cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in body condition of native piscivores following invasion of Lakes Erie and Ontario by the round goby

Summary Biological invaders can provide a highly abundant novel prey, yet the effect this has on the body condition of native predators is unknown. Since invading the Laurentian Great Lakes over two decades ago, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has become an important food source for many native species. We used long-term data from Lakes Erie and Ontario (1993−2012) to create quantile regression models of mass–length relationships for populations of four native predators: smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), walleye (Sander vitreus) and burbot (Lota lota). Model-based estimates of changes in mass-at-length following the invasion were used to compare the effects of round goby on relative trends in body condition. Water temperature data were also included in the models, to investigate its effects on body condition. The condition of smallmouth bass increased after the invasion, varying in magnitude between lakes and among size classes. Condition of yellow perch changed variably in direction and magnitude, depending on the quantile of the mass–length relationship examined and fish length, whereas that of walleye increased only for larger fish in Lake Ontario. Minor increases in mass-at-length were observed for the smallest length class of burbot, while the body condition of burbot in the largest length class decreased during the study period. Mean summer water temperature did not differ between pre- and post-invasion time periods in Lakes Erie and Ontario, although water temperature was a significant predictor of body condition. Changes in body condition may have implications for additional population and life history characteristics. Future research should investigate the effects of the round goby on growth, age at maturity, fecundity and survival of native predators.
On topology attack of a smart grid

Cyber attacks on a smart grid aiming at misleading the control center with incorrect topology information are considered. In such attacks, an adversary intercepts network and meter data from the remote terminal units, modifies part of them, and forwards the modified data to the control center. A necessary and sufficient condition for an undetectable topology attack is presented, and an undetectable attack that requires the modification of only a few meter data is proposed. When the adversary has limited local information, a heuristic attack strategy is proposed. The proposed attacks are tested with IEEE 14-bus and 118-bus systems, and their effect on real-time locational marginal pricing is examined.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactive elements in the caudal ventral striatum of the rat: A light and electron microscopic study

Under the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, a brain region intercalated between the ventral striatum and the ventral pallidum was previously identified as the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure by de Olmos. This region, referred here as the caudal ventral stratum (VSc), is characterized by a dense plexus of vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactive (VIP+) axons. Double-fluorescence immunocytochemical reactions reveal that the dense VIP+ plexus is found in a region also rich in dopaminergic (i.e., tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactive) fibers but poor in enkephalinergic terminals. The dense plexuses of VIP+ axons in VSc appear to be contiguous with those in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) and the central nucleus of amygdala (CNA). These results support the notion that this VSc region is a part of the "extended amygdala" as proposed recently by Alheid and Heimer, and confirms that its anatomical properties are closer related to the ventral striatum than the ventral pallidum. Electron microscopic analysis reveals that the VIP+ boutons form asymmetrical synapses with dendrites and spines, and symmetrical synapses with somata of unlabeled VSc neurons. The few VIP+ neurons within this area form synapses with many unlabeled axon terminals on both their somata and dendrites. Some VIP+ neurons, however, also form axosomatic and axodendritic synapses with VIP+ boutons.
Built Environment and Driving Outcomes: The Case for an Integrated GIS/GPS Approach

This study demonstrates a segment-based approach to integrate GIS and GPS data to address questions about the connections between the built environment and travel behaviors. Methods and challenges of GPS/GIS integration are discussed, and an application integrating GPS naturalistic driving data from Southeast Michigan together with GIS data from several sources is demonstrated. The integrated dataset is used to explore connections between the built environment and driving behavior, specifically between business concentration, driving speed, vehicle stops and rear-end crashes. Driving speed, an important determinant of driver behavior linked to traffic safety, is found to be inversely related to business concentration, a pattern that does not vary by time of day. Rear-end crashes are found to increase with vehicle stops which increase with business concentration. This demonstration showed that fusing GPS and GPS data provides spatial intelligence which can be used to address planning, traffic safety, and transportation related issues. Language: en
Analysis and computation of adaptive moving grids by deformation

We develop and analyze a numerical method for creating an adaptive moving grid in one-, two-, and three-dimensional regions. The method distributes grid nodes according to a given analytic or discrete weight function of the spatial and time variables, which reflects the fine structure of the solution. The weight function defines a vector field, which is used to construct a transformation of the computational domain into the physical domain. We prove that the resulting grid has the prescribed cell sizes and that no “mesh tangling” occurs. Numerical implementation of the method utilizes an efficient and robust least-squares solver to compute the vector field and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme to determine the transformation. Results of several numerical experiments in one- and two-dimensions are also presented. These results indicate, among other things, that the method accurately redistributes the nodes and does not tangle the mesh. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solute attributes and molecular interactions contributing to "U-shape" retention on a fluorinated high-performance liquid chromatography stationary phase.

The structural attributes and molecular interactions contributing to “U-shape” retention on pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFPP) HPLC stationary phases are systematically investigated. Only basic analytes exhibit retention that increases with the acetonitrile content in mixtures of acetonitrile and aqueous ammonium acetate, with some basic analytes not eluting at all from PFPP columns using 100% acetonitrile. U-shaped retention as a function of mobile phase acetonitrile content was more dramatic on a PFPP column relative to C18. Retention of the quaternary ammonium salt bretylium on these stationary phases and on the same bare silica support showed minimal influence of ion-exchange mechanisms on the C18 phase, however, a significant influence of ion-exchange mechanisms was observed for both PFPP and bare silica. The retention of bretylium on PFPP was only slightly less than on bare silica. These findings suggest ion-exchange mechanisms dominate retention of basic analytes in the high acetonitrile realm on PFPP. The PFPP stationary phase exhibits a substantial increase in effects of ionized surface silanol groups compared to the alkyl phase despite similar surface coverage. Retention of some basic analytes on a PFPP phase was enhanced relative to retention on silica alone, and implicates other dispersive interactions that might be exploited for selectivity different from either alkyl phases or silica alone.
Benefits from the development of the Tennessee river

Abstract The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created in 1993 to control and develop the Tennessee River and to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the inhabitants of the region. The major tools TVA has used to meet its responsibilities are flood control, navigation and hydroelectric power production. Floods are minimized by the operation of 47 dams and reservoirs, navigation is continuing to expand along the 1050-km channel, and electric power is supplied to some 8 million people and 47 very large industrial users. Agriculture, soil, forest, wildlife, fisheries, aesthetic and archaeological resources have been conserved and enhanced with concurrent and significant advances in industry, population, service organizations, recreation, education, health and personal income. The integrated development of the Tennessee Valley region is deemed a remarkable success.
Explaining Long-Term Exercise Adherence in Women Who Complete a Structured Exercise Program

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine factors related to physical activity adherence to understand why women continue to participate in long-term exercise after completing a structured exercise program. Data were collected from focus groups, interviews, and e-mails, and analysis used grounded theory. The central category related to physical activity adherence was self-worth. Motivation, activity enjoyment, priorities, body image, ability to access support, and self-regulation skills had an impact on the self-worth of nonadherers and adherers. Women must value themselves enough to continue to participate in physical activity once they start. Exercise and fitness professionals are encouraged to use strategies to increase self-worth and long-term adherence to physical activity. Some recommended strategies include (a) increasing motivation and enjoyment relative to activity, (b) making activity a high priority in a woman's life, (c) improving or deemphasizing body image, (d) increasing a woman's ability to access support, and (e) facilitating the use of self-regulation strategies. This study is the first to examine qualitative perspectives of exercise adherence among women who completed a structured exercise program. Several concepts related to adherence presented in the quantitative literature are confirmed and enhanced in this study.
Novel Pyrrole End-Functional Macromonomers Prepared by Ring-Opening and Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerizations

New α-pyrrole macromonomers have been prepared using functional initiators by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of e-caprolactone and atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of different vinyl monomers. In the first case, the ROP of e-caprolactone was initiated by 2-pyrrolylethan-1-ol at 110 °C using stannous octanoate as a catalyst. The functionalization of the polymers was quantitative, and the molecular weight was well controlled by adjusting the monomer to initiator molar ratio. Alternatively, ATRP of different monomers was carried out using 2-pyrrolylethyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate as the initiator in the presence of a CuBr/2-bipyridine or NiBr2(PPh3)2 as the catalyst at temperatures ranging from 70 to 110 °C. Using this controlled radical polymerization method, α-pyrrole homopolymers and copolymers of styrene, methyl and tert-butyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, poly(ethylene oxide methacrylate), (dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, and methyloxyethylethyl methacrylate have been prepared with co...
Strong convergence' for u–statistics in arrays of.row–wise exchangeable random variables

Let be an array of row–wise exchangeable random variables. Strong convergence results are obtained for U–statistics, using suitable moment conditions and martingale techniques. Statistics considered for exemplification are the sample variance and Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient
The differentiated child behavior observational system

The Differentiated Child Behavior Observational System (DCB, Ross, 1971) which provides for systematic recording of children's interactions in ongoing classroom activities, was applied in 48 classrooms with children aged five to eight. Three groups were studied: the first, representing a nontraditional, open-classroom approach was drawn from the Bank Street School for Children (middle-income); the second, with a similar approach, from Bank Street Follow Through classes in public schools (low-income); and the third, from traditional classes in public schools (low-income). The groups showed striking differences in amount of children's interactions, with significantly greater amounts in the two nontraditional groups. Analysis of the content of the interactions revealed further important differences. The Bank Street School and Bank Street Follow Through groups totalled significantly more higher-order cognitive statements and questions, and more autonomous behavior. Results indicated that although in SES background, Follow Through classes were more like the traditional classes, the interactions of the Follow Through children were more like those of the (nontraditional) Bank Street School. 1 This presentation is limited to the most salient points of definition. A comprehensive listing of examples for each subcategory component is presented in the Observer's Manual. 2 The incidence of such behaviors is reflected by the following mean total frequencies for the three groups: Bank Street School = 1.9, Follow Through = 10, and Comparison = 10.
Source-level debugging of scalar optimized code

Although compiler optimizations play a crucial role in the performance of modern computer systems, debugger technology has lagged behind in its support of optimization. Yet debugging the unoptimized translation is often impossible or futile, so handling of code optimizations in the debugger is necessary. But compiler optimizations make it difficult to provide source-level debugger functionality: Global optimizations can cause the runtime value of a variable to be inconsistent with the source-level value expected at a breakpoint; such variables are called endangered variables. A debugger must detect and warn the user of endangered variables otherwise the user may draw incorrect conclusions about the program. This paper presents a new algorithm for detecting variables that are endangered due to global scalar optimization. Our approach provides more precise classifications of variables and is still simpler than past approaches. We have implemented and evaluated our techniques in the context of the cmcc optimizing C compiler. We describe the compiler extensions necessary to perform the required bookkeeping of compiler optimization. We present measurements of the effect of optimizations on a debugger's ability to present the expected values of variables to the user.
Interactions between time-varying mesh stiffness and clearance non-linearities in a geared system

Abstract Frequency response characteristics of a non-linear geared rotor-bearing system with time-varying mesh stiffness k h ( t ) are examined in this paper. First, the single-degree-of-freedom spur gear pair model with backlash is extended to include sinusoidal or periodic mesh stiffness k h ( t ) . Second, a three-degree-of-freedom model with k h ( t ) and clearance non-lineariries associated with gear backlash and rolling element bearings, as excited by the static transmission error e ( t ) under a mean torque load, is developed. The governing equations are solved using digital simulation technique and only the primary resonances are studied. Resonances of the corresponding linear time-varying system associated with parametric and external excitations are identified using the method of multiple scales and digital simulation. Interactions between the mesh stiffness variation and clearance non-linearities have been investigated; a strong interaction between time-varying mesh stiffness k h ( t ) and gear backlash is found, whereas the coupling between k h ( t ) and bearing non-linearities is weak. Finally, our time-varying non-linear formulations yield reasonably good predictions when compared with the benchmark experimental results available in the literature.
An assessment of the potential testicular toxicity of 10 pesticides using the mouse-sperm morphology assay

Dinitrobutylphenol, chlorbenzilate, atrazine, Ordram, Telone (dichloropropene), pentachlorophenol (technical and reagent grades), Benomyl, DBCP (dibromochloropropane), and carbaryl were tested over a range of 7 doses in the mouse to assess their testicular toxicity. Measures of potential toxicity were sperm morphology, sperm counts and testicular weights. Each pesticide was injected intra-peritoneally in a single dose on each of 5 days. Testicular toxicity was assessed at 35 days. None of the pesticides tested, including the known human male testicular toxin, DBCP, produced statistically significant differences in the parameters from vehicle-injected controls.
Inhaled nitric oxide therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Increasing evidence suggests that the pulmonary vascular endothelium is an important mediator of resting pulmonary vascular tone through the synthesis and release of a variety of vasoactive substances including nitric oxide (NO). In addition, pulmonary endothelial dysfunction (such as impairment of NO synthesis) is present in lung injury and may contribute to the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertensive disorders. Recently, exogenously administered NO gas has been utilized to treat infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). These preliminary studies suggest that inhaled NO is a promising new therapy for the treatment of infants with PPHN. Controlled clinical trials must now be performed to determine if the use of inhaled NO improves the long-term outcome of patients with PPHN. Long-term exposure must be monitored closely for potential toxicity which includes methemoglobinemia and lung injury secondary to peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide production.
The effect of food-deprivation on lactic dehydrogenase activity in immature rat brain.

SummaryDNA concentration, weight, protein content, and LDH activity were studied in control and food-deprived rats at 7, 14, and 21 days. As in other studies, the DNA concentration, brain weight, and protein were decreased in the deprived animals.Total brain activity of LDH was less in the food-deprived animals. The LDH activity per cell increased with maturation and was essentially the same in both groups. Increasing total brain activity of LDH during maturation is due to both increased activity per cell and increased numbers of cells.Food deprivation in immature animals results in lowered total brain activity of LDH, primarily because of diminished cell multiplication.The LDH isozyme pattern of development was not affected by food-deprivation despite decreased total LDH activity.
Integrating Experience, Advertising, and Electronic Word of Mouth

This study examines the influence of previous related experience, online advertising, and comments from discussion groups (both positive and negative in tone) on Internet commerce judgments. When past personal experience is favorable, an ad alone is sufficient to produce a favorable brand evaluation. When personal experience is unfavorable, electronic word of mouth influences brand attitude but neither advertising nor word of mouth has any impact on purchase intentions. Finally, it appears that when personal experience is not available, there is a positivity bias toward electronic word-of-mouth communications. Exclusively positive word-of-mouth postings combined with advertising stand out distinctly from advertising combined with either uniformly negative or mixed (positive and negative) word of mouth or advertising alone. Thus, in the complex realm of Internet commerce, significant effects have been found that highlight the importance of electronic word-of-mouth communications.
Cis-syn thymidine dimer repair by DNA photolyase in real time.

DNA photolyase (PL) is a monomeric flavoprotein that repairs cyclobutylpyrimidine dimers (CPDs) via photoinduced electron transfer from a reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor (FADH-) to the bound CPD. We have used subpicosecond UV transient absorption spectroscopy to measure the electron-transfer and repair kinetics of Anacystis nidulans DNA photolyase with dimeric and pentameric oligothymidine substrates. Here we show that the electron-transfer lifetime is 32 ± 20 ps for the pentameric substrate. Repair of the carbon−carbon double bonds (CC) in the CPD is initiated in ∼60 ps, and bond scission appears to be completed by 1500 ps. This suggests that the repair of the two CC bonds proceeds sequentially and that the first bond scission has a much lower activation barrier than the second. Our experiments also suggest that the semiquinone FADH• cofactor is not reduced to its catalytically active FADH- state by substrate after repair but remains in the semiquinone state. In contrast to the longer substr...
The False‐positive Rate of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Shoulder Maneuvers in Healthy Subjects

Objective To estimate the incidence of false-positive findings of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) shoulder maneuvers, Adson's test (AT), costoclavicular maneuver (CCM), elevated arm stress test (EAST), and supraclavicular pressure (SCP) in healthy subjects. Methods A cross-sectional, observational study was performed in a medical school and affiliated emergency medicine residency program setting. Participants included healthy adult volunteers without symptoms of TOS. The shoulder maneuvers AT, CCM, EAST, and SCP were performed in randomized order for 30 sec, 30 sec, 3 min, and 30 sec, respectively. Pulse quality and the presence and timing of pain or paresthesias were assessed. Results 53 subjects were enrolled, including 27 women, aged 29.7 +/- 6.4 years (range 21-58 years). AT, CCM, EAST, and SCP resulted in an altered pulse in 11%, 11%, 62%, and 21%; pain in 0%, 0%, 21%, and 2%; and paresthesias in 11%, 15%, 36%, and 15% of cases, respectively. The following outcomes had reasonable false-positive rates (upper 95% confidence limit): pain with the AT (7%), CCM (7%), SCP (10%), or any 2 TOS shoulder maneuvers (10%); discontinuing the EAST because of symptoms (16%); or any symptom with 3 (13%) or 4 (7%) TOS shoulder maneuvers. Conclusions In a study of TOS shoulder maneuvers in healthy subjects, the outcomes of pulse alteration or paresthesias were unreliable in general. However, TOS shoulder maneuvers have reasonably low false-positive rates when a positive outcome is defined as pain after AT, CCM, or SCP; discontinuation of the EAST secondary to pain; pain in the same arm with > or =2 maneuvers; or any symptom in the same arm with > or =3 maneuvers.
Piezoelectric nanofibers for energy scavenging applications

Nanofiber-based piezoelectric energy generators could be scalable power sources applicable in various electrical devices and systems by scavenging mechanical energy from the environment. This review article highlights recent advances in nanofiber nanogenerators, discusses their operation principles and addresses performance issues including energy conversion efficiencies and possible false artifacts during experimental characterizations. Piezoelectric nanogenerators made of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) or PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and fabricated by means of electrospinning processes such as conventional, modified or near-field electrospinning (NFES) are the key focuses of this paper. Material and structural analyses on fabricated nanofibers using tools such as XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared), SHG (second harmonic generation), PFM (piezoresponse force microscopy) and Raman spectroscopy toward the fundamental characterizations of piezoelectric nanofibers are also described. We summarize the report by highlighting recent nanogenerator developments and future prospects including high power nanogenerators, energy storage/regulation systems and fundamentals on piezoelectricity.
Laparoscopic gastric resection for gastric leiomyoma

Less than 2% of gastric neoplasms that are resected surgically are of smooth-muscle origin. Gastric leiomyomas are not encapsulated, and the distinction of benign from malignant leiomyoma may be difficult. Some of these tumors manifest malignant behavior. The histological basis for the diagnosis of benign or malignant smooth-muscle tumor is not entirely satisfactory, and misclassification occurs in some cases. The aggressiveness of those tumors reported as malignant is usually low, and the term “malignant leiomyoma” is usually used rather than the more ominous “leiomyosarcoma.” A case is presented of a patient with a 4.5-cm leiomyoma of the gastric antrum resected by the laparoscopic approach. Four laparoscopy trocars were used and multiple applications of the Endo-GIA were needed. Satisfactory margins of resection were obtained. The patient made an excellent recovery with minimal pain. She promptly returned to work and full physical activity.
Readily evoked forelimb movement in rat via optogenetic stimulation of motor cortex

Virally transfected optogenetics is emerging as a powerful tool for studying neural circuits and behavior in non-genetically tractable animals. A basic test of this tool is the ability to evoke movement by cortical stimulation. While evoked movements have been reported in transgenic mice, there is concern that optogenetic stimulation has not readily evoked skeletal movements in rat or monkey. Here we show that optogenetics can drive limb movements in rat. We injected AAV vectors with channelrhodopsin-2 into deep layers of rat primary motor cortex (M1). Subsequent optical stimulation of M1 elicted robust limb movements in anesthetized animals; anesthesia rules out the possibility that movement is an indirect behavioral response to the stimulation. Histology shows expression in corticospinal neurons, and movement may have been mediated by direct activation of these cells. Our results suggest two factors that may be critical for optogenetically evoking movements in virally transfected animals: a sparse ( 1200 mW/mm2) in the deep layers (at least 1.1 mm below cortical surface).
Growth of Pancreas and Gastrointestinal Mucosa in Antrectomized and Gastrin-Treated Rats*

Growth responses to endogenous and exogenous gastrin were examined in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract mucosa. Rats were either antrectomized to remove the primary source of endogenous gastrin or subjected to a sham operation. Three weeks after surgery, half of the antrectomized animals were injected ip with pentagastrin (250 μg/day) four times per day. Injections were carried out for a week. Antrectomy resulted in serum gastrin levels approximately one third of normal. DNA synthesis and DNA and RNA content of the pancreas and oxyntic gland, duodenal, and colonic mucosa were significantly reduced by antrectomy. In each case, pentagastrin treatment restored DNA synthesis and RNA and DNA levels to normal. Significant decreases in pancreatic and colonic weights in antrectomized animals were also completely prevented by pentagastrin injection. These results indicate that endogenous gastrin has an important role in the regulation of pancreatic and colonic mucosal growth, in addition to its already estab...
Training practitioners to communicate effectively in cancer care: it is the relationship that counts

The motivation to learn new skills that improve patient care comes from practical experience. Once motivated, trainees and practitioners alike require excellent content and process to modify approaches that improve outcomes. This paper defines content areas the authors believe are needed to improve communication between cancer patients and their practitioners. Perhaps more importantly, the educational process to achieve improved outcomes is discussed and the importance of the context in which that education occurs is stressed. The linkage between administrative behavior and practitioner behavior is described. Synchronicity between the expectations for practitioner practice and the practice environment is needed for practitioners to successfully incorporate the patient-centered practices patients are demanding. Finally, a research agenda is outlined that encourages evaluation of the model proposed.
Evacuating damaged and destroyed buildings on 9/11: Behavioral and structural barriers

Introduction Evacuation of the World Trade Center (WTC) twin towers and surrounding buildings damaged in the September 11, 2001 attacks provides a unique opportunity to study factors that affect emergency evacuation of high rise buildings. Problem The goal of this study is to understand the extent to which structural and behavioral barriers and limitations of personal mobility affected evacuation by occupants of affected buildings on September 11, 2001. METHODS: This analysis included 5,023 civilian, adult enrollees within the World Trade Center Health Registry who evacuated the two World Trade Center towers and over 30 other Lower Manhattan buildings that were damaged or destroyed on September 11, 2001. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict total evacuation time (1 hour to 90% of evacuees reported encountering both types of barriers. Smoke and poor lighting were the most frequently-reported structural barriers. Extreme crowding, lack of communication with officials, and being surrounded by panicked crowds were the most frequently-reported behavioral barriers. Multivariate analyses showed evacuation time to be independently associated with the number of each type of barrier as well as gender (longer times for women), but not with the floor from which evacuation began. After adjustment, personal mobility impairment was not associated with increased evacuation time. CONCLUSION: Because most high-rise buildings have unique designs, infrastructure factors tend to be less predictable than behavioral factors, but both need to be considered in developing emergency evacuation plans in order to decrease evacuation time and, consequently, risk of injury and death during an emergency evacuation. Groeger JL , Stellman SD , Kravitt A , Brackbill RM . Evacuating damaged and destroyed buildings on 9/11: behavioral and structural barriers. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):1-11. Language: en
Preventing bots from playing online games

As multiplayer online gaming gains in economic and social importance, an increasingly large number of players is beginning to rely on bots (automated player agents) to gain unfair advantages in games. In this article we study the problem of restricting participation in online games to human players so they can enjoy the game without interference from the bots. We propose two broad approaches to prevent bots from playing online games. The first consists of seamlessly integrating software-based tests (known as reverse Turing tests or CAPTCHA tests) into online games to tell humans and computers apart. Our second contribution is to propose hardware instantiations of CAPTCHA tests. Our techniques are applicable in a wide variety of online games, from poker to "shoot'em ups." They are cost-effective, immune to cheating, and preserve the human players' enjoyment of each game. We conclude with a discussion of how approaches to deter the use of bots may complement our techniques to detect bots.
Urinary Granulocyte Excretion in Renal Disease: Comments on the Pyrogen Test

In his early studies of the urine sediment and of its significance in renal disease, Addis 1,2 pointed out the need for measuring rate of excretion rather than concentration of formed elements because of the influence of volume, pH, and solute concentration on the latter. Since then sporadic efforts, primarily in England, 3,4 to relate white blood cell excretory rate to urinary tract infection, both as a diagnostic technique and as a means of assessing extent and chronicity of the process, have suggested that such enumeration is indeed more accurate and therefore of greater potential clinical value than the time-honored reporting by high-power field. In a further effort to extend quantitative sediment examination, the pyrogen test was introduced and has been considered helpful in evaluating pyelonephritis. 5,6 This test permits comparison of hourly urinary leukocyte excretion rate before and after the intravenous injection of a standard dose of bacterial endotoxic
Vancomycin Revisited: A Reappraisal of Clinical Use

Vancomycin has been used for decades to treat serious systemic gram positive infections. Extensive use over time has demonstrated vancomycin is not nephrotoxic even when used in high dosage, i.e., twice the usual dose. Since vancomycin is not nephrotoxic, there is no rationale for dosing vancomycin based on serum vancomycin levels. Since vancomycin is eliminated by GFR, vancomycin dosing should be based on creatinine clearance. Vancomycin obeys "concentration dependent" kinetics and higher than usual doses may be useful in some infections (eg, osteomyelitis). Widespread vancomycin use has resulted in increased VRE prevalence worldwide. Among staphylococci, vancomycin induced cell wall thickening results in "permeability mediated" resistance to vancomycin, as well as other anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. "Permeability mediated" resistance accounts for the common clinical observation that MRSA infections treated with vancomycin often resolve slowly or not at all. Other effective MRSA antibiotics are available (eg, linezolid, daptomycin, minocycline, or tigecycline) and are more reliably effective, do not increase staphylococcal resistance or increase VRE prevalence.
Reducing Parkinsonian Hand Tremor With a Novel Dynamic Eating Utensil

The work presented here details the modeling, fabrication, testing, and analysis of a dynamic eating utensil designed to reduce hand tremors in subjects with Parkinson’s disease. Most of the current work addressing this problem has been invasive, using medicine or electrical brain stimulation for example. Here, an analysis is presented on the nature of the tremor. This is then used to develop a multi degree-of-freedom analytic model for the forearm/wrist/utensil system. Experiments were performed to identify model form and parameters and theory is presented which allowed for optimized system design. A physical model of the hand/wrist system was developed for testing utensil prototypes in controlled experiment. Ultimately iterative human subject testing validated the design decisions, providing both hard data and survey results to shape the final product. In addition to general performance, special consideration is given to the engineering design parameters and those established by the candidates for ease of use. Specifically, the device presented here outperforms its predecessors in cost, manufacturability, and usability. Additionally, an option for easy user tuning makes the device appropriate for a large host of tremor sufferers. Quantitative and qualitative results indicating the overall effectiveness are presented with the design.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Health-related profiles of people with lower limb loss.

Abstract Objectives To construct profiles of self-reported health indicators to examine differences and similarities between people with lower limb loss and a normative sample (hereafter called the norm) and to compare health indicators between subgroups based on level and etiology of limb loss. Design Survey. Setting General community. Participants Adults with unilateral lower limb loss (N=1091) participated in this study. Eligibility criteria included lower limb loss due to trauma or dysvascular complications and regular use of a prosthesis. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-item Health Profile version 1.0 measures physical function, pain interference, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with participation in social roles. The norm includes 5239 individuals representative of the U.S. general population in sex, age, race, ethnicity, and education. Results People with lower limb loss reported statistically significantly worse physical function, pain interference, and satisfaction with participation in social roles and significantly less fatigue than did the norm. People with transfemoral (ie, above-knee) amputation significantly differed in physical function from people with transtibial (ie, below-knee) amputation. Similarly, people with amputation due to trauma and dysvascular etiology significantly differed in physical function and satisfaction with social roles after adjusting for relevant clinical characteristics. Conclusions People with lower limb loss generally report worse physical function, pain interference, and satisfaction with social roles than do the norm. People with dysvascular amputation reported worse physical function and satisfaction with social roles than did people with traumatic amputation. Health indicator profiles are an efficient way of providing clinically meaningful information about numerous aspects of self-reported health in people with lower limb loss.
The relationship of lexical proficiency to the quality of ESL compositions

Abstract The extent to which impartial readers take into account lexical richness and lexical errors when assigning a quality score to compositions written by learners in an intensive English program is discussed in this article. For placement purposes into both ESL programs and academic programs, the writing of these students is often assessed by anonymous readers who base their judgments on timed writing tasks. Much remains to be known, however, about the relationship between language proficiency, specifically lexical proficiency, and reader judgments of the overall quality of timed essays. This study reports on the role of the lexical component as one factor in holistic scoring. Sixty-six placement essays written by students from mixed language backgrounds in the intermediate to advanced range of an intensive English program were holistically scored. These quality scores were then compared to four lexical richness measures: lexical variation, error-free variation, percentage of lexical error, and lexical density. High, significant correlations were found for (a) lexical variation, that is, the ratio of the number of different lexical items to the total number of lexical items in the essay adjusted to length; and (b) lexical variation minus error. The latter measure, error-free variation, correlated best with score.
Performance of a Superconducting Accelerator Structure with a Modified Geometry

A 2.4 m long superconducting niobium 1300 MHz disk loaded accelerator structure whose cell geometry was modified to reduce its sensitivity to one-point multipacting was constructed and tested. The structure has a maximum cw energy gradient for electrons of 2.3 MeV/m and an unloaded Q of 9 × 108 at this field, both of which are satisfactory. The structure appears to be less sensitive to one-point multipacting; however, this result is not conclusive because of a small helium leak in the structure. We have also found that structures which undergo large multipactor frequency shifts can be operated successfully in a pulsed-off mode.
Identification of the optical isomers of the amino acids in Polysphondylium violaceum acrasin

Abstract Using optically specific enzymes on the hydrolysate of glorin, we show the structure of natural glorin to be: N-propionyl-γ-L-glutamyl-L-ornithine-δ-lactam ethyl ester
Nursing diagnosis and the effectiveness initiative.

Through the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) was established as the successor to the National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment (NCHSR). Under the auspices of the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care, AHCPR is responsible for developing and updating guidelines to be used in the management of clinical conditions. This is being accomplished through AHCPR's Medical Treatment Effectiveness Program (MEDTEP). MEDTEP's purpose is to improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of health care services by determining the effects of health care practices, including nursing practices on patient outcomes. MEDTEP is focusing on four sets of activities: guideline development, dissemination of research findings, data base development, and effectiveness and outcomes research.
How True It Is = Who Says It’s True

This is a largely expository paper in which the following simple idea is pursued. Take the truth value of a formula to be the set of agents that accept the formula as true. This means we work with an arbitrary (finite) Boolean algebra as the truth value space. When this is properly formalized, complete modal tableau systems exist, and there are natural versions of bisimulations that behave well from an algebraic point of view. There remain significant problems concerning the proper formalization, in this context, of natural language statements, particularly those involving negative knowledge and common knowledge. A case study is presented which brings these problems to the fore. None of the basic material presented here is new to this paper—all has appeared in several papers over many years, by the present author and by others. Much of the development in the literature is more general than here—we have confined things to the Boolean case for simplicity and clarity. Most proofs are omitted, but several of the examples are new. The main virtue of the present paper is its coherent presentation of a systematic point of view—identify the truth value of a formula with the set of those who say the formula is true.
Incorporating support constraints into nonparametric estimators of densities

Let fn ∗ (x) be the usual Parzen-Rosenblatt kernel estimator of the pdf f of a random variable X based on a sample X1,…,Xn from X.In many practical applications,it is knownt hat X>c and/or X<d for given constants c and d.Additionally, one might know the values of(c)and/or f(d).“mirrorimage”and“tieddown”modifications of fn ∗incorporate this additional information into an estimator fn which has support [c,d].This estimatoris interpreted in a manner which allows one to use most of the known convergence properties of kernel estimates in studying the behavior of fn.
Prevalence and co-colonization with group b streptococcus (Gbs) Among heterosexual college couples.

Abstract PURPOSE: Maternal colonization with GBS is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. While GBS transmission is assumed to be fecal-oral or person-to-person direct contact including possible sexual transmission, risk factors for colonization and carriage are poorly described. Basic descriptive epidemiologic information is needed in order to implement a prevention program such as the development of an effective vaccine. METHODS: As part of a study of heterosexual transmission of urinary tract infection (UTI), we describe the prevalence and co-colonization of GBS among college couples. Self-collected vaginal, urine and rectal specimens were cultured from women with UTI and their current sex partners (“case couples”), and from women without UTI and their current sex partners (“control couples”). RESULTS: Thirty-four percent (98/285) of case women and 31% (56/182) of control women had at least one GBS isolate. 25% (45/177) of case men and 26% (32/122) of control men had at least one GBS isolate. Given that GBS was present in one partner, 45% of case (34/75) and 57% of control (24/42) couples were co-colonized. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, GBS isolates shared within couples were identical in most cases, but PFGE patterns differed across couples. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of GBS is high among sexually active college students and sexual contact is associated with increased transmission.
Behavior of chronically decerebrated kittens.

Abstract Kittens were decerebrated within 1 wk after birth and the subsequent development of functional capacity of these mesencephalic animals was observed for up to 2 mo. The only detectable immediate deficit was that sucking behavior was abolished. Ingestion of solid foods and lapping of milk, however, developed at weaning age. These were reflex in nature and and required contact of the lips with the food. Development of temperature regulation was impaired only slightly. Auditory reflexes, placing reactions, defense reactions, and many other types of behavior except visual recognition and socialization developed in nearly normal chronological order. In most animals some aspects of behavior were exaggerated. Hyperkinesis, hypermetria, compulsive climbing, and exaggerated prey behavior were frequently observed. The findings suggest that many aspects of behavior and regulatory processes generally thought to be organized primarily in the prosencephalon originate instead in the mesencephalon and more caudal structures and, during ontogeny, become increasingly dependent upon subsequently developing descending synaptic inputs.
The impaired hindlimb revascularization of Id1+/−, Id3−/− mutant supports a role for bone-marrow derived progenitor cells in physiologic neovascularization

Abstract Introduction: Increasing evidence suggests the importance of bone-marrow derived progenitor cells in angiogenesis. However, the exact role of the progenitor cells in hindlimb revascularization is unknown. In order to determine if endothelial progenitor cells are necessary for hindlimb revascularization, we used Id1+/−, Id3−/− mutant mouse model, that has previously been described to have impaired mobilization of bone-marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells, and therefore fails to vascularize tumor and matrigel implants. Methods: Hindlimb ischemia was induced in both Id mutant and C57Bl/6 mice by excision of the left femoral artery. Hindlimb perfusion recovery was serially measured by laser doppler perfusion imaging scanning at 3,7,14,21 and 28 days after induction of ischemia. Hindlimb muscle was harvested 7 days after inducion of ischemia, and was analyzed by histology. Results: Throughout the course of recovery, Id mutants exhibited lower blood flow than that of the control mice. At post-operative day 28, the ratio of ischemic/normal blood flow in the mutants (0.370 +/− 0.050) indicated significantly lower hindlimb perfusion compared with that of the control (0.589 +/− 0.052, P Conclusions: Hindlimb revascularization is significantly impaired in Id mutnt mice, supporting a role for bone-marrow derived progenitor cells in physiologic neovascularization. These results have important implication for development of therapy to treat critical limb ischemia.
Lipid rafts play an important role in Aβ biogenesis by regulating the β-secretase pathway

The Alzheimer’s amyloid β protein (Aβ) precursor (APP) is proteolytically cleaved by β-secretase to N- and C-terminal fragments sAPPβ and CTFβ, respectively. Subsequently, CTFβ is cleaved by γ-secretase to generate Aβ. We previously showed that the levels of secreted Aβ and sAPPβ were significantly reduced upon removal of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins from either primary brain cells or Chinese hamster ovary cultures. The results indicated that GPI-anchored proteins facilitated β-secretase activity. In this report, we strengthen the previous findings by demonstrating that CTFβ, like a sAPPβ, is also reduced upon removal of GPI-anchored proteins and that sAPPβ does not accumulate in an intracellular compartment. This facilitation pathway does not appear to be important for the processing of a disease-linked mutant form of APP (670NL), known to be a superior β-secretase substrate. A novel aspartyl protease, BACE, responsible for β-secretase activity in the brain is not GPI-anchored. However, BACE in brain membranes accumulate in lipid rafts, a compartment marked by the accumulation of GPI-anchored proteins. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that BACE interacts with GPI-anchored proteins that facilitate its activity possibly by chaperoning it into lipid rafts.