in patients who met AKI criteria using the SCrmin but not the SCrmost recent was significant higher than in patients without AKI (OR = 2.04; 95% CI 1.36–3.00). Conclusion Using the minimum value of preadmission SCr as a baseline kidney function not only can detect more AKI cases, but also provides the better predictive ability for 60 day mortality.
Automatic Interpretation of the English Possessive

The English ’s possessive construction occurs frequently in text and can encode several different semantic relations; however, it has received limited attention from the computational linguistics community. This paper describes the creation of a semantic relation inventory covering the use of ’s, an inter-annotator agreement study to calculate how well humans can agree on the relations, a large collection of possessives annotated according to the relations, and an accurate automatic annotation system for labeling new examples. Our 21,938 example dataset is by far the largest annotated possessives dataset we are aware of, and both our automatic classification system, which achieves 87.4% accuracy in our classification experiment, and our annotation data are publicly available.
Scalable Visual Analytics of Massive Textual Datasets

This paper describes the first scalable implementation of a text processing engine used in visual analytics tools. These tools aid information analysts in interacting with and understanding large textual information content through visual interfaces. By developing a parallel implementation of the text processing engine, we enabled visual analytics tools to exploit cluster architectures and handle massive datasets. The paper describes key elements of our parallelization approach and demonstrates virtually linear scaling when processing multi-gigabyte data sets such as Pubmed. This approach enables interactive analysis of large datasets beyond capabilities of existing state-of-the art visual analytics tools.