cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low temperature heat capacity study of superconducting ternary silicides with the Sc5Co4Si10-type structure

Abstract Results of low temperature specific heat experiments on three compounds, Sc 5 Co 4 Si 10 , Sc 5 Rh 4 Si 10 and Sc 5 Ir 4 Si 10 which are superconducting with critical temperatures of 4.75, 8.25 and 8.49 K, respectively, are given. Analysis of the data yields relatively large Debye temperatures (400–600 K) plus enhanced electronic density of states and electron-phonon interaction parameters (λ). Based on McMillan's formalism, these compounds are intermediate-coupled superconductors with values of λ ranging from 0.47 to 0.62.
Use of Bayes' theorem and the beta distribution for reliability estimation purposes

Abstract The aim of a reliability group is to establish the product reliability level prior to volume shipment, then regularly measure reliability throughout the product lifetime. This will provide the producer with a level of confidence about his process and the expected performance level of its products. Using information gained from testing, reliability can be closely monitored and appropriate control measures put in place. However, when product reliability is high, lot acceptance type sampling requires very large sample sizes to uncover defective units. Testing large sample sizes therefore becomes a very lengthy task that utilises most of the test capacity. The effect of this is that fewer tests can be carried out and products cannot be tested as regularly as one would like. This means the producer runs the risk of shipping products in which he has little confidence. To use only current products to perform statistically sufficient tests is often impractical, hence the need to use past experience in drawing conclusions on current products. By applying classical statistical theory, current products are required to be used each time a test is carried out, which therefore makes testing a very lengthy task as no prior knowledge has been used as part of the decision making process. The answer to the problem is to use a more appropriate statistical approach for sample testing. One which fits the bill well is the Bayesian procedure using beta priors, enabling the amount of testing required to be minimised to a level which still allows the producer to draw valid statistical inferences from his test data.
Improved synthesis of (η5-CpR)M(CO)4 compounds and the Nujol matrix photochemistry of (η5-C5H5)M(CO)4 and (η5-C9H7)M(CO)4, where M=Nb and Ta

Improved preparative routes for cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and substituted Cp(CO) 4 derivatives of niobium and tantalum and their precursors are described. New compounds are fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of five compounds were determined: (vinylCp)Nb(CO) 4 : triclinic, P i, a =6.770(1) A, b =6.937(1) A, c =12.706(2) A, α =90.42(1)°, β =91.07(1)°, γ =105.560(8)°, V =574.71(12) A 3 , Z =2, R ( F )=2.82; (acetylCp)Nb(CO) 4 : monoclinic, P 2 1 / c , a =10.316(2) A, b =14.490(3) A, c =7.957(3) A, β =94.68(2)°, V =1185.4(4) A 3 , Z =4, R ( F )=2.58; (Cp)Ta(CO) 4 : orthorhombic, Pnma , a =7.756(1) A, b =12.159(2) A, c =10.580(1) A, V =997.7(2) A 3 , Z =4, R ( F )=2.60; (indenyl)Ta(CO) 4 : monoclinic, P 2 1 / n , a =6.602(2) A, b =12.399(1) A, c =7.4775(9) A, β =92.05(2)°, V =611.2(2) A 3 , Z =2, R ( F )=3.05; and (benzoylCp)Ta(CO) 4 : monoclinic, P 2 1 / c , a =12.552(10) A, b =6.5247(2) A, c =18.4682(2) A, β =98.9152(4)°, V =1494.24(5) A 3 , Z =4, RF )=2.83 are reported. Photolysis of CpMCO) 4 and indenyl)MCO) 4 , where M=Nb and Ta, in Nujol glass matrices were found to result in loss of one to three CO ligands as a function of the wavelength of the incident light. Annealing or reverse photolysis resulted in reversal of these CO-loss reactions.
Key Technologies Research of Load Regulation of Central Air-Conditioning Based on the Demand Response

In recent years, the rapid growth of the air conditioning load has become the most important reason of the seasonal power shortage. It has great significance to adjust the air conditioning load for changing the load curve of commercial users and realizing the power grid load shifting. In order to achieve the optimal allocation of resources and improve efficiency of using electricity that make the central air conditioning run efficiently, it needs to study the key technologies of load regulation and management of energy efficiency about the central air-conditioning.
Loosening the regulatory ratchet: a grassroots view of environmental deregulation

The findings reported point to three principal conclusions. First, the Reagan administration has been quite successful in altering the behavior of federal surface-mining inspectors. Both the rate of enforcement and ticket writing dropped considerably in 1981-1982. Second, attitudes did not change to any appreciable extent between 1980 and 1982. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) inspectors remained surprisingly resilient in their views and attitudes toward energy and the environment, state-level counterparts, and the coal industry as a whole. For all practical purposes, OSM inspectors have not embraced regulatory reform, despite the fact that their behavior has been altered by the Reagan appointed OSM leaders. Third, state-federal orientations have not converged under the new leadership at Interior. 11 references, 4 tables.
Systems engineering for automation of a large power station

Steam electric power stations tend to be more powerful, more valuable, and more complex with each new design. The utility systems engineer is, consequently, in continual search of better techniques in design, construction, and operation. Considered here are the means which may be used in designing an automated plant control system to assure optimum integration of man and machine for greatest operating reliability
Malignant potential of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas are rare malignant lesions of the pancreas that typically occur in young women. Large series from any one centre are notably absent in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine long-term outcomes of operative therapy. Methods The records of all 14 patients diagnosed with pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas over 17 years were reviewed. Results Thirteen of the 14 patients were female and the mean age at diagnosis was 30 years. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm was suspected in only half of these patients before operation. On computed tomography, ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, three lesions were solid, three were largely cystic, and five had solid and cystic components. All 14 patients underwent surgical exploration and curative resections were possible in 13, including distal pancreatectomy in nine, pancreaticoduodenectomy in three and resection of a local intraperitoneal recurrence in one patient. After follow-up ranging from 3 months to 20 years, 12 patients were alive, including one who had undergone re-exploration and resection of local and subcutaneous recurrences 9 years previously. Conclusion Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any solid or partly cystic pancreatic mass in women aged less than 35 years. An attempt at en bloc resection without formal lymphadenectomy should be undertaken, including resection of synchronous or metachronous distant metastases.
Halving of the pulse due to severe alternans (pulsus bisectus)

Abstract A striking case of pulsus alternans with alternating disappearance of the pulse is described. The names "halving of the pulse" or pulsus bisectus are suggested for this phenomenon. The electrokymographic tracings revealed alternans of the entire left ventricle and of the pulmonary pulse, and "halving" of the aortic pulse.
Built-in generation of functional broadside tests considering primary input constraints

This paper describes a method for built-in generation of functional broadside tests for a circuit that is embedded in a larger design, taking functional constraints on its primary input sequences into account. The constraints are captured by functional input sequences of the design. Specifically, the peak switching activity in the circuit under the functional input sequences is used to bound the switching activity during on-chip test generation.
Subretinal Neovascularization Following Rubella Retinopathy

A 17-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl with rubella retinopathy had decreased vision in one eye secondary to subretinal neovascularization and hemorrhage. In both cases a disciform scar with permanent decrease in central vision resulted.
Semiparametric Smooth Coefficient Models

In this article, we propose a semiparametric smooth coefficient model as a useful yet flexible specification for studying a general regression relationship with varying coefficients. The article proposes a local least squares method with a kernel weight function to estimate the smooth coefficient function. The consistency of the estimator and its asymptotic normality are established. A simple statistic for testing a parametric model versus the semiparametric smooth coefficient model is proposed. An empirical application of the proposed method is presented with an estimation of the production function of the nonmetal mineral industry in China. The empirical findings show that the intermediate production and management expense has played a vital role and is an unbalanced determinant of the labor and capital elasticities of output in production.
Unique Estrogenic Mechanisms for Unique Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons?

The history of studies of mechanisms of estrogen action in the brain is filled with at least two periods of intense dogmatic beliefs. These include thinking that a single type of cytoplasmic, unliganded estrogen receptor (ER) bound ligand and moved to the nucleus after activation (1), to thinking that all ERs were located in cell nuclei even in the unoccupied state (2). The dogma of cytoplasmic vs. nuclear distribution began to die in the early 1990s with the recognition of a more widespread intracellular distribution (3), and the single ER concept died later in the 1990s with the discovery of ER-β (4). The current state of affairs was well summarized recently (5,6) as a situation in which a plethora of proteins localized from plasma membrane to nuclei has the potential to bind estrogens and initiate diverse signal transduction pathways.
Cuba Today and Tomorrow: Reinventing Socialism By Max Azicri. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2000. 396p. $55.00 cloth, $24.95 paper.

Max Azicri writes with acumen on the Cuban revolution in the very different decades of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and he offers an insightful assessment of the changes and challenges of the 1990s. His objective is to answer the puzzle of what he calls the “Cuban miracle”: the island's surprising survival in the face of the deep economic crisis associated with the collapse of the socialist bloc and the ongoing “punitive” policies of the United States. Azicri is not the only scholar to attempt an interpretation of Cuba in the 1990s. Susan Eckstein (Back from the Future: Cuba Under Castro, 1994), Ken Cole (Cuba: From Revoution to Development, 1998), Julia Jatar-Hausman (The Cuban Way: Capitalism, Communism, and Confrontation, 1999), and Robin Blackburn, (“Putting the Hammer Down on Cuba,” New Left Review, July-August 2000 (4): 5–36) are among those who have examined the nexus of Cuba's past and future in the post–Cold War context. An explosion of travel writing also demonstrates the intrigue of contemporary Cuba, as does the list of new detective thrillers—some of them bestsellers—with a Cuba setting. Azicri's book has a distinctive place in this literary landscape.
Influence of iron-chelated growth conditions on outer membrane protein production and virulence of Vibrio tubiashii

Abstract Growth of two Vibrio tubiashii strains under iron-chelated conditions resulted in the production of a hydroxymate-like siderophore, and expression of outer membrane proteins with homologies to proteins in Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus which were not seen in cells grown under non-chelated growth conditions. PCR analysis using primers based on Listonella anguillarum ’s ferric uptake Repressor protein ( fur ) gene detected a 316 bp fur gene homolog which also had sequence homology to the fur genes of V . cholerae and V . vulnificus . V. tubiashii cultured under iron-chelated growth conditions induced a greater fluid accumulation (FA) response in suckling mice than cells which were cultured under iron non-chelated growth conditions. Our observations that V. tubiashii possesses a fur -like gene homolog and expresses unique OMPs, a hydroxymate-like siderophore, and produces an increased fluid accumulation response in suckling mice when grown under iron-chelated condition support previous findings that V. tubiashii may have the essential components for the survival and establishment of infections and this report represents the first observations of competent iron acquisition system in V. tubiashii which is similar to those produced by other marine vibrios, many of which are pathogenic for humans.
The impact of ward dynamics on psychiatric consultation and liaison.

Abstract This article has examined the particular characteristics of several medical and surgical services as they affect interaction with psychiatric services. Two central themes have emerged. The first is that physicians in various specialties have different types of commitments to their patients. All are committed to the healing process and request psychiatric consultation when the patient's mental status endangers the healing process. When the danger is less serious, the overall responsibility the doctor feels for his patient, which depends to a large extent on the length and intensity of the doctor-patient relationship, influences the level of his interest in the patient's psychosocial status. Responsibility for management of psychiatric problems often falls on nonphysician staff members. The second theme is that each service has an individual combination of staff personalities, distribution of responsibility amount disciplines, and adminstrative structure. These influence the nature of the C-L work that can be done. A particular liaison intervention cannot be effective in all ward climates and will continue to be disappointing to the C-L staff which provides it. Liaison activities must be designed for the milieu of the specific ward. Teaching should be directed toward the individuals who need and appreciate it most, be they nurses on one ward, social workers on another or physicians on the third.
Microwave heating of carbon-coated ceramic fibres: A mathematical model

The microwave heating of a thinly carbon-coated ceramic fibre is modelled and analysed in the small Biot number regime. The electric field is assumed known and uniform throughout the cross-section, and constant along the axis of the cylinder. The mathematical model consists of a nonlinear heat equation with an idealized source term that models the thin carbon coating and simplified reaction kinetics. The analysis yields an asymptotic approximation of the heating process on two time scales. The first captures the initial heating of the carbon coating and the ceramic, and the carbon reaction, while the second determines the long time behaviour of the sample. The results show a qualitative relationship between the coating thickness and the final temperature of the fibre. If the coating thickness is not uniform along the fibre axis, then the model explains the mechanism for the formation and propagation of hot-spots.
Cooperative Spectrum Sensing via Belief Propagation in Spectrum-Heterogeneous Cognitive Radio Systems

In a heterogeneous cognitive radio system, different secondary users may suffer from different activities of primary user, thus making a joint cooperative spectrum sensing difficult. However, there typically exists strong correlation among secondary users located close to each other, which can substantially benefit the spectrum sensing. To leverage the correlation, belief propagation (BP) is applied for cooperative spectrum sensing in heterogeneous cognitive radio systems. Simplifications and assumptions are proposed to facilitate the message computing and passing in BP. Numerical results show that the BP based cooperative spectrum sensing can significantly improve the performance over single-user spectrum sensing using only a few iterations. Simulation also shows that the performance is insensitive to the knowledge of mutual distance between secondary users, as well as the number of bits used to quantize beliefs, the communication range and packet loss.
The Chemistry and Physics of Molecular Surfaces

This article reviews the results of several recent experiments performed in our laboratory designed to elucidate the fundamental chemical and physical properties of clusters of both transition metals and other refractory elements containing from one to several hundred atoms. The gas-phase reactivity of clusters towards a variety of reagents is explored using a fast-flow reactor system. Strong cluster size-dependent variations in reactivity are observed, especially for the case of hydrogen chemisorption. Measurement of cluster photoionization thresholds (IPs) provides a sensitive probe of the evolution of cluster electronic structure as a function of the number of constituent atoms.
A model of adolescents' online consumer self-efficacy (OCSE)

Abstract This paper investigates adolescent online shopping and self-efficacy development in the virtual setting. The authors present and test a model of antecedents and mediators to two dimensions of online consumer self-efficacy. Additionally, a discriminant analysis finds that more involved adolescent online shoppers can be differentiated from less involved online shoppers on key variables of interest–shopping motivations, self-efficacies, shopping behaviors, and relative influence in household decision-making.
Volume changes associated with hydrolysis of ATP by teleost branchial (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on branchial NaK-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activities of Scorpaena guttata (shallow-water fish) and Anoplopoma fimbria (deep-water fish) were used to calculate volume changes that occur during catalysis. The apparent activation volumes (ΔVs) of the NaK-ATPase, determined at test pressures between 68 and 340 atm, were positive and not significantly different in the two species. ΔV for the Mg-ATPase of S. guttata was also positive but significantly lower than the ΔV value for the NaK-ATPase. Negative values for ΔV were obtained for the Mg-ATPase of A. fimbria. Solubilization of the enzymes from gill microsomes of A. fimbria with Lubrol WX had no effect on ΔVs. NaI treatment of gill microsomes resulted in significant changes in ΔV for both enzymes in A. fimbria and in the Mg-ATPase of S. guttata. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on Kmfor ATP was used to estimate apparent ATP binding volume (ΔVbind.). The Km values obtained at 1 atm for the Mg-ATPase and NaK-ATPase of A. fimbria (0.030 and 0.043 mM, respectively) were approximately an order of magnitude lower than those of S. guttata(0.24 and 0.28 mM, respectively). High hydrostatic pressure (340 atm) produced an increase in Km in the NaK-ATPase of both species, indicating that ΔVbind. is positive. The Km of the Mg-ATPase in S. guttata was relatively insensitive to pressure (small positive value for ΔVbind.) where it decreased at high pressure in A. fimbria, yielding a large negative value for ΔVbind..
Failing to thrive

In an essay about both her grandmother and her experience as a physician, Dr. Lisa Rosenbaum discusses providing end-of-life care to patients with failure to thrive.
Interactive presentation: PowerQuest: trace driven data mining for power optimization

We introduce a general framework, called PowerQuest, with the primary goal of extracting "interesting" dynamic invariants from a given simulation-trace database, and applying it to the power-reduction problem through detection of gating conditions. PowerQuest adopts machine-learning techniques for data mining. The advantages of PowerQuest in comparison with other state-of-the-art Dynamic Power Management (DPM) techniques are: 1) Quality of ODC conditions for gating 2) Minimization of extra logic added for gating. We demonstrate the validity of our approach in reducing power through experimental results using ITC99 benchmarks and real-life microprocessor test cases. We present up to 22.7 % power reduction in comparison with other DPM techniques.
An Initial-Value Theory for Fredholm Integral Equations With Semidegenerate Kernels

The Fredholm integral equation where the kernel is semidegenerate has many applications. The solution of this integral equation may be studied as a function of the upper limit of integration x, while t remains fixed. It is shown that the solution satisfies an initial-value problem. This reformulation is well suited to numerical solution by analog and digital computers.The present paper is one of a series on initial-value methods for Fredholm integral equations. Its considerations are of practical significance since an arbitrary kernel may be approximated by a degenerate kernel to a desired degree of accuracy using standard techniques. Furthermore, the important cases in which the kernel is a Green's function and in which the integral equation is a Volterra equation are both covered by this treatment.
The Novacco Anger Scale and Jenkins Activity Survey as predictors of cardiovascular reactivity

This study investigated the relationship among anger, the Type A construct, and cardiovascular reactivity. The Novacco Anger Scale and the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) were used to measure anger proneness and Type A characteristics, respectively. Twenty-four college males were selected from the upper and lower quintiles of the JAS distribution. During the study, the subjects were exposed to varying levels of experimentally induced challenge, while measurements were taken of heart-rate and blood-pressure changes. The results showed a modest but significant correlation between scores on the Novacco Anger Scale and the JAS. More importantly, scores on the Novacco Anger Scale correlated significantly with heart rate and systolic blood pressure under all challenge conditions, while those on the JAS were unrelated to cardiovascular excitability. These results raise questions about the usefulness of the JAS as a predictor of CHD risk. They are also consistent with the beliefs of other investigators that anger and hostility are the most important Type A behaviors in predisposing patients to coronary heart disease. Additional implications of the study are discussed.
Improving rotational isomeric state theory for application to mechanical properties prediction

Rotational isomeric state (RIS) theory has long been used to predict mechanical response trends in polymeric materials based on the polymer chain conformation it addresses. Successful adaptation of this methodology to the prediction of elastic moduli would provide a powerful tool for guiding ionomer fabrication. Recently, a multiscale modeling approach to the material stiffness prediction of ionic polymer has been developed. It applies traditional RIS theory in combination with a Monte Carlo methodology to develop a simulation model for polymer chain conformation on a nanoscopic level. A large number of end-to-end chain lengths are generated from this model and are then used to estimate the probability density function which is used as an input parameter to enhance existing energetics-based macroscale models of ionic polymer for material stiffness prediction. This work improves this Mark-Curro Monte Carlo methodology by adapting the RIS theory in a way to overcome early terminations of polymer chain while simulating the conformation of polymer chains and thus obtains more realistic values of chain length. One solvated Nafion ® case is considered. The probability density function for chain length is estimated with the most appropriate Johnson family method applied. The stiffness prediction is considered as a function of total molecular weight.
Beyond Decoding: Adults With Dyslexia Have Trouble Forming Unified Lexical Representations Across Pseudoword Learning Episodes

Purpose To examine how adults with dyslexia versus adults with typical reading form lexical representations during pseudoword learning. Method Twenty adults with dyslexia and 20 adults with typical...
A brief history of the mathematical literature

The purpose of this article is to review the development of the mathematical literature by briefly tracing the history of mathematical communication leading to the founding of Mathematical Reviews in 1940. We touch on the formation of the accademies and the mathematical societies, and mention some of the early journals published by these groups. Finally we discuss the emergence of the mathematical reviewing journals. We do not discuss the growth of privately circulated unpublished literature, conference proceedings or the recent development of electronic form of communication in mathematics.
Democratization and the Arab Spring

Over the past half century, a substantial number of countries have undergone transitions to democracy. This development has been greeted with enthusiasm by those observers who point out that since ...
Field inhomogeneities in CdS single crystals

Abstract The field and current distribution in CdS is described by a new electro-optical method. Well-known inhomogeneities, e.g. barrier layers and current channels, are confirmed. New effects, such as plasma-like inhomogeneities and kinetic effects in the breakdown region are discussed. The mechanism of the development of these effects is given.
Being in the hot spot: a phenomenological study of two beginning teachers’ experiences enacting inquiry science pedagogy

This phenomenological study demonstrates the influence that affective factors have on beginning teachers’ ability to enact inquiry science pedagogy. Through narratives shared in interviews and weblog postings, two beginning science teachers’ emotional engagement with their teaching practices, especially that of implementing inquiry-based instruction, and the resulting impact these emotions had on pedagogical choices were evidenced. Anxiety emerged as the emotion most significantly impacting participants. Through their stories, the two participants describe how their emotions and views of self-influence whether they choose to continue using inquiry pedagogy or alter their lesson to adopt more didactic forms of teaching. These emotions arise from their feelings of being comfortable teaching the content (self-efficacy), from the unpredictability of inquiry lessons (control beliefs), from how they perceive their students as viewing them (teacher identity). This research also demonstrates how intertwined these...
Prolonged rate of decay of arterial PO2 following oxygen breathing in chronic airways obstruction.

Nine patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive lung disease were grouped according to results of pulmonary function testing. After a short period of 100 percent oxygen breathing, it took on the average 20 minutes (range —18 to 24 minutes) for their partial pressure of arterial oxygen to return to baseline levels. These data suggest that, after discontinuing supplemental oxygen in patients with chronic airways obstruction, more than 25 minutes should elapse if a blood gas measurement is to reflect with certainty conditions during room air breathing.
Cross‐border Lobbying in Preferential Trading Agreements: Implications for External Tariffs and Welfare

This paper examines the effect of cross-border lobbying on domestic lobbying and on external tariffs in both Customs Union (CU) and Free Trade Area (FTA). We do so by developing a two-stage game which endogenizes the tariff formation function in a political economic model of the directly unproductive rent-seeking activities type. We find that cross-border lobbying un-ambiguously increases both domestic lobbying and the equilibrium common external tariffs in a CU. The same result also holds for FTA provided tariffs for the member governments are strategic complements. We also develop a specific oligopolistic model of FTA and show that tariffs are indeed strategic complements in such a model.
Oligomerization of the human cytomegalovirus major envelope glycoprotein complex gB (gp55-116).

Abstract The disulfide-linked glycoprotein B (gB; gp55-116) complex of human cytomegalovirus represents the most abundant and immunogenic component of the virion envelope. We have studied the oligomerization and transport of this molecule, using a series of murine monoclonal antibodies. Our results indicated that oligomerization of this molecule occurred shortly after its synthesis, with a half-time of maximal formation of approximately 25 min. The oligomeric form had an estimated mass of 340,000 Da and likely consisted of a homodimer of the gp55-116 complex. By using a conformation-specific monoclonal antibody, postoligomerization folding of this molecule was demonstrated. This event exhibited an unusually prolonged half-maximal time of approximately 160 min. Both oligomerization and folding occurred in the endoplasmic reticulum. Oligomerization and folding occurred in the absence of carbohydrate modifications, although likely at lower efficiency. Finally, the oligomeric and folded forms were shown to be transported to the surface of infected cells and infectious virions.
Origins and Effects of Solar Flares

Walpurgis Night came to Montreal and Quebec City, Canada, just before 3 A.M. on March 13 in 1989, when the Quebec power grid crashed, after a series of extraordinary solar flares. The crash was quickly followed by the collapse of other generating capacity as the networked power grid protected itself from the excessive demands caused by the massive failure. The unnatural night lasted nine hours and many Quebecquois were without electricity for much longer than that.
Dimensionality effects on the Markov property in Shape Memory Alloy hysteretic environment

Shape Memory Alloy actuators can be used for morphing, or shape change, by controlling their temperature, which is effectively done by applying a voltage difference across their length. Control of these actuators requires determination of the relationship between voltage and strain so that an input-output map can be developed. To determine this policy and map the hysteretic region, a Reinforcement Learning algorithm called Sarsa was used. Proper use of Reinforcement Learning requires that the learning environment have the Markov Property. However, hysteresis spaces are commonly referenced as non-Markovian due to the fact that state history is needed to properly predict future states and rewards. This paper reveals that this formerly non-Markovian learning environment of Shape Memory Alloy hysteresis can become Markovian by means of increasing the dimensionality of the measured states. The paper compares learning attempts in both versions of the environment and will show that Reinforcement Learning is successful in the modified learning environment by learning a near-optimal policy for controlling the length of a Shape Memory Alloy wire. This is then validated by using the modified Reinforcement Learning agent to learn a near-optimal control policy in an experimental setting.
Effects of Diet and Energy Intake on Kinetics of Glucose Metabolism in Steers

To test the hypothesis that glucose utilization in ruminants is related to energy consumption independent of diet composition or energy content, eight Holstein steers (165-230 kg) were fed either a high grain (70% corn, 20% alfalfa, 8.8% soybean meal) or high hay (70% alfalfa, 28% corn) diet. The two diets were fed in quantities that allowed comparisons to be made either isocalorically based on calculated net energy for gain (NEg) or at identical dry matter intakes. The daily ration was divided into 12 equal portions and dispensed every 2 hours by automatic feeders to achieve steady-state conditions with respect to glucose metabolism. After adaptation to the dietary regimen, rates of glucose irreversible loss were measured following a single injection of 500 muCi of [6-3H]glucose. Glucose irreversible loss also was measured after a 7-day fast. Glucose irreversible loss was equal when both diets were fed isocalorically, was larger among steers fed the grain diet when comparisons were made at equal intakes of dry matter, and increased when the intake of either diet was increased. The increase in glucose irreversible loss with increasing energy intake showed a highly significant linear relationship over the range of intakes for both diets. It was concluded that energy intake, in contrast to diet composition, is responsible for the regulation of glucose irreversible loss.
A comparison of metrics predicting landscape connectivity for a highly interactive species along an urban gradient in Colorado, USA

Many organisms persist in fragmented habitat where movement between patches is essential for long-term demographic and genetic stability. In the absence of direct observation of movement, connectivity or isolation metrics are useful to characterize potential patch-level connectivity. However, multiple metrics exist at varying levels of complexity, and empirical data on species distribution are rarely used to compare performance of metrics. We compared 12 connectivity metrics of varying degrees of complexity to determine which metric best predicts the distribution of prairie dog colonies along an urban gradient of 385 isolated habitat patches in Denver, Colorado, USA. We found that a modified version of the incidence function model including area-weighting of patches and a cost-weighted distance surface best predicted occupancy, where we assumed roads were fairly impermeable to movement, and low-lying drainages provided dispersal corridors. We also found this result to be robust to a range of cost weight parameters. Our results suggest that metrics should incorporate both patch area and the composition of the surrounding matrix. These results provide guidance for improved landscape habitat modeling in fragmented landscapes and can help identify target habitat for conservation and management of prairie dogs in urban systems.
Evaluation of the effects of frame time variation on VR task performance

We present a first study of the effects of frame time variations, in both deviation around mean frame times and period of fluctuation, on task performance in a virtual environment (VE). Chosen are open and closed loop tasks that are typical for current applications or likely to be prominent in future ones. The results show that at frame times in the range deemed acceptable for many applications, fairly large deviations in amplitude over a fairly wide range of periods do not significantly affect task performance. However, at a frame time often considered a minimum for immersive VR, frame time variations do produce significant effects on closed loop task performance. The results will be of use to designers of VEs and immersive applications, who often must control frame time variations due to large fluctuations of complexity (graphical and otherwise) in the VE.
Parentification in military families: Overlapping constructs and theoretical explorations in family, clinical, and military psychology

Abstract This article reviews select literature that describes unique aspects of the challenges, roles, and responsibilities that family members may face as a result of the military culture and military family system. A particular systemic construct and clinical process that may be especially relevant to military families is parentification . Parentification has long been linked with negative outcomes investigated in the family and clinical psychology literature. This article summarizes the overlap in constructs and theoretical frameworks related to parentification, which appear in the family and clinical psychology literature that may have transportability to the youth and family military literature base. Directions for future family, clinical, and military psychology research directed toward youth and family functioning are proffered.
A Case Study of Scrap Tire Disposal in North Carolina

North Carolina law states that whole tires were banned from landfills as of March 1, 1990. Used tires disposed in landfills do not decompose for several years and tend to disrupt landfill covers by rising to the surface. In 2011-12 approximately 145 thousand tons of scrap tires were reported in North Carolina. These tires were used for fuel, either in shredded form known as tire-derived fuel (TDF) or whole, depending on the type of combustion device. Best practices have shown that tires need to be reduced in size to fit in most combustion units. TDF is one of several alternatives to prevent newly generated scrap tires from inappropriate disposal in tire piles, and for reducing or eliminating existing tire stockpiles. Scrap tires represent both a disposal problem as well as a resource opportunity. There are several potentially negative environmental and health impacts associated with scrap tire piles. This study focuses on an examination of North Carolina's disposal and usage of scrap tires. In the United States, the dominant force behind control and reduction of scrap tires is the maintenance of stockpiles. North Carolina's 1990 adoption of regulations regarding tire stockpiles and the regional coordination of neighboring states have lessened the incidence of illegal scrap tire storage and disposal. However, local regulations have had limited impact on controlling statewide scrap tire movement and accumulation. Scrap tires can be transported short distances inexpensively, so they usually are moved to the nearest unregulated jurisdiction or the destination with the lowest disposal cost. Concerns over the costs and threats associated with large stockpiles as well as the increase of new stockpiles have driven most legislation in the United States. The Scrap Tires: Handbook on Recycling Applications and Management for the U.S. and Mexico provides a documented resource for federal, state, and local governments along with private industry in developing markets for the prized resources contained in scrap tires (1).
Radiative–Dynamical Feedbacks in Low Liquid Water Path Stratiform Clouds

AbstractWhen stratiform-cloud-integrated radiative flux divergence (heating) is dependent on liquid water path (LWP) and droplet concentration Nd, feedbacks between cloud dynamics and this heating can exist. These feedbacks can be particularly strong for low LWP stratiform clouds, in which cloud-integrated longwave cooling is sensitive to LWP and Nd. Large-eddy simulations reveal that these radiative–dynamical feedbacks can substantially modify low LWP stratiform cloud evolution when Nd is perturbed.At night, more rapid initial evaporation of the cloud layer occurs when Nd is high, leading to more cloud breaks and lower LWP values that both result in less total cloud longwave cooling. Weakened circulations result from this reduced longwave cooling and entrainment drying is able to counteract cloud growth. When Nd is low, the cloud layer is better maintained because cloud longwave cooling is still relatively strong.During the day, the addition of shortwave warming leads to reduced LWP for all values of Nd ...
Epstein - Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 suppresses reporter activity through modulation of promyelocytic leukemia protein-nuclear bodies

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) has been shown to increase the expression of promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and the immunofluorescent intensity of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs). PML NBs have been implicated in the modulation of transcription and the association of reporter plasmids with PML NBs has been implicated in repression of reporter activity. Additionally, repression of various reporters in the presence of LMP1 has been noted. This study demonstrates that LMP1 suppresses expression of reporter activity in a dose responsive manner and corresponds with the LMP1 induced increase in PML NB intensity. Disruption of PML NBs with arsenic trioxide or a PML siRNA restores reporter activity. These data offer an explanation for previously conflicting data on LMP1 signaling and calls attention to the possibility of false-positives and false-negatives when using reporter assays as a research tool in cells expressing LMP1.
The Focal Mechanisms of a Small Intra Caribbean Plate Earthquake as Determined From Rayleigh Waves

The focal mechanism and depth of a small yet tectonically important, intra-Caribbean plate earthquake have been determined using observed Rayleigh wave signals. This earthquake occurred on August 14, 1972 and is believed to be the first known hypocenter in this area of the Caribbean Sea; about 330 kilometers from any previous event. Thus, the source mechanism of this earthquake should yield important information about the stresses in the interior of the Caribbean plate. Only about 5 reliable P-wave first motions were recorded at WWSSN stations, due to the low magnitude (M b = 4.7) of this earthquake. Therefore, the focal mechanism of this event can not be determined from the body wave data alone. Nonetheless, coherent surface wave trains were recorded as far away as 7,000 kilometers. The deduced mechanism is obtained from a comparison of the observed Rayleigh wave phase from this earthquake with that of a master event (September 13, 1971: M b = 5.7) located along the northern boundary of the Caribbean plate. The mechanism which yields the best fit to both the surface wave data and the body wave data is of the strike–slip type, with the compression axis trending approximately NW–SE.
Feedback stabilization of distributed systems

Abstract : This document considers stabilization (minimum time to the zero solution) of wave and beam equations via endpoint velocity control. In general it considers a control system described by a partial differential equation, with dependent variable denoted w=w(t,x), which admits V= the partial derivative with respect to t as a symmetry generator and hence a conservation law which implies conservation of energy.
Spin-dependent forces in quantum chromodynamics

In a manifestly gauge-independent formalism, all relativistic corrections to the fermion propagation function are determined and the general form of the spin-dependent forces in quantum chromodynamics for heavy-quark-antiquark ( q q ¯ ) systems is derived. For example, the classical spin-orbit and Thomas-precession terms are found to be simple derivatives of the static potential. In addition to expressing the spin-dependent forces in terms of the minimal number of independent potentials, two new applications of this formulation are presented: (1) The effect of pseudoparticle solutions on the spin-dependent forces is analyzed, and (2) an electric-confinement assumption produces a zero-parameter spin-dependent potential. This potential determines the fine structure in heavy q q ¯ systems. Spin splittings in the ϒ system are predicted and the J /ψ system splittings are compared with the experimentally observed values.
מודל להשראה: ה'קיימן' הראוי(Inspiration Model: The 'Ought to be Sustainableist')

תקציר בעברית: המאמר הוא מאמר דעה המציג מודל של האדם הראוי שצריך לחנך אליו כדי לקדם את תפיסת הקיימות.English Abstract: This very short opinion paper presents a model of the "ought to be" person to which we should educate in order to advance the sustainability view.
Electrical stimulation for gastroesophageal reflux disease: current state of the art

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who are not satisfied with acid suppression therapy can benefit primarily from fundoplication, a surgical intervention. Fundoplication has been the standard surgical procedure for GERD. It is effective but is associated with adverse effects, resulting in a declining number of interventions, creating a need for alternative interventions that are effective, yet have a better adverse effect profile. One such alternative involves the application of electrical stimulation to the lower esophageal sphincter. A number of animal studies showed that such stimulation can increase resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure. An acute human study confirmed this effect, and was followed by two open-label studies, with a follow-up of up to 3 years. Results thus far show that the therapy is associated with a significant improvement in symptoms, a significant reduction in esophageal acid exposure, and a very good safety profile. This review will describe the evolution of electrical stimulation therapy for GERD, as well as the safety and efficacy of this intervention.
Towards Coherent Multi-Document Summarization

This paper presents G-FLOW, a novel system for coherent extractive multi-document summarization (MDS). 1 Where previous work on MDS considered sentence selection and ordering separately, G-FLOW introduces a joint model for selection and ordering that balances coherence and salience. G-FLOW’s core representation is a graph that approximates the discourse relations across sentences based on indicators including discourse cues, deverbal nouns, co-reference, and more. This graph enables G-FLOW to estimate the coherence of a candidate summary. We evaluate G-FLOW on Mechanical Turk, and find that it generates dramatically better summaries than an extractive summarizer based on a pipeline of state-of-the-art sentence selection and reordering components, underscoring the value of our joint model.
Conceptual learning processes in physical therapy students.

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate processes used by students in developing conceptual knowledge in physical therapy. Subjects. The subjects were 10 first-year physical therapist students enrolled in a professional Master of Physical Therapy degree program. Methods. Qualitative methods were used to collect data during a 15-week kinesiology course. Data were collected using open-ended interviews, observation, and journals kept by the students throughout the course. Results. Several major themes emerged, including use of discussion, use of visualization, and use of experience by the students as they learned concepts in kinesiology. Conclusion and Discussion. The type of learning processes used by students in this study may be enhanced by educational methods such as collaboration and group learning, situated cognition and use of authentic contexts, cognitive apprenticeship, and whole-part-whole learning. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between student learning processes and teaching methods used in physical therapy education.
The effects of inhalation of carbon monoxide on some aspects of neuromechanical ventilatory control.

We have been involved in a broad study of the effects of brain hypoxia on the control o f breathing. The two major experimental models which we have used are inhalation of carbon monoxide and restriction of brain blood flow in intact, unanesthetized goats. Our findings to date indicate that brain hypoxia may have both inhibitory and facilitatory influences on ventilation and ventilatory responsiveness to chemical stimuli. Although these phenomena seem complex, and undoubtedly represent the interplay of several mechanisms, they are highly reproducible and may be demonstrated in each of the two different models of brain hypoxia which we have studied. In each model the occurrence of any given manifestation of brain hypoxia may be related to a specific range of 02 tension in cerebral venous blood1–4.
A Computer Program for Analysis of Clotting Factor Assays and Other Parallel-line Bioassays

A computer program for the analysis of coagulation factor assays is presented. It can be run on small computers utilizing FORTRAN. It allows considerable flexibility in assay design, accommodates any sample dilution scheme, different numbers of standard and test doses, and missing data points. The report lists the input data for each assay, the analysis of variance for the regression lines, and the potency ratio, as well as statistics that allow estimates of the precision of the potency ratio. It is suggested that interpretation of clotting factor assay results would be facilitated if reports regularly included such information about the reliability of the potency ratio measurements.