cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OXIDATION‐ASSISTED FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOR IN ALLOY 718‐PART II. APPLICATIONS

In previous work by the authors, a quantitative model based on a two-stage oxidation mechanism was developed to describe the oxidation-assisted crack growth behavior in alloy 718. This model is used here to predict the crack growth rate in this alloy at 650°C for two different loading conditions: one is a continuous cycle with a hold time duration of 300 s imposed at minimum load, the other is a continuous cycle without a hold time duration. The results obtained from applying the model to these loading profiles were then compared with those obtained experimentally. Good agreement was observed between the two data sets. Details of the model calculations are discussed, and suggestions to further extend the model capabilities are made in this paper.
Reagan Administration Health Policy

ra;aTh? ~ N the early months of the Reagan Administration a clearcut policy toward health care has been established. This policy is reflected in the fiscal year 1982 budget sub: S >mission to the Congress, legislative proposals regarding : the revision or renewal of existing legislation, and numerous statements by Administration officials before the Congress, media, and public. This policy represents a profound shift in direction in the health sector. It encompasses a far-reaching reexamination of the role of the federal government in financing health care services, administering direct programs to promote preventive and primary care services, regulating costs in the health sector, sponsoring biomedical, behavioral, and social science research, and supporting the training of health professionals. This position has been set forward at an early date in the Administration -even before many of the key health policy officials took office, and has been acted upon by the Congress with uncharacteristic swiftness. The speed with which these redirections have been proposed and considered has precluded examination of the implications of these policy shifts. Unlike the case with most major legislative proposals that are debated over several years, even a basic understanding of the proposals is absent. Neither detailed backup information about the impact on different population groups and state and local government jurisdictions nor a detailed justification for the proposed redirection has been set forth. In the interest of contributing to informed understanding of these proposals by the health community, this paper summarizes the basic philosophy underlying the proposed health policy, its relationship to an overall economic and social policy strategy, the specific proposals advanced, a critique of these proposals, and the disposition of these proposals by the Congress to date.
Using Deterministic, Gated Item Response Theory Model to Detect Test Cheating due to Item Compromise

The Deterministic, Gated Item Response Theory Model (DGM, Shu, Unpublished Dissertation. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2010) is proposed to identify cheaters who obtain significant score gain on tests due to item exposure/compromise by conditioning on the item status (exposed or unexposed items). A “gated” function is introduced to decompose the observed examinees’ performance into two distributions (the true ability distribution determined by examinees’ true ability and the cheating distribution determined by examinees’ cheating ability). Test cheaters who have score gain due to item exposure are identified through the comparison of the two distributions. Hierarchical Markov Chain Monte Carlo is used as the model’s estimation framework. Finally, the model is applied in a real data set to illustrate how the model can be used to identify examinees having pre-knowledge on the exposed items.
Peroxide removal from organic solvents and vegetable oils

Peroxide contamination of organic solvents and related reagents, e.g. vegetable oils, has created potential problems for the toxicologist, biochemist and industrial hygienist. Because of tedious or complicated procedures to test for and remove, or prevent the formation of peroxides, the tendency of laboratory investigators has been to ignore the problem. In this study, straight‐forward procedures for the testing and removal, and/or prevention of formation of peroxides were investigated. Total peroxides were assayed by measuring FeIII(SCN)3 formed by FeII oxidation and reaction with KSCN. Most solvents and reagents, as received from the manufacturer, were found to have low levels of peroxides. After opening the container, peroxides were formed rapidly in many solvents. Techniques for the complete retardation of peroxide formation in fresh solvents or reagents are described. For peroxides already present in organic solvents or vegetable oils, a novel technique for easy removal without Introducing contaminan...
Optimizing Mobility in Later Life: The Role of the Urban Built Environment for Older Adults Aging in Place

Hazards in the urban built environment can create barriers to mobility among older adults aging in place. We investigated the relationship between urban built environment characteristics and 15-month trajectories of mobility disability in a sample of 1,188 older adults living in Detroit, MI, a city that has undergone rapid economic and structural decline. Data come from the Michigan Minimum Data Set for Home Care (2001–2008), an enumerative database of older adults in Michigan who qualify for federal or state-funded home and community-based long-term care through a Medicaid waiver program. Standardized assessments are made at intake and every 90 days by case managers. Built environments were assessed with a virtual audit using the “Street View” feature of Google Earth. A summary accessibility score was created for each block based on a count of the number of accessible features (e.g., continuous barrier-free sidewalks and proximity of public transportation). Using growth mixture models, two latent trajectories of outdoor mobility were identified: one capturing occasional outdoor mobility (representing 83 % of the sample) and one capturing almost no mobility outside the home. Controlling for sociodemographic and health risk factors, individuals living in more accessible environments had a 18 % higher odds of being in the more mobile group (OR = 1.18, 95 % CI = 1.01, 1.41). These findings emphasize the importance of the built environment for mobility among urban-dwelling older adults.
Determination of calcium in biological material: The use of calcein as an indicator in the edta titration

Abstract The EDTA titration of calcium using the change in fluorescence of Calcein indicator under ultraviolet illumination at the end-point was very satisfactory for essentially pure calcium chloride solutions. In order to use this method for biological samples, it was found best to separate the calcium by an oxalate precipitation at a pH of 4.7, convert the calcium oxalate to calcium carbonate, and dissolve the calcium carbonate in hydrochloric acid.
Brinkmanship and compulsory licensing policy lessons from Brazil

Approximately 660,000 Brazilians were living with HIV/AIDS in 2003, with an adult prevalence of 0.7%. Brazil currently provides free antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for 158,000 people, which is 40% of the total people on free ARV treatment globally. Brazil also produces 8 out of the 14 drugs required for its national AIDS treatment programme. In an increasingly restrictive Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) environment, multiple factors political, legal and socio-economic have enabled Brazil to take advantage of the threat of compulsory licensing. Today, Brazil is not only one of the main producers of generic drugs for HIV/AIDS, but it also has a successful government-administered programme. As United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan noted recently, 'Brazil is one of the few countries where programs to combat the epidemic are succeeding'. Brazil has improved access to HIV drugs by strategically exploiting the exceptions under the TRIPS agreement, thus offering valuable lessons for countries combating HIV/AIDS.
Travel demand management in the USA : context, lessons learned and future directions

Travel demand management (TDM) in the USA can trace its origins to four sources. First, TDM can trace its origins to ridesharing. Secondly, TDM is an outgrowth of ridesharing programs developed furing the energy crises of the 1970s. The third factor, improved air quality, is a result of the conservation of energy. The fourth factor, congestion management, is the reason TDM has endured.
Identification of novel HLA class I alleles using single allele sequencing

Three new HLA-A and five HLA-B alleles reported in this paper have been characterized by direct sequencing of PCR product obtained by group-specific amplification of potential new alleles. Four new alleles, B*5133, B*5134, B*1574 and B*5807, carry motifs observed in previously identified HLA-B alleles and may have evolved via gene conversion. Four alleles, A*2438, A*3405, A*2437 and B*520104, display polymorphisms at positions previously considered constant. All new alleles were identified either by an unexpected sequence specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization pattern or by sequence-based typing, and later confirmed by single allele sequencing.
On a Folk Theory of Society: Children, Evolution, and Mental Representations of Social Groups

Representing and reasoning about the social universe is a major task for the young child, one that almost certainly involves specialized knowledge structures. Individuals in interaction are fundamental elements of sociality, and, unsurprisingly, evolution has prepared children with special-purpose mechanisms for drawing attention to and processing information about persons. Social aggregates are also fundamental elements of human sociality, yet we know much less about the child's grasp of them and the institutions that mediate among them. One reason for this lacuna is that researchers have typically framed children's social knowledge according to how adultlike (or not) that understanding is. This article proposes that it may be more productive to approach children's social knowledge from the perspective of the child herself or himself. Arguably, even quite young children deploy lay theories of society that emerge from a special-purpose endogenous module for identifying and reasoning about human aggregates.
Progress of gravity surveys in the western United States, 2

In the March 1965 issue of Transactions fourteen papers were presented as either condensed versions or abstracts of papers presented at the symposium held at Boulder, Colorado, in December 1963. Following the publication of these papers it became obvious that investigators on some major university programs had not participated in the symposium, nor had they known that progress papers on this subject were to be published. After discussions with the Editor of the Transactions, papers were invited for publication from others known to be working in the western United States.
Matrix Elements of a Hyperbolic Vector Operator under SO(2,1)

We deal here with the use of Wigner–Eckart type arguments to calculate the matrix elements of a hyperbolic vector operator by expressing them in terms of reduced matrix elements. In particular, we focus on calculating the matrix elements of this vector operator within the basis of the hyperbolic angular momentum whose components , , satisfy an SO(2,1) Lie algebra. We show that the commutation rules between the components of and can be inferred from the algebra of ordinary angular momentum. We then show that, by analogy to the Wigner–Eckart theorem, we can calculate the matrix elements of within a representation where and are jointly diagonal.
Energetics of Semiconductor Electrode/Solution Interfaces: EQCM Evidence for Charge-Compensating Cation Adsorption and Intercalation during Accumulation Layer Formation in the Titanium Dioxide/Acetonitrile System

Abstract : Combined reflectance, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and conventional voltammetric measurements on high area titanium dioxide electrodes in dry, electrolyte-containing solutions of acetonitrile show that electron accumulation layer formation is coupled directly to irreversible intercalation (e.g. Li+ or Na+) or to quasi-reversible adsorption (tetraethylammonium ion) of charge compensating cations. Difficulty in achieving intercalation with these ions appears to account for the extreme negative shift of the flatband potential in acetonitrile, in comparison to aqueous solutions. More generally, the charge compensation based adsorption/intercalation phenomenon appears to play a key role in defining the conduction band edge energetics of titanium dioxide and presumably other metal. jg
Evaluation of a Tuberculosis Education Video Among Immigrants and Refugees at an Adult Education Center: A Community-Based Participatory Approach

Tuberculosis disproportionately affects immigrants and refugees to the United States. Upon arrival to the United States, many of these individuals attend adult education centers, but little is known about how to deliver tuberculosis health information at these venues. Therefore, the authors used a participatory approach to design and evaluate a tuberculosis education video in this setting. The authors used focus group data to inform the content of the video that was produced and delivered by adult learners and their teachers. The video was evaluated by learners for acceptability through 3 items with a 3-point Likert scale. Knowledge (4 items) and self-efficacy (2 items) about tuberculosis were evaluated before and after viewing the video. A total of 159 learners (94%) rated the video as highly acceptable. Knowledge about tuberculosis improved after viewing the video (56% correct vs. 82% correct; p <.001), as did tuberculosis-related self-efficacy (77% vs. 90%; p <.001). Adult education centers that serve large immigrant and refugee populations may be excellent venues for health education, and a video may be an effective tool to educate these populations. Furthermore, a participatory approach in designing health education materials may enhance the efficacy of these tools.
Intravenous diltiazem and acute renal failure after cardiac operations.

Abstract Background . Perioperative administration of intravenous diltiazem to patients undergoing cardiac procedures has been shown to decrease the incidence of ischemia and arrhythmias. However, after adopting this practice in our cardiac surgery program, we perceived an increased incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction. Methods . A directed record review of postoperative renal function was conducted for consecutive patients undergoing cardiac operation for the time periods before and after adoption of prophylactic intravenous diltiazem (0.1 mg · kg −1 · h −1 for 24 hours). The two groups were compared using χ 2 and two-sample t tests. The risk of development of postoperative renal failure was modeled with logistic regression. Results . Diltiazem-treated patients (n = 271) were similar to the control patients (n = 143) in terms of age (64 versus 61 years; p = 0.14), ejection fraction (0.46 versus 0.47; p = 0.61), baseline serum creatinine level (1.2 versus 1.1 mg/dL; p = 0.27), prevalence of comorbid conditions, and surgical characteristics. The prevalence of left main coronary artery disease was lower in the diltiazem group than the control group (39% versus 52%; p = 0.01). During the 7-day postoperative period, the average peak serum creatinine level was higher in the diltiazem group (1.7 ± 0.9 mg/dL; mean ± 1 standard deviation) than the control group (1.5 ± 0.5 mg/dL; p = 0.003). The incidence of acute renal failure requiring dialysis was 4.4% in the diltiazem group versus 0.7% in the control group ( p = 0.04). There was no difference in length of hospitalization or mortality. The risk of acute renal failure was strongly associated with intravenous diltiazem (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 6.3; p = 0.08), age (AOR 2.5 per 10 years; p = 0.07), baseline serum creatinine (AOR 4.8 per 1 mg/dL; p = 0.02), the presence of left main coronary disease (AOR 5.3; p = 0.02), and the presence of cerebrovascular disease (AOR 4.5; p = 0.05). Conclusions . Our retrospective analysis suggests that prophylactic use of intravenous diltiazem in patients undergoing cardiac operations was associated with increased renal dysfunction. Further studies of the risk and benefits of intravenous diltiazem in this setting should be undertaken.
Ozone-induced reduction in quantity and quality of two potato cultivars

Abstract Cherokee and Norchip cultivars of potato, which exhibit differential foliar sensitivity to ozone, were grown in the glasshouse and exposed to acute doses of the air pollutant once every 14 days throughout the growing season. Weight and number of tubers of both cultivars decreased, percent dry matter decreased and total reducing sugars increased in response to ozone in one or more of three experiments. Total glycoalkaloid content decreased in tubers of Norchip and increased in those of Cherokee.
EPA Policies to Protect the Health of Consumers of Drinking Water in the United States

Abstract In the United States our objective is to protect drinking water at the source,during treatment and during distribution. In 1975 interim regulations for bacteria and turbidity, 10 inorganic chemicals, 6 organic chemicals end radionuclides were promulgated. In 1979 National Seccndary Regulations for substances affecting the aesthetic quality of water were promulgated. In 1979 trihalomethanes were added, The United States is engaged in comprehensive revisions of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. The areas of our most significant concern include detection and control of contamination of ground waters by organic chemicals resulting from improper waste disposal practices, a reassessment of microbiological regulations and toxicity of disinfectant by-products and a major effort to deal with corrosion-related contamination of drinking water during distribution. We are evaluating the issue of a granular activated carbon requirement for contaminated surface waters. A program to assure the quality of direct and indirect additives to drinking water has also been initiated. Part of this activity will include determination of the contaminants and by-products associated with the use of various water treatment chemicals and pipe materials.
Magnitude and presentation of mechanical signals influence adult stem cell behavior in 3-dimensional macroporous hydrogels

The mechanical properties of the microenvironment are being recognized as a key contributor to stem cell behaviour, whether in the context of tissues or when designing biomaterials. While there has been considerable evidence demonstrating the effect of 2-D static mechanics on stem cells, few systems exist to investigate the influence of the 3-D presentation of mechanical signals. In this study, methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) was processed into porous (crosslinking around spherical templates) 3-D hydrogels with tunable elastic moduli ranging from ∼1.5 kPa to 12.4 kPa. Porous hydrogels were fabricated with a sequential crosslinking process (addition crosslinking of methacrylates with dithiols, followed by UV photopolymerization) where the hydrogel mechanics are controlled by the extent of UV exposure and are subsequently seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). hMSCs spread within the pores and proliferated in a mechanically dependent manner as cells within the softest 1.5 kPa hydrogels were less spread initially and showed little proliferation with time, while hMSCs in stiffer hydrogels (>1.5 kPa) had higher initial spreading and a roughly two-fold increase in cell number after 14 days. In growth media, porous hydrogels supported a slight upregulation (two to eight-fold) in chondrogenic genes across all mechanics, while there was only modest upregulation in a few conditions (and in many cases downregulation) for myogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic genes. The secretion of various cytokines and angiogenic molecules was found to be mechanically dependent in the porous system with greater secretion at day 2 in the stiffer hydrogels (3.8 kPa and 7.4 kPa). However, by day 14 there was greater secretion in the softer hydrogels (1.5 kPa and 2.6 kPa). Finally, when mechanics were temporally increased during culture (from ∼2.6 kPa to 12.4 kPa), there was a noticeable decrease in the secretion of 15 angiogenic and cytokine proteins. Thus, the influence of mechanics on stem cells within hydrogel structures appears to be dependent on the magnitude and timing of presentation.
On the Nature of Organoindium Intermediates: the Formation of Readily Isolable Difluoropropargylindium Reagents and their Regioselectivity Towards Electrophilic Substitutions

The structure and reactivity of intermediate propargylindium complexes have been investigated. Their reaction with electrophiles produced a difluoroalkyne or -allene, depending on the nature of the electrophiles. A mechanism based on the Curtin-Hammett principle was invoked to explain this phenomenon. A newly proposed mechanism on the formation of indium(III) complexes, through the intermediacy of indium(I) species, could help to explain the reaction of indium with 1,1,1-difluorobromo-2-alkynes in the presence of aldehydes.
Need Affiliation and Achievement: Declining Sex Differences.

Summary.-This study replicated one in Bardwick's 1971 Psychology of wornelp which showed that women were suictly interpersonal and affiliauve. Ss were 465 college smdents who responded anonymously to a brief projective survey for which a coding-by-example scheme had been developed to measure need affiliation and need achievement. Of four X9 tests of differences between the sexes in the 2 needs under 2 stiaulus conditions, only one reached significance, although all differences were in Line wirh uaditional expectations. It was concluded that sex-stereotypes in regard to these needs are changing in the college population both by men becoming more concerned with interpersonal relationships and women with pride in school and work. Researchers in the psychology of women continue to stress the importance of need affiliation and the secondary role which achievement needs play in the lives of American women. Horner (1970) feels that individual achievement and femininity continue to be viewed by most people as two desirable but mutually exclusive ends. She cites the lower proportion of women college graduates today as compared to the past and the declining numbers of professional women She posits that the real barrier to female achievement is a psychological one, the motive co avoid success. If a woman achieves, says Horner, she expects social rejection as a negative cotsequence. This threat to her affiliative needs indudes fear of being socially rejec~ed, fear of losing one's friends or one's marriageability, fear of isolation and loneliness as a result of success. In contrast, successful achievement in men leads to their expecting increased satisfaction of affiliation needs. One could certainly hypothesize on the basis of Horner's observations that there would be greater concern with affiliation than with achievement in most samples of women surveyed.
Do the Definitions of Elder Mistreatment Subtypes Matter? Findings From the PINE Study

Elder mistreatment (EM) is a significant public health and human rights issue. According to the U.S. National Elder Mistreatment Study, the 1-year prevalence of EM is 11.4% (1). EM has been associated with adverse health outcomes with respect to morbidity and mortality (2), as well as increased health services utilization (3,4). In view of its public health significance, for the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in October 2013 recommended EM as a priority research topic in its report to Congress (5). Nevertheless, we still have rudimentary knowledge on the issue of EM in minority populations. Over the last 20 years, there has been lack of consensus in the field regarding the definitions of EM used for determining prevalence estimates. Although many studies have used an “any positive EM item” approach, other studies have more systematically considered the heterogeneity of the definitions and have been stricter in the categorization of EM cases (6,7). In addition, attempts to draw conclusions about prevalence estimates for EM across studies are very challenging. There has been no epidemiological study that has comprehensively examined the differential definitions of EM within the same study to draw more meaningful conclusions. EM cannot be separated from the cultural context in which it occurs. Influenced by social changes brought about by modernization and industrialization, younger Chinese generations may be less likely to adhere to traditional Chinese cultural values and practices. Guided by the value of collectivism that encourages conformity and cohesiveness (8), Chinese elderly may be less likely to disclose EM and seek help. A prior study on Chinese older adults’ perceptions of EM suggested that they tended to tolerate EM so as to protect family reputation (9). Another study among Asian American older adults further demonstrated that such tolerance for EM may be associated with not favoring reporting and outside intervention (10). Prior studies suggested that EM was common among Chinese older adults in mainland China, ranging from 20% to 40% using the any positive item approach (11,12). Moreover, EM was found to be associated with psychosocial distress among Chinese older adults (13). However, there is a dearth of investigations examining EM in U.S. Chinese older populations. The Chinese community is the largest and the fastest growing Asian American subgroup population in the United States, numbering ~4 million (14). The population of U.S. Chinese adults aged ≥65 years has increased by 55% in the past decade, far exceeding the general population growth rate of 15% among U.S. older adults (15). The purposes of this study are to: (i) investigate the prevalence of EM subtypes and overall EM using different definitional criteria; and (ii) examine sociodemographic and health-related correlates of EM using different definitional criteria among U.S. Chinese older adults.
The contribution of the putamen to sensory aspects of pain: insights from structural connectivity and brain lesions

Cerebral cortical activity is heavily influenced by interactions with the basal ganglia. These interactions occur via cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loops. The putamen is one of the major sites of cortical input into basal ganglia loops and is frequently activated during pain. This activity has been typically associated with the processing of pain-related motor responses. However, the potential contribution of putamen to the processing of sensory aspects of pain remains poorly characterized. In order to more directly determine if the putamen can contribute to sensory aspects of pain, nine individuals with lesions involving the putamen underwent both psychophysical and functional imaging assessment of perceived pain and pain-related brain activation. These individuals exhibited intact tactile thresholds, but reduced heat pain sensitivity and widespread reductions in pain-related cortical activity in comparison with 14 age-matched healthy subjects. Using magnetic resonance imaging to assess structural connectivity in healthy subjects, we show that portions of the putamen activated during pain are connected not only with cortical regions involved in sensory-motor processing, but also regions involved in attention, memory and affect. Such a framework may allow cognitive information to flow from these brain areas to the putamen where it may be used to influence how nociceptive information is processed. Taken together, these findings indicate that the putamen and the basal ganglia may contribute importantly to the shaping of an individual subjective sensory experience by utilizing internal cognitive information to influence activity of large areas of the cerebral cortex.
Steady-state analysis of the multistage constant modulus array

The multistage constant modulus (CM) array is a cascade adaptive beamforming system that can recover several narrowband cochannel signals without training. We examine its steady-state properties at convergence using a stochastic analysis and computer simulations. Based on a Wiener model of convergence for the gradient adaptive algorithms, closed-form expressions are derived for the CM array and canceller weight vectors, as well as the effective source direction vectors at all stages along the cascade system. The signal-capture and direction-finding capabilities of the system are also discussed. Computer simulations for stationary and fading sources are presented to confirm the theoretical results and to illustrate the rapid convergence behavior of the adaptive algorithms.
Maternal Well-Being Health, Differentiation, and Relationship Satisfaction

Extensive research has been done on new mothers and their well-being post-pregnancy. Particularly, couples’ relationship satisfaction has been shown to diminish as new mothers adjust to their new r...
The hypoglycemic effects of external insulin on fish and frogs

Previous reports of “insulin shock” induced in fish (and frogs) by externally applied insulin have been confirmed. The insulin induced coma can be reversed by either external glucose, sucrose, or epinephrine. Experiments on rainbow trout have shown that the externally applied insulin acts as though it enters the fish in that a typical hypoglycemia is caused. The action of insulin is via the gills and does not require participation of the digestive tract.
A Structural Basis for Recognition of A·T and T·A Base Pairs in the Minor Groove of B-DNA

Polyamide dimers containing three types of aromatic rings—pyrrole, imidazole, and hydroxypyrrole—afford a small-molecule recognition code that discriminates among all four Watson-Crick base pairs in the minor groove. The crystal structure of a specific polyamide dimer-DNA complex establishes the structural basis for distinguishing T·A from A·T base pairs. Specificity for the T·A base pair is achieved by means of distinct hydrogen bonds between pairs of substituted pyrroles on the ligand and the O2 of thymine and N3 of adenine. In addition, shape-selective recognition of an asymmetric cleft between the thymine-O2 and the adenine-C2 was observed. Although hitherto similarities among the base pairs in the minor groove have been emphasized, the structure illustrates differences that allow specific minor groove recognition.
Dynamics of the dissipative two-state system

This paper presents the results of a functional-integral approach to the dynamics of a two-state system coupled to a dissipative environment. It is primarily an extended account of results obtained over the last four years by the authors; while they try to provide some background for orientation, it is emphatically not intended as a comprehensive review of the literature on the subject. Its contents include (1) an exact and general prescription for the reduction, under appropriate circumstances, of the problem of a system tunneling between two wells in the presence of a dissipative environment to the "spin-boson" problem; (2) the derivation of an exact formula for the dynamics of the latter problem; (3) the demonstration that there exists a simple approximation to this exact formula which is controlled, in the sense that we can put explicit bounds on the errors incurred in it, and that for almost all regions of the parameter space these errors are either very small in the limit of interest to us (the "slow-tunneling" limit) or can themselves be evaluated with satisfactory accuracy; (4) use of these results to obtain quantitative expressions for the dynamics of the system as a function of the spectral density $J(\ensuremath{\omega})$ of its coupling to the environment. If $J(\ensuremath{\omega})$ behaves as ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{s}$ for frequencies of the order of the tunneling frequency or smaller, the authors find for the "unbiased" case the following results: For $sl1$ the system is localized at zero temperature, and at finite $T$ relaxes incoherently at a rate proportional to $\mathrm{exp}\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{{T}_{0}}{T})}^{1\ensuremath{-}s}$. For $sg2$ it undergoes underdamped coherent oscillations for all relevant temperatures, while for $1lsl2$ there is a crossover from coherent oscillation to overdamped relaxation as $T$ increases. Exact expressions for the oscillation and/or relaxation rates are presented in all these cases. For the "ohmic" case, $s=1$, the qualitative nature of the behavior depends critically on the dimensionless coupling strength $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ as well as the temperature $T$: over most of the ($\ensuremath{\alpha}$,$T$) plane (including the whole region $\ensuremath{\alpha}g1$) the behavior is an incoherent relaxation at a rate proportional to ${T}^{2\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}1}$, but for low $T$ and $0l\ensuremath{\alpha}l\frac{1}{2}$ the authors predict a combination of damped coherent oscillation and incoherent background which appears to disagree with the results of all previous approximations. The case of finite bias is also discussed.
A network modeling approach for the optimization of Internet-based advertising strategies and pricing with a quantitative explanation of two paradoxes

This paper addresses the determination and evaluation of optimal Internet marketing strategies when a firm is advertising on multiple websites. An optimization model is constructed for the determination of the optimal amount of click-throughs subject to a budget constraint. The underlying network structure of the problem is then revealed and exploited to obtain both qualitative properties of the solution pattern as well as computational procedures. In addition, three different pricing schemes used in Internet marketing are quantitatively compared and indices that can guide marketers to shift from one scheme to another are proposed. Finally, two numerical examples are constructed that demonstrate two paradoxes: (1) that advertising on more websites may reduce the total responses and (2) that advertising on more websites may reduce the click-through rate. Through the analysis of the network model, such puzzling phenomena are then quantitatively explained.
Nocardia infection in lung transplant recipients.

Abstract Background: Nocardia is responsible for infection in both normal and immunocompromised hosts. Organ transplant recipients are increasingly recognized as a sub-group of immunocompromised patients in whom nocardia is an important pathogen. The frequency of nocardia in organ transplant recipients varies between 0.7% and 3%. Nocardia infection has largely been reported in heart, kidney and liver transplant recipients. Presentations of nocardia in lung transplant recipients have been restricted primarily to case reports. The present study reviews the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of nocardia infection in lung transplant recipients at our institution. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 473 lung transplant recipients from January 1991 to November 2000 was done at a university hospital. Patient demographics, immunosuppressive regimen at the time of isolation of nocardia species, use of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis, rejection episodes in the preceding 6 months, concurrent pathogens, site of infection, radiologic findings and treatment and outcome were recorded. Results: Nocardia infection was found in 2.1% (10 of 473) of our lung transplant recipients. Median time of onset was 34.1 months after transplantation. Nocardia species included N farcinica in 30% (3 of 10), N nova in 30% (3 of 10), N asteroides complex in 30% (3 of 10) and N brasiliensis in 10% (1 of 10) of patients. Post-transplant diabetes was present in 50% (5 of 10) of patients. The primary indication for lung transplantation was emphysema in 40% (4 of 10). Native lung involvement was noted in 75% (3 of 4) of patients with single lung transplant. Breakthrough nocardia infection were noted in 6 patients who were receiving trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for P carinii pneumonia; all breakthrough isolates remained susceptible to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Overall mortality was 40% (4 of 10). All patients (3 of 3) with infection due to N farcinica, except 1 (1 of 7) with infection due to other nocardia species, died. Seventy-five percent (3 of 4) of deaths were attributable to nocardia infection. Conclusions: Nocardia infection tended to involve the native lung in single lung transplant recipients. Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole for P carinii prophylaxis at the doses given was not protective against nocardiosis in these patients. Infection with N farcinica was associated with poor outcome. Thus, species identification and extended courses of antibiotics based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing are important in management of these patients.
Fields of an infinitesimal dipole radiating near an impedance half-space by application of exact image theory

In this paper exact image theory is applied to the problem of an electric dipole, of arbitrary orientation, radiating above an impedance plane and the subtlety regarding the derivation of the explicit expressions of horizontal dipoles are discussed. First the Sommerfeld formulation for the diffracted electric fields is given followed by a discussion of the application of exact image theory to transform the Sommerfeld integrals into a form more conducive to numerical evaluation. Then explicit expressions for all electric field quantities, in terms of the exact image formulation, is shown. The field expressions for a horizontal dipole show a diverging exponential term not discussed by Lindell and Alanen. Also, it is shown that the expressions for the exact image can be rearranged to separate the space waves (direct+geometrical optics (GO)) from the surface wave and hence the behavior of the surface waves can be analyzed independent of the distance between source and observation points, and for very low values of impedance, where the saddle point is near the pole. Finally a comparison is made between the time required to evaluate the electric fields using the Sommerfeld formulation and using the exact image expressions.
Id2 Mediates Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell Maturation Arrest and Is Tumorigenic in a PDGF-Rich Microenvironment

This study of distinct subsets of adult tissue progenitors points to a maturation arrest of oligodendroglial precursor cells in the pathogenesis of PDGF-dependent brain tumors.
Synaptic vesicle clustering requires a distinct MIG-10/Lamellipodin isoform and ABI-1 downstream from Netrin

The chemotrophic factor Netrin can simultaneously instruct different neurodevelopmental programs in individual neurons in vivo. How neurons correctly interpret the Netrin signal and undergo the appropriate neurodevelopmental response is not understood. Here we identify MIG-10 isoforms as critical determinants of individual cellular responses to Netrin. We determined that distinct MIG-10 isoforms, varying only in their N-terminal motifs, can localize to specific subcellular domains and are differentially required for discrete neurodevelopmental processes in vivo. We identified MIG-10B as an isoform uniquely capable of localizing to presynaptic regions and instructing synaptic vesicle clustering in response to Netrin. MIG-10B interacts with Abl-interacting protein-1 (ABI-1)/Abi1, a component of the WAVE complex, to organize the actin cytoskeleton at presynaptic sites and instruct vesicle clustering through SNN-1/Synapsin. We identified a motif in the MIG-10B N-terminal domain that is required for its function and localization to presynaptic sites. With this motif, we engineered a dominant-negative MIG-10B construct that disrupts vesicle clustering and animal thermotaxis behavior when expressed in a single neuron in vivo. Our findings indicate that the unique N-terminal domains confer distinct MIG-10 isoforms with unique capabilities to localize to distinct subcellular compartments, organize the actin cytoskeleton at these sites, and instruct distinct Netrin-dependent neurodevelopmental programs.
Molybdenum isotope evidence for widespread anoxia in mid-Proterozoic oceans.

How much dissolved oxygen was present in the mid-Proterozoic oceans between 1.8 and 1.0 billion years ago is debated vigorously. One model argues for oxygenation of the oceans soon after the initial rise of atmospheric oxygen 2.3 billion years ago. Recent evidence for H 2 S in some mid-Proterozoic marine basins suggests, however, that the deep ocean remained anoxic until much later. New molybdenum isotope data from modern and ancient sediments indicate expanded anoxia during the mid-Proterozoic compared to the present-day ocean. Consequently, oxygenation of the deep oceans may have lagged that of the atmosphere by over a billion years.
Latency differentiation of hits and false alarms in an operant-psychophysical test.

Rats detected the luminance difference of standard and comparison stimuli in a go/no-go procedure. A key press was reinforced by brain stimulation only when the key's luminance was 10.53 ft-L (36.01 cd/m2), and key presses to dimmer comparison values produced a 5-sec timeout. These asymmetrical reinforcement contingencies maximized the bias toward hits and false alarms (“yes” reports), and thus the number of latencies available for analysis. False alarm latencies exceeded hit latencies, with the magnitude of differentiation proportional to luminance difference, demonstrating stimulus control on the very occasions that errors (key presses to comparison luminances) were emitted. Overall latencies decreased when the standard-comparison luminance difference was made smaller, suggesting a reduction in observing time when the stimuli became indiscriminable.
Determination of anisotropy and material hardening for aluminum sheet metal

Abstract Sheet metal forming, crushing simulations of thin-walled structures, and other large deformation processes require knowledge of the material stress–strain behavior to large strains. The material response of sheets measured in the traditional uniaxial tension test usually terminates at strains of a few percent due to necking. It can be extrapolated to some degree using results from biaxial tests (e.g., equibiaxial tension) but not to sufficiently large strains. This work shows a systematic methodology that uses a combination of experiment and analysis to extract the material response at much larger strains. This is achieved by accurately following the deformation in the necked region of a custom tensile test specimen. The test is simulated numerically using a 3D FE model and the material response is iteratively extrapolated until the calculated and measured force-elongation match. For the Al-6061-T6 sheet metal of interest, the process is complicated by inherent anisotropies introduced during the rolling of the sheets. The anisotropy is characterized by a set of uniaxial and biaxial tests conducted in parallel. The results are used to calibrate the 18-parameter non-quadratic Yld2004-3D yield function. The calibrated yield function is then used to simulate the tensile test. The material hardening is iteratively adjusted by comparing the measured and calculated force–displacement response and validated by the corresponding measured strains and shape of the neck.
A measure of partial association for generalized estimating equations

In a regression setting, the partial correlation coefficient is often used as a measure of ‘standardized’ partial association between the outcome y and each of the covariates in x′ = [x1, . . . , xK]. In a linear regression model estimated using ordinary least squares, with y as the response, the estimated partial correlation coefficient between y and xk can be shown to be a monotone function, denoted f (z), of the Z–statistic for testing if the regression coefficient of xk is 0. When y is non–normal and the data are clustered so that y and x are obtained from each member of a cluster, generalized estimating equations are often used to estimate the regression parameters of the model for y given x. In this paper, when using generalized estimating equations, we propose using the above transformation f (z) of the GEE Z–statistic as a measure of partial association. Further, we also propose a coefficient of determination to measure the strength of association between the outcome variable and all of the covari...
Design of signal-adapted FIR paraunitary filter banks

The design of a M-band FIR paraunitary filter bank adapted to input signal statistics is considered. The adaptation criterion is energy compaction. A simple, efficient technique for computing globally optimal filter banks of arbitrary, finite degree is presented.
Multi-agent Orbit Design for Visual Perception Enhancement Purpose

This paper develops a robust optimization-based method to design orbits on which the sensory perception of the desired physical quantities are maximized. It also demonstrates how to incorporate var...
Overshoot-controlled RLC interconnections

How overshoot in the step response of a circuit involving an RLC line can be controlled using a combination of driver and line resistance that depends on the load capacitance is shown. The no-peak condition or its equivalent is used to relate line parameters to the driver and load impedances. This no-peak condition generalizes the impedance matching customarily used for lossless lines, i.e. it provides an alternative to the traditional choice R/sub D/= square root L/C. The results allow improved circuit response without risk of overshoot, for example, by reduction of driver resistance below square root L/C for cases where line resistance is unavoidable and/or where load capacitance is not negligible compared to line capacitance. The algebraic formulas derived are more effective than case-by-case numerical simulations for analyzing scaling and technology issues, whether on-chip, or at the packaging, board, or system levels. >
A suggested approach for imputation of missing dietary data for young children in daycare.

Background : Parent-reported 24-h diet recalls are an accepted method of estimating intake in young children. However, many children eat while at childcare making accurate proxy reports by parents difficult. Objective : The goal of this study was to demonstrate a method to impute missing weekday lunch and daytime snack nutrient data for daycare children and to explore the concurrent predictive and criterion validity of the method. Design : Data were from children aged 2-5 years in the My Parenting SOS project ( n =308; 870 24-h diet recalls). Mixed models were used to simultaneously predict breakfast, dinner, and evening snacks (B+D+ES); lunch; and daytime snacks for all children after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). From these models, we imputed the missing weekday daycare lunches by interpolation using the mean lunch to B+D+ES [L/(B+D+ES)] ratio among non-daycare children on weekdays and the L/(B+D+ES) ratio for all children on weekends. Daytime snack data were used to impute snacks. Results : The reported mean (± standard deviation) weekday intake was lower for daycare children [725 (±324) kcal] compared to non-daycare children [1,048 (±463) kcal]. Weekend intake for all children was 1,173 (±427) kcal. After imputation, weekday caloric intake for daycare children was 1,230 (±409) kcal. Daily intakes that included imputed data were associated with age and sex but not with BMI. Conclusion : This work indicates that imputation is a promising method for improving the precision of daily nutrient data from young children. Keywords: nutrition; daycare; children; missing data; methods (Published: 17 December 2015) Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2015, 59: 28626 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v59.28626