cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Einsatz einer Software-in-the-Loop-Umgebung zur virtuell gestützten Applikation des Motorstarts eines hybriden Ottomotors

In der konventionellen Herangehensweise der Steuergerateapplikation wird eine Vielzahl von Hardwareversuchen an Motorprufstanden und Versuchsfahrzeugen benotigt. Ziel ist es ein umfassendes Systemverstandnis zu erlangen und einen optimalen Datensatz zu generieren. Besonders mit der Hybridisierung eines Verbrennungsmotors entstehen mehr Freiheitsgrade, welche die Systemkomplexitat steigern und den Applikationsaufwand erhohen. Damit die Applikation neuer Antriebsstrangkonzepte beherrschbar bleibt, bedarf es neuer Ansatze, welche die Arbeit der Ingenieure erleichtern. Ein moglicher Ansatz ist die virtuell gestutzte Applikation.
Universal SARS-CoV-2 Testing of Emergency Department Admissions Increases Emergency Department Length of Stay

Study objective Our institution experienced a change in SARS-CoV-2 testing policy as well as substantial changes in local COVID-19 prevalence, allowing for a unique examination of the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 testing and emergency department (ED) length of stay. Methods This was an observational interrupted time series of all patients admitted to an academic health system between March 15, 2020, and September 30, 2020. Given testing limitations from March 15 to April 24, all patients receiving SARS-CoV-2 tests were symptomatic. On April 24, testing was expanded to all ED admissions. The primary and secondary outcomes were ED length of stay and number needed to test to obtain a positive, respectively. Results A total of 70,856 patients were cared for in the EDs during the 7-month period. The testing change increased admission length of stay by 1.89 hours (95% confidence interval 1.39 to 2.38). The number needed to test was 2.5 patients and was highest yield on April 1, 2020, when the state positivity rate was 39.7%; however, the number needed to test exceeded 170 patients by Sept 1, 2020, at which point the state positivity rate was 0.5%. Conclusion Although universal SARS-CoV-2 testing of ED admissions may meaningfully support mitigation and containment efforts, the clinical cost of testing all admissions amid low community positivity is notable. In our system, universal ED SARS-CoV-2 testing was associated with a 24% increase in admission length of stay alongside the detection of only 1 positive case every other day. Given the known harms and risks of ED boarding and crowding, solutions must be developed to support regular operational flow while balancing infection prevention needs.
An Autonomous Vault-Building Robot System for Creating Spanning Structures

Research in autonomous robots for construction has largely focused on ground-based robots whose reach constrains the size of what they can build, or on climbing or aerial robots that build solid or unroofed structures. Autonomous construction of larger, multistory buildings, or bridges spanning unsupported distances, would require robots that build sturdy structures supporting their own weight. In this paper, we present VaultBot, a system of autonomous robots that build a load-bearing spanning vault using identical modular blocks. The custom blocks employ mechanical and other features to facilitate robotic manipulation and locomotion, and can be removed from and replaced in an assembled structure as a way of repairing damage. We characterize the system's performance and failure modes, and demonstrate reliable autonomous assembly for a structure composed of 46 blocks. Blocks can be made collapsible and deployable as a way of reducing mass and volume that must be transported to a construction site. Such a system could be used to help enable construction of protective shelters in challenging environments, such as disaster relief scenarios, arctic settings, or extraterrestrial habitats.
A framework to identify and respond to weak signals of disastrous process incidents based on FRAM and machine learning techniques

Abstract Most incidents in complex systems such as process plants are not-chance events and weak signals emerge for a long time before incidents occur. It is necessary to identify and respond to the weak signals as early as possible for preventing incidents. However, in the era of Industry 4.0, recognizing weak signals from the abundance of data is challenging. Since the terminology “weak signal” was not precisely defined, the study first proposed a formal definition of “weak signal” and discussed its characteristics. Additionally, a framework was developed to address the challenges of observing, evaluating, and responding to weak signals in complex systems. The framework first utilized Function Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) to determine the information to be collected for observing weak signals. Then, the relevance of weak signals and the corresponding responses were evaluated by utilizing Balanced Random Forest (BRF), Weighted Random Forest (WRF) and Decision Tree (DT) classification models. The case study of a hypothetical batch process showed great potentials for applying the framework in real operations. Based on the potential weak signals that were indicated by FRAM, probabilities of temperature deviations in the process were predicted with high accuracy by the optimal BRF model. Underlying weak signals and the corresponding responses to reduce the probabilities were identified from the DT.
A unified treatment of the thermodynamics of steady-state energy conversion

A unified thermodynamic theory of steady-state energy conversion is presented. A generalized energy converter is considered and its conversion efficiency determined. Two classes and types of energy converters are distinguished and their maximum conversion efficiency found to be given by the same expression. Illustrative examples are presented.
Robot-Assisted Cystectomy: Getting Started: Prior Experience, Learning Curve, and Initial Patient Selection

Getting started in robot-assisted surgery for invasive bladder cancer can be very challenging. Setting oneself up for success is as important as surgical technique. Factors such as patient selection, coordination of critical elements of the robotic team, applying surgical concepts of bladder cancer surgery, and identifying potential obstacles to a short learning curve will be covered within this chapter. The authors will review key elements of the aforementioned allowing surgeons to maximize chances of a successful transition to robotic bladder surgery.
Aerial Blockades in Historical, Legal, and Practical Perspective

This chapter examines aerial blockades, a relatively untested method of warfare. Since sea blockades have long been an element of naval warfare, historical examples of naval blockades are discussed as a means of placing aerial blockades in context. Drawing on the law of naval warfare relevant to blockades, the chapter suggests legal criteria for, and legal limitations on, the maintenance of aerial blockades. It also delves into the practical aspects of mounting such operations. The chapter concludes that aerial blockades are a useful, lawful and practical method of warfare.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) (JA) has been the diagnostic label applied to any child whose arthritis is of unknown origin, begins under age 16, and persists for a minimum of 6 weeks.1,2 Arthritis is defined as swelling or both pain and limitation of motion in at least one joint. “Unknown origin” means that the physician has considered and excluded all other diseases, both common and unusual, that may cause or be associated with arthritis (Table 3.1). These “classification” criteria, adopted by a panel of experts (the JRA Criteria Subcommittee of the American Rheumatism Association—ARA, now the American College of Rheumatology—ACR), were extraordinarily successful in helping physicians distinguish arthritic disorders from other disorders in childhood. After 5 years, only 3% of children diagnosed as JRA by these criteria turned out to have some other disease. Interest in childhood arthritis was stimulated by publication of these criteria, and they helped to bring about the end of an era in which children with arthritis were frequently misdiagnosed and subjected to long hospitalizations, unnecessary surgery, harmful immobilization, and inadequate or inappropriate drug therapy.
Biochemical characterization of prostatic nuclei: I. Androgen-induced changes in nuclear proteins☆

Abstract 1. The fractional recovery of rat prostatic nuclei isolated by centrifugation differed markedly at various phases of androgen-induced growth. Nuclei obtained from prostate glands that had been under the influence of androgen (either endogenous or exogenous), were obtained in much lower yield in comparison to nuclei isolated from animals that had been deprived of androgen by castration. These differences in the facility of isolation of nuclei were abolished either by removing the outer membranes of the nuclei by treatment with Triton X-100 or by appropriate changes in the Mg2+ concentration of the isolation medium. 2. The volumes of the nuclei of prostatic epithelial cells obtained from glands in various states of testosterone-induced growth differ markedly. Similar observations were made with the isolated nuclei. The lowest nuclear volumes were observed in the prostates of castrated animals and these changes could be reversed by androgen therapy. 3. The ratio of the total amount of nuclear protein to the amount of DNA decreased following castration, and could be restored by 3 days of androgen therapy. When the nuclear proteins were fractioned into groups, the ratios of the isolated soluble (S1), histone (H), and acidic (A) proteins to the amounts of DNA correlated with the overall changes in the total nuclear protein to DNA ratios. In contrast, the ratios of membrane (M) and soluble (S2) proteins were not significantly altered during the entire course of androgen deprival and treatment. 4. Resolution of various classes of nuclear proteins by disc-gel electrophoresis, revealed that the patterns of the soluble proteins changed markedly following castration and were restored to normal patterns following testosterone administration. In addition, the very lysine-rich histone (F1), decreased appreciably following castration but was restored to control levels by testosterone administration. Several of the nuclear membrane proteins appeared also to be altered both quantitatively and qualitatively by androgen treatment. In contrast, while the total amount of acidic and residual nuclear proteins decreased with castration, there was nevertheless only minimal qualitative changes in their electrophoretic patterns.
Secured Consumer Credit and the Fringe Banking Industry

Consumers lacking extensive credit histories, having poor credit records, having inadequate income, or having high debt-to-income ratios may not qualify for loans under traditional underwriting standards. Consequently, alternative lenders have stepped in offering financing opportunities quickly and conveniently. The problem for consumers presents itself when the credit comes at a very high cost.The sub-prime financial services run the range from high dollar loans such as for housing to very small, short-terms loans such as what one may receive at a payday loan establishment.This chapter reviews five types of these financial transactions in what has become the fringe banking industry. These transactions are: pawn loans, auto title loans, rent-to-own loans, payday loans, and refund anticipation loans. All are expensive and allow the lenders to avoid consumer credit laws and disclosure statutes that can protect the debtor.
Sensorimotor training during expression of the leg extension response (LER) in 1-day-old rats.

In newborn rats, the leg extension response (LER) is a coordinated hyperextension of the hindlimbs that is shown in response to anogenital stimulation. Here we examined the influence of sensorimotor training on LER expression in postnatal day 1 rats. In Experiment 1, we examined if proprioceptive feedback facilitates LER expression. We did this by repeatedly stimulating the pup's anogenital region with a vibrotactile device, to experimen- tally evoke the LER, thus increasing LER-relevant hindlimb proprioceptive feedback during training. In trained subjects, the LER was evoked every 4min for 15 trials, followed by a final LER test. Results indicated that proprioceptive feedback on its own did not alter later expression of the LER. In Experiment 2, we examined the effect of both proprioceptive and cutaneous feedback on LER expression, through the use of a range of motion (ROM) restriction during training. During ROM restriction, a Plexiglas plate was placed beneath the pup at 50% of limb length. After the 15th training trial, a final LER test occurred with no ROM restriction in place. Compared to controls, pups that experienced ROM restriction exhibited a significantly shorter LER duration, and smaller hip and ankle angles during the LER test (indicating greater limb flexion). Together these findings show that concurrent proprioceptive and cutaneous feedback, but not proprioceptive feedback alone, has persistent effects on expression of this newborn action pattern. 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol
Elevated levels of the chemokine GRO-1 correlate with elevated oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation in the jimpy mutant.

The dysmyelinating mutant jimpy ( jp ) arises from a point mutation in the mouse gene encoding proteolipid protein and is characterized by severe dysmyelination attributable to oligodendrocyte death. This mutant was used to investigate the regulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation in the postnatal spinal cord. At postnatal day 18, jp spinal cord contained a three- to eightfold greater number of proliferating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells than did wild-type ( wt ) spinal cord. Increased proliferation in jp spinal cord was accompanied by a twofold increase in the number of progenitor cells. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR revealed no change in the level of mRNA encoding the platelet-derived growth factor A, transforming growth factor-β, or insulin-like growth factor-I, all of which have been implicated as regulators of proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. There was, however, a 17-fold increase in the level of mRNA encoding the chemokine GRO-1 and a 5- to 6-fold increase in GRO-1 protein in the jp spinal cord. Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed elevated levels of GRO-1 in reactive astrocytes in jp spinal cord white matter. In vitro studies indicated that extracts from jp spinal cord stimulated oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation. Furthermore, removal of GRO-1 from jp extracts by immunoprecipitation reduced the proliferation of progenitor cells to a level similar to that achieved by wt extracts. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells is regulated in the postnatal spinal cord in response to insult.
Renormalizing the Strong-Coupling Expansion for Quantum Field Theory: Present Status

In this talk we review the progress we have made in determining the renormalized strong coupling expansion in quantum field theory. We restrict ourselves here to λϕ4 field theory in d-dimensions. Our starting point is the lattice version of the path integral representation for the Green’s functions.
Succeeding in Politics: Dynasties in Democracies

Author(s): Smith, Daniel Markham; Smith, Daniel Markham | Abstract: This dissertation examines the causes and electoral consequences of political dynasties in developed democracies. The researcher develops a model of candidate recruitment and selection to explain the persistence of "legacy politics" in some democracies, such as Japan, focusing in particular on electoral rules and internal party recruitment processes. This model is then tested using legislator-level biographical data from eight democracies, and an in-depth, candidate-level case study of Japan, where electoral reform has also resulted in party adaptation in candidate selection methods. The researcher finds that "legacy" candidates enjoy an "inherited incumbency advantage" in both the selection and election stages of their careers. However, the relative value of this inherited incumbency advantage varies significantly by the institutional contexts of the electoral system and the candidate recruitment process within parties
The effects of a variant of the program for all-inclusive care of the elderly on hospital utilization and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) on hospital, emergency department (ED), and nursing home utilization with those of traditional care. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental longitudinal cohort design. SETTING: Selected counties in Wisconsin. PARTICIPANTS: WPP elderly enrollees and two matched control groups consisting of frail older people enrolled in fee-for-service insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid and receiving home- and community-based waiver services, one from the same geographic area as the WPP and another from a location in the state where the WPP was not offered. MEASUREMENTS: Data came from administrative records. Regression and survival analyses were adjusted for case-mix variables. RESULTS: No significant differences in hospital utilization, ED visits, preventable hospitalizations, risk of entry into nursing homes, or mortality were found. WPP enrollees had more contact with care providers than did controls. CONCLUSION: WPP did not dramatically alter the pattern of care. Part of the weak effect may be attributable to the small numbers of WPP cases per participating physician.
Factors affecting delivery of bile to the duodenum in man

Studies utilizing balloon-occludable T or duodenal tubes in subjects with and without gallbladders were undertaken to identify the contribution of the gallbladder, the sphincter of Oddi, and bile salts to the delivery of bile to the duodenum. Patients with and without a functional sphincter of Oddi and with and without a gallbladder were compared. The presence of a functional sphincter of Oddi in duodenal tube patients reduced bile salt output by more than 67% from that observed in T-tube patients. When cholecystectomized and normal patients were compared using the duodenal tube, peak bile salt output was significantly increased in normal subjects, reflecting gallbladder contraction, but total bile salt output was not significantly increased suggesting that the gallbladder has a minor role in bile delivery. Exogenous infusion of cholecystokinin produced much more stable bile secretion than did endogenous release of cholecystokinin by intraduodenal infusion of essential amino acids. This rhythmic release of bile after endogenous cholecystokinin release was related to the concentration of bile salts in the intestinal lumen. Thus, delivery of bile to the duodenum is wave-like and is predominantly controlled by the sphincter of Oddi.
Esophageal variceal bleeding in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.

Esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) is a frequent complication in cirrhotic patients resulting in considerable mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence, impact, and trends of EVB in hospitalized cirrhotic patients on a nationwide level in the United States. We interrogated data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2012. Utilizing International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, we analyzed hospital discharges for cirrhosis and related EVB in adult patients. EVB in cirrhotic patients was independently associated with overall worse outcomes with respect to in-hospital mortality (10% vs 5%; P < 0.01) and hospital charges (median $41,000 vs $26,000; P < 0.01). In the period from 2002 to 2012, the number of cirrhosis-related hospitalizations increased from 337,956 to 570,220 (P < 0.01). Concurrently, the incidence of EVB in hospitalized cirrhotic patients declined from 8.60% to 5.78%, with an overall decreased trend (P < 0.01). The decline in the rate of EVB in hospitalized cirrhotic patients from 2002 to 2012 likely reflects the effectiveness of primary and secondary prophylaxis. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:453–456. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Self-folding of polymer sheets using microwaves and graphene ink

Self-folding represents an attractive way to convert two-dimensional (2D) material sheets into three-dimensional (3D) objects in a hands-free manner. This paper demonstrates a simple approach to self-fold thin pre-strained polystyrene (PS) sheets using microwaves. While the PS sheets are transparent to microwaves, patterns of screen-printed ink containing graphene absorb microwaves and cause the underlying printed sections of the sheet to warm up. When the local temperature in the inked region exceeds the glass transition temperature of PS (∼103 °C), the strain in the inked regions of the film relaxes gradually across the sheet thickness, which causes the PS sheet to fold. The resulting dihedral angle is proportional to the width of the hinge printed by graphene ink. The geometry and azimuthal orientation of the sample inside the microwave reactor affect the quality of the folding due to the non-uniformity of the microwave energy inside the reactor. While self-folding has previously utilized heat, light, photo-chemistry, and solvent swelling, this paper reports the use of microwaves, which can deliver large amounts of energy remotely.
Oxidation of alpha-methyldopa and other catechols by cytochrome P-450-generated superoxide anion: possible mechanism of methyldopa hepatitis.

Renewed interest in the hepatic injury produced by α-methyldopa has been stimulated by recent reports that the antihypertensive drug may initiate chronic active liver disease, occasionally with a fatal outcome. To determine whether the toxicity might be due to a reactive metabolite, [3H]α-methyldopa was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of an NADPH-generating system. A large amount of covalent binding occurred, but only in the presence of NADPH and oxygen (Vmax = 0.5 nmol/mg/min; Km = 50 µM). The binding was inhibited by a CO-O2 atmosphere (9:1), indicating the involvement of cytochrome P-450. However, α-methyldopa did not show P-450 binding spectra (type I, II, or III), and its covalent binding was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid (1 mM), ethylenediamine (20 mM), and glutathione (1 mM). This indicated that α-methyldopa was being oxidized by cytochrome P-450-generated superoxide anion to a reactive semiquinone and/or quinone. The covalent binding was inhibited by analogues such as l-dopa, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and catechol, but not by 3-O-methyldopa, indicating a requirement for the unsubstituted catechol nucleus. Additional studies demonstrated that the rat microsomal system could be replaced by human hepatic microsomes or by a xanthine oxidase system and the binding was again inhibited by superoxide dismutase. Metabolic activation by superoxide anion may play a role in the hepatotoxicity of this and other catechols, including hydroxylated estrogens.
Plasma fatty acid composition and incidence of diabetes in middle-aged adults: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: The results of some epidemiologic studies conducted by using questionnaires suggest that dietary fat composition influences diabetes risk. Confirmation of this finding with use of a biomarker is warranted. Objective: We prospectively investigated the relation of plasma cholesterol ester (CE) and phospholipid (PL) fatty acid composition with the incidence of diabetes mellitus. Design: In 2909 adults aged 45-64 y, plasma fatty acid composition was quantified by using gas-liquid chromatography and was expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids. Incident diabetes (n = 252) was identified during 9 y of follow-up. Results: After adjustment for age, sex, baseline body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, physical activity, education, and parental history of diabetes, diabetes incidence was significantly and positively associated with the proportions of total saturated fatty acids in plasma CE and PL. The rate ratios of incident diabetes across quintiles of saturated fatty acids were 1.00, 1.36, 1.16, 1.60, and 2.08 (P = 0.0013) in CE and 1.00, 1.75, 1.87, 2.40, and 3.37 (P < 0.0001) in PL. In CE, the incidence of diabetes was also positively associated with the proportions of palmitic (16:0), palmitoleic (16:ln-7), and dihomo-γ-linolenic (20:3n-6) acids and inversely associated with the proportion of linoleic acid (18:2n-6). In PL, incident diabetes was positively associated with the proportions of 16:0 and stearic acid (18:0). Conclusions: The proportional saturated fatty acid composition of plasma is positively associated with the development of diabetes. Our findings with the use of this biomarker suggest indirectly that the dietary fat profile, particularly that of saturated fat, may contribute to the etiology of diabetes.
University Students' Usage and Perceptions of the Internet:

This study explored how university students used the Internet and how attributes, such as university major, gender, and age, were implicated in the Internet usage factors—enjoyment, usefulness, anxiety, and self-efficacy. The data revealed that university students used the Internet very frequently, with the majority on a daily basis. Factorial ANOVA analysis revealed that statistically significant differences of enjoyment was found between male and female students, the younger and older students, and students' different majors across age groups. Differences on the Internet usefulness was found between female and male students and between students' different majors across age groups. Multiple regression revealed that students' enjoyment, feeling of the Internet usefulness, and self-efficacy significantly contributed to their anxiety level toward utilizing the Internet.
Inhibition by lidoflazine of the contractile response of the rat isolated colon to angiotensin

1 In the rat isolated ascending colon, lidoflazine in a concentration of 5 × 10−7M slightly enhanced the response to angiotensin, but in a concentration of 10−6M it was a strong and unsurmountable antagonist. 2 Exposure to lidoflazine (10−6M) also inhibited the contractile responses to acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and barium ions. The antagonism of acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine was unsurmountable and quantitatively similar to that of angiotensin. The antagonism of barium ions was much weaker and probably competitive. 3 The inhibitory effect of papaverine (10−5M) showed a pattern similar to that found for lidoflazine. 4 It is concluded that the antagonism of angiotensin by lidoflazine in the rat colon is non-specific.
A hippocampal model predicts a fluctuating phase transition when learning certain trace conditioning paradigms

The hippocampus is needed for at least one kind of trace classical conditioning, the air-puff eye-blink paradigm. A simple model of region CA3 predicts three basic, quantitative observations of the learning behavior of rabbits. One particular quantified prediction is the learnable trace interval. The boundary region of the reliably learnable trace interval represents a phase transition. Within this transition, three behaviorally distinguishable modes are expressed: failure to blink; blink too soon; and occasionally, appropriate predictive blinking. In the region of the phase transition, there is a small sub-interval where the behavioral modes fluctuate rapidly from trial to trial for individual simulations. Such observed fluctuations are an experimental prediction by the model. The discussion also includes a brief conjecture concerning the underlying cause of the phase transition and the fluctuations.
Introduction to the special issue on online teaching and learning

Abstract For the fourth consecutive year, the American Educational Research Association’s Online Teaching and Learning Special Interest Group has been given the opportunity to publish an issue of the INTHIG dedicated to the work of its members. Unlike prior years, this issue is expanded to include work from members of other groups within the AERA dedicated to working in online learning environments. The articles included in this issue represent cutting-edge research from some of the most renowned authors in the field.
Theory of compact nonporous windscreens for infrasonic measurements

The principle of the compact nonporous windscreen is based on the great penetrability of infrasound through matter. The windscreen performance is characterized by the ratio of the sound pressure at an interior microphone, located in the center of a windscreen, to the incident sound pressure in the free field. The frequency dependence of this pressure ratio is derived as a function of the windscreen material and geometric properties. Four different windscreen geometries are considered: a subsurface, box-shaped windscreen, a cylindrical windscreen of infinite length, a cylindrical windscreen of finite length, and a spherical windscreen. Results are presented for windscreens made of closed-cell polyurethane foam and for typical dimensions of each of the above geometries. The cylindrical windscreen of finite length, featuring evanescent radial modes, behaves as a unity-gain, low-pass filter, cutting off sharply at the end of the infrasonic range. The remaining geometries reveal a pass band that extends well into the audio range, terminated by a pronounced peak beyond which the response plummets rapidly.
A NOTE ON SAMPLING DESIGNS FOR RANDOM PROCESSES WITH NO QUADRATIC MEAN DERIVATIVE

Summary Several authors have previously discussed the problem of obtaining asymptotically optimal design sequences for estimating the path of a stochastic process using intricate analytical techniques. In this note, an alternative treatment is provided for obtaining asymptotically optimal sampling designs for estimating the path of a second order stochastic process with known covariance function. A simple estimator is proposed which is asymptotically equivalent to the full-fledged best linear unbiased estimator and the entire asymptotics are carried out through studying this estimator. The current approach lends an intuitive statistical perspective to the entire estimation problem.
The Association of Motor Neuron Disease and Alzheimer-Type Dementia

Abstract An elderly woman is described who developed senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, followed within eight months by classical clinical and electromyographic features of sporadic motor neuron disease. Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is generally believed to affect the voluntary motor system and spare intellectual function, with the exception of certain familial forms and geographic isolates in the Pacific, pathological involvement of the cerebral cortex and posterior columns has often been demonstrated. A small number of cases of concomitant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been reported, but an association has not thereby been proven. With the incidence of dementia increasing, it is possible that epidemiologic studies may show an increase in the incidence of motor neuron disease, and thereby suggest an association. A unitary hypothesis for causation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed. Closer investigation of patients with motor neuron disease for dementia, and inquiry into the incidence of motor dysfunction in demented patients, may yield evidence in support of such a hypothesis.
Expression and regulation of human low-density lipoprotein receptors in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the major cholesterol transport component of human plasma, delivers cholesterol to mammalian cells via the LDL pathway of receptor-mediated endocytosis1. LDL receptor activity and cholesterol biosynthesis are coordinately regulated by cholesterol-mediated feedback suppression2–4. We have developed methods for the isolation of mutant5,6 and revertant (M.K., unpublished data) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells having alterations in cholesterol biosynthesis and in the receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL. The defective locus of one LDL receptor-negative CHO mutant (clone 7a-1)6 is apparently the structural gene for the LDL receptor (D. Kingsley, M. Segai and M.K., unpublished data). Here we have transfected 7a-1 cells with human DNA and selected colonies which synthesize functional human LDL receptors whose expression is regulated normally. This selection may prove useful for cloning genes required for the receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL and other ligands and thus for elucidating the molecular defects responsible for familial hyper-cholesterolaemia, one of the most common genetic diseases in humans7.
A professional development model for the positive practice of school‐based reading consultation

This paper reports on two years of a multiyear consultation/professional development project based on socioconstructivist principles (situated cognition, social context, and scaffolded instruction) that are consistent with key elements of positive psychology. The consultation model used a case analysis framework to engage 12 elementary school teachers in workshops, demonstration lessons, ad hoc inquiry groups, and coaching. Interview, questionnaire, and field note data from the participants identified “control and choice,” “focus on student needs,” “applicability to classroom practices,” “direct instruction of skills,” and “consultant feedback” as key elements of the model. Changes in classroom practices were reported by 78% of the participants with changes in confidence noted from pre- to posttests. Better learning for students was mentioned by 89% of the teachers. Discussion focuses on critical theoretical elements associated with positive psychology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 51–65, 2004.
Ionization potentials of small clusters of nickel and iron

Abstract We report transition state calculations of ionization potentials for free Ni 13 , Ni 19 clusters with face centered cubic geometry and Ni 9 , Fe 15 with body centered cubic geometry. Our results are compared with those obtained by other calculational methods, and are in reasonably good agreement with experiment in all cases.
Associative Reinforcement Learning: Functions in k -DNF

An agent that must learn to act in the world by trial and error faces the reinforcement learning problem, which is quite different from standard concept learning. Although good algorithms exist for this problem in the general case, they are often quite inefficient and do not exhibit generalization. One strategy is to find restricted classes of action policies that can be learned more efficiently. This paper pursues that strategy by developing algorithms that can efficiently learn action maps that are expressible in k-DNF. The algorithms are compared with existing methods in empirical trials and are shown to have very good performance.
Noncoercive sums of squares in R [x1, ..., xn]

Abstract Positive definite forms f ∈ R [ x 1 , … , x n ] which are sums of squares of forms of R [ x 1 , … , x n ] are constructed to have the additional property that the members of any collection of forms whose squares sum to f must share a nontrivial complex root in C n .
The Active Site on the Phytotoxin of Corynebacterium sepedonicum

Corynebacterium sepedonicum produces an extracellular phytotoxic glycopeptide that possesses a capacity to wilt plant cuttings. It has been previously demonstrated that the integrity of some of the membranes of the host cells is destroyed, suggesting the possibility that a biologically active site is present on the toxin molecule. The toxin was chemically altered in the following ways and then tested for biological activity: (a) the NH(2)-terminal group on the peptide portion of the toxin was blocked by the dansylation technique; (b) the OH groups on the sugar and amino acid residues as well as the NH groups on the amino acid residues were blocked by exhaustive methylation; (c) the COO(-) groups were converted to their respective methyl esters; (d) the peptide moiety was removed by pronase digestion. Experimental results indicate that the carboxyl groups of the nonpeptide portion of the molecule are responsible for the biological activity of the toxin. Other experiments showed that the toxin does not affect the membranes of animal cells.The biological activity of the glycopeptide, as well as its chemically altered derivatives, was determined by an instrument designated as a wilt-o-meter that quantitatively measures the strength of plant cuttings. A description of this instrument, how it is used, and how it can be manufactured is also included in this report.
A Pedagogic Framework to Link GIS to the Intellectual Core of Geography

Abstract This paper aims to develop a new pedagogic framework for teaching GIS at the college and university level using Berry's geographic matrix. By synthesizing different schools of thought, this paper argues that GIS education essentially involves two aspects—how to teach about GIS and how to teach with GIS. Berry's geographic matrix can be used to tie these dual aspects of GIS education together neatly. As an abstract representation of geographical phenomena, the geographic matrix embeds all three entities of GIS—location, attribute, time—and thus can help GIS instructors teach about GIS. As a synthesis of geographical approaches, the geographic matrix can assist GIS instructors teach with GIS. This paper demonstrates that GIS is actually an implementation of Berry's geographic matrix. Furthermore, the 10 approaches to geographical analysis, originally proposed by Berry for the geographic matrix, can be executed routinely in a GIS environment. By incorporating Berry's geographic matrix into GIS educa...
Modeling and optimal design of composite-reinforced wood railroad crosstie

Abstract Due to in-service damage resulting in splitting and excessive wearing, over 12 million wood railroad crossties (sleepers) are replaced annually on Class 1 railroads in the United States at an approximate cost of $500 million. Therefore, a need exists to develop innovative means for improving the performance and service-life of wood ties. In this paper, the development and prototype evaluation of a wood tie wrapped by or encased in glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) composite is discussed. Using glass fibers, epoxy resin, and a resorcinol formaldehyde primer, wood cores are reinforced with a relatively thin layer of composite by the filament winding process. The paper includes the conceptual design, modeling, optimization, and testing of prototype samples. A 3-D finite element model of a beam on elastic foundation is used to predict the response of the composite reinforced wood crosstie, and the same model is used to conduct parametric studies of important design variables of the composite reinforcement. The finite element model is combined with innovative optimization techniques to minimize the volume of composite while simultaneously minimizing the critical stresses and deflections in the wood core. Based on the optimization results, a final recommended design is proposed and prototype samples are manufactured and evaluated. To verify the predictions of the model, both wood and composite reinforced wood samples are tested under combined static and moisture loadings. The predicted linear response of the samples correlates well with experimental results. The combined modeling, optimization and evaluation study presented in this paper provides design guidelines for the development of prototype composite-reinforced wood crossties. The future commercial manufacturing and potential implementation of this new product are also discussed.
Borderline Executive Disorder

Ever wondered why really inept executives seem to collect like lint at the top of modern organizations? I have an explanation for your consideration.
Methylrhenium trioxide revisited: mechanisms for nonredox oxygen insertion in an M-CH3 bond.

Methylrhenium trioxide (MTO) has the rare ability to stoichiometrically generate methanol at room temperature with an external oxidant (H2O2) under basic conditions. In order to use this transformation as a model for nonredox oxidative C−O coupling, the mechanisms have been elucidated using density functional theory (DFT). Our studies show several possible reaction pathways to form methanol, with the lowest net barrier (ΔH‡) being 23.3 kcal mol-1. The rate-determining step is a direct “Baeyer−Villiger” type concerted oxygen insertion into MTO, forming methoxyrhenium trioxide. The key to the low-energy transition state is the donation of electron density, first, from HOO(−) to the −CH3 group (making −CH3 more nucleophilic and HOO− more electrophilic) and, second, from the Re−C bond to both the forming Re−O and breaking O−O bonds, simultaneously (thus forming the Re−O bond as the Re−C bond is broken). In turn, the ability of MTO to undergo these transfers can be traced to the electrophilic nature of the met...
Biochemical characterization of the Ca2+ release channel of skeletal and cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Rapid mixing-vesicle ion flux and planar lipid bilayer-single channel measurements have shown that a high-conductance, ligand-gated Ca2+ release channel is present in ‘heavy’, junctional-derived membrane fractions of skeletal and cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Using the release channel-specific probe, ryanodine, a 30S protein complex composed of polypeptides of Mr ∼ 400 000 has been isolated from cardiac and skeletal muscle. Reconstitution of the complex into planar lipid bilayers has revealed a Ca2+ conductance with properties characteristic of the native Ca2+ release channel.
Development of a meropenem susceptibility disc: drug content, preliminary interpretive and quality control criteria and potency bioassay

Laboratory studies were conducted to develop an appropriate susceptibility disc for meropenem. Laboratory-prepared paper discs containing 5, 10, and 20 micrograms of meropenem were investigated. Agar dilution MICs and agar disc diffusion tests were performed with 367 rapidly growing clinical isolates by methods recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Agar disc diffusion tests with 10 micrograms meropenem discs acceptably defined organisms as susceptible or resistant. The preliminary interpretive zone size criteria for 10 micrograms meropenem discs were: susceptible, greater than or equal to 14 mm, and resistant, less than or equal to 10 mm, by application of the NCCLS imipenem MIC interpretive susceptible and resistant breakpoints to the meropenem data. A total of 270 agar disc diffusion assays were performed with each of four ATCC reference strains, using prototype discs (Becton Dickinson (BBL] containing 10 micrograms meropenem. The preliminary quality control limits for agar disc diffusion tests with these discs are: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, 28-32 mm; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, 26-31 mm; Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, 33-39 mm; and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, 19-23 mm. Further studies are necessary to re-evaluate both the preliminary interpretive and quality control criteria before definitive limits can be established. A reproducible, large plate bioassay with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 was developed to monitor meropenem disc potency.
Comments on from contextualism to contrastivism

Jonathan Schaffer is sympathetic to the contextualist approach to epistemology, broadly construed, but thinks that it hasn’t got the account of the verb “knows” quite right. Contextualists are on to something, but their view needs to be reformulated to give a correct account of the way we talk about knowledge, and (he argues) the reformulated view can do a better job of developing and defending the contextualist strategy for responding to skepticism. The structure of his paper is clear and straightforward: he states three theses that he takes to define contextualism about knowledge, and three parallel but contrasting theses that he uses to define contrastivism, his alternative to contextualism. He then argues that each of his three theses is superior to its counterpart. One issue is whether there really a disagreement between the two doctrines; as Schaffer notes, some Contextualists have suggested that his contrastivism is simply a version of contextualism – one way of implementing the general account. So part of the burden of the argument of the paper is to defend the claim that the two accounts really are in conflict. If there is a conflict between the accounts, it is a conflict between general kinds of analysis, rather than between two specific analyses, since the contrast is made at a high level of abstraction. As Schaffer emphasizes, his contrasting sets of theses are designed to leave both of the doctrines he is comparing neutral about the details of the analysis of knowledge. But even at this very general level, he argues, there is a significant difference between contextualism and contrastivism. This is a rich paper, and there is too much going on in it to talk about it all. I am going to start with the question whether there really is a disagreement between the two doctrines, and if there is, what kind of disagreement it is. I will then spend most of my time on
Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging of cephalopagus conjoined twins.

Abstract Background: Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used successfully in antenatal diagnosis. Case: We report a case of cephalopagus conjoined twins in which ultrafast MRI clarified how the twins were united, especially the neuroanatomy, and helped with antenatal counseling. Conclusion: Ultrafast MRI can provide superior image quality to two-dimensional ultrasonography and should be considered an adjunct to ultrasound for antenatal characterization of some anomalies.
Multi-sensor data fusion and comparison of total column ozone

With many remote-sensing instruments onboard satellites exploring the Earth's atmosphere, most data are processed to gridded daily maps. However, differences in the original spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution—as well as format, structure, and temporal and spatial coverage—make the data merging, or fusion, difficult. NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES-DISC) has archived several data products for various sensors in different formats, structures, and multi-temporal and spatial scales for ocean, land, and atmosphere. In this investigation using Earth science data sets from multiple sources, an attempt was made to develop an optimal technique to merge the atmospheric products and provide interactive, online analysis tools for the user community. The merged/fused measurements provide a more comprehensive view of the atmosphere and improve coverage and accuracy, compared with a single instrument dataset. This paper describes ways of merging/fusing several NASA Earth Observing Systems (EOS) remote-sensing datasets available at GES-DISC. The applicability of various methods was investigated for merging total column ozone to implement these methods into Giovanni, the online interactive analysis tool developed by GES-DISC. Ozone data fusion of MODerate resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Terra and Aqua Level-3 daily data sets was conducted, and the results were found to provide better coverage. Weighted averaging of Terra and Aqua data sets, with the consequent interpolation through the remaining gaps using Optimal Interpolation (OI), also was conducted and found to produce better results. Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) total column ozone is reliable and provides better results than Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and MODIS. However, the agreement among these instruments is reasonable. The correlation is high (0.88) between OMI and AIRS total column ozone, while the correlation between OMI and MODIS Terra/Aqua fused total column ozone is 0.79.
Backward Scattering Theorem Applying To a Perfectly Conducting Sphere

In this paper we first verify the law of conservation of power for the scattering of a linearly polarized plane wave by a conducting sphere. Subsequently, we show that the application of the backward scattering theorem to the problem yields the same answer for the excitation power based on the surface integral involving the incident wave and the scattered magnetic field on the surface of the sphere.