cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attitude and behavior effects in a randomized trial of increased access to emergency contraception.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of providing unrestricted access to emergency contraception in advance of need on various psychosocial outcomes and pregnancy. METHODS: In the trial women were randomly assigned to either increased access to emergency contraception (two free packs at enrollment with unlimited free resupply) or standard access. Participants were evaluated for 1 year for pregnancy and other outcomes. Psychosocial data were collected at enrollment and at 6 and 12 months. We applied exploratory factor analysis for data reduction. We compared the resulting psychosocial factors (including factors related to "aversion to pregnancy" and to the perceived "relative benefit" and "accessibility" of emergency contraception) two items directly assessing substitution and pregnancy between randomization groups over time. RESULTS: On average women in the increased access group had significantly stronger perceptions of both the "relative benefit" and "accessibility" of emergency contraception (P<.001 for each). Women in the increased access group were significantly more likely to report that they had ever used emergency contraception because they did not want to use either condoms or another contraceptive method (P<.001). Regarding pregnancy we noted a significant interaction between randomization group and "aversion to pregnancy" (P=.010): among the least "averse" women increased access had a protective effect (hazard ratio 0.64 95% confidence interval 0.39-1.04); among the most "averse" women increased access had a deleterious effect (hazard ratio 1.73 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.98). CONCLUSION: As a result of having unrestricted access some women substituted emergency contraception for their usual contraceptive methods. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00060463 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.
Branch-specific dendritic Ca2+ spikes cause persistent synaptic plasticity

The brain has an extraordinary capacity for memory storage, but how it stores new information without disrupting previously acquired memories remains unknown. Here we show that different motor learning tasks induce dendritic Ca2+ spikes on different apical tuft branches of individual layer V pyramidal neurons in the mouse motor cortex. These task-related, branch-specific Ca2+ spikes cause long-lasting potentiation of postsynaptic dendritic spines active at the time of spike generation. When somatostatin-expressing interneurons are inactivated, different motor tasks frequently induce Ca2+ spikes on the same branches. On those branches, spines potentiated during one task are depotentiated when they are active seconds before Ca2+ spikes induced by another task. Concomitantly, increased neuronal activity and performance improvement after learning one task are disrupted when another task is learned. These findings indicate that dendritic-branch-specific generation of Ca2+ spikes is crucial for establishing long-lasting synaptic plasticity, thereby facilitating information storage associated with different learning experiences.
Wedensky facilitation and the wedensky effect during high grade A-V block in the human heart

Abstract Wedensky facilitation and the Wedensky effect—forms of temporary enhancement of depressed excitability and/or conductivity—are reported in a patient with high grade A-V block. Sinus impulses which occur within a well-defined, relatively prolonged period after a ventricular or A-V nodal escape beat are conducted; earlier or later impulses are blocked. Conduction is probably initiated by the mechanism of Wedensky facilitation and maintained by the Wedensky effect.
Environmental contingencies and genetic propensities: social capital, educational continuation, and dopamine receptor gene DRD2.

Studies of gene‐environment interplay typically focus on one environmental factor at a time, resulting in a constrained view of social context. The concept of environmental contingency is introduced as a corrective. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and qualitative comparative analysis, the authors focus on an example involving social capital, a gene associated with a dopamine receptor (DRD2), and educational continuation beyond secondary school. For boys, (1) DRD2 risk is associated with a decreased likelihood of school continuation; (2) one configuration of social capital—high parental socioeconomic status, high parental involvement in school, and a high‐quality school—compensates for this negative relationship, consistent with environmental contingency; but (3) boys with DRD2 risk are less commonly observed in settings that are rich in social capital.
Improving the Performance of Structural Damage Detection Methods Using Advanced Genetic Algorithms

A frequency response function-based damage identification method is presented that accurately identifies both the location and severity of damage in structural systems using a limited amount of measurement information. Damage is identified by minimizing the error between measured and analytically computed frequency response functions obtained through finite element model updating. The impact that the type of genetic algorithm representation has on performance is evaluated for a fixed representation and an implicit redundant representation, which simplifies the search by exploiting the unstructured nature of damage identification. The performance of the proposed damage identification method is evaluated for beam and frame structures that consider different damage scenarios and measurement layouts. The impact of measurement noise on performance is also investigated. The damage identification method developed using the implicit redundant genetic algorithm provides greater accuracy in identifying the location and severity of damage in all case studies even in the presence of noise. For larger frame structures, the implicit redundant genetic algorithm performed well, while no valid results were obtained using the fixed genetic algorithm representation.
Affect in Media: Embodied Media Interaction in Performance and Public Art

Todd Ingalls is a media composer and designer as well as an associate research professor in the School of Arts Media and Engineering at Arizona State University. Exploring computer music and, in particular, interactive computer music with dance opened up whole new areas of interest for him around the ideas of embodiment, sound, and how we can interact with media. These interests have lead him to work in often large, complex projects that are highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. He is also involved in efforts to use interactive media in the areas of health and rehabilitation. This article describes some his example works in the realms of arts that focus on both interactive performance as well as work for public spaces and engagement.
A simple routine method for the rapid determination of organic and inorganic carbon in oil shale

Abstract A procedure for the rapid determination of organic and inorganic carbon in oil shale samples is proposed. Oil shale samples are decomposed in an oxygen stream at three different temperatures (450°C, 550°C, 900°C). The resulting CO 2 is determined after absorption in 0.02 M NaOH in a relative conductometric detection unit. Temperature. differentiated carbon analysis was used to establish the decomposition temperatures of the organic material (450°C) and the inorganic fractions (550°C and 900°C). The method was tested for samples weighing 2–4 mg. Oil shales with organic carbon contents of 8–20% were determined with good reproducibility (r.s.d. 0.4–1.3%). The accuracy was tested with a standard oil shale sample. One determination requires 8 min.
Kurt Hiller und Mussolini

Der vorliegende Aufsatz befast sich mit der Funktion des Literaten im Spannungsfeld von Demokratie und Faschismus wahrend der Weimarer Republik. Wie zahlreiche Linksintellektuelle in den zwanziger Jahren in Deutschland und in Europa im allgemeinen, SO auserte auch Kurt Hiller gewisse Sympathien fur den italienischen Faschismus und im besonderen fur die Personlichkeit Mussolinis. Diese Tatsache sollte trotz Hillers offensichtlichem grundsatzlichem Engagement fur das demokratische System nicht ubersehen werden, insofern besagte unreflektierte Schwache fur bestimmte Erscheinungsformen des italienischen Faschismus zur Verharmlosung der Sachlage beitrug und damit bis zu einem gewissen Grade den spateren Siegeszug faschistischer Ideen in Deutschland erleichterte, und zwar auf der Grundlage einer Fehleinschatzung der langfristigen Konsequenzen der italienischen ‘Bewegung.’ Wie viele ‘Geistige’ seiner Zeit, so verfallt auch Hiller bei seiner Beurteilung Mussolinis bzw. dessen ‘neuer Ordnung’ einer ausgesprochen formal-asthetischen Bewertung eines im Grunde sozial-politischen Ereignisses im Sinne von Benjamins ‘Asthetisierung des Politischen.’ Dabei kontrastiert Hiller unter dem Eindruck seiner Antipathie gegenuber Parlament und Parteiensystem die sogenannte ‘Formlosigkeit’ des ‘Demokratismus’ mit der angeblich ‘gestalt’-gebenden Fahigkeit des autoritaren Regimes, das ‘Spiesertum’ von Parlamentarismus und Parlamentariern rnit der ‘kiinstlerischen Pose’ von Mussolinis ‘Fuhrer'-Ideal.’ Hiller identifiziert demnach den Begriff der ‘historischen Grose’ (Burckhardt) nicht mit dem ‘Inhaltlichen,’ also dem Substanziellen, sondern mit der erwahnten Vorstellung vom ‘Kunstlerischen’ als Inbegriff eines offen proklamierten Heroenkultes. Die fatalen Konsequenzen solcher Exkulpationsversuche eines prinzipiell antidemokratischen Regimes sind hinreichend bekannt.
Policy Design for Local Innovation: The Effects of Competition in Public Schooling

State governments have recently adopted many policies creating competition in service provision. These policies typically are expected to reduce costs and improve quality through organizational innovation. I present an analysis of one such initiative—the creation of charter schools. Using evidence from a survey-based study comparing charter schools and traditional public schools, I explore the relationship between competition and organizational innovation. I find that competition does appear to promote innovative local practices. But the evidence also suggests that competition can limit communication within the practitioner community, which, in turn, can stifle the diffusion of innovative ideas. Thus, policy design for local innovation may be more effective when competition is augmented with state-level strategies that promote inter-organizational cooperation and learning.
Agency Via Guilt in Anchee Min's Red Azalea

The number of Mainland Chinese legally entering the United States has been soaring since 1978. Although a large number of them came as students and visiting scholars, many have acquired citizenship or status as resident aliens. In 1997 alone 41,100 Mainland Chinese entered the United States as legal immigrants (Statistical 11) and 46,958 as students (Digest 472). This growing community has found almost no voice in its newly adopted country other than through the publication of personal narratives of China's political upheavals. Nien Cheng's sensational 1986 autobiography Life and Death in Shanghai marked the beginning. It was followed by Liu Binyan's A Higher Kind of Loyalty (1990), Jung Chang's Wild Swans (1991),' Anchee Min's Red Azalea (1994), and more. This body of literature by immigrants from the People's Republic of China represents a new and distinctive form of writing by Chinese writers in the English-speaking world, one which bears an especially heavy burden of social responsibility because of its critical potential. Except for Nien Cheng, whose identity and ideological make-up are rooted in the pre-communist era, the other three writers have been reared in socialist China, with Liu Binyan being a communist himself, Jung Chang a daughter of elite communist cadres, and Anchee Min belonging to the generation of young radicals, the Red Guards. In spite of the adversities they braved during the AntiRightist Movement (1957) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), they have preserved their Marxian and socialist outlooks. As they endure blatant exploitation at their work places in the United States, many Mainland Chinese immigrants have become genuinely interested in the thought of Karl Marx, which most of them previously had studied involuntarily. Also it is their Marxist and socialist education that arouses in them rage over the effects upon
Electrohydrodynamics of drops in strong uniform dc electric fields

Drop deformation in an uniform dc electric field is a classic problem. The pioneering work of Taylor demonstrated that for weakly conducting media, the drop fluid undergoes a toroidal flow and the drop adopts a prolate or oblate spheroidal shape, the flow and shape being axisymmetrically aligned with the applied field. However, recent studies have revealed a nonaxisymmetric rotational flow in strong fields, similar to the rotation of solid dielectric particles observed by Quincke in the 19th century. We present a systematic experimental study of this phenomenon, which highlights the importance of charge convection along the drop surface. The critical electric field, drop inclination angle, and rate of rotation are measured. We find that for small, high viscosity drops, the threshold field strength is well approximated by the Quincke rotation criterion. Reducing the viscosity ratio shifts the onset for rotation to stronger fields. The drop inclination angle increases with field strength. The rotation rate is approximately given by the inverse Maxwell–Wagner polarization time. Novel features are also observed such as a hysteresis in the tilt angle for large low-viscosity drops.
Synthesis, characterization, and enthalpy of mixing of the (Fe,Mg)C0 3 solid solution

Abstract Solid solutions along the magnesite-siderite join have been synthesized from mechanical mixtures of iron oxalate and basic magnesium carbonate using hydrothermal synthesis techniques at 500°C and about 2 kilobars. The double capsule method was used to provide the atmosphere necessary to prevent decomposition and oxidation of the Fe 2+-bearing carbonate. The synthetic samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Unit cell parameters, determined from x-ray diffraction in step scan mode, show a linear relationship with composition. The compositions and homogeneity of the sample were confirmed by electron microprobe analysis. Enthalpy of mixing was measured using a Calvet-type calorimeter at 770°C. A two step calorimetric method was developed and confirmed to be successful in determining the energetics of the Fe 2+-bearing carbonates. The first step involved decomposition of the sample in an oxygen atmosphere, and then the decomposition of the sample in an oxygen atmosphere, and then the decomposition products (a mixture of a spinel phase, MgFe 2O 4, and MgO or hematite) were dissolved in lead borate solvent in air as the second step. The enthalpies of mixing are slightly positive, with a regular solution parameter of 4.44 ± 0.75 kJ/mol. Under the assumption of regular solution, the phase diagram of the FeC0 3 MgCO 3 system has been calculated, and the critical temperature for exsolution is about −6°C. Thus, the (Fe,Mg) CO 3 solid solution is expected to be complete and nearly ideal in all geological environments.
Work in progress - Inter-disciplinary, online approach to learning about teaching

Engineering graduate student experiences in an online pilot course about teaching science and engineering are the focus of this work-in-progress. Their experiences from fall, 2006 are the center of the on-going research that compares their experiences with engineering graduate students who completed the traditional, face-to-face, semester-long campus course and those who completed the traditional, face-to-face, two-week course. Case studies will demonstrate how six engineering graduate students (two from each format) learned about teaching science and engineering when they were participating in an interdisciplinary course; engineering students were the minority and worked with chemists, physicists, geologists, and other STEM graduate students. The research questions is how, if at all, the interdisciplinary, online context makes a difference in student learning. This on-going pilot program involves web-conferences, a course management system, and seven institutions associated with the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL). The effectiveness of online learning experiences is significant as we prepare and support future faculty; we expect to learn that students appreciate diverse formats and opportunities, will choose those that work for them, learn consistently across all formats, and gain the added benefit of learning how to work collaboratively at a distance. By the conference date, we will be midway through the second online course and data collection. Our evaluation plan consists of pre and post surveys, authentic assessments, and in-depth interviews for the students who are the focus of the case studies.
P1A-5 Analysis of 3D Motion Effects in Myocardial Elastography

In this paper, we investigate the elevational beamwidth and the extent of 3D decorrelation on 3D motion estimation of multiple short-axis slices under a previously established theoretical framework, which simulated two sequences, including passive filling and active contraction, in normal and ischemic canine finite-element (FE) left ventricular models. A 3D convolutional image formation model was developed to generate successive RF signals in 3D. Incremental lateral and axial motion components were estimated from lateral-axial plane using 1D cross-correlation and recorrelation techniques in a 2D search with a 1D matching kernel of 3 mm and 80% overlap. Similarly, the elevational displacement was estimated from elevational-axial plane using the same strategy. The cumulative 3D motion was obtained by accumulating the incremental motion from end-diastole to end-systole, while the cumulative lateral and axial strains were obtained using a least-squares strain estimator on the cumulative in-plane motion. Radial and circumferential strains, independent of the orientation of the transducer, were also computed from the in-plane finite strains. The elastographic estimation error was estimated by calculating the relative difference between the FEA and elastographic results. When the elevational beamwidth increased from 2 to 4 mm, the mean absolute differences for cumulative in-plane motion and systolic strains in both the normal and the ischemic cases, decreased. However, the larger the elevational beamwidth was, the larger elevational displacement estimation error was obtained. The findings showed that the elevational beamwidth of 2 mm was the optimal value for both in-plane deformation and out-of-plane motion estimation. In summary, even at the presence of physiologic elevational motion, the in-plane elastographic estimates remained at good agreement with the FE solutions. Error analyses indicated thus a substantial improvement in the performance of the recorrelation technique at various short-axis slices of the 3D left ventricle and at elevational beamwidths well within the clinical equipment range
Is high-dose misoprostol able to lower the incidence of Cesarean section? A randomized controlled trial

Objective : To determine whether high-dose (100 &#119 g) misoprostol was able to increase the rate of successful labor induction and lower the incidence of Cesarean section without adverse fetal effects. Methods : A total of 360 women were randomized to receive either oxytocin ( n = 192) by intravenous infusion, or misoprostol ( n = 168) 100 &#119 g intravaginally every 4 h. The Cesarean section rate was the primary end-point. Incidences of uterine and fetal heart rate abnormalities during labor and adverse neonatal outcomes were assessed as secondary end-points. Results : Compared with those women receiving oxytocin, patients given misoprostol had a significantly shortened labor (10.7 &#45 6.0 vs. 15.4 &#45 10.4 h, p &#104 0.001). The Cesarean section rate did not differ between patients receiving misoprostol or oxytocin (36 (21.4%) vs. 38 (19.8%), p = 0.79) despite a sample size adequate to detect a 13 percentage point difference in this outcome. Patients receiving misoprostol had a higher incidence of ...
Waveform Generation Is Controlled by Phosphorylation and Swimming Direction Is Controlled by Ca2+ in Sperm from the Mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

ABSTRACT Most animal sperm are quiescent in the male reproductive tract and become activated after mixing with accessory secretions from the male and/or female reproductive tract. Sperm from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus initiate flagellar motility after mixing with male accessory gland components, and the sperm flagellum displays three distinct motility patterns over time: a low amplitude, a long wavelength form (Wave A), a double waveform consisting of two superimposed waveforms over the length of the flagellum (Wave B), and finally, a single helical waveform that propels the sperm at high velocity (Wave C). This flagellar behavior is replicated by treating quiescent sperm with trypsin. When exposed to either broad spectrum or tyrosine kinase inhibitors, sperm activated by accessory gland secretions exhibited motility through Wave B but were unable to progress to Wave C. The MEK1/2 inhibitor UO126 and the ERK1/2 inhibitor FR180204 each blocked the transition from Wave B to Wave C, indicating a rol...
Effective network monitoring

Various network monitoring and performance evaluation schemes generate considerable amount of traffic, which affects network performance. In this paper we describe a method for minimizing network monitoring overhead based on shortest path tree (SPT) protocol. We describe two different variations of the problem: the A-problem and the E-problem, and show that there is a significant difference between them. We prove that finding optimal solutions is NP-hard for both variations, and propose a theoretically best possible heuristic for the A-problem and three different heuristics for the E-problem, one of them being also theoretically best possible. We show that one can compute in polynomial time an O(ln|V|)-approximate solution for each of these problems. Then, we analyze the performance of our heuristics on large graphs generated using Waxman and power-law models as well as on real ISP topology maps. Experiment results show more than 80% improvement when using our heuristics on real topologies over the naive approaches
Tensile fracture during transformation superplasticity of Ti–6Al–4V

During thermal cycling through the α–β phase transformation under the action of a small external biasing stress, Ti alloys exhibit an average deformation stress exponent of unity and achieve superplastic strains. We report tensile experiments on Ti–6Al–4V with an applied stress of 4.5 MPa, aimed at understanding the failure processes during transformation superplasticity. The development of cavities was assessed as a function of superplastic elongation, and macroscopic neck formation was quantified at several levels of elongation by digital imaging techniques. The effects of thermal inhomogeneity on neck initiation and propagation were also elucidated experimentally. Tensile ductility during transformation superplasticity is compared with that during isothermal creep at the average, effective cycling temperature, and a numerical model is used to show the effect of thermal gradients in limiting superplastic elongation.
Efficient implementation of the two dimensional discrete cosine transform for image coding applications on the DSP96002 processor

This paper describes the efficient implementation of the 2D DCT for image coding on the DSP96002 processor. The DSP96002 is a general purpose, dual-bus IEEE floating point digital signal processor. Utilizing the DSP96002's inherent parallel processing capabilities, the execution of a 8/spl times/8 fast 2D DCT takes 133 microseconds. The recently proposed 2D and 1D fast DCT algorithms are employed in this implementation. Transform coefficient zigzag ordering, used in the image coding process, executes in less than 28 microseconds. The fast DSP96002 routines, incorporated within this implementation, can be applied in a number of image coding applications such as video and still image coding as well as the newer JPEG still image and MPEG video standards. >
Hybridization of Frenkel and Wannier-Mott excitons in an optical microcavity

We demonstrate strong-coupling and exciton hybridization in an organic-inorganic microcavity containing InGaP QWs and the small molecular weight organic tetraphenylporphyrin. The hybrid excited state is found to persist up to temperatures of 100 K.
Composite doped emeraldine–polyethylene oxide-bonded lithium-ion nano-tin anodes with electronic–ionic mixed conduction

Mixed-conducting lithium-ion doped emeraldine polyaniline (PAni)–polyethylene oxide (PEO) blends have been developed to achieve an optimal electronic–ionic conductivity balance in nano-tin composite anodes. Electrochemical evaluation was performed on the anodes with differing electrode preparation procedures, doping methods and PEO contents. Results indicate that both good electronic and ionic conductivity in the binder are required for rapid lithium insertion/extraction and low polarization. This doped PAni–PEO polymer blend is an attractive binder for high capacity composite anodes with low polarization.
Communication of direction through lateral skin stretch at the fingertip

A variety of tasks could benefit from the availability of direction cues that do not rely on vision or sound. Skin stretch has been found to be a reliable means of communicating direction and has potential to be rendered by a compact device. We have conducted experiments exploring the use of lateral skin stretch at the fingertip to communicate direction. A small rubber cylinder was pressed against a subject's fingertip and moved at constant speed to stretch the skin of the fingerpad. The skin was stretched with a range of displacements (0.05 mm–1 mm) and speeds (0.5 mm/s-4 mm/s). Subjects were asked to respond with the direction of the skin stretch, choosing from 4 directions, each separated by 90 degrees. It was found that subjects could perceive skin stretch direction with as little as 0.05 mm of stretch. Direction detection accuracy was found to be dependent upon both the speed and total displacement of the skin stretch. Higher speeds and larger displacements resulted in greater accuracy. High accuracy rates, greater than 95%, were observed with as little as 0.2 mm of skin stretch and at speeds as slow as 2 mm/s. Accuracy was also found to vary with the direction of the stimulus. This preliminary information will be used to inform the design of a miniature tactile display suitable for use in hand-held electronics.
GATA-6: The Proliferation Stops Here Cell Proliferation in Glomerular Mesangial and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

See related article, pages 699–704 GATA-6 belongs to a family of zinc finger transcription factors that have been implicated in various developmental processes, including cell differentiation and proliferation. In this issue of Circulation Research , Nagata et al1 report that overexpression of GATA-6 in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) results in decreased cell proliferation and posttranscriptional upregulation of p21cip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor. This finding is especially interesting in light of recent reports showing that GATA-6 regulates cell proliferation via p21cip1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).2 Thus, the present study details a new region of expression for GATA-6 (glomerular mesangial cells) coupled with an important emerging function (regulation of cell proliferation). All GATA factors activate transcription by binding to the consensus DNA sequence WGATAR (where W is T or A and R is G or A).3 4 On the basis of both their amino acid sequence homologies and respective patterns of expression, the 6 vertebrate GATA factors have been classified into 2 subfamilies. Members of the GATA-1/-2/-3 subfamily are known to be important regulators of hematopoietic cell growth and differentiation.5 In addition, GATA-1 has been shown to regulate erythroid cell proliferation, whereas GATA-2 seems to regulate multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation.6 7 GATA-6 was originally characterized as a member of the GATA-4/-5/-6 subfamily of GATA factors, which are expressed in the developing heart and are able to transactivate cardiac-specific promoters, such as cardiac troponin C, atrial natriuretic factor, and α-myosin heavy chain, in vitro.8 Recent reports of mice containing null mutations for GATA-4 and -6 have shown that these factors are essential for formation of the midline heart tube from precardiac mesoderm and differentiation of the visceral endoderm in the mouse, respectively.9 10 11 Although a great deal has …
MOS electronics for a portable reading aid for the blind

A unique direct-translation reading aid for the blind has been realized with two custom MOS integrated circuits. One of these circuits is a self-scanned image-sensing array which utilizes unusual signal-processing and scanning circuitry to permit low light level operation. The other custom integrated circuit is a self-scanned output driver chip which controls the high-voltage tactile stimulators of the reading aid directly. The reading aid operates on a direct-translation principle. That is, the tactile information presented to the blind reader is an exact reproduction of the black-and-white information on the page of an ordinary book or newspaper. Using this system, blind subjects have achieved reading rates in excess of 80 words per minute, indicating that the system may become widely used by the blind.
Asymptotic symmetries for conformal scalar curvature equations with singularity

We give conditions on a positive Holder continuous function K(x) such that every C 2 positive solution u(x) of the conformal scalar curvature equation u + K(x)u n+2 n 2 =0
Synchronized communication and coordinated views: qualitative data discovery for team game user studies

We present a tool for qualitative data discovery that aids researchers in analyzing synchronized log data with audio collected from multiple computers. The tool was originally developed for team games in which the goal of play is to exercise coordination skills. In team coordination games, players cooperate toward a shared objective by communicating effectively and synchronizing their game world actions. To evaluate such games, researchers observe communication between players synchronized with their actions in-game, discovering instances of team coordination. Coordination is a composite of communication and in-game action; thus it is essential to observe both in context. The tool enables simultaneous observation from each player's viewpoint, synchronized with communication using log files and time-stamped audio. Viewpoints and voice tracks can be selectively soloed and muted, enabling researchers to focus attention. The application can be expanded to support logs and audio from other user studies.
Amplified fragment length polymorphism used to investigate genetic variability of the stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae) across North America.

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is a cosmopolitan pest of livestock and humans. The pestiferous nature and painful bite cause stress to cattle and other animals. The stress and resulting avoidance behaviors manifest as reductions in weight gain or milk production in cattle; estimated annual economic loss in the United States exceeds US$2 billion. Understanding the population genetics of stable flies could provide information on their population dynamics, origins of outbreaks, and geographical patterns of insecticide resistance, resulting in a tactical advantage for developing management strategies. Previous studies, mostly on a local scale, reported a high level of gene flow between locations. Here, we report results wherein amplified fragment length polymorphism was used to determine genetic diversity of stable fly samples consisting of 11–40 individuals from 12 locations representing the United States, Canada, and Panama. The Analysis of Molecular Variance showed that the majority of genetic diversity was within groups; very little was among groups. The FST and GST values were low ( 1.0). The tests of neutrality suggested population expansion, and no genetic differentiation was found between locations. These results show that stable flies have a high level of gene flow on a continental scale, with limited isolation owing to distance or geographical barriers.
Third coronary artery bypass operations: Risks and costs

Background Third coronary artery bypass operations are technically difficult and are associated with increased risk. Methods We reviewed the cases of 469 patients who had undergone a third isolated coronary artery bypass operation and used univariate and multivariate testing to examine the effect of preoperative and operative variables on outcome and costs. Results The in-hospital mortality was 7.0% (33 patients). Advanced age and severe symptoms were found to increase risk (both p p Conclusions Unfavorable outcomes after third coronary artery bypass operations have been associated with preoperatively definable variables, particularly age of 70 years or more. The in-hospital mortality in patients younger than 70 was low, and long-term survival in this group has been favorable. The increased hospital costs associated with third operations are related to high costs in only a few patients and have been unpredictable.
Efficient large-scale BGP simulations

Simulation has been the method of choice for analyzing large, complex, and highly volatile systems. One of these systems is the inter-domain routing infrastructure of the Internet. Despite the need for high quality Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) simulation tools, traditional BGP simulators have limitations either in their modeling fidelity or in their scalability. In this work we introduce BGP++, a scalable BGP simulator that employs state-of-the-art techniques to address the abstraction-scalability trade-off.BGP++ builds on high quality software in network simulation, routing and parallel-distributed simulation to deliver a detailed yet scalable implementation of BGP. Moreover, with respect to the needs of researchers and operators, BGP++ has a CISCO-like configuration language, a seamless partitioning engine for parallel-distributed simulations and a configuration toolset that expedites common simulation configuration tasks.
NADH-dependent microsomal interaction with ferric complexes and production of reactive oxygen intermediates.

The interaction of NADPH with ferric complexes to catalyze microsomal generation of reactive oxygen intermediates has been well studied. Experiments were carried out to characterize the ability of NADH to interact with various ferric chelates to promote microsomal lipid peroxidation and generation of .OH-like species. In the presence of NADH and iron, microsomes produced .OH as assessed by the oxidation of a variety of .OH scavenging agents. Rates of NADH-dependent .OH production were 50 to 80% those of the NADPH-catalyzed reaction. The oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide or t-butyl alcohol was inhibited by catalase and competitive .OH scavengers but not by superoxide dismutase or carbon monoxide. NADH-dependent .OH production was effectively catalyzed by ferric-EDTA and ferric-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), whereas ferric-ATP and ferric-citrate were poor catalysts. All these ferric chelates were reduced by microsomes in the presence of NADH (and NADPH). H2O2 was produced in the presence of NADH in a reaction stimulated by the addition of ferric-EDTA, consistent with the increase in .OH production. The latter appeared to be limited by the rate of H2O2 generation rather than the rate of reduction of the ferric chelate. NADH-dependent lipid peroxidation was much lower than the NADPH-catalyzed reaction and showed an opposite response to catalysis by ferric complexes compared to .OH generation as production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material was increased with ferric-ATP and -citrate, but not with ferric-EDTA or- DTPA, and was not affected by catalase, SOD, or .OH scavengers. These results indicate that NADH can support microsomal reduction of ferric chelates, with the subsequent production of .OH-like species and peroxidation of lipids. The pattern of response of the NADH-dependent reactions with respect to catalytic effectiveness of ferric chelates and sensitivity to radical scavengers is similar to that found with NADPH. Many of the metabolic actions of ethanol have been ascribed to production of NADH as a consequence of oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase. Since the cytosol normally maintains a highly oxidized NAD+/NADH redox ratio, it is interesting to speculate that increased availability of NADH from the oxidation of ethanol may support microsomal reduction of iron complexes, with the subsequent generation of reactive oxygen intermediates.
A Comparison of Blalock-Taussig, Waterston, and Polytetrafluoroethylene Shunts in Children Less Than Two Weeks of Age

Results obtained with Blalock-Taussig, Waterston, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) shunts were compared in 67 cyanotic infants less than 2 weeks of age. A different shunt was preferably used at each of three institutions. The incidences of early shunt failure (3 out of 21, 14%), mortality after revision of early shunt failure (0 out of 3), and overall hospital mortality (1 out of 21, 5%) were all lowest for the PTFE shunt. Incidence of congestive heart failure secondary to excessive flow was comparable for the Blalock-Taussig and PTFE shunts, both of which were lower than the Waterston shunt. Cumulative probabilities of late shunt adequacy were calculated for hospital survivors. At 1 year, all shunts provided comparable adequate palliation (greater than 80%). Probability of late shunt failure was significantly higher (p = 0.04) for the PTFE shunt at 3.5 years. Results suggest that the PTFE shunt may be the safest and most effective shunt in neonates, but that elective shunt replacement or total repair may be warranted in the first or second year of life.
The use of adaptive fault tolerance in general classes of linear systems

Several recent publications have developed the concept of adaptive fault tolerance (AFT) by demonstrating how adaptive filter architectures and adaptive algorithms can be designed to continue operating effectively in the presence of certain classes of hardware failures. Previous studies limited the use of AFT to one-dimensional FIR filter structures. This paper further develops the concept of AFT for one-dimensional IIR filter structures, demonstrating that indeed AFT can be extended to these more general classes of linear systems.
Renal Artery Stent Outcomes: Effect of Baseline Blood Pressure, Stenosis Severity, and Translesion Pressure Gradient

Abstract Background Multiple randomized clinical trials comparing renal artery stent placement plus medical therapy with medical therapy alone have not shown any benefit of stent placement. However, debate continues whether patients with extreme pressure gradients, stenosis severity, or baseline blood pressure benefit from stent revascularization. Objectives The study sought to test the hypothesis that pressure gradients, stenosis severity, and/or baseline blood pressure affects outcomes after renal artery stent placement. Methods Using data from 947 patients with a history of hypertension or chronic kidney disease from the largest randomized trial of renal artery stent placement, the CORAL (Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions) study, we performed exploratory analyses to determine if subsets of patients experienced better outcomes after stent placement than the overall cohort. We examined baseline stenosis severity, systolic blood pressure, and translesion pressure gradient (peak systolic and mean) and performed interaction tests and Cox proportional hazards analyses for the occurrence of the primary endpoint through all follow-up, to examine the effect of these variables on outcomes by treatment group. Results There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes based on the examined variables nor were there any consistent nonsignificant trends. Conclusions Based on data from the CORAL randomized trial, there is no evidence of a significant treatment effect of the renal artery stent procedure compared with medical therapy alone based on stenosis severity, level of systolic blood pressure elevation, or according to the magnitude of the trans-stenotic pressure gradient. (Benefits of Medical Therapy Plus Stenting for Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions [CORAL]; NCT00081731 )
Using The Modules

This chapter applies only to the full version, where source codes are included (contact the author for information about the availability of the full version). If you have the full version, you received two 3.5“ disks. All ANALYZE source codes, including the FLIP, VIEWS and GETMAT modules, are on one disk. The UTILITY disk has source codes for all utilities, including LPRENAME.
Wavelet Transforms by Nearest Neighbor Lifting

We show that any discrete wavelet transform (DWT) using finite impulse response (FIR) filters may be factored into lifting steps that use only nearest neighbor array elements. We then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of imposing this additional requirement.
Effects of Low Temperatures on Three Embryonic Stages of the Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Base don mortality, the order of tolerance of three embryonic stages of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), eggs for temperatures near 0°C was red ring > white > blackhead. Red ring stage eggs were 1.5 times more tolerant of low temperature than were white stage eggs and 2.5 times more tolerant than blackhead stage eggs. Thirty-six to 42 d exposure was required for complete mortality on mature ‘Red Delicious’ or ‘Golden Delicious’ apples. Tolerance of low temperature was not affected by the apple variety used as the substrate for oviposition. Eggs deposited on a substrate other than apples, such as plastic film, were significantly more susceptible to the effects of low temperature. Exposure to low temperatures such as those commonly used for short- or long-term fruit storage shows promise as an alternative to fumigation as a treatment for codling moth eggs on apples and pears after harvest.
Oxydase activity and isolation of pure cultures of bacteria

Bacteria vary in their ability to oxidize p-amino-leuco-malachite green.1 The conditions under which this chemical reaction is brought about by certain species of micro-organisms are quite definite and consist mainly of a proper substrate and a suitable supply of oxygen. That is, given a certain organism in a suitable medium containing the leukobase, under aerobic conditions in an incubator, the leukobase will be oxidized into its corresponding dye form. If the leukobase medium is incubated without inoculation of a microbe, oxidation does not take place. Thus, the definition of an oxydase has been satisfied, a resultant oxidation caused by an agent in the presence of molecular oxygen, the absence of which prevents this form of oxidation process. A substrate suitable for the purpose of studying the oxydase activity of bacteria, reported elsewhere, is fresh serum or blood, while meat infusion or peptone is not only lacking in fitness, but also neutralizes the favorable quality of serum in a quantitative fashion. It was shown in my previous study that pneumococci and streptococci are capable of causing this form of oxidation, while none of 23 other bacterial species responded to the test. Since that time, p-aminoleuko-malachite green has been in constant use as an indicator in this laboratory, and the former results have been confirmed so far as repetitions have been made. It is established that the small grampositive cocci, pneumococci and streptococci, under prescribed conditions, stand out as the highest oxydase producers; while the large grampositive and all gram-negative cocci, as well as the gram-negative bacilli and most of the gram-positive bacilli, are either entirely lacking in the ability to oxidize this indicator or can do so only feebly. I do not wish to convey the impression that bacteria other than pneumococci and streptococci may or may not have oxidative activity as evidenced by some other indicator, but that the leukobase of p-amino malachite green lends itself not only to demonstrate oxydase activity of certain microbic
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF SHORE EROSION PROCESSES

The laboratory investigation was undertaken as part of a shore protection demonstration program sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Subsequently funding was also provided by the Sea Grant Program. The laboratory work is being done in the Lake Hydraulics Laboratory, a facility of the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Michigan. The field demonstration program consists of 19 field installations at locations on Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior. The laboratory program was planned to supplement information from the field installations by testing over a wider range of variables and to test procedures not included in the field program. This program has also proven to be useful in the demonstration of shore erosion processes to groups concerned with shore problems. Although erosion rates determined in a model cannot be converted quantitatively to nature it was reasoned that if natural shore erosion processes could be simulated and if repeatable erosion rates could be produced in the model the results could help to evaluate the relative effectiveness of many protective methods. The advantages of using a model are the much lower cost compared with field installations, the control over such variables as wave height and water level and the speed with which results can be obtained.
Improvement of the sustain‐driving characteristics of AC PDP by changing the position of the inductor

Abstract The characteristics of the sustain‐driving circuit were examined in this paper. The sustain‐driving circuit is in charge of the most important part of PDP driving because it manages most of the power consumption in the PDP. A couple of gate‐driving circuits for the sustain‐driving circuit were introduced in this paper, and a new driving circuit was also proposed. This new circuit is more cost‐effective and has a simpler PCB layout compared to the conventional one. Some additional driving advantages were noted as well.
Analysis on Effect of Moisture Content on Tunnel Lining Cracking in Seasonally Frozen Regions

For the tunnels in seasonally frozen soil affected by seasonal rainfall obviously in Northwestern China,FEM model was established with ANSYS by use of the rationale of heat transfer science and finite element method so as to simulate the temperature and stress fields of the surrounding rock with different moisture contents,by which both the effect of moisture content on the freezing-circle range in the surrounding rock,and the effect of frost-heaving force on the lining structure,were discussed. The results show that,as the moisture content increases,the freezing-cricle becomes smaller and the freezing depth decreases; the force inside the tunnel lining presents an increment overall with the moisture content; the tensile stresses on the tunnel side wall are relatively large and,when the moisture content is 20 %,the tensile stress reaches 5. 6MPa,which corresponds to the tensile fractures longitudinally extended on the tunnel side wall. Based on the aforesaid conclusions that moisture content makes a great impact on the lining cracking of tunnel in seasonally frozen regions,it is suggested to try to make the secondary lining to avoid plain concrete structure.