cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cytochemical study of oocyte growth in four species of Millipedes.

The cytochemistry of oocyte growth was investigated in four species of millipedes; Narceus americanus, Oxidus gracilis, Cheiropus plancus, and a Pleuroloma species, probably P. cala. The oocyte of all four species produced a yolk nucleus which arose in contact with the nuclear membrane, subsequently detached, migrated into the central ooplasm and disrupted coincident with the appearance of protein yolk granules in the oocyte cytoplasm. Since the follicular epithelium did not display any morphological or cytochemical manifestations of secretory activity, it is suggested that direct incorporation of exogeneous proteins into yolk may play a lesser role in vitellogenesis in these forms than in insects and many other animal groups. Ooplasmic RNA levels achieved a maximum before vitellogenesis was initiated and then decreased. Similarly the nucleoli increased in size and RNA content up to the point at which cytoplasmic RNA levels began to decline. Basic proteins associated with RNA were present in the oocyte cytoplasm and the nucleoli. These achieved a peak concentration in the same size oocytes as RNA, but the intensity of staining decreased more rapidly than that of RNA during subsequent growth. The concentration of nucleoplasmic protein in oocytes of all four millipede species increased in the germinal vesicles during the course of oocyte growth. Coincident with the initiation of vitellogenesis, a class of cytoplasmic inclusions was developed which have been called “concentric ring bodies”. These inclusions consist of concentric layers of organic matrix material with crystallized calcium salts sandwiched between. These probably represent calcium reserves which are utilized in the formation of the exoskeleton by the embryo.
Subcellular localization of GABAA receptor on bipolar cells in macaque and human retina

The subcellular distribution of GABAA receptor in the macaque and human retina was studied by immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibodies for the a and β summits with a particular focus on bipolar cells. Immunoreactivity to GABAA receptor was present on dendritic tips of all bipolar cells. The stain was strongest on bipolar membranes in apposition to horizontal cell processes. Stain was concentrated on the tips of flat and invaginating cone bipolar cells at the base of the cone pedicle and on the invaginating tips of rod bipolar cells. Stain on the cone pedicle membrane was restricted to sites of apposition to stained bipolar dendrites; pedicle membrane in apposition to horizontal cell processes was unstained. Stain was also present on bipolar axon terminals in both on and off strata of the inner plexiform layer. All bipolar cell somas stained faintly; horizontal and Mailer cell somas were unstained. The α and β subunits distributed similarly in monkey and human retina. Presence of GABAA receptor on the bipolar dendritic tips suggests that horizontal cells directly affect bipolar cells. Thus, GABAA receptor might mediate the receptive field surround of both off and on bipolar cells. Presence of GABAA receptor on bipolar axon terminals suggests that much of the inhibition feeding back from GABAergic amacrine to bipolar cells is GABAA-mediated.
Novel End Point Analytic Techniques and Interpreting Shifts Across the Entire Range of Outcome Scales in Acute Stroke Trials

Background and Purpose— Stroke treatments are generally not curative, but rather alter patient outcome over the entire range of functional measures. Dichotomizing outcome scales reduces computational complexity, but discards substantial outcome information, artificially privileges only a single health state transition as clinically meaningful, and often reduces study power. Newer approaches to endpoint analysis have several advantageous properties. Summary of Review— The global statistic assesses treatment effects on multiple outcome measures simultaneously. However, translating the global statistic multidimensional vector effect at the population level into benefit or harm expected in the individual patient is problematic. Responder analysis adjusts outcome thresholds to patient stroke severity at study entry, identifying achievable goals for each patient. However, responder analysis still discards substantial outcome information. Shift analysis gauges change in outcome distributions over the full range ...
A numerical method to detect soft tissue injuries from tissue displacements

A method is introduced to detect soft tissue injuries from internal measurements of displacements taken while a quasi-static load is applied to the tissue. We aimed to quantify and improve reliability of the diagnosis of soft tissue injuries with quasi-static ultrasound elastography. Our method consists of (i) building a model of displacements in healthy tissues and (ii) characterizing injured tissue for how displacements estimated in this tissue differed from the model. The model was built by applying principal component analysis to a data-set of displacements in healthy tissues. A Monte Carlo simulation of Finite Element models was performed to test our method. Our method could detect injuries quantitatively (area under ROC curves equal to with no displacement noise, with noise and with noise) and provided maps with significantly higher contrast-to-noise ratios between damaged and healthy regions than maps provided by current methods, either strain-based and modulus-based ().
Mechanisms of Na+ transport in human distal colonic apical membrane vesicles

Abstract Apical membrane vesicles purified from mucosal scrapings obtained from distal segments of organ donor colons and a 22Na-uptake technique were used to characterize the mechanism(s) of Na+ transport into these vesicles. An outwardly directed H+ gradient (pH 5.5in/7.5out) markedly increased uptake of 22Na into these vesicles. Osmolarity studies demonstrated that 22Na was taken up into the intravesicular space with minimal binding observed to the surface of the vesicles. Voltage clamping in the presence of K+/valinomycin reduced the H+ gradient-dependent 22Na uptake into these vesicles by ≈ 45% and generation of an inside negative membrane potential significantly increased 22Na uptake. Under non voltage clamped conditions, H+ gradient-dependent 22Na uptake into these vesicles was significantly inhibited by specific inhibitors of Na+-H+ exchange (DMA, HMA and EIPA) as well as by inhibitor of epithelial Na+ channels (phenamil). Under voltage clamped conditions, H+ gradient-dependent 22Na uptake, however, was unaffected by phenamil (20 μM), but was almost completely inhibited by DMA, HMA and EIPA (20 μM each). The mechanism of amiloride inhibition of electroneutral Na+-H+ exchange was noncompetitive with a Ki for amiloride of 340 μM. Electroneutral 22Na uptake exhibited saturation kinetics with an apparent Km for Na+ of 8.7 ± 1.7 mM and a Vmax of 2.02 ± 0.45 nmol/mg per 5 s. The Na+-H+ exchange demonstrated cation specificity similar to the Na+-H+ exchangers described in other epithelia. These studies demonstrate for the first time that Na+ transport across the apical membranes of human distal colon involves both conductive Na+ uptake and an electroneutral Na+-H+ exchange process.
Application of electronic estrus detection technologies to reproductive management of cattle

Artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs are dependent on efficient and accurate detection of estrus. Visual observation is accurate at detecting animals in estrus, but efficiency ranges from approximately 50 to 70%. Electronic technologies have been developed in attempts to improve estrus detection efficiency. Commercially available electronic devices for estrus detection are based on changes in physical activity (pedometers), changes in electrical resistance of reproductive tract secretions (intravaginal resistance probes) or mounting activity (mount detectors). All of the commercially available electronic estrus detection devices can improve the efficiency of estrus detection in cattle. Pedometers are most applicable to lactating dairy cattle and have greater accuracy and efficiency when combined with visual observation. Intravaginal resistance measurement is perhaps the least practical method of estrus detection because of labor and animal handling requirements. Individual resistance measurement may have practical application for confirming other inconclusive signs of estrus. Mount monitors have the broadest application to beef and dairy cattle. HeatWatch, the only real-time radiotelometric system available, requires the least labor and animal handling and provides data on the time and duration of each mount. The less expensive stand-alone mount monitors also provide the necessary information for optimum timing of insemination and embryo transfer, but are more labor intensive.
The first accurate measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Poiseuille, known for his law of fluid flow, which is the analog of Ohm's law, introduced the units (mmHg) by which we measure blood pressure by using the mercury manometer, which he described in his medical school thesis in 1828. For 50 years, mean blood pressure was all that could be measured because of the long response time of the mercury manometer. It is true that the height of the mercury column displayed pulsatile oscillations, but their amplitude was much less than that of pulse pressure. It is interesting to note that the slowly responding mercury manometer was made to display first systolic then diastolic pressure by means of an ingenious device that contained two oppositely directed check valves. It took from 1828 to 1903 for high-fidelity graphic recordings of blood pressure to appear in which systolic and diastolic pressures were believable. However, systolic and diastolic pressures were measurable since 1878 when Golz and Gaule created their ingenious valved device that permitted use of the slowly responding mercury manometer to display these pressures accurately.
A case study of a phased approach methodology for application development and implementation

The Academic Affairs faculty evaluation process was once a paper-based process used by colleges and schools at the University of Memphis (UofM). The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) developed an online alternative to the paper evaluation process and used it successfully for multiple years. As the electronic evaluation process gained cultural acceptance within the college, Academic Affairs sought a way to provide this enhancement throughout the academy. Academic Affairs Technology (AATECH) was charged with scaling the original application, providing training, and implementing the application for use in all colleges and schools. A phased approach was selected for this project implementation. Initial phases included: phase 1 (scaling the application), phase 2 (reports and major improvements), and phase 3 (annual maintenance). This paper will provide a brief history of the faculty evaluation system, the phased approach used to implement a web-based system, where we are now and lessons learned.
Gain saturation in gain-guided slab waveguides with large-index antiguiding

We investigate numerically and analytically the effects of gain saturation on the propagation of the fundamental mode in a gain-guided index-antiguided slab waveguide. The propagating mode adapts to gain saturation by becoming less confined, while at the same time its peak intensity increases more slowly. At steady state, both the mode shape and the power remain constant.
The question of the political: Thinking with Matthew Hull

Comment on Hull, Matthew. 2012. Government of paper: The materiality of bureaucracy in urban Pakistan. Berkeley: University of California Press.
IDENTIFIABILITY OF EXCHANGEABLE SEQUENCES WITH IDENTICALLY DISTRIBUTED PARTIAL SUMS

Consider two exchangeable sequences $(X_k)_{k \in N}$ and $(\hat{X}_k)_{k \in N}$ with the property that $S_n \equiv \sum_{k=1}^n X_k$ and $\hat{S}_n \equiv \sum_{k=1}^n \hat{X}_k$ have the same distribution for all $n \in N$. David Aldous posed the following question. Does this imply that the two exchangeable sequences have the same joint distributions? We give an example that shows the answer to Aldous' question is, in general, in the negative. On the other hand, we show that the joint distributions of an exchangeable sequence can be recovered from the distributions of its partial sums if the sequence is a countable mixture of i.i.d. sequences that are either nonnegative or have finite moment generating functions in some common neighbourhood of zero.
Aflatoxin excretion in wethers

Abstract Aflatoxin M 1 , a potent carcinogen, is a cause for concern because of its possible appearance in the milk supply. In the course of an attempt to use wethers for converting aflatoxin B 1 to M 1 and recovering the M 1 from the urine, several excretion patterns were noted, which were related to the absolute dose level and prior insult to the animal. The amount of aflatoxin B 1 appearing in the urine was related t o the dose level. There was a fairly constant ratio between the amounts of aflatoxins B 1 and M 1 appearing in the faeces, except for animals given the highest dose level or the greatest number of daily doses. Total aflatoxin B 1 and M 1 excretion by way of the urine and faeces in relation to the aflatoxin B 1 dose was remarkably constant for all dose levels and patterns.
The effect of allo‐injury in an in vitro model of allograft microvasculature

Endothelial cells are critical to the integrity of allograft vasculature and can be damaged by alloreactive T cells or soluble mediators of alloreactivity. The biochemical effects of T cell-mediated damage to the endothelial cells have been studied, but not the structural and morphological effects of allo-injury on endothelial cells in the allograft. We utilized an assay that reproduces microvasculature in vitro to study the effect of alloreactivity on endothelial cells. In this assay, endothelial cells are induced into capillary-like networks that simulate microvascular capillaries. We studied the effect of allogeneic T cells and of soluble mediators from both mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLCs) and rejected heart allograft tissue on the in vitro capillaries. We found that both allogeneic T cells and soluble mediators inhibit the formation of the in vitro endothelial capillaries, suggesting that they cause a mild-to-moderate dysfunction of the endothelial cells. The inhibitory effect of the soluble mediators seems to be mediated, at least partly, by IFN-γ, since this effect was prevented by antibody to IFN-γ. Furthermore, pre-incubation of the in vitro capillaries with IFN-γ appeared to magnify the effect of allogeneic T cells, as shown by a complete breakdown of well-formed in vitro capillary networks. Our experiments suggest that the in vitro capillary-tube model reflects structural injury to allograft vasculature by alloreactive T cells and their soluble mediators.
Effect of chronic reserpine and desmethylimipramine treatment on CRF-like immunoreactivity of discrete brain areas of rat.

The corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity (CRF-LI) of discrete areas of rat brain were measured following reserpine (2 mg/kg i.p. for 3 days) or chronic desmethylimipramine (DMI) (20 mg/kg i.p. for 14 days) treatment. Reserpine caused a 40% and 36% reduction in the (CRF-LI) of the median eminence (ME) and posterior pituitary respectively, while DMI caused a 61% rise in CRF-LI of the posterior pituitary only. The results support the role of monoaminergic regulation of CRF release from the ME and further suggest an interaction between monoaminergic and CRF neurons in the posterior pituitary.
Complex accountability and power in global governance: issues for global business

Purpose – Firms and their executives need to recognize the political complexity of accountability demands, so that they are prepared by training to recognize the signs of change, analyze the strength of the forces behind various and often competing demands, and devise a response that is not only responsive to valid and strongly supported demands, but consistent with their organization's mission and ethic of responsibility toward broader publics and the public‐spirited values that we should all share. This paper aims to investigate these issuesDesign/methodology/approach – The paper identifies seven types of accountability mechanisms and considers their applicability to multinational corporations.Findings – The paper finds that, to be able to respond quickly and effectively, firms need to be linked institutionally with advocacy groups as well as other firms, so that they get information about demands in a timely fashion and are able to communicate with the relevant actors to devise responses.Originality/va...
The Natural Sciences in the University: Change and Variation over the 20th Century.

The changing academic priorities of universities are often discussed but little investigated by social scientists: What accounts for the striking expansions and contractions in disciplinary fields over time? Focusing specifically on the natural sciences, this article articulates a global-institutional argument that holds that deep shifts in ontological conceptions of action and structure over the course of the 20th century fomented shifts in the teaching and research emphases of universities worldwide. Specifically, it hypothesizes that scientific fields that are premised on fixed categories and hierarchies of entities (for example, zoology) declined relative to fields that are premised on dynamic, horizontal networks of entities (for example, physics). In addition, it hypothesizes that as globally institutionalized reality shifted in favor of human, rather than divine, actorhood, fields that position their practitioners as active investigators in a dynamic universe gained ascendance over those that posit...
Spatial and temporal trends and effects of population size on the frequency of color phenotypes in the wild red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

We analyzed the hypothesized relationships of temporal, spatial, and harvest trends with frequency of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) color morphs in 57 Hudson's Bay Company posts over a 20- to 26-year period, but found none of the strong relationships postulated to exist. A meta-analysis of each data set suggested a weak inverse relationship between latitude and frequency of the red morph. Meta-analysis further indicated a weak positive relationship with time and the frequency of the red phase, although this trend was not due to climate change. No relationship was found between harvest size and color phase, or between a 1-year lagged harvest size and color phase, which evaluated the effects of dispersal. The data sets did not allow conclusive determination of the mechanisms behind the trends, but it is postulated that a slight selective advantage is found for the dark morphs at high latitudes, while the temporal increase in frequency of the red phenotype is probably the result of northward dispersal from southern populations.
Methane Emissions and Methanogenic Archaea on Pristine, Drained and Restored Mountain Peatlands, Central Europe

Natural peatlands are known as an important source of methane (CH4). However, most peatlands in Central Europe were drained for forestry purposes in the past and some of them have been recently restored, both having a strong impact on CH4 emissions. The main aim of our study was to determine the effect of long-term drainage (a few decades) and hydrological restoration (3 years) on CH4 emissions, potential CH4 production and on the methanogenic Archaea community in different types of peatlands under various hydrological regimes. For this purpose, CH4 emissions together with biotic and abiotic variables were measured over three growing seasons, in vitro potential CH4 production was determined, and qPCR and DGGE fingerprinting were used for methanogenic community description in three ombrotrophic bogs (pristine, drained, restored) and two fens (pristine, drained) located in the Sumava National Park within the Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic. The highest CH4 emissions, CH4 potential production, and the highest diversity of the methanogenic community were observed in the pristine fen and bog. In the frame of interannual variability, a drought period seemed to play an important role in seasonal CH4 fluxes. Plant species composition together with water table seemed to be the most important factors controlling CH4 emission. Drainage led to a significant decrease in CH4 emissions, potential CH4 production, and the abundance and diversity of methanogens as compared to pristine sites. These post-drainage changes were more obvious in the fen site than on bog sites. However, none of the measured parameters showed significant changes during the 3 years after rewetting. We assume that the restored hydrology was not the main factor controlling CH4 emissions and other factors such as vegetation composition and input of available substrate for methanogenic community were more important. Therefore it appears that the period necessary for regeneration of CH4 emissions is the result of restoring all of these elementary factors together.
Haile Selassie and the Gospel of Development: Hegemony and Faith-Based Development in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

Resumen En este articulo exploro el proceso por el cual organizaciones no gubernamentales basadas en la fe (FBOs) se incorporan, reproducen, y cuestionan construcciones hegemonicas de desarollo en su intento de llevar los frutos del desarollo a sus comunidades locales. Centro mi analisis en la Organizacion Nacional Rastafari (NRO) de Trinidad y Tobago- una pequena FBO de base cuyos dirigentes disenaron e implementaron un programa de desarollo para sus comunidad local que, a pesar de ser pensado de acuerdo a los principios contenidos en el “evangelio del desarrollo” de Haile Selassie, tiene mas en comun con el programa nacional de desarollo neoliberal promovido por el gobierno de Trinidad que con los programas de desarollo tipicos de otras organizaciones Rastafari en la region Caribe. El NRO no mantuvo el sentido de todos los temas, logicas o practicas recomendadas en dicho “evangelio del desarollo”. Por el contrario, su conexion con el nivel hegemonico les llevo a adoptar aspectos en circulacion en aquel momento que resonaban con los discursos oficiales del estado de desarollo participativo neoliberal.
Optical analysis of time-averaged multiscale Bessel beams generated by a tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens

Current methods for generating Bessel beams are limited to fixed beam sizes or, in the case of conventional adaptive optics, relatively long switching times between beam shapes. We analyze the multiscale Bessel beams created using an alternative rapidly switchable device: a tunable acoustic gradient index (TAG) lens. The shape of the beams and their nondiffracting, self-healing characteristics are studied experimentally and explained theoretically using both geometric and Fourier optics. By adjusting the electrical driving signal, we can tune the ring spacings, the size of the central spot, and the working distance of the lens. The results presented here will enable researchers to employ dynamic Bessel beams generated by TAG lenses.
Button blender: remixing input to improve video game accessibility

Over time, advances in video game system hardware have facilitated the evolution of video game mechanics from simple to complex. Game input devices have followed this trend, evolving from simple joysticks to multi-button, sensor-enabled controllers. Unfortunately, the complexity of modern game controllers presents significant challenges to some players, including novices and gamers with accessibility needs. Button Blender reduces such challenges by recording, remixing, and replaying game controller input, allowing novice players to play like experts.
Motion control of two-link flexible-joint robot with actuator nonlinearities, using neural networks and direct method

We present a state-feedback control of a two-link flexible-joint robot. We use three-layer neural networks to learn the unknown parts of the desired control laws. Therefore, the control algorithm does not require the mathematical model representing the robot. The neural networks' weights are adapted on-line. Therefore, the control system can adapt to changes during operation such as payload changes. We use a smooth variable structure controller to handle uncertainties from the neural network approximation, external disturbances, deadzone, and backlash. In our simulation, we obtain the actual plant model from experiments
Comparison of model forms for estimating stem taper and volume in the primary conifer species of the North American Acadian Region

• The performance of ten commonly used taper equations for predicting both stem form and volume in balsam fir [ Abies balsamea (L.) Mill], red spruce[ Picea rubens (Sarg.)], and white pine[ Pinus strobus (L.)] in the Acadian Region of North America was investigated.• Results show that the Kozak () and Bi () equations were superior to the other equations in predicting diameter inside bark for red spruce and white pine, while the Valentine and Gregoire () equation performed slightly better for balsam fir.• For stem volume, the Clark et al. () equation provided the best predictions across all species when upper stem diameter measurements were available, while the Kozak () and compatible taper equation of Fang et al. () performed well when those measurements were unavailable.• The incorporation of crown variables substantially improved stem volume predictions (mean absolute bias reduction of 7–15%; root mean square error reduction of 10–15%) for all three species, but had little impact on stem form predictions.• The best taper equation reduced the predicted root mean square error by 16, 39, and 45% compared to estimates from the widely used Honer (1965) regional stem volume equations for balsam fir, red spruce, and white pine, respectively.• When multiple taper equations exist for a certain species, the use of the geometric mean of all predictions is an attractive alternative to selecting the “best”equation.
Electrical accelerated aging of EPR cable insulation energized by ac voltage and switching impulses

Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) is one of the most common polymeric materials used in medium voltage power cable insulation. It is generally accepted that the cables will encounter electric stress, thermal stress and environmental stress during their service lives. All of the stresses will activate changes in the bulk properties of insulation materials, known as electrical aging, which will lead to the failure of cables. In the experiments for the study, the accelerated aging of EPR cable insulation is carried out by applying elevated ac voltage and switching impulses. The status of cable insulation is monitored through measurement of partial discharge parameters, dissipation factor, capacitance, and ac breakdown voltages. The study compares the accelerated aging of EPR cables by switching impulses and elevated ac voltage, which helps to understand the lifetime characteristics of EPR cables insulation.
Molecular Adaptations to Aerobic Exercise Training in Skeletal Muscle of Older Women

AGING is associated with significant reductions in muscle mass termed sarcopenia (1). Sarcopenia is clinically relevant as it is associated with elevated risk of cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic disease processes. Due to these health concerns, the importance of developing interventions that reverse the negative consequences associated with aging is essential. Aerobic exercise is commonly recommended for older adults due to the cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits (2). Despite the prevalence of aerobic exercise, there has been limited scientific inquiry regarding the effects of aerobic exercise on muscle size. We have recently shown that 12 weeks of progressive aerobic training dramatically increases muscle size in addition to improvements in muscle function and aerobic capacity in older women (3). Although these whole-body adaptations have been established, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The ubiquitin–proteosomal pathway is responsible for the majority of protein degradation within skeletal muscle, and our laboratory has recently shown that older women exhibit greater basal proteolytic gene expression (FOXO3A, MuRF-1, and myostatin) compared with young women (4,5). Additionally, although the influence of aging on mixed skeletal muscle protein breakdown is equivocal (6,7), our laboratory has reported that myofibrillar proteolysis is elevated in older men (8). Due to the elevated myofibrillar proteolysis and related genetic markers in aging skeletal muscle, it is possible that a reduction in these proteolytic mechanisms partially contributes to the improvements in muscle health in response to exercise training. Thus, the global purpose of this investigation was to examine a cohort of molecular factors within aging skeletal muscle that may be associated with the recently observed enhancements in muscle size and aerobic capacity after an aerobic exercise training program (3). Interestingly, markers associated with muscle oxidative capacity (ie, PGC-1α) and muscle protein preservation (ie, HSP70) have been recently linked to skeletal muscle health in animal models. Mechanistically, these factors appear to decrease protein breakdown through the ubiquitin–proteosomal pathway by inhibiting FOXO signaling (9–11). Although these relationships have not been examined in human skeletal muscle, they represent potential mechanisms for the muscle hypertrophy induced by aerobic training. Therefore, we hypothesized that resting levels of HSP70, PGC-1α, and TFAM (mitochondrial transcription factor A) would be elevated in skeletal muscle of older women after aerobic training and that these muscle oxidative factors will be associated with reductions in proteolytic markers (FOXO3A, MuRF-1, and atrogin-1).
The Effect of Self-Evaluation on Teaching Behavior in Classrooms for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders:

This study examined the effect of a self-evaluation intervention using audiotaped samples of teachers' instructional behavior on the rates of praise in classrooms for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). It also examined the effect of the intervention on other teaching behaviors and determined whether implementation of the intervention is feasible for teachers of students with EBD. Results suggested that the intervention had positive short-term effects on teacher praise and correct academic responses by students. Post hoc analyses suggested that the mean ratio of praise to reprimands changed across phases for teachers in both the self-evaluation and no treatment groups. Implications for future research and study limitations are discussed.
Decision-theoretic control of resource-constrained rule-checking in design for manufacturability

The authors present an investigation of formally rigorous techniques based on decision-theoretic principles that address the problem of bounding the amount of checks being performed in manufacturability rule checking under resource constraints and uncertainty. They derived a set of optimal decision policies that may be used to decide which rules to check and where on the design they should be used. The model looks ahead, taking into account all sources of uncertainty and risk preferences to obtain the optimal decision policy by deliberating on the tradeoff between the value of the information potentially available and the computational cost. Various deliberation schemes and a metalevel decision model that can be used to select the best deliberation scheme are also presented. >
Treatment options for disorders of arousal: a case series

Background: Non-rapid-eye-movement parasomnias or disorders of arousal (DOA) are more prevalent in children, but they do occur in adults. There are no practice parameters published for treatment of DOAs. Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, an electronic search was conducted for ICD9 codes related to DOAs in our clinic databases. The resulting charts were reviewed by the authors for accuracy, and 103 out of 232 were included in the final analysis. Results: Sleepwalking is the most common DOA presentation. Treatment with low-dose clonazepam has a response rate of 73.7%. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia, sertraline, clomipramine and temazepam may also be effective alternatives. Conclusion: DOAs respond to benzodiazepines, antidepressants and CBT. Large, randomized trials are needed to further assess these therapeutic alternatives.
COVENANTS WITH AND WITHOUT A SWORD: SELF-GOVERNANCE IS POSSIBLE

Contemporary political theory often assumes that individuals cannot make credible commitments where substantial temptations exist to break them unless such commitments are enforced by an external agent. One such situation may occur in relation to common pool resources, which are natural or man-made resources whose yield is subtractable and whose exclusion is nontrivial (but not necessarily impossible). Examples include fisheries, forests, grazing ranges, irrigation systems, and groundwater basins. Empirical evidence, however, suggests that appropriators in common pool resources develop credible commitments in many cases without relying on external authorities. We present findings from a series of experiments exploring (1) covenants alone (both one-shot and repeated communication opportunities); (2) swords alone (repeated opportunities to sanction each other); and (3) covenants combined with an internal sword (one-shot communication followed by repeated opportunities to sanction each other).
How familiar are clinician teammates in the emergency department

Objectives Lack of familiarity between teammates is linked to worsened safety in high risk settings. The emergency department (ED) is a high risk healthcare setting where unfamiliar teams are created by diversity in clinician shift schedules and flexibility in clinician movement across the department. We sought to characterise familiarity between clinician teammates in one urban teaching hospital ED over a 22 week study period. Methods We used a retrospective study design of shift scheduling data to calculate the mean weekly hours of familiarity between teammates at the dyadic level, and the proportion of clinicians with a minimum of 2, 5, 10 and 20 h of familiarity at any given hour during the study period. Results Mean weekly hours of familiarity between ED clinician dyads was 2 h (SD 1.5). At any given hour over the study period, the proportions of clinicians with a minimum of 2, 5, 10 and 20 h of familiarity were 80%, 51%, 27% and 0.8%, respectively. Conclusions In our study, few clinicians could be described as having a high level of familiarity with teammates. The limited familiarity between ED clinicians identified in this study may be a natural feature of ED care delivery in academic settings. We provide a template for measurement of ED team familiarity.
Experimental and modeling studies of 220Rn decay products in outdoor air near the ground surface

Measurements of the concentrations of 220Rn gas and its short-lived decay products (216Po, 212Pb, 212Bi) in attached-to-aerosol and unattached states were carried out at a semi-arid field site in central New Mexico under varying atmospheric conditions. A high volume air sampler (100 L min−1), with a single 635 mesh stainless steel screen (50% penetration for 4 nm particles) and a glass fiber filter, were employed. Analysis of the 105 outdoor measurements yielded the following average values: 9 Bq m−3 for the 220Rn activity concentration; 22 nJ m−3 for the concentration of potential alpha energy, 0.03 for the equilibrium factor, 0.15 for the unattached fraction of potential alpha energy, and 14 nSv h−1 for the effective dose rate. The measurements were interpreted using the computer code TPOUT, which applies one-dimensional eddy transport to calculate the vertical concentrations of 220Rn and its decay products as a function of atmospheric stability, aerosol concentration, terrain roughness, and surface wind speed. This code successfully predicted the observed trends of unattached and attached decay products concentrations with height, and demonstrated the importance of the mixing height and the rate of vertical transport for controlling breathing level dose. Projection of the present results to conditions typical of temperate climates suggests an average annual outdoor effective dose from 220Rn decay products of about 0.025 mSv, which is a significant component of the total outdoor dose.
Social Desirability and the I-E Scale

Recently several investigations have examined social desirability as a factor in Rotter's (1966) Internal-External Control of Reinforcement Scale (I-E), a scale which purports to measure the degree to which an individual believes that reinforcements are contingent upon his behavior. The data from these studies suggest that Ss may be responding to I-E items in terms of the desirability of the item rather than in terms of the content (Bernhardson, 1968; Hjelle, 1971). Hjelle (1971), for instance, reported (for females) that 15 of the 23 internal statements were rated more socially desirable than the corresponding external statements with 11 of the items being significant at the .05 level of confidence. In Hjelle's snldy, the items were presented in a randomized, single-stimulus format; that is, in 46 icems rather than in the regular 23 forced-choice format. Although he was cognizant that responses to pairs of icems would differ from responses to single items, Hjelle made no attempt to examine the I-E items for judged social desirability when they are paired. Hence the present study is an attempt to investigate the social desirability of the I-E items under the regular forced-choice format. A sample of 80 male and 123 female introductory psychology students at
Gamma-Ray bursts: Energetics and Prompt Correlations

A model is presented here that is capable of simultaneously describing the luminosity function and the underlying joint population distribution of the prompt spectral and temporal parameters of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), subject to the detection threshold of gamma-ray instruments{in particular, BATSE and Fermi. Based on 2130 GRB prompt emission data in the BATSE catalog, I show that the population properties of the two classes of GRBs { Long & Short durations { bear striking similarities in the 4-dimensional space of prompt parameters: peak luminosity (Liso), total isotropic emission (Eiso), time-integrated spectral peak energy (Ep;z) & the prompt duration (T90;z). The two well-known Amati (Eiso Ep;z) & Yonetoku (Liso Ep;z) relations are shown to be highly aected by selection eects,
Gastric Tonometry in Patients with Sepsis: Effects of Dobutamine Infusions and Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions

We wanted to determine the efficacy of dobutamine infusions and Prbc transfusions on splanchnic tissue oxygen utilization by measuring gastric pHi. Physiologic parameters and pHi measurements via the use of a gastric tonometer were obtained in 21 septic patients before and after the administration of a dobutamine infusion (5 μg/kg/min) or the transfusion of two units of Prbc. Subsets of measurements with normal (>7.32) and with low ( 0.80]). We conclude that dobutamine rather than Prbc transfusions should be administered to reverse gastric intramucosal acidosis. (Chert 1992; 102:184–88)
Mobility and Carrier Offset Modeling in OFDM

A carrier offset in OFDM system simulation is generally considered to be slowly time-varying, so that, over short simulation periods, it may be considered to be a constant quantity. However, depending on system mobility, carrier frequency, and communication duration, time-varying carrier offsets can be significant in a real physical environment. Few researchers have addressed this in their works. Those few who have, present simplified, vague, or inaccurate time-varying carrier offset models. The main goal of this paper is to present an accurate time- varying carrier offset model, and to provide guidelines for when the application of this model is crucial for correct OFDM system evaluation.
Testing Telephone and Web Surveys for Studying Men's Sexual Assault Perpetration Behaviors

Three pilot studies were conducted to obtain information about sexual assault perpetration from adult men in the United States. Each used the same random digit-dial sampling and recruitment strategy. One pilot was administered by telephone and two via the Web. Response rates in all pilots were low. Although results cannot be generalized beyond the sample, of the 97 men who completed the surveys, approximately 40% in each pilot reported some sexual assault behavior, broadly defined. Contrary to expectations, telephone respondents reported a wider range of sexual assault behaviors. Suggestions for improving response rates include offering a choice of participation methods.
Correct Ray-Tracing Analysis for Interference Microscopy of Fibres

A ray-tracing analysis for calculating, by means of interference microscope data, the radial distribution of refractive index, n(r), for fibres of round cross section has been formulated, solved, tested and used to determine n(r) for high-speed direct-spun polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres. The formulation was based on work by Kahl & Mylin (1965) originally performed to explore the radial density profiles in cylindrically symmetrical explosions. The equations were formulated with proper boundary conditions at the fibre surface, correcting a fundamental error that has caused problems for 20 years. This correct boundary condition unfortunately made it impossible to invert, as had been done in all previous work, the resulting integral equations, which consequently were solved by a nonlinear least-squares approximation. The analysis corrected a serious problem noted in the literature: namely, that the refractive index profile obtained for a particular fibre depended on the refractive index of the immersion liquid used to make the measurement. Refractive index profiles observed for PET fibres produced by high-speed direct spinning had concave-down curvature, the opposite of expectations based on previous work. This initial result suggests that when direct-spun, under crystallizing conditions, PET fibres develop a mainly radial density or quench profile, whereas fibres spun under conditions that give little crystallinity have a mainly radial orientation gradient. Experiments to test this suggestion further have not been done yet.
“Pro bono pacis”: Crime, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution. The Evidence of Notarial Peace Contracts in Late Medieval Florence

One day in the year 1274, Giuntino Jacobi appeared at the church of Santo Stefano in Quarrata. According to the notarial contract in the register of Ildebrandino d'Accatto, Giuntino was already seething with rage (“irato animo”) when he arrived at the sanctuary. When he then tried to force his way into the church, the presbyter Donato refused him access by slamming the door in his face. There is little doubt that Donato felt threatened, as he very quickly set about raising the hue and cry by sounding the church bell (“incepit pulsare campanam ad martellum”) and calling out for help. Meanwhile Giuntino, in a gesture portending Khrushchev's more famous one, took off his shoe and began pounding on the church door until a group of local men arrived and carted him away. Donato lost no time in denouncing the shoe-thumping Giuntino to the court of the podesta. When Giuntino absented himself from court, he was fined 200 fiorini piccoli, declared contumacious, and by order of the General Council banished from the ...
Face age estimation using patch-based hidden Markov model supervectors

Recent studies in patch-based Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) approaches for face age estimation present promising results. We propose using a hidden Markov model (HMM) supervector to represent face image patches, to improve from the previous GMM supervector approach by capturing the spatial structure of human faces and loosening the assumption of identical face patch distribution within a face image. The Euclidean distance of HMM supervectors constructed from two face images measures the similarity of the human faces, derived from the approximated Kullback-Leibler divergence between the joint distributions of patches with implicit unsupervised alignment of different regions in two human faces. The proposed HMM supervector approach compares favorably with the GMM supervector approach in face age estimation on a large face dataset.
Light-evoked excitatory synaptic currents of X-type retinal ganglion cells.

The excitatory amino acid receptor (EAAR) types involved in the generation of light-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were examined in X-type retinal ganglion cells. Using isolated an...
The Genus Aristida (Poaceae) in Kansas

Abstract A recent herbarium study of the genus Aristida (Poaceae) revealed that 11 species and four varieties are represented in Kansas. Specimen evidence is presented for two species, A. desmantha Trin. & Rupr. and A. ramosissima Engelm ex A. Gray, reported by earlier Kansas botanists but subsequently excluded from the flora because no vouchers could be located. Keys, habitat and state rarity information, and distribution maps are presented for all Kansas taxa.
Electronic Materials in Biological Applications

Decisions concerning patient care, which are routinely made by the attending physician, based on experience and clinical laboratory analyses, will eventually be supplemented or even replaced by real-time, quantified, health assessments from cutaneous and indwelling multisensor probes. These probes will employ a multitude of technologies including optical and solid state techniques for the precise measurement of body analytes such as blood gases, electrolytes, pH, glucose, etc. In addition to clinical monitoring, these sensors will also be used to provide feed-back for closed-loop therapeutic systems. Currently, there are rapid advances being made in sensor technology and its application for the determination of various analytes. However, a major problem still remains at the device/body interface, especially when chronic implantation is required.
Abstract 2840: Aspect Score: DWI or CT Scan, Which One Is Better Marker For Stroke Morbidity And Outcome?

Background and Objective The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is a validated grading system to assess ischemic changes on CT in acute ischemic stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequence is commonly used to identify the final ischemic changes. We examined the difference between the relationship of NIHSS at admission and ASPECT score calculated using CT scan versus MRI DWI sequence. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 99 cases of acute ischemic stroke treated with IV rt-PA by time criteria, admitted to Mayo Clinic from March, 2002 through June, 2011. CT head at 24 hours and MRI DWI sequence were used to assign ASPECT score. We dichotomized ASPECTS (categorized as 0 to 7 versus 8 to 10) and favorable patient outcome at 3 month (modified Rankin score less than equal to 2 and more than 2). Univariate analysis including t-test, Chi-square, and Fisher Exact test was used when appropriate. Results Mean age was 70±14 years. Mean admission NIHSS score was 8±4. DWI ASPECTS (p Conclusion CT and MRI DWI are comparably useful to calculate the ASPECTS for estimation of functional outcome, but CT scan at 24 hours may be more sensitive for the prediction of good recovery.
Product Measures and Integrals

The material in this lesson is needed to complete the properties associated with “independence” in probability spaces but here we focus on measure spaces: [Ω1 S 1Λ1][Ω2 S 2Λ2].