cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What might have been? The role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and lateral orbitofrontal cortex in counterfactual emotions and choice

Counterfactual feelings of regret occur when people make comparisons between an actual outcome and a better outcome that would have occurred under a different choice. We investigated the choices of individuals with damage to the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) and the lateral orbital frontal cortex (LOFC) to see whether their emotional responses were sensitive to regret. Participants made choices between gambles, each with monetary outcomes. After every choice, subjects learned the consequences of both gambles and rated their emotional response to the outcome. Normal subjects and lesion control subjects tended to make better choices and reported post-decision emotions that were sensitive to regret comparisons. VMPFC patients tended to make worse choices, and, contrary to our predictions, they reported emotions that were sensitive to regret comparisons. In contrast, LOFC patients made better choices, but reported emotional reactions that were insensitive to regret comparisons. We suggest the VMPFC is involved in the association between choices and anticipated emotions that guide future choices, while the LOFC is involved in experienced emotions that follow choices, emotions that may signal the need for behavioral change.
Decreases in repetitive extrasystole threshold in the conscious pig with myocardial infarct were reversed by tyrosine.

Abstract Reports indicate that the administration of tyrosine, the precursor amino acid for catecholaminergic neurotransmitters, may be beneficial under conditions of physiologic stress. We studied the effects of tyrosine on vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia in conscious pigs with healing myocardial infarcts, and sham operated (intact) pigs. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured via chronically implanted aortic catheters. The repetitive extrasystole threshold (defined as the energy in milliamperes (ma) needed to cause a spontaneous ventricular beat following a premature beat induced by an electrical impulse), was measured via a bipolar pacing catheter placed during instrumentation surgery in the apex of the right ventricle. One week after infarct, the myocardial infarct group was studied before and ninety minutes after the administration of tyrosine (8 mg/kg iv). Before tyrosine, the myocardial infarct group had a significantly lower repetitive extrasystole threshold (12±1 ma) compared to the intact group (19±2 ma). Ninety minutes after tyrosine, the repetitive extrasystole threshold in the myocardial infarct group was 17±1 ma. The availability of tyrosine did not alter the repetitive extrasystole threshold in the intact group. Thus, vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia was enhanced in pigs with recent myocardial infarction. Tyrosine, which can be nutritionally manipulated, may reduce myocardial vulnerability to arrhythmia after infarct.
Perioperative Cardiovascular Assessment of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

Preoperative assessment of the cardiac patient before noncardiac surgery is common in the clinical practice of the medical consultant, anesthesiologist, and surgeon. Currently, most noncardiac surgical procedures are performed for patients of advanced age, and the number of such surgeries is likely to increase with the aging of the population. These same patients have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, especially ischemic heart disease, which is the primary cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality associated with noncardiac surgery. Since 1996, 3 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline documents have been published, each reflecting the available literature, with recommendations for the preoperative cardiovascular evaluation and treatment of the patient undergoing noncardiac surgery. Our review describes the 2007 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, the most recent revision, focusing on a newly recommended 5-step algorithmic approach to managing this clinical problem, particularly for the patient with known or suspected coronary heart disease. Continued emphasis should be given to preoperative clinical risk stratification, with noninvasive testing reserved for those patients in whom a substantial change in medical management would be anticipated based on results of testing. Pharmacologic therapy holds more promise than coronary revascularization for the reduction of major adverse perioperative cardiac events that might complicate noncardiac surgery.
Ecology of juvenile Northern watersnakes ( Nerodia sipedon ) inhabiting low-order streams

The juvenile stage for many reptiles is considered “the lost years” because of low capture probabilities, however understanding factors impacting juvenile survivorship and recruitment is critical for conservation of populations. We studied the ecology of juvenile Northern watersnakes, Nerodia sipedon, by intensively sampling a first-order stream and determined the occupancy of juveniles in 30 low-order streams in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Juveniles were relatively abundant within a single stream (n = 62 ± 9), and their capture probabilities were positively related to increasing stream-water temperatures. We also found that juveniles had high survivorship (ϕ = 0.87 ± 0.017). Occupancy of juvenile N. sipedon in low-order, Piedmont streams may be greater at streams that have confluences with high order streams or lakes, which potentially support adult N. sipedon populations. This study provides important information regarding the natural history of juvenile reptiles and indicates the importance of low order streams as habitat for N. sipedon populations.
Deriving Excitatory Neurons of the Neocortex from Pluripotent Stem Cells

The human cerebral cortex is an immensely complex structure that subserves critical functions that can be disrupted in developmental and degenerative disorders. Recent innovations in cellular reprogramming and differentiation techniques have provided new ways to study the cellular components of the cerebral cortex. Here, we discuss approaches to generate specific subtypes of excitatory cortical neurons from pluripotent stem cells. We review spatial and temporal aspects of cortical neuron specification that can guide efforts to produce excitatory neuron subtypes with increased resolution. Finally, we discuss distinguishing features of human cortical development and their translational ramifications for cortical stem cell technologies.
People help robots who help others, not robots who help themselves

Robots that engage in social behaviors benefit greatly from possessing tools that allow them to manipulate the course of an interaction. Using a non-anthropomorphic social robot and a simple counting game, we examine the effects that empathy-generating robot dialogue has on participant performance across three conditions. In the self-directed condition, the robot petitions the participant to reduce his or her performance so that the robot can avoid punishment. In the externally-directed condition, the robot petitions on behalf of its programmer so that its programmer can avoid punishment. The control condition does not involve any petitions for empathy. We find that externally-directed petitions from the robot show a higher likelihood of motivating the participant to sacrifice his or her own performance to help, at the expense of incurring negative social effects. We also find that experiencing these emotional dialogue events can have complex and difficult to predict effects, driving some participants to antipathy, leaving some unaffected, and manipulating others into feeling empathy towards the robot.
A wedge-mounting technique for nanoscale electron backscatter diffraction

The practical spatial resolution of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is around 100 nm, which limits the length scales from which phase and orientation relationship characterization can be accomplished. This precludes collection of statistically relevant data on the crystallography of interfaces within nanomaterials where such information is essential for understanding the unique properties of these materials. In this work, we present a wedge-mounting technique that enables EBSD data to be collected for sub-100 nm thick layers of Cu-Nb bimetallic multilayers fabricated via accumulative roll bonding. We present statistics on layer thickness distributions, grain morphology, orientation distributions, twin volume fraction, and interface character for material with an averaged layer thickness of 86 and 56 nm.
Ciprofloxacin-Induced Granulomatous Interstitial Nephritis and Localized Elastolysis

Ciprofloxacin is known to cause acute interstitial nephritis. We report the first case of ciprofloxacin-induced granulomatous interstitial nephritis and localized elastolysis. The patient presented with acute renal failure and skin lesions following a 14-day course of ciprofloxacin administered for cellulitis. The patient had symmetric, palm-sized, tender violaceous plaques on both axillae. The renal biopsy revealed granulomatous interstitial disease. A skin biopsy revealed an elastolytic process with histocytic infiltration and calcification. After discontinuing ciprofloxacin and starting a short course of steroid therapy, the skin lesion and renal function improved promptly. The nephritis relapsed after prednisone was discontinued and responded to a second course of steroid therapy. Ciprofloxacin, like penicillin, can cause granulomatous interstitial nephritis and elastolysis. A prolonged course of steroid therapy may be indicated in patients with ciprofloxacin-induced granulomatous interstitial nephritis to avoid early relapse.
Effect of connective tissue intercellular matrix on lymphocyte stimulation.

Summary The mitogen-induced stimulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes is decreased in cultures of low cell density. The presence of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the culture medium also decreases lymphocyte stimulation. The suppressive effect of HA on stimulation is dependent on the cell density in cultures—it diminishes in crowded cultures. The degree of suppression also depends on the concentration of HA and on its molecular weight. In cultures of low cell density, or in the presence of HA, the extension in time of the “inductive phase” of stimulation (G1 phase of the first generation cycle) is observed, while the duration of S and G2 phases of the cell cycle is the same as in control cultures of high cell density. The presence of excess autochthonous erythrocytes in culture, or culturing lymphocytes on preconditioned surfaces diminishes suppressive action of HA and also increases stimulation in cultures of low cell densities. The mechanism of this suppression is discussed. It is suggested that macromolecules of the connective tissue matrix and cell-cell interaction could exert a regulatory function on lymphocyte stimulation in vivo.
Media Exposure and Political Discussion in U.S. Elections

Media content and interpersonal discussion both affect mass political behavior. However, assessment of the relationship between media and discussion is complicated by the difficulty in establishing the causal order of that relationship. This article addresses the question of causality by considering whether access to newspaper coverage affects the quantity of political discussion, and whether it influences discussant effects on the vote choice. A quasi-experimental approach is introduced to pursue these questions. Results indicate that media exposure fuels political discussion, but that discussant effects on electoral choice are not influenced by the specific content of interpersonal discussion. Further, media exposure may discourage cue-based decision making and thus limit discussant effects on vote choice.
Pseudo-gating: elimination of periodic motion artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging without gating.

This note explains and illustrates a technique of reducing artifacts produced by periodic motion without using physiologic gating. The method is simple and can be applied on any standard MRI unit. For periodic motion, effective gating can be attained by setting the product of the number of acquisitions (at each phase-encoding step), N, times the repeat time, TR, equal to the period of the motion, T. This pseudo-gating can be used with any TR but, if changes in the period occur, is most robust with short TR values. The method is also applicable to multislice and volume imaging. For fast field echo methods, the above rule can be used if the period of the motion is smaller than the total scan time. Otherwise, the scan need only be repeated N times to avoid artifacts and improve signal-to-noise. The method has been implemented to remove both respiratory and/or cardiac motion artifacts. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
Growth and properties of m-plane GaN on m-plane sapphire by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

A characterization study of heteroepitaxial grown m-plane GaN on m-plane sapphire substrates by MOCVD was undertaken. Using X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence, the growth characteristics and epi-layer properties of m-GaN layers were investigated with special emphasis on the role of AlN buffer layers in preventing unintentional nitridation prior to GaN deposition. Substrate nitridation was found to lead to undesirable crystallographic orientations. In-plane lattice parameters of m-GaN obtained from X-ray reciprocal space mapping indicate anisotropic residual strain is present in these layers even under optimized growth conditions. Compressive and tensile strains were observed along either [0001] or [1120] directions, depending on AlN buffer layer conditions and the presence of extended structural defects. In addition, extended structural defects commonly observed in GaN showed a significant effect on stacking fault related luminescence in m-GaN.
Mechanism of salutary effects of estradiol on organ function after trauma-hemorrhage: upregulation of heme oxygenase

A growing body of evidence indicates that heme degradation products may counteract the deleterious consequences of hypoxia and/or ischemia-reperfusion injury. Because heme oxygenase (HO)-1 inductio...
EFFECTS OF TEMPORAL DELAY AND ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION ON THE CHOICE OF ACHIEVEMENT- RELATED ALTERNATIVES

Prior research has demonstrated that subjects high in achievement motivation prefer tasks of intermediate difficulty, while those low in achievement motivation prefer tasks of high or low difficulty (Weiner, Frieze, Kukla, Reed, Rest, & Rosenbaum, 1971). In the current experiment one task was described as easy, while the other task was described as being of moderate difficulty. It was anticipated that high achievers would find a task of moderate difficulty more attractive than an easy task and would perceive the easy task as relatively aversive, while low achievers would find the easy task more attractive and the moderately difficult task relatively aversive. Generalizing from the results of Mischel, et nl. to the current siruation involving achievement-related tasks, ic was predicted that high achievers should choose an easy (and for them more aversive) task first and a moderately difficult (and for them more attractive) task second, while low achievers should show the opposite pattern. Subjects were 85 (46 males, 39 females) students in introductory psychology. The tasks were a vowel-cancellation test, described as easy, and a word-construction test, described as moderately difficult. Subjects were asked to choose to take one of the tests immediately and the other in 4 wk. Subjects also rated some of their reactions to the tests and completed the Mehrabian Achievement Scale (Mehrabian, 1969). As intended, word construction was rared as more difficult than vowel cancellation (F = 108.72, df = 1/80, p < .0001). For the 41 high achievers there was a significant tendency to choose the word-construction test first (Z = 2.62, p < .01), while the 41 low achievers were almost evenly split in their preferences as to which test to take first. These results were opposite from predictions generated from the research of Mischel, et al. One post hoc speculative interpretation suggests that high achievers may have been attempting to maximize the positive consequences associated with taking the tests by choosing to first take the word-construction test (which they rated as the more enjoyable test) rather than taking it at a later time, when it was rared by high achievers as less enjoyable. Additional research clearly needs to be done, with atcention to characteristics of the tasks.
Biochemical Studies on Amphibian Metamorphosis : I. The effect of thyroxine on protein synthesis in the tadpole

Thyroxine has been shown to accelerate the synthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase in the liver of Rana catesbeiana. Stimulation of carbamyl phosphate synthetase synthesis by thyroxine appears to be relatively specific because of the following observations: (1) succinoxidase activity decreased during the time that carbamyl phosphate synthetase increased; (2) liver catalase responded more slowly than carbamyl phosphate synthetase to thyroxine; (3) the ratio of biochemical changes/morphological changes was greatly altered during thyroxine-induced metamorphosis. The relationships between the concentration of thyroxine and (1) temperature; (2) duration of exposure of the tadpole to thyroxine; and (3) the activity of carbamyl phosphate synthetase during the induced synthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase by thyroxine are discussed. Chloramphenicol and thiouracil partly counteracted the effect of thyroxine on the synthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase.
Effects of mercury on the feeding behavior of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus from a polluted habitat

Abstract Fish living in contaminated environments may exhibit reduced growth which may be due, in part, to the impact of toxicants on prey capture ability. We studied the effects of methylmercury (meHg) and mercuric chloride (Hg) on feeding of Fundulus heteroclitus from Piles Creek, a polluted habitat in Linden, New Jersey. We found that exposure to 0·01 mg/liter of meHg for one week had less impact on the prey capture rate than exposure to a similar concentration of Hg. Exposure to 0·01 mg/liter for two weeks or to 0·02 mg/liter for one week, of either meHg or Hg, produced significant reductions in feeding rate, compared to controls. In general, the fish were affected to a greater degree by exposure to Hg than to meHg. This is the reverse of the usual order of toxicity, but is in keeping with previous observations on this population, in which we have noted that gametes and embryos had developed tolerance to meHg, but were more susceptible to Hg.
Facilitatory sites of action of theophylline in isolated cat tenuissimus muscle.

Abstract Facilitatory effects of theophylline in neuromuscular transmission were studied using cat tenuissimus muscle fibre. Trains of end-plate potentials (EPP'S), in the presence and absence of (+)-tubocurarine were investigated. In (+)-tubocurarine-blocked muscle, theophylline did not change the quantal content (M), readily releasable stores (N), probability of release (P), and mobilization (dm), but it increased the quantal size (q) and the amplitude of the first EPP. In the absence of (+)-tubocurarine, theophylline treatment increased probability of release and increased the quantal content of the first EPP in the train. Analysis of EPP time course in the presence and absence of (+)-tubocurarine suggested a postsynaptic action of theophylline as evidenced by an increased rise-time and 1 2 - fall . Similar effects on time course were observed with miniature end-plate potentials (MEPP's). EPP and MEPP amplitude was increased in the absence of (+)-tubocurarine. Reversal of a (+)-tubocurarine blocked muscle and antagonism of MEPP's depressed by (+)-tubocurarine, further indicate the postsynaptic action of theophylline. Our data suggest not only a presynaptic effect via increased probability of release but also a post-synaptic anti-curare action of theophylline. These facilitatory effects of xanthines may be related to the enhancement of neuromuscular transmission seen in isolated human myasthenie nerve-muscle preparations.
ELAV, a Drosophila neuron-specific protein, mediates the generation of an alternatively spliced neural protein isoform.

Abstract Background Tissue-specific alternative pre-mRNA splicing is a widely used mechanism for gene regulation and the generation of different protein isoforms, but relatively little is known about the factors and mechanisms that mediate this process. Tissue-specific RNA-binding proteins could mediate alternative pre-mRNA splicing. In Drosophila melanogaster , the RNA-binding protein encoded by the elav (embryonic lethal abnormal visual system) gene is a candidate for such a role. The ELAV protein is expressed exclusively in neurons, and is important for the formation and maintenance of the nervous system. Results In this study, photoreceptor neurons genetically depleted of ELAV, and elav -null central nervous system neurons, were analyzed immunocytochemically for the expression of neural proteins. In both situations, the lack of ELAV corresponded with a decrease in the immunohistochemical signal of the neural-specific isoform of Neuroglian, which is generated by alternative splicing. Furthermore, when ELAV was expressed ectopically in cells that normally express only the non-neural isoform of Neuroglian, we observed the generation of the neural isoform of Neuroglian. Conclusions Drosophila ELAV promotes the generation of the neuron-specific isoform of Neuroglian by the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing. The findings reported in this paper demonstrate that ELAV is necessary, and the ectopic expression of ELAV in imaginal disc cells is sufficient, to mediate neuron-specific alternative splicing.
Performance evaluation of space-time coded modulation in Rayleigh fading with diversity and channel estimation

We obtain the exact pairwise error probability for an MPSK based space-time code employing receive diversity and noisy channel estimates and experiencing fast Rayleigh fading. The exact expression for the pairwise error probability lends itself to the application of classical transfer bounding techniques. We also obtain a union bound by applying the transfer function bound in conjunction with the pairwise error probability, and show that the union bound is within a few dBs for fast Rayleigh fading. In the case of MQAM based space-time codes and/or quasi-static Rayleigh fading channels, the same technique provides an upper bound on the pairwise error probability, which, in conjunction with the transfer function bound, is used to obtain a union bound on the bit error rate.
Ancient DNA: extraction, characterization, molecular cloning, and enzymatic amplification.

Abstract Several chemical and enzymatic properties were examined in the DNA extracted from dry remains of soft tissues that vary in age from 4 to 13,000 years and represent four species, including two extinct animals (the marsupial wolf and giant ground sloth). The DNA obtained was invariably of a low average molecular size and damaged by oxidative processes, which primarily manifest themselves as modifications of pyrimidines and sugar residues as well as baseless sites and intermolecular cross-links. This renders molecular cloning difficult. However, the polymerase chain reaction can be used to amplify and study short mitochondrial DNA sequences that are of anthropological and evolutionary significance. This opens up the prospect of performing diachronical studies of molecular evolutionary genetics.
Investor reactions to derivative use and outcomes

How do investors evaluate managers who choose whether or not to use derivatives once the outcomes of those decisions become known? Different theories offer different predictions, and we test these in three experiments. Results show that investors are more satisfied with firm managers and assign a higher value to firms when managers use derivatives (that address firm risks) than when they do not. This result occurs even though we hold constant the economic differences typically present when comparing derivative use versus non-use (that is, ex ante risk and ex post outcome), suggesting that investors reward firms that use derivatives. Additional tests reveal that investors believe that managers who use derivatives in these situations exhibit a higher level of decision-making care than those who do not use derivatives. We also document that these inferences about greater decision-making care do not apply to the speculative use of derivatives. Overall, our study adds to our understanding of how investors judge companies that use derivatives, given the resulting outcomes of such use.
Experimental determination of impact ionization coefficients in

The room-temperature electron and hold impact ionization coefficients, α and β, respectively, have been determined for
PHYSICAL SELF-ASSEMBLY AND NANO-PATTERNING*

It is known that oblique angle deposition (or glancing angle deposition) can create 3D architectures that are otherwise difficult to produce using the conventional lithographic techniques. The technique relies on a self-assembly mechanism originated from a physical shadowing effect during deposition. In this paper we show examples of 3D nanostructures obtained by this oblique angle deposition on a templated substrate with regularly spaced pillar seeds. We show that common to this technique is the phenomenon of side-way growth on the seeds. The side-way growth leads to a fan-like structure at the initial stages of growth if the incident oblique angle is fixed during growth. Simulations based on a steering effect due to the attractive force between the incoming atom and the existing atoms on the surface produce a fanlike structure similar to that observed experimentally. We show that a two-phase substrate rotation scheme during deposition can dramatically reduce this fan-out effect and can lead to uniform and isolated columns.
EFFECT OF ERROR SEVERITY ON HUMAN TRUST IN HYBRID SYSTEMS

Computerized systems are often employed to support control and decision-making tasks in complex and dynamic environments. Trust or mistrust in these systems has been demonstrated to significantly affect operator performance. Consequently, errors of trust or mistrust may compromise system performance, with potentially disastrous results. Accordingly, trust should be considered in both the design and operation of human/machine systems. In order to do so, metrics and methods for the measurement of trust must be developed along with models of human performance that incorporate trust and related system variables. Current approaches to trust measurement rely solely on subjective metrics, which are based on different theoretical concepts of trust between humans that may not necessarily be as relevant to machines. Although researchers have been able to establish a relationship between trust and behavior, these models lack an analytic foundation. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to develop a quantitative approach that relates trust to changes in system parameters and severity of errors.
Improvement of persistent magnetic field trapping in bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

For type-II superconductors, magnetic field can be trapped due to persistent internal supercurrent. Quasi-persistent magnetic fields near 2 T at 60 K (and 1.4 T at 77 K) have been measured in minimagnets made of proton-irradiated melt-textured Y-Ba-Cu-O (MT-Y123) samples. Using the trapping effect, high-field permanent magnets with dipole, quadrupole, or more complicated configurations can be made of existing MT-Y123 material, thus bypassing the need for high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. A phenomenological current model has been developed to account for the trapped field intensity and profile in HTS samples. This model is also a guide to select directions of materials development to further improve field trapping properties. General properties such as magnetic field intensities, spatial distributions, stabilities, and temperature dependence of trapped field are discussed. >
Downlink power control for variable bit rate videos over multicell wireless networks

We investigate the problem of downlink power control for streaming multiple variable bit rate (VBR) videos in a multicell wireless network, where downlink capacities are limited by inter-cell interference. We adopt a deterministic model for VBR traffic that considers video frame sizes and playout buffers at the mobile users. The problem is to find the optimal transmit powers for the base stations, such that VBR video data can be delivered to mobile users without causing playout buffer underflow or overflow. We formulate a nonlinear nonconvex optimization problem and prove the condition for the existence of feasible solutions. We then develop a centralized branch-and-bound algorithm incorporating the Reformulation-Linearization Technique, which can produce (1−e)-optimal solutions. We also propose a low-complexity distributed algorithm with fast convergence. Through simulations with VBR video traces under fading channels, we find the distributed algorithm can achieve a performance very close to that of the centralized algorithm.
Bullous pemphigoid: a case series with emphasis on long-term remission off therapy

Abstract Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common blistering autoimmune skin disease. Combination methotrexate (MTX) and prednisone therapy is an effective short-term treatment for BP. Objective: To determine the average length and frequency with which MTX and prednisone combination therapy leads to long-term remission off therapy. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 16 of our patients with BP was conducted. Patients were treated with the combination regimen of MTX and prednisone, followed by us for at least 1 year, and had long-term follow-up data. Results: The average length of time from initiating MTX and prednisone therapy to complete disease control was 3.8 months. Eight of 16 patients were in remission off BP therapy with combination MTX and prednisone therapy. The average length of treatment in this subgroup was 25.3 months and patients were followed for a mean of 5.5 years since initiating therapy. Three additional patients were in remission (with a mean treatment time short of ...
LEO: A Learning Environment Organizer to Support Computer-Mediated Instruction.

This paper contains a description of a network-based, Learning Environment Organizer entitled LEO, which takes its impetus from the Assimilation Theory of meaningful learning [1]. LEO represents a new approach to computer-mediated augmentation of face-to-face, or hybrid courses, and a different approach to distance learning course delivery. LEO provides the learner with a graphical advance organizer for the course, links to instructional content, various completion criteria for topics, and a visual representation of student progress. The organizer is non-linear in the sense that it maps only those prerequisites that are necessary for any given topic, creating many potential paths through the material. LEO is part of a software suite entitled “CmapTools” that provides a unique method of knowledge modeling or instructional content structuring. LEO can be used to organize CmapTools-type knowledge models or any other online instructional content. This work presents a description of the software’s rationale, basic functionality, look and feel, and a discussion of an example course organizer.
Optimizing grid contribution and economic returns from solar generators by managing the output uncertainty risk

Intermittent and uncertain nature of power output from weather-dependent renewable energy sources like solar is a major challenge in integrating them with traditional power grids that mostly consist of reliable power sources. We have created a framework for efficiently managing the weather-related uncertainty risk of solar generators and facilitating their integration into power grids while optimizing the economic return from solar investments.
Exploiting comparable corpora

One of the major bottlenecks in the development of Statistical Machine Translation systems for most language pairs is the lack of bilingual parallel training data. Currently available parallel corpora span relatively few language pairs and very few domains; building new ones of sufficiently large size and high quality is time-consuming and expensive. In this thesis, I propose methods that enable automatic creation of parallel corpora by exploiting a rich, diverse, and readily available resource: comparable corpora. Comparable corpora are bilingual texts that, while not parallel in the strict sense, are somewhat related and convey overlapping information. Such texts exist in large quantities on the Web; a good example are the multilingual news feeds produced by news agencies such as Agence France Presse, CNN, and BBC. I present novel methods for extracting parallel data of good quality from such comparable collections. I show how to detect parallelism at various granularity levels, and thus find parallel documents (if there are any in the collection), parallel sentences, and parallel sub-sentential fragments. In order to demonstrate the validity of this approach, I use my method to extract data from large-scale comparable corpora for various language pairs, and show that the extracted data helps improve the end-to-end performance of a state-of-the art machine translation system.
Kinetics of ammonation of trans-dichlorobis(triethylphosphine)platinum(II), trans-dichloro(triethylphosphine)-ammineplatinum(II), and trans-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II)☆

Abstract A conductivity method was utilized to study the kinetics of the successive replacement of chloride ligands by ammonia in methanol solvent for the three complexes. For t -Pt(P(C 2 H 5 ) 3 ) 2 Cl 2 there was an induction period and complete description of the kinetics was not achieved. The second ammonation step for this compound was not complete but approached an equilibrium steady state. For t -Pt(NH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 , solvation and ammonation occurred at comparable rates. For t -Pt(P(C 2 H 5 ) 3 ) 2 Cl 2 each ammonation proceeded essentially to completion by a second order process. At 35°C it appeared that the ammonation rates of all three complexes did not differ greatly so little cis effect was apparent. In each case the second ammonation rate constant was an order of magnitude lower than that for the initial ammonation reaction.
Tako-Tsubo–Like Transient Left Ventricular Dysfunction

A 68-year-old woman presented with mild chest pressure typical of myocardial ischemia. The initial ECG revealed normal sinus rhythm with ST-segment elevations in leads V2 through V5 (Figure 1). Troponin T level was 3.4 ng/mL (normal <0.01 ng/mL), and creatinine kinase level was 250 U/L (normal <220 U/L). The patient underwent emergency coronary angiography, which demonstrated minimal atherosclerotic disease. However, contrast left ventriculography demonstrated marked akinesis of the mid …
Embroidered e-fiber-polymer composites for conformal and load bearing antennas

Conformal, light-weight, load bearing antennas are critical for high data rate communication at low frequencies in connection with next generation Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). As UAVs are small in size (as small as 4ft) and radio communication takes place at long wavelengths, the entire UAV airframe must serve as an antenna at those frequencies. Therefore, conformal and load bearing Radio Frequency (RF) apertures are very much needed for high data rate communication. Similarly, weight is of importance for solar powered UAVs as it adversely impacts operational duration. Therefore, antennas constructed of light-weight materials are vital to such solar powered UAVs. Similar requirements apply to body-worn antennas [1] and small ground vehicles. As individuals move and operate in harsh environments, it is important for body-worn antennas to be flexible and well conformed to the body for uninterrupted communication.
Drawing the lines: resolving fishery management units with simple fisheries data

The task of assessing marine resources should begin with defining management units. Often this step is overlooked or defined at temporal scales irrelevant to management needs. Additionally, traditi...
Comparison of Herbivores and Herbivory in the Canopy and Understory for Two Tropical Tree Species1

The Janzen–Connell model of tropical forest tree diversity predicts that seedlings and young trees growing close to conspecific adults should experience higher levels of damage and mortality from herbivorous insects, with the adult trees acting as either an attractant or source of the herbivores. Previous research in a seasonal forest showed that this pattern of distance-dependent herbivory occurred in the early wet season during the peak of new leaf production. I hypothesized that distance-dependent herbivory may occur at this time because the new foliage in the canopy attracts high numbers of herbivores that are limited to feeding on young leaves. As a consequence, seedlings and saplings growing close to these adults are more likely to be discovered and damaged by these herbivores. In the late wet season, when there is little leaf production in the canopy, leaf damage is spread more evenly throughout the forest and distance dependence disappears. I tested three predictions based on this hypothesis: (1) the same species of insect herbivores attack young and adult trees of a given plant species; (2) herbivore densities increase on adult trees during leaf production; and (3) herbivore densities in the understory rise during the course of the wet season. Censuses were conducted on adults and saplings of two tree species, Quararibea asterolepis and Alseis blackiana. Adults and saplings of both species had largely the same suite of chewing herbivore species. On adults of Q. asterolepis, the density of chewing herbivores increased 6–10 times during leaf production, but there was no increase in herbivore density on adults of A. blackiana. Herbivore densities increased 4.5 times on A. blackiana saplings and 8.9 times on Q. asterolepis saplings during the wet season, but there were no clear trends on the adults of either species. These results suggest that the potential of adult trees as a source of herbivores on saplings depends on the value of new leaves to a tree species' herbivores, which may differ across tree species.
Two State Stochastic Control Models with Fix Costs

In this document I analyze a stochastic control model with a two dimensional state variable and fix costs. To illustrate the results, I study a simple Central Bank decision model with multiple objectives and restricted number of policy instruments in which in absence of intervention, objective variables follow diffusion processes. I present the solution to a baseline model in which both state variables can be controlled separately and compared them to the case in which there is only one control variable to change both states. I solve the models numerically and suggest a characterization of the respective inaction and control regions.
The 'Great Game' & the US-Afghan Strategic Partnership Agreement

JURIST Guest Columnist Kevin Govern of the Ave Maria School of Law says that determining the impact of the recently announced Strategic Partnership Agreement between the US and Afghanistan requires a look into the many interests vested in the region..
Utilization of Evidence-Based Informational Resources for Clinical Decisions Related to Posterior Composite Restorations

The purpose of this study was to characterize evidence-based informational resources utilization patterns of a sample of general dentists with respect to clinical decisions regarding posterior composite restorations. A stratified random sample of general practitioners belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry (n=2880) was mailed a questionnaire that elicited information about practice characteristics and informational resources used for clinical decision making related to posterior composite restorations. Six hundred ninety-nine dentists responded (24 percent response rate). Use of evidence-based (EB) resources (journals and online data bases) was low for all respondents (14 percent) for all levels of experience; however, more experienced clinicians were more likely to use EB resources than recent graduates. AGD Master-level members were significantly more likely to use EB resources than their counterparts (p
Comments regarding Alcohol Knowledge, Drug Use and Drinking Practices: Implications for Programming on a College Campus

Abstract An Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program committee was formed at a public university in south-central United States to develop programs for employees and students as required by the Drug Abuse Prevention Programs Act of 1987. To determine the status of drug usage on the campus, students (N=735) completed a 78 item questionnaire that assessed knowledge of alcohol, frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, consequences of alcohol use, and usage of 10 drugs in addition to alcohol. Significant differences on the dependent variables were found by both sex and race. A series of recommendations and strategies for alcohol and drug education programming based upon survey results included providing more extensive information on alcohol, reinforcing students who choose not to drink, and providing intervention programs for students with alcohol problems.
Genetic Variation and Correlated Responses in Chickens Selected for Part-Year Rate of Egg Production

Abstract INTRODUCTION RECENT experiments involving selection for improved performance in egg production strains of chickens have produced inconsistent results. Saadeh et al. (1968) increased part-year rate of lay by selection on that criterion only. They also found that rate of lay over longer periods was increased. Morris (1963) and Gowe and Strain (1963) selected successfully for increased egg number during the early part of the laying year. After the first few generations, however, it appeared that these gains were largely offset by losses in egg number during the remainder of the year. A clear-cut inconsistency of results is provided by the experiment of Nordskog et al. (1967) which though similar in all major procedural aspects to the intrapopulation selection scheme of Saadeh et al. failed to provide any direct evidence of increase in part-year rate of egg production. There is some concern that commercial egg-production strains of chickens may be approaching…
The Dimensions of Endemism

Endemic populations have dimensions other than of space and time, for there are also measurable characteristics at the genetic and trophic levels. The latter feature is of considerable importance to the procedures followed in biological control, particularly in the search for effective natural enemies of an insect host and the subsequent attempts to establish these parasites in a new area. These hypotheses are discussed in relation to field studies made on an endemic insect, Rhopalomyia californica Felt, and its parasites in association with an endemic food plant, Baccharis pilularis DeCandolle.
On Rock’s one-trial learning controversy

One group of Ss (DOC) learned a PA list by a method requiring one-trial learning. Unlearned items were replaced by new pairs on every trial. Another group (C1) learned the PA list by the repetition method, retaining unlearned items. A third group (C2) learned a list by the same repetition method, but the list learned by a given S in this group was composed of items finally learned by an S in the one-trial learning group. In all groups, learned pairs were removed from the list after having been correctly associated once. An analysis of the number of errors to one correct trial found that C1 differed from neither C2 nor DOC, but C2 and DOC differed significantly. Analysis of the number of associations correctly recalled 1 min after the list had been learned, however, found significant differences between DOC and both repetition groups. This was interpreted as support of an incremental hypothesis.
Plant-herbivore interactions in a North American mixed-grass prairie : III. Soil nematode populations and root biomass on Cynomys ludovicianus colonies and adjacent uncolonized areas.

Summary. Seasonal dynamics of soil nematodes and root biomass were examined from under western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) and little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) from a heavily grazed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony occupied for 5 to 10 years and an adjacent lightly grazed, uncolonized area in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, USA. Nematodes were differentiated into classes of plant-parasitic Tylenchida and Dorylaimida and nonparasitic Dorylamida and Rhabditida. Root-feeding nematodes were generally more numerous from A. smithii than from A. scoparius, while nonparasitic populations were not different in soil from beneath the two plant species. Rhabditida, parasitic Dorylaimida and Tylenchida (from A. scoparius only) were more numerous on the prairie dog colony than from the uncolonized site, but nonparasitic Dorylaimida populations did not differ between the two areas. Mean total (live plus dead) root biomass beneath A. scoparius and A. smithii on the prairie dog colony averaged 71% and 81%, respectively, of values from the uncolonized area. Estimated consumption by root-feeding nematodes averaged 12.6% and 5.8% of annual net root production in the upper 10 cm from the prairie dog colony and uncolonized site, respectively. We conclude that, because of microhabitat modification or reductions in plant resistance to nematodes, heavy grazing by aboveground herbivores apparently facilitates grazing by belowground herbivores. Because heavily grazed plants have less roots than lightly grazed or ungrazed plants, the impact of root-feeding nematodes on primary producers is likely to be greatest in heavily grazed grasslands.
Reformulations of Mixed-Integer Programming Continuous-Time Models for Chemical Production Scheduling

Although several optimization models have been proposed for chemical production scheduling, there is still a need for effective solution methods. Accordingly, the goal of this work is to present different reformulations of representative continuous-time models by introducing an explicit variable for the number of batches of a given task. This idea, which has been successfully applied to discrete-time models, results in significant computational enhancement. We discuss how different objective functions benefit from particular reformulations and show significant improvements by means of an extensive computational study that includes several instances containing different process networks and scheduling horizons.
Quantitative normal thoracic anatomy at CT

Automatic anatomy recognition (AAR) methodologies for a body region require detailed understanding of the morphology, architecture, and geographical layout of the organs within the body region. The aim of this paper was to quantitatively characterize the normal anatomy of the thoracic region for AAR. Contrast-enhanced chest CT images from 41 normal male subjects, each with 11 segmented objects, were considered in this study. The individual objects were quantitatively characterized in terms of their linear size, surface area, volume, shape, CT attenuation properties, inter-object distances, size and shape correlations, size-to-distance correlations, and distance-to-distance correlations. A heat map visualization approach was used for intuitively portraying the associations between parameters. Numerous new observations about object geography and relationships were made. Some objects, such as the pericardial region, vary far less than others in size across subjects. Distance relationships are more consistent when involving an object such as trachea and bronchi than other objects. Considering the inter-object distance, some objects have a more prominent correlation, such as trachea and bronchi, right and left lungs, arterial system, and esophagus. The proposed method provides new, objective, and usable knowledge about anatomy whose utility in building body-wide models toward AAR has been demonstrated in other studies.