cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes of Variability in Response to Increasing Greenhouse Gases. Part II: Hydrology

Abstract This paper examines hydrological variability and its changes in two different versions of a coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model developed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and forced with estimates of future increases of greenhouse gas and aerosol concentrations. This paper is the second part, documenting potential changes in variability as greenhouse gases increase. The variance changes are examined using an ensemble of 8 transient integrations for an older model version and 10 transient integrations for a newer model. Monthly and annual data are used to compute the mean and variance changes. Emphasis is placed on computing and analyzing the variance changes for the middle of the twenty-first century and compared with those found in the respective control integrations. The hydrologic cycle intensifies because of the increase of greenhouse gases. In general, precipitation variance increases in most places. This is the case ...
GPA and Preference in Conditioning Live vs Computer Rats

A 2 × 2 factorial design was employed to study the influence on laboratory animal conditioning of student-experimenters' grade point average (GPA) and preference for type of rat (live vs computer). Analysis of data from research methods classes showed significant main effects of type of rat on conditioning scores. Preference for live rats was associated with better conditioning scores when working with live rats than when working with computer rats. It is suggested that experimenters' characteristics such as expectancy and personal preference for type of laboratory animal are important variables in laboratory conditioning studies.
Phonon Scattering by Isotopes in Solid Helium

Scattering of phonons by isotopes in solid helium is stronger than predicted by the mass difference alone, since the change in zero-point energy causes local distortion, which scatters phonons owing to the anharmonicity of the solid. Earlier theories of this effect disregarded the change of the local bulk modulus due to the changed zero-point energy. This change is estimated by comparing the velocity of sound in ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ and ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ at the same atomic volume. It is shown that this change compensates the effect of distortion on the bulk modulus, but not on the shear modulus. Longitudinal phonons are thus scattered by isotopes less strongly than are transverse phonons. A generalization of the Callaway theory is indicated to take account of this difference.
Specificity of Screening Tests for Cushing’s Syndrome in an Overweight and Obese Population

Context: Recent reports suggest a higher prevalence (1–5%) of Cushing’s syndrome in certain patient populations with features of the disorder (e.g., diabetes), but the prevalence in the overweight and obese population is not known. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of screening tests for Cushing’s syndrome in overweight and obese subjects with at least two other features of the disorder. Design and Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional prospective study. Subjects and Methods: A total of 369 subjects (73% female) completed two or three tests: a 24-h urine cortisol, and/or late-night salivary cortisol, and/or 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST). If any result was abnormal [based on laboratory reference range or cortisol after DST ≥1.8 μg/dl (50 nmol/liter)], tests were repeated and/or a dexamethasone-CRH test was performed. Subjects with abnormal DST results and a low dexamethasone level were asked to repeat the test with 2 mg of dexamethasone. Results: In ad...
Self-study from web-based and printed guideline materials. A randomized, controlled trial among resident physicians.

Author(s): Bell, DS; Fonarow, GC; Hays, RD; Mangione, CM | Abstract: BackgroundOn-line physician education is increasing, but its efficacy in comparison with existing self-study methods is unknown.ObjectiveTo compare knowledge, learning efficiency, and learner satisfaction produced by self-study of World Wide Web-based and print-based guidelines for care after acute myocardial infarction.DesignRandomized, controlled trial.Setting12 family medicine and internal medicine residency programs at four universities.Participants162 residents.InterventionsIn proctored sessions, participants were randomly assigned to study from printed materials or from SAGE (Self-Study Acceleration with Graphic Evidence), a Web-based tutorial system. Both methods used identical self-assessment questions and answers and guideline text, but SAGE featured hyperlinks to specific guideline passages and graphic evidence animations.MeasurementsScores on multiple-choice knowledge tests, score gain per unit of study time, and ratings on a learner satisfaction scale.ResultsImmediate post-test scores on a 20-point scale were similar in the SAGE and control groups (median score, 15.0 compared with 14.5; Pg0.2), but SAGE users spent less time studying (median, 27.0 compared with 38.5 minutes; Pl0.001) and therefore had greater learning efficiency (median score gain, 8.6 compared with 6.7 points per hour; P = 0.04). On a scale of 5 to 20, SAGE users were more satisfied with learning (median rating, 17.0 compared with 15.0; Pl0.001). After 4 to 6 months, knowledge had decreased to the same extent in the SAGE and control groups (median score, 12.0 compared with 11.0; P = 0.12).ConclusionsOn-line tutorials may produce greater learning efficiency and satisfaction than print materials do, but one self-study exposure may be insufficient for long-term knowledge retention. Further research is needed to identify instructional features that motivate greater final learning and retention.
Informing the design of an information management system with iterative fieldwork

We report on the design process of a personal information management system, Raton Laveur, and how it was influenced by an intimate relationship between iterative fieldwork and design thinking. Initially, the system was conceived as a paper-based UI to calendar, contacts, to-dos and notes. As the fieldwork progressed, our understanding of peoples practices and the constraints of their office infrastructures radically shifted our design goals away from paper-based interaction to embedded interaction with our system. By this we mean embedding information management functionality in an existing application such as email.
Hemangiomas and vascular malformations of the airway.

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations may involve any part of the airway, from the nares to the tracheobronchial tree. As mass lesions impinging on the airway, either lesion can cause nonspecific signs and symptoms of airway obstruction. Specifically, the patients may have stridor, retractions, feeding difficulties, sleep disturbance, and failure to thrive. The distinction between hemangioma and vascular or lymphatic malformations usually can be made based upon history and physical examination. This article is an overview of the common congenital vascular lesions that may affect the airway. The clinical presentation, laboratory evaluation, management options, and expected outcomes are discussed. HEMANGIOMAS Hemangiomas are the most common tumors of infancy, affecting 1 % to 10% of children. The typical presentation of a cutaneous hemangioma is an erythematous macular lesion at birth, which undergoes a rapid proliferative phase in the first 1 to 2 months of life. The cutaneous lesions become cherry-colored and raised, whereas subdermal lesions may increase in size without changes of the overlying skin. About one third of these lesions are observed first in the newborn period; up to 90% become
Clenbuterol Induces Cardiac Myocyte Hypertrophy via Paracrine Signalling and Fibroblast-derived IGF-1

The β(2)-selective adrenoreceptor agonist clenbuterol promotes both skeletal and cardiac muscle hypertrophy and is undergoing clinical trials in the treatment of muscle wasting and heart failure. We have previously demonstrated that clenbuterol induces a mild physiological ventricular hypertrophy in vivo with normal contractile function and without induction of α-skeletal muscle actin (αSkA), a marker of pathological hypertrophy. The mechanisms of this response remain poorly defined. In this study, we examine the direct action of clenbuterol on cardiocyte cultures in vitro. Clenbuterol treatment resulted in increased cell size of cardiac myocytes with increased protein accumulation and myofibrillar organisation characteristic of hypertrophic growth. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed elevated mRNA expression of ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) but without change in αSkA, consistent with physiological hypertrophic growth. Clenbuterol-treated cultures also showed elevated insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) mRNA and activation of the protein kinase Akt. Addition of either IGF-1 receptor-blocking antibodies or LY294002 in order to inhibit phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, a downstream effector of the IGF-1 receptor, inhibited the hypertrophic response indicating that IGF-1 signalling is required. IGF-1 expression localised primarily to the minor population of cardiac fibroblasts present in the cardiocyte cultures. Together these data show that clenbuterol acts to induce mild cardiac hypertrophy in cardiac myocytes via paracrine signalling involving fibroblast-derived IGF-1.
The Importance of Sub-Utterance Prosody in Predicting Level of Certainty

We present an experiment aimed at understanding how to optimally use acoustic and prosodic information to predict a speaker's level of certainty. With a corpus of utterances where we can isolate a single word or phrase that is responsible for the speaker's level of certainty we use different sets of sub-utterance prosodic features to train models for predicting an utterance's perceived level of certainty. Our results suggest that using prosodic features of the word or phrase responsible for the level of certainty and of its surrounding context improves the prediction accuracy without increasing the total number of features when compared to using only features taken from the utterance as a whole.
Duration of the Q-T interval in normal pregnant women.

Abstract Measurement of the Q-T interval in the electrocardiogram has long been regarded as almost useless for any clinical purpose. It is known to be shortened by digitalis 1 and salicylates 2 and lengthened by hypocalcemia, quinidine, acute myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. 3,4 However, since Taran and Szilagyi 5 showed that the Q-T interval is abnormally prolonged in all cases of rheumatic carditis which they observed and that it is not prolonged in inactive rheumatic disease or in normal subjects, it has become a measurement of considerable significance in the evaluation of rheumatic carditis. Various studies have been made to determine the normal limits of the Q-T interval in normal healthy individuals. These studies have been used as a base line to determine abnormal prolongation. Inasmuch as it is very important to make an early and correct diagnosis of active rheumatic carditis in pregnant women and in order to use the Q-T interval as one of the criteria for activity, it is first necessary to determine the normal range in healthy pregnant women. It seemed possible that the altered circulatory dynamics during pregnancy might have some effect on its duration.
Clinical evaluation of new urodynamic catheter

A commercially available triple lumen urodynamic catheter has been utilized for urodynamic recordings in more than 650 patients. The recordings have been highly accurate and reproducible, and we recommend this catheter for those who perform liquid perfusion urodynamic studies.
Type-2 operations on finite chains

The algebra of truth values for fuzzy sets of type-2 consists of all mappings from the unit interval into itself, with operations certain convolutions of these mappings with respect to pointwise max and min. This algebra generalizes the truth-value algebras of both type-1 and of interval-valued fuzzy sets, and has been studied rather extensively both from a theoretical and applied point of view. This paper addresses the situation when the unit interval is replaced by two finite chains. Most of the basic theory goes through, but there are several special circumstances of interest. These algebras are of interest on two counts, both as special cases of bases for fuzzy theories, and as mathematical entities per se.
Matched optical solitary waves for three- and five-level systems.

Exact analytic results are presented that give a general solution for a pair of solitary waves which can propagate through a three- and a five-level system with their shapes invariant. These solitary waves vary widely in shape and form: from ones for which the pulses have similar shape to ones which have very different but "complementary" shapes. A general type of solitary-wave pair which is insensitive to small perturbations is identified.
Defect sites and their distributions on MgO(100) by Li and Ca adsorption calorimetry.

Chemical bonding to oxide surfaces is often dominated by surface defects, but their nature remains elusive. Calorimetric measurements of Ca and Li adsorption energies on MgO(100) and ion-damaged MgO(100), when combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and kinetic modeling, are shown to be a powerful way to assess the nature of the defect sites on oxide surfaces and their lateral distributions. While ion sputtering causes a strong increase in the initial adsorption energy for Li on MgO(100) at 300 K, the initial adsorption energy for Ca is independent of the extent of sputtering. This result and the measured coverage dependence of the adsorption energies of Ca and Li on MgO(100) surfaces with ∼5, 12, and 25% defects were simulated with a kinetic model based on DFT input regarding site binding energies and adatom migration barriers. Reproducing the experimental results required models with distinct probability distributions of local defect concentrations for the differing extents of ion dam...
Clinical pharmacokinetics and selective pharmacodynamics of new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: an update.

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used in the management of essential hypertension, stable chronic heart failure, myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetic nephropathy. There is an increasing number of new agents to add to the nine ACE inhibitors (benazepril, cilazapril, delapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, pentopril, perindopril, quinapril and ramipril) reviewed in this journal in 1990. The pharmacokinetic properties of five newer ACE inhibitors (trandolapril, moexipril, spirapril, temocapril and imidapril) are reviewed in this update. All of these new agents are characterised by having a carboxyl functional groups and requiring hepatic activation to form pharmacologically active metabolites. They achieve peak plasma concentrations at similar times (tmax) to those of established agents. Three of these agents (trandolapril, moexipril and imidapril) require dosage reductions in patients with renal impairment. Dosage reductions of moexipril and temocapril are recommended for elderly patients, and dosages of moexipril should be lower in patients who are hepatically impaired. Moexipril should be taken 1 hour before meals, whereas other ACE inhibitors can be taken without regard to meals. The pharmacokinetics of warfarin are not altered by concomitant administration with trandolapril or moexipril. Although imidapril and spirapril have no effect on digoxin pharmacokinetics, the area under the concentration-time curve of imidapril and the peak plasma concentration of the active metabolite imidaprilat are decreased when imidapril is given together with digoxin. Although six ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, quinapril and ramipril) have been approved for use in heart failure by the US Food and Drug Administration, an overview of 32 clinical trials of ACE inhibitors in heart failure showed that no significant heterogeneity in mortality was found among enalapril, ramipril, quinapril, captopril, lisinopril, benazepril, perindopril and cilazapril. Initiation of therapy with captopril, ramipril, and trandolapril at least 3 days after an acute MI resulted in all-cause mortality risk reductions of 18 to 27%. Captopril has been shown to have similar morbidity and mortality benefits to those of diuretics and β-blockers in hypertensive patients. Captopril has been shown to delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy, and enalapril and lisinopril prevent the development of nephropathy in normoalbuminuric patients with diabetes. ACE inhibitors are generally characterised by flat dose-response curves. Lisinopril is the only ACE inhibitor that exhibits a linear dose-response curve. Despite the fact that most ACE inhibitors are recommended for once-daily administration, only fosinopril, ramipril, and trandolapril have trough-to-peak effect ratios in excess of 50%.
GENE EXPRESSION REGULATED BY GENE VI OF CAULIMOVIRUS : TRANSACTIVATION OF DOWNSTREAM GENES OF TRANSCRIPTS BY GENE VI OF PEANUT CHLOROTIC STREAK VIRUS IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO

Here we document that the gene VI product of peanut chlorotic streak virus (PClSV), a newly characterized member of the group, transactivates the translation of dicistronic transcripts. Dicistronic expression units have been analyzed both in protoplast transient expression experiments and in transgenic tobacco plants. Transgenic plants containing a dicistronic transcription unit (PClSV-gene VII-GUS) under the control of PClSV full-length transcript promoter with its long leader sequence show a relatively high abundance of the expected transcript but very little, or no, GUS activity. However, high GUS activity is found when gene VI protein is then provided by subsequent infection with PClSV. The efficient translation of polycistronic mRNAs mediated by gene VI of caulimovirus has potential value in product engineering of plants.
Caffeine Intake from Food and Beverage Sources and Trends among Children and Adolescents in the United States: Review of National Quantitative Studies from 1999 to 2011

There is increasing concern about potential adverse effects of caffeine in children. Our understanding of caffeine intake relies on studies dating to the late 1990s. This article synthesizes information from national studies since then to describe caffeine consumption, its association with sociodemographic factors, key dietary sources including caffeine-containing energy drinks (CCEDs), and trends in caffeine intake and sources among US children. Findings from the Kanter Worldpanel (KWP) Beverage Consumption Panel and the NHANES showed that caffeine consumption prevalence was generally consistent across studies and over time; more than one-half of 2- to 5-y-olds and ∼75% of older children (>5 y) consumed caffeine. The usual intakes of caffeine were 25 and 50 mg/d for children and adolescents aged 2-11 and 12-17 y, respectively (NHANES 2007-2010). Caffeine consumption correlated with age and was higher in non-Hispanic white children. The key sources of caffeine were soda and tea as well as flavored dairy (for children aged <12 y) and coffee (for those aged ≥12 y). The frequency of CCED use varied (2-30%) depending on study setting, methods, and demographic characteristics. A statistically significant but small decline in caffeine intake was noted in children overall during the 10- to 12-y period examined; intakes remained stable among older children (≥12 y). A significant increasing trend in CCED and coffee consumption and a decline in soda intake were noted (1999-2010). In 2009-2010, 10% of 12- to 19-y-olds and 10-25% of caffeine consumers (aged 12-19 y) had intakes exceeding Canadian maximal guidelines. Continued monitoring can help better understand changes in caffeine consumption patterns of youth.
Identification of Suspended Sediment Sources Using Soil Characteristics in a Semiarid Watershed

Identification of primary sediment source areas in watersheds is necessary to ensure that best management practices are installed in areas that maximize reductions in sediment and chemical loadings of receiving waters. Our objectives were to use a soil geomorphology-erodibility approach to locate sediment sources in the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW). Major soil mapping units were sampled along transects in six subwatersheds (SWs). At each sampling point, latitude-longitude, slope gradient, slope aspect, and hillslope position were recorded. Samples collected from the surface 5.0 cm were characterized for a range of basic soil characterization properties. Additionally, 137 Cs, 40 K, 226 Ra, and stable C isotope distributions were quantified as potential source area indicators. Suspended sediment samples collected from WGEW and SW flumes were characterized for the same properties. Relative to the SW soils, the suspended sediments were generally enriched in silt, clay, organic C, inorganic C, total N, extractable cations, extractable Fe and Mn, 13 C from C3 plants, 40 K, and 226 Ra. The suspended sediment from three SWs was enriched in 137 Cs. Eleven characterization parameters were used in a multivariate mixing model to identify the SWs contributing the greatest sediment loads in the WGEW. The mixing model results indicated that three SWs were contributing approximately 86% of the sediment, and that the greatest amount originated in the three SWs with the lowest soil aggregation index (highest erodibility).These results were supported by the δ 13 C data, which indicated that approximately 65% of the stable C isotopes leaving the WGEW during this period were derived from C3 plants (shrubs), the dominant vegetation on the three SWs.
A Neural Network Method for Detection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy Based on Pupil Size and EEG

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is able to indicate states of mental activity ranging from concentrated cognitive efforts to sleepiness. Such mental activity can be reflected by EEG energy. In particular, intrusion of EEG theta wave activity into the beta activity of active wakefulness has been interpreted as ensuing sleepiness. Pupil behavior can also provide information regarding alertness. This paper develops an innovative signal classification method that is capable of differentiating subjects with sleep disorders which cause excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) from normal control subjects who do not have a sleep disorder based on EEG and pupil size. Subjects with sleep disorders include persons with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and narcolepsy. The Yoss pupil staging rule is used to scale levels of wakefulness and at the same time theta energy ratios are calculated from the same 2-s sliding windows by Fourier or wavelet transforms. Then, an artificial neural network (NN) of modified adaptive resonance theory (ART2) is utilized to identify the two groups within a combined group of subjects including those with OSA and healthy controls. This grouping from the NN is then compared with the actual diagnostic classification of subjects as OSA or controls and is found to be 91% accurate in differentiating between the two groups. The same algorithm results in 90% correct differentiation between narcoleptic and control subjects.
POWER (power optimization for wireless energy requirements): A MATLAB based algorithm for design of hybrid energy systems

We have expanded and implemented an algorithm for selecting power supplies into a turnkey MATLAB code, “POWER” (power optimization for wireless energy requirements). Our algorithm uses three approaches to system design, specifying either: (1) a single, aggregate power profile; (2) a power system designed to satisfy several power ranges (micro-, milli- and Watt); or (3) a power system designed to be housed within specified spaces within the system. POWER was verified by conducting two case studies on hearing prosthetics: the TICA (LZ 3001) (Baumann group at the T¨
Waveguide grating mirror for large-area semiconductor lasers

We have fabricated and tested a waveguide grating mirror that uses anomalous reflection of light associated with excitation of waveguide modes. Sharp features are observed in the reflection spectra in both the wavelength and the angular domains. We confirm experimentally that, when the waveguide grating mirror is placed a short distance in front of a large-area semiconductor laser, it can control the emission spectrum. This demonstration opens a new approach to the design of very compact semiconductor lasers operating in the single-frequency–single-mode regime.
Development of a core set of SSR markers for the characterization of Gossypium germplasm

Molecular markers such as simple sequence repeats (SSR) are a useful tool for characterizing genetic diversity of Gossypium germplasm. Genetic profiles by DNA fingerprinting of cotton accessions can only be compared among different collections if a common set of molecular markers are used by different laboratories and/or research projects. Herein, we propose and report a core set of 105 SSR markers with wide genome coverage of at least four evenly distributed markers per chromosome for the 26 tetraploid cotton chromosomes. The core marker set represents the efforts of ten research groups involved in marker development, and have been systematically evaluated for DNA polymorphism on the 12 genotypes belonging to six Gossypium species [known collectively as the cotton marker database (CMD) panel]. A total of 35 marker bins in triplex sets were arranged from the 105 markers that were each labeled with one of the three fluorescent dyes (FAM, HEX, and NED). Results from this study indicated that the core marker set was robust in revealing DNA polymorphism either between and within species. Average value of polymorphism information content (PIC) among the CMD panel was 0.65, and that within the cultivated cotton species Gossypium hirsutum was 0.29. Based on the similarity matrix and phylogenetic analysis of the CMD panel, the core marker set appeared to be sufficient in characterizing the diversity within G. hirsutum and other Gossypium species. The portability of this core marker set would facilitate the systematic characterization and the simultaneous comparison among various research efforts involved in genetic diversity analysis and germplasm resource preservation.
A Nano-Composite Poly(Methyl-Methacrylate) Bone Cement

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based orthopaedic bone cements contain 1-3 Pim size radiopacifier particles. Incomplete dispersion of these particles leads to the presence of 50-200 μm size agglomerates. These large defects are sites of high-stress concentration that reduce the fracture toughness of PMMA. In this study, the micrometer-sized radiopacifying particles of a commercial bone cement were replaced by nanosized fillers. Both, commercial and nanocomposite PMMA bone cements were characterized using ultra-small angle x-ray scattering and low voltage scanning electron microscopy; mechanical properties were evaluated using ASTM standard tensile testing. The results showed a substantial reduction of particle agglomerate size and a significant increase in tensile properties of the nanocomposite over that of the standard microcomposite bone cement.
Effect of glucosylation on sedimentation velocity of DNA from T2 and T6 coliphages

In order to study the effect of glucose substitution on the sedimentation velocities of the T-even phage DNA's, T2 and T2*, and T6 and T6* bacteriophages were grown with H3and P32 labeling. Zone sedimentation of the DNA's isolated from these phagea showed that the glucosylated DNA's from both T2 and T6 sediment faster than the nonglucosylated molecules. Nonglucosylated DNA from TG and T2 phages sedimented with the same velocity, suggesting that the molecules of these phages are of the same length.
Contamination of gowns, gloves, and stethoscopes with vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Objective:To measure directly the rate of contamination, during routine patient examination, of gowns, gloves, and stethoscopes with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).Setting:A large, academic, tertiary-care hospital.Patients:Between January 1997 and December 1998, 49 patients colonized or infected with VRE were entered in the study.Design:After routine examination, the examiner's glove fingertips, gown (the umbilical region and the cuffs), and stethoscope diaphragm were pressed onto Columbia colistin-nalidixic acid (CNA) agar plates with 5% sheep blood plus vancomycin 6 ug/mL. The stethoscope diaphragm was sampled again after cleaning with a 70% isopropanol wipe.Results:VRE were isolated from at least 1 examiner site (gloves, gowns, or stethoscope) in 33 (67%) of 49 cases. Gloves were contaminated in 63%, gowns in 37%, and stethoscopes in 31%. All three items were positive for VRE in 24%. One case each had stethoscope and gown contamination without glove contamination. Only 1 (2%) of 49 stethoscopes was positive after wiping with an alcohol swab. Contamination at any site was more likely when the patient had a colostomy or ileostomy. Patients identified by rectal-swab culture alone were as likely to contaminate their examiners as were those identified by clinical specimens.Conclusions:Our study revealed a high rate of examiner contamination with VRE. The similar risk of contamination identified by surveillance and clinical cases reinforces concerns that patients not known to be colonized with VRE could serve as sources for dissemination. Wiping with alcohol is effective in decontaminating stethoscopes.
Factorization in experiment generation

Experiment generation is an important part of incremental concept learning. One basic function of experimentation is to gather data to refine the existing space of hypotheses[DB83]. Here we examine the class of experiments that accomplish this, called discrimination experiments, and propose factoring as a technique for generating them efficiently.
Sensor fusion for autonomous outdoor navigation using neural networks

For many navigation tasks, a single sensing modality is sufficiently rich to accomplish the desired motion control goals; for practical autonomous outdoor navigation, a single sensing modality is a crippling limitation on what tasks can be undertaken. Using a neural network paradigm particularly well suited to sensor fusion the authors have successfully performed simulated and real-world navigation tasks that required the use of multiple sensing modalities.
CFD Methods Development Considerations for Unsteady Aerodynamic Analysis

The development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods for unsteady aerodynamic analysis is described. Special emphasis is placed on considerations that are required for application of the methods to unsteady aerodynamic flow problems. Two broad categories of topics are discussed including grid considerations and algorithm development considerations, and example calculations are presented to illustrate the major points. Although the primary application of these CFD methods is to relatively low-frequency oscillatory phenomena such as flutter, the ideas that are presented may be of value to developers of computational aeroacoustics methods for predicting high-frequency acoustics.
Strategies for Transitioning Therapy to Aripiprazole from Other Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE:To determine the optimal approach for transitioning therapy to aripiprazole from other antipsychotics in schizophrenia and to describe these strategies.DATA SOURCES:MEDLINE (January 2000-March 2012) and PubMed (January 2000-March 2012) searches were conducted using the search terms aripiprazole, switch, and switching. Citations from references were reviewed to identify additional primary literature.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Articles identified as primary literature were considered for inclusion. Case series, opinion papers, and review articles were also examined. Literature was required to be in English. For evaluation purposes, included articles were randomized trials specifically comparing different switching strategies from an alternative antipsychotic to aripiprazole. Randomized trials and single-arm studies that evaluated the effect of a change to aripiprazole and reported switching methods were also reviewed but not evaluated.DATA SYNTHESIS:Aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic...
Preventive care in the emergency department: screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems in the emergency department: a systematic review

Objective: To systematically review the medical literature in order to determine the strength of the recommendation for screening and brief intervention (SBI) for alcohol-related problems in the emergency department (ED) setting. Methods: The review followed the methodology of systematic reviews and was facilitated through the use of a structured template, a companion explanatory piece, and a grading and methodological scoring system based on published criteria for critical appraisal. The primary outcome measure was the prevention of mortality and morbidity secondary to alcohol-related illnesses/injuries. The secondary outcome measures included: decreased consumption; fewer ED/outpatient visits and hospitalizations; a decrease in social consequences; and increased referrals for follow-up and/or treatment. Three Medline searches as well as a search of the Cochrane Library were performed. Two team members reviewed the abstracts and selected pertinent articles. References were screened for additional pertinent articles. Results: Twenty-seven articles were identified and reviewed, in addition to the 14 primary articles included in the 1996 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Report. The study populations were diverse, including inpatient, outpatient, and college settings, with ages ranging from 12 to 70 years. Four studies were ED-based and two included EDs as one of multiple sites. Thirty-nine studies on SBI, 30 randomized controlled and nine cohort, were used to formulate the current recommendation. A positive effect of the intervention was demonstrated in 32 of these studies. Conclusions: The authors recommend that SBI for alcohol-related problems in the ED be incorporated into clinical practice.
Research Into Practice

(2001). Research Into Practice. Journal of Research in Childhood Education: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 270-275.
Pulmonary Manifestations in Patients With POEMS Syndrome: A Retrospective Review of 137 Patients

Background POEMS syndrome is a monoclonal plasma cell disorder characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes. Rare reports of pulmonary manifestations of POEMS syndrome such as pulmonary hypertension exist; however, a comprehensive review of the pulmonary manifestations of POEMS syndrome is lacking. Methods Retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome at our institution between 1975 and 2003. Demographics, signs and symptoms, test findings ( ie , radiographs, pulmonary function tests, and echocardiography), and survival data were extracted. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. In addition, categoric variables were compared using the Pearson χ 2 test or Fisher exact test, where appropriate. Results The study comprised 137 patients (66% male) with a mean age of 51.6 years. Respiratory symptoms were common within 2 years of diagnosis (28%). The median overall survival time was 147 months. Pulmonary manifestations of POEMS syndrome included pulmonary hypertension, restrictive lung disease, respiratory muscle weakness, and an isolated diminished diffusing capacity. Significant radiographic findings such as pleural effusions, diaphragm elevation, and increased cardiac silhouette were seen in 23% of patients. When separated by the presence or absence of respiratory muscle weakness, the median survival time was 87 vs 139 months, respectively (p Conclusions Pulmonary manifestations of POEMS are common, and both symptomatic and asymptomatic respiratory involvements are frequent on presentation in patients with POEMS syndrome. Respiratory muscle weakness and cough portend a poorer prognosis. These results suggest the need for increased awareness of the association between POEMS syndrome and pulmonary disease to guide appropriate screening and supportive therapy.
Modelling Multi-agent Systems with Category Theory

The rapidly growing complexity of integrating and monitoring computing systems is beyond the capabilities of even the most expert systems and software developers. The solution is systems must learn to monitor their own behaviors and conform to the requirements – a vision referred to as Autonomic Computing. Reactive Autonomic Systems Framework (RASF) is introduced for real-time reactive systems, which contain autonomic self-managing properties and are adaptive to their environments. The goal of this thesis is about modeling Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) with Category Theory (CAT). MAS is introduced as the realization of Reactive Autonomic Systems, and Jadex is used as a representation of MAS approach. This thesis respects Belief-Desire-Intension (BDI) agent architecture, models the entire Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), zooms into individual intelligent agent, analyzes the relationships among agent plans, goals and beliefs, and provides a fully formal CAT representation on MAS structure. Furthermore, this thesis proposes a formalization of fault-tolerance property of MAS using CAT.
Autoignition of kerosene by decomposed hydrogen peroxide in a dump-combustor configuration

In staged-bipropellant rocket combustors that use decomposed hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizer, a liquid fuel is injected into the hot decomposition products comprising oxygen and water vapor. For a well-designed combustor, the oxidizer is at a sufficiently high temperature to vaporize and to autoignite the liquid fuel; however, experimental autoignition data in key chamber contraction ratio and propellant equivalence ratio ranges are missing. In this study a transverse injector was used in a dump-combustor configuration to investigate the autoignition characteristics of JP-8 in decomposed hydrogen peroxide, specifically fuel-rich autoignition limits at contraction ratios less than 6 and with high hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The chamber contraction ratio was varied between 3 and 5 to evaluate the effects of chamber gas Mach number (0.45 and 0.27), and the hydrogen peroxide concentration was varied from 85 to 98% by weight to evaluate the effects of oxidizer temperature. Three regimes were noted: strong, weak, and no autoignition. Chamber pressure oscillations with a dominant frequency between 27 and 47 Hz occurred in the weak-autoignition regime. Results showed that as hydrogen peroxide concentration and/or contraction ratio was increased the equivalence ratio that defined the autoignition boundary increased as well. At a contraction ratio of 3.0, no autoignition was achieved at equivalence ratios of 1.37 and above using 85% hydrogen peroxide, but with 98% hydrogen peroxide autoignition occurred at an equivalence ratio as high as 2.06. When the contraction ratio was increased to 5.0, autoignition was achieved at an equivalence ratio of 1.38 using 85% hydrogen peroxide. These data provide a starting point for the development of an accurate autoignition model and an empirical basis for the design of efficient combustors.
A word-superiority effect with print and braille characters

Braille (tactual) text is read only about one-third as rapidly as print (visual) text, but the same basic cognitive processes may be involved in both cases, because familiarity aids letter search in a similar fashion for the two modalities. Experiment 1 found that with grade 1 braille, as with print, letter search is about 10% faster through common words than through nonwords. Thus, braille, like print, is processed in neither an entirely holistic manner, with the word gestalt concealing its letter components, nor in an entirely analytical manner, with each letter dealt with separately and independently. Experiment 2 (print displays) and Experiment 3 (braille displays) both found a word advantage in letter search through words and nonwords containing no spelling patterns that form contractions in grade 2 braille. Experiment 2 also confirmed previous work showing that the time savings for words does not vary when the memory set size (number of predesignated target letters) is varied. This indicates that the word advantage is at encoding rather than comparison.
Deformable Image Mosaicing for Optical Biopsy

Traditional image mosaicing usually relies on rigid image transformations. In many medical applications, however, tissue deformation during image acquisition or 3D parallax effects may require nonrigid transformations in the mosaicing process. This paper presents a new method that integrates deformable surface models into the image mosaicing algorithms. Our approach has two main contributions. First, we present a global alignment algorithm to efficiently deal with accumulated image registration errors. Second, we introduce a local alignment algorithm to accommodate local scene deformations. These two problems are integrated into a single optimization problem that simultaneously recovers the motion of the camera as well as the structure of the scene. Our approach is demonstrated on simulations, images from a hand-held digital camera, and microscopic images acquired with a micro-endoscope.
Manager And Business Student Work Goals: Implications And Recommendations For Educators

The correspondence between work goals, work requirements, and available organizational rewards is a primary determinant of job satisfaction and motivation and is also likely to impact job performance. Research suggests managers’ but not business students’ work goal priorities are well matched with the work requirements and available rewards of modern business organizations. Educational implications are discussed and recommendations are made to increase students’ understanding of the importance and impact of work goals in modern organizations and to facilitate their adjustment to the reward conditions and work requirements that they are likely to face in these organizations. The recommended work goal and adjustment module, which is integrated into the topic of motivation, is also expected to increase student understanding and interest in the motivation material by encouraging students to apply it to work adjustment and by helping them more personally relate to the motivation principles applied.
Comparison of the Laser Mass Spectra and SIMS Spectra of Amino Acids

Particle-induced mass spectrometry encompasses a number of mass spectral techniques: SIMS,LMS,FABMS, and PDMS. The similarities of quasimolecular and fragment ions detected for organic compounds indicate that the secondary ionization processes occurring in the “selvedge” are similar. Gain or loss of protons, ion-attachment reactions, and unimolecular dissociations generally are the same, even though the primary particles (photon, ion, or neutral) interacting with the organic material are dissimilar. A comparison of the mass spectral results among the techniques should help to elucidate the relative degrees of energy transfer from the particle to the organic material, in the primary process of particle-material interaction. The present communication is part of an overall comparison being carried out in our laboratory.
Dissonance and Dissidence: Aesthetic and Political Counterpoints in Adorno

For the first generation of the Frankfurt School, Critical Theory strived to encompass all aspects of human life: their common denominator largely consisted in the thesis that ethical, social, and ...
Nest dimensions of two leaf-cutter bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae).

Nests of two wild leaf-cutter bees, Megachile (Litomegachile) gentilis Cresson and M. (Eutricharaea) timberlakei Cockerell, were obtained from trap-nesting. The nests were composed of linear series of brood cells. The brood cells contained leaf disks which tightly covered the cocoons within. Cocoon size, weight, and adult weight decreased toward the nest entrance as commonly occurs in tube-nesting solitary bees. In addition, the size of the leaf disks decreased toward the nest entrance and were positively related to that of the cocoons. Sizes of the cocoons and leaf disks were influenced by sex allocation, producing females in the inner and males in the outer brood cells within the nests. Cell morphology of the two species was compared.
Thermocapillary convection in a model float-zone

A finite-element method has been used to study thermocapillary convection in a model of relevance to the float-zone, crystal-growth process. The geometry consists of a pair of horizontal isothermal surfaces with a Boussinesq liquid suspended between them. Because of the variation of surface tension with temperature, the temperature gradient along the free surface drives thermocapillary convection. The free surface is allowed to deform and its location is calculated along with the velocity and temperature fields. Cases in which thermocapillarity dominates and others in which it interacts with an unstable axial buoyancy gradient are treated. In order to obtain information of possible interest to potential microgravity applications, the influence of the Grashof number is investigated.
Low-energy nonresonant x-ray scattering of C 60

Using a third generation synchrotron, the low-energy electronic structure of ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ was measured by nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering. The cross section $S(k,\ensuremath{\omega})$ at $k=1.0\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ reveals a significant peak at $2.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ inaccessible to optical absorption due to selection rules but consistent with measurements done by nonlinear optics and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The experiment was modeled by a Hubbard model for a single ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecule with $U∕t=4$. This simple model captures the essential physics.
Spatial aspects of structural complexity in old-growth forests

Old-growth forests typically have complex structures, including heterogeneous spatial arrangements as well as a diversity of individual structures. Two aspects of this spatial complexity are discussed and illustrated. (1)vertical distribution of foliage, often apparent as multiple layers; and (2) horizontal heterogeneity, often evident as canopy gaps and dense reproduction patches. Shifts in mortality processes from competitive-based mortality in young stands to agent-based mortality (i.e., insects, diseases, and wind) in older stands play an important part in the development of structural heterogeneity. Old temperate forests can be viewed as fine-scale structural mosaics in which all stand development processes are simultaneously present within the stand. An additional definition of forest stand that incorporates the entire structural mosaic of old-growth is needed.
Effects of vacuum tumbling with chitosan nanoparticles on the quality characteristics of cryogenically frozen shrimp

Abstract A chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate (CH-TPP) nanoparticle solution was developed and applied to shrimp through vacuum tumbling, and the quality characteristics during frozen storage were evaluated. Four solutions were prepared: (1) a 1% acetic acid (AA) solution, (2) a 0.5% chitosan (CH) solution in the 1% AA solution, (3) a 0.167% sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) solution in the 1% AA solution, and (4) a CH-TPP solution, prepared by adding 0.167% TPP to the CH solution. Shrimp meat was separately vacuum tumbled with the solutions, cryogenically frozen, and evaluated for quality characteristics during 120 days of frozen storage (−20 °C). Shrimp meat vacuum tumbled with distilled water and shrimp meat without vacuum tumbling were used as controls. CH and CH-TPP treated shrimp had lower aerobic plate counts compared to other treatments during the entire storage time. CH and CH-TPP treated shrimp retained their color, texture, and moisture contents. CH and CH-TPP treatments generated the highest reduction in lipid oxidation compared to other treatments at 120 days of storage at −20 °C. This study showed that a CH or CH-TPP solution combined with vacuum tumbling was effective at reducing aerobic plate counts and lipid oxidation in shrimp during frozen storage while maintaining desired physicochemical properties.