cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immigration and Labor Force Trends

Part of the Supplemental Materials for INNOVATION AND U.S. COMPETITIVENESS The Conference Board report #R-1441-09-RR About the Report: The Conference Board has recently undertaken a project on innovation and competitiveness, with funding from Microsoft Corporation. The goal of the project is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the nature of innovation, and its role in stimulating economic growth and improved living standards in the U.S. The project draws on experts across the academic, corporate, and policy arenas, in addition to The Conference Board’s own analysis, surveys, and focus groups of the business community. Such experts met in February 2007 to present and discuss various aspects of the innovation process and measurement thereof. Each presenter wrote a summary piece focusing on his respective area of expertise. These summary documents underpin the content in Innovation and U.S. Competitiveness; however the conclusions drawn are those of The Conference Board alone. These papers are retained for reference in The Conference Board Economics Program Working Paper Series.
Occupational Stress: Review and Reappraisal

This article presents an overview of the topic of occupational stress. Although its framework is somewhat conceptual, the article is intended to alert researchers to the practical considerations re...
The treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis with glucocorticoids and methotrexate.

Objective. To identify alternatives to daily low-dose cyclophosphamide (CYC) in the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Methods. An open-label pilot study of weekly low-dose methotrexate (MTX) plus glucocorticoids (GC) for treatment of patients with WG was performed. Twenty-nine patients who did not have immediately life-threatening disease were included. Outcome was determined by clinical characteristics, pathologic findings, course of illness, laboratory and radiographic findings, and successful withdrawal of GC therapy. Results. Weekly administration of MTX (at a mean stable dosage of 20 mg) and GC resulted in marked improvement in 76% of the 29 patients. Remission was achieved in 69% of the patients, 7% improved but had intermittent smoldering disease that precluded total withdrawal of GC, and 17% had progressive disease within 2–6 months of starting the study treatment. Two patients who initially achieved remission later had relapses after GC was discontinued. Of those who remain in remission (mean followup time 14.5 months), 72% have not required GC for a mean period of 10 months. Conclusion. Although standard therapy for WG (daily CYC and GC) has dramatically improved outcome in this often-fatal disease, treatment morbidity has led to attempts to identify effective interventions that have less toxicity. Weekly low-dose MTX was shown in this study to be a feasible alternative to CYC in patients whose illness was not immediately life-threatening or in whom prior CYC treatment was ineffective or produced serious toxicity. Although these results are preliminary, they are encouraging and justify further studies in which MTX, CYC, and other alternative therapeutic approaches are compared concurrently.
Distance-dependence in herbivory and foliar condition for juvenile Shorea trees in Bornean dipterocarp rain forest

We assessed density- and distance-dependence in herbivore effects and juvenile condition for four species of Shorea, the most speciose genus in the dominant canopy family of southeast Asian rain forest trees (Dipterocarpaceae). Herbivore damage was quantified as partial leaf loss on young leaves, and whole plant foliar condition as the product of the fraction of leaf nodes containing leaves and the fraction of tissue remaining on extant leaves. Adults of the four species were centers of high total, as well as conspecific, density of juveniles (<1 m tall). For two species, S. hopeifolia and S. pinanga, herbivore damage declined significantly with distance, decreasing by 40% and 51% respectively, between 5 m and 35 m from the parent. For the same two species, foliar condition improved significantly between 5 m and 35 m, increasing by 45% for S. hopeifolia and 24% for S. pinanga. If foliar condition influences juvenile survival and growth, more widely dispersed seeds of these species are more likely to recruit to the canopy. In contrast, there was no significant distance-dependence for S. parvifolia or S. longisperma. Among species, herbivore damage was greatest in those species with greatest local juvenile abundances, i.e., those with highest densities, leaf size, juvenile foliar mass and/ or foliar mass/m2 ground area, but was unrelated to the toughness of mature leaves. However, distance was a better predictor of herbivore damage than was conspecific juvenile density, as evaluated by backward elimination regressions, for both S. hopeifolia and S. pinanga. For foliar condition, the best predictor was distance for S. pinanga, but conspecific density for S. hopeifolia, whose juveniles were smallest and occurred at the highest densities. Total juvenile density (all woody plants) was eliminated as a factor in all cases. The species-specificity of effects (i.e., their dependence on conspecific distance or density), together with the marked differences among congeneric species, caution against generalizations regarding distance-dependent effects in diverse forests.
DRUG POLICY AND KO

ABSTRACT This article reviews the historic dynamics of drug control and the alternating cycle of availability and prohibition that has characterized the United States since the mid-eighteenth century. It evaluates the seemingly irreconcilable differences separating prohibitionist and decriminalization advocates, and analogizes the situation to the board game Go and the cyclic entrapment known as a ko. While recognizing that the likelihood of resolving these fundamentally oppositional viewpoints is not great, it offers that some potential pathways exist, through shifting the definition of drug abuse into a public health perspective, and adapting some of the control regimen currently employed in the regulation of alcohol.
THE VALUE OF INTERNAL CONSISTENCY IN CLASSROOM EXAMINATIONS

Some other test specialists, including the present writer, believe that internal consistency is just as valuable in a test used for assessment as in a test used for prediction. A good assessment device, they believe, may also be a good predictor device, if what it assesses is an important element in, or precursor of, what it is used to predict. They thus question the suggestion that a good predictor device should have psychometric characteristics different from those of a good assessment device.
Consumer-Based Strategic Planning in the Nonprofit Sector: The Empirical Assessment of an Arts Festival Audience

ABSTRACT Long accepted marketing principles stress the need for a deep understanding of the consumer and his or her needs as the basis of a well-conceived strategic plan. Called “consumer orientation,” it is standard practice in the private economic sector, and parts of the nonprofit sector. However, its application in other parts of the nonprofit sector, particularly among smaller nonprofits with limited resources, is not so widespread, to the detriment of those organizations as well as their constituencies. The purpose of this paper is to encourage the wider adoption of a true “consumer orientation” by managers in nonprofit organizations who have been slow or reluctant to do so. The authors relate the case of an annual summer arts festival located in the southern highlands of the United States, a small nonprofit with limited means in terms of money, manpower and in-house marketing and consumer research expertise. They increased attendance approximately fifteen percent with the application of strategies ...
Multiple small pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. Diagnosis by cardiac catheterization.

The condition of multiple small pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas is discussed with regard to diagnosis, complications, and possible etiology. The lesions are believed to be either congenital in origin or secondary to cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension. Surgical therapy has not been attempted in this condition because of the diffuse nature of the lesions. A case is discussed wherein the diagnosis of diffuse small pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas was made by cardiac catheterization. The catheter was passed through an atrial septal defect into a pulmonary vein. Difference in oxygen saturation between the pulmonary vein and pulmonary capillaries (pulmonary vein wedge) revealed conclusive evidence of a right-to-left shunt in this area. Etiologic and therapeutic considerations are discussed in view of recent literature on this subject.
Arterial oxygen tension during active and quiet sleep in the normal neonate

The effect of sleep state on arterial oxygen tension was determined in ten healthy term infants by means of continuous transcutaneous Po 2 monitoring. In all ten infants, Pa O 2 was significantly lower and more variable during active as compared to quiet sleep. This fall in Pa O 2 during active sleep was accompanied by asynchronous (or paradoxical) chest wall movement. These findings may be important in our understanding of the higher incidence of apnea during active sleep in both preterm and term infants.
SU-GG-I-104: A Data Structure for B-Spline Registration

Purpose: To design a better data structure for B‐spline registration. Method and Materials: We have designed a grid alignment technique and a data structure that greatly improves the computation speed of B‐spline registration. The basic idea is to align the B‐spline grid with the voxel grid, so that the volume is partitioned into tiles of equal size. The use of equal sized tiles is important for this approach, because it allows the coefficient multipliers used for B‐spline interpolation to be precomputed. A data structure consisting of four tables is used to provide fast access to precomputed index and multiplier values used for interpolation and gradient computations. Voxel indices are decomposed into tile and offset values which are accumulated in a single loop for each voxel. Results: We have implemented the aligned B‐spline registration method, and compared its performance against ITK B‐splines and demons registration. Aligned B‐splines with a mean‐squared error cost function was found to be roughly equivalent in speed to the demons algorithm, and considerably faster than ITK B‐splines. Running times were found to depend only on the image size, and not on the B‐spline control point spacing. Conclusion: When possible, an aligned grid should be used for B‐spline registration.
Sample zone dynamics in peak mode isotachophoresis.

We present a theoretical and experimental study of analyte preconcentration via peak mode isotachophoresis (ITP). We perform perturbation analysis of the governing equations that includes electromigration, diffusion, buffer reactions, and nonlinear ionic strength effects. This analysis relaxes the inherent numerical stiffness and achieves a fast solution to the transient sample evolution problem. In this model, we have incorporated a semiempirical relation to capture dispersion phenomenon within ITP interfaces. We also present a simple, closed-form analytical model that identifies key parameters governing the preconcentration dynamics in peak mode ITP. We have validated our models through a detailed experimental study performed in constant current conditions. The relevant governing experiment parameters were varied independently; namely, the leading electrolyte concentration, trailing electrolyte concentration, and current. Through our experimental study, we have identified optimum conditions to achieve h...
Analog Test Technology: Challenges Abound

When the author began his career as an analog test engineer in the semiconductor industry, testing was considered an annoying necessity. Today, test and assembly is the largest cost factor of a device, so it receives more attention, but is still a controversial subject. The author have encountered customers that feel some parameter testing takes too long, so they ignore the test altogether, even if required by standards committees, until they are hit with lawsuits and/or zero yield problems.
Increased yield of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) by cultivation of monolayer-derived mammary tumor cells in suspension

The MJY-alpha epithelial-like mammary tumor cell line was adapted for cultivation in suspension using a shaker culture technique. Replication of suspension (MJY-beta) cells was more sensitive than monolayer cells to decreases in the concentration of serum in the medium. Comparison of amino acid incoerporation and lactate production rates revealed additional differences between monolayer and suspension cultures. In addition, growth in susfpension resulted in 10- to 400-fold increases in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) production by the mammary tumor cells. Incrases in MMTV yield were detected within 48 h of culture initiation and MMTV production remained elevated throughout 20 cell passages in suspension. Exposure of MJY-beta cells to 14 μM hydrocorticone further increased MMTV yield two-to five-fold. The MJY-beta suspension cultures demonstrated that these epithelial-like cells do not require attachment to a solid substrate for replication or for MMTV production. Loss of structural polarization associated with growth as a monolayer resulted in stimulation of MMTV production greater than and independent of steroid exposure.
Application Of Expert System Techniques To A Visual Tracker

A structure for visual tracking system is presented which relies on information developed from previous tracking scenarios stored in a knowledge base to enhance tracking performance. The system is comprised of a centroid tracker front end which supplies segmented image features to a data reduction algorithm which holds the reduced data in a temporary data base relation. This relation is then classified vio two separate modes, learn and track. Under learn mode, an external teacher-irector operator provides identification and weighting cues for membership in a long-term storage relation within a knowledge base. Track mode operates autonomously from the learn mode where the system determines feature validity by applying fuzzy set membership criteria to previously stored track information in the database. Results determined from the classification generate tracker directives which either enhance or permit current tracking to continue or cause the tracker to search for alternate targets based upon analysis of a global target tracking list. The classification algorithm is based on correlative analysis of the tracker's segmented output presentation after low pass filtering derives lower order harmonics of the feature. The fuzzy set membership criteria is based on size, rotation, Irame location, and past history of the feature. The first three factors are lin-ear operations on the spectra, while the last is generated as a context relation in the knowledge base. The context relation interlinks data between features to facilitate tracker operation during feature occlusion or presence of countermeasures.
Optimal Timing of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation After Myocardial Infarction: A Decision Analysis

ICD Implant Timing. Background: The optimal timing of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction (MI) remains unknown. Methods and Results: We developed a Markov model to investigate the optimal timing of ICD implantation after MI (no ICD, ICD at 60 days, 6 months, and 1 year) in patients who meet current guidelines. Estimates of arrhythmic death (baseline risk 6%, range 1–20% per year), nonarrhythmic death, and ICD efficacy were based upon MADIT-II and other contemporary post-MI clinical trials. We used both deterministic and stochastic modeling processes in our analysis. After 10 years follow-up, the baseline probability of survival was higher in those treated with ICD implantation versus not (42% vs 30%, P < 0.001). Survival was highest with ICD implantation at 60 days versus 6 months versus 1 year: 42.4%, 42.3%, and 42.0% (P = 0.0028). ICD implantation at 60 days provided a mean incremental survival of 0.28 months and 0.84 months per patient (compared with implantation at 6 months and 1 year). In sensitivity analyses, patients’ competing risk for nonarrhythmic death was the primary determinant of benefit from ICD implantation. Overall, ICD implantation at 60 days resulted in the greatest life expectancy over a wide range of plausible nonarrhythmic and arrhythmic death rates. Conclusions: The benefits of early ICD implantation are modest when compared with delayed implantation at 6 months/1 year. Our results suggest that making sure a patient receives an ICD, when appropriate, may be more important than the timing of the implantation procedure. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 791-798, July 2010)
Diffuse neutron scattering signatures of rough films

Patterns of diffuse neutron scattering from thin films are calculated from a perturbation expansion based on the distorted-wave Born approximation. Diffuse fringes can be categorized into three main types: those that occur at constant values of the incident or scattered neutron wavevectors, and those for which the neutron wavevector transfer perpendicular to the film is constant. The variation of intensity along these fringes can be used to deduce the spectrum of surface roughness for the film and the degree of correlation between the film's rough surfaces.
Consumer Decision Making--The Social Dimension.

Consumer educators have recently been challenged to "open the lens" and view consumer education from a broader social per spective. What follows is a proposed new direction for consumer education and some principles for curriculum development in this emerging area.
Locational Concentrations of Military Retirees in the United States

This county-level study examines the locational concentrations of the 1.6 million military retirees in the United States. Maps and multiple regression analysis suggest a strong association between concentrations of military retirees in a county and amenity- and military-related factors. In particular, proximity to a military base, mild winters, and coastal locations attract the military retiree. When counties are grouped by the age of the retirees, the proximity to bases becomes more closely associated with the younger military retirees, while climate and amenity factors are more important for the older retirees. These findings could prove useful in projecting locational preferences of the older more mobile population of the United States.
Culture and classification in markets: An introduction

Abstract Recent work at the boundary of culture and the economy focuses on relations between meaningful subjectivity and macro-level structure. This special issue features new directions in the study of culture and classification in markets, including research on vocabularies of organizing, cross-national comparisons of market identities, development of metrics and theory for assessing the recognition of market rivals by one another, and relational techniques for the identification of meaningful action in complex corporate fields. Classical concerns with these broad areas provide a means of situating the contemporary work. The new work also has some implications for unifying the study of power, politics, and culture in institutional analysis.
Noise-induced reduction of wave packets and faster-than-light influences

A simple proof is given of a recent claim [P. Pearle, Phys. Rev. A 39, 2277 (1989)] that appropriately coupled classical white noise reduces wave packets of macroscopic objects. Three difficulties with the classical mechanism are noted. All three are resolved by passing to the quantum analog. The 2.7-K microwave background is effective in some cases. Quantum noise reduces the density matrix of observables, not the wave function itself. The relative merits and liabilities of these two kinds of reduction, called von Neumann reduction and Heisenberg reduction, respectively, are discussed. In this connection a new type of correlation experiment, devised by Hardy [Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 2981 (1992)] is used to prove a theorem that says, essentially, that any ontological solution of the quantum measurement problem must admit either parallel worlds of the Everett kind or faster-than-light influences of some kind.
Self-efficacy expectation, behavior performance, and mood status in early recovery from percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVE: To describe levels of self-efficacy expectation and performance of selected cardiac recovery behaviors and mood state in patients recovering from percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and to describe the nature of the relationships among these variables. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational. SETTING: Hospital (postprocedure, predischarge) and home (2 weeks postdischarge). MEASURES: Jenkins Self-Efficacy Expectation Scales and Activity Checklists for Walking Various Distances, Following a Dietary Restriction, Maintaining Health, Resuming Roles and Working; and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Inventory (McNair, Lorr, and Doppleman). PATIENTS: Adult patients (N = 90; 79% men; mean age = 61 years; 50% working preprocedure) who had undergone a PTCA (first procedure 71.1% and elective procedure 77.8%). Mean hospital stay was 3.9 days. RESULTS: Mean self-efficacy expectation scores were moderately high postprocedure for all behaviors and all, except scores for role resumption, increased significantly (p < 0.01) by 2 weeks postdischarge. Self-efficacy expectation scores were significantly and positively related to behavior performance for all study behaviors except work at 2 weeks, with r values ranging from 0.26 to 0.85. Mean total mood state (POMS) scores improved significantly (p < 0.01) over the 2-week period. Those with higher efficacy expectation scores tended to have higher behavior performance scores and lower levels of mood disturbance. It was noted that the level of mood disturbance was low at both data collection points. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the predictive ability of self-efficacy expectation related to behavior performance and describe the relationships of these variables with total mood state as measured by the POMS. Clinical implications drawn from these findings support the individualization of patient teaching needed for this population and point to the need for further research, including development of more clinically useful instruments for assessing these variables.
Linear one-step assay for the determination of orthophosphate.

Abstract A rapid one-step spectrophotometric assay for orthophosphate that requires a single stable reagent solution is presented. The reagent solution, an aqueous mixture of ammonium molybdate and zinc acetate at pH 5.0, produces a stable complex with orthophosphate that absorbs strongly in the near-visible region of the light spectrum. Response to concentration of phosphate was linear up to 300 μ m phosphate with a molar absorptivity of 7200 m −1 cm −1 at 350 nm. The mild conditions for phosphate determination employed in this method are unique, making it particularly suitable for the assay of orthophosphate in the presence of labile organophosphates.
Genesis of vibratory functional murmurs

Abstract The genesis of the vibratory systolic murmur heard in so many normal children has never definitely been established. In 1 case report, Roberts 1 attributed a loud musical murmur to a 2 mm-diameter band stretching across the left ventricular outflow tract. In a more recent study Perry et al 2 found left ventricular false tendons in 31 of 3,847 (0.8%) consecutive cross-sectional echocardiograms. A precordial murmur, most commonly vibratory, was heard in 14 of the 16 without associated heart disease. There seemed, then, to be an association of such murmurs with false tendons. Brenner et al 3 reported a 61% prevalence of left ventricular false tendons, but noted no correlation with any variety of murmur.
A Ginseng farm in Lawrence County, Tennessee

American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L. (Araliaceae), is a herbaceous perennial of the eastern hardwoods of North America whose range extends, especially in the mountains, into southeastern United States (Fernald, 1950). In Tennessee, it is found principally in the eastern third of the state (Sharp et al., 1960), although it is known to occur also in several counties of Middle Tennessee. Because of their high market value, the roots of the herb have been collected since colonial times by local people who sell to dealers who ship the dried roots to China and Korea (Williams, 195 7). There they are used to prepare beverages and medicinal preparations believed to. be panaceas and aphrodisiacs (Harriman, 1973). In addition, it has been used locally in tea and liquor, primarily for digestive ailments. Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been held in highest esteem as a medicine in China for some 4,000 years (Stuart, 1911), and there exists a large Asian language literature on the pharmacological aspects of ginseng. A number of active constituents are recognized (Hu, 1976), each of which has been found to have a specific effect on the human body (Baranov, 1966). Despite the widespread acceptance of ginseng in Oriental medicine, West European and American physicians have, until recently, considered ginseng to lack any medicinal value whatsoever. However, several million people in Europe and North America are now taking ginseng in some form, and current research on the effect of the root is underway in several western countries as well as in the Soviet Union (Massey, 1976). Because of the great demand and the dwindling supply of wild ginseng, the cultivation of the plant began several centuries ago. The earliest plantations were in south-
Heats of vaporization of then-fatty acid esters

Heats of vaporization at both 25°C and normal boiling points are given for then-fatty acid methyl and ethyl esters and then-alkyl acetates. The validity of the reported heats of vaporization is supported by: (i) their agreement with those estimated by alternate methods, and (ii) the equations correlating heats of vaporization with homolog carbons have the proper slopes (approximately 4.96). Equations also are given for correlating heats of vaporization with boiling points, and boiling points and molar volumes with homolog chainlength.
PARAMAGNETIC NITROGEN OXIDES IN IRRADIATED POTASSIUM HALIDES

In x-ray irradiated single crystals of KCl, KBr, and KI doped in the melt with nitrate or nitrite, six triplets and one singlet are observed in electron paramagnetic resonance between -190\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and room temperature. The trapping mechanism producing the centers is indicated by the behavior of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal during optical or thermal release of free electrons (from $F$ centers) or holes (from ${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$), and the chemical nature of the centers by selective doping methods. In all three salts these tests have identified NO interstitials (anisotropic up to room temperature, almost axial symmetry, principal paramagnetic axes in [100], [011], and [$0\overline{1}1$] directions); NO in positive-ion vacancies (isotropic); and N${\mathrm{O}}_{3}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{-}}$ in negative-ion vacancies (anisotropic below -145\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, axial symmetry, axis in [111] direction). In KCl and KBr, N${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{-}}$ in negative-ion vacancies (anisotropic, axial symmetry, axis in [110] direction, visible below -125\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C), and oxygen molecules (anisotropic, almost axial symmetry, axes in [100], [011], [$0\overline{1}1$] directions, visible below -100\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C) have been identified. Information regarding the bonding in the molecules has been obtained. Two isotropic triplets are not identified. The relative concentrations are different in the various host crystals, and the linewidth increases according to the halogen nuclear moment.
Effects of Temperature and Sliding Rate on Frictional Strength of Granite

Layers of artificial granite gouge have been deformed on saw-cut granite surfaces inclined 30° to the sample axes. Samples were deformed at a constant confining pressure of 250 MPa and temperatures of 22 to 845 °C. The velocity dependence of the steady-state coefficient of friction (μ ss) was determined by comparing sliding strengths at different sliding rates. The results of these measurements are consistent with those reported by Solberg and Byerlee (1984) at room temperature and Stesky (1975) between 300 and 400 °C. Stesky found that the slip-rate dependence of μ ss increased above 400 °C. In the present study, however, the velocity dependence of μ ss was nearly independent of temperature.
Late Pleistocene freshwater fish (Cottidae) trackways from New England (USA) glacial lakes and a reinterpretation of the ichnogenus Broomichnium Kuhn

Abstract New trace fossil material from Late Pleistocene glaciolacustrine varves of the Connecticut River Valley, New England, USA represent the first evidence of freshwater sculpin in glacial Lake Hitchcock. Paleobiogeographic data constrain the timing of the last reinhabitation of freshwater cottids from a Wisconsinan glacial refugium. Freshwater sculpin were present in the area of study by ~ 13.7 ky BP, moving approximately 400 km in 5000 yr, and following the ice margin at distances as close as 35 km. The trace fossils warrant erection of a new ichnospecies, Broomichnium flirii isp. nov. Comparison of this new ichnospecies to Broomichnium permianum reveals distinct similarities, and it is possible that the Permian examples of B. permianum also were made by fish, which would reconcile a long-running controversy. Many groups of fish are demersal and make ventral body contact with the substrate and could potentially leave similar traces. Identifying new forms of trace fossils made by fish that use alternative modes of locomotion will prove useful in paleoenvironmental interpretations.
SU-E-I-33: Initial Evaluation of Model-Based Iterative CT Reconstruction Using Standard Image Quality Phantoms

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare a new model-based iterative reconstruction with existing reconstruction methods (filtered backprojection and basic iterative reconstruction) using quantitative analysis of standard image quality phantom images. Methods: An ACR accreditation phantom (Gammex 464) and a CATPHAN600 phantom were scanned using 3 routine clinical acquisition protocols (adult axial brain, adult abdomen, and pediatric abdomen) on a Philips iCT system. Each scan was acquired using default conditions and 75%, 50% and 25% dose levels. Images were reconstructed using standard filtered backprojection (FBP), conventional iterative reconstruction (iDose4) and a prototype model-based iterative reconstruction (IMR). Phantom measurements included CT number accuracy, contrast to noise ratio (CNR), modulation transfer function (MTF), low contrast detectability (LCD), and noise power spectrum (NPS). Results: The choice of reconstruction method had no effect on CT number accuracy, or MTF (p<0.01). The CNR of a 6 HU contrast target was improved by 1–67% with iDose4 relative to FBP, while IMR improved CNR by 145–367% across all protocols and dose levels. Within each scan protocol, the CNR improvement from IMR vs FBP showed a general trend of greater improvement at lower dose levels. NPS magnitude was greatest for FBP and lowest for IMR. Themore » NPS of the IMR reconstruction showed a pronounced decrease with increasing spatial frequency, consistent with the unusual noise texture seen in IMR images. Conclusion: Iterative Model Reconstruction reduces noise and improves contrast-to-noise ratio without sacrificing spatial resolution in CT phantom images. This offers the possibility of radiation dose reduction and improved low contrast detectability compared with filtered backprojection or conventional iterative reconstruction.« less
Decay of mass-separated 189mHg (8.7 min) and 189gHg (7.7 min) to 189Au

Abstract The decays of 189Hg (8.7 min; J π = 13 2 + ) and 189Hg (7.7 min; J π = 3 2 − ) have been studied with mass-separated sources from the UNISOR facility. Multiscaled spectra of γ-rays, X-rays, and conversion electrons, as well as γγt, γXt, eγt, and eXt coincidences were obtained. Decay schemes have been constructed incorporating > 95% of the decay intensities assigned to the high-spin and low-spin decays. The γ-ray gated conversion-electron spectra permitted the determination of 119 conversion-electron subshell ratios. Portions of the level scheme bear a remarkable resemblance to the heavier and lighter odd-mass Au isotopes. An extensive band of states is observed built upon the h 9 2 intruder state at 325 keV. This band is markedly different from the corresponding bands in 187Au and 185Au, indicating a major change in the cores, i.e. between 188Pt and 186,184Pt. Evidence for oblate-hole-prolate-particle symmetry in 189Au is discussed. Completeness of complex decay schemes far from stability is addressed.
CAAD BLASTn: Accelerated NCBI BLASTn with FPGA prefiltering

The canonical bioinformatics application is determining the biological similarity of a new sequence (protein or DNA) with respect to databases of known sequences. The BLAST algorithm is used for the vast majority of these searches. Of the various BLAST implementations, the one published by NCBI is a recognized standard. In previous work we described FPGA acceleration of the protein version of NCBI BLAST (BLASTp) using our TreeBLAST-based filter. Here we apply this filter to NCBI BLASTn, the DNA version. We show the modifications to the structures of the filtering components needed to handle DNA, as opposed to protein, sequences. The design has been implemented on an Altera Stratix III family chip. Our experimental results show that the speedup is greater than 12x and the accuracy is 100%.
INFLUENCE OF ENDOTOXIN ON RESISTANCE OF MICE TO INTRAPERITONEAL INFECTION WITH HUMAN ORAL BACTERIA.

Abstract Intraperitoneal injection in mice of mixed cultures of oral bacteria as contained in suspensions of material from the human gingival sulcus leads to a severe bacteremia with viridans streptococci. Eighty to one hundred per cent of such animals succumb within 24 hr. Streptococci alone in suspensions of the same optical density as the mixed cultures are not lethal to mice, but injection of sublethal amounts of heatkilled fusobacteria or veillonellae immediately prior to challenge with streptococci results in a ten-fold decrease in LD50. Pretreatment with heat-killed gram-negative oral bacteria or sublethal microgram quantities of lipopolysaccharide endotoxins from fusobacteria increases susceptibility to oral streptococci during the first 6–8 hr, followed by a period of increased resistance after 24 hr. This biphasic effect of endotoxin on the resistance of mice to peritoneal infection with oral streptococci has also been substantiated by observations on the duration of the ensuing bacteremia and on bactericidal activity within the peritoneal cavity. The experiments indicate that the pathogenicity of a mixed gingival flora may depend on a decrease of local and systemic defense mechanisms induced by endotoxins derived from gram-negative oral bacteria.
A novel k-space trajectory measurement technique

A new k-space trajectory measurement technique is proposed and demonstrated. This technique measures the k-space trajectory, in seconds, using only a few readout lines, using phase values of acquired MR signals. As a result of the technique's efficiency, k-space trajectory measurement using patient data becomes possible. The utility of this techniques is demonstrated in phantom and human studies at 4.1 T.
A qualitative analysis of acute care surgery in the United States: it's more than just "a competent surgeon with a sharp knife and a willing attitude".

Background Since acute care surgery (ACS) was conceptualized a decade ago, the specialty has been adopted widely; however, little is known about the structure and function of ACS teams. Methods We conducted 18 open-ended interviews with ACS leaders (representing geographic [New England, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, West, Midwest] and practice [Public/Charity, Community, University] diversity). Two independent reviewers analyzed transcribed interviews using an inductive approach (NVivo qualitative analysis software). Results All respondents described ACS as a specialty treating “time-sensitive surgical disease” including trauma, emergency general surgery (EGS), and surgical critical care (SCC); 11 of 18 combined trauma and EGS into a single clinical team; 9 of 18 included elective general surgery. Emergency orthopedics, emergency neurosurgery, and surgical subspecialty triage were rare (1/18 each). Eight of 18 ACS teams had scheduled EGS operating room time. All had a core group of trauma and SCC surgeons; 13 of 18 shared EGS due to volume, human resources, or competition for revenue. Only 12 of 18 had formal signout rounds; only 2 of 18 had prospective EGS data registries. Streamlined access to EGS, evidence-based protocols, and improved education were considered strengths of ACS. ACS was described as the “last great surgical service” reinvigorated to provide “timely,” cost-effective EGS by experts in “resuscitation and critical care” and to attract “young, talented, eager surgeons” to trauma/SCC; however, there was concern that ACS might become the “wastebasket for everything that happens at inconvenient times.” Conclusion Despite rapid adoption of ACS, its implementation varies widely. Standardization of scope of practice, continuity of care, and registry development may improve EGS outcomes and allow the specialty to thrive.
Partisan Effects of Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections

Previous studies of turnout effects in U.S. elections have reported perplexingly different results for presidential as opposed to major statewide (senatorial and gubernatorial) contests. By justifying and applying a consistent methodology, the authors find that results for both types conform to the pattern previously reported by Nagel and McNulty for senatorial and gubernatorial races. Outside the South, higher turnout helped Democratic presidential candidates from 1928 through 1964. In 1968 through 1996, however, the impact of turnout in straight two-party contests was insignificant, except in the South, where Democrats benefited from higher turnout. In the earlier period, high turnout helped Democrats most in states where Republicans usually prevailed. Its effects became weaker or even pro-Republican in the most strongly Democratic states. All of these findings uphold DeNardo's mathematical model, which provides an empirically supported theory of the partisan effects of turnout in U.S. presidential, sen...
Spectral and kinetic measurements on a series of persistent iminoxyl radicals

A series of new iminoxyl radicals, Et3C(C=NO·)Bu-tert (1), tert-C5H11(C=NO·) Bu-tert (2), (tert-C5H11)2C=NO· (3), Et3C(C=NO·)Ph (4), PhCH2CMe2(C=NO·)Bu-tert (5), PhCMe2(C=NO·)Bu-tert (6) and Me2CH(C=NO·)C5H11-tert (7), was characterized by EPR and in some cases visible spectra and decay kinetics in solution. Isolation of 1H and 3-tert-butyl-4,4-diethyl-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazolol (9) among the decomposition products of 1 was consistent with a previously unrecognized mode of iminoxyl reaction in which the initial step is an internal β-H abstraction. Molecular orbital calculations on H2C=NO· indicate a C–N–O angle of about 140° and a 10 kcal mol−1 barrier to inversion. Rate constants for the reaction of tert-Bu2C=NO· (8) with a series of olefins were measured. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacial mobility and its effect on interlaminar fracture toughness in glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy laminates

The effects of interfacial treatment of glass fibres in glass/epoxy composites were studied through Mode I delamination fracture toughness tests using a double cantilever beam specimen. The treatment of glass fibres with two similar silane coupling agents has been shown to improve the mechanical properties of the composite as a function of the type of coupling agent, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and γ-aminobutyltriethoxysilane (ABS) have similar chemistry, but differ in mobility (molecular motion) at the coupling agent-epoxy interface. The critical energy release rate, G 1c, for the APS-treated composites (0.59±0.05 kJ m−2) was shown to be higher than that of the ABS-treated one (0.37±0.01 kJ m−2) and also the untreated one (0.31±0.02 kJ m−2). In this case, the bulk structural property appears to be a function of the microscopic interfacial properties including the dynamics of the coupling agent layer. Optical characterization of the fracture surfaces reveal delamination at the epoxy-glass interface for the untreated samples, while the ABS- and APS-treated samples showed less interfacial delamination, respectively.
Neural network as a simulation metamodel in economic analysis of risky projects

An artificial neural network (ANN) model for economic analysis of risky projects is presented in this paper. Outputs of conventional simulation models are used as neural network training inputs. The neural network model is then used to predict the potential returns from an investment project having stochastic parameters. The nondeterministic aspects of the project include the initial investment, the magnitude of the rate of return, and the investment period. Backpropagation method is used in the neural network modeling. Sigmoid and hyperbolic tangent functions are used in the learning aspect of the system. Analysis of the outputs of the neural network model indicates that more predictive capability can be achieved by coupling conventional simulation with neural network approaches. The trained network was able to predict simulation output based on the input values with very good accuracy for conditions not in its training set. This allowed an analysis of the future performance of the investment project without having to run additional expensive and time-consuming simulation experiments.
Nuclear reaction analysis of 16O concentration profiles with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer

Abstract The (d, p) and (d, α) nuclear reactions have been used to measure 16 O concentration profiles with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer as an analyzer. Experimental data illustrating advantages, limitations, and general features of this analysis technique are presented.
A Systematic Multi-Vehicle Platooning and Platoon Merging: Strategy, Control, and Trajectory Generation

Problem of autonomous vehicle platooning in an automated highway setting has drawn many attentions, both in academia and industry, during last two decades. This paper studies the problem of vehicle platooning with a particular focus on merging control algorithm when one or several vehicle(s) merge(s) from the adjacent lane into the main vehicle platoon under longitudinal control. Different longitudinal controllers have been compared. A practical novel multi-vehicle merge-in strategy and an adaptive lateral trajectory generation method have been proposed. The proposed approach is then tested and verified in our newly developed simulation platform SimPlatoon.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Block cyclic SOR for Markov chains with p-cyclic infinitesimal generator

We introduce a new application of p-cyclic iterations, for arbitrary p⩾2. The block SOR method for the computation of the steady state-distribution of finite Markov chains that possess p-cyclic infinitesimal generators is considered. It is shown that convergence, in a sense more general than the usual, may be obtained even if the SOR iteration violates the usual conditions for semiconvergence. Necessary and sufficient conditions for convergence in this extended sense are derived. They are then applied in the case where the pth power of the associated Jacobi matrix of the system to be solved possesses only nonnegative eigenvalues. Exact convergence intervals and the optimal ω-values are derived for this case. In addition to the “usual” optimal ω in the interval (1,p(p−1)), other ω-values that yield convergence in the extended sense are found to achieve the same optimal convergence rate. Numerical tests indicate that small perturbations of ω around the optimal value affect the convergence factor much less if these newly introduced optimal ω-values are used.
Understanding and preventing subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy herds: A review

Abstract Feeding diets high in grain and other highly fermentable carbohydrates to dairy cows increases milk production, but also increases the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). SARA is defined as periods of moderately depressed ruminal pH, from about 5.5 to 5.0. SARA may be associated with laminitis and other health problems resulting in decreased production. Although ruminal pH varies considerably within a day, cows possess a highly developed system to maintain ruminal pH within a physiological range. However, if the acid production from fermentation is more than the system can buffer, ruminal pH compensation fails and ruminal pH may drop drastically. The risk of developing SARA can be reduced by adopting a feeding regime, which balances ruminal buffering with the production of volatile fatty acids from fermentation of carbohydrates. This can be achieved by providing adequate dietary fibre containing sufficient long particles. However, excessive amounts of long particles might lead to sorting and ultimately increase the risk of SARA. The level of fibre and long particles needed to maintain rumen health depends on the fibre source used. SARA is also dependent on the grain source fed and the degree of grain processing. Feeding highly fermentable grain increases the requirement for fibre. Feeding diet components separately appears to increase the risk for SARA compared to feeding a total mixed ration. Also, management practices that cause cows to eat fewer, larger, or irregular meals may be associated with increased incidence of SARA. Important management factors include feed access time, consistency of feeding schedule, and available bunk space. When dairy cows are fed for high production, good management practices are important even when dietary factors are optimal.
Examining the Role of Familial Support During Prison and After Release on Post-Incarceration Mental Health

A significant number of prisoners experience mental health problems, and adequate social support is one way that facilitates better mental health. Yet, by being incarcerated, social support, particularly family support, is likely to be strained or even negative. In this study, we examine whether familial support--either positive or negative--in-prison and after release affects mental health outcomes post-release. Using the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) dataset, we regress post-release mental health on in-prison familial support, post-incarceration familial support, and changes in familial support. We find that while in-prison family support does not affect mental health, post-release familial support does. Also, experiencing an increase in negative familial support is associated with lower post-incarceration mental health. We conclude with a discussion of policies which may facilitate better familial support environments.