cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Deep-Learning Frameworks for Speaker Verification Antispoofing

In this study, we explore the use of deep-learning approaches for spoofing detection in speaker verification. Most spoofing detection systems that have achieved recent success employ hand-craft features with specific spoofing prior knowledge, which may limit the feasibility to unseen spoofing attacks. We aim to investigate the genuine-spoofing discriminative ability from the back-end stage, utilizing recent advancements in deep-learning research. In this paper, alternative network architectures are exploited to target spoofed speech. Based on this analysis, a novel spoofing detection system, which simultaneously employs convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) is proposed. In this framework, CNN is treated as a convolutional feature extractor applied on the speech input. On top of the CNN processed output, recurrent networks are employed to capture long-term dependencies across the time domain. Novel features including Teager energy operator critical band autocorrelation envelope, perceptual minimum variance distortionless response, and a more general spectrogram are also investigated as inputs to our proposed deep-learning frameworks. Experiments using the ASVspoof 2015 Corpus show that the integrated CNN–RNN framework achieves state-of-the-art single-system performance. The addition of score-level fusion further improves system robustness. A detailed analysis shows that our proposed approach can potentially compensate for the issue due to short duration test utterances, which is also an issue in the evaluation corpus.
Scheduling Tasks for Human Operators in Monitoring and Surveillance Applications

Abstract: We consider a scheduling problem that arises in the context of surveillance or reconnaissance missions by multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) where human operators would be present to perform tasks that require a high level of expertise and reasoning. Each UAV performing the mission provides a video stream of the targets it monitors to the human operator who is required to take critical decisions based on the video stream. A single human operator often examines the video stream from multiple UAVs constantly; this can cause his/her visual attention to drop below an acceptable level while performing the tasks. We propose an automated system to ease the operator's work load by breaking up the video streams into parts and scheduling a subset of them for the operator's inspection. We present the architecture for the system, identify the various components involved to build such a system, formulate the associated scheduling problem as a mixed-integer linear program (MILP) and solve the same. Preliminary results are also presented to corroborate the effectiveness of the formulation.
Management of Periprosthetic Joint Infection: The More We Learn, the Less We Know.

Abstract Background Despite the tremendous and long-standing success of total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty as treatments for end-stage arthritis, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a rare but feared complication of these procedures. Methods This review highlights some of the difficulties inherent to studying PJI. These include the difficulty in powering studies to capture this relatively uncommon complication, as well as the heterogeneity in clinical presentation and manifestations associated with the diagnosis and treatment of PJI. Conclusion We suggest an algorithm for moving forward with new research in an attempt to answer the challenging questions facing the arthroplasty community regarding PJI.
Hybrid Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Systems: A Review

Abstract Concentrated solar power (CSP), or solar thermal power, is an ideal technology to hybridize with other energy technologies for power generation. CSP shares technology with conventional power generation and can be readily integrated with other energy types into a synergistic system, which has many potential benefits including increased dispatchability and reliability, improved efficiency, reduced capital costs through equipment sharing, and the opportunity for flexible operation by alternating between energy sources, which can lead to improved overall efficiency through synergy of the different energy sources. Another advantage of CSP technology is the ability to readily store via thermal energy storage (TES), making the intermittent solar resource dispatchable. A review of CSP hybridization strategies with coal, natural gas, biofuels, geothermal, photovoltaic (PV), and wind is given. An overview of different configurations for hybridizing CSP with these other energy sources is also provided. Hybridized CSP plants present different types and levels of synergy, depending on the hybrid energy source, the location of the plant, the CSP technology used, and the plant configuration. Coal, natural gas, and biofuel hybrids with CSP present many opportunities to inject solar heat at various temperatures. These combustible fuels provide reliability, dispatchability, and flexibility but are not entirely renewable solutions (with the exception of biofuels). Geothermal, wind, and PV hybrid designs with CSP can be entirely renewable, but lack some of the benefits of hydrocarbon fuels. Effective geothermal-CSP hybrid designs require low temperature operation where efficiency is limited by the power cycle. Wind-CSP and PVT (photovoltaic/thermal) lack dispatchability, but have other advantages. The pursuit of ideal CSP hybrid systems is an important research topic as it allows for further development of CSP technologies while providing an immediate solution that increases the use of solar power.
A Dialogic Path to Evidence-Based Argumentive Writing

Central to argument are evidence-based claims, requiring coordination of a claim with evidence bearing on it. We advocate a dialogic approach to developing argument skills and in the work reported here examine the further scaffold of prompts that exemplify functions of evidence in relation to a claim. This scaffold was successful in accelerating the prevalence of evidence-based claims in essays of low-performing middle schoolers compared to participants in the same year-long dialog-based intervention who received no or a limited form of evidence prompts and compared to previous samples engaged in a nondialogic curriculum. An experimental group achieved a proportion of evidence-based claims above 50% by the end of the year, transferring their newly developing skill from one topic to another. The use of different types of evidence emerged in a sequence corresponding to the cognitive demands they posed. Students first used support-own evidence. They used weaken-other evidence increasingly over time, but the ...
Fiber optic computer architectures

Digital optical computers can be built from waveguide switches and optical fiber. We describe the approach, research drivers, applications, and initial results of a program to build an all-optical, stored program computer in this way.
Abstract TMP116: White Matter Hyperintensity Lesion Patterns in Patients With Cardioembolic Strokes

Background: Among patients with a cardioembolic stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common comorbidity that is associated with a worse outcome. Mounting data indicates that AF may relate to strok...
Phrenicoabdominal venotomy for tumor thrombectomy in dogs with adrenal neoplasia and suspected vena caval invasion

Objective To describe a technique for tumor thrombectomy by phrenicoabdominal venotomy in dogs with adrenal neoplasia and suspected caval invasion and to report complications and outcomes associated with the procedure. Study design Retrospective case series. Animals Eight client-owned dogs with invasive adrenal tumors. Methods Medical records of dogs diagnosed with adrenal tumors with extension of thrombus into the phrenicoabdominal vein (PAV) and vena cava were reviewed. Cases where phrenicoabdominal venotomy without cavotomy for thrombus resection was performed were included. Data collected from the medical records included signalment, clinical signs, physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging results, preoperative laboratory testing, surgical technique, surgical and postoperative complications and outcome. Results Phrenicoabdominal venotomy was successful in removal of vena caval thrombosis in 7 of 8 dogs. In one case, an attempt was made to remove a large vena caval thrombus through a distended PAV resulting in fragmentation of the thrombus and the need to extend the incision into the vena cava. In all dogs, complete removal of tumor thrombus was achieved. Two dogs died in the perioperative period, one from cardiopulmonary arrest and a second from bronchopneumonia and pancreatitis. The remaining 6 dogs were discharged from the hospital. Conclusion Thrombectomy through a phrenicoabdominal venotomy may obviate the need for a cavotomy in a subset of dogs with invasive adrenal neoplasia.
Pediatric acute mastoiditis in the era of pneumococcal vaccination.

Objectives/Hypothesis The objective was to describe trends in the annual prevalence of hospitalization for pediatric acute mastoiditis since introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine in 2000 and the 13-valent vaccine in 2010. Study Design Cross-sectional retrospective data analysis. Methods The Kids' Inpatient Database from years 2000 to 2012 was analyzed. To determine the annual prevalence of hospitalization for acute mastoiditis, nationally weighted frequencies of hospitalization for children <21 years with acute mastoiditis diagnoses were collected. Trend analysis of hospitalization rates from 2000 to -2012 was performed. Results From 2000 to 2012, there was no significant trend in hospitalization rates for acute mastoiditis overall (1.38 and 1.43 per 100,000 persons in 2000 and 2012, respectively; P = .86) or by age group. When comparing hospitalization rates at time points 2000 and 2012, children <1 year (4.65 and 3.27 per 100,000 persons, P = .0023) and 1 to 2 years of age (3.95 and 3.18 per 100,000 persons, respectively; P = .0107) demonstrated declines in hospitalization over time. Between 2009 and 2012, hospitalization rates also significantly declined for children aged <1 year (4.50 to 3.27 per 100,000 persons, P = .0056) and 1 to 2 years (4.30 to 3.18 per 100,000 persons, P = .0002) but increased for children 5 to 9 years (1.10 to 1.81 per 100,000 persons, P < .0001) and 10 to 20 years of age (0.41 to 0.72 per 100,000 persons, P < .0001). Conclusions Despite introduction of two pneumococcal vaccines, rates of hospitalization for pediatric acute mastoiditis did not decline between 2000 and 2012. Between 2009 and 2012, however, children 0 to 2 years of age showed declining hospitalization rates, possibly reflecting the protective benefit of the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2017
Orrery: an animation of a model solar system using elliptical motion and trigonometry in processing

An orrery is a clockwork mechanical device illustrating the positions and motions of a solar system, first introduced by the Earl of Orrery over 300 years ago. This "nifty assignment" describes a homework assignment in one of the introductory programming classes at UNC Asheville, in which the student takes inspiration from an orrery to create an animation of a solar system in motion, using the Processing programming language. Within the built-in graphics package and display window of Processing, the student uses trigonometry to calculate the elliptical orbits of planets orbiting one or more stars, as well as moons orbiting those planets. Programming skills demonstrated by a successful student include: • Mastery of graphics primitives in Processing, including ellipses, rectangles, and other shapes. • Understanding of RGB and/or HSB color models, including alpha channel transparency. • Use of sequential, conditional, and iterative control flow. • Use of event driven programming to create animation. • Use of built-in and custom Processing variables to create timed events. • Knowledge of trigonometry, including the use of both the sine and cosine functions to calculate and animate elliptical motion. • Mathematical range rescaling, to customize the radii and positions of planetary orbits. • Use of relative variables, to allow planetary bodies such as moons to orbit other moving bodies.
The role of translation technologies in Spanish language learning

ABSTRACTTranslation for language learning has reemerged during recent years as an additional asset for foreign language instruction. In this time, the professional practice and training of translat...
Delayed sleep phase disorder in temporal isolation.

Study Objectives: This study sought to characterize sleep and the circadian rhythm of body core temperature of an individual with delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) in the absence of temporal cues and social entrainment and to compare those measures to age-matched normal control subjects studied under identical conditions.
Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Their Separation Should Not Mean Divorce

In 1980 and 1982, two committees of the National Academy of Sciences recommended a separation of risk assessment and risk management. This has, in some cases, been taken too liberally, with the risk manager failing to understand the complexities of the risk assessment. Some undesirable consequences are suggested.
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for HAND

In 2007, the nosology for HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) was updated to a primarily neurocognitive disorder. However, currently available diagnostic tools lack the sensitivity and specificity needed for an accurate diagnosis for HAND. Scientists and clinicians, therefore, have been on a quest for an innovative biomarker to diagnose (i.e., diagnostic biomarker) and/or predict (i.e., prognostic biomarker) the progression of HAND in the post-combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. The present review examined the utility and challenges of four proposed biomarkers, including neurofilament light (NFL) chain concentration, amyloid (i.e., sAPPα, sAPPβ, amyloid β) and tau proteins (i.e., total tau, phosphorylated tau), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and prepulse inhibition (PPI). Although significant genotypic differences have been observed in NFL chain concentration, sAPPα, sAPPβ, amyloid β, total tau, phosphorylated tau, and resting-state fMRI, inconsistencies and/or assessment limitations (e.g., invasive procedures, lack of disease specificity, cost) challenge their utility as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for milder forms of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in the post-cART era. However, critical evaluation of the literature supports the utility of PPI as a powerful diagnostic biomarker with high accuracy (i.e., 86.7-97.1%), sensitivity (i.e., 89.3-100%), and specificity (i.e., 79.5-94.1%). Additionally, the inclusion of multiple CSF and/or plasma markers, rather than a single protein, may provide a more sensitive diagnostic biomarker for HAND; however, a pressing need for additional research remains. Most notably, PPI may serve as a prognostic biomarker for milder forms of NCI, evidenced by its ability to predict later NCI in higher-order cognitive domains with regression coefficients (i.e., r) greater than 0.8. Thus, PPI heralds an opportunity for the development of a brief, noninvasive diagnostic and promising prognostic biomarker for milder forms of NCI in the post-cART era.
Artificial Neural Network to Detect Human Hand Gestures for a Robotic Arm Control

Assistive technology is critical to improving daily life of those with muscular issues such as Cerebral Palsy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by augmenting their activities of daily living (ADL). Robotic manipulators are one solution for helping with ADL; however, intuitive, accurate interfaces for higher degrees of freedom (DOF) robotic arms are still lacking. An intuitive control system based on artificial neural network (ANN) classification of real-time surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from the user’s forearm to detect nine hand gestures and control the movement of the 6 DOF robotic arm is proposed in this paper. The regular machine learning classifiers with the highest classification accuracies were ensemble-bagged trees at 90.3% and cubic SVM at 89.6%, with linear SVM being 84.8%. However, the classifier chosen was a scaled conjugate gradient backpropagation neural network model, with a classification accuracy of 85%, due to accuracy and usability in a Simulink model. The trained ANN model was incorporated into the control system for the robotic arm and tested in virtual environment. Preliminary testing of the robotic arm shows that the forward kinematic control system works well for most hand poses. Future improvements will include more processing of the sEMG signals and training on sEMG data from multiple subjects for a generalized ANN model.
MARKOVIAN RANDOM WALK MODELING AND VISUALIZATION OF THE EPIDEMIC SPREAD OF COVID-19

The epidemic spread of CoVID-19 has resulted in confirmed cases of viral respiratory illness in more than 1.4 million people around the world as of April 7th, 2020. However, different regions have experienced the spread of this disease differently. Here, we develop a Markovian random-walk spatial extension of a quarantine-enhanced SIR model to measure, visualize and forecast the effect of susceptible population density, testing rate, and social distancing and quarantine policies on epidemic spreading. The model is used to simulate the spread of CoVID-19 in the regions of Hubei, China; South Korea; Iran; and Spain. The model allows for evaluating the results of different policies both quantitatively and visually as means of better understanding and controlling the spread of the disease.
Discourses of incarnational belonging: Unpacking the motivations and goals of white urban relocators

This study critically examines the racial dynamics of Christian community development efforts. I use the Christian Community Development Association’s (CCDA) practice of relocation (the process by ...
Drs. Carter and Do reply.

To the Editor: We thank Dr. Martin-Iglesias, et al for their comments1 on our recent case report published in The Journal 2. We reported on a case of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy, and showcased the characteristic optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence imaging findings in a patient who had been taking approximately 13.6 mg/kg/day for 8 years, … Address correspondence to Dr. D. Do, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, 2452 Watson Court, Palo Alto, California 94303, USA. Email: Dianado{at}stanford.edu.
Rapid Detection of the Laurel Wilt Pathogen in Sapwood of Lauraceae Hosts

Laurel wilt (LW), caused by Raffaelea lauricola (RL), is a vascular fungal disease affecting species in the Lauraceae that has rapidly spread across the United States. This disease has caused signi...
Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus

Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is an autosomal dominant seizure disorder inherited with incomplete penetrance. It is clinically identified by association with febrile seizures. Patients with GEFS+ present with a wide range of epilepsy phenotypes including febrile seizures extending beyond age 6 including afebrile generalized tonic-clonic seizures, though myoclonic, absence, and drop attacks (tonic/atonic) seizures may co-exist. Febrile seizures become noted typically in the first year of life, are often multiple, and may continue beyond 6 years. Gene mutations are primarily identified in up to one-third of patients including defects in the sodium and gamma-amino butyric acid channels (SCN1B, SCN1A, and GABRG2) with linkage to multiple loci reflecting genetic heterogeneity. MRI brain is usually normal, and EEG has a normal background with generalized interictal epileptiform discharges. Broad-spectrum antiseizure medication is used for afebrile generalized seizures. The prognosis like the phenotype is variable.
Variational Multi-scale Super-resolution : A data-driven approach for reconstruction and predictive modeling of unresolved physics.

The variational multiscale (VMS) formulation formally segregates the evolution of the coarse-scales from the fine-scales. VMS modeling requires the approximation of the impact of the fine scales in terms of the coarse scales. For the purpose of this approximation, this work introduces a VMS framework with a special neural-network (N-N) structure, which we call the variational super-resolution N-N (VSRNN). The VSRNN constructs a super-resolved model of the unresolved scales as a sum of the products of individual functions of coarse scales and physics-informed parameters. Combined with a set of locally non-dimensional features obtained by normalizing the input coarse-scale and output sub-scale basis coefficients, the VSRNN provides a general framework for the discovery of closures for both the continuous and the discontinuous Galerkin discretizations. By training this model on a sequence of $L_2-$projected data and using the super-resolved state to compute the discontinuous Galerkin fluxes, we improve the optimality and the accuracy of the method for both the linear advection problem and turbulent channel flow. Finally, we demonstrate that - in the investigated examples - that the present model allows generalization to out-of-sample initial conditions and Reynolds numbers. Perspectives are provided on data-driven closure modeling, limitations of the present approach, and opportunities for improvement.
Rapamycin enhances BCG-specific γδ T cells during intravesical BCG therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a randomized, double-blind study

Background Although intravesical BCG is the standard treatment of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), response rates remain unsatisfactory. In preclinical models, rapamycin enhances BCG vaccine efficacy against tuberculosis and the killing capacity of γδ T cells, which are critical for BCG’s antitumor effects. Here, we monitored immunity, safety, and tolerability of rapamycin combined with BCG in patients with NMIBC. Methods A randomized double-blind trial of oral rapamycin (0.5 or 2.0 mg daily) versus placebo for 1 month was conducted in patients with NMIBC concurrently receiving 3 weekly BCG instillations (NCT02753309). The primary outcome was induction of BCG-specific γδ T cells, measured as a percentage change from baseline. Post-BCG urinary cytokines and immune cells were examined as surrogates for local immune response in the bladder. Secondary outcomes measured were adverse events (AEs) and tolerability using validated patient-reported questionnaires. Results Thirty-one patients were randomized (11 placebo, 8 rapamycin 2.0 mg, and 12 rapamycin 0.5 mg). AEs were similar across groups and most were grade 1–2. One (12.5%) patient randomized to 2.0 mg rapamycin was taken off treatment due to stomatitis. No significant differences in urinary symptoms, bowel function, or bother were observed between groups. The median (IQR) percentage change in BCG-specific γδ T cells from baseline per group was as follows: −26% (−51% to 24%) for placebo, 9.6% (−59% to 117%) for rapamycin 0.5 mg (versus placebo, p=0.18), and 78.8% (−31% to 115%) for rapamycin 2.0 mg (versus placebo, p=0.03). BCG-induced cytokines showed a progressive increase in IL-8 (p=0.02) and TNF-α (p=0.04) over time for patients on rapamycin 2.0 mg, whereas patients receiving placebo had no significant change in urinary cytokines. Compared with placebo, patients receiving 2.0 mg rapamycin had increased urinary γδ T cells at the first week of BCG (p=0.02). Conclusions Four weeks of 0.5 and 2.0 mg oral rapamycin daily is safe and tolerable in combination with BCG for patients with NMIBC. Rapamycin enhances BCG-specific γδ T cell immunity and boosts urinary cytokines during BCG treatment. Further study is needed to determine long-term rapamycin safety, tolerability and effects on BCG efficacy.
Is Youth Wasted on the Young? Determining Quality of Life in Older Patients with Epilepsy (4928)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare how the elderly (age >65 years) perceive their epilepsy in relation to younger patients. Background: As the general population ages, epilepsy in the elderly is a growing patient cohort. Due to comorbidities and potential differences in goals of care, it is important to understand and clinically treat this group as a unique entity from younger epilepsy patients. Design/Methods: Upon IRB approval, we administered the Quality of Life in Epilepsy survey (QOLIE-31) during clinic visits in a comprehensive epilepsy clinic, on particular days from September 2017-October 2019. Patients’ epilepsy history and their Neurological Disorder Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDIE) scores and Patient History Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder – 7 (PHQ-GAD7) were collected through retrospective chart review. Survey results were scored in subcategories using QOLIE-31 conversion tables. Results: 41 surveys were scored and corresponding clinic visits reviewed. Sixteen patients were aged 65 years and older (mean 73 years±2.9) and 25 were aged between 18–64 years (mean 47.8 years±2.3), with female gender predominance (60.98%). There was no difference in mean QOLIE-31 total score between groups, 51.2±2.3 vs. 49.1±2.9, p=0.57. On subcategory analysis, younger patients are more worried about seizures, 47.1±2.2 vs 56.3±2.7, p=0.01, however on generalized anxiety screening older adults tend to screen positive, 9.9±2.1 vs. 6.4±1.4, p=0.2. There was no difference in perceived medication effects on quality of life, 51.9±2.4 vs. 52.2±2.9, p=0.94. Older patients tended to score higher on NDDIE, 13.9±1.4 vs. 11.3±1.0, p=0.2. Conclusions: Elderly patients with epilepsy were less worried about their seizures when compared to younger patients, although they screened positive for general anxiety and had higher depressions scores. Further analyses are currently underway to increase cohort sizes and complete more detailed subcategory analyses. Epilepsy is perceived differently across different age groups and further study is needed to provide age-appropriate counseling. Disclosure: Dr. Heiser has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stoub has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Packard has nothing to disclose. Dr. O’Dwyer has nothing to disclose.
Associations between cancer diagnosis and patients’ responses to an inpatient tobacco treatment intervention

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of a chronic illness, such as cancer may influence health behavior changes, such as smoking cessation. The present analyses examine associations between a cancer diagnosis (i.e., yes or no) and response to an opt-out smoking cessation bedside intervention provided to hospitalized patients. It was hypothesized that patients with a past or present cancer diagnosis would report higher motivation and engagement with quitting smoking, and higher rates of smoking abstinence after hospital discharge, compared to those without a cancer diagnosis. METHODS Chart review was conducted on 5287 inpatients who accepted bedside treatment from a counselor and opted-in to automated follow-up calls from July 2014 to December 2019. RESULTS At the time of inpatient assessment, those with a past or present cancer diagnosis (n = 419, 7.9%) endorsed significantly higher levels of importance of quitting than those without a cancer diagnosis (3.92/5 vs. 3.77/5), and were more likely to receive smoking cessation medication upon discharge (17.9% vs. 13.3%). Follow-up data from 30-days post-discharge showed those with a cancer diagnosis endorsed higher rates of self-reported abstinence (20.5%) than those without a cancer diagnosis (10.3%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Being hospitalized for any reason provides an opportunity for smokers to consider quitting. Having a previous diagnosis of cancer appears to increase intention to quit and lead to higher rates of smoking cessation in patients who are hospitalized compared to patients without cancer. Future research needs to work toward optimizing motivation for smoking cessation while admitted to a hospital and on improving quit rates for all admitted patients, regardless of diagnosis.
THE ABIDING LEGACY OF THE REFORMATION’S CONFESSIONAL ORTHODOXY: THE REQUIRED VOWS OF WESTMINSTER SEMINARY PROFESSORS AND NAPARC MINISTERS

This article revisits how Christians since almost two millenniums have made use of creeds and confessions. Especially confessional vows used at Westminster Theological Seminary, also refer to the vows of the churches who are members of NAPARC (The North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council). First, it examines the historical overview of various Reformed confessions, and historical survey of Reformed confessions from the Reformation to the present. Then, Westminster seminary's Presbyterian and Reformed heritage, and finally, authority of and subscription to the confessions. To define Reformed confessional theology which arose in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, this article include the table of the confessions of Westminster seminary or the NAPARC churches. KEYWORDS: creeds, confessions, Westminster, Reformed.
Linear Multivariable Control Systems

This rigorous yet accessible textbook provides broad and systematic coverage of linear multivariable control systems, including several new approaches to design. In addition to standard state space theory, it provides a new measurement-based approach to linear systems, including a generalization of Thevenin's Theorem, a new single-input single-output approach to multivariable control, and analytical design of PID controllers developed by the authors. Each result is rigorously proved and combined with specific control systems applications, such as the servomechanism problem, the fragility of high order controllers, multivariable control, and PID controllers. Illustrative examples solved using MATLAB and SIMULINK, with easily reusable programming scripts, are included throughout. Numerous end-of-chapter homework problems enhance understanding. Based on course-tested material, this textbook is ideal for a single or two-semester graduate course on linear multivariable control systems in aerospace, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering.
Ethical dimensions of psychotherapy: a personal perspective

A substantial increase in the interest devoted to ethical issues has been a defining feature of my 50 years in psychotherapeutic practice. Reasons include a shift from a paternalistic to a contractual model of the doctor-patient relationship, increased litigiousness, and greater emphasis on the business rather than professional aspects of practice. Many ethical violations stem from misuse of therapist power in the psychotherapeutic relationship. One of the most egregious of these is overt sexual acting out between therapist and patient, a dereliction now viewed much more sternly, largely because of the rise of the women's movement. Therapist power can also be misused for purposes of psychopathological gratification, such as to dominate patients or impose values, and by emphasizing financial rewards over patient needs. A sea change I have observed has been the gradual replacement of a two-party by a three-party system of payment for psychotherapy. Among its most serious consequences in the ethical domain has been the weakening of the therapist's guarantee of absolute confidentiality to the patient. Managed care has further compounded the ethical dilemma by imposing a need to choose between the interests of patients and the organizations from which therapists receive remuneration. In their efforts to ensure parity coverage for psychotherapy, therapists need to respond to certain questions about their claims that their work promotes both individual welfare and the common good. Questions include the professional qualifications for skillful practice of psychotherapy, the evidence for its efficacy, the delimitation of the conditions properly treated by psychotherapy, and the extent to which these conditions fall within the medical model and thus satisfy the criterion of medical necessity. I conclude that, in spite of the efforts needed to maintain ethical standards, the "ethical revolution" that I have witnessed has enhanced the integrity and value of psychotherapy, both for its practitioners and for the public that they serve.
Fermentation of agmatine in Streptococcus faecalis: occurrence of putrescine transcarbamoylase.

Putrescine transcarbamoylase, EC 2.1.3.x (carbamoylphosphate:putrescine transcarbamoylase), has been purified from Streptococcus faecalis 10C1 grown on agmatine as primary energy source. The formation of N-carbamoylputrescine from putrescine and carbamoylphosphate serves as a convenient and sensitive assay for this enzymatic activity. The enzyme catalyzes both the phosphorolysis arsenolysis of N-carbamoylputrescine. Arginine does not induce the synthesis of putrescine transcarbamoylase in S. faecalis. Furthermore, the putrescine transcarbamoylase activity is easily separated from ornithine transcarbamoylase activity by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 indicating that the two activities are associated with different proteins. The significance of this new enzyme in the fermentation of agmatine and its relation to the other known transcarbamoylases are discussed.
The transfer of material during mating in Escherichia coli. Transfer of DNA and upper limits on the transfer of RNA and protein.

A procedure is described for measuring the transfer of molecules from cell to cell during bacterial conjugation. Phage-resistant radioactive donor cells are mated with phage-sensitive non-radioactive recipients. After mating, the recipient cells are disrupted by lysis-from-without with bacteriophage T6 and the lysates are filtered through Millipore niters. Radioactivity, which has been transferred from donor to recipient during mating and is released by lysis, is measured in the filtrates. By using different 14 C-labelled materials the transfer of various cellular components can be measured. Transfer of DNA from male to female E. coli was measured using [ 14 C]thymidine as a specific DNA label. Hfr males transfer about 9% of their DNA per recombinant during 90 min of mating in agreement with the expectations from genetic experiments. F′ 13 males transfer about 3% of their DNA per recombinant in agreement with the genetic size of the extrachromosomal fragment. There is no significant transfer from male to male or female to female. There is no significant transfer from Hfr donors of either RNA (using [ 14 C]uracil) or protein (using [ 14 C]proline, [ 14 C]lysine, [ 14 C]leucine and [ 14 C]arginine). The upper limits for RNA and protein transfer from Hfr donors is about 1% per recombinant.
Comparison of Performance of Students in an Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing Program for College Graduates and a Traditional Nursing Program

Currently, many schools of nursing across the country have implemented various models of post-baccalaureate nursing education. There has been minimal published evaluation of this type of nursing education. In September 1989, a large urban university in the Midwest instituted a baccalaureate program for non-nurse college graduates. After completion of prerequisite science and other liberal arts courses, students complete the nursing program within a 13-month period. This study compared the performance, measured by Schwirian's 6-Dimension Scale (1978), and academic achievement of students in the accelerated nursing program for students with college degrees (N = 27) and students in a traditional nursing program (N = 29). Data also were collected on selected demographic variables. Findings indicated significant differences between the groups. Students in the accelerated group scored higher on nursing performance and passing rate on state board examination. The traditional group reported significantly more hours worked and less hours studied. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, gender, and grade point average.
Stochastic modeling of flood peaks using the generalized extreme value distribution

[1] The generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution is a standard tool for modeling flood peaks, both in annual maximum series (AMS) and in partial duration series (PDS). In this paper, combined maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and L moment (LMOM) procedures are developed for estimating location, shape, and scale parameters of the GEV distribution. Particular attention is given to estimation of the shape parameter, which determines the “thickness” of the upper tail of the flood frequency distribution. Mixed MLE–LMOM methods avoid problems with both MLE (estimator variance) and LMOM (estimator bias) estimators of the shape parameter. The mixed MLE–LMOM procedure is extended to use the two largest flood peaks in a year. This extension is developed in a PDS framework. Estimation procedures are applied to flood peak observations from 104 central Appalachian basins. The estimated values of the shape parameter for the central Appalachian basins are more negative than has been considered physically reasonable, independent of the estimation procedure that is used. Twenty-eight percent of mixed method estimators of the shape parameter have values less than −0.5, implying that the moments of order 2 and above are infinite. The estimated shape parameters for the central Appalachian basins do not depend on basin morphological parameters (such as drainage area) or land cover properties (such as percent urban, forest, or agricultural land use). Estimated values of the location and scale parameters for the central Appalachian watersheds correspond well with GEV-based simple scaling theory. Estimated values of the shape parameter for central Appalachian watersheds are shown to differ markedly from those of southern Appalachian watersheds and the difference is shown to be linked to contrasting properties of extreme floods. To conclude the paper, analyses of mixture distribution models are presented to address the question of whether flood peaks really have extreme “heavy tail” behavior or whether the GEV distribution is not the appropriate model for flood peaks.
Development of similarity relationships for energy dissipation rate and temperature structure parameter in stably stratified flows: a direct numerical simulation approach

In this study, a newly developed direct numerical simulation (DNS) solver is utilized for the simulations of numerous stably stratified open-channel flows with bulk Reynolds number (Re b ) spanning 3400–16,900. Overall, the simulated bulk Richardson number ( $$Ri_b$$ ) ranges from 0.08 (weakly stable) to 0.49 (very stable). Thus, both continuously turbulent and (globally) intermittently turbulent cases are represented in the DNS database. Using this comprehensive database, various flux-based and gradient-based similarity relationships for energy dissipation rate (e) and temperature structure parameter ( $$C_T^2$$ ) are developed. Interestingly, these relationships exhibit only minor dependency on Re b . In order to further probe into this Re b -effect, similarity relationships are also estimated from a large-eddy simulation (LES) run of an idealized atmospheric boundary layer (very high Re b ) case study. Despite the fundamental differences in the estimation of e and $$C_T^2$$ from the DNS- and the LES-generated data, the resulting similarity relationships, especially the gradient-based ones, from these numerical approaches are found to be remarkably similar. More importantly, these simulated relationships are also comparable, at least qualitatively, to the traditional observational data-based ones. Since these simulated similarity relationships do not require Taylor’s hypothesis and do not suffer from mesoscale disturbances and/or measurement noise, they have the potential to complement the existing similarity relationships.
Distributed Cognitive MAC for Energy-Constrained Opportunistic Spectrum Access

We address the design of distributed cognitive medium access control (MAC) protocols for opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) under an energy constraint on the secondary users. The objective is to maximize the expected number of information bits that can be delivered by a secondary user during its battery life-time without causing interference to primary users. By absorbing the residual energy level of the secondary user into the state space, we formulate the energy-constrained OSA problem as an unconstrained partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) and obtain the optimal spectrum sensing and access policy. We analyze and reduce the computational complexity of the optimal policy. We also propose a suboptimal solution to energy-constrained OSA, whose computational complexity can be systematically traded off with its performance. Numerical examples are provided to study the impact of spectrum occupancy dynamics, channel fading statistics, and energy consumption characteristics of the secondary user on the optimal sensing and access decisions.
Influence of brain and behavior on the immune system

It has been shown experimentally that psychosocial processes influence the susceptibility to some infections, to some neoplastic processes, and to some aspects of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. These psychosocial effects may be related to hypothalamic activity. Reviewing the mechanisms that may be involved in the role of the hypothalamus in immune responses indicates that there is no single mediating factor. Various processes may participate, including the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine activity. The research reviewed has been limited primarily to a consideration of the effect of hypothalamic lesions on humoral immune responses. There is some evidence (45, 80) indicating that hypothalamic lesions also modify cell-mediated immune responses. Further research is required to evaluate the effect of the hypothalamus on cell-mediated immunity.
The slip process during yield-point deformation

Abstract When Frank-Read dislocation sources are pinned by solute atoms, the mode of dynamic operation of the source is altered. In particular the source may be activated even though the yield-point stress is as much as 15 per cent lower than the critical operating stress of the source, and, further, the number of dislocation loops per burst is strongly dependent on the relative magnitudes of yield stress and critical stress. A qualitative application of these results to the yield-point phenomenon is made.
DSM-IV Psychiatric Disorder Comorbidity and Its Correlates in Binge Eating Disorder

Objective: To assess DSM-IV lifetime and current psychiatric disorder comorbidity in patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and to examine associations of comorbidity with gender, selected historical obesity-related variables, and current eating disorder psychopathology. Method: A consecutive series of 404 patients with BED (310 women, 94 men) were reliably administered semistructured diagnostic and clinical interviews to assess DSM-IV psychiatric disorders and features of eating disorders. Results: Overall, 73.8% of patients with BED had at least one additional lifetime psychiatric disorder and 43.1% had at least one current psychiatric disorder. Lifetime-wise, mood (54.2%), anxiety (37.1%), and substance use (24.8%) disorders were most common. In terms of current comorbidity, mood (26.0%) and anxiety (24.5%) were most common. Few gender differences were observed; men had higher lifetime rates of substance use disorders and current rates of obsessive compulsive disorder. Patients with BED with current psychiatric comorbidity reported earlier age at first diet and higher “lifetime-high” BMI. Patients with current comorbidity also had significantly higher levels of current eating disorder psychopathology and negative affect and lower self-esteem relative to patients with BED with either lifetime (noncurrent) or no psychiatric histories. Discussion: Among treatment-seeking patients with BED, the presence of current psychiatric comorbidity is associated with greater eating disorder psychopathology and associated distress. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Standing on the Promises: A New Generation of Black Women Scholars in Educational Leadership and beyond.

African-American women’s leadership experiences and “herstories” are absent from the leadership canon. In the context of preparation, practice, and research, a few cornerstones of leadership (power, control, authority, and influence) have historically been used in a negative fashion to marginalize, silence, and erase the accomplishments of historically underrepresented groups, i.e. women, African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, as well as gays, and lesbians. Often in the field of leadership preparation and leadership studies, the voices of the marginalized are not heard in the discussion or teaching of leadership theories, concepts, and research in general. Thus, it is a slanted view (as these articles have shown) of the concept. Therefore, in order to bring some balance to the field, the perspectives, experiences, and voices of Black women leaders are essential to the study of leadership.
Pars Plana Vitrectomy Infusion Line in Retinal Detachment Surgery

We used new applications for a pars plana infusion cannula in three patients with retinal and choroidal detachments. Because the cannula maintained intraocular volume and form, it was helpful in treatment bullous retinal detachment and choroidal detachment.
Mechanism for ordinary-sterile neutrino mixing

Efficient oscillations between ordinary (active) and sterile neutrinos can occur only if Dirac and Majorana mass terms exist which are both small and comparable. It is shown that this can occur naturally in a class of string models, in which higher-dimensional operators in the superpotential lead to an intermediate scale expectation value for a scalar field and to suppressed Dirac and Majorana fermion masses. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Effects of categorical labels on similarity judgments: a critical evaluation of a critical analysis: comment on Noles and Gelman (2012).

Noles and Gelman (2012) attempt to critically reevaluate the claim that linguistic labels affect children’s judgments of visual similarity. They report results of an experiment that used a modified version of Sloutsky and Fisher’s (2004) task and conclude that “labels do not generally affect children’s perceptual similarity judgments; rather, children’s reliance on labels to make similarity judgments appears to be attributable to flaws in the methodological approaches used in prior studies” (p. 890). In this comment we demonstrate that these conclusions are based on inadequate analyses and reporting of statistics and are inconsistent with Noles and Gelman’s own data. Instead, their data show a perfect replication of Sloutsky and Fisher (2004) and present further evidence that linguistic labels affect similarity judgment of young children.