cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis regarding numerical concerns for recursive least squares lattice (RLSL) algorithms

ABSTRACT Much interest has been devoted to the numerical behavior of the Recursive Least Squares Lattice (RLSL)algorithms. Two types of updating schemes that are equivalent in exact arithmetic have been proposedpreviously: the direct and the indirect versions of the RLSL algorithm. However, the numerical behaviorof these algorithms is quite different, the direct updating scheme being the more robust of the two. Weprovide the results from an arithmetic error analysis that uses first order approximation techniques to givearithmetic error effects which propagate in both time and order for two fast adaptive RLSL algorithms.Keywords: numerical analysis, signal processing, recursive least squares lattice 1 Introduction The class offast Recursive Least Squares Lattice (RLSL) algorithms [1, p.14] have secured a firm position inthe field of adaptive filtering. Although numerous variations of the adaptive filters have been and are being,implemented, only a few have been found to be stable when employed in a finite precision (computing)environment [2][3, 4]. During the course of implementation and experimentation finite precision effects
A Pilot Study of the Psychological Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that a large-scale disaster may have indirect psychological impact on the individuals who were not involved with the disaster first hand. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan provide an opportunity to investigate the potential global effect of indirect exposure associated with intense media coverage. OBJECTIVES: To compare the disaster's psychological impact between Japanese and non-Japanese students; to determine what factors are associated with higher psychological impact. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey of university students in the Midwest. RESULTS: Japanese students scored significantly higher on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) hyperarousal subscale compared with non-Japanese students. Those who were in Japan when the disaster occurred exhibited significantly higher psychological impact levels. There were significant correlations between media exposure and two IES-R subscales: avoidance and hyperarousal. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the finding from 9/11 studies that indirect exposure is associated with stress-related psychological responses. Language: en
Late Cenozoic stable isotope stratigraphy and paleoceanography of DSDP sites from the east equatorial and central north Pacific Ocean

Abstract Stable isotopic analyses of Middle Miocene to Quaternary foraminiferal calcite from east equatorial and central north Pacific DSDP cores have provided much new information on the paleoceanography of the Pacific Neogene. The history of δ18O change in planktonic foraminifera reflects the changing isotopic composition and temperature of seawater at the time of test formation. Changes in the isotopic composition of benthonic foraminifera largely reflect changes in the volume of continental ice. Isotopic data from these cores indicates the following sequence of events related to continental glaciation: (1) A permanent Antarctic ice sheet developed late in the Middle Miocene (about 13 to 11.5 m.y. ago). (2) The Late Miocene (about 11.5 to 5 m.y. ago) is marked by significant variation in δ18O of about 0.5‰ throughout, indicating instability of Antarctic ice cap size or bottom-water temperatures. (3) The early Pliocene (5 to about 3 m.y. ago) was a time of relative stability in ice volume and bottom-water temperature. (4) Growth of permanent Northern Hemisphere ice sheets is inferred to have begun about 3 m.y. ago. (5) The late Pliocene (3 to about 1.8 m.y. ago) is marked by one major glaciation or bottom-water cooling dated between about 2.1 to 2.3 m.y. (6) There is some evidence that the frequency of glacial-interglacial cycles increased at about 0.9 m.y. There is significant variation in δ13C at these sites but no geochemical interpretation is offered in this paper. The most outstanding feature of δ13C results is a permanent shift of about −0.8‰ found at about 6.5 m.y. in east equatorial and central north Pacific benthonic foraminifera. This benthonic carbon shift may form a useful marker in deep-sea cores recovering Late Miocene carbonates.
Major depression in physical illness: Diagnosis, prevalence, and antidepressant treatment (a ten year review: 1982–1992)

The authors conducted a systematic BRS and English-language literature review of the last 10 years of research on the assessment, prevalence, and antidepressant treatment of major depression in the medically ill to determine the current state of knowledge and to make recommendations for future studies. Ninety-three prevalence studies (13,518 patients and 33 conditions or medical settings) met basic methodological inclusion criteria. The great majority (68.8%) of these studies did not describe their methodological approach to the diagnostic assessment of symptoms such as fatigue, which could be due to either a depression or a comorbidphysical disorder. This problem of overlapping symptomatology has been termed the “problem of etiological assessment.” The 29 (31.2%) studies which did describe an approach to this problem used one or more of four different approaches: an “inclusive” approach, an “exclusive” approach, an “etiological” approach, or a “substitutive” approach. Prevalence rates of major depression varied greatly (0-78%). Regarding treatment, of eight controlled studies of antidepressant therapies for major depression, six reported statistically significant differences between medications and placebo. The authors conclude that many recent studies concerning the assessment, prevalence, and treatment of major depression in the medically ill have been inadequate to generate reliable and valid information. Guidelines for future research, especially focusing on the collection of validation data, are proposed. Depression 1:181-204 (1993). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fatigue of polycrystalline copper with different grain sizes and texture

Abstract Fatigue experiments of polycrystalline copper with different grain sizes and texture were conducted under tension–compression, torsion, and non-proportional loading. The grain sizes ranged from 10 μm to 2 mm. The stress–strain response was found to be a strong function of the grain size and texture. A plasticity-based critical plane multiaxial fatigue criterion was used to predict the fatigue lives of the polycrystalline copper. It was found that the criterion was able to correlate all the experimental results with one single set of material constants. This indicates that the fatigue failure of the material under consideration is dominated by the fatigue resistance of the grains with an insignificant influence of the grain boundaries on the fatigue of the polycrystalline material. It was found that the fatigue model with the material constants obtained from fatigue experiments can be applied to predict failure under monotonic torsion.
Mind–Body Interventions Applications and Potential Opportunities for Health Education Practice

Mind–body interventions (MBIs) have become increasingly popular. In the current article, we examine the potential role of MBIs for improving health and promoting wellness. We first describe typologies of MBIs and prevalence of their use. We also examine the efficacy evidence about how MBIs offer many psychological and physiological benefits, including reductions in disease symptoms and improvements in coping, behavior regulations, quality of life, and well-being. We further discuss how the health education discipline has long supported the inherent holism of the human being, the importance of healing potential of the mind on one’s health, and values capacity for self-regulation and describe the potential opportunities for health educators as it relates to MBIs. Finally, we discuss implications for the profession of health education and promotion.
Carrier Separation at Dislocation Pairs in CdTe

Through the use of aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, the atomic configuration of CdTe intragrain Shockley partial dislocation pairs has been determined: Single Cd and Te columns are present at opposite ends of both intrinsic and extrinsic stacking faults. These columns have threefold and fivefold coordination, indicating the presence of dangling bonds. Counterintuitively, density-functional theory calculations show that these dislocation cores do not act as recombination centers; instead, they lead to local band bending that separates electrons and holes and reduces undesirable carrier recombination.
Correlates of Male Adolescents Carrying Handguns Among Their Peers

Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 were used to examine factors associated with carrying a handgun among adolescent males. We expected that carrying a handgun would be associated with characteristics of the individual and with aspects of the contexts that are important for adolescents, such as the family, the peer group, the school setting, and the neighborhood. Consistent with these expectations, we found that adolescent males were more likely than their peers to carry handguns if they engaged in other problematic behaviors, had witnessed someone else being shot or shot at, and were involved in gangs. Boys under the age of 15 were less likely to carry a handgun if they were closely monitored by their mothers and respected their mothers, and they were more likely to carry a handgun if they frequently heard gunshots in their neighborhood or had a relative or friend who was a gang member. Males who were 15 and older were more likely to carry a handgun if they associated with peers who engaged in problematic behaviors. Language: en
Size and elemental distributions of nano- to micro-particulates in the geochemically-stratified Great Salt Lake

Abstract The characterization of trace elements in terms of their apportionment among dissolved, macromolecular, nano- and micro-particulate phases in the water column of the Great Salt Lake carries implications for the potential entry of toxins into the food web of the lake. Samples from the anoxic deep and oxic shallow brine layers of the lake were fractionated using asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4). The associated trace elements were measured via online collision cell inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CC-ICP-MS). Results showed that of the total (dissolved + particulate) trace element mass, the percent associated with particulates varied from negligible (e.g. Sb), to greater than 50% (e.g. Al, Fe, Pb). Elements such as Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Au, Hg, and U were associated with nanoparticles, as well as being present as dissolved species. Particulate-associated trace elements were predominantly associated with particulates larger than 450 nm in size. Among the smaller nanoparticulates (
Temperature and wavelength dependent transmission of optically transparent glass fibre poly (methyl methacrylate) composites

The temperature and wavelength dependent transmission was measured for glass fibre reinforced transparent composites prepared by sheet lamination and pressure curing processes. A mathematical model using fibre volume content, glass fibre diameter, refractive index of the fibre and matrix, non-wet fibre content and thickness of the composites was used to predict the transmission of the composite as a function of temperature and wavelength. The transmission calculated from the model for 20–70 °C and between 500 to 800 nm agreed well with the measured optical transmission for a thin composite containing < 10 vol % of 17 μm glass fibres. A small amount of non-wet fibre (e.g. 2.0% of total fibre) was predicted to reduce the maximum transmission by up to 17% for a composite containing 7.2 vol % fibres and a thickness of 0.5 mm.
Synthesis and affinity of a possible byproduct of electrophilic radiolabeling of [123I]IBZM

Abstract The iodobenzamide neuroleptic analogue ( S )- N -(1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-5-iodo-6-methoxybenzamide (5-IBZM) was synthesized stereospecifically and its pharmacological properties were compared with the 3-iodo isomer (IBZM) used for imaging D 2 receptors in vivo. The isomer 5-IBZM had 100-fold lower affinity than IBZM and migrated with similar retention time as the byproduct formed during electrophilic iodination of BZM.
Photochemistry of 1-(N,N-diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate: an experimental and computational investigation.

The aqueous photochemistry of the sodium salt of 1-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (3) has been investigated by both experimental and computational methods. Photolysis results in the formation of the N-nitrosodiethylamine radical anion (5) and nitric oxide (NO) via a triplet excited state. The nitrosamine radical anion either undergoes electron transfer with NO before cage escape to form triplet NO- and nitrosamine (minor process) or rapidly dissociates to form an additional molecule of NO and ultimately amine (major process). The production of nitrosamine radical anion 5 upon photolysis of diazeniumdiolate 3 is confirmed by low-temperature EPR spectroscopy. The calculated energetics for the ground and excited states of the parent diazeniumdiolate ion at the CIS and B3LYP levels of theory as well as B3LYP calculations on the fragmentation processes were very effective in rationalizing the observed photodissociation processes.
The effect of ribonucleic acid injections upon the maze-learning ability of rats

Abstract Rats received intraventricular injections of whole brain ribonucleic acid (RNA) via a cannula over two consecutive days of training. Two tests were conducted 14 and 30 days later. Compared to saline controls, there was a significant treatment by test period interaction for errors. However, there was no reliable difference between groups in terms of errors or time. It is suggested that RNA injections do not reliably decrease the amount of time to complete a complex maze, but do produce an initial enhancement of performance in terms of errors.
High Frequency AC Electrospraying of Dielectric Liquids

A new high-frequency (> 10 kHz) AC electrospray phenomenon which behaves distinctly to DC electrosprays is investigated. Unlike DC electrosprays, the drops do not emanate from the usual well-defined Taylor cone-jet and carry no net charge. Instead, the meniscus vibrates at a resonant frequency associated with its capillary-inertia vibration time, periodically ejecting drops with dimensions of order 10 μm under the action of the Maxwell-Wagner electric stress at the meniscus tip. Above a crossover frequency, the polarization and direction of the Maxwell force reverses and an apparent electrowetting effect is observed. A simple lubrication model is used to generate spatio-temporal evolution profiles for the stretched liquid meniscus tip as a function of the Maxwell-Wagner stress and a capillary number. From a self-similar scaling technique, the meniscus is shown to advance as t1/2 .Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Correlation of terminal cell cycle arrest of skeletal muscle with induction of p21 by MyoD

Skeletal muscle differentiation entails the coordination of muscle-specific gene expression and terminal withdrawal from the cell cycle. This cell cycle arrest in the G0 phase requires the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb). The function of Rb is negatively regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), which are controlled by Cdk inhibitors. Expression of MyoD, a skeletal muscle-specific transcriptional regulator, activated the expression of the Cdk inhibitor p21 during differentiation of murine myocytes and in nonmyogenic cells. MyoD-mediated induction of p21 did not require the tumor suppressor protein p53 and correlated with cell cycle withdrawal. Thus, MyoD may induce terminal cell cycle arrest during skeletal muscle differentiation by increasing the expression of p21.
Memory and Attention Profiles in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes heterogeneous patterns of neurocognitive deficits. In an attempt to identify homogenous subgroups within this heterogeneity, cluster analysis was used to examine memory and attention abilities as measured by the Test of Memory and Learning (TOMAL) in 300 children, 150 with TBI and 150 matched nonbrain injured controls (standardization sample [SS]). Significant differences were present between the TBI and the SS groups on all TOMAL subscale and index scores, with the TBI groups performing approximately 1.3 SD below the SS. Factor analysis of the TOMAL indicated six factors that assessed various aspects of verbal and nonverbal learning and memory, as well as attention/concentration. Cluster analyses of TOMAL factor scores indicated that a four-cluster solution was optimal for the SS group, and a five-cluster solution for the TBI group. For the TBI clusters, differences were present for clinical, achievement, neurocognitive, and behavioral variables, providing some support for the validity of the cluster solution. These findings suggest that TBI results in unique patterns of neurocognitive impairment that are not accounted for by individual differences in test performance commonly observed in normal populations. Additionally, neurocognitive profiles identified using cluster analysis may prove useful for identifying homogeneous subgroups of children with TBI that are differentiated by a number of important clinical, cognitive, and behavioral variables associated with treatment and outcomes.
ON DESIGN OF A COUPLING COMPONENT FOR PARALLEL MULTIMODELING

A component-based simulation framework is a favorable choice for parallel multiscale simulations, which require a dedicated coupling component to support flexible data communication/exchange, computational parallelism, and on-demand dynamic load balancing. In this paper, a coupling component (the Coupler) was designed to support integrated parallel multimodeling. An integrated ecological multimodeling, part of the across trophic level system simulation (ATLSS) for Everglades ecosystem restoration, has been used to demonstrate the advantage of the Coupler for natural resource management applications.
Effect of supplemental ultraviolet radiation on the concentration of phytonutrients in green and red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars

Eight cultivars each of red and green leaf lettuce were raised in a greenhouse with supplemental UV radiation, either UV-A (wavelengths greater than ca. 315 nm) or UV-A+UV-B (wavelengths greater than ca. 290 nm; 6.4 kJ m-2 daily biologically effective UV-B), or no supplemental UV (controls). Several phytonutrients were analyzed in leaf flours to identify lines with large differences in composition and response to UV-B. Red leaf lettuce had higher levels of phenolic acid esters, flavonols and anthocyanins than green lines. Both green and red lines exposed to UV-B for 9 days showed 2-3-fold increases in flavonoids compared to controls, but only 45% increases in phenolic acid esters, suggesting these compounds may be regulated by different mechanisms. There were large differences between cultivars in levels of phenolic compounds under control conditions and also large differences in UV-B effects. Among red varieties, cv. Galactic was notable for high levels of phenolics and a large response to UV-B. Among green varieties, cvs. Black-Seeded Simpson and Simpson Elite had large increases in phenolics with UV-B exposure. Photosynthetic pigments were also analyzed. Green leaf lettuce had high levels of pheophytin, a chlorophyll degradation product. Total chlorophylls (including pheophytin) were much lower in green compared to red varieties. Lutein, a carotenoid, was similar for green and red lines. Total chlorophylls and lutein increased 2-fold under supplemental UV-B in green lines but decreased slightly under UV-B in red lines. Lettuce appears to be a valuable crop to use to study phytochemical-environment interactions.
Development and psychometric properties of the Social Smoking Situations (S3) Scale: An enhanced measure of social exposure to smoking during adolescence

Abstract Common questions of exposure to smoking, such as number of parents, siblings, or friends who smoke, fail to capture the contexts in which the exposure occurs. This study developed the Social Smoking Situations (S 3 ) Scale to more precisely measure contextual exposure to smoking during adolescence. Informed by the cue-reactivity literature and using informal focus groups, items of contextual exposure to smoking were generated for three categories of smokers: parents, siblings, and peers. Participants ( N = 761; M age = 15.6, SD = 1.3; 61.4% female) were recruited as part of the AdoQuest Study in Montreal, QC. Principal components analysis was used to identify the component structure of the parent, sibling, and peer versions of the S 3 Scale. S 3 scores were computed subsequently to test their association with smoking behavior and smoking expectancies. Further, S 3 scores were compared with common questions (i.e., number of smokers) via univariate modeling to determine which would generate larger estimates of effect size when predicting smoking behavior and smoking expectancies. Overall, S 3 scores generated larger estimates than common questions; this finding was consistent across the parent ( OR avg : 2.59 vs. 1.36), sibling ( OR avg : 3.44 vs. 1.59), and peer ( OR avg : 3.89 vs. 1.38) versions. The S 3 Scale is a new psychometrically sound instrument that may provide a more robust measurement of social exposure to smoking during adolescence. Importantly, it has the potential to strengthen prevention programming and intervention efforts aimed at adolescents, as it could depict a more precise portrait of the individual and contextual sources of social exposure to smoking.
Fatty acid and wax biosynthesis in susceptible and triallate‐resistant Avena fatua L.

The recent characterization of triallate-resistant lines of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) deficient in triallate sulfoxidation provides an experimental system to investigate and differentiate the effects of triallate and triallate sulfoxide on wax and lipid biosynthesis. Greenhouse applications of triallate dramatically reduced epicuticular wax deposition in susceptible (S) but not resistant (R) wild oats. Triallate treatment had no effect on in-vivo concentrations of C 12 to C 26 fatty acids and fatty alcohols in R plants, while elongated fatty acid fractions (C > 18) were significantly reduced in S plants. In contrast, treatment with triallate sulfoxide reduced in-vivo concentrations of elongated fatty acids equally in R and S, supporting the hypothesis that triallate sulfoxide is more inhibitory than triallate towards fatty acid elongases. Although de-novo synthesis of short-chain fatty acids was not affected by triallate or triallate sulfoxide in R or S plants, synthesis of elongated fatty acid fractions was dramatically reduced in S plants by triallate. Fatty acid biosynthesis in R and S plants was equally sensitive to triallate sulfoxide. The results support the idea that in-vivo triallate sulfoxidation is necessary for herbicidal activity, and confirm that reduced rates of triallate sulfoxidation confer resistance in R wild oats.
Mass balances of mercury and nitrogen in burned and unburned forested watersheds at Acadia National Park, Maine, USA.

Precipitation and streamwater samples were collected from 16 November 1999 to 17 November 2000 in two watersheds at Acadia National Park, Maine, and analyzed for mercury (Hg) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, nitrate plus ammonium). Cadillac Brook watershed burned in a 1947 fire that destroyed vegetation and soil organic matter. We hypothesized that Hg deposition would be higher at Hadlock Brook (the reference watershed, 10.2 μg/m2/year) than Cadillac (9.4 μg/m2/year) because of the greater scavenging efficiency of the softwood vegetation in Hadlock. We also hypothesized the Hg and DIN export from Cadillac Brook would be lower than Hadlock Brook because of elemental volatilization during the fire, along with subsequently lower rates of atmospheric deposition in a watershed with abundant bare soil and bedrock, and regenerating vegetation. Consistent with these hypotheses, Hg export was lower from Cadillac Brook watershed (0.4 μg/m2/year) than from Hadlock Brook watershed (1.3 μg/m2/year). DIN export from Cadillac Brook (11.5 eq/ha/year) was lower than Hadlock Brook (92.5 eq/ha/year). These data show that ∼50 years following a wildfire there was lower atmospheric deposition due to changes in forest species composition, lower soil pools, and greater ecosystem retention for both Hg and DIN.
Evidence of a critical film thickness for the early growth stage transition in YBa2Cu3O7- thin films

YBa2 Cu3 O7- thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on (100) SrTiO3 substrates with 0 and 5° miscut angles along the [010] direction to observe and manipulate the growth at the early stages. For films on 0° miscut substrates, the first 30 A of growth was by island nucleation, and the areal density of nuclei increased with the film thickness. The transition from island nucleation to growth was between 30 and 60 A. Islands grew larger with the film thickness for films thicker than 30 A while the areal density was dramatically reduced. For the films on 5° miscut substrates, the step-flow growth and island nucleation competed with each other for film thicknesses up to 30 A. When the film thickness increased above 60 A, the step-flow mode was dominant and no islands were observed.
Lysophosphatidic acid induces glycodelin gene expression in cancer cells.

Abstract Glycodelin is a glycoprotein that has been suggested to be important in normal pregnancy and in malignancy. The regulation of its synthesis has not been studied. In this study, we report the induction of glycodelin gene expression by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). We studied the effect of LPA (5, 10 and 25 μM) on glycodelin production in breast (MDA-MB-231), cervical (Hela), endometrial (RL-95), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3) and erythroleukemia (K562) cells. There was a dose-dependent (5–25 μM) induction of glycodelin gene and protein expression in these cell types. LPA is a mimic of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) action and is found to be elevated in high concentrations in the serum of cancer subjects. As glycodelin is an angiogenic protein with a potential immunosuppressive role, control of LPA synthesis might offer a potential target for intervention.
Phase II trial of ifosfamide and mesna in patients with advanced or recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix who had never received chemotherapy: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the activity of ifosfamide and mesna in women with advanced or recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix who had never received chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: This is a phase II drug study in which the starting dose of ifosfamide was 1.5 gm/m 2 daily intravenously for 5 days. The starting dose of ifosfamide was reduced to 1.2 gm/m 2 daily in patients who had received prior radiotherapy. The uroprotector mesna was given intravenously with, and at 4 and 8 hours after, the administration of ifosfamide. Each dose of mesna was 20% of the total daily dose of ifosfamide. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were placed in the study; 52 were evaluable for toxicity and 51 for response. Twenty-eight (54.9%) patients had previously undergone surgery and 46 (90.2%) had received radiotherapy before this trial. Gynecologic Oncology Group grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia occurred in 7 (13.5%) patients, and 2 (3.9%) had grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Six (11.5%) patients had grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity. Complete response was observed in 2 (3.9%) patients and partial responses in 6 (11.5%) patients, for a total response rate of 15.7% (95% confidence interval 7.02% to 28.59%). CONCLUSIONS: This response rate is higher than that reported by the Gynecologic Oncology Group in patients with previously treated squamous carcinoma of the cervix. Our findings fail to confirm that ifosfamide is a highly active agent in patients with squamous carcinoma of the cervix as reported by others; nonetheless, the observed activity of this drug deserves further study in combination therapy of squamous carcinoma of the cervix.
The blade beam reflector antenna for stacked nearfield millimeter-wave imaging

A novel reflector antenna for nearfield millimeter-wave imaging applications has been developed. Combining parabolic curvature in one plane with elliptical curvature in the other, this antenna generates a “blade beam” focusing radiated field at a line. When excited at its focal point, transmitted rays are collimated in the first (horizontal) plane, each passing through the focal line at the second ellipse focus. As such, they illuminate a narrow slice of an object to be imaged. With only this slice illuminated, the scattered field will only be due to this narrow portion of the object, allowing for computationally simple inversion of a one-dimensional contour rather than an entire two-dimensional surface. Stacking the reconstructed contours for various horizontal positions provides the full object image.
Non-linear photomechanics

Abstract Many transparent materials when deformed and viewed in polarized light exhibit a birfringent effect. The present study is an attempt to consider, within a consistent framework, many of the non-linear aspects of the phenomenon of birefringence in polymers and how they may be used in the development of a method for the stress analysis of non-linear problems. The kinematics in a rate form for the large deformations of a medium exhibiting permanent as well as recoverable deformations is first given. The constitutive problem for rate dependent materials is then treated. The proposed differential model can exhibit a very wide range of material behavior and is in a form that satisfies the requirements for the proper formulation of constitutive relations. A mechanical-optical constitutive relation is derived that can model rate dependent behavior without itself having any explicit dependence on the rates. The use of the birefringent effect for solving non-linear time dependent problems is discussed and the inapplicability of some of the existing photoelastic procedures pointed out. The theory and techniques of analysis are checked by first performing the quasistatic and dynamic characterization of a polyester blend to about 25% strain, and then solving some stress analysis problems.
Localization of cardiac cavities using hierarchically search in 2D grayscale ultrasound images

Fetal echocardiography is an important tool for diagnosis. This paper presents a method to provide automatic localization of cardiac structures in fetal echocardiography images, where the early diagnostics of heart congenital diseases can improve results from medical treatment. The interest structures are the four cardiac cavities. The method use a hierarchical search based on a windowing technique with mold matching to find the cardiac cavities. This mold is calculated using a probability density function that receives as parameter the gray level of a representative image and also uses spatial features of the images. The hierarchical search is performed: (i) first, the image is covered to locate the heart; (ii) then, based on the heart position, the desired structure is found. The comparison of the mold and the candidate image is made using the Euclidean Distance. One of the main characteristics of the method is its rotation invariance.
The kindergarten auditory screening test as a predictor of reading disability

Correlation coefficients were obtained between the Kindergarten Auditory Screening Test (KAST), the Metropolitan Readiness Test (MRT), and the Gates MacGinitie Reading Tests, Primary Form (GMRT). The KAST and MRT were given to kindergartners near the end of the spring semester and the GMRT to these same children in first grade during February of the following year. Neither the coefficients obtained nor an examination of extreme groups indicated that the KAST was an effective predictor of reading disability.
Appeals Policy for Multiple-Choice Exams

The need—and a procedure—for establishing a formal policy under which students may submit written appeals for their incorrect answers to multiple-choice exam questions are presented. Benefits to the instructor and to students are discussed.
Salience measure for assessing scale-based features in mammograms

This work assesses the usefulness of an objective, task-based image quality measure that is correlated with perceived image quality; the measure uses the most salient features contained within a medical image. Contributions include the development of a perceptually correlated metric that is useful for quantifying the salience of local, low-level visual cues and identifying those spatial frequencies that are most distinct and perhaps most relied upon by radiologists for decision making. A set of 40 mammograms and registered eye position data from nine observers was used to evaluate the salience metric. A parsimonious analysis-of-variance model explained the variance in the salience results. This analysis is generalized to a population of readers and cases. An analysis of salience versus time of first eye fixation shows good correlation with true positive lesions that were found by experienced readers in less than 2 s.
Object-level change detection in spectral imagery

Multitemporal monitoring of sites using spectral imagery is addressed. A comprehensive architecture is presented for the detection of significant changes in scene composition described at the object level of spatial scale. An object-level scene description is obtained by applying a statistical spectral anomaly detector followed by a competitive region growth object extractor. The competitive region growth algorithm is derived as the solution to an approximate maximum likelihood image segmentation problem. Gaussian spectral clustering is used to model the scene background. A digital site model is constructed that contains image segmentation maps and extracted object features. Object-level change detection (OLCD) is accomplished by comparing objects extracted from a new image to objects recorded in the site model. A restricted implementation of the architecture is described and tested on long-wave infrared hyperspectral imagery. It is demonstrated that spectral OLCD can eliminate false alarms based on their multitemporal persistence. Incorporating multiple images in the site model is observed to improve OLCD performance.
Does the Quality of Financial Advice Affect Prices

Using a large data sample of 58,562 new municipal issues covering the period from 1984 to 2002, we examine whether the quality of advice provided by a financial advisor affects new issue interest costs. We find that higher-quality financial advisors are associated with statistically significant decreases in new issue yields. The effect of advisor quality on yields is more pronounced for revenue, negotiated, and opaque bond issues than for general obligation and competitively sold issues. However, issuers of revenue or negotiated bonds are more likely to choose a low-quality advisor.
Technology for independence: a community-based resource center.

Despite the prominence of the disability civil rights model--with its values of inclusion and empowerment--the majority of social and policy research conducted to date has not sufficiently included the perspective of persons with disabilities in the research process and as uniquely qualified researchers themselves. This article describes a new project, "Technology for Independence: A Community-Based Resource Center" (CBRC). Over a five-year period, the CBRC will attempt to enhance community and consumer-directed disability organizations to design, implement, and disseminate research that promotes access to and use of assistive technology (AT). The CBRC will use strategies such as leadership training, participatory action research, technical assistance, web-assisted training, and annual symposia. A primary goal of the CBRC is to increase the capacity of community organizations to conduct research on AT that is scientifically rigorous and relevant to disability services, policy, and law.
Pantoprazole-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Objective:To report 2 cases of thrombocytopenia associated with pantoprazole treatment and discuss existing reports on this drug-induced adverse event.Case Summaries:This paper describes the course of thrombocytopenia associated with pantoprazole 40 mg in 2 hospitalized patients. In both cases, thrombocytopenia appeared after the initiation of pantoprazole and rapidly improved after discontinuation of pantoprazole, although complete resolution of thrombocytopenia occurred in only one patient prior to discharge from the hospital.Discussion:The mechanism of drug-induced thrombocytopenia is often poorly understood, and proton-pump inhibitors are generally not strongly suspected as a cause of thrombocytopenia. However, an objective causality assessment using the Naranjo probability scale revealed a probable relationship between thrombocytopenia and pantoprazole in both of the cases. It is unknown whether this is a class effect.Conclusions:Although drug-induced thrombocytopenia with pantoprazole appears to be ...
Engaging Spirituality and an Authentic Self in the Intercultural Communication Class.

In this chapter, Hamlet discusses the nature of her spirituality and how it informs and affects her teaching philosophy and pedagogical practices in the multicultural classroom, especially in teaching an intercultural communication course.
Designing and Developing an Image Generator for the Operational Based Vision Assessment Simulator

Many factors affect the suitability of an out-the-window simulator visual system. Contrast, brightness, resolution, field-of-view, update rate, scene content and a number of other criteria are common factors often used to define requirements for simulator visual systems. For the past several years, NASA has worked with the United States Air Force (USAF) on the Operational Based Vision Assessment Program (OBVA). The purpose of this program has been to provide the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) with a scientific testing laboratory to study human vision and testing standards in an operationally relevant environment (i.e., a research simulator). Requirements for the visual system include high luminance, a large field-of-view, a large color gamut capable of reproducing aviation red, green, and blue, a limited development budget, and a flexible design to support future technology insertion and upgrades. One of the more challenging requirements in designing the reconfigurable image generator was the resolution requirement – approximately 0.5 arc-minutes per pixel, roughly equivalent to 20/10 visual acuity. In addition to static resolution, dynamic resolution (i.e., the perceived resolution of moving imagery) was also investigated to determine how best to minimize motion artifacts in the visual system. In this paper, we will describe how the simulator specifications were developed in order to meet the vision research objectives of USAFSAM, the various design considerations, and the resulting architecture. In particular, we will discuss the image generator architecture and describe the latest performance results along with the unique challenges of developing a visual system that provides eye limited resolution.
Allelic expression imbalance at high-density lipoprotein cholesterol locus MMAB-MVK

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous loci associated with various complex traits for which the underlying susceptibility gene(s) remain unknown. In a GWAS for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level, one strongly associated locus contains at least two biologically compelling candidates, methylmalonic aciduria cblB type (MMAB) and mevalonate kinase (MVK). To detect evidence of cis-acting regulation at this locus, we measured relative allelic expression of transcribed SNPs in five genes using human hepatocyte samples heterozygous for the transcribed SNP. If an HDL-C-associated SNP allele differentially regulates mRNA level in cis, samples heterozygous both for a transcribed SNP and an HDL-C-associated SNP should display allelic expression imbalance (AEI) of the transcribed SNP. We designed statistical tests to detect AEI in a comprehensive set of linkage disequilibrium (LD) scenarios between the transcribed SNP and an HDL-C-associated SNP (rs7298565) in phase unknown samples. We observed significant AEI of 22% in MMAB (P = 1.4 × 10−13, transcribed SNP rs11067231), and the allele associated with lower HDL-C level was associated with greater MMAB transcript level. The same rs7298565 allele was also associated with higher MMAB mRNA level (P = 0.0081) and higher MMAB protein level (P = 0.0020). In contrast, MVK, UBE3B, KCTD10 and ACACB did not show significant AEI (P ≥ 0.05). These data suggest MMAB is the most likely gene influencing HDL-C levels at this locus and demonstrate that measuring AEI at loci containing more than one candidate gene can prioritize genes for functional studies.
MEMBRANE-COATING GRANULES OF KERATINIZING EPITHELIA

The purpose of this study has been to obtain information on the development of the envelop of horny cells that resists the action of keratinolytic agents. Toward this end the epidermis, oral mucosa, and tongue epithelium of various vertebrates, as well as the isolated envelopes of horny cells, were examined by electron microscopy. It was found that small cytoplasmic granules (1,000 to 5,000 A) that develop within differentiating epithelial cells move toward the cell periphery, and after fusion with the plasma membrane, empty their contents into the intercellular spaces. The content of the granules spreads over the cell surfaces, and subsequently a thickened and coated cell envelope is formed that resists the action of keratinolytic agent. The membrane-coating granule is regarded as a specific differentiation product of the keratinizing epithelium. It contains numerous inner membranes and is assumed to engage in synthetic activities such as, perhaps, the formation of polysaccharides.
Student-to-Student Interaction in Computer Time-Sharing Systems.

The importance of computer time sharing is clear. Both individualized instruction (as provided by Computer-Assisted Instruction systems) and conventional timesharing system organization, however, tend to isolate students from needed interaction with other people. This paper discusses the class of interactions called “student-to-student” interactions.
Transverse modulational instability of counterpropagating light waves

The interaction of two intense counterpropagating light waves in a finite, cubically nonlinear medium leads to a transverse modulational instability that results from the interaction of four electromagnetic sidebands. The convective gain spectrum and the absolute instability threshold of this instability are calculated analytically for two tractable limits and numerically for other cases. It is shown that phase conjugation, forward four-wave mixing, and Bragg reflection by four-wave mixing are three two-sideband limits of the four-sideband interaction. The four-sideband transverse modulational instability occurs in the spectral overlap region of these two-sideband limits and dominates the interaction of the two counterpropagating light waves over a significant range of the ratio of backward-to-forward pump intensities in both self-focusing and self-defocusing media. The absolute phase conjugation instability dominates only over a limited range of pump-intensity ratios in self-defocusing media.
The brain's microenvironment, early functional loss, and the conversion to Alzheimer's disease.

: We hypothesize that insults in the local microenvironment may cause selective, local neurite degeneration by apoptotic-like mechanisms, leading to the loss of synaptic connectivity observed in the Alzheimer disease brain. This may be an early mechanism of neurodegeneration, potentially contributing to neuronal vulnerability and disease pathogenesis.
2B-1 Solutions for Reconfigurable Arrays in Ultrasound

A reconfigurable array may involve a relatively large 2D array of transducer sub-elements and a layer of electronics which uses switches to connect certain sub-elements together, to a single system channel [Fischer et al., 2005 and Thomenius et al., 2005]. An annular array pattern, consisting of ring-shaped element groups, may be electronically scanned, or stepped, across the surface of such a reconfigurable array. The array could use 20 to 32 system channels and provide image quality comparable to a 128 channel linear array [Hazard et al., 2003 amd Dietz et al., 1979], This paper discusses some of the unique challenges and solutions pertaining to reconfigurable two-dimensional ultrasound arrays. Size constraints of the electronics result in some non-ideal aspects to the switch array; namely, there are constraints on the distribution of system channel access points across the array, and that these switches have a certain on-resistance which introduces non-ideal signal propagation delays. Some solutions will be discussed in this paper which aim to reduce the effect of these non-ideal constraints, and may suggest certain design tradeoffs which can be made in the design of future reconfigurable switch arrays
Late opening-mode fractures in karst-brecciated dolostones of the Lower Ordovician Ellenburger Group, west Texas: Recognition, characterization, and implications for fluid flow

Two distinct groups of fractures in an Ellenburger Group reservoir in Barnhart field, Reagan County, west Texas, were identified. The oldest fractures (FBR) are the most numerous; have irregular shapes, sediment, and baroque dolomite fill, and no preferred orientation; and have been attributed by previous workers to brecciation associated with the collapse of Lower Ordovician paleocave systems. Younger, subvertical, opening-mode fractures (FY) that have consistent east-southeast and south-southwest strikes postdate the baroque dolomite cement. FY fractures therefore formed during the late stages or after the Pennsylvanian Ouachita orogeny. We analyzed FY fracture orientation, intensity, and openness using well image logs, oriented rotary-drilled sidewall cores, and a full-diameter core. FY fracture aperture sizes range from several micrometers to a few millimeters, and the fracture intensity is consistent within and between the wells studied at 1.8–4.0 102 fractures/mm2 for fractures 1 mm (0.04 in.) wide. Dolomite cement that is synchronous with FY fracture opening seals fractures in some locations, but is limited to fracture linings and mineral bridges in other places. Calcite, which grew after FY fractures stopped opening, is variably present and postdates dolomite cements. Where present, calcite occludes most remaining FY fracture porosity. Diagnosing the presence of postkinematic calcite is therefore an important step in being able to predict open fractures and was done for part of Barnhart field using rotary-drilled sidewall cores.
Conductivity measurements of explosively shocked aluminum and OFHC copper used for armature material in a magnetic flux compression generator

Modeling and characterization of a magnetic flux compression generator (MFCG) requires detailed knowledge of the changes in conductivity of the MFCG materials during the shock-loading phase. In the studies reported here, a thin metallic strip is shocked with an explosively generated shock wave produced from a charge of composition C-4. The shock wave is intended to simulate the shock wave and pressures produced in MFCG research currently being conducted at Texas Tech University. These pressures are estimated to be between 1 and 3 GPa. The experimental setup is arranged so that the shapes of the metallic strip and shock front are the same, as confirmed using optical fibers. This was to ensure that the test sample was shocked uniformly. The metallic test strip is pulsed with a 70 A current pulse during application of the shock wave. The current and voltage across the test sample are measured directly to determine the change in conductivity. Pressure measurements are conducted in separate tests under similar conditions using strain gauges. The results are then compared to results determined previously using a split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus (SHPB).