cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological assessment as an objective tool to monitor treatment response in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis

We report a 1-year follow-up of a young woman with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. Management of autoimmune encephalitis remains challenging as objective and clinically relevant biomarkers are sought, which allow for the monitoring of treatment response. While further investigation is required, we believe that this case highlights the importance of following a comprehensive neuropsychological profile as a clinically relevant biomarker to guide therapeutic decision-making. By relying on the neuropsychological assessment of the patient, treatment with more toxic medications was avoided and her antiepileptic drug regimen was simplified.
DLIRS: Improving Low Inter-Reference Recency Set Cache Replacement Policy with Dynamics

As one of the state-of-the-art policies for buffer cache replacement, Low Inter-Reference Recency Set (LIRS) uses Inter-Reference Recency (IRR) to predict future access behaviors of blocks. With a static allocation of most cache space to low IRR blocks, it does not perform well in some LRU-friendly workloads. Inspired by the idea of dynamic cache space partitioning from another state-of-the-art policy, Adaptive Replacement Cache (ARC), we propose a new Dynamic LIRS (DLIRS) policy. The new policy uses a simple mechanism to perform an approximated online estimation on how well IRR predicts future access behaviors, and then dynamically adapts the space allocation of low IRR blocks against high IRR blocks. Experiments are performed on traces from the UMass Trace Repository as well as a synthetic trace drawn from a stack depth distribution. While sometimes LIRS outperforms ARC with a significant margin and sometimes vice versa, the new DLIRS policy consistently performs close to the winner between ARC and LIRS in all the cases.
Incorporating professional ethics into an introductory computer science course

We present our experience in integrating professional ethics into an introductory computer science course. The paper focuses on the ethics curriculum, assessment instruments and implementation results. Opportunities for upper-level courses, such as operating systems, cryptography, computer forensics, and bioinformatics are also discussed.
Amplification of 19q13.1–q13.2 sequences in ovarian cancer: G-band, FISH, and molecular studies

In this study of ovarian carcinoma, we extended previous findings by performing FISH using chromosome 19 paint and microFISH probes and patient samples with and without abnormalities of chromosome 19 identified by G-banding. Karyotype interpretations of der(19) were confirmed, while additional 19 translocations were also detected by FISH with 19WCP in some cases. Similar FISH studies of ovarian carcinoma cell lines found chromosome 19 abnormalities even after extensive in vitro culture. MicroFISH probes were generated by chromosome microdissection from two cases with hsr(19) and mapped to 19q13.2 and 19q13.1-.2, respectively. FISH with these microFISH probes alone or in combination with a 19WCP probe to four patient samples and seven cell lines showed that 65% of chromosome 19 structural abnormalities contained 19q13.1-q13.2 sequences, sometimes as large hsrs. Ovarian cancer cell lines showed amplification and overexpression of the AKT2 putative oncogene, but not the ERCC-2 DNA repair gene in this chromosomal region. In addition to AKT2, amplification and overexpression of other yet-unidentified genes in the 19q13.1-q13.2 region may contribute to ovarian carcinoma pathogenesis or progression.
Confidence intervals for resistance factors in geotechnical LRFD applications

Abstract Load and resistance factor design (LRFD) calibration studies in geotechnical engineering typically report resistance factors ( ϕ ) as fixed deterministic values. However, ϕ is based on a sample of measured and predicted resistances, so in reality the reported; i.e., “nominal” ϕ from a calibration study is an estimate of some underlying “true” ϕ , and as with any other statistic, ϕ is subject to variability arising from both intrinsic randomness and measurement uncertainty. The statistical uncertainty associated with finite sample size can be acknowledged by reporting confidence intervals for the parameter. In this study, confidence intervals for ϕ are calculated using both parametric and nonparametric bootstrap methodologies. These confidence intervals allow for a specific definition of precision for ϕ expressed in terms of the confidence interval coverage and the relative confidence interval width, and these parameters are directly related to sample size. By way of application, a set of charts for coverage and confidence interval width are provided, and the use of these charts is illustrated with selected data from published deep foundation reliability studies. The variability associated with ϕ goes to the very heart of reliability analysis and is significant for at least three reasons: (1) the variability may be linked to the sample size of the calibration study from which ϕ is derived, (2) the magnitude of variability provides a way to judge the quality of ϕ , and (3) by implication, the quality of ϕ affects interpretation of the probability of failure for an LRFD application. Thus, consideration of the confidence interval associated with ϕ provides insight into the probability of failure, which is the proper object of an LRFD resistance factor calibration study.
Physical Activity and Exposure in Breast Cancer Survivors Using GPS, GIS and Accelerometry

Research concerning how the built environment impacts behaviors linked to breast cancer has become of increased interest to public health researchers. Physical activity is a modifiable behavioral factor that can reduce breast cancer risk, cancer recurrence risk, and improve treatment effects by targeting biological mechanisms such as insulin resistance and inflammation. In order to improve population levels of PA, especially in vulnerable groups such as cancer survivors, it is essential to incorporate multiple levels of influence into interventions and analyses, including environmental contexts in which behaviors occur. In order to best measure and intervene on such behaviors, exposure and behavioral sciences have seen a rise in the use of more sensitive and accurate measurement methodologies, primarily using sensors like Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and accelerometers. When coupled with Geographic Information Science data, these three data sources result in dynamic exposure measures that can assess what environments individuals are exposed, where, for how long, and during what behaviors. In this chapter we present three examples of studies that have utilized GPS, accelerometry, and GIS data to better understand cancer risk, disparities, and related behaviors. The goal of the examples is to illustrate decision points that must be made when utilizing GPS data, demonstrate possible processing approaches, and highlight how GPS data can be used in conjunction with GIS and accelerometry to better understand behaviors within specific contexts.
Albeit ever more technological, there's no place like home.

Citation:Prero MY, Birnkrant DJ, Carter JC. Albeit ever more technological, there’s no place like home. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(7):999–1000.
Early trends and predictors of renal function following computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation of a renal mass in patients with and without prior renal impairment.

Abstract Objective: To assess trends and predictors of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after renal mass cryoablation in patients with and without history of renal impairment. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 39 patients who underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation of a renal mass, divided into two groups: those with prior renal impairment (PRI+); and those without prior renal impairment (PRI−). The GFR trend and the chronic kidney disease stage were evaluated at baseline, as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months after cryoablation. Predictors of GFR at 1 and 6 months were modeled with linear regression. Results: In both groups, the mean GFR at 1 month and 6 months was significantly lower than at baseline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Although the GFR was lower across all time points in the PRI+ group (−26.1; p < 0.001), the overall trend was not statistically different from that observed in the PRI− group (p = 0.89). Univariate analysis showed that the decline in GFR at 1 and 6 months correlated with the baseline GFR (0.77 and 0.63; p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively) and with the size of the ablation zone (−7.6 and −12.84, respectively; p = 0.03 for both). However, in the multivariate model, baseline GFR was predictive only of GFR at 1 month (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The trend in GFR decline after cryoablation is similar for patients with and without a history of renal impairment. Baseline GFR predicts the mean GFR in the early post-cryoablation period.
Impact of Viscoelastic Properties of Low Loss Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) on Reliability of WCSP Packages Under Drop Test

Reliability of electronic packages is a major concern as different failure modes are induced due to factors such as temperature cycling, mechanical stresses, and humidity. Finite element analysis (FEA) is often performed to assess reliability under different loading conditions such as thermal cycling, drop testing, power cycling and vibrational loads. Having accurate material property data is one of the key requirements to perform successful FEA study, and a significant amount of time and money is spent to perform accurate material characterizations. Lump modeling approach, where components are represented by a block and assigned effective properties, is commonly used to model printed circuit boards (PCBs) using their elastic properties. However, previous work done by Liu et. al. [1] has shown that viscoelastic properties of PCBs have a direct influence on dynamic characteristics of PCBs under drop impact. In this paper, the viscoelastic properties of PCBs made of low loss materials are characterized and used in finite element analysis to study reliability of wafer level chip scale packages (WCSP) under drop testing conditions. The wafer-level packaging is one of the advanced modern-day packaging techniques that is popular because it is lighter, smaller and less expensive. Low loss materials are used for high frequency applications as they provide improved electrical performance and have low dielectric constant. They also offer improved impedance control, low moisture absorption, and good thermal management. Megtron 6 board, type of low loss materials is characterized using Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Measurements at different frequencies are used to obtain a master curve for the complex modulus over a wide range of frequency. The master curve is used to obtain Prony series constants that are used in ANSYS Mechanical to perform reliability analysis under drop testing conditions. Using JEDEC standard JESD22-B111, an acceleration pulse of 1500 G was applied for a duration of 0.5 ms. The FEA results are used to compare the two cases where PCBs are modeled with and without the inclusion of viscoelastic properties. Results from the FEA simulations are observed to compare total deformation, equivalent strain and total acceleration of the package with and without viscoelastic properties of the board.
A Practical Approach to Assist Asthmatics to Lose Weight

Treating patients with obesity, particularly asthmatics, is a complex challenge that requires a unique and individually tailored approach. Obesity, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a body mass index of 30.0 kg/m2 or greater. It affects approximately 43% of adults and 19% of youth in America. It is a multifactorial disease and should be managed with the same intensity as any other medical problem, for it represents a risk factor for the onset and severity of asthma. Furthermore, it is a comorbid condition that exacerbates rhinosinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. Being obese also increases morbidity for cardio/cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, breast and bladder cancer, and migraines. Osteoarthritis, in particular, of the knees and hips, is also associated with obesity, and that too will complicate asthma by hindering a subject's mobility and ability to exercise. This paper reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiology of obesity, its effect on asthma, and practical strategies to achieve weight loss.
Cancer Clinical Trials: What Every Radiologist Wants to Know but Is Afraid to Ask

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to provide radiologists with a guide to the fundamental principles of oncology clinical trials. The review summarizes the evolution and structure of modern...
Lifelong Ulk1-Mediated Autophagy Deficiency in Muscle Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Contractile Weakness

The accumulation of damaged mitochondria due to insufficient autophagy has been implicated in the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle aging. Ulk1 is an autophagy-related kinase that initiates autophagosome assembly and may also play a role in autophagosome degradation (i.e., autophagy flux), but the contribution of Ulk1 to healthy muscle aging is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Ulk1-mediated autophagy in skeletal muscle aging. At age 22 months (80% survival rate), muscle contractile and metabolic function were assessed using electrophysiology in muscle-specific Ulk1 knockout mice (MKO) and their littermate controls (LM). Specific peak-isometric torque of the ankle dorsiflexors (normalized by tibialis anterior muscle cross-sectional area) and specific force of the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscles was reduced in MKO mice compared to LM mice (p < 0.03). Permeabilized muscle fibers from MKO mice had greater mitochondrial content, yet lower mitochondrial oxygen consumption and greater reactive oxygen species production compared to fibers from LM mice (p ≤ 0.04). Alterations in neuromuscular junction innervation patterns as well as changes to autophagosome assembly and flux were explored as possible contributors to the pathological features in Ulk1 deficiency. Of primary interest, we found that Ulk1 phosphorylation (activation) to total Ulk1 protein content was reduced in older muscles compared to young muscles from both human and mouse, which may contribute to decreased autophagy flux and an accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Results from this study support the role of Ulk1-mediated autophagy in aging skeletal muscle, reflecting Ulk1's dual role in maintaining mitochondrial integrity through autophagosome assembly and degradation.
Behavioral changes and hyperglycemia in NODEF mice following bisphenol S exposure are affected by diets.

Abstract Bisphenol S (BPS), an analogue of the controversial bisphenol A (BPA) that is found in epoxy resins and plastics, is a potential endocrine-disrupting chemical that can mimic endogenous hormone signaling. However, little is known about the behavioral or immunologic effects of BPS. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of diets in BPS-treated mice in relation to hyperglycemia, development of type 1 diabetes, immunomodulation, and behavioral changes. Adult male and female nonobese diabetic excluded flora (NODEF) mice were exposed to environmentally relevant doses of BPS (VH, 30, or 300 μg/kg BW) and fed either a soy-based diet, a phytoestrogen-free diet, or a Western diet. NODEF male mice fed a soy-based diet exhibited a decreased curiosity/desire to explore, and possibly increased anxiety-like behavior and decreased short-term memory when exposed to BPS (300 μg/kg BW). In addition, these mice had significant increases in non-fasting blood glucose levels along with increased insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose tolerance, resistance to fasting and proinflammation. Although BPS had little effect on the glucose parameters in NODEF male mice fed a Western diet, there were decreases in %CD24+CD5+ and %B220+CD40L–cell populations and increases in distance traveled during the novel object test, suggesting hyperactivity. NODEF females fed a phytoestrogen-free diet exhibited slight decreases in time spent immobile during the tail suspension test in both the 30 and 300 μg/kg BW dose groups along with increases in %CD4+CD8+ and %Mac3+CD45R+ cell populations, signifying increased hyperactivity and anxiety-like behavior. In conclusion, BPS-exposed NODEF mice exhibited sex and diet-related changes in hyperglycemia, behaviors and immune endpoints.
Prenatal phthalate exposure measurement: A comparison of metabolites quantified in prenatal maternal urine and newborn's meconium

Phthalates are chemicals suspected to adversely affect fetal neurodevelopment, but quantifying the fetal exposure is challenging. While prenatal phthalate exposure is commonly quantified in maternal urine, the newborn's meconium may better capture cumulative prenatal exposure. Currently, data on phthalates measured in meconium is sparse. We measured phthalate metabolites in 183 maternal second and 140 third trimester (T2, T3) urine, and in 190 meconium samples collected in an autism enriched-risk pregnancy cohort of 236 mothers. Eleven and eight metabolites were detected in over 90% of urine and meconium samples, respectively. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic metabolites were detected in both biosamples. Most urine phthalate metabolite distributions were similar between T2 and T3. Among metabolites detected in both biosamples, those of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate displayed a similar pattern in magnitude across metabolite type. Specifically, T2 creatinine adjusted distribution [median (25%, 75%)] of urine measured mono(2-ethylhexyl-carboxypentyl) (MECPP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) (MEHHP), and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) were 18.8(11.9, 31.4), 11.8(7.2, 19.1), and 8.9(6.2, 14.2) ng/mg. In meconium these were 16.6(10.9, 23.7), 2.5(1.5, 3.8), and 1.3(0.8, 2.3) ng/g, respectively. Metabolite-to-metabolite correlations were lower in meconium than urine, but patterns were similar. For example, correlation (95% CI) between mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and MECPP was 0.73 (0.66, 0.78), and between MEOHP and MEHHP was 0.96 (0.95, 0.97) in urine as compared to 0.10 (-0.04, 0.24) and 0.31 (0.18, 0.43) respectively in meconium. Correlations between same metabolites measured in urine and meconium were low and differed by metabolite and trimester. Correlation between MEHHP in urine and meconium, for example, was 0.20 (0.008, 0.37) at T3, but 0.05 (-0.12, 0.21) at T2. Our study provides evidence of general population-level prenatal phthalate exposure in a population at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders and supports the utility of meconium to measure prenatal phthalate exposure but provides little evidence of correlation with exposure measured in prenatal maternal urine.
Invited Review: Advances in rumen efficiency

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this review was to explain how advances in our knowledge of rumen microbial ecology provide opportunities to improve ruminal fiber degradation, decrease enteric methane production, and limit wastage of dietary protein without disrupting ruminal efficiency. Sources Peer-reviewed literature was the primary course of information reviewed. Synthesis As numbers of microbial taxa in the rumen have expanded in the past 10 yr, we have gained appreciation for why rumen efficiency is so variable among dietary situations and even among dairy cattle fed the same diets. In typical dairy rations with mixed forage and grain, the primary fibrolytics support a balanced community. However, that community can be disrupted and thus limit fiber digestibility or DMI unless forage quality and particle size along with RDP are maintained. Efforts to decrease enteric methane or improve the efficiency of dietary protein usage should appreciate the complexity of the microbial community to improve consistency of responses. Conclusions and Applications Many feeding practices indirectly influence the rumen microbial structure and function, and future opportunities for feed additives will likely be adjusted for likelihood of benefit using microbial sequence data.
Development of β-Si 3 N 4 for Self-Reinforced Composites

β-Si3N4 was obtained by the doping of a high-purity, commercial Si3N4 powder with 2 wt.% Y2O3. With additional processing the B-Si3N4 was used as seed material for the development of self-reinforcing microstructures in a Si3N4 composite, containing Al2O3 and Y2O3 sintering aids.
Analyses of Health Care Reforms in Uganda and Its Impact on Health Equity

Over the years, the Government of Uganda in collaboration with key stakeholders has initialed health policy reforms aimed at enhancing equity in health care. These including increasing access to health care, enhancing quality of care, efficiency in health care delivery and finally reduction in catastrophic health expenditures. The objective of the analysis was to synthesis the various health reforms that have been initiated and how they have affected health equity in the country. This report is based on a review of both published and unpublished reports from the government of Uganda, multilateral organizational reports including World Bank and World Health organization, commissioned studies by government and development partners. Notable findings include inequities due to limited supply of drugs and other pharmaceutical supplies, quality concerns and a lack of high impact interventions. Other findings include existence of cases of under-table payments, unsustainable out-of pocket payments which contribute towards high incidences of catastrophic health spending, dilapidated health infrastructure in many parts of the country, low morale among the health personnel, and low levels of spending by the government on health care. The reforms have however, contributed towards efficiency gains in terms of increased use of lower-level government facilities including health centers and concomitant reductions in the use of hospital services. The report recommends for increased investment in the health sector; systematic planning and implementation of policies by involving all key stakeholders; strengthening supply of essential medicines, rehabilitating of health infrastructure, provision of incentives to health personnel. Other recommendations include supporting the operations of community health insurance and other pre-payment schemes meant to caution the poor from health expenditure catastrophe. Similarly, political commitment in increasing government spending on health care in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2001 is recommended, while putting in place policies aimed at enhancing efficiency in health care delivery.
Approach to the Platelet Refractory Patient

Publisher Summary Rapid loss of transfused platelets observed in two or more consecutive platelet transfusions is termed “platelet refractoriness.” Hemorrhagic complications in thrombocytopenic patients with platelet refractoriness can be fatal. Furthermore, because these patients do not respond to platelet products, they typically receive a greater number of platelet transfusions, and therefore are usually exposed to a larger number of blood donors. The specialized types of blood products and testing that these patients may require are expensive and labor-intensive. If profound hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia persists, patients may need to remain hospitalized. Longer hospital stays for platelet refractory patients translate into both higher healthcare costs and additional complications such as nosocomial infections. Refractoriness to platelet transfusions is manifested by the absence of a significant and sustained rise in the platelet count following platelet transfusion. Loss of transfused platelets can occur by a variety of mechanisms including sequestration, consumption, or immune-mediated destruction. Immune-mediated destruction of platelets occurs in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and in response to drugs such as heparin or can arise following human leukocyte antigen (HLA) or platelet alloimmunization. The diagnosis of platelet refractoriness because of HLA alloimmunization is suggested by rapid loss of transfused platelets. The diagnosis is confirmed by identifying antibodies that react with HLA or platelet-specific antigens in a patient's serum. A history of pregnancy, PRBC or platelet transfusions, prior refractoriness to platelet transfusion, or transplantation increases the suspicion of alloimmune platelet refractoriness.
Specificity and Control of Choline–O-Sulfate Transport in Filamentous Fungi

Choline-O-sulfate uptake by Penicillium notatum showed the following characteristics. (i) Transport was mediated by a permease which is highly specific for choline-O-sulfate. No significant inhibition of transport was caused by choline, choline-O-phosphate, acetylcholine, ethanolamine-O-phosphate, ethanolamine-O-sulfate, methanesulfonyl choline, 2-aminoethane thiosulfate, or the monomethyl or dimethyl analogues of choline-O-sulfate. Similarly, no significant inhibition was caused by any common sulfur amino acid or inorganic sulfur compound. Mutants lacking the inorganic sulfate permease possessed the choline-O-sulfate permease at wild-type levels. (ii) Choline-O-sulfate transport obeyed saturation kinetics (K(m) = 10(-4) to 3 x 10(-4)m; V(max) = 1 to 6 mumoles per g per min). The kinetics of transport between 10(-9) and 10(-1)m external choline-O-sulfate showed that only one saturable mechanism is present. (iii) Transport was sensitive to 2,4-dinitrophenol, azide, N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoate, and cyanide. Ouabain, phloridzin, and eserine had no effect. (iv) Transport was pH-dependent with an optimum at pH 6. Variations in the ionic strength of the incubation medium had no effect. (v) Transport was temperature-dependent with a Q(10) of greater than 2 between 3 and 40 C. Transport decreased rapidly above 40 C. (vi) Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (sodium salts, pH 6) had no effect, nor was there any stimulation by metal or nonmetal ions. Cu(++), Ag(+), and Hg(++) were inhibitory. (vii) The initial rate at which the ester is transported was independent of intracellular hydrolysis. After long periods of incubation (> 10 min), a significant proportion of the transported choline-O-sulfate was hydrolyzed intracellulary. In the presence of 5 x 10(-3)m external choline-O-sulfate, the mycelia accumulated choline-O-sulfate to an apparent intracellular concentration of 0.075 m by 3 hr. Transport was unidirectional. No efflux or exchange of (35)S-choline-O-sulfate was observed when preloaded mycelia were suspended in buffer alone or in buffer containing a large excess of unlabeled choline-O-sulfate. (viii) The specific transport activity of the mycelium depended on the sulfur source used for growth. (ix) Sulfur starvation of sulfur-sufficient mycelium resulted in an increase in the specific transport activity of the mycelium. This increase was prevented by cycloheximide, occurred only when a metabolizable carbon source was present, and resulted from an increase in the V(max) of the permease, rather than from a decrease in K(m). The increase could be partially reversed by refeeding the mycelia with unlabeled choline-O-sulfate, sulfide, sulfite, l-homocysteine, l-cysteine, or compounds easily converted to cysteine. The results strongly suggested that the choline-O-sulfate permease is regulated primarily by repression-derepression, but that intracellular choline-O-sulfate and cysteine can act as feedback inhibitors.
Representing uncertainty in simple planners

In this paper, we present an analysis of planning with uncertain information regarding both the state of the world and the effects of actions using a Strips- or (propositional) ADL-style representation [4, 17]. We provide formal definitions of plans under incomplete information and conditional plans, and describe PLINTH, a conditional linear planner based on these definitions. We also clarify the definition of the term “conditional action,” which has been variously used to denote actions with context-dependent effects and actions with uncertain outcomes. We show that the latter can, in theory, be viewed as a special case of the former but that to do so requires one to sacrifice the simple, single-model representation for one which can distinguish between a proposition and beliefs about that proposition.
GLASS: A Distributed MHEG-Based Multimedia System

This paper is about GLASS, a distributed multimedia system that is currently under development. The multimedia department of the IBM European Networking Center in Heidelberg, Germany, participates in the project along with other industrial and university partners. GLASS is an acronym for Globally Accessible Services, expressing the system's wide range of possible applications. Interactive TV scenarios can be presented as well as multimedia applications for interactive learning and games for entertainment. Clients for standard telecommunications services like FAX and E-mail can be included as well as presentation components providing access to hypertext-oriented internet services like WWW. The system's components can be highly distributed using networks with TCP/IP. An application is driven by MHEG-encoded presentations that allow for the definition of sophisticated presentations. The system comprises multiple server and client components. All components can be operated on a mix of different platforms. Although running on different operating systems, all clients have the same look and feel which is defined completely by the MHEG presentation.
Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers

Founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1982, the Association of Psychology Internship Centers (APIC) was originally constituted as an informal group of psychologists involved in internship training. These trainers banded together for the purpose of sharing information about mutual problems. Over time, the organization expanded its mission to include postdoctoral training as well as internship training, and in 1992 it was renamed the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).
A complexity-of-strategic-behavior comparison between Schulze's rule and ranked pairs

Schulze's rule and ranked pairs are two Condorcet methods that both satisfy many natural axiomatic properties. Schulze's rule is used in the elections of many organizations, including the Wikimedia Foundation, the Pirate Party of Sweden and Germany, the Debian project, and the Gento Project. Both rules are immune to control by cloning alternatives, but little is otherwise known about their strategic robustness, including resistance to manipulation by one or more voters, control by adding or deleting alternatives, adding or deleting votes, and bribery. Considering computational barriers, we show that these types of strategic behavior are NP-hard for ranked pairs (both constructive, in making an alternative a winner, and destructive, in precluding an alternative from being a winner). Schulze's rule, in comparison, remains vulnerable at least to constructive manipulation by a single voter and destructive manipulation by a coalition. As the first such polynomialtime rule known to resist all such manipulations, and considering also the broad axiomatic support, ranked pairs seems worthwhile to consider for practical applications.
Prediction of Muscular Endurance (Work Performance) From Individual Differences in Initial and Post Training Increments in Static Strength

Forty college men were given tests for static strength and strength endurance prior to an isotonic strength training program. Experimental results indicate that individual differences in static strength are a poor criterion in the prediction of muscular endurance. Following an increase in static strength resulting from isotonic strength training pre-training static strength and post-training strength increments are not indicative of an individual's performance in a hand grip endurance activity.
Pain and analgesia following onychectomy in cats: a systematic review

Abstract Objectives To systematically review published studies evaluating pain associated with onychectomy in cats, and to assess the efficacy of the analgesic therapies applied. Databases used Four sources were used to identify manuscripts for review. Databases searched were those of the National Library of Medicine, EMBASE and CAB International. In addition, pertinent references in the bibliographies of included articles were retrieved. Results Twenty manuscripts published in refereed journals were reviewed. These included papers reporting 18 clinical trials and two studies conducted in conditioned research cats. Twelve analgesics were evaluated, including seven opioids, four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and one local anesthetic. Nine studies involved a direct comparison of analgesic agents. Limb use was abnormal when measured at 2 and 12 days following onychectomy, and neither fentanyl patch nor butorphanol administration resulted in normal use of the surgical limb. In another study, cats evaluated at 6 months after this surgery were not lame. Differing surgical techniques were compared in six studies; the results indicated that pain scores were lower after laser surgery than after scalpel surgery. The difficulties associated with assessing pain in cats and the lack of sensitivity of the evaluation systems utilized were highlighted in many of the studies. Huge variations in dose and dosing strategies had significant impacts on drug efficacy. Statistically significant differences among treatments were found in most studies; however, no clearly superior analgesic treatment was identified. A combination of meloxicam or robenacoxib with an opioid may provide more effective analgesia and should be evaluated.
Development of photovoltaic modules integrated with roofing materials (heat insulated roof panel)

The authors have started to develop low cost photovoltaic modules integrated with roofing materials for wooden houses. They made a concept of the design for the modules using amorphous silicon solar cells and produced test modules that consist of untempered surface glass, solar cells, waterproof sheet, heat insulating materials and base frames. They have primarily tested the distributed pressure resistance as a building component. When applying a load from the front surface side of the modules, a 3.6 mm deflection at the center of the specimen under 300 kg/m/sup 2/ load was observed, which is equivalent to a snowfall of 1.2 meters. As a result, they have finally confirmed that modules have enough structural strength to be used as a roof panel. They also tested the impact resistance of untempered surface glass by the testing method stated in J1S3212. In this test, cracks could not be seen from a height of 75 cm.
Environment-exposure-dependent fatigue crack growth kinetics for Al–Cu–Mg/Li

Abstract Fatigue crack growth rates (d a /d N ) in under and peak aged Al–Cu–Mg and Al–Cu–Li depend on environmental exposure given by water vapor pressure/loading frequency ( P H 2 O / f ) . The exposure dependence of d a /d N at constant stress intensity range exhibits four regimes, explained based on hydrogen environment embrittlement and three rate-limiting processes that are similar for each alloy and aging condition. Above a threshold environmental exposure (∼0.01 Pa s), impeded molecular flow governs increasing d a /d N at moderate water vapor exposures to 2 Pa s. At higher exposures, H diffusion limitation and surface reaction saturation reduce the d a /d N dependence on P H 2 O / f , with plateau response above ∼500 Pa s. Slip morphology rather than solute or phase reactivity per se controls d a /d N for low to moderate exposures, since identical slow growth rates are produced for shearable precipitate or cluster structures that each promote heterogeneous slip-band formation and {1 1 1}-faceted cracking. Alloy design for fatigue crack growth resistance depends on the environmental exposure and strength requirements of the application, as shown by the dramatic difference in d a /d N degradation due to peak aging, only for Al–Cu–Mg and only in the low P H 2 O / f regime.
Feasibility and behavioral effects of an at-home multi-night sleep restriction protocol for adolescents

Background: Sleep deprivation is common among adolescents and has been associated with adverse behavioral and educational outcomes. However, it is difficult to draw strong causal conclusions because of a dearth of experimental sleep research. In part, this appears related to methodological challenges when working with this population. This study tested the feasibility and behavioral effects of a multi-night, at-home experimental sleep restriction protocol in a sample of adolescents. Methods: Twenty healthy adolescents aged 13.9–16.9 years were enrolled in a three-week sleep manipulation protocol using a counterbalanced cross-over experimental design. The protocol included a baseline week, followed in random order by a short sleep week (Monday–Friday nights limited to 6.5 hours time in bed) and an extended sleep week (10 hours lights-out time in bed Monday–Friday nights). Sleep was monitored via self-report and objective actigraphy. These were reviewed with participants and parents on the Saturdays at the end of each week, when parents and participants also completed behavior rating questionnaires. Results: One participant dropped out of the study, but each of the remaining 19 displayed markedly less sleep in the short sleep condition than the extended sleep condition (average nightly gap ∼2.5 hours). Data also reflected indirect effects of sleep deprivation that are consistent with an increase in homeostatic sleep drive. Compared to the extended sleep week, parents during the short sleep week reported that the participants displayed significantly greater problems with sleepiness, attention, oppositionality/irritability, behavior regulation, and metacognition. Participant self-report results were similar, though less robust. Conclusions: A multi-night, at-home sleep manipulation protocol for use with adolescents is indeed feasible. This study also provided the first experimental evidence that chronic sleep restriction during adolescence is causally related to a wide range of behavioral deficits.
Analytic Relationships between Travel Time Reliability Measures

Travel time reliability is measured in various ways. Measures used in the transportation engineering field include the 90th or 95th percentile travel time, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, percent of variation, buffer index, planning time index, travel time index, skew statistic, misery index, frequency of congestion, and on-time arrival. Correlations and inconsistencies between these measures were observed on a case-by-case basis in past studies, without a full explanation or examination of the fundamental causes of such differing relationships. This paper analytically examines a number of reliability measures and explores their mathematical relationships and interdependencies. With the assumption of lognormal distributed travel times and the use of percent point function, a subset of reliability measures is expressed in relation to the shape parameter or the scale parameter of the lognormal distribution or to both. This process enables a clear understanding of the quantitative relationships...
The Role of Peer E-mail Support As Part of a College Smoking-Cessation Website

Background Helping young smokers to quit early in life substantially reduces the risk of later morbidity and mortality due to tobacco use. The RealU study demonstrated the efficacy of a smoking-cessation website for college students that incorporated both individually tailored feedback and peer e-mail support. The relationship between peer e-mail support and cessation outcomes among intervention participants is examined here. Methods This study was conducted at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities from Fall 2004 through Spring 2005. During the intervention period, peer-support students (E-pals) wrote weekly e-mails to intervention group participants ( n =257) encouraging healthy behaviors including smoking abstinence. Ten survey items assessed perceived E-pal supportiveness. The number of e-mails replies sent by the participants to their E-pal was tracked as a measure of e-mail engagement. The primary outcome was self-reported 30-day abstinence at the end of the intervention period. Results Over the course of the intervention, participants sent an average of 4.6 (SD=3.6) e-mails to their E-pals. Perceived E-pal support was significantly correlated with e-mail engagement ( p p p p Conclusions Greater peer engagement via e-mail was associated with increased smoking abstinence and reduced frequency of smoking. These findings suggest that online peer support may be an important strategy when delivering Internet-assisted cessation programs to young adults.
Streaming BDD manipulation

Binary decision diagrams (BDDs) are commonly used for handling Boolean functions because of their excellent efficiency in terms of time and space. However, the conventional BDD manipulation algorithm is strongly based on the hash table technique, so it always encounters the memory overflow problem when handling large-scale BDD data. This paper proposes a new streaming BDD manipulation method that never causes memory overflow or swap out. This method allows us to handle very large-scale BDD stream data beyond the memory limitation. Our method can be characterized as follows: (1) it gives a continuous tradeoff curve between memory usage and stream data length, (2) valid solutions for a partial Boolean space can be obtained if we break the process before finishing, and (3) easily accelerated by pipelined multiprocessing. An experimental result demonstrates that we can succeed in finding a number of solutions to a SAT problem using a commodity PC with a 64 MB memory, where as the conventional BDD manipulator would have required a 100 GB memory. BDD manipulation has been considered as an intensively memory-consuming procedure, but now we can also utilize the hard disk and network resources as well. The method leads to a new approach to BDD manipulation.
The properties of some covariance matrix estimators in linear models with AR(1) errors

Abstract A Monte Carlo study is used to demonstrate how poor some traditional covariance matrix estimators can be in linear models with AR(1) errors. It is also shown that a second-order approximation suggested recently by Ullah et al. (1983) does not lead to a more accurate covariance matrix estimator.
Analysis of Alignment Errors in a Laser-Based In-Process Cylindricity Measurement System

Analyse des defauts d'alignement d'un systeme pour la mesure par laser de la cylindricite en cours d'usinage
Adhesion Between Thin Cylindrical Shells With Parallel Axes

Energy principles are used to investigate the adhesion of two parallel thin cylindrical shells under external compressive and tensile loads. The total energy of the system is found by adding the strain energy of the deformed cylinder, the potential energy of the external load, and the surface energy of the adhesion interface. The elastic solution is obtained by linear elastic plate theory and a thermodynamic energy balance, and is capable of portraying the measurable quantities of external load, stack height, contact arc length, and deformed profile in the reversible process of loading-adhesion and unloading-delamination. Several worked examples are given as illustrations. A limiting case of adhering identical cylinders is shown to be consistent with recent model constructed by Tang et al. Such results are of particular importance in modeling the aggregation of heterogeneous carbon nanotubes or cylindrical cells, where the contacting microstructures have a different radius and/or bending stiffness.
HRRY-spectral and related terms: A refined nomenclature for high repetition rate hyperspectral systems

Abstract As spectroscopists researching combustion via a variety of hyperspectral sensors, the authors have a recurring need to precisely and consistently describe and contrast high acquisition rate multiwavelength sensing systems. This technical note reviews eight measures of spectroscopic systems that allow their quantitative characterization and comparison, irrespective of sensing region, technology, or application. Nine case studies of commercial spectroscopic systems, drawn from a variety of disciplines, illustrate the application of these measures. Particular attention is given to the spectral data rate ( N ) Which combines spectral and temporal measures into a single theoretical performance measure. The spectral data rate allows the comparison of the commercial systems to each other and the Fourier limit. Finally, the term ‘HRRY-Spectral’ – High Repetition Rate hyperSpectral – is introduced to describe spectroscopic systems offering higher spectral data rates than their peers.
The velocity autocorrelation function of a finite model system

We investigate in detail the dependence of the velocity autocorrelation function of a one-dimensional system of hard, point particles with a simple velocity distribution function (all particles have velocities ±c) on the size of the system. In the thermodynamic limit, when both the number of particlesN and the length of the “box”L approach infinity andN/L → ρ, the velocity autocorrelation functionψ(t) is given simply by c2 exp(−2ρct@#@). For a finite system, the functionψN(t) is periodic with period 2L/c. We also show that for more general velocity distribution functions (particles can have velocities ±ci,i = 1,...),ψN(t) is an almost periodic function oft. These examples illustrate the role of the thermodynamic limit in nonequilibrium phenomena: We must keept fixed while letting the size of the system become infinite to obtain an auto-correlation function, such asψ(t), which decays for all times and can be integrated to obtain transport coefficients. For any finite system, ourψ N (t) will be “very close” toψ(t) as long ast is small compared to the effective “size” of the system, which is 2L/c for the first model.
The Spark Spectra of Silver and Palladium (Ag II and Pd II)-An Extension

An attempt was made to excite the $4f$ electron spectrum of Ag II in the Sch\"uler tube with helium. Failure is discussed assuming the excitation process Ag normal atom+${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$. Some little extension was made to the lower spectrum. The Sch\"uler tube was also used to extend the $4{d}^{8}6s$ and $5d$ configurations of Pd II. About forty terms were added. A complete list of lines arising from high levels is given.
Fast algorithm for computing a primitive 2 p+1 pth root of unity in GF[(2 p -1) 2 ]

A Quick method is developed to find an element or order 2p+1p in the finite field GF(q2), where q = 2P−1 is a Mersenne prime. Such an element is needed to implement complex integer transforms of length 2kp over GF(q2 where 3 ≤ k ≤ p + 1.
MyABDAC: compiling XACML policies for attribute-based database access control

Attribute-based Access Control (ABAC) based on XACML can substantially improve the security and management of access rights on databases. However, existing implementations rely on high-level policy interpretation and are not as efficient as mechanisms natively supported by commodity databases. In this paper we explore advantages and challenges arising from compiling XACML policies for database access into Access Control Lists (ACLs) natively supported by the database. The main contributions are an architecture and algorithms for efficiently addressing incremental changes in attributes that could trigger changes to the ACLs. We consider this in a context of reflective database access control where attributes used in access decisions are stored in the database itself. Our implementation and experiments demonstrate a significant improvement in access decision times compared to the best available optimizations for general XACML access engines.