cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substrate orientation and surface morphology improvements for InSb grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Misoriented InSb substrates were used for the growth of InSb with two new organometallic Sb sources, tris(dimethylamino)antimony (TDMASb), and tertiarybutyldimethylantimony (TBDMSb). The surface morphology of InSb grown using either TDMASb or TBDMSb was very rough for growth temperatures ≤ 425°C. This surface roughness is associated with low temperature and excess Sb or high V/III ratios. Smoother surfaces were generally found when using off-axis substrates. The details of the defects observed on the surfaces were dependent on the type of misorientation and can be related to the atomic structure of the surface steps. The smoothest surfaces were obtained for growth on InSb substrates misoriented 5° towards the ;In planes. Both n-and p-type InSb were grown using TBDMSb or TDMASb and TMIn with mobilities up to 68,990 and 7773 cm2/V · s, respectively, at 77 K. The mobility for InSb using either TDMASb or TBDMSb was improved by going to lower temperatures (400°C), pressures (215 Torr) and V/III ratios (2–4). The surface morphology improved with higher temperature (475°C), and lower pressure (215 Torr), with little or no correlation to the V/III ratio. The growth of high mobility InSb with smooth surfaces at temperatures ≤ 425°C was not achieved with TDMASb or TBDMSb and TMIn under the conditions investigated in this work.
Probability of Peak Ground Horizontal and Peak Ground Vertical Accelerations at Tehran and Surrounding Areas

The active faults near Tehran are capable of producing Mw magnitudes of 6.62–7.23; at epicentral distances of 25 km from the active faults, and Mw = 7.23, the peak ground horizontal acceleration, PGH, is between 386 and 730 cm/s2 and peak ground vertical acceleration, PGV, is between 192 and 261 cm/s2; the historic earthquake of the fourth century BC, Mw = 7.16 produced the highest estimated PGH acceleration in Tehran, between 254 and 479 cm/s2 and PGV acceleration between 127 and 173 cm/s2. Earthquakes from 1909 to 2008, within 300 km from Tehran, are used for calculation of magnitude frequency relation, and results are applied to estimate PGH and PGV accelerations as a function of magnitudes for a set of fixed epicentral distance and site conditions; also as a function of epicentral distances for a set of fixed magnitudes and site conditions. Poisson’s distribution is used for probability calculation of PGH and PGV accelerations for several exposure times, site conditions and epicentral distances; accelerations with very high probability, near 1, are presented. At an epicentral distance of 10 km and exposure time of 450 years, in the northern part of Tehran, close to Mosha and the Northern Tehran faults, PGH acceleration is 800–420 cm/s2 and PGV is 400–220 cm/s2 with high probability. At an epicentral distance of 25 km and 1,000 years exposure time, PGH is 610–320 cm/s2 and PGV is 310–160 cm/s2 with high probability, where larger values are for soft soil and smaller values are for hard rock.
‘External’vs. 'Social Constructionist’Models in the Sociology of Knowledge: Alternative or Complementary Approaches?

This paper assesses the relative utilities of two models for examining the relationship between the sociohistorical context and thought–a traditional external approach as exemplified by Coser and a social constructionist approach offered by Scimecca –using Parsons’functionalist theory of social inequality as a test case. Both models are externalist in that they focus on existential influences on thought, and, for this reason, the models are compared as complementary explanations. The results suggest that each model, due to its unique focus within the larger externalist domain, offers important insights for understanding the links between existential conditions and the process of theorizing.
The New Age of Prostatitis.

Prostatitis has long been a poorly understood and poorly characterized entity. Characterized in 1980 as a "wastebasket of clinical ignorance," it has only recently begun to be studied effectively. Prostatitis represents over 2 million medical office visits per year in the United States, and is the diagnosis given to 8% of urology clinic patients. Its prevalence may be as high as 10% among the male population at large. Sufferers report a sickness impact of prostatitis that is similar to myocardial infarction or Crohn’s disease. Less than 10% of cases of prostatitis are easily demonstrable to have a bacterial cause; these respond to conventional antimicrobial treatment. The etiology, pathogenesis, and optimum treatment for the remaining 90% of sufferers of this disease complex are quite unclear. Application of clinical research techniques and molecular biology promise new insight into this challenging and difficult problem.
An investigation of wing leading-edge vortices at supersonic speeds

Studies at subsonic and transonic speeds of the fundamental vortex behavior on the leeward surface of wings have led to the design of several unique and novel leading-edge devices commonly referred to as 'vortex flaps'. The present investigation has the objective to provide some fundamental vortex-flow results obtained at supersonic speeds. Experimental studies were performed in which pressure data and several types of flow visualization data were obtained on the leeward surface of a series of flat delta-wing models to identify the various flow mechanisms which can occur and to determine the effect of leading-edge sweep, Mach number, and angle of attack on the vortex strength and location. The reported investigation forms part of a study which is to explore the use of wing leading-edge vortex technology as a supersonic wing-design tool. The obtained results indicate that the procedure of distributing the vortex force as a pressure variation about a vortex action line is a promising concept.
Significance of Loewner’s Theorem in the Quantum Theory of Collisions

It can be shown1 that under rather general conditions one can define “components” of the quantum mechanical wave function of a collision system between which relations of the form (1) obtain.
Assessment of dimensionless CHF correlations for subcooled flow boiling in microgravity and Earth gravity

A comprehensive review and analysis of prior subcooled flow boiling CHF correlations was conducted to identify those correlations that provide the most accurate predictions for dielectric working fluids and small rectangular flow passages found in electronics cooling applications in both microgravity and Earth gravity. Since most prior correlations were derived from water databases, only those with dimensionless form were deemed potentially suitable for other working fluids. Only a small fraction of these dimensionless correlations were found to tackle other fluids and more complicated flow and heating configurations with acceptable accuracy. These correlations were ranked relative to mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean square error. Better predictions where achieved when correlations were based on the heated diameter rather than the hydraulic diameter because of the ability of the former to better describe vapor development in subcooled flow. Two previous correlations by Hall and Mudawar provided the best overall CHF predictions for both microgravity and Earth gravity.
Aggressive maxillofacial disassembly in skull base surgery.

ObjectiveTo review our favorable experience with maxillofacial disassembly for exposure and resection of tumors of the skull base.Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 31 patients from 1997 to 2005 treated by maxillofacial disassembly and includes 22 patients with midface disassembly and 9 patients with mandible with or without midface disassembly.ResultsFollow-up ranges from 2 weeks to 7 years: 23 of 31 patients are alive and disease free; 3 patients are alive with disease; 3 patients have died of distant metastasis. There were 14 complications in 12 (38.7%) patients; 13 of 14 complications were minor. One major complication (cardiovascular accident) resulted in the single postoperative mortality in this series.ConclusionOur technique of maxillofacial disassembly allows for tailored exposure of all regions of the anterolateral skull base with acceptable perioperative morbidity in appropriately selected patients.EBM rating: C-4
The effects of DDT and dieldrin on rat peritoneal macrophages

Abstract The effects of DDT and dieldrin on cell population, viability, and phagocytic activity on the rat peritoneal macrophages were studied. It was observed that both pesticides, at low levels of concentration, exhibited a marked effect on this cell type. At the lowest concentrations tested both pesticides produced an increase in the macrophage population which appeared to be the result of a foreign-body response. At higher concentrations of pesticide this foreign-body response appears to be inhibited. The phagocytic activity of the cells steadily decreased as the concentration of the pesticide administered increased, and a decrease in cell viability with increased pesticide exposure was also noted.
The Role That Attention Plays in Language Processing

Although the mechanism of attention is not entirely understood, there is widespread agreement that attention is a limited capacity processing system that can flexibly allocate resources to modulate signal detection and response for controlled action. With respect to language processing, a complex combination of automatic and controlled processing mechanisms, attention plays an important role in mediating the selection of competing candidates so that, for example, the correct word can be activated. The present review summarizes current views on attention mechanisms, types of attention, the neuroscience of attention, and its presumed role in language processing.
Dominant negative ER induces apoptosis in GH4 pituitary lactotrope cells and inhibits tumor growth in nude mice

The ER plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of lactotrope tumor cells. GH4 cells were infected with adenoviral vectors (AdL540Q and Ad1–536) to investigate the ability of dominant negative ER mutants to affect the regulation of gene expression and cell growth by endogenous ER. The dominant negative mutants suppressed estradiol stimulation of an estrogen-responsive reporter gene and the PRL promoter in these cells. AdL540Q or Ad1–536 infection also inhibited GH4 cell growth and induced apoptosis, increasing the expression of the proapoptotic Bax protein and decreasing the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. AdwtER-infected cells also showed decreased Bcl-2 protein. E2-induced activation of p38 MAPK, an enzyme that may participate in apoptosis, was observed in cells infected with AdwtER, AdL540Q, and Ad1–536. Consistent with the apoptotic effects in vitro, infection of GH4 cells with AdL540Q or Ad1–536 inhibited the ability of the cells to form tumors in nude mice. These results i...
Cardiac output determination from the arterial pressure wave: clinical testing of a novel algorithm that does not require calibration.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of a novel algorithm that evaluates cardiac output by using arterial pressure waveform characteristics. Design: Prospective, observational study comparing the cardiac output values of intermittent thermodilution, continuous thermodilution, and continuous arterial pressure wave assessment. Setting: The intensive care unit in a tertiary care university hospital. Participants: Fifty postoperative cardiac surgical patients, within the first 12 hours after surgery. Interventions: All patients received a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and at least 1 systemic arterial pressure catheter. The data from the arterial catheter were processed by using a new arterial pressure cardiac output (APCO) algorithm. The data from the PAC (continuous and intermittent assessments) were collected for comparison with the APCO. Measurements: Two hundred ninety-five cardiac output measurements using intermittent thermodilution (ICO), continuous thermodilution (CCO), and arterial pressure-based output (APCO) were obtained during various times during the first 12 postoperative hours. The measurements of each method at each time point were compared by using Bland-Altman analysis. Results: The mean cardiac output ranged from 2.77 to 9.60 L/min. APCO, compared with ICO, revealed a bias of 0.55 L/min and precision of 0.98 L/min. APCO, compared with CCO, revealed a bias of 0.06 L/min and precision of 1.06 L/min. The APCO agreement between femoral and radial arterial catheters was close; the bias was −0.15 L/min, and the precision was 0.56 L/min. Conclusions: This novel arterial pressure cardiac output algorithm provides cardiac output assessments that agree satisfactorily for clinical purposes with intermittent and continuous thermodilution techniques in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. Further study is required for other patient populations and clinical situations.
Image-guided failure assessment of porous materials

Lightweight metallic cellular materials have the potential for use in composite structures such as plates, shells, and tubes. In order to evaluate the usefulness of these porous materials, an understanding of their failure mechanisms is essential. We have developed a technique called image-guided failure assessment that allows for the 3-dimensional analysis of fracture initiation and progression on the microscopic level. The technique has already been used to study trabecular bone failure, and the objective of this study was to use the technique to study porous aluminum alloys. Image-guided assessment involves the use of a novel micro-compression device to apply and maintain loads, and the use of micro-computed tomography, providing 68 µm isotropic resolution in this application, to image the specimens. Specimens were compressed and imaged at intervals of increasing strain (0%, 0.8%, 4%, 8%, 16%, and 32% strain). The advantage of using a nondestructive approach to assess failure is that subsequent images of increasing strain can be animated to give visual information regarding fracture initiation and progression. In our tests, damage was seen to accumulate and propagate in local bands rather than being evenly distributed throughout the structure. This implies that local strains may be much larger than the apparent strain. These preliminary results demonstrate the usefulness of image-guided failure assessment in obtaining both visual and mechanical data regarding fracture initiation and progression. The technique is applicable to a multitude of porous materials and might, in the future, become a new standard in the mechanical assessment of these structures.
Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Past successes, future challenges.

WHEN the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) was formed in 1942, a total of 67 recognized 4-year medical schools and ten 2-year (basic science) schools enrolled 22674 students. Today, one hundred twenty-five 4-year medical schools and one 2-year school enroll about 65000 students. The 50th anniversary of the LCME provides us with an occasion both to celebrate the major role the LCME has played in expanding medical education and maintaining its quality and to remind ourselves that the accrediting body faces challenges similar to those confronting the medical profession at large. Prior to 1942, the two sponsors of the LCME, the American Medical Association Council on Medical Education (AMA CME) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), had been evaluating medical schools independently since the beginning of the 20th century. The AAMC began inspecting schools as a membership requirement in 1903; the AMA CME first classified medical schools
Postzygotic incompatibilities between the pupfishes, Cyprinodon elegans and Cyprinodon variegatus: hybrid male sterility and sex ratio bias

I examined the intrinsic postzygotic incompatibilities between two pupfishes, Cyprinodon elegans and Cyprinodon variegatus. Laboratory hybridization experiments revealed evidence of strong postzygotic isolation. Male hybrids have very low fertility, and the survival of backcrosses into C. elegans was substantially reduced. In addition, several crosses produced female-biased sex ratios. Crosses involving C. elegans females and C. variegatus males produced only females, and in backcrosses involving hybrid females and C. elegans males, males made up approximately 25% of the offspring. All other crosses produced approximately 50% males. These sex ratios could be explained by genetic incompatibilities that occur, at least in part, on sex chromosomes. Thus, these results provide strong albeit indirect evidence that pupfish have XY chromosomal sex determination. The results of this study provide insight on the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms, particularly the role of Haldane's rule and the 'faster-male' theory in taxa lacking well-differentiated sex chromosomes.
Singlehood, Marriage, and Remarriage: The Effects of Family Structure and Family Relationships on Mothers' Well-Being

This article examines three dimensions of mothers' well-being (personal happiness, self-esteem, and depression) across four diverse family structures (first-married, remarried, divorced, and continuously single-parent families). Using a nationally representative sample of 2,781 mothers, the results indicate small but statistically significant differences across family structures. Mothers in their first marriage enjoy the highest well-being, mothers in stepfamilies fare nearly as well, and divorced and continuously single mothers have the lowest well-being. Most of the differences persist when relevant variables are controlled. Multiple regression analyses indicate that the strongest predictors of mothers' well-being are measures of family relations, especially children's well-being, marital happiness, marital stability, and low levels of marital conflict. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of the relative importance for mothers' well-being of family structure, sociodemographic variables, ...
Bayesian Adaptive Sampling for Variable Selection and Model Averaging

For the problem of model choice in linear regression, we introduce a Bayesian adaptive sampling algorithm (BAS), that samples models without replacement from the space of models. For problems that permit enumeration of all models, BAS is guaranteed to enumerate the model space in 2p iterations where p is the number of potential variables under consideration. For larger problems where sampling is required, we provide conditions under which BAS provides perfect samples without replacement. When the sampling probabilities in the algorithm are the marginal variable inclusion probabilities, BAS may be viewed as sampling models “near” the median probability model of Barbieri and Berger. As marginal inclusion probabilities are not known in advance, we discuss several strategies to estimate adaptively the marginal inclusion probabilities within BAS. We illustrate the performance of the algorithm using simulated and real data and show that BAS can outperform Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The algorithm is imple...
The CD226/CD155 Interaction Regulates the Proinflammatory (Th1/Th17)/Anti-Inflammatory (Th2) Balance in Humans

CD226 costimulatory signals strongly promote Th1 differentiation, enhancing IFN-γ production by naive T cells. We recently reported that knockdown of CD226 on human T cells resulted in a decrease in T-bet and IFN-γ expression. However, the role of CD226 on Th2 and Th17 cells remains unknown. In this study, we found that CD226 and its ligand CD155 were decreased on Th2-polarized naive T cells, whereas both were highly expressed under Th17 conditions. Most IFN-γ- and IL-17-producing cells expressed high levels of CD226, but production of IL-13 did not correlate with CD226 expression. CD226 knockdown by lentiviral transduction resulted in increased STAT-6 phosphorylation, enhanced GATA3 expression, and consequently higher production of IL-4 and IL-13. Under Th17 conditions, CD226-depleted cells showed slightly impaired IL-17 secretion, suggesting that CD226 contributes, in part, to IL-17 production but is dispensable for Th17 cell generation. In line with these results, CD226 blockade with neutralizing Abs efficiently inhibited T cell activation and proliferation and production of IFN-γ and IL-17, whereas IL-13 secretion remained functional. Taken together, our results establish an important role for CD226 in differentially regulating the proinflammatory (Th1/Th17)/anti-inflammatory (Th2) balance, suggesting that the CD226/CD155 interaction could potentially be targeted in therapeutic approaches to human autoimmune diseases.
THE CORRECT TREATMENT OF HARMONIC PRESSURE-FLOW BEHAVIOR IN MICROCHANNELS

Advances in microfluidic technology give great potential for integrated systems with many components. Because continuum modeling is difficult even for simple systems, low-order modeling is essential to their design. Unsteady flow in microfluidic components such as channels and valves may require special treatment to achieve accurate low-order models of entire systems. One example is the fixed-valve micropump, in which the interaction between mechanical, electrical, and fluidic components produces maximum pump output at a resonant frequency near the corner frequency of the valves. In this frequency range the commonly-used value for fluid impedance was found to be in error by 30%, causing errors in predictions of pump membrane motion by as much as 300%. Proper treatment of the pressureflow relations based on the exact solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for oscillatory flow corrected these deficiencies.
CupHolder: A Multi-Person Interactive High-Resolution Workstation

Demand for high resolution visualization, large pixel real estate collaborative workspaces, and interactive computer interfaces continue to drive researchers to develop new physical portals connecting them to their computational tools, to their data, and to their colleagues around the world. In this paper we describe CupHolder, a high performance workstation designed to support interactive collaboration and research activities. It is configured to enable display of high resolution imagery while enabling a comfortable interactive environment for one to several co-located researchers. Moreover it is driven by a high performance commodity cluster that provides substantial local rendering muscle as well as a high performance interface to Grid-based computational tasks. CupHolder is comprised of commodity components. It is primarily novel because it represents an integration of these components into a new form factor that we believe is a useful precursor and testbed for future integrated workspaces.
TrkB is necessary for pruning at the climbing fibre–Purkinje cell synapse in the developing murine cerebellum

TrkB, the cognate receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-4, has been implicated in regulating synapse formation in the central nervous system. Here we asked whether TrkB plays a role in the maturation of the climbing fibre-Purkinje cell (CF-PC) synapse. In rodent cerebellum, Purkinje cells are initially innervated by multiple climbing fibres that are subsequently culled to assume the mature mono-innervated state, and whose contacts translocate from the soma to the dendrites. By employing transgenic mice hypomorphic or null for TrkB expression, our results indicated that perturbation of TrkB in the immature cerebellum resulted in ataxia, that Purkinje cells remained multiply innervated by climbing fibres beyond the normal developmental time frame, and that synaptic transmission at the parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapse remained functionally unaltered. Mechanistically, we present evidence that attributes the persistence of multiple climbing fibre innervation to an obscured discrimination of relative strengths among competing climbing fibres. Soma-to-dendrite translocation of climbing fibre terminals was unaffected. Thus, TrkB regulates pruning but not translocation of nascent CF-PC synaptic contacts.
Limiting response alternatives in time-intensity scaling: an examination of the halo-dumping effect

Time-related measurements pose some challenges to psychophysics and to applied sensory testing methods including control of psychological biases which have been found in single-point scaling. This research examined enhancement of ratings when response alternatives were limited in time-intensity scaling tasks using repeated category ratings. Panelists rated a pseudo-beverage containing sweetener and flavor and one with sweetener only over a 90-s period. The aromatic flavor caused an increase in sweetness intensity and especially so when the panelists were limited to sweetness responses only. The odor-induced enhancement of sweetness was smaller when panelists were given both flavor and sweetness response options than when the panelists were given only a sweetness scale. Prior use of both scales in a previous experimental session did not lessen the halo-dumping enhancement effect. In one study, sweetness ratings of sucrose alone were depressed when the additional scale for flavoring was provided, perhaps due to inappropriate partitioning of responses.
Jumping in frogs: assessing the design of the skeletal system by anatomically realistic modeling and forward dynamic simulation.

Comparative musculoskeletal modeling represents a tool to understand better how motor system parameters are fine-tuned for specific behaviors. Frog jumping is a behavior in which the physical properties of the body and musculotendon actuators may have evolved specifically to extend the limits of performance. Little is known about how the joints of the frog contribute to and limit jumping performance. To address these issues, we developed a skeletal model of the frog Rana pipiens that contained realistic bones, joints and body-segment properties. We performed forward dynamic simulations of jumping to determine the minimal number of joint degrees of freedom required to produce maximal-distance jumps and to produce jumps of varied take-off angles. The forward dynamics of the models was driven with joint torque patterns determined from inverse dynamic analysis of jumping in experimental frogs. When the joints were constrained to rotate in the extension-flexion plane, the simulations produced short jumps with a fixed angle of take-off. We found that, to produce maximal-distance jumping, the skeletal system of the frog must minimally include a gimbal joint at the hip (three rotational degrees of freedom), a universal Hooke's joint at the knee (two rotational degrees of freedom) and pin joints at the ankle, tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal and iliosacral joints (one rotational degree of freedom). One of the knee degrees of freedom represented a unique kinematic mechanism (internal rotation about the long axis of the tibiofibula) and played a crucial role in bringing the feet under the body so that maximal jump distances could be attained. Finally, the out-of-plane degrees of freedom were found to be essential to enable the frog to alter the angle of take-off and thereby permit flexible neuromotor control. The results of this study form a foundation upon which additional model subsystems (e.g. musculotendon and neural) can be added to test the integrative action of the neuromusculoskeletal system during frog jumping.
Nonlinear Chemical Dynamics In Synthetic Polymer Systems

The application of the methods of nonlinear chemical dynamics to synthetic polymer systems is considered. We review the differences between polymers and inorganic systems that have been the subject of nonlinear dynamics. We consider two methods for approaching the problem — coupling polymers to other nonlinear systems and using inherent nonlinear behavior of polymers. We specifically focus on frontal polymerization.
Majorana Liquids: The Complete Fractionalization of the Electron

We describe ground states of correlated electron systems in which the electron fractionalizes into separate quasiparticles which carry its spin and its charge, and into real Majorana fermions which carry its Fermi statistics. Such parent states provide a unified theory of previously studied fractionalized states: their descendants include insulating and conducting states with neutral spin $S=1/2$ fermionic spinons, and states with spinless fermionic charge carriers. We illustrate these ideas on the honeycomb lattice, with field theories of such states and their phase transitions.
The quality of service (QoS) event manager - automated implementation of QoS policies

The DoD needs reliable networks to support real-time, mission-critical applications and newer technologies such as IP-based voice and video. Network performance is sometimes reduced to unacceptable levels due to events such as congestion, equipment failure and information-warfare attacks. A popular solution to these problems is to increase available bandwidth within local area networks and across the wide area network. For the DoD, this option is often unavailable, especially for in-theater forces. It has been demonstrated that quality of service (QoS) policies, created with currently available commercial products, can improve the performance of IP-based networks by orders of magnitude. However, different QoS policies are needed to address specific scenarios such as a particular operational mission, a denial-of-service attack or bandwidth saturation. The network administrator must implement the appropriate QoS policy on an as-needed basis. This paper describes a prototype QoS event manager that automates the process of QoS policy implementation. Based on inputs from network monitoring devices, routers and humans, the QoS event manager selects an appropriate QoS policy and deploys it across the network. We discuss the QoS event manager design and consider issues regarding automated prioritization, tracking and deconfliction of QoS policies.
Identification of bacterial rep-PCR genomic fingerprints using a backpropagation neural network

A backpropagation neural network (BPN) was used to identify bacterial plant pathogens based on their genomic fingerprints. Genomic fingerprint data, comprised of complex DNA band patterns generated using BOX, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) and repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-primers (rep-PCR), were used to train three independent BPNs. 10 Strains of the genus Xanthomonas, each with a characteristic host plant range, were identified correctly using the three trained BPNs. When tested with fingerprints of bacterial strains not present in the training sets, the rejection rate was 100%, using the three BPN classifiers combined. Thus, BPN protocols can be employed to generate a powerful computer-based system for the identification of pathogenic bacteria in the genus Xanthomonas.
Spoken Word Recognition in Toddlers Who Use Cochlear Implants

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the time course of spoken word recognition in 2-year-old children who use cochlear implants (CIs) in quiet and in the presence of speech competitors....
Long-Run Growth and Welfare Effects of Rising US Public Health Expenditure

The continuing increase of the US public health spending would inevitably lead to a reduction in productive government spending, higher taxes, or both. If the government enacts any of the policies,...
Biomechanical Determinants of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture

Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents a significant clinical event, having a mortality rate of 90% and being currently ranked as the 13th leading cause of death in the US. The ability to reliably evaluate the susceptibility of a particular AAA to rupture on a case-specific basis could vastly improve the clinical management of these patients. Because AAA rupture represents a mechanical failure of the degenerated aortic wall, biomechanical considerations are important to understand this process and to improve our predictions of its occurrence. Presented here is an overview of research to date related to the biomechanics of AAA rupture. This includes a summary of results related to ex vivo and in vivo mechanical testing, noninvasive AAA wall stress estimations, and potential mechanisms of AAA wall weakening. We conclude with a demonstration of a biomechanics-based approach to predicting AAA rupture on a patient-specific basis, which may ultimately prove to be superior to the widely and currently used maximum diameter criterion.
Effect of Different Levels of Localized Muscle Fatigue on Knee Position Sense

There is little information available regarding how proprioceptive abilities decline as the amount of exertion increases during exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of different levels of fatigue on knee joint position sense. A repeated measures design was used to examine changes in active joint reposition sense (AJRS) prior to and following three levels of fatigue. Eighteen participants performed knee extension and flexion isokinetic exercise until torque output was 90%, 70%, or 50% of the peak hamstring torque for three consecutive repetitions. Active joint reposition sense at 15, 30, or 45 degrees was tested following the isokinetic exercise session. Following testing of the first independent measure, participants were given a 20 minute rest period. Testing procedures were repeated for two more exercise sessions following the other levels of fatigue. Testing of each AJRS test angle was conducted on three separate days with 48 hours between test days. Significant main effect for fatigue was indicated (p = 0.001). Pairwise comparisons indicated a significant difference between the pre-test and following 90% of peak hamstring torque (p = 0.02) and between the pre-test and following 50% of peak hamstring torque (p = 0.02). Fatigue has long been theorized to be a contributing factor in decreased proprioceptive acuity, and therefore a contributing factor to joint injury. The findings of the present study indicate that fatigue may have an effect on proprioception following mild and maximum fatigue. Key pointsA repeated measures design was used to examine the effect of different levels of fatigue on active joint reposition sense (AJRS) of the knee at joint angles of 15°, 30° and 45° of flexion.A statistically significant main effect for fatigue was found, specifically between no fatigue and mild fatigue and no fatigue and maximum fatigue.A statistically significant interaction effect between AJRS and fatigue was not found.Secondary analysis of the results indicated a potential plateau effect of AJRS as fatigue continues to increase.Further investigation of the effect of increasing levels of fatigue on proprioception is warranted.
Peroxy and alkoxy radicals from 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol

Quantum mechanical calculations were used to determine the structure and energetics of peroxy radicals (P1 and P2) and alkoxy radicals (A1–A3) formed in the atmospheric degradation of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. At the level of theory employed (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) low energy conformers were identified with zero, one, or two hydrogen bonds. The β C–C scission (decomposition) reactions are computed to occur with low barriers, and the 1,5 H-shift (isomerization) reaction of A2 is computed to be of negligible importance. Scission 2 of A2 is computed to be about 93% of the fate of A2, with the balance being scission 1. The new BB1K functional of Truhlar was employed to investigate activation barriers for single intramolecular H-atom transfers across the OH⋯O˙ hydrogen bonds, but the barriers to these reactions appear to be too high for these reactions to be important. Extensive searches for transition states for simultaneous double intramolecular H-atom transfer across OH⋯OH⋯O˙ hydrogen bond pairs were unsuccessful.
A neural-net computing algorithm for detecting edges in a gray scale image

The algorithm presented features simple connections between neurons and is highly effective in detecting edges in noisy gray-scale images. The algorithm consists of two steps: image filtering and edge detection. The image filtering portion detects the zero crossings of D/sub i//sup 2/G (x, y) * l(x, y) where D/sub i//sup 2/G (x, y) represents the second derivative taken in the ith direction of a 2-9 Gaussian function. The output is then normalized and used to initialize the ith layer of a multiple-layer, Hopfield-type, neural network with simple localized connections. During edge detection, processing elements either excite (cooperate with) or inhibit (complete with) processing elements in other positions and layers. The competitive-cooperative process among the processing elements builds up edges and eliminates noise. The algorithm was simulated by using only four orientations: 0 degrees , 45 degrees , 90 degrees , and 135 degrees . Simulation results show the algorithm's performance on images with varying levels of noise. The output of this algorithm could be suitable input for a pattern recognition network. >
INFLUENCES OF ADULT ATTACHMENT IN EXPLORATION

Research into the relationship between attachment quality in both children and adults suggests links with patterns of exploration; however, exploration has been operationalized differently in studies of adults and children. This study examined adults' patterns of exploration operationalized in terms of novelty seeking, curiosity, and impulsivity, as in studies of children. Analysis indicated avoidant adults reported significantly lower curiosity than did securely attached adults, while preoccupied subjects showed no differences from either secure or avoidant groups. As in studies of children, groups did not differ on measures of novelty seeking or impulsivity.
Teacher praise : a functional analysis

Classroom-process data indicate that teachers’ verbal praise cannot be equated with reinforcement. Typically, such praise is used infrequently, without contingency, specificity, or credibility. Often it is not even intended as reinforcement, and even when it is, it frequently has some other function. The meanings and functions of behaviors typically included under the category of teacher praise are determined by the degree of congruence between verbal and nonverbal components and by the context in which the interaction occurs. Much teacher praise is determined more by teachers’ perceptions of student needs than by the quality of student conduct or performance. Considerations of classroom feasibility and probable student response to teachers’ attempts at social reinforcement suggest that teacher praise should remain infrequent, but that it could be made much more effective. Attribution theory is an important supplement to social learning/reinforcement theory for suggesting guidelines for praising effectively.
Survey of cost models for space telescopes

Parametric cost models are routinely used to plan missions, compare concepts, and justify technology investments. However, great care is required. There is a lot of confusion and wrong information for space telescopes. Cost estimating relationships based on primary mirror diameter vary by an order of magnitude. Cost estimating relationships based only on mass lack sufficient detail to support concept analysis and can lead to inaccurate conclusions by encouraging excessively complex and technologically immature solutions. Similarly, using ground-based models leads to incorrect conclusions. This work surveys current and historical published cost models for space telescopes while attempting to interpret them in a common logical framework to enable a systematic intercomparison.
Epistatic models and pre-selection of markers improve prediction of performance in corn

In our previous papers, we demonstrated that the inclusion of epistatic interactions in marker models improved prediction for corn (Zea mays L.) grain quality traits. The utility of pre-selecting markers for epistatic models was not reported. In papers by other researchers, including epistatic effects in a model did not improve prediction efficacy for whole genome selection. The objectives of this study were therefore to evaluate the value of: (1) pre-selecting markers and interactions at different type 1 error levels to predict performance; (2) adding epistatic interactions to models including all markers, and (3) using marker-based models to predict performance of kernel weight (KWT), flowering date (FDT), and plant height (PHT). Data for KWT, FDT, PHT, and oil and protein concentrations were obtained for 500 S2 lines and their testcrosses from the crosses of Illinois high oil × Illinois low oil and Illinois high protein × Illinois low protein corn strains. Pre-selection using an epistatic model including both single-locus and two-locus interaction effects significant at the P = 0.05 level significantly increased prediction efficacy over selection including all markers and epistatic interactions. Adding all epistatic interactions to a model including all markers did not improve prediction. For most traits, prediction based on the P = 0.05 epistatic pre-selection model was nearly as effective as prediction based on phenotype, suggesting subsequent marker-based selection would be effective.
Class-Specific Interaction of Profilin and ADF Isovariants with Actin in the Regulation of Plant Development

Two ancient and highly divergent actin-based cytoskeletal systems have evolved in angiosperms. Plant genomes encode complex actin and actin binding protein (ABP) gene families, most of which are phylogenetically grouped into gene classes with distinct vegetative or constitutive and reproductive expression patterns. In Arabidopsis thaliana, ectopic expression of high levels of a reproductive class actin, ACT1, in vegetative tissues causes severe dwarfing of plants with aberrant organization of most plant organs and cell types due to a severely altered actin cytoskeletal architecture. Overexpression of the vegetative class actin ACT2 to similar levels, however, produces insignificant phenotypic changes. We proposed that the misexpression of the pollen-specific ACT1 in vegetative cell types affects the dynamics of actin due to its inappropriate interaction with endogenous vegetative ABPs. To examine the functionally distinct interactions among the major classes of actins and ABPs, we ectopically coexpressed reproductive profilin (PRF4) or actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) isovariants (e.g., ADF7) with ACT1. Our results demonstrated that the coexpression of these reproductive, but not vegetative, ABP isovariants suppressed the ectopic ACT1 expression phenotypes and restored wild-type stature and normal actin cytoskeletal architecture to the double transgenic plants. Thus, the actins and ABPs appear to have evolved class-specific, protein–protein interactions that are essential to the normal regulation of plant growth and development.
Statistical control for autocorrelated data

Recently, statistical process control (SPC) methodologies have been developed to accommodate autocorrelated data. A primary method to deal with autocorrelated data is the use of residual charts. Although this methodology has the advantage that it can be applied to any autocorrelated data, it needs modeling effort in practice. In addition, the detection capability of the residual chart is not always great. Zhang' proposed the EWMAST chart, which is constructed by charting the EWMA statistic for stationary processes to monitor the process mean. The performance among the EWMAST chart, the X chart, the residual X chart and other charts were compared in Zhang'. In this article, I will compare the EWMAST chart with the residual CUSUM chart and residual EWMA chart as well as the residual X chart and X chart via the average run length.
Extreme-contrast front end for high-power laser systems

A high-energy, high-contrast seed source for high-power lasers is directly generated using parametric amplification, with a temporal contrast better than 100 dB within 5 ps of the pulse peak and an extremely fast rising edge.
Market Efficiency For S&P 500: 1954-2004

This paper tests three moving average technical trading rules for the S&P 500 stock index. Using daily data from 1954 to 2004, our results indicate that moving average rules did indeed had predictive power and could discern recurring-price patterns for the period up to mid 1980s. However, since mid 1980s, technical trading rules do not work and could not discern recurring-price patterns. Our results are consistent with market inefficiency from 1954 to 1984 and market efficiency from 1984 to present.
Advanced Glycosylation End-Products in Diabetic Rats on Peritoneal Dialysis Using Various Solutions:

ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the effects of glucose-based solutions to those of icodextrin with respect to peritoneal transport characteristics and advanced glycosylation end-product (AGE) form...
Finsler Manifolds and the Fundamentals of Minkowski Norms

Finsler geometry has its genesis in integrals of the form $$\int_a^b {F\left( {{x^1}, \ldots ,{x^n};\frac{{d{x^1}}}{{dt}}, \ldots ,\frac{{d{x^n}}}{{dt}}} \right)} dt$$ .
Optical approach to resin formulation for 3D printed microfluidics

Microfluidics imposes different requirements on 3D printing compared to many applications because the critical features for microfluidics consist of internal microvoids. Resins for general 3D printing applications, however, are not necessarily formulated to meet the requirements of microfluidics and minimize the size of fabricated voids. In this paper we use an optical approach to guide custom formulation of resins to minimize the cross sectional size of fabricated flow channels as exemplars of such voids. We focus on stereolithgraphy (SL) 3D printing with Digital Light Processing (DLP) based on a micromirror array and use a commercially available 3D printer. We develop a mathematical model for the optical dose delivered through the thickness of a 3D printed part, including the effect of voids. We find that there is a fundamental trade-off between the homogeneity of the optical dose within individual layers and how far the critical dose penetrates into a flow channel during fabrication. We also experimentally investigate the practical limits of flow channel miniaturization given the optical properties of a resin and find that the minimum flow channel height is ~3.5-5.5ha where ha is the optical penetration depth of the resin, and that the minimum width is 4 pixels in the build plane. We also show that the ratio of the build layer thickness to ha should be in the range 0.3-1.0 to obtain the minimum flow channel height for a given resin. The minimum flow channel size that we demonstrate for a custom resin is 60 μm × 108 μm for a 10 μm build layer thickness. This work lays the foundation for 3D printing of <100 μm microfluidic features.