cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Patients” vs. “Subjects”†

The terms “patient” and “subject” are often used interchangeably when proposing, conducting, or reporting on research. This error is not just a semantic one but also a conceptual one. Proper use of these terms is essential for all parties involved in the research to understand clearly their roles, expectations, and obligations. Keywords: subjects; patients; placebos; researchers; therapeutic misconception
Management of kudzu by the bioherbicide, Myrothecium verrucaria, herbicides and integrated control programmes

ABSTRACTReplicated field plots were established and monitored for two years to evaluate management practices for kudzu. The bioherbicidal plant pathogen, Myrothecium verrucaria, several herbicides and a variety of integrated control programmes achieved a high level of kudzu suppression, although no system tested reliably achieved eradication in this time frame.
Scalability of findability: effective and efficient IR operations in large information networks

It is crucial to study basic principles that support adaptive and scalable retrieval functions in large networked environments such as the Web, where information is distributed among dynamic systems. We conducted experiments on decentralized IR operations on various scales of information networks and analyzed effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of various search methods. Results showed network structure, i.e., how distributed systems connect to one another, is crucial for retrieval performance. Relying on partial indexes of distributed systems, some level of network clustering enabled very efficient and effective discovery of relevant information in large scale networks. For a given network clustering level, search time was well explained by a poly-logarithmic relation to network size (i.e., the number of distributed systems), indicating a high scalability potential for searching in a growing information space. In addition, network clustering only involved local self-organization and required no global control - clustering time remained roughly constant across the various scales of networks.
“A wonderfully terrible place to be”: Learning in practitioner inquiry communities

A staff development process can be based on reflection within the context of a learning community.
Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Against the HCV Envelope Proteins

The potential for developing efficient and efficacious therapies for hepatitis C virus continues to improve. Insight into the molecular processes involved in attachment, entry, and fusion suggests that antibodies could potentially inhibit viral replication at any or all of these stages, and the attachment and entry stages present the best target for antibodies that can attack the virus. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies present an important therapeutic option in this area, and this article assesses current investigations of several antibodies.
Factors affecting lipase digestibility of emulsified lipids using an in vitro digestion model: Proposal for a standardised pH-stat method

Abstract The control of lipid digestibility within the human gastrointestinal tract is important for the development of many functional food and pharmaceutical products. The influence of product composition and microstructure on lipid digestibility is typically studied using in vitro digestion methods. This article focuses on the impact of various experimental factors on lipid digestion in oil-in-water emulsions, using a pH-stat method that simulates the small intestine. The rate and extent of lipid digestion were found to increase with: increasing lipase (from 0 to 4.8 mg/ml), decreasing bile extract (from 20 to 0 mg/ml), increasing CaCl2 (from 0 to 20 mM), decreasing lipid (from 2.5 to 0.1 wt.%); decreasing droplet diameter (from d = 800 to 200 nm), and decreasing fatty acid molecular weight (medium chain triglycerides versus corn oil). These affects are interpreted in terms of the surface area of lipid exposed to the aqueous phase, and factors affecting the accumulation of reaction products (fatty acids) at the oil–water interface. Based on our own and others’ work, we propose a standardised in vitro digestion model to test emulsified lipids, based on pH-stat titration. This study has important implications for designing and testing delivery systems that control lipid digestion using the pH-stat method.
The Human Element of Decision Making in Systems Engineers: A Focus on Optimism

Biases continue to be an important aspect of human judgment and decision making because they can lead to unfavorable outcomes. Optimism bias is one type of bias that is often overlooked because of its association with good health and positive outcomes. However, the existence of optimism bias in human judgment can be very damaging especially when it distorts a person's view of future events. In order to better understand optimism bias we explore the benefits and downsides of optimism as well as some empirically-based origins of both optimism and pessimism. This provides a backdrop for a methodology for quantifying optimism and pessimism using the Brier score developed for calibrating weather reporters and a discussion about how sports bookies make well-calibrated decisions. Results are explored from an optimism survey given to a cohort of eighty systems engineers, which ultimately portray the degree to which optimism bias influences decision making in large projects. Further exploration of the key differences in optimism across professions helps distinguish motivational factors and characteristics of well-calibrated professions. We also present results from a calibration exercise, designed to infer if such activities can be adopted to assist systems engineering estimation. Finally, we provide prescriptive advice on how individual decision makers can better manage their optimism and become more realistic.
An effort to identify the Canadian Forest-Tundra ecotone signature on weather satellite imagery☆

Abstract Weather satellite imagery provides the only routinely available orbital imagery depicting the high latitudes. Although resolution is low on this imagery, it was believed that a major natural feature, notably linear in expression, should be mappable on it. The transition zone from forest to Tundra, the ecotone, is such a feature. Locational correlation is herein demonstrated between a linear signature on the imagery and several ground truth positions of the ecotone in Canada. The position of the linear signature all across northern Canada is then mapped.
Intrinsic and imposed hamstring length influence posterior pelvic rotation during hip flexion.

Abstract Background. The contribution of posterior tilt of the pelvis (pelvic rotation) to hip flexion has been described for individuals who are standing, supine, and suspended. The effects of intrinsic and imposed hamstring length on the motion have not been investigated in a controlled manner. This study investigated the influence of intrinsic and imposed hamstring length on pelvic rotation during bilateral active hip flexion. Methods. Intrinsic hamstring length was characterized by the maximal active straight leg raise angle. Hamstring length was imposed by immobilizing the knees in 0°, 45°, and 90° of flexion. Pelvic and thigh segments were marked with reflective spheres. Subjects’ saggital plane motion was captured using computerized motion analysis during bilateral hip flexion while both knees were immobilized in three positions. Multifactorial analysis of variance was employed to show the effect of intrinsic and imposed hamstring length on pelvic rotation. Findings. Pelvic rotation occurred throughout the hip flexion range of motion. Pelvic rotation was influenced significantly by hip flexion angle, knee position, the interaction between hip flexion angle and knee position, and the interaction between hip flexion angle, knee position, and active straight leg raise angle. Interpretation. Both intrinsic and imposed hamstring length influence pelvic rotation during bilateral hip flexion. These influences should be considered by clinicians who have individuals engage in hip flexion maneuvers.
Control of Autonomous Robots Using the Principles of Neuromodulation

The paper presents a control approach based on vertebrate neuromodulation and its implementation on an autonomous robot platform. A simple neural network is used to model the neuromodulatory function for generating context based behavioral responses to sensory signals. The neural network incorporates three types of neurons — cholinergic and noradrenergic (ACh/NE) neurons for attention focusing and action selection, dopaminergic (DA) neurons for curiosity-seeking, and serotonergic (5-HT) neurons for risk aversion behavior. The implementation of the neuronal model on a relatively simple autonomous robot illustrates its interesting behavior adapting to changes in the environment. The integration of neuromodulation based robots in the study of human-robot interaction would be worth considering in future.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Linear and nonlinear theory of gyroharmonic radiation into modes of a cylindrical waveguide from spatiotemporally modulated electron beams

Linear and nonlinear theory is presented for the generation of gyroharmonic radiation from spatio-temporally modulated electron beams in cylindrical waveguides. Selection rules for axisymmetric beams are derived that show coupling at the mth temporal harmonic to be absent for all TM modes, and for TE modes other than those with an azimuthal mode index of m. Estimates from linear theory are given for the effects of spreads in axial momentum and guiding-center radius. A nonlinear multimode theory is developed in order to treat mode saturation and mode competition for TE modes in a down-tapered guide magnetic field. Numerical simulations of the multimode nonlinear generation of fifth-harmonic radiation at 94 GHz from a 150-kV, 6.667-A, \ensuremath{\alpha}=2 beam show that nearly 90% of the initial transverse energy of the beam can be converted to fifth-harmonic radiation in the ${\mathrm{TE}}_{51}$ mode, and that less than 2.5% of the beam energy is converted to other harmonics. Use of a linearly tapered guide magnetic field gives lower saturated fifth-harmonic conversion efficiency than does use of a nonlinear taper. But the linear-taper case shows greater resilience to axial momentum spread than does the nonlinear taper case. The spent beam is nearly monoenergetic and phase coherent at saturation, suggesting that overall harmonic-conversion efficiencies can approach 100% if a single-stage depressed collector is used to recover the spent beam energy.
Using fractal dimension to assess robot operator search skill

This paper discusses a new real-time fractal path analysis (RTFPA) algorithm and its use in training robot operators. Twenty-five volunteers participated in an experiment to evaluate the use of the RTFPA algorithm as a metric for robot operator search skill. The algorithm was used to estimate the fractal dimension of a path taken by a simulated, teleoperated Inuktun Extreme VGTV within a game-based training environment. The results show that within the sample population there exists a curvilinear relationship between fractal dimension and score. This relationship seems to indicate that when used along with score, fractal dimension can be used as a measure of an operator's search strategy and ability to maintain situational awareness. An additional analysis confirms the results of prior work showing that there is no evidence of a relationship between fractal dimension and task completion time.
Issues in nonuniform filter banks

This paper concerns biorthogonal filter banks. It is shown that a tree structured filter bank is biorthogonal if it is equivalent to a tree structured filter bank whose matching constituent levels on the analysis and synthesis sides are themselves biorthogonal pairs. We then show that a stronger statement can be made about dyadic Filter Banks in general: That a dyadic filter bank is biorthogonal if both the analysis and synthesis banks can be decomposed into dyadic trees. We further show that these decompositions are stability preserving. These results thus generalize earlier comparable results for orthogonal filter banks.
Waking sleeping algal cells.

Our growing energy demands and decreasing reserves of fossil fuels call for the development of renewable energy solutions. Biodiesel derived from plant triacylglycerol (TAG) storage lipids can be used in diesel engines directly and is thus a drop-in solution to offset the increasing demand for transportation oils (1). Microalgae are promising feedstocks for biodiesel production because they can accumulate large amounts of TAGs (up to 70% of their dry weight), and their production does not have to compete with food crops for land or freshwater (2). However, a major challenge facing commercial production of algal biodiesel is that TAG production is maximal under nutrient deprivation conditions, where cell growth slows down or stops completely. This coupling of TAG accumulation to growth arrest greatly limits the total yield of biodiesel. In PNAS, Tsai et al. (3) present the discovery of a factor required for exit from growth arrest in the green algal model Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This finding could be a critical first step toward improving algal biofuel yields by uncoupling growth arrest from TAG accumulation.
Controller Design to Reduce Mechanical Fatigue in Offshore Wind Turbines Affected by Ice and Tide

This paper presents a novel control structure to mitigate the mechanical fatigue in towers of onshore and offshore wind turbines. A general wind turbine dynamic model for both, (1) onshore and (2) offshore systems with the effects of ice and tide is included. These weather conditions further contribute to the uncertainties in the model, most importantly, in the values of tower equivalent mass, stiffness, and damping and increase the amplitude of the velocity of tip-tower vibrations at some particular frequencies, which creates greater mechanical fatigue. A novel control technique to attenuate such a mechanical fatigue is presented in the paper. It is based on the variation of the generator torque in the above rated wind speed region. The control strategy, designed by using Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT), decreases the velocity of the nacelle movement due to the wind turbulences, thus reducing the associated mechanical fatigue. The new strategy is validated with a realistic nonlinear simulator under a set of different input scenarios and a Monte Carlo method for the uncertainty selection.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Proteomic analysis of N-glycosylation in mosquito dopachrome conversion enzyme.

A novel dopachrome conversion enzyme (DCE) is present in insects and involved in their melanization pathway. DCE shares no sequence homology with any noninsect species from bacteria to humans. Several DCE sequences have been available, but enzyme structure and catalytic mechanism are unclear. This study concerns DCE PTMs, especially glycosylation. A mosquito DCE was purified and its monosaccharide composition, N-glycosylation site, and oligosaccharide structures were determined. Results showed that N-acetyl D-glucosamine and D-mannose are the major monosaccharides and L-fucose, D-xylose, and D-arabinose are the minor ones in mosquito DCE. Glycosylation site and oligosaccharide structures were elucidated from MS and MS/MS spectra oftrypsin-digested DCE glycopeptides. A single N-glycosylation site (Asn 285 -Glu-Thr) was identified in DCE and was proven to be fully glycosylated. Man 3 GlcNAc 2 , Man 3 (Fuc) 1-2 GlcNAc 2 , and their truncated structures were the dominant oligosaccharides. In addition, high mannose-type structures (Man 4-7 (Fuc)GlcNAc 2 ) were also identified. Removal of DCE N-oligosaccharides with peptide N-glycosidase (PNGase F) decreased its activity and thermal stability. However, partial DCE deglycosylation with α-mannosidase or α-fucosidase somewhat stimulated its activity and improved its thermal stability. During mass spectrometric analysis of DCE glycopeptides, their CID patterns were highly intriguing, in that some glycopeptides underwent both C-terminal rearrangement and formation of dimeric structures during CID. Results of this study provide an interesting example in terms of potential complexity of the glycopeptide CID fragmentation pattern.
Narcotic Bowel Syndrome and Opioid-Induced Constipation

Prescription opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain has reached epidemic levels in the USA. With this increased use is the recognition of serious opioid-related gastrointestinal complications such as narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS) and opioid-induced constipation (OIC). NBS consists of a paradoxical worsening of abdominal pain with escalating doses of opioids and is likely mediated by the central nervous system. Therapy requires an intensive multidisciplinary approach to detoxification. OIC is the most common gastrointestinal side effect of opioids. Several novel therapeutics are available to treat OIC that fails to respond to laxative therapy. This review will summarize recent findings on the pathophysiology and treatment approaches to NBS and OIC with a focus on controversies about diagnosis and intervention.
PP-240 Pericardial Effusion and Compression of the Right Ventricle due to Massive Thymic Hyperplasia in a Two-Month-Old Female Patient

Hemitruncus vs Tetralogy of Fallot. C. Karadeniz, Y. Yozgat, R. Ozdemir, O. Doksoz, M. Kucuk, M. Karacelik, T. Mese, O.N. Sariosmanoglu, N. Unal. Izmir Dr. Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, _ Izmir, Turkey; Izmir Dr. Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Izmir, Turkey. A six year-old girl patient who is diagnosed as tetralogy of fallot with a history of recurrent respiratory tract infection during first year of life, admitted with fatigue, mild cyanosis. On physical examination mild The American Journal of Cardiology MARCH 13e16, 2014 10 IN AND C cyanosis (SO2: 85-88 %), and a harsh grade 3 to 4/6 systolic ejection murmur was detected on the left upper sternal border. Electrocardiogram showed right axis deviation and right ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiographic examination showed 50 % dextroposition of the aorta, subaortic non restrictive VSD with right to left shunt, pulmonary valve stenosis along with pulmonary infundibular stenosis with 76 mmHg peak systolic gradient. Left pulmonary artery couldn’t visualised. Upon this, diagnostic catheterization was done (Fig.1). Right ventricular angiogram showed main pulmonary with infundibular and valvular stenosis and narrow right pulmonary artery with absence of left pulmonary artery. Aortic root angiogram showed the abnormal orgin of the dilated left pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. The left pulmonary artery presure was measured as 110/60 mmHg. Medical drug therapy was started for pulmonary hypertension. Abnormal origin of the one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta (hemitruncus) is very rare congenital anomaly that has been reported previously in small case series. Abnormal orgin of the right pulmonary artery is more frequently reported than abnormal orgin of the left pulmonary artery. Although it is encountered as an isolated anomaly, it can be associated with other congenital anomalies such as tetralogy of Fallot, aortopulmonary window and coarctation of the aorta. Pulmonary hypertension is the most important cause of mortality in this patients. Although unexpected of the pulmonary hypertension in patient with tetralogy of fallot, abnormal orgin of the left or right pulmanary artery from the ascending aorta can lead the severe pulmonary hypertension during the first year of life. For this reason, left and right pulmonary artery should be visualised by the pediatric cardiologists for prevent the irreversible clinical conditions.
Fluorescence properties and conformation of human milk bile salt-activated lipase

Abstract The fluorescence properties of human milk bile salt-activated lipase (BAL) in aqueous solution at various pH and in the presence of denaturing reagents and bile salts have been studied by measuring the accessibility of tryptophan side chains to the iodide ion. The fluoresence quenching studies of BAL demonstrated that the BAL conformation was pH sensitive. At pH 7.5, in the presence of denaturing reagents, all of the BAL tryptophan became accessible to iodide, suggesting the presence of random conformation in this medium. The decrease in tryptophan accessibility to iodide with various bile salt activators was found to correlate with the corresponding activity of BAL with long chain triacylglycerol substrate.
Molecular Genotyping of Colletotrichum Species Based on Arbitrarily Primed PCR, A + T-Rich DNA, and Nuclear DNA Analyses

Freeman, S., Pham, M., and Rodriguez, R. J. 1993. Molecular genotyping of Colletotrichum species based on arbitrarily primed PCR, A + T-rich DNA, and nuclear DNA analyses. Experimental Mycology 17, 309-322. Isolates of Colletotrichum were grouped into 10 separate species based on arbitrarily primed PCR (ap-PCR), A + T-rich DNA (AT-DNA) and nuclear DNA banding patterns. In general, the grouping of Colletotrichum isolates by these molecular approaches corresponded to that done by classical taxonomic identification, however, some exceptions were observed. PCR amplification of genomic DNA using four different primers allowed for reliable differentiation between isolates of the 10 species. HaeIII digestion patterns of AT-DNA also distinguished between species of Colletotrichum by generating species-specific band patterns. In addition, hybridization of the repetitive DNA element (GcpR1) to genomic DNA identified a unique set of Pst 1-digested nuclear DNA fragments in each of the 10 species of Colletotrichum tested. Multiple isolates of C. acutatum, C. coccodes, C. fragariae, C. lindemuthianum, C. magna, C. orbiculare, C. graminicola from maize, and C. graminicola from sorghum showed 86-100% intraspecies similarity based on ap-PCR and AT-DNA analyses. Interspecies similarity determined by ap-PCR and AT-DNA analyses varied between 0 and 33%. Three distinct banding patterns were detected in isolates of C. gloeosporioides from strawberry. Similarly, three different banding patterns were observed among isolates of C. musae from diseased banana.
170 DE-COUPLING OF RNA AND DNA SYNTHESIS IN PLATLET-POOR SERUM STIMULATED G o ARRESTED BALB/C 3T3 FIBROBLASTS

170 DE-COUPLING OF RNA AND DNA SYNTHESIS IN PLATLET-POOR SERUM STIMULATED G o ARRESTED BALB/C 3T3 FIBROBLASTS
Quality improvement organizations and medication therapy management.

The following interview was conducted on January 4, 2006, with Steve Riddle from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, about the importance of quality improvement organizations (QIOs). QIOs have had a historic role in interfacing with health systems in collecting and reporting quality
Renormalized Atoms and the Band Theory of Transition Metals

The renormalized-atom approach, first used by Chodorow, is shown to yield quantitative estimates of some of the essential potential-dependent parameters characterizing transition-metal band structures on the basis of essentially atomic considerations. These are the position ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1}$ of the conduction-band minimum, the mean $d$-band energy, the energies associated with $d$-band extrema, and the degree of $s\ensuremath{-}d$ hybridization as defined within the Heine-Hubbard pseudopotential schemes. The estimates of ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1}$ and the $d$-band extrema utilize "renormalized-atom" band potentials within the Wigner-Seitz cell in which the interelectronic exchange is taken into account without resort to the ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\frac{1}{3}}$ approximation and incorporate the appropriate boundary conditions at the Wigner-Seitz radius ${r}_{\mathrm{WS}}$. The results have comparable accuracy with those obtained from augmented-plane-wave calculations employing the same crystal potential within the muffin-tin approximation. The band results are qualitatively similar to those obtained using more conventional ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\frac{1}{3}}$ potentials. The Wigner-Seitz viewpoint is thereby seen to be useful in obtaining quantitative results for certain high-symmetry points in $k$ space aside from ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1}$ with far less computational effort. In addition, the present scheme may provide a better starting point for dealing with $d\ensuremath{-}d$ exchange-correlation effects. Also discussed are a number of features general to the problem of constructing adequate transition-metal crystal potentials, in particular, how to deal with nonintegral $d$- and conduction-electron counts per atom, and configuration and/or multiplet averaging.
A new method for the measurement of aerosol electrification

Abstract Because of the importance of the electrical forces associated with aerosol particles, an electrification analysis apparatus permitting rapid evaluation of the amounts of negatively and positively charged particles in an aerosol by measurement of the lateral deflection of the aerosol stream in an electrical field has been developed. Results obtained thus far have been in excellent agreement with expectation and with the published data of other investigators. The principal advantages of the method presented are the rapidity and ease of obtaining data and the elimination of the need for numerous samples to give statistically accurate results. An equation is presented for the calculation of the average electron charge carried by particles.
The interplay between endogenous catecholamines and induced ventricular tachycardia during electrophysiologic testing

Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were measured before, during, and shortly after induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 22 selected patients. Sustained, unimorphic VT was induced by programmed ventricular stimulation and terminated after 45 to 384 seconds by overdrive pacing in all patients. In no patient did VT result in loss of consciousness. The baseline plasma catecholamine concentrations did not correlate with the baseline right ventricular effective refractory period, the cycle length of induced VT, or the number of extrastimuli required to induce VT. Induced VT was not associated with a significant increase in the mean plasma epinephrine concentration. In contrast, the plasma norepinephrine concentration increased from a mean baseline level of 317 +/- 136 pg/ml (mean +/- standard deviation) to 418 +/- 220 pg/ml during VT (p less than 0.01) and increased further to 569 +/- 387 pg/ml shortly after VT (p less than 0.01). The plasma norepinephrine concentration shortly after VT correlated with the rate and duration of VT and with the magnitude of decrease in mean blood pressure during VT (p less than 0.05 for each). In eight patients the same configuration of VT was induced on two sequential attempts; in five patients the same number of extrastimuli were required for the second induction of VT as for the first, whereas in three patients fewer extrastimuli were required. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were not higher in patients requiring fewer extrastimuli to induce the second episode of VT, either shortly after the first episode of VT or shortly after the second episode of VT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A new low-resolution broad-band infrared spectrograph

This paper describes a preliminary design for an imaging spectrograph that simultaneously covers the 2.15-5.2-micron spectral region with a resolution of 0.01 to 0.03 micron. Light entering the spectrograph through a slit is dispersed onto a 256 x 256 pixel InSb array by a novel spherical-faced prism/conic mirror combination. The use of a prism rather than a grating disperser allows more than a one-octave spectral interval to be covered with no moving parts. In addition, the prism optical efficiency remains high over the entire band covered. The simplicity and ruggedness of the design make it ideal for a space-borne instrument.
THE RATE OF GROWTH OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL

This paper points out the fact that the growth period of the domestic fowl is analogous to that of the mammal, being composed of three, or perhaps four, cycles; two of these cycles are postembryonic with maxima at about 8 and 18 weeks varying somewhat with the breed and two or at least one, are embryonic with maxima at 11 to 12 and 15 to 16 days of age. Hatching occurs during the first part of the second or third cycle resembling in this respect the guinea pig rather than the mouse. The velocity curves of each of these cycles are similar to and can be represented by the equation of an autocatalytic monomolecular reaction.
A control-based approach to indentation quantification in broadband and in-liquid nanomechanical measurement using atomic force microscope

This paper presents a new control-based approach to achieve accurate indentation quantification in broadband and in-liquid nanomechanical property measurements using atomic force microscope (AFM). Accurate indentation measurement is fundamental to probe-based material property characterization as the force applied and the indentation generated are the fundamental physical variables that must be measured accurately. Large measurement errors, however, occur when the measurement frequency range becomes large (i.e., broadband), or the indentation is measured in liquid environment. Such significant measurement errors are generated due to the inability of the conventional method to account for the convolution of the instrument dynamics with the viscoelastic response of the soft sample, and the distributive hydrodynamic force effects as well as thermal drifts when measuring indentation in liquid. We propose a control-based approach to address these challenges and overcome the limits of the conventional method. The proposed approach is demonstrated through experiments of measuring the indentation measurements on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sample over a broadband of frequencies in air and with high-speed force load rate in liquid.
High-occupancy/toll lanes: where should they be implemented?

Since the first high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane was implemented in Orange County, California in 1995 there has been an increasing interest in such lanes as a means to reduce congestion, increase utilization of underutilized high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, and generate revenue. In order to determine where such lanes are appropriate, a model is constructed to estimate how adding an HOV lane, an HOT lane or a mixed flow lane to an existing freeway affects delay in various circumstances. Except when the initial delay is very high, adding a mixed flow lane is more effective in reducing delay than adding either an HOV or HOT lane, and it costs less. If both the initial delay and the initial proportion of HOVs are very high, then adding an HOV lane is more effective in reducing delay than adding either a mixed flow or HOT lane. But if the initial delay is high and the initial proportion of HOVs is not high an HOT lane is the most effective in reducing delay. Adding an HOT lane should also be considered if substantial growth in traffic is expected, because HOT lanes perform relatively well in terms of reducing delay across all levels of initial delay and HOV usage. However, because HOT lanes are considerably more costly to construct and operate than mixed flow or HOV lanes, the revenue generating potential must also be assessed, and the savings in delay must be sufficient to justify the additional cost. The revenue generating capacity of HOT lanes is low when the initial delay is low, and in such cases alternate methods of utilizing the HOT lane initially might be desirable.
Reactions of Laser-Ablated Manganese Atoms with Dioxygen. Infrared Spectra of MnO, OMnO, Mn(O2), (MnO)2, and Higher Oxide Complexes in Solid Argon

Laser-ablated Mn atoms react with O2 to give MnO, OMnO, (MnO)2, and MnO2- as major products, which are identified from oxygen isotopic substitution on their matrix infrared spectra. Annealing allows further association to form the cyclic Mn(O2) complex, (O2)MnO and (O2)MnO2 oxide complexes, and higher oxides. The OMnO molecule is bent based on the observation of both ν3 and ν1 and on DFT calculations; the oxygen-18 shift for ν3 provides a valence angle determination of 135 ± 5°. The cyclic Mn(O2) molecule involves a weaker bonding interaction than the cyclic Fe(O2) molecule. The short 2.6 A estimated Mn−Mn distance across the rhombic (MnO)2 ring is compatible with substantial metal−metal bonding.
Efficient stochastic sensitivity analysis of discrete event systems

Sensitivity analysis quantifies the dependence of a system's behavior on the parameters that could possibly affect the dynamics. Calculation of sensitivities of stochastic chemical systems using Kinetic Monte Carlo and finite-difference-based methods is not only computationally intensive, but direct calculation of sensitivities by finite-difference-based methods of parameter perturbations converges very poorly. In this paper we develop an approach to this issue using a method based on the Girsanov measure transformation for jump processes to smooth the estimate of the sensitivity coefficients and make this estimation more accurate. We demonstrate the method with simple examples and discuss its appropriate use.
Visual thresholds in mice: comparison of retinal light damage and hypopigmentation.

In previous electrophysiological experiments from hypopigmented animals (mice, rats, rabbits), single-unit recordings from both retinal ganglion axons and cells in the superior colliculus have demonstrated an increase in threshold in the dark-adapted state which is roughly proportional to the animal's ocular melanin concentration. We have examined the thresholds in hypopigmented mice by using a behavioral water maze screening test and found similar threshold elevations to the electrophysiology. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of retinal light damage to the threshold elevation in an albino mouse strain which is relatively resistant to light damage (C57BL/6J c2J/c2J) and mice with profound retinal degeneration (C57BL/6J rd/rd).Black or albino littermates (C57BL/6J + / c2J or c2J / c2J) were placed in either constant light (350 cd/m2) or dim cycling light (0.001 cd/m2) for 21 days before testing. The normally pigmented animals had thresholds of 1.00 × 10−5 cd/m2 regardless of their light history. The albino mice (c2J/c2J) maintained in constant light had a slight 0.30 log unit elevation compared to their controls that were maintained in dim cycling light 6.3 × 10−4 cd/m2 (similar to previously published reports).We examined the retinal morphology of representative animals in semi-thin plastic sections. We could not detect any light damage (overall morphology or cell counts in the outer-nuclear layer) in either the normally pigmented animals or the albino mice (c2J/c2J) maintained in dim cycling light. We found extensive light damage in the albino mice (c2J/c2J) maintained in constant light (virtual absence of photoreceptor outersegments) that corresponded to the slight elevation in threshold. We conclude that the elevation in threshold found in albino mice (c2J/c2J) maintained in dim cycling light is not the result of light damage. These results support our previous findings that the sensitivity defect in hypopigmented animals is proportional to the degree of ocular hypopigmentation.
Dynamical buoyancy of hydrodynamic eddies

The dynamical pressure reduction within a vortex tube produces both a tension along the tube and a general buoyancy, analogous to magnetic flux tubes. The dynamical buoyancy causes convective cells to rise at speeds comparable to the rms fluid velocity within the cell. Consequently, the convective cells in a stratified atmosphere are more active than indicated by the standard anelastic approximation. The coherent convective cells at each level actively crowd upward into the convective cells above, elbowing weaker cells out of the way and flattening themselves and others against the upper surface of the convective region. These effects can be seen in the recent SOUP observations of the solar granulation. Deeper in the convective zone the inhomogeneity of the buoyancy may explain the random character of the convective motions that turns up in recent numerical simulations.
Cardiac IK1 underlies early action potential shortening during hypoxia in the mouse heart

Abstract It is established that prolonged hypoxia leads to activation of KATP channels and action potential (AP) shortening, but the mechanisms behind the early phase of metabolic stress remain controversial. Under normal conditions IK1 channels are constitutively active while KATP channels are closed. Therefore, early changes in IK1 may underlie early AP shortening. This hypothesis was tested using transgenic mice with suppressed IK1 (AAA-TG). In isolated AAA-TG hearts AP shortening was delayed by ∼ 24 s compared to WT hearts. In WT ventricular myocytes, blocking oxidative phosphorylation with 1 mM cyanide (CN; 28 °C) led to a 29% decrease in APD90 within ∼ 3–5 min. The effect of CN was reversed by application of 100 μM Ba2+, a selective blocker of IK1, but not by 10 μM glybenclamide, a selective blocker of KATP channels. Accordingly, voltage-clamp experiments revealed that both CN and true hypoxia lead to early activation of IK1. In AAA-TG myocytes, neither CN nor glybenclamide or Ba2+ had any effect on AP. Further experiments showed that buffering of intracellular Ca2+ with 20 mM BAPTA prevented IK1 activation by CN, although CN still caused a 54% increase in IK1 in a Ca2+-free bath solution. Importantly, both (i) 20 μM ruthenium red, a selective inhibitor of SR Ca2+-release, and (ii) depleting SR by application of 10 μM ryanodine + 1 mM caffeine, abolished the activation of IK1 by CN. The above data strongly argue that in the mouse heart IK1, not KATP, channels are responsible for the early AP shortening during hypoxia.
Warrior noh: Konparu Zenpō and the ritual performance of shura plays

Abstract Although only some 6 per cent of the noh plays in the modern repertoire are shura plays, pieces that feature the ghosts of suffering warriors, these works are synonymous with ‘warrior noh’, and as a group they form one of the five main categories of plays. Prior studies have looked to the theoretical writings of noh's founder, Zeami (d. 1443), to explain why shura plays, though few in number, have come to represent the genre of warrior plays. However, this article contends that the theories of the actor and playwright Konparu Zenpō (1454–1532?) offer more persuasive reasons why shura plays became equated with warrior noh. The article contrasts Zenpō's and Zeami's different definitions of the warrior archetype called the ‘marital mode’ (guntai). It then considers performance practices in the sixteenth century, specifically the ritual use of shura plays, to discern factors that impinged on their performance and composition. Finally, it places Zenpō's ideas on shura noh and the performance of these ...
Preterm Birth and Antidepressant Medication Use during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction Preterm birth is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality and its rate has been increasing over the past two decades. Antidepressant medication use during pregnancy has also been rising, with rates up to 7.5% in the US. The objective was to systematically review the literature to determine the strength of the available evidence relating to a possible association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and preterm birth. Methods We conducted a computerized search in PUBMED, MEDLINE and PsycINFO through September 2012, supplemented with a manual search of reference lists, to identify original published research on preterm birth rates in women taking antidepressants during pregnancy. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers, and absolute and relative risks abstracted or calculated. Our a priori design was to group studies by level of confounding adjustment and by timing of antidepressant use during pregnancy; we used random-effects models to calculate summary measures of effect. Results Forty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) were 1.53 (1.40–1.66) for antidepressant use at any time and 1.96 (1.62–2.38) for 3rd trimester use. Controlling for a diagnosis of depression did not eliminate the effect. There was no increased risk [1.16 (0.92–1.45)] in studies that identified patients based on 1st trimester exposure. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated unmeasured confounding would have to be strong to account for the observed association. Discussion Published evidence is consistent with an increased risk of preterm birth in women taking antidepressants during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, although the possibility of residual confounding cannot be completely ruled out.
Age at last birth and its components.

This paper examines the ways in which the behavior of twentieth century cohorts of American women changed simultaneously in the three components of fertility that determine age at last birth—age at first birth, spacing between subsequent births, and parity progression ratios of subsequent births—to produce changes in the timing of the completion of childbearing. It decomposes changes in the mean age at last birth among cohorts and between whites and nonwhites to changes in these three components. To perform these analyses, we developed and applied a method to estimate the distributions and means of ages at first and last births, birth intervals, and parity progression ratios from age- and parity-specific fertility rates available from vital statistics data. Results show that the cohorts increased and decreased their age at first birth, birth intervals, and parity progression ratios of lower and higher birth orders in almost every possible combination so as to achieve a relatively young age at final birth.
STABILITY OF DEEPWATER PIPELINES UNDER COMBINED LOADING

The paper investigates the response of relatively thick tubes under external pressure and bending, using a nonlinear finite element formulation. Results from two-dimensional as well as three-dimensional analyses show good agreement with the available experimental data. A stability criterion applicable to any loading data. A stability criterion applicable to any loading path is adopted and results for three loading paths are presented. Finally, results of three-dimensional calculations indicate that curvature reported in previous experimental studies may be an ambiguous measure of bending. Some useful suggestions are made, concerning this matter.
Metal supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells fabricated by suspension plasma spray and suspension high velocity oxy-fuel spray

Low temperature (LT) metal supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have many advantages in comparison to conventional electrode or electrolyte supported type SOFCs. NRC has demonstrated high performance LT metal supported planar SOFCs fabricated by either wet colloidal spray/sintering or suspension thermal spray. The combination of tubular configuration and metal supported SOFCs may produce more unique and very attractive advantages such as easy and inexpensive sealing method and materials, high specific and volumetric power density, cost-effective fabrication, enhanced robustness, rapid start up, red-ox cycle tolerance and potential use for a pressurized integrated system. In this paper, thin film solid electrolyte of Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.90 (SDC) and NiO-SDC composite anode on sintered porous tubular metal supports were deposited by suspension HVOF spray and suspension plasma spray, respectively on sintered porous tubular metal support. La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) cathode on the SDC electrolyte was formed by wet colloidal spray and subsequent sintering process as the final fabrication step. The detailed investigation of suspension and process-related parameters for suspension thermal spray was performed in order to produce thin and crack-free SDC thin film coatings. The electrochemical performance of single cells was demonstrated.
Making Firefighters Deployable

Although sociologists have devoted a considerable amount of research to exploring high-risk organizations, they have not yet developed an adequate explanation as to why individuals working within such organizations place themselves in harm’s way and how organizations ensure they remain there. This article addresses this gap by analyzing how the United States Forest Service motivates wildland firefighters to participate in life-threatening activity. Drawing on ethnographic research and content analyses of official documents, it describes the process by which firefighters come to develop a specific disposition towards risk taking, a disposition through which they view firefighting as an activity void of danger, and how this disposition maintains its shape, and even grows stronger, after confronting its biggest challenge: the death of a firefighter.
A PDE-based Approach to Nondominated Sorting

Nondominated sorting is a fundamental combinatorial problem in multiobjective optimization and is equivalent to the longest chain problem in combinatorics and random growth models for crystals in materials science. In a previous work [SIAM J. Math. Anal., 46 (2014), pp. 603--638], we showed that nondominated sorting has a continuum limit that corresponds to solving a Hamilton--Jacobi equation. In this work we present and analyze a fast numerical scheme for this Hamilton--Jacobi equation and show how it can be used to design a fast algorithm for approximate nondominated sorting.
Risk factors for elevated INR values during warfarin therapy in hospitalized pediatric patients.

Background There are currently no data describing the incidence of or risk factors for elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR) values in patients receiving warfarin at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. By minimizing risk factors for elevated INR values patient morbidity may be minimized. Procedures A 6-year retrospective chart review of inpatient admissions at our institution that received warfarin was performed. Factors for elevated INR values, such as patient demographics, disease state, and medication interactions were reviewed. Patients with an INR value ≥ 0.5 above the upper limit of the goal range were compared to patients without an elevated INR value. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent variables for elevated INR values. Results A total of 298 patient admissions (184 patients) met study criteria, and the largest patient population was between 1 and 12 years old (36.9%). The most common indication for warfarin was mitral valve replacement (25.5%). An elevated INR occurred in 20.8% of admissions. Logistic regression analysis identified Asian race, an elevated baseline INR value, warfarin initiation after cardiac surgery, days of inpatient warfarin therapy, and drug interactions with ciprofloxacin and lansoprazole as independent variables for an elevated INR value (P < 0.05). Obesity was significant as an independent variable for a non-elevated INR value (P < 0.05). Conclusions Elevated INR values occur often in patients receiving warfarin while admitted to a tertiary care pediatric facility and modifiable risk factors exist for elevated INR values. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 941–944. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.