cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Rollover Shape and Energy Storage and Return in Cantilever Beam-Type Prosthetic Feet

This paper presents an analysis of the rollover shape and energy storage and return in a prosthetic foot made from a compliant cantilevered beam. The rollover shape of a prosthetic foot is defined as the path of the center of pressure along the bottom of the foot during stance phase of gait, from heel strike to toe off. This path is rotated into the reference frame of the ankle-knee segment of the leg, which is held fixed. In order to achieve correct limb loading and gait kinematics, it is important that a prosthetic foot both mimic the physiological rollover shape and maximize energy storage and return.The majority of prosthetic feet available on the market are cantilever beam-type feet that emulate ankle dorsiflexion through beam bending. In this study, we show analytically that a prosthetic foot consisting of a beam with constant or monotonically decreasing cross-section cannot replicate physiological rollover shape; the foot is either too stiff when the ground reaction force (GRF) acts near the ankle, or too compliant when the GRF acts near the toe. A rigid constraint is required to prevent the foot from over-deflecting.Using finite element analysis (FEA), we investigated how closely a cantilever beam with constrained maximum deflection could mimic physiological rollover shape and energy storage/return during stance phase. A constrained beam with constant cross-section is able to replicate physiological rollover shape with R2 = 0.86. The ratio of the strain energy stored and returned by the beam compared to the ideal energy storage and return is 0.504. This paper determines that there is a trade off between rollover shape and energy storage and return in cantilever beam-type prosthetic feet. The method and results presented in this paper demonstrate a useful tool in early stage prosthetic foot design that can be used to predict the rollover shape and energy storage of any type of prosthetic foot.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Probability logic and combining evidence

In Hailperin 1996 , in addition to its formal development of Probability Logic, there are many sections devoted to historical origins, illustrative examples, and discussion of related work by other authors. Here selected portions of its formal treatment are summarized and then used as a basis for a probability logic treatment of combining evidence.
The development of left‐hand superiority for discriminating braille configurations

Discrimination of braille configurations was performed better by the left hand of right-handed sighted children overage 10, paralleling a previous study in which the names of braille letters were learned. Left-hand superiority occurred sooner in males, but they were not better at the task than females, more of whom maintained a left-hand advantage as adults. As in vision, configurations differing in orientation were more difficult to discriminate than those differing in number or displacement, but this order of difficulty was the same for both hands.
VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS AND VISUAL PROCESSING IN STIMULANT DRUG-EXPOSED INFANTS

Prenatal exposure to cocaine and amphetamines has been associated with many adverse effects in infants, including neurological abnormalities. Recent evidence shows that the visual system may be useful in infancy to evaluate neurological functioning. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and visual recognition memory testing were carried out on eight infants with prenatal drug-exposure and eight controls, matched for ethnicity and socio-economic status. The drug-exposed infants performed significantly worse on the visual recognition test. However, there were no differences between groups on VEP testing and no correlations between tests. The results suggest that the difficulties found in visual recognition memory of drug-exposed infants are not related to neurological maturity, as measured by VEPs.
The influence of propranolol on ouabain uptake by the guinea pig heart

Abstract The action of propranolol on cardiotoxicity produced by ouabain was studied in intact and isolated guinea pig hearts. The lethal event in the intact guinea pig was ventricular fibrillation; in the isolated heart it was asystole. Myocardial ouabain content at death was significantly higher in isolated preparations than in the intact heart. Propranolol was observed to alter the mode of death in the intact guinea pig from ventricular fibrillation to asystole. The myocardial ouabain content at the time of death was elevated in guinea pigs pretreated with propranolol to the level observed in isolated guinea pig heart preparations. Exposure of the isolated preparation to propranolol prolonged the time to the induction of cardiac rhythm disorders and death without changing myocardial ouabain content. These data suggest that propranolol, by eliminating neural influence transforms the cardiotoxicity of ouabain to an in vitro mechanism. In the isolated heart, propranolol prolongs the time to the induction of cardiac rhythm disorders by inhibiting the myocardial uptake of ouabain.
Occupation and the risk of malignant melanoma

Background. The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing rapidly. The risk for development of malignant melanoma has been reported to be higher in persons of higher socioeconomic status. Methods. This case-control study explores the relation between occupation and malignant melanoma relative risk through analysis of data collected by the American Cancer Society. A total of 1.2 million people were enrolled in a study of lifestyles and environmental factors in relation to mortality from cancer and other diseases. A total of 2780 persons had a history of malignant melanoma when the study began or developed malignant melanoma during the 6-year study follow-up period. The controls were matched for age, sex, race, and geographic location on an approximately 1:3 basis to persons selected from the remaining people enrolled. Results. In men, malignant melanoma risk was significantly higher in high-paying versus low-paying occupations (odds ratio [OR], =1.58; P<0.001) and in white-collar versus blue-collar occupa ions (OR=1.33; P<0.001). No significant conclusions could be drawn for women. No significant difference in risk was noted between those with indoor versus outdoor occupations. Among specific occupational exposures, only exposure to X-rays significantly raised malignant melanoma risk (OR=1.37; P=0.002). Conclusion. Upper pay scale and white-collar occupations significantly increase the risk for development of malignant melanoma
The impact of energy conservation incentives for the industrial sector

Abstract In this paper, we present an analysis of energy conservation incentives using a simple model of energy demand in the industrial sector. The principal conclusions are: 1. (i) The largest incentive is provided by the decontrol of energy prices. 2. (ii) Incentives that reduce the price of capital (tax credits, accelerated depreciation, and low interest loans) have a smaller impact on energy demand than expected increases in energy prices and are cumbersome to administer. 3. (iii) If the government wishes to encourage energy conservation, the least cumbersome method is to tax energy use. 4. (iv) Incentives that reduce the cost of producing energy services are counterproductive because reducing the cost of energy serivces increases the demand for energy.
Differentiation of Illusory and True Halo in Writing Scores.

This report summarizes an empirical study that addresses two related topics within the context of writing assessment—illusory halo and how much unique information is provided by multiple analytic scores. Specifically, we address the issue of whether unique information is provided by analytic scores assigned to student writing, beyond what is depicted by holistic scores, and to what degree multiple analytic scores assigned by a single rater display evidence of illusory halo. To that end, we analyze student responses to an expository writing prompt that were scored by six groups of raters—four groups assigned single analytic scores, one group assigned multiple analytic scores, and one group assigned holistic scores—using structural equation modeling. Our results suggest that there is evidence of illusory halo when raters assign multiple analytic scores to a single student response and that, at best, only two factors seem to be distinguishable in analytic writing scores assigned to expository essays.
VeriClick: an efficient tool for table format verification

The essential layout attributes of a visual table can be defined by the location of four critical grid cells. Although these critical cells can often be located by automated analysis, some means of human interaction is necessary for correcting residual errors. VeriClick is a macro-enabled spreadsheet interface that provides ground-truthing, confirmation, correction, and verification functions for CSV tables. All user actions are logged. Experimental results of seven subjects on one hundred tables suggest that VeriClick can provide a ten- to twenty-fold speedup over performing the same functions with standard spreadsheet editing commands.
Uptake of organic pollutants by silica-polycation-immobilized micelles for groundwater remediation

Interest has grown in designing new materials for groundwater treatment via “permeable reactive barriers”. In the present case, a model siliceous surface, controlled pore glass (CPG), was treated w...
Cytokinesis depends on the motor domains of myosin-II in fission yeast but not in budding yeast.

Budding yeast possesses one myosin-II, Myo1p, whereas fission yeast has two, Myo2p and Myp2p, all of which contribute to cytokinesis. We find that chimeras consisting of Myo2p or Myp2p motor domains fused to the tail of Myo1p are fully functional in supporting budding yeast cytokinesis. Remarkably, the tail alone of budding yeast Myo1p localizes to the contractile ring, supporting both its constriction and cytokinesis. In contrast, fission yeast Myo2p and Myp2p require both the catalytic head domain as well as tail domains for function, with the tails providing distinct functions (Bezanilla and Pollard, 2000 ). Myo1p is the first example of a myosin whose cellular function does not require a catalytic motor domain revealing a novel mechanism of action for budding yeast myosin-II independent of actin binding and ATPase activity.
Relationship between insect density and plant damage for the golden loosestrife beetle, Galerucella pusilla, on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Abstract Assessing cause-and-effect relationships of weed biological control programs requires linking herbivore density with plant abundance. Spatial and temporal fluctuations in herbivore density, feeding niche and behavior, and anti-predator behavioral responses often make it difficult to count individuals directly. An alternative to direct counts is to estimate herbivore density indirectly from feeding damage. To apply the indirect approach, one must first establish the functional form of the density–damage relationship. We manipulated the density of adult and larval Galerucella pusilla on the target host plant, purple loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria ), and estimated damage to shoots in greenhouse and field-cage experiments to quantify the relationship between beetle density and plant damage. Insect densities were initially fixed for each treatment for adults (4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 beetles per plant) and larvae (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 64 larvae per plant) and subsequently allowed to vary due to mortality and emigration. Realized larval density (daily means averaged over a 14-day period) ranged from 3 to 48 larvae per plant across levels of the density treatment and adult density (daily means averaged over a 22-day period) ranged from 4 to 14 adults per plant. The relationship between damage and density was linear for adults on ln-transformed scales and linear for larvae on untransformed scales over the range of densities examined. Larvae damaged a mean leaf area of 0.23 cm 2 per individual per day (in the period between emerging from the egg stage and entering the pupal stage) and adults damaged a mean of 0.78 cm 2 per individual per day. Measures of percent damage using two rigorous methods (counting pixels of scanned images using a computer and counting cells on graph paper overlaid on the leaf image) were highly correlated with quick visual estimates of percent damage by an observer guided by precalculated leaf damage charts ( r = 0.84). These results indicate that plant damage is an increasing function of insect density and that visual estimates of leaf area damaged can be used to estimate G. pusilla beetle density for field populations below carrying capacity.
Panel discussion on using simulation to teach probability: words and deeds: panel: using simulation to teach probability, session 1: words, session 2: deeds

This panel has been put together to promote the use of simulation as a teaching tool to expedite the learning and, more importantly, the understanding of probability theory. "In a nutshell", the thesis upon which this panel is based is that the simulation approach is more effective than a mathematical approach on a stand-alone basis. It also dominates any statistical approach as a pedagogical tool.
Crosstalk between LXR and Toll-like Receptor Signaling Mediates Bacterial and Viral Antagonism of Cholesterol Metabolism.

The liver X receptors (LXR) α and β are regulators of cholesterol metabolism and determinants of atherosclerosis susceptibility. Viral and bacterial pathogens have long been suspected to be modulators of atherogenesis; however, mechanisms linking innate immunity to cholesterol metabolism are poorly defined. We demonstrate here that pathogens interfere with macrophage cholesterol metabolism through inhibition of the LXR signaling pathway. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 3 and 4 by microbial ligands blocks the induction of LXR target genes including ABCA1 in cultured macrophages as well as in aortic tissue in vivo. As a consequence of these transcriptional effects, TLR3/4 ligands strongly inhibit cholesterol efflux from macrophages. Crosstalk between LXR and TLR signaling is mediated by IRF3, a specific effector of TLR3/4 that inhibits the transcriptional activity of LXR on its target promoters. These findings highlight a common mechanism whereby bacterial and viral pathogens may modulate macrophage cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease.
Steroid hydroxylations in rat adrenal mitochondria III. The ATP-steroid-oxygen stoichiometry of ATP-dependent steroid hydroxylation

Abstract The energy—steroid—oxygen stoichiometry of ATP-dependent 11-deoxy-corticosterone hydroxylation was measured in tightly coupled rat adrenal mitochondria in the presence of KCN and rotenone. The substrate was β-hydroxybutyrate. The results indicate that one molecule of steroid is hydroxylated for each molecule of ATP utilized. It is concluded that in intact rat adrenal mitochondria the stoichiometry of the energy-linked transhydrogenase is one NADPH formed for each high-energy intermediate of oxidative phosphorylation consumed.
Progress in the Development of Scintillating Optical Fibers

Starting with 1 inch diameter PVT scintillator as a preform, the authors have drawn fibers of several diameters ranging from 1 to 4 mm. These fibers have been coated in line with the draw to form optical fibers. Several cladding materials whose index of refraction ranges from 1.35 to 1.55 have been used. The most successful fiber has been obtained with an extra thick (200 micron) cladding of silicone in combination with a linear draw, as opposed to a spool draw. This fiber is acceptable, but it is extremely fragile and its quality is difficult to control. The authors are currently constructing a 12 channel hodoscope with 1 mm spatial resolution using 4 mm diameter fibers. An account is also given of the progress made in using the Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) operated in the Geiger mode as the photo detector.
Movement of the velum during speech and singing in classically trained singers.

Summary The present study addresses two questions: (a) Is the action and/orposture of the velopharyngeal valve conducive to allow significant resonance during Western tradition classical singing? (b) How do the actions of the velo-pharyngeal valve observed in this style of singing compare with normal speech? A photodetector system was used to observe the area function of the velopharyngeal port during speech and classical style singing. Identical speech samples were produced by each subject in a normal speaking voice and then in the low, medium, and high singing ranges. Results indicate that in these four singers the velopharyngeal port was closed significantly longer in singing than in speaking samples. The amount of time the velopharyngeal port was opened was greatest in speech and diminished as the singer ascended in pitch. In the high voice condition, little or no opening of the velopharyngeal port was measured.
Symptomatic sacroiliac joint disease and radiographic evidence of femoroacetabular impingement

Symptomatic sacroiliac (SI) joint disease is poorly understood. The literature provides no clear aetiology for SI joint pathology, making evaluation and diagnosis challenging. We hypothesised that patients with documented sacroiliac pain might provide insight into the aetiology of these symptoms. Specifically, we questioned whether SI joint symptoms might be associated with abnormal hip radiographs. We reviewed the pelvic and hip radiographs of a prospectively collected cohort of 30 consecutive patients with SI joint pathology. This database included 33 hips from 30 patients. Radiographic analysis included measurements of the lateral centre edge angle, Tonnis angle, and the triangular index, of the ipsilateral hip. Evidence for retrotorsion of the hemipelvis was recorded. Hips were graded on the Tonnis grading system for hip arthrosis. In this cohort 14/33 (42%) of hips had evidence of significant osteoarthrosis indicated by Tonnis grade 2 or greater and 15/33 (45%) displayed subchondral cyst formation around the hip or head neck junction. In assessing acetabular anatomy, 21% (7/33) had retroversion, 12% (4/33) had a lateral centre edge angle >40° with 3% (1/33) >45°. Tonnis angle was <0° in 27% (9/33). Coxa profunda and acetabuli protrusio were present in 47% (17/33) and 3% (1/33), respectively. When femoral head morphology was assessed, 33% (11/33) showed evidence of cam impingement. Overall, 76% (25/33) had at least one abnormality on their hip radiograph. A significant number of patients meeting strict diagnostic criteria for SI joint pain had radiographic evidence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip arthrosis. The clinician should maintain FAI in the differential diagnosis when investigating patients with buttock pain.
Effect of ethephon on sweet cherry pedicel-fruit retention force and quality is cultivar dependent

Ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) is effectively used to promote development of the pedicel-fruit abscission zone in tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) for mechanical harvest. Our research program is investigating the use of ethephon to promote pedicel-fruit retention force (PFRF) reduction on new sweet cherry (P. avium) cultivars to assist mechanized harvest and its affect upon fresh market quality fruit. Ethephon treatments were made at different timings and rates to ‘Bing’ and ‘Chelan’ during the 2006 season. Ethephon applications to ‘Bing’ trees more than 10 days prior to harvest were effective at reducing PFRF and facilitating mechanical harvest, irrespective of rate (1.2, 3.5, 5.8 L ha−1 [1, 3, 5 pt A−1]). Ethephon applied fewer than 10 days prior to harvest did not reduce PFRF sufficiently. In contrast, no rate or timing of ethephon studied induced a reduction in ‘Chelan’ PFRF sufficient for mechanical harvest. Accompanying PFRF analyses, fruit quality was assessed by measuring firmness (g mm−1), soluble solids (oBrix), weight (g) and color (CTIFL, scale 1–7). Ethephon applied 22 days before harvest at a rate of 3.5 L ha−1 enhanced exocarp color in ‘Bing’ by 27%, while reducing firmness in both ‘Bing’ (−19%, 22 days prior to harvest) and ‘Chelan’ (−15%, 20 days prior to harvest). We observed a significant natural decline in ‘Skeena’ PFRF to levels acceptable for mechanical harvest. This research documents genotypic-specific pedicel-fruit abscission characteristics and the potential to facilitate mechanical harvest of fresh market quality sweet cherry fruit using ethephon.
The role of brain dopamine in response initiation: effects of haloperidol and regionally specific dopamine depletions on the local rate of instrumental responding

Two experiments were undertaken to investigate dopaminergic involvement in the local rate of responding on a fixed ratio 5 (FR5) instrumental lever pressing schedule. Rats were trained to press a lever for food reinforcement on a FR5 schedule, and a computer program was used to record the interresponse time (IRT) for each response. The IRT is the time between each lever pressing response, which is equal to the reciprocal of the local response rate. After several weeks of training, rats received i.p. injections of the dopamine antagonist haloperidol (HP; 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg). HP produced a dose-related decline in overall response number. In addition, HP dramatically altered the IRT distribution. HP-treated rats showed a dose-related reduction in the proportion of IRTs with low time values (high local rates of responding), and a corresponding increase in the relative number of IRTs with high time values (low local rates of responding). In the second experiment, the neurotoxic agent 6-hydroxydopamine was injected directly into the nucleus accumbens, medial neostriatum or ventrolateral neostriatum in order to determine the effects of DA depletion on lever pressing performance. Dopamine depletion in all regions significantly reduced lever pressing, and dopamine-depleted rats had substantial changes in their IRT distributions. Rats with dopamine depletions showed significant reductions in the proportion of IRTs with low time values, and increases in the relative number of IRTs with high time values. The greatest reductions in response number and the most pronounced alterations of the IRT distribution were shown by rats with ventrolateral neostriatal dopamine depletions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Membrane Electric Properties by Combined Patch Clamp and Fluorescence Ratio Imaging in Single Neurons

An experimental method has been established to measure the electric properties of a cell membrane by combination of patch clamp and dual-wavelength ratio imaging of a fluorescent potentiometric dye, 1-(3-sulfonatopropyl)-4-[beta[2-(di-n-octylamino)-6-naphthyl]vinyl ]pyridinium betaine (di-8-ANEPPS). Pairs of fluorescence images from the dye-stained membrane of neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells excited at two wavelengths were initially obtained to calculate ratio images corresponding to the resting transmembrane potential. Subsequently, a whole-cell patch was established and the membrane potential clamped to levels varying from -100 to +60 mV; at each voltage, a pair of dual-wavelength images were acquired to develop a calibration of the fluorescence ratio. Using this method, the resting potentials could accurately be measured showing that the differentiated cells were 17 mV more polarized than undifferentiated cells. The combination of electrical and optical methods can also follow changes in other membrane electric properties, such as dipole potential, and thus permit a detailed analysis of the membrane electrical properties underlying the voltage regulation of ion channels.
Characterization and comparison of local onset and remote propagated electrographic seizures recorded with intracranial electrodes.

Summary: Purpose: To compared the ictal discharge patterns between local onset and remote propagated electrographic seizures recorded with chronic intracranial electrodes. Methods: The electrophysiological data from 88 consecutive patients who underwent chronic intracranial EEG monitoring were retrospectively reviewed. The early and late discharge patterns of electrographic seizures at local onset and distant propagated sites were determined by blinded visual inspection and computerized analysis. Results: Four early and three late electrographic seizure patterns were observed at the local onset sites. The four early patterns consisted of a rhythmic discharge in the beta range (“beta buzz”), rhythmic alpha-theta activity, rhythmic sharp waves in the delta range, and an irregular spike discharge. The three distinct late-discharge patterns consisted of a late beta buzz, rhythmic sharp theta activity, and a rhythmic polyspike and wave discharge. At remote propagated sites, electrographic seizures could be divided into two different types according to their early discharge pattern. The first was unique to remote propagated electrographic seizures and consisted of a rhythmic theta-delta activity correlated with the concurrent activity at the local-onset site. The second remote initiation type consisted of patterns indistinguishable from the earlier discharge patterns recorded at the local onset site. Conclusions: The initial ictal discharge pattern recorded with intracranial electrodes can assist in differentiating local onset and remote propagated electrographic seizures, with rhythmic round theta-delta activity being unique to distant propagated sites. Nevertheless, the initial discharge of a subclass of remote propagated electrographic seizures consists of an independent pattern indistinguishable from that observed at local onset sites.
Translating insights from the cancer genome into clinical practice

Cancer cells have diverse biological capabilities that are conferred by numerous genetic aberrations and epigenetic modifications. Today's powerful technologies are enabling these changes to the genome to be catalogued in detail. Tomorrow is likely to bring a complete atlas of the reversible and irreversible alterations that occur in individual cancers. The challenge now is to work out which molecular abnormalities contribute to cancer and which are simply 'noise' at the genomic and epigenomic levels. Distinguishing between these will aid in understanding how the aberrations in a cancer cell collaborate to drive pathophysiology. Past successes in converting information from genomic discoveries into clinical tools provide valuable lessons to guide the translation of emerging insights from the genome into clinical end points that can affect the practice of cancer medicine.
Association of body mass index with hip and thigh pain following transobturator midurethral sling placement

Objective We sought to investigate the incidence of hip and proximal lower extremity pain following transobturator midurethral sling and evaluate the association between pain and body mass index (BMI). Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of all transobturator midurethral sling procedures from July 2008 through June 2009. The primary outcome was postoperative hip or proximal lower extremity pain. Results Four urogynecologists performed 226 procedures. The incidence of postoperative hip or proximal lower extremity pain was 15.5%. Women of normal BMI had a higher risk of developing pain than obese women (risk ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–6.22). While not statistically significant, overweight women were twice as likely as obese women to develop the primary outcome (risk ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–4.99). Conclusion Women of normal BMI have an increased risk of hip and proximal lower extremity pain following transobturator midurethral sling compared with obese women.
Individual foraging specializations in Marine mammals: Culture and ecology

Rendell and Whitehead argue persuasively that individual foraging specializations, if socially learned, are examples of cetacean culture. However, they discount ecological variation experienced by individuals within a population as a factor in such behavior. I suggest that ecological variation may play an important role in individual foraging specializations and describe several ecological parameters that may help us understand the high frequency of this interesting behavior in the marine habitat.
Anisotropic electronic and thermal transport properties of lightly oxygen-doped La2CuO4+δ

Abstract We track the systematic variation in magnetic susceptibility (χ), thermal conductivity (κ), anisotropic resistivity (ϱ), and thermoelectric power ( S ) of crystalline La 2 CuO 4+ δ as a function of light hole doping. The level of hole doping (δ) was carefully varied by anneals under controlled oxygen-partial-pressure performed in such a way that the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature T N ranged from 250 to 310 K. χ data indicate that increased oxygen hole doping acts to reduce T N below the δ = 0 value of 320 K. Anomalies are present in κ at T n that result from Cu spin fluctuations about the magnetically ordered ground state. Anomalies are also present in ϱ and S that occur at T N for air-annealed samples wherein T N = 250 K; when more lightly hole-doped so that T N >250 K, the anomalies in ϱ and S do not occur at T N , but instead occur at T 2 CuO 4+ δ , these transport anomalies may result from phase separation involving the diffusion of non-stoichiometric, excess oxygen.
3He-B in a realistic thin film: Current on a rough substrate

Abstract We calculate the supercurrent of B-phase superfluid3He confined to a film of thickness .3μ and resting on a highly diffuse substrate with a freestanding upper surface. We observe two distinct critical currents. The first critical current coincides with the abrupt vanishing of the gap component parallel to the direction of flow. The system retains global phase stability up to a second and final critical current. Comparison with results computed in the limit of a specular substrate shows crucial differences.
Cycle-by-cycle queue length estimation for signalized intersections using sampled trajectory data

Queue length estimation is an important component of intersection performance measurement. Different approaches based on different data sources have been presented. With the latest developments in vehicle detection technologies, especially probe vehicle technologies, use of vehicle trajectory data has become possible. In this paper, an improved method for queue length estimation for signalized intersections is proposed. This method is able to provide cycle-by-cycle queue length estimation for signalized intersections with sampled vehicle trajectories as the only input. The keystone of the entire approach is the concept of the critical point (CP), which represents the changing vehicle dynamics. A CP extraction algorithm is introduced to identify CPs from raw trajectories. Using the CPs related to queue formation and dissipation, the authors propose an improved queue length estimation method based on shock waves. The performance of this approach is evaluated with several data sets under different flow and s...
On Convergence to Infinity

By a metric mode of convergence to infinity in a regular Hausdorff space X, we mean a sequence \(\) of closed subsets of X with \(\) and \(\), and a sequence (or net) \(\) in X is convergent to infinity with respect to \(\) provided for each \(\) contains \(\) eventually. Modulo a natural equivalence relation, these correspond to one-point extensions of the space with a countable base at the ideal point, and in the metrizable setting, they correspond to metric boundedness structures for the space. In this article, we study the interplay between these objects and certain continuous functions that may determine the metric mode of convergence to infinity, called forcing functions. Falling out of our results is a simple proof that each noncompact metrizable space admits uncountably many distinct metric uniformities.
There's Safety in Numbers Creating a Campus Advisers' Network to Help Complainants of Sexual Harassment and Complaint Receivers

Virtually all universities and colleges have policies and procedures for dealing with sexual harassment, but most victims do not report their experiences to officials. At the heart of many victims' reasons for not reporting is concern about their safety. There are also safety concerns for persons receiving complaints. This article documents the efforts at one university to create a safer environment for victims to report their experiences. We discuss the creation and operation of the Sexual Harassment Advisers' Network, the benefits of networks in general and of the Sexual Harassment Advisers' Network in particular, and evaluate its success (and limitations) in creating a safer environment for both complainants and complaint-receivers.
Effects of cochannel speech on speaker identification

Past studies have shown that speaker identification (SID) algorithms that utilized LPC cepstral feature and a vector quantization classifier can be sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Many experiments have examined the effects of noise on the LPC cepstral feature. This work studies the effects of co-channel speech on a SID system. It has been found that co-channel interference will degrade the performance of a speaker identification system, but not significantly when compared to the effects of wideband noise on an SID system. Our results show that when the interfering speaker is modeled as one of the speakers within he training set, it has less of an effect on the performance of an SID system than when the interfering speaker is outside the set of modeled speakers.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Organ preservation for transplantation: Early breakthroughs

rgan preservation is an important element for the continuous improvement of transplantation. Since the early years of preservation science when there were no effective solutions for preservation except the Locke solution, initially suggested by Carrel as a “physiological balanced fl uid and to prevent the formation of clots,”1 there have been several important advances intended to improve preservation times. In this editorial, I analyze some of those early improvements that have enabled better transplant
Maintenance of pharmacologically-immature glutamate receptors by aberrant synapses in the chick cochlear nucleus

Abstract Surgical destruction of the otocyst in chick embryos prevents formation of the ear, abolishes normal cochlear input to the cochlear nucleus (nucleus magnocellularis, NM) and results in axons from the contralateral NM forming (in addition to their normal bilateral endings in nucleus laminaris, NL) a novel and functional aberrant projection to the deafferented NM. We studied the pharmacology of synaptic transmission at aberrant synapses in an in vitro preparation of the brainstem in chick embryos and hatchlings. Transmission at the aberrant synapses (as with cochlear nerve synapses in NM and NM synapses in NL) is blocked by the quinoxalinedione antagonists CNQX and NBQX, confirming the presence of excitatory amino acid receptors of the non-NMDA subtype. At cochlear nerve synapses in NM, the antagonist potency of NBQX normally decreases rapidly after embryonic day (E)18 (IC50 = 0.69 ± 0.06 μM, mean±S.E.M.), reaching an asymptotic value by E21 (IC50 = 2.7 ± 0.4 μM) that is maintained at least through posthatching day (P)14 (IC50 = 3.6 ± 0.3 μM). In the case of the aberrant endings, the potency of NBQX remained (from E21 [IC50 = 0.6 ± 0.1 μM] through at least P14 [IC50 = 0.5 ± 0.1 μM) at levels that are statistically indistinguishable from the E18 value for normal cochlear nerve synapses. Thus, our results indicate (1) that the non-NMDA receptors mediating synaptic transmission in NM normally undergo a developmental decrease in affinity for quinoxalinediones, (2) that the aberrant synapses remain in a pharmacologically-immature state with regard to their sensitivity to quinoxalinediones, and (3) that the failure of the aberrant synapses to undergo the normal changes in quinoxalinedione sensitivity suggest that cochlear nerve axons normalljy supply some influence necessary for maturation of the non-NMDA receptors in NM.
Influence of carbohydrate mouth rinsing on running and jumping performance during early morning soccer scrimmaging

Carbohydrate mouth rinse (CMR) is a novel method proposed to enhance endurance performance lasting ≤ 60 min. The current study examined the influence of CMR on anaerobic performance tasks in 11 collegiate female soccer players after an overnight fast. Athletes completed two experimental sessions, during which carbohydrate (CHO; 6% maltodextrin) or taste- and colour-matched placebo (PLA) mouth-rinse solutions were administered in a counterbalanced, double-blinded design. Three rounds of a 5-min scrimmage bout and series of performance tests including a single countermovement vertical jump (1VJ), a set of four consecutive vertical jumps, a 72-m shuttle run (SR72) and 18-m sprint comprised each trial. Thirst sensation (TS), session TS, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and session RPE were assessed as secondary outcomes. The first SR72 approached significance (p = 0.069), but no significant between-trials differences were observed for any of the mean performance tasks. The highest 1VJ scores did not differ for the first (CHO = 47.3 ± 3.4, PLA = 47.7 ± 3.5 cm; p = 0.43), second (CHO = 48.0 ± 4.1, PLA = 47.9 ± 3.5 cm; p = 0.82) or third bout (CHO = 47.4 ± 3.9, PLA = 48.1 ± 3.9 cm; p = 0.26). TS approached significance (p = 0.053) during the first bout. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found for any of the perceptual variables. Current results fail to support ergogenic influence of CMR on anaerobic performance tasks in collegiate female athletes.
Pyramidal flow stress of single crystal zinc

Abstract The pyramidal flow stress of single crystal zinc was determined over a temperature range of 77–298 K and a strain rate range of ∼10−5−10−1s−1. Tensile and strain-rate cycling tests were performed using bar-shaped grown single crystal specimens. The pyramidal flow stress is divided into two regions: low temperature thermally activated, and higher temperature athermally activated. Activation volume determination and the effect of temperature, strain rate, and dislocation density on flow stress has led to the conclusion that the thermally activated mechanism most likely controlling is the intersection of forest dislocations. The prediction of Friedel that the activation volume is inversely proportional to the cube root of effective stress was found to hold in form but was inconsistent in regard to the coefficient. However, by using the experimentally determined constants, it was possible to obtain reasonable comparisons between predicted and experimental flow stresses as a function of dislocation density with changes in temperature.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH

Since the days of Freud, the major focus in the field of mental health has been on the individual and on his personality. It is now time to start moving toward a better balance in emphasis between host and environmental factors (W.H.O., 1960). In order to achieve this, some research groups that focus more on the environment than on the personality are needed. This is a natural approach for those of us in Public Health; for we know all too well that it is primarily in those areas where we have identified specific environmental factors that contribute to disease and where these factors have been amenable to mass change, that substantial prevention has been accomplished. Such things as the purification of water supplies by sand filtration and chlorination and the elimination of anopheline mosquitoes with DDT spraying come to mind. One wonders what would happen if we could, over the next couple of generations, make as much progress in the hygiene of interpersonal and social relations as was made in the first half of this century in the hygiene of the physical environment. Lest we ramble, it is essential to define our terms and the basic problems at issue. This is difficult when the orientation is to the positive aspect of mental health, because the whole concept of positive health is elusive. Elsewhere (French and Kahn, 1962), we have laid out our views on this matter and enumerated a set of relevant concepts. These concepts vary greatly in their measurability. For example, self-esteem is now becoming measurable thanks to the development of the concepts of multiplicity of the dimensions of self-identity and the centrality of these dimensions (Sherwood, 1962). On the other hand, measurement techniques for such things as degree of integration of the personality, the level of interpersonal competence, or extent of adjustment are still in their infancy. It seems appropriate, then, to suggest that for the immediate future, most field studies should focus on the more measurable negative side which will, for convenience, be called the problem of mental health. Our conceptualization of this problem of mental health is laid out in FIGURE 1. In this figure are found the major host and environmental factors contributing to “Dis-Ease,” the various behaviors resulting from “DisEase,” and finally the nature of the treatment elicited by the relevant behavior. The continuum, “Dis-Ease,” has at one end, somatic illness, which is characterized by lesions visible with usual pathological techniques and is derived primarily from genetic defects, microbial invasion, exposure to toxic substances, etc. At the other end of the continuum is social maladjustment which is derived primarily from the interaction of personality with the social environment. The fact that they may each contribute to each other is emphasized by the two-headed arrow between them. Both
The effects of pyridine on the structure of B-COFs and the underlying mechanism

Previous work demonstrated the ability of a trace amount of pyridine to stabilize Covalent Organic Frameworks (COF)-5 and -10 in humid air. Pyridine was found to form a mixture of Lewis and Bronsted B[4] Py–B complexes in addition to the un-complexed B[3] sites in the framework structures. Further research has shown that higher doses of pyridine convert all remaining B[3] in COF-5/-10 to Lewis B[4] and bring about the total and irreversible structural decomposition of COF-5 and COF-10. The results suggest that the accumulated strain in the five-member rings of COF-5/-10 resulting from the formation of tetrahedrally-distorted B[4] sites at high pyridine loadings, may explain the decomposition of these structures. Alternatively, COF-1 is unstable to exposure to humid air at all pyridine loadings tried, but is not unstable to high doses of pyridine. Whereas the same tetrahedrally-distorted B[4] sites are formed in COF-1, in this case the six-membered B3O3 ring can accommodate the accumulated ring strain and retain an ordered structure. A thorough solid state NMR and molecular dynamics investigation has led to a new proposed stabilization mechanism in humid air based on the formation of Bronsted B[4].
Privacy in the Shadow of Nanotechnology

One of the more salient concerns about nanotechnology is the fear that it will harm privacy by collecting personal information and distributing it. This sentiment is complicated by the fact that the specific nanotechnologies that might affect privacy are located more in the near future than in the present, so our knowledge of them is more speculative than empirical. To come to terms with these issues, we will need both knowledge of the science – what is realistic and what is not – and a sense of the on-going discourses on privacy and technology that are likely to frame feelings about nanotech.
Geoenvironment: An Introduction

Geoenvironment: An Introduction looks at the geoenvironment not only from an environmental point of view but also in relation to social and economic factors and the perspective of human life. It is very important that global environment issues be looked at from socioeconomic and to some extent political points of view. The book is written in a way that nonhydrogeologists, nonenvironmental scientists and nonenvironmental engineers can understand the geoenvironment and its impact on human health and life. Theoretical concepts are kept to a minimum while the book conceptually links global contamination of the environment with human health. Based on his longtime experience with the United Nations on health issues, the author makes good efforts in treating the environment from the point of view of the individual's country. This is very desirable since different countries have different environmental policies and regulations as well as socioeconomic conditions. Rules and regulations in effect in developed countries may not be in effect in some third world nations.
Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus under stress

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen that survives exposure to stresses during growth in the human host, including oxidative and nitrosative stress, high temperature, hypoxia, and nutrient deprivation. There have been many genes implicated in resistance to individual stresses. Notably, the catalases do not have the expected role in resistance to external oxidative stress, but specific peroxidases appear to be critical for resistance to both oxidative and nitrosative stresses. Signal transduction through the HOG1 and calcineurin/calmodulin pathways has been implicated in the stress response. Microarray and proteomic analyses have indicated that the common responses to stress are induction of metabolic and oxidative stress genes, and repression of genes encoding translational machinery.
Determination of heptylphysostigmine in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

An analytical method was developed with sensitivity to detect clinically significant concentrations of heptylphysostigmine (HP), a new physostigmine derivative with potent and long-lasting inhibitory activity on cholinesterase. HP, an experimental drug for Alzheimer disease, was measured in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection with use of a normal-phase column and acetonitrile buffer containing tetrahydrofuran and sodium acetate, pH 4.6. The limit of detection of the method was 0.125 ng/ml using a 2-ml sample of plasma. Analytical recovery of HP was 53.04 ± 7.75% for plasma in the range 0.25–2.5 ng/ml. Stability studies conducted at 37°C indicated that the drug was stable in 1 M hydrochloric acid, 1 M hydrogen peroxide and sodium acetate-buffered solution at pH 4 for at least 6 h but at pH 7 it degraded slightly to 79% at 6 h and was unstable in 1 M sodium hydroxide with only 9% of the parent compound remaining at 30 s. HP was stable when exposed to ultraviolet light at 22°C or 100% relative humidity at 37°C, with almost 80 and 75% of the parent compound remaining after 4 and 28 days, respectively. HP was stable in plasma at 4°C for 0.25 h, and it slowly degraded to 56 and 28% of the original concentration by 1 and 2 h, respectively. HP was highly unstable in plasma at higher temperatures; at 22 and 37°C it degraded immediately to 48 and 36% of the original concentration and was not detected after 0.5 and 0.25 h, respectively.
Development of an animal model of solvent abuse for use in evaluation of extreme tricholoroethyylene inhalation

Abstract Self-intoxication by inhalation of vapors of trichloroethylene (TCE) and other solvents in widespread. In order to develop exposure protocols which typify episodes of TCE “sniffing”, male Wistar-Munich rats were exposed to TCE vapor levels ranging from 9000 to 16 000 ppm. TCE in concentrations of 14 000 ppm and greater quickly produced loss of righting reflex. Recovery from the narcosis was very rapid. Central nervous system (CNS) depression was found to be cumulative in rats subjected for 5 h to alternating periods of 5 min of 15 000 ppm TCE and 15 min of fresh air. Ethanol markedly potentiated depression in these subjects. No evidence of liver or kidney damage was seen in rats subjected to the repetitive 5-h TCE inhalation regimen, nor in rats fasted for 16 h before the TCE-exposure session. Oral admnistration of 5 ml/kg body wt of ethanol 1 h, 16 h, or once daily for 3 days before the TCE-exposure regimen had little if any potentiating effect on hepatorenal toxicity potential. Animals that received ethanol and were fasted before TCE exposure exhibited slight elevations in SGOT and SGPT levels.