cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of zinc deficiency per se on feed efficiency, serum alkaline phosphatase, zinc in skin, behavior, greying, and other measurements in the Holstein calf.

Abstract Holstein calves were fed a zinc-deficient diet until 21 wk old. To separate effects of zinc deficiency per se from the indirect influence of reduced feed intake, groups of calves were fed the control diet both ad libitum and in amounts restricted to somewhat less than those voluntarily consumed by the deficient ones. Zinc deficiency per se resulted in lower feed efficiency, reduced serum alkaline phosphatase, and lower blood hemoglobin, but did not significantly affect serum lactic dehydrogenase or packed cell volume. Likewise, in skin biopsy samples, zinc, magnesium, dry matter percentage, and dry weight per unit area were unaffected. Attempts to determine the effect of the deficiency on respiration rate were unsuccessful, because the deficient calves refused to respond to a variety of stimuli intended to cause vigorous exercise. The deficiency-effects were reversible. Except for reduced weight gains, calves fed the control diet in limited amounts had no symptoms of a zinc deficiency. Several months after they had recovered, most of the formerly zinc-deficient calves, but none of the controls, had grey hair on spots from which skin samples had been surgically removed during the treatment period.
Thermal Transient Test Apparatus

An apparatus for evaluating the thermal transient behavior of an electroexplosive device is described. The thermal response provides nondestructive testing insight with respect to device design and behavior. Abnormal responses may be indicative of imminent failure and the apparatus provides a rapid evaluation method for quality control.
Identification of Gifted with the Dynamic Assessment Procedure (DAP)

The study investigated the feasibility of the Dynamic Assessment Procedure (OAP) for identification of the gifted. The OAP, based upon the Soviet psychologist Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development, focused on identifying the highest receptive vocabulary level a child could achieve with adult mediation. The major intent was to determine the influence of mediation for students' performance on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The 19 gifted and 20 average students enrolled in grades second through ninth who served as subjects were tested with and without mediation. There were significant differences between the static versus dynamic measures, suggesting the OAP paradigm of “test-mediate-test” a more accurate predictor of potential.
Intra-regional wage variation and regional disparity in the relative earnings of blacks

Studies of the relative earnings of Blacks in the U.S. have found that the ratio of Black to White male earnings is lower in the South than in the rest of the U.S. In this paper, it is argued that the usual methods of estimating earnings ratios are distorted by the omission of variables that generate equalizing wage differences which are place-specific. The results support this contention. It is concluded that the Black-White earnings ratio is only about 2.5 percent lower in the South than outside the South. It is not significantly different for those with less than 16 years of work experience.
A study of successive over-relaxation method parallelisation over modern HPC languages

Successive over-relaxation SOR is a computationally intensive, yet extremely important iterative solver for solving linear systems. Due to recent trends of exponential growth in the amount of data generated and increasing problem sizes, serial platforms have proved to be insufficient in providing the required computational power. In this paper, we present parallel implementations of red-black SOR method using three modern programming languages namely Chapel, D and Go. We employ SOR method for solving 2D steady-state heat conduction problem. We discuss the optimisations incorporated and the features of these languages which are crucial for improving the program performance. Experiments have been performed using two, four, and eight threads and performance results are compared with those obtained using serial execution. The analysis of results provides important insights into the working of SOR method.
ANOMALOUS FEATURES OF THE LOSS OF K FROM HUMAN RED CELLS: RESULTS OF EXTENDED OBSERVATIONS

1. The anomalous course of the curves relating K loss to time in systems containing human red cells in isotonic NaCl, and particularly the high positions of the asymptotes to which the curves apparently proceed, are due to the population of red cells consisting of at least two components, one of which loses K more readily than the other. 2. Since large K-Na exchanges can occur between red cells and an isotonic suspension medium without there being large volume changes, a restatement of the "dual mechanism of hemolysis" hypothesis, which takes account of the cell's being slowly permeable to cations, is required. If some approximations of minor consequence are allowed, the hypothesis can be restated in a quantitatively satisfactory way. 3. The general features of K-Na exchanges, including prolytic exchanges are summarized.
Immunocytochemical Demonstration of Insulin in Spontaneous Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumors of Fischer Rats

Nineteen spontaneous pancreatic islet cell tumors were studied in 26-month-old control Fischer 344 rats. Seventeen of 19 (89%) tumors demonstrated insulin reactivity using peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemistry. None of ten tumors had positive glucagon immunoreactivity. Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural observations suggested that spontaneous occurring islet cell tumors of F344 rats were composed exclusively of beta cells.
Effects of Warming Conditions in Eastern North American Forests on Red-Backed Salamander Morphology

Several studies have reported climate-associated changes in phenotypically plastic traits of amphibians, yet it remains unknown whether amphibians can manifest an evolutionary response to global climate change at the rate and magnitude that it is occurring. To assess this issue, we examined temporal change in the morphology of the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), a small, abundant woodland salamander distributed widely in eastern North America with two distinct morphotypes: striped individuals associated with cooler microclimates and unstriped individuals associated with warmer microclimates. We compiled morph frequencies for 50,960 individual salamanders from 558 sites as recorded in the published literature and in unpublished field notes of herpetologists between 1908 and 2004. We observed that striping probability increased with increasing latitude, longitude, and elevation and decreased (from 80% to 74% range wide) with time. The combined forces of regional climate warming and, particularly, forest disturbance have evidently been sufficient to cause morphological evolution in this amphibian over the last century.
Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the New Regionalism: The Case of Louisville

This article outlines the new regionalism movement and its metropolitan agenda, reviews federal efforts to promote new regionalism under ISTEA and TEA-21, considers how the new federal policies changed the role of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in transportation planning by examining the MPO for the Louisville metropolis, and assesses the MPO process in Louisville. The local decision of whether to build a new bridge across the Ohio River was a major test of the enhanced MPO process. Federal transportation policies enhanced regional coordination and cooperation in transportation planning in the Louisville metropolis resulting in a consensus plan to build two bridges across the Ohio River. However, the MPO process did not lead to the development of a metropolitan-wide interest or perspective. Moreover, the new regionalist agenda was not advanced because sprawl was not a factor in the decision on whether and where to build the bridges. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.
Therapist effects: Clever ways to make them (and everything else) disappear

The purpose of Kim, Wampold, and Bolt's (2005) analysis of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program (TDCRP) data was to estimate the pro...
A metal–organic framework as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the solvent-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of organic azides to alkynes

A new highly efficient and reusable Cu-MOF has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of organic azides to terminal alkynes under solvent-free conditions. This protocol has the advantages of excellent product yields and a low catalyst loading. Moreover, the catalyst may be recovered and reused efficiently up to 5 cycles without major loss of reactivity.
Clinical-dosimetric analysis of measures of dysphagia including gastrostomy-tube dependence among head and neck cancer patients treated definitively by intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy

Purpose To investigate the association between dose to various anatomical structures and dysphagia among patients with head and neck cancer treated by definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy.
Modeling the Decision to Produce Vegetables at Home

The household decision to produce vegetables at home was found to be influenced significantly by the area of household residence, homeownership, race, source of income, the number and ages of adults in the household, and the potential for saving money. It was estimated that an average gardening household saved approximately $‐40 per year on vegetables. This is approximately twenty percent of the average amount spent on vegetables in 1977 by nongardening households. A simultaneous equation model was estimated to derive these results.
Implementing Recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board: Development of On-Orbit IR Thermography

One of NASA’s Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight (RTF) efforts has been to develop thermography for the on-orbit inspection of the Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) portion of the Orbiter Wing Leading Edge (WLE). This paper addresses the capability of thermography to detect cracks in RCC by using in-plane thermal gradients that naturally occur on-orbit. Crack damage, which can result from launch debris impact, is a detection challenge for other on-orbit sensors under consideration for RTF, such as the Intensified Television Camera and Laser Dynamic Range Imager. We studied various cracks in RCC, both natural and simulated, along with material characteristics, such as emissivity uniformity, in steady-state thermography. Severity of crack, such as those likely and unlikely to cause burn through were tested, both in-air and in-vacuum, and the goal of this procedure was to assure crew and vehicle safety during re-entry by identification and quantification of a damage condition while on-orbit. Expected thermal conditions are presented in typical shuttle orbits, and the expected damage signatures for each scenario are presented. Finally, through statistical signal detection, our results show that even at very low in-plane thermal gradients, we are able to detect damage at or below the threshold for fatality in the most critical sections of the WLE, with a confidence exceeding 1 in 10,000 probability of false negative.
The Ability of the 10-Item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) to Predict Aspiration Risk in Persons With Dysphagia

Background: Dysphagia is common and costly. The ability of patient symptoms to predict objective swallowing dysfunction is uncertain. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) to screen for aspiration risk in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Data from individuals with dysphagia undergoing a videofluoroscopic swallow study between January 2012 and July 2013 were abstracted from a clinical database. Data included the EAT-10, Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), total pharyngeal transit (TPT) time, and underlying diagnoses. Bivariate linear correlation analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated. Results: The mean age of the entire cohort (N = 360) was 64.40 (± 14.75) years. Forty-six percent were female. The mean EAT-10 was 16.08 (± 10.25) for nonaspirators and 23.16 (± 10.88) for aspirators (P 15 in predicting aspiration were 71% and 53%, respectively. Conclusion: Subjective dysphagia symptoms as documented with the EAT-10 can predict aspiration risk. A linear correlation exists between the EAT-10 and aspiration events (PAS) and aspiration risk (TPT time). Persons with an EAT- 10 > 15 are 2.2 times more likely to aspirate (95% confidence interval, 1.3907-3.6245). The sensitivity of an EAT-10 > 15 is 71%.
Benzodiazepines and anxiety disorders: a review for the practicing physician

ABSTRACTObjectives and scope: The objective of this article is to briefly review for practicing clinicians differences among the benzodiazepines (BZDs) that are commonly used to treat anxiety, the efficacy of BZDs in various anxiety disorders, and potential safety issues associated with BZDs, including adverse events, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal.Methodology: Information for this review was obtained using literature searches through PubMed (1966–2004), Google, and the Food and Drug Administration Catalog of Approved Drugs. Data sources were searched for information regarding anxiety disorders and the safety and efficacy of BZDs. Wherever possible and appropriate, information from randomized controlled trials was given priority.Findings: Benzodiazepines have demonstrated efficacy in treating patients with anxiety disorders, with varying degrees of efficacy. Use of BZDs is advantageous because they have a quick onset of action and are generally well tolerated. Extended-release formulations of BZDs ...
Direct immobilization of enzymes on common photoresists

We demonstrate the use of common photoresists for the direct immobilization of enzymes on micropatterns. Absorbance spectrometry and fluorescence imaging confirmed successful attachment of glucose oxidase on both positive and negative resists commonly used in the microfabrication of MEMS. For SU8, the immobilization may be, at least partially, caused by covalent binding of the enzyme to the substrate mediated by amine groups. Since no pre-treatment of the substrate is needed for the attachment, the proposed method allows for a facile and very versatile approach for the integration of enzymatic functionality into novel MEMS devices.
Can flies help humans treat neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are becoming increasingly common as life expectancy increases. Recent years have seen tremendous progress in the identification of genes that cause these diseases. While mutations have been found and cellular processes defined that are altered in the disease state, the identification of treatments and cures has proven more elusive. The process of finding drugs and therapies to treat human diseases can be slow, expensive and frustrating. Can model organisms such as Drosophila speed the process of finding cures and treatments for human neurodegenerative diseases? We pose three questions, (1) can one mimic the essential features of human diseases in an organism like Drosophila, (2) can one cure a model organisms of human disease and (3) will these efforts accelerate the identification of useful therapies for testing in mice and ultimately humans? Here we focus on the use of Drosophila to identify potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's and we discuss how well these therapies translate into mammalian systems.
Optical measurement of picometer displacements of transparent microscopic objects.

An optical laser differential interferometer, based on a modified differential interference contrast microscope, has been developed to measure the thermal motion of microscopic protrusions (stereocilia) that are the sites of mechanoelectrical transduction in auditory hair cells. The measurement sensitivity was limited at high frequencies mainly by shot noise, at intermediate frequencies by acoustic interference, and at low frequencies by thermal drift. The power spectral density of the instrumental noise was found to be as low as 1 pm/Hz in the shot noise regime. We could, thus, measure the Brownian motion of hair bundles over the frequency range from 1 Hz–100 kHz. Experimental data that test and demonstrate the sensitivity and spatial discrimination of the instrument were found to be in agreement with theoretical estimates.
Variation of Cs-137 in California Coastal Sea Water.

Repeated measurements of specimens of surface sea water taken at a single nearshore, coastal, sampling point fluctuated widely, from 0.046 to 0.23 mu mu C/l. The results were consistent with other measurements made off California, but much lower than those reported for the Western Pacific. (auth)
Person tradeoffs and the problem of risk.

Recently, the person tradeoff method has received much attention because it directs one to value health improvements of those other than one’s self. As a result, several researchers have suggested that the person tradeoff measures preferences in pharmaceutical and health economic analysis more accurately than the standard gamble, which many consider the gold standard approach. However, the person tradeoff exercise as it is currently practiced assumes a riskless world where policy decisions lead to certain societal outcomes. In reality, health policy decisions are made under risk or uncertainty. Evidence suggests riskless and risky values differ for health improvements over persons. A problem with using the riskless person tradeoff method in economic evaluation of health is that the method conflates a change in the objects of measurement (i.e., a change from health gains with respect to self to gains with respect to others) with a change in the measurement context (i.e., a change from a risk context to a r...
Multiple Instance Transfer Learning

Transfer Learning is a very important branch in both Machine Learning and Data Mining. Its main objective is to transfer knowledge across domains, tasks and distributions that are similar but not the same. Currently, almost all of the transfer learning methods are designed to deal with the traditional single instance learning problems. However, in many real-world applications, such as drug design, Localized Content Based Image Retrieval (LCBIR), Text Categorization, we have to deal with multiple instance problems, where training patterns are given as {\em bags} and each bag consists of some \emph{instances}. This paper formulates a novel Multiple Instance Transfer Learning (MITL) problem and suggests a method to solve it. An extensive set of empirical results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method against several existed ones.
A Ghost Cell Expansion Method for Reducing Communications in Solving PDE Problems

In solving Partial Differential Equations, such as the Barotropic equations in ocean models, on Distributed Memory Computers, finite difference methods are commonly used. Most often, processor subdomain boundaries must be updated at each time step. This boundary update process involves many messages of small sizes, therefore large communication overhead. Here we propose a new approach which expands the ghost cell layers and thus updates boundaries much less frequently --- reducing total message volume and groupping small messages into bigger ones. Together with a technique for eliminating diagonal communications, the method speedup communication substantially, upto 170%. We explain the method and implementation in details, provide systematic timing results and performance analysis on the Cray T3E and IBM SP.
Mandibular reconstruction with an alloplastic bone tray in dogs.

Abstract Objective Mandibular alloplastic bone trays have an unacceptably high rate of extrusion. The introduction of resorbable mesh has renewed interest in such trays. This study evaluates the effect of resorbable trays on bone graft healing in a dog model. Design Unilateral, 20-mm mandibular body defects were created in 10 dogs, and repaired with cancellous bone grafts. A resorbable mesh bone tray was applied to 5 animals. All mandibles underwent gross examination, 4-point stress testing, and histologic and radiographic analysis. Results All animals had excellent bony unions. There was one intraoral mesh exposure. There was no difference between the control and treatment groups with regard to clinical findings, radiologic analysis, stress testing (P = 0.17), or histologic analysis (P = 0.66). Conclusion The metabolic breakdown products of the resorbable mesh do not inhibit bone healing or strength. Resorbable mesh trays are a viable modality for reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects in a dog model.
Factors Affecting the Small Mammal Community Inside and Outside Katavi National Park, Tanzania1

Small mammal trapping showed that a minimum of 12 species live in and around Katavi National Park in western Tanzania. Species richness and abundance were greater outside the park than inside, extending results of an earlier study. Species richness and abundance were not significantly associated with vegetation cover or plant biomass but were negatively correlated with seed diversity, seed biomass, and possibly small carnivore abundance. Unfortunately, small mammal diets are unknown in this ecosystem and it can be argued that carnivores are unlikely to reduce species diversity, casting doubt on the importance of these variables. While the factors causing small mammals to fare poorly in this protected area are not yet understood, reduced food availability remains the best candidate.
Variable but persistent coexistence of Prochlorococcus ecotypes along temperature gradients in the ocean's surface mixed layer

The vast majority of the phytoplankton communities in surface mixed layer of the oligotrophic ocean are numerically dominated by one of two ecotypes of Prochlorococcus, eMIT9312 or eMED4. In this study, we surveyed large latitudinal transects in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean to determine if these ecotypes discretely partition the surface mixed layer niche, or if populations exist as a continuum along key environmental gradients, particularly temperature. Transitions of dominance occurred at approximately 19-21°C, with the eMED4 ecotype dominating the colder, and eMIT9312 ecotype dominating the warmer regions. Within these zones of regional dominance, however, the minority ecotype was not competed to extinction. Rather, a robust log-linear relationship between ecotype ratio and temperature characterized this stabilized coexistence: for every 2.5°C increase in temperature, the eMIT9312:eMED4 ratio increased by an order of magnitude. This relationship was observed in both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and in pyrosequencing assays. Water column stratification also contributed to the ecotype ratio along the basin-scale transects, but to a lesser extent. Finally, instances where the ratio of the eMED4 and eMIT9312 abundances did not correlate well with temperature were identified. Such occurrences are likely due to changes in water temperatures outpacing changes in community structure.
A role for human sulfiredoxin in stress response and redox regulation of protein glutathionylation

2640 Either directly or indirectly, many cancer drugs cause oxidative stress. Modification of protein cysteine residues by disulfide formation with free glutathione (glutathionylation) is a post-translational modification of critical importance in controlling cell-signaling events following such stress. Sulfiredoxin (SRX) has recently been identified in S. cerevisiae as a redox protein directly involved in cysteine residue homeostasis, suggesting a role(s) in regulation of cell signaling events brought on by oxidative or nitrosative stress. We cloned the human homologue of sulfiredoxin (hSrx1) and showed a 33% identity and 54% homology with the yeast sulfiredoxin gene, with conservation of the critical cysteine residue located at position 99 in the human sequence (Cys 84 in yeast). Transfection of hSrx1 into HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cells generated a stable over-expressing cell line (HEK293/SRX1), confirmed by RT-PCR and immunoblot with a polyclonal antibody generated in rabbits. HEK/SRX1 cells were resistant to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) -induced cytotoxicity and demonstrated an elevated proliferation rate when compared to a mock-transfected control cell line. Moreover, hSrx1 had a role in regulating pathways of glutathionylation. The over-expression of hSrx1 resulted in a lower level of total cellular cysteine glutathionylation following treatment with nitric oxide releasing drugs (nitrosative stress). In addition, in vitro assays using recombinant E. coli expressed hSrx1 and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) showed a reversal of glutathionylation in a time and concentration dependent manner. Further in vitro studies suggested that the cysteine mutant (Cys99 to Ser) blocked glutathionylation, but did not remove the moiety. This suggested that the cysteine residue is not critical for the binding function of Srx, but is important for the catalytic function of the enzyme. Our studies also showed that the Srx protein did not itself become glutathionylated during this process. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry we are characterizing those approximately 20 proteins, the post-translational modifications of which are regulated by hSRX.
Estimation of genetic parameters among reproductive and growth traits in yearling heifers.

Growth and reproductive data were obtained on 779 beef heifers at the San Juan Basin Research Center, Hesperus, Co. Genetic parameters were estimated for age of puberty (AOP), age of first calving (AOC), julian day of first calving (DOC), julian day of second calving (DOSC), birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and average daily gain from weaning to yearling and to cycling weights. The least squares model included birth year, age of dam and breed as fixed effects, sire/breed as a random variable, and day of birth and percent inbreeding as covariates. Day of birth was not included in the analyses of AOC, DOC or DOSC. Paternal half-sib estimates of heritability were: AOP, .10 +/- .17; AOC, .01 +/- .12; DOC, .09 +/- .13 and DOSC, .36 +/- .18. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were generally favorable, but genetic correlations were variable with large standard errors. Inbreeding had a detrimental effect on reproductive traits, and a seasonal effect was present for AOP.
Syndeformational antigorite dehydration produces stable fault slip

We conducted deformation experiments in which temperature was increased above the thermal stability of antigorite to directly test the dehydration embrittlement hypothesis and its potential link to intermediate-depth earthquakes. The experiments were designed to maximize the possibility for instability: pore pressure was undrained, pre-dehydration stress was high, and deformation was localized prior to initiation of reaction. However, stick-slip instabilities (or unstable fault behavior) did not develop. Rather, we find that weakening occurs stably at a rate that depends on the ratio of the temperature ramp rate to the strain rate (), resulting in laboratory slow slip or stress relaxation events.
Improving Hazard-Recognition Performance and Safety Training Outcomes: Integrating Strategies for Training Transfer

AbstractMost construction safety activities focus on managing identified hazards. Hazards that remain unrecognized, and as a result unmanaged, can potentially result in catastrophic and unexpected injuries. Therefore, proper hazard recognition is foundational to the success of any safety program. However, recent research has revealed that a large proportion of construction hazards remain unrecognized in construction projects. To improve hazard recognition performance, employers provide their workers with safety and hazard recognition training. Despite these efforts, desirable levels of hazard recognition have not been achieved, and the anticipated return on investment (ROI) from training has not been attained. Such failures in training efforts are partly because knowledge acquired through training programs is often not transferred or applied in the workplace. Subsequently, training efforts do not alter work practices or behavior once workers return to the field. Other reasons for training failure include ...
Analysis of technical efficiency and technical progress contribution of alfalfa production

Alfalfa is the king of the forage whose comprehensive nutritional value is significantly higher than that of food crops like corn and wheat. At present there is a huge gap between supplies and demands of alfalfa although it has vital significance for the development of dairy industry in our country. The present paper analysed the inputs and outputs of alfalfa industry and estimated the technical efficiency of alfalfa production in eight major producing provinces from 2011 to 2013 using the parametric estimation method,then estimated the rate of technical progress and its contribution rate. The results showed that the technical efficiency was high and increased year by year with the value of 89. 3% in 2013 and the contribution rate of technical progress was 49. 4% which indicated that the development of China's alfalfa industry is in a state between"extensive"and"intensive"growth. In conclusion,the suggestions about raising the seed cost,labor and machinery and improving the scale of alfalfa production were put forward.
Two Points of Low-price Lease in Our Country

"The Safeguard Regulations of Low-price Lease" issued by Ministry of Construction and others agencies establishes the firm legal foundation and favorable policy environment for national indemnification accommodation,and will promote the exploitation and building of low-price and economical houses.The authors of this article expound and discuss the policy guidance,funds resources,operational mechanism and developing measures of low-price houses after careful analysis and comparison.What they found may offer reference for government,corporations,and academicians.
Further Development of the System: Other Minds

The next move in developing our system will be to sketch out a way of translating statements about other minds into the primitive language of the system. This amounts to doing for statements about other minds what was done for statements about material objects in our chapters on phenomenalism, but it may antecedently appear to be more difficult since the language of the system is one in which all the key terms refer to one’s own sensations as opposed to the sensations and feelings of others. As it turns out, this translation is no more difficult from a theoretical point of view but the complexity of analysis becomes even more staggering, and the directions given for the translation of statements about other minds into the system will have to be even more meager. In fact, we will deal only with the statement, “Jones is in pain” and the reader will have to see for himself how to alter the analysis to cope with any of the great number of other statements that could be made about the mental states of other persons.
Integrated optical-wireless broadband access networks

Optical and wireless technologies have complementary characteristics in capacity and mobility. This talk describes our research toward the convergence of both optical and wireless technologies to address the needs of future access networks.
Effect of sampling time and sampling instant on the frequency response of a boost converter

DC-DC converters like boost, buck-boost and flyback converters have unstable internal dynamics and are classified as non-minimum phase systems. The linear approximation of these DC-DC converters around the equilibrium point shows a zero that maps to the open right-half plane (RHP) of the complex s-plane. This paper models the boost converter using State Space Averaging (SSA) and Enhanced State Space Averaging (ESSA) to show changes in bode response as function of sampling time. Further, we use Discrete Modeling Analysis (DMA) to model the changes in transfer function with change in sampling instant when sampled during off-time of the switch. The result shows that significant bandwidth improvement can be achieved when sampling instant is rightly chosen during the off-time. Such a choice is easily achieved with a digital implementation for a DC-DC converter.
Learning partial policies to speedup MDP tree search via reduction to I.I.D. learning

A popular approach for online decision-making in large MDPs is time-bounded tree search. The effectiveness of tree search, however, is largely influenced by the action branching factor, which limits the search depth given a time bound. An obvious way to reduce action branching is to consider only a subset of potentially good actions at each state as specified by a provided partial policy. In this work, we consider offline learning of such partial policies with the goal of speeding up search without significantly reducing decision-making quality. Our first contribution consists of reducing the learning problem to set learning. We give a reduction-style analysis of three such algorithms, each making different assumptions, which relates the set learning objectives to the sub-optimality of search using the learned partial policies. Our second contribution is to describe concrete implementations of the algorithms within the popular framework of Monte-Carlo tree search. Finally, the third contribution is to evaluate the learning algorithms on two challenging MDPs with large action branching factors. The results show that the learned partial policies can significantly improve the anytime performance of Monte-Carlo tree search.
Precision Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements of Thin Steel Disks

The accurate in-situ measurement of part dimensions during fabrication is of much interest to the manufacturing industry, especially for untended manufacturing. The goal of this work is to apply non-contacting ultrasonic techniques to the precise thickness measurement, during machining, of metal parts of rotation having a nominal wall thickness of 1.5 mm. The desired accuracy is ±.0025 mm at all points on the approximately 200 mm diameter steel shells, where part access is restricted to one side at a time for the measurement. In a feasibility study, dimensional information using eddy current techniques was overwhelmed by conductivity variations in the 304-stainless steel samples [1]. The approach here is to precisely measure ultrasonic echo transit times, and calulate part dimensions, knowing the material sound speed. To that end, feasibility results on flat disk specimens possessing a wide range of grain sizes representative of the shell’s variable metallurgy are reported here. Factors affecting ultrasonic dimensional precision including grain size, texture, sample temperature and surface roughness are discussed, with an emphasis on precision limitations due to finite grain sizes in thin parts. Both longitudinal (10 to 30 MHz) and shear (3 MHz) wave measurements were made, the latter using electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATS).
Topography and timing of activity in right inferior frontal cortex and anterior insula for stopping movement

Stopping incipient action activates both the right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC) and the anterior insula (rAI). Controversy has arisen as to whether these comprise a unitary cortical cluster-the rIFC/rAI-or whether rIFC is the primary stopping locus. To address this, we recorded directly from these structures while taking advantage of the high spatiotemporal resolution of closely spaced stereo-electro-encephalographic (SEEG) electrodes. We studied 12 patients performing a stop-signal task. On each trial they initiated a motor response (Go) and tried to stop to an occasional stop signal. Both the rIFC and rAI exhibited an increase in broadband gamma activity (BGA) after the stop signal and within the time of stopping (stop signal reaction time, SSRT), regardless of the success of stopping. The proportion of electrodes with this response was significantly greater in the rIFC than the rAI. Also, the rIFC response preceded that in the rAI. Last, while the BGA increase in rIFC occurred mainly prior to SSRT, the rAI showed a sustained increase in the beta and low gamma bands after the SSRT. In summary, the rIFC was activated soon after the stop signal, prior to and more robustly than the rAI, which on the other hand, showed a more prolonged response after the onset of stopping. Our results are most compatible with the notion that the rIFC is involved in triggering outright stopping in concert with a wider network, while the rAI is likely engaged by other processes, such as arousal, saliency, or behavioral adjustments. Hum Brain Mapp 39:189-203, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maximum Rank Reproducibility: A Nonparametric Approach to Assessing Reproducibility in Replicate Experiments

The identification of reproducible signals from the results of replicate high-throughput experiments is an important part of modern biological research. Often little is known about the dependence s...
Examining Predictors of Parole Release in a Rural Female Jail Population

Parole has long been a linchpin of correctional practices but few studies have examined discretionary parole release in a female population. The current study examines factors, both static risk and dynamic needs, that influence parole decision making in a rural female jail population. The researchers collected data on parole releases from a rural county jail over a 3-year period beginning in 2012 (N = 138). Offenders obtained a recommendation for parole release from a reentry assessment team that met at the jail each month to evaluate cases for parole eligibility. Logistic regression was used to explain variance in the factors considered by the reentry assessment team and it was evident that both static risk factors and dynamic needs play a role in discretionary parole release. We also examined obstacles or challenges that female offenders face when paroling to a rural location. Several policy recommendation related to the study are addressed.
Two-Year College Distance-Learning Students with Psychological Disorders: Counseling Needs and Responses.

This article briefly reports on the needs of students with diagnosed psychological disorders who are enrolled in 2-year colleges and studying at a distance. A six-feature descriptive model was constructed that included three areas of need (Hurdle of Self-Disclosure, Hurdle of Personal Connection, Hurdle of Time Management) and three corresponding roles for counselors (Psycho-emotional Support, Relationship Support, Learning Support). We discuss the relationship between the descriptive model derived from the current study and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, which historically has been applied to work with this population. Implications for the roles of college psychotherapists at 2-year institutions are presented.
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade in the Critical Care Setting

Residual neuromuscular blockade is a widespread challenge for providers in the acute care setting that, if left unrecognized or untreated, places patients at higher risk for morbidity and mortality. The condition is estimated to occur in 26% to 88% of patients undergoing general anesthesia. The role of the advanced practice nurse in the acute care setting is to facilitate a safe recovery process by identifying early signs of deterioration and supporting the patient until full muscular strength has returned. This article discusses the prevalence of residual neuromuscular blockade and associated complications and patient risk factors. A review is included of the current uses for neuromuscular blockade, pathophysiology of the neuromuscular junction, pharmacologic characteristics of neuromuscular blocking agents (including drug-drug interactions), monitoring modalities, and effectiveness of reversal agents. Treatment recommendations pertinent to residual neuromuscular blockade are outlined.
Extending Social Learning Theory to Explain Victimization Among Gang and Ex-Gang Offenders

This study is among the first to extend and test social learning theory's ability to understand property and violent victimization. It specifically tests whether aspects of definitions, differential reinforcement, and differential association/modeling can explain the three types of victimization of gang members: actual experience, perception of likelihood, and fear. The sample consists of over 300 male and female gang members incarcerated in jails throughout Florida. The results show that all three types of victimization can be explained by the three aspects of social learning theory.
Nivolumab versus ipilimumab in the treatment of advanced melanoma: a critical appraisal: ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Wolchok JD, Chiarion-Sileni V, Gonzalez R et al. Overall survival with combined nivolumab and ipilimumab in advanced melanoma. N Engl J Med 2017; 377:1345-56.

AIM To show whether either nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab or nivolumab monotherapy vs. ipilimumab monotherapy extends overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in adults with previously untreated, advanced melanoma. SETTING AND DESIGN The trial was conducted at 137 sites in 21 countries. Randomization (n = 945; 1 : 1 : 1 ratio) was stratified according to metastasis stage, BRAF mutation status and programmed death ligand 1 status. STUDY EXPOSURE Adults were randomized to one of the following: nivolumab plus ipilimumab every 3 weeks for four doses, followed by nivolumab every 2 weeks; nivolumab every 2 weeks plus placebo; or ipilimumab every 3 weeks for four doses plus placebo. Treatment was continued until progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal. OUTCOMES OS, PFS and objective response rate were determined. Patients were also assessed for adverse events. The primary end points of interest were OS and PFS, comparing either the nivolumab plus ipilimumab group or the nivolumab-only group with the patients treated with ipilimumab only. RESULTS At 3 years, the OS rates were 58%, 52% and 34% for the nivolumab plus ipilimumab, the nivolumab monotherapy and the ipilimumab monotherapy groups, respectively. For the nivolumab plus ipilimumab group, the median OS was not reached at the time of analysis. For the nivolumab-only group, the median OS was 37·6 months, and the ipilimumab-only group had a median OS of 19·9 months. The hazard ratio for death was 0·55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·45-0·69; P < 0·001] comparing nivolumab plus ipilimumab with ipilimumab, and 0·65 (95% CI 0·53-0·80; P < 0·001) comparing nivolumab with ipilimumab. The PFS rates at 3 years were 39% for the nivolumab plus ipilimumab group, 32% for the nivolumab monotherapy group and 10% for the ipilimumab monotherapy group, with 95% CIs for the two nivolumab groups that did not overlap with that for ipilimumab alone. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with advanced melanoma, significantly longer OS and PFS occurred with the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab or with nivolumab alone compared with ipilimumab alone. Furthermore, survival outcomes favoured the nivolumab-containing groups over the ipilimumab group in subgroup analyses.
Challenges of DSP Systems Design

As DSP performance levels and clock frequencies continue to rise at a rapid rate, managing noise, radiation and power consumption becomes an increasingly important issue. At high frequencies, the traces on a PCB carrying signals act as transmission lines and antennas that can generate signal reflections and radiations that cause distortion and create challenges in achieving electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance. These can often make it difficult to meet Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Class A and Class B [1] requirements. Heat sinks and venting that may be required to address the thermal challenges of high performance designs can further exacerbate EMC problems. Many systems today have embedded wireless local area network (WLAN) and Bluetooth which will create further difficulties as intentional radiators are designed into the system.
Principles of organization of a neonatal intensive care unit from scratch.

A neonatal intensive care unit is an integral part of a total perinatal care program involving not only the parent hospital but the community at large. Effective care entails requirements for trained personnel, patients, space, equipment, financing, and support facilities. Principles governing planning, development, and organization of the unit are detailed.
Coordination in the Aggregate without Common Knowledge or Outcome Information

In his book “Micromotives and Macrobehavior” Schelling set the stage for a systematic analysis that explores the relation “between the behavior characteristics of the individuals who comprise some social aggregate, and the characteristics of the aggregate” (1978, p.13). This analysis is both challenging and difficult because the entire aggregate outcome is evaluated, not merely how each individual does within the constraints of her own environment. Aggregate behavior necessarily involves some sort of coordination. In reflecting on how ant colonies work, Schelling noted (see also Gordon, 1999) that “why the system works as it does, and as efficiently as it does, is a dynamic problem of social and genetic evolution” (1978, p. 21).
Study of the Effect of Drilling Bite Depth and Bit Wear Condition on Drilling Specific Energy and Dust Generation During Bolt-Hole Drilling

The respirable dust generated during bolt-hole drilling can present serious health problems to the miners involved in roof drilling operations. The amount of respirable dust generated mainly depends on the rock strength and the way of drilling is conducted. Previous research indicate that a higher drilling bite depth is preferable for the reduction of respirable dust. In this research, the effects of drilling bite depth and bit wear on drilling specific energy and respirable dust generation have been investigated through laboratory experiments. The relationships among drilling specific energy, respirable dust and drilling bite depth were established. The influence of bit wear on drilling specific energy and respirable dust were also accounted. The results have shown a significant reduction in respirable dust amount, as well as a reduction in specific energy when drilling under larger bite depths properly determined for the type of rock. It was found that the use of worn bit can decrease the energy efficiency and generating more respirable dusts than drilling with new bit. The findings from this research has demonstrated the feasibility of using drilling control technique as a proactive approach for dust control and productivity improvement.
The Role of the Pupil, Corneal Reflex, and Iris in Determining the Perceived Direction of Gaze.

In specially constructed movies depicting moving eyes, the pupils, irises, and corneal reflexes moved independently and sometimes in opposite directions. We found that the moving pupils or the corn...
The Perils and Pleasures of Aging: How Women’s Sexualities Change across the Life Course

Prior literature on aging and sexuality primarily portrays narratives of sexual decline, often leading to a pathologization of older adult sexuality. Further attention needs to be paid to the posit...