cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the dispersional analysis method for fractal time series.

Fractal signals can be characterized by their fractal dimension plus some measure of their variance at a given level of resolution. The Hurst exponent, H, is 0.5 for positively correlated series, and = 0.5 for random, white noise series. Several methods are available: dispersional analysis, Hurst rescaled range analysis, autocorrelation measures, and power special analysis. Short data sets are notoriously difficult to characterize; research to define the limitations of the various methods is incomplete. This numerical study of fractional Brownian noise focuses on determining the limitations of the dispersional analysis method, in particular, assessing the effects of signal length and of added noise on the estimate of the Hurst coefficient, H, (which ranges from 0 to 1 and is 2 - D, where D is the fractal dimension). There are three general conclusions: (i) pure fractal signals of length greater than 256 points give estimates of H that are biased but have standard deviations less than 0.1; (ii) the estimates of H tend to be biased toward H = 0.5 at both high H (> 0.8) and low H ( 0.6, and the method is particularly robust for signals with high H and long series, where even 100% noise added has only a few percent effect on the estimate of H. Dispersional analysis can be regarded as a strong method for characterizing biological or natural time series, which generally show long-range positive correlation.
“He is everything”: Religion's role in the lives of immigrant youth

Using emergent theme analysis of qualitative interview data in combination with quantitative survey data, the role of religion in the lives of immigrant youth was explored. Latino, Haitian, and Chinese teenagers described, in their own rich words, the significance of religion to them; their responses are reflected in themes that point to the potential protective role of religion for some immigrant groups.
On the central limit theorem for U-statistics under absolute regularity☆

We prove the central limit theorem for U-statistics whose underlying sequence of random variables satisfies an absolute regularity condition under optimal assumptions.
A computer program for personality analysis.

A computer system is described which scores and analyzes test protocols on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The output includes test scores, selected items, a profile of scores, and a narrative interpretive report.
Confronting college readiness in the USA: a public policy review and recommendation

Educational policymakers in the USA face the challenging task of defining the value of a high school diploma. Research has demonstrated that successfully completing secondary education does not automatically result in comparable success in college. Therefore college readiness and the creation and implementation of policies that improve students’ chances for success must be on the education policy agenda. We provide an overview of how college readiness is conceptualised at various educational levels and highlight current efforts aimed at addressing this issue. Finally, we suggest that policy proposals that contend with college readiness in the USA are not enough, that policy solutions that bridge secondary and postsecondary education should be mandated.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a Community Organism

An increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections prompted a study of MRSA during a 21-month period in a 600-bed university hospital in southern Texas. MRSA cases were classified as community, nosocomial, or transfer cases. A case-control study of risk factors for community MRSA compared with community methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was performed. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of whole cell DNA typing was used as a marker of strain identity for 31 consecutive isolates collected during the last 8 months of the study. During the 21 months there were 170 patients with MRSA infection or colonization, an incidence of 0.2 per 1,000 patient-days. Ninety-nine (58%) of 170 isolates were from community cases ; the community to nosocomial case ratio was 2 :1. No significant risk factors differentiated patients with community MRSA compared with community MSSA. Most community MRSA isolates studied (15 [68%] of 22) had distinct PFGE patterns, as did many nosocomial MRSA isolates (4 [44%] of 9). MRSA isolates were commonly present on admission to the hospital, and multiple MRSA strains were demonstrated among both community and hospital isolates.
Influence of fetal to neonatal transition on nitric oxide synthase expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius in sheep.

Abstract Transition from fetal to newborn life is accompanied by a marked rise in circulating norepinephrine (NE) concentrations though arterial blood pressure does not substantively change. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the central regulation of sympathetic tone in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) expression is functionally regulated in the brain. The purpose of these studies was to determine the influence of transition at birth on nNOS expression in the brainstem nuclei, particularly in the NTS, associated with changes in arterial pressure and plasma NE concentration. Experiments were performed using time-dated gestational ewes with twin fetuses. Arterial blood pressure was recorded and arterial blood NE concentrations were measured in the term fetus (gestational 147–148 days) and newborn lambs (4 h of postnatal age). The fetal and newborn animals were then perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Sections of the medulla were examined by using both immunolabeling with a polyclonal antibody directed against nNOS and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry, a marker for expression of nNOS. Micrographs were quantified using a microscope with reticule grid to measure the number of positive cells containing color staining in the brainstem nuclei. Plasma NE concentration in the newborn was more than two-fold greater compared to fetal values but mean arterial blood pressure was similar between fetus and newborn. The nNOS positive cells and NADPHd positive cells were significantly increased in the medial NTS (mNTS) of the newborn compared to fetus. nNOS immunoreactivity and NADPHd reactivity tended to increase in the rostral ventral medulla (RVM) in newborn, but were not altered in other brainstem nuclei during the transition from fetal to newborn life. The results suggest that nNOS expression in the mNTS is predominately enhanced at 4 h of neonatal age vs. the term fetus. We conclude that elevated circulating NE is associated with up-regulation of nNOS in the mNTS which may serve a protective role in central regulation of neonatal arterial blood pressure.
Cigarette Smoke: Effect of Aqueous and Nonaqueous Fractions on Mitochondrial Function

TOBACCO smoke or components exert inhibitory effects on respiratory cilia1 and the ciliary activity of Paramecium2–4. Kennedy and Elliot5 observed that in Tetrahymena tobacco smoke caused structural alteration in the inner mitochondrial membrane followed by the cessation of ciliary activity, attributed to a block in the energy generation process in mitochondria. Because the latter are the primary sites of energy production in an aerobic cell, we studied the effects of tobacco smoke components on mitochondrial function. Effects of aqueous and nonaqueous fractions from whole smoke of tobacco on mitochondrial respiration and coupled energy generation were examined.
Mechanical stability criteria for interatomic potential functions used in computer simulations of materials

Abstract A static method is presented for investigating the mechanical stability of interatomic potential functions used in computer simulations of material systems. The potential functions are assumed to be composed of a pair interatomic potential term and a density dependent term. Two minimal criteria for potential functions are proposed: the correct prediction of the stable crystal structure and lattice constant. The method is applied to a number of commonly used pair potential functions. Some of these pair potential functions do not satisfy the minimal criteria. A linear volume term was added to these potential functions resulting in improvement in some cases. In other cases even the modified potential functions do not satisfy the above mentioned minimal requirements.
The Multi-Level Action of Fatty Acids on Adiponectin Production by Fat Cells

Current epidemics of diabetes mellitus is largely caused by wide spread obesity. The best-established connection between obesity and insulin resistance is the elevated and/or dysregulated levels of circulating free fatty acids that cause and aggravate insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other hazardous metabolic conditions. Here, we investigated the effect of a major dietary saturated fatty acid, palmitate, on the insulin-sensitizing adipokine adiponectin produced by cultured adipocytes. We have found that palmitate rapidly inhibits transcription of the adiponectin gene and the release of adiponectin from adipocytes. Adiponectin gene expression is controlled primarily by PPARγ and C/EBPα. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts from C/EBPα-null mice, we have determined that the latter transcription factor may not solely mediate the inhibitory effect of palmitate on adiponectin transcription leaving PPARγ as a likely target of palmitate. In agreement with this model, palmitate increases phosphorylation of PPARγ on Ser273, and substitution of PPARγ for the unphosphorylated mutant Ser273Ala blocks the effect of palmitate on adiponectin transcription. The inhibitory effect of palmitate on adiponectin gene expression requires its intracellular metabolism via the acyl-CoA synthetase 1-mediated pathway. In addition, we found that palmitate stimulates degradation of intracellular adiponectin by lysosomes, and the lysosomal inhibitor, chloroquine, suppressed the effect of palmitate on adiponectin release from adipocytes. We present evidence suggesting that the intracellular sorting receptor, sortilin, plays an important role in targeting of adiponectin to lysosomes. Thus, palmitate not only decreases adiponectin expression at the level of transcription but may also stimulate lysosomal degradation of newly synthesized adiponectin.
Beyond Negative and Positive Freedom : T.H. Green’s View of Freedom

L'A. tente de demontrer que Green attribue a la notion complexe de liberte non seulement des components negatif et positif mais aussi des elements externe et interne
Calculating the present value of riskless cash flows

Abstract This paper uses arbitrage arguments to calculate the market value of riskless after-tax cash flows. The market value equals the present value of riskless after-tax cash flows discounted at the after-corporate-tax riskless interest rate. The market value equals the adjusted present value of riskless after-tax cash flows only when the incremental debt used in the adjusted present value calculations equals the market value of the remaining after-tax cash flows. Also, the analysis provides valuation formulas when interest and tax rates are certain but not uniform and when interest rates are uncertain.
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Is Required for Protein Kinase A Activation of an Outwardly Rectified Anion Channel Purified from Bovine Tracheal Epithelia

Our laboratory has developed a protocol for the isolation of a 140-kDa protein that forms an anion-selective channel when reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. Polyclonal antibodies have been raised against the 38-kDa component of this purified protein. This channel has a linear current-voltage relationship and is not activated by protein kinase A (PKA) plus ATP. Using the same antibody and a modified purification protocol (eliminating the ion exchange chromatography steps), we isolated and reconstituted two other anion channels from tracheal membrane vesicles. In vitro phosphorylation of these isolated proteins by PKA and ATP revealed four bands migrating at 52, 85, 120, and 174 kDa. Immunoprecipitation experiments with anti-CFTR antibodies indicate that the 174-kDa phosphoprotein was CFTR. Upon incorporation of these isolated proteins into planar bilayers, an anion channel that exhibited a marked outward rectification in symmetrical Cl- solutions with a slope conductance of 82 pS at depolarizing voltages was observed. PKA and ATP increased channel activity but only from one side of the bilayer. However, channel activity was unaffected by addition of ATP alone from either side of the membrane. DIDS (100 microM) applied to the opposite side of the bilayer to which PKA and ATP act, blocked channel activity. A linear anion-selective channel with a conductance of 16 pS could be also resolved after inhibition of the outwardly rectified anion channel by DIDS in the presence of PKA and ATP. This small conductance channel was inhibited by 300 microM diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid. Immunodepletion of the 174-kDa phosphoprotein from the preparation prevented activation of the 82-pS outwardly rectified anion channel by PKA and ATP. However, the PKA-dependent in vitro phosphorylation of the 52-, 85-, and 120-kDa phosphoproteins was unaffected by the absence of CFTR. Our results suggest a direct regulatory relationship between an outwardly rectified anion channel and CFTR.
Floating and fidelity in nest visitation byCrawfordapis luctuosa (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)

We studied nest visitation behavior of the ground-nesting beeCrawfordapis luctuosa (Colletidae) at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. Some females entered many nests, while others consistently entered only one nest. Multiple nest entry was exhibited by bees we called floaters, and those bees that consistently entered only one nest were provisioning bees. Provisioning bees abandoned their old nests after provisioning periods and became nonprovisioning bees that floated over the nesting area. Floating behavior was a nest-searching behavior typified by oscillating flights just above the ground (<15 cm). Floaters investigated available nests and were not observed to interact aggressively with nest owners. Upon establishing a new nest, floaters became provisioning bees.
ANCOM: A BASIC program for analytical comparisons among means

Researchers frequently follow up an analysis of variance by performing analytical comparisons among means, such as trend analysis, planned or post hoc contrasts, and simple effects of an interaction. Analysis of variance programs in a number of statistical packages do not provide for the partitioning of effects into single degree of freedom terms or, at most, do so in a limited way. The program described here can perform a complete breakdown of source terms into component sums of squares and thus should serve as a useful adjunct to analysis of variance programs. Program Description. The program is written according to the syntax of 'fRS-80 Level II BASIC. Differences between this and other BASIC languages are the allowable variable names and the permissibility of multiple statement lines. The program can be easily modified to conform to other BASIC language versions. The program is 160 statements long and requires 16K bytes of memory. The program works with group means and accommodates designs with unequal group sizes. The computational formulas can be found in Keppel (1973). Input/Output. The program is interactive and requests the specific information needed at each step. The user must input information regarding the group sizes (either a single value or individual group sizes when they vary), the group means, and up to 10 contrasts (coefficient sets) for each variable. The program will handle designs with up to four independent variables. The user is first asked to specify the variables used in the design, and he or she may later include or exclude variables from consideration in the contrast routine. Variables included in a contrast determine the variance source term to be partitioned. For example, in a four-factor design in which variables A, B, C, and D are used, including variables A, B, and C in a contrast (or set of contrasts) will partition
Aerobic production of alanine by Escherichia coli aceF ldhA mutants expressing the Bacillus sphaericus alaD gene

Alanine was produced from glucose in an Escherichia coli aceF ldhA double mutant strain that contained the pTrc99A- alaD plasmid expressing Bacillus sphaericus alanine dehydrogenase. The aceF gene encodes one of the proteins of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, and therefore this strain required acetate as an additional carbon source. The ldhA gene encodes fermentative lactate dehydrogenase, a competitor of alanine dehydrogenase for the substrate pyruvate. Fermentations included an oxygenated growth phase followed by an oxygen-limited alanine production phase. The lowest value for the mass transfer coefficient ( k(L)a) studied during the production phase yielded the greatest alanine. With feeding of glucose and NH(4)Cl, 32 g/l alanine accumulated in 27 h with a yield of 0.63 g alanine generated per gram glucose consumed.
Software design and engineering as a social process

Traditionally, software engineering processes are based on a formalist model that emphasizes strict documentation, procedural and validation standards. Although this is a poor fit for multidisciplinary research and development communities, such groups can benefit from common practices and standards. We have approached this dilemma through a process model derived from theories of collaborative work rather than formal process control. This paper describes this model and our experiences in applying it in software development.
Investigations of defect evolution and basal plane dislocation elimination in CVD epitaxial growth of silicon carbide on eutectic etched epilayers

Abstract Defects in silicon carbide (SiC) epilayers are examined by a growth (the first epilayer)–etch–regrowth (the second epilayer) process. The first SiC epilayer is mildly etched by molten KOH–NaOH eutectic to generate etch pit sizes of 2–12 μm using a well-controlled process with good reproducibility, and then the second epilayer is grown on the etched epilayer. The evolution of defects from the first epilayer to the second epilayer is investigated. All of the individual basal plane dislocations (BPDs) in the first epilayer are converted to threading edge dislocations (TEDs) in the second epilayer, regardless of the etch pit size of the BPDs. The BPD conversion may be accompanied by dislocation migration towards the up-step direction depending on the size of the etch pits. All of the in-grown stacking faults (IGSFs) with triangular shape in the first epilayer are propagated into the second epilayer. The IGSFs are shown to be introduced only by the growth process. Due to the mild nature of eutectic etching, the etching process does not enhance the generation of any defects, especially stacking faults, or degrade the epilayer surface morphology. Since no new individual BPDs are generated in the second epilayer, a BPD-free epilayer is achieved successfully with good surface morphology.
Nanostructure engineering of staggered InGaN quantum wells light emitting diodes emitting at 420-510 nm

We demonstruted staggered InGaN quantum wells (QW) grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) as improved active region for visible light emitters. Theoretical studies indicate that staggered InGaN QW with step-function like In-content in the well offers significantly improved radiative recombination rate and optical gain, in comparison to the conventional InGaN QW. Experimental results of light emitting diode (LED) structure utilizing staggered InGaN QW show good agreement with theory. Staggered InGaN QW allows polarization engineering leading to improvement of photoluminescence intensity and LEDs output power as a result of enhanced radiative recombination rate.
Composition Dynamics of an Avian Assemblage

Abstract I summarize the 10-year composition dynamics of a riparian avifauna on the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado, USA. Only 15 of the 89 breeding bird species (19,393 individuals) were present each of the 10 years whereas 25 species were only recorded in a single year. Number of species in any given year ranged from 30 to 57 (34 to 64% of the 10-year cumulative species total). The number of species detected >1 and <10 years represented over half of all species with no pattern of either increasing or decreasing across years of study. Short-term definitions of species richness preclude the ability to define the major dynamic within an avian assemblage—species that use the site an intermediate number of years. Understanding the ecological prerequisites for these species should provide greater insight into current physical habitat and climate changes occurring on-site.
The analysis of intellectual capital integration factors based on DEMATEL in M & A enterprises

Intellectual Capital (IC) is becoming an important motivation for MAA effectively for achieving synergies is the determinants of success or failure in MAA. This article analyzed the factors of intellectual capital integration based on the formation of intellectual capital according to the former scholars, established the factors of intellectual capital integration index system, and employed the DEMATEL to evaluate the important factors.
Determination of electric-dipole matrix elements in K and Rb from Stark shift measurements

Stark shifts of potassium and rubidium $D1$ lines have been measured with high precision by Miller et al. [Phys. Rev. A 49, 5128 (1994)]. In this work, we combine these measurements with our all-order calculations to determine the values of the electric-dipole matrix elements for the $4{p}_{j}\text{\ensuremath{-}}3{d}_{{j}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ transitions in K and the $5{p}_{j}\text{\ensuremath{-}}4{d}_{{j}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ transitions in Rb to high precision. The $4{p}_{1/2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}3{d}_{3/2}$ and $5{p}_{1/2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}4{d}_{3/2}$ transitions contribute on the order of 90% to the respective polarizabilities of the $n{p}_{1/2}$ states in K and Rb, and the remaining 10% can be accurately calculated using the relativistic all-order method. Therefore, the combination of the experimental data and theoretical calculations allows us to determine the $np\text{\ensuremath{-}}(n\ensuremath{-}1)d$ matrix elements and their uncertainties. We compare these values with our all-order calculations of the $np\text{\ensuremath{-}}(n\ensuremath{-}1)d$ matrix elements in K and Rb for a benchmark test of the accuracy of the all-order method for transitions involving $nd$ states. Such matrix elements are of special interest for many applications, such as determination of ``magic'' wavelengths in alkali-metal atoms for state-insensitive cooling and trapping, and determination of blackbody radiation shifts in optical frequency standards with ions.
Software model checking for avionics systems

The adoption of model-based development tools is changing the cost-benefit equation for the industrial use of formal methods. The integration of formal methods such as model checking into software development environments makes it possible to fight increasing cost and complexity with automation and rigor. This paper describes how formal analysis tools can be inserted into a model-based development process to decrease costs and increase quality of safety-critical avionics software.
The Useful Field of View of an Adaptive Optics System

The corrected field of view of an adaptive optics system is thought to provide a severe limitation on the usefulness of an adaptive optics system. We show that under good seeing conditions, the useful field of view is an order of magnitude larger than the field predicted by the classical isoplanatic angle. Under excellent seeing conditions on Mauna Kea, the corrected field of view in the near-infrared of a high-order adaptive optics system is larger than current near-infrared detector arrays. The corrected field of view is experimentally shown to increase when using spatially degraded wavefront corrections. Two methods of spatially degrading the wavefront were tested: low-order modal wavefront reconstructions and the use of a low-altitude Rayleigh wavefront reference beacon. In both cases, the on-axis performance is sacrificed for an increased field of view. The optimal spatial order of the wavefront correction is shown to depend on the wavelength of the observation. In the K band, the total time to reach a fixed signal-to-noise ratio of a large field of faint objects is nearly independent of the wavefront correction order, while at shorter wavelengths the total exposure time is minimized by using increasingly higher order wavefront corrections. In this study, photometric errors due to changes in the point-spread function across the field are small even when the variations are modeled as a linear variation across the field.
Breakthrough Pain in Elderly Patients with Cancer: Treatment Options

The prevalence of pain is high in the elderly and increases with the occurrence of cancer. Pain treatment is challenging because of age-related factors such as co-morbidities, and over half of the patients with cancer pain experience transient exacerbation of pain that is known as breakthrough pain (BTP). As with background pain, BTP should be properly assessed before being treated. The first step to be taken is optimizing around-the-clock analgesia with expert titration of the painkiller. Rescue medication should then be provided as per the requested need, while at the same time preventing identified potential precipitating factors. In the elderly, starting treatment with a lower dose of analgesics may be justified because of age-related physiological changes such as decreased hepatic and renal function. Whenever possible, oral medication should be provided prior to a painful maneuver. In the case of unpredictable BTP, immediate rescue medication is mandatory and the subcutaneous route is preferred unless patient-controlled analgesia via continuous drug infusion is available. Recently, transmucosal preparations have appeared in the medical armamentarium but it is not yet known whether they represent a truly efficient alternative, although their rapid onset of activity is already well recognized. Adjuvant analgesics, topical analgesics, anesthetic techniques and interventional techniques are all valid methods to help in the difficult management of pain and BTP in elderly patients with cancer. However, none has reached a satisfying scientific level of evidence as to nowadays make the development of undisputed best practice guidelines possible. Further research is therefore on the agenda.
Mice lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase exhibit a cannabinoid receptor-mediated phenotypic hypoalgesia.

Abstract Although the N -arachidonoyl ethanolamine (anandamide) binds to cannabinoid receptors and has been implicated in the suppression of pain, its rapid catabolism in vivo by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has presented a challenge in investigating the physiological functions of this endogenous cannabinoid. In order to test whether anandamide and other non-cannabinoid fatty amides modulate nociception, we compared FAAH (+/+) and (−/−) mice in the tail immersion, hot plate, and formalin tests, as well as for thermal hyperalgesia in the carrageenan and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) models. FAAH (−/−) mice exhibited a CB 1 receptor-mediated phenotypic hypoalgesia in thermal nociceptive tests. These mice also exhibited CB 1 receptor-mediated hypoalgesia in both phases of the formalin test accompanied with a phenotypic anti-edema effect, which was not blocked by either CB 1 or CB 2 antagonists. Additionally, FAAH (−/−) mice displayed thermal anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in the carrageenan model that were mediated, in part, by CB 2 , but not CB 1 receptors. In contrast, no genotype differences in pain behavior were evident following CCI, which was instead found to obliterate the phenotypic hypoalgesia displayed by FAAH (−/−) mice in the tail immersion and hot plate tests, suggesting that nerve injury may promote adaptive changes in these animals. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a cannabinoid receptor-mediated analgesic phenotype in FAAH (−/−) mice. In more general terms, these findings suggest that selective inhibitors of FAAH might represent a viable pharmacological approach for the clinical treatment of pain disorders.
Runtime integrity checking for inter-object connections

Ensuring integrity of heap resident data is critical for many embedded systems. Ever-scaling process technology combined with power-saving techniques employed in embedded systems is increasing vulnerability of such systems to hardware-related errors such as soft errors. While such errors are transient and do not harm the architecture, they can corrupt data. In this study, we explore solutions to the inter-object connectivity problem in heap memory of Java-based embedded environments. Our objective is to ensure that the connections between the objects are consistent. In particular, we want to detect the cases where an inter-object link disappears or points to a wrong object. To address this problem, we propose a rule based approach, where the application programmer expresses the important connectivity rules to be satisfied using a special rule language, and a modified JVM (Java virtual machine) checks these rules at runtime.
A three-dimensional human agent metaphor for modeling and simulation

The use of metaphor can be a potential aid to the novice modeler in several ways. Metaphor can imbue abstract ideas with concrete properties, thereby making the abstract ideas more accessible. The analogies suggested by metaphor might also aid reasoning about modeling and implementation problems. Another potential benefit of metaphor in modeling is the improvement of mental retention of model architecture and functionality. Traditionally, models and programs have been produced in a two dimensional (2D) or textual medium. However these media may be inferior to a three-dimensional (3D) medium in the development and use of metaphor, as the concrete properties that metaphors often provide are real-world phenomena, which are naturally 3D. We developed an example of the use of metaphors in modeling and 3D simulation. The example consists of a simplified operating system task scheduler along with associated hardware devices, developed in a VRML environment using VRML PROTO nodes. These nodes are designed as modular objects based on real-world metaphors. We were able to construct a set of metaphors and prototypes that may, if extended ease the modeling and design of agent oriented systems for novices. A proposed extension of one metaphor presented in the research is the synthetic human agent.
An improved power cepstrum based stereo correspondence method for textured scenes

This paper analyses the performance of cepstral approaches for solving the stereo correspondence problem. A quantitative analysis of the effects of noise, foreshortening differences, and photometric variations on existing cepstral correspondence techniques is presented. A modified approach that is less sensitive to these effects is developed for textured scenes, and analytical arguments for its robustness are developed. The results of a comparative study of the new cepstral technique, the original cepstral algorithm and the cross-correlation approach are shown and discussed. The performance of the new method is experimentally verified on textured surfaces.
Beta-Gamma-Gamma Correlation in Manganese-56: A Test of Time Reversal Invariance

A test of time-reversal invariance was performed by measuring the imaginary part $|\ensuremath{\delta}|sin\ensuremath{\eta}$ of the mixing ratio $\ensuremath{\delta}=|\ensuremath{\delta}|{e}^{i\ensuremath{\eta}}$ between $E2$ and $M1$ reduced matrix elements through the observation of two $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ cascades in $^{56}\mathrm{Mn}$. The imaginary part was found to be (-8.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4.8)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ for the 1.81-MeV transition, and (-7.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ for the 2.12-MeV transition. In order to eliminate instrumental asymmetries, the difference between the two values was taken, $\ensuremath{\Delta}(|\ensuremath{\delta}|sin\ensuremath{\eta})=(1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. With an average mixing ratio for the two transitions, $〈|\ensuremath{\delta}|〉=0.24$, the difference in phases is $\ensuremath{\Delta}sin\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\approx}\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\approx}(0.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, giving no evidence for time-reversal violation.
On Comparative Quantification in the Verbal Domain

The central goal of this paper is to provide a mechanism of comparative quantification in the verbal domain, where the degree of comparison is associated with an event argument. The empirical data comes from the comparative construction in Japanese with sugiru, which is an intransitive verb meaning ' to pass, to exceed' , as in ( 1 )a. Sugiru can attach to an adjective or a verb and express excessiveness just like too in English, as in ( l )b-c.
The Berkeley Model: A Tri-Level Approach to Educational Psychology for Professionals in Training:

This experimental model, based on Bloom's taxonomy and developed despite internal problems, shows promise for other uses.
Routine primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in the neonate

Uncertainty surrounds both the timing and ideal form of early management of tetralogy of Fallot. Some centers perform early complete repair in all patients regardless of age, symptoms and morphology. Others recommend a two-stage approach involving initial palliation in symptomatic neonates and young infants and those with unfavorable anatomy (anomalous coronary anatomy or hypoplastic pulmonary arteries). Advantages of early anatomic correction include alleviation of cyanosis, normal growth and organ development, removal of stimulus for right ventricular hypertrophy and avoidance of risks associated with initial palliation. With recent advances in anesthetic, operative and postoperative management, routine primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in the neonate and young infant can be accomplished with excellent early and mid-term results. However, long-term follow-up is necessary to assess the impact of early repair on late right ventricular function, arrhythmias and need for reintervention.
Changes in voluntary torque and electromyographic activity following oral baclofen

The consequences of baclofen intake on voluntary motor behaviors remain unclear. We studied the effects of single oral doses of baclofen on voluntary, isometric knee extension torques and surface and single motor unit (MU) electromyographic (EMG) activity from the vastus lateralis in 11 individuals without neurological injury. Examination of submaximal to maximal contractions of varying duration performed pre- and post-baclofen ingestion revealed significant decreases in maximal knee torques and EMG magnitude, accompanied by an increase in slope of the torque-EMG relation. A decreased slope of the torque-MU firing rate relation was also demonstrated post-baclofen, but without changes in minimal firing rates or recruitment forces. During sustained contractions at < or =25% of maximal voluntary torque elicited after baclofen ingestion, increased EMG activity was observed without significant differences in MU firing rates. Our results demonstrate a clear reduction in the maximal torque-generating ability following baclofen. Specific changes in MU firing patterns indicate that weakness may be due partly to reduced motoneuronal excitability, although use of MU discharge patterns to assess these effects is limited in its sensitivity.
Left Atrial Blood Stasis and Von Willebrand Factor–ADAMTS13 Homeostasis in Atrial Fibrillation

Objective— Left atrial blood stasis is associated with increased risk for left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) and stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is associated with thromboembolism in AF. VWF thrombogenic activity is proportional to multimer size, which is regulated by VWF-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13). Methods and Results— To assess the association between left atrial blood stasis and VWF-ADAMTS13 system, plasma VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF activity (VWF:Act), and ADAMTS13 activity were measured in 414 consecutive patients with nonvalvular AF (age 63±13 years; 25% women) and in 100 patients (age 64±14 years; 39% women) with normal sinus rhythm. Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), left atrial appendage emptying velocity, and LAAT were assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. Presence and intensity of SEC varied directly with VWF:Ag and VWF:Act but not with ADAMTS13 activity. AF patients with LAAT had higher VWF:Ag (200±61 versus 155±52, P =0.0006) and VWF:Act (179±57 versus 141±51 P =0.0026) compared with those without LAAT. VWF:Ag and VWF:Act were independent predictors of LAAT after adjustment for CHADS2 score ( P =0.0179 and P =0.0497, respectively). Conclusion— The association between VWF and SEC may explain the thrombotic propensity in AF. Elevated VWF:Ag may help identify AF patients at risk for LAAT.
A comparison of neurocognitive function in nonsmoking and chronically smoking short-term abstinent alcoholics.

Abstract Approximately 70–90% of individuals in North America seeking treatment for alcoholism are chronic smokers. A growing body of evidence suggests chronic cigarette smoking alone adversely affects neurocognition in adults. However, few studies on the neurocognitive function of short-term abstinent alcoholics have specifically considered the potential effects of chronic cigarette smoking. In this study, 20 nonsmoking recovering alcoholics (nsRA) and 22 actively smoking recovering alcoholics (sRA) participants, matched on age and education, were contrasted on a comprehensive neurocognitive battery after 34 ± 9 days of abstinence. nsRA were superior to sRA on measures of auditory-verbal learning and memory, processing speed, cognitive efficiency, and static postural stability. These group differences were not a function of group disparities in age, education, estimated premorbid verbal intelligence, lifetime alcohol consumption, or other measured comorbid psychiatric or medical factors. In sRA, longer smoking duration was negatively correlated with executive skills, visuospatial learning, general cognitive efficiency, and static postural stability. These results indicate that greater consideration of the potential neurobiological effects of current chronic smoking on neurocognitive functioning is warranted in studies of alcoholism and other conditions where smoking is a common comorbid factor.
Relationships between the family environment and school-based obesity prevention efforts: can school programs help adolescents who are most in need?

Identifying factors that contribute to students’ behavior and weight improvements during school-based obesity prevention interventions is critical for the development of effective programs. The current study aims to determine whether the support and resources that adolescent girls received from their families were associated with improvements in physical activity (PA), television use, dietary intake, body mass index (BMI) and body composition during participation in New Moves, a school-based intervention to prevent obesity and other weight-related problems. Adolescent girls in the intervention condition of New Moves (n 5 135), and one parent of each girl, were included in the current analysis. At baseline, parents completed surveys assessing the family environment. At baseline and follow-up, 9‐12 months later, girls’ behaviors were self-reported, height and weight were measured by study staff and body fat was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results showed few associations between family environment factors and girls’ likelihood of improving behavior, BMI or body composition. These findings suggest that in general, school-based interventions offer similar opportunities for adolescent girls to improve their PA, dietary intake, and weight, regardless of family support.
Dynamic instability of frames having thin‐walled columns

Dynamic instability of single storey frames having thin-walled columns has been investigated. The lateral loads sustained by the frame are dynamic in character, while the axial loads are deemed to be quasi-statically applied. The analytical model employed by the authors has the capability of modelling the combined action of the two ‘companion’ local modes whose amplitudes are variable along the length of the column and any type of end conditions of the members. For given levels of axial loads sustained by the columns, the magnitudes of lateral loads causing instability can be significantly smaller than those corresponding to static buckling, provided the dynamic load is of sufficient duration. There exists, however, a threshold value of axial force carried by the columns, below which there is no elastic instability—static or dynamic. For columns with overall critical loads several times greater than the local critical load, there is no danger of elastic instability, but the deflections under dynamic lateral loads of less than 1 per cent of the axial load may reach such huge values that there is a serious danger of localized plastic collapse. It is also shown that moment frames having thin-walled columns such as those fabricated out of cold formed steel are extremely vulnerable to moderate seismic excitations.
The Effects of Organizational Climate and Interorganizational Coordination on the Quality and Outcomes of Children’s Service Systems

Abstract Objective: This study examines the effects of organizational characteristics, including organizational climate and interorganizational coordination, on the quality and outcomes of children’s service systems. Method: A quasi-experimental, longitudinal design was used to assess the effects of increasing interorganizational services coordination in public children’s service agencies. The research team collected both qualitative and quantitative data over a 3-year period describing the services provided to 250 children by 32 public children’s service offices in 24 counties in Tennessee. Results: Findings show that organizational climate (including low conflict, cooperation, role clarity, and personalization) is the primary predictor of positive service outcomes (the children’s improved psychosocial functioning) and a significant predictor of service quality. In contrast, interorganizational coordination had a negative effect on service quality and no effect on outcomes. Conclusions: Efforts to improve public children’s service systems should focus on creating positive organizational climates rather than on increasing interorganizational services coordination. This is important because many large-scale efforts to improve children’s service systems have focused on interorganizational coordination with little success and none to date have focused on organizational climate.
High-throughput identification of long-range regulatory elements and their target promoters in the human genome

Enhancer elements are essential for tissue-specific gene regulation during mammalian development. Although these regulatory elements are often distant from their target genes, they affect gene expression by recruiting transcription factors to specific promoter regions. Because of this longrange action, the annotation of enhancer element– target promoter pairs remains elusive. Here, we developed a novel analysis methodology that takes advantage of Hi-C data to comprehensively identify these interactions throughout the human genome. To do this, we used a geometric distribution-based model to identify DNA–DNA interaction hotspots that contact gene promoters with high confidence. We observed that these promoter-interacting hotspots significantly overlap with known enhancer-associated histone modifications and DNase I hypersensitive sites. Thus, we defined thousands of candidate enhancer elements by incorporating these features, and found that they have a significant propensity to be bound by p300, an enhancer binding transcription factor. Furthermore, we revealed that their target genes are significantly bound by RNA Polymerase II and demonstrate tissue-specific expression. Finally, we uncovered that these elements are generally found within 1Mb of their targets, and often regulate multiple genes. In total, our study presents a novel high-throughput workflow for confident, genomewide discovery of enhancer–target promoter pairs, which will significantly improve our understanding of these regulatory interactions.
Multistage Reactive Transmission-Mode Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Elucidating reaction mechanisms is important for advancing many areas of science such as catalyst development. It is often difficult to probe fast reactions at ambient conditions with high temporal resolution. In addition, systems involving reagents that cross-react require analytical methods that can minimize interaction time and specify their order of introduction into the reacting system. Here, we explore the utility of transmission mode desorption electrospray ionization (TM-DESI) for reaction monitoring by directing a microdroplet spray towards a series of meshes with micrometer-sized openings coated with reagents, an approach we call multistage reactive TM-DESI (TM n -DESI, where n refers to the number of meshes; n = 2 in this report). Various stages of the reaction are initiated at each mesh surface, generating intermediates and products in microdroplet reaction vessels traveling towards the mass spectrometer. Using this method, we investigated the reactivity of iron porphyrin catalytic hydroxylation of propranolol and other substrates. Our experimental results indicate that TM n -DESI provides the ability to spatially separate reagents and control their order of introduction into the reacting system, thereby minimizing unwanted reactions that lead to catalyst deactivation and degradation products. In addition, comparison with DESI-MS analyses (the Zare and Latour laboratories published results suggesting accessible reaction times <1 ms) of the reduction of dichlorophenolindophenol by L-ascorbic acid suggest that TM 1 -DESI can access reaction times less than 1 ms. Multiple meshes allow sequential stages of desorption/ionization per MS scan, increasing the number of analytes and reactions that can be characterized in a single experiment.
Directional Local Contrast Based Blood Vessel Detection in Retinal Images

In this paper, we proposed a novel algorithm to detect blood vessels on retinal images. By using directional local contrast as its detection feature, our algorithm is highly sensitive, fast and accurate. The algorithm only needs integral computing with very simple parameter adjustments and highly suitable for parallelization. It is much more robust to illumination conditions than intensity based counterparts and equally effective for large and small blood vessel detections. Traditional blood vessel mapping solutions focused on detecting the most number of blood vessel pixels at the cost of least number of falsely identified background pixels. This performance criterion works for well illuminated images with sharp boundary, but it does not address two major concerns. The first is that it favors detection of large blood vessels, and the second is that for darker images (due to poor illumination or pigment colors) it can be very difficult to generate hand traced maps. To overcome these problems, we propose using central lines of the blood vessels as a new performance measure for blood vessel mapping. The new performance measure is easy to evaluate, and it complements the existing performance measure. Experiment results on two public retinal image databases show that our algorithm outperforms two well known existing algorithms in terms of speeds and accuracy.