cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Positive and Negative Inotropic Responses of the Atria and Ventricles to Vagosympathetic Stimulation in the Isovolumic Canine Heart

The responses of the paced, isovolumic atria and ventricles to cervical vagosympathetic stimulation were examined in eight normal and seven sympathectomized dogs under chloralose anesthesia. Before atropine, stimulation usually caused decreases in both atrial and ventricular contractility but with significant quantitative and qualitative variation from animal to animal. The right atrium showed the greatest average decrease (>30%), followed by the left atrium (12%), right ventricle (4% to 12%), and the left ventricle (1% to 10%). After atropine, 0.5 mg/kg, all chambers responded positively to stimulation. The right ventricle was most responsive (about 30%), and the other chambers showed increases of 10% to 20%. These positive inotropic responses were eliminated by propranolol, 0.5 mg/kg, or by pentolinium tartrate, 0.5 mg/kg. In the sympathectomized animals, negative inotropic responses were usually greater and positive responses were reduced or eliminated. The data demonstrate that fibers exist in the cervical vagosympathetic trunks which have both negative and positive inotropic effects on all chambers of the heart. The net effect of vagosympathetic stimulation on a chamber's contractility reflects the relative numbers of the two fiber types which supply it. The fibers mediating the positive effects are probably preganglionic with significant postganglionic stations in the caudal cervical and stellate ganglia and perhaps in the heart itself.
Just a Classic? Assessment and Reflections on Private Management and Public Policy

This article examines the major contributions made by Preston and Post in Private Management and Public Policy from the dual perspectives of a doctoral student in the late 1970s and midcareer professor in the mid-1990s. It also identifies the roots of contemporary issues and concepts in the business and society field in this early book, published in 1975. Finally, four questions are raised about what is missing, unforeseen, and subject to further scrutiny. The author's assessment is that the book is both a classic in the evolution of the field and highly relevant to contemporary analyses of corporate social performance.
Reverse genetics: its origins & prospects.

The nucleotide sequence of a gene and its flanking segments alone will not tell us how its expression is regulated during development and differentiation, or in response to environmental changes. To comprehend the physiological significance of the molecular details requires biological analysis. Recombinant DNA techniques provide a powerful experimental approach. A strategy termed reverse genetics' utilizes the analysis of the activities of mutant and normal genes and experimentally constructed mutants to explore the relationship between gene structure and function thereby helping elucidate the relationship between genotype and phenotype.
Cytosines Do It, Thymines Do It, Even Pseudouridines Do It—Base Flipping by an Enzyme that Acts on RNA

In the December 28, 2001 issue of Cell, Hoang and Ferre-D'Amare report the structure of a tRNA pseudouridine synthase, showing the target uridine flipped out from the tRNA and confirming that base flipping is not limited to enzymes that act on DNA.
2-isohedral triangulations

A triangulations is 2-isohedral iff there are exactly two orbits of triangles under the triangulation's symmetry group. 2-isohedral triangulations are classified using incidence symbols. This also determines the homeomeric types of 2-isohedral triangulation. There are 38 types. The proof is by aggregation into isohedral tilings and by reflection axis splitting.
Development of educational techniques for computational-experimental analysis

A curriculum wide initiative to enrich course content and increase student engagement in experiential learning through the adoption of new learning modalities is underway in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Miami University, OH. The projects entail the development of online learning modules which interweave experimental and computational analysis. The modules incorporate multimedia content which has been prepared with undergraduate and graduate student participation. The ComEx website has been designed to enable easy uploading/updating of material. The distinctive feature of the ComEx studios is the thematic linking of the content which allows them to be used for multiple classes with a progressive advancement in technical content. This paper presents details of the studio model: motivation, methodology, implementation and assessment. The learning modules can utilized by faculty to introduce new lab derived content, which may be related to their research, into a traditional class only course format. Additional benefits of the modules include the ability to independently review specific topics in preparation of advanced courses or for a research project. Assessment of the efficacy of the modules is being performed by students surveys completed online, and by four external (faculty) reviewers. Continuous improvement of the modules is underway.
Effect of Varying Ladle Stream Temperature on the Melt Flow and Heat Transfer in Continuous Casting Tundishes

The effect of varying ladle stream temperature on the fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena in a typical twin strand slab caster tundish has been mathematically modeled in the present study. The model involves solution of the transient, three dimensional form of the turbulent Navier-Stokes' equation, along with the equations of turbulence energy, energy dissipation rate of turbulence energy and thermal energy conservation. The incoming melt stream temperature has been assumed to decline at a constant rate of 0.5°C/min over a casting period of 50 min. Under the conditions examined in the present mathematical model, the temperature of the incoming melt stream becomes lower than the bulk temperature of the melt in the tundish by about 1-2°C, after 25 min from the start of teeming of a heat. Due to buoyancy effects, the cooler incoming melt starts to flow along the bottom of the tundish instead of the normal top free surface directed flow. The calculations show that the inverse flow pattern develops over the remainder of the teeming period and persists for about 1 min into the teeming of the next heat. Thus, the inclusion flotation and removal of the non-metallic inclusions during the later half of the casting period are expected to be worse compared to the first half.
An analytical d.c. model for MODFETs based on a new three-piece velocity-electric field characteristic

Abstract A new analytical d.c. model for (Al, Ga)As-GaAs MODFETs based on a new velocity-electric field relationship is presented. The model includes the following effects: field-dependent mobility, channel-length modulation, and the series drain/source resistances. The new three-piece velocity-field model ensures the continuity and the smoothness of the small-signal parameters, which makes the d.c. model numerically well behaved for use in circuit simulation. The accuracy of the model is confirmed by comparing its theoretical predictions with the experimental data available in the literature.
Self-assembled networks with neural computing attributes

Two-dimensional arrays of vertical quantum wire Esaki tunnel diodes, laterally connected to their nearest neighbors by resistive/capacitive connections, constitute a powerful and versatile neuromorphic architecture that can function as classical Boolean logic circuits, associative memory, image processors, and combinatorial optimizers. In this paper, we discuss the basic philosophy behind adopting this architecture for nanoelectronic circuits and report on our experimental progress towards synthesizing this system.
Elimination of the inner-shell lifetime broadening in x-ray-absorption spectroscopy.

A novel method to measure x-ray-absorption spectra without the inner-shell lifetime broadening is presented. It is based on a high-resolution spectrometer which can be used to analyze the fluorescence photon energy with better resolution than the natural linewidth. The dramatic improvement in resolution and detailed structure for the x-ray-absorption near-edge structure (XANES) at the Dy ${\mathit{L}}_{\mathrm{III}}$ edge is presented. This new technique reveals structure which is totally invisible using conventional XANES.
Have your cake and eat it too!: enabling frequency diversity through opportunism

The broadcast nature of wireless networks is both a boon and a bane. On the one hand, multiple receivers may overhear a single transmission on the same channel at no additional cost above a point-to-point transmission; this property has been exploited in many opportunistic applications (e.g., [2]). On the other hand, the shared nature of the medium effectively forces wireless nodes to leverage frequency diversity and channelization for efficiency. Unfortunately, coordinating communication between nodes that may switch channels at any time is difficult and may in fact offset any performance gains from leveraging frequency diversity.
Determining Degree of Relevance of Reviews Using a Graph-Based Text Representation

Reviews are text-based feedback provided by reviewers to authors. The quality of a review can be determined by identifying how relevant it is to the work that the review was written for as well as its similarity to existing well-written and coherent reviews. Relevance between two pieces of text can be determined by identifying semantic and syntactic similarities between them. In this paper, we make use of string-based metrics that incorporate concepts of paraphrasing and plagiarism to determine matching between texts. We use a graph-based text representation technique. We use the k-nearest neighbor classification algorithm to build a supervised model and classify text as LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH based on values of the metrics. We evaluate our approach on three data sets from student assignments and show that our model achieves an average accuracy of 63%.
Grasping at Origins

Chromosome segregation in the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus involves propulsion of the replication origin and its capture at one pole of the cell. Bowman et al. (2008) and Ebersbach et al. (2008) now report the discovery of a protein called PopZ that mediates this chromosome capture.
Factor II (prothrombin) coagulant activity and immunoreactive protein: Detection of vitamin K deficiency and liver disease in patients with cystic fibrosis

malnutri t ion or to the underlying metabolic defect of C F ? The data presented demonstrate that significant growth retardation occurs in CF despite normal plasma GH and SM concentrations, and suggest that the hypothalamicpituitary-sometomedin axis is intact in this disease. By these measurements, the growth failure of CF can be clearly distinguished from that of pure protein-calorie malnutrition, possibly because of preservation of adequate amino acid absorption in CF, despite impaired protein digestion. Severe hypoproteinemia is, in fact,
First infrared beamline at the ALS: design, construction, and initial commissioning

The first Infrared (IR) Beamline at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), Beamline 1.4, is described. The design of the optical and mechanical systems are discussed, including choices and tradeoffs. The initial commissioning of the beamline is reported. The beamline, while designed primarily for IR microscopy and only initially instrumented for microscopy (with a Nicolet interferometer and microscope), will have the potential for surface science experiments at grazing incidence, and time-resolved visible spectroscopy.
A method for binding specificity analysis of anti-DNA autoantibodies in SLE.

A pattern of differential binding between an NZB/NZW mouse-derived monoclonal anti-ssDNA antibody, V′D2, and restriction fragments of plasmid pBR322 DNA was shown by electrophoresis of the fragments through a denaturing agarose gel followed by their transfer onto nitrocellulose membrane and subsequent reaction of the immobilized DNA with the antibody and 125I-protein A. The antibody showed preferential binding to a 328 base pair Alu I+Hinf I fragment (denoted FD) (AT content, 60%), compared with the other fragments (AT content, 40–56%). In dot blot assays the antibody bound only to poly(dT) and poly(dA,dT), failing to bind to other synthetic deoxyribopolynucleotides even at the highest concentration tested (300 ng). In competition experiments, the ability of unlabeled DNA to inhibit binding of V′D2 to FD increased with AT content of the DNA. It is concluded that V′D2 has preference for AT-rich DNA. In addition, poly(dA,dt) inhibited binding to a greater extent than either poly(dA) or poly(dT), indicating that base sequence may be important in defining the antigenic determinant. The method, appropriately modified, may be applicable to a wide range of natural nucleic acids and monoclonal antibodies, allowing detection and isolation of specific DNA fragments for detailed studies of antigenic determinants.
Validity evidence for an OSCE to assess competency in systems-based practice and practice-based learning and improvement: a preliminary investigation.

Purpose To determine the psychometric properties and validity of an OSCE to assess the competencies of Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI) and Systems-Based Practice (SBP) in graduate medical education. Method An eight-station OSCE was piloted at the end of a three-week Quality Improvement elective for nine preventive medicine and endocrinology fellows at Mayo Clinic. The stations assessed performance in quality measurement, root cause analysis, evidence-based medicine, insurance systems, team collaboration, prescription errors, Nolan's model, and negotiation. Fellows' performance in each of the stations was assessed by three faculty experts using checklists and a five-point global competency scale. A modified Angoff procedure was used to set standards. Evidence for the OSCE's validity, feasibility, and acceptability was gathered. Results Evidence for content and response process validity was judged as excellent by institutional content experts. Interrater reliability of scores ranged from 0.85 to 1 for most stations. Interstation correlation coefficients ranged from -0.62 to 0.99, reflecting case specificity. Implementation cost was approximately $255 per fellow. All faculty members agreed that the OSCE was realistic and capable of providing accurate assessments. Conclusions The OSCE provides an opportunity to systematically sample the different subdomains of Quality Improvement. Furthermore, the OSCE provides an opportunity for the demonstration of skills rather than the testing of knowledge alone, thus making it a potentially powerful assessment tool for SBP and PBLI. The study OSCE was well suited to assess SBP and PBLI. The evidence gathered through this study lays the foundation for future validation work.
Lyapunov-based control design for multiple robots handling a common object

In this paper, we address the problem of multiple robots manipulating a rigid object cooperatively. First we propose and prove several fundamental properties of the multi-robot system. These properties are then exploited to design a set point regulation controller. The proposed controller takes into account the dynamics of both the object and the manipulators. This controller enables us to control the position of the object and the internal forces acting on the object. An adaptive version of the proposed controller is then introduced; the adaptive controller is able to account for the uncertainty in the mass of the load. The convergence analysis of the position, the load mass estimate and the internal forces is also given.
Glucose Transporter Isoforms GLUT1 and GLUT3 Transport Dehydroascorbic Acid

Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) is rapidly taken up by cells and reduced to ascorbic acid (AA). Using the Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system we examined transport of DHA and AA via glucose transporter isoforms GLUT1-5 and SGLT1. The apparent Km of DHA transport via GLUT1 and GLUT3 was 1.1 +/- 0.2 and 1.7 +/- 0.3 mM, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed 100% reduction of DHA to AA within oocytes. GLUT4 transport of DHA was only 2-4-fold above control and transport kinetics could not be calculated. GLUT2, GLUT5, and SGLT1 did not transport DHA and none of the isoforms transported AA. Radiolabeled sugar transport confirmed transporter function and identity of all cDNA clones was confirmed by restriction fragment mapping. GLUT1 and GLUT3 cDNA were further verified by polymerase chain reaction. DHA transport activity in both GLUT1 and GLUT3 was inhibited by 2-deoxyglucose, D-glucose, and 3-O-methylglucose among other hexoses while fructose and L-glucose showed no inhibition. Inhibition by the endofacial inhibitor, cytochalasin B, was non-competitive and inhibition by the exofacial inhibitor, 4,6-O-ethylidene-alpha-glucose, was competitive. Expressed mutant constructs of GLUT1 and GLUT3 did not transport DHA. DHA and 2-deoxyglucose uptake by Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing either GLUT1 or GLUT3 was increased 2-8-fold over control cells. These studies suggest GLUT1 and GLUT3 isoforms are the specific glucose transporter isoforms which mediate DHA transport and subsequent accumulation of AA.
Preservation of Human Bone Remains at Joya De Cerèn

Bone, a key part of the paleontological and archeological records, can provide insight into the biology, ecology and the environment of ancient vertebrates. Bone is a composite material in which the nanomechanical properties are dependent on the local organic content, mineral content, and microstructural organization. However it is unclear as to how these properties are affected by burial, environmental influences, temperature, or time. The acidity of volcanic soils causes resorption of the bone mineral and may result in demineralization of the bone. As such, very few bone remains are found in volcanic soils and this rare sample can provide insight into the preservation under such extreme conditions. While the effects of volcanic soils on bone are unknown, exposure to hostile environmental conditions increases the potential for dramatic alteration of the mechanical behavior. In this study, a human long bone from around 600 A.D. and a modern human femur were studied using nanoindentation. Testing, performed in both longitudinal and transverse directions, revealed preservation of bone’s natural anisotropy. Additionally, the preserved bone’s lower modulus values suggest the dissolution of bone mineral.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Peak oil, food systems, and public health.

Peak oil is the phenomenon whereby global oil supplies will peak, then decline, with extraction growing increasingly costly. Today's globalized industrial food system depends on oil for fueling farm machinery, producing pesticides, and transporting goods. Biofuels production links oil prices to food prices.We examined food system vulnerability to rising oil prices and the public health consequences. In the short term, high food prices harm food security and equity. Over time, high prices will force the entire food system to adapt. Strong preparation and advance investment may mitigate the extent of dislocation and hunger.Certain social and policy changes could smooth adaptation; public health has an essential role in promoting a proactive, smart, and equitable transition that increases resilience and enables adequate food for all.
Internet use among middle school students in school and at home: What can we learn from a U.S.-China comparison?

Based on data collected from middle school students in a U.S. school (N = 159) and a Chinese school (N = 183), this study compared Internet use in school and at home between American students and Chinese students, explored what affected students’ use of the Internet, and examined how students’ Internet use related to their learning. Results reveal that (a) significant differences in online activities between American students and Chinese students were found in school, but not at home. Further analysis suggests that different pedagogical practices in these two cultural contexts led to the different uses of the Internet in school between American students and Chinese students. (b) There were significant school/home differences in Internet use for American students, but not much school/home difference was found for Chinese students. (c) There were salient similarities between American students and Chinese students in terms of the most popular activities they engaged in online. (d) Internet use in teaching an...
EFFECTS OF CORTISONE ON IN VITRO VIRAL INFECTION. I. INHIBITION OF CYTOPATHOGENESIS BY POLIO, RABIES AND YELLOW FEVER VIRUSES IN HUMAN EMBRYONIC CELLS.

SummaryPlaque formation, observation of cytopathic effect, immunofluorescence and mouse inoculation were used variously to evaluate some aspects of cortisone acetate on infection of diploid human embryonic fibroblastic cultures with polio, rabies and yellow fever viruses. Cortisone did not affect poliovirus directly, but did inhibit plaque production when cells were subjected to many passages in its presence. Accumulation of cytopathic effect and spread of virus in cultures infected with rabies virus before serial subculture both were inhibited by cortisone in passage medium. Cortisone exerted a similar cumulative effect on virus production by cells infected with yellow fever virus, and an immediate inhibition of cytopathic response, but both virus production and cytopathic effect returned on removal of cortisone from medium. The findings suggested a cumulative but non-selective effect of cortisone on cellular capacity to respond to virus infection.
A three-dimensional stochastic model of the behavior of radionuclides in forests I. Model structure

Abstract This paper develops a mechanistic approach to modeling the behavior of radionuclides in forests as a first step in assessing the long-term risks. The resultant three-dimensional stochastic model assumes that the behavior of radionuclides follows a Markov process and is driven by the bio-geo-chemical mechanisms affecting radionuclide transport through soils and uptake by forest vegetation. The potential states radionuclides can occupy and the transitions between these states are presented. A random walk approach is developed in which particles representing radionuclides are moved through the defined states. This random walk model is solved via a Monte Carlo simulation. The ensemble behavior of particles is then used to predict the long-term spatial and temporal distribution of radionuclides in the forest. To test this approach, a scenario is constructed in which Cs-137 is deposited into a coniferous forest. In Parts II and III to follow, this approach is then used to examine the behavior of Cs-137 in forest soil and vegetation subsequent to a deposition into the coniferous forest ecosystem.
Exceptional Mortality Prediction by Risk Scores from Common Laboratory Tests

Abstract Background Some components of the complete blood count and basic metabolic profile are commonly used risk predictors. Many of their components are not commonly used, but they might contain independent risk information. This study tested the ability of a risk score combining all components to predict all-cause mortality. Methods Patients with baseline complete blood count and basic metabolic profile measurements were randomly assigned (60%/40%) to independent training (N = 71,921) and test (N = 47,458) populations. A third population (N = 16,372) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and a fourth population of patients who underwent coronary angiography (N = 2558) were used as additional validation groups. Risk scores were computed in the training population for 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortality using age- and sex-adjusted weights from multivariable modeling of all complete blood count and basic metabolic profile components. Results Area under the curve c-statistics were exceptional in the training population for death at 30 days (c = 0.90 for women, 0.87 for men), 1 year (c = 0.87, 0.83), and 5-years (c = 0.90, 0.85) and in the test population for death at 30 days (c = 0.88 for women, 0.85 for men), 1 year (c = 0.86, 0.82), and 5 years (c = 0.89, 0.83). In the test, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the angiography populations, risk scores were highly associated with death ( P Conclusion In large patient and general populations, risk scores combining complete blood count and basic metabolic profile components were highly predictive of death. Easily computed in a clinical laboratory at negligible incremental cost, these risk scores aggregate baseline risk information from both the popular and the underused components of ubiquitous laboratory tests.
Modulated receptor interactions in bacterial transmembrane signaling

Bacteria can detect and respond to a remarkably diverse set of environmental conditions. This ability enables motile species to integrate stimuli, to compare current surroundings with those of the recent past, and to adjust swimming behavior to move up gradients of attractants and avoid repellents. Many of the molecular details involved in the bacterial chemotaxis system have been elucidated. Several models have been proposed recently to explain how cells process external information through a patch of highly interactive transmembrane receptors and transduce this information to other components in the cytoplasm that, in turn, function to regulate motility.
Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of Palifermin to Prevent Mucositis among Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract Trials have shown benefits of palifermin in reducing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients with hematological malignancies undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with total body irradiation (TBI)-based conditioning regimens. Similar outcome data are lacking for patients receiving non-TBI–based regimens. We performed a retrospective evaluation on the pharmacoeconomic benefit of palifermin in the setting of non-TBI–based conditioning and autologous HSCT. Between January 2002 and December 2010, 524 patients undergoing autologous HSCT for myeloma (melphalan 200 mg/m²) and lymphoma (high-dose busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide) as preparative regimen were analyzed. Use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was significantly lower in the palifermin-treated groups (myeloma: 13% versus 53%, P
A high precision Faraday cup and quantameter for SLAC

Abstract Specifications and test data are given for a 20-GeV Faraday cup and quantameter as well as for several hydrogen ion chambers used as reference monitors. The Faraday cup has been designed to have unity efficiency for electrons or positrons to an accuracy of better than ±0.1% at energies up to 20 GeV. Tests carried out at energies up to 15 GeV indicate an absolute efficiency of 100.0 ± 0.2%. The quantameter was designed to have a gain linear in electron, positron, or photon energy to ±0.1%. In tests with the Faraday cup using the electron beams at Stanford and at SLAC, the quantameter has been calibrated to ± 0.3% and its linearity established to an accuracy of ± 0.2% at energies up to 15 GeV.
Measuring Beliefs About Automatic Mood Regulation: Development of a Self-Report Scale

Although mood regulation often occurs through automatic processes, there are likely individual differences in whether people believe that their mood can be regulated without effortful control. Believing in automatic mood regulation is hypothesized to be adaptive as it could lead one to conserve cognitive resources, making emotions less disruptive and threatening. A self-report scale measuring beliefs about automatic mood regulation was piloted among undergraduates, and further validated in another undergraduate and community sample. The final measure showed strong internal consistency, test–retest reliability, discriminant validity, and construct validity. After controlling for overlapping variance with confidence in effortful mood regulation, belief in automatic mood regulation was associated with lower depression and less action-oriented coping and emotional awareness. Thus, the scale appears to capture a non-effortful approach to emotion regulation that is associated with lower depression symptoms.
An estimation of microbial death rate and limitations of N or C during wheat straw decomposition

Abstract The effect of initial microbial biomass size on subsequent straw decomposition was evaluated using labeled wheat straw ( Triticum aestivum L.) which had been leached to remove the readily-available C fraction. The leached, labeled straw was amended with 0.5,10 or 15% (w/w) unlabeled glucose to grow an unlabeled microbial biomass derived from readily-available C during incubation at 23° C. The glucose amendments had no effect on straw decomposition as measured by 14 CO 2 -C evolution, indicating that the microbial biomass derived from glucose was unable to utilize the nonsoluble portion of straw. Based on the evolution of unlabeled CO 2 -C, the glucose-derived microbial biomass was estimated to have a half-life of 5 days with 55% of the C in dead microbial biomass forming new microbial material. The C and N pathways through two microbial pools are postulated to account for the lack of 14 CO 2 -C evolution in response to glucose amendment and for observed concurrent N immobilization and mineralization. The microbial biomass derived from the readily-available C (biomass pool A) rapidly consumes the available C and dies. Meanwhile, a different microbial biomass is growing on the less readily-available C components of straw (biomass pool B). Its growth is slower but is sustained for longer. The N mineralized from dead biomass pool A is immobilized into the biomass pool B resulting in net immobilization of N. This concept explains the commonly-observed concurrent mineralization and immobilization of N during periods of net immobilization. Evidence of two microbial pools, one C limited and one N limited, was supported by increased CO 2 -C evolution following the addition of either glucose or kno 3 after 10 days to straw decomposing in the absence of added mineral N. Furthermore, the addition of glucose at 10 days did not influence the evolution of 14 CO 2 -C from 14 C-labeled straw with or without the addition of N at the start of the experiment.
The generalized linear chirp process

The linear chirp process is an important class of time series for which the instantaneous frequency changes linearly in time. Linear chirps have been used extensively to model a variety of physical signals such as radar, sonar, and whale clicks (see Altes, 1990; Kay and Boudreaux-Bartels, 1985; Papandreou-Suppappola, 2003). We introduce the stochastic linear chirp model and then define the generalized linear chirp (GLC) process as a special case of the G-stationary process studied by Jiang et al. (2006) to model data with time-varying frequencies. We then define GLC(p,q) processes and show that the relationship between stochastic linear chirp processes and GLC(p,q) processes is analogous to that between harmonic and ARMA models. The new methods are then applied to both simulated and actual data sets.
Sport Ethics: Applications For Fair Play (second edition)

(2000). Sport Ethics: Applications For Fair Play (second edition) Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 111-114.
ON DAVIDSON'S REFUTATION OF CONCEPTUAL SCHEMES AND CONCEPTUAL RELATIVISM

Despite Donald Davidson's influential criticism of the very notion of conceptual schemes, the notion continues enjoying its popularity in contemporary philosophy and, accordingly, conceptual relativism is still very much alive. There is one major reason responsible for Davidson's failure which has not been widely recognized: What Davidson attacks fiercely is not the very notion, but a notion of conceptual schemes, namely, the Quinean notion of conceptual schemes and its underlying Kantian scheme-content dualism. However, such a notion simply cannot carry the weight of conceptual relativism for it does not catch the essences of conceptual relativism. Consequently, I argue that the very notion of conceptual schemes and conceptual relativism have survived Davidson's attack. Therefore, the failure of the Quinean notion of conceptual schemes and Kantian scheme-content dualism, even if Davidson can claim victory, does not mark the end of the very notion of conceptual schemes.
Self-healing interconnects for flexible electronics applications

Abstract In this paper, we present the results of a study of self-healing flexible interconnect structures which utilize silver metallization on thin solid electrolyte films. Silver/electrolyte (Ag–Ge–Se) bilayers were fabricated on polyimide substrates and subsequently damaged by small radius bending. A small bias was used to stimulate Ag electrodeposition in the stress-induced cracks, thereby repairing the electrical discontinuity and returning the interconnect to a resistance close to its initial (unbroken) value. The healed structures were shown to be stable for small signal DC and AC conditions but were unable to withstand long periods of increased DC voltage stress due to interconnect erosion by ion migration.
Calcium–magnesium–alumina–silicate (CMAS) delamination mechanisms in EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings

Abstract Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) comprise thermally insulating materials having sufficient thickness and durability that they can sustain an appreciable temperature difference between the load bearing alloy and the coating surface. TBC exhibit multiple failure modes. Among them, in-service erosion caused by the deposition of significant amount of calcium–magnesium–alumina–silicate (CMAS) at high temperature was found to be one of the most prevalent failure modes. The large thermal expansion mismatch between the CMAS and TBC and the extra strain energy stored in the CMAS layer can lead to delamination cracks between the TBC and bond coat (BC). In this study, the energy release rate and mode mixity of a propagating delamination crack are calculated by using the finite element analysis. The columnar microstructure of EB-PVD TBC is factored into the approach. The effects of CMAS layer thickness, mechanical and thermal properties are examined, and the steady-state energy release rates are compared with a theoretical model. Two failure mechanisms associated with CMAS deposition are analyzed: cracking within individual columns and spallation of a large TBC layer. It is believed that both mechanisms have contributed to the CMAS delamination failure. Failure criterions are derived which provide useful insights on how to improve the resistance of CMAS delamination.
Common flaws exist in published cost-effectiveness models of pharmacologic stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Abstract Objectives Decision makers use models to assist in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of pharmacologic stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (SPAF). Study Design and Setting We performed a search of databases through October 3, 2012 to identify pharmacologic SPAF cost-effectiveness models. Results Of 30 identified models, 28 included warfarin, but only 60% assessed the impact of warfarin control on conclusions. Aspirin, dual antiplatelet, and newer anticoagulants were included in 41%, 10%, and 63% of models, respectively. Models used similar structures but included varying health states and made varying assumptions. They rarely reported performing a literature search to identify anticoagulant-specific inputs and used similar and older sources. Sixteen models used a lone randomized trial to reflect the efficacy and safety of main comparisons. One-third of models claimed a societal perspective; however, none included indirect costs. Patients typically initiated anticoagulation in the sixth or seventh decade of life and are followed for their lifetimes. Almost 70% of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were below reported willingness-to-pay thresholds. All used deterministic sensitivity analyses and 77% conducted Monte Carlo simulation. Less than half of the models were rated “high quality,” yet were frequently published in high-impact journals. Conclusion Pharmacologic SPAF cost-effectiveness models have been extensively reported, but many may have flaws giving reason for decision makers to use caution. We provide 10 recommendations to avoid common flaws in SPAF cost-effectiveness models.
A Sparse Coding Neural Network ASIC With On-Chip Learning for Feature Extraction and Encoding

Hardware-based computer vision accelerators will be an essential part of future mobile devices to meet the low power and real-time processing requirement. To realize a high energy efficiency and high throughput, the accelerator architecture can be massively parallelized and tailored to vision processing, which is an advantage over software-based solutions and general-purpose hardware. In this work, we present an ASIC that is designed to learn and extract features from images and videos. The ASIC contains 256 leaky integrate-and-fire neurons connected in a scalable two-layer network of 8 $\,\times\,$ 8 grids linked in a 4-stage ring. Sparse neuron activation and the relatively small grid keep the spike collision probability low to save access arbitration. The weight memory is divided into core memory and auxiliary memory, such that the auxiliary memory is only powered on for learning to save inference power. High-throughput inference is accomplished by the parallel operation of neurons. Efficient learning is implemented by passing parameter update messages, which is further simplified by an approximation technique. A 3.06 mm $^2$ 65 nm CMOS ASIC test chip is designed to achieve a maximum inference throughput of 1.24 Gpixel/s at 1.0 V and 310 MHz, and on-chip learning can be completed in seconds. To improve the power consumption and energy efficiency, core memory supply voltage can be reduced to 440 mV to take advantage of the error resilience of the algorithm, reducing the inference power to 6.67 mW for a 140 Mpixel/s throughput at 35 MHz.
Evaluation of silicon-on-sapphire enhancement JFETs for digital applications

Complete theoretical analysis of SOS n-channel JFET inverter, based on the exact I-V relationship and taking into account the changes in the electron mobility, is presented. A program to implement the analysis is also presented. The simulated results as compared with nMOS inverters resulted in 2.65%, 20% and 80% improvements in the logic swing, pull-up time and power dissipation respectively. A nine-stage ring oscillator is used to rate the performance of the enhancement SOS JFETs for digital applications. >
A fine-mesh land approach for general circulation models and its impact on regional climate

Significant land processes occur on spatial scales too fine to be resolved by most current climate models. To address these subgrid-scale processes better, a model is introduced that represents them by a submesh imposed on each atmospheric model grid. A water- and energy-conserving scheme disaggregates atmospheric conditions to the fine-mesh model grid and aggregates surface fluxes back to the atmospheric grid. Results from a multiyear simulation using the fine-mesh model show that, in the Tropics, precipitation over land is sensitive to surface heterogeneities. Although surface temperatures over midlatitude continents are sensitive to subgrid variations in land cover, precipitation there exhibits very little such sensitivity. The simulated climate over tropical Africa during the summer months is drastically altered by the introduction of the fine-mesh model. Central Africa experiences a 22% reduction in precipitation through the period of July‐ September in the fine-mesh model simulations. West Africa, a region known for its sensitivity to land surface characteristics, experiences slight increases in precipitation. Analysis of the model simulations shows that different physical mechanisms communicate land surface changes to the atmosphere over central and West Africa. Over central Africa, the decrease in precipitation is driven mainly by an initial reduction in evaporation that results in decreased midtropospheric condensation and decreased low-level convergence. Over West Africa, on the other hand, the changes in the precipitation field may be related to changes in the distribution of vegetation.
Mechanical analysis of single myocyte contraction in a 3-D elastic matrix.

Background Cardiac myocytes experience mechanical stress during each heartbeat. Excessive mechanical stresses under pathological conditions cause functional and structural remodeling that lead to heart diseases, yet the precise mechanisms are still incompletely understood. To study the cellular and molecular level mechanotransduction mechanisms, we developed a new ‘cell-in-gel’ experimental system to exert multiaxial (3-D) stresses on a single myocyte during active contraction.
Speed and accuracy of visual image discrimination by rats.

The trade-off between speed and accuracy of sensory discrimination has most often been studying using sensory stimuli that evolve over time, such as random dot motion discrimination tasks. We previously reported that when rats perform motion discrimination, correct trials have longer reaction times than errors, accuracy increases with reaction time, and reaction time increases with stimulus ambiguity. In such experiments, new sensory information is continually presented, which could partly explain interactions between reaction time and accuracy. The present study shows that a changing physical stimulus is not essential to those findings. Freely behaving rats were trained to discriminate between two static visual images in a self-paced, 2-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) reaction time task. Each trial was initiated by the rat, and the two images were presented simultaneously and persisted until the rat responded, with no time limit. Reaction times were longer in correct trials than in error trials, and accuracy increased with reaction time, comparable to results previously reported for rats performing motion discrimination. In the motion task, coherence has been used to vary discrimination difficulty. Here morphs between the previously learned images were used to parametrically vary the image similarity. In randomly interleaved trials, rats took more time on average to respond in trials in which they had to discriminate more similar stimuli. For both the motion and image tasks, the dependence of reaction time on ambiguity is weak, as if rats prioritized speed over accuracy. Therefore we asked whether rats can change the priority of speed and accuracy adaptively in response to a change in reward contingencies. For two rats, the penalty delay was increased from two to six seconds. When the penalty was longer, reaction times increased, and accuracy improved. This demonstrates that rats can flexibly adjust their behavioral strategy in response to the cost of errors.
On the capacity of multiuser wireless channels with multiple antennas

The advantages of multiuser communication, where many users are allowed to simultaneously transmit or receive in a common bandwidth, are considered for multiple-antenna systems in a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime. Assuming channel state information at receiver (CSIR) to be available, the ergodic capacity is characterized for both unbiased and biased channels, and the quantitative capacity gain of a multiple-antenna multiuser system is analyzed for multiple-access channels. For highly biased (correlated) channels, a multiuser system is shown to be inherently superior to a single-user system (a time- or frequency-division multiple-access (TDMA or FDMA) based system) due to the underlying multiuser diversity, and the sum capacity is shown to scale linearly with the number of antennas. For unbiased channels, the characteristics of ergodic capacity are shown to transfer to outage capacity when a large degree of space diversity exists, and to deterministic capacity when the number of receive antennas is large. Also, a brief discussion on the multiuser multiple-antenna communication in broadcast channel is provided.
Left ventricular noncompaction and myocardial fibrosis: a case report.

Background: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare congenital abnormality. It is currently classified as a genetic cardiomyopathy and results from early arrest of endomyocardial morphogenesis. The pathophysiology of left ventricular dysfunction, which becomes apparent beyond the 4 th decade of life, is unclear. Case report: We report a case of 60-year-old woman who presented with shortness of breath and showed noncompacted endocardium on echocardiography. Cardiac catheterization and viral studies were unremarkable. Histology revealed endomyocardial fibrosis without disarray. She was subsequently diagnosed with LVNC and treated with medications.
Intermediate-node-initiation (INI): A generalized signaling framework for optical burst-switched networks

In this paper, we discuss different signaling techniques for optical burst-switched networks. We develop a generalized signaling framework for optical burst-switched networks, which provides guidelines about the performance of each signaling technique based on the different parameters in the framework. The two commonly used signaling techniques in optical burst switching are two-way based tell-and-wait (TAW) and one-way based just-enough-time (JET). TAW suffers from high end-to-end packet delay, while JET suffers from high packet loss. There is no signaling technique that offers flexibility in terms of both loss and delay. We propose a hybrid signaling technique called intermediate-node-initiated (INI) signaling for optical burst-switched networks. INI can provide different levels of loss and delay characteristics based on end-user application requirements. The granularity of INI ranges between the one-way based and the two-way based signaling techniques. In INI reservation of channels is initiated at an intermediate node, known as the initiating node, in both forward and backward directions at the same time. We show that by appropriately selecting the initiating node, we can simulate both TAW and JET using the INI signaling technique. Through simulations, we shown that INI performs better than TAW in terms of average end-to-end packet delay and better than JET in terms of burst loss probability. We extend the INI signaling technique to provide QoS differentiation in the OBS core, differentiated INI (DINI), by carefully choosing different initiation nodes depending on delay and loss requirements of end-user applications. Through extensive simulations, we show that the DINI technique outperforms the existing offset-based QoS technique.
The role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in the development and BCR/TLR-dependent activation of AM14 rheumatoid factor B cells.

The protein kinase Btk has been implicated in the development, differentiation, and activation of B cells through its role in the BCR and TLR signaling cascades. These receptors and in particular, the BCR and either TLR7 or TLR9 also play a critical role in the activation of autoreactive B cells by RNA- or DNA-associated autoantigens. To explore the role of Btk in the development of autoreactive B cells, as well as their responses to nucleic acid-associated autoantigens, we have now compared Btk-sufficient and Btk-deficient mice that express a prototypic RF BCR encoded by H- and L-chain sdTgs. These B cells bind autologous IgG2a with low affinity and only proliferate in response to IgG2a ICs that incorporate DNA or RNA. We found that Btk-sufficient RF(+) B cells mature into naive FO B cells, all of which express the Tg BCR, despite circulating levels of IgG2a. By contrast, a significant proportion of Btk-deficient RF(+) B cells acquires a MZ or MZ precursor phenotype. Remarkably, despite the complete inability of RF(+) Xid/y B cells to respond to F(ab')2 anti-IgM, RF(+) Xid/y B cells could respond well to autoantigen-associated ICs. These data reveal unique features of the signaling cascades responsible for the activation of autoreactive B cells.