cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case 3: Ophthalmoplegia and Unsteady Gait in an 11-year-old Boy.

1. Frederick Bassal, DO* 2. Pamela Lupo, MD† 1. *Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 2. †Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Division, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX A previously healthy 11-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital for 2 days of new-onset blurry vision, diplopia, and unsteady gait. He denies recent trauma, dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and travel. The patient denies recent ingestion of alcohol, illicit drugs, medications, or toxins. Further questioning reveals a 1-day history of coughing, sneezing, and watery eye discharge occurring 1 week earlier that seemingly improved after antihistamine use. On admission, his vital signs are as follows: temperature, 98.5°F (36.9°C); pulse, 83 beats/min; respiratory rate, 18 breaths/min; blood pressure, 129/86 mm Hg; and oxygen saturation, 100% in room air. Physical examination reveals a well-nourished boy with appropriate affect and mentation. Ophthalmologic examination is significant for left esotropia and mild bilateral hypertropia. Extraocular movements are painless, with incomplete abduction of both eyes, worse on the left. Consensual pupillary response is absent, and the pupils are dilated to 7 mm at baseline, with a sluggish direct response to light. There is no optic nerve edema. Neurologic examination is otherwise significant for dysmetria, which improves somewhat with covering 1 eye, and a tentative gait with unsteadiness concerning for gait ataxia. Reflexes are difficult to elicit but present, and there is no …
Predictive routing for wireless networks: Robotics-based test and evaluation platform

Emerging Internet of Things (IoT) provides connectivity to a wide range of mobile nodes including indoor wireless users, pedestrian, ground robotics, vehicles, and flying objects. Such decentralized network require rethinking user-centric communication protocols which accommodate extremely dynamic environments of autonomous nodes. The authors recently proposed a predictive routing algorithm, which enables a delay-optimal communication through incorporating network topology prediction into the Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm. In this work, we extend the proposed solution to jointly optimize the end-to-end latency and total transmission power. Further, we develop a ground robotics platform in order to study the utility of the proposed algorithm in real-world applications. The simulation results which verified by the test platform, confirm the superiority of the proposed algorithm compared to the conventional shortest path algorithms by improving the delay and power consumption by a factor of 10% to 15%.
Current and Future Perspectives on Sperm RNAs

The presence of RNA in sperm was originally thought to be a controversial topic as transcription was absent in the mature mammalian sperm. With the recent development of RNA-seq and advanced molecular techniques, an unexpectedly rich and complex repertoire of RNAs has been identified in the mature sperm. Although a vast majority of RNAs packed in sperm are known to be remnants of spermatogenic process, some studies using animal model have proved that some RNAs are deliberately packed in sperm. Recent evidence suggests that some sperm RNAs are linked to transgenerational inheritance of paternal traits, in a non-Mendelian fashion, and some RNAs may have potential roles during early embryonic development. In this chapter, we summarize the different types of RNAs identified in sperm and their functional significance, clinical potential, and role in transgenerational inheritance.
Ab initio calculation of thermal expansion with application to understanding Invar behavior in gum metal

A theoretical examination of the thermal expansion behavior of a variety of metals is conducted using a combination of nonlinear elasticity theory and first-principles calculations that is suitable for high throughput computation. Results of this method show good agreement with experimental values. This method is then used to better understand the low thermal expansion behavior of gum metal by comparing the thermal expansion tensor of ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{3}\mathrm{Nb}$ austenitic ($\ensuremath{\beta}$) and martensitic (${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{''}}$) gum metal approximants. The thermal expansion coefficient of $\ensuremath{\beta}$ is found to be in agreement with experimental results for that of annealed gum metal. The thermal expansion tensor of the ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{''}}$ phase is shown to be highly anisotropic and exhibit negative thermal expansion along ${\ensuremath{\langle}110\ensuremath{\rangle}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$. It is demonstrated that the thermal expansion of the two-phase system, $\ensuremath{\beta}+{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{''}}$, can be estimated using the rule of mixing. By applying this averaging scheme and allowing a texturing along $\ensuremath{\langle}110\ensuremath{\rangle}{{001}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ in tandem with the growth of the ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{''}}$ phase, values for the thermal expansion similar to that seen in cold-rolled gum metal are calculated.
Individual-Level Behavior Change Strategies to Promote Physical Activity

Many of us can relate to the difficulty of initiating and maintaining a regular exercise program in our daily lives. In fact, up to 60 % of people fail to maintain regular physical activity 6 months after starting an exercise program (Dishman, 1988). Despite these sobering figures, strategies drawn from modern psychological theory-based interventions can help clients initiate and maintain regular physical activity. As the effectiveness of any therapeutic technique is partly dependent on clients’ motivation for change, facilitating motivation is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of initiating physical activity. Although those seeking to increase physical activity in their lives likely already possess some motivation to change their current behavior, many find it difficult to maintain regular activity as originally intended. While many have shared this experience, others are able to initiate and maintain regular physical activity throughout their lives. What accounts for this difference? We may never know the full answer to this question, but we do know that theory and techniques developed for use in psychotherapy or counseling can encourage, facilitate, and maintain a variety of behavior changes, including physical activity.
H∞ Optimization and Functional Models

In this chapter we will apply the commutant lifting theorem to Hankel operators to solve several H∞ optimization problems. Then we will use a functional model due to Sz.-Nagy-Foias along with the commutant lifting theorem to solve some other H∞ optimization problems.
Chip-Scale RF Correlator with Monolithically Integrated Time-Varying Transmission Line (TVTL)

Performing correlation directly at the first stage of RF front-end provides secure communication and immunity to jamming through coding/decoding, which may increase the dynamic range of the receiver by providing additional isolation from the leakage of the transmitter. In this paper, two tunable, chip-scale time-domain RF correlators based on the monolithi-cally integrated time-varying transmission line (TVTL) are designed. Both frequency domain and time-domain correlation are tested. The results demonstrated the low loss, broadband and high power handling performance of the proposed chip-scale RF correlator.
Effects of Interrupting Sedentary Behavior With Short Bouts of Moderate Physical Activity on Glucose Tolerance in Children With Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

OBJECTIVE Sedentary children have greater risk of developing abnormalities in glucose homeostasis. We investigated whether interrupting sedentary behavior (sitting) with very short periods of walking would improve glucose metabolism without affecting dietary intake in children with overweight or obesity. We hypothesized that interrupting sitting with short bouts of moderate-intensity walking would decrease insulin area under the curve (AUC) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) compared with uninterrupted sitting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Overweight/obese (BMI ≥85th percentile) children 7–11 years of age underwent two experimental conditions in random order: prolonged sitting (3 h of continuous sitting) and interrupted sitting (3 min of moderate-intensity walking at 80% of ventilatory threshold every 30 min for 3 h). Insulin, C-peptide, and glucose were measured every 30 min for 3 h during an OGTT. Each session was followed by a buffet meal. Primary outcomes were differences in OGTT hormones and substrates and in buffet meal intake by condition. RESULTS Among 35 children with complete data, mixed-model results identified lower insulin and C-peptide in the interrupted condition ( P = 0.007 and P = 0.029, respectively); the intervention reduced insulin AUC by 21% ( P P = 0.001) and improved estimated insulin sensitivity ( P = 0.013). Neither buffet total energy intake (1,262 ± 480 vs. 1,260 ± 475 kcal; P = 0.89) nor macronutrient composition of the meal ( P values >0.38) differed between conditions significantly. CONCLUSIONS Interrupting sitting with brief moderate-intensity walking improved glucose metabolism without significantly increasing energy intake in children with overweight or obesity. Interrupting sedentary behavior may be a promising intervention strategy for reducing metabolic risk in such children.
AB1213 PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVES OF OUTCOMES AFTER TOTAL KNEE AND TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: A NOMINAL GROUP STUDY

Background Utilization rates of total joint replacements (TJR) are high and rising to treat advanced symptomatic arthritis, but there is little qualitative research to define the most important outcomes from the patient perspective. Objectives To assess the most important outcomes of TJR from the patients’ perspective using nominal group technique (NGT). Methods Recruited patients were ≥18 and had received total hip (THR) or total knee replacements (TKR). Participants completed a questionnaire including demographics and pain and function measures, and answered “What result/results matter the most to a patient undergoing/having a knee or hip replacement?”. Outcomes were independently selected, listed in a round robin, and ranked by the group using NGT. Results 36 patients participated in 6 nominal groups in January 2019. 42% were men (Table 1). For THR, 94% reported no/mild pain. For TKR, 81% reported no/mild pain pivoting or on stairs, 1 patient reported severe pain. Satisfaction was high, 97% reported very/somewhat satisfied with pain relief. Of 216 total votes, A) pain received 98 votes, B) function 52; C) quality of life 40; D) adverse events 16 votes and E) revision 2 votes, the remainder 8 votes were distributed to post-op concerns including access to rehabilitation or education (Table 2). Conclusion Pain, function, quality of life, and adverse events are the outcomes ranked highest by patients, supporting their inclusion in TJR clinical trials. Disclosure of Interests Susan Goodman Grant/research support from: Novartis: research support, Consultant for: Novartis, UCB, Pfizer: consulting, Bella Mehta: None declared, Serene Mirza: None declared, Mark Figgie: None declared, Peter Sculco: None declared, Michael Parks Grant/research support from: Zimmer Biomet, Employee of: Zimmer Biomet, jasvinder singh Shareholder of: Amarin pharmaceuticals and Viking therapeutics, Consultant for: Crealta/Horizon, Fidia, UBM LLC, Medscape, WebMD, the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Rheumatology
Survey of prognostics methods for condition-based maintenance in engineering systems.

It is not surprising that the idea of efficient maintenance algorithms (originally motivated by strict emission regulations, and now driven by safety issues, logistics and customer satisfaction) has culminated in the so-called condition-based maintenance program. Condition-based program/monitoring consists of two major tasks, i.e., \textit{diagnostics} and \textit{prognostics} each of which has provided the impetus and technical challenges to the scientists and engineers in various fields of engineering. Prognostics deals with the prediction of the remaining useful life, future condition, or probability of reliable operation of an equipment based on the acquired condition monitoring data. This approach to modern maintenance practice promises to reduce the downtime, spares inventory, maintenance costs, and safety hazards. Given the significance of prognostics capabilities and the maturity of condition monitoring technology, there have been an increasing number of publications on machinery prognostics in the past few years. These publications cover a wide range of issues important to prognostics. Fortunately, improvement in computational resources technology has come to the aid of engineers by presenting more powerful onboard computational resources to make some aspects of these new problems tractable. In addition, it is possible to even leverage connected vehicle information through cloud-computing. Our goal is to review the state of the art and to summarize some of the recent advances in prognostics with the emphasis on models, algorithms and technologies used for data processing and decision making.
Harvest Season and Fertilizer Effects on Seed Production of Leavenworth's Coreopsis

Abstract Effects of season and fertilization on seed production were investigated for a central Florida ecotype of Leavenworth's coreopsis (Coreopsis leavenworthii Torr. & A. Gray) grown in contain...
Hyperpolarized 13C MRI data acquisition and analysis in prostate and brain at University of California, San Francisco

Based on the expanding set of applications for hyperpolarized carbon-13 (HP-13 C) MRI, this work aims to communicate standardized methodology implemented at the University of California, San Francisco, as a primer for conducting reproducible metabolic imaging studies of the prostate and brain. Current state-of-the-art HP-13 C acquisition, data processing/reconstruction and kinetic modeling approaches utilized in patient studies are presented together with the rationale underpinning their usage. Organized around spectroscopic and imaging-based methods, this guide provides an extensible framework for handling a variety of HP-13 C applications, which derives from two examples with dynamic acquisitions: 3D echo-planar spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate and frequency-specific 2D multislice echo-planar imaging of the human brain. Details of sequence-specific parameters and processing techniques contained in these examples should enable investigators to effectively tailor studies around individual-use cases. Given the importance of clinical integration in improving the utility of HP exams, practical aspects of standardizing data formats for reconstruction, analysis and visualization are also addressed alongside open-source software packages that enhance institutional interoperability and validation of methodology. To facilitate the adoption and further development of this methodology, example datasets and analysis pipelines have been made available in the supporting information.
CHAPTER 8 – Regular Languages

Publisher Summary Computability theory is the theory of computation obtained when limitations of space and time are deliberately ignored. In automata theory, computation is studied in a context in which bounds on space and time are entirely relevant. The point of view of computability theory is exemplified in the behaviour of a Turing machine in which a read-write head move back and forth on an infinite tape, with no preset limit on the number of steps required to reach termination. At the opposite pole, one can imagine a device that moves from left to right on a finite input tape, and such devices are so-called finite automata. As a finite automaton will have only one opportunity to scan each square in its motion from left to right, nothing is to be gained by permitting the device to print new symbols on its tape. A finite automaton can be thought of as a very limited computing device that after reading a string of symbols on the input tape, either accepts the input or rejects it, depending upon the state the machine is in when it has finished reading the tape.
Overt Yet Covert: The Paradox of the Positive Flaw in Public Relations Practice

Abstract Research continues to look for advances and flaws in the theory and practice of public relations. One such flaw, coined “the paradox of the positive” ( Heath & Waymer, 2009 ), challenges theory and practice to avoid making glowingly positive statements for and about self-interested organizations, including their products, services, and programs. The critical concern is that discourse distorts the framing of issues, and assessments of organizations themselves, by expressing bias that is overly positive (or negative). Critical public relations research presumes that discourse is most fully functional when it supports objective, enlightened decision-making. This conceptual essay explores how theory and research support discussion of the dysfunctional power of the paradox of the positive to distort valuable cultural topoi that otherwise can guide management decision making and rhetorical discourse to solve problems and make sound decisions in the public interest. By understanding the paradox and grappling with its distortive impact, scholars and practitioners can navigate the dangers, benefits, ironies, and responsibilities required to expose and wrestle with a pervasive, taken-for-granted strategic practice of professional enterprise. Moreover, the paradox of the positive can harm the interests of marginalized publics and stakeholders. As a matter of discourse strategy, the challenge is to address issues and images with as little positive (or negative) distortion as possible if the practice is to broker the public interest.
Biliary Dilation: An Unusual Presentation of Histoplasma capsulatum in a Dog

ABSTRACTA 4 mo old intact male Labrador retriever was referred to the authors’ institution for a 3 wk history of weight loss and progressive abdominal distension. Thoracic radiographs revealed ster...
Predictors of Stricture and Swallowing Function Following Salvage Laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND Long-term functional outcomes are poorly characterized for salvage laryngectomy. We identified predictors of esophageal stricture and swallowing function after salvage laryngectomy in a large cohort. METHODS A retrospective study of 233 patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy for recurrent/persistent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or hypopharynx after radiation (XRT) or chemoradiation (CRT) was performed. Primary outcomes were esophageal dilation within 1 year, time to dilation, and gastrostomy tube dependence. Multivariate logistic and Cox regressions were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Dilation was performed in 29.9% of patients. Dilation was twice as likely in patients with post-operative fistula compared to those without (Hazard Ratio (HR) 2.10, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.06-4.13, P = .03). Every year between XRT/CRT and salvage was associated with 10% increase in dilation (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.17, P = .01). No factors were associated with dilation by 1 year. About 10% of patients were at least partially gastrostomy tube-dependent 1 year post-operatively. At last follow-up (median 29 months), this rate was 13%. Patients with supraglottic recurrence had an increased risk of gastrostomy tube dependence at 1 year compared to glottic (OR 16.7, 95% CI 1.73-160, P = .02). For every 10 pack years pre-salvage, the OR of requiring tube feeds at last follow-up was 1.24 (95% CI 1.04-1.48, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Fistula and pre-salvage smoking were associated with stricture post-salvage laryngectomy. No factors were associated with dilation by 1 year. Supraglottic recurrence and smoking were associated with gastrostomy tube dependence. These findings are important for pre-operative counseling prior to salvage laryngectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1229-1234, 2021.
How to reprogram the excitonic properties and solid-state morphologies of π-conjugated supramolecular polymers

The development of supramolecular tools to modulate the excitonic properties of non-covalent assemblies paves the way to engineer new classes of semicondcuting materials relevant to flexible electronics. While controlling the assembly pathways of organic chromophores enables the formation of J-like and H-like aggregates, strategies to tailor the excitonic properties of pre-assembled aggregates through post-modification are scarce. In the present contribution, we combine supramolecular chemistry with redox chemistry to modulate the excitonic properties and solid-state morphologies of aggregates built from stacks of water-soluble perylene diimide building blocks. The n-doping of initially formed aggregates in an aqueous medium is shown to produce π-anion stacks for which spectroscopic properties unveil a non-negligible degree of electron-electron interactions. Oxidation of the n-doped intermediates produces metastable aggregates where free exciton bandwidths (ExBW) increase as a function of time. Kinetic data analysis reveals that the dynamic increase of free exciton bandwidth is associated with the formation of superstructures constructed by means of a nucleation-growth mechanism. By designing different redox-assisted assembly pathways, we highlight that the sacrificial electron donor plays a non-innocent role in regulating the structure-function properties of the final superstructures. Furthermore, supramolecular architectures formed via a nucleation-growth mechanism evolve into ribbon-like and fiber-like materials in the solid-state, as characterized by SEM and HRTEM. Through a combination of ground-state electronic absorption spectroscopy, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, microscopy, and modeling, we show that redox-assisted assembly provides a means to reprogram the structure-function properties of pre-assembled aggregates.
Rethinking Shape From Shading for Spoofing Detection

Spoofing attacks are critical threats to modern face recognition systems, and most common countermeasures exploit 2D texture features as they are easy to extract and deploy. 3D shape-based methods can substantially improve spoofing prevention, but extracting the 3D shape of the face often requires complex hardware such as a 3D scanner and expensive computation. Motivated by the classical shape-from-shading model, we propose to obtain 3D facial features that can be used to recognize the presence of an actual 3D face, without explicit shape reconstruction. Such shading-based 3D features are extracted highly efficiently from a pair of images captured under different illumination, e.g., two images captured with and without flash. Thus the proposed method provides a rich 3D geometrical representation at negligible computational cost and minimal to none additional hardware. A theoretical analysis is provided to support why such simple 3D features can effectively describe the presence of an actual 3D shape while avoiding complicated calibration steps or hardware setup. Experimental validation shows that the proposed method can produce state-of-the-art spoofing prevention and enhance existing texture-based solutions.
In situ capture of impact-induced progressive damage and delamination in fiberglass composite laminate with a high-speed optical imaging method

Abstract Delamination is one of the severest failure modes for laminated composite materials during applications, especially when the composites are subjected to dynamic loading like impact. The impact-induced delamination patterns in laminates have been studied before but the progressive delamination evolution during the impact process has rarely been revealed through experimental testing. Capturing the real-time delamination progression is of great significance for understanding the fundamentals of the composite performance and damage resistance during the dynamic loading process. This study investigates the feasibility of using a high-speed optical imaging method for in-situ capturing the impact-induced progressive damage and delamination evolution in fiberglass composite laminate [0/90/0/…]13. The progressive delamination areas are further quantified through a sequential series of captured images using a custom algorithm. The relations between the progressive delamination evolution and the real-time absorbed energy, as well as the impact force and deflection, have been investigated. This study provides insights into the experimental testing method of dynamic damage and failure process in materials and structures.
Prenatal exposure to mixtures of environmental chemicals and adolescent internalizing behaviors in the New Bedford Cohort

Background/Aim: Exposure to combinations of chemical neurotoxicants has not been well explored as a risk factor for mental health difficulties. We evaluated associations of prenatal exposure to mix...
Predictors of early and sustained cessation of heavy drinking over 5 years among adult primary care patients.

AIMS To identify factors asociated with early and sustained cessation of heavy drinking. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study over 5 years. SETTING Kaiser Permanente Northern California, United States. PARTICIPANTS Adults reporting heavy drinking during primary care-based alcohol screening between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014. The sample (n = 85 434) was 40.7% female and 33.8% non-white; mean age was 50.3 years (standard deviation = 18.1). MEASUREMENTS Following US guidelines, early and sustained cessation of heavy drinking was defined as reporting lower-risk drinking or abstinence at 1 year and to 5 years after achieving early cessation, respectively. Associations between patient characteristics and service use and cessation outcomes were examined using logistic regression with inverse probability weights addressing attrition. FINDINGS Nearly two-thirds of participants achieved early cessation of heavy drinking. Women [odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35, 1.44], middle-age (35-64 years: ORs = 1.16-1.19), non-white race/ethnicity (ORs = 1.03-1.57), medical conditions (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.06), psychiatric (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.15) and drug use disorders (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.56) and addiction treatment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.30) were associated with higher odds of early cessation, while older age (≥ 65 years: OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86, 0.96), smoking (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.77, 0.84), higher index drinking levels (exceeding both daily and weekly limits: OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.29, 0.32) and psychiatric treatment (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84, 0.99) were associated with lower odds. Among those who achieved early cessation (n = 19 200), 60.0% sustained cessation. Associations between patient factors and sustained cessation paralleled those observed in analyses of early cessation. Additionally, routine primary care (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.44, 1.71) and addiction treatment post-1 year (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.19, 1.66) were associated with higher odds of sustained cessation. Lower-risk drinking versus abstinence at 1 year was associated with lower odds of sustained cessation (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.66). CONCLUSIONS Nearly two-thirds of a large, diverse sample of patients who reported heavy drinking in a Californian health-care system achieved early and sustained cessation of heavy drinking. Vulnerable subgroups (i.e. non-white patients and those with psychiatric disorders), patients who received routine primary care and those who received addiction treatment were more likely to sustain cessation of heavy drinking than other participants.
Gendered Esports: Predicting Why Men and Women Play and Watch Esports Games

This study represents one of the first empirical efforts to systematically examine gender differences in esports gameplay and viewing. Notable differences and similarities were found in how and why...
Dual-high-frequency from single-piezoelectric crystal for ACE degradation by hybrid advanced oxidation UV-sonochemistry process.

This study investigates the combination of two waves emitted from a single-piezoelectric crystal by use of a dual-frequency generator in a sonochemical reactor. The dual-frequency configurations analyzed were the double-modulated fundamental frequency (376-376 kHz), resonant and second harmonic, termed 376D, 376R and 376H respectively. The effect of the phase shift (Φ) and the percentage of modulation between added waves were described by the total acoustic power distribution (Pt) measured inside the sonoreactor. Moreover, optimal angle alignment and modulation between dual-frequency waves for 376D, 376R and 376H cases were selected in order to evaluate the ultrasonic synergy by sonochemical reactivity in production of H2O2, in degradation rate of a model emerging pollutant ACE, and in the TOC and biodegradability evolution in the treated effluent. Phase shift and percentage of modulation had strong effect on the resulted waveform and on the sonochemical efficiency for all, harmonic and non-harmonic, dual-frequency combinations created. In the 376D case, the best reinforcement conditions are founded at 0° and 360°. In the 376H the maximum power distribution presents a 90° period. Shift phase does not determines any cyclic pattern in the total power distribution for the 376R case. The highest H2O2 production rate was observed for the 376H case followed for 376D and 376R configurations with 1.61, 1.12 and 0.58 μM/min by angle alignment in 105, 0 and 110° respectively. The highest initial degradation rate of ACE was observed for the 376D case followed for 376H and 376R with 0.56, 0.42 and 0.33 μM/min at 100% modulation. Reduced mineralization was observed in all dual-frequency configurations (8.54% for 376D and approximately 4.5% for 376R and 3756H modes). Contrasting results are observed regard to biodegradability ratio following the next sequence 376D < 376H≈376R with 0.9, 2.30 and 2.33 respectively. Relevant intensification in hydroxyl radicals production is observed by the UV-US system increasing up three folds the ACE removal and mineralization and two folds higher biodegradability of effluent in particular for 376R and 376H cases at optimal operation condition of dual-frequency signal.
Pitch-based tune identification

A program allowing a user to hum a tune and identify that tune would be useful for times when one can only remember the melody of a song and not the title or lyrics. This program will allow a user to enter pitch information (in both a phone and web-based interface) and will search a database of melodies for tunes with similar pitch.
The Taxation of Emissions Permits Distributed for Free as Part of a Carbon Cap-and-Trade Program

The Obama administration has proposed a cap-and-trade program to regulate carbon emissions. If the program is adopted, the government will cap carbon emissions at a specified level and require certain firms to surrender emissions permits to cover their emissions. The permits will have significant value, and firms will be able to buy and sell them on a secondary market. The government could raise substantial revenue by auctioning permits, but it seems likely that Congress will instead give away a large share of permits to industries affected by the program. An important unresolved issue is whether the receipt of carbon permits will trigger federal income tax. One possibility is that the government will follow the rule that currently applies to sulfur dioxide permits created as part of the acid rain cap-and-trade program. Under IRS guidance, firms receiving sulfur dioxide permits can exclude them from income. Because of this exclusion, a firm that holds its permits for use or sale in a future year can defer paying tax, a benefit similar to receiving an interest-free loan from the government. This article argues that the government should not extend this benefit to firms receiving carbon permits. Instead, carbon permits should be taxed when received. The permits will be valuable assets, and in many cases, giving them to firms will benefit shareholders. Additionally, giving permits away is similar to making a cash grant to recipient firms. If a grant is bad policy, then taxing the grant may be desirable because it reduces the government's net cost. Similarly, because, as the article argues, it is difficult to justify giving away carbon permits in the first place, taxing the permits makes sense. It will allow the government to capture at least a portion of permit value for other uses, e.g., deficit reduction.
A Model for Pedagogical and Curricular Transformation with Technology

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an implementation plan on middle school science teachers as they implemented and integrated both computer- and calculator-based probeware technology into their curricula. The final goal of the implementation and integration process was pedagogical and curricular transformation by the participants. The framework for the study was the ST3 AIRS Model, which consists of eight steps developed to overcome contextual barriers to technology integration. The inductive findings of the study indicated that 80% of the participants overcame contextual barriers to pedagogical and curricular transformation, with a foundation for sustainability. With the support of the ST3AIRS Model framework, most participants successfully integrated technology into their curricula.
Body image and identity formation: the role of identity distress

This study explores the relationship between body image and identity development in a sample of 53 college students (mean = 26.45 years; s.d. = 7.36). College is an environment that promotes identity development, but it is also a time when many students face a heightened risk for weight gain, which could affect their body image. Previous studies have demonstrated relationships between body image and identity status. The purpose of this study was to build on that research by exploring the role of identity distress in the relationship between body image and identity status. It was hypothesized that those individuals who met for a DSM IV diagnosis of identity problem would exhibit more anxiety about their body image, and that identity distress would be a better predictor of body image than identity status alone. In this cross sectional study, participants in the moratorium identity status scored significantly higher on overweight preoccupation than those in the foreclosed identity status. Males had a significantly higher evaluation of their appearance than women did. Those who met DSM IV diagnosis for identity problem scored significantly lower in health orientation and body areas satisfaction. Identity distress was a significant predictor of appearance evaluation, body areas satisfaction, and overweight preoccupation, while a foreclosed identity status was a significant predictor of fitness orientation. Implications for intervention and prevention programs are discussed.
Extraversion Personality and Computer Game Play

This study explored the relationship between one of the personality traits, extraversion, and computer game play. Some interesting observations about extraversion scores and what game players played were made during an online survey on enjoyment of computer game play. On the basis of these observations, an exploratory study was designed and conducted to further explore in-depth information that might help interpret the preliminary observations. Results from both the online survey and the exploratory study were analyzed and synthesized. A hypothesis was proposed and substantiated by both empirical observations and theory. The findings of this study will likely provide researchers with insights into designing games for special purposes, such as education and training.
On Improving Silver's Algorithm for the Joint Replenishment Problem

Abstract In this paper a general algorithm is proposed for improving Silver's algorithm for determining the economic packaging policy for jointly replenished items.
The STING pathway and regulation of innate immune signaling in response to DNA pathogens

The innate immune system has evolved a variety of sensing mechanisms to detect and counter microbial invasion. These include the Toll-like receptor (TLR), cytoplasmic, nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor and RIG-I-like helicase (RLH) pathways. However, how the cell detects pathogen-associated DNA to trigger host defense, including the production of interferon, remains to be fully clarified. Understanding these processes could have profound implications into how we understand and treat a variety of microbial-related disease, including viral-associated cancers, as well as autoimmune disorders. Recently, an endoplasmic reticulum-associated molecule referred to as STING (for stimulator of interferon genes) was isolated and shown to be critical for regulating the production of IFN in response to cytoplasmic DNA. Here, we review recent discoveries relating to the detection of foreign DNA, including the importance of the STING and inflammasome pathways and the triggering of innate signaling processes.
The Christian Religion in Modern European and World History: A Review of The Cambridge History of Christianity, 1815–2000

Volumes 8 and 9 of the Cambridge History, representing the work of 72 scholars, reflect two major recent historiographical trends: 1) the increased attention paid to religion in modern European history, and 2) the increasing importance of Christianity in as a topic in world history. While these volumes serve to summarize the work already done in the first field, with articles on a wide variety of European countries, they should significantly move the second field forward by bringing together the work of specialists on many different parts of the world in a single place. Volume 8 summarizes scholarship on the Western religious revivals of the nineteenth century, both Catholic and Protestant. By integrating religion and politics, it also presents a more complex picture of the formation of European national identities than Benedict Anderson's Imagined Communities suggests. One third of the volume is devoted to the spread of Christianity to the non-Western world. In Volume 9, the European and world history perspectives are more evenly interspersed. Major themes include the papacy, ecumenism, colonialism, Pentecostalism, and the independent churches of Africa and Asia. The 1960s emerge as a turning point, if for different reasons in different parts of the world. This was the decisive period of secularization in Europe, and the final section documents the social and cultural impact of that shift, particularly on the arts. Although there are inevitable gaps in coverage, these volumes will serve as an invaluable research tool for years to come.
Comments, with reply, on 'Techniques for selective revalidation' by J. Hartmann and D.J. Robson

The commenter points out the disadvantages of the selective testing approach advocated by the authors of the above-titled paper (see ibid., vol.7, no.1, p.31-36, 1990). He proposes the use of bottom-up testing. J. Hartmann agrees with the commenter on the advantages of bottom-up testing for development and maintenance and points out this approach is used in the article as part of the selective-revalidation strategy. >
Nonreflecting upwind boundaries for hyperbolic equations

It is commonly, but erroneously, assumed that the best way to treat upwind (closed) boundaries in numerical approximations of hyperbolic equations consists in a literal transcription, letting the numerical value be equal to the prescribed value. This results in a total reflection of spurious solutions that may arrive at the boundary from the computing domain. Those reflected solutions cannot be distinguished from consistent solutions, and they may seriously degrade the overall accuracy. We show that modifications of this treatment of the boundary may result in the absorption of spurious solutions. The effect of the absorbing properties of these boundary schemes is analyzed in Fourier space. We also analyze their numerical stability properties, and their effect on the accuracy of solutions generated in response to a time dependent boundary condition.
A G-quartet oligonucleotide blocks glycoprotein Ib-mediated platelet adhesion and aggregation under flow conditions.

Platelets arrest bleeding by adhering to and aggregating on the subendothelium exposed at the site of vessel injury. This process is initiated by the interaction between the subendothelium von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex on platelets. However, the same interaction also results in thrombosis at the site of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. Reagents regulating the GP Ib-VWF interaction will therefore have direct impact on haemostasis and thrombosis. We have characterised an oligonucleotide G-quartet (T30923) that specifically blocks VWF binding to GP Ibα, the VWF-binding subunit of the GP Ib-IX-V complex. We evaluated the potential interactions of T30923 with GP Ibα and VWF A1 domain by computer simulated molecular dockings, which identified four T30923 docking sites in the β-sheets of the N-terminal region of GP Ibα (E14-D18, S39, D63-S64, and D83-S85). Experimentally, T30923 bound GP Ibα and dose-dependently blocked platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin and thrombin, but not by botrocetin, collagen, TRAP, and ADP. It also blocked shear-induced platelet aggregation and thrombus formation on immobilised VWF under arterial shear stress. These results demonstrate that T30923 may have therapeutic potentials to regulate the GP Ibα- VWF interaction.
Availability and utility of idle memory in workstation clusters

In this paper, we examine the availability and utility of idle memory in workstation clusters. We attempt to answer the following questions. First, how much of the total memory in a workstation cluster can be expected to be idle? This provides an estimate of the opportunity for hosting guest data. Second, how much memory can be expected to be idle on individual workstations? This helps determine the recruitment policy – how much memory should be recruited on individual hosts? Third, what is the distribution of memory idle-times? This indicates how long guest data can be expected to survive; applications that access their data-sets frequently within the expected life-time of guest data are more likely to benefit from exploiting idle memory. Fourth, how much performance improvement can be achieved for off-the-shelf clusters without customizing the operating system and/or the processor firmware? Finally, how long and how frequently might a user have to wait to reclaim her machine if she volunteers to host guest pages on her machine? This helps answer the question of social acceptability. To answer the questions relating to the availability of idle memory, we have analyzed two-week long traces from two workstation pools with different sizes, locations, and patterns of use. To evaluate the expected benefits and costs, we have simulated five data-intensive applications (0.5 GB-5 GB) on these workstation pools.
Singer, sociobiology, and values: Pure reason versus empirical reason

. E. O. Wilson argues that we must use scientifically based reason to solve the values dilemma created by the loss of a transcendent foundation for values. Peter Singer allows that sociobiology can help us understand the evolutionary origin of ethics, but denies the claim that sociobiology or any science can furnish us with ultimate ethical principles. We argue that Singer's critique of Wilson's attempt to bridge the gap between fact and value using empirical reason is unconvincing and that Singer's own ethical principle of disinterestedness requires major support from empirical reason and is not sustainable by pure reason alone.
A FACTORIAL DETERMINATION OF POINTS OF VIEW IN POETIC EVALUATION AND THEIR RELATION TO VARIOUS DETERMINANTS.

A factor analytic study designed to yield “points of view” or “idealized individuals” with respect to the evaluation of poetry. The poems used as stimuli were selected as representative of 11 poetic periods and were rated by 74 Ss on 15 evaluative semantic differential scales. An obverse factor analysis was completed which resulted in 49 bipolar factors. These factors were rotated orthogonally by the normal varimax method. Six of these rotated factors were determined to be significant and were then correlated with a number of outside variables to assist in their interpretation. This procedure resulted in the identification of four of these six factors. The identified factors which represented different points of view regarding the evaluation of poetry were labeled “familiarity,” “masculine uncooperativeness,” “extraversion,” and “sophistication.”
A gaussian-mixture-based image segmentation algorithm

This paper focuses on the formulation, development, and evaluation of an autonomous segmentation algorithm which can segment targets in a wide class of highly degraded images. A segmentation algorithm based on a Gaussian-mixture model of a two-class image is selected because it has the potential for effective segmentation provided that the histogram of the image approximates a Gaussian mixture and the parameters of the model can be estimated accurately. A selective sampling approach based on the Laplacian of the image is developed to transform the histogram of any image into an approximation of a Gaussian mixture and a new estimation method which uses information derived from the tails of the mixture density is formulated to estimate the model parameters. The resulting selective-sampling-Gaussian-mixture parameter-estimation segmentation algorithm is tested and evaluated on a set of real degraded target images and the results show that the algorithm is able to accurately segment diverse images.
State of corruption in transition: case of the Czech Republic

Corruption has a negative impact on society and economy. The transition process in Ž. Central and Eastern Europe CEE uncovered dormant possibilities for corruption and the necessity for appropriate steps to be taken. We document on the state of corruption in the Czech Republic and the measures introduced to fight it. We cover sectors of society and economy according to their importance of a consequential corruption hazard. We also described the government's program of anticorruption and its achievements and failures. The state of corruption in the country, measured by the Corruption Perception Index, presents a serious problem since the index does not improve as the transition process advances. Numerous comparative studies, however, suggest that corruption is a more prominent feature in a number of other transition countries. We believe that the substantial change of approach to the institutional framework is necessary in order to prevent and fight corruption successfully. 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classifications: H50; I20; K42; O17; P27; Z13
Microstructure modifications during early stages of ion-beam-assisted film growth of germanium on SiO2

Abstract The early stages of ion-beam-assisted growth of germanium films on SiO 2 in ultrahigh vacuum is described. Island evolution in the early stages of film growth was studied using post-growth transmission electron microscopy. This study showed that, with increasing energy, in the ion energy range 150–350 eV, the germanium island size distribution became more uniform, the mean island size decreased while the island density increased. In addition, for a fixed ion energy, an increased ion-to atom flux ratio resulted in similar changes in microstructure distribution as were observed with increasing ion energy. A new model is qualitatively developed to explain the observed phenomenon in terms of ion-bombardment-induced adatom desorption from supercritical-sized clusters.