cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poster Sessions AP10: Learning, Memory and Behavior

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is present in all tissues and functions as the sole donor of methyl groups in over 100 different methylation reactions. Recent reports suggest that direct intraventricular injection of SAMe induces Parkinsonian like symptoms in rats including seizures, tremors, hyperkinesia and abnormal posture. In order to assess the influence of SAMe on rat behavior we have undertaken a study to examine the effect of 3 different forms of SAMe. Guide cannulae were sterotaxically implanted into the lateral ventricle of male SD rats (n = 5 for each group) using either ketamine or chloral hydrate anesthesia. 48 h post surgery the rats received a 5-μL injection containing 1 μmol of either SAMe-toluenedisulfonate, SAMe-butanedisulfonate, SAMe-chloride, or vehicle (butanedisulfonate, toluenedisulfonate or saline). Locomotor activity was monitored using the TruScan monitoring system and by videotape recording for 1 h. The videotape was reviewed by one of the authors (RD-A) who is experienced with animal models of epilepsy. SAMe injected animals had frequent myoclonic and tonic seizures, and occasional generalized clonic seizures. SAMe induced behavioral seizures and tremors occurred only in rats that had previously been anesthetized with chloral hydrate, and not in rats that received ketamine. The number of movements recorded during the 1-h period were significantly increased in SAMe injected animals compared to control groups in both chloral hydrate and ketamine anethetized rats. Our studies indicate that there is an anesthetic dependency for SAMe induced seizures and tremors.
A comparison of stress leak-point pressure and maximal urethral closure pressure in patients with genuine stress incontinence

Objective: To determine the correlation between the maximal urethral closure pressure and the stress leak-point pressure in patients with genuine stress incontinence, and to define a critical stress leak-point pressure value to detect patients with a low-pressure urethra, as defined by a maximal urethral closure pressure less than 20 cm H2O. Methods: Fifty-nine patients with genuine stress incontinence were evaluated prospectively with multichannel urodynamics. Maximal urethral closure pressures and stress leak-point pressures were determined and correlated. Several stress leak-point pressure values were evaluated by contingency tables to detect a critical level for detecting a low-pressure urethra. Results: There is a statistically significant relationship (P Conclusions: The stress leak-point pressure has poor clinical correlation to the maximal urethral closure pressure. A stress leak-point pressure less than or equal to 45 cm H2O has adequate sensitivity and specificity to diagnose a low-pressure urethra. A value less than or equal to 60 cm H2O would be an appropriate cutoff level to screen for those patients at risk of having a low-pressure urethra in need of further evaluation.
Inversion of polarization measurements at BUV wavelengths to recover ozone and aerosol profiles

A method is proposed to recover stratospheric ozone and aerosol concentration profiles from satellite-borne polarimeter measurements of the ultraviolet light reflected from the earth’s atmosphere. A mathematical inversion is performed on simulated spectral polarization measurements demonstrating the recovery of ozone mixing ratio and aerosol scattering ratio profiles when large aerosol concentrations are present in the stratosphere.
Probing Conservation of HAMP Linker Structure and Signal Transduction Mechanism through Analysis of Hybrid Sensor Kinases

The HAMP linker, a predicted structural element observed in many sensor kinases and methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins, transmits signals between sensory input modules and output modules. HAMP linkers are located immediately inside the cytoplasmic membrane and are predicted to form two short amphipathic α-helices (AS-1 and AS-2) joined by an unstructured connector. HAMP linkers are found in the Escherichia coli nitrate- and nitrite-responsive sensor kinases NarX and NarQ (which respond to ligand by increasing kinase activity) and the sensor kinase CpxA (which responds to ligand by decreasing kinase activity). We constructed a series of hybrids with fusion points throughout the HAMP linker, in which the sensory modules of NarX or NarQ are fused to the transmitter modules of NarX, NarQ, or CpxA. A hybrid of the NarX sensor module and the CpxA HAMP linker and transmitter module (NarX-CpxA-1) responded to nitrate by decreasing kinase activity, whereas a hybrid in which the HAMP linker of NarX was replaced by that of CpxA (NarX-CpxA-NarX-1) responded to nitrate by increasing kinase activity. However, sequence variations between HAMP linkers do not allow free exchange of HAMP linkers or their components. Certain deletions in the NarX HAMP linker resulted in characteristic abnormal responses to ligand; similar deletions in the NarQ and NarX-CpxA-1 HAMP linkers resulted in responses to ligand generally similar to those seen in NarX. We conclude that the structure and action of the HAMP linker are conserved and that the HAMP linker transmits a signal to the output domain that ligand is bound.
Older adult performance on an altered version of the SSI test.

The Synthetic Sentence Identification (SSI) test has been used extensively in investigations of reduced speech understanding skills in older adults. In this study the SSI test was altered by adding...
Scattering of a linearly polarized incidence at arbitrary angle to incident plane of infinite tilted cylinders

The general solution of the scattering and extinction of a plane electromagnetic wave by a tilted infinite cylinder is discussed. The scattering equations are extended to the general case with respect to the polarization of the incident light, and it is shown that the intensity curves presented previously in the literature for two polarizations (Case I, incident polarization is. parallel to the incident plane, which is the plane containing the cylinder and the direction of the incident light, and Case II, incident polarization is normal to the incident plane), are not sufficient for the general case. Five relations among the scattering coefficients are presented.
Ultracold strontium clock: Applications to the measurement of fundamental constant variations

We describe the application of high accuracy Srspectroscopy to the measurement of the variation of thefundamental constants of nature. We first describe recent progressof the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, with a systematicuncertainty evaluation at the 10-16 fractional frequencylevel. Using recent internationally based measurements of the Srclock frequency, we show improved constraints of gravitational andtemporal changes in the fine structure constant and theelectron-proton mass ratio. Finally, we describe how ultracoldatomic strontium, confined in an optical lattice, can beassociated into molecular dimers and be used for amodel-independent measurement of the variation of theelectron-proton mass ratio.
Does scale matter at the nanoscale

Eric Drexler has restated his vision of nanotechnology in a new book. Chris Toumey explores its apparent contradictions.
High Spectral Resolution lidar measurements of atmospheric extinction: Progress and challenges

High Spectral Resolution lidar (HSRL) systems have proven capable of providing nearly continuous calibrated profiling of atmospheric backscatter cross-section and depolarization. These are combined to provide detailed images of aerosol and cloud structure. They also provide calibrated measurements of atmospheric extinction. Atmospheric values of the 1/e extinction length range from less than 100 m in water clouds to greater than 100 km in clear weather. While backscatter cross-section and depolarization are derived from ratios of HSRL signals that cancel out range sensitive instrumental artifacts, extinction measurements are derived from the molecular backscatter return alone. Furthermore, extinction is derived from the slope of the molecular signal. This amplifies noise due to photon counting statistics. Signal strengths vary over nearly 6-decades within the ∼20 km useful clear air range of the lidar or within a few hundred meters in a dense water cloud. These factors make extinction measurements more demanding than the backscatter cross-section measurements and often preclude useful measurements in conditions of interest.
Dislocation Nucleation at Heterogeneities of Crystal Surfaces

Dislocation nucleation at surface heterogeneities such as steps is analyzed based on the Peierls-Nabarro dislocation model. By modeling a surface step as part of a three-dimensional crack surface, the half space problem is transferred into an equivalent three dimensional crack problem in an infinite medium. The profiles of embryonic dislocations, corresponding to the relative displacements between the two adjacent atomic layers along the slip planes, are then rigorously solved through the variational boundary integral method. The critical conditions for dislocation nucleation are determined by solving the stress dependent activation energies required to activate embryonic dislocations from their stable to unstable saddle point configurations. The effects of step geometry are analyzed in detail. The results show that the atomic scale steps can significantly facilitates dislocation nucleation from stressed crystal surfaces. While the presented methodology of incorporating atomic information into continuum approach is noteworthy for providing insights of energetics of the atomic process involved in dislocation nucleation, further direct atomic simulation appears to be in need to correlate the effectiveness of this approach.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Control of Metal Dispersion and Structure by Changes in the Solid-State Chemistry of Supported Cobalt Fischer–Tropsch Catalysts

Controlling preparation variables in supported cobalt Fischer–Tropsch catalysts has a dramatic effect on the dispersion and distribution of cobalt, and determines how active and selective the resulting catalyst will be. We detail specific examples of catalyst synthesis strategies for modifying interactions between the support and the cobalt precursor, promoting reduction, stabilizing catalysts to high-temperature treatments, minimizing deleterious support metal interactions, and controlling the distribution of cobalt on large support particles. It is important to optimize the support and precursor interaction strength, so that it is strong enough to obtain good dispersion but not too strong to prevent low temperature reduction. We show examples in which formation of surface complexes and epitaxial matching of precursor and support structures improves dispersion dramatically. Reduction promoters can help in those cases where support–precursor interactions are too strong. We show how substitutions of silicon into a titania lattice stabilizes surface area and retards formation at high oxidation temperatures of cobalt ternary oxides that reduce only at very high temperatures—an important consideration if oxidative coke removal is necessary. In addition, surface treatment of TiO2 with an irreducible oxide like ZrO2 can inhibit deleterious support interactions that can block surface cobalt sites. Selectivity can also be dramatically altered by catalyst synthesis. We illustrate a case of large (2 mm) SiO2 particles onto which cobalt can be added either uniformly or in discrete eggshells, with the eggshell catalysts having substantially higher C5+ selectivity. These approaches can lead to optimal Fischer–Tropsch catalysts with high activity and C5+ selectivity, good physical integrity, and a long life.
Endogenous Stages of the Life Cycle of Isospora rivolta in the Dog

SYNOPSIS. Coccidia-free beagle puppies were experimentally infected with a cloned culture of Isospora rivolta oocysts. The endogenous stages were found in the posterior 1/2 of the small intestine, and rarely in the cecum and colon. Maximum numbers of all stages occurred just anterior to the ileocecal valve. Endogenous stages were found in the distal third of the villi, predominantly parasitizing subepithelial cells of the lamina propria; however, stages were occasionally present in epithelial cells. The number of asexual generations could not be determined from their structure, but evidence based on oocyst production suggested that there were at least 2 asexual generations. The schizonts were 17–24 by 12–25 μ and contained 4–24 merozoites, the most common number being 4 or 8. Schizonts with mature merozoites were found as early as 72 hr, but were present in maximum numbers at 96 hr. Merozoites had slender curved bodies and were 10.5–13.4 by 2.3–3.0 μ. Mature gamonts were found by 144 hr. Mature microgametocytes were 13.4 by 8.7 μ and contained 50–70 microgametes. Microgametes had slightly curved tapering bodies (5.8–6.4 by 0.6 μ) with 2 posteriorly directed flagella 11–14 μ long. Mature macrogametes had reticular cytoplasm and a uniformly large nucleus and nucleolus. The prepatent period was 142–146 hr. The patent period was 13–23 days with an average of 19 days.
Sex Determining Region Y-Box 2 (SOX2) Is a Potential Cell-Lineage Gene Highly Expressed in the Pathogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Lung

Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the majority (85%) of lung cancers and is comprised mainly of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The sequential pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinomas and SCCs occurs through dissimilar phases as the former tumors typically arise in the lung periphery whereas the latter normally arise near the central airway.
Necropolitics and Contemporary Hungarian Literature and Cinema

In his article "Necropolitics and Contemporary Hungarian Literature and Cinema" Ryan Michael discusses aspects of the concept of necropower (Mbembe) applied to contemporary Hungarian literature and cinema. Kehoe argues that his analysis provides models of postcolonial "aesthetic acts" that disrupt, destabilize, and ultimately subvert the global regimes to which Achille Mbembe refers. Accordingly, Hungary's status as a postcolony is discussed within the context of Steven Totosy de Zepetnek's and David Chioni Moore's contention that the parameters of postcolonial cultural analysis need to be expanded to account for Central and East Europe's transition out of the Soviet sphere of influence. Further, Kehoe incorporates models of "transitology" from the discipline of comparative politics to the study of culture and literature of the region. Through an analysis of two contemporary Hungarian texts — Laszlo Krasznahorkai's novel War and War and Nimrod Antal's film Kontroll — Kehoe analyses narrative strategies at work in not only the interrogation of necropower but also the construction of a politics of resistance. Ryan Michael Kehoe, "Necropolitics and Contemporary Hungarian Literature and Cinema" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 11.4 (2009):
Electrodeposited bismuth telluride nanowire arrays with uniform growth fronts.

Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanowires were deposited into porous alumina templates with 35 nm diameter pores by a pulsed-potential electrodeposition method. For growth at temperatures between 1 and 4 °C, the nanowires filled 93% of the pores of the template, and the growth fronts were uniform with nanowire lengths of ∼62−68 μm. There are over ten billion nanowires per square centimeter with aspect ratios approaching 2000:1. Samples were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe analysis. The crystalline nanowire arrays are highly oriented in the [110] direction, which is optimal for thermoelectric applications.
Determinants of the call option on corporate bonds

Abstract A number of hypotheses have been proposed as explanations of the call feature in corporate bonds. Using a large sample of callable and noncallable corporate bonds issued during the period 1977–1986, this paper simultaneously examines the empirical validity of five hypotheses that have been offered to explain the call option. The evidence provides no support for the hypotheses that the call option provides managerial flexibility or tax advantages. There is mixed support for agency cost explanations of the corporate call feature. The call feature is found to be highly correlated with the level of interest rates and the maturity of debt issues. That is, the call feature is found to be more likely during periods of higher interest rates and for longer maturity bonds.
Decision Versus Policy: An Expected Utility Resolution of the Ellsberg Paradox

An expected utility maximizer who wishes to establish a choice policy (rather than merely make a single choice) in an Ellsberg urn scenario will have reason to distinguish between urns whose contents are more or less ambiguous. Specifically, risk averters will avoid ambiguity and risk seekers will prefer ambiguity. A resolution of Ellsberg’s paradox is thereby provided, in which ambiguity aversion/seeking is “rational”, but the normative status of expected utility remains unassailed.
Synthesis and characterization of cyclic ATP-ribose: a potent mediator of calcium release

Abstract Cyclic ATP-ribose, synthesized by a combination of chemical and enzymatic methods, was twenty times more potent than cADPR in inducing Ca 2+ release from rat brain microsomes. It induced Ca 2+ release from the same Ca 2+ stores as that of cADPR, but different from those of IP 3 and cyclic ADP-ribose-phosphate.
Variability of Glottal Pulse Estimation Using Cepstral Method

In this paper we describe an approach to the estimation of the shape of glottal pulses using cepstral coefficients The main purpose of this paper is to develop techniques to estimate an "representative" glottal pulse as well as it deviation from the average shape. The glottal pulse variability is characterized by the proportion of square deviation that is not accounted by the representative, average pulse. This technique was tried on normal and pathological voices.
CTH06-1: Optimality of FDMA in Gaussian Multiple-Access Channels with Non-zero SNR Margin and Gap

This paper investigates the effect of non-zero SNR margin and coding gap on the maximum sum rate and achievable rate region of the Gaussian multiple-access channel (MAC). Frequency-division multiple-access (FDMA) is shown to be the only sum-rate-maximizing scheme for a scalar Gaussian MAC when the margin/gap is not zero. Furthermore, successive decoding is shown to be strictly sub-optimal from a sum rate perspective. With fixed probability-of-error, single-user codes with finite gap are sufficient to achieve the maximum sum rate. The achievable rate region of the scalar Gaussian MAC with non-zero margin/gap is also characterized. Unlike the capacity region of a scalar MAC, the optimal achievable rate region with non-zero margin/gap is not a pentagon. Finally it is shown that when there is non-zero margin/gap, the optimality of the FDMA scheme can be generalized to a Gaussian MAC with inter-symbol interference (ISI).
Gradual degradation in 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

The aging process is studied in proton-implanted 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's). We find evidence for a novel failure mode, which does not involve the growth of defects or reduction in radiative efficiency. In the proposed failure mode, point defects migrate and passivate the dopant atoms in the VCSEL mirrors, increasing mirror resistance in the device center. Thus, current is forced toward the lower resistance parallel path along the device edges, where it does not contribute to lasing. We refer to this as the "current-shunting failure mechanism". Evidence has been found to support this process for both 850- and 680-nm proton-implanted VCSEL's.
Using simulation to study the impact of improving Lookahead planning on the reliability of production planning

The Last Planner® system (LPS) is used on construction projects to improve the reliability of production planning. A significant process of the LPS is Lookahead planning where activities are broken down into the level of operations, constraints are identified, responsibilities are assigned, and assignments are made ready. The success of Lookahead planning depends on task anticipation, which is a result of activity breakdown and design of operations, and making activities ready by removing constraints. The purpose of this paper is to show through computer simulation the relationship between improving task anticipated (TA) and the reliability of weekly work planning expressed as percent plan complete (PPC). The paper presents a simulation model for the lookahead planning process starting three weeks before execution and ending in activities executed during the work week. The study findings indicate a positive correlation between TA and PPC where improving lookahead planning can increase reliable work execution.
Transmission line equivalent circuit models for electrochemical impedances

Abstract The small-signal impedance-frequency response of electrochemical systems obeying the Nernst-Planck and Poisson equations is modelled with fixed-component transmission line equivalent circuits. The transmission lines can be terminated to allow for either Chang-Jaffe or Butler-Volmer boundary conditions. A general matrix method is presented for calculating impedance-frequency responses, with and without the effects of compact double-layer capacitance. The basic transmission line concept is extended to multi-ion systems and to supported electrolyte cases.
Conserved Subcortical and Divergent Cortical Expression of Proteins Encoded by Orthologs of the Autism Risk Gene MET

Met receptor tyrosine kinase signaling regulates the growth and development of axons and may contribute to the wiring of cortical and limbic circuits in the rodent forebrain. Whether the orthologous MET receptor functions similarly in the developing primate forebrain is not known but is of considerable interest considering the association of variant MET alleles with social and communication phenotypes in autism. To begin addressing this question, we compared Met/MET protein expression in the developing mouse and rhesus macaque forebrain. There was a strong temporal conservation of expression during the time of rapid axon development and the onset of robust synapse formation. Expression patterns of Met/MET in limbic-related structures were almost identical between species. In marked contrast, there was highly divergent expression in the neocortex. In mouse, Met was broadly distributed throughout neocortex. In the macaque, robust MET expression was largely restricted to the posterior cingulate, inferior temporal, posterior parietal, and visual cortices, including face processing regions. The pattern is consistent with the importance of vision in the social repertoire of the primate. Collectively, these data suggest a conserved developmental function of the MET receptor in wiring together limbic and neocortical circuits that facilitate species-appropriate responses, including social behavior.
Flaw selection strategies for value-directed planning

A central issue faced by partial-order, causal-link (POCL) planning systems is how to select which flaw to resolve when generating the refinements of a partial plan. Domain-independent flaw selection strategies have been discussed extensively in the recent literature (Peot & Smith 1993; Joslin & Pollack 1994; Schubert & Gerevini 1995). The PYRRHUS planning system is a decision-theoretic extension to POCL planners that finds optimal plans for a class of goal-directed value functions. Although PYRRHUS uses a branch-and-bound algorithm instead of best-first satisficing search, it is faced with the same flaw selection decision as other POCL planners. This paper explains why popular domain-independent flaw-selection strategies are ineffective within an optimizing framework, and presents two new strategies that exploit the additional value information available to PYRRHUS.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMICAL BEHAVIOR OF THE COMPRESSIBLE "POOR MAN'S NAVIER–STOKES EQUATIONS"

The compressible "poor man's Navier–Stokes equations" (PMNS equations) are a discrete dynamical system derived from a Galerkin expansion of the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. Complete detail...
Response to Intervention, Collaboration, and Co-Teaching: A Logical Combination for Successful Systemic Change.

Response to intervention (RTI) is a new method of identifying students with learning disabilities. RTI's increasing implementation affects all teachers and students, in both general and special education. The authors provide educators with a practical understanding of what RTI may look like in the classroom and how co-teaching as an instructional service delivery model can make RTI more efficient, effective, and realistic. After introducing the RTI model and its role in supporting a paradigm shift for the identification of students with learning disabilities and the support of at-risk learners, the authors then highlight the important components of collaboration and review the key tenets of effective co-teaching. They provide specific examples to demonstrate how co-teaching and collaboration are critical to the systemic change required for schools interested in supporting an RTI model.
Modeling Cumulative Damage to Flow Surfaces and Assessing its Impact on Wall Turbulence

The present efiort employs singular value decomposition to decompose a highlyirregular surface topography replicated from a turbine blade damaged by spallation into topographical modes embodying successively smaller roughness length scales. These modes are then used to develop multiple reduced-order models of the original roughness that, at least in spirit, successively capture the evolution of the surface roughness from initial smaller-scale defects that would likely form just after deployment to the eventual cumulative formation of larger-scale roughness features. Particle-image velocimetry measurements of ∞ow at a friction Reynolds number around 1825 are gathered in turbulent channel ∞ow. The cumulative impact of these reduced-order models on wall turbulence is then assessed by comparing mean velocities, Reynolds normal stresses, and Reynolds shear stresses. It is found that the turbulence statistics of the ∞ow increase in magnitude as larger-scale features are introduced into the surface, leading up to the full, original surface.
Rethinking Threshold Voltage Assignment in 3D Multicore Designs

Due to the inherent nature of heat flow in 3D integrated circuits, stacked dies exhibit a wide range of thermal characteristics. The strong dependence of leakage with temperature and process variation plays havoc in achieving system level energy efficiency in such systems, complicating the task of power provisioning in 3D multicores. In this paper, we address this power provisioning challenge in 3D ICs by advocating a novel microprocessor design paradigm, where the circuit designers are aware of the intended placement of a die in a 3D stack. We present a concrete application of this paradigm through a threshold voltage ($V_t$) assignment algorithm for a 3D multicore system, where we specifically account for: (a) the change in the role of leakage power, (b) expected operating frequency, and (c) dependency of PV induced leakage variation and $V_t$ levels. Detailed simulation based experiments with our proposed algorithm show 2--15% improvement in energy efficiency for a typical multicore system organized as 3D stacked dies.
Nanotribological Properties of Organic Boundary Lubricants: Langmuir Films Versus Self-Assembled Monolayers

Frictional characteristics of several types of boundary lubricants were tested using scanning probe microscopy (SPM). These include Langmuir monolayers of stearic acids (STA), their cadmium salts (STCd), self-assembling monolayers (SAMs) of alkylchlorsilanes, and complexes of STA with rigid naphthoylene benzimidazole (x-NBI) fragments. We observed that a Langmuir monolayer deposited on a silicon surface had a very low friction coefficient against a silicon nitride tip (about 0.01–0.05) but also low mechanical stability. SAMs were found to be much more stable but had the drawback of growth in the friction coefficient at high sliding velocities. Composite NBI/STA monolayers were much more stable and were not damaged by the highest normal load applied. The frictional behavior of different monolayers was analyzed in relation to their structural organization (the type of tethering to the surface and packing density). We introduced a figure of merit (FOM) parameter which allowed comparison of frictional properties of very different lubricant materials to those of the supporting substrate. For Langmuir monolayers the FOM increased strongly with surface packing density whereas for SAMs and x-NBI/STA complexes it possessed a maximum at surface densities in the range 3.5–4.5 molecules per nm2 . Because of the possibility of tailoring the surface packing density of aliphatic tails in the complexes, they are a promising alternative to both LB films and SAMs. For such composite monolayers, the surface packing density can be optimized to give a desired frictional behavior.
Fracture Properties of Glass Filled Polyphenylene Oxide Composites

The phenomological fracture properties of glass bead filled polyphenylene oxide composites were investigated.Yield strength and Young's modulus were obtained as a function of volume fraction of filler using standard microtensile testing techniques. Fracture toughness was measured using double edge notched tensile bars. The effects of adhesion were studied by using untreated and A-1100 silane-treated glass beads. The nature of the fracture surfaces was observed by use of an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope.It was found that the fracture toughness of these materials de creased by increasing the filler content and by improving the adhesion. In general, an increase in strength and stiffness was accompanied by a decrease in toughness.The fractographic studies gave a detailed mapping of the frac ture front as it propagated through the material. Fracture occurred in two stages. The initial stage was a region of stable crack growth accompanied by, crazing, ...
Sparse Recovery of Nonnegative Signals With Minimal Expansion

We investigate the problem of reconstructing a high-dimensional nonnegative sparse vector from lower-dimensional linear measurements. While much work has focused on dense measurement matrices, sparse measurement schemes can be more efficient both with respect to signal sensing as well as reconstruction complexity. Known constructions use the adjacency matrices of expander graphs, which often lead to recovery algorithms which are much more efficient than minimization. However, prior constructions of sparse measurement matrices rely on expander graphs with very high expansion coefficients which make the construction of such graphs difficult and the size of the recoverable sets very small. In this paper, we introduce sparse measurement matrices for the recovery of nonnegative vectors, using perturbations of the adjacency matrices of expander graphs requiring much smaller expansion coefficients, hereby referred to as minimal expanders. We show that when minimization is used as the reconstruction method, these constructions allow the recovery of signals that are almost three orders of magnitude larger compared to the existing theoretical results for sparse measurement matrices. We provide for the first time tight upper bounds for the so called weak and strong recovery thresholds when minimization is used. We further show that the success of optimization is equivalent to the existence of a “unique” vector in the set of solutions to the linear equations, which enables alternative algorithms for minimization. We further show that the defined minimal expansion property is necessary for all measurement matrices for compressive sensing, (even when the non-negativity assumption is removed) therefore implying that our construction is tight. We finally present a novel recovery algorithm that exploits expansion and is much more computationally efficient compared to minimization.
In Vitro Assembly of Alphavirus Cores by Using Nucleocapsid Protein Expressed in Escherichia coli

The production of the alphavirus virion is a multistep event requiring the assembly of the nucleocapsid core in the cytoplasm and the maturation of the glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. These components associate during the budding process to produce the mature virion. The nucleocapsid proteins of Sindbis virus and Ross River virus have been produced in a T7-based Escherichia coli expression system and purified. In the presence of single-stranded but not double-stranded nucleic acid, the proteins oligomerize in vitro into core-like particles which resemble the native viral nucleocapsid cores. Despite their similarities, Sindbis virus and Ross River virus capsid proteins do not form mixed core-like particles. Truncated forms of the Sindbis capsid protein were used to establish amino acid requirements for assembly. A capsid protein starting at residue 19 [CP(19-264)] was fully competent for in vitro assembly, whereas proteins with further N-terminal truncations could not support assembly. However, a capsid protein starting at residue 32 or 81 was able to incorporate into particles in the presence of CP(19-264) or could inhibit assembly if its molar ratio relative to CP(19-264) was greater than 1:1. This system provides a basis for the molecular dissection of alphavirus core assembly.
A Factor-Analytic Study of Communication Satisfaction in the Lodging Industry:

Communication, job satisfaction, and customer satisfaction have been popular topics in hospitality and business research. The most widely used business communication satisfaction questionnaire, the Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ), has not been used in the hospitality industry. This article presents a factor-analytic study of the CSQ in a lodging setting. After the factor analysis, the article will then discuss the findings of communication satisfaction as they compare to findings in other business-related studies.
The Neurocritical and Neurosurgical Care of Subdural Hematomas

Subdural hematomas (SDHs), though frequently grouped together, can result from a variety of different etiologies, and therefore many different subtypes exist. Moreover, the high incidence of these lesions in the neurocritical care settings behooves practitioners to have a firm grasp on their diagnosis and management. We present here a review of SDHs, with an emphasis on how different subtypes of SDHs differ from one another and with discussion of their medical and surgical management in the neurocritical care setting. In this paper, we discuss considerations for acute, subacute, and chronic SDHs and how presentation and management may change in both the elderly and pediatric populations. We discuss SDHs that arise in the setting of anticoagulation, those that arise in the setting of active cerebrospinal fluid diversion, and those that are recurrent and recalcitrant to initial surgical evacuation. Management steps reviewed include detailed discussion of initial assessment, anticoagulation reversal, seizure prophylaxis, blood pressure management, and indications for intracranial pressure monitoring. Direct surgical management options are reviewed, including open craniotomy, twist-drill, and burr-hole drainage and the usage of subdural drainage systems. SDHs are a common finding in the neurocritical care setting and have a diverse set of presentations. With a better understanding of the fundamental differences between subtypes of SDHs, critical care practitioners can better tailor their management of both the patient's intracranial and multi-systemic pathologies.
Computer interpretation of laboratory test results.

This paper provides an annotated list of 232 references relating, directly or indirectly, to interpretation of laboratory test results by computer. The articles are in five categories: general and philosophy, chemistry, hematology, specific diseases, mathematics and pattern recognition.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease in Tai'an city

Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Tai'an,so as to provide a scientific basis for developing effective measure for disease prevention and control. Methods Descriptive epidemiological approches were used to analyze the epidemic data of HFMD form 2011 to 2012. Results A total of 16178 case of HFMD were reported in Tai'an from 2011 to 2012 with the annual incidence of 146. 49 /105. The incidence peak occurred during May-August. Children aged below 5 years were most easily affected,scattered and nursery children accouted for 96. 88%,boys were more likely to be affected than girls. The major pathogens were EV71 and CoxA16,which might vary in different months,groups of different age and different detection time. Conclusions The incidence of HFD disease is relatively high in Tai'an in 2011-2012,therefore,comprehensive measures should be taken to prevent and control HFMD.
Incentives for Better Performance in Health Care

Incentives for better performance in health care have several modes and methods. They are designed to motivate and encourage people to perform well and improve their outcomes. They may include monetary or non-monetary incentives and may be applied to consumers, individual providers or institutions. One such model is the Pay-for-Performance system. In this system, beneficiaries are compared with one another based on a set of performance indicators and those that achieve a high level of performance are rewarded financially. This system is meant to recognise and primarily to reward high performers. Its goal is to encourage beneficiaries to strive for better performance. This system has been applied in several countries and for several recipients and settings. Early indications show that this system has had mixed effects on performance.
Towards a Design Pattern for Adaptive Systems Inspired by the Neocortex

This paper discusses a general design pattern that can provide systems engineering guidance for building adaptive systems. The Neocortex Adaptive System Pattern NASP architecture is an adaptive decision-making architecture. It is derived from the physical architecture observed within the neocortex. It allows different adaptive system components with diverse methodologies and techniques to coexist and cooperate within a single system. A literature review of relevant neuroscience literature is provided. An architectural view, along with a taxonomy of architecture features, is explained in detail. Experiment results that compare an implemented NASP system, a non-NASP adaptive system, and rule-based systems within a combative simulation are presented. The NASP design pattern unifies the diverse set of algorithms and technologies found across the spectrum of adaptive systems. Evidence from this study indicates that multiple methods and time windows for adaptation can result in superior performance of the overall system. The implications of this result infer a clear preference for Bayesian-based adaptive systems over neural network-based adaptive systems when the system faces time-sensitive problems. This paper supports the claim of a design pattern by providing an example system that shares the same architectural features as NASP.
Individual and Analytic Psychologies

Adler and Jung represent the schism in psychoanalysis as it was formulated before the outbreak of the First World War. While the main body of psychoanalytic theory continued to grow, the separate branches grew too. Today, the common past forms the main link between the splinter groups of Adler and Jung and the main body of the psychoanalytic movement. Each theory went far in its own direction, and today there are deep differences among the three psychological theories. Though all three have common roots, they no longer form one body of data, nor do they have much in common in their concepts and theory.
Comparison of medical oncologists' approach to non-small cell lung cancer patients compared with breast cancer.

6601 Background: Despite recent advances in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treatment disparities persist. Evidence suggests that primary care physicians (PCPs) have less awar...
Diagnosis and Management of Postoperative Conversion Disorder in an Adolescent Following Arthroscopic Meniscectomy

Conversion disorder (CD), also known as a functional neurological symptom disorder, is a somatoform disorder involving an unconscious, involuntary process in which psychosocial needs, conflicts, and internal stresses are expressed as somatic symptoms without an anatomical or physiological explanation. The signs and symptoms are involuntary and appear with no underlying physical cause. Various triggers and psychologic stresses may result in the sudden clinical manifestations of the disorder. We present a 14-year-old adolescent who developed a CD following anesthetic care for a partial lateral meniscectomy. Previous reports of postoperative CDs are reviewed, etiologic considerations during the postoperative period are discussed, and management options are presented. J Med Cases. 2017;8(10):326-329 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc2905w
An Unintended Consequence of Reducing the Corporate Tax Rate

This article explains how a 20 percent corporate tax rate could be exploited to avoid individual income taxes. (It was printed in November 2017, when a 20 percent corporate tax rate was under consideration. Similar principles apply to a 21 percent tax rate, but to a lesser extent if the maximum individual rate is lowered to 37 percent.)
Colonization and diversification of the white-browed shortwing (Aves: Muscicapidae: Brachypteryx montana) in the Philippines.

Abstract Molecular phylogenetic approaches have greatly improved our knowledge of the pattern and process of biological diversification across the globe; however, many regions remain poorly documented, even for well-studied vertebrate taxa. The Philippine archipelago, one of the least-studied ‘biodiversity hotspots’, is an ideal natural laboratory for investigating the factors driving diversification in an insular and geologically dynamic setting. We investigated the history and geography of diversification of the Philippine populations of a widespread montane bird, the White-browed Shortwing (Brachypteryx montana). Leveraging dense archipelago-wide sampling, we generated a multi-locus genetic dataset (one nuclear and two mtDNA markers), which we analyzed using phylogenetic, population genetic, and coalescent-based methods. Our results demonstrate that Philippine shortwings (1) likely colonized the Philippines from the Sunda Shelf to Mindanao in the late Miocene or Pliocene, (2) diversified across inter-island barriers into three divergent lineages during the Pliocene and early Pleistocene, (3) have not diversified within the largest island, Luzon, contrary to patterns observed in other montane taxa, and (4) colonized Palawan from the oceanic Philippines rather than from Borneo, challenging the assumption of Palawan functioning exclusively as a biogeographic extension of the Sunda Shelf. Additionally, our finding that divergent (c. 4.0 mya) lineages are coexisting in secondary sympatry on Mindanao without apparent gene flow suggests that the speciation process is likely complete for these shortwing lineages. Overall, these investigations provide insight into how topography and island boundaries influence diversification within remote oceanic archipelagos and echo the results of many other studies in demonstrating that taxonomic diversity continues to be underestimated in the Philippines.
Cities and Fiscal Federalism in the Trump Era: A Discussion

The purpose of this article is to explore the intergovernmental finance framework with an emphasis on the impacts of the current administration’s proposals on cities, including not just direct fina...
Maternal Language and Child Vocabulary Mediate Relations Between Socioeconomic Status and Executive Function During Early Childhood.

This article examined longitudinal relations among socioeconomic risk, maternal language input, child vocabulary, and child executive function (EF) in a large sample (N = 1,009) recruited for a prospective longitudinal study. Two measures of maternal language input derived from a parent-child picture book task, vocabulary diversity (VOCD), and language complexity, showed variation by socioeconomic risk at child ages 15, 24, and 36 months. Maternal VOCD at child age 24 months and maternal language complexity at child age 36 months mediated the relation between socioeconomic risk and 48-month child EF, independent of parenting sensitivity. Moreover, 36-month child vocabulary mediated the relation between maternal language input and child EF. These findings provide novel evidence about mechanisms linking socioeconomic risk and child executive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
User-Centred Design and the Theory Building View

The methodologies by which software systems are developed have undergone an evolution from those aimed at supporting the needs of implementation to those which focus on the experiences of end use. An overview of user-centered design and particularly the area of participatory design is outlined. This is used as a basis for considering Naur’s[8] notions of software development and maintenance as ’theory building’ as it affects the roles of interdisciplinary design teams. In particular, the notion of a ’theory’ of a system design is considered as an extension of Naur’s discussions of theory-building in programming practice.
Preventing HIV among Black Men in College Using a CBPR Approach

The African American/black population is the second largest racial minority group in the United States and disproportionately burdened by HIV and AIDS. Currently available HIV interventions tend to focus on risk reduction and treatment among population subgroups such as men, especially sexually marginalized men (e.g., gay, bisexual, same-gender-loving men, and men who have sex with other men [MSM]), injection-drug users, and, more recently, heterosexual women. A paucity of HIV prevention strategies have been demonstrated to be efficacious and effective for African American/black heterosexual men, particularly those of college age. In addition, despite the growing HIV epidemic in the southern United States, little is known about innovative intervention approaches that are likely to be successful in this region of the country. In this chapter, we describe how members of our collaborative applied principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) in the development of an innovative HIV prevention project designed to fill intervention gaps and reduce HIV exposure and transmission among African American/black heterosexual men attending a predominantly white university in the southeastern part of the United States. In collaboration with community members, including African American/black men and women, representatives from local community-based organizations, and university staff and faculty, we developed and pilot-tested a novel HIV prevention intervention known as Brothers Leading Healthy Lives (BLHL). We also describe some of the challenges we faced and provide key lessons learned and the strategies we used to target the nature of the community and context within which our project took place.
Interaction of Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins with the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha

The recently described peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)1 are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transactivating factors that mediate the pleiotropic response to peroxisome proliferators.1-4 PPARs are implicated in several important physiological processes, including adipocyte differentiation and the adaptation of hepatocytes to abnormally high fluxes of long-chain fatty acids (fatty acid overload). Long-chain fatty acids and their metabolites are important activators of the transactivating properties of PPARs, which are effected through the binding of these receptors as heterodimers with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) to peroxisome-proliferator response elements (PPREs) in the upstream promoter region of PPAR-responsive genes.1-3