cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A correlation between the ionic conductivities and the formation enthalpies of trivalent-doped ceria at relatively low temperatures

We report a correlation between oxygen ionic conductivity and the enthalpy of formation of trivalent-doped ceria from the component binary oxides observed at relatively low temperatures (150–275 °C). The bulk conductivities of La-doped ceria samples identical to those previously examined by thermochemical studies were measured as a function of La content for a direct comparison. The conductivity showed a maximum at a La concentration of 5 mol%, implying that the number of freely mobile oxygen vacancies reaches a maximum near that doping level in the temperature range of interest. The formation enthalpies previously reported by Chen and Navrotsky also show a maximum, indicating destabilization near that composition. Additional measurements show that this maximum is very pronounced and sharply peaked near that composition. These enthalpies suggest that the energetically favorable long-range interactions between the charged defects that trap the oxygen vacancies become dominant above 5 mol% doping in the CeO2–LaO1.5 solid solution. In addition, the conductivities measured from independently prepared Gd-doped ceria samples show a maximum at around 10 mol% doping below 450 °C as anticipated from a pronounced maximum in the formation enthalpies of the CeO2–GdO1.5 solid solution. These empirical findings confirm that the ionic conductivity of trivalent-doped ceria is strongly enough correlated with its formation enthalpy at relatively low temperatures so that information about the critical dopant concentration associated with the conductivity maximum may be gained from the formation enthalpies of the solid solutions, and vice versa. We have no direct information about this correlation at higher temperatures; both thermodynamics and conductivity maximum might change if the defect clusters dissociate to any significant extent.
Elementary interactions in quasi-linear hyperbolic systems

where t>0, o o < x < o o , U(t, x)=(u(t, x), v(t, x)), and the function F(U)= (f(u, v), g(u, v)) is smooth. GLIMM [2] has proved existence of a weak solution provided that the variation of the initial data Uo(x) is small. GLIMM & LAX [3] then improved this result by requiring that the oscillation of Uo(x) be small. SMOLLER [7] has proved the existence of a weak solution provided that Uo(x ) is constant except for a single arbitrary jump (the Riemann problem). Finally, NISmDA [6] has proved existence for general data Uo but for the special case f= l / v , g=u. Here we will prove existence under the assumption that Uo(x) is constant except for two jumps; that is, Uo (x) is of the form
Magnetic resonance angiography for preoperative evaluation of potential kidney donors1

Abstract Background Careful evaluation of the renovascular anatomy for living kidney donors is essential to optimize donor and recipient outcomes. Arteriography has been the standard for delineating the renovascular anatomy. However, this procedure is invasive. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an attractive, noninvasive alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of MRA in potential living kidney donors. Methods A retrospective comparison of the preoperative MRA results with the intraoperative anatomy was performed in 189 living kidney donors. Results MRA interpretations correctly identified the vascular anatomy of the donor kidneys in 173 donors (91.5%). In the remaining 16 patients (8.5%), the MRA interpretation was inaccurate. In 10 patients, the MRA reported fewer arteries than the number encountered during the donor operation, whereas in six patients MRA reported more arteries than what found during operation. In seven patients, MRA supplied additional important anatomical information, including kidney size disparity, the presence of nephrolithiasis, the presence of a renal cyst, and renal artery stenosis. All kidneys were successfully transplanted. The misinterpretation of the MRA did not adversely affect the recipient outcome. Conclusion The noninvasive MRA evaluation of donor renovascular anatomy is an acceptable substitute for traditional angiography.
Recent advances in the insertion of DNA into higher plant cells

Recent advances in the insertion, uptake and expression of exocellular DNA in plant protoplasts are reviewed. A comparison is made between plant and mammalian cell systems, in which exogenous DNA is processed during metabolism.
The effect of age and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment on the intestinal calcium-binding protein of suckling rats.

Abstract The intestinal level of the vitamin D-dependent duodenal calcium-binding protein was assayed by an equilibrated column technique in rat embryos, neonates, and pups. Calcium-binding protein was undetectable in unborn, newborn, and 1- to 2-day-old rats i.e., the level was lower than in severely vitamin D-deficient animals. Calcium-binding protein was detected after the animals were 5-days old and thereafter rose monotonically as a function of body weight. Treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 failed to raise the calcium-binding protein levels of newborn or 1-day-old rats, but doubled the level in 11- or 12-day-old pups. Plasma calcium was raised in all treated animals. The failure to detect calcium-binding protein in vitamin D-replete suckling animals provides evidence for a dissociation between calcium absorption and calcium binding protein.
Estimating maquiladora hazardous waste generation on the U.S./Mexico border

Maquiladoras, manufacturing plants that primarily assemble foreign components for reexport, are located in concentrations along the northern frontier of the US/Mexico border. These plants process a wide variety of materials using modern industrial technologies within the context of developing world institutions and infrastructure. Hazardous waste generation by maquiladoras represents a critical environmental management issue because of the spatial concentration of these plants in border municipalities where the infrastructure for waste management is nonexistent or poor. These border municipalities contain rapidly increasing populations, which further stress their waste handling infrastructure capacities while exposing their populations to greater contaminant risks. Limited empirical knowledge exists concerning hazardous waste types and generation rates from maquiladorsas. There is no standard reporting method for waste generation or methodology for estimating generation rates at this time. This paper presents a method that can be used for the rapid assessment of hazardous waste generation. A first approximation of hazardous waste generation is produced for maquiladoras in the three municipalities of Nogales, Sonora, Mexicali, Baja California, and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, using the INVENT model developed by the World Bank. In addition, our intent is to evaluate the potential of the INVENT model for adaptation to the US/Mexico border industrial situation. The press of border industrial development, especially with the recent adoption of the NAFTA, make such assessments necessary as a basis for the environmental policy formulation and management needed in the immediate future.
An improved algorithm for optimal subset selection in chain graphical models

The VoIDP algorithm is the first optimal algorithm for efficiently selecting the subset of observations in chain graphical models [10]. The original VoIDP algorithm has a mistake in the process of recovering the optimal selections, and fails to produce correct outputs. In this paper, we present an improved version of the algorithm; which fixes the mistakes and verifies the solutions in experiments. Further more, we discuss some recent works in the area of subset selection problems, and present a simplified solution for computing the maximum expected total reward for a sub chain under certain circumstances.
Lateral flagellar gene system of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus possesses dual flagellar systems adapted for movement under different circumstances. A single polar flagellum propels the bacterium in liquid (i.e., swimming) with a motor that is powered by the sodium motive force. Multiple proton-driven lateral flagella enable translocation over surfaces (i.e., swarming). The polar flagellum is produced continuously, while production of lateral flagella is induced when the organism is grown on surfaces. This work describes the isolation of mutants with insertions in the structural and regulatory laf genes. A Tn5-based lux transcriptional reporter transposon was constructed and used for mutagenesis and subsequent transcriptional analysis of the laf regulon. Twenty-nine independent insertions were distributed within 16 laf genes. DNA sequence analysis identified 38 laf genes in two loci. Among the mutants isolated, 11 contained surface-induced lux fusions. A hierarchy of laf gene expression was established following characterization of the laf::lux transcriptional fusion strains and by mutational and primer extension analyses of the laf regulon. The laf system is like many enteric systems in that it is a proton-driven, peritrichous flagellar system; however, laf regulation was different from the Salmonella-Escherichia coli paradigm. There is no apparent flhDC counterpart that encodes master regulators known to control flagellar biosynthesis and swarming in many enteric bacteria. A potential σ54-dependent regulator, LafK, was demonstrated to control expression of early genes, and a lateral-specific σ28 factor controls late flagellar gene expression. Another notable feature was the discovery of a gene encoding a MotY-like product, which previously had been associated only with the architecture of sodium-type polar flagellar motors.
Exercise increases the circulating concentration of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone in normal individuals.

Recently two peptides consisting of amino acids (aa) 1 to 30 and 31 to 67 of the N-terminus of the 126 aa prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor (proANF), as well as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, aa 99 to 126; C-terminus), were found to have vasodilatory and natriuretic properties. These peptides, as well as ANF, circulate in humans as part of the N-terminus of the prohormone. To determine the effect of graded exercise on the circulating concentrations of the N-terminus and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone in normal persons, 12 healthy individuals (mean age 45 ± 2 years) were evaluated before, for 2 hours after, and during bicycle exercise at a work loads of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 W. Both the N- and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone were released simultaneously with graded exercise in direct proportion to the intensity of the work load, measured objectively via maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), respiratory quotient, and heart rate. Both the N-terminus and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone had strong positive correlations (p < 0.001) with blood pressure, heart rate, VO2max, and respiratory quotient. Following exercise, the C-terminus returned to preexercise levels within 30 minutes, while the N-terminus remained significantly elevated at 30 and 60 minutes postexercise, reflecting the longer half-life of the N-terminus in the circulation.
State-space size estimation of Petri nets: a bottom-up perspective

Petri nets are a popular system modeling methodology, although the typical state-space explosion is problematic. An estimate of the state-space size has many uses: determining the appropriateness of a particular analysis technique; evaluating the trade-off between model detail and solution complexity; and providing data for state-space size reduction algorithms. This paper presents an estimation algorithm based on subnets and interconnections (i.e., a bottom-up approach). The algorithm allows relatively arbitrary subnets and is extendable via development of additional interconnections. Several subnets and interconnections are developed, and a multiworkcell manufacturing example is presented. >
The Swing Voter in American Presidential Elections

When journalists, commentators, and political strategists talk about elections, few terms come up more frequently than that of the swing voter, yet this concept has been almost entirely ignored by ...
Utilization of Real-time 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography in an Urban Academic Medical Center

Purpose: Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) is useful in a variety of clinical scenarios. However, the pattern of its clinical utilization in an urban academic center is unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate the practical use of 3D TEE and to explore factors that may affect its applications. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing 2,734 consecutive TEEs performed at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY, between January 2009 and August 2011. Types of 3D modes (biplane, live, 3D zoom, full volume, and 3D quantifi cations) and indications were reviewed. Linear regression was performed to examine the association between echocardiographers & rsquo; characteristics and 3D TEE utilization. Results: 3D modalities were utilized in 1,655 studies (61%) during the study period. The use of 3D technology increased from 44% at 4 months to 79% at 32 months. Biplane, 3D zoom, and full volume acquisition showed a steady increase, but quantification remained very low throughout the study period. Level 3 training was significantly associated with 66.6% (95% CI 13.0%, 120.1%, P = 0.029) higher rate of 3D TEE utilization compared to level 2, after adjusting for age, sex, years of practice, and total TEE volume. Level 3 echocardiographers utilized more zoom 3D and full volume, whereas level 2 echocardiographers used biplane more frequently. Conclusion: There has been a growing use of 3D TEE over time, but not all 3D modes were equally employed. The association between advanced training and increased 3D utilization is likely due to interest and self-motivation. Key words: Echocardiographer, echocardiography, real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
Electrocardiographic identification of left ventricular hypertrophy: Test performance in relation to definition of hypertrophy and presence of obesity

Objectives. This study sought to assess a test performance of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in relation to 1) varying definitions of left ventricular hypertrophy based on different methods of adjusting left ventricular mass for body size, and 2) the presence or absence of obesity. Background. Although left ventricular mass is most commonly indexed for body surface area or height when defining left ventricular hypertrophy, recent work suggests that normalization for height to the power of 2.7 (height2.7) may decrease variability among normal subjects and correctly identify the impact of obesity on hypertrophy. Methods. The product of Cornell voltage and QRS duration (Cornell product) and Framingham-adjusted Cornell voltage were determined from 12-lead ECGs in 212 patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined on the basis of left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area, height and height2.7. Results. Using partitions with matched specificity of 95%, the sensitivity of ECG criteria varied with the definition of hypertrophy, ranging from 39% to 52% for the Cornell product and from 24% to 33% for adjusted Cornell voltage. When left ventricular mass was indexed to body surface area or to height2.7, the 52% and 39% sensitivities of the Cornell product were significantly greater than the 24% (p Conclusions. The ability of ECG criteria to detect left ventricular hypertrophy differs depending on the method of indexing left ventricular mass for body size and with the presence or absence of obesity. Further, the Cornell product provides the best combination of overall accuracy and low variability of performance between definitions of hypertrophy. These findings have important implications for the clinical and epidemiologic use of 12-lead ECG criteria for the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Stable transformation and long-term maintenance of transgenic Taxus cell suspension cultures

A cell line of Taxus cuspidata has been transformed with wild-type Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC strain 15834 containing binary vector pCAMBIA1301 and, separately, with A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 containing binary vector pCAMBIA1305.2. Additionally, a cell line of T. chinensis has been transformed with wild-type A. rhizogenes ATCC strain 25818 containing binary vector pCAMBIA1301. The two transgenic T. cuspidata cell lines have been maintained in culture for more than 20 months, and the transgenic T. chinensis cell line for more than 9 months, with no loss of reporter gene expression or antibiotic resistance. The introduced genes had no discernable effect on growth or Taxol production in the transgenic cell lines when compared to the parent control. The methods for transforming non-embryogenic Taxus suspension cultures are described.
Bubble Dynamics on Nanostructured Cu Surfaces

Nucleate boiling performance was enhanced up to an order of magnitude through direct deposition of Cu nanorods on a planar Cu surface. The methodology that enables order of magnitude improvement in boiling performance without fabricating complicated surface structures or changing the working fluid will have broad impact on metal-liquid type two-phase heat exchangers. In this study, discussion was focused on bubble dynamics on the nanostrucured Cu surfaces. We observed striking differences in bubble dynamics through nucleation boiling process for the nanostructured surface including smaller bubble diameters, higher release frequencies and nucleation site density, and large fluctuations in bubble diameter prior to release. These differences during the boiling process are responsible for the enhanced heat transfer. High quality images were captured through a well-designed visualization system, which comprises of a high-speed charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, microscope and data acquisition system. This visualization study aims to quantitatively study the bubble dynamics on the nanostructured Cu surfaces.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Mapping Extremely Low Metallicity Galaxies to Redshift One

We describe the results of a narrowband search for ultrastrong emission line galaxies (USELs) with EW(Hβ) ≥ 30 A. A total of 542 candidate galaxies are found in a one-half square degree survey using two ~120 A filters centered at 8150 and 9140 A with Subaru SuprimeCam. Follow-up spectroscopy for randomly selected objects in the candidate sample with Keck II DEIMOS shows that they consist of [O III] λ5007-, [O II] λ3727-, and Hα-selected strong emission line galaxies at intermediate redshift (z < 1) and Lyα-emitting galaxies at high redshift (z 5). We determine the Hβ luminosity functions and the star formation density of the USELs, which is 5%-10% of the value found from ultraviolet continuum objects at z = 0-1, suggesting that they correspond to a major epoch in the galaxy formation process at these redshifts. Many of the USELs show the temperature-sensitive [O III] λ4363 auroral lines, and about a dozen have oxygen abundances satisfying the criteria of extremely metal-poor galaxies (XMPGs). These XMPGs are the most distant known today. Our high yield rate of XMPGs suggests that the narrowband method is a powerful way to find such populations. Moreover, the lowest metallicity measured in our sample is close to the minimum metallicity found in local galaxies [12 + log(O/H) ~ 7.1], although we need deeper spectra to minimize the errors. HST ACS images of several USELs exhibit widespread morphologies from relatively compact high surface brightness objects to very diffuse low surface brightness ones. The luminosities, metallicities, and star formation rates of USELs are consistent with the strong emitters being start-up intermediate-mass galaxies that will evolve into more normal galaxies and suggest that galaxies are still forming in relatively chemically pristine sites at z < 1.
France and the Early History of Organ Transplantation

The different starting points and uneven emphasis of historical accounts of transplantation [1] have tended to obscure the contributions to this field of some of the grand figures of French medicine and science. Clinical transplantation activity began in France within the first few years of the twentieth century when Jaboulay in Lyon [2] and others in France and Germany performed subhuman-primate-to-human kidney heterotransplantation [3–5]. In 1936, The Russian Yu Yu Voronoy of Kiev made the first known attempt at renal allotransplantation [6].
Temperature dependence of vibration—vibration energy exchange probabilities among highly excited levels: CO(υ-1) + CO(1) → CO(υ) + CO(0)

Abstract The temperature dependence of one-quantum V → V energy exchange probabilities involving highly excited CO molecules in CO(υ-1) + CO(1) → CO(υ) + CO(0) has been investigated. For υ = 8, the probability increases by an order of magnitude over the temperature range 100–3000 K; for υ = 15, the increase is nearly two orders of magnitude. The dependence of energy exchange probabilities on υ is not strong. The contribution of molecular attraction dominates that of repulsion in the process particularly at lower temperatures.
Parallel calculations of molecular properties

We discuss aspects of the parallelization of the Dalton quantum chemistry program, with particular emphasis on the calculation of second- and higher-order properties for large molecules. Our treatment includes real and imaginary perturbations, both frequency-dependent and static. The scaling behaviour of our approach, which is rather coarse-grained, is examined on different parallel platforms, including the Cray-T3E and an IBM SP with the latest multiprocessor nodes. The excellent scaling behaviour on the latter is especially significant given that the first TFLOPS computer available to the US academic community will be built from these nodes and deployed here at San Diego Supercomputer Center before the end of 1999. We then discuss applications of the code to several areas of interest in chemical physics.
Relative Influence of Professional Counseling Journals.

The authors used social network analysis of citation data to study the flow of information and relative influence of 17 professional counseling journals. Although the Journal of Counseling & Development ranked very highly in all measures of journal influence, several division journals emerged as key players in the flow of information within the counseling profession. Results highlight the many facets of journal influence and the fallacy of using single measures, such as journal impact factor, to rank professional counseling journals.
Molecular tribology of lubricants and additives

Knowledge of the bulk viscosity provides little guidance to predict accurately the interfacial shear strength and effective viscosity of a fluid in a lubricated contact. To quantify these differences between bulk and thin-film viscosity, an instrument was developed to measure the shear of parallel single crystal solids separated by molecularly-thin lubricant films. The effective shear viscosity is enhanced compared to the bulk, relaxation times are prolonged, and nonlinear responses set in at lower shear rates. These effects are more prominent, the thinner the liquid film. Studies with lubricant additives cast doubt on the usefulness of the concept of a friction coefficient for lubricated sliding.
Multiple drug hemodynamic control by means of a supervisory-fuzzy rule-based adaptive control system: validation on a model

A control device that uses an expert system approach for a two input-two output system has been developed and evaluated using a mathematical model of the hemodynamic response of a dog. The two inputs are the infusion rates of two drugs: sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and dopamine (DPM). The two controlled variables are the mean arterial pressure and the cardiac output. The control structure is dual mode, i.e., it has two levels: a critical conditions (coarse) control mode and a noncritical conditions (fine) control mode. The system switches from one to the other when threshold conditions are met. Different "controller parameters sets"-including the values. For the threshold conditions-can be given to the system which will lead to different controller outputs. Both control modes are rule-based, and supervisory capabilities are added to ensure adequate drug delivery. The noncritical control mode is a fuzzy logic controller. The system includes heuristic features typically considered by anesthesiologists, like waiting periods and the observance of a "forbidden dosage range" for DPM infusion when used as an inotrope. An adaptation algorithm copes with the wide range of sensitivities to SNP found among different individuals, as well as the time varying sensitivity frequently observed in a single patient. The control device is eventually tested on a nonlinear model, designed to mimic the conditions of congestive heart failure in a dog. The test runs show a highest overshoot of 3 mmHg with nominal SNP sensitivity. When tested with different simulated SNP sensitivities, the controller adaptation produces a faster response to lower sensitivities, and reduced oscillations to higher sensitivities. The simulations seem to show that the system is able to drive and adequately keep the two hemodynamic variables within prescribed limits. >
Diagnostic Challenges and Opportunities in Older Adults With Infectious Diseases

Infections remain a major threat to the well-being of our growing aged population. The correct and timely diagnosis of infections in older adults is increasingly important in the current age of antimicrobial resistance. Urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and bacteremia present particular challenges. In older patients with bacteremia, blood cultures have comparable yield as compared with younger patients. However, the routine triggers for ordering blood cultures may not be appropriate in older adults. In addition, resistance patterns of isolated pathogens may change with age. The main difficulties in diagnosing urinary tract infections in older adults are caused by an increased prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and frequent use of urinary catheters. However, a combined noninvasive approach that includes history, physical examination, urinary dipstick testing, urine cultures, and simple blood tests can provide direction. In addition, specific guidelines for specific populations are available. In older patients suspected of bacterial pneumonia, bedside pulse oximetry and urinary antigen testing for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila provide direction for the clinician. Although infected older adults pose specific and unique diagnostic challenges, a thorough history and physical examination combined with minimally invasive testing will lead to the correct diagnosis in most older adults with infectious diseases, limiting the need for empiric antibiotics in this age group.
iWalk: a tool for interacting with geo-located data through movement and gesture

In this work, we present iWalk, a multimedia exploration tool that provides an interactive virtual environment for physically exploring geo-tagged data. This tool is flexible enough for users to easily explore their own collections, or existing collections from the web. Two interaction modalities are incorporated into our tool -- movement and gesture. Movement (walking around the physical space) is used to intuitively move through the digital data space of a collection. Gesture is used for direct data manipulation; the user is able to select the mapping between gestures and interactions. In addition, we also provide functionality for exploring data that is not geo-located. Here the user defines a rough mapping between the data collection space and the physical interaction space and then operates the program as usual. We have currently tested the system on three different data sets -- a large collection of geo-tagged photographs from Flickr, a geo-located sound collection, and a museum collection that is not geo-located
Training residents and nurses to work as a patient-centered care team on a medical ward.

Abstract Objective To train medical residents and nurses to work together as a patient-centered care (PCC) team on a medical ward and test its feasibility, nurses’ learning, and patient outcomes. Method Working with administrative leadership, we consolidated residents’ patients on one 32-bed ward. Already training residents in an evidence-based patient-centered method, we now trained 5 nurse leaders similarly, and they then trained all staff nurses. A national consultant visited twice. Specific team-building activities for nurses and residents fostered ward interactions. We used a retrospective pre/post/6-month post-design to evaluate nurses’ knowledge and self-efficacy of patient-centered skills. Patients were assigned non-randomly to our unit or comparison units from our emergency room; using a post-test only design, the primary endpoint was patient satisfaction. Results 28 trained nurses showed improvement in knowledge ( p = 0.02) and self-efficacy ( p = 0.001). 81 treatment patients showed no improvement in satisfaction ( p = 0.44). Conclusion Training nurses in patient-centered practices were effective. Unique in this country, we also trained nurses and residents together as a PCC team on a medical ward and showed it was feasible and well accepted. Practice implications We provide a template for team training and urge that others explore this important new area and contribute to its further development.
GeneCruiser: a web service for the annotation of microarray data

Summary: GeneCruiser is a web service allowing users to annotate their genomic data by mapping microarray feature identifiers to gene identifiers from databases, such as UniGene, while providing links to web resources, such as the UCSC Genome Browser. It relies on a regularly updated database that retrieves and indexes the mappings between microarray probes and genomic databases. Genes are identified using the Life Sciences Identifier standard. Availability: GeneCruiser is freely available in the following forms: Web service and Web application, http://www.genecruiser.org; GenePattern, GeneCruiser access has been integrated into our microarray analysis platform, GenePattern. http://www.genepattern.org Contact: liefeld@broad.mit.edu
A learning method for use in intelligent computer relays for high impedance faults

An attempt is made to find an intelligent detection system. This intelligent system has two specific properties. First, it is capable of taking advantage of multiple detection parameters or variables. Second, it provides adaptability using inductive reasoning, incorporated with some critic modules in a detection system. Inductive reasoning which will minimize entropy was used to acquire the knowledge of fault class and nonfault class. This knowledge was used to make the intelligent system adaptive to surrounding environments. A learning detection system was implemented with inductive reasoning and an event detector. An example execution is shown with a decision rule which was derived using training sample data consisting of high impedance faults, switching events, and normal status. A complicated set of test data is used to test the performance of the learning detection system. It is found that, even when it met very complicated situations, the learning detection system made smart decisions and evolved to a new situation with a newly derived decision rule. >
An initial study of overheads of eddies

An eddy [2] is a highly adaptive query processing operator that continuously reoptimizes a query in response to changing runtime conditions. It does this by treating query processing as routing of tuples through operators and making per-tuple routing decisions. The benefits of such adaptivity can be significant, especially in highly dynamic environments such as data streams, sensor query processing, web querying, etc. Various parties have asserted that the cost of making per-tuple routing decisions is prohibitive. We have implemented eddies in the PostgreSQL open source database system [1] in the context of the TelegraphCQ project. In this paper, we present an "apples-to-apples" comparison of PostgreSQL query processing overhead with and without eddies. Our results show that with some minor tuning, the overhead of the eddy mechanism is negligible.
Discovery of the gene signature for acute lung injury in patients with sepsis

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)/acute lung injury (ALI) was described 30 yr ago, yet making a definitive diagnosis remains difficult. The identification of biomarkers obtained from peripheral blood could provide additional noninvasive means for diagnosis. To identify gene expression profiles that may be used to classify patients with ALI, 13 patients with ALI + sepsis and 20 patients with sepsis alone were recruited from the Medical Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and microarrays were performed on peripheral blood samples. Several classification algorithms were used to develop a gene signature for ALI from gene expression profiles. This signature was validated in an independently obtained set of patients with ALI + sepsis (n = 8) and sepsis alone (n = 1). An eight-gene expression profile was found to be associated with ALI. Internal validation found that the gene signature was able to distinguish patients with ALI + sepsis from patients with sepsis alone with 100% accuracy, corresponding to a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. In the independently obtained external validation set, the gene signature was able to distinguish patients with ALI + sepsis from patients with sepsis alone with 88.9% accuracy. The use of classification models to develop a gene signature from gene expression profiles provides a novel and accurate approach for classifying patients with ALI.
Does primate motion perception depend on the magnocellular pathway

This study examined the importance of the primate magnocellular retinocortical pathway in the perception of moving stimuli. A portion of the magnocellular pathway was permanently and selectively interrupted by ibotenic acid injections in the LGN of macaque monkeys. We then tested contrast sensitivity for detecting moving stimuli, as well as two indices of motion perception, contrast sensitivity for opposite direction discrimination and speed difference thresholds, in the affected portion of the visual field. Magnocellular lesions greatly reduced detection contrast sensitivity at high temporal and low spatial frequencies and had a similar effect on contrast sensitivity for opposite direction discrimination under these same stimulus conditions. Consequently, opposite direction discriminations could be made at contrast threshold, suggesting that magnocellular lesions reduced the visibility of stimuli used to test direction perception, but did not act directly on direction perception. Magnocellular lesions also elevated speed difference thresholds under some stimulus conditions. However, this deficit was reduced or eliminated by raising the contrast of the test stimulus. Together, these findings suggest that magnocellular lesions reduce the visibility of stimuli used to test motion perception but that they do not appear to alter motion perception otherwise.
Synthesis and characterization of self-organized multilayered graphene–carbon nanotube hybrid films

We report the synthesis and characterization of a self-organized graphene–carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid film consisting of multilayer graphene (MLG) supported by vertical CNTs on a Si substrate. The hybrid film shows an interesting structure of graphene in connecting to vertical CNTs while maintaining ohmic contact at its junction. The in situ formation of a CNT–graphene heterojunction is confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The as-obtained film shows a linear relationship for electrical conductance with significantly low resistance varying from 100–400 Ω on Si substrate. This hybrid film is inverted and transferred to flexible substrates for its application in flexible electronics, demonstrating an observable variation of electrical conductivity for both tension and compression. Furthermore, both turn-on field and total emission current were found to depend strongly on the bending radius of the film and were found to vary in ranges of 0.8–3.1 V μm−1 and 4.2–0.4 mA, respectively.
Characteristics of an established goldfish Carassim auratus (L.) cell line

A new continuous line of goldfish somatic cells, designated SJU-1 has been continuously subcultured over a 39-month period. Best growth was obtained at 20°C over a pH range of 6.8–7.2. The minimal and optimal seed inocula, in terms of per cent cell increase, were determined to be 1.1 × 106 and 2.5 × 106, respectively. The susceptibility of the SJU-1 line to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus offers an available assay system for goldfish in vivo and goldfish cells in vitro interferon studies. Chromosomal analyses of the line were also carried out.
Successful Reentry: What Differentiates Successful and Unsuccessful Parolees?

In this research the authors examine the reentry of 51 parolees during the 3 years following their release from prison. The objective is to gain increased understanding of what differentiates successful parolees from those who fail. Success is defined as being discharged from parole by 3 years after release. The study examines the extent to which drug treatment, friendships, work, family bonds, and age are associated with reentry success. Contrary to expectations, it is found that closeness to mother, closeness to father, having a partner, being a parent, and education level are not associated with parole success. Those who succeed on parole are more likely to have taken a substance abuse class while in prison and on release tend to spend more time in enjoyable activities with friends. Among the employed, those that worked at least 40 hours a week are more likely to complete parole successfully. Qualitative data indicate that successful parolees had more support from family and friends and had more self-efficacy, which help them stay away from drugs and peers who use drugs. The findings are consistent with an integrated life course theory.
Scientists CCOPE with storms

The sun gently noses its way above the horizon in southeastern Montana with the seeming promise of a carefree, sunny day. But that promise won't hold true for 200 scientists readying themselves for another frenetic day in the largest field research experiment on storms and thundershowers. Fieldwork for the 4-month project dubbed CCOPE (Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment) began this week near Miles City, Mont. CCOPE's principal objective is to measure storm development in detail to learn precisely how rain and hail are produced, with the eventual harvest being timely warnings for severe storms and accurate precipitation predictions. This knowledge will aid in the planning of water supply strategies.
Application of spatial visualization for probabilistic hurricanes risk assessment to build environment

Hurricanes have caused extensive economic losses and social disruption in the past two decades in the United States. A key component for improving building and infrastructure practices and public planning to reduce the economic losses due to hurricanes and their social impact is the ability to predict the expected damage that such events cause in buildings and other structures as well as the uncertainties in such predictions. Federal, state and county emergency management officers need an effective real-time tool to facilitate the decision regarding when evacuate should begin and who should evacuate before a hurricane, as long as how to timely conduct post-disaster relief. Modern Internet-based geospatial tools can be effectively used to provide decision makers with real-time data, model results, and geospatial reference datasets. Probabilistic risk assessment model combined with spatial distributed visualization is proposed in this paper for more efficient hurricane hazard mitigation through risk informed communication.
Towards a real-time data driven wild land fire model

A wildland fire model based on semi-empirical relations for the spread rate of a surface fire and post-frontal heat release is coupled with the Weather Research and Forecasting atmospheric model (WRF). The propagation of the fire front is implemented by a level set method. Data is assimilated by a morphing ensemble Kalman filter, which provides amplitude as well as position corrections. Thermal images of a fire will provide the observations and will be compared to a synthetic image from the model state.
Energy Consumption Evaluation of U.S. Navy LEED-Certified Buildings

As of October 1, 2008, the Department of the Navy established the requirement that all new buildings constructed for the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The goal of this requirement is to comply with Executive Order (EO) 13423, which mandates that all government departments reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2015. This research analyzes whether the 11 LEED-certified USN buildings have achieved the expected energy consumption savings. Energy data from LEED-certified buildings was compared with other USN and USMC non-certified buildings of comparable size, usage, and location. Statistical analysis shows that 9 of 11 LEED buildings did not achieve a 30% savings in electricity consumption, while seven of nine met the water consumption savings requirements set in place by EO 13423. Furthermore, this research concludes that the majority of the US...
A cosmetic method for ameliorating multipath effects on the ILS localizer

The localizer is that portion of the contemporary instrument landing system which provides lateral guidance to the pilot during his approach to landing. It is especially plagued by the multipath problem because airports encourage the construction of large hangars to allow servicing their aircraft customers. Large hangar and terminal-building walls common at many important airports frequently end up reflecting localizer signals back into the course region. This causes scallops, bends and general beam noise to be produced. The solution presented in this paper is to scatter the signal in a broader region incoherently in order to make the magnitude of the course corruption less at any given point along the approach path. To accomplish the objective, a mathematical model was developed for predicting the effects of irregular surfaces on the effectiveness of multipath to degrade localizer course performance. The next step is a search for some specific type of surface irregularity, a type that could practically be constructed. This paper describes the model, presents the results of the validation work, and reports the best surface for minimizing the deleterious effects of multipath.
iPS Cell Technology and Disease Research: Issues To Be Resolved

The ability to reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has opened the possibility of studying human diseases in the Petri dish and may eventually allow the treatment of major diseases by customized cell therapy. This review summarizes open questions in the reprogramming field that need to be resolved to make iPS technology a robust and general approach for the study of human disease. The experimental challenges that need to be worked out include establishing efficient gene targeting methods that allow the generation of genetically defined, disease-specific and control cells, the development of robust differentiation protocols and the production of non genetically altered iPS cells.
The oldest pottery in hunter-gatherer communitiesand models of Neolithisation of Eastern Europe

The characteristics of the oldest pottery in Eastern Europe, located in three main regions, the Lower Don and Lower and Middle Volga, and a description of different Early Neolithic types of pottery production are described in this article. We present ideas on how and when the oldest pottery traditions were distributed through Eastern Europe according to radiocarbon dates. Also, models of the Neolithisation of Eastern Europe are suggested based on archaeological evidence and absolute chronology.
Ball and Tire Activities

(1976). Ball and Tire Activities. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 47-48.
Regulation of glutamine metabolism in dog kidney cortex: effect of pH and chronic acidosis

To examine the interrelationships of proton compartmentation and ammoniagenesis, experiments were performed in tubules and mitochondria isolated from dog kidney cortex. Tubules were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit buffer at different pH (pHe), and cytosolic pH (pHi) was estimated with the fluorescent probe 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Mitochondrial pH (pHm) was determined simultaneously in intact tubules by use of dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione. Over the pHe range 6.9-7.7, pHi was similar in control and acidotic dogs and linearly related to pHe. At pHe 7.4 in control tubules. pHm was 7.78 +/- 0.07, and varied little over the pHe range of 7.0-7.7. The pH gradient across the mitochondrial membrane rose at acid pHe. pHm was more alkaline when estimated in tubules from acidotic dogs compared with controls. Ammonium and glucose productions from glutamine were inversely related to pHe and pHi in tubules from both control and acidotic animals and were higher in acidosis. In contrast, ammonium production by isolated mitochondria did not vary as pHe was altered. Enzyme fluxes, calculated from metabolite changes, demonstrated that glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) flux was altered. Enzyme fluxes, calculated from metabolite changes, demonstrated that glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) flux was inversely and glutaminase (PDG) flux was linearly related to pHe. Ammonium production was significantly greater in mitochondria from acidotic dogs because of accelerated flux through PDG but not GDH. The present study demonstrates significant difference between proton compartmentation and regulation of ammoniagenesis in kidneys from acidotic dog compared with rat.
How Well Do All Patient Refined-Diagnosis-Related Groups Explain Costs of Pediatric Cancer Chemotherapy Admissions in the United States?

Purpose:State-based Medicaid programs have begun using All Patient Refined–Diagnosis-Related Groups (APR-DRGs) to determine hospital reimbursement rates. Medicaid provides coverage for 45% of childhood cancer admissions. This study aimed to examine how well APR-DRGs reflect admission costs for childhood cancer chemotherapy to inform clinicians, hospitals, and policymakers in the wake of policy changes.Methods:We identified 25,613 chemotherapy admissions in the 2009 Kids’ Inpatient Database. To determine how well APR-DRGs explain costs, we applied a hierarchic linear regression model of hospital costs, allowing for a variety of patient, hospital, and geographic confounders.Results:APR-DRGs proved to be the most important predictors of admission costs (P < .001), with costs increasing by DRG severity code. Diagnosis, age, and hospital characteristics also predicted costs above and beyond those explained by APR-DRGs. Compared with admissions for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, costs of admissions...