cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric additive model with grouped lasso and maximizing area under the ROC curve

An ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve is a popular tool in the classification of two populations. The nonparametric additive model is used to construct a classifier which is estimated by maximizing the U-statistic type of empirical AUC (Area Under Curve). In particular, the sparsity situation is considered in the sense that only a small number of variables is significant in the classification, so it is demanded that lots of noisy variables will be removed. Some theoretical result on the necessity of variable selection under the sparsity condition is provided since the AUC of the classifier from maximization of empirical AUC is not guaranteed to be optimal. To select significant variables in the classification, the grouped lasso which has been widely used when groups of parameters need to be either selected or discarded simultaneously is used. In addition, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated by numerical studies including simulation and real data examples compared with other existing approaches.
Varying the timing of oyster transplant: implications for management from simulation studies

The transplanting of oysters from one ground to another is a common practice in the oyster industry. In Delaware Bay, for instance, oysters are typically transplanted from upper-bay low-salinity seed beds onto lower-bay leased grounds for growth and conditioning before market. The higher salinity on the leased grounds, however, also favours higher losses to predation and disease. A coupled oyster–Perkinsus marinus–predator model was used to investigate how varying the timing of transplant affects the ultimate yield of Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, in Delaware Bay. Simulations were run in which oysters were moved from seed beds to leased grounds in November, January, March, April and May. The number of market-size (≥ 76 mm) adults available for harvest in the following July to November was compared for populations undergoing mortality from predation (crabs, oyster drills) and/or disease (Perkinsus marinus). In all simulations, the abundance of market-size oysters declined between July and November. However, transplanting oysters in November resulted in the largest yield of market-size oysters for all harvest times; transplanting in May resulted in the smallest yield. The autumn transplant allows oysters to benefit from the larger spring phytoplankton bloom over the leased grounds in the lower estuary. The effect of varying the season of transplant was most noticeable if oysters were harvested early (July or August). In all simulations, transplanting resulted in a higher abundance of market-size oysters than direct harvest from the seed beds. Direct harvest would rarely be advantageous if the cost of transplant were insignificant and the relative rates of mortality were as stipulated. However, a May transplant is only moderately better than a direct harvest and the economic benefits of either option are likely to be determined by the cost of transplanting and the mortality associated with the process. In the same vein, the decision as to when to harvest relies on balancing the increased price obtained for oysters in the autumn with the increased loss owing to predation and disease. Awaiting an autumn harvest is clearly much riskier if the principal source of mortality is disease rather than predation, because disease mortality is concentrated on the market-size oysters and is greatest in the autumn.
On the Stability of Some Linear Nonautonomous Random Systems

Linear nonautonomous random system stability, presenting theorem, two corollaries and second order examples
GROWTH REDUCTION DURING DEXAMETHASONE THERAPY IS NOT CAUSED BY INCREASED ENERGY EXPENDITURE. ▴ 1869

In order to investigate the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) therapy on energy expenditure and growth of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, we studied 12 infants (26.2±1.4 wks gestation, 916±190 gm birthweight, mean±sd) enrolled in a multicenter blinded trial of the optimum timing of DEX therapy. The 12 infants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 infants (n=6, 25.8±1.5 wks gestation, 932±220 gm birthweight) received a 2 week course of DEX followed by two weeks of placebo. Group 2 infants (n=6, 26.6±1.2 wks gestation, 901±175 gm birthweight) had the treatment order reversed. We measured total energy expenditure (TEE) and total body water (TBW) using the doubly labeled water technique (DLW, 2H and 18O labeled water) for 7 days during each of the treatment phases. Daily energy intake (EI) and weight were recorded throughout the study. All infants required intermittent mechanical ventilation during some portion of the study and had Respiratory Index Scores (MAP × FiO2) of 3.4±2.1 at the start of the first DLW period. Results are summarized below (mean ± sd, *p<0.05, DEX vs. placebo). Table
Canadian Drilling: Off to a good start

The Canadian Continental Drilling Program (CCDP) is a major initiative in the Earth sciences in Canada. The program was announced nationally in May 1987, and by the end of the year, 29 conceptual proposals had been received. The proposals covered a wide range of topics and attested to the widespread interest among Canadian Earth scientists in such a program. With our national program in deep geophysical sounding, Lithoprobe, well under way, this is a good time for us to begin planning for a scientific drilling program in Canada. Several countries currently have national programs in seismic reflection and refraction profiling and concurrently in continental drilling, an indication of the growing international interest in the nature, origin, and evolution of Earth's crust. There are many problems in geology that can be addressed only by the drill. Although surface geophysical surveys provide invaluable information on the nature of the crust at depth along two-dimen sional profiles, they cannot provide unambiguous information on the actual nature of the crust. Drilling has the capability of providing this kind of information but only in precise locations. Recovery of unweathered core also gives us the opportunity to obtain information in the fourth dimension—time—by the various dating techniques available. The two types of program are mutually complementary, and when combined, they allow us to develop models of crustal evolution.
A Comparison of Current Broadcast Amplitude-Modulation Techniques

From the beinning, plate moduladon has been the dominant method of modulation used in commercial amplitude-modulation (AM) broadcast transmitters. Recently, however, alternate modulation schemes have been employed in commercial transmitters in growing numbers, namely, pulse-duration modulation (PDM), modified Doherty, and modified Chireix (Ampliphase). This paper discusses traditional plate modulation and compares it, critically, to the newer methods being employed. Performance parameters and economic factors of each of the systems are reviewed and compared. A tutorial approach is used.
Physics-motivated numerical solvers for partial differential equations

Trying to capture the essential physics of a natural phenomenon directly on computers may lead us to useful numerical schemes to solve the partial differential equation describing the phenomenon. Here we try to capture the consequences of space-time translational symmetry such as advection in fluids or Huygens' principle in wave propagation. Efficient modeling of these phenomena becomes possible with the aid of Hermite polynomial interpolations to realize a continuum on discrete lattices. To illustrate these ideas, we present a new method to derive wave equation solvers that are high order but local (the computational cell or stencil includes nearest neighbors only), a clear advantage over standard high-order algorithms of the finite-difference or finite-element families. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate our methodology. Therefore, in two- and three-spaces, details are given only for the lowest-order algorithms, a preview of a more optimal higher-order scheme is also included.
Giant growth axis longitudinal magnetoresistance from in-plane conduction in semiconductor superlattices

Abstract Electron hopping conduction along the growth-axis of a set of GaAs/Ga 0.7 Al 0.3 As superlattices reveals a giant longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) which increases as H 2 up to 9 T, where R(H)/R(0) ∼ 4 in samples with the largest hybridization energy, δ, between wells. The LMR increases with δ and is essentially temperature-independent. Concomitant magnetic effects are observed in the electric-field-induced localization of the I–V characteristics. We show quantitatively that these features result from a new superlattice conduction mechanism which incorporates both in-plane and growth-axis contributions.
Scientific Misconduct: The Perversion of Scientific Evidence for Policy Advocacy

Science is increasingly being manipulated by those who try to use it to justify political choices based on their ethical preferences, and who are willing to act to suppress evidence of conflict between those preferences and the underlying reality. This problem is clearly seen in two policy domains, healthcare and climate policy. In the area of climate policy, recent revelations of emails from the government-sponsored Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia reveal a pattern of data suppression, manipulation of results, and efforts to intimidate journal editors to suppress contradictory studies and indicate that scientific misconduct has been used intentionally to manipulate a social consensus to support the researchers' advocacy of addressing a problem that may or may not exist. In healthcare policy, critics have long worried about the inordinate influence of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers on research to show the safety and viability of new products. Recent information, however, shows that government agencies may cause more problems in this area, a worrisome development considering that legislation currently before the U.S. Senate would allow federal agencies to punish organizations whose researchers publish results that conflict with what the agency feels is appropriate. That bill allows the withholding of funding to an institution where a researcher publishes findings not “within the bounds of and entirely consistent with the evidence,” a vague authorization that creates a tremendous tool that can be used to ensure self-censorship and conformity with bureaucratic preferences. As the research group Academy Health notes, “Such language to restrict scientific freedom is unprecedented and likely unconstitutional.”
Radioimmunoassay of vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Abstract A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for vasoactive intestinal peptide is described. Normal levels appear to be under 100 pg/ml with an upper range of normal of approximately 200 pg/ml. Values are elevated in liver disease, and slightly following portacaval shunt. In six patients with a syndrome of watery diarrhea, three had no tumor found at autopsy, and VIP levels were normal. Large amounts of VIP were recovered from two tumors in patients with the syndrome, but normal plasma levels were recovered from one, and only mildly elevated levels in another, who was being treated with steroids. The results suggest that while VIP may be involved in the causation of the WDHA Syndrome, there apparently exists a form of watery diarrhea which is not associated with a tumor, and in these patients, normal levels of VIP are detectible.
Wilms Tumor and the WT1 Gene

Abstract Wilms tumor or nephroblastoma is a pediatric kidney cancer arising from pluripotent embryonic renal precursors. Multiple genetic loci have been linked to Wilms tumorigenesis; positional cloning strategies have led to the identification of the WT1 tumor suppressor gene at chromosome 11p13. WT1 encodes a zinc finger transcription factor that is inactivated in the germline of children with genetic predisposition to Wilms tumor and in a subset of sporadic cancers. When present in the germline, specific heterozygous dominant-negative mutations are associated with severe abnormalities of renal and sexual differentiation, pointing to the essential role of WT1 for normal genitourinary development. The role of this tumor suppressor in normal organ-specific differentiation is also supported by the highly restricted temporal and spatial expression of WT1 in glomerular precursors of the developing kidney and by the failure of kidney development in wt1 -null mice. Of two major alternative splicing products encoded by WT1, the (−KTS) isoform appears to mediate transcriptional activation of genes implicated in cellular differentiation, possibly also repressing proliferation-associated genes. The (+KTS) isoform, whose DNA-binding domain is disrupted by the insertion of three amino acids, may be involved in some aspect of mRNA processing. In addition to its function in genitourinary development, a role for WT1 in hematopoiesis is suggested by its aberrant expression and/or mutation in a subset of acute human leukemias. WT1 is also expressed in mesothelial cells; a specific oncogenic chromosomal translocation fusing the N-terminal domain of the Ewing sarcoma gene EWS to the three C-terminal zinc fingers of WT1 underlies desmoplastic small round cell tumor, an abdominal tumor thought to arise from the peritoneal lining. Understanding the distinct functional properties of WT1 isoforms and tumor-associated variants will provide unique insight into the link between normal organ-specific differentiation and malignancy.
SiC JFET integrated circuits for sensing and control at temperatures up to 600°C

N-channel JFET integrated circuits were fabricated in 6H silicon carbide, a wide-bandgap semiconductor capable of operation at extremely high temperatures, to support applications in high-temperature sensing and control commonly found in systems that consume or generate large quantities of energy. The JFETs were successfully modeled, and hybrid amplifiers were constructed using SiC differential pairs and silicon active/passive components to provide a high-temperature sensor interface circuit requiring minimal SiC integration. Fully integrated, differential amplifiers were designed, fabricated, and tested. A two-stage amplifier with current-source loads and common-mode feedback in the 1st-stage, has a voltage gain of 69 dB at 576°C, with just 3.6 dB gain-variation from 25 to 576°C. High-performance, integrated logic circuits were also developed. The inverter has excellent dc characteristics with a gain > −20 up to 500°C. NAND/NOR logic circuits were tested dynamically and perform well at temperatures up to 550°C.
Initial Development of Artificial Diets for the Lobster, Homarus americanus1

Growth trials are described for a series of artificial diets designed for the lobster, Homarus americanus. Methods of preparation and ingredients used for each of the manufactured feeds are presented. Details of experimental conditions are provided and results of growth trials are discussed. The influence of animals of differing genetic backgrounds on the results are also delineated. Normalized biomass increase, defining growth response as a function of survivability and wet weight increase, shows two promising artificial diets for use in studies on lobster nutrition. Diet 1, similar to a standard shrimp diet (Zein-Eldin and Meyers, 1973), gives 39% of the growth response of control animals fed live brine shrimp. Diet 2 is more nutritionally defined and yields 25% of the growth response of the control group.
Visualizing and Manipulating Temporal Signaling Dynamics with Fluorescence-Based Tools

The use of genome-wide proteomic and RNA interference approaches has moved our understanding of signal transduction from linear pathways to highly integrated networks centered on core nodes. However, probing the dynamics of flow of information through such networks remains technically challenging. In particular, how the temporal dynamics of an individual pathway can elicit distinct outcomes in a single cell type and how multiple pathways may interact sequentially or synchronously to influence cell fate remain open questions in many contexts. The development of fluorescence-based reporters and optogenetic regulators of pathway activity enables the analysis of signaling in living cells and organisms with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution and holds the promise of addressing these key questions. We present a brief overview of the evidence for the importance of temporal dynamics in cellular regulation, introduce these fluorescence-based tools, and highlight specific studies that leveraged these tools to probe the dynamics of information flow through signaling networks. In particular, we highlight two studies in Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons and cultured mammalian cells that demonstrate the importance of signal dynamics in determining cellular responses.
A-kinase anchoring proteins: a key to selective activation of cAMP-responsive events?

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) regulates a variety of diverse biochemical events through the phosphorylation of target proteins. Because PKA is a multifunctional enzyme with a broad substrate specificity, its compartmentalization may be a key regulatory event in controlling which particular target substrates are phosphorylated. In recent years it has been demonstrated that differential localization of the type II holoenzyme is directed through interaction of the regulatory subunit (RII) with a family ofA-KinaseAnchoringProteins (AKAPs). In this report, we review evidence for PKA compartmentalization and discuss the structural and functional properties of AKAPs.
Hammers, Axes, Bulls, and Blood: Some Practical Aspects of Roman Animal Sacrifice

Animal sacrifice was a central component of ancient Roman religion, but scholars have tended to focus on the symbolic aspects of these rituals, while glossing over the practical challenges involved in killing large, potentially unruly creatures, such as bulls. The traditional explanation is that the animal was struck on the head with a hammer or an axe to stun it, then had its throat cut. Precisely how axes, hammers, and knives were employed remains unexplained. This article draws upon ancient sculpture, comparative historical sources, and animal physiology to argue that the standard interpretation is incomplete, and, in its place, offers a detailed analysis of exactly how the killing and bleeding of bovines was accomplished and the distinct purposes of hammers and axes within these rituals.
Does arthroscopic knee surgery work

A recent randomized trial from the Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study Group was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and attempted to determine the efficacy of partial meniscectomy without osteoarthritis. Patients were randomized to either arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham surgery. The authors concluded that the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy were no better than those after the sham surgical procedure. However, there are several important limitations of this trial that make it difficult to generalize to the 700,000 arthroscopic partial meniscectomies performed in the United States each year. In this small sample of 146 patients, patients with traumatic meniscal tears and locking symptoms-those most likely to benefit from a partial meniscectomy-were excluded. In addition, although patients with radiographic arthritis were excluded, most of the patients in the study had degenerative changes at the time of arthroscopy. Therefore it is difficult to determine whether the patients were symptomatic from their chondral degeneration or their degenerative meniscal tear. In our opinion this study does not change the role of surgery in current clinical practice. The primary indication for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy remains symptoms of well-localized joint line pain with acute onset and mechanical symptoms such as catching or locking that have failed comprehensive nonoperative management.
Development of a hot gas actuator for self-powered robots

This paper describes the design of a liquid-propellant-powered hot-gas actuator appropriate for human-scale power-autonomous robots. A prototype of the actuation system is described, and closed-loop tracking data is shown that demonstrates good motion control. Experiments to characterize the energetic performance of the actuation system indicate that the proposed system with a diluted propellant offers an energetic figure of merit five times greater than a battery-powered by undiluted propellant would offer an energetic figure of merit an order of magnitude greater than battery-powered DC motor actuated systems.
Ras Regulates the Polarity of the Yeast Actin Cytoskeleton through the Stress Response Pathway

Polarized growth in yeast requires cooperation between the polarized actin cytoskeleton and delivery of post-Golgi secretory vesicles. We have previously reported that loss of the major tropomyosin...
Enhancement of Defective RNA Expression Vectors as Potential Vaccine Delivery Systems for Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus

IBV defective RNA (D-RNA) CD-61, a deletion mutant of the naturally occurring D-RNA CD-91, is capable of being utilised as an RNA expression vector for heterologous genes (Penzes et al., 1996; Stirrups et al., 2000a; Stirrups et al., 2000b). The reporter genes chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and luciferase, under the control of IBV gene 5 transcription associated sequence (TAS), are capable of expression from within CD-61 during D-RNA rescue. However the modification of CD-61 by the insertion of foreign gene sequences has an adverse effect on D-RNA rescue efficiency resulting in an eventual loss of foreign gene expression (Stirrups et al., 2000b). We attempted to enhance heterologous gene expression in CD-61 by utilising the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) as an alternative to gene 5 TAS to control CAT gene expression.
Neighbourhood Crime and Scattered-site Public Housing

In this paper, an assessment is made of the extent to which proximity to 38 dispersed public housing sites opening in Denver during 1992-95 affected post-development levels and trends in neighbourhood crime rates. A new econometric specification incorporating pre- and post-controls for selection bias as well as spatial autocorrelation was employed to test for statistical relationships between the development of dispersed public housing sites and subsequent increases in various types of crime. The findings suggest that proximity to dispersed public housing was not associated with any post-development increase in reported crime of any type.
Ionic-channel signal processing using artificial neural network

A specifically designed neural network is used to process ionic-channel signals. The model includes three major stages: the normalization, neural network main body and postprocessing stages. In the normalization stage, the real world signal is preprocessed and preconditioned for the use by the neural network. The main body of the model, the neural network, functions as a pattern recognizer, using a multilayered feedforward architecture along with a supervised back-propagation training algorithm. The postprocessing stage includes interpretation of the neural network outputs to establish the best estimates of the locations of step changes in the input signal. >
Matrix Metalloproteinase Stromelysin-1 Triggers a Cascade of Molecular Alterations That Leads to Stable Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Conversion and a Premalignant Phenotype in Mammary Epithelial Cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) regulate ductal morphogenesis, apoptosis, and neoplastic progression in mammary epithelial cells. To elucidate the direct effects of MMPs on mammary epithelium, we generated functionally normal cells expressing an inducible autoactivating stromelysin-1 (SL-1) transgene. Induction of SL-1 expression resulted in cleavage of E-cadherin, and triggered progressive phenotypic conversion characterized by disappearance of E-cadherin and catenins from cell–cell contacts, downregulation of cytokeratins, upregulation of vimentin, induction of keratinocyte growth factor expression and activation, and upregulation of endogenous MMPs. Cells expressing SL-1 were unable to undergo lactogenic differentiation and became invasive. Once initiated, this phenotypic conversion was essentially stable, and progressed even in the absence of continued SL-1 expression. These observations demonstrate that inappropriate expression of SL-1 initiates a cascade of events that may represent a coordinated program leading to loss of the differentiated epithelial phenotype and gain of some characteristics of tumor cells. Our data provide novel insights into how MMPs function in development and neoplastic conversion.
Using Domain Specific Languages to Capture Design Synthesis Knowledge for Model-Based Systems Engineering

Design synthesis is a fundamental engineering task that involves the generation of a structural specification from a desired functional specification. Although the use of computer tools is common throughout the design process, design synthesis is often a task left to the designer. Formally capturing design synthesis knowledge in models and applying computational synthesis may result in better exploration of the design space and eliminate repetitive design tasks. In this paper, a graph-based framework for capturing and combining design synthesis knowledge is presented for scenarios involving the composition of well defined components into larger systems. This approach fits in the context of Model-Based Systems Engineering where a variety of formal models are used to represent knowledge about a system. This approach uses the Systems Modeling Language developed by The Object Management Group (OMG SysML™) to define both models of possible components and possible system architectures. The framework is illustrated by combining it with an evolutionary algorithm and applying it to an example problem of hydraulic circuit synthesis.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Is the relationship between alexithymia and aggression context-dependent? Impact of group membership and belief similarity

Abstract Previous research finds positive relationships between alexithymia and aggression. This study examined potential interpersonal factors that might elicit aggressiveness among people with high levels of alexithymia. College student participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale online prior to interacting with their partners in the laboratory. Participants interacted with a partner who (i) was from their in-group versus out-group, and (ii) held similar versus different beliefs on an important topic. Results show that compared to low-alexithymic individuals, individuals with high levels of alexithymia reported increased anger after interacting with out-group members. This corresponded to increased trait aggressiveness when interacting with out-group members. No differences emerged regarding behavioral aggression. Implications for the association between alexithymia and aggression are discussed.
Compiling distributed C

Distributed C++ (DC++) is a language for writing parallel applications on loosely coupled distributed systems in C++. Its key idea is to extend the C++ class into 3 categories: gateway classes which act as communication and synchronization entry points between abstract processors, classes whose instances may be passed by value between abstract processors via gateways, and vanilla C++ classes. DC++ code is compiled to C++ code with calls to the DC++ runtime system. The DC++ compiler wraps gateway classes with handle classes so that remote procedure calls are transparent. It adds static variables to value classes and produces code which is used to marshal and unmarshal arguments when these value classes are used in remote procedure calls. Value classes are deep copied and preserve structure sharing. This paper shows DC++ compilation and performance. >
Maternal age and non-chromosomal birth defects, Atlanta-1968-2000: Teenager or thirty-something, who is at risk?

OBJECTIVE This investigation explored the association between maternal age and non-chromosomal birth defects to assess any increased risk associated with maternal age. METHODS Birth defect cases were ascertained by the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP), denominator information was obtained using birth certificate data. Infants with any chromosomal diagnosis were excluded. Effect estimates were calculated using 5-year maternal age categories with 25–29 years as the referent. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for maternal race, parity, infant sex, and birth year. RESULTS A total of 1,050,616 singleton infants, born after ≥20 weeks gestation in the five counties of metropolitan Atlanta from 1968 through 2000 who did not have a chromosomal abnormality and whose mother was 14 to 40 years old, were included in the analyses, 32,816 of them were identified with birth defects by the MACDP. Young maternal age (14–19 years) was associated with anencephaly (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.30–2.52), hydrocephaly without neural tube defect (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.23–1.96), all ear defects (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.10–1.49), cleft lip (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.30–2.73), female genital defects (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.12–2.19), hydronephrosis (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.11–1.82), polydactyly (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09–1.52), omphalocele (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.39–3.12), and gastroschisis (OR = 7.18, 95% CI = 4.39–11.75). Advanced maternal age (35–40 years) was associated with all heart defects (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.03–1.22), tricuspid atresia (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02–1.50), right outflow tract defects (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.10–1.49), hypospadias 2nd degree or higher (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.33–2.58), male genital defects excluding hypospadias (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.08–1.45) and craniosynostosis (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.18–2.30). CONCLUSIONS Young and advanced maternal ages are associated with different types of birth defects. Underlying causes for these associations are not clear. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 70:572–579, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interlaminar Shear Stresses in Composite Laminates Due to Static Indentation

Finite difference method is used to analyze the axisymmetric problem of smooth contact between a rigid indenter and a laminated circular plate clamped at the edges. The plate is assumed to be made up of transversely isotropic layers. The numerical study shows that interlaminar shear stresses in the vicinity of contact are much different from the laminate plate theory solutions, and that low-modulus surface layers and in- terlayers can help in reducing the maximum interlaminar shear stresses due to static inden- tation.
A Climatology of Snow-to-Liquid Ratio for the Contiguous United States

A 30-yr climatology of the snow-to-liquid-equivalent ratio (SLR) using the National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Summary of the Day (COOP) data is presented. Descriptive statistics are presented for 96 NWS county warning areas (CWAs), along with a discussion of selected histograms of interest. The results of the climatology indicate that a mean SLR value of 13 appears more appropriate for much of the country rather than the often-assumed value of 10, although considerable spatial variation in the mean exists. The distribution for the entire dataset exhibits positive skewness. Histograms for individual CWAs are both positively and negatively skewed, depending upon the variability of the in-cloud, subcloud, and ground conditions.
Age, Habitat, and Yearly Variation in the Diet of a Generalist Insectivore, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

ABSTRACT Characterizing avian diet is complex, especially for generalist insectivores, as food resources can vary over space and time, and individuals of different sexes and ages may consume different food. We examined diet of a generalist insectivore, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), at Roosevelt Lake in central Arizona from 2000 to 2004, determined from 344 fecal samples. We found that five prey categories accounted for 70% of the proportional abundance in flycatcher diet: Hymenoptera, Diptera, Cicadellidae, Coleoptera, and Formicidae, although the relative amounts of these and other taxa differed significantly among years. We detected no differences in diet between sexes of adults, but adults and nestlings differed, with higher proportions of Hymenoptera in adult samples and more Diptera in nestling samples. Using a subset of samples, we compared flycatcher diet in habitat patches dominated by native cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and willow (Salix gooddingii), exotic sa...
Fault Detection in Multiply-Redundant Measurement Systems via Sequential Testing

The paper presents the theory and application of a sequential test procedure for fault detection and isolation (FDI). The test procedure is suited for development of intelligent instrumentation in strategic processes like aircraft and nuclear plants where redundant measurements are usually available for individual critical variables. The test procedure consists of (1) a generic redundancy management procedure which is essentially independent of the fault detection strategy and measurement noise statistics, and (2) a modified version of sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) algorithm for fault detection and isolation, which functions within the framework of the aforesaid redundancy management procedure. The sequential test procedure is suitable for real-time applications using commercially available microcomputers and its efficacy has been verified by on-line fault detection in an operating nuclear reactor.
PARADIGMS OF QUANTUM ALGEBRAS

This is an informal overview of versions of quantum algebras which are currently finding applications in physics. Special attention is given to the quantum deformations of SU(2) and illustrations of general principles.
Challenges and Limitations of Narrow-Band Optical Imaging for Intra-Operative Parathyroid Identification

Background: Surgical resection of the parathyroid glands can be challenging due to poor visual contrast between the parathyroid and surrounding tissues. We hypothesized that narrow-band imaging (NBI) could enhance subtle differences in the colors of these tissues for improved visual contrast during parathyroid surgery. Methods: The diffuse optical reflectances of parathyroid, fat, muscle, and thyroid tissue were measured in vivo as a function of wavelength during six surgical procedures, using a fiber-optic probe and spectrophotometer. Analysis of these data led to three candidate NBI wavelength bands which exhibited the largest differences in reflectance between parathyroid and other tissue types. Color filters at these wavelength bands were attached to the surgeon’s loupes for qualitative visual assessment, and also to a digital camera for quantitative assessment of tissue contrast in seven additional surgeries. Results: Spectroscopic measurements showed that diffuse optical reflectance at green (515 - 565 nm), yellow (570 - 613 nm), and red (604 - 644 nm) wavelengths showed the greatest difference in intensity (appearing brighter or darker) between parathyroid and surrounding tissues. However, visual and digital NBI of the parathyroid using these wavebands generated measured intensities which were not significantly improved as compared to white light, providing only minimal contrast enhancement for the surgeon. Conclusions: Narrow-band color filters can be added to conventional loupes to selectively view the surgical field with light at specific wavelengths. When the parathyroid is viewed with filters chosen to maximize visual contrast between tissue types, there appears to be little benefit in contrast enhancement between tissues due to diminished overall brightness. J Curr Surg. 2016;6(1):14-20 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcs295w
Design of a High Performance Polymer Thermoelectric Generator Using Radial Architecture

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are solid-state heat engines consisting of p-type and n-type semiconductors that convert heat into electricity via the Seebeck effect. Conducting polymers are a viable alternative with intrinsic advantages over their inorganic counterparts since they are abundant, flexible as thick-films, and have reduced manufacturing costs since they can be solution processed. Furthermore, polymers have an inherently low thermal conductivity, thus affording them the option of forgoing some heat exchanger costs. Current examples of polymer TE devices have been limited to traditional flat-plate geometries with power densities on the μW/cm2 scale, where their potential is not fully realized. Herein, we report a novel radial device and evaluate the improved performance of polymer-based TEG based on this architecture. Analytical heat transfer and electrical models are presented that optimize the device for maximum power density, and we obtain the geometry matching condition for this radial device that maximizes the module figure-of-merit. Our radial architecture accommodates a fluid as the heat source and can utilize natural convection alone (due to heat spreading) to obtain high power densities of 1–3 mW/cm2 using state-of-the-art polymer TEs subjected to a temperature difference of 100 K.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Predictive Models of Isokinetic Upper Extremity Strength

Predictive models of maximal isokinetic linear pull strength of the preferred arm were developed from predicted rotary elbow and shoulder maximal strength. Linear pull data were first analyzed to determine the final conditions under which the arm attained maximum pull strength. This yielded Parameters for designing experiments for investigating shoulder extension and elbow flexion strengths. Predictive models of these two rotary strengths were then developed and their values used as variables in other models for predicting linear pull strength. All strength measurements were based on maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). The models were developed from data from 7 subjects and validated from data from 3 subjects. The validation statistics suggested that the models were accurate.
Selenium Withdrawal and Egg Selenium Content

Abstract Feeding 8 p.p.m. of selenium in a diet for laying hens showed egg selenium contents to reach a maximum of 1.7 p.p.m. in twelve days. Upon withdrawal of the supplement, egg selenium contents return to normal within about 8 days.
Atrial natriuretic factor modulates whole kidney tubuloglomerular feedback

Increases in sodium delivery to the distal nephron reduce glomerular filtration rate (GFR) via tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). Central volume expansion and pharmacological concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) are known to attenuate this response. To test the hypothesis that whole kidney TGF is attenuated by pathophysiological concentrations of ANF, hypertonic saline was given intrarenally in five dogs receiving an intravenous infusion of synthetic ANF at 20 ng.kg-1.min-1. To examine whole kidney TGF responses in heart failure, six additional dogs with acute congestive heart failure induced by rapid ventricular pacing also received intrarenal hypertonic saline. Seven sham-paced dogs served as controls. An isolated increase in circulating ANF from 26 +/- 3 to 342 +/- 23 pg/ml abolished the whole kidney GFR response to hypertonic saline. In acute congestive heart failure, the GFR response to hypertonic saline was not attenuated despite acute central volume overload and similar increases in circulating ANF. This intact response to hypertonic saline in acute congestive heart failure may contribute to the renal sodium retention characteristic of congestive heart failure.
Study on the impact of betel nut chewing on the health status of oral mucosa in Xiangtan City and Changde City in Hunan Province

Objective To investigate the impact of betel nut chewing on the health status of oral mucosa and the influencing factors. Methods Questionnaire survey and examination of oral mucosa were conducted in betel nut chewers selected by multi-stage random sampling method in Xiangtan City and Changde City in Hunan Province. The data were analyzed by SPSS13. 0. Results Oral mucosa diseases were detected in 12.4% among 524 residents with record of betel nut chewing, and in 2. 5% among 512 residents without betel nut chewing. The difference was significant(P 0.05). Oral mucous fibrosis, mucous hyperemia and limitation of mouth opening were significantly related with betel nut chewing. No associations were observed between betel nut chewing and oral diseases like oral ulcer, bleeding, oral leukoplakia, oral leukokeratosis, lichen planus, leukoderma and limitation of tongue activities. The risk factors of oral mucosa diseases included gender, age, history of betel nut chewing and hobbies of smoking and drinking. The factors like living area, addiction to pepper, tooth-brushing and gun-chewing were not significantly correlated with oral mucosa diseases. Theχ 2 trend test showed that the abnormality rate of oral mucosa diseases increased with the increment of betel nut chewing tablets. Non-conditional logistic multivariate regression analysis indicated that years and tablets(tablets/day)of betel nut chewing were influencing factors affecting the health of oral mucosa(OR= 1.498, 1.510). Conclusions Long-term betel nut chewing may damage the oral mucosa.
Reliability and validity of the patient activation measure in hospitalized patients

Abstract Objective The purposes of this paper are to describe the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the PAM-13 for hospitalized cardiology and oncology patients and to examine the predictors of low patient activation in the same population. Methods We evaluated the internal consistency reliability of the PAM-13 in the inpatient setting. Construct validity of the PAM-13 was then assessed using two approaches: expected known-groups differences between patients with planned and unplanned admissions PAM-13 levels and convergence of PAM-13 levels with other measures. Results The PAM demonstrated adequate internal consistency overall (Cronbach α = 0.81). Patients with unplanned admissions were more likely to have low activation than patients with planned admissions (adjusted OR = 5.7, p = 0.008). The PAM-13 was modestly correlated (p Conclusion This study demonstrates the PAM-13 is a reliable and valid measure for use in the inpatient hospital setting and that type of admission (planned versus unplanned) is an important predictor of patient activation. Practice implications By measuring patient activation with the PAM-13, clinicians and researchers can provide tailored communication and care strategies to meet patient’s needs.
Propensity Score Analysis of Conditioning Intensity in Peripheral Blood Haploidentical Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Abstract T cell replete HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo-HCT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide was originally described using a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen. Given that myeloablative conditioning (MAC) is more effective at preventing disease relapse, we compared outcomes of patients receiving MAC and RIC regimens. We evaluated overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse, nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of 148 patients that underwent haplo-HCT with either MAC (n = 61) or RIC (n = 87). Propensity score adjustment (PSA) was used to balance baseline characteristics between groups and more effectively compare outcomes based on conditioning intensity. After the PSA analysis, relapse was significantly decreased with MAC (hazard ratio [HR], .47; 95% confidence interval [CI], .31 to .70), but was associated with higher NRM (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.67). OS and DFS were not significantly different between groups (HRs for MAC versus RIC were .87 [95% CI, .64 to 1.18] and .90 [95% CI, .68 to 1.18] for OS and DFS, respectively). Rates of acute and chronic GVHD were not significantly different between groups. This analysis suggests that both MAC and RIC regimens are effective in haplo-HCT and that MAC regimens may result in less relapse in selected patients. These results need to be verified in a larger registry study.
Human brain gene expression profiles of the cathepsin V and cathepsin L cysteine proteases, with the PC1/3 and PC2 serine proteases, involved in neuropeptide production.

Abstract Proteases are required to generate active peptide neurotransmitters, known as neuropeptides, from pro-neuropeptides. Model animal systems have recently illustrated roles for the cathepsin V (CTSV) and cathepsin L (CTSL) cysteine proteases, combined with the serine proteases PC1/3 (PCSK1) and PC2 (PCSK2), and exopeptidases in the production of neuropeptides. There is notable interest in the human-specific cathepsin V gene which is not present in rodent and other animal models used in prior studies of neuropeptide production. A gap in the field is knowledge of the human brain gene expression patterns of these neuropeptide-producing protease systems. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the expression profiles of these pro-neuropeptide processing proteases in human brain. Quantitative gene expression microarray data for 169 human brain regions was obtained from the Allen Institute Human Brain Atlas resource, analyzed as log2 of gene expression intensity normalized to the mean of human genes (21,245 genes) expressed in human brain. These proteases had log2 values of 2–12, indicating expression levels above the average of all genes in the human brain, with varying expression levels among the 169 brain regions. CTSV and CTSL displayed moderate to high expression values of 1.9–8.6 and 7.1–10.6, respectively. Interestingly, CTSV and CTSL showed high expression in white matter composed of myelinated axons, consistent with the knowledge that neuropeptide production occurs in axons within transported neuropeptide secretory vesicles to nerve terminals. PCSK1 had a broad range of moderate to very high expression with log2 of 2–12. PCSK2 had somewhat lower expression levels than PCSK1. The exopeptidase genes RNPEP, CTSH, and CPE each showed fairly even levels of expression throughout the brain, with CPE displaying high expression. The prevalence of these processing proteases throughout human brain regions, including areas rich in neuropeptides such as hypothalamus, is consistent with their roles for neuropeptide production. Further, proenkephalin and NPY precursors, substrates of CTSV and CTSL shown in prior model animal studies, were co-expressed with CTSV and CTSL. These data demonstrate that the human brain expresses the neuropeptide-producing cysteine and serine proteases, with exopeptidases, throughout a multitude of brain regions.
Harmonic Analysis of the Semi-Classical Limit

In the harmonic analysis of quantum-dynamical notions a method is presented that already in a simple perturbation-setting can successfully be used in order to obtain pointmechanical laws under the so-called classical nonrelativistic limit. In quantum mechanics a state sometimes is developed in terms of two-parameter families of unitary operators applied on the Hilbert space of absolutely square integrable functions in R3. Through a similar procedure one can introduce such two-parameter families of the unitary operators U(r,s) and Q(r,s) for all positive real values of r and s that U Q will represent a semigroup generated by a selfadjoint extension of the Laplace operator. In certain dynamical integrals one can moreover evaluate consistent limits when s →∞. By correspondence relations one may establish an isomorphy between the structure presented here and quantum dynamics. The existence of classical limits implies that s →∞. Reversely, s →∞ does not uniquely determine physical limits, and it is therefore necessary to specify the exact meanings of the classical and the semi-classical limits.