cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF NURSE ALLOCATION POLICIES‐A MONTE CARLO MODEL*

Many hospitals have historically used a fixed staffing policy for allocating nursing personnel, in which the daily demand in each ward is met by nurses who are permanently assigned to the specific wards. In recent years, the concept of variable staffing has been proposed as a means of increasing manpower efficiency. A variable staffing policy is one which provides for staffing adjustments to meet work load through the use of a common pool of cross-trained nurses. In this paper, a model is formulated to evaluate the relative benefits of variable and fixed staffing policies. Results from a Monte Carlo evaluation of the model demonstrate how the hospital administrator can assess the sensitivity of savings to changes in policy and operating parameters. Several criteria which an administrator might adopt for equating levels of patient care under alternative staffing schemes are suggested and studied. The proposed method of analyzing benefits of alternative allocation procedures shows promise for evaluating policy choices in hospitals, as well as other service organizations with similar characteristics.
Hole Depth Studies in Single-Defect Photonic Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers Using 3-D FDTD Simulations

Three-dimensional finite difference time domain calculations are performed on single defect photonic crystal vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers. Simulation results are presented in comparison with measured near- and far-field radiation patterns and optical spectrum measurements.
Potential roles of plasminogen activator system in coronary vascular remodeling induced by long-term nitric oxide synthase inhibition.

Recent studies have indicated that a number of factors contribute to the pathophysiology in response to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition. We previously demonstrated that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficient (PAI-1-/-) mice are protected against hypertension and perivascular fibrosis induced by relatively short-term NOS inhibition. In this study, we compared the temporal changes in systolic blood pressure and coronary perivascular fibrosis induced by long-term treatment with N(omega)-nitro- L -arginine methyl ester (L -NAME) in wild type (WT), PAI-1(-/-) and tissue-type plasminogen activator deficient (t-PA-/-) mice. After initiating L -NAME, systolic blood pressure increased in all groups at 2 weeks. Over a 16 week study period, systolic blood pressure increased to 143+/-3 mmHg (mean+/-SEM) in WT animals, 139+/-2 in t-PA-/- mice vs 129+/-2 in PAI-1-/- mice (P < 0.01). Coronary perivascular fibrosis increased in L -NAME-treated WT and t-PA(-/-) mice compared to each control group (P<0.01 in WT, P<0.05 in t-PA-/-), while PAI-1-/- mice were protected against fibrosis induced by L -NAME. t-PA deficiency did not accentuate the vascular pathology or the changes in blood pressure. In situ zymography demonstrated augmented gelatinolytic activity in PAI-1-/- mice at baseline, suggesting that PAI-1 deficiency prevents the increase of collagen deposition by promoting matrix degradation. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels increased in L -NAME-treated WT and PAI-1-/- mice (P < 0.01), but not in L -NAME-treated t-PA-/- mice. These findings support the hypothesis that the plasminogen activator system protects against the structural vascular changes induced by long-term NOS inhibition. While PAI-1 deficiency protects against L -NAME-induced hypertension and perivascular fibrosis, t-PA deficiency does not exacerbate the vascular pathology or hypertension.
Radiative alpha capture cross-sections from realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions and variational Monte Carlo wave functions

We report the first calculations of cross sections for the radiative capture reactions {sup 3}H({alpha},{gamma}){sup 7}Li and {sup 3}He({alpha},{gamma}){sup 7}Be below 2 MeV that use wave functions derived from realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions by the variational Monte Carlo technique. After examining several small corrections to the dominant E1 operator, we find energy dependences for the low-energy S factors that agree reasonably with experimental measurements. There is no contradiction with the previous theoretical understanding of these processes, but the zero-energy derivative of the {sup 3}H({alpha},{gamma}){sup 7}Li S factor is smaller than that in most models. While this method can, in principle, predict cross section normalizations, the normalizations of our results are mostly too low.
Two Asymmetric Hadamard Transform Spectrometers

We develop the theory of operation for dispersive spectrometers that modulate radiation at both the entrance and exit apertures by means of Hadamard codes. Specifically, we examine the operation of instruments illuminated by a beam of radiation known to be homogeneous. In this case, all spatial information obtained in the operation of the instrument can be effectively suppressed at no loss of spectral performance and at a considerable reduction in the number of measurements that need to be made. A particularly interesting instrument which mocks a monochromator is described. The spectrum is directly obtained from the data by simply subtracting a constant intensity value from all readings. This instrument bears a resemblance to the Girard grill spectrometer. We describe the construction and operation of an instrument that has been tested in both modes of operation and show some of the spectra obtained.
A gentle introduction to the dynamic set-point model of human postural control during perturbed stance

Three models of increasing complexity to capture three observed phenomena of postural control are described. The first-order model mimics the increase in standard deviation of sway with eyes closed, but none of the other phenomena. The damped spring model captures both the increase in standard deviation of sway with eyes closed and the change from phase-lag to phase-lead with increasing frequency of oscillation of a visual surround. The final model, the dynamic set-point model, extends the damped spring model by a degree of freedom that reflects the observed slow drift in baseline. Under the assumption of a strong coupling to positional information, the dynamic set-point model predicts a dependence between natural frequency and position coupling constant of the damped spring model. It is shown that this prediction is borne out in data obtained from haptically perturbed stance but not in data obtained from visually perturbed stance.
Utilizing web data in identification and correction of OCR errors

In this paper, we report on our experiments for detection and correction of OCR errors with web data. More specifically, we utilize Google search to access the big data resources available to identify possible candidates for correction. We then use a combination of the Longest Common Subsequences (LCS) and Bayesian estimates to automatically pick the proper candidate. Our experimental results on a small set of historical newspaper data show a recall and precision of 51% and 100%, respectively. The work in this paper further provides a detailed classification and analysis of all errors. In particular, we point out the shortcomings of our approach in its ability to suggest proper candidates to correct the remaining errors.
Intensive care update: seven studies that should change your practice.

Seven recent studies in intensive care found that: The need for intravenous sedation should continually be reassessed Low-dose dopamine does not offer significant renal protection Higher doses of continuous venovenous hemofiltration may improve survival Subclavian central venous catheterization is associated with fewer complications than the femoral route We have little evidence to support the use of ranitidine and sucralfate as prophylaxis for stress ulcers Many young patients with suspected bacterial meningitis can undergo lumbar puncture without a CT scan if they have no abnormalities on a quick history and physical examination Intensive insulin therapy to control blood glucose lowers the mortality rate.
A mediational model of trait negative affectivity, dispositional thought suppression, and intrusive thoughts following laboratory stressors

Two studies examined the relationships among trait negative affectivity, dispositional thought suppression, and intrusions in non-clinical samples. In Study 1 (N=87), participants were presented with a series of emotionally evocative images and intrusions were examined 48 h after presentation via self-report. In Study 2 (N=118), intrusions were examined using a behavioral Key-press and self-report at two time points (5 and 20 min) following exposure to a series of emotionally evocative images. In each study, participants were assessed for trait negative affectivity and the tendency to engage in thought suppression in response to unpleasant cognitions. Results from both studies support a model in which chronic thought suppression fully mediates the relationship between negative affectivity and the frequency of intrusions.
Optimizing thermography depth probing with a dynamic thermal point spread function

Abstract Derivation of two point spread functions PSFs suitable for infrared thermograms analysis is illustrated, based on two unique approaches, one based on depth decaying limit and one on diffusion limit. Experimental work using PMMA sample with back drilled holes and pulsed thermographic routine is utilized to show the effectiveness of deconvoluting pixel temperature transient history with suggested PSF’s. Synthetic second time derivative thermograms are utilized for comparison and the signal to noise ratio is used as a figure of merit for quantification.
Sawing Off the Branch on Which We Sit? Critical Realism, Open Systems, and Possible Futures

The Political Economy of Global Security: War, Future Crises and Changes in Global Governance. By Patomaki Heikki. London and New York: Routledge, 2008. 292 pp., $150.00 hardcover (ISBN: 978-0-415-41672-6). The Political Economy of Global Security is an ambitious and unusual book. It seeks to contribute to peace and security studies by constructing narratives of possible global futures whose main purpose is to promote global peace and democracy. In developing its narratives, the book combines social theory in the form of critical realism (Bhaskar 1986) with the insights of empirico-analytical models, among them classical theories of imperialism and lateral pressure theory. From critical realism, Patomaki borrows a number of ideas, perhaps primary among them that social systems are open systems. Because they are open, social systems are “susceptible to external influences and internal, qualitative change and emergence” (Patomaki and Wight 1999:232). The most important implication is that constant conjunctions (or universal invariances) do not exist in open systems. For instance, the proposition that liberal democracies do not fight each other is a constant conjunction. (p. 20) Although constant conjunctions do not exist, we can gain knowledge of “contrastive demi-regularities,” defined as “a partial event regularity which prima facie indicates the occasional actualisation of geo-historical causal forces or mechanisms over a definite region of time-space” (p. 22). An example of a demi-regularity would be the lower frequency of wars between liberal democratic countries than between democracies and other countries since the late nineteenth century (p. 22). We can identify demi-regularities such as the democratic peace hypothesis, but they are both spatially and temporally limited and too unstable to provide a basis for thinking about the conditions for a future peaceful global order. In other words, in the absence of constant conjunctions, prediction is “fundamentally problematic” (p. 24). This leaves us with a seeming paradox: Prediction is problematic, yet the goal of future studies is to identify possible global futures. If the scenarios of possible global futures are not predictions, then what …
Allergen-controlled study of intranasal immunotherapy for ragweed hay fever

Abstract Previous studies of intranasal immunotherapy have not included control groups treated with an irrelevant allergen. In the present double-blind study, we tested the effectiveness of intranasal immunotherapy in 20 patients sensitive to both short ragweed (SRW) and orchard grass (OG). Patients sprayed increasing concentrations of either SRW (n = 11) or OG (n = 9) extract intranasally six times per day for 8 wk before the SRW pollination season. The effects of this treatment were determined by analysis of symptom score diaries and clinical examinations during the SRW pollination season. SRW-treated patients received cumulative AgE doses from 3 to 59 μg (mean 21); this mean dose was approximately sevenfold less than that used in a previous study from our laboratory. All patients reported immediate hay fever symptoms after use of the nasal spray. Five patients (four SRW- and one OG-treated) reported episodes of mild epistaxis during treatment; no other unexpected side effects were noted. During the treatment period, more SRW-treated patients showed signs of nasal obstruction and edematous nasal mucosa than OG-treated control patients (p
Response to adriamycin of transplasma membrane electron transport in adriamycin-resistant and nonresistant HL-60 cells.

Adriamycin, 10−8–10−5 M, inhibited transplasma membrane electron transport of uninduced HL-60 cells susceptible to adriamycin and not in uninduced HL-60 cells resistant to adriamycin as measured by reduction of external ascorbate free radical. Electron flow across the plasma membrane was measured with the intact living cells by means of a simple assay procedure whereby the transported electrons were captured by ascorbate free radical to slow the rate of chemical oxidation of ascorbate. The response to adriamycin was rapid with maximum inhibition in less than 1 min. Preincubation was not required and the inhibition presumably was not mediated through effects on DNA replication or transcription. Except at the highest concentration tested of 10 µM, both transplasma membrane electron transport and growth were unaffected by adriamycin with a line of HeLa cells resistant to the drug. The findings provide evidence, using a physiological acceptor, ascorbate free radical, for a direct inhibition of transmembrane electron transport of HL-60 cells by adriamycin that correlates closely with adriamycin inhibition of cell growth. The lack of response with resistant cells suggests an alternative mechanism for adriamycin resistance not necessarily based on transport control.
FLAVOR THRESHOLDS FOR VANILLIN AND PREDICTIONS OF HIGHER OR LOWER THRESHOLDS

. Thesholds for vanillin dissolved in water were determined first by 32 panelists, then by 100 additional panelists. Extreme-value analysis was applied to the results from the first 32 determinations to estimate the likelihood of thresholds later encountered being even lower than those already detected. No threshold among the 100 additional determinations was below the 5% confidence limit for the regression curve based on the 32 determinations originally made. There was evidence that some panelists were ageusic to vanillin in aqueous solution. Although some investigators have suggested that the frequency distribution for threshold values of vanillin is bimodal, application of the Kolmogorov-smirnov test to the distribution of the 132 values, as natural logarithms, gave little cause to reject the hypothesis that the distribution was unimodal.
Learned helplessness as a predictor of employee outcomes: An applied model

Abstract In order to be competitive, organizations are finding ways to become more efficient and effective. One key component in this process is human resources. In an effort to encourage employees to work to their potential, organizations have installed a variety of human resource plans designed to make employees responsible for their behavior. However, many of these plans fail. One possible reason for their failure is that the employees are not capable of understanding the link between effort and performance. Individuals who fall into this category are considered learned helpless. To better understand why some individuals cannot link effort and performance, a model is presented that depicts how individuals become learned helpless, and the potential organizational consequences of learned helplessness. Testable propositions are derived from the model.
MOTHERLY LOVE, TEACHERLY LOVE, AND PARENT‐TEACHER PARTNERSHIPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION

(1999). MOTHERLY LOVE, TEACHERLY LOVE, AND PARENT‐TEACHER PARTNERSHIPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 353-365.
Kinetic description of flow past a micro-plate

In this work we discuss a novel numerical scheme and present numerical results for the problem of 'high' (of order unity) Knudsen number, Kn = λ/L, low velocity gas flow past a micro-plate. The scheme used here is similar to one employed in the past to examine heat flow, but in order to deal with momentum transport in the vicinity of a plate, new techniques had to be developed. These include a new scheme for finding 'transition probabilities', which eliminates some forms of numerical diffusion, and a method for handling reflections off surfaces which preserves the essential properties of the flow. The purpose of the paper is to present these methods and examine their performance. The method is found to function well, but the results indicate that the collision operator which is employed here must be improved in order to obtain accurate results for the drag. Low speed neutral particle transport, in long mean free path (LMFP) environments, presents challenges for well-established techniques, such as the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. In particular, at low flow velocities, statistical methods suffer from noise that may render them impractical in LMFP environments. Solution of the Boltzmann equation is the alternative to these statistical methods. As computing power increases, Boltzmann-based approaches become more accessible. We discuss here a novel non-statistical (no random numbers are used) kinetic model for particle transport and explore its accuracy and sensitivity to resolution and other details of its implementation. The model is an enhanced version of the transition probability matrix (TPM) method. The results generated by the TPM are compared with the information preservation (IP) method, the Navier-Stokes (NS) slip model and when applicable to DSMC. We provide a qualitative comparison of the models and then we compare the results of the different models for various Kn for flow past a plate. For Kn in the slip flow regime, the TPM, IP and NS models exhibit similar flow features. As the Kn passes through the transitional regime, the TPM and IP results are quantitatively similar, while the NS model fails to adequately describe the flows. For Kn in the free molecular regime, we compare the TPM to an analytic approximation to flow past a flat plate; the TPM and analytic solution exhibit similar characteristics. The drag coefficient is in agreement in the two cases, although it is sensitive to the angular distribution employed in the collision operator, when particles are relaunched after collisions.
Metallothionein and cu-chelatin: characterization of metal-binding proteins from tissues of four marine animals

Abstract 1. 1. Metal binding proteins with mol. wt in the range 10,000 were isolated from liver and kidney of four different marine species by column chromatography using gel filtration and ionic exchange resins. The proteins were purified with respect to copper, cadmium and zinc. Amino acid analysis was performed on each of the purified proteins. 2. 2. The amino acid compositions of these metal-binding proteins isolated from fish liver and crab hepatopancreases were very similar to that of metallothionein from rat tissues. Other metal-binding proteins were purified from sea lion kidney and liver, whale liver, crab tissues, and fish liver with amino acid composition similar to rat liver copper chelatin. 3. 3. Even though some of these metal-binding proteins were found with mol. wt and amino acid compositions similar to rat metallothionein or Cu-chelatin, there were some metal-binding proteins present which appear to be unique to marine animals.
Equipment replacement analysis with an uncertain finite horizon

Equipment replacement strategies are highly dependent on the horizon of analysis. While the literature can generally be categorized according to infinite or finite-horizon solutions, this paper examines the case where the horizon will last at least T s periods but may last as long as T l periods, due to uncertainty in the length of production runs or the temporary provision of services. Stochastic dynamic programming formulations are presented and solutions that minimize either expected costs or maximum regret are explored. Furthermore, the critical time period where optimal decisions diverge for different horizon realizations is identified. As this time period may be substantially earlier than T s, a lease option contract is designed that allows owners to lower the risk of high costs that may result from a given horizon realization, while opening a possible source of revenue for a leasor.
The cdc2 kinase is a nuclear protein that is essential for mitosis in mammalian cells

A homolog of the fission yeast cdc2-encoded protein kinase (p34) is a component of M phase promoting factor in Xenopus oocytes. The homologous kinase in human HeLa cells is maximally active during mitosis, suggesting a mitotic role in mammalian somatic cells. This has been directly investigated by microinjection of anti-p34 antibodies into serum-stimulated rat fibroblasts. DNA synthesis was unaffected but cell division was quantitatively blocked in injected cells. Injection of antibodies against p13suc1, a component of the p34 kinase complex, did not block mitosis but caused mitotic abnormalities resulting in cells containing multiple micronuclei in the subsequent interphase. p34 localized in the nucleus during interphase. During mitosis, a fraction tightly associated with centrosomes. p13 was more evenly distributed between the nucleus and cytoplasm. These observations demonstrate that cdc2 is a nuclear and centrosomal protein that is required for mitosis in mammalian cells.
Instrumentation and design of a frequency-domain diffuse optical tomography imager for breast cancer detection

The instrument development and design of a prototype frequency-domain optical imaging device for breast cancer detection is described in detail. This device employs radio-frequency intensity modulated near-infrared light to image quantitatively both the scattering and absorption coefficients of tissue. The functioning components of the system include a laser diode and a photomultiplier tube, which are multiplexed automatically through 32 large core fiber optic bundles using high precision linear translation stages. Image reconstruction is based on a finite element solution of the diffusion equation. This tool for solving the forward problem of photon migration is coupled to an iterative optical property estimation algorithm, which uses a Levenberg-Marquardt routine with total variation minimization. The result of this development is an automated frequency-domain optical imager for computed tomography which produces quantitatively accurate images of the test phantoms used to date. This paper is a description and characterization of an automated frequency-domain computed tomography scanner, which is more quantitative than earlier systems used in diaphanography because of the combination of intensity modulated signal detection and iterative image reconstruction.
Ticagrelor: Oral Reversible P2Y12 Receptor Antagonist for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Abstract Background The clinical benefits of dual antiplatelet treatment (aspirin + clopidogrel) in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are well established. However, clopidogrel is a prodrug that requires hepatic activation. Concerns regarding its delayed onset of action, variability in antiplatelet effects, and prolonged recovery of platelet function after discontinuation have prompted the development of P2Y 12 receptor antagonists. Ticagrelor is the most recently developed P2Y 12 receptor antagonist available in the United States. Ticagrelor is a nonthienopyridine antiplatelet agent and is the first reversible oral antagonist of the P2Y 12 receptors. Objective This article reviews the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of ticagrelor use in management of ACS. Methods Peer-reviewed clinical trials, review articles, and relevant treatment guidelines published from 1966 to March 15, 2012, were identified from the MEDLINE and Current Content databases using the search terms ticagrelor, ACS, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacoeconomics, and cost-effectiveness . Citations from available articles were also reviewed for additional references. Results Nine pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics studies in humans and 1 clinical study were identified. In addition, the findings from 6 subanalyses based on the clinical study were included. Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor was associated with a significantly reduced composite rate of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke (ticagrelor, 9.8%; clopidogrel, 11.7%; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77–0.92; P P = 0.03), including fatal intracranial bleeding (0.1% vs 0.01%; P = 0.02), and fewer cases of other types of fatal bleeding (0.1% vs 0.3%; P = 0.03). Other adverse events reported with ticagrelor use included dyspnea (13.8%), headache (6.5%), and bradyarrhythmia (5.8%). The effects of ticagrelor have not been compared to those of other antiplatelet agents, including prasugrel. Conclusions Based on the findings from the present review, ticagrelor provides reversible inhibition of adenosine diphosphate–induced platelet aggregation, with a faster onset of action than clopidogrel, and is effective in the treatment of patients with ACS. More data are required to definitively position ticagrelor with respect to other antiplatelet agents, including prasugrel.
Studies on the Role of Acid Sphingomyelinase and Ceramide in the Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα)-converting Enzyme Activity and TNFα Secretion in Macrophages

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) has been proposed to mediate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling in various cell types. This study shows that ASMase is a negative regulator of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) secretion in macrophages. ASMase-deficient (asm−/−) mice and isolated peritoneal macrophages produce severalfold more TNFα than their wild-type (asm+/+) counterparts when stimulated with LPS, whereas the addition of exogenous ceramides or sphingomyelinase reduces the differences. The underlying mechanism for these effects is not transcriptional but post-translational. The TNFα-converting enzyme (TACE) catalyzes the maturation of the 26-kDa precursor (pro-TNFα) to an active 17-kDa form (soluble (s)TNFα). In mouse peritoneal macrophages, the activity of TACE was the rate-limiting factor regulating TNFα production. A substantial portion of the translated pro-TNFα was not processed to sTNFα; instead, it was rapidly internalized and degraded in the lysosomes. TACE activity was 2–3-fold higher in asm−/− macrophages as compared with asm+/+ macrophages and was suppressed when cells were treated with exogenous ceramide and sphingomyelinase. Indirect immunofluorescence analyses revealed distinct TNFα-positive structures in the close vicinity of the plasma membrane in asm−/− but not in asm+/+ macrophages. asm−/− cells also had a higher number of early endosomal antigen 1-positive early endosomes. Experiments that involved inhibitors of TACE, endocytosis, and lysosomal proteolysis suggest that in the asm−/− cells a significant portion of pro-TNFα was sequestered within the early endosomes, and instead of undergoing lysosomal proteolysis, it was recycled to the plasma membrane and processed to sTNFα.
Designing Institutions to Aggregate Preferences and Information

I consider the design of policy-making institutions to aggregate preferences and information. A pervasive incentive problem hinders the creation of desirable deliberative institutions; participants that expect to have minority interests have an incentive to misrepresent their information. Moreover, contrary to conventional wisdom, diversity of preferences or information sources amplifies this incentive problem. It is only when all types of participants expect to have the majority interests or no individual’s private information can be decisive that full aggregation is possible. The addition of external incentives enables efficient aggregation of preferences and information. The external incentives need only depend on agent actions and, interestingly, the magnitude of these external incentives can be vanishingly small for large groups. These external incentives can be created by augmenting deliberation with concerns about ex-poste monitoring or ex-interum perceptions of competence, the opportunity to trade in information markets, or the opportunity to join clubs with network externalities. Recent studies of strategic behavior in policy-making institutions with communication and voting are less sanguine about the effectiveness of this form of decision-making than the traditional literature on deliberative democracy (for example Gutmann and Thompson, 1996). A participant believing that she has minority interests has an incentive to misrepresent her private information in order to distort the inferences drawn by others. This paper sharpens this intuition by isolating necessary and sufficient conditions for information aggregation in a class of communication and voting problems with potentially opposed preferences. The news, however, is not all bad for deliberative democrats.
Cognitive-contingency theory and the study of ethics in accounting

Ethics research in Accounting has not proceeded beyond the descriptive level while, at the same time, ethics is a vital part of accounting decisions to the point where professional codes of etherics are necessary. A theoretical model is offered using cognitive and contingency (field) theories to gain insight into how ethical considerations enter into accounting decisions. Propositions are generated so that the use of ethics in accounting decisions can be predicted.
Performance estimates for maximum-likelihood pattern recognition algorithms with aberration-compensation filters

The probability of correct object recognition is calculated assuming a maximum-likelihood algorithm, accounting for clutter and for the opticaltransferfunction (OTF) of both the atmosphere and the imaging system. The OTF is determined by the spatial bandwidth of a real-time adaptive aberration-compensation system. The algorithm recognizes an object based on minimum distance in feature space. Each feature is associated with a corresponding scale size, which is correspondingly blurred by the OTF. Specific autocorrelation functions and probability distributions are assumed for the compensated aberrations (Gaussian) and the clutter strength (negative exponential and beta or Gaussian, respectively). The results presented assume an informationless distribution of targets in feature space and show the variation of performance with the number offeatures, the quality of compensation, and the strength of clutter.
Assessing the risk of secondary crashes on highways

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of "secondary crashes" is one of the critical yet understudied highway safety issues. Induced by the primary crashes, the occurrence of secondary crashes does not only increase traffic delays but also the risk of inducing additional incidents. Many highway agencies are highly interested in the implementation of safety countermeasures to reduce this type of crashes. However, due to the limited understanding of the key contributing factors, they face a great challenge for determining the most appropriate countermeasures. METHOD: To bridge this gap, this study makes important contributions to the existing literature of secondary incidents by developing a novel methodology to assess the risk of having secondary crashes on highways. The proposed methodology consists of two major components, namely: (a) accurate identification of secondary crashes and (b) statistically robust assessment of causal effects of contributing factors. The first component is concerned with the development of an improved identification approach for secondary accidents that relies on the rich traffic information obtained from traffic sensors. The second component of the proposed methodology is aimed at understanding the key mechanisms that are hypothesized to cause secondary crashes through the use of a modified logistic regression model that can efficiently deal with relatively rare events such as secondary incidents. The feasibility and improved performance of using the proposed methodology are tested using real-world crash and traffic flow data. RESULTS: The risk of inducing secondary crashes after the occurrence of individual primary crashes under different circumstances is studied by employing the estimated regression model. Marginal effect of each factor on the risk of secondary crashes is also quantified and important contributing factors are highlighted and discussed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Massive sensor data can be used to support the identification of secondary crashes. The occurrence mechanism of these secondary crashes can be investigate by the proposed model. Understanding the mechanism helps deploy appropriate countermeasures to mitigate or prevent the secondary crashes. Language: en
Investigation of possible systematics in the spectrum of Markarian 501

Abstract Energy spectrum measurement of astrophysical sources in the TeV gamma-ray regime is a process which may be prone to systematic effects. Claims of features within the spectrum of any source can be confirmed through various checks independent of the methods used to derive a source spectrum. In this paper we substantiate the curvature in the TeV spectrum of Markarian 501 in 1997 by comparing Whipple gamma-ray data with that of other astrophysical TeV photon sources, the cosmic ray background, and different energy regimes by using different observing elevations.
Characterization of 6-methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran (MCDF) as a 2,3,7,8-TCDD antagonist in male rats: induction of monooxygenases

Abstract Treatment of male Long Evans rats with doses of MCDF up to 200 μmol/kg did not significantly induce hepatic microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) or ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities, whereas administration of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (16 nmol/kg) caused up to a 10 to 40-fold induction of these enzymes. Cotreatment of the rats with 2,3,7,8-TCDD (16 nmol/kg) and MCDF (50 μmol/kg) resulted in the inhibition of the monooxygenase enzyme induction response over a 72 hour period. Treatment of the animals with 2,3,7,8-TCDD alone caused an initial decrease in the concentration of the cytosolic Ah receptor followed by an increase of these levels (∼2 times higher than in control rats) after 72 hours. In contrast, MCDF treatment did not alter hepatic cytosolic Ah receptor levels and in the cotreatment studies (MCDF + TCDD), the effects of 2,3,7,8-TCDD on receptor levels was inhibited. Using [ 3 H]-2,3,7,8-TCDD (+ MCDF), the time-course accumulation of nuclear [ 3 H]-2,3,7,8-TCDD-receptor complexes was also investigated. Surprisingly, MCDF did not decrease occupied nuclear 2,3,7,8-TCDD-Ah receptor levels.
Dislocation and defect density-based micromechanical modeling of the mechanical behavior of fcc metals under neutron irradiation

A rate-independent dislocation and defect density-based evolution model is presented that captures the pre- and post-yield material behavior of fcc metals subjected to different doses of neutron radiation. Unlike previously developed phenomenological models, this model is capable of capturing the salient features of irradiation-induced hardening, including increase in yield stress followed by yield drop and non-zero stress offset from the unirradiated stress–strain curve. The key contribution is a model for the critical resolved slip resistance that depends on both dislocation and defect densities, which are governed by evolution equations based on physical observations. The result is an orientation-dependent non-homogeneous deformation model, which accounts for defect annihilation on active slip planes. Results for both single and polycrystalline simulations of OFHC copper are presented and are observed to be in reasonably good agreement with experimental data. Extension of the model to other fcc metals ...
Primary antecubital jump bypass grafts for hemoaccess

The endogeneous Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous (AV) fistula remains the gold standard for longterm hemoaccess in patients on chronic hemodialysis, but can only be constructed in a minority of patients. AV bridge grafts, usually of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), have been a reasonable alternative for most of the remaining hemodialysis patients, however. Our initial preference when PTFE is required for hemoaccess is to construct an AV graft configured as a forearm loop anastomosed to vessels located totally below the antecubital fossa. When both the superficial and deep forearm outflow veins are considered inadequate, a primary antecubital jump bypass (PAJB) across the elbow to a more proximal upper arm vein salvages use of that forearm hemoaccess site (Fig. 1). With no identified series to reference for concerns of longterm patency after crossing the antecubital fossa we decided to review both our specific surgical technique and our most recent patient experience.
Enhancement of Teaching and Learning of the Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering Using Multimedia Courseware.

This article presents the first-hand experience associated with developing and implementing network server-based interactive multimedia courseware for a fundamental course in nuclear engineering at the University of Missouri—Rolla. Detailed structure of the multimedia courseware and its implementation are described. In addition, an evaluation based on the data gathered by the software and feedback from students on the effectiveness of this courseware for improving teaching and learning is presented. This evaluation shows that nearly 80% of the students found the courseware to be a useful catalyst in facilitating their learning process. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 5: 243–248, 1997
Contact instability of the direct drive robot when constrained by a rigid environment

A sufficient condition for the stability of robot manipulators in constrained maneuvers is derived. Attention is focused on the class of direct drive robots whose rigid links dominate the robot's dynamic behavior; compared to the robot, the environment is assumed to be infinitely rigid. The stability of the manipulator-environment system is investigated, and a bound for stable manipulation is determined. This bound is verified via simulation and experiment on the Minnesota direct drive robot. >
Mock trial jury decisions as a function of adolescent juror guilt and hostility.

Summary A fictitious court case involving child abuse was presented to 277 male adolescent jurors (138 college freshmen, X age = 19.25 years, 139 junior high school males, X age = 13.47 years) in an effort to determine if the tendency to deal harshly with alleged criminals is dependent upon certain personality characteristics of adolescent jurors. The Mosher Hostility Guilt Scale and the Siegel Manifest Hostility Scale were used to detect the presence of such trends. The results indicate that older adolescents attributed more of the responsibility for the crime to the defendant and administered less severe sentences than younger adolescent jurors. Hostility guilt and manifest hostility levels were not significantly related to attribution of responsibility for a criminal act; however, Ss scoring high in hostility guilt tended to give significantly shorter sentences, while Ss scoring high in manifest hostility tended to give longer sentences. Implications for adolescent peer practices are discussed.
Sex Difference in Alcoholism: Who is at a Greater Risk for Development of Alcoholic Complication?

Aims Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are among the major medical problems afflicting both men and women. While men display a higher prevalence for alcoholism, it is women who suffer a much greater risk for alcoholism-associated bodily damage. Although women generally consume less alcohol compared to men, females usually suffer more severe brain and other organ damage following binge or chronic alcohol abuse.
On collection and covert variables

It has become commonplace in semantic theorizing to argue that the semantic representation of certain linguistic expressions contains covert elements in addition to what is contributed by the overt linguistic material. Theorists have pursued this strategy with respect to a wide range of constructions in a wide range of languages. A small sample of such expression types in English would include comparative adjectives (covert delineation of comparison), quantifiers (covert domain restriction), and event reports (covert location/time indexes). For this kind of move to be suitably constrained, semanticists have developed a number of tests that are supposed to give independent evidence about whether there are in fact the covert elements postulated. These include, inter alia, binding (Partee, 1989; von Fintel, 1994; Stanley and Szabo, 2000; Stanley, 2002), optionality (Recanati, 2004), control (Bhatt and Pancheva, 2006), sluicing (Merchant, 2001), and collection (Cappelen and Lepore, 2006; Cappelen and Hawthorne, 2009). This note is about one of these tests in particular: the collection test. We don’t want to deny the need for covert variables in the semantics that receive their values from context somehow; on the contrary, we assume (without argument) that there are such variables. Rather, our specific aim in this paper is to ask whether the collection test is a successful diagnostic of the presence
Residue-level resolution of alphavirus envelope protein interactions in pH-dependent fusion

Alphavirus envelope proteins, organized as trimers of E2–E1 heterodimers on the surface of the pathogenic alphavirus, mediate the low pH-triggered fusion of viral and endosomal membranes in human cells. The lack of specific treatment for alphaviral infections motivates our exploration of potential antiviral approaches by inhibiting one or more fusion steps in the common endocytic viral entry pathway. In this work, we performed constant pH molecular dynamics based on an atomic model of the alphavirus envelope with icosahedral symmetry. We have identified pH-sensitive residues that cause the largest shifts in thermodynamic driving forces under neutral and acidic pH conditions for various fusion steps. A series of conserved interdomain His residues is identified to be responsible for the pH-dependent conformational changes in the fusion process, and ligand binding sites in their vicinity are anticipated to be potential drug targets aimed at inhibiting viral infections.
Advances in AlGaN-based deep UV LEDs.

Materials studies of high Al-content (> 30%) AlGaN epilayers and the performance of AlGaN-based LEDs with emission wavelengths shorter than 300 nm are reported. N-type AlGaN films with Al compositions greater than 30% reveal a reduction in conductivity with increasing Al composition. The reduction of threading dislocation density from the 1-5 x10{sup 10} cm{sup -2} range to the 6-9 x 10{sup 9}cm{sup -2} range results in an improvement of electrical conductivity and Al{sub 0.90}Ga{sub 0.10}N films with n= 1.6e17 cm-3 and f{acute Y}=20 cm2/Vs have been achieved. The design, fabrication and packaging of flip-chip bonded deep UV LEDs is described. Large area (1 mm x 1 mm) LED structures with interdigitated contacts demonstrate output powers of 2.25 mW at 297 nm and 1.3 mW at 276 nm when operated under DC current. 300 f{acute Y}m x 300 f{acute Y}m LEDs emitting at 295 nm and operated at 20 mA DC have demonstrated less than 50% drop in output power after more than 2400 hours of operation. Optimization of the electron block layer in 274 nm LED structures has enabled a significant reduction in deep level emission bands, and a peak quantum well to deep level ratio of 700:1 has beenmore » achieved for 300 f{acute Y}m x 300 f{acute Y}m LEDs operated at 100 mA DC. Shorter wavelength LED designs are described, and LEDs emitting at 260 nm, 254nm and 237 nm are reported.« less
The varieties of speech to young children

This article examines caregiver speech to young children. The authors obtained several measures of the speech used to children during early language development (14-30 months). For all measures, they found substantial variation across individuals and subgroups. Speech patterns vary with caregiver education, and the differences are maintained over time. While there are distinct levels of complexity for different caregivers, there is a common pattern of increase across age within the range that characterizes each educational group. Thus, caregiver speech exhibits both long-standing patterns of linguistic behavior and adjustment for the interlocutor. This information about the variability of speech by individual caregivers provides a framework for systematic study of the role of input in language acquisition.
Formative Evaluation of Computer Courseware: An Experimental Comparison of Two Methods

Although considered an integral step in the instructional design process, formative evaluation has not received widespread use in the design of CAI (computer-assisted instruction). One issue is the developer's uncertainty in selecting a method of formative evaluation for a CAI product. The objective of this study was to examine the differential impact of two methods of formative evaluation on the revision of courseware. This study investigated the effects of one-to-one and small group methods of formative evaluation of microcomputer courseware on learner posttest scores after using a CAI program. Subjects were seventy-two female and fourteen male undergraduate students from instructional design classes at a midwestern state university. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups and used either 1) the original CAI program, 2) the CAI program revised using the one-to-one method, or 3) the CAI program revised using the small group method. Results indicated a significant difference in learner post...
Runoff water quality from fresh mine spoil

Abstract Few data are available on the water quality of runoff from recently disturbed lignite overburden. Therefore, a glasshouse study was done using fresh spoil material from five sites above lignite deposits in the Gulf Coast lignite belt. The spoil was packed in boxes (2700 cm2 area) and subjected to seven simulated 1-h rains of 8·9 cm each with about 20-day periods between rains. Runoff was collected and analysed for pH, EC, Fe, Mn and sediment load. The spoils were periodically sampled and analysed for pH and EC. Data from all materials showed a decrease in runoff water pH after 60 days. All values remained above 5·0; therefore, little damage to receiving water is expected. The EC of the runoff indicated low salt content. Iron and Mn contents were also low and should not damage receiving waters. The sediment load of runoff was very high and must be reduced prior to release of the water to streams.
Medication-assisted therapy for opioid addiction

Abstract The “Medication-Assisted Therapy for Opioid Addiction” session was chaired by Dr Betty Tai and had three presenters. The presenters (and their topics) were: Dr Andrew J. Saxon (methadone and buprenorphine for treatment of opioid addiction and human immunodeficiency virus risk reduction); Dr Walter Ling (opioid antagonist treatment for opioid addiction); and Dr Betty Tai (chronic care model for substance use disorder).