cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relaxing decision criteria does not improve recognition memory in amnesic patients.

An important question about the organization of memory is whether information available in nondeclarative memory can contribute to performance on tasks of declarative memory. Dorfman, Kihlstrom, Cork, and Misiaszek (1995) described a circumstance in which the phenomenon of priming might benefit recognition memory performance. They reported that patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy improved their recognition performance when they were encouraged to relax their criteria for endorsing test items as familiar. It was suggested that priming improved recognition by making information available about the familiarity of test items. In three experiments, we sought unsuccessfully to reproduce this phenomenon in amnesic patients. In Experiment 3, we reproduced the methods and procedure used by Dorfman et al. but still found no evidence for improved recognition memory following the manipulation of decision criteria. Although negative findings have their own limitations, our findings suggest that the phenomenon reported by Dorfman et al. does not generalize well. Our results agree with several recent findings that suggest that priming is independent of recognition memory and does not contribute to recognition memory scores.
Characteristic Induction Motor Slip Values for Variable Voltage Part Load Performances Optimization

Minimum input power and maximum efficiency occur at a characteristic optimum slip value which can be calculated for any induction motor using methods described. Efficiency is shown to be independent of output power when a variable voltage controller reduces the voltage approximately as the square root of the load torque to maintain the required slip during part load operation. Saturation effects do not significantly change these results.
Structure and magnetism of the R2Fe14−xCoxB ferrimagnetic systems (R = Dy and Er)☆

Abstract R2Fe14−xCoxB ferrimagnetic systems (R = Dy and Er) have been synthesized and studied by X-ray and magnetometry methods to determine the lattice parameters, Curie temperatures, saturation magnetizations, anisotropy fields and spin-reorientation temperatures. It has been established that the single phase materials, exhibiting a tetragonal crystal structure, can be formed in the Dy-based system only for x ⩽ 8, while in the Er-based system only for x ⩽ 5. An average increase of the Curie temperature of 58 K per one substituted Fe atom by Co is observed for both systems (x ⩽ 5). A characteristic maximum in composition dependence of the saturation magnetizations at 295 K is found for x ≃ 2, although this is less pronounced than in light rare earth-based Co-substituted systems. The composition dependencies of the anisotropy fields for the Dy-based system at 77 and 295 K show distinct maxima for low Co concentrations and a sharp decrease for higher Co content. The spin-reorientation temperature for the Er-based system is shifted towards higher temperatures by the Co substitution. A brief comparison between ferro- and ferrimagnetic R2Fe14−xCoxB systems is included.
Combining individual and cooperative learning for multi-agent negotiations

In this paper, we propose a distributed multi-strategy learning methodology based on case-based reasoning in which an agent conducts both individual learning by observing its environment and cooperative learning by interacting with its neighbors. Cooperative learning is generally more expensive than individual learning due to the communication and processing overhead. Thus, our methodology employs a cautious utility-based adaptive mechanism to combine the two, an interaction protocol for soliciting and exchanging information, and the idea of a chronological casebase. Here we report on experimental results on the roles and effects of the methodology in a multiagent environment.
Minimizing total tardiness subject to manpower restriction in labor-intensive manufacturing cells

Abstract This paper focuses on two major issues in cellular manufacturing, namely manpower allocation and cell loading. Although significant work has been done in both of these fields, research to minimize the Total Tardiness (TT) within a multi-cell environment has been limited. The methodology adopted in this paper is a two-step one. First, manpower allocation for operations within a cell is determined using mathematical models. This step also includes variations of the mathematical model for sharing of operators between operations and sharing of operators with restrictions. The models with little or no restrictions have found to yield a higher production rate than the model with no operator sharing allowed. The next step involves a mathematical model for cell loading. The performance measure examined in this phase is the total tardiness subject to total Crew Size restriction. The total tardiness is reduced as the total crew size increases. However, it was also found that selection of alternative cell configurations affect the results as well total crew size.
Characterization of epidermal growth factor binding to hepatic plasma membranes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Abstract Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen which exerts its effects through a transmembrane receptor located on target cells. Since little is known about EGF in non-mammalian animals, experiments were conducted to characterize the EGF receptor in rainbow trout hepatic cell membranes. The binding of mouse EGF with rainbow trout receptors was peptide-specific, saturable, reversible, and of high affinity. Optimal binding was observed at pH 7.2. Both monovalent and divalent cations augmented the specific binding of EGF, by a factor of two- to threefold over control values, but were not needed for binding to occur. Scatchard plot of the saturation data was curvilinear. Analysis of the data by kinetic methods indicated the curvilinear nature of the Scatchard plot was due to multiple receptor sites of differing affinity and not to site-to-site interactions. Rate constants for association (K11) were 9.38 × 108 M−1 ∗ min−1 and 2.28 × 107 M−1 ∗ min−1 for the high and low affinity sites, respectively. Rate constants for dissociation (K−1) were 2.03 × 10−3 min−1 and 2.07 × 10−1 min−1 for high and low affinity sites, respectively. The apparent dissociation constants determined from the rate constants for the high affinity (KD = 2.3 × 10−11 M) and low affinity (KD = 9.1 × 10−9 M) were in agreement with constants estimated by equilibrium methods. Maximum binding capacities were 13 fmol EGF bound/mg protein of protein and 270 fmol EGF bound/mg of protein for the high and low affinity receptor sites, respectively. These experiments support the hypothesis that the EGF-receptor system has been evolutionarily conserved.
Contextualizing digital technology within the professional communication classroom

Professional communication has undergone a paradigmatic shift with the incorporation of digital technology such as ePubs into its instruction and practice. With these newer forms of professional communication come a new set of programmatic problems for educators: problems in receiving funding for the expensive technology necessary to create them; problems in finding the training necessary to prepare instructors to teach technologies that they themselves never received formal instruction in; and problems in supporting both the classroom and workplace instruction of these types of technical communication. Businesses, professional organizations, and even textbook publishing companies have begun to replace the traditional educational experience to answer this need. In addition to these problems, these new forms of professional communication require new methods of evaluation and assessment. In measuring the institutional and programmatic effectiveness of instruction in a rapidly changing, technology-intensive field is something professional communication programs may need to look closely at the assessment methodologies of other technology fields such as computer science and engineering technology.
HOW TEACHERS' USES OF TECHNOLOGY VARY BY TENURE AND LONGEVITY

In spite of large expenditures on and increased access to educational technologies, a concern remains that computer-based technologies are not being integrated into regular instructional practices. While there is evidence to support the hypothesis that newer teachers’ familiarity with technology leads to increased technology integration, a question remains about whether technology use is not only related to the number of years they have been in the teaching professional, but also the number of years they have been teaching at their current school. To examine this issue, this research presents the findings from the analysis of survey data collected from the 2,864 teachers. The data show that the relationship between technology use, the amount of time teachers have been teaching throughout their career, and the number of years they have been at their current school varies according to the ways in which technology use is defined. This article discusses the variety of relationships that were observed in the data and their implications for pre-service and in-service teacher training.
Formation of an F′ Plasmid by Recombination between Imperfectly Repeated Chromosomal Rep Sequences: a Closer Look at an Old Friend (F′128 pro lac)

Plasmid F′128 was formed by an exchange between chromosomal Rep sequences that placed lac near dinB between many pairs of Rep sequences. Plasmid F′128 is critical for selection-enhanced lac reversion (adaptive mutation), which requires prior lac amplification. The structure of F′128 supports the idea that amplification is initiated by Rep-Rep recombination and that general mutagenesis requires coamplification of dinB (error-prone polymerase) with lac.
Theory of the magnetic anisotropy and nuclear magnetic resonance of europium iron garnet

The magnetic anisotropy of europium iron garnet is caused by the combined effect of the crystalline field and anisotropic exchange, of which the latter proves to be the more important. Most of the parameters required for the analysis are derived in part A from the available experimental results on nuclear magnetic resonance, spectroscopy, magnetization and Mossbauer technique. The exchange parameters $G$$\_{n}^{m}$, $n$ $\geq $ 4 (i.e. fourth and higher degree harmonics) cannot be obtained in this manner. When their values are set equal to zero the magnetic anisotropy constant $K$$\_{1}$ (or rather $K$$\_{1}$ + $\frac{1}{3}$K$\_{2}$) coincides in sign and order of magnitude with the experimental result. From the present study, it becomes apparent that the value of $K$$\_{1}$ is very sensitive to small changes in the parameters $G$$\_{4}^{m}$. Consequently the calculations are repeated for different values of the $G$$\_{4}^{m}$ and it is then possible to satisfy simultaneously the experimental values of $K$$\_{1}$ + $\frac{1}{3}$K$_{2}$ and the available results on the ferromagnetic resonance of Eu i.g. (to be discussed in another paper). The formulae used to derive from the experimental results the parameters required in the calculation are presented in part B, together with a critical discussion of those used to describe the nuclear magnetic resonance of Eu in Eu i.g. The only apparent inconsistency in the theory relates to the quadrupolar substructure in the n.m.r. when averaged over the three principal local axes. It is half as large as predicted theoretically and the discrepancy cannot be blamed on higher order harmonics or uncertainty in the parameters. A possible explanation could be unexpectedly large biquadratic superexchange.
A new method based on LPP and NSGA-II for multiobjective robust collaborative optimization

The multiobjective robust collaborative optimization framework consists of optimization both at the system and autonomous subsystem levels. Linear physical programming is used in the system level optimization, which avoids the difficulty in choosing the multidimensional Pareto set. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used in the subsystem optimization with physical objectives. The interdisciplinary incompatibility function and physical objectives have different priority levels. At the first priority level, the best individual should be in the feasible region of the subsystem. At the second priority level, the interdisciplinary incompatibility function of the best individual should be no more than the feasibility threshold. The physical objectives are improved after the achievement of the above levels. A method for producing initial population with feasibility and diversity is proposed to improve the calculation efficiency and accuracy of the subsystem optimization at the first priority level. A method for setting dynamic feasibility threshold is proposed for the non-dominated sorting to help the physical objectives to obtain better solutions at the second priority level. Finally, the results of the speed reducer show that the presented method is efficient.
Integrity of chromatin and replicating DNA in nuclei released from fission yeast by semi-automated grinding in liquid nitrogen

Studies of nuclear function in many organisms, especially those with tough cell walls, are limited by lack of availability of simple, economical methods for large-scale preparation of clean, undamaged nuclei.
Selenium as a Cancer Preventive Agent

Most epidemiological studies have shown inverse associations of selenium (Se) status and cancer risk; almost all experimental animal studies have shown that supranutritional exposures of Se can reduce tumor yield; and each of the limited number of clinical intervention trials conducted to date has found Se treatment to be associated with reductions in cancer risks. The known metabolic functions of Se, which appear to be discharged by a fairly small number of selenoproteins may not fully explain these effects, particularly those observed in response to Se-supplementation of non-deficient subjects. Emerging evidence indicates anticarcinogenic roles of at least some selenoproteins, namely, those involved in antioxidant protection (the glutathione peroxidases), redox regulation (the thioredoxin reductases) and hormonal regulation of metabolism (iodothyronine 5’-deiodinases). The fact that abundant empirical evidence has shown anti-carcinogenic effects of Se in individuals with apparently full selenoenzyme expression suggests other mechanisms with relevance to non-deficient populations. Certain Se-metabolites (hydrogen selenide, methylselenol, seleno-diglutathione) can be anti-carcinogenic by inhibiting cell proliferation, stimulating cell death by apoptosis, and inhibiting neoangiogenesis. Therefore, while the hypothesis remains plausible that Se-deprivation may increase cancer risk by compromising selenoprotein expression, there is strong support for the hypothesis that supranutritional exposures to Se can reduce cancer risk. These hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, and it is likely that Se can function as a cancer preventive agent through both nutritional and supranutritional mechanisms.
Patch panels in the sky: a case for free-space optics in data centers

We explore the vision of an all-wireless inter-rack datacenter fabric. Such a fabric, if realized, can offer operator the ability to dynamically reconfigure the network topology to adapt to future traffic demands while eliminating concerns related to cabling complexity. A key enabler for our vision is the use of free space optical (FSO) technology which, in contrast to traditional wireless/RF technologies, has lower interference footprint, can support longer range, and offers higher bandwidths. While FSO is an enabler, there are several significant practical challenges that need to be addressed before this vision turns into reality. We demonstrate the early promise of addressing these challenges and the potential benefits that this offers in comparison to state-of-the-art datacenter architectures.
A Q-learning approach to automated unmanned air vehicle demining

This paper develops a novel Q-learning approach to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation, or path planning, for sensing applications in which an infrared (IR) sensor or camera is installed onboard the UAV for the purpose of detecting and classifying multiple, stationary ground targets. The main advantage of this approach over existing path planning techniques is that the optimal guidance policy is learned via the Q-function, without explicit knowledge of the system models and environmental conditions. As a result, the onboard guidance algorithm can adapt to different sensors, vehicle dynamics, and environmental conditions, without designer intervention, and without the need for accurate modeling of every system component. The approach is demonstrated through a demining application in which a UAV-based IR sensor is capable of determining the optimal altitude for properly detecting and classifying targets buried in a complex region of interest.
Conservative confidence intervals of importance sampling estimates

Confidence intervals (CI) are used to gauge the accuracy of bit error rate estimates produced by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. This work attempts to objectively evaluate the performance of important sampling (IS) simulations by applying the same statistical analysis tool. While it is not possible to evaluate the minimum size CI for arbitrary IS estimates, it is possible to over-bound the interval using a technique called conservative confidence interval (CCI) estimation. This bounding procedure is applied to a simple IS biasing technique. While the IS estimate may be superior to the MC estimate, the CCI fails to support this claim. >
Simple Explanations of Turnout Decline

Several recent studies have claimed to explain the post-1960 decline in U.S. presidential and congressional election turnout in terms of just a few variables. Abramson and Aldrich (1982) attribute the great bulk of the decline to aggregate declines in partisanship and political efficacy. Shaffer (1981) attributes still more of the decline to aggregate decreases in these same two variables plus age and following the campaign in the newspapers. And Kleppner (1982) attributes “virtually all” of the decline to aggregate decreases in the first three of these variables. We show how these studies measure explanation too generously and how the very short-handedness of their models makes them seem more successful than they are. These few variables, we conclude, leave most of the decline unexplained.
γ-Zirconium Phosphate as a Cs-Waste Form for Partitioned Wastes

..gamma..-zirconium phosphate (..gamma..-ZrP), ..gamma..-Zr(HPO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ . 2H/sub 2/O is an extremely selective cesium ion sieve for nuclear waste solutions. Because of its layer structure, the adsorbed Cs can be directly fixed in ..gamma..-ZrP by collapsing the layers upon heat treatment. Fixation of 96 and 98% of the adsorbed Cs was achieved by simple heat treatment at 350/sup 0/C and 600/sup 0/C respectively. Thus, heat treatment of this ..gamma..-ZrP leads to a good radiophase with good leach resistance. Cs sorbed ..gamma..-ZrP can also be converted to CsZr/sub 2/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/ (sodium zirconium phosphate (NZP) radiophase) by sintering with ammonium monobasic phosphate and zirconyl nitrate at about 850/sup 0/C. Thus, ..gamma..-ZrP serves as a precursor to CsZr/sub 2/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/ radiophase which has comparable leach resistance to other phases under consideration for radio-Cs immobilization.
Interactions of Hylastes species (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) with Leptographium species associated with loblolly pine decline.

Hylastes spp. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) were evaluated as potential vectors of Leptographium spp. fungi. Bark beetles were trapped from stands of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., exhibiting a range of decline symptoms in central Alabama. Under controlled conditions, field-collected adult Hylastes salebrosus Eichoff (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and Hylastes tenuis Eichoff (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), which had been surface-sterilized and inoculated with Leptographium terebrantis Barras & Perry and Leptographium serpens (Goid.) Wingfield, transmitted the fungi into 100% of wounded and unwounded loblolly root sections with which they were confined. None of the sterilized and uninoculated beetles transmitted any Leptographium spp. to roots. Significantly more H. salebrosus and H. tenuis brood emerged from roots infected with Leptographium species than from sterile roots, indicating an enhancement of Hylastes reproduction.
Limiting lumens: a new role for Cdc42

The formation of a single lumen is a necessary step in the formation of biological tubes. Different tissues have developed diverse ways to form their lumens. In this issue, Jaffe et al. (Jaffe, A.B., N. Kaji, J. Durgan, and A. Hall. 2008. J. Cell Biol. 183:625–633) report the development of an in vitro system for studying lumen formation that is driven by fluid transport, recapitulating intestinal lumen formation. Effective ion and fluid transport requires both cell polarity and proper tissue organization. Surprisingly, polarization of cells in this three-dimensional system does not require Cdc42. Instead, Cdc42 prevents formation of multiple lumens by orienting cell divisions and directing apical membrane biogenesis.
Predicting Spring Tornado Activity in the Central Great Plains by 1 March

AbstractThe authors illustrate a statistical model for predicting tornado activity in the central Great Plains by 1 March. The model predicts the number of tornado reports during April–June using February sea surface temperature (SST) data from the Gulf of Alaska (GAK) and the western Caribbean Sea (WCA). The model uses a Bayesian formulation where the likelihood on the counts is a negative binomial distribution and where the nonstationarity in tornado reporting is included as a trend term plus first-order autocorrelation. Posterior densities for the model parameters are generated using the method of integrated nested Laplacian approximation (INLA). The model yields a 51% increase in the number of tornado reports per degree Celsius increase in SST over the WCA and a 15% decrease in the number of reports per degree Celsius increase in SST over the GAK. These significant relationships are broadly consistent with a physical understanding of large-scale atmospheric patterns conducive to severe convective stor...
Design and comparison of advanced semiconductor devices using computer experiments: application to APDs and HEMTs

A computer experimental procedure that is useful for studying the behavior of advanced semiconductor devices that contain nonlinear effects is discussed. The approach draws on previous work in modeling avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) based on an ensemble Monte Carlo model. An overall approach to modeling these devices that emphasizes the built-in controls and the importance of bootstrapping the model is presented. The approach is not limited only to APDs and HEMTs, however, because virtually any semiconductor device can be successfully modeled following this procedure. As a means of illustrating the usefulness of this technique, previous device calculations are reviewed and new results are presented. Computer experiments that either compare the performances of different device designs or permit the optimization of an existing structure are presented. Specifically, the optimal operating point of a GaAs/AlGaAs-doped quantum-well APD is bracketed. >
Basic Cardiac Surgery Skills on Sale for $22.50: An Aortic Anastomosis Simulation Curriculum

Background Current resident and student duty-hour restrictions necessitate efficient training, which may be aided by simulation. Data on the utility of low-cost simulation in cardiothoracic surgery are scant. We evaluated the effect and value of a low-cost, low-fidelity aortic anastomosis simulation curriculum. Methods Twenty participants (11 medical students, 9 residents) completed an aortic anastomosis on a porcine heart as a pretest. Participants were then provided access to a 14-minute online video created by a cardiac surgeon and given a low-cost task trainer for self-directed practice. Five weeks later, participants performed another aortic anastomosis on a porcine heart as a posttest. Pretest and posttest performances were filmed, deidentified, and graded blindly and independently by two cardiac surgeons using a standardized assessment tool (perfect score, 110; passing score, 58 or higher). Participants were surveyed anonymously after the posttest. Results The mean (SD) aortic anastomosis performance score improved significantly from pretest (53.3 [25.3]) to posttest (83.6 [15.3]; p p p = 0.01). All 20 participants reported improved confidence in performing the task, and 18 believed that the online video was essential to better performance. The cost of the curriculum totaled $22.50 per participant, with 6 hours of total staff time required for assessment. Conclusions An aortic anastomosis training and simulation curriculum improves the skills of student and resident trainees with minimal expense and staff time commitment. Such a curriculum may be of great value to both cardiothoracic training programs and their trainees.
Models of respiratory rhythm generation in the pre-Bötzinger complex. III. Experimental tests of model predictions

We used the testable predictions of mathematical models proposed by Butera et al. to evaluate cellular, synaptic, and population-level components of the hypothesis that respiratory rhythm in mammal...
Impact of channel conditions on the throughput optimization in 802.11 DCF: Research Articles

In this paper, we evaluate the impact of transmission error rate on the contention and the system throughput in IEEE 802.11 DCF. We identify the trade-off between the desire to reduce the ratio of overhead in the data packet by adopting larger packet size and the need to reduce the packet error rate by using smaller packet length. Meanwhile, we provide a novel approach to model the different channel conditions incurred by different nodes. This work has applications in performance optimization by establishing trade-offs between transmission error rate and transmission power, modulation, coding scheme, packet size. Our results substantiate the intuition that in a contention-based system like 802.11 DCF, the channel variation of any single node in the system not only impacts the throughput of itself, but also affects the throughput of other nodes and the system throughput. Our work shows that to achieve maximum optimization of the throughput, the channel conditions of all the nodes in the system have to be taken into account. Otherwise the optimization is suboptimal. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroimaging Features of Type II Alexander Disease

Investigators from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, retrospectively identified 13 patients with type II Alexander disease (AxD) evaluated from Jan 1996 to Feb 2012.
Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching and Single-Molecule Tracking Measurements of Anisotropic Diffusion within Identical Regions of a Cylinder-Forming Diblock Copolymer Film

This work demonstrates ensemble and single-molecule diffusion measurements within identical regions of a cylinder-forming polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (PS-b-PEO) film using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and single-molecule tracking (SMT). A PS-b-PEO film (∼4 μm thick) with aligned cylindrical PEO microdomains containing 10 μM sulforhodamine B (SRB) was prepared by directional solvent-vapor penetration (SVP) of 1,4-dioxane. The ensemble diffusion behavior of SRB in the microdomains was assessed in FRAP studies of circular photobleached regions (∼7 μm in diameter). The SRB concentration was subsequently reduced by additional photobleaching, and the diffusion of individual SRB molecules was explored using SMT in the identical area (∼16 × 16 μm(2)). The FRAP data showed anisotropic fluorescence recovery, yielding the average microdomain orientation. The extent of fluorescence recovery observed (∼90%) demonstrated long-range microdomain connectivity, while the recovery time dependence provided an ensemble measurement of the SRB diffusion coefficient within the cylindrical microdomains. The SMT data exhibited one-dimensional diffusion of individual SRB molecules along the SVP direction across the entire film thickness, as consistent with the FRAP results. Importantly, the average of the single-molecule diffusion coefficients was close to the value obtained from FRAP in the identical area. In some cases, SMT offered smaller diffusion coefficients than FRAP, possibly due to contributions from SRB molecules confined within short PEO microdomains. The implementation of FRAP and SMT measurements in identical areas provides complementary information on molecular diffusion with minimal influence of sample heterogeneity, permitting direct comparison of ensemble and single-molecule diffusion behavior.
From Formlessness to Structure? The Institutionalization of Competitive Party Systems in Africa:

Giovanni Sartori once described African party systems as “formless.” Our contribution challenges this view in an era of resurgent multipartism that swept through the subcontinent in the early 1990s and continues until today. The article brings together contemporary research on African party systems with the wider disciplinary literature on party system institutionalization. Using a data set including all continuous election sequences in Africa from 1950 to 2008, we find that Africa has some of the most volatile party systems ever recorded and yet, tremendous diversity across regimes. We test the relative impact of political institutions, economic performance, the history of party system development, and social cleavage structure on party system institutionalization in Africa. We find that its party systems have been shaped by a set of factors unique to the subcontinent, but some of the general global patterns of party system development hold true in Africa as well.
Method for calculating harmonic current limits considering a load coincidence factor

Determining harmonic current limits for nonlinear loads is the fundamental of harmonic evaluation and mitigation,hence it is very important to design an appropriate approach.Based on the national standard GB/T 14549-93 and IEC standard 61000-3-6,the relationship between the power supply equipment capacity at the point of common coupling(PCC) and the customer electricity capacity agreed is first formulated.Then,the coincidence factor in the IEC standard is carefully examined.The concept of employing the coincidence factor in the national standard is proposed and a new method of determining the harmonic current limits is presented.The proposed method is demonstrated by both of the national standard GB/T 14549-93 and IEC standard 61000-3-6,as well as measuring data of harmonic currents in an actual power system.
Ileal Conduit and Cystectomy: A 10-Year Retrospective Study of Ileal Conduits Performed in Conjunction with Cystectomy and with a Minimum 5-Year Followup

AbstractA 10-year retrospective study was done on 55 patients with primary carcinoma of the bladder who underwent cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion. The 5-year survival rate was 52 per cent for patients with stages O, A and Bl tumors, 45 per cent for those with stages B2 and C tumors and 0 per cent for those with stage D tumors. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had the worst prognosis, with no patients surviving more than 2 years.Operative mortality rate was 8.9 per cent and all deaths occurred in patients undergoing radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The operative mortality in this group was 16 per cent, versus no mortality in 24 patients undergoing simple cystectomy. Since no patient with positive pelvic nodes lived more than 20 months postoperatively there appears to be little justification in recommending routine pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with operable bladder carcinoma.We believe that preoperative radiation added to the morbidity rate and increased the incidenc...
Consensus on the immunological defence of pertussis

百日咳(pertussis,whooping cough)是由百日咳杆菌引起的急性呼吸道传染病.临床表现以阵发性痉挛性咳嗽,咳嗽终末伴有鸡鸣样吸气性吼声和外周血淋巴细胞增多为特征.由于病程可长达2～3个月,故名"百日咳".婴儿和重症患者易并发肺炎、脑病等.随着百日咳疫苗的普及预防接种等措施,其发病率明显下降,但至今尚未在全球控制.近年来,全球百日咳发病出现明显的上升趋势,尤其是在疫苗覆盖率较高的澳大利亚、法国、英国、美国等经济发达国家,屡有局部暴发或流行的报道,通常将此现象称之为百日咳再现(reemergence of pertussis)[1]。
Semiempirical Modeling of Ag Nanoclusters: New Parameters for Optical Property Studies Enable Determination of Double Excitation Contributions to Plasmonic Excitation.

Quantum mechanical studies of Ag nanoclusters have shown that plasmonic behavior can be modeled in terms of excited states where collectivity among single excitations leads to strong absorption. However, new computational approaches are needed to provide understanding of plasmonic excitations beyond the single-excitation level. We show that semiempirical INDO/CI approaches with appropriately selected parameters reproduce the TD-DFT optical spectra of various closed-shell Ag clusters. The plasmon-like states with strong optical absorption comprise linear combinations of many singly excited configurations that contribute additively to the transition dipole moment, whereas all other excited states show significant cancellation among the contributions to the transition dipole moment. The computational efficiency of this approach allows us to investigate the role of double excitations at the INDO/SDCI level. The Ag cluster ground states are stabilized by slight mixing with doubly excited configurations, but th...
U (super 6+) minerals and inorganic phases; a comparison and hierarchy of crystal structures

AssrRAcr A hierarchical structural classification is developed for Utu minerals and inorganic phases, based on the polymerization of coordination polyhedra of higher bond-valence. The Utu cation is usually present as part of the approximately linear (UfiOr2+ uranyl (Ur) ion, which is coordinated by four, five or six anions (Q: O2-,OH-,H2O), with the oxygen atoms of the uranyl ion forming the apices of square, pentagonal and hexagonal bipyramids, respectively. The uranyl ion bond-lengths are -1.8 A in each coordination polyhedron, and the equatorial bondlengths for U4+ U$s and Ur$6 polyhedra are 2.26(8), 2.34(10) nd 2.46(12) A, respectivd. Inorganic oxide phases in which UG plays a significant sffuctural role are considered. A total of one hundred and eighty structures (of which fifty-six are of minerals) have been placed in the hierarchy of structures: one hundred and six (fony-three minerals) contain infinite sheets of polyhedra, nineteen (five minerals) contain eight different infinite chains of polyhedra, rwenty-two (five minerals) contain ten different finite clusters of polyhedra, seven (no minerals) contain isolated polyhedr4 and twenty-six (three minerals) structures contain frameworks of polyhedra. The sheets of polyhedra that occur in one hundred and six structures are classified according to the details of their topological arrangements of anions within the sheets, with twenty-nine ffierent sheet anion-topologies observed, but six of these topologies account for 827o of observed sheets.
SU-F-T-282: Quality Assurance for IMRT/VMAT QA Devices: Issues Affecting the Timing for ArcCHECK Recalibration

Purpose: To discuss several factors surrounding the decision on when to recalibrate the ArcCHECK device as well as present a simple and efficient monthly check to evaluate ArcCHECK calibrations. Methods: ArcCheck (Sun Nuclear) calibrations were evaluated monthly by measuring a 25×25cm2 field with 100 MU. Since ArcCHECK measurements are run on an almost nightly basis, such additional square field measurements are obtained with minimal additional effort. An in-house MATLAB script compares two radial (y-direction) profiles from the top/center of the new measurement relative to a baseline measurement acquired at the last device calibration. The program automatically generates PDF profile and percent difference comparisons for inspection. Recalibration is based on inspection of measurement profile shapes and percent differences from the baseline measurement. Results: The method presented here shows the utility of a simple monthly check for evaluating ArcCHECK calibrations, and in addition shows the importance of recalibrating after Linac beam steering. Our device required recalibration approximately every 8–10 months. However, for ease of scheduling, we propose a bi-annual recalibration interval. Clinics with a lighter/heavier IMRT/VMAT QA case load may require different recalibration intervals, which are easily determined using the single-field method presented. Analysis of additional square fields is also easily incorporated, if desired. We further illustrate the importance of array recalibration given that diode irradiation is not uniform over the entire device, with central diodes receiving more than 900 Gy over the course of 10 months and peripheral diodes receiving as little as 50 Gy (in our experience). Finally, we show that timely device recalibration decreases spread in clinical IMRT/VMAT QA gamma passing rates. Conclusion: Quality assurance for ArcCHECK array calibrations is important to ensure quality IMRT/VMAT QA comparisons. For many clinics, calibrations should be performed at least annually, if not more frequently, based on use of the proposed monthly check.
Financial implications of transitioning to the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Basel III

The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Basel III have spawned many new regulatory rules related to capital, risk management and liquidity. Although the two regulatory initiatives are not fully aligned, they clearly require systemically important banks to increase funding by equity capital, commit more resources to short-term marketable securities (and long-term debt for Basel III) and enhance risk management procedures. This article empirically addresses how large US banks with assets exceeding US$50 billion changed asset/liability management between 2010 when the Act was enacted and 2014 when more restrictive rules emanating from the law and international regulation are phased in. The analysis also evaluates how portfolio shifts positively and negatively impact share value, return on equity and return on assets.
The “alderbeste yifte”: Objects and the Poetics of Munificence in Chaucer’s The Book of the Duchess

This article explores the vocabulary of gifting, munificence, enrichment, profit, and exchange in Chaucer’s The Book of the Duchess, focusing on White’s gift of her ring (and with it her mercy), as...
High-flow nasal oxygen availability for sedation decreases the use of general anesthesia during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound.

High-flow nasal oxygen availability for sedation decreases the use of general anesthesia during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound
Examining Patient Willingness to Pay for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Prostate Biopsy: Implications in the Era of Health Savings Accounts

AbstractIntroduction: The proliferation of health savings accounts has empowered patients to participate in medical decisions through a direct financial incentive. Using conjoint analysis we examined how much extra patients with a health savings account would be willing to pay for magnetic resonance imaging-transrectal ultrasound fusion guided prostate biopsy over transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.Methods: We enrolled men who were 55 to 70 years old from a general urology clinic. We performed a literature review, distributed surveys and conducted semi-structured interviews to develop and rank attributes commonly used to compare magnetic resonance-ultrasound to transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Using conjoint surveys we asked participants to select their preferred choice between 2 hypothetical biopsy interventions with differing levels of the attributes and cost. Results of the conjoint surveys were analyzed using a multinomial probit model. We performed a sensitivity analysis to a...
Achieving equity in the Australian healthcare system.

IN 1988, I ATTENDED A WORKSHOP of healthcare service managers sponsored by the King’s Fund of London. Participants included such managers and the odd academic from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We were discussing resource allocation, and frustration mounted during the first 2 days. Ideologically, participants had divided into two teams — the US and the Rest. On the third day, the leader of the US team said, “The difference between us is that you guys believe in equity and we don’t. In the US, people are less interested in making sure everyone gets care than that those who can get it get great care. They accept not getting care now if they can see the opportunity to improve their position and succeed, so that, when they get the money, they will be able to buy great care the minute they want it. It is all about opportunity. People in the US want opportunity, not equity. That’s what they think is fair.” It was important that the US delegate said what he did. It cleared the air. It reminded us that not all societies, and not all people within a society, share a common view of what is fair. In the US, fairness means that you will be encouraged to seek personal success without having to worry much about anyone else. In the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, there is a general interest in the well-being of others. I doubt that Robert Putnam could have written his book Bowling alone 1 about Australia. Putnam’s book mourns the loss of social capital, a resource that grows from community trust and participation. Putnam especially laments its replacement with a fierce individualism. The meaning of equity
Clinical Profile and Consequences of Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), is capable of producing symptoms that impact quality of life and is associated with risk for embolic stroke. However, the influence of AF on clinical course and outcome in HCM remains incompletely resolved. Methods: Records of 1558 consecutive patients followed at the Tufts Medical Center Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Institute for 4.8±3.4 years (from 2004 to 2014) were accessed. Results: Of the 1558 patients with HCM, 304 (20%) had episodes of AF, of which 226 (74%) were confined to symptomatic paroxysmal AF (average, 5±5; range, 1 to >20), whereas 78 (26%) developed permanent AF, preceded by 7±6 paroxysmal AF episodes. At last evaluation, 277 patients (91%) are alive at 62±13 years of age, including 89% in New York Heart Association class I or II. No difference was found in outcome measures for patients with AF and age- and sex-matched patients with HCM without AF. Four percent of patients with AF died of HCM-related causes (n=11), with annual mortality 0.7%; mortality directly attributable to AF (thromboembolism without prophylactic anticoagulation) was 0.1% per year (n=2 patients). Patients were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs (most commonly amiodarone [n=103] or sotalol [n=78]) and AF catheter ablation (n=49) or the Maze procedure at surgical myectomy (n=72). Freedom from AF recurrence at 1 year was 44% for ablation patients and 75% with the Maze procedure ( P P Conclusions: Transient symptomatic episodes of AF, often responsible for impaired quality of life, are unpredictable in frequency and timing, but amenable to effective contemporary treatments, and infrequently progress to permanent AF. AF is not a major contributor to heart failure morbidity or a cause of arrhythmic sudden death; when treated, it is associated with low disease-related mortality, no different than for patients without AF. AF is an uncommon primary cause of death in HCM virtually limited to embolic stroke, supporting a low threshold for initiating anticoagulation therapy.
Responding to Sneaky Agents in Multi-agent Domains ∗

This paper extends the concept of trust modeling within a multi-agent environment. Trust modeling often focuses on identifying the appropriate trust level for the other agents in the environment and then using these levels to determine how to interact with each agent. However, this type of modeling does not account for sneaky agents who are willing to cooperate when the stakes are low and take selfish, greedy actions when the rewards rise. Adding trust to an interactive partially observable Markov decision process (I-POMDP) allows trust levels to be continuously monitored and corrected enabling agents to make better decisions. The addition of trust modeling increases the decision process calculations, but solves more complex trust problems that are representative of the human world. The modified I-POMDP reward function and belief models can be used to accurately track the trust levels of agents with hidden agendas. Testing demonstrates that agents quickly identify the hidden trust levels to mitigate the impact of a deceitful agent.
Variable selection of high-dimensional non-parametric nonlinear systems: A way to avoid the curse of dimensionality

This paper presents a numerically efficient algorithm for variable selection for high-dimensional nonlinear non-parametric systems. It is based on the average derivatives and relies on one dimensional estimates of the density function and its derivative. Thus it avoids the curse of dimensionality usually encountered for high-dimensional systems. Theoretical analysis is provided and shows that the conditions derived are sufficient for a variable to contribute, and necessary and almost sufficient for a variable not to contribute for a class of nonlinear systems. Further, convergence results are established.
A generalized solution to the coverage problem in swarm robotics: The force vector algorithm

Swarm Robotics is a field of robotics and computer science that focuses on using multi-agent systems to tackle challenging problems in the real world. The coverage, problem as defined in this paper, reflects the issue of how to cover an area in the environment effectively and efficiently with a network of distributed agents. The solution proposed in this paper is a generalized one, such that it could be implemented on the simplest of agents. Previously proposed solutions are purely theoretical or assume that the robot agent has specific capabilities for the coverage algorithm to work. The force vector algorithm is designed with the intention of being implementable on most robot swarms with minimum requirements. The solution proposed in the paper is a viable alternative to more complex algorithms while achieving effective coverage of the environment.
Reef Trends and Basin Deposits in Late Jurassic Facies of Europe and the Middle East

The Late Jurassic (Malm) of Europe and the Middle East together display some of the most interesting and varied regional facies known to geologists. Some of the significant and distinctive rock types in these strata include: coral-sponge reefs, Purbeckian fresh-water beds, Solnhofen platy limestone and the geosynclinal red nodular Ammonitico Rosso and pelagic Aptychus limestones.
Sources of Vascular Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Regulation

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small free radical with critical signaling roles in physiology and pathophysiology. The generation of sufficient NO levels to regulate the resistance of the blood vessels and...
Small, modular and economically attractive fusion enabled by high temperature superconductors.

The advantages of high magnetic fields in tokamaks are reviewed, and why they are important in leading to more compact tokamaks. A brief explanation is given of what limits the magnetic field in a ...