cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative Phosphorus Phytoavailability of Different Phosphorus Sources

Understanding differences in the phytoavailability of various phosphorus (P) sources should improve matching P additions to plant needs and minimize excessive buildup of bioavailable P, which can degrade aquatic systems. We evaluated relative P phytoavailability (RPP) of different P sources in glasshouse and field studies. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Fluggae), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and a second bahiagrass crop were grown in succession in a P‐deficient soil amended with four sources of P (triple superphosphate (TSP), Boca Raton and Pompano; biosolids, and poultry manure), each applied at two rates in the glasshouse study and to an established bahiagrass pasture in the field. The RPP values estimated from plant P uptake of each organic source of P relative to TSP in the glasshouse were similar for the three croppings and similar to the estimates derived from the field study, but varied for the different P sources. Values ranged from 30% for poultry manure to 85% for Boca Raton biosolids. Boca Raton...
Design for Internal Resonances in Nonlinear Transverse Vibrations of Hyperelastic Plates

Nonlinear phenomenon such as internal resonance have significant potential applications in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) for increasing the sensitivity of biological and chemical sensors and signal processing elements in circuits. While several theoretical systems are known which exhibit 1:2 or 1:3 internal resonances, designing systems that have the desired properties required for internal resonance as well as are physically realizable as MEMS devices is a significant challenge. Traditionally, the design process for obtaining resonant structures exhibiting an internal resonance has relied heavily on the designer’s prior knowledge and experience. However, with advances in computing power and topology optimization techniques, it should be possible to synthesize structures with the required nonlinear properties (such as having modal frequencies in certain ratios) computationally. In this work, plate structures which are candidates for internal resonances are obtained using a Finite Element Method (FEM) formulation implemented in Matlab to iteratively modify a base structure to get its first two natural frequencies close to the desired ratio (1:2 or 1:3). Once a structure with desired topology is achieved, the linear mode shapes of the structure can be extracted from the finite element analysis, and a more complete Lagrangian formulation of the Hyperelastic structure can be used to develop a nonlinear two-mode model of the structure. The reduced-order model is expected to capture the appropriate resonant dynamics associated with modal interactions between the two modes, and the nonlinear response can be obtained by application of perturbation methods such as averaging on the two-mode model.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Cognitive Science and the Language/Cognition Distinction

Abstract At the heart of Davis' expository cloud I recognize a claim with which I agree wholeheartedly: and that is, that advances in the study of disorders of the higher mental fitnctions wdl draw heavily on what is known about the operation of mental systems, in the intact state. If one looks at where advances have been made in neuropsychology over the last decade, the evidence in favour is abundant; the sharpening of questions and increased sophistication of investigative approach in aphasia research, for example, have followed fairly directly from its adoption of the insights and method of linguistics and psycholinguistics. But Davis has something more specific in mind than a restatement of this now familiar theme (d. Arbib and Caplan's (1980) plea that ‘neurolinguistics must be computational’). He proposes that an emergent ‘cognitive science’ will specify how our pre-theoretic notions of language and cognition are to be translated into theoretical constructs, and how these willstand in relation to ea...
The Effect of Anchor Test Construction on Scale Drift

In common-item equating the anchor block is generally built to represent a miniature form of the total test in terms of content and statistical specifications. The statistical properties frequently reflect equal mean and spread of item difficulty. Sinharay and Holland (2007) suggested that the requirement for equal spread of difficulty may be too restrictive. They suggested that an anchor test with representative content coverage and equal mean item difficulty but a smaller spread of item difficulty (miditest) may provide the same or better results for equating while decreasing the pressure to find very hard and very easy items to include in the anchor. Analyses to date have concentrated on the results of equating the scores from one form to another with findings that are supportive of the Sinharay and Holland concept (Sinharay & Holland, 2006a, 2006b, 2007; Liu, Sinharay, Holland, Feigenbaum, & Curley, 2009). These studies do not address longer chains of equating. It is important to monitor the possibili...
Modes of Domain Wall Motion and Polarization of Lead Zirconate Titanate Polycrystals

Domain wall motion depending on polarization field has been studied for tetragonal lead zirconate titanate (PZT) polycrystals. The domain structure of PZT polycrystals was observed in a backscattered electron image obtained with a scanning electron microscope under various poling conditions. Domain wall reorientation was observed when the applied polarization field strength became higher than the coercive electric field. An in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement was also done to evaluate the domain wall motion contribution, under a polarization field. The XRD intensity ratio of (002) vs (200) reached as much as 0.72, which was explained by taking the both contributions of domain wall reorientation and translation. The experimental data and consideration by a geometrical domain wall motion model confirmed that the domain wall translation has zero threshold energy and the domain wall reorientation occurs beyond the coercive electric strength, corresponding to a finite threshold energy.
Comparison of optical coherence tomography, x-ray computed tomography, and confocal microscopy results from an impact damaged epoxy/e-glass composite

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging technique for imaging of synthetic materials. OCT is attractive because it combines high sensitivity (>90 dB), high resolution (5 µm to 20 µm), and low cost, approximately US $75 k. The value of any new technology is evaluated by how well it compares with existing methods. In this work, impact damage of an epoxy/E-glass composite is imaged using OCT, and the results were compared with micro-focus X-ray computed tomography. This technique is a good benchmark to compare with OCT because both techniques have the ability to locate features precisely and have comparable resolutions. OCT is considered to be a confocal technique so it was also compared to laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Contrast mechanisms, sensitivity, resolution, depth of penetration, and artifacts among the techniques are compared and contrasted. Also, impact damage features revealed using OCT are briefly discussed.
Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine in patients who receive oral contraceptive therapy

Abstract Objective: Because many women who receive pharmacologic therapy with antidepressants are also prescribed oral contraceptives, it is important to assess the risk of clinically significant drug interactions. We reviewed the United States fluoxetine clinical trial database, specifically analyzing women ages 18 to 45 years, for differences in safety, antidepressant efficacy, and unplanned pregnancies that were associated with oral contraceptive use. Study Design: Data from 17 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in 1698 women were analyzed retrospectively. A subgroup of women with oral contraceptive use was compared with a subgroup of women with no oral contraceptive use. Differences in treatment-emergent adverse events, unplanned pregnancies, and 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) scores were analyzed. Results: The only treatment-emergent adverse events that showed a statistically significantly different odds ratio for oral contraceptive use versus no oral contraceptive use were headache, asthenia, and pain. There was not a statistically significant interaction in the incidence of unintended pregnancies ( P =.111) or in the changes from baseline in HAMDD-17 scores. Conclusion: There is no clinical evidence that concomitant use of oral contraceptives and fluoxetine affects the safety or efficacy of either agent. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:551-5.)
Brain γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism and behaviour in the mouse and rat

Abstract 1. 1. Two separate studies, employing the inbred rat and mouse, have shown that strong relationships exist between brain γ-aminobutyric acid production and certain behavioural measures obtained in the shuttle-box. 2. 2. An analysis of the data from each experiment indicates that there exists a remarkable degree of similarity between the relations separately observed for rats and mice.
Feelings and Consumer Decision Making: The Appraisal-Tendency Framework

This article presents the Appraisal-Tendency Framework (ATF; Lerner & Keltner, 2000, 2001; Lerner & Tiedens, 2006) as a basis for predicting the influence of specific emotions on consumer decision making. In particular, the ATF addresses how and why specific emotions carry over from past situations to color future judgments and choices. After reviewing the main assumptions and the 5 main principles of the framework, 2 streams of research are presented. One stream addresses emotional carryover effects on the assessment of risk; the other addresses carryover effects on the assessment of monetary value. Because risk assessment and value assessment are fundamental psychological processes, understanding them has the potential to yield manifold implications for consumer judgment and decision making. The concluding sections highlight limitations and future directions of the framework.
SKIN CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS TREATED WITH TOPICAL TAR AND ARTIFICIAL ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract A case-control study, consisting of 59 skin cancer patients with severe psoriasis, was conducted to evaluate the effect of treatment with tar and/or artificial ultraviolet radiation on the risk of developing cutaneous carcinoma. Using 924 unmatched controls, we estimated that the crude rate of skin cancer was 2·4-fold for patients with high exposure to tar and ultraviolet radiation, compared with those lacking high exposure. Using a control series of 126 patients matched for age, skin type, region of residence, sex, history of exposure to ionising radiation, and number of 8-methoxypsoralen photochemotherapy treatments, we observed a stronger association (relative rate=4·7, 95% confidence limits=2·2 to 10·0). The magnitude of the relative rates argues for continued surveillance for tumours among patients with psoriasis who receive long-term tar or artificial ultraviolet radiation therapy.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Mediates Diabetes-Enhanced Apoptosis of Matrix-Producing Cells and Impairs Diabetic Healing

Diabetics suffer increased infection followed by increased apoptosis of fibroblasts and bone-lining cells during the healing process. To investigate a potential mechanism, we inoculated Porphyromonas gingivalis into the scalp of type 2 diabetic (db/db) or control mice and inhibited tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) with etanercept. Mice were euthanized at the early phase of infection (21 hours) or during the peak repair of the bacteria-induced wound (8 days). At 21 hours, TNF-α inhibition significantly reduced fibroblast apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in both diabetic and normoglycemic mice (P < 0.05). During healing etanercept reduced fibroblast apoptosis and caspase-3 activity by almost 50% in diabetic but not normoglycemic mice (P < 0.05). Concomitantly, etanercept significantly increased fibroblast number by 31% and new matrix formation by 72% in diabetic mice. When bone was examined during healing, administration of the TNF-α blocker reduced apoptosis of bone-lining cells by 53%, increased their number by 48%, and enhanced new bone formation by 140% in the diabetic group (P < 0.05). The degree of connective tissue and osseous healing stimulated in the diabetic mice by anti-TNF-α treatment was within the range that is physiologically relevant. This enhanced healing may in part be explained by blocking TNF-α-induced apoptosis of critical matrix-producing cells.
Ossiculoplasty in young children with the Applebaum incudostapedial joint prosthesis.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the Applebaum incudostapedial joint prosthesis in young children in terms of hearing results and long-term stability despite continuing eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media. Study Design: Retrospective review of all Applebaum prostheses placed in children at our institution from June 1993 to June 1998. Results : In 1993 Applebaum proposed the use of a hydroxylapatite ossicular prosthesis as an alternative to incus interposition for the repair of incudostapedial discontinuity. We have used this prosthesis exclusively for the repair of such defects in children over the past 5 years. Among 12 operated ears, all healed, all prostheses remain in place (average duration, 2.6 y), and all children have excellent hearing (mean air-bone gap, 15 dB; range, 5-25 dB). Conclusions: The Applebaum incudostapedial joint prosthesis restores conductive hearing even in young children. It has been stable in the face of recurrent otitis media and has not interfered with revision surgery. Placement of the prosthesis at primary cholesteatoma surgery should be considered in children.
Long‐term middle atmospheric influence of very large solar proton events

Long-term variations in ozone have been caused by both natural and humankind related processes. The humankind or anthropogenic influence on ozone originates from the chlorofluorocarbons and halons (chlorine and bromine) and has led to international regulations greatly limiting the release of these substances. Certain natural ozone influences are also important in polar regions and are caused by the impact of solar charged particles on the atmosphere. Such natural variations have been studied in order to better quantify the human influence on polar ozone. Large-scale explosions on the Sun near solar maximum lead to emissions of charged particles (mainly protons and electrons), some of which enter the Earth's magnetosphere and rain down on the polar regions. "Solar proton events" have been used to describe these phenomena since the protons associated with these solar events sometimes create a significant atmospheric disturbance. We have used the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) to study the long-term (> few months) influences of solar proton events from 1963 through 2004 on stratospheric ozone and temperature. There were extremely large solar proton events in 1972, 1989,2000,2001, and 2003. These events caused very distinctive polar changes in layers of the Earth's atmosphere known as the stratosphere (12-50 km; -7-30 miles) and mesosphere (50-90 km; 30-55 miles). The solar protons connected with these events created hydrogen- and nitrogen-containing compounds, which led to the polar ozone destruction. The nitrogen-containing compounds, called odd nitrogen, lasted much longer than the hydrogen-containing compounds and led to long-lived stratospheric impacts. An extremely active period for these events occurred in the five-year period, 2000- 2004, and caused increases in odd nitrogen which lasted for several months after individual events. Associated stratospheric ozone decreases of >lo% were calculated to last for up to five months past the largest events. However, the computed total column ozone and stratospheric temperature changes connected with the solar events were not found to be statistically significant. Thus, solar proton events do not likely contribute significantly to measured total column ozone fluctuations and stratospheric temperature changes.
Creation of a Quantitative Recipient Risk Index for Mortality Prediction After Cardiac Transplantation (IMPACT)

Background No recipient risk index exists predicting short-term mortality after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). We utilized United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data to develop a novel quantitative recipient risk score for use in OHT. Methods A prospectively collected open cohort of 21,378 primary OHT patients (1997 to 2008) was randomly divided into subgroups. The training cohort (n = 17,079) was used for score derivation and the test cohort (n = 4,299) was used for independent validation. Recipient specific variables associated with 1-year mortality (exploratory p value Results The 50-point scoring system incorporated 12 recipient specific variables. Derivation and validation cohort scores ranged from 0 to 33 and 0 to 27, respectively (mean 6.1 ± 3.7 and 6.1 ± 3.7). Each point increased the odds of 1-year death by 14% in the derivation cohort (odds ratio 1.14 [1.13 to 1.15], p p p Conclusions We present a novel internally validated OHT recipient risk score, which is highly predictive of 1-year mortality. This risk index may prove valuable for patient prognosis, organ allocation, and research stratification in OHT.
Highly stereocontrolled synthesis of [3.3.3] propellane sesquiterpenes. ( ± )-Modhephene and (±)-epimodhephene

Abstract Stereospecific total synthesis of (±)-modhephene ( 2 ) and (±)-epimodhephene ( 3 ) are reported. Conjugate addition of 1-trimethylsilyl-1-butyn-4-yl cuprate (BF 3 -etherate catalysis) to bicyclic ketone 6 , fluoride ion-promoted deblocking of the terminal acetylene, and ene reaction, gave tricyclic enone 11 . Sequential Wittig methylenation, regiocontrolled epoxidation, and Lewis acid catalyzed isomerization afforded ketone 14 whose double bond relocation and Wolff-Kishner reduction led exclusively to 2 . In a still shorter route to 3 , 3-butenyl cuprate addition to 6 was utilized to gain access to 7 . Thermolysis of this intermediate, methylenation, and double bond isomerization were found to deliver pure 3 successfully.
Optical imaging in photodynamic therapy: mechanisms and applications

Molecular excitation of photosensitizing agents provides reactive excited states, which can initiate chemical reactions, but it can also lead to molecular relaxation via radiative photophysical processes, providing the basis for fluorescence diagnostics. The best-known example of the former is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which is now approved for the treatment of a number of neoplastic and non-neoplastic pathologies. Although the concept of the use of photodynamic agents in diagnostics is as old as their use in therapy, the focused development of this aspect has been relatively recent. Typically, photodynamic agents have high triplet yields and relatively long triplet lifetimes (microsecond range), which allows them to interact and destroy molecular targets near them either directly or indirectly by producing other toxic molecular species. Associated with a high triplet yield is the fortunate attribute of most PDT agents in having low but finite fluorescence quantum yields. Fluorescence from these molecules may be used not only for diagnostics of disease de novo but also for guided surgery, PDT dosimetry and therapeutic monitoring. Other uses of fluorescence in PDT (not necessarily from the PDT agents) include the development of technologies that allow tracking of cells during treatment in vivo, studies of sub-cellular localization of molecules for mechanistic studies and photosensitizer tracking for specific targeting. An overview of studies on these aspects from different laboratories will be presented.
Some Necessary Conditions for International Policy Coordination

N-actor cooperative game theory may be a useful body of knowledge for understanding aspects of international policy coalitions. Using a 1974 OPEC decision as an illustrative case, this article demonstrates that game theory is a source of ideas about necessary conditions for international policy coordination and also a means of testing those ideas with empirical data. The article considers three sets of possibly necessary conditions: the imputation, the core, and the convex game. The results of the empirical test are supportive of the core as a set of necessary conditions. The test is not supportive of the convex game, which substantively is a more interesting set of necessary conditions. The article concludes with observations about the policy relevance of knowing necessary conditions.
Latent Stick-Breaking Processes

We develop a model for stochastic processes with random marginal distributions. Our model relies on a stick-breaking construction for the marginal distribution of the process, and introduces dependence across locations by using a latent Gaussian copula model as the mechanism for selecting the atoms. The resulting latent stick-breaking process (LaSBP) induces a random partition of the index space, with points closer in space having a higher probability of being in the same cluster. We develop an efficient and straightforward Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm for computation and discuss applications in financial econometrics and ecology. This article has supplementary material online.
Audio-visual affective expression recognition

Automatic affective expression recognition has attracted more and more attention of researchers from different disciplines, which will significantly contribute to a new paradigm for human computer interaction (affect-sensitive interfaces, socially intelligent environments) and advance the research in the affect-related fields including psychology, psychiatry, and education. Multimodal information integration is a process that enables human to assess affective states robustly and flexibly. In order to understand the richness and subtleness of human emotion behavior, the computer should be able to integrate information from multiple sensors. We introduce in this paper our efforts toward machine understanding of audio-visual affective behavior, based on both deliberate and spontaneous displays. Some promising methods are presented to integrate information from both audio and visual modalities. Our experiments show the advantage of audio-visual fusion in affective expression recognition over audio-only or visual-only approaches.
Geographic and temporal trends in proboscidean and human radiocarbon histories during the late Pleistocene

Abstract The causes of large animal extinctions at the end of the Pleistocene remain a hotly debated topic focused primarily on the effects of human over hunting and climate change. Here we examine multiple, large radiocarbon data sets for humans and extinct proboscideans and explore how variation in their temporal and geographic distributions were related prior to proboscidean extinction. These data include 4532 archaeological determinations from Europe and Siberia and 1177 mammoth and mastodont determinations from Europe, Siberia, and North America. All span the period from 45,000 to 12,000 calendar years BP. We show that while the geographic ranges of dated human occupations and proboscidean remains overlap across the terminal Pleistocene of the Old World, the two groups remain largely segregated and increases in the frequency of human occupations do not coincide with declines in proboscidean remains. Prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca 21,000 years BP), archaeological 14 C determinations increase slightly in frequency worldwide while the frequency of dated proboscidean remains varies depending on taxon and location. After the LGM, both sympatric and allopatric groups of humans and proboscideans increase sharply as climatic conditions ameliorate. Post-LGM radiocarbon frequencies among proboscideans peak at different times, also depending upon taxon and location. Woolly mammoths in Beringia reach a maximum and then decline beginning between 16,000 and 15,500 years BP, woolly mammoths in Europe and Siberia ca 14,500 and 13,500 BP, and Columbian mammoth and American mastodont only after 13,000 BP. Declines among woolly mammoths appear to coincide with the restructuring of biotic communities following the Pleistocene–Holocene transition.
EFFECT OF ANNEALING TEMPERATURE ON STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PARAMETERS OF SOL–GEL ROUTED MOLYBDENUM OXIDE THIN FILM

The influence of annealing temperature on structural and optical properties of sol–gel routed spin-coated molybdenum tri oxide (MoO3) thin films are studied. The higher annealing temperatures improve the crystalline nature of the film. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals the formation of α-orthorhombic phase at higher annealing temperature and amorphous nature at lower annealing temperature. The optical bandgap of molybdenum tri oxide (MoO3) film is found to be 3.3–3.8 eV, and the refractive index of the film is found to be 2.2–2.9. The dispersion curve of the refractive index shows that an abnormal dispersion in the absorption region and normal dispersion in the transparent region are observed. The optical polarizability, optical conductivity, dielectric constant, volume and surface energy loss parameters are evaluated.
Modernism at the Barricades: Aesthetics, Politics, Utopia

Stephen Eric Bronner New York: Columbia University Press, 2012, 161 pp Stephen Eric Bronner fears the disenchantment of the world and the disengagement of that disenchanted world from politics. In ...
REVERSIBLY SICKLED CELLS: A CORRELATE OF THE FREQUENCY OF PAINFUL CRISES IN HbSS SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Despite intensive investigation, no prognostic factor has yet been identified for predicting the frequency of painful crises in HbSS. Direct microscopic observation of a transfused animal model suggested that reversibly sickling cells (RSC), rahter than ISC, were more likely to obstruct vessels (Lacelle, Blood Cells, 1977). We examined the significance of this observation by following 65 children with HbSS for the frequency of painful crises. Without knowledge of the clinical course, hematologic parameters and proportion of ISC (morphologic criteria) were used to estimate the absolute number of cells capable of being RSC (100% -%ISC -%F) × RBC. The patients were followed for a mean of 27 months (144 prospective patient-years). A median of I event occurred per 12 months (range 0-10). The frequency of painful events was correlated with RSC (r=0.32, p <0.01), those patients with the highest red cell levels and fewest ISC having higher RSC levels and more frequent crises. RSC was for any given patient stable over time and inversely correlated to MCH (r= -0.64, p <0.01). These results indicate that the proportion of RSC is a prognostic factor and imply that strategies which decrease the number of ISC or increase the hemoglobin level without decreasing the number of cells capable of reversible sickling may increase the frequency of painful crises.
Molecular imaging of thermochromic carbohydrate-modified polydiacetylene thin films

Polymerized thin films based on polydiacetylenes (PDAs) undergo distinct color transitions that lend themselves to applications in biosensing, surface modification, nonlinear optics, and molecular electronics. The mechanism of the thermochromic blue to red color transition of PDA thin films was investigated at the molecular level using atomic force microscopy and at the macroscopic level with visible absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermochromic transition temperature is found to be between 70 and 90 °C. At the molecular level, the ordering of the film increases at the thermochromic transition and remains ordered up to temperatures well above the transition (e.g., 130 °C). No evidence for previously suggested entanglement or disordering of the alkyl side chains is observed. The pendant side chains rearrange from a partially disordered configuration characteristic of the blue film,to a well-ordered close-packed hexagonal arrangement in the red form. The rearrangment of the pendant side chains is linked to the formation of the red phase PDA.
Size Variation in Women’s Pants:

The U.S. sizing system involves the use of a size code to direct customers to garments most likely to fit their body. The popular press reports expensive clothes tend to run large and there is inconsistency within each size category. The purpose of this study was to determine how much inconsistency there is within size categories, the difference in size of two different price points (inexpensive and expensive), and two different types of label (national and private) of women’s pants. To this end, the waist, crotch, and inseam of 1011 pairs of pants were measured. Inconsistency was found in each size category, expensive pants generally were larger in measurement, and little significant difference was found between national and private label merchandise except for sizes 4 and 6.
Innovative practices session 5C: Cloud atlas — Unreliability through massive connectivity

The rapid pace of integration, emergence of low power, low cost computing elements, and ubiquitous and ever-increasing bandwidth of connectivity have given rise to data center and cloud infrastructures. These infrastructures are beginning to be used on a massive scale across vast geographic boundaries to provide commercial services to businesses such as banking, enterprise computing, online sales, and data mining and processing for targeted marketing to name a few. Such an infrastructure comprises of thousands of compute and storage nodes that are interconnected by massive network fabrics, each of them having their own hardware and firmware stacks, with layers of software stacks for operating systems, network protocols, schedulers and application programs. The scale of such an infrastructure has made possible service that has been unimaginable only a few years ago, but has the downside of severe losses in case of failure. A system of such scale and risk necessitates methods to (a) proactively anticipate and protect against impending failures, (b) efficiently, transparently and quickly detect, diagnose and correct failures in any software or hardware layer, and (c) be able to automatically adapt itself based on prior failures to prevent future occurrences. Addressing the above reliability challenges is inherently different from the traditional reliability techniques. First, there is a great amount of redundant resources available in the cloud from networking to computing and storage nodes, which opens up many reliability approaches by harvesting these available redundancies. Second, due to the large scale of the system, techniques with high overheads, especially in power, are not acceptable. Consequently, cross layer approaches to optimize the availability and power have gained traction recently. This session will address these challenges in maintaining reliable service with solutions across the hardware/software stacks. The currently available commercial data-center and cloud infrastructures will be reviewed and the relative occurrences of different causalities of failures, the level to which they are anticipated and diagnosed in practice, and their impact on the quality of service and infrastructure design will be discussed. A study on real-time analytics to proactively address failures in a private, secure cloud engaged in domain-specific computations, with streaming inputs received from embedded computing platforms (such as airborne image sources, data streams, or sensors) will be presented next. The session concludes with a discussion on the increased relevance of resiliency features built inside individual systems and components (private cloud) and how the macro public cloud absorbs innovations from this realm.
Genealogical data and the biodemography of human longevity

Abstract Biodemography of human longevity is an emerging interdisciplinary field of sociobiological research with deep historical roots. Two research questions are examined in this article: (1) What evidence is there for the familial transmission of human longevity?, and (2) what are the effects of parental age at reproduction on offspring longevity, and in particular, are there long‐term adverse health consequences associated with the trend toward delayed reproduction? The ability of scientists to conduct biodemographic studies depends not only on merging theoretical and methodological elements from the biological and demographic/actuarial sciences, but unique sources of data and statistical methods must also be developed. In this article we describe how genealogical data have been used for over a century to explore basic questions about human longevity, and how similar kinds of data now being developed are driving the formation of new testable research hypotheses in the field of biodemography.
Arrhythmias in the paediatric intensive care unit: a prospective study of the rates and predictors of arrhythmias in children without underlying cardiac disease.

Objective Arrhythmias are common in patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. We sought to identify the rates of occurrence and types of arrhythmias, and determine whether an arrhythmia was associated with illness severity and paediatric intensive care unit length of stay. Design This is a prospective, observational study of all patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore from March to June 2012. Patients with cardiac disease or admitted for the treatment of primary arrhythmias were excluded. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and telemetry was reviewed daily. Tachyarrhythmias were identified as supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and arrhythmias causing haemodynamic compromise or for which an intervention was performed. Results A total of 278 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. There were 97 incidences of arrhythmia in 53 patients (19%) and six tachyarrhythmias (2%). The most common types of arrhythmias were junctional rhythm (38%), premature atrial contractions (24%), and premature ventricular contractions (22%). Tachyarrhythmias included three supraventricular tachycardia (50%) and three ventricular tachycardia (50%). Of the six tachyarrhythmias, four were related to placement or migration of central venous lines and two occurred during aminophylline infusion. Patients with an arrhythmia had longer duration of mechanical ventilation and paediatric intensive care unit stay (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, central venous lines (odds ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval 1.3–7.2, p=0.009) and aminophylline use (odds ratio 5.1; 95% confidence interval 1.7–14.9, p=0.003) were independent predictors for arrhythmias. Conclusions Arrhythmias were common in paediatric intensive care unit patients (19%), although tachyarrhythmias occurred rarely (2%). Central venous lines and use of aminophylline were identified as two clinical factors that may be associated with development of an arrhythmia.
The status and future directions of cardiac surgery.

Any speculations or predictions about thefuture of cardiac surgery must first reflectcarefully upon its past. Over the last 50 or soyears of its relatively nascent history, cardiacsurgery, along with its practitioners, hasevolved rapidly. Prior to the 1950s, most ofcardiothoracic procedures have dealt with thepulmonary complica-tions of tuberculosiswith occasional closedheart procedures forvalvular stenosis. The developmentand first clinical use ofthe cardiopulmonarybypass (CPB) machineby Gibbon in 1953
Effects of Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and MK-771 on schedule-controlled behavior of squirrel monkeys, rabbits and pigeons

Abstract The effects of TRH (0.001–10.0 mg/kg) and a more potent TRH analog, MK-771 (0.001–5.6 mg/kg), were studied on comparable schedule-controlled performances of squirrel monkeys, rabbits and pigeons. Responding was maintained in the presence of different stimuli by a multiple fixed-ratio (FR), fixed-interval (FI) schedule of food presentation (monkeys and pigeons) or 0.25% saccharin solution (rabbits). Generally, TRH and MK-771 produced decreases in responding under both schedules and in all three species. TRH and MK-771 were roughly equipotent in the squirrel monkey, whereas in the pigeon and rabbit MK-771 was approximately 20 times more potent than TRH in decreasing responding to 50 percent of control levels. The duration of action of doses of TRH and MK-771 that reduced responding to 50 percent of control was approximately 3 hr in the squirrel monkey; recovery of performance occurred twice as fast under the FR schedules. With the pigeon, TRH effects that produced 50 percent decreases in responding lasted over 6 hours, whereas behaviorally comparable doses of MK-771 lasted about 4 hours. With few exceptions, TRH and MK-771 appear to produce similar effects on schedule-controlled behavioral performances of the squirrel monkey, rabbit and pigeon. Compared to the effects of other behaviorally-active substances under these procedures, TRH and MK-771 exert a distinctive array of effects.
Possible evidence for an incommensurate spin density wave in the stanford electron tunneling studies into LaSrCuO

Abstract The Stanford studies include a remarkable dI/dV versus voltage curve with not just one BCS-like peak on each of the positive and negative voltage curves, but with three peaks on the positive-V side, and almost the same structure on the negative-V side. This structure may be caused by an incommensurate spin density wave (SDW) with TCSCW comparable to 125 K. Incommensurability of the SDW would replicate the usual structure at EF with two peaks at the edges of a 2Δ gap centred not at EF, but at displaced positions ± 2vFδQ away from EF, where δQ is the incommensurability of the SDW wave vector.
Indexing Consistency and Quality.

A measure of indexing consistency is developed based on the concept of “fuzzy sets.” It assigns a higher consistency value if indexers agree on the more important terms than if they agree on less important terms. Measures of the quality of an indexer's work and exhaustivity of indexing are also proposed. Experimental data on indexing consistency is presented for certain categories of indexers; and consistency, quality, and exhaustivity values are compared and analyzed. The analysis of indexing exhaustivity leads to the conclusion that the increase of information as a result of group indexing is a process analogous to Bradford's law of information scattering, Lotka's law of scientific productivity, and Zipf's law of vocabulary distribution.
Explosions and blast injuries

Powerful explosions have the potential to inflict many different types of injuries on victims, some of which may be initially occult. Flying debris and high winds commonly cause conventional blunt and penetrating trauma. Injuries caused by blast pressures alone result from complex interactions on living tissues. Interfaces between tissues of different densities or those between tissues and trapped air result in unique patterns of organ damage. These challenge out-of-hospital personnel, emergency physicians, and trauma surgeons to specifically seek evidence of these internal injuries in individuals with multiple trauma, adjust management considerations to avoid exacerbation of life-threatening problems caused by the blast wave itself, and ensure appropriate disposition of these patients in possible mass-casualty situations. Knowledge of the potential mechanisms of injury, early signs and symptoms, and natural courses of these problems will greatly aid the management of blast-injured patients.
Vertical profiles of NO3, N2O5, O3, and NOx in the nocturnal boundary layer: 1. Observations during the Texas Air Quality Study 2000

[1] Nocturnal chemistry in urban areas can considerably influence the composition of the boundary layer by removing nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, as well as changing the size and composition of aerosol particles. Although these processes can have a severe impact on pollution levels at night and during the following day, little quantitative information is available. In particular, the vertical variation of trace gas concentrations and chemistry at night has received little attention and is thus poorly understood. Here we present differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements of the vertical distributions of O3, NO2, and NO3 during the Texas Air Quality Study 2000 near Houston, TX. Distinct vertical profiles, with lower mixing ratios of O3 and NO3 near the ground than above 100 m altitude, were observed. Mixing ratios of NO3 aloft reached 50 ppt and above, and steady state N2O5 levels were calculated to be 100–300 ppt. A one-dimensional chemical transport model reveals that the formation of the vertical trace gas distributions is driven by deposition, surface emissions of NO, reactions of O3 and NO3, and vertical mixing. The removal of O3 in Houston is found to proceed by dry deposition, while NOx is primarily lost above 10 m altitude by N2O5 chemistry. The study shows that chemistry in polluted areas is strongly altitude dependent in the lowest 100 m of the nocturnal atmosphere. This altitude dependence should be considered in future field and model studies of urban air pollution.
Ear asymmetry in telephone-listening behavior.

Abstract The notion that the right ear has an advantage over the left ear in verbal information processing was investigated. Telephone-listening behavior was surveyed in three different groups of subjects to discover whether there is a preference for listening with the right ear. Subjects included 97 persons selected at random whose jobs involved heavy use of the telephone, 141 persons also selected at random whose jobs did not involve heavy use of the telephone, and 99 university secretaries. It was anticipated (1) that a right-ear advantage would be present in all three groups, (2) that the right-ear advantage would be more prominent in persons who used the telephone a great deal, and (3) that the right-ear advantage would be most pronounced in secretaries since they frequently work in noisy offices where competition occurs between the auditory pathways. Findings showed no evidence of a right-ear preference either at the time the survey was conducted or in the respondents' report of their usual telephone-listening behavior. Instead, a statistically significant left-ear preference was discovered in all three groups. Always listening with the left ear was associated with heavy use of the telephone. The most frequently given reason for listening with the left ear was that it freed the right hand for writing and dialing. This preference would appear to be motivated by convenience for although either ear is available for listening, it is easier to hold the receiver to the left than the right ear while grasping it in the left hand. Findings cast doubt on the view that the right ear has an advantage over the left ear in verbal information processing.
An MCMC Approach to Universal Lossy Compression of Analog Sources

Motivated by the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach to the compression of discrete sources developed by Jalali and Weissman, we propose a lossy compression algorithm for analog sources that relies on a finite reproduction alphabet, which grows with the input length. The algorithm achieves, in an appropriate asymptotic sense, the optimum Shannon theoretic tradeoff between rate and distortion, universally for stationary ergodic continuous amplitude sources. We further propose an MCMC-based algorithm that resorts to a reduced reproduction alphabet when such reduction does not prevent achieving the Shannon limit. The latter algorithm is advantageous due to its reduced complexity and improved rates of convergence when employed on sources with a finite and small optimum reproduction alphabet.
757: Interdisciplinary obstetric simulation training improves team performance

regression. RESULTS: 10,705 VLBW: 3846(1995-2000), 3475 (2001-2005), 3384 (2006-2010):total neonatal mortality decreased significantly (p 0.0001) : OR 1; 0.78 ( 0.67-0.90); 0.72 (0.62-0.84) respectively. The significant lower threshold of this improvement pattern was BW 500 & GA 25wks, and lost significance 31 weeks. All severe morbidities decreased significantly (Table). A significant increase in maternal age (p 0.0001),high education ( 13 y) p 0.0001, antenatal care started 12 weeks (72.6% women to 82.0%) (p 0.0001) and fertility therapy (p 0.0003) occured. Hypertension and antepartum bleeding showed no change, while GDM increased (p 0.005). Interestingly, significant decrease in premature labor (p 0.0001), PPROM (p 0.0001) and chorioamnionitis (p 0.0001) observed. The cesarean raised significantly (60.8% to 67.9%) (P 0.0001); with no significant change in GA at birth (28.3 / 2.3) and its distribution, BW, gender and SGA. However, there was a significant decrease in delivery room resuscitation (p 0.0001) and 5’Apgar 7 (p 0.0006). CONCLUSION: The comparison of VLBW infants outcomes born five years apart showed a significant decrease of mortality and morbidity, paralleled by noteworthy changes in the maternal demographic characteristics. This analysis emphasizes the need to continuously follow and update neonatal outcomes. The provision of an appropriate estimate of neonatal risks is mandatory in counseling families.
Simulation of human migration based on swarm theory

The analysis documented in this paper was completed as part of a larger multi-component simulation effort to evaluate the efficiency of sensor networks in detecting and identifying human subjects remotely. Such an assessment necessitates the accurate simulation of movement of people along roads, known paths or over a more open terrain. The individuals are assumed to be traveling in groups of varying size and usually with a designated leader. The mass motion toward a “goal” or away from an “obstacle” is modeled using swarm theory, which successfully applies basic physical principles to the simulation of emergent collective behavior of biological organisms. Individuals are modeled as particles whose velocities are updated using either dynamic or kinematic schemes. In the present analysis, swarming techniques were found to reproduce quite well the group movement and behavior of individuals over predefined surface conditions, as determined by driving forces, social interactions and environmental conditions.1
Fatigue crack advance mechanisms in polymers: rubber toughening mechanisms in blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl -1,4-phenylene oxide) and polystyrene

The fatigue crack propagation behaviour of rubber toughened blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PXE) and polystyrene (PS) were studied. The nature of the fatigue crack tip damage zone development and the subsequent crack tip advance mechanism through this damage zone were also examined. In the control blend with no rubber particles, several long crazes preceded the crack tip and provided an easy path for crack propagation. The addition of rubber particles, however, led to massive microcrazing over a considerably enlarged zone about the crack tip. This proved to be an effective energy dissipation mechanism which resulted in reduced fatigue crack growth rates. When PS was substituted for PXE in the polymer matrix, although microcrazing still occurred over an enlarged crack tip damage zone, many of the microcrazes grew to macroscopic size, thus reducing the fatigue toughness.