cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns in Medicaid Coverage and Service Utilization Among People with Serious Mental Illnesses.

Disruptions in Medicaid adversely affect service use and outcomes among individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI). A retrospective longitudinal study examined Medicaid coverage and service utilization patterns among individuals with SMI (N = 8358) from 2007 to 2010. Only 36% of participants were continuously enrolled in Medicaid and 20% experienced multiple enrollment disruptions. Mental health diagnosis did not predict continuous coverage; however, individuals with schizophrenia were 19% more likely to have multiple coverage disruptions than those with depression (b = − 0.21; p < 0.01). Single and multiple coverage disruptions were associated with decreased rates of outpatient service days utilized (IRR = 0.77 and 0.65, respectively, p < 0.001) and decreased odds of not using acute care services (OR 0.26 and 0.19, respectively, p < 0.001). Future research should explore mechanisms underlying Medicaid stability and develop interventions that facilitate insurance stability and service utilization.
Status Epilepticus in Neonates

Neonatal status epilepticus (NSE) is distinct from status epilepticus (SE) at later ages. This distinction pertains to all aspects of the disorder, including its definition, etiology, EEG features, treatment, and prognosis. In fact, NSE bears greater resemblance to neonatal seizures than it does to SE in older populations. This chapter will outline the unique features of NSE, highlighting aspects that differ from SE in older age groups, and will provide recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment.
Korean financial liberalization

Abstract Financial liberalization in Korean and Japan is compared. Japan is not a model for Korea; however, Japan has achieved a successful financial reform process that should not go unnoticed by Korea. Several implications for Korea can be drawn from Japan's experience: price stability is a necessary condition for successful financial liberalization, banks and other financial institutions should not be burdened with government credit allocation policies, and minimal developments in the money market are required for effective monetary policy.
Repetitive Control of a Two Degree of Freedom SCARA Manipulator

In this paper we examine the application of repetitive control schemes for robot manipulators. The controllers consist of a fixed PD action and a repetitive action for feed-forward nonlinearity compensation. When the manipulator is required to track a periodic desired trajectory, better tracking performance can be obtained using repetitive control algorithms than using conventional linear controllers or computed torque techniques. The repetitive control input can be adjusted periodically, with comparatively simple algorithms, using the tracking error signal from current and previous trials, without requiring explicit knowledge of the manipulator dynamic model. Several repetitive control algorithms are examined and compared in this paper. The algorithms include those presented in [21, 18, 9, 14]. The performance of the control algorithms is evaluated in a computer simulation study, using the model of the Berkeley-NSK two axis manipulator developed by Kang et al. [11].
An Infrastructure for Monitoring and Management in Computational Grids

We present the design and implementation of an infrastructure that enables monitoring of resources, services, and applications in a computational grid and provides a toolkit to help manage these entities when faults occur. This infrastructure builds on three basic monitoring components: sensors to perform measurements, actuators to perform actions, and an event service to communicate events between remote processes. We describe how we apply our infrastructure to support a grid service and an application: (1) the Globus Metacomputing Directory Service; and (2) a long-running and coarse-grained parameter study application. We use these application to show that our monitoring infrastructure is highly modular, conveniently retargettable, and extensible.
Evaluation of genetic algorithms using discrete and continuous methods for pump optimization of water distribution systems

Abstract A considerable portion of costs associated with delivering municipal drinking water is related to energy usage. This energy consumption also has environmental implications resulting from the pollutants emitted at power generation plants. Optimizing the cost and environmental emission of energy consumption by strategically scheduling pumping cycles is a multi-objective nonlinear problem that contains considerable number of constraints. The solution space of this type of problem even for a small water network can be very large and finding the boundaries associated with the solution space is quite difficult. Evolutionary optimization methods, such as genetic algorithm, are well suited for solving this kind of problem. In this paper, two methods for describing the pump optimization problem within a genetic algorithm solution framework are considered. Each leads to different methods for conducting crossover and mutation steps of the genetic algorithm. Results are presented when these methods are used with a novel pump optimization software, Pollutant Emission and Pump Station Optimization (PEPSO) using a hydraulic model of a moderately sized municipal drinking water system located in Monroe, MI, USA. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. Results highlight the need for genetic algorithm coding methods which circumvent infeasible solutions.
Isomers, visual pigment, and bacteriorhodopsin analogs of 3,7,13-trimethyl-10-isopropyl-2,4,6,8,10-tetradecapentaenal and 3,7,11-trimethyl-10-isopropyl-2,4,6,8,10-dodecapentaenal (two ring open retinal analogs)

Abstract Six geometric isomers of 2 (3,7,13-trimethyl-10-isopropyl-2,4,6,8,10-tetradecapentaenal) have been isolated and characterized. Of these, four (equivalent to 9- cis , 11- cis , 5,9- dicis , and 5,11- dicis of retinoids) were found to form stable visual pigment analogs. So were four isomers (equivalent to 7- cis , 9- cis , 11- cis , and 9,13- dicis ) of 3 (3,7,11-trimethyl-10-isopropyl-2,4,6,8,10-dodecapentaenal). These analogs suggest that the hydrophobic pocket is more flexible than what was recognized earlier, perhaps capable of accepting analogs with 6- S-trans as well as a 6- S-cis conformers. The presence of bacteriorhodopsin analogs from isomers of 2 was also reported.
Covalently linked plasticizers: triazole analogues of phthalate plasticizers prepared by mild copper-free “click” reactions with azide-functionalized PVC

Copper-free azide-alkyne click chemistry is utilized to covalently modify polyvinyl chloride(PVC). Phthalate plasticizer mimics di(2-ethylhexyl)-1H-triazole-4,5 dicarboxylate (DEHT), di(nbutyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate (DBT), and dimethyl-1H-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate(DMT) are covalently attached to PVC. DEHT, DBT, and DMT have similar chemical structures to traditional plasticizers di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), and dimethyl phthalate (DMP), but pose no danger of leaching from the polymer matrix and forming small endocrine disrupting chemicals. The synthesis of these covalent plasticizers is expected to be scalable, providing a viable alternative to the use of phthalates, thus mitigating dangers to human health and the environment.
Effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the slope of auditory generalization gradients in rats

Groups of rats were given 2, 4, or 6 mg/kg Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) during shuttle-avoidance training and auditory generalization testing in extinction. Although the drug had no discernible effect on acquisition performance, there was a dose-dependent influence on the slopes of the generalization gradients. It was concluded that Δ-9-THC can affect the extent of auditory generalization during extinction, even when there is no apparent effect on acquisition performance. The outcomes of the study were interpreted in terms of their relevance to the drug’s presumed effects on audition and various motivational processes.
Marking Host Eggs by Telenomus sphingis

Most attacks on eggs of Manduca sexta (Johannson) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) by Telenomus sphingis (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) are followed by marking, a process lasting 1.5 minutes, during which time the female backs over the host and continuously rubs the tip of her moist ovipositor in a sinuous pattern over the egg surface. Seventy-seven percent of attacks were followed by marking, and oviposition occurred in 99% of marked eggs. Oviposition occurred in only 15% of unmarked attacked eggs. Females mostly refrained from ovipositing in marked hosts. Females having oviposited recently demonstrated greater discriminatory powers than those that had not laid eggs.
Design of an Electromagnetic Actuator Suitable for Production by Rapid Prototyping

This paper presents a design for an electric motor that can potentially be produced by a personal 3D printer. The concept of a Cyclic Fabrication System — a network of tools, machines, and processes capable of producing all of its constituent components — is discussed in order to provide context for the various factors influencing the design. The motor is an axial-airgap permanent-magnet motor with a flat 2-layer coil. The coil pattern makes minimal use of crossovers or vias, and is well-suited to several methods for fabricating conductive structures that are currently under development. A versatile MATLAB script is presented which is used to generate the coil pattern. Coil geometry is controlled parametrically, and it is straightforward to generate a wide variety of coils, corresponding to different arrangements of magnets and desired coil spacings. The motor uses plastic roller bearings that are easily fabricated.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Optimal tuning of PID controllers for integral and unstable processes

Tuning formulas for PID controllers applied to integral and unstable processes are presented. In particular, the controller parameters are determined, based on the process model, to minimise integral squared error performance criteria. Results have been obtained by means of genetic algorithms, in order to avoid local minima in the optimisation procedure. Both the set-point following and the load disturbance rejection design specifications are addressed. The achieved results can be adopted both for tuning purposes and for the evaluation of the performances of a pre-existing PID controller.
Planning for Child Pedestrians: Issues of Health, Safety and Social Justice

Seattle's Harborview Medical Center serves both as a ‘safety-net’ primary care clinic and as the regional trauma centre. Like their counterparts across the country, the low-income ethnically-divers...
Meaning of INSIGHT Participation Among Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

This phenomenological study explored the meaning that women with violent partners found in participating in a 20-week group cognitive therapy program called INSIGHT. Through a two-step interview process, ten women who had experienced intimate partner violence described what it meant to them to decide to participate in INSIGHT; what was meaningful about the program; and what influence the program had on their lives. Findings indicated an overarching theme that described a process of Rescuing Self. This study adds support for the utility of interventions, such as INSIGHT, that nurture self-emergence among women who have experienced intimate partner violence.
Cellular therapy of cancer with natural killer cells—where do we stand?

Abstract Although T-lymphocytes have received most of the attention in immunotherapy trials, new discoveries around natural killer (NK) cells suggest that they also should be suitable effector cells for cellular therapy of cancer. In addition to direct cytotoxicity, NK cells produce an array of immune-active cytokines, among them interferons and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, which places them at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity. They also augment monoclonal antibody activity through antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity and can be transfected with chimeric antigen receptors. One of the stumbling blocks for NK cell–based therapies has been the inability to predictably obtain and expand larger numbers from donors, but also to achieve sufficiently high transfection efficiency of target genes. The first clinical trials with NK cells suggest some benefit, but more definite evidence is needed to justify this relatively expensive treatment.
The Healthy Food Slide Rule (HFSR): a nutrition education tool for children.

The Healthy Food Slide Rule (HFSR) is a new educational tool designed specifically for use by school children in grades 4-6. The HFSR teaches the importance of including the 5 food groups and the importance of complying with appropriate portion sizes as presented in the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. The portion size information included in the HFSR combines the healthful eating and physical activity messages offered by MyPyramid for Kids. The new tool can easily be incorporated into existing math lessons (weights, measures, and fractions), into language arts lessons, or into science lessons.
Prosthetic treatment of malocclusion in patients with muscular dystrophy

Patients with advanced Duchenne type muscular dystrophy present unique occlusal problems for the dentist. Prosthetic treatment can aid their function and nutrition during the late stages of illness.
Modeling emission limits in product planning

This paper presents novel methods to model different emission limits in product planning problem. Along with the increasing environmental pollution and increasing environmental charges and taxes, modeling emission limits become critical for manufactures. This paper divides emission limits into three categories: periodical emission limits, overall emission limits and tradable emission limits. Correspondingly, three different mathematical models are presented to integrate emission limits in product planning. Furthermore, Watson Implosion Technology (WIT) toolkit is introduced to optimize the problem, while emission limits are modeled as capacity, material and purchasable material respectively. The tradable model is also extended to consider developing a replaceable product with lower emission, while it tells manufactures when a new green product should be researched. Experiments demonstrate quantitative influences of different kind of emission limits, and the results indicate that our method can help to make the strategic decision and maximize profits with emissions compliance.
Computed Tomography of the Submandibular Salivary Glands

Computed tomography offers a convenient method for the evaluation of the submandibular salivary glands and their surroundings. Normal measurements were established based on 38 normal subjects. The ...
The role of dam methylation in controlling gene expression

The E. coii gene dam encodes an adenine-specific methylase which converts all adenine residues in the sequence GATC into 6-methyl adenine, dam type methylases seem to be ubiquitous in Enterobacteriaceae and Haemophilus, since DNA from these strains cross hybridizes with the cloned dam gene and they contain DNA resistant to MboI cleavage, which only cleaves non-methylated DNA [1]. However, dam methylation is absent from most species of eubacteria not phylogenetically related to E. coli and presumably evolved late in prokaryotic evolution [2]. At least, one reason why people have become more aware of dam (and dcm) methylation in the last decade is because certain restriction enzymes are sensitive to DNA methylation and hence overlapping dam and restriction sites are not cleaved [3]. The primary phenotype of dam mutations is a nearly total loss of adenine methylation [4]. However, a small residual amount of adenine methylation appears to remain in dam strains even in strains carrying an insertion of Tn9 in the dam gene [5]. There are numerous secondary phenotypes associated with dam mutations and they are presumably due to the lack of adenine methylation. These secondary phenotypes include increased sensitivity to UV and 2-amino purine, increasedspontaneous mutability, decreased stability of plasmids, especially those of the Rl family, increased spontaneous induction of 2 and increased recombination frequency [4, 6]. The presence of a plasmid carrying the wild type dam gene reverses these secondary phenotypes [7]. Second site mutations which suppress some of these secondary phenotypes (but not the primary defect, i.e., the lack of adenine methylation) have been isolated in the genes mutL, m a t h and routs [6]. The dam gene is not essential, as shown by the isolation of a Tn9 insertion in the gene [8], but dam mutations are not viable in combination with recA, lexA, recB, C or poiA mutations. These double mutants become viable, however, in the presence of mutL or routs alleles [9]. The inviability of double dam, rec mutations became more comprehensible with the observation that dam mutations result in enhanced expression of genes of the SOS regulon (i.e., recA, lexA, uvrA, uvrB, uvrD, sulA, dinA and dinF) [10], implying that a dam mutation results in a requirement for higher levels of these proteins. More recently, a third phenotype for the dam mutations has been described in the literature: that of controlling the level of expression of a miscellaneous selection of genes with GATC sequences in their promoter regions. It is this third phenotype which is the subject of this paper, but initially it is worth summarizing the evidence for the dam methylation affecting other phenot~,~,~ of the E. coli bacteria.
Structure of the constant and 3' untranslated regions of the murine gamma 2b heavy chain messenger RNA.

The complete coding sequence for the constant region of the mouse gamma 2b immunoglobulin heavy chain and the 3' untranslated region has been determined. The coding portion of the sequence is 1008 nucleotides long (amino acid residues 114 to 449), and the 3' noncoding region contains 102 nucleotides preceeding the polyadenylate. An extra carboxyl-terminal lysine residue which had not been observed in the gamma 2b or other gamma subclass protein sequences occurs in the nucleotide sequence and is probably processed posttranslationally. A 17-nucleotide sequence occurs with slight variation twice in CH1 and once in CH2 domains in the same relative location but with different translational phase. This sequence may be the site of crossover in a gamma 2b . gamma 2a heavy chain variant, an indication of possible recombinational activity of some kind.
Engineering design complexity: an investigation of methods and measures

In this paper, two measures are proposed for valuation of size and coupling complexities of design products as abstracted by three distinct representations. The proposed size complexity measure is based on the information theoretic definition of complexity that connects the complexity of a design to the level of entropy, or uncertainty, inherent in the design product. The proposed coupling complexity measure evaluates the decomposability of the graph-based representation of design products. To validate the proposed measures, an experiment is conducted to calculate the complexities of three consumer products based on three product representations, namely, function structure, connectivity graph, and parametric associativity graph. The findings indicate that coupling and size are independent measures of a product’s complexity. Thus, it is recommended that both measures should be used. Further, the complexity of a product is not independent of the choice of representation model used to describe the product. This suggests that the complexity of a product will vary with the selected view. Finally, it is shown that the two approaches for measuring complexity of a product are generalizable and can be applied to different representations.
Image-based segmentation of indoor corridor floors for a mobile robot

We present a novel method for image-based floor detection from a single image. In contrast with previous approaches that rely upon homographies, our approach does not require multiple images (either stereo or optical flow). It also does not require the camera to be calibrated, even for lens distortion. The technique combines three visual cues for evaluating the likelihood of horizontal intensity edge line segments belonging to the wall-floor boundary. The combination of these cues yields a robust system that works even in the presence of severe specular reflections, which are common in indoor environments. The nearly real-time algorithm is tested on a large database of images collected in a wide variety of conditions, on which it achieves nearly 90% detection accuracy.
Passive indoor image-aided inertial attitude estimation using a predictive hough transformation

Autonomous navigation of vehicles in non-cooperative environments continues to be a significant challenge for integrated navigation systems due to the unavailability of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. As a result, passive indoor navigation systems routinely exhibit unbounded growth in navigation errors. In this paper, we seek to stabilize the attitude errors by exploiting commonly-occurring structures within the environment using rigorously coupled image and inertial sensors.
High Crystallization Temperatures Indicated for Igneous Rocks from Tranquillity Base

Complex intergrowths of troilite (FeS) and iron in the igneous rocks from Tranquillity Base contain 8.4 percent native iron by volume. The intergrowths were derived from an initially homogeneous sulfide liquid that separated immiscibly from the magma at 1140 degrees C or above. Textures show that the sulfide liquid formed late in the crystallization and cooling history of the igneous rocks and after the major ilmenite and pyroxene had formed.
Reproductive behavior and LH levels of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) associated with photostimulation, nest-box presentation, and degree of mate access

To determine the relative contribution of mate access and environmental cues in stimulating egg-laying and plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), and of mate access on nest-inspection and bowl-formation, mated pairs were permitted different degrees of mate access (full contact, auditory plus visual contact, auditory contact only, or no contact) and sequentially exposed to three environmental conditions (8L:16D without nest-box access for 6 weeks; 15L:9D without nest-box access for 3 weeks; 15L:9D with nest-box access for 3 weeks). The results indicate that a high degree of mate access is essential for the performance of nesting behaviors, since birds allowed no mate access or only auditory mate access were significantly less likely to inspect the nest or form a nest-bowl. Furthermore, pairs permitted no contact, auditory contact only, or auditory and visual contact delayed nest-inspection and bowl-formation and were significantly less likely to lay eggs than pairs with total mate contact. LH levels were significantly elevated only in photostimulated females of pairs of permitted full mate and nest-box access. These results suggest that maximal sexual activity in cockatiels requires an array of behavioral and environmental cues and that a linear relationship exists between extent of social cues and sexual activity.
Fused glass sample preparation for quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of geologic materials

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is a powerful analytical method, but LIBS is subject to a matrix effect which can limit its ability to produce quantitative results in complex materials such as geologic samples. Various methods of sample preparation, calibration, and data processing have been attempted to compensate for the matrix effect and improve LIBS precision. This study focuses on sample preparation by comparing fused glass as a preparation for powdered material to the more commonly used method of pressing powder into pellets for LIBS analysis of major elements in complex geologic materials. Pelletizing powdered material is a common and convenient method for preparing samples but problems with the physical matrix brought on by inconsistencies in the homogeneity, density, and laser absorption, coupled with the chemical matrix problem lead to spectral peak responses that are not always consistent with the absolute concentration of representative elements. Twenty-two mineral and rock samples were analyzed for eight major oxide elements. Samples were prepared under both glass and pellet methods and compared for internal precision and overall accuracy. Fused glass provided a more consistent physical matrix and yielded more reliable peak responses in the LIBS analysis than did the pressed pellet preparation. Statistical comparisons demonstrated that the glass samples expressed stronger separability between different mineral species based on the eight elements than for the pressed pellets and showed better spot-to-spot repeatability. Regression models showed substantially better correlations and predictive ability among the elements for the glass preparation than did those for the pressed pellets.
The Effect of Class Size Reduction on Foreign Language Learning: A Case Study1

The effect of class size reduction (CSR) has been a frequent topic in educational policy over the past decades. Although previous studies yield inconclusive results, the expectation has been that implementing CSR would improve students’ academic achievement. This article studies the effects of CSR in adult foreign language classrooms at a single institution. Language proficiency data from students learning Modern Standard Arabic, Chinese, or Korean in a class of reduced size (5–6 students per classroom) are compared to those in the standard size classroom for this institution (9–10 students per classroom). At the midpoint in the course, the effects of CSR are evident in the areas of pronunciation and communicative skills. At the end of the course, the students in a CSR classroom reach higher proficiency in reading, listening, and speaking. 1. Class Size Reduction and Foreign Language Learning Research Class size reduction (CSR) has been one of the most studied educational reforms in the past 20 years. The general – and intuitively grounded – assumption is that the increased instructional interaction between teacher and student afforded by a reduction in class size would positively affect academic achievement and student retention. We are concerned here with testing this assumption as it applies to the foreign language classroom. Doughty and Long (2003) argue that the quantity of target language input and positive/negative feedback is related to language acquisition. A smaller class size would appear to be the ideal environment for improving both. Despite the over 1000 studies of the effects of CSR, research on its effects on foreign language learning is essentially non-existent. The most directly related is Ozerk (2001) that discusses the effect of class size on bilingual students’ academic achievement. This study is concerned with the performance of two groups – minority bilingual students whose native language is other than Norwegian and majority native Norwegian students. The students were randomly assigned to either small (s = 14) or large (s = 24–25) classes, where the subject was civics, for example, social science, humanity, natural science. Both teacher assessment and curriculum-based
Extensionally defining principles and cases in ethics: an AI model

Principles are abstract rules intended to guide decision-makers in making normative judgments in domains like the law, politics, and ethics. It is difficult, however, if not impossible to define principles in an intensional manner so that they may be applied deductively. The problem is the gap between the abstract, open-textured principles and concrete facts. On the other hand, when expert decision-makers rationalize their conclusions in specific cases, they often link principles to the specific facts of the cases. In effect, these expert-defined associations between principles and facts provide extensional definitions of the principles. The experts operationalize the abstract principles by linking them to the facts.This paper discusses research in which the following hypothesis was empirically tested: extensionally defined principles, as well as cited past cases, can help in predicting the principles and cases that might be relevant in the analysis of new cases. To investigate this phenomenon computationally, a large set of professional ethics cases was analyzed and a computational model called SIROCCO, a system for retrieving principles and past cases, was constructed. Empirical evidence is presented that the operationalization information contained in extensionally defined principles can be leveraged to predict the principles and past cases that are relevant to new problem situations. This is shown through an ablation experiment, comparing SIROCCO to a version of itself that does not employ operationalization information. Further, it is shown that SIROCCO's extensionally defined principles and case citations help it to outperform a full-text retrieval program that does not employ such information.
Viscoelastic Cell Adhesion Model (VECAM)

Circulating leukocytes and tumor cells deform during their interactions with vascular endothelium and other adhesive substrates under physiological flow conditions. We studied the effect of cytoplasmic viscosity on these interactions using our novel three-dimensional computational algorithm that treats the cell as a compound droplet in which the core phase (nucleus) and the shell phase (cytoplasm) are viscoelastic fluids. This algorithm, known as viscoelastic cell adhesion model (VECAM), includes the mechanical properties of the cell cortex by cortical tension and considers cell microvilli that deform viscoelastically and form viscous tethers at supercritical force. Stochastic binding kinetics describes binding of cell adhesion molecules. VECAM predicts that the cytoplasmic viscosity plays a critical role in cell rolling on an adhesive substrate. High-viscosity cells are characterized by high mean rolling velocities, increased temporal fluctuations in the instantaneous velocity, and a high probability for detachment from the substrate. A decrease in the cell velocity, drag and torque with the formation of a large, flat contact area in low-viscosity cells leads to a dramatic decrease in the bond force and stable rolling. VECAM is able to reproduce the velocities and shape changes of rolling cells measured in vitro and in vivo.
The effects of GnRH administration postinsemination on serum concentrations of progesterone and pregnancy rates in dairy cattle exposed to mild summer heat stress.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate whether administration of GnRH postinsemination would improve reproductive performance in heat-stressed dairy cattle. Estrous cycles of Holstein cows were synchronized using the OvSynch protocol and cows were artificially inseminated. Cows were then administered the following treatments: control (no GnRH; n=37), GnRH (100 μg) on Day 5 (GnRH-D5; n=34), or GnRH (100 μg) on Day 11 (GnRH-D11; n=34) postinsemination. Cows were provided access to both fans and sprinklers, and environmental data was collected hourly. Rectal temperatures and blood samples were obtained from cows on Days −9, −2, 0 (AI) and on alternate days from Day 5 to Day 19 postinsemination. Blood serum was collected for the analysis of progesterone (P4) by RIA. In a subset of cows (n=6/treatment) ultrasonography was performed on alternate days from Day 5 to Day 19 postinsemination to assess numbers of corpora lutea (CL) and CL cross-sectional areas. Pregnancy status of cows was confirmed at Day 30 postinsemination. Environmental data indicated that cows experienced mild heat stress during the trials (mean daily THI=73–77). Serum P4 was greater (P 0.10) among treatment groups. Control cows (19%) tended to exhibit lower pregnancy rates (P
Magnetic resonance angiography of aorto-iliac disease.

Abstract Background: Four different techniques for aorto-iliac magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were assessed for accuracy using a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) gold standard. Surgeons’ confidence in their ability to generate treatment plans with MRA and DSA was assessed, in consultation with a radiologist. Methods: Two different two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) sequences, a phase-contrast sequence, and a contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA sequence were used. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and areas (A z ) calculated from radiologists’ readings. Surgeons’ confidence in their ability to utilize the images for treatment planning was assessed with a 5-point Likert scale. Thirty-six patients were evaluated. Results: CE MRA had a sensitivity, specificity, and A z of .92, .93, and .96, respectively, for stenoses 50% or greater. CE MRA performed better than other sequences, but the improvement compared with gated 2D TOF was not statistically significant. Interobserver agreement for CE MRA and DSA yielded identical Kappa values. Surgeons were most confident in DSA, followed by CE MRA, which was significantly preferred to other techniques. Conclusions: CE MRA closely approximates DSA in terms of diagnostic accuracy. Surgeons considering treatment plans are confident in the CE MRA technique, relative to other MRA methods.
The Economic impact of ME/CFS: Individual and societal costs

ME/CFS is characterized by debilitating fatigue in addition to other physical and cognitive symptoms. It is estimated to affect over 800,000 adults in the U.S. ME/CFS often results in diminished functionality and increased economic impact. The economic impact of an illness is generally divided into two categories: direct and indirect costs. Despite high prevalence rates and the disabling nature of the illness, few studies have examined the costs of ME/CFS at the individual and societal level. In fact, of the four studies examining the economic impact of ME/ME/CFS only two used a U. S. sample. The current study used community and tertiary samples to examine the direct costs of ME/CFS. Using archival data, Study 1 examined the direct cost of ME/CFS in a community-based sample in Chicago. Study 2 estimated the direct cost of ME/CFS in a tertiary sample in Chicago. Both Study1 and Study 2 assessed direct costs using office visit costs, medical test costs, and medication costs. For Study 1, the annual direct total cost per ME/CFS patient was estimated to be $2,342, with the total annual direct cost of ME/CFS to society being approximately $2 billion. In Study 2, the annual direct was estimated to be $8,675 per ME/CFS patient, with the total annual direct cost of ME/CFS to society being approximately $7 billion. Using ME/CFS prevalence data of 0.42 and indirect costs estimates from Reynolds et al. (2004), the direct and indirect cost of ME/CFS to society was estimated to be $18,677,912,000 for the community sample and $23,972,300,000 for the tertiary sample. These findings indicate that whether or not individuals are recruited from a community or tertiary sample, ME/CFS imposes substantial economic costs.
Modelling of pretravel for touch trigger probes on indexable probe heads on coordinate measuring machines

This paper presents a pretravel model for touch trigger probes mounted on indexable probe heads, which can rotate and tilt the probe into a number of orientations for coordinate measurements on coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). Pretravel accounts for the majority of touch trigger probe errors and is caused by bending deflection of the stylus shaft. A trigger force model is derived and used to model bending deflection of the stylus shaft at the trigger instant. Only one model parameter needs to be calculated using the probe calibration data. Experimental data associated with thirteen probe orientations were used to validate the model. It is shown that the model can effectively predict pretravel distances associated with various probe approach directions. The standard deviations of prediction errors are less than 0.71 µm, indicating that the proposed model can be used to compensate for pretravels occurring in touch trigger probe applications.
What's in a Bot? L2 Lexical Development Mediated through ICALL

In recent years, the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) has made great strides to refocus its attention on the essential role that vocabulary plays in becoming a proficient L2 learner (Nation, 2001). Moreover, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) has made advances in providing interactive online tools that help L2 learners strategically engage and work through their vocabulary development. This present study reports on how an Intelligent CALL tool (ICALL), Langbot, helps learners at the beginner and intermediate levels with their lexical acquisition. Modeled after instant messaging systems, which create a synchronous communicative environment, Langbot acts like a pedagogical scaffold or online buddy that caters to the vocabulary needs of each individual learner. It provides 1) translation requests with examples in context, 2) a frequency-based “word of the day” and 3) quizzes based on recent inquiries and a specific frequency range according to the learner’s level. The results from breadth and depth tests (N = 142), suggest that learners at all levels that have access to Langbot significantly improve their vocabulary breadth, while only intermediate-high learners with access to Langbot improve their vocabulary depth. Furthermore, survey data demonstrate Langbot’s effectiveness and accessibility based on learner perceptions.
Unimolecular rate constants for HX or DX elimination (X = F, Cl) from chemically activated CF3CH2CH2Cl, C2H5CH2Cl, and C2D5CH2Cl: threshold energies for HF and HCl elimination.

Vibrationally activated CF3CH2CH2Cl molecules were prepared with 94 kcal mol-1 of vibrational energy by the combination of CF3CH2 and CH2Cl radicals and with 101 kcal mol-1 of energy by the combination of CF3 and CH2CH2Cl radicals at room temperature. The unimolecular rate constants for elimination of HCl from CF3CH2CH2Cl were 1.2 × 107 and 0.24 × 107 s-1 with 101 and 94 kcal mol-1, respectively. The product branching ratio, kHCl/kHF, was 80 ± 25. Activated CH3CH2CH2Cl and CD3CD2CH2Cl molecules with 90 kcal mol-1 of energy were prepared by recombination of C2H5 (or C2D5) radicals with CH2Cl radicals. The unimolecular rate constant for HCl elimination was 8.7 × 107 s-1, and the kinetic isotope effect was 4.0. Unified transition-state models obtained from density-functional theory calculations, with treatment of torsions as hindered internal rotors for the molecules and the transition states, were employed in the calculation of the RRKM rate constants for CF3CH2CH2Cl and CH3CH2CH2Cl. Fitting the calculated ...
The effects of sentence length and grammatical structure in a serial learning task

Nonsense strings containing four, five, six, and seven nonsense words were constructed for three grammatical structure conditions: morphology and syntax, morphology alone, and syntax alone. Analysis of the percentage of words recalled revealed a significant learning effect that was inversely related to sentence length. More important, however, was a failure to find any facilitation effects on recall due to morphology and/or syntax.
Exploration of New Concepts for Mass Detection in Electrostatically-Actuated Structures Based on Nonlinear Phenomena

This study presents an effort to explore the exploitation of dynamic instabilities and bifurcations in micro-electro-mechanical systems to realize novel methods and functionalities for mass sensing and detection. These instabilities are induced by exciting a microstructure with a nonlinear forcing composed of a dc parallel-plate electrostatic load and an ac harmonic load. The frequency of the ac load is tuned to be near the fundamental natural frequency of the structure (primary resonance) or its multiples (subharmonic resonance). For each excitation method, local bifurcations, such as saddle-node and pitchfork, and global bifurcations, such as the escape phenomenon, may occur. This work aims to explore the utilization of these bifurcations to design novel mass sensors and switches of improved characteristics. One explored concept of a device is a switch triggered by mass threshold. The basic idea of this device is based on the phenomenon of escape from a potential well. This device has the potential of serving as a smart switch that combines the functions of two devices: a sensitive gas/mass sensor and an electromechanical switch. The switch can send a strong electrical signal as a sign of mass detection, which can be used to actuate an alarming system or to activate a defensive or a security system. A second type of explored devices is a mass sensor of amplified response. The basic principle of this device is based on the jump phenomena encountered in pitchfork bifurcations during mass detection. This leads to an amplified response of the excited structure making the sensor more sensitive and its signal easier to be measured. As case studies, these device concepts are first demonstrated by simulations on clamped-clamped and cantilever microbeams. Results are presented using long-time integration for the equations of motion of a reduced-order model. An experimental case study of a capacitive sensor is presented illustrating the proposed concepts. It is concluded that exciting a microstructure at twice its fundamental natural frequency produces the most promising results for mass sensing and detection.
In situ AFM studies of SEI formation at a Sn electrode

Early stages of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation at a tin foil electrode in an ethylene carbonate (EC) based electrolyte were investigated by in situ AFM and cyclic voltammetry (CV) at potentials >0.7 V, i.e., above the potential of Sn–Li alloying. We detected and observed initial steps of the surface film formation at ∼2.8 V vs. Li/Li+ followed by gradual film morphology changes at potentials 0.7 < U < 2.5 V. The SEI layer undergoes continuous reformation during the following CV cycles between 0.7 and 2.5 V. The surface film on Sn does not effectively prevent the electrolyte reduction and a large fraction of the reaction products dissolve in the electrolyte. The unstable SEI layer on Sn in EC-based electrolytes may compromise the use of tin-based anodes in Li-ion battery systems unless the interfacial chemistry of the electrode and/or electrolyte is modified.
Two mechanisms of migration inhibition factor induction by tumour antigens.

EVIDENCE has accumulated which stresses the importance of lymphokines in cell-mediated immunity both in vivo and in vitro1. But, the processes leading to release of lymphokines by antigen-activated lymphocytes, the mode of action of these lymphokines and their exact role in cell-mediated immunity are still not well defined. It has, however, been recognised that in vitro activation of immune lymphocytes by soluble antigens is macrophage dependent and that this activation is under the control of gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (H–2 in the mouse)2. Using a Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV)-induced tumour system, we have shown, in agreement with reports of some other systems3,4, that immune T lymphocytes required macrophages for migration inhibition factor (MIF) production and, in addition, only histocompatible macrophages could assist immune T lymphocytes for MIF release after stimulation with soluble tumour-associated antigens5. We report here that gene products of the H–2 complex regulated the macrophage-immune lymphocyte interaction for MIF release when soluble tumour extracts were used as the source of antigen. In contrast, when intact tumour cells were used as the source of antigen, a macrophage requirement was not detectable. Moreover, the direct lymphocyte-tumour cell interaction for MIF release was not under H–2 restriction, since allogenic as well as syngeneic tumour cells could activate MIF release from immune lymphocytes. These findings suggest the existence of at least two different pathways for MIF production, reflecting perhaps the activation of two distinct sub-populations of T lymphocytes or the activation of T lymphocytes at two different stages of differentiation.
Probabilistic surface classification for rover instrument targeting

Communication blackouts and latency are significant bottlenecks for planetary surface exploration; rovers cannot typically communicate during long traverses, so human operators cannot respond to unanticipated science targets discovered along the route. Targeted data collection by point spectrometers or high-resolution imagery requires precise aim, so it typically happens under human supervision during the start of each command cycle, directed at known targets in the local field of view. Spacecraft can overcome this limitation using onboard science data analysis to perform autonomous instrument targeting. Two critical target selection capabilities are the ability to target priority features of a known geologic class, and the ability to target anomalous surfaces that are unlike anything seen before. This work addresses both challenges using probabilistic surface classification in traverse images. We first describe a method for targeting known classes in the presence of high measurement cost that is typical for power- and time-constrained rover operations. We demonstrate a Bayesian approach that abstains from uncertain classifications to significantly improve the precision of geologic surface classifications. Our results show a significant increase in classification performance, including a seven-fold decrease in misclassification rate for our random forest classifier. We then take advantage of these classifications and learned scene context in order to train a semi-supervised novelty detector. Operators can train the novelty detection to ignore known content from previous scenes, a critical requirement for multi-day rover operations. By making use of prior scene knowledge we find nearly double the number of abnormal features detected over comparable algorithms. We evaluate both of these techniques on a set of images acquired during field expeditions in the Mojave Desert.
Nav Channel Complex Heterogeneity New Targets for the Treatment of Arrhythmia

Despite major breakthroughs in cardiovascular diagnostics and therapies over the past century, diseases of the heart remain a leading cause of death in the United States, nearing 600 000 deaths per year.1 Most of these deaths (200 000–400 000 per year)2 are due to cardiac arrhythmia in which syncope and sudden death are often the first manifestations of heart disease. Foundational work by Wang et al3 in the mid-1990s cemented the critical role of ion channel dysfunction in human arrhythmia. Today, we know that ≈35% of sudden unexplained death and ≈20% of sudden infant death syndrome cases may be explained by mutations in cardiac ion channels (cardiac channelopathies).4,5 Furthermore, defects in ion channel function have widely been observed in common forms of heart failure.6 This year marks the 25th anniversary of publication of the preliminary Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) findings in the New England Journal of Medicine .7 Here, we discuss new findings reported by Shy et al8 on Nav channel macromolecular complexes reported in this issue of Circulation and reflect on lessons learned in the ensuing years after CAST that may help propel advances in treatment of cardiovascular disease over the next quarter-century. Article see p 147 Defects in voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are among the best characterized of the cardiac channelopathies. Nav channel complexes are composed of a large ≈260-kDa pore-forming α-subunit and an associated auxiliary β-subunit. In humans, Nav α-subunits are encoded by 9 genes, whereas 4 genes encode Nav β-subunits.9 Beyond heart, Nav channel gene defects are linked to a host of excitable cell phenotypes, including epilepsy and seizures, myotonia, and erythromelalgia.9 Although multiple Nav channel α-subunits are expressed in heart, Nav1.5 ( SCN5A ) is the …