cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vagal nerve function in obesity: therapeutic implications

The primal need for nutrients is satisfied by mechanisms for sensing internal stores and detecting food; ATP is the most primitive signal. With increasing density of sensory neurons and glia (the primordial brain) and the emergence of autonomic neural activity throughout the endoderm, transmitters and other signaling molecules enable alimentation before the appearance of innate storage functions. Memory and, ultimately, cognition are prerequisites for processing and producing food to facilitate assimilation and safeguard the supply of nutrients. The gut-brain-gut axis via the vagus nerve is the autonomic neurohumoral pathway integrating these elements of energy homeostasis. Humans uniquely override obligate nutrient needs, eating in the absence of deprivation, resulting in pathological chronic overnutrition arising from dysautonomia. Obesity surgery circumvents powerful redundant mechanisms of alimentation and reduces excess stores of body fat from chronic overnutrition while preventing re-accumulation of fat. All bariatric operations, whether purely restrictive, maldigestive and malabsorptive, or combinations, rely on regulatory mechanisms related to autonomic nervous system function and the brain-gut axis. We review the functional anatomy and the importance of the vagus nerve for maintaining maladaptive chronic overnutrition and describe interventions to abrogate its effects. In aggregate, the preponderance of evidence supported by laboratory and clinical mechanistic studies interrupting abdominal bi-directional vagal transmission demonstrates that the majority of patients report less "hunger" and lose weight.
Theoretical estimates of the sheet resistance of Gaussian n-type ion-implanted layers in semiconductors: Phosphorus in silicon

Abstract The variation of sheet resistance of Gaussian if n -type implanted layers in semiconductors with high ion dose has been estimated in terms of theoretical electron mobilities. Ionized impurity scattering and lattice scattering are considered to be the dominant mechanisms determining the total mobility. The former is obtained from the classical Brooks-Herring theory and its extension to heavy doping due to Moore and Ehrenreich, both incorporating a screened Coulomb potential having a screening length corresponding to the local donor concentration, while the latter is obtained from the calculations of Norton et al. Sheet resistance against dosage curves are presented for phosphorus implants in silicon and compared with the universal curves of Smith and Stephen, and with some experimental data.
A feasibility study of a new photosynthesis bioreactor design using TiO2 particles combined with enzymes

Abstract A new photo-bioreactorsystemin which a photocatalysis in a light stage is separated from a biocatalysis in a dark stage is proposed for an artificial photosynthesis system with a high selectivity of products through the use of light energy without denaturation of enzyme due to light irradiation. To realize the concept, an electron transfer system applicable to the mentioned photo-bioreactor was studied. In this study, TiO 2 particles and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) were used as a photocatalyst and a catalyst of the CO 2 fixation, respectively. Methyl viologen, NAD + and diaphorase (DAH) were used to mediate electron transfer from TiO 2 to FDH. From pH activity profiles of the enzymes, both FDH and DAH were most active around pH 7, and coupling of these reactions was capable at that pH value. In the coupled reaction examined by using a electrode system instead of TiO 2 particles, the concentration of DAH affected the rate of CO 2 fixation and the rate had a maximum against the concentration, whilst the concentration of FDH had little effect. The proposed electron transfer system performed successfully in a batch operation. The results were so encouraging that a feasibility of the photo-bioreactor system proposed in this study was indicated.
Optimal stochastic correction strategies for rigid-body target motion

Abstract Purpose : To derive optimal correction strategies for setup errors, including the uncertainty in their measurement, and to analyze their impact on treatment margins. Methods and Materials : New concepts like image-guided radiotherapy aim to provide an increasing amount of targeting information during treatment. Future treatment devices incorporating imaging capabilities will facilitate frequent correction of treatment setup errors. It is, therefore, possible to design new correction protocols that reduce not only systematic but also random setup errors. A novel, very general approach to developing optimal correction strategies in the presence of measurement uncertainties is derived from linear systems theory. In the simplest approach, the state variable of the system, which represents the patient, is the spatial displacement of the center-of-mass of the clinical target volume with respect to the planning CT. This displacement is the sum of a systematic and a random component. Uncertainties in the measured value of the state variable due to the measurement process, image processing technique, or organ deformation are naturally incorporated into a linear system. The true value of the displacement can be estimated from the noisy measurements with a stochastic filter (Kalman filter). These estimates provide an optimal control law for the system and therefore optimal values for the setup corrections. In the case of unknown systematic and random error variances, an adaptive version of the filter was implemented. The statistical properties of the filter were investigated by performing simulations of the state space model and assessed for individual patients and a large patient population subject to different action criteria. Results : Over a patient population, the corrections by the Kalman filter estimates are always advantageous compared with the corrections by the measured values themselves. For a small percentage of individual patients, however, the Kalman corrections worsen the results. For large measurement error, the residual standard deviation of the random setup errors can be reduced by approximately 28% for over 90% of the patients. The uncertainty in the measured value impairs the ability to completely account for uncertainties. Conclusions : The Kalman estimates provide an effective means to perform daily setup corrections in the presence of measurement errors. The linear system approach is very versatile and can be extended to more general state variables.
Correlates of some curious regressions on a measure of intelligence

Abstract In the course of a methodological investigation of regressions of means of selected tests, computed in stratified levels of a general intelligence composite, on the mean levels of intelligence within the strata we encountered curious phenomena at the low end of the distribution of intelligence. At about -2.00 SD units of that distribution, the regressions of the vocabulary means for both boys and girls turned abruptly upwards, while those for mechanical reasoning dropped sharply. To investigate these curious regressions, we formed high and low vocabulary groups for each sex within the low-scoring subsample of general intelligence, and the means of the four groups on a series of cognitive and self-report scales were obtained. In this sample the high school boys and girls who are high in vocabulary relative to their low scores on the intelligence composite have lower means than their low-low controls on a set of cognitive tests epitomized by visualization in three dimensions, but the set also includes verbal tests in which the tasks are ambiguous and require inference and hypothesis formation in order to obtain a solution. Correct answers are not directly present in long-term memory as they are for the academic (including mathematics) and nonacademic information tests, on which the two high vocabulary groups are substantially superior. The high and the low vocabulary groups also differ from each other in health histories, personality traits, vocational interests, and biographical data scores, the high groups being consistently closer to the norm for their high school class. Sex differences are minimal in the incidence of the deficit and in its correlates. A genetic explanation for the problem is plausible, but the locus is not on the 23rd pair of chromosomes.
THE INVOLVEMENT OF SENSE OF HUMOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

This investigation sought to understand the impact of sense of humor on relationship development. High and low sense of humor subjects were paired with moderate sense of humor partners and were instructed to interact for 30 minutes. A post‐interaction questionnaire tapped attributional confidence and the desire to interact in the future. Results indicated that a high, rather than a low, sense of humor facilitated the reduction of uncertainty and also served to reduce social distance between interactants. These findings provide support for the facilitative nature of humor in the development of interpersonal relations. Indeed, sense of humor is an engaging personality trait that has direct implications for social relationships.
Rates of Return on Housing of Low‐and Moderate‐Income Owners

While long-term returns to capital invested in owner-occupied housing have been competitive with other investment alternatives, no evidence exists on the market performance of the owner-occupied housing in which low- and moderate-income households would be most likely to invest. This article thus attempts to answer the question of whether the “affordable housing units” that are relevant to policy discussions concerning low- and moderate-income homeownership have experienced different rates of price appreciation than have higher valued dwellings. The national file of the American Housing Survey is used to estimate appreciation rates by value class in representative U.S. housing markets. We find that for the period 1974 through 1983 appreciation rates for lower valued housing were generally about equal to those for higher valued housing.
Editorial Comment—Myocardial Damage in Patients With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Cardiac effects of intracranial hemorrhage were initially described in 1903 by Cushing, who noted alterations in blood pressure and cardiac rhythm in such patients.1 However, since ECG was not available at that time, it was not until 1947 that Byer et al described ECG changes in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).2 Later, a series of experiments described the effect of hypothalamic stimulation on ECG morphology and rhythm indicating that myocardial damage need not be present for ECG changes to occur.3,4 Indeed, some form of ECG changes are noted in almost all patients with SAH.5 Up to 10% of the patients with SAH are noted to have a potentially lethal arrhythmia such as ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, and it has been suggested that this may account for some of the mortality in patients not reaching medical care with SAH. A series of autopsy studies in patients with SAH demonstrated petechial subendocardial hemorrhage, and histologically, myocardial cell cytoplasm with dense …
Transfer function analysis of radiographic imaging systems

The following subjects are considered: principles of transfer function analysis of imaging systems (including: linear, shift-invariant imaging systems; Fourier analysis; transfer function analysis); applications to radiographic imaging systems (including: system linearisation; the object; geometrical unsharpness (GU); screen-film system unsharpness (SFSU); combined effects of GU and SFSU; other unsharpness effects; noise analysis).
ROLE OF THE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN COMMUNITY HEALTH PLANNING.

(1965). Role of the Teaching Hospital in Community Health Planning. Hospital Topics: Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 53-58.
Transient response of uniformly distributed RLC transmission lines

This paper investigates the transient response of uniform RLC transmission lines. The case of a general RLC line is examined, along with the special case of a line with low total series resistance. Computer-aided circuit simulations in conjunction with theoretical considerations are used to obtain a physical interpretation of the results. It is shown that for an RLC line terminated In R_0 = \sqrt{L/C} as long as the total series resistance of the line is less than 2.5 R_0, there is no delay penalty caused by pulse distortion on the line. The only delay penalty is caused by the line attenuation, which yields a lower slope for the output waveform.
Seismicity around the Hawaiian Islands Recorded by the PLUME Seismometer Networks: Insight into Faulting near Maui, Molokai, and Oahu

Instrumental limitations have long prevented the detailed characteriza- tion of offshore earthquakes around the Hawaiian Islands, and little is known about the spatial distribution of earthquakes in regions outside the vicinity of the well- monitored island of Hawaii. Here, we analyze data from the deployment of two successive networks of ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSs) as part of the Plume- Lithosphere Undersea Melt Experiment (PLUME) to better determine seismicity pat- terns along the Hawaiian Islands and their offshore regions. We find that earthquake detection rates are improved when seismograms are high-pass filtered above ∼5 Hz to reduce the background seismic noise. Hypocentral solutions have been determined for 1147 previously undetected microearthquakes, and an additional 2880 events corre- spond to earthquakes already in the catalog of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). The spatial patterns of earthquakes identified solely on the PLUME network provide complementary information to pat- terns identified by the HVO network. A diffuse pattern of seismicity is found to the southeast of the island of Hawaii, and clusters of earthquakes are located west of the island. Many microearthquakes are observed in the vicinity of Maui and Molokai, including some located at mantle depths. A small number of microearthquakes are found to occur near Oahu. There is no evidence from our analyses that the Molokai fracture zone (MFZ) is seismically active at this time, and no evidence was found of a previously hypothesized Diamond Head fault (DHF) near Oahu. However, on the basis of both the PLUME and HVO locations, there is a northeast-southwest-trending swath of epicenters extending northeastward of Oahu that may indicate the locus of moderate-sized historic earthquakes attributed to the Oahu region.
Angioplasty with streptokinase infusion of a totally occluded dacron femoropopliteal graft

Total occlusion of a right femoropopliteal reinforced Dacron bypass graft in a 75-year-old man was manifested by at rest right calf and foot pain. The patient was treated using a combination of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with streptokinase infusion. The graft was reopened and dilated successfully, resulting in total abatement of the patient's symptoms. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty may be an important alternative in treatment of patients with occluded bypass grafts.
Characterization and identification of microRNA core promoters in four model species

MicroRNAs are short, noncoding RNAs that play important roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Although many functions of microRNAs in plants and animals have been revealed in recent years, the transcriptional mechanism of microRNA genes is not well-understood. To elucidate the transcriptional regulation of microRNA genes, we study and characterize, in a genome scale, the promoters of intergenic microRNA genes in Caenorhabditis elegans, Homo sapiens, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa. We show that most known microRNA genes in these four species have the same type of promoters as protein-coding genes have. To further characterize the promoters of microRNA genes, we developed a novel promoter prediction method, called common query voting (CoVote), which is more effective than available promoter prediction methods. Using this new method, we identify putative core promoters of most known microRNA genes in the four model species. Moreover, we characterize the promoters of microRNA genes in these four species. We discover many significant, characteristic sequence motifs in these core promoters, several of which match or resemble the known cis-acting elements for transcription initiation. Among these motifs, some are conserved across different species while some are specific to microRNA genes of individual species.
A tunnel-FET SRAM array for energy-efficient embedded memory blocks in reconfigurable computing platforms

This paper studies the potential of Si-Ge TFET for low-power embedded memory blocks in reconfigurable platforms. The key observations from the comparative analysis of FinFET and TFET based EMB are summarized in Fig. 14. At low frequency, switching to the TFET cell from FinFET provides lower read power but degrades read stability, which can be improved through circuit techniques (TFETB). However, as the frequency increases, the TFET advantages begin to decrease, and eventually for high frequency target TFET may become more power hungry than FinFET. The analysis shows the potential of using TFET for designing memory for low-power reconfigurable platform with relaxed performance targets.
A persistence paradox

It is widely believed that persistence in most endeavors is essential to their success. By its very nature, persistence enhances both the quality of an outcome and its probability of success because people are willing to endure failures before achieving a desired goal. To test this hypothesis on a massive scale, we studied the production histories and success dynamics of 10 million videos uploaded to a popular video Web site. Our results reveal that while the average quality of submissions does increase with the number of uploads, the more frequently an individual uploads content the less likely it is that it will reach a popularity threshold. These paradoxical findings, which hold both at the aggregate and individual levels, throw light on the act of production in the attention economy.
Neurobiology of arthropod parasites.

Many medically important diseases of man are caused by blood-sucking arthropods which serve as vectors for a wide range of viral, bacterial, protozoal and nematode infections (Table 1). Furthermore, serious economic losses are caused by the numerous arthropod parasites which infect domesticated animals (for examples, see Table 2). Among these the ixodid hard ticks are particularly important and it has been estimated that the global cost of hard tick infections is $7000 million per annum (F.A.O., 1984). Not surprisingly, there have been strenuous efforts to control infections caused by arthropods.
SPECTROSCOPY OF HYDROTHERMAL REACTIONS. 14. KINETICS OF THE PH-SENSITIVE AMINOGUANIDINE-SEMICARBAZIDE-CYANATE REACTION NETWORK

Infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with an optically accessed flow reactor enable real-time concentration measurements to be made on species involved in hydrothermal reactions. The kinetics of the reaction of the aqueous cyanate ion, OCN-, at 110−160 °C and 275 bar were determined at pH = 3.94−10.5. These kinetics are useful because OCN- is frequently the precursor to the NH3 and CO2 products seen during the hydrothermolysis of organic amines. Three rate constants were needed to model the cyanate reaction. These rates were then used to model the hydrothermolysis kinetics of the progressively more complex reactions of the isoelectronic cations of semicarbazide (T = 140−170 °C) and aminoguanidine (T = 190−260 °C) in neutral and acidic solutions. Six internally consistent rate constants were obtained in order to specify the reaction network.
Preventing weight gain in first year college students: An online intervention to prevent the “freshman fifteen”

The transition to college has been identified as a critical period for increases in overweight status. Overweight college students are at-risk of becoming obese adults, and, thus prevention efforts targeting college age individuals are key to reducing adult obesity rates. The current study evaluated an Internet intervention with first year college students (N=170) randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions: 1) no treatment, 2) 6-week online intervention 3) 6-week weight and caloric feedback only (via email), and 4) 6-week combined feedback and online intervention. The combined intervention group had lower BMIs at post-testing than the other three groups. This study demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of an online intervention to prevent weight gain among college students.
Molecular conformations of dibucaine in solution as determined by NMR lanthanide—induced shifts and conformational energy calculations

Proton lanthanide-induced shifts (LIS) were measured for Yb(fod)3-dibucaine complexes in CDCl3 solution. The data were used in conjunction with empirical energy calculations to determine the preferred conformations of dibucaine. The energy calculations and the LIS analysis were in agreement in showing that the plane of the amide group makes an angle of approximately 60° with the plane of the quinoline ring, and also that the two carbon-carbon bonds between the amide group and the tertiary amine nitrogen are both in gauche configurations. Energy calculations showed that the diethyl tertiary zmine group has very restricted conformational freedom owing to internal steric constraints. The butyl ether group has considerable flexibility but is forced out of the plane of the quinoline ring by steric effects.
Effect of temperature on transmission of light by cell free body fluid in Phascolosoma gouldii.

SummaryCell free body fluid from Phascolosoma gouldii was heated in sealed tubes at temperatures from 24° to 90°C. Measurements of light transmitted by the heated fluid indicate that there are 2 critical temperatures for the fluid: a) 40°C above which heating brings about a decrease in particle size; b) 50°C above whith particle size is increased.
An investigation of the incompatibilities of quaternary ammonium germicides in compressed troches. I. The adsorption of cetylpyridinium chloride and benzalkonium chloride by talc and kaolin.

A method for determining the adsorptive capacity of talc and kaolin for cetylpyridinium chloride and benzalkonium chloride is described. The adsorption isotherms were determined at 25° ± 0.3° and the results plotted according to the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The Langmuir constant b was calculated for talccetylpyridinium chloride and kaolincetylpyridinium chloride combinations. Talc and kaolin gave the same type of curves with both compounds. They differed only in adsorptive capacity. Cetylpyridinium chloride was adsorbed to a greater extent than benzalkonium chloride by kaolin and talc. The adsorption patterns of these two quaternaries were found to be different. Bacteriological and chemical tests indicated that the amount of cetylpyridinium chloride inactivated by 1 Gm. of talc is approximately 5 mg.
Survey research design

This column continues a series on topics in research methodology, statistics and data analysis techniques for the library and information sciences. It discusses issues related to the design of survey research enterprises.
Investigation of Compliant Ortho-Planar Springs for Rotational Applications

This paper explores the feasibility of using compliant-ortho-planar springs (COPS) for rotational applications. The primary motivation is the application of COPS to a rubber v-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although stresses and stress concentrations are important for the design of a COPS, this paper will focus on the behavior of a COPS resulting specifically from its rotation. This paper focuses on issues related to stress stiffening and lateral instability. Both phenomena are a direct result of the inertial loads a COPS would experience in a rotating environment. The results show how stress stiffening and lateral buckling are influenced by design parameters. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are presented.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Communicating costs and benefits of the chemical industry and chemical technology to society

Abstract Risk Communication is increasingly important to the chemical and manufacturing industries in the wake of a wave of major incidents in recent years. However, risk communication strategies as they are currently implemented tend to place the chemical industry on the defensive. Renewed attempts should be made to place the life-saving benefits of the chemical industry back in the public eye and counter-balance the popular political view that the chemical industry is often responsible for loss of life. In truth, while the chemical industry suffers on the job fatalities like many industries, the frequency is much less than many common industries and the chemical industry provides benefits to society that ultimately save far more lives.
Acetylation regulates the stability of a bacterial protein: growth stage-dependent modification of RNase R.

RNase R, an Escherichia coli exoribonuclease important for degradation of structured RNAs, increases 3- to 10-fold under certain stress conditions, due to an increased half-life for this usually unstable protein. Components of the trans-translation machinery, tmRNA, and its associated protein, SmpB, are essential for RNase R instability. However, it is not understood why exponential phase RNase R is unstable or how it becomes stabilized in stationary phase. Here, we show that these phenomena are regulated by acetylation catalyzed by YfiQ protein. One residue, Lys544, is acetylated in exponential phase RNase R, but not in the stationary phase protein, resulting in tighter binding of tmRNA-SmpB to the C-terminal region of exponential phase RNase R and subsequent proteolytic degradation. Removal of the positive charge at Lys544 or a negative charge in the C-terminal region likely disrupts their interaction, facilitating tmRNA-SmpB binding. These findings indicate that acetylation can regulate the stability of a bacterial protein.
SUPERCONVERGENCE RELATIONS FOR INCLUSIVE REACTIONS.

Sum rules for inclusive reactions, which are the analogs of superconvergence relations for two-body reactions, are discussed. A local-saturation approximation to one of these sum rules yields ${(\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{dt}})}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{++}}=\frac{3}{2}{(\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{dt}})}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}n}$, which is in good agreement with experiment.
Styrene/acrylonitrile alternating copolymers

Abstract Alternating copolymers of styrene (S) and acrylontrile (AN) are produced preferentially when S and AN are copolymerized at temperatures below 60°C. The tendency for alternation decreases at higher temperatures. Excess S produced block copolymers at a slower rate than the S/AN copolymers.
Application of Contingency Theories to the Supervision of Student Teachers.

(1985). Application of contingency theories to the supervision of student teachers. The Teacher Educator: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 9-14.
Perceptions of intrauterine contraception among women seeking primary care

Abstract Background Intrauterine contraception (IUC) is safe, highly effective and has few medical contraindications. Primary care providers see many women with chronic conditions who might benefit from IUC. Study Design We surveyed women aged 18–50 who visited one of four primary care clinics in Pennsylvania between October 2008 and April 2010 to investigate perceptions of IUC and to identify factors associated with accurate perceptions. Key independent variables included patient characteristics, including knowing other women who had used IUC, and having discussed IUC with a provider. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between independent variables and accurate perceptions. Results The study population included 1626 eligible respondents. Only 19.5% of women knew that IUC is more effective than oral contraceptive pills, 57.4% knew that IUC does not increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections and 28.7% knew that IUC is more cost-effective than oral contraceptive pills. Among women who had never used IUC, accurate perceptions were associated with higher levels of education, knowing one or more women who had used IUC and having discussed IUC with a health care provider. Conclusions Many women seeking primary care have inaccurate perceptions of IUC and may benefit from counseling about the advantages of this approach to preventing unintended pregnancy.
Ka-band phased patch antenna array

In this paper we propose a Ka-band microstrip-fed slot-coupled patch antenna and its application to a 4×4 phased antenna array. The single patch antenna is fabricated on a flexible liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. Both simulated and experimental results reveal an impedance bandwidth of 23% and a gain of 6.3dB. The proposed 4×4 antenna array has a gain of 15.6dB. To realize beam steering, an electrically controlled phase shifter is developed and integrated with the 4×4 antenna array. A maximum of 30 degree beam steering is demonstrated.
The Influence of Group Discussion on Students’ Responses and Confidence during Peer Instruction

Peer instruction is an active-learning pedagogy in which students answer short, conceptually based questions that are interspersed during instruction. A key element is the group discussion that occurs among students between their initial and final answers. This study analyzes student responses during a modified form of peer instruction in two chemical thermodynamics classes. It seeks to understand the changes in student thinking that result from group discussion. In addition to selecting multiple-choice answers, students are asked to write a short explanation of their choice and rate their confidence in their answer. The written explanations have been coded based on the depth and accuracy of the concepts applied. Two cohorts are studied. For Cohort A, initial results of the entire class are shown to the entire class before group discussion, whereas for Cohort B, they are not. After group discussion, the majority of students select the consensus answer, whether it is right or wrong, and whether they see in...
Correction of quenching errors in analytical fluorimetry through use of time resolution

Abstract Varying concentrations of quenching agents can cause serious errors in analytical fluorimetry. The origin of these errors is an unexpected change in the quantum efficiency for the observed luminescence. It is known that quantum efficiency can be expressed as the ratio of an observed luminescence decay time to the decay time which would be observed in the absence of quenchers. Because this latter quantity is a constant for any particular fluorophore, quantum efficiency variations can be compensated through measurement of the decay time. For such measurements, the time-correlated single photon technique was employed and measured luminescence values were taken both from averaged photon count rates and from integrated fluorescence decay plots. Division of these values by measured luminescence lifetimes produced values which were independent of quencher concentration. Systems studied were quinine bisulfate quenched with chloride ion and 1-pyrenebutyric acid quenched by iodide.
The Circles Test: An Investigation of Perceptions of Temporal Relatedness and Dominance

Abstract Perceptions of the relationship of past, present and future and the special significance of any one of the zones is measured in an instrument called the Circles Test which instructs respondents to draw the three zones as circles of varying sizes. A temporal relatedness variable is operationalized as the degree to which circles touch (continuity) or overlap (integration-projection) with one another. Dominance of a zone is defined as its size relative to the other two. In addition, the sense of temporal emergence is examined through a so-called developmental variable. Serving as respondents, Navy personnel indicated that time primarily is atomistic (circles totally unrelated), future dominant (future the largest; past the smallest) and hence future developing. The sexes differ in their assessment of dominance, as size is judged independently by women. Furthermore, among men continuous perceptions tend to reduce future dominance and development. To conclude, temporal relatedness is discussed in term...
Elastic-instability triggered pattern formation

Recent experiments have exploited elastic instabilities in membranes to create complex patterns. However, the rational design of such structures poses many challenges, as they are products of nonlinear elastic behavior. We pose a simple model for determining the orientational order of such patterns using only linear elasticity theory which correctly predicts the outcomes of several experiments. Each element of the pattern is modeled by a "dislocation dipole" located at a point on a lattice, which then interacts elastically with all other dipoles in the system. We explicitly consider a membrane with a square lattice of circular holes under uniform compression and examine the changes in morphology as it is allowed to relax in a specified direction.
Integration of DSP algorithms and musical constraints for the separation of partials in polyphonic music

We illustrate how high-level knowledge from the musical domain may be integrated with sophisticated signal processing algorithms within a system for separating possibly overlapping partial frequency components from polyphonic music. Musical knowledge utilized in our system is in the form of constraints on the time-frequency behavior of musical signals such as the frequency locations of notes on the western musical scale and the presence or absence of vibrato in each note. For any given signal scenario, these constraints help in appropriately initializing and adjusting a set of algorithms for constant-Q processing, spectral peak picking, and multihypothesis tracking through Kalman filtering. As demonstrated by the evaluation of our system with a variety of signals containing two simultaneously played violin notes, the application of these algorithms results in the accurate separation of individual partials.
Evolving Approach to the Varicocele

The varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility world wide. Varicoceles have been found in 15% of the normal male population and in up to 40% of patients with male infertility. In approximately 70% of patients with secondary infertility, a varicocele is an underlying cause. Understanding of the pathophysiology, treatments, and outcomes of a varicocele and varicocele repair has evolved significantly over the past several decades. Our goal is to discuss the approach to its diagnosis and treatment that has evolved.
SLIDING MODE CONTROL OF THE X-33 VEHICLE IN LAUNCH AND RE-ENTRY MODES *

This work develops a sliding mode controller for the X-33 vehicle in launch and re-entry mode. The resulting controller utilizes two-loop sliding mode controller and provides robust, de-coupled tracking of both the required angular velocity profiles and the desired vehicle orientation angles. The motion in sliding of both the angular velocity and the orientation angles is described by linear de-coupled homogeneous vector valued differential equations with desired eigenvalues placement. An optimal control allocation algorithm is employed to allocate torque commands into end- effector deflection commands, which are executed by the actuators. Simulation of the X-33 vehicle in launch and re-entry modes demonstrated accurate, robust, de- coupled tracking performance. provides robust de-coupled multivariable tracking of the desired X-33 vehicle re-entry profiles. A sliding mode control system was designed and analyzed for the WB001 reusable launch vehicle design"*'5. This work develops a sliding mode controller (SMC) for the X-33 launch and re-entry modes. The design consists of two basic steps. First, the required angular velocity profile is determined in the outer (guidance) loop such that the given vehicle mission angle profiles are followed if the angular velocity profile is tracked. This is achieved by designing an outer-loop SMC for the kinematics equation of angular motion and taking the angular velocity as the virtual control input. Second, a suitable inner-loop SMC is designed for the dynamic equation of motion such that the required angular velocity profile is tracked. The inner-loop SMC produces control signals in terms of roll, pitch and yaw torque commands. The inner loop transient response must be much faster than the outer loop response. A control allocation algorithm is employed to allocate torque commands into end- effector deflection commands, which are executed by the actuators. The resulting two-loop SMC provides robust, de-coupled tracking of both the angular velocity profiles and the desired vehicle mission angle profiles and takes full advantage of the cascade form of the equations of motion. The motion in sliding of both the angular velocity and the mission angles is described by linear de-coupled homogeneous vector valued differential equations with desired eigenvalues placement. Simulation results demonstrating the substantive effectiveness of this controller design for the X-33 launch and re-entry modes and utilizing realistic desired angular profiles provided in table lookup format are presented.
Reynolds Stress Models for Flows in Complex Geometries: Review and Application

The emphasis in this work is on the review and application of differential Reynolds Stress Models (RSMS) for complex three-dimensional geometries. First, we review the latest status of Reynolds stress models (RSMs) and the v&ious associated .modeling issues. Then,. practically relevant implementation issues for selected models are discussed, followed by an assessment of these. models for some test cases. Of particular interest are flows involving strong streamline curvature due to geometric complexity or a high degree of swirl. All the computations are compared against the k-s model results to illustrate that even for practical but geoemtrically complex problems the additional expense incurred in employing the RSMS isjustified.
Application of parametric resonance amplification in a single-crystal silicon micro-oscillator based mass sensor

Abstract A mass sensing concept based on parametric resonance amplification is proposed and experimentally investigated using a non-interdigitated comb-finger driven micro-oscillator. Mass change can be detected by measuring frequency shift at the boundary of the first order parametric resonance ‘tongue’. Both platinum deposition using focused ion beam (FIB) and water vapor desorption and absorption are used to change the mass of a prototype sensor. Due to the sharp transition in amplitude caused by parametric resonance, the sensitivity is 1–2 order of magnitude higher than the same oscillator working at Simple Harmonic Resonance (SHR) mode in air. Picogram (10 −12 g) level mass change can be easily detected in the sensor with mass about 30 ng and resonance frequency less than 100 kHz. Damping effects and noise processes on sensor dynamics and sensing performance are also investigated and damping has no significant effect on sensor noise floor and sensitivity. Higher sensitivity is expected when the oscillator design is optimized and dimensions are scaled.
Effect of pectin, type of fat, and growing rate on lipid metabolism in rats

Abstract The effects of pectin, type of fat, and growing rate on lipid metabolism were investigated. Male Wistar rats weighing 122±1 g were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks a nutritionally adequate diet containing 0.5% cholesterol, 12% fat, either corn oil (CO) or beef tallow (BT), and 5% fiber, either cellulose (CE) or pectin (PE). At the end of the feeding period, the rats in each diet group were divided according to their body weight into two groups, slow-growing (range 360 g to 426 g, SG) or fast-growing (range 444 g to 479 g, FG). The difference between the means of the two groups was highly significant (P
Robust supervised learning

Supervised machine learning techniques developed in the Probably Approximately Correct, Maximum A Posteriori, and Structural Risk Minimiziation frameworks typically make the assumption that the test data a learner is applied to is drawn from the same distribution as the training data. In various prominent applications of learning techniques, from robotics to medical diagnosis to process control, this assumption is violated. We consider a novel framework where a learner may influence the test distribution in a bounded way. From this framework, we derive an efficient algorithm that acts as a wrapper around a broad class of existing supervised learning algorithms while guarranteeing more robust behavior under changes in the input distribution.
Seabed classification using surface backscattering strength versus acoustic frequency and incidence angle measured with vertical, split-beam echosounders

The multifrequency biplanar interferometric imaging technique (MBI) is applied to data from vertical, split-beam echosounders to produce sub-beam estimates of seabed surface-backscattering strength (Ss), incidence angle (u), and roughness (R). A simple model is used to quantify the variation of Ss versus u ¼ { 2–2 08} and acoustic frequency, f ¼ {18, 38, 70, 120 and 200 kHz}. The coefficients of the angle- and frequency-dependent terms of the model indicate seabed material properties, principally small- and large-scale roughness and hardness. These indices are combined with the estimates of u and R to classify the seabed using unsupervised cluster analysis. This technique is applied to data from the Forty-Three-Fathom Bank, a seamount in the Southern California Bight. The resulting seabed classifications are consistent with the surficial lithology and the spatial distribution of known rockfish (Sebastes spp.) habitat. The method should be generally applicable to seabed classification.
Changes in Benthos Following the Clean-up of a Severely Metal- polluted Cove in the Hudson River Estuary: Environmental Restoration or Ecological Disturbance?

We studied changes in macrobenthic communities following the environmental clean-up of metal-polluted (cadmium, nickel, and cobalt) sediments in Foundry Cove, a small inlet within the Hudson River estuary of New York. We used a BACI-style experiment to test the hypotheses that high levels of cadmium in sediments change macrobenthic assemblages relative to unpolluted areas, and removal of metals (especially cadmium) by dredging will restore the ben- thos, such that benthic fauna in Foundry Cove are not different from unpolluted areas. In 1984, prior to the restoration work, there were no significant differences between macrobenthic assemblages in polluted and unpolluted locations, indicating that cadmium had little effect on community structure. The lack of an observed toxicity effect may have been caused by the compensatory evolution of resistance to cadmium in dominant organisms. Six years after the restoration work and despite a substantial reduction in metal pollution, there were lower abundances of oligochaetes, nematodes, and chironomids and a higher abundance of polychaetes at Foundry Cove relative to reference locations. Correlative analyses identified greater sediment compaction caused by dredging at Foundry Cove as a possible cause of faunal differences. The results demonstrate that it is difficult to accurately predict the effects of anthropogenic disturbances and restorations in complex natural systems and that unforeseen side effects are inevitable. Documenting these unpre- dicted effects and experimentally understanding their causes in past restorations will greatly improve the success and cost-effectiveness of future projects of a similar type.
A Comparison of Compressible and Anelastic Models of Deep Dry Convection

Abstract The response to an instantaneous diabatic warming and the resulting hydrostatic and geostrophic adjustment in compressible and anelastic models is examined. The comparison of the models includes examining the initial conditions, time evolution, potential vorticity, and both the traditional and available energetics. Between the two models, the buoyancy flow fields and potential vorticity perturbations are qualitatively and quantitatively similar. Traditional and available energetics can both be accurately conserved within the models. There are some short-lived (e.g., several minutes) differences in the model solutions as the compressible model undergoes an acoustic adjustment that contains vertically propagating acoustic waves and horizontally propagating Lamb waves. The acoustic waves are effectively eliminated in an upper-level numerical sponge layer using Rayleigh damping. Moreover, the relative computational efficiency and accuracy of the two models are assessed.
Research domain criteria: toward future psychiatric nosology.

Just one week before the release in May, 2013 of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a vigorous online discussion broke out following a blog post by NIMH Director Dr. Thomas Insel in which he outlined the increasing recognized problems with the validity of DSM categories for research on the genetics and neuroscience of mental disorders, and indicated that ‘‘NIMH will be re-orienting its research away from DSM categories’’ toward the NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework (Insel, 2013a). While many interpreted the post as a criticism of the DSM and current psychiatric practice, Insel later clarified that ‘‘In truth, I was complaining that we in the research community have failed to provide the objective measures for diagnosis present in every other area of medicine.’’ (Insel, 2013b). In other words, ‘‘what may be realistically feasible today for practitioners is no longer sufficient for researchers.’’ (Insel & Lieberman, 2013). Increasingly, psychiatry is falling behind other areas of medicine with respect to advances in diagnosis and treatment. In areas such as cancer, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis, precision medicine is advancing rapidly, resulting in treatments with companion diagnostics and challenging regulators to keep up with the pace of necessary advances in clinical trials structures and regulatory practice (FDA). In contrast, the entire research structure in psychiatry – genetics, pathophysiology, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals – is still driven by DSM/ICD categories that have questionable validity, are highly heterogeneous, and do not foster the stratified approaches to diagnosis and care emerging in other areas of medicine. Research to provide the knowledge base that can inform new models for psychiatric classification must necessarily transcend the current paradigm, and this is the rationale for the RDoC project. RDoC is based upon the increasing recognition that mental disorders can be construed as disruptions in particular functions as implemented primarily by particular neural systems or circuits. For instance, fear and its regulation are associated with wellknown circuits in the amygdala, hippocampus, and ventromedial prefrontal areas, and working memory involves a series of loops that encompass prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamic nuclei. Overall, the RDoC framework specifies five major domains of functioning (see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-priorities/ rdoc/index.shtml for more information): negative valence systems (i.e., those that respond to aversive situations), positive valence
One-dimensional disorder in Zr9M11 (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and low-temperature atomic mobility in Zr9Ni11

The Zr9M11 structure type (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy and powder neutron diffraction in the temperature range 4‐1273 K. The crystal structures are tetragonal, P4/m, Z = 2, with a = 9.882(1) ˚