cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Max-polynomials and template decomposition

Abstract Template decomposition plays an important role in image processing algorithm optimization andparallel image processing. In this paper, a template decomposition technique based on the factorizationof max-polynomials is presented. A morphological template may be represented by a max-polynomial,a notation used in combinatorial optimization. The problem of decomposition of a morphological tem-plate is thus reduced to the problem of factorization of the corresponding max-polynomial. A sufficientcondition for decomposing a one-dimensional morphological template into a set of two-point templates is established. Once the condition is satisfied, the construction of the decomposition is straight for- ward. A general procedure is also given for testing whether such a decomposition exists for an arbitraryone-dimensional morphological template. 1 Introduction Template decomposition plays an important role in image processing algorithm optimization and parallelimage processing. A linear or morphological filter used in image processing is usually implemented as aconvolution between a given image and a template, which is also referred to as convolution mask in linearfilter and structuring element in morphological filter. For a large template, the computation cost resultingfrom the direct convolution can be prohibitive. However, in many instances, this cost can be significantlyreduced by decomposing the template into a set of smaller templates and convolving the image with thesesmaller templates sequentially. In addition, such decompositions may be constructed for specialized imageprocessing architectures and, thus, resulting in optimal computational efficiency.The problem of template decomposition has been investigated by several researchers. Ritter and Gader[ 5] presented some efficient methods for decomposing discrete Fourier transform (DFT) templates. Wiejakand Buxton [3J proposed a method to decompose a two-dimensional (or higher dimensional) Marr-Hildrethconvolution operator into one-dimensional convolution operators ,
Evolution of pre-collective nuclei: Structural signatures near the drip lines

Recent studies have shown that the phenomenology of single-magic and near-magic nuclei has universal characteristics analogous to those of collective nuclei and that, moreover, this phenomenology attaches smoothly to that describing collective nuclei. This has led to a number of new signatures of structure as well as to a new, tripartite, classification of nuclear structure that embraces the gamut of structures from magic, through pre-collective, to fully collective and rotational nuclei. Aside from the natural appeal of simple global correlations of collective observables, these results have particular significance for soon-to-be accessible exotic nuclei near the drip lines since they rely on only the simplest-to-obtain data, in particular, the energies of just the first two excited states, E(41+) and E(21+), of even-even nuclei, and the B(E2: 21+ → 01+) value. Indeed, without the need for more extensive level schemes, these basic data alone can reveal information about the goodness of seniority, about the validity of pair-addition mode relationships of adjacent even-even nuclei, about underlying shell structure (validity of magic numbers) and even about the shell model potential itself (e.g., the strengths of the l s and l2 terms).
Song sparrows do not learn more songs from aggressive tutors

Birdsong has long been a prominent model system for studying learning of vocal signals. However, despite widespread acknowledgment of the importance of social factors in shaping birdsong learning, few studies have attempted to parse out and analyse specific social variables in a naturalistic context. Here we report a field study of song learning in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia, which tests the role of a specific social factor, the aggressiveness of potential song tutors. The hypothesis that young birds may learn more from more aggressive tutors was proposed over three decades ago, but has only been tested in laboratory studies, and with mixed results. We assayed aggression and signalling of potential tutors through repeated playback experiments in the field during the song-learning period of a cohort of young sparrows. We also recorded these young birds and traced their repertoires back to potential tutors. We asked whether consistent individual differences in aggressive and signalling behaviours of tutors would predict the degree to which their songs were learned by young birds in the cohort of the year. We sampled more than half of the adult male (potential tutor) population and almost all of the young males (tutees), and replicated the results of a previous study on this same population concerning which songs were learned from which tutors. However, we found no effect of the aggressiveness of potential tutors, their levels of their aggressive signalling or their level of normal singing on their tutoring success. In short, young song sparrows do not learn more from aggressive tutors. We argue for further research on other social factors under natural conditions.
Characteristics of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3- and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase(s) from HL-60 cells.

Abstract 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces the human promyelocyte leukemia cell line, HL-60, to differentiate into macrophages/monocytes via a steroid-receptor mechanism. This system is a relevant one for an investigation of the molecular mechanism of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. We have now examined the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the induction of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3- and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase activities in HL-60 cells. The hydroxylase activities were measured by a periodate-based assay, which was validated by comparison with well-established HPLC analysis. HPLC analysis also suggested that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces a 23-hydroxylase in addition to the 24-hydroxylase. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3- and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase activities were stimulated as early as 4 h after the addition of 10−7 m 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and became maximal by 24 h. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulated both activities in a dose-dependent manner up to 10−6 m . The Km of 24-hydroxylase for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were 2 × 10−8 m and 5.2 × 10−7 m , respectively. Cycloheximide (5 μ m ) inhibited 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated stimulation of 24-hydroxylase activity. Other differentiation inducers, such as retinoic acid and phorbol ester, did not induce either activity. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase in HL-60 mitochondria was solubilized with 0.6% cholate and reconstituted with NADPH, beef adrenal ferredoxin, and beef adrenal ferredoxin reductase, each component being essential for 24-hydroxylase activity. These results strongly suggest that the 24-hydroxylase in HL-60 cells is a three-component cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidase.
Decreasing Size at Diagnosis of Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma: Analysis From the National Cancer Data Base, 1993 to 2004

Purpose: The proportion of renal cell carcinoma cases diagnosed at stage I is known to be increasing significantly. We characterized stage I tumors further in terms of tumor size at diagnosis using a large national cancer registry.Materials and Methods: The National Cancer Data Base captures approximately 75% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the United States. The database was queried for all adults who were diagnosed between 1993 and 2004 with stage I renal cell carcinoma. Trends were assessed in mean size with time as well as in the proportion of stage I tumors diagnosed at less than 2.0, less than 2.5 and less than 3.0 cm.Results: There were 104,150 patients in the National Cancer Data Base diagnosed with stage I renal cell carcinoma during the study period. A total of 10,279 stage I tumors (9.9%) were less than 2.0 cm, 26,621 (25.6%) were 2.5 cm or less and 39,879 (38.3%) were 3.0 cm or less. Analysis of stage I renal cell carcinoma diagnoses with time demonstrated a statistically significant in...
Determination of the morphology of soot aggregates using the relative optical density method for the analysis of TEM images

The morphology of soot aggregates formed in a laminar coflow ethylene diffusion flame was studied by using the techniques of extractive thermophoretic sampling and subsequent image analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs. A new image-analysis method, the relative optical density (ROD) method, is described in this paper and was used to obtain the morphological properties of soot aggregates. With this new method, the number of primary particles in each individual aggregate is determined by not only the projected area but also the optical density distribution within the projected area of the aggregate. As such, it attempts to address the three-dimensional nature of the aggregates. This method also calculates an overlap coefficient for each object in the TEM image that can be used to identify non-soot-aggregate structures. Unlike the conventional statistical method for fractal-like aggregate structure determination, ROD is independent of empirical constants based on correlations or numerical simulations. Using this new method, the parameters describing the morphology of soot aggregates generated in a laminar coflow ethylene diffusion flame, such as the geometric mean of the number of primary particles per aggregate, the fractal dimension, and the probability distribution function of aggregate size, were determined. ROD was found to be an accurate and reliable TEM image analysis method for studying the morphology of soot aggregates.
Accountable game designs for classroom learning

A simple yet powerful design strategy for leveraging children's natural proclivity to play has been to tie educational content to the rules of a game. A common criticism of many game designs used in classroom settings however, is that they fail to meaningfully embody content. Another, more subtle problem, is that design elements such as chance and skill; competitive versus cooperative roles; and criteria for success can influence the affective dispositions for students to participate, and by extension learn. While strategies for creating and understanding games ranging from athletic activities to video games have been articulated, there continues to be a need to examine the theoretical elements of game design in order to develop a practical, coherent pedagogy of implementation and use that is applicable to games, teacher practice, and curriculum. This study is focused on examining the socio-cultural forces that motivate students to play and, potentially, learn when they participate in in- and out-of-classroom games as well as the cognition and construction of knowledge structures that take place while playing, and is intertwined with my work on designs for accountable games--playful activities that take into consideration both the learning requirements and goals of the educator and the social and developmental needs of the learner.
Factors affecting the survival of implants placed in grafted maxillary sinuses: a clinical report.

Many factors affect the survival rate of osseointegrated implants placed in grafted maxillary sinuses. This clinical report describes the retrospective evaluation of 60 patients with 228 implants placed in 84 grafted maxillary sinuses at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. The factors used to determine the survival rates of these implants were implant type, simultaneous/delayed implant placement, pretreatment bone height, oral hygiene, and cigarette smoking habits. Out of the total 228 implants, 205 (89.9%) remained in function after a mean follow-up period of 41.6 months (range 0 to 60 months). A higher failure rate was associated with the use of non-threaded implants, poor oral hygiene, and smoking. This information may facilitate treatment planning and enhance communication between the dentist and patient regarding the risk/benefit ratio and outcomes of implants placed in grafted maxillary sinuses. (J Prosthet Dent 2002;87:485-9.) Poor bone quality and quantity, in addition to anatomic variations, often are encountered during implant placement in the posterior maxilla. Maxillary posterior bone atrophy together with pneumatization of the maxillary sinus following loss of dentition can prevent the placement of implants of optimal length. Implant failure rates as high as 35% have been reported in type IV bone, which commonly is found in the posterior maxilla.1-3 In 1980 Boyne and James4 advocated placement of autogenous marrow and cancellous bone from the iliac crest into the pneumatized maxillary sinus to increase the amount of bone available for implant placement. Since then, numerous surgical techniques and graft materials have been suggested for this procedure.5-10 The reported results have been favorable and comparable to implants placed in adjacent non-grafted sites, regardless of the techniques and graft materials used.7,11-15 Insufficient and conflicting data have been reported relative to the effect of the following factors on implant success: implant type, implant placement simultaneous with or subsequent to maxillary sinus grafting, pretreatment bone height, oral hygiene status, and patient history of cigarette smoking. Some researchers and clinicians have suggested that both implant geometry and surface affect primary implant stability and therefore implant success and/or sur
Topological degree theories and nonlinear operator equations in Banach spaces

Abstract Let X be a real Banach space and G 1 , G 2 two nonempty, open and bounded subsets of X such that 0 ∈ G 2 and G 2 ¯ ⊂ G 1 . The problem ( ∗ ) T x + C x = 0 is considered, where T : X ⊃ D ( T ) → X (or X ∗ ) is an accretive (or monotone) operator with 0 ∈ D ( T ) and T ( 0 ) = 0 , while C : X ⊃ D ( C ) → X (or X ∗ ) can be, e.g. one of the following types: (a) compact; (b) continuous and bounded with the resolvents of T compact; (c) demicontinuous, bounded and of type ( S + ) with T positively homogeneous of degree one; (d) quasi-bounded and satisfying a generalized ( S + ) -condition w.r.t. the operator T , while T is positively homogeneous of degree one. Solutions are sought for the problem (∗) lying in the set D ( T + C ) ∩ ( G 1 ∖ G 2 ) . These solutions are nontrivial even when C ( 0 ) = 0 . The degree theories of Leray and Schauder, Browder, and Skrypnik are used, as well as the degree theory by Kartsatos and Skrypnik for densely defined operators T , C . The last three degree theories do not assume any compactness conditions. The excision and additivity properties of these degree theories are employed, and the main results are significant extensions or generalizations of previous results by Krasnoselskii, Guo, Ding and Kartsatos, and other authors, involving the relaxation of compactness conditions and/or conditions on the boundedness of the operator T . An application in the field of partial differential equations is also included.
Crystallization-induced reactions of copolymers. I. Ring-size isomerization of poly(ester acetals)

The isomerization reactions of five- and six-membered acetal rings in copolyesters containing these structures along the backbone were studied both in the melt and in the semicrystalline solid state. For the latter, isomerization of the solid copolymer at a temperature well below the melting point was in a direction opposite to that expected from the data for the acetal ring equilibration in a homogeneous melt. This apparent anti-equilibrium behavior was rationalized on the basis of the continuous removal of the five-membered ring units by crystallization during the reaction, thereby forcing the reaction in the direction controlled by the ability of that unit to crystallize, irrespective of the normal thermodynamic properties of the reaction itself. The probable requirements to be met for the operation of this type of crystallization-induced reaction are discussed.
Who Wants To Be a Nerd? Or How Cognitive Science Changed My Teaching

Abstract When I began teaching, I assumed that my creative writing students had similar childhood and educational experiences to my own. Their lack of experiences with poetry and their varied subject majors in college led me to look at cognitive science to better understand how creativity develops and, by extension, how I could teach my students, especially those who would take just one introductory creative writing course. This essay shares what I have discovered about talent, inspiration, community, and revision. In the end, one of the primary goals of a creative writing course must be to encourage habits of mind, particularly curiosity, that lead to creativity.
Renal cell carcinoma sub-typing by histopathology and fluorescence in situ hybridization on a needle-biopsy specimen.

OBJECTIVE To determine the subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on needle-core biopsies of renal masses using histopathology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and to evaluate the use of interphase FISH to augment the accuracy of needle-core biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Histology correlates with prognosis in RCC but, historically, biopsies are inaccurate for histological subtype. As histological subtypes of RCC have distinct cytogenetic abnormalities (loss of 3p in clear cell, trisomy 7 or 17 in papillary and widespread chromosomal losses in chromophobe), we hypothesized that FISH would improve the accuracy of biopsies. Forty patients with renal masses underwent nephrectomy, yielding 42 tumours. Needle-core biopsies were taken of the mass immediately after surgery. Interphase FISH was performed on one core for chromosomes 3, 7, 10, 13, 17, and 21 and the locus 3p25-26. Histopathology was performed on a second core. Results were compared in a 'blinded' fashion with final pathology. RESULTS In all, 36 of 42 masses were RCC or oncocytoma. Histopathology of the biopsy correctly identified the tumour subtype in 27 (75%), while four (11%) were incorrectly classified and five (14%) were inadequate for diagnosis. With the addition of FISH, 31 (86%) were correctly subtyped, while two (6%) were incorrect and three (8%) were inadequate. In cases with adequate tissue, histology alone was 87% accurate, while the combined method was 94% accurate. CONCLUSION Needle-core biopsy of renal tumours provides adequate material for evaluation of histological subtype. Adding FISH to histopathology might improve the accuracy of kidney tumour biopsies, providing important prognostic information that can guide management decisions.
The effect of design parameters on single-event upset sensitivity of MOS current mode logic

In this paper, we describe and discuss the effects of design parameters such as transistor size, output voltage swing and bias current on radiation sensitivity of MOS current mode logic (MCML) type sequential elements that are used in high-speed communication systems. We have implemented latches and flip-flops in 90 nm technology and show how single-event upset can be mitigated just by adjusting particular design factors at the same clock frequency. It is shown that the critical charge needed to upset the logic state of a sequential element increases up to 5 times by increasing the bias current at the cost of more power and up to 2 times by increasing output voltage swing at the cost of more area. The effect of changing operation frequency from 500MHz to 4GHz on single-event upset is also investigated. For frequencies higher than 2 GHz, critical charge improves 1.3 times.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus volitional isometric strength training in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy: a preliminary study.

Background. To date, no reports have investigated neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to increase muscle force production of children with cerebral palsy (CP) using high-force contractions and low repetitions. Objective. The aims of this study were to determine if isometric NMES or volitional training in children with CP could increase muscle strength and walking speed and to examine the mechanisms that may contribute to increased force production. Methods. Eleven children with spastic diplegia were assigned to an NMES training group or to a volitional training group. Participants in the NMES group had electrodes implanted percutaneously to activate the quadriceps femoris and triceps surae muscles. The volitional group trained with maximal effort contractions. Both groups performed a 12-week isometric strength-training program. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force, voluntary muscle activation, quadriceps and triceps surae cross-sectional area (CSA), and walking speed were measured ...
Short communication: Evaluation of supercritical fluid extraction aids for optimum extraction of nonpolar lipids from buttermilk powder

The milk fat globule membrane, present in buttermilk, contains complex lipids such as phospholipids. Microfiltration coupled with supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) may provide a method of enriching these nutritionally valuable lipids into a novel ingredient. Therefore, SFE as a method for phospholipid enrichment needs to be optimized for lipid removal effectiveness. The role of matrix additions to the buttermilk powder for extraction efficiency was evaluated. Diatomaceous earth (biosilicates), Teflon beads, and physical vibration were tested and shown to reduce total lipid by 86, 78, and 70%, respectively. Four consecutive treatments were shown to exhaust the system; however, similar extraction efficiencies were noted for 1 treatment with biosilicate addition, 2 treatments with physical vibration, or 3 treatments with added Teflon beads. The extracted lipid material consisted of the nonpolar fraction, and protein concentration was observed to increase slightly compared with the control. Although higher lipid extraction was achieved from the powder with addition of diatomaceous earth, a removable aid is ideal for an edible product.
When Development and Learning Decrease Memory Evidence Against Category-Based Induction in Children

Inductive inference is crucial for learning: If one learns that a cat has a particular biological property, one could expand this knowledge to other cats. We argue that young children perform induction on the basis of similarity of compared entities, whereas adults may induce on the basis of category information. If different processes underlie induction at different points in development, young children and adults would form different memory traces during induction, and would subsequently have different memory accuracy. Experiment 1 demonstrates that after performing an induction task, 5-year-olds exhibit more accurate memory than adults. Experiment 2 indicates that after 5-year-olds are trained to perform induction in an adultlike manner, their memory accuracy drops to the level of adults. These results, indicating that sometimes 5-year-olds exhibit better memory than adults, support the claim that, unlike adults, young children perform similarity-based rather than category-based induction.
Variability in the Size, Composition, and Function of Insect Flight Muscles

In order to fly, insects require flight muscles that constitute at least 12 to 16% of their total mass, and flight performance increases as this percentage increases. However, flight muscles are energetically and materially expensive to build and maintain, and investment in flight muscles constrains other aspects of function, particularly female fecundity. This review examines ways in which insects vary the size of their flight muscles, and how variation in the relative size and composition of flight muscles affects flight performance. Sources of variability in flight muscle size and composition include genetic differences within and between species, individual phenotypic responses to environmental stimuli, and maturational changes that occur before and during the adult stage. Insects have evolved a wide variety of ways to adjust flight muscle size and contractile performance in order to meet demands imposed by variation in life history and ecology.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE COLLEGE TEACHERS AS PERCEIVED BY THEIR COLLEAGUES1

The purpose of the research was to study the dimensions faculty members associate with being a good teacher. One hundred nineteen faculty members described the most effective and least effective teacher they knew using a set of 67 statements. A principal-components analysis of the descriptions of effective teachers produced 5 factors: Research Activity and Recognition, Participation in the Academic Community, Intellectual Breadth, Relations with Students, and Concern for Teaching. Only Research Activity and Recognition was significantly related to the academic rank and discipline of teachers nominated as effective. Rank, discipline, age and length of teaching experience of the nominators were unrelated to their descriptions of effective teachers. However, faculty with heavier teaching loads were more likely to assign high scores on Concern for Teaching and low scores on Research Activity and Recognition to the teacher they nominated as effective. The purposes of the present study were to explore some of the characteristics which faculty members ascribe to colleagues whom they regard as effective teachers, to develop scales for measuring those of the characteristics which might be useful in quantifying judgments of teaching effectiveness by colleagues, and to discover some of the relationships between these scales and other variables, such as the rank and department of those being evaluated and the rank, department, age and years of teaching experience of the evaluators.
Correlation of clinical and pathologic features with outcome in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose: Although breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy (RT) has become a standard treatment option for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, risk factors for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) in these patients remain an active area of investigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of clinical and pathologic features on long-term outcome in a cohort of DCIS patients treated with breast-conserving surgery plus RT. Methods and Materials: Between 1973 and 1998, 230 patients with DCIS were treated with breast-conserving surgery plus RT at our institution. All patients were treated by local excision followed by RT to the breast to a total median tumor bed dose of 64 Gy. Adjuvant hormonal therapy was used in only 20 patients (9%). All available clinical, pathologic, and outcome data, including ipsilateral and contralateral events, were entered into a computerized database. The clinical and pathologic variables evaluated included detection method, mammographic appearance, age, family history, histologic subtype, presence of necrosis, nuclear grade, final margin status, and use of adjuvant hormonal therapy. Results: As of December 15, 2000, with a median follow-up of 8.2 years, 17 patients had developed a recurrence in the ipsilateral breast, resulting in a 5- and 10-year IBTR rate of 5% and 13%, respectively. Contralateral breast cancer developed in 8 patients, resulting in a 10-year contralateral recurrence rate of 5%. Patient age, family history, histologic subtype, margin status, and tumor grade were not significantly associated with recurrence on univariate analysis. A significantly higher rate of local relapse was observed in patients with the presence of necrosis. The 10-year relapse rate was 22% in 88 patients with necrosis compared with 7% in 142 patients without necrosis ( p Conclusion: In this cohort of uniformly treated patients with a relatively long follow-up, the presence of necrosis was a significant predictor of local relapse. However, positive or close margin status was not a significant predictor of local relapse. Although none of the patients receiving tamoxifen had a recurrence in the ipsilateral or contralateral breast, longer follow-up is required to assess the effect of tamoxifen on these end points.
Nanoscale optofluidic sensor arrays.

In this paper we introduce Nanoscale Optofluidic Sensor Arrays (NOSAs), which are an optofluidic architecture for performing highly parallel, label free detection of biomolecular interactions in aqueous environments. The architecture is based on the use of arrays of 1D photonic crystal resonators which are evanescently coupled to a single bus waveguide. Each resonator has a slightly different cavity spacing and is shown to independently shift its resonant peak in response to changes in refractive index in the region surrounding its cavity. We demonstrate through numerical simulation that by confining biomolecular binding to this region, limits of detection on the order of tens of attograms (ag) are possible. Experimental results demonstrate a refractive index (RI) detection limit of 7×10-5 for this device. While other techniques such as SPR possess an equivalent RI detection limit, the advantage of this architecture lies in its potential for low mass limit of detection which is enabled by confining the size of the probed surface area.
Development of a Digital Fringe Projection Technique to Characterize the Transient Behavior of Wind - Driven D roplet/Rivulet Flows

Thin film flows naturally arise in a wide variety of industrial and environmental problems ranging from microchip manufacturing, structured packing to lava flows in geology. In particular, wind-driven flows of liquid films are of great interests for deeper understanding of aircraft icing and better design of anti-icing and de-icing strategies. Currently, most thickness mapping techniques involves complicated experimental layout and expensive measuring facilities, for example, photo-luminescence, and stereoscopic techniques. In this study, we successfully applied Fourier transform profilometry for the thickness measurement of wind-driven droplet flows. This technique has been very popular in many fields, like 3D sensing, object recognition, but less known in the fluid dynamics community. It features simple experimental layout, low cost, high spatial resolution, and real time thickness measurement. All these merits motivate us to explore wider and better application of this technique and its variants in the field of fluid mechanics.
GMLOS and a comparative study of nonlinear filters

The pre- and post-processing units for digital image filtering, are an essential part of any integrated vision or imaging system which uses an intensity image as input. These kinds of processing are normally multiple criteria optimization problems that may involve both restoration and enhancement of the degraded images. The most commonly used figures of merit for evaluating these filters are noise attenuation edge preservation, detail presentation and edge enhancement properties. In recent years, nonlinear techniques have been extensively used to achieve these tasks. However, none of these filters have shown to satisfy all of the above requirements. In this work we introduce a new nonparametric robust nonlinear filter based on generalized maximum likelihood reasoning and order statistics (GMLOS). A qualitative and quantitative comparison of GMLOS and other efficient nonlinear filters is presented to illustrate the capability of this filter in satisfying the desired requirements. >
Balloon embolectomy catheter-induced arterial injury: A comparison of four catheters

Abstract This study compared four brands of balloon embolectomy catheters with respect to their mechanical characteristics and the histologic responses they elicit. Seventy-two 4F Becton-Dickinson, Edwards, Electro-Catheter, and Shiley catheters were studies. In vitro studies of penetration forces demonstrated that the forces required for arterial puncture were greatest for Shiley (295 ± 22 gm) and least for Edwards catheter tips (217 ± 11 gm) ( p Edwards > Shiley > Electro-Catheter ( p p
Financial revolution: Russian capital markets in the 90’s

Scrutinizes Russia’s capital markets and the state of the economy. Recounts the establishment of the US‐Russian Capital Markets Forum in 1996 and the reforms they recommended making. Looks also at banking, equities, trading equities, mutual funds, tapping foreign capital markets, government securities, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and corporate bonds – and the role they can all play in helping Russia’s economy to recover. Concludes that, in some areas, Russia has made tremendous progress. Recommends that investors need to think carefully about investment decisions before acquiring Russian securities.
THE PREDICTION OF COLLEGE ACHIEVEMENT BY THE SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST AND THE HIGH SCHOOL RECORD

Abstract : Attempting to take a nonadversarial approach to the dispute of Slack and Porter with Jackson over the predictive validities of the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the high school record, this report examines both the effect of the selection process on these validities and what these validities might be if all colleges were to use a common standard of academic achievement. The results indicate that for this criterion the Scholastic Aptitude Test may have a predictive validity of .62 and an incremental validity over the high school record of .17 and for the usual criterion the selection process may have a profound effect on the relative predictive validities of the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the high school record. The conclusion thus reached is that the Scholastic Aptitude Test is, as intended by its developers, a valid instrument of selection.
Dislocation arrays and elastic-plastic cracks in a two-phase system

Elastic-plastic shear cracks propagation in two phase composite materials using dislocation model, determining critical fracture strength
Democracy and the New Public Service

In 1968, Frederick Mosher published his influential book Democracy and the Public Service. This article revisits themes Mosher developed in the book to assess the status of our democracy in the context of a new public service. The author argues that the new public service poses significant challenges for democracy. One is that new public service is simultaneously more heterogeneous and more loosely tied to traditions of public service. Another attribute is that the rules embedded in new governance structures, which are tied to market forces, are likely the most compelling influences on behavior in the new public service. A third attribute is that the flexibilities of the new public service create a work world in which attachments are temporary and their temporariness may break down bonds among citizens and public servants. The author offers four proposals for reconciling democracy and the new public service.
Protein surface recognition by synthetic receptors

Protein recognition can be divided into two categories in terms of the interaction sites: (a) interactions that occur inside proteins, e.g. enzyme active sites; (b) interactions that occur on the surface of proteins. During the past two decades large numbers of synthetic molecules targeted to disrupt interior protein interactions have been shown to have medically important biological activities.1 However, artificially designed molecules that target the protein surface and disrupt its biological activity are rare.2 Considering the unique composition of charged, hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains on every protein’s surface, synthetic molecules that match the electrostatic features and topology of the protein targets might be expected to bind to the exterior and sterically prevent protein-ligand or protein-protein interactions. This in turn can provide a novel approach to modulating biological processes.
Prostanoids attenuate pial arteriolar dilation induced by cortical spreading depression in rabbits

The role of prostanoids in mediating cerebrovascular responses to cortical spreading depression (CSD) was examined in anesthetized rabbits. CSD was elicited by KCl microinjection, and its propagation was monitored electrophysiologically. Pial arterial diameter was determined using a closed cranial window and intravital microscopy, and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was determined using laser flowmetry. Levels of peri-arachnoid cerebrospinal fluid prostanoids were determined by radioimmunoassay. CSF increased pial arteriolar diameter 62% and rCBF 354% over the baseline levels. Locations of propagating CSD, dilating pial arteriole, and increased rCBF were always closely associated spatiotemporally. Cerebrospinal fluid prostanoid levels increased during single CSD-induced arteriolar dilation, and they were further augmented during multiple CSDs. Indomethacin enhanced both CSD-induced vasodilation (88%) and rCBF increase (580%), but it decreased the cerebrospinal fluid levels of prostanoids below the baseline levels and prevented their increase during CSD-induced vasodilation. These results indicate that prostanoids are synthesized from neurons or glial cells and/or the brain vessels and, as the net result, counteract pial arteriolar dilation and rCBF increase during CSD. In addition, they support the hypothesis that the vasodilation is caused primarily by neurogenic factors associated with CSD.
Abstract P240: Iq’Mik Smokeless Tobacco Use And Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Among Yup’Ik Alaska Native People

Introduction: The traditional lifestyle of Yup’ik Alaska Native people, including a diet high in marine-based foods and daily physical activity, may be cardio-protective. However iq’mik, a traditional form of smokeless tobacco used by >50% of Yup’ik adults, could increase cardio-metabolic (CM) risk. Objective: Our objective was to characterize the associations between iq’mik use and CM risk factors (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides [TG], blood glucose [BG], systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], heart rate [HR] and body mass index [BMI]). Methods: We analyzed a cross-sectional sample of Yup’ik adults (n=874). Current iq’mik use, demographic and lifestyle data were collected through interviews. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and BG. SBP, DBP, HR and BMI were obtained by physical exam. We characterized the association between current iq’mik use and continuous CM risk factor measures both unadjusted for lifestyle and adjusted for lifestyle using two approaches, adjustment for: A) measures of Yup’ik lifestyle and B) a propensity score representing the conditional probability of using iq’mik. Findings: Current iq’mik use was significantly associated with increased HDL-C levels and inversely associated with TG, BG, HR, and BMI (Table). However, after adjusting for lifestyle by either method, associations were attenuated, only BG remaining inversely associated with current iq’mik use (Table). Conclusions: Iq’mik use was associated with cardio-protective measures when not adjusted for Yup’ik lifestyle factors. After adjusting for aspects of Yup’ik lifestyle, the inverse association between iq’mik use and BG remained, raising additional research questions about physiologic mechanisms.
Further experience with a capillary tube pregnancy test.

Tests were conducted to evaluate a newly-developed simple sensitive nonrefrigerated capillary tube pregnancy test. The laboratory procedures as well as the positive and negative results are described in detail. Tests were conducted on 2162 women. Test results were evaluated against results from histopathologic data medical history data pelvic examinations and commercially-available tests. A 99.82% agreement a .18% false-negative and a 0% false-positive rate were obtained in the comparisons. This test exhibited more sensitive results than a previous test. The capillary tube test was able to detect pregnancy in 52 patients whose pregnancies were undetected by the commercial tests. This test should prove useful for early pregnancy testing especially for teenagers.
Role of Geometric Relaxation in Oxygen Binding to Metal Nanoparticles

Better oxygen reduction catalysts are needed to improve the efficiency and lower the cost of fuel cells. Metal nanoparticles are good candidates because their catalytic properties can differ from bulk metals. Using density functional theory calculations, we studied the geometric relaxation of metal nanoparticles upon oxygen binding. Because bound oxygen species are intermediates in the oxygen reduction reaction, the binding of oxygen can be correlated to catalytic activity. Our results show that Pt and Au are unique in that they exhibit a larger structural deformation than other metals, which is pronounced for particles with fewer than 100 atoms. The structural deformation induced by atomic oxygen binding stabilizes the oxidized state and thus reduces the catalytic activity of Pt-based random alloys. We show that the catalytic activity of Pt can be improved by forming alloys with less deformable metals.
Influence of Aluminum Grain Boundary Misorientation on Penetration by Gallium

Materials that undergo intergranular degradation processes, such as Stress Corrosioi Cracking (SCC) or certain types of Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME), show variations in sus ceptibility with grain boundary character Samples with high fractions of “special” boundaries i.e. highly periodic boundaries with low-S Coincidence Site Lattices (CSL), exhibit higher resis tance to these types of attack[l,2]. Very useful comparisons have been drawn between low periodicity boundaries and high-periodicity boundaries; however, few attempts have been mad to date to explain variations in behavior between various “general” boundaries. The presen study employs the LME of aluminum by liquid gallium in an attempt to elucidate the variation in structure and properties of general grain boundaries.
Keeping respiratory syncytial virus at bay

It's not just kid stuff-RSV threatens vulnerable adults as well as young children. Take this expert's advice to keep the common cold virus from turning deadly.
Effect of Para-Aminohippurate on Mannitol Determinations by the Periodate-Iodide-Thiosulfate Method.

Summary1. The periodiate-iodide-thiosulfate technic for mannitol determinations requires revision when para-aminohippurate is present. For each mg% of free PAH present, the mannitol recovery will be falsely elevated by from 0.25 to 0.30 mg%. 2. A modification of the technic is presented by which mannitol can be determined in the presence of PAH.§
Health Reform: Next Steps

Health care costs are the biggest threat to our nation’s long-term fiscal sustainability, and slowing health care cost inflation is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition of ever having a balanced budget again. The last chapter noted the cultural barriers to addressing health care costs, namely fear of death and our inability to discuss limits. However, we are who we are, and we must move ahead with a practical health reform strategy.
Prostate Volume Reduction Prior to Brachytherapy Using 5-alpha Reductase Inhibition Alone without Androgen Blockade

strategy after PSA relapse. Median OS after PSA relapse for patients with low or intermediate risk disease was 74 vs 52 months (p50.07), respectively. Mortality occurred in 18 pts. Cause of death was prostate cancer (n57), lung cancer (n52), non-malignant causes (n56) or unknown causes (n53). PCSM occurred in pts with metastatic disease at PSA relapse (n53), nodal disease (n53) or in pts with PSA relapse only who subsequently developed evidence of metastases after progression on ADT (n52). Of 10 pts with local relapse only, mortality occurred in 4 pts from metastatic lung cancer (n52) or neurodegenerative disease (n52). PCSM at 5 years after PSA relapse for the whole cohort is 40% (95% CI 21-64) and is 27% (95% CI 9-59) vs 63% (95 CI 25-90, p50.06) for low and intermediate risk pts, respectively. Conclusions: Excellent long term results for patients undergoing PPBM similar to other reports are observed. Patients experiencing biochemical relapse have a decrement in subsequent PCSM. Consequently, these data may provide insight into selection of management approaches.
The Creative Process

This chapter describes the creative process. The creative process has been described in a variety of ways. One of the first to talk about it was Helmholtz, who described it as consisting of saturation, incubation, and illumination. In 192,6 Wallas presented his systematic description in terms that are now rather well known—preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. Moreover, Reichenbach, the scientist-philosopher, in studying the creative process, differentiated the context of discovery from the context of justification to distinguish between the thinker's way of finding [his] theorem and his way of presenting it before a public. The different descriptions agree that the stages of the creative process do not occur in a systematic and orderly manner. Only at certain times during the total process will one of its aspects become more salient than others. Indeed, it is also likely that the different characteristics of the process stand out most markedly only when the process is halted, blocked, or inhibited for some reason or other, only to continue again when the course of a new stage with its attendant characteristics makes itself manifest.
Chapter 2 – Professional and Legal Issues in Adaptive Behavior Assessment

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the important standards that pertain to the use of adaptive behavior assessments. It describes a number of professional standards, standards for diagnosis and classification, ethical principles, and legal issues that impact assessment practices of professionals. Implications of these for adaptive behavior assessment, including assessment with the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II are summarized. Professionals that engage in adaptive behavior assessment are encouraged to apply these standards to their practices. The use of measures of adaptive behavior is guided by four sets of standards: those governing test development and use, those informing diagnoses and classifications of individuals, those guiding ethical behaviors of professionals, and those established by laws and related legal policies and practices, including case law. When engaged in high stakes testing, the Standards emphasizes the importance of acquiring information from multiple sources through the use of multiple assessment methods that allow professionals to assess various personal qualities in ways that lead to a description of behaviors as they occur in various settings over some period of time.