cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Singularity analysis and fracture energy-release rate for composites: Piecewise homogeneous-anisotropic materials

Abstract We present a formulation for the computation of singularity solution and the fracture energy release rate for piecewise homogeneous-anisotropic materials. A new approach of matched asymptotic analysis is proposed to derive the expression of the fracture energy release rate in terms of the critical singularity exponent and the generalized intensity factors. For the computation of the singular exponents, 2-D elasticity and conductivity problems are first transformed into polar coordinates, then reduced to 1-D problems in terms of the angular variable via the Mellin transform, prior to a finite-element discretization. The resulting 1-D problem is a quadratic eigenvalue problem, which can be transformed into a linear eigenvalue problem for the computation of the eigenpairs. The generalized intensity factors, which are obtainable using contour-independent integrals, are given in terms of equivalent domain integrals, which are numerically easier to implement, more accurate and stable than the contour integrals. A better and concise proof of a fundamental proposition concerning the refracted flux across a bi-material interface in the conductivity problem is also provided. The present work provides a new and clearer exposition of the asymptotic analysis presented in [D. Leguillon, E. Sanchez-Palencia, Crack phenomena in heterogenous media, in: B.W. Schulze, H. Triebel (Eds.), Proceedings of Symposium on Analysis on Manifolds with Singularities, Breitenbrunn, 1990, B.G. Teubner, Stuttgart, 1992], and is thus more accessible to the general engineering readers, e.g., by drawing a parallel between the present formulation with traditional practices in structural dynamics. Further, the present formulation—which is more amenable to a direct implementation in a finite element code—sets the stage for a future generalization to functionally-graded materials. Several numerical examples involving bi-material and tri-material interfaces, including carbon-nanotube reinforced composites, together with validation with available analytical results, are given to illustrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the methodology.
Fire Ecology of the Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina Bauri Taylor) in Pine Rockland Forests of the Lower Florida Keys

ABSTRACT: Eastern box turtles (Terrapene Carolina) inhabit many fire-prone habitats in eastern North America and frequently succumb to natural and anthropogenic fires. However, little is known about the fire ecology of box turtles, and population-level effects of burning have yet to be quantified. We studied the effect of prescribed burns on a population of Florida box turtles (T. Carolina bauri) inhabiting National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge, Big Pine Key, Florida. A total of 27.4 ha were burned during seven prescribed fires (1998 to 2000). We found 14 fire-killed box turtles after four wet season burns (1.04 turtles/ha); no mortality was observed following three dry season burns. Multiple regression analysis indicated that season of burning had a significant effect on the occurrence of box turtle mortality. The effect of char height (used as a surrogate measure of fire intensity in our model) was only marginally significant. Our results suggested that between 10.2% and 21.6% of box turtles per ha perished...
Discrete Differential Approximation and System Identification

ABSTRACT This paper is concorned with the determination of the unknown parameters of noisy discreto time systems using discrete measurements on the input to and the state output from the system. The parameters are determined such that the assumed mathematical model explains the observed data in a least squares sense. Numerical experiments are included to illustrate the method.
CcpA and LacD.1 Affect Temporal Regulation of Streptococcus pyogenes Virulence Genes

Production of H2O2 follows a growth phase-dependent pattern that mimics that of many virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes. To gain greater insight into mechanisms coupling virulence factor expression to growth phase, we investigated the molecular basis for H2O2 generation and its regulation. Deletion of the gene encoding lactate oxidase (lctO) or culture in the presence of glucose eliminated H2O2 production, implicating carbohydrate regulation of lctO as a key element of growth phase control. In examining known carbohydrate-responsive regulators, deletion of the gene encoding CcpA but not that encoding LacD.1 resulted in both derepression and an uncoupling of lctO transcription from its growth phase pattern. Expanding this analysis to additional virulence factors demonstrated both negative (cfa, encoding CAMP factor) and positive (speB, encoding a cysteine protease) regulation by CcpA and that CcpA mutants were highly cytotoxic for cultured macrophages. This latter property resulted from enhanced transcription of the streptolysin S biogenesis operon. Examination of CcpA-promoter interactions using a DNA pull-down assay mimicking physiological conditions showed direct binding to the promoters of lctO and speB but not those of sagA. CcpA but not LacD.1 mutants were attenuated in a murine model of soft-tissue infection, and analysis of gene expression in infected tissue indicated that CcpA mutants had altered expression of lctO, cfa, and speB but not the indirectly regulated sagA gene. Taken together, these data show that CcpA regulates virulence genes via at least three distinct mechanisms and that disruption of growth phase regulation alters transcriptional patterns in infected tissues.
Time-resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy for the study of photosystem I particles with plastoquinone-9 occupying the A1 binding site.

In photosystem I from plants and cyanobacteria a phylloquinone molecule, called A1, functions as the secondary electron acceptor. In cyanobacteria, genes that encode for proteins involved in phylloquinone biosynthesis can be deleted. Here, we have studied three different gene deletion mutants called menB, menD, and menE mutants. In these mutants, plastoquinone-9 occupies the A1 binding site. Using time-resolved, step-scan FTIR difference spectroscopy we have produced A1 - /A1 FTIR difference spectra for menB, menD, and menE photosystem I particles at 77 K. These difference spectra show that the P700 triplet state ( 3 P700) is formed in a large fraction of the particles. Infrared spectral signatures that are not due to 3 P700 are also observed in the spectra and are suggested to be associated with plastoquinone-9 anion formation in a portion of the particles. By subtracting the known 3 P700 spectral signatures, we produce an A1 - /A1 FTIR difference spectrum for PS I particles with plastoquinone-9 occupying the binding site. This spectrum shows that a band that we have previously assigned to a C-O mode of the phylloquinone anion in WT A1 - /A1 FTIR DS down-shifts 8c m -1 when plastoquinone-9 occupies the A1 binding site. Using density functional theory type calculations to produce anion minus neutral infrared difference spectra for both phylloquinone and plastoquinone-9, it is shown that such a downshift is reasonable. A1 - /A1 FTIR difference spectra, obtained using menB mutant photosystem I particles that were incubated in the presence of phylloquinone, are found to be very similar to those obtained using normal WT photosystem I particles. This result indicates that we were able to reincorporate phylloquinone back into the A1 binding site and that the reincorporated phylloquinone and its immediate protein environment, in both the neutral and anion state, are very similar to that found in wild type photosystem I particles. For the reconstituted menB mutant photosystem I particles, no spectral signatures associated with 3 P700 are observed, indicating that phylloquinone occupies the A1 site in all of the reconstituted
Simple and direct determination of complex refractive index and thickness of unsupported or embedded thin films by combined reflection and transmission ellipsometry at 45° angle of incidence

Measurements of the polarization states (represented by complex numbers χr and χt, respectively) of light reflected and transmitted by an unsupported or embedded thin film, for totally polarized light (with nonzero p and s components) incident at 45°, permit simple, direct, and explicit determination of the film’s complex refractive index N1independently of film thickness or input polarization. If α = χr/χt, we find that α = rs + rs−1, where rs is Fresnel’s complex reflection coefficient of the ambient–film interface for the s polarization at 45° incidence. From α, rs is determined, and from rs we get N1 = N0(1 + rs2)1/2/(1 + rs), where N0 is the refractive index of the transparent medium surrounding the film. Knowledge of the incident polarization χi allows the film thickness to be determined, also explicitly, by using either of the ratios χi/χr or χi/χt.
Salmonella in the American cockroach: evaluation of vector potential through dosed feeding experiments

Restrained American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana L., were fed graded doses of Salmonella typhimurium ranging from 1-6 X 10(3) to 2-0 X 10(6), and their faeces assayed daily for the pathogen. Only 4 specimens out of 117 demonstrated multiplication of salmonellas, which was unrelated to size of input. When data of persistence regardless of actual numbers were expressed as percentage Salmonella-positive faecal-days, and these transformed to probits, a graph of percentage-positive faecal-days versus log dose allowed a calculation of the CD 50, or contaminative dose required for 50% of the faecal-days to be infective. The CD 50 for this cockroach species was 1-4 X 10(6) Salmonella.
Influence of compaction temperature on rubberized asphalt mixes and binders

This research investigates the influence of compaction temperature on rubberized asphalt mixes and binders. For this, four Superpave mix designs for four asphalt binders (control, 3% styrene–butadi...
Effects of Vitamin E on the Immune System

Vitamin E, tocopherol, a methylated derivative of 6-hydroxychromonal with a phytyl side chain, is an essential nutrient. In cells, this hydrophobic molecule is intercalated into the membrane bilayer. Studies with structural models (1) and of vitamin E in phospholipid monolayers (2) indicate that it is associated primarily with arachidonic acid. As a membrane component, vitamin E has the potential to affect the functional biology of cells of the immune system.
Cryotherapy: an effective modality for decreasing intraarticular temperature after knee arthroscopy.

Cryotherapy is a modality commonly used after arthroscopic procedures. We divided 17 patients into two groups after routine knee arthroscopy: 12 patients were immediately treated with ice and 5 control patients were treated without ice for the first hour. In all patients, thermocouple probes were placed intraarticularly into the lateral gutter of the knee. Ice was placed on the operative knees of the treatment group for 2 hours. The control group had no intervention for the 1st hour and then had ice applied for the 2nd hour. Temperatures were continually recorded every minute for 2 hours. The temperature in the treatment group declined significantly, by 2.2°C (95% confidence interval [—3.6°C, —0.72°C]) over the 1st hour and by 0.79°C (95% CI [—1.8°C, 0.18°C]) over the 2nd hour (P=0.008). The temperature in the control group increased significantly, by 5.0°C (95% CI [2.4°C, 7.5°C]) over the 1st hour (P=0.006). After ice was applied, the temperature fell significantly, by 4.0°C (95% CI [—8.3°C, 0.26°C]) (P=...
Delta modulation

The idea of coding the human voice into digital pulses was conceived more than three decades ago; exploitation had to await the ushering in of the transistor era. Since then, coding systems gradually have improved. One of the latest and most efficient schemes is delta modulation. Compared with earlier analog-to-digital-pulse conversion systems, an increase in the voice-handling capacity of telephone equipment by a factor of two or more has been made possible. At the same time, equipment requirements have become less stringent.
P-glycoprotein and Organic Anion-transporting Polypeptide (OATP) Transporters

This chapter discusses the genetics, metabolic pathways, substrates, inducers, and inhibitors of the P-glycoprotein and OATP transporters.
Race, Adolescent Binge Drinking, and the Context of Neighborhood Exposure.

Drawing on theories of social structure and normative exposure, we examine how the neighborhood context of socioeconomic advantage and racial composition affects race/ethnic differences in youth binge drinking. Using data from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, logistic regressions reveal significant racial differences, with whites having higher odds of binge drinking than other groups. We also find that neighborhood advantage and racial composition have moderating effects on binge drinking; black youths’ odds of binge drinking are significantly lower than whites’ odds in highly advantaged neighborhoods, and Hispanics living in racially integrated neighborhoods have significantly lower odds of binge drinking than Hispanics living in white neighborhoods.
It Takes a Survey Understanding Gender Stereotypes, Abstract Attitudes, and Voting for Women Candidates

A significant body of previous research demonstrates that the public holds stereotyped views about the abilities and personal traits of women and men who run for office. However, because much of this work is based on experimental designs or hypothetical candidates, we have relatively little information about whether and how gender stereotypes matter in real election situations. In an effort to determine whether people draw on stereotypes in evaluating women in political life, we use data from a survey of people who experienced races for the U.S. House in 2010 in which women candidates ran against men. We analyze two sets of dependent variables—(a) abstract attitudes about women and men as candidates and officeholders and (b) vote choice in the actual House elections. In line with previous experimental work, we find that gender stereotypes are important to people’s abstract evaluations of candidates and election situations. However, we find little evidence that gender stereotypes matter to the same degree ...
Synthesis of Tungsten Imido Alkylidene Complexes that Contain an Electron-Withdrawing Imido Ligand

Tungsten NArR alkylidene complexes have been prepared that contain the electron-withdrawing ArR groups 2,4,6-X3C6H2 (ArX3, X = Cl, Br), 2,6-Cl2-4-CF3C6H2 (ArCl2CF3), and 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3 (Ar(CF3)2). Reported complexes include W(NArR)2Cl2(dme) (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane), W(NArR)2(CH2CMe3)2, W(NArR)(CHCMe3)(OTf)2(dme), and W(NArR)(CHCMe3)(ODBMP)2 (DBMP = 4-Me-2,6-(CHPh2)C6H2). The W(NArR)(CHCMe3)(ODBMP)2 complexes were explored as initiators for the polymerization of 2,3-dicarbomethoxynorbornadiene (DCMNBD).
Characterization of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase activity and expression in male and female ob/ob mice.

Characterization of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase activity and expression in male and female ob/ob mice
Hybridization and host suitability of two biotypes of Trioxys pallidus (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)

A recently imported biotype of Trioxys pallidus Haliday, which attacks the filbert aphid, Myzocallis coryli (Goetze), was compared with a previously imported biotype of T. pallidus, which attacks the walnut aphid, Chromaphis juglandicola (Kaltenbach). The two biotypes are morphologically indistinguishable and freely hybridize in reciprocal crosses, producing viable and fertile offspring. However, in field tests, the newly imported parasitoid biotype had greater reproductive success on filbert aphids than the biotype previously imported for walnut aphid control.
Focusing in a largeF-number optical system

The true focal spot of a focusing system may be defined as either the location of the maximum on-axis intensity or the location of the minimum beam diameter that contains a certain fraction of the power. Diffraction causes this true focus to be shifted from the ideal geometrical optics prediction, the effect being greatest at largeF-numbers. Specifically, a theoretical and experimental study is made of the largeF-number focusing properties of a thin lens in contact with a uniformly illuminated aperture. The results are clarified by a comparison to the focal spot shift for a Gaussian beam.
Histamine stimulates proliferation of airway smooth muscle and induces c-fos expression

Although chronic severe asthma is characterized by increased smooth muscle mass in the airways, the physiological stimuli that promote airway smooth muscle (ASM) proliferation (hyperplasia) or increase ASM protein expression (hypertrophy) are unknown. We examined the effects of histamine, an autocoid associated with airway hyperresponsiveness, on protein synthesis, myosin heavy chain expression, and cell proliferation in cultured canine ASM cells. In confluent ASM cells, histamine significantly increased incorporation of [35S]-methionine in protein. Maintenance of the proportion of smooth muscle-specific myosin heavy chain to total myosin heavy chain suggested a nonspecific increase in contractile protein expression. DNA synthesis, as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation, was significantly increased by histamine in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell proliferation paralleled [3H]thymidine incorporation; histamine significantly increased cell numbers at 24 and 48 h of stimulation. Because growth of mesenchymal-derived cells is associated with transcription of c-fos mRNA, we examined whether histamine altered expression of this proto-oncogene. Histamine-treated cells showed marked increases in expressions of steady-state c-fos mRNA, with a time course of mRNA induction similar to cells exposed to platelet-derived growth factor or serum, known smooth muscle and fibroblast cell mitogens. Therefore, histamine is an ASM mitogen with an action similar to other mesenchymal cell growth factors and may play a role in the hyperplasia of ASM in asthma.
Essays on International Risk-Return Trade-Off Relations

This dissertation consists of two essays on the international risk-return trade-off relations. The first essay is titled “The Role of the US Market on International Risk-Return Trade-Off Relations” and the second essay is titled “The Role of Investor Sentiment on International Risk-Return Trade-Off Relations”. In our first essay, we study the intertemporal risk-return trade-off relations based on returns from 18 international markets. Our main contribution is that we find the US market plays an important role affecting the international risk-return trade-off. We present striking new empirical evidence that the inclusion of US market variables significantly changes the estimated risk-return trade-off relationship in international markets. The estimated risk aversion coefficient switches from mostly negative to mostly positive after the inclusion of these US market variables even when the conditional variance model specification remains the same. Our results are consistent with the state variable interpretation of the US market variables in the sense of Merton’s Intertemporal CAPM. Our collective findings confirm and extend the recent literature that find an important role of US market return in predicting international stock returns. In our context of the risk-return trade-off relationship, we find that the contemporaneous state variables are more significant than the lagged ones, suggesting that the importance of US market variables are more likely driven by expected changes in investment opportunity set rather than the slow diffusion of information. In our second essay, we investigate the role of domestic investor sentiment on the risk-return trade-off relation in the international markets context. We extend the study of Yu and Yuan (2011) by including 16 international stock markets with longer sample period than prior international studies. Our main contribution is that we find the significant roles of the US market returns and risk-free rates as we examine the local investor sentiment impacts on the home country’s risk-return relation. After we include the US market returns and risk free rates, we identify a two-regime sentiment pattern in most of the international markets: a low sentiment regime and a high sentiment regime. In the low sentiment period during which sentiment traders have small impact, the risk-return relation is largely robust positive in many international markets. Meanwhile, in the high sentiment period with more noise traders involved in the market, this positive trade-off is undermined. We also find that to some extent, US sentiment spreads to other countries, co-existing with local sentiment. However, the US sentiment effect is less significant and influential than the home sentiment effect. Our findings suggest that the local sentiment effect dominates and effectively subsumes the US sentiment effect.
Emergent surgical embolectomy in conjunction with cervical internal carotid ligation and superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass to treat acute tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion due to cervical internal carotid artery dissection

Background Acute tandem cervical dissecting internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and intracranial embolic middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion can be devastating, and the optimal treatment strategy for this condition has not been established yet. Case description A 45-year-old male presented with aphasia and right hemiparesis preceded by neck pain. Computed tomography showed a high-density signal along the left MCA, suggesting extensive emboli. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated tandem occlusion of the left cervical ICA and intracranial MCA with minimal diffusion-weighted imaging lesion. Emergent surgical embolectomy was performed, and long intracranial MCA emboli were retrieved with collateral cross-flow restoration. The cervical ICA was exposed, and dissection was confirmed. The cervical ICA was ligated, and superficial temporal artery (STA)-MCA anastomosis was added. Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated recovery from right hemiparesis and aphasia. At the 6(th) postoperative month, follow-up studies demonstrated a robustly patent STA-MCA bypass and no additional ischemic lesion on T2-weighted imaging. Conclusions Surgical embolectomy in conjunction with ligation of the cervical ICA followed by STA-MCA bypass might be a safe alternative method to endovascular recanalization, when the cervical dissection is extensive and when huge secondary emboli are present along the MCA.
Generalized parameter-free duality models in discrete minmax fractional programming based on second-order optimality conditions

In this paper, we construct six generalized second-order parameter-free duality models, and prove several weak, strong, and strict converse duality theorems for a discrete minmax fractional programming problem using two partitioning schemes and various types of generalized second-order $$(\mathcal {F},\beta ,\phi ,\rho ,\theta ,m)$$ -univexity (more compactly, ’second-order univexity’ is referred to as ’sounivexity’) assumptions. The obtained results are new and generalize most of results on discrete minmax fractional programming involving the second-order invexity as well as on second-order univexity in the literature.
Bolstering cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in liver: A hepatocyte-targeting gene delivery strategy for potential alleviation of atherosclerosis.

Current atherosclerosis treatment strategies primarily focus on limiting further cholesteryl esters (CE) accumulation by reducing endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. No therapy is currently available to enhance the removal of CE, a crucial step to reduce the burden of the existing disease. Given the central role of hepatic cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) in the intrahepatic hydrolysis of CE and subsequent removal of the resulting free cholesterol (FC), in this work, we applied galactose-functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 5 (Gal-G5) for hepatocyte-specific delivery of CEH expression vector. The data presented herein show the increased specific uptake of Gal-G5/CEH expression vector complexes (simply Gal-G5/CEH) by hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the upregulated CEH expression in the hepatocytes significantly enhanced the intracellular hydrolysis of high density lipoprotein-associated CE (HDL-CE) and subsequent conversion/secretion of hydrolyzed FC as bile acids (BA). The increased CEH expression in the liver significantly increased the flux of HDL-CE to biliary as well as fecal FC and BA. Meanwhile, Gal-G5 did not induce hepatic or renal toxicity. It was also not immunotoxic. Because of these encouraging pre-clinical testing results, using this safe and highly efficient hepatocyte-specific gene delivery platform to enhance the hepatic processes involved in cholesterol elimination is a promising strategy for the alleviation of atherosclerosis.
Diagrid: An innovative, sustainable, and efficient structural system

Summary In recent years, diagrid structures have received increasing attention among both designers and researchers of tall buildings for creating one-of-a-kind signature structures. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of diagrid structures. First, various diagrid configurations, main factors affecting their behaviors, and related design parameters and approaches are discussed. Then, diagrid applications for free-form steel and concrete structures are introduced showing the diagrid applicability for complex structures followed by recent advances in structural design of diagrid connections, diagrid nonlinear behavior, and structural control of diagrids. Recent studies about a new variation of tubular and diagrid systems, hexagrids, are discussed briefly. Finally, the diagrid potential in design of sustainable buildings is delineated.
Information-Seeking From Organizational Communication Sources During Healthcare Technology Change

This study collects survey data (n = 345) from a healthcare organization in the early stages of electronic health record (EHR) implementation to understand how a series of organizational communication sources—managers, coworkers, IT personnel, and online organizational sources—impact healthcare employees’ (a) EHR resistance and (b) perceptions of EHR’s relative advantage. Regression results reveal that the levels of EHR information employees sought from coworkers did not predict EHR resistance or perceived relative advantage. Seeking information from managerial sources enhances EHR’s perceived relative advantage and decreases affective EHR resistance but is not related to behavioral or cognitive EHR resistance. Seeking information from IT staff decreased all types of EHR resistance and increased EHR’s perceived relative advantage. Finally, seeking information from online organizational sources increased EHR’s perceived relative advantage and decreased behavioral and cognitive resistance but is not related...
Severity of Suicidal Ideation Matters: Reexamining Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Using Quantile Regression.

Objective Numerous risk factors have been identified for suicidal ideation, including perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, agitation, insomnia, nightmares, cognitive anxiety sensitivity, and rumination. However, the complexity of these associations has not been well studied; the magnitude of these effects may vary at differing levels of suicidal ideation. The present study reexamined established risk factors for suicidal ideation using quantile regression, a statistical technique that calculates the effect at numerous quantiles of suicidal ideation, as opposed to the average effect across all quantiles. Method A sample of 354 psychiatric outpatients (61.3% female, meanage = 27.01 years, standard deviation = 10.40) completed self-report measures of their suicidal ideation and related risk factors prior to their initial intake appointments. Results The relationship between each suicide risk factor and suicidal ideation was strongest at higher (.9 quantile), as opposed to nonexistent (.5 quantile) and low-moderate (.7 quantile), levels of suicidal ideation. The interaction proposed by the interpersonal theory of suicide was significant at nonexistent and low-moderate, but not high, levels of suicidal ideation. Conclusion Our findings indicated that predictors of suicidal ideation differed in magnitude at varying levels of suicidal ideation. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Online adaptive neural control of a robotic lower limb prosthesis.

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an adaptive intent recognition algorithm that continuously learns to incorporate a lower limb amputee's neural information (acquired via electromyography (EMG)) as they ambulate with a robotic leg prosthesis. Approach We present a powered lower limb prosthesis that was configured to acquire the user's neural information and kinetic/kinematic information from embedded mechanical sensors, and identify and respond to the user's intent. We conducted an experiment with eight transfemoral amputees over multiple days. EMG and mechanical sensor data were collected while subjects using a powered knee/ankle prosthesis completed various ambulation activities such as walking on level ground, stairs, and ramps. Our adaptive intent recognition algorithm automatically transitioned the prosthesis into the different locomotion modes and continuously updated the user's model of neural data during ambulation. Main results Our proposed algorithm accurately and consistently identified the user's intent over multiple days, despite changing neural signals. The algorithm incorporated 96.31% [0.91%] (mean, [standard error]) of neural information across multiple experimental sessions, and outperformed non-adaptive versions of our algorithm-with a 6.66% [3.16%] relative decrease in error rate. Significance This study demonstrates that our adaptive intent recognition algorithm enables incorporation of neural information over long periods of use, allowing assistive robotic devices to accurately respond to the user's intent with low error rates.
Perioperative Interrogation of St. Jude Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices: A Guide for Anesthesiologists

Feelings of trepidation or uncertainty regarding cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in the perioperative period can often be mitigated by a thorough knowledge of societal recommendations, recommended management options, and familiarity with CIEDs. Given that effective interpretation of an interrogation report is vital to determining perioperative management options and applying societal recommendations, the creation and interpretation of St. Jude CIED interrogation reports are discussed. In an effort to increase the familiarity with St. Jude transvenous CIEDs amongst anesthesiologists, basic programming of a St. Jude pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) also are described.
From the Academic Editor The Possible Futures of MEJ

The academic editor of Music Educators Journal (MEJ) outlines and discusses implications of the decision process involved with the shift away from print to a primarily electronic MEJ. The article ends with considerations for the future of MEJ as a uniquely democratic institution within the National Association for Music Education.
Idiopathic Peroneal Tenosynovitis Caused by a Previously Undiagnosed Auto-immune Condition.

In this case report, we present a unique case of idiopathic peroneal tenosynovitis in an otherwise healthy patient, presenting with a three-month history of pain over the lateral aspect of the right foot. Imaging revealed that fluid distention and synovial thickening distend the common peroneal tendon sheath and peroneus longus and brevis tendon sheaths. The patient was managed operatively with excision of the peroneus longus tendon, a side-to-side tenodesis, and Brostrom-Gould lateral ankle ligament repair. Histologic examination was suggestive of a chronic inflammatory process possibly due to underlying autoimmune etiology. At three-month follow-up, the patient reported complete resolution of pain and is resuming normal activities without difficulty.
Qualitätselemente in der Ausbildung

Digitalisierung hat vielfaltige Konsequenzen: Sie verandert Berufsbilder, Tatigkeiten, Arbeitsmittel. Sie ermoglicht vollkommen neue Lernformen. Sie verandert die Kultur in Unternehmen und Ausbildungszusammenhangen. Sie fuhrt zu neuen Erwartungen der Unternehmen und Nachwuchskraften aneinander und an das, was die Ausbildung leisten soll. Und sie schafft etwas, was nicht immer einfach war: Sie macht aus Marktforschung, dem Fach fur Zahlendreher und Statistikliebhaber, einen Hotspot fur Entwickler, Data-Cruncher und Projektmanager, die ihren Kunden in den Mittelpunkt stellen. All das mit zunehmend internationaler Reichweite. Das schlagt sich in den Personalanforderungen nieder und stellt Ausbilder vor veranderte Herausforderungen: Sie mussen die nachhaltigen operativen und strategischen Kriterien, die die Basis fur eine kontinuierliche Qualitat aller Ausbildungsberufe in der Marktforschung bilden, immer wieder mit neu entstehenden Anforderungen der Branche abgleichen. Sie mussen den jungen Menschen genau zuhoren und sie beteiligen, denn sie haben es mit einer Generation zu tun, die mitgestalten will. Und sie mussen mehr denn je auch berufliche Soft Skills wie Kundenorientierung, Innovationsgeist, Agilitat und Kollaboration vermitteln, die die Einsteiger in der vernetzten Welt benotigen. Hier wird beleuchtet, wie GfK sich insbesondere mit funf Qualitatselementen fur eine hohe Relevanz und einen hohen Standard des Ausbildungsangebots fur den Marktforschungsnachwuchs in Deutschland einsetzt.
Speech formant changes due to repeated measurements, instruction, and simulated environments using both automated and manual feature extraction

Speech production can differ depending on how speech is elicited (e.g., spontaneous speech, read text, speaking style instructions, the speaking environment). Previous studies have shown different speaking styles being elicited via instruction (e.g., clear speech) or via the speaking environment (e.g., Lombard speech). There is evidence that the acoustic features of clear speech elicited by reading are similar to those observed in semi-spontaneous interaction between two interlocutors, but that clear speech changes are of a greater magnitude in the read speech than the semi-spontaneous speech. Ten talkers (five male, five female) performed read sentences (BVD) and picture descriptions in several conditions. The present study compares vowel formants from BVD sentences and spontaneously produced picture descriptions in a variety of conditions. Conditions were as follows: (1) repeated measures given the same instructions, (2) the effects of two speaking style instructions (conversational and clear), and (3) four simulated listening environments (quiet, 55 dB SPL of white noise, 63 dB SPL of white noise, and a reverberant environment) presented via earphones. Formants were extracted both manually (hand marked) and using automated techniques. Acoustic features relevant to the speaking styles and simulated conditions will be discussed in terms of the two extraction techniques.
UPPER-BOUND TO THE TIME FOR PARALLEL EVALUATION OF ARITHMETIC EXPRESSIONS

Let E be an arithmetic expression involving n variables, each of which appears just once, and the possible operations of addition, multiplication, and division, requiring times Ta, Tm, and Td respectively. Then a constructively achievalle upper-bound to the time required for parallel evaluation of E is (Ta, + Tm)log n/log α + Td, where ot is the positive root of the equation z2 = Z + 1. R. P. Brent (J.A.C.M., 21, 2, pp. 20U206) obtained the upper-bound [4 log2 (n-1)] when Ta = Tm = Td=1, while the present result improves this to yield ?,88 Iog2n + 1.
Sick building syndrome

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a poorly understood, multifactorial health condition that is diagnosed when building occupants report various, nonspecific symptoms that they attribute to being inside the building. SBS is diagnosed when other known causes of potentially serious building-related illness have been ruled out. A number of indoor environmental factors (air contaminants, bioaerosols, ventilation, temperature, humidity, lighting, etc.) and individual risk factors (gender, work stress, job dissatisfaction, etc.) have been inconsistently associated with cases of SBS, but are difficult to generalize. SBS is likely to result from a complex interaction of a number of factors including environmental, individual, and psychosocial factors.
Coping with ecological catastrophe: crossing major thresholds

The combination of human population growth and resource depletion makes catastro- phes highly probable. No long-term solutions to the problems of humankind will be discovered unless sustainable use of the planet is achieved. The essential first step toward this goal is avoiding or coping with global catastrophes that result from crossing major ecological thresholds. Decreasing the number of global catastrophes will reduce the risks associated with destabilizing ecological sys- tems, which could, in turn, destabilize societal systems. Many catastrophes will be local, regional, or national, but even these upheavals will have global consequences. Catastrophes will be the result of unsustainable practices and the misuse of technology. However, avoiding ecological catastrophes will depend on the development of eco-ethics, which is subject to progressive maturation, comments, and criticism. Some illustrative catastrophes have been selected to display some preliminary issues of eco-ethics.
Quantum Information Theory

The chapter introduces fundamental quantum information theory concepts. We explain the important notion of Von Neumann entropy (or quantum entropy) and discuss many of its properties and their interrelations. We then expand on quantum entropy to introduce the concept of Holevo information, its relation to accessible information, and the resulting Holevo bound. We then present Schumacher's noiseless quantum channel coding theorem that provides the condition under which it is possible to compress a quantum message. Finally, we discuss the classical capacity of a quantum channel and introduce the Holevo–Schumacher–Westmoreland (HSW) theorem. This theorem provides the condition under which communication over a noisy quantum channel is possible. For ease of exposition, each topic broadly has two logical parts. In the first the part the classical information theory concepts are introduced that then form the basis of the development of the analogous quantum theory ideas. Examples are provided for clarity.
Enzyme pattern directed chemotherapy. The effects of combinations of methotrexate, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine and thymidine on rat hepatoma cells in vitro.

Abstract The effects of methotrexate (MTX), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) and thymidine on the growth of four rat hepatoma lines were examined in vitro. In the rapidly growing 3924A and Novikoff lines, MTX exerted a marked anti-purine effect, as indicated by its continued toxicity in the presence of thymidine. Addition to the slower growing hepatoma lines 8999R and 8999S of 200 μM thymidine was able to sustain growth for 48 hr in the presence of MTX. However, at a lower thymidine concentration (20 μM) the MTX toxicity toward the 8999R and 8999S lines was not prevented, even in presence of hypoxanthine. Similarly, thymidine at 20 μM was able to protect the 3924A and Novikoff cell lines completely from the toxic effect of 10 μM FUdR, but this thymidine concentration did not protect the 8999R and 8999S lines. The failure of thymidine to protect the latter hepatoma lines was attributed to the rapid breakdown of thymidine in these cells. This interpretation was supported by experiments where addition of 5-diazouracil, an inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme of thymidine catabolism (dihydrothymine dehydrogenase), to the cultures resulted in an increased degree of rescue from FUdR by 20 μM thymidine. The combination of MTX and FUdR treatment in the slow growing hepatomas showed summation, but the two agents were less than additive in the rapidly growing lines. The results of these drug combination studies are interpreted in the context of the patterns of competing enzymes characteristic of the various tumor cell lines.
Physical Properties of Water

This chapter presents tabular information on water density for freshwater (0–40°C), nearshore marine conditions (0–40°C, 0–40 g/kg), and oceanic marine conditions (0–40°C, 33–37 g/kg). Information is provided on specific weight, vapor pressure, heat capacity ( C p ), viscosity, kinematic viscosity, and surface tension for 0–40°C and 0–40 g/kg salinity. Information on heat of vaporization is presented as a function of temperature (0–40°C).
Trust and swindling on the internet

Fraud on the Internet is developing into a major issue of concern for consumers and businesses. Media outlets report that online fraud represents “an epidemic of huge and rapidly growing proportions”. One area that is particularly of interest is the area of swindling activities related to online auctions. Understanding fraud is especially important because of the “network externality” effect, in which a large number of satisfied users attracts other users to use the commercial services offered through the Internet, this effect is based on the knowledge that satisfied traders induce others to trade on the Internet increasing the trading system efficiency. Headlines that present swindling activities on the internet deter users from using the internet for commercial activities.
Exploring the International Student Experience: Providing Insight through a Mixed-Methods Approach

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) has seen a dramatic increase in international student enrollment in the last four years. To serve this rising population effectively, librarians at ...
A Content Management System for Chatbots

In this chapter we describe the industrial applications of our linguistic-based relevance technology for processing, classification and delivery of a stream of texts as data sources for chatbots. We present the content pipeline for eBay entertainment domain that employs this technology, and show that text processing relevance is the main bottleneck for its performance. A number of components of the chatbot content pipeline such as content mining, thesaurus formation, aggregation from multiple sources, validation, de-duplication, opinion mining and integrity enforcement need to rely on domain-independent efficient text classification, entity extraction and relevance assessment operations.
Factors Associated with Student Success in Online and Face-to-Face Delivery of Master of Science in Nursing Programs

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify academic and demographic characteristics of master's-level nursing students that predict successful program completion in face-to-face and online master's of science in nursing (MSN) programs. In addition, information was sought regarding online MSN students' retrospective appraisals of their program experience. Method This article reports survey results of 125 former students enrolled in 1 of 3 MSN programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nursing Administration. Survey data collected included appraisals of quality, rigor, and preparation. Results The final survey sample included 125 respondents, of whom 92 were formerly enrolled in an online MSN program and 33 in an in-seat MSN program. Online and in-seat students did not significantly differ on any demographic or academic variables, nor the likelihood of graduation or discontinuation. Significant predictors of graduation included lower numbers of withdrawn classes and higher numbers of dropped classes. Program graduates reported moderate levels of confidence in their expanded career roles and moderate levels of certification examination preparation. Conclusion Understanding the association between dropped classes, withdrawn classes, and persistence in MSN programs can assist academic program leaders to develop strategies to help their students to be successful. Identifying personal characteristics, situational variables, and academic factors that characterize persistence and predict graduation in MSN students is an area of study that requires further research.
Least Square Approach to Out-of-Sample Extensions of Diffusion Maps

Let Z be a union of a training set X and a testing set Y. Assume that a kernel method produces a dimensionality reduction (DR) mapping P that maps the high-dimensional data X to its row-dimensional representation P(X). The out-of-sample extension of dimensionality reduction problem is to find the dimensionality reduction of Y using the extension of P instead of re-training the whole set Z. In this paper, utilizing the framework of reproducing kernel Hilbert space theory, we introduce a least-square approach to extensions of the popular DR mappings called Diffusion maps (Dmaps). We establish a theoretic analysis for the out-of-sample DR Dmaps, which also provides a uniform treatment of many popular out-of-sample algorithms based on kernel methods. We also illustrate the validity of the developed out-of-sample DR algorithms in several examples.
Curriculum in Art Education: The Uncertainty Principle

This paper identifies curriculum as the pivotal link between theory and practice and asserts that all stages of curriculum research and development are characterized by elements of uncertainty. Par...
Enfoques alternativos en la valoración de ecosistemas: explorando la participación de los usuarios locales

La valoracion economica de los ecosistemas basada en la estimacion de la disponibilidada pagar, generalmente no tiene en cuenta la importancia que los usuarioslocales de recursos le otorgan a los mismos y a los servicios que proveen. En esteestudio, apoyados en el Metodo de Asignacion de Puntajes, se desarrolla una valoracionparticipativa de unidades socioecologicas del paisaje en el complejo lagunarde la Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta. La seleccion de dichas unidades y su valoracionfueron llevadas a cabo por participantes de cinco comunidades de la region.La valoracion participativa permite conocer el valor relativo que las comunidadeslocales otorgan a las diferentes coberturas e identificar diferencias entre comunidades.Se destaca la importancia que todas las comunidades le dan a los cuerpos deagua para obtencion de alimento y de agua para consumo, la importancia del espejode agua de la Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta en su papel de identidad cultural ylas diferencias en la valoracion de zonas agricolas. Este estudio tambien presenta,de manera exploratoria, un analisis de preferencias intertemporales y de tasas dedescuento de las unidades.
Designing Oxygen Microbubbles for Treating Tumor Hypoxia

Here we report on an oxygen microbubble that has increased circulation and contrast persistence to treat tumor hypoxia during X-ray therapy. In recent work, oxygen microbubbles injected directly into tumors were shown to oxygenate hypoxic tumors and improve radiation therapy [1]. Here, we investigate oxygen microbubbles designed for intravenous, rather than intra-tumoral, injection. Oxygen microbubbles were designed with two phospholipid shell compositions, DSPC (C18:0) and DBPC (C22:0). DBPC microbubbles showed a significant increase in ultrasound contrast persistence in vivo in the mouse kidney, and this composition may be ideal for an intravascular microbubble injection to treat tumor hypoxia in radiation oncology.