cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extended EM for planar approximation of 3D data

The paper deals with fitting of planar patches to 3D laser range data obtained by a mobile robot. The number and the initial position of the patches are unknown, hence their estimation is a challenging problem. It is solved by adding iterated steps of split and merge to a modified Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. This allows for precise adjustment of the number of patches, independent from the initial model. The proposed approach overcomes the problem of classical EM, which produces an optimal solution only if the number and position of model components is well estimated.
Managing ignorance and uncertainty in system fault detection and identification

A new approach to failure detection and identification (FDI) is proposed in order to address restructurable control systems. The methodology combines an analytic estimation method and an intelligent identification scheme in such a way that sensitivity to true failure modes is enhanced, while the possibility of false alarms is reduced. The authors employ a real-time recursive parameter estimation algorithm with covariance resetting, which triggers the FDI routine only when potential failure modes are anticipated. A possibilistic scheme based on fuzzy set theory is applied to the identification part of the FDI algorithm with computational efficiency. At the final stage of the algorithm, an index is computed-the degree of certainty-based on Dempster-Shafer theory, which measures the reliability of the decision. Simple simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in managing uncertainty and ignorance. >
Integrated Care, Recovery-Consistent Care Features, and Quality of Life for Patients With Serious Mental Illness

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to evaluate relationships between recovery-supportive and integrated care features with health-related quality of life for veterans with serious mental illness.MethodsData were utilized from several national Veterans Affairs (VA) databases for 2,394 patients with serious mental illness from 107 VA sites. Regressions evaluated relationships between health-related quality of life and care features.ResultsHigher quality of life in regard to general health was associated with sites that offered peer support (β=1.79, p<.01) and with patients’ increased understanding of their treatment (β=.80, p<.01), whereas lower quality of life was associated with sites with colocated general medical and mental health care providers (β=–1.37, p<.05) and family psychoeducation (β=–1.41, p<.05). Care at sites with vocational rehabilitation (β=1.38, p<.05), peer support (β=1.85, p<.05), and colocated providers (β=1.60, p<.05) and patients’ increased understanding of care (β=.82, p<.01) were a...
Static negative resistance in Gunn effect materials with field-dependent carrier diffusion

A numerical study of the equations governing the electric field in Gunn effect materials under constant bias shows that static negative resistance (SNR) can occur as a bulk effect when certain conditions regarding carrier diffusion are satisfied. This result places an important limitation on Shockley's positive conductance theorem in that a completely general extension of the theorem to cases where diffusion is field dependent cannot exist.
Utilization of care in haemophilia: a resource‐based method for cost analysis from the Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS)

Summary. The Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS) was created 10 years ago to examine the annual utilization and cost of haemophilia-related healthcare services. Retrospective chart reviews for 336 patients with haemophilia A receiving treatment in one of five comprehensive haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) during 1995 were completed through interview of the provider. This method provided adequate collection of data from patient charts without the abstractor having direct access to patient health information. Utilization data were used to impute the costs of different components of care (e.g. physician visits, factor VIII concentrate, emergency room, hospitalization). The total annual cost of care was $139 102 (SD $304 033). Factor VIII concentrate costs comprised the largest proportion of these costs; mean factor VIII concentrate use was 128 517 units per patient per year. Unbilled physician utilization accounted for 7.8% of the mean total physician costs per annum, while mean allied healthcare costs accounted for 33.5% of the total annual allied healthcare costs per patient. In the ordinary least-squares regression model, higher costs were associated with severe factor VIII deficiency, arthropathy, more comorbid conditions, an inhibitor to factor VIII concentrate, infusing through a port and prophylaxis. Although factor VIII concentrate is the most costly component, the treatment of haemophilia uses many healthcare resources. HUGS has demonstrated that patient clinical characteristics and physician practices predominantly drive the costs of haemophilia care. Specifically, patients with more severe arthropathy had greater healthcare costs. As future funding decisions are made, it is important to provide for all components of care.
Cooperative transmission among ordinary users in wireless communication networks

The objective of this paper is to determine the conditions under which two ordinary users in a communication network having information bound for the same receiver can benefit by relaying portions of each others data. Each user is allocated the same bandwidth, and the objective of each user is to maximize information transfer per joule. The users are free to either use their entire allocated bandwidth to transfer their own messages or to allocate portions of their bandwidth to cooperatively transfer messages with another user. In the non-cooperative mode, the users maximize return by adjusting power whereas in the cooperative mode, the users vary both their transmission powers and the proportion of hared bandwidth to achieve maximal utility. Solution techniques are developed for the case of cooperating users in symmetric user-position and channel condition setups. Within this setup, there are two options, one where each user gets the same return (symmetric), and one in which the two users may achieve different returns (asymmetric). We find that gains are possible with both options and that the asymmetric option yields larger returns but requires scheduling in order to achieve equal throughput.
A multi-rate decentralized parameter estimation method for stiff systems

Parameter estimation methods often assume that no a priori knowledge of the plant is available. Often, as in the case of a stiff plant, qualitative or heuristic information is readily inferred. This paper presents a decentralized method of parameter estimation for stiff systems that utilizes available knowledge of the relationships among the response modes of this type of plant, in particular, the separation between slow and fast modes. The method employs moving average filters to prefilter the input-output data and a system of parallel least squares estimators. The convergence properties of the method are studied and two simulation examples are provided. The decentralized algorithm posesses better robustness properties and imposes a reduced computational load, when compared to a standard least squares approach. Advantages of the decentralized estimator suit it best for application in a noisy environment where standard least squares techniques are known to experience difficulties with stiff plants.
Regulation of Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Myocardial Growth During Development by FOXO Transcription Factors

Cardiomyocytes actively proliferate during embryogenesis and withdraw from the cell cycle during neonatal stages. FOXO (Forkhead O) transcription factors are a direct target of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT signaling in skeletal and smooth muscle and regulate expression of the Cip/Kip family of cyclin kinase inhibitors in other cell types; however, the interaction of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT signaling, FOXO transcription factors, and cyclin kinase inhibitor expression has not been reported for the developing heart. Here, we show that FOXO1 and FOXO3 are expressed in the developing myocardium concomitant with increased cyclin kinase inhibitor expression from embryonic to neonatal stages. Cell culture studies show that embryonic cardiomyocytes are responsive to insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulation, which results in the induction of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT pathway, cytoplasmic localization of FOXO proteins, and increased myocyte proliferation. Likewise, adenoviral-mediated expression of AKT promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation and cytoplasmic localization of FOXO. In contrast, increased expression of FOXO1 negatively affects myocyte proliferation. In vivo myocyte-specific transgenic expression of FOXO1 during heart development causes embryonic lethality at embryonic day 10.5 because of severe myocardial defects that coincide with premature activation of p21(cip1), p27(kip1), and p57(kip2) and decreased myocyte proliferation. Transgenic expression of dominant negative FOXO1 in cardiomyocytes does not obviously affect heart development at embryonic day 10.5, but results in abnormal morphology of the myocardium by embryonic day 18.5 along with decreased cyclin kinase inhibitor expression and increased myocyte proliferation. These data support FOXO transcription factors as negative regulators of cardiomyocyte proliferation and promoters of neonatal cell cycle withdrawal during heart development.
TATA BOX AND INITIATOR FUNCTIONS IN THE ACCURATE TRANSCRIPTION OF A PLANT MINIMAL PROMOTER IN VITRO

The functional architecture of the proximal region of a rice phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) promoter was analyzed by transcription of PAL-beta-glucuronidase (GUS) templates by whole-cell extracts of rice cell suspension cultures. The promoter 5' truncated to position -35 was sufficient for accurate initiation of basal transcription. Substitution of the TATTTAA sequence between positions -35 and -28 with GCGGGTT or 2-bp substitutions to give TCGTTAA and TATGGAA inactivated the minimal promoter. Moreover, the function of the TATTTAA sequence was dependent on its position relative to the initiation site; hence, this element is an authentic TATA box essential for RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. Substitutions in the TCCAAG initiator cis element (-3 to +3) at the -1 (C to A or G) and +1 (A to C or T) residues caused inaccurate initiation, whereas mutations at the other residues of this conserved element or sequence substitutions between the TATA box and initiator had little effect. TATA box and initiator functions were confirmed by analysis of the effects of promoter mutations on expression in stably transformed rice cell suspensions and plants. We concluded that the proximal region of the PAL promoter has a simple functional architecture involving a TATA box appropriately positioned upstream of the initiator. Transcription of derivatives of such minimal promoters by highly active cell extracts should allow molecular analysis of functional interactions between specific cis elements and cognate trans factors.
Symptom-driven lorazepam protocol for treatment of severe alcohol withdrawal delirium in the intensive care unit

Study Objective. To compare outcomes of treating alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD) with a symptom-driven benzodiazepine protocol versus nonprotocol benzodiazepine infusions in the intensive care unit (ICU). Design. Retrospective observational study of a quality improvement project. Setting. Medical intensive care unit at a Veterans Affairs medical center. Patients. Thirty-six patients who had 40 ICU admissions for AWD between January 1, 1994, and May 31, 2003. Sixteen episodes (15 patients [historical controls]) occurred before implementation of the symptom-driven protocol in 1998, and 24 episodes (21 patients) occurred after implementation. Measurements and Main Results. Outcomes evaluated were time to reach symptom control, total dose of benzodiazepine, amount of time receiving continuous benzodiazepine infusion, length of ICU and hospital stay, polypharmacy (use of multiple benzodiazepines), and complications of treatment. The historical control group was treated according to physician preference, which consisted of continuous-infusion midazolam without a protocol. The symptom-driven protocol used lorazepam administered initially as intermittent intravenous doses, progressing to a continuous intravenous infusion according to a locally developed symptom scale. The mean ± SD values for the outcomes in the historical control group versus the protocol group were as follows: time to control symptoms 19.4 ± 9.7 versus 7.7 ± 4.9 hours (p=0.002), cumulative benzodiazepine dose in lorazepam equivalents 1677 ± 937 versus 1044 ± 534 mg (p=0.014), time receiving benzodiazepine continuous infusion 122.1 ± 64.4 versus 52.0 ± 35.1 hours (p=0.001), length of stay in the ICU 7.7 ± 6.3 versus 5.6 ± 1.7 days (p=0.21), and length of hospital stay 15.3 ± 8.9 versus 11.2 ± 3.4 days (p=0.43). Conclusions. Use of a symptom-driven protocol was associated with significantly decreased time to symptom control, amount of sedative required, and time spent receiving benzodiazepine infusion compared with historical controls. The use of the protocol is effective but requires close monitoring to ensure protocol compliance and to avoid potential propylene glycol toxicity.
What is “Integrative Biology”?

We have a tiger by the tail, folks; ‘‘integrative bi-ology’’ suddenly has cachet and signiﬁcance. Manybiologists now call themselves integrative biologists;academic units in the U.S. are changing their namesto Integrative Biology (it occurred at Berkeley twelveyears ago, and the department has been trying to de-velop wide-ranging but coherent research and teachingin integrative biology; departments at Texas, Illinois,and Basel, for example, also are deliberately ‘‘integra-tive biology.’’ National Science Foundation programareas are stressing the ‘‘integrative’’ aspects of re-search in name and practice; and scientists talk about‘‘integrative’’ approaches to biodiversity (e.g., Wake,1995, 1998), to physiology (e.g., Marden et al., 1998),endocrinology and neurobiology (e.g., Vaudry et al.,1998), ecology and morphology (e.g., Wainwright andReilly, 1994), biology hierarchically (e.g., Wake, 1990;Pennisi, 2000), and even to medicine (e.g., Goldstein,1997; Chien, 2000; Halperin and Kamel, 2000; Rudy,2000), and many other synthetic areas that cross stan-dard disciplinary boundaries.The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biol-ogy has been at the forefront in developing and pro-moting integrative approaches to research and educa-tion. We continue and expand our emphasis on organ-ismal biology from multiple perspectives in an attemptto evaluate issues of biological complexity and theirmany dimensions, including the physical and social.We realized more than a decade ago that we neededto adopt a position of leadership in advancing an in-tegrative and comparative perspective in the study ofbiology. We changed our name to reﬂect our problem-oriented approach; several of our Divisions havechanged their banners, usually adding the study ofevolution to their mission, and we have added newdivisions.We have not been alone in this effort, though. As Imentioned above, academic departments and someagencies have espoused integrative approaches to sci-ence. One in particular that joined this effort is theInternational Union of Biological Sciences, our co-sponsor of this symposium on ‘‘The Promise of Inte-grative Biology.’’ IUBS deserves to be much betterknown in the USA than it is; it has been the originatorof many activities that have involved U.S. biologists,such as the International Biological Program (IBP), theDecade of the Tropics, and DIVERSITAS, the inter-
Data Display Preference, Acceptability, and Accuracy Among Urban Head Start Teachers:

The ability to collect, organize graphically, understand, interpret, and use data to make decisions is becoming more central to the role of early childhood practitioners. One consideration in practitioner use of data is the acceptability of the method of data display. The purpose of this study was to explore Head Start teachers’ preference for and acceptability of four methods of data display. In addition, the authors examined teacher accuracy in using various methods of data display and the relation between acceptability and accuracy. Finally, the authors included teacher educational level to examine its relationship to preference, acceptability, and accuracy. In general, results from the sample of teachers (N = 172) indicate that they had distinct preferences for specific types of data display and that acceptability varied for different methods of display. Furthermore, accuracy of use varied by method of data display, but acceptability did not appear to influence accuracy. Teacher educational level was ...
Roundness properties of graphs

The notion of the roundness of a metric space was introduced by Per Enflo as a tool to study geometric properties of Banach spaces. Recently, roundness and generalized roundness have been used in the context of group theory to investigate relationships between the geometry of a Cayley graph of a group and the algebraic properties of the group. In this paper, we study roundness properties of connected graphs in general. We explicitly calculate the roundness of members of two classes of graphs and we give results of computer calculations of the roundness of all connected graphs on 7, 8 and 9 vertices. We also show that no connected graph can have roundness between log 2 3 and 2.
From SARS to H7N9: the mechanism of responding to emerging communicable diseases has made great progress in China

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 indicated that China's existing former mechanism for emergency management was very vulnerable. The Chinese Government has since established a new mechanism for responding to emerging communicable diseases. This paper examined the current status of and developments in China's response to emerging communicable diseases from the outbreak of SARS in 2003 to the outbreak of H7N9 virus infection in 2013. Results indicated that the current mechanism for emergency responses to emerging communicable diseases in China has made great achievements in terms of command and decision-making, organization and collaboration, monitoring and early warning systems, protection, and international communication and cooperation. This mechanism for responding to emerging communicable diseases allowed China to successfully deal with outbreaks of the H5N1 bird flu, H1N1 flu, and H7N9 bird flu. However, a better coordination system, a more complete Office of Responses to Public Health Emergencies, administrative responsibility and error correction, better personnel training, and government responsibility may help to improve the response to emerging communicable diseases. Such improvements are eagerly anticipated.
Integrating functional and imperative parallel programming: CC++ solutions to the Salishan problems

We investigate the practical integration of functional and imperative parallel programming in the context of a popular sequential object-based language. As the basis of our investigation, we develop solutions to the Salishan problems, a set of problems intended as a standard by which to compare parallel programming notations. The language that we use is CC++, C++ extended with single-assignment variables, parallel composition, and atomic functions. We demonstrate how deterministic parallel programs can be written that are identical/spl minus/except for the addition of a few keywords/spl minus/to sequential programs that satisfy the same specifications. >
Radiation-use efficiency of a forest exposed to elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide

Summary We compared radiation-use efficiency of growth (e), defined as rate of biomass accumulation per unit of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, of forest plots exposed to ambient (~360 µl l –1 ) or elevated (~560 µl l –1 ) atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]). Large plots (30-m diameter) in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation, which contained several hardwood species in the understory, were fumigated with a free-air CO2 enrichment system. Biomass accumulation of the dominant loblolly pines was calculated from monthly measurements of tree growth and site-specific allometric equations. Depending on the species, leaf area index (L*) was estimated by three methods: optical, allometric and litterfall. Based on the relationship between tree height and diameter during the first 3 years of exposure, we conclude that elevated [CO2] did not alter the pattern of aboveground biomass allocation in loblolly pine. There was considerable variation in L* estimates by the different methods; total L* was 18–42% lower when estimated by the optical method compared with estimates from allometric calculations, and this discrepancy was reduced when optical measurements were corrected for the non-random distribution of loblolly pine foliage. The allometric + litterfall approach revealed a seasonal maximum total L* of 6.2–7.1 with about 1/3 of the total from hardwood foliage. Elevated [CO2] had only a slight effect on L* in the first 3 years of this study. Mean e (± SD), calculated for loblolly pine only, was 0.49 ± 0.05 and 0.62 ± 0.04 g MJ –1 for trees in the ambient and elevated [CO2] plots, respectively. The 27% increase in e in response to CO2 enrichment was caused primarily by the stimulation of biomass increment, as there was only a small effect of elevated [CO2 ]o nL* during the initial years of fumigation. Long-term increases in atmospheric [CO2] can increase e in closed-canopy forests but the absolute magnitude and duration of this increase remain uncertain.
Diversity Multiplexing Tradeoff in MIMO Frequency Selective Channels with Partial CSIT

In this letter, we derive the optimal diversity- multiplexing tradeoff for a frequency selective MIMO channel with resolution-constrained channel feedback. The additional degree of freedom provided by the channel multipaths is succinctly captured in the tradeoff characterization. For instance, in a L-path SISO channel, with K-level feedback, the maximum diversity increase is exponential in K.
The Stroop Task and Attention Deficits in Schizophrenia: A Critical Evaluation of Card and Single-Trial Stroop Methodologies

The Stroop task, considered by many to be a paradigmatic measure of selective attention, has often been employed to investigate attention deficits in schizophrenia. Card and single-trial versions of this task have yielded different results. In this study both card and single-trial versions were administered to healthy controls (n = 24) and patients with schizophrenia (n = 55). No differences in reaction time (RT) interference were found on either version. On the single-trial version, patients showed greater RT facilitation and error rate interference, evidence for a deficit in selective attention. Methodologic and analytic issues that account for the mixed results from earlier card Stroop studies are addressed. It is concluded that single-trial versions provide greater sensitivity to selective attention pathology in schizophrenia.
3H dendrimer nanoparticle organ/tumor distribution.

Purpose. To determine the in vivo biodistribution for differently charged poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers in B16 melanoma and DU145 human prostate cancer mouse tumor model systems.
Neural network payload estimation for adaptive robot control

A concept is proposed for utilizing artificial neural networks to enhance the high-speed tracking accuracy of robotic manipulators. Tracking accuracy is a function of the controller's ability to compensate for disturbances produced by dynamical interactions between the links. A model-based control algorithm uses a nominal model of those dynamical interactions to reduce the disturbances. The problem is how to provide accurate dynamics information to the controller in the presence of payload uncertainty and modeling error. Neural network payload estimation uses a series of artificial neural networks to recognize the payload variation associated with a degradation in tracking performance. The network outputs are combined with a knowledge of nominal dynamics to produce a computationally efficient direct form of adaptive control. The concept is validated through experimentation and analysis on the first three links of a PUMA-560 manipulator. A multilayer perceptron architecture with two hidden layers is used. Integration of the principles of neural network pattern recognition and model-based control produces a tracking algorithm with enhanced robustness to incomplete dynamic information. Tracking efficacy and applicability to robust control algorithms are discussed. >
Brushes with Power: Modern Politics and the Chinese Art of Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy has traditionally been an emblem of the ruling class and its authority. After a century of mass revolution, what is the fate of this elite art? Richard Kraus explores the relationship beween politics and the art of writing in China today to explicate the complex relationship between tradition and modernity in Chinese culture. His study draws upon a wide range of sources, from political documents, memoirs, and interviews with Chinese intellectuals to art exhibitions and television melodramas. Mao Zedong and other Communist leaders gave calligraphy a revolutionary role, believing that their beloved art reflected the luster of authoritative words and deeds. Calligraphy was joined with new propagandistic mass media to become less a private art and more a public performance. It provided politically engaged citizens with subtle cues to changing power relationships in the People's Republic. Claiming neither that the Communists obliterated traditional culture nor that revolution failed to relieve the burden of China's past, this study subtly examines the changing uses of tradition in a modernizing society.
Scanning proton beam therapy reduces normal tissue exposure in pelvic radiotherapy for anal cancer

An inter-comparison planning study between photon beam therapy (IMRT) and scanning proton beam therapy (SPBT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is presented. SPBT plans offer significant reduction (>50%, P=0.008) in doses to small bowel, and bone marrow thereby offering the potential to reduce bowel and hemotoxicities.
Bioreactor performance parameters for an industrially-promising methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1

Methane is a feedstock of interest for the future, both from natural gas and from renewable biogas sources. Methanotrophic bacteria have the potential to enable commercial methane bioconversion to value-added products such as fuels and chemicals. A strain of interest for such applications is Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1, due to its robust growth characteristics. However, to take advantage of the potential of this methanotroph, it is important to generate comprehensive bioreactor-based datasets for different growth conditions to compare bioprocess parameters. Datasets of growth parameters, gas utilization rates, and products (total biomass, extracted fatty acids, glycogen, excreted acids) were obtained for cultures of M. buryatense 5GB1 grown in continuous culture under methane limitation and O2 limitation conditions. Additionally, experiments were performed involving unrestricted batch growth conditions with both methane and methanol as substrate. All four growth conditions show significant differences. The most notable changes are the high glycogen content and high formate excretion for cells grown on methanol (batch), and high O2:CH4 utilization ratio for cells grown under methane limitation. The results presented here represent the most comprehensive published bioreactor datasets for a gamma-proteobacterial methanotroph. This information shows that metabolism by M. buryatense 5GB1 differs significantly for each of the four conditions tested. O2 limitation resulted in the lowest relative O2 demand and fed-batch growth on methane the highest. Future studies are needed to understand the metabolic basis of these differences. However, these results suggest that both batch and continuous culture conditions have specific advantages, depending on the product of interest.
On the solution of large-scale mixed integer programming scheduling models

Abstract In this paper, we show how four recently developed modeling and solution methods can be integrated to address mixed integer programs for the scheduling of large-scale chemical production systems. The first method uses multiple discrete time grids. The second adds tightening constraints that lower bound the total production and number of batches for each task and material based on the customer demand, while the third generates upper bounding constraints based on inventory and resource availability. The final method is a reformulation that introduces a new integer variable representing the total number of batches of a task. We apply the aforementioned methods to large-scale problems with a variety of processing features, including variable conversion coefficients, changeovers, various storage policies, continuous processing tasks, setups, and utilities, using a discrete-time model. We illustrate how these methods lead to significant improvements in computational performance.
The Physiological Cost of Carrying Loads in Temperate and Hot Environments

Cartons weighing 10, 15, and 20 kg. were carried by the hands in front of the body at speeds of 4 and 5 km/hr on level and at 4% grade at dry ambient temperatures of 20, 35 and 45°C. Three pretrained subjects were used. Each test involved three 5-min. periods of carrying the load, walking without the load and sitting, repeated three times. At each speed, step rate increased with increase in the weight of the load, although the increase (but not total cost) was less when carrying uphill. Metabolic cost per total weight of body and load also increased with increase in the load; thus work efficiency decreased. The metabolic cost for each kilogram of load carried was 1.3 to 2.3 times greater than the cost per kilogram of body weight without load. No significant differences in metabolic cost were observed under the three thermal conditions, but heart rate increased about 7 to 10 beats/min for each 10°C-rise in air temperature. Heart rate increased progressively from first to third cycle when 20 kg. were carrie...
Multiple Scattering Effects With Cyclical Correction in Active Remote Sensing of Vegetated Surface Using Vector Radiative Transfer Theory

The energy transport in a vegetated (corn) surface layer is examined by solving the vector radiative transfer equation using a numerical iterative approach. This approach allows a higher order that includes the multiple scattering effects. Multiple scattering effects are important when the optical thickness and scattering albedo of the vegetation layer are large. When both the albedo and the optical thickness exceed 0.4, higher orders contribute significantly (e.g., vertical polarization at L-band). The approach is applied to vegetated surfaces using typical crop structure for backscattering from L-band to Ku-band. For corn fields at L-band, multiple scattering effects are more important for vertical scattered wave with vertical incidence (VV). For example, when vegetation water content (VWC) is $3 \text{kg}/{\text{m}}^2$ , the deviation between first order and multiple scattering for corn field for VV could be 3.5 dB while 0.7 dB for horizontal scattered wave with horizontal incidence (HH). The iterative approach also allows the separation of the contribution to backscattering from each scattering order and scattering mechanism. Each scattering mechanism is associated with a unique scattering path. By examining the duality of the paths, we are able to identify the cyclical terms with existence of a reflective boundary. The cyclical correction to the backscattering accounts for backscattering enhancement effects on the copolarization by a factor of two. The approach is validated against the SMAPVEX12 L-band corn dataset over the entire crop growth and large soil moisture variations. The model prediction matches the observation with 1.93 and 1.46 dB root-mean-square error (RMSE) for VV and HH, respectively, while correlations are 0.67 and 0.88, respectively. Time-series retrieval is also applied successfully for both soil moisture and VWC with 0.06 $\text{cm}^{3}/\text{cm}^{3}$ and $0.44 \text{kg}/\text{m}^{2}$ RMSE, respectively, while correlations are 0.7 and 0.92, respectively. For large VWC, this approach corrects the underestimated backscatters in the single scattering caused by large attenuation.
Readings in Sustainability Science and Technology

This Reader is one possible set of materials for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students of sustainability science. It consists of links to 93 articles or book chapters from which appropriate readings and internet sources can be chosen. These are organized around three major domains of sustainability science: Part 1: an overview of sustainable development; Part 2: the emerging science and technology of sustainability; and Part 3: the innovative solutions and grand challenges of moving this knowledge into action. The Readings begins with the history of sustainable development and its many concepts (1.1). Among these are the dual goals of sustainable development—the promotion of human development and well-being while protecting the earth’s life support systems. Thus, the current status, long-term trends, and impacts of nine essentials for human well-being (1.2) and seven of the essential life support systems (1.3) are examined. Part 1 concludes with the interactions of human society and the life support systems as these have been sketched—simply, realistically, and imaginatively (1.4). Part 2 of the Reader focuses on what, why, and how to do sustainability science and technology. It begins with three essential qualities of the emerging science: its use or needs orientation, focus on human-environment systems, and goal of integrated understanding (2.1). As a science in support of a sustainability transition, it is clearly value-driven and a second section of this Part considers the science of identifying and analyzing values and attitudes (2.2). The third and fourth sections examine the current practice of the science, the analyses undertaken (2.3), and the distinctive methods and models used (2.4). The distinctive knowledge created by sustainability science is use-inspired and, at its best, provides solutions to real-world, often place-based, problems encountered for the needs of a sustainability transition. Thus, the Reader ends with linking knowledge systems and action (3.1); examples of both global and local solutions to the needs of human well-being and the earth’s life support systems (3.2); and three critical needs that constitute grand challenges: poverty, climate change, and peace and security (3.3).
Factors Affecting Reproduction of the Tobacco Budworm in the Laboratory

As the ratio of male to female Heliothis virescens (F.) in laboratory cages was increased, fecundity was decreased, numbers of matings per female increased, and numbers of matings per male decreased. The length of time males were confined with females also affected fertility and number of matings. Four pairs of moths held in a lantern globe (6-Iiter volume) were more fecund and mated more frequently than 1, 2, 8, 16, 32, 64, or 128 pairs held in the same size globes. Also, when 64 and 128 pairs of moths were kept in the globes, 77% or more of the adults were dead after 72 hours, as compared with a 25% mortality obtained when 1 pair was used.
Surface Corrugation Effects on the Water–Graphene Interfacial and Confinement Behavior

We carried out a systematic molecular simulation study of the behavior of a pair of finite-size graphene plates immersed in water at isobaric–isothermal conditions to provide insights into the nature of the water–graphene (corrugated) surface interactions. The goal was to address the link between the corrugation-driven hydration free energy changes in the association process involving graphene plates and the resulting water–graphene interfacial tension, to interrogate the effect of the surface corrugation and confinement on the thermodynamic response functions and the dynamics of confined water and to put the observed behavior in the context of Wenzel’s modification of Young’s equation. We found that graphene confinement induces a significant increase in the isothermal compressibility and isobaric thermal expansivity as well as a pronounced slowdown of the dynamics of water over that of the corresponding bulk counterpart, whose magnitudes depend on the type of surface corrugation involved. Our simulation ...
Need Achievement and Machiavellianism

In their monograph, Studies in Machiavellianism (1970), Christie and Geis report that in most informal discussions of Machiavellianism somebody asks about its relationship to achievement motivation. They find the question puzzling as they "know of no compelling theoretical reasons why a desire to achieve should be related to Machiavellianism." The fact that it is posed so frequently might suggest that at least intuitively, if not theoretically, many people see a relat~onship between the two traits. Conceptually (Atkinson, 1957), high need achievers possess more motivation to approach success than to avoid failure, while the reverse is true of low need achievers. In other words, high need achievers are relatively more concerned with success than low need achievers. This greater concern for success leads individuals high in achievement motivation to assume responsibility for success, even when that success was just as likely the resulr of chance or the ease of the task (Kukla, 1972). Heightened concern with success may also explain why high need achievers are more likely than low need achievers to overestimate their grade point averages (Johnson. 1975) and why those high in need achievement are more likely to cheat and cheat more than those low in the motive.? The importance of success to high need achievers may also explain why people have continued to inquire into the possibiliry of a relationship between achievement motivation and Machiavellianism. The present work examined this possibiliry with two successive samples by correlating scores on the Modified Achievement Risk Preference Scale (Mehrabian, 1969) and Machinvellianism Scale IV. The first has 32 items to which the individual responds on a 7-point agree-disagree scnle; the second consists of 20 items with a similar 7-poinr agree-disagree scale. On achievement motivation M and SD were 13.10 and 1.37 for Study 1 and 11.63 and 2.24 for Study 2. For Mach score M and SD were 73.18 and 1.74 and 79.62 and 2.56 for Studies 1 and 2. The initial sample of 25 male students (agcd 18 to 35 yr.) yielded an r of .31 (P < .lo, F = 2.44). The second sample of 55 males yielded a nonsignificant r of .17. Taken along with Weinstock's (1964) finding of a significant 7 of .28, utilizing a different index of need achievement, the present findings provide weak support for the predicted convergence between achievement motivation and Machiavellianism. These results indicate the need for further work of a more experimental nature into this relationship.
The Work of Spousal Caregiving of Older Adults with End-Stage Heart Failure

Abstract Heart failure requires complex home management, which is typically performed by a spouse. Yet little is known about the actual "work" of caregiving in individuals with heart failure. The purpose of this study was to describe the types of work manifested in long-term spousal caregiving for older adults across the progression of heart failure. Secondary qualitative analysis was performed of the in-depth serial interview data of 20 spousal caregivers of individuals with heart failure age 62 and older, collected monthly over 12 to 14 months. The work of spousal caregiving impacted all aspects of the lives of spouses and was constant over time and across the course of heart failure. The work of caregiving was always present, even during times of medical stability, but the type of work and intensity varied throughout the course of the illness. Caregivers should be assessed for unmet needs throughout the course of heart failure, not just during the individuals' exacerbations or hospitalizations.
Immunomodulatory treatments for aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease.

BackgroundAspirin triad is a subclass of chronic sinusitis characterized by nasal polyposis, nonallergic induced asthma, and aspirin sensitivity. Also known as Samter's triad or aspirin-exacerbated...
Urinary Metabolomics Identifies a Molecular Correlate of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome in a Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network Cohort

Abstract Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a poorly understood syndrome affecting up to 6.5% of adult women in the U.S. The lack of broadly accepted objective laboratory markers for this condition hampers efforts to diagnose and treat this condition. To identify biochemical markers for IC/BPS, we applied mass spectrometry-based global metabolite profiling to urine specimens from a cohort of female IC/BPS subjects from the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network. These analyses identified multiple metabolites capable of discriminating IC/BPS and control subjects. Of these candidate markers, etiocholan-3α-ol-17-one sulfate (Etio-S), a sulfoconjugated 5-β reduced isomer of testosterone, distinguished female IC/BPS and control subjects with a sensitivity and specificity >90%. Among IC/BPS subjects, urinary Etio-S levels are correlated with elevated symptom scores (symptoms, pelvic pain, and number of painful body sites) and could resolve high- from low-symptom IC/BPS subgroups. Etio-S-associated biochemical changes persisted through 3–6months of longitudinal follow up. These results raise the possibility that an underlying biochemical abnormality contributes to symptoms in patients with severe IC/BPS.
Masturbation: A Historical Overview

The paper emphasizes that ideas about masturbation are crucial to understanding any societal attitudes toward sex. It examines attitudes to masturbation in ancient Egypt, Tigris Euphrates Valley, I...
Molecular Biology Basics in the “Omics” Era: Cancer Pathology

Over the past two decades, advances in the understanding of molecular biology have led to the development of an array of new molecular diagnostic tests. As a result, the care of cancer patients is undergoing an impressive revolution from “trial and error” to a “personalized” approach, based on a more detailed understanding of the biology of a patient’s tumor. Hundreds of biomarkers are currently in use to provide diagnostic and prognostic information to clinicians and help determine the optimal treatment regimen for a given tumor and molecular testing is becoming the standard of care for an increasing number of tumors. Basic knowledge of the cell cycle, cell cycle regulators, and the roles of proto-oncogenes, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, DNA repair mechanisms, and control of programmed cell death is critical for medical practitioners to keep pace with the rapid molecular revolution and the rationale for targeted therapy. This knowledge is also important to understand the utility and limitations of available tumor biomarkers to ensure appropriate test utilization. It is imperative that medical practitioners especially pathologists and oncologists keep abreast of these rapid developments in order to provide contemporary care to cancer patients. This chapter provides an overview of basic molecular tumor pathology and targeted therapies.
A method to estimate the point at which two lines intersect from noisy data.

Presentation d'une technique statistique permettant d'estimer les pentes et le point d'intersection de deux droites lineaires ainsi que les erreurs standards associees
Temporal Contiguity Principle

Temporal Contiguity Principle : Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented simultaneously rather than successively . Example : The learner first views an animation on lightning formation and then hears the corresponding narration, or vice versa (successive group), or the learner views an animation and hears the corresponding narration at the same time (simultaneous group) . Theoretical Rationale : When corresponding portions of narration and animation are presented at the same time, the learner is more likely to be able to hold mental representations of both in working memory at the same time, and thus, the learner is more likely to be able to build mental connections between verbal and visual representations. When corresponding portions of narration and animation are separated in time, the learner is less likely to be able to hold mental representations of both in working memory at the same time, and thus, the learner is less likely to be able to build mental connections between verbal and visual representations . Empirical Rationale : In eight out of eight tests, learners performed better on transfer tests when corresponding portions of animation and narration were presented simultaneously rather than successively. The median effect size is d = 1.31 . Boundary Conditions : The temporal contiguity principle may be less applicable when the successive lesson involves alternations between short segments rather than a long continuous presentation or when the lesson is under learner control rather than under system control .
Motion artifact reduction using hybrid Fourier transform with phase-shifting methods

We propose to combine the Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) and phase-shifting profilometry (PSP) to reduce motion induced artifacts. The proposed method can be divided into three steps: Step 1 is to obtain a temporarily unwrapped absolute phase map of the entire scene using the FTP method, albeit the absolute phase map has motion introduced artifacts; Step 2 is to generate continuous relative phase maps without motion artifacts for each isolated object by spatially unwrapping each isolated phase map retrieved from the FTP method; and Step 3 is to determine the absolute phase map for each isolate region by referring to the temporally unwrapped phase using PSP method. Experimental results demonstrated success of the proposed method for measuring rapidly moving multiple isolated objects.
Colloidal gels: A new class of biomaterials for tissue regeneration

T scaffold materials for musculoskeletal tissue engineering are either hydrogel-based or solid-based (e.g., polymeric, ceramic, or metallic). We have developed an entirely new class of biomaterials for tissue regeneration based on colloidal gel technology. Colloidal gels are paste-like, shear thinning materials made of nanoparticles that interact through electrostatic forces, van der Waals attraction, and steric hindrance. These materials are thus malleable, they ‘set’ after placement, and they may facilitate resorption, tissue integration, and rapid tissue remodeling. Thus, colloidal gels possess unique advantages to traditional scaffolds as hydrogels are prone to leaking from the defect site prior to polymerization and because solid scaffolds cannot be molded into an irregularly-shaped defect. Although these materials can be utilized by any application where a moldable material is desirable, our team is exploring their use in cranial defects. We established proof-of-concept of these materials first by exploring oppositely charged poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, where shear thinning and recovery properties were observed. Additionally, the PLGA particles were implanted in rat cranial defects, where enhanced cranial defect regeneration was observed. We are now investigating natural materials, found within the extracellular matrix of tissues that have been modified to perform as colloidal gels. Currently, we are characterizing the shear thinning and recovery properties of different colloidal gel component ratios. In addition, we are also exploring the use of colloids in traditional hydrogels to allow for surgical placement prior to polymerization. Emily Beck, J Tissue Sci Eng 2013, 4:2 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7552.S1.010