cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of prefrontal cortex in resolving distractor interference

We investigate the hypothesis that those subregions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) found to support proactive interference resolution may also support delay-spanning distractor interference resolution. Ten subjects performed delayed-recognition tasks requiring working memory for faces or shoes during functional MRI scanning. During the 15-sec delay interval, task-irrelevant distractors were presented. These distractors were either all faces or all shoes and were thus either congruent or incongruent with the domain of items in the working memory task. Delayed-recognition performance was slower and less accurate during congruent than during incongruent trials. Our fMRI analyses revealed significant delay interval activity for face and shoe working memory tasks within both dorsal and ventral PFC. However, only ventral PFC activity was modulated by distractor category, with greater activity for congruent than for incongruent trials. Importantly, this congruency effect was only present for correct trials. In addition to PFC, activity within the fusiform face area was investigated. During face distraction, activity was greater for face relative to shoe working memory. As in ventrolateral PFC, this congruency effect was only present for correct trials. These results suggest that the ventrolateral PFC and fusiform face area may work together to support delay-spanning interference resolution.
WEAKLY CLASSICAL THEORIES OF IDENTITY

There are well-known quasi-formal arguments that identity is a “strict” relation in at least the following three senses: (1) There is a single identity relation and a single distinctness relation; (2) There are no contingent cases of identity or distinctness; and (3) There are no vague or indeterminate cases of identity or distinctness. However, the situation is less clear cut than it at first may appear. There is a natural formal theory of identity that is very close to the standard classical theory but which does not validate the formal analogues of (1)–(3). The core idea is simple: We weaken the Principle of the Indiscernibility of Identicals from a conditional to an entailment and we adopt a weakly classical logic. This paper investigates this weakly classical theory of identity (and related theories) and discusses its philosophical ramifications. It argues that we can accept a reasonable theory of identity without committing ourselves to the uniqueness, necessity, or determinacy of identity.
An automatic relaxation method for solving interval linear inequalities

Abstract The problem of solving iteratively a large and possibly sparse system of interval linear inequalities α ⩽ Ax ⩽ β is considered. An algorithm of the row-action type is proposed which, in each iterative step, effectively takes account of a pair of inequalities describing a single interval inequality. The algorithm realizes in an automatic manner a relaxation principle proposed by Goffin but also allows further external relaxation parameters.
Generalization of the Onsager Reciprocity Theorem

The Onsager reciprocity theorem has been since its discovery in 1931 one of the most prominent successes of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Its interpretation and application suffer from several limiting assumptions made in its derivation. The most notable of these is the linear relation between the currents and the affinities. A generalization of the Onsager theorem has been obtained, which is comparatively free of ad hoc assumptions.
SU-E-T-542: Comparison of Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) of Brain Lesions Using Gamma Knife, VMAT, IMRT, and Conformal Arcs

Purpose: To compare dose distributions in stereotactic radiation surgery of brain lesions using gamma Knife, VMAT, conformal arcs, and IMRT in order to provide an optimal treatment. Methods: Dose distributions from single shot of 4C model of Gamma Knife at the helmet collimation sizes of 4, 8, 14, and 18 mm in diameter were compared with full arcs with the square shapes of 4×4 (or 5×5), 8×8 (or 10×10), and spherical shapes of 16 or 20 mm in diameter using EDR3 films in the same gamma knife QA phantom. Plans for ten SRS cases with single and multiple lesions were created in gamma knife plans and Pinnacle plans. The external beam plans had enlarged field size by 2-mm and used single conformal full circle arc for solitary lesion and none coplanar arcs/beams for multiple lesions. Coverage, conformity index, dose to critical organs, and integral dose to the brain and nearby critical structures were compared on all plans. Structures and dose matrices were registered in a Velocity deformable image registration system. Results: Single full circle arc from Elekta beam-modulate MLC (4-mm leaf thickness) and agility MLC (5-mm leaf thickness) have larger penumbra and less flatness than that of Gamma Knife singlemore » shot. None-coplanar arcs or beams were required to achieve similar dose distribution. In general, Gamma Knife plans provided significant less integral dose than that of linac-based plans. Benefits of IMRT and VMAT versus gamma Knife and conformal arcs were not significant. Conclusion: Our dose measurement and treatment planning evaluation clearly demonstrated dose distribution differences amount current popular SRS modalities for small solitary and multiple brain lesions. The trend of using MLC shape beams or arcs to replace conventional cones should be revisited in order to keep lower integral dose if the late correlates with some radiation-induced side effects. Pilot grant from Elekta LLC.« less
Global educational goals, technology, and information literacy in higher education

In today's rapidly evolving environment, information literacy is a key underlying element in global educational goals and in disciplinary learning in higher education; ultimately it is essential in producing lifelong learners.
The PDBbind database: collection of binding affinities for protein-ligand complexes with known three-dimensional structures.

We have screened the entire Protein Data Bank (Release No. 103, January 2003) and identified 5671 protein−ligand complexes out of 19 621 experimental structures. A systematic examination of the primary references of these entries has led to a collection of binding affinity data (Kd, Ki, and IC50) for a total of 1359 complexes. The outcomes of this project have been organized into a Web-accessible database named the PDBbind database.
Sensor-based redundancy resolution for a nonholonomic mobile manipulator

Redundant nonholonomic mobile manipulators have wide range applications in civilian and military areas. The high redundancy provides high operation flexibility but also introduces redundancy resolution problems. The existing methods mainly focus on the off-line redundancy resolution, and most of them are based on single objective optimization. However, in order to efficiently accomplish a specific task, the dynamic environment information, task constraints and requirements should be considered. This paper investigates a new method which employs the onboard sensor information to resolve the redundancy online by realizing multiple objectives optimization. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by simulation results.
A multistage in-plane micro-thermoelectric cooler

This paper presents a mutli-stage thermoelectric micro cooler designed for integration with a wide variety of MEMS devices, including MEMS resonators, which benefit from decreased phase noise at low temperatures. The cooler is fabricated using a multilayer process that allows the device to achieve thermal isolation greater than 10,000 K/W while still maintaining mechanical robustness for practical applications. Co-evaporated thin film bismuth telluride and antimony telluride are used as the thermoelectric materials. The cooler is 9 x 9 mm2 and a preliminary prototype has achieved cooling of 3.8 K, comparable to values predicted using a one-dimensional mathematical model.
Drug safety evaluation of olanzapine/fluoxetine combination.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are common and recurrent conditions associated with significant disability, morbidity and mortality. Despite the clear need for effective treatments, only a few medications have been approved in the US for these indications. The combined formulation of olanzapine–fluoxetine (OFC) has been available for a decade now, thus a review on its safety profile and comparative efficacy is timely and can help clinicians to determine the benefit/risk profile of OFC within the context of other treatment alternatives.Areas covered: This paper summarizes the rationale and evidence supporting the use of OFC for both bipolar I depressive episodes and TRD with a focus on safety and tolerability. Product labels and the search engine PubMed was used to obtain relevant information on this subject.Expert opinion: Although further comparative studies are needed, the literature confirms that the OFC is an effective treatment for bipolar I depressive episodes...
Dynamics of a single guy cable

Abstract A numerical method has been used for selected dynamic analyses of single guy cables (both windward and leeward). This method has been validated by comparing its results to those of analytical formulae. Natural frequencies and mode shapes have been determined for both windward and leeward guys, vibrating about their deflected positions under increasing average wind speeds. A simple wind approach has been used to investigate the feasibility of large amplitude oscillations.
Catalytic pyrolysis for the production of refinery-ready biocrude oils from six different biomass sources

This study focused on understanding the impact of catalytic pyrolysis and biomass feedstock on the physicochemical properties of upgraded bio-oils. Results from catalytic conversion of different types of biomass feedstocks (woody: pine, hybrid poplar and pinyon-juniper; herbaceous: switchgrass; agricultural residue: corn stover; and forest residue: pine bark) with HZSM-5 zeolite to biocrude oils are presented. The study showed that the source of biomass plays an important role in catalytic pyrolysis products. Significant differences were observed in product distribution, selectivity to aromatic hydrocarbons and physicochemical properties of the biocrude oils. The pyroprobe-GC/MS experiment showed that pine and pinyon-juniper produced the highest carbon yield of monoaromatic hydrocarbons. 13C NMR analysis revealed that aromatic hydrocarbon content of the oils followed this order: pinyon-juniper > corn stover > pine > poplar > switchgrass > pine bark. The chemical composition and the physicochemical properties indicated that it is critical to reduce carbonyls to achieve stable oils. Also, it was found that elimination of sugars (levoglucosan) and phenolics would improve oil specific gravity and viscosity. Furthermore, reducing the acidity of oils by catalytic pyrolysis appeared to be very challenging. Hence, phenols (weak acids) may have to be minimized in addition to other acids to increase the pH. The nitrogen contents correlated with pH values. Thus, feedstocks with high nitrogen content produced less acidic oils. Nonetheless, high content of nitrogenous compounds could make the biocrude oil highly unstable. The effects of the bio-oil chemical composition on the physicochemical properties are discussed as well as opportunities and challenges of utilizing biocrude oil as feed for standard refinery units.
An algebraic structure of discrete-time biaffine systems

New results on the realization of finite-dimensional, discrete-time, internally biaffine systems are presented in this paper. The external behavior of such systems is described by multiaffine functions and the state space is constructed via Nerode equivalance relations. We prove that the state space is an affine space. An algorithm which amounts to choosing a frame for the affine space is presented. Our algorithm reduces in the linear and bilinear case to a generalization of algorithms existing in the literature. Explicit existence criteria for span-canonical realizations as well as an affine isomorphism theorem are given.
Experimental Pulmonary Aspergillosis Due to Aspergillus terreus: Pathogenesis and Treatment of an Emerging Fungal Pathogen Resistant to Amphotericin B

Aspergillus terreus is an uncommon but emerging fungal pathogen, which causes lethal infections that are often refractory to amphotericin B (AmB). In comparison to Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus was resistant to the in vitro fungicidal effects of safely achievable concentrations of AmB. These in vitro findings correlated directly with resistance of A. terreus to AmB in experimental invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Residual fungal pulmonary burden and galactomannan antigenemia demonstrated persistent infection, despite therapy with deoxycholate AmB or liposomal AmB. By comparison, posaconazole and itraconazole resolved GM antigenemia, reduced residual fungal burden, and improved survival. There were no differences in phagocytic host response to A. terreus versus A. fumigatus; however, the rate of conidial germination of A. terreus was slower. The strain of A. terreus with the highest minimum inhibitory and minimum lethal concentration of AmB also had the lowest membrane ergosterol content. The hyphae of A. terreus in vivo displayed distinctive aleurioconidia, which may be a practical microscopic feature for rapid preliminary diagnosis.
Evidence for double injections in scatter‐free solar impulsive electron events

We investigate the injection at the Sun for three scatter-free impulsive electron events (7 August 1999, 28 June and 22 August 2000) observed from ~0.4 to 300 keV by the WIND 3DP instrument. Taking into account the interplanetary scatter-free propagation and instrumental effects, we find that the observed time profiles of electron fluxes at all energies fit well to triangular injections at the Sun with equal rise and fall times. We find two distinct injections: that of ~0.4 to 6–9 keV electrons begins 9.1 ± 4.7 min before the start of the type III radio burst and lasts for 50–300 min, while that of ~3 to 300 keV electrons starts 7.6 ± 1.3 min after the start of the type III burst and lasts for a factor of 5–10 times shorter. Electrons of the low-energy injection are likely to be the source of the type III radio bursts, and the delayed high-energy injection occurs when the associated CME passes altitudes of ~1–6 Rs. The observed electron energy spectra fit to double power-law with a downward break at ~40–50 keV, but exhibit a smooth power-law across the transition (~6–13 keV) between the two injections, suggesting the low-energy injection may provide the seed electrons for the high-energy injection.
An 8 $\times$ 8 Pixel Array Pen-Input OLED Screen Based on Organic Magnetoresistance

We present the design principles for a pen-input organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display based on the recently discovered organic magnetoresistance effect (OMAR). In the prototypical OLED material Alq3, OMAR is as large as 10% for small magnetic fields, B=10 mT at room temperature. We construct a pen-input screen consisting of an 8 times 8 pixel OMAR array made from Alq3, together with a magnetic pen that emits an ac magnetic field. We describe a multiplexed detection scheme that uses a single filter/amplifier circuit to sequentially scan the individual pixels for the presence of the magnetic pen. For this scheme to work efficiently, it requires using frequencies on the order of 100 kHz. We demonstrate that our OMAR devices can indeed follow such high frequencies under certain operating conditions
Testing the Effects of Biogenic Amines and Alternative Topical Solvent Types on the Behavioral Repertoire of Two Web‐Building Spiders

AbstractInvestigating the proximate mechanism underlying behavior has longbeen a primary goal of ethologists. With the recent focus on behavioralcorrelations (e.g., behavioral syndromes), a fundamental question arisesregarding what mechanisms may drive positive relationships betweenfunctionally distinct behaviors. Understanding these mechanisms caninform critical questions, such as why distinct behaviors are often corre-lated, and can also lend insights into how behavioral similarities are con-served across species. Arthropods provide an idea system to study thesequestions as the biogenic amines, such as octopamine and serotonin, havelong been known to mediate a large number of behaviors such as aggres-sion, dominance, escape behavior, and others. Behaviorists have severalways in which they can manipulate these biogenic amines in vivo, includ-ing injection, feeding, and topical application. Topical application is poten-tially an optimal method for manipulating amine concentrations, giventhat it is minimally invasive and relatively precise. Here, we investigatethe role of biogenic amines, octopamine, and serotonin, in mediating arange of similar and often correlated behaviors in two distantly relatedspecies of spiders, the western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus, and thefunnel-web spider, Agelenopsis pennsylvanica. Additionally, we investigatethe behavioral effects associated with three commonly used carrier sol-vents: dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and ace-tone. We demonstrate that biogenic amines are involved both inmediating several behaviors, and also potentially the links between differ-ent behaviors. We also show that the same behaviors in different speciesare not affected by biogenic amines in the same manner, suggesting differ-ences in the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms governingbehavior. Furthermore, we discovered large and pervasive effects associ-ated with both carrier solvents, thus calling into question the potentialusefulness and interpretability of topical application methods in behav-ioral research.IntroductionUnderstanding the proximate underpinnings of ani-mal behavior is essential because it reveals the rawmaterials on which natural selection acts. This, inturn, can yield insights into when and how behavioraladaptations or constraints are formed anddisintegrated through selection. Furthermore, thestudy of these proximate mechanisms can lend insightinto why animals behave in the ways they do. Forexample, a number of studies have shown that func-tionally distinct behaviors (i.e., aggression and activ-ity) are often correlated across time and/or contexts(aka a ‘behavioral syndrome’) (Pruitt et al. 2008;
Pair2 learning = pair programming × pair teaching

Pair programming is a frequently cited method for retaining students and improving student learning in introductory Computer Science courses. When pair programming is employed early in the curriculum, students work together to learn to program more effectively and also enjoy the programming process more than when working alone. With pair teaching, the pairing concept is applied to the teachers instead of the students. Studies have shown that pair teaching has a number of benefits for the teachers, however, there has been little attention paid to the effect of pair teaching on student learning. The purpose of this paper is to report on our experience with pair teaching and its positive benefits to student learning. We have found that students appreciate getting two perspectives on course materials, feel they are getting additional beneficial one-on-one time with instructors, and also simply enjoy the diversity of having two instructors.
The kinesin-13 KLP10A motor regulates oocyte spindle length and affects EB1 binding without altering microtubule growth rates

Kinesin-13 motors are unusual in that they do not walk along microtubules, but instead diffuse to the ends, where they remove tubulin dimers, regulating microtubule dynamics. Here we show that Drosophila kinesin-13 klp10A regulates oocyte meiosis I spindle length and is haplo-insufficient - KLP10A, reduced by RNAi or a loss-of-function P element insertion mutant, results in elongated and mispositioned oocyte spindles, and abnormal cortical microtubule asters and aggregates. KLP10A knockdown by RNAi does not significantly affect microtubule growth rates in oocyte spindles, but, unexpectedly, EB1 binding and unbinding are slowed, suggesting a previously unobserved role for kinesin-13 in mediating EB1 binding interactions with microtubules. Kinesin-13 may regulate spindle length both by disassembling subunits from microtubule ends and facilitating EB1 binding to plus ends. We also observe an increased number of paused microtubules in klp10A RNAi knockdown spindles, consistent with a reduced frequency of microtubule catastrophes. Overall, our findings indicate that reduced kinesin-13 decreases microtubule disassembly rates and affects EB1 interactions with microtubules, rather than altering microtubule growth rates, causing spindles to elongate and abnormal cortical microtubule asters and aggregates to form.
3D object recognition using a mobile laser range finder

Presents a 3D object recognition system with emphasis on an optimum placement strategy for a mobile 3D range sensor. The theoretical aspects leading to the development of the 3D sensor placement paradigm are presented and described. The authors use a triangulation type laser of range finder in which a CCD based imaging device is utilized to view a plane of laser light bounced from a sweeping mirror. The sensor characteristics are described and modeled. A set of criteria for use in constraining the possible sensor site location for future scans is presented. These constraint conditions are essential to drive the actual sensor placement algorithm for 3D object recognition. >
Amiloride protein synthesis and activation of quiescent cells

Amiloride is known to inhibit both influx of sodium ions and activation of quiescent cells by growth factors. The coincidence of these effects has been cited to support the proposal that influx of sodium ions acts as a mitogenic signal. Although it was noted that amiloride inhibited protein synthesis, this was attributed to an action on transport of amino acids, particularly those coupled to sodium fluxes. We find, however, that amiloride directly inhibits polypeptide synthesis in a reticulocyte lysate. In Swiss 3T3 cells, concentrations of amiloride and of cycloheximide that are nearly matched in their degree of inhibition of protein synthesis, produce about the same degree of inhibition of transit of cells from G0 to S. Inhibition of protein synthesis is sufficient to explain the effect of amiloride on mitogenesis; the drug, therefore, is not suitable for testing the hypothesis that sodium influx is a mitogenic signal.
Labour market characteristics and profitability: An econometric analysis of Hugarian exporting firms, 1986-951

This paper follows through an aspect of microeconomic restructuring in Hungary during the transition period. This restructuring brought about substantial changes in the behaviour of all economic agents. Our study combines labour market and corporate financial information to explore the effect of the quality of labour employed on the profitability of the firm. The quality of labour is measured as that portion of wage differentials that cannot be explained by a standard human capital model. The profitability of Hungarian exporting firms can be explained by economic factors during transition. In addition the quality of labour, export share, wage and bank costs, payables, receivables, foreign ownership, inventories, amortization and equity are all significant explanatory variables.
Social Networking and Moving to Far-Flung Locations

The use of spatial neighborhoods in modeling both the movement of individuals and their interactions is realistic in many situtations such as at a social gathering (a party) or in an organization (a company). However, it is too restrictive for modeling the sorts of economic and social phenomena that are increasingly taking place in the modern world where the tools of technology have fundamentally altered the nature of human interactions and movement. Today, a person can interact instantaneously with one or more people who are far away, using the telephone or email [a sister of one of the authors (RJG) first met her husband on the Internet] and the mass media can be used to propagate memes (the purpose of televangelism) or to spread gossip (talk shows create and maintain celebrity). People today can also move about from one location to another distant location (using an airplane or a car). In this chapter we present some basic tools that can be used for modeling nonlocal interactions and movement.
Mutagenesis-Derived Puroindoline Alleles in Triticum aestivum and Their Impacts on Milling and Bread Quality

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) end-product quality is impacted by grain hardness, which is determined by the Hardness locus consisting of the Puroindoline a and Puroindoline b genes, Pina and Pinb, respectively. Hard wheats commonly contain just one of two Pin mutations. We previously demonstrated the creation and preliminary hardness testing of 46 Pin missense alleles. In this study we examine the degree that individual Pin missense alleles confer unique milling and bread quality traits. Three Pina (PINA-R103K, -G47S, and -P35S) and four Pinb (PINB-D34N, -T38I, -G46D, and -E51K) missense alleles were chosen because they impart variable grain hardness levels, with one allele conferring soft seed texture, three conferring intermediate hardness (single-kernel characterization system [SKCS] hardness approximately 50), and three conferring hard grain texture (SKCS hardness greater than 60). All but two of the alleles (PINA-R103K and PINA-G47S) resulted in higher total flour yield when compared with wild-type contr...
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Incidence, Cause, and Comparative Frequency of Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: A Decade in Review”

We thank Drs Daniels and Burns for pointing out that coronary artery aneurysms were not included on the “Guidelines for Pathological Diagnosis.”1 The list was not meant to be inclusive, and many pathological entities that cause sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, but not represented in this cohort, were not included. Other diagnoses assigned as a cause of death, but not included in the guidelines, were long QT syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White, and commotio cordis. In these cases, the cause of death was assigned given the circumstances of death and personal or family history. In this study, autopsy was available for …
Insectary Evaluation of New Insecticides for Onion Maggot Control

An insectary method to evaluate the potential field effectiveness of insecticides for control of the onion maggot, Hylemya antiqua (Meigen), was devised and proven by a series of experiments. This procedure will provide a means of eliminating noneffective new and untried materials from the field-testing program, thereby saving time and expense. The evaluation proceeded in 2 steps. First, activity of the new compound was determined by mixing the chemical into muck soil at predetermined dosages. The treated soil was apportioned and each portion placed into a pintsize plastic container, providing 4 replicates. The soil in each container was infested with 25 onion maggot eggs placed in the center and surrounded by 4 small onion bulbs as a food source for the larvae. After hatching, the young larvae moved to the bulbs and came in contact with the chemical in the soil. Survival of larvae after a 2-week period gave a measure of the potency of the chemical. If the new compound proved to have a high toxicity a second step was taken. The length of time that a chemical remained active in the soil was ascertained, because in the field the insecticide must be effective over a period of at least 6 weeks. To determine longevity, portions of treated soil were tested by the described means at intervals following treatment, over a period of 20 weeks. The information gained from these tests indicated the potential of a compound as an effective material in the field.
The growth of fungi on asphalt-treated paper.

The use of asphalt-coated paper to protect the contents of boxes containing materials which might be injured by moisture or molds is very extensive. There seems to be a wide-spread impression that asphalt is itself a fungicide. In view of the very great variability in the substances marketed as asphalt it is quite possible that some asphalts do incorporate materials which are fungicidal, but the studies here reported demonstrate that this cannot be taken for granted. Several asphalt-treated L-2 Type Case Liners were sent to the Biological Laboratory of the Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot for study. These were variously spotted (FIGS. 1 and 2) with what were obviously fungous growths. Isolations made from these spots yielded nineteen different fungi. These were identified at least as to genus and were assigned culture numbers as follows:
Caregiver Burden and Hemodialysis

In the frenetic world of dialysis clinics, it is possible to occasionally forget that we are not treating individual patients but, rather, people who have families, friends, loved ones, and personal care attendants. The Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) has underscored our commitment to patients
Henri Barbusse, official biographer of Joseph Stalin:

This article represents the first sustained critical analysis of Henri Barbusse’s Staline (1935), the first official biography of Joseph Stalin. The author traces Barbusse’s evolution from a Goncourt-winning pacifist writer in the immediate post-World War I years to his position as a Stalinist propagandist at the end of his life. This article reads Staline as propaganda in the service of Stalin’s personality cult, examining its overarching themes, its narrative mechanics, its reception and its legacy. Staline ultimately presents a case study of the dangers of complicity with the extreme left in the interwar period.
Notched Toe Pads in Climbing Oscines

The unusual structural and behavioral features of birds that typically climb on tree trunks or rock walls have attracted much attention (cf. Richardson, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., 46:317-368, 1942; Bock and Miller, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 1931:1-45, 1959). However, previous authors have not mentioned the small notches in the pads on the toes of certain climbing species. I here summarize observations on the occurrence of these notches and offer functional and evolutionary interpretations.
Writing better multiple choice questions in the computing sciences

This interactive tutorial will give participants hands on experience in creating and improving computing science related multiple choice questions. Some of the concepts covered while creating and editing sample multiple choice questions will include: the proper structure of multiple choice items, what should and should not be included in a question stem, the importance of concision and precision in the key answer, and the importance of plausible, but incorrect, distractors.
An Improved EEMD De-noising Method Based on Optimized Threshold Function

An EEMD optimized threshold de-noising method was proposed based on the decomposed characteristics of white noise for the purpose of de-noising. The method is adaptive,free from the choice of wavelet base and the determination of the number of decomposition order,and at the same time it can effectively suppress the phenomenon of mode mixing. The choice principle of mutation point and bizarre point was proposed start with the change rate of the product of the energy of IMF component and its corresponding averaged period. Then the method quantifies the mutation point IMF and bizarre point IMF by the way of optimized threshold de-noising function proposed. It can get the de-noising signal by summing the quantified IMFs. At last,the experiment to the simulation based signal proves the valid and superiority of this method.
Two-step Structure Damage Identification Approach of Oil Derrick Structure

For the configuration damage discrimination of JJ160/41-K oil derrick,Two-step means based on mode parameters and SVM are advanced: Firstly based on flexility matrix,damage location of derrick is discriminated; and then,regarding flexility curvature difference as discrimination index,a quantitative analysis on known-damage-location derrick is done with splendid regression of SVM . Simulation Results indicates this method can analyse damage location and degree of derrick structures effectively.
Renal responses to vena caval and portal venous infusions of sodium chloride in unanaesthetized dogs.

1. Recent investigation has shown that sodium excretion is greater following portal venous infusion of 5% sodium chloride (w/v) than after systemic infusion in anaesthetized dogs. It was suggested that a factor of hepatic origin which is capable of depressing renal tubular reabsorption may be involved in this response. The present experiments were undertaken to determine the renal responses of conscious, unanaesthetized dogs to infusions of 5% NaCl administered systemically and by the portal venous routes. 2. No differences were observed in urine flow or sodium excretion rates in normal dogs when responses to the two routes of NaCl infusion were compared; potassium excretion was elevated following systemic as compared to portal NaCl infusion (P 3. These findings are not compatible with the concept that a natriuretic factor is released from the liver consequent to elevation of portal venous sodium concentration in the conscious dog.
Production and Characterization of Desmalonichrome Relative Binding Affinity for Uranyl Ions in Relation to Other Siderophores.

Siderophores are iron (Fe)-binding secondary metabolites that have been investigated for their uranium-binding properties. Previous work has focused on characterizing hydroxamate types of siderophores, such as desferrioxamine B, for their uranyl (UO2)-binding affinity. Carboxylate forms of these metabolites hold potential to be more efficient chelators of UO2, yet they have not been widely studied. Desmalonichrome is a carboxylate siderophore that is not commercially available and so was obtained from the fungus Fusarium oxysporum cultivated under Fe-depleted conditions. The relative affinity for UO2 binding of desmalonichrome was investigated using a competitive analysis of binding affinities between UO2 acetate and different concentrations of Fe(III) chloride using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In addition to desmalonichrome, three other siderophores, including two hydroxamates (desferrioxamine B and desferrichrome) and one carboxylate (desferrichrome A), were studied to understand their re...
Hearing the patient's story: exploring physician-patient communication using narrative case reports.

OBJECTIVE This study employs narrative case reports to explore clinicians' interpretations of patients' words and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to investigate hospitalized patients' perspectives on medical issues and how these differ from their physicians' perspectives. METHODS Residents identified 19 hospitalized patients over a two-year period with whom they had problems communicating. These residents described the reasons they believed the problems existed and then they questioned the patients about their illness experiences, using an open-ended interview style. Interviewers shared interpretations about the interview and patient behavior. Data were recorded in journal form. RESULTS Common to each of the cases were misunderstandings between physicians and patients. The primary concerns of the residents (why they thought patients' behaviors were problematic) differed from the corresponding interpreted understandings of the patients' behaviors. Two case reports illustrate these observations. CONCLUSION This study illustrates how narrative case reports can facilitate the recognition of themes in physician-patient communication that refer to the psychological and social realms of sickness. Such an approach can help identify misperceptions between physicians and patients. Clinicians, educators, and researchers can use this approach, respectively, to improve relationships with patients, to enrich student and resident understandings of communication issues, and to develop new forums for sharing qualitative aspects of physician-patient communication.
Computation of Orientational Filters for Real-Time Computer Vision Problems I

Orientational filters have been used frequently for computer vision problems. Despite their strength in various vision problems, their use in real-time applications has been limited since they are computationally intensive. This paper examines various types of orientational filters and their implementation schemes, and proposes an efficient computation method called separable approximation . There are three different algorithms for the approximation: Singular Value Decomposition, Orthogonal Sequence Decomposition and Singular Value/Orthogonal Sequence Decomposition. Implementation is described and evaluated based on throughput, latency, computational complexity and the amount of storage required. Performance of these algorithms is examined on Gabor filters, and their effectiveness is demonstrated.
Performative Femininity and Female Invalidism in John Keats’s “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” and S.T. Coleridge’s Christabel

John Keats and Samuel Taylor Coleridge never employed the term “vampire” to describe their supernatural belles in “La belle dame sans merci” (1819) and Christabel (1797/1800) respectively. Nonetheless, even though they do not possess the sharp fangs paraded by Dracula’s sister-brides or Carmilla’s bloodlust, there is something intrinsically vampiric about their appearance—masses of glossy hair, pallid complexion, heavy-lidded eyes, interminable eyelashes, a languorous gaze, and glistening red lips.
Remodeling the Irradiated Tumor Microenvironment: The Fifth R of Radiobiology?

With the recognition that the host and tumor are inextricably intertwined as a malignant system, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is now considered to be an important target in cancer therapy. A long-standing objective to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy has been to manipulate microenvironmental factors that impede cancer cell radiosensitivity, most notably hypoxia. A more recent idea is to eradicate or reeducate the components of TME that support and sustain cancer in order to better control the local tumor and prevent metastatic disease. The TME includes the vasculature, stromal cells, and immune cells, each of which is locally corrupted by the presence of cancer, which itself influences distant tissue and cell behaviors. The biology of the irradiated TME provides robust targets to augment local tumor control and intersect with immunological mechanisms that can eliminate distant disease. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is an example of a critical mediator of the irradiated TME. TGFβ inhibition in the context of radiotherapy is predicated on understanding its mechanistic opposition to therapeutic benefit. Therapeutic strategies to biologically augment radiotherapy by preventing the reestablishment of a functional TME could motivate the addition to the classic “Rs” of radiation biology in oncology: repair, reoxygenation, repopulation, redistribution, and now, remodeling the TME.
Interpretation of aerial thermograms

Aerial thermograms of houses, buildings, and steam tunnels are discussed to show typical interpretation.
Practical Techniques for Using Neural Networks to Estimate State from Images

An important task for training a robot (virtual or real) is to estimate state. State includes the state of the robot and its environment. Images from digital cameras are commonly used to monitor the robot due to the rich information, and low-cost hardware. Neural networks excel at catagorizing images, and should prove powerful to estimate the state of the robot from these images. There are many problems that occur when attempting to estimate state with neural networks, including high resolution of images, training time, vanishing gradient, and more. This paper presents several practical techniques for facilitating state estimation from images with neural networks.
The Effects of Catholic and Protestant Schools: A Meta-Analysis.

A meta-analysis was undertaken including 41 studies to determine the influence of Catholic and Protestant schools. The analysis examined studies undertaken at both the elementary and secondary school level. The results indicate that both Catholic and Protestant school students do better than their counterparts in public schools. In addition, Protestant school students excelled more than their Catholic counterparts on most standardized tests, but Catholic school students did better than their Protestant school counterparts on non-standardized measures. The significance of these results is discussed.
Family Resemblances as Essentialist Concepts in Legal Philosophy

At least in exercises of practical reason such as law, family resemblances and similar forms traditionally considered anti-essentialist understandings of concepts should be considered essentialist understandings of concepts instead. The rational direction by some persons of the real-world actions of others requires that central instances of concepts have essential elements. Further, abstract criteria for the essences of legal concepts, such as formulae for the inclusion of different properties in concepts under different circumstances, are just as essentialist in relevant ways as natural kind concepts. The pragmatic value of different approaches is the only measure of their value, and without essentialism in concept formation, our ability to understand and communicate effectively about the world is impaired.
Second Autologous or Allogeneic Transplantation after the Failure of First Autograft in Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Most patients undergoing high-dose therapy and autologous transplant for multiple myeloma eventually relapse. The optimal salvage treatment for these patients is not very well defined. Both autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations have been used for salvage. We analyzed the outcomes of second autologous or allogeneic transplants, performed as salvage in patients relapsing after an autograft. Methods: Fourteen patients received a second autograft for salvage, while thirty-four patients underwent allogeneic transplantation (related 24, unrelated 10). The median age at transplant was 52 years in the autologous group, and 51 years in the allogeneic group. The median interval between the first and the second transplant was 25 months in the autologous group and 17 months in the allogeneic group. The disease characteristics were similar in both autologous and allogeneic groups. Results: With a median follow-up of 10 months among survivors in each group, both autologous and allogeneic transplant groups had a response rate (complete + partial) of 64%. One hundred day nonrelapse mortality was 7% in the autologous group and 12% in the allogeneic group. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 11 months in the autologous and 6 months in the allogeneic group. Median overall survival (OS) was 29 moths in the autologous and 14 months in the allogeneic group. 1-year DFS was 40% in the autologous group and 22% in the allogeneic group (p = 0.2). 1-year overall survival was 70% in the autologous and 53% in the allogeneic group (p = 0.3). The most common causes of non-relapse mortality were graft vs. host disease (62%) in the allogeneic group, and infections (100%) in the autologous group. On univariate analysis for DFS in allogeneic group, an interval of >1 year between the first and the salvage transplant was the only factor associated with a significantly better outcome (p = 0.01). Disease status at transplant, type of donor, tumor mass, β 2 microglobulin level, and serum albumin level did not show any impact on the outcome. Conclusions: Both autografting and allografting are feasible as salvage for myeloma patients relapsing after the first autograft. A slightly better outcome with salvage autografting may be due to decreased toxicity.
Neuromuscular compensatory strategies at the trunk and lower limb are not resolved following an ACL reconstruction.

Abstract Background Following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), patients present with greater trunk ipsilateral lean, which may affect knee kinetics and increase re-injury risk. However, there has been little research into neuromuscular factors controlling the trunk and their relation to the knee between healthy and ACLR subjects. This is critical to establish in order to develop more directed and effective interventions. Hypothesis As compared to healthy control subjects, ACLR subjects will demonstrate increased erector spinae and rectus abdominis co-contraction, greater rectus abdominis force and greater hamstring force that is correlated to increased forward trunk lean. Study design Cross-sectional study, Level of Evidence: 3. Methods Eleven healthy and eleven ACLR subjects were matched for age, mass and height. Subjects were asked to run at a self-selected speed while instrumented gait analysis was performed. An anthropometrically scaled OpenSim model was created for each subject. Trunk and hamstring muscle forces from Static Optimization were analyzed at impact peak. Additionally, directed co-contraction ratios were calculated for the erector spinae and erector spinae/rectus abdominis combinations. Results ACLR subjects showed more balanced erector spinae co-contraction [p Conclusion Despite release to return to sport, ACLR subjects are continuing to increase the stiffness of their trunk as well increase their hamstring force to potentially reduce anterior tibial translation. Clinical relevance Clinicians may anticipate ACLR subjects using their erector spinae and hamstrings to maintain a sense of stability in their trunk and at their knee.
Uncovering the structure-function relationship in spider silk

All spiders produce protein-based biopolymer fibres that we call silk. The most studied of these silks is spider dragline silk, which is very tough and relatively abundant compared with other types of spider silks. Considerable research has been devoted to understanding the relationship between the molecular structure and mechanical properties of spider dragline silks. In this Review, we overview experimental and computational studies that have provided a wealth of detail at the molecular level on the highly conserved repetitive core and terminal regions of spider dragline silk. We also discuss the role of the nanocrystalline β-sheets and amorphous regions in determining the properties of spider silk fibres, endowing them with strength and elasticity. Additionally, we outline imaging techniques and modelling studies that elucidate the importance of the hierarchical structure of silk fibres at the molecular level. These insights into structure–function relationships can guide the reverse engineering of spider silk to enable the production of superior synthetic fibres. Experimental and computational studies reveal numerous aspects of the molecular and hierarchical structure of spider silk and of its molecular dynamics. In this Review, we discuss the structure–function relationships of spider silk that can be elucidated from these studies and how this knowledge may enable the reverse engineering of spider silk.
Personality-Aware Decision Making In Educational Learning

Personality, as one of the human factors, has been demonstrated as an influential element in decision makings. Its impact in educational learning is still under investigation and there are very few of available data sets in this area. In this paper, we introduce one data that is collected from user studies, describe our exploratory analysis and discuss the corresponding research topics. Furthermore, we encourage more discussions or ideas about the data collection, experimental design, promising topics and research challenges.