cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rotary-wing aircraft terrain-following/terrain-avoidance system development

Work being accomplished to develop a real-time, piloted simulation of a helicopter using the vertical motion simulator at NASA Ames is discussed. The trajectory generation algorithm and the flight path controller are described, and the software integration of the entire terrain following/terrain avoidance (TF/TA) system is discussed. Real-time simulation requirements and the unique features of applying TF/TA system to helicopter flight are summarized. Initial results indicate that the system is satisfactory for automatic, low level TF/TA helicopter flight.
Mixed Models and Unbalanced Data: Wherefrom, Whereat and Whereto?

A brief history of the early years (1820-1947) of random effects models and the estimation of variance components is followed by a personal evaluation of M.L, REML and MINQUE estimation. A method is suggested for combining ML estimator obtained from subsets of a large data set, and comments are made on the need for simulation studies to assess the degree of approximation in using asymptotic properties of ML-type estimators as if they were exact for finite-sized unbalanced data sets.
In-vivo motion analysis of bi-ventricular hearts from tagged MR images

We conduct experiments to look at the in-vivo cardiac motion during systole, to visualize heart contraction, and to examine the clinical usefulness. Our model-based technique incorporates subject-specific modeling, motion analysis and the extraction of clinically relevant parameters within one framework. Previous bi-ventricular model based method could only handle up to the mid-ventricles and have a few test-subjects. Our parameterized model includes the LV, RV and up to the basal area for full ventricular motion study. Finite element methods capture cardiac motion by tracking the material points from tagged Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. A number of experiments from ten subjects are evaluated and analyzed. We tested subject several times and compared the resulting parameters to ensure the reproducibility and deviations. The resulting parameters can be used to describe the cardiac motion of normal subjects. The patterns of normal subjects were derived from experiments. While significant shape and motion variations were apparent in normal subjects, the quantitative analysis show typical patterns. Generally, the basal area moves downwards and the apical area contracts towards the cavity. The principal strain analysis describes the directions and magnitudes of maximum shortening, and maximum thickening.
Abstract 2103: miR-140 and miR-192 are potential tumor suppressors through inhibiting cellular proliferation and restoring cell cycle control in breast cancer cell lines

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs in regulating expressions of multiple mRNA targets mostly by binding at the 3’-UTRs to inhibit mRNA translation or facilitate mRNA cleavage. MiRNAs are involved in the control of many fundamental cellular and physiological processes and mounting evidence indicates that miRNAs play important roles in human cancers acting either as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes through their global impact on multiple genes and pathways. Previous studies from our group have discovered two important miRNAs, miR-140 and miR-192, in suppression of cellular proliferation and triggering cell cycle arrest in both colon cancer and osteosarcoma cell lines. In this study, we further elucidate the molecular and cellular impact of these two miRNAs in breast cancer. miR-140 or miR-192 were over-expressed by transient transfection in a panel of breast cancer cell lines such as MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The proliferation of MCF-7 cells transfected with miR-140 or miR-192 was dramatically decreased at 100 nM while the control miRNA has no effect. Inhibition of proliferation by miR-140 or miR-192 was also observed in MDA-MB-231 cells but less potent than MCF-7 cells at the equal concentration. MCF-7 cells transfected with miR-140 or miR-192 were arrested at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. The cell cycle check point control genes p53 and p21 were induced by over-expressing miR-140 or miR-192. The endogenous miR-140 or miR-192 expression was induced in MCF-7 cells treated with methotraxate (MTX) accompanied with increased expression of p53. Blocking endogenous miR-140 or miR-192 by locked nucleic acid (LNA) modified anti-miRNA increased cellular proliferation rate in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, miR-140 and miR-192 may have therapeutic potential in breast cancer. Keywords: microRNA, breast cancer, miR-140, miR-192 Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2103.
Comparison of reinjection thallium 201 and resting technetium 99m sestamibi tomographic images for the quantification of infarct size after acute myocardial infarction.

Both thallium 201 and technetium 99m sestamibi have been used to quantitate infarct size at rest. Exercise201Tl scintigraphy has been shown to have powerful prognostic information after myocardial infarction. A single study using these agents that could provide data on infarct size and prognosis would be of value. The purpose of this study was to compare estimates of infarct size by use of201Tl and99mTc sestamibi and to correlate these measurements with left ventricular ejection fraction in patients after acute myocardial infarction. The study group consisted of 20 patients who underwent low-level201Tl stress studies with reinjection and99mTc sestamibi resting studies within 4 days. Acute reperfusion was attempted in 18 of 20 patients. For99mTc sestamibi tomographic imaging, infarct size was quantitated with 60% of maximal counts per slice for five short-axis slices as described in multiple previous studies. The postreinjection delayed201Tl images acquired 4 hours after stress were quantitated according to the same threshold method.201Tl patient images were also quantitated with a commercially available polar map program and compared with sex-matched control subjects. Ejection fraction was determined for each patient by radionuclide ventriculography 6 weeks later. Ejection fraction was well preserved for the group: mean 0.53±0.10. Infarct size with99mTc sestamibi was 12%±13% of the left ventricle, which was significantly smaller than either method with201Tl: threshold method, 29%±18% of left ventricle; polar map method, 25%±17% of left ventricle (both201Tl estimates,p<0.0001 vs99mTc sestamibi;201Tl, 70% threshold vs201Tl polar map,p=0.04). There was a significant correlation between infarct size with99mTc sestamibi and that with201Tl (r=0.72 to 0.73;p<0.001). Infarct size with99mTc sestamibi, however, provided the closest correlation with ejection fraction (r=0.81;p<0.001), with the two201Tl quantitative methods providing very similar correlations (r=0.69;p<0.001). Infarct size with reinjection201Tl imaging correlates significantly with resting infarct size with99mTc sestamibi, although it provides significantly larger estimates. Although both approaches can be combined with a same-day exercise protocol, the closer correlation of infarct size with ejection fraction at 6 weeks suggests that resting infarct size with99mTc sestamibi may be slightly more accurate.
Effect of DNA methylation on identification of aggressive prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES Biochemical (prostate-specific antigen) recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy remains a major problem. Better biomarkers are needed to identify high-risk patients. DNA methylation of promoter regions leads to gene silencing in many cancers. In this study, we assessed the effect of DNA methylation on the identification of recurrent prostate cancer. METHODS We studied the methylation status of 15 pre-specified genes using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction on tissue samples from 151 patients with localized prostate cancer and at least 5 years of follow-up after prostatectomy. RESULTS On multivariate logistic regression analysis, a high Gleason score and involvement of the capsule, lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, or surgical margin were associated with an increased risk of biochemical recurrence. Methylation of CDH13 by itself (odds ratio 5.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34 to 22.67; P = 0.02) or combined with methylation of ASC (odds ratio 5.64, 95% CI 1.47 to 21.7; P = 0.01) was also associated with an increased risk of biochemical recurrence. The presence of methylation of ASC and/or CDH13 yielded a sensitivity of 72.3% (95% CI 57% to 84.4%) and negative predictive value of 79% (95% CI 66.8% to 88.3%), similar to the weighted risk of recurrence (determined from the lymph node status, seminal vesicle status, surgical margin status, and postoperative Gleason score), a powerful clinicopathologic prognostic score. However, 34% (95% CI 21% to 49%) of the patients with recurrence were identified by the methylation profile of ASC and CDH13 rather than the weighted risk of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study have shown that methylation of CDH13 alone or combined with methylation of ASC is independently associated with an increased risk of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy even considering the weighted risk of recurrence score. These findings should be validated in an independent, larger cohort of patients with prostate cancer who have undergone radical prostatectomy.
Pakistan's Zakat system: A policy model for developing countries as a means of redistributing income to the elderly poor

Summary Pakistan's national zakat system is a simple welfare system based on traditional Islamic law. It provides minimal benefits to the very poorest of Pakistan's poor, especially the elderly. Although the system was launched with the highest religious ideals, utilizing creative approaches to collecting and disbursing zakat, over time this system has experienced deficiencies due to corruption, favoritism, and government greed. While zakat has not met the original goals of eliminating poverty or eliminating beggary, and while it has met the goals of providing rehabilitation and redistributing income in only the most modest sense, Pakistan has still demonstrated the potential for a zakat system to provide some cash income to the very poorest old in a very poor country who would otherwise have no cash income at all.
Targeting breast stem cells with the cancer preventive compounds curcumin and piperine.

The cancer stem cell hypothesis asserts that malignancies arise in tissue stem and/or progenitor cells through the dysregulation or acquisition of self-renewal. In order to determine whether the dietary polyphenols, curcumin, and piperine are able to modulate the self-renewal of normal and malignant breast stem cells, we examined the effects of these compounds on mammosphere formation, expression of the breast stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and Wnt signaling. Mammosphere formation assays were performed after curcumin, piperine, and control treatment in unsorted normal breast epithelial cells and normal stem and early progenitor cells, selected by ALDH positivity. Wnt signaling was examined using a Topflash assay. Both curcumin and piperine inhibited mammosphere formation, serial passaging, and percent of ALDH+ cells by 50% at 5 μM and completely at 10 μM concentration in normal and malignant breast cells. There was no effect on cellular differentiation. Wnt signaling was inhibited by both curcumin and piperine by 50% at 5 μM and completely at 10 μM. Curcumin and piperine separately, and in combination, inhibit breast stem cell self-renewal but do not cause toxicity to differentiated cells. These compounds could be potential cancer preventive agents. Mammosphere formation assays may be a quantifiable biomarker to assess cancer preventive agent efficacy and Wnt signaling assessment can be a mechanistic biomarker for use in human clinical trials.
Combined Antecedent Variables as Motivating operations within Functional Analyses

Functional analysis test conditions typically manipulate a single antecedent variable and an associated consequence to better isolate response-reinforcer relations. In some instances no problem behavior is observed, perhaps representing a false-negative finding. The present study evaluated one approach to assess potentially false-negative findings within functional analyses. Participants were exposed to single-antecedent functional analysis test conditions and combined-antecedent test conditions within a multielement design. Both participants engaged in problem behavior primarily during the combined-antecedent test conditions, and treatments matched to the results were effective in reducing problem behavior. Findings are discussed in terms of clinical implications of combining antecedent variables to further examine potentially false-negative functional analysis results.
Ambulatory Monitoring of Peak Expiratory Flow: Reproducibility and Quality Control

Eighty-five children and 230 adults from a population study performed ambulatory peak flow readings three times a day for 1 to 2 weeks following a home visit. Three peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings were reported for each of 5, 809 test sessions. Within each test session, the third maneuver most frequently (40% of the time) gave the highest PEF reading. This did not vary throughout the day. In subgroups of children and women with a history of asthma or asthma symptoms (hereinafter referred to as “asthma”), the first maneuver during the evening test sessions more frequently gave the highest readings. However, maneuver-induced bronchospasm occurred during less than 5% of the test sessions in both subjects with asthma and in other subjects. The within test session PEF reproducibility was good: overall, the highest and second highest reading matched within one division (10 L/min) 73% of the time and within 30 L/min (9% of the reading) 95% of the time. The best reproducibility was noted after the first two days of testing, during evening and bedtime test sessions (vs morning), and in girls and men. In the group with at least 2 weeks of testing, the coefficient of repeatability (CR) for the week-to-week PEF lability index was 10% for healthy adults and 17% for healthy children. As expected, repeatability was not as good for adults with asthma (CR= 17%) and children with asthma (CR=28%).
Decagonal and decagonal approximant formation as a function of composition in ternary Al—Co—Cu alloys

Abstract As-cast alloy ingots of nominal compositions Al65Co20Cu15, A160Co20Cu20, Al65Co15Cu20, and Al70Co15Cu15 were studied with transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. A compositional variation among the grains, in each alloy, allowed an examination of phase formation as a function of the ternary composition near the nominal compositions. Alloys of composition Al65Co20Cu15, often taken as a stable decagonal phase, instead form a large (about 100 A) unit-cell crystal phase that approximates the decagonal phase. No decagonal phase forms near this composition. True decagonal phase formation is only observed in a narrow phase field centred near Al65Co15Cu20.
Increasing Ang1/Tie2 expression by simvastatin treatment induces vascular stabilization and neuroblast migration after stroke.

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1)/Tie2 pathway mediates simvastatin-induced vascular integrity and migration of neuroblasts after stroke. Rats were subjected to 2 hrs of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and treated, starting 1 day after stroke with or without simvastatin (1 mg/kg, daily) for 7 days. Simvastatin treatment significantly decreased blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage and concomitantly, increased Ang1, Tie2 and Occludin expression in the ischaemic border (IBZ) compared to the MCAo control group. Simvastatin also significantly increased doublecortin (DCX, a marker of migrating neuroblasts) expression in the IBZ compared to control MCAo rats. DCX was highly expressed around vessels. To further investigate the signalling pathway of simvastatin-induced vascular stabilization and angiogenesis, rat brain microvascular endothelial cell (RBMEC) culture was employed. The data show that simvastatin treatment of RBMEC increased Ang1 and Tie2 gene and protein expression and promoted phosphorylated-Tie2 activity. Simvastatin significantly increased endothelial capillary tube formation, an index of angiogenesis, compared to non-treated control. Inhibition of Ang1 or knockdown of Tie2 gene expression in endothelial cells significantly attenuated simvastatin-induced capillary tube formation. In addition, simvastatin significantly increased subventricular zone (SVZ) explant cell migration compared to non-treatment control. Inhibition of Ang1 significantly attenuated simvastatin-induced SVZ cell migration. Simvastatin treatment of stroke increases Ang1/Tie2 expression and thereby reduces BBB leakage and promotes vascular stabilization. Ang1/Tie2 expression induced by simvastatin treatment promotes neuroblast micro-vascular coupling after stroke.
Neurocognitive changes in cancer patients.

Objectives To review the neurocognitive changes in patients with cancer. This will include an overview of signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, nursing interventions, and supportive pharmacologic measures for the treatment of acute and chronic changes in cognition. Data sources Published articles and reference books. Conclusion The treatment modalities used for individuals with cancer can produce cognitive deficits that may negatively affect quality of life. The clinician's consistent assessment and evaluation of contributing factors such as co-morbidities, medications, age, and metabolic abnormalities assists in identifying the etiology for cognitive changes and guiding appropriate interventions. Implications for nursing practice Understanding the need for assessment of changes in cognition and the direct and indirect factors that contribute to these changes is critical for the oncology nurse caring for patients with cancer to provide an appropriate plan of care.
Observer theory in optimal control for systems with time delay

An observer theory for estimating the state variables of deterministic linear time-invariant dynamic forced system is presented. The variation in the cost performance when some of the state variables are estimated by using a linear observer system is evaluated.
Routine laparoscopic ultrasound can significantly reduce the need for selective intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy

Background The use of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), routinely rather than selectively, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is controversial. Recent findings have shown laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) to be safe, quick, and effective not only for screening of the bile duct for stones, but also for evaluating the biliary anatomy. This study aimed to evaluate, on the basis of the LC outcome and the cost of LUS and IOC, whether and how much the routine use of LUS would be able to reduce the need for IOC.
The Role of Heritage Language in Social Interactions and Relationships: Reflections from a Language Minority Group

Abstract This article examines the experiences of one language minority group in regard to the effects of their home or “heritage” language (HL) competence. The results indicated that competence with one's HL has an effect on social interactions, relationships with HL speakers of their ethnic minority group, and the individuals themselves. Having developed one's HL, in addition to English, has a number of sociocultural advantages, as well as personal and societal benefits. Those who have developed their HL have a strong ethnic identity, are strongly connected to their ethnic group, and have greater understanding and knowledge of cultural values, ethics, and manners; this further enhances their interactions with HL speakers. Moreover, HL development is shown to provide a personal gain, eventually contributing positively to the betterment of the society. The results are discussed here, and implications are presented for heritage language education.
Evaluation of induced stray voltages from transmission lines using EMTP

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of transmission system parameters and operating conditions on generated stray voltage levels‥ This includes the transmission line conductor configurations, line loading levels, grounding system parameters, the feeder configuration (radial or ring configuration) and unbalance loading. This enables a better way to understand how different electrical parameters impact the level of NEV and currents at points of interest during different utility operating conditions. Excessive stray voltages levels may have a negative effect on dairy farm cows and endanger personnel safety. EMTP was used to simulate the coupled electromagnetic-power circuit system. EMTP models of the poles and the line phase, neutral, and ground wire were built to represent the transmission line electromagnetic behavior and the stray voltage generation mechanism. The parameters of the proposed models were obtained from the technical literature. Different simulations were conducted by varying the system parameters and operating conditions. A discussion of these results is presented.
Identification of catecholamine β-glucosides in the hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.), during development

Abstract Catecholamine conjugates were isolated from the hemolymph of larval, pupal and adult stages of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, and their identities were determined by synthesis from 14C-labeled precursors, HPLC analysis, 1H-NMR and FAB-mass spectrometry, and GLC analysis of the sugar moieties. β-Glucosides of N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and N-β-alanyldopamine (NBAD) were the primary conjugates identified and their relative abundance depended on the stage of development. NADA glucosides were the predominant conjugates in hemolymph of pharate or newly ecdysed fifth stadium larvae with 86% as the 3-O-glucoside and 14% as the 4-O-glucoside. Low concentrations of dopamine (DA) 3-O-glucoside and NBAD 3-O-glucoside also were found. In pharate or newly ecdysed pupal hemolymph, NBAD 3-O-glucoside was the major conjugate (98%) along with small amounts of NBAD 4-O-glucoside, DA 3-O-glucoside and NADA 3-O-glucoside. In hemolymph of pharate or newly ecdysed adults, NADA 4-O-glucoside (67%) was more abundant than NADA 3-O-glucoside. Only traces of NBAD 3-O-glucoside were found. Therefore, a preponderance of catecholamine 3-O-glucoside occurred in larval and pupal hemolymph as storage precursors for cuticle sclerotization agents, whereas the 4-O-glucoside of NADA predominated in adult hemolymph. The role of catecholamine glucosides in hemolymph in relation to cuticle sclerotization is discussed.
On the X-ray scattering factors of metallic and molecular hydrogen crystals☆

Abstract It is shown that the b.c.c.-metallic X-ray scattering factors and hydrogen atomic form factors essentially coincide at the density where the metallic and molecular HF energy vs. atomic-volume curves merge. An explanation is given, and its significance for “unphysical” structures is pointed out.
An application of Shannon's coding theorem to information transmission in economic markets

Abstract By considering an established aggregate economic model and several of its variants as information channels, we show that Shannon's coding theorem allows one to precisely define the sense in which information is transmitted by an economic market. Unique to economic markets is the structural existence of a noiseless feedback path from the channel output, the market clearing price, to the channel input, market trader bids and offers which simultaneously account for source information and market clearing prices. Known results in information theory are used to show that economic equilibrium occurs when market agents can predict the market input information from price observations with arbitrarily small error probability. The agent signaling rates achieve channel capacity in this instance. The paper concludes by showing that the natural extension of the multiple agent market is the multiple access information channel since multiple users of a single channel are analogous to multiple agents using a single commodity market.
Characterization of a nonmotile Vibro sp. pathogenic to larvae of Mercenaria mercenaria and Crassostrea virginica

Abstract Bioassay studies showed that a bacterial strain isolated from moribund, hatchery-reared larvae of the hard shell clam Mercenaria mercenaria was pathogenic to developing clam and oyster embryos. Results indicated that concentrations as low as 102 colony forming units/ml of embryonic culture water caused visible adverse effects within 48 h. Biochemical and physiological characterization of the pathogen revealed that it was a nonmotile Vibrio sp. which produced acid in 16 of the 24 sugars tested, as well as fermenting both lactose and sucrose. The bacterial strain did not grow at 37°C; however, it did survive a 30-min exposure to 65°C. Weekly subculturing of the microbe over a period of 9 months resulted in a loss of virulence concomitant with an appearance of motile bacterial cells. Bioassay and bacteriological studies showed that the nonmotile strain was killed by exposure to ultraviolet light (93 312 μW s−1 cm−2).
Optimizing the cost of relational queries using partial-relation schemes

Abstract In this paper we propose a new access path to a relation, called a Partial-Relation scheme, in order to speed up the relational join operations. We present two join algorithms which preprocess the Partial-Relations first and then join the selected tuples of the relations. We have considered join-only queries and queries involving restrictions, projections and joins. The performance of these algorithms is compared with sort-merge and hash-based join algorithms. The analysis is based on the cost of accesses to the secondary storage and the CPU usage. It has been shown that for wide range of selectivity factors and/or join factors the proposed algorithms perform better than the sort-merge and hash-based join algorithms.
Molecular Modeling of the Poling of Piezoelectric Polyimides

The computational method described in this paper allows the calculation of the dielectric relaxation strength of an amorphous polymer based solely upon its chemical structure. The 4,4' oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) dianhydride and bis-aminophenoxybenzene (APB) diamine based polyimides, (beta-CN) APB-ODPA and APB-ODPA were studied. Amorphous cells were constructed and then poled using molecular dynamics. Dielectric relaxation strengths of Delta(epsilon) = 17.8 for (beta-CN) APB-ODPA and Delta(epsilon) = 7.7 for APB-ODPA were predicted. These values are in excellent agreement with the experimental values. It was found that both the pendant nitrile dipole and the backbone anhydride residue dipole make significant contributions to the polyimides dielectric response. Specifically, it was shown that the difference in the magnitude of the dielectric relaxations is directly attributable to the nitrile dipole. The size of the relaxations indicate an absence of cooperative dipolar motions, The model was used to explain these results in terms of the average orientation of the nitrile and anhydride dipoles to within 51 deg. and 63 deg., respectively, of the applied electric field.
Suppression of excess noise in Transition-Edge Sensors using magnetic field and geometry

Abstract We report recent progress at NIST on Mo/Cu Transition-Edge Sensors (TESs). While the signal-band noise of our sensors agrees with theory, we observe excess high-frequency noise. We describe this noise and demonstrate that it can be strongly suppressed by a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the sensor. Both the excess noise and α =( T / R )(d R /d T ) depend strongly on field so our results show that accurate comparisons between devices are only possible when the field is well known or constant. We also present results showing the noise performance of TES designs incorporating parallel and perpendicular normal metal bars, an array of normal metal islands, and in wedge-shaped devices. We demonstrate significant reduction of high-frequency noise with the perpendicular bar devices at the cost of reduced α . Both the bars and the magnetic field are useful noise reduction techniques for bolometers.
Energy: Refuse turns resource: Diverted from land fills to hammer mills, municipal waste becomes an economic energy resource

Gasoline, heating oil, and electric bills in recent months all testify to the inflationary effect of unchecked demand on limited supply. Short-term, workable solutions to the problem seem tangled in a web of expert opinion. Scientists argue the merits of nuclear fusion, solar power derived from synchronous satellites, or the hydrogen economy. Environmentalists champion austerity, conservation, and a curtailment of open-ended public consumption. But at least part of the answer could lie outside Buck Rogers and bureaucratic thinking in the earthy, engineering realm of bootstrapping. The municipal waste of industrial nations ? long relegated to rat-infested land fills ? can be diverted to fueling electric power and steam plants. Practical, workable systems already exist, while others are under advanced development. And it's a safe bet that no one need worry about running out of trash!
Audio sensors and low-complexity recognition technologies for soldier systems

The use of audio sensors for soldier systems is examined in detail. We propose two applications, speech recognition and speaker verification. These technologies provide two functions for a soldier system. First, the soldier has hands-free operation of his system via voice command and control. Second, identify can be verified for the soldier to maintain the security integrity of the soldier system. A low complexity, high accuracy technology based upon averaging a discriminative classifier over time is presented and applied to these processes. For speaker verification of the soldier, the classifier is used in a text-prompted mode to authenticate the identity of the soldier. Once the soldier has been authenticated, the interface can then be navigated via voice commands in a speaker independent manner. By using an artificial neural network structure, a high degree of accuracy can be obtained with low complexity. We show the resulting accuracy of the speaker verification technology. We also detail the simulation of the speech recognition under various noise conditions.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Electrical Wind-Assisted Water Pumping

Most modern wind turbines are designed to generate utility compatible AC electric power. The easiest way to use these wind turbines for irrigation pumping is by intertying with the electric utility grid. However, because irrigation pumping requires large amounts of power during critical crop growth stages and minimum power during the nongrowing season, utilities have to supply power during peak load times and purchase power during off peak times. Five wind turbines having induction generators have been operated in water pumping experiments at Bushland, Texas. These turbines ranged in rated capacity from 25 to 100 kW and have included both horizontal and vertical-axis types. All units have operated at least 5000 hr, with one unit having been operated for over 20,000 hr. Performance curves, monthly energy production, percentage of run-time, and availability are given for each turbine.
Strategies for Integrating Public Mental Health Services

Practical solutions to the issues troubling public mental health systems must be developed within the constraints of existing political structures. A key enabling factor is the inclusion of a broad range of reimbursable mental health benefits within health insurance. However, services cannot be improved without the development of viable frameworks for organizing effective service delivery; such strategies include assertive community treatment, capitation approaches, strong local mental health authorities, and reimbursement structures that achieve key objectives. The author discusses examples of the four strategies and argues for their better ter integration.
Phospholipase A2 from liver microsomal membranes of thermally acclimated rainbow trout

Hydrolysis of exogenous one-acyl,2[3H]-oleoyl phosphatidyl choline by intracellular phospholipase A2 to yield free [3H]-oleate and lysophosphatidylcholine was measured in isolated liver microsomes from warm (20°)- and cold (5°C)-acclimated rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. Unlike mammalian phospholipase A2, which is not typically microsomal, over 18% of the total phospholipase A2 activity from trout liver occurred in the microsomes. Specific activity in microsomal preparations (4.07 nmole · hr−1 · mg−1) represented a 1.4-fold purification of clarified liver homogenates (2.93 nmole· hr−1mg−1). The accumulation of free fatty acid was a function of both the duration and the protein concentration of the assay. Activity was enhanced fourfold in the presence of 0.1% Triton X-100. Free Ca++ stimulated activity up to 100 μM, but was not an absolute requirement of the enzyme. Maximal activity occurred at pH 8.0–8.5 at 20°C assay temperature and pH 9.0 at 5°C. Acclimation history did not influence the pH optima of the enzyme. Thermal acclimation did, however, result in perfect compensation of enzymatic rate; phospholipase A2 activity from cold-acclimated trout was not significantly different from that of warm-acclimated trout when measurements were made at their respective acclimation temperatures. This perfect compensation for temperature as well as the unique intracellular localization of trout liver phospholipase A2 implicate the enzyme in a deacylation-reacylation cycle that could be partially responsible for the thermally modulated restructuring previously observed in microsomal membranes of this species.
Correcting microwave precipitation retrievals for near-surface evaporation

This paper compares two methods for correcting passive or active microwave surface precipitation estimates based on hydrometeors sensed aloft that may evaporate before landing. These corrections were derived using two years of data from 516 globally distributed rain gauges and passive millimeter-wave Advanced Microwave Sounding Units (AMSU) aboard three NOAA satellites (N15, N16, and N18). The first correction reduces rms differences between rain gauges and AMSU annual precipitation accumulations (mm) by a separate factor for each infrared-based surface classification, while the second correction factor uses a 3-2-1 neural network (NN) trained using both surface classification and annual average relative humidity profiles. Different data were used for training and accuracy evaluation. The NN results agreed with rain gauges better than did surface classification corrections alone. The rms annual accumulation errors relative to the 516 uncorrected rain gauges using AMSU with surface classification and NN corrections were 223 and 209 mm/yr, respectively, compared to 152 mm/yr for GPCP, which incorporates rain gauge data and data from more satellite sensors.
Integrating personal computers and mainframes in a large government department—lessons learned

Abstract Computers have made a substantial impact on U.S. commercial nuclear powerplant operations for decades. Powerplant designs, plant operation and control, and maintenance scheduling are steps in the nuclear fuel cycle that have benefitted from computers. Only recently, however, have computers been extensively utilized in the day-to-day operations of the Federal Government's nuclear research and development program activities. This paper reports on the implementation of an Automated Office System for 300 nuclear energy research and development (R&D) personnel in the Department of Energy. Performance expectations are compared to realities after 2 years of use, and hardware, software, training, and technical support changes necessitated by operating experience are described. Drawing from the experiences of over 100 professional and support staff with workstations, lessons learned are discussed and recommendations developed to benefit other organizations contemplating Automated Office Systems.
Non-Coding RNAs in Stroke and Neuroprotection

This review will focus on the current state of knowledge regarding non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) in stroke and neuroprotection. There will be a brief introduction to microRNAs (miRNA), long ncRNAs (lncRNA), and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNA), followed by evidence for the regulation of ncRNAs in ischemia. This review will also discuss the effect of neuroprotection induced by a sublethal duration of ischemia or other stimuli given before a stroke (preconditioning) on miRNA expression and the role of miRNAs in preconditioning-induced neuroprotection. Experimental manipulation of miRNAs and/or their targets to induce pre- or post-stroke protection will also be presented, as well as discussion on miRNA responses to current post-stroke therapies. This review will conclude with a brief discussion of future directions for ncRNAs studies in stroke, such as new approaches to model complex ncRNA datasets, challenges in ncRNA studies, and the impact of extracellular RNAs on human diseases such as stroke.
The natural history of incidental renal artery stenosis in patients with aortoiliac vascular disease.

Abstract PURPOSE: To examine the association between incidentally discovered renal artery stenosis and deterioration of renal function as determined by the change in serum creatinine concentration over time. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent aortography for aortoiliac vascular disease. Angiograms were reviewed for renal artery stenosis, defined as a narrowing of at least 20% compared with adjacent normal renal artery. For patients with at least 180 days of subsequent follow-up, the change in serum creatinine concentration per year was compared in patients who had or did not have renal artery stenosis. RESULTS: Of the 201 patients, 96 (48%) had some degree of renal artery stenosis in one or both renal arteries, including 53 (26%) who had at least one stenosis ≥50% and 40 (20%) who had bilateral stenoses. The only clinical predictor of renal artery stenosis was a history of coronary artery disease (odds ratio=2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 3.8, P = 0.001). Among the 174 patients with ≥180 days of follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.88) in the mean change in serum creatinine concentration per year in the 78 patients with renal artery stenosis (0.06 ± 0.33 mg/dL per year) as compared with the 96 patients without renal artery stenosis (0.06 ± 0.22 mg/dL per year). Grouping the patients by the maximal percentage of stenosis did not reveal any difference in the mean changes in serum creatinine concentration per year. CONCLUSIONS: Although renal artery stenosis is a common incidental finding in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease, it is an uncommon cause of progressive renal disease.
Analysis of the Effects of Some Environmental Factors on Populations of the Face Fly on Dairy Cattle

Data were collected June through August 1970 on Musca autumnalis De Geer on dairy cattle on 5 farms in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and at the same time on environmental factors including exposure (sun or shade), cow posture (standing or lying), control by sprays, time of day, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Fly activity, as evidenced by the number of flies on face and body, was analyzed by analysis of covariance. Covariates used were the day of the year and its square, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and full quadratic polynomial in the latter 3 variables. The covariates in order of decreasing importance were wind speed, wind speed × temperature, relative humidity × wind speed, and relative humidity. Assuming changes in the seasonal component of fly activity to be small the use of Ciovap® (1% crotoxyphos + 0.25% dichlorvos) is shown to reduce fly activity.
Value‐changing behavior: getting the habit

Purpose – To help corporate business executives convert what they know about value into what they can do about creating value in their organizations.Design/methodology/approach – In October 2004 Deloitte Consulting LLP surveyed 124 financial executives about the creation of value at their companies, and subsequently focused on the companies with which they have worked with that do know how to make value creation real.Findings – Deloitte Consulting identified eight value‐inhibiting behaviors and in their place constructed eight value‐creating behaviors that collectively motivate companies to get beyond what they know and to act on their knowledge.Practical implications – Pragmatic advice on building organizational behaviors that create value by encouraging clear, consistent and efficient communication habits.Originality/value – Guidance and actionable advice to business leaders on changing value‐destroying behaviors within their organizations and implementing value‐creating behaviors.
Workplace harassment from the victim's perspective: A theoretical model and meta-analysis.

Although workplace harassment affects the lives of many employees, until recently it has been relatively ignored in the organizational psychology literature. First, the authors introduced an attribution- and reciprocity-based model that explains the link between harassment and its potential causes and consequences. The authors then conducted a meta-analysis to examine the potential antecedents and consequences of workplace harassment. As shown by the meta-analysis, both environmental and individual difference factors potentially contributed to harassment and harassment was negatively related to the well-being of both individual employees and their employing organizations. Furthermore, harassment contributed to the variance in many outcomes, even after controlling for 2 of the most commonly studied occupational stressors, role ambiguity and role conflict.
Availability of smoking prevention and cessation services for childhood cancer survivors

To characterize the smoking-related services available to childhood cancer survivors and describe organizational characteristics that were related to institutions’ capacity to provide smoking services. Institutions affiliated with the Children’s Oncology Group were surveyed from 2003 to 2004. Of the 132 responding institutions, 85% assessed the smoking status of their cancer survivors intermittingly, but only 3% assessed smoking status at every visit, as recommended by the PHS guidelines. A minority of sites offered either smoking prevention (39%) or cessation (25%) services; 58% of sites had a mechanism in place to refer survivors for cessation services. In multivariate analyses, the most parsimonious model predicting capacity for smoking service delivery included barriers, respondents’ attitudes, complexity, and institutional stability. These data highlight an important need to improve the availability of smoking services for childhood cancer survivors. Additionally, these findings will inform the development of future interventions that are sensitive to barriers and facilitators to providing prevention services.
Clinical use of a selective culture medium for wild and antibiotic-resistant Propionibacterium acnes

Furazolidone (Furoxone) was used in a culture medium selective for Propionibacterium acnes to determine the presence of the organism in individuals with and without acne vulgaris. Since staphylococci do not grow on this medium, only P. acnes and P. granulosum can be seen with plate streakings of material from nasal follicles. Antibiotics added to the medium or placed on the medium in the form of discs determine the degree of resistance of P. acnes . Clindamycin-resistant strains were correlated with previous use of clindamycin, and some of the strains of P. acnes proved to be resistant to tetracycline, clindamycin, and erythromycin.
Fragrance material review on carbonic acid, methyl phenylmethyl ester.

Abstract A toxicologic and dermatologic review of carbonic acid, methyl phenylmethyl ester when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. Carbonic acid, methyl phenylmethyl ester is a member of the fragrance structural group Aryl Alkyl Alcohol Simple Acid Esters (AAASAE). The AAASAE fragrance ingredients are prepared by reacting an aryl alkyl alcohol with a simple carboxylic acid (a chain of 1–4 carbons) to generate formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate and carbonate esters. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to this individual fragrance ingredient and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data for carbonic acid, methyl phenylmethyl ester were evaluated, then summarized, and includes: physical properties, acute toxicity, skin irritation, and skin sensitization data. A safety assessment of the entire AAASAE will be published simultaneously with this document. Please refer to Belsito et al. (2012) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all AAASAE in fragrances. Belsito, D., Bickers, D., Bruze, M., Calow, P., Dagli, M., Fryer, A.D., Greim, H., Hanifin, J.H., Miyachi, Y., Saurat, J.H., Sipes, I.G., 2012. A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of aryl alkyl alcohol simple acid esters when used as fragrance ingredients.
Identification by Mutagenesis of Arginines in the Substrate Binding Site of the Porcine NADP-dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase

Pig heart mitochondrial NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase is the most extensively studied among the mammalian isocitrate dehydrogenases. The crystal structure of Escherichia coli isocitrate dehydrogenase and sequence alignment of porcine with E. coli isocitrate dehydrogenase suggests that the porcine Arg(101), Arg(110), Arg(120), and Arg(133) are candidates for roles in substrate binding. The four arginines were separately mutated to glutamine using a polymerase chain reaction method. Wild type and mutant enzymes were each expressed in E. coli, isolated as maltose binding fusion proteins, then cleaved with thrombin, and purified to yield homogeneous porcine isocitrate dehydrogenase. The R120Q mutant has a specific activity, as well as K(m) values for isocitrate, Mn(2+), and NADP(+) similar to wild type enzyme, indicating that Arg(120) is not needed for function. The specific activities of R101Q, R110Q, and R133Q are 1.73, 1.30, and 19.7 micromols/min/mg, respectively, as compared with 39.6 units/mg for wild type enzyme. The R110Q and R133Q enzymes exhibit K(m) values for isocitrate that are increased more than 400- and 165-fold, respectively, as compared with wild type. The K(m) values for Mn(2+), but not for NADP(+), are also elevated indicating that binding of the metal-isocitrate complex is impaired in these mutants. It is proposed that the positive charges of Arg(110) and Arg(133) normally strengthen the binding of the negatively charged isocitrate by electrostatic attraction. The R101Q mutant shows smaller, but significant increases in the K(m) values for isocitrate and Mn(2+); however, the marked decrease in k(cat) suggests a role for Arg(101) in catalysis. The V(max) of wild type enzyme depends on the ionized form of an enzymic group of pK 5.5, and this pK(aes) is similar for the R101Q and R120Q enzymes. In contrast, the pK(aes) for R110Q and R133Q enzymes increases to 6.4 and 7.4, respectively, indicating that the positive charges of Arg(110) and Arg(133) normally lower the pK of the nearby catalytic base to facilitate its ionization. These results may be understood in terms of the structure of the porcine NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase generated by the Insight II Modeler Program, based on the x-ray coordinates of the E. coli enzyme.