cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with subclinical coronary atherosclerotic disease burden using coronary artery calcium scoring

Aim Diastolic dysfunction is a common problem in patients with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with an abnormal coronary artery calcium score (CAC score). Methods This study considered a cohort of patients ≥ 18 years of age with normal ejection fraction who were admitted to the hospital with chest pain. All patients underwent regadenoson myocardial perfusion stress imaging and had no evidence of ischemia or infarction. Patients then underwent cardiac CT for measurement of CAC score. Patients were excluded if they had prior history of coronary artery disease, ECG findings diagnostic of an acute coronary syndrome, an elevated troponin level, or hemodynamic instability. Results A total of 114 patients were included and 52 (45.6%) patients had echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Patients with diastolic dysfunction were more likely to have an abnormal calcium score (79.6% vs 20%; OR 15.10, 95% CI 5.70 to 43.85; p ＜ 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the presence of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiogram was significantly associated with an abnormal calcium score (OR 13.82, 95% CI 5.57 to 37.37; p ＜ 0.001) after adjusting for Framingham Risk Score or clinical risk factors (age, gender, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity; OR 19.06,95% CI 4.66 to 107.97; p ＜ 0.001). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is associated with an abnormal CAC score even after adjusting for Framingham Risk Score or clinical risk factors. Patients without known coronary artery disease that present with chest pain and have normal perfusion imaging with evidence of abnormal diastolic function on echocardiogram may warrant more thorough evaluation for coronary atherosclerotic disease with CAC score assessment.
Metadata as seeds for building an ontology driven information retrieval system

This paper presents an approach for an automated discovery, categorization and retrieval of metadata enriched E-learning resources. This research has further been implemented on a real platform "HyperManyMedia" at Western Kentucky University. It also presents the contribution that this work has made to the Adaptive Hypermedia systems. The main research question guiding this work is whether it is feasible and benecial to add the metadata to learning resources, while still being able to retrieve learning resources that are satisfactory and effective for the learner. The main goals of our HyperManyMedia system as implementation based on the suggested architecture, are to: (1) provide the learner with metadata search engine to overcome the limitations of searching for learning objects, and (2) be an open source repository for online learning.
Fast-Find: A novel computational approach to analyzing combinatorial motifs

Many vital biological processes, including transcription and splicing, require a combination of short, degenerate sequence patterns, or motifs, adjacent to defined sequence features. Although these motifs occur frequently by chance, they only have biological meaning within a specific context. Identifying transcripts that contain meaningful combinations of patterns is thus an important problem, which existing tools address poorly. Here we present a new approach, Fast-FIND (Fast-F ully I ndexed N ucleotide D atabase), that uses a relational database to support rapid indexed searches for arbitrary combinations of patterns defined either by sequence or composition. Fast-FIND is easy to implement, takes less than a second to search the entire Drosophila genome sequence for arbitrary patterns adjacent to sites of alternative polyadenylation, and is sufficiently fast to allow sensitivity analysis on the patterns. We have applied this approach to identify transcripts that contain combinations of sequence motifs for RNA-binding proteins that may regulate alternative polyadenylation. Fast-FIND provides an efficient way to identify transcripts that are potentially regulated via alternative polyadenylation. We have used it to generate hypotheses about interactions between specific polyadenylation factors, which we will test experimentally.
The use and abuse of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic resistance.

The growing problem of antibiotic resistance has made the formerly routine therapy of many infectious diseases challenging, and, in rare cases, impossible. The widespread nature of the problem has led some experts to speculate about a “post-antibiotic era.” Furthermore, though antibiotic resistance occurs in nature and is an inevitable consequence of even the most prudent antibiotic use, it is clear that our overuse and misuse of antibiotics is responsible for most of the recent increases in antibiotic resistance (McGowan, 1983; Austin et al., 1999; Arnold and Straus, 2005). Judicious and rational antibiotic use has the potential to limit the emergence of clinically important antibiotic resistance and may be able to reduce the impact of resistance that has already developed, effectively prolonging the shelf life of today’s (and tomorrow’s) antibiotics (Dowell et al., 1988). Nonetheless, the threat posed by antibiotic-resistant pathogens has been a wakeup call for modern medicine – developing new antibiotics is important but strategies to prevent infectious diseases (by immunization or other public health measures) will always be preferable when feasible.
Valuation of Callable Warrants

A simple valuation model for callable warrants is derived and tested. The model is expressed in closed form except for one term which can be evaluated numerically. Predictions of 78 warrant prices are compared to market prices and the average error is -.224 percent. By contrast, the Black-Scholes model applied to the same warrants produces an average error of 31.44 percent. Thus the callability feature cannot safely be ignored in determining warrant values.
Raising Malawi’s Children: Unanticipated Outcomes Associated with Institutionalised Care

Malawian orphans and vulnerable children are becoming increasingly numerous and visible in the media and materials produced by non-governmental organisations. As a result, orphanages are proliferating to meet their needs. Drawing on data collected in three different orphanages, this paper reports some of the positive and negative outcomes of ‘institutionalising’ children in Malawi. Being designated an orphan is becoming a valued identity for some, and a source of vulnerability and exploitation for others. While institutions address material vulnerabilities, orphans and staff report that they can also lead to increased stigmatisation, struggles over belonging, and the disruption of community and family ties.
Database and Metadata Support of a Web-Based Multimedia Digital Library for Medical Education

Digital Libraries play an important role in education; they are beneficial to both instructors and students. Many Web file-based course material systems have been built, but most of them do not have effective management mechanisms. Instead, they often have broken links and do not support metadata. To transfer these course materials from a file repository to an integrated and searchable educational digital library, database and metadata supports are needed. In this paper, we report our design and implementation of a Web-based multimedia digital library for medical education with database and metadata support. Our system is built on top of SQL Server, a relational database management system. It adopts the Instructional Management System (IMS) standard for metadata representation and the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Heading controlled vocabulary to remove ambiguity and inconsistency in metadata definitions. It includes a sophisticated search engine for both database content and metadata. It also supports the IMS Content Packaging Specification for learning materials export and exchange.
Computational Aspects of Equilibria

Equilibria play a central role in game theory and economics. They characterize the possible outcomes in the interaction of rational, optimizing agents: In a game between rational players that want to optimize their payoffs, the only solutions in which no player has any incentive to switch his strategy are the Nash equilibria. Price equilibria in markets give the prices that allow the market to clear (demand matches supply) while the traders optimize their preferences (utilities). Fundamental theorems of Nash [34] and Arrow-Debreu [2] established the existence of the respective equilibria (under suitable conditions in the market case). The proofs in both cases use a fixed point theorem (relying ultimately on a compactness argument), and are non-constructive, i.e., do not yield an algorithm for constructing an equilibrium. We would clearly like to compute these predicted outcomes. This has led to extensive research since the 60's in the game theory and mathematical economics literature, with the development of several methods for computation of equilibria, and more generally fixed points. More recently, equilibria problems have been studied intensively in the computer science community, from the point of view of modern computation theory. While we still do not know definitely whether equilibria can be computed in general efficiently or not, these investigations have led to a better understanding of the computational complexity of equilibria, the various issues involved, and the relationship with other open problems in computation. In this talk we will discuss some of these aspects and our current understanding of the relevant problems. We outline below the main points and explain some of the related issues.
Another look at Land's Retinex algorithm

D. H. Brainard and B. A. Wandell (1986) have criticized the Retinex algorithm as being flawed in its adverse sensitivity to the composition of the image's scene. The author considers whether and to what extent the Retinex algorithm can provide useful information for automated processes that rely on color identification in spite of changing conditions in the scene. The performance of the algorithm was tested using simulated images. The objective was to understand how well it performed through various changes in the makeup and properties of the image. The results, in general, show that the algorithm is tolerant of changes in the makeup of the image. >
Multidimensional Inverse Scattering with Fixed-Energy Data

In this lecture the author reviews his results on multidimensional inverse scattering. References to the works of other authors can be found in [20]. Five topics are briefly discussed: — 1) property C with constraints and new type of the uniqueness theorems for inverse scattering — 2) inversion of noisy discrete fixed-energy 3D scattering data and error estimates — 3) variational principles equivalent to inverse scattering problems — 4) low-frequency data inversion — 5) asymptotic inverse scattering theory for scattering by small inhomogeneities.
Icosahedral Crown Gold Nanocluster Au43Cu12 with High Catalytic Activity

Structural and catalytic properties of the gold alloy nanocluster Au43Cu12 are investigated using a density-functional method. In contrast to the pure Au55 nanocluster, which exhibits a low-symmetry C1 structure, the 55-atom “crown gold” nanocluster exhibits a multishell structure, denoted by Au@Cu12@Au42, with the highest icosahedral group-symmetry. In addition, density functional calculations suggest that this geometric magic-number nanocluster possesses comparable catalytic capability as a small-sized Au10 cluster for the CO oxidation, due in part to their low-coordinated Au atoms on vertexes. The gold alloy nanocluster also shows higher selectivity for styrene oxidation than the bare Au(111) surface.
Effects of Probiotic VSL#3 on Cytokine and Tight Junction Protein Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

In the gut, benefits of probiotic bacteria may be mediated through multiple mechanisms, including alteration of the composition or metabolism of the gut microbiota, direct action on host intestinal...
Real-time data assimilation of ice concentration into a coupled ice/ocean forecast system

Since the late 1980's, ice forecasting systems developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have been predicting conditions in the Arctic Ocean and several of its marginal seas for use by the U.S. Navy. Each day a 120-hour forecast of ice drift, ice thickness and ice concentration is run operationally at the Naval Oceanographie Office (NAVOCEANO). Presently, a high resolution Arctic two-way coupled ice/ocean nowcast/forecast system based on the Community Ice CodE (CICE) and the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) is being tested using the Navy Coupled Ocean Data Assimilation (NCODA) system. Ice concentration data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) is used as initialization for the model's ice concentration field. Results from the coupled system both with and without the use of ice concentration data for initialization will be discussed.
Evolution-based design of proteins.

Abstract Statistical analysis of protein sequences indicates an architecture for natural proteins in which amino acids are engaged in a sparse, hierarchical pattern of interactions in the tertiary structure. This architecture might be a key and distinguishing feature of evolved proteins—a design principle providing not only for foldability and high-performance function but also for robustness to perturbation and the capacity for rapid adaptation to new selection pressures. Here, we describe an approach for systematically testing this design principle for natural-like proteins by (1) computational design of synthetic sequences that gradually add or remove constraints along the hierarchy of interacting residues and (2) experimental testing of the designed sequences for folding and biochemical function. By this process, we hope to understand how the constraints on fold, function, and other aspects of fitness are organized within natural proteins, a first step in understanding the process of “design” by evolution.
Mazes, skinner boxes and feeding behavior

Publisher Summary Historically, two major methods and pieces of apparatus have dominated the study of appetitive behavior in animal psychology. The different responses required by each piece of apparatus may be affected in different ways by rewarding events due to each responses different biological function. Some researchers have used only operant conditioning techniques, others have used only the maze procedure throughout their published career. Studies evaluating the persistence of behavior in the form of resistance to extinction predominantly utilize the maze procedure, but studies evaluating the stimulus generalization predominantly utilize the operant procedure. In each case, the particular procedure results in orderly data, encouraging the further use of the particular procedure to evaluate the particular behavioral phenomenon. As the neurosciences come to depend on behavioral theory for knowledge of processes, a major distinction between spatial-maze processes and harvesting operant processes may be of prime importance.
Advances in tracking small migratory birds: a technical review of light-level geolocation

Light-level geolocation data loggers, or geologgers, have recently been miniaturized to the extent that they can be deployed on small songbirds, allowing us to determine many previously unknown migration routes, breeding locations, and wintering sites. Use of geologgers on small birds has great potential to help address major research and conservation questions, but the method is not without its shortcomings. Among these shortcomings are the need to recapture birds after they have carried a device throughout a migration cycle and the potential for the devices to affect survival and behavior. We examined return rates of birds with geologgers in published and unpublishedstudiesandfoundnoevidenceofageneralnegativeeffectofgeologgersonsurvival,althoughtherewere a few individual studies where such an effect was evident. From these same studies, we found that most currently used harness materials are equivalent in terms of failure rates, and the most reliable geologgers are those made by the British Antarctic Survey (although these were also the largest geologgers used in the studies we examined). With regard to analysis methods, we believe there is much room for improvement. Use of online archiving of both data and analysis parameters would greatly improve the repeatability and transparency of geologger research. RESUMEN. Avances en el rastreo de peque˜ nas aves migratorias: una revisi´
Searching for Experiences: The Web-Based Virtual Tour in Tourism Marketing

Abstract Destination marketers are increasingly providing opportunities for Web-based virtual tours in their destination promotion efforts. However, it appears that the concept of “virtual tour” remains undefined and little attention has been paid to the potential impact of virtual tours both from the industry and academic perspectives. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize the notion of Web-based virtual tour and examine the effects of Web-based virtual tour on tourism marketing. Propositions are developed throughout the paper to highlight the properties of the virtual tour. Implications are discussed as to how tourism organizations could better market their destinations by utilizing the Web-based virtual tour.
Identity, Identification, and Membership: Review of “The Passport in America: The History of a Document”

The article reviews the book "The Passport in America: The History of a Document," by Craig Robertson.
Improved Thermoelectric Cooling Based on the Thomson Effect

Traditional thermoelectric cooling relies on the Peltier effect which produces a temperature drop limited by the figure of merit, zT. This cooling limit is not required from classical thermodynamics but can be traced to problems of thermoelectric compatibility. Alternatively, if a thermoelectric cooler can be designed to achieve full thermoelectric compatibility, lower temperature can be achieved even if the zT is low. In such a device the Thomson effect plays an important role. We present the theoretical concept of a “Thomson cooler,” for cryogenic cooling which is designed to maintain thermoelectric compatibility and we derive the requirements for the Seebeck coefficient.
A computational study of efficient shortest path algorithms

Abstract Five efficient shortest path algorithms are implemented and compared in this report. The selected algorithms are the most efficient, measured either in terms of worst case bounds or from previous computational studies. The algorithms include two using threshold functions, two using heaps, and one using buckets for sorting node labels. The last three algorithms have not been studied in detail before. The computational experiment employs a rigorous design to ensure that the results have statistical validity. Three different cost functions are generated to measure the sensitivity of each algorithm to cost distributions. Curve fittings are performed to summarize the results and they show high degrees of goodness-of-fit. The results reveal some heretofore unknown properties of some of the algorithms.
Viewing model for virtual environment displays

We present a viewing model that is appropriate for several types of displays used in virtual environment systems, including head-mounted displays and head-tracked stationary displays. The model accounts for arbitrary size, placement, and orientation of the display images, and thus is suitable for various display designs. We provide algorithms for calculating stereoscopic viewing and projection matrices. The tracking algorithm models the position and orientation of the tracker's emitter and the displacement between the sensor and the user's eyes. The algorithms are presented as parameterized homogeneous transforms. We also discuss features that can be used to avoid accommodation/convergence conflicts. The advantages of this viewing model and algorithm are the elimination of possible vertical parallax, an undistorted perception of depth, and reduction of eye fatigue due to excessive parallax. All of these factors contribute to improved comfort and utility for the operator.
Medicare Part D: practical practice information for healthcare providers.

Purpose: To provide an overview of Medicare Part D and useful practice information for healthcare providers to help guide Medicare beneficiaries when choosing a Part D plan. Data sources: Documents written by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Kaiser Family Foundation, and United States Department of Health & Human Services. Conclusions: Although Medicare Part D can provide assistance with prescription drug costs to Medicare beneficiaries, the transition to Medicare Part D in 2006 will be challenging for both beneficiaries and healthcare providers. It is important that both Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers understand the complex drug benefit to facilitate the transition to Medicare Part D. Implications for practice: It is likely that Medicare Part D formularies will require adjustments to many Medicare beneficiaries’ medication regimens. Additionally, it is possible that there will be an increase in the number of prior authorizations and other requirements such as step therapy requests.
Effects of Information, Payoff Magnitude, and Favorability of Alternative Settlement on Bargaining Outcomes

Summary Three experiments were conducted to determine if payoff magnitude and favorability of alternative settlements moderate the effect of information on bargaining outcomes or have a direct effect on these outcomes. The first experiment evaluated the hypothesis that unilateral information will be either an advantage or a disadvantage, compared to no-information or bilateral information, depending upon the relative magnitude of the two bargainer's payoffs. The data from 144 male and female, graduate and undergraduate management students did not support this hypothesis, but another complex interaction was found. Bargainers with unequal payoffs settled closer to the equal-profit price in the bilateral information condition than in the no-information condition. In the second experiment with 96 male and female, graduate and undergraduate management students, the bargainers with a more favorable alternative settlement obtained a better settlement in the bilateral and unilateral information conditions, but th...
Stochastic modeling of random roughness in shock scattering problems: Theory and simulations

Abstract Random roughness is omnipresent in engineering applications and may often affect performance in unexpected way. Here, we employ synergistically stochastic simulations and second-order stochastic perturbation analysis to study supersonic flow past a wedge with random rough surface. The roughness (of length d ) starting at the wedge apex is modeled as stochastic process (with zero mean and correlation length A) obtained from a new stochastic differential equation. A multi-element probabilistic collocation method (ME-PCM) on sparse grids is employed to solve the stochastic Euler equations while a WENO scheme is used to discretize the equations in two spatial dimensions. The perturbation analysis is used to verify the stochastic simulations and to provide insight for small values of A , where stochastic simulations become prohibitively expensive. We show that the random roughness enhances the lift and drag forces on the wedge beyond the rough region, and this enhancement is proportional to ( d / A ) 2 . The effects become more pronounced as the Mach number increases. These results can be used in designing smart rough skins for airfoils for maximum lift enhancement at a minimum drag penalty.
Experimental demonstration of the holographic incoherent-erasure joint-transform correlator

We report the first experimental realization of the incoherent- erasure joint-transform correlator operating on the erasure nonlinearities of degenerate four-wave mixing in a real-time holographic medium. Our experiment used the joint-transform spectrum produced on a shorter- wavelength laser beam to erase a longer-wavelength four-wave mixing hologram in Bi12GeO20. We demonstrate a transition from matched-filter correlation to phase-extraction correlation by increasing the erasure beam intensity, in quantitative agreement with the weak-coupling photo- refractive model and simulation results. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instru- mentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(97)02809-2)
Crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of ornithine cyclodeaminase from Pseudomonas putida.

Ornithine cyclodeaminase (OCD) is a member of the μ-crystallin protein family, the biological activity of which is the conversion of l-­ornithine to l-proline and ammonia. In order to elucidate the functional groups of this enzyme that are involved in catalysis, the crystallization of OCD from Pseudomonas putida was undertaken. Using microbatch-under-oil screening at the high-throughput crystallization laboratory (HTC) at the Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute Inc. (HWI Buffalo, NY, USA), numerous crystallization conditions were rapidly identified. Several conditions could be reproduced on a larger scale as vapor-diffusion experiments in-house. The best diffraction-quality crystals were obtained from solutions of 40%(v/v) 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol buffered at pH 6.0 with 0.1 M MES and diffracted X-rays to 1.68 A resolution. Crystals belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 70.0, b = 78.3, c = 119.4 A. The VM was 2.1 A3 Da−1, corresponding to 42% solvent, which is consistent with two 38.5 kDa molecules per asymmetric unit. The structure determination is under way using experimental phasing methods.
Knowledge management and the competitive strategy of the firm

Purpose – Knowledge management (KM) has emerged as a strategy to improve organizational competitiveness. Our purpose is to identify the relationship between KM and the firm's competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approach – We review the existing literature on KM and strategy formulation. We utilize the resource‐based view approach as a lens for fitting KM with strategic planning. The concept of strategy and KM integration is introduced.Findings – We relate KM strategies to business strategy through a thorough review of the literature.Research limitations/implications – Future research should investigate the circumstances under which KM can create a sustainable competitive advantage within the framework of the RBV. Another area involves the investigation of the degree of integration between the competitive strategy and KM strategy.Practical implications – A very useful source of information for practitioners to refine their thinking about KM and the firm strategic resources. It offers the practitioner ...
Neutrophilic tuberculous panniculitis in a patient with polymyositis

The clinical spectrum of cutaneous M. tuberculosis infections is varied and atypical. Once a major cause of death, with the advent of antimicrobial drugs it had, until recently, been an uncommon consideration in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous disorders. Panniculitis can be caused by a variety of etiologic agents; however, only rarely has it been reported caused by tuberculosis. Herein, we describe a patient with an unusual case of neutrophilic panniculitis caused by M. tuberculosis that arose following corticosteroid therapy for presumptive polymyositis. This case illustrates the need to include mycobacterial infection in the differential diagnosis of panniculitis in immunocompromised patients, and the importance of early detection via microbiologic culture and histopathologic examination.
Reliable data transmission in mobile ad hoc sensor networks

In this paper, we introduce a new routing scheme for mobile ad hoc sensor networks, which effectively transports the information from source to sink by curbing the energy requirements, both at node and system level. The proposed approach, termed as Reliable Multipath-Information Dissemination via Label Forwarding (RM-IDLF), is both resource awareness and data centric. We integrate the power economics by using the local information within a sensor cloud and coordinating with the neighbouring nodes to disseminate the information. The nodes carrying the information over the decentralised network use metadata descriptors in the form of 'label', which communicates with other nodes. Actual information is then seeped through the path generated by trading labels. We study the performance of RM-IDLF for different node densities under faulty nodes to study the reliability and compare it with the current data dissemination routing schemes. We evaluate RM-IDLF over a C++ simulator. The experimental analyses show that we can save significant amount of energy as compared to the prior methods.
Studies on the secretion of serum proteins from rat hepatoma cells.

We have used crossed Immunoelectrophoresis to identify and establish the relative amounts of serum proteins secreted by a differentiated cell line (Fao) derived from a Reuber H35 rat hepatoma. Our results show that these cells secrete at least 15 plasma proteins. Ten of these: albumin, α1-antitrypsin, α1-lipoprotein, α1-macroglobulin, α1-antichymotrypsin, GC-globulin (transcalciferin), fibronectin, hemopexin, transferrin and the C3 component of complement have been identified. To examine the feasibility of using the Fao cell line as a model for studies on the regulation of hepatic protein secretion, we measured the relative amounts of 10 serum proteins secreted into the growth medium after exposure of these cells to dibutyryl cyclic AMP, hydrocortisone and a combination of both compounds. We also examined the effects of growth temperature (33.5°, 37° and 39°C) and the removal of fetal calf serum from the growth medium on the relative amounts of these proteins secreted. We found that the rates of secretion of most of the serum proteins were altered by one or more of the treatments used in these experiments. In addition, detectable levels of secretion of three serum proteins, fibronectin and two unidentified, occurred only under certain of the experimental conditions. These results demonstrate that the pattern of proteins secreted from Fao cells can be experimentally altered and indicate that this cell line may be a useful model for studies on the control of hepatic protein secretion.
Hyphal wall composition inApodachlyella completa

Mechanically isolated hyphal walls of the oomyceteApodachlyella completa (Humphrey) Indoh. (Leptomitales) were investigated by means of biochemical, cytochemical, and X-ray analyses. Microscopic examination of the cell wall preparations revealed them to be free of cytoplasmic contaminants β-Glucans account for 88% of wall weight and contain predominantly I→3 and I→6 linkages. Cellulose was demonstrated cytochemically and by X-ray diffraction and accounts for approximately 6% of wall dry weight. Additionally, walls contain 5% insoluble hexosamine, 4.8% protein, 1.1% lipid, and 0.5% ash. Chitin was qualitatively detected by means of cytochemical and X-ray analysis. The cell wall composition ofA. completa is similar to that reported for other oomycetes, in that β-glucans are the primary wall constituents. However, this fungus shows the unusual feature of chitin occurring simultaneously with cellulose, as do the closely related speciesApodachlya sp. andLeptomitus lacteus. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01R4022 00007
Free resonant oscillations of a conservative two-degree-of-freedom system

Abstract The resonance phenomena associated with the free oscillations of a pair of coupled nonlinear differential equations of the Dufng type are analyzed in the general case. The physical system considered has been discussed in recent papers in which special restrictions concerning the type of coupling and/or the nature of the dependent variables have been introduced. A method for applying the analysis to the more general case is illustrated for a particular perturbational technique-the method of harmonic balance. Similar considerations would be expected to apply to other perturbational techniques in the general case.
Influence of a tributary stream on benthic communities in a Didymosphenia geminata impacted stream in the Sierra Nevada, USA

The freshwater stalked diatom Didymosphenia geminata can alter benthic community structure. However, the numbers of D. geminata that must be present to do this is not clear. Is it possible that benthic communities in streams with D. geminata are not altered? A comparison of benthic communities in two similar, adjacent streams (one with and one without D. geminata) was conducted to identify the effects of D. geminata presence on benthic community structure. An additional comparison was made below the confluence of the two streams to determine the influence of an unregulated tributary stream on the temporal and spatial patterns of potential impacts of D. geminata on benthic communities. Benthic algal biomass (chlorophyll a and ash-free dry weight) in the D. geminata stream (dominated by D. geminata and Achnanthidium spp. throughout study period) was an order of magnitude higher. High D. geminata growth altered the physical environment of the stream benthos resulting in fewer grazing invertebrates and greate...
Dependence of optical rotatory dispersion of globular proteins on ionization and denaturation.

Abstract The following proteins were studied by means of spectropolarimetry: human serum albumin, bovine serum mercaptalbumin, β-globulin (metal-binding), γ-globulin, Bence-Jones protein, ovalbumin, chymotrypsinogen, pepsin, rennin, trypsin inhibitor, taka-amylase, and bacterial amylase. It was ascertained that the one-term linear Drude equation holds in all instances of native and denatured proteins. The dependence of the dispersion constant ( λ 0 ) on pH of the solutions was studied on most of these proteins. Denaturation by acid, alkali, heat, guanidine thiocyanate, and the detergent sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate also was investigated with some of the proteins. Pepsin, rennin, γglobulin, and Bence-Jones protein exhibited an increase in their dispersion constants on denaturation.
Neuropsychological effects of seizures

The neuropsychological effects of seizures, including an accumulation of single attacks, on mental abilities are explored through a selective review of the world's literature. Each paper included in this review was longitudinal in nature, and in each case, formal psychological testing was accomplished both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Of the 22 investigations meeting all requirements for inclusion, 9 focused on children and 13 on adolescents and adults. Some difficulties were encountered in that the types and numbers of seizures occurring during the studies were rarely included. Except in three studies where there were very few seizures of any kind, it appears justifiable to assume that the patients in all other studies had active seizure disorders. Assuming this to be true, in 12 of the remaining 20 papers, a relationship was found between seizures and changes in mental abilities, in 5 cases the results were mixed or uncertain, and in 3 cases the available evidence was against such a relationship. Mild but definite relationships between seizures and mental decline are supported by this literature review, but these relationships require much more study, particularly with a clearer understanding of the types and frequencies of seizures experienced. Suggestions for future research are offered.
Calmodulin—an intracellular calcium receptor

Calmodulin, a protein that binds calcium with high affinity and specificity, is structurally conserved and functionally preserved throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. It serves as an intracellular Ca2+-receptor and mediates the Ca2+ regulation of cyclic nucleotide and glycogen metabolism, secretion, motility and Ca2+ transport. Calmodulin is also a dynamic component of the mitotic apparatus.
Using the elaboration likelihood model to guide customer service‐based segmentation

Conceptualizes a model of customer service‐based segmentation derived from the elaboration likelihood model (ELM). Logistics organizations are utilizing improved customer service to achieve competitive advantage. However, these firms must segment customers to avoid escalating their service platform to those unlikely to provide adequate return. Based on ELM‐established relationships, proposes the following model: buying firms that demonstrate a high level of involvement with a product offering and show high organizational visioning are more likely to give ample consideration to the service improvements in their purchase decisions. In turn, these customers’ commitment to that product offering will be persistent and resistant to change ‐ leading to improved buyer loyalty.
A Computer Course for Educators.

A course for educators introducing the potential of the computer as a tool of instruction is described. The course is divided into five parts: 1) computer literacy, 2) motivation, 3) learning experiences, 4) reinforcement, and 5) evaluation. Each of the educators in the course receives credit by undertaking a project in his own area of interest and presenting it to the class. The course has been successful in improving the attitudes of the participating educators towards the potential of the computer as a tool of instruction.
An Ultra-Low Voltage 200 MHz 0.6 pJ Add-Compare-Select Unit in 180 nm CMOS

A high-performance ultra-low voltage design methodology is presented and applied to an add-compare-select (ACS) unit, resulting in an eight-fold improvement in energy dissipation over similar designs. Simulations show that forward body-biased pseudo-NMOS logic yields superior power-delay product (PDP) over both static CMOS and transmission gate logic for high-performance systems at ultra-low voltages. A modified logic topology termed pseudo-pass transistor logic is used in conjunction with pseudo-NMOS to further reduce energy dissipation. At 500 mV, the ACS achieves a PDP of 0.6 pJ at 200 MHz.
Eye and head movements during vestibular stimulation in the alert rabbit

Abstract Rabbits passively oscillated in the horizontal plane with a free head tended to stabilize their head in space (re: earth-fixed surroundings) by moving the head on the trunk (neck angular deviation, NAD) opposite the passively imposed body rotation. The gain (NAD/body rotation) of head stabilization varied from 0.0 to 0.95 (nearly perfect stability) and was most commonly above 0.5. Horizontal eye movement (HEM) was inversely proportional to head-in-space stability, i.e. the gaze (sum of HEM, NAD, and body rotation) was stable in space (regardless of the gain of head stabilization). When the head was fixed to the rotating platform, attempted head movements (head torque) mimicked eye movements in both the slow and fast phases of vestibular nystagmus; tonic eye position was also accompanied by conjugate shifts in tonic head torque. Thus, while eye and head movements may at times be linked, that the slow eye and head movements vary inversely during vestibular stimulation with a free head indicates that the linkage is not rigid. Absence of a textured stationary visual field consistently produced a response termed ‘visual inattentiveness,’ which was characterized by, among other things, a reduction of head and gaze stability in space. This behavioral response could also be reproduced in a subject allowed vision during prolonged vestibular stimulation in the absence of other environmental stimuli. It is suggested that rabbits optimize gaze stability (re: stationary surroundings), with the head contributing variably, as long as the animal is attending to its surroundings.
Doing Business in a Transitional Society: Economic Environment and Relational Political Strategy for Multinationals

This article addresses how foreign subsidiaries formulate their relational political strategy by responding to the unique parameters of the economic and institutional environment in an emerging market in an attempt to improve their performance. To this end, the authors have developed a model that assesses economic environment antecedents characterizing an emerging market (regulatory distance, industry accessibility, environmental uncertainty, and economic development) as well as the performance consequence of the subsidiaries’ relational political strategy. A possible moderating effect of the firm’s reputation in the host country and length of operations on the relationship between political strategy and local performance is also examined in the model. Our analysis of primary and secondary data concerning 358 foreign-invested enterprises in China generally supports this model.
Evaluation of selected monitoring methods for formaldehyde in domestic environments

Varioys analytical methodologies for the monitoring of formaldehyde (CH2O) concentrations in domestic environments have been developed and evaluated. A modified CEA Instruments, Inc., analyzer has near-real-time CH3O-specific analysis capability with an ≊0.01 mg/m3 detection limit. A solid sorbent, 13X molecular sieve has been utilized in a pumped collection unit with a demonstrated 0.03–12.5 mg/m3 linear dynamic range using sampling periods of ≤ 15 min. The development of screening-type techniques has included (1) a semipermeable-membrane passive sampler for measurements of average CH2O concentrations over 8–24-h periods, and (2) a visual colorimetric analysis method for semiquantitative CH2O determinations using solid chemical reagents. A preliminary field evaluation has been completed. The results show excellent agreement between the new CH2O monitoring methods and a reference sampling and analysis technique. A generation apparatus for the production of CH2O vapor is also reported with a demonstrated linear dynamic range between 0.003 and 12.5 mg/m3.
Coordinated backstepping controls for power system stability enhancement

In this paper coordination between backstepping damping controllers for exciters and static Var compensators (SVC) is presented. The coordinated design problem of both controllers is cast into an optimization problem which is solved using particle swarm optimization (PSO). Nonlinear simulation results are presented for a two area system to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Analytical Model for Water Inflow of an Archimedes Screw Used in Hydropower Generation

AbstractArchimedes screws have become increasingly popular throughout Europe to drive hydropower plants using residual flow from a stream or river. This heightened usage of such screws during the past few years is attributable to their robustness, simplicity, and fish friendliness. Presently the dimensioning of a hydropower site equipped with an Archimedes screw is dependent mainly on the experience of the design engineer. This is so because there is no appropriate theory for the optimal hydraulic design of screws used at hydropower sites, especially for the water-inflow conditions. In this paper, a new analytical model for the water inflow is derived, and the optimal values of the inflow parameters are determined to achieve a planned inflow to the screw.
Improving patient notification of solid abdominal viscera incidental findings with a standardized protocol

The increasing use of computed tomography (CT) scans in the evaluation of trauma patients has led to increased detection of incidental radiologic findings. Incidental findings (IFs) of the abdominal viscera are among the most commonly discovered lesions and can carry a risk of malignancy. Despite this, patient notification regarding these findings is often inadequate. We identified patients who underwent abdominopelvic CTs as part of their trauma evaluation during a recent 1-year period (9/2011-8/2012). Patients with IFs of the kidneys, liver, adrenal glands, pancreas and/or ovaries had their charts reviewed for documentation of the lesion in their discharge paperwork or follow-up. A quality improvement project was initiated where patients with abdominal IFs were verbally informed of the finding, it was noted on their discharge summary and/or were referred to specialists for evaluation. Nine months after the implementation of the IF protocol, a second chart review was performed to determine if the rate of patient notification improved. Of 1,117 trauma patients undergoing abdominopelvic CT scans during the 21 month study period, 239 patients (21.4%) had 292 incidental abdominal findings. Renal lesions were the most common (146 patients, 13% of all patients) followed by hepatic (95/8.4%) and adrenal (38/3.4%) lesions. Pancreatic (10/0.9%) and ovarian lesions (3/0.3%) were uncommon. Post-IF protocol implementation patient notification regarding IFs improved by over 80% (32.4% vs. 17.7% pre-protocol, p = 0.02). IFs of the solid abdominal organs are common in trauma patients undergoing abdominopelvic CT scan. Patient notification regarding these lesions is often inadequate. A systematic approach to the documentation and evaluation of incidental radiologic findings can significantly improve the rate of patient notification.
Modification of spacecraft potentials by thermal electron emission on ATS-5

Electron emission experiments on Applied Technology Satellite 5 using a thermal electron emitter are reported and analyzed. Operations in eclipse charging environments showed that electron emission could partially discharge a negatively charged satellite. Typical operations resulted in kilovolt potentials being reduced to hundreds of volts for a few tens of seconds, followed by a gradual recharging over a period of minutes. Equilibrium currents were modeled with a one-dimensional current balance model. Currents on the order of 1 microampere were found, significantly below emitter capabilities. Application of a three-dimensional, time-dependent computer model showed that differential charging on the solar arrays was limiting the emitted current, preventing the complete discharge of the satellite, and allowing it to recharge in spite of the electron emitter.