cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Saturn's electrostatic discharges - could lightning be the cause

It is proposed that Saturn's electrostatic discharges (SED) might be generated in the planet's equatorial atmosphere, perhaps as lightning from a storm system. The 10-h-10-min periodicity of the signal envelope duplicates that of Saturn's equatorial jet. The rings shield the atmosphere from solar EUV photons, and thereby substantially reduce the local ionospheric cutoff frequency to allow low-frequency SED to leak out. Many of the unusual properties of SED could be explained in terms of changes in the storm system, the relative spacecraft position in the beaming pattern of the source, local refraction of the signal by the highly disturbed ionosphere, and the influence of the ring particles on the highest frequency component of SED. A comparison of SED with planetary lightning on other planets shows that the two are similar in general character and some time behavior; the power output of SED may be higher than most planetary lightning, but that is unclear because of uncertainties in the measurements and variations in the signal's spectrum. It is suggested that lightning could be a viable source for SED and that exotic ring mechanisms are not necessarily required.
Plasma endothelin levels in chronic ethanol fed rats: relationship to pathologic liver injury

We used the intragastric feeding rat model for alcohol liver disease to investigate the relationship between endothelin and pathologic liver injury. Rats were fed the following diets for periods of 1, 2 and 4 weeks: corn oil plus ethanol (CE), corn oil plus dextrose (CD) and saturated fat plus ethanol (SE). Plasma endothelin levels were significantly higher in the CE group compared to the other groups at all time periods studied. The CE animals, also, developed pathologic liver injury which is in contrast to the SE and CD animals which showed no pathologic changes. We propose that endothelin, because of its powerful vasoconstrictive effects, leads to a reduction in hepatic blood flow which is important in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease.
Inhibition of sterol biosynthesis by 14α-hydroxymethyl sterols☆

Abstract 14α-Hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol (I) and 14α-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-6-en-3β-ol (II) have been prepared by chemical synthesis from 3β-acetoxy-7α,32-epoxy-14α-methyl-5α-cholestane. Compound I, previously shown to be efficiently convertible to cholesterol upon incubation with rat liver homogenate preparations, has been found to be a potent inhibitor of sterol synthesis in animal cells in culture. Compound I caused a 50% reduction of the levels of HMG-CoA reductase activity in cultures of L cells and fetal liver cells at concentrations of 3 × 10 −6 M and 8 × 10 −6 M, respectively. Compound II, the Δ 6 -analogue of I, caused a 50% suppression of the enzyme activity in the two cell types at even lower concentrations, 5 × 10 −7 M and 2 × 10 −6 M, respectively. Concentrations of I and II required to specifically inhibit sterol synthesis from acetate were similar to those required to suppress the levels of HMG-CoA reductase activity.
The Impact of the IDEA 2004 on Transition to College for Students with Learning Disabilities

AbstractThe newly reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 contains several significant changes that will directly impact students with learning disabilities (LD) who are preparing for transition to postsecondary education. These modifications include transition planning, reevaluations, new criteria for the diagnosis of LD, and the summary of performance requirement. This article presents an overview of pertinent changes in each of these key areas, as well as discussion of how these modifications will impact students in transition. Recommendations are offered for secondary and postsecondary personnel regarding these changes.
Kinetics of the reactions of the hydroxyl radical with CH3OH and C2H5OH between 235 and 360 K

Abstract The kinetics of the reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with methanol (1, rate coefficient k 1 ) and ethanol (2, rate coefficient k 2 ), has been studied as a function of temperature ( T =235–360 K and T =227–360 K, respectively) by using laser photolysis of a suitable OH-precursor to generate OH and laser-induced fluorescence to detect it. The rate coefficients for reactions (1) and (2) are given by the following expressions (in cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 ): k 1 ( T )=(3.6±0.8)×10 −12 exp(−(415±70)/ T ) and k 2 ( T )=(4.3±0.7)×10 −12 exp(−(85±35)/ T ), respectively, where the uncertainties include the precision of the fit to the Arrhenius expression and estimated systematic errors (±2 σ ). Our results are consistent with H-atom abstraction taking place primarily at the methyl site of methanol and at the methylene site for ethanol. The atmospheric implications of these reactions are also discussed.
Biochemical indices of cyclophosphamide-induced lung toxicity

Cyclophosphamide (CP) requires metabolic activation for its therapeutic action, and this metabolism results in the formation of two toxic metabolites, acrolein (ACR) and phosphoramide mustard (PM). To determine which metabolite is responsible for CP-induced lung injury, biochemical indices of toxicity and histopathologic changes in the lungs of CP-, ACR-, or PM-treated rats were evaluated. Experimental rats were given 200 mg kg−1 day−1 CP, 5 mg kg−1 day−1 ACR, or 50 mg kg−1 day−1 PM for 1 to 3 days, or were given 100 mg/kg CP for 1 day; control rats received vehicle alone for 1 to 3 days. Twenty-four hr after the last treatment the lungs were analyzed for (a) microsomal NADPH cytochrome c reductase and aniline hydroxylase activities; (b) microsomal lipid peroxide formation; and (c) glutathione content. In rats given 200 mg/kg CP, NADPH cytochrome c reductase and aniline hydroxylase activities decreased 66% (p < 0.001) and 40% (p < 0.001), respectively. Lipid peroxidation was increased 100 to 200% (p < 0.001), and glutathione content was increased 60 to 70% (p < 0.001). Similar but smaller changes were observed in the lungs of rats given 100 mg/kg CP. In rats given ACR, NADPH cytochrome c reductase and aniline hydroxylase activities decreased 6% (p < 0.001) and 45% (p < 0.001), and glutathione content increased 38% (p < 0.05). In rats given PM, none of the biochemical variables examined were significantly altered. Phenobarbital and SKF 525-A prevented CP-induced biochemical alterations. Despite CP-induced biochemical alterations, no significant light microscopic changes were observed in the lungs. Alterations in lung mixed-function oxidase activity, GSH content, and microsomal lipid peroxide formation are early biochemical indices of CP-induced lung toxicity, and are due at least in part to the reactive metabolite ACR.
The safety and efficacy of thalamic deep brain stimulation in essential tremor: 10 years and beyond

Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven to be a safe and effective therapy for refractory essential tremor, but information regarding long-term outcomes is lacking. Objectives We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of DBS in patients with essential tremor. Methods Patients treated with DBS for essential tremor for at least 8 years were evaluated in the ‘on’ and ‘off’ state using the Fahn–Tolosa–Marin tremor rating scale, and their medical records were reviewed to assess complications related to this therapy. Results We studied 13 patients (7 men): median age at evaluation 79 years (range 47–88), median age at electrode implantation 68 years (range 37–78) and mean time since electrode implantation 132.54±15.3 months (range 114–164). The difference between the ‘off’ and ‘on’ state on the motor items of the tremor rating scale was 41.9% (58.62 vs 34.08, p Conclusions Thalamic DBS is a safe and effective therapy in patients with essential tremor followed for up to 13 years.
InGaAs microwave switch transistors for phase shifter circuits

A new InGaAs insulated-gate FET (IGFET) with 1 /spl mu/m gate length and three different gate widths has been designed, fabricated and characterized as switch devices for microwave control applications in phase shifter circuits. The devices employed a plasma deposited silicon dioxide gate insulator and had multiple air bridged source regions. The details of the DC current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and small signal S-parameter measurements up to 20 GHz are presented. The switch IGFET's had a drain saturation current density of 300 mA/mm gate width with breakdown voltages of higher than 35 V. An insertion loss of 1.0, 0.6, and 0.4 dB at 10 GHz and 1.4, 0.8, and 0.4 dB at 20 GHz have been measured for the 300, 600, and 1200 /spl mu/m gate width IGFET's, respectively. Equivalent circuit models fitted to the measured S-parameters for IGFET's yielded on-state resistances from 10.7 to 3.3 /spl Omega/, off-state resistances from 734.4 to 186.8 R and off-state capacitances from 0.084 to 0.3 pF as the gate width is increased from 300 to 1200 /spl mu/m The simulation results using IGFET models for the phase shifter circuits indicated a maximum phase error of 0.11/spl deg/, 0.26/spl deg/, and 0.479 with 0.74, 0.96, and 1.49 dB maximum insertion loss and greater than 33, 26, and 19 dB return loss for the 11.25/spl deg/, 22.5/spl deg/, and 45/spl deg/ phase bits, respectively, over the 9.5-10.5 GHz frequency band. >
Phylogeny of early Australopithecus: new fossil evidence from the Woranso-Mille (central Afar, Ethiopia)

The earliest evidence of Australopithecus goes back to ca 4.2 Ma with the first recorded appearance of Australopithecus ‘anamensis’ at Kanapoi, Kenya. Australopithecus afarensis is well documented between 3.6 and 3.0 Ma mainly from deposits at Laetoli (Tanzania) and Hadar (Ethiopia). The phylogenetic relationship of these two ‘species’ is hypothesized as ancestor‐descendant. However, the lack of fossil evidence from the time between 3.6 and 3.9 Ma has been one of its weakest points. Recent fieldwork in the Woranso-Mille study area in the Afar region of Ethiopia has yielded fossil hominids dated between 3.6 and 3.8 Ma. These new fossils play a significant role in testing the proposed relationship between Au. anamensis and Au. afarensis. The Woranso-Mille hominids (3.6‐3.8 Ma) show a mosaic of primitive, predominantly Au. anamensis-like, and some derived (Au. afarensis-like) dentognathic features. Furthermore, they show that, as currently known, there are no discrete and functionally significant anatomical differences between Au. anamensis and Au. afarensis. Based on the currently available evidence, it appears that there is no compelling evidence to falsify the hypothesis of ‘chronospecies pair’ or ancestor‐descendant relationship between Au. anamensis and Au. afarensis. Most importantly, however, the temporally and morphologically intermediate Woranso-Mille hominids indicate that the species names Au. afarensis and Au. anamensis do not refer to two real species, but rather to earlier and later representatives of a single phyletically evolving lineage. However, if retaining these two names is necessary for communication purposes, the Woranso-Mille hominids are best referred to as Au. anamensis based on new dentognathic evidence.
Ethanol and Corn Prices: The Role of US Tax Credits, Mandates, and Imports

The recent global increases in agricultural commodity prices can be attributed to a number of factors, but one of the most important was the large increase in US ethanol production. We argue that without a complex web of ethanol policies, little ethanol would be produced in the United States. This is likely the case for biofuel production in the EU, Canada, and other developed countries as well. It is increasingly evident that developing countries have a comparative advantage in the production of biofuels and their feedstock. Yet policies have been enacted that discriminate against trade. The result is little international trade in biofuels. This chapter puts into perspective the effects of US ethanol policies on commodity prices, as well as their impact on US terms of trade.
Three c-type cytochromes from the red alga Porphyridium cruentum☆☆☆

Abstract Three c -type cytochromes were isolated from the red alga, Porphyridium cruentum , and partially characterized. The cytochrome c 553 was an extrinsic membrane protein which was easily released to the aqueous phase with a yield of 10 to 15 mg pure protein/ 100 g cells. The properties of this cytochrome were similar to other algal and cyanobacterial cytochromes which function as Photosystem I electron donors. Absorption maxima in reduced cytochrome c 553 were at 552.8, 521.8, and 415.6 nm. The molecular mass was 10 kDa, the redox potential was +340mV, and the p I was 4.3. The nearinfrared absorption band of ferricytochrome was found to titrate with a single p K of 9.5. In addition to the loss of the near-infrared band at alkaline pH, other spectral changes were noted in the ferrocytochrome. The most obvious change was that of the α-band shifting to 550 nm in the dithionite-reduced cytochrome at alkaline pH, Small quantities of a cytochrome c 550 were detected in some preparations of P. cruentum . This cytochrome had absorption maxima in the reduced form at 550, 522, and 416 nm. The p I was 4.1. This cytochrome was isolated in the oxidized form and was not ascorbate-reducible. The third c -type cytochrome isolated from P. cruentum was an intrinsic membrane protein analogous to higher plant cytochrome f. The absorption maxima in the reduced cytochrome were at 553.8, 522.5, and 421.0 nm. Cytochrome f was always isolated in the reduced form with a yield of 1 to 1.5 mg/100 g of algal membranes. The cytochrome f was unstable at 4 or −20 °C. The molecular mass was 26 kDa, and the p I was 6.5. Photosynthetically active vesicles from P. cruentum were prepared and exogenous cytochrome c 553 stimulated Photosystem I-dependent activity but not reactions dependent on both photosystems. Antibody to cytochrome c 553 had no effect on photochemical activity.
Hyperlink analysis on the world wide web

We give a short survey of the use of hyperlink analysis in web search engine ranking and sketch other applications of hyperlink analysis in the web space.
Thermodynamic constraints on seismic inversions

SUMMARY We discuss two types of physical constraints derived from thermodynamics that can be applied during seismic inversions. The first constraint involves assimilating heat-flow measurements in seismic inversions. This can improve seismic models beneath continents, particularly beneath cratons and continental platforms where uncertainties in crustal radioactive heat production and the anelastic correction are smallest. The second thermodynamic constraint involves replacing ad-hoc seismic parametrizations with physical parameters that describe the thermal state and evolution of the oceanic upper mantle. The inverse problem is, therefore, recast as a hypothesis test to determine if the data are consistent with the thermodynamic model, which here consists of a shallow conductive layer underlain by a convective mantle. We argue that this constraint produces more plausible models of the oceanic lithosphere and asthenosphere and reduces the uncertainty of the seismic model while negligibly degrading the fit to the seismic data in most places.
CMAC neural network controller for fuel-injection systems

A new automotive fuel-injection controller using the cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) neural network is developed and implemented to maintain the engine air-to-fuel ratio at its stoichiometric value. The CMAC controller requires minimal a priori knowledge of the engine dynamics because it can learn the dynamics and adapt to changing conditions in real time. The CMAC controller is experimentally evaluated on a research vehicle in a configuration fully compatible with production hardware. Initial training followed by continual adaptation allows the CMAC controller to maintain desired performance under previously inexperienced driving conditions. >
Dopant-Enhanced Vertical Alignment of Negative Liquid Crystals

A simple method for achieving high-contrast vertical alignment of high birefringence (Δn ∼ 0.28) negative dielectric anisotropic liquid crystal mixture using buffed polyimide substrates is demonstrated. By doping a positive, or non-polar dielectric anisotropic compound or mixture to the laterally difluorinated tolane liquid crystal host, an excellent vertical alignment was obtained. This alignment is stable throughout the entire nematic range. Its application for large screen liquid crystal televisions is considered.
Spatial Statistics of the Sea Surface in Fetch-Limited Conditions

AbstractAn analysis of airborne wave observations collected in the Gulf of Tehuantepec is presented. The data include lidar measurements of the surface displacement as a function of two horizontal dimensions in fetch-limited conditions, with fetches between 20 and 500 km and winds between 10 and 20 m s−1. The spatial data have an advantage over the commonly used single-point time series measurements, allowing direct estimates of the wavelength and wave slope, including spatial information such as the lengths of crests exceeding various thresholds. This study presents an analysis of several statistical wind wave parameters, including the joint probability distribution function (pdf) of wave amplitudes and wavelengths; the pdf of wave heights, wavenumber vectors, and wave slopes; as well as the statistics of the lengths of crests exceeding threshold wave heights and slopes. The empirical findings from the lidar data are compared against analytical theories in the literature, including some that had not been...
When Good Things Go Bad The Reflex Physiology of Defense

For humans, the threat of painful shock greatly potentiates the reflexive startle blink. Moreover, viewing unpleasant, compared with pleasant, pictures also prompts heightened startle reflexes, suggesting that the startle reflex indexes general defensive activation. In this study, pleasant or unpleasant pictures were used to signal shock threat in order to explore how previous affective associations modulate new defensive reactions. When cuing threat of shock, pleasant and unpleasant pictures prompted physiological profiles consistent with defensive activation, indicating that threat of shock renders previously pleasant cues aversive. For unpleasant pictures only, defensive startle was potentiated even when these cues signaled safety. Taken together, the data indicate that (a) regardless of their intrinsic affective meaning, cues signaling shock threat prompt somatic and autonomic reactions consistent with defense, and that (b) intrinsically unpleasant cues continue to prompt defensive activation even when the context of their presentation is specifically non-threatening.
A necessary and sufficient condition for an estimator to be optimal

A necessary condition for an estimator δ0 to be optimal in a class Δ of estimators is derived. Thic condition becomes also sufficient when the loss function is convex.
Informed Consent for Medical Treatment and Research: A Review

The practice of informed consent has historical roots in various disciplines, including medicine, moral philosophy, and the law. It is closely tied to philosophical notions of respect for persons and respect for individual autonomy. Consent to treatment is rooted in case law. Consent to research, in contrast, has its basis in ethical codes, statutes, and administrative regulations, with the courts playing a lesser role. In this article, we define the elements of informed consent in the treatment setting, outline its ethical and legal foundations, and explore some of its limitations. We contend that informed consent plays a critical role in clinical medicine but that other models of decision making deserve consideration under particular circumstances. We also delineate the current federal regulatory schemes guiding human subject research in the U.S., highlight how consent to research differs from consent to treatment, and explore the difficulties that arise in research involving cancer patients and certain vulnerable populations.
Should patients with combined colonic inertia and nonrelaxing pelvic floor undergo subtotal colectomy

PURPOSE: Treatment of severe constipation caused by combined colonic inertia and nonrelaxing pelvic floor is controversial. This study is designed to evaluate the outcome of preoperative biofeedback and subtotal colectomy for patients with combined colonic inertia and nonrelaxing pelvic floor. METHODS: One hundred six patients who underwent subtotal colectomy for intractable constipation from 1982 through 1995 answered a detailed questionnaire regarding postoperative bowel function, symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating, and degree of satisfaction after the operation. Sixteen of these patients had a combination of colonic inertia and nonrelaxing pelvic floor diagnosed by transit marker study, electromyography, and defecography. These patients completed preoperative biofeedback training. RESULTS: Electromyographic relaxation of pelvic floor musculature was demonstrated after the biofeedback treatment in all patients, but symptoms of difficult evacuation persisted. Postoperatively, seven patients (43 percent) had complete resolution of symptoms of constipation or difficult evacuation. Six patients still complained of incomplete evacuation that was severe in two and unresponsive to postoperative biofeedback. Three patients (18 percent) complained of diarrhea (>5 bowel movements per day) and incontinence of liquid stools (at least one episode a week). Nine patients (56 percent) were satisfied despite persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Subtotal colectomy can improve some symptoms in patients with slow transit constipation and nonrelaxing pelvic floor. However, incomplete evacuation persists in a significant number of patients and almost one-half of patients are dissatisfied with their surgery.
A vector space model approach to identify genetically related diseases.

Objective: The relationship between diseases and their causative genes can be complex, especially in the case of polygenic diseases. Further exacerbating the challenges in their study is that many genes may be causally related to multiple diseases. This study explored the relationship between diseases through the adaptation of an approach pioneered in the context of information retrieval: vector space models. Materials and Methods: A vector space model approach was developed that bridges gene disease knowledge inferred across three knowledge bases: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, GenBank, and Medline. The approach was then used to identify potentially related diseases for two target diseases: Alzheimer disease and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Results: In the case of both Alzheimer Disease and Prader-Willi Syndrome, a set of plausible diseases were identified that may warrant further exploration. Discussion: This study furthers seminal work by Swanson, et al . that demonstrated the potential for mining literature for putative correlations. Using a vector space modeling approach, information from both biomedical literature and genomic resources (like GenBank) can be combined towards identification of putative correlations of interest. To this end, the relevance of the predicted diseases of interest in this study using the vector space modeling approach were validated based on supporting literature. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a vector space model approach may be a useful means to identify potential relationships between complex diseases, and thereby enable the coordination of gene-based findings across multiple complex diseases.
Molecular pathology and molecular pharmacology of osteosarcoma

Abnormalities of many tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes have been described in osteosarcoma, but separating early or primary from secondary or late genetic lesions has been difficult. Among early lesions, inactivation of both the P53 and RB pathways appears to be a central and perhaps necessary event in osteosarcomagenesis. We propose a working model for the molecular pathology of osteosarcoma and we review the numerous published studies examining the association of various molecular features with either advanced presentation, poor chemotherapy response or decreased patient survival.
High School Students’ Perceptions of Coping With Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can have a variety of negative effects on student mental health (Internet Safety Technical Task Force, 2008). An understanding of students’ coping with cyberbullying could help researchers and professionals to determine ways to alleviate and/or prevent the negative effects of cyberbullying. Qualitative methods were used to provide an in-depth examination of coping with cyberbullying. The results revealed three primary coping themes as follows: reactive coping, preventive coping, and no way to prevent cyberbullying. Reactive coping included avoiding the cyberbully situation by deleting or ignoring messages. Preventive coping strategies included talk in person and increased security and awareness. Some students reported that there was no way to reduce cyberbullying. These strategies were interpreted in terms of current theories of coping and findings suggested a need for a new comprehensive model of coping with cyberbullying. In addition, implications for future research and practice were disc...
Clinical Reasoning: A 57-year-old woman who developed acute amnesia following fever and upper respiratory symptoms

A 57-year-old woman with a history of depression and hyperlipidemia presented with 2 days of confusion and memory loss. Four days prior to presentation, she developed fevers, myalgias, and rhinorrhea. On the day prior to presentation, the patient began having memory difficulties and was noted by her husband to have completely forgotten many events and details of the previous days. She presented to an outside hospital where a comprehensive neurologic examination disclosed a nonfluent expressive aphasia but was otherwise unremarkable. Basic laboratory tests including electrolytes, complete blood count, and liver function tests had normal results.
Game Design: Whose game works at the end of the day?

A study of 48 completed Frogger games created by middle school students using the Scalable Game Design curriculum were studied to determine how completion rates varied based on race and gender. Results to a student survey administered to the same sample was also analyzed to compare those who completed fully functioning games to those whose games were not fully functioning. Overall, 67% of the girls, and 50% of minority students submitted fully functioning games; however, African American and Hispanic/Latino boys had lower completion rates. Survey results provide some insight to factors that may influence who submits a fully functioning game. Students' whose games were not fully functioning were less likely to see themselves as computer problem solvers, and were less likely to they see themselves pursuing computer classes in the future.
Closed-End Fund Discounts as an Investor Sentiment Index

Possibly the earliest discussion of investor sentiment, albeit unnamed, occurred during the run-up in U.S. stocks in the spring and summer of 1929 when closed-end funds mostly sold at substantial premiums to their net asset value (see De Long and Shliefer (1991)). These early writers were involved in brokerage or portfolio management, and they were warning investors that paying premiums of 100% or more was to pay twice or more the market value for the fund’s assets. The writers were puzzled by the demand for closed-end funds and were quick to point out the superior performance that fund managers would have to achieve in order to justify the lofty premiums.
Reform of the Procuracy and Bar in Russia

This article discusses recent efforts to reform the Russian bar and procuracy, the institutions’ responses, and the problem of criminal procedure reform as it relates to them.
Abstract TP171: Purpose in Life and Risk of Cerebral Infarction

Background: Purpose in life (PIL), the sense that life has meaning and direction, is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, incident disability, and mortality among community-dwelli...
Cystic Lesions of the Mediastinum

Cystic lesions are commonly seen in the mediastinum, and they may arise from virtually any organ. The vast majority of these lesions are benign and result in no symptoms. When large, cysts may produce symptoms related to compression of adjacent structures. The most common mediastinal cysts are pericardial and foregut duplication cysts. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance are routinely used to evaluate these lesions. Although computed tomography offers superior spatial resolution, magnetic resonance is useful in differentiating cysts that contain proteinaceous material from solid lesions. Occasionally, cysts arise from solid lesions, such as thymoma or teratoma. Although cysts are alike in appearance, location helps narrowing the differential diagnoses.
Intubation patterns and outcomes in patients with computed tomography-verified traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Studies evaluating traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients have shown an association between prehospital (PH) intubation and worse outcomes. However, previous studies have used surrogates, e.g., Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8 and Abbreviated Injury Severity Scale (AIS) score ≥3, which may overestimate the true presence of TBI. This study evaluated the impact of PH intubation in patients with PH GCS score ≤8 and radiographically proven TBI. METHODS Trauma patients routed to a Level I trauma center over a 3-year period with blunt injury and PH GCS score ≤8 were included. PH and in-hospital records were linked and head computed tomography scans were assigned a Marshall Score (MS). Patients with TBI (MS >1) were categorized into groups based on intubation status (PH, emergency department [ED], and no intubation). Comparisons were made using analysis of variance and χ statistics. Mortality differences, crude and adjusted risk ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using proportions hazards modeling. RESULTS Of 334 patients with PH GCS score ≤8, 149 (50%) had TBI by MS. Among the TBI patients, 42.7% of patients were PH intubated, 47.7% were ED intubated, and 9.4% were not intubated during the initial resuscitation. Intubated patients had lower ED GCS score (PH: 4.1 and ED: 5.9 vs. 14.0; p 2. Mortality for TBI patients who required PH intubation was 46.9% and 41.4% among ED-intubated patients. The crude RR of mortality for PH compared with ED intubation was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.68-1.89), and remained nonsignificant (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.36-1.19) when adjusted for key markers of injury severity. CONCLUSIONS Patients with PH GCS score ≤8 and proven TBI had a high overall rate of intubation (>90%). PH intubation seems to be a marker for more severe injury and conveyed no increased risk for mortality over ED intubation.
Evaluation of the Countei immunoelectrophoretic (CIE) Procedure in a Clinical Laboratory Setting

The counterimmunoelectrophoretic (CIE) procedure was evaluated under clinical laboratory conditions to determine its validity and comparability with culture methods. The procedure was further evaluated to determine applicability to a variety of clinical samples. An inexpensive set-up was developed to utilize the CIE procedure at bench level. Results indicated the procedure to be sensitive in detecting Haemophilus influenzae , type b, and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), group B. The procedure was more sensitive for detection of H, influenzae , type b, than for meningococcus, group B. The authors have confirmed the usefulness of the CIE procedure in the detection of group B streptococci, pneumococci and teichoic acid antibody to Staphylococcus aureus . Detection of Escherichia coli K 1 antigen was also accomplished by CIE. In the authors’ laboratory the CIE procedure was superior to culture methods when used for the detection of H. influenzae , type b, and meningococcus group B.
Patch Boundary Flight Behavior of the Mexican Bean Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

I examined the flight behavior of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, at 2 types of simulated patch boundaries, and compared such behavior with the assumption of random movement often incorporated into simple diffusion models. I also examined flight behavior from the patch edge with respect to wind direction and sex. Movement from the patch edge was found to be equally nonrandom for both boundary types, with approximately 2/3 of the beetles flying in the direction of the host plants. Beetles also displayed a tendency to fly upwind or perpendicular to the wind at low wind speeds and downwind at high wind speeds. Flight behavior was not affected by sex of the beetles. Because observed flight preference did not vary between patch boundary types or between sexes, nonrandom movement from the patch boundary could likely be incorporated into diffusion models without significantly increasing their degree of complexity.
Diversity by Design: Female Students' Perception of a Spanish Language Learning Game

Prior research has established video games as effective pedagogical tools for Second Language Acquisition. However, few game studies evaluate the gameplay experience from foreign language students' perspective; even fewer game studies specifically examine women's perceptions of language learning video games. For the purpose of understanding how to better design language learning video games that appeal to a diverse group of students, we examine female college students' gameplay experiences in a conversation-based Spanish language learning video game. Student evaluations reveal that the majority of students had a positive gameplay experience. However, students criticized the game for its lack of diversity, including lack of diverse game characters, missed opportunities to integrate aspects of Spanish culture into game tasks and the inability to customize the gameplay experience. Qualitative analysis of students' suggestions provide insights into designing inclusive gaming environments that promote language learning.
An approach to evaluate AI commonsense reasoning systems

We propose and give a preliminary test of a new metric for the quality of the commonsense knowledge and reasoning of large AI databases: Using the same measurement as is used for a four-year-old, namely, an IQ test for young children. We report on results obtained using test questions we wrote in the spirit of the questions of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Third Edition (WPPSI-III) on the ConceptNet system, which were, on the whole, quite strong.
A low power high performance PLL with temperature compensated VCO in 65nm CMOS

This paper presents a fully integrated, low power, low noise Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) implementing a temperature compensated class-C dual-core Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) achieving state of the art phase noise performance. The PLL exhibits low integrated noise enabling the integration of low jitter clocks for high performance data converters supporting GSM requirements for Wireless Infrastructure applications. Implemented in 65 nm CMOS process, the 8 GHz VCO achieves Phase Noise of −140 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset measured at 2 GHz output. The PLL exhibits −60 dBc rms noise integrated from 10 kHz to 20 MHz, while maintaining lock for the ambient temperature range −40°C to 105°C, and dissipating ≈ 140 mW.
On stability criteria for kinetic magnetohydrodynamics

The existence of a potential energy functional in the zero-Larmor-radius collisionless plasma theory of Kruskal & Oberman (Phys. Fluids, vol. 1, 1958 p. 275), Rosenbluth & Rostoker (Phys. Fluids, vol. 2, 1959, p. 23) allows us to derive easily sufficient conditions for linear stability. However, this kinetic magnetohydrodynamics (KMHD) theory does not have a self-adjointness property, making it difficult to derive necessary conditions. In particular, the standard methods to prove that an instability follows if some trial perturbation makes the incremental potential energy negative, which rely on the self-adjointness of the force operator or on the existence of a complete basis of normal modes, are not applicable to KMHD. This paper investigates KMHD linear stability criteria based on the time evolution of initial-value solutions, without recourse to the classic bounds or comparison theorems of Kruskal–Oberman and Rosenbluth–Rostoker for the KMHD potential energy. The adopted approach does not solve the kinetic equations by integration along characteristics and does not require that the particle orbits be periodic or nearly periodic. Most importantly, the investigation of a necessary condition for stability does not require the self-adjointness of the force operator or the existence of a complete basis of normal modes. It is thereby shown that stability in isothermal ideal-MHD is a sufficient condition for stability in KMHD and that, with a proviso on the long-time behaviour of oscillations about stable equilibria, stability in the double-adiabatic fluid theory, including the variation of the parallel fluid displacement, would be a necessary condition for stability in KMHD.
Diagnostic yield of ambulatory EEGs in the elderly

Abstract Objective The diagnostic yield of ambulatory EEG in the elderly is not known. We sought to determine diagnostic yield and identify factors predicting diagnostic findings in this elderly population. Methods We reviewed 156 consecutive 24–72h ambulatory EEGs performed on patients aged 60 or older. Results Of the 156 studies, 58 studies (37%) revealed potentially diagnostic findings: either epileptiform discharges, an epileptic seizure, or a typical nonepileptic event. Focal slowing on routine EEG predicted epileptiform abnormalities on ambulatory EEG with an odds ratio of 4.0 (95% CI 1.7–9.7, p =0.002). Age, the presence of a focal lesion on MRI, and duration of ambulatory EEG failed to predict epileptiform abnormalities on ambulatory EEG. Duration of ambulatory EEG predicted capture of a typical nonepileptic event with an odds ratio of 2.7 (95% CI 1.3–5.7, p =0.009) for every additional day of study duration. Conclusions Focal slowing on routine EEGs may warrant an ambulatory EEG in the setting of diagnostic uncertainty. Longer ambulatory EEGs have a higher yield in capturing patients' typical non-epileptic events, and should be considered in patients where nonepileptic events are a likely diagnostic possibility. Significance These findings offer guidance in the use of ambulatory EEGs in the elderly.
Data center power management for regulation service using neural network-based power prediction

The underlying infrastructure of cloud computing relies on data centers monitored and maintained by the cloud service providers. Data centers usually incur enormous power consumption and are expected to have a significant impact on the local power grid due to dramatically increasing power consumption and fluctuation. In order to mitigate such fluctuation and balance the power demand and supply in the power grid in real time, the regulation service (RS) opportunity has been provided, which offers the electricity consumers to dynamically adjust their power consumption and reduce their electricity cost. Data centers can be active RS participants due to their flexibility and controllability in load dispatching and scheduling temporally (within a server) and spatially (among multiple servers). In order for the data centers to provide better RS, prediction on the data center power consumption becomes essential. In this work, we first adopt artificial neural network (ANN)-based method and long short term memory (LSTM) neural network-based method for the prediction of future data center power consumption. Based on the prediction results, we formulate a novel optimal power management problem of data center to minimize the total cost. Experimental results demonstrate that the total cost of the data center can be reduced by up to 20.6% compared with the baseline systems.
Model conversion of discrete-time uncertain systems via the interval geometric-series method

Abstract This paper presents a geometric-series approximation method using interval arithmetic operations to convert a discrete-time uncertain system to an equivalent continuous-time uncertain model. The system matrices characterizing the state-space representation of the original uncertain systems are assumed to be interval matrices. The logarithm matrix-valued functions with respective interval system matrices are approximated by appropriate rational interval matrix-valued functions using the geometric-series approximation method. Then, the desired enclosing analog interval approximant is obtained by adding an additional error interval matrix which accounts for the approximation error to the rational interval approximant. The model thus constructed is guaranteed to tightly enclose the precise original interval model. The proposed method can be employed to convert an identified discrete-time uncertain model of the original analog uncertain system, to an equivalent continuous-time uncertain model. Also, the proposed method can be utilized to convert a sampleddata uncertain system to an equivalent purely continuous-time uncertain model so that the well-developed analog robust control theories and design methods based on H 2 / H ∞ can be applied.
Exotic and Conventional Bottomonium Physics Prospects at Belle II

The Belle II experiment, being constructed at the KEK laboratory in Japan, represents a substantial upgrade of both the Belle detector and the KEKB accelerator. It is expected that Belle II will collect 50 times more data than existing B-Factory samples beginning in 2019. Belle II is uniquely capable of studying the so-called "XYZ" particles: heavy exotic hadrons consisting of more than three quarks. First discovered by Belle, these now number in the dozens, and represent the emergence of a new category within Quantum Chromodynamics. In this article we summarize the capabilities of Belle II to explore both exotic and conventional bottomonium physics, with a particular focus on the physics reach of the first data, where opportunities exist to make an immediate impact in this area.
Computer graphics and design automation: continued synergy or a parting of ways?

From its very beginning, computer graphics has had a significant influence on the evolution of engineering design automation. Ivan Sutherland’s MIT thesis, “Sketchpad” in 1963 laid the foundation for interactively creating and manipulating line geometry on a computer generated graphical display. This capability lead to the interactive generation of engineering drawings, the first successful commercial venture in computer graphics. From a design point of view, the CAD system simply automated the human process of generating drawings, and only indirectly improved the process of design. Furthermore, the lines drawn on the screen had no associativity, no concept of a surface or volume. In effect, the computer graphics system was just a glorified plotting capability.
Sequential decomposition of sequential dynamic teams: applications to real-time communication and networked control systems

Optimal design of multi-agent sequential teams is investigated in this thesis. A systematic methodology is presented to convert the search for an optimal multi-stage design into a sequence of nested optimization problems, where at each step the best decision rule of a agent at a given time is search. This conversion is called sequential decomposition and it drastically simplifies the search of optimal solution for both finite and infinite horizon problems. The main idea is as follows. A state sufficient for input-output mapping of the system is identified. A joint probability measure on this state is an information state sufficient for performance evaluation. This information state evolves in time in a deterministic manner depending on the choice of decision rules of the agents. Thus, these information states are a controlled Markov process where the control actions are the decision rules of the agents. The optimal control of the time-evolution of these information states results in a sequential decomposition of the problem. Applications of this methodology to real-time communication and optimal feedback control over noisy communication channels is also investigated.
MEASURES OF SCIENTIFIC OUTPUT AND THE AGE-PRODUCTIVITY RELATIONSHIP

Summary The aging of the American scientific community has generated renewed interest in the popular hypothesis that science is a young person's game. To date, the empirical evidence bearing on this question is limited and largely inconclusive. Part of the difficulty stems from the inadequacies of the models and methodologies used to investigate the relationship between age and scientific performance. Perhaps more importantly, part of the difficulty stems from the lack of a comprehensive longitudinal database containing measures of productivity for scientists in academia as well as in industry, government, and other organizations. To remedy this, our work on the social and economic determinants of scientific productivity develops quantitative measures of output and then links them with the most comprehensive longitudinal database for scientists in the United States, the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR). This chapter reports on this massive data-handling and data-analysis project with the goal of providing guidance for researchers and policy makers in the field of science and technology. Four aspects of this work are addressed. First, issues arising in measuring scientific output are discussed and four quantitative measures of output for large data sets are proposed. Second, the computer procedure used to link the productivity measures with the SDR records is described. Particular attention is focused on the reliability of the resulting output counts so that future work can benefit from the techniques developed here. Third, the measures are used to construct age-productivity profiles by sector for scientists in four fields. Finally, a case study of solid state physics using multivariate techniques is presented.
Immunologic Reactivity of Myelin Basic Protein (BP) in Inbred Guinea Pigs

Abstract Enhanced transfer of EAE in Strain 2 and Strain 13 guinea pigs has demonstrated that the two strains recognize different regions of the BP molecule in response to CNS- or BP-sensitization.
Improved methods for the detection of histone interactions with peptide microarrays.

Histone post-translational modifications contribute to chromatin function largely through the recruitment of effector proteins that contain specialized “reader” domains. While a significant number of reader domains have been characterized for their histone binding specificities, many of these domains remain poorly characterized. Peptide microarrays have been widely employed for the characterization of histone readers, as well as modifying enzymes and histone antibodies. While powerful, this platform has limitations in terms of its sensitivity and they frequently miss low affinity reader domain interactions. Here, we provide several technical changes that improve reader domain detection of low-affinity interactions. We show that 1% non-fat milk in 1X PBST as the blocking reagent during incubation improved reader-domain interaction results. Further, coupling this with post-binding high-salt washes and a brief, low-percentage formaldehyde cross-linking step prior to the high-salt washes provided the optimal balance between resolving specific low-affinity interactions and minimizing background or spurious signals. We expect this improved methodology will lead to the elucidation of previously unreported reader-histone interactions that will be important for chromatin function.