cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between threshold and suprathreshold perception of position and stereoscopic depth

We seek to determine the relationship between threshold and suprathreshold perception for position offset and stereoscopic depth perception under conditions that elevate their respective thresholds. Two threshold-elevating conditions were used: (1) increasing the interline gap and (2) dioptric blur. Although increasing the interline gap increases position (Vernier) offset and stereoscopic disparity thresholds substantially, the perception of suprathreshold position offset and stereoscopic depth remains unchanged. Perception of suprathreshold position offset also remains unchanged when the Vernier threshold is elevated by dioptric blur. We show that such normalization of suprathreshold position offset can be attributed to the topographical-map-based encoding of position. On the other hand, dioptric blur increases the stereoscopic disparity thresholds and reduces the perceived suprathreshold stereoscopic depth, which can be accounted for by a disparity-computation model in which the activities of absolute disparity encoders are multiplied by a Gaussian weighting function that is centered on the horopter. Overall, the statement “equal suprathreshold perception occurs in threshold-elevated and unelevated conditions when the stimuli are equally above their corresponding thresholds” describes the results better than the statement “suprathreshold stimuli are perceived as equal when they are equal multiples of their respective threshold values.”
Toward developing a hydrodynamic flow and inundation model of the lower Pearl River

The lower Pearl River in Mississippi and Louisiana flows through extensive areas of intertidal marshes and flood-plains and is subject to frequent floods due to upstream flows, local runoff and tidal and storm forcing. In order to improve flow and flood prediction capabilities, a hydrodynamic flow and inundation model for the lower Pearl River is being developed using ADCIRC by the river modeling group at the Naval Research Laboratory at Stennis Space Center. Image analysis techniques are applied to high resolution aerial photography of the Pearl River to extract the channel boundaries and a synthetic bathymetry is generated by fitting an idealized cross-section across the channel. A mesh is generated for the entire lower Pearl River from Bogalusa, LA to the coast. A separate mesh is created for a subregion of the East Pearl River and this model is validated against observations.
From Bench to Bedside: Lessons Learned in Translating Preclinical Studies in Cancer Drug Development

The development of targeted agents in oncology has rapidly expanded over the past 2 decades and has led to clinically significant improvements in the treatment of numerous cancers. Unfortunately, not all success at the bench in preclinical experiments has translated to success at the bedside. As preclinical studies shift toward defining proof of mechanism, patient selection, and rational drug combinations, it is critical to understand the lessons learned from prior translational studies to gain an understanding of prior drug development successes and failures. By learning from prior drug development, future translational studies will provide more clinically relevant data, and the underlying hope is that the clinical success rate will improve and the treatment of patients with ineffective targeted therapy will be limited.
Patterns and Trends in Grade Retention Rates in the United States, 1995–2010:

Although grade retention may be consequential for a number of important educational and socioeconomic outcomes, we know surprisingly little about the actual rate at which students are made to repeat grades. We build on Hauser, Frederick, and Andrew's (2007) measure of grade retention using data from the 1995 through 2010 Current Population Surveys. We make technical improvements to their measure; provide more recent estimates; and validate the measure against external criteria. Our measure describes large disparities in grade retention rates by sex, race/ethnicity, geographic locale, and students' socioeconomic circumstances. However, both absolute retention rates and disparities in retention rates have declined markedly since 2005. We conclude by describing how our measures might be used to model the impact of economic and policy contexts on grade retention rates.
Aggression following performance feedback: The influences of narcissism, feedback valence, and comparative standard

This study investigated the relation between narcissism and aggression after feedback with varied response options available. Extending previous research, the influence of the comparative standard on which feedback is based was included as a variable in the design. Participants were 120 undergraduates. Feedback valence and comparative standard were experimentally manipulated and randomly predetermined. Replicating previous research, narcissism was associated with increased aggressiveness after negative feedback. However, this effect was specific to males. Following negative feedback, self-referenced (i.e., ipsative) feedback was associated with significantly less increase in aggression than feedback based on an idealized standard. These findings suggest that the manner in which feedback is delivered may influence aggression. The implications of these findings for the prevention of aggression are discussed.
Impact of acute biochemical castration on insulin sensitivity in healthy adult men.

Introduction. Evidence supports an inverse relationship between serum testosterone (T) and insulin resistance in men. However, data with respect to causality are limited. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of acute biochemical castration on insulin sensitivity in healthy adult men. Methods. Ten healthy, adult males (mean age 41.0 ± 3.9 yr) were studied. Subjects were studied at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of biochemical castration. Outpatient hospital research setting. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), abdominal and visceral adiposity (MRI), skeletal muscle intramyocellular lipid content ([IMCL] 1H-MR spectroscopy), and insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp) were assessed before and after 2 and 4 weeks of biochemical castration induced by a GnRH antagonist (acyline 300 μg/kg subcutaneous every 10–14 days). Serum T, insulin and glucose levels, body composition, abdominal visceral fat, IMCL, and glucose disposal...
Effect of Continuous-Wave Ultrasound on Blood Flow in Skeletal Muscle

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ultrasound on forearm, skin, and muscle blood flow. Subjects. Twenty volunteers without known vascular problems (10 male, 10 female) participated. Methods. All subjects received a treatment of continuous-wave ultrasound to the anterior forearm at a dosage of 1.5 W/cm2 for a duration of 5 minutes. The contralateral forearm served as the control and received identical treatment, except the ultrasound output remained at zero. Forearm blood flow was measured using venous occlusion plethysmography, and skin blood flow was measured using cutaneous laser-Doppler flowmetry before and after ultrasound administration, with the difference being muscle blood flow. Results. No differences between the control arm and the ultrasound-treated arm were found for muscle, skin, and forearm blood flow. Conclusion and Discussion. These results suggest that administration of continuous-wave ultrasound at the prescribed dosage had no effect on skeletal muscle blood flow for up to 30 minutes posttreatment. Thus, muscle hyperemia is probably not the primary mechanism responsible for the clinical benefits seen following the use of ultrasound as a therapeutic modality.
Multilevel Analysis of the Determinants of Receipt of Clinical Preventive Services among Reproductive-Age Women

Abstract Background We investigated the impact of individual- and county-level contextual variables on women’s receipt of a comprehensive panel of preventive services in a region that includes both urban and rural communities. Methods Outcome variables were a screening and vaccination index (a count of Papanicolaou test, blood pressure check, lipid panel, sexually transmitted infections [STI] or HIV test, and influenza vaccination received in the past 2 years) and a preventivecounseling index (a count of topics discussed in the past 2 years: Smoking and tobacco, alcohol or drugs, violence and safety, pregnancy planning or contraception, diet/nutrition, and STIs). Contextual covariates from the Area Resource File (2004–2005) were appended to prospective survey data from the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study. Individual-level variables included predisposing, enabling, and need-based measures. Contextual variables included community characteristics and healthcare resources, including a measure of primary care physician (PCP) density specifically designed for this study of women’s preventive care. Multilevel analyses were performed. Results We found low overall use of preventive services. In multilevel models, individual-level factors predicted receipt of both screening and vaccinations and counseling services; significant predictors differed for each index. One contextual variable (PCP density) predicted receipt of screenings and vaccinations. Conclusions Women’s receipt of preventive services was determined primarily by individual-level variables. Different variables predicted receipt of screening and vaccination versus counseling services. A contextual measure, PCP density, predicted receipt of preventive screenings and vaccinations. Individual variability in women’s receipt of counseling services is largely explained by psychosocial factors and seeing an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Arabidopsis GH3.12 (PBS3) conjugates amino acids to 4-substituted benzoates and is inhibited by salicylate.

Salicylate (SA, 2-hydroxybenzoate) is a phytohormone best known for its role as a critical mediator of local and systemic plant defense responses. In response to pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae, SA is synthesized and activates widespread gene expression. In gh3.12/pbs3 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, induced total SA accumulation is significantly compromised as is SA-dependent gene expression and plant defense. AtGH3 subfamily I and II members have been shown to conjugate phytohormone acyl substrates to amino acids in vitro, with this role supported by in planta analyses. Here we sought to determine the in vitro biochemical activity and kinetic properties of GH3.12/avrPphB susceptible 3 (PBS3), a member of the uncharacterized AtGH3 subfamily III. Using a novel high throughput adenylation assay, we characterized the acyl substrate preference of PBS3. We found PBS3 favors 4-substituted benzoates such as 4-aminobenzoate and 4-hydroxybenzoate, with moderate activity on benzoate and no observed activity with 2-substituted benzoates. Similar to known GH3 enzymes, PBS3 catalyzes the conjugation of specific amino acids (e.g. Glu) to its preferred acyl substrates. Kinetic analyses indicate 4-aminobenzoate and 4-hydroxybenzoate are preferred acyl substrates as PBS3 exhibits both higher affinities (apparent Km = 153 and 459 μm, respectively) and higher catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km = 0.0179 and 0.0444 μm–1 min–1, respectively) with these acyl substrates compared with benzoate (apparent Km = 867 μm, kcat/Km = 0.0046 μm–1 min–1). Notably, SA specifically and reversibly inhibits PBS3 activity with an IC50 of 15 μm. This suggests a general mechanism for the rapid, reversible regulation of GH3 activity and small molecule cross-talk. For PBS3, this may allow for coordination of flux through diverse chorismate-derived pathways.
Topological methods for finding nontrivial solutions of elliptic boundary value problems

ONE WAY of demonstrating the existence of a solution of a nonlinear equation is to consider the behavior of the operator associated with the equation on the boundary of a large ball in a function space. Then using some topological tools like homotopy or degree theory, one deduces the existence of a solution within the ball. However, in many instances a simple solution is already known; for example the zero function might be a solution. At this point, the topological tool may not give us any more information than we already know. But all is not lost for if we consider a little ball around the solution and study the behavior of the operator on its boundary, we may compare it with the behavior on the boundary of the large ball and using our topological tools conclude that there exists another solution in the annulus between. It is the purpose of this paper to study such problems. Nirenberg [l] has considered the existence question on a ball with a large radius for the equation x K(x) = 0 where K is compact and Cronin [2] has extended some of his results to an annulus. In Section 1 we extend Nirenberg’s result by considering the problem in an annulus instead of the ball. We obtain conditions for the existence of solutions and then apply the results to Fredholm operators of index i > 0. We then relate Cronin’s results [2] to ours. Section 2 deals with applications to elliptic partial differential equations. Here we use degree theory to obtain the existence of nontrivial solutions. The main references of this chapter are the works of Nirenberg [l, 31. In determining the degree of specific vector fields, we draw from the texts of Cronin [4] and Krasnosel’skii [5]. We also present some simple examples to illustrate our results. 1 wish to express my appreciation to my thesis advisor, Professor Louis Nirenberg, for his assistance and encouragement.
Reducing shoulder-surfing by using gaze-based password entry

Shoulder-surfing -- using direct observation techniques, such as looking over someone's shoulder, to get passwords, PINs and other sensitive personal information -- is a problem that has been difficult to overcome. When a user enters information using a keyboard, mouse, touch screen or any traditional input device, a malicious observer may be able to acquire the user's password credentials. We present EyePassword, a system that mitigates the issues of shoulder surfing via a novel approach to user input.With EyePassword, a user enters sensitive input (password, PIN, etc.) by selecting from an on-screen keyboard using only the orientation of their pupils (i.e. the position of their gaze on screen), making eavesdropping by a malicious observer largely impractical. We present a number of design choices and discuss their effect on usability and security. We conducted user studies to evaluate the speed, accuracy and user acceptance of our approach. Our results demonstrate that gaze-based password entry requires marginal additional time over using a keyboard, error rates are similar to those of using a keyboard and subjects preferred the gaze-based password entry approach over traditional methods.
Maternal Behavior and the Development of Empathy in Preschool Children

60 preschool children were administered the Borke Empathy Scale. Their mothers completed a modified version of the Rollins Child-rearing Scale. The mothers' child-rearing scores plus children's age...
Sensitive colorimetric sensors for visual detection of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide

A series of highly efficient, solid-state sensors for direct colorimetric detection of gaseous CO2 and SO2 is described. The basic components of the sensors are a CO2 and SO2-responsive, tertiary amino alcohol, such as triethanolamine, and a pH-indicator dye, e.g. cresol red, immobilized on a porous γ-aluminum oxide support. These sensors show distinct visual responses to low levels of CO2 and SO2 present in air. A structure–performance relationship was also established for these sensors. To increase the shelf-life, tertiary amino alcohols were covalently attached to the porous alumina support. These porous alumina-supported tertiary amino alcohols also offer potential for use as adsorbents for acidic gases such as CO2 and SO2 with the ability to selectively release these under different conditions, allowing easy separation from a gas stream.
Use of mechanical assist during high‐risk PCI and STEMI with cardiogenic shock

Infarct size may be reduced by left ventricular unloading after ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) in addition to reperfusion therapy. Likewise, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may benefit from periprocedural support especially in patients with low cardiac output at baseline or when periprocedural hemodynamic deterioration is anticipated. Traditionally, intraaortic balloon-pumps have been used in acute MI with cardiogenic shock. As this modality has limited hemodynamic benefits, new developments have focused on active hemodynamic assist devices. These devices actively unload the left ventricle increasing cardiac output by 2.5-5 L/min and are increasingly easier to implant and monitor. Thus, interventional cardiologists will be able to offer a safer more effective alternative to an increasing patient population with complex cardiac conditions and high-risk PCI.
Sequence and Expression Analysis of the ompA Gene of Rickettsia peacockii, an Endosymbiont of the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, Dermacentor andersoni

The transmission dynamics of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Montana appears to be regulated by Rickettsia peacockii, a tick symbiotic rickettsia that interferes with transmission of virulent Rickettsia rickettsii. To elucidate the molecular relationships between the two rickettsiae and glean information on how to possibly exploit this interference phenomenon, we studied a major rickettsial outer membrane protein gene, ompA, presumed to be involved in infection and pathogenesis of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) but which is not expressed in the symbiont. Based on PCR amplification and DNA sequence analysis of the SFGR ompA gene, we demonstrate that R. peacockii is the most closely related of all known SFGR to R. rickettsii. We show that R. peacockii, originally described as East Side agent in Dermacentor andersoni ticks from the east side of the Bitterroot Valley in Montana, is still present in that tick population as well as in D. andersoni ticks collected at two widely separated locations in Colorado. The ompA genes of R. peacockii from these locations share three identical premature stop codons and a weakened ribosome binding site consensus sequence relative to ompA of R. rickettsii. The R. peacockii ompA promoter closely resembles that of R. rickettsii and is functional based on reverse transcription-PCR results. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting showed that OmpA translation products were not detected in cultured tick cells infected with R. peacockii. Double immunolabeling studies revealed actin tail structures in tick cells infected with R. rickettsii strain Hlp#2 but not in cells infected with R. peacockii.
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever and Septic Shock

Ebola virus is the cause of sporadic outbreaks of lethal Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) in central Africa. Despite the difficulties of studying this virus much has been learned over the past decade about the pathogenesis of Ebola virus infection in humans and nonhuman primates. Two articles in this issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases report further progress. The article by Bosio et al. confirms findings that the virus is able to infect dendritic cells (DCs) impairing their innate antiviral activity and limiting their ability to initiate adaptive immune responses. The article by Geisbert et al. identifies a molecular trigger for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) through the expression of tissue factor (TF) on the surface of virus-infected monocytes and macrophages. Together these findings shed light on early events that both permit rapid viral dissemination and cause some of the major features of EHF. (excerpt)
The Relationship Between Discharge Readiness Inventory Scales and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale

Objective: Important relationships exist between chronic psychiatric patients' symptoms of disorder and their readiness to be discharged from inpatient treatment. Behavioral rating scales can suppl...
MODELING THE EFFECTS OF FIRE MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES ON SIERRA NEVADA MIXED-CONIFER FORESTS

Decades of fire exclusion have led to hazardous fuel accumulations and the deterioration of fire-dependent ecosystems, particularly in the American West. Managers are striving to return the ecological role of fire to many ecosystems and would benefit from a much better understanding of how forest structure and composition might change if fires were reintroduced. We used a forest gap model, developed for forests in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA, that integrates climate, fire, and forest dynamics to investigate forest response to changes in the fire regime. The model simulates a spatially heterogeneous fuel bed that is responsive to changes in forest condition, making it well suited for examining alternative management approaches for restoring Sierra Nevada forests after a century of fire exclusion. Presuppression forest basal area, species composition, and spatial autocor- relation structure were restored quickly, if simulated disturbances that caused substantial tree mortality were reintroduced. Simulations of harvest induced the highest levels of mortality and, thus, most effectively restored forest structure and composition. However, prescribed fires were just as effective in restoring forest structure and composition if they were sufficiently severe.
The Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version (MIST-A): Development of an Instrument for the Assessment of “Focused” and “Automatic” Hair Pulling

This article describes the development of the Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version (MIST-A), which was designed to assess “automatic” and “focused” pulling subtypes of trichotillomania (TTM). Participants reporting symptoms of TTM (n = 1,697) completed an internet survey; participants were later randomly assigned to either Exploratory (n = 848) or Confirmatory (n = 849) Analyses. Exploratory Analyses examined the development and psychometric properties of the MIST-A. Results of an exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution. Factor 1 (“focused” pulling scale) and 2 (“automatic” pulling scale) consisted of ten and five items respectively, with both scales demonstrating adequate internal consistency and good construct and discriminant validity. Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated support for the scale’s underlying factor structure. The MIST-A provides researchers with a reliable and valid assessment of “automatic” and “focused” pulling, although replication using a clinically ascertained sample is necessary.
Multiple motor unit recordings of laryngeal muscles: the technique of vector laryngeal electromyography.

Objectives To display time-series firing rate and recruitment data for multiple, simultaneously active motoneurons activating human laryngeal muscles. These data provide specific information about how laryngeal muscle force is being controlled by the central nervous system at the level of the lower motoneuron. Methods A quadrifilar needle electrode was used to record multi-channel myoelectric signals from thyroarytenoid muscle of normal subjects during tasks ranging from quiet breathing to a short sentence. Motor unit action potentials of the signal space were identified and tracked throughout task productions using pattern recognition and Precision Decomposition software. Results We present the first recordings and analyses of multiple motor unit activations in the larynx. The firing times and mean firing rates are plotted for each identified motor unit, which reveal recruitment and decruitment information and the database from which common firing statistics across motor units may be derived. Conclusions This study provides new information about neuromuscular physiology of the larynx. Specifically, the results reveal the ordered recruitment and firing patterns of multiple motor units and the existence of common drive from the central nervous system. The technique may prove fundamental to understanding various neuromuscular pathologies such as laryngeal spasm and to assist clinical prognosis of laryngeal paresis and the diagnosis of certain neurogenic disorders.
A 25.6 dBm wireless transmitter using RF-PWM with carrier switching in 130-nm CMOS

A wireless transmitter using RF pulse-width-modulation (PWM) with carrier switching is introduced. The proposed approach overcomes the dynamic range limitation of PWM at radio frequencies by utilizing carrier switching between fundamental and half-fundamental frequencies, depending on the signal level to be transmitted. This allows for transmission of signals with large peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) such as OFDM. The efficiency is also improved in the power back-off region due to reduced switching losses in the half-fundamental mode. The transmitter has been implemented in a 130-nm CMOS process. The measured peak output power and power-added-efficiency (PAE) are 25.6 dBm and 34%, respectively. While driving 802.11g 64-QAM OFDM signals, the average output power is 18.3 dBm and the PAE is 16% with an EVM of −25.5 dB.
Roentgen Pelvimetry as a Routine Prenatal Procedure

DURING the past six years a roentgenometric survey of the pelvis has been performed on every primigravid woman who has presented herself prenatally for delivery in the wards of the New Haven HospitaL The results have amply proved the value of the procedure and the recent prediction by J. 1\L M. Kerr that such investigation will eventually become an essential part of prenatal care seems definitely justified. Many methods for a roentgen survey of the pelvis have been devised. Some of these are not only complicated and require expensive equipment but considerable experience is required in order to secure satisfactory results. It seems obvious that any method which may become usefully adaptable in such a universal field as that of obstetrics must be of reasonable simplicity, of ready interpretation, and of low expense. Such a method is that used in our clinic and one which has been developed through an experience of nearly a score of years. This method employs two films, depicting two views of the pelvis: an inlet view and a lateral view. It is my conviction that for routine purposes the information secured from these two films together with that obtained by certain manual methods offers an excellent survey of the bony pelvis for routine obstetric purposes. Such a survey embraces the measurement of certain pelvic diameters and the evaluation of certain pelvic contours. In order that these important diameters may be easily comprehended we may divide the pelvis into three portions. These are:
Deformation Behavior of Artificial Rock in the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Test

In this study, the strains of artificial rock were analyzed in order to estimate the deformation behavior of rock-like materials in the SHPB test. The axial strain measured directly from the strain gage and obtained from the process analysis of three-wave method were compared. The analysis results show that: (1) the measurements of dynamic strains of material obtained from the strain gage method are feasible; (2) the axial strains and strain rates analyzed from the strain gage records are less than those obtained from the three-wave method; (3) the dynamic/static deformation modulus ratio Ed/Es has the increasing tendency with the raising of stress rate, and the modulus ratio obtained from the strain gage method is more than that obtained from the three-wave method.
Effect of Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Diapause Control Insecticide Treatments on Predaceous Arthropod Populations in Cotton Fields

Four insecticide applications were applied annually to more than 98% of the total cotton acreage in the Panola County, Miss., Optimum Pest Management Trial (OPM trial) from 1978 through 1980 for diapause control of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman. Data comparing major predatory arthropod species populations in the OPM area with that from Pontotoc County, Miss., where current insect control practices were used showed that the diapause treatments did not adversely affect these predator populations during the years that the OPM trial was in effect.
Evaluation of the skin to epidural and subarachnoid space distance in young children using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background and Objectives Epidural catheters placed for perioperative analgesia in young children confer clinical benefits but are technically challenging to insert. Approximations of the skin to epidural space depth in this population are limited to direct needle measurement and ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most comprehensive imaging modality of the spine. This study aims to produce a more clinically useful formula from MRI data to estimate pediatric epidural depth. Methods Seventy children with normal lumbar spine MR images were enrolled. After determination of epidural depth, linear regression was used to estimate a weight-based formula. Analysis of variance and bootstrap methods were used to evaluate this formula against 4 commonly cited formulae. The quality of predictions was evaluated using the mean absolute prediction error. Results The estimated weight-based formula as derived by MRI data is given by: skin to epidural depth (mm) = 9.00 + 0.62 * weight in kilograms. The mean absolute prediction error was 2.56 mm (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.12–3.04) for the new formula. Additional derived formulae are skin to dorsal dura depth (mm) = 13.52 + 0.71 * weight in kilograms (mean absolute prediction error, 2.48 mm; 95% CI, 2.00–3.03) and skin to ventral dural depth (mm) = 23.08 + 0.86 * weight in kilograms (mean absolute prediction error, 2.50 mm; 95% CI, 2.04–3.06). Conclusions We provide the first predictive formulae, based on MRI data, for pediatric epidural depth estimation.
Experimental and Computational Studies of Mixing in Supersonic Flow

A preliminary combined experimental and computational investigation is conducted on the mixing characteristics of a strut-based hypermixer in a Mach 3 freestream. The hypermixing flow-field is generated by an injection pylon with expansive wedges to enhance the streamwise vorticity. Two different scalar visualization techniques are used to examine the underlying mixing processes. Planar laser scattering of condensed carbon dioxide gas is used to visualize the freestream flow, whereas two-photon planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of krypton gas is used to mark the injected jet fluid. The experimental results are compared directly to a large-eddy simulation (LES) of the same flow-field. The results obtained are complimentary because the experimental data can aid in the validation of LES models, and the simulations provide information about the thermodynamic property variations that affect the interpretation of the krypton PLIF signal.
Beyond melanoma: inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in solid tumors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been identified as breakthrough treatment in melanoma given its dramatic response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. This is likely to extend to many other cancers as hundreds of clinical trials are being conducted or proposed using this exciting modality of therapy in a variety of malignancies. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have been extensively studied in melanoma and more recently in lung cancer, little is known regarding immune checkpoint blockade in other cancers. This review will focus on the tumor immune microenvironment, the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 and the effect of immune modulation using PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with head and neck, prostate, urothelial, renal, breast, gastrointestinal and lung cancers.
The Survey of the Circumstances of AIDS/STD-related Knowledge of Architectural Country Workers in Guiyang City

Objective To Understanding circumstances of AIDS/STD-related knowledge of architectural country workers in Guiyang City.To explore a strategies and measures to increase the Awareness of AIDS/STD-related knowledge of architectural country workers.Methods Use the Self general questionnaire,AIDS/STD-related knowledge questionnaire.To the manner of Self-administered questionnaire for architectural country workers of who were In the informed consent to Survey.138 architectural country workers at a building ground of Guiyang City were selected.Results In the test of 28 items about AIDS/STD-related knowledge,the median score is 20(P25=19,P75=22);there are 122(88.4%) people pass the test,if they did 60% correct answers.Conclusion Although most architectural country workers'AIDS/STD-related knowledge is better,but still stay in the level of Specious,still have a big misunderstanding;it is necessary to not only enhance the health education of AIDS/STD related knowledge of architectural country workers,but also increase their awareness of disease prevention and disease control measures.
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF A ROTATING COMPOSITE PLATE

Dynamic modelling method of a rotating composite plate was presented. The second-order coupled deformation, which is ignored in conventional method, was considered. Based on classic laminate theory (CLT), the equations of motion were established using finite element method and Lagrange principle. The reliability of the motion equations derived was validated by numerical study. As the rotating speed increases, there is an obvious difference in the deformation results between new and conventional method. The effect of plate’s configuration on the dynamic characteristics was also investigated. The results show that the first order rotating natural frequency increases as the radius of hub or its angular speed increases, while it decreases as the ply angle increases. Considering the radius of hub is fixed, the maximum deformation at the observed point increases as the ply angle or angular speed of the hub increases. Accounting for the effect of number of laminas, a normal symmetric orthotropic laminate was considered. The maximum deformation at the angle point increases as the lamina number increases while the other parameters are fixed.
The Effects of Acute Exercise on Memory and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Acute exercise benefits cognition, and some evidence suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in this effect. The purpose of this study was to explore the dose-response relationship between exercise intensity, memory, and BDNF. Young adults completed 3 exercise sessions at different intensities relative to ventilator threshold (Vt) (VO2max, Vt - 20%, Vt + 20%). For each session, participants exercised for approximately 30 min. Following exercise, they performed the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) to assess short-term memory, learning, and long-term memory recall. Twenty-four hours later, they completed the RAVLT recognition trial, which provided another measure of long-term memory. Blood was drawn before exercise, immediately postexercise, and after the 30-min recall test. Results indicated that long-term memory as assessed after the 24-hr delay differed as a function of exercise intensity with the largest benefits observed following maximal intensity exercise. BDNF data showed a significant increase in response to exercise; however, there were no differences relative to exercise intensity and there were no significant associations between BDNF and memory. Future research is warranted so that we can better understand how to use exercise to benefit cognitive performance.
What Impact does Old-age Pension Receipt Have on the Use of Public Assistance Programs Among the Elderly?

Abstract This article estimates the causal effect of benefit levels on elderly enrollment in two public assistance programs by using the variation in eligibility and benefit levels introduced by old-age pension benefits. The findings are threefold. First, the low take-up among the elderly is not driven by changes in the composition of the eligible pool. Second, old-age pensions decrease the use of public assistance programs by decreasing the gain of participation – the potential benefits. Third, we find program-specific responses: a $100 increase in potential Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits leads to a 4–6 percentage point increase in the take-up probability, but we are unable to estimate consistent results for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Together with the fact that eligible individuals who begin receiving old-age pensions continue to participate in SSI more often than they maintain SNAP enrollment, the different program response could be due to preference for cash over in-kind transfers.
Hospitalization Cost Model of Pediatric Surgical Treatment of Chiari Type 1 Malformation

Objectives To develop a cost model for hospitalization costs of surgery among children with Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) and to examine risk factors for increased costs. Study design Data were extracted from the US National Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2009 Kids' Inpatient Database. The study cohort was comprised of patients aged 0-20 years who underwent CM-1 surgery. Patient charges were converted to costs by cost-to-charge ratios. Simple and multivariable generalized linear models were used to construct cost models and to determine factors associated with increased hospital costs of CM-1 surgery. Results A total of 1075 patients were included. Median age was 11 years (IQR 5-16 years). Payers included public (32.9%) and private (61.5%) insurers. Median wage-adjusted cost and length-of-stay for CM-1 surgery were US $13 598 (IQR $10 475-$18 266) and 3 days (IQR 3-4 days). Higher costs were found at freestanding children's hospitals: average incremental-increased cost (AIIC) was US $5155 (95% CI $2067-$8749). Factors most associated with increased hospitalization costs were patients with device-dependent complex chronic conditions (AIIC $20 617, 95% CI $13 721-$29 026) and medical complications (AIIC $13 632, 95% CI $7163-$21 845). Neurologic and neuromuscular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and other congenital genetic defect complex chronic conditions were also associated with higher hospital costs. Conclusions This study examined cost drivers for surgery for CM-1; the results may serve as a starting point in informing the development of financial risk models, such as bundled payments or prospective payment systems for these procedures. Beyond financial implications, the study identified specific risk factors associated with increased costs.
Activation of NF-kB by ionizing radiation: A role for nitric oxide

1658 A constitutive, Ca2+ dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is activated within minutes of exposing epithelial cells to therapeutic doses of ionizing radiation (IR). One consequence is the transient generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO) as determined by protein Tyr nitration (Leach et al, JBC 277, 15400, 2002). Previously we also showed that IR stimulated the DNA-binding activity of transcription factor NFkB, a principal regulator of the cellular response to the different kinds of stress. NFkB DNA binding activity measured by gel shift assay as well as promoter activity determined with a luciferase reporter construct were blocked by either pharmacological or genetic inhibition of NOS. Furthermore, IR stimulated the Tyr nitration of IkB. Herein we demonstrate that Tyr-nitration of IκB is necessary for radiation-induced activation of NFκB. CHO cell lysates were treated with nitrated 100 to 400 μM ONOO. The amount of IkBa free and in complex with NF-kB was determined by two consecutive immunoprecipitations with anti-NFkB and anti-IkBa. After SDS-PAGE fractionation Western blots were probed with anti-IkBa and anti-nitroTyr. Nitration of cell-lysate by ONOO resulted in a dose dependent decrease in complex formation between NFkB and IkBa. Probing with anti-nitroTyr revealed Tyr-nitration of the free form of IkBa only. To determine which Tyr(s) is nitrated in IkBa, we constructed individual mutants with each Tyr converted to Phe. Cells were transfected with wild type and mutant types of IkBa. 48 hours after transfection cells were irradiated (5 Gy) and anti-nitroTyr immunoprecipitates were prepared by standard procedures. After SDS-PAGE fractionation Western blots were probed with anti-IkBa. Absence of nitration was shown for the 195-Tyr-to-Phe mutant. Tyr-195 is found between the two helices that compose the 4th ankyrin repeat of IkBa. The fingers connecting ankyrin repeats 3, 4 and 5 of IκBα are at the interface of the NFκB dimer. Mass spectroscopic studies are in progress to confirm that this site is nitrated after radiation treatment.
Software tools for distributed intelligent control systems

Abstract The future of intelligent control systems depends upon the extent to which Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology can help control engineers deliver practical solutions to difficult control engineering problems. Conventional control design approaches have achieved notable successes in the design and implementation of robust, adaptive controllers for systems with well-defined mathematical models. However, conventional approaches have had difficulty supporting engineers in the design and implementation of control systems when an accurate mathematical model is not available. Also, verification that computer-controlled systems perform to specifications, validation of the specifications, higher-level control, operator decision aids, system diagnosis, operator alerting, and reconfiguration of systems which experience large changes over time or potentially catastrophic failures are significant challenges to control science and engineering. It is in these difficult areas where the AI technologies of knowledge representation, learning, search, diagnosis, planning, and decision are being used to aid control engineers. Algorithms for computer-controlled systems and software tools to help implement these algorithms have been a subject of research and commercialization for decades. Computer-Aided Control Engineering (CACE) tools have achieved a degree of success in the past decade based on their ability to assist in the control system design and implementation process. Specialized tools have been made available for system identification, system simulation, controller design and controller implementation. Recently, efforts have been made to build integrated CACE environments. Also, some current research is aimed at increasing the utility of available systems by creating a mathematical basis and a software architecture for efficiently describing complex systems and using these as a means of achieving a higher level of integration of the diverse tools already available. A recent Workshop on Software Tools for Distributed Intelligent Control Systems was sponsored by the U.S. Army and The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This paper will describe the results of the workshop and subsequent efforts to use these results to shape a DARPA software development project. The first section of the paper provides a brief review of the current applications of AI in the design and implementation of control systems. The second section discusses areas where AI can be applied in the near term to help solve challenges in the implementation of computer-controlled systems. The third section gives an overview of the development of CACE tools. The fourth section provides a review of the Army/DARPA workshop and the last section discusses the use of the results of the workshop.
Physical Properties of Sol-Gel Coatings

One of the most important applications of sol-gel technology is the fabrication of coatings. This is because of the possibility of applying oxide coatings with practically all types of chemical compositions at low ambient temperatures on many substrates of various shapes through the use of liquid solutions. Both oxides and different types of organic-inorganic hybrid coatings have been reported. Both oxides and hybrid coatings are usually amorphous at ambient temperatures but some oxides can be converted to the crystalline phase with heating. Regardless of the intended applications of the coatings their physical properties are always of importance. For instance, an anti-reflective coating for an automobile mirror is of little practical value unless it is fairly scratch-resistant. In this review which covers published information in the past fifteen years, some of the more important results of physical properties of sol-gel derived coatings are discussed firstly for oxides and then for organic-inorganic hybrids. It appears that properties such as the hardness of oxide coatings are inadequate unless the heat-treatment temperatures are in excess of about 400°C. The hybrid coatings, especially when they contain a dispersed phase of a hard solid like colloidal silica, can be processed at temperatures below about 150°C and can improve the performance of organic plastics such as the polycarbonates. There is insufficient scientific understanding of the relationship between physical properties and other interdependent variables such as processing conditions, chemistry and coating thickness. More research in this area will undoubtedly contribute to the availability of better and new coatings via the sol-gel approach.
Robust Adaptive LQ Control Scheme

Abstract The certainty equivalence principle is used to combine a robust adaptive law with a control structure from the linear quadratic (LQ) control design. The resulting adaptive control scheme is applicable to minimum and non-minimum phase continuous-time plants and is robust with respect to unmodeled dynamics and bounded disturbances. The computational complexity of the continuous-time adaptive LQ control scheme is improved by using a hybrid adaptive law.
See them coming

Record numbers of people are falling prey to fraudsters. Snake oil salesmen have adapted well to the 21st century. They still run scams in the street, but increasingly exploit the Internet and cellphones to find victims. Swogger remarks on the latest concerns that focus on online dating, where incidents of fraud are soaring in the UK.
United Nations, Uniting Nations: International Support Cues and American Attitudes on Environmental Sustainability*

Objective We ask whether framing U.N. actions in terms of institutional origins or multilateral support has differential effects on attitudes toward environmental sustainability policy. Methods A survey experiment exposed individuals to different descriptions of U.N. Agenda 21, a 1992 sustainable development policy document. Results Individuals who learned about Agenda 21 in terms of the international consensus behind the document at its inception were significantly more likely to support it and find it important. Conservative individuals who learned Agenda 21 was a U.N. document were significantly less likely to believe it was important and to want the federal government to incentivize implementation. Conclusions Framing U.N. action in terms of international consensus may be a gateway toward building support among Americans in general. Framing U.N. action in terms of the institution behind the action has little effect on opinion, except in some instances when it turns conservatives against said action.