cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Random error due to Brownian motion in microscopic particle image velocimetry

Simulations were performed to determine the applicability of the central limit theorem in predicting the experimental error in particle image velocimetry experiments caused by the random motion of seed particles due to Brownian motion. For an idealized light-sheet PIV experiment, it was found that the central limit theorem accurately predicts the experimental error when the rms particle motion due to Brownian motion is less than approximately 1 pixel. For rms particle motion greater than this, the central limit theorem underpredicts the random error due to Brownian motion. For all of the microPIV cases investigated, it was found that the central limit theorem always underpredicts the random error due to Brownian motion. This discrepancy between the predicted error and measured error was found to increase with increasing random particle displacement due to Brownian motion. Finally, an empirical formula was developed to predict the rms error due to Brownian motion. Because a direct application of the central limit theorem was found to significantly underpredict the rms error in microPIV experiments, this empirical formula could be useful in interpreting the results from microPIV experiments. The empirical formula was found accurate to within 6% for all cases investigated in the simulations. Thus, the empirical formula can provide a substantial improvement in accurately predicting rms error compared to applying the central limit theorem, which was found to underpredict the random error due to Brownian motion in microPIV experiments by as much as 54% for a 1 pixel rms displacement.
The role of the laboratory mouse in the human genome project.

The long-term goal of the human genome project is to identify and establish the function of each of the estimated 100,000 genes in the genome. The gene-discovery phase of the project is proceeding rapidly, via large-scale sequencing of genomic and cDNA clones. Establishing the functional roles for these genes is the challenge for the future. New methods have improved the power of the laboratory mouse to address questions of gene function and have attracted many investigators to the field. There has been dramatic progress in the efficiency of positional cloning of mutant mouse genes, induction of new mutants by chemical mutagenesis, targeted mutation of cloned genes by homologous recombination, strategies for analysis of polygenic traits, and comparative mapping of the human and mouse chromosomes. The contents of recent issues of the journals Human Molecular Genetics, Nature Genetics, and Genomics demonstrate the striking extent to which mouse genes and mouse mutants now occupy the attention of human geneticists. This paper provides a brief survey of recent developments with particular relevance to human genetics and the analysis of gene function. 56 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.
The Effect of Hypothermia on the Oxygen Delivery to Cerebral Tissue: Analysis Using a Compartmental Model

This paper studies the effect of temperature in the cerebral oxygen absorption and delivery using a compartmental model of oxygen transport which introduces the temperature dependence of factors such as the cerebral blood flow, the oxygen dissociation curve, and the tissue metabolic activity. The variations of the oxygen delivered to the tissue for the case of normoxia and hypoxia are studied, as well as the tissue oxygen delivery during different cooling strategies. The goal of the present study is to understand the effects of temperature in the oxygen uptake, and to determine a safe temperature limits for hypothermic treatment maximizing tissue oxygen delivery. From the calculations it is seen that the oxygen content falls in the vascular and tissue compartments during hypothermia and that this effect is aggravated by hypoxia.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Genome-wide mapping of RNA Pol-II promoter usage in mouse tissues by ChIP-seq

Alternative promoters that are differentially used in various cellular contexts and tissue types add to the transcriptional complexity in mammalian genome. Identification of alternative promoters and the annotation of their activity in different tissues is one of the major challenges in understanding the transcriptional regulation of the mammalian genes and their isoforms. To determine the use of alternative promoters in different tissues, we performed ChIP-seq experiments using antibody against RNA Pol-II, in five adult mouse tissues (brain, liver, lung, spleen and kidney). Our analysis identified 38 639 Pol-II promoters, including 12 270 novel promoters, for both protein coding and non-coding mouse genes. Of these, 6384 promoters are tissue specific which are CpG poor and we find that only 34% of the novel promoters are located in CpG-rich regions, suggesting that novel promoters are mostly tissue specific. By identifying the Pol-II bound promoter(s) of each annotated gene in a given tissue, we found that 37% of the protein coding genes use alternative promoters in the five mouse tissues. The promoter annotations and ChIP-seq data presented here will aid ongoing efforts of characterizing gene regulatory regions in mammalian genomes.
Conduction through a damaged honeycomb lattice

Abstract The temperature distribution and rate of heat transfer across an infinite periodic strip of a honeycomb lattice consisting of conductive segments or links joined at nodes or junctions is discussed. A pristine honeycomb behaves like an isotropic medium whose effective conductivity is independent of the orientation of an applied macroscopic temperature gradient. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to determine the effect of link damage or disruption and lattice deformation due to junction displacement. In the simulations, a specified percentage of randomly distributed links are assigned a conductivity that is lower than that of the undamaged links. The balance equations governing the nodal temperatures at the junctions are solved by iteration subject to a periodicity condition along the strip and the Dirichlet condition along the two infinite edges of the strip. The results illustrate the effect of imperfections on the temperature distribution over the network and document the dependence of the effective conductivity on the percentage and conductivity of the defective links. In the case of nonconductive damaged links, the effective conductivity becomes nearly zero when a critical percentage of links are clipped, in agreement with bond percolation theory. However, the functional form of the number density of possible pathways connecting the lower to the upper edge of the strip predicted by percolation theory differs from that of the effective conductivity. Lattice deformation due to random node displacement has a small effect on the effective conductivity of the network.
Could home sexually transmitted infection specimen collection with e-prescription be a cost-effective strategy for clinical trials and clinical care?

BackgroundResults of a recent demonstration project evaluating feasibility, acceptability, and cost of a Web-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and e-prescription treatment program (eSTI) suggest that this approach could be a feasible alternative to clinic-based testing and treatment
An Algorithm to Calibrate Field Cameras for Stereo Clouds

This paper presents a robust extrinsic parameter estimation algorithm to calibrate field cameras which were used to observe the formation of clouds on a mountainous region. Generally, camera calibration needs accurate landmark survey and image feature identification. However, our observation area is a large scale scene in a physically inaccessible area, therefore the landmark surveys are not precise. Since clouds are distant to cameras, cloud features in the images are also difficult to accurately identify for stereo correspondences. The noise in landmark survey and cloud feature correspondence makes it challenging to obtain desired cloud observation accuracy by using traditional least squares based camera calibration approaches. Our camera calibration approach is based on a generalized total least square (GTLS) algorithm instead of a normal least square method. Experiments show that the GTLS-based camera calibration is more accurate and robust than LS-based methods for our application.
On Call and Online: Sociohistorical, Legal, and Ethical Implications of E-mail for the Patient-Physician Relationship

Increased use of e-mail by physicians, patients, and other health care organizations and staff has the potential to reshape the current boundaries of relationships in medical practice. By comparing reception of e-mail technology in medical practice with its historical analogue, reception of the telephone, this article suggests that new expectations, practice standards, and potential liabilities emerge with the introduction of this new communication technology. Physicians using e-mail should be aware of these considerations and construct their e-mail communications accordingly, recognizing that e-mail may be included in the patient's medical record. Likewise, physicians should discuss the ramifications of communicating electronically with patients and obtain documented informed consent before using e-mail. Physicians must keep patient information confidential, which will require taking precautions (including encryption to prevent interception) to preserve patient information, trust, and the integrity of the patient-physician relationship.
The assembly of Gondwana 800-550 Ma

Abstract The formation of the supercontinent Gondwana heralded the beginning of the Phanerozoic following a complex series of collisional events after the break-up of earlier supercontinental assemblages. Paleomagnetic data are used to help distinguish between these events and it appears that there are three critical periods of mountain building during Gondwana assembly. The first major orogenic event took place between 800 and 650 Ma and has been termed the East Africa Orogeny. This tectonic episode formed the Mozambique Belt and likely resulted from the collision of India, Madagascar and Sri Lanka with East Africa. The second and third orogenic periods during Gondwana assembly partially overlap in time. The Brasiliano orogeny (600–530 Ma) resulted in the amalgamation of the South American nuclei and Africa. The Kuunga Orogeny was proposed, in part, because of the recent collection of geochronologic data indicating a 550 Ma granulite forming event in East Gondwana and the observation that the apparent polar wander path for Gondwana does not form a spatially and temporally coherent pattern until roughly the same time. The Kuunga orogeny may have resulted from the collision between Australia and Antarctica with the rest of Gondwana.
On the correctness of representing extended entity-relationship structures in the relational model

Although the relational representation of Entity-Relationship (ER) structures gained extensive coverage, scarce attention has been paid to the issue of correctness for such representations. Several mappings have been proposed for the representation of both ER and extended ER (EER) structures by relational schemas. The informal nature of most of these proposals, however, does not allow a precise evaluation of their correctness, nor a comparison of the various mappings. We propose a canonical relational representation for EER structures and prove its correctness. We claim that a relational schema represents correctly an EER structure if it has equivalent information-capacity with the corresponding canonical representation.The second problem addressed by this paper is the normalization of relational schemas that represent EER structures. We examine the conditions required by this process and show that ignoring these conditions leads to erroneous analyses and inappropriate design decisions. We show that, under these conditions, the canonical relational representation of any (unrestricted) EER structure has an (information-capacity) equivalent Boyce-Codd Normal Form schema.
Sex Steroid Hormone Polymorphisms, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Apolipoprotein A-1 from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

We evaluated potential associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in estrogen receptor (ERalpha and ERbeta) genes, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) concentrations in women of 4 races/ethnicities. Participants included 1,520 African American, Caucasian, Chinese, and Japanese women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) who were premenopausal or perimenopausal and who were also enrolled in the SWAN Genetics Study, which collected blood for lipid analyses and carried out lymphocyte transformation from which DNA was extracted and genotyped. We evaluated SNPs from ERalpha and ERbeta genes (ESR1 and ESR2, respectively), including ESR1 rs9340799, ESR1 rs2234693, ESR1 rs728524, ESR1 rs3798577, ESR2 rs1255998, ESR2 rs1256065, and ESR2 rs1256030. The mean HDL cholesterol and apoA-1 values for these women were 1.47 mmol/L and 1.51 g/L, respectively. Japanese women with the ESR1 rs3798577 TC genotype had significantly lower apoA-1 (P=0.02) and HDL cholesterol levels (P=0.03) than did those with the TT genotype. African American women with the ESR1 rs728524 GG genotype had higher HDL cholesterol levels than did women with the AA or AG genotypes (P=0.05). ESR2 rs1256030 and ESR2 rs1256065 genotypes were associated with HDL cholesterol concentrations in Chinese women (P=0.05). Although associations were identified between the ESR1 and ESR2 SNP variants and lipids in these women, these associations were not consistently observed across the 4 racial/ethnic groups, nor were the associations consistently inclusive of both HDL cholesterol and apoA-1. These genetic variants provide limited evidence of associations with lipids that may help explain the cardioprotective effect of premenopausal status in women.
Alpha Theta Machine

Optical surfaces produced by machining processes place a great burden on the accuracy of the machine tool system. For example, if the motion is produced by linear slide system and actuated by lead screws driven with gears, the machine is limited in figure and surface finish accuracy. A new machine is described, based on only rotary motion, pivoting on air bearing spindles. The new machine, called an Alpha-Theta machine, affords greater accuracy, elimination of lead screw drives, and also minimizes rewelding of chip material to the cut surface. The Alpha-Theta machine is a new generation single point turning machine.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Elements of success at a traditional/virtual university: lessons learned from three years of growth in cyberspace

Within three years, Park College (Park University, as of January 1, 2000) has developed an online distance learning program that serves more than 1,700 students per term worldwide. This case study looks at the steps that Park went through and the direction it is now headed.
Calcium channel agonists and dystonia in the mouse

Systemic administration of the L-type calcium channel agonists +/-Bay K 8644 or FPL 64176 causes a characteristic pattern of motor dysfunction in normal C57BL/6J mice that resembles generalized dystonia. There is no associated change in the electroencephalogram, confirming that the motor disorder does not reflect epileptic seizures. However, the electromyogram reveals an increase in baseline motor unit activity with prolonged phasic discharges consistent with dystonia. The duration and severity of dystonia is dependent on the dose administered and the age of the animal at testing. The effects are transient, with the return of normal motor behavior 1-4 hours after treatment. Similar effects can be provoked by intracerebral administration of small amounts of the drugs, indicating a centrally mediated response. Dystonia can be attenuated by co-administration of dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel antagonists (nifedipine, nimodipine, and nitrendipine) but not by non-dihydropyridine antagonists (diltiazem, verapamil, and flunarizine). These results implicate abnormal function of L-type calcium channels in the expression of dystonia in this model.
The Diversity-Locked Loop a Coherent Combiner

Increasing interest in coherent PM and FM communication systems using phase-locked demodulators has promoted the development of practical coherent diversity combining systems. Phase-locked loops can convert each received signal of a diversity system to an essentially constant frequency and phase for coherent combination prior to demodulation. When the individual signals are fading with some amount of independence, the properly combined signal has less severe amplitude fluctuations than either signal alone and a diversity improvement results. While practical systems of this type have proved very effective, they have a disadvantage in that each of the phase-locked loops are controlled by the individually fading signals. This paper describes a multiple-input servosystem in which a primary phase-locked loop is controlled by the combined signal while auxiliary loops within the primary loop assure phase coherence. In this way, the full diversity improvement is realized in both locking and in demodulation and the probability of losing lock is correspondingly decreased. The probability of a single-input phase-locked loop losing lock is established and then extended to the case of a slowly fading signal with Rayleigh envelope characteristics. The statistics of two such signals optimally combined are used to arrive at a comparative estimate of the improvement possible. A practical diversity-locked combiner is analyzed and design criteria are established.
Group relationships and homomorphisms of Boolean matrix semigroups

Abstract The image matrix obtained from a blocked Boolean matrix gives a homomorphism provided that the product of any two nonzero blocks is nonzero. All maximal nonzero Boolean matrix semigroups are found. Those invariant under conjugations by a permutation matrix have the form G i = { A : the sum of any i th rows of A (or all rows) has at least i ones (or all ones)}.
Familial dysautonomia: a prospective study of survival.

FAMILIAL DYSAUTONOMIA can no longer be considered solely a disease of childhood; increasing numbers of patients are reaching adulthood. At the Dysautonomia Center at New York University Medical Center, 59 patients are 20 years or older and account for 33% of the living patient population; the oldest patient at time of writing is 38 years of age. Previously the only analysis of survival probability was a retrospective study compiled by Brunt and MeKusick ~ in 1970. With the establishment of a center for evaluation and treatment in 1969, a large number of patients could be followed and receive more consistent treatment. We have reanalyzed mortality figures to determine current survival and the general prognosis for patients with familial dysautonomia.
Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinases

Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) is an important lipid mediator that has multiple regulatory functions. There is now increasing evidence that the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinases (PIP5Ks), which synthesize PIP(2), are regulated spatially and temporally and that they have isoform-specific functions and regulations. This review will summarize the highlights of recent developments in understanding how the three major PIP5K isoforms regulate the actin cytoskeleton and other important cellular processes.
The effect of an inquiry-oriented environmental science course on preservice elementary teachers’ attitudes about science

The purpose of this study was to assess a model inquiry-oriented environmental science course offered to preservice elementary education majors at the University of Montana in order to investigate the effects of environmental science classes on preservice elementary education majors. The guiding questions for the study (N=125) were: What learning environment profile reflects an inquiry-oriented environmental science classroom? and Are students' attitudes about science affected by the environmental science course taken? Data collection instruments included the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI) and the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA). Results indicate that the course provided adequate laboratory materials and students interacted with each other in a positive manner. The results from the TOSRA questionnaire suggest that exposure to an inquiry-oriented environmental science course could promote at least short-term change regarding student attitudes involving social change. Another finding was that students had more positive attitudes about inquiry as a process in science after being exposed to a learning cycle-based course. It was concluded that results from this study support the recommendation that preservice elementary teachers take course work in environmental science or environmental education. Contains 12 references. (JRH) *******************i.AA:.************************************Ai.*** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *************W********************************************************* THE EFFECT OF AN INQUIRY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COURSE ON PRESERVICE ELEMENTARY TEACHER°,' ATTITUDES ABOUT SCIENCE. Fletcher S. Brown, University of Montana Missoula, MT 59812 U S. DEPARTMENT Of EDUCATION Othce o EOLKshonet Ressioch ono imptosen.,-nt EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION LI CENTER IERICI TheS 00Cument ASS been reproduced as reCe'vehtl frOrre the person Or Orpiheietectin mating et 0 Mow, chances have been made to ereetX0er rOPrOducleon Quality Pants °twee 0, Oftshe One Stated in thiSCIOCve ment 00 hOt reCIISSanly raptasant official OE RI posmon or pohoy Paper Presented at the annual meeting of The National Association for Research in Science Teaching St. Louis, Missouri April, 1996
A video analysis technique for organ dose assessment in pediatric fluoroscopy: Applications to voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG)

The time-sequence videotape-analysis methodology, originally developed by Sulieman et al. [Radiol. 178, 653-658 (1991)] for use in tissue dose estimation in adult fluoroscopy exams, has been adapted to the study of the newborn voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). Individual frames of fluoroscopic and radiographic video were analyzed with respect to unique combinations of field size, field center, projection, tube potential, and mA or mAs, respectively. A modified version of the stylized ORNL newborn model was coupled to the MCNP4C radiation transport code to report organ doses per unit entrance air kerma (free-in-air) for each identified x-ray field. A series of urinary bladder models was additionally developed representing the organ at differing stages of contrast filling. The technique was subsequently applied to two patients, a 3-month male and a 1-month female, examined via a conventional fluoroscopy system used just prior to departmental conversion to digital systems. The effective dose to these patients was estimated as 0.47 mSv and 1.36 mSv, respectively (ratio of 2.9). Corresponding ratios of cumulative fluoroscopy time and entrance air kerma were 2.2 and 1.6, respectively. For the male patient, the mean percent dose contribution from fluoroscopy for all irradiated organs was 71 +/- 12%, while that value for the female patient was 88 +/- 4%.
Changes in blood methanol concentrations in chimpanzees during periods of chronic ethanol ingestion

Abstract Accumulation of blood methanol was observed in young chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) during 6–14 week periods of chronic ethanol ingestion when blood ethanol levels were continually above 10–20 mg/100 ml blood. This occurred when the daily dose of ethanol was greater than that amount which could be eliminated during the 24-hr period. If these conditions were maintained, blood methanol concentrations increased for 4–5 days, then reached a plateau and remained elevated at fluctuating levels until blood ethanol concentrations decreased to less than 60-15 mg/100 ml. If ethanol concentrations continued to decline below these levels, methanoi concentrations then decreased linearly at a rate which was positively correlated with the rate of elimination of blood ethanol. Accumulation of blood methanol is probably the result of competitive inhibition of methanol oxidation by ethanol. The relationship between the observed increases in elimination rates of both ethanol and methanol and the possibility of ethanolstimulated enzymatic alterations are discussed.
The Clock Paradox in the Relativity Theory

A systemS′ (rocket) starts from rest in an inertial systemS, and after a series of accelerated, uniform and decelerated motions, comes back to rest at its initial position inS. An exact calculation is carried out, from the standpoint ofS, of the time intervals for the arrivals atS of light signals sent back byS′. From the standpoint ofS′, S has made a round trip after undergoing a series of free falls in gravitational fields and coasting motions. An exact calculation is carried out for the ‘proper time’ intervals inS from the standpoint ofS′. It is shown that there is exact agreement betweenS andS′ in their reckonings of the total time intervals for the two frames, namely, bothS andS′ agree quantitatively, to them, the time interval is longer forS than forS′.
For mixing transformations rank(T k)=k·rank(T)

For the class of finite-rank transformations having no partial rigidity (this contains the class of mixing transformations) rank behaves like a logarithm on positive powers in that rk(T k)=k·rk(T).
Effects of repeated administrations of atropine on two multiple schedules

Twenty mg/kg IP injections of atropine were administered to albino rats after their responding had stabilized on mult FR 80 DRL 15 sec or on mult VI 30 sec FI 30 sec. The first injections of atropine depressed responding on the FR, VI, and FI components and increased responding on the DRL component. Replication injections consistently reproduced the effects on the FR and VI components but had inconsistent effects on the DRL and FI components.
Becoming an Engineer: Toward a Three Dimensional View of Engineering Learning

In this paper we develop an analytical framework we refer to as “Becoming an Engineer” that focuses upon changes occurring over time as students traverse their undergraduate educations in engineering. This analytical framework involves three related dimensions that we track over time: disciplinary knowledge, identification, and navigation. Our analysis illustrates how these three dimensions enable us to understand how students become, or do not become, engineers by examining how these three interrelated dimensions unfold over time. This study is based on longitudinal ethnographic data from which we have developed “person-centered ethnographies” focused on individual students' pathways through engineering. We present comparative analysis, spanning four schools and four years. We also present person-centered ethnographic case studies that illustrate how our conceptual dimensions interrelate. Our discussion draws some educational implications from our analysis and proposes further lines of research.
Relationship between self-reported high-heeled shoe use and bone mineral density using quantitative ultrasound at a community health fair.

This is the first known study to examine the relationship between high-heel use and bone mineral density (BMD). Because women are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis, it is important to identify possible modifiable behaviors of women that may adversely affect bone health. Many studies have shown changes in body mechanics when wearing high-heeled shoes in comparison to normal gait. Because the composition of bone changes according to mechanical load and muscle activity, this study investigates whether wearing high heels may alter BMD. Two hundred and twenty-one participants at a community health fair in Lansing, Michigan, were surveyed on high-heel use and bone health risk (gender, thin/small frame, fair skin, family history of fracture, smoking history, walking, dairy consumption, and early menopause or oopherectomy at <45 years old). Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the heel by Hologic's Sahara Sonometer was used to measure BMD. The mean age was 45.2 (SD 13.7) years, and the majority of participants were female (208, 94 %). A significant difference between mean BMD and high-heel use was not found. Independent correlations existed between fair skinned/sunburn easily and BMD, r(212) = −0.14, p = 0.038, as well as history of smoking and BMD, r(212) = −0.14, p = 0.042. Bone health risk score was strongly correlated with heel use binary variable “yes/no,” r(210) = 0.21, p = 0.003. Our study suggests that wearing high-heeled shoes does not lead to appreciable differences in BMD among community health fair participants as assessed by QUS.
The reproducible properties of correct forecasts

Each period, one outcome out of finitely many possibilities is observed. Each period, a forecaster announces some probability for the future outcomes based on the available data. An outsider wants to know if the forecaster has some knowledge of the data generating process. Let a test be an arbitrary function from sequences of forecasts and outcomes to {0,1}. When the test returns a 0 the test is said to reject the forecasts based on the outcome sequence. When the test resturns a 1 the test is said to not reject the forecasts based on the outcome sequence. Consider any test that does not reject the truth, i.e. it does not reject when the announced forecasts are the conditional probabilities of the data generating process. Based on Fan’s (1953) Minimax theorem, I show that it is possible to produce forecasts that will not be rejected on any sequence of outcomes.
MEASURING DIVIDED-ATTENTION CAPABILITY OF YOUNG AND OLDER DRIVERS

A divided-attention task was used to measure the ability of young and older drivers to obtain information from an in-vehicle display. Performance with the in-vehicle display was compared with performance with information superimposed on the driving scene. Ten young and 10 older drivers drove on a curvy road by using a fixed-based driving simulator. Older drivers were less accurate in obtaining information from the in-vehicle display, the average lane-position error of older drivers was greater, and older drivers spent more time driving outside their lanes. These results suggest that the use of in-vehicle displays, in their present configuration, is not appropriate for older drivers. When viewing information superimposed on the driving scene, older drivers were much more accurate and controlled their vehicles better. This indicates that the poor performance of older drivers with the in-vehicle display was due to vision-related changes, such as longer eye accommodation times, rather than cognitive processes.
Deconvolution of auditory evoked potentials obtained at high stimulus rates

High stimulation rate acquisition of Auditory Brainstem and Middle Latency Responses is accomplished using a newly developed time-domain technique, Continuous Loop Averaging Deconvolution (CLAD). Unlike previously developed deconvolution methods, CLAD provides the capability to generate a large variety of stimulation sequences. Data was acquired from 4 ears at 6 stimulation rates from 58.6 to 507.8 per second and intensity levels from 70 to 0 dB HL. The selected CLAD sequences generated good quality recordings with the most important peak components being discernible. As expected, the higher stimulation rates and lower stimulation intensities produced peaks with prolonged latencies and lower amplitudes. The developed technique provides a valuable tool for stress testing the auditory system function at very high stimulation rates.
Enhancing Computing Power by Exploiting Underutilized Resources in the Community Cloud

With the advent of cloud computing, organizations tend to buy services from data centers of major cloud vendors. In contrast, community cloud computing as described in [1] give the alternative way to reduce the costs or even obtain free resources, by sharing among communities. Because the utilization of computing resources in an organization is not constantly 100%, other members of the community can exploit these excessive resources. In this paper, we design an algorithm for admission control and resource allocation, in order to deal with unreliably excessive computing resources. Furthermore, we introduce a social price in order to manage the allocation more efficiently both in term of social relations and of revenue.
Reliability and condition monitoring of a wind turbine

Wind is one of the cheapest and cleanest sources of energy. However, large and frequent fluctuations in wind intensity and directions can cause serious problems in harvesting this energy. Wind turbines are subjected to many unexpected environmental loads, which can be catastrophic in nature for the wind turbine system. Like any other industrial equipment wind turbines also require some type of monitoring system which is able to predict the up coming faults of the most sensitive components of the system to save it from a major disaster. This paper highlights the ongoing research on reliability analysis and condition monitoring system required for a small-scale wind turbine system AOC15/50, which is widely used in Atlantic Canada and USA. The paper describes the importance of safety system and lay ground work for sensor specification, sensor mounting and configuration requirements for magnetic tip brake and yaw bearing which were proved to be the least reliable components in an extensive reliability analysis. The paper describes condition monitoring instrumentation, data acquisition system and data analysis methodology
Cache invalidation strategies for internet-based mobile ad hoc networks

Internet-based mobile ad hoc network (Imanet) is an emerging technique that combines a mobile ad hoc network (Manet) and the Internet to provide universal information accessibility. Although caching frequently accessed data items in mobile terminals (MTs) improves the communication performance in an Imanet, it brings a critical design issue when data updates. In this paper, we analyze several push and pull-based cache invalidation strategies for Imanets. A global positioning system (GPS) based connectivity estimation (GPSCE) scheme is first proposed to assess the connectivity of an MT for supporting cache invalidation mechanisms. Then, we propose a pull-based approach, called aggregate cache based on demand (ACOD) scheme that uses an efficient search algorithm for finding the queried data items. In addition, we modify two push-based cache invalidation strategies, proposed for cellular networks, to work in Imanets. They are called modified timestamp (MTS) scheme and MTS with updated invalidation report (MTS+UIR) scheme, respectively. We compare the performance of all these schemes as a function of query interval, cache update interval, and cache size through extensive simulation. Simulation results indicate that the ACOD scheme provides high throughput, low query latency, and low communication overhead, and thus, is a viable approach for implementation in Imanets.
PROVIDER CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING ANTENATAL PROVIDER-INITIATED HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS IN UGANDA

While provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) programs are being increasingly implemented in antenatal care settings, there is scant information about the specific challenges providers face when offering these services. Through qualitative interviews with 30 HIV antenatal care providers from 10 clinics in central Uganda, we sought to understand specific challenges Ugandan providers face in implementing antenatal PITC programs, including how these challenges impact prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs. Counseling-specific challenges included counseling discordant couples, incomplete follow-up of HIV-infected clients, low rates of both male involvement and HIV serostatus discourse, and inadequate training and support to carry out counseling duties. Health system challenges included lack of adequate space for counseling, frequent "stock-outs" of supplies, shortages of both counselors and lab personnel, and inadequate referral services. These challenges must be addressed in order to optimize the success of PITC programs at providing universal access to HIV testing and counseling services.
Extreme value analysis of leakage current envelope of polluted insulators

Extreme value theory (EVT) deals with extremal behavior at the tails of distributions of random variables (maxima and minima). In this paper the results of applying some basic ideas associated with EVT to the statistical analysis of the leakage current peak magnitude (envelope) are presented. The measurement and analysis of leakage current for condition-based monitoring of polluted insulators is well documented. Research has established that, insulator surface arcing causes significant variations in both the magnitude and shape of the leakage current of polluted insulators and several techniques exist for analysis. A technique is presented here which employs EVT to discriminate and characterize the largest and rarest peaks (which occur with highest severity); namely the characteristic largest value and the extreme value risk function.
Observations of Neutron Damage in BeO Single Crystals

Observations of neutron damage were made on BeO single crystals irradiated at pile ambient temperature. The crystals darkened during irradiation and often exhibited cracking parallel to the basal plane. Irradiation produced many small defect clusters in the crystals and caused a significant increase in their hardness. X-ray diffraction photographs of irradiated crystals showed duplex reflections and continuous streaking between certain spots.
Differences in the neural mechanisms of selective attention in children from different socioeconomic backgrounds: an event‐related brain potential study

Previous research indicates that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds show deficits in aspects of attention, including a reduced ability to filter irrelevant information and to suppress prepotent responses. However, less is known about the neural mechanisms of group differences in attention, which could reveal the stages of processing at which attention deficits arise. The present study examined this question using an event-related brain potential (ERP) measure of selective auditory attention. Thirty-two children aged from 3 to 8 years participated in the study. Children were cued to attend selectively to one of two simultaneously presented narrative stories. The stories differed in location (left/right speaker), narration voice (male/female), and content. ERPs were recorded to linguistic and non-linguistic probe stimuli embedded in the attended and unattended stories. Children whose mothers had lower levels of educational attainment (no college experience) showed reduced effects of selective attention on neural processing relative to children whose mothers had higher levels of educational attainment (at least some college). These differences occurred by 100 milliseconds after probe onset. Furthermore, the differences were related specifically to a reduced ability to filter irrelevant information (i.e. to suppress the response to sounds in the unattended channel) among children whose mothers had lower levels of education. These data provide direct evidence for differences in the earliest stages of processing within neural systems mediating selective attention in children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Results are discussed in the context of intervention programs aimed at improving attention and self-regulation abilities in children at-risk for school failure.
Natural Mentoring and Psychosocial Outcomes among Older Youth Transitioning From Foster Care.

Psychosocial Outcomes among Older Youth Transitioning from Foster Care In the past two decades we have heard about the troubling lives of older youth transitioning from systems of care (See Osgood, Foster, Flanagan, & Ruth, 2005; Clemetson, L., 2006), particularly the foster care system (Courtney, Piliavin, Grogan-Kaylor, & Nesmith, 2001; English et al., 2003; Goerge et al., 2005; Eckholm, E., 2007; See Courtney & Heuring for a Review, 2005). Developmentally, this stage of life, recently termed emerging adulthood, roughly ages 18-25, has been characterized as stressful, filled with uncertainty (Arnett, 2000) and in today's culture scholars have argued it is a time when young adults are receiving more help from their parents than in past generations (Furstenberg, Rumbaut, & Settersten, 2005). Imagine, then, the stress level for older youth in foster care, many of whom make this difficult life transition with limited family support and few resources (Britner & Kraimer-Rickaby, 2005; Courtney et al., 2001; Collins, 2001). By nature of entering foster care, these youth have experienced stressful life events, such as removal from home, stress related to being in the system, and in many cases prolonged abuse and/or neglect. During the time of transition, things may be even more difficult, as these older youth may be expected to leave relationships and services that they have learned to depend on. It remains unclear as to how older youth in foster care get the emotional support, resources, social connections, and instrumental supports that are necessary to make the transition. Expecting older youth leaving foster care to make it on their own is absurd. Our social service system needs to focus increased attention on the needs of this vulnerable population and how to help them. Research reports convincingly support the notion that older youth in foster care do not do well during the transition to adulthood (See Courtney & Heuring, 2005 for a Review). For example, The Midwest Study reported that when compared to a nationally-representative sample of same age youths, at 19-years old, former foster care youths were less likely to be currently employed, more likely to report poor overall health, and more likely to be disconnected to society (Courtney et al., 2005) and at age 21, the foster youths in this study were more likely to have been arrested (Courtney et al., 2007). Other studies have reported high rates of depression and depression symptoms among older youth in foster care (McMillen et al., 2005; Barth, 1990). While research reports have effectively described the poor outcomes of these youths, we know next to nothing about what might help older youth during the transition from alternative care to more independent adulthood. One possibility is supportive relationships with non-kin natural mentors that continue through the transition years.
Effects of a Chair-Mounted Split Keyboard on Performance, Posture and Comfort

In a repeated measures experiment, twelve female typists performed typing and cursor positioning tasks using a chair-mounted split keyboard (FAK) and a conventional keyboard (CK) on an articulated tray. Results showed that the FAK significantly reduced ulnar deviation, but did not reduce wrist extension compared with the CK arrangement. Typing speed was slower for the FAK than the CK, but accuracy was unaffected. Videomotion analysis showed that more subjects sat fully back in their chair with their shoulders relaxed and their hands in less ulnar deviation when using the FAK to type. Other postural changes are described. Subjective comfort and strain ratings are described. Results are discussed within the limitations of a short-term laboratory study.
MolProbity: structure validation and all-atom contact analysis for nucleic acids and their complexes

MolProbity is a general-purpose web service offering quality validation for three-dimensional (3D) structures of proteins, nucleic acids and complexes. It provides detailed all-atom contact analysis of any steric problems within the molecules and can calculate and display the H-bond and van der Waals contacts in the interfaces between components. An integral step in the process is the addition and full optimization of all hydrogen atoms, both polar and nonpolar. The results are reported in multiple forms: as overall numeric scores, as lists, as downloadable PDB and graphics files, and most notably as informative, manipulable 3D kinemage graphics shown on-line in the KiNG viewer. This service is available free to all users at http://kinemage.biochem.duke.edu.
New Ferroelectrics for Naval SONAR and Modeling of Nanoscale Ferroelectric Nonvolatile Memory Materials

Using quantum-mechanical simulations, we have computationally investigated new materials for use in Naval Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR). At the nanoscale, our quantum-mechanical studies show that ferroelectricity and the resultant favorable properties are stable at dimensions much smaller than previously thought. We have demonstrated that charge compensation by molecular adsorbates is more efficient than by traditional metal electrodes. This enables even a single molecular electrode to stabilize full-strength ferroelectricity in ultra-thin films and nanowires. We also report successful porting and performance tuning of our computer codes to the CRAY XT3 platform.
Cults and zealous self-help movements: a psychiatric perspective

Modern cults and zealous self-help movements exercise an intense group influence and can have a major impact on their members' psychiatric status. On the basis of research findings, the author describes the charismatic group, a generic model for such cohesive, intensely ideological movements. He examines the psychological forces they tap and the way they can both relieve and exacerbate psychopathology. The model is then used to explain the operation of zealous self-help programs that address psychiatric syndromes; these are directed at problems of the medically ill, substance abusers, and relatives of psychiatric patients.
High-Dose [131I]Tositumomab (anti-CD20) Radioimmunotherapy and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Adults ≥ 60 Years Old With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma

Purpose The majority of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are older than 60 years, yet they are often denied potentially curative high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantations (ASCT) because of the risk of excessive treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Myeloablative anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) can deliver curative radiation doses to tumor sites while limiting exposure to normal organs and may be particularly suited for older adults requiring high-dose therapy. Patients and Methods Patients older than 60 years with relapsed B-cell NHL (B-NHL) received infusions of tositumomab anti-CD20 antibody labeled with 185 to 370 Mbq (5 to 10 mCi) [131I]-tracer for dosimetry purposes followed 10 days later by individualized therapeutic infusions of [131I]tositumomab (median, 19.4 Gbq [525 mCi]; range, 12.1 to 42.7 Gbq [328 to 1,154 mCi]) to deliver 25 to 27 Gy to the critical normal organ receiving the highest radiation dose. ASCT was performed approxim...
DSP based data acquisition for RHIC

A flexible data acquisition platform has been developed for use in RHIC beam instrumentation systems. By incorporating a floating point digital signal processor (DSP) and standard input/output modules, this system can acquire and process data from a variety of beam diagnostic devices. The DSP performs real time corrections, filtering, and data buffering to greatly reduce control system computation and bandwidth requirements. We will describe the existing hardware and software while emphasizing the compromises required to achieve a flexible yet cost effective system. Applications in several instrumentation systems currently under construction will also be presented.