cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differences Between Principal Strain Directions and Muscle Fiber Directions in the Contracting Biceps Bracii Measured With CPC-MRI

Skeletal muscle exhibit non-uniform internal architectures and our research goals are to relate these to their internal mechanics during contraction to provide a better understanding of muscle function, verify muscle models and permit more sophisticated interpretation of the functional effects of injury. Our previous studies have developed a novel method to calculate 2D Lagrangian strain field of skeletal muscle from the CPC-MRI [1]. The objective of this study is to apply CPC-MRI to derive Lagrangian strain fields for the normal biceps brachii and to determine its minimum principal strain directions in vivo during contraction. We will then compare them to the muscle fiber directions or pennation angles measured by a parallel ultrasound study. If we assume the muscle force is mainly transmitted along fiber directions, we would expect that the minimum principal strain directions are the same as fiber directions. Comparisons between different regions of the muscle and flexion angles will also be made.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Rat liver-mediated metabolism of hydroxyurea to nitric oxide

Hydroxyurea is an approved treatment for sickle cell disease. Oxidation of hydroxyurea results in the formation of nitric oxide (NO), which also has drawn considerable interest as a sickle cell disease therapy. Although patients on hydroxyurea demonstrate elevated levels of nitric oxide-derived metabolites, little information regarding the site or mechanism of the in vivo conversion of hydroxyurea to nitric oxide exists. Chemiluminescence detection experiments show the ability of crude rat liver homogenate to convert hydroxyurea to nitrite/nitrate, evidence for NO production. Nitrite/nitrate form at therapeutic concentrations of hydroxyurea in a clinically relevant time frame. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies show the formation of iron nitrosyl complexes during this incubation and experiments with labeled hydroxyurea show the NO derives from the drug. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements indicate the hydrolysis of hydroxyurea to hydroxylamine in this system. Incubation of hydroxylamine with crude rat liver homogenate also generates nitrite/nitrate and iron nitrosyl complexes. A line of evidence including inhibitor studies, EPR spectroscopy, and nitrite/nitrate detection identifies catalase as a possible oxidant for the conversion of hydroxyurea to NO. These results reveal the ability of liver tissue to convert hydroxyurea to nitric oxide and provide insight into the metabolism of this drug.
Pericytoma with t(7;12) and ACTB-GLI1 fusion arising in bone

Cytogenetic analysis of a primary bone neoplasm with pericytic features in a 67-year-old man revealed a t(7;12)(p22;q13) among other karyotypic abnormalities. Subsequent molecular studies confirmed the presence of an associated ACTB-GLI1 fusion transcript. An identical 7;12 translocation is known to characterize a discrete group of soft tissue tumors belonging to the myopericytic category termed pericytoma with t(7;12). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of pericytoma with t(7;12) arising in bone. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses were useful, if not essential, in classifying this rare diagnostic entity.
Reaction of cells from early chick embryos with antiserum against mouse sperm cells.

Abstract Antisera raised against mouse sperm cells were demonstrated by complement-mediated cytotoxicity tests to react with the surface of cells from 2- and 3-day chick embryos. The reaction was greatest with cells from the head region. The number of reactive cells declined sharply after the 4th day of embryonic development. Since these anti-sperm antisera are known to react also with early mouse embryo cells, our results indicate the presence of surface antigens on early embryo cells which share immunogenic determinants with mouse sperm cells and possibly also with cells from early mouse embryos.
SVIB revisions and factors affecting scale reliability

Abstract The 1966 SVIB scoring keys were investigated and found to contain an average of 214 fewer items per occupational scale than the 1938 scoring keys. The shorter scales are less reliable than the longer scales on the 1966 SVIB. The shorter scales in the 1966 edition and SCII contain items which differentiate criterion group members less well than do the longer scales. There may not be a wide enough range of item content on the SCII to develop reliable (and valid?) scales for certain occupations. Equivalence between the 1938 and 1966 editions functionally is low, as evidenced by the median correlation of .47 in the present 12-yr follow-up study for 40 occupational scales.
Teach For All: Storytelling “Shared Solutions” and Scaling Global Reform

Teach For All is a global network of state-based organizations that translate Teach For America’s market model of school reform into moral projects of nation-building abroad. Referring to this challenge as one of “scaling” the organization, its leaders elaborate a theory of change that hinges on replicability: in order to effect a global education revolution, Teach For All must reproduce inspiring instances of change in classrooms around the world. In service of this goal, the organization marshals an impressive archive of transformational stories. Each supports its “shared problems, shared solutions” philosophy and attains status as evidence, suggesting that Teach For All’s brand of transformative teaching can eradicate educational inequity despite the contingencies of place. Teach For All’s use of stories to “sell” this brand of reform is itself nothing new. But what is so peculiar about Teach For All’s project is that tales of individual conversion – of situated transformation – come to serve as sites for scalability . By exploring stories as technologies of scale, tracing the ways in which they travel the globe and operate on different audiences, and interrogating the work they do within Teach For All’s ideological apparatus, this article explores the relationship between storytelling “shared solutions” and scaling global reform, and the generic subject that such a relationship produces.
Speech recognition implementation in radiology

Continuous speech recognition (SR) is an emerging technology that allows direct digital transcription of dictated radiology reports. The SR systems are being widely deployed in the radiology community. This is a review of technical and practical issues that should be considered when implementing an SR system.
Waardenburg syndrome and Hirschsprung disease: Evidence for pleiotropic effects of a single dominant gene

Segregation and linkage analysis was performed on published data on 5 families segregating for Waardenburg syndrome (WS) and Hirschsprung disease (HRSD). Two of these families demonstrated parental consanguinity. On the basis of these families, autosomal recessive inheritance of the combination WS-HRSD has been postulated. However, a single dominant gene with pleiotropic effects leading to WS and HRSD, with a more severe phenotype in homozygotes, is more plausible. A model of gene action incorporating stochastic effects is compatible with these observations.
LEDGF/p75: a novel nuclear autoantigen at the crossroads of cell survival and apoptosis

Intracellular autoantigens recognized by autoantibodies in systemic autoimmune and other chronic inflammatory disorders often undergo proteolytic cleavage during apoptosis. Cleaved autoantigens may display altered functions and higher immunogenicity, and could potentially elicit autoantibody responses under a pro-inflammatory environment. LEDGF/p75 (lens epithelium derived growth factor p75) is a ubiquitous nuclear autoantigen targeted by autoantibodies in subsets of patients with atopic disorders, mainly atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory conditions involving dysregulated apoptosis. Anti-LEDGF/p75 autoantibodies have been shown to have cytotoxic activity, suggesting their involvement in pathogenesis. LEDGF/p75 confers cellular protection against stress-induced apoptosis via transcriptional activation of stress-related genes. Recent studies in our laboratory established that LEDGF/p75 belongs to a selected group of autoantigens that are targeted for cleavage during cell death. In apoptotic cells, caspases cleave this protein at three sites located within functionally important domains, generating two fragments of 65 and 58 kD. Caspase cleavage not only abolishes the survival function of LEDGF/p75 but may generate variants of the protein that enhance apoptosis. A model is proposed in which caspase-induced LEDGF/p75 cleavage and the generation of autoantibodies to the protein might contribute to the pathogenesis of various human atopic and inflammatory disorders associated with dysregulated apoptosis.
Greater freedom of speech on Web 2.0 correlates with dominance of views linking vaccines to autism

Abstract Introduction It is suspected that Web 2.0 web sites, with a lot of user-generated content, often support viewpoints that link autism to vaccines. Methods We assessed the prevalence of the views supporting a link between vaccines and autism online by comparing YouTube, Google and Wikipedia with PubMed. Freedom of speech is highest on YouTube and progressively decreases for the others. Results Support for a link between vaccines and autism is most prominent on YouTube, followed by Google search results. It is far lower on Wikipedia and PubMed. Anti-vaccine activists use scientific arguments, certified physicians and official-sounding titles to gain credibility, while also leaning on celebrity endorsement and personalized stories. Conclusions Online communities with greater freedom of speech lead to a dominance of anti-vaccine voices. Moderation of content by editors can offer balance between free expression and factual accuracy. Health communicators and medical institutions need to step up their activity on the Internet.
Tilting at windmills : a response to Pyszczynski, Greenberg, Hamilton, and Nix

Although different perspectives can encourage a productive dialogue on the relationship between psychopathology and self-focused attention, Pyszczynski, Greenberg, Hamilton, and Nix's (1991) response to Ingram (1990) confuses important issues, offers a variety of peculiar interpretations, and takes issue with points never raised. Pyszczynski, Greenberg, et al, have failed to distinguish between generalized psychopathology processes; they present a conceptually and empirically flawed model of attention in major unipolar depression and misinterpret the nature of the self-absorption construct
Multiple scattering of seismic waves in fractured media: Velocity and effective attenuation of the coherent components of P waves and S waves

We show that the multiple scattering by small fractures of seismic waves with wavelengths long compared to the fracture size and fracture spacing is indistinguishable from multiple-scattering effects produced by ‘regular’ porosity, except for an orientation factor due to fracture alignment. The fractures reduce theP-wave andS-wave velocities and produce an effective attenuation of the coherent component of the seismic waves. The attenuation corresponds to 1000/Q of about unity for a Gaussian spectrum of fractures, and it varies with frequencyf asf3. For a Kolmogorov spectrum of fractures of spectral index ν the attenuation is an order of magnitude or so larger and varies with frequency asf3-v The precise degree of attenuation depends upon the matrix properties, the fracture porosity, the degree of fracture anisotropy, the type of fluid filling the fractures, and the incidence angle of the wave.
Novel Cell Type–Specific Antiviral Mechanism of Interferon γ Action in Macrophages

Interferon (IFN)-γ and macrophages (Mϕ) play key roles in acute, persistent, and latent murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. IFN-γ mechanisms were compared in embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and bone marrow Mϕ (BMMϕ). IFN-γ inhibited MCMV replication in a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1α–dependent manner much more effectively in BMMϕ (∼100-fold) than MEF (5–10-fold). Although initial STAT-1α activation by IFN-γ was equivalent in MEF and BMMϕ, microarray analysis demonstrated that IFN-γ regulates different sets of genes in BMMϕ compared with MEFs. IFN-γ inhibition of MCMV growth was independent of known mechanisms involving IFN-α/β, tumor necrosis factor α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, protein kinase RNA activated (PKR), RNaseL, and Mx1, and did not involve IFN-γ–induced soluble mediators. To characterize this novel mechanism, we identified the viral targets of IFN-γ action, which differed in MEF and BMMϕ. In BMMϕ, IFN-γ reduced immediate early 1 (IE1) mRNA during the first 3 h of infection, and significantly reduced IE1 protein expression for 96 h. Effects of IFN-γ on IE1 protein expression were independent of RNaseL and PKR. In contrast, IFN-γ had no significant effects on IE1 protein or mRNA expression in MEFs, but did decrease late gene mRNA expression. These studies in primary cells define a novel mechanism of IFN-γ action restricted to Mϕ, a cell type key for MCMV pathogenesis and latency.
Flow properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) solutions

Viscosity and normal stress behavior were measured for poly(methyl methacrylate) samples of various average molecular weights in diethyl phthalate solution at 30 and 60°C. All samples conformed approximately to the most probable distriution (Mw/Mn = 2). Concentrations ranged from 0.113 to 0.38 g/ml, and Mw from 53,800 to 1,620,000. Despite considerable evidence in the literature of unusual linear viscoelastic behavior for this polymer, its nonlinear properties appear to be rather conventional. The viscosity–shear rate master curve was similar to that found earlier for concentrated solutions of polystyrene and poly(vinyl acetate) of comparable molecular-weight distribution. The viscosity time constant τo parallels τR, the characteristic time of the Rouse model, although the residual dependence of τo/τR on concentration and molecular weight appears to be slightly different from that for polystyrene and poly(vinyl acetate). Similar conclusions apply to the recoverable compliance Je,o estimated from the normal stress behavior of each solution, and its relationship to the Rouse model compliance JR.
Phosphorylation of the glycoprotein hormone α-subunit secreted by human tumor cell lines

Abstract The synthesis of ectopic proteins by tumors is thought to result from derepression of normally silent genes. One approach to a better understanding of this phenomenon is to characterize the physicochemical properties of the ectopic products, comparing them to their normal counterparts. In the following communication, evidence will be presented to indicate that the glycoprotein hormone α-subunits secreted by a number of human tumor cell lines are phosphorylated. This novel covalent modification occurs in cell lines derived from both trophoblastic (JAR, JEG) and nontrophoblastic (HeLa, ChaGo) tumors. A choriocarcinoma cell line (JAR), which secretes both hCG-α and hCG-β, phosphorylates only the α-subunit.
Critical Analysis of Hospital Readmission and Cost Burden After Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy.

Abstract Objective: To examine the occurrence and cost burden of hospital readmission within 90 days of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Patients and Methods: From 2003 to 2012, 247 patients underwent RARC with extracorporeal urinary reconstruction at a single categorical cancer hospital. Continent diversions were performed in 67% of patients. All readmissions within 90 days were included. Readmissions were defined as early (<30 days) and late (31–90 days) with multiple readmissions captured as separate events. Cost analysis was performed using average direct hospital cost. The Fisher exact test was used to determine differences in proportion of readmissions between patient groups, while logistic regression was used to identify predictors for readmission. Results: Ninety-eight (40%) patients were readmitted to the hospital at least once within 90 days after RARC, of which 77% occurred within 30 days. Twenty-seven (11%) required two or more readmissions. Readmissions took place at a median of 13 d...
A COMPARISON OF SUBJECTIVE AND HISTORICAL CROP YIELD PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

yields. Eisgruber and Schuman discuss the Forecast distributions based on historical yields problems associated with such aggregate data and subjective expectations for 1987 expected crop for risk applications. Nevertheless, the availyields were compared for 90 Western Kentucky ability of county yield series continues to engrain farms. Different subjective probability elicita- couragetheiruse in manyresearch anddecision tion techniques were also compared. In many indi- support efforts. vidual cases, results indicate large differences 2. Yield Series from Agronomic Experiments. between subjective and empirical moments. Over- Some experiment stations have maintained all, farmer expectations for 1987 corn yields were regular historical records of crop yields. Day below those predicted from their past yields, while provides the first extensive analysis of yield soybean expectations were above the historical fore- distributions for corn, cotton, and oats, using cast. Geographical location plays a larger role than Mississippi Experiment Station data. Distribucrop in comparisons of relative variability of yield. tions constructed from such yield series have Neither elicitation technique nor manager charac- been used to calibrate plant growth models and teristics have significant effects on the comparisons thus to represent farm level yield variability. of the forecasts. These distributions, however, tend to reflect unrepresentative management practices and are
Measuring unambiguously pro-poor growth

This paper reports on a failed attempt to replicate work by Son (2004) on the measurement of the pro-poorness of growth. Son promotes a new “poverty growth curve” methodology for measuring the pro-poorness of growth, in part because of its ability to conclusively categorize 82% of the growth spells she examines as either unambiguously pro-poor, not pro-poor, or immiserizing, regardless of the chosen poverty level. Further analysis of her original data set reveals numerous errors in the classifications of the growth spells, such that the proposed methodology can only conclusively categorize the pro-poorness of 62% of the growth spells examined. This brings into question Son’s assertions that her method is “powerful” and “conclusive.” The poverty growth curve method is nevertheless found to have a high degree of conclusive results when it is extended to measure separately the impacts of growth on poverty and on income inequality, something that Son does not test, and yet which can still be of interest to development economists.
A comparison of two quantized state adaptive algorithms

Quantized state (QS) adaptive algorithms reduce the numerical complexity and dynamic range requirements of least mean squares (LMS) adaptation by replacing multiplications with shifts, bit comparisons, or table lookups. A theoretical foundation with which to distinguish two primary QS algorithm forms and to predict which algorithm is most appropriate in a given context is presented. An extended Lyapunov approach is used to derive a persistence of excitation (PE) condition which guarantees linear stability of the quantized error (QE) form. Averaging theory is then used to derive PE condition which guarantees exponential stability of the quantized regressor (QReg) form. Failure to meet this latter condition (which is not equivalent to the spectral richness PE condition for LMS) can result in exponential instability. The QE and QReg algorithms are then compared in terms of conditions for stability, convergence properties of the prediction and parameter errors, convergence rates, and steady-state errors. >
A hierarchical knowledge based system for airplane classification

Airplane classification is used as an application domain to illustrate how hierarchical reasoning on large knowledge bases can be implemented. The knowledge base is organized as a two-dimensional hierarchy: one dimension corresponds to the levels of complexity often seen in computer vision, and the other dimension corresponds to the complexity of hypothesis used in the reasoning process. Reasoning proceeds top-down, from more abstract levels with fewer details toward levels with more details. Whenever possible, with the help of domain knowledge, decision is taken at a higher level, which significantly reduces processing time. A software package called RuBICS (Rule-Based Image Classification System) is described, and some examples of airplane classification are shown. >
A dynamic small angle X-ray scattering study of stressed Kevlar 49/Epoxy composites

The failure mechanisms of Kevlar® 49 fibers, epoxy resin and uniaxial Kevlar® 49 fiber reinforced epoxy composites under tensile loads have been studied using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The behavior of specimens of uniaxial Kevlar® 49 fiber reinforced epoxy with various angles between the fiber direction and the tensile load axis was examined using an Instron Mechanical Tester. SAXS showed the Kevlar® 49 fibers fail due to increases in the volume fraction of microvoids and enlargement of larger microvoids along the fiber axis direction. These changes in microvoids arise from the effect of Poisson's ratio being less than 0.5. Hydrolytic degradation of Kevlar® 49 fibers leads to roughening of the surfaces and decreases in the mass densities. The epoxies and the composites failed in a catastrophic dynamic process, the crack originating from surface flaws or air bubbles entrapped in the epoxies during the curing process. The SEM investigations on the failed com...
Thermally Driven Large N‐Type Voltage Responses from Hybrids of Carbon Nanotubes and Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) with Tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene

Hybrids of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) treated by tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) have large n-type voltages in response to temperature differences. The reduced carrier concentration by TDAE reduction and partially percolated CNT networks embedded in the PEDOT matrix result in high thermopower and low thermal conductivity. The high electron mobility in the CNTs helps to minimally reduce the electrical conductivity of the hybrid, resulting in a large figure-of-merit.
Mammography with breast cushions.

Objective We conducted a randomized clinical trial to determine the impact on pain and image quality when breast cushions were used to pad the surfaces of the mammography equipment during film-screen mammography. Methods We recruited a consecutive volunteer sample of 394 participants. Breast cushions were used for only one breast, with laterality and sequence of use assigned randomly. Data collected from participants included demographic data, rating of pain from previous mammography, and rating of pain from present mammography using both a numeric rating scale and a visual analogue scale. Research assistants also collected breast compression and radiation exposure data. Radiologists were blinded to the laterality of cushion assignment while reading the mammograms and assessing image quality. Results Participants were primarily white women (75.3%), mean age 55.4 years. Most (94.4%) reported having previous mammography. Eight percent ( n = 32) of those surveyed had thought about skipping or delaying mammography because of the pain involved. The pain associated with mammography was significantly ( p Conclusion The use of breast cushions significantly reduced the pain during film-screen mammography. Image quality with the cushions was reduced in a very small subset of women probably due to the difficulty in positioning the breast without visual clues. More research needs to be done prior to the routine use of these cushions in clinical practice.
Reduction of intraoperative air leaks with Progel in pulmonary resection: a comprehensive review

Intraoperative alveolar air leaks (IOALs) occur in 75% of patients during pulmonary resection. Despite routine use of sutures and stapling devices, they remain a significant problem in the daily practice of thoracic surgery. Air leaks that persist beyond postoperative day 5 often result in increased costs and complications. Several large meta-analyses have determined that sealants as a class reduce postoperative air leak duration and time to chest drain removal, but these results did not necessarily correlate with a reduction in length of postoperative hospital stay. These analyses grouped surgical sealants together of necessity, but differences in efficacy may exist due to the differing product characteristics, study protocols, surgical procedures, and study endpoints. Progel, currently the only pleural surgical sealant FDA-approved for use in lung resection, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in two controlled clinical studies and superiority over standard air leak closure methods in reducing IOALs and length of hospital stay. This paper will review these findings and report on real-world experience with this recently approved pleural sealant.
An investigation comparing ground‐based techniques that quantify auroral electron flux and conductance

We present three case studies that examine optical and radar methods for specifying precipitating auroral flux parameters and conductances. Three events were chosen corresponding to moderate nonsubstorm auroral activity with 557.7 nm intensities greater than 1kR. A technique that directly fits the electron number density from a forward electron transport model to alternating code incoherent scatter radar data is presented. A method for determining characteristic energy using neutral temperature observations is compared against estimates from the incoherent scatter radar. These techniques are focused on line-of-sight observations that are aligned with the local geomagnetic field. Good agreement is found between the optical and incoherent scatter radar methods for estimates of the average energy, energy flux, and conductances. The Pedersen conductance predicted by Robinson et al. (1987) is in very good agreement with estimates calculated from the incoherent scatter radar observations. However, we present an updated form of the relation by Robinson et al. (1987), ΣH/ΣP=0.57〈E〉0.53, which was found to be more consistent with the incoherent scatter radar observations. These results are limited to similar auroral configurations as in these case studies. Case studies are presented that quantify auroral electron flux parameters and conductance estimates which can be used to specify the magnitude of energy dissipated within the ionosphere resulting from magnetospheric driving.
Constructing Topological Maps using Markov Random Fields and Loop-Closure Detection

We present a system which constructs a topological map of an environment given a sequence of images. This system includes a novel image similarity score which uses dynamic programming to match images using both the appearance and relative positions of local features simultaneously. Additionally, an MRF is constructed to model the probability of loop-closures. A locally optimal labeling is found using Loopy-BP. Finally we outline a method to generate a topological map from loop closure data. Results, presented on four urban sequences and one indoor sequence, outperform the state of the art.
A bore-hole in the Bahamas

During the summer of 1932 a boring was made on the Island of New Providence, the Bahamas. The boring was made possible through grants from the Royal Society of Great Britain, the National Research Council of the United States, and private subscriptions. The hole was drilled by the E. J. Longyear Exploration Company. Acknowledgment is given the Longyear Company for their economy in operations. Special acknowledgments are due to His Excellency Captain B. E. H. Clifford, Governor of the Bahamas, and to public officials at Nassau for cooperation, which included both intense scientific interest and material help. The sinking of the bore-hole is an integral part of the project called the International Expeditions to the West Indies, which has been sponsored by the Department of Geology at Princeton University, with the advice of the Committee of the American Geophysical Union on Geophysical and Geological Study of Oceanic Basins.
Navigation in diagnosis and therapy

Image-guided navigation for surgery and other therapeutic interventions has grown in importance in recent years. During image-guided navigation a target is detected, localized and characterized for diagnosis and therapy. Thus, images are used to select, plan, guide and evaluate therapy, thereby reducing invasiveness and improving outcomes. A shift from traditional open surgery to less-invasive image-guided surgery will continue to impact the surgical marketplace. Increases in the speed and capacity of computers and computer networks have enabled image-guided interventions. Key elements in image navigation systems are pre-operative 3D imaging (or real-time image acquisition), a graphical display and interactive input devices, such as surgical instruments with light emitting diodes (LEDs). CT and MRI, 3D imaging devices, are commonplace today and 3D images are useful in complex interventions such as radiation oncology and surgery. For example, integrated surgical imaging workstations can be used for frameless stereotaxy during neurosurgical interventions. In addition, imaging systems are being expanded to include decision aids in diagnosis and treatment. Electronic atlases, such as Voxel Man or others derived from the Visible Human Project, combine a set of image data with non-image knowledge such as anatomic labels. Robot assistants and magnetic guidance technology are being developed for minimally invasive surgery and other therapeutic interventions. Major progress is expected at the interface between the disciplines of radiology and surgery where imaging, intervention and informatics converge.
An improved suboptimal solution for supervisory control and observation problem

In some discrete event dynamical systems (DEDS) only partial observations of the system behavior are available. The supervisory control and observation problem (SCOP) is of particular importance in these applications. In the DEDS literature, a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a solution for SCOP has been developed. Given a desired closed loop language K, SCOP has a solution if and only if it is both observable and controllable. However, the set of all observable and controllable sublanguages of K, denoted by DD(K), is not closed under the set union operation. Thus an optimal solution does not exist. An adopted method to deal with this problem is to consider the set of all L/sub m/(G)-closed sublanguages of K whose prefix closures are normal and controllable, denoted by DD'(K). DD'(K) is a proper subset of DD(K) and is closed under the set union operation. Therefore DD'(K) contains a unique supremal element, sup DD'(K). We introduce a new property for nonclosed languages similar to the normality condition. We use this property to construct an improved suboptimal solution for SCOP. >
DUAL‐PHASIC INACTIVATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 WITH PEROXYACETIC ACID, ACIDIC ELECTROLYZED WATER AND CHLORINE ON CANTALOUPES AND FRESH‐CUT APPLES

The effects of peroxyacetic acid (POAA), acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) and chlorine on inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on fresh-cut apples and cantaloupe rinds were investigated. Apple cylinders were dipinoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and treated with sterilized water (control), chlorine, AEW or POAA for up to 8 min. Cantaloupe cylinders were spotinoculated with E. coli O157:H7 to the rind and treated with sterilized water, AEW or POAA for up to 15 min. All sanitizer treatments showed a significantly (P 0.05) higher inactivation than the control. The residual counts of E. coli O157:H7 on both fruits exhibited a dual-phasic reduction behavior, with a fast inactivation (D values: 0.8‐5.0 min) in the first minute (phase I) of treatments followed by a much slower inactivation (D values: 14.6‐59.8 min) in the remaining time (phase II). The dual-phasic inactivation seems to be related to fruit surface topography that determines the bacterial distribution.
Secondary Behavior of Drivers on Cell Phones

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether cell phone use by drivers leads to changes in the frequency of other types of potentially distracting behavior. There were 2 main questions of interest: (1) As each driver changes cell phone use, does he or she change the amount of driving time spent on other distracting behavior? (2) As each driver changes cell phone use, does he or she change the amount of driving time spent looking away from the driving task?Methods: Day-to-day driving behavior of 105 volunteer subjects was monitored over a period of 1 year. The amount of driving time during each trip spent on tasks secondary to driving (or looking away from the driving task) was correlated to the amount of time on a cell phone, taking into account the relationships among trips taken by the same driver.Results: Drivers spent 42% of the time engaging in at least one secondary activity. Drivers were talking on a cell phone 7% of the time, interacting in some other way with a cell phone 5% o...
Addressing measurement limitations in affective rating scales: Development of an empirical valence scale

Traditional self-report measures suffer from weaknesses in either the quantitative or qualitative assessment of subjective experience. Researchers interested in the subjective intensity of oral sensation have attempted to reduce these scale limitations by developing rating scales with empirically determined placement of verbal descriptors along a continuous visual analogue scale continuum. In the present research, a similar empirical approach to scale construction was adopted to develop a rating scale of emotional valence. The potential benefits of using an empirically derived valence scale and techniques for validating the scale are discussed.
Cardiac Function In Renovascular Hypertensive Patients With and Without Renal Dysfunction

Hypertension is one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease and premature death.1–3 In the United States, of approximately 75 million adults with hypertension,4,5 approximately 5% have renovascular hypertension (RVHT)6–10 due to occlusive disease of the main renal arteries.11 RVHT usually results from renal artery stenosis (RAS) secondary to atherosclerotic renovascular disease, which is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease.12 Heart failure is not uncommon in patients with RVHT, and RVHT identifies a very high-risk cohort with decreased survival.13In particular, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is more frequently observed than systolic dysfunction in patients with RVHT.13–15 Wright et al. reported that the majority of patients with RAS have LV hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction,14 both of which progress with increasing LV mass index (LVMI) and cardiac dilatation in a subgroup of patients.16 Notably, most of the studies involved RVHT and control patients with significant renal dysfunction and serum creatinine (SCr) >2mg/dl.13–16 Hemodynamic overload leading to LVH may partly account for LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension (EHT).4,5 In addition to hypertensive injury, patients with RVHT show elevated levels of various neurohumoral and growth regulatory factors. Activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines from stenotic kidneys, which might magnify cardiac remodeling and thereby diastolic dysfunction in patients with RVHT compared with patients with EHT facing similar elevation of blood pressure, have been identified in both experimental models17 and human subjects with RVHT.18 However, whether LV diastolic dysfunction is common in RVHT patients with and without marked renal functional abnormalities remains unclear. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that LV diastolic function is more impaired in patients with RVHT than in patients with EHT.
Scheduling and Congestion Control for Wireless and Processing Networks

In this book, we consider the problem of achieving the maximum throughput and utility in a class of networks with resource-sharing constraints. This is a classical problem of great importance. In the context of wireless networks, we first propose a fully distributed scheduling algorithm that achieves the maximum throughput. Inspired by CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access), which is widely deployed in today's wireless networks, our algorithm is simple, asynchronous, and easy to implement. Second, using a novel maximal-entropy technique, we combine the CSMA scheduling algorithm with congestion control to approach the maximum utility. Also, we further show that CSMA scheduling is a modular MAC-layer algorithm that can work with other protocols in the transport layer and network layer. Third, for wireless networks where packet collisions are unavoidable, we establish a general analytical model and extend the above algorithms to that case. Stochastic Processing Networks (SPNs) model manufacturing, communication, and service systems. In manufacturing networks, for example, tasks require parts and resources to produce other parts. SPNs are more general than queueing networks and pose novel challenges to throughput-optimum scheduling. We proposes a "deficit maximum weight" (DMW) algorithm to achieve throughput optimality and maximize the net utility of the production in SPNs. Table of Contents: Introduction / Overview / Scheduling in Wireless Networks / Utility Maximization in Wireless Networks / Distributed CSMA Scheduling with Collisions / Stochastic Processing networks
Template-engaged synthesis of RuSe2 and Pd17Se15 nanotubes by reacting precursor salts with selenium nanowires

Abstract In the present work, nanowires of trigonal selenium ( t -Se) were reacted with Ru(acac) 3 and Pd(acac) 2 (or PdCl 2 ) to generate RuSe 2 and Pd 17 Se 15 on the surface of each t -Se nanowire as a uniform, conformal sheath. The unreacted cores of selenium could be evaporated by heating the as-synthesized Se@RuSe 2 and Se@Pd 17 Se 15 nanocables to yield selenide nanotubes with their typical wall-thickness around 6 nm. This template-engaged approach allowed for the production of both nanocables and nanotubes in a relatively large scale, and is believed to be able to get extended to synthesize other chalcogenides as tubular nanostructures.
Relative influences of establishing operations and reinforcement contingencies on self-injurious behavior during functional analyses

In the typical functional analysis in which the antecedent and consequent events associated with problem behavior are manipulated, the control condition involves elimination of both the relevant establishing operation (EO) and its associated contingency through a schedule of noncontingent reinforcement (usually fixed-time [FT] 30 s). In some functional analyses, however, antecedent events are manipulated in the absence of differential consequences, and a common test condition in such analyses also involves the delivery of reinforcement on an FT 30-s schedule. Thus, the same schedule of reinforcement (FT 30 s) is not considered to be an EO in the former type of analysis but is considered to be an EO in the latter. We examined the relative influences of EOs and reinforcement contingencies on problem behavior by exposing 6 individuals who engaged in self-injurious behavior (SIB) to four combinations of functional analysis conditions: EO present/ contingency present, EO absent/contingency present, EO present/contingency absent, and EO absent/contingency absent. Results indicated that the only condition in which high rates of SIB were observed consistently was one in which the EO and the reinforcement contingency were both present. Implications of these results for the design of functional analysis test and control conditions are discussed.
South Korea: The "Miracle" Rejected:

This paper argues that the Korean people did not support the U.S.-sponsored division of their country or the establishment of a capitalist political economy in the South. Moreover, because of the n...
Using PCM in Next-generation Embedded Space Applications

Dynamic RAM (DRAM) has been the best technology for main memory for over thirty years. In embedded space applications, radiation hardened DRAM is needed because gamma rays cause transient errors; such rad-hard memories are extremely expensive and power hungry, leading to lower life (or increased battery weight) for satellite and other devices operating in space. Despite these problems, DRAM has been the technology of choice because it has better performance and it scales well. New, more energy efficient, non-volatile, scalable, radiation resistant memory technologies are now available, namely phase-change memory (PCM), making the DRAM choice much less compelling. However, current approaches require changes to PCM device internal circuitry, the operating system and/or the CPU cache-memory organization/interface. This paper presents a new, practical, detailed architecture, called PMMA, to effectively use PCM for main memory in next-generation embedded space systems. We designed PMMA avoiding changes to commodity PCM devices, the operating system, and the existing CPU cache-memory interface, enabling plug-in replacement of a conventional DRAM main memory by one constructed with PMMA. Our architecture incorporates novel mechanisms to address PCM’s limitations including expensive write operations, asymmetric read/write latency, and limited endurance. In our evaluation we show that PMMA achieves a 60% improvement in energy-delay over a conventional DRAM main memory.
Climatological time series with periodic correlation

Abstract Many climatological time series display a periodic correlation structure. This paper examines three issues encountered when analyzing such time series: detection of periodic correlation, modeling periodic correlation, and trend estimation under periodic correlation. Time series containing monthly observations of stratospheric ozone concentrations, average temperatures, and carbon dioxide concentrations are tested for periodic correlation and analyzed further in the paper. A frequency domain test to detect periodic correlation is first reviewed. This test shows that the ozone and temperature series analyzed have a periodic autocorrelation structure; the carbon dioxide series shows periodicities only through its seasonal mean. Next, PARMA models (autoregressive moving average models with periodically varying parameters) are introduced as models for periodically correlated series. Algorithms for fitting a parsimonious PARMA model to a periodically correlated series are presented. Finally, trend esti...
Toward a Dynamical View of Object Perception

We review our research demonstrating that object perception is a dynamical, integrated process in which (a) high-level memory representations are accessed before objects are perceived; (b) potential objects compete for perception and only the winners are perceived; and (c) there is no clear dividing line between perception and memory. We begin by describing the results that originally led us to reject the traditional serial hierarchical view of object perception as well as modern feedforward models. We then summarize the accumulating evidence that led us to favor a more dynamical model involving feedback as well as feedforward processing and interactions between high- and low-levels of the visual hierarchy. Throughout, we highlight how our views changed over time.
Patterns and Predictors of Blood Pressure Treatment, Control, and Outcomes among Stroke Survivors in the United States.

Background Expert consensus guidelines recommend antihypertensive treatment to lower secondary stroke risk, but patterns and predictors of blood pressure (BP) treatment and control among stroke survivors in the United States remain unknown. Understanding predictors of poor control can facilitate development of targeted strategies. Methods We reviewed the prevalence and control of hypertension among adults 40 years or older with self-reported stroke who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004 with mortality follow-up through 2006. Predictors of poorly controlled BP (>140/90 mm Hg) and nontreatment were determined via logistic regression. Independent association between antihypertensive use and mortality was determined using Cox models. Results Among 9145 participants, 490 reported previous stroke; 72% had known hypertension, 8% had undiagnosed hypertension, and 47% had poorly controlled BP. In multivariable analyses, age (odds ratio [OR] per year 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.09), female sex (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.12-2.57), non-Mexican Hispanic ethnicity (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.76-11.70), black race (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.59-6.25), hypercholesterolemia (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.44-4.21), and diabetes (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.16-3.33) were associated with poorly controlled BP. Obesity was associated with lower odds of poorly controlled BP (OR .51, 95% CI .26-.99). Non-Mexican Hispanic ethnicity (OR 7.37, 95% CI 2.25-24.10) and black race (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.05-9.34) were predictors of nontreatment, whereas diabetes was linked to treatment (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.21-10.43). There was no association between antihypertensive treatment and mortality after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities. Conclusions One in 2 stroke survivors in the United States has poorly controlled BP; the most vulnerable groups include women, non-Mexican Hispanics, blacks, diabetics, and older individuals. Understanding causes of this evidence–practice gap may assist in developing effective targeted interventions.
Cardiac myocyte guanosine transport and metabolism.

Guanosine transport and metabolism were examined in adult rat cardiac myocytes. Myocytes transported guanosine via saturable [Km = 18 microM, maximum velocity (Vmax) = 3.61 pmol.mg-1.s-1] and nonsaturable (rate constant = 1.47 X 10(-2] processes. The saturable process was inhibited by nitrobenzyl-thioinosine, inosine [inhibition constant (Ki) = 180 microM], and adenosine (Ki = 112 microM). Extracellular guanosine taken up by myocytes was slowly phosphorylated to guanine nucleotides. The majority of guanosine (98%) existed as free intracellular guanosine after 60 s. Countertransport of nucleosides could not be demonstrated in these cells at physiological concentrations in the presence of up to a 10-fold gradient of nucleoside. These studies indicate that adult rat cardiac myocytes can be used to assess myocardial guanosine transport separate from its metabolism. Comparable inhibition of guanosine and adenosine transport by each other and by inosine support the hypothesis that guanosine and adenosine are transported by a common carrier.
Methodological challenges and analytic opportunities for modeling and interpreting Big Healthcare Data

Managing, processing and understanding big healthcare data is challenging, costly and demanding. Without a robust fundamental theory for representation, analysis and inference, a roadmap for uniform handling and analyzing of such complex data remains elusive. In this article, we outline various big data challenges, opportunities, modeling methods and software techniques for blending complex healthcare data, advanced analytic tools, and distributed scientific computing. Using imaging, genetic and healthcare data we provide examples of processing heterogeneous datasets using distributed cloud services, automated and semi-automated classification techniques, and open-science protocols. Despite substantial advances, new innovative technologies need to be developed that enhance, scale and optimize the management and processing of large, complex and heterogeneous data. Stakeholder investments in data acquisition, research and development, computational infrastructure and education will be critical to realize the huge potential of big data, to reap the expected information benefits and to build lasting knowledge assets. Multi-faceted proprietary, open-source, and community developments will be essential to enable broad, reliable, sustainable and efficient data-driven discovery and analytics. Big data will affect every sector of the economy and their hallmark will be ‘team science’.