cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case-based planning: A framework for planning from experience ☆

Abstract This article presents a view of planning as a task supported by a dynamic memory. This view attempts to ingegrate models of memory, learning, and planning into a single system that learns about planning by creating new plans and analyzing how they interact with the world. We call this view of planning case-based planning. A case-based planner makes use of its own past experience in developing new plans. It relies on its memory of observed effects, rather than a set of causal rules, to create and modify new plans. Memories of past successes are accessed and modified to create new plans. Memories of past failures are used to warn the planner of impending problems, and memories of past repairs are called upon to tell the planner how to deal with them. This view of planning from experience supports and is supported by a learning system that incorporates new experiences into the planner's episodic memory. This learning algorithm gains from the planner's failures as well as its successes. Successful plans are stored in memory, indexed by the goals they satisfy and the problems they avoid. Failures are also stored and indexed by the features in the world that predict them. By storing failures as well as successes, the planner is able to anticipate and avoid future plan failures. Case-based planning is aimed at improving planning behavior in three areas: failure avoidance, plan repair, and plan reuse. It also attempts gains over current learning systems, in that the learning is driven by the functional needs of a planner.
Development of capacitive pure bending strain sensor for wireless spinal fusion monitoring

A MEMS (microelectromechanical system) capacitive-based pure bending strain sensor is presented for use in spinal fusion monitoring. The sensor is designed to interface with a telemetry system that does not require a battery and contained in a housing that is attached to spinal fusion rods. The cantilever structure of the sensor is composed of two parallel plates with a narrow gap and a conjoint end. Nine permutations of the design with different metal coverage areas (14 mm 2 , 9.3 mm 2 and 4.7 mm 2 ) and gaps (3m, 6m and 7.4m) were examined. The nominal capacitance ranges from 7.6 pF to 42 pF. The capacitance changes 31.4–65.1% for a strain range of 0–1000 depending on the design parameters. An analytical model is developed for the sensor mounted to a cantilever test bar and compared to experimental results of actual devices. The model and experimental results show an average difference of 5% for all nine designs investigated. The final sensor design achieved a linear gauge factor of 252 and was fabricated for the spinal fusion application. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Accurate finite element modeling of acoustic waves

Abstract In the paper we suggest an accurate finite element approach for the modeling of acoustic waves under a suddenly applied load. We consider the standard linear elements and the linear elements with reduced dispersion for the space discretization as well as the explicit central-difference method for time integration. The analytical study of the numerical dispersion shows that the most accurate results can be obtained with the time increments close to the stability limit. However, even in this case and the use of the linear elements with reduced dispersion, mesh refinement leads to divergent numerical results for acoustic waves under a suddenly applied load. This is explained by large spurious high-frequency oscillations. For the quantification and the suppression of spurious oscillations, we have modified and applied a two-stage time-integration technique that includes the stage of basic computations and the filtering stage. This technique allows accurate convergent results at mesh refinement as well as significantly reduces the numerical anisotropy of solutions. We should mention that the approach suggested is very general and can be equally applied to any loading as well as for any space-discretization technique and any explicit or implicit time-integration method.
An infectious cDNA copy of the genome of a non-cardiovirulent coxsackievirus B3 strain: its complete sequence analysis and comparison to the genomes of cardiovirulent coxsackieviruses

The genome of the non-cardiovirulent coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) strain CVB3/0 was cloned and sequenced to aid in the elucidation of the viral genetic basis for the CVB3 cardiovirulent phenotype. Reverse-transcribed sub-genomic complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments were enzymatically amplified using generic oligonucleotide primers and were assembled as a complete infectious genomic copy (pCVB3-0) downstream of the T7 RNA polymerase promoter. Positive-strand viral RNA transcribed from pCVB3-0 using T7 RNA polymerase and transfected into HeLa cells produced infectious virus (CVB3/0c). No differences in phenotype were observed comparing growth of CVB3/0c to the parental CVB3/0 in HeLa single-step growth curves, virus yields, or plaque size. When inoculated into C3H/HeJ mice, CVB3/0c achieved cardiac titers equivalent to the parental CVB3/0 and like the parental virus, demonstrated a non-cardiovirulent phenotype. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned CVB3/0 genome was determined and compared to the genomes of infectious cDNA clones of cardiovirulent CVB3 strains. Two consistent differences among nucleotides in non-translated regions and 8 amino acid differences relative to two well-characterized infectious cDNA copies of genomes from cardiovirulent CVB3 strains were identified.
Message from the General Chair: S&P 2012

This is the 33rd Year of the Symposium - and the first time we have moved from our longstanding comfortable home at the Claremont Hotel. For the past few years the success of the conference and the growth of our community meant that more people wanted to attend than we could admit, and so it was with a heavy heart that the community voted to move to a new, larger venue. At that meeting the community voted to make two additional changes to the conference too - admit more papers (provided quality could be maintained) and obtain a more lenient copyright agreement. The Chair is happy to report that we met all three of these goals. So while I'm welcoming you to the 33rd year, I want to also welcome you to a new beginning. This year (and next year) we are in San Francisco at the Westin St. Francis, which supports significant growth. The conference lasts three full days, adding a half-day to support the additional papers that the program committee selected. This year features a panel session Wednesday afternoon that will look forward while looking back. The workshops that have followed the Symposium are now run independently, but we support connections by offering each a poster presentation on Monday evening, and by running to the end of the day on Wednesday.
Action Zone Theory, Target Students and Science Classroom Interactions.

This study investigated the seating patterns of target students in science classrooms to see if there was an action zone or T zone present. Fifty-six physical science and chemistry classes were observed using the Brophy-Good Teacher-Child Dyatic Observation System. Target students were identified and their interactions were compared to nontarget students. Target-student interactions for direct questions and student-initiated interactions were analyzed to ascertain whether the teacher or the student determined target student status. Results indicated that no T-shaped action zone was present in the classes observed. Target students dominated class interactions and received more direct questions, teacher-afforded conversation, and sustaining feedback. Nearly one-third of all students observed in the study did not interact at all and were silent.
The Physical Education Hall of Shame

(1992). The Physical Education Hall of Shame. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 63, No. 6, pp. 57-60.
A prior myocardial infarction: how does it affect management and outcomes in recurrent acute coronary syndromes?

Background: Despite improved secondary prevention efforts, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recurrence among patients with prior history of coronary events remains high. The differences in presentation, management, and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with and without a prior myocardial infarction (MI) and presenting with another episode of ACS remain unexplored. Methods: A total of 3,624 consecutive patients admitted to the University of Michigan with ACS from January 1999 to June 2006 were studied retrospectively. In-hospital management, outcomes, and postdischarge outcomes such as death, stroke, and reinfarction in patients with and without a prior MI were compared. Results: Patients with a prior MI were more likely to be older and have a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral vascular disease. In-hospital outcomes were not significantly different in the 2 groups, except for a higher incidence of cardiac arrest (4.3% versus 2.5%, p<0.01) and cardiogenic shock (5.7% versus 3.9%, p = 0.01) among patients without a prior MI. However, at 6 mo postdischarge, the incidences of death (8.0% versus 4.5%, p<0.0001) and recurrent MI (10.0% versus 5.1%, p<0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with a prior history of MI compared with those without. Conclusion: Patients with prior MI with recurrent ACS remain at a higher risk of major adverse events on follow-up. This may be partly explained by the patients not being on optimal medications at presentation, as well as disease progression. Increased efforts must be directed at prevention of recurrent ACS, as well as further risk stratification of these patients to improve their overall outcomes.
Applying conceptual graph inferencing to feature-based engineering analysis

Abstract A description is provided of a way to formulate feature-related information using conceptual graphs for automated recognition of features ad their subsequent use in automated product analysis. It is the premise of this work that the formal expression of feature definitions and the definitions of higher level concepts using features, e.g. group technology part codes, can be accomplished using conceptual graphs. How the theory of conceptual graphs can provide some organizing rules to allow multiple viewpoints of the features of various engineering applications is shown and related to an application that has been developed which uses the conceptual graphs to perform inferencing.
Standard Platform for Benchmarking Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization Architectures

The multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization community has developed a multitude of algorithms and techniques, called architectures, for performing optimizations on complex engineering systems that involve coupling between multiple discipline analyses. These architectures seek to efficiently handle optimizations with computationally expensive analyses including multiple disciplines. A new testing procedure is proposed that can provide a quantitative and qualitative means of comparison among architectures. The proposed test procedure is implemented within the open-source framework, OpenMDAO, and comparative results are presented for five well-known architectures: multiple design feasible, individual design feasible, collaborative optimization, bilevel integrated systems synthesis, and bilevel integrated systems synthesis 2000. How using open-source software development methods can allow the multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization community to submit new problems and architectures to ke...
Combination of intraoperative embolisation with surgical resection for treatment of giant cerebral arteriovenous malformations

Abstract Objective: To reduce the risk of surgical resection of giant arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and prevent normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) and thus to lower postoperative mortality. Methods: During the operation, which was carried out under general anaesthesia, the proximal ends of the feeding arteries were first ligated and 0.5 ml IBCA mixed with 0.5 ml of 5% glucose was injected into the vessels towards the AVM, then the malformed vessels were totally resected. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the four vessels was performed in all patients. Results: Fifty patients with giant AVMs survived after operation, only 6 (12.0%) had transient neurological dysfunction and 44 (88.0%) recovered after a follow-up of 6–36 months. No patient suffered from NPPB. Conclusions: The embolisation could block the arteriovenous shunts sufficiently to decrease the blood flow away from the normal areas of the brain so as to prevent the incidence of intra- and post-operative rebleeding, especially in NPPB. Therefore, the combination of intraoperative embolisation with surgical resection is an effective strategy in the treatment of giant cerebral AVMs, which makes it possible to operate on patients who used to be regarded as inoperable cases.
The effectiveness of locoregional therapies versus supportive care in maintaining survival within the Milan criteria in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose To compare survival after treatment with either locoregional therapy (LRT) or supportive care in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria. Materials and Methods Patients with HCC who were classified within the Milan criteria (solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm or ≤ 3 tumors with none greater than 3 cm in largest diameter, and no macrovascular invasion) and underwent transcatheter therapy or radiofrequency ablation (RF ablation) between 1998 and 2008 were retrospectively studied. Patients with tumor burden within the Milan criteria who received the best supportive care only were used as the control group. Survival within the Milan criteria was compared between those who underwent LRT and patients who underwent supportive care. Results Of 162 patients studied, 110 patients (67.9%) underwent LRT, and 52 patients (32.1%) received supportive care alone. Median survival within the Milan criteria for patients who did and did not receive LRT were 644 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 193–1094) and 162 days (95% CI, 73–250) respectively ( P P = .002, hazard ratio 5.16 [2.69–9.89]). The long-term survival for patients who did not undergo transplant was 502 days (95% CI, 91–912) in patients who received LRT and 151 days (95% CI, 59–242) in patients who were treated with supportive care ( P Conclusions LRT is more effective than supportive care in prolonging survival within the Milan criteria in patients with HCC. The long-term survival in patients not undergoing transplant was significantly longer for patients who received LRT than for patients who were treated with supportive care.
Electron-atom bremsstrahlung and the sonoluminescence of rare gas bubbles

The bremsstrahlung spectra of electrons interacting with neutral rare gas atoms are calculated for temperatures from 5000 to 40 000 K. The calculations were previously shown to be in agreement with measurements of such spectra recorded under a variety of conditions. The computational results are compared with measured sonoluminescence (SL) spectra of rare gas bubbles. For the heavier rare gases, computed intensities and spectral line shapes compare favorably with the measurement at electron ``temperatures'' of roughly 20 000 K. The agreement suggests that electron--neutral-atom bremsstrahlung may be a principal mechanism of the light emission of rare gas SL bubbles if a weakly ionized SL environment may be assumed.
Growth response of Metarhizium anisopliae to two Formosan subterranean termite nest volatiles, naphthalene and fenchone

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhi- zium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin was investi- gated as a control agent against the Formosan sub- terranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Metarhizium anisopliae is a known insect pathogen and its effectiveness against termite species has been demonstrated. Use of this fungus in an integrated pest management scheme may be effective. In order to function in this manner, M. anisopliae must with- stand the environment of a Formosan subterranean
Numerical simulation of aluminum extrusion using coated die

Abstract In aluminium extrusion, the life of the die tooling components is mainly limited by wear and fatigue. Therefore reliable predictions of the amount of wear and its distribution in dies are important factors for the die design. In this study the stress location and wear depth of the tooling components were calculated using finite element models incorporating the Archards wear model. A comparative study was conducted on an extrusion die without coating and with a bilayer (TiCN + Al 2 O 3 ) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coating. Stress distribution and the amount of wear were calculated. The results generated from the simulation would help predict the service life of the components through optimizing coating thickness.
EFFECTS OF INHALED OXIDANT AND ACIDIC AIR POLLUTANT COMBINATIONS ON NASAL AND TRACHEAL TISSUES IN EXERCISING RATS

Author(s): Kleinman, MT; Mc Clure, TR; Mautz, WJ; Phalen, RF; Crocker, TT | Abstract: Groups of rats inhaled mixtures of O3 and acid particles for three hours while exercising. One group received purified air, a second group breathed 0.6 ppm O3, a third group breathed a mixture: SO2 (5 ppm) plus sulphuric acid aerosol containing iron and manganese ions (1 mg/m3, 0.5 µm mass median aerodynamic diameter). The fourth and fifth groups breathed the above mixture plus 0.6 ppm O3; group 4 was exposed while exercising and group 5 was exposed at rest. Tritiated thymidine (3HT) was injected into the rats 17 hours post-exposure; lungs, trachea, and nasal airways were fixed and sectioned. Focal lesion areas were measured in the parenchyma and3HT uptake by replicating cells in the upper airways was determined by autoradiography. Significant amounts of label were incorporated by squamous and respiratory epithelia of the nose, but little uptake was observed in the olfactory or tracheal tissue. In the squamous tissue none of the exposures resulted in labelling rates in excess of those observed in rats exposed to purified air. In respiratory epithelium, however, the acid-containing multicomponent atmospheres significantly increased labelling rates above background in animals exposed while exercising. O3 alone did not affect3HT uptake, nor did the presence or absence of 03 in the multicomponent atmosphere alter the observed uptake rates. © 1988 The British Occupational Hygiene Society.
Substance use and risk-taking among adolescents

Background: Among adolescents, substance abuse often occurs in conjunction with risk-taking behaviors.Aims: This review explores the nature and etiology of concomitant risk-taking behaviors, addressing behavioral, genetic, temperamental, and family factors that accompany adolescent substance use.Method: A literature review was conducted to determine the breadth of factors that contribute to adolescent substance abuse and correlated risk-taking behaviors, and to identify relevant evidence-based treatments.Results: The literature review revealed that among adolescents, substance abuse occurs as part of a cluster of problems and risk-taking behaviors. Predisposing factors include temperament, genetics, neurobehavioral disinhibition, social competencies, parenting, abuse/neglect, and peer behaviors. Various interventions, including individual therapies, parent training, and family therapies comprise the empirically-supported treatments for these co-occurring behaviors.Conclusions: The literature indicates tha...
Application of a mental models approach to MSDS design

In the U.S.A., Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Mental model theories of cognitive processing predict that information format inconsistencies can undermine usability and thereby worker safety and compliance. The present study explored whether information presentation priorities are dependent upon the population tested. Ninety participants were sampled from three populations (undergraduates, community volunteers, and firefighters). Participants sorted cards containing chunks of information comprised of MSDS headings and text. Mean rank analyses showed that health-related information was given higher priority than other information, such as reactivity or chemical make-up. While there were similarities for the different subgroups, the firefighters differed from the other two groups in several respects. Results were consistent with previous research on schema differences between groups based upon experience and expectations. Implications for MSDS design and application of usability and mental model approaches to improve safety communications are discussed.
Training parents to become better behavior managers. The need for a competency-based approach.

Seven parents, each with a clinic-referred noncompliant child, participated in a 6-week group training program designed to teach instruction-giving and time-out skills. A didactic training format (...
Studying cognitive development in sociocultural context: The development of a practice‐based approach

This paper sketches the development of a research framework for analyzing the interplay between culture and cognitive development in cultural practices and the methodological tensions that gave rise to the framework. The framework consists of three components geared for analyzing intrinsic relations between culture and cognitive development. The first focuses on the analysis of individuals' goals as they take form in everyday practices. The second is concerned with the shifting relations between cognitive forms and cognitive functions in individuals' efforts to accomplish those goals. The third focuses on the appropriationandspecialization of forms structured in one practice to accomplish emergent goals in another. Applications and progressive refinements of the framework are discussed in analyses of practices of economic exchange in a remote group in Papua New Guinea, number play in middle and working class children in Brooklyn, New York, and candy selling in Northeastern Brazil.
Cellular function of neuropathy target esterase in lysophosphatidylcholine action

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) plays critical roles in embryonic development and maintenance of peripheral axons. It is a secondary target of some organophosphorus toxicants including analogs of insecticides and chemical warfare agents. Although the mechanistic role of NTE in vivo is poorly defined, it is known to hydrolyze lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in vitro and may protect cell membranes from cytotoxic accumulation of LPC. To determine the cellular function of NTE, Neuro-2a and COS-7 cells were transfected with a full-length human NTE-containing plasmid yielding recombinant NTE (rNTE). We find the same inhibitor sensitivity and specificity profiles for rNTE assayed with LPC or phenyl valerate (a standard NTE substrate) and that this correlation extends to the LPC hydrolases of human brain, lymphocytes and erythrocytes. All of these LPC hydrolases are therefore very similar to each other in respect to a conserved inhibitor binding site conformation. NTE is expressed in brain and lymphocytes and contributes to LPC hydrolase activities in these tissues. The enzyme or enzymes responsible for erythrocyte LPC hydrolase activity remain to be identified. We also show that rNTE protects Neuro-2a and COS-7 cells from exogenous LPC cytotoxicity. Expression of rNTE in Neuro-2a cells alters their phospholipid balance (analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with single ion monitoring) by lowering LPC-16:0 and LPC-18:0 and elevating glycerophosphocholine without a change in phosphatidylcholine-16:0/18:1 or 16:0/18:2. NTE therefore serves an important function in LPC homeostasis and action.
Depth-variable settlement patterns and predation influence on newly settled reef fishes (Haemulon spp., Haemulidae).

During early demersal ontogeny, many marine fishes display complex habitat-use patterns. Grunts of the speciose genus Haemulon are among the most abundant fishes on western North Atlantic coral reefs, with most species settling to shallow habitats (#12 m). To gain understanding into cross-shelf distributional patterns exhibited by newly settled stages of grunts (,2 cm total length), we examined: 1) depth-specific distributions of congeners at settlement among sites at 8 m, 12 m, and 21 m, and 2) depth-variable predation pressure on newly settled individuals (species pooled). Of the six species identified from collections of newly settled specimens (n=2125), Haemulon aurolineatum (tomtate), H. flavolineatum (French grunt), and H. striatum (striped grunt) comprised 98% of the total abundance; with the first two species present at all sites. Prevalence of H. aurolineatum and H. flavolineatum decreased substantially from the 8-m site to the two deeper sites. In contrast, H. striatum was absent from the 8-m site and exhibited its highest frequency at the 21-m site. Comparison of newly settled grunt delta density for all species on caged (predator exclusion) and control artificial reefs at the shallowest site (8-m) revealed no difference, while the 12-m and 21-m sites exhibited significantly greater delta densities on the caged treatment. This result, along with significantly higher abundances of co-occurring piscivorous fishes at the deeper sites, indicated lower predation pressure at the 8-m site. This study suggests habitat-use patterns of newly settled stages of some coral reef fishes that undergo ontogenetic shifts are a function of depth-variable predation pressure while, for at least one deeper-water species, proximity to adult habitat appears to be an important factor affecting settlement distribution.
An expert system for machining data selection

Abstract The emergence of expert systems in artificial intelligence (AI) provides us some new insights for the design of a computerized machining data selection system. In this paper, the structure of a knowledge based system, which generates efficient machining parameters, is explained in detail. The functionality and operation procedures for executing this system are demonstrated using sample parts.
Magnetic force microscopy observation of the magnetic structure of deformation induced shear bands in amorphous Fe80B16Si4

Processing-induced magnetic structures in amorphous metallic alloys are of interest because of their impact on performance of materials use in electrical device applications. In these situations, plastic deformation associated with cutting or bending the material to the desired shape occurs through the formation of shear bands. The stress associated with these shear bands induces magnetic domains that can lead to power losses through interaction with the fields and currents involved in normal device operation. These domains have been studied previously using a variety of techniques capable of imaging magnetic domain structures. In an effort to better characterize and understand these issues, we have applied magnetic force microscopy to these materials to provide submicrometer scale magnetic resolution and three-dimensional micrometer scale topographic resolution.
Fractional delay filter design when sampling rate higher than Nyquist rate

Fractional delay filter design is used to approximate the delay filter exp(-j/spl omega/D) with a delay D for the full band |/spl omega/|</spl pi/ using FIR filters or IIR allpass filters. The author shows that the fractional delay filter design is necessary only when sampling is critical, i.e. Nyquist sampling. It is shown that, when the sampling rate is higher than the Nyquist rate, the ideal delay filter exp(-j/spl omega/D) for the baseband |/spl omega/|</spl pi//r only needs to be approximated, where r is the ratio of sampling rate over the Nyquist rate. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the theory.
Willingness to report sexual offenses to the police in Ghana

AbstractThis study examined reasons why women in Ghana would report or not report sexual offenses to the police. Using a representative field survey, data were collected during summer of 2011 (N = 431) in the capital, Accra. We found that women would report sexual offenses because they want the offender to be caught and punished, and because crimes should be reported. Reasons for not reporting include when women consider the incident not serious enough, the perpetrator is known, and family will solve it. A multivariate analysis shows that only previous sexual victimization is a significant predictor of sexual offense reporting among women in Ghana.
Hypercalcemia in oliguric acute renal failure

Abstract Six patients developed hypercalcemia subsequent to the development of oliguric acute renal failure. The initial elevation of the serum calcium concentration was noted on an average of 43 days after beginning dialysis treatment. The maximum serum calcium concentration ranged from 12.4 mg/dL to 15.3 mg/dL (normal, 8.5 mg/dL to 10.5 mg/dL), with ionized calcium concentrations of 5.8 mg/dL to 7.8 mg/dL (normal, 4.8 mg/dL to 5.3 mg/dL). The amino-terminal parathormone concentration was 150 pg/ mL and 250 pg/mL (normal, 230 pg/mL to 630 pg/mL) in the two patients in which it was determined. The 25 hydroxy vitamin D concentration was determined in four patients and ranged from 3 ng/mL to 17 ng/mL (normal, 10 ng/mL to 55 ng/mL). The 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D concentration was determined in two patients and found to be
A Study of Race Matching Between Donor and Recipient in Corneal Transplantation

We investigated the influence of a racial match or mismatch between the corneal donor and recipient on the risk of endothelial rejection and subsequent graft failure in 998 corneal transplant recipients. Actuarial survival analysis showed no significant difference in the cumulative risk of endothelial rejection between the 676 race-matched and 322 race-mismatched recipients. Recipients who had preoperative factors that placed them at a higher risk of endothelial rejection (n = 208) also were not subject to a higher incidence of endothelial rejection if they received race-mismatched tissue. Graft failure after endothelial rejection was not found to differ among race-matched or -mismatched groups.
Efficient instant-fuzzy search with proximity ranking

Instant search is an emerging information-retrieval paradigm in which a system finds answers to a query instantly while a user types in keywords character-by-character. Fuzzy search further improves user search experiences by finding relevant answers with keywords similar to query keywords. A main computational challenge in this paradigm is the high-speed requirement, i.e., each query needs to be answered within milliseconds to achieve an instant response and a high query throughput. At the same time, we also need good ranking functions that consider the proximity of keywords to compute relevance scores. In this paper, we study how to integrate proximity information into ranking in instant-fuzzy search while achieving efficient time and space complexities. We adapt existing solutions on proximity ranking to instant-fuzzy search. A naive solution is computing all answers then ranking them, but it cannot meet this high-speed requirement on large data sets when there are too many answers, so there are studies of early-termination techniques to efficiently compute relevant answers. To overcome the space and time limitations of these solutions, we propose an approach that focuses on common phrases in the data and queries, assuming records with these phrases are ranked higher. We study how to index these phrases and develop an incremental-computation algorithm for efficiently segmenting a query into phrases and computing relevant answers. We conducted a thorough experimental study on real data sets to show the tradeoffs between time, space, and quality of these solutions.
NGST high dynamic range unwrapped phase estimation

We report on an algorithm enabling estimation of high dynamic range pupil phase without wrapping ambiguity. This algorithm was developed and validated using the NGST Wavefront Control Testbed (WCT-1), which permits introduction of aberrations and subsequent correction using 2 deformable mirrors. The algorithm is an extension of a Modified Gerchberg-Saxton iterative technique that incorporates both an evolving trial estimate as well as intermediate unwrapping. We will discuss results from WCT-1 that illustrate phase estimation when varying degrees of aberration are introduced.
Effectiveness of lipid-lowering medications in outpatients with coronary heart disease in the Department of Veterans Affairs System.

Abstract Lipid therapy aimed at reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been shown, in several large-scale randomized controlled trials, to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality and all-cause mortality in patients with established CHD. However, lipid therapy's effectiveness in usual clinical settings has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of prescription lipid-lowering medication (LLM) on all-cause mortality in a cohort of patients with known CHD. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative and clinical databases. Sixteen thousand four hundred seventy patients with CHD who were outpatients at 1 of 5 Veterans Affairs medical facilities in the upper midwest between 1994 and 1996 were identified and then followed until death or the end of the study (December 31, 2000). Pharmacy databases were used to determine whether patients had been prescribed LLMs. Demographics, co-morbid conditions, cardiac medications, and lipid levels were collected. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards analyses, adjusted for confounding variables, and the propensity score for LLM use were performed to compare survival between those prescribed and those not prescribed LLM. During an average follow-up of 5.9 years, there were 4,821 recorded deaths in patients not prescribed LLM (51%) and 1,245 deaths in patients prescribed LLM (18%). On average, the treated cohort survived 15 months longer than the untreated group (p
Optical-Model Analysis of Nucleon Scattering from 1 p -Shell Nuclei between 10 and 50 MeV

Differential cross sections for protons scattered from ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}$ were measured and, combined with published differential cross sections and polarizations for protons elastically scattered from ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{9}$, ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}$, ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$, ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$, and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ at bombarding energies between 10 and 50 MeV, are analyzed in terms of the optical model. An investigation of the systematic effects observed in applying the optical model to light nuclei reveals two peculiarities. First, an examination of the effects of a nonlocal potential indicates that the radius parameter of the real central potential is energy-dependent. Second, the Thomas form usually used for the spin-orbit potential is shown to lose its surface-peaked character in the case of light nuclei; but a proposed slight modification avoids this defect. The set of parameters found to give a good description of the data over a range of incident nucleon energy and target mass was shown to be similar to the sets of parameters found to describe the nucleon scattering from heavy nuclei. Using the prescriptions for the parameters of the present study but reversing the signs of the $\frac{(N\ensuremath{-}Z)}{A}$ terms leads to fits of comparable quality to the differential cross sections for 14-MeV neutrons scattered from ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{9}$, ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$, and ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$.
Neuregulin-1 polymorphism in late onset Alzheimer's disease families with psychoses

Probands with late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) exhibit positive symptoms of psychosis, 30–60% of the time. Positive symptoms of psychosis have been shown to appear prior to the onset of dementia to be accompanied by greater cognitive deficits, and to predict a more rapid decline. A study of the distribution of AD with psychosis (ADP) in families from the NIMH Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Initiative sample indicates that the trait is heritable, and linkage studies of multiplex ADP families have found suggestive peaks on 2p, 6q, 8p, and 21q. A genome scan of idiopathic psychosis, schizophrenia, in the Icelandic population identified a risk haplotype within the 5′ region of neuregulin-1 (NRG1) on 8p12. Associations with NRG1 SNPs have also been found in other schizophrenia populations from Scotland, Ireland, and China. Here, we report results demonstrating a significant linkage peak for ADP on 8p12 in the NIMH AD dataset, encompassing the NRG1 region. We also demonstrate that there is a significant association with a NRG1 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism), rs392499, with ADP, χ2 = 7.0, P = 0.008. This same SNP is part of a 3-SNP haplotype preferentially transmitted to individuals with this phenotype. Our results suggest that NRG1 plays a role in increasing the genetic risk to positive symptoms of psychosis in a proportion of LOAD families. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Obituary: Roy (L. R.) Taylor (1924–2007)

L. R. Taylor, past President (1984-85) and editor of the Journal of Animal Ecology (1976-89), died on 26 January 2007 at his home in Devon after a prolonged illness. He will be remembered by ecologists and agricultural scientists around the world for his many contributions to insect ecology and his commitment to agricultural entomology. But it is Taylor's Power Law the power law scaling relationship that describes the 'fat tails' of the distribution of abundance of nearly all organisms that is the contribution for which he will be remembered by scientists in many disciplines. The power law is one of several fundamental scaling relationships in ecology. The 1961 Nature publication announcing the discovery is one of the most widely cited publications in all of ecology and agriculture. It has generated considerable discussion as to its origins, its generality, which seems to be very wide, and what exactly it describes. It has defied satisfactory derivation and placement in population ecology theory, but has proven to be very useful both in basic ecology and in agriculture and statistics, providing a powerful means for making data obey the mathematical assumptions underlying statistical analysis. Born on 14 December 1924, only child of Ethel and Leslie, Roy showed a keen interest in natural history from a very early age. He collected butterflies and moths, and learned to rear them in his parents' terraced house in Manchester. He joined the RAF on his 17th
Professionalism in Kurosawa's Medical Dramas

Film director Akira Kurosawa (1918-1998) portrayed doctors and patients in 4 films that spanned the most productive phase in his career: Drunken Angel, The Quiet Duel, Ikiru, and Red Beard. Observing death and destruction during the Second World War and the social disintegration that followed it in Japan, Kurosawa viewed the world as a dispiriting, dangerous, and chaotic place. His response was an optimistic and humanist view that life's meaning lies in the service to others. Because his main characters are doctors and patients, the films have a connection to today's medical community trying to define a modern concept of professionalism and what it means to be a physician.
Parents’ Reports of Patterns of Use and Exposure to Practices Associated with AAC Acceptance by Individuals with Angelman Syndrome

Abstract The primary purpose of this investigation was to enhance our understanding of AAC use by individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS) in relation to two broad genotypes: Deletion Positive (DP) and Non Deletion (ND). Previous investigators have suggested individuals without deletions typically exhibit stronger cognitive and communicative abilities than their DP counterparts. This investigation focused on several aspects of AAC use: communication systems used; exposure to, success with, and acceptance of electronic AAC devices; and exposure to practices associated with AAC acceptance. Results indicated that both groups rely heavily on unaided, nonsymbolic methods of communication, with the ND group more likely to use conventional, symbolic systems. While the two groups were similar with respect to exposure to an array of electronic devices, the DP group appeared more likely to have gone no further than low-tech devices such as the BIGmack™. There was strong evidence of both groups' capabilities for success with high-tech devices and overall acceptance of devices in terms of duration of use. This proved especially noteworthy in light of both groups' limited exposure to practices associated with AAC acceptance. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed along with future avenues of research.
Luminescent detection of Rh+ in supported metal catalysts

Abstract Luminescence spectroscopy of a surface complex formed between a weak π acid ligand, cis-bis-diphenylphosphinoethene (2=phos), and rhodium particles supported on α-alumina reveals the presence of rhodium in the +1 oxidation state on the support. A key factor in the use of 2=phos as a ligand is that as a weak π acid it should not induce metal oxidation. The luminescence of the complex provides surface-specific information concerning the presence of this oxidation state, but does not yet allow quantitative determination of the amount of Rh + present. Comparison of the luminescence intensity of the signal from the 0.5% Rh/Al 2 O 3 with that obtained from authentic Rh + samples indicates that the majority of Rh present in the 0.5% Rh/Al 2 O 3 sample is in the Rh + oxidation state.
Establishment of Baseline Susceptibility Data to Various Insecticides for Homalodisca coagulata (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) by Comparative Bioassay Techniques

Homalodisca coagulata Say, adults from three locations in California were subjected to insecticide bioassays to establish baseline toxicity. Initially, two bioassay techniques, petri dish and leaf dip, were compared to determine the most useful method to establish baseline susceptibility data under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Comparative dose-response data were determined by both techniques to endosulfan, dimethoate, cyfluthrin, and acetamiprid. Toxic values were similar to some insecticides with both techniques but not for all insecticides, revealing susceptibility differences among the three populations of H. coagulata. In subsequent tests, the petri dish technique was selected to establish baseline susceptibility data to various contact insecticides. A systemic uptake bioassay was adapted to estimate dose-mortality responses to a systemic insecticide, imidacloprid. A 2-yr comparison of toxicological responses showed all three populations of H. coagulata to be highly susceptible to 10 insecticides, including chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, endosulfan, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. In general, two pyrethroids, bifenthrin and esfenvalerate, were the most toxic compounds, followed by two neonicotinoids, acetamiprid and imidacloprid. The LC50 values for all insecticides tested were lower than concentrations used as recommended field rates. Baseline data varied for the three geographically distinct H. coagulata populations with the petri dish technique. Adult H. coagulata collected from San Bernardino County were significantly more susceptible to select pyrethroids compared with adults from Riverside or Kern counties. Adults from San Bernardino County also were more sensitive to two neonicotinoids, acetamiprid and imidacloprid. The highest LC50 values were to endosulfan, which nonetheless proved highly toxic to H. coagulata from all three regions. In the majority of the tests, mortality increased over time resulting in increased susceptibility at 48 h compared with 24 h. These results indicate a wide selection of highly effective insecticides that could aid in managing H. coagulata populations in California.
Alterations of lymphocytes and of antibody content of human milk after processing

The effects of pasteurization, lyophilization, and freezing on immunoglobulin and lymphocytes in human milk was studied. We found a significant decrease in total lymphocyte count after all three processing methods. Pasteurization and lyophilization caused a significant decrease in immunoglobulin concentration and in specific antibody titer to Escherichi coli . Freezing specimens up to four weeks resulted in no significant alteration of IgA content or in E. coli antibody titer. Since a major advantage of human milk is the transference of passive local immunity, these quantitative changes may have clinical importance.
Nutrition Screening Initiative Checklist may be a better awareness/educational tool than a screening one.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist as a screening and an awareness/educational tool in an elderly population. Design Epidemiologic follow-up study. Information similar to the questions of the NSI checklist was collected by the Nutrition Status Survey of Boston elders between 1981 and 1984. Vital status of volunteers was obtained during 8 to 12 years of follow-up. Subjects/setting Community-dwelling men (n=200) and women (n=381) aged 60 years and older who participated in the survey. Statistical analyses performed Multivariate analysis was used to assess the association between mortality and each of the NSI-similar questions and the cumulative score, which is the sum of the values assigned to each question. Attributable risk percent, a measure of association, was calculated to measure the percentage of deaths that could potentially be prevented if the risk factors or their consequences were eliminated. Results Eating meals alone, problems biting or chewing, difficulties with shopping or cooking, and taking more than three medications per day were positively associated with mortality ( P Applications/conclusions Some but not all of the individual questions of the NSI checklist equivalent were significantly associated with mortality and identify specific problems that may have a long-term negative effect yet may be missed if the cumulative score were the sole criterion for screening people. The attributable risk percent suggests that the checklist may be best used as an awareness/educational tool as intended originally and could have an important public health effect on early death of community-dwelling elderly people.
Cytology and human papillomavirus co-test results preceding incident high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective High-risk HPV (hrHPV) and cytology co-testing is utilized for primary cervical cancer screening and for enhanced follow-up of women who are hrHPV-positive, cytology negative. However, data are lacking on the utility of this method to detect pre-cancer or cancer in community-based clinical practice. This study describes cytology and hrHPV results preceding high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, adenocarcinoma in situ, or cervical cancer (i.e., CIN2+) in an integrated health system employing routine co-testing among women aged 30 years and older.