cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE RELATION OF STREPTOCOCCI TO HERPES VIRUS ENCEPHALITIS.

Cultures of microorganisms similar to those described by Evans have been obtained in media inoculated with suspensions of herpes virus-infected brains prepared by grinding. But they have also been isolated from saline suspensions of uninoculated meat particles ground in a sterile mortar, and from dextrose broth treated in the same way. It is believed that these organisms are contaminants introduced during the process of grinding. Since they enter the material in no great number, one may suppose them to be suppressed by animals inoculated with the ground substance. In artificial media, on the other hand, they find favorable conditions for multiplication. In our experience, no growth of microorganisms is obtained in routine cultures of virus-infected brains, when fragments, instead of ground material, are used—a fact which may be taken to support the explanation just given. The tests of the part played by streptococci in experimental virus encephalitis failed to disclose that the microorganisms have any etiological relationship to the affection. The intracerebral injection of rabbits with the cultures procured in the course of the experiments produces a purulent type of meningoencephalitis which does not resemble virus encephalitis either in its symptom-complex or in its pathology. The same type of meningitis follows the injection of streptococci derived from ground meat particles, from "ground" broth, from normal brains, and those infected with herpes virus. Some rabbits manifested resistance to the streptococci, whereas all that have been inoculated intracerebrally with the three strains of herpes virus used in this study have proved susceptible thereto. Certain of the rabbits just mentioned which had proved resistant to streptococci inoculated into the brain or cornea were injected with herpes virus and reacted typically. Comparative tests have revealed that the streptococci are more sensitive to the destructive effect of 50 per cent glycerol than is herpes virus. From all this, it can be concluded that streptococci are not the visible form of herpes virus, nor do they produce in rabbits effects like those induced in the brain and cornea by the herpes virus.
Beliefs About Cognitive Gender Differences: Accurate for Direction, Underestimated for Size

Although stereotype accuracy is a large, and often controversial, area of psychological research, surprisingly little research has examined the beliefs people have about gender differences in cognitive abilities. This study investigates the accuracy of these beliefs in a sample of 106 highly educated U.S. adults. Participants provided estimates of male and female performance for 12 cognitive tasks and games. These estimates were compared with published data on gender differences on the same 12 cognitive tasks and games. Results showed that participants were generally accurate about the direction of gender differences, but underestimated the size of gender differences.
A Consistent Implicit Formulation for Nonlinear Finite Element Modeling With Contact and Friction: Part I—Theory

The theoretical basis is described and the appropriate numerical algorithm is derived. The complete set of the governing relations, comprising equilibrium and interfacial equations, is appropriately linearized; resulting in a consistent tangent operator of the Newton-Raphson algorithm
Primary percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with acute myocardial infarction and prior coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Background The outcome of patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear. We sought to assess the outcome of patients with prior CABG undergoing primary PCI for the treatment of AMI. Methods and Results Between 1991 and 1997, 1072 patients with AMI underwent primary PCI without antecedent thrombolytic therapy at the Mayo Clinic. There were 128 patients with previous CABG and 944 without previous CABG. Patients with previous CABG were further subdivided according to the treated vessel: native vessels (n = 65) and bypass graft (n = 63). Clinical and angiographic characteristics and 30-day and 1-year outcomes were evaluated. Patients with previous CABG were significantly older and had a higher incidence of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. They had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction and were also more likely to have congestive heart failure. After 1 year of follow-up, adverse cardiac events (death, MI, CABG, or repeat PCI) were significantly greater in patients with prior CABG (49.2% vs 35.9%, P =.04). With use of multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics, the treatment of vein graft was independently associated with adverse cardiac events (relative risk 1.48 [95% confidence interval 1.07-2.03], P =.02), but a history of prior CABG itself was not (relative risk 1.22 [95% confidence interval 0.96-1.56], P =.11). Conclusions Primary PCI for AMI in patients with previous CABG is associated with higher adverse events largely attributable to adverse baseline clinical characteristics and the treatment of a vein graft. (Am Heart J 2001;142:452-9.)
Direct excitation luminescence spectroscopy of Eu(III) complexes of 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10- tetraazacyclododecane derivatives and kinetic studies of their catalytic cleavage of an RNA analog.

The macrocycles 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane (1), 1,4,7-tris[(N-ethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (2), 1,4,7-tris[(N,N-diethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (3) and their Eu(III) complexes are prepared. Studies using direct Eu(III) excitation luminescence spectroscopy show that all three Eu(III) complexes exhibit only one predominant isomer with two bound waters under neutral to mildly basic conditions (Eu(X)(H2O)2 for X = 1–3). There are no detectable ligand ionizations over the pH range 5.0–8.0 for Eu(3), 5.0–8.5 for Eu(2) or 5.0–9.5 for Eu(1). The three Eu(III) complexes show a linear dependence of second-order rate constants for the cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-2-hydroxyethylphosphate (HpPNP) on pH in the range 6.5–8.0 for Eu(3), 7.0–8.5 for Eu(2) and 7.0–9.0 for Eu(1). This pH–rate profile is consistent with the Eu(III) complex–substrate complex being converted to the active form by loss of a proton and with Eu(III) water pKa values that are higher than 8.0 for Eu(3), 8.5 for Eu(2) and 9.0 for Eu(1). Inhibition studies show that Eu(1) binds strongly to the dianionic ligand methylphosphate (Kd = 0.28 mM), and more weakly to diethylphosphate (Kd = 7.5 mM), consistent with a catalytic role of the Eu(III) complexes in stabilizing the developing negative charge on the phosphorane transition state.
CrIS Radiance Spectra Modeling and End-to-End Error Analysis

We present the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) End-to-End Error Model consisting of instrument model and Validation Assessment Model. Models' descriptions along with examples of application are presented.
Increasing incidence of acute pancreatitis in childhood

Acute pancreatitis has a large medical and economic impact on healthcare for adults and children. The impact in childhood has become more significant because the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis has increased over the last 20 years. The incidence of acute pancreatitis has increased sixfold or more since the early 1990s to the present. The reasons for the increase are not clear. The most compelling data suggest that increased physician awareness is largely responsible for the increased diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in childhood. Physicians who care for children need to be aware that acute pancreatitis is more common in childhood than previously believed.
Design Of Hybrid Circuits For Cryogenic Sensor-Amplifier Interfaces

The design of a hybrid circuit frequency compensation module for use with various infrared instrumentation systems is discussed. The design objective is to achieve essentially the same preamplifier response over a given range of frequencies both at high-level output and at low-level output, when operating at the same temperature as a cryogenic sensor (detector). The design procedure requires that the temperature and/or voltage variation of resistor values used in the module be either (a) measured directly or (b) extracted from comparison of measured and computer-generated frequency response curves. It is found that a computer-aided design procedure using iterative analysis with an ac network analysis program results in reduced design and development time. Also, this procedure leads to a better understanding of problems associated with cryogenic sensor-amplifier interfaces.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Emergent and structured cognition in Bayesian models: comment on Griffiths et al. and McClelland et al.

I have used both the connectionist and Bayesian approaches on occasion [1,2] and found aspects of both appealing. I think that the connectionists are right to emphasize emergent phenomena as central to understanding cognition [3]. The ideas beautifully expressed by Hofstadter ([4], Ch. 26) remain compelling to me. I am surprised, however, that the connectionists believe that Bayesian models cannot exhibit emergent behavior [3] and that the Bayesians do not directly address this point [5]. My experience in working with Bayesian inference is that emergent phenomena abound.
Electronic excitation in collisions of H + 2 on He

Ab initio cross sections have been calculated for electronic excitation resulting from single collisions in the keV energy range between ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ initially in the ground electronic and vibrational state incident on He targets. These collisional excitation studies are based on ab initio calculations of the three lowest adiabatic states of the (${\mathrm{HeH}}_{2}$${)}^{+}$ quasimolecular system and ab initio calculations of the nonadiabatic gradient coupling matrix elements between these three adiabatic states. With use of straight-line trajectories in the classical trajectory approximation, cross sections have been obtained for (1) charge exchange into the ground state of He and (2) collisional dissociation via electronic excitation 1${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{g}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{u}}$ of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ projectile. Furthermore, with a knowledge of the diabatic structure of the (${\mathrm{HeH}}_{2}$${)}^{+}$ energy levels, (3) the sum of the cross sections for Rydberg excitation of the He target or Rydberg excitation of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ projectile or charge exchange into the repulsive state of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ was also obtained. The calculated cross sections are in reasonable agreement with available experimentally measured cross sections. The energy thresholds for these cross sections are found to be determined by excitation at level crossings between the ground electronic state and the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$(1${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{u}}$)+He(1${\mathit{s}}^{2}$) at R\ensuremath{\simeq}1.2 a.u. and the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$(1${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{g}}$)+He(1s,2l) at R\ensuremath{\simeq}0.7 a.u.
Structure and condition of older stands in parks and open space areas of San Francisco, California

Abstract Planted forest stands and tree groves in parks and open space areas in San Francisco are aging. These stands, dominated by Monterey pine ( Pinus radiata ), Monterey cypress ( Cupressus macrocarpa ) and eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), were planted over a 30-year period beginning in the 1880's. Stand structure varies between park areas planted for amenity values and open space areas planted for wind protection. Park stands have larger diameter trees (92.7 vs. 48.6 cm), fewer trees per ha (147 vs. 265), and greater basal area (130.0 vs. 51.5 m 2 /ha) than open space stands. About half of the Monterey pine and eucalyptus trees and one-third of the Monterey cypress trees occurring in older stands were rated as being in fair or poor condition. Common defects of these trees included butt, bole and root rots, excessive lean, large dead branches, and small percent live crown. Regeneration was absent or judged inadequate in stands of Monterey pine and Monterey cypress in both the park and open space areas. Eucalyptus stands are regenerating through root sprouts.
Operation and design considerations of FID at distribution voltages

This paper addresses the theory, construction, and testing of a novel prototype Solid State Fault Isolation Device (SSFID) that serves as an enabling technology for the multi-university, National Science Foundation funded Future Renewable Electrical Energy Distribution and Management (FREEDM) initiative. This initiative focuses on performing the fundamental research and devising breakthrough technologies to aid in the conversion of today's conventional grid to a more flexible and effective Power Electronics Distribution System (PEDS). The SSFID, the device on which this paper focuses, provides high speed (micro-seconds) sectionalizing and re-closing abilities that will support the use and function of other components of the FREEDM system that are being designed and tested by the other universities involved in the initiative. Its functional parameters and requirements are discussed and a prototype design, as well as its testing results, is presented.
Analysis of uncompensated hospital care using a DEA model of output congestion

Uncompensated care can create financial difficulties for hospitals. The problem is likely to worsen as the number of individuals lacking health insurance continues to grow. The objective of this study is to measure how uncompensated care affects hospitals' ability to provide the services for which they do receive compensation. Applying output-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) under various assumptions on the disposability of outputs to a sample of Pennsylvania hospitals, we find that, on average, hospitals could have produced 7% more output if they had all operated on the best-practice frontier and that uncompensated care reduced the production of other hospital outputs by 2%. Thus, even if hospitals were to operate efficiently, they might still face financial distress as a result of providing uncompensated care. The findings in our study suggest that policy makers should continue looking at ways to increase funding to hospitals providing uncompensated care while not distorting economic incentives to reduce excessive costs.
Global Regulation of Transgenic Crops

Globally, transgenic maize comprised about 25% of the 102 million hectares of transgenic cropland planted in 2006 by more than 10 million farmers in 21 countries (James 2007). These transgenic maize plants contain inserted gene(s) expressing a variety of Cry proteins that confer resistance to stem borers and rootworms. Approximately 45% of the transgenic maize planted also contains inserted gene(s) that mediate herbicide tolerance (James 2007). Transgenic crop varieties must be granted pre-market approval by regulatory authorities, and more than 43 transgenic maize varieties have been approved to date (Agbios GM Database, http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php, accessed 14 January 2008). It must be shown that novel transgenic crops are safe for agriculture and the environment prior to their commercialization and planting. Since maize is widely used as animal feed and in human food, the pre-market regulatory approval process also evaluates the safety of transgenic maize as food and feed. This chapter describes the evolution of the regulatory paradigm and regulations applied to transgenic crops around the world with emphasis on maize, briefly highlights differences in approaches between nations, details the scientific considerations of the regulatory review process, focusing primarily on food safety issues that have been of concern to consumers around the globe, and concludes with an assessment of the consequences and impact of the stringent global regulation of transgenic crops. The chapter will also review claims regarding potential adverse effects of transgenic plants that received attention in the media and which have shaped negative public perceptions about transgenic crops.
Green microfluidics made of corn proteins

Petroleum-based polymer such as Poly(dimethylsiloxane) has been widely used to make mesoscale and microscale fluidic devices. The main drawback of such devices in disposable applications is the potential environmental pollution since they are not biodegradable. Biodegradable microfluidic devices have been fabricated out of zein, a prolamin protein found in corn, that can be utilized as disposable health and environmental-friendly micro-chips. Using stereo lithography and soft lithography, micro-chambers and micro-channels features have been replicated on zein films and enclosed zein microfluidic devices are created by bonding to glass substrate using a simple vapor-deposition method. The bonding strength of the zein microfluidic devices has been found to exceed the tensile strength of the zein film and hydraulic pressure, and fluid flow through large-area complex microfluidic designs shows no leakage or distortion. High optical clarity and fluorescent imaging in the zein microfluidic devices are demonstrated by visualizing micro-particles and Rhodamine B. Zein microfluidic devices enable truly disposable microfluidics with intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability that can be fabricated using existing techniques.
A quagmire for clinicians: When technological advances exceed clinical knowledge

Obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) is currently estimated to affect between 2% and 25% of the adult population.1 2 Increasingly, data indicate that obstructive SAHS, if untreated, may result in both short and long term sequelae including daytime sleepiness, poor quality of life, neuropsychological impairment, hypertension, and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.3 Its high prevalence and potentially substantial morbidity present challenges to the health care system and to individual care providers to diagnose and identify those individuals at greatest risk of obstructive SAHS related complications and those most likely to benefit from specific interventions. On the one hand, the costs associated with evaluation with the “gold standard” (overnight laboratory based multichannel polysomnography) could exceed $1500/patient. In the USA this cost alone could result in annual health care expenditures of >$18 billion if all adults with suspected SAHS were tested.4 On the other hand, the economic costs of untreated SAHS are substantial. These, however, are more difficult to estimate since they may include the costs associated with loss of work productivity, occupational and vehicular accidents, and potentially preventable hypertension and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Regarding the latter alone, it has been estimated that between $3 million and $2 billion spent on treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases annually in the USA may be reduced by effective treatment of SAHS (estimates varying according to the estimated attributable risk).4 In times of escalating aggregate health care costs, how should the appropriate balance between costs and benefits be achieved? One strategy to reduce the costs associated with using complex expensive technology to diagnose a condition associated with common symptoms (snoring and daytime sleepiness, found in >50% to >20% of the population, respectively3) is to use screening tests and/or diagnostic tests that are simpler and less costly than overnight laboratory based polysomnography. When using …
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Stability and Change of Sleep Problems in Toddlerhood

Objective To examine genetic and environmental contributions to stability and change in sleep problems (SP) in early childhood. Methods The sample comprised over 300 twin pairs assessed at ages 2 and 3 years. Parents rated SP on the Sleep Problems subscale of the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 1.5–5 years. Results Longitudinal quantitative genetic analyses indicated that SP were genetically influenced at both ages. The stability of SP from ages 2 to 3 years was largely due to genetic factors common to both ages. Nonshared environmental influences displayed modest continuity across age. New genetic and nonshared environmental factors emerged at age 3 years. Conclusions Genetic factors contribute to the stability in SP, whereas change is due to both genetic and nonshared environmental influences. Early interventions on SP and individualized treatments based on children’s unique environmental experiences may be fruitful.
Variable Unisexuals and Uniform Bisexuals: Morphology, Genetics, and Biogeography of the Nactus pelagicus Complex on Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Abstract: The Nactus pelagicus complex consists of a unisexual lineage, N. pelagicus, as well as several genetically distinct bisexual lineages. The unisexual and bisexual lineages are rarely sympatric but do co-occur on two islands in southern Vanuatu. Nactus pelagicus and the bisexual N. multicarinatus co-occur on Aneityum and Tanna Islands, although the distribution of N. multicarinatus may be limited on Aneityum and may be limited to a single locality (Port Resolution) on the eastern coast of Tanna. Previous analyses suggested that these species have different chin scalation patterns. However, species identifications were assigned solely on presence or absence of males from localities. Moreover, because these species occupy different regions, morphological analyses can be confounded by interisland variation. To evaluate whether chin scalation patterns differ consistently between N. pelagicus and N. multicarinatus as previously suggested, we used molecular sequence data to delimit species from nine pop...
Spiraling Into or Out of Stereotypes? NBC’s Primetime Coverage of Male Figure Skaters at the 2010 Olympic Games:

Perhaps the most feminized sport in all modern athletics, figure skating receives primacy within any American Winter Olympic telecast—with all of the gendered language that comes with that featured...
Communicator image and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator extraversion-introversion.

Abstract This study is an examination of the relationship between communicator image and Myers—Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) dimensions of extraversion—introversion. The authors found that individuals who prefer extraversion tend to have a more positive communicator image than those who prefer introversion. The results of this study support other research results showing that personality preferences differ in communication behaviors and traits, which could have implications for the individual's comfort and success in society. Results of this research also support the contention that communication behavior has biological aspects.
Rise Velocities of Large Bubbles in Viscous Newtonian Liquids

Rise velocities of large bubbles in high-viscosity oils and molten simulated waste glass were measured by a newly developed remote technique. Over a range of Reynolds numbers from 2 × 10−4 to 0.6, the experimental data for steady-state bubble rise velocities agreed better with the Hadamard-Rybcznski formula than with the Stokes formula.
Scales for Measuring Fear of AIDS and Homophobia

Two scales, one for measuring attitudes toward the fear of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and one for measuring attitude toward homosexuality, were constructed using Thurstone's method of equal-appearing intervals. After construction, the scales were given to 528 students at the University of Texas at Austin in the fail of 1985 to determine their respective reliabilities. Factor analyses were also done to determine what factors underlie the attitudes measured by the two scales and to determine if fear of AIDS and homophobia are in fact simply two facets of the same attitude: fear of homosexuals. The results indicated high reliabilities of both scales and a relatively low correlation between the two scales suggesting that the scales do measure different attitudes.
Photophysics of semiconducting polymer- C/sub 60/ composites: a comparative study

Summary form only given. Experimental results on the metastable, reversible, ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer between semiconducting, conjugated polymers and buckminsterfullerene, C/sub 60/, are summarized. Comparative studies with different semiconducting polymers as donors demonstrate that in the degenerate ground state polymers soliton excitations form before the electron transfer can occur; thereby inhibiting charge separation. In non-degenerate ground state systems, photoinduced electron transfer occurs in less than 10/sup -12/ s, quenching the photoluminescence as well as the intersystem crossing. The hindrance of the photoelectron transfer by strongly Coulomb correlated photoexcitations (excitons) formed at the donor polymer is demonstrated with polydiacetylenes. The results are discussed in terms of opportunities for solar energy conversion, for photodiode detector devices, and for a variety of other applications which use photoinduced charge separation like in the photosynthesis.
Context-sensitive domain-independent algorithm composition and selection

Progressing beyond the productivity of present-day languages appears to require using domain-specific knowledge. Domain-specific languages and libraries (DSLs) proliferate, but most optimizations and language features have limited portability because each language's semantics are related closely to its domain. We explain how any DSL compiler can use a domain-independent AI planner to implement algorithm composition as a language feature. Our notion of composition addresses a common DSL problem: good library designers tend to minimize redundancy by including only fundamental procedures that users must chain together into call sequences. Novice users are confounded by not knowing an appropriate sequence to achieve their goal. Composition allows the programmer to define and call an abstract algorithm (AA) like a procedure. The compiler replaces an AA call with a sequence of library calls, while considering the calling context. Because AI planners compute a sequence of operations to reach a goal state, the compiler can implement composition by analyzing the calling context to provide the planner's initial state. Nevertheless, mapping composition onto planning is not straightforward because applying planning to software requires extensions to classical planning, and procedure specifications may be incomplete when expressed in a planning language. Compositions may not be provably correct, so our approach mitigates semantic incompleteness with unobtrusive programmer-compiler interaction. This tradeoff is key to making composition a practical and natural feature of otherwise imperative languages, whose users eschew complex logical specifications. Compositions satisfying an AA may not be equal in performance, memory usage, or precision and require selection of a preferred solution. We examine language design and implementation issues, and we perform a case study on the BioPerl bioinformatics library.
A novel two-step genome editing strategy with CRISPR-Cas9 provides new insights into telomerase action and TERT gene expression

To facilitate indefinite proliferation, stem cells and most cancer cells require the activity of telomerase, which counteracts the successive shortening of telomeres caused by incomplete DNA replication at the very end of each chromosome. Human telomerase activity is often determined by the expression level of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of the ribonucleoprotein complex. The low expression level of TERT and the lack of adequate antibodies have made it difficult to study telomerase-related processes in human cells. To overcome the low CRISPR-Cas9 editing efficiency at the TERT locus, we develop a two-step “pop-in/pop-out” strategy to enrich cells that underwent homologous recombination (HR). Using this technique, we fuse an N-terminal FLAG-SNAP-tag to TERT, which allows us to reliably detect TERT in western blots, immunopurify it for biochemical analysis, and determine its subcellular localization by fluorescence microscopy. TERT co-localizes detectably with only 5–7 % of the telomeres at a time in S-phase HeLa cells; no nucleolar localization is detected. Furthermore, we extend this approach to perform single base-pair modifications in the TERT promoter; reverting a recurrent cancer-associated TERT promoter mutation in a urothelial cancer cell line results in decreased telomerase activity, indicating the mutation is causal for telomerase reactivation. We develop a two-step CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing strategy to introduce precise modifications at the endogenous TERT locus in human cell lines. This method provides a useful tool for studying telomerase biology, and suggests a general approach to edit loci with low targeting efficiency and to purify and visualize low abundance proteins.
A Flexible Time-Stepping Scheme for Hybrid Field-Circuit Simulation Based on the Extended Time-Domain Finite Element Method

This paper describes a flexible time-stepping scheme for a recently developed hybrid field-circuit solver based on the extended time-domain finite element method (TDFEM) to alleviate the limitation on the use of a system-wide global time-step size. The proposed time-stepping scheme generalizes the strict synchronous coupling mechanism between the FEM and circuit subsystems and allows the signals in the different subsystems to be tracked and sampled at different time-step sizes. The signals from a slow subsystem with a larger time-step size are extrapolated, when necessary, for updating the signals in a fast subsystem with a smaller time-step size. The capability of the hybrid field-circuit solver with the proposed time-stepping scheme is further enhanced by the application of a tree-cotree splitting technique to the FEM subsystem, which helps reduce the iteration count per time step for a preconditioned iterative solution when the time-step size of the FEM subsystem becomes relatively large. With the flexibility of choosing subsystem-specific time-step sizes, the proposed time-stepping scheme improves the computational efficiency of the existing TDFEM-based hybrid field-circuit solver especially when the computational cost associated with the slow subsystems is much higher than that associated with the fast subsystems.
A thermal evolution — differential trapping — mass spectrometric technique for polymer characterization

Abstract The ability of thermal evolution techniques for polymer characterization is greatly enhanced when spectroscopic methods are combined, thus allowing identification of the off-gases. This work describes a thermal evolution—differential trapping—mass spectrometric technique for analysis of polymer systems. The technique involves heating the sample under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, condensing the evolved gases in traps maintained at various temperatures, continuously monitoring the pressure changes at strategic locations, and analyzing the selectivity trapped volatiles by mass spectrometry. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the technique will be discussed.
The Effect of Acculturation on Obesity Among Foreign-Born Asians Residing in the United States

This study examined the relationship between acculturation and obesity in foreign-born Asians residing in the United States, using the 2009 California Health Interview Survey secondary data (N = 2,871). Two series of proxies and/or behavioral variables were used to measure level of acculturation: (a) length of US residency (years and percent of life) and (b) English language use and proficiency. It was hypothesized that acculturation measured with both proxies would positively predict obesity among foreign-born Asian adults who live in the United States. Results did not support the relationship between obesity and residency length, and greater English use and proficiency seemed to predict lower obesity. However, additional exploratory analysis was performed for each Asian ethnicity and the results showed that the hypothesized links were partly supported for Filipino subgroup, but the links for Vietnamese subgroup were in the opposite direction of the hypotheses and inconsistent with previous literature.
Integrating Disparate Lidar Datasets for a Regional Storm Tide Inundation Analysis of Hurricane Katrina

Abstract Hurricane Katrina was one of the largest natural disasters in U.S. history. Due to the sheer size of the affected areas, an unprecedented regional analysis at very high resolution and accuracy was needed to properly quantify and understand the effects of the hurricane and the storm tide. Many disparate sources of lidar data were acquired and processed for varying environmental reasons by pre- and post-Katrina projects. The datasets were in several formats and projections and were processed to varying phases of completion, and as a result the task of producing a seamless digital elevation dataset required a high level of coordination, research, and revision. To create a seamless digital elevation dataset, many technical issues had to be resolved before producing the desired 1/9-arc-second (3meter) grid needed as the map base for projecting the Katrina peak storm tide throughout the affected coastal region. This report presents the methodology that was developed to construct seamless digital elevat...
Extraction of experimental mobility data for MOS devices

MOS surface mobility is a fundamental material and device property which has been extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally. This work reports on a new technique for extracting surface mobility data from experimentally measured I-V data on large area MOS devices. The approach employs a least squares curve fitting technique for combining theoretical models of inversion layer charge and surface mobility to obtain an accurate value of surface threshold voltage. An accurate model of inversion layer charge is then used to calculate the experimental mobility. The extraction technique gives high field values of mobility which compare very closely with previously reported extraction approaches but gives more accurate low field values due to an improved model for inversion layer charge. A very important feature of the technique is the ability to obtain data on individual components of surface scattering such as interface scattering density and surface roughness coefficient. These individual parameters are very valuable when comparing the effects of changes in surface preparation techniques on MOS surface mobility.
Elastomer-based opto-thermo-mechanical actuation for autonomous, self-powered light level control

We present an autonomous, self-powered solar light controller based on functional integration of a flexible cantilever light guide and a paraffin wax-based optothermal actuator. The controller utilizes the optothermally induced volume increase in the elastomer-encapsulated paraffin wax to produce pneumatic force, which subsequently actuates the cantilever light guide to control the level of frustrated total internal reflection. In its linear response regime, it demonstrated 33% reduction in light intensity fluctuation in terms of the root-mean-square value.
Composite and grouping: extending the realm of semantic modeling

Two constructs for modeling complex objects, composite and grouping, are examined. It is shown that these are necessary and useful in modeling real-world complex objects by analyzing their structural and behavioral semantics. The notions of composite and grouping inheritance are introduced. The analysis illustrates how the proper employment of composite and grouping can lead to more effective modeling of an application. >
Opioid pain medication orders and administration in the last days of life.

Abstract Context Most patients with serious and life-limiting illness experience pain at some point in the illness trajectory. Objectives To describe baseline pain management practices for imminently dying patients in Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) and examine factors associated with these processes, including presence of opioid orders at the time of death and medication administration in the last seven days, 48 hours, and 24 hours of life. Methods Data on orders and administration of opioid pain medication at the end of life were abstracted from the medical records of veterans who died in six VAMC hospitals in 2005. Results Of 1068 patient records, 686 (64.2%) had an active order for an opioid medication at the time of death. Of these, 69.8% of patients had received the medication at some time within the last seven days of life, 61.2% within the last 48 hours, and 47.0% within the last 24 hours. In multivariable models, presence of an order for opioid pain medication at the time of death and administration within the last 24 hours were both significantly associated with having a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order (P Conclusion Findings indicate a need for improving availability of opioids for end-of-life care in the inpatient setting. Modifiable factors, such as family presence and goals-of-care discussions, suggest potential targets for intervention to improve recognition of the dying process and proactive planning for pain control.
Introgressive hybridization and natural selection in Darwin's finches

Introgressive hybridization, i.e. hybridization with backcrossing, can lead to the fusion of two species, but it can also lead to evolution of a new trajectory through an enhancement of genetic variation in a new or changed ecological environment. On Daphne Major Island in the Galapagos archipelago, ~1–2% of Geospiza fortis finches breed with the resident G. scandens and with the rare immigrant species G. fuliginosa in each breeding season. Previous research has demonstrated morphological convergence of G. fortis and G. scandens over a 30-year period as a result of bidirectional introgression. Here we examine the role of hybridization with G. fuliginosa in the evolutionary trajectory of G. fortis. Geospiza fuliginosa (~12 g) is smaller and has a more pointed beak than G. fortis (~17 g). Genetic variation of the G. fortis population was increased by receiving genes more frequently from G. fuliginosa than from G. scandens (~21 g). A severe drought in 2003–2005 resulted in heavy and selective mortality of G. fortis with large beaks, and they became almost indistinguishable morphologically from G. fuliginosa. This was followed by continuing hybridization, a further decrease in beak size and a potential morphological fusion of the two species under entirely natural conditions.
Wiretapping, Surveillance and the Internet

The advancement of information technology’s current trajectory ever-increasingly puts digital anonymity at risk. Under the U.S. system of government, anonymity and privacy are inextricably linked, and these guaranteed American freedoms should not be disregarded. This paper highlights the importance of maintaining online privacy in an expanding digital world and addresses the risks involved in digital monitoring by the federal government.
Comment on Goldhammer’s “Measuring Ability, Speed, or Both”

The answer to the question, “Ability, speed, or both?” may be “both at once” if speed is simply a manifestation of ability. For instance, if runners A and B start at the same place at the same time...
A Bayesian network approach for modeling mixed features in TCGA ovarian cancer data

We propose an integrative framework to select important genetic and epigenetic features related to ovarian cancer and to quantify the causal relationships among these features using a logistic Bayesian network model based on The Cancer Genome Atlas data. The constructed Bayesian network has identified four gene clusters of distinct cellular functions, 13 driver genes, as well as some new biological pathways which may shed new light into the molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer.
Pharmaceutical Raw Material Identification Using Miniature Near-Infrared (MicroNIR) Spectroscopy and Supervised Pattern Recognition Using Support Vector Machine

Near-infrared spectroscopy as a rapid and non-destructive analytical technique offers great advantages for pharmaceutical raw material identification (RMID) to fulfill the quality and safety requirements in pharmaceutical industry. In this study, we demonstrated the use of portable miniature near-infrared (MicroNIR) spectrometers for NIR-based pharmaceutical RMID and solved two challenges in this area, model transferability and large-scale classification, with the aid of support vector machine (SVM) modeling. We used a set of 19 pharmaceutical compounds including various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients and six MicroNIR spectrometers to test model transferability. For the test of large-scale classification, we used another set of 253 pharmaceutical compounds comprised of both chemically and physically different APIs and excipients. We compared SVM with conventional chemometric modeling techniques, including soft independent modeling of class analogy, partial least squares discriminant analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and quadratic discriminant analysis. Support vector machine modeling using a linear kernel, especially when combined with a hierarchical scheme, exhibited excellent performance in both model transferability and large-scale classification. Hence, ultra-compact, portable and robust MicroNIR spectrometers coupled with SVM modeling can make on-site and in situ pharmaceutical RMID for large-volume applications highly achievable.
Incorporating Reliability and Failure Models Into Energy System Analysis

Estimation of the mean lifetime and reliability of sophisticated systems such as cogeneration power plant (CHP) is a challenging problem in energy-engineering applications. A simulation model that predicts failure and repair times is described and used to calculate operating time availability and costs to operate the system. The new concept of estimated repair time with a Weibull probability density function is the key to the study of the down time. This probability distribution was defined for each component to estimate the time necessary to repair and the associated costs in economic and sustainability terms. The described simulation model provides a tool that demonstrates the competitive advantage or disadvantage of the CHP system for an application and enables more informed decisions as to their designs.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Mechanism of Action of Staphylococcal Toxin in Rabbits.

SummaryThe R.E.S., which is the main defense against endotoxin, plays no part in the defense against staphylococcal toxin. The kidneys remove staphylococcal toxin from the circulating blood. The toxin or a modification of it is subsequently released, then exerts a lethal action elsewhere. For some hours after it is taken up by the kidney the toxin cannot act. Thus, the kidney is protective for some hours. Indeed nephrectomy prevents death from exotoxin. The renal necrosis produced by the toxin in itself is not the lethal lesion, because renal necrosis produced by arterial occlusion does not cause such rapid death as occurs in renal necrosis produced by the toxin.
Enhanced charge ordering transition in doped CaFeO 3 through steric templating

We report a density functional theory investigation of $B$-site doped ${\mathrm{CaFeO}}_{3}$, a prototypical charge ordered perovskite. At 290 K, ${\mathrm{CaFeO}}_{3}$ undergoes a metal-insulator transition and a charge disproportionation reaction 2${\mathrm{Fe}}^{4+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{Fe}}^{5+}$+${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$. We observe that when Zr dopants occupy a (001) layer, the band gap of the resulting solid solution increases to 0.93 eV due to a two-dimensional Jahn-Teller-type distortion, where ${\mathrm{FeO}}_{6}$ cages on the $xy$ plane elongate along $x$ and $y$ alternatively between neighboring Fe sites. Furthermore, we show that the rock-salt ordering of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{5+}$ and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ cations can be enhanced when the $B$-site dopants are arranged in a (111) plane due to a collective steric effect that facilitates the size discrepancy between the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{5+}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ octahedra and therefore gives rise to a larger band gap. The enhanced charge disproportionation in these solid solutions is verified by rigorously calculating the oxidation states of the Fe cations with different octahedral cage sizes. We therefore predict that the corresponding transition temperature will increase due to the enhanced charge ordering and larger band gap. The compositional, structural, and electrical relationships exploited in this paper can be extended to a variety of perovskites and nonperovskite oxides, providing guidance in the structural manipulation of electrical properties of functional materials.
The pathogenic analysis and therapy of children with severe pneumonia associated with measles

Objective To investigate the varieties of pathogens in children with severe pneumonia associated with measles,so as to provide reference for the choice of antimicrobial agents in clinic.Methods The sputum samples from 97 children with severe pneumonia associated with measles were cultured,bacteria identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed with VITEK-2 system.Results The sputum of 63 cases(64.95%) was detected positive,68 bacterial strains were obtained,55 strains were gram-negative bacilli,6 were Streptococcus pneumoniae,7 were Staphylococcus aureus;25 strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were also detected.Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that bacteria strains were susceptible to imipenem,cefepime,piperacillin/tazobactan,vancomycin,amikacin and quinolones,but resistant to the other penicillins and the first,second and third generation cephalosporins.Conclusion The pathogens in severe pneumonia associated with measles are mainly gram-negative bacilli,the next was Mycoplasma.Imipenem can be used as the first choice of empirical antimicrobial agent,treatment of Mycoplasma should also be paid attention.
Complete algorithms for cooperative pathfinding problems

Problems that require multiple agents to follow non-interfering paths from their current states to their respective goal states are called cooperative pathfinding problems. We present the first complete algorithm for finding these paths that is sufficiently fast for real-time applications. Furthermore, our algorithm offers a trade-off between running time and solution quality. We then refine our algorithm into an anytime algorithm that first quickly finds a solution, and then uses any remaining time to incrementally improve that solution until it is optimal or the algorithm is terminated. We compare our algorithms to those in the literature and show that in addition to completeness, our algorithms offer improved solution quality as well as competitive running time.
Dielectric and X-Ray Studies of Ca x Ba 1 − x Ti O 3 and Ca x Sr 1 − x Ti O 3

Ceramics of ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ have been prepared and their dielectric and structural properties investigated. Firing conditions were adjusted to obtain sharp x-ray back reflections. The Curie point of ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ increases with Ca concentration up to 136\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C for $x=0.08$, and then decreases. Both the tetragonal-orthorhombic and the orthorhombic-rhombohedral transition points of ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ decrease monotonically with increasing Ca concentration. ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ solid solutions with $0.01l~xl~0.10$ are ferroelectric at very low temperatures. SrTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ assumes a tetragonal structure below about 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K.